Kaieteur News

Kaieteur News

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Saturday May 13, 2017

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

EDITORIAL

There can be no substitute for reading Books are considered the gateway to the world, but inexplicably, people are not reading these days, choosing instead to sit glued to television screens. Once upon a time, as they always say in the lead up to a story, people bought books for their children as gifts, and the recipients often went on to do well later in life. Books are being replaced by video games which teach nothing but dexterity skills. The various electronic stores record fantastic sales; the bookstores hardly see any purchases. It as if they did not exist. Those of us who read would know that there is nothing that broadens our horizons like books. They encourage flights of imagination; develop creative ability - sometimes taking us to places we created in our minds with such brilliance that we could actually describe these places. Reading is fundamental. The evidence is clear that children who read are bound to do well. They develop a keen sense of reasoning, and in so doing, they are often able to solve problems more efficiently. They are also the children who are less likely to get into physical confrontations. They know that there is always a better way out. It is no accident that an increasing number of young people turn to a life of crime. If a survey is to be taken, one can trace this trend to the declining reading skills. The less one reads, the less one can reason and the less can one express himself. It is this inability to reason that causes a person to respond in a Pavlovian way to situations. Everything is done instinctively and impulsively. This could change drastically once we reintroduce a studied reading programme in schools. We find that there are children who can pronounce words from a printed page but when asked to explain what they have read, they appear to be incapable of doing so. This is because they really cannot read. Some years ago, teachers would advise secondary school children to look at movies scripted from published books. Among these were, A Man for All Seasons, Cry the Beloved Country, To Sir with Love, and many of Shakespeare’s plays, including Hamlet and Romeo and Juliet. It turned out that many of the movies were adapted more for entertainment and often they differed from the books in certain aspects. Children then left with a mistaken concept of the book. Today, that trend continues, to the extent that many young people would have the mistaken impression that once they have seen a movie then they understand the book. Nothing could be further from the truth. Reading also does more for the individual. It develops an appreciation of the language. There are always new words to be learnt, new turns of phrases that succinctly capture an image, and new styles that could be incorporated in writings. And writing is an art that only gets better when one reads. There was a time when the prevailing view was that with the advent of television and radio, the printed word would have become a thing of the past. That has not been the case, simply because with the printed word an individual could go back and better understand something that might have been missed. With the electronic media, once the word is spoken it in effect is gone. There is no opportunity to recapitulate. Some writers have also made millions of dollars because of an audience that always wants to use the mind to create images of places and conditions. A classic case was the Harry Potter series. There was always a movie in the making, but the avid reader refused to await the creation of the movie. In the end, those who read the book would conclude that the movie failed to live up to the expectations created by the book. There can be no substitute for reading.

Editor’s Note; If your sent letter was not published and you felt its contents were valid and devoid of libel or personal attacks, please contact us by phone or email.

I was dismayed at the unfair treatment of Ron Robinson Dear Editor, I have been wanting to pen this letter for months, but somehow never got around to doing it until I ran into Ron recently and had a conversation with him which made it imperative that I express my dismay at the way he was dismissed from NCN. It is a shame that an Icon of broadcasting who has served radio for over 50 years can be terminated without any justification and nobody in authority says anything. How shocking! Ron is one of the few surviving legends of broadcasting still with us today, I cannot fathom how an entity like NCN which is in short supply of good broadcasters and administrators can just let him go and not utilize his expertise while he is still alive and

kicking. Maybe they are waiting for him to pass away then they can shower him with tributes and appreciation, who knows! Ron has worked tirelessly alongside almost all of the giants of broadcasting including people of the calibre of Rafiq Khan, Pat Cameron, James Sidney, Carlton James, Fazil Azeez, Christopher Deen and many others and he has acquired a wealth of experience and knowledge that is an asset any organisation. It is my view that Ron Robinson is more than capable of being the CEO of NCN. In fact I think it was an insult to put him on probation. Times have changed, technology has evolved and I daresay that Ron has managed to adapt and evolve with the times. A Diploma or Degree in Public

Communications from UG should not be the only requirement for the job but as far as I know a CEO must have the ability and capacity to anchor the station in times of emergency, can the current CEO do that, I doubt it. I hope that the President reads this letter and takes decisive action for it appears that the Prime Minister under whose portfolio NCN falls just don’t seem to care. It is my understanding that Enrico Woolford and Margaret Lawrence are on the Board of NCN, I only hope that these two renowned Broadcasters can add their voices in support of Ron Robinson making a hasty return to NCN where his talent and expertise are needed now more than ever to prop up an ailing NCN. Aubrey Baptiste

Wild, nonsensical allegations of Mark Benschop Dear Editor, In public life, I have learnt that there are certain types of allegations which must never be left on the public record, unanswered. My attention was drawn to a letter written by Mark Benschop and published in the Kaiteur News on the 10th of May, 2017. In that letter, Mr. Benschop insinuated that I may have unlawfully interfered with the administration of justice in respect of the preliminary inquiry into a charge of treason instituted against him, as well as, the High Court trial which ensued. Specifically, Mr. Benschop leveled two allegations against me: (i) that I had something to do with the preliminary inquiry being removed from the then sitting Chief Magistrate; and

(ii) that I had contact with a juror during the period when the jury retired for deliberation in his High Court criminal trial. Mr. Benschop does not refer to, or cite a shred of evidence to support these wild and nonsensical allegations. I reject them out of hand as absolute falsehoods. It is the first time I am hearing of them. The fact that they are made over fifteen (15) years after they are alleged to have occurred without more, should be enough to put them to rest. I maintain resolutely that I discharged my duties as a Special Prosecutor and a Minister of Justice in those matters to the best of my ability and by adhering to the highest ethical standards. I did so in a very hostile political and physical

environment existing at the time and at great risk of exposingmy family and me to grave physical harm and even worse. The Director of Public Prosecutions, at the time, was shot and fled this c o u n t r y, p e r m a n e n t l y. During that period, Guyana experienced its worst crime spree. Mortal fear had gripped this land. Businessmen were being killed or kidnapped one, per day. The courts were surrounded by heavily armed policemen while in session. Dozens of barricades were used to keep unruly crowds away from the courts. I received countless death threats during both the preliminary inquiry and the trial. Yet, I have no regrets. I am proud of my work in those matters. I was part of a team of three.

We did it for the glory of the rule of law. At the time, I held no influence of any kind, which could have caused a transferal of the preliminary inquiry from one magistrate to another. When I entered the preliminary inquiry, the matter was being heard by Magistrate Chandra Sohan, before whom it concluded. I did not know, personally, any person who served as a juror in the criminal trial. I certainly never made telephone contact with any of them. I consider it a travesty that no charge was instituted against the person who misled innocent persons to their death that faithful day at the Office of the President. Mohabir Anil Nandlall MP, Attorney-at-Law

Was a feasibility study done for this Crab Island Facility? Dear Editor, We, the undersigned, students of the University of Guyana’s Environmental Economics class of 2017, hereby seek space in your newspaper to request clarification on whether a feasibility study was done on the proposed on-shore facility at Crab Island. A d d i t i o n a l l y, h a s ExxonMobil committed to making use of the Crab Island facility by way of an agreement or will this initiative be another ‘whiteelephant’? The proposed shore house no doubt will provide a series of services to the emerging oil and gas sector, presumably starting with Exxon Mobil’s ongoing

exploration activities in the Stabroek Block. According to the Minister of National Resource and the February 8th edition of the Kaieteur News, the Government of Guyana is either investing or facilitating the investment of US $500M in this facility. If a feasibility study was done, we are keen on being apprised of the significant findings of the investment/cost-benefit analysis. Notwithstanding the foregoing, there are a number of unanswered questions which still linger, to which we respectfully seek answers: Is this venture going to be a pure public or public-private investment initiative? To what extent has the private sector been

engaged in conceptualizing this project, given their vast experience in negotiating and handling business transactions? Our class has some broader concerns. Has Guyana already determined to take royalty payments as profit oil as opposed to money? Is the profit sharing agreement going to allow Exxon Mobil to recover 75% of its cost? We understand that the 50/50 split of profit oil was negotiated a while back. Has this split been renegotiated since the major discovery and if not, will it be? Will Exxon pay taxes from their share of profit oil as is done in other Profit Sharing Agreements (PSAs).What exactly was

granted to Exxon Mobil in the Kaieteur and Canjie Blocks over the period 2016/2017? Wa s consideration given to a public auction of the Kaieteur and Canje Blocks prior to Exxon obtaining exclusive rights to explore? We wish to bring to the fore an existing model of this auctioning scenario, where not so long ago, the UK conducted auctions in their Oil & Gas sector and was able to get value for money by extracting top dollar/Sterling pounds for their oil fields. This having said, Is there a plan for a public auction of other blocks in the future? Our Environmental (Continued on page 5)

Saturday May 13, 2017

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Kaieteur News

Diversification has always been a much-touted plan for GUYSUCO DEAR EDITOR, The White Paper on Sugar provides no assurances, nor any plans on how three sugar estates, Albion, Blairmont and Uitvlugt will stay open. In fact, reading between the lines, the definite closure of three more sugar estates in 2017, added to Wales which was closed in 2016, represent the beginning of a plan to close sugar. David Granger, Nagamootoo, Ramjattan, Holder, Trotman, Charandass, Thomas and the whole APNU+AFC machinery, together with the team of GUYSUCO senior management and Board must carry this shame with them. More than half of the paper is filled with interesting, but irrelevant historical information, with a hefty dose of inaccuracies. Production data, even if historical, is meaningful only if it is accurate. For example, between 1976, when SUGAR was nationalized, and 1992, production averaged about 245,000 tons annually and not 328,000 tons. This average production under the nationalized industry was significantly below the average sugar production between 1946 and 1976 when the industry was operated by Bookers. GUYSUCO’s records, Bank of Guyana Annual Statistics, Bureau of Statistics and National Budget data will confirm my statistics. In fact, production in the 1980s fell to an average of about 200,000 tons, and, by 1991, fell closer to 100,000 tons. Production rose to an average above 250,000 tons in the 1990s and even surpassed 300,000 tons on several instances in the 1990s before encountering difficulties beginning in 2010. These difficulties followed the EU’s arbitrary 37% reduction of the price for sugar, the impact of climate change and the need for accelerated mechanization, all difficult issues, but each of them solvable, but unaddressed in the paper. Interestingly, the WhitePaper omitted relevant infor-

mation. SUGAR provided almost $100B in today’s money worth to Central Government, through the Sugar Levy between 1976 and 1996. This omitted information is relevant as it places present day cash inputs from Central Government in a different perspective - Central Government is repaying, not subsidizing SUGAR. In addition, the White Paper ignored the $30B in EU Budgetary Support as compensation for the arbitrary reduction of sugar prices. This, too, is relevant information for relevant assessment of what is going on in SUGAR. Significantly, diversification of GUYSUCO’s operation was an important part of the 1980s, SUGAR Story. This was ignored in the White Paper. The omitted information do not support a narrative that APNU+AFC wants to disseminate to people. The White Paper ignored the recommendation of APNU+AFC’s own COI and, further, ignored the recommendation of the IMF. While it makes reference to some aspects of the COI Report, it conveniently ignored the more relevant information and it simply pretended that the IMF had nothing to say about SUGAR. The historical perspective, with its hefty portion of inaccuracies, and its listing of problems represent more than 75% of the paper. The section dealing with the future of SUGAR is skimpy. It is clear, SUGAR is being downsized to begin with, and, three estates will continue, but without plans on making them more efficient and profitable and for diversification, these will also be thrown aside. Diversification has always been a much-touted plan for GUYSUCO. The White Paper ignored any discussion of disastrous 1980s diversification schemes. Yet, the elephant in the room is APNU+AFC’s much touted plans in various public engagements to resuscitate some of these same failed diversification plans.

