Kaieteur News

Hope in times of nutritional crisis

Rising hunger and out-ofcontrol obesity, degradation of natural resources, persistent rural poverty and inequality and climate change. These are the main enemies of food security in Latin America and the Caribbean. Just a couple of years ago, the region was celebrating a historical achievement. In 2015, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) recognised it as the only developing region to reach the hunger target of the Millennium Development Goals. With twenty million people having overcome hunger in little over two decades, the region became a shining global example, the concrete proof that zero hunger was indeed possible. But things have changed, quite dramatically, since then. In 2017, FAO warned that hunger was once more on the rise in Latin America and the Caribbean. Between 2015 and 2016, hunger grew by almost two and a half million people to reach 42.5 million. It has not been that high since 2008. By itself, this would be cause for great alarm. But, strange as it may seem, hunger is now coupled with an obesity epidemic affecting all countries and social sectors. If we also take into account the slowdown in rural poverty reduction and the undeniable impacts of climate change on agricultural systems and rural livelihoods, we are facing a perfect storm of food insecurity, a time of nutritional crisis for Latin America and the Caribbean. The children of this region are the most overweight in the world; almost four million of them are overweight. The situation for adults is even worse: a whopping 96 million people suffer obesity.

PAGE 7

Kaieteur News

Friday March 02, 2018

By José Graziano da Silva, FAO Director General That exceeds the total population of Colombia, Argentina and Costa Rica combined. With 20% of rural inhabitants unable to buy a basic food basket, thousands of people are migrating to escape from poverty, armed conflict, organised crime or the consequences of extreme weather. Others migrate from land that can no longer produce food. In many Caribbean countries, they really have no place to go, as the whole area is being hit by devastating hurricanes of increasing intensity. But while the challenges are many, Latin America and the Caribbean also have many unique traits. The region is extremely fertile and biodiversed, has more water than just about any other corner of the planet, and its vibrant agricultural sector is key to feeding the world. The region also has the policies and political agreements that were the backbone of the impressive social advances of the past two decades. Those policies were not just efficient, they were inspiring. The programmes and policies that supported the development of family farming, helped women become a key part of the rural workforce, fed millions of children through school feeding programmes and improved access to nutrition for the most vulnerable were not mere hand-outs to the poor. On the contrary, they were at the heart of sustainable economic and social development, even before the 2030 Agenda.

Because if there is one thing that is unquestionable, is that we cannot move ahead while millions suffer hunger and poverty. Feeding them requires transforming our agri-food systems profoundly, to make them more efficient and competitive, more environmentally friendly and truly inclusive. That is why FAO is calling on all countries to step up the fight against hunger, malnutrition, rural poverty and climate change in FAO’s Regional Conference, to be held in Jamaica from the 5th to the 8th of March.This will be my last Regional Conference as FAO’s Director General. As such, I have a simple message for all who care about nutrition: the dream of a hunger-free Latin America and the Caribbean remains as important and true today as it was when I joined FAO, over a decade ago. Even if the current outlook is dire, we must not despair, because it is only in times of crisis when societies and individuals show their true worth. Colombia is brokering peace after decades of conflict, Brazil lifting millions from hunger and poverty, Costa Rica greening its whole economy, Mexico exporting its products to the most demanding markets and Barbados closing its ports to illegal fishing. These are but a few of the examples of what our societies have achieved. FAO’s Conference is a unique opportunity for the region to push back against the rising tide of malnutrition. Our goal is zero hunger. And we will not take a single step back.

Revocation of gun licence for Rasul in order-Court Chief Justice (Ag) Roxane George has upheld the decision made by former Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud to revoke firearm licences of embattled Gold Dealer, Saddiqi ‘Bobby’ Rasul, last year. The ruling was handed down several months after the embattled gold dealer approached the High Court to challenge the revocation of firearm licences pertaining to the operation of his private security firm (SRS security services). Last year, the businessman, of Prashad Nagar, Greater Georgetown and of First Avenue, Bartica, who is also the owner of SSS Minerals Trading Inc, was placed before the Court to answer a number of fraud charges. Rasul was charged with six counts of fraud totalling $956M that was transferred into his bank accounts at the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) Bartica branch without the proper procedures being followed. He then became the subject of a money-laundering probe by the Special Organised Crimes Unit (SOCU) of the Guyana Police Force.

Gold Dealer: Saddiqi ‘Bobby’ Rasul During the investigations, SOCU agents conducted a raid on the businessman‘s premises and seized a number of items including three CBR motorcycles, a Jet ski and a bag containing a quantity of ammunition. It was during this time, that the police seized a number of weapons belonging to SRS Security Services. The firearm licences issued to the firm were shortly after revoked. The businessman through his attorney, Nigel Hughes, filed an application in the High Court seeking to challenge the revocation. In his application dated

July 27, 2017, Rasul noted that he requested an Order of the Court directing the Commissioner of Police to show cause why the decision to revoke the licence of SRS Security Services should not be quashed. Rasul contended the decision is ultra vires, null and void for reason that the Commissioner of Police did not obtain the expressed written approval of the Minister of Public Security prior to the revocation of the said licence as is required by the Private Securities Act. The applicant also asked that the decision of the former ‘Top Cop’ to be deemed ultra vires and void, for reason that the Commissioner of Police did not afford him an opportunity to be heard prior to the revocation of the licence issued to SRS Security Services. He therefore asked the Court to issue orders which would compel and direct the then Police Commissioner to reinstate SRS Security Services under the Private Securities Act. The applicant argued that SRS Securities Services satisfied all pre-conditions, for the grant of such a (Continued on page 8)

PAGE 8

Kaieteur News

Friday March 02, 2018

Revocation of gun... Cabinet approves SPU head as new GuySuCo Chairman (From page 7) licence and has never breached any of the conditions under which the licence was issued. In response to the charges by Rasul, a team of lawyers led by State Attorney, Judy Stuart-Adonis argued that the revocation of the Applicant’s licence was lawful and done in accordance with the powers vested in the Commissioner under Section 4(2) of the Private Security Services Act and Firearms Act, Cap. 16:05 Section 18 (8) (A). The lawyers contended, too, that the revocation was done in accordance with the rules of natural justice. The State noted that Rasul was asked to show cause in writing on or before the May 9, 2017, why his licence should not be revoked but he failed to provide any reason in light of the circumstances why his licences should not be revoked. According to the State, the businessman failed to justify why his licences to SRS Security Services should not be revoked in light of the criminal charges of Obtaining Credit by False Pretence, contrary to Section 213 (2) of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act Cap.8:01 being laid against him. Additionally, the lawyers noted that a written and expressed approval marked “approval granted”; bearing the Minister’s signature on June 15 2017 was granted by the Minister for the revocation of the licenses to SRS Security Services in accordance with section 4(2) of the Private Security Services Act. The ruling handed down on Wednesday, outlined that Affidavit with exhibits produced by the State, the Minister of Public Security had lawfully approved of the revocation of the firearms of the Applicant and complied with section 4(2) of the Private Security Services Act. The court also ruled that Rasul was given an opportunity to be heard but failed to show cause why his licences should not be revoked. The court ruled that it was satisfied that the State had shown cause to the Order Nisi and discharged the application against the State. Rasul was therefore ordered to pay the State costs in the sum of $100,000.

Government has decided to go with an entirely new board for its “right-sized” Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo). Cabinet reportedly met last week with the issue of the new board brought to the table. There was a list of names submitted; Cabinet reportedly recommended Colvin HeathLondon as the new Chairman. The life of the new board expires at the end of next year. “We are very focused on where GuySuCo is headed. It should be profitable and at no cost to the Government of the day. It should bring dividends. We believe that the presence of Mr. Heath-London who has significant experience in financial matters not only in Guyana and but as a Government advisor in Jamaica, will bring us the synergies that we so badly want to this industry,” a senior Government official said yesterday. “As you know, Mr. HeathLondon was retained to oversee the divestment and privatisation process of four estates that were closed by GuySuCo. He has been helping to find financing for GuySuCo and the left hand must know what the right is

doing. “We have to get it right with GuySuCo and you can’t realistically have a situation where SPU operates on its own and GuySuCo doing its own thing.” According to information seen by this newspaper, last week Cabinet also approved the appointment of 10 other persons to the new board. The names approved are Komal Singh; Verna Adrian; Fritz Mc Lean; Rosh Khan (Jr); George Jervis; Arianne Mc Lean; Vishnu Panday; Annette Arjoon and two GuySuCo executives. Kaieteur News was told that Heath-London has started operating. Last week, in meetings with GuySuCo, and as part of the restructuring, a number of senior management were let go, including from the Human Resources department. The former board, headed by Professor Clive Thomas, was at odds with the administration over the manner in which three estates- Skeldon, Rose Hall and Enmore- were closed late last year. It left over 4,000 persons without a job. Last year, Government established the Special Purpose Unit, hiring

Heath-London from Jamaica to supervise the privatization and divestment process of the four closed estates which also included Wales. Of Guyanese and Jamaican origin, the financial consultant who has experience in sugar, has been lending advice to the Government of Jamaica and had helped put together the Timehri airport US$150M expansion project that is supposed to be completed this year. SPU falls under the stateowned National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL). GuySuCo has been racking up a decade of losses despite over $30B in bailouts by Government in the last three years. An inquiry ordered by the Coalition Government after it came to office in 2015, recommended actions to be taken to reverse the fortunes. The industry had more than 16,000 workers prior to the closures of the estates. It now has just over 10,000. Meanwhile, responding to reports yesterday in some news outlet of objections to the appointment, the Ministry of Finance in a statement said it has taken note of an

New GuySuCo Chairman, Colvin Heath-London “incredible” headline in Stabroek News under the headline ‘Finance Minister proposal on GuySuCo Chair draws opposition at Cabin e t ’ . ”For the record, the Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan was in fact attending an important Pre - Governors meeting of the IDB in Jamaica which ran from February 26 to 28, 2018. He returned to Guyana last night (Wednesday). Therefore, contrary to Stabroek News ‘sources,’ Minister Jordan was not present at Cabinet on Tuesday and consequently, did not ‘propose, argue, make a presentation or reasoned’ with Cabinet as reported.”

