Kaieteur News
PAGE 04
Tuesday March 21, 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 TEACHING BOYS TO RESPECT WOMEN Domestic violence has become a worrying problem throughout Guyana. It crosses racial and socio-economic lines. Although the law prohibits domestic violence and gives women the right to seek prompt protection, yet they are being physically assaulted and murdered by their partners. Studies have indicated that between 30 and 45 percent of women in Guyana have experienced some form of violence in their relationships. Physical abuse of women by their male partners is among the most common and dangerous forms of gender-based violence in the country. The pervasiveness of domestic violence in society suggests that it is neither random nor isolated, nor can it be explained by abnormal characteristics of the abuser or the victim. Rather, domestic violence is systemic. It is the patriarchal control of society that is built on a misguided premise of male superiority and female inferiority, the economic and political predominance of men, and in many cases the dependency of women. While many theories have been advanced to explain the scourge, there is no simple explanation for it other than the widespread consensus that gender inequality is at its root. Certainly, any solution must go beyond the individual characteristics of the men, women and the family. The authorities must look to the structure of relationships and the role of society in underpinning that structure. It is perhaps best to conclude that domestic violence is a function of the belief fostered in all cultures, that men are superior to women and that their female partners are their possessions that they can treat as they wish and as they consider appropriate. Men have been murdering their female partners with frightening frequency in Guyana. This is an opportune time for all in society, but more so educators to get a better understanding of the causes of domestic violence and the role that schools play, knowingly or unknowingly in the propagation of this phenomenon. While most in society condemn all forms of violence, it is a statistical fact that violence against women by men is a stain on the cultural and social fabric of the country. In addressing the issue, it would be wise to look at the problem from a social, cultural and historical context. It is important to understand that boys do not just become violent men overnight. They are very often socialized into violent behaviour, which unfortunately has pervaded society in many forms–psychological, verbal and physical. It is glorified by some in the entertainment industry. In homes and communities, boys are witnesses to girls and women being abused by men, with physical violence used as a weapon of control. These images, having been implanted in their minds from a very tender age, are reflected in their behaviour and attitudes towards girls at school. Teaching boys to respect girls and women at school very often leaves them confused, because they hear one thing in school but live another at home and in their communities. In Guyana, as in many other countries, the modes of socialization are still rooted in the old notions of patriarchy, whereby men are considered head of the household. This kind of thinking is primitive and is even perpetuated by mothers themselves, so messages from teachers to the contrary only serve to heighten the state of confusion among boys. Compounding the situation is the way teachers perceive the issue of domestic violence. Schools must break the cycle of violence by men against women. They should begin the process of addressing domestic violence against women as part of their mandate to create a better society. Changing the thinking of boys should not be too difficult, given the fact that approximately 70 percent of the teaching fraternity is female. It is the social responsibility of teachers, who are considered society’s architects of the future, to lead the transformation efforts in their quest to produce good, decent, productive human beings. Boys must be guided into understanding and embracing the redefined role of women in society. They must respect and treat women as equals and not as property.
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.
21 year old loses his wrist while working for the prisons Dear Editor, I suppose the name Harley English may be written on several pieces of paper in the coming weeks, this would be only if there is an Inquiry to determine why this 21 year old lost his right wrist. Of course many Guyanese do not know him or his name, save maybe those in his immediate community or those of us who were shocked to read of how he lost his wrist in the Kaieteur News edition of Wednesday 14th March, 2017. It happened that young Harley English was asked by the Prison Authorities, to make some hollow concrete block, for the prisons. The article did not state whether or not this young man was supervised while making the blocks, nor did it state if he had training in the safe and effective use and care of the machine he was allowed to use to make the blocks. However as faith would have it the machine developed a problem, which the young man felt he was capable of fixing. In a normal industrial situation Harley English would have been compensated by his employer and be given disability benefits from the
National Insurance Scheme. In this instance though the young man was WORKING under instructions, the situation is not what one would consider normal industrial. He was a custodian of the state, and should have been up to Saturday 18th March, four days after losing his wrist. Not sure if anyone has moved to ensure that he is removed from that environment. The fact that Harley English lost his right wrist while following instructions to do work would not allow him to benefit from the fine print within the MasterServant contract under which employees operate in industry, nor shall he be eligible for benefits from the National Insurance Scheme or any similar mechanism under which workers are covered against accidents such as the one that occurred within the Lusignan Prison Walls this week. The article by which I learnt of this accident, if accurate, reveals at least two administrative lapses which should be laid at the door of the Prison Authorities and e s p e c i a l l y t h e Administration of the
Lusignan Prison. One is that it seems that the inmate was not supervised. The other point is that it is clear that he was not adequately instructed in the rudiments of safety with respect to that machine. In my opinion parts of any machine can be converted to weapons, in a prison environment. Hence once a machine is being used by a p r i s o n e r, h e m u s t b e supervised, since to do otherwise is to introduce a security risk element to others. If the young man was trained in the safe use and maintenance of that machine he would have been aware of the possible danger of putting his hand where he put his. Whatever happens from now onwards, will not change the fact that this man for the rest of this natural life would not have the use of his right hand. In other words he is now considered a person with a disability, or should I say crippled. Yes his actions alongside the machine were unsafe, but should he be the one to carry the burden of that accident? I say no. Consider what would have been the result if he had refused to make those
blocks. If there was supervision, then when the machine developed a problem, someone else would have taken the responsibility to have it fixed. When he was incarcerated his safety, became the responsibility of the state, hence should now be held responsible for his disfigurement. It is a norm for convicted persons to work, if fit, while in prison. Such work affords them an opportunity to earn, while in prison, and also to be equipped with a skill which can be utilised after leaving prison. The latter is all a part of the more important role of the prison system which is to realise the rehabilitation of inmates while in custody. Such rehabilitation is aimed at producing socially worthwhile individuals, who would through accepted means be able to among other things earn a living, and be socially comfortable with the rest of society. In effect the prison authorities are there to afford convicts an opportunity to be trained for a better role in society. Thus, my question again. Was Harley English (Continued on page 5)
Grave and astonishing accusations of a Minister Dear Editor, In her statement, Minister Volda Lawrence speaks about a conspiracy between employees of her Ministry, employees of GPHC and suppliers, to sabotage the public health system, to hold it at ransom and to supply expired and inferior drugs, costing the treasury billions and exposing the nation’s citizens to serious health perils. These are grave and astonishing accusations. It is unbelievable that the Government has not yet unleashed the State Asset Recovery Unit (SARU), the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to investigate. Moreover, it is incumbent upon the Minister, to make public, the names of those involved in this malevolent plot. The Minister contends that she acted pursuant to the Procurement Act. She must state upon what Section she relies. I know of no Section under which she can shelter. The Minister ordered the
drugs for GPHC. However, GPHC, by law, is governed by a Board of Directors, whose functions it is to make such decisions. The Board appears not to have played any part in this saga. The available evidence clearly suggests that the Minister usurped the role and functions of the Board. The Minister identifies three companies from which this $1.5B of drugs are to be procured. On what basis did the Minister handpick these three suppliers? The Minister compounds her dilemma by writing to NPTAB informing that she chose Ansa McAl to supply $606M worth of drugs. Again, no basis is provided for this unilateral act of the Minister. How did the Minister arrive at Ansa McAl? How did the Minister arrive at $606M? Was there an emergency need for such an extraordinary quantity of drugs? The matter is exacerbated by the Minister accepting a gift on behalf of GPHC from Ansa McAl of two storage freezers to store the drugs purchased. What
benefits will now accrue to Ansa McAl for these gifts? Did an offer of this gift made before and influenced the decision of the Minister to choose Ansa McAl as the supplier? My information is that the remainder of the drugs is currently being stored at Ansa McAl’s storage bond, for which the Government is, again, paying. It begs the question, what use is being made of the bond at Sussex Street for which the Government is paying fourteen million dollars per month as rent? By the way, we were told, nearly a year ago, that Cabinet ordered the early termination of this rental agreement, what is the status of that decision? Was it simply a decision to appease at the time? From whence did the monies come or, from where is the money coming for the payment of these drugs purchased? These are only some of the questions which must be answered. I cannot close without remarking that the Public Health Ministry has
had two full-time Ministers manning the system since this Government took office, whose combined salaries amount to four times the salary earned by Minister Bheri Ramsarran, the only Minister in charge of that Ministry from December 2011 to May 2015. Yet, that Ministry has been plagued with one scandal after another over the last twenty months, with each scandal being more ignominious than its predecessor. I note that the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) has signaled its intention to review “the procurement process” upon which Minister Lawrence embarked. However, this exercise will be manifestly inadequate to efficaciously address the multiple infractions committed in this ordeal. It requires an investigation and inquiry of a much more amplified scope. The Guyana Police Force, SOCU and/or a commission of inquiry appear better suited. Anil Nandlall
Tuesday March 21, 2017
For 19 years, this company only paid NIS six times for me DEAR EDITOR, I am forced to ask you to publish this letter which I am sure will prickle some slothful and incompetent officials into energetic and productive motion, and have my decade old problem resolved by approaching the company mentioned below in an authoritative and non-compromising manner. I am Hubert Joseph Cramer-Seon of Kaburi Amerindian Village, 72 Miles Bartica Potaro Road. I worked with a very well known company in its logging operations for over thirty (30) years as a heavy duty machine operator from 1963-2002. TPL deducted National Insurance Scheme (NIS) contributions and Pay As You Earn (PAYE) taxes from my salary on behalf of NIS and GRA but failed to remit same to NIS (cannot comment on GRA but believed the company did not). Before attaining the age of sixty (60) years, I made several visits to NIS Georgetown Head Office re: my NIS contributions, only to be told that
there were only six (6) contributions made. I brought this to the attention of all eight (8) logging operations managers of the company with whom I worked and was assured that my interests will be rectified by the accounting department but this was not done because my NIS contributions still remained at six (6) after months of checking. On January 29th, 2008 I obtained an official letter from the Human Resources (HR) Consultant of the company which stated my work experience. This is a total of nineteen (19) working years, equivalent to 998 contributions, which undoubtedly qualify me for NIS old age benefits. A copy of this letter was delivered to NIS Georgetown ad after several checks, my predicament remains the same, and my NIS contribution is still six (6). Mr. Editor I wrote the General Manager of NIS on September 28th 2016 and enclosed all relevant information including pay slips and the
letter from Mr. Bostwick and informed the NIS that where I am living there is neither postal or telephone service, so I named a contact person with a telephone (number) and email address. To date 19th March, 2017 the NIS has not shown common courtesy by acknowledging receipt of my letter nor made communication with my contact person. Despite this I visited the GM’s office on four occasions from October 2016 to February 2017, only to be told ‘no new development and the contributions still remained at six’. Mr. Editor it costs over forty thousand dollars per trip from Kaburi to Georgetown, that’s the reason I named a contact person. But the manner in which my claim is being handled forces me to believe that NIS officials are compromised. Hoping the publication of this letter will attract the attention of Senior Authorities. Hubert Joseph CramerSeon
THIS IS WHAT IS MISSING IN THE COURT’S RULING ON TERM LIMITS DEAR EDITOR, As a direct result of the 1999/2000 constitution reform process, the Parliament unanimously enacted sixteen or so acts to amend the 1980 constitution. Among this set of legislation is the now-contested Act 17 of 2000, which amended Article 90 of our constitution to introduce presidential term limits. Both the High Court and the Court of Appeal, in the case of “Cedric Richardson v. the Attorney General of Guyana and the Speaker of the National Assembly”, ruled that Act 17 of 2000 is unconstitutional, but ruled so broadly and without providing a practicable legal test that the other amendments are now engulfed in legal uncertainty. Legislators, legal drafters, lawyers, law students, and the interested public have been given no useable legal standards for testing the consti-
tutionality of both existing and any future constitutional amendments. The courts have judged Act 17 of 2000 to be unconstitutional because, in Justice Chang’s words, “(i) “any Act of Parliament which seeks to diminish such essential democratic values cannot be of legal effect without a referendum…”; and (ii) “on the other hand, an alteration of any of those provisions which seek to widen or promote the values or rights therein contained would not require a referendum, and a 2/3 majority vote of all the elected members would suffice…” In other words, a “democracy test” to quantify democratic values and rights. Where does the court’s “democracy test” leave us? It means that judicial review can now confront the age-old tenets of democratic theory and practice, where much of what
21 year old loses his... From page 4 under training/supervision or did the Prison Authorities feel he had developed the competencies to use the Block Making Machine? The event which prompted this question definitely brings to the fore the fact that the Prisons System of Guyana continues to fail in the execution of its mandate of rehabilita-
tion. This accident occurred in prison, and similar to an accident occurring within an industrial environment where compensation would be considered, one can logically conclude that the Guyana Prison Service in this instance owes this 21 year old man compensation and should make efforts to do so without failure. Elton McRae
PAGE 5
Kaieteur News
we call democratic, stretches well beyond settled principles to also encompass preferences from among several good options. So, for example, the fact that we hold presidential elections every five years (and not every 4, 6 or 7 years, as in other countries) and that the voting age is 18 years (thereby denying the right to vote to those below 18) are our preferences, not hard–and-fast democratic rules or values. Likewise, our opting for presidential term limit is a choice. Lest we be confused, the court’s ruling is saying: sure, but this choice must be made by the people in a referendum, not by their parliamentarians, as was the case. But to take (Continued on page 6)
Was the reduction in parking meter fees a “loss leader?” DEAR EDITOR, From a business point of view, the steep reduction of the parking meter fees that was announced by the Mayor and City Council can fall into either of two categories, namely a discount or a loss leader. Discounts are used to attract customers to purchase goods and services over a period of time. In the parking meter scenario we can classify it as the purchase of a service by the persons desirous of utilizing the parking facilities. Discounts are a reduction on the selling price of the service but it does not result in a financial loss. In other words, prices do not fall below the cost of the service and profits are realised. If the M&CC and SCS are making a profit with the reduction from five hundred dollars
to one hundred dollars it makes this one of the best deals on the face of the planet. I cannot think of any investment in today’s competitive environment where a discount of five times the standard price still allows for profits. On the other hand, businesses use what is called a loss leader. It is a reduced price, below cost that will attract customers. Businesses absorb losses on the service to drive traffic to a location. However, loss leaders cannot be sustained for an extended period of time, so the price is usually increased within a short time frame. Editor, was the reduction of parking meter fees a discount or a loss leader? M. Craig
Guyana’s suicide rate is the highest history of suicide fort on the part of many, the in the world asleadsa family to more suicides, sui- media outlets have signifiDEAR EDITOR, According to the 2014 World Health Organisation report, the suicide rate in Guyana is five times higher than the world average. This puts Guyana at the top of the list with 44.2 per 100,000 people, the highest suicide rate in the world. And, again, this does not even take into account the number of suicide attempts recorded, and unrecorded. It is estimated that there are between 1,500 to 2,000 attempted suicide cases each year or about one attempt every 5 hours, in Guyana. This is depressing news, especially for people who are already depressed in Guyana. And Guyana has a high percentage of depressed people. But while it is important to fight to reduce depression, in and of itself, it is also important, at the same time, to make every effort to not render depressed persons, especially suicidal persons, more depressed, and more suicidal, with news of suicide. Especially news which not only details the names of the deceased persons and their appearances but also gives information about what method was used to effectively commit the suicide. Guyana is small, and just
cide in such a small community will likely lead to more suicides, especially where the circumstances that each person in the community faces is practically equal and uniform. That is, unless the news of each suicide is reported in a controlled and responsible manner. But that is exactly what is NOT happening in Guyana. Almost each day when Guyanese open the local newspapers they are bombarded with news that someone from their own community facing circumstances and hardships very similar to theirs, is dead as a result of suicide. And further, they get a good idea from the reports, in pictures if not in words, as to the methods used to commit the act. Up to recently, again, attempts to convince media operatives in Guyana to desist from their present practices through workshops on the topic have proven futile. News of suicides seems to boost viewership and ratings for news entities generally and this does not exactly deter their irresponsible behaviour. In fact, it can be argued that it seems that media operatives in Guyana are aiming to do the opposite of that. Recently, after much ef-
cantly reduced their reporting of suicides. But there is nothing at present stopping any one media outlet from going back to business as usual. Almost every country in the world has media guidelines and opted not to introduce legislation to curb the issue of irresponsible suicide reporting. But in those countries the media guidelines are strict and the media entities comply with them fully. Only in New Zealand has there been a move to legislate on this matter. + There, the Coroner’s Act has been amended to block the reporting of deaths as suicides until the Coroner deems the death to be a suicide. This seems to be not only a sensible approach but from a legal perspective it helps investigations into all deaths before a general errant conclusion can be had that it was a suicide. At one point in time the Act went so far as to even block reports of “suspected suicides”. As the law stands in that country at the moment however, a death may be reported as a “suspected suicide” provided that the report follows the usual guidelines. It goes without saying that Guyana, having the (Continued on page 6)
PAGE 6
Ministerial outreach at Wales was a successful one DEAR EDITOR, At the commencement of the session which was chaired by the Hon. Catherine Hughes - Minister of Public Telecommunications there were about four male characters sitting in the front row grumbling among themselves. Several times the minister had to appeal for order because of the behaviour of these four. The Madam Chairlady indicated that the format the activity would have taken is as follows - an address by the Hon. Noel Holder, Minister of Agriculture followed by remarks from Hon. Khemraj Ramjattan, Minister of Public Security after which sugar workers would ask questions, seek clarity and amicable decisions would be made. The four gentlemen continued to be disruptive but not at a level that warranted police intervention. The Hon. Noel Holder addressed the gathering. At the conclusion of Minister Holder’s address the four men began to inquire about their severance pay. Minister Cathy Hughes neatly called for order and asked that Minister Ramjattan speak after which questions
from the workers would be facilitated. The four men were not willing to settle for that and began to be loud and disorderly seeking answers about their severance pay. Minister Ramjattan explained the legal ramifications that are currently present within the situation given that GAWU took GUYSUCO to court over the said matter. As hard as the minister tried to explain; louder and more disorderly were the four men asking questions relating to the said issue (severance pay). At no point did any minister refuse to answer any question and further all queries raised by the four men were addressed by the Ministers in a calm, cool and collective manner. After about an hour of continuous back and forth over severance pay (which is currently engaging the courts of Guyana and the minister did say the court’s decision will be honoured) another sugar worker took the microphone and requested that we move on because of the importance of time and given the fact that divestment and diversification are yet to
be discussed. She further stated that there are more that four people present and order needs to prevail if we are to get anywhere. She went on to recommend that should order and peace not prevail then the police should be brought in to do their job. At this juncture the four men got up and hastily left the meeting. Roughly about 15 persons followed them whilst the majority remained, order was restored and the meeting continued peacefully. It must be mentioned that from among the four who were disrupting the meeting, two came back in and sat peacefully throughout the meeting and at the end of it all were seen embracing Hon. Minister Harmon. During the closing remarks, sugar workers acknowledged by their applause that the session was indeed fruitful and informative. Editor, it is my belief that the four gentlemen attended the session with a clear motive. I am extremely happy that majority who attended did not fall prey to their actions. Ganesh Mahipaul.
