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Kaieteur News
Friday March 03, 2017
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL Unlocking our energy potential With the average cost of electricity currently many times higher in Guyana than in most of the developed countries, such energy costs are not only a daily financial hardship for most of the people, but compound the effects of the constant power outages, especially in the rural areas, that have for decades wreaked havoc on the nation. Add to that the shocking development of value added tax on electricity and one can well understand why the cries for mercy have become so much louder. Over the years there have been innumerable complaints countrywide about refrigerators, computers and other electrical appliances being damaged from surges in voltage following the restoration of power. It has been discouraging to say the least. While a drop in oil prices had for a time released some of the financial burden on the people, it also represented an opportunity for the government to look into strategies for increasing energy security in the country from different sources. For the last two decades, the respective administrations have not meaningfully invested in clean energy such as wind or solar. There was a failed attempt to harness the Amaila Falls which would have cost the taxpayers over US$1 billion. This would have been an excessive burden on the people for generations to come. Furthermore, there was no conscious effort to reduce the cost of electricity, either through more efficient line production and consumption, or through the reduction of theft. Serious endeavours must be made to reduce the inefficiencies in the country’s energy systems. Most small Caribbean states, including Guyana, depend almost entirely on petroleum to supply their total electricity needs. However, this country has not achieved nearuniversal electrification, where almost all homes are connected to an electrical grid. And except for Trinidad and Tobago which has oil and gas, the rest of the CARICOM states depend solely on the PetroCaribe agreement with Venezuela for their energy needs. The availability and reliability of energy services remains crucial to sustainable development of the country, where only 58 per cent of the population has regular access to electricity. The persistent border dispute between Guyana and Venezuela essentially derailed Guyana’s PetroCaribe deal. That fortunately came at a time when oil prices were at their lowest. Guyana certainly has the capacity to produce diverse and large renewable energy sources, including not only solar, but also wind, geothermal and biomass. While solar and wind are intermittent, they can be used in combination with renewable geothermal power or clean natural gas energy to power the nation. But with little or no investment in those energy areas, oil-based electricity generation will continue to dominate for some time. However, modernizing the electrical distribution and grid systems and making buildings more energy efficient, as well as replacing old equipment and appliances with high efficient ones and LED light bulbs, will definitely save energy. These reforms are critical to improving the business climate. For instance, for the last decade, Guyana’s ranking in Doing Business Indicator did not improve, partly because it did not make electricity less expensive as a result of lower production cost. Many donors and investors are supporting these reforms, and this is why the government must develop a new architecture for energy security in the country. This new system would not only provide greater access to electricity across the country, but it would also help to identify concrete steps that the country needs to attract investments for sustainable energy initiatives. This should be the commitment by the administration to make the energy sector more efficient, sustainable and ‘green’. It is just the first step to unlock the country’s energy potential. Now is the perfect time to build on any sort of momentum to make Guyana self-sufficient in energy.
Editor’s Note; If your sent letter was not published and you felt its contents were valid and devoid of libel or personal attacks, please contact us by phone or email.
The PPP got rich through the awarding of contracts Dear Editor; The PPP refused to set up the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) without leaving in the section for t h e i r C a b i n e t ’s “ N o Objection”. In other words, the PPP wanted the Commission to function but they must be allowed, as the Government, to control billions of dollars by being able to object to contractors who will not agree to give in to their demands. The PNC-Coalition have moved ahead with the setting up of the PPC but like the PPP, they continue to retain the “no objection” clause, so that they could receive favours from the contractors of their choosing. But Nandlall and the PPP will have none of it. The PPP knows full well that their massive houses, fat bank accounts, vehicles and their political campaigns were all financed from monies obtained in questionable ways, including through the handing out of contracts. In fact, the contractual
awards are the easiest of ways to make your billions. All the politician has to do is get the contractor to agree to charge the Government 4 or 5 times more than the work will cost and then when the contractor get the “no objection”, the contractor gives the puppet master his cut. This way there is no track record of any kind of thieving or embezzlement. All that happens is the country and the tax payers get shafted. The PPP has practice this form of skullduggery for years. They built massive houses and sent their children to the best schools; they fattened their bank accounts and are living l a v i s h l y, s i m p l y m y following this uncanny process of stealing the country. But the PNCCoalition has caught up with them. The current administration has caught sight of the realities of the billions that they can now have access to. So it’s game on!
Mr. Jadgeo knows well that the PNC-Coalition can find nothing on him and his team. For all the wickedness that went on under him. In spite of the fact that they lost the government largely because of their corrupt ways, the Coalition can amass nothing on the former President. And if the current government does find anything on Jagdeo and his followers, the fingers will point right back to coalition. They are all just as guilty. Only that one is guiltier for a longer period. If they were not billions to be stolen through this “no objection” clause in the Commission’s rules, why are the PPP so antsy? Why are they calling every day for the “no objection” clause to be removed, or for the Commission to begin functioning as an independent body? The Guyanese people are not as stupid as you PPP and PNC leaders think. Does Nandlallreally think that the citizens of this country are so daft to believe that he is magnanimously concerned about fairness and equity in the awarding of multi-billions in contracts? Does the PPP really think that we are foolish to not
know that they are only calling for the removal of the “no objection” because PNC is tricking the system the same way they tricked the system? Fellow Guyanese, if you believe that these two parties are any different, here’s another proof that they are not. The United Republican Party (URP) is again convinced that allowing any of these parties to govern by themselves is protractedly detrimental to this nation. There needs to be a third party to interrupt these autocratic and corrupt behaviours of these two parties. If they will ever be significant changes in Guyana; if we will ever stop or significantly reduce corruption within the Government, we will need to put a third party in the parliament. Some objective body needs to be there to move another “No Confidence” motion or to institute motions and articles to eliminate this oft repeated financial vandalism that these two political parties are subjecting the country to. They think we are not noticing their shell games. We are very aware! Dr. Vishnu Bandhu Leader, U RP
Friday March 03, 2017
The commentary provided by Mr. Tacuma Ogunseye in Kaieteur News dated February 28, 2016, was filled with personal attacks and insinuations targeting me. Accusing me of being dishonest, wicked, politically abusive and having double standards, such is the general tone of Tacuma’s letter. I know Tacuma is made of better stuff. However, being exposed to and receiving objective criticism or otherwise is par for the course and its effect on me, is like water on duck’s back or having to brush some dirt off my shoulder. The opportunity cost of performing the forensic audits may have been higher than the fees received for the forensic audits. My firm utilized the services of five chartered and/or public accountants during the forensic audits that led to the high opportunity costs, relative to the fees received. Aside from the personal attacks; Tacuma’s observation that I was supportive of several positions taken by the PPP is wholly accurate on the
Quoting Barack Obama in one’s defence first three positions referenced by Mr. Ogunseye re: GuySuCo, SARA Bill, and PradoVille Two. The other issues mentioned by Tacuma, including my views on the forensic audits, the economy and capital flight are contextualized herein. Junior Minister of Finance, Mr. Jaipaul Sharma was quoted as saying in Kaieteur News dated August 18, 2015"the audits are essentially stocktaking exercises” and recently Vice President, Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan said at a press conference that the primary purpose of the forensic audit was to see what the PPP was doing wrong, so as a stock taking”. Stabroek News in an article dated February 25, 2017, stated that “Khemraj Ramjattan, himself, has been quoted in the press only last month as saying that the forensic audits were merely a stock taking exercise”. My views on the forensic audits are like those referenced by both Ministers, in
addition to disciplinary action - where warranted, and prosecution in clear cases of theft and embezzlement. What I am against is the use of the forensic audits for witch hunting, persecution and political vendettas. I conveyed my opinion by text to Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon on November 2, 2016, and included in the text that the forensic audits are being used for witch hunting, persecution, and political vendettas and a similar text was sent to the Opposition Leader, Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo on November 1, 2016. Whether the gentlemen have seen or read the correspondence is unknown to me, as neither of them responded. Also, I verbally conveyed the same information in December of 2016 to Minister Sharma, when I told him that the forensic audits should not be used for witch hunting, persecution or political vendettas. The challenges facing
Guyana’s economy and the issue of foreign currency shortage are “elementary” my dear Ogunseye. The loss of the Venezuelan rice market in 2015 was a major blow to our economy, with tidal effects on the availability of foreign currency. Venezuela also cut Guyana out of the PetroCaribe fuel supply agreement, where discounted prices, concessionary interest rates, special financing arrangements and the fuel for rice offset were boosting Guyana’s economic growth. Reduction in foreign exchange from sugar exports and the forestry sector and lack of material foreign direct investment compounded the problems facing the economy. These are facts, not opinion, and certainly not political propaganda. Please my brother, let me know what the etceteras in your letter represent. I am sufficiently independentlyminded, in our country of race and political conformity, to support the green party or the
Allegations of worms in fried rice meal DEAR EDITOR, My students and I for over a month have purchased lunch from an East Coast Chinese eatery. On Friday, February 24, 2017, I purchased the ritual of a mixed Fried Rice. As I sat down to eat, I noticed the rice was the only thing warm. As a result, I decided to part the cold chicken. As I parted the first one a wiggling worm was noticed. Closer inspection of other pieces yielded the same resultsWORMS! I decided to personally take back the $940 box of worm infested chicken and rice back to the establishment. In amazement, when I got there the Chinese woman denied that the food was from her restaurant. After being adamant that it was, she then admitted the rice was from her restaurant but the chicken wasn’t. Editor, who buys chicken from one Chinese restaurant and rice from another?
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Now being the good church-going Christian I am, I did not let it ended there. I started forcefully getting my point over. I was explaining to these women (she had a resident of the area working with her) that the students and teachers from the nearby school habitually buy food from the restaurant. It was my mere attempt to assure the owner that I was no idle person looking for trouble. Instead of apologising for the inconvenience and quell the issue, the Chinese woman after inspecting the chicken (that she previously disowned) confidently told me that what I was seeing were not worms but were strings. Now, Mr. Editor, I happen to be a final year student of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Guyana and in all my Parasitology classes during my stint there, I never came across any moving
string that was capable of infecting meat. As if that wasn’t enough, the husband (I’m assuming here) rushed to the counter to defend his partner. “You is a MAD man, that no worm! That no worm.” This man repeatedly called me, a habitual customer, a mad man. I suppose I WAS indeed mad for buying from them. I prayed silently and asked him for a refund. He ‘insisted’ that I was a mad man. Angered, I asked him if he wanted to see a real mad man. The man then left the counter and went to the back of the room. The wife was at the time on the phone speaking to who she said was her boss. She informed me that the boss will come in a few minutes. I waited. Still speaking. Just before the ‘boss’ came, the Chinese man brought out a chopper, yes, a chopper insisting that I was a mad man. The ‘boss’ instructed them to refund me.
As I collected the money out of the hand of the Chinese woman, she slurred the words, “Look, Christmas look…” I was in complete bewilderment, the same woman that hardly knew English knew how to slur in the Guyanese dialect. During this development, I attempted to call Food and Drug, The Ministry of Public Health and the Vigilance Police station. All the phones went unanswered. Editor, there has been an increase in restaurants across the country in recent times. Though one can recognise this as a good thing, we need to take the health of our citizens more seriously. We need to routinely inspect these food places and make it mandatory that they display some form of clearance. We citizens need to look for the clearances before we devour. Jamain Hatton
red party; as I embrace the multiracial principles of Walter Rodney, Howard Zinn and Thomas Paine. Tacuma’s letter in Kaieteur News captioned “Nigel Hinds should return the Money he Earned from the State”, dated March 1, 2017 is weighed down with statements I have never made or statements that are inconsistent with my opinion, such as: 1. Forensic Audits are a waste of tax payers’ money. False 2. Forensic Audits are having negative effects on the economy and country. False 3. Envy Dr. Clyde Yolande Thomas ability, his honesty, his integrity and not least of all, his much vaunted local, regional and international reputation. False 4. Dr. Thomas presence is feared in SARU soon to become SARA, because they know none of them can approach him with an offer not to do his work. False 5. Nigel Hinds dislikes the government. False Then we have this “watertight tattle” in Tacuma’s letter based on correspondence Tacuma claimed he received from Mr. Mike Rahman via email. Re:
“Mr. Mike Rahman in an email reminded me that Mr. Nigel Hinds was contracted by the government to do the Forensic Audit on the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB). Rahman, a former member of the GRDB Board of Directors, a political activist and a knowledgeable rice farmer, expressed the view that Nigel Hinds, the Auditor, did not do a pleasing job (to Rahman) in his examination into the affairs of GRDB.” I strongly suspect that Cabinet will disagree with Mr. Rahman; also likely to disagree is the Minister in charge of the Forensic Audit Project. Mr. Ogunseye’s lack of surprise to Mr. Rahman’s view, as stated by Tacuma that “Nigel Hinds, the Auditor, did not do a pleasing job in his examination into the affairs of GRDB” does not surprise me in the least. According to President Obama in his final State of the Union Address: “Democracy does require basic bonds of trust between its citizens… It doesn’t work if we think the people who disagree with us are all motivated by malice, or that our political opponents are unpatriotic”. Another American, T. Boone Pickens is of the belief that “when you are hunting elephants, don’t get distracted by chasing rabbits”. Nigel Hinds
Impressed with the frankness of Joe Harmon DEAR EDITOR, I was very impressed with the candor and perspicacity attributed to Minister of State Joseph Harmon in which he was reported as saying that the Board of the Central Housing & Planning Authority (CH&PA) was dissolved because the ‘rancor’ between it and the agency staff, which had resulted in very little work being done, and in fact only 20 percent of its budgetary allocation last year being spent to carry out its obligations. It is only with truthful
assessments and swift affirmative action like this would the ship of state be kept from running aground, and in fact set sail into the sea of success. This is utterly commendable and should be roundly applauded by all. Had the same progressive action been taken at City Hall in 1997, with the elected officials, whose mandate by the citizens had come to an end, and for which incidentally the leadership there then, and the leadership of the CH&PA’s last board were the same, Georgetown would have been (Continued on page 6)
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DEAR EDITOR; In light of the extensive coverage, weekly protests, letters in the press, interviews, call-in programs on the Parking Meters situation, I thought it may be useful to share with you some of the key questions that must be asked and answered. This is the first of two letters It has been reported in the newspapers that there is a very low level of investment in Guyana. Has the government considered the ‘political cost’ of the parking meter imbroglio? Is the government aware of the ‘message’ being sent to potential investors, by the way they are handling this metered parking situation?