Burnham was an autocrat before the 1980 Constitution. The source of his autocracy was not any latitude which was accorded to him by the Independence Constitution but because of his rigging of elections in 1968, 1973 and 1980. The civil rebellion of 1976-1979 softened Burnham’s grip on power as much as it softened the Working People’s Alliance which led that rebellion. Burnham was a frightened man during the civil rebellion. His security detail expanded to unprecedented levels. He resorted to political intimidation through violence and victimisation against his political opponents and even against innocent Guyanese. He was allowed to do that because he ruled by fear, supported by the military and police. Burnham paid a price for his reign of terror. By the time he died in 1985, he was isolated locally, regionally and internationally. He was seen as sweet-talking, honeytongued, power-drunk dictator. He not only rigged elections but even the 1978 referendum which was described as the referendum to end all future referenda. The referendum of 1978 was an attempt to postpone the scheduled elections of that year. Burnham did not wish to risk rigging the elections of that year. As such, he concocted, with the help of Uncle Shahab, a Constitution which he could have manipulated to become President for life and

PAGE 9

Kaieteur News

Friday March 02, 2018

tighten his grip on power. The 1980 Constitution made Burnham Head of State, Head of Government and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, all at the same time. While when defending the 1980 Constitution, Uncle Shahab took the position that the Westminster-style Constitution was ill-suited to Guyana, he was most defensive in the Constituent Assembly when it came to the question of power-sharing, arguing that the sharing of ministerial responsibility with Minority parties, as proposed by the Trade Union Congress, was at odds with the Westminster principle of collective responsibility which requires all ministers to support government’s decisions. This reversion to a cardinal element of Westminster could hardly make either Uncle Shahab or Uncle Forbes, candidates for men who were ahead of their time. Burnham’s peculiar problem was not that he was a man ahead of his time. Rather he was behind the times. It is no wonder that he was seen as the Papa Doc of Guyana. The 1980 Constitution which Uncle Forbes scripted with the assistance of Uncle Shahab did not totally dispense with the Westminster model. What it did was to superimpose a Presidency onto an otherwise Westminster constitution, clearly betraying that the real intention of the 1980 Constitution was to grant Burnham Presidential powers. This certainly did not require the foresight of men

DEM BOYS SEH

who were before their time. The 1980 Constitution was a patchwork document. It could hardly have been deemed a socialist Constitution because almost all of socialist clauses are not justiciable. The Constitutional Reform Commission of the post1997 period could do nothing to remove these clauses since the PNCR’s veneration of Burnham would not allow them to support changes even to the name of the country. Guyana is still known as the Cooperative Republic of

Guyana. But Guyana had long, beginning under the PNCR, rejected Cooperative Socialism. And cooperatives have long gone into remission. But because this was Burnham’s handiwork, the PNCR would never agree to change the name of the country to Guyana. So absurd is the PNCR adulation of Burnham that they would never want to change the description of Guyana as a nation in transition to socialism. The present PNCR leaders are no socialist and nei-

ther is the PPPC. Yet, the Constitution speaks about Guyana being in transition to socialism. The 1980 Constitution was illegitimate. It was a creature of fraud. The Constituent assembly which was established to draft a new Constitution resulted from a fraudulent referendum and ignored most of the recommendations made to it. Burnham essentially had his way, making it hard to see how such an undemocratic course could be seen as making him a man before his time.

In one of his numerous books, the crafter of the 1980 Constitution, Uncle Shahab, recalled that imperialist Athens used to postulate that justice depends on the quality of power to compel, and the strong do what they have the power to do and the weak accept what they must. That was Burnham… a man who belonged to a bygone age… not a man before his time.

Friday March 02, 2018

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

PAGE 12

Friday March 02, 2018

Kaieteur News

NICIL-SPU contracts over 100 cane harvesters at Rose Hall - Harvested cane to be sent to Albion factory The Special Purpose Unit (SPU) under the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), yesterday announced that 100 cane cutters have been contracted to harvest canes at the closed Rose Hall estate. “Rose Hall was one of the estates shuttered by GuySuCo (Guyana Sugar Corporation) management at the end of 2017 and handed over to the SPU for privatisation and/or diversification. Initial SPU surveys revealed that GuySuCo had left a sugarcane crop in the ground that was going to be ready for harvesting,” SPU disclosed in a statement. The sugarcane in the ground at Rose Hall represented significant value that would be lost if not harvested. “The sugarcane at Rose Hall also represented an opportunity for the SPU to produce molasses to help meet local demand in 2018. As part of the ongoing collaboration between the SPU and GuySuCo, the sugarcane harvested at Rose Hall would be taken to GuySuCo’s Albion factory for crushing. The SPU disclosed that it took the decision to contract the Albion factory to crush

Workers from Rose Hall Estate have been rehired to harvest almost 2,300 hectares of cane, NICIL-SPU announced yesterday. the sugarcane harvested at Rose Hall since it represented a more cost effective and efficient option. “Crushing at Rose Hall would require capital expenditure to restart the factory and, the assembling of a significant workforce. The cane harvesters, who commenced work this week, are expected to harvest 2,300 hectares. The SPU will be paying the contracted harvesters

and will recoup these funds from the molasses sales afterwards.”

The Rose Hall Estate also has 4,300 hectares of sugarcane in the field for the sec-

ond crop in 2018. Four estates, Skeldon, Enmore, Wales and Rose Hall,

are now under control of SPU and earmarked for privatisation and divestment.

E’bo rice farmers appealing for higher paddy prices Rice farmers on the Essequibo Coast are once again appealing for an increase in the price being paid per bag of paddy. This plea was yesterday made when farmers met with representa-

tives from the Guyana Rice Development Board [GRDB], during a farmers/miller association meeting. Rice can be described as the core of the agro industry in Region Two [Pomeroon/ Supenaam]. It is the main economic activity within the region. This industry made a drastic recovery late last year when significant exports were shipped to Mexico and Cuba. Farmers on the other hand, now want their share of the benefits, primarily an increase in the price paid per bag of paddy. Kaieteur News understands that farmers in Region Two are currently being paid $2,800 per bag of paddy graded at level ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’. This is already a significant increase as compared to just $2000 during 2015, when Guyana lost the Venezuelan Market. Yesterday, however,

rice farmers appealed to a rice miller that they be paid $3000 per bag of paddy. This request comes primarily as the rice harvest in Region Two is just days away. The miller noted that while he is more than willing to pay $3000 per bag of paddy, there is a heavy cost attached to freight. The miller, who happens to own one of the largest rice mills on the Essequibo Coast, said that the ferry toll per bag of paddy is $300 per ton. The miller added, “Our freight from Essequibo to Georgetown is a problem because we have to pay both a ferry toll, and a toll at the Demerara Harbor Bridge. A couple of days ago our group shipped from Georgetown 20,000 tons of rice, and that never happened…Our problem here is that we can’t even carry a 1,000 tons from

The meeting yesterday at the RDC boardroom

Essequibo via vessel.” He further explained that the Essequibo River would require some amount of dredging, so that the company can move ahead in loading containers from right in Essequibo. The miller further reiterated that before famers can enjoy an increase in paddy price, vessels need to start docking in Essequibo in an effort to cut transportation cost. Kaieteur News was told that before docking can commence in Region Two, permission must first be sought from the Transport and Harbor Department and the Maritime Administration. Representatives from GRDB, who included Essequibo’s branch manager, Devindranauth Singh, assured farmers that the river dredging would be pursued by the Board. [Romario Blair.]

Friday March 02, 2018

Kaieteur News

PAGE 13

PAGE 14

Kaieteur News

Friday March 02, 2018

US$31M Sheriff/Mandela expansion to start this month The Government of Guyana will be forging ahead with the US$31.03M Sheriff Street-Mandela Avenue Road Enhancement Project and works are scheduled to commence this month, March 2018. According to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI) yesterday, in December 2017, a contract was awarded to Sino Hydro Corporation Ltd., with funding from the InterAmerican Bank (IDB). “Works for the two-year project includes the relocation of utilities, lane and shoulder improvements, placement of sidewalks and paved shoulders, traffic signals, traffic signs, streetlights, drainage, a pedestrian overhead walkway, culverts, bridges and a roundabout,” the ministry said. During the period of construction, the ministry warned, residents living close to the road, road users, and the wider community may be inconvenienced by traffic delays, dust, as well as

general construction activities. “The ministry wishes to emphasise that these impacts will be temporary and will be constantly monitored to ensure their minimisation. The ministry advises that persons take all necessary precautions. Furthermore, the ministry wishes to thank the general public for its cooperation as it strives for the development of public infrastructure in Guyana.” In October last year, Government signaled its intentions to move ahead with the Sheriff Street/Mandela Avenue Roadway Enhancement Project, after doubts. The project, announced under the previous government, came in for question after the administration last year disclosed that it had applied to the IDB to have the monies applied to housing. More than US$60M was sitting idly for a number of years since IDB’s approval, in 2012, without the project moving off the ground, they

said. The link is a critical one between the East Bank Demerara, Central Georgetown, the East Coast Demerara and Berbice. Despite a host of top business places along the Sheriff Street strip, the road had over time become a little too narrow for the volume of traffic. Several bridges, including the one near the National Cultural Centre are in a bad state and deteriorating rapidly. It was reported that the total distance of roadway to be rehabilitated/constructed is seven kilometers and would involve road widening, reconstruction of failed sections and asphalt overlay. The project is supposed to complement the East Bank Demerara and Ogle bypass link which is on the cards. IDB had advertised the project on August 24, last, with a deadline given as October 10, 2017. The project will be seen as a key one to ease congestion.

Sheriff Street, from the northern end will soon see major rehabilitation works.

PAGE 27

Kaieteur News

Friday March 02, 2018

Today our Hindu brothers and sisters are celebrating Phagwah – an event that amplifies the importance of good over evil. We here at Kaieteur News join the Hindu community to commemorate Phagwah 2018.Below are a few messages to in honour of the celebration of Phagwah.

