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Tuesday May 29, 2018
Kaieteur News
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
AN UNPRECEDENTED ELECTION On Thursday May 24, Barbadians elected a new government. After casting her ballot, then opposition leader Mia Motley hit the nail on the head when she said “We got this one…Bajans have heeded the call.” The results show that Mottley’s Barbados Labor Party (BLP) won by a clean sweep. The BLP won all 30 parliamentary seats and will form the next government without an official opposition. The crushing defeat of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) led by Prime Minister Freundel Stuart means that at 52, Ms. Mottley will become Barbados’s first female Prime Minister. The elections come even as Barbados is about to attain its 52nd anniversary. She is the fifth female head of state in the English-speaking Caribbean joining the prestigious list of the late Eugenia Charles of Dominica, the late Janet Jagan of Guyana, Portia Simpson of Jamaica and Kamla Persad-Bissessar of Trinidad and Tobago. A humble Mia Mottley declared Friday a thanksgiving day of celebration and ordered the closure of all schools and businesses on the island except banks and supermarkets. In his concession speech, Prime Minister Freundel Stuart not only thanked his supporters but he also unequivocally took full blame for his party’s massive defeat. The winning of all 30 parliamentary seats by the BLP is unprecedented in many ways in the history of politics in Barbados. It was the first time in the 52 years since Barbados independence that there will not be an official opposition in Parliament. It is the first time the voters of Barbados have elected a female Prime Minister. Despite being the wealthiest and one of the most developed countries in the Caribbean, it was also the first time that an election was held in Barbados amid challenging circumstances for the country. The Barbadian economy had contracted in 2009 in the wake of the global financial crisis. Since then, growth has been minimal as the gross domestic product (GDP) expanded by a meager 1.6 percent in 2016, according to World Bank data. The low growth rate has led to an increase of public debt, lower foreign exchange reserves, downgrades in the island’s credit rating, highest unemployment rate at 10 percent, highest debt to GDP ratio and the lowest revenue gains from tourism. During the final days of the campaign, the incumbent Freundel Stuart-led DLP realized that it had a real fight on its hands as Mottley’s BLP which has been in opposition since 2008 gained momentum. A desperate Freundel Stuart opted to use personal attacks on Ms. Mottley by labelling her as incompetent, demagogic and a devil worshipper—a reference to Mottley’s supposed sexual orientation. The attacks backfired as an increasingly savvy Bajan electorate would have none of them. Prime Minister Stuart had pledged that if re-elected, he would withdraw Barbados from the jurisdiction of the Caribbean Court of Justice. In contrast, Mottley’s BLP announced a slew of measures which caught the voters. These included an increase in old-age pension, higher cost of living allowances for public servants, and the removal of jail sentences for minor marijuana infringements. The election victory of Ms. Mottley’s BLP party proved that the promise appealed to the old, the young and the influential middle class. The results proved that all the pollsters wrong in their predictions. Not one pollster had predicted a whitewash. All had predicted a close election based on a very narrow swing vote factor. Their prediction that the people were discontented with the DLP-BLP duopoly in the island of 285,000 people was also incorrect.
The problem we face in our school system is not just discrimination DEAR EDITOR, The problem we face in our school system is not just discrimination, nor even primarily discrimination, although that certainly does exist. We also have problems with parents who cannot help their children because they too had an inadequate education, or because they are unwilling to spend time working and playing with their children, and problems with teachers who do not recognize the difficulties such children have to overcome, or who do not themselves understand the language, mathematics, science or technology they are called upon to teach. I did well at school and university. But then I had parents who worked and played with me, read books to me, then bought a variety of books for me to read, followed my progression in school carefully, and encouraged me in myriad ways. I was also fortunate to have really good teachers at the two primary schools I attended, Freeburg and St Sidwell’s and my secondary school, The Bishops’ High
School. My children in turn both went on to Universities and both did well. But then they too had everything going for them. There are numerous studies right here in Guyana and the Caribbean which show that children with such backgrounds do better in the various competitive examinations than their less fortunate compatriots. So a major problem is how we overcome this disadvantage faced by so many of our children who may be just as intelligent as I and my children were. And here we come to our problem with the teaching in our schools. Too many of our teachers are themselves deficient in (a) the basic information they need to pass on to students, and (b) the skills to find ways of communicating information to students of differing abilities. To give you examples of what I mean: (a) basic information - we teach children how to use indefinite articles “a” and “an” by telling them that it is “a” before a word that begins with consonant and “an” before a word beginning with a vowel. True for most
vowels. But the rule is actually “a” before a consonant SOUND and “an” before a vowel SOUND. The vowels a,e,i and o all have vowel sounds whether they are pronounced as “ah” or “aa”, “eh” or “ee” and so on. But “u” that can be “uh” as in “umbrella” or “uncertain” or “yoo” as in “union” or “uniform”. “Yoo” is a consonant sound so we do not say “an uniform” or “an Union”. But I know of a teacher who “corrected” a young student who wrote “a uniform”. Then there was a teacher (this was one of my son’s teachers) who was teaching about electricity, who clearly did not understand what a closed circuit was, since he was describing that system as one in which the flow of electricity is interrupted. For him, “closed” meant that no electricity could pass through the system! And that same teacher did not know that a rat is a mammal. Or, for that matter, a whale as well. A whale is a fish, he said. And I found a Caribbean produced text book for young children, which, in teaching the use of the verb “to have”, stated that we use “has” for one person and “have” for more than one person. Well, no. Because it is “I have” and
