Kaieteur News
PAGE 04
Friday May 26, 2017
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL Moving beyond divisions
Editor’s Note; If your sent letter was not published and you felt its contents were valid and devoid of libel or personal attacks, please contact us by phone or email.
Freddie Kissoon’s good column spoilt by a terrible lapse Dear Editor, I write to offer a few comments on Freddie Kissoon’s article –”The unbelievable country in 21 century”, which was published in Kaieteur News on May 23, 2017. The focus of Kissoon’s letter was the operationalizing of the Georgetown City Council. At the outset I wish to state that except for Freddie’s comparison of the functioning of the incumbent Council with the previous one – which I disagree with – I believe he has made a fair assessment of the situation. Editor, if truth be known, I agonized over writing this letter after having agreed with most of what Kissoon wrote. My difficulty is that I don’t want to appear as being mean spirited for criticizing my comrade and friend, Freddie, for what some may say was a minor lapse on his part. I however felt that it was very important for me to differentiate between what appears to be ‘minor lapses’whether intended or otherwise – with my perception of an emerging trend by persons engaged in criticizing governance st
Today, our nation is fifty-one years old. As nations go, we are a mere stripling when one thinks of the several millennia that, say, China and India have endured as coherent entities. But young as we are, it does not, and indeed, should not prevent our citizens from wanting to live the “good life”. After all, some would ask, “What does age have to do with it?” as they point out that most of the models of the “good life” are so much less ancient than the two cited behemoths that have only relatively recently begun to progress. So the question arises as to what exactly has prevented us from fulfilling the dreams we entertained when we finally became independent from Britain? Britain, we were told, had systematically exploited us for over a hundred and fifty years – not to mention the Dutch for the previous two hundred years. Once they had departed, and we were left to enjoy our own riches, happy days would be here to stay. One fly in the ointment, we should now concede, was the context in which the British departed. The “best and brightest” US administration of John F. Kennedy decided – over the protestations of the British – that Cheddi Jagan was a communist “fellow traveller” who would create another Cuba in the western hemisphere. Determined not to be tagged “soft on communism” in domestic politics after the 1961 Bay of Pigs debacle, Kennedy bought British support for a CIA -sponsored operation to oust Jagan. The violence that the CIA destabilisation programme inspired against the PPP government took an inevitable racial orientation because of the nature of our domestic politics. While there had been historical competition between the several groups introduced into our country to labour on the sugar plantations that had on occasion broken out into violence, the CIA-inspired violence was different. It was different because it introduced violence as a political tool to capture the state and altered the political dynamics of our country with deleterious effects that has persisted into the present. Up to the time of the CIA’s intervention, Forbes Burnham’s PNC had accepted granting of Independence to Guyana under the PPP that had been victorious at the 1961 elections. It is very likely that for that introduction of violence and its rendering of our society, our politics and our development could have progressed more along the lines of Trinidad and Tobago that has a similar population-mix as ours. We may not have had oil all those years, but we certainly had other resources and the educated manpower to develop them. We are positing that the bitterness engendered by racial violence in the sixties reverberated in political violence at times, and has served to prevent us from fulfilling the promises of Independence. This is not to say that other impediments such as “neocolonial” relations, “underdevelopment”, and strategic policies of our governments or developmental models have not played their part. In matters of human development, whether at the individual or group level, causality is never singular. What we are asserting is that our persistent societal divisions have conspired to prevent us from even giving ourselves a chance to confront those other obstacles – and becoming really Independent. While as a nation we may be young, individuals who were adults at the time of Independence are a fast disappearing breed. It is a great human tragedy that most of them have passed on without fulfilling the dreams they had in 1966. It would be an even greater tragedy, however, if we allow another generation to grow old and wither unfulfilled on the vine. The humiliations of our citizens at various ports of entry in foreign lands should inspire us to get our act together. This means moving beyond the violent divisions of our society, fostered by outsiders, and acting together to build our “good society”, right here. Happy Independence to all Guyanese.
measures under the APNU+AFC coalition government, who demonstrate they have short memories when they narrate the development of events under the PPP regime, be it at the central, regional or local government levels. In operating this way the objectivity of the analysis engaged in this practice often suffer. In his letter Kissoon wrote, “…Mayor and City Council has not brought a superior form of municipal democracy. On the contrary, the PPP dominated council had fewer authoritarian traits”. He asked, “How does one explain this?” And he goes on to offer for this, which is not an issue I wish to address in this letter, since my concern at this juncture is with the premise he used that led to his explanation. Kissoon in his letter committed the grievous error of equating the quality of democracy in the present Georgetown City Council with the previous council. In doing so he ignored some of the important developments within the Council which led to the decline of Georgetown during the administration of
the PPP government. The present council is an elected body with less than two years’ experience, whereas the previous council was one that was in place for more than 16 years and had long out lived its democratic mandate. It was allowed to function to give the PPP more political control of city governance than it would have been able to command in democratic elections. Major decisions of the council were in the main, ignored. Developmental projects were only implemented if they had the blessings of the ruling party or, were initiated by the ruling party on conditions which it determined. In the municipality of Georgetown and other local government areas citizens experienced the suspension of local governance democracy for more than a decade and a half. Imposed in its place was the dictatorship of the Minister of Local Government. A non-elected body under the domination of a party and government that is the minority in the council can’t be used to measure
democracy as against an elected one. If Kissoon had said the elected council has not brought a superior form of municipal democracy. I would have agreed with him not because I believe in the accuracy of the statement but because I see it as in keeping with the implicit spirit of the criticism i.e. of demanding better from those in control of City Hall. Kissoon and I parted company when he said, “On the contrary, the PPP dominated council had fewer authoritarian traits”. I was forced to ask myself which country is my friend and comrade speaking of, or was it a tongue in cheek statement by him? I don’t think that I need to list here for anybody’s benefit, examples of the antidemocratic practice of the council and the extent to which democracy in the Council was undermined by the Minister of local government and the acting Town-Clerk when the PPP was in office as evidence to justify my rejection of Kissoon’s contention on this matter. Tacuma Ogunseye
“Throwing dead cats across the fence at each other” Dear Editor, I refer to the last paragraph of my letter in KN, of Thursday, May 25 captioned, “East Indian Immigration and the Second Slavery,” The paragraph stated; “As we mark one hundred years since the end of indenture, we need to pay renewed attention to the structure of social and economic relations that gave birth to the continuation and expansion of indentured immigration between 1848 and 1917. I use this periodization because it is my belief that we need to pay more attention to the factors that led to the imposition of the draconian indentured contract after 1848. We must consider the context. This is especially necessary since many of our communities continue to suffer from the vestiges of the demand for cheap labor, the original reason for slavery and indentureship.” Let us look at some of these factors: 1. T h e f i r s t experiment with indentured laborers in 1838 was
terminated because of the neo-slave nature of indentureship. The first arrivals were treated in similar manner as Africans under slavery. 2. The bulk of the African Workforce had remained on the plantations after emancipation, and demanded better wages and working conditions. There were sugar strikes in 184142 and 1847-48. According to Rodney, this strengthened the resolve of the planters to seek immigrant laborers. 3. The Sugar Duties Act of 1846 – which equalized duties between slave and free produced sugar. With the passage of the Act in 1846, free and slave produced sugar met on the global market. The cost of production of the cheaper slave produced sugar affected the price at which free produced sugar could be sold, and this acted to push change at the local level in British Guiana, where the result was imposition of the indentured contract, and depression of wage rates to match the cost of slave
produced sugar. This sent the sugar industry into crisis. The result was the demand that the majority of Afro Guyanese sugar workers take a 25% pay cut. 4. When the Afro Guyanese sugar workers rejected this imposition, their strike action was defeated because there were enough indentured contract laborers (East Indians and Portuguese) on the plantations. 5. A f r o G u y a n e s e sugar workers left estate residency/housing en masse – this led to over-population of the villages. 1848 was the year of change 1. In the intervening period, although indentured immigrants were tied to specific plantations, there were no rigid contracts. But this was not good enough to meet the challenge for complete control over the labor process. 2. What is worthy of note are the rapid changes of the immigration contract regulations governing indentured laborers and how
these became more draconian as more and more laborers were introduced. a. T h e p r o v i s i o n s governing the nature of the indentured contract went through rapid changes in the years 1846, 1848, 1851, 1852, 1853, 1854, 1862, and again in 1863. b. The most drastic changes began to occur in 1848 after the defeat of the sugar strike; these were followed by the changes in 1851 to require the indentured immigrant to be contracted to an estate for five years that is bound with an employer he/she selected. 3. E a c h c h a n g e represented a tightening of the noose around the neck of the East Indian immigrants. Each change brought them closer to the conditions of slavery. Walter Rodney and Alan Adamson help us understand the draconian nature of the contract and its application in the everyday setting. a. Rodney explained that the working of the indentured code was of such, (Continued on page 5)
Kaieteur News
Friday May 26, 2017
PAGE 05
GuySuco seeks to defend what cannot be defended Dear Editor, T h e G u y a n a Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) has taken note of a letter appearing in the May 21, 2017 issue of Kaieteur News and on May 22 Stabroek News captioned “GAWU must show what “added value” it brings to the partnership with GuySuCo” was authored by the C o r p o r a t i o n ’s S e n i o r Communication Officer, Ms Audreyanna Thomas. Our Union cannot fail to express our concern over the unusually strong language
which was used by the GuySuCo Officer but we see the missive as another desperate attempt to cast aspersions on our Union for its principled stance in defending sugar workers, their families and the people and communities linked to those estates that will be adversely affected by the g o v e r n m e n t ’s r e c e n t disclosure on the future of the sugar industry. The GuySuCo letter begins by calling attention to the large participation by Guyanese from all walks of life in a march on May 16,
“Throwing dead cats... From page 4 that if a laborer was not at work, the expectation of their employer was that they were either in hospital or in jail. There was no middle ground. “An unexplained absence [from work] was classed as desertion, and like all other breaches of civil contract on the part of the laborer, absence constituted a criminal offense punishable by a fine or imprisonment.”1 b. Adamson on the other hand explained that the indentured immigrants were immobilized and insulated from the rest of the society through carefully devised laws, which were designed to keep them unattached from the rest of the population: “insulation and immobility were…maintained through several…devices, the most effective of which were the vagrancy laws and a clause in the immigration ordinance which forbade an immigrant to leave an estate without a written pass from the manager. [And] since the law only authorized but did not compel the employer to issue a pass, it could be used to keep the immigrants in a state of virtual imprisonment.” 2 4. The legal sanctions imposed through the indentured contract on indentured laborers distorted the labor market. There was no free labor market. This was pointed out by the Commission of Inquiry into the treatment of immigrants of 1871. I believe enough attention has not been paid to the indentured contract which not only tied laborers to plantations, but imposed an alternative workforce; which by dint of circumstance actively supplanted the African workforce, and with that
curtailed the struggle for equal dignity in the colony which began with the Free Villages. Today, we suffer from the structure of this history in several ways. First, our racial and economic divide which is now an important subculture is directly connected to our history. Second, the major class division in the East Indian community between rich and poor is also directly related to this history. Third, the colonial mindset is still present in the recesses of our society and acts as a driving force. F o u r t h , t h e global/international economic climate that helped to shape the economic and social beginnings of the East Indian community is still with us. We can see this in the perpetual crisis in rice and sugar. We will move forward as a people and as a country, when we develop the fortitude to understand and speak about this history. If we continue as Eusi Kwayana said sometime ago, to “throw dead cats across the fence at each other,” as a nation we will continue to go downhill. We have to speak to each other, not at each other. Dr. Wazir Mohamed S p e c i a l Te c h n i c a l Director Ministry of Education.
2017 opposing plans by the Corporation and the Government to close Rose Hall Estate at year-end. While our Union is being branded as having “lost its way”, we rightfully contend that wouldn’t any rightthinking Union seek to protect the well-being of its members and their families when they are being pushed onto the breadline? It seems, from our point of view, that the large turnout in the march
and the solidarity it received have bruised the egos of some ‘important’ people and the Corporation’s letter is by all means an attempt at a futile ‘defense’. The sugar corporation then goes on to scapegoat GAWU and the sugar workers for the Corporation’s current sad state-of-affairs but we hasten to ask how it is that production this year is expected to reach only
198,000 tonnes despite some $32B being invested by the state into the industry since 2015? The workers and the Union are not involved in the day-to-day decision making which is said now-a-days to be concentrated at the very top. Certainly, the workers and GAWU cannot and should not be blamed for the obvious shortcomings which have been glaringly aggravated in recent times. GuySuCo in seeking to
defend its indefensible positions has drawn attention to the number of strikes between 2001 and 2016. Our Union reiterates that the bulk of the strikes are related to price disputes which are legitimized in the Recognition and the Avoidance and Settlement of Disputes Agreement and concerns additional payment to undertake tasks in weedy and grassy fields. Such (Continued on page 6)
Kaieteur News
PAGE 06
Friday May 26, 2017
I am in agreement with the proposal of Pedro Haas Dear Editor Recent discovery of first oil has certainly generated a substantial amount of debate in Guyana. First on an onshore oil facility, and lately on the establishment of an oil refinery. The Government through Minister Trotman deemed it necessary to address some of the pressing questions by letting a third party consultant Mr. Pedro Haas from Hartree Partners do a feasibility study on a viable option as to whether the Government of Guyana should or should not establish a state owned refinery. It was decided to make the presentation public. Mr Haas during his presentation, arrived at a conclusion that such a venture would be a heavy burden to bear on the state and the people of Guyana and that the revenues from the production of oil could be vested in other areas such as tourism ,infrastructure etc. This has now become a much debated conclusion. Several letters have since graced the daily press with suggestions instead of 100,000 bpd refinery why not a 30, 000 barrels per day unit. A few years ago another group had proposed a 20,000bpd unit. Mr Haas is correct in his analysis as to the overall cost for the construction of a 200,000 bpd. I believe his numbers suggested $5B USD. This takes into consideration the cost required for the battery
limits and off-sites development requisites, storage tanks farms for upstream and downstream product. This assumption is for a stick built system where everything is done on site and the EPC is a high end Engineering and construction company such as Bechtel, Flour Daniels, Stone & Webster an Foster Wheeler The proposal to use a Modular system would certainly bring the cost down from $50,000 a barrel, However The off-sites, battery and the tank farms will still be needed to store upstream and downstream products. This will still be costly. Provision has to be made to ship at least once every 2 weeks and not each day as shipping costs and demiurge is a high priced exercise. A modular refinery of 100,000 bpd could be $2.5$3B USD depending on your EPC contractor, method of fabrication, added variable cost for construction management and project management. Note the Suriname 15,000 bpd refinery is a complex refinery, with a reformer, hydro- cracker , vacuum distillation, hydrogen plant, power plant and sulfurization unit, just to name some of the downstream processing involved. This refinery cost $ 1 B USD. Here is what happens when the refinery does not have a high degree of complexity, on a 30,000 bpd
system there would be approximately 42% (12,600 bpd) of residual Bottoms from the Atmospheric Distillation Unit (ADU) this is classified as waste which needs to be further treated or it becomes an environmental nightmare. The slate cuts from the ADU would be in proportionality to what the ASSAY of the crude is, so from the ADU the cuts would be Butane/ Propane, Naptha (straight run gasoline, which cannot run the cars and has to be processed through a Reformer, CRU), Kerosene/ Jet Fuel that needs to be processed further through a Merox unit. The only readily usable product then will be Diesel and that is also dependent on a low Sulphur content of the original crude being processed, if the sulfur content is high it has to be treated further. Guyana’s crude Sulphur content has been identified at .5% which is considered low. The suggestion put forth by a recent letter in the press to build a refinery of 30,000 bpd for $2 B USD, clearly justify Mr. Haas conclusion. The amortized loan of this magnitude cannot be serviced by the profit margins provided by a 30,000 bpd refinery if the construction cost is tabled at $2 B USD. A political decision to embark on this type of industry, would be untimely, unwise and costly in the long run, a political decision was made on the Skeldon sugar factory, is there room for a repeat?