PRESIDENT DAVID GRANGER Holi, in the spiritual sense, recounts the trials and triumph of Prahalad. It reminds us of the virtue of an unshakeable belief in God and the inevitability of the triumph of good over evil. Holi, in a secular sense, fosters faith in the future by celebrating rebirth and regeneration. These are universal themes which are common to all the major religions in Guyana. Holi is a unifying festival that helps to break down barriers of class, race and religion. When people shower each other with abrack or abeer, they do so usually without regard to the status they enjoy in society or the God they worship. Holi is an enduring example of cultural retention. The festival was brought to

Guyana by Indian indentured immigrants who came to work on the sugar plantations 180 years ago. The festival implanted hope by assuring immigrants that good would overcome evil, that enlightenment wouldovercome ignorance and that right would overcome might.Immigrants were thrust into a strange land but they drew strength and succor from their faith and festivals. Holicelebrations, in our multi-cultural country, bring people together. They play a vital role in social cohesion by reinforcing community identity;fostering healthy and helpful relations between persons of different cultures; dismantling barriers which have traditionally divided our people and by implanting spiritual values of hope and

togetherness. I urge communities,countrywide, to celebratethis festival with faith and fervour. I encourage mass celebrations because they promote community identity and reinforce bonds of social solidarity. Respect for cultural diversity is at the heart of social cohesion. Holi must preserve its vitality as a festival which unities communities. It must be celebrated vigorously at the community level so that we can have more cohesive communities. Holi helpsto break down barriers of division and bring people together, particularly at the community level. We must build a more cohesive country beginning within and among our communities. Happy Holi!

Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha [Dr. Vindhya Vasini Persaud] Holi or Phagwah is celebrated at the end of the Hindu calendar year in the dark half of the Hindu month of Phalgun. Phagwah is derived from the word Phalgun. Phagwah heralds the Hindu New Year which is celebrated fifteen days after the festival on the first day of the bright half of the Hindu month of CHAIT. Also called Holi, the word comes from the Sanskrit word “Hola” which means grain. The festival coincides with the harvest of the spring crop and is considered a Spring or Vasant festival. Holi commemorates the regeneration of nature from her slumber. An air of joy pervades the home and the family expresses affection by greeting each other in a dignified manner. Children touch the feet of their parents, spray them with perfume and place ABRAK and powder on their faces. Parents bless their children and wish them not only HOLI KE SHUBH KAAMNAYEA but a bright and prosperous future. Greetings are extended to relatives and friends by squirting them playfully with abeer and placing abrak/gulal on their faces. The colours of the abrak and abeer reflect the vivid hues of spring as at this time nature blooms in abundance. Holi is all embracing and possesses an unparalleled

social dimension which is conducive to reunion, exchanges and togetherness occurring in an atmosphere of absolute cordiality. The festival is proletarian in outlook with elements which spontaneously fashion an atmosphere of total equality and people from all walks of life and social strata are literally engulfed in merriment, joy and happiness. Holi transcends all barriers. There is complete unity. The RANG or colours which smear us and make us virtually unidentifiable emphasizes the oneness of humanity or the famous Hindu concept VASUDHAIVA KUTUMBAKAM – Humanity is one family. With the passage of time, the legend of Prince Prahalad and his despot father King HIRANYAKASHYAP became associated with the festival. In this story, the event where the King sought to have his saintly son consumed by fire is recaptured. The King’s sister Holika had a boon which made her immune to the effects of fire. Prahalad was placed on her lap in a pyre in an attempt by his father to have him killed. Instead, the cruel aunt Holika was consumed and the saintly Prince Prahalad escaped unscathed. In Guyana and the Caribbean; much like UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA, a pyre is

built and burnt reminiscent of this event on the eve of HoliHolika Dahan. On Holi morning the ash is collected and placed on foreheads symbolic of the triumph of good over evil. Hol is a time for reflection and analysis. Consequently the merriment and joy which Holi brings should not make us oblivious of the true significance of the festival. Holi does not license anyone to recklessly and wantonly drench passers-by or to barge into people’s homes and splash water on the occupants. Holi should never be associated in any way with events not in consonance with its spiritual dimension; no alcohol, vulgar and lewd music, barbeques and similar activities should be associated with Holi or Phagwah. These acts are against the spirit of our lovely Holi festival and should not form part of the Phagwah celebration. Every effort made to divest this unique festival of practices alien to Phagwah. On behalf of the Dharmic family of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, I take this opportunity to extend Holi greetings to all my brothers and sisters – all of Guyana and wish you the infinite blessings of Bhagwan Krishna. Shubh Holi! HOLI KA SHUBH KAAMNAYEA!

INDIAN ACTION COMMITTEE The Indian Action Committee (IAC) extends Phagwah (Holi) greetings to all the citizens of Guyana, especially those who are guided by the philosophical teachings of Sanatan Dharma. Phagwah or Holi is a festival of Bharat (India) that has its roots in antiquity and celebrates the coming of a new spring season, the dawning of a new year, and the triumph of good over evil. The exuberance of this festival reflects the collective hope of people for progress, prosperity and the concomitant betterment of their lives. This festival of renewal most likely pre-dated the Sarasvati Valley Civilisation, the world’s first significant civilization which existed be-

tween 5000 BCE and 2600 BCE. Even though the cultural landscape in Bharat had changed from time to time from the introduction of the Negroids followed by the Proto- Australoids , Dravidians, Mongoloids, Caucasians, Persians, Greeks, Shakas, Kushanas, Huns, Arabs, Turks, Afghans, Mughals and Europeans, the festival of Holi emerged, survived and flourished in Bharat, the world’s first melting pot. Holi was brought to British Guiana by Hindus who arrived here as indentured labourers to work on sugar plantations 180years ago and was sustained by the descendants of the majority of

approximately 239,000 Bharatiyas who arrived on these shores between 1838 and 1917. Phagwah was transplanted from a large sub-continent, characterized by the four seasons of spring, summer, autumn and winter, to Guyana, a small South American land of dry and rainy seasons, and even though global warming is creating climatic havoc, the symbolism of Holi must not be lost. The IAC, therefore, calls upon all Guyanese to regard the great festival of Phagwah or Holi, which celebrates life regardless of demography or geography, and always as a focus for a unified nation. Shubh Holi.

Guyana Agricultural And General Workers Union The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union [GAWU] joi n s w i t h t h e Hindu community and indeed all other Guyanese in celebrating this year’s Festival of Holi. Though it has its roots in the Hindu community, this Festival is generally recognized as an integral part of our Guyanese social and cultural history and Holi has evolved into a truly national celebration. Holi, popularly known as Phagwah, is now embraced by numerous sections of the population and is yet another expression of our diversity. GAWU sees the togetherness in joyous colourful celebration on this occasion as an example of the need to forge common efforts to bring about and ensure the

well-being, peace of mind and steady enhancement of the prosperity of our people. The spirit of unity that is so well manifested on this occasion is testimony to the good prospects we have to strengthen our nation and overcome divisiveness. GAWU realizes that the messages of unity, goodwill and optimism exchanged during such Festivals as Christmas, Mashramani, Eid and Phagwah are positive contributions to instill hope and productive relationships between our people and build strong foundations for our future generations. In this regard, we feel that discriminating practices, whatever their form and a callous attitude to sections of the population will not serve to promote a national environ-

ment of trust, confidence and genuine togetherness so vital to peace and a healthy economy. It is appropriate to recall the narrative linked to Phagwah which speaks of the defeat of intrigues and the triumph of a just cause. Thus, we are optimistic that our economic hardship that the trauma stemming from crime and growing want of retrenchment will be overcome soon and completely. May the understanding associated by Festivals like Holi lead to a united and better country where our people of different faiths will take pride in our progress and developments knowing that a secured future is being built for all. Happy Holi 2018 from GAWU!

People’s National Congress Reform The People’s National Congress Reform [PNC/R] extends sincere Holi greetings to the Hindu Community of Guyana in particular, and Guyanese in general, on the celebration of the Festival of Phagwah. All Guyanese embrace Phagwah or Holi. The festival signifies the victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring, the end of winter and for many, a festive day to meet others, play and laugh, forgive and forget and repair broken relationships. The significance of Phagwah is two-fold. Its secular significance lies in the advent of the season of spring, and its real and alle-

gorical implications of fertility, rebirth, renewal and regeneration. The religious significance of Holi lies in the conquest of good over evil, manifested by the destruction by Prahalada of his demonic father, King Hiranyakashipu. As the celebrated Indian national, KulapatiVani wrote many years ago, “… festivals are gatherings for refreshing the spirit and enjoying life,” we urge all Guyanese to use this occasion to refresh their spirit and enjoy life and to participate fully in this colourful festival and enjoy the rich elements of our religious and cultural diversity.

PAGE 28

Kaieteur News

Friday March 02, 2018

CDB to help Georgetown, other municipalities build capacity to manage finances Five municipalities will undergo a needs assessment to identify and provide support to strengthen areas of weakness under a programme funded by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) as part of the local government reform process. Georgetown, Linden, Bartica, New Amsterdam and Lethem were chosen by the regional administrators because they reflect the economic and social diversity of the country. Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan and Dr. Justin Ram, Director of Economics at CDB signed the US$218,020 grant at the launch of the programme yesterday at Cara Lodge. Dr. Ram disclosed that the project funds amount to and is aimed at building capacity across the municipalities and the Ministry of Communities. “At every stage of the project, efforts will be made to be sensitive to and take into consideration the needs of vulnerable group such as women, children, youth, the elderly, indigenous people,

persons with disabilities and the poor,” Ram stated. The CDB Director outlined that the appraisal process will review the best practice of similar reforms and make recommendations for transformation while taking into account existing realities and realistic expectations of support. The project seeks to determine the tools and resources needed by the Ministry, GAM and the municipalities to deliver on the reform process. Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, outlined that the CDB programme will ensure the municipalities are better equipped to manage their financial and other obligations in an effective and efficient manner. Since the return of local government elections in 2016 after two decades, the municipalities have been plagued by issues relating to the lack of capacity at the service level, financial management and accountability. The Minister recognised that these are all areas that

Following the signing of the agreement between Guyana and the Caribbean Development Bank. From L-R: Carwyn Holland, the Mayor of Linden; and Dr. Justin Ram, Director of Economics at CDB; Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan; and Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan. need strengthening as Government forges ahead with the decentralisation of the local organs, thus making them less dependent on central government. Independence means that municipalities will rely less on Government subventions and must finds ways to generate income. The Project will also review the current rate collec-

tion process including the requisite property value updates, as well as examine other avenues for revenue generation. According to CDB, the project will also seek to sup-

port a local structure that incorporates and considers the needs of vulnerable populations including women, children, youth, the elderly, persons with disabilities, marginalised groups and

those disadvantaged by poverty and other circumstances. It will also examine inequalities in gender distribution of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) so as to promote sustainable economic development at the local level. The institutional assessment of municipalities will examine best practices, propose recommendations for shoring up financial and human resource components of the local structure, identify deficiencies in capacity and build a platform for increased youth involvement. Another component of the project will include possible legislative reforms and a synchronising of existing legislations which govern the local democratic organs. The initiative has received the full endorsement of the Guyana Association of Municipalities, which is headed by Carwyn Holland, the Mayor of Linden.

