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Tuesday March 07, 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
EDUCATION IS THE FUTURE School has been reopened for two months now and, unlike the previous years, most of the plans were in ready mode. Even though there were some hiccups, most of the children were able to adjust to their new schedules. The programmes instituted by the Ministry of Education have been working well. The Ministry of Education has been proactive in providing the necessary support systems to help teachers facilitate their programmes. As an integrated, thematic approach to the curriculum, the “no child left behind” concept requires teachers to begin with the end in mind and work backwards to identify the critical understanding about core topics that have been identified for students to know. They must be able to examine the ways in which knowledge and skills from various subject disciplines may be integrated across a particular topic to provide students with a holistic understanding of it. Educationally, it was a relatively sound idea; however, in practice, there have been some challenges in its implementation. The reason being, teachers’ initial training did not prepare them for this type of teaching. It has resulted in some teachers falling back within their comfort zone, especially because they did not have the knowledge and tools to do the job effectively. The consequence was a misalignment between what was intended and what was enacted. It is known that too many public schools have been failing students. This viewpoint was made pellucid during the presentation of the 2017 Budget, when the Minister of Finance revealed that of the 14,386 students who wrote the 2016 National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) only 14% or 2,014 students achieved a passing grade in Mathematics and less than 50% in English. The Minister stressed that these results represented a crisis, since more than 12,000 students were not numerate, and more than half of those who wrote English could not sufficiently comprehend the language. The last time the pass rate for Grade Six Mathematics was made public was in 2014 when 31.52% of the 15,227 candidates who sat the examinations that year achieved 50% or more in the subject area, but less than 50 percent obtained a pass in English. The then opposition had opined that the government of the day was satisfied with mediocrity, and that this was evident in the pockets of educational excellence across the country. However, the continued poor performance of students at the NGSA is unacceptable to the current government which has called for a more proactive approach from all the stakeholders to improve the pass rate. One gets the impression that better examination successes at the NGSA could have been attained if the past administrations had paid more attention to the curriculum and tried to solve the perennial problems experienced by many schools. Since taking office, the government has placed emphasis on the delivery of quality education to all, including the primary and secondary schools which are failing the nation’s children. But this may be a difficult task to accomplish, given the shortage of qualified teachers and the lack of resources. As a result, a large number of students continue to leave high school without the skills needed to obtain a job or unable to matriculate to the tertiary level. This has led to an increase in the youth unemployment rate which is currently very high - clearly a recipe for crime and gang warfare. Guyana is at a critical juncture in its development phase; therefore, a well-educated and skilled workforce is needed for sustainable growth. We must improve the education system in order to increase the achievement outcomes in all schools. And although it would take team effort, dedication, commitment and inspiration to reap success, we owe it to our children.
On International Women’s Day, women must be bold DEAR EDITOR, This year’s campaign theme for International Women’s Day is: Be Bold For Change. Guyanese women are called upon to take ground breaking action towards effective long range changes. March 8 is International Women’s Day, the special day we celebrate how much women have achieved. We celebrate the various ways that women have advanced in various careers and roles as independent, autonomous persons with the ability to strive toward their full potential. We also celebrate the creative and innovative ways in which women are successfully contributing to the global community. Since the establishment of International Women’s day in 1914, the equality of women today has been much more fully realized. The World Economic Forum predicts that the gender gap would not close en-
tirely until 2186. Sad but true, this is far too long a wait. In fact the duration is mind boggling to say the least. In its 50 year independence history, Guyanese women, while not in a position to lay claim to having broken through the proverbial glass ceiling, have nevertheless been instrumental in shaping the course of the country - a fact if not well known should be brought to national recall, and not be overlooked or lightly dismissed. Such attributes are complementary to the fact that women are the bedrock of the nation, the nurturers of our leaders of tomorrow. However in the face of progress, Guyana cannot neither lend a blind eye to the phenomenally escalated rate of domestic violence perpetrated against both women and children in the urban and rural communities, nor the persistent monkey on the back of our health system - the high
prevalence of maternal and neonatal deaths. Guyanese women like all women throughout the diaspora must “Be Bold for Change” as this year’s theme clearly demands. A bold venture aimed at placing greater sensitization and emphasis on change is required in the following areas: enrollment and attendance in schools, education, trafficking in persons, discrimination against women based on their sexual orientation, suicides, youth employment and vocational training. Women are still struggling for equality with men, and are still much more likely to be the victim of all types of violence, to suffer having their labour valued lesser than that of the men, to assume the major responsibility for household tasks and caregiving, and be dismally underrepresented in political and corporate leadership. International Women’s Day can serve as an important and in-
fluential impetus and vehicle for driving greater change for women and moving closer to gender parity. The fact that women in Guyana have made progress is blatantly clear, nevertheless the progress of a few does not in any way invalidate the suffering of the many. To quote Nobel Peace Prize winner MalalaYousafzai, “We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back.” This is a call for all Guyanese women to take pragmatic action, unite and continue to act, advocate and agitate in order to achieve the sought-after goal. After all women are the masters of multi-tasking. As the most memorable day in the almanac for women is celebrated, I embolden my sisters to be bold, not allowing the iron to get cold, and to continue in the fight towards change which although seemingly distant is not out of range. Yvonne Sam.
A gold mining company that is defrauding the GRA DEAR EDITOR, I write to you concerning a case of major corruption as it relates to the robbing of revenue to this country by a prominent gold mining company. I am a senior employee at the entity and I am aware and have been asked repeatedly to compromise my professional ethics in the performance of my job to the instructions of my bosses. The local manager is a known supporter of the present coalition government. That manger has through the company, given
the coalition over $100M for the Durban Park project. As such even though senior members of the government are aware of the situation as it relates to the defrauding of the hundreds of millions in taxes, they are turning a blind eye to it. The company has been inflating its expenses in hundreds of millions by including the expenses incurred in its North American operation in the Guyana accounts so as to declare lower profits and pay less tax. Further, employees are being coerced and bullied
into covering these blatant wrong doings. In addition, if you do not agree, you are sent home as others have fallen victim to the same fate. An immediate investigation of the operation of the company needs to be done urgently and this corruption and collusion resulting in the loss of hundreds of millions in revenue, has to be exposed. The local manager boasts of having “big” connections and no one can touch him/her or the company. Millions of US Dollars have been hidden as expenses and the company
draws manager’s cheques for amounts totalling hundreds of millions of dollars, in the name of known contractors who are part of the scheme as they cash the cheques and proceeds are given back to certain persons in the company. I am sure employees will be willing to come forward anonymously to state their confirmation of this situation if it is exposed in the media. The company recently contributed $25M more to the Durban Park project Concerned Employee
The impecunious conditions of the masses will worsen DEAR EDITOR, I have been in town for a very long time, and so qualify for making sound judgement and predictions. Things I have been observing remind me of a thoughtful quotation I saw years ago which says; “three times when not to take a man’s word - when he is running for office, when he is drunk and when he is madly in love.” Dear reader I know that sooner than later you will come around to agree with me that this APNU+AFC administration is ‘cooking with smoke’. I say further that the impecunious conditions of the masses will get deeper and wider as rogue sophisticated elements with access to the national funds are allowed to embezzle and pillage. Just look at that GOINVEST audited report and tell me if that is not the limit of boldface crass “eye-pass.” Freddie Kissoon again got it smack on when he described it as the ‘ the mother of all cor-
ruptibility’ whereby the ‘gentleman’ was given a free reign to do the most damned ride - to ride rough shod over all and sundry. He ruthlessly took an institution and bled it to his heart’s delight and still brazenly walks around chest raised and daring as if nothing is wrong. Now this is just one such case of unbridled financial abuse, there are many such more but the people in control are too busy to see, while ordinary everyday people are dragged before the courts daily for petty theft and jailed. But that’s the lot of poor folks. The law spends its time hunting them down for the least infringement, while the ruthless bold face top functionary swindlers are untouched. This country operates like a joke; you see so many wrong things that spin you dizzy, and ministers behave like tourists. Corporations and institution are used as milking cows by those heading them. This is the order, con-
tinued from where it was left off, while the everyday people are treated like the children of Lazarus. Here is another confounded nonsense. There is this’ gentleman lord’, rather cocky and full of hubris, who as I have read occupies an office which in effect is nothing more than a sinecure and even negligible assignment he is given, once in a blue moon and for which he is paid about two million dollars per month, which he refuses on the grounds of frivolous objections. He insists that his academic victories and the esteemed offices he once held must be printed on the envelope and on the letter when sent to him. He is obsessed that the appellations adorn letters sent to him, if not they are rejected and for two million dollars a month! I tell you education has really messed up some folks. Lord have mercy! See why Walter Rodney lives. He
was definitely a cut above someone who understood the true purpose and intent of education. Say what you will about Freddie Kissoon. I have to repeat; he leads the way in being bold, impartially outspoken, he calls a spade a spade. How could the state relentlessly harass and prosecute members of the working class for petty offences and refuse to do the same to those who rob the state of billions through the evasion of various types of taxes? But these offenders will not be touched because they belong to a class that must be protected. This distinction must be made palpable - a situation of big fish small fish. But again, Freddie Kissoon is on target, elections will come and the Govt. will remain a damp squib; no one will be touched except small fries. The kingpins will continue to strut their strut. Frank Fyffe
Tuesday March 07, 2017
The SARA director does not have the same power as the DPP DEAR EDITOR, This is the first of two replies to Christopher Ram. The other letter will follow shortly. Apparently, Christopher Ram wanted me to clearly express in simple language the deceptions he is attempting on the public. Ram says, “Dr. Clive Thomas has done nothing as Chairman of Guysuco!” Christopher Ram knows Dr. Clive Thomas is the Chairman of a very bankrupt company owned by the Government of Guyana and that Cabinet have to make the decision if it wants to continue to pay off the G$77 billion debt, invest another G$45 billion to enable it to produce 300,000 tons of sugar and then subsequently subsidize Guysuco G$5 billion per year after that. What is most deceptive, however, is that Christopher Ram writes about SARA but involves Guysuco in the conversation. In essence, Christopher is making the broad statement that Dr. Clive Thomas is about destroying Indians in Guysuco in the same manner as he is using SARA to go after Indians. It is Christopher Ram, not I, whom needs to apologise to Dr. Thomas and to the Nation for his deeply troubled views. He paints Dr. Thomas and the Government of Guyana as pursuing Indians by doing nothing with Guysuco and by using SARA to pursue Indians. Christopher sounds like Ravi Dev and Rhyaan Shah last Friday in their speeches at the Convention Center. This is pure evil deception. Now, let me highlight the other deceptions. Ram says; “The Director of SARA has more power than the DPP!” Christopher Ram knows the DPP is the only person, empowered by the Constitution to institute and undertake
criminal prosecutions. The SARA Bill does not give its Director that power nor does it empower the Director to assume the functions of the DPP or Commissioner of Police; and the Commissioner General is not divested of his powers where the Director exercises tax functions, clause 52(3)(c). The SARA Bill provides no power enabling the Director to conduct criminal investigations, to charge persons, or to prosecute criminal offencesand is concerned only with non-conviction based asset recovery. Ram must understand this! Ram continued; “The Director of SARA has more power than the Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority!” As an Accountant, Christopher Ram conveniently and opportunely argues this when he knows the Guyana Revenue Authority has its own Act which guides how information is provided. Whether by permission of the taxpayer, order of the Court or upon request by the President of Guyana. The SARA Bill in clauses 11, 23 and 52, envisions significant cooperation between the Director and the Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority. This may include, where the Director serves a notice under section 52, seeking the assistance of GRA staff when making appropriate tax assessments, which are appealable under clause 52(9). We come to number 4; “The Director of SARA will have more power that the Commissioner of Police!” The Director has no power to commence a criminal investigation. The SARA Bill provides for civil recovery, with the legitimate aim of prevention and reduction of crime and is pro-
portionate as it seeks only the recovery of unlawfully obtained property or property representative thereof, and which cannot lawfully belong to the holder. To obtain a civil recovery order, the Director will be required to prove on the balance of probability both that there was some unlawful conduct, and that the property derived there from. Incidentally, clause 44 of the Bill does not empower the Director to institute an investigation into property which is not believed to be State property. It simply provides the Director with a discretion where such property is identified whilst undertaking a civil recovery investigation into State property, to either include that property where (resulting from that investigation) there is to be an application for civil recovery of State property or to bring it to the attention of appropriate authorities. We come to number 5; Christopher Ram makes it appear as if SARA can act unilaterally on its own when in reality SARA has to obtain permission from the High Court before it seizes or freezes any stolen assets. Christopher Ram also knows the SARA Bill states that in ensuring the proceedings are subject to due process, the investigative, restraint and civil recovery orders must be made by the High Court, and any person claiming an interest in the property has the right to challenge the application for either of the latter two orders and may seek legal and living expenses, where appropriate, out of restrained property; and the Bill contain provisions for the protection of third parties and for the innocent purchaser. Eric Philips
Nurses must get duty free concessions too DEAREDITOR, I applaud the authorities for the decision taken to grant duty free concessions to teachers. This was an agreement reached with the Guyana Teachers’Union since the previous PPP/C government was in office and several eligible teachers benefitted from the concessions. This is a step in the right direction which could help to incentivize teachers who are highly underpaid and who over the years have been subsidizing the education sector by working for salaries that are below the true value of their socially useful labour. I think it is also time for the duty free concession on motor vehicles to be extended to our nurses many of whom are dutybound to work night shifts and who are prone to attacks by bandits as they await public trans-
portation to and from work. While I agree that all nurses cannot reasonably be granted concessions, some criteria could be worked out between the Government and the representative Union as was done in the case of teachers. As an interim measure, Government should consider providing some form of transportation for those nurses
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in particular those who have to work during the night shifts. Our teachers and our nurses provide society with services that go way beyond their monetary remuneration. The Government therefore has an obligation and a responsibility to ensure that their safety and well-being are adequately met. Hydar Ally
Suggestions for economic development DEAR EDITOR, With the steady decline of the price of sugar and the removal of the European Union market preferential treatment. I do not share the view that we should continue to bail out the sugar industry simply because of political persuasion, an industry will survive on the making of profits. We continue to throw billions of dollars down a dark hole with no evident returns; a Government that continues to walk this path should be blamed for wasting tax payers monies, that could have been used to improve the lives of our young people who are expected to function as the engine of growth of this young developing nation. Where are the nation’s thinkers? I am surprised that there are so called intellectuals that continue to support the idea of the bail out. With the hope of producing value added products; where are the markets for these products? With the threat that global warming poses we should be focusing on hinterland development, developing better roads to get into mining areas, employing more young people to build and maintain these roads, ensuring medical personnel are stationed in
all mining districts where malaria, dengue and typhoid pose problems, so that treatment is always readily available. Mined out areas can be transformed into settlements with young people developing homes and resorts to accommodate tourists from all around the world and building schools and other social amenities. It is for this reason that the National Service was established by the great thinker, Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, who established portable sawmills and built homes to accommodate pioneers at all national service centers in the hinterland. We must be pioneers to develop our hinterland. I have worked gold and diamonds on the Eping Mountain, getting there took two days through dangerous terrain, but these places can be reached with helicopters quite easily Developing hinterland airstrips is a great move undertaken by this Government. While we worry about available land on the coastland, vast expanse of savannah awaits us for cattle rearing, aquaculture and agriculture on a macro scale. Let us remember; it was the pioneers who developed the United States of America. When the
time comes let us use our oil wealth to further develop our hinterland, developing the Bartica/ Potaro Road; and the Linden to Lethem Highway will open great opportunities for development along these roadways. Why are we not able to manage our timber industry without exploiting workers in this industry, providing proper living quarters for them and their families? We do have to get foreign companies to exploit our forest resources? Mazarally, Toolsie and others were doing it long before the coming of Bishanlin. What about our quarry and sand industry? With the lessons learnt how about establishing another glass factory with the available silica sand, do you remember our clay brick factories; we have to begin to think outside of the box. We must boost the sports and cultural tourism industry. How about developing an art, craft and culture village with buildings where our artists, sculptors, writers and handicraft producers can work and market their produce to locals and foreign tourists. Let’s stop throwing our hard earned tax payers’ dollars down a dark hole of no return. Ras Aaron Blackman.
