Friday March 04, 2016
Kaieteur News
Zimbabwe’s Mugabe says government will take over all diamond operations Reuters- Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe said yesterday that his government would take possession of all diamond operations because existing miners had robbed the country of its wealth. Mugabe’s comments came a week after the ministry of mines ordered all mining companies to halt work and leave the Marange fields, saying they had not renewed their licences. At the time it denied it was seizing the mines. “The state will now own all the diamonds in the country,” Mugabe said during a two-hour interview with state broadcaster ZBC TV. “Companies that have been mining diamonds have robbed us of our wealth. That is why we have now said the state must have a monopoly,” Mugabe said. The largest diamond mine in Marange, Mbada Diamonds, on Monday sued the government at the High Court and was allowed to take control of its mining assets. Chinese-run Anjin Investments also challenged the government ban at the same court on Wednesday, according to a court application seen by Reuters yesterday. Mugabe said he had told Chinese President Xi Xinping during his visit to Zimbabwe
Robert Mugabe last December that his government was not getting much from Chinese-owned mining companies. “I suspect this won’t really have broad implications across the industry because Zimbabwe is a known, risky jurisdiction to operate in,” said John Turner, head of the mining group at law firm Fasken Martineau, which does a considerable amount of work with miners in Africa. “In the last several years, though, a number of people have been saying it is time to get back into Zimbabwe because things will change and get better, so to the extent that private firms were looking at Zimbabwe thinking they were ahead of the curve, this may give them pause for thought,” said Turner, who has worked
on some major asset expropriation cases in Africa. Zimbabwe was the eighth largest diamond producer in the world with 4.7 million carats in 2014, according to industry group Kimberly Process. However, independent diamond analyst Paul Zimnisky said Zimbabwe’s significance in the global diamond industry has been waning. In 2013, Marange production accounted for over 10 percent of global supply, but with easily reachable material having already been tapped and firms there unwilling to commit funds for further exploration, Zimbabwe is expected to account for less than 3 percent of global supply this year, said Zimnisky.
U.S. plans naval exercises with India and Japan in Philippine Sea Reuters - India, the United States and Japan will hold naval exercises in waters off the northern Philippines near the South China Sea this year, the U . S . m i l i t a r y s a i d on Wednesday, a move likely to further raise tensions with China. The announcement comes a day after the United States warned China against militarisation of the South China Sea, where Beijing is locked in a territorial dispute with several countries, saying there would be consequences. Last year, India and the United States expanded their annual naval drills in the Bay of Bengal to include Japan after a gap of eight years, in a move seen as a response to China’s growing assertiveness in the region. Admiral Harry B. Harris, head of the U.S. Pacific Command, said the naval exercise will be held in the northern Philippine Sea and that Japan will take part.
Freedom of the seas was a fundamental right of all nations, he told a security conference in New Delhi, adding some thinly veiled criticism of Beijing. “While some countries
seek to bully smaller nations through intimidation and coercion, I note with admiration India’s example of peaceful resolution of disputes with your neighbours in the waters of the Indian Ocean, “he said.
Page 7
Page 8
Kaieteur News
Holness Sworn In As PM, Takes ‘The Most Honourable’ Title …Thousands gather to witness the swearing-in The Gleaner - Prime Minister Andrew Holness will for the first time carry the title, “The Most Honourable” after being conferred with the Order of the Nation. In 2011, Holness did not accept the order which is automatically conferred on Prime Ministers. But at King’s House yesterday, He was pinned with the insignia by Chief Justice Zaila McCalla. Only minutes before that, Holness took the Oath of Office as Prime Minister. As Holness began to take the oath, cheers went up at King’s House. Earlier, Governor General Sir Patrick Allen told Holness that he was creating history as the youngest person to be sworn in twice as Prime Minister. “Exciting and predicted economic and social challenges will require strong and decisive leadership that understand the times and must be done,” he said.
Andrew Holness (right) receives the intrument of appointment from Governor General Sir Patrick Allen. Hundreds of Jamaicans gathered at King’s House to witness the swearing-in. The Gleaner was informed that some 7,000 persons including former prime ministers, members of the diplomatic corps, members of the judiciary and scores of dignitaries were invited. Specially invited guests included Ambassador Alvin Curling, former speaker of the
House of Representatives in Ontario, Canada and Alden McLaughlin, premier of The Cayman Islands. This is the second time that Holness is being sworn in a Prime Minister. In 2011, he succeeded Bruce Golding and served for a brief period before his Jamaica Labour Party Administration was voted out of government.
New PM wants to make Jamaica centre of Caribbean KINGSTON, Jamaica — In his inaugural address, Prime Minister Andrew Holness said his vision is to make Jamaica the centre of the Caribbean. Speaking after being appointed yesterday by Governor-general Sir Patrick Allen on the lawns of King’s House in St Andrew, and taking the title ‘The Most Honourable’ after being conferred with the
Order of the Nation, Holness said geographically Jamaica is the centre of the Caribbean. However, the prime minister’s vision is to “truly make Jamaica the centre of the Caribbean” — a centre for finance, trade and commerce, arts, culture and lifestyles, among several other areas. The new prime minister said this can be achieved “in
our lifetime”. “My dream is to fulfil your dream. We must create a Jamaica where there is hope and opportunity, where we can encourage our children to dream big…” Holness said. Prime Minister Holness insisted that Jamaicans must start now as it is a “time for partnership, time for action”. (Jamaica Observer)
US favours more port security, says visiting official Daily Nation - The Mandatory fingerprinting of travellers entering or exiting ports of entry in Barbados is likely to have the support of the United States. Senior business liaison in the Private Sector Office of the US Department of Homeland Security Steven J. Redlinger said the more information customs officers can receive about travelling passengers, the better. Speaking at the American Chamber of Commerce for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean’s (AmCham BEC) travel and tourism committee launch yesterday morning, he said it was not his place to speak on matters of foreign countries, “but we’ve cer-
Steven J. Redlinger
Friday March 04, 2016
More police patrols for schools - Dillon
Trinidad Guardian - Police would support security at schools by liaising with them on a daily and weekly basis and officers would also have a working relationship with principals and school deans in areas that needed that, National Security Minister Edmund Dillon said Wednesday. He confirmed the situation following Wednesday’s Joint Select Committee meeting at Parliament. Commenting on violence at some schools, he made it clear that there would not be any soldier patrols at schools unless the situation got worse. “And I don’t think we have reached that stage of escalation,” he added. On security for schools he said: “We have to go beyond reactive. We have to get long-term solutions.” He said police would be used for schools in all jurisdictions and he wanted to see a police officer providing a school with a strong determination
Edmund Dillon to treat with delinquent students. Vehicular patrols by police would also be done to provide a regular deterrent presence since Dillon said there were “external factors” that influenced schools. “We want to show them we have a presence there so (police) vehicles will pass by,” he added. He also said police patrols would be done around pre-schools, in an unobtrusive, friendly way, that would get students acquainted with police, help
them learn about such institutions and role models. He said police would not enter such schools or act aggressively around children but would demonstrate to students they could relate to and chat with police and get to understand the system. He said one would not want to overwhelm a school environment with such excessive security since it would send negative signals not only to students but to the international community. On troubled El Dorado East Secondary School, Dillon said his ministry was lending support to the Education Ministry and he had “thrown out” some thoughts to the acting Police Commissioner on the issue and was awaiting feedback. He declined details of the “thoughts,” but said the situation involved a collaborative effort among Education, National Security, the National Parent Teachers’ Association (NPTA) and other stakeholders.
Venezuela opposition picks strategy to oust President CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela’s opposition coalition has decided on a triple-barreled strategy to oust President Nicolas Maduro before the end of his term. The opposition will simultaneously pursue a constitutional amendment, a recall referendum and a campaign to push for the resignation of the embattled socialist president, said opposition leader Americo De Grazia. The coalition of more than a dozen mostly centrist political parties reached the agreement on strategy after a long day of meetings Wednesday. “We can’t commit suicide by having just one card in our hand. Common political sense
Nicolas Maduro tells us we need to pursue several strategies,” he said. Coalition spokesman Jesus Torrealba officially announced the plan yesterday. Maduro’s six-year-term ends in 2019. The opposition won a landslide victory in
legislative elections in December, and promised to find a way to remove Maduro from power within the first half of 2016. The opposition has for years been riven by internal division and several factions have been advocating different strategies for getting rid of Maduro. All have potential downsides. One plan is to seek a constitutional amendment cutting presidential terms from six to four years, effectively ending Maduro’s term But many fear that would be overturned by the Supreme Court, which has never ruled against the executive branch since Maduro’s mentor, Hugo Chavez, won the presidency in 1999.
Venezuelan legislature to ask OAS to mediate crisis tainly taken the approach that the more data we can collect on passengers the more risk profile and the better security we can provide to American citizens.” “In a world where we are looking at layered security and risk-based security, more data is better. I do think that you are
going to start to move towards technology such as iris and facial recognition, those technologies are not as far down the road from a technological standpoint as far as they may seem,” he told the gathering at the Cave Hill School of Business. Mandatory fingerprint is scheduled to begin on April 1
Caracas (AFP) Venezuela’s opposition-controlled legislature will ask the Organisation of American States to mediate in its standoff with President Nicolas Maduro and the judiciary, it said yesterday. The National Assembly, where the opposition won a large majority in landmark elections in December, re-
solved to ask the OAS to intervene in its ongoing standoff with the Maduro administration and the Supreme Court, which has issued a series of rulings hamstringing the new legislature. The resolution claimed recent events had “seriously affecte d d e m o c r a c y ” i n Venezuela and invoked article 20 of the Inter-American Democratic Charter,
which provides for the OAS to take measures aimed at restoring democracy in the event of an “unconstitutional alteration of the constitutional regime” in any member state. The OAS is a frequent whipping boy for Maduro, who has accused the regional organisation of being a tool of American imperialism.
Friday March 04, 2016
Kaieteur News
Page 9
‘What goes around comes around’ Guyanese have a saying: “What goes around comes around?” During the protests in Linden, in 2012, three persons were killed. APNU and the AFC immediately demanded, that the then Minister of Home Affairs should accept ministerial responsibility for the tragedy and should resign. They did not wait on the COI to complete its report. The then opposition parties demanded that the Minister should resign. APNU and the AFC were not waiting on any report. As far as they were concerned, ministerial responsibility meant that a minister had to accept responsibility for the actions of those departments which fell under him or her. The Guyana Police Force was the political responsibility of the then Minister of Home Affairs and the AFC and APNU called for the Minister’s head. They even went as far as passing a motion of no-confidence in him. At one stage he was prevented from speaking in the National Assembly for a short while until the Courts made some rulings, after constitutional motions were filed. What goes around comes around. There was a terrible
tragedy at the Georgetown Prisons yesterday. Sixteen persons died as a result. Who is going to take ministerial responsibility and resign? What will be the excuse this time for not resigning? After all, both the AFC and APNU were insisting in the case of the Linden incident that the then Minister of Home Affairs held ministerial responsibility and should resign. The wrong things you do come back to haunt you, and this latest tragedy is a case of the wrong that was done to Rohee coming back to haunt the AFC and APNU. The government has announced a three-person panel to investigate the incident. It is the right thing to do. Culpability, including any ministerial responsibility should, unlike what was done in the past, await the outcome of the report of that panel. The government has acted swiftly. It has appointed an investigative panel. It should have appointed a Commission of Inquiry (COI) since Commissions of Inquiry have powers to subpoena witnesses. But a three-person panel is a far superior arrangement to the Board of Inquiry which has been established
to examine the veracity of allegations made in the media against a senior police officer and against CANU. What exactly is this Board of Inquiry? This is a militarystyle inquiry which is normally used to undertake probes within the military. It is unsuited for the type of investigation that is needed into the allegations made. It is unfortunate that the government is moving in this direction. It should not have appointed anything. The decision to have a Board of Inquiry sets a bad precedent. It means that any Tom, Dick
or Harry can step forward and raise an allegation against persons in the government which would then be forced to mount a Board of Inquiry. Before any inquiry or investigation was launched, it first needed to be established that a prima facie case had been made out. Once this did not happen, there should not have been any inquiry, period. It is ridiculous for the Board of Inquiry to be asked to investigate the veracity of the allegations. What allegations? The allegations made are general. There are no specifics provided. It is like
Linden is reporting a few suspected cases of the Zika virus. These cases were said to be detected at the Linden Hospital Complex. Chairman of the Regional Democratic Council Health Committee, Dr. Gregory Harris, at the Council’s monthly statutory meeting on Thursday in the RDC Boardroom said that on Tuesday there were a
few suspected cases of the Zika Virus. Dr. Harris said two might be positive because they have all the symptoms. “Two of them could be positive because they have the rash, red eyes, fever and all.” According to Dr. Harris tests were sent to Georgetown for further testing. He noted they are awaiting the results.
Suspected Zika cases at Linden Hospital Complex
charging a man for speeding without saying when or where he was speeding. Without the specifics, a prima face case cannot be made out. There should have been no Board of Inquiry. This is the not the first Board of Inquiry that has been announced. When the army sergeant was killed after carrying out surveillance on the home of Winston Brassington, it was announced that a Board of Inquiry was being launched
into the matter. The public has heard nothing about the outcome of that inquiry. Perhaps it will be the same with the matter involving the allegations against the policeman and CANU. Perhaps, it is all an internal investigation, the findings of which the public will never be privy.
Guyanese arrested, boat seized in large Bajan drug bust Bajan authorities have arrested a Guyanese man and seized a boat during an antinarcotics operation Wednesday morning, according to the Barbados Nation. According to a report in the online news, large quantities of cocaine and cannabis were seized at Carlisle Bay (Browne’s Beach), St Michael by the Drug Squad. Acting Assistant Superintendent of
Police and public relations officer, David Welch, said cocaine weighing 122.9 kilogrammes and valued in the region of $6 million and cannabis weighing 9 4 kilogrammes, valued in the region of $375,000 were seized along with a boat. He said two males, a Barbadian and a Guyanese, were assisting police with the matter.
