PAGE 04
Kaieteur News
Saturday March 11, 2017
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL LONG OVERDUE Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan announced a few days ago that charges will be filed against ex-PPP officials including some ex-ministers. No one expected that it would have been of such magnitude so as to include the former present Bharrat Jagdeo. The questioning of several ex-PPP Ministers and officials came on the heels of the latest United States State Department report on human rights and alleged corruption in Guyana. Many felt that the charges of corruption against some PPP ex-ministers were long overdue, but the Granger administration was very meticulous in its approach, And even though it took the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU) almost two years to investigate wrongdoings by officials of the previous administration, one can expect some legal maneuvers to play out in the court if or when they are charged. No case is air tight especially white collar ones which are much more difficult to prove in a court of law. However, the nation will breathe a sigh of relief as it waits for those charged with alleged corruption to be found guilty. Many in the last administration felt that they were untouchable. Calling his arrest and those of other PPP officials including ex-ministers a political witch-hunt, opposition leader Bharrat Jagdeo accused the Granger administration of distracting Guyanese from the failure to develop the economy and reduce crime, among other issues. Following his release without charges, the opposition leader warned the government that if any attempts are made to undo the immunity granted to him as president, the government will face the wrath of PPP supporters from all across the country. It was clear that the threats by the opposition leader did not change anything as SOCU continues its investigations into the corrupt practices by officials of the last administration. However, several ex-ministers, including the former Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee have characterized the government action as a dirty war disguised as a fight against corruption but is directed at the leaders of the PPP. The leaders of the opposition have called on the diplomatic community and their supporters in the diaspora to take note of a government that has degenerated in dictatorship after being in power for only eighteen months. They claim that the government actions are lawless and represent an obnoxious and abominable exercise of authoritarian power aimed at intimidating members of the opposition from speaking out their failures. Despite the claims by the opposition that Guyana has now entrenched into a police state and that no one is safe in the country, the investigation into corrupt practices at the Sparendam housing scheme or Pradoville Two by SOCU officials continues unabated. The government seems to be on the right path by letting the nation know that the law will eventually catch up with those who used state resources, illegally, to enrich themselves, their relatives and friends. The government has warned the nation that no one in Guyana should be allowed to be above the law, and despite the accusations by Jagdeo and others in the PPP that the government is conducting a vendetta against them, many feel that some in the last administration were highly corrupt and should be held accountable for their actions. However the government has stated that SOCU is an independent entity and that the opposition is delusional to believe that the administration is directing a dirty war against them. Nonetheless, the Government has reaffirmed its position that the assets of the state belong to the people of Guyana and under no circumstances will it condone or overlook any action which results in the improper, illegal or unjust distribution of same. Those arrests are justified.
Editor’s Note; If your sent letter was not published and you felt its contents were valid and devoid of libel or personal attacks, please contact us by phone or email.
2017 at Babu Jaan was yet another cuss-down affair Dear Editor, As I was listening on the television to the speech of Bharrat Jagdeo at Babu Jaan, it prompted me to write this letter. I think Bharrat Jagdeo and his entire crew must be blamed for the state of Guyana. They were corrupted and they corrupted every sector in Guyana. I will not touch on all the stupidities that he said just to gain the attention of the PPP supporters. But I will deal with the part where he talked about the closing down of the sugar estates and the farmers that complaint to him about their land being taken away in Region 5. Bharrat Jagdeo said that it’s the democratic rights for the sugar workers to strike and whenever they do that this, APNU+AFC Government wants to pressure them and close down estates. That is a total lie and he is trying his deceptive ways again. What he should have told the people there is that whenever sugar workers stand to make an extra day pay, it is GAWU and the PPP that call the
strike and allow the workers to lose that extra pay. He should have told the sugar workers that under the PPP regime GAWU failed them and never called, demanded or organised a strike or protest. Workers were treated as slaves under the PPP and GAWU sat back and allowed it to happen. It really took the PPP, GAWU and Bharrat Jagdeo a long time to know that workers have democratic rights and to strike. Under PPP whenever workers went on strike, they were branded or seen as opposition supporters. Now they were not but that was their right. I don’t think that this government will ever brand any worker as opposition when they strike for their rights and benefit. I don’t think that this government is unaware about strikes and struggles of the working class. Bharrat Jagdeo should have told the people of Berbice that he and the PPP also had plans to close some of the estates after he messed up the Skeldon Project and
sugar was going bleak. He should not cuss down the private company that wants the Skeldon Estate because the government and people of Guyana will be able to recover some of the monies he misspent on the factory. We s e e i n a l l t h e Caribbean countries and afar that sugar is not viable anymore. But because a majority of the sugar workers are supporting the PPP, this man lies to them just to gain their support. It is my belief that if one or two estates in Berbice is/are to close down, it will not see the majority of the workers losing their jobs. Some will and maybe those are the ones that are feeding the PPP with the wrong news as to what is happening in the industry. Maybe that is why we are hearing of estates being sabotaged also so that the weekly target cannot be achieved at times. Wo r k e r s n e e d t o understand and be educated as to what is taking place in the industry because the PPP and its leaders are peddling
what they think will happen and fabricate stories to gain support. As a resident of Region 5, it is news to me that some of the residents are now claiming that their lands are being taken away for D&I purposes. What I am aware of is that there is a matter in the court pending because two factions that control a cooperative society in the region deem themselves as legal entity. So if the PPP and Bharrat Jagdeo know of any other matter of land being taken away, tell it to MMA and the Ministry of Agriculture. I implore them to do this as early as possible, so that the farmers can be fully represented. Can the PPP send me the full tape of all the speeches so I can have my say also? This year at Babu Jaan was no different. It was once again a cuss down party and not about Dr. Cheddi Jagan legacy. Well done PPP. Abel Seetaram APNU+AFC Region Councilor Region 5
Consumers Association’s position on parking meters Dear Editor, Though there has been a plethora of comment on the Parking Meter Scheme, many of our members have insisted that we make a public comment on the issue: (1) Iniquitous profitsharing. profiharing between M&CC and Smart City is iniquitous by any standards. Smart City’s main input to the Scheme are a number of used parking meters and a few ancillary things which they have cost at US$10.millions but which many knowledgeable persons including Deputy Mayor Duncan have said is a bloated figure. The Guyana side would be providing the Georgetown road system worth billions of dollars and the main enforcers in the person of 50 City constables or one-third of the force. The Guyana side would be inputting 99% of the assets while Smart City would be supplying 1% but receiving 80% of the profits. The more equitable arrangement is for the Guyana side to receive 85% of the profits and Smart City 15% which is the norm companies receive. Except this is done, the Scheme must be scrapped. (2) Parking Meter Scheme a drain on
Guyana’s foreign exchange. Parking Meters are not producing or generating any wealth for the country but would be exporting Guyana’s foreign exchange on a daily basis. The Scheme should have been brought to the Minister of Finance and the Governor of the Bank of Guyana for their imprimatur and except this is done immediately, the Scheme must be scrapped. (3) Scheme condones corruption. The Government of Guyana worked very hard over the last two years to reestablish the culture of transparency and noncorruption in Guyana. Smart City’s Parking Meter Scheme is quickly negating all of Government’s anti-corruption efforts. The Scheme must be scrapped before more damage is done. (4) Parking Meters project is a regulatory mechanism and never a tax or profit-making activity. Smart City is intent on making a profit-kill and M&CC to get revenue out of the Meters. Both activities are turning the raison d’etre of parking meters on its head and will cause untold damage. Scrap the Scheme before the disaster it will bring to the City and all Guyana strikes.
(5) Parking Meters have started destroying businesses in Georgetown. A large portion of people who come to the City to buy will not do so any longer; they will use internet shopping and avoid the City. Loss of customers and business has started. Scrap the meters before business dies. (6) M&CC should cease to be in terror of scrapping this unequal contract. The contract is illegal and could be legally scrapped. M&CC must act before more damage is caused. (7) M&CC could easily earn more than enough revenue by collecting the monies owed to it and could easily control whatever traffic congestion may be in the City: i) M&CC are owed billions of dollars in uncollected taxes. If they do their work and collect even a fraction of this money, they will have more than enough money. ii) M&CC still have the numerous high-rise buildings in the City paying the old rates; they should begin to collect the proper rates. iii) Numerous businesses have sprung up all over the City and they still pay domestic rates. M&CC should ensure that they pay the business rates. iv) Control of Traffic. The traffic congestion in
the City is concentrated in Water and High Streets from Church Street to Hadfield Street and in the older parts of Regent Street. Once these streets are controlled, Camp Street and King Street will fall into line. The area to be controlled is small and the 50 constables who are deployed as Smart City enforcers, could easily control the traffic. The Scheme is a burden and hated by the overwhelming majority of citizens; is negating Central Government’s efforts in ending corruption and bringing transparency; is saddling M&CC with an unequal Contract and unfair profit-sharing; is a drain on Guyana’s foreign exchange; is killing business in Georgetown; and except for the profit harvest, it doesn’t do Smart City much good since the past of so many of its management and operatives are being uncovered disturbing their privacy. The Scheme does no one any good and should forthwith be scrapped since the longer it lingers, the more damage will be caused. J. Deonauth Secretary, Guyana Consumers Association
Saturday March 11, 2017
PAGE 5
Kaieteur News
I wrote this poem when sugar was getting Why SARA has not investigated the D’Urban dential Advisors on Eco- tively facilitates knee-jerk deon the plantation industry was beginning to ex- Park project? into trouble whipped nomic Affairs ever in the his- cisions that have destroyed To strengthen their hold perience a serious economic DEAR EDITOR, In the year 1987 I published a book of poems entitled “Revelation Pan Creation, one of the poems is entitled “Sugar Cane”(1984) Once the world’s Pride Now crumbling with the world’s worst market price Under pressure with the best rice While the oppressors keep throwing their dice having filled their pockets With sugar money Today produce artificial honey Fighting to destroy the poor and needy in their struggle for an honest penny Kings they brought from African lands To work as slaves in their backlands Producing sugar under their plans Black Queens they
on colonization Indentured servants coming from India Suffer the fate as Africa Living in loggies, drinking impure water Working sugar cane And filling the slave masters’ coffer Beet sugar they say is the best Still it cannot pass the test Together we must work To stop this sugar unrest If we are to survive in this land Of the oppressors’ mess. Many of our politicians today were little boys going to school when I penned this poem on the bank of the mouth of the Potaro River one year before the passing of President Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham who was advocating diversification of the industry. Some were still in pampers when the sugar
downturn. Sugar was no longer King. Anyone defending the diversification of this industry today is simply playing politics. We cannot as a poor country continue, to carry this burden. St Kitts and Barbados are two of the many countries to dump and downsize sugar to save their economy, so too were many other Africa, Caribbean and Pacific countries. Those billions of dollars given to bailing out a doomed industry could be better spent on diversification, strengthening those positively performing industries and youth empowerment through training and entrepreneurial development, while giving our sugar workers opportunities to better contribute to national development. RAS AARON BLACKMAN Poet
Jagdeo and Burnham’ perception stronger be instituted or continued president Jagdeo acquire his than reality against him or her in respect lot in Pradoville 2 as a private DEAR EDITOR, In Guyana, presidential immunity is governed by Article 182 (1) and (2) of the Constitution. Let us deal with the material parts of the respective paragraphs (1) and (2) in turn and rather briefly. 182 (1)… “The holder of the office of President shall not be personally answerable to any court for the performance of the functions of his or her office or for any act done in the performance of those functions and no proceedings, whether criminal or civil, shall be instituted against him or her in his or her personal capacity in respect thereof either during his or her term of office or thereafter.” This would suggest that the president is immune from personal liability (criminal or civil) ‘for the performance of the functions (official) of his or her office or for any act done in the performance of those (official) functions’ during or after his tenure. Now let’s turn to the other part. (2) ‘Whilst any person holds or performs the functions of the office of President no criminal proceedings shall
of anything done or omitted to be done by him or her in his or her private capacity and no civil proceedings shall be instituted or continued in respect of which relief claimed against him or her or anything done or omitted to be done in his or her private capacity’. The second limb of immunity contemplates private acts of the president engaged in while in office and which may give rise to criminal or civil liability. The president may be answerable when he or she demits office for any such private conduct. At the outset it becomes clear that immunity is not absolute. The president is not elevated upon the shoulders of us lesser mortals and deemed to be unreachable by the law. Any such state of affairs is radically opposed to any civilised concept of democracy. The real question then becomes, can the president enjoy immunity, especially a president who no longer holds office, for criminal or civil liability when his official actions are glaringly and deliberately inconsistent with his oath of office? The question then becomes, did former
citizen like his counterparts or in his capacity as president of Guyana? The second question might the less challenging one to answer. If as a private citizen then this might be collusion with NICIL to defraud the people of Guyana; and otherwise, it would be a clear act of presidential impropriety. Let’s deal with the first question. In Baird –v- Public Service Commission (2001) former Chief Justice Chang reminds us that by virtue of Article 9 of the 1980 Constitution, ‘sovereignty belongs to the people and not to the presidential head of state. The immunities which attach personally to the President under article 182 of the Constitution are for the limited purpose of ensuring effective performance of the functions of his high office, and not for the purpose of granting immunity to the State for any official wrongdoing. The State (Continued on page 6)
DEAR EDITOR, When he took the job as Chairman of Guysuco, Dr. Clive Thomas knew fully well that his track record of him being a business leader who has successfully run any business, cannot stand up to scrutiny , much less turnaround an ailing one. The Globe Trust Bank is a clear example of this. When it came to the task of Asset Recovery, Thomas again failed the nation. In the grand scheme of things, Thomas is not even suited to chair the largest state-owned corporation in Guyana with assets on its books worth over G$100 billion. However, when it comes to the academic world, no one can question his writings. That is why he has the potential to be one of the best Presi-
tory of Guyana. He is a talk and write man; not an action man. It is quite a tragedy that this recognized distinguished academic has allowed himself to be used and abused by lesser minds today, to the extent that, his academic legacy will forever be compromised. If you observe the actions of Thomas some 30 years ago and his actions today, you can see he has transformed himself. Here is a man who was in the forefront of the struggle to free Guyana from the ruling dictatorial bourgeoisie some 30 years ago. But today with power in his hands, he has actually metamorphosed into a servant of an incompetent and confused cabal of oppressive politicians. What we are seeing today from Thomas is that he ac-
the lives of thousands of rural Guyanese from all races on the sugar belt. People will not remember him for how many academic papers he wrote. The masses will remember him for being the man that placed the final nail in the coffin of the sugar belt. The masses will also remember Thomas as the man who used the perfectly good principle of asset recovery to perpetuate a political witchhunting exercise. How can Thomas publicly display such a callous indifference to the totality of State Theft, which was fostered by all sides – before 1992, after 1992 and after May 2015? Why has SARA not investigated the Durban Park Project and the Sussex Street Bond? Sase Singh