THIS IS WHAT IS MISSING IN THE... From page 5 this second step in its analysis, the court had to rule, as a first step, that Act 17 of 2000 fails the “democracy test” (it diminishes essential democratic values, in the court’s words). What is missing in the court’s ruling (or may have escaped me) are the specific legal criteria we must apply in the first step to measure whether a constitutional amendment diminishes or expands democratic values. Therein lies the problem that puts the other recent constitutional amendments in legal free fall. On another front, even if the court had provided a hard legal test to measure democracy, a problem would still remain in that the constitution has enshrined other sweeping national values and goals. Our constitution speaks of strengthening our unity, celebrating our cultural and ra-
Tuesday March 21, 2017
Kaieteur News
cial diversity, embracing a spirit of reconciliation, and establishing inclusionary decision making. Some of these goals would clash at times with democratic values however defined. For instance, while the use of quotas in the composition of the parliament in India and other countries helps to strengthen unity and inclusion, does it not restrict the democratic rights of Indians to freely vote for politicians regardless of their caste, even if it means some castes would be unrepresented in the parliament? Likewise, while depoliticizing our new constitutional commissions (such as the Public Procurement Commission) by making them independent, promotes national unity, does it not diminish democracy by giving unelected commissioners power over key national af-
fairs? The point is even if it was justifiable (and it is surely not) for the court to intervene to determine what diminishes or expands democracy, it would still need to apply a balancing test to consider other competing national aspirations. In fact, as is well known, the driving force behind the term limit amendment was to promote other constitutionally enshrined goals such as political reconciliation. The rulings ignore such thinking. All of these considerations plainly show that the courts should not intervene in these issues where decisions on democracy are based on preferences and balancing acts, but should instead properly leave them to the political/legislative process. Sherwood Lowe
This man thinks he will be a better Minister of Agriculture DEAR EDITOR, On March 16th, 2017, a letter writer in Kaieteur News, Mr Jinnah Rahaman, in an article entitled, ‘Minister of Agriculture not performing’ made some wild accusations levelled at Minister Holder. Some of these are: ‘agriculture is a failure under Noel Holder’, the minister’s ‘failed performance’ and ‘dismiss Holder’. What is remarkable and interesting is the fact that that article itself dealt more with Jagdeo, Nandlall and Ramotar but I will deal with the conclusion arrived at by Mr Rahaman that Minister Holder should be ‘dismissed’. Letter writers should know that before they arrive at certain conclusions in their argument they should furnish evidence to support such conclusions. However, no evidence was provided to support his argument. But this did not surprise me since Mr Rahaman has a gift for making such baseless and ridiculous conclusions. On April 7th 2009, a letter writer concluded that, ‘One Jinnah destroyed India’s unity, another trying same with RPA’, then another letter writer wrote that, ‘Jinnah Rahaman’s letter is riddled with inaccuracies’, and yet another letter writer on December 1st, 2015 concluded that,’Jinnah Rahaman’s ap-
pointment is a huge mistake’ (this was in relation to his appointment as a community development officer). Therefore, it would seem to me that Mr Rahaman never seems to get his facts right and would normally twist and distort issues to gain publicity and political recognition. I wish to remind Mr Jinnah that the Local Government system is meant to ‘involve as many citizens as possible in the task of managing and developing the communities in which they live and ensuring popular participation in organizing the political, economic, social and cultural life of those communities’. When the NDCs and the RDCs function effectively then a lot can be achieved. At the RDC level there is an Agriculture Committee which must ensure that the needs of the Agriculture sector are met in an effective and efficient manner. Roads, dams, infrastructures, drainage and irrigation are some of the issues which must be raised and resolved at the RDC level. Moreover, capital works and repairs and maintenance works must be budgeted for in the annual estimates. In addition, there are bodies such as GRDB, NAREI, Water Users Association and NDIA which must function in their respective roles and those that are not function-
ing must be brought into focus so that the subject Minister can act decisively. In this country the reports to the relevant subject ministers are so doctored that they fail to give any beneficial insight into what is really happening. Mr Rahaman, must provide the public on some specific areas where the Minister of Agriculture failed and at the same time provide the public with what the NDC and the RDC in his Region are doing to promote the economic wellbeing of the agriculture sector. Therefore, Mr Rahaman is truly naive to believe that a lower interest rate loan alone is what is preventing the progress of the agriculture sector. Every player in the sector must do their part. Mr Rahaman must understand that the Minister of Agriculture cannot unilaterally establish the Agriculture Bank which he feels is the panacea- it must be the Government’s decision. So why dismiss Holder? As a self-proclaimed ‘agriculture advocate’ Mr Jinnah is bereft of ideas and should cease to make himself an object of public ridicule! I do feel that the man in his wild moments truly thinks that he can make a better Minister of Agriculture! Gobin Harbhajan Region 6, APNU+AFC Regional Democratic Councilor (RDC)
Guyana’s suicide rate is the highest... From page 5 highest suicide rate in the world, would be better off blocking both reports of suicide AND suspected suicide. Some arguments in favour of local legislative intervention include 1. Guyana has the highest suicide rate in the world and risking any other form of intervention would be ineffective and deadly. 2. Media guidelines do not dictate to journalists what to do. Rather, they aim to empower and encourage journalists to collaborate with researchers and public health policy makers to help save lives by reporting in a responsible manner. They further do not guide the actions of nonmedia entities that may wish to report a suicide. Hence they would not suffice. 3. Many workshops have been held with media entities in Guyana regarding suicide reporting in particular, much to no avail. 4. There is no harm in using legislation to tackle this important issue in Guyana and in fact, there is indeed precedence elsewhere for leg-
islative intervention. 5. Guyana would be the first country to pass a Suicide Reporting Act to effectively save the lives of its citizens in a dire situation. Many countries have indeed managed to reduce their suicide rates without statutory restrictions on media. But they have strict media guidelines on the issue and their suicide rates are not the highest in the world. Guyana cannot afford to risk a less strict approach. Some may argue that reducing the dialogue about suicide may have a negative effect on how we learn more about its other causes and how we work to prevent those causes. But legislative intervention does not aim to curtail all talk about suicide and suicide prevention. It is specifically aimed at fighting irresponsible reporting. Debates will still be encouraged about suicide but will be restricted from involving mention of details of individual suicides. It is in these premises I propose that a Bill be drafted and introduced to the Parliament to curtail the reporting
of deaths as suicides or suspected suicides, whether by media entities or members of the public, before the Coroner deems the death to be a suicide. The Bill will also guide reports of deaths, whether emanating from media entities or members of the public, so that they do not reflect even the suspicion that a death may have been a suicide, before the Coroner deems the death to be a possible suicide. The Bill should further guide the reports of deaths properly deemed suicides so that they do not give rise to further suicides. I am positive that with a Bill we can better guarantee the safety of our citizens from this plague that has gripped us for so long. I charge those who have the power to pass a Bill of this nature to do so at the earliest. John M. Fraser LL.B. Legal Assistant Legislative Drafting Division Attorney General’s Chambers and Ministry of Legal Affairs Georgetown, Guyana
Tuesday March 21, 2017
New GPC’s 2015 drug contract being investigated - Health Minister An investigation has been launched into the billiondollar drug contract that was awarded by the former regime to New Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation (New GPC) just three days before the General and Regional Elections in 2015. Minister of Health Volda Lawrence confirmed this during a press conference which was held yesterday at the National Communications Network (NCN) Channel 11. Lawrence said, “We are investigating this matter. The investigation has been going slowly because documentation cannot be accounted for, so there is presently a search for those documents.” Additionally, the Minister said that other companies are also being investigated by the Food and Drugs Department for their importation of certain drugs. Lawrence declined to name these companies, stating that investigations are still ongoing and that some are with the police. In the meantime, New GPC has categorically rejected the allegations that it is yet to supply the drugs for the 2015 contract. The company, which is owned by Dr. Ranjisingh ‘Bobby’ Ramroop, made it clear in a statement over the weekend that it has supplied
New GPC Owner, Ranjisinghi “Bobby” Ramroop all drugs for its contracts with the government for 2015, including all rollover contracts. New GPC said that delivery notes and other necessary documents are available as proof of this statement and available for inspection. These, however, were not attached as evidence or supplied in its statement to the media. Be that as it may, the company is contending that the Auditor General’s Office, which would have conducted their audit during 2016, can attest to the veracity of this statement. New GPC’s remarks were in wake of a report that was carried by this newspaper on Saturday last, which said that the Ministry of Public Health is still awaiting the supply of
the drugs for the 2015 contract. Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Public Health, Terrence Esseboom, told Kaieteur News that “up to now, there is nothing to show” for the $1B cheque that was received by New GPC on May 8, 2015. The official said, “We are still waiting for drugs New GPC was paid for. Nothing was received for it. And they received contracts after that and that will be coming out.” Esseboom reminded that the payment arrangement which allowed New GPC to uplift the entire billion-dollar cheque awarded to it by the former regime was contrary to all the country’s procurement procedures. Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, had described the situation surrounding the health contracts awarded under the PPP rule to New GPC as nothing but “kick-down-the door banditry.” It was estimated that over a period of seven years, more than US$200 million was spent on drug purchases, with the lion’s share going to New GPC. New GPC has been a feature in the Auditor General’s report over the years, with several instances focused on multimillion-dollar deficiencies in the procurement and supply of drugs under the previous administration.