Page 10
Kaieteur News
Friday March 04, 2016
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
The causes of the Camp Street prison tragedy In several past columns, I outlined my angry point that the Guyanese power elites learned nothing, not a damn thing, about the 2002 Mash Day jail break. The then PPP Government wanted to believe and accepted its fictional construct that it was a planned, political job by the opposition. My journalistic investigations, which I have published in these columns, revealed that there were about ten men who planned the escape but as the game neared its climax, some chose not to escape for different reasons. The violent break out in 2002 had its genesis in four situations – police brutality and victimization; mistreatment of prisoners; massive over-crowding; lawlessness and inhumanity
in the judicial system. It is naïve for any analyst to think that those factors were not present in yesterday’s tragedy. I spent three nights and days at the Brickdam lock-up with Mark Benschop. It was an uncivilized place to be, with no urinal facilities, no toilet facilities, no clean space. Tea was fed in a bucket that prisoners bathe with. In the mornings, the tea comes and is poured into a bucket that remand accused like me have to use to take a bath. This was and is Guyana for you. Mark Benschop and I never took the tea. I never had a bath for those three days because there was no water. I slept in a cell that had no bed and the toilet was overbearingly stink. There is
no need to discuss what every school boy in this country knows – Camp Street prison is overcrowded. The limitation has been exceeded by hundreds - it was built for 600 prisoners, it now has 984. Did the power elites know this? Yes they did. But people like Clement Rohee, Minister of Home Affairs until May 2015, told the nation that prisoners must understand prison conditions aren’t like what obtains at five-star hotels. After he was released on bail from the High Court from a three-year jail sentence in December last year, over marijuana possession, Vibert “Durdy” Butts came to the offices of Kaieteur News to discuss his experience in the
Camp Street prison. Butts likened it to hell. He said for those few days he was there awaiting the bail application, it was a dirty, nasty jail unfit for humans. Prisoners are assigned different categories in life. There are those who enter people’s home and murder an entire family just for a few dollars. There are those who are caught with a marijuana joint. There are those who would have stolen from their employers. We must make a distinction between categories of prisoners. I was in the same cell with a convicted pirate who killed people on the high seas. I didn’t know that until Benschop told me why the guy was in the Brickdam cell with us. Surely, you had to make a distinction between me and Benschop on the one hand, who were arrested for a harmless traffic offence, and this pirate on the other. In the jail system, the authorities do not make such distinctions. People die in those jails, because when they take ill
with heart seizure or diabetes dizziness, there are no vehicles to take them to a hospital. Remand prisoners and convicts die in the jail system because of lack of medical attention. We come now to the judicial system. Please forgive me for the words that you will now read but as an analyst I have to call it as I see it. Guyana got what it deserves, because Guyana has refused to stop the overcrowding of our prison system. And this is because of mediocre magistrates that are roaming all over this country. I warned my country through a plethora of columns about these magistrates who remand accused over minor criminal accusations, small amounts of possession of marijuana, small types of thefts, and impose horribly high bail that they are overcrowding the system A magistrate jailed an 18year-old girl for leaving Springlands illegally with a speedboat for Suriname. Her life is destroyed. What do you
Frederick Kissoon think she may do in jail? Our silly policemen are overzealous in pursuing marijuana smokers but not cocaine pushers. We have a judicial system that jails people for long, long years only because they did not have a good lawyer to argue their strong points. A man is sentenced to forty five consecutive years for the insertion of his finger into the vagina of an underage girl. He was a wash-bay attendant who did not have a defence lawyer. His life is over. What do you think he will do in jail? So will we learn from the terrible tragedy yesterday? Honestly, I doubt it!
Dem boys seh...
Hell fire break out in Camp Street Nuff people crying. Some of dem just lose a son, a boyfriend or a husband. No matter how bad somebody bad, dem always got somebody who love dem. That is why some people eyes red. Two nights ago dem boys warn dem same prisoners about setting fire in dem cell. Dem boys tell dem prisoners that every day bucket going to de well one day its bottom gun drop out. Dem prisoners didn’t listen. But life strange. When de country use to hang people de prisoners use to behave demself. In fact, when dem behave bad de prison people use to fly de trap door and de whole place use to get quiet. Now it look like if death is no problem because dem same prisoners light up de cell just like if dem was cooking. And indeed nuff cooking tek place because by de time dem prison officers out de fire dem find people who look like if dem was bar-b-q. De smoke barely die down and Rohee
blame de government. He seh that Soulja Bai must tek full responsibility. He, Rohee, put dem prisoners in jail, he lock dem up, he shorten dem food and he is de one who mek dem get vex. Suh dem boys want to know how come he blaming somebody else fuh what he do. Is de same passion wha dem prisoners had since Rohee time that mek dem set fire inside de jail. Perhaps he want tell Soulja Bai that is he people send in de match wha dem use to start de fire. One thing is certain, Brassington certainly not coming back home, not even to collect de pay that Li’l Joe was giving him. Ash Deonarine not coming home too. He deh in Canada but he telling people that he gone to de States. Dem boys glad that dem can see wha dem going and meet because of de bad things dem do. Talk half and say a prayer fuh all who test hell fire Thursday in de Camp Street jail.
Friday March 04, 2016
Kaieteur News
Page 11
Prisoners refused to come out of burning building - Officer in charge
- President orders probe President David Granger has instructed that a threeman panel be set up immediately to investigate all the circumstances surrounding yesterday’s unrest at the Camp Street prison that resulted in the deaths of 16 inmates. This was announced by Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan, who shared a hastily-arranged press conference with senior prison officials at the Ministry of the Presidency, hours after the situation was normalized at the country’s main penal institution. Ramjattan said that the decision to establish the three-man panel was arrived at during a meeting of the National Security Committee, in the wake of the deadliest prison unrest in the entire Caribbean. Yesterday prisoners in the Capital ‘A’ Block of the facility lit fires which reportedly got out of control, leading to several of them being burnt to death, while others suffered from smoke inhalation. Ramjattan told members of the media that the President and members of the National Security Committee were adamant that the administration got to work quickly to ascertain what were the causes and reasons for the unrest so that a recurrence could be avoided. He confirmed that apart from the 16 persons who are dead, five other inmates received varying degrees of injuries. The Minister declined to disclose the names of the dead, offering to make them public after the families would have been contacted. Yesterday’s press conference was shared by Officer in Charge of the Georgetown Prison, Superintendent Kevin Pilgrim, who told the media that the unrest was sparked by a successful raid on the capital - a section of the facility. This section houses remanded prisoners, most of whom have been committed to stand trial in the High Court for capital offences such as murder. Pilgrim explained that at around 14:00 hours on Wednesday, the monthly Mandatory Joint Services operation commenced; the target was the new Capital Division. According to Pilgrim, several prohibited items including 19 cell phones and a quantity of narcotics were seized during the two-hour search. The officer in charge said that sometime later that
evening, he received a call informing him that there were some disturbances on the same Capital Block. When he responded, he saw the location in a state of unrest, with inmates setting fires to mattresses and other flammable material. “For the period of last night (Wednesday) nine fires were set by the hands of the persons within the capital division, but with the assistance of members of the Guyana Fire Service, we managed to extinguish those fires,” Pilgrim said. The situation returned to some semblance of normalcy that night but the inmates upped their demand for early trials, a demand they were advised to take up with the relevant authority - the court. The prisoners also demanded the return of some of the seized items, but this was not complied with. Yesterday morning, members of the Joint Services resumed their mopping up operations and according to Pilgrim, things were going smoothly until some of the inmates became unruly. The Officer in Charge of the prison said that yesterday’s exercise involved getting the prisoners out of
Officer in Charge of the Georgetown Prison Kevin Pilgrim addressing members of the media in the presence of (from left) Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, Director of Prison Carl Graham and his Deputy Gladwin Samuels. the building so as to effect repairs to beds that were burnt the previous night, and to search for other improvised weapons that they would have made with material from the damaged beds. “During that exercise it was going quite smoothly, however as a result of some amount of prompting from members of the general prison population, some of the inmates refused to come out of the building. Chanting caught on throughout the prison, which resulted in the
door being barricaded and fires being lit again,” Pilgrim explained. He said that the standard action drill was initiated so as to bring the situation under some degree of control. The Fire Service responded and after several minutes of fire fighting, the blaze was
extinguished. When the smoke died down, a number of inmates lay dead with their skin severely charred from the fire, while others who appeared to be alive were quickly rushed to the Georgetown Hospital. When asked about gunshots being heard, Pilgrim
said that only one shot was fired in the entire operation. However, there were different versions of what transpired being mouthed by relatives of some inmates of the prison. One inmate said that the version of events given by (Continued on page 31)
Page 12
Kaieteur News
Special officers at foreign missions to woo investors for Guyana
Friday March 04, 2016
Massive erosion at $21M revetment Christianburg -project ongoing
The erosion at Christianburg, Linden. Minister Catherine Hughes presenting one of the 23 banners to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Director of Diaspora Unit, An Yin Choo. The banners are to be mounted at Guyana’s Embassies and Missions overseas. The Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Public Telecommunications and Tourism, have joined efforts to promote Guyana’s economic tourism. On Wednesday, at the Tourism Ministry, Colgrain House, Minister of Public Telecommunications and Tourism, Catherine Hughes presented 23 retractable banners to Director of the Diaspora Unit, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, An Yin Choo. The banners will be mounted in Guyana’s embas-
sies and high commissions in the Middle and Far East, North and South America, Europe and countries across the Caribbean, as part of the Government’s initiative to develop the country’s tourism. The colourful banners depict Guyana’s rich flora and fauna, the majestic Kaieteur Falls, the Red House and other attractive aspects of the country. During the handing over ceremony, Minister Hughes explained that the initiative represents the beginning of a
process that highlights that the foreign missions do have a role to play in marketing the country. The minister explained that President David Granger had announced that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be the driving force of an initiative called “economic diplomacy”. Essentially, this entails the presence of a specialised officer in each of Guyana’s foreign missions who would be responsible for sourcing potential investors for Guyana and opening negotiations. The presence of these specialised officers is meant to create and build awareness of the country’s trade benefits that come with its geographical location, at the northern tip of the South American continent, and the special tourism products and niches, some of which are very unique to Guyana. Their work will be incomplete and inefficient without the necessary materials, such as “brochures and other literature, posters, pictures and paintings, souvenir items that are uniquely Guyanese and the retractable banners,” the Minister noted. Additionally, this will also generate income for Guyana and create awareness about the country internationally as an exciting adventure and vacation destination.
By Enid Joaquin Massive erosion at Christianburg in Linden has necessitated a revetment project costing some $21 million. The project is presently being undertaken by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, according to Regional Chairman Renis Morian. According to the Project Supervisor James Douglas, the works are expected to be completed within the next three months. It reportedly started three weeks ago and employs ten persons, six of whom are Lindeners. Douglas told the media that sometimes workers start the day as early 3a.m., because they have to work ‘with the tide’. Pointing to the rip rap defence, Douglas said that the latter would be positioned behind the piles in order to consolidate the structure. “These rocks are going behind those piles and they have a sand bed here wrapped in polyurethane fabric”. He added that the revetment consists of erecting a second set of piles outside of those that were originally planted, and then filling up the space in between with sand and other materials. KATAPULLI CREEK While the revetment works at Christianburg involve an area of approximately 100 metres, along the riverbank, the area around the Katapulli creek, which the
Katapulli Bridge spans, has seen significant erosion over the years, and is once again having more rehabilitative works carried out there. Chairman Morian, who took media operatives on a tour of the site said that the genesis of the project was that under the previous administration, rehabilitative works to the bridge, saw the diverting of the creek by the contractors. Morian noted that in so doing the homes of the people in the immediate vicinity were threatened. “The creek still come back now to where it was, because it was not properly done.” A project like this needs hydraulics - to move a creek that has been running for over a hundred years.” DIVERTED Almost a decade ago, massive works costing $14 million was done on the current Katapulli Bridge. In a previous interview, IMC Chair-
man Orrin Gordon had questioned the wisdom of diverting the course of the creek, while breaking the road to erect the new bridge at its present location, which is only a few feet away from where the old bridge was located. According to Gordon, diverting the Katabulli Creek from its natural course, through a man-made canal, would have posed major problems - primarily erosion. Gordon had further pointed out that the original concrete revetments were removed from the former bridge - and a lot of the erosion that subsequently occurred was due to that. He had also expressed concern over launches and barges which docked at the bridge for repairs. He had also pointed out that the sustainability of the infrastructure was highly questionable, as the constant battering of water on both sides of the structure, was a recipe for disaster.
Guyanese fingered in drug courier ring gets one year in plea deal A Guyanese man arrested with over US$35,000 in undeclared cash at JFK Airport, in the US back in February 2014, has been sentenced to a year and a day on a cocaine conspiracy charge. The judgment was handed down last month in a New York court against Vilton Bourne. Bourne, in a deal with US prosecutors, had agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to import cocaine. For his jail time, Bourne has until June 8th to surrender, as he was on bail at the time of his sentencing last month.The court has made final the seizure of US$35,577 in cash that had been taken from the Guyanese man when
he was arrested in 2014. Bourne had faced up to nine years for the charges. On August 18, last, Bourne pleaded guilty, via a plea agreement, to conspiring to import cocaine into the US. The documents explained that the defendant participated in a cocaine importation conspiracy in which persons imported cocaine from a Guyanese supplier. The cocaine was disguised as various food items. In conversations, the persons involved in the conspiracy would refer to the cocaine as gold. Bourne was said to be a facilitator of couriers for the conspiracy. He was also involved in smuggling cash to Guyana.
Friday March 04, 2016
Kaieteur News
Page 13
Contractors must be Mon Repos abattoir being sternly sanctioned for deliberately delayed sloppy work - Goolsarran - NDC Chairperson
Guyana’s procurement system is not only plagued by a culture of corrupt practices, but also the acceptance of slapdash work provided by contractors. It is a culture that local financial analysts say the new Government must wage a war against. Former Auditor General Anand Goolsarran asserts that Government must seek to implement a debarment committee, which will blacklist companies who take on big projects and in turn provide sloppy work. He says that it is one of the sure ways to ensure that companies bring themselves in line with international best practices and that the country gets value for money. Debarment mechanisms are practiced by various Caribbean countries such as Jamaica and international agencies like the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Guyana’s laws also provide for the installation of a debarment committee but under the previous Government, this was never given priority. Kaieteur News understands that the new Government has already taken steps to put this committee in place, and it is expected to come on stream this year. Goolsarran said that Guyana’s weak public procurement system led to the loss of millions of dollars annually. He said that it is a broken system which often sees contractors providing shoddy work with little or no consequences, while stressing that the time is now to show that Government means business. In fact, he contends that the weak systems of the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) need to be addressed by the new administration once and for all, as they are costing the country approximately $28B annually. Goolsarran said that it is critical for the Ministry of Finance to review the operations of NPTAB, given the fact that the agency has been cited by the Auditor General for numerous cases of financial discrepancies. He emphasized that about 70 percent of the national budget relates to public procurement and this translates to approximately $140 million. The former Auditor General then pointed to credible allegations of corrupt behaviour in public procurement. These included
- Urges for implementation of Debarment Committee
Finance Minister, Winston Jordan
Chartered Accountant, Anand Goolsarran
sole sourcing of drug contracts, contract splitting, inflated engineer’s estimates, evaluation bias on behalf of favoured contractors, the use of inexperienced contractors, the absence of competitive bidding in some cases and overpayment to contractors. Goolsarran said that at least $28 billion or US$140M is lost annually by looking at those areas. His estimation was garnered from an overview of the Auditor General’s reports on the country’s accounts over the past few years. But the Granger administration made it known recently that it is on a mission to change this ‘wild west’ situation in Guyana’s procurement system. At a national consultation on Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) Public Procurement System requirements which was held recently, Finance Minister Winston Jordan outlined that a number of changes are in the pipeline. Present at the event, which was held at the Cara Lodge Hotel, were d i s t i n g u i s h e d representatives of the Private Sector in Guyana, specifically suppliers of goods and services, as well as contractors and consultants. Jordan said that he was advised that those persons have been singled out as having the capabilities to compete within Caricom for large procurement activity on equal terms with your Regional Counterparts. The Finance Minister first explained that the Caricom Single Market and Economy - commonly known as the CSME - was born out of what is known as the Grand Anse Declaration and a work programme for the advancement of the integration movement. At that time, he noted that the Heads of Government were
determined to work towards creating a Single Market and Economy. He said that CSME enabled the achievement of sustained economic development based on i n t e r n a t i o n a l competitiveness, coordinated economic and foreign policies, functional cooperation and enhanced trade and economic relations with third states. Jordan said that it is with the objectives of deepening regional economic integration and achieving international competitiveness, that the consultation was being held. He said that there is also a wider objective; one of encouraging competitive activity to produce a greater variety and quantity of services to trade with other countries. “In other words it also provides a forum for creating regional contracting and consulting entities that can compete internationally. Within Caricom Member States, governments are generally the largest procurers of goods and services. The collective volume and value of Public Procurement in the Caribbean Region is considerable. It is logical, therefore, that the focus should be on public procurement,” expressed Jordan. He added that Article 79 of the treaty states that “the member states shall establish and maintain a regime for the free movement of goods and services within the Caricom Single Market and Economy” towards the objective of “full integration of national markets into a single unified and open area.” He said that this is specifically towards the achievement of a functioning, fully-integrated regional public procurement market. He noted that the overall (Continued on page 14)
Councilors of the Mon Repos/La Reconnaissance Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) are disappointed that the longawaited abattoir will not be completed before they leave office. And they are blaming the situation on the noncooperation of a few senior staff of the NDC who they say are bent on frustrating the council’s work for their own benefit. Outgoing Chairperson, Annette Dass, is particularly disturbed, especially since the finance for the project has already been secured. Speaking in the presence of another Councilor, Dass disclosed that the NDC has set aside $8M collected from market fees, for the project. Dass said that the council had made budgetary allocations for the abattoir since last year. It was only waiting on some clerical work to facilitate the project, which is to be done by the acting overseer of the NDC. However for some strange reason, the clerical work is being held back. “That was since
November. We went; we had the inspection of the site for the abattoir. We asked the overseer to just write a letter to get the okay from the relevant ministry…This is four months now and we can’t get that letter,” Dass said. “We could have already started that abattoir. We have the money, we don’t have to ask the government for the money,” she added. According to Dass, the abattoir is very necessary, since many meat vendors at the Mon Repos Market have resorted to slaughtering animals, including sheep, on the market tarmac itself, posing a grave health risk. Residents in the adjacent houses have complained of the stench left by the dumping of carcasses in the drains around the market. This newspaper had previously observed animal fetuses in the drains and was prompted to contact the then Regional Chairman, Clement Corlette, to have the situation
rectified. Corlette had ordered an immediate cessation to the slaughter of animals at the market. However this practice has resumed in the absence of a nearby abattoir. Mon Repos butchers have complained of having to travel all the way to Buxton, Nabaclis or Mahaica to the east or Georgetown to the west, to slaughter their animals. Dass claims that the situation with the delay of the construction is being encouraged by two officials of the Regional Democratic Council. She said that she wanted to make it clear, since she is not seeking re-election at next month’s Local Government Elections, that the NDC is being left in excellent financial status. “I hope when I leave, whoever takes over will ensure that all the funds we have been able to secure for the NDC is put to proper use for the benefit of the people of the villages covered.
