A lesson shared by a doctor DEAR EDITOR, I recently read Dr. Mark Devonish-MBBS MSC MRCP (UK) letter in your newspaper titled “For my mom and all mothers who died at Georgetown Hospital.” To say I had tears in my eyes will be putting it lightly. I put myself in his shoe and felt that pain deep down inside of me. As a mom of two I refuse to think what life will be like for my two youngsters if I’m snatched away. As a daughter, I am grateful that my mom is alive and healthy and cannot fathom what it will be like when she is gone. Many times I visited patients at the GPHC and other public hospitals, I can truly say whilst there are some really pleasant nurses and doctors there are indeed some rude and pompous ones present as well. Seeing that and experiencing their atrocious attitudes at times I always vow to myself that I will never put my life in their hands. If I’m on my deathbed I want to leave this world surrounded by kind and compas-
sionate health workers, not pigs. Even those professional and pleasant health care workers also feel their wrath. I recently got my last kid at a very subdued and private hospital opposite the GPHC where many of the nurses and doctors are also attached to the GPHC. My gynecologist, a gentleman, was very thorough in all his examinations of me. Whatever questions, no matter how frivolous they were, he displayed patience, professionalism and sought to put my fears to rest. Upon my admittance to the hospital, from the doctors, to the nurses right down to the cleaners, each and every worker made me feel at home. I was never left alone for too long. The nurses always came to check my blood pressure, temperature and also asked how I am feeling, etc. I later developed a complication before delivery; my baby was in danger. To say I was scared is putting it lightly. I was petrified. I cried not for myself but for my unborn child. The nurses and the mid-
wives maintained their calm and reassured me that everything will be ok although I could see they themselves had a little doubt in their eyes. I took their reassurance as gospel and today my baby is happy and healthy. I don’t think I would have had so much hope without those nurses. I am forever grateful to them. A little compassion goes a long way for someone that is clinging to straws. Why is it that we have to pay for compassion, attention and a few kind words? Why can’t the nurses and doctors (the majority are rude) at public hospitals display a little humanity or show a little compassion? Give a few reassuring words to patients and or their families? Do you need a raise of pay to display that you are human too? I can only imagine those who are not fortunate enough to seek private medical care have to put up with at public hospitals. PUT yourself or a loved one in the shoe of those (Continued on page 6)
THERE WERE SOME SHADY DEALS IN THE PAST DEAR EDITOR, Since the 1800s, the British Guiana Government felt the need to provide demarcation for Guyana’s borders. A Commission was then set up to undertake such an action thus indicating that there will be clear demarcation between Guyana and Venezuela, and therefore the boundaries will be known. However, Venezuela, has worked feverishly over the years at turning the controversy about its contention of invalidity of the Arbitral Award into a dispute about territory. That country has also sought to press a historic claim to Guyana’s Essequibo region, which encompasses two-thirds of the former Brit-
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ish Colony, since US oil giant, ExxonMobil, discovered oil in disputed waters off its coast in 2015. Guyana’s main opposition, the PPP/C, is not happy with the way the current administration has disbursed funding to offset expenses that it might incur in terms of Lawyer’s fees to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) M r. E d i t o r, i t i s m y p e r s o n a l b e l i e f t h at the APNU and AFC coalition is doing the right thing, as it seeks to provide clear scrutiny, transparency and accountability whenever monies are being disbursed for national purposes. The Marriott Hotel, the Amaila Falls Project and the
Berbice Bridge Project are just some of the projects that to this day, the full details of the contract have not been released. The previous administration had entered into a number of shady deals that were shrouded in secrecy. Despite repeated public calls the PPP/ C never saw the need to be a transparent Government. The Guyana Government has made and continues to make significant progress on the international frontiers since its ascension to office in 2015. The Coalition Government must be commended for observing parliamentary and financial prudence Best Regards, Dillon Goring
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS SOME EXPLAINING TO YOU DEAR EDITOR, I have observed with keen interest the issues regarding the settlement of court cases, involving billions of taxpayers’ dollars published in the Press. I do not recall at any time in living memory such large number of cases being settled for such huge sums of money. It is difficult not to be suspicious about these settlements. I do not rule out the possibility of some type of corruption. What strikes me as strange is Attorney General Basil Williams’s constant reference to “inheriting cases from the PPP Government.” My understanding is that these cases were not filed against the PPP, but the Government of Guyana. So when there is a change in Government, the cases are bound to continue against whomsoever assumes the reins of Government. Therefore, cases filed while the PPP was in Government must continue against the new Government when there was a change of Government after May 2015. I am shocked that AG Williams seemed not to be able to understand this simple principle.
It is as if he expected the PPP to take away the cases to Freedom House when they left office. While I am not a lawyer, I have been around Croal Street for over three decades.The truth of the matter is that Mr. Williams has had a long career in the Magistrates’ Court, arguing cases against Police Prosecutors. The older lawyers will confirm that he never did any civil or constitutional case of worth. That lack of experience is now magnified on a national stage because all the cases at the AG Chambers are civil and constitutional matters. Therefore, do not expect these outpourings of blame from Mr. Williams to stop in the near future. Since these settlements involve billions of taxpayers’ dollars, in the public’s interest, I wish to ask Mr. Williams for clarifications on the following matters: 1. RUDISA beverage case Did the CCJ not adjourn this case for Guyana to remedy the breach of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas and when a Bill to amend the Customs Act to bring it in confor-
mity with the Treaty of Chaguaramas, was tabled in the Parliament, the APNU/ AFC, one-seat majority in Opposition, voted down this Bill twice? Mr. Williams was part of an AFC/APNU one-seat majority that voted down this Bill twice, was it not explained to him in the Parliament that if this Bill was not passed, then the CCJ would have awarded judgement against Guyana? How can Nandlall and the PPP be blamed for this? 2. Toolsie Persaud Ltd v AG Information published in the Press suggests that this case started since 2008. Mr. Williams took Office in May 2015. Judgement was handed down in April 2018. Could Mr. Williams explain how after three years in Office, he did not know a case as big as this case, was being tried in the High Court and that the Attorney General was a party? Is he asking this nation to believe that no one in this three-year period even whispered anything to him about this matter? How come a lawyer from the AG Chambers was (Continued on page 6)
There is a lot wrong with City Hall... From page 4 council, but without the requisite approval being given. Almost every citizen of our capital is aware that the City Council is being mismanaged. Flooding of our city is becoming a norm due to the drains and canals not being cleaned, with some not being cleaned for years. Most of the municipality’s buildings are falling, including the main City Hall building, the city abattoir and all of the markets.
But who will bell the cat? In the meanwhile, the ‘Cabal’ continues to proceed willy nilly on foreign trips to China, to Jamaica, the USA and just about every continent available without any tangible benefits. With the Council’s financial crises
should there not be a halt to these useless foreign trips? There must be a forensic audit of the Council now before everything collapses and disappears. With thanks Sincerely, Mark Roopan
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TAKING OBJECTION TO PARTISAN RELIGIOUS BELIEFS DEAR EDITOR, I support Pt. R. Balbadar’s letter published in your pages on May 15, 2018 under the caption “An insult to Hindus and Muslims”. Pt. Balbadar’s position on Mr. Francis Carryl’s letter published on May 13 is a fair and just one to any person with an open and rational mind. Kaieteur News Editor’s note on the Pt. Balbadar’s letter is a misplaced one. The editor claims that nothing in Mr. Carryl’s letter sought the
convert, but a careful read of the letter points to the contrary. Mr. Carryl has written that he is addressing his letter to “every mother in every society” and he further pens “I beseech you, not to forget that you owe everything to our Blessed Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.” How can this not be an attempt to convert when “every mother” in “every society” is beseeched to accept that each owes her existence to the savior of Mr. Carryl’s
faith? And the editor in defending such a position notes that “the reader, like Pt. R. Balbadar, could have disregarded it”! I hasten to ask, is the editor saying to this multi-religious society that we are living in, that its pages will carry the religious sermon of a particular faith to the exclusion of all others and that those professing other faiths should “disregard” it? Best Regards, Pt. C. Nandalall
The predicament sparked by ... From page 4 egregious than the action of Dookie. One is dealing with liquor whilst the other with cocaine. De Hearte presently is acting as second in command in Berbice Division. Not a word concerning this posting. Again how about the charges agai n s t D e p u t y Supt Withwrite which are pending concerning his tryst with a woman on the seawall which saw him lose a Police Revolver? He is awaiting trial like the other two before the Police Service Commission. Where do you place him in the meantime? In a dog house too? He is presently posted to the Timehri Subdivision of "A"
Division. His wrongdoing saw the loss of a potent weapon into the hands of robbers. In the opinion of some, this may be the most egregious of the three! Again, not a word concerning this posting. Just a deafening silence. What does Felix have to say about this? I suppose then that the Acting Commissioner's placement of these three senior officers, conditioned on his predicament of losing so many senior officers on grounds of leave and retirement, and the nonpromotion of others in the recent past, is not without justification nor reasonableness.