Death of cricket coach…..

Tacoma driver gets 12 months for D’Urban and Smyth Street accident The driver of the Toyota Tacoma that was involved in a deadly crash at the intersection of D’Urban and Smyth Street was yesterday sentenced to 12 months imprisonment for dangerous driving at the conclusion of the trial. Elton Carter, 31, of CC Eccles, East Bank Demerara, on May 21, last, drove motor pick-up GRR 8350 in manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Daniel Richmond. Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman told the court that the prosecution was unable to prove that the defendant caused the death of Richmond. However, Police Prosecutor Shawn Gonsalves was able to prove that on the day in question Carter drove motor vehicle GRR 8350 in a manner dangerous to the public. Magistrate Latchman told the court that she is of the opinion that the defendant drove bellow the standards of a competent driver. She added that she relied on the 13 witnesses that were called by the prosecutor. She added that she disbelieved the defendant when he said that on the day in question, he was not the driver of the vehicle. The Magistrate before sentencing the defendant told him that she took into consideration that several persons were injured in the accident and the need to

Dead: Daniel Richmond promote road safety; hence she sentenced the defendant to 12 months’ imprisonment. The defendant was represented by Attorney-atlaw, Stanley Moore. Richmond was a cricket coach, umpire and Guyana Cricket Board scorer, who also played cricket for the Guyana Police Force. Richmond, who was in his sixties, was killed when the Toyota Tacoma slammed into a route 41 minibus, BVV 5273 in which he was travelling. The man was seen hanging through the bus window for several minutes, covered in blood, before he was transported to the hospital. According to reports, the silver-coloured minibus had just collected passengers from the ‘South Park” and was proceeding east along D’Urban Street, when the driver of the bronze-coloured Toyota Tacoma, which was

Jailed: Elton Carter heading south along Smyth Street, failed to stop at the intersection. The Toyota Tacoma slammed into the side of the minibus which toppled and crashed into a utility pole before coming to a halt. Thirteen passengers were in the minibus at the time of the accident. It was also reported that a female believed to be the driver of the Toyota Tacoma fled the scene after the accident. Police acting on information went to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, where they found Carter, who said he was the driver of the vehicle, the prosecutor said. However, the prosecutor said that days after, Carter claimed a woman was driving the vehicle. But he refused to provide police with a name, address or any information that could lead to the woman’s arrest.

PAGE 29

Kaieteur News

Friday March 02, 2018

Mexico ups Guyana paddy quota; now taking rice too Despite the 2015 market loss with Venezuela, Guyana’s rice market is continuing to show signs of stability. This week, Mexico, an entirely new market, has agreed to continue taking more rice and paddy from Guyana.In fact, there was a meeting on Wednesday between officials of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) and the Mexican Ambassador, Ivan Roberto Sierra. It has been agreed that the Mexican market quota will be increased from 130,000 tonnes to 150,000 tonnes with either rice or paddy that can be shipped. The new agreement, Kaieteur News was told, is valid to the end on 2019. This means that this year, Guyana has the possibilities of exporting up to 150,000 tonnes of rice with a similar amount that has to be

supplied next year. Chairman of the Guyana Rice Millers Association, Ragindra Persaud, who is also co-owner of Nand Persaud and Company Limited, when contacted, said he believes this latest approval with Mexico as an emerging market has huge implications for Guyana. “It is a major game changer for rice in Guyana. We have been looking for new markets. It also creates further demands- of course a boost to our farmers- and help stabilise price locally and boost exports.” With price still to be recommended for this crop, farmers were receiving around $3,000 per bag the last crop. “Millers would like to see this arrangement put into a more long-term and permanent arrangement at the bilateral level. We have the opportunity and the time to

act is now to secure our markets.” Persaud’s company, on the Corentyne, the producers of Karibe Rice, is one of the biggest buyers and millers in the country.That company is also leading the charge with

OAI Director, Michael Correia

OAI PR Consultant, Kit Nascimento

Guyana, during the reign of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) expended just about $30M to relocate squatters during phase one of the airport project. Phase two was financed by a grant of €1.5M from the European D e v e l o p m e n t Fund to the Government of Guyana which was converted into a soft loan to OAI with a generous long term repayment schedule. The Government of Guyana also made significant investment in the Air Traffic Control tower to the value of $50M. Further, the government expended $187M to relocate the NCN tower from Sparendaam in order that the airport could be cleared for international flights The Ministry of Public Infrastructure resurfaced the road from Railway Embankment to Ogle Airport.

All the government services provided such as the Guyana Fire Service, Air Traffic Control, Customs, Immigration and Police are all funded by the State. As recent as two weeks ago, the Guyana Energy Agency installed solar panels on the terminal building at the Airport. OAI had written to Minister Ashni Singh in 2014 requesting a waiver of the Capital Replacement Reserve Fund, which was a conditionality of the master lease between the Government and OAI. The land leased to OAI was the property of GuySuCo. The land was leased in 2003 without any public notice. There was no public transparent process; neither was there a public bidding process.

Chairman of the Guyana Rice Millers Association, Ragindra Persaud

OAI once a gain lies b y ag by den ying sta te funding state denying

Ogle Airport Inc (OAI) has once again been found misleading the public on matters relating to the development and operations of the Ogle International Airport which has been renamed the Eugene F Correia International Airport. Recently, former Minister of Government, Manzoor Nadir, penned a letter to the Editor of this newspaper commenting on the OAI saga. Nadir’s main contention as reflected in his letter is that the nation must benefit more from the 441 acres in the hands of OAI, which is being controlled by the Correias. He noted that the land belongs to the state and that the government invested in the development of the land. OAI Public Relations Consultant, Kit Nascimento, responded to Nadir’s letter. Among the many, according to sources, “misleading” things stated in the latter, was a line suggesting that Government did not contribute any money towards the development of the airport. Nascimento said, “On 17th July, 2003, the Lands & Surveys department, concomitant with the conditions set out in the Lease Agreement, granted a 441-acre lease of land (Master Lease) for 25 years, extendable for two further periods of 25 years. Phase I of the development under the Lease Agreement was successfully completed in 2009, when scheduled passenger operations commenced. Not a penny of state money was invested.” The facts say different. The Government of

Paddy shipment to Mexico about to leave Guyana last July the renewed Cuban market. It initially had a 15,000 tonnes rice contract starting last year. Cuba has now signaled its intention to take up to 30,000 tonnes. Guyana was left shaky in May 2015 when the Coalition Government entered office and Venezuela, angry at an oil find in Guyana waters, ended a lucrative rice-for-oil deal

that had been in force for over five years. Guyana was left with excess rice and paddy with Government sending out teams and millers taking steps to find new markets. Mexico, which has a population of over 127 million, last year announced it wanted rice and paddy. A number of countries,

including Guyana, jumped at the offer. Rice production has been growing in leaps and bounds in recent years, as farmers invested in better strains of seed paddy and more lands for cultivation. Guyana’s rice production topped 600,000 tonnes last year, a 12 percent increase from 2016.

PAGE 30

Friday March 02, 2018

Kaieteur News

CAR RENTAL

SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK;Guyanapassport application. G r a p h i c s design, advertisement. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. ICONIC MARKETING & PRINTING –TEL: 6004212: We create A/works, logos, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Budhram’s Landscaping & Tree cutting service. Free advice, Free design, Free after care follow up. Tel#626-1044 Repairs to refrigerators, gas stoves, A/C units, washing machines. Call Lindon: 6411086/ 694-2202 Austin Powers Repairs & Services: Regas Fridges, Freezers, AC, Washer, Dryer & Wiring. Lot 114 Brushe Dam Friendship. E.C.D Tel#685-2588/613-1711

FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Plant-closing down sale: potting soil, plant pot, flower plant at Garden Centre, Plantation Schoonard WBD #615-2346/627-3443/15001600 Supari palm, Lipstick, Royal, Foxtail. Exora 4 for $1000 Ficus 4 for $1000. Organic potting soil. Tel: 626-1044 Parts for Tacoma Tundra Titan for sale. Tel#686-9608. 1- Caterpillar skid steer 3.2M 1-Leyland daf cement mixer 2.2M 1-canter 3.6M Land at Blankenburg 2.9M Contact #650-0402/603-1402 6000 pound ice box (1) 48 Yamaha engine 13.4 length fishing vessel. Four hundred pound sein. Tel#690-8089

Bucket truck with driver/ operator for rent. Banners/ CCTV, street lighting, work at height. Call: 642-9447

Video games and consoles at affordable price. Repairs to video game system .Call:6722566/265-3231 (1) new Mistubishi canter with excellent conditions with type of engine 4msl, long base, 2004 model, contact: 6967664 1- 320 BL cat Excavator 1- 215 B cat Excavator 1- 428 cat Back-hoe 1- 450 Honda Atv. Contact: 275-0367, 683-7225

Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158

1 Double steel wheel roller 1Pneumatic roller 1- Leyland Daf truck 1- Hand spray bitumen kettle. Contact: 2750367, 683-7225

