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Kaieteur News
Wednesday May 02, 2018
The learning gap must be closed Oscar Ramjeetr refuses to verify the facts DEAR EDITOR, I read your editorial on Leadership and Learning twice (April 30). The editorial expresses concern about the static ranking of our secondary schools, with particular schools maintaining top ranking at the Caribbean Secondary Schools Examination while others continue to under-perform. The whole editorial is about the secondary schools. But entry into these schools is in itself based on performance in the primary schools. The top ranking students in the primary schools’ assessments have choices about which schools they can go to, and naturally they (or their parents) choose the top ranked secondary schools. It is therefore no wonder that the top ranked secondary schools continue to occupy that position. (Indeed, it would be a disgrace if they did not, since that would indicate that they received well educated students, then undermined that basic primary education.) It is therefore not just a secondary school problem. The real problem starts in the primary schools. We have had research that long ago established that children from poorer homes did less well in what used to be a Scholarship examination. In order to be admitted to the then leading secondary schools the student had to achieve a minimum mark which would “qualify” the student for a scholarship (even if, as was the case, no actual scholarship was avail-
able for every child who so qualified). Children of teachers, civil servants, senior staff in private organizations, were disproportionately successful in those Scholarship exams. There was, and is, a good reason for this. Such children had parents who themselves had a higher level of education than poorer parents. They could read to their infant children. They could assist their children with school work. They could afford to buy books and educational toys for their children. And they could provide their children with more nutritious meals. It is this imbalance which needs to be overcome. But overcoming the imbalance needs to be started as soon as the children enter school system, if not before. I, for example, had great grandparents, then grandparents, then parents, who all in turn helped their children. My generation had books to read
(we got a book a month from Fogarty’s Bookstore). The only reason I and my siblings could have had for NOT doing well at school would have been if we were mentally incapacitated. That is not the case with many of our children. If the parents have themselves had a limited education, how do they help their children? I hope that the Ministry of Education is even now thinking of ways in which our oil revenues can be used to overcome this very serious disadvantage under which so many students have to struggle. Pay teachers better salaries, certainly. But if the schools continue as usual, increased pay to teachers will not change the situation. We should be thinking about: (a) libraries in ALL schools, (b) adequate computers and computer skills in all schools, (c) active (Continued on page 6)
Review the decisions about Guysuco DEAR EDITOR, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, is quoted in a April 27, 2018 Demerara Waves report as saying “[y]ou require people who are competent in sugar, who understand the industry, who understand business… to be able to serve on that Board”. This is an interesting admission by the Minister as he seems to say those who served previously did not have sufficient competence to provide the leadership the sugar industry required.The government, in view of Minister Harmon’s admission, may see it necessary and wise to review the decisions taken with regard to sugar industry. Those decisions as we well know have placed thousands of Guyanese in a perilous situation at this time. Yours faithfully, Seepaul Narine
DEAR EDITOR, With much consternation we read a letter riddled with falsehoods and misrepresentations by the author, Mr. Oscar Ramjeet. It is pertinent to note that before commenting in the public arena a professional like Mr. Ramjeet should have checked the facts and records in relation to these matters. Had he done so he would have discovered that the true facts and circumstances vastly differ from his unfounded assertions in the press. In relation to the just concluded Toolsie Persaud, it should be noted that this was a matter which commenced in 2008 under the former administration. Mr. Ashton Chase S.C had conduct of the said matter. He has since after the decision written to the Honourable Attorney General indicating this fact. How then is the chambers as presently constituted responsible in any way for the outcome of this matter? Further Mr. Ashton Chase is a Senior Counsel and well respected at the bar, what therefore is Mr. Ramjeet inferring about the representation he provided? Further the author, an Attorney-at-Law himself, should have appreciated that in an adversarial arena there must be a loser and a winner. And in any event this is a first instance decision which the Attorney General has indicated that he will appeal.
In relation to the Dipcon Engineering Inc. a proper perusal of the record would show that the matter was conducted by Mr. Roysdale Forde on behalf of the Attorney General Mr. Anil Nandlall at the time. At the conclusion of same the Honourable Attorney General Mr. Basil Williams S.C M.P was not informed but Mr. Forde contends that he informed Ms. Sita Ramlall, the then Solicitor General. Ms. Ramlall has vehemently refuted this allegation and claims she knew nothing of the said matter and that Mr. Forde did not inform her of same. In fact, she claimed that the matter was given to him directly from Mr. Nandlall, a practice which prevailed prior to May 2015, that serious matters were outsourced to private attorneys straight from Mr. Nandall’s office without any documentation in the Attorney General’s Filing Registry. In all of that confusion, allegations and cross allegations the record would show that time began to run and the Attorney General was not apprised as to the matter or its status until some six months after. How then is the chambers as presently constituted responsible in any way for the delay in filing this appeal? Once more in relation to the Arnold Sankar matter a proper perusal of the record would show that after reading the Affidavits and submissions by both the Plaintiff and the Defendant, on Friday 21st July, 2017, the High Court
ruled in favour of the State in deeming the Affidavit of Defence filed on 10th day of April, 2017 as properly filed and served and recalled the Unless Order. The Court ruled that despite the Defence filed by the State was outside of the time as specified by the Unless Order, the court was satisfied as to the reasons for the delay in filing the Defence and took into account the sums claimed by the Plaintiff which is in excess of ninety-nine million dollars. It was against this decision that Arnold Sankar appealed to the full court, won at that level and the State will now move to the Court of Appeal since it is contended by the state that the First Instant Judge properly exercised her discretion. It is again glaring from his statements that the author of this letter ought to have informed himself and should have exercised due diligence of the court procedure and proceedings before recklessly commenting on same. In relation to his allegation of ‘Unilaterally Dismissing the Solicitor General and the Deputy Solicitor General’ the author is clearly misinformed since neither of them was dismissed by the Honourable Attorney General. Ms.Sita Ramlall, former (Continued on page 6)
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ACCOLADES TO A TEACHER PAR EXCELLENCE DEAR SIR, Permit me a space in your newspaper to add my support to a friend who I think deserves to be voted best teacher.Ossie and I met as freshmen at the University of Guyana in the late nineties. Unassuming, quiet and relatively cool human might be an understatement in reference to his disposition .As I glanced through the pages of the Sunday edition of each of the dailies I was confronted by the full page advertisements sponsored by beverage giant ANSA Mc AL. I said to myself, “Squaddy you deserve it”. The mere fact that you were nominated speaks volumes about how far you have come in the teaching
profession.My friend, though intellectually gifted, had his fair share of personal trouble and emotional trauma. At university, the PPP as a party was at its most powerful. This was compounded by the meteoric rise of Bharrat Jagdeo from relative obscurity to the seat of power at New Garden Street.My buddy got caught in the middle because then Ministers Henry Jeffrey, Shaik Baksh and his successor Priya Manichand refused to confirm his mother, Mrs. Genevieve Whyte- Nedd, as Chief Education Officer and as a result she lost out on her deserved pension. A son enduring pressure based on pure vindictive-
ness politically experienced by his professional mother is not easy to remain focused. My friend you stood the test of time and are living proof that “ tough times don’t last, but tough men do”.His singing prowess was no secret, so reading that he is using that skill as a teaching aid is no surprise.Ossie, myself and all your colleagues are proud of you. Congratulations sir. Your hard work has been recognized and we are confident that you are nowhere near your true potential, so there will be many more accolades to come as you rise further in your chosen profession. Congratulations sir. ‘Sincerely Yours Ronald Shepherd
Oscar Ramjeetr refuses to ... From page 5 Solicitor General, the Public Service Commission dismissed Ms. Kissoon, Former Deputy Solicitor General and Ms. Baksh, Registrar of Deeds is currently on leave pending the determination of her criminal matter engaging the Magistrate’s court. It is apposite at this juncture to note that only few matters have been outsourced by the chambers post May 2015 as compared to the volume of matters which were outsourced under the previous administration. The outsourced matters under the current administration are now documented and
accounted for in the Registry of the Attorney General and updates are provided by the said attorneys who have conduct of same. Mr. Ramjeet further misses the fact that post May 2015 the chambers has maintained a respectful success rate in the local courts and even at the Caribbean Court of Justice even while conducting very serious litigation which was not the practice hitherto.The record can be checked for verification of same.It leaves one to question Mr. Ramjeet’s motive. It is unfortunate that since he was unable to obtain employment with the Ministry of Le-
gal affairs and the Attorney General’s chambers he would perpetrate such an unwarranted attack on us. Attorney General Chambers
Environmental pressures Dear Editor, It is often said that some parents tend to disengage from their children’s education. This translates into “giving up” or resigning the parent role. The exercise of a parent’s authority tends to encounter various difficulties, whether it is due to a parent’s personal education (e.g. lack of clear cut criteria, patience, firmness, or serenity), or due to their children’s education (e.g. lack of love and respect for elders). However, nowadays it is notably environmental pressures that tend to have a stronger influence. The following are examples of factors that influence a parent’s authority in a negative manner: the behaviour of other parents; the lack of positive mass media; arbitrariness as the stan-
dard; the limited cultural content on television; the movies; Internet; confusion caused by doctrines; the rise of eroticism; the manipulation of advertisements; the confusion between tolerance and the abdication of rights and obligations; etc. Are all environmental influences negative? Of course not, the mass media can also contribute to building critical thinking and maturity in a person. On some occasions, environmental media do not seek to distort users, but neither to educate them. One example is advertising, since its main goal is to sell more than one product, and not to sell it in the best way possible. An educator, for example, seeks to spend better and not necessarily spend more. The goals of the consumerist society and those of the educa-
tional society are not the same. After watching television commercial ads, parents find it more difficult to create an austere family environment. On other occasions even, environmental pressures directly go against education. Eroticism and pornography, other than generating abundant income for its promoters, they consciously degrade human values. Due to these and other environmental pressures, nowadays the exercise of parental authority has become more difficult. This is why it is even more important to reflect upon the education of our children and collaborate with teachers of education centers to carry out the difficult task of educating (Translated by Gianna A. Sanchez Moretti). Arturo Ramo
Defending domestic violence... From page 4 approach to combat this phenomenon’. What problem? The World Health Organisation recognised that globally, abuse
The learning gap ... From page 5 PTAs in all schools, (and note that I say “active”), (d) a school meals system, if that is judged to be necessary, (e) and a school bus system to help children who live some distance from their schools. We also need to be thinking of ways to encourage parents to volunteer, where possible, in order to support a library period for every class in the school; and after school clubs, again with PTA support, for reading support, help with homework, crafts, music, sports etc, etc, etc.
Wednesday May 02, 2018
I do not think, and I assume you do not think, that intelligence is limited to those children whose parents are able to provide adequately, in every respect, for them. We have many intelligent children who need help to achieve their true potential. I do not think that at present we are providing that. Trying to remedy the situation at 11-plus when irreparable damage may have been done from 4 to 11 is akin to closing the stable door after the horse has gone. Pat Robinson Commissiong
perpetuated against women is a big problem. They have developed policies to address this. Mr. Gibbons are you saying that the WHO missed the boat? They should focus on men. Are men the real victims here? Are men experiencing domestic abuse? Yes, probably the occasional slap of frustration. Are men being killed by their partners? Rarely. Do men experience financial abuse at the hands of women? Rarely. Do men experience physical abuse at the hands of women? On occasions. Do men experience mental abuse at the hands of women? Yes. Is male domestic abuse a problem in Guyana? No. Is male domestic abuse a problem globally? No. So what’s there to understand Mr. Gibbons? Male domestic abuse is not a national or international problem. Women domestic abuse is, hence the marches, hence the slogan ‘ stop killing our women’, hence the headlines ‘ domestic violence is so unnecessary’ Finally Mr. Gibbons let’s try and understand why these men are understandably killing these ‘evil’ women. They cheat. They give us back chat. They raised their voices. They stand up for their rights. They take our houses. They take our kids. They humiliate us. The court supports them. The police mock us but
defend them. Are those justifiable reasons Mr. Gibbons? Men shouldn’t have to go through such trauma by anyone much less at the hands of a lowly woman. How dare they? We should just solve our problems from the end of a barrel of a gun. Is that what you are saying Mr. Gibbons? Those are justifiable reasons to be killing our innocent women. Their blood staining our streets; the motherless kids; the traumatised family. Let me say this and say this clear Mr. Gibbons. There is no justifiable reason to kill a woman, no justifiable reason to hit her. You want something to hit, go and hit a random man in the street with your size, your strength. Don’t be a coward. Don’t hit her because she is physically weaker than you. Don’t kill her because she is not capable of defending herself. Men cheat and are allowed to live. Men raise their voices and are allowed to live. Men give back chat and are allowed to live. Men stand up for their rights and are allowed to live. Men humiliate women and are allowed to live. The court is there to protect the weak and vulnerable and rightly so. Women and children. Men who abuse women in my books are cowards. Anyone who tries to defend them is foolish. Such men need to learn one thing and one thing only. Keep their hands in their pockets or to their sides. Let our women talk until the cows come home. Most times that’s all they can do. Dr. Mark Devonish MBBS MSc MRCP( UK)
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Wednesday May 02, 2018
Oil companies pad bills with “inflated and ineligible” costs 87% of the time
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nternational organization Publish What You Pay (PWYP), has cautioned that countries should audit all bills submitted by oil companies. The entity’s call in this regard is based on its years of research which shows that “inflated and ineligible” costs are often part of an oil company’s bill more than 87 percent of the times. Publish What You Pay is the world’s leading coalition of civil society organizations united in the call for a more transparent and accountable extractive sector. With more than 800 members, a global secretariat and 40 national coalitions that span the globe, PWYP has committed to working together to ensure that citizens have a say over whether their resources are extracted, how they are extracted and how their revenues are spent. The Canada-based organization noted in its latest report that inflating project costs reduces government revenue because it lowers net (after-cost) income upon which profitbased taxes are assessed. It stated that in some cases, costs claimed are simply ineligible. In extreme cases, which have occurred hundreds of times, false invoices are filed even when no work was actually done.