I agree that a refinery needs to be built in Guyana for many reasons. The peripheral industries can employ thousands. The Byproducts can catapult Guyana into a new era of development, in agriculture, infrastructure and human resource. Again I agree with Mr. Haas, let the private sector do it. The GOG needs to take note that Trinidad and Tobago (Petro-Trin) has within the last few years lost $1.9 B USD, is Guyana able to absorb such losses The Private sector is a v i a b l e o p t i o n . Understanding the mechanics of the industry, the fabrication process, the s ite development, the demands on Operation and Maintenance requirements can make it a doable but for a
size up (100,000bpd) refinery. Needless to say it will need the support of the Government of Guyana. The GOG may need to assist the refinery developer by selling their allocation and perhaps the EXXON MOBIL consortium’s allocation of crude, through the consortium’s commodities trading division, on a preferential basis to Guyana’s own refinery. To be sold/ purchased at the current market prices with appropriate discounts etc. I know one company’s proposal for a refinery offered the government a 5% equity if it were to sell its allocation to it. I am sure once the price is competitive EXXON would not want to do Guyana the injustice of
selling its crude to foreign refineries. In closing I recall the response to my question to Mr Haas as to transferring income through non transparent deals with subsidiaries and he admitted that this could be a problem and that the Ministry has to equip itself with the relevant skill type. Well, remember we are dealing with a company that is bigger than so many third world economies put together. It’s why I support a refinery for Guyana built by the private sector with government obtaining some equity and because of the spin off industries that would be so beneficial and that would push the industrialization of Guyana. Rajendra Bisessar Bsc, LLB
GuySuco seeks to defend what... From page 5 disputes will arise naturally and calls attention to the Corporation’s inability to cultivate sufficient quantities of canes. This is aptly borne out in the tonnes of cane per hectare (TcH) statistics. GuySuCo, earlier this year, advised the Parliamentary Economic Services Committee that last year its TcH was around 56, this is far from an acceptable TcH of between 75 and 85. In the absence of canes, there will be a proliferation of vines and weeds in the cane fields and thus make workers tasks even more difficult and time consuming and thus resulting in demands for extra payments. I n t e r e s t i n g l y, t h e corporation’s missive states that “GuySuCo did not arrive at this deteriorated state overnight, this is the result of years of decline in several aspects of the business to which GAWU has and still is directly contributing.” In using the corporation’s strike figures for the period 20012016, the Union wishes to state that the second lowest number of man-days lost through strikes in the said period was recorded in 2013 (38,121), but the second lowest production since 1990 (186,000) was recorded by the Company in 2013. So in what way did GAWU directly contributed to such meager production? Our Union requests for the public edification a
breakdown of the number of strikes by number and percentage to show the strikes and man-days that were lost under the category “condition of work” for the period 2001-2016. This will illustrate the magnitude of strikes associated with the sub-optimal condition of the cane fields. From the Corporation’s strike data, we find it interesting too that in 2016 while production was the lowest since 1990, the number of man days lost as a result of strikes was 66 per cent lower than the peak in 2009. We ask: doesn’t the Corporation find it perplexing that in 2016 it had the third least number of strike days in sixteen (16) years yet production sunk to a lowest in twenty-six (26) years? The strike argument seems less and less convincing. Indeed it confirms the adage that the devil is in the details. We agree that sugar production and more so maximum production and revenue must always be the Corporation’s intention. But, at the same time, the Corporation cannot fail to recognize the role of its workforce in achieving such feats. The haughty and arrogant approach by the Corporation hierarchy, therefore, cannot be helpful in this regard. GuySuCo also refers to the turnout of planters and cane cutters in 2016. But this
is telling only half of the story. What the Corporation conveniently fails to mention is that mechanization in both cane harvesting and cane planting are assisting in improving productivity and reducing costs. For example, cane cutters who cut canes which are mechanically loaded tend to cut twice as much as compared to when they are required to cut and load their canes. Of course such a situation is also premised on a ready supply of canes. Many times this, however, is often not the case. In such situations, workers must be engaged, sometimes, in drawn out negotiations to secure additional payments to harvest canes in fields infested by grass, weeds and vines which only serve to frustrate workers, and deter their productivity. The workers’ turnout also cannot be disconnected to the denial of pay rises in 2015 and 2016; the denial of Annual Production Incentive in 2016 as well as the arbitrary change, in several instances, to long standing work practices. We ask again doesn’t the Corporation find it strange that the turnout is what it is when employment opportunities diminish by the day. Again, we urge the Corporation to consult the textbooks on labor supply theory which advises what to expect when wage rates are stifled. Seepaul Narine GAWU
Friday May 26, 2017
PAGE 7
Kaieteur News
Guyana/Venezuela border dispute discussed as oil and gas experts convene
Panelists being quizzed by IOA’s Vice President of Energy and Sustainability, Jeremy Martin (extreme right). By Suraj Narine The Guyana/Venezuela border controversy was part of the discussion as world oil and gas experts congregated on Wednesday last, at the XXVI La Jolla Energy Conference being held in San Diego, California. In the context of companies operating on disputed areas throughout the western hemisphere and the issue of security risks, the question was asked about the US Government’s plan or position as it relates to Guyana and Venezuela’s dispute. US oil giant ExxonMobil’s discovery of oil off the coast of Guyana led to Venezuela reiterating its decades-long claims to land and maritime space. The Stabroek Block, where Exxon is currently exploring, falls within that disputed area. Venezuela, Guyana’s western continental neighbour, already sits on some of the world’s largest oil deposits, while Guyana is one of the poorest countries in the region.
Lisa Viscidi, the Director of the Energy, Climate Change, and Extractive Industries Program at the Inter-American Dialogue, during the discussion informed the gathering that she is unaware if the Donald Trump Administration has a position on the border controversy, but admitted that the issue has gotten more attention from Congress. Viscidi, a specialist in Latin American energy, noted that the controversy may have attracted the interests of some members of the Western Hemisphere Sub-Committee that travels to South America looking at energy issues. “So there might be some interest from that point of view. But for now, it’s not really clear what the US will do...As far I know, there is no proposal. I think the major issue is how they (Guyana) will manage the revenue. How are they going to manage the local industry (and) avoid some of the problems that other countries (experienced) and trying to take advantage of this new find without kind of
messing it up,” she said. The Director added that Guyana should take lessons from other oil-producing countries. Weighing in also was David Victor, a Professor of International Relations at the School of Global Policy and Strategy and Director of the Laboratory on International Law and Regulation (ILAR). Victor, who appeared as a panellist at the conference, stated that unresolved border disputes can be a huge political problem, and posited that this could be an area where the US government can play a “very helpful role”. Like Viscidi, he too cited
A section of the gathering during the opening of the XXVI La Jolla Conference being held in San Diego, California. the importance of Guyana getting it right from the start, noting that the key challenge is how to manage the revenue from the oil. Meanwhile, Raul Gallegos, a senior Analyst on Global Risk Analysis at Control Risks, is of the opinion that the border issue is not going to pose a major risk for oil US companies operating in Guyana. He referenced the appointment of Ambassador Dag Nylander, a personal representative of United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, as part of the ‘Good Officer’ process to settle the dispute. Previous reports have
indicated that if this process fails, the mater will be taken to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Gallegos said that the Good Officer process is likely not “to go anywhere” and the ICJ is likely to side with Guyana. The two-day La Jolla Conference has been organised the Institute of the Americas (IOA). The IOA has established a reputation as being an honest broker of dialogue
and debate on key energy and sustainability trends in the Americas, the Vice President of Energy and Sustainability of the institute, Jeremy Martin told the gathering. The confabulation is being attended by leaders, investors, and government officials in the global oil and gas sector. The event is also being attended by several Guyanese media operatives from both government and private outfits.
PAGE 8
Friday May 26, 2017
Kaieteur News
Weak campaign financing laws leave Govt. assets exposed to abuse – Carter Center Report Following the May 2015 General and Regional Elections, it was observed by the Carter Center that gaps in the law on campaign financing have created a weak distinction between the resources of the ruling party and the resources of the state. According to the report that was recently released, at the time of the elections, this weak distinction had existed between state resources and that of the ruling party at the time, the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C). The Carter Center, created by former US President Jimmy Carter, has been an elections watchdog for a number of years. The report noted that the absence of public funding for political parties had impaired the ability of smaller parties to compete. It was stated that it will be of great significance that for future electoral fairness, laws are introduced on party finances to create greater transparency. It was considered in the
report that it is a given that political parties and their candidates need financing and adequate access to resources in order to campaign and make their platforms known and available to the populace. As such, the Center said that Guyana should put measures in place to prevent corruption, particularly in the context of campaign financing. This is important, since the country would have signed on to the United Nations Convention against Corruption and the InterAmerican Convention against Corruption. The report noted that Guyana’s legal framework is weak on this matter and has contributed to inequalities between political parties. Currently, some aspects of campaign financing are dealt with under the Representation of the People Act. The report said that the ceilings contained in this law are unrealistically low compared to the actual spending on campaigns. “Statements of
election expenses are required by law to be submitted to the chief election officer within 35 days of the declaration of results, but there is no legal provision to enforce the spending limits.” This is not the first time that it was observed by international bodies that the campaign financing laws in Guyana are inadequate. In 2005, a United States Agency for International Development 2005 study which dealt with the redrafting and modernising of the electoral laws of Guyana recommended that amending the aforementioned Act could address the issue. The report, which was completed by former Chief Elections Officer of Jamaica, Carl Dundas said that the Representation of the People Act, as it currently stands, does not provide for a developed framework for reporting on political party campaign financing. According to the study, the Act in its current form,
Autopsy reveals former Haitian President died from heart disease PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti (CMC) – An autopsy report has revealed that former Haitian President Rene Preval died from heart disease. This was revealed to journalists on Wednesday by Haiti’s prosecutor ClameOcnam Dameus who said Preval’s heart was swollen and turned black, harming his ability to breathe. He emphasized that chronic disease led to the former President’s death and not foul play. Preval, who was 74 at the time of his death, died suddenly after falling unconscious at his home on March 3. “Effectively, there had been a certain suspicion because the death was sudden … there was no violence. There was no trace of violence. There is no one to arrest,” he said, adding that the investigation into the cause
of death was now closed. According to Jean Armel Demorcy, who had led the medical investigation, Preval suffered from chronic breathing issues for years. He said laboratory tests had been conducted in both Haiti and the United States. Rene Preval, was the first president in Haitian history to win a democratic election, serve a full term and peacefully hand power to a successor. He became a central figure in Haitian politics from the early 1990s through to his second presidency. An agronomist, he won support from Haiti’s poor majority when he first was elected president in 1996, after a bout of instability that saw his ally, former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, toppled in a coup, then brought back to power. He served a second term as president starting in 2006.
Government is being urged by the Carter Center to improve its campaign financing laws addresses election expenses as they relate to candidates, and not the political parties themselves. It was said that to give legal effect for the mandatory disclosure of financial information by political parties, the issue should be dealt with by amending the Act to include new sections 120A and 120B. The election expenses of political parties is to be addressed in Section 120A and Disclosure by Political Parties is to be looked at in Section 120B. Within the proposed Section 120A, the maximum amount of election expenses to be incurred by a political party in respect of a constituency, shall be at a general election, calculated on the basis of the number of elector residing in the particular con-
stituency, multiplied by a factor of the equivalent in local currency of US$4. Further, it was recommended that in respect of seat allocation based on a proportional representation system, the calculated amount shall be on the basis of the number of electors on the register in Guyana, multiplied by a factor of the equivalent in Guyana dollars of US$5. To ensure compliance, the report recommended that any political party who acts in contravention of the Section would liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding the equivalent in Guyana dollars of US$15,000. Within the proposed new Section 120B, the USAID report suggested that every political party shall keep an account book into which shall be recorded all monetary and others forms of contribution received by the party for the purposes of the election campaign. Including in this record is
to be the name and address of any person or entity that contributes money or otherwise which exceeds the equivalent in Guyana dollars of US$30,000. It was also recommended that no political party is to accept any monetary or other contribution exceeding the equivalent in Guyana dollars of US$20,000 unless the party can identify the source of the money or other contribution to the Commission. Further, each party shall have its election expenses account audited and shall be submitted as a separate audited return to GECOM within three months after an election in which a sponsored candidate would have contested. The return will have to be accompanied with the signatures of the party’s auditors and Chairman of the party supported by a sworn affidavit by the signatories as to the correctness of its contents. According to the report, the return submitted to GECOM will show the amount of money expended by or on behalf of the party on election expenses, the items of expenditure, and commercial value of goods and services received for election purposes. This information will also include the name, address and occupation of all contributors of the equivalent in Guyana dollars of US$30,000 or more. Breaching this section would result in an offence being committed which will attract a fine not exceeding the equivalent in Guyana dollars of US$10,000. Additionally, if an audited return is submitted outside of the stipulated time, the court may impose a penalty of US$2,000 per day until the return is submitted. The information provided to GECOM would also be subjected to public scrutiny, since the audited returns will be available during regular business hours at the Commission’s national and regional offices.
Friday May 26, 2017
PAGE 9
Kaieteur News
Citizens have lost faith in City Hall The Mayor and City Council has lost the confidence of the citizens of Georgetown. If it has not yet realized this, then yesterday’s one-man attendance at the public consultations held to discuss the parking meters was an emphatic demonstration of the total disinterest by citizens of the city in engaging with City Hall. The overwhelming majority of the citizens of Georgetown voted for the present council. The PPPC lost significant support in Georgetown in the local gov-
ernment elections of last year. The PPPC gained a mere two seats. The independent candidates, except for a few, performed poorly. The council therefore came into office on a groundswell of public support for APNU+AFC. The council is dominated by APNU+AFC. They however must not take that support for granted because they have infuriated the citizens of Georgetown by their actions, and this has led to a loss of confidence as depicted by the lack of public interest shown yesterday.
Not even the hire car and mini-bus drivers bothered to turn up, and they have a vested interest in any new system which is going to be implemented. Citizens felt disappointed by the council over the parking meter contract. It is impossible to gain public support for a contract like the one which was signed. Citizens felt betrayed when they learnt that the parking meter contract was signed even before all the councilors had knowledge of the details of the deal.
Teen freed of raping child When he was just 15 years old, Audry Bess was indicted for sexual activity with a child and rape. But after hours of consideration by a mixed 12-member jury at the Georgetown High Court yesterday, Bess was freed of the charges. Now, 18 years old, the former accused had undergone a closed trial before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow at the High Court. He was represented by Attorneys Dexter Todd and Folio Richards. The case was presented by St a t e A t t o r n e y, M a n d e l Moore. Almost in tears and in handcuffs, the former rape accused thanked the judge and jury moments after he heard that he was found not guilty of the charges. Bess had worn a nervous expression prior to hearing the jury‘s decision. The panel took almost three hours to deliberate.
They returned with not guilty verdicts on the three counts of sexual offences for which the teenager stood accused. Following the announcement by the jury yesterday, Justice Barlow charged the teen to use his time to better himself. The judge noted that during the trial, Bess was described as a troublemaker. She expressed hope that the teenager would use the experience as a turning point for his life. “You are young …You have been given another chance. Use the time to make something good of your life,” the judge urged. However instead of walking out the courtroom a free man, Bess will return to prison, since he is currently serving a sentence for another offence. Back in 2014, the teen was slapped with three charges related to rape and sexual activity with a child under 16
Freed of rape: Audry Bess years old. The incidents allegedly occurred at Stewartville, West Coast Demerara (WCD). The Virtual Complainant, (VC), a female, was only eight years -old at the time. (Rehanna Ramsay)
Cops seek ‘Kezie’ for Roxanne Burnham execution Police have issued a wanted bulletin for Ezekiel Edwards called ‘Kezie’, in connection with the murder of 27-year-old Roy Rowland, whose body, with gunshot wounds, was found on May 17, last, at Marigold Street, Roxanne Burnham Gardens, Georgetown. A bulletin issued yesterday gave the suspect’s date of birth as March 28, 1990 and his last known address as Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara. Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Ezekiel Edward called ‘Kezie’ is asked to contact the police on telephone numbers 2256411, 227-2128, 226-1389, 2267065, 268-2343, 268-2298, 2252227, 911 or the nearest police station. Rowland, called ‘Gangster Boy,’ had returned from French Guiana just two weeks before he was shot to the head and his body dumped. His execution is believed to
Dead: Roy Rowland
Wanted: EZEKIEL EDWARDS
be linked to a drug deal in Cayenne. A police official confirmed that a popular drug dealer has been arrested and is assisting with the investigation. Rowland, a father of two, with one child on the way, was said to be a fisherman in neighbouring Suriname. However, police suspect that during their trips out to sea,
Rowland and his crew members might have gotten involved in other activities. The police said that a 9mm spent shell was found at the scene where Rowland’s body was discovered. It is suspected that the victim was slain elsewhere and dumped in Roxanne Burnham, since no one in the area heard any gunshots.
That betrayal turned to contempt when the very council, by majority, voted to go ahead with the parking meter contract. The loss of confidence became permanent when the very council refused to publicly publish the contract. You cannot treat people this way and then expect them to turn up at public consultations. The public is finished with the present council. It is doubtful that many of them would be going back into council when elections are held in the next two years. There is no recall mechanism under the local government system, but people have a way of showing their disapproval, and it is doubtful whether there will be any meaningful response to the consultations which are taking place. People have also lost confidence in the council because of actions unrelated to the parking meters. These actions have irked citizens. The manner in
which the vendors were removed from the Stabroek Square led to protests. The breaking down of stands at Bourda Mall, where some of the displaced vendors had been relocated, led to tears and frustration. The container tax, and of course the obnoxious parking meters, have all left a better taste in the mouths of citizens. They want nothing to do with City Hall. As far as the citizens of Georgetown are concerned, the parking meter contract should be quashed not renegotiated. There may be voices calling for some form of parking meter system, but the public is not going to accept any parking meter system administered by City Hall, period. The parking meter issue is before the court. The court will have to make a decision as to the legality of the contract and the legality of the by-laws. It makes no sense having a discussion about parking
meters now when those issues are not resolved, because those issues are germane to what happens in any parking meter system. The Mayor and City Council is wasting its time having consultations on parking. The public is disinterested, because they have no confidence in the council and they certainly are not in support of parking meters, whatever the system in place. You do not need publ i c c o n s u l t a t ions as to how the public feels about parking meters. The public were quite expressive about this matter in the weeks of protests which were launched outside of City Hall.