Kaieteur News
Friday March 03, 2017
The parking meters situation; an analysis
ency’? An interesting question here is: When was the contract first ‘displayed’ to members of the City Council? Is it not true to say that providing limited access to view a document does not rise to the level of the principles of transparency? The Town Clerk has repeatedly offered a number of reasons as justification for entering the contract with Smart City including the following. He claims that the solution proffered by Smart City Solutions brings the following benefits to the city: it reduces traffic congestion and brings order to the city, it generates badly needed revenue for the City Council, it contributes to the beautification of the city, it provides employment for an increasing number of Guyanese, it would elevate the city of Georgetown to levels comparable to the major cities of the world, and moreover, the City Council does not have to put up any ‘upfront money’ and would get a ‘whopping’, according to him, 20 percent from the project. However, he failed to clarify 20 percent of what? Gross or net intake? While those arguments have a certain superficial appeal they are somewhat unconvincing. Business consultant
Would potential investors consider Guyana as providing a ‘level playing field’ worthy of consideration? Is the government aware that governments and businesses check The Corruption Perceptions Index of the public sector of countries? What is Guyana’s ranking on this index? Is it below the midpoint of the scale, i.e., highly corrupt? Was Smart City solutions aware of Guyana’s ranking on this index? Are there laws that govern the procurement of goods and services in Guyana? If so, which laws
apply? What is the procedure that should have been followed in the procurement of the contract between Smart City and the Georgetown Mayor and City Council? Was the procurement process for securing such a contract followed? Was the contract publicly tendered? Advertised? Where is the written evidence supporting this claim? Is the Town Clerk not aware that assertion is not proof, and that he must provide demonstrable evidence to support his claims? Who are the parties au-
City Constabulary needs to be reformed into a professional body DEAR EDITOR, Come May 4th of this year, vendors, businesspersons and indeed citizens at large of our capital city shall be relieved of a parasitic, menacing and avaricious senior member of the City Constabulary who shall be hanging up his badge that he uses as a symbol of oppression, his boots that he uses to kick down vending stands and trample on the produce and goods of poor entrepreneurs, and turn in the department’s pistol that he uses to terrorize persons including naïve young women, as he rides
away never again to have such power. Of course he shall be riding off into the sunset of his existen c e w i t h h i s saddlebags filled with the loot that he accumulated with his decades of shaking down hundreds of hapless victims in and around the markets, on the pavements and city reserves, residents guilty of minor infractions of the city’s by laws, and motorists caught in the recent scandalous parking meter fiasco. The irony of this all though, is that in clear
resistance to the policy established by central government, members of the ‘Fantastic Four’ have been lobbying strenuously to this gentleman return to the job to continue to do their bidding. Astounding! It can only be hoped that when the City Constabulary sees the back of this bogeyman, that they undertake a radical transformation into a helpful, professional and effective police department and leave behind their current image which has been likened to the notorious Tonton Macoute of the past. Riley Matthews
Where did Smart City Solutions get this $US10 million from? DEAR EDITOR; I would wish to wholly commend the Movement against the Parking Meters, and other interest groups for the principled stand and genuine concern for transparency, fairness and lawfulness becoming a hallmark within the Georgetown Municipality. But I do believe that they are overlooking a few very serious elements in this whole
melee for which attention ought to be paid. For one thing, with our current focus on money laundering and the prevention of other financial crimes being perpetuated in our country, the Guyanese populace ought to be made aware with the provision of evidential material, of where Smart City Solutions, a company of recent vintage got the ten million American dollars it claims to be investing into the parking meter project here. For another, the citizens ought to be given with details of how this USD 10 million is being spent, as to date all we
have seen are a few second or third hand parking meters installed, some signs, some wheel clamps, some road markings and some meter maids running around the place. This could in no way be close to ten million US bucks. And for yet another thing, with the recent revelation that a key player from the contractor ’s side has a criminal record in the US, it is important that character assessments be done of all of the major players of including on Mr. Simon Mosheshvili of Smart City Solutions and their affiliated companies. The risk of the city becoming ensnared into international financial crimes unwittingly is too great. No stone must be left unturned on getting to the bottom of this nefarious deal, and a deal it certainly is. Sambu Jacobus
thorized to go into contract on behalf of the City Council? Who were the persons who actually went into the contract? Was it the City Council? The Mayor? The Town Clerk? Wasn’t one of the directors of Smart City solutions, according to the newspapers, found to be a felon? Wouldn’t that discovery warrant a closer look at the ‘bona fides’ of all concerned? Was due diligence followed in ascertaining the bona fides of the parties involved? Is there any documentary evidence showing SmartCity’s legitimacy, credentials? Does it have a physical addre s s ? A website? Big contracts like the Smart City Metered Parking contract are made in a certain context? Who are the Power Brokers behind the contract? Who signed as witness to the contract? Is there any significance to that? Besides being the Chairman of the Finance Committee and the General Secretary of the PNC, what was the role of the General Secretary? What is the relationship between the General Secretary, the Leader of the PNC, the Minister of Public Communities and the government?
Can any inferences be drawn? Would it not be reasonable to infer, that based on the interrelationships, there is more in the mortar than meets the eye? Was the contract approved by the City Council? If so, when? Where would the written evidence be found? In the minutes? It has been reported that the Attorney General, the Ministry of Finance and others, including the Office of the President, have reviewed the contract and found the terms to be onerous among other things etc. The question then is: Can the ‘hands-off’ or ‘nonintervention’ approach to the operations of the City Council be considered as merely political posturing? Who among us does not know that other ‘interventions’ in other matters have already been made? The Town Clerk has repeatedly claimed in television interviews that the procurement process was transparent. What does ‘transparent’ mean t o t h e To w n Clerk? Does putting a document on ‘display’ in a fixed location and within a rigid time frame and other constraints satisfy the accepted norms of ‘transpar-
VAT on private education will cause the Coalition votes in 2020 DEAR EDITOR; On March 1st, 2017, President Granger announced that the Value Added Tax (V.A.T) on private education will remain. It was quite an unwise decision. He stated that the Cabinet examined the problem. The Cabinet needs to examine the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) results for the past decade. It is obvious that the private schools are bringing out the top performers. Why? There is no hope in sending your child to a pub-
lic primary school. You’re taking a serious risk in doing that. I have met ten year olds from the Redeemer Primary School who are illiterate. The sheer appearance of the public primary schools is a major turn off. Private schools fill up the top ten slots of the country at the Grade Six Exams. I have a young sibling at a private primary school. Our father passed away five months ago, and the recently imposed V.A.T will only add to the stress and depression at home. Some parents scrape
together money to send their offspring to private primary schools hoping that they would receive a sound education. The V.A.T. will only just force the children to drop out of school which will only lead to unemployment later on. If the Cabinet members are looking for revenue they should find other ways, not this. This V.A.T will only cause them to lose more votes at the next elections. Hopefully this dreadful disease is eradicated as soon as possible. Nikhil Sankar.
Impressed with the frankness of Joe... From page 5 a much better place to live, work and visit. It would now be the responsibility of the new CEO and board to look to retrieving some of the experienced and knowledgeable resources that were chased out of the agency over the last year, acquiring fresh new talent and just as important cleaning the Augean stables of the thugs and lackeys that were inserted into the agency.
The opportunity should not be lost in recognizing the sterling contributions made by Mr. Bert Carter, a man of enormous character and wisdom who was on the last board and whose offerings and influences on the CH&PA were incomparable and invaluable. It can only be hoped that his skill and intellect would still be available to the agency. Shanta Singh
Friday March 03, 2017
Health Ministry PS gets marching orders Days after making it clear that he was passionate about his job in the health sector, Permanent Secretary (PS), Trevor Thomas, was given marching orders by Government. Sharing the details of this development yesterday was Minster of State, Joseph Harmon. Harmon was at the time hosting this week’s Post Cabinet press briefing at the Ministry of the Presidency. The disclosure was in fact prompted by a question posed to the Minister about an audit report which highlighted instances of mismanagement and financial irregularities levelled at the Permanent Secretary, among other indiscretions at the Public Health Ministry. In response, Harmon unapologetically said “his service was terminated as PS.” According to the Minister of State, based on the report of the audit of the Ministry, certain courses of action were taken. He noted too that contained in the report was a recommendation that the PS be removed from that office and therefore from March 1, 2017 a decision in this regard became effective. “There are several other c o n s e q u e n t i a l recommendations that have been made and the [Senior]
- in keeping with audit recommendation
Sacked: Trevor Thomas Minister of Public Health [Ms. Volda Lawrence] had actually started taking action on some of them,” Minister Harmon related. As part of her intervening efforts, Harmon said that “she [Minister Lawrence] has gone around to some of the units where procurement is taking place and has actually seen for herself what is happening, and we can expect some radical changes where those things are concerned.” It is likely that Thomas will be afforded another appointment within the public sector, but Harmon claimed he
was not in a position yesterday to address specifics in this regard. He however informed that the void left by Thomas’s termination will be filled by Deputy Permanent Secretary within the Public Health Ministry, Ms. Collette Adams, until a substantive PS is appointed. But the Public Health Ministry is not likely to be the only Ministry to see such action. Harmon told media operatives yesterday, “In another few days you might see changes in many of the Government Ministries where Permanent Secretaries are concerned.” Among Thomas’s last engagements as Permanent Secretary was his address to a gathering of health officials at the first Regional Health Officers and Programme Heads meeting on Tuesday at Regency Suites on Hadfield Street, Georgetown. At that forum, Thomas told the health officials that their operation this year in their respective regions cannot be a mere continuation of what was (Continued on page 13)
Woman finds AK-47 rounds in her toilet A John Street, Campbellville woman got the shock of her life last Monday, when she unearthed 54 AK47 assault rifle rounds in her toilet bowl. The woman, who had recently rented the property, reportedly made the discovery after realizing that her toilet was clogged. “She kept flushing the toilet and the water kept coming up,” a source said. “She put her hand in a plastic bag and checked (the bowl) and found four (assault rifle) rounds. Then she loosened the toilet fittings
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- had moved into house where cops found assault rifle, handgun and found the rest.” She then notified the police, who received the report at around 18.00 hrs. A police official confirmed that the ammunition was found in the same John Street, Campbellville property where ranks had seized two firearms and a quantity of ammunition on January 22. During that operation, police allegedly found an AK47 assault rifle, a Glock pistol,
three magazines and 80 live rounds and several cellular phones. Teon Alleyne, 30 of Long Creek, Soesdyke, Linden Highway; ex-cop Andrew Pollydore, 29 of Lamaha Place and 35-year-old former policeman, Lloyd Roberts, of North Ruimveldt, were remanded following the discovery, but a police official said that they cannot be linked to the recent find.
Public Servants’ pay in lieu of leave, a financial drain on national coffers - Harmon The deliberate accumulation of annual leave which is later cashed in by Public Servants, has become a major source of “financial drain” for the administration. This assertion was made by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon during a PostCabinet Press Briefing yesterday. The Minister was at the time responding to questions about the rationale for government asking James Singh – the head of the country’s premier illicit drugcombating agency, the Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) – to proceed on annual leave. A question was posed to the Minister whether the massive drug bust a few days ago, would have spurred the decision. Harmon said that it was purely coincidental that Singh was asked to proceed on 42 days annual leave at a time when “several things are happening”. The Minister continued that several other officials were also asked to utilise their leave. “What we found was in the past, people were accumulating leave and when the leave became so much, it became difficult to send them off for all of this leave. They then ask for pay in lieu of leave and this was a major source of financial drain on the administration. So we’ll ask that public officers who have leave, that they apply in the year when the leave becomes due and that they take it in that year,” Harmon said.
Fmr. Army Chief, Major General (ret’d), Michael Atherly
On leave: James Singh
State Minister, Joseph Harmon
PS of the Infrastructure Ministry, Balraj Balram
He noted also, that the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Balraj Balram, and several officials at other levels in the government, will also proceed on leave. According to previous reports, Major General (ret’d) Michael Atherly will be heading CANU. The Ministry of the Presidency said that this has been communicated to the Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, who is
the person responsible for CANU. Major General Atherly was responsible for leading the review of the National Drug Strategy Master Plan 2014-2018. This review led to the development of the National Drug Strategy Master Plan 2016-2020, which was launched last December. Atherly who was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on May 20th 1971, was appointed Chief of Staff in April 2000.
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Schools’ curriculum to include Guyana-Venezuela controversy
The dark shaded area is what Venezuela is claiming The government has agreed to include relevant information on the GuyanaVenezuela border controversy into the public schools’ curriculum. Yesterday, at a post-Cabinet press briefing, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, said the decision was made at the Ministerial Conference which was held on Tuesday at State House. “It was agreed that the information relevant to this issue will be disseminated so that the nation can be sensitised about the controversy, especially with regards to Guyana’s position,” Minister Harmon said. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, and a team from his ministry had
made a presentation on the 50year standing controversy at the ministerial conference. Last month, the United Nations Secretary General, António Guterres, announced the appointment of a Norwegian diplomat, Dag Halvor Nylander, as his Personal Representative in the Good Offices Process on the border controversy. The UN has utilised the Good Officer Process since 1990 to resolve the matter. The UN Secretary General has decided to give the process one more year with strengthened mediation. If the matter is not resolved by the end of the year, the UN Secretary General will choose the International Court of Justice as the next means of settlement.
Already, Government this week has made it clear that it will turn immediately to the International Court if no solutions are found by the mediator. Guyana and Venezuela have referred to the UN to resolve the controversy through the signing of the Geneva Agreement of 17 February, 1966. This decision was reached after Venezuela contended that the Arbitral Award of 1899, about the frontier between Venezuela and what is now Guyana, is null and void. Venezuela’s claim to twothirds of Guyana has escalated over the years, with various shows of aggression and harassment. Guyana is at major odds with neighbouring Venezuela after the latter aggressively stated that Essequibo, the biggest county in Guyana, belongs to them. The claim has been an old one that Guyana insisted was settled more than a century ago.
The Coalition Government, on entering office in May 2015, was immediately faced with a hostile Venezuela after it was announced that a significant deposit of oil was found in Guyana’s waters by US-owned ExxonMobil. Venezuela immediately drew up maps, including all of Essequibo, as belonging to them. Guyana has complained to a number of countries, to CARICOM and other organizations, and eventually President David Granger raised the matter on the floor of the United Nations General Assembly in late 2015. Guyana insisted that it no longer had interest in the Good Offices Process. Rather, it wants a juridical settlement in the International Courts. However, the new UN chief has asked for one more shot at the Good Offices Process before the matter is taken to court.
Friday March 03, 2017
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‘Bruck’ and Rebuild The Prime Minister of Jamaica had established, last year, a Public Sector Transformation Oversight Committee after research by two civil society organizations found that inefficiency caused by wastage within the public sector has cost the government more than six billion dollars between 2009 and 2012. If Guyana should undertake an analysis of wastage within the public service, it is more than likely that the findings would not be dissimilar to what was found in Jamaica. There is a great deal of wastage inefficiency within the public service. For one, there is likely to be wastage inefficiency caused by the employment of unqualified and inexperienced personnel. There is need for the de-politicization of the recruitment process so as to ensure that only the best persons are employed. A simple test would be to ask employees to draft a proper letter or prepare a minor report into a matter. This is one way of testing just how functionally literate are some of the persons employed within the public service. But the greatest area of
wastage is not the employment of dunces as it is the overstaffing which takes place within the public service of Guyana. It seems to have been the practice that for every clerical job, a second person must be employed. The logic is that if a substantive holder of a position is sick, then someone should be available to fill his or her position until that person returns to work. The problem with this approach is that for most of the year the substitute has no work to do and is still on the payroll. In other countries, temporary workers are put on call to sit-in for absentee workers. The workers on call are summoned out from their homes when the substantive worker is absent, on leave or sick. The sit-in worker is only paid for the days that he or she has to substitute for the substantive worker, thereby saving millions. Another major area of wastage is the provision of office space and facilities. It seems that today every middle level or senior official has to be provided with an office, with air conditioning, support staff and
office supplies. The overheads for ministries and government agencies are prohibitively high. In developed countries, a way has been found to reduce these overheads while allowing workers more time with their families. Some categories of workers are allowed to work from home. With the improvements in communication through cell phone and the internet, it has become much easier for many categories of workers to work from home, thereby saving their employers the need to provide office space, office furniture, electricity, air-conditioning, secretarial staff, etc. Stationery is a major source of wastage within the public sector. It seems like these days the office is required to supply even the pens and pencils which workers use. In the old days, workers had to find their own pens. These days you would believe that workers are going back to school. They are demanding not just pens, but pencils, erasers, pencil sharpeners and rulers. It may soon end up where they may demand compasses and protractors.
