Thursday March 02, 2017
The Deputy Mayor and his memories of Mash DEAR EDITOR, A recent, emblematic Stabroek News photograph of two floats, captioned “Old habits die hard” caught my attention. The vexing visage of what was hours before the center of gravity now seared the esthetics of the national capital city; retired on a reserve, Homestretch Avenue. Our national pastime had come and gone with it the fanfare, revelry, jubilation and excitement, the melee of Mash. Yet events like Mash are important in the life of a nation, in the psyche of a people, and it should be supported and preserved. When I was a child living on the Shopping Plaza in South Ruimveldt Gardens, back then the name of the place resembled its use. On the ‘Plaza’ was a mash camp and Peter Tang was its master designer. The mash camp was a place of tremendous wonder, the sights, sounds and smells. I remember one year Mr. Tang produced a fire breathing dragon. I can’t remember if I’ve seen such an animated production before or since. The sketched designs were art in and of themselves. Talent, style and beauty par excellence on full display. When a man transitions this life only the quality of his work remains as a measure. And sometimes even that is lost irretrievably in a nation like ours. In the years that Mr. Tang reigned our parents would release us into the care of the band members on Mash Day and the big truck or ‘low bed’ was our perch to view the day’s festivities. As a result
of Peter Tang and so many other such figures that passed through his camp mash dwelled with us before the designated day and long after. I wish more children would be exposed to our culture in this way. It was an education for me and in many ways shaped my thinking as a young man growing up. In a mash camp you are exposed to art and history, math, science, geography, and economics, nay the curriculum and what was more it was an open expanse for the imagination. When I went off to high school this mash experience gave me a special appreciation for books like ‘King of the Masquerade’ by Michael Anthony, and what was to become a favorite, ‘The Dragon Can’t Dance’ by Earl Lovelace. Seeing those floats reposed on Homestretch reminded me of how much work and sheer talent goes into to producing them, sculptures of beauty for a moment of glory. But why should that be? Could we have a ‘mash museum’ where all our floats and costumes, or the best thereof, go to be enjoyed by our children, tourists and others all year round so that beauty of Mash might linger longer? And in this era of ‘Going Green’, of recycle, reuse, reduce’, couldn’t some of the materials for this year’s mash find their way into next year’s production? I am certain that with the cost of production, something can be salvaged. Sherod Avery Duncan, LLB, JP. Deputy Mayor, Municipality of Georgetown
Quoting Abraham Lincoln in complaining about the GRA DEAR EDITOR, Please permit me space in your newspaper to express my utmost dissatisfaction with the level of professionalism displayed by the Guyana Revenue Authority when addressing issues that does not result in any increase of their revenue. I refer to a current situation that I have with the GRA with regards to excess income tax that was deducted out of my 2015 annual income. As is required, every individual must submit an annual declaration of their individual income tax and whilst preparing same for the accounting period 2015. I discovered that excess monies were paid to the GRA. I have since written the GRA highlighting this oversight and also requested a refund of the excess, as we approach the junction of an-
other annual individual income tax declaration I thought it best to visit the GRA Camp Street Office to inquire about my concerns. To my dismay, I was reliably informed by an employee of the GRA that processing for refunds for the year 2015 has not yet commenced. I pause to calculate the year that we are living in if 2015 processing has not yet commenced. One must stop to wonder if the Guyana Revenue Authority indirectly intends to be a burden on the citizens of Guyana while serving the very citizens. I have in the past submitted late returns to the GRA and I was heavily fined for this neglect on my part. Abraham Lincoln once said “Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves”. ALISTER BURKE
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The importance of Black History Month must be emphasized DEAR EDITOR, The African Business Roundtable (ABR) salutes all African Guyanese entrepreneurs during Black History Month in February. Kudos must be given to the first 83 African Guyanese entrepreneurs who saved their money, some by burying it in the ground, and who rolled out their savings in a wheel barrow to buy Plantation Northbrook and renamed it Victoria in 1839. Five women Maria Grant, Belinda Hopkinson, Catherine Thom, Molly Archer and Hanna Foster should be remembered as heroines. History has recorded that within 12 years, freed Africans in Guyana defied the odds of over 200 years of enslavement and the genocidal loss of over 450,000 lives, to pool their monies to establish communities that subsequently were under seized by the British whom relentlessly deployed 12 different techniques including flooding and taxes to destroy the Village Movement. However, within 12 years of the first purchase, the freed Africans asserted their independence in a dramatic way, in that over 42,000 of the 82,000 population lived in villages they had bought and had set up their own local government. Over the first 12 years, freed Africans spent approximately US$2 1/2 million, the equivalent of over US$ 2 billion in today’s terms.
This greatest entrepreneurial endeavor in any post slavery society should put to rest the still racist view by several Sunday paper writers whom still tell their constituency that Africans were lazy and still are. Part of this falsity is the still lack of understanding of what the Village Movement was all about. It wasn’t just about buying land. It was far more and consisted of 10 separate but integrated goals: (1) real estate development (2) agricultural crop production (3) self-governance (4) community development (5) a sustainable life in a now new Guyanese environment (6) the creation of a new identity after enslavement (7) freedom and economic independence (8) schools and churches of their own (9) food security and (10) gold production and other economic activities. Black History Month in the calendar year of February should remind all Guyanese of the contributions and sacrifices (450,000) African Guyanese lives made for Guyana and should be provided reparatory justice. Amerindians did receive reparatory justice in the form of 13.8% of Guyana by the Guyanese Parliament even though the Wai Wais, Macushis and Wapishanas came to Guyana 100 to 200 years after Africans were here in Guyana. Black History Month should also remind African
Guyanese Youth of their innate abilities which enslavement and discrimination cannot stop. The Destruction of Black Wall Street is something they should remember. In 1921, a thriving Black community known as the “Little Africa” section of Greenwood, Oklahoma, a suburb of Tulsa, was the type of community that African Americans are still, today, attempting to reclaim and rebuild. It was modern, majestic, sophisticated and unapologetically Black. Tragically, it was also the site of one of the bloodiest and most horrendous acts of terrorism that the United States has ever experienced. As many as 300 African Americans lost their lives and more than 9,000 were left homeless when the small town was attacked, looted and literally burned to the ground beginning in 1921. It’s impossible, however, to realize what was lost in Greenwood, which was affectionately known as “Black Wall Street.” The oil booms of the early 1900’s had many moving to Tulsa for a shot at quick economic gains and high life, and African Americans hoped to prosper from the new industry as well. Tulsa, like many cities and towns throughout the US, was hostilely segregated, with African Americans settling into the northern region of the city.
African Americans in the area created entrepreneurial opportunities for themselves, which housed an impressive business center that included banks, hotels, cafes, clothiers, movie theaters, and contemporary homes. Greenwood residents enjoyed many luxuries that their White neighbors did not, including indoor plumbing and a remarkable school system that superiorly educated Black children. It was pure envy, and a vow to put progressive, high achieving African Americans in their place that would cause the demise of the Black Mecca many called “Little Africa”, and its destruction began the way much terrorism, violence and dispossession against African Americans did during that era. A young White woman accused a young Black man of attempted sexual assault, which gave local mobs and White men acting as police just cause to invade the unsuspecting community. Linda Christenson, a White woman, wrote the following on this terrorist act: “The historical record documents a sustained and murderous assault on black lives and property. This assault was met by a brave but unsuccessful armed defense of their community by some black World War I veterans and others. During the night and day of the riot, deputized whites Continued on page 6
The parking meter project is not the answer DEAR EDITOR, Pressed for the need for more finance, the Mayor and Town Council embarked on the parking meter project. The way this project came into being and the economic circumstances of the country would render it as something really ill-advised. Even though the Mayor and Town Council possess the authority to make such decision consultations should have taken place. When you are elected you have an obligation toward the people, and as such projects of this magnitude should have inputs from a cross section of the society. That from the inception the project was shrouded in secrecy with many draconian clauses does not auger well for its survival. Clauses of the treaty give too many rights in the lease and can prove to be a hindrance to future development. For instance charges for the parking meter will impact on the prices for the acquisition of an item: it will consist of the price of the commodity/service plus the
cost of parking. Some popular business places will be avoided, and it would be found more convenient and economical to relocate. Over the long run the need for doing business in the city will be avoided. A due diligence and cost benefit analysis should have been undertaken so that all the ramifications of this project could have been properly understood and the necessary adjustments made. Due to the lack of the above, we see that the functions of the police have been compromised; we see controversy erupting with territory; we see utter bullyism in the seizing of vehicles and con-
ditions of resale where the vehicle ownership is changed. The town council is trying its best to have a Vatican city where a state operates within a state. Well we must say thanks to the by-laws of chapter 28:01 as used by the council. The recent budget has imposed extra charges on the populace where extra is paid on school fees, vehicular charges (fitness, licence and insurance) and many commodities and services. With no commensurate increase in income your real income declines and people are made worse off. The parking meter is regressive, particularly on
the poor people as they are the ones who will be most affected by the ridiculous charges of SMART CITY SOLUTIONS. For the last elections the coalition won by a slender lead. It can be safely said that Georgetown made the difference. As such the Government cannot take a hands-off approach. For all you know it might be the straw that broke the camel’s back. Nazir Mohamed AFC Region 2
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President Granger is bypassing young people DEAR EDITOR, I find it extremely difficult first and foremost as a young person with high academic qualifications and secondly as a citizen of Guyana who voted for change at the May 2015 polls, to comprehend the utterances of His Excellency President David Granger and actions of his Ministers of Government. There are many cases to which I can make references that will substantiate my first sentence, but permission is hereby sought to present one case which is as recent as one week ago. Given the unfortunate situation which caused the untimely and unceremonious removal of the Regional Executive Officer of Region 9 and hence the need for someone that meets the requirements to act in the said position, I thought that the current academically accomplished and respectable young Deputy Regional Executive Officer of Region 9 would have acceded to the position. As a young person the opportunity to which the President speaks of so often for young people would have been tested there and then but instead of promoting the Deputy to act, a Field Audi-
tor from Region 3 whose academic qualifications I would like to see was given the position. This kind of suppression of educated youngsters and their supersession by our elders is unacceptable, demoralizing, uncouth and downright disgraceful. Editor, when these unfortunate acts occur, it is seen as a slap in the face of qualified young people, disturbs them psychologically, hampers their enthusiasm to perform and encourages them to leave the shores of Guyana. The Head of State on numerous occasions lectured this nation about the importance of education and the need for young people to show off their talents but here is a clear indication that David Granger’s words are nothing but just words since the Minister of Communities saw it fitting to put a Region 3 Field Auditor to act as REO as against the current University Graduate who is substantively the DREO. What a slap in the face of young people! WHAT A SHAME! I voted CHANGE in 2015 and this kind of leadership will make me vote change again. Deonarine Ramphal
The importance of Black History... From page 5 killed more than 300 African Americans. They looted and burned to the ground 40 square blocks of 1,265 African American homes, including hospitals, schools, and churches, and destroyed 150 businesses. White deputies and members of the National Guard arrested and detained 6,000
black Tulsans who were released only upon being vouched for by a white employer or other white citizen. Nine thousand African Americans were left homeless and lived in tents well into the winter of 1921.” African Guyanese history like African American history has been distorted by the media. I hope this letter helps to remind all Guyanese that the nation’s patrimony belongs to all, including oil and local content must from Exxon and its contractors must reflect this. Eric Phillips President, ABR
Thursday March 02, 2017
Questions about cricket administration in Berbice DEAR EDITOR, On December 29th, 2014, the Berbice Cricket Board held its last Biennial General Meeting, when Anil Beharry of the Young Warriors Cricket Club, succeeded Keith Foster of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sport Club as President, by defeating Victor Seebarran on a vote of 22 to 16, with the 1st Vice President Dhiatendranauth Somwaru being returned unopposed and observed by the unwelcomed presence of the Secretary and Treasurer of the Guyana Cricket Board, both men being paid Directors of the West Indies Cricket Board. Due to an injunction filed one month later, the activities of the Board were limited thereafter, and due to frustration, fear and a transfer on promotion to the Georgetown branch of his company, President Anil Beharry resigned in January 2017. Like all other office holders his two year term had expired on December 31st, 2016. The 1st Vice President Dhiatendranauth Somwaru tried to call a Special Meeting in February 2017, to discuss the relationship between the Guyana and Bebrice Cricket
Boards, but could not do so due to the injunction which barred Executive Members from holding meetings. Somwaru has since being sending out letters to previously appointed members of the Executive Committee, thanking them for their services, stating that he was looking for honest individuals and that the Board was moving on in another direction. He has been using another Berbice Cricket Board letterhead and has been signing these letters as President of the Berbice Cricket Board. The following previously appointed Executive Members are expected to receive letters: Malcolm Peters, Keith Foster, Albert Smith, Hubern Evans, Julian Cambridge and at least one other. Keith Foster and Albert Smith have indeed received such a letter. One Seywag of Bush Lot West Coast Berbice has also received a letter. It should be noted that Keith Foster is a past threeterm President of the BCB and the long serving President of the most progressive Rose Hall Town Youth and Sport Club. Malcolm Peters is a Life Member and former President.