“you (whether one of you or a multitude) have”. (b) the skills to find ways of communicating information to students of differing abilities is an even more tricky problem. Too many of our teachers have one way of explaining something, and if some students do not “get it” then the assumption is that it is the students are at fault either because they were not paying attention, or because they are stupid, or because they are troublesome students. But we don’t all learn the same way. Some of us (a) can learn by rote and apply what we have learned without fully understanding it; (b) some of us need to understand before we can apply; and (c) some of us need to have our interest in the subject stimulated before we are even willing to learn. I fell into category (a) and so I was labeled “bright”. I skipped what was then called “Big ABC”, now K2, and went straight to First Standard, with a few extra lessons to learn things like long division. But I did not fully and clearly understand our numeration system which uses nine symbols and a zero to write all numbers, until I needed to get (Continued on page 06)
Mixed feelings about Independence DEAR EDITOR, Happy Independence to our leaders, our Government, the Opposition and all my fellow Guyanese! This is an appropriate time to remember all the people who have sacrificed for our Independence and who have since passed on. I still have fond memories of the royal visit by the Duke and Duchess of Kent, who came to Guyana as part of our first Independence celebrations. I was a boy then, but I remember the glorious moments of our achievement of Independence and the tremendous outpouring of goodwill by the British Monarch and Government that wanted to help our country to prosper as well as all Guyanese without regard for colour, class, creed, or any of our differences. However, as we celebrate Independence, there are many things I am depressed about. For the 52 years we have been free, we have always heard from the early political leaders, those who took the country into Independence and others today, about the great gains we have made. But where are those gains? I can’t see them. What I can see is a lot of talk. And I can see that we are stuck in a time-warp. I believe that the socialist
experiment by former President Forbes Burnham that was behind the thrust to nationalize industries was a terrible mistake. This experiment fit the ideology of former President Dr. Cheddi Jagan, and he and Burnham thought if they nationalized the industries, then all the money that the expatriates were sending abroad would have remained here and made us rich. That was a big mistake. What they did not realize was that Guyana did not have the administrative capacity and the experience for world trade or marketing for that magnitude of industry and commerce. Our country became stuck in time and marginalized by the more developed countries, which shunned any thought of investing here. I believe that by now we should have diversified and upgraded our economy and established major new projects like a coconut-products industry and other spinoff industries. We should have had factories converting rice husk or straw into cement and other building materials. We should have had fish and meat processing plants producing fish and meat for export. We should have also been canning our own fish, meat, fruit and vegetable products. Our country should have had skyscrapers
that were not built with drug money, and people should have been enjoying a much higher standard of living, which socialism does not accommodate. The late President Hugh Desmond Hoyte tried to move us into the 21st century, but lost the election in 1992. Cheddi Jagan, as President, tried to follow the Economic Recovery Programme established by President Hoyte. It was clear that we were already too stuck in the grain with our mould formed, set and solidified in the 1960s. We could not move forward dynamically to grow like other countries that had achieved Independence at the same time as we did. Take Singapore and Malaysia for instance. These countries gained independence at about the same time as us. Look at them and what they have achieved and then take a look at us. This makes me sad. I see now we have the opportunity to exploit our oil resources, albeit it appears that we have gotten the short end of the stick in our negotiations with ExxonMobil, due to our immaturity and inexperience in proper negotiating techniques. Our negotiations should never have never been left in the hands of a few individuals. The result is fewer benefits to our country
than we deserve. There will be a circulation of cash and wealth in the land, but the country itself will gain very little for our future generations, it appears. I am all for development with ExxonMobil and any other company, but we need to have a fair deal that will be good for the investor company, their countries, and also for our people. Unfortunately, the Government of the day has not taken my recommendation for a multi-stakeholder management committee to manage oil, rather than just one political party in power. Without this, there will always be a penchant for corruption by individuals within the governmental bureaucracy. Having persons from the private sector, the Opposition and the religious organisations on board would have prevented that. I see spinoff industries coming on board, maybe an aluminum smelter and factories for the creation of aluminum products. This is my hope, my wish, my dream. We must break out of the grain of the socialist mentality, which has kept us in the dirt. We have seen that all the countries that have experimented with socialism have suffered and it is difficult for (Continued on page 06)
Tuesday May 29, 2018
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Kaieteur News
More hypocrisy; but not surprising Poor customer care offered by Digicel DEAR EDITOR, Bharrat Jagdeo’s response to the current heightened issue of sentencing for small amounts of marijuana was as predictable as the next piece of propaganda emanating from Robb Street. His pronouncements exemplified both the opportunistic and hypocritical nature of some politicians. Since when have he and his party been advocates for non-custodial sentencing for small amounts of marijuana found on persons intercepted? In fact, Jagdeo is on record in July 2011, at the launch of the International Year for People of African Descent (IYPAD), as saying that the then government was not going to decriminalize the use of the
