Skip to main content

Kaieteur News

Page 1

Wednesday March 15, 2017

Can Minister Jordan explain what he means? DEAR EDITOR, I refer to Minister of Finance, Mr. Winston Jordan’s letter that was published in your February 18 edition titled “Minister Jordan clarifies on the issue of VAT on private education”, and with particular to reference to excerpt “But, is the solution the complete removal of the VAT or to find creative ways to overcome it? One such solution is the absorption of the 14% VAT by GT&T”. The last statement in my interpretation is quite clear, which is that GTT will absorb the 14% VAT that subscribers have to pay. Is my interpretation wrong, and if it’s wrong what does the Minister mean? I retrieved recently, online, bills for my landline, DSL and cell phone services from GTT, and in all 3 bills, there is an addon cost under “total taxes” which when computed is 14% on the “total new charges”. I need to know, and maybe like other consumers, where is the VAT that is absorbed by GT&T, and if the Minister meant that GTT will not absorb it, I need to be edified on what “creative ways” must I adopt “to overcome it”? Business consultant

Extending the retirement age of public servants DEAR EDITOR, Sir, I pen this letter with regards to the promise made by His Excellency David Granger after he would have assumed the office of Presidency on May 11, 2015. He said that at age fifty-five persons are still young enough to work, so he will consider extending the retirement age to sixty years. We were very happy to hear this but to date some public servants like myself are still awaiting this promise. Some of us really need our jobs since we have commitment to the banks and other places. In my case I am due to retire this year and am

now preparing to build my home. The Ministry of Housing took many years to grant me a piece of land. The banks have refused to grant loans, as, in my case, because I cannot assure them of reemployment. I am presently employed but as I mentioned, I cannot be certain of re-employment with the said organization. Also, for one to acquire a loan that person would have to be employed for two consecutive years. I will be happy if His Excellency can look into the plight of persons at age fiftyfive and fulfill his promise. O. Andrews

New Amsterdam Secondary School has problems DEAR EDITOR, It is with great concern that this letter is penned to highlight a few issues that are damaging to what was once the top secondary school in Region Six. The New Amsterdam Secondary School has now become a household name that brings distaste to the mouth and minds of parents, students, ex-students, the community and even teachers. One issue that is destroying this wonderful institution is the relationship between two of the most senior in the school. They cannot find level ground to work together. Decisions made by the Headmaster, Board of Governors and even the Ministry of Education Region Six are ‘thrown out’ by another person which leads to chaos and confusion throughout the school term. The relationship between many seniors and other teachers can be described as

depressing. Teachers are now unhappy, uncomfortable, demotivated and disgusted working in these conditions. This highlights the second issue; the high rate of student transfers out of the school to less qualified schools. This is not only happening because of the issue highlighted but because a certain staff member (not the Head) shows favoritism among students and staff, and even among parents. The next reason for the high transfer rate is the amount of money solicited from students on a regular basis. Lastly there is no financial accountability in activities/ projects of school in and out of the Region. We are pleading with the relevant authorities to fix this situation before only the shell of the school remains. Concerned parents Patricia Gomes, Shane Williams, Gregory Smith

PAGE 5

Kaieteur News

GuySuCo’s performance has been a failure under the present management DEAR EDITOR, Reference is made to KN article of March 4th, 2017 “Sugar’s future to be considered by National Assembly” which speaks to a “white paper” or plan for Guysuco to be presented to Parliament. Editor, this is pure political theatrics being displayed by Government because a plan for the Corporation is in implementation stage at this moment. The plan being implemented was formulated by GuySuCo’s CEO and fittingly nicknamed by GuySuCo’s Chairman, the “Errol Hanoman’s Plan”. Essentially, it is to shrink Guysuco to a production of 150,000 tonnes sugar per annum, divest Skeldon and

grow other crops and rear livestock at Wales, East Demerara and Rose Hall Estates. This is exactly what is being implemented at this moment and Guysuco’s ceremonial Board of Directors is charged with monitoring the progress of the implementation of the plan. From announcements made by Guysuco, GAWU, Government and the Opposition, and from daily realities, it is confirmed that Hanoman’s plan is fully at work. His scalpel has already sliced the livelihoods of 1,700 employees and 850 cane farmers at Wales and is being sharpened to slit another 3,500 to 4,000 livelihoods at East Demerara and Rose Hall Estates. While my fellow

citizens of Wales are faced with a survival crisis and a similar one looms for East Demerara and Rose Hall, Guysuco’s CEO pocked approximately $5.2 million per month in salary plus other benefits. In just 20 months of his management, Guysuco’s CEO delivered to Government (1) lowest annual production in twenty-five years; (2) a highcost executive team from the past; (3) increased unemployment; (4) volatile industrial relations climate, (5) highest operational cost in recent times, and (6) an embarrassment for diversification at Wales. In 2013, our Honourable Vice President and Minister of Public Security made these comments (KN, May 24th

2013) “It is time to turn the Board of GuySuCo on its head since it is clear they do not know what it takes to lead GuySuCo. The AFC demands the firing of the entire Guysuco Board forthwith. It is clear that the Board of Directors at Guysuco has zero sympathy for the industry and the plight of the workers. Among them are greedy and self-interested persons who believe that because they are friends of the PPP, they can live the high life off the sweat of the poor man and abandon the one thing that would turnaround GuySuCo… good quality cane.” I now ask our Minister of Public Security, how does reality in 2017 aligns with his comments in 2013? Sookram Persaud

Four Pillars for Guyana’s Development Strategy DEAR EDITOR; I have three dreams for Guyana, the first, is for the country to become the ‘Singapore of South America’, the second, is for us to have a more cohesive and inclusive society and the third, is to see the bottom of the drains in Georgetown – basically for us to have a proper sanitation programme. On September 20, 2013, in one of my letters titled “Guyana should become the ‘Singapore’ of South America”, I had proposed some points for the country to become the Regional Singapore over a 20 year period - 2012 to 2032, however, in this letter, I wish to further build on that framework. I am aware that the Government is currently focusing on a development agenda around a Green Economy, however, I do believe that this is still a narrow focus for a medium to long term development strategy; as such, I would like to propose that the national development strategy be built around four themes/ pillars – a Green Economy, an Agrarian Society, a Blue Economy and a Serviceoriented Economy. I would not elaborate on the ‘Green Economy’ since the government is already rolling out its programme around this and in a fairly satisfactory way. However, a fundamental point to note is that the ‘Green Economy’ is essentially placing an economic value on one aspect of our resource, the environment, there is scope, however, to broaden the development focus. I know that there is a lot being done already under these themes

but I wish to emphasize, a comprehensive, well coordinated and coherent way. To a large extent Guyana is still very much an agrarian society or an agricultural society, however, I will limit my comments on this to merely point out that there is still scope for this area to be developed as a national development theme where the individuals, institutions and society as a whole are mobilized around it as a national business/theme/ pillar and strategically linked to the other three pillars.. The third theme/pillar around which the national development strategy can revolve, is the ‘Blue Economy’. The blue economy simply refers to the use of water and its resources for sustainable economic development .In this context a business model can be created around the ‘Blue Economy’ which can possibly add to our economic activity. The blue economy concept has placed water resources as development spaces through which economic growth can be attained. With Guyana being the ‘land of many waters’ with extensive supplies of ground and surface water, can we in a very strategic and scientific way, explore the possibilities around developing a business model using our water resource. I have been a part of the International water and sanitation sector for the past fourteen years over

which time there has been many debates, discussions, publications, etc. around water management, water stress, water scarcity, water conflicts, water risk, even water wars,. The World Resources Institute has listed 36 top countries facing water stress; among these countries are seven from the Caribbean Region. For example, about 10 years ago some of my colleagues were joking about Guyana exporting water to countries like Israel. The question is: Are there opportunities immediately or in the medium and long term for Guyana to be more competitive using the ‘Blue Economy’ concept. Singapore has a highly developed trade-oriented market economy which is basically built on two pillars; education and trade, hence the fourth theme/ pillar that I would like to propose for our national development strategy; is a ‘Serviceoriented Economy’. The time has come for a serviceoriented economy to become a part of our national development strategy in a comprehensive way. Guyana is the only English speaking country on the South American mainland; there are an estimated 626 million Latin American population next door to us with a combined nominal Gross Domestic Products (GDP) of 5,573,397 million USD and a GDP Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) of 7,531,585 million

USD; can we tap in more to this economic space? Of course, one of the key barriers is language; therefore it has to be a part of the national strategy for Spanish to become a compulsory second language. I am aware that the Ministry of Education has announced that a programme is being implemented; nevertheless, my view is that it needs to be implemented more aggressively. With a service-oriented focus, institutions such as the Carnegie School of Home Economics and the general school system becomes critical at this stage to aid in the development of the level of readiness but also preparedness of the society. India is the fastest and largest growing economy in the world with its GDP as follows: 2015 +7.40%, 2016 +7.80%,2017 +8.00%,20142017 GDP the Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR): +7.57%. In November, 2016, I was in Mumbai with a water and Continued on page 6


Wednesday March 15, 2017

Western political circles and media want to demonize Russia DEAR EDITOR; In an interview with CNN’s Fareed Zakaria broadcast on Sunday, Vladimir Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov addressed new round of Western media campaign against Russia including speculations on supposed involvement in US elections and false accusations against Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. Dmitry Peskov denied any collaboration between the Russian government and President Donald Trump’s campaign, and said the U.S. is humiliating itself with its obsession over Russian meddling. “The answer is very simple. No,” Dmitry Peskov told Fareed Zakaria when asked about Russians colluding with Trump’s allies last year. “We sincerely cannot understand why American people and American politicians started the process of self-humiliation. You’re self-humiliating yourself, saying that a country can intervene in your election process,” he said, adding that it would be “simply impossible” for the Kremlin to easily influence an election of “the most powerful country in the world” with its “very, very stable political traditions.” Dmitry Peskov argued that US special agencies report about Russian interference in US elections

contains any trustful evidence. “I would humbly say that it’s not a paper of high quality, in terms of being really trustful.” Another proof showing that these accusations are false is the fact that Vladimir Putin has never voiced support for then-presidential candidate Trump. “You would probably recall that President Putin, during election campaign, had never answered directly a question about his candidate of his support. He kept saying that we will respect a choice of American people,” Dmitry Peskov stated. Dmitry Peskov also said there is nothing special in the Russian Ambassador discussing bilateral ties with some members of Donald Trump’s electoral campaign team. Sergey Kislyak talked to Trump campaign team members and future US administration officials “about the bilateral relations and… about what was going on in the United States” to provide Moscow with a better understanding of the situation on the ground, the Spokesman said. He also noted that “every Ambassador of Russia abroad” works just like “every Ambassador of the US abroad, including [the one] in Moscow, because the more Ambassador talks to people in his country of residence,

Is Help and Shelter a charity body or quasi govt. organization? DEAR EDITOR; Monday Feb 27 edition of KN carried an article on page 25, showing a number of business persons appearing with the Director of Sports to sponsor some fantastic event to raise funds for charity. Among the charities is Help & Shelter, Ruimveldt Children Home. I am not here to question the bona fides of both, but since when is Help & Shelter a charity, is it not a quasi-government organization. If H&S has to depend on do-gooders, how will it be able to provide effectively to all the battered women it is supposed to help and provide shelter to the victims of brutes and inhuman males? Tuesday Feb 28, KN carried a front page article showing the Minister of Infrastructure digging out concrete with his shoes at the one billion dollars Kato

secondary school. The Minister may have worn his iron tipped shoes that day, and he has to be a very strong man to so do. Did not the press carry an article some time ago, under the caption beware of Greeks bearing gifts; where someone stated that Government must be careful of accepting gifts from…. Did the article say business people? Hafiz Rahman

PAGE 7

Kaieteur News

the better job he does.” Dmitry Peskov emphasized that the Russian Ambassador also held conversations with some members of Hillary Clinton’s campaign team. “If you look at some people connected with Hillary Clinton during her campaign, you would probably see that he had lots of meetings of that kind,” he said. At the same time, he repeated that the Russian envoy has never spoken with any US officials about the electoral process and had no intention to interfere in the 2016 election process: “there were no meetings about elections — electoral process. Earlier Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Maria Zakharova said that Russian Ambassador’s meetings and talks with US officials were carried out in full accordance with Article 3 of Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, stating that diplomatic missions functions include “negotiating with the Government of the receiving State; ascertaining by all lawful means conditions and developments in the receiving State, and reporting thereon to the Government of the sending State”. Dmitry Peskov expressed growing frustration with continuing attempts by certain Western political circles and media to demonize Russia. “If you load the public opinion with a huge burden of fake news, if you repeat every day numerous times that Russia is guilty of everything, everything goes wrong. We sincerely want this hysteria to come to its logical end.” He stressed that with demonizing Russia the whole situation takes us away from the perspective of getting our relationship to a better condition. Aleksei Illiuviev Press Attache Russian Embassy in Guyana

Cabinet tells City Hall to suspend parking meters for three months …Company to take matter to court

Communities Minister, Ronald Bulkan

Parking meters will be suspended for three months The parking meter project has been halted for three months as a result of a Cabinet decision yesterday. Government sources have confirmed that the matter had engaged Cabinet’s attention for a number of weeks and a decision has been made. According to information received yesterday, Cabinet asked Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, to inform the Georgetown Mayor and City Council to place the project on hold for three months and to use the period to engage stakeholders, particularly the protesters who for six weeks have called for the revocation of the project. In light of this decision, the company, Smart City Solutions who signed the contract with City Hall to implement paid parking, will not sit idly by for three months. A source close to the company said that if the suspension goes into effect, Smart City Solutions will take

the matter to court. The six protests in-front of City Hall were organised by the apolitical group, Movement Against Parking Meters. It is expected that City Hall will issue a statement on the issue today. It was only last week that Minister of State Joseph Harmon said during a post Cabinet press conference that government wants to see more consultations being done about the project. Harmon said, “I can say to you that it is in fact a matter which cabinet is concerned about; that cabinet basically believes that we should continue to have consultation with stakeholders so that we can arrive at a position that is beneficial to all parties.” He said that at the appropriate time, once the government is satisfied with all of the information before it, then a decision would be made in relation to City Hall

Mayor of Georgetown, Patricia Chase Green

Town Clerk, Royston King itself since the contract is between the municipality and SCS, a private investor. The action comes months after public outcry began Continued on page 12


PAGE 8

Wednesday March 15, 2017

Kaieteur News

Govt. welcomes scrutiny from corruption watchdogs – Ramjattan The public interest scrutiny into the affairs and decision of government were on Saturday lauded for its contribution to maintaining democracy. Recognising the need and benefit of such scrutiny was Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan who said that Guyana would be halfbaked if such ‘watchdogs’ are not effective. Ramjattan made these remarks in the feature address at the Annual Fund-Raising Dinner for Transparency Institute Guyana Incorporated (TIGI) at the Pegasus Hotel. Ramjattan said that corruption destabilizes and makes insecure the whole society, destroys institutions and values of democracy. “It involves the illicit acquisition of wealth by a few to the detriment of thousands and even millions… Corruption has a capacity to seep into the judiciary of many countries too. A report examining the Judiciary in 48 countries found that judicial corruption was pervasive in 30.” According to Ramjattan knowing all of this and being concerned with allegations of corrupt behaviour and maladministration of state agencies caused the government, after taking office, to authorise 49 forensic audits, five of which are still to be completed. He said that the results have confirmed the allegations of corruption and maladministration which lead to the reports being reviewed by Cabinet and made available to the public on the Ministry of Finance’s website. “Further, Cabinet decided that in those Forensic Audit Reports which required action to be taken by the respective Boards, such action must be taken by those Boards. And where criminality was suspected, those must be taken to the Commissioner of Police.” Ramjattan explained that it is the

Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan responsibility of the respective Boards to oversee the implementation of the recommendations of the Auditors which involved the reviewing and tightening of systems and procedures. However, the Minister said that TIGI can help in making an unbiased assessment here by comparing what were recommended as against what have been implemented. The forensic audits which produced findings requiring police attention were forwarded to the Commissioner of Police and then relayed to the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), Ramjattan said. “And as we all know, investigations are on-going. Government, especially my Ministry, was concerned about the perception of bias and accusation of political motivation concerning those audits sent for police investigation. It is for this reason assistance was requested from the British High Commission to have an expert in Dr. Sam Sittlington come in to advise and guide as much as possible, the Special Organized

Crime Unit. “Of course, the accusations from some of those fingered or called in for questioning will continue unabated, as we have seen.” Being on the topic of SOCU, Ramjattan unequivocally told the gathering that there has been no government, ministerial or political intervention whatsoever. He confirmed having wine with Sittlington at the Oasis Café to simply thank the financial fraud expert for his services and bid him farewell as he left Guyana soon after. Ramjattan went further to speak on his government’s efforts to ensure transparency and accountability with the setting up of the Bid Protest Committee and the establishment of the Public Procurement Commission. On the PPC, the Public Security Minister said, “This major constitutional prescription has now been satisfied and an extensive scrutiny of all major contracts for services and goods can now be undertaken, with necessary remedial action taken. I am very proud that the Procurement Commission is here with us after some 13 years in the making.”