Page 14
Kaieteur News
Attorney arraigned on causing death charge Attorney Keisha Chase was arraigned on a charge of causing death by dangerous driving, when she appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan yesterday afternoon in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Chase was released on $250,000 bail. She will make her next court appearance on March 30. It is alleged that on November 10, last, at Duncan Street, Georgetown, Chase drove motorcar PRR 8181 in a manner dangerous to the public and caused the death of Julian Leitch, 47, of Lot ‘C’ Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park. The accident reportedly occurred around 18:30hrs. Kaieteur News is unaware if the woman was allowed to plead to the charge, as reporters were not allowed to enter the court room by a police officer. Efforts were made by the media personnel to obtain information about the case from court officials, but they were all tight -lipped about the matter.
DEAD: Julian Leitch Kaieteur News understands that the Chief Magistrate was not aware of the move to block reporters from entering her courtroom. After the case was heard, the attorney in an effort to evade the media walked down the court stairs shielding her face with an umbrella. She left using the court’s Brickdam entrance and was whisked away in a white motor car. Earlier this week, the Director of Public
CHARGED: Attorney Keisha Chase Prosecutions (DPP) had advised that the charge be instituted against the attorney. This development came almost four months after Chase is alleged to have fatally struck Leitch. Leitch died the said day while receiving treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. It was reported that the now dead man had left his home to see the annual Diwali Motorcade. The police in a statement had said that the driver of the car was proceeding at a normal rate of speed. It said that the female driver suddenly saw the pedestrian in the centre of the road in front of her car. Because of the closeness he was struck down. Chase is reported to have rushed the injured man to the hospital after the accident.
Friday March 04, 2016
Hit-and-run driver faces court for pensioner’s demise Gavin Pooran, the 23year-old driver accused of striking down a 72-year-old man and driving away, has been charged with the victim’s death. According to information, around 18:40 hrs on the day in question Salim Mohammed, of No. 8 village, West Coast Berbice, was riding his motorcycle CH 952 on the way home when he was struck from behind by a Rav 4 motor vehicle, reportedly driven by Pooran, of Bath, West Coast Berbice, owner of the Legalize Trucking Service. Information revealed that Mohammed was proceeding east on the northern carriageway (towards Rosignol) on his way home from Mosque when in the
vicinity of the No.10 public road he was struck by the vehicle which was reportedly travelling at a fast rate. The man was flung from his bike and received injuries about his body. He was picked up and rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital before being referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital for emergency treatment. He did not regain consciousness and succumbed one week later. After the accident, Pooran reportedly drove away from the scene. His vehicle was subsequently found abandoned in a yard at No. 5 village West Coast Berbice. He turned himself into the police the following day. He was tested for alcohol and it
was found that he was still above the legal limit. The man was initially charged with failing to stop after an accident and failing to render assistance to an injured person. He appeared before Magistrate Rhondell Weever and was placed on $70,000 bail. Pooran was rearrested following the death of Mohammed and slapped with the charge of causing death by dangerous driving and placed on $700,000 bail by Magistrate Weever after he reappeared before her in the Fort Wellington Magistrate Court. A post mortem examination revealed that the man died from a fractured skull, shock and haemorrhage. Pooran’s next court date is March 30.
Contractors must be sternly... (From page 13) objectives of the CSME Public Procurement System are the creation of the conditions necessary for full integration of the national procurement markets of member states into a single unified and open area for Public Procurement to bolster the CSME; the creation of the necessary competitive and nondiscriminatory conditions to facilitate achievement of v a l u e f o r t a x p a y e r ’s money; the provision of opportunities for access to a single market with regional
sales opportunities; and strengthening the competitiveness of the regional supplier base and encourage the rational use of resources. The Finance Minister said that this process began in January 2012 “Since then a number of initiatives have been undertaken. The first project was to provide the Caricom Secretariat and its member states with the recommendations on the required IT infrastructure for establishment of a fully functioning Regional Integration Electronic Public Procurement System. The region has begun to move towards e-procurement regimes. Jamaica is already well established in this regard. But Guyana has been slow to embrace E-procurement, a situation this Government has taken steps to remedy.” The Finance Minister said that under the Public Procurement Modernization Project, for which funding has been provided by the InterAmerican Development Bank under a Technical
Cooperation Agreement called Public Procurement Modernization and Financial Management Strengthening in Guyana, Component One will provide support to improve efficiency and value for money in public procurement through strategic planning and introduction of e-government procurement. This project he said will be rolled out this year. He said that the successor initiative by the CSME is Development and Implementation of the Infrastructure and Instruments for an Integrated CSME Procurement Regime. Jordan said that the deliverables include the Procurement Bill and Regulations, Procurement SOP’s Software and Hardware Installation, Development of Training modules and the ability to roll out these modules online. He said that more will be said on these issues at a later time. The Finance Minister said that it is clear therefore that the CSME is well underway in the delivery of a Caricom Public Procurement System.
Friday March 04, 2016
Kaieteur News
Page 27
Ramjattan, Police Chief dismiss allegations of “self-confessed drug dealer” It appears that the top officials are not giving much credence to allegations of self-confessed drug dealer Barry Dataram. Yesterday, Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, said he does not believe what Dataram is claiming. Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud also stood by the destruction of seized drugs, saying that procedures used are tough to beat. In recent days, Dataram, who is no stranger to the law, has gone public accusing the Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) of being corrupt, with seized drugs being returned to the streets. Dataram had been fighting extradition to the United States and is currently facing the courts on charges relating to a major drug bust at a home in Diamond. Yesterday, during an event at Eve Leary, Commissioner Persaud, when questioned, noted that Dataram is currently before the courts on a 100-plus kilos of cocaine bust. There may be other matters as well. With regards to seized drugs being brought back on streets, the police chief said that allegations are not anything new. Persaud said he was cognizant of the fact that Government has taken a position to have a Board of Inquiry commissioned to look into the matter. He is awaiting anxiously the developments of that. The official insisted that seized drugs are destroyed in the presence of media and several government officials, and just before it is dumped, it is field tested and weighed in the presence of cameras in other words it is known what is being destroyed. The Commissioner also
Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan
Police Commissioner, Seelall Persaud
CANU’s head, James Singh
Barry Dataram
said that Dataram has been a person of interest for a long time and had the right to speak, a “God-given power”. Minister Ramjattan also made it clear where he stood on Dataram - he does not believe him. The allegations of Dataram, he said (like slain Columbian drug kingpin, Pablo Escobar saying the US Drug Enforcement Agency), are not good - because, of course, he has his interest. But, Ramjattan said, despite Dataram being a selfconfessed drug dealer, Government still has to pay attention and the Board of Inquiry as announced on Wednesday by President David Granger, may be the best way to deal with it. Ramjattan said that allegations may not be totally unexpected as Dataram is facing drug charges. The tarnishing of CANU and its staffers will have impact on the morale of the law enforcement agencies as it breaks the foundation and frustrates the officers, especially coming from a “selfconfessed” drug dealer, said the Minister. “But we are going to have an inquiry. I don’t believe it honestly.” Ramjattan believes that
CANU will be exonerated, because there is a presumption of innocence there. Recently, Dataram during an interview on a local television station, confessed to “doing drugs”. However, he boasted of never having been convicted on a criminal charge. Dataram accused CANU of being the “most corrupted, rogue security force in Guyana”. The businessman went on to accuse a high ranking CANU official of being involved in the drug trade, adding that the individual would take millions of dollars to turn a blind eye. Dataram also alleged that the majority of the drugs seized by the unit would return to the streets. How he knew about this, he said, was due to his direct and indirect involvement in the trade. “I know what is going on in the streets… I know what is going on in CANU. Dem is the enemies, and they have to know that just like how they got things on me I got things on dem,” he said. Dataram said he decided to go public, according to reports, after CANU officers conducted a raid on his nephew’s house on West
Demerara and allegedly removed $13M, of which only $10M was accounted for. The President told reporters Wednesday that the matter came up the previous day during the meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) where it was decided that a Board of Inquiry will be convened. The name of the Head of the Inquiry will be
announced shortly, he said. The President continued, “That inquiry will determine the veracity of information which was published in the newspaper. The person will be given Terms of Reference to investigate the allegations which are being reported in the press, concerning the alleged improper behaviour of officers of the State.”
Survival and development of... (From page 6) meeting ‘Leveraging Caricom’s Human and Cultural assets for the sustainable development of the community’. Representing Guyana at the forum was Minister within the Education Ministry with responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sport, Ms Nicolette Henry. In her remarks at the opening ceremony, she noted that “perhaps this is the forum at which we have finally brought together the two most critical pieces of the puzzle for sustainable regional integration and development and that is youth and culture. Perhaps
this is what is needed to truly invigorate the process,” Henry speculated. The meeting, which will culminate today, was preceded by a two-day youth and culture forum on Monday and Tuesday, and a meeting attended by the Directors of Sports and others related to the sports and culture fields, that was held on Wednesday.
The outcome of those meetings are slated to be incorporated into the COHSOD deliberations following which final decisions are expected to be made by the Ministers, according to Dr. Douglas Slater, Assistant Secretary General, Human and Social Development at CARICOM, who chaired yesterday’s opening ceremony.
When questioned what would happen if anyone is found culpable, the President answered, “We will deal with the culpable in a way that we always deal with the culpable. “We expect due process. We will ensure that the person, after proper investigation, is put before the court, but we don’t interfere in the judicial process. “Once we feel there is a case to answer we will refer the case to the authorities and the law will take its course. We are not persecuting anybody but we just want to know the facts.” In recent reports, the Head of the Unit, James Singh, refuted the allegations. He asked that Dataram make a formal statement at CANU, while urging citizens to come forward and speak out so that the unit can carry out its duty in ensuring that Guyana is drug-free.
Page 28
Kaieteur News
Friday March 04, 2016
Daily glaucoma screening at GPHC from Monday With free glaucoma screening sessions for members of the public, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) will be observing World Glaucoma Week (WGW). The World Glaucoma Association and World Glaucoma Patient Association has designated March 6 to 12, 2016 as WGW. For the past five years, the hospital has been offering an enhanced glaucoma service at its Eye Clinic. But as part of the WGW 2016 observances, the hospital will be involved in the free screening sessions in addition to the launch of a Glaucoma Poster. In collaboration with Ansa McAl Group of Companies, the Glaucoma Poster will be launched. The aim of the poster is to aid in public awareness about the disease, and to encourage persons at risk to undergo screening. The poster will be launched on Monday at the Eye Clinic at 12:00hrs. The Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton, along with representatives of Ansa McAl will be present to officially launch the poster. This poster will be placed at
various locations across the country. The GPHC will be collaborating with the Public Health Ministry, the Guyana Vision 2020 Committee to offer daily screening sessions from Monday March 7 to Friday March 11, between 12:00 and 15:00 hours. However, this service will only be availed to members of the public on an appointment basis, according to a statement issued by the GPHC. Appointments can be made at the Eye Clinic Clerical Desk from 9:00 to 14:00 hours before Monday March 7, 2016 or by sending email to gphcoph@yahoo.com. Emails should state clearly patients’ name, age, gender, address and preferred day of screening. Eligible individuals for screening will include: all Individuals who are 40 years or older; individuals below 40 years are invited, only if persons have risk factors such as persons with blood relatives diagnosed with glaucoma, persons of African descent; if you have already been diagnosed with glaucoma you are not eligible for screening and glaucoma suspects are eligible for screening.
- as World Glaucoma Week is observed Vision testing, eye pressure testing and examination of the eye nerve will be done by the Ministry, and according to the statement the staff ophthalmologists will be screening 50 patients per day. In Guyanese patients, Open Angle Glaucoma is the most common form of glaucoma. Patients of AfroGuyanese origin are more prone to develop open angle glaucoma, and are more likely to have family members suffering from glaucoma. It has also been found that glaucoma in Afro-Guyanese patients is usually very severe and more difficult to treat. There are many ways to treat open angle glaucoma. Over the past years, patients at the hospital have been exposed to the two common methods of treating glaucoma which are medications (eyedrops) and glaucoma surgery. Last year for World Glaucoma Week, the hospital launched its Laser Treatment for Glaucoma which included Laser Trabeculoplasty (Open Angle) and Laser Peripheral Iridotomy (Closed Angle). With the addition of laser
treatment, open angle glaucoma patients now have a third option for treatment at the institution. Laser treatment for glaucoma is not indicated for all patients and hence patients need to be carefully selected by the Glaucoma Specialist to determine if they meet the criteria for treatment. This type of treatment is a practical alternative to using drops and success depends on the patient profile and ability to respond to the treatment. Those who do not respond to either eye drops or laser treatment may still eventually need to undergo surgery. The theme for this WGW observance worldwide campaign continues from last year which is: ‘B-I-G – Beat Invisible Glaucoma’. This campaign was chosen because of the fact that many people suffer with glaucoma and they still do not know it. It’s called “invisible” glaucoma because the disease acts silently by causing damage to the optic
nerve (the eye nerve which allows us to see the world) without the patient having any notable symptoms. Hence, bit by bit over the years this damage continues, unknown to the patient, until almost the entire nerve is destroyed. This nerve damage (called glaucomatous optic neuropathy) is permanent and cannot be reversed. Hence, at that time when the patient begins to start experiencing visual symptoms, they would already have had significant nerve damage thus the need for early screening of the disease. Once glaucoma is diagnosed early, treatment can be started early, and hence prevent persons from becoming unnecessarily blind. Glaucoma can be controlled with treatment so that patients can enjoy comfortable vision throughout their life. At the GPHC, the Department of Ophthalmology offers services for diagnosing and treating Glaucoma. The
hospital offers daily eye clinics on weekdays where patients can be given eye examinations for the detection of Glaucoma. Patients need to be referred to the hospital before they can obtain an appointment for any service. These referrals can be obtained from their general physicians. According to Dr. Shailendra Sugrim, Head of Department and Glaucoma Specialist at the GPHC, last year in observance of WGW, approximately 350 patients were screened for glaucoma through a collaborative effort by ophthalmologists, optometrists, nurses and optometry students. That was the first time that such a screening exercise focusing on Glaucoma was held and the public response was overwhelming. This is the reason why this year, the exercise will be done in a controlled manner at the hospital and only by appointment. Persons can contact Dr. Sugrim at gphcoph@yahoo.com or mobile number 592-600-0181 for more information.