...Int’l team warns countries to audit all bills received
Chartered Accountant, Chris Ram The international organization said that Chile for example, was a major victim of false invoices by companies in the extractive sector. Publish What You Pay also noted that more commonly, claims are made for costs that should be excluded, but are often not caught by the relevant authorities. It said that case study evidence demonstrates that this includes companies seeking to claim expenses that: were incurred prior to the signing of the contract; were for the personal interests of expatriate employees and families; involved duplicate
Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman invoices for goods or services that have already been expensed; and which are clearly ineligible, such as costs related to mergers and acquisitions, or transfers in participating interests. The report said that oil companies have thoroughly abused Indonesia in this regard which led to that nation ultimately abandoning the use of Production Sharing Agreements and provisions for cost recovery. The anticorruption agency noted that the revenue impact of accepting ineligible costs is heightened in a production sharing system where the main
GGMC CommissionerGeneral, Newell Dennison source of government revenue is their share of
overall production (termed “profit oil”). It stated that Profit oil is divided between the company and government only after “cost oil” has been allocated to the company to reimburse eligible project costs. It said, “Any increase in project costs results in a decrease in available profit oil. Where increased expenses are legitimate, both the company and the government suffer. There is simply less ‘profit oil’ to be shared. But where ineligible or inflated expenses are accepted, the company receives the full value in cost oil rather than
only a portion of the value through profit oil.” With this in mind, Publish What You Pay stressed that any wise Government interested in the prudent management of such a nonrenewable resource would not hesitate to conduct audits on bills submitted by oil companies. It emphasized that the evidence is simply too overwhelming for someone to do otherwise. PRECONTRACT SCANDAL Since the citizenry was informed that ExxonMobil (Continued on page 14 )
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Wednesday May 02, 2018
‘The doors of the Presidency are not closed to any Union’ - President Granger
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resident David Granger yesterday declared that the doors to his office remain open to all Unions working in the interest of all workers across Guyana, even as he noted that the days for confrontation are over. The President reiterated his Government’s support for the process of consultation, cooperation and collaboration in the interest of the working population. He was at the time speaking to media operatives at the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU), where he paid a visit for the ‘May Day’ or ‘Labour Day’ celebrations. From there, the Head of
State visited the Guyana Local Government Officers Union (GLGOU), Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), Guyana Postal and Telecommunication Workers’ Union (GPTWU) and the Clerical and Commercial Workers’ Union (CCWU). “We have passed through the age of confrontation. We are now in the age of cooperation and collaboration. I have worked with the GTU, I have worked for the GPSU, and I will work with any Union. I met, as you know very well, early this year with GAWU [Guyana Agricultural and Commercial Workers’ Union] and it is probably the
President Granger in a meet and greet at the Guyana Public Service Union. first time that I have sat face to face with members of sugar unions. The important thing is that the future of Guyana is in the hands of the workers
and also of the Government and civil society. This Government is a listening Government, this Government is learning and this Government is a caring Government. I will continue to speak with the unions. No union leader can feel that the doors of the Presidency will be closed,” he said. Noting that a proposal with a list of recommendations to improve the lives of Teachers’ is before the Cabinet and the Ministry of Finance, the President said that the Government remains committed to building a stronger relationship with the GTU and will work together to confront any challenges, which may arise. President of the GTU, Mr. Mark Lyte, said that the Union
is thankful that the Head of State made the time and effort to celebrate May 1 with the members of the Union. Over at the GLGOU, the President, who was greeted by President of that Union, Ms. Wendy De Cunha, told the members of the Union that the Government is continuously working to ensure that the lives of workers are improved. He noted that the Boats, Buses, Bicycles plus Breakfast and Books, or Five B’s programme, is part of Government’s efforts of creating a better life for its citizens. “You are foremost in our thoughts. We think of you. We think of the circumstances you have had to live within for the past quarter of a century and we
are trying to make life better for the ordinary person. Those school buses save workers millions of dollars every year. So we have been doing things to make life better for you. Our hearts are with you. We will continue working,” President Granger emphasised. At the GPSU’s headquarters, the President said that a visit to that Union has always been a tradition for him, as members of the Public Service are dear to his heart. “No matter what I do on May 1, I have to come to GPSU. I am here to thank you for your hard work and to tell you to bear with us. When things get better, your life will get (Continued on page 15)
W
orkers are suckers for a nice promise. And politicians are good at making promises, especially to the working class. But the greatest tragedy is not the politicians’ broken promises. It is the fact that the workers’ continue to support those politicians who sell them all manner of excuses as to why promises cannot be kept. In 1977, the Trades Union Congress signed a three-year agreement with the government for increases in the minimum wage. Under
that agreement, it was decided that the minimum wage in 1979 would be $14 per day. When the time came to pay the increase the government reneged, pointing to the poor performance of the economy. During a May Day address at the National Park, Burnham told the workers that they had to make a choice between having the Upper Mazaruni Hydroelectric Power Project and the $14 minimum wage. Guess what the workers chose? They screamed that they would take the hydro plant instead of the increase
in the minimum wage. It took another five years for the minimum wage to surpass what had been promised in 1979. The workers of Guyana are their own enemies. They continue to support and cheer politicians who end up dishonouring the promises they make to them. When a sugar worker, Teemal, successfully challenged the failure of his employer to pay him agreed increments, the government passed the Labour Amendment Act in 1984 to override the Court’s decision.
DEM BOYS SEH
A bandit tek a chance
‘Occupational hazard is a risk people does face when dem got to go to wuk or when dem wukking. The occupational hazard when you wukking wid de power company is that you can fall off a post or you can get shock. If you is a soldier de occupational hazard is that you can dead. Somebody might shoot you. Sometimes you don’t even got to go to war to experience de occupational hazard. Dem got other jobs but all jobs got occupational hazard. Today teaching got more hazard that long time. In dem days de hazard was that a blackboard coulda fall
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Wednesday May 02, 2018
pun you or chalk coulda go in you eye. Today, dem children can beat you and if dem don’t beat you dem daady and Mooma gun bus you tail. Now-a-days robbery got a serious occupational hazard but dem boys want to know if de bandit facing de hazard or de people getting rob. When you lef you house you expect to go back home but things does happen to spoil all you plans. A man lef he home yesterday morning to walk he bird. He ain’t drink tea suh he expect to go back home but a bandit had other ideas. De bandit had to be riding around whole night because
at that hour of de morning he couldn’t just deh in Prashad Nagar at that hour. He attack a man and de man kill him. Wha dem boys don’t understand is that de man save heself and he got to get lockup. He now got to wait pun policemen fuh leh he go to de toilet; dem got to tell him when to eat and de poor man can’t ask fuh a fan if de cell get hot.One man seh de bandit run into he occupational hazard and dem boys sorry that more of dem don’t get ketch up wid de occupational hazard. Talk half and know that all job got a dangerous side.
We are now reading that some 4,000 contract workers have been transferred to the permanent establishment of the public service. But it is also certain that the Public Service Commission would not have determined whether those 4,000 contract workers were all meritoriously employed in the first place. In the meantime, the teachers are awaiting their 50% and 40% increases for the past two years. They seem to have a draft agreement with the government which they are hoping will be signed, but they are now being told that the matter is with the Ministry of Finance. But what happens if the Ministry of Finance says that it does not have the money
to satisfy what was agreed. That inability acts as a veto against a negotiated agreement and the teachers’ union will have to go back to the negotiating table for a wages agreement. Workers are being taken for a ride once again. And they never learn. They go back to trust politicians. The workers also continue to depend on their union who are quite content to negotiate yearly increases, half of which end up being eroded by inflation. This becomes a constant fight each year. What is needed is a formula for setting a living wage which should become a minimum wage. It is likely that the economy would not be able immediately to afford a living
wage. But the important thing is to have a target or base wage to work towards, so that each year the government will pay an increase that would be aimed at approaching a living wage. Workers are emotionally drained by having to fight each year for wage increases. They have been fighting since 1977 for a living wage. Forty-one years after, all they are receiving are promises. No wonder so many of them prefer to get drunk on May Day.
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Wednesday May 02, 2018
Kaieteur News
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
Where is the forensic audit of the GRA? Don’t ever believe that the average Guyanese does not have a plausible working knowledge of national happenings. They are not experts, of course, but they read and understand. I was at the Bourda Green buying vegetables and this gentleman reminded me of unfinished business. He recalled that last year I mentioned in one of my columns that I was driving after leaving my mechanic in Bel Air village and Khurshid Sattaur, former GRA tsar, stopped me and kept ranting, and he uttered things that in the article I chose not to divulge. This stranger wanted me to expose Sattaur, by disclosing what Sattaur echoed while his face was in my car window. “What do you want to know that for?”
To which he gave the following answer; “but Freddie why you of all persons want to protect a man like Sattaur?” I intoned that when Sattaur sues me then out of the 1200 lawyers you have in Guyana, only Nigel Hughes will come to my rescue and I do not want to bother Mr. Hughes; he has done enough for me. I left the gentleman with some advice. He should go to President Granger or the Finance Minister and insist that the long promised forensic audit of the GRA be done ASAP, and when that happens, Guyana will see how Sattaur ran the GRA and who paid taxes, who didn’t pay taxes, and who were sacred cows in the eyes of the GRA under Sattaur. Let’s talk a little bit more about the GRA under Sattaur.
It was the expectation of every citizen, including, I believe, decent persons who voted for the PPP but nevertheless frowned on corruptibility in public office, that there would have been criminal investigation into several public institutions after the APNU+AFC administration settled down. Their expectations were not dashed. There have been dozens of such audits. Citizens had two on their list of choices – NICIL and the Guyana Revenue Authority. NICIL is done and dusted. But where is the probe of the GRA? Its exigency should be on the top of the Cabinet’s agenda because of what the GRA’s boss, Godfrey Statia has stated. Let us quote from the news item in Kaieteur News
of Saturday, April 7, 2018 of page 11 in which Mr. Statia flowed; “The Commission’s 2016 report also noted that the total revenue from over the past nine years only amounted to $14.4 billion at an average of $6.6 billion per year.” That is vivid testimony of post-colonial failure of Guyana. If you examine Guyana’s stock exchange, you will see that this country has about a dozen public (public not meaning state owned, but private with shareholders, e.g. DDL, Banks DIH etc) companies. The evolution of the business world in this country was along the line of family ownership. Enormous wealth is in the hands of families. These include wharves, manufacturing facilities, large scale agriculture, huge retail outlets etc. Now let’s do some elementary accounting. Prior to 2014, property tax was payable on the assets of each citizen on assets (meaning
bank accounts, properties, stocks, bonds, jewellery, lands, cars, tractors, machinery and yes, things like books) starting at $7 million. It is outrageous, given the concentration of wealth in private hands, for the state to have collected $1.9 billion each year going back from 2013 and further down the years from property tax. That is a horrible indictment of the collapse of the post-colonial state. Long before the property tax regime was changed from $7 million to $40 million (in 2014), the media reported on a case in which one of two well-known brothers in business here was involved in litigation in a Canadian court, claiming he was owed two million American dollars. He is just one example where if you use him as a standard for property tax collection, the state could not have hauled in a meagre $1.9 million each year. It begs the
Frederick Kissoon question; what was Khurshid Sattaur doing? Guyana has been a heavy borrower from the IDB and other multilateral institutions, and over the years the results have been a heavy debt burden. But why beg for money that you can reap right here in Guyana? A simple analysis which a trainee accountant can excel in is, given the kind of private wealth outlay this country has, and given the fact that prior to 2014, you had to pay property tax on assets worth more than $7M, then Guyana’s employed working classes bore the brunt of tax collection. If Godfrey Statia’s statistics are correct then Guyana is a failed state.
Wednesday May 02, 2018
Kaieteur News
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Wednesday May 02, 2018
Domestic violence homicide at crisis proportion - Activist Domestic violence homicide cases are at an alarming proportion in Guyana. This state of affairs requires a focused, proactive and unwavering response. This is the position that has been submitted by activist against domestic violence, Ms. Dianne Madray. Madray, a Guyanese who resides in the United States, shared how she has been able to track at least one to two cases per year within the Diaspora community of domestic violence homicide. She however revealed that in Guyana the situation is dire, evident by the between 20 and 30 presenting, depending on the year under scrutiny. “Some years are more than others. These numbers are not like other countries and you might say why we are worrying? Wrong response!” Madray cautioned.