In keeping with the country’s international obligations under the United Nations Convention against Corruption and the Inter-American Convention against Corruption, Ramjattan said that Government has taken the State Assets Recovery Bill to the National Assembly. He said, too, that the Whistleblower Bill and the Witness Protection Bill which are now in Cabinet will soon be forwarded to the National Assembly for passage. Ramjattan said that the State Asset Recovery Bill has caused controversy due to major misconceptions and misapprehensions. He explained, “Civil recovery of asset is an action against property and not the person; it does not carry any penal sanction against the person holding or in possession of the property but instead pursues recovery of property which is the product of unlawful conduct.” According to him, civil asset recovery already exists under the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act 2009 and will continue under the State Asset Recovery Bill as part of government’s policy to

shape an environment for transparency, honesty and integrity and deterrence against corruption. As it relates to scrutiny in the extractive sector, Ramjattan said that government wants the scrutiny of international watchdogs such as the ‘Global Witness’ and Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). He said that government wants its application to EITI to be dealt with expeditiously so that another high threshold in matters of transparency and accountability can be met. “The country’s EITI Secretariat has been set up, a Coordinator named, the Multi-Stakeholder Group launched and a number of requirements already have been met. Our aim is to ensure responsible and transparent governance in our extractive resource sector.” The Minister admitted that people in public offices are humans and not angels. He said that this cannot be cured with the implantation of ethical standards but stressed that until that time comes around, “watchdogs such as TIGI and the Free Press are the best things we have going for us.”

Protest on VAT on private tuition fees has slowed

Moving Sparendaam transmission tower was not to facilitate Pradoville 2 Bharrat Jagdeo is adamant that the removal of the National Communications Network (NCN) transmission tower from Sparendaam to Dairy Road, La Parafaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara was not done to facilitate the development of that controversial Pradoville 2 scheme. The former president said that this assertion is being peddled since it goes well with the current investigations. Placing the tower works at the centre inflates the cost for developmental works at the scheme, Jagdeo said. The current administration has failed to inform the nation that the removal of the tower was necessitated by the development of the Ogle airport, he said. Jagdeo provided a document that showed discussion for the removal had started since 2004 between Anthony Mekdeci, Ogle Airport Manager and Rawle Edinboro, Town and Country

Planning Officer (ag) of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA). Jagdeo said that it was suggested that the tower be removed or the height be reduced since it was in the flight path of incoming air traffic and would have posed a serious risk to flights in light of the planned expansion of that airport at the time. The opposition leader said that based on technical advice received at the time, it was not advisable to reduce the height of the tower. Removal was the next option, hence moving the tower for the airport expansion and not for the development of Pradoville 2. He said that the information is public record. He was sure that the government was in possession of this document. He said that he was at a loss to explain the reasoning of the current administration in failing to explain the true reason for the Continued on page 27

VAT on education The ongoing protest against value added tax (VAT) being placed on private education tuition fees among other necessities for the sustainability of a comfortable life in Guyana has apparently gone cold. This was clearly displayed yesterday when only one protester showed up in front the Ministry of Finance in response to a call by Roshan Khan. VAT has been a topic of discussion for many Guyanese citizens since the imposition of it in 2007, and with the recent announcement of VAT on private education fees, has seen a wide sector of the country being directly affected, especially the parents of students of private institutions. The announcement also saw the parents,

students, teachers, NGO and public servants protesting in front of the Ministry of Finance regularly. According to the lone protester that stood in front the Ministry of Finance yesterday, the groups have not been pushing much to continue the protest, for they believe that the message has been delivered, and the groups that was leading this protest has reached some level of success; success not that VAT has been pulled, but that it has been discussed in Cabinet, and in the country. “The pressure is coming down on the government by the people of this country that VAT on education is a backward step. We must remember that youth is the future of tomorrow and we need to invest well

in their education,” the single protester said. The protester added that the youths of today would be the adults of tomorrow, and those youths in three years’ time will be allowed to vote. “It seems like the government has forgotten that; students have said to me on countless occasions, that if this situation doesn’t change fast, that they will be voting against the government. “Many people over the years at times had disliked our first President Forbes .S. Burnham for some of the harsh things he did to us , but he also did great things. Most notably he provided us with free education from nursery to university,” the protester added.


Wednesday March 15, 2017

PAGE 9

Kaieteur News

The opposition should take its concerns to the British Foreign Office The opposition is concerned about the possible involvement of a British adviser in the operational aspects of the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU). Advisers are normally precluded from involvement in operational matters.. SOCU is a relatively new unit. Foreign assistance which is being provided is most likely being done to help

develop the investigative capacity and systems of that unit. It needs to be determined whether the British expert was recruited by the Guyana Government or whether he was recommended by the British Government as part of any technical assistance programme. If the expert is being paid by the Guyana Government, then he is free

to involve himself in any investigation. But if he is strictly an adviser, being paid for by the British government, then his role would be circumscribed and would be outlined in the terms of reference of his contract. Advisors, especially those funded by foreign governments are supposed to render technical advice, not involve themselves in

DEM BOYS SEH...

Jagdeo fly he mouth pun Quinn De wuss thing anybody can do is call somebody a liar. In de old days, when people call a man a liar is time to fight to de death. People use to be very careful, so careful that it tun a law that if you call a man a liar you can go to court. People don’t mek that mistake. Even in Parliament people don’t call one another liar although nuff of dem does lie. Jagdeo decide to call Quinn, de British High Commissioner, a liar. That is a case of pot calling skillet black. That is de first time in de history of de country that anybody ever step out of line against a senior diplomat. Dem boys seh that Jagdeo had to be going out of he head to do such a thing. De Chat-3 run tell him how de British High Commissioner join wid de SOCU people and sport at a place name Oasis. This place got security camera so everything would be

recorded. A lady who SOCU arrest and question was going home when she see de SOCU people inside de Oasis. Right away she call de Chat-3 who mek he mouth fast and run to a newspaper that nobody don’t read. Jagdeo pick up de paper and without checking, repeat wha de Chat-3 hear. De High Commissioner seh how he never been deh but Jagdeo claim how he believe de Chat-3. Diplomacy dead as far as Jagdeo and he people concern. He did send a woman to cuss out de American Ambassador. Now he cussing de British and all because he get arrested.

Dem boys been to de Oasis to check de video and de British do de same. Dem did expect de Oasis people to seh how de camera not wukking but de man ain’t tek that chance. He is one of dem who like Jagdeo but he get squeeze because de High Commissioner is he countryman. Dem boys seh that Jagdeo just burn he boat to London. By extension he also burn he boat to some other place. And if he expect to get Trump support he got to think again because Trump ain’t forget de Ambassador. Story Talk half and watch how de British gun shame Jagdeo who don’t have no shame.

Habits are not the product of one decision — They’re the result of repeated choices that eventually become automatic responses. How can you know your true spiritual condition? By the company you keep and the choices you make. When you’re free to go, where do you choose to go? Whose company do you prefer?

day to day operations of an entity. The allegations being made by the opposition are serious and could lead to a recall of the adviser. This would be unfortunate for the person concerned and for the government of Guyana who will face embarrassment and a loss of confidence by the British government if it is found that the government allowed an expert to be involved in matters in which he ought not to be involved. The allegations made by the opposition have been denied by the British High Commission. The situation is highly complicated because the allegations come against the background of the opposition accusing SOCU of pursuing a political vendetta. This is the sort of matter which foreign governments and their representatives would wish to stay clear of. The investigation concerning the house lots at Pradoville are said to be a political in nature and not consistent with the original mandate of SOCO which was

to go after offences relating to -money laundering and financing of terrorism. It is hard to see what Pradoville 2 has to do with that and why SOCU is so keen on investigating this matter. SOCU has more important work to do. In fact, to date the SOCU has not yet made a significant money laundering case. One case which is before the court concerns a person who it is alleged did not comply with a court decision to produce documents. But so far, no money laundering charges has been leveled against this person. Some persons were also hauled in for questioning for the jewelry they had on. But very little has been heard of these investigations so far. Perhaps a status report should be provided by SOCU on these matters so as to allay the fears of Guyanese that the priorities of the agency are not being misplaced. Some months ago, there were reports that the homes of businessmen were searched. But the outcome of the investigations has not

been made public. It is against this background that the British adviser finds himself embroiled in a controversy. The allegations have been denied but the opposition continues to repeat the charges. It is a serious matter and the opposition should not be complaining to the British High Commission or in the press. It should write directly to the British Foreign Office outlining its concerns. It should request the Foreign Office to investigate the allegations and should provide any evidence, including newspaper reports and accounts from eyewitnesses. The British Foreign Office is very sensitive as to the image of the country. It will investigate any complaint which is made either by a government or by the opposition. The Foreign Office is likely to investigate and to respond. This is the approach which should be taken by the opposition.


PAGE 10

Kaieteur News

Wednesday March 15, 2017

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN...

A country overrun with dishonestly infinitesimal minds People are talking about a phone video making the rounds about a senior Education Ministry official cussing down a colleague in one of the ministries. Someone found time to circulate that item but there is a crucial issue connected to the moral fibre of any nation, and not even one attempt has been made to circulate a recording of that factor. There has been no letter in the media, no comment from civil society, absolutely nothing. Is one surprised? Should one be disappointed with this nation that a cuss down incident of a public servant is being shown on the internet but not the tape of a senior minister making a statement that the leadership of this country has denied? Not only denied, but also accused me of inventing what the Minister said on that tape. So we have two dimensions of this story. One is that the leadership of the AFC and APNU are denying

what Minister Trotman uttered. The other is that what Trotman uttered is being attributed to me by the leadership of Guyana. Important to note that it is not a junior government official accusing me of saying it but the Minister of the Presidency, Mr. Harmon and the leadership of the AFC. Let’s retrace the saga and one will see that there is an eerie moral sickness in this society. People find it important to listen to a video about some nonsense in a ministry but have no concern about the moral composition of its government. Here we go. Minister Raphael Trotman pronounced at his first press conference that President Granger in his capacity as President selected on his own, three ministers. Trotman explained that this was outside of the stipulations of the Cummingsburg Accord. Trotman went on to praise the President for such

generosity. He named the three ministers as Trotman himself, Agriculture Minister Holder and the Business Minister Gaskin who is the President’s son-in-law. At that press conference, Minister Trotman went further. He told the media that the Cummingsburg Accord did not accommodate a business ministry. He went further to say that the creation of these ministries has not resulted in any friction in the Coalition. He ended his announcement by referring to the three ministers as extras. He exclaimed; “WE ARE THE THREE EXTRAS.” Enter Joe Harmon Mr. Harmon issued a statement accusing me of mischief by accusing the president of patronizing his son-in-law. Mr. Harmon did not even make a fleeting reference to the Trotman press conference. I did not do what Harmon said I did. I

merely reported on what Trotman told the media and which was recorded. Enter the AFC. One week after my March 4 column in which I brought out what Trotman said the President did, the AFC issued a press release rejecting what I wrote. Not even one word was mentioned that I was quoting from what the AFC leader told the media. So there we have it. As it stands, the leadership of the government has announced that the President did not create three ministers of his own. And I am attributed to be the source of that information. Now here is where the dishonest and small minds of this lost, rotting, submerged ship named Guyana come in. Not one person seems to comprehend that this is a serious moral issue in the

leadership of Guyana. But what people find interesting is the circulation of a video about a ministry official cussing down another employee. What kind of minds does this country have? I ask readers to name a country where there would be no debate or discussion on an event in which one of the most powerful ministers told the country that the President chose his son-in-law to be a minister, then the government including the President (Mr. Harmon’s press release spoke for the Government so he had to consult the President) denied that such was done and accused the media of inventing the story. I say with deep honesty, I wasn’t surprised that there was silence in the society on this saga. This country lost its moral compass a long time

Frederick Kissoon ago. This explains why the cuss down video is more of a curiosity than the reckless behaviour of the government of the day. As the days go on, other videos will circulate about which prominent person had ice cream and it ran down their face; which well known person drank coffee and it spilt and burnt the roses of the café; which policeman was drunk and he drove his car on the lawns of the Botanical Gardens; and which monkey ran out of the zoo and kissed a passerby.