But the biggest area of wastage is the capital works which are undertaken by ministries and agencies. There is a habit when new governments come to power. They tend to want to make things look different from their predecessors, and so they engage is what is commonly known as ‘bruck’ and build back. A structure which would have cost millions to construct is dismantled and is then rebuilt. Offices are renovated and redesigned. All of this is absolute waste of resources. When a structure is first built it should last for a lifetime, allowing for minimal maintenance. But what we find with many government ministries is that millions are spent to build a structure and when a new government comes in, it wants to break it
down and rebuild something new without any change in its functionality. It is also a way of giving jobs to contractors. But it is a waste of precious resources which can be used to improve the salaries of workers. Governments need to undertake feasibility studies to determine whether the breaking down or renovation work will increase functionality. It makes no sense for something to be broken down
when the added benefit cannot be justified by the expenditure required. But do not tell that to the big wigs who just love to ‘bruck’ and rebuild.
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Friday March 03, 2017
Kaieteur News
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
The sugar industry; countries are not run by sentiments There is no question in my mind that there are decent, nationalistic Guyanese who want to save the sugar industry. They want to save it not out of deep economic thinking, not out of the realistic changes that are inherent in life, but out of sentiments. A government cannot expand an economy and shape its future without income. It is income that is used to give a nation the things that are necessary for it to come out of poverty and allows for it to develop. The sugar industry was once coterminous with the nation of Guyana. The sugar industry is one of the fulcrums on which the history of this country rests. Eras, epochs, times come and they go; the era of Guyana’s sugar industry is gone. The sugar industry does not contribute income to Guyana that it can use to develop the country. One explanation is available for that – Guyana cannot sell sugar on the world market to make a profit. The reason for that is because of an era that has passed. That era allowed sugar to keep Guyana alive the British, then the European subsidy in which our sugar
was bought at a special arrangement. It was a period when Guyana was given preferential treatment which translated into guaranteed prices. When the European subsidy went, there was a monster existing all this time that Guyana never saw, and whose face only became known to Guyana when the European guaranteed prices were removed – global competition. With European preferences out of the way, Guyana had to compete with India, Australia, Brazil, the US, Mauritius and many other countries, too numerous to mention. We cannot compete with those countries. Their cost of production is way below us. Simply put, the time for sugar is over. It doesn’t look like GuySuCo is going to make a profit in the coming years. So the State has to pump billions into it. That cannot be acceptable to many other sectors in this country that will have legitimate reasons to rebel. A poor country like this cannot subsidize an industry by billions each year with no prospect that the industry can remain alive. This is the sad reality with sugar. Some figures that have been released by the Government following Cabinet discussions are
shocking, and that is putting mildly. Unless those figures are fictional, then this state of affairs should not be accepted by the people of Guyana. A sugar estate worker receives $200, 000 monthly, with a manager’s salary ranging from $800, 000 to one million. This is from an industry that is not contributing to the Treasury. Here is where I return to the point I made above about other sectors. How can teachers and policemen and other public sector workers accept salaries far less than sugar estate workers earn, and that sector does not bring in money to the country? I have read several arguments from educated people about the sugar industry and if you study their appeals carefully, they are coated with sentimental yearnings of the past glory of sugar. They all ignore the brutal fact that the world since 1950 has changed, and it took sugar with it. I find it hard to understand this type of reasoning. The tobacco industry in the US is gone. The USSR is gone. Apartheid is gone. There is no longer a country named Czechoslovakia. There are
now online newspapers you can read on your phone in the train. These are just samples of how the world has been transformed since sugar was king in Guyana. Can sugar be saved and become an earner for the economy? My heart tells me I would like to see that. My mind tells me that I would like to see that. If there is a formula to save sugar let it be published right now so the nation can see it. As for the workers, my heart bleeds for them. There should be the consideration of every one of
us who live in this country. Before the sugar industry is officially closed, those workers, every one of them without exception, should be given an alternative occupation through employment or free land; and by free, I mean free in every sense of the world. Putting more than twenty thousand persons out of work with about 60,000 family members adversely affected cannot and must not be accepted by the people of this country. This is simply lunacy. If you cannot find work for them, then let the
Frederick Kissoon subsidized sugar industry remain. Can it be saved? I am not an economist.
Dem boys seh ...
Money mean different things fuh different people Nobody like to pay money. Dem don’t want to pay fuh parking; dem don’t want pay school fees; dem don’t want pay tax. Nobody like to pay tax. Right now not even Jagdeo who implement de VAT at 16 per cent want to pay VAT at 14%. Money got different names. In church it is called offering; ask Ten Edghill; in school it’s called fees; ask dem private school owners; in marriage it is called dowry; ask Irfaat. In divorce it is called Alimony; ask de Chat-3. When
you owe someone it’s called debt. Republic Bank know bout that. When you pay de govt, is tax; ask Statia. In court it’s called a fine; ask Labba Lip Kwame. For civil servant retirees it’s called pension; ask Hammy, Prem and Kennard. De boss to workers is salary. Everybody at de Waterfalls paper know that. Master to subordinates is wages; ask Babbie and Jagdeo. When you borrow from de bank is a loan; ask City Council. When you offer
after a service is a tip or a fare; Irfaat and Rob de Earth know bout that good. To kidnappers is ransom. Is de same thing fuh blackmailers. Travis Chase got a reputation fuh doing that. De Berbice Bridge people also know that, but not as good as Travis Chase. When it is illegally received in de name of service, is a bribe. Jagdeo is de King fuh tekking or accepting. Talk half and tell dem boys what you call it when a husband gives it to his wife.
Friday March 03, 2017
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Kaieteur News
VAT ON PRIVATE TUITION…
Fees of just eight top private schools exceed $2B annually – Finance Minister - GRA boss says he’s going after tax-evaders By Kiana Wilburg When it comes to the contentious 14 percent value added tax (VAT) on private tuition, Minister of Finance Winston Jordan maintains that the tax is not unreasonable. In his view, citizens would acquiesce with this move if only they would take a step back and consider some crucial yet “startling” facts. At a press conference yesterday, Jordan revealed that there are only 54 private schools registered with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA). But there are far more than this in and out of Georgetown. In fact, the 54 schools only represent 57 percent of the private schools that exist in the country. Of those 54 schools, Jordan said that only 20 percent or 11 are recognized by the Ministry of Education. Ten percent of those private schools are registered as nonprofit organizations, while 14 percent are registered as profit-making entities. Providing further statistics, the Finance Minister said that 26 percent of these institutions are registered for, and are already applying the VAT for some of their services and sale of zero-rated items. The economist said that both categories provide educational services at competitive rates and the tuition fees range between $144,000 and $300,000 depending on the grade level of the student. Jordan added that in many cases, it has been determined that the fees payable to the
schools exceed those that are even charged by the University of Guyana. Significantly, Jordan said that the total tuition fees charged by the top eight of these private institutions exceed $2B annually. “So 14 percent of that top eight gives us roughly $280 million to $300 million in VAT,” Jordan explained. In this regard, the Finance Minister said that these fees do not include fees charged for other services offered by these institutions such as extra lessons, coaching fees, uniforms, books, lunch and after care. The Finance Minister maintained that at the end of the day, citizens still have a choice. He added, “And you can’t say that the Government is circumscribing your choice by putting a tax on private tuition. I don’t see how that can happen, you still have the choice…Even if the government didn’t put a tax, by the end of this semester or the next, the fees go up…” Jordan also addressed the argument of the “plight of the poor students who attend the private institutions.” In this regard, the Finance Minister said that these schools can, for example, follow in the footsteps of Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, both of which choose to absorb the VAT. He said that schools could even isolate the ‘poor students’ and find a creative way by choosing to “carry all of the VAT or carry part, and the parent carries another
part”. He added that these private schools can work out a deal for “poor students”. NON-COMPLIANCE The Finance Minister also noted that there is a high level of non-compliance by these institutions - both in the deductions and payment of PAYE from their employees and submissions of their employer’s returns. He said that there is also a high level of non-compliance in the timely submission of the required Income, Property, and Corporation returns and the payment of taxes of these institutions. He said that teachers in many instances are treated as contract employees and the employers are not deducting the appropriate PAYE and NIS from their salaries. Jordan asserted that there are also occurrences of under-declaration of income and inflated expenditure and in some instances, payments are made to individuals other than the institutions to facilitate these under declarations. In the case of Not For Profit (NFP) Institutions, Jordan revealed that no accounts have been submitted to GRA by these institutions, which is an original requirement to be given NFP status. “In light of the forgoing, it is clear that the private educational institutions can absorb the VAT without passing it on to the students. It should also be noted that parents who made advance payments during the year 2016 or January 2017 are not required to make additional payments to offset the 14 percent VAT
Finance Minister, Winston Jordan
GRA CommissionerGeneral, Godfrey Statia
Minister of State, Joseph Harmon
which is now applicable on the supply of private educational services,” the Finance Minister said. He added, “Owners of private educational institutions are also reminded that they cannot charge clients VAT, unless the institution is registered for VAT, and their current earnings meet or exceed the VAT threshold of $15M annually”. Jordan said that to ask government to remove the tax, which was carefully thought out and is projected to bring in over $350M, is to request it to look at other areas at a time when Guyana already has to borrow some $38B to support its budget. “It is not that we have a fully financed budget from
our taxes. We are borrowing. So either we upturn our economic programme which has consequences or we continue to go on this path and do whatever adjustments we will require to be done so that we all can coexist, so to speak.” The Finance Minister was subsequently asked to say if government could have considered pressing the schools to pay up their taxes and be more compliant instead of instituting the 14 percent tax. In this regard, Jordan said, “What I was recommending was only a way out. I don’t want to suggest that VAT on tuition fees was meant to be absorbed by the schools.” He added, “The VAT on the tuition fees is part of our broad initiative of widening
the tax base. I am saying that to the extent that there are ‘poor’ students attending private institutions, one way could be to have a system worked out with the school so that the school absorbs it and then claim a tax deductable expense or the school pays part and the parent pays part…” As for those non-compliant private schools, GRA Commissioner-General, Godfrey Statia said that some of the schools have been recalcitrant since 2012. Statia said that the revenue collection body has actually started the process of demanding that their returns and accounts be submitted. Minister Jordan added (Continued on page 12)
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Friday March 03, 2017
Kaieteur News
Govt. wants ministries to be more “sensible” with spending, use of state resources “It means that you have to reuse envelopes…” – Minister Harmon The Government has no time for wastage this year. In fact, to ensure that there is efficiency in the spending of taxpayers’ monies and the use of state resources, the administration is expected to issue a circular with
measures to its respective agencies and ministries to guide them in this regard. This is according to Minister of State Joseph Harmon. He made this announcement during a post-cabinet press briefing held yesterday at the Ministry of the Presidency. There, the Minister said that
the agencies will just have to be more careful with their spending so as to ensure that their allocated sums last until the next budget. The Cabinet Secretary said, “You have to be a little bit more careful in how you are spending money to make sure that it lasts. It means that you
have to reuse envelopes. There are several measures which we will circulate to government agencies on how they can cut back on expenses, like when you leave a room turn off the AC, don’t leave it running, and don’t leave the lights on.” He said that these are just some of the practical measures that will be used to achieve the kind of austerity that is needed. “This is to ensure you don’t have to keep going back and requesting monies, and it means you have to be more sensible,” Harmon added. With government facing an economic crunch, Harmon said that vari-
ous measures will also be put in place to revitalize the economy. In this regard, he said that there will be the injection of spending into the housing sector. Harmon said that it is Government’s expenditure which will be “basically used to kickstart the economy.” The politician reminded of Government’s admission last year that there was not enough implementation of its Public Sector Infrastructure Programme. He said that this year the contracts are starting to “reel off” on time. “As you can see we have better organization now and
therefore all of the works and contracts which are in this budget, we are going to use that to ensure that the economy is basically better positioned,” the Minister asserted. The Cabinet Secretary said that at the same time, government will continue to encourage private investment and private sector involvement in the economy. He added in this regard that the administration is going to engage the private sector in a more aggressive way so that the synergy between the two can be used to take the country further.
Fees of just eight top private schools exceed... From page 11 that once given fair notice or warning, NFP institutions can lose their status or face sanctions if they fail to file their annual returns and meet other required provisions. He said that schools which fall under the NFP status include Marian Academy and Indian Education Trust College. TAXBURDEN The matter of tax on private tuition was also brought up during a press briefing that was held yesterday by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, at the Ministry of the Presidency. There, he disclosed that the Minister of Finance briefed a Ministerial conference on the issue. Harmon said that the conference was informed by Jordan that stringent measures had to be adopted to ensure future benefits and that the additions to the VAT regime were necessary, because of the country’s difficult financial circumstances, and the need for a clear and leveled playing field to be established where taxation is concerned. He said that Jordan spoke, too, about the coalition’s promise of a reduction in VAT. In spite of this commitment, Harmon said
that the ministerial conference was told that VAT could not be lowered significantly now, due to unexpected expenditures facing the government such as legal settlements and funding that had to be given to the sugar sector. With this background in mind, Jordan gave an overview regarding VAT on private tuition. Harmon said that it was agreed that the government would review the matter, with the Finance Minister delivering a final statement after that review. He said, too, that the minister was asked to look at the manner in a holistic way and speak with some of the owners of the private schools to see how best it could be reviewed. “Because what we found was that the tax was unfairly borne by the parents and the students and not by the schools. So it was something that was passed directly on to the parents. We felt it was an unfair burden for just the parents to bear on this tax. We believe that the burden of taxation must fall evenly. It must not just be on the parents of those children who attend these private schools. The
private schools themselves must also bear part of that responsibility.” MATERIALS Prior to the 2017 budget, the Finance Minister explained that educational services enjoyed zero rated status. He said that this enabled the institutions registered to pay VAT being refunded Value added Taxes. For last year alone, Jordan said that GRA ended up refunding $150M. Now that these items are exempt, the Finance Minister said this means that the institutions will purchase them at a lesser cost. He said it is hoped that the benefits will be passed on to the students in the form of reduced cost for these items. Jordan said that the range of items under education which do not attract VAT anymore include chalk, chalkboard erasers, children’s picture books, colouring books, dictionaries, educational charts , file paper, graph books and graph paper geometry sets, pencils, novels, religious books, student paints, all text books and erasers, lunch kits, notebooks, crayons and sharpeners.
Friday March 03, 2017
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Kaieteur News
MPs find drug shortages still plaguing N/A Hospital - Materials Management Unit deemed source of problem
Members of the visiting committee listen to a staffer of the hospital A team comprising Junior Minister of Public Health Dr. Karen Cummings, Junior Minister of Indigenous Affairs Valerie Garrido Lowe, Members of the Opposition and leader of the Committee Dr. Vindhya Persaud and Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo, amongst other officials, yesterday paid a visit to the New Amsterdam Hospital, on a mandate as a Parliamentary Sectoral Social Services Committee, to examine the operational procedures and performance of the New Amsterdam Hospital. One of the main concerns raised during the visit was the shortage of basic medication that has been an ongoing issue for months. Medication for Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases such as diabetes and hypertension etc., were short from the hospital, and these deficiencies were highlighted by Doctors of the institution and also patients. When questioned, Director of Health in the Region, Jevaughn Stephens along with the CEO of the hospital, Colin Bynoe, defended the shortage as a supplier issue once again. Pharmacist Gregory Ceres related that there is a
procedure that has to be completed before the medication is brought to the hospital for use. He explained that the information is sent to the Materials Management Unit (MMU), then the drugs are packed and sent back to the region. It is then checked off, and a “nil and short supply list” are prepared by him and handed over to the Director of Health. However, the system, which seems to be flawed with a supply issue coming from the MMU, has left a gap resulting in the constant drug shortage. Dr. Persaud stated, “There seems to be some sort of difficulty in the demand and supply”. She also stressed that there was a communication issue that is contributing to the problem.