The intricacies of cricket disputes in Guyana DEAR EDITOR, I am an ardent cricket fan and a fanatic of Berbice cricket. I have been following the intricacies of the Guyana Cricket Board and the Berbice Cricket Board cricket saga not to mention the court matter between two representatives of Berbice Cricket namely, Mr. Godwyn Allicock in his capacity as secretary of the Port Mourant Cricket Club, Mr David Black in his capacity as President of the West Berbice Cricket Association and the Berbice Cricket Board. In this court action, an injunction was filed against the results of the Elections held in December 2014 which was won by the Anil Beharry Administration ‘Mr Anil Beharry won from a Mr Victor Seubarran, an executive member of the Port Mourant Cricket Club. Team Anil Beharry included a Mr .Direndranauth Samaru among others. He was the 1st Vice-President at the time and was given the important responsibility of reviewing the Board”s constitution. It should be noted that the Berbice Cricket Board was prevented from perform-
ing any activity other than administering cricket competitions .This status quo was maintained until the life of the Board expired in December 2016. During this time the 1st Vice President Mr Direndranauth Samaru never ever visited any practice session or selection matches of the Berbice Representative teams nor participated in his club’s activities. It is with great surprise that I learnt of Mr. D Samaru’s elevation to the position of President of the Berbice Cricket Board in the absence of an Executive Meeting to confirm such a decision . I was even more surprised to learn that this very vice-president was now in bed with the same persons who had prevented the Berbice Cricket Board from functioning back in 2015 .This self same vice - president has now usurped the position of the President by signing letters of termination of Board
members without lawful authority. It should be noted that these appointments were made with the collective approval of the Beharry Administration and as such could only have been terminated at the behest of an Executive Board Meeting and not by the President alone. Further even if there was an Executive meeting this would have been in violation of the court order secured by Messrs Godwyn Allicock and David Black rendering these terminations null and void and therefore this Mighty Godzilla should be held in Contempt of court. This type of Executive Lawlessness perpetrated by this Godzilla of Berbice Cricket on the cricketing fraternity in Berbice can only be envisioned in an Animal Farm Scenario in which Godzilla is the main actor. I rest my case. R. Parasuram Bush Lot WCB
PAGE 6
You should not go to bed with the devil DEAR EDITOR, Dr. V. Ramayya claims that he might return to the fold of the PPP. The politics in Guyana is of such that you can become hypocritical and duplicitous, even to your own case. When I heard my friend and fellow patriot, Dr. V. Ramayya claming that he might well return to the fold of the PPP, my heart sunk. I was shaken for many reasons. One is that I know Dr. Ramayya. He is not a soup drinker. He is conscionable and lives by the dictates of his conscience. In fact, that is what drove him away from the PPP. He was a student of Dr. Jagan and he loved the PPP. However, what the party later became under Jagdeo was too much for him to stomach. He could not remain in a party that was the home of such looting of the treasury. He left because Jagdeo had become a dictator and he was taking the party down the wrong road. Dr. Ramayya broke ranks with the PPP, allied himself with the AFC and became one of their Executive Members. Both in 2011 and again in 2015, Dr. Ramayya was credited with delivering to the AFC and then the Coalition, several thousand votes, from the Berbice areas, especially around the Port Mourant area where he lived. However, in realizing that the PNC-Coalition was shaping up to be just as corrupt and twofaced as the PPP, Dr. Ramayya – like hundreds of others – did the honorable thing and parted ways from them. An obvious disillusioned man, Dr. Ramayya, searched his soul to find a rational for the corrupt and dictatorial ways in which the newly formed Coalition is behaving. It must have been with much shamefacedness that he attended the 20th death anniversary memorial for President Cheddi Jagan, which
Saturday March 11, 2017
Kaieteur News
was held at Babu John, Port Mourant. And what would have been a huge blow to his conscience, was for him to publicly admit that he is considering rejoining the ranks of the PPP. I know Dr. Ramayya and all those who follow him, know him enough to know that he must now be a very disturbed man to even voice the possibility of joining and party that Jagdeo is a member of. Dr. Ramayya knows too well the hurt, disgrace, and moral degradation Jagdeo inflicted on this country. Dr. Ramayya spoke openly about the atrocities, cronyism and power-drunkenness of Jagdeo. So for him to state publically that he is contemplating a redo of his alignment with Jagdeo’s PPP is almost unthinkable. When Dr. Ramayya interacted with those thousands of people and caused them to switch from the PPP to the AFC, and then to the Coalition, it was because they believed in him. He built a case against the PPP. He proved to them (mostly Indians) that the PPP and Jagdeo had left and forsaken them. He showed how Jagdeo was living like a king in his mansions while the PPP supporters where living in squalor. He talked about the PPP abandonment of the farmers. He made the case to them that Jagdeo and his favored henchmen were milking the country and selling out our natural-resource wealth to the highest bidder. It was not a hard sell but to get PPP followers to change their voting pattern was a huge task. Yet he did it, often times using millions of dollars of his own money. Over the past two years nothing has changed. Jagdeo is still living like a king with property and assets worth billions that he has yet to account for. The previous PPP politicians are still wealthier than any of the politicians in the Caribbean. They too cannot account for the bloated
bank accounts. And while there is yet no formal criminal case against Jagdeo and his crew, all the PPP supporters know that Jagdeo enriched himself, family and friends with ill gotten gains off the backs of the Guyanese tax payers. And these are facts that Dr. Ramayya also knows. So, why would he even think of returning to the PPP fold? Well, no one really knows Dr. Ramayya’s heart but I believe that he is hurting so much from the wounds inflicted on him by the PNCCoalition, that he is left stupefied and disheartened. Maybe he is even planning to align with the PPP to get back Moses Nagamootoo and Khemraj Ramjattan. What is obvious is that Dr. Ramayya is not himself. Editor, my caution to Dr. Ramayya is this. If he goes back to the PPP, a number of things will happen. He will lose the respect of many of those whom he convinced to leave the PPP. They know the PPP has not changed and so they will look at Dr. Ramayya as a two faced hypocrite. He will also lose the respect of his family, who will see him as a man that is not true to his conscience. However, what Dr. Ramayya needs to know is that Jagdeo is a brutal politician and he will never trust him. If he returns to the PPP Jagdeo will use him like a stool pigeon. Jagdeo will subtly make him pay penance for the hurt and damage he inflicted on the PPP. And for sure, Jagdeo will watch him with a jaundiced eye because Jagdeo full well knows that if Dr. Ramayya left the party once, based on the dictates of his conscience, he will probably do it again. Going back to the PPP will see the credibility of Dr. Ramayya disappear. Dr. Vishnu Bandhu Leader, URP
Min. of Education should look into this complaint Teacher Service Commission is No educational institution in the of teachers still employing and relying on world takes that long to produce DEAREDITOR, I wish to bring to the public’s view some concerns teachers have been expressing with the hope that the Ministry of Education and Guyana Teachers Union will look into these matters urgently. I must admit that without teachers our country would not have the future generation of leaders, doctors, and lawyers to name a few. As such this is not a profession for temporary qualified or temporary unqualified teachers. The Chief Education Officer in February of 2009 issued a circular entitled “Upgrading of Teacher Aides, Junior Teachers, Acting Teachers, Temporary Unqualified Master/Mistress for entry to Cyril Potter College of Education” (CPCE) in which the category of teachers mentioned above will be given fifteen (15) months to acquire the requisite qualifications for entry into CPCE. The letter went on to say that these categories of teachers who are unable to get into CPCE will have their services terminated. However, to date the
these categories of teachers and the system has more than 10% of these children teaching our children. I want to join with our President who at CPCE graduation last December when he said, “The untrained teacher has no place in the future of our educational system.” The time is now to rid Guyana’s Public school of all untrained teachers and terminate these services so that the many trained teachers CPCE put out each year can be accommodated. Further, it’s one thing to sacrifice time to qualify oneself at CPCE but then the Ministry of Education and Teacher Service Commission (TSC) are taking a long time to recognize such teachers. Teachers graduate from CPCE each year, yet are unable to acquire their Permanent Trained Teachers Certificate. I wish the Ministry would look into this area as well, as soon as possible. Every term/year schools are asked to submit the names of all teachers without their certificates and checks would reveal that some names are on those lists more than ten (10) years now.
and equip their participants with due recognition. If Guyana is to move forward this system needs to be rectified in a timely manner. Moreover, I am disappointed that teachers graduating with Associate Degrees are given temporary certificates with the caption Grade 1, Class 1 Trained Teacher’s Certificate, when indeed they did an associate degree program. What hypocrisy!Additionally,thesaidteachers’ salary has not been upgraded to suit the program they would have completed. These teachers are put through two years of rigorous studies undertaking three semesters per year unlike their fellow counter parts who have completed CPCE in three (3) years. Mr President you said your government is about change if nothing else. I really wish you or someone in authority will look into these concerns that teachers have been articulating over the years and speedily address them as they would have contributed to the level of commitment some teachers have to the profession. Sandra Jaipaul
Jagan and Jagdeo; hypocrisy and betrayal DEAR EDITOR, I rather liked Kissoon’s column titled “The evil that men do lives after them”. I wonder whether ex-Pres. Jagdeo and those others have any “good” to be interred with their bones.” In London, my husband and I and a group of close friends attended every one of Dr. Jagan’s discussion and evening meetings,
usually held in buildings in Westminster. At those meetings, a young ‘’innocent-looking” B. Jagdeo was always at Dr. J’s side, dancing attendance, gazing fawningly at the hero. I wonder what manoeuvres the good Dr. must be performing in his grave at this moment. What hypocrisy! What a betrayal! Geralda Dennison
Jagdeo and Burnham’ perception stronger... From page 5 would still be liable for the President’s wrongdoing, even though the President himself would be immune from the curial process. It is the President, who is immune from the curial process, not his acts.’ Nandalal as recently as February 24, 2017 in his contribution in the Daily News titled ‘Immunities of the
President and the State’ quoted the learning in Karunathilka v Commissioner of Elections (1999) relative to Article 35 of the Sri Lankan Constitution which, in his estimation, is strikingly similar Article 182 of our Guyana’s Constitution: “I hold that article 35 only prohibits the institution (or continuation) of legal proceedings against the President while in office; it imposes no bar whatsoever on proceedings (a) against him when he is no longer in office, and (b) other persons at any time; that this is a consequence of the very nature of immunity; immunity is a shield for the doer not for the act. Very different language is used when it is intended to exclude legal proceedings, which seeks to impugn the act. Article 35, therefore, nei-
ther transforms the unlawful act into a lawful on, nor renders it one which shall not be questioned in any court. It does not exclude judicial proceedings of the lawfulness or propriety of an impugned act or omission in appropriate proceedings against someone who does not enjoy immunity from suit…” In conclusion, former president Jagdeo has very skilfully positioned himself as the virtually certain presidential candidate of the PPP comes 2020. The PPP/C government, especially under his tenure, is perceived to have been corrupt materially to a greater degree than the perceived powerdrunkenness of the PNC under Burnham. As Professor Bishop used to say to us, ‘perception is often stronger than reality’. Ronald J. Daniels
Saturday March 11, 2017
Govt calls for more parking meter consultations Persons protesting against parking meters last Thursday
The government believes that there needs to be more consultation done concerning the parking meter project before any advice is given on the matter. The issue continues to engage the attention of Cabinet, according to Minister of State Joseph Harmon. The Minister was responding to questions during the post Cabinet press conference, yesterday. Harmon said, “I can say to you that it is in fact a matter which cabinet is concerned about; that cabinet basically believes that we should continue to have consultation with stakeholders so that we can arrive at a position that is beneficial to all parties.” Harmon said that at the last Cabinet meeting the matter arose and there was an agreement to allow additional levels of consultation before any final advice is given by the state on the matter. “We are still in the process of discussions and I believe as soon as it arises at a certain point, we will make that determination as to what the involvement of the government is in this arrangement.” Asked whether Government was satisfied with the steps made by City Hall following concerns raised by government, Harmon said that consultation remains incomplete and that government still needs to be satisfied with some matters relating to the contract itself and the way the matter is being dealt with. “At the appropriate time, once the government is satisfied with all of the information before it, then we will actually make a decision in relation to the City Council itself; be-
PAGE 7
Kaieteur News
cause it is a contract between the City Council and a private investor, and therefore the government’s involvement is to look at it in a holistic way and to advise the City Council as to what the government’s position is.” Four weeks ago President David Granger and a number of Cabinet members, including Harmon, met with Mayor of Georgetown Patricia Chase-Green and Town Clerk Royston King to discuss the project and its implementation. Granger had said that the government is not inclined to assume authority of the Council or to interfere in its work as a democratic institution. Granger told the Mayor and Town Clerk that no one in the Cabinet was opposed to the need for congestion to be eased in the City. He said that Cabinet agrees that the project could be helpful for raising revenue for the municipality but only to the extent that it is not harmful to the public good. He added that there must be a way forward, for the municipality, government and people of Guyana that is satisfactory to all parties. Present at the meeting was Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan who urged that there must be dialogue between stakeholders so that a consensus can be arrived at. Members of the Movement against Parking Meters during their six weeks of protest have suggested a more participatory way of moving forward whereby citizens become a part of the decision making process. (Continued on page 23)
Govt prepared for debate on SARA Bill - Harmon Even though the State Asset Recovery Agency (SARA) Bill was not debated on Thursday as most expected, Minster of State, Joseph Harmon assured that the government is all set and ready to rumble on the matter when it comes to the fore in the National Assembly. The issue of the SARA Bill was brought up yesterday at a post Cabinet press conference which was held at the Ministry of Presidency, Shiv Chanderpaul Drive, Bourda. There, Harmon was reminded of his previous statements that the Bill would have been debated on Thursday. He explained however that the matter was deferred to another date since it is his understanding that there were a number of speakers for that Bill. “So you wouldn’t want to start a Bill with many speakers in the night and then postpone half way through. So it is anticipated that it is coming up but government will be ready for the debate,” Harmon added. On Thursday’s sitting of the National Assembly, there were two other issues which were on the Order paper before the SARA Bill. These were the Civil Aviation Bill and the Hamilton Green Pension. Both matters utilized the first and second sessions of the House which lasted for almost five hours. The Private Sector Commission has since expressed dissatisfaction with the fact that the SARA Bill which was laid in the National Assembly a few weeks ago is essentially the same Bill that was presented to stakeholders last year during consultations. The Commission stated that while the consensus of businesses is that there is a need for unlawfully appropriated assets of the State to be
Minister of State, Joseph Harmon recovered, it was felt that the SARA Bill provides too much unchecked power to the Agency. The body believes that based on the Bill, the Director of SARA supersedes the Courts, the Commissioner of Police and the CommissionerGeneral of the Guyana Revenue Authority. It said that the Bill will impede business progress as it allows for harassment and political victimization of legitimate businesses. The Commissioner com-
mented that the Bill allows staff of the Agency to arbitrarily look at private accounts and financial information of citizens without due process. It also noted that the Bill should be recalled and amended to be consistent with the constitutional rights of citizens. CEO of the State Assets Recovery Unit, Aubrey Heath-Retemyer, told Kaieteur News that the changes proposed by the Commission were based on the fact that they did not understand several aspects of the Bill. The SARU Officer said that while the Commission was not alone in this boat, efforts were made to ensure that all misunderstandings regarding the Bill were clarified. He said, “I do recall their concerns with the Bill, but the truth is that the criticisms we received on the Bill were largely due to the fact that people did not understand it, and that was the case with the Commission.” Heath-Retemyer said that there were no “substantial” changes made to the provisions, but there was some “tightening of the language used.”
