PAGE 04
Kaieteur News
Friday March 17, 2017
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL FAMINE RAVAGING AFRICA AGAIN Throughout history, Africa has been ravaged by drought and famine, both of which have essentially become integral parts of everyday living on the continent. Harvests have been ruined and people and livestock have been left without food and water. But drought alone is not why Africans suffer regularly from famine and widespread malnutrition. Most African countries are not self-sufficient in terms of food and rely heavily on imports as well as having the income to pay for them. Other factors at work include armed conflict, corruption and the mismanagement of food supplies, climate change, environmental degradation and trade policies that are detrimental to agricultural production. Not to mention the long-term economic effects of HIV. Food security has been a major problem in Africa, and the continent has always been considered one of the richest in the world in terms of natural resources. But despite its natural wealth and the massive aid flow to the region, it is still shockingly poor. Nearly half of the population in Africa is undernourished and more than 30 percent of children under the age of five suffer from acute malnutrition. Experts have contended that the aforementioned factors have worked together to bring about deadly periods of starvation and stagnation in Africa in the face of seemingly growing economies in some countries. UN figures show that over the past 30 years, several developing countries have reduced the percentage of undernourished in the population from 37% to 18%. East and South Asia, where there have been massive increases in agricultural production and significant economic growth, have reduced the figure from 43% to 13%. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the percentage of undernourished is more today than it was 35 years ago. It is true that famine and starvation have long stalked the Hone of Africa. The most well-known crisis occurred in Ethiopia in 1984-85 which claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands. Today, the continent faces one of the most devastating famines that has ever occurred. Although signs of the drought were apparent since last year, donor countries including the United States, Canada, Britain and those in Europe, have reacted very slowly in providing aid to help prevent the crisis. Currently, the disaster is unfolding in South Sudan, Somalia, Northeast Nigeria and Yemen, the poorest Arab nation in the world. The UN has stated that it has been the largest humanitarian crisis with more than 20 million people at risk of starvation or death since the body was founded in 1945.It has been due to a deadly combination of drought, political unrest, poverty and the thousands fleeing from conflicts to neighbouring countries. More than seventy percent of those currently facing starvation and death are children. Despite warnings by the UN of an impending crisis in Africa last July, donor countries are just waking up to the most serious global crisis of the last 30 years. Lulled into thinking that Ethiopia in 1985 was the last of the large-scale famines to affect many millions in Africa, has resulted in slow pledges of support from donor countries. Millions of children’s lives are hanging in the balance in South Sudan, Yemen, Nigeria and Somalia. Without a major infusion of money and food, they are at imminent risk of dying from hunger and starvation. Millions more will become stunted by severe malnutrition and will be too weak to attend school. The situation has reached a deadly tipping point and is projected to worsen over the next six months unless there is a major response of food and money from the donor countries. Urgent action is needed to prevent a catastrophe. The time to act is now.
Editor’s Note; If your sent letter was not published and you felt its contents were valid and devoid of libel or personal attacks, please contact us by phone or email.
Some of Nandlall’s colleagues enriched themselves Dear Editor, When, reading for the Bachelor of Laws degree (LLB) at UWI there is an optional course or subject called “Law of Trusts”. Many students opt not to take it because it is not as easy a course as say Administrative Law. Having read Anil Nandlall’s two contributions in KN, Monday, March 13, 2017 under Caption “The SOCU exercise is not law based but politically driven”; and, “Every Guyanese should pay market value for land if Pradoville 2 recipients have to,” I wonder: did student Nandlall opt not to study the Law of Trusts. But assuming he did, he has been a practicing lawyer long enough to be sufficiently acquainted and familiar with certain legal principles (here I avoid any technical distinction between the juristic phrases – at law, or, in Equity) fundamental in the law of trusts as applicable in other spheres of law e.g company law, Law of Succession; Attorneyship etc viz (1) principle of fiduciary relationship (ie of trustee and beneficiary) between government minister and other high ranked government officers (as trutees); and the Guyanese people (as beneficiaries) whom they are elected or, appointed (as the case maybe) to serve; (2) unconscionability; one example being unjust enrichment (ie using one’s public office to unjustly or improperly enrich one’s self). This one is not fundamental but as a former Attorney General he must have acquainted himself with the principle of misfeasance in public office resulting from misuse/abuse of such office; (this is both a civil wrong (ie what lawyers
knows as tort) redressable in civil court; and, a crime punishable in a criminal court). It is for the government to elect as to which process as between civil and criminal best serves the public interest. The DPP has no jurisdiction in the civil court (only the Attorney General has on behalf of the Government). How then can he write such rubbish as suggest that there is no basis in law; and to put “every Guyanese” on the same footing, or in the same boat, as those Ministers or other high ranked officers who by reasons of their taxespaid-by jobs become fiduciaries to the people and so, both at law, or in Equity are not permitted to use the facilities of their office to unjustly enrich themselves. Here, are his own words “it is my firm belief that the SOCU questioning of former PPP Ministers and former President Jagdeo has nothing to do with law and the administration of justice… I have advised that every arrest and detention be legally challenged for compensation… the Law and the legal process must never be used as a political weapon…” And, here is some of his reported diatribe “… there is no law preventing anyone from receiving subsidy for lands bought from the government and he is baffled as to why there should be a different approach to the Prado Ville 2 recipients… should his PPP/C colleagues be made to pay any additional cost for those lands, then every Guyanese that bought house lots form the government past and present should be made to pay the market value as well…” First of all, if you comprise the
Government, then you are not in a position of “receiving subsidy;” rather you are in a position of appropriating fairly, or misappropriating such subsidy; his PPP/C colleagues were able to pay less (inordinately less) than the market value because they were in a position of governmental authority and they misused and abused that position of authority to decide for themselves, or caused to be decided in their favour, what they should pay, and paid. Refusal of an imprudent offer is, was, always an option. The “every other Guyanese” category, distinguishable from his ministerial colleagues as day is from night, are entirely on a different legal, equitable or other footing – they, had no choice but to pay what those very “PPP/C colleagues” directed (Cabinet or otherwise); that they pay. Indeed, “Other Guyanese” has no fiduciary duty. Second, some of his colleagues, we are told, have unjustly (further) enriched themselves by sale (in breach possibly of the conditions of acquisition; and law) of the said property at selling price (which even after making due allowance for the development of the land by the building erected thereon) would be inordinately disproportionate to the acquisition costs. If this is not an abuse of office, nothing is; and what to a private person would make sound business practice and sense would be, if done by one in public office, a misfeasance. I will have more to say on this in another submission to your paper Maxwell E. Edwards Attorney-at-law
Guyna must have reconciliation if it is to survive Dear Editor, Guyana is badly in need of a Racial unity and Reconciliation Government. Justice Reform and Democracy Party [JRDP] believes that chasing wrongdoers of the previous government, is a waste of time, unless it was a case of murder. We need to heal as a nation. If one political party continues to single out people of a different political persuasion when they are in power, and the other party feeds the public’s appetite with empty threats of putting politician’s in prison , when they take office, then generations of Guyanese will continue to live at each other throats for eternity. Where are the intellectual men and women who once graced the halls of Queens College, and Guyana Oriental College and so on? One day, Guyana will go up in smoke and a foreign force will occupy our nation like they did in the sixties. Our politician’s are using words that by diplomatic standards, can be considered reckless. One day, some crazy group will call their bluff and a riot might just ensue. In a small nation like Guyana, full of oil, it is a magnet for a larger power to use politics in an unstable country with a reckless government, as an excuse to come in and control it. Ask Donald Trump. He recently said America should have kept the oil in Iraq. We were occupied briefly in the
sixties and had no oil. Think of today when we are now the envy of the world, we are now full of oil. None of the two major parties can be trusted in this regard. Let this be the reason for a government of racial harmony and reconciliation. Our political party, JUSTICE REFORM and DEMOCRACY is moving in that direction. We cannot continue to be short-sighted as people. We either swim together as friends, or sink together as fools. We need to have a day of reconciliation and forgiveness. We need to start there. We need to hold hands and talk to each other as families do. Hold a day of sports and fun. A day of prayers. A day filled with a meeting of the minds. A day of family songs. Let us break down the wall of racial divide. This day must be a national holiday. With the loud shout of oil, OUR DAY HAS COME. By international observers, Guyana is perceived as a country led by weak and dishonest leadership who steal from our treasury, burn government ministries, when ministers cannot pass an audit, or falsely imprison people for treason when they speak out. We are recognised as a nation with some of the most dishonest politicians in the world. We are not known as a nation with leaders who are akin to building relationships and bridging racial divides. In fact we are known
as a nation with seventeen minerals in our soil which we show ineptitude on how to exploit them in an effort to enrich the nation. For decades, Guyana was ruled by tit for tat governments. They exacted revenge on each other soon as they take political office. During PPP time, the people suffered. APNU focuses on spending money on a useless, wooden structure and in an old racing park. Refurbishing Burnham’s arch of independence symbol, while hiring ex GDF officers and ex-police turned lawyers to investigate. These exercises cost millions while the focus on jobs for the people were lost in translation. Govt. announced they are recycling mailing envelopes. What a shame. Money is in abundance when it comes to witch hunting but no money to buy envelopes, what are we going to hear next? We need a government of racial harmony and reconciliation. Neither, the PPP or the PNC/APNU is willing to do it; is not in their political DNA. TheAFC is a wimp’of a party. They sold their souls to the devil for power, and their leaders do not have the will to initiate a reconciliation. Forgiveness of each other is the foundation of reconciliation. Guyana is a one sided society, hate is destroying us as a nation. Michael Ryan
Friday March 17, 2017
PAGE 5
Kaieteur News
Need for national consultations on the sugar industry DEAR EDITOR; I should be grateful if you would kindly publish in your newspaper this open letter of appeal to the governing authorities, represented by the Executive Government and the Parliamentary political parties; and to GUYSUCO, the recognised trade unions in the sugar industry, the Private Sector, the national trade union bodies, and other interested stakeholders and individuals to meet at high level national consultations to confer in good faith on ways to save and revitalise the sugar industry of Guyana to make it a viable and profitable industry again, from the growing of sugar canes to the manufacturing of sugar and its by-products. The Government, led by His Excellency David Granger, has a critical facilitating and enabling role to bring the relevant stakeholders together to arrive at national consensus to save the industry. It requires commitment, political maturity on all sides, and leadership to forge a mutually
agreed way forward. This may also be a confidence building measure for developing high political trust, which can motivate discussion on other pressing matters of concern in the national interest and contributing to national unity. It is well-known that the sugar industry has survived and provided the livelihood, and contributed massively to the development of our country for centuries. The industry was built and cultivated by the blood, sweat and tears of our forefathers, many martyrs during the degradation and inhumanity meted out to our forefathers of slavery and indentured labour. Today, it is still the largest employer of thousands of workers, and support tens of thousands of people who depend directly or indirectly on the industry for their livelihood, and supports viable communities in and around the various sugar estates, including cane farmers and suppliers of various inputs for the industry. The contributions of the
sugar industry to the national treasury of foreign currencies over the years have been immense, and the industry is still a significant foreign currency earner. Many knowledgeable and experienced persons of the sugar industry are convinced that the industry can be saved and revived to profitability. This requires determination and the right decisions from the cultivation of sugar canes to producing sugar, and its potential for value added and other revenue earning ventures flowing from the sugar industry. The industry has the capacity to increase its production by at least one hundred thousand tons (100,000) of sugar annually which can turn around the industry. Why has sugar production dropped to 183,491 tons of sugar in 2016 from 231,076 tons in 2015, from 216,186 tons in 2014? It is to be noted that the industry produced 332,457 in 1976, 156,690 in 1991; 243,010 tons in 1992, and 321,438 tons in 1999 and declining to the
2016 level. What are the critical agricultural causes for the progressive decline in sugar cane cultivation and sugar output from the factories? The Commission of Inquiry Report into the Guyana Sugar Corporation, October 2015, should be given serious consideration by the proposed national consultations on the way forward for this vital industry. Recent studies and the views and positions of various stakeholders should all be put on the table, and discussed to find a broad-based national consensus approach to restore the viability of the Sugar Industry In this Centenary year of the end of indentureship, and continued existence of the Sugar Industry which employs thousands who continue to depend on earnings from the industry for their livelihood and that of their families and surrounding communities. It would be a noble and prudent act to save and revitalise the Sugar Industry. Samuel J. Goolsarran
Government aligned public servant. His approach to the agricultural policies of this government was open to question. He carried his ways of doing things, as he did under the PPP rule. There are many others like him, who are former high-level officers of the PPP regime. They will continue to have a distant attitude to this administration, if something is not done DRASTICALLY - to bring them in-line. We cannot allow the likes of Jagdeo to feed on discontent - when we know we can do far better. Someone needs to “bite the bullet” and move them JAGDEO AND NANDLALL have the duty and responsibility to hold this government to account - but in a constructive manner not through ridicule and condemnation. They must come up with positive ideas and follow through with them to the very end. But instead, they have orchestrated a PUBLIC CAMPAIGN of SABOTAGE and BOYCOTT - a “scorch earth” policy engineered by Irfan Ali and his
thorities as their target base. They have been mandated to ensure that the government DOES NOT FUNCTION. Some PPP councillors have defied the instructions given by Ayube Inshan, Deputy Leader of Region 3. Ayube Khan is related to a top PPP leader . The Chairman of the Region 3 Council, Julius Faerber, claims that he has been paralyzed by the actions of the new Regional Executive Officer, Denis Jaikarran, who has severely restricted his fuel consumption. Faerber seems to think that he has justifiable reasons not to advance any work in the region, since Jaikaran has put the squeeze on him and has placed limits on his modus operandi. Jaikarran can reasonably ask Faerber: “Prove to me that you are doing work in the region to uplift the living conditions of the people”? That question was put in other words to him. Faerber must know that all public officials must be held accountable to the people - through established structures of accountability. No one is above scrutiny. The public must get the opportunity to question their
rently in the USA. It is democracy at work, which Guyana needs to follow. Faerber’s PPP colleagues, Regional Councillors are openly critical of his approach. Since Jaikarran’s belated appointed to the REO position, which was held by a PPP operative, Ronald Gajraj, he has made tremendous progress in areas of drainage, irrigation and other physical infrastructure, but has paid no attention to the social and cultural spheres Jaikarran needs to quickly correct his lack of attention to this vital governmental initiative - the brain-child of Regional Member of Parliament and Minister of State, Joseph Harmon. Jaikarran’s lack of understanding of public managerial skills needs to be buttressed by listening to activists in the community. He needs to consciously listen to
involved at the political and social level. Now that he has appointed Ganesh Naipaul Mahipaul as his PR man, there can be no further excuses for not getting the necessary things in place to make the NDC function and deliver active and adequate services to ALL the people in the region. It is shameful to see the state of the roads from Parika Junction to Lakaboo - gateway to Bonasika creek - completely neglected. Julius Faerber and his subordinates were not on the ball in the upkeep of the roads. Mr. Ganesh Mahipaul is now “on the ball” and he has assured residents in the area that work will begin this week to clean up one of the many mess-up road structures left by the Jagdeo-Ramotar regime. Jinnah Rahaman
This Minister should be removed from her current portfolio DEAR EDITOR: Some may say it’s hard to judge a book by its cover, but oftentimes after a few chapters it gets easier to get a feel for the story. It has been close to two years now that the Guyanese public has had a chance to read some of the chapters in that book defined as the “The Performance of the Minister of Youth Sports and Culture, Ms. Nicolette Henry”. As the people delve deeper into this book, more and more people are coming away asking this question, How on earth can such a person become a Minister after exhibiting so much lack of familiarities of her portfolio? Is this a systemic problem? It can become a bit disconcerting to glance at the line up in the cabinet room. One can easily conclude that
the skilled ones are clearly in the minority in the Granger cabinet. Of course, you have the like of Carl Greenidge and Raphael Trotman who can hold their own in any cabinet room, any day of the year because of their sound technical competence. But at the other end of the spectrum, you have the likes of Nicolette Henry who clearly seems not capable of differentiating between Phagwah and Deepavali. But if my memory serves me right, this is the kind of stuff that I learned in Primary School in the hard PNC days when students struggled to access textbooks. Today, I am told, all Primary School students are learning this lesson from a textbook called “Social Studies for Our Children Book 1”. (Continued on page 6)
Failures in nursing exRegion 3 administration has to move forward quickly aminations warrant inaccess student performance DEAR EDITOR, cabals on the ground - using elected and appointed officials, and actively involve those vestigation at examinations. Most, if not George Jervis was a PPP the NDC’s and municipal au- as we now see taking place cur- professionals who are more DEAR EDITOR; I have been following with interest the dismal performance of trainee nurses at their final State Examinations. According to media reports, only twenty-three of the one hundred and eighty-nine students who recently sat the resit exams were successful. This is consistent with a pattern especially at the level of the Professional Nursing Programme in which over half of the students failed in one or more of the examinable areas both at the academic and clinical levels. As a former teacher, I found this to be most interesting, which in my view warrants an investigation as to the reasons for such an unsatisfactory performance. Something seems fundamentally wrong, not necessarily with the students, but with the measurement and evaluation tools employed to
all, of the students satisfied the minimum entry requirements for admission to the programme and it is difficult to understand how, with a properly delivered curricula and evaluation system, the failure rate is so high. It seems that the current system of evaluation of student performance at our nursing schools needs to be revisited and an independent body should be up by the authorities to evaluate student performance and the teaching/learning environment at our nursing schools. The University of Guyana or the Measurement and Evaluation of the Ministry of Education could be requested to render assistance in this regard. Apart from the demoralization experienced and loss of potential earnings by nurses who fail, it is also an additional cost on the government to carry these students for another year or two. Hydar Ally
PAGE 6
Presidential immunity does not cover all of Jagdeo’s actions DEAR EDITOR; In a letter in Kaieteur News dated March 12, 2017 and captioned, “Mr. Jagdeo has constitutional immunities”, ex AG Mr, Anil Nandlall said “A former president who has constitutional immunities from the criminal legal process during the tenure of his presidency, was arrested in relation to acts done while those immunities were in force. This arrest is manifestly unlawful. He was detained for questioning. The detention is equally unlawful”. First if the learned Attorney-at- law, Anil Nandlall firmly believes that the arrest was unconstitutional then let the legal games begin. I expect to see him institute legal action. Or forever hold his tongue. The ball is firmly in his court. Secondly I do not begin to assume that I can at present match the vast knowledge possessed by Anil. I do have a degree in sociology and a degree in law. So let’s examine the relevant articles from a logical point of view. Article 182 (1) states: “Subject to the provisions of article 180, the holder of the office of President shall not be personally answerable to any court for the performance of the functions of his office or for any act done in the performance of those functions and no proceedings, whether criminal or civil, shall be instituted against him in his personal capacity in respect thereof either during his
Friday March 17, 2017
Kaieteur News
term of office or thereafter.” Note the words “the holder of the office of President shall not be personally answerable to any court”. Note he is not answerable. I doubt anyone would attempt to interpret this differently. Also note carefully the word “hereafter” and see what sense you can gather from it in the context it was written. I conclude it means he cannot be taken to court even after he demits office. Now let’s look at Article 182 (2) “Whilst any person holds or performs the functions of the office of President no criminal proceedings shall be instituted or continued against him in respect of anything done or omitted to be done by him in his private capacity and no civil proceedings shall be instituted or continued in respect of which relief is claimed against him for anything done or omitted to be done in his private capacity.” The wording here is very different. It does not speak of not “personally liable” but states “no criminal proceedings shall be instituted against him” while holding or performing the office of President. Now if the constitution wanted the same to apply they could have just added the private aspect to the previous section or utilise the same wording. We need therefore to examine the choice of words. “Whilst any person holds or performs the functions of the office of President no criminal proceedings shall be instituted or continued against him.” This sentence does not say he is not personally liable.
