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Friday March 09 ,2018
The Plight of Venezuelans DEAR EDITOR, Since the beginning of the social, political and economic crisis in Venezuela, Venezuelans have been fleeing their country in search of basic necessities in order to survive, not for luxuries or touristic purposes. A few have knocked on Guyana’s door, mostly women, and they have been treated like common criminals. Have we forgotten about the thousands of Guyanese who fled Guyana through illegal means yet were treated with far more kindness and tolerance by far off nations? As someone who was a child during the 80’s, I am wondering if our crisis is even comparable to what is
occurring in Venezuela: starvation, reports of even cannibalism in the prisons, widespread looting, murder and mayhem. There are hundreds of news articles, videos and pictures showing the world the chaos and humanitarian disaster occurring in this nation. Most of the reports are from highly respected international news agencies such as the BBC, New York Times, Reuters, CNN and Aljazeera. Some Guyanese even doubt these reports; sometimes when the news doesn’t fit with our agenda we deny the credibility to absolve ourselves from empathizing. Often, we read about the poor Venezuelan women in
search of food for their children being arrested, charged, fined, jailed, then deported. How are they going to get the money to pay the fines when they cannot even buy food? If these women had money would they be in poor, English-speaking Guyana in the first place? The Venezuelan Bolivar is practically worthless; the government has actually launched a Cryptocurrency. What form of humanitarian aid has Guyana provided for our suffering next door neighbours? Is any aid agency or NGO providing basic food stuff or any sort of help to the few who flee to our country? It is easy to say (Continued on page 6)
From page 4 Air Transport Association (“IATA”) and other international bodies having jurisdiction”. The Airport is, therefore, regulated by the GCAA and not OAI. It is precisely because of enforcement of these regulations that there has been a history, almost from the inception of the Airport, of Air Services and the Mazaharally Group in particular, resisting regulation and complaining about it to all and sundry and, from time to time, running to the less responsible media with false and unsubstantiated allegations. So after the Mazaharally Group had been frustrated in taking their complaints to the Fair Trade Commission, they then refused to comply with the international standards required for the delivery and sale of commercial fuel at the Airport, finally having to comply with the IATA/JIG standards licencing requirements. ASL’s Manager, Mazahar Ally, at the time, crashed a loaded fuel tanker carrying illegal fuel through the gates of the Airport, endangering the entire Airport, which could
have resulted in a total disaster. In yet another example, ASL’s Manager refused to comply with directions of the Airport’s Chief Executive Officer to stop the unauthorized construction of a taxiway on the Airport, resorting to vulgar abuse of the officer and a violent assault of the police officer called to restore order. Mr. Ally was arrested and a court case was withdrawn on terms that he make an apology. Ogle Airport Inc., as is perfectly well known, has committed to a Private/Public Partnership with the Government of Guyana for the development and management of the Airport. The Partnership is governed through a Lease Agreement for the “Management, Operation and Development” of the Airport. The Agreement sets out in very specific terms, the obligations of the Company “to operate the Airport for the use and benefit of the public” and those of the Government to provide Air Traffic Control, Inspection and all those services required to be provided by government agencies such as Customs,
Immigration and Port Health. OAI is justifiably proud that it has met all of these obligations, and Guyana should be proud of its newest international airport OAI has so far, at the insistence of its Chairman, tempered its public response to the attacks by Kaieteur News and its ‘so u r c e ’ because the Kaieteur News reporting uses much of the same matter filed in a case pending in Court by Air Services and parties and, therefore, is sub judice and should not be commented on. But Kaieteur News and its ‘source’ have no such compunction, and have for six days published dishonest and libelous articles posing as news. OAI will not waste any more of its time responding to these scurrilous reports in the Kaieteur News. Mr. Correia, in the meantime, has indicated to OAI that he will be filing proceedings in Court seeking from Kaieteur News compensation and other relief for libel. We look forward to the disclosure in that action of the identity of the Kaieteur News ‘source’. Yours sincerely, Management Ogle Airport Inc.
Ogle Airport threatens...
Wasting resources and smiling for the camera DEAR EDITOR, I have noted the recent statements in the press by the Chancellor of the Judiciary, Yonette Cummings-Edwards and Chief Justice Roxane George, that backlog cases in the Courts have been reduced. I wish to commend them for that. However, due consideration should also be given to other factors. The irony of the situation is that the Chancellor has been hosting and scheduling conferences intended for the improvement of the delivery of justice in the Court of Appeal, High Court and Magistrates Court, but has been conducting such conferences on the very days when such justice should be delivered. All of the Judges and Magistrates attend such conferences and the Courts are at a virtual standstill on weekdays when these conferences are hosted and while persons await the hearing of their matters filed several years previously. Similarly, there was the recent opening of new judicial quarters in the Essequibo district which was again scheduled for a working day. ALL of the judges and magistrates were present to wit-
ness the mere ceremonial cutting of a ribbon. This was undoubtedly a publicity photo taking exercise. The question to be considered is, having regard to the fact that this facility had been completed much earlier, why were scarce judicial funds yet being used to pay rental to a private citizen to accommodate the judicial officers and magistrates assigned to that district. It is a lamentable situation in view of the fact that there was a spanking new unoccupied facility. The abuse of the limited resources available for the dispensation of court matters affecting members of the public is even more evident at the recent opening of a Magisterial Court in the remote Lethem area. All of the Judges, Magistrates and judicial staffers were present at the opening at which really the Chancellor and Chief Justice should have attended. Instead, limited resources were used to fly several plane loads of judges, magistrates, lawyers and Court registry staffers totaling over 40 persons to Lethem and paying for accommodation for these
persons for a duration of two days. These “joy rides” and excursions being organised by top members of the Judiciary are shocking. There is a reckless abuse of scarce resources being applied towards travel and accommodation for judges and magistrates to travel to countries such as Curacao and Tanzania for conferences, while the reality is that the Supreme Court remains in a deplorable state of disrepair accompanied by the persistent stench of sewage. In addition to the physical state of the Supreme Court, the immediate environs remain a cause of concern. There is an existing taxi park behind the Chambers of the Chief Justice and total lawlessness prevails with minibuses continuing to traverse the area accompanied by the cacophony of blaring horns. The Supreme Court should be revered, hallowed halls of justice operating in a silent zone. Alas, those tasked with the administration of justice continue to smile for the cameras at those ribbon cutting exercises. Yours faithfully, Stephanie Isaacs
‘I need my correct NIS pension’ DEAR EDITOR, I, Choonmattie Seebrat, NIS # A-5281076 of Lot 108, Goed Fortuin Housing Scheme, West Bank Demerara, am an NIS pensioner for three years now after rendering 39 years of arduous service to the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo). My monthly pension is calculated on 1335 contributions made jointly by myself and the GuySuco. However, the Scheme found another 130 contributions which ought to be added to 1335 contributions. With those contributions my rate of pen-
sion would increase by about three per cent. In addition, I have provided copies of pay slips evidencing that another 85 contributions are to be added to my aggregate contributions. Please, through your widely read newspaper, publicize my letter which hopefully will urge the National Insurance Scheme to ensure
that I receive my correct rate of pension. Thank you Yours faithfully, Choonmattie Seebrat
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Women and their importance DEAR EDITOR, I relished the article headed “Importance of women to the psychosocial fabric of society”. As a student in London in the 1950s, the late Sir “Joe Sabola” (subsequently known as Gonsalves-Sabola), married a close friend of mine, and very dear to his own mother, told me that “a mother makes a home, and once you have a good mother, you’re OK; if not, you feel maladjusted for the rest of your life”. I have personal proof of this. I can assure you that child abuse can be both physical, emotional and psychological. And if all three forms are experienced on a regular or daily basis, the victim is damaged for life. With some victims this may be handed down, and become a pattern through generations. I am now happy to note that this subject is being taken seriously, and that Canada’s PM Trudeau is a self-proclaimed feminist. Perhaps he is speaking from personal insight. I remember a joke circulating about his parents marital differences before his birth. His mother was attending a party on her own and had not returned home at the time expected. His father rang her, to find out the position and she told him she was finishing a chat with politician Edward Kennedy. Dad replied “Good, make sure he drives you home”! I still have this joke on my list of ‘ political funnies’. Geralda D.
In support of the current Chancellor and Chief Justice DEAR SIR/MADAM I write in great concern on the matter relating to the appointment of Chancellor of the Judiciary. Both the acting Chancellor and Chief Justice should be given the opportunity to be confirmed in these positions. Immediately upon reading an earlier article in relation to the appointment of Justice Benjamin who currently heads the Judiciary in Belize, I became concerned and felt that these distinguished women remained in this country and gave their service to the Judiciary and people of this nation. The said President David Granger considered them suitable to act in the capacities and they have proven themselves and are loved by their peers. My question is 1) Why not confirm them? 2) Is it because Justice George didn’t rule in the Government’s favour a few months ago? I call on the Opposition Leader Mr Bharrat Jagdeo not to agree with this decision. Stand up for what is right, Sir, also the President of the Bar Association, Mr Kamal Ramkarran, the Women Lawyers’ Association; the entire Judiciary, Appeal Court Judges, the members of the Assemblies of God in Guyana to come out in full support for these two distinguished women and not allow this to occur. I Watson Private Detective
The Plight of Venezuelans From page 5 that those who wish to come here should do so through legal means, however when a country is in a state of chaos, how are starving penniless people supp o s e d t o a f f ord ‘luxury travel?’ We are basically sending a message that Guyana does not help refugees and we do not welcome the poor. Other countries in South America have shown far more compassion, especially Colombia which has accepted thousands of Venezuelans. We get two-digit figures
and they are promptly rounded up, publicly humiliated, fined or imprisoned and then swiftly deported. Can’t we show a bit of compassion? We can at least allow women, children and families into the country on a temporary basis until the situation in their country improves. By criminalizing the helpless they become prey and are exploited by real criminals that are always ready to pounce. The reality is that many Venezuelan children and women have become livestock for traffickers and other
criminals. The ABC countries and Europe have been accepting thousands of refugees from far flung places, why can’t Guyana help a few from next door? I personally know far more Guyanese living in the USA and other countries illegally, or who entered illegally and have now become citizens, than those who did everything by the book. When we had our own political situation, thousands fled ‘the backtrack’/ illegal way. Presently, although the state of affairs here is quite
‘normal’, people continue to use their tourist visas as if these were green cards and they overstay. They are economic migrants and thousands before were economic migrants, yet they were not rounded up and deported by foreign nations. They walk the streets, work and attend school without fear. Eventually many will become citizens of those countries, so why can’t we be empathetic and show a bit of compassion to the starving Venezuelans? Narissa Deokarran
Friday March 09 ,2018
A Tribute to Dr. Cheddi Jagan DEAR EDITOR, This is a tribute to the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan in the form a poem. IN THE MEMORY OF GUYANA’S LATE PRESIDENT DR.CHEDDI JAGAN A great soul was born on Guyana’s soil, From parents who lived in poverty, tears and toil. His path was rough from his birth to his death, where he lived and died for his nation in no regret. He struggled for all Guyanese to be free, In sweat and tears he fought for our liberty. For us to always remember the Father of our Nation, He fought for one and all without discrimination. If we will understand our hero Cheddi Jagan, And give each other love and a helping hand We will live as one people and one nation, With the same destiny for our souls to be free. Let’s remember our liberator and mourn together this day, And join our hearts together to sing and pray. For us to remember he was a man of patience, He ruled our nation with a clear conscience. If we will comprehend this great son of our soil, And emulate his vision to walk an extra mile. We will build a bridge over hate, greed, and war, And live in love to reach heaven’s twinkling stars. O great soul of my country; you came and went away! For this nation to think of your great name and pray. In the ages to come your words shall be our song, For us to remember you, for our souls to be strong. You left this nation to mourn and weep for you, And my soul to think of you in everything I do. O what manner of faith you possessed for 28 years! When you struggled for my nation in blood and tears. Your name will be a light in every Guyanese heart, And your words of wisdom shall never depart. Your face we will remember as a smiling rose, And your immortal words even though your eyes are closed. May you be like a Lincoln, Gandhi, and Nehru? As a true statesman in everything you do. So long as history lives, your name will live, As the Father of my blessed country Guyana. You liberated a nation for a new nation to be born, For us to remember Cheddi Jagan as a noble soul reborn. By Rev.Gideon Cecil
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Friday March 09 ,2018
Pegasus unveils 15-storey tower in US$100M expansion - Badal urges tax, fiscal incentive reforms
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rivately-owned Pegasus Hotel, looking to capitalize on the emerging oil and gas sector, has unveiled an ambitious US$100M expansion project, including a 15-storey tower and stateof-the-art convention centre. Yesterday morning, the sod was turned in the hotel’s adjoining property near the tennis court with Chairman, Robert Badal, hailing the investment as the city’s largest investment. The businessman took the opportunity to call for tax and fiscal incentive reforms to encourage investors. The contract has been awarded to China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), the same company that is in charge of the US$150M airport expansion at Timehri and the MovieTowne project at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara. With Badal was his wife, Mrs. Priya Badal, Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, and other officials. At the sod-turning, the businessman disclosed that facilities comprising a sevenstorey state-of-the-art corporate office complex would be adjacent to a 15storey tower offering luxury accommodations of “Grade A” class. The project is bringing an entirely new concept called “business tourism” where persons will be able to live upstairs and work downstairs. The new facilities dubbed the Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre - will boast offices - the best in terms of first world quality, says Badal, with secured parking, high speed internet, televisions, access control and high-curtain walls. The businessman was convinced that the innovative project is badly needed by Guyana with an oil production start looming in two years’ time. It has been planned for a long time.