$50,000 bail each for men accused of armed robbery After relentless work by the Police in B Division, two men - a 65-year-old grandfather and a Berbice River resident - have so far been arrested and charged in connection with the robbery committed on a female teacher at Budhan Housing Scheme, West Canje, Berbice. The men, Leroy Albert of 509 Angoy’s Avenue and Seon La Fleur called Seon Bristol, 29, appeared before Magistrate Alex Moore yesterday in the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court. The charge against the men states that on February 28, last, while in company of others, and armed with guns and cutlasses, they robbed Esther Reid at her Budhan Housing Scheme home. According to information, around 01:32 hrs on the day in question, the woman was alone at home when she was
PAGE 7
Kaieteur News
Charged: Seon La Fleur attacked. During the ordeal, four masked men, armed with guns and cutlasses, broke into the house. Three of the four bandits barged into the house and into her bedroom demanding cash and jewellery. Reid was lashed
with a cutlass as the thieves made their demands. They put her to kneel down on the bed as a gun was placed to her head, before ransacking the house. They also threatened to sexually assault her. She was also taken downstairs as the men continued their demands. Her security guard was brutalized and sustained several injuries about his body. The men escaped with two gold rings, a DVR from the security cameras and an E-Networks control box and cash. After the robbery, a number of persons from the Angoy’s Avenue area were arrested at a house in the area, including some women. Several items believed to be stolen during the ordeal were recovered. The two men were granted $50,000 bail each and told to return on April 24
Teachers’ remuneration negotiations back to square one – GTU President A recent move by government to shuffle permanent secretaries among ministries might have done more harm than good for teachers within the public education system. This is in light of the fact that officials within the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) are convinced that the decision to move Ms. Delma Nedd from the Ministry of Education and replace her with Mr. Vibert Welch could prolong the negotiations for a renewed remuneration package for teachers. GTU President, Mr. Mark Lyte, in an invited comment yesterday noted that given the fact that the previous Permanent Secretary had failed to sign off on certain aspects of a proposal presented by the GTU, “we are back at square one.” This in light of the fact, Lyte said, that the Union, with the change of the Permanent Secretary, has had to write requesting a meeting which is yet to materialise. The discussions for a Memorandum of Understanding between the Education Ministry and the Union, for a remuneration package for teachers, have been ongoing for more than a year. There were instances when the negotiations were completely stalled, which is the current situation, according to GTU officials. Shortly before the re-shuffle occurred, the former Permanent Secretary had engaged the union in discussions and, according to GTU General Secretary, Ms. Coretta McDonald, “We proposed to our counterpart at the Ministry of Education that since our proposal has two parts – salary and non salary – we had proposed to them: why not let us put a temporary arrangement in place where we can look at the nonfinancial issues, so that it would not affect the teachers who are attending University of Guyana, even though that has some bit of finances to it.” “We didn’t want it to affect teachers who are going off on Whitley Council leave or affect teachers being transferred and promoted...we suggested that we can move on with those [non-financial] aspects until we have the financial aspect of the negotiations completed,” McDonald related. Although there was concession in relation to the GTU’s suggestion, Nedd, the former Permanent Secretary, was not given the opportunity to sign off on this. Nedd’s relocation to the Ministry of Legal Affairs became effective on March 1, as was the
GTU President, Mark Lyte
GTU General Secretary, Coretta McDonald
appointment of Welch to the Ministry of Education. Since Welch’s appointment there has been no continuance of the negotiations with officials of the GTU. “I am only hoping that we do not have to redo our negotiations,” said McDonald, during an interview with this publication. Our proposal will still be valid, but I would want to think the new Permanent Secretary would say I was not privy to the arguments and will need time to look at the document [proposal] and that will take a lot more time,” McDonald speculated. However, an optimistic McDonald noted, “since we have looked at the non-salary aspect I am hoping that we will shortly arrive at a position and have at least this part signed off.” The non-salary aspect of the proposal includes matters such as Whitley Council leave; teachers access to scholarship at the University of Guyana; points for teachers applying for promotion who are serving in riverain areas for at least three years; the release of Central officers each Wednesday for Union meetings; and the fulltime release of the President and General Secretary to serve the GTU, among other matters. A multi-year remuneration agreement between the union and the Ministry of Educa-
tion had expired at the end of 2015. Since then the union had furnished the Ministry with a proposed agreement which, among other things, suggested a 40 percent across the board increase for teachers for last year. Also detailed in its proposal was a 45 percent increase for this year (2017) and 50 percent for the following three years (2018-2020) for all categories of teachers. In its proposal too, the Union had taken into consideration inflation and had made it clear that “should there be inflation higher than the percentage agreed upon, then the teachers/teacher-educators must get the benefit of the difference.” However, the Ministry had last year offered what was believed to be an arbitrary salary increase. But according to Lyte, the Ministry was able to explain away its decision to arbitrarily offer teachers pay increases of 10 and six per cent which were payable at the end of October last. Lyte revealed that since the Union had not agreed to the percentages offered, the Ministry had assured that the amount paid merely represented an interim payment, pending the outcome of the continued talks. The continuance of talks, from all indications, remains in limbo.
PAGE 8
Tuesday March 21, 2017
Kaieteur News
Bulkan ‘disappointed’ with M&CC’s adjournment ‘It was a national embarrassment’ – attorney-at-law Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan is disappointed with the move made by the Mayor and City Council to further delay its decision regarding the suspension of the parking meter by-laws. In an invited comment last evening, Bulkan said that he extremely displeased with the course of action taken by councillors of the Georgetown Municipality. Even though the Minister, acting on the request of Cabinet, ordered that the Georgetown Parking Meter By-Laws be suspended for three months, there was much hesitation on the part of City Councillors to execute the Minister’s wishes. Reacting to the news of City Hall’s latest decision, Bulkan asserted, “I don’t think that it was wise for them to go down that road.” Speaking with Kaieteur News, the Minister said that while the council is not compelled to accept the decision made by him, refusing to accept such would be quite “unwise”. Asked what course of action would be taken, should City Hall refuse to suspend the by-laws as requested by the Government, Bulkan was apprehensive to say. “Let’s not go too far ahead of ourselves,” the Minister cautioned. He added, “We’ll perhaps have to cross that bridge when we get to it.” Meanwhile, Pauline Chase, the attorney-at-law representing New Building Society’s interest against the parking meter company, referred to postponement of the council’s decision as “a national embarrassment.” The lawyer, who was present during city council’s extraordinary statutory meeting yesterday, shared the views of a few of the councilmen and women, who believe that a direct order from the Minister of Communities is by extension, a direct order from Cabinet and President David Granger. “…because the Minister
Communities Minister, Ronald Bulkan has given a direction that is very clear, but yet, council seems to be wanting to evade…and perhaps buy time, and I don’t understand why,” Chase said. The attorney added that because of the delay in making a decision, “people are suffering on the road, so they should have acted with some kind of expediency,” she added. Meanwhile, a few of the city councillors, including those from the opposition camp, are adamant that the Minister could not have erred in his interpretation of the laws, since he is being advised by some of the best legal minds in the country, who are also members of Cabinet. As yesterday’s threehour-long extraordinary statutory meeting was in progress, a group of protestors from the Movement Against Parking Meters (MAPM) braved the rains to gather, as they now customarily do, outside of City Hall on Regent Street, calling for the full revocation of the parking meter project. The MAPM had welcomed the decision by Minister Bulkan to suspend the Georgetown Metered Parking By-Laws for threemonths with effect from March 17, 2017. “We also applaud the quick action of His Worship, Mr. Sherod Duncan, Acting
Some of the protestors outside City Hall yesterday Mayor of the City of Georgetown, in calling the requisite extraordinary statutory meeting of the Council fixed for Monday, March 20, 2017, to give effect to the said Order of the Honourable Minister,” a MAPM release stated. It came as a
disappointment to many of the protestors who had hopes that Duncan would’ve been instrumental in having the order brought into effect. Duncan has often maintained, however, that his involvement in the protests against metered parking would not clash with him
carrying out his duties as a councilman, governed by municipality laws. The MAPM media statement went on to add, nonetheless, “In this vein, we trust that the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown and Smart City Solutions (SCS) will adhere to
this lawful Order of the Honourable Minister and take all necessary steps to give effect to it.” The grouping, said that it will remain resolute in its call for complete revocation and will continue its protest action until this objective is achieved.
City Council defies Communities Minister …as paid parking continues amid adjournment Paid parking in Georgetown will continue despite orders from Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan, who suspended the Metered Parking By-Laws for three months, effective last Friday. Yesterday, at an extraordinary statutory meeting, the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown (M&CC) took a decision which defies the Minister’s orders, and paves the way for paid parking to continue, at least until the council’s next statutory meeting scheduled for Monday. During a three-hour long session at City Hall, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)–aligned Councillor Heston Bostwick moved the first motion, which seeks to give the council more time to
study the legal implications that a suspension of the metered parking by-laws would attract. Bostwick, with the support of 17 other councillors, the majority of them being his APNU colleagues, holds the view that even the Minister should be furnished with a copy of the legal advice received by the council. “This is, in no way, attempting to, deliberate or otherwise, to disrespect the honourable Minister in his capacity or as an individual,” Bostwick said. Meanwhile, Town Clerk Royston King told the council that since he was the one who signed onto the parking meter contract, it was important that he sought clarity pertaining to the legal implications. The council’s lawyer, Roger Yearwood, in a threeand-a-half page response to King, said that Minister Bulkan misinterpreted the law used to issue the suspension on the parking meter by-laws. The Minister had issued the order based on the powers conferred upon him by virtue of Section 306 of the Municipal and District Councils Act “The Act contemplates an intervention by the Minister, where the Council is ‘in default on the performance of any duty imposed upon it’ and not for ‘default of their functions’, whatever that term connotes and as used by the
Councillor Heston Bostwick rests after moving his motion honourable Minister,” Yearwood said in his advice. The Attorney-at-Law also pointed out the failure of the Communities Minister to hold an inquiry before issuing the order. “The Act contemplates that an inquiry must be held by the Minister in order to establish that the Council is in default in the performance of any duty imposed on it. This inquiry, naturally, necessitates a hearing at which the Council must be afforded an opportunity to be heard, in accordance with the rules of natural justice, which militates against a person being condemned without being afforded an opportunity to be heard in his own defence,” said
Yearwood. He explained that since no such inquiry was held, the council does not know in what way it is being alleged that the Council is in default, whether of “their functions” as stated by the Minister or “in the performance of any duty imposed upon it.” Yearwood is contending therefore, that the order of the Minister is null and void, since it is ultra vires, meaning - it is beyond Bulkan’s legal power or authority. “It is important to note that the Order of the honourable Minister does not suspend or purport to suspend the Georgetown Metered Parking By-Laws, but rather, directs the Council to do so,” Yearwood posited. The Lawyer reminded that if the Council accedes to that mandate, it would make City Hall susceptible to a costly breach of contract. After about three hours of arguments in the Chambers of City Hall, Councillor Roopnarine Persaud moved to point out that the same legal firm representing City Council is also representing the parking meter company – Smart City Solutions. Town Clerk King rebutted that while it is the same entity, the two bodies – City Council and Smart City Solutions – are being represented by two different lawyers of the legal office of ‘Fraser, Housty and Yearwood’. “There are ethical standards which must be observed by lawyers, even (Continued on page 11)
Tuesday March 21, 2017
PAGE 9
Kaieteur News
An insult to sugar workers! The government should pay the redundant workers of Wales Estate their entitlements. The law provides for these workers to be paid severance and they should be paid. These benefits are due under the law which deals with severance and termination benefits. It would be unfortunate if sugar workers are forced to go to the courts to compel the sugar company or the government to pay them their entitlements. The law is very clear as to the entitlements of workers whose services are no longer required and who cannot be offered employment of a similar kind within a specified radius. Even if that prescription was not specified within the law, it is unreasonable to ask a sugar worker who lives in Wales or a surrounding area to go and work at another estate which is more than fifteen miles from where he lives. This was the same argument which was used by the
workers of Diamond in 2011 when they were being told that alternative employment was available at Enmore and LBI. It makes no sense for sugar workers to be travelling that distance to work on another estate. It cannot pay them, especially considering the time which they have to rise to get to work. Of course, strictly speaking, the payments should come from the Guyana Sugar Corporation, but since that entity does not have the capacity to pay, the workers should be paid by the government. The all-purpose company which was established for the works at D’Urban Park owed a number of contractors. The government, without having seen the contracts which these persons would have signed, absorbed liabilities to the tune of $750M or double what it will take to pay the sugar workers at Wales their severance. However, the government is reportedly claiming that it does not have the fis-
cal space to pay the workers. How can you pay contractors but refuse to pay poor sugar workers? This is eye-pass to the sugar workers. This is shameful, and it is worrying that the Alliance for Change can be a party to this situation. It was the same Alliance for Change which instigated workers at Diamond to protest for severance after the PPP/C regime had refused to pay severance. It is disgraceful that the AFC is part of a government which finds itself making the excuse that it cannot find the money. The money can be found. The treasury is not empty. GuySuCo has assets to back its present liabilities plus the amount that is owed to the workers. The government is not cash–strapped. It is not contracting. It is expanding. There is no reason why the $375M cannot be found to pay the sugar workers at Wales. The Ministry of Agriculture ought to have known that workers would have had to be
Dem boys seh ...
Luncheon and Edghill starting a drug war Is easy to find fault and when people find fault dem does find good reason. Volda who tek over from Dr Nutten get into trouble because she arrange wid a Trinidad company to bring in drugs. According to Luncheon and Ten Edghill that is de wuss thing that coulda happen in de country. Dem boys listen to dem tell de whole world that Volda do sole sourcing. That mean that she tek it pun she self to give Ansa McAl de contract. Is when Volda open she mouth that people realize that was no sole sourcing. To begin with, was four contract to bring in de drugs and one of de contracts go to Jagdeo best friend Babbie. But if you hear Lun-
cheon and Edghill. Dem never mention bout de three other contract. Edghill talk bout prequalification and how that was a good thing when de Pee Pee Pee was in power, but is not a good thing now. This weekend is Jagdeo turn to cuss out de government. This thing got to be done in turn because if de Pee Pee Pee people and Jagdeo don’t talk now, when dem gone to jail dem wouldn’t get a chance to talk. Dem can’t call press conference in jail. But dem boys seh Volda is another one. She getting vex when people question she. That is fuh people who believe that whatever dem seh is right. She claim how since she had to buy de drugs she mek one thing and
done because no Board of Directors was in place. That is all well and good. Yet dem boys can’t understand why de Pee Pee Pee vex because Ansa McAl get de contract. Dem know fuh sure that if Babbie did get de contract not one dog woulda bark. But some people use to bring in counterfeit drugs. People used to wake up in de midst of a surgery. Now Edghill and Luncheon vex. De next thing people gun hear is that Volda tek way de contract from a Guyanese and give a Trini. Dem don’t care bout de shortage that cause Volda to act in de first place. Talk half and wait fuh another drug war.
Guyana to benefit from US$40M CDB funding for poverty reduction The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has announced US$40M million in funding for poverty reduction in eight countries in the Caribbean Region, through the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF). mThe resources, according to a statement from the bank yesterday, will support improved access to quality education; water and sanitation; basic community access and drainage; livelihoods enhancement and human resource development services in low-income and vulnerable communities under the ninth phase of BNTF (BNTF 9). BNTF has been building schools and involved in a
number of other projects in Guyana. Countries that will also benefit include Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Suriname. “The participating countries share many common characteristics and face a number of challenges inherent to small, open economies. BNTF 9 will respond to the development needs of these countries, which face challenges associated with limited diversity in production and extreme vulnerability to natural hazards, which is now exacerbated by climate change and other external shocks,” said Daniel Best, Director of Projects, CDB.
Initiatives under BNTF 9 will be implemented during the period March 2017 to December 2020. Governments of the eight participating countries will provide total counterpart funding of US$6.04M. BNTF said it has implemented more than 2,750 subprojects over the past 37 years, directly impacting the lives of more than three million beneficiaries in poor communities. The programme is CDB’s main vehicle for tackling poverty in the region, through the provision of basic infrastructure and skills training towards improving the livelihoods of beneficiaries in participating countries.
paid severance when those workers were made redundant at Wales. The government had a year to set aside the money, since early notice was given that the estate would be closed. There is no excuse for not paying the workers. It is a further insult that they are being treated this way in the 100th anniversary year of the abolition of Indian indentureship, even though both African and Indian workers at Wales are affected. It is
disrespectful to the sugar workers – whatever their race – for government to be sermonizing this year about their contributions to Guyana and now to be shortchanging them in this way. It is not right. The sugar company should approach the government formally to pay the workers, using the precedent of the all-purpose company at D’Urban Park. If the government refuses, then the sugar company should provide all
the redundant workers with land in lieu of the payments due to them, with the right to sell such land to recover their severance.
Bandits target East Bank Berbice homes over the weekend Several families of Glasgow, New Housing Scheme, East Bank Berbice were left traumatized and fearing for their safety after a suspected gang of serial robbers wreaked havoc in the small community early Sunday morning. Kaieteur News understands that the gang allegedly split themselves up and targeted four homes, only being successful on their last attempt. Clement John, a gold miner of Lot 1724 Crack Ville stated that at around midnight, he was awoken by his sister who informed him that someone was in their home.