A letter to the President & Finance Minister DEAR EDITOR, Please allow me a few columns in your newspaper to reproduce this letter directly addressed to the two abovementioned leaders of government. I wish to express my frustration and dissatisfaction with the President & Finance Minister’s decision to add 14% VAT on Private Education Tuition. Firstly, Mr. President during your elections campaign you promised “A Good Life for all”, by adding VAT on education is this your referral to a good life? I can vividly remember when you and your ministers walked the streets pleading with the citizens to support you and the promises you made, but like the great legend said: “Promises are a comfort to a fool”, and THANK YOU VERY MUCH Mr. President for making us FOOLS. Unbelievably you have the audacity to say and
I use a quite from the media which reported you; “President Granger said there is sympathy for the families and students who will be faced with the tax on school fees, “but there are other things that will be explained by the Finance Minister”. How can you not have any “sympathy” for the persons who are going to bear this burden Mr. President? When every parent including students are appealing to you
and your government to reverse the decision; but you turn a deaf ear and a blind eye. As a parent and a student I find this act by your administration callous and ruthless. Knowing there was a call for a protest on February 28, 2017 at 12:00hrs your government is alleged to have said on February 27, 2017 there would be the removal of VAT on education fees. Two days after the Govt. backpedalled on its (Continued on page 6)
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THE PROCUREMENT COMMISSION IS HOMELESS; HERE’S WHY DEAR EDITOR, The Procurement Commission is homeless and APNU+AFC has disapproved of their efforts to rent office space in Georgetown. Information circulating in Georgetown is that the Commission requested approval to rent office space in a Queenstown building, but APNU+AFC rejected their request. Reliable sources in Georgetown told me that the Procurement Commission’s request was rejected by the Ministry of the Presidency two weeks ago. Why would APNU+AFC deny the Procurement Commission office space? This is a part of the frustration strategy that APNU+AFC is deliberately employing to stall the work of Commissioners. The Procurement Commission unintentionally confirmed this in its press release a couple of days ago. The press release essentially consolidates the perception that the Commission is deliberately being subterfuge and sabotaged so that it remains a toothless poodle. In its statement, the Procurement Commission admitted that coming on to six months since they were sworn into office and more than a year since they were formally nominated, the Commission is still without a home. It is insulting to the Commissioners and to the Guyanese people that no provision has been made to house the Procurement Commission. The revelation that the Procurement Commissioners have been meeting at various places because they are homeless is sad, it’s a re-
pudiation of the Parliament which nominated the Commission to start its work more than a year ago and it is an indictment of APNU+AFC. APNU+AFC before the elections promised that the Procurement Commission would be appointed and begin its work within 100 days of being in Government. They presented the procurement Commission as a panacea to end procurement corruption in Guyana. Well its now more than 500 days since APNU+AFC has been in government, the Commission has been in place for more than 100 days now and it is still homeless. It is sheer hypocrisy, speaking on one side of their mouths that the procurement Commission is a vitally important additional transparency and accountability measure and then doing all in their powers to keep the Procurement Commission homeless. Last week in a missive (Paying the Procurement Commissioners to be Quiet) published under my name I questioned why APNU+AFC has been paying the Procurement Commissioners since October (more than $25M so far), but not providing them with the means to carry out their function. My statement then did not cast any aspersion on the Commissioners. There was and is no intention to deem any member of the Procurement Commission as taking money for doing nothing. They were nominated by a bipartisan process and hopefully will one day soon be able to add another checkand-balance in our procurement process. It is not their
fault that thus far they have appeared as nothing more than a toothless poodle, unable to perform their duties. My contention then was that the APNU+AFC administration view them as an inconvenience and, therefore, has sought to have a Procurement Commission only as a show. APNU+AFC would be contented to continue paying the Commissioners indefinitely for doing nothing. Given the enormity and frequency of questionable deals that APNU+AFC has burdened Guyana with, suspicion abounds that the nonfunctioning Procurement Commissioners have been de-fanged. Now comes another disappointing piece of news. Cabinet appears that it is not ready to give up its NoObjection approval of contracts worth more than $15M. APNU+AFC had promised that Cabinet would completely remove themselves from approval processes and leave tendering and contract consideration to the entities and the national Procurement and Tender Board (NPTB). We should not be shocked that APNU+AFC is actively delaying and deferring action by the Procurement Commission. This is an administration whose leader, President Granger, defended APNU+AFC in 2016 by insisting that too much attention is paid to government corruption while there is more private sector corruption. APNU+AFC’s, Raphael Trotman, lectured us that people who made political donations to APNU+AFC were making business investments and they reasonably expected rewards in the form of contracts and the government has an obligation to meet those expectations. Joe Harmon, Granger’s right hand man, defined special privileges given to the donors as honorific. APNU+AFC has a propensity to rationalize corruption. In the meanwhile, there is a long list of dubious deals.
The Parking Meter Contract, the GPL contract which was awarded to a bidder at a cost of $1B more than the next lowest bid, the Durban Park scandal with a mounting cost above $1B, the annual rental for a house serving as a medical warehouse at a cost of more than $170M annually to
store some condoms, the impending deal to privatize Skeldon, the secret deal to give away Enmore Packaging plant, the more than $100M in contracts dished out to friends and supporters for forensic audits without any tender are only some of the scandalous procurement trav-
esties. Every day, small and large secret deals are made. The Procurement Commission is being forced into a de facto coma. APNU+AFC is splurging without restraint with taxpayers money while frustrating the work of the Procurement Commission. Dr. Leslie Ramsammy
Deep and exhaustive forensic audit needed at City Hall DEAR EDITOR, If the recent reports in the press regarding the Town Clerk finally inviting the Audit Office of Guyana into City Hall to examine their books are indeed accurate, then one needs to take this purported invitation with a pinch of salt. Because if the Town Clerk is truly serious about a thorough financial review, an independent assessment of their systems and procedures and a comprehensive inspection of their books and stocks, then the very first thing that he should do to remove any misgiving about undue administrative interference, would be to proceed on his many months of vacation leave that he has ac-
cumulated over the years. If earnest in his pronouncement of having an audit, then he would have hired a private audit firm(s) as the government has been doing, as it is unreasonable to expect the Audit Office of Guyana which is burdened with the responsibility of inspecting all state agencies and national institutions to carry out the magnitude of work that is needed at City Hall. It is important to note that for decades the books of the Council have not been audited, and worse over this period there were numerous scams, frauds and other acts of financial malfeasance reported but hardly ever investigated.
Therefore what will be required at City Hall will not be a mere cursory examination of their financial records but rather a deep and exhaustive forensic audit. And finally, the auditors must not be constrained in any way or guided in their examination, but must be allowed to speak freely with staff, visit the various municipal locations, and allow for information to be given by staff members, contractors, suppliers and the public at large which will be treated with the strictest confidentiality allowing persons to engage in whistle blowing without fear of recrimination. Deodarie Putulal
A letter to the President & Finance... From page 5 own words. This act could only be described as a political game to destabilize the protest. Please bear in mind Mr. President you were elected by the people, to serve the people! I am appalled to know some persons are contending that “they went to public school and they turned out ok”, I also attended public school and yes I did turn out ok, but in my day you did not have a lack of teachers for various subjects, or teachers being lackadaisical. We had mature men and women who acted as role models in our lives. I can reminisce on some of the advice and teaching I received from persons like Mr. Henry Rodney, Ms. Fung, Ms. Pe-
ters, Ms. Seeta Coonja, Ms. Sarah Doodnauth, etc. Sadly the same cannot be compared today. Most of these graduate teachers can be found teaching in private institutions today. M r. Wi n s t o n J o r d a n Hon. Minister of Finance, I would like to bring to your attention that adding 14% VAT o n p r i v a t e t u i t i o n b e c ause the private schools are non-compliant with their taxes is not going to be a burden to the private institution; it will be an added burden to the parents and guardians like myself. We are already faced with VAT on water, light, certain medical facilities, groceries; the list can go on and on. You mention that the schools and parents should find “creative” ways into paying this tax; do you care to explain how this is possible? I have already received a notice from the private school my child attends informing me about the VAT that will be added to the school fees including the current term since this tax is effective as at January 01, 2017. The schools will in no way be affected by this new tax law since they will pass on the cost to their customers . Therefore, Mr. Jordan with all due respect, STOP insulting our intelligence. You and your fellow Ministers were all given a 50% increase in salary, therefore
you must find a way for sustaining your super salary, and by doing so you place the burden on the poor working class Guyanese. We pay PAYE from our salaries before it is given to us, we pay VAT on all our services needed, food items, medical bills, and so much more. Where will we get the income to supplement and sustain our lifestyle? “We contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle”. Wi n s t o n Churchill Please remember Mr. Jordan, I do vividly recall, the following words below are your words accusing the Former President and current Opposition Leader Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo: (Copied from GT Mosquito Facebook Page June 09, 2015) “Jordan quotes Cheddi Jagan saying we can’t live Cadillac lifestyle with jackass economy. Says the late Jagan would’ve been appalled at the existing Act and would have supported the change”. In closing, Mr. Winston Jordan Hon. Minister of Finance & Mr. David Granger Hon. President of Guyana; “You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time” quoted by Abraham Lincoln. A. Ramoutar
Tuesday March 07, 2017
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ILO hosts workshop to discuss ‘informal economy’ A two-day workshop kicked off yesterday at the Herdmanston L o d g e i n Queenstown, Georgetown to discuss the Labour Administration and its relationship with the informal economy. According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), “The informal economy comprises half to threequarters of all nonagricultural employment in developing countries.” The organization is currently partnering with the Ministry of Social Protection to execute the workshop which includes stakeholders from the Guyana Geology and Mines, Guyana National Bureau of Standards, Ministry of Social Protection, Guyana Forestry Commission, National Insurance Scheme and the Ministry of Business. It was reported that the informal economy in Guyana occupies 30-40 percent of the workforce. In addition to the ‘Introduction to the informal economy,’ the workshop will deal with topics such as “relevant ILO standards and principles, regulations for G u y a n a ’s infor m a l economy, informality and the employment relationship, undertaking an inspection, making decisions and follow up action, and supporting labour inspection and reflections.” According to the ILO’s website “Although it is hard to generalize concerning the quality of informal employment, i t most often means poor employment conditions and is associated with increasing poverty. Some of the characteristic features of informal employment are lack of protection in the event of non-payment of wages, compulsory overtime or extra shifts, lay-offs without notice or compensation, unsafe working conditions and the absence of social benefits such as pensions, sick pay and health insurance.
The ILO workshop in full swing at the Herdmanston Lodge in Queenstown, Georgetown, yesterday Wo m e n , m i g r a n t s a n d other vulnerable groups of workers who are excluded from other opportunities have little choice but to take informal low-quality jobs.” The prevalence of informal employment and levels of precarious employment in Guyana and other parts of the world has been consistently on the rise. “As a Government, we felt it necessary to hold such a workshop because of the consistent rise of the informal sector in Guyana and the effective measures that must be implemented to ensure all workers are protected,” Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally said in her address. She also pledged the Government’s support to all stakeholders in dealing with the issue. She noted specifically, that “whilst in many cases the informal economy has become the only source of livelihood for those who cannot get into formal jobs, it is however, characterized by acute decent work deficits and higher risks than those in the formal economy.” One of the risks includes a lack of protection by labour
legislation. Minister Ally said that the bad conditions and the lack of regulations constitute a significant impediment to the development of sustainable societies and can have lasting development impacts on developing countries like Guyana. “The constitution specifically makes provision for the protection of all workers, regardless of whether they are in the formal or informal economy,” Ally added. Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection Keith Scott said that the ILO convention 1978 (No. 150) defines labour administration as “public administration activities in the field of national labour policy.” He said that it his view that the definition should be expanded to include other social partners who are integrally involved in the designing and application of national labour policies. Scott said that there are some technicalities which he is confident will be addressed at the forum. He said that the government has dedicated a huge amount of resources in an effort to transition from the informal
to the formal economy, an issue that is inextricably linked with the ‘Decent Work Agenda’. The Minister said that the passion for the grand transitioning drive is directly linked to the need to eradicate poverty and that the transitioning process is intended to contribute to the attainment of about eight out of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Guyana is the only country that has been able to receive additional funds from the ILO through the D e c e n t Wo r k C o u n t r y Programme to help with furthering its agenda. Rainer Pritzer, Senior Specialist for ‘Social Dialogue and Labour Administration’ within the ILO, said that he was happy that the ILO was able to generate extra funds for Guyana. He believes that the workshop shows that Guyana has set its priorities in working with the ILO on the issue of the informal economy, adding that the workshop is the f i r s t s t e p i n t h e I L O ’s support to Guyana in the areas needed.