Jagdeo says British High Commissioner lied …insists he was at ‘drink up’ with SOCU By Brushell Blackman Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo is insisting that members of the British High Commission were at a function at the Oasis Café on March 9, last, having drinks with members of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) and Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan. He said that they were there to ‘celebrate’ the arrests of members of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/ C) in relation to the Pradoville 2 probe. At a PPP/C press conference at Freedom House, yesterday, Jagdeo inferred that there seemed to be a conspiracy between the government, SOCU and the British High Commission with regards to the Pradoville 2 investigation and the arrests of members of the PPP/C. The former president said that he was soliciting the help of the media in trying to determine whether the conspiracy theory has any validity. Jagdeo made reference to a statement issued by PPP/C member Anil Nandlall who said that members of the British High Commission including the British High Commissioner, Gregory Quinn, being present at the Oasis café in celebratory mood and having drinks after PPP/C members were arrested. The British High Commissioner subsequently refuted those claims and insisted that British fraud

Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo

British High Commissioner, Gregory Quinn

expert, Dr Sam Sittlington, was having a get-together since his contract in Guyana had ended and he was returning to the United Kingdom (UK). Quinn insisted that he or no member of staff of the High Commission was present at that function. Jagdeo said that his party consulted with a source that was at the Oasis café on the March 10, last, and that individual confirmed High Commission officials were present at that establishment. “His Excellency Mr. Quinn himself and two other staff members of the British High Commission were present at the establishment (Oasis café))”. Jagdeo said that his party has a different view of Sittlington’s role, and insisted that the latter has exceeded his official remit in the capacity of advising and

training SOCU staff. He ventured over into national matters which should not be permissible by his role, Jagdeo said. The Opposition Leader said that the fact that Dr Sittlington attempted to explain the justification for arrests and the legal basis upon which those arrests were made was evidence that he ventured outside the purview of his role at SOCU. Additionally, Jagdeo said that Sittlington’s utterances in relation to the arrest also swayed him into the political realm to which he doesn’t belong. Jagdeo said that his party has information that Dr Sittlington has been on raids with SOCU and has gone into the premises of Guyanese nationals in direct contravention to why he was Continued on page 12


Wednesday March 15, 2017

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

Infrastructure works for Perseverance, Amelia’s Ward imminent New sanitary landfill on the cards for Linden During the opening of tenders at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Department (NPTAB) yesterday, contractors vied for the contract to carry out infrastructure works at Perseverance Phase Three, East Bank Demerara, Region Four (Demerara/Mahaica). The contract was divided into two lots. The procuring entity is the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA).

The Infrastructure Ministry was listed as the procuring entity for the general rehabilitation of the National Task Force building in Fort Street, Kingston.

CH&PA was also listed as the procuring entity for the contract to carry out infrastructure works at Amelia’s Ward, Phase Three in Linden Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice).

The Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs was listed yesterday as the procuring entity for the procurement of dry and fresh ration. This contract was divided into five Lots.

Bids were also submitted for the procurement of dry and fresh ration for the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).

Design, operation services for landfills The Ministry for Communities was listed as the procuring entity for five contracts. For the consultancy for the design of a new sanitary landfill at Linden, Region 10, EXP Services Incorporated (Canada) in association with the Caribbean Engineering and Management Consultants (CEMCO) was the sole bidder. The association was also the sole bidder for the consultancy for the design of landfill at Mahdia, Region Eight (Potaro/Siparuni). Financial proposals were submitted for both projects. Meanwhile, tenders were open for a contact to operate the Bartica landfill, Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni).

S. Jagmohan Hardware Supplies and Construction Services was the sole bidder for the contract to operate the Mabaruma landfill, Region One (Barima/Waini). The company’s bid price was announced at $46.7M. Finally, under the Communities Ministry, tenders were open for the supply of small plastic waste collection bins for minibuses. S. Jagmohan Hardware Supplies and Construction Services was also, the sole bidder for this contract with a bid price of $3.2M. Tenders were open for the rehabilitation of the front kitchen of the Georgetown Prison Service. The Security Ministry was listed as the procuring entity.

The GDF is also the procuring entity for the procurement of stationery, janitorial and party supplies.


PAGE 12

Kaieteur News

Wednesday March 15, 2017

Cabinet tells City Hall... From page 7 against the project. Protesters have described the implementation of the project as a clear case of bullyism. Meanwhile, since its announcement, several red flags were raised concerning the project. Last May, four City Council representatives proceeded on a due diligence trip to Mexico and Panama. They were Mayor Patricia Chase-Green; Councillor Junior Garrett; Chairman of the Finance Committee Oscar Clarke; and Town Clerk, Royston King. According to ChaseGreen the purpose of the trip was to determine whether the company was capable of performing the tasks which they had proposed. The company had apparently done similar projects in the two Central American states. The city officials were condemned for going on the trips since it is customary in such arrangements that a due diligence inquiry into a company is done before parties sign the contract. Tainting the contract further, the travelling and accommodation for the officials were paid for by the company. Further, persons could have only seen the contract by visiting the Town Clerk’s office. When Kaieteur News reported on details of the

original contract it was revealed that if City Hall wishes to unilaterally terminate the contract without the written consent of the company, the City shall pay SCS a lump sum payment equivalent to the total direct and indirect, hard and soft cost cumulative gross investment of the company in the project. However, this cost is compounded by an additional 15 per cent of the total direct and indirect, hard and soft cost cumulative gross investment of the company in the project. When that 15 per cent is calculated it is to be multiplied by the number of remaining years under the agreement. The company was also given the power to begin charging at nights in areas which are high traffic spots. The enforcement activities of the project have also been heavily criticised. Motorists who choose to park within paid parking zones but not in a parking space will be fined. The initial fine for not paying to park was deemed as burdensome. Further, it was later uncovered that former Director of the company, Ifa Kamau Cush, had plead guilty to grand larceny in the third degree in the County Court of Nassau County.

Jagdeo says British... From page 10 invited to Guyana in the first place. Jagdeo said that the British High Commission assertion that Dr Sittlington has no operational role at SOCU cannot be true. He alleges that he has a ‘hands on’ approach at that entity. The former president said that this behavior is objectionable and that the government has a foreigner operating here that is trespassing on the rights of Guyanese citizens. Jagdeo went further and said that Sittlington was the person who drove the police to his office to arrest him. The former president stated that Ramjattan’s admission that he was indeed having drinks with SOCU members at Dr Sittlington’s leaving party does not send the right message and smacks at being unethical. Rhetorically Jagdeo asked, “How does that look and what should that be taken to mean?” The opposition leader said that he trusted Nandlall on the information he provided regarding those persons that were present at the Oasis Café for that function. Head of SOCU, Sydney James, had said that the function at the café was not to celebrate arrests of anyone but rather it was one that was held to coincide with Sittlington’s departure from Guyana after his contract had ended. The opposition leader said that Sittlington’s alleged involvement operationally at SOCU is a serious matter and is calling for a Commission of Inquiry to find out the truth of what really was Sittlington’s role and if indeed the British High Commissioner, Gregory Quinn, and his staff were at the Oasis Café celebrating with SOCU and ministers of government the day after Jagdeo and other members of the PPP/C were arrested.


Wednesday March 15, 2017

Kaieteur News

PAGE 13


PAGE 14

Kaieteur News

Wednesday March 15, 2017

Region one targeted as focal point for Cassareep production

Ms. Florence La Rose-Fedee (right) and farmer Mr. Denis Wilson from the Casareep Producers Group in Region One. The Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs is looking at potential opportunities for villages in the production of a number of origin-linked Products to meet international standards. The Ministry has provided much needed support by ensuring training is received for capacity building. In this regard a two member team comprising Management Development Officer Ms. Florence La Rose-Fedee and farmer Mr. Denis Wilson from the Casareep Producers Group in Region One, recently returned from a three-day World Intellectual Organization WIPO/IDB-REACH workshop on Optimizing the Competitiveness of Geographic Indications (GIs) and Origin-Linked Products (OLPs) within CARICOM countries. The workshop was held at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus, Trinidad. According to Ms. La Rose-Fedee the training “has brought out the importance of working together in cooperatives for a common purpose, since business requires endurance, patience and commitment from all involved. “It was also evident that there were opportunities for farmers to receive training in terms of best practices to gain best yields. It was noted that governments support would come in the form of the provision of tools which is shared among those who are part of the farmer cooperative”. The workshop also created an opportunity for participants to build business models on a product of their choosing and deliver a presentation on the said product. Several models were crafted. They saw the local team presenting on Guyana’s unique exotic cassareep product. Feedback was provided on ways of improving the models presented. According to Ms LaRose-Fedee, “This was found to be a very good exercise in building the brand of the product.” “The team had an opportunity to think about how one can sell a product on the international market that has a variety, in a way where the value of the product can be made more attractive. A product such as our cassareep which is identifiable only to our local market and to a lesser extent the Caribbean Diaspora can become an excellent product if its usage and value is easily decipherable, only then will it be able to attract traditional markets,” LaRose-Fedee explained on her return from the training. “There are a number of market possibilities and opportunities for Guyana to market its Cassareep, as it is a unique exotic product, made from one ingredient. There is interest in Trinidad from persons who attended the workshop who are desirous of having future conversations to becoming distributors, however there are a number of things that we need to put in place in order to get the market flow going”. The cassava cassareep is a byproduct of the cassava juice which is used locally to add flavour to several local dishes and a primary ingredient for pepper pot which is a Guyanese dish. It not only gives pepper pot a distinct flavor, but it also acts as a preservative. Region One is recognized for its rich source of Cassareep production. Other partners of the three-day workshop included the International Development Bank, Caricom, UWI, the Intellectual Property Office of Trinidad and Tobago and the Danish Technological Institute.


Wednesday March 15, 2017

Efforts afoot to raise funds for acid burn victim

Shondell Williamson, a mother of two suffered severe burns following an acid attack. Even as 26-year-old acid burn victim, Shondell Williamson, lies in a bed of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, (GPHC), recovering from severe burns, efforts are afoot by the Overseas-based Charity Saving Hands and Emergency Aid (SHEA) to get her the treatment she so desperately needs. Earlier this year Williamson, suffered severe burns when her estranged husband threw acid on her while screaming, “If I can’t have you, no one else can.” According to information posted on SHEA Website, the mother of two young boys is currently fighting to save her sight. The website outlined that Shondell will be permanently disfigured since the burns cover her entire face. The extent of her injuries is so severe that she is not able to receive care in Guyana therefore she must travel overseas for treatment. Due to the state of the woman’s injuries, the Charity is unable to post pictures of her current condition. Since SHEA Charity has accepted Shondell’s case, they are currently working to secure treatment. Given that the group is funded by donations, it continues to seek members of the public for assistance on a case by case basis. The group has been active in promoting a GOFUNDME on behalf of Williamson. A relative of the injured woman recently disclosed that there has also been fund-raising activity in East Berbice to raise funds for the cause. We are still looking to raise the monies, the relative said. Persons interested in making donations can call telephone (592) 601-4040, (592) 675-3709 or visit the

SHEA website at www.sheacharity.org or the group’s Facebook page. Months after ending an abusive relationship, with her then reputed husband, Williamson became a patient of the hospital after being doused with a corrosive substance. Williamson, of New Street, New Amsterdam, a mother of two boys – aged six and three suffered first degree burns to her face, hands and abdomen. She is also unable to open her left eye, and it is unclear if the eye was damaged. According to initial reports around 8:00 pm, the woman was returning home when she noticed a man clad in women’s clothing coming in her direction. As he approached, she recognised the person as her abusive ‘child father’, 34year-old Alfred DeYounge called “Not ah Bai”. Relatives of the injured woman had related that the man carried a white bowl with a liquid substance which he threw on the victim and quickly made his escape in a waiting car. The man had threatened the mother of two countless times but no action was taken. “He told her nuff time that if I can’t have you, no other man can. And now he do it so no other man ain’t gonna want she. She was scared. Always living scared cause she didn’t know if he was gonna kill her or what,” the relatives said. “Shondell ‘s life change forever. She will never be the same again. All we saying is why he didn’t leave her alone and just go tek another lady. Why he had to do her this. He didn’t even think about the kids and how this will affect them,” they added.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 15


PAGE 16

Kaieteur News

Wednesday March 15, 2017

Slashed subvention keeps CLC in dire financial straits Although it now benefits from a reinstated subvention, the Critchlow Labour College (CLC) is still barely able to do what is necessary to have an optimum operation. This is in light of the fact that the subvention for which it is now eligible has been slashed by nearly half the amount it was accustomed to a few years ago. This disclosure was recently made by President of the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), Ms Coretta McDonald. The operation of the CLC is governed by the GTUC, a body to which McDonald was elected to head last year. According to McDonald, it is her intention as President of the GTUC, to ensure that “the College becomes the number one labour college in the country where we can offer that second chance not only to workers but also to young people who might be dropouts and need another boost to top up on their qualifications to gain entry to

The Critchlow Labour College

university or the Cyril Potter College of Education.” McDonald disclosed, “We are trying to ensure that we bring the college to a certain level where it can be on par with that of other

labour colleges in the Caribbean.” But in order to reach this ambitious destination, McDonald considered that “it is going to call for a whole lot but I am prepared to go that extra mile to ensure that together with the administrative staff of the Critchlow Labour College, we can move it to the level we want the College to be at.” The subvention to the institution was halted by the previous administration. But according to McDonald, although Government has been lending its support by reinstating the subvention the sum currently being offered is not nearly enough to do what is necessary to reform the college. “Although we are glad that Government has introduced the subvention there are some issues with it...What is happening right

now is that the subvention that the college was accustomed to having, $37 million or somewhere around that figure, has been reduced to $15 million which of course, if you look at the drop, is going to have a serious impact in terms of what the college is supposed to actually be doing,” according to McDonald. According to the GTUC President, the college has been finding itself in a financial fix since it has over the years been subsidising students who attend but can ill afford to make complete payments. Added to this, there are other expenses that the college can barely meet such as the costs of utility services and the payment of staff. “It is quite a lot that we have to do,” said McDonald. She highlighted the need for finances to rehabilitate the college to a more classroom friendly atmosphere. “We have to rehabilitate the entire structure. We are hoping to move to a more modern day type facility with

proper lighting in our classrooms; we are hoping to have air conditioning units in our classrooms and we are going to establish laboratories...we want to have a modern facility so that we can offer our students the kind of quality education that is so needed,” McDonald added. The CLC was established in 1967 as the educational arm of the trade union movement. It was designed to provide pre-university courses in industrial relations, business, sociology and a CXC programme for early schoolleavers who have a desire to obtain those qualifications. The college has also been able to offer a law programme. Currently there are a number of classes being conducted at the College. In addition, a section of the building is utilised by the Texila American University. Ms. McDonald is already caressing ambitious ideas that could help to further improve the College during her tenure. But CLC has long been plagued with financial

issues which were slated to be corrected with an announcement by President David Granger during the 11th Parliament, to restore a government subvention. The College was in financial turmoil after its subvention was stopped by the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) administration in 2004. But McDonald, since becoming president, considered that government has for a number of years been asking for audited statements for the operation of CLC. She, however, is prepared to do whatever is possible to ensure that the financial records are put in place as far as possible. McDonald, moreover, emphasised that the GTUC under her leadership will be endeavouring to ensure that all finances it receives from Government is well accounted for. “We will put in place all of the procedures so that at the end of the year there will be no difficulty, coming from the GTUC, in terms of presenting to Government audited statements,” the President asserted. “We are going to sit as an executive body to look at that issue and then we will decide from there how much of our audited statements will be given to the government,” said McDonald. There was a period when the College was eligible for no subvention. At that time McDonald asserted she was not an executive of the GTUC. But she had however claimed to be aware that there was a proposal that was given to the Ministry of Education to, rather than just hand over finances to the GTUC, have it instead be used to do some rehabilitation work at the college. That process, according to McDonald, has been moving apaceoot.


