PAGE 04
Kaieteur News
Friday March 31, 2017
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL The critical need for convincing messages It is true that Guyanese at home and abroad have a passion for discussing the problems facing the country, but when it comes to finding solutions to them, they seldom act. Some tend to go around in circles, others are just incapable of coming up with effective solutions. Unfortunately, the government has been notoriously slow to act, and with the passage of time, some of those problems have been exacerbated. Occasional flare-ups do serve as reminders that they are still there, simply lurking in the background. It seems that the authorities are afraid to face the challenges and take the required steps to create stability. Case in point: the foreign currency crisis. Who knows when, where and how that will end? There is a deep-seated fear of failure, lack of confidence, and absence of political will at the key decision-making level. The administration needs to come to grips with these realities, because its apparent inability to face up to major problems and find solutions for them is hindering progress. The country is haemorrhaging, which means that the government can no longer continue to bury its head in the sand and wishfully hope that the innumerable issues will suddenly vanish into thin air. There is no fairy Godmother or Godfather; miracles of that kind occur only in fairy tales, not in the real world. Being in office for almost two years has been more than enough time to have crafted solutions to some of the existing setbacks. The time for merely casting blame on the last administration for the woes of the country is over. This government, ultimately, is the master of its own destiny, through the policies it implements and adopts, in solving some of the pressing concerns. There are options available. The first critical step towards solving any problem is to always acknowledge that it exists and that it poses a real or potential threat to the interests that are needed to be protected. This will pave the way to choose the most effective options available in terms of a lasting solution. The second, and perhaps the most important point, is for partisan politics to be cast aside and for the brightest minds to be hired for the fight. We will continue to emphasise that visionary and transformative leadership is needed. Such guidance will unite and mobilize the people around a common purpose and convincingly point a way out when there seems to be none. It can bring out the best in people in difficult times. Visionary and transformative leadership is capable of achieving what the great Winston Churchill did as the Prime Minister of Britain during the gloomy days of World War II. The current leadership in Guyana needs to rise to the occasion and craft a national strategy for meaningful and sustainable development. The citizenry must be convinced to join in the process of advancing the country, not only in terms of the economy but also holistically. Everyone has a role to play, but our leaders must lead, or else we will be doomed as a nation. There continues to be a lot of pessimism about the country’s direction. This is especially evident among youths, and it borders, in some instances, on a sense of despair and helplessness. A positive outlook is not being provided. There is no uplifting or convincing message. There is a dire need for convincing messages. Some will say the positive messages and successes are not being clearly and efficiently disseminated to the people. Whatever the case, there is no time left for the chosen messengers to fumble. Whether we succeed or not will be determined by the mindset that is created. It is said that all things are possible. Can our current leaders convince us in that regard?
Editor’s Note; If your sent letter was not published and you felt its contents were valid and devoid of libel or personal attacks, please contact us by phone or email.
THE LIST SYSTEM HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO RACIAL MOBILISATION AND PARTY DICTATORSHIP Dear Editor; I read that the Carter Centre and the University of Guyana will host a symposium on constitutional reform on Fri 31st March and I thought I would publicly share my views on the subject via the print media. It is my opinion that Proportional Representation (PR) and the List System have harmed race relations and the democratic process in Guyana by enabling racial mobilization and party dictatorship. The consequences being that of ethnic divisions, a farce of a parliament, and a mockery of coalition politics. Under our electoral system voters do not directly elect their Members of Parliament (MP). Rather we vote for a list of candidates that are fielded by the political parties and the political parties through the List Representatives select the MPs. In reality the political bosses select the MPs. The MPs are not accountable to local constituencies but rather to the Party. In Parliament the MP is not allowed to vote according to conscience but
must toe the party line or risk being fired by the Party. This most certainly is not parliamentary democracy but party dictatorship. Coupled with party dictatorship is racial mobilization. If we look at our political history we will see that since PR was introduced in Dec 1964 it made it much easier for the main parties to engage in electoral mobilization along racial lines so much so that today in 2017 we have entrenched racial blocs supporting both parties. There is no need for the parties to have good programs and appeal to reason. It is much easier to appeal to race by subtle and sometimes crude language. There is no need for a candidate to work house to house in seeking the votes of all irrespective of ethnicity as was the case when we had First Past The Post (FPTP) prior to 1964. Post 1964 found that both major parties had embraced Socialist ideology which naturally inculcated dictatorship instincts in their leadership. Such dictatorial instincts spilled over to the
Parliament where they literally opposed each other. No matter what the PNC proposed the PPP opposed and vice versa. There was never compromise. It was always about the majority party getting its way. The only time the PPP and PNC found common ground was to pass the Recall Bill which gave them legal ownership of the parliamentary seats and the power to fire dissenting MPs! It also effectively turned Parliament into a farce. All of this because of the List System. The List System has essentially made a mockery of post independence coalition politics as coalitions must be formed before elections and they must also put up a common list with the List Representative selecting the MPs. It means that no one party owns a seat or seats. A party cannot leave the coalition with its seats. If a party walks away the seats remain with the coalition. In such an arrangement the smaller parties are rendered impotent, unless they control the List Representative, which would be most
unlikely. So smaller parties must accept the dictates of the larger ones. In Guyana a coalition government simply cannot be brought down by a junior partner. This is totally different to real parliamentary democracies that adhere to the Westminster Constitutions they all got at Independence. All the functioning parliamentary democracies such as India, Barabdos, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago have one thing in common. They all kept the We s t m i n s t e r t y p e constitutions that they got from the Briitish. So my first recommendation is for Guyana to revert to the 1966 Independence Constitution but I know the main parties would not do so. My other recommendations are as follows: replace PR with FPTP thereby ending the List System, repeal the Recall Bill thereby enabling MPs to vote according to conscience, scrap the rule that disallows post election coalitions thereby permitting post election coalitions with very party having their own seats. Malcolm Harripaul
Former GECOM Chairman explains Dear Editor; Although I have already begun to truly enjoy my retirement, and although I have, over many years, been preparing for this new phase of my life, not lastly by programming myself not to be embroiled in discussions on issues associated with the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), it is imperative that, on occasion, some answers must be given to those who assail positions in which I deeply believe. This once-and-for-all, final statement - pertaining to the stance taken by some letter writers on the methodology used to arrive at the composition of the Guyana Elections Commission - serves to engage the public’s attention that there are other options relative to the issue of choosing Commission Members. The response will be in 2 parts: (1) Delineating the reasons for my position on changing the method of choosing Commissioners.
(2) Offering opinions and options on the matter. What follows from heron is part one. Those persons, who want the current methodology associated with the choice of GECOM Commissioners to remain the same, use the current Constitution (the very one often denounced by nonBurnhamite political parties) as the base of their arguments. Such views maintain that the content of the Constitution is virtually immutable, and that the electoral aspects of the Constitution must not now be altered, especially not the methodology for selecting the Commissioners of GECOM. They maintain that the Commission is, by its inherent nature, bypartisan, and must so remain. They argue that the “Carter Formula” of 25 years ago, which is currently in use is the acceptable view of all stakeholders. Well, that is patently untrue. Firstly, allow me to remind that the “Carter Formula” was painstakingly
worked out in an atmosphere of great distrust among the major political movements at the time, many of which were clamouring for change in the political culture of our country. The then ruling Party (not lastly advocating the Paramountcy of the Party over the Government) was not even prepared to accept the counting of the ballots at the place of poll. Such was the environment when the Carter Formula was introduced in 1992. This arrangement was never intended to last forever. After the experiences of the 1994, 1997 and the 2001 Elections, here is what, inter alia, the Carter Center had to say in 2001:”The ‘Carter Formula’ which was critical to the success of the breakthrough transitional elections in 1992 has allowed, in subsequent elections, party interests to interfere with effective electoral administration”. The same Report advised that “as part of electoral reform efforts, Guyana should give careful
consideration to alternative models, possibly reducing or eliminating political party representation (on the Commission) and increasing the role of independent members of civil society and professional experts”. Not only does the Carter Center recognize the need for consideration of “alternative models” relative to the establishment of our Elections Commission, but some practising Political Party leaders have consistently observed not only the unfairness of the Commission composition (the AFC continuously laments that it never had one of its members on the Commission to represent its views), but that the method used in 1992 to establish the Commission was at best a transitional device and that the current laws attending to the Electoral Commission composition (including that of a Chairman) have exhausted their usefulness. Moreover, it is important to point out that credible, (Continued on page 5)
Friday March 31, 2017
This promoter and his people should be charged with fraud DEAR EDITOR, It is with deep anger that I read your newspaper, ‘Dem boy seh’, on Tuesday poking fun at a promoter who was suppose to bring in the Indian comedian, Johnny Lever. Instead a lookalike came over the weekend. From all indications, while the show at Providence Stadium went ahead, the Berbice leg was cancelled. Mr. Editor, as much as we dearly love ‘Dem boys seh’, the reality is that this is no laughing matter. There is the very real issue of deceptive ads and there are the issues of what was being told to the media houses. For the man in
the street, the fact that a lookalike was coming was not made immediately clear to Guyanese. Looking at a video of the airport arrival of Mr. Johnny Lever, which was quickly shared on social media, the promoters did not say anything that it was Mr Johnny Level’s fake or lookalike. There are thousands of Guyanese who watch Bollywood and are quite familiar with the genius of Johnny Lever. He is beloved. To promote something without making it clear that we are getting a lookalike or fake is highly deceptive and tantamount to
fraud. I have been receiving a lot of complaints about this issue. People want their money back. The promoter has said not a word. Surely this matter should attract the attention of the police. There are some opinions being offered that the advertising and promotion is tantamount to obtaining money by false pretense. It would be interesting to hear what our lawyers and the Commissioner of Police, Seelall Persaud, say on this. Maybe your well-read newspaper could raise this issue. Cobeer Persaud
Former GECOM Chairman explains From page 4 experienced, tested and proven Elections Observers have documented - on the issue of the GECOM composition - the following:1.The Carter Center (after the 2001 Elections referred to above) documented that: “In advance of future elections, Guyana should consider reforms that would reduce the politicized composition of GECOM and move toward an Elections Management Body (EMB) with a structure, composition and operations that are more consistent with international good practice and obligations, thus ensuring the independence and impartiality of the EMB”. The Carter Center inflexibly advocated the same position after the 2006 and 2015 Elections. 2.The Commonwealth Secretariat (ComSec) after the 2006 Elections, issued the following statement: “Strong consideration should be given to ending the practice of having political appointees as members of the Guyana Elections Commission. The present formula compromises the effectiveness and integrity of the Commission, which needs to be independent and above partisan politics at all levels”. Further, ComSec’s Elections Observer Report on the May, 2015 Elections stated that “the process of allowing
PAGE 5
Kaieteur News
Political Parties to appoint Commissioners to the Elections Commission results in an overreliance on the neutrality and political independence of whoever is the Chairperson of the Commission”. 3. The Electoral Assistance Bureau (EAB), after the 2006 General and Regional Elections, recommended that: “The Guyana Elections Commission must be comprised of technocrats and non-political persons, who should be chosen by an appropriate mechanism, so as to ensure broad support for and confidence in the appointees”. 4. The Organizations of American States (OAS), the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) and the CARICOM Secretariat, at various relevant fora, have also consistently and adamantly suggested that, in order to improve the democratic process, improved methodologies should be constantly sought out and implemented, relative to the establishment of Commissions within their respective jurisdictions.[N.B.: Bold and underlined portions of quotes of the Reports mentioned above are from me, so as to emphasize the points being made.] It has been mentioned that I wish to undermine the Constitution by desiring to change the methodology associated with the selection of Commissioners. I admit that I
am a great protagonist for this change. The present circumstances must inexorably lead towards untameable fractiousness, conflict and challenges in managing the Commission - especially when a General Secretary of a Party nominating the Commissioners expects of them “to be strong and continue fighting for the Party’s cause at GECOM”. The raison d’être of GECOM’s existence is to administer free, fair and well constructed electoral processes, and while I recognize that the Commission has to be sensitive to political realities, its independence and impartiality must be sacrosanct and protected at all costs. Having Party Agents on the Commission does not ensure either independence or impartiality. In another letter (this one has already gone past the limits advocated by newspaper editors), I will present possible options (not diktats) to the current Constitutional texts as they relate to the selection of GECOM Commissioners. Steve Surujbally A.A. Former Chairman of GECOM
Courtney Crum-Ewing’s murder will ciples. His sudden execution be solved before 2020 on March 10, 2015 was indeed DEAR EDITOR, There is an old adage that those who live in glass houses should never throw stones (bricks). It is amusing when some people believe that they have ‘secrets’ for others, not realizing the exposure they create for themselves. Sometimes in Guyana, the notion of secrecy is as disgusting as it is ludicrous. This is so because most Guyanese don’t keep secrets very well or for very lengthy periods. Influencing spirits, whether liquid or otherwise invisible, impulsively cause Guyanese to release their secrets in varying proportions. Circumstances also have the same effects. People always know something about somebody who knows somebody else. There are no real secrets. They all eventually come to light, even decades after the fact. So a person’s perceived secret is no secret at all. Once probed or revealed by confes-
sion, inadvertence or coercion, secrets lose their secrecy. Recently, our standing and former Attorney Generals (AGs) took the spotlight over allegations and counter allegations of threats, accessorizing and misconduct. The situation took a very interesting twist and sudden jolting turn with revelations by the sitting AG than correspondence were recently found somewhere in the former AG’s office that purportedly link the latter to a suspect in the murder of Courtney Crum-Ewing. Courtney was a dear friend of mine. We were products of the same alma mater and spoke occasionally on a range of matters after his return from Antigua. I discovered that Courtney had matured from when I first knew him during school days, and held strong to certain prin-
stunning and premature. Courtney had insight of some things that may have been the reason for what took place. Shortly after CrumEwing’s murder, the former AG made a vehement public denial of ever knowing CrumEwing; much less persons fingered in causing his demise. That statement was a very interesting one. That statement was one that fuelled the ire of Donna Harcourt, Courtney’s mother. Today the former AG’s plea of ignorance is being brought under the spotlight once more. That spotlight is being shone by the current AG, and that spotlight threatens to penetrate the tinted glass house of a former government. Guyana is a very interesting country, full of mud, bricks and bloodied hands. I believe that Courtney Crum-Ewing’s murder will be solved long before 2020. Orette Cutting
Parents who picket against VAT on school fees are justified in so doing DEAR EDITOR, I have just read a letter published in your newspaper on March 28th entitled “Some Private Schools leave much to be desired” written by Sahadeo Bates. I wish to respond to this letter as it is totally necessary that some points of order be clarified for the benefit of the public. It would be an injustice for the public to be misled by that letter.
