Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Saturday March 05, 2016

Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

FUELLING A PRISON RIOT

Someone once said that while the people entrusted to guard prisoners must be constantly on the alert, they must also take into consideration that prisoners have 24 hours each day to do nothing but to plan to counter the denial of their freedom. This is so for prisons all over the world. Because of this, some prisons have large compounds and exercise routines that serve as welcome distractions for the inmates. Of course, this does not stop prisoners from longing for their freedom but at least there would be times when they would be distracted. The Georgetown Prisons, built as it is in the heart of the city, has no room for expansion. At one time it had a central courtyard but rampant overcrowding of the jail has forced the authorities to build even more cell blocks where the open spaces once existed. The result is that for the most part, the prisoners must remain confined to their cells. This situation is what sparked the riots over the past three days that left at least seventeen dead and many others injured. Reports are that by being confined, prisoners develop an affinity for those in their confines and so breed gangs. Each gang wants to outdo the other; some want better conditions so there are reports to the authorities when one of the gangs appears to be doing better than the other. This is being blamed for the recent riots. There was a search that uncovered drugs, phones and offensive weapons. The search certainly did not uncover the many cigarette lighters that were used to start the deadly fires. It is common knowledge that some prison officers aid in the smuggling of things from the outside, including drugs. Then there are those who fashion the dangerous weapons in the workshops, for a fee. Again, fashioning deadly implements is not unique to prisoners in Guyana. Many of them would say that they need the weapons to defend themselves in the face of naked aggression. Perhaps the deterring effect is what has helped to reduce the incidence of murders behind the prison walls. On Thursday, as was reported, the prison authorities uncovered numerous deadly weapons. They believed that they had retrieved all that there was to retrieve for now. They were mistaken. One day later in the midst of another riot they found even more deadly weapons in the same area that they had searched the day before. There are lessons to be learnt. One is that while the courts seem to have little option but to remand the prisoner, the Magistrates must realize that they are creating conditions that blow the lid off the system of prison security. But they, the Magistrates, are caught between a rock and a hard place. If they do grant bail in affordable amounts then the victim feels disenfranchised as though bail must be punitive. When the Magistrate grants too high bail (something that is intended to have the person charged return to court) then that person must add to the overcrowding of the jail. The simple solution seems to be to build more jails but that needs money which must be extracted from some other source. The other alternative is speedy trials, something that is desirable but what is thwarted because the lawyers often grab more than they could handle. They are the ones who seek postponement and delays. Sometimes the prosecution is at fault for failing to complete investigations in a timely manner. For three days the nation looked at a powder keg that had been under its nose all the time but which it had taken for granted. There may be need for a general review of many policies. Remanding prisoners would always be picked on, even if those released on bail go about their criminal activity as soon as they step from the courthouse. So we have a catch 22; remand the prisoners and fill up the jail or grant them bail and foster even more crime on the streets. We could move to complete trials speedily but that is easier said than done. Meanwhile, the problems remain.

After the LGE voting is over, democracy must take over DEAR EDITOR, As Local Government Elections (LGE) approaches, it is my wish that the newly installed Councils understand that the dignity of people matters and hence, citizens’ involvement and participation in their development is of critical importance. It is constitutional that within this vital aspect of democracy, local government is organized to involve as many people as possible in the task of managing and developing their communities. I would therefore suggest that the contesting Candidates reorient themselves with the legislation governing local government (such as the Municipal and Town Councils Act of 1998 - Chapter 28:01; Local

Government Act of 1977 – Chapter 28:02 [Local Government (Amendment) Act 2015; Public Health Ordinance, among others) to ensure that they are up for the arduous task that is ahead. Also, it is hoped that after LGE, regular community meetings will be held and residents will have the opportunity to actively participate in discussions on pertinent issues relevant to their communities’ needs and developmental potential and have a say in the mechanisms through which services would be delivered. I wish to see also community residents being provided with feedback by their elected representatives of all final decisions made at the Council level. Additionally, I hope that when our

elected representatives speak of consultation it will be implemented with the people, for the people and by the people. Elected representatives must always keep at the back of their minds that the”engagement of residents is a form of empowerment and is necessary for the restoration of communities”. Transparency, accountability, camaraderie, inclusiveness must be the new order of the day. There is much work to be done and all hands must be on deck. The democratically renewed councils will need our help if we are to truly restore our communities and begin to enjoy the good life that has been promised to us. Tyrone Fitzherbert

Trade Union denounces mistreatment of workers at Guyana Goldfeilds DEAR EDITOR, With reference to an article appearing in your Thursday, 3rd of march, 2016 edition captioned “Aroura denies allegations of running slave camp”, it must be clear that these allegations of slave camp treatment is not new and must be taken seriously be the Minister of Social Protection and Government. On July 27th, 2015, it must be remembered that prominent mining advocate, now Trade Unionist, Sherwin Delano Downer, was contacted by Guyana Goldfields workers on the said allegations of slave camp treatment was raised by workers to which an article was published by your news paper. Today as president of the National mine Workers’ Union, I feel somewhat vindicated that there was and remain merit of allegations of unfair, unjust and mistreatment of Guyanese working for the Canadian run Guyana Goldfields. Today, sadly, there remains a high level of disrespect for workers rights, denial of their rights to union representation, flouting of the labour laws and little or no adherence to safety and health regulations. The Human Resources Manager of Guyana Goldfields, Mr. Peter Benny, is someone I believe is not a nice person. After my article was published last year, it forced the then Junior Minister of Social Protection, Ms Simona

Brooms and Chief Labour Officer, Mr Charles Ogle, to visit Guyana Goldfields to which they promised to make their findings public but it was never done. The National Mine Workers Union of Guyana calls on the government to release and make their findings at Goldfields public to which they promised to do. The National Mine Workers Union of Guyana has sources within Guyana Goldfields/Aroura Gold Mines from General Workers to Senior management officials who have for the last three months been making contact with the National Mine Workers Union via text messaging, phone calls and in person contact requesting a visit and meeting with workers of the company. Emails and post mails were sent to Guyana Goldfields’ offices on the 8th of February, 2016 with respect to workers request for meeting and visit. To date, the company has not returned any calls or acknowledgement to our emails and letters, which we deemed very disrespectful by the company. It is alleged, according to our many sources within Guyana Goldfields/Aroura Gold Mines, Peter Benny, the human resources manager, told workers that as long as he is there at Goldfields, no union will be negotiated with. Further, when workers approach Mr Benny to raise work related issues,

they are told by Mr Benny that he has five thousand application forms on his desk and people want work; this is an act of intimidation. This practice by Guyana Goldfields must not be condoned by consecutive governments. We urge the government to take a bold step to ensuring that the rights of their citizen is respected and that they are treated fairly by Guyana Goldfields and all other companies operating in the mining industry. The Union condemns in the highest form of condemnation, the unjust, unfair and unacceptable treatment meted out to the workers at Guyana Goldfields and mining workers at large. There is a workers committee set up at Guyana Goldfields, according to our sources, which was intended to address work related issues but sadly and more disappointing, Mr. Benny is head of that committee. So the bucks stop with him and go no further. National Mine Workers Union of Guyana stands in solidarity with workers at Guyana Goldfields and the laboring masses in the mining industry in their struggles for better working conditions, respect for their rights, better take home payments and respect for labour rights. Sherwyn Delano Downer President National Mine Workers Union of Guyana

Camp Street jail has outlived its usefulness DEAR EDITOR, Yes it is well past the time for the construction of new prisons. It has been a well known fact that the number of prisoners held at the Camp Street prison far exceeds the amount which could be reasonably housed there. As well, the inconveniences caused to the travelling public on a daily basis, it has passed the time for further tolerance. I say CLOSE THE CAMP STREET PRISON NOW.A while ago I

had suggested that two new prisons be built. One on the East Coast, Demerara. Another on the East Bank Demerara. My reasoning was that travel is easy in these two areas and that would make it easier for friends and relatives to visit the inmates. I again suggest that the government move with rapidity and build these two new prisons. I had also suggested that the prisoners themselves should be the main work force, over each day of the

week for a maximum of 6 hours a day. This would a) save on labour costs b) expose the prisoners to a new skill c) build in them a feeling of accomplishment as they see the product of their labours d) cultivate in them a desire to be better citizens. Land is no problem Money is no problem Time however is of the essence, so do it right away. Carl Veecock

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Kaieteur News

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Public Service entrapment Town Clerk says Benschop DEAR EDITOR, To those who might have been monitoring the volumes of the annual publication over the years the first curiosity about the 2016 Budget must be the recurrence of Agencies whose titles would have changed in 2015. One obvious and foremost example is that of the Office of the President reduced to the mundanity of a Ministry i.e. Ministry of the Presidency, except that the latter has sought to absorb Natural Resources and other former ‘independents’, while in the process still adverting to the diminished Public Service Department as a Ministry. Next, the purportedly eradicated Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development is given much more coverage than the extant Ministry of Communities. Nor is it certain for how long one will see the Ministry of Health, for example, alongside that of Public Health. These and other similar repetitions make for a lugubriously heavy volume. There continues to be the deliberate (or perhaps unconscious) portrayal of Constitutional Agencies as Budget Agencies; namely the Director of Public Prosecutions, GECOM, Audit Office of Guyana, and others; in addition to the persistent misconstruction of the Public Service Commission and the Police Service Commission as twin ‘agencies’ joined ‘at the hip’ so to speak, when the Constitution identifies them as separate and distinct Commissions. A further pause for examination is the view that the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation should continue to be embedded as a Budget Agency, even though it was deliberately registered by a former Minister of Health under the Public Corporations Act, like GuySuCo say. One significant implication of this organisational travesty is the Corporation being treated as ‘public service’, has reduced its specialists and other trained practitioners to the status of the preponderancy of contractees in the general public service. So that those groups of skills are grievously underpaid and demotivated – a condition which from reported evidence impacts less positively on productivity than their patients expect. But the situation is further compounded by the incidence of ‘contracted employees’not only in that institution, but across the respective budget agencies. An immediate contradiction however is seen in Table 1 below wherein miracu-

of that party attracting attention to itself. While we recognize the team’s excitement to get on with its meetings we, at City Hall, have an obligation to ensure that all letters and other correspondences are properly processed. We are not particularly interested in the politics being played

out in the run up to Local Government Elections. However, we are very concerned about attempts to implicate the City’s administration in the Canaille. Therefore, we deprecate the accusation of victimization by this group. Our only interest is to serve all citizens of Georgetown; nothing else. Royston King Town Clerk

fesses: “There was a lot wrong with him (Alan). I quarreled with him over his drinking; I beseeched him to stop but I kept pandering to his financial requests. There were times when he told me that he wanted money for gasoline when I knew otherwise, but I gave him.”The lesson here for all of us parents is this: quarrelling and pandering doesn’t change children. We must accept the things we cannot change about our children and change the things we can. Speaking about his grief, he writes, “I had to be strong,” I hear people say it a lot, but it’s not true. The truth is that during grief, we don’t have to be strong. It’s when we’re weak, that we then become strong. When a child dies, parents blame each other. They also turn on each other, rather than turn to each other. Instead of needing each other, they needle each other, which makes the death and grief even more painful. Grieving is a process, and it takes time,

less time for some and longer time for others. It has a mind of its own. Don’t force it or try to speed up the process, just be patient and walk through it. It goes smoother, faster, and better that way. GHK Lall added, “Grieving is a process, it cannot be hurried, must not be denied. And grieving is our way of mending through one enveloping blanket of anguish threaded with the embrace of countless memories that gives the courage to go forward. Grieving is honoring our dead, living our faith, and overcoming ourselves enough to trust and believe.” Finally, Mr. Harris blamed himself for his son failures. Just because my father was not a good father doesn’t mean that I can’t become a good person. One other difficult thing for some parents to do is to not accept blame for our children’s failures. Every parent make mistakes. But this doesn’t mean that the parents have to accept all the blame for their children’s mistakes. Children have to accept some blame for their own mistakes too. Anthony Pantlitz

seeking attention DEAR EDITOR, Please refer to a letter, which appeared in your Kaieteur News issue of March 3, 2016 “Team Benchop cites City Hall for victimization.” We are very disappointed with that position taken by Team Benschop. Then again, it is a good way

Adam Harris is praised for his fortitude

lously GPHC’s 332 contracted employees have disappeared from the 2016 column alongside. Have their contracts been terminated, and at what costs? And as a matter of interest Table 2 below shows the comparable numbers of Contracted Employees in the ten Regional Administrations, in respect of years 2015 and 2016 - an increase of 324 or 20.4% Recruitment of ‘Contracted Employees’ has progressively increased from as far back as 2010, indicative of a presumption that either contracts are continuously renewed; or there is no specified duration – a notion that makes nonsense of the descriptor ‘contracted employees’, and one that reflects either ignorance of the standard employment procedures; or(not unlikely), an indulgence in deception – particularly since the justification is hardly seen in any substan-

tive developmental projects. Scarcely anyone seems to have noticed the wide range of authority of Regional Executive Officers – over four to five programmes – Agriculture, Administration & Finance, Education, Public Works, Health – more likely a wider coverage than some Permanent Secretaries. Interestingly enough the salaries are hardly comparable. But that is another matter! Of perhaps of greater concern is the substantial amount of gratuity paid – at 22.5% of monthly salary every six months, adding up to a virtual salary increase of 90% over a two year period. Wherever anybody (including the Unions) turns, only a most comprehensive national job evaluation exercise can resolve the massive compensation management dilemma in which a confused Public Service structure is entrapped.

DEAR EDITOR, I am responding to an article in KN Oct 26, 2014 by Mr. Adam Harris, ‘The day I did the unthinkable.’ “There is no more devastating loss than the death of a child. Sudden death is a contradiction to everything that is known to be true in life. Losing a child to sudden death is a disruption in the natural law and order of life. It is a heartbreak like no other. “Parental grief is different from other losses—it is intensified, exaggerated and lengthened…. The loss of a child is the loss of innocence, the death of the most vulnerable and dependent. The death of a child signifies the loss of the future, of hopes and dreams, of new strength, and of perfection,” writes Arnold and Gemma. Rarely do we find a person like Mr. Adam Harris whom in the midst of grief, loss and tragedy is so brutally honest about his pain, suffering and struggles. In his book, “Soaring into Magnificence -Cancer: From Illness to Holiness,” GHK Lall writes regarding his grief and the death of his wife: “drinking from a bitter cup is hard enough, not being bitter is another story altogether.” In 1994, for Mr. Harris’s son, Alan, life had begun to go downhill. Sometimes as parents we could see a child’s life slowly slipping away, but there is nothing that we can do to change it. While some parents accept their powerlessness regarding the situation by preparing for the best but expecting the worst, others simply choose to ignore it and live in denial. When a child dies, some parents feel guilt and shame for not being a better parent. To help parents to cope with their guilt, shame, grief, and loss of a child, I suggest to Mr. Harris to create a support group and a weekly newspaper column for parents who lose their children. In Mr. Harris’s article, I hear a man who is asking for forgiveness and acknowledging his mistakes. He con-

The need to reexamine court sentences DEAR EDITOR, The tragedy resulting in the horrible death of 17 Guyanese at the seriously overcrowded Georgetown prison this week makes me wonder if we should not explore the wisdom and possibility of adjusting the sentencing system to allow for ‘community service’ instead of imprisonment for relatively

minor and not-too-dangerous breaches of the law. May I respectfully suggest that the powers-that-be examine this alternative form of punishment that is likely to have the same , if not better, effect than incarceration at significantly less financial and ‘other costs’ to the society. Nowrang Persaud

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Saturday March 05, 2016

Day 3 of Camp Street unrest...