According to John, the man gained entry into the home by prying open a grill to his back window. “She was not sleeping at the time and the house was in darkness, so he had a small torch light, and she saw the shadow and ask is who, and they didn’t say nothing, so she ask back again and turn on the light and then is when he run.” The man relayed that checks were made in home but nothing was missing. John explained that all of the rooms in the house are sealed; hence, no one heard when it was being broken into. Another member of the
suspected gang then targeted the home of a Provision vendor. Sohan Ramdeen, of 890 Glasgow Housing Scheme told this publication that he had retired to bed around midnight, but minutes later was alerted by the sound of his dog barking. Reports are that a tin of sardines was punctured and put into the yard to distract the dog. According to Ramdeen, it was not until sunrise that he discovered that a louvre pane was missing. “I don’t know if is because of the dog bark hard or what, but when I come (Continued on page 12)
PAGE 10
Tuesday March 21, 2017
Kaieteur News
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
Once not guarded, democracy dies I will never give any government unconditional support, and no one should. Regimes use national support to legitimize their own power intoxication. This columnist will never accept the return of the PPP in its present shape. But I will not put down my pen because the APNU+AFC coalition is in power, and therefore I should be happy and I should rejoice that the PPP is gone. Politics is not as simple as that. Anyone who thinks that the APNU+AFC bandwagon is the thing of the future should be very careful. The past history of this country has been one of continuous authoritarian output,
because successive regimes were protected by unchanging fanatical support from their constituencies. Sugar workers for over sixty years have given extraordinary, emotional succour to the PPP. Once that fulcrum was assured, the PPP ran away with the blank cheque. When sugar workers woke up, it was too late. They woke up in May 2015 to find the party that they irrationally embraced knew sugar was dying, but did nothing to cushion them from the fall. The same thing is going to happen to Black people if they behave the way sugar workers did. One can see
signs emerging that the leadership of the People’s National Congress is taking African Guyanese for granted. African Guyanese have 23 years of PPP rule to learn from. If they make the same mistakes, they will find their future very dim. I was stunned by the result of the local government elections. I honestly felt that because of the surreptitious way the Coalition big wigs paid themselves an oceanic pay rise one month after coming into power, it would have been instructive in the way Georgetowners voted. It was not to be. Georgetowners ignored some fresh, youthful
Drink spot threats lead to guns seizure, arrest of Enmore man Police have arrested an Enmore man after an altercation at an entertainment establishment led to the recovery of two guns. According to the police, about 00:10hrs yesterday, a vendor of Newtown, Enmore, East Coast Demerara, allegedly threatened a fellow patron at the drinking spot located in the same village. “He was subdued and handed over to ranks of the Guyana Police Force by publicspirited citizens together with an unlicensed
.38 Taurus revolver, five (5) live matching rounds and one spent shell.” According to police, about 09:30hrs, the suspect was escorted to his home where a search was conducted and an unlicensed 12gauge single-barrel Stephen Grant shotgun and six live cartridges were found concealed in a wardrobe. “The suspect who has since admitted ownership of the latter weapon and ammunition only, is cooperating with investigators.”
faces and gave the ruling o u t f i t a h u g e v i c t o r y. Georgetowners are regretting that mistake. It will cost them dearly. It already has. There seems to be a willingness on the part of the AFC and PNC (I can hardly bring myself to describe APNU as a combination of parties) to milk the exposure of the PPP’s corruption and use of naked power to mask authoritarian directions. The leadership of the government seems to be taking a high level risk in this context. Many examples come to mind, and the society needs to let its voice be heard for the deep moral reason that it should not give the present government all the latitude it wants. You don’t give a government that kind of space. They will use it for narrow purposes and by the time you wake up, you have a little Jagdeo on your hand. We have been that way before. Once we go that way again, Guyana has to die. Some of those examples need careful attention by this nation. One is the chairman-
ship of GECOM. The fact is that for the 23 years the PPP was in power, it did not put up consistent hurdles to the opposition-nominated chairman. Now we are seeing what I am convinced is a hurdle by the APNU+AFC administration. Not for a moment would I accept, and I will not accept that those words in the constitution pertaining to the eligibility of a chairman mean that it must be a judge or someone who can be a judge. I am so convinced of the contextual meaning of those words that I will use a strong word like nonsense, to say that they exclude other people who do not have judge-like qualities. For me, the insistence of the government that the chairman must be a judge or someone with judge--like qualities is a setback for democracy, and we should not accept it, because we have been that way before. Another example is the University of Guyana. UG now has per capita, one of the largest hierarchies of administrators in the global university system. We have a mere 4,500 students and 450 staff. If the PPP had brought
Frederick Kissoon in such a structure, the roar against it would have been heard all the way in Alaska. UG is spending prodigious chunks of money on all sorts of things, but not on the attraction of high level lecturers, improved facilities and laboratories. UG remains in the same state as when the PPP was in power, but with more spending on high priced administrators. The society has gone silent on this backwardness. I could go on with wrong roads, unworkable policies and terrible decisions, but space has run out. I did a column last year in which I said that in May 2015 God gave us a chance and he won’t do it again. I’m sure he will not.
Tuesday March 21, 2017
PAGE 11
Kaieteur News
Security reform recommendations should not gather ‘dust’- UK envoy By Brushell Blackman British High Commissioner to Guyana, Greg Quinn, is urging that action be taken on the recommendations that were put forward towards the strengthening and reformation of the local security sector. Quinn expressed this view yesterday at the opening of a Risk and Liaison Overseas Network (RALON) Training for Guyana Immigration officers at the Guyana Police Force Training Centre, Eve Leary. The United Kingdom (UK) envoy said that President David Granger had approached him two weeks into his presidency, soliciting help in transforming the local security sector. Quinn explained that British Senior Security Sector Reform Advisor, Russell Combe, has been in Guyana for the past seven weeks, and is on a fact-finding mission gathering data to make practical and informed recommendations to the president. Quinn stated that at the end of this exercise, how the implementations are carried out will be a decision for the government, but he is hopeful that the recommendations put forward by Combe will be acted upon swiftly. He explained that his country has done similar reviews for Guyana in
A section of the Immigration Officers gathered at the RALON training yesterday
the past and very little, if anything, had been done based on the findings of those documents. It is with this in mind that Quinn is hopeful that things will go in a different
direction and that the current security reform recommendations will see the light of day. “We are funding the advisor here, not to produce a piece of paper which looks good on a
From left, Senior Security Sector Reform Advisor, Russell Combe; Facilitator of the RALON Training Programme, Coran Oakley; Acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine; British High Commissioner, Greg Quinn and Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix
City Council defies Communities... From page 8 though they are working out of the same chambers,” King said. In the meantime, some of the other councillors, mainly those from the People’s Progressive Party Civic camp, were in favour of the council carrying out, what they said was a direct order from the Communities Minister, and by extension, the Guyana Government and President David Granger. The councillors of the Georgetown
municipality are expected to vote on whether or not the parking meter by-laws should be suspended, before the end of the month. Deputy Mayor Sherod Duncan has also indicated his disinterest in chairing the next statutory meeting. He then enquired about the return of Mayor Patricia Chase-Green, and was told that she will be back in the country by this weekend. The next meeting, as indicated by Duncan, is set for next Monday.
shelf”. Quinn said that it was important that the public is made aware that the implementations of the recommendation will not be a decision for Combe, but will be a broader undertaking across all spheres of the local security sector. He stated that he was given all assurances by the ruling administration that the recommendations will be implemented with alacrity. Addressing Immigration Officers at the RALON training yesterday, Minister of Citizenship Winston Felix said
that the training session comes at a time when t h e r e a r e a n umber of evolving challenges on the immigration front. Felix said that it was important that officers are adequately trained to confront these issues. The minister said that the training will equip the officers to detect trafficking in persons - a social challenge that is plaguing a number of countries across the globe. The training will also be tailored to deal with passport fraud and the trafficking of illicit drugs through
airports and borders. Felix reminded the officers gathered that it is important that they perform their duties with courtesy and professionalism, since they will be the first set of persons that visitors will see upon arrival in Guyana. Felix asserted that officers’ interaction with visitors can determine the impression one gets of the country. Summing up the importance of the training succinctly, Felix said, “You (immigration officers) will never have a second opportunity to make a first impression”.
PAGE 12
Taxi driver jailed for four years for Kingston road death A taxi driver, who pleaded with the court to be lenient with him due to the fact that he is an asthmatic patient, and also suffers from hypertension and high cholesterol, was yesterday sentenced to four years imprisonment by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, after he pleaded guilty to a charge of causing death by dangerous driving. Fizal Mohammed, 53, on February 19, last, at Fort Street, Kingston, Georgetown, drove his vehicle (HC 358) in a dangerous manner, causing the death of Gregory Nedd. Facts presented by Police Prosecutor Arwin Moore stated on the day in question, Mohammed was the driver of the aforementioned car which was facing south along the western side of Fort Street, Kingston. The court heard that Mohammed went into his vehicle and reversed in a fast manner along the said road and collided with Nedd who was at the time sitting on a chair at the western corner of the roadway. As a result, Nedd fell on the roadway. The man was
Tuesday March 21, 2017
Kaieteur News
Jailed for 4 years: Fizal Mohammed then picked up by publicspirited persons who rushed him to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Mohammed told the court that on the day in question he was parked on the southern side of Fort Street after he had gone and purchased some food. The accused stated that after he got into his car he put the car in reverse, since there was another vehicle in front of him.
As he put the vehicle in reverse, the brakes on the vehicle did not engage and he was unable to stop the vehicle from hitting Nedd. Meanwhile, the prosecutor further stated that after the vehicle collided with Nedd, persons in the street managed to bring the vehicle to a stop. The court also heard that when Mohammed came out of his vehicle to render assistance to Nedd, he was assaulted by residents in the area which caused him to go back into his vehicle and seek cover. The Prosecutor told the court that when Mohammed was arrested and given a breathalyzer test, it revealed that he had alcohol in his system above the normal limit.
Bandits target East Bank Berbice...
One of the Glasgow homes that were targetted by bandits over the weekend. From page 9 downstairs, I see that they remove my window and that is it. Nothing ain’t missing or suh. But this place nah safe bai. Is nuff thing going on in this community and people nah safe.” Meanwhile, at about 00:30hrs, the bandits tried to hammer their way into another house despite screams from the occupants. The traumatized woman who operates a small grocery parlour in the lower flat stated that she heard a loud banging sound coming from the lower flat and immediately awoke her son. “I wake he and we listen for hear if anything else gon’ happen, but like they stop lil bit and he say mussy cat, and me say no this nah cat sound. Then is when we hear the big pounding and realize is thief. So right away we start holler, and dem still trying to break the grill, but it nah budge. And me daughter and me mother
was sleeping downstairs, but the room seal, so they ain’t hear the noise. And we holler and holler til a neighbour come out with he cutlass and then is when they run.” According to the woman, neighbours allegedly saw three men running from the direction of her home. The final attack was at a teacher’s home. According to Debra Ward, at about 02:30h there was at least one person in her home. She explained that the person pushed open her bedroom door and when she recognized that it was an intruder, she jumped out of bed and armed herself with a cutlass, but the man escaped through the front door. It was later discovered that one Government laptop computer, a cellular phone and about $5000 in cash was missing. Ward mentioned that a crowbar was used to prize open the backdoor and the
grill. Meanwhile, last Wednesday, two other houses were also targetted. A businessman in the community told Kaieteur News that the men only made it to the lower flat and removed close to $1M worth in equipment. As police responded to that report, three masked men went into another home, a few blocks away. Reports are that the shop owner and her school-aged daughter were at home when the building was broken into. The men reportedly took $200,000 in cash and a similar amount worth in jewellery before fleeing the scene. Commander of ‘B’ Division Mr. Ian Amsterdam in an invited comment disclosed that police are currently on the hunt for a male resident in the community fingered to be the main suspect in crimes. Investigations are ongoing.
Brother fatally stabs sibling during motorcycle row A teenager was on Sunday stabbed by his brother during an argument. He reportedly succumbed shortly after, while receiving medical attention. Dead is 18-year-old Vishaul Zakaroo also known as “Daniel”, a mechanic, of 85 North Yakusari, Black Bush Polder, Corentyne, Berbice. According to a police press release, at about 23:00hrs on Sunday in the said village, Zakaroo and his 22-year-old brother were imbibing together with some friends, when the latter requested to borrow the former’s motor
cycle, to which he refused. This reportedly sparked an argument between the two, during which the elder sibling whipped out a knife and stabbed his brother once to the stomach. Vishaul Zakaroo was rushed to the Mibicuri Public Hospital where he was treated and later succumbed. The alleged murder weapon was recovered by investigators and the body is presently at the Ramoo’s Funeral Home, awaiting a post mortem examination. The suspect is reportedly in custody.
Man charged for threatening peace officer - also threatens to kill Prosecutor Gregory Reynolds, 56, was yesterday remanded to prison by City Magistrate Annette Singh on a threatening language charge. The charge stated that on March 15 at Bourda Outpost, Reynolds, used abusive language towards Woman Corporal Bruce.
According to information, Reynolds went to the outpost, and while speaking with Corporal Bruce, she turned her back to converse with Corporal Moore when the defendant struck her in the back with a phone card and used a series of abusive language towards her.
The court heard that another charge is forthcoming for disorderly behaviour in a Police Station and more charges are to follow as Reynolds threatened to kill City Police Corporal Baveghems as he was leaving the courtroom yesterday. Bail was denied and Reynolds was remanded to prison, he will make his next court appearance on April 4.
Tuesday March 21, 2017
PAGE 21
Kaieteur News
NY attorney general hires former As Iraqi forces fight to take Mosul, car bomb in Baghdad kills 23 people federal prosecutor as he pursues Trump
A federal policeman carries his weapon as he stands near buildings destroyed in clashes during a battle against Islamic State militants, in Mosul. (Reuters) Islamic State militants captured an Iraqi police colonel and eight other officers on Monday after they ran out of ammunition during a skirmish in the battle for western Mosul, an Iraqi Interior Ministry official said. The official, who declined to be identified, said the incident took place as Government forces closed in on Islamic State fighters in the Old City and other districts, in an offensive intended to crush the hardline group in what was once the de facto capital of their self-proclaimed Islamic caliphate. A media officer for the Interior Ministry’s Rapid Response units, Lieutenant Colonel Abdel Amir alMohammedawi, denied that any police officers had been captured when asked for comment. But the Interior Ministry official told Reuters the nine men were seized in the early hours of Monday in the Bab Jadid district. Federal police sources later said the officers had been killed and Iraqi forces were trying to recover the bodies.
Islamic State has a record of torturing and mutilating captives - civilian and military - so the incident will weigh heavily of the minds of the government troops in the street-by-street fighting for western Mosul, now in its second month. In the capital, Baghdad, a car bomb killed at least 23 people and wounded more than 45 in a mainly Shi’ite southern district, police and medical sources said. The blast occurred on a busy commercial street in the Amil neighborhood, the sources said. There was no claim of responsibility, but Islamic State has carried out similar attacks in Baghdad and other cities as their hold on Mosul weakens. Federal Police and Rapid Response units backed by helicopter gunships pressed their cautious advance on the alNuri Mosque in western Mosul’s Old City on Monday. The battle for Iraq’s second city is expected to last several more weeks. The offensive was launched in
October with support from U.S. artillery, air strikes and advisers, and the eastern side of the city on the Tigris river was secured in December. The campaign for the western side is harder. The area is more densely populated, the streets are narrower and the houses closely packed together. RESIDENTS FLEE Attention has focused on the Old City and the alNuri Mosque, from where Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi proclaimed the caliphate after his forces had seized swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria in 2014. Baghdadi and other Islamic State leaders have fled Mosul, their whereabouts unknown, but the militants still hold several other western districts beyond the Old City and are defending them with sniper and mortar fire and suicide car bombs. U.S. officials estimate that about 2,000 Islamic State fighters remain there. At the same time, Islamic State forces in the Syrian city of Raqqa are under attack in a parallel conflict.