A view of what the Kingston location will look like after completion
According to Minister Gaskin, the investments are a clear sign of the confidence in Guyana and a sign of vision by Pegasus. “While we see an empty field, this investor sees more, and is putting his money where his mouth is,” Gaskin stated.The Business Minister said that facilities will complement the nearby Marriott Hotel. “Guyana needs Grade A accommodations.There are clearly opportunities and confidence is being created,” Gaskin saidMeanwhile, Badal during a cocktail and project launch last evening at the Pegasus Hotel, Kingston, said that it represents a historic leap in the architectural landscape of the city of Georgetown, and of the iconic Pegasus Hotel itself. LARGEST INVESTMENTS
Minister Dominic Gaskin (right) and businessman Robert Badal at the sod-turning yesterday morning
The initiative would represent the largest private sector investment ever undertaken in Georgetown, he boasted. “It will be equipped with the latest building management systems, curtain walls providing floor to ceiling views of the Atlantic Ocean and the city skyline, the best security systems and access control, secure parking, high end restaurant, gym, salon and spa, and one of the best ever courtyard scenes, all at the best address in Guyana.” The facilities will also boast a state-of-the-art convention centre, “which would make those existing here look primitive”, the hotel’s chairman said. It is the plan to place over 30,000 square feet of solar panels to supply part of the energy needs. “With rainfall catchment and lush landscape we would, I
believe, qualify for LEED certification. This would be the only Grade A building in Guyana. In consequence, it
would be possible to live upstairs and work downstairs, workout at the gym, have a massage, and then have lunch
and dinner at the best restaurant in Guyana, and of course, have drinks with (Continued on page 27)
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OAI ensures Trans Guyana has access to all competitors’ info As aviation operators using the Eugene F. Correia International Airport continue to complain of the unfair treatment being meted out to them by the Correia family, they highlight the fact that all their business information can be accessed by Trans Guyana Airways. Ogle Airport Inc (OAI) is a shareholding company that manages the Eugene F. Correia Airport. The company is controlled by the Correia family with the lead role taken on by Michael Correia. He is the Chairman. Correia is also the Chairman of Trans Guyana Airways which competes with the other airlines operating domestically out of that airport. Operators are concerned about the unlevel playing field on which they have to work, as OAI is creating all sorts of advantageous conditions for Trans Guyana, “at our detriment.” This newspaper understands that OAI requires all aircraft operators to submit their flight manifests, showing passenger names and destinations for every flight flown. The information has to be forwarded to OAI’s office that is housed in Caribbean Aviation Maintenance Services (CAMS)’ hangar. CAMS is also owned by the Correia company. This newspaper would have already highlighted that OAI is paying CAMS several hundreds of thousands monthly to rent office space, despite the fact that there is space in the terminal building owned by the airport. “We should not be submitting such information,” said one operator. In addition, this newspaper understands that all of OAI’s documents are kept on the Correia Group of Companies’ computer server. This enables Trans Guyana Airways to have
OAI Chairman and owner of Trans Guyana, Michael Correia access to all of their competitors’ data. “This is grossly unfair; we know what can happen there.” Operators are saying that such practices by OAI highlight the need to eradicate the state of affairs where an airport is being managed by an operator. “The management of the airport needs to be staffed with professionals who are not in any way related to any one of the aviation companies.”
Friday March 09 ,2018
City Hall rushes approval for late 3.1B draft budget
The Mayor and City Council of Georgetown (M&CC) approved a draft budget of $3.1B for 2018 at a hurriedly called extraordinary meeting on Wednesday, setting off a new round of questions about the handling of the city’s finances. According to the Municipal and District Councils Act, the budget is due to be submitted to the council by November 15, with copies being made available to the Minister of Communities and the public. APNN Councillor and head of the (M&CC) Finance Committee, Oscar Clarke told Kaieteur News that the budget process was delayed because of ongoing discussions to implement a separate fee on citizens for garbage disposal. The plan has been opposed by councillors, with more discussions still ongoing. “The discussions with the various departments were not concluded, and also some discussions with the various communities. There were discussions going since October and those discussions dragged on. Many other things are going on, so we were not able to meet the deadline in November,” Clarke stated. According to Section 55 of the Municipal and District Councils Act, a notice of 72 hours is required before an extraordinary meeting is
…additional garbage disposal fee being considered
Head of the Finance Committee, Oscar Clarke called, unless the urgency of the situation dictates that a lesser time is approved by the major or chair of the meeting. Some councillors were given fewer than 48 hours notice of the meeting along with copies of the draft budget which is equivalent to just over US$15M. A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Councillor, Alfred Mentore told Kaieteur News that the legality of the meeting is ‘a tricky one’ which was raised at the Council. He explained that the Council should have used its powers to vary the timeframe for the
notice, but instead they went ahead with the draft budget approval. Councillor Tricia Richards explained that as far as she was concerned, the meeting was legally constituted, since the draft budget approval was an emergency situation. She noted that councillors were part of the budget process. Clarke noted that the important thing was to get the buy-in of the council before more financial complications occur. “If we don’t get that approval we can’t spend more than one-twelfth of the budgetary proposal, which would be illegal. We need to get that budget in place so it gives us an opportunity to pay salaries at the end of the month,” Clarke explained. He further noted that extraordinary meetings are permissible to get the budget through. He stated that all councillors were invited to attend the budget deliberations; hence, it is not a case where the councillors were completely out of the loop. “When the budget was presented, the number of complaints was very few, even though some of the matters in the budget were substantial,” Clarke noted.
Bisram given until April 16 to file response to U.S. Govt. A New York judge has given fugitive businessman, Marcus Bisram, and his defence team, until April 16, to file a critical response to the U.S. Government. Yesterday, Judge Kiyo Matsumoto, in granting a request for more time, made it clear that no additional extensions will be granted. Bisram is in U.S. custody pending the outcome of challenge to a deportation ruling made late last year. His lawyer, Mario Gallucci, told Kaieteur News that the District Court Judge has granted an extension for a response to a filing of the US Government’s response to a Writ of Habeas Corpus. “The extension was granted for two reasons - I have been involved in a fiveweek double murder in the first degree trial in New York and two, the Guyanese Counsel has still not provided the necessary affidavit required for us to file our response.” Gallucci noted that once he responds to the
- Judge orders no more extensions
In jail: Marcus Bisram
Killed: Faiyaz Narinedatt
Government, the Judge will review and make a decision. “If the decision is favourable then Mr. Bisram will not be extradited. If unfavourable, then we would
make a further application to the Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson.” Tillerson has the final say if Bisram is extradited back (Continued on page 12)
The Ministry of Finance announced that it will be using the site of the old GNCB Sports Club to construct an annex. The proposed annex will cost $225M. The building will house the office of the Valuation Division of the Ministry of Finance, and (note this) a training room, a sports complex and a gym. Is this how public funds are being squandered - to build a sports complex, a gym and training room? The $225M is likely to only be the cost of constructing the building. Putting in the furnishings, the gym and training equipment and remodeling it to accommodate the Valuation Division is going to send the price tab further up. By the time this is finished, the final cost is likely to end up being half a billion dollars. This project should be revisited. A contract has already been signed and so it cannot be pulled back. But instead of building an annex for the Ministry of Finance, this building can be used for existing government agencies which pres-
ently have to rent private buildings. When the government could not find the money to pay severance to the terminated sugar workers, it said that each Ministry would be examining its respective budgets to see where cuts can be made. Yet, it has not seen the wisdom of sacrificing this plan to build an annex to the Ministry of Finance. Why does the Ministry of Finance, which already has a large complex on Main Street, need a training room? The Ministry of Finance should be employing highly qualified and technical staff who are already trained. They should utilize existing space in case they need to do any training sessions or hold meetings. How many training sessions are there likely to be each year to justify building a structure to house a training room? There are other places whose facilities can be used for such training. And why a gym? Since when has it become the responsibility of the Ministry of Finance to ensure that their
staffers are physically fit? And why a sports complex? Experience has shown, over the years, that not only are these facilities not utilized, but when used, they cater mainly for drinkers. The GNCB Sports Club, ironically where the new complex is to be located, was underutilized by staff. It had to be heavily subsidized by the corporation. The Guyana National Service Sports Complex suffered the same fate. Sprostons Sports Club used to be frequented more by non-workers than workers. The same is likely to be true of Transport Sports Club. A number of state corporations ended up having to spend huge sums each year to keep these facilities going. Workers want to go home when the workday is ended. Most of them live out of town and they have no time for gym and sports after work. As such, these facilities remain underutilized. If the Ministry of Finance wants to keep its workers fit, it should offer to pay their gym fees each
Town Clerk scraps leave request as auditors take aim at City Hall Town Clerk Royston King has rescinded his request for leave following announced plans by the Auditor General’s office to conduct a forensic audit of the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown (M&CC). King who is facing a no confidence motion filed by Alliance for Change, (AFC) Councillor, Sherod Duncan, said that he decided to stay on the job, given the circumstances. “Given all that has been happening; given all the unfolding events, perhaps it would be more responsible for me to stay on a bit longer,” King told Kaieteur News. Prior to Auditor General Deodat Sharma’s pronouncement of a forensic audit, the Town Clerk had applied for 42 days leave, starting next month. The forensic audit of the city will look into millions of dollars in funds provided by Central Government, dating as far back as 2015. The AG’s decision came when city treasurer, Ron McCalmont, who is legally the financial reporting officer for the council, was absent from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) meeting held at Parliament Buildings on February 19. The PAC noted that state auditors have not received vouchers, statements of expenditure or any piece of
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Friday March 09 ,2018
Town Clerk, Royston King document that can verify that City Hall spent $173.5M. This amount included Kitty Market, $60M; constabulary training school, $23.9M; city engineer’s building, $13.5M; constabulary headquarters, $12.9M; Albouystown clinic, $21.5M; and office equipment and furniture, $42.1M. Questions have been raised about the $300M allotted for the Georgetown restoration programme in 2015. Some $6.2M was expended to purchase a double cab pickup for the city police; $52.1M for debushing Le R epentir Cemetery and $241.6M for the restoration of Georgetown. Several payment vouch-
ers were examined and discrepancies observed. Auditors found 167 instances totalling $159.9 M where there was no evidence of the payment vouchers. There were instances where approval by the city treasurer was not seen on 140 payment vouchers totalling $143.7M; no evidence of the city’s financial committee approving 48 payments totalling $48.4M; no evidence of receipt or payee acknowledgement for a payment of $750,000 to a contractor and the basis of award of several contracts for the weeding of parapets, desilting of drains and cutting down of trees. Duncan in his motion listed a number of issues and accused the Town Clerk of dereliction of duty. Among other things, the Town Clerk is accused of awarding contracts without following the procurement rules, approving the highly controversial parking meter contract with overseas-based Smart City Solutions, (SCS), and leasing the Bel Air Park and the Farnum playgrounds without the approval of the Council. The motion was seconded by AFC Councillor and Deputy Mayor, Lionel Jaikarran. The motion is expected to be on the M&CC agenda by the next statutory meeting set for March 12.
month. They will save a lot more money than having to provide a gym. Admittedly, there is a need for new offices for the Valuation Division. But ideally, this Division should have long been divested from the Ministry of Finance and placed under the Ministry of Communities. Or it should be placed under the purview of the Lands and Surveys Commission. There is no need for the Ministry of Finance to hold responsibility for this division. But why was the old GRA building on Main Street, which has three stories and is almost one block long, used only to house the Bureau of Statistics. That building could have comfortably housed both the Bureau of
Statistics and the Valuation Division, and even the offices of NICIL. The Ministry of Finance is setting a precedent. What is going to happen if all government ministries decide they want a sports complex and a gym? At the ideological level, what is happening within the government is worrying. The bureaucracy is costing the government more than $568M per day on recurrent expenditures alone. The government needs to reduce the size of the bureaucracy. It needs to make government smaller and more affordable, so that it can spend more on satisfying the needs of the people. Why should a country with a small population like Guyana, be spending
so much each day on keeping the government going? The government is complaining about having to provide $12B a year for the sugar industry. This is however a mere two weeks of what is spent by government on recurrent expenditures to support the work of its ministries, agencies and departments. The government is sluggish because it is carrying around too much fat. And it is now adding to its burdens through extravagant and unnecessary capital works such as the proposed annex at the site of the old GNCB Sports Club.
Friday March 09 ,2018
Kaieteur News
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Carjacking crackdown… Police in Linden yesterday afternoon visited the Amelia’s Ward/Wisroc car park and impounded several vehicles at the Mackenzie Police Station for visual inspection. Commander of ‘E’ Division Anthony Vanderhyden said that the exercise was intelligence-driven and comes in the wake of the recent bust of a carjacking ring that is based mainly on the Linden Soesdyke Highway. The exercise entailed the checking of chassis numbers and engines. A few drivers claimed that they were bullied off the Park. The exercise continues today. Police dismantled the massive carjacking ring last month, seizing several vehicles and motorcycles, and
Kaieteur News
Friday March 09 ,2018
Cops haul in several vehicles for inspection at Linden an excavator. A number of suspects have been charged. Investigators believe that the gang’s operations stretched from East Coast Demerara to Linden. The members reportedly included ex-policemen, several young taxi drivers, individuals with access to firearms, mechanics and bodywork specialists, women who acquired duplicate vehicle keys, and individuals who assisted in providing forged documents. Police say that one of the key players in the operation rented out the stolen cars to young taxi drivers. In turn, they paid him $24,000 a week. Most of the vehicles were stolen in Georgetown and stashed in areas such as Kuru Kururu, Yarrowkabra and Monument Hill on the
Some of the impounded cars Soesdyke/Linden Highway. Some were then dis-
Police ranks and drivers outside the Mackenzie Police Station mantled, their registration numbers removed, some repainted; and refitted with parts from other vehicles, and equipped with false number
plates. Police also found several vehicle doors and the shells of numerous other vehicles. Investigators believe that
the gang had assistance from individuals who helped them to procure documents such as bogus certificates of registration.
Bisram given until April 16... From page 8 to Guyana to face a murder charge. Late last year, Bisram was ordered held after ajudge found that he is extraditable to Guyana. Bisram’s lawyer immediately, in November, filed a Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus - that Bisram be produced. It would be the last procedure that the businessman had to fight his extradition. In January, Assistant Legal Advisor of the Department of State, Washington, Tome Heinemann, filed a declaration in which it was disclosed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Guyana on January 18, 2018, transmitted its request for the extradition of Bisram. The Ministry made it clear then that the charges for Bisram’s extradition remained pending in Guyana with the warrant included in the extradition still valid. In his Memorandum of Law in Opposition to Bisram’s petition, Richard Donoghue, US
Attorney disclosed that Bisram (the “fugitive”) is wanted for murder in Guyana. He said that the Government of Guyana has obtained a warrant for his arrest in Guyana and has sought his extradition from the US. ”Rather than appear in Guyana and face the charge against him, the fugitive has remained in the United States, challenging his extradition and now seeking to delay the extradition by filing a meritless petition for a writ of habeas corpus challenging the order certifying his extraditability issued on October 12, 2017.” Bisram was arrested at a New York beach front property, in Far Rockaway, Queens, on July 4, last, after a U.S. Judge had issued a warrant for him. Prior to that, Bisram was posted on the Interpol wanted list. Bisram’s alleged actions in November 2016 in Berbice, caused four men to be charged for the murder of Faiyaz Narinedatt.