Female local govt. candidates tout better healthcare systems, youth development policies Female candidates for the upcoming Local Government Elections are clawing their way through the campaign trail with promises to improve healthcare systems and youth development policies for their respective constituencies. With just 16 days remaining for local government elections, Dr. Dawn Stewart and Feubia Jarvis-Monfort are vigorously campaigning to grab the mantle for constituency 8 and constituency 13, respectively. These women are on a quest to show that a woman’s voice in politics is just as important as man’s,
and that it is long overdue for women to have a say in the decision-making process of local governance. After 21 years, the overdue Local Government Elections was finally set for March 18, 2016. They were last held in 1994, despite the constitution clearly stipulating that they should be held every three years. The extensive delay was due to reforms agreed to by the then People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) government and the People’s National Congress with the last bits of legislation passed in 2015. In an interview with the Kaieteur News on Wednesday, Dr. Stewart
pledged to address every issue raised by residents in the communities that she is contesting in. She stated that she had noticed contrary to politics being considered a man’s playing field, women in local governance is not intimidating Stewart said, because traditionally they are more involved in their communities than males and as such they are more informed at making pronouncements concerning their neighbourhoods. She said women’s entrance into local government is an “in road” to building self-confidence for women, thus, she is (Continued on page 31)
Region Ten fraud investigations continue Region Ten (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice) Democratic Council (RDC) Chairman Renis Morian has said that more discrepancies are being uncovered at the Administration. This is happening as employees suspected of involvement continue to be on administrative leave. Irregularities within the Works Department, including the discovery of false payment vouchers, prompted investigations last month. Regional Executive Officer Gavin Clarke made the
revelation of several moneyrelated discrepancies which involved RDC employees and contract workers. Auditors from the State Assets Recovery Unit (SARU) as well as the police had been summoned to investigate. Morian said that just a few weeks ago, more disturbing things involving RDC contracts were unearthed. He said that investigators may visit the Council’s office at Mackenzie some time next week. The Chairman explained
“Two weeks ago we discovered, and we’re still discovering more issues. We’re seeing more things coming up.” He added, “The employees remain on leave. We can’t fill the vacancies either, because their positions aren’t vacant. No decision has been made, since they haven’t been tried. We’re just gathering the information.” Two technical officers were expected to be appointed to the Council to assist with the relevant job functions.
Friday March 04, 2016
Kaieteur News
Page 29
Diamond well back in operation Employees from Nabi Construction Inc. during final works on the Diamond Well Station
Customers of the Diamond and Golden Grove housing schemes on Wednesday began receiving water through their taps after a broken well was repaired. The well has been down for almost three weeks after the casing, located several feet below ground, suffered a breach and started to suck mud. According to Water Resources Manager, GWI,
Orin Browne, “the final stage of the rehabilitation involved testing the well to ensure that it is capable of normal production levels. We are pleased to report that this
exercise was successful and we were able to return the well to the Diamond water distribution network on Wednesday afternoon. Customers of Diamond and
Kaneville are now receiving water at adequate levels of service.” The Water Resources Manager assured that GWI will continue to monitor the well station with a camera inspection scheduled for early next week. “It is important that we continue to consistently monitor the well station to avoid a recurrence. Our priority country-wide is to ensure that customers are receiving a continuous service.” Further, Divisional Manager, East Bank Demerara, Orion Dhanraj,
explained that GWI would be conducting a ‘flushing’ exercise to remove any sediment within the distribution system that serves the communities of Diamond and Kaneville. “Because there was not a continuous flow of water during the rehabilitation of the well station it is vital that we ‘flush’ the mains to remove any foreign particles,” stated Dhanraj. “This exercise is necessary to maintain water quality standards.” The rehabilitation of the Diamond Well Station, which services thousands of residents in what is one of the
largest housing communities in the country, was supervised by GWI and executed by contractor Nabi Construction Inc. at a cost in excess of $12M. “GWI wishes to apologize and express gratitude for the patience of all customers of Diamond and Kaneville who were without service during the period of disruption. The company also wishes to express sincere gratitude to the management and employees of the Civil Defence Commission for their assistance with water distribution within the affected communities.”
Page 30
Kaieteur News
SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals and Black Opal - Cosmetology Courses - Nail Technician Course Call: 647-1773/660-5257 SERVICES
WANTED
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
1 Security Guard at Eccles Industrial Site, with a valid police clearance. Call: 2332473
Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyana passport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. Building Construction: house plans & estimates, floor sanding, lacquering & painting, boat for Santa Mission –Call: 650-4362 Repairs & spare, fridge, freezer, A/C, washers, stoves – Contact Nick: 6831312, 627-3206 INNOVATIVEMARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158 FOR SALE/FOR RENT American pool table – Call: 277-0578 LEARN TO DRIVE Soman Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj BuildingTel: 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997
Female domestic to work in Trinidad, must be educated and know to cook. Between 25-35 years. Call: 1868-683 1528
Female worker wanted sound secondary education, computer literate-Tel: 6225518 One live-in or live out maid/ assistant salesgirl- Call: 6035416; 644-9802 1 Domestic cleaner, must know to prepare vegetarian food, apply @ Alabama Trading, Ferry Stelling. Live in domestic must know to cook Indian dishes, salary $80,000 monthly. Call: 6105043 Live in waitress -$60,000$70,000 monthly, must have secondary education. Call: 610-5043 Lands to buy: Tel: 639-8474; 604-4945 Drivers, paid salary & contract cars- Call: 231-0002; 231-0316
Experienced cashier at American Variety Store, 140 Regent & Light Street. Call: 225-1864 We are offering a 2005 unregistered premio car for any land in Eccles or Herstelling-Call: 604-2207; 611-7223 Maid to cook and clean for East Bank area- Call: 614-4358 One half day domestic, apply @ 53 Grosenor Ave. Nandy Park near Raj Yoga Centre.
TOURS
Women’s haircut -$700, eyebrows threading -$700 & many more offers. U.S.A Graduate @ Timehri Public Road. Call: 661-0019
1 Domestic worker & 1 domestic cook to work in Cummings Lodge, E.C.DCall: 621-8478- between 9am to 4pm
Experienced drivers and dispatchers. Call:622-6413; 231-3709
TAXI SERVICES GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 225-7878 (24HRS)
Hairdressers, nail technician, barbers, also hair & nail stations available for rental location: New Market StreetCall: 638-1106
One live in housekeeper-Call: SURINAME EASTER 223-0654 WEEKEND TOUR TRIP: Experienced cook, apply in SHOPPING, FUN, TOURS & person @ Millenium Maner SIGHTSEEING DOLPHINS Hotel with application, 43 MARCH 23RD -28TH, 2016. Hadfield St., Werk-en-Rust CALL: 692-7270; 665- between Camp & John Sts. 5171; 639-2663; 223-0056 Hire car drivers with or Tours to Suriname Mar 24-28, without cars & dispatcher2016 -$34,000, Aruba – July Call: 611-8600, 655-1717 22nd-25th -$120,000, Airfare & accommodation) excluding Auto spray painter, all food & transportation. Call: equipment supplied. Call: 227-1830 660-0312
FOR SALE One two tons forklift, one blocks machine, one Leyland truck (scrap). Call: 617-9230; 269-1406 XBOX 360 Slim with gamescall or whatsapp: 683-8386 40 HP Yamaha 40 KVA generator, tyre machine, air compressor. Call: 694-0535 Toyota Rear Differential 39.8 and 14.5 fiberglass boat with trailer and 35HP motor. Call: 678-9536 1 Mercedes Benz – C200- Call: 690-6840; 693-3340; 277-3033 Business for sale – Copy & sign shop, serious call only: 695-2199 One Toyota Hilux Surf Model KDKZN185W, please call 227-7538 or 226-8247 between 08:15hrs and 17:00hrs, Mon-Fri. Cheap! Cheap! CCTV Security Surveillance Kit, 8 Channels DVR with built in Hard Drive, 8 bullet cameras – Tel: 621-4740; 686-3500 175 DAF dump truck #GNN 5366- Call: 664-1030; 613-5212 Great Deals on video games & all gaming consoles. PC, phone games & applications. Delivery also – Call: 6722566; 265-3231 LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. One Nissan 2002 bus – GRR. Call: 642-1141 Nissan Titan- Call: 696-5135 Marathon Moto, single phase, 7½ HP & transformer. Call: 233-2725 Genuine Yamaha parts, for sale from 2HP to 250HP. Call: 670-4056
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Vreed-en-Hope Junction: Lessons place, office, storage bond, church -$20,000$25,000-Call: 603-6400 Canteen and washbay @ 15 Good Hope, East Bank Essequibo. Call: 690-6840; 693-3340; 277-3033 Executive 3 bedrooms upper flat in South Ruimveldt Park: Call: 628-7496 or 617-0560 Vreed-en-Hoop: new 2 bedrooms with granite counter tops, toilet, bath, security, camera, grill fence$25,000. Call: 682-5230, 6289596 Executive 2 bedrooms apartment in exclusive Residential Area close to the Ogle Airport. Call for appointment: 653-2920 One lower flat at Herstelling – price $45,000- Call: 629-2912 Apartment for rent @ 186 Waterloo Street. Call Shawn: 652-9062 One bottom flat to rent – Call: 220-3353 Lower 2 bedrooms apartment, with water, electricity @ Paradise Public Road, E.C.D, security deposit -$40,000 monthly. Call: 6259939 2 Flats; 6000Sq.Ft of prime space, @ 14 Longden & Croal Street, formerly Salt & Pepper –Call: 663-0376 House for rent, top flat 3 bedrooms, bottom flat, 3 bedrooms @ First Bridge Diamond. Call: 664-1030; 6135212
Friday March 04, 2016
VACANCY Elite Pharmacy: Experienced pharmacist & assistant, salesperson with knowledge of selling OTC drugs. Call: 663-0376; 231-2122
VEHICLE FOR SALE First Class Auto: Rush, IST, Runx, Sienta, Bluebird, 06 Premio, 06 Allion, Fielder, Spacio, Noah. Call: 627-8383; 638-3045
Experienced full time/part time pharmacist, pharmacy assistants & general staff @ Pharma Choice, Durban & Louisa Road. Call: 661-3124 Hairdressers, nail technician, barbers, also hair & nail stations available for rental location: New Market StreetCall: 638-1106 One sales representative. Call: 225-8205
Toyota Raum, AT192, Fun Cargo, RAV 4, Tundra, L-Touring Wagon, IST, 4X4 pick up sold DEF, (Ducati 1098cc) Call: 644-5096; 697-1453
One two bedrooms apartment in Cane View Ave. South. Call: 672-8055 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: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 6560087 , EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO. COM Eternity cars rental. Call: 6155315; 231-7374
1 Toyota Premio, PNN series, excellent condition. Call: 6776620 between 9:00-5:00.
Landscape maintenance vacancy: hardworking, pleasant, team player 17-28 years. Contact: 219-0468/ 621-2453
Tractor Massey Ferguson from Canada: MF165 -$1.7M, MF135-$1.1M, MF 265 $2.1M, MF165 loader -$2.4M. Call: 682-5230; 628-9596
Cashiers & pump attendants. Call or text: 670-6005; 627-2550 Atleast 3yrs experienced salesgirls @ Christine’s Variety Store on Lombard St.
Pickup truck-4 door, loaded, 2005, Toyota Tacoma $2.3M, Ford Ranger -$1.5M, Ford F150 Sport -$1.5M. Call: 682-5230; 628-9596
Manager / Accountant. Requirements: Atleast (1) year experience in similar position, Peachtree knowledge would be an asset. info@xen1net.net. (592)613-7852 Accounts Clerk: apply in person with a handwritten application @ Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling.
Unregistered Bluebird 2006 model, TV, Reverse Camera, Dark interior low mileage $2.3M. Call: 655-3400
Painters: apply @ Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling.
AT192 Carina- Call: 668-8431 2001 Toyota Allex, Mileage 77,000km, $1.6M negotiable, first owner (female), in excellent condition. Call: 687-1263 Manual & Automatic super GL pit-bull, VVTI and 1 RZ super GL, extra cab Hilux. Call: 616-7635
Porters apply in person @ Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling. Experienced Bartender to work at 704 contact # 2235274 LAND FOR SALE
Spacious 2 bedrooms apartment in Festival City, asking -$80,000 negotiable. Call: 619-2141; 616-7366 Three storey 75X28feet concrete building, open floor, two offices, two washrooms @ 25B Princes St., Charlestown. Call: 223-0654
212 Carina, Toyota Ipsum, Nissan Pathfinder, Toyota Vigo – fully loaded. Call: 6097766/ 225-8427
TO LET Sisher Real Estate- Tel: 2314681; 652-6565; 670-7171: One 2 bedrooms apartment to let @ 23 B Lyng Street Charlestown. Apartment in Eccles & rooms in Alberttown- Call: 225-3234 Four storey business place located on Robb Street, next to Bourda Market- Call: 6237731; 629-0636 One 2 bedroom apartment $45,000 monthly. Contact Petboy @ Howes Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, between 10:00am-4:00pm 2 Bedrooms apartment to let, also air-conditions for sale. Call: 688-2430 One fully furnished house @ Lot 5 Bougainvillea Park. Call: 678-1234
Providence Scheme (115ftX81ft) located on a Cul de Sac close to Bai Shan Lin -$8.2M negotiable. Call: 6014163 or 223-0719 Lall & Sons Real Estate: Providence -$5M, La Parfaite Harmonie- $1M, $1.2M, $1.6M, Tuschen -$3M, Parika Public Rd -$65M. Call: 604-6724 Vacant land for sale in Eccles, East Bank Demerara 70’X100’- Call: 623-6136 Affordable house lots for sale: K&R Realty-Call: 6044945; 639-8474 House fully complete with land - $6M or less. Call: 6398474; 604-4945 Land 95X65 in high income gated community -$9.3M negotiable. Call: 609-0783 PEN PAL Canadian male: seeking female 22-35yrs, for serious relationship preferably. No texting! No private calling! Call: 667-0635 Continued on page 31
Friday March 04, 2016
Kaieteur News
Page 31
Prisoners refused to come... From page 11 prison officials is not entirely true. He said that yesterday morning, prison officials, with assistance from other members of the joint services, had opened up the Capital ‘A’ building and were taking out the prisoners and securing them in another section. However, when they reached the inmates who were described as the masterminds of the unrest, they became aggressive and encountered stiff resistance. “Some of de men resist and start to light back de fire and officer (name given) lock de door. Dey throw tear gas inside de building and some
of de men get black out. Who get bun up is who de get lef in de building,” the prisoner told this newspaper. He said that while the men were burning inside the building, a prison official requested that the firemen go inside with gas masks to bring out the prisoners, but they refused. Director of Prisons Carl Graham, after expressing sympathy for the “rather unfortunate and tragic event”, told the news conference that everything possible was done to prevent what transpired, but these efforts were unsuccessful. “The Officers worked in
the face of heat, where fires were being thrown by inmates, and very adverse condition to ensure that the prisoners were taken out of that building,” the Prison Director said. However their efforts failed. Apart from some trauma and slight scalding, no Prison Officer suffered any serious injury. Meanwhile, Superintendent Pilgrim acknowledged that overcrowding was a major issue at the Camp Street location, a sentiment echoed by Minister Ramjattan. The media was told that Guyana’s main prison was build to accommodate 600
inmates but is presently housing 984. The Capital ‘A’ Block was holding 68 persons up to yesterday morning. Ramjattan said that the administration will be seeking ways to have prisoners’ matters heard quicker and in a timely manner, even if it means engaging the judiciary, magistracy and the Director of Public Prosecutions. “This is a bugbear that could cause vexations,” said the Public Security Minister, who served as a prominent defence attorney before becoming a part of the present Cabinet.