Mr. Sahadeo has condemned parents for being out of touch with reality because he seems to suggest that the quality of private schools is not worth the fight. I wonder when was the last time Mr. Sahadeo has taken a look at the NGSA results. At this level, it is indeed private schools that dominate and those few public school students who squeeze in the top 100 are not products of their
public school but master pieces of private lessons. Mr. Sahadeo clearly and correctly stated that parents will be burdened with directly paying the VAT. He goes on (Continued on page 6)
PAGE 6
Friday March 31, 2017
Kaieteur News
GuySuco highlights the unreasonable attitude of the union DEAR EDITOR; The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) Inc. would like to respond to the letter that was published in the newspapers on 24 March, 2017 and titled ‘Injustices to sugar workers are being perpetrated anew’ and penned by Mr. Seepaul Narine, General Secretary of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU). In the letter Mr. Narine was essentially focusing on what he claims ‘the company’s (GuySuCo’s) wrong decision to deny some 300 workers from wales estate their rightful severance entitlement’. He further continued that ‘we strongly contend that the corporation’s intention is to unilaterally, and contrary to the laws of the land, transfer the 300-odd workers to Uitvlugt thus frustrating them and bring on conditions that are not conducive for them to continue to work. In such circumstances, GuySuCo can very well seek to deny them their payments for their years of service rendered’. The Corporation wishes to appeal to GAWU on behalf of the workers and in the interest of the sustainability of the industry as a whole, to provide advice to the work-
ers that would see them securing continuous employment to sustain their livelihoods. Quite apart from the Corporation, these workers have a responsibility to their families and communities. The Corporation is in fact more interested in the future welfare of its employees and their families. In offering the Cane Harvesters and Cane Transport Operators from Wales Estate continued employment, they will retain their benefits and be better able to sustain the future of their children. Some of the benefits include; medical services for their spouses and children under 18 years, particularly in emergencies; access to financial assistance through the Corporation’s Bursary Award Programme; opportunity for their children to be selected to become an Apprentice at the G u y S u C o ’s Tr a i n i n g School/Port Mourant; among others. Further, the income they earn will also contribute to the community in which they reside. The Uitvlugt Estate has a severe labour shortage and need these employees to assist in harvesting. The immediate reality is that the
turnout at Uitvlugt Estate for the crop so far, is as follows: First Crop 2017 Weekending Percentage 17 February,, 2017 55% 24 February, 2017 46% 3 March, 2017 56% 10 March, 2017 41% 17 March, 2017 46% 24 March, 2017 50% The implications of this low attendance is that canes are not being harvested in a timely manner, the factory cannot operate continuously and if the Corporation does not produce sugar then revenue will not be earned. It is ironic that GAWU is talking about sustainability, but the Corporation has to earn revenue in order to be sustainable. Despite the precarious position of the Corporation, GAWU has narrowed this matter down to one of mere severance payment for 300 plus employees from Wales Estate, disregarding the need at
Parents who picket against VAT on... From page 5 to question whether parents know what they are defending when picketing. Is it not brutally clear that they are defending themselves and their children? If the VAT will be burdened on them then they are not fighting for the interest of the school but the interest of their own child’s future and as an extension that of our country’s. Mr. Sahadeo lambasted an emotional parent for what appears to be an exaggeration of the standards of the public school. I myself would not allow any dishonest slander to be the base of the No VAT on education argument but this is one questionable case and should not be used to discredit the entire movement. Mr. Sahadeo had questioned the motive behind parents sending their children to private school. He stated that
parents send their children who are not educated or qualified enough to attend ‘bright schools’ (Queen’s College, Saints etc) to private schools to not look bad in their social group. Personally, I believe that this is a right, a freedom, granted to parents under our constitution and human rights act. Their hands should not be forced. If they want to protect their social clout then let them. However, I do not believe that this is the case at all. The ‘reality’ is that most schools below the ‘bright schools’ are of a deplorable standard in infrastructure and teaching amongst many other shortcomings. Mr. Sahadeo has well illustrated the shortcomings of the public institutions without knowing it. He stated that teachers in the public institution have to jump from class to class at the same time to teach. If this is not a true demerit then I don’t know what is. Mr. Sahadeo goes on to present the case of Meet-enMeerzorg private school which I believe should be investigated. I share his con-
cerns where some private schools are not meeting the standards they are supposed to and it is the job of the Ministry of Education to keep them in check, not VAT. It must be clarified that the protest action against the VAT on private education is not in the interest of private institutions but in the interest of parents, in the interest of our children and in the interest of our country. There are indeed other issues in the private system like tax compliance but VAT is not the answer to those issues. VAT in no way solves the issue of tax compliance. VAT in no way solves the issue of the standards of the private institutions. Both of those issues are already the jobs of GRA and the Ministry of Education respectively to handle. The reality, editor, is that parents and students are defending their future. It has nothing to do with the private schools itself because they will go about their business as usual. It is our people who get hurt, and that is the sad reality. Othniel Lewis
Uitvlugt Estate. However, it is important to note that a greater problem could be imminent if the labour crisis at the Uitvlugt Estate is not addressed and arrested immediately. The Estate simply cannot survive with an average harvesters’ turnout between 41 and 56 percentage. In the light of the above, the obvious choice for the Corporation is to transfer its employees, in this case the Cane Harvesters and Cane Transport Operations, where the need for labour is great and as a part of its strategy to sustain the Uitvlugt Estate and to maintain some degree of stability in its business. The Uitvlugt Estate gives support to communities from Cornelia Ida to Boeraserie in West Demerara. It provides community
services such as: Employment and business opportunities for residents in West Demerara; drainage; also these villages are directly drained by the sluices that are maintained by the Estate; fresh water is provided for agricultural usage; emergency services such as, Ambulance and fire tender services are provided to the communities; recreational and sporting facilities and programmes are provided and maintained, and primary health care to families as well as pensioners and their families in addition to other support services to our pensioners. The Corporation is therefore appealing to GAWU to seriously help us to keep Uitvlugt Estate open and to support its expansion and upgrading programme so that it can continue to provide the
economic, social and other opportunities for these communities. The Corporation extends an invitation to its employees, in particular the Cane Harvesters and Transport Operators of Wales Estate, not only to reflect seriously on their and their families future, but also on the process, how they can contribute to the economic health of their neighbours and the community as a whole. The question to be asked of the Union is; how can they insist on the Corporation maintaining the i n d u s t r y, w h i l e o n t h e other hand arguing that its workers should not sustain Uitvlugt Estate? Audreyanna Thomas Senior Communications Officer, Communications Department
Need for expansion in our military off shore capability DEAR EDITOR, With Venezuela’s position on the western border being quite clear for over a century, and Suriname’s recent uninvited guest status, one may argue that we should as a nation accelerate the strengthening of our western and eastern borders. The numerous allies we have could benefit from increased investment into our rice industry expansion plans. A partnership with Japan and Vietnam in these border areas would allow for increased variety of species of rice and may offer an entry point into the lucrative Premium Sake market. Currently the US Company’s position off the coast appears safe as it
might not be in Venezuela’s best interest to create yet another controversy. However, I may be wrong as they seem intent on continuing this dispute. The marine alliance that is growing between the USA and Guyana should mark an investment in our army’s increased off shore capability. Since independence we have maintained an excellent friendship and alliance with many countries such as Great Britain and joint training exercises with willing allies along the borders should be a welcomed near term commitment until Venezuela and Suriname can respect what has already been accepted worldwide. It will also mark an in-
creased investment in troop readiness and increase our internal capabilities, while strengthening our alliances. Specific to the eastern border, which was recently attacked by our eastern neighbours, I am not sure building a bridge that enables increased ground troop mobility by Suriname is the best option. The relationship between the two countries may be best improved by initially expanding any near term trade agreements prior to any consideration of a bridge. The recent marine dispute in the area should be resolved and the fishing industry should be a must have in any trade discussions. Jamil Changlee
It is wiser to buy a new tyre than a used one DEAR EDITOR, I know of a friend who has been around used tyres since he was 13. That was his first job. Now he is an importer of used tyres and he says that he is in total support off this ban. Here is the truth about this business. When an importer brings a container of used tyres to Guyana, he will declare that at least 20% are bad and need to be de-
stroyed. This is 20% of junk government has to process through their waste management, at society’s cost, not the importer’s. The importer basically writes off this loss against his profits and therefore he escapes the cost of his actions. The importer will soon discover that his supplier has been unscrupulous and that another 10% of his tyres are not of the size Guyanese demand so he will find these tyres difficult to shift. This explains why when you drive past the bank at Diamond you see large quantities of tyres in retailers’ bonds. These tyres will more than likely be dumped to free up space for the more selling sizes.
Now for the importer to realize a profit he will raise the price of the other good tyres and selling sizes in his stock. So the consumer pays for his waste. Used tyres have little to no guarantee so their life is a gamble. A new tyre on the other hand brings safeguards with manufacturer’s warranty and better structural integrity. Used tyres are a false economy. If one were to add the retail cost to the disposal cost and all the other costs such as transport etc. you will soon discover that buying a new tyre has never been beyond your budget. Guyana will be better off without this junk. Malachi James
Friday March 31, 2017
PAGE 7
Kaieteur News
CLICO APOLOGISES…
Duprey wants to do business with Guyana; hopes to settle $5B NIS debt Eight years after regional insurance giant, Colonial Life Insurance Company (CLICO) went belly-up sending shockwaves through Guyana and the Caribbean, the man that was in the middle of it, Lawrence Duprey, is apologizing. Duprey, the major shareholder of parent company CL Financial, is now interested in investing in Guyana, and hopes that sometime in the future, a resolution could be reached on how Guyana can recoup more than $5B that his company owes. Guyana, under the previous two administrations of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) wrapped up bankruptcy proceedings here, taking over a number of buildings and using tax dollars to pay off thousands of policy holders. Last week, Minister of Finance Winston Jordan met with Duprey. A statement from the Minister’s office indicated that: “The Minister of Finance, Hon. Winston Jordan last Thursday held a meeting with Lawrence Duprey, Chairman of C.L. Financial and other officials of that company. During the meeting Mr. Duprey indicated to Minister Jordan that he would like to renew his relationship with Guyana as well as publicly apologise to its people for the collapse of CLICO Guyana.” According to Jordan, Duprey also said that CL Financial will try to make amends for the approximately US$40M debt owed mainly to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).
CLICO’s Lawrence Duprey It was money from the NIS that was invested in a subsidiary of CLICO in the Bahamas that has been until now lost. The money had represented losses of income for NIS and severely threatened the scheme’s long-term viability. Duprey is apparently eyeing the financial and housing market in Guyana. The Trinidad government has become involved in CLICO to keep it alive. “Duprey, the majority shareholder of CL Financial also informed Minister Jordan that his company is interested in investing in several areas here, including providing solar energy at competitive prices, affordable housing, clay brick and solar for housing as well as introduce a financial model that will generate savings and alleviate poverty,” the statement from the Ministry of Finance said. It was also disclosed that Jordan, in response, informed Duprey that he will apprise Cabinet of the discussions. “He also advised Mr.
Duprey that future engagements could be conducted on parallel tracks: discussion on recovering monies owed by CL Financial and investment in Guyana.” Both the Minister of Finance and Mr. Duprey and his team agreed to a follow up meeting. “Meanwhile, the Governor of the Bank of Guyana, Dr. Gobind Ganga will be consulted to determine the status of all outstanding matters relevant to CLICO Guyana.” It will be recalled that late last year, Government announced a $5.6B long-term financing for NIS to help the entity recover its investments in the now bankrupt CLICO. NIS is facing a tough future as its revenues have started to fall. This is because of a dwindling number of contributions from selfemployed and other categories. While it has almost $30B in its accounts, payments for pensions and other expenses have been outstripping collections, leaving deep worry about long term viability. A growing number of pensioners are not helping the situation too much. In May last year, Minister Jordan had stated that going to court to recover the $5Bplus for NIS may be useless. He had emphasised that the sad reality is that the CLICO situation might very well turn out to be a long drawn-out process, as Guyana is not even on the radar when it comes to the settlement process in the Caribbean as yet. “So Government is going
Central Bank’s Governor, Dr. Gobind Ganga (L) and Finance Minister, Winston Jordan to have to step up to the plate and find another way of recouping the losses for NIS in this regard. Government gave a commitment in this regard, and it will have to make good on its promise to find a resolution on getting back the money. And this is yet another mess that we inherited from the past administration that we are saddled with fixing with money that could have been put to better use,” the Minister said then. Government, in 2009, seized local properties from CLICO in Guyana to help pay policyholders, after it became clear that the regional insurance giant was in dire financial problems. Some
7,744 policyholders were paid a total of $4.1B. One of the properties that NIS received was the one on Camp Street where the current headquarters of the Guyana Revenue Authority sits. How NIS decided to invest US$30M in CLICO, an amount that was later transferred out of the country under questionable circumstances, has never been answered. Several big policy holders were allowed to cash in and recover their monies, including close associates of the former PPP/C government. Despite complaints, both the Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar administrations had
refused to carry out an inquiry similar to investigations being done in Trinidad, where angry politicians had called for heads to roll. In 2010, the CLICO Bahamas Liquidator reported that his “preliminary view of the documentation suggests that policies were never issued by CLICO Bahamas. Moreover, the premiums received from Guyana and Suriname were never paid to CLICO Bahamas. “It appears that the funds were remitted directly to a bank account held in the name of CLICO Bahamas at Ocean Bank, Miami, Florida, and to another account held by the company in Trinidad.”
PAGE 8
Friday March 31, 2017
Kaieteur News
Procurement Commission launches probe into GPHC drug purchases - invites citizens with pertinent info to make written submissions by April 12 The Public Procurement Commission has launched an investigation into the purchase of drugs and other medical supplies by the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). The probe comes in wake of recent statements in the media about the procurement of pharmaceuticals for the Public Health sector. The body also stated that the investigation is in keeping with its functions as detailed in Article 212(AA) (1) of the Constitution. The Commission said that it is in the process of collecting and reviewing relevant information from various stakeholders within the national procurement system and will conduct interviews and examine documentation as deemed necessary. The Procurement body said that it is committed to a completely transparent and objective investigation, and invites members of the public who may have pertinent information to make written submissions to Chairperson Carol Corbin, at Parliament Buildings, by April 12. Since the subject of this investigation is of national interest and has resulted in significant public concern,
asking Lawrence to state what the reasons were for the underperformance in the procurement of drugs and medical supplies for the public health system. The former Junior Finance Minister also wants the Public Health Minister to tell the National Assembly, the name of each supplier; the value of each contract and date of award; the name of the sup-
plier/s which failed to deliver within the stipulated contractual period and by what amount; and the name of the suppliers which delivered inferior/substandard drugs and medical supplies. Lawrence is also expected to state in each case of procurement: whether these tenders were publically advertised; if so when and where and, if any of these awardees were pre-qualified. But that is not all. In each case of the above, the Oppo-
sition wants Lawrence to tell the nation which body of the Ministry of Public Health was responsible for evaluating and recommending the award of these contracts. Furthermore, Edghill wants Lawrence to tell the nation the number and names of any contracted suppliers which delivered drugs and medical supplies that were expired, were close to expiry date, and/or, of an inferior quality, between January 1, 2016 and February 28, 2017.
Deportee charged for murder of C’tyne fisherman
Public Procurement Commission Chair, Carol Corbin
Public Health Minister, Volda Lawrence
the Public Procurement Commission said that it will submit its findings to the National Assembly. Furthermore, the issue of the procurement of drugs for the health sector has been taken to the level of Parliament through the political opposition. In this regard, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has posed a number of questions to Public Health Minister, Volda Lawrence. Lawrence is expected to provide a written reply to the questions.
Opposition Member Juan Edghill is calling on Lawrence to provide information regarding the total sum expended for drugs and medical supplies for the Ministry of Public Health between January 1, 2016 and February 28, 2017. Edghill asked Lawrence to state what percentage of the 2016 budgetary allocations for drugs and medical supplies was expended by December 31, 2016; if any monies were unspent and returned to the Consolidated Fund, and how much was returned. He is also
A 47-year-old deportee was yesterday arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, where he was remanded to prison for the murder of 28-year-old Levan Chanderpaul, whose bound body was found in a sand pit at Corentyne, Berbice, on August 24, last. It is alleged that between August 22 and August 24, 2016, Munilall Sarjou of Number 68 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, murdered Levan Chanderpaul. The accused was not required to plead to the indictable charge after it was read to him. According to reports, Chanderpaul, who was suspected to be a pirate, was found in a backdam not far from his home. His body, which bore visible marks of violence, was discovered by a young man who was coming out of the backdam. Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan instructed Munilall Sarjou to return to court on April 19, at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court. Based on reports Sarjou is said to be a drug dealer and was deported from Canada in 2009 after slashing a woman’s neck. It is believed that Chanderpaul’s killing stemmed from a drug deal be-
Remanded: Munilall Sarjou tween the victim and Sarjou. According to information, the accused gave Chanderpaul money to purchase drugs but the fisherman failed to do so, instead taking the money and leaving the village. Chanderpaul returned some months after and the two men made contact and shortly after the fisherman’s battered body was found in a sandpit. According to reports, when detectives approached Sarjou last year to question him about the murder, he fled,
leaving his vehicle behind. The vehicle has since been impounded at the Skeldon Police Station. Sarjou was later apprehended. On December 22, last, Chanderpaul was one of five men remanded to prison on a charge of robbery under arms. The allegation was that he, Versammy Raawana, Vishal Gowkarran, Mohan David and Avendaedat Deodat, all of Corriverton, Corentyne, had attacked and robbed a fishing boat out at sea.
Friday March 31, 2017
PAGE 9
Kaieteur News
Too many increases in too short a time The prices of some things have to increase at some time or the other. But the prices and costs of everything cannot increase at the same time. Guyanese have been paying low fees for a number of services. The government reviewed these fees and increased a number of them. It was a case of too many fees being increased. Dray carts, for example, were required to pay an increased fee. The result was that those affected by the higher fees increased the cost of their services. If you have a few pieces of lumber to move within a radius of one mile, you are now going to have to pay at least $2,000 by a horse cart to do so, when previously you would have paid a mere $1,500. The increase in fees,
therefore, has affected consumers. This was compounded by the fact that more than fifty fees and taxes were increased. It was too many increases in too short a time. This has led to a sharp increase in the cost of services and some increases in prices. The government did not properly think through the VAT on electricity and water. It thought it was only targeting the rich by taxing electricity above $10,000 per month and water $1,500 per month. The government should have foreseen that the very rich people it was targeting included the small shopkeepers whose electricity bills are in excess of $10,000 and the various bars, hotels, restaurants, green grocers, butcheries, supermarkets boutiques, barbershops etc. These entities automatically increased their
prices even before they got their first electricity bill which attracted VAT. How could the government not have seen this obvious fact? Which shopkeeper is going to pay higher electricity and water bills and not increase rentals? Then on top of this, the government placed a tax on every container, local or foreign, to replace the old environmental tax. Immediately, the prices of soft drinks went up in the shops to cater for that tax. Did the government not feel that the shopkeepers and importers would have passed on this increase? Did the government feel that these persons would absorb the increases? Then we had a tax on private tuition fees. Then there was the parking meter impo-
Granny shoots hotel worker she mistook for thief Police have detained a gun-toting 67-yearold woman who shot a 23-year-old maintenance worker in the abdomen after mistaking him for a thief. The incident occurred at around 06.45 hrs yesterday in the vicinity of the Alpha Hotel at Ogle, East Coast Demerara, where the victim is employed. Brandon Collins, of Manchester Village, Corentyne, was reportedly shot while clearing vines from a fence that separates the Al-
pha Hotel from the woman’s property. It is alleged that Collins, who had a cutlass, had clambered onto the fence. The woman, who has a licenced firearm, ordered the man to climb down, then discharged a round, which struck Collins in the abdomen. He was admitted the Georgetown Public Hospital, where his condition is said to be stable. The bullet is said to have passed through his body.
Malaria medication linked to disabling ear [oto], specifically the cohearing loss chlea or auditory nerve, and Individually or combined, malaria and malaria medication can result in disabling hearing loss. This is according to Director of Global Health and Research for the Starkey Hearing Foundation, Dr. Luqman Lawal. The Starkey Hearing Foundation which is located in Minnesota, United States, is an organisation that has been involved in the provision of hearing aids to people on a global scale. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), over five percent of the world’s population, or 360 million people, have disabling hearing loss. This translates to 328 million adults and 32 million children. Disabling hearing loss refers to hearing loss greater than 40 decibels (dB) in the better hearing ear in adults and a hearing loss greater than 30 dB in the better hearing ear in children. The WHO has noted, too, that the majority of people with disabling hearing loss live in low and middle income countries. While there are several reasons that have been known to cause hearing loss, Dr. Lawal, during an interview with this publication, said that malaria, a disease that Guyana has been battling for years, has been linked to this condi-
Dr. Luqman Lawal tion. But according to Dr. Lawal, “when you come to Guyana and developing countries you find that some patients will not be able to distinguish between the medication and malaria itself...[this means] that if some of the patients have malaria, they wouldn’t know whether it is the malaria or medication [they use],” Dr. Lawal noted. He made reference to countries that are known to use quinine as its anti-malarial treatment which, according to him, essentially predisposes patients to hearing loss. Quinine, according to Dr. Lawal, is an ototoxic drug. Ototoxcity is the property of being toxic to the
sometimes the vestibular system. According to research, this occurs as a side effect of drugs such as quinine. The effects of ototoxicity can be reversible and temporary or irreversible and permanent. A vector control official yesterday confirmed that Guyana has over the years used quinine, and continues to do so, to treat certain cases of malaria. But according to Dr. Lawal, “we always advocate for countries not to use this kind of medication to treat complex malaria cases.” In addition to malaria medication, there are types of malaria that have been known to cause hearing loss too. Dr. Lawal spoke of cerebral malaria which he described as “malaria that has gone to the brain.” Cerebral malaria is the most severe neurological complication of infection with Plasmodium Falciparum malaria. This type of malaria is a clinical syndrome characterized by coma and asexual forms of the parasite on peripheral blood smears. According to Dr. Lawal, cerebral malaria has been known to also affect the part of the brain that deals with hearing. It is recommended that this condition be treated with quinine.
sition. Now we are learning that the University of Guyana is examining a proposal to increase fees by 35% over a three-year period - beginning with a 15% this September for continuing students. What is really going on in Guyana? How much pressure does the government intend to inflict on the Guyanese people? These are far too many increases in too short a time. It is not right. It makes no sense. The government will lose popularity. You cannot run a country in this manner. The math simply is not adding up. You are taxing private tuition to garner $300M. This will affect thousands of students. Yet you are spending $300M on two small boats for the Coast Guard that are not the type of boats which foreign coast guard use to run down boats. The City Hall was hoping to rake in $240M per month from the parking meters. Guess what, yesterday they announced that four wards in the city alone owe them one billion dollars. So why is the pressure being placed on citizens via the parking meters when City Hall should be going after defaulting ratepayers. And yet it was the government which approved of
the by-laws which imposed the onerous parking meter system on the public, and later was forced to suspend the very laws which it had approved. There is total confusion of the suite of tax measures in the Budget. The argument has been made, persuasively, that exempting items in the Budget does not necessarily lead to a reduction in prices. There is confusion over VAT, because in one year the strategy was to zero rate items, and then when the GRA began to be overwhelmed by refunds, the strategy changed to one of exempting items. All of this is giving people headaches. It is too much at any one time, much less at a time when the economy is “righting itself”.
