Wednesday March 21 ,2018
Investigate the slaying of KWAME ASSANAH DEAR EDITOR, On News Source I heard the acting Police Commissioner, David Ramnarine, attempting to justify the murder of Mr. Kawme Asannah. Here are some of the troubling statements made by the acting police commissioner. He said the police received accurate information about the alleged crime which was about to be perpetrated on the 15th March 2018 as it pertains to the trailing of a customer from Scotia Bank. According to Ramnarine this information was received a few days prior to the incident. When asked if a decoy was used by the police force Ramnarine said no, it was an actual customer. Questions: 1. Is it customary for
persons/businessmen to inform the police days prior to them visiting commercial banks? 2. How did the bandits know days in advance this person would have been doing business with Scotia Bank and how did they obtain all the necessary details? After the police would have received definitive information, days in advance of the customer going to the bank and about the anticipated alleged crime, David Ramnarine said they were able to do preparatory work. Yet, when asked by one reporter why other police units were not involved in the operation, Ramnarine said, “Sometimes things unfold and you can’t act in a coherent and organized man-
ner.” Question: 1. Did he not say they received definitive pertinent information DAYS BEFORE; so what was the challenge with involving other units of the police force? Now to deal with my sole interest in this matter— Mr Kwame Assanah. This gentleman, who was UNARMED, was shot twice. (The post mortem found that he was shot six times) Mr Assanah and the other occupant were out of their vehicle when Dextroy Cordis allegedly fired at the police. According to the acting police commissioner, “The officers utilized on that day were not ordinary ranks, they had SUPERIOR FIREARM (Conttinued on page 6)
An unfortunate remark DEAR EDITOR, Region Six Executive Officer, Ms Kim Stephens, is reported in the March 19, 2018 Stabroek News, during her remarks at the ceremony to honour the Rose Hall Martyrs on March 13, 2018, “…that the severed sugar workers are ‘timid and afraid’ of diversification”. Ms Stephens went on, according to the Stabroek News, “We were told of diversification that we can have because of the fertile land, not to mention our human resources that we have, capable skilled human resources.” The GAWU finds Ms Stephens’s remarks unfortunate. Nevertheless, maybe she could spell out the diversification opportunities she referred to. As recently history has shown that at Wales the planned and heavily-promoted diversification activities, like in the previous attempt by GuySuCo, turned out to be a miserable and utter failure. We recall the Guyana Times recently reporting that the cane fields converted for
seed paddy cultivation, at high costs, were being slowly overtaken by bushes, seeming to indicate that those plans have been abandoned. In fact, as far as we are aware nothing is going on at Wales and we read recently that the houses that were used by the managerial personnel are up for sale. Bearing those factors in mind, one can understand workers’ apprehension. As they say once bitten, twice shy. It is always easy to say something, but bringing it to reality is a completely different matter. The Wales experience is an excellent case-inpoint. To move in the direction as being advocated by Ms Stephens is a substantial undertaking which has several and many important factors that must be addressed. Simply to tell workers to take up lands and plant as they see fit cannot be deemed, in anyway, as a realistic solution. The Stabroek News article also refers to remarks made by Minister of Social Cohesion, George Norton, during the activity. Minister Norton is
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quoted by the Stabroek News to have said “[a]s Guyanese, we need to stand firmly to guard against injustices…” Indeed they are inspiring words by the Minister but also most ironic at the same time. While the Minister speaks about guarding against injustices he must be reminded the Government he is a part of has committed probably the gravest injustice against the people of Canje when they decided to shutdown Rose Hall Estate and affected the well-being of thousands of ordinary Guyanese. As the sad situation in the communities of Skeldon, Rose Hall, East Demerara and Wales grows direr by the day, the hollow rhetoric bring little relief and reprieve to the suffering that has gripped the people. Today, realistic and workable solutions are needed and moving in the reverse gear is the best remedy. Yours faithfully, Seepaul Narine General Secretary GAWU
The government has wavered the sugar workers DEAR EDITOR, The confusion that has emerged regarding the appointment of a new Board of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (Guysuco) has brought, once again, to the fore what could only be described as the Administration’s shifting goalpost approach to the sugar industry. It can well be argued that the Coalition Government’s approach to many pressing matters of national importance is also incoherent and our policymakers are reactive rather than proactive. While I will refrain from commenting on the individuals supposedly named, though I have reservations, the bungling mess that has ensued is sadly symptomatic of our Administration. When one looks at the Administration’s changing positions regarding sugar, it is not difficult to reach such conclusions. Recall, the Sugar Commission of Inquiry. The APNU/ AFC manifesto said the “APNU+AFC will convene a Commission of Inquiry into the operations of the Guyana Sugar Corporation… [to] review, analyze and recommend the way forward for the
Guyana Sugar Industry, including options for infusing critical investments and the optimum utilisation of its valuable capital infrastructure”. The Government on appointing that Commission of Inquiry said in a GINA report of June 26, 2015 that “…the e l e v e n - m e m b e r Commission…will develop a 15-year plan which is expected to bring the industry back to profitability to ensure long-term environmental and economic sustainability.” Then who can forget Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo saying at the National Cane Farmers Conference, according to the August 15, 2015 Kaieteur News, that “…there was no question of Government scaling down or abandoning the industry”. After all of that and in spite the Sugar Commission saying no estate should be closed, the Government decided to close Wales Estate. President David Granger, in the January 26, 2016 Kaieteur News, is reported to have said that “The COI is not gospel”. Though from the previous statements, in the pre and post May, 2015 election, rationally one could conclude that the COI would guide the
Administration’s approach to sugar. The President, in the same Kaieteur News report, went further saying “arrangements are going to be made over the next 11 months to ensure that the workers don’t get hurt, that they can be reemployed”. Well, we all know how that turned out and today the Wales workers, the cane farmers and their dependents have been hurt and remain jobless. Then after all that, President Granger, in the February 5, 2016 Guyana Chronicle, said “…it’s unlikely that (closure of another estate) is contemplated”. But just months after, the Government announced that Skeldon was to be sold and Rose Hall and Enmore closed. The President in the Chronicle article also reportedly said “…the CoI report would be discussed in the National Assembly, after which there would be a national consultation on the state of the sugar industry”. Again, time has shown that the President’s undertaking was unfulfilled. It should not be forgotten that the Government earlier this year voted against a motion which called for the Sugar COI (Continued on page 6)
Parents of students at ... From page 4 do something about the fact that their child and other children are not given the basic work necessary to do them educational justice. A comparison of the children’s books from Forms One to Five will show that the minimum amount of curriculum work is not even been covered per week or term.
One of the many distasteful incidents that is worth mentioning is that dog dung as of lately was in the school for days and no cleaner has been kind enough to remove it in a timely manner. Children got sick and could not even eat their food.
This school is in need of help, the teachers are wasting children’s time, the parent’s money and they “wave their flag like they just don’t care”. Frustrated
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We seem to be losing a vital method of communicating DEAR EDITOR, It is public knowledge that our education system has not been producing the desired results for over a very long period. About five percent continues to do exceedingly well, and an estimated fifteen percent reasonably well. Maths and English continue to be the Achilles heel of eighty percent of students who write the CXC Exams. The telltale of these failures is reflective in our everyday lives. I have seen people with university degrees struggle to fill out forms at Government offices, not that these graduates are incompetent—the instructions on these forms are totally out of context. I saw one for mortgage release from GRA the other day. The instructions at the top states, “All sections must be completed”. As you scroll down there are som e areas totally unrelated—it’s confusing. It is a reflection of how years of consistent failure by students in English Language has saliently soaked into the fabric of our daily lives. Journalism has not been spared of this tragedy. A few days ago an article appeared in the Kaieteur News about a Hotel owner who imported a wind turbine for the generation of electricity for his Ho-
tel in Berbice. The article states that the owner is thinking about dismantling the wind turbine which is already operational and shipping it back to India. The Journalist asserted, “It was made clear that the turbine has become a “white elephant” since its primary purpose of supplying the new multi-million-dollar hotel with electricity has not been allowed.” The owner or someone representing is quoted as saying, “”So we are still part of the national grid, but would also like to supply the grid with affordable surplus energy from our wind turbine operation.” I assume that the Hotel is powered by the national grid. The Journalist later added.” The turbine is located miles away from the hotel. “It is the intention to have the wind turbine hooked up to the electricity grid with a system in place to measure how much energy is being generated and shared.” This is clear, the owner wants to supply his Hotel through the national grid and sell the excess power to GPL. The story delved into the surreal when the Journalist said,” The four-storey hotel is being powered by a wind turbine, one of the first fully ‘green’ businesses in
Berbice.” Now the reader is trapped in a Maze. Did the Owner import two wind turbine-one for supplying the energy needs of his Hotel and one which he placed “miles away from the Hotel”, with the intention of selling power to GPL? The Hotel is “still part of the national grid”-from the owner. “The four-storey hotel is being powered by a wind turbine” -from the Journalist. It is possible! Buildings do have dual power supply as an emergency system but the building cannot be considered fully green since the national grid uses fossil fuel. I have heard people giving completely different versions of what is written in the paper after reading a crystal clear article . This is testimony that the comprehension skills of the reading public-which is diminishing, has been compromised over the years too. Thankfully! The writer’s name was not mentioned beside the Caption. The Editor missed the anomaly and probably very few people read it. It seems we are losing a vital method of communicating- the art of reading and writing. Rudolph Singh
Wednesday March 21 ,2018
Investigate the slaying .. From page 5 TRAINING.” Question: 1. If as Cordis and Assanah exited the car, Cordis allegedly fired at the police with a small caliber weapon; how can it be justifiable for these officers with SUPERIOR FIREARM TRAIING to fatally shoot both men when only one presented any threat? Mr Kwame Assanah was UNARMED!!! As David Ramnarine continued with his feeble attempt to justify the extrajudicial slaying of Mr Kwame Assanah, he ranted about him not being the “church going type.” Ramnarine insinuated that based on the information obtained by the force, Kwame Assanah “is by no means the church going type.” It appears that the acting commissioner of police and the crime chief Mr Paul Will-
iams are not performing their duties in a coordinated manner. This excerpt, taken from the Guyana Times dated, March 17, 2018-article; “Victim’s Wife calls for Inquiry into Incident” points to the gross contradiction between the crime chief and the acting police commissioner;[“We had a one-on-one (discussion) with the Crime Chief, and he said that he did not get those information to his department. He said when he get the information about these three persons, he sent them to get the facts, and they get facts on two, and all they get (on him) is his name is Kwame and he is from Buxton. “When he get that, he made a call to three well known persons in Buxton and tell them to give him information on Kwame, and he said after 10 minutes he get no information (from his
sources), and that is when he went and talk to the Public Relations Department. He said that he did not give such information that Kwame was arrested,”] David Ramnarine is so bent on justifying the unjustifiable slaying of Kwame Assanah, he cannot even bring himself to the place to accept that misinformation was fed to the public, for whatever reason, as it pertains to the criminal record of the gentleman. I therefore appeal to the relevant authorities that they investigate the slaying of Mr Kwame Assanah. He is dead and gone, but the findings will certainly help to enhance the relevant operating procedure of the Guyana Police Force, thereby mitigating the most certain continuous deadly actions of its operatives. Errol London (A concerned citizen)
The government has wavered... From page 5 report to be discussed by the Economic Services Committee. And, there was no national consultation as the President committed would be done. In fact, the sugar unions in spite of their efforts have contended that their engagements with the Administration remained wanting. Now the Government, in an about-turn of sorts, has decided to divest Rose Hall and Enmore rather than close those estates and move into diversification activities as it initially decided.