Social Protection Minister, Amna Ally delivering her remarks
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Tuesday March 07, 2017
Kaieteur News
Surujbally is a failed GECOM Chairman – Robeson Benn - had “refused” to cooperate with commissioners on procurement scandal A week after former Chairman, Dr. Steve Surujbally, resigned following a decade and half at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), one of the entity’s commissioners has raised questions about his performance. In a scathing statement yesterday, Commissioner Robeson Benn, made it clear that the former Chairman seemed not inclined to cooperate with other commissioners when it came to a procurement scandal that was in the media. “Surujbally has also refused to provide documented information to the commissioners on allegations in the media on financial mismanagement and other irregularities at the institution, but has studiedly made assertions in the media and in an appraisal on the very good performance of the executive in the face of an ongoing audit by the state auditors of GECOM,” Benn, a former Minister of Public Works, charged. He would be referring to questionable purchases for the 2015 general elections, where hundreds of millions of dollars were used by GECOM to buy radios, stationery, batteries, pliers and a host of other items, without the contracts being advertised. In one case, $100M for High Frequency radios for use in the elections was handed to a Water Street business. The
radios were not used. In other cases, items such as Duracell batteries and pliers were bought at four or five times the price they were being retailed for. State auditors descended on the entity since last year and have since found some worrying practices. The auditors were supposed to close off their checks and submit their report last month. Since the story broke last year, no one was sent on leave, and Surujbally, who was supposed to proceed on retirement leave since November, had not been meeting with six other commissioners, three of whom, including Benn, were from the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) - the Opposition. PARTISAN Surujbally in his farewell engagement as Chairman with the media last week had expressed concerns about the “partisan” composition of GECOM and urged for reforms. He also said that one of the worst times for GECOM was the discovery of a few fake Statement of Polls (SoPs) which someone had tried to have counted for the 2015 general elections. Those SoPs were not included in the final count, with GECOM saying that it had handed the matter over to police. Surujbally also indicated that there was empirical data to suggest who slipped those
Former GECOM Chairman, Dr. Steve Surujbally
GECOM’s Commissioner, Robeson Benn
SoPs. However, he declined to name any commissioner, person or political party that played a role. The former chairman also complained that he was subjected to pressure, including visits by protestors to his Lamaha Gardens home following the 2011 general elections. According to Benn yesterday, the “recent reports in the media on remarks and statements made by the past Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission, Dr. Steve Surujbally, on his demitting office, raises questions of concern as to whether he deliberately, or mistakenly, is on a mission of undermining the accepted view of the constitutionally determined composition of the body of which he was chairman for fifteen
(15) years. Further, his statements at the press briefing, add to the criticisms of the quality of his stewardship of GECOM.” Benn noted that Surujbally’s feeling that the commission was partisan, was stated at meetings on some occasions when “he was required to cast his vote when the commission was divided across the table on contentious issues”. According to the Constitution, GECOM is supposed to have six commissioners, three of which are appointed by the President, acting in his own deliberate judgment, and three appointed by the President acting on the advice of the Leader of the Opposition. “I have several times pointed out to Dr. Surujbally that the Commission was bipartisan in nature, as a result of the tedious and deliberate formulation of the “Carter Formula” which was one the key adoptions in constitutional reform which allowed for a more democratic constitution and freer and fairer elections in 1992. The resultant makeup of the Commission necessarily took into account the political context of Guyana and the interests of the major national political stakeholders in the constitutional reform process,” the commissioner stressed yesterday. “Therefore, in my view, Dr. Surujbally’s attacks on com-
missioners for “partisan” positions or actions in and outside of GECOM are misplaced and, are seemingly following an agenda which is scripted elsewhere adopting the course of which could lead to the bogging down of progress towards holding National Elections in 2020 as constitutionally mandated.” Benn argued that while commissioners are expected and understood to be reticent, detached, discrete and dispassionate in their engagements, one cannot ascribe mere “partisanship” to the role and every singled-out activity action of commissioners. IMPROPER? The commissioner criticized Surujbally’s casting of his determining vote on the question of the Chief Executive Officer, Keith Lowenfield’s application to the courts to pursue the blocking of a hearing of an election petition. This blocking, “does not meet nor allows for the standard of transparency and integrity required of an elections commission in any democracy and brings the electoral body to a new historically low point. Why should GECOM, through its CEO, stand in the way of the constitutionally mandated resort, which is intended to bring comfort on judicial scrutiny and determination, on the questioning of electoral integrity?” With regards to Surujbally’s seeming unwillingness to talk about the fake SoPs, Benn said that the question which naturally arises is why the former chairman was sitting on data, empirical or otherwise, which could help solve this deeply troubling puzzle. “Why should anyone, most of all the Chairman of an Elections Commission, fuel speculations and allow these to run rife with respect to the penetration of the GECOM system by fake statements of poll? Is it not required of Dr. Surujbally to reveal publicly his empirical data to help solve this mystery as an aspect of his stewardship and legacy at GECOM? Is it not within the remit of the Chairman of the Elections Commis-
sion to investigate and report fully on this matter? We should all be prepared to let the chips fall where they may in resolution of this crucial issue.” Benn said that Guyana is still awaiting reports from GECOM on the 2015 National and Regional Elections and on the 2016 Local Government Elections. “Elections Commissions in jurisdictions with which Dr. Surujbally is familiar have published the reports on their elections, petitions or no petitions, shortly after their elections were concluded. Dr. Surujbally has balked at allowing for the 2015 elections report to be done and provided to the commission, the public, and the national stakeholders.” Benn also accused Surujbally of being tardy with meetings. “Monthly and annual reports of GECOM are infrequent and generally of poor usability….as are meetings of the Commission. Oversight of the commission is poor with complaints of some commissioners being “embedded” there while others do not have the same access….this against a backdrop of Surujbally refusing to provide common space and facilitation to commissioners to do research or to meet members of the public.” The commissioner noted that it is an indictment under Surujbally’s w a t c h t h a t there was a lack of any perceived urgency in modernizing electoral systems by allowing for the adoption of enhanced biometrics, e-registration and etabulation as adjunct to the current system. This speaks volumes on the ultimate failure of GECOM under Surujbally, he insisted. “A failure in stewardship and accountability, due to elitist, obdurate, and opportunistic leadership, has resulted in a corrosive atmosphere and the undermining of tried and proven administrative and professional practice, which has continuing negative impacts and portend a future of enormous risk. We at GECOM cannot continue to fail our country.”
Tuesday March 07, 2017
PAGE 9
Kaieteur News
GUYANA CANNOT SPEND THE EXPECTED OIL PROCEEDS Guyanese have been paying attention to the possibilities of local content for the country’s soon-to-become oil industry. They are more concerned about the benefits of providing supplies to ExxonMobil operations offshore of Guyana than they are about ensuring that the country gets a good deal from the company. All those who feel that there will thousands of jobs created as a result of the oil production in Guyana are wallowing in delusion. Tell those businessmen who feel that they will be able to make
money by providing supplies to the oil rig, that they are in the same position. ExxonMobil will not be refining oil in Guyana. They will, whenever they decide to engage in production, ship the oil out. They will not be refining it. This much has been reported in the media. So what is Guyana getting in return? The Ministry of Natural Resources needs to come forward and tell the people. They need also to dampen the expectations of people who feel that the oil industry will produce massive amounts of
jobs and make everyone rich, including the thousands of overseas-based Guyanese who are planning to come back to Guyana to enjoy what they believe is the oil windfall. This will not happen. There will be no refinery. Despite Exxon claiming that the discovery is impressive, they have opted not to invest in a refinery, a most perplexing decision. The Guyanese people should be told the reasons why despite the oil find being said to be large and therefore capable of producing oil for a long time, the
Drug dealer who killed Guyana-born NYPD officer found guilty (NY Daily News) A copkilling drug dealer was convicted yesterday of shooting Detective Randolph Holder in a pathetic bid to evade arrest. A Manhattan jury found Tyrone Howard, 32, guilty of murder, robbery and other charges following four days of deliberations for the 2015 killing of the rookie cop. He faces a mandatory life sentence without parole. As the verdict was read o u t H o l d e r ’s f a t h e r, Randolph Holder Sr., his s t e p m o t h e r, Princess Holder, and other relatives wept and consoled each other. Others in the courtroom packed with police officers and Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association reps were warned by Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Michael Obus after some attendees cheered. Four jurors left the courtroom in tears at the conclusion of the monthlong trial. “This is just a tragic case and a sad day but we can’t thank the NYPD enough for their willingness to put their lives on the line,” Manhattan Dis-
trict Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. said outside the courthouse. Howard was on the run from a non-fatal shooting on E. 102nd St. on Oct. 20, 2015 when he encountered Holder and his partner Omar Wallace on the E. 120nd and FDR Drive footbridge, prosecutors said. Howard, fearing he’d be arrested, pulled out a .40caliber Glock semi-automatic pistol and fired, striking the rookie officer in the head. Howard had an open warrant at the time of the killing for failing to show up to court. Police were looking for him after he’d not showed up to a second-chance drug diversion program. A judge had enrolled the career criminal in the program after he was busted along with 18 other people in an October 2014 crack-cocaine takedown in East Harlem. Howard’s drug case was still pending when he shot Holder. “He would do anything to avoid being captured,” prosecutor Linda Ford said. At the time of the killing, the recidivist drug
dealer had over 20 prior arrests — a record that outraged Mayor de Blasio at the time. He said Howard “should not have been on the streets.” Holder’s father and grandfather were police officers in their native Guyana. “Let us not forget that although we have gotten justice... when this family goes home they realize their son is still not in that house. It does not fix it,” PBA president Pat Lynch said. “We thank this family for allowing us to have their brother and son and family member with us for the time that we had.” The jurors took four days to reach their verdict. During deliberations they asked questions about the burden of proof, reasonable doubt and the definition of “intent,” leading spectators to wonder if the case was in jeopardy. Several jurors said they had proceeded slowly to reach a consensus. “We respected the fact that we had differences in opinion,” one male juror said. Police Commissioner James O’Neill said the NYPD “is pleased to learn that justice has been served.”
company is opting not to invest in local refining capacity. This is a very strange decision indeed. Guyanese expect, of course, that with the monies from the oil, more jobs will be created locally, since the government will invest the money into the economy. Well, the usual investment for oil proceeds is in infrastructure. So the government is likely to spend its billions from oil royalties and revenues on infrastructure. This will therefore create thousands of jobs. Yes? Not really! Guyana has a problem which is known as a lack of absorptive capacity. It means that government cannot spend as much money as its wants to at any one time. It is an age-old problem. It still exists. This is why we are witnessing, once again, the shuffling of the pack – the moving around of permanent secretaries. It is a game of illusion. It does not solve the problem of the economy not having the absorptive capacity to spend all the money in the Budget and therefore only 60% of the government’s budgeted expenditure is being expended. Guyana simply does not have the capacity and moving around Permanent Secretaries will not end this
problem unless the government works with the private sector to build capacity. The windfall from oil, therefore, will not lead to the massive amounts of jobs that people expect, because the local construction companies do not have the capacity to handle a great many projects at the same time. If you call any local contractor and say to them you want them to build twenty schools all at once, they will tell you that this is impossible, given the lack of capacity. What I am saying is that we do not have the capacity to spend the oil monies that we will be receiving. The Chinese government can spend it for us, though, so that is where the jobs will go. But all of this depends on us getting money for oil. Are we certain that we are going to get what we expect? If the deal is 50% of profits or 50% of the oil, as reported in the media, then which should we take? If Guyana takes the oil and does not get a good refining deal then what happens? How can we negotiate the best refining deal when we have no options on the table for local refining? We will be negotiating from a position of
weakness. If on the other hand we decide to take 50% of the profits, then we are at the mercy of ExxonMobil. What happens if they do not make a profit? Or what happens if they claim that the cost of production is $50 per barrel and the price on the world market for the crude is $52. Guyana cannot afford to place its future in the hands of the cost accounting by Exxon. Omai Gold Mines took out thousands of ounces of gold from the bowels of Guyana. They never declared a profit, so all that Guyana got was a miserly royalty. All the gold is gone and the company never declared a profit. So why is it then that we have opted to have a profit- sharing and production-sharing agreement with ExxonMobil? Guyanese had better ask their government.
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Tuesday March 07, 2017
Kaieteur News
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
If Guyana cannot confront people like Ryhaan Shah and Ravi Dev, it will explode Guyana is seeing dangerous waters coming right onto its doorsteps but if it doesn’t act, it will face horrible consequences. A group named the Guyana Indian Indentureship Abolition Association (GIIAA), founded by some of the worst rabid minds existing in this world and funded by some businessmen who accumulated vast wealth from Bharrat Jagdeo’s oligarchic rule, put on a presentation at the National Cultural Centre to commemorate the hundred years of the abolition of indentureship last Friday. Some of the presenters were the usual suspects – people who ideologically believe in ethnic superiority in Guyana and people who see the fall of the PPP in May 2015 as a defeat for the permanent rule of the PPP and the collapse of a labyrinthine, ethnic web of money, politics and power that characterized
Guyana under the domination of Jagdeo from 1999 to 2015. I put the date to 2015 because a mediocre, jejune leader like Donald Ramotar was a mere front for Jagdeo when Ramotar held the presidency. Two of the functionaries of this labyrinth spewed sociological miasma at the conference, that brings into question the type of people we have on Planet Earth. There was the master of them, Ravi Dev, who heads the Guyana Times owned by Bharrat Jagdeo and Bobby Ramroop. He urged Indian people to resist and rise up to protect what Indian people have. He didn’t distinguish the ordinary Indian folks like me and hundreds of thousands like us who have nothing and got nothing under Jagdeo and Ramotar. He didn’t mention the thousands of Indian students who cried daily, some of whom committed suicide,
over the unbearable conditions they endured at UG for the twenty-three years the PPP was in power. Ravi Dev was concerned with Indians like his bosses, the owners of Guyana Times, who have amassed unspeakable wealth, of which Dev is a current beneficiary. Unfortunately, Black leaders did not urge Black Guyanese to do what Dev is instilling in Indians to do. If Black leaders had done that, maybe the wealth of Guyana would have been more evenly spread and billionaires would not have emerged to bankroll the Guyana Times, people like Dev and the GIIAA. If Black leaders had done that, Ronald Waddell and Courtney Crum-Ewing would have been alive and 500 young men would not have died at the hands of extra-judicial killers during the reign of Jagdeo. Next on the infamous list was Ryhaan Shah.