Several shot but agreement reached to halt protests

Seven inmates were shot even as seven prison wardens were rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) when the deadly Camp Street Prison unrest continued yesterday. Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan and Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, who rushed to the scene managed to broker an agreement to halt protest action by the inmates who, around 6:00 hrs, managed to set fire to a wooden building and ruptured the steelworks to gain access to the compound. The Law enforcement officials were reportedly forced to take drastic action. They used teargas, rubber pellets and bullets to contain the commotion. The prison wardens, who came in contact with teargas, were identified as Roy Shanks, Jason Maltay, Andrew Moore, Travis Gould, Errol Daphness, June Lewis Charles and Joel Jones. Prisoners, Shawn Edinboro and Nigel Armstrong, sustained gunshot wounds while Sukdeo Dharamdat, Seon Edwards, Marc Angoy, Davendra Persaud and Floyd Ramit were shot with pellets. Dharamdat’s son, Chaitram Dharamdat, was killed in the fire on Thursday. He was burnt beyond recognition. Nigel Anthony Armstrong, 19, an inmate in the Capital block, sustained two gunshot wounds to the left thigh and a third to the

Prisoner: Sukdeo Dharamdat

Prisoner: Seon Edwards

Prisoner: Marc Angoy right thigh. Relatives of the injured prisoner alleged that he was shot while trying to flee from the tear gas fumes. “We got a call that he was at the hospital. They (prison staff) said that he got tear gassed, but when we went at the hospital it was nothing of the sort.” Armstrong’s girlfriend said that she saw three ‘big holes’ on his thighs. The prisoner’s relatives complained that rather than have him remain at the hospital, he was taken back to the prison after surgery. They were instructed to purchase an antibiotic medication that was unavailable at the hospital. Dharamdat, Chaitram and another son, Eshwardat, were on remand for beating another family member, Suresh Nandkishore, to death at Handsome Tree, Mahaica Creek on February 3, 2015. Four years ago, the six persons from the Dharamdat household were battling for their lives after eating a hassar curry meal which was laced with poison by Sukdeo’s 14year-old daughter. Marc Angoy was on remand for fatally shooting his

Prisoner: Shawn Edinboro reputed wife’s granddaughter, one-year-old Arian Gill. Angoy, a former member of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) was charged in 1998 for the murder of a man at Twelve and a Half Miles Issano, Mazaruni, Region Seven but he was later acquitted. Shawn Edinboro, a former police constable, was charged for the murder of taxi driver Raphael Campbell, who was shot and dumped at Liliendaal, East Coast of Demerara. Seon Edwards was charged with the murder of gold miner, Rawle Peters. Peters was allegedly stabbed to death at Puruni Landing, back in 2010. Edwards was only captured last year after lawmen tracked him down to where he was selling bottled water in the vicinity of Regent and Hinck Streets, Georgetown. Floyd Ramit was on remand for the murder of businessman, Farouk Ghanie Persaud, who was killed at his Nandy Park home in April last year. After the injured were carried to the hospital, an 18-

man delegation representing the prisoners was escorted to the Prison Officers’ Sports Club where they met with Vice President and Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan and Minister of State, Joseph Harmon. During the meeting, Ramjattan expressed condolence to the family and the inmates for the loss of lives. He described the situation as, “most unfortunate.” Briefing the media after the meeting, Ramjattan explained that several concerns were raised by the inmates and those that can be addressed at the ministerial level will be resolved almost immediately. According to the Minister, several grievances were raised during the engagement. Among these were the conditions of the prisons, the food provided to the inmates, the treatment meted out by some prison officers and the length of time they spend waiting for their cases to be heard in the courts. “Those matters that can be dealt with administratively, we are going to deal with them almost forthwith, those that need evidence will be dealt with by the panel of investi-

gators; the Board of Inquiry which will start as soon as possible to hear the complaints of the prisoners,” Ramjattan assured. Ramjattan is of the view that the engagement with the prisoners was interesting and proved useful for the administration. During the meeting, the Ministers were able to secure the assurance from the inmates that normalcy would be restored Questioned as to whether the Government will look weak by engaging the prisoners and addressing their issues, the Minister replied “Absolutely not; it is meeting them to meet their demands. I feel it is a useful thing talking to them and hearing their versions too because indeed they could be speaking to the prison authorities and the prison authorities listening to them and not acting,” he said. Minister Harmon told the media that he endorsed the views of Minister Ramjattan. “We believe that this was a very useful engagement and I think it will ensue to the benefit of the whole security situation, not only here in the prison, but in the country because people have families and their families are concerned about what is happening here, and so we believe that was happened here this morning will ease the situation,” he said.

The media has also been identified as one that can contribute to unrests in the prisons. Minister Harmon said that media houses need to report accurately and fairly, “because what is being published is being seen by the prisoners in there and sometimes they are incensed by certain statements in the press,” he stated. Minister Harmon has committed the Coalition Government to ensuring that the prisoners live and work in decent conditions that should make their lives more comfortable. “As a government we have to ensure that there are minimum standards which must be met.” While the Ministers were briefing the media, the chaos in the streets continued where, once again, relatives pleaded with ranks from both the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), for a pass so that they could inquire about their loved ones’ wellbeing. The ranks standing at the barricades were treated to harsh words, threatening gestures and challenges to fight. Soon after, a fight broke out between two civilians. Bottles were broken. The situation came quickly under control after bystanders intervened. Among the bystanders were former inmates who were quite vocal as they tried to engage media operatives. The commotion led to many business places closing their doors earlier than usual while several schools in the area, such as Central High, Smith Memorial Primary, Brickdam Secondary and Freeburg Secondary, summoned parents to collect their children.

Saturday March 05, 2016

Kaieteur News

U.N. chief Ban wants to revive talks to end Western Sahara conflict (Reuters) - U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has said he will try to restart negotiations between Western Sahara’s Polisario independence movement and Morocco to resolve their conflict and allow Sahrawi refugees to return. The dispute over the arid region in the northwest corner of Africa has festered since Morocco took most of it over in 1975 following the withdrawal of former colonial power Spain. The Polisario Front, which says the territory belongs to ethnic Sahrawis, waged a guerrilla war until a U.N.-brokered ceasefire in 1991 that did not settle the dispute. The two sides have been deadlocked since. The U.N. chief plans this weekend to visit refugee camps in Algeria’s Tindouf area where Polisario is based. Before leaving Mauritania on Thursday, the U.N. chief said he intended to “relaunch negotiations to resolve the conflict so that the Sahrawi refugees can return home to Western Sahara”. “The patience of the Sahrawi people has now run out. The U.N. has lost its way on Western Sahara,” Polisario leader Mohammed Abdelaziz

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon said in a statement on Friday. “Ban’s visit and his upcoming reports to the Security Council are the best opportunity in a long time to reset negotiations.” Polisario, backed by Morocco’s regional rival and neighbor Algeria and a number of other African states, wants to hold a referendum promised in the ceasefire deal on the region’s fate. “We want to hear from the Secretary-General in order to achieve a solution this year,” Abdelaziz said. “Allowing the stalemate to continue would have seri-

ous consequences not only for the people of Western Sahara, but also for the prospects for peace and security in a Maghreb region.” Rabat wants Western Sahara, which is rich in phosphates and possibly offshore oil and gas, to be an autonomous part of Morocco and disagrees with Polisario over who should take part in the referendum. Ban said last year U.N. envoy Christopher Ross had intensified efforts to facilitate the entry of the parties into negotiations “without preconditions and in good faith”.

Britons’ concern over EU hits highest level for 13 years – survey (Reuters) - Concerns about the European Union are at their highest level for 13 years in Britain ahead of a June 23 referendum on whether the c o u n t r y should stay in the bloc, but immigration and health are even more important to the public, a survey suggested on Friday. Following Prime Minister David Ca m e r o n ’s a n nouncement of the date of the in/out referendum after he renegotiated Britain’s membership terms, the EU has shot up Britons’ list of

the most important matters f a c i n g t h e c o u ntry, the monthly Economist/Ipsos Mori Issues Index found. It said a fifth of the public mentioned the EU as amongst the most significant issues facing Britain, with 10 percent rating it as the most important. That was the highest level since 2003, when 10 new countries were allowed to join the bloc, the survey said. However, the EU still trailed well behind immigration, mentioned by 44 percent of people, and the state-run

National Health Service, mentioned by 38 percent, in the list of issues, while the economy was also still regarded as a more pressing concern. A breakdown of the figures showed richer Britons, those aged over 65, those living in rural areas and those who supported Cameron’s Conservative Party were the groups which most regarded the EU as an important issue. Ipsos MORI interviewed 1,009 people face-to-face at their homes between Feb. 5th and Feb. 23rd.

EU extends sanctions against North Korea (Reuters) - The European Union said yesterday that it had added 16 people and 12 companies to its sanctions list following North Korea’s latest nuclear test and rocket launch. The United Nations unanimously voted to expand existing sanctions against Pyongyang on Wednesday. The European Union introduced restrictive measures

against North Korea in December 2006. The European Council, which represents the 28

member states, said that Friday’s extension was a transposition of the UN vote on Wednesday.

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Saturday March 05, 2016

Brazil’s ex-president Lula detained in corruption probe …Rousseff dismayed at police questioning

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva Sao Paulo (AFP) - Police briefly detained Brazil’s powerful ex-president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva for questioning and searched his home yesterday as part of a probe into a huge corruption scheme at state oil company Petrobras. Agents searched Lula’s house in Sao Paulo, the offices of the Lula Institute, and houses of family members and associates, said Jose Chrispiniano, a spokesman for Lula and his institute. As agents, backed by armed officers in camouflage, went through Lula’s house, supporters and opponents demonstrated in the street, shouting and scuffling, AFP journalists said. Prosecutors said Lula was targeted as part of the Operation Car Wash investigation into an embezzlement and bribery conspiracy centered on Petrobras. The corruption scandal, which has already seen a Who’s Who of Brazilian politicians and businessmen face charges, is believed to be the biggest ever in Brazil. President Dilma Rousseff has expressed her total disagreement with the police questioning of her political mentor and predecessor, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, calling it unnecessary after his voluntary testimony. Rousseff reiterated in a public statement that the graft probe now focused on the former president should carry on until those responsible are punished, adding that she had guaranteed the independence of the organs investigating corruption. Officials said about 200 federal police and 30 auditors fanned out across three states, serving 33 warrants for search and seizure and 11 for deten-

tion for questioning. Lula was not arrested, but was held for questioning over alleged “favors” received from corrupt construction companies implicated in the Petrobras kickbacks scheme, prosecutors said. The police interview, held at an airport near his home, lasted more than three hours, Globo news site reported. Lula, who was president from 2003-2010, remains one of Brazil’s most influential figures and his fate is closely linked to that of his successor, President Dilma Rousseff, and the future of the ruling Workers’ Party. The dramatic raising of the stakes in the long-running Car Wash saga could have repercussions on Brazil’s highly polarized political scene, where Rousseff is struggling with economic recession and attempts to impeach her. Chrispiniano called the search, in which agents were backed by armed officers, “arbitrary, illegal and unjustified.” “The violence carried out today against the expresident Lula and his family... is an assault against the rule of law that impacts all of Brazilian society,” he said. The allegations against Lula center on a luxury seaside apartment and country house that authorities say appear to have been given to the ex-president as bribes. “There is evidence that former President Lula received assets arising from the Petrobras scheme through the allocation and renovation of a triplex apartment and a site in Atibaia (as well as) luxury furniture,” prosecutors said in their statement.

Saturday March 05, 2016

Kaieteur News

PRISON RAGE Certain things have to be ruled out as the cause of the prison riot this past week which has so far claimed seventeen lives. The death toll can rise based on the burns received by other prisoners. The Georgetown Prison has been overflowing for many decades now. The remand population was at one stage fifty per cent more than it was last Wednesday when the troubles started at the prisons. From the numbers given by the prison authorities, the population of the prison has actually been reduced. The overcrowding therefore cannot be the cause of last Wednesday’s riots. If overcrowding was the cause then there would have been riots before. Overcrowding could not have been the problem because the riots actually took place in the capital block where remand prisoners for serious crimes are located. This block is not overcrowded. So what caused the problems? The problems were caused because the prisoners in the capital block were deprived of unauthorized privileges. The riots of this past week occurred just after the prison authorities had reportedly seized a number of cellular phones and marijuana.

Now this would have discommoded the inmates, especially those who had grown accustomed to smoking their dope and making their calls. The comfortable life of the prisoner was disturbed and they became enraged. There had to be a ring leader, possibly someone who has been in the system long and running a cellular phone ring and a drug ring from within the prison. This is the likely cause of the madness that took place this past week and which has seen some seventeen persons dead. The actual reasons for the deaths need to be investigated. There have been reports circulating that a door was closed. There has also been a report that the prisoners refused to cooperate with the wardens who were trying to get them out. The question is why when the prisoners realized that they were being suffocated by smoke, did they not break down the doors which they had barricaded? Surely they were not planning on committing mass suicide by locking themselves in permanently. The question is whether they were locked in or whether they placed themselves in a situation where

Dem boys seh...