Desmond Repair Services Fridge, AC, gas stove, microwave, washer, etc on the spot repairs –Call: (592)678-8683

1-320 CL- Bucket 1, Hydraulic pump 1, 4 Hydraulic Ram. #628-1832

House plans and estimates. # 6 1 3 - 5 6 2 8 / sirachenterprises@gmail.com

Eagle’s: Re-gas –low prices, washing machine repairs, gas stove, plasma flat Screen, computer repairs & more. Call: 697-2969/646-0966 Installations, Repairs and parts for AC, Fridge, Washing machine, Stove etc call Nick 627-3206, 630-1600

TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 2257878 (24HRS)

Use Daff 620 truck parts. Contact: #650-0402/603-1402

FOR RENT

WANTED

PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620

One Industrial Electrician. Tel# 227-1717

Vreed-en-hoop junction. Lessons place, church, storage bond, office, other. Call: 603-6400. Fully furnished two bedrooms apartment in providence & three bedroom in Diamond. Tel: 672-1906, 216-2299 (1) downstairs for rent for supermarket including living quarters (preferable Chinese) @ Lot 171 Section B Non Pariel ECD. Tel#629-4764. (1) two bedroom apartment @ 529 Section ‘B’ Block ‘X’ Great Diamond EBD lower apartment, price negotiable. Tel no: 216-4200, 685-7935 (3) Bedrooms house to rent in (Lamaha Gardens) 2 1/2 Bath, fully air conditioned US$2000. Tel#653-7961/ 6749244

Experienced articulated dump truck drivers to work in the interior. Kindly contact: 223-7165 for futher details. Experienced Sand Truck Driver. Apply to Christine’s Variety Store, Lombard Street or Call 227-8529, 626-8003. Experienced Handyman, porter all below 40 years. Apply with written application. Keyfood McDoom Village. Experienced General Manager to operate stringer (string gold) in the interior. Contact number: 223-7165 Land to buy in Parafaite Harmonie, Eccles, Uitvlugt, Tuschen,Covent Garden, Herstelling, Diamond, Providence & Zeelugt. Tel#686-9608 One nail technician please call: 647-8268 Live in or live out babysitter/ domestic- Call: 223-7500 Monday to Saturday 8:15am4:15pm Log truck driver to work in Buckhall. Call: 664-6062

VEHICLE FOR SALE 2011 Raptor fully loaded 4x4 Auto excellent condition blue 6.2 litre super charged. Tel# 610-5370 Long base canter GRR series 2 million hydraulic lift tray good condition Tel# 609-1040 Primo motor car, Mag rims, C lights, in top condition 2005 model, late PSS series. Phone: 638-8797, 328-7659 2 unregistered canterMitsubishi Fuso 3 tons hyab canter $6M , Mitsubishi 2 ton dump canter $3M #628-7981 Bluebird 2012- 2.6M Axio2.5M Tida-2.2M All vehicles unregistered and have reverse camera. #655-3400

Chainsaw operators to work in the interior. Contact: 2237165 Security to work with mining firm, must have experience in said field Ages 38-45. Contact: 500-5923/676-8764 Experienced hire car drivers at Princess Ramada Hotel. Call: 265-7076 or 616-5419 TOLET 1 5-bedroom house 570 Good Hope ECD, 4 Self-contained rooms #225-3234 One fully furnished apartment to rent in South Riumveldt $25,000 weekly. #694-7817, 668-0306 2 Bedroom apartment in Eccles. Tel: 225-3234.

3500 running watts champion generator. Price: $200,000 negotiable. Tel: 696-7246 or 684-7863 1 Transported property at Covent Garden Island EBD. Tel#265-3586 Unregistered DAF trucks: Dump trucks, Flat Bed, Flat bed with Crane & Hauler. Call: 659-3100 New Triangle truck tyres, front & all wheel drive, size: 295/ 80R22.5 Call: 647-2022 (1) Gas generator 560 (1) Diesel Generator 650 (1) Compressor 350 (2) 93 Toyota Hilux pickup (neg) Contact: 682-8424

EDUCATION CXC adults classes (Business & Science subjects) Form 1-5 lessons, Grade 2-6 lessons (slow learners, personal tutor) #690-5008,618-0649 Electronic classes beginning March 6th. Enroll early, limited spaces. Abdul Electronics. Tel: 226-6551/ 225-0391.

SALON Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. -CosmetologyCourses:$90,000 Nail Technician Course: $35,000. Call: 647-1773/6880009 PROPERTY FOR SALE Land with small 2 bedroom wooden house in Diamond 4th Bridge, Price $5 Million. Tel: 690-6327/603-3949

VACANCY Hair station & Barber station rental, New market street #638-1106. Experienced persons preferable. Room attendant, age 25-45 Tel#225-0198 or visit 233 South road, Lacytown. Chef, Assistant chef, Cashier - Waiter call: 611-5615, 2257933 or visit us at 173 Sheriff street. KITCHEN ASSISTANT (HOUSEKEEPING DAYSHIFT) REQUIRED AT AAGMAN RESTAURANT. CONTACT: 219-0158 BETWEEN 9AM - 5 PM (WEEKDAYS) Accounts clerk- knowledge of NIS,PAYE,VAT and QuickBooks. Call: 614-4358 Female cleaner for office in Eccles. Call: 233-2745

PROGRESSIVE CAR R E N TA L : S U V F O R RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL:6435122/656-0087, ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YAHOO.COM/WWW. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807 WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP RATES,SPECIALOFFERS! . CALL: 690-6494

Experienced sales persons with CXC qualifications. Apply @ Christine’s Variety, Lombard Street. Contact: 2278529/626-8003 Vacancy for sales girl. Apply in person to Alabama Trading 65 Robb Street Bond. 1 Security, Farm workers, maintenance workers, labour. Call: 265-3586 8am-4pm

LAND FOR SALE Sophia front 3.5, Corner 4.9, Herstelling front 5M. Land of Canaan 6 per acre. Call GME 231-2199, 618-7483.

For Civil Engineer must have 8 years or more experience, call for appointment #6287981, 672-3409

Parafaite Harmonie, Eccles, Uivlugt, Tuschen, Covent Garden, Herstelling, Diamond, Providence, Zeelugt. Tel# 686-9608

Experienced male sales attendant, stocktaking knowledge, computer literate, excellent service attitude, able bodied. Key Food McDoom Village.

Eccles $7M Farm $3.5M Uivlugt $3.2M Parafaite Harmonie- $1.5M $1.8M & $2.6M Schnoord- $3M. Tel# 656-0701/611-7223

One maid with cooking skills and one cleaner helper. Call: 231-0734

18,731 acres mining land Gold & Diamond Mazaruni $5,000,000 USD Contact: 6951356, 687-8445

1-Grillman hrs 4:00pm1:30am, 1 mature nanny livein , 1-kitchen asst. 8:00am5:00pm. Contact X’s Grill & Cuisine 675-2550 10am5:30pm

Parafaite Harmonie main road 2M 1.5M Parafaite (10) year up 3M 3.5 Eccles 6M Uivlugt 2.8M Call: 604-6724

PROPERTY FOR SALE Yorrowkabra, Linden Highway, House, Chicken pen, New foundation, Land 200' x 100' Fenced, water & light. 6.5M neg. Contact: 6867180 Lot 15 Public road #2 Village. West Coast Berbice. 49ft by 10,314ft. $20M. Contact:6487109/686-4818 Property for sale (1) 3 story building at 97 Sugarcane street S/Rvldt Gardens. Price US 1.5M neg. Tel: 695-1356 & 6878445 House & Land @ Diamond, 3 bedrooms big yard space. Price $21.5 million Tel# 6966327/603-3949 Serious enquiries only!

Parafaite Harmonie 2.5M 3M 1.5M Eccles 6.5M Providence 4M Uivlugt 3M all price negotiable. Call: 6662326 LAND FOR SALE Servicemen and heavy duty diesel mechanics to work in the interior. Contact 223-7165

Friday March 02, 2018

Flag raising incident…

C’ton Town Council threatens to file complaint with diplomatic community Councillors at Wednesday’s statutory meeting

The Corriverton Town Council at its monthly statutory meeting with councillors representing the opposition and a group representing the APNU/AFC yesterday collectively decided to inform the international community (ABC countries, Diplomatic Commission in Guyana and the Caribbean Local Government Authority) and seek clarity as it relates to the interference of the police at last Thursday's flag-raising ceremony at Republic Square, Corriverton, Berbice. This will be done with the aim of seeking clarification as to where the instructions came from to halt the proceedings and whether they were lawful. However, one councillor representing the APNU/AFC abstained from the discussion. He, however, commented on the lack of protocol on behalf of the town councils and the Ministry of Local Government. They did not provide a written response. The Council condemned what took place at the event and has decided that it will be seeking further clarification whether events, as such can be observed by the town council on its own behalf or whether the council would have to seek guidance from the government. What was also brought to the table was the idea to have the event moved from the location it has been over the years to the Town Council compound. This was based on the notion that there may be less interference from the police or otherwise. The council made it clear that the decision was undemocratic and that the council should have been allowed to carry through the

PAGE 31

Kaieteur News

programme. There were 12 councillors present at the meeting yesterday. Two occupied the APNU/ AFC seats on the council. Also present during the statutory meeting as an observer was Derek Basdeo, AFC Executive Member. He was reportedly sent on instructions from Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan. Last Thursday, the flag raising ceremony that was expected to take place in Corriverton did not happen after it was reported by the Mayor of the Township, Krishnand Jaichand, that instructions were given by Minister of Social Protection Amna Ally to the Commander of B' Division Lyndon Alves, to stop the proceedings from going on. The issue stemmed from the town council refusing to have Ramjattan as the featured speaker at the event. Initially the Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan was invited as a speaker on the programme. He never responded to the invitation, the Mayor had stated. They only received a call three days prior to the activity stating that Minister Ramjattan will be there instead. The public address systems were seized, the drummers were instructed not to perform, children who had prepared their cultural presentations for weeks prior to the event were prevented from stepping on to the stage to perform and the Mayor was denied the right to address those gathered on instructions from the police that night. The former Mayor Ganesh Gangadin was also escorted off stage by the police.