Nevertheless, nearly 5,000 workers have been sent home and entire communities are now finding themselves in troubled waters. Furthermore, the diversification activities at Wales, it appears, have been shelved after millions of dollars were spent and hundreds of man and machine hours expended. And we are now told that $30 billion is required for Guysuco over the next four years. When one looks at the totality of the Government’s confused, disjointed and not well-thought-out adventure in the sugar industry, one reaches the sad
conclusion that the Government was not and is not serious about the sugar industry and the people who depend on it for their livelihoods. The ‘seat of your pants’ decision-making as we have seen playing out cannot be the modus operandi of any Government especially when the implications are so terrible. As the APNU+AFC said during the 2015 campaign “IT IS TIME” that our leaders stop jetting off to exotic lands and take time to work in the interest of the people and our country. Yours faithfully, Patricia Persaud
Wednesday March 21 ,2018
Kaieteur News
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TT has no difficulty in showing citizens oil and gas data, reports
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he Government of Trinidad and To bago has no difficulty sharing with its citizenry, information or data on oil and gas. This was recently revealed by the CARICOM nation’s Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Rowley. He expressed such sentiments while delivering a feature address at a recent Spotlight on Energy forum that was held in Port of Spain. There, Rowley said that that the business of government in Trinidad and Tobago is not a secret “as we have nothing to hide,” hence several officials had no problem providing the citizenry with the same data that was shown to the Cabinet. As he emphasized the need for transparency, Dr. Rowley, a seasoned geologist said, “We have nothing to hide and everything to protect.” The Spotlight on Energy conference allowed Trinidadians to have access to reports on the nation’s re-
serves, a gas master plan, along with other crucial data and relevant explanations. The conference also provided details on the government’s view on the industry, how companies have been paying over the years, and the billions of dollars in taxes that are slipping through the government’s fingers. In the case of Guyana, the Government has not been forthcoming about information it is receiving in the oil and gas industry. It has even refused to provide the names of the negotiators that represented Guyana during the signing of the ExxonMobil contract. It has not budged on the release of the Bridging Deed; the purpose of which was to replace the 1999 Agreement and the 1999 Petroleum Prospecting Licence. And the nation is yet to know the names of the 309 companies ExxonMobil claimed it utilized last year for the provision of goods and
President David Granger services . All of this and more has led many local critics to wonder if the government has something to hide.
TT’s Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Rowley
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Wednesday March 21 ,2018
GuyOil imports less fuel in 2016, declares higher profits
T
he 2016 Annual Report of the State-owned Guyana Oil Company (GuyOil) is out, with Chairman of the Board of Directors, Lance Carberry, disclosing that the entity managed to complete its organization restructuring, aimed at improving efficiency, transparency and accountability. The report was laid last week in the National Assembly. GuyOil competes with privately-run gas importers and is involved in the importation, storage, distribution, and marketing of gasoline, diesel, kero, Castrol lubricants and bituminous products. GuyOil has the largest distribution network in the petroleum business in Guyana with 49 dealer-owned and eight company-owned service stations. It has three terminals - in the three counties. According to the Chairman’s Report, the Petro
- Chairman credits lower acquisition costs, restructuring, inventory management
GuyOil Chairman Lance Carberry Caribe Agreement with Venezuela, which was suspended in August 2015 as a result of the territorial controversy, forced GuyOil to turn to the Petroleum Company of Trinidad and Tobago (Petrotrin) for supplies. As a result, in the latter part of 2016, the company signed a supply agreement
with that Trinidad oil supplier. “Despite the increasing manifestation of smuggled/ illegal fuel and the increased number of licensed private importers, GuyOil maintained its dominant position in the Guyana market and continued to be the leader in stabilizing fuel prices, to the benefit of the Guyana consuming public and industries.” GuyOil has been largely silent since 2015, after new management and a board were installed. There were widespread accusations of wrongdoing, with various reports endorsing calls for restructuring. There were accusations of deals with transportation and even kickbacks for licences. In all, the fuel transactions involved billions of dollars with
GuyOil maintained its control of the fuel market in 2016, according to its annual report of that year. Guyana heavily dependent on import oil for its fuel demands. According to Carberry in the report, focus has been placed on the Finance and Audit Committee, the Tender Board, Marketing and Security Committee and the Management Committees of the board, which has led to prudent management. “In 2016, there was the completion of the organizational restructuring of the company, aimed at improving efficiency, transparency and accountability.”
According to the report, for the last three quarters, the prices went up but remained stable. Sales revenues were $31.939B compared to $36.407B, a decrease of $4.468B or 12.27 percent. Volume sales were lower at 1,287,211 barrels compared to 1,319,603 barrels, a decrease of 32,392 or 2.45 percent. Gross profit was just over $6B compared to $5.27B in 2015. After tax, the profits were better than the previous year at $2.609B compared to $2.314B.
The Board of Directors also comprises Oscar Phillips, Harryram Parmesar, Lawrence Paul, Berkley Wickham, Shaundell Brotherson and Shondel Hope. GuyOil’s biggest seller remained gasoline with over 716,000 barrels sold compared to 723,000 barrels the previous year. In 2016, GuyOil market share was the highest with 28.8 percent. It was followed by SOL at 21.8 percent; Rubis at 19.8 percent, and smaller operators who did a combined 29.6 percent.
T
he Guyana Police Force needs to improve its decision-making and communication with the public if it is to enjoy greater respect. The recent decision of the police in ‘A’ Division to haul in vehicles wrapped in fabric is a case in point. Many mini-bus owners have over the past year begun to have their buses “wrapped” in a fabric which can be designed in whatever pattern the owners’ desire. The finished product looks impressive, as if the bus has had a multi-coloured spraypaint job. The wrapping of buses has added colour and creativity to public transportation.
The police, instead of admiring the new technology, are more interested in arguing that the owners are in breach of the law. So they begin to harass the minibus drivers, claiming that the buses have departed from the colour scheme which is noted on their registration documents. The solution to this problem would be for the owners to simply make an application to change the description of the colour on their buses on their registration. But this presents something of a dilemma, since most of the “wrapped” buses display a riot of colours. If the police were so concerned about the breaches of the law, they
could have simply issued an advisory demanding that those in breach take the necessary steps to put themselves in order, which would have meant applying for a change of colour on their registration documents. But that is not how the police in Guyana operate. They feel they have the power to take action and they prefer to prosecute rather than try to give persons a chance to right whatever wrongs they commit. It is not hard to ascertain why the police decisionmaking is so warped. It had to take a protest from the bus drivers for the police to back down from their decision to pull in the buses. The excuse that the police came up with was that it was
DEM BOYS SEH
Politicians should grow some bawls
No matter how nice you nice, dem gat people does look to embarrass you. When dem done, dem does tun round and laugh at yuh. A man walk in a crowded library and he see a gyal alone sitting at a table. Because de table had space he went and whisper to her. “Excuse Miss, Do you mind if I share your table?” De gyal raise she head and very loudly, seh.” NO. I DON’T WANT TO SPEND DE NIGHT WID YOU.’ De whole library tun round and watch de man who was deeply embarrassed. He wish de floor coulda open and he fall through. Without answering her,
he quietly walk to another table and sit down. After couple minutes de gyal walk quietly to his table and silently said, wid a smile to him, “I study psychology and I know wha a man is thinking. I bet you felt embarrassed, right? Right away de guy responded in a loud voice, “$10,000 FUH 10 MINUTES? I ain’t paying you that much!” All de people in de library looked at de gyal in shock. De guy tun and whisper back to she. “I study law and I am learning how to screw people.” ExxonMobil and Tullow just like that man, de only difference is de man learning how to screw people. But dem oil company are experts.
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Wednesday March 21 ,2018
Dem deh long in de business. Dem been screwing de world fuh years and de Guyana politicians couldn’t find that out. Now dem got de oil companies screwing dem, and every man, woman and child in this country. Wha dem boys want to tell dem politicians always remember if what you did yesterday still looks big to you, then you haven’t done much today. Remember dem oil contracts wha y’all sign, dem ain’t big enough fuh hold we. Dem boys seh all it calls for is some bawls. Talk half and hope dem men who authorize, support, ignore and who sign de contracts, grow some bawls.
not fair for only the buses in ‘A’ Division to be prosecuted. Trendy designs and paint jobs on vehicles are the wave of the present and the future. Our laws have to be adapted to accommodate these trends. The wrapped minibuses are an attractive sight. Once the designs are registered with the GRA, the buses should be allowed in their creative colours. There was no need for the police to act in the manner that they did. They could have issued an advisory before deciding to act. The traffic situation in the city and on the East Coast and East Bank of Demerara is becoming chaotic. The police have been trying their best to bring some order. Ranks are deployed during peak hours
to help direct and supervise traffic. The problem is that the police have to contend with a high level of indiscipline by motorists. At busy junctions which are manned by traffic ranks during peak hours, motorists know that the traffic ranks cannot leave their posts, directing traffic, to pull them over for any offence, and so they blatantly commit the offence in the face of the traffic ranks. One of the most common offences committed is the practice of vehicles using the turning lanes when in fact they are not turning. There is nothing that the rank directing traffic can do, because he/she cannot leave his/her post. This is one of the reasons
why at certain junctions where this practice is prevalent, two ranks should be dispatched. The first rank would direct the traffic while the second rank would ensure there are no violations. These are things which one would have expected the traffic authorities to address, had there been proper supervision of ranks. The police have a lot of improvement to make. There will soon be a new commissioner who must leave his or her mark. A good way to begin is in the decision-making sphere.
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Wednesday March 21, 2018
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
ARE WE FREER SINCE 2015?