Friday March 09, 2018
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Kaieteur News
Firefighters quell blaze at Costello Housing Scheme apartment building
The apartment buildings where the fire took place Hours after the Guyana Fire Service received mixed reviews for its handling of the devastating fires in Kitty on Wednesday morning, yesterday it received nothing but praises for averting a major catastrophe in Costello Housing Scheme, West Ruimveldt. Just before two o’clock yesterday morning, residents woke up to the smell of smoke and fire in an apartment building which was unoccupied at the time. They told Kaieteur News that the male occupant, who is hardly ever home, would leave his air condition unit on day and night, and they fear that is what caused his apartment to be completely destroyed by fire. The fire service was alerted by residents and while the latter awaited the arrival of the tenders, a woman who
is said to always have a drum of water filled at her back door, kept dousing a nearby apartment to prevent the fire from spreading. She was successful in her efforts. One woman, Simone Parker, explained that she was sleeping when she began experiencing a burning sensation in her nose. She said that she jumped up and looked through her window where she noticed “a big heap of smoke” emanating from the secured apartment. She said that the discovery was observed sometime close to 2 am. The firefighters, according to Parker, explained that the fire might have started as a result of a slack electrical connection. The woman expressed concern of what the state of the community would have been like today had she
not been awakened by the smoke. She spoke specifically of how the fire would have displaced and affected dozens of children and a large number of adults. “That is what everybody asking; what would have been happening today? Everybody scatter because the pace that fire was going at this morning was crazy; it was crazy. But the fire workers they were prompt, because while I was throwing to wet this one side they came, they really worked” the woman recounted. The building that was gutted is a concrete structure and right next to it was another concrete building. The fire, however, was spreading via the roof. The grandmother of the young man who lived at the house said she got up to use
A close-up view of the damaged area the washroom in her apartment and when she opened the door she felt intense heat and immediately observed the fire in the apartment. It would appear that all the persons who live close by were conscious of or alerted to the fire around the same time. The elderly woman who gave her name as Olivia Stephens, said that her grandson would lock up his apartment and not even leave the
keys with her. She said when she saw the fire she attempted to see what she could have salvaged from the house but the doors were all locked. The man was reportedly informed of the fire by his grandmother. Another woman who lives close by indicated that this was the third time a fire in the said apartment had threatened the entire block. She said that one night they saw fire com-
ing through the vent of the house and when they sought assistance and broke down the door of the apartment, they discovered a candle lit on the floor on a mat and left unattended. The man and his female companion were again not in the house. She said the time before that young man left something on the stove and that also caused a fire to erupt in his apartment.
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Friday March 09, 2018
Kaieteur News
Compensation package finally proposed to Camp Groomes survivors After more than a decade of agitation for decent compensation for the injuries they sustained in the line of duty while stationed at Camp Groomes, nine ex-soldiers are likely to soon be well compensated. At least this is based on information this publication was recently privy to. Although this publication was unable to confirm this latest development with senior Guyana Defence Force [GDF] officials or the expected beneficiaries, reports suggest that the ex-soldiers were invited to a meeting at Camp Ayanganna on Tuesday with the Chief of Staff and other senior GDF ranks to discuss a proposed compensation package. Based on information filtered to this publication, part of the compensation package will include that each of the soldiers will see themselves being elevated to the status of Sergeant and be eligible for retroactive payment, possibly from the time of the incident. This publication was further informed that the proposal had in fact found favour with the ex-soldiers, who have
all denied to admit to such a development when contacted by Kaieteur News. Reports suggest that the ex-soldiers by the end of the meeting had agreed to sign contracts in order to qualify for the compensation package. The move in this direction comes on the heels of support rendered to the ex-soldiers by the Guyana Veterans Legion. According to information recently released by the Legion, an initiative to provide financial relief to the nine exsoldiers was spearheaded by Retired Major Ian C. Fraser, also known as, ‘I. C.’. Retired Major Fraser was the First Commanding Officer at Camp Groomes. At a simple ceremony on Wednesday February 28, 2018 at Carifesta Avenue headquarters of the Veterans Legion, the ex-soldiers were each presented with cheques, reportedly to the tune of $100,000. A luncheon was also held in honour of the ex-soldiers, during which they had shared their concerns about poor treatment meted out to them by the GDF.
[Major Ret’d] I.C. Fraser (seated fourth from right) and Guyana Veterans Legion President Colonel [Ret’d] George Gomes (seated third from left) with the body’s Executives, while the Camp Groomes survivors display their cheques in the background. Upon hearing of the cries of the ex-soldiers of being abandoned, representatives of the Guyana Veterans Legion had expressed hope that Government would step in and provide the ex-soldiers with some form of relief.
On the night of December 18, 2000, the ex-soldiers were among a unit tasked with guarding the ammunition bond at Camp Groomes on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway. The bond, due to reasons which have not been released
to the public, exploded. The bond reportedly contained grenades, various rifles, guns, and a suspected chemical weapon which the government had said was destroyed at the time. When the dust settled af-
ter the massive explosion, three ranks were dead and among the injured were: Samuel Archer, Colwin Lewis, Wincel Wade, Kerwin Wilson, Curtis Samuels, Delroy Hutson, Joslyn Ross, Cecil (Continued on page 16)
Friday March 09, 2018
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Kaieteur News
Feeble attempts made by Govt. to defend ExxonMobil contract - Jagdeo Stating that government is fully responsible for the poorly-negotiated contract with ExxonMobil and its partners, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday highlighted the feeble attempts being made to defend the contract which has been roundly criticized by many. Speaking at his weekly press conference, Jagdeo pointed to the recent comments by Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin who according to observers, belittled the gold sector’s contribution to the country while seeking to compare revenue earnings from oil. “Our Government did not do a good job at representing us. We are very disappointed with the poor quality of the negotiations that they adopted. We have since seen some feeble attempts to defend the contract; the latest of which was done by the Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin,” Jagdeo stated. ExxonMobil first started exploration for oil under the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) administration and was granted a contract in 1999. Jagdeo stated that ExxonMobil has the right to make money on their investments, but since it is Guyana’s resources, the bulk of the benefits must flow to Guyanese.
on the bad negotiations by the government which led to the country losing billions in potential revenue. “We are not silent on it by any standard,” Jagdeo noted. He stated that the party believes in the sanctity of contracts, but the government has
Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo during yesterday’s press conference This scenario, he explained, would equate to a fair deal. “They are not coming here because they love Guyana or any of us. They are coming here because they see a good investment opportunity and therefore they will not come here unless they get a chance to make money on their investment. Every investor
should be allowed to do that. That is how you attract foreign investment. At the same time, the bulk of these resources must lead to the upliftment of our people, Guyanese,” Jagdeo said. The Opposition Leader was asked about criticisms of his party’s silence; Jagdeo noted that the PPP shed light
Pres. Granger off to Solar Summit in India President David Granger departed Guyana early yesterday morning for New Delhi, India, to attend the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Founding Conference and Solar Summit, which is scheduled for Sunday (March 11). He is accompanied by Political Assistant, Mr.William Cox and his Aide-de-Camp, Colonel Paul Arthur. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge has been sworn-in to perform the functions of President until the Head of State returns on March 13, the Ministry of the Presidency said. The summit is being hosted jointly by the Governments of India and France. President Granger will be delivering a presentation on solar energy. He will be meeting with Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi and President of France, Emmanuel Macron and is also expected to engage in bilateral meetings on the side-lines with selected Heads of State, who are attending the summit. Last Tuesday, the President commended France and India for collaborating on an initiative, which aims to transform rural societies, when he
received a formal invitation to the summit from Indian High Commissioner, Mr. Venkatachalam Mahalingam and Ambassador of the French Republic to Guyana, Mr. Antoine Joly. Guyana ratified the ISA Framework Agreement and is a founding member of the ISA, which was launched on November 30, 2015. It is an action-oriented international and inter-governmental organisation that aims to
maximise the harnessing of solar-energy potential, modernise energy systems, universalise access to energy, accelerate economic development and alleviate poverty. Two new programmes — on scaling solar E-mobility and storage, and on rooftop solar — are expected to be unveiled at the summit, which will see a presence of delegations of over 50 member countries, including the two host states.
to first decide whether it wants to renegotiate the contract. Despite the outpouring of criticisms, the government has shut down calls to renegotiate the contract, pointing out that they are currently satisfied with its provisions.
“We pushed for the renegotiations and they say we are trying to destroy the climate for investments in Guyana by not respecting the sanctity of the contract. I am hoping that our Government will sit with ExxonMobil and talk about it,” Jagdeo stated.
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Kaieteur News
Africa should avoid forfeiting sovereignty to China over loans: Tillerson U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said yesterday that African countries should be careful not to forfeit their sovereignty when they accept loans from China, the continent’s biggest trading partner. Tillerson is using his first diplomatic trip to the continent to bolster security alliances on a continent increasingly turning to Beijing for aid and trade, according to a Reuters report. He may also seek to smooth relations, after U.S. President Trump reportedly dismissed some African nations as “shithole countries” in January. Trump later denied making the comment. “We are not in any way attempting to keep Chinese dollars from Africa,” Tillerson told a news conference in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. “It is important that African countries carefully consider the terms of those agreements and not forfeit their sovereignty.” The comments would mirror concerns in Guyana in the aggressive and sometimes questionable terms of conditions to loans and other arrangements with the Chinese in recent years. The Chinese have been lending and receiving a significant number of state contracts and concessions. The United States is the leading aid donor to Africa, but China surpassed it as a trade partner in 2009. Beijing has pumped billions into infrastructure projects, though critics say the use of Chinese firms
and labour undermines their value. Tillerson said Chinese investments “do not bring significant job creation locally” and criticized how Beijing structures loans to African government. “If a government accepts a Chinese loan and “gets into trouble”, he said, it can “lose control of its own infrastructure or its own resources through default.” He did not give examples. The growing Chinese lending to the continent has also attracted criticism from some Africans, who say China’s agenda is to feed its appetite for African raw materials like oil, timber and minerals, and secure contracts for its firms. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, visiting Zimbabwe yesterday, told reporters it was inappropriate for Tillerson to criticize China’s relationship with African countries. “It was not appropriate to criticize the relations of his hosts — when he was a guest there — with another country,” he said. Many African governments enjoy close ties with both Washington and Beijing. Kenya, for example, inaugurated a $3.2 billion railway funded by China last year. For the last three years, Kenya has received more than $100 million annually in U.S. security assistance. Asked about Tillerson’s criticism of China’s approach on the continent, Kenya’s foreign affairs minister Monica Juma said: “This country is
v
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson during a news conference in Ethiopia yesterday.
engaging with partners from across the world, driven by our own interests and for our own value.” Tillerson arrived in Ethiopia, Africa’s second most populous nation, on Wednesday and visited the African Union headquarters yesterday. The complex was funded and built by China and is seen as a symbol of Beijing’s thrust for influence and access to the continent’s natural resources. Ethiopia is home to some of Beijing’s biggest investments, from a railway to Djibouti that opened last year to factories and industrial parks. Earlier this week, Tillerson criticized “China’s approach” to Africa which he said encouraged dependency through “opaque contracts” and “predatory loan practices”. Ethiopia’s prime minister resigned suddenly last month
and a state of emergency was imposed, but protests in the restive Oromia region have continued. The Secretary of State met Hailemariam Desalegn, who resigned as prime minister but is still acting in the post awaiting a replacement. Details of their discussions
were not released. Tillerson said after meeting his Ethiopian counterpart Workneh Gebeyehu, that the answer to political turmoil in Ethiopia was greater freedoms. “It is important that the country moves on past the state of emergency as quickly as possible,” he said.
Tillerson reiterated previous calls for African states to cut ties with North Korea. North Korea has more than a dozen embassies on the continent. The Trump administration has said that Pyongyang earns hard currency from arms deals with African governments and the trafficking of wildlife parts from Africa. Tillerson is due to fly to Djibouti, host to military bases owned by the U.S., China, Japan, France, and Italy. He will then visit Kenya, a key U.S. ally in the fight against al Shabaab Islamist militants in Somalia, before traveling to Chad and Nigeria, which are also battling to contain Islamist insurgents. Analysts say Trump has focused mainly on security concerns in Africa at a time when China, Turkey and other nations are ramping up diplomatic and business links. “When you look at the set of countries that are being visited I think it kind of reinforces the perception that security, indeed, is the overwhelming focus,” said Brahima Coulibaly, the director of the Africa Growth Initiative at Brookings Institution.
Compensation package... (From page 14) Ault and Wendell Cort. A Commission of Inquiry into the matter was conducted in May 2016 and was attended by the surviving ranks. But three of the nine soldiers, who had voiced their concerns last year that nothing came out of the COI, shared their belief that from all indications, theirs is a fate of continuous neglect. The ex-soldiers revealed
that they were told that within three weeks of the COI into the matter they would all be contacted. “The three weeks done turn into a year and we still ain’t hear nothing from nobody,” they had shared. But they were however hopeful that their fear would be appeased by President David Granger, who they claimed to have helped vote into power. Last year they complained
bitterly that no moves were being moved to address their concerns. “We are hearing that everything is on the President’s desk and it has to go through Parliament and all sort of things,” the former soldiers complained. However, given the latest development, it seems that the ranks will be able to put to rest their concerns of neglect and finally find closure.
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Kaieteur News
Innovative approaches to fighting HIV/AIDS to be addressed - as PANCAP hosts Sixth HIV/AIDS Meeting Assessing where the Region is in terms of fast-tracking a regional response to the Human Immunodeficiency Virus [HIV], will be atop of the agenda when the PanCaribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS [PANCAP] hosts the Sixth Meeting of National AIDS Programme [NAP] Managers and Key Partners in Trinidad and Tobago next week. PANCAP is the mechanism that provides a structured and unified approach to the Caribbean’s response to the HIV epidemic. Moreover, participants will include over 70 National AIDS Programme Managers, Chief Medical Officers, Permanent Secretaries, Development and Regional Partners, and Implementing Partners such as Civil Society Organizations that work with people living with HIV and Key Population groups, including youths.
As a result, the meeting, which will span March 12 – 14, 2018, is a forum designed to focus on issues such as the integration of HIV services for sustainability of the HIV response and the progress and challenges towards achievement of the 90-90-90 targets. The 90-90-90 targets speak to 90 percent of all people living with HIV knowing their HIV status by 2020; 90 percent all people with diagnosed HIV infection receiving sustained anti-retroviral therapy, and 90 percent of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy having viral suppression. According to information released by PANCAP yesterday, Ms Gardenia DestangRichardson, National AIDS Programme Manager, Ministry of Health Saint Kitts and Nevis and the National AIDS Programme Manager and Representative on the
Ms Gardenia Destang-Richardson PANCAP Governance Bodies said, “the meeting will provide a forum for assessing where we are in fast tracking the regional HIV response. Participants will discuss innovative approaches for increasing testing, including country efforts to pilot selftesting and country experiences implementing Pre Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) as part of combination prevention, as well as retaining people living with HIV in treatment and care.”
Destang-Richardson further explained that there would be opportunities to examine integration as a key regional strategy for ending AIDS and dialogue on the need for accurate, up to date and credible data on the HIV epidemic to guide the response in the Region. In recognition of the crucial need for countries to prepare for transition and sustainability, she also highlighted that the meeting will seek to strengthen participants’ knowledge and skills on private sector resource mobilization strategies. Participants will also be updated on the support being provided by development and regional partners to assist countries to operationalize their programmes for fasttracking their response.