PAGE 10
Friday May 26, 2017
Kaieteur News
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
Fifty-one years of Independence and DNA testing Just days before we reached this landmark on this day of achieving 51 years of Independence, the Government announced that DNA testing will be done in 2018 in Guyana. The reason is that many samples sent to Trinidad and Barbados took too long or some got misplaced. Barbados is an island with an area of 166 square miles, whose historical and current economy was and is intricately tied up with tourism. If you make a comparative examination of Guyana and Barbados, then the conclusion is that Guyana has to be a failed state if it cannot do DNA testing but Barbados can. The mind gets mired in deeper confusion each day in this country as you witness opposition politics playing out. Can we blame the current administration for the absence of DNA testing in Guyana? No decent mind would say yes. The depraved mind would say yes. And that warped mental structure is what is destroying Guyana. One former President, Bharrat Jagdeo, holds a weekly press conference. Another president, Donald Ramotar, writes a weekly mis-
sive in the newspapers. This will go on non-stop once these men remain in politics (not certain if Donald Ramotar is still in official politics), but in the mountainous heaps of pronouncements, these two men and their fellow party leaders in the PPP will never touch on why B a r b a d o s does DNA testing and not Guyana. They will never touch that subject and thousands of similar ones. If and when they do, then they justify the criticisms of their detractors, that the PPP leadership is unfit to remain not only in politics but be the main opposition party. I have kept insisting in these columns over the decades that the recovery of Dresden in Germany after WW2 shows what a failure Guyana is. If Dresden could recover from the second worst aerial bombing in the history of warfare (the worst being the American bombing of Cambodia during the Vietnam War) and today is a post-modern city, then Guyana is an absolute failure as a viable nation. Dresden was reduced to virtual destruction from Allied bombing during the fi-
nal moments of WW2. No Guyanese can remain mentally stable if they leave Guyana and descend into Dresden and stare at that modern place. I have kept asking in these columns over the long years that I have been doing them; what have we done with decades and decades of Independence? Those that must be held accountable are in the present leadership of the PPP. I keep repeating in these columns that 23 years is a huge amount of time for one particular party to be in power. What has the PPP leadership done with 23 years of power? Space will not permit an enumeration, but for me, the Marriott Hotel constitutes one of the worst crimes committed against this nation. With sugar and rice failing, with the country’s only university falling down, with the central hospital needing life-saving machines, with schools in a dilapidated state, with a capital city that was the dirtiest in the world, President Jagdeo took 60 million American dollars and built a Marriott Hotel. It was postcolonial madness that has few parallels since colonial
empires dissolved in the sixties. The former APNU supporter, city accountant, Nigel Hinds, has blamed me for an outpouring of denunciations against Bharrat Jagdeo in these columns (see his letter in this newspaper yesterday). I am not going to dignify Hinds’s crass opportunism with a response. I think most people in this land, including PPP supporters, are aware of the tragic nature of Jagdeo’s reign. It has set us back by decades. Why did Jagdeo spend money from the treasury of one of the globe’s poorest countries to build a Marriott Hotel and Barbados, a tourist economy, does DNA
testing and Guyana with huge natural resources and a massive landscape cannot? I will ignore Hinds and appeal to the conscience of Guyanese to see where we have fallen down on the roads we have travelled since May 26, 1966. We have gone astray because we have put into power leaders who proved they were absolutely no good. I feel deeply sympathetic in my heart for the welfare of sugar workers who will have to seek employment with the miniaturization of the sugar industry. But our people must see that the reason why little Barbados (I don’t mean any insult; just using the word for
Frederick Kissoon emphasis) can do DNA testing and Guyana cannot, is because for the past 23 years when they were in power, the PPP leaders destroyed our country. Really man! Twenty-three years is a long, long time to be in power.
Dem boys seh ...
Kan man Duprey come back again Nicodemus was a man. Duprey resemble him. According to de Bible, this was a man who sneak in like a thief in de night to cause mischief. Duprey is de man who did own Clico and when Clico collapse about eight years ago he slip out Guyana just like de thief in de night. To this day Clico still owe de taxpayers over US$40 million. NIS, GAWU, NBS is among some of de people he owe. He bankrupt people because he was a con artist running a Ponzi scheme. Dem boys seh if you don’t understand what is a Ponzi scheme, is a case of a man tekking money from one set of people and promise dem big interest. Then you pay off that first set of people de interest by taking money from another set of people. De news start to spread and
he tek another set of money from de third set to pay only de interest to de second and de first set and that is how de scheme keep expanding and de money rolling over and over. De scheme got to collapse, because he only paying interest to some and having a good time wid de capital. De man suh smart that he kan de whole Caribbean region. Then he come to Guyana and he kan Jagdeo and all ee friends dem. De interest sweeten Jagdeo and that is how Jagdeo give way de whole NIS money. He even tackle de New Building Society and knock off Arjoon because he refuse to break de law to give de kan man Duprey de money. After eight years nobody didn’t hear nutten bout Duprey. Dem boys think he
deh in jail wid Stanford and Madoff.After all, dem is all birds of a feather. Dem is de Ponzi boss of de world. But Duprey was not in any jail. As a matter of fact de man was having a good time at de Pegasus Poolside last night. Dem boys was having a drink celebrating Uncle Adam national award when dem spot Duprey. When dem talk to him he tell dem how he come to help Guyana manage de oil. He also tell people how he got a very good relationship wid Soulja Bai and Run Jattan. Is when dem boys hear that dem seh this time Duprey gun run wid de whole of de ExxonMobil, de oil field and Guyana. Talk half and keep yuh eyes pun pun Duprey. Hold yuh pocket.
Friday May 26, 2017
PAGE 11
Kaieteur News
Need for regional health security amplified at CARPHA meeting “We live in a global village where situations related to health security impact us and we in turn can have an impact on the world. Therefore, we see keeping residents and visitors in the Caribbean region safe by controlling the spread of infectious diseases as key to regional health security.” These were the words of Dr. C James Hospedales, Executive Director of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), as he spoke at the Opening Ceremony of the Regional Coordinating Mechanism on Health Security (RCMHS) meeting coordinated by the Agency. The recent two-day meeting held at the Trinidad Hilton and Conference Centre, brought together participants from CARPHA Member States, regional and international organisations to discuss the implementation of a Regional roadmap for health security.
The Draft Caribbean Region Global Health Security Agenda Five-Year Roadmap (2017-2021), was developed at the Global Health Security Agenda Caribbean Roadmap Workshop which was held in Miami, Florida, in November 2016. In 2014, CARICOM Heads of Government at their Seventeenth Special Meeting in Port of Spain, Tr i n i d a d a n d To b a g o , called for the establishment of a Regional Coordination Mechanism on Ebola (RCME) with a ten-point plan of action. Realising that beyond Ebola the threat to health security is still very real, the RCME morphed into the RCMHS to help counter any threat to regional health security. As a region of very small, highly vulnerable and interconnected countries and territories where there is a political economic integration movement, a re-
gional approach to health security is necessary to realise any success. Speaking to the issue, Dr. Bernadette TheodoreGandi, the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization Representative for Trinidad and Tobago stated, “In order to prevent another devastating event like the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, countries need resilient and inclusive health systems, a sensitive early warning system coupled with rapid response capacity, and informed and engaged communities that trust the health services that the governments provide. She also noted that “Countries also need access to effective and affordable vaccines, diagnostics and treatments, good laboratory and logistics capacity, and safe and sufficient treatment facilities which are properly staffed and equipped.”
Conductors’ brawl leaves man without thumb A conductor yesterday found himself in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts where he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan to answer to an unlawful wounding charge. Devon Charles, 23, of 4 7 2 We s t R u i m v e l d t Housing Scheme, denied the allegation which stated that on May 20 at Stabroek, Georgetown, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Leon Hinds with the intent to maim, disfigure, disable or cause him actual bodily harm. The defendant was represented by Attorney Paul Fung-a-Fat, who in his application to secure bail for his client told the court that on the day in question, his client and the virtual complainant (Hinds) had a disagreement and the virtual complainant attacked his client with a knife and his client responded with a cutlass. Police Prosecutor Arvin Moore had no objection to bail being granted to the defendant.
The prosecutor told the court that both parties are known to each other since they both operate on the East Ruimveldt Bus Park. He further stated that on the day in question at the said bus park, the two men were involved in an argument which resulted in a scuffle and the victim suffered the worst of the attack. The court heard that the victim received multiple lacerations to his head, an injury to the left s i d e o f h i s b o d y, a n d his right thumb was severed. B a i l w a s g r a n t e d in the sum of $90,000. Conditions to the bail are that the defendant must not go within 50 feet of the victim; the defendant must not have any communication with the victim, and he must lodge his passport at the Courts’ Registry.
Devon Charles
Health security, however, is not only associated with outbreaks of infectious diseases and bio-terrorism, but is threatened by non-communicable diseases which can negatively affect the workforce and increase the burden on economies and health systems. Dr. Rudolph Cummings, Programme Manager, CARICOM Secretariat, also spoke at the opening of the meeting. He highlighted the Secretariat’s role as that of a coordinating one, assisting countries in the pooling of resources to gain desired outcomes. He commended the networks formed and supported the multi-disciplinary approach adopted to addressing regional health security. The meeting was funded by the Inter-American Development Bank and facilitated by Dr. Rosmond Adams, Head, Health Information, Communicable Disease and Emergency Response (HCE). The RCMHS is expected to meet again in the second half of 2017, to advice on issues relating to implementation of the roadmap and sustainable financing.
Vendor charged for attempting to smuggle Vodka to prisoner Fifty-two year-old Mark McLennan was yesterday released on $50,000 bail after he appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, charged with attempting to smuggle two water bottles containing alcohol to a prisoner. McLennan denied the allegation which stated that on May 24 at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts lock-ups he took two water bottles containing alcohol to murder accused Howard Rambarose. McLennan was represented by Attorney Tiffany Jeffrey, who in an application to secure bail for her client, told the court that her client resides at Lot 6 Second Street Meadow Bank, East Bank Demerara, is a father of four, and has no previous matter. Police Prosecutor Arvin Moore had no objection to bail being granted to the clothes vendor, but asked that it be in a substantial amount. The prosecutor told the court that on the
Mark McLennan day in question the defendant brought two bottles with what appeared to be water to the court for the murder accused. The court heard that when the rank opened the bottles he smelled a strong alcohol scent. As a result, the said bottles were seized, and the defendant was arrested and taken to the station. The accused will make his next court appearance on June 12.
PAGE 12
Friday May 26, 2017
Kaieteur News
Acting Chancellor heads list of 69 National Awardees - KN Editor-in-Chief among three journalists honoured
Ms. Dorothy Fraser - Golden Arrow of Achievement
Ms. Coretta McDonald Golden Arrow of Achievement Thirty-one women from various fields are among those who will be conferred with National Awards by President David Granger and the Government of Guyana on the occasion of the 51st Anniversary of Guyana’s Independence for their outstand-
Ambassador Irwin La Rocque - Cacique’s Crown of Honour
Madame Alison Roxane Mc Lean George Cacique’s Crown of Honour
Madame Yonette Cummings-Edwards Order of Roraima
Ms. Gwyneth George - Golden Arrow of Achievement
Dr. Karen Pilgrim - Golden Arrow of Achievement
ing service and sterling contributions toward national development. Leading the list of 69 awardees is Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Madame Yonette Decina CummingsEdwards, who has been recognised with the Order of
Mr. Adam Harris - Golden Arrow of Achievement
Ms. Gem Ann Rohlehr - Golden Arrow of Achievement
Roraima. Madame Justice Edwards, who boasts an illustrious legal career that commenced in 1988, was sworn in to her current post on March 28, 2017. She served as a Judge on the Court of Appeal of Guyana for several years and is the sec-
Ms. Annette Arjoon-Martin - Golden Arrow of Achievement
Ms. Julia Ann Johnson Golden Arrow of Achievement
Mr. Enrico Woolford Golden Arrow of Achievement
ond woman to be appointed to the position of Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary. According to the Ministry of the Presidency, Acting Chief Justice, Madame Alison Roxane Mc Lean George, who was admitted to the Bar in October 1990, for service as a
Ms. Sandra Jones - Golden Arrow of Achievement
Senior State Counsel, Assistant Director of Public Prosecution, Deputy Director of Public Prosecution and Director of Public Prosecution, has been named among the recipients for the Cacique’s Crown of Honour, along with Secretary-General of the Caribbean
Community (CARICOM) Ambassador Irwin La Rocque. Environmental activist and pilot, Ms. Annette Arjoon-Martins, who has been a driving force in marine conservation and mangrove replanting projects, has been (Continued on page 28)
Friday May 26, 2017
Disparities between communities must be eliminated The government has acknowledged that a totally free state will only come after solutions are found to link the coastal and hinterland areas. In his address to usher in the 51st Independence anniversary, Granger was clear that challenges are uphill in also finding cohesion. He noted that Independence Day celebrates the moment in history when, after 350 years of Dutch and British colonisation, its peoples abolished foreign rule. “We established a ‘free state’ with the hope of ensuring equality and eradicating poverty. It was the day on which we adopted our own Constitution and erected institutions to govern ourselves and guarantee our freedom.” The Head of State noted that Independence Day celebrates, also, the unique combination of the people who came –Africans, Chinese, Indians and Portuguese – and who, with the Amerindians, who lived here from time immemorial, contributed to the creation of a multi-racial and multireligious state. “The ‘free state’ that we established on 26th May 1966 recognised our commitment to social cohesion through which we learn to accept and respect each other ’s values and beliefs and to share the
PAGE 13
Kaieteur News
- President Granger says in Independence message
President David Granger common space we call our homeland.” The President explained that the ‘free state’ is also one that is free from discrimination; it is one that is built on the basis of respect for cultural diversity, political inclusivity and social equality. “The ‘free state’ recognises our common and complex heritage. It reminds us of Chinese Arrival Day, celebrated on 12th January; of Portuguese Arrival Day, celebrated on 3rd May; of Indian Arrival Day, celebrated on 5th May; of African Emancipation Day, celebrated on 1st August and of Indigenous Heritage Month, observed throughout September.” The ‘free state’
re-commits Guyanese to dismantling the divisions of geography. “Disparities between hinterland and coastland and between rural and urban communities, eventually, must be eliminated so that no group feels excluded,” he stressed. In the case of a ‘cohesive state’, the Head of State said that it involves constructing a multi-cultural society and creating the conditions for diverse peoples to coexist. “Society needs to be strengthened in each occupational sector, in each geographical region, in each community and in each social stratum. The ‘cohesive state’ is not political expedient. It can be realised only by respecting the differences and the diversity of society and by the removal of anger, hatred, ignorance and poverty.” He went further. “It can be created by mutual respect for each other’s cultural and religious differences. Guyana’s national tapestry is composed of the variegated threads – culture, ethnicity and faith – of our peoples.” The President noted that Independence bequeathed Guyanese a state through which they became heirs of a (Continued on page 14)
GTU/Ministry remuneration negotiation at standstill as PS settles in “We are frustrated, our members are frustrated too,” said President of the Guyana Teachers Union [GTU], Mr. Mark Lyte, of the stalled negotiations between the union and the Ministry of Education. After more than a year, the two parties have been unable to sign an agreement for a remuneration package for public school teachers. A former agreement between the union and the Ministry expired at the end of 2015 and an alternative proposal was sent to the Ministry for its consideration. The negotiation process commenced, though irregularly, but it was the expectation of the union that it would have already been completed. In fact, Lyte informed that the matter came to a complete standstill when Government took a decision earlier this year to reshuffle several Permanent Secretaries [PSs]. This move resulted in the reassignment of Ms. Delma Nedd [former Education Ministry PS] to the Ministry of Legal Affairs. The Education Ministry now has Mr. Vibert Welch [former PS of Amerindians Affairs] in Nedd’s stead.