The pressure is piling up. The Guyana dollar has devalued. Do not bother with all that jazz about what rates are advertised. You cannot obtain foreign currency easily at those rates. Prices are going to increase as a result of the devaluation. Importers are not going to absorb any increase; they will pass it on. The people are being pressured unnecessarily. How much more pressure will they have to bear?
PAGE 10
Friday March 31, 2017
Kaieteur News
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
UG continues to make a mess of itself In a column of October 10, last year, in response to an interview with the Kaieteur News and other media houses on the Vice-Chancellor’s use of enormous funds for a particular trip, and the enormous increase in senior staff, I wrote the following; “Why then would such a small university have the following; a Vice-Chancellor and three Deputy Vice-Chancellors; Officer for Strategic Initiatives; Chief of Staff in the Office of the Vice-Chancellor; Registrar, Deputy Registrar; four Assistant Registrars? “In addition to this, each Faculty has its own Dean and Deputy Dean, then, there is the Committee of Deans. The question that needs to be asked is what volume of work UG endures on a daily basis to have such a large adminis-
trative structure?” As you can see from the above, there are three ViceChancellors; the mandate of one is international outreach. Yet last January, UG advertised for an International Engagement Officer. This is yet another high-priced senior officer. But the question that is poignantly relevant is: if you have a Deputy Vice Chancellor to liaise with the wider world, why then would you need an International Engagement Officer? But this is the style of the new Vice-Chancellor who worked at several American universities that have huge staff and large student populations, with budgets running into hundreds of billions of American dollars. The current Vice-Chancellor may mean well, but the taxpayers have
to step in and tell him he is operating in Guyana and not in super-rich China. When Kaieteur News interviewed me on the super layers of senior staff the Vice Chancellor was employing, the paper put the same question to the Government’s advisor on tertiary education, Vincent Alexander. I have known Vincent all my life; we were born one block from each other in Wortmanville. Vincent is your consummate, diplomatic respondent. But at his age, he should know that there will always be circumstances where diplomacy has to give way to brutal reality. His answer to Kaieteur News was the opposite of mine (my response was the quote above). He said he prefers to give the new Vice Chancellor a
chance. I have deep problems with such an answer in the context of performance of a person. I am married for 38 years now and I have known Adam Harris, the editor of this paper, for a longer period. I have been with the Kaieteur News for 22 years; since day one. I have known its owner, Glenn Lall, for longer than that. If a journalist is employed by Kaieteur News and for the first week on the job that person is four hours late daily, there will be no giving of a chance. How can you give a person a chance when he/she made an essentially counter-productive policy? UG has a staff structure that per capita is the most extensive and expanding in the world. Please bear in mind this university has fewer than
5,000 students and six hundred employees. Surely, the Vice Chancellor should offer an explanation. But more than this, what has been the balance sheet of achievements since the new guy took over? UG continues to be in the news for the wrong reasons. There is a monthly Renaissance Lecture; a monthly Renaissance Magazine; a printing press is coming on stream; UG plans to rent a majestic building at the junction of Lamaha and Camp Streets for classrooms; and all of this is coming from taxpayers’ money. But this is only half of the story. The university continues its failure to attract outside scholars with doctorates; the pay for the present academic and non-academic staff is pathetic; the science and technology labs are still primitive; modern facilities are still nonexistent; the Caribbean Research Library went out of existence twenty years ago; and the central library still looks like a closed-down supermarket. Now we have the climax of the absurdity – fees will be raised by thirty-five
Frederick Kissoon percent. It will happen. Why? Any schoolboy who doesn’t know why the students will be made to pay that thirty-five percent tuition increase should go back to nursery school to learn a few things. Because this land is a dead zone resembling life in the movie, Soylent Green. Fear and primitive thinking have overtaken the collective psyche of this nation. The joke in this tragedy is that the advisor on tertiary education is an admirer of Forbes Burnham, and the Minister of Education is an admirer of Walter Rodney. Well, if they are admirers, they should have learnt a thing or two from these two historical Guyanese. But then again….
Dem boys seh ...
Soulja Bai got Basil shivering in ee boots Couple weeks ago dem gold miners, especially dem big ones puff up dem chest and threaten Soulja Bai. Dem hold a meeting and send a message that if Soulja Bi don’t meet dem in couple days dem gun start to shut down. From de time he get de threat, Soulja Bai couldn’t sleep, not because he get frighten, but because he get vex and he couldn’t put he hand pun de person who send de threat. Dem boys seh that he try to call de meeting just to find out who threaten him, but no miner didn’t tun up. In de end somebody patch up de story and all was well, then some people decide to cause problem wid de foreign exchange. Soulja Bai call Jordan and de next thing you know all who been keeping dem money under cover suddenly start to bring out some. Dem know was squeeze was coming. Now dem same miners don’t want to travel to town to do everything that got to do wid de gold business. Dem got to pay tax, but dem don’t want to have to come to town, pay hotel bill and then travel back into de bush. Dem boys know that dem men does only come to town to sport or to spend li’l time wid dem family. Well Soulja Bai seh he gun put in nuff tax branches in de bush, but dem same miners got to pay fuh dem. Soulja Bai seh that he open couple office to share out passport to save de people from coming to town, but wha dem people save in passage dem got to pay fuh de passport. De point is that whatever you want you got to pay for. Soulja Bai intend to mek Basil de Willie pay fuh talking disrespectful to de judge. Dem boys was at a function wid Soulja Bai when dem ask him ‘bout Basil de Willie. Just like when dem boys mother know that she gun deal wid dem is de same message Soulja Bai send. Talk half and wait fuh Basil de Willie talk to Soulja Bai.
Friday March 31, 2017
PAGE 11
Kaieteur News
Another find confirms Guyana’s oil deposits larger than envisaged Another discovery by United States (US) oil and gas giant – ExxonMobil, has confirmed that Guyana’s oil deposits are larger than what was previously envisaged by experts. The ExxonMobil Corporation, as promised, yesterday announced positive results on its sixth well – Snoek - located offshore Guyana, confirming a new discovery on the Stabroek Block. Drilling targeted similar aged reservoirs as encountered in previous discoveries at Liza and Payara. The announcement would come days after top officials and experts in the field of oil and gas journeyed to Guyana to participate in a major conference which was hosted in the nation’s capital, Georgetown. Government announced that ExxonMobil was set make a major announcement on its latest well. According to insiders, the findings so far would suggest that the deposit from the wells are accumulatively over 2.5 billion barrels of potential recoverable resources – way beyond what was previously estimated to be found in the Stabroek Block. Back in May 2015, ExxonMobil announced a huge oil find in the Liza-1 well and encountered more than 295 feet (90 metres) of highquality oil-bearing sandstone. With the second well on the block, Liza-2, the company confirmed the finding as “significant,” with a potential recoverable resource of 800 million to 1.4 billion barrels of oil equivalent. Drilling operations on ExxonMobil’s Skipjack prospect, the company’s third well in the block offshore Guyana, yielded disappointing results.
It was reported that the company did not find commercial quantities of hydrocarbons within that well. The Liza-3 appraisal well was subsequently drilled to a total depth of 18,100 feet in 6,000 feet of water on a location about 2.7 miles from the Liza-1 discovery. The well hit around 200 feet of net pay “in the same high-quality reservoirs” as the first two Liza wells which would further solidify the potential recoverable oil in the reservoir. The Payara-1 well – the fifth well – located approximately 10 miles (16 kilometres) northwest of the Liza-1 discovery, was drilled by ExxonMobil affiliate Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), and encountered more than 95 feet (29 metres) of high-quality, oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs. The well was safely drilled to a depth of 18,080 feet (5,512 metres) in 6,660 feet (2,030 metres) of water. According to the Company’s website, the latest discovery at the Snoek well demonstrates the continued success the company has achieved in this ‘technically complex play’. EEPGL commenced drilling of the Snoek well a little over a month ago and encountered 82 feet (25 metres) of high-quality, oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs. The well was reportedly safely drilled to 16,978 feet (5,175 metres) in 5,128 feet (1,563 metres) of water on March 18. The Snoek well is located in the southern portion of the Stabroek Block, approximately 5 miles to the southeast of the 2015 Liza-1 discovery. “As we continue to evaluate the full potential of the broader Stabroek
The Stena Carron drillship has moved back to the Liza area to drill the Liza-4 well.
Block, we are also taking the necessary steps to ensure the safe, cost-efficient and responsible development of this world-class resource, which can provide long-term, sustainable benefits to the people of Guyana,” said Steve Greenlee, the President of ExxonMobil Exploration Company. The Guyana Government yesterday issued a statement welcoming the announcement made by ExxonMobil. The administration noted its satisfaction with the ‘steady and safe progress’ being made in the execution of the exploratory work programme and congratu-
lated the Captain and crew of the Stena Carron for the continued good results of their endeavours. “The news of another find offshore Guyana is a source of great pride and pleasure for all Guyanese. The Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, through the Ministry of Natural Resources, will continue to work with ExxonMobil and its partners in the exploration and development of resources in the Stabroek Block of the Guyana Basin even as it continues to engage and update the citizens and important stakeholders about the preparations for petroleum produc-
tion and other related activities,” the release stated. Meanwhile, following the drilling exercise Snoek, the Stena Carron drillship has moved back to the Liza area to drill the Liza-4 well – the seventh well – which is approximately 102 nautical miles from the coast of Guyana and covers an area of one square kilometre. The Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometres). EEPGL is
operator and holds 45 percent interest in the Stabroek Block. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. holds 30 percent interest and CNOOC Nexen Petroleum Guyana Limited holds 25 percent interest. Meanwhile, the RV Furgo Explorer will commence a geotechnical survey within the Stabroek Block of the Guyana Maritime zone. This exercise is scheduled for a period of six months.
PAGE 12
Friday March 31, 2017
Kaieteur News
Man to serve 10 years for sexual activity with child A man is expected to serve 10 years in jail for engaging in sexual activity with a child. Alvin Rudder was found guilty of the offence before Justice Navindra Singh at the Georgetown High Court yesterday. “I would like to know how they find me guilty on the first count …. Your honour, I never do it. I know nothing about it your honour,” Rudder, a resident of Den Amstel, West Coast Demerara, told the court yesterday before the sentence was passed. The man was initially charged with two counts of sexual activity with a child. However after deliberations by the jury yesterday he was found not guilty of one count. The panel returned proportionate verdicts in relation to both counts of the offence. On the 1st count, the jury returned 11- guilty—1 not guilty and on the second
count the verdict was 10- not guilty and 2 guilty. According to the allegation, the incidents took place on April 9, 2012 and between July 1 and 31, 2013, at Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo. According to the facts of the case, the man took the underage girl to East Bank Essequibo on holiday when the first act was committed. He is said to have placed a rope around the child’s neck and threatened her. He told her that she should not tell anyone or else she would die. The second sexual act was committed in a clump of bushes. The man had continually denied the allegations throughout the trial. The case was presented by Attorneys Siand Dhurjon and Tuanna Hardy. Rudder was unrepresented by legal counsel
Alvin Rudder
Pastor convicted of raping girl, 6 A Pastor has been convicted for raping a six-yearold girl. The incident took place between June 1 and June 30, 2007. The initial facts of the case are that the man was at home with the girl and her sibling, when the act was committed. He called the child into a bedroom where he sexually penetrated her. The child later confided in her mother but the mother disbelieved her. The child later confided in another relative and the matter was reported to the police. The accused was subsequently arrested and charged. After more than two hours of deliberations at the High Court in Georgetown yesterday, a mixed 12-member jury returned a guilty verdict in relation to Josiah Baptiste for the offence of carnal knowledge. The verdict was unanimous. Baptiste stood silently in the docks and wore a blank
Convicted: Josiah Baptiste expression on his face as the verdict was announced by the jury at around 15:00 hours. His family members who were also at the hearing appeared shocked at the outcome; some had wept silently in anticipation of the sentence by
the Court. The man was represented by Attorneys-at-law, Folio Richards and Maxwell Mc Kay. Attorney Richards was present yesterday as the verdict was handed down. She requested a probation report be conducted on her client before he is sentenced. Her request was acceded to by Judge Joann Barlow. The Judge, therefore, adjourned the matter to April 24 for sentencing and informed Baptiste that his bail has been revoked. The jury was empanelled to oversee his trial before Justice Barlow on Wednesday last. The case was prosecuted by State Attorneys, Shawnette Austin, Tamieka Clarke, and Mandel Moore. The Prosecution called several witnesses to the stand, including the victim. (Rehanna Ramsay)
Two discharged for Laing Avenue ‘bail row’ murder Regus Lamazon and Samuel McIntyre were yesterday discharged by City Magistrate Dylon Bess following a Preliminary Inquiry into the murder of Orin David called ‘Malik’ who was shot and killed on August 1, 2016, in front of his Laing Avenue home. Magistrate Bess ruled that there was insufficient evidence to link the duo to the offence due to the fact that none of the prosecution’s 12 witnesses were able to tell the court that it was indeed Lamazon and McIntyre that shot David. As such, he (Continued on page 29)
Regus Lamazon
Samuel McIntyre
Friday March 31, 2017
PAGE 13
Kaieteur News
PAC to widen scrutiny on State institutions The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is expected to apply greater scrutiny when it comes to State institutions and their spending. This is according to the PAC’s Chairman, Irfaan Ali. The Executive Member of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) said that the need for this cannot be underestimated, especially when one sees the manner in which some ministries and other State institutions are approaching expenditure management. In this regard, he cited the recent procurement of drugs and pharmaceuticals by the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and the rental of the controversial Sussex Street Bond. “It is clear that the terms for expenditure management are not clear at GPHC and this was demonstrated in the recent debacle it was caught up in for the procurement of emergency drugs and pharmaceuticals as awarded to four companies,” Ali
- Chairman
PAC Chairman, Irfaan Ali expressed. He added, “Spending at GPHC is a serious cause for concern and we will be looking into it at the PAC level with greater emphasis. We are not convinced transparency and accountability is a governing principle in the process and we will be looking into that.” The PAC Chairman said that the Committee is interested in ensuring that tax dollars are not wasted, and it will employ its powers in this
regard. He noted that the PAC has the authority to request special audits and/or reports on specific problems which fall within the scope of the Committee’s work. He said that the PAC, where necessary, will request such reports be done. The PAC is the standing committee that exercises supervisory oversight of the functioning of the Audit Office. The Committee exercises powers in keeping with the Evidence Act, Chapter 1:08, which allows for the summoning of witnesses to give evidence and/or provide documents to it. It also has penalties for noncompliance without proper reason. Furthermore, the recommendation for the PAC to widen its scrutiny was recently made by Chartered Accountant and former Auditor General, Anand Goolsarran. His suggestion was made in wake of the
Bartica gold dealer, senior banking official implicated in $900M transaction A local commercial bank has reportedly launched an investigation into how hundreds of millions of dollars were reportedly paid out to a Bartica gold dealer without proper procedures being followed. The incident has since seen a senior bank manager of the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) being sent home last week after details of the transaction became known. Multiple banking and other sources confirmed that more than a week ago, the gold dealer, Saddiqi ‘Bobby’ Rasul, of Bartica, deposited more than $900M in cheques, into his bank accounts. Under banking regulations, those cheques, drawn on another commercial
bank, were supposed to be cleared first before payments could be honoured against them. However, staffers reportedly went ahead and effected payments without the cheques, drawn on Citizens Bank, being cleared. The Citizens Bank cheques later bounced because of insufficient funds. Investigations by GBTI officials reportedly found that its staffers did not follow regulations on placing a hold on those Citizens Bank cheques, therefore potentially causing significant losses to the bank. The matter has been reported to Bank of Guyana - the regulators. Sources indicated that Citizens Bank has closed the gold dealer’s accounts and GBTI followed suit this week.
Bartica gold dealer, Saddiqi ‘Bobby’ Rasul GBTI officials are mum on the issue. It is unclear whether the bank has reported the matter to the police. It is a criminal offence for anyone to knowingly issue cheques when there is no money in their bank accounts.
Lottery Control Commission appears dysfunctional It has been reported in the media and letters have been published saying that the Guyana Lottery Control Commission has not met since its 2015 appointment. When Minister of State Joseph Harmon was questioned on this during the last post-cabinet press briefing, he said that from what he understands there is a process which needs to be satisfied before money is taken out of the fund. He said that on application to the Commission for deductions
of funds or for monies to be paid out of the lotteries fund, the board would meet and then make the necessary recommendation to the Ministry of Finance. He said that the process which he described is how he understands it is currently happening. However, he could not comment further to say whether the board is meeting and who would be approving monies being taken out of the Lottery fund. According to Harmon, he would prefer if Minister of Natural Resources Raphael
Trotman or Finance Minister Winston Jordan comment on the issue, particularly since Trotman is the Chairman of the Board. This newspaper was unsuccessful yesterday in getting an update from Minister Trotman. In October last year, this newspaper had reported that based on the Auditor General Deodat Sharma’s report, it appears that the coalition A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) (Continued on page 14)
damning findings which were uncovered by the forensic audits that were launched by the coalition administration. Goolsarran had told this newspaper that he found it disappointing that the PAC did not examine the accounts of public corporations, other agencies in which controlling interest vests in the State, and statutory bodies. The Chartered Accountant had said, “In all probability, these entities are in need of greater scrutiny by the Legislature, as the results of the recently completed forensic audits will bear out...”
Furthermore, Goolsarran said that the task is an enormous but necessary one, and therefore, the PAC will have to seriously consider “re-engineering” its approach to the examination of the Public Accounts. In this regard, he commented that there is a model that the United Nations uses which is worthy of serious consideration. He explained that it involves having a committee of experts examining these accounts first and submitting the results to the PAC. In this way, Goolsarran said that there will be no need
for the PAC to carry out any detailed examination, as it will rely on the work of the committee. It was in May 2015 that the Granger-led administration began expending some $133M of taxpayers’ dollars on 45 of 50 forensic audits to ascertain how the assets of the state were sold, disposed of or transferred under the previous administration. The remaining five audits were sponsored by the InterAmerican Development Bank. Several audits were also launched in July 2015, while others started in later weeks.