Female local govt. candidates tout... (From page 28) happy to lead the way. She said a major part of her campaign is educating women on their role in local governance and showing them why they should vote on March 18. Dr. Stewart indicated that apart from improving the environment, she had noticed a need for health centres, community centres and mentorship for youths. “I don’t have promises but I do have a plan,” she asserted, indicating that once in office she would carry out an analysis of issues affecting the neighbourhoods and then prioritise them. She said it is important to involve the people in making decisions for their own communities, and therefore she vowed to engage residents every four months on issues troubling them. She said fervently, “This is not about me; it is about the people.” So once elected, she affirmed she would listen to the people, prioritise the issues and advocate on their behalf. “It is about improving the quality of these people’s lives,” she added. When questioned about challenges encountered on
the road to Election Day, Stewart stated that many people believe that local governance was solely about fixing the drainage situation. She said it is a tedious task educating them that there is much more to it. Regardless, Stewarts plans to focus more on creating health centres and community centres for her constituency, along with after school programmes for the youths. It is significant, she said, that youths are meaningfully occupied after school hours instead of just going to lessons. She has plans for playgrounds, skill programmes, and sports for the youths in these neighbourhoods. She stated that statistics prove that when children are involved in afterschool activities they are less prone to engaging in unlawful activities. She said there is also a need for the formation of a safe space for the elderly in these communities since most of them are neglected and mistreated. Similarly, Jarvis-Monfort also outlined plans to improve healthcare and foster youth development. She stated that the communities in her constituency are depressed
neighbourhoods, and so once elected she would have to battle with a lot of social issues. “We face unemployment, single parenting and a whole lot of other issues, but we will address it all and engage the people as we move along,” she declared. She said most of these communities suffer from squatting and overcrowding. “There is flooding, poor drainage, and health problems and so once elected we will address these issues,” she said. She also promised transparency. Both Stewart and JarvisMonfort are members of the Guyanese Women’s Roundtable, a women’s group that advocates for women’s rights. Recently, the group voiced their concerns that women are failing to exercise their rights to partake in the decision-making process of the country. They indicated that women should build some confidence and move away from being the elector to being a nominee.
Active member Roslyn Wade had said: “Women in Guyana are the majority of voters, yet we fail to exercise our franchise thus reducing our capacity to leverage our power to change our lives and the lives of our families.” She stated that the group, though limited by time, seeks to increase the number of women from various communities who are actively informed by and engaged in, local government decisionmaking. She also noted that the GWR believes that it is necessary that officials create a more inclusive municipal decision-making system, which includes the participation of women from different communities in advisory committees, local agencies, boards, and commissions. She further asserted that it is just as significant for women to demand a space at the decision-making table and not sit “idly by as decisions are made that affect their lives and the lives of their grand and great grandchildren”.
From page 30
EDUCATIONAL Easter 2016 Offer: Computerize Accounting, 4 courses, QuickBooks, Peachtree, POS, Excel 2016 $35,000 @ Micrographics, Vreed-en-Hoop. Call: 2643057 Easter 2016 Offer: Register now – 9 Courses, office 2016, windows 8/10 @ Micrograhics, Vreed-enHoop. Call: 264-3057 PROPERTY FOR SALE Property @ prime location 18 Acres, suitable for house lots/farming @ Independence St. W.B.D, any reasonable offer accepted. Call: 675-0506; 663-0753 House & land at Windsor Forest -$15M. Call: 6426664 Furnished 6 bedrooms house with attic, 4 self contained bedrooms located @ Anna Catherina, New Housing Scheme. Call: 611-5354; 6154728 1 -Two storey concrete building @ Eccles Exora Avenue: 4 bedrooms, 1 master room, 50X30feet $60M. negotiable – Call: 6724190 Brand new 2 storey concrete building in 5th Avenue, Diamond, E.B.D, all modern amenities –Call: 662-9335; 612-3244
PROPERTY FOR SALE Transport property located @ Rosignol W.B.B: 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, fully furnished. Call: 679-3496; 602-6333; 330-2576; 699-4689 (motivated settler) 4 Bedrooms with washroom & bath @ 138 Uitvlugt, Ocean View, W.C.D -$7.5M – Call: 664-9998; 609-0514 House & land located @ 2nd Avenue; Section ‘A’ Block Diamond, Housing Scheme. Price negotiable. Call: 6749266; 622-1458 Newly built 3 bedrooms flat concrete property 22ftX48ft, land 50X90ft @ Vision Garden Versailles, W.B.D -$11M. Call: 616-0111 Property @ Lot 87 Albert Street- Call: 669- 8701 House for sale with 3 bedrooms upper & bottom flat, @ Lot 153 Green Acres, Stadium Road- Call: 681-7366 Church and 2 storey building Lot 180 Charlotte Street Bourda-Call: 2276817; 624-7341 Transported property @ Grove $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461 Property at Lot 173 Diamond Housing Scheme, E.B.D- 5 bedrooms; 2 storey- Call: 681-5790 Property @ 650 Section ‘A’ Block Great Diamond East Bank Demerara. Call: 2254792; 609-1114
The Guyana Teachers’ Union clears... From page 4 so that their tuition can be paid for them? The majority of our teachers cannot afford to pay tuition as you can see from the salary breakdown I have given. 5. The Union asking for more Duty Free Concessions and higher CC should not be seen as an issue as we are made to believe by the letter writer. Presently only Headteachers and Deputy headteachers enjoy a one off Duty Free Concession. Having more concessions given will make way for those persons who may never attain the position of head or deputy since many persons currently holding those positions are very young. Opportunities will now be given to Heads of Department and Senior Masters/ Mistresses to acquire a duty
free. The higher CC will enable teachers to be treated like any other person who receive duty free. Our students who go to Cuba for six years upon their return irrespective of what area they study receive duty free every three years of 2700cc, so what is wrong with us teachers receiving same. 6. In order to better serve teachers as a Union, officers must be released for more than one day. In fact the president of the Union who holds such a critical position must be full time so that union activities and attendance of meeting will not be hindered. In the Caribbean all Union Presidents and General Secretaries are released on a full time basis to better serve their membership. If we want GTU to be more effective and supportive of our teachers and the educa-
tion system we must have officers available. 7. I cannot recall ever attending any activity organized by GTU where cheese roll and pine tart thrill was given to teachers. GTU has always catered lavishly for its members when an organised activity is planned centrally. 8. It is common knowledge that the letter writer is contesting this election as a presidential candidate and therefore attempts to tarnish the good reputation of an organization that has served Guyana’s teachers for over one hundred years (100). How can someone obsessed with the Presidency of GTU denigrate the very organization he hopes to lead one day. It is unfortunate how far some people will go to satisfy their obsession. The real greedy and selfish indi-
vidual in this case is Anthony Nedd the anonymous letter writer. 9. I conclude my letter by saying the GTU is bigger than any of its members hence, no attempt must be made by any of its members present or past to bring it to its knees. Colleagues we must join in asking the true Anthony Nedd to show himself because we all know who he is. Teachers we must condemn his cowardly, selfish and greedy attempt to bring this noble, professional and longstanding organization into disrepute. 10. We must all respect and accept the decision of teacher through the voting exercise and recognize that “long live GTU, long live trade unionism” Mark Lyte President, GTU
Page 32
Kaieteur News
Friday March 04, 2016
Friday March 04, 2016
Kaieteur News
Page 33
Chain-snatcher shot dead while robbing cop
Republican Romney calls Trump ‘a fraud,’ creates pathway to brokered convention Reuters - Former U.S. presidential candidate Mitt Romney attacked 2016 Republican front-runner Donald Trump as “a fraud” yesterday and called for targeted voting to stop the outspoken New York billionaire, potentially opening the door to a brokered party convention in July. In an unusually harsh speech, party elder Romney warned that former reality TV star Trump would likely lose to possible Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton in the Nov. 8 election if he becomes the Republican nominee. Trump’s rise has split the Republican Party between mainstream figures like Romney, and Trump supporters who complain the party does not reflect their concerns about illegal immigration, the slow economic recovery and what they see as America’s diminishing role in the world. That split widened when Romney, the party nominee in 2012, urged Republican primary voters to vote tactically in different states to back Trump’s opponents and block his path to the nomination. “Here’s what I know.
who succumbed at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. The Police Office of Professional Responsibility is conducting investigations into the incident.
- Granger stresses diplomatic initiative
Mitt Romney Donald Trump is a phoney, a fraud,” said Romney, 68, who did not endorse any candidate. “I would vote for Marco Rubio in Florida, for John Kasich in Ohio, and for Ted Cruz or whichever one of the other two contenders has the best chance of beating Mr. Trump in a given state,” he said. Rubio is a U.S. senator from Florida and Kasich is the Ohio governor. By calling for targeted voting, Romney was setting up the possibility of a contested convention when Republicans gather in Cleveland in mid-July to select their
nominee for the November election to succeed Democratic President Barack Obama. That could create a pathway to deny Trump the 1,237 delegates needed for nomination. The last Republican convention to go beyond one ballot was in 1948 when Thomas Dewey was nominated. “I think the governor is just being realistic about where things stand and advocating a potential strategy that could stop the Trump nomination,” said former Romney spokesman Ryan Williams.
Dilma Rousseff “Apocryphal, selective and illegal leaks should be repudiated and rigorously investigated because they undermine the law, justice and truth,” she said.
If confirmed, the IstoE revelations would complicate efforts by Rousseff, already grappling a deep recession and political gridlock, to weather the kickback probe that has toppled dozens of corporate executives and drawn ever closer to her inner circle. Amaral said in a statement he could not vouch for the authenticity of documents cited by IstoE, but did not deny seeking leniency from prosecutors in return for information. Allegations that kickbacks were used to finance Rousseff’s 2014 re-election campaign are at the centre of a judicial effort to annul her victory. Her campaign strategist is in jail on the suspicion he was paid with graft money.
Syrian truce fragile but holding overall - U.N. envoy Reuters - Syria’s cessation of hostilities is holding but remains fragile after six days in which incidents have been contained in the provinces of Homs, Hama, Latakia and Damascus, U.N. Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura said yesterday. De Mistura said that his
ing a l o n g R o b b S t r e e t when the suspect, Sherwin Monka, attacked him and took away his gold chain. The rank, the holder of a licenced firearm, shot Monka
GDF expands base to better defend Guyana
Brazil’s Rousseff attacks leaks after corruption allegations Reuters - Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff lashed out yesterday at the leaking of testimony to the media after a newsweekly published allegations linking her and her mentor, ex-President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, to a giant graft probe roiling Brazil. The magazine IstoE reported that ruling party Senator Delcidio Amaral, a key legislative ally for Rousseff before he was arrested in November, allegedly tied the president and her predecessor to the scandal engulfing state oil company Petrobras in a 400-page statement made to prosecutors. In a communiqué issued by her office, Rousseff condemned the widespread use of leaks as a political weapon.
An Albouystown man was shot dead at around 07.30hrs yesterday by a policeman he had allegedly tried to rob. A police release stated that the policeman was walk-
office was working closely with Russia and the United States to investigate any fighting and “to quickly intervene in order to make sure that the parties on the ground defuse the situation”. “Unfortunately we have to admit - like in every cessation of hostilities or ceasefire and in particular in this one -
there are still a number of places where fighting has continued, including parts of Hama, Homs, Latakia and Damascus. “The situation therefore could be summarised as fragile, success is not guaranteed but progress has been visible, ask the Syrians,” de Mistura told reporters in Geneva.
President David Granger said, yesterday, that Guyana's national defence strategy over the next four years must incorporate steps, in concert with regional partners, to address the security threats facing the Caribbean. The President made these assertions in his address, to the opening of the Guyana Defence Force's (GDF) Annual Officers' Conference at Base Camp Ayanganna. The two-day event is being held under the theme, “Towards greater operational readiness for national defence and security”. “Guyana is an integral member of the Caribbean Community. The Community is at the core of Guyana's security strategy. Guyana is a partner in the promotion of regional peace and security…The coordination of foreign policy in the Caribbean Community is central to our defence strategy,” Presi-
dent Granger said. Referencing the recently concluded Inter-sessional Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government, the President said that as a collective, the Caribbean Community agreed on a protocol to amend the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas to incorporate the Council for National Security and Law Enforcement (CONSLE) as an Organ of the Community and the Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) as an Institution of the Community. “Guyana must be a reliable partner in the cause of regional security and in ensuring that the Caribbean remains a zone of peace…Our strategy must emphasise that Guyana is a 'national' power, but with Regional interests. It must ensure that national independence is preserved, sovereignty is secured and its territorial integrity is guaranteed,” the Head of State said.
DIPLOMACY Over the past 50 years, diplomacy has been Guyana's first line of defence, a strategy that continues to yield dividends. Only recently, CARICOM Heads issued a Communique reaffirming their unequivocal support for the maintenance and preservation of Guyana's sovereignty and territorial integrity. A similar statement of support was issued by the Commonwealth at its Heads of Government Meeting in November last year in Malta. “Guyana, a small state, has used its diplomatic might to garner support for its efforts to deter aggression, safeguard its territorial integrity and secure the cooperation of the international community. It has successfully suppressed internal insurrection,” he said. Through diplomacy, Guyana (continued on page 26)
North Korea leader orders military to be ready to use nuclear weapons at any time Reuters - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered his country to be ready to use its nuclear weapons at any time and to turn its military posture to “pre-emptive attack” mode in the face of growing threats from its enemies, official media said yesterday. The comments carried by official KCNA news agency marked a further escalation of tension on the Korean peninsula after the U.N. Security Council imposed harsh new sanctions against the isolated state for its nuclear programme. Kim made the comments as he supervised the exercise of newly developed multiple rocket launchers, KCNA reported. It did not mention the date of the drills but said the new weapons had South Korea within range. Kim said North Korea should “bolster up (its) nuclear force both in quality and quantity” and stressed “the need to get the nuclear warheads deployed for national defence always on standby so as to be fired any moment,” KCNA quoted him as saying. “Now is the time for us to convert our mode of
Kim Jong Un military counteraction toward the enemies into an preemptive attack one in every aspect.” North Korea has previously threatened pre-emptive attacks on its enemies including South Korea, Japan and the United States. Military experts doubt it has developed the capability to fire a long-range missile with a miniaturised warhead to deliver a nuclear weapon as far as the United States yet.
North Korea yesterday launched several projectiles off its coast into the sea that flew up to 150 kilometres (90 miles), South Korea’s defence ministry said, an apparent response to new sanctions imposed by the United Nations this week. The U.N. Security Council passed a unanimous resolution on Wednesday dramatically expanding sanctions on North Korea following its fourth nuclear test on Jan. 6 and a long-range rocket launch on Feb. 7. South Korean President Park Geun-hye yesterday repeated a stern warning against the North to abandon its nuclear ambitions and said should would work to “end tyranny” by the North’s leader. Last month, Seoul suspended the operation of a jointly run factory project with North Korea that had been the rivals’ last remaining venue for regular interaction.