Albert Smith is a highly experienced National Senior and Junior Level III Coach who performed as Chairman of the National and County Selection Committees. Hubern Evans is a former National batsman, an experienced Level III Coach, who served on the National Selection Committee and chaired the County Section Committee. Julian Cambridge is a former Vice President. All five of these individuals have servedBerbice Cricket in excess of 20 years and have served as Executive Member and Vice President before Somwaru did so. Somwaru attended three meetings of the Guyana Cricket Board in breach of the injunction. Since the absence of Beharry from Berbice more than a year ago, he has visited the Board office in New Amsterdam on three occasions, but only for a purpose other than cricket business while on his way to Georgetown. He showed no leadership then and has been showing poor leadership now. If he wants to be President of the Berbice Cricket Board he should call an election at the appropriate time and pro-
ceed from there. In the meanwhile he has no moral or legal authority to dismiss outstanding long serving members of the Berbice Cricket Board. He should realize by now that the $2 million dollars subvention promised by the Guyana Cricket Board, which has not given a blind penny to the Berbice Cricket Board since 2010, has been strapped on the back of a snail on its way to Berbice. As I look back with pride at my 53 years of association, serving in numerous and multiple positions on this once August body. I recall our policy of honesty, hard work, inclusion and building by consensus. The removal of the main pillars of our foundation can only result in the weakening of our structure, and with poor management, its eventual destruction. I urge Mr. Somwaru to put Berbice cricket first. Mortimer George Former Secretary, BCB 1976 to 1983 Life Member BCB 1987, Hero Award Recipient BCB 2008 2014 Inductee BCB Cricket Administrators Hall of Fame
Here are the reasons for Chris Ram’s attack on Clive... From page 4 management personnel and the other staff members are yet to be informed by government about its preferred line of action. It is interesting to note that in his criticisms of Professor Thomas’ tenure at GUYSUCO and the problems it is faced with Ram has said nothing about the years of decline of the Industry under the PPP regime. I wonder why. Mr. Ram cannot deny that as matters stand the future of Guysuco lies in the hands of the government, opposition and the parliament and not with Thomas and the GUYSUCO Board. But in his obsessive hatred and desire to indict Dr. Thomas, he has shown no
concern for his own reputation as a Professional Chartered Accountant, an aspiring political leader and a lawyer. Unable to contain his chronic envy and dislike of Dr. Thomas, Ram writes, “Still, it is Thomas’s role in SARU that causes the greatest concern. While he has every reason to be concerned about recovering assets of the state, to suggest that the Private Sector Commission (PSC) is not being principled” is uncharacteristically arrogant and deceptive.” Ram’s defense of the PSC is not surprising since many of its members are his clients. Ram continues, “In defending the SARA bill, all Thomas seems willing to cite is a single article of the UN
Convention against corruption. He knows that there are other articles, such as article 7 which deals with the funding of political parties and their candidates, which bears heavily on corruption in Guyana”. This is Christopher Ram the politician and hopefully the leader of the new ‘third force’ he is attempting to establish. I say no more. I now cite more evidence of Ram’s envious rage against Thomas, “Prof. Thomas, putting himself at the center of the debate….It is not surprising that neither he nor any of his colleagues has so far been able to defend the bill or his fanciful economics.” In as much as Ram pretends that his views on the matter of the SARA Bill are unblemished, Ram is fully aware that a number of the senior legal minds in the country do not support the position he holds. Ram in address-
ing a demand to Thomas, demonstrated what his intention really is. He wrote, “Dr. Thomas claims that he has all this information about hundreds of billions being lost to the state annually,” he then requested that Thomas and SARU hand over to the police details of this critical and important information. He did this fully aware that the GPF has been compromised by the criminalisation of the state during the PPP’s 23 years rule. Ram is aware that even up to today the police force is still trying to extract from its ranks those with association with the criminal underworld, and more, importantly the business/political criminal cabal. Editor and readers I contend that Mr. Ram is fully aware of the implications of what he is requesting of Dr. Clive Thomas and SARU. Why he wants this information? Tacuma Ogunseye
Thursday March 02, 2017
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$1B Kato Secondary School …
Court action still on the books for Kares Engineering – Minister Patterson Kares Engineering Inc. may be getting a second chance to redeem itself regarding the $1B Kato Secondary School which it left fraught with defects. But this in no way means that the company is off the hook. According to Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, the option of Government going to courts is still on the table. The politician maintained that the initial work done by the contractor can only be described as a “grotesque” waste of taxpayers’ monies. He was then reminded that Government had asked the Attorney General’s Chambers to examine the Kato contract with an aim to seeing to what extent the contractor could be held culpable. Patterson said that a number of options were presented by the AG Chambers. He said that Government was advised that it could terminate the contract with the company and go to court. “We were also advised that we could amend the contract and get the contractor to get all the corrective works done and he would be standing the cost for all of it. The contractor has acknowledged that he is in default and made an offer to rectify it.” He added, “We are trying to establish an independent oversight committee, inclusive of several stakeholders such as members of the Guyana Association of Professional Engineers (GAPE) and the Toshaos Council. So the contractor is going to be operating under strict super-
vision this time around.” The Minister also noted that if the corrective works are not up to standard, then “it is straight to court we are going.” “We are still to determine the full extent of the works to be rectified but this contractor is still blacklisted. He is not off the hook with this second chance.” Patterson recalled that the construction of the Kato Secondary School was conceptualized due to the recognition of several benefits. For one, he said that the school, when completed, was intended to accommodate approximately 400 students and would serve children from other communities such as Monkey Mountain, Kurukubaru, Kopinang, and Itabac. He said, “This would have led to a reduction on the strain currently seen at the Paramakatoi Secondary School. In some cases, children are forced to travel outside the region due to overcrowding and a lack of facilities. “In other cases, parents are warned that their children might have to remain in primary school. Cases like these should no longer be acceptable. The Kato Secondary School was expected to be the outlet to ease these tensions.” Patterson said that it was hoped that upon its completion, the school would also have a dormitory to house more than 250 students; an industrial arts department; two science laboratories; a li-
Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson brary; and other state-of-theart facilities, which are all necessary towards building brighter futures. He said that the school was also a precondition for the Kato Hydropower Project, which would have benefited from nearly €2M in funding from the European Union. The Public Infrastructure Minister recalled that the contract for such an ambitious undertaking was awarded in late 2012 to Kares Engineering Inc. Work commenced in 2013, with a completion date set for April 2015. He said that the project has been plagued with delays and a subsequent audit of it revealed severe structural defects.
From the findings, Patterson said that it was revealed that approximately 60 percent of the project had defects, with another 30 percent just over the borderline. Only about 10 percent of the project was deemed structurally sound, he said. Minister Patterson said that because of the shoddy work done by the contractor, some students would be unable to attend secondary school for another year and parents would be forced to reorganize their plans. Patterson also stressed that there is a need to rid Guyana of unhealthy procurement practices which he
said are clearly the case with the Kato Secondary School. He made reference to the Technical Financial Audit Report on the School which was completed by Rodrigues Architects Ltd. Patterson said that the report points out that structurally, the quality of the reinforced concrete and other elements were deemed substandard. He said that the construction was poorly done to maximize profits and the level of oversight by the supervising firm was severely lacking while the Clerk-of-Works was negligent in the execution of duties. Patterson said that it was recommended that the corridor of the school be partially demolished and reconstructed with galvanized metal decking and for the stairways to be destroyed and be replaced with suitably designed timber. The Public Infrastructure Minister said that based on the numerous building defects, it is clear that the project design and construction did not have the benefit of Professional Architectural input. Patterson noted, too, that the post-contract services of the supervising firm, Designs and Construction Services Limited (DCSL) failed to address the issue of amendments and extensions to the design contract buildings. The politician said that Kares Engineering Inc. simply failed to produce a completed
project according to the terms of the contract as is evident by the poor quality of the building. What unnerves Patterson also is the fact that the contractor was overpaid for the current works completed and paid well in excess of the present value of works on site. With the aforementioned in mind, the Public Infrastructure Minister insisted that the consultants are just as culpable of trying to hoodwink the nation. Meanwhile, the supervising firm had said that it never signed off on the poor work executed by the contractor. In fact, DCSL’s Managing Director, Ravi Ramlakhan, made this comment in response to the draft technical report on the School. The consultant made it clear that Kares Engineering never completed the job to its satisfaction and as such, it did not issue a Certificate of Practical Completion. DCSL also reported that Kares Engineering would often report directly to the Ministry and submit erroneous or misleading progress reports. These progress reports were designed to ensure that the then Ministry of Education could keep itself up to date with the construction, which began in 2013. According to the consultants, however, they frequently had to intervene to disprove the statements made by the firm and “(set) the record straight to the Ministry.”
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Thursday March 02, 2017
Syndicates, GGDMA clash over mining sector Small miners are holding firm to their position that establishing Mining Syndicates is the answer to addressing the issue of landlordism. They said that they would have endured this situation for a number of years. Yesterday, a number of small miners descended on Georgetown to protest against the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association for the position that entity has taken in relation to dealing with the new tax regime being implemented by Government in the mining industry. However, the group was advised by Junior Minister of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes, not to go ahead with the confrontational method of protest and were ushered into the boardroom of the Forestry Department of the Ministry. While there, one of the miners from the Upper Mazaruni/Imbaimadai, Wallace Daniels, said that for the last 10 to 15 years small miners were subjected to bullyism by larger miners over areas found to be rich in gold. “If gold starts to be found in one place everybody would crowd there. Whoever owns that plot would give out positions and you would pay. Sometimes you have to pay a million dollars a year at first. Then it went up to two, three, five million a year to get a position to work. “Generally, it deteriorated to where as soon as you go and work or prospect somebody’s land and you find anything more than a five ounce of gold, within a week they come and put you out.” According Daniels, in some instances armed security belonging to larger miners would show up, fire shots in the air and proceed to ‘wash-down’ the ‘sluice-box’ operated by the prospecting small miner, collect the gold
claiming it as outstanding payments and leave the site. “GGMC (Guyana Geology and Mines Commission) did nothing about it. Half the time the Police didn’t do anything about it, only saying well we coming and investigate. So that is what people were putting up with all the time.” The concerned miner went on to say that the GGDMA said nothing about the experiences being endured by small miners because the persons who promoted landlordism are senior members and officers of the Association. He clarified that under the syndicate agreement, the government would not be taking away land from members of the GGDMA but rather, would be providing access to new lands which were apparently being hoarded by GGMC for the past 15 years. “The practice used to be that if a mining company, a large mining company has a prospecting license and for whatever reason they don’t find enough to suit them, they give it up and that would be declared a closed area. “Within three years, if a company doesn’t claim that (land), it would go into the Open Areas or state land for which anybody can apply for a claim, or a medium scale block or large scale block but for the past 15 years the previous regime hoarded all of that land.” The GGDMA in a full page advertisement yesterday in this newspaper attempted to set the record straight on the issues being raised by small miners who are not members of the Association. According to the GGDMA, the cry of ‘landlordism’ and the statement that the GGMDA membership controls majority of the ‘good lands’ has intensified over the last few years as the price of
Members of the nine Syndicates in Minister Broomes’s Office yesterday (Ministry of Natural Resources Photo) gold had skyrocketed to record breaking heights, with many persons possessing no historic ties to the industry running into the bush to make a ‘quick hustle’. “In addition to these new hustlers seeking lands, there are many unsuccessful miners with long histories in the industry who are very bitter over their lack of success due to bad luck, bad i n v e s t m e n t s or in many cases, ‘blowing out their money’ on sporting, various escapades and living the high life without reinvesting sufficient funds into their mining enterprise or saving some for a rainy day.” Further, the GGDMA said that there is no special relationship shared with the GGMC to acquire lands illegally. The Association said that the syndicate groups have been calling for the removal of the head of the Land Management division due to assertions that the head is corrupt and facilitating irregularities which only affect small miners. However, the GGDMA said that this is rubbish since the Association would have penned multiple letters to the
Commissioner of the GGMC requesting the removal of the entity’s head long before the issue was raised by the syndicates. According to Minister Broomes, yesterday, the response from small miners who are willing to form syndicates is overwhelming. She said that it is an appeal the government is answering from the miners. She said that this issue has captured her attention since coming into office but has only recently been fea-
tured in the media. “In fact, one of the first things we did in 2016 was to call that big meeting at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre to listen to all the miners. So coming out of that, we decided to look at another area where they would be able to benefit in clusters.” The GGDMA had accused Broomes of wanting to divide miners and put them against each other. However, according to the Ministry, it is absolutely not its intention or the Government’s to put
miners against each other or to ‘divide and rule’ in any way. Small miners yesterday had said that they have no personal qualms with the membership of the GGDMA but have banded together as syndicates to protect and promote their interests. Cordially enough, the GGDMA in its statement had wished the small miners who have formed syndicates the best of luck and that the formation would see members obtaining the success that has eluded them.