Additionally, NAP Managers and Key Partners will be updated on the synergies among the three regional Global Fund projects in creating an enabling environment for increasing access to sexual and reproductive health and HIV services for people living with HIV and key populations. The expected outcomes of the meeting include an agreement on approaches for integration as a key strategy for sustainability; strategies for sustaining HIV prevention, treatment and care services; summary of the gaps in the regional response and remaining challenges to achieving the 90-90-90 targets and support needed to address each of the three targets; achievements of the regional Global Fund grants to date; increased awareness of partners
contributions to the targets of the Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework on HIV and AIDS [CRSF]; lessons learned from transition and sustainability exercise and Key policy issues for presentation to the Ministers of Health Council for Human and Social Development [COHSOD] in September 2018. Even as she stressed the importance of the meeting’s outcomes to the HIV response, Destang-Richardson said, “As donor funding declines, countries need to plan for how they will transition away from external funding to increased domestic funding of their HIV response. I hope that we can effectively utilize this forum to create a roadmap for the next stage of the region’s response to HIV.”
Ground Structures Engineering Consultants... From page 18 Ground Structures. He shared, “When I informed my friends in the US about my plans to return home, they all thought of me as being no less than a fool to give up the American dream to return to Guyana. These persons were unaware of the strengths I possessed, instilled in me by people from Springlands, Corentyne, Berbice. Some of these
people include Uncle Ernest and Auntie Norma; Teacher Joyce and Ms Doreen Ferdinand...” Ceres also extended heartfelt thanks and appreciation to his wife Ndibi and his supportive children among other influential persons in his life. He concluded, “Our success could not have been possible without the members of our staff.
The company's philosophy is to work smart and play hard. We pride ourselves in ensuring that our staff is exposed to contemporary technology and practices. We believe that the future of Guyana resides with our young people. Ground Structures promises to continue to nurture young people to ensure they are responsive to the development thrust of Guyana.”
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Friday March 09 ,2018
Brazilian shelters overwhelmed by Honeymoon cut short for newly-weds influx of desperate Venezuelans ….as husband gets nine years for Boa Vista (Brazil) (AFP) - As soon as the traffic lights turn red, a swarm of young Venezuelans with sponges and plastic bottles of detergent surround cars offering to clean the windshield for a bit of spare change. Others fleeing economic hardship at home and trying to get by in this city in Brazil’s north stand on corners and wield signs advertising their workplace skills. More discretely, and at night, Venezuelan women work street corners to sell sex in this capital city of the state of Roraima, which borders the crisis-stricken Venezuela. There are Venezuelans everywhere — in plazas, in parks, you name it. Those capable pool their money and rent a place to live.
City hall in Boa Vista estimates there are some 40,000 Venezuelans in this city of 330,000 — but nobody knows for sure. “We are facing a humanitarian crisis,” Mayor Teresa Surita told AFP. She said the Brazilian central government has been slow to deal with the massive influx over the past three years of Venezuelans fleeing shortages of food, medicine and work back home. The government in Brasilia recently announced measures to confront the crisis. But you would never know that in the streets of Boa Vista, where it is hard to walk without tripping over somebody from Venezuela, desperately trying to survive.
Pegasus unveils 15-storey... (From page 7) friends at our Ignite Bar or tea at Aromas.” This project, he said, will respond to the need for first world facilities demanded by the evolving oil and gas sector, in particular, and other sectors as well, as the country moves forward. TAX REFORMS He said that Government must create a supportive and friendly investment regime. “I applaud the assistance received from the Ministry of Business and its arm GOInvest for this project. However, I am of the opinion that our country’s fiscal incentive regime needs to be more supported and needs urgent reform.” Badal urged that the Withholding Tax on capital projects like this, needs to be removed, regardless of the contractor’s origin. “In fact, there should be no Withholding Tax in the first place. Any foreign services such as consultancies, trip advisor, booking agents, interest payments on loans to a nonresident carries up to 20% Withholding Tax. Why should you tax a business that’s not yet off the ground? Similarly, stamp duty on the legal process of registering debentures and Withholding Taxes on the cost of foreign expertise not available locally, are costly,
and need to be removed.” Likewise, Property Taxes on a project like this under the current regime would amount to close to US$750,000 annually. “I couldn’t believe when I ran the figures yesterday (Wednesday) morning. What is the rationale of having to pay corporate taxes on a company’s income and then property taxes on the assets that generated that income? These all add to the capital cost and affect a project’s viability. It is not good policy to tax what does not exist or what is being built. A project needs to be nurtured and strengthened until it becomes profitable and generates free cash flows, not being laden with taxes. The main reason for the lack of investment enthusiasm among the local private sector is the current fiscal regime.” He noted that history will tell one that it is “impossible to tax ourselves into prosperity”. “We are far behind other countries in the region in terms of infrastructure and I would certainly ask that Government reviews its current investment regime to offer better incentives for capital projects like this.
Otherwise our dream of a better life for all would continue to be nothing but a dream.” The businessman noted that over in Trinidad, the rental market provided by oil and gas companies has resulted in a hike in private sector investments there, as is visible in the many high rises around the Savannah in Port of Spain. He said that Pegasus will welcome working with ExxonMobil and other oil and gas companies to meet their needs. “Ladies and gentlemen, this hotel has been built just around our independence and around the time I was born. Men build buildings to make money and as contributions to society of today and tomorrow, but are outlived by what is built. No doubt, the Pegasus that has hosted so many VIPs with unmatched service and true Guyanese hospitality and been the centre of businesses and big deals over the years would outlive me and all of us in this room, and the next generation and beyond. And so would this expansion, with all its beauty and exquisite charm and iconic presence. This will no doubt be my contribution to my country and future generations.”
A 33-year-old man who got married less than two weeks ago, had to part ways with his wife after he was jailed for nine years Wednesday for engaging in sexual activity with a seven year-old- girl. Troy Jackson, who stood before Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall at the High Court in Georgetown, was convicted on Tuesday for the offence by a 12-member mixed jury. The jury returned with a majority guilty verdict in a 102 proportion. The convict only becomes eligible for parole after serving eight years. Prior to his conviction, he was out on bail pending trial. The case for the state was presented by Prosecutors Seeta Bishundial, Narissa Leander and Orinthia Schmidt. The charge against Jackson stated that October 16, 2016, in the county of Demerara, he engaged in sexual activity with the seven year-old girl. When the jury announced the verdict on Tuesday, Jackson, while sitting in the prisoner’s dock, broke down in tears. His wife and other family members who were seated behind him were in a state of disbelief. However, sentencing for him was deferred until Wednesday because his Attorney-at-Law Adrian Thompson was absent as a result of being engaged in another matter at the Court of Appeal. During a plea of mitigation, Thompson informed the court that his client got married on February 26. He added that from conversing with Jackson it appeared as though he has
sexual activity with underage girl
Jailed for nine years: Troy Jackson mental issues and also, a speech problem. Further, the lawyer disclosed that his client did not have a “glorious” childhood and was forced to leave school at the primary level due to financial problems in his family. As a result, he stated that Jackson was forced to fend for himself, thus, having several jobs. According to Thompson, Jackson’s mother died when he was just six-years-old, while his father passed away when he was 11. “Nothing is known against him (Jackson) in terms of convictions and pending matters,” the lawyer disclosed. Meanwhile, the victim, who expressed her views through ChildLink counselor, Celeste Mullin, said that she is upset about what she had to endure. She said that she would
not like it to happen again and hopes Jackson is punished for what he did to her. At arriving at a sentence, Justice Morris-Ramlall took into consideration the nature and circumstances under which the offence occurred. She noted that the prevalence of sexual abuse against children is alarming, while outlining statistics released from the Child Care and Protection Agency. The judge also considered the plea in mitigation made by Jackson’s lawyer. She, however, stressed that the court would have liked to hear from Jackson himself. Noting that no sexual penetration was involved or close family relations, Justice Morris-Ramlall, thereafter, imposed the custodial sentence. (Feona Morrison)
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Friday March 09 ,2018
Trump tariffs: US President imposes levy on steel and aluminium President Trump has signed controversial orders imposing heavy tariffs on steel and aluminium - but some countries will be spared. Mr Trump has said the US is suffering from “unfair trade” and that the move would boost US industry. But countries have expressed outrage at his plans, and experts have warned of new trade wars. The tariffs will go into effect in 15 days and include exemptions for Canada and Mexico. Tariffs of 25% are to be placed on steel and 10% on aluminium imported into the US.Republican Senator Jeff Flake - a prominent critic of Mr Trump who opposes the move - said he was drafting
legislation to nullify the tariffs, saying trade wars are only ever lost. Steel and aluminium workers were at the signing. Mr Trump praised them as “the backbone of America” and alluded to their role in his election.He said such workers had been betrayed - but that was now over and he was delivering on a campaign promise.The president said the tariffs would defend America’s national security.What exemptions will there be from the new tariffs? They will apply to all countries except Canada and Mexico, which will be exempt while discussions over the North America Free Trade Agreement (Nafta) take place. There are provisions
within the documents for other countries to get exemptions. “We are going to be very fair, we’re going to be very flexible,” Mr Trump said ahead of a cabinet meeting earlier on Thursday. He also praised his country’s close relationship and trade surplus with Australia, saying “we’ll be doing something with them”. The president also linked defence spending to trade, and said the US “subsidised” many countries” in the military.He said there would be a reduction in tariffs for countries that “treat us fairly”, but said “many of the countries that treat us the worst on trade and on military are our allies”, singling out
Laser mapping uncovers dozens of ancient Mayan cities (CNN) Advanced laser mapping has revealed more than 60,000 ancient Mayan structures beneath the jungles of northern Guatemala. Set across dozens of hidden cities, the discoveries include houses, palaces and a 90foot-tall pyramid that was previously thought to be a hill. Made possible through special laserequipped airplanes that can “see” through dense jungle, the groundbreaking research suggests that Mayan metropolises were far larger and more complex than previously thought. Evidence of agriculture, irrigation, quarries and defensive fortifications were widespread, and extensive road networks point to initially unknown levels of interconnectivity between settlements. The extent of the findings, first reported
by National Geographic, may transform our understanding of how Mesoamerican civilization operated, according to one of the study’s co-directors, Marcello Canuto from Tulane University in New Orleans. “We’re discovering that there is more of everything, and the scale is much bigger,” he said in a phone interview. “In any given area there were more structures, more buildings, more canals and more terraces (than expected).’” By extrapolating data from the 2,100square-kilometer (811-square-mile) site, researchers have also revised their population estimates for the region. They now believe that 10 million people lived in the Maya Lowlands (an area covering parts of present-day Guatetmala and Mexico), a number that is “many times larger” than indicated by previous research.
Death row inmate sues after ‘botched’ execution (CNN)An Alabama death row inmate whose execution went wrong is asking that his death sentence be vacated. The attempted execution was “botched and bloody,” as the inmate’s lawyer put it, and left the inmate under “physical and mental duress.” Doyle Lee Hamm was convicted in 1987 of committing murder during a robbery and sentenced to death. On February 22, the 61year-old was being prepped for intravenous lethal execution at the Holman Correctional Facility when staff and medical personnel tried and failed for 2½ hours to find veins in his groin, feet and legs. A federal judge ordered a medical exam by an outside physician; it was completed Sunday by Dr. Mark Heath, an anesthesiologist who practices at New York-Presbyterian/ Columbia University Medical Center. In two civil actions filed Wednesday with
the Alabama US District Court and the state circuit court, Hamm maintains that the execution was called off after “hours of physical and psychological torture, forcing needles into his lower extremities” and the right femoral vein near his groin, “causing severe bleeding and pain.” Hamm’s defense team is asking for relief from his “now unconstitutional sentence of death.” They claim that the painful procedure, during which their client wished he could die, was cruel and unusual punishment and a “constitutionally prohibited cruel, unnecessarily painful, slow, and lingering process to death.” They also claim that attempting a second execution would be double jeopardy, protected by the Fifth Amendment, which states that no person shall “be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb.”
Germany for criticism. Why is Mr Trump doing this? Mr Trump says he aims to protect the American worker - and he promised in his campaign that he would rebuild the steel and aluminium industries. The two metals are “the bedrock of our defence-industrial base”, the president said on Thursday. The industry has been “ravaged” by aggressive foreign trade practices that are “an assault on our country”, the president said. He is also making a political decision, aiming to appeal to blue-collar voters in states such as Pennsylvania - voters who turned away from the Democrats to support Mr
Trump in 2016. The president says the US’s trade deficit is due to “very stupid” deals and policies. Mr Trump’s announcement last week about his plan to impose the hefty tariffs sparked alarm and upset markets at home and abroad. Major trading partners have threatened retaliation and the plans are opposed by many in his own party. The president’s top economic adviser Gary Cohn, a supporter of free trade, resigned on Tuesday. More than 100 Republicans have signed a letter addressed to the president, expressing their “deep concern” about the tariffs International Monetary
Fund chief Christine Lagarde has warned “nobody wins” in a trade war, saying it would harm global economic growth European Union trade commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom said the move would hurt the EU and put thousands of European jobs in jeopardy. The EU has proposed retaliatory measures against a number of US goods including bourbon and peanut butter China has threatened an “appropriate and necessary response” in any trade war with the US. Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China and the US should strive to be partners rather than rivals Mr Trump has said that the US would “win big” in a trade war.
21 reportedly treated in connection with attack on Russian spy
A split image showing former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia Skripal. London (CNN)Twentyone people have received some form of treatment in connection with the attempted assassination of a former Russian spy and his daughter with a nerve agent in England, though only three remain in a hospital, a police official told Britain’s Sky News on Thursday. The three are former Russian spy Sergei Skripal; his daughter, Yulia; and Detective Sgt. Nick Bailey, said Kier Pritchard, temporary chief constable of Wiltshire police. Regarding the others, Pritchard told Sky News they’ve been “through the hospital treatment process, there have been blood tests and they’re having treatment in terms of support and advice.” Police confirmed Wednesday that a nerve agent was used in the attack in the southern city of Salisbury on Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, who remain in critical but stable condition.Western intelligence views Russia as a leading suspect, based on previous attacks using a similar substance and method, a
Western intelligence official told CNN. The official cautioned that it is still early in the investigation. In a statement to members of Parliament, UK Home Secretary Amber Rudd refused to be drawn on who might have been responsible. “The use of a nerve agent on UK soil is a brazen and reckless act — this was attempted murder in the most cruel and public way,” Rudd said.“People are right to want to know who to hold to account but if we are to be rigorous in this investigation we must avoid speculation and allow the police to carry on their investigation.” Rudd said the UK government was committed to “doing whatever we can to bring the perpetrators to justice” and would “act without hesitation as the facts become clearer.” Skripal, 66, and Yulia, 33, were found slumped Sunday on a bench near a shopping center. A police officer who helped them was also exposed to the nerve agent but his condition has improved. That officer is Bailey, according to Wiltshire police spokes-
woman Emma Morton. Earlier Thursday, Rudd said that Skripal and his daughter were in a “very serious condition” but that the policeman was “talking and engaging.” In a statement on Wednesday evening, Mark Rowley, the head of the counterterrorism division at London’s Metropolitan police, declared a “major incident” and said hundreds of police officers, forensic experts and government chemical analysts were involved in the inquiry. Rowley said that Skripal and his daughter were deliberately targeted.If a Moscow link were proved, it would plunge relations between the West and Russia to a new low, and would call into question the British government’s ability to protect residents of the UK at home. Rowley said officers from Wiltshire police, the local force, were providing support to the sick officer and his family. Sally Davies, the chief medical officer for England, said the evidence did not suggest any wider danger to the public.