PAGE 14
Friday March 31, 2017
Kaieteur News
President asks AG to explain courtroom outburst By Brushell Blackman President David Granger has asked the Attorney General Basil Williams for an explanation with regard to recent reports that during the trial of Carvil Duncan, he (Williams) allegedly made death threats against Justice Franklin Holder in the judge’s courtroom. Addressing the issue at State House yesterday, the Head of State said that although the Attorney General has responded, he has asked Williams to provide a formal explanation on what transpired. The President said that
he sought the explanation based on what was reported to him and once that explanation is provided by the AG, he will respond to him. Granger also said that he will also respond to the acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette CummingsEdwards, since Justice Holder has written to the Head of the Judiciary on the matter. Granger said that while he has heard one side of the story - Justice Franklin’s - he still needs to get the AG’s version of what transpired in the courtroom that day. The President explained that in law, the principle of hearing both sides of a story is
applicable in this instance before any conclusions are drawn. However, the President was confident that when the issue has been properly ventilated, there will be a definitive resolution on the matter. It is alleged that during cross examination of the confidential secretary to Carvil Duncan, Williams asked Justice Holder if a response that was given by the witness was properly recorded. The Judge took umbrage to Williams’s enquiry and reminded the AG that he was in charge of the courtroom and not Williams.
It is alleged that the AG then said that a classmate who was then a Magistrate that cited him for contempt some years ago is now incidentally dead. Justice Holder took offence to what Williams said, and at some point during the interface, Williams also told the Judge, “I could say what I want to say and however I want to say it, I have always been like that.” Upon hearing that, the Judge rose from the Bench and went into his Chambers; he did not adjourn the matter, nor did he give any instructions to the parties, according to a letter of complaint addressed to Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag). Justice Holder said that he felt disrespected by the AG, but he did not say he was issued with any death threats
Attorney General Basil Williams SC
Head of State David Granger
in his letter to the (ag) Chancellor. Williams denies he had threatened the Judge and said he was merely relating an incident that had some similarities to the one that he encountered in Justice
Holder’s courtroom. Williams had threatened legal action against former Attorney General Anil Nandlall who first made the allegation. He also threatened legal action against media outlets that carried the story.
Your performance will be judged... From page 3 are aware of the decisions that you are taking, which in the final analysis, affects them and their well-being,” the President said. The Head of State explained that Town Councils are part of a tripartite system of government, which consists of the national tier; Central Government, the regional tier; Regional Democratic Councils and the municipal tier; the neighbourhood level. “All three levels must work together if we are to deliver the quality of life that our citizens desire and deserve. They cannot be separate; they cannot refuse to cooperate, regardless of which Party they come from or in which part of the country they function. All three levels, national, regional and municipal, must work together for the national good,” he said. The President noted also
reiterated government's commitment to establish a capital town in every administration region. “It is the Government's intention that every region will have, at its heart, a capital town. Just as the body has a head, every region must have a head. That capital town will be a centre of public services, public health, public education, communications, business, justice, social protection, security, and of sport. People from outlying areas must be able to look at the capital town as the centre of all of these services,” President Granger said. The newly sworn-in Mayors are: Ms. Patricia ChaseGreen- Georgetown, Mr. Kirt Wynter- New Amsterdam, Mr. Krishnand JaichandCorriverton, Mr. Carwyn Holland- Linden, Mr. Vijay Ramoo- Rose Hall, Mr. Rabindranauth Mohan- Anna
Regina, Mr. Gifford Marshall Bartica, Mr. Carlton Beckles Lethem and Mr. Henry Smith Mabaruma. The Deputy Mayors are: Mr. Lionel Jaikaran Georgetown, Ms. Winifred Heywood - New Amsterdam, Mr. Jamna Persaud Ghamandi - Corriverton, Ms. Waneka Arrindell - Linden, Mr. Dave Budhu - Rose Hall, Mr. Darshan Persaud - Anna Regina, Ms. Nageshwari Lochanpersaud - Bartica and Ms. Maxine Welsh - Lethem. According to the Ministry of the Presidency's website, Bartica Mayor Gifford Marshall received his instrument of appointment as ex-officio Justice of Peace from Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan Several other Mayors and Deputy Mayors were also sworn-in as ex-officio Justices of Peace by the Chief Magistrate.
Lottery Control Commission... (From page 13) government is handling the accounts of the Commission not much different from the former People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/ C) administration. Despite this charge against the government, it was noted that one good deed was done, whereby monies were transferred from the fund into the Consolidated Fund. However, the remaining money was apparently being used without the approval of parliament. The Guyana Lottery was set up in August 1996 by a Cabinet decision. It operates under an agreement between the Canadian Bank Note Ltd (CBN) and the Government of Guyana under the Government Lotteries Act, Cap. 80:07 of the Laws of Guyana. The agreement allows for the CBN to pay license fees calculated at 24 per cent of its gross revenue. According to Sharma, over the years the Lotteries Commission would have received proceeds from the National Lottery which were used to make payments approved by Cabinet. He said that these earnings were retained in a
separate bank account and none were paid to the Consolidated Fund. He added that in 2015 when governments changed, the Finance Ministry moved to transfer $1.069B from the lotteries fund to the Consolidated Fund. Despite this, the Auditor General said that although the Ministry has been budgeting for lottery receipts, money continues to be spent without the approval of parliament. According to him, aside from the $1.069B, there are significant sums which include previous year’s balances of $369.294M and proceeds of $421.754M received for 2015 still remain in the bank account and were used to meet expenditure. Monies were used to cover expenses for Carifesta, Mashramani, Amerindian Heritage, Rehabilitation of D’Urban Park and Emancipation. Kaieteur News had contacted Minister of Finance Winston Jordan who said that he would not be responding to the findings of the Auditor General in this regard, and that all questions would be answered at the level of the Public Accounts Committee.
Friday March 31, 2017
Kaieteur News
PAGE 15
PAGE 16
Friday March 31, 2017
Kaieteur News
“Raise the standards and not the fees!” - UG students tell Council members
One of the UG council members being greeted by chants from protestors, as he was making his way into the Education Lecture Theatre for the deliberation meeting As members of the University of Guyana Council drove into the parking lot of the Education Lecture Theatre yesterday, dissatisfied students were already waiting there to vent their annoyance at the proposed 35 percent increase in tuition fees. The council members were on their way to discuss and make pronouncements on a number of matters, including the tuition fees hike. The picket, which was promised to be a silent one, began on a loud note, with students chanting, “Raise the standards and not the fees!”, “No increase, no increase,” and “35 percent - no way, no way.” The students are maintaining that some of the
services being offered at the university, and the deplorable conditions under which these are offered, do not require any increased tuition fees. “As a matter of fact, they should even decrease what they charging, because we have had enough. It is overbearing and unfair,” one student said. Others complained specifically about the poorly ventilated classrooms, inadequate washroom facilities, and in some cases, lecturers who they believe are educated, but unable to teach. Poor internet connection, and in some cases, the lack thereof, is also a major concern for students. Many also expressed frustration over the fact that
students are required to pay for equipment that is sometimes not delivered, or is of a “disgraceful” quality. “In the technology/ architecture department, ya’ll should see these drawing tables that we drawing on. Is a piece of plywood on a table. How can you draw on a thing like that?” one student asked. Those enrolled at the University of Guyana are demanding better facilities, before agreeing to pay any increased tuition fees. The students have dismissed the argument that the university’s administration would only be able to provide better conditions if the increased tuition fees are paid. Yog Mahadeo, Former Chief Executive Officer of the
Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) was among the protestors. Armed with a print-out of the 2017 Budget allocations for the University of Guyana, Mahadeo concluded that the document is a clear indication that the institution does not need more money, but better management of existing funds. “If you take the number of students that UG has, and multiply it by the $50,000 facilities fee every year, they are raising over $350M annually…that’s aside from the tuition fees,” Mahadeo said. In the National 2017 Budget, $2.9B was allocated to the University of Guyana. According to the Budget estimates, the tertiary education institution had a
surplus of $97M. “If you can’t manage the funds you are getting, then why are you charging the students more?” Mahadeo argued. In addition to not seeing the need for the increases, students say that more importantly, many of them are not in a position to afford it. “Sometimes I don’t get passage to come to classes…I does can’t even buy snacks or a drink or anything. Any increase that they decide to put on, gon kill my mother, and I don’t have a father to look after me,” Russhel Braithwaite, told Kaieteur News. Even though the University’s Turkeyen campus has a student population of over 7,000 students, the protest
yesterday merely comprised a few dozen persons. It was explained, however, that many persons were forced to stay away from the exercise due to other commitments such as work, examinations or important class sessions. Meanwhile, UG’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Ivelaw Griffith has maintained his stance, which is that the institution needs to have a proper resource pool, which can only be funded by three sources – tuition fees, government subvention and donations and fund-raising ventures. Nonetheless, should the UG council go ahead and permit the proposed increases, students have promised more intensified protest action.
C’tyne driver remanded for Skeldon estate welder’s death A 31-year-old man appeared Wednesday before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh in the Springlands Magistrate’s Court to answer to charges of causing death by dangerous driving and failure to render assistance. Tomeshwar Brijlall, of Number 64 Village, pleaded not guilty to the second charge (failure to render assistance) and was not required to plead to the other charge. He was unrepresented. Prosecutor Bernard Brown asked that bail be refused based on the nature and gravity of the offence and the likelihood that Brijlall would not return to face trial. Bail was subsequently refused by the Magistrate. Brijlall’s driver’s licence was suspended. He is set to return to court on April 13th. Brijlall also appeared in court on March 10, last, on a charge of driving under the influence. Initial reports by this publication had stated that last Sunday, March 26, Irshad
Charged: Tomeshwar Brijlall
Dead: Irshad Mamood
Mamood, a 20-year-old Welder attached to the Skeldon Estate, was riding along the #78 Public Road on his motorcycle bearing licence plate number CH 9545 when a silver-coloured Toyota Fielder wagon with licence plate number PNN 7736, and driven by Brijlall, attempted to turn into the #78 gas station located along the road. Upon turning, he failed to acknowledge that Mamood was already attempting to ride past, in the process striking the young man. Mamood
landed a few feet away from impact. His girlfriend, who witnesses the entire incident, had told this publication that she rushed over to her boyfriend’s assistance and took him to the Skeldon Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Brijlall reportedly escaped after striking down the victim, but was caught and arrested the next day. A post mortem examination revealed that Mamood died of a fractured skull and haemorrhaging. He was laid to rest yesterday.
PAGE 26
Friday March 31, 2017
Kaieteur News
Immigration nightmare for Guyanese woman, Trini husband New York (Queens Tribune) - Guyanese and Trinidadian immigrants Janice Hoseine and her husband, Ramesh Palaniandi, thought after buying their first home in Ozone Park that their American Dream had finally come true. Two weeks later, a friend called and told Hoseine, “Homeland Security is at my house. They’re looking for your husband.” Hoseine and her husband had been using this friend’s address to ensure that they received mail while they were transitioning to a new home. Palaniandi got on the phone and spoke with an Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agent. He told the agent that he was in his new home in Ozone Park. Hoseine said that black cars had soon surrounded her
house. She went outside and ICE agents showed her a picture, in which she identified her husband. The agents came inside, met with him, asked her to give her husband $20, handcuffed him and told her Palaniandi would likely be back by the evening. Hoseine asked to see a warrant, but none was shown. That was on March 2, 2015. He didn’t come home for 557 days. Hoseine immigrated to the United States when she was 7 years old with her father and sister. Palaniandi came with his family in 1992 when he was just shy of his 13th birthday. His grandfather had already been living in the country for many years and the family was joining him. The couple, who have been together for 20 years, met as teenagers.
“He would follow me and say, ‘Miss, miss, can I carry your books?’” said Hoseine. “He was very quiet. He worships the ground I walk on.” Hoseine, 35, and Palaniandi, 38, have been through thick and thin. In 2007, Palaniandi was convicted of a Class E attempted burglary and sentenced to one-and-a-half to three years in jail, which ran concurrent with a violation of probation charge. He served six months as part of a “shock incarceration” boot camp style program. At the time, both Hoseine and Palaniandi were not citizens, but valid Green Card holders. After he was released from jail in 2008, Palaniandi’s lawyer sent the couple a letter saying that his
case with immigration had been terminated. He would not be deported. A few years later, they had no issue crossing the border to visit the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. Around that time, he lost his Green Card, but was told he could use the copies he had made to apply for citizenship. On Sept. 9 2016, Palaniandi was released from the upstate prison where he had been held for more than a year. No reason was given for the release. He was transported to 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan, where he was fitted with a monitoring device on his ankle. During that time, Palaniandi had a flare up of toxoplasmosis in his left eye and was told that the parasite could cause permanent blindness. The prison would not allow him to see a doctor and only administer ibuprofen and eye drops, rather than a required steroid. As a result, he lost peripheral vision in that eye. The couple fired two attorneys who Hoseine believed were not dedicated to their case. Since then, they have relied on not-for-profit legal advice. On March 2, Hoseine and Palaniandi went to Manhattan for a monthly check-in. While there, he called Hoseine and said that he was being taken to 26 Federal Plaza, where ICE was taking him into custody. The
Janice Hoseine holds up a photo of her husband, Ramesh Palaniandi
only reason he was given was that he had no motions in court. “Why won’t they stop punishing him?” Hoseine asked. “If he was already a citizen, this wouldn’t be an issue.” During her husband’s first stint in prison, she obtained her citizenship to keep them in the United States. “We could leave the country, we could go to some island,” said Hoseine, but added that Queens is the couple’s home. In the weeks after the first time her husband was picked up by ICE, the couple almost
lost their home. “We were able to refinance the mortgage. It was stressful,” she said. But finally, the refinance came through. In the meantime, Palaniandi is still in prison. After one week, he had already lost 10 pounds, Hoseine said. His eye is hurting and he is suffering from headaches. However, Hoseine said that people have been more willing to help them amid the current political climate. “Just to know that we have support feels so good,” she said. “Total strangers are willing to help out.”
Friday March 31, 2017
PAGE 27
Kaieteur News
New tender rules mandate more residents’ participation The public tendering process has been modified as part of government’s move to ensure that residents are included in the implementation of infrastructure works in their communities. At a recent ministerial outreach to Kato, Region Eight, Permanent Secretary (PS,) of the Ministry of Communities, Emil McGarrel, informed residents that a new stipulation will ensure that they would be a part of the pre-tendering process with the potential contractors. Mc Garrel explained that what has been happening overtime is that the contractors would bid for government contracts, without having any knowledge of the location or the condition under which the project must be delivered. “They would sit either in Georgetown or Mahdia or somewhere else, see the tender document and prepare it and win the award. They do all this having never actually visited the location to see the place where the project has to occur, so they do not know what is available in the community,” the PS explained. He told the residents that as of this year, the ministry
has put in place a new tender document at different levels which will require that a contractor, “if he or she is going to come to do work here in Kato, then he or she must have visited Kato at some point and engage the leaders and residents. He or she must come to Kato. He/she has to see the Toshao and state what is his business; “I am bidding for this project that the region is putting forward,” McGarrel explained. The PS also explained that the new tender process also asked that the contractors who are awarded the projects, make use of any available skills set within the communities. “We put in some measures that will ensure that not only labour are taken from the communities, but if there is a skill set available, that the person would have the advantage of the award of the contract if they are going to make the residents from the community a part of this project,” he explained. Under the law, contracts
A mini health check is the first step to donating blood
RDC councillors and Toshaos at the meeting in Kato, Region Eight. for works with a monetary value of less than $5M are awarded to residents where the projects are to be located. However, once the project value exceeds $5M, the project goes to public tender. This tendering process sets
out a number of regulations including assets and documentation which the villages may not possess. This requirement prevents some communities from tendering for projects since they would not meet the
requirements for the tendering process. The inclusion of the new tendering stipulation however, will ensure that the residents continue to benefit economically from the implementation of
government projects within their communities. It will also ensure that the rights of the residents to participate in the development programmes within their community continue.
PAGE 28
Friday March 31, 2017
Kaieteur News
One year after GINA Audit findings…
McCoy, Subhan still not sanctioned Despite the findings and recommendations of a forensic audit conducted into the affairs of the Government Information Agency (GINA), the APNU+AFC administration is yet to decide whether it will be going down the road of prosecution or simply count the losses. It has been one year since the findings of GINA’s audit have been released. However, GINA’s Director, Beverly Alert told Kaieteur News yesterday that she knows of no move to sanction former Information liaison to the President, Kwame McCoy and former Head of GINA, Neaz Subhan. One of the main recommendations coming out of the audit report relates to the recovery of expenditure incurred on “The Guyanese” newspaper. This project was handled by McCoy and Subhan. While GINA spent $20.1M to print The Guyanese, it did not record an income, despite the fact
that the newspaper attracted paid advertisements. The special forensic audit report also noted that a Rajiv Sanchara was the one who received the handsome salary to print and distribute the newspaper in the United States. Additionally, the report found that GINA paid $8,373,355 for television and radio programmes in New York. These programmes started in September 2014. It was revealed that no revenue was received by GINA for advertisements during these programmes. Recommendations have since been made for the expenditure on the newspaper to be recovered. Asked yesterday what moves have been made to recover the money, Alert said, “Can we go after them (McCoy and Subhan) to recover the money? The principals will have to determine, as they have been doing in other agencies, what is to be done. They (government)
GINA’s Director, Beverly Alert
Former Information liaison to the President, Kwame McCoy
Former Head of GINA, Neaz Subhan
have been carrying out investigations and then moving forward with prosecution…the audit was done, so now the principals will have to determine if it is worth the while trying to prosecute, and if there is enough material to prosecute.” Alert said that she has no idea as to which direction the “principals” are heading in
this regard. However, she boasted that she has been making headway at the agencies and correcting many of the deficiencies pointed out in the audit. Alert admitted that the agency is still working on checks and balances. “Do we have all checks and balances in place? We are still getting there, but we are not running
into the red with our accounts.” Alert also pointed out that the agency has been able to pay off the Guyana Chronicle the $74M it owed. This was an inherited debt. Under Neaz Subhan, GINA accumulated the debt for advertisements placed. GINA kept refusing to pay, citing shortage of funds. But Chronicle continued to allo-
cate space for advertisements. GINA cited financial problems as the reason why it could not have paid Chronicle, but found the money to print ‘The Guyanese’. Alert said, “We have aggressively been going after agencies to get that debt settled…we are doing much better now.” Since the APNU+AFC Coalition assumed office, the paper which was circulated fortnightly in the US, was cancelled. Former leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Khemraj Ramjattan, had criticized the taxpayer-funded newspaper on several occasions. He referred to it as a creature of the past regime which was only intended to carry the propaganda of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic. Subhan had refused to answer critical questions from Kaieteur News on this newspaper, claiming that it was an internal matter.