PAGE 8
Kaieteur News
Saturday March 11, 2017
Verdict looms for alleged drug trafficker Disgruntled company behind row to the police station. Come Wednesday, a rul- and began searching. Sulton recalled that she ing will be made in the trial Sulton told the court, “I over procurement of emergency of Tiffany Sulton, who is started to use indecent lan- was taken to the Criminal a c c u s e d o f h a v i n g 1 0 6 guage. Then a few minutes Investigation Department pharmaceuticals – Harmon grams of cannabis in her later one of the males iden- (CID) Headquarters, Eve possession for the purpose of trafficking. The decision will be handed down by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. The prosecution led by Police Inspector Arvin Moore, wrapped up its case on Wednesday. Thereafter Sulton elected to give an unsworn statement. She called her father, Hugh Davis in her defence. During her testimony, the defendant told the court that she was at home cooking when she heard a noise. Sulton said that when she turned around, several persons including, a woman, ran into her home
tified himself as a police officer. I saw one of the officers go through my backdoor… while the others were searching.” According to Sulton, the police rank came back into her home through that same door with a black bag in his hands. She told the court that the officer asked her if the items in the bag belonged to her and told her that he was going to arrest her. The defendant stated that she had $210, 280, two cellular phones and a laptop on a vanity in her bedroom. She added that she told the police ranks that the money belonged to her father and she was instructed to pack up the items to be escorted
L e a r y, G e o rg e t o w n f o r questioning. While there, she said the officers weighed the narcotic. The defendant claimed that she was slapped several times by a female rank which led to her becoming frustrated. She said she was later taken to the East LaPenitence Police Station. In his testimony, Davis said he operates a welding shop at Lot 14 Broad Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. He said that after doing business he would give his daughter his money to keep. He described her as his “trustee”. Police Prosecutor A r v i n M o o r e , h o w e ver asked that the defendant be found guilty of the offence. According to Prosecutor Moore, it was proven that Sulton had physical control and possession of the illegal substance.
Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, has provided some insight into the true reason behind the quarrel over the recent procurement of millions worth in emergency pharmaceuticals by the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. During a Cabinet press briefing, the Cabinet Secretary said that the Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, will be making a more in-depth statement on the matter. The issue relates to the fact that Ansa McAl Trading Limited was just one of four companies awarded a contract to supply emergency pharmaceuticals for the Hospital. The politician said that the matter is one which came to the fore because there appears to be one company which feels that it has the “right” to be the only procur-
ing entity to supply the nation with drugs and other pharmaceuticals. He did not name the company at the press conference. Harmon assured that Minister Lawrence has very clear statements that will soon be issued to bring further clarity to the matter. It was on Thursday that Ansa McAl Trading Limited sought to set the record straight regarding misleading statements which were being circulated in the media that it benefitted from a million dollar contract for the procurement of emergency pharmaceutical supplies through the process of sole sourcing. In a statement to the media, the conglomerate chronicled the events leading up to how it was awarded a contract for the supply of $605M worth of drugs. The company explained that a meeting was held in the conference room of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation on January 16, last. The entity said that the meeting was held with all suppliers in an effort to address stock shortages and the urgent need for some products. Ansa McAl said that it was announced that this
was because the previous invite to tender in November of 2016 had been compromised, resulting in a further delay of supply. The company said that tender documents had been prepared for emergency supplies with specific tendering process requirements. Contrary to comments of “sole sourcing” being in play, the company made it clear that it was one of four companies asked to bid on a list of products that were either low or out of stock at GHPC. This was also confirmed to Kaieteur News by CEO of GPHC, Alan Johnson and the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB). AMTL said that it adhered to the process and submitted a bid on February 14, last. “AMTL tendered for 300 plus items and were successful and awarded 118 items within the tender. AMTL adhered to the procuring process which required a submission of an invoice of the awarded items which must be delivered within the 14 working days.” The billion-dollar company stressed that it prides itself on being renowned for branded, quality products as it represents 13 of the top 25 pharmaceutical companies in the world. Officials at Ansa McAl made it clear that those companies and their products have proven to be compliant, safe and of the correct efficacy.
Saturday March 11, 2017
PAGE 9
Kaieteur News
GUYSUCO IS NOT TO BE BLAMED The constant refrain from the government is that the imposition of the VAT was necessary in order to broaden the tax base so to ensure increased tax collections since the government is burdened by high transfer to the Guyana Sugar Corporation and saddled with settlements from the previous administration. Yet, it was this same government which when it was in opposition that had said there were high levels of tax evasion and tax avoidance. It therefore follows that if the new government closes the windows through which tax evasion and tax avoidance takes place that the extra revenues that it needs can be more than collected. The government is forgetting, strangely, about the vast amount of taxes which it claims was being evaded and avoided. Instead of going after the tax dodgers and tax avoiders, the government is increasing the range of services on which VAT is applicable. In other words, it is increasing the tax burden on the very people who have been paying taxes all along.
GUYSUCO has become a favorite whipping horse of the government. The transfers which the government is being forced to make to the sugar corporation is being used an excuse as to why VAT is being applied to certain services. GUYSUCO is being presented as a burden on the treasury. But the transfers are nothing new. Transfers were being made even before the APNU+AFC came to office. Transfers were also being made to the Guyana Power and Light. The reduction in the price of fuel has removed the need for those transfers. Transfers to the tune of billions are also been made each year to subsidize electricity in Linden. But no one is making the argument that VAT should be applied to electricity tariffs in Linden to promote conservation. So the transfer to ensure the electricity subsidy in Linden is not being presented as a drain on the treasury but the transfers to GUYSUCO, still a major foreign exchange earner is being decried. This country owes GUYSUCO. It was the sugar
industry which, for years, was deprived of critical funds for its recapitalization. When the PPP/C came to power in 1992, four billion dollars was being extracted, in those hard-guava season days, from the sugar industry to help pay public service wages. The sugar levy deprived the sugar industry of the funds that it needed for recapitalization. This is not a PPP argument. It is argument which was made by one of Guyana’s leading economist who is now close to the present administration. GUYSUCO provided drainage services to most of the communities on our coastland without ever being compensated for those services. This nation owed GUYSUCO because without those services the agricultural sector would have collapsed. Thousands of acres of lands were released by the Guyana Sugar Corporation, at below market prices, in order to provide housing for more than fifty thousand Guyanese families. Government housing is subsidized in Guyana. GUSUCO was never paid market prices for the lands that it
Dem boys seh ...
Tek dem money and jail some of dem When you commit a crime and you get ketch you does repent. You does holler how you sorry; how you didn’t mean to do it and how you gun never do it again. Nuff people does be willing to do whatever it takes to tek shame out dem face. Dem boys always know Rob de Earth was one of de scamp in de bunch of Jagdeo kavakamites. He sit down wid Jagdeo and scheme up a scheme that put dem in Pradoville housing scheme. Dem rob de nation of de true value of de land all of dem tek to build a mansion. Now that Soulja Bai got dem dancing round ee lil finger Rob de Earth start fuh sing. He now saying how he can pay de difference if Soulja Bai want more money fuh de land. Dem boys want to know if de money that he gun pay back
wid, is part of de $3 billion wha he seh he spend fuh build 27 bridge at Den Amstel and Parika backdam. Or if he gun use some of de money wha BaiShanLin de carry fuh him in paper bag de day rain fall and all de US money fall out pun de road. Is not dem two things alone Rob de Earth mek money on. He tek de airwaves put dem in he sissy name, and she live in New York. After dem lose de elections he tun round and sell de radio channels to Ansa McAl fuh a huge sum of money. Dem boys don’t even know if he pay any tax pun that transaction. He sell his house too. GRA should check. Rob de Earth and dem other scamps do so much to de Guyanese nation that if dem boys got to expose all it gun tek nuff newspaper. Fuh Jagdeo, de
one and only Ali Baba, de original, it gun tek all de newspapers in de world and even dem gun run out of pages. Anyhow, back to de pay back. Dem boys got a solution to whisper in Soulja Bai ears. He must do wha dem magistrate does do—allow you to pay back and jail dem pun top. Dem boys also want tell Soulja Bai bout de innocent people who get caught up in de Pradoville scheme he should allow de people to pay de true value. However, fuh Jagdeo, Rob de Earth and de entire Cabinet, including Luncheon, who tek land there should pay de true value and go to jail, too. Talk half and watch how some of de once powerful people begging like a dawg.
has released for housing. These lands are worth tens of billions of dollars on the open market. So please, stop this charade about GUYSUCO being a drain on the resources of the State. The government should also stop blaming the settlements which they have had to make because of the acts of the previous administration. This is a highly controversial issue. It was the APNU+AFC government which settled with a company which had obtained a judgment from the CCJ. The fact of the matter is that the opposition has pointed out that certain disclosures were made in that case which would have placed the government in a strong position to not have to make any payout. The new government however has opted to ignore those disclosures and has made a massive settlement. The government has not tried to publicly defend its decision. It has also not explained the rationale for set-
tling out of Court with DDL, a company which the GRA had claimed owned them billions of dollars. The government’s settlement has come back to haunt them since another company has used that precedent to sue the government for the largest sum ever demanded in a court case. The bottom line is that the government did not need to put VAT on electricity, water, health care and education. It had no need to do this, at least not because of GUYSUCO and not because of the payment of debts as a
result of settlements. The government should stop making excuses and start collecting the billions which it claims is not being collected or is taking the form of avoidance.
PAGE 10
Saturday March 11, 2017
Kaieteur News
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
The President and Joe Harmon owe me an apology In what has to be one of the most incredible moments in irresponsible politics ever witnessed in Guyana, Minister Joe Harmon issued a press statement on one of my columns without even a cursory ear lent to a tape recording that contains the material I cited. Most shocking is that I quoted the words of Mr. Harmon’s colleague, Raphael Trotman, and Mr. Harmon took Trotman’s words and put them in my mouth. Even more appalling was that I cited the media sources from whence the Trotman words came. Yet Mr. Harmon chose not to se-
cure the tape and listen for himself. It is my inflexible position that the President and Mr. Harmon discussed my column and thus came the following words from the Government’s release; “Hon. Joseph Harmon has refuted claims made by Kaieteur News Columnist, Mr. Freddie Kissoon, who, in his column on March 4, 2017, accused the Head of State of acting in contravention of the Cummingsburg Accord by arbitrarily appointing three Ministers of Government. ‘The President did not act
on his own so any attempt to assign a label to His Excellency in the performance of his duties is malicious. Mr. Kissoon should clearly speak to those Ministers that he referred to in his article and find out from them what the true facts are,” the Minister said. In his article, Kissoon said that if the President appointed three Ministers in the persons of Mr. Raphael Trotman, Mr. Noel Holder and Mr. Dominic Gaskin.” (end quote). I have listened to that tape umpteen times. Mr. Trotman words have been carried by media houses. Let me repeat for every person inside and outside of Guyana who take an interest in this country. At an AFC press conference, Minister Raphael Trotman told the reporters that outside of the Cummingsburg Accord, President Granger chose three ministers, meaning that those were not selections from APNU and the AFC. His description of what the presi-
dent did lasted for more than two minutes in which the named the three Ministers – him, Business Minister, Gaskin and Agriculture Minister Holder. Mr. Trotman particularly mentioned the President’s son-in-law telling the reporters that the business portfolio (which Mr. Gaskin holds) was not part of the Cummingburg Accord. He ended his discussion of what President Granger did with the following words, “WE ARE THREE EXTRAS.” Those were his exact words. Having repeated what Mr. Trotman said in a second column, it is for the President and Minister Harmon to listen to the tape and to speak to Mr. Trotman. I am numb with chagrin that the President did not seek a clarification from Mr. Trotman with whom he shares a very close friendship. It was Mr. Trotman who told Guyanese that after the Coalition victory in May 2015, Mr.