But according to Lyte, his suspicion is that there was no briefing between the Permanent Secretaries as it relates to the sessions of the negotiation that were already completed. “Even if the PS is new, there should be continuation of information...we found that there was no information passed on to him,” said Lyte as he disclosed that the situation that obtains is that the negotiation process will have to restart from scratch. He disclosed that the new PS had met with the union about one month ago with limited knowledge about the negotiation process and had agreed to meet again about two or three weeks later. The two sides have not met since but, according to Lyte, during the inaugural meet with PS Welch, “he was not negative at all...in fact I think he really understood the plight of our teachers and wanted to do something about it.” But the delay in the process has been very disconcerting for teachers, Lyte intimated. “Teachers are very disturbed about the whole situation,” said Lyte, as he added “We at the union have
GTU President, Mark Lyte been trying to calm them and let them know that we are working on their behalf, but I think the general perception of our frustrated teachers is that that the administration is not acting like it cares about teachers. Imagine to date the Ministry cannot come up with even an alternative proposal that is feasible [if they say they cannot work with ours] so that teachers can receive their increase concessions and so on.” He continued by underscoring “rather than just saying in public that teachers should get better pay, the Minister of Education and other senior education (Continued on page 14)
PAGE 14
British security expert prepares action plan to tackle crime here British security expert, Russell Combe is currently preparing an interim action plan that will be used to tackle crime in Guyana from a strategic vantage point. This document will also be utilized as a measuring tool to assist the United Kingdom High Commission in deciding where help is most needed and if it will dole out financial resources for that cause. This is according to High Commissioner Greg Quinn. Quinn told Kaieteur News that the UK is always willing to help Guyana “in as many meaningful and productive ways we can.” However, as per protocol, the UK employs a process to ensure that the money that is to be provided will be prudently and strategically utilized. “On the basis of what is in the interim plan I will be able to look at possible areas of help for the next year.” He was keen to note that while the plan will be used as a guide, “that doesn’t mean the only help we would provide would be on the basis of the interim plan,” Quinn said. Already, Quinn said that Guyana enjoys bilateral relations with UK’s National Crime Agency, which is a British body similar to America’s Drug Enforcement Agency. Quinn told Kaieteur News that this arrangement has been beneficial to both Guyana and the UK. He said
Friday May 26, 2017
Kaieteur News
British security expert, Russell Combe
UK High Commissioner, Greg Quinn
that the partnership “will only grow stronger.” Combe is from the Olive Group, which was contracted by Engineering, Design, Construction, Management (AECOM), on behalf of the United Kingdom Government. He currently serves as an advisor to President David Granger and works out of the Ministry of the Presidency. He is spending one year in Guyana. When Combe came to Guyana in January, Minister of State Joseph Harmon assured Government’s commitment to ensuring the crafting and implementation of the five-year strategic report. The US$4.7B programme was scrapped in 2009 by the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Administration after the British Government had requested to have
oversight of the programme, to ensure that there was ‘value for money’. The former Government saw this request as a move to intrude upon Guyana’s sovereignty. However, the British Government had said that the then Government had submitted a different proposal — one which had focused on police modernisation rather than employing a holistic approach to reform, as was originally requested. The intention of the British was to build a workable basis for improving national security, while reducing crime in Guyana by 2011. Nevertheless, Minister Harmon assured that the new administration is serious about seeing the programme come to fruition. “We are looking for an architecture that goes beyond individual governments.”
Haitian man abandons children shortly after arriving in Guyana A Haiti national is said to be on the run, having abandoned his two children moments after they disembarked a flight at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri. The missing man has since been identified as Jacque Village, of Morisot Province, Haiti. According to reports reaching this newspaper, the man disembarked a COPA Airlines flight at around 14:00 hours on Wednesday. He was accompanied by his two children, ages 11 and 12. Kaieteur News understands that Reginel Cherisma, also a national of Haiti, picked up Village and his children at the airport in a private minibus. While travelling along the East Bank Highway en route to Georgetown, Village indicated to the minibus driver that he wished to urinate. The driver obliged his passenger’s request and pulled over to the side of the road at Eccles, East Bank Demerara. The Haitian man then exited the minibus leaving his two children seated inside. Moments later, the man was seen crossing the road; he was headed towards a gas station in the vicinity. Not realising what was happening at the time, the driver beckoned to the man to return to the vehicle, but he just kept on walking. Cherisma also tried to intervene to get the man back on the minibus. But he
Haitian national Jacque Village and his two children at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport on Wednesday refused. “All he said to me is I don’t want to take the bus anymore,” Cherisma told Kaieteur News. He explained that Village was scheduled to stay at a guest house at Ogle until he met with his sister who was coming from French Guiana to meet him. Cherisma is currently studying in Guyana. He said that he was assisting the man until he met with his sister. “I really don‘t know much about him. His sister asked me to collect him at the airport and put him up at a hotel until she arrives in Guyana. I would help them because
they are from Haiti … But now I’m hearing that he (Village) may have some mental problems. He does not speak English. We wish to find him because he has disappeared with all the documents (passports) and his children are left behind,” the concerned man stated. Cherisma said that a report about the incident has been lodged at the Providence Police Station. The children were also left in the care of ranks at Providence. Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Jacque Village is urged to contact the nearest Police Station.
GTU/Ministry remuneration... (From page 13) officials should start putting their talk into action...this is what teachers want to see the administration do.” According to Lyte, after more than a year, the union is very worrie d that “absolutely nothing from its proposal has been approved and it is as if the process is now about to begin again; this cannot be fair to our teachers...” The union had furnished the Ministry with a proposed agreement which, among other things, suggested a 40 percent across the board increase for teachers for last year. Also detailed in its proposal was a 45 percent increase for this year (2017) and 50 percent for the
A mini health check is the first step to donating blood
following three years (20182020) for all categories of teachers. In its proposal too, the Union had taken into consideration inflation, and had made it clear that “should there be inflation higher than the percentage agreed upon, then the teachers/teacher-educators must get the benefit of the difference.” However, the Ministry had last year offered what was believed to be an
arbitrary salary increase. But according to Lyte, the Ministry was able to explain away its decision to arbitrarily give teachers pay increases of 10 and six per cent which were payable at the end of October last. Lyte revealed that since the Union had not agreed to the percentages given, the Ministry had assured that the amount paid merely represented an interim payment, pending the outcome of the negotiation.
Disparities between... (From page 13) magnificent patrimony. “Guyana is a beautiful, blissful and bountiful country that is becoming a ‘green state’. The ‘green state’ is a natural product of our verdant and luxuriant environment. Our ecosystems – our coastland, hinterland, highlands, islands, wetlands, grasslands, lakes, rivers, rainforests and waterfalls – are our birthright.” He said that a ‘green state’ can flourish and can furnish a ‘good life’ for generations to come by engendering a spirit of shared social responsibility. “The ‘green state’ must embody a common commitment to the environment that arises from our unique, shared patrimony and that will lead to a prosperous future.”
Friday May 26, 2017
PAGE 27
Kaieteur News
200 blacklisted...
Crum-Ewing murder PI...
Get list from Commissioner of Magistrate threatens to close Information -Top Cop tells Edghill case if ASP Caesar fails to show The Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) through one of its members, Juan Edghill, had written to Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud requesting a copy of the list of 200 persons blacklisted from leaving Guyana. The Top Cop has since responded, informing Edghill that “the Police Force has been advised by the police legal adviser that you (Edghill) should request such information through the Commissioner of Information under the Access to Information Act 2011”. The PPP/C Member of Parliament said that he has made such a request to the Commissioner of Information, Charles Ramson, already. Edghill believes that such a position taken by Persaud to his request is strange. Further, Edghill said that his position is publicly known on the issue. Edghill had first made a request to the Chief Immigration Officer and when that information was not forthcoming, he then wrote to Ramson. The information commissioner told Edghill that he was in receipt of his application and has already set a process in motion to access the requested information. Ramson said that he prepared letters to the Commissioner of Police, Seelall Persaud and “shall have them delivered.” He continued, “As you are aware, this exercise has to be outsourced owing to the absence of staff since July 2015. My office has not been
Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud
PPP/C MP Juan Edghill
provided with any officers, employees etc. by the Minister of Information as is required by the Access of Information Act 2011. As soon as I receive a response to my letter of demand I shall communicate with you.” In light of the lack of resources and the fact that the Commissioner needed to outsource Edghill’s request now means that the information requested might not become available anytime soon. Edghill was less than happy with the response provided by the Police Commissioner. It is his view that Persaud can use his ‘high office’ and provide the information to his party. When this newspaper broke the story, the opposition party was unhappy about the blacklisting of individuals. The party felt that some of the persons that are blacklisted from leaving Guyana might not know that they are on the list in the first place. Another PPP/C member,
former Attorney General Anil Nandlall believes that the police are acting in contravention of the constitution. Nandlall said that in order for someone to be blacklisted, this has to be an order given by the court. However a government source had a different position on the matter. According to the source, the list is being constantly updated as SOCU delves deeper into suspected cases of money laundering and misuse of state funds by some officials. The source said that during the conduct of the investigations, once suspected ‘skullduggery’ is detected the blacklist order is applied for by that unit to the relevant authority. The source said that it should be made clear that blacklisting an individual is not something that is taken lightly or on a whim, but a solid case has to be made before such an undertaking is made.
City Magistrate Judy Latchman yesterday sent out a stern warning to the prosecution that if there’s a no show on the part of Police Witness, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mitchell Caesar, they would be left with no choice but to close their case. Caesar has failed to show up to testify on three occasions which led to the adjournment in the matter. Special Prosecutor, Nigel Hughes was told by the Magistrate that he would have to close the case on June 5. Yesterday Inspector Eon Jackson continued giving his testimony where he told the magistrate that he received a package from woman constable Brown, which he opened and examined the contents of the package. Several minutes after Inspector Eon Jackson, a Prosecution Witness, began giving his evidence, Special Prosecutor Hughes told the court that Assistant Superintendant of Police Mitchell Caesar was at the hospital monitoring his blood pressure which had elevated beyond normal. When the magistrate asked Rodrigues if he had a problem with the witness looking at the evidence, he replied, “Right now I deh in a boat sailing. I can’t change anything, what have to happen will happen. I just have to leave everything to God because when money pay you have to go down”. Given the circumstance,
the PI was once again adjourned by the magistrate until June 5. The murder accused Regan Rodrigues, also known as ‘Grey Boy’ of Riverview, Ruimveldt, is currently on remand for the capital offence. According to reports, the bullet-riddled body of Courtney CrumEwing was found at Third Avenue, Diamond New Scheme East Bank Demerara on March 10, 2015. Crum-Ewing was shot twice to the temple, once to the back of the head and twice to the stomach. The police statement had said that the political activist was accosted by four men in a car, one of whom discharged several rounds, hitting him about the body. It was reported that the killer used a .32 pistol to execute Crum-Ewing. At the last court hearing ASP Caesar who is also the head of Major Crimes Investigations Unit, had been absent for the continuation of the matter. ASP Caesar on April 28 had refused to continue testifying after Rodrigues began hurling a series of abusive remarks at him. The police witness was instructed by the magistrate to step outside the courtroom while she and other court officials tried to calm Rodrigues down. But the
Regan Rodrigues called “Grey Boy” senior police rank disobeyed the magistrate’s order and left the court compound. When the orderly summoned his name thrice there was no response. The magistrate had condemned ASP Caesar for his conduct given the fact that he is a senior rank. In 2015, Regan Rodrigues was charged and remanded to prison for the murder of the political activist. The charge was discharged earlier this year by Magistrate Latchman, due to insufficient evidence. However, in March the Director of Public Prosecutions ordered that the case be reopened for further taking of evidence from police witnesses and to rule on the voluntariness of all oral stamens made by the murder accused.
PAGE 28
Friday May 26, 2017
Kaieteur News
Congratulations
Trump condemns leaks after UK police briefly halt information sharing
Congratulations to Dr Leyland Thompson on the occasion of his 70th birthday. On the occasion of his birthday which coincides with Guyana’s Independence Anniversary the greetings are coming from his wife, children other relatives and the staff of Kaieteur News.
(Reuters) President Donald Trump said yesterday that “deeply troubling” leaks to U.S. media about the Manchester suicide bombing would be investigated, after irate British police briefly stopped sharing information with U.S. agencies. Prime Minister Theresa May raised British concerns with Trump at a NATO summit in Brussels, telling him intelligence shared between their two countries had to remain secure, in a rare public show of dissatisfaction with Britain’s closest security ally.
U.S. says three N.Y. prison guards sexually assaulted female inmates (Reuters) Three male prison guards repeatedly sexually assaulted and raped several female inmates under their supervision at a federal detention center in New York over time periods of up to three years, federal prosecutors said on Thursday. The guards, who face multiple charges stemming from grand jury indictments that followed a year-long investigation, were arrested and were to be arraigned Thursday in federal court in the city’s Brooklyn borough, prosecutors said. Acting U.S. Attorney Bridget Rohde submitted documents asking a federal magistrate to deny bail for the three guards until their cases come to trial.
“By using their authority and power to prey upon and abuse female inmates in their care, these defendants violated their oaths of public service as well as numerous criminal laws,” said Rohde. The charged guards are Carlos Martinez and Eugenio Perez, both of whom are lieutenants, and Armando Moronta, an officer at the U.S. Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. Lawyers for the defendants could not immediately be identified. Martinez, 47, faces 20 charges of sexual abuse, aggravated sexual abuse, sexual abuse of a ward and deprivation of civil rights, and could be sentenced to life in prison if convicted. Prosecutors said
Martinez, a former Marine, raped a “petite female prisoner” in her late 20s at least 10 times between December 2015 and April 2016. Perez, 46, faces 16 counts of the same charges as Martinez, and also could be sentenced to life in prison if convicted. Prosecutors said Perez sexually abused five different women in his custody from 2013 through 2016. Moronta, 39, who already faces unrelated bribery and other charges from an alleged scheme to smuggle cell phones and contraband into the prison, faces four charges of sexual abuse of a ward, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years.
Acting Chancellor heads... From page 12 named as a recipient of the Golden Arrow of Achievement alongside SecretaryGeneral of the Guyana Red Cross Society, Ms. Dorothy Fraser; Chief Librarian of the University of Guyana, Ms. Gwyneth George; Veteran Journalists, Mr. Adam Harris, M r. Enrico Woolford and Ms. Julia Ann Johnson; GeneralSecretary of the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU), Ms. Coretta McDonald; Veterinarian, Dr. Karen Pilgrim; Veteran Educator, Ms. Gem Ann Rohlehr; Artist and Sculptor, Mr. Winslow Craig; and Human Resources Management and Organisational Development Specialist, Ms. Sandra Jones. President David Granger has said that the conferring of national awards is recognised as a mechanism, provided under the Constitution of Guyana to give due
Mr. Winslow Craig Golden Arrow of Achievement national recognition to outstanding citizens. The regular conferral of national awards is a commitment made by President Granger. Under the current administration 51 Guyanese women have already been conferred with national awards. In 2015, 19 women from a total of 53
received national awards. The Order of Roraima was received by one person; three received the Cacique’s Crown of Honour (CCH); seven received the Golden Arrow of Achievement (AA); five received the Medal of Service (MS) and three received the Disciplined Services Medal (DSM). In October 2016, a total of 32 women received awards; four received the CCH, 14 the AA, 12 the MS and two received the DSM. A total of 86 individuals were conferred with awards. Additionally, 12 groups were conferred with the MS insignia on the occasion of Guyana’s 46th Republic Anniversary in February, earlier in 2016. National Awards have been around for several years now. After several years without any announcement, it was restarted when the new administration took office in 2015.
U.S. President Donald Trump (L) and Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May react during a ceremony at the new NATO headquarters before the start of a summit in Brussels, Belgium. After a suspension that lasted about a day, B r i t a i n ’s m o s t s e n i o r counter terrorism officer said late on Thursday that the police had resumed sharing information with the United States after receiving “fresh assurances”. Trump had called the leaks “deeply troubling”. “I am asking the Department of Justice and other relevant agencies to launch a complete review of this matter, and if appropriate, the culprit should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” he said in a statement released after his arrival in Brussels. The row comes as British police stepped up their investigation into a suspected network behind Salman Abedi, a 22-yearold British-born man with Libyan parents who blew himself up on Monday night at the Manchester Arena indoor venue after a concert by U.S. singer Ariana Grande The singer’s fans are mostly children and teenagers. The explosion killed
22 people, ranging from an eight-year-old schoolgirl to parents who had come to pick up their children. Police are holding eight people in custody in connection with the attack and bomb disposal units were used in searches as officers raided properties across the city. In the nearby town of Wigan, where a man was arrested on Wednesday, police said they had discovered potentially suspicious items, prompting them to bring in the bomb squad and evacuate properties in the area. The security alert was later lifted. Police said they were making good progress. “I want to reassure people that the arrests that we have made are significant, and initial searches of premises have revealed items that we believe are very important to the investigation,” Manchester’s police chief Ian Hopkins said. With the official threat level raised to “critical”, meaning a further attack could be imminent, troops have been deployed to free
up police, and armed officers patrolled trains for the first time in Britain. The state-run National Health Service said all 27 major trauma units in England had told staff to be prepared for a possible attack, ahead of the weekend and a public holiday on Monday. BOMB-MAKER? Abedi had recently returned from Libya, where his father and younger brother were arrested by a militia on Wednesday. Abedi passed through Istanbul on his way to Europe, Turkish security officials told Reuters, but said there were no records of him entering Syria during his travels as had been suggested on Wednesday by the French interior minister. A source with knowledge of the investigation told Reuters Abedi might have made the bomb himself or with some assistance from an accomplice. That was a change from previous thinking that a bomb-maker might be at large.