It simply says no one can take him to court while he occupies the office. Note carefully the section does not have the word “hereafter”. Should this inform us of something? Anil can inform us if this word has a significance which would say something to us if it’s omitted. But if we are not convinced we need to explain the additional section, i.e. 182 (3), “Where provision is made by law limiting the time within which proceedings of any description may be brought against any person, the period during which any person holds or performs the functions of the office of President shall not be taken into account in calculating any period of time prescribed by that law for bringing any such proceedings as are mentioned in paragraph (2) against him.” This specifically refers to paragraph (2) And what it does is to say if for instance the president in his private capacity breaks the law and the statute of limitation is three years for the particular offence and the president hold office for five more years then those five years would not be counted but the count would start on the day he demits office. I hope the learned Nandlall could explain to us the need for such a clause if indeed the President is absolutely free from any possibility of prosecution. I am hoping that the learned Attorney can educate us with his submissions to refute my opinion stated here. And again I challenge Mr Nandlall to take the arrest of Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo to the court and let’s clear this matter once and for all. Rajendra Bisessar
Minister Harmon’s contention is playing into the PPP’s hands DEAR EDITOR; Handling of the issue into the Sparendaam Pradoville 2 investigation would best serve the society should it be dealt with from the position of the rule of law (i.e. universal principles) rather than who are involved (i.e. personalities). On the matter of arrest the law grants the police the authority to arrest “any person.” Where the emotive position is taken that Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo should not have been arrested, the society ought not lose sight that prior to his arrest he was invited by the police for an interview which through Member of Parliament Anil Nandlall he made public, but did not attend; and two, where the law allows for “any person” to be arrested the police cannot be faulted in the discharge of their duty. When President David Granger, after the fact, made known his view that Jagdeo should not have been arrested given the office he holds and held, outside of this being a subtle interference of the Executive into the work of the police, he ignored that Jagdeo falls within the purview of “any person,” and the courtesy extended to him by the police prior to the arrest. The justification for arresting based on what is perceived the person did, and the treatment meted out to the
person during the arrest can be addressed, but this should not mean that any person is above being arrested. Being arrested and the merit for being arrested are two different scenarios. There is disagreement with Minister Joe Harmon’s position that a former president should he continue in political life is subject to investigation. The law allows for every citizen, providing he or she meets the qualifying conditions, to run for and hold office. Being a former Head of Government does not prevent one from being a Leader of the Opposition, providing the requirements are met, and the society has precedence of this. Harmon’s contention is lending credence to the PPP/ C’s opinion that the Pradoville investigation and arrest of their leaders are politically motivated. He is urged to revisit the Guyana Constitution, because it is evident from the statements he is making about the issue that he doesn’t know this instrument, or hasn’t taken the time to read and understand it. The argument by Nandlall that Jagdeo is not subjected to the court of the land, because presidential immunity so protects him, is tantamount to saying a president can order widespread killings of citizens or the sale of the country’s assets to foreigners and not be subject to criminal or civil
proceedings. It needs not be forgotten the said Guyana Constitution allows citizens to pursue justice consistent with international conventions and the judicial branch of government to take cognisance of this on matters brought before it. Advancing the position that pradoville development is similar to other housing developments across the country where government subsidised them cannot withstand scrutiny. Nandlall failed to mention that that development was exclusive and not opened to the general public the way other developments around the country were. Further, subsidising the development of the scheme is not the issue here; it is the process that was used for the acquiring and distribution of these lots. The Police Force needs to be given a chance, the support and space to do its work. We should be demanding of the officers that they follow the law, including respecting the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual, adhere to standard police operating procedures, and produce the quality of work that can withstand scrutiny. Taking this approach would give true meaning to that blind lady holding in equal balance the scale of justice in her hand. Lincoln Lewis
This Minister should be removed from her... From page 5 I saw this video of the Minister’s performance and clearly if this was a Freudian slip, shame on no one; it is human to err. But after slipping once, it is clear from the video that the Minister remained clueless as to her error and pressed on like a “be-righter” (someone who is always right). I could not believe my ears or my eyes as I watched the video. Like a programmed robot, the Minister continued to force her message down the throats of her audience even after they protested. Where are her manners? It is our customs she was mashing up and these cultural norms in the Hindu community are not
meaningless, otherwise, they would not have been followed for centuries. In the modern world according to the Harvard Business Review, CQ has become a vital aptitude and skills test for any executive, before they are granted a job or promotion. But it seems that President Granger was heavily engaged in a game of “inee-miniminee-moo”, when he picked some of his 27 Cabinet members. A n y o n e c l o s e t o the dominant party in the coalition (the PNC) will tell you that a more suitable candidate for this role of Youth, Sports and Culture was PNC Executive Mr. Christopher Jones, who today has proven he is multiple times more learned than Ms. Nicolette Henry. And when you consider this Minister gets paid close to a million dollars a month plus benefits to dish out such highgrade errors, you wonder where have the PNC minds like Shirley Field Ridley gone? When you evaluate this situation by comparing performance vs. benefits, only words like “public mistakes and political mistakes” ap-
pear to be consistent commonalities when it comes to some of the choices in the Granger cabinet. Shame on President Granger for diverting some G$3 million per year for God knows how long from the Treasury, to send this Minister back to school to train in a field totally irrelevant to her current job. Isn’t this an abuse of the Treasury? I call on President Granger to do right by the people and withdraw this portfolio from Nicolette Henry. She has proven herself unfit and unsuitable for this role. She has disrespected a significant portion of the population with her careless statements and has lost the right to lead the nation on the cultural front. If the Minister is busy studying healthcare on the job, to the point that she has become tardy at her work, then it is imperative for the President to act. For how long more her cabinet colleagues will have to carry such things by covering up for these acts of under-performance and unpreparedness? What next to expect from this part-time Minister and full-time student? Sase Singh,
Friday March 17, 2017
PAGE 7
Kaieteur News
Need for aptitude test for potential students, better trained tutors being touted Nursing exams failure rate...
Although there is enough evidence to suggest that the reasoning ability of many local nursing students is wanting, there is also sufficient evidence to deduce that they are not the only ones to be blamed for unsatisfactory results that have been forthcoming at the examinations they are required to write. At least this is the conviction of a senior governmental functionary who has close ties to the Ministry of Public Health. It is the belief of the official that close attention must also be directed to those tasked with preparing the nursing students for their intended forte. In fact, it is the belief of the official that several shortcomings lending to an alarming failure rate, even at the nursing schools, might be very evident from the level of the education system. “Something seems to be very wrong with the education system that is preparing these people in the first instance,” said the official, who based this deduction on the fact that although several of the students who are accepted in the professional nurses’ programme have several subjects, “it would seem that they do not have the aptitude to understand some concepts and do not have basic knowledge.” An example of this was the fact that several aspiring nurses did not even know who the Minister of Public Health was. This publication was reliably informed that persons seeking to undertake Professional Nurses programme are required to have at least five CXC passes inclusive of Mathematics, English Language and a
Science subject. Moreover, the official is convinced that there is a dire need for moves to be introduced to have applicants for the nursing programme to undergo an aptitude test, followed by an orientation session, before they are accepted for training in the field of nursing. But there are other factors to be taken into consideration when it comes to the nursing programme. Among these, the official said, is that there are not nearly enough suitably qualified people in the system to deliver nursing education. “You don’t have sufficient people who have training in education and some of them may not have the sufficient content to teach,” said the official, who added “there is an assumption that once you are trained as a nurse and you have the right attitude you can make a good teacher, but this really isn’t the case...teaching is art and science.” This publication understands that the Ministry of Public Health has recognised the quality of teachers in the system as a shortcoming and has been investing in this regard in order to have people better trained. Reports reaching this publication are that the Ministry, through its training arm, is currently collaborating with the University of Miami in order to engage measures to train local persons in the basics of nursing education. This move, this publication has learnt, has been channelled through the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) which has been working in close collaboration with the
Ministry of Public Health. The basics of this training entail the promotion of a dual mode of education delivery face to face and distant education. In fact, there are reports that 26 individuals graduated from this programme in November of last year with laudable results. The notion of investing in education has been emphasised by another official with a keen interest in nursing education. “You have got to continue to invest in the training of tutors and education. Additionally, you have to pay attention to who leads the schools, because principals and senior tutors...they have to be able to carry out a critical part of their function which includes supervising the teaching process,” according to the official. The official pointed out too that “if you don’t have enough tutors and the principals have to pay attention to carrying courses themselves, they are not going to be able to supervise the teaching process. Added to this, if you are going to supervise people, you are going to have to be at a level higher than them.” It is for this reason, this publication was told, that the Public Health Ministry has embraced an initiative that will see some 13 individuals being sent to Brazil in September for training at the Doctorate and Masters’ level. Reports are that this move comes as part of an agreement between the Public Health Ministry and the PAHO. “The focus is to train people from the schools and also pay attention to the hospitals, because that’s also
The Georgetown School of Nursing, one of the four national nursing schools
part of where you have a weakness,” the official revealed. According to the official, if there are not sufficient personnel in place to supervise the work of the nursing students, the result could be sustained unsatisfactory performances at the nurses’ examinations. Nursing students are required to spend a great deal of time under clinical supervision in the hospital setting. This publication was reliably informed that despite the need for this level of
supervision, “the previous government refused to accept a recommendation to train clinical instructors to be a part of the nursing programme faculty. Their [clinical supervisors] job is when students are in the hospital setting to give clinical guidance, but the people doing that are too few, and they also have full-time jobs and therefore cannot be effective.” Added to this, the official revealed that “...a lot of the very experienced people are not around. In the olden days you use to have people who
are ward managers and so forth, involved in some of the teaching, because the number of students used to be far less, but the previous government had made the argument that there was no need for clinical instructors, and that the people on the ward needed to help teach so they refused to implement that initiative”. However, this publication was informed that the current government has not only recognised the need to employ more qualified instructors, but also to ensure (Continued on page 14)
PAGE 8
Friday March 17, 2017
Kaieteur News
Parking meter suspension...
Defiant Town Clerk tells Bulkan “no deal!” …protesters clamp mouths, vow long haul to revocation
The Town Clerk of the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown (M&CC) Royston King has written Minister of Communities
Ronald Bulkan informing him that a suspension of the parking meter contract to consult with protesters would not be possible.
Kaieteur News was informed of the development and confirmed it, when Deputy Mayor and Acting Town Clerk, Sherod Duncan, was contacted yesterday. Duncan said that indeed a letter written by King, expressing the inability to suspend the project was communicated to the Minister. The Acting Mayor gave a general
A group of protesters on Regent Street.
sense of what the correspondence addressed. He said that the Minister was told that the three-month suspension as was recommended by Cabinet would result in a breach of the agreement signed with Smart City Solutions (SCS) which would create a situation whereby the company would have to be reimbursed all of its investment.
Further, Duncan said that the Town Clerk ultimately asked Bulkan to provide more clarity on the recommendation, to assist the council to fully understand government’s position. Duncan said that ultimately he is clear about Cabinet’s recommendation regarding the suspension of the contract, and is imploring
City Hall in the spirit of goodwill and the working relationship it has with central government, to accede to the request in the national interest. He said that the communication to the company must go through the office of the Town Clerk, since King is the person through whom the council enters into contracts (Continued on page 9)
Friday March 17, 2017
PAGE 9
Kaieteur News
Righting the economy and wronging the people The economy is in a tailspin. An economic free fall is likely to follow. This is inevitable and unavoidable. The government does not seem worried. To its credit it is not in panic mode. It has resorted to the blame game, saying that sugar is a drain on the economy. However, the decline of sugar does not answer the question as to why other sectors such as agriculture, forestry, fisheries and construction are underperforming.
The government has found new excuses. It says that it is not being given credit for increasing disposable income. It also says that the economy is ‘righting’ itself and is preparing for economic lift-off. Markets have self-correction mechanisms. Economies don’t. Governments have to pursue policies to correct imbalances in an economy. Oil is what the government most likely has in mind
when it speaks about the impending economic take-off. The government, in other words, is hedging its bet on oil. It is hitching its wagon to the anticipated oil revenues. In the meantime, we are being assured that the economy is in correction mode. This is the nonsense that the government is peddling. The ‘righting’ of the economy is translating to the wronging of the people. When government speaks about ‘righting’ of the
Defiant Town Clerk tells Bulkan...
A section of the crowd in front of City Hall yesterday. From page 8 and as such is the point person. The company has maintained that it will continue enforcing paid parking in the City, and up until Wednesday last had confirmed that it has not been officially notified of any decision to halt the project. On Wednesday, Duncan had said that City Hall would be re-engaging the citizens of Georgetown on the matter of paid parking. He said that the Town Clerk would be communicating this to SCS shortly. The Acting Mayor said that the intervention by Government is welcomed, and as a municipality, at the end of the day it only wants what is best for all the citizens.
This newspaper had reported on several occasions that the City Hall is cashstrapped and having to pay the company its investment cost would take it deeper into an economic meltdown. Based on information received, the investment cost is said to be upwards of US$10M. According to the contract signed, if the M&CC wishes to unilaterally end the agreement, it would have to repay SCS the full sum and 15 per cent of it multiplied by the number of years remaining in the 20-year arrangement. Meanwhile, despite the call for a suspension of the highly contentious parking meter programme, protestors came out in their numbers yesterday during their sev-
enth weekly demonstration, calling for a total revocation of the project. The demonstration was organised once again by the Movement Against Parking Meters, and saw many private businesses also taking part in the planned exercise. Protestors were not unchallenged under the noon sun, as many who support the project, were also present to make their case. The ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) stood in formation as the peaceful demonstration concluded one hour after it commenced at noon – on a patriotic note. The first stanza of the National Anthem was harmonised before the placards came down and everyone dispersed.
CH&PA engages police ranks on housing solutions Seven hundred and sixtyeight families are expected to be housed in the first phase of the implementation of government’s’ new housing programme. Members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) are among those targeted to benefit. Minister within the Ministry of Communities, with responsibility for housing, Valerie Adams-Patterson and a team from the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) on Wednesday en-
gaged police ranks, stationed in Region Four on the government’s Housing Solutions for State employees. The sides met at the GPF’s Training Centre at Camp and Young Streets, Eve Leary. The minister’s team comprised CH&PA’s Operation Director, Denise Tudor-King and acting Project Director, Omar Narine. “We have come to you today, to share the new vision of this government, and to let
you know that we are working on your behalf, and we are working to ensure that each of you own your home,” Minister Adams-Patterson told the ranks. The Minister explained that the government will be maximising the use of its available service lands to offer a range of housing solutions that will cater to their needs, and those of other low, moderate and middle income persons. (Continued on page 31)
economy, it usually involves either stabilization measures and structural adjustment, or both, in the case of structural adjustment programmes. Neither of the two is taking place at the moment. We do not have a problem with our balance of payments. We have strong international reserves. We are not printing money. Inflation is generally stable so far. Interest rates have not spiked. There is, though, a shortage of foreign exchange. But the government is denying this fact. This is called sleepwalking in a dark alley. The ‘righting’ of the economy, essentially, is about addressing fiscal imbalances through increased taxes. The burden of those taxes is falling on the average citizen. The rate of VAT has declined by a mere 2%, but VAT is now payable on water, electricity, health services and private education, the burden of which will be passed on to consumers. The righting of the economy is not addressing economic fundamentals. The government, for the close to two years it has been in office, has presented three Budgets. None of these Budgets have attempted to address the issue of shortfalls in production, the decline in foreign di-
rect investment and the loss of critical markets for Guyana’s exports. The central focus of all three of the Budgets has been on taxes, not growth, and not increased exports. With growth and increased trade, taxes alone will not be able to right anything other than the Budget deficit. Even government spending is a problem, with the administration having a poor project implementation ratio. The government promised better. It said that the previous growth was declining. It said that the economy needed to grow at a higher rate. This is not happening. The economy is a one– legged economy at the moment. It is running on gold. But even the producers in that sector are not happy with the government. The righting of the economy is hurting the goose that lays the golden eggs. The gold miners are concerned about measures which they view as representing increased taxes. So where is the ‘correction’ which is supposed to be taking place? Guyana has had growth since 2006. The dollar remained stable against other currencies during that period. The new government comes in, promises higher growth. Instead of a stronger dollar,
we are now have a de facto devaluation of the Guyana dollar. So where is the ‘correction’? The government is waiting for oil. What will it do with the oil money? Will it hand it out to the citizens in the form of cost of living allowances? Increased spending in an economy without increased productivity, all other things being equal, leads to something called inflation. The Guyanese consumer cannot wait on oil revenues, especially oil revenues that are going to be inflationary. They cannot wait on the invisible ‘righting’ of the economy. Running an economy is not about budgets alone, it is about production, it is about trade, it is about prices, it is about wages, and it is about investment. On all of these fronts the government is clueless. The SOS needs to be sounded. The government needs help. Call in the experts or call in Bharrat!