Granger called him and said, “Raphael, this is Nassau,” meaning some discussion the two had way back about the shape of Guyanese politics at the airport in the Bahamas. Surely, on reading that I quoted Mr. Trotman on the President’s selection of his son-in-law, the President could have called Trotman for an explanation. That didn’t happen. Instead, I was accused of accusing the President of patronizing his son-in-law. There is no other country like this God-forsaken land. I am not going to be insulting to President Granger by using harsh words, but one would have thought that the elementary thing to do was to listen to the tape. How can a senior minister (for many, the deputy president) respond to a columnist without reading the document from which the columnist got his information? Surely man, this is the type of crazy thing you expect one of Donald Trump henchmen to do. Mr. Harmon mentioned mischief on my part. But I am wondering if there wasn’t mischief on the part of Harmon and the President that they chose not to correct me by outlining my misquotes
Frederick Kissoon but chose to attack me deliberately ignoring the fundamental research principle that govern law, journalism and academia. Both Harmon and Mr. Granger ought to know better. Harmon is a lawyer. He has to read the document from which his client claims libel. President Granger is an academic. He had to read source documents for the books he wrote. Having written what I have written above, I would expect the President and Mr. Harmon to go back and listen to the tape of the AFC press conference. I would gladly make it available. After hearing what Mr. Trotman said, I would expect an apology from the President and Mr. Harmon, Failing to provide one will surely be an education for the Guyanese people.
Saturday March 11, 2017
Kaieteur News
PAGE 11
PAGE 12
Kaieteur News
Saturday March 11, 2017
Cops getting hands-on Cybercrime training in Panama Guyana is being represented at an international Cybercrime Capacity Building Project for Latin America and the Caribbean. This event is being held in Panama and will conclude one week from today. This was according to the Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, during the post-Cabinet press briefings yesterday at the Mini s t r y o f P r e s i d e n c y, Georgetown. The Minister said that the project is aimed at enhancing the capacity of selected International Police (INTERPOL) membercountries to counter
cybercrime through the provision of specialised training, access to cyber forensic equipment; and the coordination of cybercrime operational activities. Detective Sergeant, Junior Blair and Julia Jonas, of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) are attending, the Minister said. The project is being carried out at a time when the Cybercrime arm of the Guyana Police Force is currently investigating what is believed to have been a cyber attack on the billing systems of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI).
Meanwhile, the Cybercrime Bill of 2016 (Bill No. 17/2016) – a Bill intituled an act to combat cybercrime by creating offences of cybercrime; to provide for penalties, investigation and prosecution of the offences and related matters – was read a first time and committed to a Special Select Committee on October 4, 2016. Minister Harmon, during the press briefing, also spoke about Cabinet granting approval for persons to participate in the law enforcement leadership and development programme to be held in El Salvador
from April 24, to June 2, 2017. This will be a training programme for middle management law enforcement personnel and criminal justice personnel. The training will include such topics as leadership, management, counter-terrorism, border issues, narcotics and criminal and financial investigations. Those identified to attend are Senior State Counsel, Diana Kaulesar-O’Brien from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP); State Counsel, Stacy Goodings, also from the Office of the DPP; Superintendent, K. Parsuram from the Guyana Police Force (GPF); Deputy Superintendent, H. Winter, G P F ; Wo m a n D e p u t y Superintendant, D. Griffith,
GPF; and Assistant Superintendant, V. Hunt, also from the GPF. Approval has also been granted for the participation in the Caribbean Use of Force Conference to be held in Jamaica from May 31 to June 2, 2017. The conference will discuss a draft of a model Use of Force Policy for the Caribbean Security Forces as well as on ways to improve training and operation in Caribbean Countries, Minister Harmon said. Deputy Superintendent Motie Dookie and Deputy Superintendent, Chabinauth Singh, both of the GPF will attend the Conference. Harmon sated that since the coalition government came into office, capacity building within the police force has been on the front
burner. “We recognise that if the police force were to do good investigation; that they were to prepare cases to stand up in the court, it requires that quality of training.” The retired Lieutenant Colonel, also spoke about mutual assistance from friendly countries in relation to the training of Guyana’s police force and the capacity building in the force itself. He spoke about the Security Sector Reform Programme compliments of the United Kingdom and the ongoing survey of Guyana’s security needs. The Minister pointed out, also, the recruitment of British Advisor to the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) Dr. Sam Sittlington being a part of the UK’s assistance to Guyana.
Govt. explores setting up alumina plant Government is looking, seriously, at the possibility of setting up an alumina plant. Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, recently told Kaieteur News that there is an ongoing review of the bauxite industry with a particular emphasis on the feasibility of an alumina plant. He disclosed that the government has appointed a review committee headed by “bauxite experts” former Member of Parliament, Lance Carberry, and Sylvester Carmichael. The committee is receiving heavy support from the Guyana Geology and Mines (GGMC), Region Ten administration and the Guyana Bauxite and General
Workers Union. Trotman said that given the national significance of the exercise, the government will also seek the participation of the opposition Trotman reminded that A Partnership for National Unity and AFC (APNU+AFC) 2015 manifesto promised a review of the future of bauxite and a revisiting of the resuscitation of the alumina plant. He said that the committee is looking into the possibility of this and is expected to deliver a report in the first quarter of 2017. “So we are on our way of fulfilling yet another manifesto promise.” Guyana’s bauxite industry has been in existence for over 100 years. The country once
Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman benefitted from an alumina plant which has been down for several years now.
Saturday March 11, 2017
Two more high powered weapons recovered, two arrestes Just a day after police unearthed two assault rifles at a house at Meten-MeerZorg, West Coast Demerara, police have found more highpowered weapons, this time on the East Coast Demerara. A release stated that ranks of the Major Crime Unit, Criminal Investigation Department headquarters unearthed an AK-47 rifle and a .223 Ruger Rifle, wrapped in plastic garbage bags in the corner of a trench in Cummings Lodge, Turkeyen. Two persons are currently in police custody assisting with the investigation. The two rifles are currently being examined by the Guyana Police Force’s Fire-
arm Examination Experts. Ballistic experts are said to be still examining an AK-47 and an M-70 Assault rifle that were found on Thursday at the Meten-Meer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara home of a former associate of convicted drug kingpin, Shaheed ‘Roger’ Khan. The discovery was made after a female occupant told the police that she had found the firearm while cleaning the home located at First Street, Meten-Meer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara. The weapons were found in a duffel bag, along with two magazines. The detained man is the owner of a fast food business.
He was taken into custody in December, 2002 after army ranks intercepted Roger Khan, Haroon Yahya, and policeman Sean Belfield, in a pickup truck at Good Hope, East Coast Demerara, with a massive arms cache. The cache included M-16 assault rifles with night vision devices; Uzi sub-machine gun with silencer; Glock 9mm pistols; 12-gauge shotgun; other small calibre weapons; bullet-proof vests; helmets; a computer and other electronic gadgetry with digitised electronic maps and plans of Georgetown and certain East Coast villages. They were never charged.
Commonwealth trade ministers end meeting in London
LONDON (CMC) – Commonwealth trade and investment ministers yesterday ended a two-day meeting here with a commitment to make full use of the ‘Commonwealth advantage’ to boost trade within the 52-member bloc. Ministers and representatives from more than 35 countries, including the Caribbean, attended the meeting, jointly convened by the Londonbased Commonwealth Secretariat and the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council. “On trade, our family has never been more needed that it is today. We all know that we’ve been living in troubled
times and together we will have to look very carefully at what advantages there are within our family. Intra-Commonwealth trade has never been more important,” said Commonwealth SecretaryGeneral Baroness Patricia Scotland. “There is a 19 per cent trade advantage within the Commonwealth. We must see how the global trade landscape can be changed in favour of that advantage and the particular factors that drive and differentiate intraCommonwealth trade and investment be improved.” A statement issued yesterday, noted that the ministers focused on opportunities
for the Commonwealth to strengthen collaboration by promoting intra-Commonwealth trade and investment flows. They identified key challenges hindering trade competitiveness and discussed how to overcome them through mutual support. “Ministers underscored the importance of building a global economy that benefits all of the Commonwealth’s 2.4 billion citizens, noting that developing countries need an enabling global trading environment to achieve the Sustainable D e v e l o p m e n t Goals.landscape.
Jagdeo has opened himself for... From page 3 one of the largest plots, and built his mansion overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. It is the use of state funds to develop the lands and the manner in which the plots of land were distributed that has SOCU investigating. The visits of those former Government officials and their relatives were captured by news houses which staked out SOCU's office. Questioned yesterday about the administration's thoughts of the controversial law, Harmon during the postCabinet's press briefing, explained that the Constitution is “very clear” regarding the immunity of a sitting president who takes certain steps while he is in office. “We respect that,” he said. However, the administration may be looking to amend those immunity laws during the Constitutional reform process which is expected to take off shortly. Harmon, a lawyer, noted
that there must be exception. “One cannot commit an egregious act in office which can be deemed as such in an international court and still believe that nothing can happen locally.” He referred to news reports yesterday in which South Korean female president, Park Geun-hye, was forced from office, after the country's constitutional court upheld a Parliamentary vote to impeach her over a corruption and cronyism scandal that could see her face criminal charges. “The constitution can be looked at in a certain way.” He said that the Coalition Government has always held the view that the laws give the President immunity while he or she is in office. However, the situation in Guyana has evolved with the feeling that the framers of the Constitution believing that a president once he or she has demitted office will “basically” lead a more quiet; a sedate life. With regards to the
PAGE 21
Kaieteur News
Guyana context, Minister Harmon insisted that a former president (Bharrat Jagdeo) now sits in the National Assembly. “So how can you claim immunity while actively engaged in day-to-day politics?” Jagdeo, who has made it clear that he was retiring form politics, returned to the scene after his party's- the People's Progressive Party- devastating one-seat loss in 2015 after more than two-decades in power. Jagdeo's rule was dotted by accusations of cronyism and corruption. Harmon noted that there is even a former president who writes weekly in the newspapers. According to Harmon, it is not unusual for a former president to be granted a certain level of courtesy. “…But if in fact by then after they leave office they descend into the arena, then I would say they have to be dealt with by the persons in the arena,” he warned.
Caribbean nations meet in Havana on migration, trade as Trump era begins
Cuba’s President Raul Castro (L) listens to Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez during the opening of the Association of Caribbean States meeting in Havana yesterday. (REUTERS/Stringer) (Reuters) Foreign ministers and other officials from 25 Caribbean countries met in Havana yesterday to discuss a joint response in the face of Trump administration threats to migrants and trade. Opening remarks at the closed-door event, attended by representatives from Colombia, Mexico, Cuba and other countries in Central America and the Caribbean islands, made clear the new U.S. administration was uppermost on the agenda, though the name of President Donald Trump was never uttered. The United States is a key economic partner for the region.
“We are meeting at an exceptional historic moment when there are geographic changes on the global scene and we have to be prepared,” said June Soomer, who is from Saint Lucia and is secretary general of the Association of Caribbean States. “We are not going to resign ourselves to what others in the world dictate. We are not a mediocre region, we are one of excellence and peace,” Sooner said. Cuban President Raul Castro attended the opening ceremony. His foreign minister, Bruno Rodriguez, lit into Trump’s policies in his opening remarks, and said the or-
ganization should come up with a joint response, as the policies threaten the development models of local economies. “The excluding and repressive migration policies announced by countries of destination, ... as well as the implementation of extremely protectionist trade measures, are real challenges for our sub-region,” he said. “In the face of the walls intended to be built, our choice should continue to be unity, solidarity and cooperation to defend the most legitimate interests of our peoples,” he said.
Nine receive specialized training on... From page 14 maritime experts. It will be delivered to four vetted officers from Guyana and four vetted officers from Jamaican law enforcement agencies. This course will be focused on advanced maritime intelligence training, providing access to key international partners. The course will create a Maritime Intelligence Unit (MIU). Officers participating in this course will be invited to attend an annual mentoring
event, also attending will be all MIU-trained teams who participated in the project, with a view to promoting transregional working practices. An annual conference will also be convened to promote transregional networks. The EU's Cocaine Route Programme, in operation since 2009, has been a strategic response to the threat from drug trafficking and organised crime to the countries along the route from source to market.
Through a number of inter-connected and complementary projects the Cocaine Route Programme supports the capacity of partners along the route in combating the manufacture of and intercepting the flow of drugs, fighting money laundering and sharing information. The Cocaine Route Programme operates in over 40 countries and has a budget in excess of €50 million from the EU Instrument Contributing to Stability and Peace.
Sittlington was only an advisor... From page 3 members and supporters of the People Progressive Party (PPP). Those questioned in relation to Pradoville2 and other cases, included former Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Roger Luncheon; former Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, Ramesh Dookoo; daughter of former President Donald Ramotar and General Manager of Guyana Gold Board, Lisaveta Ramotar; the son of former Labour Minister Nanda Gopaul, Dr Gansham
Singh; former Minister of Natural Resources Robert Persaud; the former Ministers of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali; former Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand; former Minister of Tourism, Shaik Baksh; former Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds; former Minister of Public Service, Jennifer Westford; and former Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee. The Opposition had also accused the Government of issuing political directives to the unit to arrest persons affiliated with the PPP/C.
The government has since dispelled the claims. In a statement, the administration said that SOCU is conducting fair, meticulous and independent work in investigating an immensely serious matter relating to state assets. State Minister, Joseph Harmon, during the post-Cabinet press briefing yesterday, reminded that SOCU is an arm of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and reiterated the Government's position and that is, “not to interfere with police investigations”.