Irfaat seh drop light bill, and he gun drop he underwear Things never fail to surprise dem boys. Ever since Donald Dumb loss de elections he got some people who think that dem is de best thing since slice bread and because dem come out of office de whole country gun disappear. All of a sudden Irfaat tun a big economist who got de cure fuh economic success. This man use Jagdeo newspaper to call pun Soulja Bai to drop light bill by 30 per cent. That got to be eyepass. This is a man who use to sell house lots fuh $59,000 and by de time he done, he was selling de same house lot fuh $2 million. He been in power and people ask Jagdeo fuh lower de VAT; in short drop de VAT. Jagdeo tell dem haul dem ass. Dem boys remember when Donald come in he set up a committee to review de VAT. He come out of office and de committee en done de study yet. Jagdeo never drop de oil price. When de price get too high he drop de tax and as soon as de price fall he put on back de tax. He never drop de light bill but he want Soulja Bai to do that. Dem boys seh that de only thing Irfaat, Jagdeo and Donald ever do was drop dem pants and dem underwear. Dem boys don’t remember if dem tun round after dem drop dem underwear. De truth is that some things drop. Gas price drop; light bill already drop because some people seeing rebate pun dem light bill. And wha Jagdeo refuse to do Soulja Bai intend to do, that is, lower de VAT. Is de same VAT dem other boys use to get rich. A team tell Soulja Bai that he can lower VAT by 14 per cent. That mean that Donald and all of dem who done got money gun get more rich because de money can buy more things. That is why dem boys seh politics is a hell of a thing. When Jagdeo and Irfaat been in power, VAT was extra money fuh de boys. Now dem out of power, dem see that VAT can fall. Talk half and watch how Irfaat and Jagdeo stop driving by de jail.

they could not get out? Prisoners are not stupid. They are street-smart. They are not likely to have put themselves in danger of being burnt alive. Something went wrong or somebody did something wrong. The investigation will clear that up. The prisoners know how to exploit a situation. The government has to be careful in dealing with these prisoners that they do not show weakness because these guys know how to sense a weakness and how to exploit it. The situation right now at the prisons is fragile. Lot 12 is like a pack of cards. It can come crumbling down given the situation there at the moment. There is tension in the air and the security is seriously compromised. The prisoners know this. Serious damage was done on Friday to the prison cells. A major block in the prison is now unsafe. The entire prison is unsafe for wardens to operate in. There is a crisis at Lot 12 Camp Street and you can bet your last dollar that the prisoners will capitalize on that situation. The government has to respect the human rights of prisoners but they must not allow themselves to be manipulated. If there is anything that the prisoners are good at it is manipulating people. They also are experts at manipulating fear and the prison guards will feel unsafe. The ratio of prison guards to prisoners was already at dangerously low levels. The prison authorities were finding it difficult to recruit guards. The job is poor paying and having to deal with some of those criminals can be mentally draining for guards. A great many guards are going to be scared to go back to work. In the meantime, the government cannot be soft with the present prison population. They have to be firm because just as how the prisoners had cellular phones, they could have used those phones to contact persons outside to complain about conditions in the prison. No such reports reached the media suggesting strongly that the riots of this week had nothing to do with conditions at the prison.

Page 9

Diplomats, PSC clash over Guyana’s poor corruption rankings Guyana continues to rank poorly on the International Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) but the government of the day insists that significant moves are being made to address this state of affairs. Asked yesterday whether it believes that Government’s efforts are sufficient, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) answered in the negative. But before elaborating on its reasons for holding this view, it heavily criticized the credibility of the international report. In fact, members said that they do not even believe the report and what it says about Guyana regarding corruption. PSC Member, Gerry Gouveia, was candid in telling the media yesterday that he has a “big problem” with the report “mainly because it is a perception index.” He said that the PSC is concerned that the Integrity Commission and the Public Procurement Commission are taking too long to get up and running. “But I would say to you that I take great offence to that report and I would say to you that we have never been approached by the people who do those surveys to get our opinions. We don’t know where they are getting that opinion and so the Corruption Perceptions Index is one which seems to be lopsided…” These thoughts were expressed during the PSC press conference which was held at the Waterloo street head office, yesterday. While the PSC has no confidence in the CPI reports, opinions expressed by representatives of the American, British and Canadian missions clearly indicated that they believe the report can be quite valuable to any Government. British High Commissioner, Greg Quinn, said that it is a point where he feels he and the Commission Member might differ on the topic. He said that Gouveia’s point is fair, if indeed they have never been approached but in terms of the CPI itself, he said that he and his Government see it as being useful and relevant because it is a perception report on what the people actually feel is happening. “And if people feel that there is a corruption problem then that by itself is an issue that is worthy of being addressed because that is the

Private Sector Member, Gerry Gouveia fundamental problem… People believe that there is a corruption problem and that is one of the issues which must not be ignored… should they be talking to the PSC? But that aside, the CPI is still a valuable and useful process.” Deputy Head of Mission of the US Embassy, Bryan Hunt, said that from the American perspective, it all depends on what the CPI is being used for. The Ambassador said that any statistical survey or one that is based on perceptions can be a constructive instrument once used correctly. Hunt explained, “If someone is taking the CPI and saying, ‘because of this rank, Guyana is more corrupt than (X country)’ then that would be an incorrect use of that tool. “But what the tool tells you is how people perceive Guyana and that is important because the way people perceive Guyana, drives investment decisions both from the interior and from the exterior. “So it is important to know if you are perceived to be corrupt to know what you need to change whether that is in policy, media engagement, or public education.” The American diplomat said that at the end of the day, the CPI is a positive tool in understanding how people think and why Guyana may be on a difficult road as opposed to other countries.

Deputy Head of Mission of the USA Embassy, Bryan Hunt

British High Commissioner, Greg Quinn But Gouveia remained unconvinced. He told the media that the CPI report is based on opinions offered from Guyanese within the 83,000 square mile border and not of those in the Diaspora. He said that when one takes this into consideration and the fact that the PSC has never been consulted or any of its members then it would be hard to place any confidence in the report. Gouveia said, “It should be compulsory that you engage the private sector because if there is any corruption taking place then the formal private sector would be in the middle of it…but to totally ignore the private sector (Continued on page 24)

Page 10

Kaieteur News

Saturday March 05, 2016

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

Did the Magistrate do this during the prison mayhem? Two media houses reported the following occurrences during and after the appearance of a citizen in court. An Attorney was charged with Causing Death by Dangerous Driving and made a court appearance on Thursday morning. This was at the same time Camp Street prisoners were committing arson with the explanation that they were being mistreated. The police stopped reporters from entering the court room. When asked, the police said that was the order given to them. It was not re-

ported who issued the edict. I am assuming it wasn’t the police. There were no crowds around the courthouse I was told and the courtroom was not packed. Why then would the police issue a no-entry declaration? In all my experience at the lower and higher courts, the police do not stop reporters. Such an order normally comes from the Judge or the Magistrate. After bail was granted, the accused was allowed to remain in the court house until bail was posted. This was another edict, but who gave this one? Was it the police or the Magistrate who happened to be Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan, in this particular court case that made the decision to allow the citizen to remain upstairs while bail was being processed? It must be remembered at

all times, that the lawyer did not appear in court as an Attorney but as a citizen charged with an offence. If it is permitted by convention or practice that certain people can stay in the courthouse while the money for bail is paid, then I do not agree with it and for one fundamental reason – it violates the sacred value of all being equal in the eyes of the law. Special circumstances dictate that persons may not proceed to the police outpost awaiting payment of bail. Those special circumstances are twofold – crowd control and security protection for the accused and police. In the case of Kwame McCoy, Jason Abdulla and Sean Hinds in my assault case, the crowds were thick and angry but the men went into the Police Outpost at the bot-

tom of the court house. There was no such reality in this particular charge of Causing Death by Dangerous Driving. Why then was the press prevented from entry into the courtroom? Why did the accused not accompany the police to the bail house? What is the relevance of this situation to the Camp Street prison violence? A caveat is in order before we proceed. The heinous offences alleged to have been committed by the remand accused for which they were charged and who died in the fire should not cloud one’s judgement as to the causation of the conflagration. Some of the prisoners’ cries involved mistreatment, delayed justice among others. A Vice-President and the Minister of the Presidency have met with a delegation from among the prisoners and some immediate agreements were inked, for example, quality of food and entitlement to phone calls (that is assuming that prison phones work).

From the Mash Day prison break in 2002 to the March 2016 fiery death of 17 riotous remand prisoners, at the heart of the complaint is a justice system that treats accused differently from others. The two factors – ban on reporters and the courtroom wait for bail – in the Causing Death by Dangerous Driving charge involving an Attorney, sends another signal to a shambolic, dystopian country that there are citizens in this land that the law will treat favourably. Society’s young generation should not be allowed to know or see that kind of desecrated values. It will have sad consequences. I can tell you that as a human rights activist, the complaints I get are heartbreaking about the miscarriage of justice and police violations. Young people from depressed areas of Guyana feel that the rule of law is bent, nasty and vicious. Thursday morning, an Attorney, Lloyd Mark Conway,

Frederick Kissoon spoke to me about this very topic with a view to writing about deprivations of his client. What is mentally devastating is that the banning of the reporters and the favoured treatment of this Attorney will not end with the publication of this column. The Chancellor is not going to ask Magistrate Mc Lennan for an explanation if it was she that ordered the ban. If it was the police, the Commissioner will not even respond much less demand an explanation from his court ranks. The Chancellor will not ask the Magistrate why the accused wasn’t made to enter the bail house. We have banned second hand tyres from Guyana. Maybe we should ban second hand mentalities too.

Saturday March 05, 2016

Kaieteur News

Page 11

Speaker’s shortcomings caused Tax Act to pass without majority - Teixeira …but Clerk, Standing Orders contradict assertion By Jarryl Bryan

Opposition Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira, is contending that because of the shortcomings of the Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland, parliamentary processes were trampled upon during the passage of the Tax Amendment Act last Friday. During a press conference at Freedom House, Teixeira said that the Speaker declared the Bill to be passed when the House had equal numbers on both sides. She was adamant that without the majority of the elected members, physically present and voting, the Bill could never have passed. “The Bill was moved by (Finance Minister Winston Jordan), followed by submissions by Irfaan Ali and Anil Nandlall,” Teixeira related. “The Speaker (then) did an unusual thing. Upon the closing of debates on the Bill, he then put the Bill in its entirety to the vote.” “At the time when he put the Bill in its entirety,” the Chief Whip continued. “Min-

Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs ister (Rupert) Roopnaraine (was) not in (his) seat in the chambers. Therefore the government had 31 persons who voted in favour of the (Bill) and the Opposition had 32.” “Nothing can be passed in the House without the majority of the elected members and all those physically present and voting,” she ve-

hemently declared. “I don’t know where Dr. Roopnaraine was and it is not my problem.” However, Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs has shot down Teixeira’s contention that the Speaker erred in his duties. In addition, the parliamentary standing orders are completely at odds to what Teixeira had asserted. Speaking to Kaieteur news yesterday, Isaacs stated that the Speaker in fact carried out his functions. “The vote was a collection of voices,” Isaacs said. “He did say those in favour say ‘Aye’ and they said ‘Aye”. And he said those in favor say ‘Nay”. And they said ‘Nay’. He has to determine which was louder. The AYE was louder, so he moved on.” Isaacs noted that whether members were absent from the House or not, the vote could have proceeded once a quorum of 22 members was present. He made it clear that it is not the Speaker’s responsibility to check whether all members were seated, after a quorum had been established.

Standing order 6 (1-4) states “The quorum of the Assembly and of a Committee of the Whole Assembly shall consist of one-third of all the elected Members (excluding the Member in the Chair).” “If any Member draws the attention of the Speaker in the Assembly or of the Chairperson in Committee of the Whole Assembly to the fact that a quorum is not present, the Speaker or Chairperson, as the case may be, shall direct that Members be summoned as if for a division.” “When the order to summon Members has been given in the Assembly, the Speaker shall, after The expiration of five minutes, count the Assembly. If a quorum is not then present, he or she shall adjourn the Assembly without question put.” “When the order to summon Members has been given in Committee of the Whole Assembly, the Chairperson shall, after the expiration of five minutes, count the Committee. If he or she ascertains that a quorum is not present,

Wismar Hospital needs at least six doctors for 24 hour service - Health Committee Chairman By Enid Joaquin Chairman of the Region Ten Health Committee, Dr. Gregory Harris, on Thursday, made a few recommendations, for a better delivery of service at the Upper Demerara Hospital (Wismar Hospital), at the RDC statutory meeting of Councillors. One of the recommendations put forward by Dr. Harris was that in order for the aforementioned facility to offer a 24-hour service, with doctors working ‘round the clock’ there needs to be at least six doctors attached to the institution. Harris said that at present only two doctors work at the facility, and thus after midnight there is no doctor there to deal with any emergency if patients turn up. “It makes no sense. Let’s say at 12 o’clock in the night people rush up there to be given certain service and it is not accessible. What you would see happening is that people would be hitting the media talking about the lack of this and that at the hospital. It would reflect nega-

tively.” Harris said that even though the Wismar hospital has an emergency department it is not functioning to full capacity because of a lack of certain facilities, and the absence of trained personnel in key areas. He noted that for that reason, persons are referred to the sister facility at Mackenzie. “When you have an Emergency Department, there are certain other departments that are needed to complement that department.” Harris posited. Among the trained personnel needed is an Orthopaedic Technician, according to Harris. He said that those are some of the limitations facing the hospital and that is why the facility only works a two shift system at present. NEGATIVE PERCEPTION Harris said that the Wismar Hospital is a level three health care institution. He added that a few years ago, when there was the need for an infectious department, at the Linden Hospital Complex, it was placed at Wismar, and so patients with infectious diseases such as Tuber-

culosis were referred to the facility. He said that for that reason, persons had a negative perception of the facility, thinking that only TB and HIV patients were placed there. However, he stressed that not only patients with these diseases were treated at the facility, and that currently, patients are accessing many other services such paediatric, a gynaecology clinic and an x-ray department which functions twenty four hours. There is also access to the laboratory Harris alluded to patients who go to the facility to access various other services, including pregnant mothers, who go to deliver their babies. For last year, Harris pointed out that over 120 women gave birth at the hospital. At present, Harris said, there are sixteen General Medical Officers in Region Ten with them spread out in Linden and Kwakwani. Two are stationed at the Upper Demerara hospital. Harris’ recommendations were duly noted by the Regional Chairman and Councillors.

Dr. Gregory Harris

PPP Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira the Assembly should resume and the Speaker shall count the Assembly. “If a quorum is then present, the Assembly shall resolve itself into Committee; but if a quorum is not present, the Speaker shall adjourn the Assembly without question put.” Isaacs also made it clear that if in fact the Opposition did see something wrong with the vote, they could have rescinded it, as prescribed under Standing Order 25 (3). However, he noted that when Teixeira did raise the matter, it had long passed. Standing Order 25 (3)

states, “When a question for debate has been proposed, debated and decided, it shall not be competent for any Member to raise a question substantially identical thereto in the same Session, except upon a substantive motion for rescission.” Isaacs emphasized that the Opposition could have claimed a division, in which case they would have been called individually or for the motion to rescind, thus annulling what had happened earlier, but they did not. So the Speaker went on with the business of the day.