There were also issues raised concerning the theatres, including a shortage of anesthetics for the performance of elective surgeries that are scheduled. Over four hundred surgery cases are put on hold because of the deficiency. The Director and CEO again pointed to a supply problem from the source (MMU) which supplies to the hospital on a monthly basis. A visit was also made to the Laboratory Departments where it was discovered that the Bio Chemistry Machine was out of order since November 2016. With that machine not functioning, many tests have to be transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital to be done. There was also a shortage of staff, with only
three medical Technologists employed. It was also highlighted that the hospital recently lost seven staff members within a short period of time at the lab. The Committee then questioned why the positions were not filled as yet, and whether there was public advertising to employ persons to fill the gap. A justified reason was not given for this by the CEO and the Director. There were other minor issues unearthed at the institution. Some of the doctors also requested an emergency meeting with Dr. Cummings to ventilate their
issues and challenges that are encountered on a daily basis. A visit was also paid to the maternity unit. Dr. Cummings stressed that, “we know where the gaps are, and we have joined with a wonderful team to ensure that healthcare in the region and throughout Guyana are in line with the Ministry’s objectives”. Dr. Persaud also underscored that more should be done for doctors at the institution, since she is happy with the level of commitment portrayed by the medical professionals. “We have to ensure that the system doesn’t fail the
doctors.” At the end of the visit, assurances were given by Dr. Persaud that a report will be prepared on what they would have encountered at the institution yesterday, followed by additional information that will be added to the findings. The committee will then write to the hospital and make the necessary recommendations. They will subsequently summon the Ministry of Public Health to provide reasons for the shortages discovered. A discussion on the way forward is expected to be held at parliament.
Health Ministry PS gets... (From page 7) done in 2016. “We have to be passionate about what we do and I cannot overemphasise this. I am very passionate about my job; I am extremely passionate about it. I am so passionate about my job, more than even myself as an individual,” Thomas asserted. As a result, Thomas added that “whatever affects the health system affects me
as a person. I am very serious about this. My point is that when we take a position in the health sector we cannot just see it as just a job. The delivery of health care cannot be seen as just a job,” he insisted. But Thomas, based on his following comment, might
have been prepared for his inevitable termination. In what could be described as a cryptic remark on Tuesday, Thomas assured, “if I leave the Ministry of Health and I go to another Ministry, I will become passionate about where I am working...that’s me.”
A mini health check is the first step to donating blood
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Friday March 03, 2017
Kaieteur News
Kwame McCoy fined $20,000 for Govt. gives out millions in assaulting Mark Benschop contracts to jump-start economy Government will be looking to accelerate its expenditure to give the economy a “jump-start” amidst the apparent slowdown. Cabinet on Tuesday last approved approximately $740M in contracts. Minister of State Joseph Harmon told media operatives at a press conference hosted at the Ministry of the Presidency yesterday that during last year, there was an admission by the government that not enough was done in the implementation of the government/public sector infrastructure programme. Previous reports would have shown that towards the end of the first half of last year, there were concerns over the performance of the economy and the issue of investments. This year, however, the government will be ensuring that it takes the first jump with hopes of having the private sector also chipping in to add to the momentum. “This year already, you can see we have been better organised now and therefore, all of the contracts that have been placed in the budget, we
are going to use to ensure that the economy is in a better position. At the same time, we would encourage private sector involvement in the economy; we’re going to engage the private sector in a more meaningful and aggressive way so that this partnership between government and private sector can be used - that synergy which the two parties bring together - can be used to basically boost and move this country forward,” the State Minister said. Some of the contracts that received the green light from cabinet are as follows: the rehabilitation of Waramina Guest House, Boerasirie Region Three. The contract was awarded to the International Imports & Supplies for the sum of $28,080,452. For the Rehabilitation of Guest House at Lama, East Demerara River Conservancy, Region Four, the contract was awarded to the International Imports & Supplies for the sum for $21,812,500 . For the installation of LED highway lights on sections of the Essequibo
Coast Public Road, a contract in the sum of $15,979,051, was awarded to Cummings Electrical. For the provision of consultancy services for engineering designs and supervision of works; rehabilitation of drainage and irrigation works at Buxton, Ithaca and Triumph, a contract in the sum of $94,955,614 was awarded to SRK N’ Engineering. A contract was awarded to the Small Business Bureau (SBB) in the sum of US$321,725 to provide consultancy services to implement a skills training programme for At-Risk Youth. The Ministry of Public Security was announced as the procuring entity for this contract. The contract for the construction of a relief structure at Good Hope, Essequibo Coast Region Two, was awarded to M. Sukhai Construction in the sum of $27,095,404. Finally, for the construction and installation of pipe works and structure at the Number 66 drainage pump, B& J Civil Works was awarded the job to the tune of $41,271,600.
City Magistrate Annette Singh yesterday found former Presidential Liaison Officer Kwame McCoy guilty of assaulting social activist, Mark Benschop, at the conclusion of the trial in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. McCoy who resides at Diamond New Scheme, East Bank Demerara, was fined $20,000 and given two weeks to pay or in default, one month imprisonment. The incident occurred on May 5, 2011, outside McCoy’s Diamond New Scheme, East Bank Demerara home, while Benschop was attempting to take photographs of McCoy’s residence. According to information at the time of the incident, Benschop was running an online radio and website and was investigating reports that McCoy was building a house worth $100M. When Benschop had given his testimony via Skype, he stated that while he was taking photographs of the house he was confronted by McCoy and two other individuals, and he was assaulted by McCoy. The court heard that
- other charges dismissed
Kwame McCoy fined $20,000 for assaulting Mark Benschop McCoy was the individual who smashed Benschop’s vehicle window and took his computer and other valuables from his vehicle. McCoy had the charges of damage to property and simple larceny dismissed due to insufficient evidence. During the trial, Benschop had told the court that he was fearful for his life and recalled that McCoy attempted to grab his camera out of his hand and ripped his shirt in the process of the scuffle. Benschop further told the
court that he managed to flee the scene with assistance from a trucker who gave him a ride to a nearby taxi service where he then boarded a taxi and headed to the city. During the ride, Benschop said that he phoned several media operatives and informed them of what had transpired. Benschop also recounted that he was sent for a medical and was taken to the Brickdam Police Station. McCoy in an interview with the reporters after the decision stated “the entire thing is politically motivated and I am innocent in the matter. Benschop and his colleagues fabricated the entire story. I wasn’t even in the area when Benschop was allegedly assaulted. Benschop could not have identified the individuals who he had the altercation with, so I am the person who will pay.” When the People’s Progressive Party/Civic activist was first charged, he pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released on a total of $275,000 bail.
Friday March 03, 2017
Kaieteur News
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Friday March 03, 2017
Kaieteur News
Local oil refinery almost ruled out ExxonMobil and its partners have thus far expended US$800M on oil and gas exploration activities being conducted in the Stabroek Block, 120 miles offshore Guyana. Of this sum, US$150M has been spent with companies registered in Guyana for goods and services. This disclosure was made yesterday by ExxonMobil Country Manager Jeff Simons during a media breakfast session organised by the Ministry of Natural Resources at the Herdmanston Lodge,
Georgetown. Simons said, “To give you a sense of what we’ve done to date, we’ve spent about US$800M so far on the project, that’s from inception, that’s from the start of the Stabroek Block...and about a US$150M has gone to Guyanese companies.” He added that a total of 177 Guyanese companies would have benefitted from the expenditure. Speaking further on ways in which Guyanese have benefited to date on the project, Simons said that roughly 700 persons have
been employed – those who can say that they are working on the project. He added that Guyanese represent half of the estimated number. He said that some of the goods and services which have been utilised by the project from local companies include shore-based fuel supplies, transportation, hotel accommodation, aviation and waste management. According to Simons, since beginning exploration, a number of companies have come into Guyana and have registered here as Guyanese
entities. The country manager also said that when the time comes for the specialised ships to be brought to Guyana, a number of contracts will be tendered for the installation of manifolds and surf equipment which will see about 650 persons working on each ship. Further, he said that actual drilling activity would require about 250 employees. He said that to facilitate this process there will be a huge emphasis on local training, whereby experts would be brought into the country on the drilling vessels. As it relates to the actual production operations for phase one, Simons said that about 200 people will be needed to work on the project. According to him, in the long run, the company is looking to have Guyanese fill about 80 to 90 per cent of the workforce needed for the production operation. However, he said that in the initial stages, foreigners will be in Guyana to provide the necessary training to locals. “So what we’re doing right now to get ready for this is, we’ve performed an initial capacity assessment, looking at all the goods and services that will be required for these activities; at least at a high level - to take a look at what is currently in Guyana and at what needs to be beefed up in Guyana, and what is in
Exxon Mobil Country Manager, Jeff Simons making his presentation yesterday Trinidad, which is where we are getting a lot of these items from and the expertise.” As it relates to reaching out to other countries such as Trinidad and Tobago, when the question was posed as to where the oil will be refined, Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman said that no decision has been made concerning the matter. He reminded that recently Cabinet had approved a Consultancy on the issue so that government may be guided. Trotman said that some experts have said that a refinery should be built here which would cost above $2B. However, he pointed to overtures made recently by the government of Trinidad and Tobago, whereby the government of Guyana was
told that the twin-island state is currently operating below its refining capacity of 175,000 barrels per day. The Minister said that as a result, Trinidad is currently importing oil from Nigeria and elsewhere, mixing it with Trinidadian oil, refining the product and exporting. Trotman believes that soon a similar offer would be formally made to Guyana. “Ministers were informed on Tuesday that Suriname has also indicated a willingness to do refining for Guyana. Why? Because they too have a refinery which is performing under par; which raises the question, should Guyana spend $2B on a refinery and in about 20 years, assuming that the only oil that we have is from the Liza, in about 20 to 25 years we’ll have to be looking elsewhere to do some refining.” Based on this line of reasoning, Trotman said that the economics of the matter is still being worked out. He said that Exxon may wish to do some of its own refining, but the government of Guyana under the agreement can also determine whether it wishes to receive its portion in oil, and as such, can decide where that amount would be refined.
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Friday March 03, 2017
Kaieteur News
New wells for Diamond, Sparendaam, Sophia by August New water wells are to be drilled at Diamond, Sparendaam and Sophia. This should provide improved water quality and services to the residents in these areas. A contract to the tune of 552,855 Euros was yesterday morning signed between the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) and the Dutch firms of De Ruiter Doringen, and Rook South-American B.V for the construction of the wells. The signing took place in the Boardroom of GWI, Vlissengen Road and Church Street, according to a Government statement. Signing the contract were GWI’s Managing Director, Dr. Richard Van West-Charles, Managing Director of De Ruiter Doringen, Frans Heinis, and Managing Director of Rook SouthAmerican B.V, Martin Bloemscheer and other representatives of GWI. The three wells are to be completed within a 12-week period commencing June 1. They will be constructed employing drilling
technologies new to Guyana that would significantly increase their yield and efficiency. Dr. Van West-Charles explained that this is necessary to meet the demand for the service from communities such as Diamond and Sophia that have large populations. The agreement provides for De Ruiter Doringen to drill the wells and for Rook SouthAmerican B.V to develop them. The contract also covers onsite training for GWI engineers and local contractors. Dr. Van West-Charles explained that this is to ensure an increase in local technical capacity. ”We recognise that there is a need for Guyanese contractors to be updated on well-drilling technologies, and so one of the things that we shall be doing in every step of the way, is to ensure that Guyanese contractors are exposed to the new drilling techniques, while at the same time GWI will also be seeking
GWI’s Managing Director, Dr. Richard Van West-Charles (centre), Managing Director of De Ruiter Doringen, Frans Heinis, Managing Director of Rook South-American B.V, Martin Bloemscheer and other representatives of the three companies pose with a copy of the signed contract for the construction of the wells at Diamond, Sparendaam and Sophia. to ensure that it has in-house capability,” Dr. Van WestCharles said. About a dozen local contractors and GWI engineers are set to benefit under the agreement. Since last year, the water company would have begun the process of familiarising its staff to the new approaches to well-drilling. Dr. Van West-Charles
recalled that in 2016, a number of employees from GWI attended a special well-drilling workshop in the United States that focused on several areas including the drilling of new wells and the geology of well development. Another group of GWI staff will be undertaking the training this year, the GWI Managing Director said. In the construction of the
wells, De Ruiter Doringen will be advancing the tried and tested reverse circulation drilling technology. Managing Director of De Ruiter Doringen, Frans Heinis explained that the company has been using the technology for over 50 years in the Netherlands and over 10 years in Suriname. He said that since the soil conditions in these countries are similar
to those of Guyana, the drilling technique should be easily applied here. The reverse circulation well-drilling system is used for large diameter wells on loose alluvial soils. It consists of returning the drilled material and flushing medium to the surface inside the drill pipes. Meanwhile, Managing Director of Rook SouthAmerican B.V, Martin Bloemscheer said that the company was happy to work with GWI on the infrastructure and operational service improvement, which he assured, will result in “increased capacity and reduced cost” to the water company. “It is good that the local contractors can benefit from this as well,” Bloemscheer said.
Friday March 03, 2017
National Science Coordinator to represent Guyana at St. Kitts STEM Workshop Improving science performance in the public education system could hinge on Guyana’s participation in a workshop slated for later this month in St. Kitts. Given its importance, Government has granted approval for the Ministry of Education to register its presence at the upcoming event. Speaking at yesterday’s session of Post Cabinet press briefing Minister of State Joseph Harmon informed that “approval has been granted for the participation at the Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) teachers’ training workshop to be held in St. Kitts from March 29-30, 2017.” The workshop in question, according to Harmon, was organised by the Caribbean Science Foundation (CSF) and the Caribbean Academy of Sciences (CAS). And according to the Minister, it is expected that the planned event will focus on having teachers better understand how students learn science. CSF was established as an independent non-profit non-governmental organization in 2010 by the Caribbean Diaspora for Science, Technology and Innovation (CADSTI). CADSTI has its centre of gravity outside the Region, and its primary function is to mine and mobilize the resources in the worldwide Caribbean Diaspora in support of the CSF. On the other hand, the idea of establishing CAS was informally proposed at the General Assembly Meeting of the International Council of Scientific Un ions [ICSU] in Bern, Switzerland in September
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Kaieteur News
Ms Petal Punalall-Jetoo 1986. Current membership stands at over 200 members, including scientists from the English-speaking Caribbean, Guadeloupe, Cuba, Guyana and Suriname. It is an independent, nongovernmental body aiming to: provide a forum for interchange among scientists on important issues related to the application of science and technology to development; serve as a source of advice to regional, governmental and non-governmental organizations in scientific and technology matters; facilitate cooperation among scientists
and promote the coordination and execution of scientific research in all its aspects. It also aims to: liaise with relevant research organizations and assist in facilitating their mutual interaction; recognize and reward outstanding performance and achievement within the region in the fields of science and technology; raise the level of scientific consciousness in the region and increase the public understanding and appreciation of the importance and potential of science and technology in human progress; establish and maintain high standards and ethics in all scientific endeavour. The planned workshop planned will, moreover, seek to identify strategies for STEM-based science teaching and increase the confidence of teachers in their planning and teaching and assessment approaches. Set to attend the conference, based on Government’s approval, is National Science Coordinator within the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD), Ms Petal Punalall-Jetoo.