When you heard what she had to present, then all Guyana should be grateful to President Granger for rejecting this woman to be the person in control of our election system, that is, GECOM. Shah and Dev do not mince their words. They are typical of the race fanatics in the South that brought Trump to power. They seek the return of PPP hegemony, because that equals Indian supremacy. Shah told her ideological colleagues (the audience was a family affair, hardly any attendees) that the Indian population has been marginalized. You cannot help but laugh at this lady for her crude asininities. How can the Indian population be marginalized when for twenty-three years an Indian party was in power, from 1992 to 2015? How can the Indian population be marginalized when ninety percent of the Guyanese economy is in the hands of
Guyanese Indian business people? How can Indians be marginalized when there is no exclusive Amerindian, African, Chinese or European school in Guyana, but there is a huge Hindu school at Cornelia Ida owned and operated by a Hindu priest, Aksharananda, who has a similar mind to Dev and Shah? There is a Hindu College at Cove and John that is always filled to capacity. And there is a Muslim school on East Street where the pupils are almost 98 percent Indians. The tribalists at the National Cultural Centre didn’t realize they were contradicting themselves when Jagdeo’s representative, Parliamentarian, Adrian Anamayah, told the family gathering that Indian businessmen are being penalized for their success. But Shah told the same gathering that Indians have always left Guyana for North America for
Frederick Kissoon safety and prosperity that are denied them in Guyana. There are two forms of asininities here. If Shah is right, then how did Indian business people achieve the success that Anamayah spoke about? Secondly, if Shah is right, and Indians have always felt insecure and migrated, then, surely for the twenty-three years of Indian rule, one must conclude that the PPP did nothing for Indians. Indian people, then, should put some faith in rulers from other communities, for example, the African and Amerindian communities.
Police to address lack of trust, corruption …as new courses launched In an effort to stamp out corruption and reinforce the public’s trust in the Guyana Police Force, several new courses were launched yesterday. The courses include training in Station management, Train-the-trainer, Criminal Investigation Department induction, newly-promoted Subordinate officers and Conversion. Acting Commissioner David Ramnarine spoke about how professionalism impacts the quality of service of police to the public. To deliver quality service, Ramnarine said, ranks must be trained and retrained and forge necessary partnerships, both locally and internationally. He said that the success of the police force is based on the integrity of its officers and the training would improve that. The training is designed for frontline officers who interacted with members of the public daily. Kaieteur News was in-
formed that 60 percent of the complaints received by the Office of Professional Responsibility are from ranks who would have received poor or no supervision at all. “Education is needed for the development of skills within the force and more emphasis should be placed in restoring it in the force,” Ramnarine said. Furthermore, he explained that, “If you can be trusted and relied on by people and colleagues, then our communities and country will be better off. Trust has been a major issue, and has been so for a long time.” With the courses, ranks will receive basic training and those necessary to see them through in their daily lives, which include “peopleskills.” The training comes at a time when the Guyana Police Force is investigating the attempted smuggling of an AK-47 out of the Tactical Service Unit compound last Wednesday by a corporal.
That corporal will be facing criminal charges soon, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum said yesterday during an interview. The Corporal and a civilian were taken into police custody while the vehicle was impounded at the Criminal Investigation Department. An Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) was among several persons also fingered in the allegation, but he will not be charged. According to information received, last Tuesday night, the police corporal drove the vehicle into the TSU compound. Reports are that the Corporal, who worked that night, collected the weapon and placed it in the vehicle. The following morning, a civilian entered the TSU headquarters and attempted to drive the vehicle out of the compound, but was stopped when the guards at the gate noticed him driving out, having walked in a few minutes earlier. The vehicle was subjected to a search and the weapon was discovered. Kaieteur News understands that before the corporal was apprehended, ranks checked the civilian’s phone and discovered there were text messages between the corporal and him. There were also messages between the ASP and the civilian. The matter is still being investigated.
Tuesday March 07, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Couple jailed for 60 months, fined $57M …for coke in VIP Lounge at airport
JAILED: Mahendra Ramsuchit The case surrounding the discovery of cocaine in the VIP Lounge at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) wrapped up yesterday in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Mahendra Ramsuchit, 29, of 18 Rosehall, East Canje, Berbice and Guyana-born Canadian citizen, Robhina Basdeoram were convicted for having a total 21.36 kg of cocaine in their possession for the purpose of trafficking
on January 30, 2015. They were jailed for 60 months each and ordered to pay fines of $28M and $29M respectively. Magistrate Judy Latchman informed the court that Police Prosecutor Vishnu Hunt was able to prove all elements of the offence. The Magistrate said that she disbelieved the stories narrated by the couple when they were called on to lead defences. Based on the evidence presented by
JAILED: Robhina Basdeoram Prosecutor Hunt, Magistrate Latchman said that she was satisfied the couple had physical control of the narcotic on the day in question. The Magistrate added that she believed the substance they had in their possession was cocaine, since it was analyzed. According to Magistrate Latchman, Ramsuchit knew about the cocaine and the existence of a deal to
Disgusting video…
Legal advice being sought on “Cussing” ASP– Acting Top Cop Legal advice is now being sought after an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) was caught on camera verbally abusing junior ranks who were responding to an accident in which he was involved. Police Commissioner (Acting), David Ramnarine, who was speaking to media operatives at the opening of a training session at the Police Officers’ Training College in Eve Leary yesterday, said that the matter has been investigated in terms of “looking at it from its entirety”. Meanwhile, the senior rank is still on the job. The Top Cop expounded that the ASP is a gazetted officer and there are procedures that will have to be followed. He related that the matter will see the intervention of the Police Service Commission (PSC) – the appropriate entity to deal with the issue. Asked whether he saw the video, Ramnarine responded in the affirmative and labelled it as “disgusting”. Whether the senior rank will be charged with any traffic offence, Ramnarine said that will depend on the outcome of the
Acting Top Cop, David Ramnarine legal advice being sought. Based on reports, the incident occurred about two weeks ago at Broad Street, Georgetown, when the senior rank was being questioned by junior ranks with regards to two accidents – which occurred on the same day – in which he was purportedly involved. The ASP reportedly struck the back of a vehicle that was being driven by a popular businessman. After the businessman got out of his vehicle to engage the ASP, the senior rank – who
appeared to be intoxicated – apparently became abusive to the businessman. The junior rank was also abused, according to the video images. The ASP was subsequently requested by the junior rank to drive to the nearest police station but once again, the constable found himself at the end of the ASP’s verbal onslaught. “You know me? Eh? Find out ‘bout me. If me had it me way, you won’t be a (expletive) recruit…Find out ’bout me. Call ‘A’ Division. I would murder you (expletive) on the ground hey,” he blurted. The junior rank was heard pleading with the senior rank to desist; however, he continued. The footage, which has been circulating on social media, has prompted widespread condemnation and garnered several strongly–worded comments. Further, the incident would have occurred at a time when reports have surfaced about the “unacceptable” attitude of some police officers. Ramnarine is on record, on a number of occasions, calling on police officers to act in a more professional manner.
transport it for money. Given the quantum of the drug, the Magistrate stated that the court believed beyond a reasonable doubt that the couple intended to traffic it. Kenroy Joseph, a former personal assistant to a junior Minister of Agriculture, was charged with aiding and
FREED: Kenroy Joseph abetting the couple to traffic the cocaine. He reportedly presented a forged document from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the airport deputy office, indicating that he was carrying out protocol duties for Ramsuchit and Basdeoram, who had claimed to be relatives of a
government official. However, Magistrate Latchman dismissed the charge against Joseph citing that there was insufficient evidence to convict him. According to the Magistrate, while she believed that Joseph was at (Continued on page 12)
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Tuesday March 07, 2017
Kaieteur News
Missing Prospect woman…
Desperate relatives offer reward for vital information - “We don’t want the police to find her body six years from now” Dissatisfied with the way the case involving the disappearance of 37-year-old Shawnette Savory is being handled, the woman’s relatives have decided to step up and start hunting for information themselves, rather than “sit back and let the police alone deal with it”. As such, they are offering a reward to anyone who may have information related to the disappearance of the woman and the location of the couple for whom the Guyana Police Force has issued a wanted bulletin. The couple has been identified as Patrick Banister called “Fato” and his wife Ritesha Rahaman called “Tesha.” Savory and Rahaman were friends and she was seen with the couple just before she went missing on August 30, last. Banister and his wife are of East Indian descent and their last known addresses are Herstelling Sea Dam, East Bank Demerara and Belle West, West Bank Demerara. Yesterday, the missing woman’s brother-in-law, Amir Hussain said that the police
Missing: Shawnette Savory had almost seven months to find Savory and the wanted couple, but they have not been able to get anywhere with the case. As it relates to the wanted bulletin, Hussain said that the police took more than four months before they issued it. “We are hearing that this man is in Venezuela but we are not sure. The police wait until this man getaway to issue wanted bulletin.” Additionally, there are reports that Banister called “Fato” was previously
charged for raping a woman. Hussain said that the detectives who are working on the case informed him that they will approach the prison for a photograph of the suspect. “It’s about three months now and when I call the police officer, he telling me tomorrow. Every time I call, it is tomorrow. We don’t want the police to find her body six years from now” an angry Hussain posited. Kaieteur News understands that persons have called and informed Savory’s relatives that they have spotted Ritesha Rahaman in Herstelling, East Bank Demerara at Banister ’s mother’s home, but when the police arrived she was not there. Shawnette Savory was last seen alive by her relatives on August 28 last, when she attended a birthday party. She disappeared two days later after leaving to pay an electricity bill. “Please, help us. Help us find Shawnette and we will reward you,” her relatives begged. Anyone with information can contact Savory’s relatives on 680-8129, 622-7464, 689-0107 or 233-3699.
SOCU officers testify as Omar... From page 2 told the court that he is involved in financial investigating, such as matters relating to money laundering. According to the witness, on June 30, 2016, he left for Shariff's home, after being given a search warrant and certain instructions from Assistant Commissioner of Police, Sydney James. The police officer recounted that upon arrival at the home, he met with Hardeo, during which he identified himself as an officer and explained the reason for his visit. Superintendent Vieira revealed that he searched the couple's home and retrieved several financial documents and two laptop computers, among other items. The
witness disclosed that he packed the items into a box and requested Hardeo to accompany him to SOCU Headquarters, Camp Road, Georgetown. Twenty minutes after, he recounted that Assistant Commissioner James arrived at the headquarters in the company of Shariff and other police ranks. Superintendent Vieira told the court that Shariff visited him on November 4, 2016, while he was the lone officer on duty at SOCU, during which he handed over six boxes of financial records to him. Also testifying yesterday was Superintendent of Police, Trevor Reid. Attorneys Trenton Lake, Michael Somersall, Hewley
Griffith, Patrice Henry, Lawrence Harris and Compton Richardson are representing the prosecution. In Octobe r 2 0 1 6 , t h e former Chief Justice granted a production order, which compels individuals or organizations to produce information to help assist in an investigation. The order was for both the former PS and his wife. The two apparently did not comply, despite being reminded and written to by SOCU to provide the requested information. On June 30, 2016, Shariff was sent on leave by Minster of State Joseph Harmon, pending investigation by SOCU.
Couple jailed for 60 months, fined... From page 11 the airport on the day in question, there was no evidence to prove that he hatched a plan with the couple to smuggle the drugs. Joseph still has to return to court on a charge of uttering a forged document. When the Magistrate announced the not guilty verdict, Joseph dropped to
his knees before being converged upon by relatives and friends who were present for the court hearing. He exited the court in smiles. Meanwhile, the two convicts sat in disbelief holding hands. Reports are that the couple was scheduled to depart from CJIA for Toronto, Canada via a Fly Jamaica flight. The
discovery of the drug was made at the scanning point. It was there that a police rank from the Narcotics Branch spotted some ‘bricks’ that were concealed in their luggage. The cocaine was found in all four pieces of luggage that was being carried by the two. Enveloped parc e l s containing cocaine were found stitched neatly into two laptop bags.
Tuesday March 07, 2017
Trump signs new travel-ban directive (BBC) President Donald Trump has signed a new executive order placing a 90day ban on people from six mainly Muslim nations. Iraq - which was covered in the previous seven-nation order - has been removed from the new one after agreeing additional visa vetting measures. The directive, which includes a 120-day ban on all refugees, takes effect on 16 March. The previous order, which was blocked by a federal court, sparked confusion at airports and mass protests. Presented as a means to strengthen national security against terror threats, it was blocked by the courts and effectively remains on hold. The new order was unveiled by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Department of Homeland Security John Kelly. “The fact remains that we are not immune to terrorist threats and that our enemies often use our own freedoms and generosity against us,”
President Donald Trump (CNN.com) said Mr Kelly. In justifying the refugee ban, Mr Sessions said there are more than 300 refugees under investigation for potential terror offences. But no further details were given. What is different about the new order? Citizens of Iran, Libya, Syria, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen, the other six countries on the original 27 January order, will once more be subject to a 90-day travel ban. Iraq has been taken off the banned list because its government has boosted visa screening and data sharing,
White House officials said. The new directive says refugees already approved by the State Department can enter the US. It also lifts an indefinite ban on all Syrian refugees. Green Card holders (legal permanent residents of the US) from the named countries will not be affected. The new order does not give priority to religious minorities, unlike the previous directive. Critics of the Trump administration had argued that this was an unlawful policy showing preference to Christian refugees.
Mosul IS offensive: Iraqi forces capture second bridge over Tigris (BBC) Iraqi government forces have captured Mosul’s al-Hurriya (Freedom) Bridge over the River Tigris, Iraqi military and Kurdish sources say. It is the second of five bridges to be recaptured since the operation to retake the city from so-called Islamic State began in October. The news comes a day after Iraqi forces launched a new push against the western part of Mosul. The eastern part was recaptured in January after
heavy fighting. All five bridges were damaged in coalition air strikes but the capture of the second bridge, also known as the al-Jamhuriya bridge, will provide a foothold for government forces. The bridges were put out of action with the aim of limiting ability of IS to resupply or reinforce their positions in the east. Mosul is the last stronghold for IS in Iraq. On Sunday, a senior Iraqi commander told the Associated Press that troops had been involved in the heaviest clashes
since the push into western Mosul began two weeks ago. The west includes the old city and the Great Mosque of al-Nuri, where IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi proclaimed the creation of a “caliphate” in July 2014, after the jihadist group overran large parts of northern and western Iraq. The International Organisation for Migration says 45,000 people have fled as the fighting intensifies and aid agencies say they can barely cope with the number of people arriving at their camps.