According to the activist, “We need to see as a small country these numbers are at a crisis proportion and it must end here. It is not just the government’s responsibility, but it is all of us taking action, including families. You say nothing and do nothing you will get nothing. Therefore don’t complain it is the government’s responsibility.” She moreover sees collaboration and proactiveness as key elements needed to help realise results that can impact not only individuals but entire communities. It has been just such an approach that the ‘Let the Women Speak’ movement has adopted to help the police force solve murders which were the result of domestic violence. The movement formerly known as formerly ‘Caribbean
America Domestic Violence Awareness’ [CADVA], has had a significant hand in helping the Guyana Police Force solve some major cases, among the most significant the Babita Sarjou case and more recently the Shanett Savory case. According to Madray, who sits at the helm of the group, the ‘Let the Women Speak’ movement is a network of women investing in other women and groups. In fact, she disclosed that it became a movement long before the ‘Me too’ movement in the United States at the end of 2017 and the ‘Time’s Up’ movement at the beginning of 2018. “As international women across the globe, we take the voices of all women seriously and to a higher level. The message here for 2018 has been telling the story that the
Ms. Dianne Madray voices of our women will be silenced no more,” said a passionate Madray. She was at the time sharing a press conference on Monday with Crime Chief, Mr. Paul Williams, and three of his detectives who have been
working on the recently “solved” Shanett Savory case, whose alleged killer, Davendra Ramdiah, has since been placed before the court. But according to Madray, “There are too many untold stories and we want to encourage and empower escalation of these voices: louder, clearer and stronger, especially from our Indian women. We need to begin to build their lives back, along with the silent victims, the children who then become orphans with a mother who has been murdered, and a father who is incarcerated or died by suicide.” Even as she stressed the importance of collaboration, Madray disclosed that support and partnership with agencies such as the Criminal Investigation Department [CID] of the Guyana Police Force and the Director of
Public Prosecutions is important with networking groups such as ‘Let the Women Speak’. “The members of our group have skills that we can lend to CID and I appreciate the respect I was provided by Mr. [Paul] Williams and his team during the Savory investigation. This partnership and collaboration has shown me that these are men who will not succumb to the inflated egos as some others I have encountered...” said Madray. Such an approach could prove to be detrimental to solving cases said Madray, as she shared, “In view of my experience working on the Babita Sarjou case which took six years, disappearing files and countless follow-ups to eventually find her skeletal remains in May 2016, Shanett Continued on page 15
Wednesday May 02, 2018
Exxon defends Guyana deal as oil giant pushes for quick output (Bloomberg) - Exxon Mobil Corp. defended its contract with tiny Guyana as the oil major pushes to speed up production from the world’s biggest deep-water find in a decade. “There’s no need to renegotiate the deal because it was agreed only two years ago with several concessions to the government,” Erik Oswald, Exxon’s vice president for exploration in the Americas, said in an interview. The agreement was described as “favorable” to Exxon compared with global norms by the International Monetary Fund. Exxon wants first production from Guyana by early 2020, only five years after oil was discovered, as the company lags rivals in output growth and profits. Typically deep-water projects can take as long as a decade to begin producing. “We wouldn’t see any need to renegotiate,” Oswald said on the sidelines of the Offshore Technology Conference in Houston. “We allowed the government to take a signing bonus, increase their royalty, increase the training program. In return for that we got more time to explore.” Guyana, a home to under 1 million people, has become a critical venture for Exxon, which is struggling to arrest production declines across its global business. The company’s deep-water discoveries there are not only enormous, they are also enormously profitable. Breakeven costs, including taxes, are about $26 a barrel, according to IHS Markit. Brent crude is trading close to $75 a barrel. Exxon is so keen to get the profitable oil flowing that it’s considering adding a drill rig dedicated to exploration, Oswald said. Adry hole drilled recently, only its second among seven successes, hasn’t dimmed the company’s view of Guyana’s potential. There’s plenty of “headroom” for the discovery to increase beyond the 3.2
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Kaieteur News
billion barrels already found, he said. “What the company needs more than anything right now is really profitable production flowing,” Oswald said. “The most important thing for us, for Guyana, and Exxon Mobil is this production coming out super quickly. We’re going to get real high quality, extremely profitably production, early 2020. That’s a reasonable target.” That’s why any discussion over the contract terms is an important issue for Exxon. Guyana has little expertise in regulating or negotiating oil contracts, so the country has enlisted several international organizations such as the IMF to help ready its fiscal, legal and regulatory systems. In a November report, the IMF recommended Guyana rewrite its tax laws to increase its share of profitable oil and close out loopholes. It also recommended sticking by the current contract with Exxon and its partners, Hess Corp. and China’s Cnooc Ltd. “You can say whatever you want, but the experts are saying there’s nothing unusual or strange about the 2016 contract,” Oswald said, citing studies by Wood Mackenzie and Rystad Energy. The consultants say it’s a “middle of the road average contract” for a frontier country, he said. In any case, the 2016 deal itself was a renegotiation of a 1999 contract. “We had that contract in place,” Oswald said. “When that conversation with the government started we were fully considering saying maybe we should just stay with the contract we have.” Guyanese officials including Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman and Business Minister Dominic Gaskin have said the country has no intention of renegotiating the Exxon deal. Trotman has said he will push to implement the IMF’s proposals.
Cold Case Unit to soon be established - Crime Chief appeals to public to share pertinent information The Guyana Police Force is currently making preparations to establish a Cold Case Unit and Crime Chief, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Paul Williams, is calling on members of the public to share any information that could help in solving such cases. Williams who was speaking at a press conference on Monday said “that the [Cold Case] unit is being formed...we are now in the momentum and there are some matters we are going after, it’s just a matter of time.” It was at this juncture the Crime Chief said, “I want to appeal to the public to come forward... all those persons who have pertinent information and want to bring those matters to closure, so that their relatives and family can have justice. My door is open; you are welcome to come and let’s talk. I am willing to talk with you because we need to ensure that justice is being served and given to persons who deserve it.” Williams in responding to
a question posed about the cases that are likely to gain the attention of the police force’s Cold Case Unit said, “There are numerous matters out there...people are appealing in terms of (Trevor) Rose’s murder, the (Ranella) Benfield murder in Beterverwagting, Monica Reece and several others.” But the Unit’s work will not be limited to the aforementioned cases as, according to Williams, “whatever you know, come forward and let us work on it. Any case, it doesn’t mean we have to go way back for the old ones then come to the new ones, any one. You just have to wrap at my door, once the information is there we are ready to work with you, but still we are doing our little work, we are not sitting idly back relaxed, we are doing work.” Williams when questioned about the way forward with the unsolved Monica Reece case, which reportedly had the influence of a “high ranking official”, said that the
Crime Chief, Paul Williams Force is ready to move forward with that case once information is forthcoming. “Nobody is above the law. As it relates to the Monica Reece matter, I don’t know who high ranking official or whoever is involved...but whenever the pertinent information comes forward for that matter to reopen, it will be reopened,” Williams assured. When asked if persons will be granted protection once they would have given information, Williams said that a move in this direction will not be warranted. According to Williams, in his 31 years of service, he has seen many people provide information without having to Continued on page 27
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Wednesday May 02, 2018
Oil companies pad bills with “inflated and ineligible” costs... From page 7 submitted a US$460M bill regarding precontract costs, one burning question was being asked repeatedly—was this sum verified or audited? Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman was challenged to answer same. The Alliance For Change (AFC) Leader said, “Of course it was. You need to speak to (Commissioner General of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission) Mr. (Newell) Dennison again, and he will explain.” The Minister said that it is GGMC which tracks the work programme of companies
including expenses. As recommended by Minister Trotman, Kaieteur News contacted GGMC Commissioner General, Newell Dennison. But his version on the US$460M pre-contract costs is a far cry from what Trotman had to say. Dennison said, “Put it this way, we were satisfied that the amount that was identified , based on the programmes of work that was done before, up to the point in time when the aligned arrangement was done… we were satisfied that that amount represented the expenditure up to that time.”
Kaieteur News challenged Dennison to say how GGMC “satisfied” itself that the figures were correct. The GGMC Commissioner General stated, “Because the programmes that were done, there were estimated costs for those programmes (by ExxonMobil).We would have had the work programme that was approved from the time the contract started from 1999 to 2015. So it would have been based on those costs.” Asked to say if an audit was then conducted on those costs, Dennison said, “We didn’t do an audit; an audit wasn’t done.” He said that it is not that GGMC took what the company said with blinders on, but, it all seemed “reasonable.” Kaieteur News then explained to Dennison that his statements contradict that of the Minister who said that the pre-contract costs were verified. To this Dennison said, “Well that is why I was cautious as to whether I should say anything at all, because verification and satisfaction are two different things. But in terms of an audit, no, an audit was not done.” Asked if there was any shred of verification of the figures, the Commissioner General answered in the affirmative. He explained that ExxonMobil would have submitted financial statements on the expenditure it incurred on an annual basis. But when challenged to say if in each year, GGMC sought to verify that the numbers were adding up; that they were not padded, Dennison said, “No, we have never done.” The Commissioner General added, “They (ExxonMobil) would have submitted documents and there would have been accounting documents that were prepared by accountants and submitted saying that yes, these are the expenditures that have been done by such and such and such for the years so, so, so, so, so.” NOT ADDING UP While Dennison is convinced that the precontract costs are “reasonable”, there are several local critics, who by virtue of their own
investigative work, have found that the numbers just aren’t adding up. With the use of financial statements, Chartered Accountant, Chris Ram was able to show how ExxonMobil’s pre-contract cost opens itself to much question and suspicion. He noted that ExxonMobil is represented by three companies as the contractor for the Stabroek Block: Esso, CNOOC and Hess. No financial statements can be found here for Hess. Turning to the financial statements of Esso and CNOOC, Ram pointed out a few important figures. Ram stated that the combined expenditure of Esso and CNOOC at December 31, 2015 was $26B and reported losses of $21B, giving a total of $47B. In United States Dollars, using a $200 rate, Ram said that this gives a total US$245 million, well short of the US$460 million that the Government has accepted in the Agreement with ExxonMobil. To make up the total of US$460 million, Ram said that Hess alone would have had to spend, in contract costs, some US$215 million or approximately $46B. He said, “That defies logic and credulity. But there is more. It must be a stretch that the pre-contract cost of CNOOC which only entered the sector in Guyana in late 2014 would have incurred greater contract cost than Esso. And an even greater stretch that Hess which signed with Esso in late 2014 would have spent nearly as much as Esso and CNOOC combined.” Ram continued, “One would recall that Esso signed its first Petroleum Agreement in 1999, 15 years earlier, and it is the company which has been reporting all the oil discoveries. That either CNOOC or Hess which entered the sector in late 2014 would be outspending Esso arouses particular interest...” Having looked at the available information, the Chartered Accountant said it is hard to avoid the conclusion that the US$460 million cannot be explained on any rational basis. Ram stressed that the only satisfactory and acceptable resolution of this matter is a special audit independently undertaken.
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Central Bank to expand accessibility, convenience of electronic payments An estimated 77 percent of adults in Guyana have access to the use of a debit card. Yet, the use of debit cards by adults to conduct transactions as opposed to withdraw cash is less than one per year for every 20 adults, or 0.04 per adult per year. This was found by the Bank of Guyana and the World Bank during an assessment of the state of Guyana’s National Payment System (NPS). Its findings and recommendations were noted in a document called The National Payment System Development Plan. Expounding further on the matter in its report, Bank of Guyana said that with fewer than 21 ATMs and 159 Point of Sale devices for every 100,000 adults, actual use of the cards is extremely difficult. Going forward, Central Bank said that there would be a concerted effort by its officers and the payment industry to identify means to expand acceptance of electronic payments. In this regard, Central Bank said that consideration might be given to encouraging or enabling the use of electronic means to initiate remittance and bill payment at agent locations of non-bank Payment Service Providers (PSP). PAYMENT SYSTEM The National Payment System Development Plan which was released by Finance Minister, Winston
Jordan, consists of four chapters and five annexes. Chapter One examines the current state of payment in Guyana. It notes that the Bank of Guyana is the institution responsible for payments. Be that as it may, the document makes clear that there is need to upgrade the laws, regulations and infrastructure for a safe, efficient and modern payment system. The chapter analyses the role of the main players in the current payments
arrangement. Chapter Two examines how the Bank will lead the development of the NPS Strategy. It defines the role of a National Payment System as a series of layers in an inverted pyramid in which each layer is supported by layers beneath it. Chapter Three explores Guyana’s vision to build a safe, robust, sound, efficient and inclusive payment system that meets the current and future needs of the
Domestic violence homicide... From page 12 Savory’s case in 2016 was again prevented by said persons who may have intentionally caused this case to lag for almost two years due to their corruptive behaviour and lackadaisical attitude.” But Madray is convinced that more cases are poised to be solved with the current open door policy that has been adopted by the police force crime-solving arm.
‘The doors of the... From page 8 better. We are on your side GPSU,” he said. At the GPTWU and the CCWU, the Head of State echoed similar sentiments, as he noted that it is the workers that will take the country forward. “Your labour, your dedication and your hard work will keep moving the country forward. There is no issue between CCWU and Government that cannot be resolved,” he said at the CCWU’s Union Hall. Ms. Andrea Marks, a member of the CCWU, expressed gratitude to the Head of State for his visit, as she noted that the Union now looks forward to his attendance every year. Ms. Shondelle Smart, who was present at the observance at the GPSU, said that she was pleased that the President had chosen this day to meet, greet and spend time with workers. “I’m really, really happy to see the President out here today, because it shows that he cares... it really heartens me,” she said.
economy. It proposes the year 2030 as a realistic target for full realization of the NPS vision. However, in the medium term it proposes a 2017-2021 action plan as a first phase on achieving that vision.
The fourth chapter concludes with a highlight of the 2017 – 2021 NPS Development Strategy and plan of actions. The Strategy also has attached five annexes. The preparation of the
payment strategy has been a joint effort of the Bank of Guyana and a team from the World Bank. A preliminary draft of the strategy was issued to stakeholders for their comments in August 2016.
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General Manager of the Guyana Gold Board – Eondrene Thompson and GGMC Commissioner- Newell Dennison. “During the meeting the special officers were updated on efforts made to correct the situation and avoid future occurrences. Notably among those efforts are – the sanitation of the environment and continuous monitoring to detect any above normal levels. The Occupational Safety and Health Department of the Ministry is currently in the stage of finalizing its report on this matter.”
A Gold Board official tours with the labour representatives in the lab area.
I
n wake of the recent threat to the health of workers situated in the compound of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), on Brickdam, as a result of above normal levels of mercury detected in their system, the Ministry of Social Protection, Occupational Safety and
Health Department, says it is collaborating. The ministry said on Monday that it is teaming up with the National Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health, and has been working with both entities to ensure that workers operating in the compound will be doing so in
a safe environment. In a follow-up to an investigation on the matter, Deputy Chief Labour Officer – Karen Vansluytman-Corbin, Occupational Safety and Health Consultant to the Ministry of Social Protection – Gweneth King and Chairman of NACOSH – Earl Morris, held meetings with
Wednesday May 02, 2018
The ministry noted that mercury is an element and a metal that is found in air, water, and soil. “It exists in three forms that have different properties, usage, and toxicity. The three forms are called elemental (or metallic) mercury, inorganic mercury compounds, and organic mercury compounds. As part of the procedure of gold preparation, an amalgam of mercury and the natural resource (raw gold) is burnt to rid the alloy of properties of mercury. However, very high mercury vapour
concentrations can quickly cause severe lung damage, while at low vapour concentrations over a long time, neurological disturbances, memory loss, skin rash, and kidney abnormalities may occur.” Following the discovery of the issue, the burning of the amalgam in the compound has since been discontinued. The Ministry of Social Protection, OSH Department, says it will continue to conduct inspections and sensitize employers to promote a safe and healthy work environment in Guyana.