Page 34
Kaieteur News
Friday March 04, 2016
Friday March 04, 2016
Kaieteur News
Sugar Producers Planning To Lobby New Government To Implement Sugar Cess The Gleaner – The General Manager of Jamaica Cane Products Sales Limited Karl James says local sugar producers will continue to lobby the new government to impose the controversial cess on imported sugar as soon as the new agriculture minister is announced. James says the imposition of the cess will protect local producers of sugar. He has dismissed claims made by president of Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association Metry Seaga that talks of the sugar cess are dead. Wednesday Seaga said his organisation had scheduled a meeting with Andrew Holness, but had no plans to raise the issue of the cess. Seaga said the cess talks have died a natural death and his organisation still has no intentions of paying the tax on imported sugar. However, James says
Karl James Seaga’s statements are misleading and are a ploy to make people forget about the much needed cess on imported sugar. The sugar cess became a controversial topic last year, when former Agriculture Minister Derrick Kellier announced plans to impose a tax of US$35.
This would make refined imported sugar more expensive, forcing producers to purchase locally made brown sugar. However, the issue was met with staunch resistance from private sector groups who say the cess on imported sugar would make their businesses less competitive.
EBC chairman gave go-ahead for voting extension in Trinidad PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad — Then chairman of the Election and Boundaries Commission (EBC) Norbert Masson, with approval of two commissioners, gave instructions to extend, by one hour, the time allotted for voting in the September 7 general election in Trinidad. In agreement with Masson’s proposal to extend the polls by one hour were commissioners Mark Ramkerrysingh and Dr Noel Kalicharan. The EBC is comprised of a chairman and four commissioners, Newsday reported. The decision to extend the polls was summarised in an affidavit filed by the EBC in response to election petition challenges filed by the opposition United National Congress (UNC). In all, three affidavits were filed in the EBC’s defence, Newsday noted. According to the affidavit of EBC legal officer Fern Narcis-Scope, she provided figures representing the margin of victory in disputed constituencies of St Joseph, Tunapuna, La Horquetta/ Talparo, Moruga/ Tableland, San Fernando West and Toco/Sangre Grande. According to the document, the margin of victory in the constituencies, all won by People’s National Movement
candidates, were 1,633 votes (St Joseph); 3,615 (Tunapuna); 2,822 (La Horquetta/Talparo); 533 (Moruga/Tableland); 3,310 (San Fernando West) and 3,904 (Toco/Sangre Grande). Also providing an affidavit in defence was EBC communications manager Dominic Hinds. According to Hinds, he received a call from NarcisScope at 5 pm on September 7, informing him that members of the commission had decided to extend voting time by one hour due to adverse weather conditions. Hinds said he received instructions to draft a media release which was later sent via email to various media houses at 5.22 pm. Returning officer for the Toco/Sangre Grande electoral district David Warner, said he learnt of the extension of time shortly after 5 pm, on election day. He said before 6 pm, all but one presiding officer for the electoral district to which he was assigned, were contacted and informed of the extension. According to Narcis-Scope, the decision to extend the time by one hour in Trinidad came after Masson and a team of EBC officials visited several polling stations just after midday. The group was immobilised at a Tacarigua
polling station because of torrential rains and they received information that voting had stopped at the polling station in Oropune that consisted of three tents, which collapsed because of high wind and showers. She also noted that the team received several calls of voter mobility being hampered by inclement weather and unusually heavy traffic in the polling districts of Port-of-Spain South, Toco/Sangre Grande, St Augustine, Tunapuna and St Joseph. There were also reports of flooding at the polling stations at the Cedros Community Centre and St Crispin’s Primary School in Woodbrook, which was inundated with as much as eight inches of rain. Narcis-Scope said there were no reports relayed that there were similar problems in Tobago. In November, last year the Court of Appeal, in a majority ruling, threw out a challenge from the People’s National Movement (PNM) and the EBC of Justice Mira Dean-Armorer’s decision to grant the UNC permission to pursue the petitions. The UNC has argued that the decision to extend the polls by one hour was illegal. Hearing of the petitions will take place from June 27 to 30. (Caribbean News)
Page 35
Page 36
Kaieteur News
South African court rejects Pistorius right to appeal murder conviction
Oscar Pistorius arrives at the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, South Africa for a bail hearing, December 8, 2015. Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko South Africa’s Constitutional Court yesterday rejected Olympian Oscar Pistorius’ right to appeal against his conviction for the murder of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. The Supreme Court of Appeal changed the 29year-old’s conviction to
murder in December after the state prosecutors appealed the athlete’s prior conviction of culpable homicide in the Pretoria High Court. South African authorities had challe n g e d Pistorius’ appeal on the grounds that the Supreme
Court of Appeal had correctly found Pistorius guilty. The athlete, nicknamed “Blade Runner” because of the prosthetic legs he uses to race, had filed papers to appeal against his conviction at the Constitutional Court, the country’s highest court, on January 11. ”We can confirm that Oscar Pistorius’ leave to appeal has been denied,” National Prosecuting Authority spokesman Luvuyo Mfaku told Reuters. Anneliese Burgess, the Pistorius’ family spokeswoman, said she had just heard the news and would issue a statement after consul t i n g w i t h t h e family. Tania Koehn, the lawyer for the Steenkamp f a m i l y, t o l d l o c a l T V news channel eNCA that they felt that: “The law must take its course.” “They don’t want to comment any further,” she added. Pistorius shot and killed Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day in 2013, and has spent the last few months under house arrest at his uncle’s home in Pretoria while awaiting his appeal. Pistorius now faces a minimum 15-year jail sentence for the murder of his girlfriend. It is likely that a date for Pistorius’ sentencing could be set on April 18, when he was due to appear in court to give an update on his appeal at the constitutional court. (Reuters)
Friday March 04, 2016
Diamond League loses New York meeting, adds Rabat Athletics’s most prestigious one-day series, the Diamond League, is losing its New York meeting with Rabat, Morocco, replacing it, the IAAF said yesterday. Rabat will become the first African city to participate in the 14meeting series, which offers cash prizes at the end of the season for each discipline, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) said. Organizers of the Adidassponsored New York competition say they plan instead to conduct a street event featuring distance and sprint races along with field events such as the pole vault and long jump. ”We believe that changing our focus to a street meet is one way to make the event attractive to a younger audience.” Mark Wetmore, director of the meeting, said in a statement. The loss leaves the United States, athletics’ top team and most sought after market, with just one Diamond League meeting, the Nike-
sponsored Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon. It comes at a time when the scandal-plagued IAAF is trying to build interest in the sport in the United States by holding its world indoor championships in Portland, Oregon, this month and the 2021 outdoor championships in Eugene. Adidas’s chief executive said yesterday the company was monitoring how world athletics was dealing with a doping scandal while its sponsorship deal still runs, dismissing reports it had terminated the contract. An independent commission of the World Anti-Doping Agency found Russia had engaged in widespread, statesponsored doping and former IAAF president Lamine Diack is under investigation by French authorities after being accused of a cover-up in return for bribes. His family have dismissed the allegations. Russia is suspended from in-
ternational athletics and its track and field team will miss August’s Rio Olympics unless it is reinstated. The New York meeting, a charter member of the Diamond League, had been scheduled for June. ”We’ll aim to carry the momentum we’ve established with the adidas Grand Prix into an event that further supports our brand strategy,” Adrian Leek, general manager of Adidas running, said in a statement. Street events have been popular in Europe with the City Games in Manchester, England, attracting top athletes including world 100m record holder Usain Bolt. Rabat’s Meeting International Mohammed VI will be held on May 22. ”This is a proud moment for our country’s athletics community and for the international reputation of Moroccan sport in general,” meeting director Abdeslam Ahizoune said. (Reuters)
Friday March 04, 2016 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You may have the energy to clear up that mound of paperwork facing you. You can make amends by taking them somewhere special. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Be cautious when dealing with coworkers. You can make new friends by taking part in social events involving colleagues. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You will meet some interesting people if you attend promotional functions. You may find yourself in a predicament with family members. Love relationships will flourish. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Things are looking up. Avoid any intimate involvement's with coworkers or employers. Don't get upset. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You might be overly emotional concerning situations at work. You can come into money; however, perhaps not under the best circumstances. Try to mix business with pleasure while traveling. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You must take care of health problems that have been lingering. You may feel a need to make changes to your legal documents. You may find that you can be the recipient of
valuable information if you're willing to be a good listener. LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Focus on using your creative abilities in other ways. Problems with skin, bones, or teeth may mess up your schedule. This could be a serious relationship. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Don't let others put unreasonable demands on you. Don't let any money slip through your fingers today. SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) Involvement with prestigious organizations will be to your advantage. Pamper yourself for a change. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Expect problems with settlements that you are trying to resolve. Your fun loving approach will be admired and appreciated by others. Don't exaggerate. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Try not to be so demonstrative. If you haven't already, consider starting your own business. Make those phone calls and pay your bills. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Depression may result if you don't get to do things your own way. Hobbies will be good for your emotional well being.
Friday March 04, 2016
Kaieteur News
CFU Club Championship Group 4
Action in the Arnett Gardens Arnett Gardens FC of Jamaica defeated America FC of Haiti 3-0 when both sides met in the first Group 4 encounter in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on Wednesday. Single tallies from Michealos Martin (48’),
Vishinul Harris (70’) and Kemal Malcolm (86’) paved the way for the Jamaicans to earn three points. Also playing in the Dominican Republic home team Club Atletico Pantoja beat SV Notch (Suriname) 3-0 on the
strength of goals by Diego Rebollo (12’) and a double by Luis Espinnal (64 and 83’). Play resumes today when SV Notch meet Arnett Gardens and Club Atletico Panotoja face America FC.
Alonso and Hamilton hit out at ‘broken F1’
Page 37
PCB threatens pulling out of World T20 The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has threatened pulling out of the World Twenty20 if they did not get a clear message about the security situation from the Indian government. Shaharyar Khan, the PCB chairman, called for India to publicly acknowledge Pakistan’s participation in the tournament and to also promise full security to their cricket team. The Pakistan government had initially granted the PCB permission to play in India, but the board has decided to put the visit on hold until they are guaranteed foolproof security. The PCB’s move was prompted after the Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh had expressed his state government’s difficulty in providing security for the India-Pakistan clash in Dharamsala, on March 19. ”We have concerns and the threats are Pakistan-specific. Even now, the Himachal Pradesh chief minister has also said that they will not guarantee the security,” Shaharyar said during a press conference at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. “We have been informing the ICC on a daily basis about these threats which is not encouraging for us. ”Although our government has already given permission, these latest threats need to be taken seriously. Political parties like Shiv Sena
PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan ©AFP [threatened us], now even the Congress has also said they will not let us play along with some other groups. Those are the ones creating agitation.” It has been reported that Virbhadra, who heads the Congress government in the northern state, wrote to the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) saying that the match should not be played in Dharamsala. Virbhadra’s concerns were regarding the prevailing local sentiment in Himachal over recent terrorist attacks in Pathankot, which lies close to the Pakistan border near the intersection of the states of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir. ”We have told the ICC that there is only one step that the Indian government needs to take and that is to issue a public statement that they are ready to welcome Pakistan
and ensure full security for our team, which hasn’t come as yet,” Shaharyar said. ”We have already been given permission [to travel] and we want to come, but we need reassurance and they should give a statement that will create a sense of security among us. I spoke to the BCCI and they are giving us a private assurance, claiming that it’s all about internal politics, nothing else, and that Pakistan should come. ”But a public statement is important and it should come, as there are threats and we can see them. We have written to the ICC that they should come forward and we’ve asked the Indian government to assure us and give a statement. If they won’t give the statement, then I see it’s very difficult to go to India. There is no deadline in making the decision but we will have to monitor till the end and can even pull out at the eleventh hour.” Pakistan are currently in Bangladesh, where they failed to qualify for the final of the ongoing Asia Cup. They are set to return to Lahore on March 5. Nisar Ali Khan, Pakistan’s interior minister, said that a report about the team’s visit to India will be presented to the Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif after consulting with Shaharyar. (ESPNcricinfo)
Dates and Matchups Set for 2015-16 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League Semifinals Fernando Alonso Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso, two drivers with five world titles between them, portrayed Formula One yesterday as a ‘broken’ sport burdened with over-complicated rules and uncertain where it was heading. Hamilton, who can win a third successive title with Mercedes this season and the fourth of his career, was asked during pre-season testing whether he felt the sport was broken, lacking direction or healthy. ”I would probably say the first two,” he told a news conference. “I don’t want to say too much about it, but I do agree with the first two.” With the opening race of the 2016 championship in Australia little more than two weeks away, the sport has yet to decide what format qualifying will be this season and when any new version might be introduced. A change was announced last week but commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone said the necessary software could not be ready in time for Melbourne. Team managers
then agreed a further change, with a knock-out system for the first two phases but reverting to the old format for the last one. That has yet to be accepted by the governing FIA, however. ”It was fine, it was okay. Why confuse people more,” Hamilton said of the proposed qualifying switch to an elimination format. There is also uncertainty over future rules, with an attempt to reach agreement for 2017 — when cars are supposed to be faster, more aggressive and harder to handle — kicked down the road for further discussion. ’HALO’ PROTECTION Much of the talk at the Circuit de Catalunya on Thursday was about a proposed new ‘halo’ cockpit head protection device being trialed on Kimi Raikkonen’s Ferrari. Hamilton made his views clear on Instagram: “Please no! This is the worst looking mod (modification) in Formula One history,” he said. ”I appreciate the quest for safety but this is Formula One and the way it is now is perfectly fine,” added the 31-