VAT on private education fees remains in effect -but Govt. reportedly not opposed to possible review Although it has been the subject of protest action and a petition against it which has gained the attention of Government, the 14 percent Value Added Tax (VAT) announced for private school tuition fees remains in effect. Despite the many concerns, Government is reportedly not prepared to reverse this decision. However, based on re-
ports reaching this publication, following a Ministerial meeting, Government has indicated its willingness to possibly review the instituted VAT on private education. According to reports, Government has agreed to engage private educational institutions about fees and taxes. According to information disseminated by Government the majority of the 50-odd private educational institutions in operation have over the years failed to pay taxes. There are speculations that Government could be willing to waive the 14 percent VAT on the tuition fee if the pri-
vate schools decide to comply with taxation laws. Minister of Finance, Mr. Winston Jordan had related that while Government was desirous of lowering the 14 percent VAT implemented by the previous administration it was forced to institute the VAT on education in order to widen the tax base. By so doing he noted that Government was forced to tax items of goods and services that were not previously taxed. Currently the imposition of the VAT on private tuition fees falls on the payer (that is the parents of students at Continued on page 12
Thursday March 02, 2017
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The fears of the Foreign Ministry are misplaced Every country has a right to protect its interest. Americans have a right to just that, including through expulsions of those whom they feel constitute a threat to security within their borders. In recent weeks, immigration raids have been taking place within various states in the United States of America. The raids have included places in New York City which is home to the largest Guyanese immigrant community. Undocumented Guyanese in the United States are scared stiff about being caught in one of these raids. While the raids are intended to target undocumented immigrants who have a criminal record, an increasing larger percentage of those without such a record were rounded up. If some of these undocu-
mented immigrants without a criminal record are deported, it will raise ‘goose bumps’ within the Guyanese immigrant community since there are large numbers of illegal immigrants from Guyana residing in the United States. It is not likely, though, that the Trump administration will engage in mass deportations of undocumented immigrants without criminal records. There is an economic cost to rounding up undocumented immigrants without criminal records. The USA cannot afford to do this but even if it does on some arbitrary scale, the number of Guyanese illegal immigrants in the USA is infinitesimal compared with illegal Mexicans and therefore, statistically, the number of Guyanese which will be caught in any such deportation net is likely to be very small.
There is therefore no need for worry on the part of illegal Guyanese in the United States. For one, the raids are primarily intended to identify illegal aliens with criminal records. These will be deported. Secondly, Guyanese constitute a small fraction of the overall number of illegal aliens in the USA and therefore even if the raids are expanded to include these persons, Guyanese will represent a small fraction of those likely to be deported. Guyanese at home should not expect an influx of undocumented aliens without criminal records, from the USA. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs should not get paranoid and anticipate that it will have to do a lot of paperwork in order to facilitate mass deportations of illegal Guyanese
Dem boys seh...
Jagdeo mek acting a way of life When dem write de constitution and decide that de president and de opposition leader got to agree to appoint some people dem never believe that it would be like tying a cat and a dog together. Dem just can’t agree. People see that if dem live in de same house dem would tolerate one another fuh a while but somebody does do something stupid and is war. This present war start when Jagdeo decide to push Justice Claudette Singh in a corner because she hand down a court decision that he didn’t like. He decide that de Chancellor would not be she. In fact, she wasn’t even de Chief Justice. In de end because of Jagdeo Carl Singh never get confirm as Chancellor. Dem boys seh if that did happen de man would still deh pun de job because he retirement age would have been 68 and not 65 like now. But Jagdeo use spite. Even de Chief Justice who he appoint had to act because de Chancellor was really de Chief Justice. Now de Chief Justice gone and de Chan-
cellor gone. Justice Roy going home just now but dem boys believe that he coulda get a bite of de Chancellor wuk. Instead, Soulja Bai pass him like exam. De Cummings girl and de George girl now get pick but don’t expect Jagdeo to support dem. It mean that dem got to act till dem dead unless Jagdeo dead fuss. One thing is certain, acting or not dem gun get de pay. De Cummings girl wouldn’t have to pay tax, just like how Carl didn’t have to pay. Guyana gun be like Hollywood. It got nuff actors. This thing start wid Jagdeo. All in de court he had acting judges. That was to mek sure that dem don’t give no decision against him. Some of dem never get confirm; dem act till dem lef de wuk. Dem don’t have no acting judges now but dem got acting Chancellor and acting Chief Justice, two acting positions that Jagdeo create. And this happening just as SOCU promising fuh try some of dem who use dem hand like Jagdeo use he own. Talk half and watch how Jagdeo mek acting a way of life.
immigrants from the USA. This will not happen. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is wasting precious time and resources by holding a seminar on this issue for staffers of the Foreign Ministry. The fears of the Foreign Ministry are misplaced. It would not be too bad for Guyana in any event if there were mass deportations of undocumented illegal Guyanese immigrants without criminal records, from the USA. Guyanese are known in the USA for their hard work and their ability to save money. There are Guyanese who would turn up their noses at doing certain jobs in Guyana. But when they reach the Big Apple they suddenly are willing to take the most menial of jobs for minimum wages. They do wonders with this minimum wages. They save, buy properties and send their children to university. They pay their medical bills. Guyanese in the USA are
progressive people. The USA knows this. They know that if they deport undocumented Guyanese without criminal records this will lead to a run on the banks because those being deported will bring back to Guyana their savings. So it will lead to capital flight if there are mass deportations back home of illegal immigrants. It would be interesting to know whether the staff of the Foreign Ministry was provided with this particular insight or whether fears of instability were drummed into their heads. What Guyana has to be afraid of is the imminent deportation of hundreds of Guyanese who are not citi-
zens of the USA and who are in jail in the United States. These persons will be sent back to Guyana. Many of them have absolutely no ties to this country and therefore will find reintegration extremely difficult. These are the categories of deportees which the country should be worried about given past experience. But this is a concern more for public security than it is for public diplomacy. Were the staffers of the Foreign Ministry made aware of this fact?
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Thursday March 02, 2017
Kaieteur News
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
Factual news versus fake politics It is easy to predict failed leaders. I wrote my column that appeared in Tuesday’s edition and submitted it long before Mr. Jagdeo held his press conference on Tuesday afternoon. I couldn’t tell what would come out of Jagdeo’s mouth. But I did predict that in his forthcoming press meeting, he will not apologize for any egregious mistakes made and even acknowledge some of his depraved directions. True to form, Jagdeo said not a word about the hundreds of sickening policies his government pursued. Any commentator could rattle these off the top of their heads by the dozens. At his press conference
last Monday, Jagdeo presented a portrait of what a fool and ironically what a dangerous human being he is. First, he admitted that Kaieteur News was influential in removing his party from government. He said that Kaieteur News spread fake news that allowed the APNU+AFC coalition to win the 2015 polls. The other side of that coin is that his fake news that came from NCN, the Chronicle, Guyana Times, channel 65, channel 69 and the Mirror, his party newspaper, was pathetically ineffective. In addition to these news rooms, Jagdeo had a paid school of bloggers who wrote the most poisonous vilifica-
tions about PPP’s critics. These cronies took aim at the families of persons who denounced the PPP. Jagdeo should be cast aside by the PPP for his lamentation that fake news cost the PPP the elections. He is admitting that he was a failure. The PPP had six media houses and dozens of bloggers at its disposal in the 2011 and 2015 elections, yet according to Jagdeo, the fake news of the Kaieteur News was more influential. Why then after this record, the PPP would want to have Jagdeo as their leader? Jagdeo, Ramotar and the PPP lost the 2011 and 2015 elections not because of fake news of whic h J a g d e o ’s controlled media houses were churning out like flood waters from a tsunami, but because this newspaper and other independent media houses exposed the man, his party and their corrupt, authoritarian politics. The forensic audits findings will destroy whatever little staying power Jagdeo and Ramotar and the PPP have among their supporters.
Let us see what fake news Jagdeo is referring to and see if what he called fake news
Frederick Kissoon was not in fact actual events in the life of the oligarchic rule of he and his side kick Donald Ramotar. It wasn’t fake news but a fake marriage when Jagdeo led this country to believe he was legally married. The common-law wife told the nation he refused to sign the marriage certificate. No Caribbean leader, and one can throw the net far and wide to cover the entire world, has faced the types of devastating accusations Varshnie Singh made against Mr. Jagdeo.
She claimed she was ejected from the marital bedroom five days after the Hindu wedding ceremony. It wasn’t fake news when Berbicians were reeling from depression out of the thought that the US embassy would be stingy with visas after a senior Minister openly insulted the US Ambassador at the man’s home and the Minister’s philistinism was public endorsed by the Ramotar Government. Dr. Roger Luncheon described the Minister’s unbecoming conduct as a feral blast against the Ambassador. Maybe after that incident Berbicians decided that once the PPP remained in office, their visas would be in trouble so it was best to get the PPP out of government. Was it fake news or decadent living that PPP mandarins were building mansions with swimming pools with state funds for which the forensic audits will send them to jail? One senior minister sold a house on state land which was specifically awarded to construct a dwelling house
for the applicant. The Minister built a mansion and sold it to businessman, David Narine, for one million US dollars. It wasn’t fake news when pensioners’ money was jeopardized when Jagdeo took billions of dollars from the NIS and invested it in Lawrence Duprey’s ventures. Billions of dollars in NIS money vanished after Duprey’s empire collapsed. The actuarial report for 2013 indicated that NIS in 2014 would be paying out more money than it collected. This is what Jagdeo did to this nation. It wasn’t fake news when top Guyanese nationalists who love this country warned President Jagdeo that the Chinese contract for the Skeldon sugar plant was a dangerous move. He was given options that involved countries that knew about building sugar factories. Skeldon, today, remains the largest investment the state ever made and the largest sum of money the state ever lost. Such a man and his party want to rule Guyana again.
Thursday March 02, 2017
Facebook can now detect its suicidal members - Local Mental Health Specialist calls it ‘genius’
By Rehana Ahamad The world has become so technologically advanced, that social media is now capable of saving lives. Facebook Incorporated has created an algorithm that is being used to flag messages and status updates that express suicidal thoughts. This is currently being tested in the United States, but for a country like Guyana, which has the highest suicide rate in the world, this means hope. This is hope for persons contemplating taking their own lives, as well families and friends who would have to live with the guilt of overlooking suicidal social media postings as simply the product of a bad day or a mood swing. Then one day, it becomes too late. According to the BBC, Facebook has been offering advice to suicidal users for many years. However, it had previously relied on other users to highlight a troubling post by clicking on its ‘report’ button. What is currently being tested is a patternrecognition algorithm that has been fed examples of what to look for. For example, a post about feeling sad or broken would immediately be flagged for attention. Similarly, comments such as “I’m worried about you”, or “are you okay” would be sent for prompt review to the network’s community operations team. The BBC report went on to explain that once a person in trouble is detected, Facebook would move to have a qualified monitor contact the at-risk individual to offer advice and lend assistance. Facebook ‘s Product Manager, Vanessa CallisonBurch was quoted by the BBC, as saying that while it is
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Kaieteur News
Mental Health Specialist, Dr. Caitlin Vieira typically more effective for an at-risk person to be contacted by friends or family members, than by Facebook, it would not always be appropriate for the social media website to inform a relative. “We’re sensitive to privacy and I think we don’t always know the personal
dynamics between people and their friends in that way, so we’re trying to do something that offers support and options,” Callison-Burch said. Meanwhile, local Mental Health Specialist, Dr. Caitlin Vieira, told this newspaper Continued on page 23
T&T abandons MOU for 10,000 acres of agri land – Minister Holder Now that both Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago have new governments, the arrangement to make 10,000 acres of agricultural lands available to the Twin-Island Republic, seems to have been abandoned. Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder, said that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the previous governments of both countries, has since expired. It was back in 2013 that then Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, signed the MoU with his Trinidadian counterpart, Devant Maharaj. “A Memorandum of Understanding is only valid for one year, and in that one year, certain things have to be done on both sides. In that one year, Trinidad apparently expressed no further interest,” Minister Holder said, recently. He noted that even during the latest summit of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Trinidad expressed no interest in going ahead with the deal. “There were discussions to forge better bilateral relations, but none of these talks had anything much to do with Agriculture, so the land deal wasn’t raised,” the Minister said. Even though then majority opposition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) was against the initiative, Holder said a few months ago that the Coalition Government is still interested in the deal. “Oh yeah, we are interested in MoUs with any government,” Holder declared. The Minister went further to say, “In fact, we are offering interior lands to investors from any country at very low rental.” Holder explained that the Guyana Government does not have the resources to construct roads, airstrips and other amenities to open up Guyanese interior, but with
Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder being offered cheap lands, investors should not have any problem with constructing the necessary infrastructure. “If we have investors coming in here to utilize interior lands and so, they would have to put in all the basic amenities--light, water, roads, airstrips and so.” This, Holder pointed out, would benefit the land of many waters, even decades after the investors leave. “You see, they can make their money and leave, but they can’t take their development with them.” Meanwhile, the previous Trinidadian Government had
said that the island was pursuing the initiative, given the fact that there is a significant demand for lands there. The Island’s former Minister of Agriculture and Food Production, Devant Maharaj, had said that while Trinidad and Tobago does have fertile agricultural lands, these are spread across the twin islands, and cannot accommodate mega farms. He explained that over the years, there has been tight competition between lands for housing and lands for agriculture. “The Housing Ministry is mandated to provide subsidized housing for persons in Trinidad and Tobago. To date, we have close to 200,000 applications for housing and they only produced about 9,000 houses in the last three years. Before that, they produced about 2,000 houses, so this gives an idea about the intense competition we have,” the former Minister said during a visit to Guyana. The then Trinidian Government had intensions to cultivate in Guyana, cash crops like corn, soya, legumes and cassava. They were also eying the rearing of fish and poultry.