narcotic. And as a reminder, it was during the tenure of the former PPP/C government that scores of young Guyanese became criminalized for use of the drug, as a result of custodial sentences. This is yet another example of a particular line of deception - making demands for solutions/corrections to problems that existed since the period of PPP/C governance, but which were ignored, despite numerous calls by activists and the Guyana Rastafarian Council for the decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana. We have been observing this kind of sudden holierthan-thou line being taken by not only Jagdeo and his party, but also some wellknown social commentators
who seem to have only just realized that they have a voice. This is the category of persons of whom Guyanese ought to beware of; for not only did they sup at the table of state criminality, partaking in the feast of illegality, but, that it rendered them ineligible to assume any moral position. As a result of their complicit behaviour, they have become heavily compromised. Yet, like the hypocrites that they have always been, and conniving, they have since 2015, been attempting to take the moral high ground; but they are easily identified. They are numbered among those who will have to face the long arm of arm of the law for crimes against the State. Regards Dillon Goring
DEAR EDITOR, About three weeks ago I received a text message from Digicel saying, “Activate a monthly data plan for only GYD2000 today....” of which many of us (Digicel Customers) are used to seeing regularly in our phones. I became excited, since the cost was lower than the usual monthly 2G Plan, which I am quite familiar with. So I took some time to call Digicel’s customer care to inquire about the amount of Data (MB) allotted to this specific plan. Upon speaking with a customer care agent, I was affirmed, I say again affirmed, that the Data allotted to this specific plan was Unlimited. I then went on and activated that plan on my smartphone, only to find out
that the actual amount of data was 800MB. I have reason to believe that many other users are being lured into activating this same “promotional monthly plan”, as stated by that agent. I went on and downloaded media content like any other user would. For about two days of using the internet service I noticed no change in the remaining amount of data, assuming that the plan is indeed unlimited. To my surprise the data suddenly started to decrease. I called again to Digicel’s customer care and explained my situation, based on the fact that I was given false information by a customer care agent. The agent ( I cannot recall her name) apologized for the error made by her colleague and continued by say-
ing there is nothing she could do to assist in my situation, and no refund will be awarded since the data is already being used. The conversation went on..., and I even asked her if my complaint was logical enough to get a review, if she believed I’m even telling the truth, she replied by saying “I’m not calling you a liar.” Very shocking response. She went on by promising to get back to me and assisting however possible, but to date I haven’t received a call from Digicel.There is more to be done to improve on the customer services offered by Digicel. Putting customers first should be the goal of any business organization. I believe this isn’t the case with this network. Jason Benjamin
No Govt. of the day will ever allow any other event to overshadow the national event of Mashramani DEAR EDITOR, Is that it Hits and Jams? That’s the million-dollar question I asked just after the revellers and music bands passed by during the just concluded Carnival event. Heading towards the Kitty village, my first expectation was to hear the loud sound of music from a distance, but unfortunately it was not so. That, to me, was the first negative signal. Upon arrival, it was my least expectation to witness a small number of revellers, marshalls and some onlookers gathered around waiting for the event to get kick started. Nevertheless, I ventured off to have my independent coverage of Kodak moment photos taken and the reception received from the revellers was warm and cooperative. Some even asked if I was with a particular media house, to which I responded in the negative. I was blown away to witness a Jamaican national carrying her flag in the mix of everything. I never thought Jamaicans are so deep with soca road parades. I was totally off. I must add that this particular reveller was well
spoken and she knew how to work the lens of the camera with striking her vogue poses. I subsequently departed that venue because of an emergency phone call and relocated at another. I thought perhaps it would give everyone time to get fully organised and more revellers will join in for the event to get kick started. I was wrong with that, because it was actually the same faces of persons I took photos of earlier. They were all bunched together behind the Pulse music band and the others behind the second music band. Of course I know what road and party entertainment is, but my expectation was that each of the individual costumes - which I believe were five in total from advertisement -would have been separated and behind a different music band. It was not so. I understand Machel Montano was in town and had a show at the Providence Stadium the night before and I left wondering why the organisers didn’t persuade him to join in the road parade and belt out some of his hit tunes. Perhaps Machel Montano doesn’t come that cheap and it was way beyond
the organisers’ budget to contract him for the day’s event. As for the local performers such as Jumo, Brandon Harding, Big Red, Vanilla, Kwesi Ace etc., why weren’t they contracted for the day parade to join in with their respective forms of entertainment? So, Jumo was a no show at Mashramani and Carnival 2018, and I always expected him to be at either of the two events to belt out his current hit tune ‘HARDER’ for the local market. I hope this performer has something even harder, come 2019. Absent were Government Agencies and Corporate Guyana. What happened there? The thoughts came to mind. Perhaps the Government of the day will never have its agencies participate, because in doing so, it will overshadow the Mashramani event which they cannot afford to risk. Perhaps with the current economic situation, Corporate Guyana stayed away and some might consider joining in Carnival 2019. That is if it materialises. Hits and Jams, you need to return to the blackboard
and contract some expertise with Carnival event planning. I make reference only to the road parade aspect, apart from all other events. Again, not sure if it will materialise for 2019. Take it or leave it...It will