PAGE 22
VEHICLE FOR SALE 1-Leyland DAF GRR Series; excellent condition. Call: 6804101
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, C a n a da & UK; Guyana passport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 6267040; 265-4535. INNOVATIVEMARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Repairs to refrigerators washing machine, gas stove, all units. Call Lindon: 641-1086/ 694-2202 Repairs to washers, dryers, stoves, deep fryers, control system etc. Call: 619-0793/ 699-8802 Eagle’s: Re-gas -$8,000, Washing machine repairs, Gas Stove, Plasma flat Screen & more. Call: 6972969/646-0966 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158 Veterinary Services, East Side Animal Clinic @ 147 Section ‘A’ Grove Block ‘Y’ East Bank. Call: 216-4144/ 681-7215
LAND FOR SALE Land for sale @ Dowden Street, Kitty 125’X57’. Call: 619-4152/ 227-1905 La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.3M, Uitvlugt -$2.3M, $2M – Call: 642-1252 1 Lot of land @ Yarrowkabra -$950,000. Call: 672-5876 Transported corner lot with approved building plan @ 90 Garnett & Republic Streets, Newtown Kitty. Call: 6016000/227-3305 Transported land for sale size 37X270 @ Coglan Dam, Vreed-en-Hoop, W.B.D. Call: 650-5644/677-9938 La Parfaite Harmonie - $1.4M, $1.8M, $1.3M, Uitvlugt $2M, Diamond -$4M, Providence -$4M, Zeelught $1.6M. Call: 614-6802
1 New model Vitz, press start, A/C, excellent condition $1.5M, good for bank purchases, 1 Toyota Verossa -$2.3M. Call: 639-2490 Nissan Pathfinder Jeep, Toyota Vigo pickup, great bargain. C all: 609-7766 Toyota Passo PPP -$900,000 negotiable, Toyota IST PNN -$1.2M negotiable. Excellent condition. Call: 623-9121 One Nissan Duke, lady driven in immaculate condition, PTT Series, low mileage, price -$3M. Call: 6530018/666-7748 Dwayne Stephen Auto Sales! New Shipment of Vehicle: Rush, Blue Bird, Note, Axio, Allion. Call: 665-2330/ 6486869 Unregistered Fielder -$2.5M, Axela 2011 -$2.7M, all dark interior. Call: 617-5536
La Parfaite Harmonie - $1.4M, $1.8M, $1.3M, Uitvlugt -$2M, Providence -$3.5M, Zeelugt .6M, New Road V/Hoop -$27M. Call: 604-6724 Land at Lot 20 Philippi Corentyne Coast, situated on both sides of the highway. Call: 333-3717 Puruni Gold Land for sale, 833 Acres. Call: 676-0455 Farm (East Bank) -$3M, La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.3M, Uitvlugt -$2.8M, Pearl (with concrete fence) -$3M. Call: 233-3006/ 658-5897/ 651-1969
Building Contractor Estimates, house plan to be drawn give us a call: 2160671/692-8464/622-0267
1-5 Acres coconut and other fruit bearing, no chemical, lease or sale – Demerara River across Timehri docks. Call: 261-2988
Passport application services and consultancy – Call: 233-6517
TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 225-7878 (24HRS)
ACCOMMODATION Secret Villa apartments fully furnished, hot & cold water, Jacuzzi, air condition from $20USD daily. Call: 225-6337/ 266-5244/668-0306 Harmony Inn: Furnished self contained apartments & rooms from $20USD daily. Call: 218-1400/ 694-7817
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. 1 14 feet Aluminum Boat, 1 15 HP Yamaha Outboard Engine (Short Foot), 1 Cummings-10 KVA Generator Call: 664-5807 CAT 215 Excavator, Leyland DAF 55 Tipper Truck, D4H CAT Bulldozer. Call: 2750538/ 683-7225 1- CAT 320 BL Excavators, 428- CAT Backhoe, 1 CAT 930 Front End, 9 wheeled pneumatic roller, Double Steel drum compactor- Call: 2750538/ 683-7225
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Lot 14 Croal & Longden Street: 4 Storey building (infront Demico). Call: 6631876 1-2 Bedroom apartment to rent fully furnished, including internet, cable, TV, parking available. E.C.D –Call: 6672536 Self-contained semifurnished apartments located at Diamond Housing Scheme. Call: 679-8792
2 Leyland Dump truck (55210), 1 Caterpillar Backhoe, owner migrating, very good condition. Call: 672-5876
Vreed-en-Hoop Junction: office, storage bond, lesson place, church -$20,000 per month. Call: 603-6400
Great Deals on video games & all gaming consoles. PC, video games & repairs – Call: 672-2566; 265-3231
3 Bedrooms upper flat located at Vreed-en-Hoop, 3rd Building in from Junction. Call: 673-3064
Design & Make Aluminum windows, doors, stainless rails, showcases, rolling shutters, make & install automatic doors. Call: 2336818/677-5599/659-9999
1-3 Storey building located at 128 Akawini and Sheriff Street. Call: 652-1504/ 2200365
Berkley 6inch high pressure pump with 855 Cummings engine only 500 hours EX USA fire station, price -$2M. Call: 652-4540 Generator 855 Cummings only 700 house. EX USA standby 250KW, price $2.5M. Call: 652-4540 Salon Equipment. Call: 2653586 8am-4pm
2 Bedrooms executive furnished with all modern conveniences. Call: 622-5725/ 664-1070 House for rent @ 112 Duke Street Kingstown G/Town: 3 bedrooms. Call: 603-7147/ 665-6433 Newly refurbished 2 bedroom apartment D’urban Street Lodge, secure parking. Call: 687-4050
44FT Banga Boat, 500lbs fiber glass box. Call: 2593164/ 685-1946
SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. - Cosmetology Courses: $120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 6471773/660-5257
DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM
LEARN TO DRIVE
WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP REATES,SPECIALOFFERS FOR THE SEASON. CALL: 690-6494
AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL: PICKUP, 9-11 SEAT MIN BUS, GOOD FORAIRPOTR & FAMILY OUTING, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807
C. Persaud & N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman & Sons Driving School @ Maraj Building- Call: 644-5166; 6222872; 615-0964; 689-5997 (affordable packages).
Fibre-Tech 220 9192/6907. Fiberglass, Resin materials in any quantity all for your repairs.
TO LET 3 Bedrooms apartment for rent, bottom flat. Call:2258084/689-6001 2 Bedrooms apartment in Eccles New Scheme, rooms in Alberttown. Call: 225-3234
ENTERTAINMENT Jubilee Resort: pool, water slide, boating, paintball, games, etc, open daily – 10:00am-6:00pm. Call: 2258915/623-7313 EDUCATIONAL Electronic Course: starting 14th March. Hands on training repairing all types of TV’s etc. Call: 226-6551/ 225-0391
WANTED One driver/porter from Diamond, Grove area. Call: 2161043, 677-6620 Wanted land to buy at Tuschen, Uitvlugt, Zeelugt, La Parfaite Harmonie, best price offered. Call: 657-9594 Experienced straight stitch sewing machine operator. Call: 627-9621 Urgently needed workers to work at Ice Company @ Meadow Bank Wharf, training provided. Call: 2311408/ 642-9191/ between 8am-1pm. Attractive live in waitressCall: 327-0252/674-4665 One shop assistant to work in the Interior, must have experienced. Call: 678-0565 A tutor is needed for a 13year old boy from overseas. Call: 218-0192/ 696-1479 1 Canteen for rent in Georgetown. Call: 679-9762 Drivers and cars wanted, soliciting contracts from companies for taxi service. Call: 219-2712/ 682-6747 Now Hiring: cashier, porters & driver for canters. Apply at Nimbus, 79 Albert & Laluni Streets. Call: 231-7002 Drivers for canter truck to work on W.C.D -$25,000 weekly. Call: 684-8231/ 6629341 Two hundred 8inX4inX2in, Clay Bricks. Call Edward: 6534797/ 223-0952 1 Gas/Arch welder @ Broad Street Charlestown, Fat man Welding Shop. Call: 2235595/643-9125
1 White new model Passo 2009, working condition also 1 transported houselot @ W.C.D – Call: 602-3000/ 600-2931
CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 6560087 ,EMAIL:PRO_ A U T O R E N T A L @YAHOO.COM
CAR RENTAL
Saturday March 11, 2017
Kaieteur News
Lodge apartments (Vlisssengen/Durban): furnished (visitors) USD$600-$1,000 monthly, unfurnished 2 bedrooms $60,000, studio -$40,000 monthly- Call:668-7687/ 6779638/697-6421 Lodge (Vlissengen/ Durban): Professional/Office/ Business (no food retailing) space. Call: 668-7687/ 6779638/697-6421
Female worker wanted sound secondary education, computer literate-Tel: 6225518 For up to $1M, Pawn your land if it’s in Eccles, Herstelling, Providence, Zeelugt and Bartica. Call: 233-3006/ 658-5897/651-1969 VACANCY Now Hiring: Marketing Agents. Models/Media Reps. Call: 233-6517 Earn 5k-20K daily at home. Call: 233-6517/622-1957/ www.jobfairworldwide.com One experienced legal computer clerk. Call: 6247087/ 226-4283/258-0213/ email:husainsaphier@ yahoo.com Continued on page 23
Saturday March 11, 2017
Hydromet Department pushes for well-drilling compliance
Flood warning in effect for low lying areas The Guyana Hydrometerological Service via the National We a t h e r Wa t c h C e n t e r, Ministry of Agriculture has issued an above normal high tide warning for the next 12-48 hours, starting last evening. The release warns that with the sea conditions forecast, coupled with the current above normal high tides, coastal areas may
experience possible over-topping of sea defences which can result in flooding in low lying and riverine areas. This is expected to generate rough seas with 10 to 11-foot waves (3.0 to 3.5 meters) in open waters. “Residents are being urged to take the necessary precautions during this period which is expected to last until Thursday, March 16, 2017.”
Skinny’s brother discharged on murder charge Hydromet Department are urging for all operators to get their facilities registered in keeping with the law. The Hydromet Department yesterday officially launched a campaign to ensure wells operating across Guyana are registered in keeping with the department’s mandate under the Water and Sewerage Act, 2002. The Hydromet Department is responsible for the management and monitoring of all surface and groundwater resources in Guyana. Chief Hydromet Officer (ag), Dr. Garvin Cummings, stated that the initiative will contribute positively to water resources management in Guyana. The registration of wells is the first step in the broader framework of managing our water resources. “The first function that the department is mandated to discharge under the Water and Sewerage Act is the establishment, management, and operationalization of national systems to monitor the availability, quality, and use of surface water and ground water. The act further mandates the department to establish a national hydrometeorological database which includes the establishment of a hydrological information system,” Dr. Cummings said. The law stipulates that all
persons intending to drill wells divert or in any way affect surface water in any significant manner must first acquire a license from the Hydrometeorological Department- an arm of the Ministry of Agriculture. This is done following clearance from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other relevant agencies. According to the CHO, failing to have the said license required or following procedures outlined by the department, before engaging in such practice, will result in prosecution. “This first step will, therefore, allow the department to identify users of the country’s groundwater resources. Thereafter the department will be able to gather further data and information on their operations which will set the foundation for the development of a national groundwater monitoring system,” Dr. Cummings stated. The department said it will be instituting a grace period of six months to ensure all stakeholders comply with the regulations, by having their wells registered.
PAGE 23
Kaieteur News
J a m i l Yo u n g , t h e brother of now dead notorious criminal Jermaine ‘Skinny’ Charles, was on Thursday freed of a murder charge by City Magistrate Dylon Bess. Young, 29, of Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara was accused of murdering Randy Persaud on March 10, 2015 at Agricola, East Bank Demerara. Based on reports, 27-yearold Persaud, a shopkeeper, was gunned down while sitting in front of his home at Lot 8 3 T h i r d S t r e e t , Agricola, East Bank Demerara. Due to insufficient evidence,
MURDERED: Randy Persaud Magistrate Bess discharged Young of the offence at the conclusion of a preliminary inquiry in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
Govt calls for more parking... From page 7 The inclusivity seems to be the preferred way forward, however the government and the MAPM are still speaking different languages since the group is calling for the revocation of the project and for it to go to tendering and consultation. On the other hand, Government has not mentioned that revocation is an option. The contract signed between City Hall and Smart City Solutions is valid for 20 years and can be renewed for an additional 20 years.