Wednesday March 15, 2017

Re-sit of nurses’... (From page 3) multiple choice questions; to administer those questions [and] to have a group of persons recruited to mark the essay part of those questions,” Minister Lawrence had disclosed. The examination was administered on February 21, last, at the Critchlow Labour College, Woolford Avenue, Georgetown. The results were handed over to the Ministry of Public Health last week. The Public Health Ministry, according to one official, has lost confidence in the Nursing Council. Moreover, among a broad range of proposals floated for consideration by the Nursing Council is the involvement of the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) which sets the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE); dialogue with the University of Guyana (UG) and collaboration with the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD), an arm of the Ministry of Education, to help “find a way to improve the scholastic abilities of our nursing students,” Lawrence has said. “Security consciousness, clearer guidelines for the Council, an enhanced marking scheme and outsourcing the grading of students’ examination scripts are likely to characterise the future of the nursing programme,” according to information disseminated by the Public Health Ministry.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 25


PAGE 26

SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyana passport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 6267040; 265-4535. INNOVATIVEMARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Repairs to refrigerators washing machine, gas stove, all units. Call Lindon: 6411086/ 694-2202 Eagle’s: Re-gas -$8,000, Washing machine repairs, Gas Stove, Plasma flat Screen & more. Call: 697-2969/646-0966

LAND FOR SALE La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.3M, Uitvlugt -$2.3M, $2M – Call: 642-1252 1 Lot of land @ Yarrowkabra -$950,000. Call: 672-5876 Transported land for sale size 37X270 @ Coglan Dam, Vreed-en-Hoop, W.B.D. Call: 650-5644/677-9938 La Parfaite Harmonie - $1.4M, $1.8M, $1.3M, Uitvlugt -$2M, Diamond -$4M, Providence $4M, Zeelught $1.6M. Call: 614-6802 La Parfaite Harmonie - $1.4M, $1.8M, $1.3M, Uitvlugt -$2M, Providence -$3.5M, Zeelugt .6M, New Road V/Hoop -$27M. Call: 604-6724 Farm (East Bank) -$3M, La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.3M, Uitvlugt -$2.8M, Pearl (with concrete fence) -$3M. Call: 233-3006/ 658-5897/ 651-1969

Passport application services and consultancy – Call: 233-6517

ENTERTAINMENT Jubilee Resort: pool, water slide, boating, paintball, games, etc, open daily – 10:00am-6:00pm. Call: 2258915/623-7313 LEARN TO DRIVE C. Persaud & N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman & Sons Driving School @ Maraj BuildingCall: 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997 (affordable packages).

CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP REATES,SPECIALOFFERS FOR THE SEASON. CALL: 690-6494

Wednesday March 15, 2017

Kaieteur News

ACCOMMODATION Secret Villa apartments fully furnished, hot & cold water, Jacuzzi, air condition from $20USD daily. Call: 225-6337/ 266-5244/668-0306 Harmony Inn: Furnished self contained apartments & rooms from $20USD daily. Call: 218-1400/ 694-7817 TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 225-7878 (24HRS)

CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 77-7827, 6435122 ,EMAIL:PRO_ A U T O R E N T A L @YAHOO.COM AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL: PICKUP, 9-11 SEAT MIN BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPOTR & FAMILY OUTING, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807

VEHICLE FOR SALE

FOR SALE

WANTED

1-Leyland DAF GRR Series; excellent condition. Call: 6804101 1 New model Vitz, press start, A/C, excellent condition $1.5M, good for bank purchases, 1 Toyota Verossa -$2.3M. Call: 639-2490

LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.

One driver/porter from Diamond, Grove area. Call: 2161043, 677-6620

Dwayne Stephen Auto Sales! New Shipment of Vehicle: Rush, Blue Bird, Note, Axio, Allion. Call: 665-2330/ 6486869 Unregistered Fielder -$2.5M, Axela 2011 -$2.7M, all dark interior. Call: 617-5536

SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. - Cosmetology Courses: $120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 6471773/660-5257 Salon Dior, Industry, E.C.D, best in hair care, nail designs. Call: 600-2455/ 216-4097 for appointment.

CAT 215 Excavator, Leyland DAF 55 Tipper Truck, D4H CAT Bulldozer. Call: 2750538/ 683-7225 1- CAT 320 BL Excavators, 428- CAT Backhoe, 1 CAT 930 Front End, 9 wheeled pneumatic roller, Double Steel drum compactor- Call: 275-0538/ 683-7225 2 Leyland Dump truck (55210), 1 Caterpillar Backhoe, owner migrating, very good condition. Call: 672-5876

1-2 Bedroom apartment to rent fully furnished, including internet, cable, TV, parking available. E.C.D –Call: 6672536 Vreed-en-Hoop Junction: office, storage bond, lesson place, church -$20,000 per month. Call: 603-6400 3 Bedrooms upper flat located at Vreed-en-Hoop, 3rd Building in from Junction. Call: 673-3064 2 Bedrooms executive furnished with all modern conveniences. Call: 622-5725/ 664-1070 House for rent @ 112 Duke Street Kingstown G/Town: 3 bedrooms. Call: 603-7147/ 665-6433 Newly refurbished 2 bedroom apartment D’urban Street Lodge, secure parking. Call: 687-4050

Urgently needed workers to work at Ice Company @ Meadow Bank Wharf, training provided. Call: 2311408/ 642-9191/ between 8am-1pm. One shop assistant to work in the Interior, must have experienced. Call: 678-0565

Fibre-Tech 220 9192/6907. Fiberglass, Resin materials in any quantity all for your repairs.

A tutor is needed for a 13year old boy from overseas. Call: 218-0192/ 696-1479 Now Hiring: cashier, porters & driver for canters. Apply at Nimbus, 79 Albert & Laluni Streets. Call: 231-7002

Two Massey Ferguson tractors 4299 and 290. Price negotiable- Call:611-1277

Two hundred 8inX4inX2in, Clay Bricks. Call Edward: 6534797/ 223-0952

One Mitsubishi Canter – Call: Rayon: 671-7108

Female worker wanted sound secondary education, computer literate-Tel: 6225518

Doberman pups- Call: 6997077/ 619-6086 Design & Make Aluminum windows, doors, stainless rails, showcases, rolling shutters, make & install automatic doors. Call: 2336818/677-5599/659-9999

For up to $1M, Pawn your land if it’s in Eccles, Herstelling, Providence, Zeelugt and Bartica. Call: 2333006/ 658-5897/651-1969

PROPERTY FOR SALE Transported property @ Grove and Diamond $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461

Live-in waitress with secondary education, salary $80,000 monthly. Boarding & lodging free. Age 18-25 years- Tel:610-3974

House for sale & removal at Campbellville 23ftX40ftContact Ganesh: 614-6202 One Roadside, 2 storey building @ V/Hoop (ideally business/residence). Call: 614-0107 EDUCATIONAL Electronic Course: starting 14th March. Hands on training repairing all types of TV’s etc. Call: 226-6551/ 2250391 TO LET 2 Bedrooms apartment in Eccles New Scheme, rooms in Alberttown. Call: 225-3234 Fully furnished vacation home with all amenities Call during working hours 2271218 FOR RENT Three storey 75ftX25ft building/bond. Call: 2230654/ 225-0604

Cook/Baker and Kitchen Assistant for interior location. Applicants must be experienced, for details call: 618-2020 Receptionist, Male Security guard age 30-45, 233 South Road Lacytown. Call: 225-0198 Woodmizer and moulder, operator, porters @ Eccles, E.B.D. Call Richard: 6097675/ 674-1705/233-2614 Accounts Clerk for Eccles, Industrial Site area knowledge of NIS, PAYE, VAT, Quickbooks. Call: 6144358 Experienced Hire Car Drivers/Dispatchers. Call: 622-6413 Refrigeration & Ice Machine maintenance workers age 25 & older. Call: 231-1408/ 6429191 between 8 to 1pm Earn 5k-20K daily at home. Call: 233-6517/622-1957/ www.jobfairworldwide.com Now Hiring: Marketing Agents. Models/Media Reps. Call: 233-6517

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

FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Lot 14 Croal & Longden Street: 4 Storey building (infront Demico). Call: 6631876

Wanted land to buy at Tuschen, Uitvlugt, Zeelugt, La Parfaite Harmonie, best price offered. Call: 657-9594

VACANCY Sales Representative needed for hardware related item, good working vehicle needed, attractive compensation. Call: 602-4337

MASSAGE The Gent’s Spa: Massage done by Tiffany, mobile services. Book appointment now! Call: 677-5465

HEALTH Have your health checked through iridology- Monday April 3. Call Hazel’s Herbal Store: 226-9136


Wednesday March 15, 2017

Four remanded for Superbet robbery

ALLEGED MASTERMIND: Roberto Sankar

Mark Vaughn

Delon Morgan Roberto Sankar, the proprietor of a SuperBet outlet has been remanded to prison over a robbery he allegedly staged at his place of business. Sankar, 26, of Lot 6 Pigeon Island, East Coast Demerara, ; Mark Vaughn, 46,; Delon Morgan, 31, both Lot 27 Dowding Street, Kitty, Georgetown, and Kasi Heyligar, 34, of Lot 42 Shell Road Kitty, Georgetown were all remanded to prison until March 21, when they will appear in the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Courts. Particulars of the first charge alleged that on January 30, at Pigeon Island, East Coast Demerara, they robbed Dexter Lowe of a .32 Taurus pistol; and eight live matching rounds. It was also alleged that on the same day at Pigeon Island, East Coast Demerara, they robbed Junior Chung of

$1.2M. The quartet appeared yesterday in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan. They were not required to plead. According to reports, six gunmen carried out a daring robbery at the sports betting agency and made off with $1M. Employees of SuperBet had just collected money from another shop up the East Coast of Demerara and were making a second pick up at Pigeon Island when the bandits attacked. Kaieteur News understands that investigators received information that Sankar was involved in the plotting of the robbery. Police subsequently detained him during which he reportedly confessed to staging the robbery and identified two of his accomplices. Attorney Adrian Thompson requested bail for Morgan, Heyligar and Vaughn. Sankar was represented by Attorney Jochebed Pollard in association with Gordon Gilhuys. During a bail application, Thompson told the court that his clients were placed on several identification parades in relation to a series of robberies. According to the lawyer, his clients were kept in custody beyond 72 hours and it is still unclear why police have not yet completed their investigations. “There is no evidence whatsoever. Hence the police held them (accused) for 10 days…It is unbelievable. They (police) should be sanctioned.” Meanwhile, Sankar’s attorney told the court that her client has been cooperative with police investigations. Attorney Pollard said that after the robbery occurred, her client provided police with CCTV footage from the business place. The lawyer further told the court that her client is a member of the community policing group and has no antecedents. However, Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones opposed bail for the men citing the seriousness and gravity of the charge. Jones also pointed out the penalty attached to the offence and the fact that firearm was used during the commissioning of the robberies. According to Jones, Sankar, a father of one, is the mastermind behind the crime and he gave an oral confession statement. The prosecutor disclosed that investigators were granted permission to keep the four accused in custody beyond 72 hours. Other charges are to be laid against them.

PAGE 27

Kaieteur News

Parliament hosts panel discussion …as part of Commonwealth Day activities

Members of the panelist from left:- Phillipe Walker, MP. Anil Nandlall, Ms Tracey Haines, Ambassador Ronald Austin, Annette Ferguson, British High Commissioner to Guyana James Quinn, and Pierre Giroux, High commissioner of Canada to Guyana. THE National Assembly hosted a panel discussion in keeping with Commonwealth day 2017, under the theme: a peace-building Commonwealth, yesterday. The venue was the Umana Yana in Kingston, Georgetown. Annette Fergussion, Minister within the Ministry of Infrastructure; Anil Nandlall M.P; Pierre Giroux, High Commissioner of Canada to Guyana; Greg Quinn, High Commissioner of Great Britain to Guyana; Tracey Haines, Deputy Head of Mission, High Commission of Australia; and Phillipe Walker, former Youth Parliament Participant were among the guests. The National Assembly, every year, would normally host an event in observance of Commonwealth Day. This year, the event was a panel discussion to which it invited all the ambassadors from the Member of States that were present in

Guyana. Also invited were two Members of Parliament and a youth representative. In addition to the panel discussion there was the launching an essay and poster competition for schools. According to Hermina Gilgeous, Deputy clerk of the National Assembly, in order to achieve world peace, countries must come together to counter the growing menace of violence, fear, terrorism, and bloodshed. It is a huge task and nations would have to reach consensus on how to achieve their goals of a terror free country and in turn a terror free world. The event was welcomed by members of the public, students and a number of government officials, who all participated in the healthy discussion on Commonwealth policies and systems they have in place to promote peacebuilding for all Commonwealth countries.

A section of the crowd.

Moving Sparendaam transmission tower was... From page 8 removal of the tower. The opposition leader is of the view that this recent position by the governing administration lends credence to the notion that the current Pradoville 2 probe is a ‘witch hunt’. On the issue of the price paid for house lots at that scheme and the suggestions that they were bought for below market value, Jagdeo said that he was not responsible for setting those prices but did admit that those decisions were made by his Cabinet. Jagdeo explained that in an area at Liliendaal an acre of land was sold for $4M.He equated that price to what was paid at Pradoville 2. When it was put to the former president that a similar ocean

view plot close to Grand Coastal Hotel was going for $25M and that when it was calculated, those recipients at Pradoville 2 did indeed under pay. Former Auditor General, Anand Goolsarran, said that based on his calculation an acre of land at Pradoville 2 should have cost $82.8M . However Jagdeo paid a mere $10M for the two acres he bought. Jagdeo said that Goolsarran’s calculation has no substance. The former auditor general was not a credible source to speak on the subject, he added. The former president indicated that neither he nor his PPP/ C colleagues will be amenable to paying any additional cost for those lands and he is ready to put up a rigorous defense of that purchase.


PAGE 28

Kaieteur News

IS Mosul commander killed, government forces battle for bridge

Wednesday March 15, 2017

OAS head urges bloc suspend Venezuela over elections BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) The head of the Organization of American States is recommending to regional governments that Venezuela be suspended from the Washington-based group unless general elections are held soon.

OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro makes the request in a 75-page report in which he says the socialist administration of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has broken the country’s democratic order by disregarding the results

of 2015 legislative elections and jailing dozens of opponents. Maduro’s government has yet to comment but in the past has accused Almagro of doing the bidding of the U.S. government and trying to isolate Venezuela.