be wiser that you return to merging with the Government of the day with your participation during the annual Mashramani celebrations as the entertainment section which you have done in the past. In doing so, you can still
hold on to being the show stoppers. No government of the day will ever allow any other event to overshadow the national event of Mashramani. Yours Faithfully T. Pemberton
Procurement clause used should be reviewed and discarded DEAR EDITOR, I use this opportunity to address a matter that I have been pondering over for a while now. This relates to the clause “the procuring body reserves the right to reject any or all bids without assigning any reasons whatsoever’. The clause is featured quite often when invitation for bids are advertised, and I personally think this is an eye pass. For starters, this clause gives the evaluation committee of that particular entity
the right to reject bids that were responsive and then turn around and hide behind this clause. There are instances when contractors’ bids are rejected due to someone (with lots of power) in the evaluation body having a personal issue with a particular contractor and then that clause is thrown out there. Where is the fairness? Contractors spend a lot of time and money to get bids ready, only to be rejected without any proper reason, and then if they push, they are told that
the entity reserves the right to reject any and all bids. I am therefore calling on the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board, The Public Procurement Committee and even the Bid Protest Committee to come together and allow contractors to be treated fairly and be given some satisfaction for all that they would have put in to get their bids ready. How can you just reject a bid and not provide a reason for doing so, that tells me (Continued on page 06)
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Tuesday May 29, 2018
Kaieteur News
CCTV systems and crime issues The problem we face in our... DEAR EDITOR, Given the crime situation many people are investing their hard earned money for some sort of protection. One of the most comforting means for them is security cameras. Now a lot of unscrupulous people are obtaining outdated/condemned CCTV systems from overseas and selling people at exorbitant fees, and these systems are not providing the proper service as expected. Some of these dishonest people are using footage from other systems and even from what makes the news, and promoting themselves on social media as if the system they are selling is responsible. While they cannot be charged for false promotion, their unsuspecting victims’ money is being wasted, because they eventually have to buy a new system after not getting the service from the waste they purchased. Quite a few people have been scammed and l bluntly told them after I was asked to look at their system after they encountered problems. A while back I penned a series of letters advising in
the type of system and camera they should look for and settings for their systems to help get better footage. Recently a woman’s shop was broken into at Zeelugt early on a Wednesday night and again three days after, on Saturday. A few weeks after they again broke in to the shop and each time she suffered great losses. The woman had a security system installed, but they couldn’t locate the footage on the DVR, so they called me after the first two times. I went and was able to locate the footage which showed four boys committing the crime. From the footage we couldn’t identify any of the criminals properly, so no one was charged. The reason for that was because the cameras were not properly set and the lighting was bad. On my advice, she allowed me to rearrange the cameras and lights, and she was quite pleased with the results. The footage was hard to locate because the CMOS battery had gone bad in the DVR thus, every time the DVR is switched off or there
is a blackout, the DVR goes back to the manufacturer’s timing and starts recording. So what you have is a DVR with multiple footage of same dates and timings all over the hard drive. One way to eradicate that problem is if you notice your DVR timing/date going back to the default settings or DVR malfunctioning, chances are the CMOS battery is bad and should be changed immediately, because definitely you would encounter problems when you try to retrieve footage. These are simple problems, but apparently many so-called experts cannot solve this minor problem. Many are setting cameras in such a way that make it impossible to capture any face properly if that person is wearing a cap. Criminals are becoming wary of cameras and people should explore the possibilities of installing cameras and concealing them. Security system installation has many issues to deal with but as I listed, these are some of the main fixes which I hope would help people. Sahadeo Bates
Mixed feelings about... From page 04 them to get out of that mould and mindset. Our mindset, in fact, seems to be deteriorating. When there are national events, too many of us go out on the road nearly naked, to get drunk on alcohol and dance lewdly in public, on the roadways and even on truck tops. The concept of Mashramani is fine, but it has evolved into something most vulgar. Mash is an integral part of our culture and our Republic Day celebrations, but now, despite the fact that Mash is a carnival-
type celebration, this year, we had a carnival to coincide with our Independence celebrations. So are we going to have Mash in February and carnival in May every year? I see the banks offering loans to Mash and Carnival revelers to buy clothes and costumes, to make it easy for persons to entertain themselves lavishly and irresponsibly. Many of these misguided revelers will then be imprisoned with unnecessary loans for three years. In my opinion, these types of celebrations with their vulgar gyrations and
increased consumption of alcohol and all sorts of crude behaviour are like satanic rituals. It makes me sad that this is how some of us choose to observe our Independence. I know some people will attack me for this, but I will continue to strive to be a positive patriot of this nation. I am prepared to bear that criticism and I will continue to condemn publicly the promotion of events being marketed as “Stink and Dutty” (J’Ouvert) and other such depravities that soil the name of Independence celebrations. The Government has a role to play in the growing level of vulgarity in society, because it tolerates such behaviour at national events. It is time for Government to turn the nation back to morality and strong family values or else Independence will be nothing but a wasted opportunity.I suggest that Government should set some guidelines to protect our people at such events. Roshan Khan Snr.