That is why I write this letter of complaint that Ramnarine is being unfairly treated by your editorial and all those w h o s e e k , consequentially, to criticize him for this Dookie affair. As a former Commissioner in the PSC, I feel it duty bound to say that Stabroek News unjustified comment in that e d i t o r i a l m a y h a rm his chances, if it has not done so already. On almost every ground, I feel Ramnarine is presently more qualified than the others. He is the most senior Asst Commissioner by years ahead of all the others; and, he has been performing the functions of Commissioner for well over a year now. We must not allow Ramnarine's boastful antagonists on a nit-pick like this to have their way. This type of nit-pick of Ramnarine re Dookie and no criticism of nor nit-pick re De Hearte and Withwrite may have ethnic favouritism behind it. The Police Force will suffer far more with the wrong person appointed on such frivolous nit-picks. I have hope in the President's judgement. And wait with bated breath. It will define him. (Name and address supplied)
Friday May 18, 2018
There is a fuel racket at Bartica DEAR SIR, Greetings, and best wishes to you. I want to express my support for your newspaper for all the stories you have published about corruption in our country under both the PPP administration and the present government. You have now taken on a formidable opponent, ExxonMobil and my prayers and best wishes are with you because for the sake of our country you have put your company ahead of profits. I wish to engage your attention to another fuel racket that you have been covering and again, this is a massive
fraud and loss of revenue for our country. As peeping Tom said, if the government should just stamp out fuel smuggling it wouldn’t have to raise any taxes. Recently Atlantic Fuels operated by a prominent cricket board official rented a gas station in Bartica and started to sell fuel. I don’t know how the fuel is marked by the Guyana Energy Agency but it comes from the North West District. Mr Van West Charles who has a fuel import license covers this business and so it becomes legitimate. The fuel is sold at a very low price so that other legitimate license holders cannot
compete. The fuel is of questionable quality and it is sold also at BK quarries where bush trucks go and fuel up. This type of operation will bring massive losses to the government in tax collection and cause legitimate companies to fold. Your newspaper is the only voice that can help this situation. This is nothing other than smuggling and money laundering operations. I wish if you can investigate and publish this letter. I wish to remain anonymous because of the possible repercussion. Thank you. Concern citizen
A lesson shared by a doctor From page 5 patients that you mistreat, shout at or ignore, would u like it? Whilst some deaths are inevitable, a lot of deaths at public health institutions can be prevented if doctors or nurses diagnose correctly, and treat patients on time. We don’t expect you to play God but you can be a hero to someone whose life you save and an angel to their family. We are humans, we have feelings and we have a family that we want to go home to. I urge you doctors and nurses at public health institutions to remove the smear
of being rude and lackadaisical in your duties. Be kind to your patients; pay attention to their pains, if you can. Please do everything in your power to send home a healthy individual to their family and not in a coffin. We know your job is not an easy one but which job is easy? We put our lives in your hands because we trust you and believe that you will try everything to help us feel better. Dr. Devonish, thank you for sharing your experience, that is, your mom’s experience with us. Thank you for being a doctor who chooses to
make a change because of his personal experience. I am sorry your siblings and you grew up without your parents but I’m happy your aunt at the age of 22 took up the mantle to make you and the others persons of worth. Thank you for not being one who is scared of highlighting the shortcomings of the public health care system. Wherever your mom and brother are I’m sure they are proud of you. Doctor, I wish you all the best. Sincerely, Anna
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS... From page 5 present when judgement was delivered? Could Mr. Williams explain how, after judgement was delivered, he said to the Press that the AG was not a party to the proceedings? So even when judgement was delivered and it was published in the newspapers, he still did not know that the AG was party. 3. BK International Mr. Williams is quoted in the Press as saying that Mr. Nandlall had agreed to pay BK $225 million for service rendered. Could Mr. Williams make public any document
which supports this contention? This would go a far way in settling the public record because the PPP Government terminated the contract with BK International. As a result, BK International sued, challenging the termination. These are facts which cannot be disputed. The court proceedings are there to verify it. In fact, Williams admits this in the Press but claims that he filed an appeal in that case. Could Mr. Williams explain why, instead of prosecuting his appeal, he withdraws it and pays BK International
US$5.7 million US as compensation? 4. . Sugrim v NDIA Based on what is reported in the Press, this case was filed in June 2015, that is, after the PPP left Government. It concluded in 2017. Could Mr. Williams explain how he “inherited” this case from the PPP Government? I hope Mr. Williams will clarify the matters mentioned above as soon as possible. The public awaits with bated breath. Yours faithfully, Nandkumar Puran
New draft Local Content Policy seeks to temper expectations The authors of the second draft of Guyana’s Local Content and Value Addition Policy Framework have taken a special interest in tempering expectations for the coming oil and gas industry. Local content policies usually aim to set out guidelines to be observed by foreign companies operating in an economy. It is supposed to secure maximum benefits for citizens of a country. Guyana’s local content policy, formulated specifically to guide players in the oil industry, was supposed to be no different. In fact, the authors, including Trinidad’s Anthony Paul of Chatham House, stated in the policy that the intention is to secure benefits for Guyanese. However, there is little that states clearly how this is going to happen. Instead, much focus was placed on tempering expectations. The policy stated that while Guyanese naturally see the development and production of oil and gas providing opportunities for participation, “we are acutely aware of the realities of the situation in which we find ourselves”. First, the authors pointed out the very obvious, which is that the oil and natural gas industry in Guyana is in the embryonic stage of development. It was then stated that although the oil discovered thus far is very significant, development will take place during a period of low oil prices and global
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Business Minister (with responsibility for Local Content), Dominic Gaskin
Local Content Expert, Anthony Paul
oversupply of both the commodities and services required by the sector. The drafters also noted that Guyana is a small, developing country, in terms of human capital, technology base, services capability, infrastructure, facilities and equipment availability, international competitiveness of indigenous businesses and the size of the economy and capital markets. The fact that Guyanese have limited capability and experience in the oil and gas sector, including among those in the Diaspora, was also pointed out. The policy also states that many of the goods and services used by the sector are highly specialized, requiring very high levels of technology, innovation, investment capital and experienced specialists. The authors then registered the fact that the oil
and gas sector is a high risk business, involving very high levels of capital and technology and hazards that can put people, property and the environment at risk, therefore requiring high standards of performance by its participants to mitigate operational and business risks. The authors were keen to note that, “Relative to its potential economic impact, the petroleum industry does not directly generate large numbers of jobs, but of those created, many are of high quality, in terms of the competencies required/ developed and benefits to employees. That said, additional employment is created through the multiplier effects of the supply chain, the ability of other sectors to grow as a consequence of the enhanced supply chain and government revenue generated by the sector.”
Outsourcing of State cases…
AG Williams wants Police to question Anil Nandlall Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, has requested that the police investigate the outsourcing of several cases against the State by former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall The AG said Nandlall has to be questioned by the police as to how many matters he outsourced “because we cannot be discovering when judgments are made that these cases exist.” At a press conference on Wednesday, Williams indicated that lawyers to whom cases against the state were outsourced under the previous People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government may have to face charges for failing to hand over said cases to the AG’s Chambers. He said Nandlall failed to notify him about a number of these outsourced litigations during the official handing over in 2015. He questioned, “Why didn’t Mr. Nandlall hand over the cases that he has outsourced? Why didn’t he? If he didn’t hand over how can I go and look for cases?”
Former AG , Anil Nandlall The Attorney General said the Solicitor-General, her deputy and the lawyers working in the Chambers were unaware of the legal actions as well. After losing the $446M Dipcon Engineering Limited case in November 2017, AG Williams said letters were sent to several attorneys, asking whether they are working on cases outsourced by the former administration. Among the lawyers were
Ashton Chase, Roysdale Forde, Ashton Chase, Bernard De Santos, SC, Neil Boston, Ralph Ramkarran, SC, Nigel Hughes and Sase Gunraj. The High Court and Court of Appeal were also written to by the AG Chambers to provide a list of cases involving the AG. AG Williams said information on larger cases are not forthcoming, however, after the $1.7B judgment in the Toolsie Persaud case, Chase informed the Chambers of the judgment. That attorney has since provided information on smaller cases filed under the previous administration. AG Williams said there was no system in place at his office indicating which attorneys were dealing with matters involving the state and many of the cases were outsourced “without a trace.” “I believe that people need to start being charged now…anyone who continues to proceed with a case not handed over, I would take criminal action against them,” he warned.
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Amid transfer pricing scandal… “We’re not afraid of BP, Shell or BHP”- TT Minister tells Parliament
Derrick must bear full responsibility
- Minister Patterson on brother’s arrest in Grenada
O
E
nergy Minister of Trinidad and To bago, Franklin Khan recently noted that his country is not afraid of international energy companies. He said the Government had laid bare the issue of transfer pricing and, at current prices, TT was estimated to be hemorrhaging US $1.5 billion per year. “We laid it out bare because we eh ‘fraid nobody you know. We seek the interest of the people of Trinidad and Tobago. I will say here, without fear of contradiction, we not ‘fraid of no BP, no Shell, no BHP (Billiton) you know. We will be fair, we will be respectable because they are investors.” He was at the time contributing to a debate on Tuesday night on the Variation of Appropriation Bill in the TT Senate.Khan said the country was hurting the worst with transfer pricing and the real value of cargo was not being returned. He said TT only taxed at the well head, so energy companies could be getting $8 per MMBTU in Japan
Friday May 18, 2018
TT Energy Minister, Franklin Khan or in South Korea and declaring $1.80 back to the government. “This is obscene and this government would not sit idly by and allow this to happen.”Khan stressed the Government was not in any war with the energy companies as is shown by their in-
vestment profile in this country.He also spoke about the Dragon gas field deal with Venezuela, to develop the cross-border fields of LoranManatee and ManikinCocuina. “Let me just make the (Continued on page 9)
n Monday, Derrick Patterson, the brother of Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, was remanded in Grenada. A visitor there, he was accused of possession of cocaine. Patterson was nabbed by the Drug Squad after a total of 2.325 kg of Cocaine with a street value of $232,500 was found in his possession last week. The accused who is a Valuation Supervisor by profession, appeared before Chief Magistrate Tamara Gill at the St. George’s No. 1 Magistrate’s Court represented by Guyanese Attorney-at-law, Darshan Ramdhanny. Officers attached to the Drug Squad of the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) intercepted a vehicle driven by Patterson and travelling in the vicinity of Springs on May 2.The vehicle was searched and the drugs were found inside a plastic bag. Yesterday, Minister Patterson in a statement, expressed shock at the arrest and said that his family is deeply distressed. He said that his brother must take responsibility. Below is the full statement of Minister Patterson: In light of the arrest of my brother, Derrick Patterson in Grenada, I wish to make the following statement: Members of my family were shocked to learn of Derrick’s arrest. My mother, my sisters and I are deeply distressed and concerned and are anxious to learn the full details of this unpleasant development. Our position is that Derrick is a matured adult of 47
Brother: Derrick Patterson years and he must bear full responsibility for the consequences of his actions. Neither I nor any other member of my family can take responsibility for his own, deliberate actions. While we hold out hope that there may have been a mistake, he must face the consequences if he is found guilty in a court of law. We have no reason to believe that he will not be treated fairly by the Grenadian legal system. As a family, we will give him all support we legally can, but we will not condone any proven illegal conduct. I believe that every reasonable member of the public would understand our position. As a Minister of Government, I would like to assure the Guyanese public that I have not and will not attempt to influence the outcome of these serious allegations made against my brother in any way whatsoever. This is the principled position which I firmly embrace and ought to
Minister David Patterson be a lesson to many under a previous dispensation who, it is widely known, regularly interfered with the course of justice in matters involving their family members, friends and even acquaintances. To those who have already sought to exploit this matter to score political points I wish to advise that (Continued on page 29)
Two young people, a man and woman, met on the street yesterday. The woman turned to the man and asked “What time is the wedding?” The man obviously befuddled replied. “I do not know. What wedding are you referring to? The woman answered. “The Royal wedding on Saturday. What time will it be aired on television?” The man said, “I do not know. I did not even get invite” The Royal wedding is generating feverish excitement around the world with television audiences for this event estimated to top one billion. The interest in Guyana is also at fever-pitch with many Guyanese, particularly females, clearing their Saturday morning itineraries just so that they can view the wedding. The bride’s father is unable to make the wedding be-
cause of a reported heart operation. There are persons in Guyana who will not turn up for work just so that they can view the wedding on television. What accounts for the excitement over a wedding of the sixth in line to the British throne? It is not as if Prince Harry is ever going to become King or his wife Queen. Firstly, there is the fascination with the Royal Family. The English Royalty is a source of both amusement and fascination. The private lives of the Royals have been a constant source of news within the tabloids. Despite this, there is a mystique about the British royalty which attracts public interest. The British people are proud and protective of their monarchy. It is one of the institutions which still unites the country. A royal wedding is a spectacle which sheds favourable light on the Royal
family. The British people will be out in their numbers. Secondly, the excitement over this week’s Royal wedding has to do with toasting celebrity. The royal wedding is a celebrity event. A celebrity event is a talking point and people have their own fascination with celebrities. Thirdly, there is a touch of fairy tale about this royal wedding. A great many books have been written about Princes and Princesses going out into the world and finding love. In the past, royalty married mainly into royalty. Meghan Markle five hundred years ago would have had little chance of even meeting Prince Harry much less marrying him. But the world has changed and a non-royal marrying a royal has a ring of a fairytale. The public wants to believe that fairy tales do happen and this marriage, in the eyes of much of the public, is
“We’re not afraid of BP, Shell or ... From page 8 point that this is a commercial deal between the government of Venezuela and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago. It has absolutely nothing to do with the politics of Venezuela. It matters not to us who holds the rein of power in Venezuela. The deal is supposed to stand commercial scrutiny so that any administration installed in Venezuela could see the veracity of a deal like this. So we feel confident when the deal is signed that within a month it will stand the test of any administration who holds power and authority in Venezuela.” He also spoke about Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley’s meetings with the heads of BP and Shell in London last
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month. He said Rowley informed the heads that as private and multinational companies, they have a right of a fair return on investment. But as a sovereign state and owners of resources, this country has a sovereign right to extract fair economic rent for the resources. He said Rowley also pointed out that the two things were not mutually exclusive and could be worked out. “And despite all the naysayers and all the prophets of doom, both BP and Shell had agreed.” Khan reported, from the London meetings the parties would appoint empowered teams to proceed post-haste with these negotiations. He said the Government’s team, headed by him, and included
Ministry in the Ministry of Legal Affairs Stuart Young, National Gas Company president Mark Loquan, former finance minister Wendell Mottley, attorney Richard Beckles, energy advisers Richard Jeremie and Leroy Mayers and representatives from the law firm of White and Case. Khan said for far too long this country has signed agreements without international advice “and we are not going to that anymore.” He said the Opposition was calling for property tax to be abandoned with increased oil revenue and he described this view as “symptomatic” of the United National Congress. See link online: (http:// newsday.co.tt/2018/05/17/ khan-were-not-afraid-of-bpshell-or-bhp/)
a fairytale. Fourthly, there is the fascination with the institution of marriage. Marriage has always been seen as being the institution which ensures stability in families. The model family is still the nuclear family. Without marriage, the nuclear family would disappear. Marriage therefore has universal appeal, because it represents an investment in stable families. Fifthly, and finally, this royal wedding – as all royal weddings – is about fashion and business and tourism.