Queenstown woman, 54, succumbs after being struck by speeding car A woman met her demise, Tuesday, after she was struck by a speeding car on the Affiance Public road, on the Essequibo Coast. The woman who was struck by the vehicle was identified as 54-year-old Nandranie Singh, better known as Annette, of Queenstown, Essequibo Coast. Police enquiries disclosed that the vehicle was proceeding south along the public road at a fast rate, when it collided with the pedestrian some time around18:00hrs on Tuesday last. Witnesses, who heard a loud crash, recalled seeing the woman in mid-air, before she landed on the edge of the road. As a result of the impact, Nandranie sustained head injuries and was rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital, where she eventually succumbed early Wednesday morning. Kaieteur News was informed that at the time of incident, the woman and her daughter had just completed their shopping at Bacchus

Supermarket--a busy shopping area on the Essequibo Coast. Her daughter recalled rushing out of the supermarket after an alarm was raised about an accident. To her disbelief, it was her mother lying unconscious at the edge of the road. A passenger of the vehicle later informed family members, that the driver of the motorcar appeared distracted as he was peering into his phone, allegedly using his car stereo at the same time. Devastated family members even told this publication, that they are grossly disappointed in the manner in which ranks of the ‘G’ Division’s Traffic Department handled the situation. The woman’s daughter said that present on the scene of the accident last Tuesday was just one traffic rank. She noted that the officer directed the driver to the Anna Regina Police Station, before even marking the scene for further investigations. The woman’s husband, Sahadeo Singh, told this pub-

Killed: Nandranie Singh lication, “If the police cannot give us the satisfaction we need, then we would take our own actions within a legal framework. We are not satisfied with the police because from the beginning the police moved the car without marking off the road. Now he can go back and say the incident didn’t happen there and maybe he can even frame the entire scene to his liking.” The driver of the car, on the other hand, is in police custody assisting with the investigation.

PAGE 32

Kaieteur News

Friday March 02, 2018

Two witnesses testify in “Sagga” murder as PI commence

Dead: Godfrey Scipio known as “Sagga”

Charged: Derwin Eastman

Charged: Jemison Williams

The Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the murder of Godfrey Scipio, 58, known as “Sagga”, who was shot and killed on October 12, last, commenced yesterday before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Yesterday, two witnesses took the stand and outlined the role they played in the investigation into the murder.Corporal Derwin Eastman, who was once Best Cop for ‘A’ Division, and his colleague, Constable Jemison Williams, who are both attached to the Brickdam Police Station, are currently on

remand for the murder. It is alleged that both Eastman and Williams on October 12, at David Street, Kitty, Georgetown, murdered Scipio. They are the second and third persons respectively to be charged with the murder of Scipio. Aubrey Bobb, 26, of Kitty was first charged with the murder and is currently on remand.Bobb’s PI is currently being conducted in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly. The allegation against Eastman and Williams stems

from Aubrey Bobb, the first accused charged with the murder. According to reports, Bobb alleged that Eastman is the mastermind behind “Sagga’s” murder since he allegedly provided the weapon. Attorney-at-law, Nigel Hughes is representing Eastman while Attorney Dexter Todd is representing Williams.Scipio, 58, was shot dead shortly after leaving a Kitty hotel. He was also relieved of a gold chain. The matter will be called again on March 5, for the continuation of the Pl.

Kaieteur News

Friday March 02, 2018

Retired Crime Scene ... From page 6 came to us was somebody from Kaieteur News, about two to three weeks after.” POLICE PROVIDED ONE COFFIN And Dr. Donna Stewart, wife of Lyken Funeral Parlour owner George Lyken, recalled receiving a call on June 21, 2008 from the Guyana Police Force to pick up some burnt human remains from an interior location. The police also requested that a porter from the funeral home to accompany ranks to the location. A female employee accompanied the ranks to Lindo Creek and returned that afternoon. The large bundle of human remains, wrapped in a tarpaulin, was picked up from Ogle and taken to Lyken Funeral Home. Police ranks accompanied the hearse to the parlour. Dr. Stewart identified former Detective Sergeant Burnett, who had testified earlier, as one of the ranks who accompanied the remains. The remains were left at the funeral parlour “for a couple of days” before the police returned for the post mortem and for DNA samples to be taken. The remains were then

left at the Lyken Funeral Parlour for approximately four years, the longest remains have been kept at the parlour, which has been in existence for some 90 years. . In the first two years, ranks visited the parlour to take samples, she said. On September 10, 2012, the remains were prepared for burial. Prior to this, Dr. Stewart recalled often visiting the CID Headquarters to enquire how the remains would be disposed of. She would speak to “Detective Cosbert and Detective Seelall” who were at the CID Division at the time. When the remains were to be buried, Dr. Stewart said she informed the ranks that eight coffins were needed, “since there were eight persons that died.” “I was instructed by the then Crime Chief that there was only one coffin needed for the burial. Through my negotiations, we were able to obtain three coffins to be buried in three tombs. However, we did not have names to put on the tombs; there was only one family member there, so we were able to use two names on the coffins. “ She explained that human remains are usually buried in cases in which there is further

investigation, and exhumed later. During the first year, family members would come to find out when the remains would be buried, and Dr. Stewart said she would tell them to contact the police, who still had custody of the remains. “My understanding was that the one family was notified that burial would take place. The following day, they got calls from other family members about burial of the remains, which were entombed at Le Repentir Cemetery.” Questioned by Justice Trotman, Dr. Stewart said that three women, including the mother of one of the victims, attended the memorial service, which the funeral parlour arranged. She said that the women were inconsolable, and “tore the coffin apart.” Those slain at Lindo Creek were Dax Arokium, Cedric Arokium, Compton Speirs, Horace Drakes, Clifton Wong, Lancelot Lee, Bonny Harry and Nigel Torres. A few relatives and friends staged a protest outside the Ministry of the Presidency, where the COI is being held. The hearings will resume next Tuesday.

Court uphold no case submission... From page 21 photographs. The detective said that on March 9, 2016, he tendered the photographs which were admitted as evidence during a Preliminary Inquiry in the Magistrates' Courts. Also testifying was former Police Constable Xavier Vasconcellos whose testimony was taken via Skype from Miami. Vasconcellos recalled that on December 25, 2015, he was performing duties at the Ruimveldt Police Station when about 19:00hrs,

he was instructed by Inspector Herbert Henry to escort Greaves, who was a prisoner at the time, to Diamond Diagnostic Centre, East Bank Demerara.According to the former cop, on arrival at the hospital, Greaves was seen by a doctor after which he was escorted to the Golden Grove Police Station, East Bank Demerara, where he was placed in custody. Inspector Herbert Henry, the Officer in Charge of Crime at the Ruimveldt Police Station was among the other witnesses who testified.

30 farmers to get $10M Cassava... From page 23 Minister Garrido-Lowe for being resolute as she empowers the indigenous people said “in Kwebanna we have had our fair share of development happening we have had tremendous support from the government so far. Today she is here to tell us what is planned for our community and at this point we would like to thank her, the Government and the Ministry for doing what is best in the interest of us here”. Residents say they are eager to commence work with a female villager. “I am so excited about this and we will work hard and plant to get some big, big cassava … and then Minister will bring more things for our community”. The budgetary allocation will cover the construction of the facility, acquisition of machinery, planting materials and train-

ing among others. Minister Garrido-Lowe, in keeping with Government's agenda, will be working along with the Indigenous people on several green sustainable projects that will be implemented in the hinterland in 2018. The Cassava Flour Project is one such initiative which will cause significant improvement in the lives of the indigenous people. Mere hours before the launch of the Cassava Flour Project, Minister Garrido-Lowe launched the Ground Coffee Project, another $10M initiative to be established in Santa Rosa in the Barima-Waini Region. Kwebanna which is located along the Waini River has a population of approximately 650 with its main economic activity being logging, traditional fishing and hunting.

PAGE 33

PAGE 34

Kaieteur News

Friday March 02, 2018

PCJ seeking investors for possible oil find in Jamaica KINGSTON, Jamaica CMC – The Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ) says it is actively seeking overseas investors to tap into the discovery of two independent live oil seeps in different sections of Trelawny in northwest Jamaica. PCJ manager of Oil and Gas, Brian Richardson, speaking on a television programme here, said the company is trying to promote the discovery to encourage investors to drill further. “Hopefully this will interest an explorer, someone like say a Tullow or an onshore person that would want to take this a little further. They would then come in, do some additional work…and then hopefully, if they are interested enough and they see something like a structure that may contain something, then they say fine we’ll be willing to drill.” Richardson said the PCJ would ensure that the right decisions are made during and after the drilling process. Last week, the PCJ and London-based CGG GeoConsulting issued a joint statement regarding the discovery. They said “this significant find marks the first documented occurrence of ‘live’, or flowing, oil from onshore Jamaica and will be of particular interest to oil explorationists focused on Central America and the Caribbean. “The oil seeps were found

Brian Richardson during fieldwork for a recently completed multi-client Robertson Study (Red Book) of the petroleum potential of on- and offshore Jamaica entitled ‘Petroleum Geological Evaluation of Jamaica’ made jointly by CGG GeoConsulting and PCJ. “Jamaica and its offshore basins remain relatively underexplored. Oil or gas shows have been seen in ten of the eleven exploration wells drilled to date. The discovery of these seeps indicates the presence of working petroleum systems on the island that are generating and expelling liquid hydrocarbons to the surface,” the joint statement noted. “This exciting discovery of live oil onshore Jamaica, based on our joint study with PCJ, builds a strong case for the island as an attractive re-

gion for future oil exploration within the Caribbean,” said Sophie Zurquiyah, Senior Executive Vice President, Geology, Geophysics & Reservoir, CGG. The insights and promising outcome of the study demonstrate the value that CGG’s broad geoscience expertise combined with the integration of field geology, laboratory analyses and seismic interpretation can bring for high-grading frontier regions for future oil exploration,” she added. Richardson said it would not be feasible in the near future for the government to independently drill for oil onshore or offshore the island, noting that the venture is risky and demands huge resources. But Richardson noted that while the government has to depend on overseas investors, oil discovered in Jamaica’s jurisdiction would belong to the State. “What we’ve done is partner with persons who have the expertise, they have the cash to care, and let them come into the country, let them explore and it’s at their risk…and if there is something, then that is actually developed jointly with the government,” he said. He told television viewers that the venture is long term and could take from 10 to 15 years before it could be said that there is an accumulation of oil which could lead to a well.