Are these still being considered? The PPP’s approach on diversification in the 1990s to 2015 was diversification of sugar-based products, as opposed to the PNC/ APNU+AFC plans which diversifies into non-sugar areas. For example, the PPP sought to add value by reducing bulk sugar production while increasing packaged sugar - Demerara Gold and other branded packaged sugar products and bottled molasses. The White Paper ignores completely the Blairmont and Enmore sugar and molasses packaging plants. These are profitable value-added sugar products for CARICOM and other markets around the world. Is it an oversight or deliberate because it does not fit the narrative for closing SUGAR? The PPP’s diversification plan included production of ethanol to meet, first, the de-

In furtherance of transparency however, we verily do believe that our national patrimony is at stake in this venture and it behooves us to request that the entire PSA be made public so its contents can be scrutinized. A major contention of ours is whether all the information regarding this deal has been placed in a central repository available to the general public and if not how soon can we expect such a move? Finally, while the GGMC website and elsewhere offers valuable information, is

dence cane cultivation which is part of the Rose Hall estate was closed since the end of 2015. Albion which presently boasts the lowest cost of sugar production and the most efficient in terms of cane to sugar ratio will be transformed into a less efficient estate. It will be impossible to maintain Enmore/LBI cultivation since transport to any factory will be prohibitive. Finally, the idea that GUYSUCO will continue to maintain Drainage and Irrigation in closed estates is a myth. The cost for maintaining the drainage and irrigation in the closed estate will become a cost that Government must take up. This is a cost that GUYSUCO has borne and it is now being recognized that this was included in the cost of production. GUYSUCO has always subsidized central government and local government in Regions 3, 4, 5 and 6 when it comes to maintaining D&I. The same

can be said about health. GUYSUCO has provided primary health care for its workers forever. Now this will become a cost on Government. The White Paper confirmed downsizing, setting-up SUGAR for closure, just as APNU+AFC promised in 2014 when at least twice at APNU press conferences they declared that SUGAR should be closed. Terms such as consolidation, diversification, reengineering etc. are dogwhistles for CLOSURE of SUGAR. The White Paper gives effect to the 2014 position. It makes a mockery of the promises that Granger, Nagamootoo, Ramjattan, Trotman and Charandass made to sugar workers and Guyana during the 2015 election campaign when they said that SUGAR was “too big to fail”. Sadly, the White Paper is merely a political prop to disguise the lies that these men told the workers. Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

Our condolences to Brother Eusi Kwayana and his family DEAR EDITOR, The WPA is deeply pained and saddened at the death of Sister Tchaiko Kawayana, who, after a struggle with cancer, departed the world of the living to join her ancestor son on the morning of Saturday May 6th 2017 in the USA. Sister Tchaiko was the wife of the dedicated, committed and outstanding patriot and Elder Statesman of Guyana, Brother Eusi Kwayana. Members of the WPA Executive Committee and the wider WPA fraternity, express our deep condolences to Brother Eusi and the children at this most painful moment which has witnessed the irreplaceable loss of a well beloved wife/mother. The untimely demise of Sister Tchaiko is also a great loss to the party at home and abroad. The historic role she played in the struggle of the African community and the Guyanese nation predated the formation of the WPA. We recall that her activities in Guyana had its

Was a feasibility study done for this... From page 4 Economics instructor, Doctor Thomas Singh, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Economics at University of Guyana, had attempted to engage Exxon Mobil (Guyana) to discuss ways in which citizens can be engaged as more than just mere on-lookers in the emerging oil and gas sector. Unfortunately, Ms. Kim Brassington of Exxon Mobil (Guyana) has thus far been non-responsive and this begs the question, why the deafening silence?

mand of the local market as legislation was being prepared to mandate ethanolbased gasoline for all vehicles, with at least 10% ethanol as a requirement at all gasstations. A prototype ethanol plant was established at Albion and showed that ethanol production was feasible and could add-value to sugar. Nothing was said about this important venture. Again the question is asked why? Is it because there is no plan and a closed SUGAR industry will not allow this? The White Paper conveniently ignored real questions about consolidation of estates. Already, Uitvlugt has demonstrated that transportation of canes from Wales to Uitvlugt is filled with problems - transportation of cane to the factory has increased cost of production. The same will be true for canes from most of the Rose Hall cultivation to Albion. In spite of GUYSUCO’s denial, Provi-

this all the information available on the deal? We sincerely doubt it is!!! University of Guyana’s Environmental Economics Class of 2017 Nalini Persaud Mahesh Mahipaul Sean Harmon Arielle Harsingh Ryan Goberdhan Thamesha Watson Audwin Anthony Davarshini Doobay Diquan Lewis Aruna Jainarine Khamini Ramlakhan

genesis in the work of the African Society for Cultural Relations with Independent Africa (ASCRIA)in the late 60 s and early 70s. Sister Tchaiko’s decision to come to Guyana was influenced by her work and struggle in the African community in the USA, the country where she was born and her active involvement in the struggle of the African diaspora, and on the MotherLand of Africa. Tchaiko or Sister Tchaiko as she was fondly called was among the early wave of activists who responded to the appeal made by ASCRIA and the Pan African Secretariat - which at the time operated in Guyana - for Africans in the diaspora to come to Guyana and participate in the political process, which at that time was being led by the Forbes Burnham administration. From the time of her arrival in Guyana Sister Tchaiko became immersed in the struggles of the African community and the Guyanese nation. Her commitment to our people and country was a lifelong endeavor. From the moment she answered the call to serve to the time of her death,

she remained unwavering in her support of the Guyanese struggle, for liberation, racial pride, political and racial reconciliation and the empowerment of women and children and the elderly. In ASCRIA she played an integral role in the organization’s work to promote the “Cultural Revolution” which sought to reawaken African self-consciousness. As a member of Ascria, Tchaiko supported the political decision for the formation of the WPA and worked to advance its cause. Sister Tchaiko’s commitment to the liberation of the Guyanese masses was exemplified by the role she played in the group, “Women

Against Terror” where she was on several occasions caught up in the confrontation against the supporters of the administration. She did not escape the violence that was unleashed against the political opponents of the government in the period of the seventies and eighties and received a sound beating on North Road in the vicinity of Bourda Market on September 17th, 1983 while participating in a protest demonstration for the recognition of democratic and human rights in Guyana. Due to political victimization and economic difficulties she was forced to return to the USA to seek employment, (Continued on page 6)

A question for former President Donald Ramotar DEAR EDITOR, Mr. Ramotar has assured sugar workers that he would continue to fight for their rights. He made the assurance in a media interview (11/5/17). Will Mr. Ramotar say then, why was GAWU threatened with de-recognition in 2010 while he was a Guysuco

board member and at a time when the union was standing up to the mismanagement of the industry? Why would Mr. Ramotar side with sugar workers now when he couldn’t defend them when the sugar industry ran into bankruptcy and owed debts totaling $82B? Earl Hamilton

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Rwanda and Syria - different countries, different treatment DEAR EDITOR, Twenty three years ago this day (April 7, 1994) the monstrous Rwandan genocide unfolded. Instigated by the government of Rwanda, close to 1 million Rwandan Tutsis and their Hutu allies were murdered by right wing Hutu extremists in less than 90 days. To this day the scale and rapidity of the human genocide has defied human imagination. The horrific events of 1994 dramatized in the movie Hotel Rwanda were linked to both the externally imposed economic policies that Rwanda was forced to accept, as well as historic tensions that were rooted in colonialism. Much has been said about the events that unfolded, among them being the Clinton administration’s obstruction of the efforts of the United Nations to prevent the genocide. Intelligence reports obtained using the US Freedom of Information Act reveal that the Cabinet and almost certainly the President had been told of a planned “final solution to eliminate all Tutsis” before the slaughter reached its peak. As a consequence people died who might have lived if Americans, especially Blacks had demonstrated, raised the issue in the House or merely create an uproar forcing the U.S.A to get out of the way of a recuse by the United Nations. No, there were no mass demonstrations against the genocide or calls for an inter-

national military intervention to stop it. The framework that many use in looking at Africa is that of a site of struggle for racial justice and national freedom against European colonialism. We reduced many, if not most of the struggles to that framework. Yet the reality of Africa was (and still is) never just about European colonialism and White minority rule. Within each country there have been ethnic contradictions, frequently rooted in and/or fueled by colonialism. There have been struggles rooted in class and power, also regularly tied in with the activities of multi-national corporations and countries of the global North. These realities have been the kerosene thrown onto open flames. Now let us fast forward to April 4, 2017where least 80 people have been killed in a suspected chemical attack on the rebel-held town of Khan Sheikhoun in north-western Syria. Now unlike in the case of Rwanda, the new American President Donald Trump is being tested on the world stage, as this chemical attack came just days after the White House said that ousting President Bashar al Assad was certainly not his priority. In addition it also evoked questions regarding Trump’s support for autocracies and authoritarian regimes, and whether he can lead the world with moral clarity as has been done for decades by other U. S presidents.

After being briefed on all possible options by Defense Secretary Mattis, President Trump gave the green light and without warning on Thursday April 6, the United States using 59 tomahawk missiles carried out a missile strike on Syria. No time was lost in retaliation. Two countries - similar atrocities. American notification - dissimilar consideration. Of the horrific genocide that took place in Rwanda, not to mention the women who were raped during the violence and the children born as a result, no pictures were shown. The UN initially estimated that 5,000 children were born of rape in the 1994 genocide, but the Survivors’ Fund – a British charity working in Rwanda – believes the number might be nearer 20,000. In brutal wars, all too often it just takes the picture of a child to make the world pay attention, and in the case of Syria this has happened on more than one occasion. In September 2015, the image of Aylan Kurdi, a lifeless 3 year old Syrian boy washed ashore on a Turkish beach flashed around the world. His family was desperately hoping to find sanctuary in Europe, but he failed to make it that far. Aylan became the symbol of the most sever refugee crisis, forcing countries to open doors to mass migration. Then in the summer of 2016, in the war-torn city of Aleppo, journalists captured the

A discourse on the abilities of the elderly DEAR EDITOR, I just read the plaintive article on “The plight of the Elderly”. Concerns about the aging population seem to be facing many Administrations. Whenever I hear radio talkshows about what to do to make life easier for the elderly, the emphasis is placed on what can be done for them by way of “caring”. As I see it, as long as some of the elderly being discussed are still in reasonable health and able to walk about, why should they not be able to do something to help themselves and contribute something to the community. I think putting old and young strangers together may be one way of trying to sort out this matter. I am approaching my 87th birthday, fortunately

I am still able to travel around by public transport, and have found that just chatting with youngsters still at school at bus stops and on the buses often produces such allround interest that at times there is a reluctance to part ways. Youngsters appreciate the experience and sound advice of the elderly; the elderly appreciate the attention of youth. At least that is my experience in London. I expect human beings are basically the same wherever. Consider getting elderly and young age groups together, so that they can try to help one another mentally as well as physically. Sometimes just a little friendly chat with someone, exchanging ideas, can help so much. I remember not too long ago sitting next to a

schoolboy on a public bus, asking about his school day, telling him to make the most of his time at school, because “what is in his head” is something no one can rob him of. It is his for life and can be carried wherever he goes. I mentioned to him that I first gave that advice to my own son while at primary school. That caused the boy to ask whether he took my advice seriously and how he did at school. I was able to tell him that he gained a BA (Hons) degree in English and a Masters in the Humanities, and settled for a job in the Civil Service. He seemed impressed. I hope it helped. The elderly and the young together could help one another, given encouragement. Geralda Dennison

footage of Omran Daqneesh a young Syrian boy sitting in an ambulance in the aftermath of an airstrike in his neighbourhood rebel-heldQaterji. There was also a video. Little Omran stunned and speechless, calmly wipes a combination of dust and blood from his face to his hand. In so doing, he silently and succinctly communicated to the world just how

ordinary these kinds of events have become to the children of Syria. It has happened yet again, on April 4 2017, following a barbaric chemical attack on the northern Syrian town of Khan Sheikhoun, photos of a Syrian father clutching the lifeless bodies of his 9month-old twins, Aya and Ahmed, attracted the collective sorrow and condemna-

tion of the world. Who spoke for the Rwandans before, during or after the attacks? Elsewhere in the world it would have been stopped. Now once again the goings on in Syria will take the forefront shrouding any vestige of recall. The only logical conclusion I can make is that the issue of race is very clearly the case. Yvonne Sam

NIS replies to three letters of complaints in be put in place to avoid such Cramer-Seon’s matter was the media conducted. The Scheme still recurrences. DEAR EDITOR, Reference is made to letters which appeared in the newspapers as per details below. In one newspaper of, May 2, 2017 under the caption “Old people at the Mercy of NIS, Melanie and signed pensioner.” In another newspaper, of May 3, 2017 bearing the caption, “Pensioners having hard time at Melanie NIS Office.” And in your newspaper of May 3, 2017 edition captioned “Old people at the Mercy of NIS at Melanie Office” written by aggrieved pensioner Please be advised that Management is very concerned about the content stated therein and wishes to offer the following response: 1. Members of staff are trained to deal with the members of the public and are expected to do so in a professional manner. 2. Employees are frequently reminded of their responsibilities and management’s expectation. 3.This matter is currently being investigated and once breaches are found, the necessary. Corrective measures will

Reference is made to the letter written by Roopnarine Sukhu which was published in another newspaper on April 18 and in Kaieteur News on April 22, 2017 respectively. Please be advised that contact was made with Mr. Sukhu’s and Management is making efforts to resolve his matter. Management wishes to remind our Contributors of our open door policy where dialogue is encouraged between National Insurance Scheme (NIS) and our Contributors. It would therefore be appreciated, if Contributors would engage NIS first rather than seek to highlight their matters in the public domain. Remember, NIS is here to protect you and we stand committed to our mission. Reference is made to Mr. Hubert Cramer-Seon’s letters which appeared in Kaieteur Newspaper on two (2) occasions, March 21, 2017 and April 10, 2017 respectively. Mr. Sidney King also wrote a letter on the same issue and that was published on April 18, 2017. Please be advised that an investigation of Mr.

maintains and has substantial evidence to support our claims that he worked with Williems Timbers Ltd. There is no evidence to show that he worked at Toolsie Persaud during the period stated in his missive. However, instead there is evidence to show that his brother, Mr. Winston Seon who is now deceased, was employed with that company. Additionally, the investigation revealed that the claimant is known by three names. Management is of the opinion that there is an urgent need for dialogue with Mr. Cramer–Seon and has written him inviting him to come in to us. An invitation is herein again being extended to him along with his representative to visit our Head Office, Brickdam and Winterplace Georgetown at the earliest opportunity, in an effort to resolve this outstanding matter. Dianne Lewis-Baxter Publicity & Public Relations Officer National Insurance Scheme - Guyana

