Monday March 13, 2017
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The oppressive behaviour of Govt. should consult widely on VAT on private tuition fees the City Council enforcers DEAR EDITOR, I parked along Robb Street, and went into a store for about 3-5 minutes, came back out to see Smart City Solutions and a City Constable about to boot my wheel. I told them there was no meter that governs this particular spot; their response was “if there are other vacant spots where a meter is present and you don’t park there, your vehicle would be booted. Long story short, I removed the car and parked around the corner. On my way back to that store, a Smart City Solutions Guyana staffer walked past me uttering the words, “because you went and park around the corner you think we ain’t gonna go and clamp ya wheel?”, I gave a thumbs up in response and proceeded back to the store. On my way back to my car, there
they were yet again, waiting on me I suppose, because where I parked they didn’t have access to. The City Constable told me, “I remember ya cyar, one day you gonna come out and see a clamp pon ya wheel” and the Smart City Solutions Guyana staffer compounded the situation by saying “When we done with yall, yall gon ball”. To Smart City Solutions Guyana and the Mayor & City Council, I say; I’ve never seen such oppressive behaviour displayed by city workers in my life. It’s criminal-like and obnoxious; it’s time to rescind that contract because I will never ever support the parking meter project until the day it’s rescinded. Orin Phillips
Minister Harmon is insulting the Guyanese people DEAR EDITOR; The statement from Minister Joe Harmon that APNU+AFC is awaiting greater input from the citizens of Guyana before this government pronounces on the parking contract is incredulous. It is an insult to the intelligence of the Guyanese people. This contract, deemed by the people of Guyana as a “contract from hell”, was a SECRET deal concocted between a gang of at least four high-level personnel and people with seniority in the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) and the Smart City Solutions. The contract had the prior knowledge of APNU+AFC and the contract could not have been implemented without the approval of APNU+AFC which had to approve the by-laws signed by Minister Bulkan and published in the Official Gazette by the Office of the President. At no time during the contract negotiation, signing, APNU+AFC’s approval did anyone care about the views of the people. Having allowed a “contract from hell” to be foisted on the people, you now have the temerity to blame your inaction on the people? But this is another ruse to buy time and allow the parking meter to become another “fact of life” in Guyana, even if people hate it. The citizens have made their views crystal clear. Besides letters to the media, Facebook public rebuke, and official statements of condemnation from a wide cross-section of organizations, political and civic, the citizens have been engaged in public protest for the past six weeks. Larger and larger crowds, representing people across the political divide, have gathered in the city to reject the parking meters, the contract and the by-laws that brought the parking meters into effect. Yet APNU+AFC, in Harmon’s words, has not heard the people’s views and their condemnation or has pretended not to hear. In fact, the strong and almost universal public condemnation has forced the political sponsors of this horrendous contract to seek imaginative ways to both distant themselves from its stench while at the same time providing support and succor to empower it. AFC was forced to itself publicly condemn the contract, although it continues to empower it through its cabinet members. Individuals of APNU have been similarly forced to offer timid condemnation, but as part of the cabinet continue to support the contract. APNU+AFC has been totally complicit, but scrambling to find a way to distant themselves in case of lasting political repercussions. It is a classic case of “having your cake and eating it too”. It is repugnant that they offer some condemnation, but as part of the government
both APNU+AFC quietly have been working to keep the contract in place, hoping that time will outlast the will of the people. They have a strategy in place - find a way to outlast the people. APNU+AFC is betting that people will get tired and slowly accept that the parking meter is just another inconvenience they have to live with. But the people are not as compliant as they are hoping. The Guyanese people are determined that the parking meter must go. It is unbelievable that Harmon, APNU+AFC cannot hear this message. Harmon’s latest tirade and justification for their unwillingness to take action to stop this corrupt deal is an absolute insult to all decent Guyanese citizens. What more do they want to hear about from the citizens about this parking meter contract? And since when are they so interested in what the Guyanese people think? Did they discuss VAT on education, health, electricity, water etc. with the Guyanese people? Did they wait for the input of the Guyanese people before they decided on the pension for Hamilton Greene? Did they allow the views of the Guyanese citizens before they signed on to a contract that cost taxpayers $15M per month to rent a house to store condoms? Did they await the views of the Guyanese people before they decided that the only persons who could be considered for the next GECOM Chair must be a Judge? Did they consider the views of the Guyanese people before they waived $5B in taxation that DDL owed? Did they await the views of the Guyanese citizens before awarding themselves fantastic increases in their salaries, benefits and pensions? They have discounted and disregarded the views of the citizens across the board from day one. The sanctimonious position now that they await the views of the citizens before they act on the parking meter contract is another hoax. Now their desire to hear the views of the citizens becomes their excuse for allowing the parking meter contract to continue in force. This obnoxious justification to allow the contract to be implemented is a wicked strategy to outwait the people protesting in public. But it is also a manifestation of an upside-down governance standard. Harmon and APNU+AFC ignore that policies and actions must be discussed with the people first, the views of people must be an important part of the considerations that a government utilizes before it makes decisions that affect the people. The views of the people were ignored before the contract and now after months of it being in place. Dr. Leslie Ramsammy
DEAR EDITOR, The providers of private education are contributing sacrificially and efficiently to the education of a large number of students i.e. young people of this nation and have been doing so cheerfully for a long time at their financial disadvantage and because of this there should be no Value-Added Tax (VAT) on education now. A majority of those students are from financially poor family who cannot afford an additional financial burden on the family budget. It is palpably evident that in most cases a family is poor but has a child or in some cases children who are academically ahead of their peers and would need the better quality of the education not provided by some of the Government schools in Guyana. Without wanting to dabble in partisan politics on this vexing and vogue matter
of Value Added Tax on private education, I respectfully ask that our Government and all concerned convene a special meeting to thoroughly consult on this matter and or appoint a special national committee of learned men and women to listen to the views on all sides. It is a known fact that most of the private schools in this country provide a better quality of education to children who may one day in the future make significant contributions to the further development of our country. The children who would benefit from a good quality of education may one day in the future contribute significantly to this country continued development. Not all the students in private education have parents that are rich and can afford the Value Added Tax, but those parents though, do understand the need for a good quality of education which is provided
by most of the private education institutions in this country. This matter of VAT on private education should not be treated as a partisan or racial matter but as an intelligent and common sense matter where private education is now been strangled in the clutches of the tax man. Finally, may I suggest to the authorities that be, to appoint with haste a national committee of learned men and women to hear and listen to the evidence from both sides of this vexing matter i.e. for and against tax on private education, and let them pronounce. I trust that the powers that be would give consideration to this request. Sorry, Editor I am not a politician to make a better case for no tax on private education but this is my best as a private citizen and a father. Rooplall Dudhnath
DEAR EDITOR, It is my firm opinion that the SOCU questioning of former PPP Ministers and former President Jagdeo has nothing to do with law and the administration of justice. It is a purely political witchhunting exercise, designed to denigrate and humiliate the leadership of the PPP. To support this hypothesis, I will set out some uncontroverted facts. 1. The agency chosen to conduct this exercise is not the Guyana Police Force (GPF) but the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU). This choice was not made by the Commissioner of Police but by the political directorate. I was instrumental in the establishment of SOCU. It was created for the exclusive purpose of investigating organised crimes under the Anti-Money Laundering Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) law. Pradoville 2 has nothing to do with this law. Indeed, since this Government has assumed office, SOCU’s mandate has been transformed into something radically different. It takes instruction directly from Ministers of the Government. In fact, it is Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, who first announced, two weeks ago, that former Ministers of the PPP Government will be arrested and charged for Pradoville 2, shortly. 2. Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, admitted in the National Assembly that
SOCU is being funded out of his ministry’s budget. Clive Thomas, an inmate of the Ministry of the Presidency, delivers a weekly sermon about the illegalities committed at Pradoville 2 and in the process, he convicts and executes those whom he finds guilty. Commissioner of Police, Mr. Seelall Persaud, is on record on numerous occasions, distancing himself from the operations of SOCU. Mr. David Ramnarine, acting as Commissioner of Police, at about 16:00 hours last Tuesday, disclaimed any knowledge of the arrests which took place by SOCU’s officers during the course of the day. I have seen no evidence whatsoever that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is advising on this matter. I am also aware that Police Legal Advisor, Justice Claudette Singh, has advised that there is not sufficient evidence to launch criminal proceedings. In addition to political directions, the only advice which seems to be fuelling these investigations, is from Sam Sittlington, who is, obviously, trying to earn his keep. 3. The Government has already made it clear that if or when these criminal charges are filed, they will be prosecuted by Special Prosecutors, whom the Government has already identified. Two are practicing out of Mr. Basil Williams’s former law office; two are practicing out of Mr.