U.S. carrier joins South Korea drills, North Korea warns of ‘merciless’ strikes

Displaced Iraqi people who fled from homes during a battle between Iraqi forces and Islamic State militants, receive bread at the Hammam al-Alil camp, south of Mosul, Iraq, yesterday (REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani) (Reuters) Iraqi government forces killed the Islamic State commander of Mosul’s Old City yesterday as the battle for the militants’ last stronghold in Iraq focused on a bridge crossing the Tigris River. As fighting intensified yesterday after the previous day’s heavy rains, civilians streamed out of western neighborhoods recaptured by the government, cold and hungry but relieved to be free of the militants’ grip. IS snipers were slowing the advance of Interior Ministry Rapid Response units on the Iron Bridge linking western and eastern Mosul but the elite forces were still inching forward, officers said. Government forces also pushed into areas of western Mosul, Islamic State’s last redoubt in the city that has been the de facto capital of their self-declared caliphate. Federal police killed the military commander of the Old City, Abu Abdul Rahman al-Ansary, during operations to clear Bab al-Tob district, a federal police officer said. With many IS leaders having already retreated from Mosul, Ansary’s death comes as blow to the militants as they defend their shrinking area of control street-by-street and house-by-house. Capturing the Iron Bridge would mean Iraqi forces hold three of the five bridges in Mosul that span the Tigris, all of which have been damaged by the militants and U.S.-led air strikes. The southernmost two have already been retaken. “We are still moving toward the Iron Bridge. We are taking out snipers hiding in the surrounding building, we

are still pushing for the Iron Bridge,” Brigadier General Mahdi Abbas Abdullah of the Rapid Response force told Reuters. Near the Mosul Museum, Iraq forces used armored vehicles and tanks to attack snipers pinning down troops clearing areas around the bridge. An air strike targeting one Islamic State position hit a building, engulfing nearby troops in smoke and dust. Since starting the offensive in October, Iraqi forces with U.S.-led coalition support have retaken eastern Mosul and about 30 percent of the west from the militants, who are outnumbered but fiercely defending their last stronghold in Iraq. For much of Tuesday, the troops were within 100m (330 feet) of the bridge. “It’s very key for our forces to secure the riverside and prevent Daesh militants from turning around our advancing forces,” a Rapid Response spokesman said in the morning, using an Arab acronym for Islamic State. They expected to gain control of the Iron Bridge and the nearby area by the end of the day, he said. “Seizing the bridge will help further tighten the noose around Daesh fighters entrenched inside the old city,” he said. HEAVYSHELLING The boom of shelling and heavy machinegun fire could be heard from the center of Mosul and helicopter gunships strafed the ground from above yesterday morning. Amid the combat, a steady stream of refugees trudged out of the western

districts, carrying suitcases, bottles of water and other possessions. Some pushed children and sick elderly relatives in handcarts and wheelbarrows. Soldiers packed them into trucks on the MosulBaghdad highway to be taken to processing areas. Most left in the dark early morning hours or after the army recaptured their neighborhoods. Food had been scarce, they said. “We fled at 5 a.m. (0200 GMT) after the army had arrived. There has been a lot of shelling by Daesh,” said Hamid Hadi, a teacher. “Mostly we’ve been eating water mixed with tomatoes.” Ashraf Ali, a nurse who escaped with his wife and two children, said mortar rounds were falling as they fled. They took advantage of the army retaking their district to get out. “Daesh wanted us to move to their areas but we escaped when the army arrived,” he said. As many as 600,000 civilians are caught with the militants inside Mosul, which Iraqi forces have effectively sealed off from the remaining territory that Islamic State controls in Iraq and Syria. The Iraqi forces include army, special forces, Kurdish peshmerga and Shi’ite militias. More than 200,000 Mosul residents have been displaced since the start of the campaign in October. The Ministry of Immigration and Displacement said yesterday that in recent days, almost 13,000 displaced people from western Mosul had been received seeking assistance and temporary accommodation each day.

A U.S. F18 fighter jet lands on the deck of aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson during an annual joint military exercise called ‘Foal Eagle’ between South Korea and U.S., in the East Sea, South Korea. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji (Reuters) As the USS Carl Vinson plowed through seas off South Korea on Tuesday, rival North Korea warned the United States of “merciless” attacks if the carrier infringes on its sovereignty or dignity during U.S.-South Korean drills. F-18 fighter jets took off from the flight deck of the nuclear-powered carrier in a dramatic display of U.S. firepower amid rising tension with the North, which has alarmed its neighbors with two nuclear tests and a series of missile launches since last year. “While this is a routine deployment for the Carl Vinson strike group, really the centerpiece for us ... is this exercise we’re doing with the ROK navy called ‘Foal Eagle’,” Rear Admiral James W. Kilby, commander of the Carrier Strike Group 1, told reporters, referring to South Korea as the Republic of Korea. North Korea said the arrival of the U.S. strike group in the seas off the east of the Korean peninsula was part of a “reckless scheme” to attack it. “If they infringe on the DPRK’s sovereignty and dignity even a bit, its army will launch merciless ultra-precision strikes from ground, air, sea and underwater,” the North’s state news agency KCNA said. North Korea’s official name is the Democratic

People’s Republic of Korea. “On March 11 alone, many enemy carrier-based aircraft flew along a course near territorial air and waters of the DPRK to stage drills of dropping bombs and making surprise attacks on the ground targets of its army,” KCNA said. Last week, North Korea fired four ballistic missiles into the sea off Japan in response to annual U.S.-South Korea military drills, which the North sees as preparation for war. The murder in Malaysia last month of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s estranged half-brother has added to a sense of urgency to efforts to handle North Korea. U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is due to make his first visit to South Korea on Friday. Last week, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations said President Donald Trump’s administration was re-evaluating its North Korea strategy and “all options are on the table”. CHINESE OPPOSITION Compounding regional tension, China is vehemently opposed to the deployment in South Korea of an advanced U.S. anti-missile system. The United States and South Korea say the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense anti-missile system is for defense against North

Korea, but China fears its powerful radar can probe deep into its territory and compromise its security. The United States began to deploy the system a week ago, a day after North Korea launched its latest four missile tests. South Korean and U.S. troops began the large-scale joint drills, which are billed as defensive in nature, on March 1. The exercise last year involved about 17,000 American troops and more than 300,000 South Koreans. South Korea has said this year’s exercise would be of a similar scale. The United States has also started to deploy “Gray Eagle” attack drones to South Korea, a U.S. military spokesman said on Monday. China says the exercises do nothing to ease tension. Last week, it called on North Korea to stop its weapons tests and for South Korea and the United States to stop their drills. “We hope the relevant side can respect the security concerns of countries in the region, can take a responsible attitude and do more to benefit the easing of tension, rather than irritating each other,” Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a daily news briefing, referring to the United States.


Wednesday March 15, 2017

British engineer falls into cement mixer, crushed

Police officers inspect the machinery in which British engineer, John Morris, was crushed at a cement plant in Princes Town yesterday and later died. – Trinidad Express Photo: Dexter Philip (Trinidad Express) A British engineer was crushed at a cement plant in Princes Town yesterday. John Morris, 55, was pronounced dead at the Princes Town Health Facility. The incident 10.30 a.m. on the compound of Lutchmeesingh’s Asphalt Plant off the M1 Ring Road near the village of Buen intento.

Police said that Morris had tried with a rod to loosen the aggregate in a cistern when he was pulled into it. The aggregate covered him, and plant employees took several minutes to dig him out, police said. Yesterday afternoon, officers of the Princes Town Police Station and Southern Division Task Force went to

the compound and questioned the management and employees. According to the police report, Morris’ address was given at Mathilda Road, Princes Town, where the head office of the transport company is located. An autopsy is expected to be done at the Forensic Sciences Centre, St James, today.

Former Barbados PM urges reconsideration of approach to IMF BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Former Barbados prime minister Owen Arthur is urging the Freundel Stuart government to re-consider a relationship with the Washington-based International Monetary Fund (IMF) as it seeks to turn around an ailing economy. Speaking during the debate on the 2017-18 Estimates of Expenditure and Revenue, Arthur, who is being linked to an advisory job with the current administration, acknowledged that going to the Washington-based financial institution to deal with the island’s debt situation would not be easy. Finance Chris Sinckler has in the past said the Barbados government would not be seeking assistance from the IMF to deal with the current financial situation. “Barbados cannot turn its back on having its debt

Former Barbados PM Owen Arthur (Barbados Today photo) restructured under a Fund programme. Kit cannot run its back on having many of these other things…done under a Fund programme. “It cannot run its back on the 750 million that it can borrow from the Fund at one per cent, nor, if the House is

PAGE 29

Kaieteur News

not aware, that there are things called policy-based loans to which Barbados can be eligible from the IDB (InterAmerican Development Bank) and the CDB (Caribbean Development Bank)…that can only be accessed if the country has a programme in place with the International Monetary Fund,” Arthur said. Arthur said there has to be collaboration among government, the financial sector and the public sector if people become unemployed as a result of cuts which have to be made to turn around the economy. He told legislators that there was excess liquidity in the banking sector and if “people have to go home” because of “rationalisation of state enterprises”, there has to be an agreement to “ease the burden” so they can find jobs outside of the public sector, either in the private sector or as entrepreneurs.

Brazil foreign minister sees EU-Mercosur trade accord this year (Reuters) South American trade grouping Mercosur expects to sign a framework accord this year for a trade deal with the European Union as the U.S. shift to isolationism under President Donald Trump encourages it to look outside the hemisphere for trade opportunities, Brazil’s top diplomat said yesterday. Foreign Minister Aloysio Nunes told Reuters in an interview that Brazil and its neighbors in the Mercosur trade bloc have sped up long-running negotiations with the European Union and expect to have a political pact by year-end. “The U.S. withdrawal from agreements like the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Atlantic Alliance undoubtedly opens new opportunities for us,” Nunes said. President Michel Temer’s instructions to Nunes was to deepen Brazil’s integration with other parts of the world by first starting in its own neighborhood, the Mercosur customs union which also includes Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay.

Brazilian Foreign Minister Aloysio Nunes reacts during an interview with Reuters in Brasilia, yesterday (REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino) Free trade talks that have dragged on for over a decade between Mercosur and the European Union have suddenly come alive and negotiators hope to make significant breakthroughs next week in Buenos Aires, the minister said. “There is an intensification of our talks with the EU and we are moving into a decision-making phase,”

Nunes said. “We will sign a wide political accord this year and later negotiate more delicate issues.” Brazil, an agricultural powerhouse, is looking to place more food exports in the dynamic markets of Asia, where China has displaced the United States as the top Brazilian trading partner with its purchases of soybeans and iron ore.


PAGE 30

Kaieteur News

Wednesday March 15, 2017

Proposed amendments to Deeds and Commercial Registries Authority Act executive vulgarity – Nandlall “That Bill is an act of executive vulgarity. The deeds and commercial authority was created specifically to insulate that organisation from political and ministerial interference.” The Bill referred to is the Deeds and Commercial Registries Authority (Amendment) Bill 2017. It is the belief of former Attorney-General Anil Nandlall that the amendments, which the Bill seeks to make to the Deeds and Commercial Registries Act, represent executive interference into an organ which should be independent for a number of reasons. One of the amendments to the Bill seeks to insert the Minister of Legal Affairs to perform the functions of the Governing Board of the

Former AG, Anil Nandlall Deeds and Commercial Registries Authority. According to Nandlall, the very broad based Board

was created comprising of important stakeholders who transact business with the registry. “That board was supposed to run the registry, manage it and that board was supposed to hire the staff so that the staff could have flexible working hours and not bound by the public service rules. It was all part of making the deeds registry a competitive place for business as part of our international loan agreement; we got financing to do those things; to make it business friendly.” The former AG added that the Deeds and Commercial Registries were not to be subjected to the control and direction of any minister. He said that the particular amendment being put

Legal Affairs Minister, Basil Williams forward by Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General Basil Williams is designed to reverse the entire process.

Soldier sent to jail for possession of cannabis A young Guyana Defence Force soldier was jailed for three years yesterday at the Blairmont Magistrate’s Court, and ordered to pay a fine of $744,000, after he was found guilty, by Magistrate Rhondel Weever, of being in possession of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking. The case before the court as presented by Police Corporal Raquel Mars, stated that on the morning of November 16, last, police ranks attached to the Fort Wellington Police Station stopped and searched a motor car along the Bath Public Road, West Coast Berbice when the substance was discovered. Lennox Williams, 23, a member of the Guyana Defence Force, Base Camp Stephenson, who gave his address as Budhan Housing Scheme, West Canje, and 44 Stanleytown,

New Amsterdam, was one of four passengers in a hire car bound for Georgetown when the motor car was stopped and searched by a mobile patrol. Passengers were asked to identify their luggage, and it was discovered that Williams was carrying the illegal substance. He was subsequently arrested and charged. He made his first appearance in court on November 21. The prosecution called five witnesses, including the driver of the hire car. Attorney CharrandassPersaud, representing Williams, in a plea for mitigation, asked the court to take into consideration the fact that Williams is a young man with no previous conviction, as well as the fact that he was a serving member of the GDF.

Chaos in the Berbice High Court …400 gallon water tank comes crashing down The flooded courtroom.

Just as Justice James Bovell-Drakes was about to begin trial in a manslaughter matter in the Berbice High Court, a 400gallon water tank situated on some beams above the Judge’s Chambers, adjacent to the jurors room, broke the beam and crashed down, flooding the upper flat of the High Court. The sudden crashing sound of the full water tank caused panic in the court rooms. At the time of the commotion sessions were also being held in the Civil and Land Court There was chaos as no one was sure of the source of the noise as gallons of water began pouring from above into the criminal court and hall way.

Some of the water also made its way into the Land Court. This led to staff, civilians, police and others who were in the precincts of the court on business to scamper to safety, But the curious few were running in the opposite direction to see what was the cause of the disturbance. Justice Bovell-Drakes immediately adjourned court as sessions in all three courts were disrupted. The hallways and the criminal court, including the chambers of Justice Drakes were completely flooded. Session subsequently resumed in the Civil and Land Courts while the morning session of the Criminal court was called off until 13:00 hrs.

“He has an obligation under the current Act to appoint the governing board; he has refused to do so over the past 20 months and now he is passing a law to say that when there is no board, the minister can act. So he is capitalising on his own deliberate omission.” Nandlall said that Williams’s action is misfeasance in public office saying that the AG deliberately disobeyed the official duties conferred on him by law. “That is why I went to the court and I got an order compelling him to appoint the governing board.” The High Court had granted an Order Nisi of Mandamus on Williams to appoint the members of the Governing Board of the Deeds and Commercial Registries Authority. The matter, which was heard before Justice Brassington Reynolds, was filed by former Attorney General Anil Nandlall on March 6, last, and granted on March 8. In his application, Nandlall said that the Deeds and Commercial Registries Authority Act 2013, Act No. 4 of 2013 establishes the Deeds and Commercial Registry as a corporate body, to establish and promote the efficient and orderly

operation of the Deeds Registry and the Commercial Registry, to establish the conditions governing the employment of officers and employees of the Authority. He noted that Section 5(1) of the Act establishes a Governing Board of the said Authority, which shall have the function of ensuring the proper and efficient performance of the functions of the Authority. The Board is supposed to consist of a Chairman, Registrar of Deeds, Registrar of the Commercial Registry, a nominee of the Ministry of Finance, a nominee of the Ministry of Finance, a nominee of the Ministry of Housing and Water, a nominee of the Guyana Bar Association, a nominee of the Guyana Association of Legal Professionals and a nominee of the private sector. The Chairman is appointed by the Minister of Legal Affairs. When he made the application, Nandlall said that the Board is non-functional, not properly constituted, and has not held a meeting for over a year. Further, Nandlall stated that the conduct by the Minister not to appoint a Board constitutes multiple breaches of the Deeds and Commercial Registries Authority Act.