Post Office Corporation regrets any lapse in its customer service DEAR EDITOR, Thank you for the opportunity to respond to Mr. David Mortley’s letter published in May. The Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) appreciates the feedback provided and apologizes for any inconvenience experienced. In his letter, Mr. Mortley asked; “Why are GPOC staff not trained in the methods of communication? Why couldn’t someone

say to us from the beginning that cash was not available…?” While GPOC does not wish to recuse itself, it is imperative to mention that the Corporation’s policy mandates all staff members to treat our pensioners and customers in a courteous and professional manner. This policy is further emphasized during our customer relations training. GPOC re-

mains committed to ensuring that all customers are courteously served with the least inconvenience. Customers that have any feedback are encouraged to contact the Customer Services Department on telephone number 226-3127 or e m a i l customercare@guypost.gy. Telesha A. Whyte Public Relations Officer Guyana Post Office

Our condolences to Brother... From page 5 in order to maintain her children. Years later she was joined by her husband and the family was reunited. Even in that difficult period of adjustment she continued to pursue her cultural, educational, political and community work as she nurtured her family. Her life was one of de-

votion to family, the African Nation and Humanity in every part of the globe. Her star shines brightly in our continued struggle for true emancipation. The home going celebration will be on Tuesday, May 16th at Atlanta Ga. Desmond Trotman Working People’s Alliance

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Kaieteur News

US$150M CJIA expansion 62% complete - Suriname stone suppliers dumped for local quarries China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd. (CHEC) has given its assurance that the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion project will be completed by its December 2017 deadline. The project is progressing without any change to the original plan, according to several Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI) officials, including Minister David Patterson, during a media update/site visit yesterday. The US$138M Contract for the expansion of the CJIA was signed on November 11, 2011 between the Government of Guyana (GoG) and CHEC. The project is being funded through the Export-Import Bank of China. The Guyana Government procured the services of engineering consultants – the MMM Group and CEMCO Incorporated – and undertook the relocation of airport facilities, moving the total cost of the project to US$150M. The Project commenced on January 16, 2013 and works were expected to last for 32 months making the initial completion date – September 16, 2015. However, due to several delays, the deadline was adjusted to December 1, 2017. PAYMENTS Payments certified to date, for the design and construction alone stands at US$79,013,707 with US$4,580,504 coming from local funding and US$74,433,203 from foreign funds. The sum paid thus far for supervision and consultancy services, was announced at US$3,888,812 by Permanent Secretary (PS) of the MPI, Geoffrey Vaughn. The PS reported also that the sum of US$2,283,370 has already been expended for the relocation of airport facilities. In totality, the sum of US$85,185,888 has already been paid out. Of this sum, US$10,752,685 came from local funding and $74,433,203 from the EXIM Bank of China. The sum of G$9B was allocated in the 2017 National Budget for the CJIA Project. Minister Patterson told media operatives yesterday that the monies are almost depleted. Parliament will have to be approached for a supplementary he said. He clarified that this supplementary will in no way, add to the overall cost of the project. THE RUNWAY The runway, currently measuring 2270 metres (m), will be extended by 710 metres (m) to the north-east and 840m to the south-west. The initial design of the

runway catered for one end of the structure (northeast) to be extended. However, the contractor ran into problems after terrain was found to be not suitable for the full extension. The design was subsequently amended to accommodate extensions on both ends of the runway. The works on the southwestern end of the runway is 80 percent complete with more backfilling needed. The engineer said that between 4,000,000 and 5,000,000 cubic metres (m3) of sand would have already been dropped on this end of the runway with an additional 1,000,000 m3 left to be dumped. According to the consultant attached to the MMM Group, Tom Rosiewich, CHEC is utilising the vibroflotation technique to compact the sand. Vibroflotation is a ground improvement technique used at a considerable depth that by using a powered electrically or hydraulically probe to squirt water and vibrate the sand. The probes are hung vertically by cranes. Rosiewich said that when the runway becomes active, the cranes have to withdraw and be positioned in such a way that they do not pose a threat to incoming or departing aircraft. The northeast end of the runway is more advanced and would have seen approximately 3,000,000 m3 of sand dumped. The vibroflotation phase would have already been completed on this end. It is now ready for a threefoot-thick layer of loam, aggregate, cement-treated base layer and asphalt. The thickness of the structure will differ from the thickness on the southeast end due to the soil conditions, Rosiewich explained. TERMINAL BUILDING As announced last year, the CJIA terminal building will be rehabilitated to accommodate Departures only. Works on this structure was announced at 10 percent complete yesterday. Adjacent to this building, construction of the Arrivals building is ongoing. This building is currently 30 percent complete. During the visit yesterday, it was noticed that the structure currently has in place steel beams, power-lines and sections of concrete decks. Sections of the roof are assembled below and with the aid of a crane, the parts are lifted and attached to the main structure. According to CHEC Project Manager, Keliang Liu, the building will be completed by October – one month before the deadline. He noted

The New Arrivals building is currently 30 percent complete. also that materials have already been procured and will be delivered to the site shortly. Meanwhile, a structure with the same dimensions of the existing Arrivals area is being constructed at the northeast end of the compound. This building will be used as the temporary Arrivals building to allow for works to be uninterrupted on the new Arrivals building. Minister Patterson said that after the structure would have served its purpose, it will remain available to the CJIA. The project also caters for the construction of a new diesel generator room which is 45 percent complete; a new fire pump station and tanks, 60 percent complete; and a new boarding corridor with boarding bridges, 10 percent complete. APRON AND TAXIWAY The construction of the Apron and Taxiway is another vital aspect of the project. It was explained that with the extension of the runway, the apron and taxiway should be large enough to accommodate parking. Apron and Taxiway works will be completed by August this year. Works are currently five percent complete. During yesterday’s proceedings, CHEC inked two multimillion-dollar contracts with local stone suppliers – BK Quarries and Toolsie Persaud Quarries - to provide an initial amount of some 95,000 tons of aggregate (stone). The material is expected to be sourced locally to the tune of some US$3.4M. This development comes on the heels of a previously quashed arrangement between CHEC and a Surinamese supplier, Grassalco, which was con-

tracted to provide 300,000 tons of stone at a cost of over US$7M. Local suppliers turned up the heat claiming

that they were bypassed. According to Patterson, BK will supply approximately 50,000 tons at a contract price of

US$1.8M while Toolsie Persaud Quarries will supply 45,000 tons of stone with a contract price of US$1.7M.

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Kaieteur News

Saturday May 13, 2017

Saturday May 13, 2017

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Kaieteur News

Things will get worse on our roads unless… The traffic jam which occurred on Thursday last on the East Coast of Demerara is as a result of the large number of vehicles which are now using the country’s road transportation system. Almost every household in Guyana now owns a car, and some own more than one. Guyana’s roads were not built for this amount of traffic. Congestion is the logical outcome. Since it would be suicidal for any government to ban or restrict the importation of motor vehicles, the only solution to the high vehicle ownership in Guyana is to improve the country’s road network

system. The government, however, is backpedaling on this issue. It is redirecting a loan for the improvement of the country’s road network towards housing. The government cannot be blamed for the problems which were encountered with the original loan. This was as a result of the actions of the former government. But the redirection of the loan does indicate that there is not the same degree of priority being given towards developing the country’s road transportation network. A number of transportation studies have been

done. Guyana needs to be expanding its road network rather than building new housing schemes, which will only congest the existing road networks. But the government is between a rock and a hard place. Its supporters are demanding house lots, and it wants to provide them with house lots and even houses. In the meantime, the road networks are being jammed with traffic, especially during peak hours. The government therefore has to be more strategic or else it will soon end up with the same situation as it did on Thursday without having to close any main roads.

Dem boys seh ...

Wha ain’t happen in 23 years happen in two De coalition deh in power fuh two years and just like everybody else, dem boys tek notice. When de other party come to office dem boys did tek notice too. Of course dem was de days when people did find things hard. De next thing you know is that Papa Desi complain how Papa Cheddi come in and digging up de pitch. But as soon as he come in Papa Cheddi mek dem business people lower de exchange rate. When that happen was madness because dem smart Alex run and buy because dem know it couldn’t last. Papa Cheddi nearly cry when after three days de exchange rate go back up. That is when people sell off and mek money. But Papa Cheddi mek nuff

people got house lots fuh little or nutten. That is how Sophia and Tuschen and place like that grow. Dem boys check pun Jagdeo and dem see how he give people land fuh housing. Of course Jagdeo do wha Papa Cheddi didn’t think about doing. He start to sell de house lots fuh nuff money so till he messenger use to mek entries in books wid pencil. Nuff figures rub out and new one put back. Now dem boys looking back and suddenly dem realize that dem got to do some comparison because dem don’t side wid no political party. When dem mek de comparison dem find that de new boys do more than dem older guys, including Jagdeo. All of a sudden dem

boys seeing people getting charge fuh crime and de people who getting charge is not de ordinary people. Big ones who thief or do stupidness ending up in court. Criminals getting ketch more than ever. Georgetown looking nice again after two years when Jagdeo couldn’t mek that happen in 23 years. Even de place smelling good because all de garbage gone. Dem boys remember when every road corner had garbage. That gone fuh good. Old people got a saying that wha don’t happen in a year does happen in a day. Dem boys saying wha didn’t happen in 23 years happen in two. Talk half and don’t compare chalk to cheese.

If the vehicle ownership continues at the present rate, people may have to leave their homes at 5 o’clock in the morning just to make a five-mile commute to Georgetown to get to work. Already persons have to leave areas such as the new Diamond Housing Scheme and Tuschen very early in order to beat the work-hour rush. There is already a situation in which traffic is being snarled, and this will get worse unless the road networks in Guyana are expanded. The government may be disinclined to spend money to expand the road network. It may feel that the political returns will be higher with housing than roads. But anyone who was in that long, winding line last Thursday on the railway embankment would not agree. There are, of course, less expensive solutions. One of which is for the government to encourage transit parking lots where people can enjoy secure parking, and from which they can take a shuttle to the city. The second option is to

improve river transportation of passengers. Right now the Stabroek-Vreeden-Hoop crossing is overcrowded because of the amount of people. A larger, faster vessel, which can shuttle five hundred persons at any one time, will make a big dent in this problem. The third option is to increase the fees for private cars to cross the Demerara Harbour Bridge during the hours of 7 am to 9 am. This will cause discomfort for many, but it can also force many people to use public transport, providing they can have secure parking near to the bridge, so that they can pick up their vehicles at the end of the day and drive home. Instead of building new

roads, the government can perhaps think about introducing a small passenger rail service that would move only passengers between Diamond and Georgetown. The government may have better options, but as the snafu of last Thursday indicated, it cannot delay the implementation of these options.

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Saturday May 13, 2017

Kaieteur News

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

This government has gone out of control I am convinced that there was no exception in the Cabinet’s reaction when members were told of people’s anger over the nightmare the traffic chaos caused, due to the construction of an arch on the main highway at Cummings Lodge. They all would have said; “man they couldn’t bear up with a few hours wait in the traffic; it was for a good cause.” And what is the good cause? Post-colonial frivolity. If Naipaul was in his younger days he would have used bril-

liant insults to heap scorn on the post-2015 Government in Guyana. It began with the D’Urban Park construction. And it hasn’t stopped since then. The post-2015 regime in Guyana is chasing post-colonial inconsequentialities like stadiums, arches and related constructions while this country, after 50 years of Independence, does not have a school of engineering that deals with sea defence, climate change, manufacturing science, aquaculture etc. But we soon will have our own law

school and school of business When I see the post-colonial psychology of the Granger/Nagamootoo administration, my mind goes back to my youthful days at UG, my time as a radical youth in the WPA and who I am today. I think of Clive Thomas, who had a strong positive influence on me back then. Did Thomas agree with what this government did to its people on Thursday morning on the East Coast between Cummings Lodge and Subryanville? I will describe for readers my ordeal. The night before, the right headlamp of my car wasn’t working. I made sure I was at the auto-electrician at 8.30 on Thursday morning so I could be the first to be served. I put my dog in the car and went to Middleton Street in Campbellville. After that I took my dog to run at

the bottom of the seawall by Turkeyen. It was a normal morning. There was nothing unusual with the traffic. When I came up from the wall onto the Turkeyen parapet, what I saw was unbelievable. The traffic was backed up westward to Liliendaal and was not moving eastward. These were untold numbers of vehicles that were not there when I took my pet down to the ocean. I figured it was a bottleneck somewhere, so I continued to walk my dog on the parapet going east. When I reached the traffic signals at the UG access Road and looked towards Ogle, I saw a huge crane in the middle of the highway. From Turkeyen going east, the highway had become a ghost town. Something was going on by Industry village. Traffic was barred going east or west. You had to divert into UG

Access Road. Up to that point, I knew nothing about the erection of an arch at Cummings Lodge. It was after one hour in the traffic I found out about this. This was one of the most psychotic decisions any crazy government could make. Not at that hour of the morning and not when the Railway Embankment is closed off at Liliendaal. A nightmare for drivers had to come and come it did for me. The fools that run our country did not know that there are only two roads to use from the East Coast to Georgetown – the old highway and the Embankment, and the Embankment route stopped at Liliendaal. I called Adam Harris immediately and told him to send a journalist to cover the psychosis. My dog was my concern. I was getting worried, because she was there in the car for two hours. I did the unthinkable. I did what I know I should be ashamed of, but I was shaking with fear of my dog falling ill. I came out of the car and tried to use the Freddie Kissoon name. I never do that. But I was desperate. I apologize to every Guyanese

Frederick Kissoon for so doing. I begged the two traffic cops to create a space for me to return to Georgetown. I live oneminute drive from the signals at the UG Access Road and the old highway, but the UG Access Road was total madness. I drove to town to let my dog run free and to feed her. I used the Sophia Road at the back of UG to go home to Turkeyen but when I reached UG, traveling north on UG Access Road, the traffic psychosis was there too. It was another long wait. When I reached home, we had blackouts. That night at the dinner table, I told my wife and daughter, I fear the PPP coming back to power, I don’t want it to but I may not vote again.