I went to Wakenaam on Saturday morning for the Hindu religious work for my niece who died last year. Hindus call it – “one year dead work.” On my way to Georgetown, I saw five traffic operations, from Parika to Vreed-Hoop, where ranks were stopping drivers at random. I had the wrong person next to me in such situations – my wife. In the first e n c o u n t e r, I complained to the presiding officers and my wife was uneasy. She asked me not to intervene. On my way to Georgetown, I got a call from a friend asking me to come to Providence station, because he was wrongfully arrested. At Providence, there was another random stop operation headed by a senior officer in khaki uniform. In all six situations, when the police saw me, I saw them
whispering among themselves and looking at me. These people know I write about the impropriety of random stops often, and they knew there and then what they were doing was wrong. How is it possible that on one day I saw six operations of random stopping and the administration of the police force are unaware that such exercises take place often? The answer is that the hierarchy of the police force is involved in this abuse. It has not changed since the new administration came to power in 2015. Do we have a creeping dictatorship in Guyana? I was shocked when some UG lecturers showed me the changes to the statutes of the university made in 2016 that centralize power, and has substantially diminished the role of the academic staff. I say
without even a modicum of hesitation, that UG is less democratic in terms of devolution of power than when the PPP ruled this country. Do we have a creeping dictatorship in Guyana? L e t ’s l o o k a t w h a t happened at the central office of Region 5. Guards from the firm, Integrated Security Services, met at the office to seek help from the Regional administration. These poor souls have not been paid s i n c e N o v e m b e r. T h e y were removed by an order from the representative of the APNU+AFC government to Region 5, who goes under the title Regional Executive Officer (REO). What does that remind you of? Rewind the tape to when the PPP was in power. AFC parliamentarian Michael Carrington intervened with a minister about security guards
attached to a certain ministry being paid below minimum wage by a private firm contracted to the government. The minister told Carrington that is not the concern of the government. What does that remind you of? Obviously, the type of ministers the PPP had when it ruled Guyana. Cleaner/sweepers have picketed the Office of the President over their meagre payment which is below minimum wage. But here is the horrible dimension to this tragedy. The Public Service Union told the media that one of the reasons for the demonstration by these womenfolk is their demand that the APNU+AFC government implement a 2013 Cabinet decision on the raising of these income levels in accordance with the minimum wage regulations. These poor women no doubt thought that they would be freer after 2015. Is there a creeping
dictatorship in this country since the last election? I am curious to know how Lincoln Lewis and Dr. David Hinds would reply to that. Life is strange. I spoke to Lincoln Lewis three weeks before he was dropped as a Chronicle columnist. Lincoln was explicit – the government is not much different from the PPP and went on to explain that the difference is that it doesn’t physically harm and jail people like the PPP bosses did. At that point I jumped in and told Lincoln that these are early days yet. When Jagdeo came to power in 1999, it was years after that critics were dismissed from their employment, others were jailed, and some died under suspicious circumstances. I was pellucid in my position to Lincoln and he can confirm what I said. I intoned that these are early days yet, so do not dismiss the possibility of the return
Frederick Kissoon to the days of the PPP when there were dismissals, arrests and deaths. Is there a creeping dictatorship in tragic Guyana? Not for a fraction of a moment, not even a fraction, do I believe that the Chronicle’s editor-inchief acted on his own in dropping Hinds and Lewis as columnists with the Chronicle. In coming columns, I will discuss what I told Khemraj Ramjattan about power when I met with him in February for the first time since he became a power holder, and what I told David Hinds at channel 9 studios when he first became a Chronicle columnist.
Wednesday March 21 ,2018
Kaieteur News
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Extradition proceedings for U.S. murder suspect commence Friday Extradition proceedings for Troy Anthony Thomas, who is wanted in the U.S. for murder, will commence on Friday, according to acting Chief Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus, who will be hearing arguments on behalf of the Governments of Guyana and the United States. Thomas has been further remanded until such time. Arguments will also be presented by Attorneys-at-Law Nigel Hughes, Bernard DaSilva and Darren Wade, all of whom have been retained by the 31-year-old man. Representing the State is Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield, while Attorney-at-Law Stacy Goodings is representing the Government of the
United States. When the matter came up yesterday for the disclosure of statements, Goodings disclosed statements that she said contained evidence against Thomas to the prosecution and defence. Goodings handed over about three folders containing documents. Among the documents is a statement by one Armilla Gladstone, whose purpose, Goodings said, is to tender documents on behalf of the U.S government. The documents also include a copy of a statements issued under Section Six of the Fugitive Act and statements from two senior officers in the Guyana Police Force. Also handed
over by Goodings were documents in relation to the Extradition Treaty and the Methodology that will be used to proceed with the hearing. Thomas, who told police he had been living in Guyana for some eight years, was held last Wednesday, March 14, after police swooped down on a house at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown. Police say that Thomas, who resided overseas at 32nd Street, South Ozone Park, Queens, New York, U.S.A, fled to Guyana after allegedly gunning down another Guyanese, 20-year-old Keith Frank, in Queens, New York, seven years ago. It was disclosed that the operation to apprehend Thomas had started since January. Thomas reportedly fled to Guyana shortly after an arrest warrant was issued for him in the U.S. for the murder of Frank, who was slain on December 11, 2011. Frank succumbed to a bullet wound to the torso, allegedly during a
U.S. murder suspect: Troy Anthony Thomas confrontation with Thomas and others. The victim, whose daughter was eight months at the time, died two months before he would have celebrated his twenty-first birthday. He had reportedly been living in the
U.S. since he was 12. Reports in U.S. media stated that the killing occurred outside a South Richmond Hill party. Frank’s mother, Carol Kyte, was quoted as saying that her son was attending a birthday party near 132nd Street and 109th Avenue and ran into some other men with whom he had an ongoing dispute. It is alleged that a group of other Guyanese men were at odds with one of Frank’s friends over sophomoric quibbles like break-dancing or the attention of girls in the neighbourhood. During his first court appearance, Thomas denied ever being charged in the U.S for murder. On that occasion, Goodings had opposed bail being granted to Thomas, after citing the serious nature of the offence and the fact that he poses a risk of flight. The lawyer also disclosed that there are no records at the Central Immigration Office to support that Thomas had entered Guyana.
Wednesday March 21, 2018
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Region mobilises technical and financial support for water sector plan at World forum The Caribbean is mobilising technical and financial support for its Regional Strategic Plan for the water sector at the 8th World Water Forum currently underway in Brasilia, Brazil. Dr. James Fletcher, Managing Director, SOLORICON and Consultant presented the Process of the Americas with a synopsis of the plan, some of the critical water issues in the region and solutions. The Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association, (CWWA) which started consultation on the plan at its 26th Annual Conference in Guyana in 2017, will present it at its 27th Annual Conference in Jamaica this year. Among the high priority issues are water governance, the need for data and the impact of climate change on the resource, “in almost every single one of our countries, not only do we have existing problems, but we have problems exacerbated by climate change,” Dr. Fletcher said in an interview, “but there are also things we can and should do to mitigate those problems,” he suggested. One of these is the lack of formulation or implementation of national land use plans. Dr. Fletcher identified the absence of national land use plans as a major deficiency in addressing water issues, “the agriculture sector in most of our countries is rain fed, the tourism sector which is a major economic driver also is a significant user of water,” he pointed out, “so we really need pay more attention to integrated water resources
management,” he added. Development is hinged on water, Dr. Fletcher pointed out, “we go about development in all of the major economic sectors, but we don’t understand that without assuring ourselves of a supply of quality fresh water, every one of these economic sectors is in peril,” he said. Aging infrastructure in the water sector is already affecting development in the region. Such infrastructure has been affected by effects of climate change and, in many countries, p o p u lation growth has placed it under pressure. Lennox O’Reilly Lewis, Chief of the Economic Infrastructure Division at the Caribbean Development Bank said infrastructure has not been updated to “keep up with the pace of development like population growth, growth of industry and tourism growth”. The CDB has identified climate change as a major threat to the region’s water infrastructure, and had been focusing on improving its resilience. The Bank has spent more than US$300million over the years supporting the replacement of water infrastructure in the region, but more money is needed says Lewis. “Throughout our 19 borrowing member countries, the estimate rises to the billions, in terms of the works that are needed,” he pointed out. “We are talking about infrastructure that is vulnerable, water sources vulnerable to drought, to less
A mini health check is the first step to donating blood.
rainfall. We have pipes and treatment plans in locations vulnerable to floods,” he said. There is a challenge to financing infrastructure and this surrounds countries coming up with “bankable projects” Lewis says. “Between us, the developing partners, the money is there,” he said, “projects have to be well designed and that takes into account all of the engineering, environmental issues, social issues, properly designed to benefit all sectors of society,” Lewis pointed out.
Dr. James Fletcher (left) during his presentation on the Caribbean Strategic Action Plan.
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Kaieteur News
CORREIA SEEKS TO SILENCE KNEWS VIA INJUNCTION
Chairman of Ogle Airport Inc., Michael Correia, is accusing Kaieteur News of publishing libelous material in a series of articles surrounding the daily management of the Eugene F. Correia International Airport. In an application filed on March 16, 2018, lawyers for Correia are seeking among other things, in excess of $5 million for libel, an injunction restraining the defendants from publishing the published or similar libels and an interim injunction restraining the defendants from further publishing the published or similar libels. The proceedings filed in the High Court by the law firm, Fitzpatrick, De Caires & Karran highlight a series of articles for which the businessman is claiming that the newspaper carried out a
Chairman of Ogle Airport Inc. Michael Correia
sustained campaign of libel against the Plaintiff. According to Correia, between March 2 and March 11, 2018, Kaieteur News printed and published articles in relation to his office,
business, profession and operation at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport. In his application, the Plaintiff referenced the contents of said articles and satirical column “DEM BOYS SEH” which he believes that Kaieteur News meant or were understood to mean that he (the Claimant) participated in a fraudulent, secret and corrupt scheme to procure for the use of a company controlled by him, a large piece of State land.
Correia further stated that the publications accused him of participating in a secret and corrupt scheme to procure for his family all the benefits to be derived from control of that land to the exclusion of other entitled individuals and as part of that scheme grabbed up land, therefore participating in the disadvantageous distribution and misuse of the airport land while unethically excluding local operations. According to Correia, the articles, among other things, featured innuendo and information which accused him of dishonourable, unfair, tyrannical and reprehensible enrichment at the expense of Ogle Airport Inc and other airlines and companies operating out of the said airport. He emphasized that as a consequence the information has seriously damaged his character, credit and reputation, and has brought about public scandal, revulsion and contempt. The businessman noted that unless restrained by the Court, Kaieteur News will further publish libelous material against him.
Wednesday March 21, 2018
GPHC, three other state agencies fail to submit financials for several years The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), National Parks Commission, National Sports Commission and National Trust are still to get up to date with the submission of yearly financial statements. This issue has steadily been highlighted by Auditor General, Deodat Sharma, as a stumbling block to the statutory work that his office is supposed to carry out. In 2014 non-submission of financial statements by ministries or budgetary agencies to the AG was listed as one of the factors impeding the work of the AG office. Four years later, it still remains an issue. In fact it was highlighted in a recent report of the Public Accounts Committee of the National Assembly. This report was presented to the National Assembly last year. The Committee was told that these agencies are working to get up to date with their yearly statements. The purpose of an audit is to provide an objective examination of the financial statements. This increases the “value and credibility” of the financial statements produced by management. Further, the Companies Act of 1991 gives clear guidance on the requirements of government companies and the duties of the Auditor when it comes to financial statements. The Act says that a government company shall submit, within six months after the close of the year, an annual report of its transactions, audited accounts, and the audit report to the Minister. This annual report, together with the Auditor’s report, shall be printed and laid before the National Assembly within nine months after the close of the year.