PAGE 10
Friday March 17, 2017
Kaieteur News
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
The lessons of the anti-parking meter protest The Government has announced its recommendation to City Council that the parking meter contract be suspended for three months. Why three months is a mystery. Even if you are a fanatical supporter of this government, you would be hardpressed to deny it has mysterious ways of doing things. A diversion is necessary; the President and other ministers keep saying that they cannot interfere with the City Council governance because City Council is independent. I cannot find a law to that effect, but here is where things get complicated. I read the powers of the Local Government Commission (LGC) and they are near to being inexhaustible. The LGC has total jurisdiction over every level of municipal operation from NDC to Mayorship. The LGC even has the authority to hire and fire. The LGC is being held up by a dispute between Government and opposition. Once that is resolved, the Georgetown City Council comes under the ambit of the LGC. Here is where I am confused and I would welcome an explanation. According to the President, City Hall is in-
dependent and thus government cannot give to it edicts. But is it not factual that such independence would be removed when the LGC comes into being, because the LGC has authority over every town council in Guyana? My question to the President is if as it presently stands, City Hall is not subordinate to central government then, if City Hall is subordinate to the LGC, where then is its independence? What is my opinion? I do not think there is any law that prevents central power from intervening with City Hall to stop an egregious policy from harming the capital. What I find amazing is that more than a dozen lawyers are involved in the antiparking meter activities, but not one sees the need to pen a letter explaining to Georgetowners if there is a specific law that insulates City Hall from the reaches of Government. Sherod Duncan studied law. The AFC has come out against the parking meters, yet none of the lawyers from the AFC can tell us about the existence of this law. But then again this is Guyana, where Faust’s covenant with the
Devil is a baby party compared to existence in this wasteland. Now for the lessons of the protest. The weekly picket has been an eye-opener in terms of the history of struggle in Guyana. The weekly picket is a multi-class formation that cuts across age, race, religion and class divisions. The Portuguese community is well represented. So are the young Indian and African white collar workers. The most manifest dimension of these demonstrations is the middle class content. One has to believe that the effect scared the Coalition Government. The first to see the light was the AFC. The AFC knew their supporters were well represented in that protest movement. Fearing a loss of such a fulcrum, the AFC bolted from APNU. All that jazz that the AFC has been spouting since June 2015, that the Coalition is solidified and that the AFC cannot be seen to be criticizing its partner in power, turned to survival mode. The AFC saw what was happening every Thursday outside City Hall. Close friends of the AFC leadership
are in the picket line, including a person to whom the AFC offered the Ministry of the Environment. APNU’s leadership has discovered what its AFC partner already had – fear of losing support. This explains the sudden transformation. What is sad about all these shenanigans is the role of the middle class in those weekly pickets. If those folks had zoomed in long ago during the rule of the PPP and since May 2015 in the reign of the Coalition, on unacceptable practices, maybe this country would have reclaimed some of its lost freedoms. Sadly and most painfully,
if the parking meters go, so will the voices of those middle class folks. They would have achieved their objective and the poor and powerless, the victimized, the brutalized, will have to endure their torture and suffering. I know those middle class folks. They are contemptuous of working class bandwagons. They will not join any effort if the sufferers are poor country folks and the working class in general. The radical middle class died when Walter Rodney died. But the anti-parking pickets were priceless, and I’m glad that I joined. I only missed two – one due to rain
Frederick Kissoon and one to the cold. I don’t disagree with the rise of parking meters. We need them, but not in the form we have them, and not with that kind of cost. I guess the struggle continues!
Dem boys seh ...
City Council refusing to hear Soulja Bai De parking meter deal got teeth. People hear when Soulja Bai tell de Minister to let de council halt de parking. This thing happen at a meeting when all dem Ministers agree that de town people vex and how dem gun vote against de party. De people claim how de parking meter costing dem too much. It didn’t matter that nuff of dem does spend more than that pun other things. Dem start to complain bout de cost, then dem complain bout de contract, then dem protest against de secrecy. Dem boys seh de Mare slip out de country and lef de rest of dem in de mess,
because she get a whiff that Soulja Bai had plans to suspend de parking meter deal. So when de order come she wasn’t there. De boy who she lef to act seh that he couldn’t do nutten, but De King of de Council got to deal wid that. Same time de parking meter people tell de council that since nobody ain’t tell dem nutten, dem collecting. De contract is de thing that now causing all de trouble. De parking meter people seh dem have a contract, and if anybody decide to suspend de parking meter project dem gun carry de whole council to court. Dem boys know that if
anybody sue de council is de building, all dem market, and even de incinerator gun get foreclose, because de council got no money. That is how de King of de Council send a letter to Bulkan that he can’t freeze de project. When Soulja Bai hear that de council refusing to tek heed from de Cabinet, he get so vex that nobody ain’t even walk near him last night. He security spread out and lef him in peace. Now de whole country waiting to see wha gun happen today. Is either he lock up de parking meter people or he shut down de council. Talk half and wait fuh de outcome.
Cops unable to locate ex-soldier facing rape charge - attorney promises to produce him in court today A former Guyana Defence Force corporal is to be charged for the alleged rape last January of a female at Camp Stephenson, located at Timehri, East Bank Demerara. The recommendation was made by the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions that only the corporal be charged, although three other ranks were initially
accused. The four have all been dismissed from the army. While the ex-corporal is scheduled to appear in court, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum revealed that the police rank investigating the matter was unable to locate the accused. He said that the ex-soldier’s attorney has promised to produce his client in court today. An arrest warrant will be is-
sued if the accused fails to appear. In January, the Guyana Defence Force revealed that it was setting up a Board of Inquiry to investigate a rape allegation against three soldiers. The release did not give details or state where the alleged incident occurred, but added that the ranks were assisting the police with their investigations. The army had said it remains committed to the preservation of law and order and will deal condignly with all transgressors. The ranks, including a corporal and three privates, were recently dismissed following the conclusion of the probe by the Board of Inquiry.
Friday March 17, 2017
PAGE 11
Kaieteur News
‘Inflammatory tirades’ can foster distrust, foment disorder - President Granger warns “Social Cohesion is essential for everyone’s existence.” This was the assertion made yesterday by President David Granger, who issued a stern warning against persons engaging in ‘inflammatory tirades’, which can run the risk of generating social instability and of fostering distrust and fomenting disorder. To contextualize, the Head of State reminded those gathered at the validation workshop for the Social Cohesion Strategic Plan 20172021, that Guyana is still battling the unfortunate postcolonial legacy of ethnic polarization. “We still see how easily the ranting of a few rancorous persons can rekindle racial animosity, a retrograde step, which has no place in modern society…Our nation has been scarred by violence, which left a lingering legacy of distrust, with the threat of disorder,” President Granger noted. The Commander In Chief of the Armed Forces said that Guyana still has some work to do to overcome past issues that have created divisions on the society, referencing the ‘disturbances’ period and the period of the ‘troubles’ in the 2000s. “We have to work together to repair that damage, restore trust, and rebuild the bases of a ‘moral community’ which enable us to trust each other,” Granger added. He said that Guyanese should not view the country’s diversity as a liability, but an
asset that many should work towards celebrating. “Multiculturalism must not become an impediment to social cohesion. It must not be a source of discord, disunity and division. We feel a great sense of satisfaction that violent religious conflicts and major racial riots do not erupt. We are pleased by the level of goodwill and understanding which exists among the social groups. We must build on this foundation,” Granger said. He went further to point out that Guyana is a country that can boast of having Mosques, Temples and Churches co-exist in the same environment without any stain of religious violence, or even racial riots. President Granger pointed
President David Granger (extreme right) addressing the gathering at the Marriott Hotel yesterday.
out that social cohesion is important for the sustenance of Guyana. “Social cohesion is essential for everyone’s existence. The absence of social cohesion will inflict unbearable social and economic costs… The quest for order, peace and safety is eternal. Social cohesion is indispensable to human safety and public security,” the President said. The Head of State therefore expressed satisfaction at his government’s efforts to establish a Ministry as key as the one responsible for Social Cohesion. This Ministry, Granger is confident, will be able to encourage a country where, “diversities are embraced, conflicts resolved,
Private Sector calls out SARU CEO on accuracy of statement The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the State Asset Recovery Unit (SARU), Aubrey Heath-Retemyer, has said on numerous occasions that the concerns of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) regarding the SARA Bill were addressed. However, PSC Head Eddie Boyer is challenging the truthfulness of that comment made by Retemyer. In fact, Boyer is saying that there was never any attempt by SARU to address the concerns of the Private Sector regarding the State Asset Recovery Agency Bill. “I never met the man. And as a consultant or someone working with Government, he should not be making that statement. He has never asked us about our concerns much less addressed them. Let him show you the correspondence,” insisted Boyer. “I am telling you we are not against the SARU Bill.
PSC Head, Eddie Boyer
SARU CEO, Aubrey Heath-Retemyer
When it comes to state asset recovery and the fight against corruption we are not against it, but when Bills affect investor confidence and they infringe upon democracy then we cannot support it,” the PSC Chair added. Calls to Retemyer to ad-
dress the claims made by Boyer went unanswered. However, the Commission has since asked Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland to send the SARA Bill to a special select committee, since it is of (Continued on page 31)
networks and collaboration with stakeholders strengthened and decisionmaking processes, which result in equal opportunities for all.” Additionally, the Social Cohesion Ministry, as pointed out by Granger, also has the important task of ensuring that political and institutional authority is exercised in a manner that promotes equality and inclusivity. “The Ministry’s mandate is to be measured not by the size of its budget, but by its accomplishment in harmonising social relations. The Ministry’s task, also, is
the effective management of our multicultural diversity. Our multicultural tapestry adds to our richness and uniqueness as a nation. It is a cause for celebration,” the President said. The Social Cohesion Ministry is aimed at encouraging greater equality and building bridges across the boundaries of class, ethnicity, gender and geography; enhancing increased access to public services such as education, health, housing, human safety and social protection; and ensuring goodwill, harmony, peace, security, tolerance and understanding.
It is with this view in mind that the Ministry of Social Cohesion embarked on crafting a Strategic Plan. The consultations previously done on the plan of obtaining feedback on five thematic areas: promotion of economic equity and opportunities for all, enhancement of citizen safety and security, promotion of social inclusion and tolerance, the strengthening inclusive and participatory governance; and promoting harmonious ethnic and race relations. This is being done with the critical assistance of the United Nations Development Programme.
PAGE 12
Friday March 17, 2017
Kaieteur News
Draft SWF policy languishes at Ministry of Finance The hold-up in the delivery of the policy to govern the establishment of a Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) is not with the Ministry of Natural Resources. Kaieteur News understands that the Bill is in the hands of Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, and has been with him for some time now. A Sovereign Wealth Fund is a government-owned investment fund. It has been set up by many countries with oil wealth, and there are several models to choose from. Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman spoke confidently in the National Assembly that the policy would have been delivered to the House in 2016 for discussion and debate. This was as he made his contributions to the 2017 Budget debate. Last year ended without the policy being taken to the House, and to make matters worse, the first quarter of 2017 is almost finished and the policy is still to reach Cabinet where it must go before reaching the House. When contacted, the Minister confirmed that the draft policy was completed by his Ministry and is now with the Ministry of Finance. Trotman refused to be specific as to
how long the draft has been with Minister Jordan, but noted that his (Trotman’s) Ministry met its deadline. Sources at the Ministry of Finance confirmed that the document has been there since January. But efforts to contact Minister Jordan on this matter proved futile. Trotman told Kaieteur News that he is confident about the quality of the draft policy, which benefitted from the expertise of the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, the Private Sector and the very Ministry that is now doing the review. Trotman said that when the Ministry of Finance is finished with its review, the Bill will go to Cabinet for approval, then for public consultation, before reaching the National Assembly. “There is no intention to rush the Bill. We are some years away from production, so there will be consultation, but the point is we have a Bill which the Ministry of Finance is amending,” said Trotman. In an address to the National Assembly, Trotman had said that it is important that the extractive industries that fuel Guyana’s growth today “also provide for our children
tomorrow.” He told the House that the Sovereign Wealth Fund will enable the government to “protect the economy from the volatile nature of natural resource revenues, help grow and modernize the sustainable non-extractive sectors of the economy, and further enhance the capacity of our people”. Trotman outlined the considerations for the three sub-funds within the Sovereign Wealth Fund – the Stabilization Fund, Infrastructure and Social Development Fund and Citizens Participation Fund. He said that the government has already begun seeking advice and guidance on developing such a Fund from the School of Public Policy – University of Calgary and the Commonwealth Secretariat, both of which are equipped with strong expertise on extractive resource governance. Trotman told the House that the creation of a long overdue sovereign wealth fund will demonstrate to Guyanese and the world at large that hydrocarbon development, and by extension all other extractive industries, can be catalysts for a green economy.
Keep taxes in order to access concessions – GGDMA tells miners The Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) is reminding its members that in order to access concessions afforded to the industry, they should ensure that they are compliant. According to the GGDMA, miners whether large, medium or small can have access to the various tax concessions offered by the government, once their taxes are in order. The Association said that the reminder serves to correct a misconception that is being peddled that only selected miners can access concessions. The Association said yesterday in a statement that miners need to be compliant with their Tributors Tax, Withholding Tax, Property Tax, and maintain a registry of the
names, addresses and TINs of all their employees in order to access the concessions. Tax concessions can be accessed in areas such as mining equipment, mining spares, fuel and a number of other supplies, according to the GGDMA. Based on information received by this newspaper, there are four categories (A, B, C and D) of miners who can access the concessions. Miners wishing to access Category A concessions must declare 5,000 ounces of gold and above annually. The conditions for this category are Two double-cab pick-ups every five years with no limitations regarding engine capacity, year or model; one motor car every five years with a maximum cylinder capacity (CC) of 2,500.
Further, 20 per cent of the total taxes payable for the double cab pick-ups shall be paid by the beneficiary of the tax exemption. Similarly, 20 per cent of the total taxes payable for the motor car shall be paid by the beneficiary. A Category B miner would have to declare between 2,000 to 4,999 ounces annually. They are entitled to one single cab pick-up every five years with no limitation regarding engine capacity, year or model. Likewise, 20 per cent of the total taxes payable for the pick-up shall be paid by the beneficiary of the tax exemption. Category C declarants of 500 to 1,999 ounces are governed under the same conditions as it relates to vehicles and percentage payable. Declarants under 500 ounces of gold annually are not eligible for tax exemption on motor vehicles to be used in the mining sector. As it relates to the types of mining equipment and spares which concessions are given, these items include All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) Tubes, pipes, flex hoses, carpets and floor coverings, articulated link chains, pumps, impellers, pump housing, shaft and marine propulsion engines among other types of engines.
Friday March 17, 2017
PAGE 13
Kaieteur News
Ministry launches US$8M Maternal and Child Health project - intended to arrest infant and maternal mortality Aimed at arresting the scourge of infant and maternal mortality, the Ministry of Public Health yesterday launched a strategic US$8 million project (G$1.6 billion). The project was launched by Senior Minister of Public Health, Ms. Volda Lawrence at the Grand Coastal Inn, Le Ressouvenir, East Coast Demerara. At the forum, Minister Lawrence plugged sustained local and international support to guarantee the success of the five-year US$8M Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) backing to fund the Maternal and Child Health Improvement Project. Lawrence stressed the need for the project even as she expressed concern about Guyana’s continued high rates of maternal and infant mortality and said reversing those trends cannot be the sole responsibility of her Ministry. “The health sector, you and I know, is faced with a myriad of challenges at all levels, and in varying degrees with our maternal and infant mortality appearing high on that list; our maternal mortality rates estimated at 121/100,000 live births and infant mortality rates estimated at 22/1000 live births,” Lawrence reminded the specialists who attended the forum.
“The IDB, PAHO/WHO, USAID, UNICEF and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) have stood out as major partners backing the local public health sector in the last decade supporting health initiatives aimed at enhancing the delivery of primary health care to our people,” Lawrence said. Nevertheless, she noted that the health sector challenges have remained daunting. She continued by highlighting that the proposed interventions of the Bank will help to revamp the Maternal and Child Health Unit (MCH) which is beset by problems involving inadequate access, use (and) quality of reproductive material and neonatal health services. “At present, there exist countless constraints that militate against the effective operations of this unit and result in the demise of our mothers and infants. This phenomenon, I want to reiterate, undermines our national health priorities and depletes our national human resource assets,” the Minister said. The IDB support will boost this sector and make a significant difference in the lives Guyanese mothers and their offspring and will be used to strengthen reproductive, maternal and neonatal health; strengthen
Senior Minister of Public Health, Ms. Volda Lawrence, addresses the audience at the launching of the project yesterday. the healthcare network and invest in administration and evaluation, Dr. Ertenisa Hamilton, MCH Director (ag) told participants. “We, in the Ministry, welcome this technical support since we envisage that capacity building will be engendered, resulting in the strengthening of the organisation of the health care network, enhancing the efficacy and effectiveness of our maternal, perinatal and neonatal units, and ultimately reducing the number of maternal and infant deaths in our communities and regions,” Lawrence said, building on Dr. Hamilton’s disclosures. The health sector improvement plan must be three-pronged, Lawrence revealed, focusing on the structure or context, the
Senior cop faces departmental charge for stealing fuel
The vehicle that was said to have belonged to the senior cop, being refuelled last year at the Central Police Station, New Amsterdam. (File photo) After several months of investigation, a senior rank is expected to be charged departmentally for the alleged pilfering of fuel from one of the fuel depots located at Central Police Station, New Amsterdam. Being charged departmentally means that a disciplinary proceeding will be done, internally, and the matter will be dealt with by a tribunal. According to a police press release, the senior
officer will be disciplined for the illegal act. Previously, the Commander of B Division Ian Amsterdam had told this publication in an interview that the file for the matter was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for advice, and they were awaiting its return to determine the way forward. The file has since been returned with advice to institute the charge. Sometime in May last
year, senior and junior ranks were accused of pilfering gasoline from the police force’s fuel depot. The ranks were allegedly accessing the fuel openly to fuel up their personal vehicles. A picture was taken and featured in this publication with the personal vehicle of the senior rank being refuelled at the Central Police Station Depot, which sparked an investigation into the matter.
process and the outcomes of this sector, “all of which are closely integrated” which in the end should bring down the maternal, perinatal and neonatal death rates. Local figures have indicated that some 95 per cent of Guyanese depend on the public health sector which is funded from the national purse. Despite progress in the sector over the years, Guyana’s maternal infant mortality rates remain among the highest in Latin America and the Caribbean areas. The IDB-backed initiative will support an in-depth revision of all guidelines, protocols, and strategies
related to health of women of reproductive age, pregnancy, delivery, emergency care, and postpartum challenges. The programme also envisages a focus on specific needs of adolescents, men and indigenous peoples. The project also intends to provide quality reproductive, maternal and neonatal care; strengthen the supply chain for contraceptive methods and drugs and blood products; and all processes relating to planning, procurement, storage, distribution, monitoring and evaluation, new management practices will become time sensitive.