UWI wants regional governments to pay up PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - CMC – The University of the West Indies (UWI) is calling on Caribbean Community (CARICOM) governments to honour their outstanding debts to the region’s premier tertiary institution. Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley, speaking to reporters on Wednesday night on his return from attending the 29th CARICOM Inter-Sessional summit in Haiti, said that the leaders had met with UWI officials, including the Vice Chancellor Sir Hilary Beckles, in Port au Prince to discuss the issue. “They came to make a presentation to the heads indicating that the university has very serious financial challenges to meet which require urgent attention and they implored the countries that are in arrears or those that have accumulated arrears that the

Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley university accounts require that those arrears be dealt with in some substantial way so as to not have their accounts presented in a manner that damages its ability to run its operations on sound financial

practice, to put it mildly,” Rowley said. He said the leaders agreed given the case made out by the UWI “states will pay attention to the university’s plight. “I expect that the university will visit Trinidad and Tobago in the next two weeks or so to have bilateral discussions because the discussions with respect to the various countries, who owes what and who could do what with, respect with respect to the debt will be handled on a bilateral basis,” Rowley said. “So each country will talk with the university to see what can be done t bring about, pretty much a bailout from the situation they are in at the moment,” he added. Rowley did not discuss the amount owed to the UWI that has its main campuses in Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago.

Japan says it is committed to enhancing resilience in developing countries ROSEAU, Dominica CMC – Japan yesterday said it is committed to supporting developing nations in enhancing their resilience to climate change. “Japan as a proactive active contributor to world peace and security and as a nation with many small islands has been active in tackling climate change issues,” Japan Ambassador to Dominica, Mitsuhiko Okada, said as he spoke at a ceremony where his country is providing 220 million yen (US$2.2 million) to the hurricane battered country. He said the grant aid is intended to enhance Dominica’s capacity to respond to climate change and at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties ,COP 21, Tokyo announced new initiatives for supporting action in developing countries to address climate change. He said under this new initiative Japan will provide US$12 billion in climate change finance to developing

Ambassador Mitsuhiko Okada countries to the year 2020 covering renewable energy production, resilient infrastructure among other activities.He said for Dominica in particular, Japan has provided emergency twice in two years, including after the passage of the category 5 Hurricane Maria, last year which killed at least 30 people.“In addition Japan has just an exchange of notes with the UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) for a project that

aims to strengthen the disaster management capacity of women in the Commonwealth of Dominica.”He said the grant to Dominica is part of his country’s global efforts to support developing countries responding to climate change. He said the grant will be used to purchase equipment which will enhance the logistical capability of the island as well as help it deal with the effects of Hurricane Maria “and future extreme weather events”. “Today’s ceremony underscores how strong our bilateral relations have been and we look forward to many more opportunities between Japan and the Commonwealth of Dominica”.Foreign Affairs Ministers and CARICOM Affairs, Francine Baron said in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Maria, Japan was the first to respond to the island’s appeal for emergency assistance.She said the funding will allow for the island to pre-position pieces of equipment “and thus enable us to respond quickly in the event of disasters”.

North Korea denies chemical weapons link with Syria: state media SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea denied reports it had cooperated with Syria on chemical weapons, dismissing them as a fabrication by the United States to pressure the country, state media reported late yesterday. State run KCNA news agency cited a spokesman at the foreign ministry’s research institute of American studies arguing that the United States made a “nonsensical argument” that it helped Syria produce chemical weapons. “As we have clearly said several times, our republic does not develop, produce and stockpile chemical weapons and opposes chemical weapons themselves,” the spokesman said, via KCNA. Robert Wood, U.S. disar-

PAGE 35

Kaieteur News

Friday March 02, 2018

mament ambassador to the Conference on Disarmament, said on Wednesday that there has been a history of a relationship between the two countries with regard to missile activity, chemical weapons components. Two North Korean shipments to a Syrian government agency responsible for the country’s chemical weapons program were intercepted in the past six months, according to a confidential U.N. report on North Korea sanctions violations. North Korea has been under U.N. sanctions since 2006 over its ballistic missile and nuclear programs and the Security Council has ratcheted up the measures in response to six nuclear weapons tests and several long-

range missile launches. The world’s chemical weapons watchdog in The Hague opened an investigation on Sunday into attacks in the besieged, rebel-held Syrian region of eastern G h o u t a t o d e t e r mine whether banned munitions had been used, diplomatic sources told Reuters. Syria signed up to the international ban on chemical weapons in 2013, as part of a deal brokered by Moscow to avert U.S. air strikes in retaliation for a nerve gas attack that killed hundreds of people, which Washington blamed on Damascus. In the years that followed, Syria’s declared stockpile of banned poison gasses was destroyed by international monitors.

Venezuela postpones presidential election to late May CARACAS (Reuters) Venezuela yesterday postponed its upcoming presidential vote to May in a move cementing an opposition split as socialist incumbent Nicolas Maduro seeks re-election despite an economic crisis and global censure The national election board announced the vote slated for April 22 had been pushed back to the second half of May, with a final date to be specified later, after a pact between Maduro’s government and some opposition parties. The main opposition coa-

lition is boycotting the poll, saying it is a farce intended to legitimize a “dictatorship.” Maduro’s two strongest opposition rivals, Leopoldo Lopez and Henrique Capriles, are both barred from standing, and most Venezuelans view the election board as compliant to Maduro. Western nations and a dozen Latin American neighbours have reprimanded Maduro’s government over unfair conditions for the vote, and the United States is considering imposing sanctions on the OPEC member’s crucial oil sector.

President Nicolas Maduro

PAGE 36

Friday March 02, 2018

Kaieteur News

WBCA/Benz Entertainment T20 GFF/Pele Alumini Frank Watson U-15 League – Weekend Fixtures Wins for Achievers, Cotton Tree, Young Guns and D’ Edward

East Bank Football Association Match Day 10 - Saturday March 3 Agricola vs Samatta Point/KV Mocha vs Herstelling Soesdyke vs Diamond Upsetters Grove vs Timehri Match Day 11 - Sunday March 4 Swan FC vs Samatta Point/KV Agricola vs Friendship Mocha vs Soesdyke Grove vs Herstelling East Demerara Football Association Match Day 2 - Saturday March 3 BV/Triumph vs Plaisance Panthers Mahaica vs Buxton Youth Dev. Buxton Stars vs Golden Stars Buxton Utd. vs Victoria Scorpions Berbice Football Association Match Day 2 – Friday March 2 Arsenal vs Orealla NA United vs Hopetown Rangers Monedderlust vs East Bank Gunners Cougars vs Young Strikers Rosignol vs Orealla Falcons Match Day 3 - Saturday March 3 Hearts of Oak vs Corriverton Links

Timehri Red Ground “ “ “ “ “ “

09:30hrs 11:00hrs 12:30hrs 14:00hrs

“ “ “ “

09:30hrs 11:00hrs 12:30hrs 14:00hrs

“ “ “ “

Golden Grove Ground “ “ “ “ “ “

12:00hrs 13:30hrs 15:00hrs 16:30hrs

Esplanade Park “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “

10:00hrs 11:30hrs 13:30hrs 15:00hrs 16:30hrs

“

15:00hrs

“

Friday March 02, 2018 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Your heart is apt to beat much more rapidly than usual, Aries. Love is in the air, the trees, and the people around you. TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) More than likely there was at least one time in your life in which you felt like the ugly ducking, Taurus. Perhaps this had something to do with your weight. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Duels of love and romance are apt to come to a critical climax, Gemini, and you’ll find that the person who is challenging you has quite a bit of gunpowder at his or her disposal. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Your extremely overpowering emotions are apt to scare people off today, Cancer, especially when it comes to matters involving intimate relationships. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) While long-term trends in your life may not be going exactly the way you want them to, Leo, you certainly have plenty of short-term pleasures to enjoy, especially today. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You may be anxious to fit things in your life into pigeonholes, Virgo. When it comes to matters of love and romance, this may be hard to do, especially on a day like today.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You may feel like going back to being a student in junior high, Libra, just going through puberty and joining the other kids in animated discussions about who likes whom and who’s going out with whom. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Be careful about getting caught up with people who are careless or fickle, Scorpio, especially when it comes to matters of the heart. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Your luck has just turned with regard to issues of love and romance, and wow! Has it turned for the better, Sagittarius! You should be sitting on cloud nine today when it comes to matters of the heart. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Romance is in the air, Capricorn, and all of a sudden you notice that all around you couples are walking hand-inhand, exchanging longing gazes. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Your upbeat and active nature is exactly what turns people on to you, Aquarius. Attention is apt to turn in your direction today when social acquaintances realize what an incredibly capable person you are. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Gather information so you know best how to proceed on your own when the weight has lifted. It will happen soon.

Achievers, Cotton Tree Die Hard, Young Guns and D’ Edward registered victories when the West Berbice Cricket Association Benz Entertainment T20 Tournament bowled off on Sunday last. At Bush Lot, Achievers batted first and made 159 for 5 from their 20 overs. Sherwyn McPherson struck 68, Kevin Sinclair 49 and Keyron Fraser 30. Bowling for Bush Lot, Krishandat Ramoo had 2 for 27. Bush Lot in reply started off on a high with 21 from the first over but were only able

Keen competition... From page 39 Baganara Island Resort, Windjammer Restaurant, Giftland Food Maxx, Trophy Stall, Two Pears Health Mart, Star Party Rentals and Pollo Tropical have provided sponsorship for the event. Leelawatie Nikita Persaud spoke on behalf of Kares Engineering Inc. and said this is the second consecutive year the company is supporting the event and promised to continue playing a major role in future events while pointing out some of the benefits of being fit and healthy. Gabriell Lopes from Ansa McAl’s I Cool Water said a few words as did Terry Persaud from St Joseph’s Hospital, Jennifer Cipriani from Scotia Bank and Stefon Sookram who spoke on behalf of Windjammer Hotel. Zalena Alli from Cross Fit 592 and Dr Osmond ‘Billy’ Mack provided a demonstration of one of routines which entailed jumping over a high wall, doing a press-up and lifting a 115-pound ball over a distance of about 200 meters. Tickets are available at Fitness Express on Sheriff Street, Genesis Fitness Gym on Durban Street and Fitness Paradise.