GMC duo to go on trial for fraud... From page 19 offence were Hanniel Madramootoo, the husband of De Souza-Madramootoo, his brother Phillip Madramootoo and his friend Nizam Ramkissoon, Directors of Constantine Engineering and Construction Services Limited, Trinidad and Tobago. However, the charges were withdrawn against them based on advice from the Di-
rector of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Charges were recommended against Hassan and the other persons after the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU) completed its report into the investigations of the multimillion-dollar construction of the GMC office building. A forensic audit report submitted last year April by auditor, Saykar Boodhoo, had
flagged the construction, citing several worrying things at GMC, an agency of the Ministry of Agriculture. The forensic audit report was sent to Cabinet where it was decided that the findings of the report were serious enough to warrant a deeper investigation into not only the construction of the building but also into the handling of hundreds of millions of dollars of fertilizers.
(Reuters) New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, who has been looking into investments of U.S. President Donald Trump and other matters related to the Trump administration, on Monday said he has hired two lawyers with federal government experience. In a memo to his staff on Monday, Schneiderman said he had hired former federal prosecutor Howard Master as senior enforcement counsel. Master was previously deputy chief of the criminal division of the U.S. attorney’s office in Manhattan. He left the U.S. attorney’s office on March 8. In addition, Eric Haren, chief counsel to Sen. Dianne Feinstein, will join the office as special counsel and senior adviser on Monday, the memo said. Feinstein is the ranking member on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Master will lead “complex affirmative investigations and litigation as well as advise on important investigations and prosecutions in the criminal division,” Schneiderman
wrote. A person familiar with the matter said that includes issues involving the Trump administration. Under U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara, Master prosecuted public integrity cases, including the case against former New York assembly speaker Sheldon Silver on corruption charges. Bharara was fired by Trump earlier this month. Haren has experience in civil rights, constitutional law, data privacy, and security and criminal law, Schneiderman’s memo said. He will provide experience in federal law and the internal workings of Congress and federal agencies, according to the memo. Master did not return a call for comment and Haren could not be reached. A White House spokeswoman did not immediately comment Monday. Schneiderman last month told reporters in Washington that his office was researching Trump’s business investments. “As a general matter, it is not sustainable for him to refuse to divest from all of
these vast holdings and refuse to disclose what those holdings are,” the attorney general said. “It is so far beyond the bounds of anything that anyone has ever attempted that people are having trouble coming up with a clear legal strategy to address it,” Schneiderman said. Schneiderman also has joined lawsuits against Trump’s travel ban, which temporarily bars the entry of people from six Muslim-majority countries and refugees to the United States. In addition, he has been probing Trump’s charitable foundation, which came under increased scrutiny following reports by The Washington Post of possible improprieties. In November, the foundation filed forms saying it violated a ban on so-called self-dealing. In 2013, Schneiderman brought a fraud case against Trump o v e r “Trump University,” a series of real estate seminars. Trump agreed to settle that case in November.
PAGE 22
VEHICLE FOR SALE
FOR SALE
VACANCY
FOR RENT
1-Leyland DAF GRR Series; excellent condition. Call: 6804101 Dwayne Stephen Auto Sales! New Shipment of Vehicle: Rush, Blue Bird, Note, Axio, Allion. Call: 665-2330/ 6486869
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
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: 663-1876 Vreed-en-Hoop Junction: office, storage bond, lesson place, church -$20,000 per month. Call: 603-6400 Bottom flat house @ 25 North Road & Oronoque Street, fully furnished/ air condition/ residence /business.Call: 226-7012
SERVICES
SALON
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620
- Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. - Cosmetology Courses: $120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 6471773/660-5257
Next to new 2013 Silver Nissan March PWW series, new magrims & new tyres – price $2.6M negotiable. Call: 660-6145 Rita
Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyana p assport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 6267040; 265-4535.
Salon Dior, Industry, E.C.D, best in hair care, nail designs. Call: 600-2455/ 216-4097 for appointment.
Tractor Foreign used Massey Ferguson 165$1.7M, MF 135- $1.2M, MF 265-$2.2M, MF 165 Loader Tractor -$2.4M. Call: 682-5230 2005 Tacoma from Canada $2.4M ford 150 sports -$1.6M, Ford Ranger Sports - $1.5M. Call: 682-5230
INNOVATIVEMARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Repairs to washers, dryers, stoves, deep fryers, control system etc. Call: 619-0793/ 699-8802
PROPERTY FOR SALE Transported property @ Grove and Diamond $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461
Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158
House & Land available for sale. Contact Pacific Development Inc @ Lot 3 Church Street, G/Town. Call: 223-6035/227-8274
Not working Vehicles: 1 Surf, 2 Pathfinders, 1 Bobcat, 3 Toyota Cars, 1 Canter, 1 Fiber glass boat. Call: 227-4377/ 624-6013
TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 225-7878 (24HRS)
35yrs Experience Spraying and repairing all types of furniture, also floors, spindles, all different stripes. Call: 677-6679/ 662-7965 PEN PAL Indian Male is seeking a serious relationship with female between age 20-30. Call: 653-09975
MASSAGE The Gent’s Spa: Massage done by Tiffany, mobile services. Book appointment now! Call: 677-5465
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 Fibre-Tech 220 9192/6907. Fiberglass, Resin materials in any quantity all for your repairs. Great Deals on video games & all gaming consoles. PC, video games & repairs – Call: 672-2566; 265-3231 1 Big music set for sale, owner migrating.Call: 6905225 Beauty Salon equipment. Call/whatsapp: 270-5074/ 259-3153/655-2142/616-6221
WANTED Singh AC Service & Refrigeration, repairing auto A/C, washer, fridge & stove @ ZZ Durban Street Wortmanville. Call: 698-7807/ 683-6741 Passport, permanent & visitor visa application, Professional Immigration Consultant – Sabita Immigration Services. Call: 225-6496/ 662-6045
Tuesday March 21, 2017
Kaieteur News
One driver/porter from Diamond, Grove area. Call: 2161043, 677-6620
One 312 CL CAT Excavator Short Broom, owner leaving country, mint condition, 4600hrs, asking $14M. Call: 625-2685
Urgently needed workers to work at Ice Company @ Meadow Bank Wharf, training provided. Call: 2311408/ 642-9191/ between 8am-1pm.
One Diesel welding generator 4 cylinder, 16000 W, Miller welding, generator new. Call: 6994300/ 228-2734
One shop assistant to work in the Interior, must have experienced. Call: 678-0565 Female worker wanted sound secondary education, computer literate-Tel: 6225518 Farm Workers, preferably couple. Call: 265-3586 (8:00am-4:00pm, Mon- Sat) Live-in domestic must know to cook Indian Dishes $80,000 monthly, boarding & lodging free 25-40yrs – Call: 610-5043
Fully Setup taxi service with 16 Radio sets, location Sherriff Street. S e r i o u s i n q u i r y o n l y. Call:695-0704 Design & Make Aluminum windows, doors, stainless rails, showcases, rolling shutters, make & install automatic doors. Call: 2336818/677-5599/659-9999
Accounts Clerk for Eccles, Industrial Site area knowledge of NIS, PAYE, VAT, Quickbooks. Call: 6144358 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 Gardener , watchman, handyman, guard – Call: 2237500 Monday – Friday 8:154:15pm, Saturday 8:15am1:15pm Employment Available @ Hicks Ville Hotel: washer/ presser and hotel attendants. Call: 231-0951/ 223-3448 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 1 Handyman with electrical knowledge @ Shield Intigrated Systems @ 57 Brickdam Road, to make appointments. Call: 690-6679 IT Technician to manage network at Shield Intigrated Systems at 57 Brickdam Road, to make appointment. Call: 690-6679 High-level client care management support specialists wanted. Contact jobs@expresstruckingcorp.com or 227-6025 for inquiries
1 Bottom flat 2 bedrooms @ Diamond E.C.D – Call: 6641030/ 654-7081 Three bedrooms bottom flat @ Lamaha Gardens. Call: 2255084/ 689-6001 Fully furnished three bedrooms, top flat, opposite Georgetown Hospital School of Nursing. Call: 225-3756/ 662-0973 1 Bedroom apartment well secured for working person $35,000 monthly, light, garbage included. Call: 638-8858 Three storey 75ftX25ft building/bond. Call: 2230654/ 225-0604 Bottom flat for rent @ Diamond Scheme. Call: 6792928/678-3388 Upper flat for rent 3 bedrooms in Atlantic Gardens- Call: 2274377/227-0613/624-6013 1-One bedroom apartment located at Nurses Section, ‘C’ Field Turkeyen. Call Lisa: 697-8867
ACCOMMODATION Secret Villa apartments fully furnished, hot & cold water, Jacuzzi, air condition from $20USD daily. Call: 225-6337/ 266-5244/668-0306
Fox tail, palm plants 2 and 3 feet tall wholesale - $300 each. Call: 638-8858
ACCOMMODATION Harmony Inn: Furnished self contained apartments & rooms from $20USD daily. Call: 218-1400/ 694-7817
Live in or live out waitress. Call: 643-9007/ 666-4647
CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP REATES,SPECIALOFFERS FOR THE SEASON. CALL: 690-6494
CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 677-7827, 6435122 ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL: PICKUP, 9-11 SEAT MIN BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPOTR & FAMILY OUTING, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807
Urgently needed investor to invest in gold purchasing in the Interior. Call: 658-7553 Female between age 35-50 to c a r e f o r a e l d e r l y person, A.S.A.P – Call: 692-1300 Responsible Hire Car Drivers. Call: 231-7200 Driver for water truck, preferably on the E.B.D- Call/ Whatsapp: 682-1048
LAND FOR SALE
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).
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 Transported corner lot with approved building plan @ 90 Garnett & Republic Streets, Newtown Kitty. Call: 6016000/227-3305
HEALTH Dietitian’s Clinic: dietary counseling for all disease conditions, BMI check, blood pressure testing etc. Call: 231-9335 Have your health checked through iridology- Monday April 3. Call Hazel’s Herbal Store: 226-9136
Tuesday March 21, 2017
PAGE 23
Kaieteur News
Dismal nursing exam results...
“I am not responsible nor is our party”- former Health Minister The nursing programme offered by the Ministry of Public Health was long positioned to yield successful results. This is according to former Minister of Health under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/ C ) r e g i m e , D r. B h e r i Ramsarran. However, following on the heels of the outcome of the most recent sitting of the Professional Nurses State Final Examination, which revealed dismal performances, Dr. Ramsarran is q u e stioning whether the enormous efforts that the PPP/C Government had employed were sustained. “We are no longer in power, so I don’t know if what we started was continued. Lots of groundwork was done...I don’t know what would have happened and what the present policy is.” There are reports that under the PPP/C regime, a massive number of students were accepted by the Ministry for training. This at one point, an official revealed, amounted to in excess of 200 students in a single classroom. The intake then, the official told this publication, was too tremendous when the complement of staff was taken into consideration. But according to Dr. Ramsarran, an increase intake of students was warranted because “we were building more hospitals and we needed more nurses and doctors. If you are building more hospitals you will need more nurses and doctors.” He however noted that while there were challenges that were observed during his tenure, moves were made to address these. “They were identified and they were being addressed...it was a work in progress. More qualified people were being attracted to nursing...it was
not just being looked at as employment but as a passion,” related Dr. Ramsarran, even as he asserted that there exists a plan of action, which should be in the possession of the Public Health Ministry, to substantiate his claims. “Extensive work was done to address the challenges we found,” the Former Health Minister quipped. As such Dr. Ramsarran yesterday asked, “Did the quality improvement we started go on? For example, we were supposed to attract better staff as teachers, but did that go on? We need to check that, I don’t know what happened after we left power...” Moreover, the former Minister of Health asserted “the mistakes that are being made now I am not responsible for nor is our party [PPP].” “I know the PPP had done a lot...we had people come in and check our programme with the help of the Pan American Health Organisation PAHO and other universities – centres of excellences. I’d supposed there were many improvements since I’ve been out of the system,” said Dr. Ramsarran, as he reiterated that among the deliberate moves of the Ministry under his tenure was to ensure that the individuals entering the nursing programme “were more and more qualified in terms of CXC.” In fact, he spoke of the nursing programme being reviewed by top nursing officials drawn from both the Caribbean and Canada. “These are policy issues, and in our time we tried to address these, including the quality of [student] nurses coming in, although there were still some provisions to assist those who passionately wanted to do nursing but had some difficulties. For example, they might come in
with one subject missing, but they had to get it done within a certain period of time,” Dr. Ramsarran explained. Added to this, he revealed “We had so many people wanting to go to the nursing school...so we started a night school as any matured environment does. Nursing doesn’t only have to be done in the day. That was among some of the things we did, and at the same time the curriculum was reviewed...under the aegis of PAHO, and they did a review of the bank of questions too,” Dr. Ramsarran insisted. He recalled that even
though there was an increased intake and a simul-
ports that suggest among the worst nursing examination results that the Health Ministry has ever seen, was those who participated in the examination in 2 0 1 4 . A t t h a t t i m e D r. Ramsarran was Minister of Health. On that occasion 19 out of 267 students secured overall passes. The recent sitting of the Professional Nurses Examination represented a re-sit of the October 2016 examination which saw 23 out of 179 candidates gaining passes in the five testing areas. Among those who passed were a few who had repeated courses.
Public servants mull court action over Yarde’s 30-year reign
GPSU members picketing outside the union’s headquarters yesterday By Brushell Blackman As the picketing exercise continued yesterday outside the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU)’s headquarters at the junction of Shiv Chanderpaul Drive and Regent Street, Bourda, the protestors indicated that they are
16 teachers awarded for 30 years service, dedication After 30 years of dedication and commitment to teaching, 16 teachers were shown appreciation for their long service at the St. Francis Community Developers Conference Hall on Wednesday last. The Department of Education in collaboration with the Region Six Democratic Council held its Regional Award Ceremony to recognize the service of teachers and the outstanding performances of learners. The awardees came from the Nursery, Primary and Secondary schools The award ceremony also catered for the “Oustanding Performances” of pupils who sat National Grades Two, Four and Six Examinations. Top Performers at Caribbean Examina-
Former Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsarran
taneous move to enhance the quality of nurses, there was “quite a furore.” But according to D r. Ramsarran, since the Ministry under the former regime was determined to realise its goal, “we moved [some] nursing classes into Kingston, into a building that is well cut-up internally for classrooms.” A c c o r d i n g t o D r. Ramsarran, the Ministry had first utilised the Fort Street, Kingston, Georgetown building to facilitate its Medex programme and then the nurses’ programme was transferred there. However, there are re-
tions Council (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) were also acknowledged. Two pupils were awarded as Top Performers for the National Grade Two Assessment, four pupils for the National Grade Four Assessment and ten for the National Grade Six Assessment. Eleven studen t s w ere awarded for outstanding academic performances at the Caribbean Examinations Council and two for their performance at the CAPE. Tenesha Innis of Lighttown Primary was awarded for her top performance at CPCE New Amsterdam Centre. Among persons who were also awarded were 19 retirees.
contemplating taking GPSU president Patrick Yarde to court over the 30-year monopoly he has had over the presidency of the union. Addressing the media, Jermaine Hermanstyne said that they plan to challenge Yarde on two fronts in court; that Yarde is 72 years old, and that he has been at the helm of the GPSU since 1987. Hermanstyne explained that Yarde being 72 goes against the union’s Constitution and he is clearly over the required age to be president. Hermanstyne did not say what the age requirement for the GPSU president is, as is stipulated by the said constitution. He also said that members plan to challenge the transparency of the elections process that selects the GPSU president. Hermanstyne was asked what the difference will be in this instance, since members have previously hauled Yarde before the courts for a similar wrangling and those challenges proved futile. Hermanstyne, a former
GPSU employee, who alleges that he was forced out of the union by Yarde, said that they cannot sit back and allow Yarde to treat the union like his personal property. Hermanstyne said that under Yarde’s leadership membership has declined, and there has not been a satisfactory wage negotiation in recent times. He also said that Yarde is in the habit of ‘calling out’ people about imposition and high-handedness when he is doing the same thing at the GPSU. “Why it is that no one else is able to lead this union?”