The bank’s financial help will also fund improved collection, systemitisation, reporting and use of generated data to improve the quality of health information. None of the interventions of the health improvement programme must “trample on the cultural beliefs and practices” of beneficiaries, Lawrence counseled, adding that we have to respect women’s rights and devise ways of promoting the implementation of patientcentred and culturallyappropriate care, ensuring that women and their families are empowered, and are (Continued on page 15)
PAGE 14
Friday March 17, 2017
Kaieteur News
Transparency group calls for greater oversight with govt. contracts Transparency Institute Guyana Incorporated (TIGI) is calling for more stringent measures to address issues of collusion in the awarding of government contracts. At a roundtable discussion in the Ministry of Education Boardroom at Beterverwagting yesterday, Regional Democratic Council representatives, civil society and private sector members were unanimous in their call for more to be done to tackle this issue. The aim of the discussion was to empower citizens to have a greater say in the way contracts are awarded. TIGI said that it is important that persons are empowered to track transparency, accountability at the local government level and the group was hopeful that this level of scrutiny will snowball into the central government. During the discussions, it was suggested that independent evaluators be sought, and that the local government structures should not be reliant on council staff to evaluate
projects. Recently it has been found that some evaluators are leaking information to contractors who will then tinker with their bid with the aim of securing the contract. This they believe cannot be good for accountability and good quality work since nepotism will rule the roost. TIGI is advocating that independent evaluators be sought to ensure that those that are listed as qualifying for a contract are indeed worthy to execute it. The group is also calling for monitors to volunteer in overseeing contracts in the region. The reason advanced for this move is that if persons within the community are listed as monitors, there will be a sense of ownership, and persons will be less likely to look away when standards are not what they should be. Transparency Institute Guyana Incorporated is the local body that monitors and assesses the level of compliance by government and other bodies with regards to accountability and transparency.
Need for aptitude... (From page 7) instructors students ratio is suitable, in the quest to help address the alarming failure rate at the nurses’ examination. In order to realise the needed change, moves to employ Clinical Coordinator are on the horizon, even as efforts are made to develop a course for clinical instructors. “Fixing the problem doesn’t meant that we have to only look at the students, but we have to have faculties whose job is to look at students in clinical practice...the support of clinical instructors is very important. They [nursing students] spend more time there [in the hospital setting] than they spend in classrooms,” the official explained. According to the official, “failure is not failure just in the classroom, but the teaching institutions themselves...we have got to look at the shortcomings at all of the levels before we can begin to see a real change in the nursing students’ performances,” said the official. Remarks about the need to address the shortcomings in the training of nurses comes on the heels of alarming performances of nursing students who were required to resit the 2016 Professional Nurses State Final Examination. According to information that this publication was privy to, a mere 23 students gained overall passes of the 179 candidates who participated in the examination last month. The re-sit was warranted after there were reports of a leak of the original examination which was administered in October of last year. The candidates who participated in the examination were drawn from the four national nursing schools: Georgetown School of Nursing, New Amsterdam School of Nursing, Charles Roza School of Nursing and the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital.
Friday March 17, 2017
PAGE 15
Kaieteur News
Private Sector raises concerns with IMF about loss of investor confidence, taxation By Kiana Wilburg A delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is currently in Guyana to assess the health of the economy. In doing so, it engaged various bodies in discussions, with one such forum being held with the Private Sector Commission (PSC). In that meeting, the Commission lauded the Government’s efforts to operationalize the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) and hold Local Government Elections which was not held for over 20 years. But, be that as it may, Head of the Commission, Eddie Boyer told Kaieteur News that other concerns were raised with the IMF delegation. He said that these were in relation to instances of sole sourcing, the decline in value of the Guyana dollar, and loss of investor confidence. With regard to sole sourcing, Boyer told Kaieteur
News that the team meeting with the Commission did not go into details in this regard. He commented that the IMF comes to Guyana “fully knowledgeable of the issues facing the nation.” With regard to the decline in the value of the Guyana dollar, Boyer said that it was suggested by the representatives of the Fund that a flexible exchange rate, which allowed the currency to revalue itself in response to market forces, was ideal. But of all the issues discussed, the most worrying to the Private Sector is the apparent loss of investor confidence. Boyer said that members of the PSC pointed to increased taxation and a degree of uncertainty which reflects the direction in which the economy is moving. “If you don’t have investor confidence and the Government cannot arrest the decline in the economy then we are going to go further down, and we want to work with them to arrest the decline. A number of sectors
have been complaining, from manufacturing to tourism, and they have been talking about the state of the economy,” Boyer said. He added, “We are committed towards working in the national interest.” Additionally, Boyer said that the PSC team also raised concerns regarding taxation and Value Added Tax (VAT) being applied to a number of items and services such as water and electricity bills, as well as on private tuition fees. “These things are affecting consumer spending,” the PSC head asserted. “We also indicated we have not seen any change in pricing since the VAT was reduced from 16 to 14 percent. Maybe it is too early to see this, but we still made our concerns in this regard known,” Boyer added. The visit by the IMF delegation is in keeping with its Article IV Mission. Under Article IV of the IMF’s Articles of Agreement, the IMF usually holds
Third ‘Mock’ Exam to be administered ahead of 2017 NGSA sitting - Education CEO This year’s sitting of the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) is slated for April 12 and 13. However, Chief Education Officer (ag), Mr. Marcel Hutson, has disclosed that even before participating in the scheduled national assessment, which is designed to determine where they are likely to endure their secondary education, pupils will have to undertake yet another ‘mock’ examination. Already pupils slated to sit the 2017 NGSA were required to participate in two mock assessments. These were held on January 31 and February 28, 2017 respectively. But, according to Hutson, pupils will again be assessed on March 31. Even as he spoke of the two completed assessments, Hutson revealed that “our children did much better at the second mock assessment and this tells me that our children are aligning themselves with what is expected.” Pupils are usually tested in the subject areas of Mathematics, English, Science and Social Studies at the NGSA. Mathematics has been one of the areas that the pupils have, over the years, been showing severe signs of weakness. This had, moreover, prompted a Governmental order for
Chief Education Officer (ag) Mr Marcel Hutson measures to be engaged by the Education Ministry to address poor performances in Mathematics. Moreover, Hutson, during an interview with this publication, revealed that the Ministry has introduced measures that have been directing keen focus on
helping pupils to apply problem-solving skills. “I think that over the years, when we look back at the statistics, when we would have done the analysis, we would have seen that they experienced difficulties in problem solving or higher order thinking and I believe the kind of approach that we are seeing now, are those approaches to address these difficulties. The measures that we have implemented are geared to get our children to become solution oriented with regards to the problems they would have seen,” Hutson explained. He added, “We don’t want our children to give up and say this is too difficult a problem for me to solve, but by having the exposure and the experience I think that over time our children will (Continued on page 31)
Senior cop faces... (From page 13) treated with respect. “The health of our nation is a priority. It is most opportune for the citizens of this country to become recipients of a safe and well-structured Maternal and Child Health Department in each of the communities so that referrals to GPHC are minimised for low-risk births and each community, district, facility can boast of quality care in the service of delivery of MCH. It is my hope that through this project, and our collaborative efforts, we can change attitudes and lifestyles in our residents, and thereby create a climate of health consciousness and well-being,” Lawrence said.
bilateral discussions with members every year. During those consultations, the mission reviews the overall economic developments in the country, as well as its policy measures aimed at maintaining economic stability, ensuring a sustainable external balance and further liberalizing foreign trade. Upon the completion of the IMF mission consultations, the IMF Executive Board discusses the staff report and issues an assessment of the country’s economic situation and the adequacy of its economic policy measures, based on a comprehensive analysis of the overall economic situation and a wider fiscal policy strategy of the member country. The IMF is an organization of 188 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world. The last Article IV
Executive Board Consultation was on May 9, 2016. In the IMF’s 2016 report, the relatively young APNU+AFC administration received high praise for steering Guyana’s economy unto the path of sustainable growth. The Directors, in their evaluation of Guyana’s financial system last year, commended the resilience of the economy, which continued to grow despite global headwinds. They noted, however, that challenges and risks remain, and encouraged the authorities to build up fiscal buffers, implement structural reforms, and strengthen the financial sector. The Directors noted that Guyana remains vulnerable to changes in commodity prices due to its dependence on imported oil and the concentration of exports on a few commodities. The Directors also stressed the importance of fiscal consolidation in order to safeguard debt sustainability and preserve fiscal and external buffers while maintaining growth
momentum. They recommended that fiscal consolidation efforts focus on moderating the growth of current expenditures, in particular transfers to public enterprises, so as to preserve space for public investment while protecting social spending. In their review, they encouraged the government to move toward greater economic diversification by advancing reforms to promote competition and improve the business climate. The Directors said that given that the high costs of electricity, transportation and telecommunications have been longstanding impediments to growth, they supported well targeted public investment and liberalizing reforms to lower costs and raise productivity. The IMF Members added that the largely concessional nature of debt contributes to resilience and should be preserved. They commended the authorities for taking a cautious approach in factoring in possible future oil income in their medium term fiscal plans.
PAGE 16
Friday March 17, 2017
Kaieteur News
GCCI maintains commitment to ensuring a thriving economy
By Murtland Haley The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry yesterday reiterated its commitment to ensuring that Guyana has a thriving economy. Expressing the entity’s
support in this regard was President of GCCI, Vishnu Doerga. He was at the time making a presentation at the Chambers’ 127th Annual General Meeting held at the Duke Lodge in Duke Street, Kingston. Doerga said that plans are
afoot to ensure that the Chamber is an engine for private sector development. He said that over the years the GCCI has responded to a number of initiatives including capacity-building programmes for members and non-members, such as a
conversation circle sponsored by Republic Bank. “The programme has so far attracted over one hundred entrepreneurs who benefited from the guidance of experienced chamber members.” Further, he stated that the business achiever programme with Scotia Bank continues to highlight businesses and stimulate entrepreneurial interests. Doerga said that in keeping with the Chambers’ mandate to contribute to a thriving economy, focus has been placed on competitiveness and nurturing the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship in Guyana’s private sector. “Our relationship with our Regional funding partner, the Caribbean Development Bank, strengthened, and we were able to secure two grants from the CDB which are aimed at increasing export readiness of enterprises within creative industries, agro-processing, and also enhancing the capacity of business support organisations.” He said that each of these projects focus on development workshops, training and one on one consultancy. Doerga added that the next major project under the grant relates to beekeeping, since it also holds significant potential to unlock more revenue and employment. Doerga explained that many of the new and prospective sectors require a facilitating environment in order to flourish. “The Chamber is and has been embarking on a path where we can be that partner in development; that adds our contribution at the planning stage towards creating a clear vision to success.” He added that one of the areas of focus for the GCCI is to have stronger advocacy, which will become a loud signal to those in power to take pre-emptive action when necessary. This, he said, is in keeping with the Chambers’ constitution. On the issue of compliance, the President said that the GCCI wants a
structure that reduces the burden, but incentivises growth for the compliant and not the non-compliant. He said there seems to be a loophole whereby the compliant businesses are paying for the non-compliant entities. According to Doerga, the GCCI needs to focus heavily on regulations and legislation that will create opportunities to lift Guyanese out of poverty and towards a better life. “The private sector is a key player in that value-chain because we are the ones who actually create employment.” He said that while the country has been getting early budgets over the past few years, timely spending of such approved budgetary measures will provide the needed financial stimulus to energise the economy. Meanwhile, Chairman of the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest) Board, Patricia Bacchus, during her remarks, said that the agency has streamlined its investment facilitation process for businesses. “It is no longer a secret; it no longer requires asking someone to help you. The tools that you are required to activate the investment promotion mechanism are posted now to the agency’s website; it’s called the expression of interest form.” She said systems have been put in place to ensure that the submissions made by companies are recorded and accounted for. This, Bacchus said, will boost communication between the agency and the entrepreneur. Additionally, she said that employees of the agency, particularly investment officers, have signed a secrecy agreement that is legally enforceable, and which bars them from releasing sensitive information about companies and their submissions. Bacchus assured representatives of the business company that the governance level at the agency has significantly increased. She added that all of the issues of noncompliance which were recorded in the Forensic Audit of Go-Invest have been remedied.
GCCI President, Vishnu Doerga “The agency has developed a very strong inclination to compliance…The expression of interest form requires the either existing business or new investor to make declarations on areas such as Pay as You Earn taxes, NIS...whether you have audited financials, whether you are up to date with your annual returns...information on all of those areas is required before we commence the process.” According to Bacchus, the form asks for disclosure of source of funding and a projection of expected taxes to be paid to the state. She said that this requires a strong business plan so as to have strong projections. She added that at the end of the third quarter, after receiving a signed investment agreement, businesses will have to produce a self-compliance form under the mandatory selfcompliance programme. The reason for this is that, previously, agreements were entered into and concessions awarded to businesses who would cash in on the concessions, but the projects would not take off. However on the self-compliance form, entrepreneurs would have to measure their actual implementation progress relative to the plans submitted at the beginning of the process. Bacchus stressed to the members of the GCCI that compliance is a critical factor to business operations in Guyana and the mode of operation at GO-Invest and the Guyana Revenue Authority.
PAGE 26
Friday March 17, 2017
Kaieteur News
PM’s representative wants authorities to look into govt. reserve land scams Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara)’s Representative from the Prime Minister’s Office, Harry Narine Deokinanan, is calling on the relevant authorities to launch an immediate investigation into the allegedly illegal sale of leased lands. Deokinanan said that there are currently over one hundred cases where lands leased to persons for either agriculture or other purposes are being illegally sold in the West Demerara/East Bank Essequibo area. He added also that wooden houses are being constructed by lessees and then rented to individuals. Deokinanan said that persons are ‘getting rich quick’ off of these illegal arrangements. He added that serious intervention is needed since complaints are becoming more frequent. The representative claims that he had written to the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GL&SC) asking for the agency’s immediate intervention in these cases, however, there has been no response to date. The PM Representative said that his office is looking into a case where a government reserve of 50x100 feet – located on the Tuschen Railway Embankment – was sold twice on separate occasions. On the first occasion, the land was sold by the lessee for $1.5M and later sold by a relative of the lessee to another person to the tune of
Region Three Rep. from the PM’s Office, Harry Narine Deokinanan $500,000. Deokinanan said that the land – which has a 15x17 feet wooden house on it – is now at the centre of a bitter dispute, with both ‘owners’ unwilling to give way to the other. What he said is interesting to note, is that the previous Tuschen/Uitvlugt Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) gave permission to the last buyer to install utilities. This permission was seen by this publication. Deokinanan added that the previous NDC should have recognised that the house was on a government reserve – before granting the necessary approval for the installation of electricity and water. The ‘salt in the wound’ Deokinanan said, is the fact that the last buyer was paying the relevant property taxes to
The reserve land with the house that is reportedly at the centre of the dispute. the previous NDC. “So there we have a government land being sold twice and it all slipped under the radar of the previous council. The same council gave approval for electricity and water without even verifying the illegitimacy of the land. It’s either the previous NDC wasn’t doing their job or, there was massive corruption going on,” Deokinanan said. The current Chairperson of the NDC, Ranjini Mahadeo, said yesterday that she was ‘surprised’, when the matter was brought to her attention. Asked how the council is going to deal with the matter, Mahadeo said that she is ‘clueless’ at this point. She
made it clear that the arrangements were made prior to her assuming office. Mahadeo explained that, normally, before any
approval is given, checks are made to determine that the home is not on government reserves. Mahadeo said that the
matter came to her attention only yesterday and assured that the council will be working assiduously to address the matter.
Fraudsters posing as GRA, GLDA staffers; collecting monies The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has warned of receiving a number of reports from taxpayers within Region 3 (Essequibo Islands/ West Demerara), Region 4 (Demerara/Mahaica), Region 5 (Mahaica/Berbice) and Region 6 (East Berbice/ Corentyne), of a group of persons visiting the areas posing as officials from GRA and the Guyana
Livestock Development Authority (GLDA). According to GRA, the reports have indicated that while purporting to be conducting an official exercise which involves the counting of heads of cattle and number of pets owned by farmers and pet lovers, the group would demand an amount of $2,000 Value-Added-Tax (VAT) for each. “The GRA wishes to alert taxpayers and to inform them that the agency presently has no such exercise in place. Anyone who encounters these individuals are advised to request proof of
identification, since all staff of the GRA are required to carry identification during the course of their duties.” Additionally, GRA said, it should be noted that officers of the GRA are not authorized to collect monies from taxpayers, since all payments of monies should be effected at its regional offices or its headquarters. “The agency has also been taking measures through its Law Enforcement and Investigation Division (LEID) to address the issue. Taxpayers can be assured that the perpetrators, once located, will be dealt with.”
Friday March 17, 2017
PAGE 27
Kaieteur News
Canal No. 1 beating...
Police say vigilantism reports were “exceedingly erroneous” Over the past couple of days, a number of media entities in the country have been reporting that the Phagwah night beating of two men in Canal No. 1, West Bank Demerara, was a racially motivated vigilante attack. In a subsequent statement however, the Guyana Police Force said that this was “exceedingly erroneous.” According to the force, the connotations of vigilantism published in sections of the media are unsubstantiated, “based on statements obtained from members of the public, some of whom were involved in this incident on the day in question,” the police statement said. While investigations into the alleged assault committed on Dameion Gordon and Vernon Beckles are still ongoing, police are saying that the men were reportedly beaten by a group of irate
residents, after one of them was allegedly seen removing a pair of mirrors from a parked motor car. “Investigations have so far revealed that the victims were taken from Georgetown to the home of Ewart Lewis, a member of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), who lives at Two Brothers, Canal No. 1 Polder, West Bank Demerara, by an in-law of Lewis’ reputed wife,” the police statement said. It further explained that, “while at Ewart Lewis’ place, the family and the victims (Gordon and Beckles) decided to venture to Georgetown to seek further entertainment and while doing so, stopped at a shop at Two Brothers, where Ewart Lewis, his reputed wife and her in-law went into the shop leaving the two men on the Public Road.” Lewis, the GDF rank who purportedly drove the two
men over to West Demerara, told police that while at the shop in Canal, “A resident (name given) ran into the shop and shouted saying that two men were stealing the mirrors from his motor car.” It is further alleged by Lewis that shortly after, another resident (name given) told him that the men who stole the mirrors were the very men he brought in his car. Authorities have said that persons in the vicinity then swarmed Beckles and Gordon, and began questioning them. “During this period (Gordon) fled and jumped into the canal and both of them denied stealing the mirrors,” the police statement said. Reports are that while Gordon was in the trench, the alleged irate residents threw bricks and other objects at him, while his friend, Beckles, was detained by residents.