Wednesday March 21, 2018
Kaieteur News
PAGE 15
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Kaieteur News
Burnt body of fisherman found on boat at Rosignol The body of a man was discovered partially burnt on a fishing vessel yesterday morning by a security guard. The boat was reportedly docked at the Rosignol Fishing Complex, Region 5. Details have since revealed that the now dead man was seen imbibing with his boat Captain on Monday night. The captain reportedly took the fisherman back to his fishing vessel sometime around 2am on Tuesday. Shortly after, a security guard attached to the Fishing Complex noticed flames emitting
from the boat. Rakdoom Daljit told police that upon closer inspection he noticed a stove was on fire, the flames had caught on to a section of the boat already. He stated that he immediately made efforts to douse the flames when he discovered the body of the fisherman.The badly burnt man was rushed to the Fort Wellington Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The body is currently at Anthony Funeral Parlour awaiting a post mortem examination.
Wednesday March 21 ,2018
Incumbent Mabaruma mayor chosen by Bulkan after tied elections
T
he second elections for the office of Mayor of the Municipality of Mabaruma, Region One, ended in a tie last Thursday. Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, has since written the Town Clerk, Barrington Ward, declaring incumbent Henry Smith as the mayor. The decision has angered the Opposition, with Member of Parliament (MP), Collin Croal, insisting that based on his party’s interpretation, there should have been a bielection between Smith and Councillor Vibert Emmanuel to decide. According to a letter dated Thursday, March 15, 2018, addressed to the Town Clerk, M i n i s t e r B u l k a n indicated that he has taken note of the correspondence indicating the results of the second elections for the Office of the Mayor of the municipality. In that letter from the Town Clerk, Minister Bulkan was told that there has been another equality of votes with incumbent Mayor Smith and Councillor Emmanuel both receiving six votes each.
“By virtue of the authority vested in the Minister of Communities in Section 13 (8) of the Municipal and District Councils Act Chapter 28:01 which also provides that in such circumstances the Minister shall select one of the above nominated councillors as the mayor, it is hereby declared that Councillor Henry Rupert Smith is the Mayor of the Municipality of Mabaruma for the ensuing year.” Yesterday, Croal insisted, on his Facebook page that another section of the same regulations -Section 13(6) of the Municipal and District Councils Act states that, “on account of equality of votes, the Town Clerk shall appoint a date not later than December 28 in the same year for the election of the Mayor from the tied Candidates by the voters whose names appear on the register of voters, for the time being in force, for the city.” Croal said that it is the interpretation of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), that there should have been a “bi-election” between the two nominated mayors from the register of voters within the municipality.
Returning mayor, Henry Smith
Wednesday March 21, 2018
Kaieteur News
PAGE 25
World aviation authority moves Region 10 councillors plead for stipend increase, improved transportation to reduce air cargo hassles
ICAO’s Chief of Economic Regulatory Framework, Peter Alawani The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) says it has as a priority, the advocacy of the free movement of cargo across countries. Chief of Economic Regulatory Framework of the ICAO, Peter Alawani says the movement of air cargo, including agriculture, remains a regulatory impediment that businesses around the world have to contend with when seeking to export their products to foreign countries. Alawani was part of a three-member panel discussion on Monday at the Umana Yana that specifically addressed the upcoming ICAO Air Transport Conference, to be held for the first time in Guyana between November 19 and 23 this year. According to Alawani, the ICAO has identified a major problem relating to the movement of air cargo, which also includes
agricultural products, and found that there are several regulatory impediments in many countries. He was responding to a question from the audience, about the level of Guyana’s potential to provide agricultural produce to the Caribbean, and to a wider extent the rest of the world. It was pointed out that systems should be put in place to expand especially the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) to facilitate the exportation of agriculture products. While agreeing with the point raised, Alawani said aviation is one of the most regulated industries. “Even where you have the produce, you still need agreements among states in order to transport the goods.” One of the subjects that will be addressed at the ICAO conference later this year is the removal of all of those regulatory impediments, to the extent that there can be a liberalisation of air cargo. This will see the free movement of goods and cargo, not just the region, but all around the world, the ICAO representative said. “We are trying to push the liberalisation up to the seventh figure so that there will be nothing stopping cargos from moving from one point to the other.” Achieving that, he said, will support the agricultural industry here and other parts of the world. Speaking to the issue as well was Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, Retired Lieutenant Colonel, Egbert Field. He said with the extension of the runway at the CJIA, Guyana will definitely be able to play an extremely larger role in the transportation of agricultural cargo. Field expressed the belief that Guyana can become the food basket of the Caribbean as a result.
A meeting held at the Linden Enterprise Network (LEN) last Saturday, provided a platform for in-depth discussion of the issues delaying development in the Upper DemeraraBerbice region. The Joint Local Democratic Organs Consultation saw the involvement of Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan; Permanent Secretary (PS) to the Ministry, Emil McGarrel and representatives from the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), the Mayor and Town Council and the Kwakwani Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC). One issue at the centre of the discussion was the financial ability of the councillors to effectively perform their duties. “The councillors are of the opinion that the stipend they receive is insufficient when considering the amount of work they are required to execute on a daily basis,” a government report of the meeting indicated. In response, Minister Bulkan said the remuneration issue is one that the government recognised that needs addressing, since its days in the opposition. The Minister noted that almost the entire structure of the council in the region needs to be revamped and brought up to modern times. “If it is expected that the RDC delivers in accordance with the awesome responsibilities, then we must come face to face with the reality that that will not happen to the extent that it is expected, unless the remuneration or the stipend is increased considerably,” Minister Bulkan stated. The provision of a suitable mode of transportation was also raised. It was highlighted that to reach many of their constituents, councillors are often forced to seek transport from other persons. The
councillors requested that this matter be addressed immediately. The issuance of jobs to contractors outside of the region was once again discussed. It was pointed out that many local contractors are not being afforded the opportunity to benefit from projects being carried out in the community. Addressing this issue, Permanent Secretary McGarrel said the Ministry recognised this was a problem since last year, and had worked to put a system in place that would allow for more local participation in government projects. “The government has a policy with respect to the participation of contractors from the particular area where the project is being delivered.” He also reminded that, “Those contractors must meet the standard; must deliver quality.” According to McGarrel, many of the regional contractors have not been able to bid for these projects because they do not possess the relevant documents, despite being given adequate time to do so. During the five-hour long meeting, other issues raised included the provision of better health care services and the construction of regional roads; especially that of the Kwakawni road. Another burning issue was the ownership of land. According to Kwakwani residents, they have for many years experienced difficulty with the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission when applying for land titles. Minister Bulkan assured those at the meeting that all issues raised will be given serious consideration and will be brought to the attention of the relevant authorities so that they can be addressed.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday March 21, 2018
Dominica signs OAS convention against corruption
FOR RENT
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK;Guyanapassport application. G r a p h i c s design, advertisement. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. ICONIC MARKETING & PRINTING –TEL: 6004212: We create A/works, logos, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Repairs to refrigerators, gas stoves, A/C units, washing machines. Call Lindon: 6411086/ 694-2202 PASSPORT, PERMANENT & VISITOR VISA APPLICATION, PROFESSIONAL IMMIGRATION CONSULTANT – SABITA IMMIGRATION SERVICES. CALL: 613-3920/625-3767.
EDUCATION CXC adults classes (Business & Science subjects) Form 1-5 lessons, Grade 2-6 lessons (slow learners, personal tutor) #690-5008,618-0649 Jean offers courses in Dressmaking, Curtains, Floral, Cake decorations. Barr St, Kitty. Tel#670-2653, 638-8449. Kids Easter Computer Classes $4000 2 weeks of fun learning. MicroGraphics Vreed-en-hoop #264-3057 Computerized accounting, Quickbooks, Peachtree, POS $35,000 Diploma in Computers 9 courses $40,000 MicroGraphics Vreed-enhoop #264-3057 Study in Canada/USA 100% Acceptance Registration for September, 2018 MicroGraphics Vreed-enhoop #264-3057/613-4354 PEN PAL Overseas Indian Male seeks female age 30/35 yrs, write to M.D 7475 Goreway Drive #47 Mississauga Ontario L4T 3T3 Canada.
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Unregistered DAF trucks: Dump trucks, Flat Bed, Flat bed with Crane & Hauler. Call: 659-3100 New Triangle truck tyres, front & all wheel drive, size: 295/ 80R22.5 Call: 647-2022 Whole chicken $300 per lb (50 lb up) chicken foot $140 per lb, liver & gizzert. Contact: 699-7415, 696-5424/610-6196 Pure breed German shepherd blood line pups for sale. Contact:697-1141/612-6672 American Commericial gas deep fryer $180,000 and commericial dough mixer $170,000. Excellent condition. Tel#220-1716 Corner property at 2006 Festival City Entrance. Call 665-3622, 670-8799,601-3933 Video games and consoles at affordable price. Repairs to video game system .Call:6722566/265-3231 Gold & Diamond land, to buy or rent. Giving out work ground #225-7026/622-0036 14" TV and DVD player, one small fridge. Tel#665-9747/ 622-3250 Honda Jazz be the 1st to own Panaramic sunroof tiptronic (auto/manual) Tel: 678-6690 For Ranger pickup cab & half newly registered. Tel: 678-6690 Parts for Tacoma Tundra Titan for sale. Tel#686-9608. (1) new Mistubishi canter with excellent conditions with type of engine 4M51, long base, 2004 model, contact: 696-7664
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Business place to rent at Anna Catherina WCD, Contact #690-0205 Call between 10:30 am to 8:00 pm (1) bedroom & (2) bedroom apartment, New bottom flat @ Lot 2043 Plot C Herstelling New scheme. #667-1947/6947248 1 bedroom furnished apartment in Diamond H/S EBD Tel: 668-8403
CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE CAR R E N TA L : S U V F O R RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL:6435122/656-0087, ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM DOLLY’SCARRENTAL-CALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM Reliable rentals. Cars, SUV at low rate and security deposit special rates for long term. #227-2322/601-2622 AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807 WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP RATES,SPECIALOFFERS! . CALL: 690-6494
SALON TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 2257878 (24HRS) TOLET One fully furnished apartment to rent in South Riumveldt $25,000 weekly. #694-7817, 668-0306 Business spaces, top & bottom flat located @ 177 Charlotte and Alexander, Georgetown: #644-3555/6893462
Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. -CosmetologyCourses:$90,000 Nail Technician Course: $35,000. Call: 647-1773/688-0009 TOLET Section ‘K’ C/ville, furnished 2 bedroom apt. Pay now for April & live free for March. Tel: 688-9020 (1) 3 bedroom apartment, Lot 649 Herstelling New Scheme. 4th Bridge $60,000 per month. Tel: 692-7377/672-7194
WANTED 1 cook to cook vegetarian and non-vegetarian foods in the interior #699-4718 (1) Able bodied male to work @ bar-be-que stand & (1) general domestic with cooking experience. Contact: 687-3640 Live in waitress to work in bar. Call: 604-6606/ 692-4649 Truck drivers High & Low range to work in Georgetown. Tel#227-1717 Carpenters wanted to work in Linden. #615-7526/602-9469 Wanted experience hire car taxi drivers at Ramada Princess Hotel. Tel#265-7076/616-5419 Mature experience family to live in & work at Resort at Parika. Call: 231-0363 between (8:30am-4:30pm) Live in or live out babysitter/ domestic- Call: 223-7500 Monday to Saturday 8:15am4:15pm Looking for cash & best price on land in: Parafaite Harmonie, Uivlugt, Eccles, Herstelling, Providence, Farm. Call: 604-6724 Looking to buy a house or empty land, Preferences-EBD Public road. Buyer #1917-6225810/694-3331 PROPERTY FOR SALE Lot 15 Public road #2 Village. West Coast Berbice. 49ft by 10,314ft. $20M. Contact:6487109/686-4818 3 story commercial building,land size-120ftX60ft Building size-62ftX30ft Location-Lot 1486,Plot B Herstelling,EBD.Contact:6093777/697-4557 By Owner, House for sale on Norton street, between Haley & cemetary road, 12M neg Tel#682-3784 Friendship $6M Aubre Barker $30M Diamond $15M Roxanne Burnham $15M Prashad Nagar $65M LBI $100M #231-2199/618-7483 Property for sale (1) 3 story building at 97 Sugarcane street S/Rvldt Gardens. Price US 1.5M neg. Tel: 695-1356 & 687-8445 2-flat 3 bedroom wooden building situated at 154 ‘B’ Shell road, Kitty Georgetown. Tel: 697-9418/670-2653 25 3-bedroom brand new houses from 18-22M. 30 houselots to be sold, all agents welcome. Tel#656-1345 LAND FOR SALE Sophia, Parfaite, Land of Canaan, Diamond, Hadfield, Princess, Howes, Supply wharf, Houston, Herstelling. #231-2199/618-7483
WASHINGTON - CMC – Dominica has become the latest member state of the Organization of American States (OAS) to sign the AnticorrupVACANCY tion Mechanism on the ImpleWork from home earn $5K- mentation of the Inter-Ameri2 0 K d a i l y can Convention against Corwww.jobfairworldwide.com ruption (MESICIC). #622-1957 Employment “This makes 32 of 34 States consultation & guidance 9am- Parties to the Inter-American 5pm Convention against Corruption Experienced hair dresser and participating in this important cosmetologist. Contact: 225- Mechanism for cooperation in 0115/623-6550/623-6555 the prevention and fight against Handyman between the ages corruption,” the OAS said. Since its inception, the 18-35, apply in person to Christine’s Variety Store, OAS said MESICIC has “conLombard street. Contact: 227- tinuously grown, and has been one of the most effec8529 tive anticorruption mechaParalegal with degree in law. nisms due to the depth and Duties: secretarial, clerical & usefulness of its analysis and research tasks. Email: recommendations.” lawofficegy@gmail.com/ In 1996, the OAS said guyana@hotmail.com member states adopted the FULL/PARTTIME WAITER/ first international anticorrupWAITRESS VACANCY AT tion legal instrument and in AAGMAN INDIAN 2002, they instituted the RESTAURANT. CONTACT: mechanism, which evaluates 219-0158 BETWEEN 9:00- its fulfillment. Since that time, the OAS said 5:00 ON WEEKDAYS. MESICIC has “represented the CARPENTERS, MASONS, principal cooperation instruLABOURERS for ments for preventing, detectE.B.Demerara work site. ing, punishing and eradicatTel#266-4427 ing corruption in the AmeriFemale cleaner for office in cas,” including the Caribbean. The OAS said the Anti-CorEccles. Call: 233-2745. Porters. apply in person ruption Portal of the Americas Alabama Trading, provides information regarding transparency in public adminisGeorgetown Ferry Stelling. tration and anticorruption coOne male janitor. Apply in operation, including developPerson to Alabama Trading, ments within the MESICIC framework and technical coGeorgetown Ferry Stelling. Driver/Purchaser. Contact: operation efforts, as well as links to the web pages of the 223-5273/74 member states’ agencies with Welder. Contact: 223-5273/ responsibilities in this area. 74
US to supply emergency food, medicine to Venezuelan migrants VEHICLE FOR SALE 1 Blue Toyota Noah 2004. Price $2.8M Contact: 628-9844/2660711 One 2002 Toyota Tacoma for sale, stick shift, four wheel drive. Tel#662-6151/669-5400 Nissan Bluebird,Raum. #6640802 1- TwinsteerDoubleaxle Leyland DAF 4- LeylandDAF Flatbed tray 30ft 10- Guysuco Lorries 1 DAF engine. owner migrating #228-5655, 649-8449 One Hilux Vigo with 5VZ engine. Perfect condition. Tel:688-9020 LAND FOR SALE 18,731 acres mining land Gold & Diamond Mazaruni $5,000,000 USD Contact: 6951356, 687-8445 Parafaite Harmonie, Eccles, Uivlugt, Tuschen, Covent Garden, Herstelling, Diamond, Providence, Zeelugt. Tel# 6869608
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is providing $2.5 million for emergency food and medicine assistance to Venezuelan migrants in Colombia in the U.S.’ first action to alleviate a burgeoning humanitarian crisis reverberating across Latin America. Most of the aid will be directed toward the border city of Cucuta, which has been overwhelmed in recent months by hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans fleeing hunger and economic turmoil. The U.S. Agency for International Development said in a statement yesterday it will channel the funding through the Pan-American Health Organization and the United Nations’World Food Programme. LAND FOR SALE Farm $3.2M Eccles (concrete fence) $6M Herstelling $5M Parafaite Harmonie $1.6M Schnoord $3M. Tel#6560701/651-1969
Wednesday March 21, 2018
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Kaieteur News
Need for licensing of social workers highlighted at WSWD event As hundreds around the globe stopped to observe World Social Work Day, (WSWD) yesterday, officials of the Ministry of Social Protection at a locally organised event took the time to reflect on the evolvement of the profession in Guyana. According to International Federation of Social Workers, WSWD is a key day in the year that social workers worldwide stand together to celebrate the achievements of the profession and take the theme message into their communities, workplaces and to their governments to raise awareness of the social work contributions and need for further action. This year, WSWD highlights ‘Promoting Community and E n v i r o n m e n t a l Sustainability.” As such, social workers from various regions across the nation gathered at the Pegasus Hotel in Kingston to participate in a staff luncheon and to salute those in the field of work. During his speech, Arnold Mickle of the Guyana Association of Professional Social Workers, (GAPSW) stressed on making social work a more respected and
Scores from across the nation gathered at the Pegasus Hotel in Kingston to salute those in the field of Social Work. recognised profession locally. Mickle noted that it is time that for the profession of social work to be treated in the manner of those in medical and legal fields. “We are professionals and we should be seen as such... In the same manner in which lawyers and doctors had to study to become qualified, social workers have to study, so we should be proud of our profession,” he said. As part of efforts towards ensuring that the social worker has the necessary
framework for professionalism, Mickle lobbied for those employed in the field to be licensed. An issue, he said, that should have been addressed years ago. The GAPSW representative noted further that though hundreds of social workers graduate from the University of Guyana every year, “still we do not have the necessary systems in place for the licensing of social workers.” Meanwhile in her remarks, Permanent Secretary
of the Ministry of Social Protection Lorene Baird noted that WSWD is observed to showcase the valuable contribution of those in the field of work. “The execution of the mandate is therefore heavily dependent on human resources. This puts social workers at the core of its resolve. Specifically, it entails leveraging the values and tools of social work to enable individuals to strive and contribute to building equitable, inclusive and
sustainable communities at the local, national and global levels,” Baird said. In the same vein, Deputy Director of the Social Services Department, Abike BenjaminSamuels applauded the workers for the vital role they play in catering to the needs of persons in society. “As biased as this may sound, I really do not know of any other profession that is as involved in addressing the needs of human beings, across the life cycle, in so many diverse ways as social
workers do,” BenjaminSamuels noted. She noted that the occasion is an opportunity to honour and recognise outstanding employees who performed commendably over the years. As such, several persons attached to the Women Affairs Bureau, Social Security, and Chief Probation Officer, were presented with awards for the various levels of contributions and accomplishment to social work. (Rehanna Ramsay)
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Kaieteur News
Northern white rhino: Last male Sudan dies in Kenya (BBC) The world’s last surviving male northern white rhino has died after months of poor health, his carers say. Sudan, who was 45, lived at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya. He was put to sleep on Monday after agerelated complications worsened significantly. His death leaves only two females - his daughter and granddaughter - of the subspecies alive in the world. Hope for preserving the northern white rhino now lies in developing in vitro fertilisation (IVF) techniques. “His death is a cruel symbol of human disregard for nature and it saddened everyone who knew him,” said Jan Stejskal, an official at Dvur Kralove Zoo in the Czech Republic, where Sudan had lived until 2009. “But we should not give up,” he added in quotes carried by AFP news agency. “We must take advan-
tage of the unique situation in which cellular technologies are utilised for conservation of critically endangered species. It may sound unbelievable, but thanks to the newly developed techniques even Sudan could still have an offspring.” Rhinoceroses - of which there are five species - are the second-largest land mammal after elephants. The white rhinoceros consists of two sub-species: the southern white rhino and the much rarer and critically endan-
gered northern white rhino. Sudan, who was the equivalent of 90 in human years, was the last surviving male of the rarer variety after the natural death of a second male in late 2014. The subspecies’ population in Uganda, Central African Republic, Sudan and Chad was largely wiped out during the poaching crisis of the 1970s and 1980s. Poaching was fuelled by demand for rhino horn for use in traditional Chinese medicine, and for dagger handles in Yemen.
Wreck of sunken US WWII warship discovered in Pacific Washington (CNN) Wreckage from the USS Juneau — a World War II cruiser sunk by a Japanese torpedo in 1942 — has been discovered by a team of explorers led by billionaire Paul Allen on the floor of the South Pacific off the coast of the Solomon Islands, the Microsoft co-founder announced on Monday. The Juneau was lost on November 13, 1942, during the Battle of Guadalcanal in an attack that ultimately killed 687 men, including five brothers: Joseph, Francis, Albert, Madison and George
Sullivan. Remains of the “Atlantaclass light cruiser” were first identified by sonar on Saturday resting nearly 2.6 miles below the surface. “We certainly didn’t plan to find the Juneau on St. Patrick’s Day. The variables of these searches are just too great,” Robert Kraft, director of subsea operations for Paul Allen, said in a news release. “But finding the USS Juneau on Saint Patrick’s Day is an unexpected coincidence to the Sullivan brothers and all the service members who were lost 76 years ago.”
The Navy has since named two new destroyers “The Sullivans” in honor of the five brothers. “As the fifth commanding officer of USS The Sullivans (DDG 68), a ship named after five brothers, I am excited to hear that Allen and his team were able to locate the light cruiser USS Juneau (CL 52) that sunk during the Battle of Guadalcanal,” said Vice Adm. Rich Brown, commander, Naval Surface Forces, in a statement. “The story of the USS Juneau crew and Sullivan brothers epitomize the service and sacrifice of our nation’s greatest generation.”