Saturday May 13, 2017

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Kaieteur News

Minnis sworn in as Prime Dominica Bar Association Minister of The Bahamas condemns attacks on judiciary

NASSAU, Bahamas, CMC – Dr. Hubert Minnis was on Thursday sworn in as the fourth Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas since the country gained political independence from Britain in 1973. Minnis, a medical doctor and former minister of health, was sworn into office at Government House by Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling. In his first speech as Prime Minister, he paid tribute to the electoral system saying “our democracy is the envy of many countries around the world.” “Today represents a new day for the Commonwealth of the Bahamas and one that was also steeped in ancient tradition. “Today also represents a renewal and reaffirmation of our democratic

heritage…..We will honour this mandate for change.” The Prime Minister noted that the general election was peaceful and free from violence. “Now we are witnessing another orderly transfer of power.” He pledged that his Government would honour that trust with an unwavering commitment to good governance, the rule of law, transparency and accountability. “We will respect the Constitution; and we will abide by the longstanding and tested conventions of our parliamentary democracy.” He also thanked his colleagues for reposing their confidence in him as Prime Minister. In turn, he said, he pledged an unwavering commitment to collegiality, collaboration and collective responsibility. “Ours is an extraordinary

system of government,” Prime Minister Minnis said. “I will honor the spirit and traditions of our democratic heritage.” Minnis pledged, on behalf of his colleagues, their commitment to serve with integrity as Her Majesty’s Bahamas Government. He added that he looked forward to the “most cordial relations” with her office in the service of the nation. “We commit ourselves to the common good of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas,” he said. “We rely on the blessings of Almighty God, who is the source of all power and grace. On Wednesday, Minnis led his Free National Movement (FNM) party in a landslide victory. The FNM was able to pull off a stunning defeat securing 34 of 39 constituencies.

Former Prime Minister lost seat by four votes BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – The Parliamentary Commissioner, Charles Albury on Friday officially confirmed that former Prime Minister Perry Christie lost his seat to the Free National Movement’s (FNM) candidate by four votes during Wednesday’s general election. According to Albury, when vo t i n g w a s c o m pleted early Friday, the FNM’s Reece Chipman secured 1,909 votes to Christie’s 1,905 with others receiving 197 and one protest ballot. The Tribune newspaper reports tha t g i v e n t h e closeness of the poll, Christie and his Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) have the option to challenge the result in the Election Court. Christie, a veteran politician who has held the seat

Perry Christie since 1977, was swept out of power by a landslide as the FNM won 35 seats to four. Meanwhile the other political party to contest the polls – the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) failed to win any seats. Party leader Branville McCartney says his future at its helm will be deter-

mined by party executives. “There will be a meeting in the week that will determine how we as a party move forward,” McCartney said after he led the DNA unsuccessfully in a second consecutive election. The DNA contested 35 of the 39 constituencies on Wednesday.

ROSEAU, Dominica, CMC – The Dominica Bar Association has condemned attacks being circulated through social media, on members of the judiciary. In a release on Friday, the Association spoke out against the attacks targeting resident judge Justice Birnie Stephenson and President of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) Sir Dennis Byron. Vice President of the Dominica Bar Association attorney Noelize KnightDidier in an interview with Dominica Vibes said the release was issued because Justice Stephenson struck out Opposition Leader Lennox Linton’s defense on April 27 “as being unsustainable and without merit and an abuse of the process of court”. “After this decision was given there was a very disgusting post being made about Justice Stephenson. I obviously cannot repeat the words but it was very disgusting, very uncalled for,” she said. The Bar Association also “categorically” condemned statements made by Cabral Douglas about the President of the CCJ Sir Dennis Byron following his unsuccessful attempt to file a lawsuit against the Dominica government. “This litigant is not a member of the Dominica Bar Association, although an attorney,” the release said. Douglas petitioned the CCJ for US$3 million stemming from the forced cancellation of a concert which Jamaican artiste Tommy Lee was to headline in February 2014. However the court ruled that Douglas failed to satisfy the requirement under Article 222 (a) of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas to show an

Noelize Knight-Didier arguable case that the Treaty intended that a right or benefit conferred on a Contracting Party enured to his benefit directly in their decision delivered on February 20, 2017. In a statement released the same day as the judgement, Douglas said that CCJ’s decision is not only “laughable but it opens the floodgates for litigation, which clearly could not be the intention of the

Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas”. In her interview with Dominica Vibes, Dider said that when one receives a judgement which they do not like or is not in their favour, there are steps that can be taken such as appealing the matter, but the recourse is not to put down the justice system or “to hurl unwarranted attacks and defamatory remarks against the judges.”

Govt. to reintroduce overtime... From page 14 SDGS which advocates the strengthening and improvement in the quality of health care services to all communities in all ten administrative regions of our country,” she told the nurses. CITY HALL HONOURS Even though the Georgetown Mayor and City Council is still cashstrapped, efforts were made to honour those within the profession. About a dozen nurses

and midwives were recognised, during a simple ceremony to mark their contributions to the city. The health workers were not only treated to lunch, but were pleasantly surprised by the presentation of envelopes containing cheques. The amount written on the cheques were not made known. Nonetheless, the nurses were very happy, and expressed gratitude for the recognition.

PAGE 22

WANTED Articulated/Dump truck driver for interior location, must be experienced. Call: 618-2020 for further details.

SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyana passport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 6267040; 265-4535.

SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. - Cosmetology Courses: $120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 6471773/660-5257 Hair station for rent in prime location in Georgetown, preferably a braider. Call: 6807813

PROPERTY FOR SALE Transported property @ Grove and Diamond $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461

Passport, permanent & visitor visa application, Professional Immigration Consultant – Sabita Immigration Services. Call: 225-6496/ 662-6045

Goat Creek, Riverfront , 75 Acres land -$7M, Lanaballi River Front, 50 Acres -$9M. Diamond -$7.5M Call: 6880087, 638-8484

Eagle’s: Re-gas -$8,000, Washing machine repairs, Gas Stove, Plasma flat Screen, computer repairs & more. Call: 697-2969/646-0966

Riviera Island: 145 Acres $30M, Tuschen property $5.8M, $6M, $15M. Call: 6880087, 638-8484

Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158 BUILDING CONTRACTOR, ESTIMATES, HOUSE PLAN TO BE DRAWN, ETC. CALL: 216-0671, 692-8464, 6220267 TOURS Suriname City Tour: Independence weekend, dolphins, malls, casino, shopping May 25th -28th. Call: 665-5171/639-2663/6583758/223-7589

Two Dynamic Individual with communications & sales techniques, computer skill @ Sparkle, Meeten-Meer-Zorg & KeyFood Mc Doom location. Two general workers to work shift system. Call: 231-6293 Contract Cars and Drivers, Nigel’s Taxi Service @ Sheriff Street, C/Ville. Call: 219-5002/ 699-6152 Straight stitch/over edge machine operators/bond warehouse worker. Call: 2222541 8:00am-4:00pm (MonFri)

INNOVATIVEMARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Floor sanding & Lacquering, house plans, estimate & painting, boat for Santa Mission. Call: 650-4362

Tuschen 2 bedroom flat houses: $4.8M, $10M, $11M, land $2M. Call: 688-0087,6388484 Melani 2 bedrooms - $10M, Tuschen $11.5M & $25M, Canal #2 (15 acres) -$9M. Call:688-0087,638-8484 Hogg Island 15Acres - $9M, De William, 5 Bedrooms house -$50M, Hague -$15M. Call: 688-0087/ 633-8484 ACCOMMODATION Le Grand Hotel Penthouse, 6 Commerce St, Lacytown, Georgetown. Low rates, selfcontained, central location. Call: 592-227-1801 or 592-2273494

Dried and in large quantities: Corilla bush, lemon grass, sour sap leaves. Call: 6651397 Live in waitress and cashier for grocery and bar - $ 8 0 , 0 0 0 m o n t h l y, boarding and lodging free. Call: 610-3974 Buying Wamara, TATABU, Koraroballi, Itikiborabali, fresh logs. Call: 664-5150 We pay in local currencies or US$ for land in Eccles, Herstelling & La Parfaite Harmonie. Call:684-5822/ 629-2881 Investors needed for gold trading business in the Interior, weekly turnover. Call: 658-7553 Experienced bus and taxi drivers at Princess Ramada Hotel, Providence. Call: 6165419/ 265-7076 Uitvlugt, Tuschen, Zeelugt and La Parfaite Harmonie Harmonie. Call: 642-1252 One domestic worker to work in Trinidad. between ages of 25-35. Call: 1868- 683-1528 One maid. Attractive salary. Contact 696-9386, WhatsApp and SMS, Or call 227-5672 Experienced sand truck driver. Call: 227-8529 1 Canter Driver. Call: 629-2912

CAR RENTAL

Saturday May 13, 2017

Kaieteur News

CAR RENTAL

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

PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 677-7827, 6435122 ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM

WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP REATES,SPECIALOFFERS FOR THE SEASON. CALL: 690-6494

AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MIN BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPOTR & FAMILY OUTING, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807

1 Accounts Clerk, preferably from E.B.D – 5 subjects CXC minimum @ gtcareers592@gmail.com Experienced shop workers, handyman & domestic to work in the Interior, age 1840yrs. Call: 231-0360 (9am4:30pm). (TIN, ID & NIS) FOR SALE/FOR RENT American Pool Table. Call: 277-0578

FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Design & Make Aluminum windows, doors, stainless rails, showcases, rolling shutters, make & install automatic doors. Call: 2336818/677-5599/659-9999 Yamaha Outboard: 200HP 4 Stroke (2015), 175HP 4 Stroke (2015), 150HP 4 Stroke (2014), 25HP, 4 Stroke (2015). Call: 612-8661 Honda Generator, Honda engine, electric motor. Call: 627-7835 One land in Tuschen Phase 2 – Call: 642-1252 Owner Migrating: all items for photocopy shop, internet café, also school supplies for sale. Call: 694-1895/667-8559 1 Transported property for sale at Covent Garden, music equipment for sale. Call: 2653586 Wooden building structure only with solid greenheart beams & columns ideal for house building. Reasonable offer accepted! Call: 227-4285 Great Deals on video games & all gaming consoles. PC, video games & repairs – Call: 672-2566; 265-3231 1 Pajero Jeep PHH 362, 4 Wheel DR -$600,000, (1) 2" water pump (power fist) with new 2" 100ft hose- $200,000. Call: 225-3805/227-8576 1 Tire Changer -$300,000 5 LG umbrella -$18,000 each, 1 imported pools table. Call: 225-3805/227-8576 1 Small town ace bus. Call: 233-0269/ 616-3288 /690-8247

FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 3 Bedrooms upper flat, fully grilled with toilet, bath, kitchen, parking @ Block ‘8’ Mon Repos, E.C.D -$70,000 monthly. Call: 687-1050 Business Space to rent downstairs 26ftX32ft, Lime Street, Georgetown. Call: 6866866/223-8492 One newly built studio apartment @ Diamond 15X12. Call: 621-1485/ 663-2746 Two bedrooms, upper & lower flat @ Mc Doom Public Road, Married Couple/ Students - $50,000 each. Call: 643-8281 Furnished one bedroom apartment at Better Hope, Parking & Free Wi-Fi. Whatsapp or Call: 688-6010 Prime Business Place to rent on Sheriff Street, for offices only. Call: 627-6740/227-8644

Business Space on Middleton St. C/Ville. Call: 650-0716/667-1896

Live in or live out babysitter/ domestic –Call: 223-7500. Monday-Saturday 8:15-4:15pm Boys for store/bond, warehouse work. Call: 2237500 between MondaySaturday, 8:15-4:15pm. Receptionist, male security guard, 30-40yrs @ 233 South Road Lacytown. Call: 225-0198 One Experienced Climber to install Wireless Broadband Equipment and One Domestic Worker. Call 2192226 for information. Welder/Fabricator for interior location. Applicants must be experienced with verifiable references. Call: 618-2020 Accounts Clerk for office in Eccles Industrial Site, knowledge of NIS, PAYE, VAT, Quickbooks call 614-4358.

4 Bedrooms top flat, semifurnished @ Ogle. Call: 222-4630

Exist for 1 cashier (male/ female) please bring written application to Mike’s Pharmacy, Bel-Air, Georgetown.