Page 12

Kaieteur News

Saturday March 05, 2016

Private Sector, Diplomatic Corps granted observer status for LGE By Kiana Wilburg

The Private Sector Commission (PSC) has been granted Observer Status by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE) on March 18. It will be accompanied by the United States of America (USA), the United Kingdom and Canada, which have also been granted Observer status. This was revealed during a press conference, yesterday, held by the Commission and members of the Diplomatic Corps at the PSC Headquarters, on Waterloo Street. Speaking to members of the media, PSC Chairman, Norman Mc Lean, said that the Private Sector, in its quest for the maintenance of good governance in Guyana, has consistently been proactive in supporting the conduct of free, fair and peaceful elec-

tions. In this regard, McLean emphasized that the Commission would be willing to lend its support to the relevant authorities. He recalled that the Local Government Elections, which are being held for the first time since 1994, present the opportunity for the will of the people to be exercised in ensuring the election of stable, properly functioning Local Government Organs and systems. The Chairman noted that the PSC is however concerned that there may be a tendency for citizens, who are unaccustomed to having a voice in the election of their local government officials, to place a low premium on the value of their votes. He said that the danger exists that these persons may stay away from the polls on March 18. In this regard, he said that the Commission would like, therefore, to call

Members of the Private Sector Commission and the Diplomatic Corps during the press conference yesterday. for the full participation of all Guyanese in the electoral process and to urge every citizen to go out and cast their vote. McLean said that the casting of votes in the 2016 Local Government Elections is the right of each and every eligible Guyanese. He said

that the right, moreover, is no longer being denied. As such, it is incumbent upon everyone to exercise their constitutional right to vote for the candidates of their choice. British High Commissioner, Greg Quinn, noted that United Kingdom will also have observers for the elections. He recalled that his predecessors have been calling for the holding of Local Government Elections for some time and is therefore happy that it will be taking place. The diplomat reiterated that it is now incumbent on the people to go out and exercise their democratic mandate. He said that this is the time for people to be able to exercise their power so that they can choose those persons who are fit to properly address their concerns. The Ambassador said that he is urging all Guyanese to exercise their right so that they can be properly represented at this level after some 23 years. Quinn noted however, that at this point in time, he would be unable to say how many observers the UK

would have on the ground. He said that focus would be on the Georgetown area based on logistics. Deputy Head of Mission at the US Embassy, Bryan Hunt, said that Local Government Elections will be critical to the people of Guyana. Hunt said that it is the first line of defence in any democracy and the citizenry has waited for more than two decades for it to take place. The envoy revealed that the USA would have just over 70 observers. He said that they will have observers in almost every Region where voting will be taking place and looks forward to a large turnout come March 18. Charge d’ Affaires of the Canadian High Commission, Daniel Joly, also spoke to the importance of Local Government Elections. Like Quinn, Jolie was also unsure about how many observers from Canada would be working come March 18. Mr. Mc Lean said that while GECOM did a commendable job on educating the public on LGE, more could have been done.

But Hunt intervened at this point, stating that it may be easy for someone to say it is GECOM’s responsibility to inform the citizenry. He said however that the responsibility is one that should be shared. The USA Deputy Head said that GECOM does not and should not bear the sole responsibility for education on LGE. He said that some of the burden also falls at the feet of the political parties, the candidates running for the positions and even the media. Quinn said that it is not constructive or helpful for anyone to spend too much time criticizing GECOM and agreed with Hunt that everyone has a role to play in the education process. The British envoy also said that these elections are important because there have been people who have been sitting on councils and not necessarily representing the will of the people. The Ambassador said that this is an opportunity for them to put in place, persons they feel will actually work for the communities. The PSC noted that there would be a total of 500 observers between the Commission and the Diplomatic Community. It also noted that it has been invited to observe the LGE debates between the candidates which will be held at the Theatre Guild this weekend.

Saturday March 05, 2016

Kaieteur News

Page 21

Son of murder accused charged Cubans plead with being accessory to crime guilty to forgery

Three months after Alan Sim Sr. was charged with the murder of his reputed wife, Melissa Skeete, his son, Alan Sim Jnr. was yesterday arraigned before a city Magistrate accused of being an accessory to the crime. It is alleged that between November 23 and November 25, last, at Georgetown, Alan Sim Jr., received, comforted, maintained and relieved his father, Alan Sim Snr., after he murdered Skeete of 94 Prince William Street, Plaisance, East Coast Demerara. He was not required to plead to the indictable charge and was remanded to prison until April 1, by City Magistrate Fabayo Azore. Alan Sim Sr., 55, of Lot 860 Paradise Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara was charged last year for allegedly killing Skeete on November 23,2015 at Georgetown. He is currently on remand for this offence. It was reported that Skeete, a former Dispatcher at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) was stabbed multiple times about her body by Alan Sim Sr. The incident occurred in the vicinity of Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre. According to reports, the woman left work on the day in question, in her lover’s car PRR 6841. It was reported that after the stabbing, Alan Sim Sr. kicked the injured woman out of his car on Carmichael Street, Georgetown in broad daylight. Skeete was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) by a man who saw her lying on the road

Alan Sim Snr. in blood. She succumbed while receiving medical attention. Two days after the fatality, Alan Sim Sr. surrendered to police in the company of his Attorney, Patrice Henry. Police Prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Stephen Telford, told the court that after Alan Sim Sr. murdered the woman he contacted his son to clean blood stains from a motorcar. He said that the accused subsequently collected the vehicle from Diamond, East Bank Demerara and took it into an East Coast Demerara wash bay, where he removed the blood stains and number plate from the vehicle. Telford said that after police investigations were completed, the accused was arrested and charged with murder. The Prosecutor informed the court that he

MURDERED: Melissa Skeete was advised that after Alan Sim Jr. was arrested he made oral statements in relation to his involvement in the crime. Telford objected to the man being granted pre trial liberty. He stated that police had a difficult time locating the accused after the crime. He explained that Alan Sim Jr. made several attempts to escape from police but they were foiled. ASP Telford also pointed out the seriousness of the offence and argued that the accused would not return to court should bail be granted. However, Attorney Patrice Henry who is also representing Alan Sim Jr. made an application for his client to be released on his own recognizance (self bail). Henry told the court that his client made no confession and accused the police of fabricating the statement. Attorney Henry stated

that his client made no attempts to escape from police. In fact, Henry said that he would from time to time accompany Alan Sim Jnr. to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Eve Leary. He explained that the visits to CID were in relation to the motorcar police had impounded. The lawyer added that he is certain that his client will be vindicated on the charge because there is no evidence against him. Thereafter, Prosecutor Telford indicated that he was ready to commence a Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the matter. He said that the file that is being used in the murder charge will also be used in this matter since there is evidence contained within. According to Telford, advice was sought from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) before the institution of the charge.

Several court appearances for remanded prisoners at the Georgetown Prisons were cancelled as a result of the riots at the Camp Street penitentiary. Several prisoners who were scheduled to appear in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court for the continuation of their matters were kept on ‘lock down’, according to a police source. It was also confirmed that remand prisoners were not even taken to the Sparendaam or Providence Magistrate’s Court. In the worst prison riot in Guyana, 17 died and others injured after inmates set the Capitol ‘A’ Block on fire. It is believed that inmates started the fire in an effort to vent their frustrations at the time they are spending on remand awaiting trial. Kaieteur News was informed that those who were remanded yesterday, for various offences were not taken to the Camp Street prison but to nearby police lock-ups. And two Cuban men were yesterday fined for uttering forged Permanent Visa Cards to an Immigration Officer at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport. They were subsequently deported after their appearance in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. Roberto Mario Francisco, a 46-year-

old Industrial Engineer and Louis El Lavis Vasco, 28, were yesterday fined $70,000 each. On March 3, at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), the men uttered to Police Constable Akeem Stuart a forged United States of America Permanent Visa Card in favour of themselves which purported to show that the documents were issued by the United States Government, knowing same to be false. Failure to pay the fine will see the Cubans spending four weeks in prison. They were represented by Attorney at Law Clyde Forde. Forde asked the court to impose a non-custodial sentence on his clients since they had no knowledge that the documents were forged. He also stated that both men were issued with the documents in Cuba. The men were unable to speak English and as such needed a translator to relate the matter to them. Forde also told the court that his clients were en route to Miami, USA.

Page 22

Kaieteur News

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VACANCY Elite Pharmacy: Experienced pharmacist & assistant, salesperson with knowledge of selling OTC drugs. Call: 663-0376; 231-2122 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 Landscape maintenance vacancy: hardworking, pleasant, team player 17-28 years. Contact: 219-0468/ 621-2453 Atleast 3yrs experienced salesgirls @ Christine’s Variety Store on Lombard St. 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. Painters: apply @ Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling.

Saturday March 05, 2016

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 Lodge apartments (Vlisssengen/Durban): unfurnished $40,000-$90,000 monthly, furnished (for visitors) USD$600USD$1,000 monthly- Call: 677-9638 Lodge (Vlissengen/ Durban): Professional/Office/Business space, (no food retailing). Call: 677-9638. One lower flat at Herstelling – price $45,000- Call: 629-2912 Apartment for rent @ 186 Waterloo Street. Call Shawn: 652-9062 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 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 One two bedrooms apartment in Cane View Ave. South. Call: 672-8055

Affordable house lots for sale: K&R Realty-Call: 6044945; 639-8474

One two tons forklift, one blocks machine, one Leyland truck (scrap). Call: 617-9230; 269-1406 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 Roxie’s Fashion Sale!! Black tights -$1,000 & leotards $1,500 from 6pcs up. Call: 2278538, visit: 301 Church St. South C/Burg. 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

VEHICLE FOR SALE First Class Auto: Rush, IST, Runx, Sienta, Bluebird, 06 Premio, 06 Allion, Fielder, Spacio, Noah. Call: 627-8383; 638-3045 Toyota Raum, AT192, Fun Cargo, RAV 4, Tundra, L-Touring Wagon, IST, 4X4 pick up sold DEF, (Ducati 1098cc) Call: 644-5096; 697-1453 212 Carina, Toyota Ipsum, Nissan Pathfinder, Toyota Vigo – fully loaded. Call: 6097766/ 225-8427 1 Toyota Premio, PNN series, excellent condition. Call: 6776620 between 9:00-5:00. 1 Nissan pickup enclosed, ideal for snackette -$280,000. Call: 601-4929; 664-5444 Mitsubishi Canter, GPP, year 2001. Call: 645-7274; 601-6901 One model M Bush Truck with winch, excellent condition-Call: 261-5514; 6983662; 698-3014 Unregistered Bluebird 2006 model, TV, Reverse Camera, Dark interior low mileage $2.3M. Call: 655-3400 AT192 Carina- Call: 668-8431

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 One full size double bunk bed for sale- Call: 623-5533price negotiable HF3 Functional Hydraulic, core drilling rig, good, good for mining –Call: 642-0038 Truck, fully equipped for selling cones, ice cream and food- Call: 227-1830

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

Porters apply in person @ Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling. Experienced Bartender to work at 704 contact # 2235274 LAND FOR SALE Providence Scheme (115ftX81ft) located on a Cul de Sac close to Bai Shan Lin -$8.2M negotiable. Call: 6014163 or 223-0719

FOR SALE

EDUCATIONAL Easter 2016 Offer: Computerize Accounting, 4 courses, QuickBooks, Peachtree, POS, Excel 2016 -$35,000 @ Micrographics, Vreed-en-Hoop. Call: 264-3057 Easter 2016 Offer: Register now – 9 Courses, office 2016, windows 8/10 @ Micrograhics, Vreed-enHoop. Call: 264-3057

CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM

Three bedrooms concrete bottom flat in South Ruimveldt Gardens -$80,000. Call: 218-1949 LAND FOR SALE

PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 6560087 , EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO. COM

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

Eternity cars rental. Call: 6155315; 231-7374

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Kaieteur News

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Third suspect held for Regent Multiplex Mall owner’s murder Seven months after Regent Multiplex Mall owner, Ganesh Ramlall, was gunned down in his home, police have held a Diamond, East Bank Demerara man for the July 2015 killing. The suspect, a 35-yearold Diamond, East Bank Demerara resident known as ‘Banana,’ was arrested yesterday in Georgetown by a member of the Police Major Crimes Unit who recognized him. Police have been trying to locate the suspect for some time, ever since they received reports that he played a major role in the attack. Already facing charges for Ramlall’s murder are Lennox Roberts, 32, of 2279 Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo and Fazeel Bacchus, 21, called ‘Javed’ of Lot 7 Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara. Both accused are taxi drivers. They were detained shortly after police raided a house at Craig, East Bank

From page 22

Ganesh Ramlall friends responded by posting a $5M reward for information that would lead to the capture and prosecution of his killers.