Lelia Ramson - maintaining dignity and... From page 17 problems over the years. Some teachers are so appreciative, because they had nowhere to turn sometimes. I think God, on each occasion, gave me divine guidance to help counsel those teachers,” added a grateful Ramson. According to Ramson, who comes from a humble background with a pandit for a father, “our home was always a charitable home. I was taught that if you didn't have money to give to help someone at least give them good advice.” Even as she spoke proudly of her upbringing, Ramson shared her belief that “we all have a purpose on earth and whatever we do we must to it to the best of our ability and love in our hearts. Because of
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Kaieteur News
my work, I feel teachers are chosen people and should always be role models to their students...they have been chosen to share knowledge and mould the minds of our children.” Although the Commission is slated to be dissolved in September, the 66-year-old Ramson is hopeful that, with or without her presence, the body will retain the policies that have been put in place to ensure its continued efficient operation. But even as her professional years wind down, Ramson is still very much full of good advice and guidance especially for young women. “I would say to young women, never let poverty keep you down; know your goals in life and work towards them and remember that edu-
cation is the key to success...” The mother of two and wife to Senior Counsel Charles Ramson, also urges young women to: “Never give up, since success doesn't only mean passing all your exams and moving... it also means that when you fall down pick up the pieces and move on with courage, and you will get to where you need to be.” Added to this, she is hopeful that young women can strive to be disciplined and always seek to help each other even as they elevate themselves. (Mrs. Leila Ramson is featured as one of our nation's outstanding professional women as the commemoration of International Women's Day (IWD) nears)
Kim Jong-nam killing: N Korea expels Malaysian ambassador (BBC) North Korea is to expel Malaysia’s ambassador, amid a growing row over the death of Kim Jong-nam. State media said the Malaysian envoy would leave within 48 hours. Malaysia has already expelled North Korea’s ambassador, after he said North Korea could not trust Malaysia’s inquiry into Mr Kim’s death. Kim Jong-nam, the halfbrother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, was killed with a nerve agent at Kuala Lumpur airport last month. Malaysia has not directly blamed North Korea for the attack, in which two women smeared VX nerve agent on Mr Kim’s face. But there is widespread suspicion Pyongyang was responsible. North Korea’s latest move is seen as retaliation for Malaysia’s decision to expel Pyongyang’s ambassador. Malaysia had already recalled its ambassador to Pyongyang for “consultations”. Malaysia’s foreign ministry said it had demanded, but not received, an
Expelled Korean Ambassador apology from North Korean ambassador Kang Chol after he criticised Malaysia’s investigation into the death. Mr Kang has accused Malaysia of conducting a “pre-targeted” investigation and of conducting an autopsy on Mr Kim without North Korean consent or any representative from the North Korean embassy being present. Malaysia was one of very few countries that had relatively friendly relations with North Korea. It cancelled visa-free travel for visiting North Koreans in the wake of the kill-
ing, citing security reasons. Investigators are seeking to question several North Koreans, including an embassy official, over the death of Kim Jong-nam. Two women, one from Vietnam and another from Indonesia, have been charged with murder. They both said they thought they were taking part in a TV prank but are yet to make a formal plea in their case. Malaysia’s government has also announced an investigation into a company called Glocom, which has been operating in the country for several years.
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VEHICLE FOR SALE Allion, Premio, Blue Bird, IST, Honda CRV, Toyota Spacio, Fielder Wagon, 212 Carina, RZ & Pitbull bus – Call: 650-7501
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 to refrigerators washing machine, gas stove, all units. Call Lindon: 641-1086/ 694-2202 Repairs to washers, dryers, stoves, deep fryers, control system etc. Call: 619-0793/ 699-8802 Eagle’s: Re-gas -$8,000, Washing machine repairs, Gas Stove, Plasma flat Screen & more. Call: 6972969/646-0966
LAND FOR SALE Land @ Soesdyke, 6 lots measuring 135’X175’. Call: 627-3334/696-8935, email:fcranmore@guyana voice.com 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
TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 225-7878 (24HRS)
DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM
1 Mitsubishi box Canter for sale. Call: 679-9261/671-1568 1 New model Vitz, press start, A/C, excellent condition $1.5M, good for bank purchases, 1 Toyota Verossa -$2.3M. Call: 639-2490 Nissan Pathfinder Jeep, Toyota Vigo pickup, great bargain. C all: 609-7766 Toyota Passo PPP -$900,000 negotiable, Toyota IST PNN -$1.2M negotiable. Excellent condition. Call: 623-9121
1 Lot of land @ Yarrowkabra $950,000. Call: 672-5876 Transported corner lot with approved building plan @ 90 Garnett & Republic Streets, Newtown Kitty. Call: 6016000/227-3305
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
SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. - Cosmetology Courses: $120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 647-1773/6605257 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).
PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 6560087 ,EMAIL:PRO_ A U T O R E N T A L @YAHOO.COM
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. One complete sawmill situated at Yarrowkabra Industrial Site Soesdyke/ Linden Highway. Call: 6441190/ 609-8041 1 14 feet Aluminum Boat, 1 15 HP Yamaha Outboard Engine (Short Foot), 1 Cummings-10 KVA Generator Call: 664-5807 One Diesel welder on trailer. Call: 699-4300/228-2734 1 Big music set, owner migrating. Call: 690-5225 CAT 215 Excavator, Leyland DAF 55 Tipper Truck, D4H CAT Bulldozer. Call: 2750538/ 683-7225 1- CAT 320 BL Excavators, 428- CAT Backhoe, 1 CAT 930 Front End, 9 wheeled pneumatic roller, Double Steel drum compactor- Call: 2750538/ 683-7225
La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.3M, Uitvlugt -$2.3M, $2M – Call: 642-1252
CAR RENTAL CAR RENTAL
1-Leyland DAF GRR Series; excellent condition. Call: 6804101
Land for sale @ Dowden Street, Kitty 125’X57’. Call: 619-4152/ 227-1905
Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158 ENTERTAINMENT Jubilee Resort: pool, water slide, boating, paintball, games, etc, open daily – 10:00am-6:00pm. Call: 2258915/623-7313
Tuesday March 07, 2017
Kaieteur News
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 for sale @ Low lands Hope E.C.D; 4 bedrooms house upstairs and downstairs -$9M negotiable. Call: 647-0655 Two houses and land for sale at Agriculture Road E.C.D. Call: 642-9633
TO LET Journey Inn apartments & Car Rental. 1&2 bedroom self contained. Call: 658-0927/ 233-2300/ 718-2301695 3 Bedrooms apartment for rent, bottom flat. Call:2258084/689-6001 2 Bedrooms apartment in Eccles New Scheme, rooms in Alberttown. Call: 225-3234
Generator Diesel 1100w, Generators/welder Diesel 1100w, water pumps – 3" Gasoline. Contact Wills: 2278176 ext 10
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: 6631876 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 Modern, private, selfcontained furnished or unfurnished one bedroom apartment for rent across Zeeburg School. Call: 2770397 1-2 Bedroom apartment to rent fully furnished, including internet, cable, TV, parking available. E.C.D –Call: 6672536 Self-contained semifurnished apartments located at Diamond Housing Scheme. Call: 679-8792
2 Leyland Dump truck (55210), 1 Caterpillar Backhoe, owner migrating, very good condition. Call: 672-5876 Great Deals on video games & all gaming consoles. PC, video games & repairs – Call: 672-2566; 265-3231 Design & Make Aluminum windows, doors, stainless rails, showcases, rolling shutters, make & install automatic doors. Call: 2336818/677-5599/659-9999 XBOX 360 Console -$35,000, PS2 Console -$17,000, Dell Inspiron B130 Laptop $25,000 .Call: 621-9604/ 6941748
VACANCY Cook/Baker and Kitchen Assistant for interior location. Applicants must be experienced, for details call: 618-2020 Female assistant, bookkeeper 25-40yrs @dynamic shipping, logistics & marketing co. @ Timehri, knowledge of VAT, PAYE & NIS. Apply @ josephbhaskaran@gmail.com Vacancy for one Driver / Expediter contact Leonard- # 609-5123 Receptionist, Male Security guard age 30-45, 233 South Road Lacytown. Call: 225-0198 1 Female cleaner for office in Eccles and home. Call: 2332745
Samsung tab 3 kids -$30,000, LG k7 smart phone- $50,000, Motorola Droid Max $35,000. Call: 621-9604/ 6941748 Berkley 6inch high pressure pump with 855 Cummings engine only 500 hours EX USA fire station, price -$2M. Call: 652-4540
One driver/porter from Diamond, Grove area. Call: 2161043, 677-6620 1 Cook/pastry maker- Call: 231-4303/ 676-3541 Wanted land to buy at Tuschen, Uitvlugt, Zeelugt, La Parfaite Harmonie, best price offered. Call: 657-9594 Mature couple to live in and work at a Resort in Parika. Call: 231-0363 between MonFri 9am-4pm Drivers with mini bus & taxi licences for work with company. Telephone number: 664-0802 2 Experienced straight stitch sewing machine operator. Call: 627-9621 1 Gas/Arch welder @ Broad Street Charlestown, Fat man Welding Shop. Call: 223-5595/ 643-9125
ACCOMMODATION Secret Villa apartments fully furnished, hot & cold water, Jacuzzi, air condition from $20USD daily. Call: 225-6337/ 266-5244/668-0306
For your 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
WANTED
FOR SALE Generator 855 Cummings only 700 house. EX USA standby 250KW, price $2.5M. Call: 652-4540
Harmony Inn: Furnished self contained apartments & rooms from $20USD daily. Call: 218-1400/ 694-7817
Tuesday March 07, 2017
Organogram to help improve regional health services Moves are apace for the introduction of an organogram (a diagram that shows how an organization is structured) that will help to improve the delivery of health care at the regional level. Plans for this initiative were first vocalized by Director of Regional Health Services, Dr. Kay Shako, a week ago when the Ministry of Public Health held its first Regional Health Officers (RHOs) and Regional Programme Heads meeting. D r. S h a k o r e v e a l e d that the organogram will outline the role of individuals starting from the Regional Health Officer (REO) moving right down to the positions within the various regional hospitals and straight through to the health posts. The Regional Health Services Director explained, “If we can put all of these things together and bring them on board, we are hoping that the outcome is going to be that health care is going to be more organised and more structured in the regions”. “What we are saying [is] if we have systems in place then health care can be delivered to the optimum for the average G u y a n e s e c i t i z e n , ” D r. Shako added. M o r e o v e r, the organogram is being brought to fruition by a tripartite working group comprising the Public Health Ministry, Ministry of Communities and REOs. The group is currently designing the organogram and conducting a needs assessment to help reduce the workload of RHOs who, according to D r. S h a k o , a r e o v e r whelmed. Also addressing the need for improved services at the regional level has been Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan. Bulkan, who has lamented the “skirting” of the Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs) in the delivery of health services nationwide, said “The Ministry of Communities will lead the way in seeking to ensure that there is respect for provisions in the constitution relating to the role of local democratic
Senior Minister of Public Health, Ms. Volda Lawrence officials”. He is therefore of the belief that ensuring strategic measures are in place will essentially lead to better outcomes in health services delivery. The most desirable health care service has three key components according to Dr. Shako. “In order for someone to have optimum health care, it must not only be affordable, but it must also be acceptable and it must be accessible.” According to Senior Minister of Public Health, Ms. Volda Lawrence, “We made a pledge to our nation to cater for their health and well-being and we would be doing them a disservice if we do not improve the quality of service in the delivery of primary health care to all, inclusive of those in the remotest areas in our regions.” Later this month, 25 general medical officers, including two psychologists and three other specialists, are expected to be deployed to hinterland areas in the continued quest to broaden access to optimum health care, Dr. Shako has announced. But Minister Lawrence asserted that she wants a transparent rotation system free of victimization when deploying medical specialists to hinterland areas.
Undergoing stints in Guyana’s hinterland region is one strategy to help narrow the gap in the quality of health care residents in those areas receive when compared to the coast. Minister Lawrence, while acknowledging that that there is a general reluctance of some health professionals to work in the hinterland, challenged RHOs and Heads of departments to ensure that the rotation system is not a cover to settle personal grouses. “The system of rotation has to be well mapped out and executed so that there is transparency, and the stint does not hint of victimisation or reproof,” Lawrence added. Hinterland residents, she said, deserve the best primary health care Guyana’s offers and health professionals “must be prepared” to make that sacrifice of working in those areas by making quality care accessible for them. Personal disputes must not hinder the delivery of health care, Lawrence insisted, as she reiterated the country’s Health Vision 2020 as captured in the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, with particular focus on Goal number three, which speaks to the well-being of the country’s citizens.
Rehab of Ekereku Bottom, Baramita... From page 20 village councils and residents will be facilitated by the Procurement Act under Section 29. Trotman told media operatives that this measure is “in partial fulfillment” of A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change
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(APNU+AFC)'s manifesto promise to eliminate social and economic disparity in Guyana. According to Minister Trotman, the initiative will also lead to the development of the hinterland and to better oversight of airstrips in
the hinterland. The bids for rehabilitation of the Baramita and Ekereku Airstrips will be opened on March 28, 2017 and will be conducted through the National Competitive Bidding procedure specified in the Procurement Act of 2003.
GMC forges partnership with Mocha/Arcadia farmers Farmers of Mocha/ Arcadia are set to benefit from a series of training sessions through the New Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) during the course of 2017. This will be made possible through an agro-processing, agricultural development loan offered to four communities by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). Recently, villagers, at a one-day session held at the Mocha Primary School, benefitted from demonstrations by the corporation’s Market Information Centre, based on the use of the Agriculture Marketing Information System (AMIS), and the TEXT1010 short messaging service. They were also apprised of the importance of the New Guyana Shop, the services offered by the Packaging Facilities, and also benefitted from relevant information including market prices and export data. “The objective of the meeting was to sensitise the villagers of the services that are being offered by the GMC. These include provision of guidance in relation to agriculture business development, where assistance is given to assist agro-processors and potential agro-pro-
cessors in transforming their business ideas to reality, or to improve the current levels of their businesses,” a government release indicated yesterday. The agency also assists farmers, exporters and other important stakeholders within the non-traditional agricultural sector through the provision of technical advice in sourcing buyers for their produce and facilitating logistical arrangements for exports. “The TEXT1010 short messaging service serves as a valuable tool to guide buyers and sellers when lobbying for prices. It gives information on the wholesale and retail prices for fruits and vegetables from local and regional markets; namely in Barbados and Trinidad.” Discussions were also centred on the need for a more business-oriented approach to farming. “This is where the GMC focused extensively on engaging Mocha/Arcadia farmers. This is part of an arrangement that was formalised in December 2016 between the CDB and the GMC, through the Ministry of Agriculture. Current farming practices and agro-processing opportunities will be two of the areas that will be explored in this community with
funding for the Rural Agricultural Infrastructure Development (RAID) in Small Scale Farming project communities in Regions Four and Five,” it was disclosed. Farmers are being encouraged to have the necessary soil tests done to ascertain the types of crops that are most suitable to be cultivated on farmlands in the community. Chairman of the Mocha/ Arcadia Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), Rudolph Adams, underscored the need for farmers to be receptive to the assistance which is being rendered by various government and non-governmental agencies, noting that this funding can only serve to improve the livelihoods of the farmers. General Manager of the GMC, Ida Sealey-Adams encouraged farmers to form farmers’ groups or associations. The General Manager explained that these groups or associations have the advantage of maintaining markets, pushing the members to have consistency in supply as against an individual approach. At the end of the one-day session, farmers voiced their interests in benefitting from all training opportunities offered by the new GMC.