Wednesday March 21 ,2018
Robots and automation put Africa at risk
US companies could move manufacturing operations back home due to falling costs of automation (BBC) Within less than two decades it will be cheaper to operate robots in US factories than hire workers in Africa, a new report warns. Falling automation costs are predicted to cause job losses as manufacturers return to richer economies. Some analysts say poorer countries could be less impacted by this trend, however the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) suggests otherwise. But its report adds African nations have time to prepare for the change. “African countries must not shy away from manufacturing, but instead prepare by increasing access to internet, investing in technical skills and promoting technological innovation,” said Karishma Banga a senior research of-
ficer at ODI. “If done well, automation can present important opportunities for African countries by improving labour productivity in manufacturing,” she said. It has been suggested that poorer countries will not be affected by automation because they have less money to invest in it. “Our research shows that this is overly optimistic. Currently the cost of operating robots in furniture manufacturing is still higher than labour, but this will not be the case within 15 years”, Dirk Willem te Velde, director of the Supporting Economic Transformation programme at ODI, said in a statement. ODI’s report, Digitalisation and the Future
of Manufacturing in Africa, found that in furniture manufacturing, the cost of operating robots and 3D printers in the US will be cheaper than Kenyan wages by 2034. In Ethiopia, ODI predicts robotic automation will be cheaper than Ethiopian workers between 2038 and 2042. This gives the continent between one to two decades to build up its capabilities in sectors less at risk of automation, “such as food and beverages, garments, metals”, the report writes. It advises African nations to expand access to broadband and develop locals’ technical skills through vocational training, technology hubs, and a bigger focus on STEM subjects in African educational bodies.
Russian diploma ts e xpelled diplomats expelled from UK head back to Moscow
Russians head home London (CNN)Twentythree Russian diplomats have left the UK for Moscow less than a week after being expelled over the poisoning of a former spy in Britain. Around 80 people, including the diplomats’ families, flew out of Stansted Airport near London on Tuesday to the Russian capital. Reuters video showed a small crowd gathered outside the Russian embassy, hugging and waving goodbye to
others boarding vehicles with diplomatic plates. They were later filmed boarding a Russian Air Force plane, bid farewell by Russian Ambassador to the United Kingdom Alexander Yakovenko. “Unfortunately it is very sad that the British government decided to behave like that, to treat us like that,” Yakovenko said from the tarmac, adding that it was a “violation of international law.”Russia and the UK have
been embroiled in a bitter diplomatic row since Russian former double agent Sergei Skripal, 66, and his daughter, 33-year-old Yulia Skripal, were poisoned in the English cathedral city of Salisbury on March 4. The pair remains critically ill in the hospital. A British police officer also fell ill from exposure to the substance, which British officials believe was the military-grade nerve agent Novichok.
Wednesday March 21, 2018
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Major road works for several regions in the pipeline The following were bids presented at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board yesterday. Ministry of Public Infrastructure: Urban Roads 2018 - Lot 1: Rehabilitation/Construction of Compound Road, Mabaruma (Phase 2), Region 1. Lot 2: Rehabilitation of Duncan Street, Georgetown, Region 4. Lot 3: Construction of Hugh Ghani Park, ECD, Region 4. Lot 4: Full Rehabilitation of lot 50, Stanleytown, New Amsterdam, East Berbice, Region 6. Lot 5, Rehabilitation of New Market Street, Rose Hall Town, Region 6. Lot 6: Rehabilitation/Construction of Bartica Potaro Road (Mile 5-6), Bartica, Region 7. Lot 7: Rehabilitation/Construction of Township Road Network (Phase 20), Lethem, Region 9.
Ministry of Legal Affairs: Procurement of Photocopiers and Accessories
Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Supply and Installation of 225kVA Generator and 400A Automatic Transfer Switch at Takuba Lodge, South Road, Georgetown.
Guyana Marketing Corporation: Supply, Delivery, Installation, Testing and Commissioning of a transformer for the Agro-Processing Demonstration Facility, Region 3.
Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission: Construction of Building for offices space and living quarters at New Amsterdam Berbice.
Ministry of Public Security: Procurement of IT Equipment
Guyana Defence Force: Repairs to Special Forces Head Quarters
>>>> To be continued tomorrow <<<<
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Wednesday March 21 ,2018
Kaieteur News
Wednesday March 21 ,2018
Antigua PM says debt to IMF to be fully paid off ST. JOHN’S, Antigua CMC – The Antigua and Barbuda government says it intends to fully repay the US$117.8 million loan given to the island by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) nearly eight years ago. In 2010, the Washingtonbased financial institution approved the multi-million dollar loan to the Antigua and Barbuda to support the government’s plan to recover from mounting government debt, weak economic growth, and the effects of the economic crisis. Last September the country was refused a moratorium on the debt despite the natural disaster that destroyed over 90 per cent of Barbuda and incurred over US$150 million in reconstruction and recovery costs. Prime Minister Gaston Browne, said then that St. John’s had only US$13 million outstanding and two weeks ago, the government made a payment of eight million US dollars to the IMF. “I gave instructions…to
Prime Minister Gaston Browne the Ministry of Finance to liquidate the IMF loan on Tuesday. We are paying it off in full,” he said. Browne said that he is not aware of any country in this hemisphere “in recent times that would have borrowed as much as 10 per cent of its gross domestic product (GDP) got bail out” as he criticised the then Baldwin Spencer administration for
entering into the IMF agreement. “Generally speaking an IMF programme is when the government would have failed, cannot meet its obligations, would have had balance of payments difficulties and had no other way out or other alternative but to go to the IMF. “Whenever you go to the IMF it signals bad governance,”” he insisted adding that the government then “did nothing constructive with the money” it borrowed from the IMF. Browne is leading his Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) into Wednesday’s general election which he called more than a year ahead of the constitutional deadline. The party’s main challenge will come from the main opposition United Progressive Party (UPP) that governed the island up until 2014. In the last general election, the ABLP won 13 of the 17 seats with the remainder going to the UPP.
Protesters target latest campaign tour by Brazil’s Lula Bagé (Brazil) (AFP) - Protesters interrupted the start Monday of an election campaign tour by former Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who leads opinion polls but faces a lengthy jail sentence for corruption. Police had to intervene to separate some 150 protesting farmers and Lula’s supporters in Bage, where the leftist leader was starting a bus tour of southern Brazil ahead of October 7 elections. The protesters brandished an effigy depicting Lula in prison garb and shouted: “Lula, thief, your place is in prison!” Supporters played accordions and chanted back: “Lula, warrior of the Brazilian people!” Lula, 72, was due to continue on his journey from Bage to Santana do Livramento on the border with
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva Uruguay to meet another charismatic leftist, former Uruguayan president Jose Mujica. The tour runs through March 28. Lula, who was president from 2003-2010, easily leads in polls of possible presidential candidates.
However, his chance for a comeback appears doomed by the likelihood of an imminent start to his prison sentence. An appeals court sentenced him to 12 years and one month in January after upholding his conviction for having taken an upscale seaside apartment as a bribe from a construction company involved in Brazil’s massive “Car Wash” corruption scheme. The same court is now due to decide soon on a technical challenge to that ruling. If it goes against Lula, he could face almost immediate incarceration. However, Lula’s lawyers have been working on multiple legal fronts to try and keep him out of prison — or get him out as soon as possible if he is forced to begin serving the sentence.
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Wednesday March 21 ,2018
Teachers reject latest govt. offer KINGSTON, Jamaica CMC – Public sector teachers have rejected the latest offer from the Jamaica government and have mandated their union, the Jamaica Teachers Association (JTA) to seek a better offer. A JTA statement said that the special general council meeting on Monday to discuss the latest wage offer teachers, which it did not disclose, had also mandated the
JTA to communicate the decision of the teachers to the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service. “As we are all aware the government made a new offer to the Jamaica Teachers Association on Friday last. There was a special general council meeting…where this new offer was placed on the table. The offer was put to a vote and the majority
voted to reject the current offer. “Our next move therefore will be that the association will write formally to the Ministry of Finance to inform them of the teachers’ latest position,’ said JTA president Georgia Waugh Richards. Asked if teachers are willing to wait until the 2019/2020 fiscal year for the retroactive payments if an agreement is not reached for funds to be
paid this month, she replied “it’s not a dialogue that we’ve had to say ‘yes’ they said to me they are willing to wait until that time. “But the fact that they have rejected, I’m sure they know what they are rejecting,” she added. The Andrew Holness government originally offered a six per cent salary increase for the 2017-2018 period and despite the teachers rejecting
the offer, the government said it was going ahead to make the payments at the end of this month. The JTA had accused the government of engaging in “union busting” strategies and insisted it “has not agreed to any such payment plan. The public school teachers have rejected a 16 per cent wage increase from the gov-
ernment over a four year-period amid speculation that they could embark upon island wide industrial action in support of their demands.
Wednesday March 21 ,2018
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St. Lucia endorses Participation in environmental matters regional agreement… noting that countries have The statement said that “Further, they have CASTRIES, St. Lucia CMC – St. Lucia has endorsed the first ever legally binding regional agreement that will address issues pertaining to access to information, public participation and justice in environmental matters. A government statement yesterday said that the Regional Agreement on Access to Information, Public Participation and Justice in Environmental matters in Latin
America and the Caribbean was adopted by representatives of 24 Caribbean and Latin American countries in Costa Rica after the final round of negotiations that earlier this month. “The agreement which recognizes the right to a healthy environment as a basic human right, sees environmental democracy as the only means of ensuring its full implementation,” the statement said,
affirmed “their unequivocal commitment to ensuring the right of people to participate in a significant way to the decisions that affect their lives and their surroundings”. The statement said that the agreement espouses the principles enshrined In Principle 10 of the Rio Declaration that “Environmental issues are best handled with the participation of all concerned citizens at the national level.”
the countries that are signatories to the new agreement “have made the bold step of resolving at the national level, that each individual would have appropriate access to information concerning the environment, that is held by public authorities including information on hazardous materials and activities in their communities, and the opportunity to participate in the decision making processes.
pledged to facilitate and encourage public awareness and participation by making information widely available as well as promoting effective access to judicial and administrative proceedings, particularly as regards redress and remedy.” The statement said that the final text of the agreement, which was produced in two official languages English and Spanish, gives due prominence to the plight of vulnerable persons or groups who face particular difficulties in fully exercising their access rights because of conditions or circumstances unique to their national context. It also guarantees a safe and enabling environment for persons, groups or organizations that promote and defend human rights in environmental matters, so that they are able to champion their causes free from threat, restriction and insecurity. The statement said that St. Lucia is “very optimistic that an agreement that was amenable to all would finally be realized” .It quoted Education, Innovation, Gender Relations and Sustainable Development Minister, Dr. Gale T.C. Rigobert, as pledging her
Dr. Gale T.C. Rigobert support for the objectives and principles espoused in the agreement, and would continue to ensure that continues to ensure that the island is ready to institute the necessary legal and normative frameworks, to give effect to Principle 10. “We applaud the recognition that the negotiations and ultimately this agreement has given to public defenders of human rights in environmental matters; we appreciate your work as being indispensable to the democratic process and the successful attainment of sustainable development goals.