Man charged for accident that claimed friend’s life A 22-year-old man was on Wednesday placed on $400,000 bail after he appeared before Magistrate Alex Moore at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) and causing death by dangerous driving. A friend of the accused was the victim. Randy Seepersaud of Lot 1 Seawell Village, Corentyne, Berbice, pleaded guilty to the DUI charge and was not required to plead to the o t h e r. S e e p e r s a u d w a s represented by his Attorney Chandra Sohan, who requested for bail for his client on the grounds that he is not a flight risk, and the fact that the man reportedly swerved from a stray animal. Shazam Ismail, a poultry labourer of Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice, lost his life in the accident which occurred on Sunday night along the Borlam Turn. He was reportedly imbibing with Seepersaud and their other friend, Anthony Ramlochan, when the car they were in spun out of control and slammed into a utility pole. Seepersaud who was the driver at the time of the accident received minor
A mini health check is the first step to donating blood
- placed on $400,000 bail
Dead: Shazam Ismail
The injured Randy Seepersaud when he was taken to the hospital
injuries while Ramlochan sustained broken limbs among other injuries. Ismail reportedly died on the spot. Prosecutor Godfrey Playter objected to bail based
on the nature and prevalence of the offence, but Seepersaud was subsequently granted bail by Magistrate Moore. He is to lodge his passport.
Assaulted: Vernon Beckles
Assaulted: Dameion Gordon
The police release went on to note that, “the rear view mirrors belonging to the vehicle where the two victims were seen standing, were later found by Ewart Lewis, under another vehicle which was parked in close proximity of the vehicle from which they were stolen.” The police said that a Rural Constable from the area took initial action and pleaded with Gordon to come out of the Canal, but he refused. Police ranks then arrived, and Gordon came out of the Canal, after which he and Beckles were escorted to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where they were
treated and sent away. “It is not the first time that persons who are suspected of having committed an offence invoked the wrath of members of the public, and while we frown and warn against these behaviours as being unacceptable, the reality is that one cannot necessarily immediately determine what a spontaneous action will be,” the police statement said. STICKING TO THEIR STORY As of last evening, both Vernon Beckles and Dameion Gordon were sticking to their claims of innocence. The two men told Kaieteur News last
evening that they were not satisfied with police investigations into the matter thus far. “I feel like if they denying me justice,” Beckles said. Gordon on the other hand, was quick to point out what he called a “major discrepancy” in the police statement. “I don’t understand what Ewart (Lewis) trying to say, but what I want know, is if he tell them how long after they went into the shop the people notice dey mirror gone. I don’t understand how these car mirrors could go missing so quickly,” Gordon contended. The 29-year-old business student expressed worry that his name “is being dragged through the dirt.” Meanwhile, Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan, told reporters yesterday that while he was not in receipt of an official report on the Canal No. 1 beating, vigilante justice will not be tolerated. “It is wholly illegal, and those who commit vigilante justice, or do grievous harm or murder, they will be charged,” Ramjattan reminded.
PAGE 28
Kaieteur News
Friday March 17, 2017
Friday March 17, 2017
Trinidad PM supports death penalty PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Prime Minister Dr, Keith Rowley said, yesterday, he supports the death penalty and that his administration is working towards having it implemented as it moves to deal with those citizens bent on committing murder ‘with impunity” in Trinidad and Tobago. Rowley, speaking at the end of the weekly Cabinet news conference, told reporters that “this fight against the criminal element is a national crusade” and urged the public to assist the police in carrying out their investigations. “This just require that we stay on the job and do what is required. There are people in this country who has chosen crime as a way of life,” he said, adding that “we are being traumatised by a very small minority and we are going to take the best chance in law to protect us”. Rowley said that even when people are incarcerated “they are running criminal empires from inside the jail and we are going to take steps to ensure that this does not go on”. He told reporters he does not care whatever the back-
lash could be from his position but he wanted to make it abundantly clear that he is a “firm believer in capital punishment.” “It is the punishment for the crime; it is my view that people act with (seeming) impunity that nothing will happen” when they commit the crimes including murder. Rowley said that Attorney General, Faris Al Rawi, has set up in his office the mechanism to monitor persons who have been convicted of murder and is moving to ensure that they pay the penalty, keeping in mind the Pratt and Morgan ruling of the Privy Council that persons on death row for more than five years can’t be executed. Despite Trinidad and Tobago hosting the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), the oil rich twin island republic still uses the London-based court as its final court. Rowley said that former attorney general Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj is also assisting the government so that “persons of recent vintage (convicted of murder) will pay the ultimate penalty”. Rowley said that his administration is providing all the necessary resources to
the security forces to deal with the crime situation here and reiterated a call for the law abiding public to help the police in their investigation. Rowley said there were some people who were bent on committing crime not as a result, for instance of having lost their jobs, but who believe that it is their right to take lives and property from other nationals. The last execution in Trinidad and Tobago occurred on July 28, 1999 when Anthony Briggs was hanged after being convicted for the August 1992 murder of a taxi driver, Siewdath Ramkissoon, during a robbery. Briggs was hanged just over a month after the members of the Dole Chadee gang were hanged over a three-day period. Dole Chadee, Joey Ramiah and Ramkelawan Singh were executed on June 4, 1999, while Clive Thomas, Robin Gopaul and Russell Sankeralli were hanged on June 5, 1999. On June 7, 1999 Joel Ramsingh, Steve Eversley and Bagwandeen Singh were hanged. The Chadee gang was hanged for its involvement in the murder of the Baboolal family in 1994.
Government urged to cultivate marijuana GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands, CMC – The Government of the Cayman Islands is being urged to cultivate marijuana locally. The call came from local activist Dennie Warren Jr. who was central to the campaign that led to the legalization of extracts from marijuana in 2016. At the first ever Cannabis Conference to held here on Wednesday, Warren said the local cultivation of the drug would eliminate the supply chain problems and create an industry in the British Overseas territory. Warren, whose wife if suffering from lung cancer, outlined some of the challenges as it relates to treating her as well as the battles with government bureaucrats. The Cayman News Service quotes Warren as saying that “There were some fierce adversaries” in his fight for the use of the drug. Warren also made reference to Jamaica, and explained that medicinal cannabis oil has been identified
PAGE 29
Kaieteur News
Dennie Warren Jr. in the neighbouring island but it has taken many months to get the necessary import permit. He said the final hurdle is the export permit from Jamaica, but he believes the issue is on track and “the oil could be here in a matter of weeks”.
Last November the Misuse of Drugs Law was amended, allowing medical doctors to prescribe cannabis extracts or tinctures for therapeutic purposes. However, the law does not allow for production of the products in the Cayman Islands.
Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica partners with university to boost research in energy
KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC- The Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ) and the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTECH), have forged a partnership under which the Corporation will provide J$5 million (One Jamaica dollar =US$0.008 cents) in financing to bolster research and development as well as scholastic endeavours in engineering
and energy at the institution. The PCJ has also made a grant of J$1 million available to underwrite the cost of research projects being undertaken by students in the School of Engineering (SOE). In addition, the Corporation will be providing approximately J$4 million to fund the PCJ Renewable Energy Scholarship, which will be tenable at the SOE. For the research initiative,
at least four projects will be formulated and carried out each year by selected students which will deal with areas that directly impact the PCJ’s mandate. According to UTECH, the students, who will work under the supervision of experienced instructors, will explore practical applications in subjects including solar energy, biomass and biofuels.
PAGE 30
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620
LAND FOR SALE 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
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
Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158
HEALTH Have your health checked through iridology- Monday April 3. Call Hazel’s Herbal Store: 226-9136
VEHICLE FOR SALE
FOR SALE
VACANCY
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.
Cook/Baker and Kitchen Assistant for interior location. Applicants must be experienced, for details call: 618-2020
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 Next to new 2013 Silver Nissan March PWW series, new magrims & new tyres – price $2.6M negotiable. Call: 660-6145 Rita
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.
Passport application services and consultancy – Call: 233-6517 Repairs to washers, dryers, stoves, deep fryers, control system etc. Call: 619-0793/ 699-8802
Friday March 17, 2017
Kaieteur News
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 227-1218
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Lot 14 Croal & Longden Street: 4 Storey building (infront Demico). Call: 6631876 1-2 Bedroom apartment to rent fully furnished, including internet, cable, TV, parking available. E.C.D –Call: 6672536 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 House for rent @ 112 Duke Street Kingstown G/Town: 3 bedrooms. Call: 603-7147/ 665-6433
TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 225-7878 (24HRS)
Newly refurbished 2 bedroom apartment D’urban Street Lodge, secure parking. Call: 687-4050 Three storey 75ftX25ft building/bond. Call: 2230654/ 225-0604
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
DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM
CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 677-7827, 6435122 ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM
WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP REATES,SPECIALOFFERS FOR THE SEASON. CALL: 690-6494
AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL: PICKUP, 9-11 SEAT MIN BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPOTR & FAMILY OUTING, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807
Bottom flat house @ 25 North Road & Oronoque Street, fully furnished/ air condition/ residence /business.Call: 226-7012 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).
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
Fibre-Tech 220 9192/6907. Fiberglass, Resin materials in any quantity all for your repairs.
Now Hiring: Marketing Agents. Models/Media Reps. Call: 233-6517
Two Massey Ferguson tractors 4299 and 290. Price negotiable- Call:611-1277
Gardener , watchman, handyman, guard – Call: 2237500 Monday – Friday 8:154:15pm, Saturday 8:15am1:15pm
One Mitsubishi Canter – Call: Rayon: 671-7108 Design & Make Aluminum windows, doors, stainless rails, showcases, rolling shutters, make & install automatic doors. Call: 2336818/677-5599/659-9999 Great Deals on video games & all gaming consoles. PC, video games & repairs – Call: 672-2566; 265-3231 Mix breed female pup Rottweiler & Brazilian Mastiff - 12weeks old, fully vaccinated. Call: 225-0301
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
One shop assistant to work in the Interior, must have experienced. Call: 678-0565 Female worker wanted sound secondary education, computer literate-Tel: 6225518 1 Live in nanny/domestic to take care of children & home, must know to cook various dishes 38-48yrs. Call: 600-1898 Live-in waitress with secondary education, salary $80,000 monthly. Boarding & lodging free. Age 18-25 years- Tel:610-3974 Farm Workers, preferably couple. Call: 265-3586 (8:00am-4:00pm, Mon- Sat)
1- Pump attendant – Call: 6240033; 1-customer service/ sales assistant. Call: 6240033
One lorry Driver experienced in selling water located in Charlestown. Call: 678-1234
1 – Accounts/office assistant- Send CV to laltag@yahoo.com or whatsapp: 680-3863
Live-in domestic must know to cook Indian Dishes $80,000 monthly, boarding & lodging free 25-40yrs – Call: 610-5043
Employment Available @ Hicks Ville Hotel: washer/ presser and hotel attendants. Call: 231-0951/ 223-3448
Live in or live out waitress. Call: 643-9007/ 666-4647
Experienced salesman. Apply with handwritten application to Key Food Trading, Mc Doom Village, next to post office. One live in domestic to work in Mahaicony River, Serious person. Call: 655-9419
Self-contained rooms in Prashad Nagar. Tel: 227-2993 CAR RENTAL
Accounts Clerk for Eccles, Industrial Site area knowledge of NIS, PAYE, VAT, Quickbooks. Call: 6144358 Experienced Hire Car Drivers/Dispatchers. Call: 622-6413
Urgently needed workers to work at Ice Company @ Meadow Bank Wharf, training provided. Call: 2311408/ 642-9191/ between 8am-1pm.
Experienced salesgirls apply @ R.Sookraj & Sons, 108 Regent Street Georgetown.
PROPERTY FOR SALE Transported property @ Grove and Diamond $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461
Outdoor Salesmen/ saleswomen for established brand of snack foods, chocolates, biscuits, beverages, merchandiser, data entry clerk. Call: 617-1809
1-2 Storey building 3 bedrooms upstairs, 2 apartments downstairs, all self-contained @ Avenue B Diamond, E.B.D- Call: 6585452
Maid required work and cooking.Call:658-8669
One Roadside, 2 storey building @ V/Hoop (ideally business/residence). Call: 614-0107
EDUCATIONAL First Aid/CPR Course @ St. John Association, 110 Cowan St, Kingston for details. Call:225-9082 PEN PAL Indian Male is seeking a serious relationship with female between age 20-30. Call: 653-09975
FOR SALE/RENT 1 Big music set for sale, owner migrating. 1-3 Bedrooms house for rent @ Plantation Lilendaal. Call: 690-5225
MASSAGE The Gent’s Spa: Massage done by Tiffany, mobile services. Book appointment now! Call: 677-5465
Friday March 17, 2017
PAGE 31
Kaieteur News
Oil industry boost…
Mexico experts to train Guyanese workers, create country policy Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, yesterday signed a number of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with the Mexican Institute of Petroleum (IMP) to build capacity in the emerging oil and gas sector. The three MOUs were signed in the boardroom of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Brickdam between the Minister and Director General of the IMP, Dr Ernesto Ríos Patrón. In an interview with the Government Information Agency, the Mexican Ambassador to Guyana Ivan Roberto Sierra-Medel said the MOUs were the most important exchange between the two countries. “Their (IMP’s) goal is to build a two-way communication that creates domestic capacities in Guyana and I think this is a step in the right direction,” Ambassador Sierra-Medel said. Guyana is a new entrant in the oil industry, and sharing Mexico’s expertise and experiences with Guyana fosters overall development, Ambassador Sierra-Medel noted. The IMP in turn stands to benefit by creating technical confidence to eventually provide some services to Guyana. MOUs Dr Ríos noted that the MOUs provide for the creation of three white papers, training of human resources in labour, technical and professional jobs and the creation of a technical background and overall technical framework for Guyana. A team from IMP will be in Guyana collecting data to complete the three white papers which have a sixmonth deadline. Dr Ríos explained that the white papers aim to “build an overall balance of demand and supply of oil and gas in the local industry.” The team will share its techniques and methodologies and best practices with the government. “What we
expect to be doing for the Guyana Government (is) to build their own documents and to build a set of concepts…that are Guyana’s concept to develop their own industry,” Dr Ríos explained. The white papers will outline potential policies which can be used in the Guyana context. The white papers are expected to be “a point of conversation” among the government, society and the industry on the sustainable, mid and long-term, development of the fledgling oil and gas industry. Upon the completion of the data collection, a representative from Guyana will travel to the IMP in Mexico for its analyses before the final scope of the papers is settled here in Guyana. “The idea is to help build capabilities…to facilitate a process for someone to build up these white papers and these ideas, and then become an active person that will bring those ideas into the Guyana community,” Dr Ríos explained. BOOSTING TECHNICALCAPACITIES The training which will be provided by the IMP will focus on three main areas. The IMP has proposed training in Sciences of the Earth which includes studies such as geophysics and geology. There will also be the building of technical labour in critical positions such as welders, supervisors of drilling teams, and technicians to collect data and information for environmental purposes. Dr Ríos cautioned that these were just examples of technical labour in which the IMP facilitates training. The government is still to determine the areas of training for which it wishes to develop capacities. Dr Ríos explained that the Institute will create a ‘tree’ of competencies and out of that “we will come with the value chain and compare the abilities based on what time of the development you are,” to determine the training that will be required.
Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman (R) and Director General of the IMP, Dr Ernesto Ríos Patrón, signing the MOUs. The MOUs aim to provide Guyana with lasting technical knowledge and best practices in the industry. The IMP is financing the projects identified in the MOUs. While not providing an exact number, Ambassador
development, provision of engineering and technical services, training, and awarding degrees, and participating in strategic and technological joint ventures. “They have the expertise, they have the
Private Sector calls out SARU CEO on accuracy... From page 11 the impression that consultations held last year on the draft Bill were, perhaps, just for show. The Commission’s feeling is rooted in the fact that the draft Bill, which was initially submitted to stakeholders for discussion, is essentially the same Bill that was laid in the National Assembly. This in essence means that no change of consequence was made to the Bill. The Private Sector body, via a letter to the House Speaker, said that it maintains that the provisions of the Bill are in conflict with the rights enshrined in the Constitution of Guyana, and constitute a threat to democracy and good governance. However, the CEO of SARU had said that the changes proposed by the Commission were based on the fact that they did not understand several aspects of the Bill. The SARU Officer said that while the Commission was not alone in this boat, “efforts were made to ensure that all misunder-
Third ‘Mock’ Exam to be administered... (From page 15) become better and better.” Hutson is confident that the efforts plugged into preparing the pupils will translate to improved Mathematics performances at this year’s NGSA. According to the Education CEO, he has sought to impress his view that without the success of the implemented measures, the problem will not go away. “We are looking at this from a Grade Six perspective, but when we look at the plan of action, we are also looking to deal with this in the long term, and so from Grades One right through we will be walking our children
Sierra-Medel said it is a “considerable investment”. The IMP has over 50 years of experience in Mexico’s petroleum industry and is the country’s leading research centre dedicated to technological research and
k n o w - h o w, a n d more importantly they have the strategy to transfer knowledge to Guyana,” Ambassador Sierra-Medel said. Mexico has 100 years’ experience in extracting oil. The country’s assistance to Guyana in the development of its oil and gas industry dates back to 2015. Last June, a team from Mexico was in Guyana to offer technical support to the Ministry of Natural Resources in the development of a Petroleum Regulatory Agency and Institute, tertiary and technical education and training in the mining, oil and gas and environment sectors. Outside of the oil and gas sector, Mexico’s relations with Guyana includes the granting a scholarship for a Guyanese to pursue a Masters in Coconut Biology. Recently, the country announced the importation of Guyanese rice to its markets.
through,” Hutson added. As part of the measures to address the performances in Mathematics, aimed at improving the NGSA performances, has been the hiring of monitors and coordinators. This aspect has been deemed difficult, according to Hutson. These persons, he noted, “will be focusing specifically on Maths in the school system, and they are being paid to do that in addition to the teachers who are there. We will have persons monitoring and coordinating, so we will get a sense of how our children are progressing from the lowest grade, which is Grade One.”
standings regarding the Bill were clarified”. He said, “I do recall their concerns with the Bill, but the truth is that the criticisms we received on the Bill were largely due to the fact that people did not understand it, and that was the case with the Commission.” Heath-Retemyer said that there were no “substantial” changes made to the provisions, but there was some “tightening of the language” used. SARA BILL The SARA Bill is intended to give effect to the non-conviction-based asset recovery recommendations contained in the United Nations Convention Against Corruption 2003, which was ratified by the Government of Guyana in April 2008. It therefore provides for the establishment of the State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) which has as its primary function, the civil recovery of State property obtained through the unlawful conduct of a public
official or other person, or any benefit obtained in connection with that unlawful conduct, by way of civil proceedings taken in the High Court for a civil recovery order. The granting of a civil recovery order vests in the State, ownership of any property subject to the order. According to the Bill, SARA will have a Director with responsibility for the effective management and execution of its functions. Furthermore, the Bill contains seven Parts. Part One contains general provisions such as the short title, commencement and interpretation provisions. Part Two speaks to the establishment of SARA and its Director as a corporation sole, the appointment of a Director, Deputy Director and staff of SARA, and the terms and conditions of their appointment. This part contains provisions on how the SARA will be financed, through a budget approved by the National Assembly, and its trans-
parency obligations, by requiring the Director to provide a detailed annual plan and annual report, both of which must be laid before the National Assembly. In addition, SARA staff will be required to comply with the Code of Conduct prescribed in the Integrity Commission Act. Sections Six and Seven of the Bill set out the respective functions of SARA and its Director. SARA’s functions include the investigation, tracing and identification of State property suspected to be the proceeds of unlawful conduct of a public official or other person, and to institute High Court proceedings for the civil recovery of that property. The Bill also provides for SARA to be enabled to seek the recovery of such property wherever in the world that property may be located, and must also raise public awareness on the dangers of corruption and other crime.s Aubrey
CH&PA engages police ranks on... From page 09 Adams-Patterson stated that the CH&PA’s focus right now is to build duplexes and townhouses. She said that these types of houses will accommodate a larger number of families as compared to giving house lots. Meanwhile, the ranks heard from Narine that initially 265 buildings will be constructed and these will be divided into 768 units, each housing a family. This will be in Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 10. Narine said that each duplex will house two families
and each townhouse- six families. He explained that the townhouses’ dimensions will be 22 x 26 square feet (sq. ft.) and the duplexes, 20x 40 sq. ft. He said that both housing options provide for units comprising two bedrooms, a living room, a dining room, a kitchen and indoor toilet and bath. The engagement with police ranks is part of an ongoing exercise organised by the CH&PA, in collaboration with the Guyana Police Association.