Friday March 09 ,2018
Environmentalist to ExxonMobil: Environmentalist Annette Arjoon has called ExxonMobil out on the evasive language it used in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) it submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Guyana. Arjoon recently delivered a presentation on the likely environmental impacts of oil production. This was at an oil and gas seminar held by the Private Sector Commission (PSC). Arjoon touched on the devastating effects that an oil spill can have on Guyana. She also pointed out that there seems to be no adequate preparedness for such an eventuality. As she spoke, Arjoon acknowledged the presence of
Remove the “If, May and Can,” Guyanese want commitment in writing ExxonMobil’s Senior Director, Kimberly Brasington at the forum. Arjoon said, “I am thankful that Kimberly is in the room, thank you for not running away. We often speak about fit for purpose. Let us ensure that the oil response plan from your company is fit for purpose and is tailored to the local conditions of Shell Beach (the area in Region One most likely to be affected in the event of an oil spill.) Arjoon continued, “When I looked at the Environmental Impact Assessment, which was in my opinion rushed, for the Liza Phase One, I saw the very vague terminology. ExxonMobil spoke of what may be carried out or can be carried out.”
Arjoon said that she wishes for ExxonMobil to do away with that sort of language that avoids commitment. She said, “I want to see what will be carried out. I want to hear we will do that…So I will ask, Kimberly, that your company looks at updating the response plan to deal with these deficiencies.” Arjoon said that even with all the deficiencies in the EIA submitted by ExxonMobil, it is further saddening that Guyana does not even have a national contingency oil plan. “Imagine two years ago when Sargassum washed up on our shores and we couldn’t do anything about it. We lost so much income as fishermen struggled to get the Sargas-
Guyoil reduces fuel prices The Guyana Oil Company Ltd (Guyoil) yesterday announced a reduction in prices for gasoline, gasoil (LSD) and kerosene with effect from today, March 9, 2018. According to the stateowned company, the price reductions were possible due to declining acquisition costs. These savings are now being passed on to customers. “Gasoline has been reduced by $2.00 per litre, Gasoil (LSD) has been reduced by $10.00 per litre and Kerosene $4.00 per litre.” Guyoil said it has always been cognisant of its role in the Guyana economy, ensuring that quality petroleum products are provided at excellent prices. “Our vast network of dealer service stations will continue to ensure that our quality products are made available to you our valued customers along the entire coastland to all the way in Lethem.”
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ExxonMobil’s Senior Director Kimberly Brasington
ExxonMobil’s Country Manager, Rod Henson
Environmentalist, Annette Arjoon
sum off of their nets. Are we prepared to deal with an oil spill?” Arjoon also noted that just recently, a mysterious substance washed up behind the Marriott, and the nation is yet to hear what it is or where it came from. She then asked again, “Are we ready for an oil spill?” The environmentalist said that Guyana needs a mechanism for immediate release of technical and financial re-
sources to mitigate effects of oil spills. She said that in that regard an environmental fund can be useful. Arjoon said that in the absence of all that is needed, Guyana should reconsider its rate of production. “Companies should not be determining extraction rates for us. We need to ensure that the development of our oil and gas industry does not outstrip the capacity of our institutions. I know that you
(ExxonMobil) have shareholders’ interest to look after, and I know that it works well for you when institutional capacities are not as robust as they ought to be, but it think that you are capable of committing to real environmental stewardship and ensuring that we look at this reality here. If we cannot even identity a little pollution behind Marriott are we ready to produce 500,000 barrels of oil per day?”
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FOR RENT
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK;Guyanapassport application. G r a p h i c s design, advertisement. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. ICONIC MARKETING & PRINTING –TEL: 6004212: We create A/works, logos, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Budhram’s Landscaping & Tree cutting service. Free advice, Free design, Free after care follow up. Tel#626-1044 Repairs to refrigerators, gas stoves, A/C units, washing machines. Call Lindon: 6411086/ 694-2202 Austin Powers Repairs & Services: Regas Fridges, Freezers, AC, Washer, Dryer & Wiring. Lot 114 Brushe Dam Friendship. E.C.D Tel#685-2588/613-1711 Eagle’s: Re-gas –low prices, washing machine repairs, gas stove, plasma flat Screen, computer repairs & more. Call: 697-2969/646-0966 Installations, Repairs and parts for AC, Fridge, Washing machine, Stove etc call Nick 627-3206, 630-1600 Need to sell your home? Real Estate Solutions can help. Call: 608-6655/facebook us. REPAIRS AT LOW COST: FRIDGES, AIR CONDITIONERS, WASHING MACHINES, FREEZERS,SALE OFAC’S TEL:6294946,225-4822
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Supari palm, Lipstick, Royal, Foxtail. Exora 4 for $1000 Ficus 4 for $1000. Organic potting soil. Tel: 626-1044 Parts for Tacoma Tundra Titan for sale. Tel#686-9608.
MASSAGE Angels Massaging Spa. Come relax and be pampered. Call: 694-9775. New attendants available.
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Fully furnished two bedrooms apartment in providence & three bedroom in Diamond. Tel: 672-1906, 216-2299 (1) downstairs for rent for supermarket including living quarters (preferable Chinese) @ Lot 171 Section B Non Pariel ECD. Tel#629-4764. (1) 3 bedroom apartment, back of UG Call: 680-5944, 656-4211
1- 320 BL cat Excavator 1- 215 B cat Excavator 1- 428 cat Back-hoe 1- 450 Honda Atv. Contact: 275-0367, 683-7225
Kinsha-sha Restaurant and Guest house Lot 10 Golden Grove ECD Public road. Telephone: 229-2610, 627-6655
1 Double steel wheel roller 1Pneumatic roller 1- Leyland Daf truck 1- Hand spray bitumen kettle. Contact: 2750367, 683-7225
Space for rent at Ashmin’s Building- suitable for salon or office- Call today! 683-7954
Use Daff 620 truck parts. Contact: #650-0402/603-1402 Unregistered DAF trucks: Dump trucks, Flat Bed, Flat bed with Crane & Hauler. Call: 659-3100
Brand new two bedroom flat for working couple, Middle road La Penitence. Tel: 6192800/225-6492 Business place/Store for rent, located at Grove EBD.Contact 684-6331
Large and small household items for sale! Double door wardrobe, 32" Panasonic flat screen, ornaments etc. Contact: 691-3726, 629-4637 Mix breed pups Rotweiler mix with Pitbull already deworm vaccinated $70,000 dollars. Contact #664-4109, 668-5010 (1) Gas generator 560 (1) Diesel Generator 650 (1) Compressor 350 (2) 93 Toyota Hilux pickup (neg) Contact: 682-8424 Video games and consoles at affordable price. Repairs to video game system .Call:6722566/265-3231 Yorrowkabra, Linden Highway, House, Chicken pen, New foundation, Land 200' x 100' Fenced, water & light. 6.5M neg. Contact: 6867180 Lot 15 Public road #2 Village. West Coast Berbice. 49ft by 10,314ft. $20M. Contact:6487109/686-4818 Looking for a home to purchase? Visit Real Estate Solutions @ www.resgy.com or facebook us #608-6655 Anna Catherina, Seaview. Price $6.5M Contact: 276-0712
VACANCY
WANTED Experienced Handyman, porter all below 40 years. Apply with written application. Keyfood McDoom Village.
Hair station & Barber station rental, New market street #638-1106. Experienced persons preferable.
Land to buy in Parafaite Harmonie, Eccles, Uitvlugt, Tuschen,Covent Garden, Herstelling, Diamond, Providence & Zeelugt. Tel#686-9608 Live in or live out babysitter/ domestic- Call: 223-7500 Monday to Saturday 8:15am4:15pm
Experienced sales persons with CXC qualifications. Apply @ Christine’s Variety, Lombard Street. Contact: 2278529/626-8003 Experienced male sales attendant, stocktaking knowledge, computer literate, excellent service attitude, able bodied. Key Food McDoom Village.
Chainsaw operators to work in the interior. Contact: 2237165 Security to work with mining firm, must have experience in said field Ages 38-45. Contact: 500-5923/676-8764 Experienced hire car drivers at Princess Ramada Hotel. Call: 265-7076 or 616-5419 Attractive live in waitressCall: 327-0252/674-4665 Drivers & Contract cars. Tel: 231-0316. 231-0002 Servicemen and heavy duty diesel mechanics to work in the interior. Contact: 2237165
VEHICLE FOR SALE 2011 Raptor fully loaded 4x4 Auto excellent condition blue 6.2 litre super charged. Tel# 610-5370 Long base canter GRR series 2 million hydraulic lift tray good condition Tel# 609-1040 Bluebird 2012- 2.6M Axio2.5M Tida-2.2M All vehicles unregistered and have reverse camera. #655-3400 1- TwinsteerDoubleaxle Leyland DAF 4- LeylandDAF Flatbed 10- Guysuco Lorries 1-620-240 DAF engine. #2285655, 649-8449 1 Bluebird, 1 Fielder wagon, 1 Raum excellent condition. Tel#664-0802 TOLET One fully furnished apartment to rent in South Riumveldt $25,000 weekly. #694-7817, 668-0306 1 5-bedroom house in Good Hope, Rooms in Albertown, 2 bedroom apartment in Eccles. Contact: 225-3234 1 bedroom Apt ($45,000) Haley and Durban street 2 bedroom ($40,000) 3 bedroom $75,000 ‘B’ Field Sophia. #622-0036, 223-1273
Experienced curry cooks, pastry maker,cake decorator, counter servers. Apply @ Hack’s Halaal with H/written application. 5 Commerce St. Skidder and loader operators. Contact # 218-3399 Welder, East Bank area preferable. Please call: 2261100. Wanted land to buy. Tel# 6976311 Male and female to work interior age 25-40, salary starts at $80,000. Call: 6741767 Waitress to live in & work in a bar. Age 18-24 yrs. Must walk with ID card. Contact: 221-2785 Live in waitress to work in bar. Call: 604-6606/ 692-4649 (1) hairdresser preferably from East Coast, capable of doing everything, 2 weeks cosmetology workshop for $30,000. Tel#653-5053 Refrigeration Technician. Call: 629-4946 One full time auto body technician for repair centre. Call: 222-0675
SALON Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. -CosmetologyCourses:$90,000 Nail Technician Course: $35,000. Call: 647-1773/6880009 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).
Experience sales person to work in general store on the East Coast #642-1141 Kitchen Assistant for interior location. Job entails assisting cooks in the kitchen and cleaning. Call: 618-2020. Experience hair dressers Magic Touch Beauty Salon. Tel: 225-6492 Vacancy exist for one cashier & operators to work @ Del Ice Co. Tel# 231-1408/6429191
Driver for pitbull bus Route 44 Georgetown - Plaisance #694-0500, 665-9174
New Triangle truck tyres, front & all wheel drive, size: 295/ 80R22.5 Call: 647-2022
PROPERTY FOR SALE
EDUCATION CXC adults classes (Business & Science subjects) Form 1-5 lessons, Grade 2-6 lessons (slow learners, personal tutor) #690-5008,618-0649
Friday March 09, 2018
Kaieteur News
CAR RENTAL DOLLY’SCARRENTAL-CALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM PROGRESSIVE CAR R E N TA L : S U V F O R RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL:6435122/656-0087, ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807 WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP RATES,SPECIAL OFFERS! . CALL: 690-6494 LAND FOR SALE Parafaite Harmonie, Eccles, Uivlugt, Tuschen, Covent Garden, Herstelling, Diamond, Providence, Zeelugt. Tel# 686-9608
TOLET
Parafaite Harmonie - $1.8M 1st Uitvlugt - 2.5M Zeelugt 2M Tuschen- 3.2M Tel#6976311
Two Bedroom apartment at Vryheid’s Lust E.C.D Phone: 613-4490
Call Ron your number one land dealer in buying and selling land. Tel: 611-7223
TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 2257878 (24HRS) LAND FOR SALE Parafaite Harmonie (way upfront/graded) $1.6M Schnoord $2.8M Herstelling $2M & $5M Farm $2.8M Eccles $2.8M Tel: 656-0701/ 651-1969
Friday March 09, 2018
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Kaieteur News
Vessels above 500 tons to be insured
The Maritime Administration (MARAD) is advocating for vessels operating on the waterways to be insured. MARAD is party to a number of International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Conventions that include Safety of Life At Sea (SOLAS). MARAD’s Director Claudette Rogers told the Department of Public Information (DPI), it is mandatory that vessels of 500 gross tons and above are insured. “Vessels are going to be in keeping with the classification society that we have on the regularised organisation. Those vessels that are going to be engaged in international trade will be required to have insurance, but we’re looking at other vessels as well,” Rogers explained. The administration is a
regulatory agency within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and has a mandate that surpasses just being responsible for vessels that traverse the various local rivers. Discussions with stakeholders have already begun to get them involved in the process, the Director explained. “We’re in discussions with insurance companies going forward and to have them come on board and submit proposals so that we can review and advise accordingly. So, we haven’t yet fixed an implementation date, but it is also a work in progress,” Rogers said. In 2017, there were four boat accidents which resulted in five deaths, while nine incidents were recorded, resulting in two deaths. Rogers said
Taxi driver refused bail for allegedly beating ex - threatened to burn her with acid Eight months after being on the run, a taxi driver, who allegedly threatened to douse his ex-girlfriend with a corrosive substance after she refused to rekindle their relationship, was yesterday remanded to prison on an unlawful wounding charge. Thirty-seven-year-old Curtis Edwards appeared before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. The allegation against Edwards is that on July 8, last, at South Road, Bourda, Georgetown, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Desmona Taylor. The unrepresented accused denied the allegation after it was read to him by the Magistrate. Police Prosecutor Sanj Singh strongly objected to bail being granted to the defendant. The prosecutor told the court that the victim and the defendant once shared a relationship, which was ended by the victim because of constant abuse. He added that on the day in question, Edwards went to Taylor’s workplace and she told him to leave her alone. Edwards then replied “I’m not leaving, because I don’t want the relationship to end.” The court heard that Edwards then became annoyed and began to use a
Curtis Edwards series of expletives, and told Taylor, “If I can’t have you, no one else can’t have you.” He then threatened to burn her with a corrosive substance. The prosecutor added that Edwards then picked up a metal fan and dealt Taylor several lashes about her body, before slamming her head into a metal grill, resulting in injuries. The matter was then reported to the station and the police could not locate Edwards until a few days ago. The Magistrate after listening to the Prosecutor remanded Edwards to prison for the safety of the victim. He was instructed to make his next court appearance on April 4 before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.
though none of those accidents involved larger vessels, it is still critical that they are insured against such unforeseen circumstances. She stressed that there are numerous rigs; Transports and Harbours Department alone has eight vessels operating on the waterways. Ensuring that all safety measures are upheld so that passengers and crew members alike can be safe is MARAD’s primary goal. Guyana is a member of IMO whose motto which is “safe, secure and clean seas” through the implementation of conventions, codes, regulations among others, such as MARAD. MARAD was established in 2003 in accordance with the 1998 Shipping Act and has three main divisions; Ports and Harbours, Safety Division and Admin and Finance Division.