Duo steals toilet bowls, carpets from GT&T - court hears The courtroom of Magistrate Fabayo Azore heard that two men broke into a building belonging to the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) Company and stole a quantity of items. It is alleged that between February 12 and February 24, last, at Croal Street, Georgetown, Ricardo Fernandes and Navin Ally broke into the building and stole two toilet bowls, three mercury vapor security lights, two toilet tanks, two carpets and other items, property of GT&T. The men pleaded not guilty to the charge and were ordered to post bail in the sum of $75,000 each. Ally, 28, of Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara and Fernandes, 43, of Lot 611 East Ruimveldt Housing Scheme were ordered to return to court on March 15. Police Prosecutor Simone Payne did not oppose to bail for the men. Prosecutor Payne disclosed that the case file in the matter is still incomplete.
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Kaieteur News
Tax regime on mining promotes transparency – Minister Broomes Junior Minister of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes, yesterday said that the new tax regime on the mining sector is not a means to oppress miners but rather to enhance transparency in the sector. Broomes said that as it concerns the many miners with whom she has been in contact, they are happy with the measures specifically since concessions would now be offered across the board. “The syndicates themselves have spoken out and made their voices heard but for the miners I am dealing with are happy because it was recommended to government to use a ceiling of how many ounces of gold you should produce before you are entitled to that concession. “The smaller miners said that cannot meet them because they cannot afford to get all that amount of gold. So what the government did is to say once you are tax compliant. So it has gone straight across the board.” She said that as such, the
Junior Natural Resources Minister, Simona Broomes industry will be more transparent as syndicates can now sign on to the same concessions under the same conditions. According to Broomes, small miners have made their appeal and will be given a Compliance to assist them in this regard. “For the smaller miners, they have said it themselves that they will benefit from it.
The tax across the board is not that government wants to impose or to make life difficult for anyone; that is why there is a certain level of consultation.” To further assist miners, Broomes said that a booklet has been produced and being made available to miners for them to understand the new measures, highlight those which they believe to be burdensome and provide recommendations. “None of them have responded saying that this or that has affected them. I think the smaller miners are very happy; they are excited to know that they don’t have any bureaucracy to go through this or to go through that. They don’t have to produce this large sum of gold that they were unable to do but now they can benefit just by being tax compliant.” The GGDMA had on many occasions expressed its contention with the new tax measures to be implemented in the industry. Some miners at GGDMA meetings had
even said that the measures would lead to lower gold declarations and at worst miners putting a halt to production. Under the new tax regime, certain goods and services will attract Value Added Tax; the tributors’ tax would be increased from 10 to 20 percent, and there will be a two percent tax on gross. Added to this, miners will be required to file their income taxes at the end of the year. The tributors’ tax is taken from the money paid to those hired to work in the mines. The increase in this aspect is of great concern to the GGDMA, since in the past, their members have had difficulty explaining the 10 percent deduction to employees from their earnings. Additionally, GGDMA members have said that the requirement to keep financial records would pose a problem since a lot of records which will be acceptable by the Guyana Revenue Authority are not easily attainable and in some cases impossible in the ‘bush’.
VAT on private education fees... From page 8 tending these institutions) rather than the payee (the owners of the educational institution). “The argument has been made, at least by Dr. Brian O’Toole [Director of School of the Nations], that some parents would not be able to afford it. Perhaps, this argument has some merit. But, is the solution the complete removal of the VAT or to find
creative ways to overcome it?” questioned Jordan in correspondence seen by this publication. Minister Jordan therefore asserted, “One such solution is the absorption of the 14 percent VAT by GT&T. Note carefully, in this case, that though it appears altruistic, the absorption merely represents a reduction in the payment of corporate taxes due by the telephone company.
“A similar arrangement has been implemented by the CJIA, which has decided to absorb the VAT to be applied when parking at the airport. In like manner, the private educational institutions may wish to consider similar approaches,” the Finance Minister said. He added that prior to the recent amendments, educational materials were zerorated, meaning that private school providers had to claim a refund of VAT imposed on a wide range of school supplies. Now, all of these items have been moved to the Exempt Schedule, which means that no VAT is charged and none has to be refunded. “Please note that the en-
tire list of educational materials in the previous Schedule has been retained in the new Schedule. This is important because there has been idle talk of geometry sets, dividers and textbooks, among others, now attracting VAT. This is totally false, as can be easily referenced from the Exempt List that was published on a number of occasions in all of the dailies,” Minister Jordan noted. As of 2016, there were 54 private education institutions registered with the Guyana Revenue Authority, and according to Minister Jordan, few of these “were tax compliant, including submission of yearly income and corporate tax returns.”
Thursday March 02, 2017
Private cane farmers offered lands closer to Uitvlugt estate The route for transferring sugar cane stalks from Wales cane fields to the Uitvlugt estate is currently being upgraded. This information was released by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), Errol Hanoman. Hanoman, via a release stated: “The Corporation is in the process of upgrading the cane transport route from Wales to Uitvlugt to facilitate the transfer of the farmers’ cane via trailers as transfer via punts is too lengthy, costly and will incur double handling of the canes.” Although much detail was not given relating to the upgrade, Hanoman clarified that farmers from Wales, who are interested in the continuation of cane farming would be able to transfer harvested canes to the Uitvlugt factory for processing. “It has been determined that 60 percent of the farmers’ cultivation is closer to the Uitvlugt factory than it was to the Wales factory. For the farmers occupying the 40 percent of the cultivation furthest from the Uitvlugt factory, it will be too costly to transfer these canes to the Uitvlugt factory, and as such the corporation met with these farmers during March 14-16, 2016, to advise them of the possibility of offering them lands at Uitvlugt to continue cane farming.” Recently, the GuySuCo Board of Directors gave its approval for 14 farmers to commence cane farming in Uitvlugt. Approximately 54 farmers expressed an interest in lands at Uitvlugt. However, 19 farmers requested lands of less than five hectares. “Management had a meeting with these farmers to inform them that the corporation will not be issuing lands
GuySuCo’s CEO, Errol Hanoman below five hectares (one field) and suggested that if they cannot cultivate larger hectares individually, then they could form co-operatives,” the release stated. Last year, Wales Estate, the oldest factory in the country, shut its doors to grinding with the administration saying the plant was too costly and old to continue its maintainance. Several of the workers were transferred to Uitvlugt, another estate in West Demerara area. However, quite a few workers were let go. Private cane farmers who were supplying Wales were given the option of continuing their business with Uitvlugt. GuySuCo has been talking about upgrading tracks behind the West Demerara area to create a shorter route between their fields in the Wales estate area to Uitvlugt factory, West Coast Demerara. GuySuCo is facing major pressure to cut costs amidst billions of dollars in losses racked up annually. It has been draining the treasury with GuySuCo asking for and receiving billions annually to keep afloat.
Thursday March 02, 2017
Kaieteur News
Duo remanded for robbing men Two men, Navin Ally, 21 of Lot 53 Alberttown, Georgetown; and Emmanuel Lorry, 28 of Lot 9 East La Penitence, Georgetown, were yesterday remanded to prison after they appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore in the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts. They were jointly charged with robbery with violence. The first charge read that on February 25, last, at Georgetown, they robbed Shawn Romain of one gold chain worth $100,000, and one cricket band value $400,000. Both men who were unrepresented pleaded not guilty. The second charge which was read by Magistrate Wanda Fortune stated that on the same day in question the two men at Longden Street, Georgetown, robbed Roy Jaillal of one Blackberry cellular phone and $18,000 in cash. In the process they used personal violence towards him. The men pleaded not guilty to the charge. Lorry told the court, “I ain't know how to rob people because I came out of school at primary four.” Police Prosecutor Simone Payne objected to bail being granted to the duo based on
Emmanuel Lorry and Navin Ally remanded to prison the seriousness and prevalence of the offence. The nature of the offence and the penalty it attracts. Ally stated, “Since those police arrested me I have been suffering because they beat me with a gun in my head and
they bend me over and beat me with a piece of wire. I could strip and show you. I also have a medical to show the court.” Both men were remanded to prison and will make their next court appearance on March 15.
Body found in Meten-Meer-Zorg trench Dhaniram Jaikarran, an alco- cated a short distance from identified holic. He was identified by a where his body was found. The decomposed body that was found floating in a trench at Meten-Meer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara (WCD) has been identified. The victim is 35-year-old
sibling who reported that the last time he saw the man was two months ago. It is suspected that Jaikarran drowned after consuming alcohol from a shop that is lo-
The body of the 35-yearold man was clad in a long blue jeans and a white vest. It was seen floating in the trench by school children who raised an alarm.
Iraqi army controls main roads out of Mosul, trapping Islamic State (Reuters) U.S.-backed Iraqi army units yesterday took control of the last major road out of western Mosul that had been in Islamic State’s hands, trapping the militants in a shrinking area within the city, a general and residents said. The army’s 9th Armored Division was within a kilometer of Mosul’s Syria Gate, the city’s northwestern entrance, a general from the unit told Reuters by telephone. “We effectively control the road, it is in our sight,” he said. Mosul residents said they had not been able to travel on the highway that starts at the Syria Gate since Tuesday. The road links Mosul to Tal Afar, another Islamic State stronghold 60 km (40 miles) to the west, and then to Syria. Iraqi forces captured the eastern side of Mosul in January after 100 days of fighting and launched their attack on the districts that lie west of the Tigris River on Feb. 19.
If they defeat Islamic State in Mosul, that would crush the Iraq wing of the caliphate declared by the group’s leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in 2014 from the city’s grand old Nuri Mosque. The U.S.-led coalition effort against Islamic State is killing the group’s fighters more quickly than it can replace them, British Major General Rupert Jones, deputy commander for the Combined Joint Task Force said. With more than 45,000 killed by coalition air strikes up to August last year, “their destruction just becomes really a matter of time,” he said on Tuesday in London. The U.S. commander in Iraq, Lieutenant General Stephen Townsend, has said he believes U.S.-backed forces will recapture both Mosul and Raqqa, Islamic State’s Syria stronghold in neighboring Syria, within six months. The closing of the westward highway meant that Is-
lamic State are besieged in the city center, said Lt General Abdul Wahab al-Saidi, the deputy commander of the Counter Terrorism Service (CTS), deployed in the southwestern side. Units from the elite U.S.trained division battled incoming sniper and anti-tank fire as they moved eastwards, through Wadi al-Hajar district, and northward, through al-Mansour and al-Shuhada districts where gunfire and explosions could be heard. These moves would allow the CTS to link up with Rapid Response and Federal Police units deployed by the riverside, and to link up with the 9th Armored Division coming from the west, tightening the noose around the militants. “Many of them were killed, and for those who are still positioned in the residential neighborhoods, they either pull back or get killed are our forces move forward,” Saidi said.
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Thursday March 02, 2017
Kaieteur News
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1 Single & Double door refrigerator, 1-6ft Freezer, 2 glass cases, 1-280 Sthil weeding machine. Call: 6023000/ 600-2931 Audi A4 Quattro S line, excellent condition. Call: 6104242 One Diesel welder on trailer. Call: 699-4300/228-2734
CAT 215 Excavator, Leyland DAF 55 Tipper Truck, D4H CAT Bulldozer. Call: 2750538/ 683-7225 1- CAT 320 BL Excavators, 428- CAT Backhoe, 1 CAT 930 Front End, 9 wheeled pneumatic roller, Double Steel drum compactor- Call: 2750538/ 683-7225 Generator Diesel 1100w, Generators/welder Diesel 1100w, water pumps – 3" Gasoline. Contact Wills: 2278167 ext 10
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I.A.E Classes for CSEC June 2017: Mathematics, English A, Business & Science Subject for Students, Adults & repeaters. Call: 683-5742
Sale! Sale! Sale! Seafood Mania!! Fish/Shrimp!! All types and different processes. Call M.Wills: 2278167 ext 10
Electronic Course: starting 14th March. Hands on training repairing all types of TV’s etc. Call: 226-6551/ 2250391
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SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. - Cosmetology Courses: $120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 647-1773/6605257
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ENTERTAINMENT Jubilee Resort: pool, water slide, boating, paintball, games, etc, open daily – 10:00am-6:00pm. Call: 2258915/623-7313
Thursday March 02, 2017
Businessman gets bail on $8M fraud charges Myran Maraj, a businessman, was yesterday released on $100,000 bail after being slapped with three counts of fraudulent conversion. Maraj, 28, of Lot 145 D’Abreu Street, Newton, pleaded not guilty to the charges after they were read to him by Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. It is alleged that on August 15, 2016 being solely entrusted by Rorry Forde with $130,000, to spray a super bike, Maraj fraudulently converted the money to his own use and benefit. It is further alleged that between February 2 and February 15 at Georgetown, being solely entrusted by Forde with $207,000, to purchase biker gloves, boots and jackets, he fraudulently converted same to his own use and benefit. It is also alleged that on February 6 at Georgetown, being solely entrusted by Forde with $7.8M to purchase a Toyota Tacoma, he fraudulently converted the money to his own use and benefit. Attorney Everston Lammy-Singh told the court that his client operates an auto body shop. Police Prosecutor Deniro
Lawyers unable to settle payment dispute between GNIC and NICIL
Myran Maraj Jones said that the parties have known each other for close to 15 years. Prosecutor Jones stated that the virtual complainant gave the money to the defendant to purchase the items, but he never did. Jones revealed that several calls were made to the defendant’s phone by Forde which went unanswered. According to Jones, the virtual complainant reported the matter and the defendant was arrested and charged. In addition to bail, Maraj was also ordered to lodge his passport. He will make another court appearance on March 15 for reports and statements.