BP eyes upcoming oil auctions in Brazil, Mexico HOUSTON (Reuters) Oil major BP Plc. is closely following oil auctions in Brazil and Mexico, which are expected to announce new awards later this year, to decide whether to submit bids and expand its presence in the region, Felipe Arbelaez, the firm’s chief for Latin America, said on Monday. Rising crude prices and energy reforms in several Latin American nations have reinvigorated the oil majors’ appetite for a region that once imposed nationalizations, forced contract changes and strict rules for foreign investors. More companies are becoming interested in offshore prospects from Brazil to Guyana, which present potential new reserves and could diversify investment portfolios. “Our emphasis in the region right now - in terms of bidding rounds - is in Brazil and Mexico. We are also looking at Argentina, though it is still early,” Arbelaez said.
Brazil will receive bids for blocks in its coveted presalt region in June, after awarding majors including Exxon Mobil Corp, BP and Royal Dutch Shell Plc offshore blocks in previous rounds in 2017 and 2018. Brazil’s government also is in negotiations with Petrobras to accept foreign investment in the remaining areas of fields assigned to the state-run oil company. The resulting blocks would be auctioned this year, along with hundreds of areas that were not awarded in previous rounds. For its part, Mexico plans to announce results in September from two onshore rounds, including its first offer of unconventional areas for foreign investment. In Colombia and Uruguay, the investors’ interest has not been as high. The Andean nation has postponed several times the offer for its Sinu-San Jacinto onshore round, while Uruguay received no bids at its third offshore auction in
April. The auctions in many Latin American countries come as presidential elections this year increase the political risk because some candidates have promised to slam the brakes on reforms, revise the signed contracts or change fiscal terms. “Every country is different... (The elections) don’t change our perspective in the medium or long terms,” Arbelaez said. BP is trying to increase the number of oil projects it operates in the region, especially in Brazil. In countries including Guyana, Colombia and Suriname, the firm is seeking opportunities to participate in offshore areas. “These countries are reopening for foreign investment. We think that will benefit the countries because they will have a wider number of experienced operators and because they will be capable of better developing and marketing their resources,” he said.
Wednesday May 02, 2018
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Kaieteur News
Social Protection steps in to provide assistance to GGMC over mercury emissions The Ministry of Social Protection’s Occupational Safety and Health Department has stepped in to provide assistance to the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), in the wake of the recent threat to workers attached to the commission, as a result of exposure to mercury emissions. Concerns by staff of the agency about the impact of mercury on their health came to the fore following
complaints by workers, which led to the commissioning of the analysis. The Ministry of Social Protection has since issued a statement outlining intervention by the Occupational Safety and Health Department, According to the Ministry, the OSH Department in collaboration with the National Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health (NACOSH), has been working with both
entities to ensure that workers operating in the compound, will be doing so in a safe environment. In a follow-up to an investigation on the matter, Deputy Chief Labour Officer – Mrs. Karen VansluytmanCorbin, Occupational Safety and Health Consultant to the Ministry of Social Protection – Ms. Gweneth King and Chairman of NACOSH – Mr. Earl Morris, held meetings with General Manager of the Continued on page 26
Occupational Safety and Health representatives meet with GGMC officials about the mercury situation.
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Wednesday May 02, 2018
Kaieteur News
Social Protection steps in to provide...
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From page 25 Guyana Gold Board – Ms. Eondrene Thompson and GGMC Commissioner Newell Dennison. During the meeting, the officers were updated on efforts made to correct the situation and avoid future occurrences. Notably among those efforts are the sanitation of the environment and continuous monitoring to detect any above normal levels. The Occupational Safety and Health Department of the Ministry is currently in the stage of finalizing its report on this matter. Mercury is an element and
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a metal that is found in air, water, and soil. It exists in three forms that have different properties, usage, and toxicity. The three forms are called elemental (or metallic) mercury, inorganic mercury compounds, and organic mercury compounds. As part of the procedure of gold preparation, an amalgam of mercury and the natural resource (raw gold) is burnt to rid the alloy of properties of mercury. However, very high mercury vapour concentrations can quickly cause severe lung damage, while at low vapour concentrations over a long time, neurological disturbances, memory loss, skin rash, and kidney abnormalities may occur. Following the discovery of the issue, the burning of the amalgam in the compound has since been discontinued. The Ministry of Social Protection’s OSH Department has said there will be continuous inspections and sensitization of employers to promote a safe and healthy work environment in Guyana.
A MINI HEALTH CHECK IS THE FIRST STEP TO DONATING BLOOD
Wednesday May 02, 2018
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Kaieteur News
Suriname authorities continue search…
Attack on fishing boats “revenge for pirate captain’s death” - 15 Guyanese confirmed missing
One of the four boats found sunk by the pirates MISSING: Ralph ‘Burnham’ Couchman, 19
MISSING: Ganesh ‘Vicky’ Persaud Guyanese and Suriname authorities have activated a major search and rescue operation for 16 fishermen, 15 of them said to be Guyanese, who were beaten and thrown overboard by pirates last Friday night. Up to late last evening, Suriname justice minister, Stuart Getrouwof, said that the National Coordination Centre for Disaster Relief (NCCR), the National Army and the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries (LVV) have launched an in-depth investigation. Guyana’s Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, disclosed that he has received information and has activated the necessary mechanisms of cooperation. “There are immediate searches, we are still working,” the Suriname minister assures in a Star Nieuws report. ”I read that the actions have stopped, nothing is less true,” says the minister. The Coast Guard, the military and the Police Force Suriname are still looking for survivors with support from French Guiana. According to the minister, the searches will continue. An aircraft is being used also, he said. The minister pointed out that the search is of enormous importance to the family members of the fishermen. There were initial reports in Suriname yesterday that the search was abandoned. RETALIATION The four boats with 20 crew members were attacked by sea pirates on Friday evening in Surinamese waters in the vicinity of the Wia Wia bank. Only four of the
crew members, including a captain of one of the boats, managed to make it to shore. The rest are believed to have perished. It is believed that the attack was retaliation by pirates from Guyana for the shooting death of their leader, a Guyanese pirate called “Paddy” a few weeks ago. The pirates blamed the fishermen. The pirate leader was reportedly shot dead during an attack on fishing vessels. It did not make the news in Guyana. Since the news of the attack on Friday evening became known, the jetty at the Anton Dragtenweg, Suriname, where these boats normally moor, was flooded by desperate family members. They believe the authorities have acted too slowly. Officials in Suriname said that 15 of the missing men are indeed Guyanese, living both in Guyana and in Suriname. Mark Lall, chairman of the Visserscollectief, confirmed that one of the vessels was found submerged. The fishermen were thrown
overboard or had to jump into the water themselves. One of the crew members could not swim and he disappeared. Another person’s hands were tied and a car battery was attached to his feet, after which he was thrown overboard. The attackers were recognized as Guyanese with names given as ‘Dick’, ‘Bolo’, ‘Sanbat’ and ‘Crack Head’. They are said to be known pirates from Guyana. “The chance of survivors is very small,” says Lall. The captain, a Guyanese whose name was given as ‘Pattar’, and who survived the gruesome assault, told Suriname police that he saw how the hijackers beat the crew members, who were already wounded and in the water, with bamboo sticks on their heads. THOSE MISSING Among the missing, there are men between 20 and 21 years old. On Facebook, families started posting pictures of their missing loved ones. From the Number Two Village, Canje, East Berbice, 19-year-old Ralph Anthony Couchman called ‘Burnham’ is missing. His family said
this was his third trip to Suriname to work on the boat. Another man, from the same village, known only as ‘Crank’ is one of the men that is missing too. Across at Fort Ordnance Housing Scheme, in Canje, Ganesh Persaud called ‘Vicky’ was said to be missing. Relatives of the 27-yearold were in Suriname yesterday searching for answers. Another victim was identified as Tilaknauth Mohabir, 50. In Guyana, Crime Chief, Paul Williams, speaking with this publication via telephone, disclosed that authorities here are in close contact with their counterparts in Suriname. Williams said that the police in Suriname have since told him that the attack was carried out on Friday, but it was not reported until Saturday. Williams said that the search had been concentrated on two areas.. Meanwhile, fishermen at the Number 43 fishing wharf, on the Corentyne, said that the attack “did not just happen like that” but there was the strong likelihood that it was sparked by an old rivalry between fishermen. According to the fishermen, there would be friction when fishermen infringe on waters of others. From information to the
Guyanese fishermen, the attack occurred between the French Guiana, Cayenne and Parimaribo, Suriname borders. It was explained that in order for fishermen to ply their trade in that area, a license to fish is required. Guyanese many times, they added, would “rent licence from Suriname people to go deh and sometimes dem does go deh without licence (illegally) and fish”. According to one fisherman, “Dem does come over and hire people, some time from Mon Repos, Rosignol, all over. Dem people that missing mussy living in Suriname, because the area where that thing happen is far and we boats them don’t go out there. Dem does hire you and take you over and you live deh for six months and you come and go back if you want.” Suriname news was reporting that the searchers included the boat owners and even a helicopter. The criticisms of the attacks, one of the deadliest by pirates in recent years, were swift, with calls for authorities in Guyana to track down the pirates. Thousands of Guyanese live in that neighbouring country. It is not unknown for scores of Guyanese fishermen to be working in Suriname waters and to return after every trip. It has been that way for years now.
Cold Case Unit to soon...
One of the four men who survived.
Guyana-born Captain ‘Pattar’ of the Romina, displaying his wounds. He was one of four men who made it to shore.
From page 13 enter a witness protection programme. But the Crime Chief observed, “I see that is the way now, the public is appealing for protection. I am saying this clearly to the public, persons who have given information to the police, you have to know who you are talking to and if the police receive certain information from people, the police [ranks] with experience and knowledge and the privilege or immunity extended to him, he can protect your identity.” But according to Williams, if the person providing the information is required to come forward to give evidence, “that person must stand his or her ground.” Williams also pointed out that, “Many times persons who feel threatened or really need that level of protection, it is because they are compromised. I have seen numerous cases under my watch as being solved, where persons come forward and give evidence and thereafter
there have never been any threat or anything to their life.” According to the Crime Chief, the trend of people opting to seek witness protection continues to be ever-prevailing, but should not be the way to go. This is in light of his belief that “either you go in line with the police or you stay in line with the person who would have committed the crime. If you are giving evidence you have to stay resolute. Many a time persons who are being threatened are persons who are compromised.”
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NDIA spends over $2.5M to defend Great risk lies in accurately assessing true claim of $754,156 in special damages market value of Guyana’s oil - GRA boss The adage ‘penny wise and pound foolish’ comes to mind when assessing an action by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA). It has been discovered that the agency spent over $2.5M to defend a court challenge where an unfairly dismissed employee was seeking damages in excess of $700,000. This was highlighted in a forensic audit report done by Nigel Hinds Financial Services. Auditors noted that there were several legal matters outstanding, and that Jaya Manickchand served as attorney at law representing NDIA in all legal issues and court matters for the review period. One of the highlighted matters was Pablo Singh vs. NDIA where, “the Plaintiff claimed $754,156 for special damages. The Attorney at Law, Ms. Jaya Manickchand charged fees of G$2,500,000 for this matter. The case has been ongoing for over three years. The CEO claimed that Mr. Singh walked off the job and refused to accept a settlement.” Kaieteur News understands that the matter has not been settled. Singh is the field auditor who was fired for exposing wrongdoing in NDIA In a letter to the editor, Singh said that he was accused of leaking the report of the audit
he conducted to the press. He said he was also accused of conducting an audit without the CEO’s approval, breach of protocol – Reporting, security and confidentiality procedures, disclosure of information, making willful statements, unauthorised use of NDIA’s documents and records, insubordination to Permanent Secretary – Ministry of Agriculture. Singh said that he was “illegally sent on Administrative leave on October 25th 2012 by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, who abrogated the functions of the CEO-NDIA, and willfully usurped the authority of the Chairman-NDIA Board of Directors who was in the process of conducting an investigation awaiting the CEO’s response thus, demonstrating poor managerial ethics and professionalism.” Singh had sent the report to the then President, Donald Ramotar, but was refused a hearing. He also called on Ramotar to ensure that “justice be given on this matter and should the situation remain the same, then it leaves me with no choice but to seek redress through the courts of Guyana.” When Ramotar ignored him the second time, Singh headed to the courts.
- SAYS ENTITY WILL BE AS VIGILANT AS POSSIBLE Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Godfrey Statia said that his entity will have to toil to ensure that Guyana is not cheated out of its rightful revenues from the oil industry. Statia said this at an informative session on oil and gas for private sector members held by the Consultative Association of Guyanese Industry (CAGI) at the Marriott Hotel. The Commissioner covered a wide range of issues that can affect Guyana both negatively and positively. He said however, that in order for Guyana to enjoy the sweet of the industry, GRA will have to bring its “A-game”. On the revenue side, Staita said that “accurate reporting of the components of gross revenue; volume of production and sale price (value) of production would have to be safeguarded.” The Commissioner said that the true assessment of the volume of oil is a less contentious issue, as the
methodologies for measurement of such are globally accepted. He said that the greater risk lies in accurately assessing the true market value of oil “especially when such a sale takes place between affiliated companies. Statia said that when the sale is between unrelated third parties, market values are easier discerned through international benchmarks after considering crude quality, upliftment and production methods.” Further, Statia said that oil companies’ ability to move revenues and shift costs between countries has become common. “Complex corporate structures are adopted by many multinational companies, often using a conduit company/subsidiary, incorporated in a low tax or tax haven jurisdiction, as part of the chain of ownership leading to the main operator in the host country.” Realizing that GRA lacks the capacity to fully scrutinize the oil industry, Statia said
GRA Commissioner General, Godfrey Statia that int e r n a t i o n a l assistance has been sought. He said that this continues to be the case, as Guyana seeks to learn from the experiences of other countries and understand the financial, technical and socioeconomic challenges that emanate from the oil industry. Statia said that GRA has reached out to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, Commonwealth Secretariat, United Kingdom and Trinidad and Tobago, for training and secondment/attachments in this regard.