Fazeel Bacchus Demerara where they arrested several persons, including the suspected shooter of Ramlall. Ramlall, also known as ‘Boyo’, had just returned to his La Jalousie, West Coast

Lennox Roberts Demerara, home on July 5, 2015, when four men confronted him near an outside washroom. The intruders shot the 48-year-old businessman in the head and chest before escaping with

their victim’s jewellery and a wallet. The bandits prematurely aborted the attack when the businessman’s wife and neighbours raised an alarm. Ramlall’s relatives and

The Regional Health System is in a mess DEAR EDITOR, I’m writing this letter simply to let the pubic know what doctors and nurses under the Regional Health services (RHS) of the Ministry of Public health have to go through. I have been at the Ministry of Public Health one year shy of ten years and it is sad to say no matter who is the ruling party, Regional Health Services is still a hot mess. As of right now I think it is at its worst; they are managers that I have noticed that simply can’t manage and the staff below them are the ones paying for their bad management. One of the managers for RHS seems to be running around not knowing what the hell to do and what’s even more ridiculous is that she seems to be taking notes from a certain manager of hinterland. I have been moved to about 3 different health centers and never told why I was moved, never given a letter about being moved, just called and asked to go there. Now what is funny is that the protocol they have set is that you are not supposed to move without an appointment letter which you get one month in advance, yet a lot of staff under RHS can say they never even seen what an appointment letter looks like. Failure to comply by the word and mouth results in you, the staff being labeled “troublesome”, and that is

when the penalization start. They will take you and send you in the interior without even asking what is your current personal situation; they just don’t care, they want you gone. RHS does not care about their staff’s personal situations. The reason I see the need to put this to the public light is because RHS seems to the outside like they are doing their jobs when it is the exact

opposite. I have never seen so many doctors and nurses running up those steps to contest where they are being sent or to for their appointment letter. It is my view that managers put up an “all is well” front to the Minister Dr. Norton, so he doesn’t check in with them. The end result of all the bad management at RHS is that staff are just waiting out their contract and leaving. I

really hope the Minister takes note of this because soon there will be a great shortage of nurses and doctors. No one is willing to stay; not even those who have already started a family. RHS managers are playing with people’s lives and don’t care. Conika Marks

PROPERTY FOR SALE Transport property located @ Rosignol W.B.B: 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, fully furnished. Call: 679-3496; 6026333; 330-2576; 699-4689 (motivated settler) House & land (3yrs old) for sale at Canal No.2 Polder, 53/ 4 rice land elsewhere. Call: 718-657-9040; 266-2897; 6909331

House & land located @ 2nd Avenue; Section ‘A’ Block LAND FOR SALE Diamond, Housing Scheme. 100X100 residential house lot Price negotiable. Call: 674@ Kuru Kururu – first hill 9266; 622-1458 from Soesdyke Junction. Call: Newly built 3 bedrooms flat 680-6136 concrete property 22ftX48ft, land 50X90ft @ Vision Garden Versailles, W.B.D -$11M. Call: 616-0111 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 @ 650 Section ‘A’ Block Great Diamond East Bank Demerara. Call: 2254792; 609-1114 Property @ prime location 18 Acres, suitable for house lots/farming @ Independence St. W.B.D, any reasonable offer accepted. Call: 6750506; 663-0753 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: 672-4190 Brand new 2 storey concrete building in 5th Avenue, Diamond, E.B.D, all modern amenities –Call: 662-9335; 612-3244 LAND FOR SALE One 50ftX80ft fenced land at Mon Repos E.C.D (Martyrsville) price-$3.5M negotiable. Call: 220-0538; 645-2395; 629-5300 Vacant land for sale in Eccles, East Bank Demerara 70’X100’- Call: 623-6136

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Saturday March 05, 2016

N/Ruimveldt resident IDB’s Caribbean governors meet remanded for ganja to analyze 2016 economic outlook A 20-year-old Lot 3053 North Ruimveldt, Georgetown man was yesterday remanded to prison, although he denied a charge of trafficking in narcotics, when he appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. It is alleged that on March 1, at Princes Street, Georgetown, Akeem Archer had 907 grams of cannabis sativa (marijuana) in his possession for the purpose of trafficking. Archer was remanded to prison until March 30, after pleading not guilty to the allegation. Police Prosecutor, Corporal Simone Payne related the facts of the matter. She told the court that on the day in question, ranks from the narcotic branch conducted a sting operation in the area mentioned in the charge. Payne said that the

defendant was intercepted while in a motorcar and arrested. According to the Prosecutor, Archer denied having knowledge of the drug under caution. An Attorney for Archer said that her client has no previous brushes with the law. She requested that Archer not be remanded to prison because he has to undergo a surgery on his right leg later this month at a private hospital. However, Magistrate Fabayo Azore told the defendant that bail is not granted for such offences. However, Magistrate Azore assured the lawyer that his client will be taken for his surgery by prison officials. Prosecutor Payne indicated that the police statements are still outstanding from the case file.

McDoom man granted bail on break charge A 23- year- old man of Lot 63 Middle Street, McDoom, East Bank Demerara was yesterday granted bail on a charge of Break and Enter and Larceny, when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan. It is alleged that on February 16, last, Andrew Scott broke and entered the storeroom of Steadman Lambert

and stole two sports bicycles and sixty pounds of salted fish all totalling $92,000. Scott pleaded not guilty to the charge read to him and was placed on $20,000 bail. Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones had no objections to Scott being granted pre-trial liberty. The defendant will make his next court appearance on March 22.

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) hosted the Fifth Annual Meeting of the Governors of the Caribbean Country Department (CCB) in Washington between Thursday and Friday. The meeting was to exchange ideas, discuss their economies, and what role the IDB can play. According to bank, topics discussed at the meeting included responses to the effects of climate change, specific initiatives to diversify the region’s energy matrix and promote sustainable development, and the unique challenges to the Caribbean sub-region posed by de-risking and the possible interruption of correspondent banking relationships. The Caribbean sub-region was among the hardest hit by the 2008 global economic downturn, and most Caribbean economies have still not recovered pre-2008 growth rates. “ Throughout the Americas, the region’s economies registered a mix of good and poor economic results with some nations suffering sharp declines in commodity prices and others experiencing increases in tourism during 2015. As a whole, the Latin American and Caribbean region posted 3.8% growth in GDP. The countries of the Caribbean grew at 1.5 percent in 2015 and are projected to grow at 1.6 percent in 2016,” a statement from the bank said yesterday. Led by discussions on the region’s economic performance, the two-day meeting

reviewed the details of the bank’s operations in 2015 and discussed challenges and opportunities for 2016. Topics discussed at the meeting included the world economic outlook and financing options for the region. Addressing senior officials from the IDB’s CCB member countries, IDB President Luis Alberto Moreno stated: “Given that many of our borrowing member countries face strong macroeconomic headwinds, it’s essential for the bank to preserve its capacity to support growth recovery and stability. Our priority will continue to be supporting the region’s most vulnerable economies.” The gathering also gave senior IDB managers an opportunity to explain the impact of the recent reorganization of the various departments of the bank that work with private-sector operations. The new entity within the IDB Group was created in recognition of the importance of public-private partnerships in the financing of infrastructure and how the IDB is better positioned to promote development in the Caribbean. According to data presented during the meeting, the

IDB’s President Luis Alberto Moreno IDB registered some significant growth in its 2015 loans to CCB member countries, which include The Bahamas, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago: In 2015, the IDB approved US$557.2 million for improving the Caribbean’s citizen security, energy and transportation infrastructure and expanding the efficiency and coverage of basic social services in the region. Disbursements in 2015 totaled US$351.3 million. In 2015, the IDB approved one of the Bank’s largest-ever private sector loans to a CCB country for US$175.0 million for the Kingston Container

Terminal Project in Jamaica. The IDB also approved US$17.0 million in grant financing to its CCB member countries. These operations provided support to Caribbean regional initiatives in tourism, trade facilitation, logistics, energy integration, and transport. Established in 1959, the IDB is a leading source of long-term financing for economic, social and institutional development in Latin America and the Caribbean. The IDB also conducts cutting-edge research and provides policy advice, technical assistance and training to public and private sector clients throughout the region.

Diplomats, PSC clash... From page 9 and come up with this report is damaging our country.” The PSC member said that he is still not satisfied with the efforts on Government’s part in dealing with the perception of corruption in Guyana. He reiterated the Commission’s call for the establishment of the Public Procurement Commission and the revival of the Integrity Commission. Hunt noted that the Government may also want to work on getting its message out there; a message about what it is doing to address the perception of corruption in Guyana. The American diplomat said that it may very well be an education issue.

He added that perhaps some of the persons being interviewed for the CPI survey may not be aware of Government’s efforts to combat what is going on and as such, may very well give an uninformed perception. The 2015 Corruption Perceptions Index which was released two months ago by Transparency International show that despite much talk by nations to fight corruption, countries including Guyana have shown little sign of improvement. Guyana received a score of 29, signaling a slip one place down from its score last year. But Guyana did improve in ranking. In 2014 it was ranked 124 out of 175 countries but in 2015 it moved up to 119 out of 168 countries. Three other countries tied with Guyana in the 119th position. These were Azerbaijan,

Russia and Sierra Leone. The report said that any score below 50 indicates a serious corruption problem. Guyana has never been above. Additionally twothirds of the countries surveyed scored less than 50. Guyana’s Continental and Regional neighbours did better than it in 2015. The report revealed that Trinidad and Tobago scored 39 while Brazil and Jamaica scored 38 and 41 respectively. Suriname earned a score of 36 while Haiti got a score of 17. Denmark and Finland were the only countries close to a perfect score with 91 and 90 respectively. The Corruption Perceptions Index measures the perceived levels of public sector corruption worldwide. The scores are measured from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).

Saturday March 05, 2016

Kaieteur News

Zika response in focus with new evidence of birth defect link (Reuters) - Evidence mounted yesterday linking Zika to the birth defect microcephaly, and the U.N. health agency set a review of travel advice related to the outbreak of the virus while U.S. officials planned strategy to control the mosquitoes that spread it. The virus is capable of rapidly infecting and harming developing fetal brain cells, scientists said in a study that provided insight into how the virus might cause microcephaly in fetuses. The researchers said the study, published yesterday in the journal Cell Stem Cell, does not prove a direct causal link between Zika and microcephaly in newborns, a condition defined by unusually small heads that can result in developmental problems. But they said it does identify where the virus may be inflicting the most damage in developing fetuses. Zika has been linked to numerous cases of microcephaly in Brazil, where the current outbreak began, and is spreading rapidly in Latin America and in Caribbean nations, prompting the World Health Organization last month to declare a global public health emergency. The WHO on Friday said there is accumulating evidence of a link between the virus and microcephaly as well as a rare disorder called Guillain-Barre syndrome in which the immune system attacks part of the nervous system. The WHO’s Emergency Committee will meet Tuesday to review “evolving information” and its recommendations on travel, trade and mosquito control in what is thought to be high season

Rosana Vieira Alves and her 5-month-old daughter Luana Vieira (Reuters/Ueslei Marcelino) for transmission of the virus in the southern hemisphere. The WHO last month advised pregnant women to consider delaying travel to areas where Zika is spreading. Travel to Brazil has been a particular concern because the Summer Olympics will be held in Rio de Janeiro in August. Dr. Bruce Aylward, WHO’s executive director for outbreaks and health emergencies, said recently published studies in the Lancet medical journal on microcephaly and by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) o n Guillain-Barre had strengthened the case that Zika is responsible. The White House and the CDC will bring together U.S. state and local officials on April 1 for a summit at the CDC’s Atlanta headquarters to urgently craft a plan to attack the hard-to-control

mosquito that spreads the virus. The White House is inviting officials involved in mosquito control and public health to discuss how best to track and control the spread of the virus and respond when people are infected. U.S. federal health officials expect the first locally transmitted cases of the Zika virus in the continental United States by June or July. MICROCEPHALY OUTSIDE BRAZIL There were fresh signs on Friday of Zika-linked microcephaly cases outside Brazil. The first microcephaly case linked to Zika was reported in Colombia. In addition, doctors in Venezuela reported the first suspected Zika-linked microcephaly case in a fetus that died whose mother likely was infected with the virus. Much remains unknown about Zika, including whether the virus actually causes microcephaly. Brazil said it has confirmed more than 640 microcephaly cases and considers most to be related to Zika infections in the mothers. Brazil is investigating more than 4,200 additional suspected microcephaly cases. The study in Cell Stem Cell showed that Zika infects a kind of neural stem cell that gives rise to the cerebral cortex, the brain’s outer layer responsible for intellectual capabilities and higher mental functions. These cells, exposed to the virus in laboratory dishes, became infected within three days, turned into “virus factories” for viral replication and died more quickly than normal, the researchers said.

U.S. urges Russia to pressure Ukraine rebels over attacks (Reuters) - Russia needs to use its influence on separatists in eastern Ukraine to halt attacks by pro-Russian rebels, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Reuters yesterday. The Minsk peace deal, reached in the Belarussian capital in February 2015, has stalled as attacks have increased in the east where Ukrainian government forces face off against the rebels. “What we’ve seen in the

last couple of weeks is an increase in violent attacks along the line of control ... and whether that is being instigated by Russia, or acquiesced to by Russia, doesn’t matter,” Blinken s aid in an interview in Paris. “The Russians have tremendous leverage over the separatists. If they want to turn it (the violence) off they can and indeed they must,” he added. Blinken said implementing

the Minsk peace agreement was the only way forward and was in the interest of all sides, including the Russians who are suffering Western sanctions because of their involvement in the Ukrainian conflict. Talks on Thursday in Paris, including the Ukrainian and Russian foreign ministers, as well as their French and German counterparts, produced no breakthrough, according to the Ukrainian foreign minister.

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EU courts Turkey and outlines plan to save open borders

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan (R) meets with European Council President Donald Tusk in Istanbul, Turkey yesterday. (REUTERS/YASIN BULBUL/PRESIDENTIAL PALACE/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS) (Reuters) - European Union officials voiced guarded optimism yesterday that Turkey was starting to cooperate to stem the flow of migrants to Europe, as Brussels outlined a timetable for restoring open borders across the continent by the end of the year. European Council President Donald Tusk, who will chair an emergency EU summit with Turkey on Monday, said after talks in Ankara he saw first signs that EU states were overcoming their differences to tackle the year-old crisis. He also said Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu had told him Turkey was ready to take back all migrants apprehended in Turkish waters. The EU is demanding that Ankara crack down on people-smuggling and take back all illegal migrants from its shores who do not qualify for asylum in the 28-nation EU. Even Syrians “apprehended” in Turkish waters, including by NATO patrols, would be put back ashore in Turkey. “For the first time since the beginning of the migration crisis, I can see a European consensus emerging,” Tusk said in a summit invitation letter to leaders. “It is a consensus around a comprehensive strategy that, if loyally implemented, can help stem the flows and tackle the crisis.” The EU is trying to close its porous external borders and change the calculus of people fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East and beyond, offering them help if they stay put. While Tusk was holding talks with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, the European Commission announced the first payouts from a 3 billion-euro (£2.3 billion) fund to

help Ankara keep some 2.5 million Syrian refugees on Turkish soil. It also said Turkey was making progress towards achieving eagerly sought visa liberalisation for its citizens in the EU. EU envoy to Turkey Hansjorg Haber told reporters in Istanbul that 400 million euros had been disbursed on humanitarian aid and schooling for migrants. After three months of mounting frustration in Europe since leaders signed a migration accord with Turkey, it was unclear what had moved Ankara to the point that an immediate reduction in flows seemed on the cards. One EU official said Turkish leaders, busy with other priorities affecting their own national security, appeared to finally understand that Europeans might withdraw their various offers if numbers did not fall quickly. Meeting in Paris, the leaders of Germany and France agreed that refugees fleeing war in Syria should stay in the region and said their common objective was to put Europe’s frayed Schengen passport-free travel agreement back into operation. “Our efforts are not done yet,” Chancellor Angela Merkel told a joint news conference with President Francois Hollande. “I understand that Turkey also expects Europe to deliver.” Merkel pressed for Monday’s summit with Davutoglu in an effort to demonstrate results before three regional elections in Germany on March 13 in which her conservatives face losses to the anti-migration Alternative for Germany party. STAMPEDE Tusk said Monday’s summit would confirm the EU had closed the so-called Western Balkans route from Greece to

northern Europe, which has been the main entry point for migrants. “The number of illegal entries from Turkey to Greece remains far too high,” he said after his talks with Davutoglu. Some 30,000 migrants are bottled up in Greece and more are arriving at a rate of 2,000 to 3,000 a day despite still wintry seas. “We both believe that we can reduce the flow through the large-scale and rapid return from Greece of all migrants not in need of international protection,” Tusk said. On a visit to Athens, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Ankara was seeing a significant decrease in the number of refugees arriving at its borders, due to its changing visa regime. In Brussels, the Commission presented a step-by-step plan to implement agreed or already-proposed measures including a new EU border and coastguard - to curb the influx after more than a million people arrived in an uncontrolled stampede in 2015. “We cannot have free movement internally if we cannot manage our external borders effectively,” Migration Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos told a news conference. Eight countries in the 26nation Schengen zone have put temporary, emergency border controls in place to control the flow of migrants, putting in jeopardy one of Europe’s most prized achievements. In a pre-summit report to EU leaders, the Commission estimated that a complete collapse of passport-free travel in the Schengen zone could cost the European economy up to 18 billion euros ($19.8 billion) a year. Much of the cost would fall on cross-border commuters, transport and tourism.