Better Health Care to be provided in Region Ten By Jacquey Bourne Region Ten Health Sector will benefit from a budgetary allocation of $640.3M for 2017. Regional Health Committee Chairman Councillor Dr. Gregory Harris said that there will be several major changes in the Health Sector for 2017. He noted that for the first time Rockstone community will receive an ambulance. “This will be a major boost given the level of emergencies and the difficulties associated with travel from such outlying areas which usually refer patients to the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC). The development is also expected to ease the economic burden on residents.” Dr Harris also noted that all Health Centres including those in the Berbice River will be receiving upgrades. He noted that new outdoor facilities- washroom facilities will be constructed as well as guard huts. He added that some of the Health Centres will be extended and a polyclinic will be established in the Berbice River. According to Councillor Harris, Phlebotomy chairs will be installed in the Health sector to aid in the process of collecting blood specimen. Health Workers will have more materials to help them perform more efficiently. Dr. Harris said that 10 motorcycles will be purchased by the Regional Health department to assist Health Workers in their field assignments. He also noted that the new Health Minister is currently putting systems in place to prevent future drug shortages. According to Councillor Harris, Health Centres in the riverain areas will be fitted with necessary items such as dressing trolleys, dressing chairs, solar refrigerators and autoclaves. Upgrade and maintenance works will be carried out to Health Posts in riverain areas such as Calcuni and Sand Hill to make them more efficient and effective. Other allocations for the Region include Public Works $368.3M, Education $1,858B and Regional Administration and Finance $270.8M.


Wednesday March 15, 2017

Kaieteur News

PAGE 31


PAGE 32

Kaieteur News

Wednesday March 15, 2017


Wednesday March 15, 2017

Halep, Radwanska out as Kerber battles through Omnisport - Simona Halep and Agnieszka Radwanska suffered surprise losses at the BNP Paribas Open as Angelique Kerber fought through. Halep, the 2015 champion, wasted chances in a loss to Kristina Mladenovic at Indian Wells on Monday. Radwanska, seeded sixth and runner-up in 2014 at the WTA Premier event, was also comfortably beaten, going down to qualifier Peng Shuai. Kerber, who will reclaim the top ranking next week, battled through, joined in the last 16 by Venus Williams, Madison Keys and Caroline Wozniacki. HALEP EXITS Halep suffered a third

loss in four meetings against Mladenovic, beaten 6-3, 6-3 by the French 28th seed. Mladenovic broke three times in each set as Halep was punished for her missed chances, converting just three of 22 break points. Halep won 50 return points compared to Mladenovic’s 29, yet bowed out in one hour, 42 minutes. RADWANSKA NO MATCH FOR PENG A qualifier, Peng continued her run with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Radwanska. There were 10 breaks of serve throughout the thirdround match, but Peng came away a deserved victor. KERBER SURVIVES Kerber needed more than two and a half hours to get past Pauline Parmentier 7-5,

3-6, 7-5. The German was forced into a huge battle by Parmentier, coming from 4-1 down in the final set to progress. SEEDS OTHERWISE TOO GOOD Also advancing to the fourth round were Williams, Keys and Wozniacki. Williams remains on track for her 50th WTA Tour title after beating Lucie Safarova 6-4, 6-2. Keys did it easily against Naomi Osaka 6-1, 6-4 and Wozniacki cruised past Katerina Siniakova 6-3, 6-1. Elena Vesnina overcame Timea Babos 6-4, 1-6, 6-4, while Lauren Davis was too good for Julia Goerges 6-1, 6-4 in a clash between two unseeded players.

Wednesday March 15, 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) This will not be the best day to sign deals or to take care of other people's financial matters. Home improvement projects will enhance your residence and bring the family closer together. Listen to the problems of others and offer suggestions where possible. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) You can find out interesting information if you get a chance to talk to people you respect. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Confusion is apparent and you'll need some sound advice if you want to do the right thing. You must be extremely careful not to let relatives or friends interfere in your personal life. Don't be afraid to make additions to your house. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Travel or short trips will probably be your best outlet. Do not let lovers cost you money or take advantage of you. Family get-togethers will be interesting.

PAGE 33

Kaieteur News

love. Someone you work with could have a personal interest in you. LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You will find it easy to learn and excel. Try not to say the wrong thing at the wrong time. Love relationships will flourish. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Time to deal with institutional environments, government agencies, and matters of a private nature today. Get back to basics and reevaluate what is important in life. Romance will be on your mind, and chances for ideal connections are in the works. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Coworkers may not be completely honest with you; try not to rely on help from others. Use your obvious talent to work with detail and you can come up with something great. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) You can get into self awareness groups or look into physical enhancement programs.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Deal with in-laws today. Get out and experience the spice of life. There are ways of making extra cash if you put your mind to it.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Your mate will appreciate your honesty. Don't evade issues or twist the truth around. You can't win and they won't listen.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You can make sound financial investments if you act fast. You may blow situations out of proportion when dealing with the one you

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Changes in your home will be positive. Plan your social events carefully. Look into alternatives that would better suit both your needs.

Disappointed South Africa denies... (From page 33) economic climate the country would not leave itself exposed to an “open-ended guarantee” on the event’s budget. He said the government disagreed with the CGF’s statement, while respecting its decision as the rights holder. “Our country is regrettably not in a position to make huge financial commitments given the current competing socio-economic needs and global economic downturn,” he told reporters on Tuesday. “In the interests of fiscal discipline and financial prudency, our government has considered all options

and remains confident that we have acted in the best interest of South Africa.” Durban missed deadlines last November to sign the host city contract, establish an organizing committee and make contracted payments to the CGF. Mbalula said the government had approved a budget of 4.32 billion rand (270.08 million pounds) which it believed was ample, using the country’s hosting of the All Africa Games 18 years ago as a yardstick. “The 1999 All Africa Games are comparable in size, the number of athletes, the number of technical officials and the duration, to the planned Commonwealth

Games of 2022,” Mbalula said. “South Africa successfully hosted the All Africa Games with a budget of 252 million rand. Should it be compounded at 6 percent per annum over a period of 21 years, it will amount to 808 million rand in 2022. “The actual cost of the [All Africa] Games is an illustration that a multi-code sport event can be successfully hosted within an affordable budget.” Birmingham and Liverpool have expressed an interest in stepping in to replace Durban in 2022. The 2018 event will be held on Australia’s Gold Coast. ($1 = 13.1915 rand)

Collins hanging up spikes... (From page 35) (10.07). And I’m the oldest man ever to medal in the 100 at the World Championships. Now I’m looking for another.” Collins, whose name adorns a thoroughfare in his St. Kitts & Nevis, has had a distinguished career. He has won five medals in 10 appearances at the World Championships including a gold medal in the 100 in 2003. He said there was no bet-

ter place to bow out of the sport than the British capital, where fans of the sport are knowledgeable and very appreciative of good performances. “The crowd is deafening sometimes,” he said. “Especially when they announce Usain Bolt, you hear the fans screaming and shouting. It’s amazing.

“That’s the thing about track & field. The fans come out to show their love and support. I personally appreciate that. When the fans come and show love and they’re rooting for you, you want to make sure you do right by them.” The World Championships are scheduled from August 4 to 13.


Kaieteur News

PAGE 34

Wednesday March 15, 2017

Malteenoes inaugural novices’ table tennis tournament serves off Friday -Entries close today The Malteenoes Table Tennis Club (MTTC) will be hosting its inaugural novices’ tournament at the Club on 17 Thomas Road on Friday to serve off the beginning of the Club’s programmes for the New Year. Registration for the tournament closes today. “To kick-start its programmes, the Club i n v i t e s Ta b l e Te n n i s enthusiasts and others new to the game and reside in the Georgetown area to Join us

for a week of fun in our ‘2017 MTTC First Novices Table Tennis Tournament,” a press release said. The event features four categories, which the first round will be a round-robin group where the top two players will advance to the main event draws, while the third and fourth players will advance to the consolation event draw. A total of 64 customised trophies and medals will be awarded to the players with

the most wins in the various categories. The competition starts with the juniors and will conclude with seniors this weekend. The actual draws and tournament scheduling will be published on Friday morning and will be available Online at the Club’s tournament site and on Facebook. “Malteenoes has long been the home of Table Tennis in Guyana. Over the last 40 years it has seen the development and maturity of virtually all the top Table Tennis players in Guyana. This long history has always had the blessings and

support of the Malteenoes Sports Club’s great family of upstanding citizens,” the release continued. The table tennis arm has reconstituted itself under new management as MTTC and has formed a team called the Malteenoes Dragons. The Club’s Head Coach and the Tournament Director, Idi Lewis is at the helm of the facility with Coordinator Kevin Prass. “This new management envisions an independently organised club, which will promote the game of table tennis through Fitness

programmes for adults of all ages and abilities with aggressive training programmes for enthusiastic people of all ages, who wish to increase their level of play quickly and compete toward development,” the circular noted. The club also aspires to promote an environment for retired professionals to socialise and maintain their fitness through table tennis and hosts year-round club Leagues, which there will be semi-annual presentations and an annual Presentation Ceremony. Interested participants

can register online at http://www.r2sports.com/to urney.asp?TID=21396 and download and deliver their registration forms and entrance fees to the following locations: Malteenoes Table Tennis Club 17 Thomas Rd, Thomas Lands from 6-9pm Monday to Friday The Business School 443 Brickdam St, Georgetown Tel.:266—8906; Today’s Styles 65 Robb & King St Lacytown, Georgetown Tel.:658-2628; Call/Text The Organisers Kevin Prass: 697-8325, Idi Lewis 6303602.

Berbice thump President’s XI by 141 runs at Bourda Berbice defeated the President’s XI by 141 runs when the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Dave West Indian Imports inter county U15 50-over tournament commenced yesterday. Led by a 120-run third wicket stand between Marvan Prashad and Daniel Dharamdat, Berbice posted 196-9 after they were inserted at Bourda. Pacer Marlando Durant provided the GCB President’s XI with the breakthrough by uprooting the stumps of opener Sarwan Chaitnarine (02) before Raynaldo Mohamed had Ricardo Mohamed (11) stumped as Berbice slipped to 21-2. However, Prashad and Dharamdat consolidated to steady the innings with level-headed batting in favourable sunshine. The duo rotated the strike well and picked up boundaries off the wayward deliveries as their partnership proved to be the backbone of Berbice batting. Prashad struck two fours and one six before he fell to Joel Gilkes for 67 while left arm spinner Ryan Atkinson, who was surprisingly only given three overs which cost seven runs, had Dharamdat caught and bowled for 44 which contained three fours. Thereafter, Berbice lost wickets at regular intervals with only Hemraj Harilall (13), Abdul Ramsammy

(11) and Anthony Williams (11) getting into double figures. Raynaldo Mohamed was the pick of the bowlers with 4-36, while Atkinson, Durant, Gilkes, Zeynol Ramsammy had one each. I n r e p l y, S h a m a r Yearwood and Mahendra Goepilall looked solid as they put on 21 for the opening stand before the latter was run out for seven, while Yearwood, the only batsman to reach double figures was dismissed for 10. Left arm spinner Hemraj Hariall and off-spinner Abdul Ramsammy then combined to restrict the President’s XI batting with some steady bowling as they were sent packing for 49 in 31.5 overs. The pair shared seven wickets between them with Harilall grabbing 4-5 and Ramsammy 3-8 off 10 overs each. Prashad was named man-of-the-match.

Hemraj Harilall (left) and Abdul Ramsammy

Man-of-the-match Marvan Prashad accepts his prize from referee Grantley Culbard.

Daniel Dharamdat

Raynaldo Mohamed


Wednesday March 15, 2017

Kaieteur News

Crandon hails Jaguars victory over Scorpions KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Guyana Jaguars head coach Esuan Crandon said his side’s sixth-round victory over Jamaica Scorpions is a huge boost to their push for a third straight Regional 4-Day title. The Jaguars, the defending Regional 4-Day champions, completed a seven-wicket victory on Monday to again take leadership in the sixfranchise tournament from the Scorpions, the previous tournament front-runners. The Jags moved into the lead on 84.8 points, leaving the Scorpions in second on 73, just five clear of traditionally-strong Barbados, another sixthround winner. “This is definitely a huge win for us,” said Crandon. “It was a total team effort. I thought we were a little bit rusty on the first day, but we knew what our bowlers were capable of doing. “ We w e r e a l i t t l e hampered at home in terms of preparation, so these guys had to come out and be professional and showcase their skill.”

Crandon said: “All in all, I am happy with the victory. I guess there are some areas that we need to work on as we go on, so we just have to try and put in the work and take it one game at a time. “ We r e c o g n i s e t h e importance of us winning this game and taking the lead away from home. Our aim is to win the next two games, and if we don’t win, then we have to try and get as much points from those two games. So this is a huge boost for us going into the next two games.” Jaguars will continue their road show, when they travel to Port of Spain to face

Trinidad & Tobago Red Force, the other sixth-round winner, at Queen’s Park Oval before travelling halfhour northward to Bridgetown, where they will renew the oldest rival in the regional game against the Pride at Kensington Oval. At the same time, Scorpions captain Nikita Miller said it was a major disappointment for his side to lose on home soil and for a second time in the tournament to the Jaguars, following a 181-run defeat in the first round last November. “I feel like we had a good opportunity to win this game, but the difference I

believe was that their fast bowlers did a lot better than ours and that made the difference,” said Miller. “If our pace bowlers had been a little bit more consistent maybe we would have got some more wickets from them on (Sunday). Miller said: “Every game from here on is like a final, so we have to double our efforts. I think that we have to close out games when we get that opportunity because it was a second innings game. “Our decision-making in both innings was not up to the standard that I or the coaching staff expected and going forward we have to look at that and make sure that we score runs. If we are going to win games, we have to score runs because that is what sets up games.” The Scorpions host the flagging Leeward Islands Hurricanes on Friday at Sabina Park in Kingston in the seventh round, which also features the Pride welcoming the Windward I s l a n d s Vo l c a n o e s t o Kensington Oval.

PAGE 35

Disappointed South Africa denies skimping on Commonwealth Games budget

South African Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula . (REUTERS/Mike Hutchings) (Reuters) South Africa’s government has expressed disappointment at the decision to strip Durban of the right to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games, saying the budget it had guaranteed for the event was sufficient. The Commonwealth Games Federation said on Monday it was seeking a

new host because the coastal city had failed to deliver on the promises it had made in its bid, including on governance, venues, funding and risk management. But South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Fikile Mbalula, said the financial demands of the CGF were excessive, and that in a tough (Continued on page 31)

East Bank E’bo CC launches Dwayne Stephens Auto Sales T20

Sitting from left, Orville Stuart former Vice Chairman of EBE CC, Ms. Tamika Johnson Assistant Secretary Treasurer, Alvin Johnson Chairman and selector Faizal Ghani. Standing representatives from the various teams. East Bank Essequibo Cricket Committee (EBECC) recently launched the Dwayne Stephens (Big Yard) Auto Sales T20 tournament at a simple ceremony held at the entity’s

location in Vergenoegen. The round robin tournament, which is set to commence on Sunday, will see matches being played on a weekly basis at Vergenoegen, Tuschen and

Zeelugt grounds. Speaking at the l a u n c h i n g c e r e m o n y, Chairman of the East Bank Essequibo Cricket Committee Alvin Johnson thanked the sponsor and

wished the teams well. He noted the importance of sponsorship adding that players such as Kevon Boodie, Kemol Savory, Hemchand Persaud, Ricardo Adams, Ryan

Adams, Ryan Hercules, Trevor Benn and Jason Heyliger have all participated in this tournament over the years. Defending champions Parika Salem, Hydronie,

Tuschen, Zeelugt, Gold F u s i o n C C , Ve r g e n o e g e n , H y d e Park, Tuschen A and B and Ruby United SC are the teams that will battle for supremacy.