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Cayman Islands, BVI ordered to open up about secretive companies
LONDON (Reuters) Britain agreed yesterday to order its overseas territories such as the Cayman Islands and the British Virgin Islands to make secretive company ownership information public by the end of 2020 to try to tackle corruption and tax avoidance. The move was hailed as a major victory by campaigners in the fight against tax avoidance and money laundering. “This is the news we have been waiting for,” said Simon Kirkland, a campaigner at
Christian Aid. “This is a major step forward in the fight against the tax avoidance, evasion and corruption that costs developing countries so dearly.” Overseas territories and crown dependencies have come under increasing pressure to reveal who is behind anonymously owned companies, with campaign groups saying such secrecy aids money laundering, tax evasion and corrupt diversion of public funds from developing economies. But Orlando Smith,
premier of the British Virgin Islands, said he was “deeply disturbed” by developments in London, calling the new transparency policy “deeply flawed”. “It is not only a breach of trust, but calls into question our very relationship with the UK and the constitutional rights of the people of the BVI,” he said in a statement. Several politicians in Britain’s ruling Conservative party teamed up with opposition Labour lawmakers to back the changes, which were first pushed by former
Prime Minister David Cameron, but resisted by the overseas territories. Many of these territories have large financial services sectors because they levy low taxes and ownership of businesses lacks transparency. Despite repeated calls for more openness, British crown dependencies and overseas territories are only required to reveal information on the true owners of offshore companies to law enforcement bodies, and then only if asked. Alan Duncan, a junior foreign office minister, told parliament the government would support an amendment brought by two members of parliament calling for a central register of company ownership in these territories as lawmakers debated an amendment on an anti-money laundering law. Britain has been trying to clamp down on tax evasion
and corrupt flows of money through its large financial services sector, but has faced resistance from some of its overseas territories because the secrecy and low taxes are what make their finance sectors attractive. RUSSIAN MONEY? Margaret Hodge, the opposition Labour member of parliament who introduced the amendment, said it would help prevent tax evasion and disrupt the activities of criminals and militant groups. “It will stop them exploiting our secret regime, hiding their toxic wealth and laundering money into the legitimate system, often for nefarious purposes,” she said. “With open registers we will then know who owns what and where, and we will be able to see where the money flows, and then we will be better equipped to root out dirty money and deal with the issues that arise from that.”
Wednesday May 02, 2018
Margaret Hodge. (REUTERS/Andrew Winning) Naomi Hirst, a spokeswoman for the Global Witness anti-corruption group, said the move comes after four similar amendments submitted before parliament in the past failed. She added the poisoning of a former Russian double agent in England in March had probably pressured the government to tackle the web of offshore shell companies used to invest in Britain. Seven times the amount of money from Russia has flowed to British overseas territories rather than directly into Britain over the last decade, she said. “This has really fired up imaginations and pointed out to even the most squeamish of politicians concerned about Russian’s role in the world that they need to look at this,” she said. The amendment does not apply to the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands, because parliament does not have the right to impose its will on them.
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Prize pot of 34 million pounds on offer at ‘greener’ Wimbledon LONDON (Reuters) Wimbledon announced a hefty prize-pot hike yesterd a y, a l o n g w i t h a n e w sustainability project aimed at ensuring it is not just the grass courts that remain green at the All England Club. Organizers of the oldest grand slam tournament revealed a prize fund of 34 million pounds ($46.57 million) for the 2018 championships, up 7.6 percent from last year. That figure includes awards of 2.25 million pounds each for the men’s and women’s champions – an increase on the 2.2 million pounds Roger Federer
and Garbine Muguruza received in 2017. Organizers also issued a warning that players who compete while knowingly carrying an injury, and quit mid-match, face being docked all their first-round prize money. The move is aimed at preventing a repeat of the rash of retirements in early action last year. “In the wake of firstround withdrawals we pledged to act on it, and we have done so,” Wimbledon chief executive Richard Lewis told reporters. “We were very influential in the creation and adoption of the 50-50 rule and
hope the introduction of it will play a significant role in mitigating the problems of first-round singles retirements.” Under the new rule, if an injured player withdraws onsite after midday on the Thursday before the Championships they will receive 50 percent of the first-round prize money. The replacement “lucky-loser” will get the other 50 percent. With pound signs dominating the headlines at the club in leafy south-west London, tournament organizers also underlined their commitment to combating corruption in the sport and rolling out a sustainability program. STRAW BAN Central to the “green-
Wednesday May 02, 2018 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) When we have found our path, we naturally want to start to walk down it, Aries. The reverse isn't true despite what you seem to believe. TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) The astral energy is encouraging you to open up more to your world, culture, and ways of thinking, Taurus. You don't have to go off alone in the desert to reinvent everything. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) How focused you are, Gemini! You're so calm and collected. Of course, the mood is especially hospitable to sobriety, reasonableness, and hard work. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Today, Cancer, you can at last express the secrets that have been troubling you. You may be seething with anger inside and afraid to let it show for fear it may explode on contact. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Your mind is in great turmoil right now, Leo, so it isn't surprising that you can't pay much attention to anything. It's as though your concept of the world has been inexorably changed and you see your love life VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) The day will be fairly quiet for you, Virgo. You're likely to yoke yourself to a task and continue working on it until evening. If someone tries to persuade you to take a break
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You should use the day to ponder your professional future, Libra. Many forces seem to be working together to clarify your ideas on the subject. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Today is no time for dreaming, Scorpio! Quite the contrary. You can expect to have to settle a number of minor technical problems involving communications SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Are you getting hit with obstacles, Sagittarius? Could it be that you simply need to allot yourself more time to complete the monumental tasks you take on? CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Are you having some problems with authority, Capricorn? Are you having a hard time making yourself understood? If so, have you thought about explaining your projects in detail AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Yes, Aquarius, your projects have taken some time to get set up. This is because you haven't been concentrating hard enough. You are doing several things at once, with the result that things have been moving more slowly PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You don't have to create everything alone, Pisces. Life isn't an individual sport. To live life fully, you must participate. Often this involves interacting with other people.
ing” of the championships is a ban on plastic straws — some 400,000 were used at last year’s tournament — the introduction of electric vehicles in the courtesy car fleet; additional water-fill points around the grounds and the provision of paper b a g s a t Wi m b l e d o n ’s shops. “Sustainability is an important and necessary area of focus, particularly for major events,” Lewis said.
Salah voted... From page 40 FWA award which began in 1948.Salah narrowly beat Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne in a ballot of over 400 FWA members, with the winning margin less than 20 votes. Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane was placed third. “What a race it has been between two players who, in a relatively short time, have reached genuine world class. But Mo Salah is the worthiest of winners. He is also the first African to receive the award and we congratulate him on a magnificent season,” FWA Chairman Patrick Barclay said. Salah has helped Liverpool, who are third in the Premier League, into the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in 10 years. The Merseyside club face AS Roma in the second leg in the Italian capit a l o n We d n e s d a y a n d lead 5-2 from the opening game at Anfield in which Salah scored twice and set up two other goals. Salah will head to the World Cup in Russia in June to play for Egypt who have been drawn with the hosts, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay in Group A. Other players to receive votes from FWA members were Sergio Aguero (Manchester City), Christian Eriksen (Tottenham), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Nick Pope (Burnley), David Silva (Manchester City), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) and Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham). The inaugural FWA Women’s Footballer of the Year Award was won by Chelsea and England forward Fran Kirby who was also crowned PFA Women’s Player of the Year last month.
“We have put in place a sustainability vision which is to sustain the running of the club, and the championships in a way that minimizes the impact on our environment.” Organizers also reiterated they would be implementing rules first announced last November. In addition to stripping players of their first-round prize money if they pull out of a match or perform to what the club deems “below professional standards”, Wimbledon will strictly enforce warm-up timing to speed up the game, but will also extend the time allowed between points from 20 to 25 seconds.Wimbledon’s 2018 prize money eclipses the 55
million Australian dollars ($41.32 million) paid out at January’s first grand slam of the year in Melbourne, but at current exchange rates is just shy of the 39.2 million Euros ($47.18 million) on offer at the French Open starting later this month. The U.S. Open, the final grand slam of the tennis calendar starting in August, is yet to announce its prize money. Wimbledon, the only grand slam event to be played on grass, will take place from July 2-15. This year’s championships mark the 150th anniversary of the club, 50 years of Open tennis and 125 years of the women’s singles championships.
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Coach Simmons stresses on Real see off Bayern to reach third making Afghanistan ‘Test’ straight Champions League final ready for India challenge TOI - NEW DELHI: Working on the rigorous requirements of five-day cricket will the biggest challenge for his team over the next six weeks, feels Afghanistan coach Phil Simmons ahead of the country’s inaugural Test in Bengaluru from June 14. After joining Afghanistan in January, Simmons has achieved goal number one by guiding the fast-rising side to its second World Cup qualification. Now as the Asghar Stanikzai-led team gets down to prepare at their ‘base’ in Greater Noida and ‘second home ground’ at Dehradun for the historic match against India, Simmons has a tough ask of ensuring a competitive performance against the topranked Test team. ”These boys have played four-day cricket with the associate nations and have done well. But Test matches are going to be a different ball game. The boys will realise this very soon and playing India makes it all the more challenging,” Simmons told PTI. Afghanistan won the four-day ICC Inter-Continental for the second time in December. ”So it is not like they have no idea about the longer format of the game. Test matches are all about patience, both in batting and bowling, and let me tell you it is a big adjustment. And that is what we need work on majorly over the next six weeks,” said Simmons. The one off-Test at the Chinnaswamy Stadium will be Simmons’ first multi-day assignment with Afghanistan and he is looking forward to it. ”The nice thing I think is that we get to play in one of the better grounds, in Bangalore. It is one of the better wickets to bat on in India,” said the former West Indies all-rounder who played 26 Tests and 143 ODIs. Also a former West Indies and Ireland coach, Simmons said he will be banking more on his bowlers to trouble India. ”The bowling is surely stronger than our batting. But
Phil Simmons. (TOI Photo) let me tell you even for spinners like Rashid Khan, Mujeed Zadran and Zahir Khan, it will be tough to take wickets. The two (Rashid and Mujeeb) are currently playing the IPL, so I am pretty sure they will come back to us as better bowlers. ”Mujeeb has not yet played longer format for Afghanistan but I have been following his IPL campaign. He looks a much improved bowler. Rashid on the other hand is a thorough professional, I know he will keep evolving and keep improving,” reckoned the 55-yearold from Trinidad. On the batting front, he has high hopes from skipper Stanikzai, Mohammad Shazad, Mohammad Nadi and Rahmat Shah who all have scored First-Class hundreds. ”We have to learn to bat for long periods. As you mentioned, it will be all about patience. Just getting used to pressure of a Test match,” said Simmons who sees Afghanistan become a solid Test team over the next few years. The opposition captain, Virat Kohli, might be playing country cricket in England during the Bengaluru Test. Simmons said Kohli’s absence will not matter much. ”You are playing India, you are not playing Virat. If he was injured, we would still be playing against a formidable India. The only thing is that my players won’t be able to play against the number one batsman in Test cricket.
So it takes away that from us but as a Test match, it doesn’t take away anything.” Afghanistan beat the West Indies to win the ICC World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe last month. Simmons, who was sacked five months after coaching the West Indies to the 2016 World T20 title, got emotional while talking about the travails of the team he played for. ”It is very sad. It is hurtful (that West Indies had to qualify). But you could see it coming since the time was I coaching them. There were not a lot of things done correctly. We were struggling and did not play enough games before the cut-off period for automatic qualification.” Simmons was removed as coach following a fallout with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB). In fact, top players too have had longstanding differences with WICB. ”I don’t know if top players prefer playing T20 leagues over playing for the West Indies. I think it is a case of board’s refusal to select them most times. I don’t know what happened after I left. I am only talking about the time I was coach. I don’t know what lies ahead,” he said. Simmons concluded by saying that he is not at all surprised with Chris Gayle’s performance in the ongoing IPL.”I coached him (Gayle) in the CPL and I tell you he is still switched on, still hungry. I am not surprised how he started this IPL. It is not his time to go yet.”
Benzema scored the first of his two goals with a close-range header from Marcelo’s excellent cross after 11 minutes. (AFP/Getty Images) MADRID (Reuters) Holders Real Madrid reached the Champions League final for the third year in a row after Karim Benzema scored twice in a 2-2 draw with wasteful Bayern Munich yesterday to win their semi-final, second leg 4-3 on aggregate. Bayern defender Joshua Kimmich had put the visitors ahead after three minutes but Benzema levelled with a free header in the 11th. A goalkeeping howler from Sven Ulreich then allowed Benzema to tap in Madrid’s second just after the break. James Rodriguez, on loan from Madrid, equalised for Bayern in the 63rd to set up a gripping finale but Real held on despite waves of pressure to become the first team since Juventus in 1998 to reach the final for three years in succession.They will meet Liverpool or AS Roma in the final in Kiev on May 26, where they will bid to become the first side since Bayern in 1976 to win the competition for three straight years. “This club’s DNA pushes you to fight until the end. We knew how to suffer together,” Real captain Sergio Ramos told reporters. “They had more possession but overall
we were better. This team deserves to be in Kiev.” Real rode their luck to win the first leg in Munich 2-1 after Bayern had missed a slew of chances and Zinedine Zidane’s side made the most of their few opportunities. Madrid fans unfurled a giant banner before kickoff stating “We will defend the throne, we will capture glory”, but Bayern launched an early assault on their kingdom as David Alaba rushed forward only to pass into the hands of keeper Keylor Navas. Bayern came back down the other flank and landed their first punch when Ramos failed to clear a cross and Kimmich gleefully knocked the ball home from close range.It was the third consecutive home game in the Champions League knockout stages that Madrid had fallen behind, but they kept their composure and soon found an equaliser. A superb cross-field ball from diminutive midfielder Luka Modric was controlled by Marcelo who delivered the perfect cross for Benzema to nod calmly in at the back post. BAYERN FUMING An end-to-end game ensued, with the midfield fre-
Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema heads the ball into Bayern Munich net to put his side back in front on aggregate. (Reuters)
quently bypassed with long balls up to the forwards. Bayern could have retaken the lead but striker Robert Lewandowski was foiled by Madrid goalkeeper Navas and Rodriguez sent the rebound flying over the bar from close range. Bayern finished the half strongly but were left fuming at a failed penalty appeal when Kimmich’s shot struck Marcelo’s arm.They contributed to their own demise, though, when Ulreich lost his footing as he tried to control a backpass from Corentin Tolisso, allowing Real’s muchmaligned striker Benzema to tap in what proved to be the killer blow. Bayern did create chances before and after Rodriguez’s goal but Navas denied the Colombia international while Mats Hummels headed wide from a corner in stoppage time.It was Bayern’s fifth consecutive Champions League exit to a Spanish side, and their third to Madrid in that time.“We feel extremely bitter,” said Bayern defender Hummels. “We had chances in the first leg, we were more dangerous today (than Madrid) but in the end Real made fewer big mistakes.”