Hermanstyne said that they are currently galvanizing more support from across the public service, and it is hoped with this mobilization that members “will see the back of the president”. According to another protestor, Yarde has threatened to serve them with lawyer’s letters for the picket that they have staged outside the union’s headquarters. One woman said that although she has no issue with his age, “it’s about time the president demit the office and allow a younger person with fresh ideas to lead the union”.
PAGE 24
Trinidad jolted by strong tremor PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – An earthquake with a magnitude of 4.9 jolted Trinidad and Tobago yesterday but there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.
The Seismic Research centre (SRC) of the University of the West Indies (UWI), said that the quake, which occurred at 3.01 pm (local time) had a depth of 10 kilometres.
It said felt in Port of Spain and Arima, east of here as well as in Scarborough, the capital of Tobago. The location of the quake was given as Latitude 11.26N and Longitude: 60.92W.
Opposition Leader describes indentureship as conscious act to enslave Indians PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Opposition Leader Kamla Persad Bissessar says indentureship was a” deliberate and conscious act to enslave Indians” who were brought to the Caribbean as “new slaves”. Addressing the closing of the Indian Diaspora Council on Sunday night, Persad Bissessar, the first woman of Indian descent to become prime minister here, said that the history books have called the slavery of Indians “indentureship but that is just a euphemism for the brutality that characterized Indian labour on the plantations. “The promise of a better life was a mirage that ended the moment they boarded the ships that brought them here,” she told the event, adding that Britain shipped three and a half million Indians to far corners of the planet to work on plantations in the British Empire. She said just over 147,000 Indians came to Trinidad and only about a quarter of them ever saw their homeland again; thousands died on the plantations struggling to complete their contracts. The majority made Trinidad their home. “Once they sailed, they displayed a level of courage and faith that laid foundations upon which we have all built our lives. “They arrived in a land with no family to receive them, shuttled to Nelson Island and then to the estates, with few possessions, a j a h a j i bundle, some containing their holy texts, the Ramayan, the Gita and the Koran and they came with their ability to work hard and their faith in their God.” She told the ceremony that the Indians were filled with an entrepreneurial spirit and a determination not to be
Tuesday March 21, 2017
Kaieteur News
Two charged in the death of a police woman PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Two persons, including a 36-year-old woman, will return to court on April 18 after they were charged with murder and illegally disposing of the body of woman police officer Nyasha Joseph, whose body was fished out of the sea last week. Melissa and Kenneth Browne, (not relatives) appeared before Chief Magistrate Marcia Ayers Caesar in the Port of Spain Eighth Court on Monday, less than 24 hours after the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) had given police the go-ahead to charge them. Kenneth Browne, 36, is charged with knowingly assisting in the murder of the
police officer, illegally disposing of a body, while Melissa Browne, 36, charged with murdering WPC Joseph some time between March 8 and March 16, at Sea Lots, just on the outskirts of the capital. She was not required to plead as the charge was laid indictably. The police woman had been reported missing on March 8, and her body was found by a fisherman in Gulf of Paria on March 16. The cause of her death could not be determined by the pathologist. Police said that the accused are not married but have a relationship. Meanwhile, defence attorney Criston J Williams told the court that he had written to
the Commissioner of Police and the head of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) requesting an investigation into the conduct of the police officers during their probe. He said the officers used unfair interrogation techniques and were disrespectful to the lawyers representing the accused. Williams said that when he and other attorneys attempted to meet with the accused during the investigation, the officers resisted and claimed that one police officer placed his hands on Williams in an attempt to push him away. Williams said his clients’ fundamental rights had been breached.
Government delays presentation of budget
Kamla Persad Bissessar at the same place where they began on arrival. “They did not accept their fate but created a future by defining the destiny they wanted for themselves and their families. “Indentureship was a deliberate and conscious act to enslave Indians. Indians were forced to live in squalor, their lives governed by the overseers and drivers on the estates. To the former slave drivers, nothing had changed,” she said. “Indians were routinely abused, flogged and even killed.” “To add to their misery, their women were raped with no law to protect and defend them; the magistrates understood that the only constituency that mattered was the elite planter class. “So don’t be misled by the British history books. Indentureship was a harsh, painful reality. It was slavery all over again. Our ancestors were treated worse than animals, their dignity dragged into the ground. “
But she said despite such treatment, the Indians’ spirit could not be broken and that “Trinidad and Tobago is a richer society because of the Indian experience and the customs and traditions our forefathers protected and kept for us”. During her address Persad Bissessar made reference to the ongoing debate regarding child marriage here saying the Hindu Marriage Act of 1945 made provision for the solemnization and registration of Hindu Marriages; the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act of 1961. “We have been hearing the debate raging about marriage age as the government seeks to change the law. That debate is still to continue before the House of Representatives in Parliament. “It has been most offensive to witness the denigration of our leaders of the Hindu Community and Muslim community who have been exercising their right to speak out against the change being proposed by government,” she said, praising the work of Sat Maharaj, the general secretary of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha, the main Hindu organisation here. She told the conference that 100 years later, “we are still fighting for full recognition and acceptance of our cultural and religious practices in a country that we helped build and where our national anthem boasts of equality for all”.
BRADES, Montserrat, CMC – The Montserrat government Monday said it has been forced to delay the presentation of the annual budget due to a delay by the United Kingdom in approving the island’s “Financial Aid Business Case”. The budget was originally scheduled to have been delivered on Thursday, but a
statement from the Office of the Premier noted that “it had become necessary to postpone the tabling of the Budget Appropriation Bill until the 13th of April” with the debate schedule for five days later. “The postponement is occasioned by the change in UK Ministerial responsibility, which has caused a delay in
the approval of Montserrat’s Financial Aid Business Case by the Uk Minister,” the statement said. It added that Premier Donaldson Romeo, who is also of Finance will authorise funds through the Consolidated Fund “to allow government spending to continue until the passing of the Appropriation Act in April”.
Justice Minister defends extradition of former rebel leader to United States
Justice Minister Camille Junior Edouard PORTAU PRINCE, Haiti, CMC – Outgoing Justice Minister Camille Junior Edouard has defended the decision to extradite former rebel leader Guy Philippe to the United States where he is facing charges of drug trafficking. Edouard refused to use the word “extradition” in the matter, saying that Philippe, who was elected to the Senate last November, was not covered by any parliamentary immunity. Last week, the Haitian Senate approved a resolution strongly condemning the ar-
rest and extradition of Philippe and also demanded his return “and all those who are illegally detained in the United States under the agreement of 17 October 1997”. Philippe, 48, who is in a US federal jail in Miami, has pleaded not guilty to the charges of cocaine trafficking and money laundering from 1997 to 2003. If convicted, he could face up to life in prison. The outgoing Minister of Justice said he had proceeded to a transfer measure of Philippe, under the principle
of continuity of the State. He said that since 2002 until his arrival at the Ministry, “81 people were arrested and handed over to the American courts” and that “Guy Philippe, who is on the front page of the news, is only the 82nd case to be dealt with by the Ministry of Justice. “We must stop this hypocrisy,” Edouard said, calling on the population to take into consideration all the issues involved in the matter. He said Philippe, who was elected to represent the Grand Anse region, in southwestern Haiti last November, at the time of his arrest “was not covered by the principle of immunity. “This protection granted by law to parliamentarians begins on the day of their taking of the oath,” Edouard said. The Senators last week also said they want to impeach Edouard in order “that he be tried before the High Court of Justice for a crime of high treason.” The resolution also urges the lawmakers to assist Guy Philippe and the members of his family. Philippe is due back in a US court during the week of April 3.
Tuesday March 21, 2017
Kaieteur News
PAGE 25
PAGE 26
Kaieteur News
Tuesday March 21, 2017
Tuesday March 21, 2017
Joseph, Louis bowl Hurricanes to crucial win KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC — Test seamer Alzarri Joseph combined with Jeremiah Louis to destroy Jamaica Scorpions’ second innings and propel Leeward Islands Hurricanes to a much needed 34-run victory, in an extraordinary, low-scoring seventh round game here Sunday. Chasing 149 to win at Sabina Park on the third day of the day/night contest, the hosts collapsed to 114 all out, with the 20-yearold Joseph picking up five for 43 — his fourth fivewicket haul in only his 15th first class game. Fellow pacer Louis, 21, finished with four for 23 to add to his four from the first innings, and end with match figures of eight for 27 which were good enough to earn him Man-of-the-Match honours.
Test batsman Jermaine Blackwood resisted with a top score of 47, an innings lasting 90 deliveries and a shade under 2-1/4 hours, and including four fours and a six. But the right-hander found little support and his 37-run, eighth wicket stand with Jerome Taylor (19) was the best of the innings. Earlier, Hurricanes fought their way to 133 — the highest innings total of the game — after resuming on a precarious 31 for five. Their fightback was due to a wicketkeeper Jahmar Hamilton’s invaluable 45 and Louis’s 23. When Hurricanes slumped further to 63 for seven, the pair combined in a 63-run, eighth wicket partnership — the best of the game — to rally the innings. Hamilton faced 98 deliveries in 143 minutes and struck
five fours, before he was eighth out. Pacers Rovman Powell (212) and Jerome Taylor 2-21, along with leg-spinner Damion Jacobs (2-28) and leftarm spinner Nikita Miller (243) all claimed two wickets each. A whopping 25 wickets fell on Saturday’s second day after the first day was abandoned due to persistent rain. Scores: HURRICANES 71 (Rahkeem Cornwall 29, Kacey Carty 26; Jeromec Taylor 5-31, Nikita Miller 2-4, Marquino Mindley 2-13) & 133 (Jahmar Hamilton 45, Jeremiah Louis 23; Rovman Powell 2-12, Jerome Taylor 221). SCORPIONS 56 (Jeremiah Louis 4-4, Gavin Tonge 4-16, Alzarri Joseph 236) and 114 (Jermaine Blackwood 47; Alzarri Joseph 5-43, Jeremiah Louis 4-23).
Tuesday March 21, 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Today is a great time to form or strengthen romantic relationships, Aries. If you aren't involved, chances are you will meet someone. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) This is an ideal day to begin a creative venture. You've had many ideas and creative urges. Today it's time to choose one and take the first step to making your vision a reality. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Your naturally loving nature gets a boost today, Gemini. You could look especially attractive, so don't be surprised if you draw admiring looks from strangers. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Your energy might turn toward beautifying your home, Cancer. Perhaps you've decided to repaint or go in a completely new direction in your decorating taste. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) A number of loving communications may come your way from people who live in distant states or exotic lands. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) A small amount of money might come your way today, Virgo. It could be a gift, dividend, or bonus. You may want to squander it on gifts for yourself and others rather than put it to more practical use, which is perfectly fine! LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)
PAGE 27
Kaieteur News
You should feel and look great today, Libra. Your charm and social skills are at a high level, and your joviality and gift for conversation should make you a welcome guest at any social event. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Your psychic abilities and imagination are operating at a very high level, Scorpio. You face other people with a profound, spiritual love. They will return it! SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Some friends associated with a group you admire might take you to some kind of rally, Sagittarius. This could be a lot of fun for you. You could make some new friends. CAPRI (Dec.22–Jan.19) You're naturally a kind, compassionate person, Capricorn. Today your feelings are likely to be focused not only on those close to you but also on all the world's population. TUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) With today's planetary aspects, Aquarius, you're likely to feel a rush of love. This includes love for family, friends, partner, and all life forms. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Your psychic and intuitive faculties are wide open and receptive. Don't be surprised by what you pick up today, even from strangers.
GTTA confirms eight teams for Caribbean Cadet, Junior Championships The Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) has confirmed eight teams for the Caribbean Cadet and Junior Table Tennis Championships that will be hosted here, April 13-18 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, Homestretch Avenue. Those teams are Barbados, Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba, Jamaica, St. Vincent, Suriname and French Guiana. Guyana will also play in the tournament scheduled for the Easter Weekend. “The competition will be used as the qualification event for the 2nd Pan American Junior and Cadet Championships scheduled for the United States in September,” a GTTA press release said. The top four teams from the Caribbean will join four from Central America and four teams from South America at the Pan American competi-
tion. The Cadet and Junior Championship engages players aged 15 years and under and 18 years and under. The tournament will provide the opportunity for 32 of Guyana’s top junior players to play against the region’s best for regional honours. “The GTTA has already shortlisted the squad to be announced in view of starting preparations. Last year, Guyana’s junior team secured a silver medal in a three-way tie between the host and winners, Dominican Republic and Trinidad and Tobago,” the release continued. “The local players will be looking to use their home advantage to put in a more outstanding performance in view of securing qualification for the prestigious Pan American Championships,” it added. The junior boys’ team
Dexter ‘The Kid’ Marques... (From page 31) in awe. Marques has immediately commenced sparring sessions and boxed a total of 10 rounds with three amateur boxers, Isaiah Moore, Marlon Darrel and Keevin Allicock. It is early days yet and Marques will be engaging in many other sparring sessions but he looked sharp on Sunday and will only get better. His trainer, Daniels, seemed pleased but nevertheless cautioned that the journey has only now begun. “We are not certain of our opponent’s ability but we are leaving anything to chance,” said Daniels when quizzed on his charge’s approach to the bout. The veteran trainer is confident of his charge’s ability and is assured that he will whip himself into shape in time for his ring date. Marques also engaged in several stiff rounds on the heavy punching bag, serious abdominals exercises, skipping and a hectic session of calisthenics. He is confident of attaining top physical and mental condition for the bout. Marques fights the main bout of a card that includes several potentially action packed affairs including lightweight, Imran ‘Magic’ Khan against Keeve ‘Killer’Allicock while Edmond DeClou tackles Winston Pompey in an 8 rounds super/middleweight clash. Three amateur bouts will complete the card including the bantamweight bout between women contenders, Rewinne David against Akeela Malazon, Jackford Joseph against Stephan
Gouveia in a welterweight clash and Kelon Isaacs up against Euel Agustin.
provides a very formidable line up to covet the junior boys’ team title with the likes of Miguel Wong, Elishaba Johnson and Kyle Edghill. Nicholas Romain will lead Guyana’s challenge in the 18 years and under Boys division; Tyriq Saunders, Terrence Rausche, Yeudistr Persuad, Kaysan Ninvalle, Brandon Jaikarran, Navindra Persaud, Jeremey Singh, Isaiah Layne, Niron Bissu, Khalil Ninvalle and Jonathan Van Lange will form part of the 18 years and under team. On the girls side Priscillia Greaves will lead Guyana’s challenge in the girls 18 years and under competition. She will form alliance with young Neveah Clarkston, Salenas Jackman, Jamali Homer, Abigale Martin, Onieka Philips, Davona Bess, Thuraia Thomas and Christie Lopes among others. The categories to be contested are: Boys – Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles and Girls – Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles in the respective age groups.