Ferry service surfaces as Guyana, Suriname resume cooperation council meetings In opening remarks, Carl Greenidge, Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, recalled that the resuscitation of the council was the product of the December 16, 2016 meeting in Georgetown between President David Granger and Dési Bouterse, President of the Republic of Suriname. Minister Greenidge reminded that the council was conceived as an institutional framework through which cooperation between the two countries would be monitored. He added that the council was a forum for the initiation and support of cooperation activities and for proposing solutions to possible difficulties with regard to the implementation of the various areas of cooperation. Also delivering a statement was Ambassador John H. Kolader, Senior Advisor in the Bureau of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Suriname. He said the origin of the Cooperation Council lay in the meeting of the Prime Minister of Guyana and the Premier of Suriname at Chaguaramas, Trinidad and
Tobago on April 10, 1970. Suriname gave high priority to the Council’s work in full recognition of its potential to improve the lives of both peoples and advance good neighbourly relations between Suriname and Guyana, he noted. “The two sides discussed procedural matters as well as the Council’s work plan and priority areas of cooperation such as agriculture, trade and tourism, transportation, health and the environment and climate change and committed to implement the work programme adopted at the meeting. They used the opportunity to consider bilateral initiatives.” Although these are not part of the mandate of the Council, they are critical to the maintenance and intensification of cooperation between the two countries. “In this regard, specific mention was made of cooperation in the security sector and the Canawaima Ferry Service. The Council noted that a meeting will be held on March 2 and 3, 2017 with the Canawaima Ferry Service Inc. and the
Canawaima Management Company in Nickerie, Suriname.” The Guyana/Suriname Cooperation Council was established on July 19, 1989, through an exchange of Notes in Paramaribo, Suriname. It was the aim to monitor all aspects of bilateral cooperation between the two countries and propose new areas for cooperation. The next meeting of the Council is scheduled for July this year in Suriname. The meeting was chaired by Barbara Haley, Director of the Frontiers Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ambassador Kolader. Also participating were representatives of Guyana’s Ministries of Agriculture, Business, Health and Tourism, among others from the respective Foreign Ministries.
A mini health check is the first step to donating blood
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Kaieteur News
Friday March 03, 2017
Friday March 03, 2017
Palmyra: Syrian forces ‘completely retake’ IS-held town
Trump triggers surge in Arab demand for U.S. investor visas (CNN) Wealthy Arabs are rushing to sign up for a U.S. programme offering investors green cards for cash as they try to beat a crackdown on immigration by President Trump. Three companies in Dubai offering legal advice on immigration say they have witnessed a spike in demand for U.S. investment visas since Trump’s travel ban — now blocked by the courts — on citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries.
(BBC) Syrian government forces and their Russian backers have completely recaptured the ancient city of Palmyra from so-called Islamic State (IS) militants, the two allies say. The army and other progovernment forces were reported to have entered deep into the city after IS pulled out. It ends the second occupation of Palmyra by the jihadists. The first time they controlled the area, the militants destroyed some of its most celebrated monuments. IS fighters were driven out in March last year, but managed to retake the city, its
world famous ruins and the surrounding area in December. Syria’s Ambassador to the United Nations Bashar alJaafari confirmed the recapture on Thursday. He said the city had been “liberated from the hands of the terrorist organisation” and that President Bashar al-Assad had kept his promise to drive them out. Syrian government forces and their Russian backers have completely recaptured the ancient city of Palmyra from so-called Islamic State (IS) militants, the two allies say. The army and other progovernment forces were re-
ported to have entered deep into the city after IS pulled out. In Russia, Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu was reported by local media to have told President Vladimir Putin on Thursday that Palmyra had been fully retaken by the Syrian army with help from the Russian air force. There were clashes and heavy shelling across the historic city as the offensive unfolded on Wednesday, UKbased monitoring group the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. IS militants planted mines in several areas of the city before withdrawing, it said.
US tries to ID hundreds of al Qaeda contacts, thanks to Yemen raid Washington (CNN) Several US officials told CNN Thursday that the US is now taking action to locate and monitor hundreds of people or “contacts” found as part the intelligence retrieved during the deadly raid last month in Yemen targeting al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. Some of these people are believed to be in the West, but not in the United States. The government is taking action to find and monitor these AQAP-linked individuals because of the threat they may pose to Europe, the officials added. The fact that officials said they are actively pursuing leads uncovered from the raid indicates that the intelligence was indeed actionable despite some media reports to the contrary. The terabyte’s worth of intelligence gathered from computers and cell phones is now being reviewed at the National Media Exploitation Center outside Washington, which analyzes documents, electronic media, cell phones,
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Kaieteur News
video and audio tapes seized on overseas missions. Defense officials have told CNN that information pertaining to the location of safe havens, explosives manufacturing, training and targets was acquired in the January ground operation. But the raid has faced questions from lawmakers about its utility and execution, with several Trump critics questioning the value of the intelligence, whether the right calculation about the raid’s risks was made and whether the result was worth the costs. The father of Chief Petty Officer William “Ryan” Owens, who was killed in the firefight, has called for an investigation. A number of civilians were also killed in the battle, something the Pentagon has acknowledged and is investigating. Gen. Joseph Votel, who oversees US troops in the region, called the mission “successful” from the military’s point of view. “The object was to go in and collect intelligence. We
accomplished that, so from that perspective it was successful. I certainly understand how the family would look at this in a different light,” Votel told CBS News. President Donald Trump defended the January raid in his Tuesday address to C o n g r e s s . A s Tr u m p s p o k e , O w e n s ’ w i d o w, Carryn, looked up at the ceiling, seemingly to her late husband, as she sat crying.
“We’ve received a greater number of inquiries and client enrollment since the commencement of the Trump presidency,” said Preeya Malik, managing director at Step America, a firm that provides consultancy services on U.S. investor visas. “Investors can see how immigration laws are shifting rapidly and are looking to finalize their options before any new rules take place.” Powered by
SmartAsset.com Known as EB-5, the immigration programme hands out green cards to foreigners who invest at least $500,000 and create 10 jobs in the U.S. The programme caps the number of visas issued annually at 10,000. Since 2011, nearly 83% of the EB-5 visas issued went to Chinese investors. Less than two per cent went to people from the Middle East, according to industry association Invest in the USA.
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VEHICLE FOR SALE
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, C a n a da & UK; Guyana passport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 6267040; 265-4535. INNOVATIVEMARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Repairs at low cost: Fridges, air- conditioners, washing machines, TVs, microwaves, freezers- Call:6294946 or 225-4822 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezer-Call: 610-5846 or 661-8158 Do you know domestic wiring? Well if you do there is a job waiting for you. Call Urgently: 644-9084/ 664-9635
Friday March 03, 2017
Kaieteur News
LAND FOR SALE Land @ Soesdyke, 6 lots measuring 135’X175’. Call: 627-3334/696-8935, email:fcranmore@guyana voice.com
Allion, Premio, Blue Bird, IST, Honda CRV, Toyota Spacio, Fielder Wagon, 212 Carina, RZ & Pitbull bus – Call: 650-7501
Drivers, Carpenters, Security Guards. Call: 266 4427
1-Leyland DAF GRR Series; excellent condition. Call: 6804101
Accounts Clerk for Eccles, Industrial Site area knowledge of NIS, PAYE, VAT, Quickbooks. Call: 614-4358
1 Mitsubishi box Canter for sale. Call: 679-9261/671-1568
1-5 Acres coconut and other fruit bearing, no chemical, lease or sale – Demerara River across Timehri docks. Call: 261-2988 Eccles (100ftX50ft) -$7M, Uitvlugt (100ftx50ft) -$2.8M, La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.3M, Zeelugt -$1M & $2.5M. Call: 233-3006/ 651-1969 La Parfaite Harmonie - $1.4M, $1.8M, $1.6M, Farm -$6M, Uitvlugt -$2M, Diamond $4M, Herstelling -$5M. Call: 604-6724 La Parfaite Harmonie - $1.3M, $1.8M, $1.6M, $1.1M, Herstelling - $5M, Uitvlugt $2M, Zeelugt -$2M, Zeelugt -$1.6M, all price negotiable. Call: 614-6802 Land for sale @ Dowden Street, Kitty 125’X57’. Call: 619-4152/ 227-1905 Farm (100ftX50ft) - $3M on the East Bank, Cuyuni Mining block -$2.5M. Call: 233-3006/ 658-5897/ 651-1969 La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.3M, Uitvlugt -$2.3M, $2M – Call: 642-1252
VACANCY
Cook/Baker and Kitchen Assistant for interior location. Applicants must be experienced, for details call: 618-2020 Experienced bartenders and cleaners. Call: 225-8572 between 7am-9am
PROPERTY FOR SALE Transported property @ Grove and Diamond $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461 House for sale & removal at Campbellville 23ftX40ftContact Ganesh: 614-6202 2 Storey house 35X45 3 bedrooms, 1 self-contained @ 5th Avenue Diamond, H/ Scheme. Call:677-0583/664-5052 Quick Sale! 3 Bedrooms house located in East La Penitence, price $15M negotiable, land size – 40X80 – Call: 645-6498 1 Front building & a 2 storey building on 1 (lot) 180 Charlotte Street Bourda W30XL120 $55M negotiable. Call: 624-7341/ 227-6817/226-5183 Property @ 715, 16th Street Diamond E.B.D. Call: 6909550
Workers for portable toilet/ Janitorial Company - $2,000 per day- Call: 225-2618 1 Female cleaner for office in Eccles and home. Call: 2332745 Female assistant, bookkeeper 25-40yrs @dynamic shipping, logistics & marketing co. @ Timehri, knowledge of VAT, PAYE & NIS. Apply @ josephbhaskaran@gmail.com Salesgirls @ D. Singh & Sons. Call: 226-1316 Vacancy for one Driver / Expediter contact Leonard- # 609-5123 One optical lab technician and ophthalmologist @ 79 Albert & Laluni Street Queenstown. Call: 231-7023/ 622-0445 Receptionist, Male Security guard age 30-45, 233 South Road Lacytown. Call: 2250198
SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. - Cosmetology Courses: $120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 647-1773/6605257 The New Creation Unisex Salon: offering courses in cosmetology & nail arts design. Call Sandra: 616-6221
One complete sawmill situated at Yarrowkabra Industrial Site Soesdyke/ Linden Highway. Call: 6441190/ 609-8041 Grease rags, any amount $200 lbs, white spandex cloths 60’’ width, thousand of yards contact Lall’s Garment Enterprise Tel:266-2700,6819130 1 14 feet Aluminum Boat, 1 15 HP Yamaha Outboard Engine (Short Foot), 1 Cummings-10 KVA Generator Call: 664-5807 Design & Make Aluminum windows, doors, stainless rails, showcases, rolling shutters, make & install automatic doors. Call: 2336818/677-5599/659-9999 Audi A4 Quattro S line, excellent condition. Call: 6104242 One Diesel welder on trailer. Call: 699-4300/228-2734 1 Big music set, owner migrating. Call: 690-5225
TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 225-7878 (24HRS)
TO LET Apartment, Great Diamond EBD Contact Thandeka 6030067, Ronique 643-9286 ENTERTAINMENT Journey Inn apartments & Car Rental. 1&2 bedroom self contained. Call: 658-0927/ 233-2300/ 718-2301695
Jubilee Resort: pool, water slide, boating, paintball, games, etc, open daily – 10:00am-6:00pm. Call: 2258915/623-7313
DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM
WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP REATES,SPECIAL OFFER FOR THE SEASON. CALL: 690-6494
1- CAT 320 BL Excavators, 428- CAT Backhoe, 1 CAT 930 Front End, 9 wheeled pneumatic roller, Double Steel drum compactor- Call: 2750538/ 683-7225
AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MIN BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPOTR & FAMILY OUTING, CHEAPESTRATE . Call: 698-7807
PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 677-7827, 6435122, EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO. COM
For you packaging needs: Scotch tapes, strapping machines – manual, poly straps, shrink wraps. Contact Wills: 227-8176 ext 10 Sale! Sale! Sale! Seafood Mania!! Fish/Shrimp!! All types and different processes. Call M.Wills: 2278176 ext 10 Almost New! EB6500 Honda Generator, construction series, only 16hours. Call: 261-2988/ 682-8241
Electronic Course: starting 14th March. Hands on training repairing all types of TV’s etc. Call: 226-6551/ 225-0391
LEARN TO DRIVE C. Persaud & N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman & Sons Driving School @ Maraj BuildingCall: 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997 (affordable packages).
Live in or live out babysitter/ domestic. Call: 223-7500 Monday-Saturday 8:15-4:15 Experienced bar/shop worker & handyman for interior, must have ID, Age 18-40 years Call 231-0363 between 9am-4:30pm. Domestic help in Kitty, must have ID, NIS, TIN, Age 1840 years Call 231-0363 between 9am-4:30pm Experienced babysitter/ nanny to work weekends (stay in) -$6,000. Call: 638-9013 We pay immediate cash for land in Eccles, Herstelling, Bartica & Zeelugt. Call: 2333006/ 658-5897/651-1969 1 Cook/pastry maker- Call: 231-4303/ 676-3541 One cosmetology, one nail technician with clientele, Campbellville area, also one seamstress. Call: 616-6221/ 655-2142 Wanted land to buy at Tuschen, Uitvlugt, Zeelugt, La Parfaite Harmonie, best price offered. Call: 657-9594
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Lot 14 Croal & Longden Street: 4 Storey building (infront Demico). Call: 663-1876 1 Flat house for rent, fully tiled with parking space @ La Parfaite Harmonie, W.B.D – Call: 615-4916 Executive 2 Bedroom Apartment in exclusive residential area close to Ogle Airport with all modern amenities. Tele: 622-5725. Bins/Tubs. Suitable for icing in all sizes. . Contact Wills: 227-8176 ext 10 Downstairs apartment @ Lot 148cc, Eccles Housing Scheme, prime business place @ Bagotstown, Public Road, E.B.D- Call: 233-2252/ 6623337/680-4375
EDUCATIONAL I.A.E Classes for CSEC June 2017: Mathematics, English A, Business & Science Subject for Students, Adults & repeaters. Call: 683-5742
WANTED One driver/porter from Diamond, Grove area. Call: 2161043, 677-6620
CAT 215 Excavator, Leyland DAF 55 Tipper Truck, D4H CAT Bulldozer. Call: 2750538/ 683-7225
Generator Diesel 1100w, Generators/welder Diesel 1100w, water pumps – 3" Gasoline. Contact Wills: 2278176 ext 10
CAR RENTAL CAR RENTAL
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.