Three storey 75X30 feet building/bond, open floor, 2 offices, 2 washrooms, driveways @ 25B Princes St., Charlestown. Call: 223-0654/ 225-0605

One experienced legal computer clerk. Call: 6247087/ 226-4283/258-0213/ email:husainsaphier @yahoo.com

Building on W.C.D Blankenburg Public Road equip with tools for wash bay, tire shop, spare parts etc. Call: 269-1522/ 225-3805 Restaurant to rent at Sheriff Street opposite Sankar Colour and next to Ray’s Auto Sales. Call: 629-1522/225-3805 1 Two bedrooms apartment for rent in Diamond New Scheme. Call: 216-2339/ 676-6313

LAND FOR SALE Land @La Parfaite Harmonie: $1.5M, $1.6M, $1.8M, Tuschen -$1.2M, Herstelling -$3.5M, Farm, -$3M, House & land @ Parfaite -$14M. Call: 666-2326 Land at La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.8M, $1.6M, $2.5M, Tuschen Phase 2 - $1.3M, Herstelling $3.5M, Farm- $3.5M. Call: 6046724/ 686-9608 Farm (100ftX50ft) -$2.8M, Uitvlugt -$2.6M (100ftX50ft), La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.2M & $1.6M., Providence -$3.5M. Call: 658-5897/ 651-1969

1 Complete Sawmill at Yarrowkabra Linden Soesdyke Highway and 1 F66 – Clarke, Ranger Skidder. Call: 609-8041/ 644-1190 Office furniture, used computers, display racks & stands for store use. Call:2258066/624-6783 TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 225-7878 (24HRS) TO LET 4 AC Rooms/2 large hall with 1 extra room, suitable for business/offices @ 21 Seaforth St. Campbellville, Georgetown. Call: 226-1877, 624-7436, 654-9350

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Saturday May 13, 2017

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Murder of Pike St. businessman…

Court hears police ranks failed to preserve CCTV footage By Rehanna Ramsay A forensic video analyst attached to the Criminal Investigations Department, (CID) at Eve Leary disclosed that ranks involved in the investigations into the murder of Pike Street businessman Ashok Raghoo made no efforts to preserve the video recordings in relation to the crime, which was committed on August 18, 2014. Raghoo was shot and killed following a robbery which occurred at Vlissengen Road in the vicinity of the Botanical Gardens. Travis McDougall is indicted for the murder. Justice Navindra Singh is presiding over his trial at the Georgetown High Court. Detective Sergeant Junior Blair was summoned to court on Thursday pursuant to a request by Justice Singh for the court to view the footage which was allegedly used in the capture of suspects involved in the crime. In his evidence, Sergeant Blair explained that in August 2014, he viewed footage from a CCTV camera located in the vicinity of Rubis Gas Station at Vlissengen Road and Eping Avenue, upon instructions of Police investigators. Blair stated, however, that he was unable to retrieve the footage to

present to the court because the monitoring system could only hold information for eight months. Under cross-examination by Defence Counsel Nigel Hughes, Sergeant Blair told the court that a request has to be made by investigating ranks for the images captured to be stored; the download and storage of information can only be done at the Central Intelligence Unit, (CIU) which is located at Castellani House. The request has to be forwarded from Eve Leary to Castellani House, he said. But in the case of Raghoo’s murder, that was not done. The witness explained that the video monitoring room at CID is instrumental in keeping watch of vehicular traffic around Georgetown and its environs—-in case of an accident, the information from the footage aids with investigations into matters of traffic infractions as well as more serious crimes. Pressed by the Attorney about the footage as it regards the investigations into Raghoo‘s murder, Detective Blair asserted that while murder is a serious crime and the investigations should be treated as such, no request was made

by the ranks probing the murder to store the footage/images in relation to the murder which were captured by the CCTV camera. The witness also disclosed that that the force’s capability to store information gather is also limited— — the images are only stored on disc. “We only utilise CDROM….No flash drives,” he revealed. The officer nevertheless agreed that it would have been difficult to clearly see the persons on tape due to the distance between the Rubis Gas Station at Eping Avenue and the area where the murder was allegedly committed. Blair also agreed to Hughes’ suggestions that all that could be possibly seen are “shapes of the people.” The witness also assented to the suggestion that the images would not be clear enough to identity the vehicles, licence plate numbers nor any person, owing to the distance.” Earlier in the trial, Police Corporal Derwin Eastman faced a series of questions in relation to the investigations into the murder of Raghoo. Eastman gave the court an account of viewing a surveillance tape in which the suspect was wearing a

Travis McDougall purple helmet and riding a motorcycle. Under questioning by State Prosecutor Tuanna Hardy, the policeman also told the court that when the accused was detained, the purple helmet was also found in his possession. But when faced with questions from Defence Counsel Hughes, the policeman explained that the footage was taken from a surveillance camera at Rubis Service station —about 400 yards away from the scene of the shooting. Hughes had suggested to the policeman that the distance between where the camera was located and the crime scene would make it difficult to see anything in that vicinity.

Eastman maintained that he viewed the footage from the Rubis station CCTV. Questioned further about the details of the surveillance tape, the policeman responded with a series of “I can’t recall sir.” His answers prompted the Judge to make an order for a copy of the footage to be presented to the Court. Ashok Raghoo of Pike Street, Campbellville, was shot in the chest, while his wife, Shyrazadi Raghoo, was shot in the thigh by two gunmen on a motorcycle, who cornered them at the Vlissengen and Regent Road traffic light. The robbers escaped with a bag containing an undisclosed sum of cash and the slain man’s licensed handgun. A Post mortem examination by Dr Nehaul Singh revealed that the victim died as a result of perforation of the

lungs due to gunshot injury. Prosecution witness Dirk Bess, testifying on Thursday, recalled that the couple’s car had stopped parallel to his vehicle when the occupants were attacked. A scuffle had ensued between a gunman and the driver and then there was an explosion. The witness recounted that there was a second explosion before the gunman escaped with something in his hand. Bess told the court that the man with the gun was “thin built and he ran and jumped on to the back of a motorcycle with another male who had a little more size.” The witness said that he waited until the men rode off before he could get out of his car and render assistance to the injured persons. He said however that he could not adequately identify the shooters.

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Trump tells ousted FBI North Korea urges states not chief not to talk to media to enforce U.N. sanctions

(Reuters) Donald Trump warned ousted FBI Director James Comey, yesterday, not to talk to the media, a highly unusual move that prompted fresh charges the president is trying to silence the man who led an investigation into possible collusion between Trump’s election campaign and Russia. On Twitter, Trump appeared to suggest that if Comey gave his version of contacts between them, the administration might produce tapes of conversations, although it was not clear if such tapes exist. The veiled threat added to the storm over Trump’s abrupt firing of Comey on Tuesday.

Critics have assailed Trump for dismissing the FBI chief just as the agency is investigating alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. election, and possible Moscow ties to the Trump presidential campaign. The New York Times reported the president asked Comey in January to pledge loyalty to him and that Comey refused to do so. Such a request would undermine the standing of the FBI chief as an independent law enforcer and further fueled charges that Trump has overstepped the norms of his office. “James Comey better hope that there are no ‘tapes’ of our conversations before

he starts leaking to the press!” Trump said in a string of Twitter posts on Friday. Trump told Fox News he did not ask Comey to pledge loyalty and only wants him to be honest. Trump said he would not talk about the existence of any tapes. CNN said Comey is “not worried about any tapes” Trump may have, citing an unnamed source familiar with the matter. The Federal Bureau of Investigation probe and parallel congressional investigations have clouded Trump’s presidency since he took office on Jan. 20, threatening to overwhelm his policy priorities.

Protesting pensioners throw punches in latest Venezuela unrest

Elderly opposition supporters rally against President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, (Reuters) Elderly Venezuelan protesters yesterday threw punches and yelled curses at riot police blocking the latest in six weeks of demonstrations against President Nicolas Maduro’s socialist government. Riot police with helmets and shields used pepper gas several times to control the crowd as hundreds of pensioners jostled against security lines to attempt a march from a Caracas square. “Respect the elderly you sons of bitches!” shouted one bearded man, throwing a punch at an officer on the front line. Since launching protests against Maduro in early April, Venezuela’s opposition has sought to vary tactics by staging silent and candle-lit marches, for instance, and rallies for women, musicians and medics. Each time, the ruling So-

cialist Party has tried to match them. On Friday, it organized its own rival old people’s march next to the Miraflores presidential palace. At least 39 people have died in the unrest since April, including protesters, government sympathizers, bystanders, and security forces. Hundreds have also been hurt and arrested. Decrying Maduro as a dictator who has wrecked the OPEC nation’s economy, opponents are seeking elections, foreign humanitarian aid, freedom for hundreds of jailed activists, and autonomy for the opposition-controlled legislature. Maduro, a 54-year-old former bus driver and successor of Hugo Chavez, says his foes are seeking a coup with the support of the United States and encouragement of international media.

Chanting “Freedom!” and “Down with Maduro!”, the elderly protesters made it onto a highway but were blocked from their intended destination, the state ombudsman’s office, by police with armored vehicles. A representative of the office listened briefly to their grievances on the street instead. The crowd, including plenty of octogenarians plus a nun and one white-haired man dressed as Santa, sang Venezuela’s national anthem in front of the security cordon. Opposition leaders joined them, hugging and linking arms with the pensioners. ‘MORE TEAR GAS THAN FOOD’ Venezuela’s elderly have been hard hit by four years of brutal recession, leading to shortages of food and medicines, long lines at shops and runaway prices.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspects the defence detachment on Jangjae Islet and the Hero Defence Detachment on Mu Islet located in the southernmost part of the waters off the southwest front, (Reuters) North Korea made a global appeal in a letter released on Friday for states to reconsider enforcing U.N. sanctions on the Asian nation as Washington seeks to step up pressure on Pyongyang to end its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. The United Nations Security Council first imposed sanctions on North Korea in 2006 and has strengthened the measures in response to its five nuclear tests and two long-range rocket launches. Pyongyang is threatening a sixth nuclear test. In the letter to 192 U.N. members and two observer states - dated Thursday North Korea urged them to

“reconsider any of their implementation activities until the legality of those ‘sanctions resolutions’ are to be clarified.” North Korea has repeatedly requested that an international forum of legal experts be established by the United Nations to clarify the legal basis for the U.N. sanctions. The U.N. Security Council North Korea sanctions committee has been meeting with regional blocs at the United Nations to push for enforcement of existing sanctions and assist countries with questions on how to implement the measures. In a press statement attached to its letter, North

Korea’s U.N. mission accused the United States of trying to intimidate countries into fully implementing U.N. sanctions by “openly threatening that they would be faced with ‘strong measures of sanction’ by the U.S.” North Korea argued that there would be no need for Washington to “beg or threaten” countries to implement the measures if the sanctions had a clear legal basis. The United States is negotiating with Pyongyang ally China on strengthening U.N. sanctions. North Korea has in the past year stepped up its ballistic missile tests, firing dozens of various types of rockets, according to South Korea.

Health Minister fired for disclosing 66% rise in Venezuelan maternal deaths (CNN) Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has fired Health Minister Antonieta Caporale days after the government’s first release of health data in two years showed soaring infant and maternal mortality rates. Vice President Tareck El Aissami announced Thursday night via his Twitter account that pharmacist Luis Lopez was replacing Caporale at Maduro’s request. The firing came after the health ministry recently released new data showing infant and maternal deaths and cases of malaria are skyrocketing in the country already grappling with severe medical shortages. Caporale had been on the job since January. The data from her office showed that confirmed malaria cases in 2016 stood at 240,000, a 76% increase over the previous

year. Maternal — or pregnancy-related — deaths rose 66%, to 756. Last year, 11,466 infants died, a 30% increase. The new health minister, Lopez, has been the deputy minister of hospitals for the national government and secretary of health for the Venezuelan state of Aragua, according to state-run news agency AVN. The staggering increases illustrate how badly Venezuela lacks basic medicine, equipment and supplies to treat even the simplest of injuries. Venezuelans say they must treat themselves at public hospitals. “If you need to have an operation, nowadays, you must bring your own medicines to the hospital,” says Eugenia Morin, a 59-year-old housewife who protested against the government last

week. “There are no supplies to attend the most basic emergencies.” The country was already facing a shortage of more than 80% of medicines that doctors need as of last June, according to statistics from the Venezuelan Pharmaceutical Federation. And it’s not just medicine. Patients are responsible for any material needed to treat them: needles, gauze pads, saline solution. Patients who can get the money together to buy these items become targets of crime — hospital rooms are not safe from thieves looking to sell medication on the black market, or fellow patients in desperation. And more than 13,000 doctors — about 20% of Venezuela’s medical workforce, have left the country in recent years as the health sector collapsed.

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Health Minister awaiting comprehensive report on death of babies at public hospital ST. GEORGE’S , Grenada, CMC – Health Minister Nicholas Steele says he is awaiting a report from the Medical Director at the General Hospital that will provide him with information on the recent deaths of babies at that institution. Earlier this week during a post cabinet briefing, Steele said that three babies died last Friday at the general hospital and an investigations were ordered. On Friday, he said that since his disclosure, there have been conflicting reports surrounding when the babies died. “The source of that initial information was from credible sources and that is why I decided to share it with the media but now I await the report that should explained what happen and what case the death of the babies,” the

Nicholas Steele health minister said adding that before disclosing further details he will first present the report to the weekly cabinet meeting on Monday. “After its shared with the cabinet, then what has to be

shared with the media will be shared.” He said the report will also include details on the number of mothers who lost embryos under 27 weeks since the start of this year.