From page 04 a class of eight year olds in the UK to understand that the written symbols that signify eighteen objects are “18” and not “81”. That was when I consciously understood what I had long ago learned, and could work with, without consciously understanding, which is that we write words from left to right, (those poor kids were saying “eight-teen” and writing 8-1. After all, the word starts with eight, doesn’t it?); but we write numbers from 1 to 9 then shift to the left, not the right, and start with 1 again and a zero, then 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, and so on until we reach 99, when we shift to the left again and write 100. My son was category (c). I got him to learn to read via his interest in airplanes - I bought him models of increasing complexity to construct, until he reached one that required him to read instructions rather than simply look at pictures in order to put it together. And I refused to read it for him. He learned to read. And his grades at university were the barest minimum he needed to continue his course, until he started Political Science, which he enjoyed. In his final year he achieved all A grades. He now has a PhD and is an Associate Professor. How many students do we now have who are not category (a) students, but (b) or (c), and who do not have a teacher who recognizes the need to adapt her/his teaching methods to the needs of the student? If those (b) and (c) students do not have some other adult in the background who can assist, then the students are too often labeled failures, however intelligent they may be. Then there is the written word. Standard English, the language which our students are expected to be able to write, is a complicated lan-
guage. It has a base which derives from Germanic languages spoken by the AngloSaxons who displaced the original Britons. To that was added old French, spoken by the Normans who conquered the Anglo-Saxons. Then there were words added from Latin and Greek, the languages of the Christian religious writings, and therefore languages learned by all persons educated at the universities (which were initially schools for clerical trainees). Then there are numerous words adopted from other peoples, as the British became sailors, explorers and then conquerors who established a worldwide empire. Words like shampoo, pajamas, bungalow, verandah, cashmere, calico, thug, all of which came from the Indian subcontinent; tomato, avocado which came from the Americas; and nadir, alcohol, algebra from Arabic; and boomerang from Australian Aborigines. Then in some cases there has been a shift in either pronunciation or meaning of a word over the centuries (so that “suffer”, for example, today has a different meaning from the meaning in the sentence “Suffer the children to come unto me” in the early seventeenth century translation of the Bible known as the King James Version). English now uses just 26 letters as symbols for more than 40 sounds; so the same letters can represent more than one sound. “Ch”, for example, can be “chuh” as in “church”, or “k” as in “chaos” or “character”. I once heard a former teacher say that a “cha-sam” is a deep hole. When I told her that the word is pronounced “ka-sm” she asked me to spell the word. I spelled c-h-a-s-m. She asked how could that be “ka”. I told her, in the same way that Christ is not pronounced Chuh-ryst. So you see, it is not just a
problem of discrimination. Until we can bring all schools and their teachers (not to mention the officials in the Ministry of Education and the authors of text books) to the point where they really teach effectively, we will continue to have some intelligent children who fail to perform as they should. And given that entry to secondary schools is based on an assessment of the students’ primary school attainment, then some secondary schools will continue to receive the students identified as “the brightest”. Even if we turned all our secondary school into area schools, drawing their students from a specified catchment area, that would still not solve the problem. Wealthier parents and parents who are able to assist their children would buy houses in the catchment area of outstanding/desirable secondary schools (as they do even now in the UK and the USA). And if we could eliminate selection from secondary schools, then Universities and Technical, Medical, Arts, Drama, Music Schools and Colleges and just about every institute of higher education will still be selective, as by definition they cannot take in everybody, so all look for the best students in whatever area of study is their specialty. We are all selective. I do not buy foods that are substandard, I do not read badly written books, I try to avoid to an incompetent individual in whatever sphere - I would certainly not employ such an individual to build my house. Life is competitive and selective. So everything comes back to that basic education and upbringing that our children receive. And right now too many are not getting the education they deserve and need. Pat Robinson Commissiong
Kuru Kuru/Laluni Road DEAR EDITOR, I wish to encourage the CEO of National Drainage & Irrigation Authority (NDIA), the Honourable Minister of Agriculture, the Honourable Minister of Public Infrastructure, the RDC and the NDC, to pay a visit and inspect the road that passes Kuru Kururu to Laluni. This road was done just
before the Elections but it is now impassable. I daresay it is much worse now than it was before. Can someone please make a visit and do an inspection.