From page 22
VACANCY PROPERTY FOR SALE Transported property @ Grove and Diamond $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461 House for sale & removal at Campbellville 23ftX40ftContact Ganesh: 614-6202
Sales Representative needed for hardware related item, good working vehicle needed, attractive compensation. Call: 602-4337 Cook/Baker and Kitchen Assistant for interior location. Applicants must be experienced, for details call: 618-2020
1 Front building & a 2 storey building on 1 (lot) 180 Charlotte Street Bourda W30XL120 $55M negotiable. Call: 624-7341/ 227-6817/226-5183
Receptionist, Male Security guard age 30-45, 233 South Road Lacytown. Call: 225-0198
House/land with business- 5 bedrooms, 2 bath W.C.D, Anna Catherina. Call: 6142466
Woodmizer and moulder, operator, porters @ Eccles, E.B.D. Call Richard: 6097675/ 674-1705/233-2614
House for sale 2482 North Ruimveldt, 2 flat, no flooding , 6 feet fence, in secure area. Price $21M negotiable. Call: 233-5400/ 618-0595 Goat Creek, Riverfront , 75 Acres land -$7M, Lanaballi River Front, 50 Acres -$9M. Diamond -$7.5M Call: 6880087 Riviera Island: 145 Acres $30M, Tuschen property $5.8M, $6M, $15M. Call: 6880087 Tuschen 5,8,6,2 bedrooms; Hope- 2 bedrooms $7.8M, Hogg Island 20 acres $8M Call: 688-0087 Melani 2 bedrooms - $10M, Tuschen $11.5M & $25M, Canal #2 (15 acres) -$9M. Call: 688-0087
FOR SALE/FOR RENT Large 3 Bedrooms house for rent or sale @ La Parfaite Harmonie, W.B.D, upstairs + downstairs -$40,000 monthly. Call: 690-5061
Accounts Clerk for Eccles, Industrial Site area knowledge of NIS, PAYE, VAT, Quickbooks. Call: 6144358 Experienced Hire Car Drivers/Dispatchers. Call: 622-6413 Refrigeration & Ice Machine maintenance workers age 25 & older. Call: 231-1408/ 6429191 between 8 to 1pm
PAGE 24
Saturday March 11, 2017
Kaieteur News
South Korean court throws president out of office; two die in protest (Reuters) South Korea’s Constitutional Court removed President Park Geunhye from office yesterday over a graft scandal involving the country’s conglomerates at a time of rising tensions with North Korea and China. The ruling sparked protests from hundreds of Park’s supporters, two of whom were killed in clashes with police outside the court, and a festive rally by those who had demanded her ouster who celebrated justice being served. “We did it. We the citizens, the sovereign of this country, opened a new chapter in history,” Lee Tae-ho, the leader of a movement to oust Park that has held mostly peaceful rallies in downtown involving millions, told a large gathering in Seoul. Park becomes South Korea’s first democratically elected leader to be forced from office, capping months of paralysis and turmoil over the corruption scandal that also landed the head of the Samsung conglomerate in detention and on trial. A snap presidential election will be held within 60
Ousted: South Korea’s President Park Geun-hye days. Park did not appear in court, and a spokesman said she would not be making any comment. She also would not leave the presidential Blue House residence yesterday. “Park is not leaving the Blue House today,” Blue House spokesman Kim Dong Jo told Reuters. Park was stripped of her powers after parliament voted to impeach her but has
Protesters supporting South Korean President Park Geun-hye clash with riot policemen near the Constitutional Court in Seoul, South Korea. (Kyodo/via REUTERS) remained in the president’s official compound. The court’s acting chief judge, Lee Jung-mi, said Park had violated the constitution and law “throughout her term,” and despite the objections of parliament and the media, she had concealed the truth and cracked down on critics. Park has steadfastly denied any wrongdoing. The ruling to uphold parliament’s Dec. 9 vote to
impeach her marks a dramatic fall from grace of South Korea’s first woman president and daughter of Cold War military dictator Park Chung-hee. Both her parents were assassinated. Park, 65, no longer has immunity and could now face criminal charges over bribery, extortion and abuse of power in connection with allegations of conspiring with her friend, Choi Soon-sil. MARKETS RISE Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn was appointed acting president and will remain in that post until the election. He called on Park’s supporters and opponents to put their differences aside to prevent deeper division. “It is time to accept, and close the conflict and confrontation we have suffered,” Hwang said in a televised speech. A liberal presidential candidate, Moon Jae-in, is leading in opinion polls to succeed Park, with 32 percent support in one poll released yesterday. Hwang, who has not said whether he will seek the presidency, leads among conservatives, none of whom has more than single-digit poll ratings. “Given Park’s spectacular demise and disarray among conservatives, the presidential contest in May is the liberals’ to lose,” said Yonsei University professor John Delury. Relations with China and the United States could dominate the coming presidential campaign, after the U.S. military this month started deploying the U.S. THAAD missile defence system in South Korea in response to North Korea’s stepped-up missile and nuclear tests. Beijing has vigorously protested against the deployment, which was agreed last year between Washington and Seoul, fearing its radar could see into its missile de-
ployments. China has curbed travel to South Korea and targeted Korean companies operating in the mainland, prompting retaliatory measures from Seoul. The U.S. military said on Friday it would keep delivering THAAD components, separating the issue from South Korea’s internal political crisis. The new U.S. administration has been keen to install the system as quickly as possible due to concerns that a new government in Seoul could block the deployment. “We have a strong relationship and will continue to work with South Korea,” White House spokesman Sean Spicer said. “It’s a domestic issue in which the United States takes no position in the outcome of that election.” The Seoul market’s benchmark KOSPI index and the won currency rose after the ruling. The prospect of a new president in the first half of this year instead of prolonged uncertainty would buoy domestic demand as well as the markets, said Trinh Nguyen, senior economist at Natixis in Hong Kong. “The hope is that this will allow the country to have a new leader that can address long-standing challenges such as labor market reforms and escalated geopolitical tensions,” he said. Park was accused of colluding with her friend Choi and a former presidential aide, both of whom have been on trial, to pressure big businesses to donate to two foundations set up to back her policy initiatives. The court said Park had “completely hidden the fact of (Choi’s) interference with state affairs.” Park was also accused of soliciting bribes from the head of the Samsung Group for government favors, including
backing a merger of two Samsung affiliates in 2015 that was seen as supporting family succession and control over the country’s largest “chaebol,” or conglomerate. Samsung Group leader Jay Y. Lee has been accused of bribery and embezzlement in connection with the scandal and is in detention. His trial began on Thursday. He and Samsung have denied wrongdoing. ‘COMMON CRIMINAL’ The scandal and verdict have exposed fault lines in a country long divided by Cold War politics. While Park’s conservative supporters clashed with police outside the court, elsewhere most people welcomed her ouster. A recent poll showed more than 70 percent supported her impeachment. Hundreds of thousands of people have for months been gathering at peaceful rallies in Seoul every weekend to call for Park to step down. On Friday, hundreds of Park’s supporters, many of them elderly, tried to break through police barricades at the courthouse. Police said one 72-year-old man was taken to hospital with a head injury and died. The circumstances of the second death were being investigated. Six people were injured, protest organizers said. Police blocked the main thoroughfare running through downtown Seoul in anticipation of bigger protests. Park will be making a tragic and untimely departure from the Blue House for the second time in her life. In 1979, having served as acting first lady after her mother was killed by a bullet meant for her father, she and her two siblings left the presidential compound after their father was killed. This time, she could end up in jail.
Saturday March 11, 2017
Kaieteur News
PAGE 25
PAGE 26
Kaieteur News
Saturday March 11, 2017
Saturday March 11, 2017
PAGE 27
Kaieteur News
Raikkonen fastest for Ferrari as F1 testing ends West Side 10/10 softball (Reuters) Formula One wrapped up pre-season testing on Friday with Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen setting the pace with the fastest lap yet around the Circuit de Catalunya. The Finn’s best effort of 1:18.634 seconds, on supersoft tyres in the morning, was the first below the 1:19 barrier and 0.804 seconds quicker than Red Bull’s Dutch teenager Max Verstappen on the same tire compound in 1:19.438. Raikkonen’s team mate and four times world champion Sebastian Vettel had been fastest on Thursday in 1:19.024. Before that, Mercedes had set the pace with Finland’s Valtteri Bottas lapping in 1:19.310 on Wednesday. Triple champion team mate Lewis Hamilton was fifth fastest on Friday. The early signs from test-
ing, which can be deceptive, are that champions Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull remain on a different level to the rest but that last season’s gaps have closed at the top. The season starts in Australia on March 26. “Between the top three and the other ones it is between one second and 1.5 seconds, I think,”
said Haas team principal Guenther Steiner. “There is no surprise that Mercedes and Ferrari and Red Bull came out better than everybody else. They have more resources to do more testing and that is what it is.” Haas driver Romain Grosjean brought out the red flags to stop the morning ses-
sion twice on Friday, with troubled McLaren doing likewise as Spaniard Fernando Alonso had another tough session. The team said the double world champion had experienced the same intermittent electrical shutdown that hampered Belgian rookie team mate Stoffel Vandoorne on Thursday.
Conquerors needle 9-man Kings, face GDF... (From page 30) red carded for striking at opposing players in the 90+3 minute. But by then it was all over bar the shouting as Conquerors strolled to victory. Conquerors would be going up against the red hot Army side with all guns blazing tomorrow to seek revenge for their earlier loss in this final four tournament.
Meanwhile, the semi finals of the National Women’s Development League will now be played this morning at the Tucville ground where St. Ignatius Sports Club will take on Fruta Conquerors from 09:00hrs and Paiwomak Warriors match skills with the Guyana Defence Force. The respective winners
Saturday March 11 , 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You will meet new friends and enjoy a multitude of new activities. Expect your workload to be heavy. You will have the ability to capture the interest of others. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Your disciplined attention to jobs will enhance your position. Take a look at the possibilities of starting a small part time business with friends or relatives. You may be angry if someone tries to take credit for something you did. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Do some research if you want to find information that you can apply against the opposition you face. Be quiet about your intentions or ideas that might bring added cash. Concentrate on yourself or your work.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Visit friends or relatives you don't get to see very often. Enter t a i n m e n t c o u l d b e pleasing if it is of an energetic nature. Take care of the needs or responsibilities of elders. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You could be your own worst enemy if you overreact to something you're told. Your ability to ferret out secret information will lead you to an inside scoop on an amazing financial deal. Don't draw too much attention to yourself at work. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Try looking into new ways to make extra money. The emotional state of peers may cause a problem for you. Avoid any gossip and be careful that you aren't misinterpreted.
CANCER (June 21–July 22) You will need to finalize important deals today. Go out with friends who are positive and supportive. Your family needs to spend some time with you, too.
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) It's a good time for long awaited relationships to begin. Tempers will mount if you're too pushy at work or at home. You can invest in profitable ventures.
LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Do you really want to start something with someone you can't reason with? You may need to lend an ear to an old friend. Stay mellow.
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Try to be precise in your communications. You may have problems with those you live with. Secret enemies will be eager to spread rumors about you.
VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You may overspend if you travel today; however, the trip will be one to remember. You may have some difficulties with someone you live with. You can change your living arrangements.
PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) It won't take much to upset your lover. Enlist the aid of family members and consider the feelings of your mate. Ignore colleagues who appear to be going in circles.
will clash in the final tomorrow, the main supporting match to the GDF / Fruta Conquerors SEL League Leaders, final. These female matches were scheduled to be played yesterday afternoon at Victoria but due to a number of hiccups, were not played.
continues tomorrow
The West Side 10/10 softball cricket competition is set to continue tomorrow at the Leonora Primary School and Parika grounds. Among the players expected to be on show are Amrit Rai, Ricardo Adams, Travis Drakes and Vishnu Tammechandra.
Omesh Parbhu and Jit Superbet Shop are the sponsors on board so far and other corporate entities are encouraged to contribute towards the upliftment of softball cricket on the West Coast of Demerara. Interested persons can contact Prem Persaud on 641-1173.
West Dem Secondary... (From page 26) memorable win. However, Sewpersaud ended the thrilling contest in emphatic fashion with a boundary off Emo Persaud and the West Dem players charged onto the field in ec-
static celebrations with a teacher lifting Sewpersaud on his shoulder. West Dem will play the winner of the Chase Academy/ Lower Corentyne Secondary which is set for next Thursday at Albion.
Five world athletics championships... (From page 28) Namibian Frank Fredericks, who stepped down on Tuesday as head of a team evaluating bids for the 2024 Olympics, and former IAAF president Lamine Diack, who is already under investigation for corruption after allegations that he received bribes for suppressing positive doping tests of Russian athletes. “The investigation goes back to Stuttgart,” the source
Berbice Volleyball... (From page 29) against teams from the Twin Island Republic and Barbados. The BVA team has won the tournament on all three occasion that they have participated in the competition. The BVA will also be using the competition for reparation for the upcoming Inter Guiana Games competition. Guyana is the defending champion. Most of the players are students of the Guysuco Training Center/ Port Mourant. Guysuco continues to demonstrate the will to survive despite many constraints as it churns a number of successful young academics and athletes. The all-round ability of the students put them in good stead for the Technical, Educational, Vocational, Training (TEVT) programme which will easily enable them to be accepted for work in the Caribbean. Their all-round ability will also be good for their future development. The BVA is thankful to among others, Director of Sports Christopher Jones, Department of Culture Youth and Sports and the St Francis Community Developers. (Samuel Whyte)
said, in reference to the World Athletics Final, the discontinued end-of-season finale which the German city hosted in 2006, 2007 and 2008. The source said that Senegalese Diack and his son Papa Massata Diack, who is currently in Senegal, were “at the heart of the inquiry.” Fredericks said this week that a $300,000 payment he received from Papa Massata Diack on the day of the vote
to choose the 2016 Olympics was for promoting athletics in Africa and the former sprinter has denied any wrongdoing. French newspaper Le Monde said this week that Papa Massata Diack was paid $1.5 million dollars by a Brazilian businessman three days before the 2009 vote to award the 2016 Olympics to Rio. Both Diacks have repeatedly denied taking any bribes.
Kaieteur News
PAGE 28
Saturday March 11, 2017
Warriors destroy Black Sharks in low key affair
Warriors and Black Sharks in action during the match.
New Amsterdam Warriors beat an uninspiring Fyrish Black Sharks 44-26 in a lackluster affair when play continued in the Annual Anamayah Basketball Competition for teams in Berbice on Sunday on the Fyrish Basketball Court.