Crabwood Creek boat captain sentenced to death for wife’s killing A 44-year-old man who was on trial for the murder of his reputed wife has been found guilty of the act and was yesterday sentenced to death, in the Berbice High Court. Davendra Hansraj, called ‘Dog man’, a boat captain of Lot 17, Grant 1780 Crabwood Creek, Corentyne, Berbice was on trial before Justice James Bovell Drakes and a mixed Jury. Hansraj was accused of murdering his reputed wife Mohanranie Udaray called ‘Sherry’, 28, a mother of one on 18th December 2014 at their home, following a misunderstanding. State Prosecutor attorney at law Orinthia Schmidt
Davendra Hansraj presented the state’s case. The accused was represented by Attorneys at law Mark Waldron, Mark Conway and Keoma Griffith. Earlier State Prosecutor Schmidt summed up the
evidence for the prosecution and urged the jurors to believe same. The defence had urged the jury not to believe the evidence of the prosecution and had contended that there was not sufficient evidence to convict their client. The issue of accident was also raised. Justice Bovell Drakes then summed up the evidence of the trial to the jury and guided then on the points of law. The jury had returned after one hour with a six-six deadlock. However they returned after another hour of deliberation. In response to the registrar, the foreman told the court that they had
Miners calling on govt. for... From page 18 that the forms were only available at the Headquarters of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission; thus denying countless miners access to the process.” After being informed of the dilemma, the GWMO's Executive body decided to muster its Regional and Community Representatives to find a solution for the miners. As such, application forms were distributed to the Regional Representatives who mobilised miners in areas including Mahdia, Port Kaituma and Bartica. The GWMO said that the access of these miners to application services has been
an issue affecting all six mining districts. Further the group said that this is coupled with landlordism and it believes the only way out is to allow miners access to land. After the aggrieved miners were assisted by the GWMO, a total of 50 applicants were selected and are now new land owners. The group said that it remains committed and diligent in helping its members and the mining community at large to resolve the numerous issues within the sector. “The majority of the beneficiaries of this process are first time land owners and women. Women who have been carrying the burden of providing for the household and guiding the family. The ripple effects that start
as a result of empowerment of a woman can never be understated.” It was only last April when President David Granger had said that all of the government functions which are centralised should be decentralised. Granger was at the time fielding questions on the Ministry of the Presidency's 'Public Interest' televised programme. He said that each administrative region should have a capital town, so that important services such as banking, public services, National Insurance Scheme offices, the Guyana Revenue Authority offices, among others, can be distributed across Guyana for the benefit and use of all Guyanese.
arrived at a unanimous verdict of guilty of murder. The Court Marshall then announced that Davendra Hansraj was sentenced to death, according to common law. He was then ordered to be taken out of the court by the Prison Officer. The woman who hailed from the Black Bush Polder area had been living with the man who is a boat captain on one of the small boats that ply
the Corentyne River to Suriname. They were living together for over two years in the upper flat of a twostorey house. The woman had reportedly gone to Georgetown to conduct some business for her daughter Riya, and to take her to the U.S. embassy. It was that visit that led to an argument. It was upon her return that the argument erupted. The child did not sleep at home on the
night in question, but went to her biological father’s home where she stayed. The woman was found in an unconscious state lying face down in a pool of blood, with a gaping wound to her neck. A post mortem examination gave the cause of death as asphyxiation, lack of oxygen due to blood in her lungs and stab wound to the neck. The state had called nine witnesses.
GPL complaints head list for PUC The Public Utilities Commission is urging utilities under its purview to pay more attention to customers’ grievances. “Not because there is a monopoly on services provided by some of these utilities should their customers be taken for granted,” PUC warned yesterday. This came after the Commission’s awareness exercises conducted in March 2017 in Georgetown and No.2 Village in Canje, Berbice, where it was revealed that consumers, on becoming more aware about the work of the entity, and the obligations of the service providers, are complaining about issues that are fast becoming common. “Customers are questioning why they are receiving prolonged estimated bills for more than actual readings even though water and electricity meter readers visit regularly. There are also claims of reporting low electricity consumption that per-
sist for long periods, only to eventually have their services removed with the utility claiming that the meters were tampered.” According to the PUC, on disputing some of these claims and paying the requisite fees to have services restored, customers are then advised that there are no meters in stock, and that the previous meter was reassigned to another customer. “The Commission invariably files claims on behalf of such consumers. Investigations revealed that consumers are overbilled. The record shows that for the year 2016 in excess of thirteen million dollars were credited to customers’ accounts.” The PUC stressed also that electricity consumers are also frustrated when faced with damage to their appliances due to power problems. “More often than not, they are advised that the power company is not liable for the claim or that the claim was disallowed because it
was not filed according to procedure. Consumers seem unaware that they must immediately call a GPL Emergency Call Centre to report the damage and obtain a reference number.” The commission pointed out that it is only the customer who signs the contract for the service from GPL can file a claim, which includes the previously obtained reference number and supporting documents, to a GPL commercial office within 30 days of the occurrence. “Damaged appliances and equipment may be considered as evidence to the claim and should not be disposed before the outcome of the claim is determined,” PUC said in its statement. “The Commission remains committed to its mandate of ensuring that both consumers and utilities are fairly represented by the PUC.” In addition to GPL, the commission also regulates the telecommunications, water and sewerage companies.
Friday March 31, 2017
Missing Black Bush wife strangled, buried in backyard -husband and his lover held
Sunil Datt Balack Police are preparing today for the gruesome task of digging up a backyard at Mibicuri, Black Bush Polder, Berbice, where a 44-year-old farmer is believed to have buried his 38-year-old wife, some eight months ago, after strangling her. The victim, Lilwantie Balack, 39, of 117 Mibicuri North, Black Bush Polder, is believed to have been slain on September 6, 2016, but the husband, Sunil Datt Balack, had told the couple’s three children conflicting reports about her whereabouts, including claiming she had run off with a man to the United States. But under intense questioning yesterday, the farmer reportedly admitted that he had strangled Lilwantie during a quarrel and buried her in the backyard. Immigration records also gave no indication that the missing woman had travelled overseas. Police have also detained a 21-year-old woman, who the suspect took as his reputed wife, after his spouse disappeared. The suspects are in custody at the Whim Police Station. “We will secure the scene and Crime Scene Ranks will have to assist us (today),” a senior police official told Kaieteur News. Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum said that ranks from
Lilwantie Balack
the Major Crimes Unit will also be travelling to Berbice to assist in the investigation. Lilwantie Balack’s horrible fate only came to light on Wednesday after her daughters, who had become increasingly suspicious, contacted the police. Mrs. Balack’s eldest daughter, Darshanie Devi Balack, 20, said that she last saw her mother on Saturday 27 August, 2016. DIFFERENT STORIES “When I ask my father, where is she, he give everybody different direction. First he tell us that my mother is at Cane Grove; he tell my brother at 66 Village (Corentyne), when I ask my grandmother, she say she (the mother) is at Mahaicony.” According to her, the father told her brother that “Somebody come pick up she (the mother) in the night.” “So dem ask he if somebody come pick she up, why she nah carry none clothes or nothing; he tell them that the people dem wah pick she up bring clothes and so fuh she”. She also said that on September 6, last, her father told them and other relatives that their mother, “fly out.” She explained that her mother had visited the US prior to September 6, and had stayed with her uncle, their only US-based relative. “She nah deh with me
mamoo (uncle), he deh looking fuh she right now”. Two months after they had last seen their mother, her father brought a woman to their home. According to the daughter, her father claimed that he had known this woman for seven years. He then presented his 21-year-old new partner with a wedding ring, which the daughter recognized as her mother’s. “I can watch the ring and know is my mother ring, it fade out and so.” Police said that even while he was in custody, other individuals were apparently attempting to suggest that Lilwantie was still alive. A source said that investigators received a phone call from a man who claimed that the missing woman was living with him at Rose Hall. Eventually, the farmer, under questioning, reportedly said that he and Lilwantie had quarreled over her wanting to travel to the US. He had then choked her until she was unconscious, then buried her in the family’s backyard. Mrs. Balack’s fate has eerie similarities to that of Babita Sarjou, who vanished on the Diwali Night of November 4, 2010. Her remains were found almost six years later in a shallow grave behind her husband’s home in Seaforth Street, Campbellville.
Two discharged for Laing Avenue... From page 12 discharged the matter and instructed the men that they were free to go. According to reports, 33year-old David, a former murder accused and father of five, of 89 Laing Avenue, Georgetown, was shot and killed during a heated argument he had with some men over money. According to reports, David had confrontations several times with a man from Agricola, East Bank Demerara, whom he had bailed out of jail.
PAGE 29
Kaieteur News
It is alleged that Lamazon and McIntyre were among four persons that drove up in front of David’s home in two vehicles and executed him. After Magistrate Bess reviewed the evidence led by the Prosecution, he told the court that there was no evidence that Lamazon and McIntyre inflicted injuries upon David, although they were seen in his presence. The Magistrate further pointed out that the prosecution relied on 10 photographic exposures and a post mortem
report in favour of David which revealed that he died as a result of gunshot wounds. Meanwhile, 24-year-old Howard Rambharose and Jermaine Jeffers are still before the courts for allegedly murdering David. A preliminary inquiry into their matter is being presided over by another Magistrate in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Rambharose was previously charged with robbery under arms and narcotics trafficking.
Guyana to benefit from millions in hearing aids Close to 500 Guyanese are poised to be recipients of hearing aids compliments of the Starkey Hearing Foundation based in the United States. In this regard, several persons were yesterday exposed to an ear screening session in the auditorium of the Sophia Exhibition Complex. The screening session will continue today and within a matter of months those eligible for hearing aids will be furnished with custom made hearing aids to address their respective hearing loss. The parent company of The Starkey Hearing Foundation is Starkey Hearing Technologies which is the largest producer of hearing aids in the US. In fact it is one of the top six producers of hearing aids in the world. “We have generous funding from Starkey Hearing Technologies which donates most of the hearing aids we use...other philanthropic people in the US and [from] around the world also donate to the organisation,” said Starkey Foundation Director, Dr. Luqman Lawal. But according to Dr. Lawal, the Foundation is always soliciting continued support in order to further expand the provision of hearing aids globally. Starkey has thus far been able to lend its support to more than 50 low and middle income countries. “We have been doing a lot of partnership,” he said as he revealed “here in Guyana we have been working with the Lions Club, the Rotary Club, and we work with local volunteers from the Ministry of Public Health and the office of the First Lady [Mrs Sandra Granger]...This has been extremely helpful to us because they understand the culture, they understand the politics, they understand the economics and they have been helping us to navigate the system,” Dr. Lawal revealed. Starkey’s support to Guyana, he related, was influenced by Mrs Granger and Dr. Zulfikar Bux, Head of the Accident and Emergency Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). While a meeting between Dr. Lawal and the First Lady occurred while she was at the United Nations headquarters in New York, his meeting with Dr. Bux occurred at the Harvard School of Public Health, where the latter was completing and upgrading programme. “All decisions came in line and we decided to come to Guyana in June 2016 and we did a major regional training in Guyana...this training was for community-based
A patient having her ear screened yesterday. health workers including audio techs, audiologists...as well as other public health professionals,” according to Dr. Lawal. He explained that the Foundation operates on a three-fold basis, whereby it deals with service delivery, education and training, as well as research and advocacy. Just last year the organisation rendered its assistance to Peru, another South American territory. On that occasion some 18,000 patients were catered to. But offering hearing aid support, according to Dr. Lawal, is determined by the size of the population and the existing needs. Here in Guyana, he noted, some 500 to 600 patients of the 750,000 population were found to will be eligible for screening for hearing aids based on the organisation’s collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health. Although patients were specifically contacted to be a part of the ongoing s c r e e n i n g e x e r c i s e , D r. Lawal assured that “all patients who come through our door and we identify that they have hearing loss, we will be providing one or two hearing aids for you.” The screening of the patients represent phase one of the collaboration, but the actual provision of the hearing aids will represent phase two. This will be followed by a third phase which, according to Dr. Lawal, will be
characterised by continuing assistance to Guyana. A single hearing aid provided by Starkey is valued at some $65,000. But this cost, according to Dr. Lawal, is outside of the cost of the battery, the expertise of the professionals who will be fitting the hearing aids and aspects such as maintenance. “In the long run, for you to maintain your hearing aid for one year it will be about $150,000 to $200,000 [or more] and many of these patients will need two hearing aids, so we are looking at nearly $500,000 for a pair of hearing aids and maintaining them,” explained Dr. Lawal, as he pointed out that the Starkey Foundation will be essentially saving Guyana the cost of undertaking such a venture on its own. “We are saving people who cannot afford these hearing aids: people the government would’ve paid for them to have hearing aids...” ”We are offering this free of cost and not just giving the hearing aid, we are working to train the local capacity so that they can follow up continuously on these patients. If they [patients] have a problem with batteries, they will be provided with free batteries, if they have problems with troubleshooting the hearing aids, they [local technicians] will be able to fix it for them and if the local people are unable to fix the problem they can send it to us in the US and we will fix them and bring them back,” Dr. Lawal asserted.
PAGE 30
WANTED
SALON
FOR SALE
FOR RENT
One driver/porter from Diamond, Grove area. Call: 2161043, 677-6620
- Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. - Cosmetology Courses: $120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 6471773/660-5257
LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
2 Leyland Dump truck (55210), 1 Caterpillar Backhoe, owner migrating, very good condition. Call: 672-5876
Lot 14 Croal & Longden Street: 4 Storey building (infront Demico). Call: 6631876
Fibre-Tech 220 9192/6907. Fiberglass, Resin materials in any quantity all for your repairs.
Vreed-en-Hoop Junction: office, storage bond, lesson place, church -$20,000 per month. Call: 603-6400
Fully Setup taxi service with 16 Radio sets, location Sherriff Street. S e r i o u s i n q u i r y o n l y. Call:695-0704
Upper flat for rent 3 bedrooms in Atlantic Gardens- Call: 2274377/227-0613/624-6013
Female worker wanted sound secondary education, computer literate-Tel: 6225518 SERVICES
VACANCY
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620
Cook/Baker and Kitchen Assistant for interior location. Applicants must be experienced, for details call: 618-2020
Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyana p assport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 6267040; 265-4535.
One experienced female Accounts Clerk- apply in person to Alabama Trading, 66 Robb Street Bourda.
INNOVATIVEMARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Singh AC Service & Refrigeration, repairing auto A/C, washer, fridge & stove @ ZZ Durban Street Wortmanville. Call: 698-7807/ 683-6741 Passport, permanent & visitor visa application, Professional Immigration Consultant – Sabita Immigration Services. Call: 225-6496/ 662-6045 Repairs at low cost: Fridges, air- conditioners, washing machines, TVs, microwaves, freezers- Call:629-4946 or 225-4822
Tutor/Nanny with computer knowledge – apply to Alabama Trading, 66 Robb Street Bourda. Accounts Clerk for Eccles, Industrial Site area knowledge of NIS, PAYE, VAT, QuickBooks. Call: 6144358 Experienced Waiters/ Waitresses, apply to: Manager, Herdmanston Lodge, Queenstown. Apply before 5th April, 2017.
Live in female supervisor with secondary education @ bar shop 25-35yrs, waitress, salary $80,000 monthly. Call: 610-3974 One shop assistant to work in the Interior, must have experienced. Call: 668-6421 Handyman and Driver, apply at Nimbus Water, 79 Albert and Laluni Street, Queenstown. Call:231-7002/ 622-0445 Minibus Drivers - 45yrs and older. Call: 666-6991
Furnished apartments @ 318 East Street, North Cummingsburg, few lots away from G.P.H.C & Balwant Singh Hospital. Call: 6530490/641-4614/226-3199 Fully furnished vacation home with all amenities Call during working hours 2271218
We are buying WamaraTonka Bean Logs, cash down as document ready. Call:6645150 Contract hire car to work @ GR Taxi. Contact Ganesh: 6146202
PROPERTY FOR SALE Transported property @ Grove and Diamond $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461
Outdoor Salesman/Driver, Salesgirls, general domestic. Apply at R.Sookraj & Son’s, 108 Regent Street Georgetown.
Investors for mining land in the Mazaruni Area. Call: 6728844
House & Land available for sale. Contact Pacific Development Inc @ Lot 3 Church Street, G/Town. Call: 223-6035/227-8274
We pay in USD for residential house lots, all legal fees taken care of. Call: 684-5822/6292881. One Chief Security officer to head a security operation in the hinterland. Good Pay. Call: 696-9386
HEALTH Dietitian’s Clinic: dietary counseling for all disease conditions, BMI check, blood pressure testing etc. Call: 231-9335, 699-7083
One female to prepare cutters live in or live out Georgetown. Call/Whatsapp: 673-9283 1 Part-time Technician must be knowledgeable about computer networking (LAN & WAN), Wi-Fi, routers & Ubiquiti devices. Call: 6619447/648-6292
CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM
PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 677-7827, 6435122 ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM
WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP REATES,SPECIALOFFERS FOR THE SEASON. CALL: 690-6494
AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL: PICKUP, 9-11 SEAT MIN BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPOTR & FAMILY OUTING, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807
Driver needed (stick gear) to operate smoothie business. Be your own boss, fixed location, preferably someone EBD- call: 628-1479 1 Cook to work in the Interior -$100,000 monthly worker for land dredge. Call: 694-2310 between 8:00am -5:00pm We buy land in La Parfaite Harmonie, Eccles, Herstelling, Farm, Covent Garden, Zeelugt, Bartica. Call: 2333006/658-5897/651-1969
Kobelco 210, Perkins 4 CYL, Yangdong 4CYL, Miller Welder, HondaATV, asking -$18,000,000. Call: 651-4699/ 677-8104 One Ford Van E350, one Toyota Tundra, One Caterpillar back hoe 4x4, one bobcat Tel: 660-2212 1 Twin Steer Leyland DAF dump truck, GMM6584 & four flat beds Leyland DAF lorries. Call: 649-8449
If you are selling your land in Eccles, Herstelling or anywhere. Call Duncan: 677-4092
Cleaners, water truck driver $30,000 weekly, to work on W.C.D. Call: 684-8231
CAR RENTAL
TO LET
One salon assistant must know to cornrow. Call: 6222643/ 225-8701
Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158
TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 225-7878 (24HRS)
Friday March 31, 2017
Kaieteur News
Tuschen: 2 storey building, 2031 ft2 - $9.8M Negotiable. Tel: 231-9690 (During working hrs). Parfaite Harmonie: 2 storey building, 1245 ft2 - $9M Negotiable. Tel: 231-9690 (During working hrs). Tain, Corentyne: 2 storey building 3309 ft2 - $8M Negotiable. Tel: 231-9690 (During working hours). House and land for sale block ‘12’ Non Pariel, East Coast Demerara. (no agents) Call: 227-3961/ 270-5302 1-2 Storey building 3 bedrooms upstairs, 2 apartments downstairs, all self-contained @ avenue B Diamond, E.B.D- Call: 6585452 One Roadside, 2 storey building @ V/Hoop (ideally business/residence). Call: 614-0107 LEARN TO DRIVE C. Persaud & N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman & Sons Driving School @ Maraj BuildingCall: 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997 (affordable packages).