CCJ modernises rules for its Original and Appellate Jurisdictions PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – The Trinidad and Tobago based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has made amendments to the court’s rules in its Original and Appellate Jurisdictions. On Friday, the CCJ advised that the revised rules were amendments to those published in 2014. “The CCJ recognizes that is important to evaluate our procedures for efficiency and make sure that they are documented on a regular basis in order to continue to deliver fair and accessible justice. This rules revision exercise was particularly important as the Rules now accommodate recent changes to our internal processes, principally the adoption of e-Filing”, said CCJ President Sir Dennis Byron in highlighting the need for periodic reviews of Court practices. The Court’s latest introduction of e-Filing allows persons to file a matter with the Court at their convenience and offers a structured way to make submissions by guiding the user through various required fields of information. In January, the CCJ began using the Curia court management system which, in addition to electronic filing, has a performance management module and one for case management. Other substantive amendments in the 2017 Rules include ending the requirement to file multiple print copies of documents; introduction of

electronic signatures (in a specified format) to remove the requirement for printing and signing specified documents before uploading and filing; adoption of a gender-neutral approach in the wording of the Rules; shifting away from use of Latin terms in favour of simpler language in the Appellate Jurisdiction rules and the introduction of express rules to provide for an application for special leave to appeal to be treated as the hearing of the substantive appeal and the basis on which costs should be determined in such cases. In its Original Jurisdiction, the CCJ interprets the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas for countries, businesses and citizens of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). In its Appellate Jurisdiction, the court hears

appeals from lower courts in both civil and criminal matters from countries which have decided that the CCJ should be their final court of appeal. The CCJ’s Rules Committee is led by the Justice Rolston Nelson. The new rules came into effect on April 21. In 2001, CARICOM member states established the CCJ to replace the London-based Privy Council as the region’s final court. But so far only Barbados, Belize, Dominica and Guyana have signed on to the Appellate Jurisdiction of the CCJ, even though most of the 15member grouping are signatories to the Original Jurisdiction of the CCJ that also serves as an international tribunal interpreting the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas that governs the integration movement.

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Saturday May 13, 2017

Grove A, B, Cardinals among victors at MYO Tapeball Grove A and B teams and Cardinals were among the successful teams when the Muslim Youth Organisation/ Trophy Stall 7-a-side Tapeball competition continued on Sunday last in Woolford Avenue. Grove A beat Queenstown by four wickets. Batting first Queenstown A made 44 for 4 in their allotted 6 overs. Fadil Ahamad made 25; Shazim Khan picked up 2 for 9. Grove A in reply scored 46 for 2 in 5.3 overs. Shafeek Ishmeal made 19 and Shazim Khan 18. Grove B overcame Queenstown by three wickets. Queenstown B batted first and managed 57 for 4 with Imran Khan scoring 14 and Majeed Khan making 11. Radrindra Motilall picked up 3 for 5. Grove B in reply made

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58 runs for 3 wickets in 5.5 overs. Shohaib Roop got 20, Abbas Ali 14 and Khadir Manjoor 10. Grove A defeated Grove B by 29 runs. Batting first, Grove A posted 83 for 4. Azeem Azeez made 27, Shazim Khan 17 and Shafeek Ishmae 14. Shahab Manjoor claimed 2 for 27. Grove B were limited to 54-3 in reply. Shohaib Roop made 20. Cardinals got the better of Diamond/Grove by 52 runs. Cardinals batted first and made 88 for 4. Edwin Burnett hit 29 runs. Diamond/Grove were bundled out for 26 runs with Edwin Burnett and Karranchand Indarjit picking up two wickets each. Cardinals beat Farnum B. Cardinals took first strike and scored 93 for 1. Vishun

Merhai struck 47 not out and Burnett an unbeaten 39. Farnum B made 93 for 5 in response. Following the tie the teams contested a super over which was also tied, but Carninals were declared champions after hitting two sixes one more than Farnum B. The competition continues tomorrow with the following fixtures. At Diamond tarmac, Grove A vs Diamond/Grove, Grove B vs Diamond/Grove, Grove A vs Winsor Forest and Grove B vs Winsor Forest. At MYO, 12:30 hrs Queenstown A vs Farnum A, 13:00 hrs Queenstown B vs Farnum B, 13:30 hrs Queenstown A vs Farnum B and 14:00 hrs Queenstown B vs Farnum A.

Saturday May 13 , 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Try to visit a country that excites you. You are best to avoid confrontations. Observations will be far more productive. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Don't use emotional blackmail on someone you love. Try not to be too harsh with your mate. You will have extra energy; put it to good use. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Don't confide in any relatives whom you know have a tendency to meddle in other people's affairs. Make decisions about your professional objectives. You should focus on moneymaking matters and stay away from emotional disputes. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Your home environment appears to be a little shaky. You may find yourself in a heated dispute with a friend if you try to change your mind. You will have a tendency to put on pounds. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Don't be disappointed if you don't get your way emotionally. Debates will stifle passion and result in estrangement. You are best to be accommodating for the time being. Sudden romantic infatuations won't be lasting. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You can win if you're open and up front with your boss. Be discreet about any information you uncover. Be diplomatic when dealing with inlaw.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You will feel the limitations if you have been overdoing it. Try not to lend or b o r r o w m o n e y t o d a y. You must use discretion when it comes to lending money or making donations. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Don't avoid your true feelings. Try not to take everything so seriously. You can ferret out secret information if you just listen to what others have to say. SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) Think about your priorities. You can help sort out problems that friends are facing. Don't be too eager to spend money that you really don't have. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You must not allow them to force you to rush. Try not to let relatives or friends cause any friction with your mate. Unexpected events may upset your routine. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Social events held in your home will be successful and entertaining for all. Travel will enhance romance and ad v e n t u r e . Yo u w i l l have to put those you live with in their place if they try to interfere with your work. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You are best to keep hard feelings to yourself. Don't allow personal problems to conflict with professional duties.

The cricket administration act... (From page 28) revised constitution foisted upon the administrators in Guyana.The Select Parliamentary Committee and a special PPP Government Panel headed by Mr. Jagdeo/Mr. Anil Nandalall, that met with the stakeholders prior to the drafting of the Cricket Bill, totally disregarded the submissions of the GCB and the DCB, but chose to follow verbatim the dictates of Mr. Raphael and his misguided team, hence, the lopsided and contradictory clauses contained in the CAA. The current constitution of the GCB enshrined in the CAA clearly

states that GCB shall be represented by the President and one other (namely the Chairman of the Senior Selection Panel or the Chairman of the Cricket Development Committee) at General Meetings of the WICB. For those who are not familiar with the GCB, Mr. Raphael held both positions when he was an Executive, quite conveniently. The CAA makes no provision for the Directors of the WICB but it is clear that the GCB President cannot serve as a Director since the Cricket Administration Act stipulate that this individual must be a shareholder representative.

Mr. Drubahadur had always represented the GCB at the AGMs of the WICB until his resignation. Perhaps, Mr. Raphael with his supposedly vast legal knowledge would care to comment on whether any amendments can be made to the GCB’s constitution contained within the said Act. The GCB continues to ensure that the next generation of cricketers is prepared to continue in a successful pathway. We are also well aware that a lot of armchair administrators are envious of our success. The Guyana Cricket Board.

Delhi keep Pune waiting for playoff... (From page 26) get set, he was caught short of his ground by a direct hit. It was only the seventh time in 141 IPL innings that he was run-out. As badly as Rising Pune choked, the Daredevils bowlers were remarkable.

2017 GCB... (From page 27) the areas of Berbice, Essequibo, Upper Demerara and specified locations in other parts of Demerara. Additionally, it should be noted, that the revised fixtures for the 2017 GCB/ Scotiabank Kiddy Progression One Cricket will be circulated during the current school term.

Ming records... (Continued on page 25) to P6. After the event, Calvin Ming posted on his facebook page a photo of the presentation with the caption, “Podium in Indianapolis Motor speedway!! Can’t thank the Pabst racing team enough for all their hard work. Let’s try to do it again tomorrow in race 2.” Racing action is set to continue today and Ming and Team will be in action hunting more success.

They bowled straight, gave no room and nailed the yorkers. The inherent risk in this plan is if the ball doesn’t land where it is supposed to, it can be launched halfway around the world. But the bighitters were gone, and Manoj Tiwary, as well as he had played for his fifty, wasn’t really a threatening presence.

He managed two sixes to start the last over to tempt the Pune fans, but Cummins closed the game out with a slew of 145 kph yorkers. Scores: Delhi Daredevils 168 for 8 (Nair 64, Unadkat 229, Stokes 2-31) beat Rising Pune Supergiant 161 for 7 (Tiwary 60, Zaheer 2-25) by seven runs.

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Delhi keep Pune waiting for playoff spot ESPNcricinfo - Delhi Daredevils have, over the years, perfected the art of the bizarre, and usually that leads them to lose unloseable m a t c h e s . O n F r i d a y, however, they magicked a way to defend a total of 168 even though Steven Smith appeared in top form and Ben Stokes looked like he was one hit away from finishing the game. Rising Pune Supergiant needed 91 off 60 balls with seven wickets in hand. They brought that down to 52 off the last five overs, and then, were just shut down. Only three boundaries came in the slog overs as a disciplined bowling attack led by the street-smart Zaheer Khan secured a memorable victory and left the opposition unsure of their place in the playoffs. A Powerplay of two halves At the toss, both captains said they wanted to bat, even though only once in four IPL seasons has that led to a victory at the Feroz Shah Kotla. Daredevils’ efforts to defy those stats were off to a terrible start. Sanju Samson was run-out in the first over and Shreyas Iyer caught behind in the third. The score was 11 for 2. Rising Pune then turned

to Washington Sundar because he has the secondbest economy rate (7.35) among the spinners to have bowled at least 50 balls in the P o w e r p l a y. B u t t h o s e numbers meant nothing to Karun Nair. All he knew was he was a superb sweeper of the ball and fine leg was up inside the circle. That was the first of nine boundaries in 18 balls. Rishabh Pant, too, received preferential treatment from the bowlers. He had come into the match making 190 of his 321 runs this season on the leg side and that’s exactly where he found 32 of his 36 runs on Sunday, including four fours and two sixes. The squeeze While Nair and Pant were together, the lowest a full over went for was nine runs. But once the 74-run partnership was broken, Rising Pune regained control. The new batsman Marlon Samuels could make only three runs in his first 10 balls. He fell top-edging to MS Dhoni, who had to run back, jump up, extend his right hand as far as it could go. Such acrobatics weren’t necessary to stump Corey Anderson; just fast hands and a sixth sense for when the batsman’s back foot

lifted up as he toppled over. All the while the set batsman Nair could only watch from the other end. He faced only 11 deliveries in five overs between the 12th and the 16th. He finished 64 off 45. His team-mates 97 off 75. T h e S u p e r g i a n t ’s supergiant If Stokes raised eyebrows by becoming the auction’s costliest buy, his performance is making them disappear beyond people’s hairlines. Case in point was the catch he took in the final over. The ball was soaring over his head at midwicket, but he positioned himself on the edge of the boundary, leapt back, caught it in midair and threw it back up because he was going over the ropes and then came back to take the rebound. Aside from such remarkable athleticism, there is his power hitting. At 92 for 3, he ran at Daredevils’ fastest bowler Pat Cummins and pummeled a one-bounce four to midwicket, launched Marlon Samuels’ third ball of the match over long-on and nonchalantly flicked Mohammed Shami for a six over deep square leg. Peak Daredevilry It was amid this carnage that a scorching yorker arrived. So good was it that Stokes, despite putting bat to it, had to worry about not being bowled. The next ball changed the game.

Karun Nair backs away and opens the face of his bat, Delhi Daredevils v Rising Pune Supergiant, IPL 2017, Delhi, ©BCCI Shami ran in looking for the blockhole again. Stokes took a shimmy down the pitch and was surprised by a

low full toss. The bat turned in his hand as his loft ended up in long-off’s hands. By the time Dhoni was

taking guard for his second delivery the required rate was 12. And before he could (Continued on page 25)

Blairmont CC’s Umpires Cup postponed to May 21 The Blairmont Cricket Club’s inaugural UMPIRES CUP fundraiser which was scheduled for tomorrow at the Blairmont Estate Ground, in aid of the Guyana Cricket Umpire Council (GCUC) has been postponed to May 21 since tomorrow is Mother’s Day. To m o r r o w ’s e v e n t should have included 10/10 cricket, a Domino Competition, Checkers and a Volleyball competition. Interested individuals for Dominoes and Volleyball can contact 627-5215 and

628-6767 for more information. However, it was agreed by the organisers since tomorrow is a day to honour mothers the attendance would have been less than expected because of the special day.

The GCUC will be seeking to send six members to an umpire’s convention in Jamaica from 1st to 8th July. Participants of the convention will come from Canada, USA, and the Caribbean Cricket territories.