Joseph Harmon’s former law office; another one is the brother of a Minister of the Government; and another was on the APNU+AFC list of candidates which contested the 2015 General Elections. To compound this political incest, the Attorney General has boldly disclosed in the National Assembly during the 2017 Budget debates that one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000) has been budgeted to hire Special Prosecutors to prosecute Pradoville 2. In this diabolic political plot, there is no role etched out for the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions which the Constitution invests with the exclusive mandate to prosecute criminal offenses. In conclusion, the political air which the Pradoville 2 investigation exudes, can be detected a hundred miles away. I have advised that every arrest and consequent detention be legally challenged for compensation. The lawsuits should be filed against the officers and Mr. Sittlington and the State. Likewise, every criminal charge, whenever they come, will also be challenged. The law and the legal process must never be used as a political weapon, or an instrument of vendetta. Men must battle their personal and political grudges like men. They must not use the might of the State to do so. The charges will never survive the challenges. This political ploy will backfire. This much I promise. Anil Nandlall
The SOCU exercise is not lawbased but politically driven
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Canada’s attitude to domestic workers from the Caribbean in the 20th century DEAR EDITOR, This is a follow up to my letter of February 7 in KN, titled, “February is Black History Month.” I examined in that letter Canada’s Domestic Foreign Workers Programme. I now continue the discussion. In 1956, when Canada added British Guiana to the list of territories participating in the domestic workers scheme, it was stipulated that girls of East Indian origin could not be included in the quota. This denial of Indo-Caribbean women as domestic workers caused some embarrassment for Trade Commissioner C. E. S. Smith as his counterpart in British Guiana, Labour Commissioner J. F. Ramphal, was of East Indian origin. “I had a little embarrassment when discussing our programme with him as he is
of East Indian origin and asked whether girls of his origin would be accepted in our group of 30. Fortunately, the ban did not last much longer. By June of the same year, Mr. Ramphal was informed that the Minister of Immigration had confirmed that the ban on recruiting domestic workers from Asian origin had been eliminated. As has been afore-stated the domestic scheme came about neither as a measure of good will towards the Caribbean nor as a means of boosting the trading relationship between Canada and the Caribbean, but rather that the Caribbean was a last resort as a recruitment region for domestic workers and was selected because of the dwindling supply of European domestics and the growing demand for domestic
help in Canada. Further evidence revealed that on the eve of the commencement of the Caribbean domestic scheme, Canada made a final desperate attempt to revive the European domestic scheme but met with limited success. Citizenship and Immigration refused to commence a domestic scheme with the Caribbean. Instead, they lowered the standards in a last desperate effort to lure European domestics into Canada. The proposal from the Immigration Branch was to increase the age limit from forty-five to fifty years. The qualifications and experience required for selection were to be relaxed to the extent that applicants could be chosen even if they never did domestic work outside their home. It was therefore the
This Govt. official is mistreating his subordinates DEAR EDITOR, The citizens of Guyana had expected more from this Administration but instead it seems as though this nation is going down the old road once again. I believe that the citizens were hoodwinked since they had no other choice but to vote for the Coalition Government due to the failures of the past administration. It is almost two (2) years since they have taken office and they have brought nothing but burden to Guyanese. I say this because I have been told of many situations where political appointees are displaying their dictatorial and domineering behavior on employees within organisations. They are treating the workforce with scant regard and in some cases workers’ employment is being threatened by these individuals who were politically appointed. Have the Dark Ages returned? Because it seems as though workers voice are being suppressed by these bullies and are subject to constant intimidation and harassment in the work environment by well-known political appointees of this Coalition Government. Editor, there is an increase of complaints from a particular organisation since a wellknown officer has been
employed within its establishment. This appointee is threatening the livelihoods and more so the well-being of employees in the work environment. The complaints from staff are numerous and it seems as though they are being pressured and threatened verbally so that they will become frustrated and leave their jobs, making it easier for the head of the organisation to appoint his friends and relatives. Is this the change the people voted for? The Senior Managers of the organisation are also afraid to challenge the appointed figure for fear of losing their jobs. Every day, the employees are subjected to physiological, emotional and verbal abuse from a tyrant who was appointed by this Government and because it is a known fact that there are limited jobs available on the market, it is either they cut and run or stay and work under the pressures of the appointed Dictator. This official also believes that anyone who tries to challenge or put up a resistance towards his behaviour is a supporter of the opposition party. Editor, I wish to state that because of this mistrustful and arrogant attitude, the employees are being mistreated at the hands of this
This impending legislation... From page 4 In the meantime, the government should open up the debate on the legislation. I would like to add my voice as would be many others. Thanks for taking the time to read and publish my concerns Concerned citizen
tyrant. More so, this individual is not only abusing his authority but he is indirectly pressuring persons to leave the organisation. This wellknown figure is also ranting and raving that he cannot be removed since he is aligned to a political party. I am also sure that even if the name of this individual is release nothing will be done by this Government to remove him and there will be continued victimization and ill-treatment of the persons working under this power house. The citizens have suffered under the hands of the previous regime and this administration is nearly two years old and we are seeing the arrogance being displayed by these heartless individuals who torment the lives of the employees. The sad thing is the PNC-APNU never expected to regain power and now they are in office they are forgetting that it is the people that supported and put them into office because they wanted a change. This Government has learnt nothing from previous times and has failed to deliver on its promise to Guyanese. This Government needs to open its eyes and see the continuous blunder that it is making; the months are winding down and before you know it, it is year 2020 and there is no guarantee that the Coalition will be put back into office because persons are disappointed and they will either vote for the Opposition party or abstain from voting. Concerned Citizen
inability of Europe to meet the demand for domestic servants which forced Canada in 1955 to make an exception to its decades-old immigration policy of excluding black people. The so termed ‘first wave’ of the domestic scheme ran from 1955 to 1967 and was based on a special quota arrangement, where each participating territory was granted a particular quota of girls for migration into Canada. Canada also adopted more stringent measures with the Caribbean domestics than it did with those from Europe. It was stipulated that the women must be between the ages of twenty-one and thirtyfive, a condition was never attached to the contracts of European domestic workers. This age range ensured that Canada would get women who were strong and healthy and who would be capable of providing many years of service, and would be less likely to be a burden on the health system. It was important that they be single so that they could work without the interruption of having a family. Being single would also save money in social provisions such as housing,
schools, hospitals, transportation and other infrastructural facilities. Applicants had to be in good physical and mental health and undergo complete medical pre-screening in accordance with the standards laid down by the Department of National Health and Welfare in Canada. What was kept a secret from both the participants of the 1955 group and the governments of Jamaica and Barbados was that on arrival in Canada, the women would be met by a team of doctors who would proceed to take a sample Wasserman test, to detect the presence of syphilis. According to a letter dated October 25, 1955, from Director of Immigration to the Chief, Administration Division: “It, therefore, would be appreciated if you would advise Dr. Frost in advance of the arrival of these people at Dorval in order that he may arrange for his doctors to do the sampling.” Dr. Frost ordered the test because of the high percentage of syphilis in the West Indies. When asked why the test could not be done in the islands he stated that their condition could change prior to their arrival.
He further stated that a test may show positive for syphilis when the individual may only be suffering from yaws which also creates a positive reaction but is not syphilis. While Dr. Frost may have been genuine in his intention, this move further supported the notion about blacks being sexually promiscuous. Another significant stipulation was that the women had to be unmarried, for it was the thinking of the immigration officials that the spouse of a domestic worker would likely be unskilled. Canada was trying to protect itself from an influx of unskilled coloured dependents that could enter through the sponsorship route as it was legal for a Caribbean domestic worker with Canadian Citizenship to sponsor her spouse, fiancé (e), parents, grandparents, children and siblings. Canadian officials were concerned, if not alarmed, that Caribbean domestics had started sponsoring relatives soon after they had been in Canada for one year. Their main concern was the swelling of the unskilled labour force in Canada. Yvonne Sam
This PPP leader thinks sugar workers are stupid DEAR EDITOR, Please allow me to shed some light on the misinformation, lies and deception, once again being told to Berbicians by the former Attorney General, Mr. Nandlall, on his weekly live TV program that was aired on Tuesday 7th March 2017 on NTN Berbice. It seems to me that the former AG is going off the deep end all because the corruption that took place under the PPP regime is coming to haunt him and his partners. For a man who claims to be educated and also a professional, in using those words that degrade people, he sends a very negative message to the population and youths at large. It shows us that the saying when the fox can’t get the grapes, he says they are sour. This is indeed what has happened to the former AG and his PPP party. But they are the ones that caused the grapes to go sour because of corruption when they were in power. The former AG should be ashamed to call the present AG a fool and attempt to degrade him by saying he knows nothing. It is indeed true that the PPP is the one that had intentions of setting up SOCU, as the former AG
mentioned. But he falsely claims that they never used that unit. He mentioned that SOCU is going around at the night entering persons’ houses and removing their belongings, gold, etc. Well, I never heard of such but what I know for a fact is that it is the PPP used that Unit (intentions to set up SOCU) to raid the homes and offices of executives and former executives of the Guyana Cricket Board a few years back. So Mr. Nandlall needs to think before he speaks and stop lying to the people of Berbice. He also said that this government is making the sugar workers suffer, which is a blunt lie. He is trying to win the sugar workers because he thinks they are stupid people and will believe him. It was the PPP and GAWU that failed the sugar workers. Here are a few questions for him and the PPP. Why is it that after the 1992 General Elections, the PPP STOPPED the May Day March in Region 5 (from Bath Old Well Square to Dhanar Square)? Why is it that after 1992, API was taken away from sugar workers? Why is it that after that year, GAWU stopped looking into the welfare of the workers? Why
is it that the PPP and Bharrat Jagdeo closed down two sugar estates (Diamond and LBI)? Why is it that under the watch of the PPP sugar workers’ NIS contribution cannot be found and most times are low? He went on to talk about the former Prime Minister’s pension package that will be tabled in the National Assembly on Thursday 9th March It has since been passed. Something seems to be wrong with the former AG. He tells the people of Berbice that Mr. Green is in his 90’s and this government wants to give him a pension that no other PM ever had. He said that not even PM Nagamootoo will be getting that and most of all that Mr. Nagamootoo does not deserve that Pension. He went on to say that Mr. Green should ask the ministers to contribute towards his pension and that the former PM is already old and that the sugar workers should get the amount to be paid to him. Well, those statements get me real upset because everyone that give their service to this land deserves a pension. Abel Seetaram Region 5 Councilor – AFC/APNU
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Kaieteur News
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ANSA McAL lauds return of level playing field in procurement of drugs By: Kiana Wilburg ANSA McAL Trading Limited has lauded the return of a level playing field in the procurement of drugs and other pharmaceuticals after being shut out from the system for several years. This was because for over 20 years, one company, New GPC, was the beneficiary of billions worth in contracts through sole sourcing. New GPC is owed by Ranjisinghi “Bobby” Ramroop, a friend of former President and now Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo. Additionally, ANSA McAL said that it is extremely concerned that it was being linked to allegations of sole sourcing of emergency pharmaceuticals. “ANSA McAL and three other companies were asked to quote for emergency supplies after we learned at a public meeting that an original tender had been compromised. We gave quotations for 300 items and were awarded 116, which we had to procure within 14 days,” the company noted. “Needless to say, we were pleased to win part of this order and that we have returned to a level playing field having been shut out…for many, many years.” Furthermore, the collusion between moles in the public health system and a few crooked suppliers of pharmaceuticals is what led to the Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, taking a controversial route in the recent procurement of
Owner of NEW GPC, Ranjisinghi “Bobby” Ramroop emergency pharmaceuticals for the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). The minister made this statement to the press on Saturday, in an effort to correct misleading comments in some sections in the media. The misguided comments, she said, were in relation to certain documents which were leaked to the media, giving the false impression that the hospital tried to procure drugs from ANSA McAL Trading Limited through sole sourcing. Lawrence stressed, however, that ANSA McAL was among four companies from which these emergency supplies were procured. The other companies were New GPC, Health 2000 and Chirosyn Discovery. The Minister of Public Health said that other companies were not a part of this process due to ongoing investigations into their late/ or non-delivery of critical drugs which they were
contracted to procure for GPHC during 2016. She said that some of these pharmaceuticals were overdue by as much as six months, which exacerbated the drug shortage at the hospital. She explained that moves were made to fast track the procurement of these pharmaceuticals to minimise the negative effects on patients due to the shortage of some critical drugs. “This influenced the decision to seek the green light from the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) for ANSA McAL to supply drugs and pharmaceuticals to the tune of some $605M.” Lawrence explained that ANSA McAL is one of only two companies in Guyana that can provide the cold chain storage necessary to maintain the integrity of a wide range of pharmaceuticals that are critical in the health care sector, in Guyana. “ANSA McAL not only air freighted the drugs (this helped spike the cost to import the items) for the public health sector, but also donated four refrigerators to GPHC to store the emergency supplies at the internationally acceptable temperature of 2 to 8 Degrees Celsius. No other company in the history of the institution has provided cold storage facilities at the hospital even though, at least one of them (NEW GPC) was the sole supplier of pharmaceuticals to the institution for over 20 years.” Lawrence said that all pharmaceuticals for the entire nation was sole-sourced from that company for billions of tax-payers’ dollars. During that period, she said that GPHC used icepacks to store these sensitive drugs at the facility, because the main refrigerator was in poor condition and unable to maintain the correct temperature for these drugs
endangering their efficacy, potency and integrity. Lawrence stressed that she was unwilling to jeopardise the sector and patients’ lives and took what may appear to be the nowcontroversial route. When it served in the opposition, the current administration had lashed out at the PPP/C for granting billions of dollars’ worth in contracts to NEW GPC during the lead up to the May 11 National and Regional Elections. On May 8, 2015, New GPC uplifted a billion-dollar cheque for a drug contract awarded to that company. That was the last working day before General and Regional elections. The payment arrangement was also contrary to all the country’s procurement procedures. Traditionally, 25 percent of the contract is paid up front. Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, had said that the situation surrounding the health contracts and New GPC was nothing but “kick-down-the door banditry.” Foreign Affairs Minister,
Public Health Minister, Volda Lawrence Carl Greenidge, had said that the actions of the previous Government in the lead up to the May 11 polls, was evidence of how “evil, corrupt, greedy and ruthless” it can be. Greenidge had said that the PPP/C has given so much to Dr. Ramroop by breaking the laws that it has made him a king in this country. “Another critical point we need to pay attention to, and that is the fact, that Ramroop was given the opportunity to supply almost 85 percent of the country’s drugs for nearly 20 years. Considering the
empire he has been able to build through the sole sourcing of drugs, we see clearly, too, for how long value for money in the health sector has been evaded.” It is estimated that over the past seven years more than US$200 million was spent on drug purchases, with the lion’s share going to New GPC. Greenidge had said that the control Jagdeo gave Ramroop over the health sector was not only unhealthy for the competitive market, but it also marred attempts at transparency and accountability. The politician had reiterated that through the sole sourcing of drugs, “Jagdeo and his government did not only ruthlessly rob the nation, but invited his best friend to help further corrupt the system and to rob the poor people at the same time.” New GPC has been a feature in the Auditor General’s report over the years with several instances focused on multi-milliondollar deficiencies in the procurement and supply of drugs under the previous administration.