Design & Make Aluminum windows, doors, stainless rails, showcases, rolling shutters, make & install automatic doors. Call: 2336818/677-5599/659-9999 1 Big music set for sale, owner migrating - urgent sale price $350,000- Call: 690-5225 Spare for washing machine, microwaves, fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, motors, etc. Call:225-9032;647-2943;604-5198 1 Double twin steer Atkinson Truck. Call: 684-2708 Complete game shop equipment. Call Leon: 2318424 or 610-0808
PEN PAL Decent Elderly Indian Christian widow is seeking honest respectful widower. Please no block numbers, no messages. Call: 678-1110 Caring female for a mature gentleman, age 37-55. Contact Mr. Other, Heskey Mount, 9296 Lord Street, PR8 1JR, England. Indian Male seeks female age 27/34 write to M.D 7475 Goreway DR #47Mississauga on L4T 3T3, Canada. TOURS Rodeo, Lethem Rodeo, Brazil, Falls and sightseeing, April 1317th. Call: 665-5171, 639-2663, 223-7589,658-3758,673-2348
2 Bedroom Executive furnished Apartment in residential Area, close to Ogle Airport with all modern amenities.Call:622-5725/6641070 Apartment for rent at Lot 656 Diamond, 4th Avenue, E.B.D: 2 bedrooms with AC. Call 2164563/685-1640. Three storey 75ftX30ft concrete building, open floors, two offices, two washrooms, driveway @ 25B Princes St., Charlestown. Call: 223-0654/225-0605 1-One bedroom located at ‘C’ Field Turkeyen, preferably, single person. Contact Lisa: 697-8867 1-2 Bedroom house in Lamaha Gardens $1000US monthly. 1-2 bedrooms apartment @ Lyng Street Charlestown -$50,000 monthly. Call: 231-4681/6945000 Sisher Realtors: if you want to sell, buy or rent. Contact us: 694-5000/231-4681 Bedroom apartment for rent (working couple). Call: 6642861
ACCOMMODATION Harmony Inn: Furnished self contained apartments & rooms from $20USD daily. Call: 218-1400/ 694-7817 Secret Villa apartments fully furnished, hot & cold water, Jacuzzi, air condition from $20USD daily. Call: 225-6337/ 266-5244/668-0306 Hilton Int’l Hotel, “your home away from home”: rooms fully self-contained - $20USD. Call: 225-9211 Continued on page 31
Friday March 31, 2017
PAGE 31
Kaieteur News
CH&PA consults soldiers on housing solutions Minister within the Ministry of Communities, with responsibility for housing, Valerie Adams-Patterson, and a team from the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), held consultations with members of the Guyana Defence Force on Wednesday, on the government’s housing plans and how they can own their own homes. The meeting was held at the Colonel Ulric Pilgrim Cadet School. This is part of an ongoing discussion with government employees on housing for low income earners and state employees. Minister AdamsPatterson said that the government will be maximising the use of its
available serviced lands to offer a range of housing solutions. “This APNU/AFC government has decided to move away from one house lot per person and the reason being we have over 25,000 applications in the system. We do not have 25,000 serviced house lots to give or meet the demand of 25,000,” the minister explained. She was accompanied by the CH&PA’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Lelon Saul, Operation Director, Denise Tudor-King and acting Project Director, Omar Narine. The initiative seeks to provide a serviced housing facility for citizens, which includes infrastructure, water and electricity, a government
statement disclosed. The minister said the focus is on building duplexes and townhouses, as these types of houses can accommodate a larger number of families. The soldiers raised concerns on the application process, prices of the units and titling. Minister AdamsPatterson explained that persons with an application already in the system can have it transferred to apply for a unit. The Ministry will give pre-qualified persons a letter to take into the banks to acquire a unit. “The year of your application does not necessarily apply to these units because it’s who qualify. You might have an application since 2000 but you may not
qualify through the bank and somebody may have one 2015, 2016 and qualify,” the minister explained. She said that the ministry will be engaging banks to discuss the requirements for these mortgages. The units will be constructed in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six and Ten. Seven hundred and sixtyeight families are expected to be housed in the first phase of the implementation of this programme. The engineers have estimated the cost at between $5M to $7M per unit, but this may not be the final price. During the discussion, the soldiers were given the opportunity to purchase application forms, and re-apply for transfer to units if they wished.
Diaspora activist killed in tragic Maryland accident Maryland, US- A Guyanese driver who was involved in a minor crash on Rt. 301 and exited his vehicle was struck and killed by a passing mot o r i s t tonight in Prince George’s County. The victim is an adult male. He was identified as Collin Elroy King (79 years old) of Beltsville, MD. His family has been notified of the incident. At about 7:30 p.m. Tues-
d a y, t r o o p e r s f r o m t h e Forestville Barrack responded to calls reporting a crash on southbound Rt. 301 at Trade Zone Ave, in Upper Marlboro. Arriving troopers found fire and rescue personnel on the scene attending to the victim, who was pronounced dead at the scene, a baynet.com report said. The preliminary information indicates the victim was involved in a minor
Berbice teens released on $200,000 bail each for attempted murder Two teens were yesterday placed on $200,000 bail each when they appeared in the Springlands Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh to answer to the charge of attempted murder. Eshwardat Sookram, 18, of Lot 526 Number 76 Village, Corentyne and Seeram Ramdatt, 19, of Lot 80 Grant 1780 Crabwood Creek, were charged jointly for attempted murder. The charge stated that on March 25, last, with the intent to commit murder, the duo wounded Rishidat Chandradat. Bail was granted for the teenagers and they will return to court on April 13, for reports. Meanwhile, Chandradat is said to be in a stable condition and has since been transferred to the Georgetown Hospital.
crash with another vehicle at that location. Both vehicles were in the roadway when the victim got out of his vehicle to examine the damage. A third vehicle, traveling southbound on Rt. 301, struck the victim while he was outside of his vehicle. The driver of the third vehicle stopped at the scene. He was transported by ambulance to an area hospital. It is unknown at this time if other vehicles were struck when the second crash o ccurred. . A close family friend of King, Cosford Roberts, said that tragically the dead man was on his way for a meeting with him when he died. King and Roberts were due in to Guyana in two weeks for meetings on the establishment of a Diaspora Corporation in Guyana. King was a former Queens College student.
From page 30
ENTERTAINMENT Cotton Club: Restaurant & Banquet Hall, buffet Sunday, breakfast & soups, daily lunch, breakfast specials. Call: 231-1908
FOR SALE/RENT Large 3 bedrooms house for rent/sale, 3 bedroom on First Floor, W.B.D @ La Parfaite Harmonie. Call: 690-5061
VEHICLE FOR SALE 1-Leyland DAF GRR Series; excellentcondition.Call:680-4101 Dwayne Stephen Auto Sales! New Shipment of Vehicle: Rush, Blue Bird, Note, Axio, Allion. Call: 6652330/ 648-6869 Not working Vehicles: 1 Surf, 2 Pathfinders, 1 Bobcat, 3 Toyota Cars, 1 Canter, 1 Fiber glass boat. Call: 227-4377/ 624-6013 Allion, Primo, Fielder Wagon, Spacio, Bluebird, 212 Carina, NZE, Honda CRV, Toyota IST, RZ & Pit-bull – Call: 650-7501 Toyota Vigo pickup -$3.5M and Nissan Pathfinder Jeep $1.5M negotiable. Call: 6097766/ 225-8427 (must be sold)
LAND FOR SALE 1 Lot of land @ Yarrowkabra -$950,000. Call: 672-5876 Transported land for sale size 37X270 @ Coglan Dam, Vreed-en-Hoop, W.B.D. Call: 650-5644/677-9938 1 Transported land in Tuschen Phase 1 -$2M, Tuschen Phase 2 - $1.4M, La ParfaiteHarmonie (main road) -$2M, La ParfaiteHarmonie $1.4M. Call: 642-1252
Killed: Collin King
Bartica - $3M, Uitvlugt (100ftX50ft) - $3M, Farm$3M, Herstelling (4th Bridge - $3M). Call: 677-4092 Farm (East Bank) -$3M, Providence (New Scheme) $5M, Herstelling -$3M, La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.6M. Call: 684-5822/ 629-2881 La Parfaite Harmonie - $1.6M, $1.4M, $1.3M, Tuschen Phase II -$1.2M, Uitvlugt $2M. Call: 614-6802 La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.8M, $1.6M, $1.4M, Tuschen Phase II -$1.3, Uitvlugt -$2M, New Road V/Hoop -$27M. Call: 604-6724 Diamond Scheme ( 2 nd Avenue), Eccles Scheme (middle) negotiable. Call: 6097766/225-8427 (must be sold) La Parfaite Harmonie -$1M, Bartica-$3M,Uitvlugt-$3M,Farm$3M (East Bank), Herstelling (4th Bridge -$3M) – Call: 2333006/ 658-5897/651-1969
PAGE 32
Friday March 31, 2017
Kaieteur News
Republican disarray deepens as Trump attacks rebel conservatives
(Reuters) U.S. President Donald Trump lashed out on Thursday at Republican conservatives who helped torpedo healthcare legislation he backed, escalating a feud within his party that jeopardizes the new administration’s legislative agenda. Trump threatened to try to defeat members of the Freedom Caucus - a bloc of conservative Republicans in the House of Representatives - in next year’s congressional elections if they continued to defy him. “The Freedom Caucus will hurt the entire Republican agenda if they don’t get on the team, & fast. We must fight them, & Dems, in 2018!” Trump wrote on Twitter on Thursday morning. House conservatives fought back. “Most people don’t take well to being bullied,” said Representative Justin Amash, who compared Trump’s approach to what a child does when he wants to “get his
way.” Representative Raul Labrador, one of the founders of the Freedom Caucus, urged Trump in a tweet to “Remember who your real friends are. We’re trying to help you succeed.” Trump’s deteriorating relationship with Republican House conservatives could make it harder for him to pass his legislative agenda, which includes rewriting the U.S. tax code, revisiting a healthcare overhaul and funding construction of a wall along the U.S.-Mexican border. Trump, a New York businessman who touted his skills as a dealmaker in his bid for the White House, has repeatedly criticized Freedom Caucus members, blaming them for the defeat of legislation to repeal and replace former President Barack Obama’s signature healthcare law. Freedom Caucus members said the bill did not go far enough to dismantle the 2010 Affordable Care Act, popularly known as Obamacare.
Asked during a briefing whether Trump’s tweet about the Freedom Caucus was a “divide-and-conquer” strategy, White House spokesman Sean Spicer said: “No, it’s a math strategy, which is to get to 216,” the number of votes currently needed to pass House legislation. The discord following the healthcare debacle was not limited to tensions between Trump and the Freedom Caucus. In recent days, the president has been out of sync with the two highest ranking Republicans in Congress, House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Trump and his aides have suggested reviving the push for a healthcare bill. While Ryan expressed openness to the idea, McConnell said he thought doing so would be futile. But Ryan publicly disagreed with Trump when the president offered to work with Democrats on new healthcare legislation.
Friday March 31, 2017
Kaieteur News
Venezuela’s Maduro decried as ‘dictator’ after Congress annulled
Deputies of the Venezuelan coalition of opposition parties (MUD), clash with Venezuela’s National Guards during a protest outside the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) in Caracas, Venezuela (Reuters) Opposition leaders branded Venezuela’s socialist President Nicolas Maduro a “dictator” on Thursday after the Supreme Court took over the functions of Congress and pushed a lengthy political standoff to new heights. There was swift and widespread international condemnation of the de facto annulment of the National Assembly, where the opposition won a majority in late 2015 amid an unprecedented economic crisis that has seen Maduro’s popularity plummet. The head of the 34-nation Organization of International States (OAS), Luis Almagro, said the Venezuelan court had dealt the final blows to democracy and accused Maduro’s “regime” of carrying out a “coup.” Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Colombia, Chile and Panama
expressed strong concerns while Peru withdrew its envoy after what it termed a rupture of democracy. The United States described the move as a “serious setback for democracy in Venezuela” while the European Union called for a “clear electoral calendar” going forward. Venezuela’s top court had already overturned most National Assembly decisions since the opposition win. Then late on Wednesday, it explicitly stated it was assuming Congress’ role in a ruling authorizing Maduro to create oil joint ventures without the previously mandated congressional approval. “As long as the situation of contempt in the National Assembly continues, this constitutional chamber guarantees congressional functions will be exercised by this
chamber or another chosen organ,” the court said in its ruling. The contempt charge stems from vote-buying accusations against three lawmakers from southern Amazonas state. Even though they no longer sit in Congress, the court said parliamentary leaders had not handled their case legally. Critics of Maduro say it is an excuse for him to consolidate power and muzzle the opposition amid a severe recession, soaring inflation and acute shortages of food and medicine. Maduro, a 54-year-old former bus driver and foreign minister, was narrowly elected in 2013 to replace late leftist President Hugo Chavez. He has accused Washington of leading a push to topple him as part of a wider offensive against leftist governments.
Ex-South Korean president Park Geun-hye arrested in corruption probe Ousted South Korean President Park Geun-hye has been arrested and taken into custody over a corruption scandal that led to her dismissal. The 65-year-old was driven to a detention centre south of Seoul after a court approved her arrest. She is accused of allowing her close friend Choi Soon-sil to extort money from companies, including Samsung, in return for political favours.
Ms Park, who was removed from office earlier this month, denies the claims. She is the third former president of South Korea to be arrested over criminal allegations, Yonhap reports. The Seoul Central District Court earlier issued a warrant to detain Ms Park while she is investigated o n c h a rg e s o f b r i b e r y, abuse of authority, coercion and leaking government secrets.
It followed a nearly ninehour court hearing on Thursday that Ms Park attended. “It is justifiable and necessary to arrest [Ms Park] as key charges were justified and there is risk of evidence being destroyed,” the court said in a statement. Live television footage showed a black sedan carrying her to the detention facility from the prosecutor’s office where she had been waiting.
PAGE 33
PAGE 34
Kaieteur News
Friday March 31, 2017
Friday March 31, 2017
Kaieteur News
Pentagon responds to criticism over civilian deaths in Mosul blast (Reuters) The Pentagon on Thursday said it would soon release a video showing Islamic State militants herding civilians into a building in the Iraqi city of Mosul and then firing from it, the U.S. military’s latest response to an outcry over a separate explosion thought to have killed scores of civilians. The U.S. military has acknowledged that the U.S.-led coalition probably had a role in the March 17 explosion, but said Islamic State also could be to blame. Local officials and eyewitnesses have said as many as 240 people may have died in the Al-Jadida district when a blast made a building collapse, burying families inside. Rights group Amnesty International and Pope Francis have both called for better protection for civilians caught in war zones in Iraq. The Pentagon does not regularly release images or videos from operations. However, it has had to do so once already this month after it denied striking a mosque in Syria, releasing an aerial image to show the mosque
was intact. That incident is under investigation. A spokesman for the U.Sled coalition fighting Islamic State told reporters on Thursday he was working to declassify a video showing militants hiding civilians in a building in west Mosul to “bait the coalition to attack.” “What we see now is the use of civilians as human shields ... For the first time we caught this on video yesterday as armed ISIS fighters forced civilians into a building, killing one who resisted and then used that building as a fighting position against the (Counter Terrorism Service),” Colonel Joseph Scrocca said. He was using an acronym for Islamic State. Scrocca said Islamic State tactics have led to adjustments in procedures, adding
that about 1,000 Islamic State fighters remained in west Mosul, but did not give details on these changes. He added than an in-depth investigation into the strikes had been opened on March 17. On Tuesday, Lieutenant General Stephen Townsend, the senior U.S. commander in Iraq, told reporters by teleconference it was “a little disappointing” that questions during the briefing focused on U.S.-led air strikes. “ISIS is slaughtering Iraqis and Syrians on a daily basis. ISIS is cutting off heads. ISIS is shooting people,” he said. Amnesty International has said the high civilian toll in Mosul suggests U.S.-led coalition forces have failed to take adequate precautions to prevent civilian deaths.
PAGE 35
PAGE 36
Friday March 31, 2017
Kaieteur News
Cameron and Nanthan back as... 2024 Olympics: ‘Time is right’ for cricket (From page 39) for two consecutive years – the year which ended September 30, 2015, the board reduced its accumulated deficit and ended with a surplus of US3.4 million. Last year, a surplus of US$3.5 million was achieved with an accumulated surplus of US$1.578 million. The President noted in his report to the Annual General Meeting that “we cannot over emphasize the need for financial stability in cricket, as without that kind of stability, all the other development plans cannot occur.” The President added that despite the tighter financial management “the board has invested in more development tours and the addition of the A Team tours is an example.” Another important achievement is the fact that the WICB has managed to achieve best practices by
producing audited reports within the given time for the past three financial years. The President praised the Audit Risk and Compliance and the Finance Committees for the tidy work they have done throughout the period. The region will be hosting the Women’s World Twenty20 Championships November 2018 and there is a comprehensive programme which is being put together as the Women will try to defend their World Twenty20 title. The President has advised that a public relations strategy will be deployed so that all West Indians can rally around our WI Women’s Team as they seek to defend their title on home soil. It will be a big event and we need all hands available to help as we seek to raise the profile of women’s cricket in the region; have a successful tournament and a win for our women’s team.” The Women’s team will
also be looking to win their 1st World Cup in the UK later this summer and all plans are in place to achieve this with the regional Women’s competition being played in April in St Vincent and the Grenadines. In moving forward, the President and the team will have the new strategic plan which will facilitate improved performances at the regional and international level and explore a more robust governance system. The strategy revolves around the rebranding of Cricket West Indies; the development of our commercial arm – Windies Inc, and the creation of a development foundation to finance cricket development in the region.” This was presented at the Board of Directors and Annual General Meetings in Barbados on Saturday and Sunday, March 25 and 26.
bid - ICC chief Dave Richardson
BBCsport -The “time is right” for cricket to apply for a place at the Olympics, according to International Cricket Council chief Dave Richardson. Cricket has not been played at the Summer Games since Great Britain beat France to win gold in 1900. But the ICC believes an Olympic Twenty20 tournament is the key to growing the game. “I think the majority of the members - and certainly myself - think the time is right,” said Richardson. ”We’ve come to the conclusion that the overall benefit to the game, in terms of globalising and growing it, outweighs any negatives. ”We need to make a decision by July so we can make an application in time for September, when, as I
understand it, the (International Olympic Committee) will consider new sports for 2024.” The 2024 Games will be hosted by either Paris or Los Angeles, with a decision due in September 2017. With growing concerns about the cost of staging the Games, the IOC has been reluctant to go much beyond 11,000 athletes at an Olympics, although it did add five new sports to the programme for Tokyo 2020 without removing any. Richardson, who made 164 appearances for South Africa in Tests and one-day internationals, said preliminary talks with the IOC have already taken place and the discipline to be included for consideration must be a format played at international level.