Kaieteur News
PAGE 28
Tuesday March 21, 2017
Chalitar, Mohamed guide Two man weightlifting squad for Manual GSSC to Farmers Cup final Suarez Weightlifting Tournament in Cuba David Chalitar grabbed four wickets, while Shazaam Mohamed hit a composed half century as Good Success SC defeated Noitgedacht SC by four wickets to secure their place in the final of the Wakenaam Cricket Committee Farmers Cup T20 tournament on Sunday. Batting first after winning the toss, Noitgedacht SC found the going tough and were bowled out for 101 in 18.4 overs at the Wakenaam Community Centre ground. Neal Ramalho struck 39 with five fours and two sixes while Leon Higgins made 15. Chalitar finished with 4 for 12; Nazeer Mohamed
David Chalitar had 2 for 14 and Wazir Khan 2 for 23. Good Success reply got
off to a terrible start losing four wickets in two overs with only one run on the board. H o w e v e r, S h a z a a m Mohamed and fourteen-year old Maheshwar Ramnarine stabilised the chase with a stand of 85. Mohamed struck six fours and two maximums before he was dismissed for 50. Ramnarine, who batted with great assurance, remained unbeaten on 30, while Nazeer Mohamed made nine not out. GSSC closed on 102-6 in 15.1 overs. Matthew Chung took 2 for 2 and Dellon Retimah had 2 for 13. GSSC will now play arch rivals Sans Souci in the final scheduled for Sunday at the said venue.
Erdogan says Olympic Committee playing ‘tricks’ on Turkey
Matthew Assing and Sean Cozier moments before their departure. Officials of the Guyana Amateur Weightlifting Association (GAWA) were forced to drastically reduce the number of participants, initially selected to represent this country at the Manual S u a r e z We i g h t l i f t i n g Tournament scheduled for 20 - 26 March 2017 in Havana Cuba. Consequently, Matthew
Assing has been selected to compete in the 69kg class. He left Guyana yesterday, accompanied by Sean Cozier, who acts in the capacity of manager/coach. The selectors had earlier named a five member team following the trials at the Michael Parris Fitness Centre, National Park, early
in February. However, due to the lack of funding the Association was forced to reduce its team size. The Association extends heartfelt gratitude to officials of the Friendship Oxygen Company and the Guyana Olympic Association, for their assistance in making the team’s participation a reality.
Fifa bans Ghanaian referee Joseph Lamptey for life for ‘match manipulation’ Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan makes a speech during a meeting in Istanbul, Turkey, March 19, 2017. (REUTERS/Murad Sezer)
( R e u t e r s ) Tu r k e y ’s president, who has angered European allies with charges of fascism and anti-Turkish s k u l l d u g g e r y, t o o k grievances to the sporting arena yesterday, accusing the International Olympic Committee of playing tricks to stop Istanbul hosting the event. Since the early years of his political career, Tayyip Erdogan has longed to bring the Olympics to Turkey, making it the first predominantly Muslim country to stage the event. Turkey has had five failed bids in the last six votes. “We may not have been able to bring the Olympics to our country yet, but you also know about the tricks being played here... I’ve experienced it myself,” he
told an International soccer summit in Istanbul, without specifying what the tricks might be. “They did not give us the Olympics even when we had the right. They gave the Olympics for the second time to those who hosted it before.” Erdogan has sought to raise Turkey’s international profile and influence, not shrinking from conflict with allies. This month, he has accused Germany of backing a network he blames for a failed coup and charged the Netherlands and Germany with fascism in banning Turkish politicians campaigning with Turkish expatriates for a referendum on new presidential powers.
Europe, he says, is mired in racism. In 2013, Tokyo won the 2020 Games, beating rival bids from Istanbul and Madrid. Turkey’s chances were seen as having been d e n ted b y m a s s an t i government protests in Istanbul. Erdogan, who previously served as mayor of Istanbul, said Turkey had proven its ability to host major events, adding its sports infrastructure had grown dramatically in his 14 years in national government. Tu r k e y h o s t e d t h e European Youth Olympic Festival in its eastern province of Erzurum in February 2016. The event marked the first time Turkey hosted the event in 25 years.
BBC Sport - Ghanaian referee Joseph Lamptey has been banned for life by Fifa for what it calls “match manipulation”. The ban results from a penalty he awarded to South Africa in a 2-1 win over Senegal in a 2018 World Cup qualifier in November. He penalised Kalidou Koulibaly for handball, but replays showed the ball hit his knee. Football’s world governing body says it will give more details “once the decision becomes final and binding”.Lamptey can now appeal to Fifa and the Court of Arbitration for Sport. One of his assistants, David Laryea, also from Ghana, had charges against him dismissed by Fifa’s disciplinary committee. The win for South Africa left them in second place in the four-team group after two matches, with Senegal in third. Lamptey, who also o ff i c i a t e d a t t h e R i o Olympics last year, declined
Ghanaian referee Joseph Lamptey has been banned for life by Fifa. (BackpagerXI) BBC Sport’s invitation to comment, saying he would do so later. The Senegal Football Federation (FSF), who made a complaint to Fifa over Lamptey, is happy with the decision. “Today there are many reasons to be happy about this decision - a decision that will be remembered as being significant but will also warn
everybody that they are being watched,” FSF vicepresident Abdoulaye Sow told BBC Sport. “All cheating and stealing will be punished according to its gravity. “Fifa has clearly struck a big blow and has promised in its decision to talk again about the match when the decision is final and binding.”
Kaieteur News
Tuesday March 21, 2017
EDFA Senior League
PAGE 29
Major brothers orchestrate upset win for Buxton Stars; Plaisance and BAPSC draw
By Franklin Wilson In what is being labeled an upset win, the young and emerging Buxton Stars Football Club on Sunday after last put away their more accomplished rivals, Ann’s Grove United 2-0 to maintain their unbeaten record (3 wins) when the East Demerara Football Association Senior League resumed at the Golden Grove ground, East Coast Demerara. Playing in the feature match of the double header, the young Buxton side which is under the guidance of G u y a n a ’s l o n e s e n i o r Female Coach Sheron Abrams and Sherman Thomas who leads the senior team, has shown they are coming of age by putting together a solid win against one of the best teams in the association handing them their first defeat of the league. The opening exchanges were fast and back and forth as both teams sought to gain the upper hand on a sunny afternoon. The experience of Ann’s Grove coming up against pure youth and exuberance of the Buxton lads served up great entertainment for the fans on hand. But a well oiled and trained young side with an average age of 24-years, the youngest being 16 year-old Shemar Kingston, who was introduced as a substitute in
Buxton Stars FC (yellow) attacking in numbers against Ann’s Grove United as goalie Travis Allen is called into action. (Franklin Wilson photo) the second half of the match, the Ann’s Grove side were always going to be tested and as it turned out, they did not quite stand up to the stern test. On 28 minutes, Buxton would take the lead through Kofi Major’s goal as the deadlock was broken. While it was not what Ann’s Grove was bargaining for, it was the desired shot in the arm that saw Buxton re-energised as they kept the pressure on their opponents. Just before the halfway mark, the consistent pressure brought to bear in the Ann’s Grove defensive third brought the required results for Buxton as they were awarded a penalty which Captain Jumali Major made no mistake with as he blasted
the shot past seasoned custodian Travis Allen. Their was no letting up between the two sides in the second period even as no more goals were scored, Buxton Stars going on to record a memorable win which would certainly boost their confidence for the remainder of the league. Sunday’s first match saw Plaisance battling back from a goal down to earn an equal share of the spoils in their c l ash with Bachelor ’s Adventure Paradise Sports Club. The latter had taken the lead through a Tyreek Cummings 20th minute goal. It was a lead that they enjoyed for quite some time as Plaisance were kept at bay up until the 72nd minute their persistence brought the
Kofi Major - Buxton Stars FC neutralising goal off the boot of Dwayne King. With the momentum now going their way,
Jumali Major - Captain Buxton Stars FC
Plaisance tried their best to sneak in the go ahead goal but that never materalised as the match ended 1-1.
League action will continue on Sunday at the same venue with another double header.
Handscomb-Marsh rearguard earns draw for Australia RANCHI, INDIA (Reuters) Resolute rearguard action by Peter Handscomb and Shaun Marsh helped Australia escape with a remarkable draw against India on the final day of the third test yesterday. Having conceded a 152run first innings lead, the tourists were reeling when skipper Steve Smith departed, leaving his team at 63-4 with more than two sessions to go and the hosts confident of a win. But Handscomb and Marsh battled on through the entire second session to first erase the deficit and then ensure Australia were safe by the time they were separated. Handscomb made 72 not out, his third test fifty, to help Australia finish on 204 for
six before the players shook hands. Marsh made 53, the duo frustrating India for nearly four hours with a dour 124run stand to shatter the hosts’ chances of going 2-1 up in the four-test series. “I’m very proud. They had magnificent plans, they backed their defence for a long time. To see the game out for as long as they did, it was an outstanding performance,” Smith told reporters. “That’s one of the things we’ve been talking about being resilient and being able to stick out at tough times. The way Peter and Shaun did that was absolutely magnificent.” India, buoyant after making 603 in their first innings and with Ravindra Jadeja having taken a couple
of late wickets the previous evening, came out hard at the Australians in the morning. Overnight batsmen Smith and Matt Renshaw resumed with Australia on 23 for two and denied the hosts for about 21 overs before falling in quick succession. Left-arm spinner Jadeja relentlessly attacked the rough outside Renshaw’s offstump, while Ishant Sharma bowled to Smith with a seven-two off-side field. Pumped up after an altercation with Renshaw, Sharma earned the breakthrough for India when he trapped the opener leg-before for 15 with a fuller delivery. A bigger blow awaited Australia in the next over when Jadeja, who claimed nine wickets in the match to go with an unbeaten fifty with the bat, spun one past
Smith’s advancing pad and uprooted the off-stump. Smith managed 21. Australia coach Darren Lehmann had asked his team on Sunday to learn from the focus and application shown by India’s Cheteshwar Pujara and Wriddhiman Saha whose 199-run partnership gave the hosts their commanding position. Handscomb and Marsh certainly did, thwarting the Indian bowlers for 62 overs on a fifth day wicket at the Jharkhand State Cricket Association Stadium. Jadeja eventually dismissed Marsh and Ashwin sent back Glenn Maxwell but Australia were safe by then. “They batted really well,” India captain Virat Kohli said of Australia’s fifth wicket partnership that denied his team a victory.
Australia’s Peter Handscomb and Shaun Marsh (R) run between the wickets. (REUTERS/Adnan Abidi)
“They were four down at lunch, credit to them that they did not lose another wicket in the following session.” The teams now move to Dharamsala for the final match from Saturday.
Scores: Australia 451 (Smith 178*, Maxwell 104, Jadeja 5-124) and 204 for 6 (Handscomb 72*, Marsh 53, Jadeja 4-54) drew with India 603 for 9 declared (Pujara 202, Saha 117, Vijay 82, Cummins 4-106).
Kaieteur News
PAGE 30
Tuesday March 21, 2017
Final day Digicel Regional First-Class Cricket
Hetymer’s unbeaten 44 powers Jaguars to early win By Sean Devers in Trinidad In association with Cascadia Hotel, Stag Beer & V n e t Communications A brutal unbeaten 44 from 20 year-old Shemron Hetymer ensured leaders Guyana Jaguars took just 42 minutes into the final day of their Digicel Regional FirstClass seventh round fixture against T&T’s Red Force to gallop to an emphatic 10wicket win yesterday at a sun kissed Queen’s Park Oval yesterday. Scores: Red Force (202 & 183) Jaguars (330 & 560). The left-handed Hetymer, Captain of 2016 World Cup U-19 Champion West Indies, set the ‘Oval’ on fire with an array of murderous boundaries from the word go. He clobbering seven savagely struck fours and a huge six off pacer Anderson Phillip. His destructive innings lasted just 40 balls and 59 minutes as the Jaguars, set 55 from four overs on Sunday and the entire yesterday, raced to 56 without loss in 12.4 overs. In total contrast, the right-handed Rajendra Chandrika labored for 33 balls in an unconvincing 10 not out and never looked settled. But in the end Chandrika, who appeared to be batting on a different pitch against different bowlers
The end! The third successive win for the Jaguars came inside an hour into the final day’s play in POS yesterday. than Heytmer, was still there when the Jaguars extended their unbeaten record to five matches since they last lost by four wickets to the Leewards Hurricanes in St Kitts last year. Left-arm spinner Ve e r a s a m m y P e r m a u l finished with nine wickets in the game, including a sevenwicket haul in the second innings and was named Manof-the-Match. Guyana increased their lead to 100.2 points, 12.8 points ahead of second
placed Barbados Pride, their opponents in their next game, the first ever Regional fourday game to be played over five days at the Kensington Oval from Thursday. Watched by two men and a dog, the Jaguars resumed on 3-0 and Chandrika, with no movement of his feet nearly chopped a short ball from pacer Marlon Richards onto his off stump and scampered a single to start the ‘Shemron Hetymer’ show. The Berbician from
Canefield in Canje, stroked Richards sweetly past midoff when the Guyanese born pacer over-pitched, before taking a liking to Phillip. Hetymer greeted Phillip with a thunderous pull to the mid-wicket boundary and followed it up with a disdainful clip of his legs through square leg for four. He was not done yet and waded into to Phillip and deposited him over the rope at long-on before finishing off the over with a scintillating extra cover
drive which reached the boundary like a scud-missile. Chandrika in the meantime played and missed outside the off stump a few times before surviving a confident caught behind appeal off Richards when he was on four. A big drive by Hetymer o ff t h e h a r d w o r k i n g Richards flew past the slip cordon for four before he hammered the pacer back past him for another boundary as Chandrika was
the silent partner at the nonstriker’s end. Hetymer, already with four fifties this season, danced into off-spinner Bryan Charles and stroked him confidently through cover for a couple to move to 35, while Chandrika remained stuck on four. Hetymer, with scores of 74 and 42 in Jamaica, ended the contest by hitting leftarm spinner Khary Pierre for a blistering boundary to bring to an end the 42-minute massacre.