Plane toilet arsonist on Sharm elSheikh flight has sentence doubled (BBC) A man who started a fire in a plane toilet has had a jail sentence doubled. John Cox was initially jailed for four years and six months after admitting committing arson during the flight from Birmingham to Sharm el-Sheikh in 2015. But the Court of Appeal agreed with the Attorney General the sentence was unduly lenient and increased it to nine years and six months. The c a p t a i n o n t h e Monarch Airbus plane issued a mayday call and was set to carry out an emergency landing. Cox, 46, of Coates Road, Kidderminster, had been drinking before and during
the flight and smoked a cigarette in the toilet. The plane carrying more than 200 people was 33,000ft (10,668m) in the air and 100 miles (160km) from the Egyptian coast when the captain was told the crew were having difficulty putting out the blaze in a waste paper bin. A passenger who worked for a fire and rescue service helped the crew deal with the blaze so the plane could complete its journey safely. The captain, who had flown for Monarch for 20 years, said he had never experienced an incident with so much potential danger, Lady Justice Sharp said.
She said: “To throw a cigarette butt into a wastepaper bin without ensuring it is extinguished would show a high degree of recklessness. “On an aircraft at 33,000 ft, the conduct comes perilously close to deliberate fire-setting.” In January at Birmingham Crown Court, Cox admitted an offence of arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered. Appeal judges heard the offence was out of character for Cox, who was a hard-working family man coping with his mother’s death and his marriage breaking up.
Friday May 26, 2017
PAGE 29
Kaieteur News
New Integrated Sovereign Forecasters predict above average Risk Management project Atlantic hurricane season as yet for the Caribbean MIAMI, CMC – Forecasters are predicting that the Atlantic hurricane season which officially begins on June 1, will be above average with 11 to 17 big storms and up to nine hurricanes. The National Oceanic and A t m o s p h e r i c Administration’s (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center says the expected absence of El Nino, an ocean-warming trend that tends to reduce the likelihood of hurricanes, is a major reason for the expected rise in number of storms. Other factors include
CCRIF chief executive officer Isaac Anthony (left) flanked by CDB President Dr. Warren Smith (centre) and Malcolm Buamah CDB chief risk officer (CMC Photo) PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands, CMC – The Integrated Sovereign Risk Management (SRM) project was launched here yesterday with the intention of getting all Caribbean countries to take a more proactive approach towards country risk management as well as moving beyond planning for natural disaster risks. President of the Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Dr. Warren Smith, speaking at the launch of the facility, said that it “will help Caribbean governments address their increased vulnerabilities caused by socio-economic factors as well as the technical and economic interconnectedness of communities across region and throughout the world.” The project was launched in collaboration with the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF SPC) described as a segregated portfolio company, owned, operated and registered in the Caribbean and limits the financial impacts of catastrophic hurricanes, earthquakes and
excessive rainfall events to the Caribbean. CCRIF SPC chief executive officer, Isaac Anthony, said the SRM project “is intended to enable the countries in the region to become more resilient by enhancing the capacity of governments to take a portfolio view on risks and include all risk categories…and their interdependence in a geographical context”. Smith had told the signing ceremony that the CDB, which held its 47th annual meeting of its Board of Governors here, had strengthened its risk management infrastructure over the past few years by adopting an integrated enterprise risk management framework. He said the CDB, the region’s premier financial institution, will use this experience to support a holistic approach to risk management in the Caribbean. Anthony said that a key part of the new initiative would be to establish country risk officers or coordinators within countries, who will be responsible for managing
the overall risk landscape, for taking a holistic approach to risks before events occur and ensuring that countries adopt a more proactive, precautionary approach to anticipating future challenges. CDB Chief Risk Officer, Malcom Buamah, noted that the initiative provides a formal process that enables the establishment of an effective country management platform that aims to deliver sustained economic growth and performance over the medium to long term. “CDB’s success in enterprise risk management, complemented by CCRIF’s success in disaster risk management, can be leveraged and transferred to the country platform to deliver significant economic and development benefits across the Caribbean,” he added. The officials said that a number of activities will be implemented over the next few months to advance the implementation of the new initiative, culminating in a regional conference on sovereign risk management for policy makers.
Jamaican loses drug smuggling appeal HAMILTON, Bermuda, CMC – A Kingston electrician has lost his appeal against a lengthy prison sentence for drug smuggling. Tyrone Brown, 31, was last year jailed for 15 years for trying to smuggle packages of cocaine through the airport in his baggage. Brown launched an appeal against his conviction and sentence, both of which have been dismissed by the Court of Appeal. Judges ruled that the sentence was not “manifestly excessive”.
After the short hearing, Brown was returned to prison to continue serving his sentence. During last October’s seven-day Supreme Court trial, jurors heard that Brown arrived on the island six months earlier on a flight from Miami, having left Jamaica earlier that day. He appeared “nervous and fidgety” when speaking to customs officials, saying he had come to Bermuda on holiday but was not planning on meeting anyone. A body
search revealed nothing. However, the following day, when his checked luggage arrived on the island, officers searched it and discovered a black handbag inside. Hidden inside the handbag were two packages of cocaine with an estimated street value of between US$95,000 and US$132,000. When he was sentenced, Brown told the court he was a “respectful man” who never dreamt he would be before the courts in such a position.
above-average sea surface temperatures and weaker vertical wind shear across the tropical Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. An average season produces 12 named storms of which six become hurricanes. “The outlook reflects our expectation of a weak or non-existent El Nino,” said Gerry Bell, lead seasonal hurricane forecaster with NOAA. Forecasters are predicting a 70 per cent likelihood of 11 to 17 named storms that could be tropical storms with winds
of 39 miles per hour (63 kilometres per hour) or higher. Five to nine of those storms could become hurricanes, with winds of 74 mph or higher. Two to four hurricanes are expected to be “major,” meaning Category 3 or higher, with winds of 111 mph or more. The eastern Atlantic has already seen a rare, pre-season storm, Tropical Storm Arlene, which formed in the eastern Atlantic in April. The Atlantic hurricane season ends on November 30.
PAHO report warns of slow progress to curb mother-to-child HIV transmission in the Caribbean WASHINGTON, CMC – A new report by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) shows that progress towards the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis in Latin America and the Caribbean has slowed. According to the report on the “Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV and Syphilis in the Americas: Update 2016,” a total of 2,100 children acquired HIV, most of them from maternal-to-child transmission in 2015. This was 55 percent fewer than in 2010. But on Wednesday, PAHO said this number has slowed down in recent years, noting that between 2010 and 2011 new cases fell by 800 children. They only fell by 100 between 2014 and 2015. “Countries have made great efforts to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV,” said Marcos Espinal, director of PAHO’s Department of Communicable Diseases and Health Analysis. But he added: “Every time we get close to eliminating the transmission of a disease, progress is made more difficult, because it involves reaching all women, especially those who historically find barriers to accessing health services.” According to the new report, in 2015, 72 per cent of pregnant women in Latin America and the Caribbean were tested for HIV, and 88 per cent of the women that were positive received treatment, an increase of 16 per cent and 71 per cent since 2010, respectively. Access to treatment, along with other interventions, reduced the rate of mother-to-child transmission of HIV from 15 per cent to
eight per cent in five years in Latin America and the Caribbean, the report says. PAHO said the goal is to reach two per cent. The report also indicates that new cases of congenital syphilis in Latin America and the Caribbean have doubled since 2010, when countries and territories reported 10,850 cases, showing a steady increase since then. By 2015, an estimated 22,400 children were born with syphilis. The report says that two years ago, 83 per cent of pregnant women in prenatal care were tested for syphilis and 84 per cent of those positive received treatment – rates that have remained stable for five years. Currently, the number of children born with congenital syphilis in the region (170 per 100,000 live births) triples the goal of elimination (50 per 100,000). “Expanding rapid diagnostic tests and initiating treatment at the same visit, as well as engaging sexual partners of pregnant women diagnosed with syphilis to know their status and treat them, is crucial to avoid reinfec-
tion during pregnancy and end this disease by 2030”, said Massimo Ghidinelli, head of the PAHO HIV, STI and Viral Hepatitis Unit. To reduce as much as possible the number of children who get HIV from their mothers or are born with congenital syphilis, PAHO urged regional countries to have at least 95 per cent of pregnant women receiving prenatal care, 95 per cent or more being tested, and at least 95 per cent of those diagnosed receiving appropriate treatment. PAHO said although the Region of the Americas, including the Caribbean, has not yet eliminated mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis as a public health threat, “18 countries and territories reported data compatible with this double elimination in 2015.” Cuba was the first country in the world to be validated by the World Health Organization (WHO) for reaching elimination. While other Caribbean countries and territories are “on track to achieve it.”
PAGE 30
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyana p assport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 6267040; 265-4535. INNOVATIVEMARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included.
SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. - Cosmetology Courses: $120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 6471773/660-5257
TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 225-7878 (24HRS)
WANTED One clerical/office assistant to work in Georgetown. Call: 227-2301/ 225-6239
Repairs to refrigerators, gas stoves, A/C units, washing machines. Call Lindon: 6411086/ 694-2202
1 Live in nanny/domestic to take care of children & home, must know to cook various dishes 3848yrs. Call: 600-1898 Live in or live out babysitter/ domestic. Call: 223-7500 Monday-Saturday 8:154:15pm
Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158 LEARN TO DRIVE C. Persaud & N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman & Sons Driving School @ Maraj BuildingCall: 644-5166; 622-2872; 615-0964; 689-5997 (affordable packages).
DATING SERVICE You deserve a relationship filled with love and excitement. Call Harmony Singles: 626-2629/ 676-6312 Guyanese Canadian woman seeking husband, contacts must have Valid ID, proof of Address & police clearance. Call: 673-9778 FOR SALE/FOR RENT American Pool Table. Call: 277-0578
Landscaping & tree trimming. Call: 656-1326
DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM
CAR RENTAL WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP REATES,SPECIAL OFFERS FOR THE SEASON. CALL: 690-6494
AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MIN BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPOTR & FAMILY OUTING, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807
PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 677-7827, 6435122 ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM
CAR RENTAL
WANTED One bartender, 1 room maid- Call or text- 621-9759 Sheik Samsair or Donald 664-7412 Workers and 1 cleaner to work at ice factory Meadowbank. Call: 642-9191 between 8am-1pm Monday-Friday
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. 1- 90"x90" Bed. Call: 657-6179
1 Male to look after layer birds in the Interior. Call: 6652514
1 Complete Sawmill at Yarrowkabra Linden Soesdyke Highway and 1 F66 – Clarke, Ranger Skidder. Call: 609-8041/ 644-1190
1 Female shop assistant to work in the Interior. Call: 665-2514 Admin Assistant/Marketing Personnel with atleast 5 CXC passes including English Language & Mathematics. Send resume to gtcareers592@gmail.com
Floor sanding & Lacquering, house plans, estimate & painting, boat for Santa Mission. Call: 650-4362 Passport, permanent & visitor visa application, Professional Immigration Consultant – Sabita Immigration Services. Call: 225-6496/ 662-6045 Eagle’s: Re-gas -$8,000, Washing machine repairs, Gas Stove, Plasma flat Screen, computer repairs & more. Call: 697-2969/646-0966
Friday May 26, 2017
Kaieteur News
Office furniture, used computers, display racks & stands for store use. Call:225-8066/624-6783 Lawn grass organic potting soil, supari Palm, foxtail, palm @ $1,000, Crotoon, Ashoka, Ficus, Exora. Call: 626-1044
Experienced hairdressers & nail technicians needed to work in salon at prime location in Georgetown. Call: 628-4388/225-9423 One live in female housekeeper for Georgetown. Call: 223-0654/ 225-0605
Solar Panel 300 watts, size 39X77. Call: 657-2304
GT Express wanted contract cars, Dispatcher. Tel: 2310316/ 231-0002
A set of Benz GL series stock Rims with Tyres. Call: 2252189.
Two Dynamic Individual with communications & sales techniques, computer skill @ KeyFood, Mc Doom location.
48" Samsung TV, 2 full size beds, mattress & base, 2004 Allion, low mileage, lady driven. Call: 642-0243
1 Nanny/Tutor to teach & care for 22 months boy. Apply to Alabama Trading, 65 Robb Street Bourda.
Design & Make Aluminum windows, doors, stainless rails, showcases, rolling shutters, make & install automatic doors. Call: 2336818/677-5599/659-9999
Sawmill on 1.27 Acres of fenced land, portable mill, moulder, ripsaw, excellent condition, Linden: 673-9401
Wanted driver to sell water, must have lorry. Apply Nimbus Water. Tel: 2317002/ 6220445 Waitress and cook. Call: 6771248 Live in waitress to work in a bar- Call: 604-6606;692-4646 We need you, Males 18-30 years to work in the Plant Shop/Garden Maintenance in Georgetown. Tel: 648-1821 We pay in $US for land in Eccles, Herstelling, Providence, Farm, Zeelugt, La Parfaite Harmonie. Call: 6585897/ 651-1969 Wanted land to buy anywhere on the West Coast or La Parfaite Harmonie. Call: 657-9594 Experienced Truck Driver. Call: 227-1717 2 Canter lorry drivers, salesman to work on the West Coast Demerara $30,000 weekly. Call: 684-8231
1 BMW 318I -$2.3M, Never register. Contact# 592 6500402 / 603-1402 170 Corona. Call: 696-1355 1 Mitsubishi 7 1/2 ton Dump Canter, 1 Mitsubishi Fuso 7 1/2 ton Canter. Never Register!!! Contact#592 6500402/603-1402 Unregistered 1 Passo 2010 Black -$2.1M negotiable, 2 Vitz 2010 Pearl White & Pearl Pink -$2.3M negotiable each. Call: 649-7771/ 690-7155 Unregistered: 1 Nissan March 2010, Black with alloy wheels -$2.2M negotiable. Call: 6497771/ 690-7155 Tractors Foreign Used: Massey Ferguson MF165 $1.7M, MF135-$1.2M & MF265 -$2.2M, MF 165 loader tractor -$2.4M. Call: 682-5230/ 628-9596 2005 Tacoma from Canada $2.4M Ford F150 sports $16M, Ford Ranger sports $1.5M. Call: 682-5230/6289596
VACANCY Professional cosmetologist @ Natural Beauty Salon & Spa located @ Grove Market Street, EBD. Call Ms Rashari: 652-5800 Cook, Baker and articulated hauler/dump truck operator for interior. Applicants must be experienced. Cal: 6182020 ACCOUNTANT (Parttime): 2nd/3rd Level ACCA; QuickBooks POS & Accounts. 4hrs on Saturday, every fortnight. Email: spers@msn.com Lorry Drivers and Salesmen, preferably from East Bank Demerara. Salary Negotiable. 266-4427 Manager: 5yrs experienced (cosmetics & jewelry) & knowledge about henna designs. Call: 671-5759/6576979/ send your application @ rahmangy1@yahoo.com Male & female workers: accountants, mechanic to look after drink machine. Call: 3302399 Male with experienced in poultry farming to work on chicken farm in the interior, age 25-45yrs. Call: 680-2702 One hairdresser and nail technician who knows to do everything. Call Melissa: 630-8152
Allion, Primo, Fielder Wagon, Spacio, Bluebird, 212 Carina, NZE, Honda CRV, Toyota IST, RZ & Pit-bull – Call: 650-7501
Responsible Hire Car Drivers. Call: 231-7200 1 live-in maid. Must be single and know how to cook creole food. Salary negotiable. Tel: 699-4878.