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Saturday March 05, 2016

Japan partners with St Kitts and Nevis in renewable energy

(Back Row) Brenda Boncamper (second from left); Samuel Berridge (third from left); Kay Bass (fourth from left); others: Officials from JICA. Front Row (L-R) Jervan Swanston; Ian ‘Patches’ Liburd; Tadayuki Ogawa; Cartwright Farrell BASSETERRE, St Kitts (SKNIS) — Officials from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have signed documents with the St Kitts and Nevis government to begin technical cooperation in the area of renewable energy and energy efficiency. At the signing ceremony on Wednesday, Ian ‘Patches’ Liburd, minister of public infrastructure, posts, urban development and transport, said that Japan has committed to assist the region in addressing its energy concerns in light of the reality that St Kitts and Nevis, like most other Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries, is highly dependent on imported fossil fuel as its primary energy resource. The minister highlighted that the high price of fossil fuels has impacted the country’s economic development through increasing the cost of living for its citizens. He said that JICA con-

ducted a “Data Collection Survey on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency” for twelve countries of CARICOM including St Kitts and Nevis from August 2014 to February 2015, in order to study the needs in energy sector in these countries. Based on the results of the survey, a technical cooperation project to promote energy efficiency between the CARICOM island countries and JICA is requested utilizing Japan’s experiences and technologies. Senior advisor for JICA, Tadayuki Ogawa, said that he was very pleased to begin cooperation with St Kitts and Nevis. “Today, I am very pleased to attend this meeting to sign the document, what we call minutes of meetings between Japan International Cooperation Agency and the ministry of public infrastructure, posts, urban development and transport, as well as witnesses from SKELEC (St Kitts Electricity Co. Ltd) and NEVLEC (Nevis Electricity

Company Co. Ltd),” Ogawa said. “We are aware; we recognize that your country is facing challenges of energy supply because you are very much dependent on the imported fossil fuel and fluctuating price of the crude oil market. We hope that we will be able to assist the country through this technical cooperation through introducing renewable energies and also promoting energy efficiencies,” Ogawa added, while emphasizing that Japan has over 6,000 islands and is one of the world’s leading developers of renewable energies and indigenous technologies. “We wish that we will be able to transfer some of these technologies to your country so that St Kitts and Nevis will be able to utilize these technologies as much as possible to achieve its goal in energy supply,” he continued. The project between JICA and the ministry of public infrastructure, posts, urban development and transport, will run for three years, from July 2016 to June 2019. The joint cooperation will include the dispatch of six Japanese experts to St Kitts and Nevis, with Japan providing accommodation and transport and St Kitts and Nevis providing office space. Japan will provide training for local staff in Japan in the areas of micro grid system including grid stabilization technology and policies and technologies for energy efficiency promotion. The final project document will be signed in two months. (Caribbean News)

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No proof of 2006 World Cup vote buying, Beckenbauer under pressure FRANKFURT (Reuters) There is no evidence of voterigging in the awarding of the 2006 soccer World Cup to Germany, according to a report into the scandal which piled more pressure on former World Cup chief Franz Beckenbauer over a payment to a disgraced former FIFA official. “We have no proof of vote buying,” Christian Duve of the Freshfields law firm, commissioned by the German Football Association (DFB),

told a news conference on Friday. “Although we cannot rule it out completely.” He said his firm had not been able to talk to everyone involved, including Sepp Blatter, the former president of world soccer’s governing body FIFA who has been suspended from soccer over a separate, wide-reaching corruption scandal. Beckenbauer, a soccer icon in Germany, was already under pressure to deliver an-

swers over a 6.7 million euro ($7.34 million) payment to FIFA in 2005 and he now appears to have transferred 10 million Swiss francs to former FIFA official Mohamed Bin Hammam in 2002. The affair, which has shocked soccer-mad Germany, was triggered by the payment from the German FA (DFB) to FIFA in 2005 which the DFB said last year was a return of a loan from former Adidas chief Robert LouisDreyfus. Der Spiegel maga-

German Football Association (DFB) designated president Reinhard Grindel, interim presidents Reinhard Rauball and Rainer Koch and media director Ralf Koettker (L-2nd R) listen as Freshfields lawyer Christian Duve addresses a news conference in Frankfurt, Germany. (Reuters/Kai Pfaffenbach)

Saturday March 05, 2016 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Some relatives will be extremely perplexing. Drastic financial losses may be likely if you lend money. You should avoid getting involved in the personal problems of colleagues. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Don't trust coworkers with important or personal information. You will not impress others by being foolishly generous. Get involved in a competitive sport that will bring the challenges you thrive on. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Small business ventures can earn you extra cash. Avoid being intimately involved with clients or colleagues. Finish overdue paperwork and catch up on letter writing and reading. CANCER (June 21–July 22) You can make headway if you share your intentions with someone you care about. Take action. Get involved in philosophic groups that will enlighten you.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You could find yourself left with someone's dirty laundry. You need a break from your daily routine. You can accomplish the most if you travel for business purposes. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You will expand your circle of friends if you join groups. Avoid getting too close to coworkers or employers. Friends and relatives may be hard to take today. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Be extra careful with your valuables; loss and theft are evident today. Don't let your health suffer because of worry. Talk to someone you trust. Don't let your health suffer because of worry. Talk to someone you trust. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Do not borrow or lend money or belongings to friends or relatives if you wish to avoid any hassles. Think of joining a health club that will benefit your physical appearance. You will find that joint ventures could easily turn out to be dead end projects.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Use your charm, but don't sign or agree to anything. Use your quick wit to win points and friends. You will have to do a lot of running around, so be prepared to fall short of your expectations.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Your suggestions for fund raising events will be well received. You can accomplish a great deal. Don't forget that your budget is limited right now.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Focus on using your creative abilities in other ways. Brunch, a long walk, or a quiet dinner will secure your position in the relationship. You may find that romance will unfold through business connections.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Don't hesitate to voice your opinions at a group meeting; however, keep your thoughts to yourself at home. Do not let others exhaust you financially. You are best not to confide in anyone right now.

zine said it was allegedly used to buy votes. Duve said the payment from the DFB had indeed been transferred to FIFA in 2005 but was not intended for the opening ceremony gala as was indicated in documents. “It was immediately transferred on to an account of Louis-Dreyfus,” Duve said. Sports equipment maker Adidas, a long-time DFB sponsor, has said it was unaware of any such payment. BECKENBAUER PAYMENT The report also identified a series of payments totaling 10 million Swiss francs from Beckenbauer, the former World Cup-winning player and coach, via the Swiss bank account of a law firm to scaffolding company Kemco in Qatar, the owner of which was disgraced former FIFA official Bin Hammam. The payments were made in 2002, some two years after Germany was awarded the 2006 tournament. Bin Hammam, the former president of the Asian Football Confederation, was banned for life from all soccer-related activity in December 2012. “They landed somewhere in Qatar, this (company) is under the influence of Bin Hammam. But anything beyond that is speculation. We had the task of presenting the facts,” said Duve, who added that some documents were missing from the DFB headquarters. “You could connect the payment with the FIFA reelection of Blatter or for the 2006 vote but that would be pure speculation.” Beckenbauer has admitted making mistakes but has vehemently denied any wrongdoing. He could not be immediately reached for comment on Friday.

FIFA said it would study Duve’s report carefully and incorporate the results into its own current investigation. DFB interim president Rainer Koch said there was a “complete failure of mechanisms at the DFB which cannot happen again”. He also blamed former DFB chief Wolfgang Niersbach, who resigned last

year over the affair and faces a tax evasion probe, for stopping information going to the DFB. “We will not be drawing any quick conclusions,” Koch said. “We will study this report and discuss it and we will also wait for the tax authorities investigation before drawing any conclusions.”

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Golyn 10/10 fixtures:

Kaieteur News

Saturday March 05, 2016

Teams aim to extend their lead

The Golyn 10/10 countrywide softball cricket tournament organized by the

Guyana Softball League and sponsored by Trophy Stall and Golyn and sons

continues this weekend with two unbeaten teams in Speedboat SC and Omesh XI aiming to extend their unbeaten run in this tournament. The matches will be played at Leonora Primary School Ground and farm ground respectively. THE FIXTURESARE AS FOLLOWS: AT LEONORA GROUND: Speedboat SC face Mighty Lions. The reigning 10/10 champion for this zone is Speedboat SC who will aim to extend their unbeaten run to 16 consecutive matches as the battle with Mighty Lions. On the other hand Mighty Lions who have had a mixed entry to this tournament are aiming to upset the champs in this tournament. Manoj Persaud, who has led his team admirably so far, will be looking to exploit any weakness as the 10/10 format has shown that on their day any team can win. Omesh XI will be hoping to extend their unbeaten run to four matches when they play Rydem Star.

East Bank zone to start Good Fortuin Exclusive XI face Amazon Warriors as both teams look for their first win. Superbet XI collide with Unstoppable XI. Superstreet XI take on Vipers XI as the nearby village rivals collide in what should be a very close encounter. AT FARM GROUND: 9.00 AM: East Bank XI tackle Brickery All Stars. Meanwhile, the One ball manto has been boosted by some more sponsors and trophies will be up for grabs as the credit by Miss Love Trading (West Coast) and credit for each week’s winner and also a G shock watch will be offered for the King of the Manto for the tournament. Additionally Teams wishing to register for this tournament can contact the following reps: BERBICE SOFTBALL LEAGUEOmeshwar Sirikishun – 627-5788; Pinky

Arthur – 615-9423;Alston Barrington – 628-8291;James Hart – 628-2391/335-3111; ESSEQUIBO SOFTBALL LEAGUE – Travis Simon – 603-0106/619-2022; Anil Durga – 644-5276; Elroy Stephney – 621-8484; Eckie Persaud – 649-1382; Shermon Austin – 663-8278; LINDEN SOFTBALL LEAGUE – Mortimer Denny – 639-0057/ 442-1562/653-2589; EAST COAST SOFTBALL LEAGUE – Nadir Baskh – 6967285/222-3605; EAST BANK DEMERARA – SHAFEEK MOHAMED – 657-2300/2654729/216-1861;WEST DEMERARA – Ravendra Ramgobin – 276-1381; ESSQ ISLANDS – VEREN CHINTAMANIE – 6929611;BONASIKA – Ashraf Mohamed -665-6138/6649245; AFTER 6PM ; Edward Skeete- Bartica or GUYANA SOFTBALL LEAGUE DIRECT Leonard Harprashad – 646-0568/268-2458 for any zone.

West Indies all-rounder Russell commits doping violation

KINGSTON (Reuters) West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell has committed an “anti-doping whereabouts” rule violation, the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) told Reuters on Wednesday. The 27-year-old, named in the West Indies squad for the World Twenty20 in India that starts next week, has missed three doping tests within a 12-month period. “We received notification of Russell’s violation about two weeks ago and I’ve appointed a panel to hear his case,” said JADCO independent disciplinary panel chairman Kent Pantry. Russell, who helped West Indies win the 2012 World Twenty20, faces a possible two-year ban from cricket if found guilty. “There is a process regarding the findings by JADCO. All that will be observed and you will be advised accordingly,” the West Indies

West Indies bowler Andre Russell surveys the outfield during their Cricket World Cup match against Pakistan in Christchurch, February 21, 2015. (Reuters/Nigel Marple) Cricket Board told Reuters. Athletes must tell their local anti-doping agency where they will be for at

EBDCA 50-over on this weekend The East Bank Demerara Cricket Association 50-over tournament will continue this weekend. Combined United will play Ruimveldt at Farm and Providence will take on

Farm today at Laluni. Tomorrow North Soesdyke will play Nandy Park at Farm and Uprising will battle Sand Pipers at Laluni. Matches start at 09:30 hrs.

least one hour each day to facilitate drug tests, World Anti-Doping Agency rules state. If an athlete misses three drug checks within a 12monthperiod, that counts as a positive test. Russell, who last month helped Islamabad United win the Pakistan Super league and was named man of the tournament, also plays for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League.