Olympic stars gather to... (From page 29) draw. With eight Olympic gold medals and 11 World Championships gold medals spanning three Olympic Games and four World Championships, the 30-year-old is sure to be teary eyed when he takes off his spikes for the final time at the National Stadium. This is the same venue when, as a precocious teenager, he performed that now famous salute when he became the youngest person to win the 200m at the World Junior Championships in 2002. The track and field world has not been the same since the arrival of the Bolt and will not be the same after his departure. JN Racers Grand Prix takes place on Saturday, June 10, 2017 at the National Stadium.

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2017 GCB/Scotiabank Kiddy Ryan Crawford Memorial Horserace Cricket Competition Postponed on tomorrow at Alness, Corentyne B’ce Six races are carded for tomorrow at Alness, Corentyne, Berbice, for the g r a n d o n e - d a y Ry a n Crawford Club Memorial Horse Race meet from 13:00hrs and large crowd of turfites are expected at the Mother’s day Event. The feature Event is the battle for Horses in the H/

Participants in an earlier programme enjoy the moment and a similar experience is anticipated when the new programme comes off. The nationwide 2017 Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)/Scotiabank Kiddy Progression One Cricket Competition has been postponed until the September, 2017 school term. The postponement is due to the current inclement weather, which has been forecasted to persist into the month of July 2017. The Cricket Development Committee (CDC) of the GCB has determined that the postponement would facilitate a more effective

and smooth conduct of the competition. As a consequence, all primary schools are asked to note the adjustment. This information is also expected to be channeled to schools through the Ministry of E d u c a t i o n ’s R e g i o n a l Education Offices. To date, the districts of New/Amsterdam/Canje and East Bank Essequibo are the only two locations to have c o m m e n c e d t h e competition. However, primary schools will be encouraged to enjoy the

benefits of the coaching education programmes which involves the activity aspects of “Meet the Emerging Player” and “Cricket Is My Game – Learn IT.” Further, School teachers and club coaches will benefit from four (4) Child Protection Programmes, which are scheduled to be conducted during the first two weeks in June 2017. The Child Protection programmes will target interested individuals from (Continued on page 25)

Stakeholders launch South American U-20 Championships Stakeholders gathered yesterday at the National Resource Centre to launch the South American Under20 Championships, which will be held in Guyana at the National Track and Field Centre (NTFC), Leonora, June 3-4. The Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) announced that approximately 350 athletes from across South America are expected to descend in Guyana for the Junior Championship, stating that all 13 countries have already confirmed their participation. According to the AAG, some countries have already submitted their numerical entries and the others have until Monday to send in their final entries. AAG President, Aubrey Hutson, sought to reassure the readiness of Guyana to host the event. “We know that there is always the question of whether we can do this; is Guyana ready for this? Guyana is going to be as ready as any other nation in South America,” Hutson said, adding that his message is that the association wants

to make the competition a reality. “We must make this happen, make this happen in a big way for Guyana; for our athletes. We must do this for national pride. We must convince the rest of the world that we are ready to hold not only this South American Championships, but we may go on to host CARIFTA, Pan Am and CAC Games,” he mused. Hutson informed that the athletes will be staying at the Ramada Georgetown Princess Hotel. He said that most of the preparatory works still to be done includes improvements at the NTFC with several defects that have prevailed over the years. Hutson said that those will not be tolerated at this International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) sanctioned competition. Those necessities include the ordering of security cages for the Discus and Hammer throw areas; the ordering of additional backup Hurdles, as well as extra Starting Blocks, among other needs. With the competition just about three weeks away,

Hutson did not say what the status of the procurement of these items is. One of the Coaches working with the local athletes named for the Games, Lyndon Wilson said that their preparation is on course. “Everything is on track,” Wilson said. The athletes are currently being encamped every weekend to train collectively; the final team is expected to have “over 30 athletes,” according to the Coaches. Hutson said that the AAG will be looking to market the event in a big way, working with Global Technology to set up an official website and social media pages for the event. He said that Advertising will roll out soon. Director of Sports, Christopher Jones attended the forum where he pledged Government’s support for the event. Sponsors include the National Data Management Authority, which will be supplying internet for the event, which will see several mobile hotspots set up at the track and Banks DIH under their R a i n F o r e s t Wa t e r , Powerade and Malta brands.

Class and lower and will include most of the top Horses in that class in the Country to create an actionpacked day for the entire family. Among the Horses vying for top honors are Super Bold, Bird Man, Bridle, Stone Corner, Monsoon, Party Time, Daddy Dollars,

T&T, Blue Lighten, Little Star, Chelsea, Something Special, Savion, Red Regent and Liquid Lion. Six races are carded for the day. A well stocked Bar and a popular Sound System will help to provide an atmosphere of fun and frolic. All systems are in place for the event.

Williams to lead E’bo in inter county U-19 tourney Mark Williams had been chosen to lead Essequibo in the upcoming Guyana Cricket Board inter county U-19 tournament. Sachin Persaud will serve as his deputy. The full squad reads; Mark Williams, Sachin Persaud, Joshua Jones, Sheldon Charles, Azeemol Habib, Kurt Lovell, C h a n d e r p a u l M o h a b i r, Beesham Moses, Leslie

Allen, Joel Fortune, Kellon Davis, Mahendra Persaud, Adrian Campbell, Quentin Sampson and Mark Ramsammy. The Coach is Andy Ramnarine and the manager is Loaknauth Persaud. Meanwhile, Sachin Persaud XI defeated Adrian Campbell XI by 107 runs in a 50-over practice match held recently at Imam Bacchus ground.

Persaud XI batted first and scored 225 all out in 48.2 overs. Mahendra Persaud made 38, while Kellon Davis got 36 and Sachin Persaud 29. Shane Wong had 2-30 and Quentin Sampson had 251. Campbell XI were bowled out for 118 all out in 28 overs in reply. Sampson scored 34; Mahendra Persaud took 3 -11 and Leslie Allen 2 -16.

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Saturday May 13, 2017

Chase leads fight but Windies stutter ROSEAU, Dominica, CMC – Roston Chase extended his rich vein of form with a half-century but West Indies squandered opportunities to put the squeeze on Pakistan, on the third day of the decisive third Test at Windsor Park here yesterday. Replying to Pakistan’s first innings of 376, West Indies closed on 218 for five, still requiring a further 158 runs to overhaul their target. The right-handed Chase was at the centre of the Windies effort, carving out a fluent 60 before being forced to retire hurt when he was struck on the right hand by a delivery from pacer Mohammad Amir, in the second over following the final drinks break of the day. He was taken to Princess Margaret Hospital for x-rays but the extent of the injury is not yet known. Chase, who gathered a half-century in the Sabina Park first Test and a hundred in the second Test in Barbados, has so far faced 129 deliveries and counted five boundaries. He got support from lefthanded opener Kieran Powell who once again got a start but failed to carry on with 31, while Kraigg Brathwaite and Shai Hope chipped in with 29 apiece. Champion leg-spinner Yasir Shah carried Pakistan’s

attack with three for 108. Resuming the day on 14 without loss, the hosts made good progress with Powell and Brathwaite adding 43 for the first wicket to see the hosts safely through the first hour. Powell, on nine at the start, struck two fours in an innings lasting 82 deliveries before becoming the first casualty of the day, caught at wide mid-on playing a loose stroke at Yasir in the third over after the first drinks break. Shimron Hetmyer, in his third Test at 20, swept Yasir for four and then pulled him for six in successive overs to race to 17 off 18 balls but was adjudged caught at the wicket on review, after gaining favour with the initial decision. Brathwaite and Hope then steadied the innings in a 28-run stand which appeared to be taking West Indies to the safety of lunch when Yasir struck a telling blow in the final over before the interval, getting Brathwaite to edge a defensive prod to wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed. On 97 for three at the b r e a k , We s t I n d i e s flourished afterwards as Chase and Hope put Pakistan on the back foot with an enterprising 55-run fourth wicket partnership.

Jason Holder hit Yasir Shah for a big six over long-off in the last over of the day, 3rd Test, Roseau, 3rd day, ©AFP

Chase was positive from the outset, dispatching the second ball after lunch for four off Yasir and then sweeping the same bowler fine a couple of overs later for another boundary. Hope, on 15 at lunch, was more sedate after the resumption and enjoyed a slice of luck on 23 when Asad Shafiq dropped a difficult chance at point off Yasir.

With the partnership growing and tea approaching, West Indies conceded their momentum when Hope perished to the last ball before the break, driving slow bowler Azhar Ali to Misbah-ul-Haq at extra cover at 152 for four. Chase, reprieved on 27 when he was given out caught at slip only for the decision to be overturned on review, took charge for West

Indies after the interval and raised his third Test halfcentury in the eighth over after tea with a single to midoff off Yasir. Forced off at 183 for four after missing a pull at Amir and being struck on the hand, Chase’s misfortune was followed by Vishaul Singh’s demise three overs later with only six runs added when the left-hander was plumb lbw to Mohammad Abbas for

eight. Stumbling at 189 for five, West Indies were steadied by wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich with 20 not out and captain Jason Holder, unbeaten on 11, the pair having so far posted 29. Though both were watchful, Holder showed intent in the day’s final over when he lofted the third delivery from Yasir clean over the ropes at long off.

Letter to the Sports Editor

The cricket administration act prohibits any GCB president from being a WICB director Dear Sports Editor, We recently viewed a most derogatory and disrespectful letter penned by Mr. Claude Raphael and published by the KN and Guyana Chronicle on May 10th 2017 in the sports pages of those dailies, headlined ‘Drubahadur must publicly account for his GCB Stewardship”. The Board has also noticed other letters popping up ever so often in the media spreading blatant lies and hate propaganda against our officials. The Board views this situation as very troubling, especially when the media displays such poor journalistic skills in publishing these very caustic letters verbatim without any attempt to authenticate the veracity of its contents. The Board had issued an

advisory last month regarding the resignation of i t s P r e s i d e n t , M r. Drubahadur and had duly provided the reason for Mr. Drubahadur’s resignation in that release. Mr. Drubahadur had also provided his public comments to the media on this issue and has since moved on. The Board wishes to state quite categorically that it is very proud of the tenure of Mr. Drubahadur and the great strides that were made in our development during this period. If Mr. Raphael is so much interested in learning about the stewardship of Mr. Drubahadur and the GCB, perhaps he can stop by the GCB’s Office anytime to uplift the most recent copy of The Guyana Cricketer magazine which outlines the achievements and successes of the Board and its various

representative teams. Previous copies of The Guyana Cricketer magazine are also available online for his perusal. As a former executive of the GCB, it is rather disappointing that Mr. Raphael continues to spew such hate, bile, disrespect and rancor against its officials in public without any justification whatsoever. The Board is of the firm opinion that Mr. Raphael is certainly entitled to his own opinion and is free to have his own views on different circumstances, but surely he is not entitled to his own facts. The facts are the facts and these cannot change to suit the whims and fancies of anyone. It is public knowledge that Mr. Raphael and his team desperately pleaded with the Judge on the

Saturday prior to the AGM to stop the holding of the GCB’s AGM in July 2011 which was statutorily due since January 2011. The reason for this delay was the intervention/investigation by the Ministry of Labour, Mansoor Nadir, into the operations of the GCB under the Friendly Societies Act. The Rupert Foster report is there to prove the witchhunting that took place for 6 months in 2011. The court eventually removed the GCB from the control of this Act since the rules of the Friendly Societies Act dictate that all entities should have a minimum of 7 members and GCB only had 3 members. This AGM went ahead as planned on the Sunday following clearance from that court hearing by the Honourable James Bovell

Drakes. It is again public knowledge that this AGM was video recorded, for obvious reasons,where all 3 members of the GCB were present. The President, Mr. Chetram Singh, ruled that the Demerara Cricket Board should not participate in the meeting since there was a cloud of uncertainty over its status. The Essequibo Cricket Board was present with its full complement of 9 delegates and the Berbice Cricket Board was present with 5 delegates inclusive of its President, Vice President and Secretary which formed the quorum of 14 delegates at that meeting. The BCB even moved motions at this AGM. It really boggles the mind t h a t M r. R a p h a e l , a supposedly respected person, would continue to spread such blatant falsehoods in the public

domain with his constant reference to this AGM being illegal. The GCB would, once again, wish to recognize that the Cricket Administration Act of 2014(CAA) is the law of the land and continues to operate within its confines even though we hold the view that the Act is deeply flawed so much so that we have challenged same in our legal system. The WICB had adopted some of the recommendations contained in the “Wilkins report” that it had commissioned, which called for the distinct separation of the Directors and the Shareholders of the Board. The CAA, obviously, did not recognize that change in the governance structure of the WICB and thus only dealt with the historical structure of that Board in the (Continued on page 25)