VEHICLE FOR SALE 2 Hilux off Road pickups, GVV #1 5L Diesel #2 3RZ Gasoline, both 4X4 with differential lock plus O.H.D – Call: 673-7876/ 233-6218 2011 Nissan Duke, fully loaded low mileage, lady driven - $2.8M. Call: 6667748/ 653-0018
FOR RENT
LAND FOR SALE
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
6 ACRES, HIGHWAY (CLOSE TO LINDEN) BAMIA CREEK, 7 SPECIES OF WOOD ETC. CALL: 609-8132/ 672-8569 (MAX) TO LET
Prime Business Place to rent on Sheriff Street, for offices only. Call: 627-6740/227-8644 Space for bond. Call: 6172859/227-6629
4 AC Rooms/ 1 extra room, for business/offices @ 21 Seaforth St. C/Ville, Georgetown. Call: 226-1877, 624-7436, 654-9350
Furnished apartment $30,000 monthly. Newly renovated, self-contained room, water & electricity. 12 Sussex Street Charlestown- Call: 689-8757, 219-1951
Newly constructed apartment in a safe and healthy environment. Call: 698-6496/ 622-6512
2 Bedrooms apartment to rent downstairs. Call: 668-8431 2 – 3 bedrooms bottom flat apartment, fully refurbished -$65,000 monthly with 2 months security. Call: 2201583 between 7am-5pm only. One bedroom apartment, PVC ceiling, tiled floored, corner spot -$40,000, preferably couple. Address: 25 Craig St C/Ville. Call: 223-1332
La Parfaite Harmonie: $1.4M, $1.6M, $1.5M, $1.2M, Farm $3.5M, Uitvlugt -$2.7M, Tuschen:$1.2M, $5M, Herstelling-$3.5M. Call: 6662326 La Parfaite Harmonie: $1.4M, $1.6M, $1.8M, Farm -$3M, Uitvlugt -$3M, Tuschen $1.2M, $5.5M, Herstelling $3M. Call: 604-6724 or 6869608 5 Acres coconut and other fruit bearing, no chemical, lease or sale – Demerara River across Timehri docks. Call: 261-2988
EDUCATIONAL Electronic Course. June 6th. The Trade of the Future. Make extra cash, easy! Abdul Electronics. Call: 226-6551/ 225-0391
Land at Tuschen Housing Scheme, near school, 3 minutes away from main road. Call: 261-2988 Continued on Page 31
Friday May 26, 2017
PAGE 31
Kaieteur News
INDEPENDENCE DAY MESSAGES On May 26, 1966 Guyana gained its independence from British rule. Today, Kaieteur News joins the rest of the nation in celebrating 51 years of Independence.
PEOPLE’S PROGRESSIVE PARTY The independence anniversary of any nation is a time for both celebrations and reflection. As we celebrate this 51st Independence Anniversary, we must celebrate and salute the sacrifices and struggles of our leaders and forebears who toiled indomitably to win, firstly, internal self-government and ultimately, political independence from our colonial masters after centuries of brutal slavery, servitude and exploitation by foreign forces. The PPP is proud of the leading role it played in this struggle. It is also a time for us to reflect upon the type of society and country that those who fought so relentlessly to liberate us from colonial rule, wanted to build and fashion for our future generations; and, to engage in a national introspection in order to examine, whether as a people and nation, we have achieved those objective and realized those dreams. It is only by engaging in such selfexamination, that we can be able to measure
our progress, recognize our strengths, identify our weaknesses and appreciate our challenges – all of which are so necessary for our future advancement as a people. The PPP has done this self-examination and wishes to acknowledge that although we have implemented transformative changes in Guyana during our tenure in office we have to persevere even more, to bring greater ethnic, religious and class unity among our people; we have to toil even harder, to bring greater economic and social prosperity to this land and we have to dedicate even more energies, to improve our system of government, strengthen our democratic institutions and enhance the rights and freedoms of our people, if we are to realize the aspirations and goals of our independence architects. The PPP takes this opportunity once again to recommit ourselves to those independence ideals and pledge to continue to work selflessly with our people as they traverse along that path to achieve them.
************************************************************
GUYANA TRADES UNION CONGRESS The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) joins with all Guyanese, home and abroad, in observing the nation’s 51st birth anniversary. As this event is being marked, in whatever form, it is important not to lose sight of the fact that freedom was not achieved without pains and sacrifices. From the earliest struggle against slavery, indentureship and colonization the people have displayed the propensity for intolerance against systems of domination. This inherent strain must not only be zealously proclaimed but equally demonstrated in the face of any threat to deny us our freedom. Acts by foreign forces to undermine our sovereignty and territorial integrity through contempt for the Laws of Guyana and the coveting of our lands must be strenuously resisted. These acts represent other forms of whittling away at our freedom and depriving us the reward of a well fought battle. Internally, our forebears’ quest to forge a nation’s
mighty soul and construct its frame, respecting of our diverse strains must not only be celebrated in remembrance but also in enactment. No Guyanese, irrespective of diversity, must ever be made to feel not a part of this society. The social, economic, cultural and political rights and freedoms our ancestors fought for are meant to be for the beneficiary of all. GTUC reminds all that freedom is not free. Freedom requires eternal vigilance and sacrifice not only to protect and defend the gains/ achievements, but also to deepen, strengthen, and where possible, expand. As a proud contributor to this nation’s fight for self-determination, GTUC calls on all Guyanese to preserve and persevere. Guyana belongs to all her sons and daughters and remains ours to guard and build. There must be no relenting of our duty in executing this noble task and calling. Happy anniversary!
************************************************************
SOCIAL COHESION MINISTER, DR. GEORGE NORTON
Fifty-one years ago, our beautiful country; Guyana finally broke free of the chains of British rule by gaining political independence, allowing us to manage our own affairs. This day, each year, remains one of our most significant observances. Guyanese throughout the length and breadth of the country stand in solidarity today in observing this m i l e s t o n e , which was only attained through the hard work and sacrifices of our forebears. It is important that we remember and recognise all those persons, who played a role in fighting for our Independence, including the late former Presidents Dr. Cheddi Jagan, Mr. Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, Mrs. Janet Jagan, the first man in British Guiana to formalise labour n e g o t i a t i o n s , t h e l a t e M r. H u b e r t Nathaniel Critchlow, late trade unionist, Mr. Jocelyn Hubbard, the late Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud, former Minister of Agriculture. It is because of their hard work and that of many other persons that we are able to chart our own destiny. However, with this right, as is widely expressed, there are responsibilities. Our main
responsibility as a people is to continually move Guyana’s development forward with the same resoluteness as our ancestors. Guyana has come a long way and we have even further to go. If we tackle head-on the challenges before us in unity we can overcome them sooner. We cannot have greater unity if we do not respect each other, embrace our diversities and demonstrate tolerance when confronted by our differences. The Ministry of Social Cohesion endeavours to take the lead in this vital process of nationhood by nurturing individual and community relationships towards building a more unified country. As we celebrate the 51st Anniversary of our Independence, let us reflect on our achievements to date and resolve to move forward with all others in a spirit of shared nationhood as we endeavour to further realise our national motto: “One People, One Nation, One Destiny”. Let us also use this celebration to display, as best as we can, our national pride, as we must be proud of who we are as a people. Happy 51st Independence Anniversary to all of Guyana!
From Page 30
PEOPLE’S NATIONAL CONGRESS/REFORM As we celebrate the 51st Anniversary of Guyana’s Independence, the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) salutes all Guyanese, both here at home and our brothers and sisters in the Diaspora, on our achievement of yet another year as a politically independent people and country. The political developments of the past two years have opened new avenues for the forging of a new democratic culture so necessary for the achievement of real independence and social progress in our country. Our Party is confident that if as a nation we can build a truly, inclusive political culture in which all stakeholders are allowed to play a meaningful role and which can create an enabling environment for the or-
derly development of the nation, we can look forward to a future that is politically successful, economically self-sustaining and culturally rewarding. The PNCR pledges to work with all responsible and reliable forces whose aim is to forge social cohesion and national unity. We believe that working together we can ameliorate the many known problems which have bedeviled our country and stymied our development. The PNCR is proud of our record in government and the important role that our Party and our Founder Leader, Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham played in our country’s struggle for independence. Happy 51st Independence, Guyana!
*************************************
GUYANA AGRICULTURAL AND GENERAL WORKERS UNION
As Guyana celebrates fiftyone (51) years as an independent state, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) is pleased to join with all Guyanese to celebrate this landmark anniversary in our history. We need to recall, at this time, that there was near absolute consensus amongst our then leaders that we needed to shed the Constitutional and other chains with which we were then wrapped. Independence brought us and we joyfully welcomed our new status as citizens of Guyana, no longer colonial subjects tied to a “mother” country. It also brought heavy responsibilities to safeguard and deepen our newly-won freedom and to ensure a prosperous future. The onus was now ours to chart our own course and it was recognized it needed to be strengthened by economic independence and social justice. Those objectives had to be our guide as a people. They had to be attained and sustained. GAWU feels certain that the attainment of Independence, which we fought for, motivated the social and economic progress of our country and was a decisive turning point for our all-round development. There are successes in several fields nationally and at the international level our country has earned recognition and respect. Our democratic culture which resurfaced over twenty (20) years ago, still, today faces new challenges and threats. Notwithstanding, the trials and setbacks the nation
experienced and, most likely will face, we cannot deny the very many significant achievements as we overcame the negative legacy of colonialism. GAWU is aware that several key objectives are yet to be reached. One of these is our economic sovereignty which we see as crucial to safeguard our political independence especially in the context and circumstances that we see unfolding in today’s world. The prospects for our country to grow and develop despite setbacks remain encouraging and we need to tackle the various tasks before us in a collective and united spirit. In this respect, our people, especially our working people needs to be encouraged and become involved in the decision-making levels of our society. As we celebrate this historic anniversary, GAWU urges that we all recognize that we have a responsibility to let our democratic culture prevail. It is one of the strong strands that binds our nation and makes it united and free. Additionally, we share the belief that our independence will be secured and strengthened over time when every citizen is given to enjoy the fruits, benefits and opportunities of our collective efforts and work. It is unfortunate to observe that our 51st Independence Anniversary finds us as a nation poised with further declining economic fortunes as the stage is being set to cut down the monumental sugar industry. Happy Independence Anniversary to all Guyanese!
PROPERTY FOR SALE Transported property @ Grove and Diamond $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461 Recently-built 2-Storey concrete building (1,245 ft2) Parfaite Harmonie $7.9M neg. Contact 231-9690 For details. Recently-constructed 2Storey concrete building (2,030 ft2) Tuschen $7.5M neg. Contact 231-9690 for details. House & land at Mon Repos -$19M. Call: 645-8543 Aubrey Barker -$21M, Hadfield - $17M, Diamond- $3.5M, Grove, Land of Canaan, Schoonord, Queenstown, Enterprise, Good Hope. Call: 231-7850/ 618-7483 Property @ the corner of 172 20 Hora St. & Market St. Better Hope, East Coast Dem $12.5M neg. Call: 220-1583 between 7am-5pm only. 2 Story building with extralarge land in well built $74.5M. Call: 220-1583 between 7am-5pm only. Property @ 934 Caneville Grove, E.B.D: flat house, 3 bedrooms (1 self-contained), concrete fence, negotiable. Call Ken: 682-3784/Jenel: 6045627
LAND FOR SALE 12 House lots 80X60 at Plantation Schoonard: water, light and roads, 1 min from Harbour Bridge. Call: 6152346/627-3443 Transported land at Well Street Ogle, E.C.D -$12M (twelve million dollars). Call: 650-5462 Farm (East Bank) -$2.6M & $3.2M, Providence (corner lot)- $5M, La Parfaite Harmonie-$1.6M, Uitvlugt $2.6M. Call: 658-5897/ 6511969 La Parfaite Harmonie, Tuschen Phase 2, Zeelugt Phase 2. Call: 642-1252 Prime roadside land in Corriverton Berbice, suitbale for any type at business. Call: 626-6245/335-3347 35 Acres located in Port Kaituma. Call: 619-5173
PAGE 32
Kaieteur News
Friday May 26, 2017
Friday May 26, 2017
Kaieteur News
PAGE 33
PAGE 34
Kaieteur News
Friday May 26, 2017
Friday May 26, 2017
Kaieteur News
Manila deploys commandoes, helicopters to retake city from Islamists
An armoured personnel carrier belonging to government troops drives along a main highway of Pantar town, Lanao Del Norte, as it travels to reinforce Marawi city, southern Philippines (Reuters) The Philippines mobilized attack helicopters and special forces to drive Islamic State-linked rebels out of a besieged southern city on Thursday, with six soldiers killed in street combat amid heavy resistance. Ground troops hid behind walls and armored vehicles and exchanged volleys of gunfire with Maute group fighters, shooting into elevated positions occupied by militants who have held Marawi City on Mindanao island for two days. Helicopters circled the city, peppering Maute positions with machine gun fire to try to force them from a bridge vital to retaking Marawi, a mainly Muslim city of 200,000 where fighters had torched and seized a school, a jail and a cathedral, and took more than a dozen hostages. “Our troops are doing deliberate operations in areas
we believe are still occupied or infested with the terrorist presence,” said the head of the task force, Brigadier General Rolly Bautista. The battles with the Maute group, which has pledged allegiance to Islamic State, started on Tuesday during a failed raid by security forces on one of the group’s hideouts that spiraled into chaos. Eighteen rebels were killed on Thursday, the army said. The turmoil was the final straw for President Rodrigo Duterte, who on Tuesday delivered on his longstanding threat to impose martial law on Mindanao, the country’s second-largest island, to stop the spread of radical Islam. “If there’s an open defiance you will die,” he said on Wednesday. “And if it means many people dying, so be it.” Islamic State claimed responsibility late on Wednes-
day for Maute’s activities via its Amaq news agency. At least 46 people - 15 security forces and 31 rebels - have been killed and religious leaders say militants were using Christians taken hostage during the fighting as human shields. The status of those hostages was not known. The White House condemned the Maute group as “cowardly terrorists” and said the United States was a proud ally of the Philippines and backed its fight against extremism. GETTING OUT Hundreds of civilians had sheltered in a military camp in Marawi City as troops helped clear the few remaining people from streets where smoke lingered in the air. “We’re leaving,” said a resident named Edith, walking along a rundown street carrying a small suitcase. “We can no longer take it and we need to save our children.” Sultan Haji Ismael Demasala said he was staying and would leave his fate in God’s hands. “If Allah wills it so, then we cannot stop it,” he said, pointing his finger in the air. Marawi is located in Lanao del Sur province, a stronghold of the Maute, a fierce, but little-known group that has been a tricky opponent for the military. Military leaders say the Maute’s motivation for taking the city was to raise its profile and earn recognition from Islamic State.
PAGE 35
PAGE 36
Friday May 26, 2017
Kaieteur News
ICC security head Flanagan assures players, fans safety Come to watch the Champions Trophy safe in the knowledge that you are well protected. That is the message from Ronnie Flanagan, the chairman of the ICC’s anticorruption and security unit (ACSU), in the wake of the terrorist attack in Manchester this week. Flanagan said that cricket could not “yield” to the terrorists. “Basically come safe and secure knowledge that we will make this a safe and secure tournament,” Flanagan, who has experience on the police force, said at a media briefing in London. “Don’t let the terrorists have their way. In my experience sport can be a wonderfully positive influence in the face of adversity and in the face of terrorism. We have seen that in South Africa. I saw at first hand in Ireland.” Following the attack in Manchester, which took place at a music concert, the UK government raised the threat level from severe to critical the highest level. Armed military personnel have been de-
ployed across the country to assist the police in averting any further attacks. Flanagan’s past experience as a cop is highly relevant. Before arriving at the ICC, he was the Home Office chief inspector of constabulary for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and previously was the chief constable of the police service of Northern Ireland. According to Flanagan the ICC and ECB were working closely with the police to make sure the teams’ movements will not be affected. ”I have every confidence that we cannot yield in any way to terrorists’ intentions,” he said. “I would ask the public to be vigilant and the old adage, if they see something, to say something. But come to our matches. ”But, come expecting some additional inconvenience, expecting pat-down searches, vehicle searches etc. And searches of any equipment they bring with them. And there will be fast lanes for those not carrying
equipment. So that might be an encouragement for people who might have normally brought picnics and all sorts of things. May be they want to reconsider that. Perhaps this tournament just might offer a little opportunity to break through the gloom in some small way.” It is understood that so far none of the eight participating teams have raised any concerns to the ICC. Training sessions have carried on as per schedule. There has been no restriction on player movements, but the team managements have been briefed by the ICC security officials. Captains of various teams including India, New Zealand and Sri Lanka confirmed that, saying the players remained confident and secure. ”What happened here few days back was really saddening and very disturbing for everyone who saw it, especially a place like England has not had many of these incidents happen in the past,” Virat Kohli, the India captain, said. “Yeah, for a few people it can be sort of a nervous
Bangladesh rise to No. 6 in ODI rankings Bang l a d e s h have climbed up to No. 6 on the
ICC ODI rankings on the back of their first victory
over New Zealand in conditions outside of home. The five-wicket win came in Dublin where the teams were engaged in a tri-nation tournament with hosts Ireland ahead of the Champions Tr o p h y. Bangladesh now stand above three Full Members - Sri Lanka, Pakistan and West Indies - and are 18 rating points behind England. In the current rankings cycle, results between May 2016 and 2017 get 100% weightage and those between May 2014 and 2016 get 50%. Bangladesh won six out of 14 completed games between May 2016 and 2017, including a drawn series with Sri Lanka. They qualified for the Champions Trophy, a tournament they will play for the first time in 10 years. Bangladesh had 18 wins in 28 completed games between May 2014 and 2016, when they made the World Cup quarter-final and earned series wins over India, South Africa and Pakistan. The top-eight teams on September 30 this year gain automatic qualification to the 2019 World Cup. At the May 1 rankings update, Bangladesh were in seventh place with 91 points, with Pakistan only three points behind them. Their promotion now to No. 6 gives them a lot more breathing space. (ESPNcricinfo)
the streets to say the least, nothing different from what I have seen in the past. I am actually excited to play the tournament.” India landed in London on Thursday morning, and Kohli said the team had already been briefed about dos and don’ts. “With the security information coming in it is be very helpful for the players - what are the areas we can access, what times we can access them, what are the areas we need to avoid... All those sort of those things come into play when you have a situation like this, which the players need to respect. There is a lot at stake for everyone here: the cricketers, the ICC, ECB. Everyone is worried about everyone’s security.” (ESPNcricinfo)
Security was tight at the first England-South Africa ODI, at Headingley © Getty Images time, but I don’t think as a squad you have time to focus on those factors because eventually you understand you are here for a sporting tournament. ”That for us remains para-
mount in our thought patterns. I personally don’t feel any nervousness as such. I saw life resume pretty normally and that is always a healthy sign. There wasn’t anything disturbing to see on
Friday May 26, 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) The talk you have may be eye-opening with regard to your present situation. Your honesty will not only win you points but also respect. Your partner may blame you for everything. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Your fun loving approach will be admired and appreciated by others. You have to believe in yourself and your talents. Losses are likely if you have left your financial affairs in other people's hands. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Children may be difficult to deal with. Don't get involved in uncertain financial ventures. Be very careful while in transit or while traveling in foreign countries. Don't be too quick to spend money.
in hobbies or entertainment that may be beyond your budget. LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Try not to be too harsh with your mate. Opportunities for travel and communication are evident. Spend some time on yourself. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Don't expect the whole family to be overjoyed. You mustn't give too much to your children. Don't jump too quickly regarding an investment that appears to be good. SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) Delays are evident. Sudden romantic encounters will set your head spinning. You might find it difficult to control your emotions.