The new road that was done did not go till to Laluni but it covered a significant amount of area, but it is all now holes and craters. Ignatius Raphael
Procurement clause used should be... From page 05 there was no reason, just that the person that won wasn’t who the entity would have wanted. Also the Government of the day needs to start looking into the malpractices that
are perpetrated against contractors that are qualified to carry out works yet unqualified contractors are chosen and they can’t complete or handle the contracts. Observant citizen
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Tuesday May 29, 2018
TIGI welcomes charges against Dr Singh, Brassington
T
he charges for misconduct in office against the former Minister of Finance and the former head of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) is a welcome disruption to impunity for corruption and malfeasance in office that exists in Guyana, the Transparency Institute of Guyana Inc. (TIGI) said yesterday. According to the corruption watchdog body, yesterday, in a statement, TIGI is neither taking a position against Dr. Ashni Singh and Winston Brassington nor attempting to pronounce on their guilt. Singh was the former Finance Minister, of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) while Brassington headed NICIL. Both were slapped recently with fraud-related charges relating to their alleged role in the sale of state properties. The two immediately challenged the charges in the High Court with their PPP/C insisting that it is victimisation. “Given that charges have been filed, we leave it to the court to determine the
- insists SARA, SOCU obligated to probe current officials too
outcome. In this regard, the pronouncements made by politicians on these matters even while the cases are before the courts are improper and appear as attempts to pervert the course of justice and play on the emotions of the citizens,” TIGI stressed. TIGI says it is also welcoming the attempt to institute charges against current ministers of government for their conduct in office. “There are legitimate questions to be answered in relation to the Sussex Street pharmaceutical bond deal, procurement in the health sector and the D’Urban Park project. With respect to these matters, private charges against Dr. George Norton (former Minister of Health, now Minister of Social
Cohesion), Ms. Volda Lawrence (Health), Winston Jordan (Finance), David Patterson (Public Infrastructure) and Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine (Public Service) were filed, but were disallowed by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on procedural grounds.” TIGI said it believes that any current or former government official or employee who mismanaged or misappropriated state resources, should be held accountable and where appropriate, be made to make amends inclusive of returning what was taken or given away. “As long as there is merit in the matters identified, the currency of alternative motives is of little importance. Hence, given the matters
Former Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh (2nd l) and Winston Brassington (2nd r) at SOCU’s headquarters, Camp Street, recently with their lawyers. involved, we hold to our view whether or not it is perceived that the charges stemmed from retaliatory politics.” In order to end impunity for corruption, the undocumented buddy system in which the major political camps agree to criticise, but not prosecute
each other for malfeasance must end, the body urged. “Public officers must know that they will be held accountable for what they do with public resources.” TIGI said it agrees that the proper procedures must be followed in all legal matters. However, there are
unanswered questions about the path taken by the DPP to disallow the charges against current ministers of Government. Police can investigate TIGI pointed out that even if a challenge to the decision of the DPP is made, there is nothing preventing Anil Nandlall in his capacity as the attorney who filed the private criminal charges from following what was indicated by the DPP, and reporting the matters to the police to begin a new process. “It is important to note that the DPP has not, as far as we are aware, pronounced on the merits of the allegations. TIGI encourages both a challenge of the DPP’s decision and reporting the matters to the police.” The body noted that in the debate about the charges against former officials in the press and in social spaces, political motivation, race and the fact that only former officials have been charged by police’s Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) have been cited. TIGI noted that that (Continued on page 22)
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Kaieteur News
Soldier freed of robbery charges, remain on remand for illegal gun and ammo
A
former Lance Corporal of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) who was charged earlier in the year for allegedly carrying out a series of robberies around Georgetown, by trailing victims on his motorcycle and robbing them at gunpoint, got all the robbery matters against him dismissed. The virtual complainants in the matters told the court that they did not wish to proceed; as a result, the Magistrate dismissed the matters due to no evidence being offer. However, the possession of illegal firearm and licence matters are still ongoing. Twenty-one-year-old Jamal Hazel, of Lot 490 ‘A’ Field Sophia, is currently on trial in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman. The first charge alleged that on January 10, at North Road, Bourda, Georgetown, while in the company of another and armed with a gun, he robbed Boodram Hemraj, of one weeding machine, valued $100,000. The second charge alleged that on January 11, at Pere Street, Kitty, Georgetown, Hazel, while in the company of others and armed with a gun, robbed Andrea Purdessy of a cellular phone valued $210,000 and $400,000 in cash. It was also alleged that on the same day while armed with a gun, he robbed Andrea Purdessy of $4.5M in cash. Additionally, it is alleged that on January 13, at Middle Road, La Penitence, Georgetown, Hazel had in his possession nine rounds of .380 ammunition and at the same time, he had in his possession a .380 Pistol, when he was not the holder of a firearm licence.