The visiting Warriors took control early as they ran the timid Black Sharks all over the place to end the first quarter 9-3 in the low scoring affair. Both teams missed a lot of opportunities in the second quarter as the
Warriors scored six points to the Sharks four as the half ended 15-7. There was no difference as the second half began with the Warriors pushing ahead and moved in for the kill, scoring 20 points to the Sharks 13 at the third quarter
ended 35-20. As the last stanza began the battle wary Warriors were all over the listless Black Sharks as they finally sunk them, scoring 9 points to the Sharks 6, as the game ended 44-26. Top scoring for the
Warriors were Kevin Thom 16 points, while Shamar France and Kwesi Mickle scored eight each. Top scoring for the Black Sha r k s w e r e G a r f i e l d Benjamin with seven, while Royston Crandon and Ruel Franklin scored
five each. The competition will continue on Sunday at the Rose Hall Town Court with Rose Hall Town Jammers playing H opetow n S teelers at 16:00 hrs. (Samuel Whyte)
GCB/MOM/DMLAS National School’s 30-over cricket
West Dem Secondary squeeze into final with last wicket win -Seepersaud (23*) & Holder (4-8) shine against Anna Regina Secondary By Sean Devers On a cold and windy day on the Essequibo Coast, West Demerara Secondary squeezed past Anna Regina Secondary in a truncated game yesterday at the Imam Bacchus ground in the first National Semi-final of the GCB/MOM/DMLAS Secondary School’s 30 overs cricket tournament. On a ground which was built on 12 acres of Rice Land, the Essequibo School, led by a fighting 19 from the in-form Bomesh Ramdahim and 16 from number ten batsman Raphael David, slumped from 31-1 to 69 all out off 20 overs in the rain affect game which was reduced from 30 overs to 20. South African born Nicolas Holder captured 4-8 from four overs and got support Aftab Basir (3-20) for West Dem Secondary who recovered from 12-3 to reach 72-9 in the penultimate over. A level-headed unbeaten
23, decorated with four boundaries from all-rounder Aaron Sewpersaud rallied them to an exciting victory as Christopher Gurtine, who faced six balls in his unbeaten zero joined Seewpersaud at 66-9 after two wickets had tumbled at that score. He offered excellent support to see their team over the line. Sevon Bess (4-16), National U-15 player Sheldon Charles who had the amazing figures of 4-4-0-4 and Lance Roberts (2-15) did the damage with the ball. The contest was delayed by four hours due to a wet pitch caused by morning rain and, in a very strong wind on a track with some moisture and a slow but magnificently maintained outfield under dark overcast skies the host started badly. Charles was removed at 9-1 by the talented Sewpersaud, who was one of four West Demerara players in colored pants before Ramdahim, with scores of
Kamesh Lall is stumped off Nick Holder in E’bo yesterday. 13, 72, 102 not out and 99 in the tournament, was joined Badesh Paraton. Paraton was bowled Aftab Basir for five at 31-2 and when Ramdahim (19) was run out without addition to the score and Roberts and Martin Lall departed for ducks as four wickets fell at 31, the hosts had crashed to 31-5. Kamesh Lall (4) and Sevon Bess (8) took the
score to 43 before they both fell on that score and when David (16) was stumped off Kemar Ferreira, nobody else reached double figures. We s t D e m e r a r a Secondary slipped to 25-1 when Roberts got rid of Holder (12) and with rain threatening, Anna Regina were large and in charge in their own backyard. Fazal Jabar (11) and Ferreira (12) staged a mini-
Bomesh Ramdahim enjoyed a great School season and his top score yesterday included this cut off Aaron Sewpersaud in a losing cause. recovery; adding 20 for the fifth wicket on a pitch with made playing ‘through the line’ problematic but was still good for batting. Roberts struck again when he dismissed Ferreira at 45-5 before Bess removed the next four batsmen, including Jabar to have the visitors wobbling on the ropes at 66-9. But Sewpersaud, who got going with a square-
driven boundary off Bess to bring up the 50 in the 14th over, smashed Ramdahim for another boundary and We s t D e m S e c o n d a r y needed nine from 18 balls. Sewpersaud stroked Bess to the cover boundary and a sharp single from Seepersaud left the equation two runs from 12 balls with the last pair at the crease and both teams sensing a (Continued on page 25)
Kaieteur News
Saturday March 11, 2017
Singh, Mootoo spur ECD to 38-run victory over Mahaica/Mahaicony By Zaheer Mohamed Rajendra Singh struck a top score of 44 and left arm spinner Daniel Mootoo grabbed 3-10 to guide East Coast Demerara to a 38-run victory Mahaica/Mahaicony in a low scoring affair when the National Secondary Schools Cricket League continued yesterday. Omprakash Bharat removed opener Hemnauth Dindyal (00) and Pradesh Balkishun (01), while Windell Fordyce accounted for Andrew Samaroo (01) and Khemraj Panaram (01) to reduced East Coast Demerara to 9-4 after they were inserted at Fairfield before Singh and Mootoo added 21 for the fifthwicket. Singh struck Suddesh David and Shoaib Shaw for sixes before he departed for 44 after facing 77 balls, while Mootoo was taken off Trevon Charles for seven. Mahaica/Mahaicony bowlers continued to maintain a steady line and
Rajendra Singh (left) and Daniel Mootoo. picked up wickets at regular intervals as East Coast Demerara were bowled out for 80 in 28.5 overs in hazy conditions. Bharat 2-8, Fordyce 2-10, Chatterpaul Durga 2-11 and Trevon Charles 2-17 were the main wicket takers.
Devanand Khemraj uprooted the stumps of opener Shoaib Shaw (05) and trapped Fordyce (00) l b w t o r e s t r i c t Mahaica/Mahaicony to 8-2 before Mootoo had Ravin Ramsarup (09) taken at 20-3. Samaroo then removed
Lakeram Ramkissoon (03) without addition to the total, while Mootoo sent back Durga (00) to further peg back the scoring. Satrohan Doodnauth attempted to hit his team out of trouble, but after hitting Samaroo for four and smashing Mootoo for six, he was bowled by Mootoo for 13. The rest of the batting crumbled as Mahaica/Mahaicony were bowled out for 48 in 22.2 overs. Khemraj supported Mootoo with 2-9. Meanwhile, the East Coast Demerara combined team was selected for the next round following the contest. The ECD squad reads; Windell Fordyce, Omprakash Bharat, Rajendra Singh, Daniel Mootoo, Pradesh Balkishun, Rovin Ramsarup, Trevon Charles, Shoaib Shaw, Khemraj Panoram, Edmond Pearson, Hemnauth Dindyal, Mark Ramnauth, Satrohan Dudnauth, Chatterpaul Durga and Andrew Samaroo.
Dave West Indian Imports renews U-15 Inter-County sponsorship contract One of Guyana’s leading companies which imports products to New York from Guyana and other territories in the Caribbean, Dave West Indian Imports, has renewed its sponsorship contract for the 2017 edition of the Under-15 Inter-County cricket tournament. The official launch of this prestigious competition was held today at the GCB office, situated on Regent Road, Bourda. This is the second consecutive year Dave West Indian Imports is on board with the Guyana Cricket Board for this competition which features 4 teams; namely, the three county teams along with the GCB President’s Xi team. After the completion of the tournament, a ‘select national Under-15’ team will compete in the Under-17 Inter-County. Secretary of the GCB, Anand Sanasie, pointed out that the decision to play a select team in an older age group inter-county has been successful and serves as excellent preparation for regional tournaments.
He thanked Dave West Indian Imports for partnering with the GCB again and trusts that the company continues to contribute to this critical U15 development category. Chairman of the Competition Committee, Colin Europe, explained the points system. Six points would be awarded for a win, two points for a wash out or abandoned match, and 0.1 point for each fast bowling wicket. Cliff Joseph from Dave We s t I n d i a n I m p o r t s expressed his satisfaction with the outstanding hosting and performance of last year’s inter-county. He also praised the national U-15 for their excellent showing at in the regional competition which they placed second after they held first in the previous two years. He indicated that Dave West Indian Imports is pleased to be associated with the GCB in helping to develop the U15s who are among the youngest talents in the country, noting that with proper guidance they are apt to go far. He posited that
Dave West Indian Imports believes highly in the youngsters’ talents and potential and have every confidence that they would once again excel at the regional level this year. The present fixtures have the competition to bowl off on Tuesday, March 14 with the second round on Wednesday March 15, third round on Friday March 17 and the final on Sunday March 19. However, with the persistent rain, the fixture could change. The teams are: DEMERARA: Shoib Shaw, Mahindra Dindyal, Chad Shivrattan, Edmond Pearson, Andre Seepersaud, Daniel Mootoo, Mark Ramanand , Chandrapaul Ramraj, Trevon Charles, N e g u s a Wa l t e r s , Devanand Khemraj, Ryan P e r s a u d , UshardevBalgobin, and Brandon Jaikarran. The Manager is Latchman Yadram and the Coach is Dhanpaul BERBICE:Sarwan Chaitnarine, Daniel Dharamdat, Ricardo Ramdial, Reyad Karim,
Vikash Subramani, Marvan Prashad, Anthony Williams, Farouk Subhan, Andel Milne, Abdur Ramsammy, Akash Heralall, Saif Amoi, Romel Retimyah and Gourav Ramesh. The Manager is Asif Japaul and the Coach is Kwesi Maltay. ESSEQUIBO: Sheldon Charles, Devindra Ramdahin, Oren Gibson, Ronaldo Scouten, Raphael David, Manoj Dasraat, Chaitram Seurattan, Wasim Mohamed, Ardesh Ramdial, M a r k M o h a b i r, S u n i l Persaud, Inzamam Bacchus, Shawn Monro, and Tyrone Brandon. The Manager is Vickram Ramnarine and the Coach is Forbes Daniels. GCB PRESIDENT’S XI: Elnathan Suknandan, Shammar Yearwood, Joel Gilkes, Zachariah Mootoo, Alex Arinda, Sai Haniff, Raynaldo Mohamed, Yadesh Persaud, Ronaldo Duraws, Zamal Ramsammy, Ezana Saaziam, Pravenand Ganesh, Ken George, Danny Atkinson, and Tamone Ceasar. The Manager is Reon King and the Coach is Orin Bailey.
PAGE 29
2nd Annual Petra Organisation Futsal Competition fixtures released Fixtures for opening night of the 2nd Annual Petra Organisation Futsal Competition have been released by the organisers. The competition which commences on Monday, at the National Gymnasium will see six matches played with the losers facing immediate elimination from the event. Among the top teams scheduled to appear on opening night are current Georgetown and national Guinness champions Sparta Boss, Festival City, Leopold Street, Agricola Ballers and Broad Street. Meanwhile, action in the tournament is set to resume Thursday, March 16, at the same venue with champions Bent Street set to open the defence of their title against Stevedore Scheme. However, the feature clash is between former Guinness champions Back Circle and West Side repeat champions Showstoppers and many have already predicted that this encounter
will produce enthralling end to end action until the final whistle. 19:30 hrs North East LaPenitence vs Leopold Street 20:15 hrs Festival City vs West Back Road 21:00 hrs Tucville vs Kitty Weavers 21:45 hrs North Riumveldt vs Agricola Ballers 22:30 hrs Broad Street Ballerz vs Channel 9 23:15 hrs Sparta Boss vs Globe Yard 3/16/2017 fixtures: 19:30 hrs Hustlers vs Tiger Bay 20:15 hrs West Front Road vs Camp Street All Stars 21:00 hrs Albouystown vs Campbellville 21:45 hrs Alexander Village vs Sophia 22:30 hrs Bent Street vs Stevedore Scheme 23:15 hrs Back Circle vs Show Stoppers
GSCL Inc congratulates Regal on Florida Cup success The Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc (GSCL Inc) has extended congratulations to Regal Open and Masters’ teams on the success in the recently concluded Florida Cup. Regal All stars defeated Hurricanes by 10 wickets in the Open final, while Regal Masters beat Orlando Masters by 47 runs in the Masters final; both games were held at Central Broward Regional Park and Stadium, Lauderhill. A release from the GSCL Inc stated that, “Regal continue to represent Guyanese teams well overseas and their success underlines Guyanese dominance in the sport over the years.” “The executive and members of the GSCL Inc are very happy with their triumph and we hope that they will continue to make all Guyanese proud,” the release indicated. The GSCL Inc has expressed gratitude to the sponsors and all those who have assisted Regal on their trip including Elegance Jewellery and Pawn Shop, Ink Plus, Crown Mining, Star Party Rentals, Prem’s Electrical Store, Ansa Mc Al, Digicel, Regal Sport, Regal Stationery and Computer Centre, Mr. Ram Ali of the Guyana Consulate in Florida, Mr. Karran Anderson of Tropics Restaurant and Lounge Florida, Director of Sport Christopher Jones, Ministry of Public Security and the United States Embassy in Georgetown.
Kaieteur News
PAGE 30
Cariah, Katwaroo rescue Red Force
Yannic Cariah … retired hurt on 92. ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC – Enterprising half-centuries from Yannic Cariah and wicketkeeper Steven Katwaroo rescued Trinidad and Tobago Red Force on the opening day of their sixth round four-day clash against Windward Islands Volcanoes. Playing at the National Cricket Stadium yesterday, Red Force were flirting with total collapse at 57 for five after being sent in, before
Cariah stroked 92 and Katwaroo, 59, to steer the visitors to 250 for seven at the close. Together, they added 114 for the sixth wicket – a partnership that saw Red Force to lunch on 63 for five and then helped them dominate the second session to be 163 for five at tea. The left-handed Cariah was eyeing his maiden first class century when he was forced to retire hurt late in
the final session. He has so far faced 197 deliveries in just over 4-1/2 hours and counted eight fours and a six. Katwaroo, meanwhile, struck seven fours in an innings lasting 101 balls and 126 minutes. When the partnership was broken, Khary Pierre stepped up to lend support to Cariah, hitting an unbeaten 39 off 110 balls in already over two hours at the crease. He has struck four boundaries. Barbadian seamer Kyle Mayers was the best bowler with three for 24 while pacer Sherman Lewis weighed in with two for 48. Scores: At National Stadium (ST GEORGE’S): Red Force batted all day after being sent in. T R I N I D A D & TOBAGO RED FORCE 250 for seven (Yannick Cariah 92 ret. hurt, Steven Katwaroo 59, Khary Pierre 39, Isaiah Rajah 29; Kyle Mayers 3-23, Sherman Lewis 2-48) vs WINDWARD ISLANDS VOLCANOES.