Saturday March 05, 2016

Kaieteur News

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Chanderpaul, Haniff hit unbeaten fifties Paul Persaud rolls back the years with boundary filled 31 Played in a jovial atmosphere under lights at Bourda on Thursday night, ExGuyana opener Azeemul Haniff and former West Indies and Guyana batsman Shiv Chanderpaul made unbeaten fifties, while former Guyana opener Paul Persaud hit seven fours in an unbeaten 31 in a specially arranged 25-over match to honour Persaud. The 44-year-old Persaud returned to Guyana for the first time in 15 years, the same amount of time that the lefthander had not picked up a bat. But on a slow track, lush green outfield and in windy conditions, Persaud rolled back the years with an array

of classical cover drives to remind those old enough to remember why he was once regarded as the most talented young openers in the West Indies before illness linked to death of his mother in 1991, put his promising career in disarray. The two teams were led by the Persaud siblings Peter, a former national U-19 opener and Paul. Paul’s team, led by two useful partnerships involving the still extremely fit 42year-old Chanderpaul, won by nine wickets after posting 140-1 replying to Peter’s X1 138-8 in 25 overs. Peter ’s X1 total was mainly due to an accom-

plished undefeated 56 from 39 balls decorated with five fours and a six from Haniff, who is just one of two players with inter-county 50-over double centuries. His double was made for Demerara against Essequibo on his home ground Bourda. Essequibo’s Kevin Boodie is the other player to achieve the feat. Haniff looked just as good as when he made 235 against Bangladesh at Bourda when he and Sewnarine Chattergoon shared in a triple century opening stand for Guyana. The 38-year-old Haniff, who played 51 First-Class games, played some delightful cover drives and confi-

West Indies beat Warwickshire by 13 runs in warm up fixture DUBAI – Solid batting and clever bowling at the back end of both innings helped the West Indies turn back a strong challenge from Warwickshire in their T20 warm-up match yesterday. Denesh Ramdin (52 not out) and Jason Holder (23 not out) added a vital 68 off the final six overs as the Windies batted first and reached 1455 off 20 overs on a good pitch at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Ramdin hit five boundaries off 37 balls to earn the Man-of-the-Match award. Dwayne Bravo then bowled a match-winning spell in the Bears’s innings to limit them to 132-5 – as West Indies secured victory by 13 runs. He delivered a mixture of well-disguised slower balls and well-directed cutters to end with 3-23 off four overs. Scores: WEST INDIES 145-5 off 20 overs (Denesh Ramdin 52 not out, Jason Holder 23 not out, Darren Sammy 20) WARWICKSHIRE 132-5 off 20 overs (Varun Chopra 42, Ian Bell 35; Dwayne Bravo 323). Speaking with WICB Media after the game, fast bowling legend and bowling consultant Curtly Ambrose said he is satisfied with the performance. “The bowling is coming together, we have had a few good games and there is always room for improvement. I am satisfied the way we are bowling. As a bowling unit we are working with a plan and so far it is going well. I am hoping that by the time we get to India it can come together so that we can do well in this tournament,” he

added. About Dwayne Bravo match winning spell, Ambrose said the all-rounder is a professional and understands T20. “Bravo is going to be an asset in this tournament, there is not too much I can say to him, he is a brilliant player and will lead other bowlers, I am happy with the way he is bowling and he is a good motivator as well”. Ambrose explained that the team spirit is good. “We are working hard and doing well so far in the warm up games. The spirit is good and we are enjoying what we are doing and that will be the difference,” he said. “We lost a few early wickets in the second and third games but the good thing about this team is that we have depth and that is going to be the key. We are a team that doesn’t rely on one and two players. When we lost a few early wickets there are guys in the middle and lower order that can come and give us a good total and that is strength. I am quiet comfortable with both batting and bowling, the fielding is good but still can improve, nevertheless I am satisfied,” he stated. Ambrose spoke highly of the Dubai international stadium and pitch.

Full Squad; Darren Sammy (Captain), Samuel Badree, Sulieman Benn, Carlos Brathwaite, Dwayne Bravo, Johnson Charles, Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Jason Holder, Ashley Nurse, Denesh Ramdin, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons and Jerome Taylor. FULLMATCH SCHEDULE United Arab Emirates Series Saturday, February 27: West Indies beat Zimbabwe by 18 runs – Sharjah Stadium, Sharjah Monday, February 29: West Indies beat Zimbabwe by 10 wickets – Sharjah Stadium, Sharjah Friday, March 4: West Indies beat Warwickshire by 13 runs – Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai Sunday, March 6: vs Warwickshire – Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai ICC WORLD T20 WARM-UPS Thursday, March 10: vs India – Eden Garden, Kolkata Sunday, March 13: vs Australia – Eden Garden, Kolkata ICC WORLD T20 SUPER 10 GROUP 1 Wednesday, March 16: vs England – Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai Sunday, March 20: vs Sri Lanka – M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore Friday, March 25: vs South Africa – Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur Sunday, March 27: vs Qualifier 1B – Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur

dent strokes to the wide longon boundary after losing Douglas DeGroot, bowled by National U-19 player Renaldo Mohamed-Ali for a duck. He added 48 for the second wicket with Devon Lord (19) on a night the lefthanders dominated the scoring on both sides. Former Guyana Youth batsman Anthony Rigby showed he had not lost his flair only his fitness when he hit former Test pacer Reon King behind point for four to break the sequence of lefties. But two more southpaws, Peter Persaud (10) and exGuyana keeper Shiek Mohamed (15) supported Haniff who retired once he reached his fifty. Chanderpaul (bowling medium pace) and International Umpire Nigel Dugid (left-arm spin) had two wickets each. Former Guyana U-19 lefthander Richard Jodah, who survived two confident LBW shouts against off-spinner Sean Devers, bowling in his

first match since his brain Surgery in 2012, played some elegant drives in his 29 and reached the boundary four times before he retired. Chanderpaul, who showed no signs of his finger injury when he made 165 against DCC for Everest last weekend, pulled Devers for three boundaries before reaching his fifty with consecutive sixes off left-arm spinner Les Ramalho. The experienced Chanderpaul then added 90 with Paul who accelerated after a slow start to spinners. The younger of the Persaud brother is still the only batsman with 1,000 runs for Guyana at U-19 level. He drove Mark Ferreira past midon before hitting the medium pacer for four consecutive off-side boundaries in the expensive over. Persaud was not done yet and swept Edward Bowen for successive fours as Dexter McKenzie (4) was the only batsman dismissed when a direct by Ferreira found him

short of his ground. After the game glowing tributes were paid to Paul and a plaque was presented to the former West Indies U-19 opener and GCC player by his club for his outstanding contribution to GCC, Guyana and the West Indies. President of GCC Lionel Jaikarran were among those who spoke at the presentation. He told the gathering that it was great to see the level of camaraderie among those who played with Paul in the 80s and 90’s. Persaud was overwhelmed with emotions when he spoke about his mother’s death which he said badly affected his cricket and the support he got from his close relatives which keep him from joining his late mother in Heaven. The match was organised by Jodah. Sheik Mohamed presented 30 uniforms from his Enmore based Sports Store ‘Star Sports’ (formally Tiger Sports) to the GCC U-13 section.

Memorex Under-19 Two-innings Cricket Competition in Berbic

Deonarine (124 n.o.) Seitaram (96, 4 - 29) see Tucber Park to Semi-finals Guyana Under-17 batsman Steve Deonarine slammed 124 n.o. and Berbice Under-19 allrounder Joel Seitaram took 4 for 29 and hit 96 to put Tucber Park on the road to defeat Port Mourant outright thus earning the right to advance to the semi-finals of the Memorex Under-19 Two-innings Cricket Competition in Berbice. In their quarter-final played at the Port Mourant Ground, Tucber Park defeated Port Mourant by an innings and 151 runs. Port Mourant, sent in on a pitch with some moisture from early morning rain, did well to have their openers Brandon Mangal (25) and Sarwan Chaitnarine (15) put on 44 for the 1st wicket. But after that, left arm spinner Seitaram picked up three consecutive wickets and Berbice Under-17 leg-spinner Brandon Stewart two to leave them 77 for 5. Berbice Under-17 batsman Daniel Samaroo was batting solidly but he got no support as yet another Berbice Under17 leg-spinner Dion Sinclair picked up the next few wickets and this together with

Steve Deonarine

Joel Seitaram

Seitaram snatching the last one, Port Mourant were bowled out for 115 in their first innings with Samaroo still there at the end with 42 n.o. Sinclair took 4 for 18, Seitaram 4 for 29 and Stewart 2 for 30. When Tucber Park replied, they were soon 32 for 2, but then Deonarine and Seitaram joined forces and proceeded to put on 122 for the 3rd wicket after which Seitaram fell for 96 (10 fours). After he left, Deonarine took charge and held the innings together steering Tucber Park to 314 all out. He was there at

the end with 124 n.o., Dion Sinclair made 22. Bowling for Port Mourant, Vivekanand Jaggit took 5 for 72 and Berbice Under-15 pacer Cheddi Boodoo 3 for 74. When Port Mourant batted again, facing a 199 run first innings deficit, they were confronted by a pace attack that dismantled their 2nd innings for just 49 with only Jaggit showing any resistance with 26. Bowling for Tucber Park, John Cameron took 4 for 10, Joel Davis 2 for 5, Lookpaul Sahadeo 2 for 13 and Dominique Durant 2 for 13.

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Kaieteur News

Saturday March 05, 2016

STAG/EBFA Senior Round of Sixteen League launched commences today Defending champs Grove to face Milo Under-20 Schools Football Competition

Herstelling in opener tomorrow

STAG Brand Coordinator Mr. Lindon Henry (right) hands over the cheque to EBFA President Franklin Wilson in the presence of Executive Member, Seenauth Ransahai. The 2016 edition of the STAG / East Bank Football Association (EBFA) Senior League was launched yesterday at title sponsor, Ansa McAl Headquarters, Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara. STAG Brand Coordinator Mr. Lindon Henry in announcing the company’s renewed commitment stated that they have been supporting football on the East Bank for a number of years and have seen the teams grow from strength to strength. ”Stag is very pleased to continue its partnership with East Bank football. We have seen the players develop and move on to the Stag Elite

League which is in its first year and that we are proud of. As a company we are looking forward to even greater things from this y e a r ’s league and we wish the competing clubs, the best,” Henry noted. EBFA President Franklin Wilson expressed the associations thanks to Ansa McAl and STAG for their continued partnership singling out Ms. Beverly Harper, Troy Cadogan and Ms. Darshanie Yussuf for special mention. ”The EBFA is once again thankful to Ansa McAl and Stag for their investment in our players across the East Bank spectrum. We have seen

development of the sport and our players as a result of your investment and for that we are grateful. We commit to continue and improve this trend as a result of this year’s league,” Wilson stated. Some seven clubs will battle for bragging rights beginning tomorrow afternoon at the Grove Playfield when defending champions Grove Hi Tech oppose Herstelling Raiders. The other competing clubs are Agricola Red Triangle, Soesdyke Falcons, Kuru Kururu Warriors, Diamond United and Mocha Champs. Matches will be played every Sunday at the same venue.

-Lapse in focus could spell doom for teams

Now that the business end of this year’s Milo Under-20 Schools Football Competition commences today and continues tomorrow, teams that have made it this far will know that any lapse in focus could spell doom for their chances of reaching the championship round. Today will mark the start of competition in the round of 16 stage and four matches are scheduled to be played, at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue. In the opening game at 11:00 hrs, North Ruimveldt opposes former champion Lodge in what is anticipated to be a scorching affair. Lodge will be depending on players the calibre of Shemar Smith, Leon Blake and Simeon Hackett to lead them to victory and a place in the quarter-final, while North Ruimveldt quest for victory and a spot in the last eight will rest on the shoulders of Tyrese Rowley, Ashaish Alleyne and Matthew Harrison. Last year’s beaten finalist

Dolphin then spring into action when they face Richard Ishmael and this encounter, too, promises fireworks, but the former has shown good form to date and have looked like they intend to go one step further this time. Leon Richardson has been a model of consistency for Dolphin and he will be hoping that players like Akeem Daniels and Derick Ross are up to the task to offer him much support, while Richard Ishmael’s Tamiel Hutson, Isaiah Jack and Closson McLaren, who are among the leading marksmen for the team continue their torment of opposing defenders. Queen’s College then take to the field to match stride with Tucville and while the latter made a slow start in this year’s competition they’ve gradually improved and the former are being advised to take full notice of their improvement. Tucville finished the group stage three points adrift of champions Chase Academic Foundation, who

accounted for their only loss and they will feel that they now have the confidence and team chemsitry to beat any team before them. Star player Keifer Brandt, Calvin Peters and Julian Bamfield are the players whose responsibility it will be to secure a quarter-final spot, while Queen’s College search for a place in the last eight will depend on the performances of Michael Hunter, Kevin Wills, Damani Thomas, Ashmar Angel and Jumal Sampson. The final game of the day is between St. Rose’s and Bishop’s high and this encounter could be an explosive affair. The speedy Loncel Martin is the spearhead of St. Rose’s attack along with Shamar Jones, while the combination of Lloyd Anderson, Shemar Britton and Tyrese Souvenir has proven to be a lethal one for Bishop’s High. The competition resumes the following day, at the same venue.

Regal Sport/Trophy Stall T20 continues tomorrow at Wakenaam The Regal Sport/Trophy Stall T20 competition is set to continue tomorrow in Wakenaam. G Square Cavaliers will play Sans Souci at Belle Plaine, Sans Souci Jag-

uars will face Good Succ e s s a t t h e Wa k e n a a m Community Centre ground and Maria’s Pleasure will travel to Zeelandia at 09:30 hrs.

At 13:30 hrs, G Square Cavaliers will play Zeelandia at Belle Plaine and Maria’s Pleasure will battle Sans Souci at the Community Centre ground.

GCA plays on this weekend The Georgetown Cricket Association/Trophy Stall, Star Party Rentals and GISE first division two-day competition will continue this weekend with two matches. At Bourda, Georgetown Cricket Club will face Police

(Shannon Crawford and Javed Persaud) and GNIC SC will take on Gandhi Yo u t h O rg a n i s a t i o n a t Malteenoes SC (Cyril Garnath and Clyde Layne). Both games start at 09:30 hrs on Saturday. Everest are leading the

points table in zone A with 64 followed by GDF 60, GCC 42, Transport SC 45 and Police 20, while DCC lead zone B with 85, Malteenoes SC are in second place on 61 ahead of GNIC 43, UG 43 and GYO on 30.

Saturday March 05, 2016

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Wyles elected to lead NRMSS Old Students Assoc. The North Ruimveldt Multilateral Secondary School (NRMSS) Old Students Association recently elected a new executive to continue the resuscitation of the school’s facilities. D e x t e r Wy l e s w a s elected to serve as President with Orin Walton as his Deputy. The remaining members of the executive are: Secretary- Alecia James Patterson; Treasurer Hazel Nurse; Assistant Secretary - Christopher Matthias and Assistant Treasurer - Beverly Mitchell. The four Committee Members are: Deborah Dodson-Coulthrust, Julia Mckenzie, Minsodia Fenty and R e i t t a R o b e r t s Dandrade, while the

Public Relations Officer is Ivor Thompson. Meanwhile, the Body identified a number of areas where the focus will be and they include the resurfacing of the Basketball Court located at the back of the Auditorium and the installation of a basketball hoop. It was also agreed that because the previous wood floori n g i n t h e Auditorium was removed, the need to install a new one has arisen and work will be done in that area as well. Among the other priorities is the tiling of the floor in the Home Economics Department (Food Lab) and the acquisition of qualified Coaches for all Sporting Disciplines.

Newly elected President of the North Ruimveldt Multilateral Secondary School Ols Students Association Dexter Wyles (centre sitting) poses with other members of the executive recently. The Body also discussed measures to improve the

Drama Department and to commence dialogue with

GFSCA Wolf’s Warriors extends gratitude to supporters and fans

parents and teachers with the aim of hosting a mega-fair

during/after Independence Celebrations.