Facebook can now detect... From page 11 that provided the algorithm is accurate, it is a huge step forward in the right direction. “It is genius!” she exclaimed. With Guyana having the highest suicide figures in the entire world, it stands most to gain, should this programme be rolled out globally. “It would be our duty to contact Facebook, and educate on the help needed here,” Dr. Vieira said. Facebook is used by persons all across the world, and officials did not say specifically if the company would be contacting professional help located in the countries that the at-risk person is found to be from. This, Vieira noted, would be the most effective thing to do. “As a board member of the suicide Prevention helpline, it would be a great way to reach out. Currently, people need to reach out to us, and that isn’t happening as much as we like. So if there is a platform that allows us to reach out, it will definitely reduce the rate of suicide here,” the young professional
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highlighted. She asserted however, that Facebook should not limit persons from expressing their feelings, since that itself is usually very therapeutic. “It should not bombard the user with options of suicide prevention either, as that may have not even have been a person’s initial thought or plan. If they, however, send messages saying for example “If you feel you need someone to talk to” etc, it would be very beneficial and not presumptuous or leading,” Dr. Vieira added. The Psychologist is also calling for Facebook to go even further to report those users who have been encouraging persons to commit suicide on the social website. “I hope that they would then have to face criminal charges,” she added. Nonetheless, Founder of Facebook, Mark Zuckerburg, also has a programme being rolled out to detect posts that seem to be promoting or linked to terrorists and terrorism.
The Lombard Street offices of the Guyana National Industrial Company Incorporated (GNIC) Attorneys involved in the case for which the government’s holding company, National Industrial and Commercial Investment Limited (NICIL) has taken the Guyana National Industrial Company Incorporated (GNIC) to court over millions of dollars in rent monies owed the Government, have been unable to resolve it with regards to the outstanding monies. The case stems from an issue dating back to 1995. GNIC, a company owned by Laparkan and the Guyana National Industrial Company (employees), purchased the assets of the former Guyana National Engineering Corporation (GNEC) and leased Lots 1-12 Lombard Street as part of the privatization of GNEC. NICIL (GoG) reduced the rent due from GNIC by 50% in 2000 and the sale price of equipment in 1995 by 30%. Despite these concessions, GNIC failed to honour its obligations to pay under the lease. The matter was forwarded to arbitration in July 2009. The award of $148,860,870 was made by the Court following the arbitration proceedings between NICIL and GNIC for unpaid rent in 2013. But GNIC had failed to comply with the award. The Company eventually paid $108 million to the coffers as part of the settlement. The monies were paid in parts, $60 million and then $48 million. GNIC has been contending that it has paid the full amount of whatever rent was owed. But the attorney representing Government‘s side has been holding out that GNIC still owes the company $40 million. Yesterday, Commercial Court Judge Rishi Persaud was updated on the settlement between the two parties. It was reported that the two entities were unable to settle
the dispute. Attorney-at-law Neil Boston SC is representing GNIC, while Mr. Timothy Jonas is representing NICIL in the matter. Due to the ongoing dispute the two lawyers are set to appear before Justice Persaud on April 5 to hear the Court‘s decision in the matter. GNIC operates the largest wharfing and industrial facilities in Guyana. This facility is involved in ship-building, fabrication of parts and smelting. On the disbanding of GNEC on May 30, 2002 by vesting order #13 of 2002, NICIL whose Chief Executive
Officer (CEO) was Winston Brassington, became the successor of the lease agreement of October 30, 1995 and supplemental deed of lease agreement of January 2002. The term of the lease was for 15 years commencing November 1, 1995. In 2002, NICIL with the consent of the then PPP government via Cabinet, retroactive to 1995, reduced the annual rent to be paid by GNIC from US$1M to $70M and the sale price of equipment by 30 percent. Despite these concessions, GNIC failed to honour its obligations to pay under the lease and the matter was forwarded to arbitration in
July 2009. The matter has since been engaging the attention of the court since then. According to Court documents seen by this newspaper, the company on February 1 made a payment of $60 million to NICIL. Prior to that, some $48 million was paid to NICIL by the company. The payments are as a result of a court decision. But the parties continue to argue back and forth over the remaining sum, with GNIC contending that it has no more monies for NICIL. The Court is expected to decide on the way forward when the matter resumes next month.
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Thursday March 02, 2017
Kaieteur News
New Prison Rules in Jamaica - Correctional Officers to take Polygraph tests, Scanning Machines to be installed (Jamaica Gleaner) State Minister for National Security Pearnel Charles Jr. has declared it “time to draw a line in the sand” as the Government on Tuesday revealed several new measures aimed at putting a stop to the smuggling of contraband into Jamaica’s correctional facilities. The measures, including the polygraphing of all recruits and correctional officers, are also aimed at addressing ongoing claims that music illegally recorded behind bars has been making its way on to the national airwaves. “We have to respect the public’s concerns, protect our citizens and secure the reputation of the honest, hard-working correctional officers in the system,” Charles said in a statement following an eruption of controversy, over the past week, around the recording of music by prisoners. The controversy began with former Culture Minister Lisa Hanna stat-
National Security Minister, Pearnel Charles Jr. (Gleaner Photo/Ricardo Makyn) ing there was need for discussion around whether music from felons, such as d a n c e h a l l a r t i s t e Vy b z Kartel, should be banned from local radio stations. In swift response, fans of Kartel, who is appealing a murder conviction, hurled a slew of obscene
threats via social media, which subsequently led to a police investigation. “We will make every effort to eradicate corruption and criminality and to hold persons accountable for breaches, as well as deficiencies in management. It is unacceptable that breaches continue year after year, and it is time to draw a line in the sand,” said Charles. He added: “What now exists is a dysfunctional system, where we have to contend with contraband entering our correctional facilities and the allegations of complicity of our staff in this matter. This poses a potential threat to our national security and to our efforts to redefine and transform the Department of Correctional Services (DCS).” In acknowledging music and the creative arts as integral tools of rehabilitation, Charles said the DCS encourages authorised and structured participation in rehabilitation programmes.
Thursday March 02, 2017
UK PM’s Brexit plan suffers hitch in parliament (Reuters) Britain’s upper parliamentary house dealt a defeat to Theresa May’s government yesterday, voting for a change to her Brexit plan that says she can only trigger divorce talks if she promises to protect EU citizens’ rights. The defeat is a blow to the Prime Minister, who had hoped to pass her Brexit bill without changes, and it will push back the earliest date she can formally launch the process of Britain’s departure from the European Union to around March 13. However her plan to begin negotiations before the end of March remains on track, and government sources said May would fight to overturn the defeat when the changes
are presented to the lower house of parliament, where her party has a majority. The House of Lords voted 358 to 256 to make an amendment to the European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill. The change requires the government to publish proposals on how to protect EU citizens currently living in Britain — including their residency rights — within three months of triggering the Brexit process defined by Article 50 of the EU’s Lisbon Treaty. Wednesday’s defeat was orchestrated by the opposition Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats. “Labour believe that EU nationals should not be used
as bargaining chips in Brexit negotiations,” said the party’s Brexit spokesman Keir Starmer. “There is a growing consensus that this must be resolved before Article 50 is triggered, and the Prime Minister is now increasingly isolated.” While May has said she wants to guarantee EU citizens’ rights, she has not been prepared to do so until other member states agreed a reciprocal deal. “We are disappointed the Lords (upper chamber) have chosen to amend a bill that the Commons (lower chamber) passed without amendment,” a spokeswoman for the Brexit department said in a statement.
Justice Cummings-Edwards named... From page 3 the panel, is the current police legal advisor. Patterson was a member of the commission of inquiry into the deadly Camp Street prison fire of March 3, 2016. The two judicial posts are the most powerful positions and were never held by two women simultanelously before. According to Minister Harmon, the panel has to do its work. About five or six persons were interviewed for the Chancellor's position. The Chancellor of the Judiciary is the chief representative of the judicial authority of Guyana. The appointments of the Chancellor and Chief Justice are provided for in Article 127 of the Constitution which says that “The Chancellor and the Chief Justice shall each be appointed by the president, acting after obtaining the agreement of the Leader of the Opposition.” Cummings-Edwards was appointed as Chief Justice (ag) in December 2015, following the retirement of Ian Chang, SC. Both women had emerged from the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions, later becoming judges. Constitutionally Required Meanwhile, late last evening, the Ministry of the Presidency explained that President Granger earlier met with Jagdeo, as is constitutionally required, to consult on the appointment of a Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) and Chief Justice (ag). “Following that meeting, Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon announced that effective March 1, 2017, that Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, who has been acting as Chief Justice will assume the responsibility of Acting Chancellor and Justice Roxanne GeorgeWiltshire will replace her as the new Acting Chief Justice.” Minister Harmon, who along with the Attorney General, Minister Basil Williams, accompanied the President at
the meeting, said that discussions between the Head of State and Jagdeo were 'meaningful' and 'very frank and fruitful'. He added, however, that though the Opposition Leader requested a period of seven days to submit additional names for consideration, there is no requirement for him to agree for appointments of Chancellor (ag) and Chief Justice (ag) and the President can make such appointments once consultations are held according to the Constitution of Guyana. “For the substantive posts of Acting Chancellor and Chief Justice, though, Article 127 of the Constitution says “The Chancellor and the Chief Justice shall each be appointed by the President, acting after obtaining the agreement of the Leader of the Opposition.” The Government statement said that to ensure that there is an open and transparent process that helps the President and the Leader of the Opposition to reach an agreement, the Government has begun a process of selection, which will include consultations between the two parties. Both posts were advertised and applications have been received as recommended by President Granger. To Be Consulted That report and the information derived from the interview process will be submitted to the Leader of the Opposition, according to the Minister of State. “We will have to have consultations so at that point the Leader of the Opposition will be invited to consultations... That process also requires that he be given in advance the names of the persons who are proposed, the Curriculum Vitae of those persons and all information, which we will have at our disposal and that information will come out from the interviewing process, which took place recently.
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So we will submit all of that information to the Leader of the Opposition so that he will recognise that the choice which was made was a good one and I'm sure, will find his agreement,” the Minister of State said. Harmon said that Government believes that this process sends a strong signal to professionals in the conduct of their public life as their record will be scrutinised as they seek to advance in their careers. “What we have done is to basically introduce a process, which will add to the entire architecture of the legal system in this country that will see our Judges going through a process before they are actually appointed and, therefore, the things like the quality of the judgement, which they give once they want to move to higher office, all of these are issues which are taken into consideration,” he said. The Opposition Leader was accompanied by Member of Parliament, Anil Nandlall. The vacancy for Chancellor was created recently with the retirement of Justice Carl Singh, who like Justice Chang, was never confirmed to their respective substantive positions.
PAC Chairman urges Finance... From page 20 perennial problem across Ministries/Departments/Regions. Furthermore, the PAC has found that the Auditor General's Engineering Department appears overstretched, given the number of expected interventions and the increase in capital works across agencies. The PAC said that another frustrating challenge is the fact that Accounting Officers when challenged regarding the comments in the Auditor General's reports for signing off on incomplete projects, are
in the habit of behaving as though the contractors are automatically and legally liable for rectifying the defects. The Committee said that a significant number of issues appearing before it are as a result of failure to put in place appropriate or timely policies and/or remedies. One such example it cited, was the unclear arrangements for the writing off of losses, which keeps recurring as queries annually. The PAC also expressed its dissatisfaction with the fact that budget agencies are taking, on average, one year
(minimal), to rectify queries highlighted in the Auditor General's Report. It stressed that in no uncertain terms, changes have to be made in this regard. While the Public Accounts Committee has delivered on its report for the years 2010 and 2011, it is still way behind. In fact, it is still to issue reports on the Auditor General's findings for the years 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. The last Treasury Memorandum was issued in 2013 on the PAC's report for the year 2009.