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Wednesday March 21 ,2018
Jamaica hosting workshop on cybersecurity in aviation KINGSTON, Jamaica - CMC – Jamaica is hosting a four-day regional workshop on cybersecurity in aviation. The workshop, which ends on Friday, has brought together civil aviation personnel from 14 Latin America and Caribbean countries and is being hosted by the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA) in association with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the Organization of American States InterAmerican Committee against Terrorism (OAS CICTE), and MBJ Airports Ltd. JCAA manager for Aviation Security and Facilitation, retired Captain Althea Bartley, said that the workshop was developed out of a need to increase awareness of cybersecurity threats within the aviation industry. She said this was based on numerous incidents that have occurred over the last couple of years. Bartley said aviation is a “critical infrastructure for any government or country, and, as such, we (in Jamaica) realised the need to bring to the fore some guidance material for states and stakeholders as to how does one help to mitigate against these new and emerging cybersecurity threats”. She said cybersecurity crosses all areas in aviation, including airports, airlines, civil aviation authorities and air navigation, “so it is very broad, and the aim is to develop a
Captain Althea Bartley workshop that pulls everybody together in order to apply measures to mitigate this particular risk”. Bartley said the participants are largely regulatory personnel from civil aviation authorities within their jurisdiction, military aviation and airport personnel.
Wednesday March 21, 2018
Battling Bottas looks for a step up Down Under MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Valtteri Bottas knows he needs to step up his game from last season if he is to have any chance of keeping his place at Mercedes and has targeted a top-two finish at this weekend’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix. The 28-year-old won only three races last year despite getting a drive for the dominant Mercedes team alongside world champion Lewis Hamilton. With a host of other drivers coveting the Mercedes seat for next year when Bottas’s contract is up, the Finn knows this term he has to produce - starting at Albert Park on Sunday.“I do have big goals,” he told reporters at the track on Tuesday. “I need to try and step up my game and want to start the
season well here in Melbourne. Last year, I was third in the race so for sure need to do better than that.” Before last year’s podium, Bottas had a pretty poor record in Australia with 14th, eighth and fifth places in his three races for former team Williams.He failed to even start the 2015 race in Melbourne after suffering a back injury in qualifying which required an overnight stay in hospital. “I haven’t found it to be one of my strongest circuits in the past,” he added. “You know, I’ve always had a bit of mixed results but that’s something I want to change. I can’t have bad races for myself. “I want to be consistent in every place, so I think there were some positives in the
race last year, so hopefully we can build on that and be quick in the qualifying as well.” His team mate Hamilton has won only twice in Australia and finished second for the second year in a row last season on his way to his fourth world title. Bottas is very much aware that his primary function as Mercedes, chase a fifth successive constructors’ and drivers’ title double is to step into the breach should something go wrong for the Briton. “If Lewis is having a bad day, or bad race for any reason then I need to be able to fight for the win of the race,” he said.“So I’m just going to really focus on my performance, go day-by-day, session-by-session, lap-by-lap and try to be at my best every single time I’m on track.”
Wednesday March 21, 2018 Aries: Mar 21 - Apr 19 The planetary energy has you feeling a bit sluggish today. You'll probably want to stay home, surrounded by your books, pets, and plants
Libra: Sep 23 - Oct 22 You, along with a significant other in your life, could be very busy trying to make time to see each other today, Libra.
Taurus: Apr 20 - May 20 A temporary separation from someone close to you could have you reflecting on the good times you've spent together, especially over the past few weeks.
Scorpio: Oct 23 - Nov 21 Today you could be faced with a bunch of people from out of town that you've never met before. You're likely to find this exciting and stimulating, but you could also feel a bit flustered.
Gemini: May 21 - Jun 20 Dreams with mixed messages might trouble your sleep tonight. One minute you'll be having a wonderful dream, and the next could be black and gloomy. Write them down, Gemini. Cancer: Jun 21 - Jul 22 The special person in your life could be working too hard, causing strain for him or her and frustration for you. Their extra hours at work could interfere with your desire to enjoy quality time together.
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Sagit: Nov 22 - Dec 21 Travel and adventure are on your mind. You could be daydreaming about flying to exotic places and doing unusual things, such as touring the ancient sights of India or going on safari in Kenya. Capri: Dec 22 - Jan 19 It may not be easy for you to convince someone today. No matter how profound your idea or how convincing your explanations, the other person just isn't ready to believe it yet.
Leo: Jul 23 - Aug 22 Today you might try to continue or complete a creative project of some kind, but your imagination just isn't working the way it normally does.
Aquar.: Jan 20 - Feb 18 A trip by air could be very much on your mind today. Perhaps you're planning a vacation with your family or a romantic partner.
Virgo: Aug 23 - Sep 22 A rush of humanitarian spirit and a desire to do some real good might find you looking into various charities in order to find those you might want to help.
Pisces: Feb 19 - Mar 20 You've got a lot on your mind right now, Pisces, and others might be interpreting your quiet behavior as your being aloof. Go right ahead and let them think whatever they want.
Christian Coleman: US Kagiso Rabada... sprinter looking to break
From page 36 offence.A statement from the International Cricket Council said Rabada had “been found not guilty of the charge of making inappropriate and deliberate physical contact with a player” and instead been “found guilty of conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game”. It added it had “imposed a sanction of a fine of 25% of his match fee and one demerit point”.“This brings the player’s demerit points to a cumulated total of seven and he is free to play with immediate effect.” Rabada took 11 wickets in the second Test at Port Elizabeth to help the hosts level the four-match series at 1-1. The third Test starts on Thursday in Cape Town. Australian spin bowler Nathan Lyon said his team respected the ICC decision. “It’s not for me to sit here and say whether it is right or wrong,” he added. “As Australian cricketers we always want to play against best and he is the number one bowler in the world, so it will be a challenge for all of us that have to bat,” Lyon told reporters. Rabada ‘lacked respect for his fellow player’ “The key issue is whether Mr Rabada made ‘inappropriate and deliberate physical contact’ with Mr Smith,” said Michael Heron QC, who heard the appeal.“I am not ‘comfortably satisfied’ that Mr Rabada intended to make contact and I therefore find him not guilty of the charge under 2.2.7. “I am entitled, however, to consider whether the conduct involved constitutes a lower level offence.“I consider the conduct was inappropriate, lacked respect for his fellow player and involved non-deliberate and minor contact. The actions contravened the principle that a dismissed batsman should be left alone.”
Meusa is GCF’s... From page 43 continue partnering with the GCF in making Chess one of the prominent disciplines in Guyana.Bond thanked Minister Norton and Director of Sports Jones for their presence at the finals and their support to the executive of the GCF. (Sean Devers)
Tyson Gay record
Coleman, left, will be competing at the Anniversary Games. (Getty Images) BBC Sport - American sprinter Christian Coleman believes he can become the second fastest man of all time in 2018, but has conceded Usain Bolt’s world record is out of his reach for now. The 22-year-old won 60m gold at the World Championships earlier this month. Bolt’s world record is 9.58 seconds, with the USA’s Tyson Gay in joint-second on the all-time list with Yohan Blake (both 9.69). “Tyson Gay’s record is more in reach than Usain Bolt’s,” Coleman said. “I’ll be prepared to run fast this season. I’ll get in a good race with a lot of competition
and I’ll be ready to run fast... that’s when records are broken.”Coleman’s best time is 9.82, which he set in 2017 to beat the US collegiate record time. He also went on to win two silver medals at the 2017 World Championships in London and broke the 20 year-old 60m world record with a new time of 6.34. Coleman’s achievements have drawn comparison with eight-time Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt, and the Atlanta-born sprinter said: “When you have somebody as great as Usain Bolt and you get compared to the icon of your sport you never get annoyed with this comparison.
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Wednesday March 21, 2018
OSCL/ Orlando Cup II
Regal All Stars claim Open title, Floodlights are Masters Champs Guyanese teams Regal All Stars and Floodlights were crowned champions of the Orlando Softball Cricket League Open and Masters’ categories respectively when the curtains came down on the tournament on Sunday last at Hogshead Park in Florida. Safraz Esau struck a robust 53 off 23 balls to guide Regal All Stars to a sevenwicket win over Assassins in the Open final in front of a large crowd. Assassins posted 131-9 after they were asked to bat in brilliant sunshine. They were largely indebted to some lower order resistance after the top order struggled against some steady bowling. Roger Parsram made 29, while Prem Singh got 18 not out and Pooran Beria 17. Rohit Dutchin claimed 220, while Fazal Rafiek had 236. Regal All Stars lost Richard Latif, the tournament’s most valuable player, early in the chase, but Esau steadied the chase nicely, hitting seven fours and three sixes before he was dismissed. Navin Singh ensured his Regal All
Stars lifted the trophy with an unbeaten 45 which included two fours and three sixes, while Rafiek made 16 as Regal All Stars finished on 132-3 in 14.2 overs. Prem Singh had 241. Regal took the winning Orlando Cup and US$4,000, while Esau was named Manof -the -Match in the final. Regal bowler, Delroy Perreira was adjudged the tournament’s best bowler and Latif the best batsman. In the Masters Over-45 year old final, Ramesh Narine guided Floodlights Masters to a 12-run victory over nemesis Regal Masters. Narine slammed three fours and nine sixes in an even century which came off 56 balls, while Ravi Lutchman made 31 as Floodlights posted 192-9, batting first. David Harper picked up 2 for 28 and Troy Kipins 2-46. In reply, the Regal Masters needed to score at just under 10 runs per over but eventually ended on 181 for 8. Eric Thomas struck 56 off 26 balls, while Rudolph Baker
The winning Floodlights side with their hardware. made 38 from 21 balls (3x6; 3x4) before he was run out and Mohendra Arjune 15.When Thomas became another run out victim in the 19th over at 169 for 6, there were still 23 runs to get from almost two overs but Floodlights prevailed. Akash Lutchman (2/18) and Ramesh Narine (2/20) were the pick of the bowlers.
At the Presentation ceremony, Narine was named Man-of-the-Match, while Bhim George was the MVP and Masters Over-45 tournament’s best batsman. Mahendra Hardyal won the best bowler prize and collected
the purple cap and shirt and a trophy. In the Master’s Over 50years old category, Orlando Masters were adjudged champions after a high scoring final with New York Maters Premier.
In all, the three-day tournament attracted 25 teams in the three categories and was held at two venues. The next stop on the international softball calendar is New York for the Independence Cup in July.