The exercise is in fulfillment of a commitment made to the association to address with urgency the housing needs of policemen and women. As part of the commitment, CH&PA in 2016 met with ranks in Regions Three, Five and Six and allocated house lots at prices ranging from $92,000 to $1.5M. CH&PA has run out of land for house lots and has been looking at a number of other ways to reduce the 25,000 applications that it has in the database of the entity.
PAGE 32
Friday March 17, 2017
Kaieteur News
Iraqi forces besiege Islamic State around Mosul Old City Iraqi government forces besieged Islamic State militants around Mosul’s Old City, yesterday, edging closer to the historic mosque from where the group’s leader declared a caliphate nearly three years ago. The militants, holed up in houses and darting through alleyways, resisted with sniper fire, suicide attacks and car bombs. Though heavy rain hampered the advance, Federal Police and rapid response unit troops reached points about 500 m (yards) from the centuries-old al-Nuri Mosque by Thursday morning. The black jihadist flag was clearly visible draped from its famous leaning minaret. The government forces have made significant gains in recent days in a battle that started in October, seizing a main bridge over the Tigris River and closing in on the mosque. “We are holding positions we took yesterday. There is a lot of resistance in that area with snipers and car bombs,” Federal Police Major General Haider Dhirgham told Reuters. The capture of al-Nuri Mosque would be a huge symbolic victory as well as a concrete gain. “It’s important
for them, it’s where they declared their state,” Dhirgham said, speaking at a police forward base as refugees trudged through the muddy streets and wrecked houses. Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi chose the mosque as his backdrop for announcing the caliphate spanning Iraq and Syria in July 2014. Since then, Mosul has been the hardline group’s main urban stronghold in Iraq but it has steadily lost ground since the offensive began. Iraqi leaders say the battle is reaching its final stages. Several more areas of western Mosul had been recaptured, including the hospital, during Wednesday and Thursday morning but officers said progress was slowed by car bombs and boobytraps in houses and alleyways, as well as the bad weather. Islamic State hit back with sporadic attacks on government positions, including mortar fire. Suicide bombers had driven explosive-rigged cars at troops, Dhirgham said. Government forces responded with mortars and helicopter gunships strafed militant positions from above. Police said they had killed nine militants who tried to counter-attack one of their
Cars burnt and destroyed by clashes are seen on a street during a battle between Iraqi forces and Islamic State militants, in Mosul, Iraq, yesterday
positions with rocket-propelled grenades. Mosul has served as Islamic State’s de facto capital as they imposed the rule over the areas they had seized. The city’s recapture by the government would drive the remnants of the Islamic State
Senate panel leaders: no evidence to Trump claim of Obama wiretap (Reuters) The Republican and Democratic leaders of the Senate Intelligence Committee said on Thursday they saw no evidence to support President Donald Trump’s claim that the Obama administration tapped his phones during the 2016 presidential campaign. “Based on the information available to us, we see no indications that Trump Tower was the subject of surveillance by any element of the United States government either before or after Election Day 2016,” Republican Chairman Richard Burr and Senator Mark Warner, the committee’s Democratic vice chairman, said in a statement. Trump, a Republican,
made the accusation in a series of early morning posts on Twitter on March 4, six weeks after he took over the presidency from Democrat Barack Obama and amid rising scrutiny of his campaign’s ties to Russia. The top Republican in Congress, House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan, on Thursday added his voice to those rejecting Trump’s contention. “The point is, the intelligence committees in their continuing, widening, ongoing investigation of all things Russia, got to the bottom - at least so far - with respect to our intelligence community that - that no such wiretap existed,” Ryan told reporters.
Trump accused Obama of wiretapping him during the late stages of the campaign, but provided no evidence. Obama said through a spokesman that it was “simply false.” At least four congressional committees added the startling accusation in their investigations of possible Russian meddling in the election campaign and Russian ties to Trump and his associates. On Wednesday, House of Representatives Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes, a Republican, and top Democrat, Adam Schiff, told reporters they had seen no evidence that Trump Tower was tapped and said they would ask Federal Bureau of Investigation Director James Comey about the issue during a public hearing on Monday. Ryan told reporters he received the same intelligence briefing as Nunes and Schiff. Trump appeared to back away from his accusation of wiretapping in a Fox News interview on Wednesday night.
army into the hinterlands. The group is also under pressure in neighboring Syria, where three separate forces are advancing on Raqqa, the main Syrian city under Islamic State control. As well as waging jihad in Iraq and Syria, the militants have inspired attacks in cit-
ies in Europe, Africa and elsewhere that have killed hundreds of civilians. U.S. and other Western countries are providing air, artillery and other support to the Mosul offensive, reflecting the international concern over the Islamic State threat. However, the presence of
tens of thousands of civilians in IS-held areas means that simply pulverizing them is a risky proposition. Thousands of residents have escaped to government lines in recent days but it has been impossible to tally the number of civilian casualties.
Republicans split, conservatives angry as U.S. healthcare overhaul inches ahead Reuters - Deeply divided Republicans squeezed their U.S. healthcare overhaul, backed by President Donald Trump, through a key House of Representatives panel on Thursday despite defections by three conservatives who consider it too similar to the Obamacare law it is intended to replace. Trump’s first major legislative initiative still faces an uphill battle in the full House and later the Senate despite ongoing efforts by the White House and Republican leaders to satisfy conservatives. The Budget Committee vote was 19 to 17, with Republican Representatives David Brat, Gary Palmer and Mark Sanford - all members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus - joining the panel’s Democrats in voting against it. The committee brought provisions approved last week by two other panels into a single bill, helping pave the way for a later vote on the House floor. Republicans, who control
Congress and the White House, could not afford to lose more than three from their ranks on the committee for it to pass. “I don’t think we are anywhere near passage,” Brat said after the vote, noting that Republican conservatives as well as moderates had problems with the bill. The 2010 Affordable Care Act, the signature legislative achievement of former President Barack Obama, enabled about 20 million previously uninsured Americans to obtain medical coverage. About half of those were through the law’s expansion of eligibility and increased funding for Medicaid. The close vote illustrated the problems Republican leaders may encounter in corralling enough votes in their party to win passage on the House floor amid unified Democratic opposition. The measure now goes to the Rules Committee before reaching the House floor. The Congressional Budget Office, a nonpartisan congressional agency, forecast
on Monday that the legislation would increase the number of Americans without health insurance by 24 million by 2026, while cutting $337 billion from federal budget deficits over the same period. The bill also faces opposition from leading healthcare providers, including doctors and hospitals. Republican Representative Diane Black, who heads the budget committee, asked Republicans who had doubts not to “cut off the discussion” by voting no. Conservative advocacy groups praised the three Republicans who voted “no.” “It makes no sense for Speaker Ryan and Chairman Diane Black to force GOP (Republican) lawmakers to walk the plank and vote for a bad bill that they’ve already admitted needs to be changed,” Club for Growth President David McIntosh said. Democrats have called the Republicans’ plan a blow to the elderly and the poor while giving tax cuts to the rich.
Friday March 17, 2017
Kaieteur News
PAGE 33
PAGE 34
Friday March 17, 2017
Kaieteur News
Ahmad ousts veteran Hayatou... Season 2 restarts this... (From page 39) Facebook page (Ahmad CAF 2017) from his seat on the podium shortly after being voted in. Ahmad, who has previously served as Minister of Sport and of Fisheries in Madagascar, was borne on the shoulders of boisterous supporters after the result was announced, while a tiredlooking Hayatou seemed stunned. However, following on radical changes in FIFA over the last year and with a growing number of younger Presidents of African soccer federations, there has been an increased desire for a fresh face at the helm of the African game. Ahmad had promised an increase in financial support for African associations, business class travel to future Congresses for all delegates
and to be more open to suggestions from member associations. His term is for four years. Ahmad gave a rousing speech before the lengthy voting process began, while Hayatou did not take up the opportunity to address the congress. OVERLY CONFIDENT Hayatou’s allies, also stunned by the result, suggested he had been blindsided by many of his former close colleagues but had also been too confident of victory. “Too many people told him he’d win easily and he believed them,’ a senior CAF official told Reuters. FIFA President Gianni Infantino was also in Addis Ababa to witness Ahmad’s upset win. Infantino made no public pronouncements ahead of the contest, though he had emerged as a potential kingmaker when he attended a
function in Zimbabwe last month in what was seen as a sign of support for Ahmad. Infantino has quickly won favor in Africa by increasing the size of future World Cup and financial grants to member countries. As an immediate consequence of Hayatou’s defeat, his senior vice president Suketu Patel of the Seychelles pulled out of his bid to win reelection to the organisation’s executive committee, leaving CAF without its influential financial chief. Some other powerful committee figures were voted off the executive committee, including Mohamed Raoraoua of Algeria and Amadou Diakite of Mali. Danny Jordaan of South Africa, who ran the 2010 World Cup, was elected to the committee. (Reuters)
Long-shot Jacobs not intimidated... (From page 33) once in the ring. ”We’ve seen it a lot in Mike Tyson fights. Guys
become totally different fighters,” Jacobs said, noting how some look nervous or fidgety. Jacobs has gone to lengths
to prepare, setting up camp in the Bay Area to work with light-heavyweight champion Andre Ward and get conditioning advice from former BALCO chief Victor Conte, and used former junior-welterweight champion Chris Algieri as a nutritionist. ”I’m not going to be intimidated,” said Jacobs. (Reuters)
(From page 39) ground of our choice for training. We have had to resort to an alternate ground which is not conducive to the standard we require.” He added, “we’re looking to come off from the bottom of the table and perform better but while our hopes are high, it’s left up to the players to perform on the field.” Winners of the League Leaders tournament, GDF is set on remaining as the number one team of the League. Coach Bilaal Nantambo said the “objective for the next half of the League is exactly the same – to win. If we can perform as well as we did in the
first half, then we’ll have the same expectation of not losing a game.” He noted however that “football is played on that day on the field so you can expect a fight every game but we are prepared. We’re hoping to make a slight change in our formation…but all in all we are confident we can end as winners of the League and I trust that we achieve that.” The prize money of the league is as follows: 1st Prize – Six Million Dollars ($6,000,000.00) ; 2nd Prize – Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000.00); 3rd Prize – Two Million Dollars
($2,000,000.00); 4th Prize – One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00). Patrons will be given a chance t o w i n f a b u l o u s prizes at every game including family meals comp l i m e n t s o f C h u r c h ’s Chicken, jerseys and caps compliments of Jialing, Impressions and the Guyana Football Federation, and cash vouchers and Gilette hampers compliments of Ansa McAl. The grand patron prize will be a JIALING 250cc motorcycle compliments of Automobile Power Products. Admission to each game is GYD$500.00.
Friday March 17 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Your intellectual wit will bring greater popularity with your peers. Take advantage of your attributes and lure the mate of your choice. Look into career choices and courses being offered. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) You must steer clear of overindulgent individuals. You can expect insincere gestures of friendliness today. Moneymaking opportunities will surface. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Deception in your home is evident. Don't beat around the bush. Be fair, not colorful. Try to get out and socialize. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Financial limitations may add to your depression. Put your time and energy into travel, philosophy, and soul-searching. Try to do your job and then leave. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Try not to be too emotional with those around you. Be prepared to take care of the issues at hand. Plan to get together with someone special later in the day. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You may find your mate somewhat perturbed. Get involved in groups that are creative in nature. Dealing with foreigners will be most enlightening. LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Take time to talk things over. Travel for business or plea-
sure. Catch up on any correspondence you've neglected. Finish projects that have been hanging over your head. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Help children complete projects they're having difficulty with. Don't consume more than necessary. Try not to attempt to do something unless you are fully intent on following through with the plans. SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) Don't overreact if your partner has a poor attitude. Friends from your past may come back into your life. Don't give them the use of your credit card. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Minor health problems will cause setbacks if you haven't taken proper care of yourself. Calm down and take a step back. Be sure to spend time helping children with projects that are too difficult for them to accomplish alone. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) This is a great day to mingle with people you would like to impr e s s . A s e c o n d chance will result in good work. You may want to make changes in your home environment. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Difficulties with your mate may l e a d t o i s o l a t i o n . Take a long look at your present direction and consider your professional options. Be careful not to divulge secret information today.
PAGE 35
Kaieteur News
Friday March 17, 2017
Smith, Maxwell lead Australia dominance Test hundred number 19, nine of them made overseas, was a measure of the quality Australia’s captain Steven Smith has brought to Ranchi to give his team a chance of unseating India at home. Ball number 147, kept out by Glenn Maxwell in the day’s final over, was a measure of the resolve he brought to his first Test innings in nearly three years. P r e v i o u s l y, t h e m o s t deliveries Maxwell had faced in any international innings across all three formats was 98. By stumps, his new personal mark not only showed how much he had steeled himself to contribute alongside Smith, but also put Australia in a very strong position to dictate terms on what is comfortably the best pitch prepared for this Border-Gavaskar Trophy bout. When Maxwell joined Smith, the day had hung rather more in the balance. Umesh Yadav was reversing the ball sharply, and the 28y e a r - o l d Vi c t o r i a n ’s
propensity for batting brainstorms was recalled by many watching. Ye t w i t h S m i t h ’ s counsel, Maxwell was able to avoid his usual rush, so much so that he waited until his 56th delivery to reach the boundary - this from a man whose most significant moment for Australia had been a World Cup hundred off 51 balls against Sri Lanka at the SCG in 2015. What followed was a certain acceleration, but nothing too outlandish. The day’s viral video moment was instead saved for Wriddhiman Saha’s attempt to glove a Ravindra Jadeja ball lodged between Smith’s padded legs, so desperate had India’s search for a wicket become. The attempt proved fruitless, and Smith was soon toasting his century, and with Maxwell, walked off boasting a wicketless final session, an unbeaten stand of 159, and the promise of more to come. Their concentration and discipline made for a contrast to some of the more
Glenn Maxwell ©Associated Press
Steven Smith celebrates his hundred ©Associated Press wasteful dismissals seen earlier in the day, as the Australian top order failed to make the most of their starts. David Warner and Matt Renshaw would be particularly frustrated to have wasted starts on a surface that played far better than widely predicted.
Peter Handscomb also got established at the crease before being defeated by a fine inswinging yorker from Yadav, the most threatening member of India’s bowling attack. Ishant Sharma had a couple of concerted lbw appeals denied, but R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja
Long-shot Jacobs not intimidated by Golovkin Middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin has something of a Mike Tyson aura about him, acknowledged Daniel “Miracle Man” Jacobs, but don’t expect the challenger to feel intimidated in their title clash tomorrow. The unbeaten Golovkin, nicknamed Triple G, has knocked out 33 of 36 opponents including the last 23, but Jacobs has survived a far more dangerous threat — bone cancer. And coming through that ordeal six years ago has given him strength. ”I’m a more mentally strong fighter. He’s not cancer,” Jacobs told reporters before this week’s final news conference ahead of their Madison Square Garden showdown. Jacobs, a Brooklynite with an impressive 32-1 record of his own with 29 knockouts, has a height and likely weight advantage over Golovkin, but has been rated a 7-1 long-shot against the holder of the WBC, WBA, IBF and IBO belts. ”Once again having my back against the wall, having everyone doubt me. I’m reliving those moments, the same thought process, same feelings, questioning myself,” Jacobs said,
Gennady “Triple G” Golovkin, left, and Daniel Jacobs pose for photos on the New York Stock Exchange trading floor on Monday last. AP recalling his treatments, rehab and comeback after being sidelined 18 months. ”I was 23, 24 years old then. I’m 30 now. It’s instilled in me — I believe in myself. I believe in what I can do.” Golovkin has never wanted for confidence, dominating the middleweight class despite being relatively undersized in the 160-pound division. A relentless aggressor, he cuts off the ring to close in and punish opponents with a brutal arsenal of left
hooks and power rights. Golovkin, 34, stopped unbeaten welterweight champion Kell Brook in the fifth round of his September fight in London, but was stunned by an uppercut in the second round and absorbed many shots from the sharp-punching Englishman. The champion said Brook lacked threatening power, leading him to let down his defense and concentrate on his attack, fracturing the challenger’s eye socket in the process.