Guyanese to head University of Belize Trinidad (Trinidad Express) - Clement Sankat, former pro vice-chancellor and campus principal of The University of the West Indies at St Augustine has landed a job as the new President of the University of Belize. According to a report from Belize News 5 online dated February 17, headlined “UB taps GuyaneseTrinidadian engineer for president”, “The University of Belize has a new president. He is Professor Clement Sankat, former pro vice-chancellor and campus principal of The University of the West Indies, Saint Augustine Campus in Trinidad and Tobago,” stated the report. The report stated that Sankat succeeds Alan Slusher who held the post since June of 2014 and was announced by chair of the Board of Trustees, Harrison Pilgrim, during the u n i v e r s i t y ’s g r a d u a t i o n ceremonies on February 11. The report quoted a statement from Sankat calling for an extension of educational services at the nat i o n a l u n i v e r s i t y. H e (Sankat) says, “the role of the University must be, as a first priority, to provide much larger numbers of Belizean students from across the country an opportunity for a quality tertiary education, thereby nur-
Professor Clement Sankat turing future leaders for various professions as well as developing thinkers and providing a launch pad for creative and talented entrepreneurs.” ”He believes that this cadre of youthful nation builders will propel the country’s social and economic prosperity and ensure its sustainable development,” stated the report. Information was provided on Sankat’s biography that he was born in Guyana and is trained as a chartered professional engineer. It stated that Sankat has experience teaching Engineer-
ing Graphics, Design and the Management of Innovation. His research expertise is in engineering applications for Food and Agriculture: postharvest technology and the utilisation, processing and preservation of tropical agricultural commodities especially through refrigeration, drying and dehydration. RACE FOR CHANCELLOR HEATS UP Meanwhile, at UWI, the race is heating up for the position of chancellor. The Express understands that Sir George Alleyne is set to preside over his final University Council meeting on April 27 at the Cave Hill Campus. Sources disclose that there are a number of people vying for the position, some whom are “political” favourites. Robert Bermudez, chairman of Massy Holdings, Prof Cardinal Ward, a West Indian professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Prof Compton Bourne, a former UWI St Augustine principal and former president of the Caribbean Development Bank; and, Prof Elsa Leo Rhynie, a retired Jamaican professor who was a former pro-vice chancellor and chair of the UWI board for undergraduate studies are all names being circulated for the position.
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Cement company warns of Government condemns cutlass sluggish market in 2017 attack at Victoria Hospital
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC –The Trinidad Cement Limited (TCL) says it expects construction activity will remain sluggish during the coming year, particularly in Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados in the face of “increasingly aggressive competition in the region”. In its audited financial report for the 12 months ending December 2016, TCL, which is the subject of a takeover by the Mexican-based cement giant, CEMEX, said it remains confident that the restructuring initiatives completed so far positions the Group on the path for creation of long-term value to all the stakeholders. It said that the board of directors will continue to focus on three key elements to reinforce the position of the company including seeking out and developing new markets for all its products. TCL said that its results for fourth quarter last year was significantly impacted by the adverse economic conditions affecting one of its major markets, Trinidad and To-
bago. It said that the contraction in the construction sector has been significant and that “our revenue in the final quarter of 2016 of TT$450 million (One TT dollar =US$0.16 cents) represented a decline of six per cent when compared with 2015. “Increased cement sales in Jamaica that came from a combination of infrastructure projects, government projects and the retail trade, provided some buoyancy in an otherwise depressed collection of Caribbean markets. “Overall, the Group generated TT$1.9 billion of revenue during 2016, an 11 per cent decrease over 2015,” the TCL Group said, adding that the earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment, and manpower and stockholding restructuring costs for 2016 was TT$464.2 million, reflecting an adjusted margin of 25 per cent. During the year, the TCL Group said it absorbed a number of one-time charges amounting to TT$140 million
including TT$44.5 million from manpower restructuring exercises; TT$72 million in respect of overstocked spares which exceed the foreseeable operating requirements of the Group and seven million dollars in relation to obsolete inventory items. “The outcome of all this was that Group profit after tax was TT$52.4 million, representing TT$0.10 earnings per share. “Going forward however, these restructuring activities will help to reduce the overall cost structure and will enable the Group to be even more competitive in the future,” the TCL said, noting that in comparing its 2016 profit after tax to the 2015 result, “we note the onetime benefit of TT$205.8 million in 2015 which resulted from renegotiating and settling the restructured debt under the Override Agreement. “Adjusting for the effects of these one-off items from the results of both years, the profit after tax of 2016 would have declined by 24 per cent compared to 2015. We are encouraged that the Group generated very healthy cash flows from operations of $530.8 million during 2016.”
CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC – The St. Lucia government “strongly condemned” an incident at the island’s main h o s p i t a l o v e r t h e weekend where men armed with cutlasses forced hospital staff to seek cover as they pursued a patient who had earlier been brought to the facility for treatment. Health Minister Mary Isaac said that the government and the Ministry of Health are “strongly disturbed by the horrible incident perpetrated by criminal elements” at the Victoria Hospital on the outskirts of the capital. “We stand together with the people of St. Lucia to condemn all such acts of violence. This message is to inform everyone that acts of violence will not be tolerated at our health institutions and I am calling on those involved
Health Minister Mary Isaac in the justice system to prosecute and swiftly expedite criminal charges against those criminals to the full extent of the law. “We need the hands of justice in this case to act quickly so that the perpetra-
tors can be dealt with and taught a valuable lesson,” she said, adding that the incident “has impacted our entire society and traumatized the staff and people of St. Lucia and it should not go unpunished. “I call on the lawyers and others who will be involved in this case to put country before pocket before family and before friends in an effort to do away with the crime surge that we are experiencing,” he said, adding that she hopes that “all those who suffered as a result of this act find comfort in the fact that justice will be executed expeditiously”. Media reports here said that at least one man had been detained after he attempted to attack a male patient at the hospital on Saturday night. Police have since detained the unidentified man and his accomplices.
Bahamas government denies US and Amnesty International reports NA SSAU, Bahamas, CMC – The Bahamas government has taken issue with the reports of the United States and Amnesty International on human rights issues in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country. The Perry Christie government in separate statements said that it is preparing an official response and intends to issue a “formal protest’ on the matter. The government said that prior to the release of the US State Department’s 2016 report on human rights in The Bahamas, the government spoke with representatives of the United States government prior to the release of the report on human rights in the Bahamas. “During those conver-
sations, it was made clear to the US that the proposed report contained significant inaccurate information with no basis in fact and in some cases incomplete information. “Now that the US report has been publically released, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Immigration is preparing an official response from The Bahamas Government and intends to issue a formal protest in this regard.” In the report, Washington noted that on July 8, last year, a foreign citizen reported he had been beaten by two or more corrections officers at the Bahamas Department of Corrections (BDOC). He said that following an altercation with an inmate, prison guards placed him in handcuffs, bent him over a cart, beat him with a PVC plumbing pipe wrapped in duct tape, and then took him back to his cell without providing any medical attention. The report also indicated that a migrant held in the immigration detention center in Freeport alleged unprompted, regular beatings from the guards, as well as inappropriate sexual behaviour toward female detainees. “Prison and detention centre conditions failed to meet international standards in some areas, and conditions at the government’s only prison remained harsh due to overcrowding. “Overcrowding, poor sanitation, and inadequate
access to medical care remained problems in the men’s maximum-security block. In October 2015 the commissioner of corrections reported the maximum-security block of the prison held 625 inmates in spaces designed to hold approximately 375 inmates when constructed in 1953. “The minister of national security reported that the BDOC, which was originally built to hold 1,000 prisoners, held 1,727 inmates as of October 2016.” The report noted that inmates reported receiving only two meals per day, and often only one, with a meal sometimes consisting only of bread and tea. “Fresh fruit and vegetables were rare to non-existent. Prisoners also reported infrequent access to drinking water and inability to save potable water due to lack of storage containers for the prisoners. A few cells also lacked running water, and in those cells, inmates removed human waste by bucket.” The report also noted that prison guards complained about the lack of a full-time dentist and a failure to appoint a staff psychiatrist. “There were four inmate deaths through October 2015, reportedly due to HIV infection, natural causes, an apparent suicide, and injuries resulting from fighting. Reports from the coroner’s court were pending on the latter two deaths.
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Pujara, Rahane keep India afloat in second test BENGALURU (Reuters) Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane shared an unbroken fifth-wicket stand of 93 to keep alive India’s hopes of a series-levelling win over Australia, giving the hosts a lead of 126 on a seesaw third day of the second test yesterday. India’s chances appeared slim when paceman Josh Hazlewood’s triple strike helped Australia reduce them to 120 for four before tea and the touring side looked favourites to take a 2-0 lead in the four-match series. But Pujara and Rahane batted through the final session to ensure India will set them a decent target to chase
on a difficult pitch. At close of play, Pujara was unbeaten on 79 with Rahane on 40 to take India, who lost the opening test of the four-match series by 333 runs, to 213 for four. Earlier, left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja took six for 63 as India fought back to dismiss the tourists for 276 in the morning session before Hazlewood’s haul swung the test back in Australia’s favour. The paceman struck in the first over after lunch to send back opener Abhinav Mukund and returned late in the session to dismiss India captain Virat Kohli in a huge setback for the home side. India promoted Jadeja up
the order to make a left-right batting combination but he scored just two before the 26year-old Hazlewood clean bowled him. SORRY NOTE Mukund’s first test in almost six years ended on a sorry note as his off-stump was uprooted for 16 following a first- innings duck. Fellow opener Lokesh Rahul completed his second fifty of the match before he fell for 51 to left-arm spinner Steve O’Keefe, Australia captain Steve Smith completing a flying, one-handed grab at slip. Pujara, who was dropped on four by Smith off Nathan Lyon, and Kohli initially bat-
Tuesday March 07, 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You should get out and enjoy social events where you are likely to meet new potential mates; however, don't over spend. Your uncanny insight will help you make the right choices. Changes in your home are apparent, and you must be willing to bend if you don't want to find yourself alone. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Problems with fire, gas, or oil may cause disruptions and annoyances. Get on with business. You need to look into some private matters before you can proceed with your plans. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Too much talk will lead to disputes. Your fight for those less fortunate is not likely to end in sweet victory. Get out and get active. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Travel will be favorable. You will have additional discipline that will aid you in your objectives. They will not be in the right frame of mind to put up with tactless comments. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Travel will be favorable. You can gain knowledge from dealing with foreigners. You may find that your generosity has been taken for granted. Be careful not to get roped into uncertain joint financial deals. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Get busy trying to make more money. Control your temper by getting immersed in your work. Look out for those wanting to push you into a disagreement. LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)
Talk to an older, established individual about your present situation. Visit friends or relatives you rarely see. Offer consolation, but don't give them any direction. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You will get out of shape easily if you don't keep on top of things. Be prudent and don't be led down the garden path. Stay calm and focus on things that will help you understand the situation better. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Opportunities to get together with people in powerful positions could help you get ahead. You may overspend if you travel today; however, the trip will be one to remember. Focus on your own domestic problems. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Invite friends in for a visit. You can help other people with their financial problems by setting up a budget for them. You can help sort out problems that friends are facing. AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 -Feb. 19) Don't take your frustrations out on loved ones. Be prepared to deal with groups and organizations of greater magnitude. Unexpected romantic connections can be made if you go out with friends or take a pleasure trip. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You can accomplish the most if you travel for business purposes. Offer love and affection instead of conflict and rejection. Keep your mind on your work and stay away from situations that could ruin your reputation.
Cheteshwar Pujara punches off the back foot, India v Australia, 2nd Test, Bengaluru, 3rd day, ©AFP ted without much trouble before the latter was given out lbw for 15. Kohli reviewed the decision immediately and despite
Carmichael guides...
(From page 27) had one each. Malvern overcame Cultural CC in their semi final encounter. Batting first, Malvern made 119 all out with Victor Dass scoring 41, Carmichael 19 and Razack 16. Anthony Ifill and Keshram Seyhodan picked up 3-25 apiece. Cultural CC were restricted to 108-9. Chabiraj Ramcharran made 26 and Jaspaul Persaud 25; Razack and Hemraj captured three and two wickets respectively. Rising Star beat Saw Pitt SC by eight wickets. Batting first Saw Pitt SC were sent packing for 67 in 12 overs. Dalrymple grabbed four wickets, while France and Major had two each. Rising Star responded with 69-2 in 10 overs. Vickram Singh made 38. Carmichael was named man-of-the-match in the final.
several replays, it could not be determined if he had hit the ball before it struck his pad and the umpire’s decision was upheld. The day started with Australia resuming on 237-6, a lead of 48, and the tourists added 32 runs before losing
their last four wickets for seven runs. India were looking to race through Australia’s lower order but left-handers Matthew Wade and Mitchell Starc kept them at bay for the first 45 minutes. The Australians dealt well with the threat of off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin before Starc perished for 26, holing out to a brilliant catch from Jadeja on the deep mid-wicket boundary to trigger a collapse. Kohli finally brought on Jadeja in the ninth over of the day and the left-armer Jadeja trapped Wade leg before for 40 and repeated the feat with his next ball to Lyon to complete his seventh five-wicket haul in tests. Hazlewood denied Jadeja (6-63) his hat-trick but soon became the 28-year-old’s sixth victim. Scores: India 189 and 213 for 4 (Pujara 79*, Rahul 51, Rahane 40*, Hazlewood 3-57) lead Australia 276 (S Marsh 66, Renshaw 60, Jadeja 6-63) by 126 runs.