Matarkai SC to host Tapeball cricket and Football tourney Matarkai Sports Committee in collaboration with Ronaldo Rodrigues will be hosting a Tapeball cricket and football competition starting March 26 and culminating on March 28 under lights at the Fitzburg ground, Port Kaituma, Region one. Canal Bank Warriors, Hosororo, Four Miles and The Ranchers are the teams set to battle in the male segment of the Tapeball, while Four Miles, Canal Bank, The Ghetto Girls and Foundation will vie for supremacy in the female division. There will also be two masters game. Hosororo, Matthew’s Ridge, Port Kaituma United, Port Kaituma Secondary School, Digicel football team, Arakaka and Oronoque will contest the football competition.

Entries for KMTC Phagwah race meet close tomorrow GFSCA Wolf’s Warriors winners in the Open Category of “Guyana Softball Cup 4” which was played in Georgetown, Guyana on November 2nd 2014. GFSCA Wolf’s Warriors Cricket Team is expressing gratitude to its supporters, fans and well-wishers in helping to make possible their trip to the US to participate in the in the 13th Florida Cup Softball Festival. The tournament is sponsored by the South Florida Softball Cricket League.

This event will be held on the 11th, 12th and 13th of March, 2016 and Wolf’s Warriors depart Guyana on March 8th. GFSCA Wolf’s Warriors is the only all-star team from Guyana which will be playing in this year ’s competition. GFSCA Wolf’s Warriors is especially grateful to the

many corporate entities which have assisted financially, logistically and technically to make their sojourn a success. “As the only Guyanese team participating in the Open competition, we are aware of the high expectations which have been placed on us. We wish to assure supporters and fans

that we will play competitive cricket and will do all we can to bring back glory to Guyana,” the team stated in a release. The other teams to take part in Florida next weekend are Floodlight, Floodlight Legend and Regal Masters. They will take part in the Masters category.

Kennard Memorial Turf Club will be hosting their Phagwah Race Meet on March 13 at Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne, Berbice and entries close tomorrow, Sunday March 6th. These races will be run under the rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority and owners of horses must pay at least $5,000 for each horse at the time of entry. Registration can be done through Roopnarine Matadial on 325-3192, Ivan Dipnarine on 331-0316, Cecil Kennard on 623-7609 or 226-1399, Fazal Habibulla on 657-7010 or Dennis DeRoop on 640-6396. Several races are carded for the day with the main event being D1 and lower W/A which carries a first prize of $700,000. Other races on the tins are L and lower for a top purse of $100,000, H 1 and lower which will see the winner taking home $240,000, K and lower in which the victor will pocket $120,000, G1 and lower for a first prize of $280,000 and J 1 and lower, the winner will take home $160,000.

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Kaieteur News

Saturday March 05, 2016

Scotiabank provides T-shirts for Buski Eleven Banking giants Bank of Nova Scotia took up the offer to provide playing shirts for last year runners up - the Buski Eleven in the Young Warriors Cricket Club annual fundraiser, Mash Cup 2016. The highly anticipated tournament which was slated for Mash Day, Tuesday February 23, was postponed due to persistent rain in the Berbice area and is now set for March 20 at the Cumberland Ground. At a simple ceremony held recently, the shirts were handed over by the bank’s New Amsterdam Branch Manager, Vibert Jones to team captain Rafeek Kassim. The manager said that Scotiabank is pleased once more to give back to sports and provide support for the communities in which they operate. Scotia Bank is also the Proud Sponsor of Kiddy’s Cricket in the Caribbean. In response, Kassim thanked the bank for their generosity and promised to

represent the sponsorship well. Scotia Bank has been on board with Kascon Engineering Service - a construction company for which Mr Kassim is the Principal for a number of activities with the most popular being the annual Christmas Caroling. He said that he observed over the years that the bank is very supportive of sports and charity and referred to how the staff would raise funds during the year to bring joy to the less fortunate during Christmas time. Mr Kassim was also generous to this event by providing lighting for the Mash Cup after party and cash support. He said that he was driven by the fact that he was so happy to see that for the first time a West Indies under-19 team won a youth World Cup. To make it even better, the captain is one of our very own, Shimron Hetmyer, who is a product of the YWCC. He called on the national senior selectors to get Shimron quickly back

Rafeek Kassim (left), smiles as he receives one of the shirts from Scotiabank New Amsterdam Branch Manager Vibert Jones in the presence of other staff members and cricketers. into the national team and urged the West Indies selectors to do likewise with not only him but the other outstanding players. He made special mention of Alzarri Joseph who bowls faster and with more control than most if not all of the current crop of West Indian pacers.

Kassim was one of the major organizers of the motorcade to honour Hetmyer on his return to Berbice. In the meantime, the YWCC wish to thank the following sponsors for their support so far: ANSA McAL, Ashiek and Sons Motor Supplies

and Auto Sale, Massy Distribution, Roshan Satar Supermarket, A Ally and Sons Showroom, Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited, Memorex, NBS Ltd, J’s Printery, Vickram Jewellery, Sham Beer Garden, Mr Mortimer George, Attorney at law Murseline Bacchus, RHYY&SC, A Mahabir and

Sons, Regional Democratic Council, Region No 6, Mundal Satar, Jim Bacchus Travel Service, Kris Jagdeo Construction Services, Extreme Trucking Service, Price is Right, Balram Shane and Office Express. This event will form part of Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary celebration with proceeds going towards further improvements to the club’s facilities and day to day running. In addition, funds will be allocated to three schools in the No.19 to Gangaram area. The draw for the first round was done and is as follows: Canefield vs Gangaram, YWCC vs Seawell, Buski vs Canje Pathfinders, No 19 ‘A’ vs No 19 ‘B’, Betsy Ground vs Goed Bananen Land and Rose Hall Estate vs No 7. Incentives with the value of over $100,0000 will be up for grabs with lots of gate prizes, musical entertainment and ball by ball update by Spongy.

GUYANA MOVES UP SIX PLACES IN FIFA WORLD RANKINGS Guyana has moved six places up the FIFA Men’s world rankings to one hundred and fifty-six (156). This move came following the Golden Jaguars’ defeat of Suriname in the last International Friendly held in Guyana on 21st February, 2016. President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Mr. Wayne Forde said that it is a very important step and is pleased with the move. He added that it is encouraging results for the new executive committee; one that will be nurtured and built on in the coming months. “Moving five places in the FIFA sends a strong signal to the rest of the world. Every football nation pays attention to those rankings and this means a lot for Guyana’s image. When it’s said and done, what a country is really remembered for is how well they perform on

the pitch. The time has come for Guyana to really demonstrate our prowess on the football pitch.” The Golden Jaguars have begun training for the upcoming Caribbean Football Union (CFU), Caribbean Cup Tournament Fixture against Anguilla, scheduled for the 22nd March, 2016 with the locally-based players under Assistant Coach Wayne Dover. However, President Forde indicated that the mechanism of calling teams close to tournaments will change. “The national coach has been instructed by me to bring the locally-based national players, together as often as possible in one-day camps. We have to move away from the situation we had in the past where national players come together a mere week before any serious engagement. “I’d like to see the national coach and his

Wayne Forde

assistant coach bring together all of our locallybased national players at a minimum once per month into a one-day camp when they get together one evening for some 4 – 6 hrs, they have some conversations as to what they’re doing, use some team-building techniques to get the guys develop some

chemistry amongst themselves, run some practical drills, go through some technical aspects of the game; just create that environment so that the guys can spend time getting to know each other a lot better so whenever we are facing a competition, or a very important tournament, we are not hastily trying to pull

the guys together. We go through that team building process that we can actually be doing over the course of the entire year,” said Forde. Notwithstanding, Forde noted that the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) will continue to invest heavily in both the male and senior setup because it is the goal of the GFF to have the Golden Jaguars become a very dominant force within the CFU. “…that’s our first target, that is, to be a dominant player within the CFU region. Guyana has been, for too many years, exiting tournaments in the very early stages. We are very confident that we will do exceptionally well in the u p c o m i n g C F U tournament…I have no doubt in my mind that we will prevail...I see Guyana doing exceptionally well in this tournament.” The president remains optimistic of football

development in Guyana and emphasized the need for corporate partnerships. “Guyana is, at this moment poised in taking football in a very positive and encouraging direction. The national setup is one that requires a lot of investment over the next couple of years and I am confident that if we receive the support from the corporate partners and the Government of Guyana (GoG) we can do much better than we have in the past. It’s very encouraging that we’ve used an exclusive, homegrown national team to compete against Suriname and the result spoke for itself.” The national team will continue training under Head Coach Jamal Shabazz on Tuesday, March 8 and the following Tuesday, 15th March, 2016 from 18:00hrs – 20:00hrs at GDF Ground, Camp Ayanganna.

Saturday March 05, 2016

Kaieteur News

Page 35

Mecca III continues tonight with triple-header -UG Trojans battle Sonics in feature game The quest for Super Eight spots in the National Basketball Championships: The Road to Mecca III continues tonight at Cliff Anderson Sports Hall with a triple-header from 5pm when Plaisance Guardians battle Republic Bank Nets. Berbice’s New Amsterdam Warriors and Linden’s Retrieve Raiders will play the second game at 7pm before University of Guyana (UG) Trojans take on Pepsi Sonics in the headline game of the night. The opening game should be a humdinger among rising stars Plaisance and the established Nets. Energetic guard, Nikkoloi Smith will lead Plaisance with support from Enoch Mathews, Mark Richards and other quality players. Meanwhile, Nets will

Nikkoloi Smith

Fabian Johnson

Dwayne Roberts

Naylon Loncke

place the experience forwards, Fabian Johnson and Mortimer Williams in the heat of the battle. Guards, Hodayah Stewart and Darrian Lewis will also lend support in what is expected to be a tough contest. The second game should be an easy one for Retrieve Raiders, except there is a massive upset that result in a

change of fortune. Dwayne Roberts, Neil Marks and Keon Cameron will lead Raiders into this contest against New Amsterdam Warriors. In a pre-game interview, Warriors Coach, Kirk Fraser told Kaieteur Sport that he is aiming for an improved performance from his team. To that end he has brought

back Carlos Crandon to be part of his roster. The feature game should be another humdinger with Naylon Loncke and Ewart Smith attempting to mount a challenge to Jason Squires, Trevor Smith and Aubrey Austin’s Sonics. This game will be one to watch given its known balance.

The three winning teams advance from tonight’s proceedings to the second round, which will be the quarterfinals or the Super Eight. They joined the two

GOA gives AAG air tickets for Carifta Games

teams from last night; three more teams will move forward when the Round-of16 ends tomorrow night. A release from the GABF stated that tonight’s halftime entertainment features artiste, Lady T in the breaks along with Cheerleaders. The national three-point shootout is expected to start tonight as well along with other games for sponsors’ giveaways. This is in addition to the DJs and sound system that will be there to entertain patrons throughout the night. Fans will be eligible for smart phones, tablets and other giveaways at each game as the federation looks to engage the fans.

EBFA Under-11 League kicks off today Two matches will herald the start of the East Bank Football Association (EBFA) Under-11 League which is sponsored by USA based Ralph Green. Defending champions Herstelling Raiders will take on debutants Friendship at 11:00hrs with opening play between Grove Hi Tech and Diamond United at 10:00hrs. The other teams scheduled to compete are Agricola Red Triangle, Craig School and possibly another club from a sister association in the interest of development. Teams will be competing for a 25" lien trophy with the team to win in on three successive occasions able to keep it. That apart, the first, second and third placed teams will receive medals while the fourth placed team will be presented with participatory medals. There will also be five individual trophies that will go to the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, Highest Goal Scorer, Best Goalkeeper, Most Promising Player and Most Disciplined Player. Competition balls have been donated by EBFA Technical Advisor, Winston Benons.

ECB T20 trials start today

President of the GOA, Mr. Kalam Juman-Yassin makes the presentation to Ms. Sheryl Hermonstine of the Athletic Association of Guyana of 2-Airline Tickets for the Carifta Games to be held in Grenada in the presence of (from left) GOA Secretary Hector Edwards, President of the AAG Aubrey Hutson and GOA Council Member Gokarn Ramdhani. The Guyana Olympic Association presented two airline tickets to the Athletics Association of Guyana who will be attending the Carifta Games in Grenada From March 2-5, 2016. President of the Guyana Olympic Association Mr. Kalam Juman-Yassin made the presentation of the two air

tickets to Ms. Sheryl Hermonstine of the Athletic Association of Guyana for the Carifta Games in Grenada. Present at the presentation were GOA Secretary Hector Edwards, President of the AAG Aubrey Hutson and GOA Council M e m b e r G o k a r n Ramdhani. The Carifta Games Team

announced by the AAG are: Under-18 Girls & Boys: Avon Samuels Chantoba Bright Daniel Williams Claudrice McKoy Kenisha Phillips Samuel Lynch Jermey Garette Tyrell Peters Alyssa Sandy Jamal Jones

Under-20 Girls & Boys Natricia Hooper Compton Caesar Mathew McKenzie Joshua Jones Andrea Foster Odwin Tudor The Team Manager is Sheryl Hermonstine, Coaches are: Assistant Coach Raul Griffith & Coach-Robert Chisolm

The Essequibo Cricket Board will be hosting a series of T20 matches starting today at Imam Bacchus ground. The matches will be used to select the county’s team for the upcoming CGI Local Franchise League T20 tournament. The matches will commence at 09:00 hrs and among the players invited are Wayne Osbourne, Ricardo Adams, Ricardo Peters, Ronsford Beaton, Anthony Adams, Akini Adams, Vishwanauth Lall, Nokta Moses, Leorayan Ramlakhan, Herry Green, Grayson Paul, Kevin Gordon, Jason Heyliger, Roopesh Motilall, Norman Fredericks, Royan Fredericks, Parmesh Parsotam, Hemchand Persaud, Zameer Zaman and Tulsieram Premnauth. Coach Michael Hyles and members of the ECB senior selection panel are expected to be there to witness the matches. Meanwhile, ECB secretary Atto Christiani feels that Keemo Paul and Kemol Savory should be included to boost the county’s team, but instead they have been asked to play with other Franchises which he said in unfair. He stated that several of the county’s players who performed creditably at the junior level have stop playing because they were not given a fair chance on the senior stage, and wants the current crop of players to be treated fairly.

t r o Sp West Indies beat Warwickshire by 13 runs in warm up fixture

Dwayne Bravo (bestoft20)

STAG/EBFA Senior League launched Defending champs Grove to face Herstelling in opener tomorrow

STAG Brand Coordinator Mr. Lindon Henry (right) sharing the head table with EBFA President Franklin Wilson (centre) and Executive Member, Seenauth Ransahai.

Milo Under-20 Schools Football Competition

Round of Sixteen commences today -Lapse in focus could spell doom for teams

Action in one of the matches in this year’s Milo U-20 Schools Football Competition.

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