Golovkin said he was taking Jacobs more seriously. ”I know he has good boxing IQ. Looks good in his last fights. Right is good, left is good. Everything is good,” said Golovkin, keen to stay on track for a lucrative potential showdown against Canelo Alvarez. Jacobs is bigger and faster than Golovkin and hits harder than many of the Kazakh’s previous victims. But Jacobs concedes some fighters appear wary of him (Continued on page 32)
fou nd far less assistance than they had seen in Pune and Bengaluru. Pointedly they missed Virat Kohli, who left the field for treatment after landing heavily on his right shoulder when trying to stop a boundary. Ranchi’s pitch played far better than appearances had suggested, meaning plenty more runs will be required. But at the very least, Smith and Maxwell have ensured something to bowl at for a team featuring another cricketer making a longdelayed return to the Australian Test team - the fast bowler Pat Cummins. Kohli conceded the loss of a key toss before play began, and that seemed more so as Renshaw and Warner rattled to 50 in less than 10 overs by taking advantage of the pitch’s even pace and a scorchingly fast outfield. Jadeja erred on the full side to Warner, but a full toss found the batsman in two minds about hitting square or straight, and the resultant return catch maintained his mediocre overseas record. Renshaw had been finding gaps either side of the wicket and looked in full control, so it was a surprise when he fiddled in undisciplined fashion at Umesh and edged to Kohli at first slip. Umesh had created uncertainty by gaining some movement. Shaun Marsh was unable to get established, well caught at short leg by Cheteshwar Pujara off bat and pad, the decision made after India’s successful DRS referral against Ian Gould’s initial not-out verdict. H a n d s c o m b ’s c o v e r drive off his first ball to the
fence underlined the improved batting conditions, and though Smith edged one reversing ball from Umesh to the fine leg boundary between his pads, shortly before lunch, he was otherwise certain in his methods and safe in his defence. Handscomb also looked capable of going on to something substantial, but for the fifth time in as many innings this series he was dismissed at a frustrating juncture, unable to get his bat to a Umesh yorker that swerved back sharply to strike him in front of the stumps. M a x w e l l ’s l i k e l y approach had seemed a mystery to even his teammates before this match, but he quickly showed an impressive level of composure to build his innings in Smith’s slipstream while taking few risks. His only moment of nervousness came from the first ball of an Ishant spell that swung back into his pads, but India’s decision referral was waved off when replays showed the bowler had overstepped. In the evening session a steady stream of runs came with the occasional boundary, and Maxwell hammered a second six of his innings to go past 50 for the first time in a Test. Nothing affected Smith’s deep concentration, not even a period of more than an hour spent in the 90s. As attentive, mature batting partners do, Maxwell took up much of the scoring slack during this episode. Like so much else in his innings, it came as a pleasant surprise. (ESPNcricinfo)
Kaieteur News
PAGE 36
Friday March 17, 2017
Caribbean champs Cumberbatch, Best dominate Bridgetown, Barbados, CMC - Caribbean champions Khamal Cumberbatch and Megan Best were in outstanding form during the 2017 Junior National Squash Championships which were contested here last weekend. Cumberbatch and Best both carted off two titles as the island’s best juniors produced some exciting squash and fought for supremacy in eight divisions. Best, the 2016 Caribbean and Canadian Under-15 champion, comfortably defeated Darien Benn in the Under-15 mixed tournament — where boys and girls play against each other — and later returned to prevail over rival Amanda Haywood in the girls Under-19 final. The Under-19 finalists fought in three exciting games before Best won 1412, 11-6, 11-4 to claim her first Under-19 title and her
Winners in the 2017 Junior Squash Championships (standing from left) – Alex Stewart, Megan Best, Darien Benn, Khamal Cumberbatch, (squatting) Sumairaa Suleman and Rebekah Nicholls. overall ninth national championship. Haywood, a six-time national age-group champion was much more competitive in this encounter and held game
point in the first game, coming from 8-10 down to lead 12-11, but could not suppress the champion. Improving 15 year-old twin sisters Jada and Jodi
Edwards urges T&T to take ‘bull by the horn’ Port of Spain, Trinidad, CMC - Veteran winger Carlos Edwards has reiterated the importance of taking early initiative when Trinidad and Tobago meet Panama in the first of two c r u c i a l Wo r l d C u p qualifiers starting next week. Currently one from bottom of the CONCACAF final round of qualifiers, Trinidad will attempt to launch a comeback against Panama and then against confederation giants Mexico four days later. ”It is something where we need to take the bull by the horn. As players we have to take responsibilities,” said the 38-year-old, a member of the historic 2008 side which qualified for the World Cup in Germany. ”We know what is at hand and we know what it takes to win a game. I can say that the guys know this. They will go out there and put their best foot forward when they cross that white line. ”With the experience I have, coming through it the hard way in the past, I know it will be a tough task but not impossible and we are aiming to get two positive results.” Trinidad have been hard at preparation for the two
Carlos Edwards
fixtures under new coach Dennis Lawrence with Edwards going through his paces as part of the domesticbased contingent. He came off the bench to play a role in last Friday’s 20 win over Barbados in an international friendly at the Ato Boldon Stadium, and says he feels fully recovered from an injury that sidelined him earlier this year. ”I feel okay, fresh and fit at the moment after coming off the injury against Haiti in the [Gold Cup] qualifiers,” the former Sunderland and Ipswich star said. ”The guys are [sprightly] and full of confidence at the moment. The training has
been great and he (Dennis Lawrence) has been trying to get the guys to a certain level of tactical readiness and fitness. The guys are really taking heed of what is being taught to them.” Trinidad will need a huge turnaround if they are to qualify for their second World Cup. Costa Rica top the final round standings with six points with Mexico and Panama on four apiece. Honduras lie fourth on three points. The top three at the end of the qualifiers will earn an automatic berth at Russia 2018 while the fourth placed finisher will advance to an inter-confederation playoff.
Smith-Padmore contested the third-place play-off with Jada winning in four games — 11-3, 7-11, 11-7, 11-7. The mixed U-15 third
place went to Sumairaa Suleman who defeated Ryan Archer 11-6, 11-6, 11-3. Among the boys, Cumberbatch, the current Caribbean Under-15 champion who is attending high school in the United States, took his first title as he defeated No.2 seed Joshua Seale 11-4, 11-2, 11-6 in the Under-17 mixed final and then returned to stop No.2 seed , left hander Zachary Proverbs-Harris in the boys Under-19 final. Cumbe r b a t c h n e v e r allowed his older and taller opponent to settle and won easily 11-5, 11-5, 11-6 to claim his 12th national age group championship. The boys under-19 third place was taken by Chemar Burnham, who won by default over Joshua Seale as he was forced to withdraw because of a stomach ailment. The younger age groups
were just as exciting as Darien Benn took his third Under-13 title by defeating Caribbean under-11 champion Alex Stewart in the final , 11-5, 11-3, 11-6. Left hander Aidan Parris defeated Zishan Motara 111, 11-8, 11-2 to finish third in this age group. Stewart also was a winner in the championships as he was too strong for the No.2 seed Zishan Motara, in the Under-11 final, and won 11-1, 11-2, 11-2. Jordan Greig defeated Kimani Taitt 11-5, 11-8, 11-9 to finish third. Caribbean champion Sumairaa Suleman won the girls Under-13 age-group with a 11-2, 11-5, 11-3 victory over Rebekah Nichols while in the girls Under - 1 1 a g e g r o u p , Nichols defeated Phoebe Gittens11-1, 114, 11-2 to finish first in round-robin play as Laea Blakeley was second and Gittens, third.
USA Gymnastics head resigns amid abuse scandal Steve Penny resigned as President and Chief Executive of USA Gymnastics on Thursday in the wake of the federation’s handling of sexual abuse allegations concerning a f o r m e r t e a m d o c t o r. Penny’s resignation comes a week after the United States Olympic Committee’s board of directors sent a recommendation to USA Gymnastics following reports that the organization turned a blind eye to allegations of sexual misconduct. ” I t h a s b e e n heartbreaking to learn of instances of abuse and it sickens me that young athletes would be exploited in such a manner,” Penny, who was named the organization’s president in 2005, said in a statement. ”My decision to step aside as CEO is solely to support the best interests of USA Gymnastics at this time.” The USOC did not divulge details of the recommendation it made to USA Gymnastics but multiple media reports said i t c a l l e d f o r P e n n y ’s departure. While the USOC could not order Penny’s removal, its stance carries influence because it could cut funding or even decertify the
Steve Penny
Charlie Nye/IndyStar 2015 file photo g y m n a s t i c s b o d y. ”Today’s announcement will hopefully allow USA Gymnastics to shift its attention to the future with a secure environment for its athletes and continued success in competition,” USOC chairman Larry Probst said in a statement. USA Gymnastics has been under fire since last August when an Indianapolis Star report said the organisation failed to alert authorities over allegations of sexual abuse by coaches. The scandal is centered on a former team doctor Larry Nassar, who is currently in custody facing child pornography and sexual abuse charges. Nassar, once a team doctor
for Olympians at USA Gymnastics and a former employee at Michigan State University, is also under investigation by Michigan authorities who say they have received more than 50 complaints of sexual abuse by the doctor. USA Gymnastics chairman Paul Parilla said Penny’s departure and a review of procedures for handling sexual misconduct that is being conducted by former attorney Deborah Daniels will help the organization strengthen its policies going forward. ”The Board believes this change in leadership will help USA Gymnastics face its current challenges and implement solutions to move the organization forward in promoting a safe environment for its athletes at all levels,” he said in a statement. ” We b e l i e v e M s . Daniels’ recommendations will identify areas where we can strengthen and refine how we handle sexual misconduct as an organization, expand our efforts to educate the entire c o m m u n i t y, i n c l u d i n g parents and athletes, about what to watch for and what to do if they suspect abuse is happening.” (Reuters)
Kaieteur News
Friday March 17, 2017
PAGE 37
Officers top Sergeants, Inspectors at Police ‘A’ Division Games Day
Commander of ‘A’ Division, Assistant Commissioner Clifton Hicken (seated third, left) among other Officers and flanked by Sergeants and Inspectors standing on Wednesday after the Police ‘A’ Division Games Day at the Brickdam Police Station. Officers defeated Sergeants and Inspectors in a Domino Competition on Wednesday at the Guyana Police Force
‘A’ Division Games Day at the Brickdam Police Station. The Officers amassed 88 games to lead Sergeants with
73 games and Inspectors with 70 games for the win. The Most Valuable Players were Superintendent
Boodnarine Persaud and Sergeant Phillips, who both recorded the maximum 18 games. Commander of ‘A’
Division, Assistant Commissioner, Clifton Hicken marshalled the Officers to victory. Hicken
supported his team with 15 games. Another Games Day is scheduled for Wednesday at the same location.
YBG launches 12th National MoE/GFF Teachers Training/ Football Coaching Workshop Schools’ Basketball Festival Yo u t h B a s k e t b a l l Guyana (YBG) yesterday launched its 12th Edition of the National Schools’ Basketball Festival (NSBF) at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall with the preliminary regional conferences bouncing off this month. The N ational Championships of perhaps Guyana’s most valued schools’ basketball title is set for July after the conclusion of the regional conferences. YBG Director, Chris Bowman thanked the major stakeholders for sticking with the tournament through the years. Bowman said that the event this year has had its own challenges, but owed to stakeholders such as the Beharry Group of Companies, Ministry of Education, the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation, the tournament returns. ”We are extremely grateful to host this event for the 12th year in a row; it has been
hard work; we started with one sponsor and because of Digicel, Banks DIH and Beharry Group of Companies, we have grown into the tournament you see today that spans several districts and touches over 600 students,” Bowman s a i d . ”Regrettably Banks and Digicel, because of internal issues, cannot be onboard with us this year, but it is also because of their commitment we are here today, including that of Beharry, who has been onboard with us for nine consecutive years,” he continued. Brands Manager at Beharry Group of Companies, Monique Tiwari observed that the Beharry Group will continue to support the event, highlighting that the company is also proud of the achievements of Youth Basketball Guyana. Other speakers at the occasion yesterday included vice-president of Guyana
Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF), Kenrick Thomas, Director of Sport, Christopher Jones and Physical Education head in the Ministry of Education, Nicholas Fraser. Thomas informed that the federation will continue working with the YBG in the development of youth basketball as it did when Guyana hosted the Caribbean Under-26 Championships last year. He also thanked the sponsors for their continued support. Jones, on the other hand, indicated that he was pleased to be part of the activity, highlighting that Digicel and Banks DIH’s pulling of the sponsorship plug concretises the agenda of the NSC that has been lobbying the Ministry of Finance to give businesses that support sports tax wavers, and or, exemptions. Jones committed that NSC will try to full the shortfall from Banks and Digicel with the tournament once it can.
Primary School Teachers drawn from Region #3 yesterday commenced a 3day Teachers Training / Football Coaching Workshop being jointly facilitated by the Ministry of Education and the Guyana Football Federation. Aimed at empowering the participants at the grassroots level, the activity is taking place at the Leonora
Track and Field Facility. Among the facilitators are Chief Education Officer (CEO) of the Ministry Mr. Marcel Hutson, Nicholas Fraser also of the MoE, GFF Technical Director Mr. Ian Greenwood, GFF Coaches Education and Development Officer Mr. Lyndon France and Youth Development Officer Mr. Bryan Joseph. Among the areas the teachers would be lectured
on are Methods of teaching and coaching, the role of schools in sports, components of fitness, long term athlete development, hydration and performance, planning acoaching session, laws of the game and planning a grassroots festival. The event will conclude tomorrow with a grassroots festival.
Combined Team triumph A C o m b i n e d Te a m defeated a Rest Team 3-1 when the final of the South Turkeyen Sports Committee four-a-side small goal football and penalty shootout competition was contested on Sunday last at the Vr y h e i d s L u s t Basketball Court. The competition was sponsored by Tent City, Mr. Henry Chase and children, Dr. Frank Anthony,
Trophy Stall Bourda Market, RDC Region four, Roysdale
Forde, Dr. Allen and Zaman Alli.
Kaieteur News
PAGE 38
Friday March 17, 2017
More stringent measures to monitor in and outflow of finances – Montagliani On a mission to break down walls and break bread with people
East Bank youth players clad in NAMILCO sponsored polo shirts with CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani and entourage after arriving in Guyana on Monday night last. By Franklin Wilson During his interface with the media following a hectic visit to Guyana, President of C O N C A C A F Vi c t o r Montagliani informed that much more stringent measures as regards checks and balances have started to take root to set the sport on a firmer foundation. Montagliani was responding to a question of how the confederation will respond to the always burning issue of finances given the recent scandal at the world level and
CONCACAF which involved a number of its former principal officers. ”We can’t afford another slip up that way, we can’t afford people that are in the game that perpetrated those kinds of things and as I said in the past, if there are still that kind of stuff going on anywhere in football and not just in CONCACAF but anywhere in football; I think the message in clear from the world.” He noted that the fans and the players deserve a lot better and it is up to the leaders to ensure that strict
governance models are followed. The Canadian President also noted that one has to live it each day and ensure that persons in positions do the right thing. ”You know, stuff does happen and I think the reality is that the more difficult we make it for people to do that, then it’s not going to happen. But if it does happen we need to also react in a right way and so people that have crossed the line on ethics then they need to be removed from football.” Commenting on the CONCACAF Caribbean
Office which was opened on Wednesday, Montagliani stated that it in the Caribbean, by the Caribbean and for the Caribbean to provide better service to its members as regards competitions and development. ” B u t a l s o i t ’s a n investment in human capital in allowing the human capital to grow in our region and through that office. So they’ll also be administration courses, leadership courses and I think the more we can service our members and the
Simmons believes Russell will be back stronger from “harsh” ban
Andre Russell Kingston, Jamaica, CMC - Batsman Lendl Simmons has backed his West Indies teammate Andre Russell to bounce back strongly following his one-year anti-doping whereabouts ban. Jamaican Russell, one of the world’s most sought-
after Twenty20 players, was slapped with the suspension last month after being found guilty by a local disciplinary panel of failing to disclose his whereabouts and therefore missing three drugs tests. Simmons called the suspension “harsh” but said he believed the all-rounder would recover from the s etback. “N ot having Russell is a very big blow. I think it’s a big loss for us and to the cricketing world in general, specifically in the Twenty20 arena,” the Trinidadian told the Gleaner newspaper here. ”I personally think it (ban) is very harsh, but it is
done already, and I hope he is dealing with it well. “To miss a whole year of cricket is very hard, especially when you know you are making your living off cricket and you have a family to feed and whatever.” The in-demand Russell is set to miss several key tournaments including the Indian Premier League starting next month and Australia’s Big Bash. However, his absence will be most felt in the Caribbean Premier League where he turns out for his native Jamaica Tallawahs. Simmons, who was picked up by the Kingston-
based franchise in last week’s draft, said Russell was full committed to picking up where he left off before the ban. “I know he will come back strong and he has been training hard,” Simmons noted. ”I spoke to him earlier, so I know he is training and doing what he has to do to keep fit and come back and represent Tallawahs, West Indies and whoever he plays for in franchise cricket.” Both Simmons and Russell were members of the West Indies wide which captured an unprecedented second Twenty20 World Cup in India last April.
closer we are to them, the better off we are.” The press core also leant that CONCACAF has also set up a similar office in Guatemala in Central America. “This is a CONCACAF initiative, it’s not isolated in the Caribbean, it’s for all.” Questioned on his vision of having fellow Caribbean federation Presidents travelling with him on visits to other countries, Montagliani said that it is in keeping with is vision of what CONCACAF should be noting that for too long it has been 31, 7 and 3. ”So 31 Caribbean countries, 7 Central Americans and 3 North American, and that the way we worked in isolation, in silos and as much as hurt may be the Caribbean it actually hurt North America just as bad. People would say how can you hurt Mexico and US, trust me, in my opinion they have reached a glass ceiling as well as it relates to, for instance on the player development side.” The FIFA Vice President stated that there is a need for a confederation where more competitions are played noting that its no use in having two powerhouses whilst the others are fighting. ”If you see the model confederation which is UEFA, we need to see our own Iceland’s here, our own Wales and they are here.
Guyana could be one of them, you have enough talent there’s no doubt about it and so, that’s the purpose of reviewing and changing our competition model which we are setting out to do.” And whilst the game on the field will attract reform, President Montagliani said they are also tackling much need enhancement off the field of play. ”Breaking down the walls, breaking bread with people and so, one of the things I said from the beginning is that I am 42nd President, that means there were 41 Presidents and I am 42 and so we are partners in this. I don’t own CONCACAF, the executive council doesn’t own CONCACAF, CONCACAF is owned by its members and starting with the 41 other Presidents. So every time I plan a visit I bring my partners with me.” The respective Presidents of Aruba and St. Martin Richard Dijkkhoff and Fabrice Baly had accompanied Montagliani to Guyana. Similarly, on his visit to the Dominican Republic last weekend, the CONCACAF Boss was accompanied by the Presidents of the Haitian, Cuban and Puerto Rican federations. ”This is the way going forward and for me its the only way to do it, after all, football is a team game.”