Remanded to prison Jamal Hazel Hazel denied all the charges. The matters are being prosecuted by Police Prosecutor Arvin Moore. Hazel who is currently on remand will make his next court appearance on June 4. Facts presented in relation to the robbery committed on Andrea Purdessy, stated that on the day in question, the victim had just collected the monies from a mining company in Alberttown, and Hazel along with an accomplice trailed her t o h er residence. The court heard that when the victim attempted to exit he r c a r, s h e w a s approached by Hazel, who was on a bike, and he pointed a gun to her face and (Continued on page 22)
Tuesday May 29, 2018
IDB-funded report red-flags treatment of prisoners A new report has called for several changes to the judicial justice system following interviews with several inmates. The report, ‘Study of Inmates in Guyana’, was funded by the Inter-American Bank (IDB). It was handed over to the Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan yesterday. Several inmates were interviewed as part of the study. Regarding the right to a due process, some findings suggest the presence of some shortcoming in the criminal justice system in Guyana, particularly considering the police’s behaviour. The report found that only 17.4% of detainees by the police were informed by the police that they were entitled to a lawyer. On the other hand (and more worrisome), almost four out of ten inmates said they had been hit, or that physical force had been used against them to compel them to testify or to change their statement while at the police station. Some results show a relative level of overcrowding in the prisons. Six out of ten inmates said that there were more prisoners in prison than it was designed for. Other findings suggest a lag in legal proceedings in Guyana where almost a quarter of the inmates (21.4%) said they were going through trial with no sentence yet, and 10.4% of the inmates reported having seen the magistrate, but the trial had not begun. Ramjattan stated that Government commissioned the survey shortly after coming into Government in 2015. He explained that the report essentially measures the trajectory of inmates to identify core concerns.
Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan receiveing the report from IDB respresentative “These findings show that we have to work harder to get it right,” Ramjattan stated. The report also addresses the misconduct of staff. “In recent times I have been very embarrassed; I become afraid of some of these rogue elements within the prison service, but we have to continue to work harder to ensure that our prison system is secured,” Ramjattan pointed out. He outlined that the report places sunshine onto an institution that people feel fearful of talking about. “We wanted to bring it out and where the sunshine is going to reveal certain things as wanting, we as a govern-
ment will now have the evidence there to ensure that remedial action is taken,” the Minister stated. The report examines the socio-demographic characteristics of the inmate population in Guyana, particularly the living conditions of inmates at their childhood and adolescence, their life stories, and their upbringing, in search of correlation that might explain their criminal behaviour that led to their arrest and incarceration. The report also found that the two most frequent crimes for which the inmates were arrested in Guyana was intentional homicide or murder (34.9%) and drug possession or drug dealing (21.3%).
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday May 29, 2018
Exxon is blowing off a whole lot of gas ExxonMobil, one of the richest multinational corporations in the world, is showing off about some bird seed money that it is spending in Guyana. The company ran an episode (Episode 4 to be precise) as part of its public relations comeback, announcing that over the past two years it has spent some $184M on corpo-
rate social responsibility. Exxon is not doing Guyana any favour by spending this sum to finance projects in Guyana over the past two years. Interestingly, ExxonMobil does not provide a breakdown of the entire twoyear amount. Exxon Mobil is undertaking corporate social responsibility to improve its image following the fallout
which it suffered as a result of the exposure of the hand which it dealt Guyana in the renegotiation of its contract so that it could obtain a petroleum production license. Exxon is burnishing its image by its spending on corporate social responsibility. Perhaps, it is bamboozling some Guyanese into believing that it is helping the
DEM BOYS SEH
Aurora putting gun to people head De government get a report on how dem boys behaving in prison. The report seh how de prisoners does get beat all de time; it seh prison wardens gun always smuggle likker and ganja in jail because dem pay small. De people who write de report tek dem own sweet time because dem was in control. Nobody coulda tell dem what to do and dem get de money from de IDB. Dem give Ramjattan de report yesterday and is only then he know that de prisoners des smoke weed and when dem high dem does try to burn down de prison. But dem boys know another place that does mek people write report but wid a
gun to dem head. Dem boys hear Aurora doing some things in de gold fields and dem send de report to de Waterfalls paper. De ink barely dry when dem talk bout local content when somebody at Aurora go to de gun cabinet and tek out a rifle and out it to a man name Terry. Terry write a letter so sweet that people could hear de music but if dem did listen more close dem would hear de fear in ee voice. De next thing dem boys put in de papers was how a local company get knock off. Somebody get out another gun and dem ketch a man name Hamilton. By de time dem done call out things fuh
he write, de poor man swear that he was in high school again. He write how he trucks get put off de wuk but he agree because he is a Guyanese and Guyanese shouldn’t get all that wuk. He didn’t write how couple weeks back he had more than a dozen trucks wukking and now he only got two. If he did only write that de letter woulda get tear up and wouldn’t have live to see de sun de next morning. Dem boys write bout de plane and de company write a response. Well dem boys seh that de company gun be very busy writing. Talk half and check how many guns Aurora got.