Divestment of sugar estates to produce seed paddy will add to surplus - PPP MP slams ‘short-sighted’ measure Producing seed paddy as part of its divestment programme for the Guyana Sugar Corporation will add to the surplus of the product locally as there is no market currently to absorb the paddy. This is according to People’s Progressive Party Civic Member of Parliament, Dharamkumar Seeraj. “I understand they want to start a rice seed project down there, I looked at the document that was submitted. It is all wrong, the figures are wrong, the way that
they intend to go about it is wrong and the end-product that they intend to produce, we have a surplus on the market of it currently.” Seeraj told this newspaper that based on the document he would have examined, government intends to plant seed paddy at the estate as part of its divestment programme and to sell it to the rice research station of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB). However, he said that GRDB recently had to move over 3000 bags of high quality seed
paddy to the rice mill because there was no market for it. He added, “And here is where the government, as part of its divestment programme, wants to move now to Wales to plant seed paddy and to sell it to GRDB, when GRDB already has a surplus. So it is a shortsighted measure.” According to the PPP MP, the programme has failed even before it has begun. Further, he mentioned that a part of the divestment (Continued on page 12)
Monday March 13, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Confusion and Obfuscation If the Ministry of Foreign Affairs began announcing new tax measures or if the Ministry of Health suddenly decided that it would assume responsibility for the rice and sugar industries, there would be confusion and chaos within the system of public administration It is important in the system of public administration that portfolios be clearly delineated. It is even more important that these be respected. It is important that one Ministry or Department does not
intrude into the work of another. It is important that lines of authority are clear and there is no overlapping of responsibilities. If someone of some agency is assigned a portfolio, then that agency should be exclusively responsible for that portfolio. Otherwise, we will have confusion. The government’s public relations is being subject to criticism of being ineffective. The good work that is being done is being drowned out by a plethora of criticisms and
controversies. Hardly a day goes by without a new scandal not enveloping the administration. This is the nature of political fray all over the world – the bad new sells; the good news finds second place. The world of public relations personnel is to make the government look good by burnishing the image of the government and selling its programmes and policies. But this is not happening because there is over lapping of responsibilities within the
Plot to kill Rose Hall Town businessman...
Jamaican placed in custody Commander of B Division, Ian Amsterdam, has confirmed that the Jamaican national for whom the police were on the hunt returned to Guyana on Saturday and was immediately arrested at Moleson Creek. He stated that the other three persons that were arrested on Thursday are still in police custody. According to the police, the Jamaican national, is allegedly the mastermind behind the plot to execute and rob the businessman. The “hitman” was taken into custody after a detective observed his suspicious behaviour. The man identified as Curtis Fraser of New Amsterdam, collided with a car on the Albion Public Road. However, it was when he asked a car driver for a lift to Hampshire and left his motorcycle on the road that
the detective began following him. He was trailed to two villages away when upon seeing the detective who was behind him, threw what appeared to be a firearm in the trench nearby. By that time back-up which was summoned by the detectives arrived on the scene and placed the man under arrest. A .38 revolver, with four matching rounds were retrieved from the trench. While in custody Fraser told investigators that the Jamaican national hired him to execute and rob the
businessman. He also named two other persons, who were involved in the plot. According to reports received the plot was developed after the businessman owed the Jamaican money. However, speaking to the businessman on Friday, he stated that he is not in business with the Jamaican but is rather a close friend of his. The businessman noted that he does not believe the Jamaican would want to kill him. He also denied owing money to the Jamaican.
information portfolio. The information portfolio has been handed to the Prime Minister. A Department of Information has been established. Yet there exists parallel institutions which are performing the very functions which are supposed to be the remit of the Department of Information. So instead of one central agency which can deal with the information portfolio, there is more than one which are responsible for disseminating information. There is a presidential outfit which covers the President and which is heavily staffed. There is the Department of Information which is understaffed. There is the Cabinet Press Briefing, a leftover from the Roger Luncheon days and there are Ministers who have their own PR staff. This not just complicates those involved with disseminating information such as NCN, the Guyana Chronicle and GINA but it even confuses the private media since there is no central figure or authority to whom they can turn when they need information. In many countries, including the United States of America, there is such an
identified person, usually titled as a press secretary. This was the person to whom the private media could turn when they needed confirmation or reaction to a story and when the subject minister for that story was either not available or evasive. Every government needs a clear channel and an identified funnel for the transmission of information to the wider public, including to the private media. This does not exist in Guyana. Last Saturday, NCN aired a programme called Government in Action. The programme itself did not justify its name. It was more talk than action. It was poorly scripted and arranged. The graphics were deplorable and the content itself left much to be desired. The subject was the Red House controversy, a matter that is now sub judice. The arguments made in the feature have all already been countered. They are old and stale. But most discomforting were the credits at the conclusion which showed that the feature was produced by the Ministry of the Presidency and not by the Department of Information.
The Department of Information should have total responsibility for such official features lest, the left arm of the government be seen as contradicting the right arm. You cannot have two agencies of government doing the same job with two different sets of bosses. This is simply lead to confusion. The Department of Information has the expertise to undertake the sort of work that is being duplicated by other agencies of the State. The Department of Information had done a fantastic job during the Budget debates. It produced graphics which concisely highlighted the Budget measures. These helped to sell a difficult Budget to the people. However, so long as there exists multiple agencies dawdling in the same work, confusion will persist, the government’s PR will be ineffective and the government image will continue to be clouded in the eyes of the public.
Monday March 13, 2017
PAGE 11
Kaieteur News
Lawsuit over misappropriation of $32M...
COMMONWEALTH DAY MESSAGE – Bar Association President denies claims, British High Commission says she could not locate Plaintiff 13th March is Commonwealth Day and we would like to take this opportunity to highlight the positive impact and role the Commonwealth plays in the modern world. To begin with let us say it is a privilege to serve as our country’s respective High Commissioners to Guyana, a fellow member of the Commonwealth. AUNIQUE,AND IMPORTANT, ORGANISATION In 2017 the Commonwealth is as important as it ever has been, indeed some would say it is even more important than before. It is a unique organisation and we are proud of our membership of it. The Commonwealth can be, and indeed is, a force for good around the world through its work in promoting freedom, democracy, human rights, development and prosperity. The Commonwealth represents 52 member states across 6 continents which make up a quarter of the world’s land mass and 2.2bn people (a third of the world’s population). 60% of the Commonwealth’s population is under 30 and 1bn Commonwealth citizens are under 25. We have a combined Gross National Income of $10.7tr. Our intraCommonwealth trade is estimated at $680bn and is projected to surpass $1tr by 2020. We challenge those who doubt the value of the Commonwealth to look at those figures and think again. The Commonwealth’s strength lies in the shared history, deep and diverse links between our peoples and – at our best – strong common instincts about the importance of open societies and open economies. We value the flexibility of the organisation to deal with the diversity of its member countries and their interests. By coming together we can draw on these close ties and shared values to discuss relevant issues. THE BRITISH COMMITMENT TO THE COMMONWEALTH The UK strongly values the Commonwealth and is committed to working with its Commonwealth partners to strengthen our core values of democracy, peace and prosperity for all people. There is no doubt that we are in a time of unprecedented global challenges. That is one reason why the Commonwealth, based on shared values, has a particularly important role to play now. Just look at how the Commonwealth helped
influence the outcome of COP 21. It did so by coming together. Plus, there are many aspects we can take advantage of through being members of the Commonwealth: similar legal and parliamentary systems; the Commonwealth trade advantage; shared language; and sport. We want to build on the successful Commonwealth Summit in Malta in 2015. With the Secretary-General leading reform of the Commonwealth Secretariat, we now have an opportunity to continue the positive momentum from Malta and re-energise our organisation so that it can better uphold its shared democratic values and deliver greater security and prosperity to its citizens. At the 2015 Summit, leaders agreed to strengthen the Commonwealth’s contribution to global efforts to tackle shared challenges such as countering extremism and radicalisation, combating corruption, and building the resilience of small states to issues like climate change. We can work on these together. But we shouldn’t just look at what we can achieve through the Commonwealth as an organisation, but also through us coming together as a grouping of countries. As hosts of CHOGM 2018 the British Government is aiming for an ambitious and dynamic Commonwealth Summit. We are working closely with Patricia Scotland and her team, the Commonwealth Secretariat, other Commonwealth organisations, member states and other interested parties to develop the agenda for the meeting. We want to take an ambitious, creative and innovative approach that makes the most of all the Commonwealth has to offer and demonstrates a Commonwealth that is truly relevant for the 21st century. CANADACELEBRATES COMMONWEALTH
VALUES On Commonwealth Day, the citizens of the Commonwealth of Nations honour the common ties and shared values that unite all 52 member countries. This year’s Commonwealth theme: ‘A P e a c e - b u i l d i n g Commonwealth’, speaks to the importance of ensuring that this diversity is protected and promoted as an important contribution to the peace and prosperity of all member states. The Commonwealth plays a key role in promoting and upholding the core values of respect for democracy, human rights and the rule of law as set out in the Commonwealth Charter. Those values are critical for the development and prosperity of its member states and the wellbeing of the more than two billion people in its membership. As a member of the Commonwealth, Canada is committed to working constructively with the Commonwealth SecretaryGeneral and fellow member states to protect and promote these values. CONCLUSION We believe the Commonwealth is a unique, fascinating and vital organisation. It has changed beyond all recognition over the decades. We are now a grouping of partners and friends, on an equal footing within the organisation. We are the source of some of the most innovative products, services and people the world sees. We should be proud of what we all achieve through the Commonwealth and should continue to work to ensure it remains in the important, forward-looking position that it currently is. In that we will work with our friends and colleagues in Guyana. Greg Quinn British High Commissioner to Guyana Pierre Giroux Canadian High Commission to Guyana
President of the Guyana Bar Association, Gem Sandford-Johnson, has denied claims that she allegedly misappropriated funds acquired from the sale of a property belonging to US-based Guyanese Elsa Eileen Harper. Harper had filed a writ in the High Court through Attorney -at- Law, Ronald Birch-Smith last month. In the court document, the woman was requesting that SanfordJohnson pay outstanding money from the sale of property amounting to $32.5M. According to the statement of claim, Harper, who is unmarried and has no children, had suffered a stroke and became incapacitated. As a result, Sandford-Johnson was instructed by Harper to sell immovable property owned by her at 246 Forshaw Street, Queenstown Georgetown. Sanford-Johnson was therefore appointed Power of Attorney of Harper’s property. According to initial court documents the Bar Association President afterwards entered into an agreement of sale for the property to Paul Daby Jr. and
Controversial Bar Association President, Gem Sandford-Johnson Michelle Daby for the sum of $35M on June 15, 2015. But, following the sale, the Plaintiff said that SanfordJohnson only wired to the plaintiff the sum of US$11,838.81 which amounted $2,486,150 of the total GY$35M. The ailing woman claims that she has since been unable to reach SanfordJohnson. She therefore opined that the defendant had no intention of remitting the funds she acquired from the sale of the property.