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Thursday March 02, 2017
Thursday March 02, 2017
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Is this a case of victimization of... RHTY&SC Metro Female Cricket... From page 26 U n d e r K e i t h F o s t e r ’s Presidency the Rose Hall To w n Yo u t h & S p o r t s Club has also assisted countless clubs and cricketers to fulfill their mandate and potential by assisting them with millions of dollars worth of trophies, equipment and gears. For the record about involvement in cricket, it must be noted that the Keith Foster Presidency was the most successful in the history of Berbice Cricket. The period 2009 to 2014 saw the lifting of cricket to an all time level and made Berbice Cricket the envy of Guyana and the Caribbean. Cricket was played at every level at both the
Inter-zone and Club levels, while over 1500 programmes/activities were successfully completed. F o r the period 20092014 over 60 cricket tournaments were hosted, while programmes like Annual Award Ceremony, Annual Magazine, Annual Cricket Academy, Monthly Television Programmes, Tribute to Heroes, Tribute to Retired Cricketers, Cricket Educational Posters, Test Cricketers Billboard, Berbice All Time XI, Hall of Fame for Cricketers, Hall of Fame for Administrators, Antidrugs, Anti-suicide, Elite Coaching Programme, Inter-county Cap System, Tribute to Coaches and Tribute to Umpires were
introduced. The Berbice Cricket Board also hosted a highly successful 70th and 75th Anniversary Celebrations, while over 80 Clubs received assistance to fulfill their mandates. The Rose Hall Town Yo u t h & S p o r t s C l u b , MS, is well known across Guyana and is totally committed to working with everyone to develop cricket in Berbice. Our Main Objective is to make sure that all youths fulfill his/her potential. People in Management need to understand that setting personal scores has no place in sports. Yours in Sports, Hilbert Foster, Secretary/CEO, RHTYSC
Thursday March 02, 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) Find out what they're up to, and see if you can pick up where you left off. Make some notes regarding the changes that you should make.
LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) Group endeavors will provide you with entertainment. Look into joining groups that can give you hands-on advice about business.
TAURUS (Apr. 21- may 21) You will be able to work in fine detail and present the best possible proposal. Your efforts won't go unnoticed; however, someone you work with may get jealous.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) You should be on the road. Things may not be as they sound. Your efforts will be rewarded handsomely.
GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Travel will be good if you are seeking knowledge. Your partner may be reluctant to tell you how they feel. Think twice before you volunteer information. CANCER (June 22-July 22) You will easily charm members of the opposite sex. Be diplomatic but stem when it comes to giving of yourself. Enjoy taking courses or lecturing others. LEO (July 23-Aug 22) You will meet some interesting people if you attend promotional functions. VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Put your plans into motion by presenting your intentions to those who should be able to give you financial support.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) You may want to make changes that will not be to their liking. Keep on your toes when dealing with others. Mishaps due to preoccupation will be upsetting. CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) If you haven't already, don't be afraid to start your own small business on the side. You may be overly emotional when dealing with your mate. AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 -Feb. 19) Don't be disappointed if you don't get your way emotionally. Your questions will help you ferret out secret information. PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) You may want to put everyone to work on a project that will keep them all too busy to complain. Adventure will result in added knowledge.
From page 27 materials, school bags and 400 hand towels. The trophies, medals, school bags and scorebooks would be used to host a junior cricket Match under the Club’s Say NO/Say Yes Campaign, while the frame plaques would be used to honour outstanding administrators/players in the Upper Corentyne area under a Tribute to Heroes Programme. The boxes of educational materials would be donated to two Primary Schools in the Corriverton area while the hand towels would be shared out to youth cricketers in the Upper
C o r e n t y n e a r e a . We s t Indies batting star Campbelle urged the UCCA to continue its outstanding work and to pay special attention to junior players as they are the future of Berbice and Guyana Cricket. She reassured the UCCA of the Metro Female team continued assistance in the future and stated that each player of the team was committed towards making a positive difference in the lives of others. President of the UCCA, Dennis D’Andrade expressed his gratitude to the RHTY&SC, M.S and its female team for the assistance. He noted that the
Club has assisted his association on numerous occasions and stated that the executives of his association would continue to work beyond the call of duty to uplift cricket in the area to a higher level. The Hampshire and Fyrish Cricket Clubs also received stumps, scorebooks, hand towels and educational materials. The RHT Metro team is the only female cricket team in Guyana after being formed in 2009. The team to date has produced two West Indies players, fourteen national junior players, nine senior national players and a total of twenty seven for Berbice.
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Thursday March 02, 2017
Guyana enter Beach Soccer Ranking for first time in history at 85th Ranked 12th in CONCACAF Having made its inaugural appearance at the CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship which concluded on Sunday last at Malcolm Park in Nassau Bahamas, and placing 12th of the 16 participating teams, Guyana has now entered the World Ranking in this format of the sport for the first time in its history. The Guyanese competed in Group A along with host nation Bahamas, Jamaica and Belize and came out third in the group behind winners Bahamas and Jamaica. Guyana also ended as the second best third placed team which advanced to the playoffs just behind Canada. For its efforts, the Golden Jaguars of the beach come into the rankings for the first time placed at 85th. CONCACAF champions, Panama, competing in only its second championship at this level, climbed 38 places after victory in Nassau. Panama’s CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship success in the Bahamas last week not only saw them claim a ticket to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup but also become Movers of the Month for February. Shubert Perez’s men lost just once in the competition, held in Nassau, and knocked
out USA, El Salvador and defending champions Mexico en route to their first CONCACAF success in only their second appearance at the tournament. Panama will go up against Paraguay, world champions Portugal and an as-yet-unknown AFC representative at the global showpiece in April and May at Malcolm Park with the sport been given a major boost in the country as a result of their recent success. They move up 38 places to 27th, while CONCACAF runners-up Mexico jump five spots to 10th. The top 10 also sees Iran jump back above Switzerland to fifth following their success at the Persian Beach Soccer Cup last month, while Paraguay - recently crowned CONMEBOL champions in Asuncion - swap places with Japan. Further down the rankings, Guadeloupe are the bigger movers as their fourthplace finish in Nassau earned them a 40-place boost to sit just outside the top 50. Teams in Asia will get their chance to qualify for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup and battle for ranking points when the AFC Beach Soccer Championship gets underway in Malaysia on Saturday.
The Golden Jaguars Beach Soccer team at the CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship, Nassau, Bahamas 2017. (Franklin Wilson photo)
Letter to the Sports Editor Dear Sir, It has come as no major surprise to us in the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS, but for the first time since 1994, a Berbice junior cricket team has been selected without a club member. We are not surprised because for the last month we have been told that the days of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club are numbered and that our members would be bypassed by those who are now claiming to be in charge of Berbice Cricket. Imagine being the defending Under-15 Champions in Berbice, imagine being the Guyana Cricket Club of 2016, imagine having the best junior cricket development programme in Guyana with over 150 members and yet your members are not considered good enough to make a Berbice 14-man squad that was selected in record time with only one thirty overs trial match in very unlike cricket condition. Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS, members like Lucas Arthur, Mahendra Gopilall, Vijay Gopilall, Jonathan Rampersaud were all bypassed despite being very good players with great per-
like to answer - “How Is this a case of victimization of the RHTY&SC?would in Heaven’s name can you fire formances at the Under-15, Under-17 and Under-19 levels. No one knows who is really in charge of Berbice Cricket, but a lot of power grabbing is going on behind the scene as people who lost at the ballot box are trying to get in via the backboard. The situation is so laughable as people who are responsible for the current impasse in Berbice are now actively involved in behind the scene administration of Berbice Cricket and are openly issuing threats that certain clubs would be taught a lesson. Several members have been told that they should leave the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club because the Fosters (Hilbert and Keith) would be brought to their knees and the Club would cease to function. Our success on and off the cricket field have attracted a number of critics who are now fighting for power at the Berbice Cricket Board but they should be aware that our success has been because of sheer hard work, visionary leadership and commitment. What is even more shocking is that the Berbice team was
selected by four selectors from the West Berbice and New Amsterdam/Canje area and none from the Lower Corentyne area where traditionally the bulk of the best Berbice players come from. At least two of these selectors have no idea of any cricketers at the youth level and would only know of players in the catchment area. One of the selectors was appointed under very strange conditions by the new Caesar of Berbice Cricket despite having no proper involvement in major cricket development and hailing from a Club which at best cannot compete at any level. Each selector looked after their own interest and as such a 14-man squad was announced. The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club wishes the youths in the Berbice squad the best of luck and hope that they make us proud. The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club despite the hatred of a few would continue to play its part in a major role in the development of Berbice Cricket, we would continue to invest in our youths and most importantly
we would continue to assist every cricketer and cricket club that walk into our office for assistance. We would do so because our commitment is making God’s world a better place and to ensure that every youth is given an opportunity to fulfill their God given talent. Finally, we would like to bring to the attention of all Berbicians two incidents concerning the President of our Club and a female member who were part of the Berbice Cricket Board. Ms Plaffiana Millington at 16 years was elected Assistant Secretary of the Berbice Cricket Board in December 2014 but resigned for personal reasons in early February 2015. She submitted her resignation letter to the Board which was accepted. To her shock, a person who is now seeking power through the back door and who took legal action against the Berbice Cricket Board sent a message to her via another of our national female cricketers seeking her official resignation from the Berbice Cricket Board. Keith Foster who served as President of the Berbice Cricket Board for
six highly successful years from 2009 to 2014 was selected by the Anil Beharry’s Administration as an appointed member. The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club President immediately informed the Berbice Cricket Board that he declined the appointment because he wanted a permanent break from the politics of Guyana’s cricket. A resignation letter was then submitted to the Berbice Cricket Board. To his amazement, in early February 2017, he received a letter on an unfamiliar Berbice Cricket Board letterhead informing him that his appointment as an appointed member was rescinded by the new President. The letter was signed by an individual who signed as President of the Berbice Cricket Board despite no one knowing who elected him to that position. Our President was even more shocked to be informed that the new Berbice Cricket Board “President” was looking to appoint new members who are active in their Club and who have special skills in cricket. The first question, the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club
someone who has never accepted a position in the first place and even submitted his resignation.” As per active participation in cricket, Keith Foster is the President of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club which is without doubt the best youth and sports club in Guyana. Last year the Club won the Guyana Cricket Club of the Year Award and became the only sports club in Guyana’s history to have ever received a National Award. The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club completed an unbelievable 453 programmes in 2016, and hosted more cricket tournaments during the year than of the major cricket boards in Guyana combined. The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club produced a total of twelve junior cricketers for Guyana at all levels, two West Indies female cricketers, five Guyana female senior cricketers, three Guyana senior cricketers and a total of eight played for Berbice at the junior level. Additionally, the Club had eleven players participating in the Guyana Cricket Board League Tournament. (Continued on page 25)
Thursday March 02, 2017
GCB/MOE/DMLAS National schools cricket
National semis postponed due to rain The National semi-finals of GCB/MOE/DMLAS Secondary Schools 30-over cricket tournament scheduled to be played tomorrow and Monday have been postponed due to the inclement weather. Last year’s runners-up West Demerara Secondary were set to oppose the winner of the Essequibo zone tomorrow at Meten- Meer-Zorg on the West Coast, but will now be played next week Wednesday at the same
venue while the second National semi-final between defending Champions Chase Academy and the Berbice zone winner set for next week Monday, has been pushed back to Thursday at a venue in Berbice. The two winners will contest the final next week Friday. Heavy rain in Essequibo resulted in the last two district games in Guyana’s largest County not being played yesterday and today, while the Berbice zone is also yet
to be completed. West Demerara Secondary beat St Cuthbert’s secondary by 14 runs in their own back yard last Monday, while Chase Academy hammered Mahaicony Secondary at Fairfield last Tuesday to qualify for the semi-finals. Corentyne Zone Champions, Lower Corentyne Secondary will play Berbice Educational Institute (BEI) tomorrow with the alternative day being Saturday. The winner
will play the West Berbice champions, Number 8 Secondary on Monday 6, March at Bush Lot in West Berbice. The rescheduled match between Leguan Secondary and Essequibo Islands Secondary of Wakenaam is fixed for tomorrow with the winner of that game playing the Essequibo Coast District champions, Anna Regina Multilateral at the Imam Bacchus ground on Tuesday March 7 for the Essequibo title.
RHTY&SC Metro Female Cricket Team assists UCCA and two Clubs The Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, M.S Metro Female Cricket Team on Wednesday last handed over a set of items to the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association (UCCA) as part of their personal development programme for 2017. President of the UCCA Dennis D’Andrade accepted the donation on behalf of the Association from Captain of the Metro Female and West Indies player Shemaine Campbelle during a simple presentation ceremony. Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster stated that the Metro Female team has been mandated to successfully complete 40 programmes/activities as part of the RHTY&SC effort to complete 500 programmes for 2017. Each of the eight cricket teams and their members are required to undertake the activities under numerous sub headings which includes education, sports, charity, coaching, anti-drugs, antisuicide, religious, youth development and social cohesion among others. These activities are part of the Club’s effort to make sure than members fully understand their role as a sports ambassador, the need to make a positive difference in the lives of others and to assist others less fortunate than them. Foster explained that the UCCA was chosen due to the outstanding work it is doing to promote cricket in the Upper Corentyne area and also because its leadership was honest, hardworking and dedicated individuals. He specially mentioned the President of the UCCA for his visionary leadership and his passion for the game. The donation consisted of trophies, cricket medals, scorebooks, plaque frames, six boxes of educational (Continued on page 26)
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Kaieteur News
Charles to lead Essequibo in GCB U15 tourney All-rounder Charles has been chosen the lead Essequibo in the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Under15 50-over inter county competition which is set to commence on March 14. The right-handed Charles scored a solid century in the second and final trial match played on Monday at the Imam Bacchus Cricket Club ground in Affiance. The team will be coached by Forbes Daniels and man-
aged by Vickram Ramnarine. The squad reads; Sheldon Charles (captain), Orin Gibson, Renaldo Scouten, Devindra Ramdahin, Rapheal David, Manoj Dasrat, Chaitram Sewrattan, Wasim Mohamed, Adarsh Ramdial, Mark Mohabir, Sunil Persaud, Inzamam Bacchus, Shawn Monro and Tyron Brandon. The four standby players are: Ken George, Ureal Stoll, Ryan Atkinson and Tushal Surujpaul.