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Mumbai almost out as RCB finally defend a total ESPNcricinfo - Umesh Yadav took two wickets off consecutive deliveries with the new ball, Ishan Kishan fell for a golden duck and Royal Challengers Bangalore lost to Mumbai Indians by 46 runs. Two weeks later, Umesh was on a hat-trick with the new ball against Mumbai again, Kishan bagged another golden duck, his third in four innings, but this time Umesh’s opening burst also included Rohit Sharma’s first-ball duck and the Royal Challengers bowling line-up sustained the pressure throughout for once to defend 167 on their home ground and move up to fifth place after only their third win from eight matches. The defending champions, meanwhile, are back in seventh place and need to win all their remaining six matches lest they wish to rely on other teams to help them stay in playoff contention. Rohit opted to bowl and a combined bowling show from the spinners and Hardik Pandya in the death overs was restricting Royal Challengers to under 150 until Colin de Grandhomme’s 10ball 23 lifted them in the last over. Eventually, the early loss of wickets hurt Mumbai this time and even though the Pandya brothers seemed up to the task of scoring 62 runs from the last five overs, some pin-point bowling with pace variations sealed it for the hosts. RCB and the death overs Virat Kohli had bowled
Umesh and Yuzvendra Chahal by the 15th over yet again and the Pandya brothers had the cushion of Ben Cutting to follow in the chase. Among the quicks, only Tim Southee and Mohammed Siraj had two overs left each so Kohli decided to give the 16th to de Grandhomme. He conceded 17, and Mumbai needed 45 from 24 only to see a different story unfold this time. Siraj and Southee bowled a stirring mix of length deliveries, pace variations and wide yorkers to prevent the Pandyas from hitting down the ground. Siraj conceded only one boundary in his last two overs, Southee allowed Mumbai five little singles in the 18th over and Siraj also had Krunal caught at point for 23 to give the visitors a stiff equation of 25 from six. Hardik then hit Southee’s offcutter to long-on and Cutting connected well with only two of the remaining five deliveries. Southee finished with 2 for 25 and a Man of the Match award. Even though their bowling contingent turned the story around, the death overs stung Royal Challengers’ batting line-up this time. They were 123 for 3 with Kohli on 29 and five overs to go, easily set for 175. However, Jasprit Bumrah had two overs left, and Hardik bowled offcutters and slower ones consistently to remove Mandeep Singh, Kohli and Washington Sundar in the 18th over for only two runs. Bumrah didn’t get all his
Virat Kohli doesn’t hold his emotions back BCCI yorkers right but the batsman couldn’t middle many either. Only one of his final 12 deliveries went to the boundary and there were five dots among them as well. So, Royal Challengers found themselves 143 for 7 with one over to go. Fortunately and decisively for them, de Grandhomme smacked three sixes off the last four balls, including a free hit, for a competitive total. The costly Mumbai overs Barring three expensive overs, Mumbai conceded only 101 runs in 17 overs on Tuesday night. Most of the Mumbai bowlers strangled the batsmen, not letting any of them, except de Grandhomme, finish
with a strike rate of over 150. It was the remaining three overs that Royal Challengers cashed in on to hammer 66 runs. The first of those was t h e f o u r t h o v e r, b y J P Duminy. Opener Manan Vohra smacked the parttime spinner for 20 runs off the first four balls with two sixes and as many fours in the 22-run over. Duminy was probably used in the Powerplay because of a left-handed opener Quinton de Kock - but bowled only one ball to him out of 12. The second expensive over was Hardik’s after Brendon McCullum had scratched his way to nine off six balls. In the 10th over, he dispatched two full-tosses for consecutive sixes, the first of them a noball, and then struck the fourth legitimate delivery, a knuckleball, through the covers for four. Twenty off the over. It shot their run rate above eight an over but there was more to
come, right at the end. Mitchell McClenaghan started the last over impressively with three singles before de Grandhomme launched an offcutter over midwicket, collected two down the ground, hit a six off a noball and ended the innings with a free hit he smoked over long-off. Royal Challengers had gone from 146 to 167 in only three legitimate deliveries. Mumbai’s spinners stifle RCB early on Rohit surprisingly decided to open the bowling with Duminy in a spinheavy first nine overs and the move worked brilliantly except in that fourth over. Duminy extracted sharp turn and bounce in the first over with five dot balls and almost had Vohra caught at midwicket for 6. McClenaghan used a mix of back-of-length and slower deliveries to concede only seven in his first two overs and had de Kock caught at midwicket for a 13-ball 7.
Seeing the turn on offer, Rohit bowled Krunal and Mayank Markande from overs six to nine to see them beat the bat, bowl stifling lines and concede only 24 runs, including Vohra’s wicket for 45. Mumbai were similarly shackled in the middle overs but that was down to the early wickets and even though Hardik batted before his brother for a slightly brisk fifty, he and Duminy had to do a lot of consolidation after they were 47 for 4 in the eighth over. Umesh brought two in sharply to trap Suryakumar lbw for 9 and had Rohit inside edge one next ball to de Kock diving full-length behind the stumps. Kishan was bowled by Southee in the first over. Scores: Royal Challengers Bangalore 167 for 7 (Vohra 45, Pandya 3-28) beat Mumbai Indians 153 for 7 (Pandya 50, Southee 2-25, Umesh 2-29, Siraj 28) by 14 runs.
Sponsors requested the...
Manan Vohra turned the tide with a sparkling innings of 45. He hit four sixes ©BCCI
From page 39 Clothes. I can promise you that,” said Europe. When asked if the Sponsors wanted to have the final played with a white ball and Clothes he said that the preliminary rounds was played with Red balls and that would be unfair to the other teams. But it is not unfair to make Berbice lose a title they have already won because of the Sponsors request of having the Final played on Friday? “We have played with Red balls for last few years and you have to consider the extra cost for Coloured uniforms plus the Regional un-
der-17 tournament played with Red ball and white Clothes,” Europe informed. But that excuse is somewhat confusing since the U17s have never won a Regional tournament while the U-19s have won every 50over regional U-19 competition since Brian Sattaur led Guyana to its first title at home in 2014. This tournament is being used to pick the U-19 team for an important tournament which is being picked with a white ball which swings a lot more than the red ones. Director of Hand-in-Hand, Mr. Howard Cox confirmed
that the GCB received $6 Million and buying Coloured Uniforms for the teams would not cost too much more, especially if they purchased them from their source in Pakistan as they usually do. The GCB did not have to pay for any newspaper, Radio and TV advertisements and depended on the Media to do their promotion of the tournament with Kaieteur News doing the bulk of giving Handin-Hand good Millage. If the GCB finds it hard to get sponsors they could always send out an SOS for Mr. Foster, (a Master in Marketing) for help in that area.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday May 02, 2018
Rozier (29 pts), Tatum (28) President’s X1 school Elite League All Stars help Celtics beat 76ers 117-101 Victoria Kings cage Cougars in Elite League clash
From right, Kelsey Benjamin, Ryan Hackett and Delon Lanferman. By Franklin Wilson The younger brigade of stars combined to school the older warriors at the Leonora Track and Field Facility on Saturday night last when the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), in preparation for the CONCACAF Nations League which kicks off in September. The young President’s X1 took the fight to the Elite League All Stars and when 90 minutes of combat was over, it was the former side that prevailed 3-1. In drenching rain for most of the battle, the President’s X1 players, with an eye on selection for the senior team looked businesslike in their approach. The Elite League All Stars tried as they did but couldn’t deny their younger opposition on the night. Delon Lanferman it was that tucked in the first goal in the 31st minute following a period of both teams searching out each other. But the lead was not allowed to stand for long as Gregory Richardson responded in like manner minutes later for the Elite League All Stars. The game remained locked at 1-1 for the remainder of the half. The quest to gain the upper hand continued in the second half as both sides continued to piece together passes back and forth with the aim of getting into the final third. During all the exchanges, goalkeeper of the P r e s i d e n t ’s X 1 J a s o n Cromwell was halving a good game as he looked a
confident player between the uprights. But as the minutes ticked away, it was the young lads who turned up the heat and were rewarded with back to back goal in the 78th and 90+1 minute. Ryan Hackett and Kelsey Benjamin were the players to hit the back of the nets. GFF Senior Team Interim Head Coach, Wayne Dover, in an invited comment expressed that the match between the two selections lived up to expectations as regards the Technical Staff identifying young talent to fuel the national programme. Already, not satisfied with the outcome, the Elite League All Stars have been given the chance to redeem themselves in a re-match that would be on the cards very soon. Dover himself, endorsed the call for a rematch: “Definitely there should be a rematch to give the players more playing hours to help them to improve on their game. The youths demonstrated that they’re ready to become senior team members and with more matches at the international level, it would be beneficial to them and Guyana by extension which is the ultimate aim at this point in time.” Guyana’s first match in the CONCACAF Nations League in September would be against the ever improving lads from eth Land of the ‘Flying Fish’ Barbados here in Guyana and Dover expressed delight at the opportunity of
match skills with the Bajans yet again. ”I’m very excited about the future of Guyana’s football, seeing the talent we have to our disposal. I know for a fact the President is very excited about the young prospects and he would do everything in his power to ensure Guyana’s football move to the level it should be in the region and beyond; the upcoming matches in the CONCACAF Nations League would present such an opportunity. I’ll try to select the strongest possible team to try to ensure Guyana qualify for its first ever Gold Cup which proved elusive since its inception.” Dover continued: “Guyana’s football will be moving in the right direction and I speak from a position of what I know since I’m a member of the Technical Department. I also am aware of the plans the Technical Director has for the football and I can assure you when it kicks off those who are slow to catch the train will be left behind.” Meanwhile, in Saturday evening’s opening match, an Elite League clash, East Demerara’s Victoria Kings on account of a double strike from Nickosi Denny (8, 57) along with one each from the ever reliable Aubrey Gibson (16) and Randel Gordon in the 90th minute trounced Berbice’ Cougars 4-1. Cougars’ consolation strike came off the boot of Dani Johnson in the 34th minute.
AP - Boston’s rising stars stalled The Process and led the Celtics to victory in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. Substitute point guard Terry Rozier scored 29, and first-year Celtics forward Jayson Tatum had a careerhigh 28 points to outplay redshirt rookie Ben Simmons on Monday night and lead Boston to a 117-101 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. With much of the attention focused on 76ers youngsters Simmons and Joel Embiid, Boston’s youth movement of Tatum and Rozier led the way. Two days after scoring a career playoffhigh 26 points in Game 7 against Milwaukee, Rozier topped it, while also adding eight rebounds and six assists. “It’s been a dream come true. I want to keep going,” said Rozier, who was wearing a Drew Bledsoe Patriots jersey to milk one more chuckle out of his pseudo-feud with vanquished Bucks guard Eric Bledsoe. “I’m just a guy just living in the moment.” Embiid scored 31 points with 13 rebounds for Philadelphia, which lost for just the second time in 22 games. Simmons, the likely rookie of the year, scored 18 with seven boards and six assists. But with six days of rest since eliminating Miami, the 76ers missed 15 of their first 20 shots and hit 5 of 26 from 3-point range to lose for just the second time since March 13. “We’re NBA players and we have to be ready,” Embiid said. “We weren’t ready tonight.” Al Horford had 26 points and seven rebounds for Boston, which will host Game 2 on Thursday night. The
Celtics are hoping to have guard Jaylen Brown back from a hamstring injury he sustained in the clincher against the Bucks, leaving him sidelined along with Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward. Playing in place of Irving, Rozier picked up where he left off in the first round by scoring 10 points and six assists in the first quarter on Monday night. He was 7 for 9 from 3-point range overall, combining with Tatum to overshadow the lottery picks accumulated by Philadelphia during The Process. The first overall pick in the 2016 draft who sat out all of last year with an injury, Simmons was heckled by the Boston crowd with chants of “Not a Rookie!” In the fourth quarter, as Tatum stepped to the free throw line to protect a double-digit lead, the chant turned to “He’s a Rookie!” “I love when people talk trash,” Embiid said. “Keep bringing it, and we’ll see how it goes.” Tatum was Boston’s first pick last year — third overall — after swapping the No. 1 pick to the Sixers and grabbing a 2018 first-rounder as well. Philadelphia picked Markelle Fultz; he did not play on Monday night. “It’s been great to see Jayson and Terry and just our guys play like that,” Horford said. “I think that Jayson’s starting to figure it out. ... And it’s great to see for our team.” It was 33-all with just over seven minutes left in the half when the Celtics ran off 10 points in a row. Horford had four of the five baskets and assisted on the other. Boston led 87-70 in the final minute of the third quarter when Philadelphia scored nine straight points to make it a nine-point game.
After Simmons made a layup to make it 97-88, Horford hit a 3 from the top of the key with 5:30 left and it was never within single digits again. PUT ME IN COACH Up until about an hour before game time, Brown was still trying to figure out a way to play on his strained right hamstring. The Celtics’ second-leading scorer in the first round with 17.9 points per game, Brown was finally ruled out about a half-hour before tipoff following a conversation with doctors, trainers and Horford. “Jaylen’s a competitor, I know he was doing everything he could to be out there,” Horford said. “His health is most important. We didn’t want any setbacks with him. One of the things when I talked to him, I was like ‘Hey, we obviously really need you out there, but we need you for the long run. We need you to be healthy and to feel good.’ “Hopefully now he has a couple of day to recover and he’ll be back Thursday.” OLD SCHOOL FEEL Sixers coach Brett Brown is familiar with the Philadelphia and Boston matchups of the 1980s, having grown up in South Portland, Maine. Though he knows other teams in the East remain relevant, he thinks there is enough young talent on the current 76ers and Celtics rosters to give the rivalry a rebirth. “I hope so,” Brown said. “I personally grew up with this rivalry, just right on your doorstep and just a big part of your basketball life as a young kid. It sure seems like both programs are heading into the right direction.”