In a court document subsequently filed in her defence, Sanford-Johnson denied the claims. “I have read the Statement of Claim of the Plaintiffs herein except where it is expressly admitted, I deny each and every statement and allegation made and contained therein as if the same were herein set out verbatim and traversed seriatim,” she said. Following the sale of the property, Sanford-Johnson claimed to have wired $10,000 US to the Plaintiff. She said that after that she was unable to reach the woman, even after travelling to the United States of America. “I travelled to the United States of America after the Christmas holiday. I travelled to Washington D.C. and made arrangements with the mutual friend to meet with my principal and then with the Plaintiffs (Eileen O’Brien and Jesse Stein) representatives of Harper’s Estate in the United States. Upon making such arrangements I learnt that my Principal had since been relocated to Virginia and we had no immediate information as Continued on page 21
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Monday March 13, 2017
Kaieteur News
Domestic violence survivors share their stories - at Women’s Rights March By: Feona Morrison There were placards and chants galore as the Student Society Against Human Rights Violation (SSAHR) last Saturday participated in a march, held in observance of International Women’s Day (IWD). It coincided with similar marches undertaken by Barbados, Dominica, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, The Bahamas, Grenada and Antigua & Barbuda on Saturday. According to Akola Thompson, founder of SSAHR, the walk was inspired by #LifeinLeggings, a hashtag movement started by Barbadian Ronelle King. The hashtag, aimed at highlighting women’s sexual assault stories, has gained much attention throughout the Caribbean. The event kicked off at 15:00hrs. Participants assembled at the Stabroek Market Square, where they donned white tshirts labelled ‘Guyanese Girls Rock’. With police escorts, the march, which attracted street side attention, turned east into Brickdam and concluded at Square of the Revolution with presentations from Thompson; domestic violence survivor, Natasha Houston; activist, Attorneyat-law Nadia Sagar and others. A spoken word poetry
Akola Thompson (centre) leads the procession as it heads down Brickdam
Domestic Violence survivor, Natasha Houston piece, and martial arts defence techniques were also demonstrated. Thompson, a third year student at the University of Guyana (UG) reminded that the march was aimed at bringing awareness to gender based violence and protection for women and children. The activist also called for comprehensive sex education to be taught in public schools. She said that the SSAHR was created last year in an effort to promote university activism. “I am turning 21 in a few days and I have a daughter who is turning five. Because I grew up in a society that condoned violence I never thought too much about it when my (then) partner used to abuse me. Even though I
tried to leave...family and friends would have encouraged me to stay.” “And you know that really needs to stop. At the time I had dropped out of high school, so of course he (then partner) would have been the provider. So they (family) would say maybe you should stay for the sake of the child. It was not until one night when I had a belt wrapped around my throat that I realized if I stayed...then maybe I wouldn’t be around to see my child. I decided to leave. It was very hard in the beginning but family and friends came around.” Domestic violence survivor, Natasha Houston also shared her story. Houston’s abusive husband
went berserk and slaughtered their two children with a cutlass in August 2013. She was also chopped several times about her body; and lost her right arm and several fingers on her left hand. During her presentation, the survivor expressed her gratitude to be alive. “Four years ago both of them (her children) got murdered...thanks to Help and Shelter for their support and thanks to my mom too. If it was not for their support I would have not been here today.” Houston pleaded with women to get out of abusive relationships and speak out. The woman recalled that after her reputed husband chopped her and their children he hung himself because he could not deal with the consequences of his actions. “At a young age I forsook my mom and my whole family to go with him. I don’t think young girls should forsake their families for boys. If I had listened to my mom, my kids would have been alive today. Every time he (reputed husband) hit me I would always cover for him. I always
remained silent...I never told anyone what happened.” However, Houston said that the day she mustered the courage and strength to leave the abusive relationship, her reputed husband retaliated mercilessly. According to her, although she had endured abuse at the hands of her partner, she never made any reports to the police. She pleaded with women to speak out against any forms of abuse. Houston repeated, “Like I said, if I had listened to my mom, my daughter would have been ten years this year and my son would have been six. But they were both murdered at the hands of their own father. Don’t take abuse speak out!” Meanwhile, Sagar reiterated the importance of activism. She recounted that her first experience with activism was when she participated in a Working People’s Alliance (WPA) protest following the Omai Gold Mines Limited cyanide spill which occurred in 1995 when 400 million gallons of cyanide laced materials spilled into the Essequibo
River. According to her, “Activism takes on a multitude of forms in a variety of socio, political and economic environments. It does not require a uniform; we are all activists on any given day.” “Today you are standing for women and girls, girls like my daughter and I ask you to clear a path for her, and all of the girls who would grow up silencing themselves, smiling as they were taught to do, even as they wither inside,” and emotional Sagar said. Recounting her early days as an attorney, Sagar stated, “I enjoyed the male gaze from colleagues and clients. Sexual innuendoes and lasciviousness were common place in the space that I worked. I sat in boardrooms as vagina and two breasts, an object. That was 20 or so years ago. Things have changed and so have I.” This march was held in collaboration with the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA) Red Thread, Child Link, Help and Shelter and a number of non-governmental organizations.
Divestment of sugar estates... (From page 8) programme is to produce juices and milk. However, he does not believe the plan was well thought out with a market analysis being done. “When you have to go now and establish dairy farms without giving support to the farmers there is no way that you can compete with milk in the supermarket; and it would be unconscionable for a government to impose draconian taxes on milk.” He said that the divestment project is aimed at taking attention away from the real issue, which is that government does not have an alternative as to what is going to happen after the full clo-
sure of Wales estate. When asked if alternatives were put to the government to consider, Seeraj said that as far as he understands, GAWU had presented a written document to the government outlining its concerns and called for the commissioning of a social and economic impact assessment on the communities which stand to be affected. The results from this assessment, according to Seeraj, could help to guide the way forward on the issue. “I understand that the People’s Progressive Party Civic had made a similar call and that once they are in possession of these studies, then they will be in an informed
position to make recommendations as to the way forward, taking into consideration the well-being of these people.” On Thursday, during a protest action outside Public Buildings (Parliament) the Wales workers called on the government to allow GuySuCo to discharge its legal obligations by providing them with their severance payments. According to the union, there is no comprehensive plan at this time to address the fallout from sugar estate closure and divestment. The union believes that the sugar industry has all the possibilities to be placed on a viable and sustainable path.
Monday March 13, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Son of SuperBet agent admits to Poor storage of evidence hampers police investigations staging Pigeon Island robbery In what is being described as a surprising turn in a robbery committed at a Superbet shop in Pigeon Island, East Coast Demerara, investigators are preparing to charge the son of the agent who operates the sport betting agency and two others on Tuesday. On January 30, last, six gunmen carried out a daring robbery at the sports betting agency and subsequently made off with $1M. Employees of SuperBet had just collected money from another shop up the East Coast Demerara and were making a second pick up at Pigeon Island when the bandits attacked. Kaieteur News was informed that investigators received intelligence that the son of the individual who
Roberto Sankar operates the sports betting facility might have been involved in plotting the robbery. As a result of this, detectives picked up the
young man and questioned him. He subsequently confessed to staging the robbery and identified two of his accomplices, called “Devon” and another suspect called “AK man.” Reports are that it was not the first robbery that the son planned on the sports betting agency. Additionally, the man allegedly staged a robbery last year in which several persons were robbed in the city. Investigators are now trying to gather as much evidence to lay the charges against him on Tuesday. In 2013, one of the suspects was charged for robbing Kim Sarwan of a Blackberry cellular phone; Perry Ellis branded colognes and $1M cash at Covent Garden, East Bank Demerara (EBD) while armed with a gun.
Teen shot twice in minibus A nineteen year old man is now hospitalised after he was shot twice Saturday night while travelling in a route 41 minibus. Leon Blake of Lot WW3 North East La Penitence, Georgetown was shot to the left hand and thigh during a confrontation with two men who boarded the minibus after him. The injured man’s mother, Carlotta Lynch said that she received a call around 22:00hrs on Saturday, during which she was informed that, her son had been shot. According to the mother, her son left home for Stabroek Market Square, where he was
SHOT: Leon Blake “playing Phagwah with some girls.” He then
reportedly boarded a bus for home. The mother said she was told that two men entered the same bus. She added that one of the men stepped on her son’s foot, which resulted in an exchange of words. Lynch stated that one of the men pulled out a gun and called her son a “pussy” before discharging two rounds at him. Blake, a trader was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital. When asked if her son had any problems with anyone, Lynch said the shooting might have stemmed from grievances her son had with persons he played football with.
Rise in number of female security... (From page 14) conditions under which female security guards in the private sector are often forced to work. “The conditions of work create unnecessary risk. Women security guards often have little say over which shifts they will work, although at night they are more vulnerable to sexual and other physical violence. Patricia Rose and Simone Coleridge, two women guards, were murdered on the job this year alone (2009). There is a woman who told us of being beaten unconscious by a thief,” the letter read. Eight years later, women in the security sector are no more prepared than they were back then. Most of them are
still armed with a mere baton, and in some cases, no weapon at all. The letter had even mentioned cases where women were being abused by the residents of homes they are assigned to guard. “One fine, upstanding citizen used to throw water on her guards to make sure they kept awake,” the letter alleged. While such instances are not rampant today, security guards, particularly females, are still looking for representation. In a recent letter to Kaieteur News, March 1, 2017 to be exact, President of the Clerical and Commercial Workers’ Union, Sherwood Clarke, called for the establishment of
a union to represent the rights of security guards. “Security guards from different parts of the country and working in various jobs and industries have for a long time fallen between two stools and have had no representation for their many grievances,” Clarke wrote. He went on to explain that many of the security guards work in private companies, and are denied many of their rights. “Because they are not considered to be ordinary workers, they cannot be represented by a union and because they are not quite on par with policemen, they have no claims to the awards and conditions of service that go to members of the police force.” Clarke said that for a long time now, men and women employed as security guards have been complaining about their official conditions of work and their low pay rates. “All their appeals have, so far, fallen on deaf ears.”
There is with no doubt that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has been making significant progress in solving crimes, involving cases which had gone cold with the most famous being the six-year-old Babita Sarjou mystery. But they are doing so while facing challenges that are not experienced by their counterparts in more developed nations. First, finding evidence which was taken from crime scenes might be a bit difficult for investigators, especially when years have passed and it has become a cold case. This is mainly because the Force lacks proper storage facilities for the storing of physical evidence. Evidence such as a hammer or a knife or even a blood-stained jersey is stored at police stations across the country, as opposed to having one facility to store all these items. At the Force’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) there is a room where some evidence is stored. The police stations also have no special room for the storage of these items. “Usually, there is a locker and the items go in there or they are placed in a box at the corner of the room,” a source explained. “If someone is murdered in Essequibo, then the evidence will be at the police station there. If someone is killed in Parika, then the evidence and everything else that was taken from the scene will be at the Parika Police Station.” Kaieteur News was informed that while items from crime scenes are available, the location and place of storage might be inadequate. “We have the evidence, you just have to look. And sometimes when you go back for (let’s say) weed, the rats gone with it, or they eat out the blood-stained jersey or the part that had the blood,” the source said. He explained that once evidence is collected from a crime scene, the rank who is dealing with that case will put his initials on the item. This evidence will then be passed
- “Sometimes when you go back for the weed, the rats gone with it or they eat out the blood-stained jersey”
onto another individual at the police station who would also place his initials on the item. “Once this is done, the evidence is stored. Let’s say, that case becomes a cold case and eight years from now, we have to relocate the items, then it might be a problem. It might take some time to find it and then the condition it will be in would be an issue.” It is unclear if this is the reason why investigators have failed to reach out to the relatives of Basmattie Anantram who went missing from her Seawell, Corentyne home on June 8, 2011. Shortly after the woman went missing, the skeletal remains of a female was found a short distance from her home and DNA samples were taken from Anantram’s relatives. This newspaper was informed that, in this case, the police cannot locate
Anantram’s file and the DNA result. The remains that were found also reportedly cannot be located. Meanwhile, research done has indicated that most evidence is collected in paper containers such as packets, envelopes and bags. Any items which may cross contaminate each other must be packed separately. The containers should be closed and secured to prevent the mixture of evidence during transportation. Each container should have the collecting person’s initials, the date and time it was collected, a complete description of the evidence and where it was found. The types of evidence encountered at crime scenes include fingerprints, bite marks, broken finger nails, blood and body fluids, hair, fibers and knives, guns among others.
Bar Association President denies claims... From page 11 to where or how to locate her. I subsequently returned to Guyana without meeting with the Plaintiff.” The defendant claimed further to have no knowledge of the other parties involved in the matter. The Attorney therefore contended that she was unable to pay the monies because she had not known (Eileen O’Brien and Jesse Stein) representatives of Harper’s Estate. “I have never met the Plaintiffs and know nothing of their occupation, except for the allegation that they are co-guardians of my principal.”
She said that partly accurate is the statement that “I was appointed the duly constituted Attorney in Guyana of Elsa Eileen Harper under a valid Power of Attorney which said Power of Attorney is still in full force and effect and was never revoked.” Notwithstanding, the physical condition of Elsa Eileen Harper as alleged, I communicated with her in August, 2015 and updated her on the status of the said sale.” The matter is still engaging the attention of the court. It is expected to come up for another hearing before Justice Diana Insanally, next month.