”They haven’t said [an existing] sport would have to go [to make room], but they said when taking any decision on a new sport they’ve got an overall limit on the number of athletes,” he said. ”So as a team sport we would only fit six to eight teams. T20 is the ideal format and we’d say even better than rugby sevens as it’s actually one of the mainstream formats of cricket.” He said that he did not think there would be any opposition from ICC members England or West Indies due to the fact that they would not be able to compete at a Games under those banners. He suggested England would be relaxed about playing along with other home nations as Great Britain.
Boyce/Jefford launches second Relay... (From page 34) family oriented that allows families to come out and do things together,” Lewis indicated. Director of Sport, Jones, who was the keynote speaker, also echoed similar sentiments, stating the importance of such activities to social cohesion. “When the
government came into power in 2015 it formed the Ministry of Social Cohesion and the name itself lends to the explanation of the Ministry,” Jones said. He noted that one of the firmest advocates for social cohesion is sports and as such, the event is one that should receive widespread
support. “Event like this furthers the Government’s thrust of supporting social cohesion and the National Sport Commission is proud to be associated with this event as well as providing funding,” he said. The Director of Sport lauded the efforts of Boyce and Jefford in continuing to promote sports at the grassroots and other level. He called on corporate Guyana to support the activity, adding that Government is looking at ways to reward companies for such support. The day will also feature novelty events for participating patrons and a Kids Zone with bouncy castles, trampolines, face painting and many more attractions. Four lucky patrons will go home with impressive gate prizes including a microwave, US$100 while the largest family will win a ‘Household Hamper’ including Ariel Soap Powder, Swinger Matches, Rage Insecticide, Hefty Garbage Bags, Trin Chloro Bleach and Squeezy compliments of AnsaMcAl. Father Moey and Determine Family, Selector Face and DJ Winston (Linden) will provide all the entertainment. The entrance fee for Adults is $500 and Children $200. AnsaMcal under the Lucozade Energy Drink and Stag Beer brands, National Sports Commission, Ministry of Social Cohesion, Ministry of Natural Resources, Jude Cycle Shop, Starr Party Rentals and The Original Palm Court are the sponsors to confirm their support for the activity thus far.
Friday March 31 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Business conducted in your own office will proceed smoothly. Don't make promises that you can't possibly keep. Be diplomatic but stem when it comes to giving of yourself. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) You will be overly sensitive when dealing with your personal life. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Don't jump the gun; you may find yourself getting angry at the wrong person. Visit friends or relatives who have been confirmed. Adventure will result in added knowledge. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Attend trade shows that will allow you to look at new products. Equilibrium in your romantic life is likely if you treat your partner well. Don't expect others to live up to their promises and you won't be disappointed or find yourself stuck with delays. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Keep a lookout for any individuals eager to confront you with unsavory situations. Hard work will payoff if you refrain from expressing your opinion to superiors. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Avoid any intimate involvement's with coworkers or employers. You may find acquaintances being deceptive. Entertainment could be pleasing if it is of
an energetic nature. LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) This is a great day to get out and enjoy an entertaining evening with friends or lovers. Children or friends may try to talk you into lending them money. Don't let situations get out of hand. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Take time to talk things over. Travel for business or pleasure. You are best not to confront situations that deal with in-laws or relatives. Acceptance is the key. SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) Make the necessary changes that will enable you to advance financially. You can get phenomenal returns if you present your ideas to those who can back your interests. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Any capricious behavior will confuse loved ones and your mood swings will result in loneliness. You may blow situations out of proportion when dealing with the one you love. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) You can come up with ways of earning extra cash. Your ideas may be a little ahead of their time; don't push them, instead just continue working on development. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Your ability to help others will win you points. Don't use the interstate as a racetrack. Disappointments regarding partners will be subject to the way you react to their personal comments
PAGE 37
Kaieteur News
Friday March 31, 2017
Venus downs Kerber in Nadal beats Sock in Miami Miami, Konta ousts Halep quarters, Nishikori out
Venus Williams hits a backhand against. Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports R e u t e r s - Ve n u s Williams beat top seed Angelique Kerber on Wednesday to advance to a Miami Open semi-final against Britain’s Johanna Konta. American 11th seed Williams, who is seeking her fourth Miami title, survived a long first set before she completed a 7-5 6-3 victory over Germany’s Kerber on a calm evening in south Florida. Konta, the 10th seed, had earlier recovered from the brink of defeat to edge third seed Simona Halep in a three-set encounter that lasted two hours, 30 minutes. Halep was only two points from victory in the second set, but could not put away her opponent, who pounced on the Romanian’s
evident emotional fragility to prevail 3-6 7-6(7) 6-2. Williams, 36, whose previous Miami titles came in 1998, 1999 and 2001, will meet Konta in the semi-final, while Czech second seek Karolina Pliskova faces Danish 12th seed Carolina Wozniacki. Williams, playing in front of a crowd that included her popcornmunching father Richard, took nearly an hour to take the first set from Kerber, but made quicker work of the second. Halep, meanwhile, got down on herself after losing the second set tiebreak to Konta. ”It was a really tough match, very high level,” Halep told the WTA. “I was so close to winning, I was two points
away in the tiebreak, but she played very strong and deserved to win.” Despite the result, Halep took comfort from a solid tournament as she works her way back from a knee injury. ”I’m happy to be here after the break that I had. I’m just disappointed I lost a match I had in my hands. But my confidence is there, the game is there, I just need to play matches.” Her postmatch comments were more positive than her negative remarks to coach Darren Cahill after the second set. ”This is my character,” Halep grumbled to her coach. “Two double faults at the end of the tiebreak and I miss all the balls.” Cahill told a sullen Halep she was a better athlete than Konta, imploring her to make her opponent run in the third set. ”You can write yourself off but I’m not writing you off,” Cahill said. “It’s up to you. It comes from within ... be brave in the big moments.” But Halep was completely outplayed in the final set, and she said afterwards her exchange with Cahill was nothing out of the ordinary. ”It’s just my personality to be hard on myself. I want to change that in the future. I can say that I’m better than before, and I’m working on it.”
Costa, De Gea and Kaka among star footballers donating signed shirts to raise money in aid of Chapecoense plane disaster Chelsea striker Diego Costa and Manchester United’s David De Gea are among the stars donating shirts to a charity auction for the victims of the Chapecoense disaster. The Brazilian team were hit by tragedy when a plane crash saw 71 players and club members die in November 2016 on their way to a match in Colombia. The team is now back playing - even winning the first match on their return 2-1 against Inter de Lages. And an auction has been organised to raise money for the widows the disaster’s victims, which gripped the world of football. De Gea has donated a signed Spanish shirt to help raise money for the auction with the message ‘A hug and all my support. We will never forget you. Forza Chape.’ The Spaniard played with
Diego Costa donated a Chelsea shirt to go on sale on Brazilian sports website bazarsports one of the victims of the crash, Cleber Santana, during his time at Atletico Madrid. And Brazilian Costa, who represents the Spanish national team too, donated a Chelsea shirt with the simple message: ‘Forza Chapecoense.’ Compatriot Kaka has followed suit too, with a signed Orlando City shirt provided for the
auction. And former Chelsea and Liverpool star Fernando Torres also donated an Atletico Madrid kit to help the cause. The shirts will be among those raising money for 19 w i d o w s o f t h e Chapecoense victims which will go on sale on Brazilian website bazarsports.com.
Reuters - Rafa Nadal moved into the Miami Open semi-finals with a straight sets win over American Jack Sock on Wednesday, while second seed Kei Nishikori was sent packing after going down 6-4 6-2 to unseeded Italian Fabio Fognini. Nadal staved off four break points to avoid going down a double-break early in the second set, a pivotal game that set the stage for his 6-2 6-3 victory on the Crandon Park hardcourt. N a d a l ’s p o i s e a n d shotmaking came to the fore when 13th seed Sock threatened to take a stranglehold on the second set. ”That was the key of the second set, two-love (down), 15-40,” Nadal said in a court side interview. “With threezero a player like Jack, you’ll probably be thinking third set. ”It was a double positive thing. I saved that game and got the break back (in the next game). The match was much closer than the result says.” Nadal could face his long-time nemesis Federer
Rafael Nadal of Spain hits a volley. Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports in the final, with the Swiss, who has a Thursday quarterf i n a l a g a i n s t To m a s Berdych, on the other side of the draw. Federer and Nadal have met twice this year, with Federer winning both times, in a memorable five-set final at the Australian Open and in a one-sided straight-sets fourth-round thumping at Indian Wells two weeks ago. But Nadal is not looking ahead to Federer, because his semi-final opponent Fognini presents a potential banana
skin. Nadal has a 7-3 career record but is mindful he lost to the Italian in a five-set thriller on the U.S. Open hardcourt in 2015. ” I t ’s l i k e a d r e a m maybe,” said the 29-year-old Fognini after becoming the first unseeded player in 10 years to make the Miami semis. ”This is a big, big tournament for me. I’m happy about my performance. I’m just trying to be focused on my game and do my best.”
IOC disqualifies four Russians from London Olympics over doping Reuters - The International Olympic Committee said yesterday it had disqualified four Russian athletes from the 2012 London Olympics after re-tests of their samples came back positive for banned substances. The IOC said all four - Victoria Valyukevich, a triple jumper who was eighth in the women’s competition, hammer throwers Gulfiya Khanafeeva and Mariia Bespalova, and weightlifter Khadzhimurat Akkaev, who did not compete due to a back injury, had tested positive for anabolic steroid turinabol. The disqualification means they are stripped from London 2012’s records. Valyukevich, having come in eighth, will also have to return a diploma she received for her finish. More than 100 athletes have so had positive results in re-tests of samples taken during the London and Beijing 2008 Olympics conducted by the IOC. The re-testing program is part of the IOC’s efforts to catch cheats using newer testing methods or looking for substances that were not known at the time of past Olympics and prevent them from competing in future Games. Samples are stored for a decade, and for the 2008 and 2012 re-tests Russia has had the most positive cases per nation. Russia saw virtually its entire track and field team banned from the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro as a result of a
Russia’s Victoria Valyukevich at the London 2012 Olympic Games. REUTERS/Phil Noble widespread national doping scandal that implicated sports officials, coaches, doctors and more than 1,000 athletes from many sports.
Kaieteur News
PAGE 38
Friday March 31, 2017
Windies slump to fifth loss as MoM Shadab spins web Port of Spain, Trinidad, CMC — West Indies were flirting with crisis after plunging to a fifth straight Twenty20 defeat, as Pakistan took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the fourth match series with a dramatic three-run victory here yesterday. C h a s i n g a n uncomplicated 133 for victory at Queen’s Park Oval, West Indies saw their run chase unravel spectacularly, with 18-yearold leg-spinner Shadab Khan once again proving their nemesis with another Manof-the-Match four-wicket effort. The hosts were cruising at 60 for in the ninth over behind Marlon Samuels’s top score of 44 but Shadab’s introduction saw four wickets tumble for just 16 runs off 29 deliveries, leaving the innings in strife on 81 for six in the 13th over. But needing 14 runs from the final over, Sunil Narine (9) lifted the Windies hopes when he hammered the first two deliveries of the over from seamer Hasan Ali for boundaries. Things then took a turn for the worst, however. Narine missed a swat at the third ball and even after Ali sent down a leg-side wide next delivery, the left-hander failed to connect with the fourth ball, leaving West Indies requiring five off the last two. Narine was run out off the fifth and Jason Holder, who finished unbeaten on 26
off 17 deliveries, could only muster a single off the final ball. The defeat followed the Windies’ opening debacle at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown last Sunday when they lost by six wickets, and comes against the backdrop of an embarrassing 3-0 whitewash to Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates last September. Shadab, who claimed four wickets for seven runs on debut five days ago, finished with four for 14. Sent in, Pakistan rallied to 132 all out off their 20 overs, despite an innings which never really got off the ground. CEO of the T&T Cricket Board Suruj Ragoonath presents Shoaib Malik top-scored Shadab Khan with the Player-of-the-Match prize cheque. with 28, Babar Azam got 27 WICB Media/Randy Brooks of Brooks Latouche while tail-ender Wahab Riaz produced a cameo 10-ball 24 Sarfraz Ahmed (12). But put the innings back on at number 10, to get the with Pakistan poised for a c o u r s e . visitors up to a competitive strong finish, Shaoib and S a m u e l s a p p e a r e d i n total. Off-spinner Narine (3- Sarfraz fell in successive exquisite touch, stroking five 22) and seamer and captain overs to Brathwaite and fours and two sixes — Carlos Brathwaite (3-37) Narine respectively with no consecutive blows off leftfinished with three wickets runs added, as four wickets arm spinner Imad Wasim — apiece while leg-spinner tumbled for eight runs in in a silky 35-ball knock Samuel Badree was brilliant another cluster. while Walton faced 25 in taking two for 14 from his Struggling at 95 for eight deliveries and counted two four overs. in the 17th over, Wahab fours. West Indies started well arrived to lash a four and a The rot began when w h e n B a d r e e b o w l e d pair sixes — with 16 runs Walton tried to turn a googly Kamran Akmal without oming in the penultimate from Shadab and was scoring off the fifth ball of over from rookie seamer bowled leg stump and Lendl the game but Babar and Kesrick Williams. In reply, Simmons followed in the Ahmed Shezad (14) added West Indies lost Evin Lewis next over for one, lbw to 41 for the second wicket to for three in the second over Hasan Ali off the second ball s t a b i l i s e t h e i n n i n g s . with the score on 10, run out he faced. When three wickets perished by Imad Wasim’s direct Stuttering at 65 for three for 10 runs off 17 deliveries, throw from mid-on but in the 10th over, West Indies Pakistan were revived by a S a m u e l s a n d f e l l o w needed a hero but found 36-run, fifth wicket stand Jamaican Chadwick Walton, n o n e . K i e r o n P o l l a r d between Shoaib and captain who made 21, added 50 to suffered a rush of blood,
missed a charge at Shadab and was stumped for three in the 11th over and Rovman Powell was bowled next ball, completely deceived by another googly from Shadab. The major turning point
came in Shadab’s following over, the 13th of the innings, when he knocked over Samuels with the final delivery of his spell, having the veteran stroke-maker caught at the wicket edging a googly.
Boyce/Jefford launches second Relay Festival, Family Fun Day - programme includes cycling, football, cricket, Dominos The Boyce & Jefford Group yesterday launched its second annual Relay Festival and Family Fun Day, which will feature several other sport disciplines on a stacked programme on April 30 at the Police Sports Club Ground, Eve Leary. The Organisation, which is responsible for initiating and sustaining one of Guyana’s prestigious sport events for the past eight years, Boyce/Jefford Classic in Linden, launched the second Relay Festival at The Original Palm Court in the company of main stakeholders, including the Director of Sport, Christopher Jones and Ansa McAl representative, Lindon Henry.
Chairman of the Committee, Colin Boyce said that the relays this year are 4x100 (Females and Males); 4x400 (Females and Males); 4x200m Mixed Relay; 4x400m Mixed Relay; Sprint Medley Females (100m,100m, 200m, 400m); Sprint Medley Males (100m, 200m, 400m, 800m); Distance Medley Females (2400m) (400m, 600m, 600m, 800m) and the Distance Medley Males (2800m) (400m, 600m, 600m, 1200m). “We added two new events to the relays, the 4x200 mixed relays and the 4x400 mixed relay as well... this is aimed at promoting healthy and fun competition with the athletes having a chance to receive cash
incentives, last year $40,000 was awarded for each relay now it’s up to $50,000,” Boyce disclosed. Cash Prizes of $25,000; $15,000 and $10,000 will be awarded to teams finishing 1-3 in the relay events for total prize money of $500,000 to be handed out. In addition the event is also touting a five-a-side small-goal football competition, featuring four of the top local teams: Agricola Champion Boys, Sparta Boss, West Front Road and Broad Street Bullies with Tiger Bay, Back Circle and Bent Street on standby. In addition, a grudge match that places Chase Academy against Sir Morgan Lessons is also being mulled.
The Cash Prizes for those include $50,000 (winner) and $25,000 (second place) with Champion and RunnerUp Trophies. The prize monies will be the same for a female softball cricket match that puts Trophy Stall Angels against Mikes Wellwoman. Floodlight Masters will also play a team to be confirmed in male softball cricket. The organisers have also added for the first time, two cycling events, including the Devil Takes the Hinds Most (Male) and 2000m Sprint (Female). The first three finishers in the cycling contests will also ride away with $25,000; $15,000 and $10,000 and trophies respectively. In the Domino Competition, Boyce
disclosed that in excess of 27 teams are anticipated to exceed last year. The prize money in the Domino Competition is $150,000 for the winner, and $100,000; $50,000 and $25,000 for second to fourth. The Most Valuable Player (MVP) gets $10,000 while all cash prizes will be accompanied by trophies. A total of $1,100,000 will be handed out in prize money on the day. With such an extensive and diverse programme, Ansa Mcal representative, Stag Beer Brand Manager, Henry stated that they were happy to get onboard the project this year. “The package is the reason why Stag Beer is onboard, we believe it is an
event that is catering for everyone and it just gives you that fun feel, with the relays and the football and where there is fun there is Stag Beer,” Henry mentioned. He encouraged patrons to support the activity and stated that the brand will continue to support such activities. Events and Marketing Manager of The Original Palm Court, Sasha Lewis made it clear that such events are much-needed in Guyana. ”I think it’s a unique event and Palm Court will be there, we are happy to be a part of this event that is an outdoor one since we mostly do indoor events, but it’s good to have an event that is (Continued on page 32)
Kaieteur News
Friday March 31, 2017
PAGE 39
Not just another triple-double as Westbrook notches record
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook. Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
FIFA reveals proposed slots for 48-team 2026 World Cup R e u t e r s - F I FA announced its proposed slot allocation for the expanded 4 8 - t e a m Wo r l d C u p yesterday, including an automatic place for Oceania, 16 places for Europe - up from 13 - and a six-team inter-zonal playoff tournament for two more spots. The proposals will be submitted to the FIFA Council at its next full meeting in Bahrain in May for a final decision, FIFA said. Under the proposal, made by the FIFA Bureau, for the enlarged tournament beginning in 2026, Europe would get 16 direct places, Africa nine, Asia eight, South America six, CONCACAF six and Oceania one, totaling 46 teams. The host nation would qualify automatically and its slot would be taken from the allocation of its confederation. In the most innovative part of the
proposal, the two remaining places would be decided by a six-team playoff tournament which would take place in the World Cup host nation, possibly in the November before the finals, FIFA said. That tournament would include one team from each confederation, except UEFA, and an extra one from the continent of the host country. FIFA decided in January to increase the tournament from 32 teams to 48. The current allocation is 13 places to Europe, five to Africa, four to Asia and South America and three to CONCACAF. Asia, South America, CONCACAF and Oceania also get a place in two interzonal playoffs. The proposal shows how football has grown around the world over the last 40 years. As recently as 1978, when the World Cup had
only 16 teams, Africa and CONCACAF were given only one place each while Asia and Oceania had to share one place between them. According to the FIFA world rankings, the top nine teams in Africa currently include Burkina Faso, who have never played at a World Cup, and Democratic Republic of Congo, who took part only once as Zaire in 1974. CONCACAF’S top six include Panama and Haiti while St Kitts and Nevis are seventh. Asia’s top eight include Uzbekistan and Qatar while China are ninth and Syria 10th. U E FA p r e s i d e n t Aleksander Ceferin said in a statement that he was “satisfied” with the proposal. ”We feel that UEFA will be fairly represented with a total of 16 national associations competing in the new format of the World Cup,” he said.