Kaieteur News

PAGE 36

Wednesday March 15, 2017

Stag Bowl Football Tournament launched in Linden

By Jacquey Bourne Eight teams from eight wards in Linden will vie for the first place as CBR Hotshots Entertainment launched their first Annual Stag Bowl Football tournament last Friday on LEN Tarmac. According to CBR Hotshots Entertainment Director, Coretta Hutson, the Organization was founded by current and former National athletes to organize and promote quality sport, cultural and family oriented events in and around Linden. Hutson said the tournament is the brainchild of Rickland ‘Tallo’ Hutson, Marlon ‘Brando’ Washington and Clive Nobrega. She noted that the vision is to promote the sport in a way where footballers can get more involved in community outreach. “The tournament came to fruition when the guys decided to bring back the original football rivalry and do a tournament with a difference. They wanted all parties to be involved and benefit – the players, the coaches, the fans and the community. Basically what we are starting off with after the launching is a ‘community lime’ where we are going into each community represented here and hold a lime as a result to bring cohesion within them. It is not just football; it is

football with a twist, a football with a difference, a football that is meant to bring everybody together.” The eight wards represented are Amelia’s Ward, Central McKenzie, C h r i s t i a n b u r g , Silvercity/Valleys/Alleys, Blueberry Hill, Half Mile/One Mile/Scheme, Wi s r o c / B l o c k 2 2 a n d Silvertown/Canvas City/West Watooka. Hutson noted that the first place winner will cart off $1.2M and a trophy, but they will have to use the two hundred thousand dollars for a community project. Second prize $500,000 and a trophy and third and fourth place winners will take home $300,000 and $150,000 respectively. Town Council Councilor Keenan Williams speaking on behalf of His Worship the Mayor Carwyn Holland, thanked the Hutson family for their continued involvement in community development and in sport; their contribution towards the development and maintenance of the Christianburg Community Centre and football in Christianburg. Williams noted that football is the heart of Linden. “I am happy to see that the CBR Hotshots Entertainment have recognized the importance and have decided to commit to the process of ensuring that community

Some of the prizes on offer during the UDFA Ansa McAl Stag Bowl tourney. mobilization, participation and involvement will play a critical part in this tournament they have planned and contributed to. It involves community participation at a level where they will work together in terms of building cohesion.” Williams noted that he is also happy that teams and communities will be charged to mobilize themselves and do fund raising activities and to initiate Community Development projects. He also claimed that football is considered the vein of Linden an extra ordinary town. “It is not only seen as the tool to keep youths involved but one of the most important tools for economic stimulation of the most important symbol for economic diversification and allowing for us to think outside of the box.” He noted that sports, entertainment and tourism were able to keep Linden afloat after the decline of bauxite. “All said and done the

LABA/ Hamid Foundation U-23 basketball Penultimate preliminary round tonight

Bulls, Raiders clash for top position, Falcons, Royals search for first win Half Mile Bulls and Retrieve Raiders, seeded one and four respectively in Group A, and the unbeaten teams in that section of the Linden Amateur Basketball Association/ Hamid Foundation Under 23 basketball championship, will play the featured game tonight at the Mackenzie Sports Club hard court, to see who will top their group and head into the final four.

That game at 20.30hrs will be preceded by the first game in Group B at 18.30hrs between Victory Valley Royals seeded at three and unranked Falcons, both are yet to record a win having lost the two games in the four team group play so far. The tournament was held up for two weeks after the association had to make some verifications of their team lists to ensure that the

players were indeed born on January 1 or after 1994 to be eligible to play. The final set of matches to be played this week will see Kwakwani, the surprise of the tournament, taking on Amelia’s Ward Jets who like them are unbeaten as the battle to determine who will top Group A as both will eventually advance, like the Bulls and Raiders to the semifinals.

M&TC is pleased to endorse this tournament. We are encouraged to see community members are mobilizing themselves to participate in the development process. We are encouraged to see that it does not only involve the promoters but others that are seeking to involve the community at large. We recognize that we cannot do it alone; by no means the Politicians or the ‘so called’ leaders in positions can’t do it alone. It will involve every Lindener.” President of the Upper Demerara Football Association Sharma Solomon in his final appearance as President of the UDFA said as he look at the football being organized he is encouraged to recognize the structure and format which takes into consideration not just the sport but the community. Solomon said that the history of Inter Ward football tournaments at the level of the senior programmes acts as a catalyst and it is the purest grassroots programme where it contributes to clubs and thanked CBR Promotion Group for bringing back grassroot football to the community. “Our players have always demonstrated their abilities to show how they can perform on the field and not only as it relates to clubs but as it relates to how they conduct themselves; and I am certain that although this is an interward tournament and the UDFA limitations as it relates to sanctioning of the tournament. We have players who are maybe part of the

competition who are not registered with the Association but we are also aware that the players of the U D FA t h a t w i l l b e participating in this competition will demonstrate exemplary skill, not only skill of talent but skill of respect and discipline and we ask those players who are not part of this Association to demonstrate that skill of talent and also high discipline and moral character.” Solomon noted that as the person responsible for football for the last 13 months this competition adds flair and flavor to the UDFA. He noted that the executive was given the opportunity over the past 13 months and they have made some accomplishments which include two year end tournaments which allowed for over $10M to be injected directly into football to run two U17 tournaments which lasted over seven months which allowed our U17 players to be well tuned and train the coaches. “We are saying these things so you can get the bigger picture of where football should be developed.” Solomon also elaborated on the fact that the youngsters at the level of coaching and summer programmes have been catered for and based on all that and what they would have accomplished, including the issues of developing players, grounds and all that was needed over the past 13 months and based on the things that have developed in the UDFA, very humbly and sincerely

announced his resignation as President of the UDFA as he did last Thursday to the President of the Guyana Football Federation. “ We h a v e a n understanding in the UDFA what is important is football and football must always be the victor as we move forward in this community. We h a v e h a d i n t h i s community too many issues of division, too many issues of infighting. Things like that will not make us progress; things like that have retarded our development and growth; and if as a community we want to ensure that beyond the things that hold us back removed, we can only do that together and collectively. This is my admonishment and collectively we fail as we have demonstrated many times before to collectively pursue the things that confront us, it challenges then dividedly we will fall as victims to the things that continue today to affect us. So I say this again with some amount of heavy heart; to ensure that football progress it is my sincerest hope that we put football first and forward.” Representative from Ansa McAl Keon Persaud said his company is proud to be the sponsor of the inaugural Stag Bowl F o o t b a l l To u r n a m e n t . Persaud said sports play an important role in the mind of youths and Ansa McAl plan to continue to support events and youths throughout the length and breadth of Guyana and they would love to revitalize the brand in the community.


Kaieteur News

Wednesday March 15, 2017

PAGE 37

GFF/Pele Alumini Frank Watson U15 Intra Association Tourney

CONCACAF President Montagliani officially unveils tournament By Franklin Wilson Youths across the nine associations affiliated to the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) at the Under-15 level will soon be battling among themselves following the historic launch of the GFF/Pele Alumini Frank Wa t s o n U - 1 5 I n t r a Association competition yesterday by President of the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football, Victor Montagliani. The history making launch took place at the National Gymnasium and was attend by a bevy of dignitaries including John Yates – Representative of Pele FC Alumini Corporation, Director of Sports – Christopher Jones, Wayne Forde – President GFF, Richard Dijkkhoff – President Aruba FA, Fabrice Baly – President St. Martin FA, Horace Reid – Director of Caribbean Football (CONCACAF), Marco Leal – Director of Member Associations and Legal Affairs (CONCACAF), Presidents and Secretaries of the nine associations as well as students and teaches of selected schools. In launching the competition, which comes on the heels of a similar one

President of CONCACAF, Canadian FA and FIFA VP, Victor Montagliani speaking directly to part of his attentive audience yesterday at the National Gymnasium.

at the Under-17 level sponsored by the National Milling Company of Guyana (NAMILCO) under its Thunderbolt brand, President Montagliani commended Mr. Yates and the Pele Alumini for the vision and commitment in sponsoring this competition which would be organised over the next five years. He told the players present that the tournament

is all about them, noting that they have the privilege to be involved in the greatest game in the world and they needed to seize such an opportunity. Having taken over the reins at CONCACAF since 2016 and adopted a hands approach to governance, Montagliani told the players that competing in this competition would not guarantee players a place in

Collins hanging up spikes following London 2017 BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, CMC – Kim Collins said he will retire from track & field following this year’s I A A F W o r l d Championships in London. The evergreen former World sprint champion said he was proud of his longevity in the sport, but the time was now right to bring his career to an end. “I think London will be my last,” said the 41-yearold Collins. “My oldest son is now 19. The kids are growing. But it’s been great for the younger generation as it shows that if you take care of your body, you can have a long-lasting career. “I’m making sure my body is healthy, I’m eating right and getting a lot stronger in the gym which many years ago I didn’t do. My body is getting a lot stronger and more flexible which helps me perform to

Kim Collins bowing out of track & field following 2017 World Championships in London. the best of my ability and not get injured.” Collins added: “My first appearance was in 1995 when I was on the relay. In 1997 when I came back I had a small injury. I ended up

running 21 seconds for the 100 metres. It’s the slowest 100m ever run! “I also have the slowest winning time ever run at a World Championships (Continued on page 31)

the Golden Jaguars set up but they must nonetheless be committed to the football journey which will take them somewhere and teach them things that no school can teach them. ”You need to go to school; you need to do that, but football will teach you a lot of things. It will teach you how to get through some difficult situations, life is similar to football.” Many examples were used by President Montagliani to encourage the players to stick to the task and be disciplined in aiming to be the best they can be as he told the players that it is a privilege to be their President. ”Everything I do is for the players in this confederation. You have to respect the game and learn, and the game will teach you how to be men and how to be women in this game and I want you to seize that moment. So I am proud to stand here in front of you and say thanks to you for giving me the privilege of being your president.” The FIFA VP also noted that CONCACAF stands fully behind the GFF in its endeavors to advance the foundation and development of the game, noting that all need to take on the role of being responsible. President Forde in his remarks noted that it was an exciting and historic day for the game in Guyana, adding that the tournament adds to the federation’s structure of

football development at one of the most critical levels. He said that the tournament was also part of the GFF’s strategic development plan to have consistent football being played for the next five years. The gathering was told by Forde that within the coming weeks, similar tournaments would be launched at the Under-13 and 20 levels. The importance of age specific tournaments was further lamented by Forde stating that it will feed the best players into the S c o t i a b a n k Yo u t h Academies in the various associations which are geared to strengthen the national grid at each age level leading up to the senior Golden Jaguars. Director of Sport Christopher Jones underscored the Government’s, ministry of Education and the National S p o r t s C o m m i s s i o n ’s unflinching commitment towards the programmes being rolled out by the GFF aimed at empowering young players. He singled out one of the initiatives that is in keeping with government’s own, the expansion of programmes to the hinterland communities. As he has done in the past, Jones once again challenged corporate Guyana to come on board like never before by way of supporting and investing in the development of

Guyana’s sportsmen and women, noting that he is steadfastly working on ways and means to reward those who giveback by way of tax reforms. Yates, in chronicling the investment of Pele FC Alumini Corporation ever since its birth on 18, July, 1971, informed that more than 50 kids from the Albouystown YMCA led by former national player and coach Lennox Arthur named the club following the retirement of Brazilian star, King Pele, to honour the world star. The entity has been doing tremendous work that has benefitted hundreds of Guyanese youths over the years from providing scholarships and partnering with other organisations to attain its set goals. ”Today we have signed a five year agreement with the Guyana Football Federation for a tournament in honour of Pele FC First President Frank Watson. The purpose of this tournament is to assist with the development of youth football in Guyana and utilising football as a vehicle to promote education for youth footballers, both boys and girls. Pele FC Alumini will contribute $4.5 Million annually towards the administration of the programme also providing gears, balls and trophies for the tournament.” Play in each association is anticipated to get underway later this month into next month.


Kaieteur News

PAGE 38

Wednesday March 15, 2017

Dave West Indian imports Inter-County U-15 Cricket

Shaw, Seepersaud fire Demerara to 114-run win over E’bo By Sean Devers In sweltering heat yesterday at Eve Leary, a half century from Shoab Shaw and a useful all round performance from Andre Seepersaud, led defending champions Demerara to a crushing 114-run victory against Essequibo in one of two opening games of the second annual GCB’s Dave West Indies Imports 50-over U-15 Inter-County cricket tournament. The 13-year-old Shaw followed his 74 against the same opposition in last year’s tournament with an entertaining 85-ball 56, decorated with five four and shared in a 57-run third wicket stand with Seepersaud, whose 29 lasted 55 balls and included three boundaries. Daniel Motoo stroked a correct unbeaten 26 with two fours and added 45 for the ninth wicket with Mark Ramanand, who hit an attacking 19 from 26 balls before he was run out off the last ball of the 50th over as Demerara reached 1769. Ronaldo Scouten (2-44), the brother of Essequibo senior player Ricardo Adams, and Manoj Dasrat (2-33), were the most successful bowlers for Essequibo who were demolished for 64 in 26.5 overs. After Skipper and

National U-15 all-rounder Sheldon Charles (8) and Wasim Mohamed (10) were removed, Essequibo slumped from 31-1 as they lost nine wickets for 33 runs on a track with no devil in it despite the odd balls keeping low. Demerara elected to bat on a lush green but slow outfield and Shaw, who made his National U-15 debut last year, played several delightful shots as he dominated a 40-run opening partnership with 12-year-old Movindra Dindyal, who played the supporting role with a carefully constructed nine from 33 balls before he played around a straight one from Scouten and was trapped lbw in the 13th over. With the score on 53, Ushivedeva Balgobin topedged an injudicious sweep off Scouten only for the ball to fall on the off bail as the burly lefthander was bowled for a duck. Seepersaud and Shaw then embarked on ‘operation rebuild’ with Shaw reaching his second fifty at this level with a back-foot punch for a couple off Davendra Ramdahim. His 50 came from 74 balls and included five fours, while Seepersaud swept Dasrat to backward square-leg boundary before on-driving him sweetly for another boundary in the same over to bring up the 100 in the 25th over.

Daniel Motoo drives Sheldon Charles during his unbeaten 26 at Eve Leary yesterday.

Demerara’s Shoab Shaw off drives during his Man-of-the-Match 56 at Eve Leary yesterday (photos by Sean Devers) But Shaw, when well set for a big score, played a ‘check drive’ off Dasrat and was taken at long-off as the stand was finally broken with the score on 110-3. It was soon 116-4 when Chanderpaul Ramraj (1) was beaten in flight and bowled by Dasrat before Seepersaud was run out in the 33rd over with the score on 123-5. Devendra Hemraj was removed at 125, while Esmond Pearson never

suggested permanence and backed away from the pacers before he was bowled for one by National U-15 allrounder Sheldon Charles, one run later. A n d w h e n Tr e v o n Charles was run out for two, Demerara were wobbling on the ropes at 131-8 but Essequibo let them off the hook as Motoo, who disdainfully flicked Adrash Ramdial for four, and Ramanand launched a late order rally.