Bel Air Lions Club / Supligen Domino Competition
Linden, Wakenaam confirm participation Organisers of the upcoming Bel Air Lions Club / Supligen Domino Competition confirmed that the March 25-26 event will easily surpass the original target of thirtytwo teams, making it even bigger than the inaugural tournament. This is according to Lion Orlando James, who spoke via telephone with Kaieteur Sport yesterday when he stated that word from the Georgetown Domino Association (GDA) is projecting a much larger turnout of teams with communities such as Linden and Wakenaam confirming teams participation. James, one of the members of the Organising Committee for the Bel Air Lions Club, said that main sponsor Supligen indicated
its intention to add incentive for teams registering early and has offered to give each team twelve (12) packets of Supligen upon completion of registration which has been pushed back to March 24 to accommodate teams desirous of participating. He informed that defending champion Sheriff Street Saga Boys Captain in an invited comment said they were confident of retaining the title won at the inaugural tournament and will be presenting a strong side in defence of the crown. James added that teams are expressing an eagerness to support a worthy cause with the host already indicating that all proceeds will go towards community projects that is geared to benefit the lesser fortunate
within the society. Among the teams invited to participate are: Killers, Upper Level, Sherriff Street Saga Boys, Masters, Scramblers, Ray’s One Stop, All Seasons, GGMC, Thunder, Strikers, F&H Supremes, Impressers, F r a n k i e ’s , L i o n s A , Spartans, Lions B, Transport, Freddie’s 6, Police and NIS. With over $500,000 in total prize monies up for grabs, the two-day tournament which will be played, at the Bel Air Lions Den in Section ‘K’, Campbellville. The winning team will receive $250,000, 2nd place $150,000 and 3rd place $100,000 along with trophies. Entrance fee is $12,000 per team and the Most
Valuable Player will receive $10,000 and a case of Supligen.
-entries will exceed thirty-two
GDA Organising Secretary Mark ‘Jumbie’ Wiltshire (right) seen in action during a tournament.
Kaieteur News
Tuesday March 21, 2017
PAGE 31
Lady Budapest thumps them again at KMTC It may be carrying the name of a famous city, but imported from the USA in 2014, Lady Budapest of the Bactowar stable at Bush Lot, Corentyne, Berbice is making a name for itself in Guyana. The animal once again it its trade mark way produced a stunning finish to take top honours in the feature D and lower one mile event when the Kennard Memorial Turf Club held their annual Phagwah Horserace meet. The event, which was held on Sunday at the Club’s Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne, Berbice track, saw Lady Budapest ridden by Jamaican Brian Blake showing that, its recent double victories were no fluke as it thumped a top class field to win the $900,000 money and DDL trophy. As the animals were out of the starting gates in an event break and Honey Flow and Just Call Me Boss were out front as the race picked up speed early. There was some bumping as the 10 horse field jostled for position early. Favorite Spit Fire was bumped early and was thrown off its stride. By then the race was going at tremendous speed as the animals were at full flight. As the horses continued to
The veteran Leroy Cort winning the L Class Open race. throttle away into the far turn it was still anyone’s race. However, as the animals hit the homestretch it was Lady Budapest with Blake taking charge that ran from down in the pack to take the lead and distance itself for an easy eight lengths triumph. Good Will Boy of the Jagdeo stable finished second with Honey Flow of the Nand Persaud Stable third and Keep on Swinging of the Jumbo Jet Stable fourth. Release the Beast with Randolph Richmond riding of The Jumbo Jet Stable ate up the field in the E and Lower non-winners event for 2016 and 2017 and F and lower animals. Brake Sky ran a brave race as it secured second ahead of Got To Go and Climate Change.
There was a dead heat in the H one and lower event, as not even the camera could have separated the front running T and T of the Nand Persaud Stable and the fast finishing Isn’t She Charming of the Jumbo Jet stable. The fast finishing Cat Messiah finished third ahead of It’s my Turn and Firing Line. The I3 and Three Year old Guyana bred event saw Seven Dust ridden by Colin Ross winning from Party Time, Mary Ann with Puppy Tail wagging for fourth. The Shariff Stable was in winner ’s row as Mischievous Maker with the Trinidadian Nicholas Patrick in the saddles ran away with the Guyana Bred maiden race from Miss Anjalie, Saria and King Stanley. The J3 event saw Red Jet
with Prem “Light Weight” Chandra blazing to victory with Miss Olympic copping second ahead of Plane Land and Red Region. Veteran Rider Leroy Cort, who has not been in a saddle for a long time, threw back the years as he took to the saddle abode Slim Shady
to ride away easily with the L Class Open race. The other places were occupied by Royal Son Confusion and Secret Thinker. The L class non winners match up saw Flow Joe piloted by Kevin Paul winning from Lil Dude, Easy Lion and Royal Blaze.
The Nand Persaud Stable rode away with the champion stable accolade. Mohendra Persaud was the champion trainer. The top jockey on show was Prem Chandra with Randolph Richmond the runner up. (Samuel Whyte)
Justice Cecil Kennard assists in presenting the Kennard Memorial trophy in the 3 year old race.
Wins for Everest, GCC, DCC and Police By Zaheer Mohamed Everest, Georgetown Cricket Club, Demerara Cricket Club and Police registered victories when the Georgetown Cricket Association Carib Beer First Division T20 tournament continued on Sunday. Host DCC defeated GNIC SC by eight wickets. Batting first, GNIC SC scored 149-7. Ryan Shun continued his fine form with his second half century in as many matches, hitting four fours and a similar number of sixes in a top score of 52 while David Dick made 28 and Jason George 24 not out. Steven Sankar claimed 2-31 and Trevon Garraway had 235. DCC responded with 150-2 in 16.5 overs. Tevin Imlach struck seven fours and seven sixes in a robust unbeaten 87 off 44 balls while Brian Sattaur made 39.
At Malteenoes SC, the host went down to GCC by seven wickets. Medium pacer Robin Bacchus provided the visitors with the breakthrough by having Kandasammy Surujnarine (02) caught before left arm spinner Anthony Adams removed Stephan Browne (01) leaving the score at 92. Adams then had Steven Jacobs lbw for 15 while Orin Forde was dismissed for nine as the host slipped to 39-4. However, Marcus Watkins hit three fours and three maximums in a top score of 46, and got support from Nicosie Barker 21 as MSC managed 128-7. Adams took 2-3 from three overs while Joshua Wade had 2-30. In reply, GCC lost Bacchus lbw to Kellon Carmichael 14 before Manny Forde was bowled by Browne for two as GCC
Ronaldo Ali Mohamed
Chanderpaul Hemraj
Tevin Imlach
Ryan Shun
slipped to 20-2. But Martin Pestano Belle and Ronaldo Ali Mohamed steadied the chase with a third wicket stand of 88. Mohamed hit two fours and three sixes before he was taken of Jacobs for 55 with GCC 21 runs shy of victory. Belle remained unbeaten on 37 (3x4,1x6) while Joshua
Wade made 12 not out; GCC closed on 129-3 in 17 overs. Jacobs, Carmichael and Browne had one wicket each. At Eve Leary, Police beat Transport SC by nine wickets. TSC took first strike and were sent packing for 74 in 14.5 overs. Steven Harris captured 4-9 while Raun
Johnson and Ricardo Adams picked up two each. Police replied with 78-1 in 7.5 overs. Alex Algoo struck 51 not out. At Everest Cricket Club Ground, Gandhi Youth Organisation suffered their second defeat in as many matches, losing to the home team by eight
wickets. GYO fell for 91 taking first turn in the middle. Chris Deonarine made 30 as Chanderpaul Hemraj claimed three wickets and Ashkaya Persaud two. Everest responded with 92-2. Persaud scored 35 not out while Hemraj got 34.
Kaieteur News
PAGE 32
Tuesday March 21, 2017
BOYS AND GIRLS ENJOY GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL IN WEST DEMERARA
A Teacher guiding some participants of the Region 3 Grass Roots Session Facilitated by the MoE and GFF. Georgetown: Boys and girls in West Coast Demerara benefited from a lively morning of grassroots football courtesy of the Guyana Football Federation and the Ministry of Education on Saturday, 18th March, as part of national efforts to build capacity for football coaching in schools a release from the GFF informed. More than 70 children between the ages of eight and 11 from primary schools in the region took part in fun football drills, exercises and games with 22 trained school teacher-coaches at the National Track and Field Facility, Leonora, bringing a three-day coaching education course to a productive end.
The course, made possible with technical and equipment support from the GFF and facilitated by the Ministry of Education, was designed to further the development of teachers who took part in a GFF/CONCACAF Grassroots License course in December. “This collaboration between the government and the Guyana Football Federation has been a fantastic opportunity to build football training capacity within schools and to encourage more boys and girls to play football around the country,” said GFF Technical Director Ian Greenwood. “It is part of our longterm plan to increase participation in football and
Participants of the Region 3 Grass Roots Session Facilitated by the MoE and GFF. raise standards in coaching from grassroots level all the way to the elite.” The course at Leonora was designed by the GFF Technical Department, coordinated by National Track and Field Centre
Coordinator Roy McArthur, and delivered by GFF Coach Education & Development Officer Lyndon F rance and G F F Yo u t h D e v e l o p m e n t Officer Bryan Joseph, with support from
N icholas Fraser of the Ministry of Education’s Allied Arts Unit. “I’m extremely happy to see that we have 70-odd kids being fitted out with uniforms from C O N C A C A F, a n d
they’re so excited about this programme,” said McArthur. “You can see them enthusiastic in terms of learning how to dribble, how to control the ball, how to throw a ball, how to pass a ball.”
One of the facilitators, Bryan Joseph, explains a concept in the Grass Roots Sessions Conducted for Teachers in Region 3.
Rose Hall Town Jammers are Anamayah Basketball 2017 champions in Berbice After a number of weeks of keenly contested basketball action the Rose Hall Town Jammers, the 2015 Anamayah Memorial Basket Ball Champion reclaimed the fourth annual competition and the 2017 edition with an easy win over New Amsterdam Warriors. The match did not live up to expectation as both teams squandered a lot of points in the Jammers 46-32 victory. In the game played last Sunday on the Fyrish Basketball Court, Jammers quickly got into their stride as the battle wary Warriors seemed underprepared for the occasion as the Jammers took control early to take a 64 lead in the low scoring affair. The Jammers led the second stanza ended 14-9. They upped their game as the second half began and were all over the limp Warriors as they scored 17 points to the
lackluster Warriors 8 and that period ended with the score on 31-17. There was more competition in the last quarter as both teams tried to up their game. However, with the big lead gained by the Jammers, there was no coming back for the Warriors as both teams scored 15 points apiece as the game ended 46-32 for the easy win for The Rose hall Town Jammers. Leading the way for the Jammers was Michael King with 12 with David Hope 9, Mickel Lewis 8 while there were 6 each for Kevon Emmanuel and Rayborn Murray. Romain Fogenay top scored for the Warriors with 13 points, while Kevon Thom and Quincy Mickle scored 5 each. At the end of the competition, cash incentives and the Anamayah Memorial trophy was presented to the
winning Rose Hall Jammers team. The Warriors also received incentives and a trophy. The most valuable player award went to R a y b o r n M u r r a y, h e received a trophy.
The tournament attracted six teams - New Amsterdam Warriors and Smythfield Rockers of New Amsterdam, Hopetown Stealers and Ithaca Hardliners from West Berbice, Fyrish Black
Sharks and Rose Hall Jammers from Corentyne. The tournament was coordinated and organised by Vibert Garnett. From the tournament a squad is expected to be selected to
continue training for future tournaments. Coaching and training is expected to continue with help from the parent body in Georgetown. (Samuel Whyte)
The winning rose Hall town Jammers Basketball Team pose with Coordinator Vibert Garnett.
Kaieteur News
Tuesday March 21, 2017
PAGE 33
Petra Organisation / GT Beer Futsal Competition
Early commotion finished, teams could throw the dice thrice to advance
Part of the action in this year’s Petra Organisation / GT Beer Futsal Competition. By Rawle Welch The early commotion regarding who will survive the knockout phase has been settled and teams are no longer in an immediate do or die situation, but now have three throws at the dice to make it to the stage that matters, the money stage. Tonight is the start of the round robin phase, following the completion of the knockout segment which concluded last Friday, at the National Gymnasium. In what is anticipated to provide exciting action for fans, defending champion Bent Street with the likes of Colin Nelson, Konata Manning, O’kenie Fraser, Kelsey Benjamin and Sheldon Profitt in their lineup face a rampant Broad
Street Bullies in a colossal matchup. The Bullies have looked in ripping form and the Gravesande siblings Jimmy and Rocky along with Keiron Solomon and Lennox Cort are certainly not intimidated by the strong appearance Bent Street seems to have on paper and will look to play attacking football in search of a win. In another matchup that will be closely watched, inaugural tournament losing finalist Sparta Boss go up against the up-started Agricola Champion Boys and while no one is predicting the former will win in a canter, they are expected to secure full points. Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson and Devon ‘The Tormentor’ Millington are
back in the fold and when you add names such as Sheldon Shepherd, Denis Edwards and Solomon Austin to this unit then you can understand why they are highly favoured to win. Domini Garnett and Quacy Weekes led them to a solid come from behind victory against North Ruimveldt in their opening game so they should be feeling an air of confidence coming into this fixture, but could find it to be a ‘bridge too far’ to cross. Whenever West Front Road and counterparts West Back Road clash there is always the element of bragging rights at stake and the encounter is usually a fierce one so don’t expect any change to that scenario. We s t F r o n t R o a d emphatically dispatched
crowd favourites Camp Street All Stars in their previous encounter and has already shown that they’re in high gear so all opposing teams better take note. Carl Tudor and Roy Cassou looked deadly on the counter-attack, while the supporting cast of Randolph Wagner, Andre Webber,
Jamal and Hubert Pedro can be just as destructive on offence. West Front Road is not as talented on offence, but has already shown that they could defend a lead so it would be in their best interest to score first and this will be the task of Josiah Charles. All the matches promise explosive action.
Dexter ‘The Kid’ Marques steps up training for fight with Venezuelan As Venezuelan, Luis Alberto Requena, prepares to face off with former local and Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) champion, Dexter ‘The Kid’ Marques, in a 10 rounds scrap on February 27 next, speculation is rife of whether Marques is capable of crossing this hurdle. For that reason, Marques has opened camp and has already commenced sparring sessions and is resolute that he will win the impending bout. Indeed, the last time Marques had entered the
‘square jungle,’ on February 2016, against Requena’s countryman, Freddy Beleno, seems a distant memory and the pundits are worried of ring rust. Quizzed to clear up doubts, Marques drew attention to the fact that when he fought Beleno he (Marques) had been inactive for almost two years after his bout a g a i n s t J a m a i can, Rudolph Hedge; Marques showed little signs of ring rust then and went on to claim an easy majority decision. For the record,
Marques fought Hedge in April 2014 and was away from the ring until February 2016 when he fought Beleno. It is clear that Marques has his eyes set on a victory when he opened camp at the Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis Boxing Gym, Callendar Street, last Sunday morning. Under the shrewd tutelage of veteran coach, Lennox ‘Cappell’ Daniels, Marques unveiled his intentions with more than two hours of rigorous training that left those witnessing him, (Continued on page 25)
Marques (right) and Keeve Allicock in action during Sunday morning’s training sessions.
Winner of the tournament will receive $400,000 and the championship trophy, while the runner-up takes home $200,000 and a trophy. The third and fourth place finishers walk away with $100,000 and $50,000 respectively. The event is slated to conclude on April 15th.
t r o Sp Final day Digicel Regional First-Class Cricket
Hetymer’s unbeaten 44 powers Jaguars to early win
Shemron Hetymer smashes Marlon Richards for four as he set the ‘Oval’ on fire with a pugnacious unbeaten 44 yesterday. (Photos by Sean Devers)
EDFA Senior League
Major brothers orchestrate upset win for Buxton Stars; Plaisance and BAPSC draw
Plaisance FC (red) nets the equalising goal against Bachelors Adventure Paradise SC through Dwayne King in the 72nd minute. (Franklin Wilson photo)
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