PAGE 22
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Monday March 13, 2017
Kaieteur News
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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 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 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: 2333006/ 658-5897/651-1969 Driver needed (stick gear) to operate smoothie business. Be your own boss, fixed location, preferably someone EBD- call: 628-1479 1 Live in nanny/domestic to take care of children & home, must know to cook various dishes 38-48yrs. Call: 600-1898 Live-in waitress with secondary education, salary $80,000 monthly. Boarding & lodging free. Age 18-25 years- Tel:610-3974
TO LET Fully furnished vacation home with all amenities Call during working hours 2271218 Continued on page 23
Monday March 13, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Women and Gender Equality Commission decries ‘inappropriate,’ ‘degrading’music “We are fed a diet of garbage that is euphemistically music…”
Justice and Peace Commission’s Lawrence Lachmansingh There have been many attempts over the years, in almost every part of the world, to censor songs that have been deemed ‘inappropriate’ and ‘degrading’ to women. The struggle continues in Guyana. And despite the concerns of women’s rights activists, the troubling songs are still being blasted in minibuses and by some of the CD vendors that stroll through villages with their pushcarts. These have been dominating the likes of especially the younger generation- both girls and boys. During a roundtable discussion held earlier in the month to commemorate International Women’s Day on March 8, the topic was
raised once again; this time, by Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Dr. Barbara Reynolds. The discussion, which was hosted by the Women and Gender Equality Commission, saw women in the audience making specific reference to dancehall songs such as, ‘Kick in She backdoor’, ‘Dung in ah yuh throat’ and ‘Bedroom bully.’ “Is ah day I dancing to the beat good, good, but then when I actually listen to the words, I realise wha the guy singing, and I just start feeling suh ashamed ah myself...like I can’t imagine how things like that become music,” one woman was heard saying, as she recalled the words of ‘dung in ah yuh throat.’ Meanwhile, standing at the podium at the front of the auditorium, Dr. Reynolds continued her arguments on the tolerance that Guyanese have for such music. Keeping in mind the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day, ‘achieving gender parity in 2030,’ the UG Educator posed the question of what women were looking to achieve gender parity in. “Are we looking to
achieve it in voice? In respect? In work?” Dr. Reynolds asked. She finds the topic of respect for women as being particularly troubling. “It seems to me that in Guyana, we have been fed a diet of garbage, through something that is euphemistically called ‘music’.” Dr. Reynolds lamented on the fact that many women seem to be tolerant of the unbecoming lyrics that a large number of the songs carry. “I do not understand how I could expound being called a w%$re, or a b*%ch. I do not understand what is so endearing about referring to someone who I love, as my dog,” the woman said. She added, “Respect is so quintessentially human, it is so inherently who we ought to be, that I do not understand and I cannot understand why we have willingly given it up...we have given up our self respect to people who call themselves musicians.” Dr. Reynolds maintained. “I suspect that there is a move that has to occur in the arts, so that we can take back those airwaves and
Lack of financial resources stalls works on Kitty Market A photo of the Kitty Market taken last year October
Restoration works on the Kitty Market have been stalled again due to a lack of financial resources. This is according to Patricia Chase-Greene, Mayor of Georgetown. She did not give a date as to when works will be completed, since work will only resume when income is generated. Rehabilitation works started on the market in February, 2016 at an estimated cost of $240M. The repairs were done in phases to accommodate the relocation of some of the vendors. The market did not meet its November 1, 2016 reopening due to works on the market being stymied by the inability to procure materials and because the Council owed contractors, Deputy Mayor, Sherod Duncan
had stated. The City Council had hoped to finish works on the market in time for the Golden Jubilee celebrations. Nevertheless, the council has insisted that it will be the country’s first air conditioned shopping venue. The Kitty Market is to feature a traditional health centre, offices for payment of rates and taxes and an area for community councillors. The Kitty Market was established in 1882, two years after the Bourda Market came into being. Both residents and vendors of Kitty have expressed relief that the market which was once known as a landmark in the neighbourhood is being restored to its original state.
UG’s Deputy Vice Chancellor, Dr. Barbara Reynolds take back the sentiments that come into our minds, both implicitly and explicitly...it turns us into who we are not,” the Deputy Vice Chancellor said. She reminded that children are very impressionable, and that music plays a huge role in the lives of many. “I have some nieces and nephews who have told me, “Aunty Barbara, don’t listen to this, you can’t deal with it.” But when a 15 and 16 year old tell me, at my age, that I can’t
deal with it, I’m even more worried,” Dr. Reynolds highlighted. LUDE MUSIC VIDEOS The lyrics of songs are not the only problem highlighted at the roundtable forum. Lawrence Lachmansingh of the Justice and Peace Commission of the Roman Catholic Church also supported Dr. Reynolds’ points, but delved further into the aspect of music videos. “These music videos are increasingly becoming like soft porn...we’re not even talking about the real porn that is readily available, thanks to this ICT revolution that has happened in our country and our world,” Lachmansingh posited. He also lamented on the level of tolerance that women in Guyana have when it comes to being “put down”. Lachmansingh, and the other persons attending the roundtable discussion are fully cognizant of the unlikelihood of censorship, but believe that Guyanese, especially women, and moreso those who are mothers, should be mindful of the lyrics and visuals that their children are exposed to.
From page 22
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Monday March 13, 2017
Kaieteur News
As Far as Debt Performance Goes…
Barbados is Now on the Same Level as Greece
Samar Maziad
Dr. Delisle Worrell
BRIDGETOWN,Barbados – Barbados’ Prime Minister Freundel Stuart may not think much of the pronouncements of international ratings agencies, but the rest of the world is watching, with respected business publication Bloomberg reporting that the island’s debt is the worst performer in emerging markets this year. Last week, six days after being hit with a credit ratings downgrade by Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s Investor Services downloaded the Barbados government’s bond and issuer ratings to Caa3, placing it on the same level as the highly-indebted Greece and Ukraine. A senior analyst at Moody’s, Samar Maziad, wrote:
“We assess the likelihood of a credit event in the near-term as very high, given the lack of fiscal adjustment and increasingly limited financing options.” In its report, Bloomberg said Barbados is now among the beleaguered group of countries whose dollar bonds yield more than 10 percent. It pointed to the firing of Central Bank Governor Dr Delisle Worrell last month, as among the factors that would have led to some concern among investors. The governor had publicly warned the government that it had to stop the practice of asking the Central Bank to print money to finance its deficit. Worrell was subsequently asked to hand in his
resignation or be fired, and he had turned to the court in attempt to block his dismissal. An injunction he obtained from the court was subsequently discharged and he was given his walking papers on February 24. “The governor being fired would have rattled investors simply because it shows some kind of instability there at a policymaking level. The governor had started to come out about how bad it really is,” Royal Bank of Canada economist Marla Dukharan told Bloomberg, adding that the 2-to-1 peg with the US dollar is starting to show cracks and an all-out balance of payments crisis is a possibility. However, Finance Minister Chris Sinckler said he expects the reserves will rebound on inflows from foreign investors. He has also ruled out currency devaluation “next year or at any other time in the foreseeable future”. An investment manager at Aberdeen Asset Management Andrew Stanners told Bloomberg that with only about $56 million in interest payments due, Barbados is unlikely to default on international debt this year. Instead, he said, the government will continue to rely on the Central Bank to print money, adding to levels of domestic debt. (Caribbean News)
ST JOHN’S, Antigua — The twin-island state Antigua and Barbuda has taken a leading role in terms of clean energy supply in the Caribbean. This leadership has been strengthened through the completion of 11 solar installations on the small private island Jumby Bay in the north of Antigua by the renewable energy provider PV Energy Limited. The implementation of ground- and roof-mounted solar systems with a total capacity of 404 kWp represents a crucial step towards a sustainable and economic energy supply for the island. The installation, with an expected annual energy production of 626 MWh, on Jumby Bay island has currently been completed, and currently 216.9 kWp of ground-mounted solutions and 186.82 kWp of rooftop installations contribute towards a cleaner power generation on the island, saving 438 tons of CO2 emissions per year. All the
installed systems have already exceeded the expected performance criteria and production benchmarks. The roof-mounted systems have been installed on different buildings, such as offices, workshops and a desalination plant in the center of the island. PV Energy supports the small island in becoming independent from expensive and polluting fossil fuels and to benefit from the excellent climatic conditions for generating solar energy.
Whilst PV Energy, within the scope of a 10 MWp clean energy project cluster, together with the government of Antigua and Barbuda, implements several small- to large-scale solar installations on the twin-island state, the UK-based clean energy provider also fosters the provision of solar solutions to private customers in order to promote the island’s target of becoming one of the most eco-friendly and reliable country in the whole of the Caribbean. (Caribbean News)
Antigua-Barbuda takes leading role in clean energy
VAT now on medicines Daily Nation - Pharmacies have been told that they must apply value added tax (VAT) to a host of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs that had escaped the tax for the past 20 years. That means consumers could be paying at least 17.5 per cent more for popular cough medicines such as Histal, asthma inhalers, and skin medications such as Calamine Lotion, as well as painkillers like Panadol, a pharmacist told the SUNDAY SUN. The directive was handed down by the Barbados Revenue Authority (BRA) at a meeting last Thursday attended by over 50 pharmacists and pharmacy owners. They were told that pharmaceutical retailers had been breaking the law since VAT was introduced in 1996, the pharmacist said.
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Monday March 13, 2017
Monday March 13, 2017
Kaieteur News
Rowley/Trump talks no comfort for Trini facing deportation
Ravi Ragbir, second right, after his check-in with Immigration and Customs Enforcement Thursday, in New York. PHOTOS: ANDREW JOYCE/MIC Trinidad Guardian - Having lived in the United States for the past 26 years, Trinidadian immigrant rights activist Ravi Ragbir says it is hard for him to conceive of having to rebuild his life in T&T if he gets deported from the US. But with his April checkin with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) New York City office looming, Ragbir may very well have to come back to T&T very soon. “I’m uncertain of what’s going to happen next month,” Ragbir told the Sunday Guardian on Friday during an interview. “I can make a life in Trinidad, but it’s hard to conceive living there. After being in the US for so long T&T seems kind of small. But it’s a beautiful country, we have lots to offer.” After being released from prison in 2006, Ragbir had been actively trying to reverse an order for his deportation that stemmed from a 2001 conviction of wire fraud while working as a loan processor for a mortgage lender. Ragbir has maintained his innocence saying that he was merely just an employee following the lender’s own rules. He was since granted a stay of removal, which prevents the Department of Homeland Security from carrying out a deportation. That stay was set to expire around March 2018. His lawyers were now actively working to have that conviction overturned, Ragbir revealed. His fight eased in 2011 when Obama-era policies saw low-level criminal offenders being allowed to stay in the country if they had already lived in the US for an extended period of time. All of that changed when US President Donald Trump adopted more aggressive
policies that saw anyone convicted of any crime becoming a priority, in addition to anyone ICE deemed to be a threat to public safety. Ragbir—director of the New Sanctuary Coalition, an organization that seeks to reform US immigration laws to promote fairness, social and economic justice—narrowly escaped deportation just last week when he checked in with ICE at their NYC offices. During that meeting, however, hundreds of supporters, immigrants rights activists and politicians—including the NYC Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito—rallied outside to support him. “We expect the same support next month. People have booked tickets from as far away as Philadelphia to come support me. Most of the people demonstrating are in the same space (situation) as well,” Ragbir said. The goal, according to Ragbir, was to keep families together. “I work toward helping them navigate this process with dignity to stop their deportation.” Ragbir also revealed that he was working with a Trinidadian woman whose Guyanese husband was picked up by ICE agents last week. “Some of our attorneys had to immediately try to get my colleague released. There is no respite for people fighting the system. One person gets out, another person is taken in,” Ragbir lamented. Regarding a recent conversation between Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and US President Trump, Ragbir dismissed it as something that should not give any comfort to Trinidadian immigrants living in the US.