One of Transport and Harbours Department’s vessels operating on the waterways
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Friday March 09 ,2018
Justice Gobin slams CJ’s sabbatical- He should step down Trinidad Guardian - Outspoken High Court Judge Carol Gobin says Chief Justice Ivor Archie has brought the judiciary into such “disrepute” and to a place in its history that has left it and judges so “battered, ashamed and demoralised,” he should resign. She also says as far as she can recall, there was no adoption of the draft internal policy to facilitate sabbatical leave and as such, if Archie is not entitled to sabbatical leave under the law, if he goes as planned it may “constitute an abandonment of his office.” “I am heartbroken for this institution,” Gobin said, adding judges had grown “weary” of having to hold their “heads up and carry on in the midst of the controversies and the embarrassment that we and the institution have suffered” as a direct result of the “serious allegations of misconduct on the part of the Chief Justice.” Although the allegations still remain unanswered, Gobin said while the CJ desired to “step back,” she was of the view he should “step down.” She said she welcomed the CJ’s departure,
but the sabbatical which he had “surreptitiously claimed for himself,” allows him to “ride out still clinging to the office that he has all but irreparably damaged with a promise to return.” She said the judiciary is “chaos and confusion” and “in a mire that has been of his making,” and his sabbatical allows him, at least for now, “to avoid having to account” for his actions. Gobin called on all judges to take a position on the matter, saying their silence has only “enabled the continued disrespect shown to us, to the institution and the public.” This is not the first time the CJ is facing calls for his resignation. He faced similar calls last year over his and the Judicial and Legal Services Commission (JLSC) part in the short-lived judicial tenure of former chief magistrate Marcia Ayers-Caesar last year. That controversy led to the Law Association moving a vote of no confidence in him.In emailed correspondence to her fellow judges on the sabbatical issue, Gobin also recalled that she had specifically asked the CJ whether any applications for sabbatical leave had been made or
granted and the arrangements where a CJ applied. “I received no answer, not unusual,” she penned. She said the CJ chose not to disclose that he had applied for such leave even when she raised the subject a few weeks ago. She said the documents relating to the CJ’s application to the President for sabbatical leave “raises serious questions.” In his application to the President, the CJ said in 2014, judges of the Supreme Court of judicature approved “in principle” a draft internal policy on the approval of sabbatical leave for study, research and/or other activity that will benefit the administration of justice and enhance judges’ performance. But Gobin said as far as she is aware, there was no adoption of the policy. She said this raised the question of whether the CJ felt this “approval of a draft in principle” was sufficient to allow him to invoke the general policy for his own benefit with no rules or guidelines in place to assure transparency. While admitting some judges are deserving of time
Chief Justice Ivor Archie to rest and reflect, she said if the CJ is “not entitled to sabbatical leave under the law,” or by reason of the procedure he adopted in granting his own application, then judges should discuss whether his departure “if he should go as planned, might not constitute an abandonment of his office” and invited judges to “take a position on this … please.” Senior Counsel Avery
High Court Judge Carol Gobin Sinanan also likened the CJ’s sabbatical to a captain jumping off his ship when it is in trouble. “Given the climate of what is going on in the judiciary now, this is when the captain of the ship needs to remain on deck. It is almost like the captain is the first one to jump, which is against marine tradition.” Sinanan said the judiciary
was at its “lowest ebb” and as its head, rather than staying and trying to provide “some kind of inspired leadership and pull the judiciary out of the morass that it has found itself in, you take a sabbatical on the basis that you need to rest, reflect and relax and go and study and of course you getting full salary so the taxpayers paying for that.”
Friday March 09 ,2018
Kaieteur News
OAS Electoral Experts Mission deploys for Grenada poll WASHINGTON - CMC – The Organization of American States (OAS) says its Electoral Experts Mission to the general elections in Grenada, led by OAS Assistant Secretary General Nestor Mendez, began its deployment on Wednesday ahead of Tuesday’s poll. The OAS said Ambassador Mendez arrived in St. George’s, Grenada, late Wednesday.He will lead a team of six experts from Belize, Jamaica, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United States. Yesterday, the OAS said the Chief of Mission and the Supervisor of Elections in Grenada, Alex Phillip, will sign the Electoral Procedures Agreement, which establishes the framework for the work of the Mission in Grenada. “The electoral experts will also immediately commence their interactions with stakeholders in-country,” the OAS said. It said the Experts Mission will focus on “analyzing key aspects of the electoral process, including the electoral registry, electoral organization and technology, and campaign financing.” The OAS said the team will also gather information about the status of the recommendations made by the OAS Mission to the
OAS Assistant Secretary General Nestor Mendez 2013 elections.In addition to observes from the OAS, the elections will also be monitored by the Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM) observer mission headed by director of the Legal Affairs, Research and Development Unit of the Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ), Paulin Welsh.On Wednesday, the Guyanabased CARICOM Secretariat said the other members of the CARICOM Electoral Observer Mission (CEOM) will come from The Bahamas, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.
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Friday March 09 ,2018
Caribbean Export launches programme to support regional business women BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - CMC – Caribbean Export has launched a programme aimed at supporting Caribbean women in business by helping them to either start exporting or to increase their exports. According to Caribbean Export, applications are now being accepted for the progamme – Women Empowered through Export or WEXport. On Wednesday, Caribbean Export, in Cooperation with the European Union announced the commencement of the programme that will assist in exports to the European Union and utilising the benefits of the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement. The European Union is therefore pleased to provide financial support to Caribbean Export’s efforts to assist the growth and development of female-owned firms in the Caribbean to increase their competitiveness in the local, regional and international markets,” said EU Ambassador, Daniela Tramacere. Executive Director at Caribbean Export, Pamela CokeHamilton, encouraged the regions female entrepreneurs to take full advantage of the
WE-Xport programme and the opportunity to grow their businesses, connect with others and make their mark in our region, “we know you have the potential to do great things with your companies and with the right mix of support we aim to provide”. WE-Xport will address women-owned businesses access to finance through the provision of workshops and technical assistance in partnership with the Barbados based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). “We recognise that access to finance is an obstacle too many women owned MSME in our Region face and therefore ensuring access to finance and business advisory services is essential to unlock the economic potential of the region” said Monica La Bennett, Vice President of Operations (CDB). The programme will have an intensive business coach-
ing programme to build the participants capacity and also increase their access to export markets and networks. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Caribbean Export and UN Women as their commitment to work together in raising awareness around many of the challenges women face in conducting business and to advocate on their behalf to address these constraints and drive greater change and inclusion in our r e g i o n a l economies.Representative from UN Women, Alison McLean says the economic empowerment of woman is one of the mail of objectives of UN Women and they have developed the “women empowerment principles which offer practical guidance to the private sector on how to empower women in the work place, market place and communities”.
Friday March 09 ,2018
Kaieteur News
Govt. ‘disrespectful’ to J’can workers, violating ILO convention KINGSTON, Jamaica — The People’s National Party (PNP) has condemned the “dictatorial conduct” of the Prime Minister Andrew Holness government which it says is seeking to “unilaterally circumvent” the collective bargaining negotiation process with the Jamaica Teachers Association (JTA). The Opposition, in a release yesterday, expressed full solidarity with the JTA and all other public sector workers such as nurses, police and all workers unions, including those in the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions, who are insisting on their constitutional right of free collective bargaining and the right of freedom of association. “The provocative conduct of the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service is a violation of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention 98 which guarantees the right to collective bargaining,” said the PNP, adding that Jamaica is a signatory to this convention. The PNP further argued that the government conduct also violates the Decent Work Agenda of the ILO as well as the Labour Relation Code of Jamaica. “This despicable conduct by the Holness administration sets a terrible example for the private sector to be similarly disrespectful to Jamaican workers and their trade unions,” continued the PNP, noting that it will “firmly” resist this intrusion on the sacred rights of the Jamaican workers. Meanwhile, in a separate statement on the issue, Opposition Spokesperson on Education, Ronald Thwaites said the government, with this move, is throwing the “teachers a bone and by back-door inference, seeking to tie them into an unfair settlement which will make them worse off because of inflation, is disrespectful and will harm the muchneeded transformation of the education sector”.
— PNP
Ronald Thwaites He added that this is a blatant attempt aimed at breaking union solidarity and indicates cynical divide and rule tactics. The Opposition is calling on all Jamaicans to loudly raise their voices and take a stand against what it described as a “dictatorial tendency of a government that is uncaring and insensitive to the needs of the Jamaican workers”. “We call on the government of Jamaica to show respect, notes the release from the JTA, informing of Government’ collective bargaining and immediately withdraws intention to execute payment on the first year of the 20172019 wage offer,” PNP stated. (Jamaica Observer)
CO policy holders receiving payment BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - CMC – Finance Minister Chris Sinckler said Wednesday that some policy holders of the financially troubled Colonial Life Insurance Company (CLICO) have started receiving payments on some of the instruments they had with the insurance company. “We are elated that finally payments are being made, [so] we are coming, good with our promise to make our policyholders whole again. It has been a long wait and much suffering,” Sinckler said as he toured
Resolution Life Assurance Company Limited, which is now managing the bankrupt insurance company. “We do apologise for the length of time that it has taken but some of those matters were beyond our immediate control, as CLICO International Life was under judicial management, supervised by the court and we had to follow those processes to the stage where we are at now,” he noted. Sinckler said payments were being made from March 1.
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Friday March 09, 2018
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House panel expands probe of sexual abuse of young athletes Washington (Reuters) The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee said Thursday it had sent requests for information to the U.S. Olympic Committee and 48 national governing bodies of various sports and Michigan State University, expanding the committee’s investigation into sexual abuse within organized sports. A Senate Commerce Committee panel sent a similar request last month as part of a separate investigation. Both committees sent initial letters in January and the House panel has said it plans to convene a hearing on the issue. ”Based on information received to date, the committee is concerned that a pervasive and systemic problem exists
in Olympic sports. The safety and well-being of all athletes should be the highest priority of the U.S. Olympic Committee and each of the respective national governing bodies,” House Republican and Democratic committee leaders said in a joint statement. The letters seek answers by March 21. The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee has also opened an investigation and sent letters seeking more information to various entities including Michigan State. Congressional committee staff have had briefings with Michigan State and others under investigation. Last month, U.S. Olympic Committee Chief Executive
Dr. Larry Nassar Scott Blackmun resigned for medical reasons, the organization said on Wednesday, following months of sustained criticism stemming from the sex abuse scandal involving former USA Gym-
Friday March 09, 2018 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) This should be a very busy day for you, Aries, as communications involving business matters could take up much of your time.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) New enterprises that you've worked to perfect for a long time, perhaps involving writing, speaking, or publishing, might pay off today, Libra.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Business matters take a sudden turn for the better, Taurus. Paperwork may need to be executed. A new sense of selfconfidence contributes to these developments, and the more good things that happen to you
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Some paperwork involving business enterprises could be executed today, Scorpio, possibly in your home.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) A chance to travel, perhaps for business purposes, could present itself to you today, Gemini. This might require some temporary adjustments in your personal life, but don't let this stop you. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Someone in the know could come to you today with opportunities for increasing your income, Cancer, perhaps involving investments of time or other resources in new business enterprises. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) If you've been thinking about starting a new business partnership, Leo, this is the day to take some positive action toward that end. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Some rather boring and mundane tasks, perhaps involving paperwork, could take up much of your time today, Virgo. .
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Success in business, perhaps involving writing or speaking, might come your way today, Sagittarius. Paperwork, such as contracts, could take up a lot of your time. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You've worked hard to promote your business interests, Capricorn, and today it might pay off. Money, or contracts promising it, could come your way, as well as new opportunities to pursue success AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Your optimism and enthusiasm should be very high today, Aquarius. Business and partnerships have been proving both satisfying and profitable lately PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Today your level of imagination and intuition is especially high, Pisces. Trust your heart today, especially where new projects and money are concerned. Insights may appear to knock at the doors of your conscious mind
nastics doctor Larry Nassar. The USOC last month outlined reforms aimed at protecting its athletes from abuse. The scandal prompted the entire board of directors at USA Gymnastics, the sport’s U.S. governing body, to resign, along with the president and athletic director of Michigan State University, where Nassar also worked. It also spawned lawsuits and criminal and civil investigations. Nassar pleaded guilty to molesting female athletes under the guise of medical treatment and was sentenced to life in prison. Authorities say Nassar victimized more than 260 women and girls, including several Olympic gold medalists. Nearly 200 of them offered testimony during a pair of sentencing hearings in Michigan earlier this year. Last month, Senators Jerry Moran, a Republican, and Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat, met with a number of former U.S. Olympic athletes to talk about the abuse scandal. “The young women’s stories we heard today reinforced our determination to root out abuse in youth sport governing bodies,” the pair said in a joint statement.