Germany won the 2014 World Cup with victory over Argentina in Brazil.
The Sports Xchange Russell Westbrook recorded the highest scoring tripledouble in NBA history Wednesday night, totaling 57 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a come-from-behind, 114106 overtime road victory over the Orlando Magic. For Westbrook, it was just another day at work as he compiled his fourth consecutive triple-double and his 38th of the season, leaving him three shy of the NBA record held by NBA legend Oscar Robertson. The 57 points were one short of his career high. ”You just got to want it more than other people,” Westbrook said. “I don’t think about getting tired. I just keep going and going. I don’t think about it. I just think about making the next play, making winning
basketball plays. I’m blessed.” The Thunder (43-31) have won eight of the last 10 games. Westbrook scored 16 points in the fourth quarter Monday when Oklahoma City erased a 13-point deficit in the final 3:31 to win in Dallas. He scored 19 points in the final six minutes of regulation to force overtime Wednesday when the Thunder erased another 13-point fourth quarter deficit. ”Russell was spectacular coming down the stretch and the way he closed the game,” Thunder coach Billy Donovan said. “Overall, it’s just incredible what he’s doing n o w. H e p l a y e d a n exceptional second half again. He just has an incredible competitive spirit.” ”That (Westbrook’s performance) was one of the best,” Magic coach Frank
Vogel said. “It’s tough to rank those over the years, but it’s right up there with the best. Give him credit.” Westbrook hit 21 of 40 shots and six of 15 3pointers. He made nine of 11 free throws. He led a late rally by scoring 19 points in the final six minutes of regulation, hitting a 3pointer with seven seconds remaining to send the game into overtime. Westbrook scored seven points in overtime. Until Westbrook’s 3pointer, the Magic led the entire second half. The Magic led by as many as 21 points in third quarter. “I was just looking at the scoreboard, taking it one possession at a time,” Westbrook said. “I don’t take this game for granted. I just try to come out each and every night and compete at a high level.”
Draw Determines Matchups for the Finals of the Caribbean Club Competition 2017 Miami, FL – The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) has conducted the draw to determine the matchups and calendar of the Finals of the 2017 Caribbean Club Competition. The champion of the Caribbean Club Championship will qualify for the newly re-formatted Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League, while the second, third and fourthplaced clubs will participate in the Confederation’s newly launched club championship for Caribbean and Central American clubs, which kicks off in August. The draw, which was conducted by CONCACAF Director of Caribbean Football, Horace Reid, determined the groups and match schedule for the tournament that kicks off on May 14, in Trinidad and Tobago. For the draw, the seeded teams were placed in positions A1 and B1, while the other four qualified clubs were sorted one by one. First, the name of the club was pulled from Pot 1, followed by the position from Pot 2. Tournament host Central FC (TRI) was seeded into Group A and will face Cibao FC (DOM) and Grenades
FC (ATG), while San Juan Jabloteh FC (TRI) was sorted with Portmore United (JAM) and Racing FC (HAI), in Group B. The Hasley Crawford Stadium, in Port of Spain, will play host to all the matches of the regional club championship. G r o u p A Central FC (TRI) Cibao FC (DOM) G r e n a d e s F C ( AT G ) G r o u p B San Juan Jabloteh FC (TRI) Portmore United FC (JAM) Racing FC (HAI) The Caribbean Club Championship has been contested annually since 1997 (with the exception of 1999 and 2008), when United Petrotrin of Trinidad & Tobago captured the inaugural title. A champion
has been crowned 16 times, with DirecTV W Connection, also of Trinidad & Tobago, lifting the trophy a record three t i m e s . Last year, Central FC defended its Caribbean title by prevailing over fellow Trinidadian side DirecTV W Connection in the final for the second straight year, 3-0. 2017 Caribbean Club Champions Final Stage S c h e d u l e * L o c a l T i m e Sunday, May 14, 2017 17:30 San Juan Jabloteh FC (TRI) v Racing FC (HAI) 20:00 Central FC (TRI) v G r e n a d e s F C ( AT G ) Tuesday, May 16, 2017 17:30 Portmore United FC (JAM) v Racing FC (HAI) 20:00 Cibao FC (DOM) v G r e n a d e s F C ( AT G ) Thursday, May 18, 2017 17:30 San Juan Jabloteh FC (TRI) v Portmore United FC ( J A M ) 20:00 Central FC (TRI) v Cibao FC (DOM) Sunday, May 21, 2017 3rd Place Match & Final 17:00 2nd Place Group A v 2nd Place Group B 20:00 1st Place Group A v 1st Place Group A
Kaieteur News
PAGE 40
Friday March 31, 2017
Ministry of Public Security hold on for win in nail-biting Dominos finish
-Edge Officers, Media at Police ‘A’ Division Games Day The Ministry of Public Security held on Wednesday afternoon for a sensational victory in Police ‘A’ Division Games Day Domino Competition at the Brickdam Police Station, upsetting Officers of the Station and the Media for the win. Officers that included Commander, Clifton Hicken won two weeks in a row, making them the favourites to win. However, it was not to be as the Officers played from behind throughout the six sittings, surpassing the Media in the last two sittings to finish second. Ministry of Public Security, which had a strong start, maintained their lead throughout, which became narrower through the sittings from strong challenges from the Media and Officers that was locked in a ding-dong battle for second. Ministry of Public Security finished with 80 games with Officers behind on 74 games and Media on 72 games. The third week of the competition was the most exciting owed to the close contests that ensued for the
coveted title. Each team filled the venue with encouragement to team-mates and usual Domino banter that had the making of keen competition. In the end, the accusation of Stabroek News’ Duncan Saul ‘rap’ with tickets in hand in the penultimate round when he was ahead two games, stripped the Media of crucial games that pushed them in the cellar position. Despite a spirited effort from there on, Media never caught up while Officers slipped ahead by two games to secure second. All this occurred while Ministry of Public Security saw their lead in the earlier sittings slipped from double digits. Ministry of Public Security’s Joycelyn Jaigobin and Kemraj Phillips were joint Most Valuable Players (MVP) with 17 points while Stacey Joseph from the Ministry was the only Love Bird. A strong team from Media will take on Officers and The Ministry of Public Security at the next Games Day next Wednesday.
The triumphant Ministry of Public Security team (seated) takes a photo opportunity with Officers of ‘A’ Division and the Media (standing), after the nail-biting finish in the Domino contest of the Police ‘A’ Division Games Day.
St. Stanislaus College capture Forbes Burnham Foundation Windball title
Captain of the victorious St. Stanislaus College Omadavi Manoo accepts the trophy from Director of Sport Christopher Jones in the presence of her teammates. St. Stanislaus College defeated Cummings Lodge Secondary by eight wickets to win the final of the Forbes Burnham Foundation Secondary Schools Windball tournament played recently at the National Gymnasium. Cummings Lodge Secondary batted first and scored 89-3 with Casey
Charles scoring 26, Sarah Amin 22, Grace Ishrilall 20 and Chitra Mohabir 12. St. Stanislaus College responded with 95-2. Omadavi Manoo struck an unbeaten 76 with ten sixes. Leonora Secondary took third place with a ninewicket victory over defending champions
Covent Garden which batted first and made 104 without loss. Makilla Maynard scored 60 and Elisa Clark 42. Leonora Secondary replied w i t h 11 3 - 1 . C h a n d n i Jaimanal struck 52, Stacy Adams 37 and Maureen Robinson 16. St. Stanislaus College beat Leonora Secondary and
Cummings Lodge overcame Covent Garden in the semi finals. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education and the National Sports Commission will be hosting an Inter schools Wi n d b a l l t o u r n a m e n t scheduled to bowl off on April 3 at the National Gymnasium.
Kaieteur News
Friday March 31, 2017
PAGE 41
Holding appointed Derbyshire Club President London, CMC - West Indies pac e l e g e n d Michael Holding has been named as the new president of Derbyshire, the County club he represented with distinction during his illustrious playing days.
The 63-year-old was formally appointed at Wednesday night’s Annual General Meeting of the club and joins incoming chairman Ian Morgan who replaces the hugely successful Chris Grant. ”It is a great honour to be
asked to be president of Derbyshire County Cricket Club and I am looking forward to the year,” Jamaican Holding said. ”I enjoyed immensely the few years I spent at Derbyshire and I always enjoy returning to the club.
GMR&SC ‘Race of Champions’ Meet
Ali on mission to dominate rivals
Team Fullworks Roshan Ali waves the chequered flag at a previous Race Meet. After graduating from the Rookies Category in 2014 as the champion, Team Fullworks Roshan Ali has been on a mission ever since to dominate the new categories he has been competing in and this S u n d a y ’s ‘ R a c e o f Champions’ Meet being hosted by the Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club will be another step in that direction. Ali speaking with Kaieteur Sport via telephone yesterday said his mission is very clear and that is to dominate his rivals and to do this he has to be prepared and focused. ”I know what it is to be a
champion and I will be using that experience to dominate the two categories that I will be competing in which is the Group 1 and 3 categories,” Ali told this newspaper. Ali will be piloting a Honda Civic in the Group 1 category and a Toyota Starlet in the Group 3 Division and according to him both machines are in excellent condition and fully prepared to upstage his rivals. The local speedster admitted that his elevation to the higher categories would have presented him with lots of challenges, but agreed that it is an aspect of the sport
that he is willing to confront, especially with his confidence high to add to the quickness and reliability of the cars. He said that while he has no knowledge of who else will be taking the starter’s orders he reckoned that drivers such as Chet and Raj Singh, Shairaz Roshandin, Syed Hassan, John Joseph, Rameeze Mohamed and Suriname’s Oliver Tjin-Liep-Shie are among those who pose the greatest threat to his ambitions. He urged fans to come out and enjoy a day of entertainment and exhilarating racing.
On my last visit, in September, I saw all of the facilities, all of the improvements and the infrastructure which has gone into the club. ”I am sure that the progress made off the field and around the ground will transfer on to the cricket field and that we will see some good results this summer. “I would like to thank all members and
supporters for their continued support and encourage them to keep on supporting the club in 2017 and beyond.” Holding spent six seasons at the East Midlands county during the 1980s, taking 224 wickets at an average of 24.57. He recorded 13 five-wicket hauls with a best of seven for 97 against Worcestershire. He remains one of the icons
of West Indies cricket and one of the finest fast bowlers Test cricket has seen, having picked up 249 wickets from 60 Tests at an average of 23.68. Since retiring from the game, Holding has become a respected television analyst. Only last summer, he returned to the club to open the new media and business centre at the Derbyshire ground.
Kaieteur News
PAGE 42
Friday March 31, 2017
National ruggers set to Regal Sport 20-over Softball Tourney wrap up US preparations Regal, Farm, Ariel register victories
Members of the national team get valuable practice during a tournament shortly before departing last Sunday. The strong Guyana squad to compete in the upcoming prestigious HSBC Hong Kong 7s which kicks off on April 7 is expected to wrap up their preparations in the USA later this week, before departing for the tournament. Head Coach Kenneth Grant-Stuart had told reporters that the team will use the US stop to get in
valuable practice as well as improve on weaknesses ahead of the high profile event that brings together most of the top Sevens nations. Guyana is placed in Pool G along with Spain, Papua New Guinea, and Uruguay in the Hong Kong Sevens. The Guyana squad is Ryan Gonsalves (Captain), Rupert G i l e s , Va l l o n A d a m s ,
Richard Staglon, Rondell McArthur, Rickford Cummings, Peabo Hamilton, Claudius Butts, Patrick King, Avery Corbin, Ronald Mayers, Dwayne Schroeder and Blaise Bailey along with officials Kenneth Grant-Stuart (Coach), Robin Roberts ( M a n a g e r ) a n d Physiotherapist, Barrington Browne.
Regal, Farm and Ariel recorded victories when the Regal Sport 20-over Softball tournament commenced on Sunday last in the city. At DCC, Regal Masters beat HS Masters by 23 runs. Batting first, Regal Masters scored 133-5. Lyndon Lyght struck 38 while Rudolph Baker contributed 32. Mark Ifill claimed 2-25. HS Masters were bowled out 110 in 19.1 overs. Clyde Hoyte made 33; Eric Thomas claimed 4-13 and Laurie Singh 2-14. Farm got the better of Mosiah XI by five wickets. Mosiah XI took first strike and sent packing for 125 in 10 overs. Saeej Ajmal made 20; Ameer Khan captured 3-21 and Rawl Reid 2-14. Farm responded with 130-5 in 11 overs. Reid stroked 51 and Khan 23. A t G a n d h i Yo u t h Organisation, Farm overcame Friends XI by seven wickets. Friends were sent packing for 90 in 9.2 overs, taking first strike. Ameer Khan bagged 5-20 and Rawl Reid 3-13. Farm replied with 91-3 in 9.3 overs. Reid hit 31 and Asif A l l y 2 2 . Ariel defeated Amazon
Rawl Reid Warriors by six wickets. Amazon Warriors took first turn at the crease and scored 179 all out in 19 overs. A. Persaud and S. Fizul made 29 and 27 respectively. S. Dharmendra had 3-15 while Surujnauth Kumar took 320. Ariel replied with 182-4 in 13 overs. Fazal Ally struck 81 not out and Vinoo Lall made an unbeaten 33. The competition continues on Sunday with Regal Masters playing Success Masters at 10:00hrs and Amazon Warriors facing Success Masters at 13:00hrs
Eric Thomas at GNIC SC. At GYO, HS Masters will take on Savage at 10:00hrs and Ariel will face Mike’s Wellman at 13:00hrs. At DCC from 09:30hrs on pitch one, Speed XI will play Good Hope, Success XI will entertain AJ Hustlers at 12:00hrs and Queenstown Masjid will battle Mosiah XI at 14:00hrs. On pitch two at 09:30hrs Pigeon XI will battle Farm, Regal will match skills with Good Hope at 12:00hrs and Brickery XI will challenge Unstoppable at 14:30hrs.
Kaieteur News
Friday March 31, 2017
PAGE 43
NAMILCO joins Petra Organisation/GT Beer Futsal Competition National Milling Company (NAMILCO) became the latest entity to offer support for the Petra Organisation / GT Beer Futsal Competition following a confirmation ceremony that was conducted yesterday, at its Head Office, Agricola. Finance Controller of the Company Fitzroy McLeod handed over the second place prize worth $200,000 to Petra Organisation Co-Director Troy Mendonca in the presence of officials from both organisations. McLeod speaking at the occasion spoke of the strong relationship between the two entities, informing that though the particular event is just two years old, the bond goes back much further. Mendonca in his response thanked the Company for its unwavering support for the Organisation and its programmes, adding that it clearly demonstrates the entity’s commitment to uphold its social
responsibility. He said the timely goodwill displayed by NAMILCO will go a far way in ensuring that the tournament is a success, while also allowing teams from within the competing communities to interact with each other and at the same time help foster better relationships among the participants. He added that his Organisation has been promoting a lot of football activities that involves communities and among the primary reasons are to help eradicate many of the social ills that affect those neighbourhoods as well as improve the skills and organisational expertise of the residents. The tournament is being staged at the National Gymnasium and last evening the final round of fixtures in the group stage was expected to be played. The winning team will receive $400,000 and the championship trophy, while
NAMILCO Finance Controller Fitzroy McLeod (3rd left) hands over the sponsorship cheque to Petra Organisation representative Mark Alleyne in the presence of Company officials and Petra’s Troy Mendonca (2nd left) yesterday.
second, third and fourth placed teams take home $200,000, $100,000 and $ 5 0 , 0 0 0 r e s p e c t i v e l y. The teams that were invited included: champions Bent S t r e e t , F e s t i v a l C i t y, Stevedore Housing Scheme, Sparta Boss, Tiger Bay, Albouystown, North Ruimveldt, West Back Road,
Leopold Street, West Front Road, Sophia, Agricola, Showstoppers, Alexander Village, Broad Street, Camp Street All Stars, Kitty, Globe Yard, Channel 9 Warriors, Hustlers, North East La Penitence, Back Circle, Campbellville and Tucville. The tournament ends April 15.
Cameron and Nanthan back as President and VP for WICB
Whycliffe ‘Dave’ Cameron and Emmanuel Nanthan St John’s, Antigua Almost four years to the date, Whycliffe ‘Dave’ Cameron and Emmanuel Nanthan were again elected P r e s i d e n t a n d Vi c e President respectively, of the West Indies Cricket Board on Sunday, March 26 last. The unanimous decision was taken by all 12 of the cricket delegates of the region. Cameron and
Nanthan were the only two nominees for the posts this time around. The pair was first elected on March 27, 2013 and at that time they had opponents. Four years and two elections later, the team has managed to make some strategic changes and adjustments. Among them, one of the most important was maintaining a surplus (Continued on page 32)
t r o Sp
Windies slump to fifth loss as MoM Shadab spins web
Shadab Khan and Sarfraz Ahmed embrace following the win, West Indies v Pakistan, 2nd T20I. ŠJewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images
Wkpr Sarfraz Ahmed sees Marlon Samuels cut for a boundary. WICB Media/Randy Brooks of Brooks Latouche
Boyce/Jefford launches second Relay Festival, Family Fun Day - programme includes cycling, Football, Cricket and Dominos
Edison Jefford (left) addresses the media yesterday at the launch of Boyce/Jefford Relay Festival and Family Fun Day the company of, from left Director of Sport, Christopher Jones, Palm Court Manager, Sasha Lewis, Stag Beer Brand Manager, Lindon Henry and Colin Boyce.
National ruggers set to wrap up US preparations Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Limited, 24 Saffon St.Charlestown, Georgetown.Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/ 226-8210