Lewis Hamilton year-old Briton. Alonso, a double world champion who endured a nightmare season with McLaren last year, told reporters separately that he felt ‘sad’ for the sport and the direction it had taken with the qualifying change. “It’s sad. I am sad,” said the Spaniard. ”I am sad for the sport... it doesn’t look right from outside when in one week we change the qualifying format three times,” he added. “If I was... from another sport, I would look at Formula One a bit surprised. I don’t think it’s right... too many changes, and the complexity of the rules, also for the spectators, is quite high.” Alonso said his friends wanted to watch big battles, fast cars, big tyres, plenty of noise and clear rules. Instead they were baffled by the complexities of the hybrid energy storage systems and a baffling range of tyre choices and compounds. “Things like that... it’s normal they switch off the television,” he said. (Reuters)
Miami – The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) has confirmed the schedule and matchups for the 201516 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League semifinals. The two compelling home-and-away semifinal series feature showdowns between leading Liga MX sides, with knockout round top-seed Club America battling Santos Laguna, while Tigres UANL and Gallos Blancos de Queretaro will face off on the other side of the draw. The action will kick off o n Tu e s d a y, M a r c h 1 5 , when Gallos Blancos host Tigres in the Estadio Corregidora in Queretaro. The next day Club Santos Laguna hosts Club America at the Estadio Corona in Torreon in the opener of that series. Return-leg action finishes with a double header on Tuesday, April 5. Tigres face Gallos Blancos in Monterrey for one ticket to
t h e f i n al of the 2015/16 CONCACAF Champions League. The other finalist will be decided at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City where Club America and Santos Laguna conclude their series. The two semifinal winners will meet in the two-leg CONCACAF Champions League Final, with the two games to be played on April 20 and April 27, 2016. Start times for all semifinal matches will be announced in coming days. The winner of the 2015-16 CONCACAF Champions earns a prized ticket to the FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2016. 2015-16 SCOTIABANK CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – CHAMPIONSHIP STAGE *start times for all semifinal matches to be announced in coming days SEMIFINALS 1st Leg Tuesday, March 15, 2016 Gallos Blancos de Queretaro vs. Club Tigres de la Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon — Estadio Corregidora, Queretaro, Mexico
Wednesday, March 16, 2016 Club Santos Laguna vs. Club de Futbol America S.A. de C.V. – Estadio Corona, Torreon, Mexico 2nd Leg Tuesday April 5, 2016 Club Tigres de la Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon vs. Gallos Blancos de Queretaro – Estadio Universitario, Nuevo Leon, Mexico Club de Futbol America S.A. de C.V. vs. Club Santos Laguna – Estadio Azteca, Ciudad de Mexico, D.F., Mexico FINALS 1st Leg – April 20 – Winner Gallos Blancos de Queretaro/Club Tigres de la Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon vs. Winner Club Santos Laguna/Club de Futbol America S.A. de C.V. 2nd Leg – April 27 – Winner Club Santos Laguna/ Club de Futbol America S.A. de C.V. vs. Winner Gallos Blancos de Queretaro/Club Tigres de la Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon
Page 38
Kaieteur News
Yadram’s century, Persaud 5 for hands Georgetown/ Mahaicony NSSCL Elite title
Man-of-the-match Bhaskar Yadram collects his prize from Digicel’s Vidya Sanichara. Opener Bhaskar Yadram struck a fine century while skipper Joshua Persaud grabbed a five-wicket haul to give Georgetown/Mahaicony a 78-run victory over Essequibo when the final of the Elite Stage Guyana Cricket Board/National Secondary Schools league was contested yesterday. The right-handed Yadram hammered a fluent 106 to lead Georgetown/Mahaicony to a challenging 257-8 off 50 overs after they were inserted at Boudra. Yadram added 155 for the first wicket with Sachin Singh to set the foundation for his team before Singh was dismissed by Joel Fortune two shy of a half century. Yadram who timed the ball well clobbered ten fours and
one six before he fell to Fortune after facing 102 balls. Joshua Persaud hit a composed 48, but after he went with the score on 165, Essequibo fought back well, picking up wickets at regular intervals with only Kurt Lovell (17) of the remaining batsmen reaching double figures; Alphius Bookie (02), Christopher Campbell (09), Ashmead Nedd (06) and Mark Baptiste (02) all fell cheaply. Fortune finished with 2-36 while Beesham Moses claimed 2-44, Joshua Jones, Bomesh Ramdahin and Shemar Dusraj claimed a wicket apiece. Pacer Colin Barlow removed Orlando Jailall (06) and Ramdahin (05) to reduce Essequibo to 14-2 before Rayon Venture and
Trevor Collins took the score to 51. Persaud then trapped Collins lbw for eight, but Venture and Randy Rooplall steadied the chase fairly with a half-century stand for the fourth-wicket. The duo batted with maturity as they rotated the strike well in favourable sunshine before Rooplall was needlessly run out after hitting three fours in scoring 23. Venture inched closer to what would have been a well deserved half century, but provided left arm spinner Nedd with a return catch to be dismissed for 48. Joshua Jones cracked three fours before he was caught off Persaud for 38 while Quintin Foster went for 14. Persaud then picked up a few more wickets including that of Beesham Moses who was stumped for 13 off the last ball of the innings as Essequibo were bowled out for 179. Persaud ended with 5-20 off seven overs while Barlow had 2-14. Nedd and Jospice Jones took one each. Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Territorial Development Officer Colin Stuart congratulated the teams and thanked the sponsors. He said that he was satisfied with the skill level of the players and urged them to continue with their training adding that nets will be distributed to some areas shortly. The competition was sponsored by Banks DIH, Digicel and Rainforest Water. (Zaheer Mohamed)
Blairmont CC to host T20 tourney in honour of Roy Fredericks The Blairmont Cricket Club of West Bank Berbice will be hosting a T20 tourn a m e n t i n h o n o u r of former West Indies opening batsman Roy Fredericks on March 19 and 20 under lights. The club recently named its members pavilion after the legendary cricketer and a release stated that the executives will organise several events in respect of their former player for his contribution to cricket development in Berbice, Guyana and the Caribbean. Among the teams set to battle for supremacy are Cot-
ton Tree Die Hard, Young Warriors, Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, Bath Underdogs, Blairmont Blazers, Skeldon Gladiators, West Berbice Super Kings, Black Bush Rangers, Bush Lot Strikers and Lusignan Emperors. Additionally, the club in collaboration with the Berbice Volleyball Association (BVA) will stage a competition which is aimed at resuscitating the sport in the area. There will also be a dominos competition and other attractions from which the proceeds will go towards
the development of the club. The organisation with approval from the Ministry of Education will be h o s t i n g a S p e l l i n g Bee and a Mathematics Quiz competition for Grade Six students in Region five to help them prepare for the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) in the latter part of the year. For more information teams and interested sponsors can contact Shizad Ali (Green’s Massive) on 6275215, Nigel Trotz on 6434289or Shabeer Baksh on 6286767.
Friday March 04, 2016
India crush UAE for
their biggest T20Is win India versus UAE was a no contest. There was precious little intent from the UAE batsmen and all India had to do was go through the motions to gain a nine-wicket victory. It was India’s biggest win in T20Is in terms of balls remaining. There was nothing riding on this game, except perhaps the opportunity for UAE’s batsmen to salvage some pride - putting up 81 for 9 suggests they didn’t accomplish that - and a chance for India to test their bench ahead of the final here and the World T20 back home. Harbhajan Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and debutant Pawan Negi sent down 11 overs and picked up four wickets for only 35 runs between them. MS Dhoni, the India captain, had hoped to bat first at the toss in the hopes of getting his batsmen geared towards setting a total and his side may have felt a little more pressure too. UAE’s seam attack has managed to trouble every team in the tournament so far. Mohammad Naveed lent weight to that when he had Shikhar Dhawan nicking off in his second over, but umpire Sharfuddoula did not spot it. Rohit then got a series of boundaries away to set India on course in their 82-run chase, and even if he did hole out for 39 off 28 balls, it almost ended up helping India because they could give Yuvraj Singh some more time in the middle. He slammed a four to finish on 25 off 14 balls and seal victory with nine wickets and 59 balls to spare. The match was like a lullaby. India, who were asked to bowl, began with two maidens in the first three overs and UAE could only get one run. The usually lively Shere Bangla stadium was fast asleep.
Shikhar Dhawan and Yuvraj Singh sealed the chase for India v UAE ©AFP Bhuvneshwar struck in his second over, getting makeshift opener Swapnil Patil to lob a catch at him. Jasprit Bumrah, from the other end, chipped in with an early wicket as well when he had Mohammad Shahzad, the No. 3 batsman who showed little footwork, edging to second slip. Suresh Raina plucked a simple enough chance over his head, but the next time the ball headed his way, it burst through his grasp. Rohan Mustafa was the batsman flashing outside his off stump, and Bhuvneshwar, the bowler, had conceded his first runs after 13 deliveries. Twenty-six of the first 36 balls - the Powerplay - were dots. And the progression continued: 44 of the first 60 and finally 77 of the entire 120. UAE racked up 72 dot balls against Pakistan on this very pitch on Monday. Negi was brought into the attack in the 13th over and though there was no real pressure on him, he began with a half-tracker that was pulled for a couple. His second ball was a dart down leg that was swiped for four. He managed to get his first international wicket off his fifth ball, though, as Mohammad Usman scooped a catch to Harbhajan at longoff. Negi was there waiting to return the favour in the next over when Harbhajan tempted
Amjad Javed into flicking uppishly towards midwicket. UAE were 57 for 5 in 15 overs. Besides the lack of intent in their batting, UAE betrayed their standing as amateur cricketers with a silly run-out. Fahad Tariq, who came out at No. 7, pushed Negi on to the off side and set off for a single without realising the left-arm spinner only had to move a couple of steps to get to the ball. Shaiman Anwar had seen that and said no, but Tariq had charged too far down to have any hope. An even sillier run-out was in the offing when Mohammad Naveed, unaware the throw was coming towards his end, barely made an attempt to reach his ground. MS Dhoni whipped the bails off and had a rather amused smile on his face as he gestured to his team-mates that Naveed had only plonked his bat down rather than slide it through. The third umpire was called, and replays revealed the tailender had got in by a thin margin. Anwar cobbled together 43 off 48 balls, but he was only one of two batsmen who could manage double-digits and UAE finished their Asia Cup by recording the secondworst total ever in T20Is by any team after batting their full quota of overs and not being all out. (ESPNcricinfo)
SPR Enterprise East Coast cricket
Calcutta beat Paradise by one wicket Calcutta beat Paradise Bachelor ’s Adventure by one wicket at the Paradise ground in the latest round of the SPR Enterprise East Coast cricket on Sunday last. Paradise made 155 off 32 overs with Joel Persaud (31) and Jermaine Martins (22), the main scorers. Calcutta needed 42 to win
with their last pair at the crease; Rass Grandsoult (77) and Kenny Fordyce (22) got them home as Martins’ 5-26 went in vain. The Competition continues this Sunday with Paradise facing Enterprise. Paradise have named an 18-man squad for the game: Jermaine Martins (Captain), Floyd Jones (V/Cap-
tain), C l a u d i u s F r a s e r, Shawn Hasannah, Joel Persaud, Ryan Heywood, Kristoff Nedd, Nickayre Bacchus, Jon a t h o n Crocker, Hakeem Jones, Hakeem Andrews, Stephon Stuart, Matthew Chester, Damion James, Anand Persaud, Edmond Pearson, Anthony Moseley, Leon Alves.
Friday March 04, 2016
Kaieteur News
Page 39
West Indies want to Hetmyer leads Universal DVD Titans improve on fielding to Goodwill Promotions T20 title Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, CMC – West Indies head coach Phil Simmons says his players will use warm-up matches against English County Warwickshire this weekend, to ramp up their fielding arsenal in preparation for the T20 World Cup starting next week in India. West Indies start a twomatch series against Warwickshire today at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium after thrashing Zimbabwe two-nil in a similar series which ended here on Monday. Simmons says he is confident West Indies fielders can once again drive fear in the hearts of opposing batsmen. ”It’s a case of making sure that we get back to a standard where people are afraid us in the field and we have the players that can put that fear into other people in the field,” said Simmons. ”I think we as a unit have to make sure everybody is doing their job and if we can get it to that stage by the 16th then people will be in for a shock”. The Caribbean side displayed solid batting in
Andre Fletcher in the nets.
their confidence boosting warm-up victories against Zimbabwe. However Simmons expressed some reservations about their fielding especially during their final match against the Zimbabweans where catches were dropped. ”Think we need to make sure that we are in the field, that we are getting to the ball and we are hitting stumps and things like that,” he said. “We dropped a few catches today…but we got to make sure that we are doing everything right by the time we leave here”. The former West Indies all-rounder says he was impressed with the unbeaten century stand for the first
wicket between Johnson Charles and Andre Fletcher which led them to a 10 wicket victory against Zimbabwe on Monday. He says competition for Chris Gayle’s opening spot is healthy for the regional side. ”This was a much better wicket than two days ago and they showed what they are capable of doing,” said Simmons. “They are both in a way fighting for a spot as Chris Gayle has to come in so it’s good for them to show what they have and for us to know that if Chris is not there that we still have people who can do the job up top”. West Indies are also scheduled to play warm-up matches against India and Australia next week.
Budhan Horserace Meet on this Sunday at No. 66 Village Over three million in cash and trophies are up for grabs this Sunday when the Budhan Memorial Turf C l u b ’s g r a n d o n e - d a y Horserace Meet comes off at the Club’s racing track, N u m b e r 6 6 Vi l l a g e Corentyne Berbice. Seven exciting races are carded for the day with action set to gallop off at 13:00hrs. The day’s activities will be headlined by the JI and
lower race which will feature some of the Country’s top horses vying for the $250,000 prize according to Race Officials Compton Sancho and Roopnarine Matadial. The likes of Red Regent, Liquid Lion, Plain Land, Little Blue Lighting, M a s s a p i q U A D o c t o r, Qunicy Up Front and others will be in the reckoning. Other races slated for the day are Three year-old
Guyana Bred horses, J3 and Lower, K and Lower, L and Lower and unclassified as well as non winners. Matadial said the track is in excellent condition and all systems are in place for a grand day of competition. All rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority will be enforced. More information on the meet can be had from club President, Neville Budhan on 338-2283.
Providence overcome Herstelling A Providence defeated Herstelling A by four wickets when play in the East Bank Demerara Cricket Association (EBDCA) 50-over tournament continued on Sunday. At Laluni, Herstelling A was bowled out for 179 in 24.4 overs, taking first strike. Rickey Sergeant struck 78, Antonio Anthony 28 and Anand Bharat 22.
Brentnal Ross and Quincy Grimmond claimed four wickets each as Providence responded with 180-6 in 19.1 overs. Terrence De Cunha slammed 61, Grimmond 45 and Lennoz Andrews 26. Bharat had 2-15. At Farm, Eccles overcame Silverbullet by 33 runs. Batting first, Eccles amassed 222 all out in 38
overs. Kevlin Singh scored 54, Daniel Barker 36 and Kapil Dev 28; Shak Wong captured 4-25 and Colin Benjamin 2-25. Silverbullet were bowled out for 189 in 36 overs in reply. Raymond Mitchell cracked 58, Gary Ragnauth 28 and Melroy Gomes 22. Barker grabbed 4-17 and E. Rodrigues 3-23.
Led by successful West Indies Under-19 Captain Shimron Hetmyer Universal DVD Titans registered a sixwicket victory over Essequibo X1 when the final of the West Berbice Cricket Association/Goodwill Promotion T20 tournament was contested recently at Albion. Hetmyer hammered 64 off 40 deliveries to lead his team to 135-4 off 14 overs in response to Essequibo’s 1349. Hetmyer blasted five fours and three sixes and got support from Joshua Ramsammy who hit 42 from 20 balls. Akeem Green and Joshua Safeek took two wickets each. Earlier Essequibo innings was built around
Shimron Hetmyer Ricardo Peters who scored 24, Kevin Boodie 23 and Anthony Adams 21. G. Singh claimed 3-28, Jamal La Fleur 2-14 and Eon Hooper 2-22. In earlier games, Titans whipped West Berbice by70 runs. Titans took first strike and posted 163-7 with
Romario Sheppard and Eon Hooper scoring 29 apiece; R. Mitchell picked up four wickets. West Berbice were bowled out for 93 in reply. Troy Halley made 34 and Keith Fraser 18. Eon Hooper and Shawn Pereira captured three wickets each. Essequibo beat Georgetown by 87 runs. Batting first, Essequibo rattled up 147 all out. Kemol Savory struck seven fours and one six in scoring 72 off 53 balls. Ronaldo Mohamed picked up three wickets and Sherfene Rutherford two. Georgetown were skittled for 60 in 14.3 overs in reply. Mohamed made 16 as S. Persaud snared three scalps while J. Shakeer and R De Freitas had two each.