Little help... From page 41 Ta h u h u . T h i n g s then quickly fell apart, as five wickets tumbled for 36 runs. Deandra Dottin (10) got a leading edge off a attempted heave and gave Kasperek a return catch in the 28th over, and lefthanded Kyshona Knight was lbw to Kasperek in the 32nd over, despite pushing a long way forward and appearing to be hit outside off. Merissa Aguilleira was run out without scoring off the fourth ball she faced, driving seamer Holly Huddlestone to cover, changing her mind about a quick single and failing to beat Bates’s direct throw. And Britney Cooper also failed to score, needlessly skying a full length one from Kasperek to Bates at cover, after struggling for eight deliveries. Taylor found an ally in Fletcher (11) to add an important 32 for the eighth wicket and get the Windies past the 150-run mark. Fletcher eventually fell to Kate Ebrahim’s one-handed stunner at mid-on off off-spinner Anna Peterson and Taylor was last out, nicking a drive behind off Tahuhu. The final ODI is set for Sunday at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
Rory McIlroy starts slowly... From page 38 one under with Spain’s Sergio Garcia and Australia’s Adam Scott. McIlroy, 28, arrived at the tournament stating he was “totally ready” for the Masters - the only major he is yet to win - which starts at Augusta National on 5 April. The world number 12 began his 2018 season promisingly with a tie for third in Abu Dhabi and a runners-up spot in Dubai. But he has followed those performances by missing the cut at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am, finishing tied for 20th at the
Genesis Open and sharing 59th place at the Honda Classic. In this latest outing at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club, he drove the ball an average 308 yards - 32 yards more than Woods but found the fairway just 46% of the time and hit greens in regulation with less than 40% of his approaches. He responded from double-bogey after a loose putt on his 14th hole by chipping in from a bunker two holes later to deliver birdie, only to give the shot back on his final hole to wrap up a frustrating day.
LA Lakers seal dramatic... From page 37 the game-winning jump ball.’ Lonzo Ball had 16 points, six rebounds and five assists for the Lakers, who broke open a tie game with an 11-0 run midway through the fourth quarter, capped by Lopez’s thunderous dunk with 6:09 to play. But the Magic stormed back and trimmed LA’s lead to 106105 when Jonathon Simmons made one of two free throws with 33 seconds left. Isaiah Thomas added 13 points and nine assists off the bench for the Lakers, who thrived despite the absence of leading scorer Brandon Ingram for the third straight game due to a strained groin. ’It’s obvious we’ve got a young group, and we didn’t execute down the stretch,’ Thomas said. ‘I still don’t even know how it ended. I don’t even know what the call was. That (stinks) for the Magic. I’m glad we won.’ (MailOnline)
Friday March 09, 2018
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Kaieteur News
Osaka too strong for Sharapova in California Sachia Vickery beats Eugenie Bouchard Reuters - Former world number one Maria Sharapova lost her second consecutive first round match with a 6-4 6-4 defeat to Japan’s Naomi Osaka at the BNP Paribas Open in California on Wednesday. Sharapova, who returned to tennis last April following a 15-month doping ban, continued to struggle to find form this season as she dug herself into an early hole and never fully recovered. Now ranked 41st in the world, Sharapova fought back from early breaks in both sets but ultimately came up short on the key points in a performance that saw her commit six double faults and lose five service games to her 20-year-old opponent. “I knew (Sharapova) would fight for everything because I’ve watched her since I was little,” world number 44 Osaka said in a courtside interview after winning the first meeting between the pair. “I was
just really honored to play her.” A two-time champion at Indian Wells, Sharapova won the Tianjin Open in October for her first triumph since returning to the WTA Tour, but has not come close to challenging for a tournament victory since. In earlier action, American teenager Amanda Anisimova recorded her first top-level victory with a 6-2 6-2 thrashing of Pauline Parmentier. The 16-year-old’s poised and polished performance came in stark contact to the dismal display of Canadian Eugenie Bouchard, who was humbled 6-3 6-4 by American qualifier Sachia Vickery. Anisimova, the junior women’s U.S. Open champion, was stronger than the 32-yearold Parmentier in every facet of the game on the slow hard court in Indian Wells. “It’s very exciting. I’ve worked really hard for this so I’m proud of myself,” Anisimova
Naomi Osaka(left) , Sachia Vickery (Getty Images) told Tennis Channel, adding that adjusting to the senior ranks had been more mental than physical. ”The biggest thing is being tough mentally. I’ve learned about how to just be stronger during matches.” She will face Russia’s 23rd seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the second round. Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic, who was also a teenage prodigy but has had her career blighted by in-
LA Lakers seal dramatic late win over Orlando Magic as shot clock malfunction causes chaos in NBA A shot clock malfunction caused mayhem in the NBA on Wednesday night as Los Angeles Lakers sealed a late 108-107 win over Orlando Magic. After the Los Angeles Lakers surged to a big late lead, the Orlando Magic erased it all and even went in front with 5 seconds left. Brook Lopez then put the Lakers back ahead in the final second, setting the stage for a momentous finish. Thanks to a mistake with the Staples Center clock, the Magic didn’t even get the chance. Lopez scored 27 points and hit two free throws with 0.6 seconds to play, and the Lakers blew a nine-point lead in the final 90 seconds before rallying back to beat Orlando 108-107 on Wednesday night. The game ended with a curious sequence of events. When the Magic inbounded the ball at midcourt after Lopez’s free throws, the clock started before anyone had touched the long pass. But because the mistake was technically a clock malfunction, the officials said the teams must have a jump ball at centre court instead of replaying the possession, effectively preventing the Magic from getting a final chance to win. ’Just common sense would tell me in that situation, if the clock started early, just redo the possession,’ Orlando coach Frank Vogel said. ‘They felt otherwise.’ The weird ending ruined an otherwise thrilling finish be-
jury, also advanced by overcoming an awful start and seeing off a match point to beat Hungarian Timea Babos 1-6 6-1 7-6(4). Former world number five Bouchard was outclassed by 100thranked Vickery in her first match since reaching a settlement with the U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) over a locker room fall during the 2015 U.S. Open. Her weak second serve was par-
ticularly costly as Vickery pounced time and again in front of a sparse late-afternoon crowd on centre court. All eyes will be on Serena Williams on Thursday when the American plays in her first singles event since giving birth last September, the two-time champion starting her campaign against Zarina Diyas of Kazakhstan in a first round encounter.
Pacquiao confirms he will fight WBA welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse
The Filipino last stepped into the ring last July when he lost to Australian fighter Jeff Horn. Brook Lopez (left) won the games for the Los Angeles Lakers after a controversial decision tween the Magic, who have lost nine of 11, and the surging Lakers, who have won six of seven. ’I don’t understand the rule,’ said Nikola Vucevic, who had 24 points and 12 rebounds for Orlando. ‘Pretty much any home team, if you’re up one and still got 1 second (on the clock), as soon as somebody throws it, just run the clock, and if somebody touches it, it’s a jump ball. It doesn’t make any sense. I think they’ve got to look into that. That’s frustrat-
ing when things out of your hands hurt you. But at the same time, that’s not why we lost the game.’ Aaron Gordon scored 28 points and made a driving, goahead layup with 5 seconds to play for the Magic, who trailed 106-97 before scoring 10 straight points. Lopez then drew a foul while backing into the low post with 0.6 seconds left, and he coolly made both free throws.’I knew I was going to hit them,’ Lopez said. ‘It was bizarre. I guess we had (Continued on page 36)
Manny Pacquiao will return to the ring in June when he takes on WBA welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse in Kuala Lumpur. Pacquiao, 39, had been tipped to fight either Matthysse or American Danny Garcia, but it has now been confirmed he will challenge the Argentine on June 24. ’I like his (Matthysse’s) aggressive fighting style. That’s what I want, to entertain the boxing fans. Besides, Matthysse is not a dirty fighter and I highly respect him for that,’ said Pac Man. Pacquiao, who confirmed the fight via his MP
Promotions press office, last stepped into the ring back in July, when he lost to Australian fighter Jeff Horn in Brisbane via a contentious points decision. The Filipino, however, will look to get back to winning ways when he goes toe-to-toe with Matthysse, who boasts a record of 394, with 36 knockouts. The 35-year-old won the vacant WBA strap back in January with a win over Tewa Kiram in the US. The fight will officially be announced on March 22 in Malaysia, with a press tour across other major Asian cit-
ies to follow. Pacquiao, who will hold training camps in his hometown, General Santos City, and Manila, admitted he will be the underdog against his Argentine foe. I knew, this is going to be a tough fight. Matthysse is also a knockout artist. But I’m excited to fight and be a world champion again. So, expect me to train hard for this fight,’ he added. ’I’m the underdog in this fight but I’m used to it. It serves as a big motivation for me to train and fight hard to win the crown.’ (MailOnline)
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Friday March 09, 2018
Kaieteur News
Arsenal claim much needed win in Milan
Formula 1 pre-season testing
Sebastian Vettel fastest as Ferrari show their hand
Henrikh Mkhitaryan scored his first Arsenal goal inside a quarter of an hour to give them a crucial away goal at AC Milan. BBC Sport - Arsenal put their recent problems to one side as a polished performance at fallen giants AC Milan gave them the upper hand in their Europa League last-16 tie. The Gunners arrived at the San Siro at arguably the lowest point of Manager Arsene Wenger’s 22year reign, yet responded to a run of four straight defeats with a confident and controlled display against their Italian hosts. Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s first goal for the club put the Premier League side ahead, cutting in from the left to fire in with the aid of a deflection off Milan skipper Leonardo Bonucci. Wenger spoke before the game about his team showing fight without compromising their attacking principles - and they delivered in a dominant first-half performance. Aaron Ramsey deservedly doubled their lead before half-time, collecting Mesut Ozil’s piercing pass through the centre of Milan’s defence to round keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and tap in. Milan tried to up the tempo after the break, wasting a clear early chance to pull one back when Giacomo Bonaventura spooned over the bar. But Arsenal were largely unruffled from then on, limiting the home side to half chances with a solid defensive effort. The two away goals now make the Gunners firm favourites to reach the quarter-finals after next Thursday’s second leg at Emirates Stadium.
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”Overall it is important to win, but it is not qualification. We have to finish the job at home. I am happy with the spirit and response we gave,” said Wenger. “We were not in a position to take risks, but we could not be too cautious as you lose fluidity. We defended with resilience until the end.” Arsenal travelled to Italy looking for respite from a torrid recent run during which the north London club have lost four straight games for the first time since October 2002. A toxic atmosphere has been hanging over the club as fans continue to turn against Wenger, with 88% of the Arsenal Supporters’ Trust’s (AST) 1,000 members voting this week in favour of the 68-year-old Frenchman’s contract being terminated at the end of the season. Few of the 2,000 or so Gunners fans who travelled to the San Siro would have been confident of seeing a positive performance. But they watched a display containing commitment and organisation - two qualities sorely lacking in recent weeks
- against a Milan side revitalised under Gennaro Gattuso. Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck led the line superbly with his tireless running, allowing Ozil, Mkhitaryan and Ramsey to find space from deeper positions when the team attacked. And defensively, they worked hard as a unit - marshalled by skipper Laurent Koscielny - to deny Milan space in attacking areas. Arsenal’s problems are not going to be masked by one good result. However, their display could not help but give the impression that, even in their lowest moments, it would be foolish to write off their chances of somehow going on to win the Europa League and secure a route back into the Champions League.In other Round of 16 scores: Atlético Madrid 3 Lokom o t i v M o s c o w 0 , Borussia Dortmund 1 Red Bull Salzburg 2, CSKA Moscow 0 Lyon 1, Lazio 2 Dynamo Kiev 2, Marseille 3 Athletic Bilbao 1, Leipzig 2 Zenit St Petersburg 1, Sporting Lisbon 2 Viktoria Plzen 0.
McLaren completed 151 laps, the most the team has done on a single day of a pre-season test in the V6 hyrbid era. BBC Sport - Sebastian Vettel set the fastest lap ever recorded around the Circuit de Catalunya on the penultimate day of pre-season testing. The German was more than a second quicker than anyone else as Ferrari finally showed their hand before the start of the season later this month. Kevin Magnussen’s Haas was an eye-opening second fastest ahead of Pierre Gasly’s equally surprising Toro Rosso. Lewis Hamilton was only eighth fastest for pre-season favourites Mercedes. The world champion was more than two seconds slower than 2017 title rival Vettel as his team focused on longer runs and heavy fuel loads. ”I am pretty happy with the laps I had and the feeling I got for the car. But it is the wrong time to draw any conclusions (about pace),” Vettel
said. Pre-season testing times are notoriously unreliable guides to actual form because the specification in which the cars are running is not known. Fuel loads, engine modes and tyre compounds all make a significant difference to performance. After a difficult run of reliability problems in pre-season testing so far, it was a better day for McLaren. The team did more than 100 laps in a day for the first time all winter and Stoffel Vandoorne was sixth fastest overall. There is still no clear picture of competitiveness going into the first race in Australia on 23-25 March. But the indications are that Mercedes, who have won the last four world titles, have an advantage over the field, with Ferrari and Red Bull their closest challengers. Fastest times on the third day of the final pre-season
test 1 Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Ferrari 1:17.182 **** 2 Kevin Magnussen (Den) Haas-Ferrari 1:18.360 ** 3 Pierre Gasly (Fra) Toro Rosso-Honda 1:18.363 **** 4 Nico Hulkenberg (Ger) Renault 1:18.675 **** 5 Carlos Sainz (Spa) Renault 1:18.725 **** 6 Stoffel Vandoorne (Bel) McLaren-Renault 1:18.855 **** 7 Marcus Ericsson (Swe) Sauber-Ferrari 1:19.244 **** 8 Lewis Hamilton (GB) Mercedes 1:19.296 ** 9 Valtteri Bottas (Fin) Mercedes 1:19.532 10 Robert Kubica (Pol) Williams-Mercedes 1:19.629 ** 11 Sergio Perez (Mex) Force India-Mercedes 1:19.634 **** 12 Max Verstappen (Ned) Red Bull-Renault 1:19.842 * 13 Lance Stroll (Can) Williams-Mercedes 1:20.276 *
Rory McIlroy starts slowly as Tiger Woods shoots 70 in Florida BBC Sport - Rory McIlroy dropped three shots in his closing eight holes to card a scrappy opening round of 74 at the Valspar Championship in Florida. The Northern Irishman started with 10 pars but a missed a putt from five feet for double bogey on his 14th hole. McIlroy carded three over, seven shots behind Canadian leader Corey Conners. Scotland’s Russell Knox is well placed on two under, while Tiger Woods’ superb tee shot on the par-three 17th gave him birdie as he finished one under par. Woods struck the flag from 146 yards on his seventh hole but could not convert his birdie putt and eventually made the turn at level par. An 11ft putt for birdie on the 10th,
followed by a smart four on the par-five 11th took him to within two shots of the lead. But back-to-back bogeys on 12 and 13 hampered the 14time major winner until a stunning tee shot on the 17th hole left a putt from two feet to haul him within three shots of leader Conners. ”Today was tough,” Woods said. “Trying to pull a club, figure out wind direction, gusts. Into the wind it felt like we were hitting walls. The whole group got fooled a lot today, a tough day all around. ”I’m pleased with every aspect of my game. I drove it well, hit a lot of good iron shots. Overall, I feel I really did well today.” Conners, 26, has yet to win on the PGA Tour and
Woods found trouble on the fourth hole where he eventually made bogey. leads South Korea’s Kim Meen-whee and Americans Kelly Kraft and Nick Watney
by a stroke. Knox, who last won on the Tour in 2016, is tied fifth, while English trio
Paul Casey, Luke Donald and Justin Rose are tied eighth on (Continued on page 36)
Friday March 09, 2018
Kaieteur News
PAGE 39
IAAF to push for gender parity across all areas of governance
IOC to implement 25 recommendations to promote gender equality
Reuters - The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) is to push for equal gender representation across all areas of its governance, the organization’s President Sebastian Coe said yesterday. As part of reforms adopted by the IAAF Congress in 2016, the ruling body has written minimum gender targets into its constitution to ensure more women are represented at all levels in the running of the sport. The IAAF will have equal representation on its Council by 2027, with two of the four vice president positions being filled by women. The two members on the Council in 2019 will be Athletes’ Commission Chair Inaki Gomez of Canada and Deputy Chair
Sebastian Coe Valerie Adams of New Zealand. ”We have parity in pay, parity in play but not parity in positions,” Coe said in a statement on International Women’s Day. ”Being able to reflect off the field of play what is widely heralded as one of the most
diverse and culturally attuned sport on the field of play is critical to remaining relevant to all fans but affirmative action is the only way we will shift the dial.” To ensure strong eligible candidates for future IAAF elections the Gender Leadership Taskforce, chaired by Council member Stephanie Hightower, is working with the women’s committee. ”Setting targets is important but evidence shows that targets must be supported by education and development programs that bring more women in to all areas of the sport,” Hightower said. ”This needs a regional focus as the barriers to entry for women are as different as the countries they come from.”