Gittens dominoes set for Sunday
Campbelle (right) makes donation to representatives of Hampshire and Fyrish Cricket Teams.
Lyall Gittens (right) and Dr. Narine with one of the trophies on offer. Untouchable Boss Lyall Gittens in collaboration with Dr. Narine will be hosting a dominoes tournament on Sunday at Leguan Stelling starting at 10:00hrs. Entrance fee is $12,000 and the winning team will take
Shemaine Campbelle (left) hands over donation to UCCA President Dennis D’Andrade while RHTY&SC Executive Sohan Harry looks on.
home a trophy and $80,000, runner up a trophy and $40,000 and third place a trophy and $20,000. The MVP will pocket $5,000. Teams can contact Dr. Narine on 697-2929 for more information.
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Bel Air Lions / Beepat & Son Domino Competition fixed for March 25-26 The Lions Club of Bel Air in collaboration with Beepat & Son under its Supligen Brand will be holding a Two-Day Fund Raising Domino Tournament on March 25-26 on the Lawns of Lions Club of Bel Air, Enachu Street, Section ‘N’ Campbellville. According to Lion Orlando James, who spoke with this newspaper yesterday, the Competition will be labelled the ‘Lions Supligen Power’ Domino Competition. James said that the tournament will consists of Mixed Teams representing the Lions going up against teams chosen by the Georgetown Dominoes Association (GDA), while those from the corporate community have been invited as well.
Boston and Jane Chase. Joseph in her presentation spoke of her love for the sport, an adoration that has motivated her to point the sport in the direction it is today. Joseph, shortly after extending thanks to Digicel for its support, offered an invitation to the Public and Private Sectors and other interested groups to come out and participate in the tournament which will run from April 14-17, at the National Gymnasium. According to the GDA President, teams are expected to arrive from Barbados, USA, Puerto Rico, Antigua and Dominican Republic, while other countries have also been invited, but their confirmation has not been received as yet. Abrams in her remarks said that the Company is pleased to be on board, informing that their involvement is just another example of them trying to lend support to another discipline. “We at Digicel try to make every effory to diversify our resources to support
every discipline in sport.” She then wished the Organisers every success. Phillips whose responsibility is it to ensure that the tournament attracts as much teams as possible echoed similar sentiments to that of Joseph, urging the business community to send teams to participate in the event, adding that with wider participation, the chances of the sport becoming more popular is greatly enhanced. Marshall in her remarks gave a brief outline of the tournament which will see the winning team receive $1million, 2nd, 3rd and 4th placed teams colect $500,000, $300,000 and $200,000 respectively along with trophies. Entrance fee is US$220 or $44,000GYD. Meanwhile, over $2million in prize monies will be up for grabs while there will be a number of incentives for outstanding individual performances throughout the fourday event. The Pullorama will be conducted on opening day, at the same venue, while the defending champion is Phantom.
YBG hosts Annual Fives’ Challenge Series Bishops’ High School, Mackenzie High, Linden Technical Institute and Mackenzie Past Students emerged winners in the various categories of the Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) Annual Fives’ Challenge Series last weekend at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
BCUA recognises several local umpires for dedicated services
Thirty-Two (32) teams will participate in this battle and invitations have been already issued to the following teams: Killers, Upper Level, Sherriff Street Swagga Boys, Masters, Scramblers, Ray’s One Stop, All Seasons, GGMC, Thunder, Strikers, F&H Supremes, Impressers, Frankies, Lions A, Spartans, Lions B, Transport, Freddie’s 6, Police and NIS. Twelve (12) more teams expected to also participate. The Tournament’s proceeds will be used entirely for servicing the Poor and Needy. Meanwhile, the winning team will receive $250,000, 2nd place $150,000 and 3rd place $100,000 along with trophies. The Launch is set for tomorrow, at the Bel Air Lions Club, starting at 13:00hrs.
Faye Joseph Int’l Domino Tournament officially launched It is regarded as one of the most popular pastime activities, played on pavements, wakes at other sports intervals, but in recent years, recently re-elected President of the Georgetown Domino Association (GDA) Faye Joseph has transformed the sport of Domino into a major spectacle. The Domino crazy executive has moved the pastime activity into a much larger and more efficiently organised movement that is now attracting teams from overseas, but more importantly, spreading the game far and wide locally. Yesterday, the 3rd Faye Joseph International Domino Competition was launched during a simple ceremony that was conducted, at the President’s residence 1222 Gaulding Place, South Ruimveldt. Among those in attendance were representative of Digicel, Events & Sponsorship executive Louanna Abrams, GDA President Faye Joseph, Vice-President Rodwell Phillips, Secretary Barbara Marshall, official members, Orin Boston, Kevin
Thursday March 02, 2017
Kaieteur News
The one day event featured participation from 37 teams in four divisions, including Girls, Under- 16, Under19 and Past Students. The action packed day also included three-points and free-throw contests where 21 and 15 shooters competed for those titles. The Bishops High de-
feated New Amsterdam Multilateral for the Girls’ Title where Keshan Charles (BHS) was named Most Valuable Player (MVP). Mackenzie High defeat Bishops High for the U-16 Boys’ Title where Yonnick Tappin(MHS) was named MVP. Linden Technical Institute defeated Plaisance Secondary for the Under-19 Boys Title with George Yearwood (LTI) named MVP, while Mackenzie Past Students defeated Saints Stanislaus Past Students for that Title. Quincy Easton (MHS) was named MVP. The Fives’ Challenge Series was made possible through sponsorship from YBG, National Sport Commission, Banks DIH and Digicel Guyana.
Some of the umpires that were honoured from right Dhieranidranauth Somwaru, Heuvel Cunha, Edward Nicholls and Joseph Jeffrey with BCUA President Joseph Simon. The Berbice Cricket Umpires Association (BCUA) has recognises several local umpires for their dedicated services to the game over they years. The BCUA presented certificates to the umpires following the Ordinary General Meeting of the Guyana Cricket Umpires Council that was held on Sunday at Union Building in Woolford Avenue. Those receiving certificates are former international umpire Edward Nicholls,
Dhieranidranauth Somwaru, Colin Alfred, Heuvel Cunha, Nigel Duguid and Joseph Jeffrey. President of the BCUA Joseph Simon said they are pleased to recognise the umpires for the service they have rendered to the game and even though some of them have retired they still continue to assist the younger umpires which speak volumes of their dedication.
2nd Annual Limacol Round Robin / Knockout Football Competition
Kaieteur Sport predicts wins for Tigers and Santos By Rawle Welch After entertaining fans across the Demerara environ for over six weeks, the final of the 2nd Annual Limacol Round Robin / Knockout Football Competition is set to conclude this Saturday with Western Tigers and the Guyana Police Force (Police) in a battle for the championship trophy and first prize. In the showdown for third place, Linden’s Winners Connection will square off with Santos in what is also expected to be a rivetting contest, especially with the Georgetown versus Linden scenario at stake. Once again, Kaieteur Sport will attempt to predict the outcome of both matches, starting with the feature game. Both teams recorded impressive wins and looked to be in fine form ahead of their highly anticipated rivalry, one which Kaieteur Sport is forecasting will end in favour of the Tigers. The key to the Tigers win will depend heavily on the performance of their goalscoring talisman Devon Millington, who must be feeling supremely confident after firing in a treble in their semifinal clash against a strong and young Santos side. Millington, a nimble forward with an abundance of
skill was simply irrepressible against Santos, who had some amount of experience in their defensive lineup, but the ‘Golden Jaguars’ striker proved too elusive in attack and his exploits was the main reason for their victory. Apart from Millington, mid-field maestro Hubert Pedro seems to once again be enjoying his time on the pitch and his maturity and field vision has been a joy to watch. Pedro’s wizardry had a telling effect on the game and his pinpoint passes created confusion among the Santos backline, resulting in Millingtons’s overall success. Then no one should forget the ability of Andrew Murray Jnr, who could be a game changer as well. This lanky striker has had a good tournament to date and while Millington’s heroics seemed to have overshadowed his own performance, to ignore his capabilities could prove to be a big blunder. Linden Picketts and Joshua Britton round out a potent strikeforce, one that Police may find too forceful to arrest. Police could conclude that they’ve had a wonderful tournament, one in which they’ve demonstrated that they are not afraid on any team, but this one might be a
bridge too far. Quincy Holder has been the most consistent goalscorer for the team, while the experience former ‘Golden Jaguars’ and Captain Dwain Jacobs has been magnificent following a slow start. He has led by example and has been in goalscoring form as well so fans could look out for another solid performance from him. Junior Gordon and Lerone Charles both scored to hand them victory in their semi-final encounter against Winners Connection, but combined with the abovementioned players, they too will find it difficult to stop the Tigers pursuit of its prey. The prediction is a 3-1 win for the Tigers. Kaieteur Sport is predicting an extra time win for the fitter Santos unit against Winners Connection. The final scoreline will be 2-1. The winner of the competition will take home $500,000 and a trophy, while 2nd, 3rd and 4th placed teams collect $250,000, $125,000 and $75,000 respectively and trophies. Banks DIH Limited under the GT Beer Brand, Trophy Stall and Star Party Rentals are the other entities to have thrown their support behind the Competition.
Thursday March 02, 2017
Kaieteur News
Kcaysha Medas King is 2016 USATF NY Athlete of the year Competing proudly under the Golden Arrowhead, young talented athlete Kcaysha MedasKing has been selected as the 2016 USATF New York Athlete of the Year (Youth Track & Field - Girls Overall Track Events). The award will be formally presented at the USATF New York Awards Banquet on Sunday, March 19 at 1:00pm at the Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex in Staten Island. The Medas-King family was notified by USATF New York organisation of Kcaysha’s success and pending award. This is the second time that Kcaysha Medas-King has been selected for the USATF athlete of the year award. After running one of the most exciting 600m, challenging the number one middle distance athlete in the USA girls 11-12, Alissa Graham, in a time of 154.03 to Kcaysha Medas-King 154.08 then a 48.54 in the 300m unchallenged, Kcaysha Medas-King was looking set for a great year but some unfortunate events happened. During the Armory Middle School Invitational she got two second places in the 55m in 8.27 the in the 200m 29.65 then she went onto win the 800m in 240.38 then everything went downhill after she picked up a hip injury. She refused to let the hip injury stop her from competing in the prestigious Colgate Women’s Games but had to drop the 800m and concentrate on the 400m alone where she placed second overall. An official
Kcaysha Medas King
mix up at the Millrose trials caused her not to run. At those games a young male 400m runner born to Guyanese parents, Wesley Noble, made his mark and is hopeful of representing Guyana at this year ’s Carifta Games in the 11-12 division along with MedasKing. Also on the list is the young and vibrant Yesenia Andrews who is going to be 14 yrs before the end of this year and at present is creating a stir in New York City, making the Coaches ask if there are more where
she came from. Yesenia is a wonderful upcoming athlete who was coached by Julian Edmonds before she migrated to the USA. At the just concluded Queens borough Championship she won the 55m in a time of 7.40 and the 300m in 41.88, an effortless performance. The youngest of the Medas-King clan, Kunusasha, ran a 1:49 sec for the 400m at the age of 4yrs against kids much older than her, running in the 8 & under age group and is one to watch for the future.
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Powell focused on making most of second chance ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Kieran Powell is reveling in his second chance at international cricket and says he intends to make the most of it and fight his way back into the Test and Twenty20 squads. The left-hander is part of a West Indies 13-man squad which will take on England in three One-day Internationals starting tomorrow at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground here. His selection comes after he returned to regional first class competition last year following a two-year selfimposed break from the game. “Lots of people don’t get an opportunity to play international cricket and I’m having a second opportunity,” the 26-year-old said. “I just need to maximise it and not put myself under any pressure but continue to work hard, that’s the key to it. I’ve been working very hard, I’ve felt like a completely different person to when I just started to play cricket so hopefully this can carry on.” He continued: “ H o p e f u l l y m y performances can push me into the Test and the Twenty20 teams as well but I need to go out and do my best and make sure that I don’t leave that in the hands of others. “I’m not taking anything for granted. Being back in cricket after such a long time, it’s an opportunity and a good privilege. I’m honoured to be here and hopefully I can get some big scores.” Powell forced his way
Kieran Powell hoping to capitalise on his second chance at international cricket. back into the West Indies squad with heavy scoring in the recent Regional Super50 where he amassed 513 runs with three centuries. He returns to a side markedly different to the one he left in 2014, with several new faces now decorating the line-up, but the Nevisian said he was looking forward to learning and also helping to inspire. “I enjoyed playing with those guys and I learned a lot from them. I think it’s a now a situation where we have a young team where guys are looking to prove themselves,” he said. “I’m also looking to do the same thing. Hopefully we can feed off each other’s performances, help each other to get better and that’s all we can ask for.” During his time away
Bottas blasts around Barcelona circuit BARCELONA (Reuters) Valtteri Bottas lapped Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya faster than any driver in the V6 turbo era as Formula One champions Mercedes enjoyed another trouble-free morning in preseason testing. The Finn, whose retired predecessor and 2016 world champion Nico Rosberg paid a flying visit during the sunny morning session, completed 75 laps with a best time of 1 minute 19.705 seconds on ultra-soft tyres. That was a significant step up from the 1:20.960 set by Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen
on soft tyres on Tuesday, which had ranked as the fastest of the opening 2017 test. It also offered further evidence of how much quicker the new, wider cars are with their more aggressive aerodynamics and fatter tyres. The fastest time in 2016 Barcelona testing was 1:22.765. Bottas’s time would have put his car on pole position for every race at the Spanish circuit since 2007, when the layout was changed. The 1.6-litre V6 power units were introduced in
2014. Australian Daniel Ricciardo was second fastest for Red Bull, 1.448 seconds slower. Renault’s Jolyon Palmer — who had an early spin into the gravel that brought out red flags — was third with a best lap set on softs. Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel completed more than a race distance before lunchtime, doing 69 laps on medium tyres, and was fourth fastest. Canadian rookie Lance Stroll got back into the Williams after an early spin on Tuesday damaged the car and ended his first day of
testing, and completed 56 laps. The 18-year-old also ended up back in the gravel. Honda-powered McLaren continued to struggle, with double world
from cricket, Powell experimented briefly with American baseball and was fortunate enough to have trials with several United States franchises. And even though he opted to return to cricket, he said his foray into baseball had helped improve his batting. “I’m definitely glad I did it. I think it’s helped improve my game in so many ways,” said Powell, who has in the past played 21 Tests and 28 ODIs. “I think I have a better base when I’m batting now, I’m a lot more solid, I’m able to generate more power and it’s improved my hand-eye co-ordination as well. “They’re massive gains to have … going into what is a rebirth in my cricketing career.”