Shameful! - Ministry Of Labour And Social Security…
Pays out more than $200M in unapproved uravel allowances The Gleaner - The Auditor general has recommended that the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) move to recover more than $200 million it paid in travel allowance to staff without approval. In a special report tabled in Parliament last week, the auditor general noted that the ministry was overly generous with travel allowances to some 60 per cent of the employees it paid, and even made toll payments to an employee without getting the green light to do so from the finance ministry. The auditor general has recommended that the ministry seeks to recover the money from the employees, and if that fails, the senior officers who approved the payments should be forced to return the money. “The MLSS did not obtain the requisite approval from the Ministry of Finance and Public Service to pay
travelling allowance to 367 (60 per cent) of the 609 officers in receipt of allowance,” read the report. “Nonetheless, MLSS paid travelling allowances to these employees, resulting in unauthorised payments totalling $203.1 million for the 2015-2016 financial year. “Our review also found that three employees were paid travelling allowances contrary to their letters of employment or contracts, resulting in overpayment of $5.4 million from January 2009 to May 2016,” the report continued. One staff member was paid travel allowance on a vehicle that had been transferred from him, resulting in $48,244.81 being paid to him between December 2015 and January 2016. Another staff member was paid $2.3 million in mileage and toll charges to attend work between June 2014 and January 2016, contrary to the Staff Orders of the Public Service.
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Monday March 13, 2017
Turkey’s Erdogan says Netherlands acting like a ‘banana republic’
People, holding a banner with a picture of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, shout slogans during a protest in front of the Dutch Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, early yesterday. REUTERS/Osman Orsal Reuters - President Tayyip Erdogan said yesterday the Netherlands was acting like a “banana republic” and should face sanctions for barring Turkish ministers from speaking in Rotterdam, fuelling a row over Ankara’s political campaigning abroad. Erdogan is looking to the large number of Turks living in Europe, especially in Germany and the Netherlands, to help secure victory next month in a referendum that would give the presidency sweeping new powers. In a speech in France, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu described the Netherlands as the “capital of fascism” as it joined other European countries in stopping Turkish politicians holding rallies, due to fears that tensions in Turkey might spill over into their expatriate communities. The Dutch government barred Cavusoglu from flying to Rotterdam on Saturday and later stopped Family Minister Fatma Betul Sayan Kaya from entering the Turkish consulate there, before escorting her out of the country to Germany.
Dutch police used dogs and water cannon yesterday to disperse hundreds of protesters waving Turkish flags outside the consulate in Rotterdam. Some threw bottles and stones and several demonstrators were beaten by police with batons, a Reuters witness said. Mounted police officers charged the crowd. The Dutch government - set to lose about half its seats in elections this week, according to polls, as the anti-Islam party of Geert Wilders makes strong gains - said the visits were undesirable and it would not cooperate in their campaigning. “I call on all international organisations in Europe and elsewhere to impose sanctions on the Netherlands,” Erdogan said, after his prime minister earlier said Turkey would retaliate in the “harshest ways”, without specifying how. “Has Europe said anything? No. Why? Because they don’t bite each other. The Netherlands are acting like a banana republic,” Erdogan said in a speech in Kocaeli province, near Istanbul.
Reuters - Aides to U.S. President Donald Trump yesterday attacked the credibility of the nonpartisan agency that will analyze the costs of a replacement for Obamacare, as the White House sought to quell opposition from many conservative Republicans. The Congressional Budget Office, which provides official estimates of the budget impact of proposed legislation, is expected to issue a report as soon as today that will assess the healthcare legislation put forward by Republican House of Representatives leaders. The report could influence sentiment toward a bill already under fire from Democrats and some Republicans, especially if it suggests the legislation would reduce the number of Americans with health coverage or worsen U.S. budget deficits. Republicans have long opposed Obamacare, formally called the Affordable Care Act, on the grounds it was government overreach and led to higher insurance premiums. The 2010 law, Democratic President Barack Obama’s signature legislation, provided 20 million previously uninsured Americans with health coverage. Trump has called Obamacare a “disaster” and made its repeal and replacement a key
campaign pledge. Several Republican lawmakers said yesterday the replacement bill was unacceptable in its current form, including conservative Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas, who said the plan could not pass the Senate and could put the Republican House majority at risk in 2018 congressional elections. “I believe it would have adverse consequences for millions of Americans and it wouldn’t deliver on our promises to reduce the cost of health insurance for Americans,” Cotton said. In a series of television interviews, White House budget director Mick Mulvaney and top White House economic adviser Gary Cohn said the CBO was focusing on the wrong metrics with the estimates it will provide on the number of people who are insured. Cohn and Mulvaney said the CBO should instead should analyze whether patients can actually afford to go to a doctor. “I love the folks at the CBO, they work really hard, they do, but sometimes we ask them to do stuff they’re not capable of doing, and estimating the impact of a bill of this size probably isn’t the - isn’t the best use of their time,” Mulvaney told ABC’s “This Week” programme.
Trump aides attack agency that will analyze health bill’s costs
Monday March 13, 2017
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Kaieteur News
NBA roundup: Westbrook triple double leads Thunder over Jazz (The Sports Xchange) Oklahoma City Thunder 112, Utah Jazz 104 OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — Russell Westbrook collected his 32nd tripledouble of the season to lead the Thunder to a 112-104 victory over the Utah Jazz Saturday at the Chesapeake Energy Arena. Westbrook posted 33 points, 14 assists and 11 rebounds to break a tie with Wilt Chamberlain (1967-68) for second place on the tripledouble list. Westbrook continues to average a tripledouble and lead the NBA in scoring. Oklahoma City is 266 in games he records a tripledouble. Victory Oladipo added 22 points on 8 of 15 shooting. Enes Kanter came off the bench to score 16 points while Taj Gibson finished with 15 points and six rebounds. Oklahoma City improved to 37-29. Detroit Pistons 112, New York Knicks 92 AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Tobias Harris poured in a season-high 28 points to lead the Detroit over fading New York. Andre Drummond notched his 45th doubledouble with 24 points and 15 rebounds and Reggie Jackson contributed 19 points and eight assists for Detroit, which has won four of its last five. Kristaps Porzingis had 18 points, six rebounds, four assists and six blocks to lead the Knicks, who have lost four of their last five. Los Angeles Clippers 112, Philadelphia Sixers 100 LOS ANGELES — Chris Paul scored a season-high 30
points and 11 rebounds and Dennis Schroder added 16 points to lead Atlanta to a victory over Memphis at FedExForum. The Hawks, coming off a six-game homestand, dealt the Grizzlies their fifth straight loss, a season-high futility streak. JaMychal Green led Memphis with 20 points and 11 rebounds and Mike Conley scored 16 points. Phoenix Suns 100, Dallas Mavericks 98 DALLAS — Devin Booker drilled a turnaround jumper at the buzzer to lift Phoenix to a victory over Dallas at American Airlines
Center. The Suns finished the game with an 8-2 kick to snap a two-game losing streak. Booker scored all eight points to finish with a game-high 36 on 12-of-20 shooting. For the Mavericks, it was a bitter pill to swallow in their season-ending playoff push. Dallas saw its season hightying four-game winning streak halted. San Antonio Spurs 107, Golden State Warriors 85 SAN ANTONIO — Patty Mills scored 21 points, all in the first half, to lead San Antonio to a victory over reeling Golden State at AT&T Center in a battle between the top teams in the NBA. The Spurs led by 20 points at halftime and was never threatened in the second half. The win pulled San Antonio within a halfgame of Golden State for the top record in the league and the Western Conference. Both teams were without their star players, either by plan or by injury. Milwaukee Bucks 102, Minnesota Timberwolves 95 MILWAUKEE — Once again, defence saved the day for Milwaukee, who extended its winning streak to a season-high six games with a victory over Minnesota at the Bradley Center. The Bucks recorded six defensive stops over the final 2:48 to hold off a Timberwolves team that trailed by one point to start the fourth quarter and erased a nine-point deficit to get within two on Ricky Rubio’s jumper with 2:49 to play. Minnesota made 7 of 22 shots in the final quarter and scored two points down the
proud to be part of this team,” Henao told reporters. BEAUTIFUL LOSER Contador, who says he’d rather be remembered as a beautiful loser than an ugly winner, was true to his swashbuckling style, launching a long-range attack in the penultimate climb of the day. Henao was quickly dropped and Contador’s lead grew past the minute. But in the final descent and on the flat ride to the finish in Nice, Henao received help from some BahreinMerida riders as he managed to reduce the gap. Contador was beaten in a two-man sprint by De La Cruz, which cost him four seconds in time bonuses, and eventually the overall win. “I panicked a little bit at
first, but then I just thought I had to ride like in a time trial,” said Henao. “We were all thinking about what happened last year when Geraint won. I was confident but obviously it was a close call.” It was a sweet victory for Henao, who had been voluntarily withdrawn from racing by Sky for three months in March 2014 after their own monitoring of his blood values and his out-ofcompetition tests showed some irregularities during his winter training block at high altitude in Colombia. He was withdrawn again in 2016 after concerns resurfaced about his biological data before being cleared by the UCI. Asked about the affair on Sunday, Henao said he had “no problem making his file public”.
Russell Westbrook collected his 32nd triple-double of the season to lead the Thunder to a 112-104 victory over the Utah Jazz Saturday at the Chesapeake Energy Arena. (File Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI ) points and DeAndre Jordan added 19 points and 20 rebounds as Los Angeles defeated Philadelphia. Los Angeles won its fourth game in its last five games. The victory was their 11th in their last twelve games against Philadelphia as they drew to within one game of the Utah Jazz for fourth place in the Western Conference. For Philadelphia, Richaun Holmes had a career-high 24 points and 10 rebounds with Dario Saric adding 16 points. Atlanta Hawks 107, Memphis Grizzlies 90 MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Taurean Prince scored 17 points, Paul Millsap had 16
Team Sky’s Henao survives Contador onslaught to win Paris-Nice NICE, FRANCE (Reuters) Sergio Henao survived yet another Alberto Contador onslaught to win Paris-Nice, giving under-pressure Team Sky their fifth title in six years in the Race to the Sun. The Colombian won by just two seconds, salvaging his yellow jersey in the final stage after Spaniard Contador (Trek Segafredo) pulled away 50km from the finish. Contador picked up two seconds in time bonuses at the intermediate sprint and another six by taking second place in the eighth stage behind compatriot David De La Cruz (Quick Step Floors). Henao, who started the day with a 31-second advantage over Contador, crossed the line 21 seconds after his rival. “I’m happy with my
performance. It was not easy because everybody knew that I would attack. However, it was a beautiful day of cycling,” Contador told reporters.Last year, Team Sky’s Geraint Thomas beat Contador by four seconds to win Paris-Nice. Sky have come under fire for failing to prove what was in a medical package ordered by a team doctor and delivered to Bradley Wiggins at the 2011 Criterium du Dauphine. Team Sky and British Cycling have both been subject of an investigation by UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) into allegations of wrongdoing in the sport. Both have denied any doping violations. “I dedicate this victory to the team, the staff... I am
stretch as Milwaukee hit 5 of 6 free throws to close out the victory. Miami Heat 104, Toronto Raptors 89 MIAMI — Dion Waiters scored 20 points as the Miami Heat — the hottest team in the NBA for nearly two months — cruised to a victory over Toronto at AmericanAirlines Arena. Miami improved to 21-4 since Jan. 17. Toronto is 1015 since Jan. 17. Heat point guard Goran Dragic had 15 points at the half but was elbowed by Toronto’s Cory Joseph 41 seconds into the third quarter and sat out the rest of the game because of a swollen right eye. New Orleans Pelicans 125, Charlotte Hornets 122 (OT) CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Anthony Davis celebrated his 24th birthday in style and New Orleans was the beneficiary. Davis erupted for 46 points and 21 rebounds and was at his best in the clutch, lifting the Pelicans to an overtime victory over Charlotte at the Spectrum Center. Davis scored 24 points in the fourth quarter and overtime, including nine straight points late in overtime. His three-point play with 1:11 remaining in overtime gave the Pelicans the lead for good at 119-118, and then he scored on drives on the Pelicans’ next two possessions. Cleveland Cavaliers 116, Orlando Magic 104 ORLANDO, Fla. — LeBron James did what he always does — dominate the game — but this time Cleveland followed his lead perfectly. James had 24 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds in
leading a well-balanced attack that beat Orlando Magic and snapped a troubling, three-game losing streak. James recorded his second consecutive tripledouble, his career-high ninth of the season and the 51st of his career. Washington Wizards 125, Portland Trail Blazers 124 (OT) PORTLAND, Ore. — Markieff Morris sank a 17foot baseline jump shot with .4 of a second remaining in overtime to give Washington a victory over Portland at Moda Center. John Wall scored 39 points for the Wizards, who won their fifth straight game. Bradley Beal had 26 points and Otto Porter 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Wizards, who rallied from a 21-point halftime deficit. CJ McCollum scored 34 points and Damian Lillard added 33 for the Trail Blazers, who saw the end to a fourgame winning streak. Denver Nuggets 105, Sacramento Kings 92 Gary Harris scored 24 points and Nikola Jokic recorded a double-double, leading Denver to a victory over Sacramento at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif. Jokic posted 20 points and 14 rebounds for the Nuggets, who have won three of their last four games. Danilo Gallinari scored 15 points. Jamal Murray came off the bench to score 14. Buddy Hield scored 17 points for the Kings, who have lost eight in a row. Ty r e k e E v a n s h a d 1 6 points off the bench. Willie Cauley-Stein scored 13 points and Kosta Koufos had 10 points and eight rebounds.