CANCER (June 21–July 22) This is a great day to spend with family. Invite people home to discuss your plans for group fundraising events and outings.
CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Channel your efforts into achieving your goals. You might want to spend some time by yourself in order to decide exactly how you feel. Travel will promote new romantic encounters.
LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Your ideas are good and career moves can be realized. Verbal abuse may lead to walkouts; don't make any rash statements you may regret later.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) However, you should be concerned about what they want in return. Your tendency to take on too much will end in fatigue. Try to get away with your mate.
VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Your ability to visualize will help you convince others of the possibilities. Do a little extra work at home. You will have to check your cash flow before you decide to indulge
PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Real estate investments will be profitable. Your colorful conversation may attract new mates. You'll meet new friends if you try new activities.
PAGE 37
Kaieteur News
Friday May 26, 2017
Hamilton rules out psychological warfare with Vettel Monaco, CMC – Lewis Hamilton said consistency would bring the ultimate reward in what has been a closely-fought title race this season with four-time world champion Sebastien Vettel, as the two prepare to renew rivalry in Formula 1’s showpiece Monaco Grand Prix. The 32-year-old Hamilton, whose family roots are Grenadian, is currently second in the drivers’ standings on 98 points, six behind Vettel, with their respective Mercedes and Ferrrari tightly matched, as the two drivers have come up with two wins apiece so far this season. With the winners of seven of the last nine F1 titles already more than a race win clear of their respective
team-mates, Hamilton said he had no intention o f e n g a g i n g i n psychological warfare with his German rival as the pair prepare for the unique challenge on the streets of Monte Carlo, preferring for their battles to be fought and won behind the wheel. ”I take a lot of pride in the fact that I’m very strong m e n t a l l y a n d t h a t ’s something you can admire about someone else you’re fighting with, like Sebastian or Fernando Alonso,” said the three-time world champion. “And it’ll be interesting to see. He seems solid. ”I want Sebastian to be at his best when he gets in the car, so I don’t have any intention of playing psychological wars outside
Lewis Hamilton the car. I want to beat him in a car because when he’s at his best and I beat him that says what it needs to say, rather than have him on the back foot.”
Young Cibao FC delivers like a seasoned champion
Hamilton continued: “But it is definitely part of it for this year for both of us, being it’s such a long year – just like it is in golf. Over 18 holes, whoever’s the most consistent generally ends up winning, so I’m excited about it. This an all-round battle – physically, mentally, technically – and that’s why it’s a great battle. ”Right now, I’m not leading the championship, so the goal this weekend is to just try to win and, naturally, that would mean being in the lead leaving here.” Claiming pole position is always crucial at the Monaco GP and it will be an extra-special occasion
for Hamilton if he achieves i t . Hamilton could equal the mark of earning 65 pole positions, currently held by the late great Brazilian driver Ayrton Senna, but he has down played down the significance of the achievement, which would move Hamilton second on the list of Formula 1 polesitters, three behind the legendary German racer Michael Schumacher. ”To be honest, I love to watch the old onboard footage of Senna racing in Monaco,” said the Englandborn Hamilton. “. . .Seeing him coming out of the tunnel and thinking, ‘Hey, that’s what I do every year now’! And matching his qualifying record? That somehow feels very unreal and I am very honoured being up to him. But there is no pressure about that: if it happens, it happens; if not, then not.” Now resident of the citystate, Hamilton has twice won the Monaco GP in his now 11 seasons of F1 racing and had three other podium finishes, playing into his affection for racing on the street circuit. “It is still incredible,” he said. “I live here, but the excitement never goes away on a race weekend. ”When I drive with my
normal road car or my motorbike, I still sometimes can’t believe that we are really racing with F1 cars here with speeds of 200 miles an hour – and there are only 20 of us who can do it! To be honest, we could have this race every weekend.” Race experts believe that this year’s Monaco GP will be a bigger challenge than previous year, as the cars and tyres are much wider, but Hamilton was not prepared to speculate, nor moan about his previous missed opportunities at this event over the years. ”It’s a challenge every year, as we have seen so many changes over the years,” he said. “So when you come here you always expect the biggest challenge. This track keeps you on your toes – no matter what year. ”This race is so special and so impossible to predict – like the phenomenon of a unicorn – so it is a rather rhetorical question. ”Probably, I could have won two or three more, but in the end, I am happy with the ones that I have – especially with how these two wins came in 2008 and 2016. Those were real ‘quality races’ – really earned. But sure I want more!”
GT Beer is official brand for Xtreme Clean ‘Gold Rush’ Futsal tournament
Cibao FC players celebrate with the trophy after defeating San Juan Jabloteh in the Caribbean Club Championship final on May 21, 2017, in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago. (Photo: CA-Images) Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago – Characterizing Cibao FC as an overnight sensation is not entirely accurate, but it’s close. After just two years of existence, the Dominican Republic-based club defeated San Juan Jabloteh 1-0 in the 2017 Caribbean Club Championship (CCC) final on Sunday night to qualify for the 2018 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League. Richard Dabas’ 30thminute goal proved to make the historic difference. ”The truth is that I’m in the clouds. As a professional, being champion of the Caribbean
is the maximum here in Cibao,” head coach Albert Benaiges said after the game. “I wait for what the future that holds for us. ”The key has been the work of the team, the unity between the players. We have spent a lot of time working and I think that is the result of what we were all looking for.” Benaiges came to Cibao after more than 20 incredibly successful years with the FC Barcelona youth program in Spain and stints working in player development with Al Wa s i ( U n i t e d A r a b Emirates) and Guadalajara (Mexico). He has no desire,
however, to look back. ”Barcelona is a thing of the past,” Benaiges finished. “I am now in Cibao. We have three teams of young players. We have a first team that is the winner of the Caribbean and I am only thinking about the players we have. Barcelona was a beautiful experience, but it is passed. I am now in Cibao. I am happy and we are starting a football school there in Cibao, so that these players can make the jump to the f i r s t t e a m . ” Overall, in 2017 CCC play, Cibao went unbeaten in six games, posting a 4W-2D-0L record and scoring 22 goals. (CONCACAF)
Banks DIH Limited under its GT Beer Brand yesterday officially disclosed its sponsorship of the Xtreme Clean and Maintenance Co. Futsal Competition, scheduled to kick off tonight at National Gymnasium with six games beginning from 6pm. Banks GT Beer became the main sponsor of the event that will be called Xtreme Clean/GT Beer ‘Gold Rush’ Futsal Competition. Banks DIH Communications Manager, Troy Peters indicated at the simple ceremony at Thirst Park yesterday that the company is “pleased” to be associated with the tournament. “This is a format that we at Banks own and GT Beer can be called the ‘Champion of Champions’ of football in Guyana. We want to thank Xtreme Clean for having us as a part of this tournament. We are grateful to them a look forward to another successful tournament,”
Peters said. Managing Director of Xtreme Clean and Maintenance Co., Shanai Gomes was elated; expressing her gratitude to Banks DIH for partnering with the new company, she informed that their support is indicative of how far Xtreme Clean has come as an organisation. Some of the country’s top Futsal teams will descend at the venue for the event that is set to kick off at 6pm each night; the tournament will continue tomorrow and Sunday. The other playing dates include June 6, 8 and 13 before semifinals on June 15 and Finals on June 17. Twenty four teams were invited to participate in the tournament. The winning team will win a whopping $500,000 (2 ½ ounces of gold) while second place takes home $200,000 (1 ounce of gold), third place $100,000 (½ ounce of gold) and fourth
place $50,000; trophies will accompany all of the cash prizes. The MVP will also receive gold jewellery. The proprietor of the Xtreme Clean and Maintenance Company informed that they have engaged all major stakeholders to make the event a possibility, including the Guyana Police Force, which will be providing security each night for the Futsal showdown. In addition to the hefty cash prizes for the teams, there will be giveaways each night for patrons, who will have the opportunity to win pennyweights of gold through novelty activities such as the penalty kick and freestyle skill challenge. Some of the other sponsors include Trophy Stall, Fasgrafix and Jefford’s Distribution and Sales; Giftland Distribution Store and FA R M S U P M i n i n g Investments Inc.
Kaieteur News
PAGE 38
Friday May 26, 2017
ICC cricket committee recommends DRS shake-up An umpire’s call finding on a review may soon not cost teams a review. The ICC cricket committee, headed by India coach Anil Kumble, recommended yesterday that teams do not lose reviews in those instances where an umpire’s call comes into play. And if the ICC chief executives’ committee approves it, the change could come into effect this October. Currently, sides are allowed two unsuccessful reviews in the first 80 overs of a Test innings, and one per innings in ODIs. If a review is successful, they do not lose it. LBW decisions, in particular, will be affected. The benefit of doubt in a DRS call goes to the on-field umpire’s original call. Therefore, if they give a batsman out leg-before and it is challenged, then the third umpire has to uphold the onfield judgment if projections show half the ball hitting a zone that stretches from the outside edge of the off stump to the outside edge of the leg stump. This is the margin of e r r o r a ff o r d e d t o t h e “umpire’s call”. Now, after a two-day meeting, former international captains Kumble, Rahul Dravid, Mahela Jayawardene, current Australia coach
Darren Lehmann, ECB director of cricket Andrew Strauss, umpire Richard Kettleborough among others are agreed that if an lbw review comes back with a verdict of umpire’s call, the team that called the review should not be penalised. If this system is put in place, however, sides will not have their reviews topped up at 80 overs, as currently happens. There were several other recommendations made by the group that met in London on May 23 and 24. If the ICC’s chief executives committee approves them, they could become laws starting October 1. D R S i n T 2 0 I n t e r n a t i o n a l s Currently there is no provision for the system, but several players, including most recently England’s Joe Root, have advocated for the move considering one decision can change the course of a match in the shortest format. Earlier this year, the Pakistan Super League used DRS for three matches, thought to be the first time DRS had been used in T20s at franchise or international level. The ICC had been hopeful of bringing the system to T20Is in O c t o b e r 2 0 1 7 .
Teams can look forward to not losing their reviews for lbw if DRS returns an umpire’s call verdict © Getty Images
Concussion substitutes The committee wanted the ICC’s member countries to run a two-year trial on the use of concussion substitutes. Australia had experimented with it in their last domestic season and had been lobbying the ICC to include it in international cricket as well. Tony Irish,
Hand-in-Hand U-19 cricket starts Monday The second annual Guyana Cricket Board’s (GCB) U-19 Hand in Hand Mutual Fire Insurance Company Limited Inter County Tournament is scheduled to commence on Monday with the 50-over format featuring defending champions Demerara against the National U-17s at Eve Leary and Berbice playing Essequibo at Everest. Both the GCB and Handin-Hand views this tournament as an invaluable one, as it will facilitate preparation and selection of the Guyana U-19 team for the 2017 Regional U-19 50over and three-day tournaments in July and August in St Kitts. The 50-over final will be played on Friday June 2 at the Providence Stadium from 09:00hrs while the Three-Day format will commence from 10:00hrs on Tu e s d a y J u n e 6 a n d conclude on June 16.
Following are the teams. Demerara - Bhaskar Yadram (Captain) , Ronaldo A l i M o h a m e d ( Vi c e Captain), Joshua Persaud, Raymond Perez, Navendra Persaud, Ramnarine Chetura, Richie Looknauth, Keshram Seyhodan, Stephon Wilson, Sagar Hatheramani, Dwayne Dick, Kishna Singh, Garvin Boodwah, Dambuka Nqgando, Darshan Persaud, Mark Jeffers, Kennard M o o n s a m m y, M a r k Ramsammy, Himanauth Dindyal, Omar Hossain (Manager), Rayon King (Coach), Dhanpaul (Assistant Coach). Essequibo - Mark Williams, Sachin Persaud, Kurt Lovell, Adrian Campbell, Mark Ramsammy, Joshua Jones, Quentin Sampson, Beesham Moses, Leslie Allen, Sheldon Charles, Mahindra Persaud, Chanderpaul Mohabir, Kellin Davis, Joel Fortune, Azeem Habib,
Looknauth Persaud (Manager), Andy Ramnarine (Coach). Berbice - Adrian Sukwah, Kevin Sinclair, Sasenarine Sukhoo, Vermootoo Senwason, Javid Karim, Matthew Hardyal, Daniel Samaroo, Emmanuel Seecharran, Karan Arjpaul, Keith Simpson, Deon Sinclair, Sylus Tyndall, Raymond Vankenic, Steve Deonarine, Michael Newland (Manager), Adrian Amsterdam (Coach). Guyana U-17 - Alex Algoo, Sachi Singh, Orlando Jailall, Junior Sinclair, Kevlon Anderson, Kevin Christian, Robin Williams, Lance Roberts, Alphius Bookie, Rajendra Singh, Nigel Deodat, Ashmead Nedd, Pradesh Balkishun, Kelvin Umroa, Mark Rankin, Gavon Schultz, Reyaz Khan, Qumar Torrington, Nazeer Mohamed (Manager), Orin Bailey (Coach).
the head of the Federation of Cricketers’ Association, has been vocal in this regard as well, saying “We see this as an important health and safety issue for players and believe that cricket is behind other sports in dealing with it.” Red cards for players The MCC in March had proposed the move to regulate behavior at the lower levels of cricket and the ICC cricket committee was in favour of bringing it to internationals as well. They wanted umpires to be
empowered to force players off the field “in response to the most serious incidents of player misconduct, such as violence on the field.” Monitoring no-balls The third umpire should be deputised to call no-balls off the instant replays. The ICC cricket committee came to this conclusion after reviewing footage from a trial held in England during their ODI series against Pakistan last year. R u n - o u t s p ro p o s a l As it stands now, a batsman is dismissed if, after
dragging his bat past the crease, it pops up at the point where the bails are broken. But the committee said once the bat is in and grounded, the batsman is safe, even if it bounces up later. Finally, the committee was unanimous in wanting a Te s t c h a m p i o n s h i p , supported the push to include cricket in the Olympics and restricting the edges and the depth of bats to bring better balance in the game. (ESPNcricinfo)
FYF organises Independence Day Inter- Gym boxing tournament Banks DIH Malta Supreme is main sponsor R e s i d e n t s o f Albouystown and its environs are assured of a treat when Coach of the Forgotten Youth Foundation (FYF), Sebert Blake, in collaboration with the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), presents the Independence Day InterGym boxing tournament at the FYF Boxing Gym, Bel Air and James Streets, Albouystown at 16:00hrs tomorrow. Boxers would be competing for honours in all four categories including Schoolboys, Junior, Youth and Elite. Organiser of the event, Sebert Blake, promises action packed duels since the boxers have been carefully selected and
evenly matched. Gyms expected to take part are Young Achievers, Harpy Eagles, Pocket Rocket of Linden, Vergenogen Gym of East Bank Essequibo, Rose Hall Gym of Berbice, Republicans and Impressive Youths Gym of W a k e n a a m . Blake said that he was inspired to arrange the tournament in an effort to provide the young boxers an opportunity to enhance their skills outside of the GBA calendar of programmes. Meanwhile several individuals have donated unselfishly towards the success of the tournament. Beverage giants, Banks DIH, also acquiesced to similar support and last
We d n e s d a y a f t e r n o o n handed over the medals for the winners and runners up. Mr. Blake accepted the gift from the company’s Events Manager, Mortimer Stewart and expressed gratitude to his benefactor. Mr. Stewart said that Banks DIH could always be relied on to support initiatives structured towards youth development. He further wished the organisers well while urging the boxers to exhibit discipline even amidst the keen rivalry. Other sponsors are former world champion, Gairy St. Clair, Talk is Cheap Internet Café, Alexander Street, Kitty and Courts Guyana Ltd.
Kaieteur News
Friday May 26, 2017
PAGE 39
Vettel sets fastest ever lap at Monaco
Vettel salutes fans after going quickest on Thursday ahead of this weekend’s race. Formula One leader Sebastian Vettel looked a good bet for Ferrari’s first Monaco Grand Prix victory since 2001 after the fastest lap ever around the metalfenced street circuit in yesterday’s practice. The four-times world champion topped the timesheets with a best effort of one minute 12.720 seconds in the afternoon. Mercedes title rival Lewis Hamilton had been fastest before lunch. The German was the only driver to break the one minute 13 seconds barrier. Triple world champion Hamilton, six points behind after five races, was only eighth in the later practice with a lap of 1:13.873, more than a second off the pace. The Briton, last year’s winner in Monaco, had produced a 1:13.425 effort in the morning, when Vettel had to settle for second best. Hamilton, whose Finnish teammate Valtteri Bottas ended the day 10th, is hoping to equal the 65 career pole positions of late boyhood idol Ayrton Senna in Saturday’s qualifying. ”We were good in P1
(first practice) but something went wrong in this session. We need to figure out why,” said Hamilton. “This afternoon, for whatever reasons, the tires weren’t working. That’s something we have to study and figure out to fix for Saturday.” The top six in the afternoon were all inside last year’s pole position time of 1:13.622, set by Australian Red Bull driver Daniel
Ricciardo. Ricciardo was second fastest yesterday, 0.487 slower than his former teammate Vettel, in a boost for former champions Red Bull, who have had to watch as Ferrari and Mercedes fight for the race wins this season. Ferrari’s 2007 champion Kimi Raikkonen was third fastest, ahead of Toro Rosso’s Russian Daniil Kvyat and teammate
Carlos Sainz, with Max Verstappen sixth for senior team Red Bull. Michael Schumacher remains the last Ferrari driver to conquer Monaco, whose tight and twisty harbourside street circuit promises to be an even greater challenge this year with faster and wider cars. ”We need to get into the rhythm and Monte Carlo is a lot about confidence at the end of the day, so you need to trust your car,” Vettel had said on Wednesday. “I am confident that we have the tools so it’s up to us to find the right set-up to get into groove and have the confidence. Wider car and wider tires - it makes the track more narrow I guess.” Under cloudy morning skies, Britain’s Jenson Button returned to the cockpit as a McLaren standin for Fernando Alonso, who is competing at the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday. The 2009 champion was 14th fastest in the morning and 12th in the afternoon with a time only a fraction slower than Belgian
teammate Stoffel Vandoorne - a solid performance for a driver who had not been in a Formula One car since last November. He also found that some things never change, complaining over the radio about the driving of others. The second session was briefly red flagged with half an hour remaining when Canadian rookie Lance Stroll, testing the
limits on his first Monaco weekend, hit the barriers hard at the entrance to Casino Square. Stroll was not injured. Britain’s Jolyon Palmer also had trouble when his Renault suffered a blown engine. Practice in Monaco is always on a Thursday since Friday, the usual day for first running on track at other races, is a rest day. (Reuters)
PAGE 40
Kaieteur News
Friday May 26, 2017
Guevara thrilled with new Venezuelan league
41-year-old Karla Guevara skippers Caracas FC
”Being a part of this league is so exciting. So many years fighting and going through hard times…” Karla Guevara knows what she is talking about, having spent over two decades pushing herself to the limit, paying for her own kit, spending four hours a day on the bus travelling from La Guaira to Caracas and back again, and training tirelessly.
And she did it all without any reward because neither the fans nor the media had any interest in women’s football at the time. Which is why, a year after she retired and on hearing news of the birth of La Superliga – the first p r o f e s s i o n a l w o m e n ’s league in Venezuela’s history – she rushed to put her boots back on. “I said to myself: ‘I’ve got to be there, no matter what, because I started from nothing. I just have to be there’,” she told FIFA.com. It is hard to believe that anyone was more excited than Guevara ahead of the championship season when it got under way on 6 May. After all, it is not without good reason that she is affectionately known as ‘La Señora del Fútbol’ (‘The Lady of Football’) by her team-mates at Caracas FC, the club where she has spent virtually her entire career. During the course of her long career, Guevara has represented her country, finished a runner-up in the Copa Libertadores and won the national amateur league with her club. And in that time, she has played in virtually every position. ”I’m a very versatile player,” she said with a laugh. So versatile is she, in fact, that she began her career in goal, where she showcased reflexes honed on the volleyball court. “I remember one game when I was flying all over the place saving shots, just like in volleyball. I saved a fair few goals too.” ”It’s so important that this league has been set up. Women’s football has grown a lot since the U-17 girls made their breakthrough,” added Guevara, referring to the exploits of the new generation spearheaded by Deyna Castellanos, who led Venezuela to fourth-place finishes at the FIFA U-17 Wo m e n ’s Wo r l d C u p competitions in 2014 and 2016. “There’s a lot of support now from the media, sponsors, clubs, etc.” That support is essential to a future that the Caracas FC captain sees as very bright: “There are some girls with a huge amount of skill, the kind of skill I’ve rarely seen in boys. These are girls with a
huge amount of talent.” Such is the talent around her that the beaming Guevara was moved to make the following prediction: “We’re closer than ever to seeing Venezuela at the senior Women’s World Cup. If we carry on like this, the women’s team is going to make history before the men’s.” For the time being, however, Guevara – the only player in the country’s history to play a part in the opening season of the two national league championships Venezuela has staged to date – is happy to enjoy the present. Her day-to-day routine involves training with her team-mates, teaching coaches and doing a little coaching herself, with her club’s U-12 boys team: “I teach them about tactics, technique and the physical side of things. When I go out with them on to the pitch, it takes me back to when I was their age.” Asked if she is thinking about retiring for good, she laughed and said: “I find it hard to contemplate. I don’t see myself there yet because my feet and head tell me I can still play.” Venezuelan football’s grand old lady has one challenge left to fulfill while her body holds out, and that is to end the season lifting a trophy that she has fought to make a reality for so many years. Venezuela’s Superliga Femenina: facts and figures - The competition is the country’s new top flight, replacing what was previously known as the Liga Nacional. An amateur league founded in 2004, the Liga Nacional has now been renamed the Liga de Desarrollo. - The new league comprises 14 clubs with 25 players per squad, no more than four of whom can be foreigners. - In the first phase of the competition, teams are split into two geographical groups (Central-Eastern and Western) and play each other home and away in a league format. - The top two in each group go through to the semi-finals, with the winners advancing to the final, also played over two legs. (FIFA)
Kaieteur News
Friday May 26, 2017
PAGE 41
Flowers from Antigua and Benny from Trinidad win Flow Ultimate Football Challenge A 13-year-old from Antigua and Barbuda and a 16-year-old from Trinidad and Tobago bested their peers at home and across the Caribbean to emerge as winners of the Flow and Manchester United Ultimate Football Experience. The initiative, in its freshman year, was endorsed by the Caribbean Football Union (CFU). Antiguan Ronaldo Flowers and Trinidadian Che Benny, after making the cut to advance to round two from their respective incountry clinics, won the coveted prize of an-all
expense trip to Old Trafford and to witness Manchester United’s final match of the season against Crystal Palace. The players were accompanied by their parents and coaches. The final clinic in Trinidad had participation from 30 young footballers – two each from the 15 Caribbean territories where Flow operates – as well as their coaches to train with coaches from the Manchester United Soccer School. This followed round one clinics in all the countries which, at each stop, was
Special Maximum Sports TV show on tonight
Max Massiah Maximum Sports Combat & Strength TV sports programme celebrates its third anniversary with a special two-hour edition tonight on NCN from 21:05hrs. The programme’s motto is “Encouraging a healthy nation through Sports” and has made a tremendous impact in raising the awareness for contact Sports by highlighting their accomplishments. The weekly TV programme has featured almost all local athletes, personalities, Schools, Gyms, Clubs, Federations and Associations which fall under the umbrella of Combat & Strength Sports which are Boxing, Martial Arts, Powerlifting, Weightlifting, Bodybuilding, Arm-wrestling, and Rugby. The Host and Executive Producer is Max Massiah and he utilises his experience as a University of Guyana Centre of Communication Studies Certificate holder of “Television Production” and being involved in Bodybuilding and Weight Training for over 35 years in the hosting of his programme. Massiah is a (GBA) certified Boxing Coach, Judge, Referee and a third degree Black belt Martial Artist who was inducted twice into the Legends of Martial Arts Hall-ofFame. The “EXPO 11 Masters of Martial Arts” was also conferred on him in April of 2017 in the USA. On tonight’s programme the host will feature Guyana’s best achievers, with the usual unexpected videos and key moments during previous editions in the last three years.
attended by scores of male and female footballers between the ages of 13 and 1 6 . The CFU, which endorsed the initiative, was represented in Trinidad by T h i r d Vi c e - P r e s i d e n t Lyndon Cooper.
Antiguan Ronaldo Flowers and Trinidadian Che Benny
PAGE 42
Kaieteur News
Friday May 26, 2017
Dolphin SSC makes donation to Region 8 flood victims
Crystal Campbell of Civil Defence Commission accepts the hampers from president of the Dolphin Speed Swim Club Paul Mahaica.
Dolphin Speed Swim Club (DSSC) yesterday made a timely donation to residents of Region 8 (Potaro-Siparuni) who are being affected by recent flooding there. Residents from a number of villages were forced to leave the area after their homes were washed away following heavy rainfall which led to the Ireng River overtopping
its banks. Among those villages affected are Sand Hill, Chenapau, Itabac, Kanapang and Kaibarupai. The club donated a quantity of food items and clothing to the residents and according to President of the club Paul Mahaica another donation will be made shortly.
Mahaica said that the club sympathises with the residents of Region 8 and thought it best to assist. He called on other businesses to lend support. Crystal Campbell of the Civil Defence Commission who accepted the hampers on behalf of residents expressed gratitude to members of the club.
GCF to host third Points Race on Sunday Jamal John wins the 2nd GCF Points Race comfortably.
The nation’s leading cyclists are expected to be at it again this Sunday when the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) hosts its third Points Race for the year from Ocean View to the Abary Bridge and back to the place of origin. Race time is 08:30hrs and registration is free. The following points would be awarded to the first 10 cyclists to cross the line, 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1. This would be reflected in all three categories; senior,
junior and veterans. Leading the points table is Jamal John who won both the previous races and he is followed by Andrew Hicks. Following is the list of riders and points: Jamal John (30), Andrew Hicks (20), Raphael Leung (13), Paul De Nobrega (12), Briton John (12), Hamza Eastman (10), Lear Nunes (10), Ian Jackson (4), Junior Niles (10), Dwayne Gibbs Jnr. (4), Jason Cameron (3), Eric Sankar (2), Ralph Williams (1), Everal Mundy (1).
Kaieteur News
Friday May 26, 2017
PAGE 43
Fullbore shooters seeking to maximize training; Recorded shoots starts next month
Local shooters are getting ready to be in tip top shape for the GuyanaNRA/West Indies Fullbore Championships here in October. Local marksmen are hoping that today the sun will shine to ensure that a full day of practice at the Timehri Rifle Range is had following a long layoff due to continued refurbishing of the Ranges for the Guyana National Rifle Association 150th Anniversary and West Indies Fullbore Shooting
Council championships, here. Fullbore Captain Mahendra Persaud has indicated that even whilst works are still ongoing, shooting will commence in a limited way at eth 300, 600 and 1000 yards ranges given the fact that they have been away from the targets for a few months.
He explained that with the opening up of the sides to extend the range it is anticipated that the wind will be stronger and with bigger changes. ”If it continues with its tricky nature it will be quite interesting to shoot on. We are limited to shooting at 300, 600 and 1,000 yards because those banks are well
grassed and are almost ready for competition. However the plus is that the three ranges are the most difficult and mastering these will make shooting the others a bit easier.” Shooting commenced on Sunday last but the day was shortened as a result of persistent rain. ”We will be focusing a
lot on the not so accomplished shooters to improve their game further thus improving the team’s chances. We will be holding recorded shoots from June 4th and a Spoon shoot for both X and O class on June 25th. At the end of July a review of the performance
by the shooters will be done and the programme prepared accordingly for the remainder of the year.” Guyana will be defending their West Indies Short and Long Ranges titles when they welcome the Caribbean and other top shooting nations for the 150th Anniversary shoot in October, this year.
Xtreme Clean & Maintenance Co./GT Beer ‘Gold Rush’ Futsal Tournament
Georgetown, Linden renew rivalry tonight; Lucky fans to benefit from giveaways To d a y m a r k s t h e commencement of the Xtreme Clean & Maintenance Co. / GT Beer ‘Gold Rush’ Futsal Tournament which is being staged at the National Gymnasium. The tournament which is anticipated to provide fans with another opportunity to witness the exciting brand of indoor football will see twenty-four of the top teams in the format battle over eight (8) days for prize monies totaling in excess of $1million. The winning team will receive $500,000, while second, third and fourth placed finishers are set to collect $200,000, $100,000 and $50,000 respectively. Headlining opening night action is the perennial powerhouse of indoor futsal Sparta Boss who go up against West back Road in the final fixture of the night. However, before this encounter, the clash that features Sophia and Linden’s Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ champion Dave &
Celena is predicted to produce fireworks, especially with the usual Georgetown versus Linden rivalry for bragging rights at stake. These two communities have long battled each other for supremacy in sports and this encounter will no doubt be used to reinforce that contention. West Demerara Guinness champion Shpwstoppers takes on a resurgent Tiger Bay unit that is searching to restore their reputation as being one of the best teams in the shorter format. On the other hand, Showstoppers will be aiming to send a strong message to all contenders that they are a force to be reckoned with so fans can look forward to a pulsating encounter. The first game is another tough o n e f o r b o t h Beterverwagting ‘A’ and Agricola Champion Boys. These two teams have been improving rapidly and choosing a winner in this skirmish is proving to be a difficult undertaking. All the
This is the kind of action that is anticipated fans will witness tonight. matchups should give the tournament the ideal start which is to entertain fans and to put on display the customary skills and speed that are the main characteristics of the format. Reserve teams Buxton Diamond and Camp Street All Stars will play for a place i n t h e m a i n d r a w. Meanwhile, every night two
lucky fans will have the opportunity to kick to win one pennyweight of gold each or its equivalent, while several other novelty events will allow patrons to win prizes. Below are the fixtures for the first two nights. Tonight’s round of m a t c h e s : Agricola vs BV-A-19:00rs
Festival City vs Albouystown-19:30hrs Sophia vs Dave and Celena All-Stars-20:00hrs Showstoppers vs Tiger Bay2 0 : 3 0 h r s Broad Street vs Kitty2 1 : 0 0 h r s Sparta Boss vs West Back R o a d - 2 1 : 3 0 h r s To m o r ro w ’s f i x t u re s : Tu c v i l l e v s M e l a n i e -
1 9 : 0 0 h r s Plaisance vs Alexander Village-19:30hrs B e n t S t r e e t v s Campbellville-20:00hrs North East La Penitence vs Future Stars-20:30hrs West Front Road ‘Gold is Money’ vs North Ruimveldt2 1 : 0 0 h r s Back Circle vs Globe Yard21:30hrs
t r o Sp
GT Beer is official brand for Xtreme Clean ‘Gold Rush’ Futsal tournament
GT Beer Brand Manager, Geoff Clement (3rd left) hands over the sponsorship to the Managing Director of Xtreme Clean and Maintenance Co., Shanai Gomes while the Banks DIH Events and Sponsorship Manager, Mortimer Stewart (right) and Communication Manager, Troy Peters (left) among Xtreme Clean officials, Kester Gomes (2nd left) and Seraiah Clarke share the moment at Thirst Park yesterday.
FYF organises Independence Day Inter- Gym boxing tournament Banks DIH Malta Supreme is main sponsor
Sebert Blake gratefully accepts the sponsorship package from Banks Malta Brand Supervisor Marissa Peterkin in the presence of Brand Manager Clayton McKenzie. Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Limited, 24 Saffon St.Charlestown, Georgetown.Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/ 226-8210