People are interested not just in the pomp and parade, but also the bridal dress and the various outfits which will be on display by the wedding party and guests. The media is hyping up this event because they know there is money to be made by them and by their sponsors. The televising of the wedding will bring a windfall of revenue to the major networks given the size of the audience which is expected to be just as big as the Super Bowl or the NBA finals. Businesses will make money by selling wedding
paraphernalia. And tourists will flock to Windsor just to be part of this event. In the meantime, Guyanese hoping to be part of the excitement are keeping their fingers crossed that GPL does not spoil their Saturday morning. It is not every weekend that a royal wedding takes place.
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CCPA, Station Sergeants meet on issue of child and family protection
Director of Childcare and Protection Agency, Ms Ann Greene and Acting Police Commissioner, Paul Williams at the Sensitisation session at Parc Rayne yesterday.
W
ith the aim to sensitise the members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) on issues that affect children and families, the Childcare and Protection Agency (CCPA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Protection held a two-day sensitisation session for Station Sergeants yesterday.
The session covers issues such as CCPA working with others to safeguard children; Child Protection and Sexual Offences Law; Domestic and Sexual Violence Reports; Gender Concept and stereotyping; Understanding Trafficking in Persons and Providing Victim Assistance. Apart from the CCPA, the Counter Trafficking in Per-
sons Unit, and the Gender Affairs Bureau will also be making presentations at the Session. “It is important that we call in all these units to speak on these issues,” said Director of CCPA Ms Ann Greene, since they were able to have the sergeants in one place at the same time for two days. In her opening remarks, Greene said that child abuse and assault on women are at an all-time high and as a result, there is a need for roundtable discussion by all stakeholders. She said that it is the aim to have the officers and CCPA come up with strategies that will see them working together to ensure the safety of children and families. “It is expected that when we’re done here in the two days we will have clear guidelines and [be] highly motivated and committed to developing the partnership, and doing our best to ensure children and family are protected,” Green added.
At the end of the two-day session, Greene said, Sergeants and the CCPA will work together to also come up with strategies to deal with domestic violence and child abuse in their division as first responders. Acting Police Commissioner Paul Williams said that he understood the importance of the session since members of the GPF are the ones who would be in receipt of the complaints of allegations if a child is being abused. “We have recognized that
despite the role there are challenges that we will face during the process of investigation and therefore it is important for partnership,” Williams said. In his remarks, Williams recalled that it was once the public’s perception that the police were not doing enough based on the outcome of some matters, he said that persons do not realise the challenges of the GPF. He said that there are times when the police would not get the cooperation of the
child or the parents, and there may also be other external factors that influence the child which may prevent the police from doing their work. He added that with the partnership with the CCPA, Social Protection and the GPF, things have changed drastically and “where our results are bearing fruits…that sends a message.” The session is being held for two days and will conclude tomorrow with sergeants receiving certificates for their participation.
Guyana’s crime threat at critical level - New U.S State Department report The United States (U.S) has assessed Guyana’s crime threat to be at a critical level while the Guyana Police Force (GPF) yesterday indicated a 7% decrease in serious crimes at the end of April 2018, relative to the same period last year. The 2018 Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) on Guyana’s Crime & Safety Report, released by the U.S State Department this week, showed that Guyana, with a population of just 750,000, has a general crime rate that “is above the U.S. national average.” It said that criminal activity continues to be a major issue, with serious
crimes, such as murder and armed robbery, being common. The report added that “criminals regularly use weapons, despite a rigorous licensing requirement to own firearms.” Handguns, knives, machetes, or cutlasses tend to be the weapons of choice, the report stated, adding that police officers have also been both victims and perpetrators of assaults and shootings. Statistics released by the GPF indicated that there has been a 26% decrease in murder; a 26% increase in robberies where no instruments were used; however, a 13% increase in robbery under arms where firearm were used.
Further, the police indicated that there was a 32% decrease in robbery under arms where instruments other than firearms were used; a 9% decrease in robbery with violence; a 39% decrease in robbery with aggravation; a 32% decrease in larceny from the Person; a 14% decrease in rape; a 17% increase in burglary and 7% decrease in break and enter and larceny. The US government has warned that hotel room breakins were reported to the U.S. Embassy by American citizens and warned travelers to use caution when opening their hotel room doors in Georgetown and to safeguard valuables left there. The U.S. State Department is also advising travelers against walking alone outside after dark in the city, even in the immediate vicinity of their hotels, and advised visitors to exchange currency only at legitimate exchanges at hotels or airports. The US, has identified drug trafficking as “a serious concern” and “the biggest challenge to law enforcement in Guyana.” The report stated that the GPF has limited resources and manpower to deter or respond to criminal activity. Focusing on the judicial system, the report said the court is strained by limited resources and often influenced by threats/ bribes while defendants linked to drug organizations often use attorneys who are effective in getting cases dismissed or postponed and as a result, criminals go free on a regular basis. The OSAC report added that corruption is widely perceived to be commonplace within many government agencies and police officers often are reportedly paid off by criminal elements and are alleged to work with criminals by either assisting or protecting them.
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Public needs to improve how it deals with blind folks - Society Reps. There are simple things that many people do not understand or even see as important when it comes to dealing with people who are blind or visually impaired. Moreover, Blindness Awareness Month was introduced in order to raise awareness about the issues that such persons face and how they can be corrected. Spearheading the observance throughout this month is the Guyana Society for the Blind situated at 46 High Street, Georgetown. President of the Society, Mr. Cecil Morris, during an interview with this publication said that moves towards raising awareness are particularly important, since there have been far too many instances that blind people are taken for granted. Morris, who himself is blind, related a number of instances when he was mistreated by others while trying to access various services in public places. “These are the things that we go about talking to people about so that they will be aware of the little things that could make life so much more comfortable for us,” said Mor-
The Guyana Society for the Blind building at High Street, Georgetown
ris. But this has not been the first year that Blindness Awareness Month has been observed in Guyana. When asked if there have been any improvements regarding the way society views persons with varying degrees of blindness, Morris said, “the work is an ongoing process, we have to continue doing it.” Morris disclosed that far too often, members of the public see persons who are blind as “sick people.” But he firmly asserted, “We are not sick, we are just blind. These
little points we want to get across to people, it might look very trivial to a lot of people, but these are serious issues for us.” Mirroring Morris’ view was Ms. Hazel Morris, a member of the Society’s board of management. Hazel Morris too has been blind for most of her life and has encountered some challenges along the way. She said, “I would like the public to see the person first and their disability after. We are people, it is just that we have eyes but cannot see. We are normal people just like anybody else
and we can do almost everything that a normal person can do.” As such, Hazel said that as part of the sensitisation efforts, the Society is calling on members of the public to show respect to people who are blind. She added too that not because persons are blind that they are always in need of as-
sistance. She moreover noted, “do not assume we want help, you can ask us nicely if we need help and we will tell you yes or no.” The month-long observance commenced with a Church Service on May 6, and has thus far included activities such as visits to the Unit of the Blind at Albert Street,
Alberttown, Georgetown. Other activities will include visiting schools and other organisations, including transportation services to conduct blind awareness sessions. This is particularly important, Morris said, because people need to be made aware of how they should treat persons with visual challenges on the roadways and in other places. “If you see a blind person and you want to help that person, you have to know how to relate to that person,” said Morris. Ganesh Singh, another member of the board of management and Coordinator of the Society’s CXC programme, is of the firm belief that once the public becomes accustomed to blind persons in society, they are likely to treat them better. As such, he noted that the Society has been encouraging persons in the blind community to become more integrated in society. A move in this direction, (Continued on page 26)
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Auditor General still to turn over GECOM fraud reports to DPP
As the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) prepares to hold Local Government Elections, cases involving allegations of procurement fraud at the entity still remain open more than two years after it was unearthed by auditors. More than two months have passed since Auditor General Deodat Sharma disclosed plans to prepare a file with the reports for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for consideration of criminal charges. Sharma has indicated that he is still in the process of completing the file. The GECOM Secretariat has been accused of deliberately overseeing a system of procurement irregularities involving hundreds of millions of dollars in purchases – from radios, to pliers and batteries, to toners. Audits were conducted at GECOM following the 2015 General Elections. The Auditor General’s office prepared three reports based on their investigations into the procurement of radios totalling $100M, the purchase of pliers and the procurement of ton-
Auditor General, Deodat Sharma ers. Following the investigations, Sharma submitted his findings to the seven-member commission with a recommendation that the reports be turned over to the police for further investigations. Sharma had provided GECOM with a time to prepare a response to the reports. This was not well received by the Chairman of GECOM, Justice James Patterson (ret’d) who challenged the Auditor to take the reports to the police.