Best I’ve bowled in a long time: Brathwaite Harare, Zimbabwe, CMC – Pacer Carlos Brathwaite said rediscovered rhythm had been behind his career-best five-wicket haul in the Group A contest of the ICC World Cup Qualifiers against Papua New Guinea here yesterday. The 29-year-old said the had made no major adjustments ahead of the match but had focussed a bit on his rhythm in recent times with the coaching staff. ”I wouldn’t say it is big change. I guess I’ve just been struggling for rhythm a bit but today I found it,” he told media after the Windies completed their six-wicket victory. ”I’ve been doing some really good work with Roddy Estwick (former Windies bowling coach) before and now Alfonso Thomas the [current] bowling coach so I guess today is one of those days where everything comes together. ”You get the rewards but it doesn’t necessarily mean I did anything different in the lead-up to this game as opposed to the last one I would have played. But it’s always good to see your hard work come to fruition and for the stats to show it as well.” The right-armer finished with five or 27 as West Indies held PNG to 200 all out off 42.4 overs. Twice Brathwaite made key interventions. With PNG cruising on 63 for one, he snatched two wickets to trigger a slide where three wickets fell for 19 runs. When PNG recovered to reach 151 for four, Brathwaite struck three more important blows to ensure the final col-
Carlos Brathwaite lapse of the innings. ”We started well but their batters countered everything we threw at them, while scoring at a decent rate,” Brathwaite explained. ”For me, it was just to come in and put the ball in the right area and try to back up what Jason (Holder) and Kesrick (Williams) had started. It’s probably the best I’ve bowled for a long time – I had good rhythm behind me. ”I’m not usually known as a wicket-taker so it was good
to get a few wickets behind my name, but it was just important at that point in time to be as disciplined as possible, restrict the boundary balls and force them to play good shots to get runs. ”I found a good length on the wicket, was pretty consistent and reaped the rewards.” Despite picking up the bulk of the wickets, Brathwaite was quick to hail the role of the spinners in the attack. ”Nikita Miller, Ashley Nurse and Marlon Samuels played a really important role bowling from the other end as the pacers attacked from one end so it was a complete team effort even though I’m the one that would take the plaudits for the five-for,” he stressed. In reference to Holder’s career-best unbeaten 99, he added: “I think Jason played fantastically to make a difficult run chase look easy and in the field it was a complete team effort.” The victory was the Windies’ second on the trot following their 60-run win over United Arab Emira t e s o n Tu e s d a y, b u t Brathwaite said the unit were aware the upcoming matches against Ireland and the Netherlands would be more difficult propositions. ”I think those UAE and PNG) are the two lower ranked teams out of our group so they are tougher challengers ahead and we need to do what we did today over a longer period of time and probably five, 10 per cent better when we come up against Ireland and Netherlands.”
Reuters - The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is to implement 25 recommendations from its Gender Equality Review Project which aims to promote nondiscrimination and greater participation by women across all aspects of sport, it said yesterday. The project, endorsed by the IOC executive board last month, covers areas including sport, portrayal, funding, governance and human resources and aims to create a roadmap to advance gender equality within and beyond the Olympic movement. The release of the IOC’s recommendations coincided with International Women’s Day. ”We are certain that
Thomas Bach through the implementation of the 25 IOC Gender Equality Recommendations, we as the Olympic Movement – athletes, officials, commissions, federations and executives –
can take real steps to enact effective change together,” IOC President Thomas Bach said. ”It is not just the right thing to do. It is in the interest of us all – the fans, the families, and every girl and woman who has been able to fully realize her dreams through athletic participation. ”As the leader of the Olympic Movement, the IOC has an important responsibility to take action when it comes to gender equality – a basic human right of profound importance and a fundamental principle of the Olympic Charter,” Bach added. The IOC said a more detailed report would follow later this month.
Three awarded World Rugby Leadership Development Scholarships
The recipients from right, Jillion Potter, Maria Thomas and Dr Araba “Roo” Chintoh. Rugby Americas North (RAN) has announced the recipients of the World Rugby Leadership Development scholarships. World Rugby’s program was launched this year to develop and support the next generation of female leaders, with funds available for two recipients in 2018. The announcement coincided with International Women’s Day, and this year’s theme was Press for Progress. World Rugby has allocated a total of US $335,000 in scholarship money to its six regional associations over the next two years. The scholarships, introduced as a key objective of World Rugby’s wider strategy to accelerate the global development of women in rugby, aim to maximize the rugby leadership potential of talented women currently working in the game. Each region was tasked with reviewing and selecting applications. RAN received over 25 qualified candidates and the task of narrowing down the applications to two was challenging. Due to the great potential these scholar-
ships hold for recipients, the region and the growth of rugby, as well as the exceptional quality of candidates, RAN Board of Directors has decided to fund an additional scholarship for 2018. RAN’s 2018 World Rugby Leadership Development scholarship recipients are: • Dr Araba “Roo” Chintoh (Rugby Canada) – Provincial Director and member of Rugby Canada’s Board of Directors who played for Canada at Women’s Rugby World Cup 2002. • Jillion Potter (USA Rugby) – A player for USA for nearly 10 years, who played at Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014 in 15s and led Team USA to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in sevens. • Maria Thomas (Trinidad & Tobago Rugby Football Union) – Honorary Secretary and member of the Trinidad and Tobago Rugby Football Union Executive Committee, a sevens player for Trinidad and Tobago. ”Everyone in the selection process was heartened by the high quality of appli-
cations received, which shows the leadership talent that exists both in the region and globally.” said RAN President Miguel Carner. “The application process was led by a selection committee who rigorously reviewed all applications, prior to making their recommendations. Deciding on the 2018 recipients was an extremely difficult decision to make due to the high caliber of applicants. We strongly urge those unsuccessful this time around to reapply for the 2019 scholarships.” RAN looks forward to working with the recipients and continuing to carry on the legacy of this year’s International Women’s Day as our rugby community continues to Press for Progress.
Friday March 09, 2018
Kaieteur News
PAGE 39
IAAF to push for gender parity across all areas of governance
IOC to implement 25 recommendations to promote gender equality
Reuters - The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) is to push for equal gender representation across all areas of its governance, the organization’s President Sebastian Coe said yesterday. As part of reforms adopted by the IAAF Congress in 2016, the ruling body has written minimum gender targets into its constitution to ensure more women are represented at all levels in the running of the sport. The IAAF will have equal representation on its Council by 2027, with two of the four vice president positions being filled by women. The two members on the Council in 2019 will be Athletes’ Commission Chair Inaki Gomez of Canada and Deputy Chair
Sebastian Coe Valerie Adams of New Zealand. ”We have parity in pay, parity in play but not parity in positions,” Coe said in a statement on International Women’s Day. ”Being able to reflect off the field of play what is widely heralded as one of the most
diverse and culturally attuned sport on the field of play is critical to remaining relevant to all fans but affirmative action is the only way we will shift the dial.” To ensure strong eligible candidates for future IAAF elections the Gender Leadership Taskforce, chaired by Council member Stephanie Hightower, is working with the women’s committee. ”Setting targets is important but evidence shows that targets must be supported by education and development programs that bring more women in to all areas of the sport,” Hightower said. ”This needs a regional focus as the barriers to entry for women are as different as the countries they come from.”
Best I’ve bowled in a long time: Brathwaite Harare, Zimbabwe, CMC – Pacer Carlos Brathwaite said rediscovered rhythm had been behind his career-best five-wicket haul in the Group A contest of the ICC World Cup Qualifiers against Papua New Guinea here yesterday. The 29-year-old said the had made no major adjustments ahead of the match but had focussed a bit on his rhythm in recent times with the coaching staff. ”I wouldn’t say it is big change. I guess I’ve just been struggling for rhythm a bit but today I found it,” he told media after the Windies completed their six-wicket victory. ”I’ve been doing some really good work with Roddy Estwick (former Windies bowling coach) before and now Alfonso Thomas the [current] bowling coach so I guess today is one of those days where everything comes together. ”You get the rewards but it doesn’t necessarily mean I did anything different in the lead-up to this game as opposed to the last one I would have played. But it’s always good to see your hard work come to fruition and for the stats to show it as well.” The right-armer finished with five or 27 as West Indies held PNG to 200 all out off 42.4 overs. Twice Brathwaite made key interventions. With PNG cruising on 63 for one, he snatched two wickets to trigger a slide where three wickets fell for 19 runs. When PNG recovered to reach 151 for four, Brathwaite struck three more important blows to ensure the final col-
Carlos Brathwaite lapse of the innings. ”We started well but their batters countered everything we threw at them, while scoring at a decent rate,” Brathwaite explained. ”For me, it was just to come in and put the ball in the right area and try to back up what Jason (Holder) and Kesrick (Williams) had started. It’s probably the best I’ve bowled for a long time – I had good rhythm behind me. ”I’m not usually known as a wicket-taker so it was good
to get a few wickets behind my name, but it was just important at that point in time to be as disciplined as possible, restrict the boundary balls and force them to play good shots to get runs. ”I found a good length on the wicket, was pretty consistent and reaped the rewards.” Despite picking up the bulk of the wickets, Brathwaite was quick to hail the role of the spinners in the attack. ”Nikita Miller, Ashley Nurse and Marlon Samuels played a really important role bowling from the other end as the pacers attacked from one end so it was a complete team effort even though I’m the one that would take the plaudits for the five-for,” he stressed. In reference to Holder’s career-best unbeaten 99, he added: “I think Jason played fantastically to make a difficult run chase look easy and in the field it was a complete team effort.” The victory was the Windies’ second on the trot following their 60-run win over United Arab Emira t e s o n Tu e s d a y, b u t Brathwaite said the unit were aware the upcoming matches against Ireland and the Netherlands would be more difficult propositions. ”I think those UAE and PNG) are the two lower ranked teams out of our group so they are tougher challengers ahead and we need to do what we did today over a longer period of time and probably five, 10 per cent better when we come up against Ireland and Netherlands.”
Reuters - The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is to implement 25 recommendations from its Gender Equality Review Project which aims to promote nondiscrimination and greater participation by women across all aspects of sport, it said yesterday. The project, endorsed by the IOC executive board last month, covers areas including sport, portrayal, funding, governance and human resources and aims to create a roadmap to advance gender equality within and beyond the Olympic movement. The release of the IOC’s recommendations coincided with International Women’s Day. ”We are certain that
Thomas Bach through the implementation of the 25 IOC Gender Equality Recommendations, we as the Olympic Movement – athletes, officials, commissions, federations and executives –
can take real steps to enact effective change together,” IOC President Thomas Bach said. ”It is not just the right thing to do. It is in the interest of us all – the fans, the families, and every girl and woman who has been able to fully realize her dreams through athletic participation. ”As the leader of the Olympic Movement, the IOC has an important responsibility to take action when it comes to gender equality – a basic human right of profound importance and a fundamental principle of the Olympic Charter,” Bach added. The IOC said a more detailed report would follow later this month.
Three awarded World Rugby Leadership Development Scholarships
The recipients from right, Jillion Potter, Maria Thomas and Dr Araba “Roo” Chintoh. Rugby Americas North (RAN) has announced the recipients of the World Rugby Leadership Development scholarships. World Rugby’s program was launched this year to develop and support the next generation of female leaders, with funds available for two recipients in 2018. The announcement coincided with International Women’s Day, and this year’s theme was Press for Progress. World Rugby has allocated a total of US $335,000 in scholarship money to its six regional associations over the next two years. The scholarships, introduced as a key objective of World Rugby’s wider strategy to accelerate the global development of women in rugby, aim to maximize the rugby leadership potential of talented women currently working in the game. Each region was tasked with reviewing and selecting applications. RAN received over 25 qualified candidates and the task of narrowing down the applications to two was challenging. Due to the great potential these scholar-
ships hold for recipients, the region and the growth of rugby, as well as the exceptional quality of candidates, RAN Board of Directors has decided to fund an additional scholarship for 2018. RAN’s 2018 World Rugby Leadership Development scholarship recipients are: • Dr Araba “Roo” Chintoh (Rugby Canada) – Provincial Director and member of Rugby Canada’s Board of Directors who played for Canada at Women’s Rugby World Cup 2002. • Jillion Potter (USA Rugby) – A player for USA for nearly 10 years, who played at Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014 in 15s and led Team USA to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in sevens. • Maria Thomas (Trinidad & Tobago Rugby Football Union) – Honorary Secretary and member of the Trinidad and Tobago Rugby Football Union Executive Committee, a sevens player for Trinidad and Tobago. ”Everyone in the selection process was heartened by the high quality of appli-
cations received, which shows the leadership talent that exists both in the region and globally.” said RAN President Miguel Carner. “The application process was led by a selection committee who rigorously reviewed all applications, prior to making their recommendations. Deciding on the 2018 recipients was an extremely difficult decision to make due to the high caliber of applicants. We strongly urge those unsuccessful this time around to reapply for the 2019 scholarships.” RAN looks forward to working with the recipients and continuing to carry on the legacy of this year’s International Women’s Day as our rugby community continues to Press for Progress.