Kaieteur News
Friday March 17, 2017
PAGE 39
President Granger to deliver feature address at RHTY&SC 27th Awards Ceremony Patron of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) His Excellency President David Granger will deliver the feature address as Guest Speaker when Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation hosts its 27th Annual Awards Ceremony on Sunday April 23. The gala ceremony will highlight of the club’s activities for the previous year and would take place at the St. Francis Community Developers Centre, commencing at 12:30hrs. Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster along with Vice President Mark Papannah and Assistant Secretary Simon Naidu are spearheading plans for the event which would include the honouring of thirty-five (35) club members. The RHTY&SC M.S since 1991 has hosted the awards ceremony to recognise outstanding members and Foster recollected that the first ceremony was a simple one but has since evolved into Guyana’s largest awards ceremony with over $2M worth of trophies, medals, plaque and special prizes being shared out to members and members of the General Public under a wide range of
His Excellency President David Granger with Teachers after rewarding them at the 2015 Awards Ceremony held last Year at the St. Francis Community Developers Centre. awards, handed out. Among this year’s awardees would be the prestigious Cricketer of the Year, Runner-up Cricketer of the Year, Female Cricketer of the Year, Most Disciplined Member of the Year for Male and Female, Most Promising Player, Most Committed Member, Most Improved Cricketer, Benefit Year Awardee, Worker of the Year while outstanding performers at the Under-15, Under-17, Under-19, Female, Second Division and First Division levels The Cricketer of the Year
would take home at least $300,000 worth of prizes. Cricketers and the Awards Ceremony Committee have shortlisted four cricketers for the award – Clinton Pestano, Shemaine Campbelle, Kevlon Anderson and Eon Hooper. Long serving club member Keon Sinclair would also be awarded a Benefit Year this year and among his prizes would be a $100,000 West Indies Cricket Medallion with a diamond. Foster is down to deliver a comprehensive report for 2016 while apart from the
feature address by President D a v i d G r a n g e r, o t h e r speakers would be Rose Hall Town Mayor Vijai Ramoo, Regional Chairman David Armogan, Official sponsors of the Club and Director of Sports Christopher Jones. During the ceremony the club would also be hosting the Tribute to Retired Te a c h e r s , T r i b u t e t o O u t s t a n d i n g Te a c h e r s , Tribute to Outstanding Law Enforcement Officers Programme, while fifteen Guyanese would be honoured with the Club’s Highest Award – The
D o l p h i n Aw a r d o f E x c e l l e n c e . Four outstanding Retired Teachers with a combined of 148 years of service would be honoured under the Tribute to Retired Teachers Programme while teachers from the Rose Hall Town Nursery, Rose Hall Town Primary, Port Mourant Primary, Tain Primary, Belvedere Primary, J.C. Chandisingh Secondary, New Amsterdam Secondary and Low er Corentyne Secondary would be honoured as Teachers of the Y e a r .
Four Law Enforcement Officers who played a major role in the reduction of crime would also be honoured while among the awardees for the Dolphin Award of Excellence are journalists Av e n a s h R a m z a n a n d Claude David, Minister Volda Lawerence, Business Executives Rajin Ganga, Anjulie Beharry-Strand, Onai-Vasconcellos, Troy Cadogan and Director of Sports Christopher Jones.
Everest Masters overcome Munroe Road, PYO Masters on T&T tour Everest Cricket Club Masters team registered victories over Munroe Road Masters and PYO Masters of Trinidad and Tobago on their one week tour to the Twin Island Republic which ended on Monday last. The Guyanese club defeated Munroe Road Masters by 24 runs in their first encounter at Chaguanas. Everest Masters batted first and posted 165 for 2 off 20 overs, Basil Persaud struck seven fours and three sixes in scoring 92 while Richard Sukhdeo got 47 not out. Munroe Road Masters were restricted to 141 for 8 off 20 overs, Richard Mangolie scored 37 and Lookesh Rampersaud 29. Bowling for Everest Masters, Ucil Armstrong claimed 4 for 10 from his four overs; Ravindranauth Seeram 2-11 and Ronald Jaisingh had 2 for 18. In their second game, Everest Masters went down to Clarke Road Veterans by 21 runs in Penal. Clarke
The Everest Masters team (File photo) Road Veterans took first strike and posted 172 for 6 off their 20 overs, Suruj Ragunauth made 53 (4x4 2x6), Mukesh Persaud 35 not out and Ramesh Bhagoo 32. Rakesh Gangaram had 2 for 16 and Ravindranauth Seeram 2 for 22.
Everest Masters could only manage 151 for 8, Hafeez Ali led with 46; Hemraj Garbarran 25 while Richard Sukhdeo and Imtiaz Sadik got 24 each. In the third and final game, Everest Masters got the better of PYO Masters by 27 runs at Eddie
Hart Savannah. Everest took first strike and posted 165 for 8 off 20 overs, Ravindranauth Seeram hit 43, Richard Sukhdeo 29 and Hemraj Garbarran 28. Brian Singh had 3 for 12 from 4 overs. PYO Masters were limited to 138 for 8 off 20
overs, Robert Perreira stroked 54 not out and Brian Singh and 21; Imtiaz Sadik took 2-11 and Rajesh Singh 2 f o r 1 6 . Trophies and medals for best batsman, best bowler and winners were sponsored by Hafeez Ali of the Rockaway
Group of companies of New York. The Everest CC has expressed gratitude to Rockaway group of companies, Carib Food Distributors Inc., Trophy Stall and New Doctors Clinic for making the trip possible.
Kaieteur News
PAGE 40
Friday March 17, 2017
Leaders Guyana Jaguars aim to stay on top; face T&T today in POS Kyle Hope © WICB Media
By Sean Devers in Trinidad in association with Vnet Communications, Stag Beer and Cascadia Hotel When leaders Guyana Jaguars with 80.8 points face host T&T today at the Queens Park Oval in Port-ofSpain in 7th round play of the Digicel Regional Four-Day Cricket tournament, they will be confident of extending their lead. Wi t h t h r e e g a m e s remaining, the Jaguars are in a great position to join Jamaica as the only team with three consecutive Regional First-Class titles. T&T lay fourth with 53.3 points and a keen contest is
Raymon Reifer © WICB anticipated since both teams registered wins in their last matches. Guyana is now on 84.8 points, 11.8 ahead of second placed Jamaica Scorpions while Barbados Pride, Jaguars’ next opponents are on 68 points; another outright win here will push the South American team closer to the finish line. Last year the Jaguars won two matches, lost to Leewards Hurricanes by four wickets in St Kitts and
EDFA Senior League set to resume on Sunday Following a prolonged break due to a number of challenges including the weather, the East Demerara Football Association (EDFA) is set to resume its Senior League on Sunday at the Golden Grove ground with two matches. Opening play from 14:00hrs brings together Bachelor’s Adventure/Paradise Sports Club and Plaisance Panthers with the main event two hours later featuring Buxton Stars against Ann’s Grove United.
Carib Beer T20 and NBS tourney on this weekend The Georgetown Cricket Association Carib Beer T20 and New Building Society Second Division tournaments are set for this weekend at several venues. Tomorrow, Everest will host Transport SC in the NBS Second Division 40over semi final starting at 11:00hrs with Umpires M.Y Yisrael and Deon Feasal in charge. In Zone A of the Carib Beer First Division T20 which starts at 13:30hrs, DCC will host UG (Ryan Banwarie and Ravi Latif) while GNIC SC will journey to Eve Leary to face Police (Andre Horry and Matthew
K i s s o o n ) . In Zone B, GCC will entertain GDF (Hortence Isaacs and Joseph Jeffrey) and GYO will travel to Malteenoes SC (Javed Persaud and Moses R a m n a r i n e ) . The T20 continues at 13:30hrs on Sunday with DCC staying at home to GNIC SC (Banwarie and Isaacs) and TSC playing Police at Eve Leary (Persaud and Feasal) in zone A. In Zone B Everest will host GYO (Mario Nicholls and Andre Horry) while MSC will host GCC (Ashook Brijcoomar and M.Y. Yisrael).
had two draws from five matches to end the season in the second spot behind Jamaica but while the Jaguars beat Jamaica in their last match it was the pacers who set up the victory. Joseph (7) and debutant pacer Romero Shepherd (2) took nine first innings wickets while left arm seamer Reifer had a fivewicket haul in the second. But while young guns Taignarine Chanderpaul and Shemron Hetymer provided Guyana with a century opening stand, they failed to convert their fifties into hundreds with Hetymer twice losing his wicket when in sight of landmarks. Leon Johnson is well poised to become the only Guyanese to win three titles as Captain and is regarded as the best Skipper in the West Indies but he has failed to convert any of his three fifties into centuries in the regional Super50 while he failed in both innings in Jamaica and needs to make at
Shimron Hetmyer ©West Indies least three big scores including a century get back in the reckoning. Vishaul Singh seems back to form after a few ordinary performances on his return from a successful stint in Sri Lanka and a couple of fifties and a ton could see him become Guyana’s newest Test player while the experience of Shiv Chanderpaul, one of only two batsmen with 500 runs, is still needed if the Jaguars are to make big totals. Reifer has settled in excellently as the only overseas player in the team and has consistently contributed with both bat and ball while both of the left-arm spinners Veerasammy Permaul and Gudakesh Motie have not been as dominant as they were last season but Permaul, with 30 wickets is still second to Nikita Miller’s 34. Leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo who has been inconsistent this year returns to team after participating in
the three match ODI series against England, who whipped West Indies 3-nil. T h e b i g g e s t disappointment has been test batsman Rajendra Chandrika, who scored the majority of his 251 runs in first few matches of last year season with his highest score in his last nine matches including three in last year’s First-Class season, being 43 not out. Assad Fudadin has replaced the injured Taignarine Chanderpaul and the 32-year-old left-hander is the perfect foil for the pugnacious teenaged Hetymer with his experience and workmanlike approach which is similar to that of young Chanderpaul. Guyana defeated T&T by 10 wickets the last time they met at and have won 15 of the 57 matches between the two sides with 30 being drawn and 12 being lost but the young T&T side beat the Windwards in their last match will be no walk over. Yannick Cariah made
102 not out in the first innings and Kyle Hope, the leading run scorer with 524 runs, scored 105 not out in the second innings while Cariah made 47 the second time he batted. Jamaican soldier Sheldon Cottrell took three wickets while there were two wickets each for Marlon Richards, Imran Khan and 21-year-old Bryan Charles. In the second innings Khan had 5-67 while Charles took 4-79. Steven Katwaroo and Khary Pierre, in only his third game, both scored half centuries in Grenada but 21year-old Jeremy Solozano and Nicolas Alexis, who made his debut in the last game, will need to contribute against Guyana. Hope, Cariah (337 runs) and Isaiah Rajah (220) will hope to do the bulk of the scoring while Jason Mohamed (213 runs from 3 matches) and with two fifties against England in last ODI series could be the key with the bat for the hosts.
Fruta Conquerors FC engage in 35th anniversary clean up exercise The executive committee and members of the Fruta Conquerors Football Club (FCFC) has engaged in several community-oriented activities to commemorate the club’s 35th Anniversary. T h e c l u b ’s a d m i n i s t r a t i o n responded to President Granger’s call for a clean and green economy and commenced activities with a coastal clean-up on Tuesday March 7. The executive teamed up with its U-17 team and coaches along with the Guyana International Volunteer Effort (GIVE), under the guidance of Ms. Susan Isaacs, and collected in excess of thirty bags of waste deposited on the seawalls. The FCFC also donated two
boxes of disposable gloves and a number of garbage bags. On Saturday March 11, officials held a Women’s Developmental Workshop in the Conference Room of the Guyana National Racquet Center, Woolford Avenue and Camp Road. Organised for the female members and players of the club, invitations were extended to, and accepted by, the Guyana Girls Guide, the Guyana Scouts Association, The Guyana Referees Council and the Guyana Football Federation. Meanwhile, FCFC would like to encourage other youth groups and organisations to collaborate with GIVE in support of similar initiatives. GIVE convenes every Tuesday afternoon
from 17:00hrs to engage in this and other community oriented activities. There were several insightful presentations by distinguished women including Ms. Helen Browman (CEO of St. Joseph’s Mercy Hospital), Dr. Karen Butters, Honourable Justice Roxanne George Wiltshire, Dr. Jewel Thomas (UG Lecturer) Lavern Fraser Thomas of the National Sports Commission and the University of Guyana. Executive Director of Banks D.I. H, Carlton Joao and Proprietor of Mike’s Pharmacy, Lakeram Singh, were also mentioned for their donations of Women’s Wellness products and pamphlets and beverages respectively, which was given to the participants.
Kaieteur News
Friday March 17, 2017
Season 2 restarts this Sunday Intense Preparations underway as development of a football brand takes centre stage
The second half of Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) premier league – Stag Elite League (Season 2) – is scheduled for Sunday, 19th March, 2017 at the Guyana Defence Force Ground, Georgetown. The double-header will feature Top XX vs Fruta Conquerors FC and Victoria Kings vs GDF FC, and is scheduled for 16:00hrs and 18:00hrs respectively. Denzil Thompson, who has recently joined Victoria Kings as Head Coach, is optimistic about his team’s chances in the second half: “The second round is very important. They (Victoria Kings FC) brought third in the first
round; they’re preparing at a very intense level to come out more successful than just being the third team, but to be the first or second place team for the second round.” The team, which is a first-time entrant into the Stag Elite League and trains thrice a week, is evolving, Coach Thompson noted: “I think it’s time we have a brand of football. It’s not just about winning; it’s about development, we need a project. When you have a project, you can market the project because of the brand you have. I’m very much interested in coaching a brand at Victoria Kings so when you see Victoria Kings play, they will be playing a brand... you’ll see a different way in their style of play come this second round.” Meanwhile, Fruta Conquerors FC, which placed second in the League Leaders tournament, is also developing their brand of
football and is ready for the second half: “We bring a very good mixture of youth and experience. Youth with extremely extensive talent that need to be tapped into not just for Fruta Conquerors but for the country,” said Head Coach Sampson Gilbert. ”The fact that we have talented youths that need the exposure is a new horizon for the club and the League itself. I’m looking forward to actually see the players develop over a period of time. There’s no doubt our eyes are still set on winning the league in this half.” Topp XX gave a good representation of themselves in Season One of the League and hope to improve their standing. However, Head Coach Michael Mc Kinnon said his team has had some challenges in their preseason preparations: “We practice daily but have not been able to access the (Continued on page 32)
Ramdhani moves up the rankings in Canada Just seven months into his scholarship and being competitive on the Canadian circuit, Guyana’s Sunburst sponsored and reigning National Men’s champion Narayan Ramdhani has risen to the #3 spot on the rankings table with a total of 878 points. Presently in the first year of training with the Shuttlesport Badminton Academy in Vancouver BC Canada, Ramdhani has already began to make his presence felt by advancing up the Men’s Singles Rankings having been exposed to training with the big league players. First in the rankings is Antonio Li (1348 points) followed by Laurence Kao on 993 points. In a release from the Guyana Badminton Association (GBA), the entity headed by Gokarn Ramdhani noted that the junior Ramdhani has been excelling after competing in only three tournaments to date where he managed to reach the semi-finals and copped 3rd place in each whilst also winning one consolation tournament. ”The GBA is extremely happy with his progress after
PAGE 41
RFA Male and Female Champions Leagues
Gladiators topple Snatchers in both female and segments
Gladiators Female Football Team When competition in the Rupununi Football Association (RFA), male and female leagues continued on Saturday last in Lethem at the St. Ignatius Sports Complex ground – Region #9, Gladiators Football Club (GFC) male and females teams triumphed over their rivals from Snatchers Football Club (SFC) to avenge defeats suffered on the opening day of action. GFC’s Vandetta Henry and teammates were able to combine efforts to snatch the lead from SFC when she converted in the 9th minute. But that advantage was nullified nine minutes later when the probing SFC players pulled one back through the efforts of Helen Domingo. The score remained 1-1 up until the second half as
neither team relented. But the persistence of GFC eventually paid off as SFC cracked under constant pressure when on 68 minutes, Satisha Sam found the go ahead goal from an excellent pass that was delivered by teammate, Carlyn Henry. In the male match-up, Gladiators overpowered Snatchers, 4-2. Meanwhile, rivalry officially kicked off on Saturday March 4th at the same venue when RFA President Mr. Ken Grant delivered brief remarks before opening of the championship witnessed by a sizable and appreciative crowd. In the first female matchup, Snatchers FC prevailed over Gladiators 2-0 led by solid defending from Coretta Ambrose whilst the two
goals were scored by Alaisha Captain and Helen Domingo in the 52nd and 58th minute, respectively. In the other female match, Saints hammered Ta b a t i n g a 6 - 0 , n i p p y forward Amanda Cabral led the winners with a helmettrick hitting the back of the nets in the 13th, 59th, 61st and 79th minute. Sulam Beiriva and Tiffany McDonald added two more goals in the 75th and 78th minute. In the male segment, Snatchers defeated Gladiators 3-1 while Tabatinga sprung an upset win over Saints, 3-1. A total of 17 football clubs from the Rupununi, Region 9 are vying for top honours I this league including Gold Getters from Mahdia, Region 8.
Ahmad ousts veteran Hayatou as CAF President
Narayan Ramdhani just coming out of the junior category and playing in the
Winds of change gusted through African soccer yesterday as Ahmad of Madagascar was voted in as the new Confederation of African Football President, ending the 29-year reign of Issa Hayatou in an election in the Ethiopian capital. The 34-20 vote was a decisive rejection of the 70year-old incumbent from Cameroon, who had been seeking an eighth term to take his leadership of the African game into a fourth decade. Ahmad, 57, a former government minister who goes by just a single name, emerged as a surprise senior circuit as of 2017,” the candidate late last year and release concluded. was initially given little
Ahmad is held aloft after being elected CAF President chance of unseating Hayatou, who has ruled over African soccer since 1988. ”With much emotion I thank all those who have believed in the change.
Thanks to you who were always behind me. We have done it. This victory is ours. This is a victory for Africa,” Ahmad posted on his (Continued on page 32)
t r o Sp YBG launches 12th National Schools’ Basketball Festival
Director of YBG Chris Bowman (third, left) among other officials including Director of Sport, Christopher Jones (second, left) and sponsor Beharry Group of Companies at the launch of the tournament yesterday at the Sports Hall.
MoE/GFF Teachers Training/Football Coaching Workshop
Chief Education Officer of the Ministry Mr. Marcel Hutson (seated 2nd left) and GFF Coaches Education and Development Officer Mr. Lyndon France (seating 2nd right) join other officials and Teachers for a group photo, yesterday. 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