Boston Celtics guard Terry Rozier (12) celebrates his three-point shot against the Philadelphia 76ers. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Wednesday May 02, 2018
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Kaieteur News
Stephen Curry is back for Canada group has Game 2, and the Warriors serious concerns of IAAF are almost whole again hyperandrogenism rule Ya h o o Sports Stephen Curry is cooking again. A week after returning from a sprained right knee to participate fully in practice, the two-time NBA MVP played in earnest for the first time since March 23 when his Golden State Warriors hosted the New Orleans Pelicans for Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinals series last night. Curry’s goal? “Just not suck after missing five weeks,” he told The U n d e f e a t e d ’s M a r c J . Spears. T h e Wa r r i o r s , o f course, are expecting much more than that. They have been in a malaise (insomuch as a team that sandwiched two championships around a 73-win regular season can be) for the better part of the season, seemingly tired of laying historical beatdowns on the league for a four-year term. They beat the Kawhi Leonard-less San Antonio Spurs in five games, but not without a hiccup, and they smacked the surging Pelicans in Game 1 of the second round, led by their three healthy All-Stars — Kevin Durant (26 points, 13 rebounds), Klay Thompson (27 points) and Draymond Green (triple-double). But the West isn’t the cakewalk it was when the Warriors swept that side of the playoff bracket a year ago, and they’ll need Curry to escape a likely conference finals meeting with the Houston Rockets. They might need him against the Pelicans, too, but the Game 1 win afforded them an opportunity to work him into the lineup at their own pace. Curry wanted back for that one, but his teammates bought him time, and they may steal him some more. Warriors coach Steve Kerr suggested he will ease Curry back in for Game 2, and it’s hard to imagine him being 100 percent even by the end of this series. Saturday’s 123-101 win over New Orleans was the best Golden State has looked in weeks. They even got the contributions we once expected from the supporting cast of Andre Iguodala, Shaun Livingston and David West — a veteran trio of champions who have
Stephen Curry gets some work in prior to sitting out Game 1 against the New Orleans Pelicans. (AP) looked their age at different points of the season. Curry’s replacement, Quinn Cook, played well in his abs e n c e , a n d N i c k Yo u n g made an appearance. The Warriors felt practically whole again, except for one glaring absence — the guy who usually makes them all go. Working Curry back into that mix can only help, however healthy he is. In the short-term, he makes what was already an uphill battle for the Pelicans a Mount Everest-level challenge. The mere presence of Curry, quite possibly the greatest shooter in the history of basketball, changes the way New Orleans will have to defend the Warriors. Even if his knee and conditioning don’t allow him to endlessly curl around screens in Golden State’s motion offense, they still have to pick him up 30 feet from the basket and can never, ever leave him alone on the perimeter. As well as Cook shot from 3-point range during the regular season (44.2 percent on 3.2 attempts per game), Curry is a different animal, ready to launch if
you can’t latch the window shut. The Pelicans will feel the draft. Even the threat of Curry creates space for Durant and Thompson to cook, too. But threats may not mean as much against a juggernaut like the Rockets. Curry has two more weeks against the Pelicans to get right, because we’ve seen how vulnerable the Warriors can be against great teams when he isn’t. In 2016, the last time Curry returned to the playoffs from a sprained knee, Golden State needed seven games to oust the Oklahoma City Thunder before letting a 3-1 lead slip to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Kerr later said Curry never felt right for the rest of the 2016 playoff run, and that would be a problem now that Chris Paul is staring back at him in Houston. Then again, those Warriors added Durant to share the burden for times like these. This edition isn’t as deep, so Curry may have to cook for them to survive the toughest road they’ve faced in the West. Fire up the burner, because Chef Curry is back.
(Reuters) - Canada’s athletics federation called on Monday for a rigorous review of a new IAAF hyperandrogenism rule. “Athletics Canada has serious concerns with last week’s announcement from the IAAF regarding hyperandrogenism testing,” the federation said in a statement. The new regulations by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) lay down a series of criteria for athletes with a Difference of Sexual Development (DSD) to be eligible to compete internationally in certain events. They could prevent South African double Olympic champion Caster Semenya from competing in 800m and 1500m races. “In Canada, we encourage the full access for all Canadians to participate and compete in athletics, at every level of our sport free of discrimination,” the federation said. “Athletics Canada believes in the principles of inclusion, respect and health and safety.” The federation said it planned to review the eligibility rule in detail and hold discussions with government officials and other national
sports organizations. “We believe this IAAF eligibility ruling requires rigorous review,” it said. The new rule goes into effect in November unless overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Athletics authorities have struggled to find a solution to the issue that respected the rights of Semenya while also providing what they say is a “level playing field”. Some female rivals had complained that the 27-yearold’s hyperandrogenism gave her an unfair competitive advantage. The condition is characterized by higher than usual levels of testosterone, a hormone that increases muscle mass, strength and hemoglobin, which affects endurance. To compete internationally, athletes with a Difference of Sexual Development (DSD) must: - Be recognized at law either as female or as intersex (or equivalent); - Must reduce her blood testosterone level to below five (5) nmol/L for a continuous period of at least six months (e.g., by use of hormonal contraceptives); - Thereafter she must maintain her blood testosterone level below five (5) nmol/
L continuously. The rule applies to events from 400m to the mile, including 400m, hurdles races, 800m, 1500m, one mile races and combined events over the same distances It effectively gives Semenya a choice of taking medication to restrict her testosterone or move to longer distance events. The IAAF’s previous attempts to regulate the issue fell foul of a Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling in 2015 following an appeal on behalf of Indian athlete Dutee Chand, who had been banned from competing because of her testosterone levels. IAAF President Sebastian Coe has previously said nobody was suggesting Semenya had done anything wrong. Athletics South Africa said last week it would study the new regulations and compare them with the CAS recommendations to see if they are compatible and in line. “We will further seek support from the Minister of Sport and Recreation, SASCOC, other expert institutions and relevant organizations or individuals, so that we have a full grasp of this matter and how it should be properly handled,” it said.
IAAF legal expert resigns over new hyperandrogenism rule CAPE TOWN (Reuters) A South African legal expert has resigned from the IAAF’s disciplinary tribunal in protest at a new hyperandrogenism rule that could result in bans for some female athletes unless they undergo testosterone-reducing treatment. Law professor Steve Cornelius was appointed to the International Association of Athletics Federations tribunal late last year.He said in his resignation letter that he could not in good conscience continue to associate himself with “an organisation that insists on ostracising certain individuals, all of them female, for no reason other than being what they were born to be.”He added: “On deep moral grounds I cannot see myself being part of a system in which I may well be called upon to apply regulations which I deem to be fundamentally flawed and most likely unlawful in various jurisdictions across the globe.”
The letter was published on Twitter on Tuesday by sports lawyer Gregory Ioannidis, who described himself as a colleague of Cornelius. Reuters has contacted the IAAF, athletics’ global governing body, to request comment on the resignation. The new hyperandrogenism rule, which was announced by the governing IAAF last week, has put the spotlight back on South African Caster Semenya, whose long reign as the queen of middle distance running looks set to be ended. Cornelius’ letter of resignation, which was addressed to IAAF president Sebastian Coe, follows Monday’s call by Canada’s athletics federation for a rigorous review of the new rules on hyperandrogenism. The new regulations lay down a series of criteria for athletes with a Difference of Sexual Development (DSD) to
be eligible to compete internationally in certain events. The rules would effectively force South African double Olympic champion Semenya to lower her levels of testosterone in order to compete. The 27-year-old has faced years of complaints that her hyperandrogenism gave her an unfair competitive advantage.The condition is characterised by higher than usual levels of testosterone, a hormone that increases muscle mass, strength and haemoglobin, which affects endurance. South Africa’s sports minister Tokozile Xasa has said she is seeking to take up the matter with the IAAF and the country’s ruling party, the African National Congress, called the policy “blatantly racist” last week. The new rule comes into effect in November unless overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
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Kaieteur News
Sampson Gilbert is new GFCA President - Coaches education is priority
Wednesday May 02, 2018
20 fights each night to highlight GBA’s National Novice this weekend
New GFCA President Sampson Gilbert (seated left) with some members of the new body. Other seated are Gerard Alcides (center) and Devon Winter. Standing from right are Dillion Roberts, Mariska Williams, Gordon Braithwaite and Anthony Benfield. National Under-17 Coach and former Secretary of the Guyana Football Coaches Association (GFCA) Sampson Gilbert has now been elevated to the position of President when their Annual General Meeting was held on the weekend at the Guyana Football Federation. Gilbert, who has informed that Coaches education throughout the length and breadth of would be top of his agenda, will have as his Vice President Gerard Alcides, while Dillion Roberts is the new Secretary. The other members are Mariska Williams (Secretary), Devnon Winter (Assistant Secretary/Treasurer), while the Committee Members are Gordon Braithwaite, Anthony Benfield, Akeila Castello and Eon De Vieira. The latter two committee members were un-
avoidably absent due to national duties in Trinidad and Tobago with the Lady Jags. Former President, Wayne Dover informed that he did not seek re-election since he wants to focus more on his coaching career especially if he lands the fulltime job as GFF Head Coach. This new executive body reflects representation from around the nation as Gilbert and Braithwaite are from the City, Alcides from Lethem, Williams (West Demerara), Roberts, Winter and De Vieira (East Bank) and Castello from Upper Demerara. Speaking with Kaieteur Sport, Gilbert said the intentions of the new executive, which will serve for the next two years, is to first reach out to all Coaches throughout Guyana that have been working to develop the game and
this is in an effort to educate and inform them of the opportunities available through the GFCA. ”Coaches education at every level is our first priority. Our relationship as a member association of the GFF has improved tremendously since the installation of the current administration and we will be working to solicit necessary support and partnership for Coaches Technical Development.” Now integrally involved with the federations Technical Department, Gilbert stated that continued efforts would be made to add their bit towards the advancement of the sport. ”Financial viability of the association is an area that will also have my attention throughout my leadership,” Gilbert posited.
FLASHBACK, GDF’s Haykim Bostwick lands a left jab on eventual winner in the Junior Flyweight, Akimo Watts of GDF during amateur action last year. For the pittance of $500 in the stands and $1000 ringside, patrons will witness 20 bouts each night when the Andrew ‘Six Head’ Lewis National Novice punches off at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue from this Friday to Sunday. There will be three nights of much fistic fury in the annual tournament which is also dubbed ‘Nuff Cuff’. The 2018 edition of the tournament, which the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) gym are the defending champions, was initially scheduled to be held last weekend but the local governing body, the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), decided to push back the date. When the slugfest gets underway Friday, then boxing gyms will look to dethrone the defending champions, Guyana Defence Force (GDF). Those gyms include, Republican (Prison) which will make
their return after fire had destroyed their base, Savannah of Lethem, Carryl, Harpy, Vergenoegen, Rose Hall Jammers, Pocket Rocket, Forgotten Youth, Young Achievers and Police. Usual visitors, Suriname, were keen to contest the National Novice but are unable to make the trip, however, the Surinamese have signaled intentions to return to Guyana for the Lennox Blackmoore National Intermediate in October. Meanwhile, head coach of the GDF, Terrence Poole who is also technical director of the GBA, expressed great confidence in his gym’s ability of retaining successfully their title. “We have been successful across all divisions and come Friday when National Novice rings off, it will be business as usual for the army men,” Poole posited.
LONDON, CMC – West Indies speedster Ronsford Beaton’s career was left under a cloud yesterday after he was suspended by the International Cricket Council from bowling in international cricket. The 25-year-old was reported for a suspect bowling action following the second OneDay International against New Zealand in Christchurch last December and has now failed a recent independent assessment, the ICC announced. Beaton, however, may still be able to play in the upcoming Caribbean Premier League starting in August, where he was a 10th round pick for reigning champions Trinbago Knight Riders at the recent draft. However, Cricket West Indies will have to approve his participation. “In accordance with the Regulations,
Beaton’s international suspension will also be recognised and enforced by all National Cricket Federations for domestic cricket events played in their own jurisdiction,” the ICC statement said. “Save that, with the consent of Cricket West Indies, Beaton may be able to play in domestic cricket events played in the Caribbean under the auspices of Cricket West Indies.” Guyanese Beaton made his international debut in the first ODI against New Zealand in Whangarei, finishing wicket-less from nine overs which cost 42 runs. In the second ODI, he took one for 60 from eight overs. His tour finished in agony when he was forced to return home early ahead of the Twenty20 series with a side strain.
G Square Cavaliers Beaton slapped with international beat GSSC/SS/Melville ban after failing assessment G Square cavaliers defeated Good Success/Sans Souci/ Melville combined when the Wakenaam Cricket Committee/ Regal Sports U19 40-over tournament continued recently. Batting first, G Square Cavaliers managed 110 all out in 24 overs. Mahindra Dindyal made 25, Romario Stephen 15, Jageshwar Ramcharran 14 and Bhumeshwar Ramkissoon 11. Quacy Whyte claimed 3-21 and Gladewin Henry 2-10. Good Success/ Sans Souci/ Melville combined responded with 62 in 11.5 overs. Dindyal bagged 5-11 and Stephen 4-16.
Mahindra Dindyal
Kaieteur News
Wednesday May 02, 2018
Windies slump to historic low in Test rankings LONDON, CMC – West Indies have slumped to ninth in the latest International C r i c k e t C o u n c i l Te s t rankings, a historic low for the Caribbean side in the game’s longest format. In the rankings released by the ICC yesterday, the Windies lost five ratings points to tumble to 67 and are now only above minnows Zimbabwe who sit on two points, having played just 14 Tests inside the last five years. S i g n i f i c a n t l y, We s t Indies are also now eight points behind Bangladesh who picked up four points to move to 75 and take over eighth spot in the rankings. The bad news for the Windies come on the heels of a wretched tour of New Zealand last December when they suffered a 2-0 whitewash. They were crushed by an innings and 67 runs in the opening Test at Wellington and soundly beaten by 240 runs in the second contest in Hamilton, with both matches finishing inside four days.