MASSAGE The Gent’s Spa: Massage done by Tiffany, mobile services. Book appointment now! Call: 677-5465
2 Bedrooms upper flat apartment to rent in Eccles Scheme. Call: 233-2082/ 6631109
Friday March 03, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Due process being followed for repossession of undeveloped EBD lands – Govt. Efforts by the government to make lands available for its housing development programmes will see focus being placed on the hundreds of acres of prime lands that were sold to private developers, especially on the East Bank of Demerara. Many of these lands were issued under the previous administration to be developed as housing areas, but have been left largely unfinished. “We believe it is not right for large swaths of lands to be lying idle while we are trying our best all around to find land for people,” Minister of State, Joseph Harmon said at yesterday’s post-Cabinet media briefing held at the Ministry of the Presidency. The minister was responding to questions about
the lands and seeming sloth to repossess more than 400 acres of them. The lands in question stretch from Eccles to Little Diamond. During the previous administration, several private developers were given large tracts of land, under the agreement that they would develop housing estates within certain time. Some of those lands have been in the control of the private developers over five years now. The current administration, on assuming office, found that many of the developers had subdivided and sold off the lands as house lots at prices, in some cases, 10 times more than what they would have paid for them. Since the discovery, the new administration would have
Mother upset at pace of probe in rape of daughter, 3 A woman, whose three-yearold daughter was allegedly raped by her stepfather back in October last, is upset at the pace of the police investigation regarding the matter. A medical examination done in the presence of a police officer at the Georgetown Public Hospital had confirmed that the child had been sexually molested. The matter has been under investigation by the police since October, and statements have been taken repeatedly but the suspect—a security guard—has not been charged as yet. A police source yesterday explained that there was a “mix-up” with the name of one of the persons who gave a statement to the police, hence there was the delay. Kaieteur News was informed that the file will be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for advice. Relating what transpired, the woman said that having known the man for more than three years, she permitted him to move into her East Bank Demerara home and live with her and her
six children, as well as other relatives, for little over a year. Kaieteur News was informed that the three-year-old child slept with the couple. The woman related that in October last, she became ill and was admitted to the hospital for more than a week. During this time the child and her stepfather slept on the same bed. ‘The day I was going home from the hospital, my daughter called and tell me that something happened and when I go home they tell me that a neighbour saw the child demonstrating a sexual act to another child,” the woman recounted. Reports are that the neighbour immediately called the child and questioned her. It was then revealed by the child that she had been raped by her stepfather. She was taken to the police station and then to the hospital where she was examined. The suspect was arrested and later released and further statements were required to be taken before the matter could reach to the court.
Some of the lands to private developers in Providence, EBD, which are still way behind in construction served the private developers notice, indicating that they must complete the infrastructural works and housing units that they had committed to under the agreement of sale of the lands. The developers were put on notice that “once the time had expired and nothing significant was done, then the government will enter into renegotiation, with the view of repossessing these lands for better use by the community,” Minister Harmon highlighted. Harmon explained that the
government is still working towards this process of repossessing these lands, especially as it seeks to have the land space to pursue its new initiative of developing housing units for low-income earners. The minister however noted that due process must be followed. Recently, Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, had told the media that the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) had sought legal advice from the Attorney General on
moving forward to repossess the lands. The lands were allocated by the former administration under unclear circumstances to a few businessmen, a Parliamentarian, contractors, and other individuals. In the development of the housing units of town houses, duplexes and apartments, the government is also in discussion with the Guyana Sugar Corporation to acquire lands for the construction of the units, Minister Harmon said. The minister explained that in the restructuring of the
sugar company, one of the options that is available to the government is the utilisation of several other acres of land that will no longer be utilised for the cultivation of sugar cane. CH&PA, the housing arm of Government, has over around 25,000 applications for house lots and turn-key homes on file. A short-term project to build duplexes, condos and small units would only take care of about 1,500 of those applications. Government has set aside $5B for that two-year project.
Govt., opposition to meet on appointment of more judges In the wake of the acting Chancellor of the Judiciary Justice Carl Singh meeting the age of retirement along with other judges, the government of Guyana is moving to appoint new judges soon. At the weekly post cabinet press briefing yesterday, Minister of State Joseph Harmon stated that Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and President David Granger are to have a follow-up meeting on March 8 to discuss the issue of appointment of judges and other issues. According to Harmon, the two leaders met earlier in a consultation as is required by the constitution to discuss the issue of appointing the acting Chancellor and acting
Chief Justice. At that meeting Jagdeo was informed of the President’s decision to appoint Justice of Appeal, Yonette Cummings-Edwards as the acting chancellor of the judiciary and Roxanne George-Wiltshire SC as the acting Chief Justice. The President said that the void that was left with Singh’s departure from the Court of Appeal necessitated the appointments. At that meeting, Jagdeo indicated that he needed seven days to consider the proposal; however the opposition leader was told that the president did not need his approval for acting appointments and went ahead with the appointments of the two
women. It was noted that when the time comes to make permanent appointments, Jagdeo will have to agree on the nominees, as is dictated by the constitution. At the meeting the Leader of the Opposition indicated that there was an urgent need to appoint other judges to ensure the proper functioning of the legal system. Jagdeo stated that the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has made recommendations for a number of judges to be appointed and those recommendations should be acted upon at the earliest possible time. The Judicial Service Commission in February last year recommended that Justice Rishi Persaud and Justice
Dawn Gregory be appointed to the Court of Appeal and Attorneys-at-Law Sandil Kissoon and Damone Younge, be appointed as Puisne Judges. The opposition leader at the meeting with President Granger on the appointments of Justice Cummings-Edwards and George-Wiltshire reminded the head of state that he has no alternative but to act upon recommendations made by the JSC. At the moment, a team headed by retired Justice of Appeal Claudette Singh, Professor Harold Lutchman and retired Justice James Patterson are currently interviewing suitable persons to fill the positions of Chancellor and Chief Justice.
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Kaieteur News
Parking meter fiasco…
Movement calls on Minister to step-up and take responsibility The Movement against Parking Meters (MAPM) has chosen a new angle in its effort to have the parking meter contract rescinded, whereby the members are now calling on the Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan to stepup and accept responsibility for the project. Members of the movement believe that the nation’s leaders, particularly Bulkan, should provide a solution to the problem which they would have created. Bulkan is being targeted specifically since he was the government Minister who would have signed the parking meter bylaws. Despite taking this new angle, the position of the group has not changed as they are maintaining that the contract should be revoked in its entirety. To spread its message, one of the members said that currently the group is doing a number of awareness and public relations exercises.
The music cart which blasted the parking meter song yesterday to the delight of protesters. She said that what was realised by the group is that a lot of people still do not understand the seriousness of
the matter and its implications. “What we found is that we need to do a lot of educa-
CARICOM and Republic of Korea commit to areas of closer cooperation KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Republic of Korea have agreed to several areas for closer cooperation. The decision was made at the first high-level meeting held here on Monday. In a joint statement issued at the end of the meeting both sides committed to further strengthen their ties of friendship and spirit of cooperation. They also agreed to reinvigorate a Consultation and Cooperation Mechanism, which was established in 2006
to guide future CARICOMKorea political and economic relations. In relation to some key issues before the meeting, the delegates underscored the serious impact of climate change and global warming especially on Small Island and low-lying Developing States (SIDS) like those in the CARICOM Region. They committed to work together to enhance capacity building and knowledge sharing, while exploring avenues for cooperation on projects aimed at combating climate
Diplomatic passport for Calypso Rose PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Veteran calypsonian, Calypso Rose, is being honoured for her contribution to the twin-island republic and her recent international achievement. During Thursday’s post Cabinet media briefing Minister of Community Development, Culture and the Arts Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly said Calypso Rose will receive a diplomatic passport and with her permission, an aircraft in the Caribbean Airlines fleet will
be named after her. Two weeks ago, the veteran calypsonian won the World Album of the Year at the Victoire de la Musique award in France. The award is considered the French equivalent of a Grammy award. Calypso Rose also became the first artist from Trinidad and Tobago to have an album go gold. Last year she was also awarded the 2016 Artist Award by the World Music Expo (WOMEX).
change and its impacts. They also acknowledged the CARICOM Region’s ongoing high dependence on imported fossil fuel and agreed to work together to promote cooperation in the field of sustainable energy. Members of CARICOM thanked Korea for its ongoing technical assistance including through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Fellowship Programmes, the ‘Improving the Structure of Governance in the Caribbean Community’ Project, the CARICOM EGovernment project, and financial support for CARICOM Electoral Observer Missions. CARICOM Deputy Secretary-General Ambassador Manorma Soeknandan, in her address at the opening ceremony, urged Korea’s assistance in utilizing its influential voice in international fora to advocate on behalf of CARICOM on the issue of graduation of CARICOM Member States to the status of middle-income countries and the resulting loss of access to concessionary financing for their development programmes. The Republic of Korea’s delegation was led by First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs – Lim Sung-nam.
tion and awareness. A lot of people don’t understand exactly what this (parking meter project) entails and what a
dangerous precedent it actually sets for the city, and the fact of how much is sold out via this contract.” The MAPM member said that the ‘selling out’ of the city goes beyond the 20 per cent for the Georgetown Mayor and City Council and 80 per cent for Smart City Solutions (SCS) arrangement. “It’s not just collecting revenue, but it gives them (SCS) an option to get into other areas of businesses including other parking arrangements and we don’t even know if it could open up other avenues for them to get in.” She said that the movement firmly believes that the city belongs to Guyana and there are other systems which can be developed to generate revenue. “If the City Hall would just sit down and consult with citizens you’ll see there are many ideas. The Private Sector Commission had already given an idea where they can
get $300M per annum and there are many other ideas floating around.” According to the woman, the true definition of consultation needs to be embraced, whereby persons are given all the facts, and they become part of the decision-making process, and any deviation from that would simply be an information-sharing session. Yesterday marked the fifth protest organised by the MAPM. The previous demonstrations were silent protests, however, the crowd which gathered opposite City Hall on Regent Street yesterday was more animated, as they were accompanied by the now popular “parking meter song” sung by Dave Martins called “Postpone”. A number of persons tramped behind a music cart singing the song, expressing their objection to the parking meter project, and describing it as being burdensome on the average Guyanese.
Opposition leader warns of protest action in wake of controversial project
Philip Pierre CASTRIES, St Lucia, CMC – Leader of the main opposition St. Lucia Labour Party (SLP), Philip J.Pierre, has warned of the possibility of street protests over the controversial Desert Star Holdings Limited (DSH) project slated for the south of the Island. At a news conference yesterday, Pierre said over the past few weeks there has been a sustained campaign from civil society for the ruling United Workers Party (UWP) to be more accountable by providing more details about the $US 2.6 billion project.
“The St Lucia Labour Party is once more calling on the UWP to dialogue with the people of the Island on unacceptable sections of the agreement and we reserve the right to bring our protests to the streets, if government fails to heed to our just requests,” Pierre told the news conference . Pierre recalled that the SLP has been very clear in its pronouncements on the initiative, indicating that there should be no DSH project unless the deal is renegotiated. He stated that the UWP has responded by saying that it is attempting to rene-
gotiate parts of the agreement. “We have heard certain government ministers agree that there are clauses that are unacceptable,” the Castries East MP stated. He said the government has indicated that it has finalised the agreement for phase one of the DSH project which is the race track component. Nevertheless Pierre said there has been no indication as to whether the concerns expressed by the SLP and civil society have been addressed. He told reporters that the SLP has been informed that there will be a formal signing ceremony on March 8 and preliminary works have started at Beausejour in Vieux Fort. Pierre reiterated a call to the government to answer several questions relating to the DSH project, including whether the land for the race track will be leased at $US 1 for ninety-nine years, whether an environmental impact assessment has been completed and if the race track has received Development Control Authority (DCA) approval.
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Thrilled Hamilton sees turbulence ahead BARCELONA (Reuters) Triple world champion Lewis Hamilton has warned that Formula One’s new cars, while better looking and thrilling to drive, may not do much for the racing when the season starts in Australia on March 26. The Briton, clear title favorite after the retirement of Mercedes team mate and champion Nico Rosberg, said overtaking could be even more of a problem than it was before. “Now the turbulence is easily twice as powerful from the car, coming out of the back of the car,” he told reporters after three days of testing, with Mercedes doing more laps and going faster than any of their rivals.
“So that just magnifies the issue we had before. “Let’s hope the racing’s fantastic, but don’t hold your breath, I’d say.” The testing time set by Hamilton’s new team mate Valtteri Bottas on Wednesday would have put the Finn on pole at the Spanish Grand Prix in any year since the Circuit de Catalunya changed layout in 2007. Hamilton, who had concentrated mainly on putting on mileage, said the performance was “amazing” in terms of the speed carried through corners. “It definitely is the fastest that I have ever driven in Formula One,” said the 32year-old, who made his debut with McLaren in 2007. “We’re
flat (out) in corners that we’ve never been before. “I hope that it splits the men from the boys,” he said of the physical challenges the cars impose on drivers with the fatter tyres and revised aerodynamics subjecting them to increased G-forces through corners. The greater downforce means drivers no longer have to brake into some corners, allowing them to go through without even lifting. “In actual fact we are slower on the straights but it’s how late and deep you can brake into the corners, it’s how quick you can get back to the gas, how you are able to take the corners flat out easily,” said Hamilton. “It’s quite unreal. It’s
amazing. I’m coming through some of these corners...and I’m like a kid on a rollercoaster ride because it’s so much better than it was before. But following is not good.” He said it was great that Formula O n e h a d m a d e changes but engineers had warned of the consequences. “Following is not easy. It’s worse to follow another car,” said Hamilton. “I don’t know how that’s going to play out in an actual race when there’s lots of cars.” That may not be so much of a problem for Hamilton, whose Mercedes looks so quick that he can expect to start from the front. He smiled: “That’s the plan.”
Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes walks by the paddock. (REUTERS/Albert Gea)
Russian doping scandal: Lord... (From page 35) Committee, dismissed the McLaren report, telling Russian state TV channel Rossiya 1 on Monday, it was “clear that the serious evidence in the report does not exist”. Wada has said that it has
full confidence in the report, despite discrepancies in the supporting evidence. President Putin struck a more conciliatory tone as he promised to move responsibility for anti-doping to an autonomous body - a key part
of the requirements set out for its readmission by Wada. “We will transfer this system from the sports ministry to an independent organisation, as has been done in many countries in the world,” he said, adding that a new testing facility would be built at the Moscow State University. Both the International Association of Athletics Federations and Wada have drawn up conditions that Russia must meet to be readmitted to their organisations. The IAAF’s list includes an “appropriate official response” to the points in the McLaren report. “Wada is encouraged by this sign of progress,” said president Sir Craig Reedie. “This public admission is an important step in the right direction.”
Friday March 03 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You can find solutions if you are willing to communicate. Be careful not to divulge secret information today. Mingle with those who can further your goals. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Don't let friends or relatives rule your life. Discuss your objectives with peers or lovers. Stay calm and focus on things that will help you understand the situation better. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You must be extremely careful not to let relatives or friends interfere in your personal life. This will not be the best day to initiate change. You are best to work at home, clearing up overdue projects. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Try not to take everything so seriously. Try to make arrangements with close friends or relatives to spend a few days away. You are best to move quickly and to get in good with the boss. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Difficulties with children will surface if you try to break a promise you made. You may be able to impart knowledge that's innovative to those searching for a new angle. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Groups and organizations that indulge in social events to raise money will be conducive to meeting new and exciting lovers. You have worked hard and the payback is now. Be careful not to lead someone on if you
truly have no interest. LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Be sure to cover all the necessary groundwork before signing binding contracts. Plan events like camping or white water rafting. If you put your mind to it, you could entertain or host a multitude of social events. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You may want to pull out some of those unfinished project you've got tucked away. Your intellectual charm will entice mates who have common interests. Partnerships could be tense. Don't push your luck. SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) Lovers will be less than accommodating, and decisions regarding personal direction a necessity. You would be wise to socialize with as many people as possible. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) It may not be the best time to socialize with clients or colleagues today. Call siblings or old friends to catch up on recent news. Secret affairs will eventually backfire on you. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) You can expect to face opposition on the home front. Opportunities to pamper yourself may unfold. You will drive your emotional partner crazy today. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Follow through on some of the good ideas that come up, and you could have a real winner of a deal. Someone left a real mess for you to sift through.
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England in West Indies
FIFA struggling to regain fan Old rivalries renewed confidence, Transparency says
as Stokes prepares to face his demons
ESPNcricinfo - After the rigours of a winter in the subcontinent - and with little to show for their efforts following gruelling losses in all three formats against India - a spring sojourn in the Caribbean, three ODIs in the course of a fortnight on tour, has the distinct flavour of a rest cure. Nothing, however, is quite that straightforward for one-day cricket at the moment, as West Indies’ absence from this year’s grand jamboree amply testifies. Could it be that West Indies’ failure to qualify for this summer’s Champions Trophy is the wake-up call that cricket in the Caribbean has long needed? This time last year, of course, they were beating England in thrilling fashion in the final of the World T20, but that emotional triumph was achieved, quite literally, in spite of the WICB, which remains defiantly at loggerheads with so many of its star players, as epitomised by its failure to select the man of that match, Marlon Samuels, for these three games. But at the same time, the cosy assurances that West Indies cricket would forever be invited to the sport’s biggest gatherings has been shattered, and already their new coach, Australia’s Stuart Law, has admitted that qualification for the 2019 World Cup is the team’s over-riding priority. They are currently ranked at No. 9 in the world, one place outside the automatic slots, and it’s fair to say that West Indies’ record against England in the coming six months will make or break their ambitions. They have these three games, plus five more in the summer, ahead of September’s qualification cut-off, and there’s no time like the present to get their late push up and running. And what of England, the renaissance team of world white-ball cricket? Their stunning coming of age since the 2015 World Cup has been dissected ad nauseam but, two years down the line, Eoin Morgan’s men can no longer get away with surprising people with their
potential. In particular, despite their fighting efforts in a historically heavyscoring ODI series in India, their ambitions faltered because of the shortcomings of their bowling attack. These three matches - plus five more against Ireland and South Africa in May - will be critical to their fine-tuning process. They go into the series with a glut of absentees. David Willey, Mark Wood, Jake Ball and Reece Topley are among the seamers who might have been expected to press their claims in these three games, but injury has struck them all down and instead the stage is set for the likes of Liam Plunkett, Steven Finn and Tom Curran - newly inducted into the squad after a hefty journey from the heart of Sri Lanka. In the spotlight Sometimes the best place to hide is in plain sight, out in the middle of a cricket field. That is rather how Ben Stokes feels, after admitting his discomfort at talking about his status as England’s most newly-minted cricketer. And yet, even without the small matter of USD 2.16 million in his back pocket, following his stunning acquisition by Rising Pune Supergiant in the IPL, Stokes was destined to be the talk of Antigua, given what happened to the last four balls he sent down against West Indies, in the World T20 final in Kolkata. And, even if that experience had all been a bad dream, we’d still have Stokes’ last visit to the Caribbean to look back on, and that broken hand courtesy of a punched locker in Barbados. In an otherwise low-key series, his presence alone adds an element of vital intrigue. It takes two to tango, however, and in the maroon corner, Carlos Brathwaite is revving up to resume his heavy bombardment against an England bowling line-up that - for all their strides as a team has been under the cosh in recent contests. At least, that’s how the narrative is meant to pan out. Unfortunately for Brathwaite, life hasn’t been quite that simple since
Kolkata. Expectations, both personally and from West Indies’ fans, have been through the roof in the past 12 months, much like those four sixes had been. “Unfortunately, it went downhill quickly,” he told the Daily Mail. “Because of what happened that night, people expected things and I guess, for a brief period, I expected them as well. It became a negative.” He has the chance, over the course of these four matches, to reset his ambitions, and those of his team. Team news Kieran Powell, back in West Indies’ one-day squad for the first time in three years, could pick up where he left off by facing England in an ODI at Antigua, just as he did on his last appearance in March 2014. If selected, he is likely to open the batting with Evin Lewis, who cemented his claim to a top-order berth with 148 in a thrilling run-chase against Sri Lanka in November. Though Ball remains with the England squad, he didn’t look comfortable during training and is unlikely to be risked following his knee injury. Alex Hales is likely to sit out as well as he fine-tunes his recovery from a broken hand, while Tom Curran is still in transit and won’t be in the frame until the second match at the earliest. Therefore, Sam Billings is expected to open with Jason Roy, with Jonny Bairstow squeezed out of a strong middle order. Plunkett and Finn could both feature, along with both the frontline spinners, Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid. Pitch and conditions In a development that would make Antigua’s local heroes Curtly Ambrose and Andy Roberts weep, Caribbean wickets tend to be pretty slow and low these days. Nevertheless, England’s captain, Eoin Morgan, admitted he had been surprised by the amount of grass still in evidence on this surface. With a 9.30am start in the offing, there may be some early assistance for his seamers if he manages to call correctly and bowl first.
Raindrops flow down on a logo in front of FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland June 8, 2016. (REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/Files)
ZURICH (Reuters) FIFA is still struggling to regain the trust of soccer fans, with more than half those interviewed saying they had no confidence in the sport’s governing body, according to a survey published yesterday. Corruption watchdog Transparency International, which conducted the survey jointly with Swedish-based Forza Football, added that FIFA’s image may have been hurt by its attempts to increase revenue. Fifty-three percent of 25,000 fans interviewed from 50 countries said they had no confidence in FIFA, which is trying to regain credibility after a corruption crisis in 2015 that saw dozens of officials indicted in the United States. Even so, that was an improvement over 69 percent last year, the survey said. “For any organisation that relies so much on the fans — without the fans f o o t b a l l i s d e a d , i t ’s commercially dead, its passion is dead — that is a rather serious situation,”
Transparency head Cobus de Swardt told Reuters. “We don’t underestimate the toughness of the job, but in that sense so far the news has been only moderately good.” Only 34 percent of those interviewed thought FIFA was actively fighting corruption. Sixty-six percent said that match-fixing was the type of corruption which most worried them. Meanwhile, 43 percent said they disapproved of next year’s flagship World Cup being staged in Russia. FIFA President Gianni Infantino, elected one year ago to replace the disgraced Sepp Blatter, said the body has taken steps to make officials more accountable. But de Swardt said the public did not see it that way. “FIFA puts out 50-page brochures talking of reform, but to the average fan, when I talk to them about what has changed in FIFA, they shake their heads,” he said. “They have no idea what has really changed.” Shortly after Infantino took over, FIFA said it had
revised its projected revenue for the 2015-2018 cycle upwards from $5 billion to $5.65 billion, with projected investments amounting to $5.55 billion. However, de Swardt said this might have been perceived negatively. “For the average fan, the problem is not that there is too little money in football, but there is too much, and fans see this in what they have to pay for tickets, merchandise, etc,” he said. He added that FIFA’s struggle to attract new sponsors was another symptom of its troubles. FIFA has signed only one top-tier partner, China’s Wa n d a G r o u p , s i n c e Infantino took over. Russia’s Alfa Bank has agreed to be a regional sponsor. “FIFA hasn’t been really rebuilt to the extent where sponsors are falling over their feet to be associated with the FIFA name,” said de Swardt. “I’ve had sponsors telling me that they would love to be associated with football but not with FIFA.”
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Nadal, Djokovic advance in Acapulco (The Sports Xchange) Second-seeded Rafael Nadal remained perfect in matches at the Abierto Mexicano Te l c e l AT P e v e n t i n Acapulco, Mexico, by easing past Italian Paolo Lorenzi 6-1, 6-1 in a secondround match Wednesday. Nadal improved his record to 12-0 at this event, needing only 66 minutes to get past Lorenzi. Nadal broke Lorenzi’s serve five times and lost only five points on his serve, never facing a break point. Nadal’s opponent in the quarterfinals will be Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan, who eliminated Aussie Jordan Thompson 6-4, 3-6, 6-0. Nishioka defeated seventh-seeded Jack Sock in three sets in the first round. To p - s e e d e d N o v a k Djokovic faced a strong challenge from Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro on Wednesday, but the Serb emerged with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory. Next up for Djokovic is a
quarterfinal matchup with sixth-seeded Nick Kyrgios of Australia, who defeated Donald Young of the United States 6-2, 6-4. “I played really well today,” Kyrgios said. “I’m really enjoying my time here.” American Sam Querrey recorded the biggest upset of the day, eliminating fifthseeded David Goffin of Belgium 6-2, 6-3 in 69 minutes. Querrey lost only four points on his first serve. Third-seeded Marin Cilic of Croatia was pushed to three sets but won the critical points to beat 20year-old Borna Coric of Croatia 6-3, 2-6, 6-3. Cilic, who fired 12 aces, had only two break-point opportunities in the third set
IOC sees 2020 golf course row being resolved by June
CAPE TOWN (Reuters) Durban has done enough to satisfy the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) and retain hosting rights of the 2022 Games, the chief executive of the Games bid Tubby Reddy told Reuters yesterday. Durban was awarded the right to stage the Games in 2015 as the only remaining bidder, but concerns were raised around the funding of the event this week when South Africa’s Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula admitted the government could not agree with the CGF on the operational budget. But Reddy believes the bid committee has met the requirements of the CGF, who will make a final d e c i s i o n o n D u r b a n ’s hosting at a meeting on March 10, with Liverpool having already expressed an interest in taking over the Games. “I am satisfied in my mind that we have done enough to keep the Games,” Reddy said in a telephonic interview. “We were asked to submit outstanding documentation by Nov. 30, which we did, and in my mind we have given the CGF everything they have asked for. “It is now up to them to decide the way forward at their March 10 meeting.” Reddy would not be
Serbia’s Novak Djokovic in action against Argentina’s Juan Martin Del Potro. (REUTERS/Henry Romero)
International Olympic Committee (IOC) Vice President and Chairman of the Coordination Commission for the Tokyo 2020 Games John Coates attends a news conference in Tokyo, Japan, December 2, 2016. (REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon) TOKYO (Reuters) The club scheduled to host golf at the 2020 Tokyo Games appears to be moving towards a policy of accepting women as full members and the issue will likely be resolved by June, International Olympic Committee Vice President John Coates said. T h e p r i v a t e Kasumigaseki Country Club, which is set to host the m e n ’s a n d w o m e n ’s tournaments in the summer
of 2020, has sparked outrage for barring women from playing on Sundays and from full membership. Coates told Reuters in an interview last month that Tokyo organizers must find another venue if the club did not change its policy, but said on Thursday that “great progress” had been made in just the past few days. “My understanding is as recent as this week there have been more discussions
with the club, that it’s heading in the right direction for them to have a nond i s c r i m i n a t o r y membership,” Coates said. “It would appear that we should be able to have this resolved by the end of June,” he told a news conference after a regular project review between the IOC and the Tokyo 2020 organizing committee. The country club has been under fire since Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike in January called on it to give equal rights to women, and a Japanese nonprofit group demanded that the Olympic golf venue be moved elsewhere. It has also drawn international attention, with New Zealand golfer Lydia Ko saying on Wednesday that she hoped the club would change its policy. Organizers have not set a deadline for the club to make a decision on its policy but “at some point there has to be a cut-off,” Coates said. “It’s possible to go elsewhere but I think this is going to work out,” he said. “We will only go to a club t h a t h a s n o n discrimination.”
Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates his victory against Italy’s Paolo Lorenzi. (REUTERS/Henry Romero) but converted both to improve his record against his countryman to 4-0. C i l i c ’s q u a r t e r f i n a l opponent will be American Steve Johnson, who
eliminated Ernesto Escobedo 7-6 (5), 6-3. Fourth-seeded Dominic Thiem of Austria scored a 75, 6-3 win over France’s Adrian Mannarino.
Durban has done enough to satisfy CGF, says bid chief
South Africa’s Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula looks on during a media briefing in Johannesburg, May 28, 2015. (REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko) drawn on questions around the funding of the Games, but says the Durban offering was “compact”, suggesting costs were unlikely to spiral out of control. “The package presented to the CGF by Durban was compact – aside from an athletes village, everything else is already in place,” he said. Should the Games go ahead, the track and field events will be staged at the Moses Mabhida Stadium that was build ahead of the 2010 Soccer World Cup with thoughts of a Commonwealth Games and, ultimately, Olympic Games bid in mind. Reddy admitted that in a country with high levels of poverty and communities in
desperate need of basic services, the decision by government to fund the Games is a “difficult one”. “The arguments can be made for the benefits the Games would bring in terms of tourism and adding to the country’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product), which can be significant,” he added. “Sports events have in the past proven an avenue for a country to raise revenue. “But the other side is the question of do you spend this money on sports event when there are so many other issues in relation to housing, education, sanitation, and so on. It’s a difficult one, some feel it is justified, others not.”
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Berbice Volleyball Association successfully holds beach volleyball competition The Berbice Volleyball Association (BVA) on Sunday last successful held a one day beach Volleyball competition. The day’s competition saw 38 pairs participating at two venues. Play began at the No63 beach and ended under l i g h t s a t t h e Ta g o r e Secondary School. The competition was played in four categories senior males, females, U19s and junior male’s category. Players were drawn from as far as the Orealla/Siparuta area up the Corentyne River to, Upper, Central and Lower Corentyne, New Amsterdam/Canje and West Berbice participating, with players drawn from all the top clubs in Berbice. The day’s action served off at 09:00hrs with three courts being used. In the end the pair of Luen David and Ray Moore won from Adrian Moore and Akeem Bailey 2-0 in the final to take the senior males category. The scores were 21-17, 2110. The pair of Devindra Latchman and Samuel
Fraser placed third. The U19 category was won by Andy Rohoman and Mukesh Shiverpersaud who defeated the combination of Videswar Mangru and Kevin Todd 21-19, 21-17. Placing third was the pair of R o n a l d o G r i ff i t h a n d Damion Al Ahmad. The junior boys saw Osbourne February and Simon Alder defeating the pair of Kevin Marimuthoo and Randy Basdeo 14-11 and 14-10 to take the title. Third were Joseph Beharry and Adesh Basdeo. In the female category, the winners were Sheliza Edwards and Jessica Adrian who won from Rachel Subvick and Amesha Mohabir. Incentives were presented to the top three teams in each category. The winning teams were presented with cash incentives and trophies, second placed received trophies, while third placed were presented with medals. In total 10 male pairs, 10 female pairs, 11U-19 pairs and seven junior pairs
Luen David and Ray Moore takes senior male category
Male winners Luen David and Ray Moore collect their prize. (juniors being 16-14 years), participated in the days competition. The Coordinator was BVA president Levi Nedd. (Samuel Whyte)
Russian doping scandal: Lord Coe says progress is being made
Coe gave evidence to an MPs’ inquiry into corruption in sport in 2015. (Getty Images) BBC Sport - IAAF president Lord Coe says that the Russian authorities have “grasped the enormity of the challenge” as they tackle doping in the country. Athletics’ governing body has banned Russian athletes from all competition over reports of statesponsored doping. “The tough decision we made is starting to bear fruit,” he said. The World Anti-Doping Agency says it has been “encouraged” by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s
admission his country’s own system “didn’t work”. While denying allegations of a statesponsored programme of systematic cheating, Putin said his country should acknowledge its anti-doping failures. Coe confirmed that “there is a real possibility” of Russia being reinstated to international athletics, as expected, in November, a f t e r A u g u s t ’s Wo r l d Championships in London. “The new federation is populated by people who I
do genuinely think have grasped the enormity of this challenge,” Coe told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. “ W e s h o u l d acknowledge the progress that is being made. “We need to make sure that we continue to do everything we can to get clean Russian athletes back into the international fold. “That was always the task once the federation had been suspended.” T h e W a d a commissioned McLaren report claimed in December that more than 1,000 Russian athletes had benefited from state-backed cheating between 2001 and 2005. That followed the suspension of the Russian Anti-Doping Agency by Wada after it was declared “non-compliant with immediate effect” in November. On Monday, Alexander Zhukov, the head of the country’s Olympic (Continued on page 32)
Bel Air Lions / Beepats Domino Competition to be launched today
Dominoes action promises to be intense during the competition. The Lions Club of Bel Air in collaboration with Beepats under its Supligen Brand will be holding a TwoDay Fund Raising Domino Tournament on March 25-26 on the Lawns of Lions Club of Bel Air, Enachu Street, Section ‘N’ Campbellville. According to Lion Orlando James, who spoke with this newspaper on Wednesday, the Competition will be labelled the ‘Lions and Supligen’ Domino Competition. James said that the tournament will consists of
Mixed Teams representing the Lions going up against teams chosen by the Georgetown Dominoes Association (GDA), while those from the corporate community have been invited as well. Thirty-Two (32) teams will participate in this battle and invitations have been already issued to the following teams: Killers, Upper Level, Sherriff Street Swagga Boys, Masters, Scramblers, Ray’s One Stop, All Seasons, GGMC, Thunder, Strikers, F&H
Supremes, Impressers, Frankies, Lions A, Spartans, Lions B, Transport, Freddie’s 6, Police and NIS. Twelve (12) more teams expected to also participate. T h e To u r n a m e n t ’ s proceeds will be used entirely for servicing the Poor and Needy. Meanwhile, the winning team will receive $250,000, 2nd place $150,000 and 3rd place $100,000 along with trophies. The Launch is set for today, at the Bel Air Lions Club, starting at 14:00hrs.