Kagiso Rabada: South Africa pace bowler’s ban reduced after appeal BBC Sport - South Africa pace bowler Kagiso Rabada can play in the final two Test matches against Australia after he won an appeal to have his series ban reduced. Rabada was given three demerit points after being deemed to have deliberately made contact with Steve Smith after dismissing him in
the second Test. That took the 22-year-old to eight demerit points in a 24month period, an automatic two-Test ban. But his punishment was reduced to one demerit point on appeal. His fine was also brought down from 50% of his match fee to 25% for the (Continued on page 35)
Kagiso Rabada
Wednesday March 21, 2018
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2018 GABA Knockout B’ball Tournament
Colts and Guardians win game one of respective 1st Div. and U-23 finals The three-game finals in the Under-23 and 1st Divisions of the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association’s (GABA) 2018 knockout competition bounced off on Monday Night at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, in the presence of a reasonably sized crowd which included head of the Guyana Basketball Federation (GABF), Nigel Hinds. Plaisance Guardians easily defeated Pacesetters 73-59
in the Under-23 division. Guardians’ center(C) Akeem Crandon continu e d h i s dominant form with another superb all-round performance. He netted a game high 20 points and was a class above in defence with a few blocks; if those statistics were available, Crandon would’ve finished with at least a double-double (points & blocks). Crandon’s teammate, Terrence Daniels, continued
to impress with a valuable 14 points that helped his team to the important game one win. Pacesetters’ Tofowa Daly (18 points) wowed the crowd and fired up his team which trailed throughout the loss but he didn’t get the support which his efforts deserved. In the 1st Division finals game one, which was the feature match of the night, Bounty Colts defeated Nets 68-59. Domar Gladstone topped scored for Colts with 14 points, while National Guard Stanton Rose assisted with 12
Guardians’ Akeem Guardian at the free-throw line during another one of his match-winning performances against Pacesetters in the Under-23 finals, game 1 at CASH. points along with the Captain Shelroy Thomas’ contribution of 10 points. The reigning National Club Champions, Colts, led
Pacesetters’ Tofawa Daly (10) who scored 18 points, marks Guardians Nigel Bowen during his teams’ heavy loss in the first of the 3-game Under-23 finals.
the game from the first to final quarter of play and despite Pelham Doris equaling Gladstone’s game-high tally of 14 points, his team’s all-
round performance couldn’t trump Colts with Hodaya Stewart (10 points) being the next best scorer. (Calvin Chapman)
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Wednesday March 21, 2018
GMRSC’s National Race of Champions
Prem’s Electrical sponsors group two
Prem’s Electrical Representative Darshanie Narine (right) hands over the sponsorship cheque to GMR&SC’s Desiree Lee. The Group Two Class for the upcoming Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club’s (GMRSC) National Race of Champions this Sunday will be exclusively sponsored by Prem’s Electrical following the ceremonial sponsorship handing over on Monday. The category is now renamed Prem’s Electrical Group Two Class specifically for this event with an eye to possibly sponsoring the year. A statement from the company stated, “We are happy to be on board with the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club for the First National Race of Champions 2018.” Meanwhile, the club be-
lieves that the continued support of corporate Guyana is testimony to the work that is being done locally. “Prem’s Electrical has always been a stalwart sponsor of motorsport locally and we are happy that they continue to stick with us moving forward,” The club stated. “We cannot thank the management of Prem’s Electrical for the continued support. Their belief in us remains an important faucet in moving forward.”The first National race of Champions races off this Sunday at the South Dakota Circuit with STAG, Mohamed’s Enterprise and Tropical Shipping as the title sponsors.
Guyana to participate in CFU’s... From page 40 Guyana football.”The locallybased squad will train twice weekly beginning tomorrow and will focus on technical and tactical skills and fitness. Guyana has been placed in Group E of the five-group tournament with Suriname and Grenada and will have its first match against Grenada on the 25th April at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Trinidad & Tobago beginning at 16:00hrs. Guyana’s second match is scheduled for the 27th April at 16:00hrs against Suriname and will face host Trinidad and Tobago on the 29th April at 17:30hrs. The matches in each group will be played in Round Robin format, each team playing one match against each
of the other teams in the same group. The tournament will be held from the 18th – 29th April and will be played in St. Kitts and Nevis, Jamaica, Haiti, Antigua and Barbuda and Trinidad and Tobago. The groups are as follows: GROUP A: St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica, St. Lucia GROUP B: Jamaica, Turks and Caicos, Barbados, Cuba GROUP C: Haiti, Martinique, USVI, Dominican Republic GROUP D: Antigua and Barbuda, Guadeloupe, Curacao, Montserrat GROUP E: Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Suriname, Grenada
Wednesday March 21, 2018
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Essex County’s Andrea Foster one of six recognised for Women’s History Month - Becomes first student from her college to receive such an award By Franklin Wilson Guyanese middle distance star athlete, Andrea Foster, who will graduate this June with an Associate’s Degree in General Science, has picked up yet another award from Essex County College where she is attending after being granted a scholarship in 2016. Following recognition for her exploits in athletics and academics as part of the Annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) in February this year, the 20 year-old athlete was one of six girls on Monday last who were presented with the Essex County Althea Gibson Leadership Award during the 2018 Essex County Women’s History Month celebrations. This year’s theme was, “Students Achieving Today – Our Leaders of Tomorrow.” In a letter to Foster signed by Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr., Foster was described as an Essex
County College student who has demonstrated academic success, contributed to the school and local communities and has shown promise to become a future leader. A former student of Bladen Hall Multilateral School here, Foster became the first student from Essex to be bestowed with such an honour, she expressed delight at being among the first women to be recognised by the College as part of this event. ”God is forever great and I owe all my praises to him. I am beyond blessed and honoured to achieve such an award. Beyond the sky is definitely my limit and I will continue to take my positive attitudes throughout negative situations; Knock down doesn’t mean knock out.” A number of persons were acknowledged by Foster for being there for her: “Special thanks to my mom, Alisha Fortune who has always been there for me through thick and thin. Thanks to my Primary
school teacher Miss Fiona Meusa and my Secondary teachers Miss Shondell Rose (School Mom) and Sir Jamaine Braithwaithe just to name a few, who saw more than what I saw in myself. Thanks to Glory Light Tabernacle and Christian Community Center for their continued support and prayers that’s keeping and helping me to propel. Also thanks to my family, friends, godfather (Julian Edmonds), teammates and everyone that’s supporting me in every positive way.” Another Guyanese student, Shante Hamilton-John, a former student of School of the Nations also received the award. Hamilton John is presently attending West Caldwell Tech Campus where she is pursuing a Major in Music Technology and will start college in late August this year and Franklin and Marshall College is her top choice. The other Althea Gibson Leadership Awardees are
Andrea Foster (2nd right) and fellow Guyanese Shante Hamilton-John (left), pose with the other awardees.
Luis Ramirez-Merlano and Shondell Hyles triumphant at Darts Tournament Mr. Ramirez-Merlano came out unbeaten at last Sunday’s Darts tournament which was held at the Safari Inn Hotel that was co-sponsored by Mr. RamirezMerlano himself and Ms. Ruth Avilar.The games started with the Women’s Singles where Ms. Shondell Hyles was crowned champion from a round robin knockout and Ms. Mary Correia following her with second place. Ms. Hyles also managed to take away the most 100’s for the female category. Ms. Victorine Chandro secured the highest checkout of 116 points for the entire tournament. In the Men’s Singles Mr. Ramirez-Merlano came
out victorious without losing a single leg in this category. He started off in the first round with a BYE where he met up with Mr. A. Damon, defeating him 3/0 and moving on to play Mr. Anil Lachman in the Semi-Final and again defeating him 3/0. He then went on to play National Champion Mr. Sudesh Fitzgerald who defeated S. Greene in his Semi-Finals. Mr. Ramirez-Merlano managed to defeat Mr. Fitzgerald 4/0, without losing a single leg to him. However, Mr. Fitzgerald managed to take home the most 180’s and shortest game incentives; scoring one 180 and a 17 darts finish.
And finally in the Luck of the Draw Doubles category, Mr. Ramirez-Merlano and Mr. S. Fenty teamed up and defeated Mr. J. Holligan and N. De Caries (newest member) in the finals 2/0. Mr. Ramirez-Merlano mentioned that it was a great night of Darts. However, he was disappointed that the youth tournament was not played due to poor participation. Nevertheless, this is a category he will continue to place high emphasis on to encourage participation of youths. He congratulated all the winners and thanked everyone who made a special effort to come out and make the tournament successful.
Anaya Battle (Bloomfield Tech Campus), Shania Langford (Newark Tech Campus), Estefany Galdamez (West Caldwell Tech Campus), and Nicole Robinson (North 13th Street Campus).
In 2017, Foster was awarded for being Essex’ 2016/ 2017 Women’s Cross Country Academic Scholar for her overall GPA of 3.87. She was also rewarded by the US Track and Field Cross Coun-
try Coaches Association as an All American (NJCAA) National Junior College Athletic Association Track and Field 800M stand out for the 2017 Indoor Track and Field Season
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Wednesday March 21, 2018
BCB to host Annual Award Ceremony - after absence of three years Outstanding Berbice Cricketers for the Year 2017 would be honoured by the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB)
for their performances on Saturday 21st April. The Berbice Cricket Board would be hosting its Annual Award Cer-
emony at State House in New Amsterdam and a total of 15 Awards would be shared out. Newly elected President
Hilbert Foster stated that the Award Ceremony is a very important event as it would allow the heroes of Berbice
Cricket to be honoured in a fitting way. The Awards would be held after an absence of four years and Foster stated that under his leadership this would become an annual event. The Awards Ceremony was introduced under the Presidency of Keith Foster (2008-2014) and became one of the major activities in the Berbice Cricket Board Calendar but stopped after the Special Events Committee closed off operations in late 2014. The 2018 Award Ceremony would involve the honouring of the Berbice Under-15 Player of the Year 2017, Under-17 Player of the Year, 2017 Under-19 Player of the Year, Regional Berbice Youth Cricketer of the Year, Regional Berbice Senior Cricketer of the Year, Regional Female Cricketer of the Year, Berbice Female Cricketer of the year, Discipline Player of the Year, Most Promising Player, Umpire of the Year, Cricketer of the Year and Club of the Year. Among the Cricketers expected to be honoured are Shimron Hetmyer, Veerasammy Permaul, Devendra Bishoo, Kevlon Anderson, Shemaine Campbelle and Romario Shepherd. The Berbice Cricket Board has established a working committee under the leadership of Secretary Robby Saywack, while President Hilbert Foster is responsible for the Marketing of the event. The final list of Awardees would be selected by a special panel of experienced
Devendra Bishoo
Shimron Hetmyer Cricket Administrators and Journalists before being approved by the Berbice Cricket Board Executive Committee. The Berbice Cricket Board would also use the Awards Ceremony to unveil its Educational Posters for junior Cricketers in the ancient county. The Posters would have informative tips on batting, bowling, wicketkeeping and fielding. They would be distributed free of cost to young cricketers, cricket clubs, schools and NGOs.
Guyana to participate in CFU’s Women Challenge Series football tourney next month The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has shortlisted 21 locally-based players as preparations begin for Guyana’s participation in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Women’s Challenge Series Tournament, scheduled for April. Among those selected are two Goalkeepers, six Defenders, nine Midfielders and four Forwards from five GFFScotiabank Academy Training Centres (ATCs). Tricia Munroe, GFF’s Women’s Development Officer, said Guyana is using this tournament as preparation for the CONCACAF Qualifiers, scheduled for May 2018, and the final squad will include overseas-based players, “In keeping with the Technical Development Strategy, the provisional Team Guyana has 21 locally-based females, many of whom were taken from the GFF-Scotiabank Academy Training Centres
(ATCs). To increase our competitiveness in the tournament, Guyana will put forward the best team possible so the final 18 will comprise the mosttalented local and overseasbased players.” Meanwhile, Women’s International Team Coordinator, Paul Beresford, said the international ‘Lady Jags’ programme was relaunched last weekend and he is looking forward to have integration of the international players, “As part of the “Lady Jags” re-launch, a minicamp was held in Toronto, which was attended by 19 internationally-based players. We are looking forward to integrating our internationally-based players with our Guyana-based players to produce a team that will not only be competitive and exciting to watch but will truly represent the diversity that is (Continued on page 40)