We s t I n d i e s b e a t Zimbabwe 1-0 in a twomatch series last November but enjoyed no points gains from that success. Once World champions, the Windies have fallen from their lofty heights and struggled badly over the last two decades. Last year, they won just three of ten Tests and their victory over Pakistan in November 2016 broke a 19-month win-less streak. They have not beaten a higher-ranked side since they swept New Zealand 2-0 in the Caribbean six years ago. However, the Jason Holder-led unit will have the chance to improve their ranking, as they face a heavy playing schedule over the next several months. They host Sri Lanka in a three-match series in June, Bangladesh in a two-Test tour the following month, before heading to Bangladesh and India for Test tours later in the year. The Windies demise was the only change to the rankings but India
strengthened their position at the top of the rankings, increasing their lead over second placed south Africa from four to 13 points, after gaining four points to move 125. The Proteas lost four points to slip to 112 while Australia are now on 106 after moving up four points. New Zealand remain fourth on 102 points. England (98) lie fifth, Sri Lanka (94) are sixth while Pakistan are seventh on 87 points. Latest Test rankings released by the International Cricket Council on Tuesday: 1 India 125 (+4) 2 South Africa 112 (-5) 3 Australia 106 (+4) 4 New Zealand 102 (-) 5 England 98 (+1) 6 Sri Lanka 94 (-1) 7 Pakistan 86 (-2) 8 Bangladesh 75 (+4) 9 West Indies 67 (-5) 10 Zimbabwe 2 (+1)
Hand-in-Hand U-19 Inter-County Cricket
Sponsors requested the Finals be played Although playing conditions make Berbice Champions Says Sean Devers Since 2015 when Demerara won the ‘Double’ Berbice has not tasted success at the Under-19 Inter-County level. However, after winning the 2018 third Edition of the Hand-in-Hand three-day competition, Berbice qualified for final of the 50over format which was once again played with Red balls and white clothes unlike what will transpire in Barbados from July in the Regional U-19 50-over tournament where white balls coloured clothes and black sightscreens will be used. However, after last Saturday’s final between Berbice and the National U17s was washed out and the alternative day the next day was again abandoned at Lusignan, according to the (Playing conditions) Berbice were Champions in both formats once again. But now another Final has been scheduled for Friday at the Providence Stadium. The playing conditions
clearly states “If no result is achieved in the Final on the scheduled day of play. The match should be rescheduled on an alternative day” Clause A of that regulation says “THE TEAM WITH THE MOST W I N S I N T H E PRELIMARY MATCHES (will be the champions). Clause (B) which says “If still equal, the team that won the match encounter between the two teams in question, during the preliminary rounds” and Clause (C) which says “Where still equal, the team with the best net run rate from the preliminary rounds, will be declared the winner of the tournament” were not even needed since Berbice had won all three of their games while the U-17s only won once. But Chairman of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Colin Europe told Kaieteur Sports that although according to the regulations, which states that Berbice are the Championships, the Handin-Hand Mutual fire & Life
Insurance Company requested that final be played. “Sponsorship is hard to get so we set the Final for Friday to give the Sponsors some extra mileage. The rain affected the matches so we (GCB) wanted as much cricket as possible since this competition is being used to pick the team for the U-19 competition in Barbados,” explained Europe. Plausible excuse…. but the problem is the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) was not informed about the deviation from the playing conditions, while the Berbice Manager and Coach were not even given the Playing Conditions by the GCB. However, the BCB should have had a chance to agree to this. I am sure that Foster, who has the players at heart, would have agreed. But the episode is worrying. “We sometime do what the sponsors want to keep them. Next year we will play the 50-over format with white balls and coloured (Continued on page 35)
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Dare to Dream Programme
RHTY&SC Teams assist 15 years old Raymond Khan, BCB, UCCA and Liverpool Club The ten cricket teams of Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation, the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS on Sunday last assisted a promising Under15 player under their Dare to Dream Programme and also provided assistance to the Berbice Cricket Board and the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association. Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster stated that despite its status of being Guyana’s best, the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS was passionate about assisting others to fulfill their full potential. He disclosed that the parents of Khan, a member of the Rose Hall Canje Club, wrote to the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club seeking cricket gears for their son and approval was immediately granted under the Club’s Dare to Dream Programme which encourages youths to strive for success despite numerous barriers. The long serving Club official who is also the President of the Berbice Cricket Board encouraged Khan to always strive for excellence and stated that all dreams can be achieved with hard work, discipline and dedication. He committed the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club to supporting Khan in his quest to fulfill his potential on the cricket field.
RHTYSC makes a donation of cricket gears to Raymond Khan under the Dare to dream programme. The teams also donated twenty cricket caps, Medals, trophies and a bicycle to the Berbice Cricket Board. The caps would be used by the Berbice Female Team while three trophies would be used to reward the Player of the Match for the upcoming Inter-county Championship. The other seventeen trophies and seventeen medals would be to honour the victorious Berbice Under-19 Team and Management. A MVP Trophy and an $18,000 bicycle were also handed
RHTYSC donates cricket gears to assist the restart of cricket in the village of Liverpool. Club executive Keith Hicks (right) hands over the donation worth $60,000 to a member of the Liverpool Club.
over the Berbice Cricket Board to honour the Most Valuable Berbice Under-19 Player in the Guyana Cricket Board Inter-county Championship. The Upper Corentyne Cricket Association benefitted from a donation of eight trophies towards the hosting of the first ever Award Ceremony for players in the Sub Association. This forms part of the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association plans to honour its own players as an incentive to lift the standard of the game in the Upper Corentyne area. Efforts by a group of dedicated Community Leaders to form a Cricket C l u b i n t h e Liverpool/Manchester area saw them receiving a donation of cricket gears. The donation included a bat, cricket balls, wicket keeping ads, wicket keeping gloves and batting pad. Cricket was once played in the district at the Liverpool Community Centre but stopped over a decade ago. The ten cricket teams; as part of their efforts to use sports as the safe avenue for youths, agreed to assist. Foster urged the group to develop a culture of discipline and hard work and pledged continued support of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club. The Berbice Cricket Board President also extended gratitude for the continued support of Foodfor-the Poor (Guy) Ltd in the development of the game in the ancient county.
Kaieteur News
PAGE 40
Wednesday May 02, 2018
Eleven outstanding Guyanese V Net Vipers claim receives RHTY&SC Highest Award 10/10 title in Essequibo - Minister Broomes heads list
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l e v e n outstanding Guyanese were on Sunday last honoured for their contributions to the development of Guyana by the ten cricket clubs and Over-35 Group of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, Ms. The list headed by Junior Minister of Natural Resources Simona Broomes and include Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Isaacs, Cricket Coach and Former Test Player Roger Harper, CEO of Guyana Water Inc Dr. Richard Van West Charles, Banker Harry Dass Ghaness, Deputy CEO of the New Building Society Anil B e h a r r y, I n s u r a n c e Executive Bishwa Panday, Food-for-the-Poor Chairman Paul-Chan-a-Sue, Attorney-at-Law Anandranauth Gossai, Businessmen Poonai Bhiroog and Deonarine Balram. Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster disclosed that the Dolphin Award of Excellence was founded in 2015 and is the highest of the twelve awards of the RHTY&SC. When the award was first announced, the Club had stated that it would have been limited to thirty persons but that amount increased to honour those who deserve to be recognised. Awardees are selected based on their positive role model status to youths, contributions to the development of Guyana and support of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club.
V Net Communications CEO Safraz Sheriffudeen (left) presents the trophy to V Net Vipers skipper Anthony Adams in the presence of his team mates.
Dr Richard Van West Charles receives the Award of excellence from Regional Chairman David Armogan. Foster who heads the Award Committee of the RHTY&SC, stated that the first two awardees were Busta General Manager Robert Selman and CEO of Gizmos & Gadgets Ravi Mangar. Other awardees over the years included President David Granger, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Minister Joseph Harmon and j o u r n a l i s t s Av e n a s h Ramzan, Franklin Wilson, Claude David and Gregory Rambarran. Minister Broomes was selected based on her charity work and for working with young females to fulfill their potentials. Gossai was honoured for the role he played in returning normalcy to Berbice Cricket, while Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Isaacs was
West Indies player Roger Harper receives his Dolphin Award Of Excellence from the Regional Chairman.
described as a role model Public Servant who has served his county well, former Test Player Roger Harper was described as a positive role model to youths and Dr. Van West Charles as a dedicated and visionary Chief Executive Officer. Ghaness, Balram, Poonai and Beharry were honoured not only as role models but also as outstanding friends of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club. Foster urged the eleven awardees to not only uphold their high standard but to work harder to make positive differences in the lives of youths. He also called on them to share their experiences with others, so that they can be emulated. Each of the awardees received a Dolphin Award Plaque and Some gifts from the Club. The Awards were presented by Regional Chairman David Armogan who himself received the Award in 2017. Awardees Dr. Richard Van West Charles, Roger Harper, Sherlock Isaacs and Bishwa Panday all expressed gratitude to the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club for honouring them and hailed the Club for its remarkable work among youths, the elderly and less fortunate. Special mention was made of the hard work, compassion of CEO Hilbert Foster who has touched and changed the lives of thousands of youths.
V Net Vipers emerged champions of the V Net Communications inaugural 10/10 tournament which was held on Saturday last at Golden Fleece, Essequibo Coast. Overnight rain reduced matches to seven and eight overs per side, however the many fans that turned up were able to witness the c o u n t y ’s i n t e r n a t i o n a l national players including Ronsford Beaton and Keemo Paul in action. V Net Vipers overcame South Essequibo in the final by three wickets. South Essequibo opted to bat and scored 64-4 from their reduced quota of seven overs. David Williams led with an 18-ball 35 inclusive of a solitary four and four towering sixes, one of which cleared two houses. Trevor Benn picked up 213 from two overs. West Indies newest
recruit Keemo Paul and the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) Kevon Boodie opened the innings for V Net Vipers but Paul fell cheaply to Beaton. However, Kevon Boodie took boundaries off Beaton as he raced to 29 (1x4; 3x6s) from 14-balls until his resistance was ended by the West Indies fast bowler. Kemol Savory belted 22 from 13 balls which took his team home in 5.5 overs. Earlier, Vipers had defeated Iman Bacchus XI by 32 runs after posting 102 in eight overs. Boodie slammed 43 from 26 balls, while Paul scored 28 comprising one four and four sixes. Captain Parmesh Parsotam top-scored with 13 as Imam Bacchus XI were restricted to 69-9. Seamer Siddiq Mohamed snared 2-2, while Benn took 2-17. Meanwhile, the Masters match was won by the home
team over Reliance. The event, which main purpose was to raise funds for the New Opportunity Corps (NOC) Sports Club, was deemed a success by national spinner Anthony Adams. The organisers extended thanks to Essequibo Cricket Board and Andy Ramnarine for their support along with that of the South Essequibo Cricket Committee. Nieem Khan was also highlighted for donating 50lbs of chicken and the many Villagers who turned out were asking for another such event to be held shortly. V N e t ’ s Communications CEO Safraz Sheriffudeen who hails from Wakenaam made major donations to the proceedings. V Net Communications provides internet services to the remote areas in Guyana and is located at Delph Street, Campbellville.
Salah voted England’s Footballer of the Year MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) L i v e r p o o l ’s E g y p t i a n forward Mohamed Salah has been voted Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers’ A s s o c i a t i o n ( F WA ) t o complete the double of English soccer ’s major individual awards. Salah was chosen as Player of the Year by the Professional Footballers Association (PFA) after an outstanding season in which he has scored 43 goals in all competitions. The 25-year-old is the first African player to win the (Continued on page 33)
Salah is the first African winner of the award. (Getty Images)
Kaieteur News
Wednesday May 02, 2018
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FIFA and Caricom to sign MoU with Youth Football the Focus Primary Schools competition to be included
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epresentatives o f t h e Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA); Véron Mosengo-Omba, Director of Member Associations and Marlon Glean, Caribbean Regional D i r e c t o r, a r e v i s i t i n g Guyana on a trip that will last from May 1 – 4, to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). The MoU will be signed at the 31st Meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) scheduled for Guyana and is aimed at fostering football development in the Region. This initiative is a direct result from the inaugural visit to Guyana by FIFA’s President Gianni Infantino in 2017 who, along with President Wayne Forde, discussed a Regional School football programme with
CARICOM Secretary General, Irwin LaRocque. The Secretary General gave a commitment to pursue this initiative, which was further advanced by Honorable Minister of Education (MOE) Nicolette Henry who has successfully coordinated its inclusion on the meeting’s agenda. A key element of the MoU is an emphasis on youth football development particularly providing support to CARICOM Member States to strengthen their primary school football competitions and, where it is non-existent, assist with the development and execution of such competitions. This will include the provision of necessary equipment to facilitate these competitions, including balls, bibs and cones. FIFA is also keen to build capacity among the technical staff of the Region, including coaches, match officials and
Mosengo-Omba during a courtesy call on Hon. Minister Nicolette Henry in Feb 2017, in the presence of President Wayne Forde and First Vice President Brigadier (Ret.) Bruce Lovell. administrators, and seeks to assist with the development and training of all Physical Education teachers within the CARICOM region in
football, coaching and football management. To foster the development of the sport, F I FA w i l l e n g a g e
CARICOM in assisting with hassle free movement of all FIFA officials and FIFA Member Associations’ (MA) representatives,
national teams and other MA officials as well as the reduction of travel and other related costs across the Region.
rt o p S
Beaton slapped with Windies slump to historic international ban after . 37 low Test rankings in failing assessment P
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West Indies ‌ have slipped to ninth in the Test rankings. West Indies fast bowler Ronsford Beaton.
20 fights each night to highlight GBA’s National Novice this weekend P. 36
AIBA Three Star Coach Terrence Poole (right foreground) takes the army team through training sessions at Camp Ayangana. Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.