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Kaieteur News
Pospisil sends Murray packing at Indian Wells (Reuters) World number one Andy Murray was sent packing from the second round of the BNP Paribas Open on Saturday after losing 6-4 7-6(5) to Canadian qualifier Vasek Pospisil. Pospisil delivered the knockout punch in style, whipping a crosscourt winner on his fourth match point in front of the near capacity crowd at Indian Wells that included former boxing champion Mike Tyson. Pospisil, ranked 129th in the world, was rewarded for his aggressive approach, rushing the net whenever the opportunity arose and pouncing on Murray’s second serve. “I knew I was a long shot. I’ve played Andy four times and didn’t win a set,” the 26year-old told Tennis Channel. “I felt like I had the ability to (win) but to actually go through is a whole new thing. I tried to bring different tactics ... versus the other times I played him. “I didn’t want to give him the same look each time. I wanted to put pressure coming into the net, using my strength, which is my ability at the net and serving well.” Pospisil joked that his lowly current world ranking was due to a “mid-life crisis” that saw him endure a lean 2016, after he had made the Wimbledon quarter-finals in 2015. Earlier, Italian Fabi Fognini won a battle of expectant fathers when he beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-
Vasek Pospisil (CAN) hits a ball as he defeated Andy Murray (not pictured) in his 2nd round match in BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports) 6(4) 3-6 6-4. Unseeded Fognini survived a first-set tiebreak and a tense final set before upsetting the seventhseeded Frenchman in a match that stretched nearly two hours and 30 minutes in the blazing afternoon sun. “I am happy about my performance. It’s a good victory for sure,” Fognini told Tennis Channel after beating Tsonga for the first time in five career meetings. “Today was really hot so the ball was bouncing a lot. I love playing with sun and good weather.” Fognini considered himself fortunate even to make it to the second round. The Italian dropped the
first set to love and was down 5-2 in the second set of his first-round encounter with Russian Konstantin Kravchuk, before roaring back to win 0-6 7-5 6-4. “It is a crazy sport,” Fognini said. Fognini’s wife, 2015 U.S. Open champion Flavia Pennetta, is expecting a child in late May, while Tsonga is also set to become a father next month. In another upset on Saturday, Japanese world number 70 Yoshihito Nishioka beat Croatian veteran Ivo Karlovic 6-4 6-3, but seeds Dominic Thiem, David Goffin and Tomas Berdych won their matches to advance.
Sabina Park to celebrate 50th Test Match West Indies vs Pakistan April 21-25 St John’s, ANTIGUA — When West Indies line up against Pakistan at Sabina Park for the first Test of this year’s series in Kingston, April 21-25, it will be the 50th Test Match for one of the region’s most popular venues for cricket. Sabina Park, like Kensington Oval, is among two of the international venues which will have hosted 50 Test matches or more. The West Indies Cricket Board, in association with Kingston Cricket Club and Sabina Park Holdings through the support of the Jamaica Cricket Association, will be hosting a series of events during the match to celebrate the important milestone. A poster competition has been launched and is being circulated for participation among schools in Jamaica. The competition is for children/students 12 to 19 years of age. The theme is, ‘Sabina, how the past influences the future’. Among the other activities will be a fitting tribute to all the wonderful performances which have taken place at the park. Chief among them will be images of Garfield Sobers’ record 365* in 1958; George Headley’s 270* in 1935 and Ramnaresh Sarwan’s 261* in 2004. Those are among the best batting performances listed.
Bowling highlights will include the exploits of former fast bowler, Courtney Walsh, who tops the list with the highest number of wickets, 48, which he took between 1985 – 2001; Sir Wes Hall grabbed 35 during an eightyear period, 1960-1968; and the late Malcolm Marshall, 31, between 1981-1991. The celebration will include a mix of sport and entertainment activities to showcase how valuable cricket and Sabina Park have been to Jamaica since the first Test back in April 1930. JCA President Billy Heaven says “the milestone is an important one for the park and we think it could have not come at a better time, when the cricket industry is at a turning point towards more positive economic contributions. We are pleased to be hosting Pakistan on this milestone. We anticipate keen contest in the match and we look forward to support from the fans for the variety of activities we will have to mark this significant time in our history.” The full list of activities will be available to the public shortly. Tickets for the match will be available online in a week and at the gates, two weeks prior to the start of the match. (Jamaica Observer)
Monday March 13, 2017
Kerber sails, Venus outlasts Jankovic at Indian Wells (Reuters) Angelique Kerber, who will reclaim the world number one ranking on Monday, breezed to a 6-2 6-1 second-round victory over fellow German Andrea Petkovic at the BNP Paribas Open on Saturday. Second-seed Kerber broke Petkovic to open the match and needed only 58 minutes to claim the victory in glaring sunshine in the California desert. “It was not so easy (playing Petkovic),” said Kerber after the match. “We’ve known each other forever. It’s always tough to play against a friend.” Fourth seed Simona Halep also won Venus Williams (USA) during her emphatically, 6-4 6-1 over Donna Vekic. 2nd round match as she defeated Halep, the 2015 champion, broke her Croatian opponent no fewer than seven times. Jelena Jankovic (not pictured) in the “My serve is not that big but I like to BNP Paribas Open at the Indian return. I’m really proud of it,” Romanian Halep Wells Tennis Garden. (Jayne Kaminsaid. “I’m not very powerful but I have a little Oncea-USA TODAY Sports) bit the technique and the angles. I love this Former world number one Caroline place. I have great results here.” While Kerber and Halep won in quick Wozniacki also advanced, the 13th seeded fashion, American 12th seed Venus Williams Dane turning back qualifier Magda Linette of beat Serbian Jelena Jankovic in a dramatic Poland 6-3 6-0. battle between former world number ones. Jankovic raced through the first set and seemed poised for an upset, but the second set tiebreak proved pivotal, as Williams survived, staving off three match points en route to a 1-6 7-6(5) 6-1 victory. “It ain’t over til’ it’s over, and I didn’t see no fat lady singing,” said Williams, who played with her left thigh heavily strapped. Another American, ninth seed Madison Keys, made a winning return in her 2017 debut, triumphing 6-1 7-5 over Mariana Duque-Marino of Colombia. Keys missed the Australian Open in January while recovering from wrist Angelique Kerber (GER) hits during her second surgery. round match against Andrea Petkovic (not “It felt really good,” Keys said. “I really, really missed pictured) in the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian competing and being able to Wells Tennis Garden. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA go out there and get a win on TODAY Sports) top of it was amazing.”
Smith, Samuels shine as Cantons lift title MONG KOK, Hong Kong, CMC – Opener Dwayne Smith stroked an up tempo halfcentury while Marlon Samuels produced a solid all-round performance, as Kowloon Cantons won the Hong Kong T20 Blitz by thrashing City Kaitak by 25 runs in the final here yesterday. Opting to bat first at Mission Road Ground, Cantons piled up an overwhelming 222 for five off their 20 overs with captain Babar Hayat top-scoring with 76 off 40 balls and Smith weighing in with 68 off 43. Samuels kept the sustained the tempo of the innings with 32 off 21 deliveries. Hayat, a prolific ODI batsman for Hong Kong, slammed nine fours and four sixes as he posted 149 for the first wicket with former Barbados and West Indies right-hander Smith who belted four fours and five sixes. When the pair were dismissed within 12 balls of each other, Samuels stepped up to blast two fours and two sixes as he put on a further 52 for the third wicket with Ashar Zaidi who ended on 24 not out.
Barbados-born England all-rounder Chris Jordan finished with one for 44 from an expensive four-over spell while Trinidad and Tobago all-rounder Rayad Emrit went wicketless from his four overs. In reply, City Kaitak made a good fist of it but the target proved out of their reach, as they were bowled out for 197 with two balls remaining in the innings. Opener Kyle Coetzer led with an astonishing 63 for 36 deliveries, including a four and seven sixes, while Trinidad and West Indies left-hander Nicholas Pooran produced a cameo 28 from 15 balls with two fours and two sixes. Both Jordan (7) and Emrit (4) failed to make an impression with the bat. Samuels turned in another strong performance with the ball, taking two for 30 from four overs. In the first game – the final one of the preliminaries – Jordan (3-16) and Emrit (3-26) both claimed three-wicket hauls as City Kaitak beat Samuel Badree’s Hong Kong Island United by 50 runs.
Monday March 13, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Barca stunned by defeat at Deportivo Warner shelves switch-hit due to
apparent misinterpretation of law
Deportivo’s Alex Bergantinos (right) celebrates after scoring their second goal. (REUTERS/Miguel Vidal) BARCELONA (Reuters) Barcelona were in danger of being toppled from the top of La Liga standings yesterday after they suffered a shock 2-1 defeat at lowly Deportivo La Coruna. Four days after their heroic 6-1 Champions League win over Paris St Germain, Luis Enrique’s men could end the weekend knocked off their lofty perch if second-placed Real Madrid, who trail Barca by a point, beat Real Betis in Sunday’s late kickoff. Former Real Madrid youth trainee Joselu gave Deportivo a deserved lead in the 40th minute after an error from Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen although Luis Suarez restored parity in the 46th with a powerful drilled effort. Depor defender Alex Bergantinos headed Deportivo back in front in the 74th minute and Barca, who were without Neymar through a thigh injury and clearly missed the Brazilian’s
creative impetus, failed to react. Suarez was denied a second equaliser by a brilliant save from Deportivo goalkeeper German Lux and suffered a first defeat in 20 league games since they were beaten 4-3 at Celta Vigo, also in Galicia, on Oct. 2. Barca top of the standings with 60 points. Real also have an extra game in hand on Barca. Depor went into the game one place above the relegation zone but are on the rise under new coach Pepe Mel, who has now taken eight points in four games since succeeding the sacked Gaizka Garitano last month. The Galicians were far from intimidated by Barca’s recent run of scoring 17 goals in their previous three outings, and did not allow the champions to settle. Joselu fired a venomous shot at goal in the first real attempt for either side, forcing an outstanding save from Ter Stegen to force a corner.
ESPNcricinfo - David Warner is among the few batsmen in the world capable of successfully executing a switch-hit. It was an option he could have used against R Ashwin in Bengaluru, when the offspinner bowled over the wicket to him, targeting the rough outside his leg stump. Warner, however, has said he chose not to try it not because of the inherent risk involved, but due to an apparent misunderstanding of the lbw law. Ashwin has dismissed Warner nine times in Test cricket, including twice in Bengaluru. During a media interaction on Saturday, a journalist asked Warner if he was thinking of using the switchhit as a way to combat him. “Yeah, the last Test I was contemplating that,” Warner said. “I tried to play a reversesweep. The only concern for me was the variable bounce, that’s always the challenging thing because if you miss that and you switch-hit, you can still be given out lbw, but if you reverse-sweep, you can’t, so you’ve got to be careful.” Unlike the reverse-sweep, the switch hit involves the batsman changing his grip on the bat handle as well as reversing his stance, after the bowler has begun his run-up. In May 2012, the ICC mulled a change in the lbw law, wherein a batsman attempting a switch-hit could be given
out lbw even if the ball pitched outside his leg stump. No such law change, however, has been passed since, with the MCC ruling in May 2013 that the switch-hit should remain a legitimate part of the game, with some leeway afforded to bowlers in limited-overs cricket with regards to wide balls. As the lbw law currently stands, the batsman cannot be given out lbw if the ball has pitched outside his leg stump. The law also defines the off - and leg - side of the batsman’s wicket as being “determined by the striker’s stance at the moment the ball comes into play for that delivery”. The ball, according to Appendix D of the MCC’s Laws, comes into play when “the bowler starts his run up or, if he has no run up, his bowling action”. This means that the definitions of leg side and off side will not change if a batsman changes his grip
David Warner gives the ball a chase, © Getty Images and reverses his stance after the bowler has begun his run-up. Warner, in effect, could not have been given out had he tried switch-hitting Ashwin in Bengaluru, missed, and been struck on the pad, so long as the ball pitched outside his leg stump.