Valtteri Bottas of Mercedes in action during a F1 Test session at Barcelona’sCatalunya racetrack in Montmelo, Spain. (REUTERS/Albert Gea)
champion Fernando Alonso managing only 28 laps and more than four seconds off the pace. The team said their main focus was gathering data.
Toro Rosso and Haas both spent long spells in the garage, with the former’s Spanish driver Carlos Sainz doing just one installation lap in the morning.
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Kaieteur News
Thursday March 02, 2017
Budapest withdraws bid to host 2024 Olympic Games Djokovic wins Acapulco opener BUDAPEST (Reuters) Budapest ended its bid to host the 2024 Olympics yesterday, citing a lack of unity after a political movement opposing the move collected more than a quarter of a million signatures to force a referendum on the issue. Running alongside powerhouses Los Angeles and Paris, Budapest had been considered a long-shot candidate, pinning its hopes on the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Agenda 2020 initiative aimed at promoting less lavish events. The bid had turned into a political issue, however, a year before the country holds parliamentary elections. Polls showed a growing number of Hungarians were against the bid, and a group of young professionals and students took to the streets and began campaigning for a referendum. This “Momentum” movement considered a bid for the Games an unaffordable splurge that would invite corruption, already a big problem in the central European country. Budapest’s City Council voted formally yesterday to annul the bid and ask the Hungarian Olympic Committee (HOC) to notify the IOC about the withdrawal.
HOC Chairman Zsolt Borkai, a former deputy of the ruling Fidesz party, was not immediately available to say when that step is expected. The government and Budapest Mayor Istvan Tarlos said they wanted to put the issue behind them as quickly as possible. Budapest mayor Istvan Tarlos had rejected calls for a referendum on the issue in 2015, saying people had inadequate information about the bid, even though a 1,372page feasibility study by PriceWaterhouseCoopers was already publicly available at that time. The Momentum
movement had collected enough signatures to force a referendum on the issue, but the Budapest city council, HOC and the government moved quickly to end the bid themselves. “It was not our idea to host the Olympic Games in Budapest,” Tarlos told the city council. “We started it at the HOC’s request.” “But what the (opposition) has done about the Olympics is an outright failure of character. They just created this circus to score political points.” Ferenc Karsay, a Fidesz mayor in southern Budapest, where the Olympics would
have taken place, compared the political battles around the Games to “well-poisoning”. “A few months before the IOC’s final decision, and a year before the elections, you purposely sacrificed the Olympics,” Karsay told the opposition. The Socialist opposition unsuccessfully sought at the last minute to force a referendum after all. “It would only be fair for the city council to reject this motion and leave the decision about whether to host the Olympics to the voters,” Socialist council member Erzsebet Nemeth said.
ACAPULCO (The Sports Xchange) - Playing for the first time since his early ouster at the Australian Open, Novak Djokovic posted a straightsets victory Tuesday in the first round of the Abierto Mexicano Telcel tournament in Acapulco, Mexico. Djokovic, a wild-card entrant who is the event’s top seed, got past Slovakia’s Martin Klizan 6-3, 7-6 (4). The Serbian star didn’t serve effectively through most of the match, though Klizan’s only two service breaks came in the second set. However, Djokovic had enough to get through the decisive tiebreaker. Djokovic had been idle since falling in the second round of the Australian Open to Uzbekistan’s Denis Istomin in a five-set thriller. In other first-round matches Tuesday, secondseeded Rafael Nadal of Spain defeated Germany’s Mischa Zverev 6-4, 6-3 in a battle of left-handers. The same pair met earlier this year in Brisbane, Australia, where Nadal also emerged with a win. Third-seeded Marin Cilic of Croatia needed three sets to get past Ukraine’s Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-3, 4-6, 6-0. Fourth-seeded Dominic Thiem of Austria topped France’s Gilles Simon 7-6 (7), 6-3.
Sixth-seeded Nick Kyrgios of Australia also advanced, rebounding to top Israel’s Dudi Sela 3-6, 6-3, 63. Jack Sock, fresh off winning the title in the Delray Beach Open, was bounced in the first round at Acapulco. Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka beat the American 3-6, 6-2, 61. American Donald Young got a victory when Aussie Bernard Tomic was forced to retire due to the heat after Young won the opening set 76 (5). Tomic, however, was back in action Tuesday night for a doubles match, which he and partner Paolo Lorenzi of Italy lost 7-5, 6-2 to American John Isner and Spaniard Feliciano Lopez. Another American, Sam Querrey, posted a 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 win over Great Britain’s Kyle Edmund. Lorenzi won his singles match, eliminating Taiwan’s Yen-Hsun Lu 4-6, 63, 6-4. Argentina’s Juan Martin del Porto barely got past American qualifier Frances Tiafoe 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (1). In women’s first-round action at Acapulco on Tuesday, only one seeded player fell. Croatia’s Ajla Tomljanovic knocked off sixth-seeded Eugenie Bouchard of Canada 7-6 (4), 6-1. None of the other seeds in action dropped a set.
Christ Church overcome Patentia Secondary to take male title Christ Church Secondary defeated Patentia Secondary by 19 runs to win the male final of the Forbes Burnham Foundation schools windball tournament which was contested recently at the National Gymnasium. Christ Church Secondary batted first and posted 109-1 with Alphius Bookie scoring 64 and Ariel Tilku 34. Patentia Secondary were restricted to 90-3 in reply. Denesh Persaud made 44 and Permanand Goomtiprashad 15. Christ Church beat Richard Ishmael by 38 runs in their semi final encounter. Batting first Christ Church scored 94-2. Bookie made 34 and Tilku 24. Richard Ishmael got to 56-5 in response. Ezekiel Wilson got 20. Patentia Secondary overcame St. John’s by 54 runs in the next semi final. Patentia took first strike and managed 127-3. Denesh Persaud got 62 while Goomtiprashad made 48. St. John’s responded with 79-3 in reply. J. Douglas hit 50 and Rawle Douglas 12.
Captain of Christ Church Secondary Alphius Bookie accepts the trophy from Director of Sport Christopher Jones in the presence of his team mates.
Thursday March 02, 2017
Kaieteur News
Guptill’s blistering ton fashions NZ win over South Africa
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Devcon Construction donates kit to Victoria Kings FC
Martin Guptill launches one into the sky, New Zealand v South Africa, 4th ODI, Hamilton, ©AFP
Calvin Marks left - Secretary of Victoria Kings and Managing Director of Devcon Construction Mr. Nolan Lancaster seen displaying the new kit, during a simple ceremony at Devcon office Robb and Albert Streets.
AB de Villiers brings out his unorthodoxy, New Zealand v South Africa, 4th ODI, Hamilton, ©Getty Images (Reuters) Martin Guptill underlined his importance to the New Zealand one-day side with a blistering matchwinning century as he guided his side to a seven-wicket victory over South Africa in their fourth one-day international in Hamilton yesterday. Guptill, who had suffered two separate hamstring strains and not played for a month, scored 180 not out and combined with Ross Taylor (66) in a 180-run partnership to take New Zealand to 280-3 in 45 overs. The 30-year-old blasted 11 sixes and 15 boundaries in his swashbuckling 138-ball knock to secure a win which locked the five-match series at 2-2 with the decider at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday. “It was just one of those innings that went to plan,” Guptill said. “It’s about keeping it as simple as possible and watch the ball and react, it does make it a bit
easier. “I had a couple of good nets the last few days but it was nice to go out there and hit it out of the screws.” South Africa’s 279-8 had been anchored by captain AB de Villiers, who flayed New Zealand bowlers all around Seddon Park in the final few ‘death’ overs to finish on 72 not out. The total had looked to be a difficult one to achieve on the slow-paced pitch but Guptill seized control of the chase with arguably the best innings of his career. He brought up his half century off 38 balls and then had a leg before decision to Dwaine Pretorius on 62 overturned on review before he reached his 12th ODI century from 82 balls, which included 12 boundaries and four sixes. “Guppy was unbelievable. Probably the best knock I’ve ever seen,” New Zealand captain Kane Williamson said. “At the halfway stage we
certainly would have liked to have restricted them to a total a lot less than what they got. “For Martin to come out and play a hand like that it was a special knock.” South Africa again paced the start and end of their innings almost to perfection with Hashim Amla (40) and Faf du Plessis (67) giving them a solid foundation. D e Vi l l i e r s t h e n combined with the bowlers to finish off the innings as they scored 104 runs in the final 10 overs, with 72 coming in the final five. “I was pretty confident with the 280 target we set,” de Villiers said. “I thought we had a good chance but we... needed to get Martin out. He is one of those players who can take the game away from you.” Scores: New Zealand 280 for 3 (Guptill 180*, Taylor 66, Tahir 2-56) beat South Africa 279 for 8 (De Villiers 72*, du Plessis 67, Patel 2-57) by seven wickets.
Victoria Kings FC will appear in a new outfit when the GFF/Stag Elite League’s second round begins after receiving a new kit of 20 uniforms recently from Managing Director of Devcon Construction, Nolan Lancaster, at the company’s office at Robb and Albert streets. T h e D e v o n C o n s t r u c t i o n Vi c t o r i a Kings FC will now play in a fluorescent green jersey trimmed with dark blue and olive green shorts trimmed with black and complimented by olive green socks. In making the presentation to Technical Advisor of the team E v e r a l d M u n d y, t h e Devcon boss expressed his joy and honour to be associated with the club that has impressed him since he first saw them play in the 90s. “My first experience with the Kings was at my hometown ground in BV where I saw them play a brand of football comparable with what we see on TV. Since then I have been a true fan of them so when my childhood buddy Everald Mundy approached to come on board and support I had no hesitation. I love football and hold football close to my heart, although my first love used to be cricket. I plan to make
this a long term commitment, but initially it will be for three years”, Lancaster declared. Lancaster added that he sees this opportunity as a means of giving back to the communities which could deter the youths from going in the negative direction. The Devcon Managing Director also sent well wishes to the team, “I would also like to extend best wishes to the team and ask of them all to give 100 % at all times.” F o r m e r c l u b President, Mundy in his remarks spoke of the club’s gratitude for the sponsorship and the desire for a lasting relationship, “This new beginning of relationship with Devcon is one that we are grateful for and I must say it is very timely. We are happy and thankful that Mr. Lancaster has decided to
support us and we feel honoured to be associated with Devcon. We will wear this outfit with great pride and will take every opportunity to promote Devcon. This donation comes at a time when we are aiming to qualify for the CFU club Championship and no doubt it is timely. We look forward to not only a lasting relationship, but one full of mutual benefits. From now on we will be branded Devcon Victoria Kings FC.” The Kings are expected to christen their new uniforms on Sunday at Tucville when they clash with Buxton United in the GFF’s ‘Super Four’ Tournament which also involves the Army and Fruta Conquerors. D e v c o n Vi c t o r i a Kings occupy 3rd position in the 6-team GFF/Stag Elite League, at the end of the first round of competition.
rt o p S
Faye Joseph Int’l Domino Tournament officially launched P.28
President of the GDA Faye Joseph (3rd left) and Digicel’s Events & Sponsorship executive Louanna Abrams (2nd left) pose with Domino officials yesterday.
YBG hosts Annual Fives’ Challenge Series P.28
Mackenzie High School Past Students pose with their trophy with YBG Official, Lugard Mohan at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
Bishops’ High School Girls accept their top trophy from YBG Official, Leona Kyte (right) at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
Guyana enter Beach Soccer Ranking for first time in history at 85th Ranked 12th in CONCACAF
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