Some of the radios at the centre of the controversial $100M purchase by GECOM In response, Sharma told Kaieteur News on March 7th he would send the reports to the DPP. Sharma and his team had descended on the GECOM office to investigate worrisome procurement practices at the entity that overlooks
general and local government elections. One of the activities for the 2015 general elections was the purchase of a number of communication radios. This particular report raised many unanswered questions. It was found that less than
90 percent of the radios were used, despite the strong reasons advanced by GECOM to the administration for the purchases. Some $100M was spent. It was found that the radios arrived too late to be deployed for the May 11, 2015 elections. The report found that on top of that purchase for the radios, which were all outdated, GECOM went ahead and bought 12 satellite phones for use, in case the
radios could not be put into operation. When Local Government Elections were held in 2016, the radios were still not used. Government believes that GECOM has received sufficient funding and should be ready to hold Local Government Elections (LGE) by midNovember. The entity has received direct funding from Government to the sum of $3.4B, which includes $500M from last year.
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CHPA unveils project for 8,000 homes on East Bank by 2021 Seven housing developers have been shortlisted by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) to meet the demand for housing units in Region Four. The public-private partnership (PPP) seeks to provide 8,000 low to moderate cost homes by 2021 to state employees, low-income earners and young people in the Greater and Little Diamond, Prospect area along the East Bank of Demerara, Minister within the Ministry of Communities Valerie AdamsYearwood said yesterday. The CHPA introduced the seven companies at a press briefing, at the Regency Hotel, Hadfield Street, Georgetown. Minister AdamsYearwood demanded highquality standards throughout
the project’s lifecycle. The Minister also stressed the need for structures of high quality and increased use of local materials in units’ construction. “The Public-Private Partnership … provides an avenue for you and others to become viable partners and to contribute to the development of the nation we all love,” Minister Adams-Yearwood told the company representatives. CHPA’s CEO, Lelon Saul, said the partnership allows for the government to meet the demand for housing units in a timely manner. Some 9,000 persons had indicated their preferences for housing units instead of lots at the CHPA’s 2017 housing expo. “Several benefits will be
derived; cost saving, risk sharing, technology and knowledge transfer, labour force expansion, among others,” Saul noted. The shortlisted companies were selected from Expressions of Interest published in 2016 by the CHPA. Reviews of the design layouts of the seven shortlisted companies are currently underway. Project Director, Omar Narine, noted the CHPA will likely go with all seven companies following the review. The developers will finance the developments to provide the housing units which are expected to cost between $4-10M. Minister AdamsYearwood added the initiative will be replicated in other regions.
Public needs to improve how... (From page 13) he said, will ensure that “blind persons are not a novelty, so that when people see a blind person they will not behave in an apprehensive way.” Currently there are about 150 individuals from across the country registered with the Society. However only about 70 are active in the Society, Singh said. He disclosed that moves are apace to refresh the Society’s registration during which additional people are likely to be included. Those who are desirous of being registered, Singh said, can do so by calling 226-4496, 231-7976 or visiting the Society’s office. “Once they come we will try to provide them counselling, the basic rehabilitation and guide them in the direction where they can get to the level where they believe that there is life after blindness, because there is life after blindness,” said Singh. The Society was established in 1951, but took up its current High Street location in 1956. The role of the society has over the years noticeably evolved, along with the way many blind persons operate. “During the 60s, 70s and 80s, it was accepted for persons who are blind and visu-
ally impaired to be working in sheltered employment. They used to make baskets, fibre mattresses and a few other things...they did these work and they were sold, and the proceeds went back to material cost and gave them a stipend,” Singh recalled. He however noted that “we have moved away from that because the demand for the products was not there by the early 90s, so that programme became obsolete.” But during the past 10 years, the Society was able to modify its objective with a focus on empowerment and rehabilitation for blind persons. “We are now empowering our blind and visually impaired persons with skills to go out and be a part of the mainstream labour market. So instead of having employment at the Society, we teach them and equip them with skills and knowledge,” said Singh. This has translated to the Society offering CXC programmes, computer training and other life skills. According to Singh, a functioning rehabilitation programme for persons who are blind and visually impaired is important to every country. With such a programme in place, he noted,
people who become blind can be taught independent living, since it is not an easy task to cope with blindness. Singh, who currently is in his 30s, developed blindness during his teenage years and he recalled that the process was difficult and sometimes very daunting. With an operational rehabilitation programme, Singh said that blind persons can learn at an early stage how to use a white cane to aid their mobility. But according to him, in order to have an efficient programme, “you need to employ rehabilitation assistants who can provide training, and to do that you must have money.” The lack of money, according to Singh, has caused the Society to be at a disadvantage to properly meet all of the needs of the blind persons within its membership. He however boasted of the CXC programme which has been sustainable since its inception a few years ago. This programme has been benefiting from the unwavering support of the Ministry of Education, according to Singh. But he opined that if more needed resources are made available, the Society would be eager to also have a sustainable computer programme and offer a Braille reading programme and other literacy programme to empower its members. “Because we get very little support financially...our subvention is very small from government, corporate Guyana has been doing their part, but there is only so much that we can do with the resources that we get. So we would like more resources to have a more sustainable strategic plan in terms of the implementation of programmes,” said Singh.
Kaieteur News
Friday May 18, 2018
Murdered teacher PI... Recordings of police interviews with accused shown in court
Matthew Munroe (left) and murdered teacher Kescia Branche Police witness, Rawle Nedd, who was assigned to video record several aspects of interviews between investigators and taxi driver, Matthew Munroe, who is before the court on a murder charge, yesterday began showing some of those recordings in court. Forty-seven-year-old Munroe, of Diamond Housing Scheme, was not required to plead to the indictable charge which alleged that on November 7, last, at Georgetown, he murdered school teacher Kescia Branche. The Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the murder is being conducted by Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. In one of the videos shown to the court yesterday, the accused was seen sitting in the Brickdam Police Station among some other prisoners. He was then escorted to a police van and taken to several locations where he had told investigators he was on the night Branche was
murdered. Nedd is expected to show the rest of the video recording today, when the matter is scheduled to continue. Munroe was detained after returning from an overseas vacation. He reportedly travelled “on vacation” to the US, around the same time that Branche was found unconscious in Louisa Row. Police impounded his vehicle, which had sustained damage, and had a missing bumper. Munroe reportedly told police that he had driven into a pothole on the East Coast of Demerara. The 22-year-old Branche was found badly battered on November 5, last. She succumbed at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation without regaining consciousness. A post mortem revealed that she succumbed to brain haemorrhage, caused by blunt trauma to the head. Munroe is being represented by Attorney-at-law Nigel Hughes.
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43 more Guyanese get home owner status - represents another donor-supported Food for the Poor Project The beneficiaries, donors and Food for the Poor officials following the inauguration of the new homes.
Some of the new homes.
F
ood for the Poor [Guyana] Inc. on Wednesday collaborated with the Central Housing and Planning Authority to inaugurate ‘Solus Christus’, a community development project consistin-represents another donor-supported Food for the Poor Projectg of 43 houses and a community centre in the Trafalgar/Union, West Coast Berbice, Region Five. But according to Chief
Executive Officer of Food for the Poor [Guyana], Mr. Kent Vincent, the realisation of the project came through the direct support of philanthropist, Mr. Charles ‘Chuck’ Stoner out of the United States. Vincent, during remarks Wednesday, said that without Stoner’s support “there would be nothing...Today Guyana is made even richer by the generosity of one man and his family.” But this is not the first
time that Stoner has given to Guyana with the hope of help the poor. According to Vincent, Stoner has been instrumental in building close to 200 homes and has even assisted with making available a water ambulance which currently serves the Pomeroon area. The water ambulance, he explained, is a boat that operates as an ambulance that transports the sick from the Pomeroon out to Charity.
Derrick must bear full ... From page 8 I will play no part in contributing to that effort. Their attempts are nothing more than an attempt to detract attention from the work this government has been doing to develop a prosperous Guyana. Having provided these assurances, I do not intend to provide a running commen-
tary on every development that follows in this matter or to respond to every attack from political detractors. The infrastructural challenges facing this country that this coalition government inherited are real and I intend to continue to focus my energies and attention on the job I have been doing for the past 3 years on behalf of
the people of Guyana - planning and building for the bright future awaiting them. Finally I wish to thank the many members of the public across Guyana, diaspora and the political divide who have reached out to me to personally offer me their support and solidarity at this sensitive time for my family and I.
This service was necessary, he noted, because, “in the past they would take hours just to get a sick person out...Imagine if a pregnant woman goes into labour she would she would deliver her baby on the river.” Stoner has given even more support including educational programmes as well as funding for feeding programmes and other areas. Speaking of the magnitude of the support from Stoner, Vincent said, “It always amazes me that persons like Mr. Stoner would not only
give of his hard earned income to the poor countries he may not have heard of or know too much of, and not only that, but to come and visit these countries, travel over land and over river to meet the poor people in far-flung regions.” Lauding the project and donor too Wednesday was Food for the Poor [Guyana] Inc.’s Chairman, Mr. Paul Chan- a-Sue who considered that the project will see in excess of 200 [43 adults and 173 children] individuals being provided with quality living
facilities. Even as he promised to visit the area later this year, Chan-a-Sue urged the new home owners to maintain their homes and do simple things such as planting trees and flower plants to help improve their surroundings. Representing the CH&PA was Mr Gladwin Charles, Director of Community Development, who also spoke glowing of the project and the donor support it has received to allow even more Guyanese to benefit from the security of their own home.
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WANT
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK;Guyanapassport application. G r a p h i c s design, advertisement. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. ICONIC MARKETING & PRINTING –TEL: 6004212: We create A/works, logos, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. (1) One Bobcat miniexcavator model#322. Contact: 5005923/676-8764 Eight (8) Pure bred German Shepherd pups. 6 weeks old. Location: La Grange WBD #616-4162 Live Meat Birds $165 per lb pluck chicken $220 (500 lb) $240 retail while stock last. #661-3657 One enclosed canter 3 ton wide base, Good condition $2.6M #604-0204/264-0041 (2) 1993 Toyota Hilux single cab pickup, 2 generator, 1 compressor #682-8424
SALON Make-up Courses with Mac, B a r e M i n e r a l s , etc.Cosmetology Courses: $90,000 Nail Technician Course: $35,000. Call: 647-1773/6880009
CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS FROM $4000 & UP, SUV’S PER DAY- CALL:643-5122/ 6 5 6 - 0 0 8 7 , ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM PROPERTY FOR SALE
EDUCATION Electronic course, Practical beginning 1st June. Learn to fix flat screen TV’s etc. Abdul Electronics. 225-0391/2266551 Jean offers courses in Dressmaking, curtains, floral, cake decoration, 153 Barr St Kitty Tel#670-2653/638-844 Care for the elderly, Care for children, First aid and CPR G/town 227-4881 Berbice 232-38789
Lot 15 Public road #2 Village. West Coast Berbice. 49ft by 10,314ft. $18M. Contact:6487109/686-4818 Transport property for sale, Eccles H/s EBD. Tel#616-9490 or 616-0499
WANTED
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620
Experienced Drivers,Cashiers, Roti/Puri cooks, Handyboys. Apply Hack’s Halaal with H/ written application 5 Commerce St.