Spurs’ Aldridge out indefinitely with heart arrhythmia
NZ vs. S.Africa 1st test drawn after final day washout
It was a bleak picture on the final morning in Dunedin, New Zealand v South Africa, 1st Test, Dunedin, 5th day, ©AFP (Reuters) The first test between New Zealand and South Africa ended in a draw yesterday after heavy rain washed out the fifth and final day’s play in Dunedin, leaving both sides frustrated at losing the chance to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. The match had been delicately poised entering the final day with South Africa 224 for six in the second innings, a lead of 191 runs, with captain Faf du Plessis on 56 and Vernon Philander on one at University Oval. Heavy rain that began early on Sunday, however, ensured a delayed start and
after the scheduled lunch break was taken at 1 p.m. (0000 GMT), umpires Kumar Dharmasena and Bruce Oxenford decided there was no chance of any play. “I think the game was shaping up quite nicely for all three results,” New Zealand captain Kane Williamson said. “The game was certainly in the balance and it’s just a shame not to get any play today. “But it’s nice going into the second match with both teams having played some good cricket.” New Zealand will enter the second match at
Wellington’s Basin Reserve without batting stalwart Ross Taylor, who tore his calf muscle during the first innings, while left arm pace bowler Trent Boult is under an injury cloud. “It’s a real shame to lose Ross, our premier batter, but therein lies an opportunity for someone else,” Williamson added. “(Trent) does have a little niggle but we don’t know how serious it is yet. He will travel with us to Wellington and hopefully he will recover. He is a big player for us.” Du Plessis felt his side could also have won the game
had they set New Zealand a target of about 250 runs in 60 overs. “It was set up to be a great finish,” du Plessis said. “We were looking to get about another 50 or 60 runs and on this wicket the ball is turning nicely and (left-arm spinner) Keshav (Maharaj) got five in the first innings. “The nature of the wicket was you could either get wickets quickly or it’s slow scoring and we were favouring our chances because Ross was not going to bat and Trent was injured.” South Africa’s opening batsman Dean Elgar, who scored 140 in the first innings and 89 in the second, was named man of the match. The second game in Wellington starts on March 16, before the third match at Seddon Park in Hamilton begins on March 25. Scores: South Africa 308 & 224-6: Elgar 89, Du Plessis 56 not out; New Zealand 341: Williamson 130, Raval 52, Watling 50, Maharaj 5-95. Result: Match Drawn.
San Antonio Spurs power forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) shoots the ball over Houston Rockets power forward Ryan Anderson (3) during the first half at AT&T Center. (Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports) (The Sports Xchange) - Key forward LaMarcus Aldridge of the San Antonio Spurs is out indefinitely because of a minor heart arrhythmia, the team announced on Saturday. “All parties have concluded that at the current time it is best for Aldridge to refrain from play until further tests and examinations are completed,” the Spurs said in a press release. The 6-foot-11, 260-pound Aldridge, a five-time All-Star, has the Spurs’ second leading averages in both scoring (17.3) and rebounding (7.4). At the end of his rookie NBA season when he was with the Portland Trail Blazers, Aldridge was diagnosed in April 2007 with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, which is an abnormality that can cause a rapid heartbeat. He underwent a procedure to fix the problem and missed the final nine games of the season. Four years later, he underwent the same procedure and missed time at the start of the 2011-12 season when there was a recurrence of his condition. The Spurs are already without forward Kawhi Leonard, their leading scorer, because of a concussion.
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Fireworks expected on the Corentyne highway today
Marlon Williams (centre back row), Robin Persaud and Raul Leal along with Director of Sports Christopher Jones and Errol Alphonso at the last presentation. It is expected to be fireworks from the start and a ding dong battle is in the making as all is set for the fourth annual Benjamin Cycle road race. The event, which is being sponsored by overseas based former National cycling champion Wilbert Benjamin, will also mark the opening of the Benjamin Fitness Gym and the Benjamin Car wash to compliment the Benjamin Sports Store which was opened a few years ago. The cycling season is in top gear at the moment with a number of cyclists dominating. With the lucrative prizes on offer all the top cyclist in the Country are expected to throng to Berbice. The 50 miles affair is expected to pedal off at
Monday March 13, 2017
Kaieteur News
10:00hrs from in front of the Benjamin Sports Store at Lot 220 Courtland Village, Corentyne, Berbice, proceed to the No.51 Police station before returning to its place of origin. The race which is organised by the Flying Ace Cycling Club (FACC) is expected to be a grueling affair, as the riders continue to look for the early advantage into the cycling season. 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 finishing line. There will also be special races for mountain bike riders, while the BMX riders will also be showing off their mettle. There will be eight sprint point prizes up for grabs, plus
Regal Sports Softball rescheduled for March 26 The Regal Sport softball tournament that was scheduled to commence on March 19 will now bowl off on March 26. The tournament will be contested in the Open and Over45 categories with the Open being played on a 15-over basis, while the Over-45 will be of 20 overs duration. The small supreme balls will be used for the Open and the white balls will be used for the Over-45 segment and no entrance fee is required. Preliminary matches are set for Everest, GNICSC and DCC with the umpires calling play at 09:30 hrs. The winning teams in each category will take home a trophy and $100,000 and second place a trophy and $25,000. Outstanding teams from this tournament will be selected to compete in the upcoming President’s Cup. Regal Sports, which is a member of the Regal Stationery and Computer Centre, sells sports equipment and the entity would from time to time give back to young athletes so as to enhance their talent. For more information teams can contact Mahendra Hardyal on 623 2704 or 610 7902 or Russell Jadbeer 225 4802.
special incentives. 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. Marlon “Fishy” Williams is the defending Champion, while Orville Hinds has won the event twice and Michael Anthony once. Apart from the cycling action, there will be different categories of road races on the day. Boxing will also be staged while there will also be other novelty events and lots of giveaways. The fitness gym is well equipped with all the modern training equipment including exercise bikes, treadmills, weighting lifting machines, electrical step up machines, dumbbells, and cardio machines among other equipment. The gym will be opened on a daily basis and everyone is welcome to join. The car wash is expected to provide the best and cheapest prices in the area, while certain concessions will be given to patrons who request special packages. Benjamin, a native of Berbice, was a former national cyclist who represented Guyana at both the junior and senior levels. He also won the national school championship on three consecutive occasions. He still rides in his adopted home land of Canada where he operates a sports store. He is expected to be among the riders today. The presentation ceremony will be held immediately after the completion of the event. (Samuel Whyte)
Round-up Regional 4-day cricket – 3rd day, 6th round
Reifer five-wicket haul puts Jaguars in sight of win KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – All-rounder Raymon Reifer picked the ideal time to grab his second first class five-wicket haul, as he undermined leaders Jamaica Scorpions and put reigning champions Guyana Jaguars in pole position to take victory on the final day of their sixth round clash in the Regional four-day championship here Sunday. Playing on the penultimate day of the contest at Sabina Park, the left-arm seamer claimed five for 60 to send Scorpions tumbling for an inadequate 188 in their second innings. Left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul supported with three for 40. Left with 182 for victory, Jaguars reached the close on 79 for two – still 103 runs drift of their target heading into Monday’s final day. Shimron Hetmyer stroked a typically flashy 42, striking five fours and a six in a 45ball knock to give the innings a handy start. He put on 30 for the first wicket with captain Leon Johnson (10) after Tagenarine Chanderpaul retired hurt before he had scored. Hetmyer then dominated a 49-run, second wicket partnership with Vishaul Singh (13 not out) before perishing the day’s final over. Scorpions had earlier resumed the day on 61 for one but suffered a terrible batting collapse to lose their last nine wickets for 114 runs. Permaul accounted for overnight batsmen Jermaine Blackwood (36) and Chadwick Walton (12) but Reifer was at the centre of the batting malaise, taking five of the last six wickets to fall. Devon Thomas hit 32 and Brandon King, 22, the pair
Left-arm seamer Raymon Reifer … took his second five-wicket haul. adding 35 for the sixth wicket but it was not enough to stave off the collapse. Scores: JAMAICA SCORPIONS 255 (Chadwick Walton 101, Brandon King 30, Jermaine Blackwood 29, Devon Thomas 26; Keon Joseph 753) and 188 (Jermaine Blackwood 37, Devon Thomas 32, John Campbell 26, Brandon King 22; Raymon Reifer 5-60, Veerasammy Permaul 3-40). GUYANA JAGUARS 262 (Shimron Hetmyer 74, Tagenarine Chanderpaul 58, Shiv Chanderpaul 57, Raymon Reifer 28, Nikita Miller 4-69, Andre McCarthy 3-18) and 79 for two (Shimron Hetmyer 42). Meanwhile, in other action - BRIDGETOWN, Barbados,– Leeward Islands Hurricanes, following on by 150 runs on first innings, reached 16 for four in their second innings on the second day of their sixth round match in the Regional four-day championship at Kensington Oval here yesterday. Scores: PRIDE 313 (Shamarh Brooks 63, Roston
Chase 49, Jonathan Carter 46, Kevin Stoute 41, Justin Greaves 38, Jomel Warrican 32; Alzarri Joseph 5-42, Gavin Tonge 3-29, Nkrumah Bonner 246). HURRICANES 163 all out (Nkrumah Bonner 70, Jason Campbell 39 not out; Kemar Roach 3-29, Miguel Cummins 3-34, Kevin Stoute 2-29) and 16 for four. And - Windward Islands Volcanoes set 375 for victory by Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, were 68 for one at the close on the penultimate day of their sixth round match in the Regional four-day championship at the National Stadium here yesterday. Scores: RED FORCE 275 (Yannic Cariah 102 not out, Steven Katwaroo 59, Khary Pierre 50, Isaiah Rajah 29; Kyle Mayers 4-24, Sherman Lewis 3-53) and 203 for five decl. (Kyle Hope 105 not out, Yannic Cariah 47, Isaiah Rajah 30). VOLCANOES 104 all out (Shane Shillingford 34, Kyle Mayers 31; Sheldon Cottrell 3-30, Marlon Richards 2-14) and 68 for one (Devon Smith 41 not out, Taryck Gabriel 24 not out).
Berbice U19 Volleyball team suffers mixed fortune so far in Trinidad The touring Berbice Volleyball Association (BVA) Squad although experiencing mixed fortunes on the trip to Trinidad so far, has impressed most of those who have seen them play. The team is under the guidance of National Coach and former Nation Captain Levi Nedd. Nedd who is also the President of the BVA is doubling up as the manager coach. The team has played three matches so far losing two and winning one. Their losses coming against a senior combination, while they demolished a club team in their other encounter. The BVA U19 squad, which is made up of mostly players from the Guysuco Training Center, has been performing fantastically over the years in various encounters and helped Guyana to win the last Inter Guiana Games Volleyball competition. In the first encounter they went down to a
senior combined team 2-1 in three enthralling encounters. The scores were 25-15, 22-25 and 25-22. The BVA U19 team took some time before settling in to the strange atmosphere as all the games were played indoors. Guyana seldom plays indoor volleyball. In their second game they demolished a senior club team 2-0. The scores were 25-03 and 25-18. The final games were again played against a senior combination and saw the teams engaging in a thrilling affair with the Trinidadians winning 2-1. They scores were 25-15, 29-31 and 23-23. The combined team was made up of player’s ages 25-28 years. The matches were played at Chaguaramas. The team was expected to play next at the UWI Campus in St. Augustine. The team is expected to return home tomorrow. (Samuel Whyte)