Saturday March 11, 2017
Regional four-day championship – 1st day, 6th round
Joseph defies Walton hundred to put Jaguars on top KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – C h a d w i c k Wa l t o n s t r o k e d h i s third hundred in four outings but a careerbest seven-wicket haul f r o m We s t I n d i e s A seamer Keon Joseph gave Guyana Jaguars the early advantage in their sixth round game here yesterday. The right-handed Walton struck 101 – his fou r t h f i r s t c l a s s hundred – as Jamaica Scorpions were bowled out for 255 on the opening day of the contest at Sabina Park. Brandon King chipped in with 30, Test batsman Jermaine Blackwood got 29 while Devon Thomas made 26. Behind their efforts, Scorpions were cruising at 212 for four but a sudden collapse saw them lose their last six wickets for just 43
runs. Joseph helped instigate the decline, finishing with seven for 53 to also claim his first five-wicket haul in first class cricket. At the close, Jaguars were motoring at 69 without loss courtesy of a breezy half-century from Shimron Hetmyer who was unbeaten on 51 off 54 deliveries. He struck seven fours and a six while his partner, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, was unbeaten on 14 with a single boundary. Jaguars trail by 186 runs heading into day two of the game. Walton had earlier given the leaders Scorpions a bright start with another superb innings, to follow up his enterprising form in the Regional Super50. Coming off a hundred in the semi-final against Trinidad and Tobago Red
Force and another against touring England last month, Walton once again got among the runs. All told, the right-hander faced 173 balls in just under 4-1/2 hours at the crease and gathered 11 fours and three sixes. He put on 60 with Blackw o o d f o r t h e second wicket and 78 with King for the fourth, before he was fifth out, signaling the Scorpions decline. Scores: At Sabina Park (KINGSTON): Jaguars trail by 186 runs with all 10 wickets intact. J A M A I C A SCORPIONS 255 (Chadwick Walton 101, Brandon King 30, Jermaine Blackwood 29, Devon Thomas 26; Keon Joseph 753). GUYANA JAGUARS 69 without loss (Shimron Hetmyer 51 not out).
Entries for KMTC Phagwah Race Meet close tomorrow, programme revised
Five world athletics championships facing bribery probe: source
Entries for the Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) Phagwah meet will be closed tomorrow and no late entries will be accepted even as the organisers have revised the programme of events for the March 19 meet at their Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne racetrack. Eight races are carded for day with the feature event being the C and lower race over one mile for a top prize of $900,000. Other races listed are the L non winner over 5 furlongs for $100,000 purse, I and lower, 3 years old Guyana Bred gorses covering 6 furlongs for a $150,000 first prize, the E and lower for a winning purse of $400,000 also goes for 6 furlongs. The L class open 6 furlong event will see the winner collecting $110,000, while the H and lower 7 furlong race has a winning purse of $250,000, the three years Guyana bred maiden event has a $200,000 over 6 furlongs and the J and lower contest over 6 furlongs will see the winner pocket $140,000. Entries can be made through Ivan Dipnarine on 331 0316, justice Cecil Kennard on 623 7609 or 225 4818, Fazal Habibulla on 657 7010, Dennis DeRoop on 640 6396 or Compton Sancho on 602 1567. The event will be governed under the rules of the KMTC.
A general view of the closing ceremony during the15th IAAF World Championships at the National Stadium in Beijing, China August 30, 2015. (REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch)
PARIS (Reuters) French prosecutors investigating whether bribery was involved in the award of the 2021 world athletics championships to the U.S. city of Eugene are also looking into several other host city decisions, a source close to the case said
yesterday. The inquiry, one of a group of French probes into cash-for-votes allegations surrounding the award of sporting events around the world, is looking at decisions by the International Association of Athletics Federations
(IAAF) to give their blue riband event to Doha (2019), London (2017), Beijing (2015) and Moscow (2013), the source told Reuters. Other investigations already under way include two into the Olympic Games held at Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and due in Tokyo in
2020. “Six current or former members of the International Olympic Committee are suspected of receiving payments in exchange for their votes on sporting events,” the source told Reuters. The six include (Continued on page 25)
Saturday March 11, 2017
PAGE 31
Kaieteur News
Bel Air Lions Club / Supligen Dominoes Tournament
Entries expected to surpass 32 -teams coming from as far as Leguan The upcoming Bel Air Lions Club / Supligen Dominoes Tournament is shaping up to surpass the inaugural one in terms of teams’ participation.
This is according to Lion Orlando James, who spoke via telephone with Kaieteur Sport yesterday when he stated that word from the Georgetown Domino
Berbice Volleyball players in Trinidad as GTCPM players dominate squad The Berbice Volleyball Association (BVA), U19 squad left the country on Thursday morning for their Goodwill International tournament in the Twin Island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The BVA 16 man squad will be under the leadership of President of The BVA, former national Captain and present national coach, Levi Nedd. The squad is expected to return on Tuesday after participating in matches which started yesterday. Nedd will serve as Manager/ Coach. The rest of
the squad is Renaldo Bobb, Laurenzo David, Simon Seecharran, Videshwar Mangroo, Renaldo Griffith, Kevin Todd, Khemraj Chatterpaul, Andy Rohoman, Komal Toolsie, Montel Denny, Jamol Bourne, Kellon Leitch, Diamyon Al Ahmad, Kellon Singh and Renaldo Persaud The BVA is undertaking the encounter as a result of an invitation by the Trinidad and Tobago Volleyball Federation (TTVF). Whilst in Trinidad the BVA U19 team is expected to participate in matches (Continued on page 25)
Association (GDA) is that the projected total of thirtytwo teams will be easily exceeded. James, one of the members of the Organising Committee for the Bel Air Lions Club, said that main sponsor Supligen indicated its intention to add incentive for teams registering early and has offered to give each team twelve (12) packets of Supligen upon completion of registration which is set to close on March 20. He informed that defending champion Sheriff Street Saga Boys Captain in an invited comment said they were already drinking lots of Supligen to increase their thinking power in a bid to successfully defend their title. James disclosed that teams are expected from as far as Leguan, adding that teams are expressing an eagerness to support a worthy cause with the host already indicating that all proceeds will go towards
Bel Air Lions President Matthew Langevine (right) and Past President Ray Sebarran (left) pose with defending champion Sheriff Street Saga Boys Captain following the completion of the presentation ceremony last year. community projects that is geared to benefit the lesser fortunate within the society. Among the teams invited to participate are: Killers, Upper Level, Sherriff Street Saga Boys, Masters, Scramblers, Ray’s One Stop, All Seasons, GGMC, Thunder, Strikers, F&H Supremes, Impressers,
F r a n k i e ’s , L i o n s A , Spartans, Lions B, Transport, Freddie’s 6, Police and NIS. With over $500,000 in total prize monies up for grabs, the two-day tournament which will be played on March 25-26, at the Bel Air Lions Den in Section ‘K’, Campbellville is shaping up to provide
plenty excitement for the Domino fraternity. The winning team will receive $250,000, 2nd place $150,000 and 3rd place $100,000 along with trophies. Entrance fee is $12,000 per team and the Most Valuable Player will receive $10,000 and a case of Supligen.
Kaieteur News
PAGE 32
Saturday March 11, 2017
Milo 18 and under Schools Football Competition
Title holders Chase Academy hoping for on-field action Title holders Chase Academy headline an exciting round of matches set to be played today when the 2017 Milo 18 and under Schools Football Competition resumes, at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue. The champs, who play against North Ruimveldt in the final game of the day, will be hoping to spring into action after benefitting from a walkover in their opening clash against Freeburg. The day’s card will see two new schools being drafted into the competition for the first time in Ann’s Grove and Buxton Academy and it will be interesting to see how they shape up against the Georgetownbased schools. Ann’s Grove will square off against Masters Academy in the day’s first encounter, while Buxton Academy and St. Joseph’s collide in the second fixture of the day.
Part of the action in this year’s Milo 18 and under Schools Football Competition.
Another interesting battle is the one between Bishop’s High and St. Rose’s High. Meanwhile, play in the competition continues tomorrow, at the same venue with four more matches
planned. The tournament is also being held in collaboration with the Public Health Ministry under the theme, ‘I stand against Violence’. Winner of the tourney will collect $500,000
towards a school project and the championship trophy, while the second, third and fourth placed sides will receive $300,000,$200,000 and $100,000 respectively towards a similar endeavour and trophies.
SEL League Leaders Tourney
Conquerors needle 9-man Kings, face GDF in tomorrow’s final; Female semis on today
St Ignatius Sports Club - Lethem By Franklin Wilson Fruta Conquerors have earned a second chance to battle the high flying Guyana Defence Force in the final of the Stag Elite League / League Leaders competition when they absorbed relentless pressure to come away 1-0 winners over host, Victoria Kings last night. Dubbed playoff match #3
in the GFF League Leaders tourney that featured the top four teams from season 2 of the Stag Elite League, Conquerors had lost to the GDF on the first day of competition 1-2 whilst the Kings were triumphant over Buxton United by the lone goal of that match. They then earned the right to contest last evening’s match with the winner earning a
Paiwomak Warriors FC - Lethem place in the final against the GDF. It was no easy battle last night in soggy conditions owing to heavy rainfall which left the Victoria ground with puddles of water in certain areas despite the efforts of the ground staff who had even employed the uses of sponge to assist with getting water off the playing area.
But the conditions did not deter neither team from giving their all for a chance at the GDF in tomorrow’s final. The exchanges were fast and furious but it was the visiting team which would draw first blood on the stroke of halftime thanks to a ripping shot from approximately 30 yards out by National Under-17 player Jeremy Garrett which rocked
the nets. The home team urged on by their fans created quite a number of chances but it just was not their night to shine as they were relentless against Conquerors using the heavy Atlantic winds to great effect in the second half. The pressure on the visiting side resulted in multiple corners which saw the home team sending over
high crosses which held up in the wind but the ploy did not bring the required results as the ball was cleared, agonizingly so on multiple occasions or the serves were just off the mark. As the minutes ticked by, the pressure on the Kings players took its toll when Sherlock Dowden and Sherwin Skeete were both (Continued on page 25)
Kaieteur News
Saturday March 10, 2017
PAGE 33
Former National cyclist set to open fitness gym and Car wash -Cycle race fixed for Monday
Some of the equipment at the Benjamin Fitness Gym on display. By Samuel Whyte As he continues in his benevolence to his home country, overseas based former National Cyclist Wilbert Benjamin is going bigger with his generosity as he is set to open the Benjamin Fitness Gym and Car wash, on Monday to complement the Benjamin Sports Store at Lot 220 C o u r t l a n d Vi l l a g e Corentyne, Berbice which was opened a few years ago. To mark the occasion the former national cyclist, now a successful businessman, has organised a series of activities for the day.
The event will be highlighted by the staging of the fourth annual ‘Benjamin Sports Store’ Open cycle race which is organised by the Flying Ace Cycle Club (FACC) on the Corentyne Highway. Also on the days programme will be boxing, athletics road races for both males and females and a day of sports. There will also be a number of give always. The 50 miles event is expected to pedal off at 10:00hrs from in front of the Benjamin Sports Store and proceed to the No 51 Police station before returning to its
GMR&SC March 19 Int’l Drag Meet Whenever dragster Sean Persaud takes to the starting line in his Toyota Caldina, one thing is certain, he will put all out on the line and that characteristic of him has driven much fear in opposing drivers. Persaud, who is the current eight seconds champion, will be in taking starting orders at the March 19, Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club (GMR&SC) season opening International Drag Meet, at the South Dakota Circuit. The Guyanese speedster was amongst the most dominant dragsters last year with his ‘monster’ clocking some stupendous times, while dominating everything that they threw at him. He dispatched the Surinamese on their hometurf, before setting the South Dakota alight in the final Drag Meet of 2016, dominating the likes of Anand Ramchand, Peter
place of origin. The event, which is for cyclist throughout the country, will see lucrative prizes on offer. There will be prizes for the first 10 finishers, the top three juveniles, the first six veterans and the first three females to cross the finish line. There will also be special races for mountain bike riders, while the BMX riders will also be in action. There will be eight sprint point prizes up for grabs. A grueling event is anticipated as all of the top riders in the country are expected to be in attendance.
Cyclists are reminded that they must ride in their club colours. Transportation will be available at 06:00 hrs to take cyclists from Georgetown to Berbice. There is also expected to different categories of road races on the day. The fitness gym is well equipped with all the modern training equipment including exercise bikes, tread mills, weighting lifting machines, electrical step up machines, dumbbells, and cardio machines among other equipment. According to Benjamin, a trainer will be available to take person through their
paces while the gym will be open to regular attendees, weight and power lifters, body builders, members of sports teams and those interested in just keeping fit. The gym will be opened on a daily basis and everyone is welcome to join. Regular members will be given a free gym jersey, towel and gym gloves, yoga mat and step counter. The car wash is expected to provide the best and cheapest prices and certain concessions. Benjamin a native of Berbice was a former national cyclist who
represented Guyana at both the junior and senior levels. He was also a former school and junior champion who won the national school championship on three consecutive occasions. He still rides in his adopted homeland of Canada where he also operates a sports store. At present he is one of the top cycle race sponsors in the country. The presentation ceremony for all the activities will be held immediately after the completion of the various events.
Could the Dutch halt Sean Persaud’s dominance?
Sean Persaud’s Toyota Caldina (inside) and Peter Daby seen at the starting line in one of the crowd pleasing showdowns last October. Daby in their Mitsubishi Evo and Mazda RX7 machines r e s p e c t i v e l y, b e f o r e accepting the challenge of Mark Menezes on his 600cc CBR, a test that he passed
with flying colours. Just like Menezes, who after underlining his status as the best dragster on bike, has now become the hunted, Persaud’s success has also
fueled similar enmity and who else but the fans stand to benefit from those scenarios. Persaud and Menezes are without doubt the best there
is in their respective categories and it will be interesting to see who will accept the challenge and step up to dethrone them.
The Surinamese are usually very strong in drag racing so it will be of much curiosity to see who will be coming to snatch that dominance from Persaud.
t r o Sp Regional four-day championship – 1st day, 6th round
Joseph defies Walton hundred to put Jaguars on top
Fast bowler Keon Joseph ‌ finished with career-best figures for Jaguars.
Dave West Indian Imports renews U-15 Inter-County sponsorship contract
Competition Committee Chairman, Colin Europe (left), collects the sponsorship from Cliff Joseph of the sponsors, while other officials look on during the launch.
2nd Annual Petra Organisation Futsal Competition fixtures released
Part of absorbing action in the final of the inaugural competition that featured current champion and Sparta Boss. Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Limited, 24 Saffon St.Charlestown, Georgetown.Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/ 226-8210