Prime Office on Camp Street, next to Shell gas station #6447724/639-4499/622-9560.
Looking to buy a house or empty land, Preferences-EBD Public road. Buyer #1917-6225810/694-3331
Prime Business Place 1680 Sq Ft located at 36 Grove Public Road EBD. Contact No: 2662605/672-8017 To rent 2 bedroom apartment Middle road La-Penitence $50,000 monthly. Contact: 666-9534 (1) 3 bedroom house in Herstelling EBD furnish or unfurnished. Call Farah: 6848223 Newly built & painted. Two(2) bedroom apartment for rent Lot 6 Houston Back Street, EBD. Contact: #6216427 Prime land to build that dream home. Not far from Princess, New Thriving, Massy, HJ water world $13M neg- Call: 669-8397
Excavator operator to work with mining firm. Contact: 5005923/226-9768 Security personnel to work with a private security firm. Previous experience required. Contact: 500-5923/227-7528 Land to buy: Parafaite Harmonie, Farm, Eccles, Providence, Tuschen, Uitvlugt, Best price pay cash. Call: 666-2326 (1) Manager to work on farm in Pomeroon river, must have past farming experience. #5005923/226-9768
Parfaite Harmonie $1.5M $1.3M $2.5M Diamond $4.5M Eccles Front $6M Tuschen House $5.5M Uitvlugt $2.8M Call: 666-2326
1 ablebodied male clerk. Call: 231-2029/616-5954
Herstelling (110ft x 60ft) 2nd Bridge main road $6M Farm (East Bank) $2.8M Parfaite Harmonie $1.5M Tel# 6560701 Uivlugt (100ft x 50ft) with Reserve $2.4M Schnoord (100ftx50ft) with reserve $2.6M Herstelling $2M Tel#651-1969 2 acres of title land situated @ 1st St Garden of Eden EBD $6.5M Neg. Call Terrence #638-7836. email: Latchmanrich@gmail.com
Cook, Pastry maker. Apply @ Shanta’s 225 Camp St. Male Office clerk 30-55 years old, East Bank Preferable. Call: 226-1100 Male Security supervisor 3055 years old, must have driver’s license. Call: 629-9450 One Live-in domestic or a couple to work in Mahaicony river. #655-9419 One ½ day domestic #2256571 One driver, must be able to drive manual & automatic. Call: 621-1220, 683-7870. Grill King. Mandela Ave. 1 Pastry Maker. Apply to Pastry Maker Position P.O Box 101821, Georgetown
VEHICLE FOR SALE (1) 2006 Toyota Premio, Excellent condition, very low mileage. Call: 698-1134 One 2006 Suzuki Escudo $3.2M Negotiable. Contact: 626-7337
Malcolm Brown, a 30year-old unemployed resident of Belmont, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara, was yesterday charged for the murder of Mahaica vendor, Fareez Yassem. Magistrate Wanda Fortune read the indictable charge to Brown, which stated that he murdered Yassem, also of Belmont, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara, on May 14, 2018.
Murdered Vendor Fareez Yassem
(1) Diesel mechanic to work in interior, knowledge of Doosan excavator & Perkins/Duetz engine. #500-5923/226-9768
(2) Prime land (50x100ft) in Duncan street. Contact Pete’s Real Estate, Lot 2 George street. #223-6218/623-7805
Unfinished property for sale @ Eccles. Contact: 682-8236
TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 2257878 (24HRS)
One General domestic, must know to cook. Apply @ Keyfood, next door to Post Office, McDoom.
LAND FOR SALE
1 Flat 25x60 on Double Lot Neimes West Bank Dem $10M Neg #661-3657
Live and work in Canada in home caregiver programme. Contact: 227-4881 IAE- Register for CXC, full time evening & adult classes. Mathematics, English, Business & Science subjects #683-5742/621-7365
FOR RENT
Unemployed man charged for murder of Mahaica vendor
Wanted experience hire car drivers at Princess Ramada Hotel. Contact: 616-5419/2657076
VACANCY Experienced male sales attendant, stocktaking knowledge, computer literate, excellent service attitude, able bodied. Key Food McDoom Village. Vacancy @ Natural Beauty Salon & Spa for a experienced Nail Technician, if interested please call: 652-5800 Porters, Drivers & Office clerks @ Survival Lot 10 Bond. Tel# 227-7580/626-7726 Cashiers & Salesgirls apply to Nirva Supermarket; Persons who previously applied are asked to re-apply #227-5771 International Job Opprtunities for qualified teachers and nurses. Contact: 670-9207, 227-4881 Engineering consultant, send application to Buddy’s Rice Milling Complex Spooner/ Perth Mahaicony Branch Road ECD. Tel# (592)231-0136 Boat Captain- Certificate of Competence as Master of a power driven vessel. Call: 2261100,226-5380 Part time & full time security guards needed. Serious enquiries only. Age 30 and above. Gridlock Security. Tel# 673-6354 Experienced salesgirls with CXC qualifications & 5 yrs experience. Apply @ Christine’s Variety, Lombard St. Contact: 227-8529 Field supervisor to work in Georgetown, must have a motorcycle licence. Contact: 613-1946 or 227-1717
TOLET
Inventory clerk to work in Georgetown, experience in a work shop environment. Contact: 623-2274 or 227-1717
(1) bedroom apartment, living room and bathroom 294 Fourth field, Cummings Lodge. Call:222-0401, preferably UG students
Cashier (Shift work 7am-3pm & 3pm-11pm) submit application to: Shell Service Station Providence EBD/ Shellramsburg@gmail.com
Brown was not required to enter a plea and was remanded to prison until June 8. The charges brought against Brown stem from Yassem being found dead in his yard, in the wee hours of Monday last, with multiple stab wounds to the body. Yassem’s wife claimed that her husband woke up to noises coming from a bond that was adjoined to their house, around 01:45hrs, and went to investigate. There was a scuffle with someone, since Yassem could be heard shouting ‘thief’, while sounds of a commotion came from the direction where Yassem was. There was a deafening silence shortly after. When neighbours and Yassem’s family ventured out, they found him in a drain covered in blood. He appeared to have been stabbed multiple times. A slippers and a bicycle were found at the scene of the crime, and police were reportedly able to move on Brown after individuals positively identified the bicycle and slippers to be his. Yassem who was a vendor at the Mahaica Market, and was referred to as a hustler by neighbours, leaves to mourn a wife and three kids.
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Troubled $1B-plus Kato Secondary to now open in September The Kato Secondary School, located in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) will be opened for the new school year beginning in September 2018. Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry made this pronouncement yesterday as she visited the school along with Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton. Also accompanying the ministers were senior officers within the Ministry of Education, representatives from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, the Audit Office, Kares Engineering, the firm contracted to build the school, Vikab Guyana Limited, the consultancy firm that overlooked the completion of the remedial works to the building, the Regional Education Office and the Regional Democratic Council. According to a Government statement, the highlevel team toured the entire school complex to inspect the state of readiness and to highlight what additional works need to be done in or-
The high-level team discussing what changes took place during the remedial works phase
der to ensure that the school is ready for a September 2018 opening. The school’s opening has been delayed for almost three years now over shoddy work with the contractor, Kares Engineering, coming under fire for its work.
The project was started under the previous administration and expected to be a major improvement for Region Eight education. However, the delays were many. Yesterday, the statement said that particular emphasis was placed on the school’s
dormitory which in the past was flagged for a number of structural defects. However, with the remedial works being completed, those pressing issues have been solved. According to Minister Norton, it is important that the
school is completed now. He assured the Toshao of Kato, Clifton Perreira that the APNU+AFC Administration is doing everything that is possible to achieve the September 2018 opening. Minister Norton also expressed his happiness that his
colleague Minister Henry visited the school along with her officers from the Ministry of Education to understand the situation. Minister Henry stated that the visit allowed her the opportunity to recognise some of the areas that may not have been given attention, which from a policy directive, ought to have been considered. However, she said that such matters will be addressed following some introspection within the Ministry of Education. Toshao Perreira thanked the team for visiting the school and expressed gratitude for the commitment given to have the school opened for the new school year. The Kato Secondary School was completed three years ago but was never commissioned since investigations revealed a number of structural defects which needed to be remedied before students and teachers could occupy the building. It includes dormitories, among other things.
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Premier League payments
Manchester United receive more than Manchester City Manchester United earned slightly more money than champions Manchester City from the Premier League last season, despite City’s recordbreaking campaign. United, who finished second, received £149.77m, £328,491 more than City. United were paid more because two more of their matches were shown live in the UK - which meant their facilities fee was £2.26m higher. In total Premier League clubs received £2.42bn, £2.1m more than last season. Jose Mourinho’s United were shown live on UK tele-
vision 28 times this season, the same number as Liverpool and Arsenal, with City screened 26 times. A club’s total payment is made up of UK broadcast revenue - of which 50% is shared equally between clubs, 25% is shared based on the number of live UK television matches, and 25% is based on league position - central commercial revenues and international broadcasting revenues. City received £38.63m for winning the league, £1.93m more than second-placed United.
Nadal, Djokovic... From page 35 this year. Djokovic, back after a troublesome elbow injury, showed flashes of his formidable best as he beat Spain’s Albert RamosVinolas 6-1 7-5 and will meet Japan’s Kei Nishikori in the next round. Nishikori, who like Djokovic is trying to come back from injury, was in complete control against Philipp Kohlschreiber, defeating the German 6-1 6-2. Defending champion Alexander Zverev scraped past Britain’s Kyle Edmund 7-5 7-6(11) after squandering seven match points, and claimed an 11th consecutive victory that set up a quarter-final clash with ninth seed David Goffin. Belgian Goffin was leading 6-2 4-5 against fifth seed Juan Martin del Potro when
the Argentine was forced to retire with what appeared to be a groin injury that throws his participation at the French Open into doubt. The Paris major begins on May 27. ” I was worried so I decided to stop the game at the end of the second set to see the doctor and see what they say,” Del Potro said. “I will do all of the exams now and then I will try to make a good decision for the future.” Fourth seed Marin Cilic displayed plenty of patience during his 6-3 6-4 win over Frenchman Benoit Paire. The Croatian dropped his serve early in the second set, but stayed calm, controlling play from the baseline and picking his moments to turn up the heat. Cilic will face Pablo Carreno Busta for a place in the semi-finals.
BCB to... Friday May 18, 2018 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You might have some strong hesitations during the day, Aries. You may have to cover up the truth or, on the contrary, say it out loud.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Overall, the climate is tense at work and at home, Libra. You'll sense a feeling of restlessness and a longing for change
TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) There are moments when your powers of clear thinking reveal the tremendous amount of maturity that you have, Taurus. You aren't usually a dreamer
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You can interpret the day ahead as an open-ended question about you, Scorpio. You may have noticed certain physical or psychological aspects of yourself that make you uncomfortable.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You may have felt somewhat frustrated in your initiatives over the past few days, Gemini. Either outside obstacles, such as events that caused delays, or inner restraints CANCER(June21–July22) It will be a stimulating day for you, Cancer! You'll feel great and have no trouble channeling all your energy into your activities. But don't be surprised if you encounter some resistance. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Be careful not to lose your temper today, Leo. You're chomping at the bit these days, although your daring nature has been reined in by financial and professional constraints. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Today time will stop and might even seem to go backward, Virgo. Use this pause to reflect on your motivations. The clues from the Zodiac seem to suggest that you're currently settling questions that concern the fate of another person
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Sometimes people might reproach you for being less than tactful in relationships, Sagittarius. However, today's planetary energies are going to help you be more sensitive. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) You have an unusual gift for making a situation seem less dramatic, Capricorn. Today, you'll witness crises of all kinds. You will be the one who reassures people AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Dare to express your ideas without fear of ridicule. This is what the planetary configuration has to say to you today, Aquarius. And this is exactly what you need to hear PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) If you've always felt the desire to write, now is the time to take the plunge, Pisces. You certainly don't lack the imagination! Your problem may be that you have difficulty taking your prose seriously.
From page 39 May 26 next.Level III Cricket Coach, Winston Smith is the facilitator and would be assisted by Tremayne Smartt, Balram Samaroo and Andre Percival. The activity is being sponsored by overseas based Guyanese Brian Ramphal. Foster stated that the main objectives are to have a pool of coaches in Berbice to prepare persons to sit the CWI Level I Coaching Programme and to make sure that every First Division Team in Berbice has players capable of serving as Coaches. Each successful Coach would receive a Certificate of Participation.
Beacons and... From page 40 Potaro Strikers to handle as they romped to a comfortable 3-1 triumph. Rivers View got their account off in the 34th minute when they were gifted an own goal by Potaro Strikers. Omerio Lake doubled the advantage three minutes later for Rivers View. Malcolm Angustus pulled one back for Porato in the 51st minute to halve the lead but the two goal cushion was restored for Rivers View when Andrew Simmons found the back of the nets in the 68th minute. Mil Ballers will oppose Strikers FC today from 16:00hrs in a Group A fixture while a double header is fixed for tomorrow. From 14:00hrs Mil Ballers will match skills with Wolves United in Group A while from 16:00hrs, Lazio oppose Rivers View.
Ostapenko ousts Konta in Rome and will now meet... From page 35 6-2 7-6(3) for her second defeat by the Estonian in as many weeks after losing to her in Madrid. Madison Keys withdrew from her match with top seed Simona Halep with a rib injury. The walkover means the Romanian will retain the number one ranking if she progresses further in Rome than Dane Caroline Wozniacki. U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens was also knocked out after making an abysmal start against Caroline Garcia. A listless Stephens won a single game
en route to surrendering the first set and though she fought back in the second, Garcia’s greater comfort level on clay saw her through 6-1 7-6(7). Defending champion Elina Svitolina bounced back from a first-set bagel to beat Russia’s Daria Kasatkina 0-6 6-3 6-2 and will meet Angelique Kerber, who brushed aside Maria Sakkari 6-1 6-1. World number two Wozniacki was pushed to three sets by Anastasija Sevastova, but prevailed 62 5-7 6-3 in the day’s last match.
Friday May 18, 2018
Aruba set to evolve with onset of Nations League: Oehlers
Aruba, pictured here at right playing against Barbados three years ago, are anticipating their outing in the Nations League. Oranjestad, Aruba, CMC – Holland-based defender Leroy Oehlers believes the CONCACAF Nations League Qualifiers will help Aruba evolve into a stronger national side. The Dutch side are currently ranked 182nd in the current FIFA World rankings but will be looking to improve on this standing in the inaugural Nations League which kicks off in November, and will see an increased playing schedule for the minnows. ”I think Aruba will benefit a lot [from the CNL],” said the 25-year-old Oehlers who represents SV Huizen. ”Football is evolving in Aruba, it is getting bigger and bigger. The national team is getting stronger but football in general is getting bigger
also. The national team is making big steps and in the future I think Aruba will be an island that plays with the bigger countries.” Aruba have made small steps in recent times and were good enough to reach the second round of the recent 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign. They beat Barbados in the opening round in home-and-away legs but then bowed out to St Vincent and the Grenadines in the third round, despite winning the second leg 2-1 at home. Oehlers contended that the upcoming tournament was an ideal opportunity for Aruba to display the progress they had made. “The national team is getting more serious than before. A lot of good players are sent
in and are playing for their island,” said Oehlers, who has been capped 11 times. ”The step we have to make is to evolve as a team, to train with each other and play games so that we can fine-tune the specifics. We have great potential – now is the time to show it.” Aruba open their campaign against Bermuda before facing Guadeloupe, Montserrat and St Lucia in the remaining match days, and Oehlers has backed his side to perform. “I think these opponents are a good start to measure ourselves,” he pointed out.”Every time we play with each other we are learning and getting better. Aruba can do great things – now is the time to show it. We will be ready for these games.”
Nadal, Djokovic romp into Rome quarter – finals
Reuters - Rafa Nadal swept into the quarter-finals of the Italian Open on Thursday with a ruthless 6-4 6-1 victory over Canadian teenager Denis Shapovalov. The top seed, who will reclaim the world number one ranking from Roger Federer if he wins his eighth title in Rome, turned in a near-flawless performance, losing only five service points as he honed in on victory in an hour and 22 minutes. ”It was a solid match for me,” Nadal said. “I started with some mistakes on the return but with my serve, I didn’t lose many points.” The Spaniard will resume his quest for his first title in Rome in five years against Italian Fabio Fognini. Fognini battled hard to reach the quarters, coming from 2-4 down in the opening set to beat
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Rafael Nadal. REUTERS/Max Rossi German Peter Gojowczyk 6-4 6-4. Former world number one
Novak Djokovic is also in the quarter-finals for the first time (Continued on page 34)
Mathews, Lakmal fit for West Indies Tests ESPNcricinfo - Sri Lanka will have two of their senior players Angelo Mathews and Suranga Lakmal fit and available for the Test series in West Indies in June. Both players had been named in the travelling squad, but the selectors were concerned with their match fitness. However, following an eight-day training camp, SLC now believe both players will be ready for the first Test in Port of Spain from June 6. Mathews last played for Sri Lanka in an ODI against Zimbabwe in Dhaka in January, where he aggravated a recurring hamstring problem. That resulted in him missing the remainder of the Bangladesh tour as well the Nidahas Trophy in March, before returning to domestic action last month. Lakmal, meanwhile, has been in and out of the side in recent times, either through injuries or due to selectors managing his workload. The 31 year-old fast bowlerwas rested for most of the Nidahas Trophy, after which a side strain ruled him out of last month’s Super Provincial four-day tournament. He has since returned for the Super
Angelo Mathews celebrates his eighth Test hundred AFP Provincial Limited Overs matches. Lakmal’s return strengthens a depleted Sri Lankan fast bowling line-up, with Lahiru Gamage, Lahiru Kumara, and the uncapped pair of Asitha Fernando and Kasun Rajitha the only other quicks on tour. Mathews may have been expected to share in the workload but SLC confirmed to ESPNcricinfo that 30 yearold will only be used in his
capacity as a batsman, while Lakmal’s workload too will be managed on a game by game basis. ”Mathews will not be bowling, while Lakmal’s inclusion [in the third Test] will depend on how much he bowls in the first two games,” said Chief selector Graeme Labrooy. “That however depends on the selection committee on tour, and how much of a workload he undertakes.”
Ostapenko ousts Konta in Rome and will now meet Sharapova clash Reuters - French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko ruined Johanna Konta’s birthday celebrations at the Italian Open on Sunday by coming from a set down to beat the Briton 2-6 6-3 6-4 and book her place in the quarter-finals. The Latvian started poorly, struggling to get her first serves in and making 28 unforced errors in all, but her fearlessness and aggression made the difference as the match wore on. Konta played with courage and intelligence on her 27th birthday, coming forward frequently to try and take time away from her opponent on the slower clay surface. The strategy worked until Ostapenko stitched together three winners to break Konta’s serve for the first time in the second set. Her nerves steadied, the Latvian began finding the lines with her shots and though Konta soldiered on gamely she had no answer to the sheer variety of winners, 36 in all, that flew past her. Next up for the 20-year-old is an intriguing clash with Maria Sharapova, a threetime winner in Rome. The Russian, who struck 38 winners
Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko. REUTERS/Max Rossi
of her own during her 6-3 6-4 win over Australian Daria Gavrilova, will hope she can cut down on the 32 unforced errors she made to survive her first meeting with Ostapenko. ”I’ve seen quite a bit,” said Sharapova of her quarter-final opponent. “There’s something that really comes
out from her on this surface, which she’s able to do really well.” The United States endured a dreadful day, with all three players who made the last-16 exiting. Eighth seed Venus Williams fell to Anett Kontaveit (Continued on page 34)
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Williamson special in vain as de Villiers, Moeen keep RCB alive ESPNcricinfo - Kane Williamson’s rousing 81 off 42 balls - his eighth fifty-plus score in IPL 2018 - threatened to bring Royal Challengers Bangalore’s campaign to a screeching halt, but Mohammed Siraj defended 19 off the last over, which also included the wicket of the Sunrisers captain, to keep his team alive. Facing an IPL record chase of 219 at the venue of their title triumph two years ago, Sunrisers slipped to 64 for 2 in eight overs. Williamson then manipulated the fields and the bowlers expertly to bring Sunrisers to within touching distance of a magical win. With Sunrisers needing 20 off the last over, he jumped across off stump and scooped Siraj’s first ball straight into the lap of Colin de Grandhomme at the edge of the fine leg boundary. Siraj did not quite nail his lengths but got away with four runs and a leg bye off the last five balls. Earlier in the evening, AB de Villiers had also manipulated the fielders and bowlers expertly along with Moeen Ali in a 107-run stand off 57 balls, which formed the centerpiece of RCB’s 218 for 6. De Villiers then hit the high notes when he leapt high to pull off a onehanded stunner at deep midwicket. Understandably, he was Player of the match. Hit-or-miss Powerplay -
Kane Williamson ©BCCI
Parthiv Patel was reprieved first ball at cover by Deepak Hooda, but he added just one before top-edging Sandeep Sharma to fine leg. Virat Kohli began with a straight drive for four off Sandeep and swatted Rashid Khan to the midwicket boundary, before being bowled attempting a slog sweep off a googly. RCB were 44 for 2, in six overs, of which de Villiers had made 29. The super hero and his side kick - De Villiers found his groove right away when he jumped outside leg, created swinging room, and cut his first ball that was only fractionally short to the right of backward point. It was a
portent for how things would unfold. De Villiers slog-swept Shakib Al Hasan to the midwicket boundary and then hit back-to-back fours off Siddarth Kaul, the second of which brought him a 32-ball fifty. It wasn’t a one-man show, however. Moeen introduced his big hits and crisp timing to the IPL after warming the bench for more than threequarters of the season. Both batsmen launched into Thampi - they took 36 off 12 balls - but it was the lefthanded Moeen who was more comfortable against Rashid. He forayed down the track against a Rashid wrong’un
and hoisted the ball over the long-off boundary before belting a legbreak over his head. There were some mis-hits, too, which cleared the boundary as RCB moved to 144 for 2 in 14 overs. Against the run of play, however, the set pair fell to Rashid in the next over. De Grandhomme smashes ‘em - The last time these two teams met in Hyderabad, De Grandhomme showed signs of his power with 33 off 29 balls. He showed his entire range on Thursday and peppered the short boundaries at Chinnaswamy Stadium with four sixes. Not even the slower cutter was safe against him. When Thampi floated one
wide outside off at 97ks, de Grandhomme reached out for the ball and scythed it flat and hard over cover. Thampi ended up conceding 70 runs in four overs - the worst figures in the IPL. It took a blinding one-handed catch from Rashid to dismiss the New Zealand allrounder, but by then RCB had motored past 200. Sarfraaz Khan also did his bit with an unbeaten 22 off 8 balls as RCB pillaged 69 off the last five overs. Hales lives on the edge Alex Hales was on 19 when he pulled Umesh Yadav flat and hard to deep square leg, where Southee dived forward and wrapped his fingers underneath the ball to claim an excellent a low catch. The soft signal was out, but TV umpire C Shamshuddin somehow ruled it not out. After adding four runs, Hales drilled Mohammed Siraj towards mid-on, where Kohli threw himself to his left but dropped the difficult catch. RCB then needed de Villiers to pluck a catch out of thin air to get rid of Hales. When the opener swatted one over midwicket, the ball seemed destined to sail over the boundary until leapt to his right, stretched out his right hand and came away with the ball. All of this done with the balance of a tightrope walker. Yuzvendra Chahal had taken a more straightforward return catch to dismiss Dhawan for
18 off 15 balls. Another Williamson special - The highlight of Williamson’s stellar run this season has been game awareness. That came to the fore when he cranked up the tempo and struck five boundaries in six balls after Hales’ dismissal. The pick of the boundaries was a perfectly paced shovel-flick between wide long-on and midwicket. Just like that, Williamson raised a fifty off 28 balls. By then, Manish Pandey was going at less than a run-a-ball. The reintroduction of de Grandhomme in the 15th over provided him the release. From 6 off 12 balls, he went to 21 off 16 balls with two fours and a six. Pandey then glanced Chahal past short fine leg in the next over to help narrow the equation to 55 off 24 balls. An over full of wide yorkers from Tim Southee left Sunrisers needing 49 off 18 balls. With Williamson in imperious form, they were in with a good chance, but then he faced only eight balls in the last five overs before his dismissal and Pandey could not find his timing in the end. Royal Challengers Bangalore 218 for 6 (De Villiers 69, Moeen 65, Rashid 3-27) beat Sunrisers Hyderabad 204 for 3 (Williamson 81, Pandey 62*, Chahal 1-28) by 14 runs
Preparation key to T20 World Cup title defence: Browne St John’s Antigua, CMC – Chairman of West Indies selectors, Courtney Browne, believes the regional women’s side are good enough to defend their title and win the Women’s Twenty20 World Cup for a second time. Browne made this assertion as the players continued their preparation camp here for the global event, to be played in the Caribbean from November 2-25. Several key players, including talismanic skipper Stafanie Taylor, ace spinner Anisa Mohammed, along with opener Hayley Matthews and wicketkeeper Merissa Aguilleira, will be together for six months in the build-up to the tournament. The official tournament matches will be played at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground in Antigua, Darren Sammy Stadium in St Lucia and the National Stadium at Providence in Guyana. Under the captaincy of the dynamic Stafanie Taylor, the Windies won the last T20 World Cup in India two years ago, to lift their first major in-
ternational title. The triumph came on the same day the men’s team, under Sammy, won the corresponding title. ”We have a great team here preparing and I know they will do very well,” Browne said. “There’s a bit of time to go before the tournament, and it’s an example, forwardthinking idea from Cricket West Indies to get them into camp and get the preparation right. We want to peak at the right time and that time will be in November.” He continued: “On any given day, any team can win. We have to do the right things and prepare the team properly and thoroughly to ensure we get the right amount of work to improve our skill and our overall preparation. ”It is an important year for women’s cricket. We didn’t have a good year last year. We had a few good moments and a good series (at home against Sri Lanka).” Browne said women’s cricket was on a rapid rise globally and this year’s world event should
provide a true reflection of the quality of play. He added that the upcoming Cricket West Indies T20 Blaze and Super50 tournaments in Jamaica in June would give the Windies selectors a further gauge of regional talent. “This camp is critical. We want to start to look like the team that won last World T20,” Browne pointed out. ”We will be defending that title here in the Caribbean and our women will be quite familiar with the conditions. The things we all have to be mindful of is that women’s cricket across the world has really become consistent and we are seeing a much-improved brand of cricket, so we have to keep pace and remain among the top teams. ”The tournament in Jamaica is another key tournament. We are looking to draw from the regional tournament. We expect all players to showcase their talent and put themselves in line for selection for the second portion of the camp and the world tournament.”
Coach Roddy Estwick takes members of the Windies Women bowling attack through their paces in the nets. (Photo courtesy CWI Media)
Friday May 18, 2018
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Persons with Disabilities GABF names male and female brave rain for Day of Sports CBC Championships - Suriname
squads for next month’s action
In preparation for the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Championships, set for Suriname from June 1530, next, the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) has shortlisted female and male players for participation in the flagship basketball event for the Caribbean Region. On the female side, the federation is focusing on the development of their young players and will use their participation at these championships as an opportunity for exposure to the game at the highest level in the region. The women squad has one overseas based player in Mariam McKenzie and the following Guyana based players, namely: Kennesha Leacock, Tandika Bouyea, Annalisa B a r c l a y, J a d e M o h a n , Saffiya Greene, Jenelle B e l l e , Ly d y a R o b e r t s , Kelian Sauers, Roshelle Campbell, Makeida Rogers, Caron Bobb-Semple, Jahrier Young, Nia Wilson, Sonia Rodney, Ginelle Ifill, Cliffanna Hunter, Aypdele R o a c h e , J a m a c i a B l a i r, Ashley Khan, Ruth Sanmogan, Demelza Nicholas, Kesann Charles, Shania
Sears, Tamara Hunter and Annaliza Barker. The men squad will include a number of overseas based players, led by Gordon James, Shawn James, Delroy James, Anthony Moe, Ray Victor, Kevin Mickle, Kevon Wiggins, Richard Mohandatt, Nikon McGregor and Juan Nicholson. The Guyana based stars called for trials are: Shane Webster, Timothy Thompson, Shelroy Thomas, Stanton Rose, Harold Adams, Orlando Glasgow, Terron Welch, Chris Williams, Travis Burnett, Dominique Vincente, Nathan Saul, Dave Causeway, Travis Belgrave, Akeem Crandon, Nikkoloi Smith, Domair Gladstone and Curt English. Daily practice sessions for the women squad commences this Sunday from 19:00hrs while the men will begin training on the same day from 20:00hrs, both at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH). Departure date for the women’s team is June 15, with game dates June 17-21, and return date of June 22. For the Men, Departure date is June 22, with game dates being June 24-30, and return date,
July 1. The Guyanese women are in Group B, with Suriname, Barbados and the Dominican Republic. While Group A includes: Bahamas, Cuba and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The men fall in Group A with Suriname, Saint Lucia, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines; while Group B comprises of Barbados, Bermuda, Antigua & Barbuda, Haiti and Monserrat. Guyana is investing heavily in the CBC Championship with the expectation that men’s team will win the Male Championship for the first time; and the GABF is confident that they will succeed in this venture. Guyana’s women won the Caribbean Basketball Championships in Trinidad in 1996. The coaching and management panel for the women includes Lugard Mohan, Ann Gordon and Troy Greene while the coaching and management staff for the men will comprise Willon Cameron, Junior Hercules, Kenny Avent and Jim Carr; Assistant Coach at University of Rhode Island. Jonas Anastal is the Physical Conditioner and Physiotherapist for both teams.
Some of the action at the National Park Yesterday Defying the weather, Guyanese of all ages with disabilities were given the opportunity yesterday to participate in friendly competition at the National Park Tarmac. This is the third consecutive year the Day of Sports has been hosted by the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre. This year PRRC collaborated with the Rehabilitation Department of the Palms Geriatric Home where amputees engaged in competition with persons who suffered a stroke. Planning for the eight
sporting activities began in January with the aim of improving the participants’ socialisation and physical capabilities. One of the oordinators, Va n e s s a Wi c k h a m e x plained, “Ultimately, the goal is to get these persons into society before they would have suffered an amputation or stroke. So, when they participate in a race they can realise their physical capabilities and this will motivate them, boost their confidence and
self-esteem.” An Occupational Therapist at the Palms Geriatric Home, Deorani Baboolall noted the sporting event will raise awareness of the programmes available at the two institutions. The day was filled with wheelchair races, shot put, assisted device races, lime and spoon races, cup stacking, dominoes and buns eating competitions. Sponsorship for the event was provided by Food for the Poor and Banks DIH. (Zanneel Williams)
Guyana stands one of its best chances to win Regional U-17 title this year By Zaheer Mohamed The Regional U17 cricket championship is the only one that has eluded Guyana at the age group level and while Guyana has won the U15 and U19 tournaments which they have won for the past four years. The closest they have come to in winning the U17 tournament was in 2016 when Guyana placed second when a powerful Guyana team which was led by Bhaskar Yadram and included the likes of Joshua Persaud, Ashmead Nedd and Sachin Singh, had their final game against the host nation Trinidad and Tobago rained out; the Guyanese played unbeaten in that tournament and a win in the final game would have guaranteed them the title. Quite a number of players who came through the junior ranks have made great strides in their careers over a short span of time. One name that readily comes to mind is Essequibian Keemo Paul, Guyana’s latest West Indies recruit. Paul’s dedication and determination coupled with his calm character has done his talent justice. Among the other players who have done well so far are
Sherfane Rutherford, Shimron Hetmyer, Raymond Perez and Ronaldo Alimohamed. The Guyana Cricket Board has decided to include the U17 players in their U19 Inter County tournament to aid in their preparation for regional assignments. This also helps to give the selectors a closer look at the pool of players. In 2018, the U17 lads ended runner-up in the one-day tournament, losing to Berbice in the final at Providence. Nevertheless they have shown that have what it takes to excel at the regional level. In the three-day version of the U19 tournament, the U17 players showed grit and determination, and even though D e m e r a r a ’s s k i p p e r B h a s k a r Yadram chalked up 301 not out against them, they never showed any signs of frustration and responded positively when they took to the crease. One of the positives is the batting of Yougister Persaud who ended unbeaten on 90; he has batted with a high level maturity for his age. The team played well throughout the tournament and the selectors had a decent look
Dwayne Dick
Sachin Singh
at the players and one should expect little surprises when the final touring party in announced. Sachin Singh, in his third year at this level is highly favoured to be named Captain. Singh is one of the leading batsmen in the team and his level-headedness backed up with his ability to motivate his players will serve the newcomers well overseas. Singh can rely on the dependable Dwayne Dick who should be named his deputy. Dick represented Demerara at this year’s inter county U19 tournament and
grabbed a 5-wicket haul in his very first game. His ability with the bat makes him a genuine all-rounder-one of the good qualities of this young-
40
ster is he tends to adapt well when under pressure. Seon Glasgow should be another automatic pick; he is another genuine all-rounder and so is Andre Seepersaud. These two players were outstanding in the U19 competition. Marvan Prashad and Mavindra Dindyal who struck 98 against Barbados in the regional U15 final along with Leon Swami form a decent batting line up. Spinner Nigel Deodat, Niran Bissu, pacers Sheldon Charles and Gevon Schults are capable enough to restrict opposition batting. Probable squad: Sachin Singh (Capt.), Seon Glasgow, Andre Seepersaud, Dwayne Dick, Leon Swami, Nigel Deodat, Marvan Prashad, Sheldon Charles, Lance Roberts/Mavindra Dindyal, Silvan Williams, Gevon Schultz, Niran Bissu, Yeudistir Persaud and Ameer Singh.
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ExxonMobil sponsors Under-14 boys and girl’s football tournaments Oil giant ExxonMobil has signed on with the Petra Organisation for the hosting of its first Under-14 boys and girls tournament next month. The company announced its entry into the football fraternity during the launch which was held at Cara Lodge on Quamina Street, yesterday. According to the Senior Director of Public and Government Affairs, Kimberly Brassington, “We do look for opportunities where we can make a difference and supporting the kids is one way we can do that, especially through sports, so we are really looking forward to the tournament.” Bryan Joseph, Youth Development Officer (YDO) at the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) indicated that they are willing to provide support for the tournament in the form of Coaches for the schools. He added that the tournament falls in line with the G F F ’s m a n d a t e f o r t h e sport’s development at the youth level, and he noted that, “This particular tournament is going to serve as a really good platform for some bigger things that we have happening in the year.”
Petra Organisation Co-Director Troy Mendonca (3rd left) collects the sponsorship cheque from ExxonMobil’s Kimberly Brassington. Also in photo, Petra’s Jacquline Boodie (left), GFF YDO Bryan Joseph (2nd left) sponsor’s Nicholas Yearwood (3rd right), Ministry of Education’s Nicholas Fraser (2nd right) and Mark Alleyne of Petra Organisation. He continued, “That is the CFU (Caribbean Football Union’s) Under-14 boys’ tournament scheduled for the end of July early August and the Under-15 girls that are going to be involved in a CONCACAF tournament in
Florida.” The tournament, the YDO explained, allows the federation to have a wider view of the eligible players before said tournament. Head of the Ministry of Education’s Physical Education Department, Nicholas
Fraser, was also on hand during the launch, spoke of the Petra Organisation bridging a gap between the Pee Wee (U11) and the Milo (U-18) tournaments: “Someone who would have participated in the Pee Wee U11 football tournaments would have to wait an-
other seven to eight years to make the team again so it’s good to have that intermediate tournament.” ”The contribution and support would now fill a void that we have been fighting to fill for the last three to four years between our U11 and
18 tournaments,” Petra’s CoDirector, Troy Mendonca noted during his presentation. The round-robin knockout tournament will feature 24 male teams and 8 female teams when it kicks off early next month.
GFF ATC’s, a key pillar in Guyana’s World Cup preparations The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) held a press conference yesterday at its Head Office, Dadanawa Street, Section ‘K’ Campbellville to address key issues in football locally. Among the issues discussed was the impact of the Academy Training Centres (ATC). Bryan Joseph, GFF Youth Development Officer (YDO): “We now have the nine academies functioning, doing six specific sessions per week at the Under-13, 15 and 17 levels.” Joseph further informed that in the past, there was no national youth structure before the current GFF executive committee took over and, “This batch of players is the first experiencing this and success was garnered early in 2017 when Guyana won its first youth tournament after GFF had been in existence for some 114 years; a success which came directly from the ATCs.”
”The youth structure that is in place now have moved from 0 to 100 in about two and a half years which augurs well for football development in Guyana,” the YDO revealed. He also noted that the ATCs have approximately 16 players for each age group that are trained weekly, which equates to approximately 208 youngsters being exposed to certified ‘D’ License Coaches who are all following the technical guidelines that a r e p a r t o f t h e G F F ’s coaching philosophy. T h e AT C s a r e p o s i tioned in each Member Association (MA) of the GFF which sees the best youth players from active clubs being extracted to have elite training and it is evident that the Frank Watson Under-15 and NAMILCO Under-17 nationwide leagues have helped the success of the ATCs. Joseph explained that during his youth football
From left, YDO Bryan Joseph, GFF head Wayne Forde, GFF Technical Director; Ian Greenwood and Communications Manager; Debra Francis during the press conference yesterday. days, they were around three to four games a year being played at that level but the NAMILCO and the F r a n k Wa t s o n l e a g u e s have changed the dynamics of youth football locally, big time.
There were a total of 515 matches countrywide with over a thousand youth players involved in the NAMILCO U-17. The Berbice Football Associat i o n ( B FA ) h a d a 11 5 matches competed with the
East Bank Football Association (EBFA) playing a whopping 185 matches in their respective zones. Meanwhile, the Frank Watson U-15 had similar figures. Joseph noted that play-
ing such a large amount of games is critical to player development which is in line with the GFF’s plan to develop a generation of players that will take Guyana to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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Friday May 18, 2018
BCB to host Awards ceremony after three years U-19 and female teams to be honoured
T
he Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) after an absence of three years would be hosting its Annual Awards Ceremony at the Albion Community Centre from 13:00hrs on Sunday where a total of 17 awards would be given out. Among those would be the Berbice Under-15, 17 and 19 Players of the Year, Most Improved Youth, Most Improved Senior, Berbice U19 Female Player, School of the Year, Senior Coach of the Year and Club of the Year. BCB President Hilbert Foster will present a review of activities for the past three months while plans for the remainder of the year would be shared. Attorney-at-Law, Arud Gossai would deliver the Feature Address on the topic, “The Importance of Discipline and Unity�. Among the players to be honoured are Devendra B i s h o o , Ve e r a s a m m y Permaul, Romario Shepherd, Karran Arjpaul, Marvin Prashad, Kevlon Anderson, Kevin Sinclair, Sabrina Munroe and Shabika Gajnabi. Three Coaches, Julian Moore, Esuan Crandon and Tremayne Smartt would also be recognised for outstanding performances in 2017 while Imran Moakan and Moses Ramphal would be honoured as the best umpires. Lower Corentyne
Hilbert Foster Secondary would receive the School of the Year Award. The BCB would also be launching five Educational Posters as part of its
Development Programme. Members of the U-19 team and the Female side would also be rewarded for winning the Guyana Cricket Board Under-19 three-day 50-Over and Female 50-Over titles, respectively. Erva Giddings and Kevlon Anderson have been named the respective female and Under-19 MVPs. Meanwhile, tomorrow the Board would host a Pre Level 1 Coaching Seminar for 40 potential coaches at the Albion Cricket Ground. The two-day programme would conclude on Saturday (Continued on page 34)
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Kaieteur News
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Friday May 18, 2018
Bounty Farm continues to back Colts basketball Club Team departs for Suriname today Bounty Colts which recently won their third successive National Club Basketball Championship have been invited by the Suriname Senior Men’s team to play two warm-up
matches as the Dutchmen prepare for the FIBA Americas qualifiers which will be contested next month in Paramaribo. The local club which has won almost everything for
the past three years will depart the shores of the ‘Land of Many Waters’ today and will play their first match tomorrow and the second on Sunday at P a r a m a r i b o ’s p r e m i e r basketball venue, the Anthony Nesty Sports Hall. Bounty Farm’s representative, Andrew Xavier, during the handing over of the sponsorship cheque at his company’s Barima Avenue office, said that, “At Bounty are number
Colts skipper Shelroy Thomas receives the sponsorship cheque from Bounty Farm’s Andrew Xavier (2nd right) in the presence of from left, Mike Singh and Dane Kendall. one and so when we sponsor you, consider yourself number one. We at Bounty are also willing to lend a helping hand, especially when it comes to athletes and we expect Colts to do well in Suriname.” Captain of Colts, Shelroy Thomas expressed gratitude for Bounty Farm’s continued support of the club and he is looking forward to the club extending their dominance overseas. ”The depth of our team is great and we have multiple players for each position. In addition, six of our guys have been shortlisted for national trials ahead of the FIBA Americas in Suriname next month, so I will fancy our chances in the two games.”
BFA/GFF Independence Cup
Beacons and Rivers View in winner’s row Beacons (Group A) and Rivers View (Group B) notched wins when play in Bartica Football Association (BFA) / Guyana Football Federation (GFF) sponsored Independence Cup competition continued at the Bartica Secondary School ground. On Wednesday, Beacons edged Wolves United 2-1 coming from a goal down. Wolves had taken the lead on 11 minutes through a Cornel Playter effort; they enjoyed that advantage up until the 39th minute when Beacons’ Kurt Welcome tucked in the equaliser. The winning goal was scored by Sean Jermain in the 68th minute. On Tuesday afternoon, Rivers View was too hot for (Coninued on page 34)
Friday May 18, 2018
Kaieteur News
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rt o p S CBC Championships - Suriname P. 37
GABF names male and female squads for next month’s action
Ashley Khan
Stanton Rose
Shane Webster
Annalisa Barclay (left) and Roschelle Campbell.
Persons with Disabilities brave rain for Day of Sports P. 37
This Leroy Lyttle photo captures some of the action yesterday at the National Park.
ExxonMobil sponsors Under -14 boys and girl’s football tournaments P. 38
Bounty Farm Guyana stands one continues to of its best chances back Colts to win Regional Basketball - Team departs U17 title this year Clubfor Suriname today P. 40
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