Page 40
Kaieteur News
Friday March 04, 2016
Emanie Netball Club extends deepest sympathy to Dyer-McCarthy family Tributes continue to pour in for former national netballer Angeline DyerMcCarthy, who passed away on Tuesday following a brief illness. Yesterday, Kaieteur Sport solicited comments from University of Guyana Sports Organiser Lavern Fraser about the late DyerMcCarthy, who would have played her entire career with her both as a member of the national team and Emanie Netball Club. According to Fraser, McCarthy started playing netball at age 12 when she was then a student of St. G e o r g e ’s C o m m u n i t y High. Fraser added that because of her ability and accuracy at scoring goals, it set her apart from the other netball goal scorers. The former Captain of the national team disclosed that Dyer-McCarthy first represented Guyana in 1998
at the Caribbean Netball Championship in St Lucia and remained a member of the national set up until 2011, the last year of Guyana’s participation in the regional event. Fraser further informed that Dyer-McCarthy was a founder member of the most successful netball team in Guyana (Emanie) and still holds the distinction of being the only goal scorer to net 100 goals in a single game. Dyer-McCarthy’s love for sport was such that she volunteered her services as a table official for basketball games and until her passing was an active member of the Petra Organisation, a Group that organises sports events. Emanie Netball Club wishes to convey its deep condolences to the husband, family and friends of the late Angeline DyerMcCarthy.
Flashback! The late Emanie Netball Club player Angeline Dyer-McCarthy (back row right) poses with teammates following the completion of a competition.
Friday March 04, 2016
Kaieteur News
Page 41
Den Amstel Mash Cup
Uitvlugt Warriors and Pouderoyen book semi-finals slots U i t v l u g t Wa r r i o r s prevailed over Beavers via penalty kicks 4-2 while Pouderoyen needled Stewartville to earn semi final spots in the Den Amstel Mash Cup 2016 which kicked off on Wednesday night last at the Den Amstel Community C e n t r e , We s t C o a s t Demerara. Competition should have gotten underway on Sunday last but the Referee did not give the go ahead citing poor lighting even though the teams had agreed to play despite. Action got underway on Wednesday night but the lights were again a challenge
in the second game between Uitvlugt and Beavers; the northern lights going out with the score locked 0-0. The Referees consulted with the team Captains who agreed that penalty kicks would decide the winner, Uitvlugt prevailed 4-2 on account of goals from Kevin Duke, Carlisle Carroll, Daniel Floy and Shornol Smith. Pouderoyen eaked out a 1-0 win over Stewartville, Addasaffi Skeete rising above the Stewartville defense to head home in the 52nd minute. The club is dedicating the win to the Family of the L a t e A s s i s t a n t Commissioner of Police
Addasaffi Skeete Balram Persaud who was the Pouderoyen FC President. Uitvlugt will face the
This Uitvlugt Warriors player (right) seeks to maintain control against Beavers in their clash with ended in victory for the former. winner of Sunday’s opening match between Bagotville and Eagles in the first semi
Bosai Inter Department 15-over Softball
Maintenance halt operations to claim title
Deon Fox of Maintenance receives the winning trophy from Ms. Audrey Babb of the Bosai Sports Committee in the presence of other players. Plant Maintenance are the Bosai Minerals Group softball cricket Inter Department champions having defeated Plant Operations by 8 runs in the final which was played last Saturday at the Bayrock Community Centre ground. Led by opening batsman Ty r r e l l W i l l i a m s o n ’s swashbuckling 63 (4x4
2x6), Maintenance posted 151-4 off their 15 overs. Ricardo Anderson contributed a solid 46. Plant Operations in reply could only muster 143 falling short by 8 runs with 5 deliveries in the bag. Captain Patrice Rickets tried his best to lead his side to victory by hitting 61 but it was not enough.
Hakeem Franklin made 15 and Keon Austin 11. In the third place game, General Services defeated Mines. Mines struck 115-7 off their 15 overs, Marvin Russell led with 27 and Joseph Lawrence 21. Keiron Fiedtkou took 2-14 for General Services which responded with 116-8 off 11.2 overs.
Jermain Dowden led the victory bid with 41, Wainwright Bethune backed up with 24. Russell picked up 2-32 for Mines. Meanwhile, in semifinal action, Plant Operations defeated General Services by two wickets and Plant Maintenance gained a four wicket win over Mines.
final while Pouderoyen earns a date with the winner of Sunday’s feature clash
between host team Den A m s t e l a n d Wa l e s United.
Courts Guyana Inc. on board E-Networks Cross Fitness Challenge Upbeat about the event’s irrefutable success in its maiden endeavor, Courts (Guyana Inc.) confirmed its support for the March 13 ENetworks Cross-Fitness Challenge after Marketing Manager Pernell Cummings presented a cheque for the sum of $300,000 to Organisers Jordana RamsayGonsalves and Noshavyah King, yesterday, at the Company’s Head Office on Main Street. Cummings, speaking at the occasion told the media that Courts Guyana Inc. has been unwavering in its commitment to contribute to sports in Guyana as well as healthy lifestyles and fitness and was happy to once again be called upon to offer its support. According to Cummings whose entity was on board at the inaugural event, last year ’s experience was exciting and encouraging and the organisers must be praised for bringing such an initiative to Guyana. He added that the Company is certainly glad to be back on board once again and pledged continued support for such projects in an effort to bring value home
to Guyana. The company recently started the year with its healthy living promotion which sought to encourage Guyanese to get fit and be healthy in 2016. It is in keeping with the company’s commitment in the area of healthy living and fitness. The event which is in its second year will comprise of several different exercises to test the athlete’s level of fitness and endurance. Several gyms and individuals active in fitness have already indicated their intentions to be apart with numerous others showing interest. Meanwhile, RamsayGonsalves in her response spoke of how proud and happy they are to have Courts back on board and even happier to hear of some of the products that the Company will have on offer this year. According to RamsayGonsalves, the day will have a packed programme with nine teams confirmed totaling 36 contestants from all across the country. Starting time is 10:00 hrs.
Page 42
Kaieteur News
Friday March 04, 2016
Bakewell Slingerz, GFC, GDF, Fruta Conquerors face off today at GFC
Stag Elite League action at the GFC ground on February 28th between Alpha United and Monedderlust. Stage Elite League Genesis winner Bakewell Slingerz will be going after their third win in as many matches this evening when the Stag Elite League FINALE continues at the Georgetown Football Club ground.
The West Demerara based Slingerz will contest the feature game against the young and energetic Georgetown Football Club which has a loss and a draw in the two matches they have contested to date. Slingerz with a goal
difference of +7 to GFC’s -2 will be fancying their chances of full points as they serge towards another win that will strengthen their bid to win the FINALE as well. Opening play at 18:00hrs will see the 5th placed Guyana Defense Force
coming up against the 3rd placed Fruta Conquerors with both sides going for a win, just a single point separate the two teams, Conquerors on 4. Slingerz has been the most efficient team in terms of goal scoring to date with
GMR&SC ‘National ‘Race of Champions’ Meet
Vieira gearing for battle with young Superstars With his cousins Elloitt and Matthew Vieira holding the Caribbean and local crowns respectively, many feel that the stranglehold that Superbike star Stephen ‘Valentino Rossi’ Vieira once had on the division came to an end in 2015 and it would take nothing short of a herculean effort for him to regain his iron grip. However, speaking with this newspaper yesterday via telephone, the former Caribbean king said he was determined to regain his dominance at the upcoming Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club (GMR&SC) National ‘Race of Champions’ Meet set for March 20, at the South Dakota Circuit. Vieira has confirmed his participation in the Meet and with the event being used to select the national team to represent Guyana at the upcoming opening leg of the Caribbean Motor Racing Championship in Jamaica; it means that apart from the urgency to recapture the aura of being the top racer in the Superbike division, there is also the incentive to qualify for the Guyana team. The local speedster who
eight and their Captain, Tishard Joseph who has two will be aiming to lead his charges to another good performance as they have shown that they have goal hungry players in every corner of the field, seven players (Vurlon Mills, Clive Nobrega, Trayon Bobb, J u l i a n Wa d e , D o m i n i Garnett, Devon Millington) have all scored in the FINALE to date. GFC has just scored single goal in two matches so far and will have to really lift their game in order to keep the rampaging Bakewell boys from baking their
dough. GFC has shown that their young brigade is not afraid to take the attack to any opponent but they lack consistency which comes with experience. The young and exciting Romario Welcome will hope for an inspiring display today for the home team. Jahaul Greaves, Tervon Lythcott, Shaquille Agard and company will be at the helm of Conquerors’ challenge for a win over the Army whose challenge will centre around Olvis Mitchell who has scored both their goals so far.
UDFA First Division League
Topp XX seeking win over Blueberry Hill tonight to wrap up title
Stephen Vieira Super
rides a Suziki GSXR 600cc machine currently holds the lap record at the Jamaica track said he is busy plotting revenge against the young brigade and according to him his campaign to topple them will start later this month. Vieira, who has the existing records on most of the Circuits that the CMRC is staged, is undoubtedly the
most recognizable rider from Guyana. He said it is important that he starts the season on a positive note and his first aim will be to dominate the local Meet, before going on to Jamaica and the other circuits that host the CMRC. ”I know the younger brigade that includes Elliott and Matthew and a few
others will no doubt be ready to battle me for individual supremacy, but I can assure my fans that I will be ready to retake what is rightfully mine.” He urged fans to come out and witness the spectacle that is expected to feature him against the best young riders in the region.
Topp XX can achieve victory of the Upper Demerara Football A s s o c i a t i o n ( U D FA ) Division One League title tonight with a win over Blueberry Hill in their penultimate match of the 2015/16 competition tonight at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground. Eagles United will face Amelia’s Ward Panthers in the other match of the double header. In results from Wednesday night, Net Rockers handed Silver Shattas a crushing 2-1 defeat while Botafago and Hi Stars battled to a 0-0 draw. It means that Shattas hopes for a victory push were dashed with the loss as they remain on 12 points, three adrift of Topp XX which can move to 19 points with a win tonight over bottom of the table Blueberry Hill to seal the championship with one g a m e i n h a n d . However, Federal Winners
Connection (13 points) with two losses, still have a realistic chance of capturing the title, but that hinges on them winning last two matches and Topp XX losing at least of their two remaining matches. In other results recently, Eagles United edged Blueberry Hill 2-1; Allen Halley scored in the 21st and Jesse Marshall the 86th minute for the victors. For Blueberry Hill Elmore George netted in the 41st minute. Marmalaque Davidson’s hat-trick led Federal Winners Connection to a 3-1 come from behind triumph over Milerock. He rocked the nets in the 37th, 64th and 70th minute while Randy Jerome had given Milerock the lead in the 30th minute. Tonight Topp XX face Blueberry Hill and Eagles United come up against Amelia’s Ward Panthers.
Friday March 04, 2016
Kaieteur News
Page 43
Colts road to redemption begins tonight Jets/Bulls faceoff in allLinden feature Colts United will begin their quest for redemption against Block 22 Flames tonight in the opening game of the National Basketball Championships: The Road to Mecca III from 7pm. Game two features an all-Linden encounter with the Mining Town’s number one club, Half Mile Bulls, squaring off with the Amelia’s Ward Jets at 9pm. The Bulls vs. Jets matchup should be entertaining, given that both clubs have similar offensive strategies. However, Bulls, with the sharpshooting, Terron Welch comes in with the advantage with recent wins against Jets. “We got Jets,” Welch told Kaieteur Sport in a recent comment. The Jets will rely
on their all-round team effort while Bulls will feed off of Welch’s ability to either get himself open for the shot or, create his own play where he is just as effective. Jets come into the contest with the Webster brothers and some secret weapons that Coach, Kevin Joseph said he will unleash tonight. Bulls have Travin Dryden and Kevin Eastman to support the national shooting guard, Welch. In the second game,
Terron Welch
Shane Webster
national junior standout Stanton Rose, according to Colts United President, Michael Singh, is the club’s lone inclusion to their roster for the championship. Rose, who hails from Kwakwani, is a valuable addition to the team’s already solid backcourt,
which features national guards, Dave Causway, Shelroy Thomas and Kurt English. Matching up the two teams, Colts based on their experience and speed, will be heavily favoured to advance to the quarter-finals next weekend. Apart from
Kurt Elias their outstanding backcourt, Colts will rely on Nikko Fraser, centre Shane Webster and ‘big man’ Kurt ‘Gypsy’ Elias in the frontcourt. Meanwhile, three games will be played tomorrow with Plaisance Guardians coming up against Republic Bank Nets from 5pm; New
Amsterdam Warriors and Linden’s Retrieve Raiders at 7pm before University of Guyana (UG) Trojans and Pepsi Sonics clash in the feature game. It is the Round-of-16 weekend of the National Basketball Championships. Up for grabs is a place in the Super Eight next weekend; the winner of the tournament bounces away with $500,000 and Championship Trophy. Second place will get $250,000 while third collects $150,000, and fourth $100,000. Each game will feature halftime entertainment with models, cheerleaders and popular artistes at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. The main sponsor Mackeson will also be presenting memorabilia to patrons through the night.
2nd Guyana Fitness Games/E-Networks Cross-Fitness Challenge unveiled Nine teams battle for supremacy on March 13 at National Park
Nine teams comprising of three males and one female will on Sunday March 13th be locked in intense battle for the title as the fittest in Guyana when the second edition of the Guyana Fitness Games / ENetworks Cross-Fitness Challenge is held at the National Park. The official launch was held on Wednesday night last at the 704 Sports Bar where the sponsors gave brief remarks on their partnership with the organisers as they pledged to combine efforts to make
the activity second to none. Present were ENetworks Business Manager Ms. Nadia Bulkhan, St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Administrator Ms. Deborah Ramasy, Banks DIH Public Relations Officer Troy Peters, Marketing Manager of Courts Pernell Cummings, Mrs. Candace Ali of Wings Investment, Mrs. Kathy Schuffler of Axe Apparel, Fitness Express Manager Jamie Mc Donald who is also one of the organisers along with Mrs. Nashavyah King and Mrs.
Jordana RamsayGonsalves. Deborah Ramsay said Mercy Hospital was pleased to be associated with the event and they will be having a tent on site at the event manned by professionals to ensure that the athletes are properly cared for after competing. Peters expressed pleasure on behalf of Banks DIH being associated with the event fro another year and noted that they have associated three of their products with the event, Aqua Mist Water, Vitamalt
and Powerade. He commended the hard work that the athletes have been putting in over the past weeks in order to be in tip top shape for the big event whilst encouraging the spectators to turn out in their numbers to support. The nine competing teams are Elite Systems (Berbice), Fitness Revolution (East Coast), Team Enmore, Crossfit Bel Air, Fitness Paradise, Fitness 53, Life Gym along with two Wild Card teams that will be made up of individuals from across Guyana who really
Sponsors and Organisers take time out for a photo following the launch at the 704 Sports Bar on Wednesday night. wanted to compete but did be awarded to all athletes for not have a team. competing whilst the top The organisers noted that three individuals (male and all 36 athletes will be female) and teams will be competing simultaneously further rewarded with prizes for the Individual top ranging from cash to spots. trophies and trips among The competition will be others. made up of four events that Fans will not be left out will combine 11 different as there will be strength and exercises to test the athletes’ endurance challenges for fitness level and endurance. spectators to showcase Each workout will test a their abilities as well for different part of the athletes’ prizes. functional strength or Admission to the event conditioning. Competitors on Sunday March 13th is will be judged based on $1000, children will be free. execution and speed. Competition time is Participatory medals will 10:00hrs.
t r o Sp
Yadram’s century, Persaud 5 for hands Georgetown/Mahaicony NSSCL Elite title
The victorious Georgetown/Mahaicony team with representatives of the sponsors.
Courts Guyana Inc. on board E-Networks Cross Fitness Challenge
Colts road to redemption begins tonight
Bakewell Slingerz, GFC, GDF, Fruta Conquerors face off today at GFC
Marketing Manager Pernell Cummings (right) hands over the cheque to Event Organiser Jordana Ramsay-Gonsalves in the presence of Noshavyah King (2nd right) and Marketing Officer Roberta Ferguson yesterday.
Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Limited, 24 Saffon St.Charlestown, Georgetown.Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/ 226-8210