Saturday May 13, 2017

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Kaieteur News

Olympic stars gather to salute the legend – Usain Bolt Jamaica Observer Usain Bolt, who is undoubtedly the king of track and field and the most dominant male sprinter in the world since 2008, will hang up his spikes at the end of the season. While most people are urging the legend to continue, he has reiterated his intention to call it quits after the World Championships in London, England, in August. Speculation is rife as to who will ascend to Bolt’s throne, but before that, Jamaica and the world will get to see him perform one last time on Jamaican soil. The three-time Olympic sprint champion over 100m and 200m bids farewell to his Jamaican fans at the second staging of the JN/Racers Grand Prix on Saturday, June 10. Bolt will be joined by a number of local and international stars at this stellar event where a number of Olympic and world champions will also be on show. When Bolt goes into the blocks around 9:30 pm Jamaica time, it is guaranteed that the entire track world, including those at the National Stadium, will

be anticipating another glorious moment from the greatest sprinter of all time. Possibly challenging, the ‘legend’ lines up against sub10 king Asafa Powell, Zharnel Hughes of Great Britain, Antigua and Barbuda sprint sensation Miguel Francis, and Trayvon Bromell of the USA, plus six other. The women’s 100m will also have a stellar line-up. Olympic double sprint champion from the Rio Games Elaine Thompson, who became the first Jamaican woman to win gold in both the 100m and 200m at the Olympics, will do battle with Nigerian Blessings Okagabare and American English Gardener A legend in his own right, Britain’s most successful Olympian, long distance star Mo Farah will grace the National Stadium in Kingston Jamaica for the very first time. Farah won the 5,000 and 10,000m at the 2012 Olympic Games and defended both titles in 2016. There is a great deal of respect between Farah and Bolt, as was seen by the Farah-like celebrations performed by Bolt after

Usain Bolt (Facebook)

anchoring Jamaica to gold in the 4x100m at the London Olympics in 2012. Other international stars coming in for the event include Olympic and World 800m champion David Rudisha. The Kenyan won World Championships gold in Daegu in 2011 before winning Olympic Gold in London in 2012. He won gold at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing after failing to defend his title in 2013 and then went on

to Brazil in fine form where he defended his Olympic title. South African Wayde van Niekerk, the world and Olympic champion and also the world record holder over 400m, returns to Jamaica’s shores after his stunning victory in Brazil where he set the record of 43.03s. Local hero Javon Francis, along with the likes of the upcoming Demish Gaye, will run against van Niekerk. Puerto Rican Javier

Culson, who has won medals at the Olympic Games and World championships, is no stranger to running in Jamaica and he will have his hands full with local stars Annsert Whyte and World Youth Champion Jaheel Hyde in the 400m hurdles. On the women’s side, Ristananna Tracey has rediscovered her form over the 400m hurdles and will be looking to pick up where she left off last season when she qualified for her first Olympic Games. There is just a matter of taking on the Olympic champion Dalilah Muhammad of the USA who was impressive in winning gold in Brazil. The women’s sprint hurdles is building as something really special. World champion Danielle Williams will be looking to get over missing the Olympics after hitting the hurdles and crashing out at the National Trials last year. She competes against Australian Sally Pearson, who is on the way back after a series of injures stymied her illustrious career, as well as American Skarika Nelvis, among others. Hansle Parchment, who

had to withdraw from the Rio Games through injury, is on the mend and he will be testing to see exactly where he is at. The Olympic bronze medallist from London is working his way back into form and full fitness and will no doubt want to impress the home fans. Shericka Jackson can now claim the title as Jamaica’s new 400m queen after back-to-back bronze medal performances at the World Championships in Beijing 2015 and the Olympic Games in Rio 2016. In just about a month’s time, she can expect a fierce challenge from American veteran Francena McCorory who has won a number of relay gold medals for her country. Fedrick Dacres leads the charge in the men’s discus for Jamaica at the Racers Grand Prix, and after a disappointing maiden Olympic Games he is eager to turn the tables this season. Bigger and faster in the circle, Dacres has impressed in the discus thus far this season. The night, however, will belong to Bolt — win, lose or (Continued on page 26)

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Saturday May 13, 2017

Woodpecker Products Ltd Junior National Squash Championships 2017

Junior players display excellent form in early going The Guyana Squash Association (GSA) is holding its second junior tournament for 2017, the Woodpecker Products Ltd Junior National Squash Championships at the Georgetown Club Inc courts. Play continued on day two with fixtures in six of the ten categories up for grabs. Most of the country’s top players are in excellent form and this was evident from their fantastic play on court. In one of the highlight matches of the evening Kirsten Gomes displayed excellent court coverage during her upset win over Madison Fernandes in their Girls Under-15 match. Both girls showed how much they have improved during the past few months with their excellent all round play.

Taylor Fernandes plays off the glass against Makeda Harding at the Georgetown Club Thursday. (Photos by Sean Devers) Kirsten won a close first game 11- 9, but Madison rebounded to win the second game in identical fashion 11 – 9. The third game was close

throughout but Kirsten eventually won it 11 – 8 and then from 8 all in the fourth she won the next three points to secure the game 11 – 8.

Madison Fernandes stretches for a ball in a high intensity encounter against Kirsten Gomes on Thursday night. In the Girls Under-19 category defending champion Taylor Fernandes had a straight sets win over Makeda Harding. The first game was extremely close with Taylor winning it 12 – 10. The second and third games were a lot easier with the scores being 11 – 3 and 11 – 7. Results in the other categories were as follows: Boys Under 11 Nathan Rahaman defeated Dhiren Persaud 11 – 6, 11 – 2, 11- 3 Shiloh Asregado beat Chad De Abreu 10 – 12, 13 – 11, 14 – 12, 11 – 8 Mohyryan Baksh beat Louis Da Silva 11 – 6, 11 – 2, 11 – 5 Boys Under 13 Ethan Jonas beat Nicholas Verwey 11 – 7, 11 – 2, 11 – 8 Michael Alphonso beat Liam Carpenter 11 – 0, 11 – 2, 11 – 0 James Mekdeci beat Nicholas Verwey 11 – 4, 11 – 2, 11 – 6 Boys Under 15 Shomari Wiltshire beat Dominic Collins 11 – 1, 11 –

1, 11 - 2 Gianni Carpenter beat Jason Gomes 11 – 9, 11 – 3, 11 – 1 Lucas Jonas beat Osmond Mack 11 – 1, 11 – 3, 11 – 2 Girls Under 15 Aliyah Persaud beat Teija Edwards 11 – 1, 11 – 1, 11 – 2 Abosaide Cadogan defeated Jahcinta Adams 11 – 1, 11 – 1, 11 – 2 Girls Under 17 Abosaide Cadogan beat Maya Collins 11 – 7, 13 – 11, 11 - 4 Meanwhile, in opening day’s play several exciting matches were witnessed as players vied to register victories in their matchups. Results in the respective categories were: Boys Under 11 Louis Da Silva beat Chad De Abreu 11/0, 11/0, 11/1 Nathan Rahaman defeated Shiloh Asregado 11/0, 11/4, 11/3 Boys Under 13 Ethan Jonas beat Liam Carpenter 11/1, 11/3, 11/1 Michael Alphonso beat

Ethan Jonas (right) and Nicholas Verwey battle each other on Thursday night.

Zachary Persaud 11/3, 11/3, 11/2 Demetrius De Abreu defeated Nicholas Verwey 11/3, 11/2, 11/3 Boys Under 15 Samuel Ince-Carvalhal beat Osmond Mack 11/0, 11/1, 11/2 Shomari Wiltshire beat Jason Gomes 11/1, 11/1, 11/1 Gianni Carpenter beat Mikhail Persaud 11/4, 11/2, 11/4 Lucas Jonas beat Dominic Collins 11/4, 11/4, 11/3 Girls Under 15 Makeda Harding beat Kirsten Gomes 11/3, 11/4, 11/9 Abosaide Cadogan beat Teija Edwards 11/0, 11/0, 11/1 Madison Fernandes defeated Jahcinta Adams 11/0, 11/0, 11/1 Kirsten Gomes beat Aliyah Persaud 11/9, 11/3, 11/2 Makeda Harding beat Teija Edwards 11/1, 11/1, 11/1 Matches continue from 5:00pm today.

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Saturday May 13, 2017

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Season Two of GFF/SEL ends tomorrow at GDF ground Three potentially mouthwatering matches carded By Franklin Wilson Three potentially mouth watering match-ups will bring the curtains down on season two of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) marquee competition, the Stag Elite League (SEL) tomorrow at the Guyana Defence Force ground, C a m p Ay a n g a n a f r o m 16:00hrs. With the top four teams virtually decided, the top two already confirmed, the East Coast duo of Buxton United and Victoria Kings will be going all out for victory over Topp XX and Monedderlust as they battle for the third and fourth places. As it stands, Buxton United are holding down the third place but a loss for them and a win for the Kings will see the latter ending their first season at this level in third place as a single point separate the two sides. Monedderlust have not looked the part this season and, like Topp XX the other team on debut at this level have recorded a single win in their nine games so far whilst suffering eight and seven losses respectively. Victoria will be in action first tomorrow and will fancy their chances of ending with a huge win over the West Berbice based Monedderlust to put pressure on Buxton which will contest the main supporting match. Offensively, the Kings have not been dominant, scoring a total of 11 goals while letting in 21 for a -10 goal difference as opposed to Monedderlust’s 7-for and 26-against leaving them with

Eon Alleyne – Fruta Conquerors FC 1 the worst goal difference of the six teams, -19. The likes of Seon Robinson, Calvin DeSouza, Alden Lawrence, Aubrey Gibson, Akeem Holder and Tichard Joseph among others are expected to be very offensive minded against the West Berbicians since their top four placing is already assured. Their aim will be to put as much pressure on Buxton as possible. Monedderlust however, would relish the opportunity to end the season on a high but this would be an uphill task given the nippy unit that the Kings have put together and have been improving as the season matured. Buxton’s chances of ending with a 5th victory in 10 matches looks good but this young unit will have to take their opportunities when created unlike what they did against Monedderlust and still ended up winning comfortably. Topp XX, the pride of Linden will not allow Buxton to get away with slippages as they too have a number of young and hungry

Dillon Wright - Buxton United FC

players aiming to make a name for themselves in their debut season. Buxton however, is the more experienced unit and a look at the stats so far will give the East Coast side the advantage going into tomorrow’s shindig. The Buxtonians apart from the Guyana Defence Force and Fruta Conquerors are the only teams boasting a positive goal difference and would be seeking to maintain and even improve this position. Dillon Wright is Buxton’s leading goal getter with 5 and will be the leading attacker tomorrow with potent help expected to come from Denver Dennis, Wi l l i a m E u r o p e , P a u l Kingston, Clive Andries and Hugh Michael Phyll. Topp XX have scored a mere 7 goals in their 9 matches and by all means will be trying to improve in this regard. They will turn to Terrance Aaron and Travis Waterton, their leading goal getters in the league to bring a high level of energy up front and will be backed up by Carlos Grant,

Ruel Williams, Duquan Hercules, Selwyn Isaacs who will marshal the defence and Tevin Crawford. The final match of the season could not have seen a better match up as the two leading clubs in both the Genesis and Finale will be locking horns again. The Guyana Defence Force has proven to be the better of the two sides and the only unbeaten team so far, a record they have already said they will guard against giving up. Conquerors on the other hand have nothing to lose and will likely be pulling out all the stops in order to reverse their fortunes against the team from the Army. One thing the two sides have in common though is that they have both conceded six (6) goals each in their 9 matches to date. The GDF have been lethal up front blasting a total of 35 goals as opposed to Conquerors’ 17. The result of this match will not alter the positions of either team but a win for the Fruta boys will certainly boost their morale going into the Big Four

Ming records fortuitous second place in Indianapolis Young Guyanese speed ace, Calvin Ming continues his excellent showing on the Racing circuit in the United States despite benefiting from the misfortune of one of the teams. Competing in the USF2000 GP of Indianapolis, Ming took the second position in a race contested yesterday at the Indianapolis Motor speedway, finishing behind winner Oliver Askew, while Ricky Donison was third, Dakota Dickerson fourth, Callan O’Keeffe fifth and Ming’s teammate Rinus VeeKay sixth. Ming and VeeKay, who

Calvin Ming (right) along with winner Oliver Askew (centre) and third placed Ricky Donison along with the paddock girls on the podium after the race. (Calvin Ming facebook) drives for Team Ram in the F4 championship, benefited from the elevation in position due to a discrepancy

which was found on two of the Pelfrey Team cars during the technical inspection after the race, for which they were

disqualified. This resulted in Ming being elevated to a P2 finish, and his teammate

Sherwyn Caesar - GDF FC Tournament which will commence on May 19 where the two sides will face off again in playoff 1; the 3rd and 4th placed teams will also earn another date. So tomorrow’s night’s feature showdown will be highlighted by the SEL’s leading marksman Sherwyn

Caesar marksman who has 9 goals against Conquerors’ top goal scorer, Eon Alleyne who has 6. End to end exchanges are anticipated. Conquerors only loss in the league was inflicted by the GDF, however, the Tucville boys are intent on changing that.

t r o Sp

Chase leads fight but Windies stutter

Yasir Shah took the wickets of West Indies’ top three, West Indies v Pakistan, 3rd Test, Roseau, 3rd day, ©AFP

Roston Chase displays unorthodox footwork while slapping one through the off side, 3rd Test, Roseau, 3rd day, ©AFP

Stakeholders launch South American U-20 Championships

Stakeholders launch the South American Under-20 Championships at the National Resource Centre, Woolford Avenue yesterday.

Season Two of GFF/SEL ends tomorrow at GDF ground Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Limited, 24 Saffon St.Charlestown, Georgetown.Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/ 226-8210