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Top players on show as GCF stages Trophy Stall FIDE Rated Rapid Chess tourney The executives of the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) continue to put the modalities in place for a successful Annual General Meeting (AGM) later in the year but the incumbency continues to address the development of its affiliates when it hosts a one day FIDE Rapid Chess tournament at the National Resource Center, Woolford Avenue, Thomasland, Georgetown, tomorrow morning. Yesterday morning, President of the GCF, Irshad
Mohamed visited Trophy Stall (Bourda Market) and endorsed the sponsorship deal while receiving one of the trophies from daughter of the proprietor, Emma Sunich Hussain. The latter individual said that her firm was delighted to continue offering support to the GCF since she noted that it assisted in keeping young people in check from deviancy. M r. M o h a m e d acknowledged the support of his benefactor and urged the public to continue offering
its support so that the circle would remain intact. Activities are held in collaboration with the Trophy Stall and consist of seven (7) rounds. Registration starts at 12 noon and the first pawn will be moved at 13:00 hrs. A registration fee of $1000 for seniors and $500 for juniors will be charged. Persons interested in additional details may contact Irshad Mohamed (664-1650) or Ronuel Greenidge (6577543).
Richard Ishmael overcome Annandale Secondary
Friday March 03, 2017
Automobile Power Products (Jailing) 250cc Motorcycle to be won Lucky Patron to ride high at end of STAG Elite League
Sharing the head table at yesterday’s presser with Automobile Power Products (Jailing) Marketing and Sales Manager Romel Richmond (center) were GFF’s Ian Alves (right) and Debra Francis. Other prizes to be won by fans are on display. By Franklin Wilson
Vincent Alexander addresses the students prior to the games. Richard Ishmael Secondary defeated Annandale Secondary by ten wickets when the Forbes Burnham Foundation schools Windball tournament continued recently at the National Gymnasium. Playing in the female category Annandale Secondary batted first and scored 119-2 with Shonika Edwards scoring 54 and Ailia George 43. Richard Ishmael responded with 120 without lost. Flavia
Marcedo struck 56, while Precious Scipio made 35. Diamond Secondary beat Leonora Secondary by 34 runs. Diamond secondary took first strike and got to 116-2. Malicia Fraser scored 38 while Asheanna Alli and Naueta Sukhu got 34 each. Leonora Secondary replied with 82-3. H Adams got 37 and Stefanie Romnarin 33. St. John’s College beat Christ Church by eight wickets. Batting first, Christ Church mustered 80-1. Bibi
Mohamed hit 48 and Keiara P h i l l i p s 3 1 . S a i n t J o h n ’s C o l l e g e responded with 82-2. Deekola Douglas scored while Maria Urquart made 20. Carmel Secondary overcame Xenon Academy by 62 runs. Carmel Secondary rattled up 136-1 taking first knock. Indera Amardeo stroked 78 (11x6s) while Sonia Abrams contributed 48. Xenon Academy were restricted to 74-3 in reply. Sanyra Ganesh made 21. Mae’s got the better of Friendship Secondary by 88 runs. Mae’s batted first and posted151 without lost. A. Gentle slammed 92 (14x6) while C. Pearson assisted with 34. Friendship were limited to 63-5 in reply. Aaliyah Gordon and Akiesha Dalton got 23 and 16 respectively.
The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and one of i t s c o r p o r a t e p a r t n e r, Automobile Power Products (Jailing) has announced that a lucky patron from the second half of season two of the STAG Elite League and the League Leaders knock-out tournament would be riding high on the final day of the league. Yesterday at the main branch of Automobile Power Products (Jailing), Charlotte and Oronoque Streets, the company’s Marketing and Sales Manager Romel Richmond expressed excitement at being able to partner with the GFF to reward one of the faithful fans that would be attending the STAG Elite League, season two. ”One lucky fan will be receiving a brand new Jailing 250cc motor cycle popularly known as the GY5 bike. What I can tell you off hand is that this powerhouse was superbly built with inverted shocks which offers that support and proper stabalisation and aluminum rims which all together makes it a quality product.” Noting that the lucky winner will be assured of getting to their destination in a safe way, Richmond informed that Automobile Power Products are very fuel efficient. ”Management at Automobile Power Products saw it fitting to collaborate with the GFF in order to
foster youth development more, through sports and we are confident that by doing this the GFF will be getting the necessary support they need to further strengthen football. So we want to do something very tangible for the fans and the patrons.” In order to be eligible in the Patron Prize Promotion, Richmond explained that every paying fan that enters the venue would have to deposit their half ticket in a box that would be provided. ”At the end of the season which is game 15 we will have a grand draw and we will choose one lucky winner, but that’s not all. Throughout the 15 games at every half time interval we’ll be having a trivial segment and we’ll be giving away caps and jerseys to two lucky winners, every game.” The Marketing Manager insisted that it is the desire of the company for every fan to feel a sense of appreciation for their support for football thus their coming on board to achieve this. ”We want to offer you something that you would use and that you would find beneficial for your everyday usage.” All contestants must be 18 years and older Richmond noted and must be licensed while chosen participants must be present at the final draw. He also said that players from the participating teams and employees of the company are exempt from taking part in the competition. ”And of course, we at
Automobile Power Products reserve the right to publish the lucky winner for this promotion. It’s indeed a pleasure to partner with the Guyana Football Federation and we do look forward to doing more because it would not only benefit the football fraternity but also the country, moving it forward.” The company would be covering the registration, fitness, number plate, first service and will also present a helmet to the luck winner. GFF Competitions Director Ian Alves in his remarks expressed gratitude on behalf of the President, executive and members of the informed whilst informing that the second edition / first half of the league commenced in September of 2016 and concluded in December with six teams competing. He said that the League Leaders KO tournament involving the top four teams at the end of the first half of the STAG Elite League will kick off on Sunday at the Tucville ground. Set to battle are the Guyana Defence Force (15 points), Fruta Conquerors (10 points), Victoria Kings on debut with 8 points and Buxton United 6 points. The second half of the Stag Elite League is scheduled to start on Sunday March 19th. Also in attendance yesterday were GFF’s Marketing Director Dario Mc Lennon, Strategic Advisor Matthew Fallon and Public Relations Officer, Debra Francis.
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Sixteen teams learn their fate at Bahamas 2017 draw
Rt. Hon. Perry Gladstone Christie, Prime Minister Commonwealth of The Bahamas along with other dignitaries at the Official Draw of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Bahamas 2017. The Official Draw for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Bahamas 2017, which will be played in Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, between 27 April and 7 May 2017, took place on Tuesday at the Hotel Atlantis in Nassau. The draw revealed hosts Bahamas will meet Switzerland, Ecuador and Senegal in Group A. Arguably the most intriguing quartet of teams is in Group D, where fourtime champions Brazil were drawn alongside 2015
runners-up Tahiti, European champions Poland and a yet-to-be-determined AFC opponent. The draw ceremony was held in the special presence of the Rt. Hon. Perry Gladstone Christie, Prime Minister Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Assisting in the draw c e r e m o n y w e r e F I FA Legend Emerson, former midfielder for Brazil’s national football team and the Miss Bahamas Universe 2016 Cherell Williamson.
George, Imlach to host 5-over Tapeball tourney Cricketers Dexter George and Tevin Imlach will be hosting a 5-over Ta p e b a l l c o m p e t i t i o n starting at 09:30 hrs on March 11 at Durban Park. Entrance fee is $10,000 and at stake are trophies, hampers and cash incentives for outstanding teams as well as individual performances. During the finals, which will be played on March 12 at the said
venue, fans will see three females in a bowl out competition which will see the winner winning credit to their proposed net work. Interested teams can contact George on 671 0458 or Imlach on 688 7982 for information on registration which will be closed on March 9. All registered teams are asked to be at the venue at 09:00hrs to facilitate a prompt start.
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Friday March 03, 2017
NSC MASH BADMINTON TOURNAMENT DAY 1
Avinash Odit battles Javid Rahaman during a thrilling three setter.
T h e G u y a n a Badminton Association (GBA) National Sports C o m m i s s i o n Mashramani Badminton To u r n a m e n t o p e n e d Wednesday March 01, 2017 at the National Gymnasium. T h e To u r n a m e n t , which comprises of The Men’s and Ladies Open
Singles, which will conclude today, and then followed tomorrow from 10:00am to 2:00pm with the Under-11, 13 & 15 Boys and Girls singles features several outstanding junior players. The GBA would like to thank Mr. Christopher Jones (Director of Sports) and the NSC for
making this tournament possible. Results from day 1 show: Open Men’s Singles First Rounds: Marlon Chung defeated Lakshman Das: 21-9, 21-15 Darrell Carpenay defeated Tyrese Jeffrey: 2114, 9-21, 21-15 Gokarn Ramdhani defeated Sekhar
Nicholas Ali and Marlon Chung in action.
Mallampati: 21-13, 21-10 Open Men’s Singles Quarter-Finals: Nicholas Ali defeated Marlon Chung: 21-14, 21-6 Jonathan Mangra defeated Gokarn Ramdhani: 21-11, 21-7 Avinash Odit defeated Javed Rahaman : 26-24, 1621, 21-19 in a trilling three setter
Open Ladies Singles Round Robin: Priyanna Ramdhani defeated Ayanna Watson: 21-9, 21-11 Priyanna Ramdhani defeated Emelia Ramdhani: 21-12, 21-12 Greer Jackson defeated Pricilla Moore: 21-10, 21-8 Greer Jackson defeated Emelia Ramdhani: 21-11,
21-10 Pricilla Moore defeated Ayanna Watson: 21-15, 2110 The action continues today from 5:30pm with the remaining QuarterFinal Match between Ronald Chang Yuen and Darrel Carpenay and then Semi-Finals & Finals.
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Law places high value on England ODIs with World Cup in mind ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – New West Indies head coach, Stuart Law, has underscored the value of the three-match one-day series against England staring here today, especially with the regional side already setting their sights on the 2019 World Cup. With only the top seven teams in ICC one-day rankings as of September 30 this year earning automatic qualification along with hosts England, West Indies – currently lying ninth – are in danger of missing out. “The main aim is to qualify for the next World Cup so these one-day games are extremely important to us, so that’s our main focus
really at this stage,” the Australian said ahead of the start of the series at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium. “I know we have Pakistan coming for T20s, Tests and one-dayers as well but the one-day series probably will take paramount importance. “I’m not going to focus on becoming number one in the world at this stage. I’m focusing on building a culture, building a work ethic in the dressing room that will put the little bricks in place so they can be the best they can be.” In their current position in the ODI rankings, West Indies would be forced to
enter a 10-team qualifying tournament set for next year March, in order to secure one of the two non-automatic spots at the World Cup. Already, the regional side have seen their lowly ranking cost them dearly, missing out on a spot at this year’s Champions Trophy in England, as only the top eight sides in the rankings qualified. Law said having experienced that setback, it was imperative the regional side poured all their energies into reaching the marquee ICC limited overs showpiece. “There always is [disappointment over failing to qualify]. It’s a great little
ONEINDIG CUP – West Indies vs England ODI Series
ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – The West Indies Cricket Board confirmed yesterday that Indian technology company, ONEINDIG Technologies Pvt. Ltd. is the title sponsor of the three-match One-Day International series between West Indies and England. The series will be known as the ONEINDIG CUP and will be played at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground in Antigua today, March 3 and Sunday, March 5; and Kensington Oval in Barbados on Thursday, March 9. First ball is at 9:30am (8:30am Jamaica Time/1:30pm GMT).
“The WICB is delighted to announce ONEINDIG Technologies as the title sponsor of this ODI series between West Indies and England,” said WICB chief executive officer Johnny Grave. “We are always excited at the opportunity to host the best teams in the World and we are happy to have ONEINDIG Technologies on board with us for this series. “West Indies and England have fought some memorable battles in the game in the Caribbean and we expect this series to be no different.” Jitendra Kumar Tiwari, director of ONEINDIG Technologies, said: “Cricket is a sport that millions of people across the World are extremely passionate about and truly represents the zeal of today’s youth. ONEINDIG is proud to be a part of the ONEINDIG Cup which is one of the most coveted series this season. “Sport has always been one of the key pillars for leading brands and the fact that cricket is a culture that connects youth beyond boundaries makes it even special. This sponsorship reiterates our commitment towards building a brand that echoes the pulse of the youth. “We are sure that the upcoming ONEINDIG Cup will bring more edge-ofthe-seat entertainment to cricket fanatics from across the globe. We will continue to support our young talent and the game.” MATCH SCHEDULE Friday, March 3: 1st ODI – Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground Sunday, March 5: 2nd ODI – Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground Thursday, March 9: 3rd ODI – Kensington Oval
tournament, the Champions Trophy – the mini World Cup – and to not be there probably isn’t where you want to be,” Law told reporters. “You want to be in every one of those tournaments but it is what it is and we just have to make sure we have our heads screwed on for the one-day tournaments we play on upcoming tours and if we can win those, we get through and qualify for the World Cup – that’s probably the bigger one to worry about.” West Indies’ immediate challenge will be facing a confident England who are ranked fifth in the world and who have lost just three of their last 16 outings in ODIs. They boast a talented squad with the likes of captain Eoin Morgan Joe Root and all-rounder Ben Stokes all expected to play
West Indies head coach Stuart Law looks on during a recent training session. key roles but Law said West Indies would be looking to capitalize on their chances in the series. “They (England) are playing an exciting brand of cricket. They go out there, they are carefree which can be extremely great to watch but there are opportunities as well,” he pointed out. “They do offer opportunities – the more
aggressive you are you can kind of not hit one clean enough and get caught. It’s going to be a great contest, that’s for sure. “We understand that England are a team that’s way up there and we’re looking to build a solid unit to go forward as well, so we’re looking forward to a good contest.”
t r o Sp Automobile Power Products (Jailing) 250cc Motorcycle to be won Lucky Patron to ride high at end of STAG Elite League
The Prize! Automobile Power Products (Jailing) Marketing and Sales Manager Romel Richmond (2nd right) pose with the Luck Patron prize along with GFF officials from right, Debra Francis, Ian Alves and Dario Mc Lennon.
Top players on show as GCF stages Trophy Stall FIDE Rated Rapid Chess tourney
Irshad Mohamed receives one of the trophy from Emma Sunich Hussain at Trophy Stall.
England in West Indies
Old rivalries renewed as Stokes prepares to face his demons
Skipper Jason Holder takes a look at the pitch for today’s ODI against England. (Windies facebook)
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