Charles and Mohamed started positively for the visitors who galloped to 16 in the fourth over before Charles clobbered a short ball from Hemraj and took off for a suicidal single and was run out by a direct hit from Seepersaud at mid-on. After Mohamed was lbw to Charles at 31-2 it went all downhill as Seepersaud, who was on a hat-trick when he dismissed Scouten and Ty r o n B r a n d o n o f f successive balls with the

score on 47, but was strangely taken off with three overs remaining, finishing with 3-15. Aryan Persaud (2-5) and Ramraj (2-7) supported Seepersaud as Essequibo tumbled for the second lowest total on the opening day. First round losers Essequibo and the President’s X1 clash today at Everest, while Berbice play Demerara in today’s feature game at Enmore.

Andre Seepersaud goes over mid-on before he was run out for 29 at Eve Leary.


Wednesday March 15, 2017

Kaieteur News

PAGE 39

Beharry Group of Companies onboard with school’s basketball The Beharry Group of Companies yesterday announced that it will be partnering with Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) for the ninth consecutive year ahead of the launch of the National Schools’ Basketball Festival (NSBF) tomorrow. The YBG NSBF is Guyana’s most enduring school basketball tournament. The company made their announcement at its Charlotte and Wellington Streets Head Office. Director of YBG Chris Bowman was elated with the continuation of support. “We are pretty happy that Edward B. Beharry is onboard with us again

because this is not an easy thing to do, but they have really been unwavering in th eir s u p p o r t o f u s , ” Bowman said, adding that even if they have “wavered a bit”, Beharry has kept their end of the bargain for ninth straight year. Brands Manager at the Beharry Group, Kamini Naresh indicated that the company is dedicated to the development of youths. “We have been always willing to give back and this is one of those ways. We really love this programme and we are proud of your accomplishments, we believe the youths of today are the future of tomorrow

YBG Director, Chris Bowman (second, left) receives the contribution from Kamini Naresh, while YBG’s Rayad Boyce (left) and a Beharry representative share the moment. and we are really happy for the opportunity,” Naresh

said. The schools’ basketball

festival will be launched tomorrow before bouncing

off in conferences across Guyana.

CONCACAF boss pleased with progress of GFF as hectic and fruitful visit conclude

CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani makes appoint during yesterday afternoon’s press conference at Pegasus Hotel. Others in photo from right are, Marco Leal – Director of Member Associations and Legal Affairs (CONCACAF), Fabrice Baly – President St. Martin FA, Wayne Forde – President GFF, Richard Dijkkhoff – President Aruba FA and Ms Debra Francis – PRO, GFF. By Franklin Wilson Likened to a hectic football match with end to end action from the first to the final whistle, CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani and a high level delegation inclusive of Presidents from the Aruba and St. Martin F o o t b a l l F e d e r a t i o n ’s wrapped up an intense and fruitful visit to the Land of Many Waters. Set to leave today having arrived in Guyana on Monday night last and being welcomed by a group of 20 male and female junior footballers from the Kuru Kururu Warriors, Grove Hi Tech and Herstelling Raiders Football Clubs, President Montagliani held discussions yesterday with

among others, His Excellency President David Granger whilst also launching the GFF/Frank Watson Memorial Under-15 Intra Association tournament. GFF President Wayne Forde at yesterday afternoon’s press conference hosted at the Pegasus Hotel, said that his CONCACAF counterpart had an opportunity to see a bit of Guyana whilst also meeting Minister of State, Joseph Harmon. President Montagliani noted that the highlight of the visit, notwithstanding his meetings with some important people, was interacting with the players at the U15 tournament launch. ”In lying with our

football first philosophy, that was the highlight of the tour, seeing the players and their faces and seeing what it means to have a federation that is focusing on football. So I am very pleased with my visit here in terms of what I’ve seen and the direction that the Guyana federation is going under the leadership of President Forde and his team, it’s nice to see that football is first in Guyana.” Best wishes were extended to the GFF by Montagliani who also stated that he is looking forward to be back here to see more football. ”It’s been an absolute delight to be here and I thank my fellow CONCACAF Member Association

Presidents from St. Martin Fabrice Baly and Richard Dijkkhoff from Aruba, it’s great to have the One CONCACAF Team living and breathing in the beautiful country of Guyana.” Informing that since being President in May 2016, his motto of meeting fellow presidents regularly has been taking root in the first nine months. ”I think it’s important, CONCACAF had a lot of walls around it and we’ve been able to break through those walls by coming together a lot. A lot of the discussions have been around player development, obviously coaching development as well; discussing some of the areas

that CONCACAF has already established where our members like Guyana can take advantage of.” He noted that one of the biggest issues in CONCACAF not just Guyana or the Caribbean or even Central and North America, is a struggle with facilities. ”So those are not challenges that are going to be fixed overnight but I was really pleased to see a government that is really supporting our sport, a sport that I love and the Guyana federation in terms of looking out ways to help, whether it’s redoing fields, whether it’s new lands; so it’s really nice to see the support right from the top in this country.” With this kind of posture

in terms of challenging the issue of infrastructure in partnership, President Montagliani underscored that no one entity would be able to do it on its own, so partnerships is vital. ”I’m optimistic, very optimistic that those infrastructural challenges can be tackled but they have to be tackled in the right way and there has to be a long term plan over the next ten, twenty years quite frankly and I think that’s where we’re at.” Alluding to the development of the intended Technical Center by the GFF at Providence on the East Bank of Demerara through the FIFA Forward Project, formerly the Goal Project; would be just the start as he sees it.


Kaieteur News

PAGE 40

Wednesday March 15, 2017

Petra Organisation Knockout / Round Robin Futsal Competition

Large crowd witnesses thrilling action on opening night A large crowd witnessed some thrilling action on opening night of the Petra Organisation Knockout / Round Robin Futsal Competition on Monday, at the National Gymnasium. Among the teams registering impressive wins were Sparta Boss who inflicted a crushing 6-1 triumph over Globe Yard with national players firing in a treble each in a dominant performance. Also headlining the night’s action was Agricola Champion Boys who rebounded from a 2-0 deficit to score an upset 3-2 victory over the highly touted North Ruimveldt, while North East La Penitence’s 2-1 win over Leopold Street must be interpreted as a similar result. Tucville, who at one stage seemed to be coasting to a comfortable victory over Kitty Weavers survived a scare, before securing an exciting 7-5 triumph. Play in the competition resumes tomorrow evening, at the same venue. In the night’s full results: Game-1

Part of the action on opening night of the Petra Organisation Futsal Competition which is being played at the National Gymnasium. North East La Penitence-2 vs Leopold Street-1 North East Scorers Romario Andrews-9th Kelvin Moore-25th

Shewpersaud’s century hands MMZ youths victory over TSC

Leopold Scorer Orandel Williams-15th Game-2 Festival City-0 vs West Back Road-2 Josiah Charles-6th and

22nd Game-3 Tucville-7 vs Kitty Weavers-5 Tucville Scorers Dennis Edwards-2nd

and 9th Jermin Junior-5th and 15th Delon Williams-18th and 26th Tefon Daly-8th

Kitty Scorers Nigel Denny-9th Own Goal-12th Daniel Ross-23rd Tevin Fowler-29th Gregory Jones-30th Game-4 North Ruimveldt-2 vs Agricola Champion Boys-3 Agricola Scorers Domini Garnett-12th and 20th Quacey Weeks-8th North Scorers Gerald Gittens-1st Andrew Gibson-3rd Game-5 Broad Street Bullies-6 vs Channel-9 Warriors-1 Broad Street Scorers Keiron Solomon-7th, 11th and 24th Jimmy Gravesande-8th Rocky Gravesande-10th Lennox Cort-23rd Channel-9 Scorer Anton Alexander-2nd Game-6 Sparta Boss-6 vs Globe Yard-1 Sparta Scorers Gregory Richardson-3rd second, 10th and 16th Devon Millington-8th, 20th and 23rd Globe Yard Scorer Rolex Smith-9th

Hamilton believes Ferrari have edge

Ferrari’s new car has a shark fin engine cover and a thumb nose. (Ferrari)

Kelvin Shewpersaud A fine century by Kelvin Shewpersaud handed host Meten-Meer-Zorg Youths a 13-run victory over Transport Sports Club of Georgetown when the teams collided in a 40-over fixture recently. Shewpersaud struck 104 and got support from Seymour Evans with 61 as Meten-Meer-Zorg Youths posted 227 all out, batting first. Kevin Ross claimed 3-39, S. Singh 3-39 and Shawn Massiah 2-47. TSC threatened before they fell for 214 in 34.3 overs. Charwayne McPherson hit 61; Mark Ramsammy got 52 and Akeem Redmon 26. Looknauth Chinkoo snared 4-38, Shewpersaud 2-10 and Rajiv Deonarine 2-27.

BARCELONA, Spain, CMC – Lewis Hamilton said Ferrari have much more power than they have shown so far in pre-season testing. Hamilton was reacting to former World champion Sebastien Vettel setting a new pre-season benchmark in a Ferrari at the Scuderia. “I think Ferrari are bluffing and that they are a lot quicker than they are showing,” said Hamilton, whose Mercedes team has

led the mileage charts in testing. “They’re very close to us. It’s difficult right now to say exactly who is quicker. But they are very close, if not faster. Whatever the case, I can’t wait to go out and race. Just a couple more weeks to go…” Hamilton’s team-mate Valtteri Bottas said he too isn’t certain that Mercedes will start the season at the head of the field.

“We are definitely not confident we are in front,” the Finn told reporters. “We are not relaxing or in a comfortable situation at all. We do feel the other teams have made good progress over the winter. “I think Ferrari are looking very strong, Red Bull can always surprise, even some other teams can be close. But definitely some other teams like Ferrari are

looking solid and strong and fast, and who knows what people are bringing to Melbourne. “We are aware that we should not underestimate them and we’re not at this point saying ‘we’re the number one’ – we’re just working flat out.” The Formula 1 racing season opens with the Australia Grand Prix from March 24 to 26 in Melbourne.


Kaieteur News

Wednesday March 15, 2017

PAGE 41

GMR&SC ‘Reaction’ Meet

Dragsters showdown just five days away Dragsters seen at the starting line awaiting the flashing of lights at a previous Meet.

In a mere five days, Guyanese dragsters will renew their rivalry with Suriname in what has now become an enduring battle for supremacy in the sport of motor racing. After spending much time carefully fine tuning their respective machines, local dragsters along with those from Suriname will take to the track, at the South Dakota Circuit in another

highly anticipated showdown that is sure to create much excitement for the fans. As part of the Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club (GMR&SC) calendar of activities, the International Drag Race Meet is anticipated to produce some scorching times and breathtaking competition in what has been dubbed the ‘Reaction’ Meet and the

entity’s season opening event. Dragsters such as Sean Persaud, Anand Ramchand, Rondell and Peter Daby, Sanjay Persaud, Rameeze Mohamed are all expected to be at the starting line to take the flashing lights in the various categories, while in the Superbike division, pundits are scratching their heads to identify a worthy opponent

for the matchless Mark Menezes. On the other hand, while Kaieteur Sport has not been able to confirm the visiting contingent from the Dutch territory, it is anticipated that the usual suspects such as the experienced Hans Ijzer whose GMC Typhoon is no stranger to Guyana, Ashton Ceyaram, who pilots a Toyota Chaser, Ruifan Chen (Honda Integra),

Prakash Lachman (Toyota Supra), Micheal Namchand (RX7), (Navin Lalbiharie (Nissan 350Z), Jean-Paul Jose (Ford Cobra Jet) Lester Choi (Nova) and Vi d y a k o e m a r S o e k h o e (Mitsubishi Evo) should form the core of their challenge. In the Superbike category, Tom Gomperts (Suzuki GSX R) and Giovanni Slagveer astride a

similar machine are the competitors who could pose a threat to Menezes’ dominance. The rivalry between the two nations has been lasting and exciting at the same time and existing records could be shattered. The first race start at 12:00 hrs and admission for adults is $1,000, while children under-12 $500.

Wawrinka advances, to face lucky loser Nishioka (Reuters) Stan Wawrinka breezed into the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open on Monday and saw another seed removed from his path to the final when lucky loser Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan turned his match against Tomas Berdych upside down. The Swiss third seed romped past Philipp Kohlschreiber 7-5, 6-3 and will next face Nishioki rather than Berdych after the 21-year-old Japanese overcame a 6-1, 5-2 deficit for a stunning 1-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 win over the 13th seeded Czech. The top half of the draw has already lost world number one Andy Murray and offers rather smoother sailing than a bottom half, which features multiple grand slam winners Novak Djokovic, Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer. Wawrinka needed just 78

Stan Wawrinka (SUI) as he defeated Philipp Kohlschreiber (not pictured) in his third round in the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports)

minutes to improve to his career record against Germany’s Kohlschreiber to

5-0, whipping a trademark backhand winner down the line to end the third round

contest at Indian Wells. “I was serving well,” the 31-year-old said. “I think

I’m moving better and better, and it’s all positive so far. “I’m feeling good in my body, so that’s the most important.” Nishioka, who gave Nadal a run for his money in Acapulco at the start of the month, surprised even himself with his victory over Berdych. “I tried to do my best, but today I couldn’t figure out how could I beat Berdych,” Nishioka said. “I tried to find a way, and then I think he give me a little bit of a chance. “My body was feeling like I cannot move that much, but I just stayed focused and tried to fight. And then I found a way.” Berdych held match p o i n t o n N i s h i o k a ’s serve in the 10th game of the second set, before the Japanese rallied to level the contest in a tiebreak. After trading breaks at the start of the decider,

Nishioka broke again for a 21 lead and did not look back. Eighth seed Dominic Thiem of Austria made it through to the fourth round by beating Mischa Zverev 6-1, 6-4 in less than an hour. Two days after ousting top seed Murray, Vasek Pospisil’s run in Indian Wells came to an end as he fell to fellow qualifier Dusan Lajovic of Serbia 6-7(4), 63, 7-5. Pospisil served for the match at 5-3 in the third set but was broken to love and the Canadian also squandered a match point in the 10th game before Lajovic prevailed. Lajovic, ranked 106, will face Pablo Carreno Busta, who earned a free pass into the fourth round after fellow Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut withdrew before their match due to an abdominal muscle injury.


t r o Sp GFF/Pele Alumini Frank Watson U15 Intra Association Tourney

CONCACAF President Montagliani officially unveils tournament

President of CONCACAF and Canadian FA and FIFA VP, Victor Montagliani (4th right) is joined by GFF President Wayne Forde (2nd left), John Yates (left), Director of Sport Christopher Jones (2nd right), Richard Dijkkhoff President Aruba FA (3rd right) and Fabrice Baly President St. Martin FA (right) along with some players following the launch.

Dave West Indian imports Inter-County U-15 Cricket GMR&SC ‘Reaction’ Meet

Shaw, Seepersaud fire Demerara Dragsters showdown to 114-run win over E’bo

just five days away Petra Organisation Knockout/ Round Robin Futsal Competition

Large crowd witnesses thrilling action on opening night

Ushirdeva Balgobin’s topedged sweep landed on his off bail yesterday.

CONCACAF boss pleased with progress of GFF as hectic and fruitful visit conclude

Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Limited, 24 Saffon St.Charlestown, Georgetown.Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/ 226-8210


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook