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Kaieteur News
Friday May 25, 2018
THE DEATH OF COMMUNITIES AND TODAY’S UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS DEAR EDITOR, Today in Guyana, with a seemingly fair amount of frustration and resignation, both government and non-governmental agencies plead for communities to shoulder what is seen as their responsibilities. The Ministry of Education calls on the community and parents to play a more active role in their children’s development; the police call for the community to be more involved in the lives of at-risk youths; Government and NGOs are working with the elderly, and the differently able cry out to the community for its assistance in providing care for these groups. And the justice system appeals to the community to provide all manner of support for its members who have run-ins
with the law. But, even as we note the frustration, first we need to consider what has brought us to this? There was the time in Guyana, especially in our villages, when a sense of community existed (my letter of 12th August 2007, deals with the characteristics of a community). Members of any specific village or sometimes ward lived in a state of obvious mutual dependency – we took care of each other’s children and sick, we shared food. In the villages, at harvesting time we worked in each other’s field, etc. Village leaders were the elders and nurses, pastors, the headmasters, postmen, police men/ women were respected and held up to children as persons to emulate. These persons carried themselves with dig-
nity and it was to them that a parent would turn to for a recommendation for a son or daughter leaving school and seeking employment. Further, people stayed in their villages, they grew into adulthood, got married (usually to a fellow villager), grew old and died in their village. In short, the two and perhaps most essential features of the geographic ‘community’ – mutual dependency and emotional attachment – were present. With the coming of independence in 1966 all that is stated above died in Guyana. After 1966, it was the political party’s representative who assumed the role of most important person in the village. Almost anything you wanted - Letters of recommendation, request for a house lot, permission to open a little shop
etc, had to have the stamp of approval of the party representative. So, with the loss of status the village elders’ authority and respectability was undermined. The priest, postmaster, the nurse etc., all suffered the same fate. Now the party representative was king, and even thought so in many instances. His behaviour was not exemplary, but out of need, villagers publicly showed him respect, while privately despising him. The death of community in Guyana started with the dismantling of the indigenous village leadership structure we inherited from our ancestors. With this destruction, we were faced with a need to devise some structure to take the place of community. As the sociologically (Continued on page 6)
The impact of custodial sentences for possession of small amounts of marijuana DEAR EDITOR, In the book Freakonomics, written by two economists (Steven D. Levitt, Stephen J. Dubner) who dig through seemingly unrelated data, the phenomenon of rising crime statistics in the early 1990s in New York City, specifically murders by teenagers, was discussed. Despite their best efforts, the city of New York had grappled with increasing crime rates for many years. Increased penalties, tougher policing methods and others strategies failed to arrest (pun intended) the crime situation. Then circa 2000, the stats began falling and continued falling. Nothing significant had changed that year that could explain the sudden but welcomed decrease in crime. The two economists took a broader view and tried to find out what situation or circumstance was responsible for the change. Roe V. Wade In 1973 the Supreme Court
of the United States passed landmark legislation making it legal for women across the United States to legally terminate pregnancies. Harsh as it seems, the resulting effects of the legislation did not become apparent until 2000. The economists suggested that the change to allow legal termination of pregnancies resulted in hundreds or possibly thousands of unwanted pregnancies, many of whom would have been born into the socioeconomic conditions that foster or encourage a life of crime, simply were not born. So by 2000 many of the persons that would have
reached the age of maturity and entered the criminal networks were not here to do so. This is a harsh lesson, but a lesson nonetheless. The law in Guyana stipulates mandatory custodial sentences (3 to 5 years) for persons found with small amounts of marijuana. We have read many stories about young men and women who are now locked away in prison for 3 years or more for being in possession of a simple spliff/joint. I remember a case of a nursing mother in Albouystown who was sentenced to 3 years for possession of marijuana. In her case, the drug was not found on her, it was in the
Our homes are vibrating DEAR EDITOR, We the people in Eccles are very uncomfortable with the use of heavy duty trucks using the housing scheme main road and they have the industrial road but trucks are not using it and the NDC is not doing anything about it. Our homes are vibrating. Jonathan Persaud
shop that she managed or owned. I can go on to list dozens of other cases, including the most recent, of the father of three that caught the nation’s attention. But, more than the personal impact on the mother or father or the kids that are left behind, what is the impact that this archaic and oppressive law has on our society? In a developing country like ours, where single parenting is already too common and its adverse effects already well documented what effect has this law had on families across this country? What effect has it had on the young men and women (Continued on page 6)
Apology from Public Infrastructure Ministry DEAR EDITOR, On Sunday May 13, The Ministry of Public Infrastructure, through its contractor, undertook construction works in the Atlantic Gardens area as part of the Upgrade of the East Coast Demerara Roadway from Better Hope to Belfield. The Ministry has since been informed that these works affected ingress and egress to Atlantic Gardens on Mother’s Day and left residents shut off.We therefore extend our apologies to residents and road users who were affected and further apologise for not updating residents on the shift in the scheduled date for works.We would like to assure you that steps have been taken to prevent a reoccurrence through better communication as the works for Upgrade of the East Coast Demerara Roadway from Better Hope to Belfield progresses. We apologise once again and sincerely regret all inconveniences caused. Yours faithfully, Desilon Daniels Public Relations Officer Ministry of Public Infrastructure
Kudos to GWI DEAR EDITOR, Without any prompting or encouragement from the powers that be at Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), I write to inform you that the water supply within our area is restored and flowing without rust. It is also as clear as spring water on this rainy day here.I, and many other smiling, satisfied customers are pleased with the speed of attention, that the powers that be at GWI at Bachelors Adventure have placed on this tenuous and vexing matter. May they continue with their speed of care and good and friendly attention to their customers. Long live our friendship! Rooplall Dudhnath
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Decision-makers compassionless about jobless sugar workers’ plight DEAR EDITOR, Our Union has seen a report titled “APNU+AFC gov’t has been visionless – David Hinds” which appeared in the May 21, 2018 Stabroek News. That newspaper, among other things, reports Dr David Hinds as saying in relation to the Government’s approach to the sugar industry that the Coalition “…must be commended for confronting the problem”. The WPA Executive and newspaper columnist, is then quoted to have said “[w]hile previous governments have kicked the ball down the road, this one decided to tackle the problem…” In his comments, we also recognized that Dr Hinds decried the Administration’s
failure to effectively communicate its approach to sugar.The GAWU is supportive of everyone’s right to an opinion, a freedom that is now under seeming threat by the Cybercrime Bill as currently crafted. At the same time we cannot fail to place on record our strong disagreement with the apparent plaudits Dr Hinds is showering on the Administration for its destructive approach to the sugar industry and the wellbeing of thousands of Guyanese.We wonder how one can be pleased when sugar workers are the only group of the State’s employees to have had their wages frozen since the APNU/AFC took power. Then the sugar
The impact of custodial ... From page 5 that have been imprisoned for three years? What rehabilitation programmes do we have to help them reenter society as productive, contributing members?I am not in possession of hard evidence, but I would be more than willing to wager that a check into the background of many bandits that terrorize us today will reveal a stint in jail for possession of marijuana. Is their life of crime in later years directly linked to their incarceration or the difficulties they encountered
thereafter?These are issues that must be thoughtfully examined by our leaders. It must be more than a talking point for 2020; it must come from a sincere place, from someone who has the foresight to see the long-term impact this law has on our youth and our society.I’m calling on all our leaders to repeal the current law of mandatory custodial sentencing for small amounts of marijuana. We must, as a society, find a better way. Michael Leonard AFC Region 4 Chairman
workers have faced assault after assault, with many of their hard won rights and benefits just taken away or ignored. Then after all of that, they are told that they are not needed and their jobs are taken away without any consideration about how they would survive. Certainly, in our view, it is not a situation in which one can commend, as Dr Hinds has done. Moreover, the situation in the sugar belt need not be the way it is. There are real workable alternatives. We see GuySuCo itself borrowing $30B to make its estates viable by moving into greater diversification, something GAWU advocated and the Sugar Commission of Inquiry (CoI) recommended. The fact that as many as 70 parties are interested in acquiring the now closed estates, described as unprofitable and inefficient, in our view, says a mouthful. The future is not bleak as it is being made out to be. The fact that so many people are suffering and so many communities are finding themselves in difficult times is a situation that Guyanese, known for their concern for their fellow citizens, cannot take comfort or pride in. The absence of any consideration of the implications of the decisions taken and, more so, the absence of any compassion, or even regret, by the decision-makers of the sad situation they created are beyond any reasonable words. Yours faithfully, Seepaul Narine General Secretary GAWU
Friday May 25, 2018
Jailing people for a few grams ... From page 4 Regional Commission on Marijuana in November 2017 that the oldest person at the New Amsterdam Prison at that time was a 77-year-old woman who had been jailed for a few grams of marijuana stems and leaves that she used to make tea. These amounts are so paltry that they do not even indicate that Mangal or the others are serious drug users, much less drug traffickers. So why are they subjected to such draconian sentencing? Like the AFC, I am not questioning the decision of the magistrate, who is simply sentencing based on the provisions in the law, but it is madness to jail someone, in this case a father and a productive member of society, for a smattering of marijuana. Check the news archives and you will see that in May 2016, long before Mangal’s case, a Bartica woman was fined and sentenced to two months of community service for possession of three grams of marijuana. What is behind this inconsistency in sentencing?Furthermore, has the government ever done an analysis to determine the cost of accommodating a prisoner over a specified period of time?It must be pretty expensive to clothe them, feed them, manage them and sometimes treat several prisoners for illness in one day, much less over the course of a year.So, with that in mind, is it financially prudent to jail a productive member of society, a family person for a small portion of marijuana?Our prisons are already overcrowded and have substandard facilities. This has resulted in slack
supervision, riots, escapes and other troubles over the years, sometimes resulting in the deaths of prisoners. The prisons are already loaded with hardened criminals, including murderers, rapists, hijackers, gangsters, thieves, not to mention criminals addicted to hardcore drugs such as cocaine. In fact, many crimes were committed by persons under the influence of dangerous drugs. Now, imagine, a young man, who has never broken the law, who works and takes care of his family and whose only crime is being caught with a smattering of marijuana, being placed amongst such criminals.What will be the outcome? Persons like Mangal are forced to learn to survive among hardened criminals. Their families are also affected because society castigates them.The burden of meeting financial commitments and providing for their families, if they have, fall on one partner while they are serving their custodial sentences. The partner may not even be employed and survival becomes a real challenge, since we are not like developed countries where citizens can fall back on welfare. When the offenders have served their sentences and they have been released, they face new challenges that they have never had to deal with before.They now have to try to fit back into the society, which will most likely ostracise them. Getting a job would be hard now that they have a criminal record.It is stupid for us as a nation to continue entertaining such sentences, because it is so costly to us all on many fronts: family life, employment and associated
financial costs while the person is in jail.Under that pressure, many might feel forced to commit new crimes when they come out of jail and cannot find jobs. I am saying that in the long run, jailing someone for a joint can have far-reaching consequences that are more devastating than the effects the joint would have had on that person.Wouldn’t it be wiser instead to consider noncustodial sentences for persons caught with a small quantity of marijuana? These persons can be sentenced to do community service, which would in fact be of far greater value to society, and they would have been penalized without incurring a prison record.Alternatively, we can do what places like Harris County in the US have done. A person caught with up to four ounces of marijuana can avoid a prison sentence by committing to a four-hour drug-education class. If they comply, the drugs are destroyed, and there remains neither an arrest nor court record. If they don’t, an arrest warrant will be issued and a regular criminal case filed with possible custodial punishment.I hereby appeal to the Government of Guyana, inclusive of the Opposition to work together to change and adjust the laws to allow for persons who are held with a certain quantity of marijuana to attend classes and redeem themselves. In these modern times, we have to look for mature solutions to some of our problems. This is just one solution that can be considered. I am sure we can come up with other solutions if we put our minds to it. Roshan Khan Snr.
THE DEATH OF COMMUNITIES AND TODAY’S ... From page 5 defined community began to disappear, societies began to turn more attention to institutions and agencies to take over the functions previously undertaken by community. Hence focus turned to improving and increasing the number of day care centres, homes for the differently able, the elders, and juvenile correctional centres etc. These now bore the responsibility for doing work previously done by the community. However these organizations and agencies have been found to be inadequate replacements.Studies have shown that elderly citizens live more satisfying and longer lives if they live in their communities and are taken care of by family and community. The justice system the world over is turning to community-based preventative and rehabilitative programs, since institutionalization, outside of being costly, tends to give rise to high levels of recidivism. It is for these reasons that in both the developed and developing world there is the plea for a return to community-based intervention. But, it is not easy and perhaps not even possible to put the genie back into the bottle.While all the above dealt the early blow to a sense of community and the presence of the community spirit, lately, communication and technology seem to have dealt the final death blow. Today in Guyana, with the building of roadways and the increase in motor transportation, rural people could and many do, work away from their homes and return at evenings or at weekends. Also, transportation meant that outsiders were in the village more. Soon by way of marriages and other relationships people were leaving the villages and strangers were coming in. And based upon the permanency or lack of same of
relationships and living choices couples make, people were constantly moving in and out of the villages. This constant movement undermines the building-up of emotional attachment.Further, today harvesting time is no longer a community activity, harvesting is now a mechanical undertaking. Either one owns one’s own machinery or hires same. Thus the bonding that harvesting previously ensured is lost. This lack of visible display of dependency on each other that working the fields together gave rise to, undermines the maintenance of a sense of community. It should be noted that while I have been focusing on the village to make my point, it in no way suggests that these developments have not also affected a sense of community in the various wards of the city. Among city dwellers, the movement from one ward to another in search of lower rent, closeness to workplace coupled with outward migration, have the same effect of diminishing any sense of community. Editor, mass society is the term used to describe a society in which community is weak or absent. I would suggest this term best describes Guyana today. If I am correct, it would seem to make no sense government and well-meaning NGOs appealing to what does not exist (communities) for help. It would seem to me that more thought should be directed to what can be reasonably expected from citizens of mass societies. How our new reality can be manipulated so as to create possibilities for citizens to offer more support, especially to those needy groups that government and NGOs are saddled with the responsibility of providing for. Yours respectfully, Claudius Prince
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Friday May 25, 2018
Absence of regulation is the main entrance to “polluters´ heaven”
By Kiana Wilburg in California Prudential regulations, particularly those concerning the safety of individuals and the integrity of the environment, should always be a priority for any emerging oil and gas nation. Executive Director of Agency for Security, Energy and the Environment (ASEA) of Mexico, Carlos De Regules, expressed the view that Guyana would be wise to take a proactive approach in the regulation of oil operators and their effect on the environment. He said, “This needs to start now.” The Mexican official said that Guyana and other emerging producers of petroleum must be aware of the fact that absence of regulation is the main entrance to the “polluters’ heaven.” He noted that there are many examples of how lack of regulation has
...Head of Mexico’s Regulatory Authority urges Guyana to take proactive approach to protecting environment
Executive Director of Agency for Security, Energy and the Environment (ASEA) of Mexico, Carlos De Regules cost nations across the world. The Executive Director of ASEA made these and other comments after his panel discussion on Wednesday. That
discussion focused on the exercise of regulation and balancing oversight in the oil industry. The panel discussion was
Ret’d Guyanese contractor, 71, fined EC$50,000 for coke-in-wheelchair A retired construction workers from Guyana was yesterday fined EC$50,000 (US$18,500) after a guilty plea last week in Grenada for coke trafficking. According to the New Today Newpaper of Grenada, Haniff Bacchus, 71, appeared before Chief Magistrate Tamara Gill at the Number One Magistrate’s Court, in St. George’s yesterday where decision was announced. He is a retired construction worker from Georgetown and was caught trying to leave the airport with three kilos of cocaine.The drugs which carries an estimated street value of EC$300, 000 (US$111,000) was found inside a hidden compartment of his battery-powered wheelchair.At the time of his arrest, he was preparing to board an Air Canada flight, the newspaper reported. Failing to pay the EC$50,000 fine could see Bacchus jailed three years in default. The Guyanese national arrived in Grenada a few weeks ago from England and was preparing to depart when he was arrested. Haniff was said to be suffering heart and other serious ailments.
Fined: Haniff Bacchus in Grenada.
part of a series of events organized by the Institute of Americas. The Geopolitics of Energy Conference, which took place in La Jolla, California, and was hosted by the institute, saw participation from some of the leading stakeholders in the global energy sector. In an exclusive interview, the Executive Director said that as Guyana moves to establish as well as strengthen systems for monitoring oil companies and their effect on the environment, he would advise that a risk-based approach to regulation be taken. He said that this is what is done by ASEA, a technical and administrative body in Mexico that is responsible for regulating and supervising industrial and operational safety, and environmental protection in the energy sector. Regules explained that risk-based regulation focuses on the delivery of outcomes and public value, in which the regulator seeks to partner
with the regulated in the proactive prevention of harms. The Executive Director said, “This is not a euphemism for careless deregulation. It is exactly the opposite. It represents the technical confidence that we can harness the different levels of negative externalities of a given activity and increase its benefits, as opposed to setting arbitrary one-size-fits-all limits to it, at the expense of its potential value. “This approach enhances the possibility of innovation and can concentrate the industry’s capability to find new and effective solutions on safety and environmental protection.” The Executive Director further said that while this method provides for some degree of technical flexibility, those who implement it must understand that it provides for “undiluted and unequivocal accountability from the regulated industry and for an optimized bureaucratic bur-
den for the State.” He said that mechanisms such as self-declarations and the use of certified third parties must play an encompassing role for a successful approach to prudential regulation aimed to control risk. Regules said, “It is, no doubt, an optimistic approach to problems in the sector, nonetheless one that captures the very nature of our historical efforts as a region to cultivate innovation, efficiency, and accountability in the search for better living standards for our peoples.” Given the allegations as well as proven cases of environmental disasters by oil giant, ExxonMobil, locals have expressed grave concern about the nation’s institutional and legal capacity to independently monitor compliance with environmental regulations. The Coalition Administration has done little to quell the concerns of its people in this regard.
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Friday May 25, 2018
Guyana adopts regional pact to Fourth person dies from Kuru arrest, return CARICOM fugitives Kururu Highway accident Guyana has adopted new arrangements in the region that will pave the way for fugitives who flee justice to be arrested and sent back to member states. According to Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, during the post-Cabinet briefing at the Ministry of the Presidency, Cabinet on Tuesday approved the ratification of the CARICOM Arrest Warrant Treaty which was tabled by Member States at the 38th Regular Meeting of the Heads of States, in July 2017, in Grenada. According to the Harmon, the objective of the Treaty is to establish within the region, a system of arrest and surrender of requested persons in the pursuit of criminal prosecution for applicable offences or
executing a custodial sentence where persons have fled justice after being convicted or sentenced. The Treaty required three member-states to sign for its entry into force. Guyana, with the approval of the Treaty by the Cabinet, has in effect agreed to be a signatory. Guyana would follow The Bahamas, which signed the treaty in February, in Port-auPrince, Haiti. They would have joined St. Lucia.
The treaty, CARICOM has said, simplifies the procedure of returning fugitives to the country where charges have been laid. The measure is one of the regional security instruments that was formulated to enhance cooperation between member states in the fight against crime and to reduce the complexity, cost and delays in the existing extradition arrangements in the region.
The minibus which Rookmin Persaud was a passenger at the time of the accident.
R
ookmin Persaud is the latest fatality of the Highway crash that occurred on May 13, which saw 26 persons being injured and now four of those dying as a result of injuries received. The accident occurred at Kuru Kururu on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway when Shenella Hughes, 31, of Rohan Housing Scheme and Back half, Diamond, EBD, lost control of the car she was driving (PMM 548) and collided
with a minibus (BHH 8451) which was being driven by Rawle McKenzie. The other occupants of the two vehicles were Darwattie Persaud, Vishaul Persaud, Anthony Thomas, Jasmine Persaud, Steve Francis, Jullio Looge, Sarita Persaud, Steve Raganandan, Gewan Persaud, SeTollesh Narine, Hermella Ram, Hemwattie Persaud, Brenda Persaud, Arianna Persaud, Tyrese Arthur, Prem Persaud, Rookmin Persaud, Lakeram
Persaud, Matesh Hardat, Rohan, Jada Enmore, Sebastian Hughes, Ariana Hughes, and Jaden Hughes. The first fatality as a result of the accident was sixyear-old, Ariana Hughes, who succumbed to her injuries one day after accident, while receiving medical attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital, At the time of her death, her other siblings were receiving medical attention.. The second person to (Continued on page 12)
T
he rise in fuel prices at local pumps is just the latest sign of Government’s misunderstanding and indifference towards the problems, which are being faced by the small man. In other parts of the world, there would have been calls for resignations over the failure of the government to cushion the recent increases. Petrol was retailing at between $229 and 240 per litre this week. Oil prices have spiked by more than 20% since the start of this year but this increase is likely to slow as OPEC begins to increases production to offset supply concerns. The increases in the global price of crude are being felt locally. It has resulted in increased acquisition costs but this does not mean the prices at the pump are justified. The increased acquisition costs are on account of higher oil prices which have increased the fuel import bill of the country. But the government should have been cushioning this increase mindful of what it will do to prices in the economy at a time when businesses are slowing. Guyana’s Carnival may
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Friday May 25, 2018
sidetrack persons from appreciating the gravity of the economic crisis, which is unfolding in the Republic. But as specious as its sound, the best gauge of increased cost of living is food. For weeks now, there has been an increase in the cost of food at Chinese restaurants across the country. A good way to know whether prices in the market are increasing is to examine the cost of food at Chinese restaurants. These restaurants tend to keep their prices stable and only raise prices when it cannot be avoided. A few weeks ago, the prices for food and many Chinese eating houses were increased, signaling that regardless of what the IMF says about inflation, there has been an appreciable increase in prices of food in the economy. The increase in the price of fuel will make things worse because transportation operators are edgy. They are looking towards the government to try to cushion the effects of the petrol price increase in the same manner that Ashni Singh had done when he was Finance Minister.
He had implemented a sliding scale of subsidies, which allowed for the government to reduce the taxes as the acquisition cost of petrol went up. This allowed transportation operators to not feel the full impact of upward fuel prices movement. When oil prices rise, Governments collect more taxes. The previous government had channeled some of that money back into the hands of the public by using it to subsidize the cost of fuel at the pump. With the APNU+AFC now
back in a cozy relationship with the World Bank, there may be a reluctance of the present government to try to cushion the effects of the present increase in petrol prices which as stated before tends to have a multiplier effect on process in the entire economy. The World Bank is known to discourage the use of subsidies in an economy and this may explain the indifference, which is being shown by the present APNU+AFC Administration towards what is taking place at the pump at present.
The government will be earning more taxes because of the increases in acquisition costs. It should pass on these increased taxes to consumers by cushioning the prices at the pump. It can do so in the same way that Ashni Singh did when he was Minister of Finance. The longer the government waits to act the greater will be the temptation for transport operators to higher transportation costs. Right now consumers cannot afford such increases. In addition, the transportation operators have no
moral authority to increases fares because when prices fell last year and earlier this year, there was no decrease. However, do not tell that to these operators. They are clamouring for an increase in fares unless the prices at the pump decrease. The other alternative would be for people to travel less, eat less and spend less.
Friday May 25, 2018
Kaieteur News
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Friday May 25, 2018
Grenada court Lots of red tape in Guyana - says Movietowne Chairman fines Patterson for The Turkeyen Complex that is suppose to open later this year.
Movietowne Chairman, Derek Chin Trinidad (Trinidad Guardian) - Background work has been completed in preparation for the listing of MovieTowne on the T&T Stock Exchange (TTSE). Chairman Derek Chin, in confirming this yesterday, said a 30 percent stake is likely to be offered to the public as
the company seeks capital to soak up debt incurred in starting up its Guyana operations. “I won’t sell the whole company, I would sell maybe 30 percent and retain the majority. It will help me to pay off some of the bank debt and
minimise my interests,” he said.Chin, who wants to build on the strength of the MovieTowne brand, said he is also exploring prospects for expanding the multiplex and entertainment chain into St Lucia and Panama, as well as entering some of the markets where Caribbean
Cinemas has a presence. He spoke at a session hosted by Youth Business T&T (YBTT) at the Carousel Room. MovieTowne, Port-ofSpain, where he offered tips and advice for business success to close to 75 entrepreneurs and secondary school students. Recounting his experience getting into the Guyana market, Chin said there had been a lot of red tape involved in getting things done. “Sometimes in business, we have to make things happen. They are not as business oriented as we are in Trinidad and Tobago. They are bogged down with a lot of bureaucracy,” he said.
cocaine charge
A
Grenadian court yesterday fined Derrick Patterson, 47, a total of EC$75,000 (US$27,750) after he reportedly pleaded guilty to cocaine trafficking. Patterson at the time was appearing before Magistrate Tamara Gill in a St. George’s court. The 2.325 kilos had a street value of EC$232,500 (US$86,000).His lawyer, Darshan Ramdhanny, argued for his client to be fined instead of jailed, despite the prosecution calling for the latter.The lawyer reportedly told the court that his client is the Chairman of his church’s fund-raising board, according to the New Today Newspaper of Grenada. Magistrate Gill reportedly ordered the seizure of US$1,900 that Patterson had in his possession. Patterson is the brother of Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson.The accused, who is a Valuation Supervisor by profession, was arrested by officers attached to the Drug Squad of the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) who intercepted a vehicle that he was driving, on May 2. The vehicle was searched and the drugs were found inside a plastic bag. The incident has seen
Fined: Derrick Patterson Minister Patterson expressing shock at the arrest and said that his family is deeply distressed. He said that his brother must take responsibility. ”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.” Patterson said that his family’s position is that “Derrick” is a mature adult of 47 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.”
Fourth person dies from... From page 8 succumb was 42-year-old Quinton Odle, a seaman of 137 Blankenburg, West Coast Demerara. He was a passenger in the car, and he died on Wednesday, May 15 at the Georgetown Public Hospital. Shenella Hughes, the driver of the car was the third person to succumb. She died on May 18, some five days after the crash. Rookmin Persaud, who was a passenger in the bus, succumbed at the Georgetown Public Hospital around 13:00hrs. yesterday. A number of persons remain at the Georgetown Public Hospital still receiving medical attention for injuries sustained in the May 13 accident.
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Papua New Guinea battles with ExxonMobil for profits Bloomberg is reporting that Papua New Guinea came out on the short end of a US$19 billion development with Exxon Mobil Corp. to build one of Asia-Pacific’s biggest energy projects. But as the company pushes to expand the venture, the government is vowing that round two may require a much bigger payday for the locals. By most accounts, the LNG business that Exxon and partners built from scratch is an engineering and commercial success. The PNG LNG venture, which started operating in 2014, is delivering more fuel than expected to Asian economic giants Japan and China. It is so promising that the US company – with annual revenue 10 times larger than Papua New Guinea’s economy – declared the Pacific island a key building block for its future growth and plans to double output. Trouble is, the original deal reached a decade ago has failed to deliver the windfall to Papua New Guinea that the government and an Exxoncommissioned study predicted. An International Monetary Fund analysis showed “quite limited benefits” for the country, which granted Exxon generous rights to recover certain costs before paying taxes or fees. While the initial investment was welcome, the government has formed a new team to negotiate better terms before it approves the proposed expansion. “There is a general view that Papua New Guinea gave away too much for the first LNG project,” said Peter Koim, a member of the negotiating team who is also Director of the country’s Gas Project Coordinating Office. For the next round, “the country will not give away concessions as
was the case in the PNG LNG project,” he said. PNG LNG produces gas from wells in the forested mountains known as the Highlands, and sends it 700 km southeast via pipeline to a processing plant on the shores of Caution Bay, near the capital, Port Moresby. The gas is super-chilled to liquid form and loaded onto special tankers for shipment overseas. Originally designed to process a maximum of 6.9 million tonnes per year (tpy), the plant produced more than 8.2 million in 2017. Last year, Exxon spent as much as US$3.9 billion buying access to additional reserves and drilling rights in the country and is working with partners including Australia’s Oil Search Ltd. and France’s Total SA on a separate US$13 billion venture known as Papua LNG. The development would add 8 million t of additional annual processing capacity at the existing PNG LNG plant, but tap gas deposits in a different part of the country and require a new pipeline. The country will negotiate separately with Exxon and Total on the different projects that will contribute to an overall expected rise in the nation’s gas exports, Koim said. Demand for the gas has been strong. Long-term supply contracts were signed with buyers including chemical makers and utilities that are as much as 4500 km across the sea from Papua New Guinea, which is located on an island just north of Australia’s Queensland state. With global consumption booming, analysts see a shortage of LNG coming in the early part of next decade, right when an expansion project would come online if work were to start soon.
Prospects are so promising that Exxon’s Chief Executive Officer Darren Woods said as recently as March that he is counting on Papua New Guinea and several other countries to help reverse declining output at the company, one of the world’s largest energy suppliers. Irving, Texas-based Exxon plans about US$200 billion in capital expenditures through 2025, including in Mozambique, Brazil and Guyana, as well as America’s Permian Basin. A more demanding Papua New Guinea could pose a hurdle to Exxon’s plans. Already, the company has been forced to defend its contract in Guyana, a small South American country that signed a deal two years ago to develop the world’s biggest new deep-water find in a decade. The IMF described that agreement as “favourable” for Exxon, compared with global norms. The company has said there’s no need to renegotiate because the contract already included several concessions to the government. The Papua New Guinea government is not seeking to revise the old contract. But the tenor of talks over the expansion will be influenced by the public perception that the massive project simply did not deliver the benefits that were promised. An April 2009 version of an economic impact study by ACIL Tasman (now ACIL Allen Consulting) for Exxon said the project “has the po-
tential to transform the economy of Papua New Guinea, boosting GDP and export earnings, providing a major increase in government revenue, royalty payments to landowners, creating employment opportunities during construction and operation, and providing a catalyst to further gas-based industry development.” And before production began, the government estimated PNG LNG would boost its revenue by 2 billion kina (US$613 million) a year through 2021, the World Bank said in a December report. Instead, the project’s partners paid only about 495 million kina in taxes, royalties, dividends and other payments in 2016, data from the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative show. A “complex web of exemptions and allowances” effectively mean that little revenue from the project goes to the government and landowners, the World Bank said. “It’s an extraordinarily low level,” said Paul Barker, Executive Director at the Papua New Guinea Institute of National Affairs. “If you are not getting much in the way of revenue, there is something a bit screwed up.” A research and advocacy group, Jubilee Australia Debt & Development Research Centre, had an even harsher take, noting in a detailed report last month that by “almost every measure of economic welfare,” Papua New
Guinea “would have been better off without the PNG LNG project.” Of the total paid to the government in 2016 by PNG LNG partners, Exxon’s share was about 216 million kina, more than half of which was income tax, according to EITI data. By comparison, the company’s revenue from the project was more than ten times that, at about 2.56 billion kina, according to Bloomberg estimates using production figures and annual averages for crude prices and foreign exchange rates. Papua New Guinea has a stake in the venture through its state oil company, Kumul Petroleum Holdings Ltd. Its portion of the revenue was 1.28 billion kina in 2016, according to Bloomberg calculations. It contributed about 100 million kina to the treasury and gave the government an advance of 200 million kina, according to an EITI report. “Even Exxon staff, outside corporate earshot, sort of admit they got a good deal off of the government of PNG,” said
Barker. “Obviously they come in, they know the game, they have a team of lawyers and accountants when it comes to negotiations.” Exxon says it is honouring all contractually required payments and that the project delivers more than just government revenue through development levies, taxes, royalties and equity payments. PNG LNG has contributed about 14 billion kina to local businesses and the government, and employs 2600 workers and contractors, about 82% of whom are locals, Exxon said by email. “ExxonMobil has been instrumental in driving economic growth in PNG by producing significant, lasting benefits,” the company said, adding it has “a strong commitment to social progress.” (Taken from LNG Industry)
PAGE 14
Friday May 25, 2018
Kaieteur News
Guyana is part of a selected group benefitting from regional coconut project Guyana is part of a selected group of Caribbean territories participating in the Coconut Industry Development for the Caribbean (CIDC) Project. The project was designed to help provide support to the growing coconut industry in the Region with international support from European Commission. The European Commission has been providing financial support to the project and designated the International Trade Centre (ITC) to be Chief Executors with CARDI as Implementing Partners. The first Phase runs from 2015 to 2018 after which a second Phase should begin. As the first Phase comes to an end, the Project Administrators will be delivering a review of the Project's performance in terms of Industry trends and Solutions based on experiences across the Caribbean. Representatives of the implementation team spoke of the programme during a meeting held at the Ministry of Agriculture Boardroom. During the engagement, ITC International Consultant, Ben Morrison, said that the work has been progressing in nine countries across the Caribbean since 2015. Among the territories that
ITC International Consultant Ben Morrison have been targeted for support are the Dominican Republic, Belize, and Jamaica in the North and Trinidad, Guyana, and Suriname in the South with Dominica, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent in between. He explained that in each territory, the Project Administrators have established National Stakeholder Platforms (NSPs) in keeping with the principle of a Participatory Approach involving both Public Sector and Private Sector Agencies. During his presentation, Morrison spoke of developing a regional roadmap, following a workshop held in Trinidad and Tobago in November 2014.
The workshop was hosted by CARDI in collaboration with the International Trade Centre (ITC) and was attended by stakeholders from Belize, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Dominica, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, and Suriname. At that meeting, European Commission representatives announced a preliminary funding of â‚Ź3.5 million to prepare the industry for resuscitation. In early 2015, a five-member Caribbean delegation attended the 51st APCC conference held in Cochin, Kerela, South India. The opportunity was taken to tour the Indian coconut industry in Kerala and Tamil Nadu and to visit the Indian Coconut board. By the second quarter of 2015, the ITC and CARDI had held a series of workshops with stakeholders in participating countries. These meetings demonstrated a policy of participatory approaches aimed at ensuring that stakeholders become intimately involved in the development and implementation of plans to develop their industry. The emphasis was that ownership of, and consequently responsibility for, development of the (Continued on page 15)
Friday May 25, 2018
PAGE 15
Kaieteur News
Child killer wants Appeal Court to reduce life sentence The Court of Appeal in Kingston is hearing arguments in relation to the matter involving Linden’s Rawle Samuels, who is currently serving a life sentence for the unlawful killing of a four-yearold boy. Samuels, of Buck Hill, Wismar, Linden was originally indicted for the murder of Jamal Naranjan Nedd. The facts of the case stated that the nursery school child was brutally stabbed repeatedly about the body by his mother’s paramour (Samuels). The incident occurred on February 6, 2013 at Buck Hill, Wismar, Linden. The child, Nedd, had reportedly just returned home from school when he came under attack from the man, with whom his mother shared a relationship. The police only arrived at the scene after the child was viciously stabbed, and
Sentenced to life: Rawle Samuels Samuels had made good his escape. The child’s intestines protruded from the incision in his abdomen. He was rushed to the Linden Hospital Complex where he died shortly after. The perpetrator was apprehended later and charged with murder. Samuels had however
pleaded guilty to the lesser crime of manslaughter when his case was presented for trial at the Georgetown High Court before Justice Nareshwar Harnanan, last year. He was sentenced to life imprisonment for the unlawful killing of a four-year-old boy. At the time of sentencing, the Court determined that Samuels will only be eligible for parole after serving 30 years behind bars. Viewing the sentence as too harsh a penalty, Samuels moved to the Court of Appeal seeking a reduction of the judge’s decision. The matter came up for hearing at the Appellate Court, yesterday. Attorney-at-law Stanley Moore presented arguments on behalf of Samuels, while Attorney-at-law, Natasha Backer, represented the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions, (DPP).
Caribbean Airlines involved in Flag Concert Caribbean Airlines is delighted to be the “Official Airline” with the Department of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport for the upcoming Flag Concert to commemorate the 52nd Anniversary of Independence. This was communicated in a statement from the regional airline. The Flag Concert takes place tonight in historic Georgetown at the Stabroek Square and will feature performances by some of Guyana’s leading musicians. The event will end with a splendid fireworks display at midnight. Caribbean Airlines is also supporting Guyana’s Independence celebrations in New York. Chief Executive Officer, Garvin Medera stated: “Caribbean Airlines is happy to be the Official Airline and to share in the celebration of
Guyana’s 52nd Anniversary of Independence both in Guyana and New York. We continue to enjoy a legacy of cooperation with the Government and people of Guyana and the Guyanese Diaspora in providing consistent and reliable service.” Andrew Tyndall - Administrator, National School of Music, Ministry of the Presidency, Department of Culture stated: “We are pleased that Caribbean Airlines has joined us in the celebration of our nationhood. Independence is far more consequential than merely marking the end of imperial rule. “It gave Guyana its own national identity; it is opened to a new future characterized by our own unique symbols of nationhood- the flag, the national anthem, all hallmarks of a sovereign state. Indepen-
Guyana is part of... (From page 14) industry must reside with its stakeholders. Stakeholders included not only producers of primary and value-added products but also providers of support services such as banking, marketing, suppliers of inputs, regulatory agencies, and technical service providers. This led to the development of a Project aimed at four outcomes, namely Market opportunities identified; value chain development plans agreed; synergies and continuity developed with existing regional and national programmes to enhance regional integration of markets. This Project has its genesis in a series of efforts arising from a study presented at the 12th Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA) held in Guyana for a week from October 7, 2013. The study was funded by the European Commission on behalf of the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) Secretariat and the Caribbean Forum (CariForum) and may be seen in the context of Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA) following the withdrawal of preferential treatment for traditional plantation crops in European markets.
dence gave citizens a sense of belonging and paved the way for Guyanese to enjoy the freedoms that come with a self-ruled, democratic nation. “It gave Guyanese a right to self-determination. The celebration of the anniversary of our Independence, therefore, is an opportunity to revel in the freedoms we enjoy and a time to reflect on the progress we have made. More than that though, our 52nd Anniversary of Independence is another milestone, as we press ahead as a united people working to secure a good future for the nation’s children.” Rickford Burke, Chairman, Guyana Independence Anniversary Celebration Committee (New York) added, “Caribbean Airlines has been a trusted partner of our Committee and dependable friend of the Guyanese people. “The company has always been supportive of our organization and the Guyanese community at large; especially when we need them most. Since their start in 2007, CAL’s service to our country and the Diaspora has been unwavering and reliable; even when it was the single international carrier over our skies. “We are thankful for their confidence in our Committee and celebration, and are proud of our partnership. We encourage everyone visiting New York for our celebration to fly with Caribbean Airlines – the official airline of the Guyana Independence celebration in New York, June 3 – 16, 2018. Celebrate Guyana to the World!" Caribbean Airlines operates at least six daily flights in and out of Guyana.
By the end of the arguments by the Attorneys, the Court determined that notices will be sent out on the date for a decision. During her presentation, Backer argued that the Court found no mitigating circumstances as it regards the offence of manslaughter, the trial judge started at the very top. Backer noted that there were only aggravating circumstances in this case. Moore told the panel of Chancellor Yonette Cummings-Edwards, Justice Rafiq Khan and Justice Arif Bulkan that a more suitable sentence would have been 20
years in prison. The lawyer emphasized that given the fact that his client was sentenced to life is excessive. Last July, Samuels was jailed for life following the presentation of a probation report. The probation report outlined that Samuels had a history of violence and had been charged before for fracturing the jaw of the mother of his children after hitting her in the face with a hatchet. The report also mentioned instances of alcohol and drug use. According to the information, Samuels is said to have also shared an abusive rela-
tionship with the mother of the four-year-old, with whom he later formed a common law relationship. On one occasion, he used an electric iron to burn the woman after she refused to iron his clothes. Samuels reportedly killed the four-yearold in retaliation to his mother indicating that she no longer wanted any relationship with him. The report further outlined that Samuels acknowledged that his action led to the death of the child and that he wished to be forgiven. He also expressed anger over the stigma attached to his name.
PAGE 16
Friday May 25, 2018
Kaieteur News
E’bo Fishermen slam MARAD over delay in issuing Captain Licence
As fishermen sat in a multi stakeholder meeting held last Tuesday, the concerns affecting the fishing industry in Region Two were raised. One of them was the delay in the issuing of fishermen’s licence. Fishermen who had applied for a captain licence through the Maritime Administration [MARAD], are claiming that it takes an extensive period before that licence can actually be issued. While some captains say it takes about two to three month before their licences are issued, others are claiming that they have to wait for as long as four to six months. Region Two with its growing fishing industry is located some 38.5 miles away from the capital City. Many head offices have established suboffices within the region, in an effort to take their services closer to residents--MARAD
Fishermen at the meeting
is just one. Despite having an office in Charity, however, many fishermen are allegedly directed to MARAD’s head office in Georgetown for licensing. These fishermen claim that while they are being ‘pushed around’ in Georgetown, the local office at Charity should be more proactive. Commenting on the local office, one fisherman ex-
plained, “The people at the office in Charity gotta start working on time. On two separate occasions, I went to the office at 1:30pm, and the office already close up. The officers there are not available when yuh go in, so they don’t ever check anything.” It was recommended that MARAD make all the relevant licensing documents available at the office in Charity to
speed up the licensing process. This publication was told that the inspection of vessels is also the responsibility of the Maritime Administration. Again, this inspection is done by the head office in Georgetown, according to a fisherman. Fishermen are claiming, however, that quite often there’s no representative from MARAD who shows up to inspect these fishing vessels. One fisherman said, “There is a day, some boat come in for a couple days and they go back on the sea again for days, sometimes even 13 days. When you call these
people to come inspect the boat so the licence can renew, them never show up. When they do show up is when yuh out on the sea again.” While the delay in the licensing process is one issue, there is another challenge that fishermen encounter at sea with the Coast Guards. According to reports, fishermen are being ‘harassed’ by the coast guards at sea, despite having receipt to prove that their licences are being processed. During the meeting last Tuesday, claims were also made that fishermen are forced to bribe their way past these coastguards.
Another fisherman said, “When we reach in Georgetown, its different story with the coast guards there. How long yuh ain’t give away 10 and some gas, yuh can’t pass… One time, my crew was held up and locked up because they didn’t had they licence and I wasn’t prepared to bribe anybody. If we have our licence now, all we have to do is show them the licence pass.” Apart from fishermen, the meeting on last Tuesday was attended by the Regional Chairman, Devenand Ramdatt, and CEO of the Department of Fisheries, Denzil Roberts.
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Kaieteur News
Friday May 25, 2018
PAGE 27
Kaieteur News
Friday May 25, 2018
Opposition favours two - tier approach America does not want me, to telecoms spectrum allocation Guyanese wanted in US tells court …questions presence of Greenidge on Govt’s negotiating team with GTT
O
pposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, yesterday said he supports a two-tier approach to the allocation of the lucrative telecoms spectrum to avoid disenfranchisement of locals. Jagdeo said that Guyana runs the risk of a large foreign company buying up the entire spectrum. “If big companies want preferential spectrum, there can be a different pricing structure for maybe foreign companies versus local companies or based on size. “So you don’t exclude the small man who has one television station that has limited coverage because he uses spectrum too,” Jagdeo said in response to a query. He warned that auctioning the spectrum can also push up cost. “If somebody bids a high price for the spectrum that person will recover it in terms of services. That is why historically we did not go to a bidding process. And then you exclude most of the locals almost immediately,” the Opposition Leader noted. Jadgeo, who once held the portfolio for telecommunications, has been roundly criticised for his willy-nilly distribution of radio and television licences to family and close friends while in government. Now he is suggesting another approach. “It could be a combination of higher fees for bigger users and smaller fees for smaller users, mainly the telecommunication companies that use a lot. “I am not too big on auctioning the spectrum right away.” The Government is preparing for high-level talks with US-owned Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) early next month on liberalization of the sector. The talks will take place at a time when the rest of the world has moved towards auctioning of lucrative telecoms spectrums to get value for money. GTT, which has a monopoly on landlines, is said to be using spectrum allocation as a bargaining chip in the ongoing liberalization talks. Government is said to be awaiting a proposal from GTT, which has requested that spectrum allocation be included as part of a liberalization deal. Several countries have been going the route of auc-
tioning the spectrums for telecoms companies. The reason for this is that there are limited frequencies available in each country. Governments are therefore under pressure as to which companies to give out those spectrums to, making it an expensive bargaining chip on the negotiation table. Jagdeo stated that he finds it strange that Minister
of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, is leading the talks on behalf of Government since he was Finance Minister at the time when the telecommunication company was privatised without public tender. According to Jagdeo, 80% of the company was sold for less than $20M while the company had in receivable (Continued on page 28)
Jamaica (Jamaica Observer) - A Guyanese national, who is to be extradited to the United States on sexual assault and terrorist threat charges, brought laughter to the Kingston and St Andrew Court after he told the judge that the US does not want him and will not send for him, based on the number of times he has been arrested for extradition. The accused, 61-year-old Aubrey Archer, who is wanted in New Jersey for the alleged rape of his former
girlfriend’s 18-year-old daughter, 30 years ago, explained to Parish Judge Vaughn Smith that he believes that an error is being made in the system, which shows that he is wanted when he is not a fugitive.“Your Honour, this happen in five different countries already and just last month, I was arrested in Curacao. “America does not want me; they have something in the computer saying I am wanted, but the US will not come for me,” he said, eliciting laughter from the court.
However, Archer who was very confident that nothing will come of his case, opted not to challenge the request and waived his right to an extradition hearing and also signed the consent form when he appeared in court on Monday.As a result, Judge Smith made an order for him to be extradited and told him that he will be taken to the United States as soon as possible.The Guyanese national who is also wanted for issuing a terrorist threat, was arrested in the island on May 9.
PAGE 28
Kaieteur News
Friday May 25, 2018
Attempted robbery on Republic Bank…
Sergeant testifies to being present when caution statement was taken
The trial involving four men who are charged with attempting to rob Republic Bank, Water Street Branch continued yesterday in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Former Police Constable, Anfernee Blackman, and former Republic Bank employee, Shawn Grimmond, are among four men who have been charged for attempting to rob Republic Bank’s Water Street, Georgetown branch on July 4, last.Blackman, 21, of 65 Laing Avenue, West Ruimveldt, Georgetown; Grimmond of 137 Pike Street, Kitty, Georgetown; Rural Constable Gladston George, 24, of 55 Princes Street, Lodge, Georgetown; and Keron Saunders, 24, of 59 Burnham Boulevard, Mocha, East Bank Demerara; have all denied the charge which alleged that while armed with guns they attempted to rob Republic Bank. The botched robbery attempt on the financial institution left 25-year-old Agronomist, Elton Wray dead. Wray, the best friend of
Jamal Haynes, was shot and killed during an exchange of gunfire between his alleged accomplices, police and guards attached to the Professional Guard Service (PGS). Haynes pleaded guilty to the allegations and was jailed for a total of 10 years on charges of attempted robbery under-arms; illegal firearm and ammunition possession and unlawful restraining. Yesterday, when the matter was called in Senior Magistrate Leron Daly’s courtroom, Sergeant Komal Petamber went into the witness box and told the court about the role he played in the investigation. Sergeant Petamber is stationed at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and attached to the Major Crimes Unit. He said relative to a report of an alleged attempt to commit a felony to with robbery under-arms, which was committed on July 4 last, at Republic Bank, Water Street Branch, he assisted with the investigation. He added that on July 7,
last year, about 12:30 hrs he was on duty at CID when he was told something by another officer. As a result of what the officer told him, he moved to a desk, which the officer was occupying at the time. There he observed the number two defendant, Gladstone George. The court heard that he was asked to remain in the room with the other officer while he took a caution statement from George. He added that after George was cautioned he replied, “Officer I gon tell you what part I play in the whole thing.” George was then asked a series of questions by the officer. The Magistrate then adjourned the matter until June 12. Police Prosecutor Richard Harris is expected to call 23 more witnesses in the matter. The defendants are currently out on $500,000 bail each. According to reports, on the day in question, around 07:30hrs, police received a report of a robbery in progress at the bank and responded promptly. When they arrived at the scene, they
were shot at by the perpetrators. Haynes “shoved” away his hostage and began running through the arcade but was later apprehended by police during an exchange of
gunfire. He was found hiding in a stall in the arcade. The illegal gun and ammunition were found lying on the ground next to him, the prosecutor disclosed. Saunders, a cousin of
Wray, was apprehended by police after he was observed acting in a suspicious manner. Haynes and Saunders implicated the others in the robbery attempt on the financial institution.
Opposition favours ... From page 27 and bank account balance of about US$5M. “In the first couple years of operation, the company made back all the money it paid. That company in the negotiations got an advisory of six percent fee on gross revenue. If the parent company aboard made one call a year to Guyana to the local company that entitled them to six percent of gross revenue of the company as advisory fee,” Jagdeo stated.He also noted that in the initial deal, the company secured a 15% guarantee rate of return on assets and an essentially secured a 40-year monopoly. “That was done when Greenidge was the Minister of Finance and so now he is being called upon to liberalize or to negotiate the liberalization of the sector when he gave that long monopoly for which we are still paying; that is what I find very unusual,” Jagdeo noted.
Kaieteur News
Friday May 25, 2018
Second suspect held in Aurora Gold Mine Manager Murder
Apartment building where Whyte was murdered. A second suspect has been held as investigations continue into the murder of Neil Whyte, the Supply Chain Manager for Aurora Gold Mine. His body was discovered in his Thomas Street, South Cummingsburg apartment by a security guard attached to the company. A source close to the investigation confirmed the arrest of a second individual. He was the taxi driver who took the first accused to Whyte’s home. The police went to his home to effect the arrest but they eventually found him at Giftland Mall. Whyte had just an hour before taken a male friend up to his apartment. The individual later left in a hurry telling the security guard that he was coming back. Whyte a 42-year-old Guyanese-Canadian citizen was found bound and naked; after the security guard went to Whyte’s room to find out why he did not come down to see his guest out. On Monday, around 22:30 hrs, Whyte told the security guard he (Whyte) was going to the corner (Middle Street)
Victim: Neil Whyte
to get a friend. Whyte returned not long after with a male friend and they went up to his apartment. Not long after, Whyte’s male friend came up to the security and told him that he was leaving to come back. The guard opened the gate and let him out, but was suspicious of him, since he seemed anxious to leave. He had a black bag that he did not come with.
The first suspect was apprehended on Tuesday morning at his Vryheid Village, West Canje, Berbice, home around 06:30 hrs. A number of items including Whyte’s laptop was found with the first suspect. The circumstances that led to a second suspect being held are still unclear. Investigations continue, as charges are expected soon.
PAGE 29
PAGE 30
Friday May 25, 2018
Kaieteur News
Man, 63, jailed for ganja possession
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Security personnel to work with a private security firm. Previous experience required. Contact: 500-5923/227-7528 Wanted experience hire car drivers at Princess Ramada Hotel. Contact: 616-5419/2657076 Wanted land anywhere on th West Coast or West Bank. Tel# 642-1252 Layout birds to buy. Tel# 2259304 A&B Wash Bay (Amelia’s Ward) Washbay attendant needed, Linden resident (Adult) Contact: 683-2523 Immediate Vacancy exist for operators to work shift system & 1 night security @ Del Ice Co. Tel# 642-9191/231-1408 Looking to buy a house or empty land, Preferences-EBD Public road. Buyer #1917-6225810/694-3331 Live in waitress to work in bar. 18-25 yrs old, must have ID Contact No: 221-2785 1 experience cook wanted and one counter staff. Call: 6238654 Parfaite Harmonie, Farm, Herstelling, Uitvlugt, Eccles, Tuschen, Diamond, Zeelugt, Best price pay. Call: 666-2326
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 First Aid/CPR course Available at St John Ambulance Brigade on SaturdaysMorning sessions. Call: 225-9082 IAE- Register for CXC, full time evening & adult classes. Mathematics, English, Business & Science subjects #683-5742/621-7365 TOLET 2 bedroom house fully A/c in Somerset court. Herstelling EBD Tel#6614849
Procurement officer, Valid license MC/MV/ML 30-55. Call: 226-1100 Male Office clerk 30-55 yrs, East Bank Preferable. Call: 2261100 Handyman/Gardener to work at Friendship, EBD. Tel# 2662217 1 Mechanic to work in the interior, must know about Cummings/Perkins & Deutz engine. #699-4718 One person to make and bake puri and roti for a shop from 7-9. Call: 226-2320 Experienced shop workers & handyman to work in interior. #231-0360. (8:30am-4:30pm) 1 Carpenter/ Plumber Tel#2253234 One Live-in maid. Contact: 675-5256 1 Sales girl, 1 Domestic worker. Contact: 223-9677 Experience Cashier, Drivers, Roti/Puri cook. Apply Hack’s Halaal with H/written application 5 Commerce St.
VACANCY Experienced male sales attendant, stocktaking knowledge, computer literate, excellent service attitude, able bodied. Key Food McDoom Village. Exist for a female Pharmacist preferably on the East Coast. Call: 626-3008 Articulated hauler/ dump truck operator for interior, applicants must be experienced. Call: 618-2020 Farm workers, Security, Labourer, Maintenance workers, Travel agent, Hair dresser. Call: 265-3586 8am4pm Assistant repackaging machine operators, previous experience working with packaging machine. Apply @ Alabama Trading, 65 Robb St, Bourda. Experienced salesgirls with CXC qualifications & 5 yrs experience. Apply @ Christine’s Variety, Lombard St. Contact: 227-8529 1 maid for East Bank must know to cook & clean. #6144358 1 female cleaner for office in Eccles. #233-2745 Exist for one cashier/sales clerk, previous experience an asset, apply Mike’s Pharmacy, Bel Air
An elderly man was yesterday sentenced to three years in prison after he was slapped with three separate narcotic charges in the Suddie Magistrate Court. Leonard Paul, of Supenaam, Essequibo Coast, appeared before Magistrate Esther Sam yesterday, to answer two separate charges relating to the possession of narcotics. The first charge read that on April 12, 2017 Paul trafficked and sold to a police constable, six grams of cannabis. The second charge read that on the same day, the man also had in his possession 20 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking. Paul who was represented by an Attorney-at-law, pleaded guilty to both charges. He was then fined $30,000 for each charge and sentenced to three years on each charge. The sentences will run concurrently. The man’s Attorney, Motee Singh, pleaded with Magistrate Esther Sam that his client’s sentences be reduced to a minimum. Singh noted that his client saved the court considerable amount of time by pleading guilty, and that the court should take into consideration Paul’s age. Paul was already serving a three-year sentence for the possession of narcotics back in April. Paul’s Attorney also recommended that his client serve his three years concurrent to his previous sentences.
Vacancy exist for (1) pastry maker, interested persons can send application to Beacon Cafe. Call: 227-9409 for info. LAND FOR SALE Prime land to build that dream home. Not far from Princess, New Thriving, Massy, HJ water world $13M neg- Call: 669-8397 Parfaite Harmonie $1.7M/2M Uitvlugt $2.5M Tel#697-6311 Parfaite Harmonie $2.5M $3M $1.5M $1.3M Uitvlugt $2.8M Zeelugt $1.4M Schnoord $2.8M Tuschen $5M $1.4M. Call:666-2326 Herstelling 2nd Bridge Lot $4M Tuschen $1.5M $5.5M Farm $4M Diamond 8 street $4.5M Call: 666-2326 Herstelling (110ftx60ft) main road 2nd bridge $5M (4th bridge )$2M Parfaite Harmonie $1.5M Tel#6560701/651-1969
VEHICLE FOR SALE (1) Pitbull Minibus 19 seater, Price negotiable, owner leaving country. Contact: 609-9365 Tractor (foreign used) Massey Ferguson excellent condition 165 $1.6M MF 135 $1.1M MF 265 $2.2M 165 loader, tractor $2.4M @ Vreed-en-hoop. Call: 6825230/615-4414 Pickup truck from Canada,double cab 2005 Tacoma $2.1 M, Ford F150 sport $1.5M, Ford ranger sport $1.2M. Call: 682-5230, 615-4414. NOTICE
2 acres of title land situated @ 1st St Garden of Eden EBD $6.5M Neg. Call Terrence #6387836. email: Latchmanrich@gmail.com
Ian Griffith of 430 North East LaPenitence, Please make contact with Cherril Henry on Tel# 664-9325/696-1680
Friday May 25, 2018
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Guyanese man convicted in drug-related murder A U G U S T A (SunJournal)— Aubrey N. Armstrong was complicit in the drug-related killing and robbery of Joseph Marceau of Augusta, but there wasn’t enough evidence to convict him of personally carrying out the murder. That was the finding Wednesday of a judge who cleared 29-year-old Armstrong of Far Rockaway, New York, of a murder charge but convicted him of felony murder and robbery, two crimes that each carry maximum sentences of 30 years. Armstrong, also known by the street names of “Acon” and “Butter,” was stoic as the verdict was read by Justice Daniel Billings. “I think he was in a state of shock,” Armstrong’s attorney, Brad Grant. Armstrong was one of four people accused of murder, felony murder and robbery in the Nov. 23, 2015, drug-related bludgeoning death of Joseph Marceau of Augusta. Two co-defendants, Michael “Dirty” McQuade and Damik “Doughboy” Davis, pleaded guilty to felony murder and robbery charges and are awaiting sentencing. McQuade testified that he saw Armstrong beat Marceau to death over drugs. Under Maine law, a person is guilty of felony murder if acting alone or with others persons, commits or attempts to commit a felony — murder, robbery, burglary, kidnapping, arson, gross sexual assault, or escape — and this causes the death of another person. A sentencing hearing will be held later. Armstrong pleaded not guilty and opted for a nonjury trial that took place over five days at the Capital Judicial Center in Augusta. The fourth defendant, Zina Fritze, 27 of Augusta, who was McQuade’s girlfriend, hanged herself in jail a day after pleading not guilty
Convicted: Aubrey Armstrong to the charges. Armstrong did not testify at the trial, and witnesses from the Maine State Police Crime Laboratory testified that his DNA was not found on any items taken from Apartment 8 at 75 Washington St., Augusta, where Marceau’s body was discovered. However, Fritze’s DNA was found on the rear pocket of the pants Marceau was wearing. Grant, Armstrong’s attorney, has suggested that the fatal beating was done by Fritze and Davis and that Armstrong and McQuade were not present. However, in issuing his verdict regarding what he termed “a horrific and brutal murder,” Billings said, there was enough evidence from witnesses to find that Armstrong was at the murder scene and participated in the robbery. He cited testimony of two women — who had been given immunity from prosecution — who described Fritze, McQuade and Armstrong climbing into the women’s apartment through a fire escape window as emergency vehicles responded to the crime scene. “That is very strong evidence that Mr. Armstrong had been at the scene of the crime along with Ms. Fritze and Mr. McQuade,” Billings said. As Billings gave his verdict, about 20 members of
Marceau’s family and friends watched from the public area benches as did a dozen or so law enforcement officers. Marceau’s family indicated they did not want to speak to a reporter immediately afterward. After the verdict, Grant said, “We appreciate the court taking the time to review everything carefully. Although we believe we provided reasonable doubt on the other counts, we nonetheless respect the work of the court and Justice Billings.” Two interpreters have translated between Guyanese Creole and English for Armstrong, who is not a citizen but who is legally in the United States, according to Grant. One of the prosecutors, Assistant Attorney General John Alsop, said, “We are disappointed because we felt we proved a case of murder. There’s no doubt in our minds that he’s guilty of murder.” Billings commented on the credibility — and lack thereof — of some witnesses. Alsop said, “The witnesses to this type of crime are going to have some baggage and we recognize that.” On the night of the murder, Davis answered the apartment door when police arrived in response to noise complaints made by neighbours. Augusta officers described Davis as sweating and gasping for breath, and said they saw a slim figure in a dark sweatshirt with the hood up pass behind Davis as they talked to him. Davis fled and was arrested shortly afterward outside the building. McQuade testified that that Armstrong started the vicious attack, striking Marceau, 31, over the head with a milk bottle before Davis crashed a wooden rocking chair on him. McQuade said the attack surprised him because he thought the plan was to rob Marceau of 5 grams of heroin
that Marceau had been trying to sell for several days. “Aubrey (Armstrong) came to me and said he wanted to pull a robbery,” McQuade testified. “I don’t like doing robberies; that’s not my MO.” McQuade said Armstrong originally suggested robbing a different person, but that McQuade told him that would be too difficult since several drug dealers were currently at that location. McQuade prefers theft. He said he would steal items to trade for drugs, as he did earlier that day when he and his girlfriend, Zina Fritze, stole a phone from Walmart in Augusta. The judge, in rendering his verdict, said, “Ultimately the court is not able to rely upon Mr. McQuade’s testimony to reach a conclusion that the state has met its burden to prove the charge of murder beyond a reasonable doubt.” Billings said McQuade’s testimony and statements about the crime appeared to minimize his own involvement in the events. Billings also said McQuade “was a heroin addict seeking drugs that day.” In August 2016, McQuade entered no-contest pleas to two counts each of burglary and burglary of a motor vehicle, seven counts of theft by unauthorized taking and one count of receiving stolen property, which occurred in October-November 2015, prior to Marceau’s murder. McQuade is to be sentenced to two years in prison for those offences.
Part of the plea agreement McQuade signed says he will be sentenced to 25 years in prison, and be required to serve an initial 10 to 15 years of that before being released on probation. However, he had to agree to testify truthfully at the trial of any co-defendant. Davis too had a similar agreement, but was not called to testify at Armstrong’s trial. Billings said evidence showed that Armstrong brought Davis to be the “muscle” in the drug dealing business. Alsop said that a cell phone believed to be Armstrong’s was dropped outside the apartment building on the route the people took as they fled the murder scene. Billings said testimony from Dawn Ego of the Maine Computer Crimes Unit, who examined that cell phone and retrieved some messages regarding “Aubrey” from it, was “an important piece of evidence that places Mr. Armstrong at the scene of the crime.” Other witnesses were called by the state, including many who received immunity from prosecution in exchange for testifying. One of them, Karen Lea, 42, formerly of Augusta, testified last week that Armstrong had been staying at her 37 Washington St. apartment and using it as a “trap house” to sell drugs that he brought from his New York home. She said she was drug-sick, trying to get off heroin, and lay on her couch.
Lea said she awoke later to emergency vehicle sirens sounding in the neighborhood and saw Fritze, McQuade and Armstrong entering her home by climbing in through a fire-escape window. She said Fritze was crying uncontrollably and vomited, that McQuade tried to comfort her, and that Armstrong immediately went into the bathroom with her daughter, Katrina, put his clothes in the tub and mixed chemicals with them. McQuade and Fritze hid out in a vacant apartment above Lea’s and McQuade said Armstrong threatened to kill his parents and his son if he talked about the slaying. Fritze and McQuade were arrested two months after the slaying. In the meantime, Armstrong and Katrina Lea had taken a bus to Armstrong’s home in New York. Armstrong was arrested on the murder charges July 26, 2016, in Queens, New York. He had been serving a sentence at the Downstate Correctional Facility in Fishkill, New York. Court documents from New York State indicate Armstrong was convicted in February 2014 in Queens Criminal Court of sale of a controlled substance in the third degree and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree. The verdict initially was reversed and then reinstated following an appeal, which was decided in April 2016.
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Friday May 25, 2018
Former SWAT head ordered on leave Deputy Superintendent of Police and former head of the SWAT unit, Motie Dookie, has been sent off on administrative leave effective Tuesday, with full pay, but there are questions over the circumstances of that decision. Dookie was the subject of police investigations after he was nabbed on December 30, last year, with 30 cases of Johnny Walker whiskey, in a minibus that was stopped by police, on the Corentyne coast, East Berbice. After then, he was reassigned to a sub-division with the police ‘A’ Division, Georgetown/East Bank Demerara. There were no reported charges or whether the Guyana Revenue Authority acted on the case. What is known, though, is that according to a letter dated May 21, Minister with responsibility for Citizenship, Winston Felix, directed that Dookie be sent on special leave. Felix at the time was performing the duties of Minister of Public Security. Khemraj Ramjattan, was out of the jurisdiction. Minister Felix, in performing the duties, reportedly instructed the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Danielle McCalmon, to take the necessary actions. According to Felix, yesterday, in confirming the decision, having Dookie around while the issue was hanging over his head and him being in a position of authority, sends the wrong message to the junior ranks whom he had to preside over. Felix said that at the time of the arrest, Dookie not only left the jurisdiction but was caught with contraband. In effect, the transfer was seen by junior ranks as a promotion. Miniser Feix said that it appeared to the junior ranks that Dookie was being rewarded for his indiscretion. This is contrary to the office and “inimical” to the office, the Minister said. According to Felix, he saw people making a comparison to another case,
- questions raised over why he was singled out
Minister Khemraj Ramjattan
Minister Winston Felix
involving another head of SWAT, Deputy Superintendent Lonsdale Withrite.Withrite was robbed at gun point of his service revolver and vehicle- the revolver contained 16 live rounds—while he was on a tryst on the seawalls. The officer was at the Industry seawall with a female when he was robbed last year. It is difficult how the two cases could be compared, Felix said.Minister Felix said that the Police Commissioner (ag), David Ramnarine, should have dealt with the matter instead of it reaching this stage and landing on the lap of Minister Ramjattan. Dookie, while on special leave, will continue to receive his full pay. However, Felix may have erred. According to police regulations, in cases of sending officers on leave, the Police Service Commission is the body that has the authority to act. However, the problem is that there is no Commission, with the life of the last one expired and new one yet to be named.The absence of the Commission has held in limbo the promotions in the police force.Yesterday, Minister Ramjattan admitted that a decision was taken while he was overseas. He declined to answer questions whether the Police
Service Commission should have been the body to make the decision.He also declined to comment on complaints by ranks that the decision is suspicious in light of the fact that there are other officers who are facing more egregious offences but who were not targeted. Tightlipped, he only said, “I can only tell you I saw the correspondence that he was sent on leave.” On Sunday, a stinging letter to the Editor in Kaieteur News, under the headline, ‘Why is Motie Dookie being targeted?’ raised troubling questions. The author, Priya Persaud, questioned whether Withrite placed the nation at a great risk when he lost his gun during a seawall robbery. “The revolver which was stolen is currently being used for the numerous robberies that are currently taking place. What is worse? Robberies/ deaths of innocent or tax evasion? Why aren’t concerns being raised about Mr. Withrite’s matter and the urgency of the Police Service Commission to look at his case?” The writer asked why Dookie is being targeted. “Isn’t this victimization? There are dozens of senior officers who have severe allegations or charges against them that need to be addressed by the Police
Former SWAT head, Motie Dookie
Former SWAT head, Lonsdale Withrite
Former head of Narcotics Unit, Wayne DeHearte
Service Commission. Is Mr. Dookie special or is his case that important that it needs to be addressed urgently?” The senior cop’s removal from the SWAT last year would have come less than a week after the Head of the Police’s Narcotics Department, Wayne DeHearte was transferred to Berbice
because a quantity of cocaine disappeared from his office. Almost two kilos of cocaine disappeared from the safe area that was accessible through the Eve Leary office of DeHearte. There are several other such cases with officers still in the force but nothing is being done about them.
“The haste in this decision on Monday when the Minister was out and in the absence of a constituted Police Service Commission which should have been the one to make the decision is highly suspicious and smacks of a lot of things that one can conclude,” a senior police official pointed out yesterday.
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Yates’ Giro lead cut in half as Dumoulin gains on stage 18 (Reuters) - Britain’s Simon Yates saw his overall lead over defending champion Tom Dumoulin cut in half up the sharp closing climb to Prato Nevoso on stage 18 of the Giro d’Italia yesterday. German Maximilian Schachmann won the 196km stage from Abbiategrasso after capitalising on a breakaway to finish ahead of Spaniard Ruben Plaza Molina and Italy’s Mattia Cattaneo.
But the biggest drama was played out well behind the leaders in the main p a c k , w i t h Ya t e s , w h o started the day with a 56second lead over Dutchman Dumoulin, dropped in the final few kilometres to blow the race wide open. World time-trial champion Dumoulin followed an attack by four-times Tour de France champion Chris Froome to finish just ahead of the Team Sky rider, as Yates struggled badly for the first time at this year’s Giro. “I didn’t have great legs but did the best I could. I’m still in front so it’s all good,” an exhausted Yates said after the race.
Dumoulin was cautiously optimistic and clearly pleased to have picked his moment so well to get within 28 seconds of Yates in the general classification. “I was waiting until the moment and with two kilometres to go I tried to see what was possible,” he said. “Yates responded to my first attack and then Froome attacked and I tried to follow and I suddenly found (Yates) was dropped so it was nice.” Italian Domenico Pozzovivo is third in the general standings, with Froome in fourth place, three minutes 22 seconds behind Yates.
Friday May 25, 2018 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) If you're looking for a new job, Aries, perhaps this is the day you find it. "Lucky” is the word that sums up today! Without encouraging you to play the lottery TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) You're filled with vitality today, Taurus. In other words, you're going to feel great about yourself! You're less afraid of meeting people, and you have fewer doubts about everything, including yourself! GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You may have gotten a financial boost lately in the form of some sort of raise or reward, Gemini. The day ahead will make you realize that more discipline is needed. CANCER(June21–July22) You're almost certainly in a phase of psychological transformation, Cancer, and there have recently been major changes in your circle of friends and associates.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Libra, you may feel a little tired and depressed over breakfast this morning. Domestic responsibilities sometimes overload your spirit. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) This would be a good day for you to sort out your business, Scorpio. You should file important papers and get rid of extraneous materials or trivia at work. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) This is going to be a good day to see the doctor, Sagittarius, but not because you're sick. The atmosphere is ideal for getting a checkup. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) This should be a peaceful day for you, Capricorn. Be sure to make the most of it, because it's the calm before the storm. This could be a day of discussion and exchange with close friends or colleagues at work.
LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You might feel a little worn out right now, Leo, as if you haven't been getting enough vitamins or rest. Or you could feel like you're losing track of issues that are important to you
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) “Evidence” is the word for today, Aquarius. Everyone knows that you have a facility for spending your time thinking and analyzing. Today, on the other hand, you're going to be "seeing” things.
VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) If you're in love, Virgo, you'll love today. You could plan for almost anything from a little trip together to a lifetime full of children and grandchildren. Even though your foresight sometimes overcomes your spontaneity
PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You will sail through this day on the gentlest of breezes, Pisces. It's like you've just come back from a week in the country. You're calm, refreshed, and relaxed, and no amount of trouble at work can shake the feeling.
Roger Federer says Serena Williams is the GOAT Yahoo Sports - Whenever anyone talks about the greatest female tennis players of all time (GOAT – Greatest of All Time), there’s an implicit edge, a hint that, oh, they’re good … but they’re not as good as the men. And while that’s objectively true, greatness comes in many forms, and one of the greatest of all time says that Serena Williams stands atop the tennis pyramid … the entire pyramid.
Pakistan make... From page 37 slip where Asad Shafiq took a sharp catch. Dom Bess, making his debut, scored five before giving Shafiq another catch off Abbas, Stuart Broad was lbw to Abbas for nought and Mark Wood was caught by a diving Amir at mid-on for seven. England needed early wickets and Broad snared Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq lbw for four, but the hosts failed to make another breakthrough under the floodlights. Azhar Ali (18 not out) and Haris Sohail (21 not out) were largely untroubled by the England fast bowlers, although Azhar was dropped in the slips on 16 by Stokes off Wood to complete a poor day for Root’s side at the start of the two-match series. Scores: Pakistan 50 for 1 trail England 184 (Cook 70, Abbas 4-23, Hasan 4-51) by 134 runs.
Foster urges... From page 42 players, club officials and administrators of the Berbice Board. This would be part of the Berbice Cricket Board effort to get each stakeholder to understand their responsibilities and to strengthen the administrative structure of clubs and the Board. This, Foster stated would better prepare players and clubs to be part of the cricketing revolution taking place in Berbice. The Berbice Cricket Board in 2018 would be hosting close to twenty cricket tournaments in 2018, while dozens of developmental programmes are also being scheduled for the remainder of the year. These includes social skills seminar, first aid clinic, countywide coaching programme, Club Management Training Programme, Educational Cricket Posters and Coaching Clinics for Wicketkeepers, fast bowlers, offspinners and leg spinners.
In a wide-ranging interview in the Wall Street Journal, Roger Federer takes a moment to discuss Williams’ career and return to the game after becoming a mother. “She had a totally different upbringing — I came up through Switzerland with the federation, she did it with her dad and her sister,” Federer says. “It’s an amazing story unto itself — and then she became one of the greatest, if not the greatest tennis player of all time.” Asked to clarify whether he meant greatest woman or greatest overall, Federer didn’t hesitate: “Overall.” The numbers back up his claims. Federer himself is the winningest major champion in
men’s tennis, with 20 Grand Slam singles titles. But Serena has 23 Grand Slam titles, second all-time, as well as 14 doubles titles, fifth all-time. Federer notes that “it’s not fair to compare” players across eras, given the differences in technologies and travel since tennis’s earliest days. “But we know [Serena] is all the way up there. I’m probably up there with somebody, somehow. Maybe there’s a group, a best of five — and if you’re in that group, you should be pleased and happy. Tennis is a funky sport when it comes to that stuff.” So there you go. Roger Federer says Serena’s the best ever. You want to argue with him? (Jay Busbee)
Friday May 25, 2018
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Red Bull’s hopes of Monaco Serena Williams gets a friendly draw pole boosted by strong practice at French Open all things considered
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain steers his car during the second practice session in Monaco, yesterday. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) MONACO (AP) — With its slow straights and tight corners, the Monaco Grand Prix offers Red Bull a strong chance to secure pole position for the first time this season. That impression was reinforced yesterday, as Daniel Ricciardo topped the first two practice sessions ahead of his teammate Max Verstappen. In sunny conditions, the Australian driver finished a fraction ahead of Verstappen in both runs on the tight 3.4-kilometer (2.1-mile) street circuit.“I feel we set as much of a benchmark as we could,” said Ricciardo, who won the Chinese GP last month. “Our long run looked decent. It is not everything around here, but we seem to be good in all conditions at the moment.” Sebastian Vettel was third quickest for Ferrari, and Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes was fourth in the second practice, reversing their positions from the opening session. Kimi Raikkonen of Ferrari was fifth, and Valtteri Bottas of Mercedes sixth in P2.
There is a third and final practice tomorrow ahead of qualifying. “I’m sure Ferrari and Mercedes will start to put some more pressure on us. They’ll definitely close that gap (in qualifying),” Ricciardo said. “I still feel if we can put together a really good lap we have a very good chance.” Neither Red Bull driver has qualified higher than fourth in qualifying so far. “We’ve always had a strong race car, but (qualifying) is where we’ve tended to struggle,” team principal Christian Horner said. “Hopefully with the shorter straights here and with this circuit layout, it offers us our best qualifying chance of the season.” Gaining pole position in Monaco is more crucial than most races because the track is notoriously difficult to overtake on. This suits Red Bull because it neutralizes the superior speed of Mercedes and Ferrari.“I said the Red Bulls were going to be quick,” Hamilton said. “As expected,
Red Bull’s Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo tops the times for yesterday’s free practice at the Monte Carlo grand prix. (AFP Photo/PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU)
we struggled a little bit. The car felt good in some places, in others it felt bad.” Vettel won the Monaco GP last year and the German driver needs another strong performance after dropping points in the title race. Vettel is second overall and 17 points behind Hamilton, who has won the past two races with Vettel placing fourth in both. A red flag came out during the second session, briefly halting it as repair work was carried out on a drain cover near the famed Casino. Verstappen was summoned to stewards for reversing onto the track in an unsafe manner during first practice, but no further action was taken against the Dutch driver. He locked up his front left tire on the approach to Turn 1 and went off into an escape road. Rather than spin the car round, he reversed back onto the track and Vettel had to cut a corner to avoid him.Verstappen has been involved in two high-profile incidents this season. Ricciardo crashed into the back of him in Azerbaijan as they fought for position with a podium in sight, and both went out of that race. He also clipped Vettel during the Chinese GP and Vettel finished eighth. French driver Romain Grosjean, who has failed to finish three of five races so far, twice clipped the barriers in P1. He is the only driver yet to score a point along with Russian driver Sergey Sirotkin from the Williams team.The nervy Grosjean has a three-place grid penalty for Sunday’s race after causing a first-lap crash at the Spanish GP two weeks ago.
USA TODAY Sports The French Open draw turned out to be far more friendly than Serena Williams might’ve anticipated considering she is not seeded and faced the potential of playing a top seed in the early rounds. Williams, ranked No. 453, will start her campaign for a fourth French Open title against southpaw Kristyna Pliskova of the Czech Republic in the first meeting between the two. The 70th-ranked Pliskova is the twin sister of the more accomplished sixth-ranked Karolina Pliskova, and in her three previous appearances at the French Open (2014, ’16, ’17) the Czech’s never ventured beyond the first round. Nevertheless, if Williams continues to advance through the draw, her path would not be without possible pitfalls and familiar faces. Most notably, if the 23time Grand Slam champion journeys to the fourth round she might find two-time French Open champion Maria Sharapova awaiting her on the other side of the net. It’s no secret that the two have never cemented a great friendship on tour, which always makes their matches intriguing even if the advantage is heavily weighted in favor of Williams. Sharapova is playing at the French for the first time since 2015. Williams holds a 19-2 career advantage over Sharapova, including a final victory over the Russian in the 2013 French Open, the only time they played at the dirt Grand Slam. Another fourth-round
Serena Williams plays a backhand during a practice session ahead of the French Open at Roland Garros yesterday in Paris, France. (Photo: Cameron Spencer, Getty Images) possibility is an appointment with Karolina Pliskova, who would likely be a more formidable opponent for Williams than her twin. Williams, a three-time French Open champion, is in comeback mode after taking a lengthy maternity leave. This will be her first Grand Slam back since giving birth to her daughter, Alexis Olympia, in September, and since she won her 23rd Grand Slam trophy at the 2017 Australian Open. The unseeded Williams is playing at the French Open courtesy of a protected ranking of No. 1, which reflects where she was located when she started her maternity break in February 2017. Thus far in 2018, she’s only played four matches for a 2-2 record, and will be playing for the first time on clay since 2016. Located in the top half of the draw, Williams’ second-
round opponent might be 17th-seeded Ashleigh Barty of Australia. Barty wouldn’t consider clay a favorite surface, although she did reach the French Open doubles final last year. Williams could potentially play 11th-seeded Julia Goerges of Germany in the third round, who is a player somewhat more comfortable on the slip-and-slide dirt courts. Nevertheless, Williams won both previous matches they’ve played, including only spotting Goerges two games in their 2010 French Open secondround outing. If Williams advances through to the second week, it’s worth noting she’s in the same quarter of the draw as Garbine Muguruza. That encounter would offer fans a rematch of the 2016 French Open final between the two, which provided the Spaniard with her first Grand Slam trophy.
Pakistan make careless England suffer at Lord’s LONDON (Reuters) - Pakistan dominated the first day of the opening test after bowling out England for 184 and battling to 50 for one in overcast conditions at Lord’s yesterday. England captain Joe Root won the toss but apart from a gritty 70 by Alastair Cook, his batsmen failed to show the necessary application as Mohammad Abbas and Hasan Ali took four wickets each with disciplined seam bowling. England failed to make the positive start they wanted following their heavy Ashes defeat in Australia and a rare series loss in New Zealand. Mark Stoneman’s unconvincing international career continued when he was bowled by Abbas for four, beaten as he tried to drive a full-length delivery which clipped the top of his off stump. Root, who could have been run out before he had scored, played carefully to get to four
before driving rashly at a wide ball from Hasan to nick a catch to wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed. Dawid Malan was also caught by Sarfraz off Hasan for six to leave England struggling at 43 for three. Cook and Jonny Bairstow dug in with a partnership of 57 before Bairstow was bowled for 27 by Faheem Ashraf. Cook, playing in a record-equalling 153rd consecutive test, was bowled by an excellent delivery from Mohammad Amir to end an innings lasting over three hours. The experienced left-hander, who hit 14 fours, looked crestfallen after missing out on a 33rd test century and he trudged slowly back to the pavilion to a standing ovation. Ben Stokes unfurled a few trademark attacking strokes in his 38 but he was trapped lbw by Abbas following a review and England’s last five wickets crumbled for the addition of 16 runs straight after tea. Jos Buttler, on 14, edged Hasan to second (Continued on page 36)
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Friday May 25, 2018
Kaieteur News
GCB child protection courses commences By Zaheer Mohamed Player drops catch. Coach punches player. “Leave my field. You are a waste of space.” Fair or Abusive? “One little punch and some rough talk won’t do no harm.” Maybe, maybe not, but once or a pattern over time, it’s still abusive. Abuse is harm or the potential of harm, weather physical, emotional/psychological, sexual or neglect. When a parent or guardian leaves their child/children in your care for an afternoon of cricket, they expect that their child/children will be safe for that period; failure by you to ensure that the parent or guardian expectations are met may result in serious consequences. With the aim of imparting knowledge of child protection to coaches, players, managers and teachers, the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has commenced its first of a series of child protection courses yesterday at its board room, Regent Road, Bourda. The programme which is a prerequisite to becoming a certified Cricket West Indies (CWI) Coach is being sponsored by
UNICEF and CWI and is being held in collaboration with Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA) and the Ministry of Education. Yesterday’s course was attended by a number of players, coaches, managers and former players and was facilitated by GCB Territorial Development Officer former West Indies fast bowler Colin Stuart, Orette Francois Senior Probation and Social Service Officer CCPA and Nicholas Fraser head of Physical Education Department Ministry of Education Allied Arts Unit. Speaking with Kaieteur Sport, Fraser said that the course is not only helpful to players and coaches but teachers as well. It has to do with anybody who has access or contact with children. “What we are trying to do is to outline the do’s and dont’s and acceptable an unacceptable behaviour from persons that are interacting with children. We are also going further to look at if there are any issues a coach may be able to identify and who they can turn to and where they can go.”“Child protection is
- First for the year concluded yesterday
Participants at the Child Protection course yesterday at GCB. (Zaheer Mohamed photo) everybody’s business and when it comes to issues that may be happening in the home or schools the coaches may have a different view and a better relationship with athletes and there are some things the coach can report on so this is a very good way of working across the board and ensure the children are not abuse in any form,” he
added. Fraser said that there are systems in the schools welfare unit in central areas where they have officers in each region who would service a cluster of schools so there are persons who are looking at this. He stated that there very supportive and hope to expand the programme adding that they are using its content for training in dormitory schools which includes child safety. Cricket can have an enormous positive effect on children of all ages. It can increase confidence and self-esteem, and encourage personal development, both mentally and physically. There are several signs that may arise if a child may be abused or harmed. It is the responsibility of a coach to act if they notice any signs of child abuse which can be unexplained bruising or injuries, sudden changes in behaviour, something a child has said or a change in the child that is observed over a long period of time. As such
it is important to report any incident of child abuse without delay and that the information is correct. Stuart added that other courses will be held in Essequibo, Berbice and Upper Demerara. He stated that the aim of the course is to give persons who are working with children on a regular basis, a wild perspective of child protection including child care, management and how to handle reporting. “It is very interactive, it’s getting us to change the culture whereas in training, forms of punishment, for example dropping a catch or playing bad shot were allowed. so when we have an activity we have to ensure that that these things does not constitutes abuse and those who are working with children have a better idea of what abuse is and remove activities that may suggest abuse.” Stuart who played six test matches and picked up 20 wickets at an average of 31.39 indicated that apart from
Child Protection, other prerequisites for becoming a coach are first aid and police clearance. In an invited comment, Senior CWI selector Travis Dowlin pointed out that he is pleased with the programme. “It is very informative, I have learnt a lot especially when dealing with the younger players. Such courses are important not only for cricket for other sports as well as teachers and children.” Dowlin added that it’s a great initiative and will help to provide a safe environment adding that it augurs well for the game. He lauded the steps taken by the CWI and GCB. Among the do’s are be accessible and receptive, listen carefully and reassure children that they have a right to tell while some of the dont’s are seek to disprove possible abuse, make promises to children, jump to conclusion, speculate, fail to pass information on to the child protection officer.
Friday May 25, 2018
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Kaieteur News
Fantastic Feeling to be WIFBSC Individual Champion Again – Goodluck Delivering for the team is exactly what I desire By Franklin Wilson in Barbados in association with Industrial Safety Supplies Inc. and Fitness Express New Individual King of the Caribbean Fullbore Range, Ransford Goodluck has disclosed that after winning the title back in 2010 he somehow felt that he could not do it again but mustered the confidence and will to again be crowned in the top shot at the 2018 West Indies Fullbore Shooting Council (WIFBSC) Individual Championship here in Barbados. Goodluck, who has won his 7th championship at this level, three more than any other shooter, led from the first day until the final day of the three-day competition and won by a comfortable 11 points ahead of his countryman Lennox Braithwaite, 390.27 to 379.26. Mahendra Persaud, who had won the title in Guyana last year, was unable to defend his title due to circumstances beyond his control but still played a pivotal role in his countryman winning to keep the title in Guyana. Goodluck revealed that after he had won the title in 2010 he unjustifiably took a step back from the sport. “I can say so now because I discovered that while I was competing between 2010 and
now, there was no joy, I was just going through the motions. But after the illness of our colleague, captain and brother Mahendra, I had to step in to replace him on the Commonwealth Games team and then I discovered that all I thought was ok and was not well with respect to my equipment.” The top marksman, who has been around the sport for well over 35 years, indicated that he had to completely retool in terms of his shooting equipment and then he started to experience the pleasure that was missing. What Goodluck also discovered at the Commonwealth Games held in the Gold Coast of Australia was that he was one competition short of really getting back into his old winning stride. “So when I came back home and we started to prepare for the Caribbean championships I felt that I was really at the level I was supposed to be. But somehow within the preparation I figured that I was losing something in that, while we were at the Commonwealth Games it was an everyday exercise but at home it was a once a week thing.” But the experienced shooter said that he kept strengthening his mental fortitude and from the first day here at the Paragon Ranges
he discovered himself and started producing the kind of scores he knows he is capable of and required to be the best. “Just like old times and I fell back into the groove, the mindset and the pleasure; all that goes with it. But really and truly, I kind of short changed myself for eight years but I am really, really happy now.” The new king of the range further disclosed that his success would have also been as a result of being in the company that makes him, somebody. “The company I love the most; they are friends that I have, but these are the most important people in my life outside of my family. Being there and really delivering to make good things happen for the team, individually and collective is exactly what I desire.” Looking ahead to the team championships which starts today with the Long Range Match and would end tomorrow with the marquee Short Range Match, Goodluck commented: “I have observed that the senior shooters more or less have delivered but some of the junior ones have not delivered within my expectation as an individual and that would take some effort on the part of the coaches and the team in general to really motivate and get them up to the
Celtics clamp down on... From page 40 tied 2-2 have won the series 83.1 percent of the time (16734). Game 6 is tonight in Cleveland. Game 7, if necessary, would be Sunday in Boston. “I look forward to seeing us respond on Friday night,” James said. “I know how well we’ve played at home in this postseason. That’s the only thing I can worry about right now. I’m not worried about a Game 7. You have to worry about Game 6. You ain’t put yourself in that moment until you take care of the present.” Boston is one win away from its first NBA Finals appearance since 2010, when it lost to the rival Los Angeles Lakers in seven games. Cleveland has been in three consecutive Finals while James has gone to seven in a row between the Cavs and Miami Heat. Brown lauded the postseason improvement of Tatum, saying, “The sky’s the limit. He’s gonna continue to get better. He’s my workout partner. I expect it in myself,
and I expect it in him. ... “Everybody doesn’t hit the rookie wall. I don’t think Ben Simmons or Donovan Mitchell hit one either. I don’t think Jayson Tatum did. If you come into the league thinking you’re gonna hit one, you kind of ... limit yourself. J.T., ain’t no limit for that. He just comes in and works. He has the right people around him. Al. The right vets around him. Showing us the right way to win.” Down 76-60 entering the fourth quarter, Cleveland fell behind by 20 early in the period before pulling within 8573 on James’ layup with 4:43 to play. Boston’s Terry Rozier hit a pull-up jumper 17 seconds later, and Horford’s 3-pointer with 3:53 left put Boston ahead 90-73. The Cavs waived the white flag when James checked out with 3:11 remaining. Lue said he thought James looked tired, but the coach added, “No concerns. You’ve got to be ready to play now. No concerns.”
Boston was up 53-42 at halftime. Tensions flared early in the second quarter when Cleveland’s Larry Nance Jr. shoved Morris under the basket. Nance took exception to Morris standing over him after falling while battling for a loose ball. Technical fouls were assessed to Morris, Nance and Rozier, who shoved Nance in retaliation as the teams scuffled. Cleveland trailed 3619 at the time but used a 12-3 run to pull within eight with 8:40 left until halftime. The Celtics led 32-19 after one quarter. “I’ve never played in a series where home court seemed to matter so much,” Cavs swingman Kyle Korver said. “I mean, we’ve just played really bad here in Boston. They probably feel the same way about how they played in Cleveland. But thank God we’re going home next. Hopefully we’ll play better and force a Game 7, then you never know what can happen.” (Gethin Coolbaugh, Field Level Media)
Ransford Goodluck (left) relaxing before the start of the Individuals with T&T’s Norris Gomez, former WIFBSC President. level that we require in order to perform that we normally do, which is above and beyond the opposition.” Goodluck believes that once the shooters are motivated to the level that Guyana normally operates on, there is no doubt that the titles would be successfully defended. “Having said that, it
doesn’t mean that the other teams are going to allow us and at the same time performing at their best anyway. But we don’t need to find out whether they are at their best or their worst, we need to keep our standard at the best level that we can and that is what we intend to do.” The win Goodluck said is
dedicated to Mahendra Persaud: “Without him I am certain that I would not have been at this level in relation to motivation; to really want to do something good. God bless him in his recovery and we are really looking forward to have him back with us on the range in the shortest possible time.”
WIFBSC 2018 Long Range Match
GuyanaNRA name strong 8-man team to defend title today By Franklin Wilson in Barbados in association with Industrial Safety Supplies Inc. and Fitness Express The selection committee of the Guyana National Rifle Association (GuyanaNRA) yesterday met at the Rostrevor Hotel, St. Lawrence Gap following a team meeting and named a strong 8-man team for the defence of their West Indies Fullbore Shooting Council Long Range championship, for the Milex/Crown Mining trophy. Captain is Dylan Fields on debut, Ransford Goodluck, Lennox Braithwaite, Leo
Romalho, Sherwin Felicien, Peter Persaud and Sigmond Douglas. The Reserve Shooter is John Fraser. Paul Slowe is the Head Wind Coach and would be assisted by Braithwaite, Goodluck, Fields and Dane Blair.The host nation Barbados, Antigua & Barbuda, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago would all be seeking to dethrone the champions but would have to come with their A+ game to get past the Guyanese who are very confident of success, once again. Speaking about the Guyanese chances of retaining the title, Captain Fields said that they have arrived at the best possible team of
marksmen for the task and is confident that they would get the job done. The first shot today would be fired off at 10:00hrs at the 900 yards range and each nation would have 120 minutes to complete the shoot with each of the eight members, allocated two sighting shots and 10 shots to count. Following the completion of this range there would be a short break before the final range is contested, 1000 yards. Tomorrow, the Short Range Match for the WIFBSC Trophy would be contested at the 300, 500 and 600 yards ranges.
Lady Jags face Barbados... From page 41 being without three stars who are injured, appear to be the strongest team in the group and were unlucky not to defeat Bermuda in their 2-2 drawn match after trailing twice. Meanwhile, Suriname, who dominated the second half of the match that they controversially lost 2-1 to Barbados, had tasted defeat due to a poor first half. The Dutchwomen showed glimpses of brilliance dur-
ing the loss and they will definitely not be a pushover for the Guyanese. In the opening match, Barbados will look to register their second win which will put them in a superb position to be the lone team to move on to the next round of qualifiers. The ‘Bajans’ will look to their left winger and rising star Caitlyn Padmore, who opened the scoring in their winner against Suriname,
along with Felicia Jarvis and Shanice Stevenson to continue good form. Bermuda are expected to employ an attacking tactic since goal-difference may play a major role at the end and they will hope that the Teyah Lindo get the opportunity to release her powerful legs to pressure the novice-looking Surinamese goalkeeper, Nathalie Benjamine. Admission to the venue is $500.
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Friday May 25, 2018
Kaieteur News
MSC implementing plans to move forward The new Executive of the Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) recently held its first Statutory meeting to name the Sub-committees and make plans for the way forward. It was decided that despite the other activities tonight as part of Guyana’s 52nd Independence Anniversary, that Monthly Club Night and Karaoke be held tonight at the club’s Thomas Lands venue and all overseas members back home for the Independence celebrations, are encouraged to attend. A number of projects have been set for the year including the construction of a Multi-purpose all weather Sports facility, increasing their pool of youth cricketers and enlarging the general membership of the club. A brain child of Owen John, the construction of the practice facility is estimated to cost $3.3 Million and will include three pitches. MSC has gotten sponsorship from several businesses for this project. The club hopes to
develop a facility which can accommodate a Basketball, Volleyball and futsal Court in addition to Cricket. The entire Sports facility should cost approximately $6.5Million and would be rented to sports promoters to generate funds for the Club which plays in GCA’s competitions. The club also has plans for installing floodlights and is seeking sponsorship for these projects. A number of overseas players are willing to contribute in whatever way they can. A number of the former players are seeing the development of the infrastructure and other amenities at the club and are keen to play their part. It was also noted that past Presidents Claude Raphael (who implemented a youth section in 1984), Lance Hinds and immediate past President Neil Barry have all indicated their willingness to contribute to the club’s development. A President is limited to two terms in Office and cur-
rent President Winston Semple and Secretary Adrian Smith are ex-officio members of each sub-committee. Sub-committees:Public Relations-Sean Devers (Chairman), Kurtis ‘DJ Casual’ Armstrong, Owen John, Darien Best; Finance: Troy Lewis- (Chairman), Shawn Holder, Marcus Watkins, Deborah McNichol, Lance Hinds; Ground Committee: Troy Lewis- (Chairman), Winston Semple, Shawn Holder; Disciplinary Committee: Adrian Smith (Chairman), Shawn Holder, Sean Devers, Quasen Nedd, Theresa Pemberton; Fund Raising Committee: Deborah McNichol (Chairman), Oswald Pearce, Kurtis Armstrong, Owen John, Troy Lewis, Marcus Watkins, Darien Best, Kefa Naughton, Steven Jacobs, Theresa Pemberton, Alisha Dalrymple; Cricket Committee: Shawn Holder(Chairman), Steven Jacobs,Sean Devers, Marcus Watkins, Owen John, Darien Best, Oswald Pearce
Karaoke on tonight at Club’s pavilion
Winston Semple (seated middle) with the new MSC Executives.
WINDIES aims to improve ranking Celtics clamp down on with busy summer schedule Cavs, take 3-2 series edge BOSTON - Rookie Jayson Tatum scored 24 points and grabbed seven rebounds as the Boston Celtics defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 96-83 on Wednesday night to take a 3-2 lead in the Eastern Conference finals. Jaylen Brown added 17 points, Al Horford had 15 points and 12 boards and both Marcus Morris and Marcus Smart scored 13 for Boston. The Celtics have earned all three of their wins this series at home, where they are 10-0 in the playoffs. “When we’re sometimes on the road, it’s just different in the playoffs,” Horford said. “You get on the road and you’re just out there against everybody else. Here, I just think that our guys just feel comfortable and good. It’s a credit to the atmosphere that’s here. It’s just a lot of fun to play in right now.” LeBron James finished with 26 points, 10 rebounds and five assists for Cleveland, though he committed six turnovers. Kevin Love had 14 points and seven boards for the Cavaliers, who had evened the series with a 111102 win in Game 4 on Monday. James and Love were the only two Cleveland players to score in double figures. “Defensively, holding this (Boston) team to 36 percent (shooting) from the field was a good job,” Cavs coach
ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Top-order, left-handed batsman, Devon Smith returns to the WINDIES squad for the series against Sri Lanka. Wicket-keeper Jamar Hamilton has also earned selection in the elite squad for the first time becoming the second Anguillan, behind Omari Banks to do so. The confirmed squad is: · Jason Holder – captain · Devendra Bishoo · Kraigg Brathwaite · Roston Chase · Miguel Cummins · Shane Dowrich · Shannon Gabriel · Jamar Hamilton · Shimron Hetmyer · Shai Hope · Kieran Powell · Kemar Roach · Devon Smith Commenting on the makeup of this squad, Chairman of Selectors, Courtney Browne said, “We have retained the core of the Test team as they
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) attempts a layup in front of Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during the third quarter of game five of the Eastern conference finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. (Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports) Tyronn Lue said. “We had a lot of mistakes that we could have cleaned up, but overall, they scored 96 points and shoot 36 percent. We’ve got
to be able to score the basketball.” Game 5 winners in best-ofseven playoff series that were (Continued on page 39)
remain competitive even after a tough series in New Zealand. Devon Smith had an outstanding year and players who excel to that degree should be recognized. We are trying to improve our top order batting performances.” Browne also noted that, “Jamar Hamilton comes into the squad after consecutive strong performances over the last three years and showed even better quality in the A Team series against the England Lions. We wish the team every success.” The 13-man squad will start their busy summer schedule against Sri Lanka in the first Test which bowls off on Wednesday, June 6 at the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad and Tobago. The complete summer schedule includes 5 Tests, 3 ODIs and 3 T20s and CEO, Johnny Grave thinks these two international homes series “will provide an opportu-
nity for the team to improve its rankings in the Tests and One-Day formats.” The Sri Lanka series will also include the historic day/ night Test, scheduled for the Kensington Oval, Barbados from June 23 – 27. The period will also mark the 90th anniversary since the West Indies became a Test-playing nation. SRI LANKA TO WEST INDIES 2018 (Start time in brackets) Wed, May 30 to Fri, Jun 1 Tour Match – Brian Lara Cricket Ground, Trinidad (10 am daily) Wed, Jun 6 to Sun, Jun 10 1st Test – Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad (10 am daily) Thu, Jun 14 to Mon, Jun 18 2nd Test – Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, St. Lucia (10 am daily) Sat, Jun 23 to Wed, Jun 27 3rd Test – Kensington Oval, Barbados (3 pm daily)
BCUA training course commences in June The Berbice Cricket Umpires Association (BCUA) training classes on the ‘Laws of Cricket’ for candidates of the various West Indian examinations and persons wishing to either become knowledgeable or in further-
ance of their knowledge will commence in the first week in June at the Berbice Cricket Board Office. Classes will be held two days weekly on Wednesdays from 16:00hrs for two hours and Saturdays from 13:00hrs for a three hours period. Classes can be adjusted to accommodate trainees work schedules.
Training will be facilitated by fully qualified umpires. Interested persons are asked to make submissions of their contact information to Joseph Simon on 333 6646; 618 5060, Moses Ramphal on 328 7003; 674 7039. Berbice Cricket Board on 333 2375 or RHTY&SC, Mr. Hilbert Foster on 337 4562.
Kaieteur News
Friday May 25, 2018
PAGE 41
Guyana’s senior men to play Barbados in three warm up games With Guyana’s men’s basketball team set to compete in the June 24–30 Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) tournament in Suriname, the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) announced Wednesday that the team will travel to Barbados to face the men from the ‘Land of the Flying Fish’ from June 8 to 10 at the Sir Garfield Sports Complex in Bridgetown. The last time Guyana played in Barbados was at the 2000 CBC tournament which was then named the CARICOM basketball championship. With Lugard Mohan as captain, Guyana finished third at the tournament; their highest placing yet. The GABF only last week named a shortlisted squad for both the men’s and women’s teams for the tournament in Paramaribo,
but, as it relates to the engagement in Barbados, the composition of the teams is not yet known. Nigel Hinds, president of the GABF, stated that his federation is prepared to invest as much as possible in order to see Guyana better their 1994 second-place finish in the regional basketball showpiece. The Guyanese Men are in Group A, with hosts and rivals Suriname, St Lucia, Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines, while Group B comprises Barbados, Bermuda, Antigua & Barbuda, Haiti and Montserrat. “Guyana is investing heavily in the CBC Championship, with the expectation that Guyana Men will win the Male Championship for the first time. The GABF is confident that we will succeed in this venture,” the GABF had
stated in a release when announcing the provisional team for the championship. The Men will feature 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 Juon Nicholson. The Guyana-based basketball players selected for trials are: Shaine We b s t e r, Ti m o t h y 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, Nikkoli Smith, Domair Gladstone and Curt English. Other overseas-based players are under consideration.
CONCACAF Group ‘E’ Caribbean Qualifiers
Lady Jags face Barbados tonight at Leonora The second night’s play in the Concacaf Women’s Caribbean Group E qualifiers continues this evening from 17:00hrs with a double header at the National Track and Field
Center (NTFC) football pitch at Leonora on the West Bank of Demerara. In the feature match that kicks off at 19:30hrs involving Guyana and Suriname, both sides will be
hungry to register their first victory after drawing and losing their respective games on the opening night, Wednesday. The Lady Jags, despite (Continued on page 39)
Kevon Wiggins will be one of Guyana’s overseas based players in action against Barbados.
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Kaieteur News
Friday May 25, 2018
Foster urges cricket leaders to redouble efforts to develop the game Newly elected President of the Berbice Cricket Board Hilbert Foster on Sunday last c h i d e d C r i c k e t Administrators for their lack of efforts to make positive differences and urged all cricket administrators in Guyana to redouble their e f f o r t s . F o s t e r, i n a passionate speech at the Annual Award Ceremony of the Berbice Cricket Board stated that most Cricket Administrators take up positions at the Clubs, County and National levels t o b o o s t t h e i r C V, accreditations or chances to obtain a visa and totally forget that they were elected to do the job to the best of
their abilities. Leaders, he stated must lead by example and be passionate, honest and visionary. The long serving Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club Secretary/CEO who has won numerous awards for his contribution to Sports, Community Development and Social Work, stated that Cricket in Guyana needs every hands on deck and as such there was no place for a carefree, lazy or visionless approach. He also blasted the attitude of certain club executives who prefer to sit on the fence as they are afraid to offend some in authority and are doing nothing to assist in the
development of cricket. Noting that he has never served as Manager, Liaison Officer nor slept in a hotel or travel overseas due to cricket, Foster stated that most people get involved in the administration of the game for reasons unrelated to its development. Too many officials accept positions at the Board level, he stated but never turn up to fulfill their duties and this is affecting the development of the game. Foster issued a warning to officials in his administration that there would be no place for personal interest, laziness, greed, vindictiveness, deceit or corruption. All the Board’s interest would be on the development of the game, cricketers and stated that those who are not willing to put the interest of the game first, can submit their resignations. The Berbice Cricket Board President committed his administration to returning Berbice Cricket to its former glory and that every cricketing talent in Berbice shall fulfill their full potentials in spite of race, creed, family income, sex or club they play for. The outspoken Berbice Cricket Board President stated that voluntary work is no excuse to be inactive as persons were fully aware that they would not be paid when they accepted their positions. This, he stated is a problem affecting every club and Cricket Board in Guyana. The Berbice Cricket Board, he disclosed is now looking at a proposal to host International Cricket Commentator ‘Joseph “Red” Perreira’ in July, 2018 for four days. Perreira, would during the visit conduct seminars for (Continued on page 36)
Friday May 25, 2018
Kaieteur News
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rt o p S
GuyanaNRA name strong 8-man team to defend title today
WIFBSC 2018 Long Range Match P. 39
Defending WIFBSC Long Range champions Guyana during a practice session at the Paragon Ranges, Barbados.
CONCACAF Group ‘E’ Caribbean Qualifiers
P. 41
Lady Jags face Barbados tonight at Leonora Lady Jags celebrates their opening Goal against Bermuda Wednesday night (Sean Devers photo)
GCB child protection courses commences
P. 38
- First for the year concluded yesterday
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