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Tuesday March 07, 2017
Mentore toppled by Harding as DCC makes sweeping Changes In a long and at times contentious Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) AGM and Elections last night at the Queenstown Club, Alfred Mentore, who has been at the helm since he took over from Roger Harper in 2005 to take up a Coach job in Kenya, was replaced by Patrick Harding as DCC President, founded in 1912, made sweeping chances to their executives. Former Guyana and West Indies Test players Roger Harper was voted in as first Vice-President as he returned to the DCC Executive for the first time in 12 years. Lawrence Smith was voted as second VicePresident with Reginald Brotherson the new Secretary with Ruth Howard severing for 2017 term as Treasurer. Kurt Douglas is the new Assistant Secretary/ Treasurer with Cricketer Dennis Squires voted the Club Captain, while former left-arm division one pacer Troy Halley the Indoor Captain and veteran Journalist Adam Harris the Public Relation Officer.
Roger Harper back on executive for first time in 12 years
New DCC President Patrick Harding (3rd from right) with his Executives last night after their elections. The five Committee Members are Gladwin Brandis, Dionne Cush, Mahendra Jaikarran, Paul Wintz and Dexter George. There was plenty of campaigning and the incumbent Mentore, a former National U19 cricketer and businessman, arrived at 18:17 hrs and the AGM for arguably one of the most successful clubs in the
city in the last few years on the field, finally commenced at 19:26hrs when Harris was eventually given the voters list and read out the 101 names of eligible voters. And after verbal exchanges from one faction which threatened to get outof-hand at one point the opposition made a clean sweep of all positions as Mentore did not seek re-
BK Int./Cheddi Jagan Memorial Cycle Road Race
LBFCC Shaquel Agard cops first leg in Berbice; Curtis Dey is top junior Linden Bauxite Flyers Cycle Club rider Shaquel Agard has continued his consistent run of form so far this year by capturing the first leg of the Cheddi Jagan Memorial Cycle which was held in the Ancient County of Berbice, Sunday. Sponsored by BK International for the 20th year, the race, which started from the PPP Office in New Amsterdam, saw riders proceeding to Corriverton
before returning to complete the race at Port Mourant. Agard’s winning time was Two Hours 06 Minutes 54 Seconds leaving in his wake, Alanzo Ambrose, Hamza Eastman, Paul De Nobrega, Orville Hinds and Michael Anthony who completed the top six places in that order. Curtis Dey and Marcus Keiler emerged as the top two junior riders with the top three veterans being Junior Niles, Ian Jackson and
Sybourne Fernandes. The mountain bike division was won by Shane Bourne from Nicholas Alphonso and Julio Melville. The top two females were Deance Welch and Shineika Teixeira. The second leg of the three-leg race is set for this S u n d a y o n t h e We s t Demerara, while the final leg will be contested on the Essequibo Coast on Sunday March, 19th.
election. Mentore’s presidency was extended by Court action resulting in the last elections being held in 2014, despite the constitution saying that no President can hold that position for more than five consecutive years. Under his leadership the club was provided with Floodlights by the Guyana Softball Cricket Association but with the club paying the electricity bill and also a concrete practice facility was constructed and the fenced was built higher. (Sean Devers)
Alfred Mentore speaks during his last night as DCC President.
Entries for KMTC Phagwah Race Meet close on March 12 Horse owners wishing to compete in the Kennard M e m o r i a l Tu r f C l u b (KMTC) Phagwah meet will have until March 12 to enter as entries are slated to close on the said day and no late entries will be accepted. The meet is set for March 19 at Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne and eight races are carded for day with
the feature event being the D1 and lower which carries a top prize of $700,000. Other races listed are the L non winner for $100,000, I 3 and lower for $150,000, E 1 maiden and FG and lower for a winning purse of $400,000, L open for a first prize of $110,000, H 1 and lower for a winning purse of $220,000, three years
Guyana bred for which the winner will take home $200,000 and K and lower which the winner will pocket $120,000. Entries can be made through Ivan Dipnarine on 331 0316, Mr. Kennard on 623 7609 or 225 4818, Fazal Habibulla on 657 7010, Dennis DeRoop on 640 6396 or Compton Sancho on 602 1567.
Narayan Ramdhani cops two more third places in Vancouver Canada G u y a n a ’s S u n b u r s t National Badminton Champion, Narayan Ramdhani, playing out of Shuttlesport Badminton Academy in Vancouver BC, has once again proved himself as a rising talent in the sport farther afield clinching two third places at the BC Senior Circuit 1 2017 VRC Jack Underhill Tournament played at the Vancouver Racquets Club in Vancouver BC, Canada over the last weekend. He picked up the two
thirds after reaching the Semi-Finals in both the Open Men’s Singles and the Open Men’s Doubles events. Seeded 3/4 in the Singles Narayan gained a walk-over in the first round. He then defeated Nestor Yang Ning Lin in the Quarter-Finals: 20-22, 21-14, 21-11 and lost in the Semi-Finals to No.2 seed Eugene Chan: 21-10, 21-12. In the Men Doubles, Narayan partnered with Zack Fan and the pair was defeated in the Semi-Finals
by No. 2 Seeds Alex Lin & Jackson Yang : 21-8, 21-13. The GBA is extremely pleased that Narayan being still a Junior is holding up with his training plan to keep up in the Senior Division. Only two weeks ago he got third place in the Open Men Singles & Under-23 Men Doubles and won the Consolation in the Under-23 Mixed Doubles at the BC Senior Circuit 2 - 2017 Shuttlesport Senior Open/Under 23 tournament.
Kaieteur News
Tuesday March 07, 2017
PAGE 29
Carmichael guides Malvern SC to victory over Rising Star By Zaheer Mohamed Kellon Carmichael struck a robust half century to guide Malvern SC to a sixwicket victory over Rising Star SC when Canal Number Two Sports Club of West Bank Demerara hosted a four-team T20 tournament on Saturday night. C h a s i n g 1 6 8 , Carmichael anchored the innings as he shared in a fourth-wicket stand of 68 with Dereck Mangar after they were reduced to 24-3. Opener Charwayne McPherson (01) was caught at point in the second over before Dellon Dalrymple, who bowled with some pace, removed Abdul Razak (04) and Ryan Hemraj (12) in quick s u c c e s s i o n . H o w e v e r, Carmichael and Mangar steadied the chase with sensible batting. Carmichael was quick to take advantage of the bad balls; he struck
The victorious Malvern SC following their triumph. two fours and eight sixes in an unbeaten 77, while Mangar was taken off
Trevon France for 38 after striking three fours and two sixes. Devaughn Nandan
Former world champion, Gairy StClair, remembers ‘Forgotten Youths’ Donates much needed gears
remained not out on 13. Dalrymple picked up two wickets, while Major and France had one each. Earlier, opener Elroy Fernandes stroked five fours and one six to lead Rising Star batting. He added 46 for
the first wicket with Richie Looknauth (05) and 30 for the second wicket with Vickram Singh (10) before he was bowled by Hemraj for 36. Beepaul Bandoo and Marvin Chung slammed 28
each with the former hitting two maximums and the latter four fours and one six. Richard Ramdeen made 18 and Anil Singh 17 as Hemraj snared four wickets while McPherson and Carmichael (Continued on page 25)
Haslim unbeaten half century hands Ogle SC six-wicket win
The administrators and boxers of the FYF display bare ecstasy after receiving the boxing gears. They say that charity begins at home and this concept could not have been more firmly exemplified than when former world champion, Gairy St Clair, extended generous chivalry to members of the Forgotten Youth Foundation (FYF) Boxing Gym, James and Belair Streets, Albouystown. Last Friday evening, coach of the FYF, Sebert Blake, convened with his charges, fellow coach, Joseph Murray and other administrative staff and received much needed boxing equipment sent by St Clair through his friend, Gary Sobers. The items consisted of 29 pairs of boxing gloves, 6 pairs head guards, 7 pairs striking pads and more than 20 pairs of hand wraps. St Clair also remembered one
of his colleagues out of the Harpy Eagles Boxing Gym (HEBG), Jake Codogan as well as former (local) bantamweight champion, Dexter Marques and extended similar benevolence to them in the form of gloves, headgears and foul proof equipment. Mr. Sobers said that St Clair is delighted to have been of assistance to the boxers and the gift is the first of many others in the future. St Clair had utilized the services of the FYF during his embryonic years in the professional arena and fully understands the need to render assistance because of the paucity of such equipment. Both Murray and Blake expressed gratitude to St Clair, while pointing out the importance of such gestures
in the development of their charges. Top amateur boxer, Travis Inverary, is one of the boxers that will enjoy the benefits of the gift and he delivered a stirring vote of thanks on behalf of the boxers in which he expressed deep gratitude to St Clair. “This gift will be an asset to us here at the FYF as we aspire to achieve our respective goals,” he assured. Meanwhile, Blake acknowledged the importance of the donation and urged other members of the business community to reach out towards the young punchers. He said that the gym is in dire need of other support to enable the young boxers to realize their dreams while steering clear of unlawful acts.
Captain of Ogle SC Fazal Kayume (right) accepts the trophy from Rafman Ali. Opener Wasim Haslim slammed a robust unbeaten 76 to hand host Ogle SC a six-wicket victory over Success when the teams collided in a 15-over softball contest sponsored by Regal Sports on Sunday. Haslim clobbered one four and eight sixes as Ogle successfully chased 112, ending on 119-4 in 13 overs.
Haslim added 67 for the third wicket with David Harper after Ogle SC were reduced to 11-2. Harper was dismissed for 14, while Khalid Haslim remained unbeaten on six when victory was achieved. Mark Fung, Shazim Mohamed and Hafeez Samad had one wicket each. Success lost 5 wickets
batting first. Dindyal Lackhan scored 35 (3x4,1x6), Fung 34 (1x4,2x6) and Dayanand Ramnauth 20. Khalid Haslim, Wasim Haslim and Harper took one wicket apiece. Organiser Rafman Ali congratulated the winners, while Ogle SC Captain Fazal Kayume thanked Regal Sport.
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Tuesday March 07, 2017
Milo 18 and under Football Competition
QC, Mae’s and Dolphin record wins Queen’s College (QC), Mae’s and Dolphin were among the schools registering wins when this year’s Milo 18 and under Football Competition resumed on Sunday, at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue. In the other game that was played, North Georgetown and School of the Nations encounter ended in a nil-all stalemate. However, the most exciting game of the day was
between eventual winners Mae’s and Tutorial High which saw the former prevail 5-3. Yevdistir Persaud led with a brace netted in the 23rd and 48th minutes, while Akeem Hutson-7th, Darshan Persaud-11th and Diego Britton-65th completed their tally. QC through a pair of goals from Kevin Wills in the 47th and 63rd minutes and a solitary strike from Jonathan Connelly-45th and an own
goal romped to an easy 4-0 triumph over former champions St. George’s. In the day’s full results: Game-1 North Georgetown-0 vs School of the Nations-0 Game-2 Central High-0 vs Dolphin Secondary-2 Beres Parkinson-4th Levi Vancooten-31st Game-3 Tutorial High-3 vs Mae’s Secondary-5 Mae’s Scorers
Bel Air Lions Club / Supligen Dominoes Tournament
Teams continue to register
Yevdistir Persaud-23rd and 48th Akeem Hutson-7th Darshan Persaud-11th Diego Britton-65th Tutorial Scorers Steve Stanton-26th Monty Tyrell-48th Travis Hercules-56th Game-4 Queen’s College-4 vs St. George’s-0 Kevin Wills-47th and 63rd Own Goal-22nd Jonathan Connelly-45th
Sans Souci overcome G Square Cavaliers Sans S o u c i d e f e a t e d G S q u a r e C a v a l i e r s b y t w o w i c k e t s w h e n t h e Wa k e n a a m C r i c k e t C o m m i t tee Farmers T20 Cup continued recently. Playi n g a t t h e Wa k e n a a m C o m m u n i t y C e n t r e ground, G Square Cavaliers batted first and m anaged 102 all out in 19.2 overs. Ka m a l K h a n m a d e 2 0 a n d J a g g e r n a u t h M anbodh 15; Cleon Venture picked up three w ickets. Sans S o u c i r e s p o n d e d w i t h 1 0 4 - 8 i n 1 7 o v e r s . Wa y n e O s b o u r n e s t r u c k 4 0 w h i l e R e o n Ve n t u re made 30. Dayawant Shiwnandan bagged five wickets. Good S u c c e s s w i l l t a k e o n N o i t g e d a c h t S C i n t h e n e x t s e m i f i n a l o n a d a t e t o b e a n n o u n ced.
Injury, dropped catches undermined Windies: Nurse
Off-spinner Ashley Nurse celebrates one of his three wickets with teammate Carlos Brathwaite, during Sunday’s second ODI against England. (Photo courtesy WICB Media)
Players seen in battle during a Domino Competition. With the Organisers target of thirty-two teams set to be surpassed easily, teams are taking no chances and have been busy trying to meet the deadline for registration in the Bel Air Lions Club / Supligen Dominoes Tournament. This is according to Lion Orlando James, who spoke via telephone with Kaieteur Sport yesterday. James, one of the members of the Organising Committee for the Bel Air Lions Club, even announced
that the main sponsor Supligen has added an incentive for teams registering early and has offered to give each team twelve (12) packets of Supligen upon completion of registration. He added that among the teams that were sent invitations include: Killers, Upper Level, Sherriff Street Swagga Boys, Masters, Scramblers, Ray’s One Stop, All Seasons, GGMC, Thunder, Strikers, F&H Supremes, Impressers,
F r a n k i e ’s , L i o n s A , Spartans, Lions B, Transport, Freddie’s 6, Police and NIS. With over $500,000 in total prize monies up for grabs, the two-day tournament is shaping up to provide plenty excitement for the Domino fraternity. The winning team will receive $250,000, 2nd place $150,000 and 3rd place $100,000 along with trophies. Entrance fee is $12,000 per team and the Most Valuable Player will receive $10,000 and a case of Supligen. The tournament will be run by the Georgetown Domino Association (GDA) and interested teams could contact Ray’s One Stop Auto Parts on Sheriff Street or officials from the GDA and Bel Air Lions Club members.
ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Ashley Nurse believes the loss of Shannon Gabriel to injury, coupled with a series of dropped catches, helped push West Indies to their second defeat in three days to England here Sunday. West Indies were held to 225 all out in the second One-Day International of the three-match series and England then recovered from 124 for six in the 25th over, to pull off victory with 10 balls remaining in the game. Speedster Gabriel, who removed Sam Billings without scoring to the second ball of the innings with a single run on the board, limped out of the contest at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium with a side strain after sending down just three overs. “With 225 [to defend] and be a bowler short is a really tough job,” off-spinner Nurse told reporters. “I think we did really well to push the game as far as we did – kudos to the bowlers – but being a bowler short with that type of score is really tough.” He added: “Obviously taking wickets throughout the course of the game was
the order of the day having scored 225, and being 20 to 30 runs short we knew we had to bowl out the team to win.” England appeared to be cruising on the backs of o p e n e r J a s o n R o y ’s aggressive 52 but his dismissal saw five wickets fall for 37 runs as West Indies clawed their way back into the game. However, Joe Root topscored with 90 not out and Chris Woakes stroked an unbeaten 68, the pair adding 102 in an unbroken seventh wicket stand to see England to victory. West Indies were left only with themselves to blame as, like in the first ODI last Friday, they once again dropped several catches which let England off the hook. Nurse conceded it was an area which required definite improvement. “From a boy you’ve heard that catches win matches and for us to drop five that’s definitely too many chances for players that are in and players of that quality,” the 28-year-old lamented. “We’ll probably have to go back to the drawing
boards and come back tough next game.” Sunday’s four-wicket defeat condemned West Indies to their second straight series loss following on from their whitewash against Pakistan last September, and it also extended their miserable run against England whom they have not beaten in an ODI series in 10 years. West Indies will face their old foes at Kensington Oval in Barbados on Thursday in the final match of the series where Nurse hopes the hosts can produce an improved performance. “From the time I came into the team in Zimbabwe (Tri-Nations Series last November) we’ve been playing really good cricket,” Nurse pointed out. “ We ’ v e b e e n competing really well, fighting really hard as a team and it’s just to take that one step over the line and get the wins. “[We need] probably a little more consistency – score some more runs so the bowlers would have a chance to defend them and take the chances, and I think we should be good from there.”
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Tuesday March 07, 2017
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STAG Elite League – Leaders Playoff Tourney
GDF and Victoria Kings post opening wins Winners of the first half of season two of the STAG Elite League organized by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Guyana Defence Force (GDF) have continued their dominance when the League Leaders segment of the league kicked off on Sunday evening last at t h e Tu c v i l l e g r o u n d . Also in winner’s row were Victoria Kings in their clash with fellow East Demerara side, Buxton United. Battling in the main attraction and featuring a number of new signings, both GDF and Fruta Conquerors were out to showcase their players with the aim of garnering much needed fan support for the remainder of the season. Conquerors it was who would take the lead through one of their new signing’s, Konata Manning in the 25th minute of the match. Both sides have shown that they are fit and tactically solid teams during the first half of the league. The match was by no
means a walk over for either side which was reflected in the goal drought both sides experienced. As the game matured, the lads from the Army drew level on the stroke of half time compliments of a Delroy Ferdinand strike. Going into the break with the score at 1-1 was the perfect physiological edge the soldiers would have hoped for as they turned the pressure back on the home team. It was clear that neither team could have afforded any mistakes in their respective final thirds. But on 75 minutes, the GDF nosed ahead when Jeffrey Pereira fired his shot past Derrick Carter in goal for Conquerors. As it turned out, it was the winning goal for the GDF which sealed their place in the final of the League Leaders tournament. Fruta Conquerors will have a second chance to meet the GDF again if they can get past Victoria Kings on Thursday at the GDF
Guyana Defence Force FC 1 ground. In Sunday’s opening match, The Kings took care of Buxton United by the lone goal of that game which was
scored by seasoned campaigner Aubrey Gibson in the 76th minute. Preceding the Conquerors vs Kings
NSC/Den Amstel FC Mash KO Cup
Uitvlugt face Golden Warriors; Young Achievers tangle with Eagles tomorrow We s t D e m e r a r a ’s number one side, Uitvlugt Warriors will be throwing their hat into the ring for the top prize of $200,000 when action in the National Sports Commission sponsored Den Amstel Football Club Mash knockout Cup continues at the Leonora Track and Field Facility, tomorrow. Trayon Bobb and company will be hoping to turn back the challenge of Golden Warriors when they face off in the feature match from 20:00hrs with the West B a n k b a s e d Yo u n g Achievers set to open the evening’s action when they match skills with Eagles United at 18:00hrs. Already through to the semi finals are defending champions Pouderoyen which thumped Stewartville 5-0 and host club Den Amstel who mauled Wales United, 13-0. The star studded Den Amstel side have sounded the warning already that they
Pouderoyen FC goal scorers from left, Esan Nelson, Alanso Bowman and Quessey Alleyne. intend to ensure the top prize remains at home this year after ending in fourth place last year. Leading the host team to their huge win were Delon Lanferman and Andre Hector with a hat-trick each, Lanferman hitting the back of the nets in the 15th, 18th and 38th minute, while Hector netted in the 26th, 85th and 88th minute. Travis
Hilliman touched in a brace (31, 53) while there was one apiece for Gideon Payne (10th), Kestor Jacobs (44th), Alista Lynch (58th) and Quincy Ashley in the 79th minute. Pouderoyen were led to their win on account of a double each from Alonso Bowman (27, 34) and Quessey Alleyne (60, 78), Esan Nelson scoring the
other in the 55th minute. The second place will attract $100,000 with the third place team pocketing $75,000 and fourth, $50,000. Individual prizes will be presented to the Most Valuable Player, Highest Goal Scorer, Best Goalkeeper, Best Coach as well as the Most Disciplined Team.
encounter on Thursday would be the semi finals of the Women’s Development League. From 15:30hrs, Paiomak
FC will take on Fruta Conquerors which would be followed by the second semi between GDF and St. Ignatius.
Guyana Judo Association host successful Republic C/Ships The 2017 Republic Judo Tournament hosted by the Guyana Judo Association recently was one of the most important competitions on the Association’s competition circuit, where more than thirty (30) athletes from across four clubs competed. The competition was used as a yard stick to select various Guyana teams for International Tournaments later this year. The competition also included performances from Athletes who have been selected to represent Guyana in the upcoming CARIFTA Games to be held in Bahamas in April, Commonwealth Games to be held in the Bahamas in July, and BAKU Games later this year. Athletes competed in six weight categories; under 24 kg juniors, under 42 kg juniors, under 55 kg juniors, under 73 kg seniors, under 90 kg seniors, over 100 kg seniors, and an Open category. Ibrahim Edwards copped gold in the -24 kg category, Yusuf Edwards copped silver, while Yusuf Britten and Yusuf Barlow both claimed bronze. The under 42 kg junior category was won by Junaid Barlow of the Albouystown club; while Shawn Ramessar of North Ruimveldt Multilateral School grabbed silver and Ishmael Eastman and Zacharias Wray both claiming bronze. NaeemYaseen dominated Shiv Narine in the under 55 kg category and took the gold. Daniel Haley took bronze. Among the seniors, Corbin won the under 73 kg category, Erskine Trotman won the under 90 category and Stephon won the over 100 kg category. The Open category went to Terrence Williams of the Kitty Club. The athletes represented themselves well at the tournament and the administration of the Association would like to commend them for a fierce competition. The President Mr. Raoul Archer would also like to thank all the sponsors; Imran & Sons of Rose Hall Town, Bettencourt’s of D’urban Street among others for enabling the event to be a great success.
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Tuesday March 07, 2017
Kensington Oval to host two matches at same time WI/Pak t20 to be played during the Guyana/B’dos clash By Sean Devers According to the fixtures send out by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) two more t20 Internationals have been added to the Pakistan series and with the opening game scheduled for March 26, the penultimate day of the Guyana Jaguars and Barbados Pride game at the Kensington Oval in Barbados. If the setting of the Pakistan/West Indies T20 game at the same time that a Regional First-Class match is being played at the same venue was not confusing enough, a subsequent WICB release, issued Monday, was even more confusing and could set a serious precedent for future fixtures. The WICB disclosed that instead of the Jaguars starting their eight-round match against Barbados Pride on March 24 the game would start a day earlier but
The Kensington Oval in Barbados will host a T20 International in ‘the middle’ of Guyana’s First-Class game there. here is the tricky part. “The two sides will contest the first three days from Thursday, March 23 to Saturday, March 25, before taking a rest day on Sunday, March 26, to accommodate t h e f i r s t Tw e n t y 2 0 International between West Indies and Pakistan at the same venue, and returning to
conclude the match on Monday, March 27,” the WICB said. This should be a concern for the Guyana Management team and Skipper Leon Johnson since the condition of the match pitch could be changed for the last day by the running on it by the players in the t20
game. Guyana ended the first half of the season second behind Jamaica and Johnson would want his team to become the first ever Guyanese to win three consecutive titles. In addition, the ICC clearly stipulates that unless due to natural causes, the
pitch cannot be re-prepared during the course of a match and even if this was allowed it could alter the result of the game on a last game track which has been ‘doctored’ making the toss unimportant. Never before in the West Indies has there been a rest day in a four-day contest and
even in the days of Test Matches with a rest day no other match was played on the ground on the rest day. Solving this unnecessary problem could have been easily been sorted by shifting the First-Class match to one of the other grounds in Barbados. But then again the WICB has mandated that all First-Class games only be played at the International venues thus robbing the fans at the rural venues like Albion in Guyana from seeing the Region’s top players in action, while very few go to the Stadiums to watch fourday cricket. The Guyana/ Leewards Hurricanes ninth round fourday encounter has been rescheduled to be played from April 21-24 due to Guyana’s hosting of the three-match ODI series between Pakistan on April 7, 9 & 11 at Providence.
Top IKD Chairman & Chief Instructor Grades 131 Karate Students at the YMCA
9th Dan Shuseki Shihan Frank Woon-A-Tai along with Sensei Amir Khouri 6th Dan and Sensei Roger Peroune 4th Dan pose with the 131 students who were graded. Founder of the International Karate Daigaku, 9th Dan Shuseki Shihan Frank Woon-A-Tai, graded 131 Karatekas of the ASK-Guyana at the YMCA Thomas Lands on Sunday last; assisted by Sensei Amir Khouri 6th Dan and Sensei Roger Peroune 4th Dan. Students from the (Association do Shotokan Karate-Guyana) Dojo’s Linden, Albion, Blairmont, Land of Canaan, Canal #1
and Georgetown were examined and graded. Following are the collective results: 2nd Dan Promotions 1. Donte Fernandes YMCA 2. Shakeem Shelton Walcott YMCA 3. Andy Madray SamReddy Albion 1st Dan Promotions 1. Mark Singh YMCA 2. Alexa Robert
YMCA 3. Michael Dev Dhani YMCA 4. Tulsidai Ramotar Canal #1 5. Maqsood Ahmad MansoorLinden 6. Eric Bisember Albion 7. Asaad Abdool Blairmont Outstanding KYU Grade promotions: 10 KYU to 8 KYU: Marlon McKenzie, Jazara Hewitt, Samiyah
Duncan, Micah Saul, Aliyah Stewart, Zac Hussain, Anya Insanally, Yijun Huang, Jian Hong Zhang, Zion Rambarran, Marvin Armstrong, Nick Sookdeo, Kadre Henry, Tharisha Montes de Oca, Jehoash Thomas, Jared Rambissoon, Jayden Adrian and Shinessa Boyce. 10 KYU to 7 KYU: Krisendat Phagoo, Nalini Arjoon, Andre Sookram, Ramzan Singh and Bradley
Fenty. 9 KYU to 7 KYU: Farhan Jahan. 8 KYU to 6 KYU: Aldo Melendez and Bhaskar Jaipersaud. 7 KYU to 5 KYU: Raphael Isaacs, Shanker Parasram, Jerry Santana-Bain, D’Andre DaSilva and Andes Roberts. 5 KYU to 3 KYU: Rapheal Ograsein, Joel Kellman and Shemar Parkinson. Total KYU Grades
Promotions: 37students to Yellow Belt (8 KYU), 20 students to Orange Belt (7 KYU), 13 students to Green Belt (6 KYU), 16 students to Blue Belt (5 KYU), 17 students to Purple Belt (4 KYU), 8 students to Brown Belt (3 KYU), 5 students to Brown Belt (2 KYU), 5 students to Brown Belt (1 KYU); 7 students to 1st DAN (Black Belt), 3 students to 2nd DAN (Black Belt).
Kaieteur News
Tuesday March 07, 2017
PAGE 33
‘Reaction’ Drag Meet could make strong impact on GMR&SC calendar
Part of the action on race day at a previous Drag Meet. With Suriname confirming participation in the Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club (GMR&SC) season opening ‘Reaction’ Drag Meet set for March 19, at the South Dakota Circuit, fans will now have the opportunity to witness an exciting day of action. Coming off a successful season last year, drag racing has become another segment of motor sport that is eagerly
anticipated by supporters and competitors alike and the upcoming event is shaping up to make a strong impact on the governing body’s calendar for 2017. According to newlyelected President of the GMR&SC Rameeze Mohamed, who held an interactive session with the media recently, the club is hoping for huge success in
every aspect of the sport, including circuit and endurance racing and support for the season opener’s, could provide an early test for the sport’s success or failure this year. However, premature indications seem to suggest that stakeholders such as the competitors, executive and sponsors are eager to make the new administration’s tenure a
success. The Dutch competitors have always posed the biggest threat to our dominance of the sport in this region and their presence is definitely a fillip for the event. It would take competitors such as the Daby brothers Rondell and Peter, Sanjay Persaud, Anand Ramchand, Sean Persaud and others to hold
off the Surinamese. The makeup of their team is not known as yet, but usually they send a formidable contingent to compete in all the categories and with relations between the two countries remaining very strong, it is not farfetched to think that the team will be a strong one as well. Mohamed had said that they intend to expand
participation this year so w e c o u l d s e e competitors from other countries within the region coming to be part of the occasion. Drag Racing has grown in popularity and the GMR&SC now has another part of the sport that has taken off to the extent that it is now able to generate income for the entity.
t r o Sp STAG Elite League – Leaders Playoff Tourney
GDF and Victoria Kings post opening wins
Battle for possession in the Buxton United vs Victoria Kings clash.
Milo 18 and under Football Competition
QC, Mae’s and Dolphin record wins
Narayan Ramdhani cops two more third places in Vancouver Canada
Part of the action in the encounter between School of the Nations and North Georgetown on Sunday. Narayan Ramdhani defeated Nestor Yang Ning Lin to reach the Semi-Finals.
Mentore toppled by Harding as DCC makes sweeping Changes Roger Harper back on executive for first time in 12 years Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Limited, 24 Saffon St.Charlestown, Georgetown.Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/ 226-8210