Royals face... From page 41 Trust Falcons, Retrieve Raiders, Victory Valley Royals and Block 22 Flames with the only club absent being Half Mile Bulls. The six club championship will be played in a two group round-robin format with the top four teams advancing to the semifinals. The playing dates are March 2, 11, 16, 18 and 24 when the final will be contested. The clubs are Royals, Bulls, Jets, Raiders, Flames and Falcons.

to muster 144 for 6. D. Darsan made 29, A. Mathabeek 26, Christopher Bisson 19 and Rayban Henry 17; Rennision Mitchell took 2-27. Achievers won by 15 runs. In the second match at Bush Lot ground, No.30 batted first made 99 in 15 overs. Kevin Eastman got 34 and Rensie Bell 18. Bowling for Young Guns, M, Deputron claimed 4-24 and F. Gaffoor 216. Young Guns in reply got to 100 for 9 from 14.1 overs; Dillon Joseph had 2-28 and Sherwyn Petertein 2-9. Young Guns won by 1 wicket. Over at D’ Edward Ground, the host took first strike and made 179 for 9. Heralall Bridgelall struck 57, D.

Persaud 40, Keith Fraser 26 and Devendra Lalsa 26. Marcus France captured 4-15. Conquerors in reply fell short by 37 runs. Bhoshan Hargobin made 37, Zalim Azad 25 and Raymond Braithwaite 21; Lakray Lalsa took 3-24. At Cotton Tree, Bath were bowled out for 115 in 19.5 overs, batting first. A. Sewkarran led with 36, Z. Persaud 17 and Andrew Dutchin 11. Waqar Hassan snared 3-15, Pooran Peraud 3-28 and Roshan Gaffoor 222. Cotton Tree in reply, reached their target in 14.4 overs without loss. Nick Ramsaroop slammed 79 not out and Jadeo Persaud 31.

Friday March 02, 2018

Warrican spearheads Lions whitewash North Sound, Antigua, CMC – Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican snatched a third career 10-wicket haul as West Indies A crushed England Lions by 212 runs in the final four-day “Test”, to pull off a highly anticipated series whitewash here yesterday. The hosts needed just around 90 minutes to complete victory, after Lions, resuming from their overnight 132 for six in pursuit of an improbable 408 for victory in the day/night affair at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, folded meekly for 195 in their second innings. Warrican again was the star of the show, claiming two of the four wickets to fall to end with five for 55 and match figures of 11 for 88. For the 25-year-old, it was his fourth five-wicket haul of the three-match series, leaving him with a remarkable 31 wickets for the tour. He passed 200 first class wickets in the match and now has 204.

PAGE 37

Kaieteur News

The 20-year-old Keemo Paul (2-25) and off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall (2-49) both ended the innings with two wickets apiece. Wicketkeeper Alex Davies, unbeaten overnight on 15, made 23 before falling in the fifth over of the afternoon to Warrican and with no addition to the score in the following over, Jack Leach was caught at the wicket off Cornwall, after adding nine to his overnight five. On 153 for eight, Dominic Bess (18) and Richard Gleeson (12 not out) resisted in a 27-run ninth wicket partnership before the last three wickets fell for 15 runs. West Indies A dominated the series, winning the opening “Test” in Trelawny by two wickets and the second in Kingston by an innings and 17 runs inside three days. The two teams will now turn their attention to the three-match one-day series which bowls off next Tuesday at Coolidge Cricket Ground.

Wobbly Windies down UAE but questions remain Harare, Zimbabwe, CMC – An unconvincing West Indies needed left-arm spinner Nikita Miller’s five-wicket haul to beat minnows United Arab Emirates by 32 runs, as their dodgy start to the ICC World Cup Qualifiers continued here yesterday. Embarrassingly bundled out for 115 in the 34th over at the at Harare Sports Club, the Caribbean side rebounded to rout UAE for 83 off 29 overs, and claim victory in their last of their official warm-up matches before their Group A campaign gets underway next Tuesday against the same opponents. The 35-year-old Miller bagged five for 20 and seamer Kemar Roach, three for 15, as West Indies avoided another potential disaster following on from Tuesday’s shock defeat to Afghanistan. Sent in, there was no sign of what was to unfold when the Caribbean side reached 81 for three in the 18th over. Veteran Chris Gayle (16) and rookie Evin Lewis (10) put on 31 for the first wicket before Shimron Hetmyer, who top-scored with 20, added 34 with Marlon Samuels (15) for the second wicket. The left-handed Hetmyer was bowled by off-spinner Rohan Mustafa (2-10) in the 16th over after facing 28 balls and counting a single four and Samuels followed 13 deliveries later, caught at the wicket off leg-spinner Imran Haider who was the best bowler with four for 16. West Indies then capitulated, losing their last seven wickets for just 34 runs as Haider and left-arm spinner Ahmed Raza (2-14) ran through the middle and lower order. Seamer Mohammed Naveed accounted for both openers to finish with two for 27.In reply, UAE were tottering early when Roach claimed the first three wickets to fall to leave the World Cricket League Division 2 champions on 36 for three in the 10th over. With a run added, Miller knocked over Chirag Suri for one and the Jamaican then combined with off-spinner Ashley Nurse (2-21) to wreck the UAE innings. Rain halted play with UAE on 58 for seven and the Windies clinically wiped out the tail once play resumed. Despite the victory, the performance will raise even more questions for West Indies, especially about their batting, especially after they were dismissed for 110 in pursuit of a revised 140 in a rain-hit encounter against Afghanistan. West Indies will also face

Left-hander Shimron Hetmyer top scored with 20. (Photo courtesy CWI Media) Papua New Guinea, Ireland and the Netherlands in the preliminaries as they bid for a spot in the Super Six second stage of the qualifiers. The top two teams will qualify for the final and also secure the remaining spots at next year’s ICC World Cup in England.

PAGE 38

Friday March 02, 2018

Kaieteur News

Regional leaders to engage ICC as pressure mounts on CWI Port of Spain, Trinidad, CMC – CARICOM leaders will meet with the International Cricket Council next month in London to discuss their recently adopted position on the future of West Indies cricket, as they step up pressure on embattled Cricket West Indies to restructure its

governance. St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, chairman of CARICOM’s Prime Ministerial sub-committee on cricket, will lead a small delegation of regional leaders who will sit down with cricket’s world governing body in an attempt

to convey the “desperate urgency” of the changes required. According to Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley, CARICOM leaders had adopted legal advice at the two-day Intersessional in Haiti earlier this week, concerning CWI’s

right to manage the “public good” of West Indies cricket. Rowley had indicated last July that CARICOM had sought legal advice and had been assured there was a case to be argued on the basis of CWI, as a private entity, continuing to manage a public good. ”The Heads have now taken a decision that we will now, on the basis of our legal advice – which we have adopted at this meeting – we will approach the ICC and indicate to them the position of the Heads of Government of the region, with respect to our adoption of this position of this public good,” Rowley said here. ”And we trust that in approaching the ICC – to the extent they will talk with us – we will be able to indicate to them … the desperate urgency that is required for West Indies cricket to be saved by this legislative approach to bring best practice to this public good of West Indies cricket.” He added: “We are of the view that the advice of the lawyers needs to be pursued in a way, not to bring about the management and the operations of the cricket, but to set down proper best practice governance rules for West Indies cricket.” According to the meeting communique, a move was agreed towards “the development of a legislative framework for the governance of cricket which was consistent with international best practices and with the International Cricket Committee principles.” The CARICOM delegation, which will include Rowley, will use the occasion of the Commonwealth Meeting in London from April 1620 to engage the ICC. Discussions, Rowley said, would be held against “the background of this interpretation of the protection of the public good

St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves. of West Indies cricket.” He, however, made it clear that even though CARICOM had agreed to “intervene in the governance of West Indies cricket”, regional leaders had no interest in managing the affairs of the regional game. ”Caribbean politicians represented by the Heads of Government have no interest, desire or requirement to manage the West Indies cricket team or West Indies cricket,” Rowley stressed. ”What we are aiming to do is to intervene to protect this public good by ensuring there is legislative best practice standard arrangements by which this public good can be managed, and that the value of the legacy can be protected, and that there can be a future for West Indies cricket.” CWI and CARICOM have been at loggerheads ever since the regional grouping intervened in 2014 to help find a solution to the crisis following the Windies abandoned tour of India, which resulted

in the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) slapping the regional governing body with a US$42 million claim for damages. The friction between the two bodies deepened after a CARICOM-commissioned Governance Review panel, headed by UWI Cave Hill Principal Professor Eudine Barriteau, released a report that branded the CWI structure to be “antiquated”, “obsolete” and “anachronistic”, and called for the “immediate dissolution of the West Indies Cricket Board and the appointment of an Interim Board.” CWI rejected the recommendation on the basis it was an “impractical” and an “unnecessary and intrusive demand”, and claiming that the panel’s investigations were “limited in scope” and had “triggered findings and recommendations … which are not supported by the facts.” The Governance Review panel had assessed West Indies cricket as a “public good managed by a private company.”

Haywood to host birth anniversary dominoes on Sunday Nicole Haywood will be hosting her birth anniversary dominoes competition on Sunday at Turning Point Sports Club, Tucville. Entrance fee is $12,000 and action gets underway at 14:00hrs. The winning team will take home a trophy and $150,000, runner up a trophy and $75,000 and third place a trophy and $40,000. Te a m s c a n c o n t a c t Mark Wiltshire on 665 5855 for more information.

Nicole Haywood displaying the winner’s trophy