nation but the bottom line is that corporate social responsibility is about earning the favour of the Guyanese people after they have been shafted by Exxon Mobil and the future of their children pawned. The money that ExxonMobil is claiming that it has spent in Guyana over the past two years is bird seed money. ExxonMobil is one of the largest publicly traded companies in the United States. It, as a company, is richer than the whole of Guyana combined. Its assets outstrip the annual GDP of Guyana. Yet it has spent less than US$1 million over two years and wants to show off about what a generous company it is. There are major companies in Guyana which are poorer than some departments in Exxon Mobil. Yet these companies have spent more on corporate social responsibility on ExxonMobil which is due to become the largest multinational corpora-
tion operating in Guyana. Companies like GT&T, DIGICEL, Banks DIH, Demerara Distillers Limited and Ansa Mac Cal – the big five – spend far more each year than that pittance of US$500,000 per year on corporate social responsibility. What Exxon is spending is bird seed money. It is disgraceful for a company as large as Exxon to boast about spending less than US$500,000 per year. When first oil comes in 2020 or 2021 (it is likely to be the latter), Guyana is set to earn, US$1M per year. Yet here is Exxon running an advertisement during prime time, bragging about how much it has spent in 2 years, what Guyana is due to earn from them in one day when first oil comes. It is not clear whether that sum which Exxon is making a big fuss over includes the US$300,000 that it is supposed to spend each year in projects jointly identified by itself and the government of
Guyana. That sum, too, is bird seed money. Guyanese must not allow themselves to get excited by what these foreign multinationals are saying. The bird seed money will not make a difference to the fact that Guyana got a poor deal. It got strung around Exxon’s little fingers which now has the temerity to be claim bragging rights for its exercise of corporate social responsibility. By the way, Exxon is trying to attenuate for the fallout from its past denial of climate change. It has agreed to reduce methane output by 25%. In light of that decision, Guyana must be feeling stiffed again by the deal it signed with Exxon in relation to gas. Or perhaps that promised reduction in flaring is just corporate social responsibility!
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday May 29, 2018
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
Syeada Manbodh: Comical mystery in Guyana
T
he national awards under every gov ernment since Independence have been an incestuous affair with the people who make the determination best left to select which is the nicest toy children need at Christmas rather than decide on such a serious issue. There is a limit to the number of living people that can receive the nation’s highest award – Order of Excellence (OE). The list so far is highly impressive – three past presidents – Arthur Chung, Forbes Burnham and Janet Jagan; Guyana’s only GovernorGeneral, Sir David Rose; The CARICOM region’s longest serving Prime Minister, Sam Hinds, Walter Rodney and former Jamaican giant, PJ. Patterson. This is an award commonsense dictates should go to persons who spent their lives in service to Guyana. President Jagdeo gave the OE to a man that I would bet if a poll is taken today, ninety- five present of
Guyanese in and out of the country have never heard about him. This recipient of the OE is Professor Compton Bourne, who when he was awarded the title was living outside of Guyana for more than twenty years. He received the prize during his tenure as President of the Caribbean Development Bank. It was during his time at the CDB that Bourne was given a house lot at Prodoville 2. From Burnham to Granger passing through Presidents Hoyte, the two Jagans, Jagdeo and Ramotar, national awards have had overt incestuous characteristics. But incestuousness is not the only sore you find on the face of the process, there is serious inscrutability. It is incomprehensible how the names are arrived at for an award. You wonder what thought process goes into these selections. I will, for the third time, cite the confusion that encircled my mind at last year’s national award in
relation to Adam Harris (AA), Dr. Mark Kirton (AA) and the UG Vice Chancellor (CCH). There has to be scientific reasoning when you select citizens to get a national honour. It is a moral shame to just select names at random. But each year, the identifications make you wonder. Before we go to last’s year mystery, let’s examine the scientific method. First, you look at the value of the particular profession of the person. A top class surgeon who saves lives with his unmatched skill will definitely come into play. Secondly, you look at the specific/particular contribution of the person to the society. A marshal of the court that has personally delivered writs over a forty year period should be admired for his service. Thirdly, you look at sacrifice on behalf of the nation. A fireman who was injured multiple times saving lives is definitely worthy of a top award. Fourthly, an outstanding contribution in which the citizen has not only put his/her
country on the map but in the process brought something to the rest of the world. Some examples are obvious Messi – Argentina; Usain Bolt – Jamaica; Ronaldo – Portgugal; Malala – Pakistan; Obama – US; Last year’s award did not make sense with regards to Harris and Kirton getting AA and an unknown person whose contribution to Guyana I honestly would never ever think of comparing with the long service of Harris and Kirton and he got CCH. Based on the type of award you give to a particular type of citizen, the honour can in fact be an insult. I wouldn’t expect Syeada Manbodh to return her Medal of Service given this year. I don’t think she is that kind of
person but I find the category she was placed in when compared to those who got AAs this year absolutely insulting. Forty-one person got AA which is higher than Medal of Service. Of that 41, Syeada Manbodh, supreme animal protector, deserves a higher award than more than half of those persons on the AA list. I know the work this lady has been doing for more than twenty years. She has been an outstanding protector of animal rights in Guyana. She does this with your own time and money. Last week, she turned up at my home. She heard there was a sick dog in the compound where I live and she wanted further information. She has been doing this selflessly for a long time now. She
Frederick Kissoon found the dog and took it away. I don’t want to get this newspaper into legal trouble with an inelegant description of the people responsible for identifying the awardees. If I do such a semantic job it would be immensely unflattering but this I will say to those people – who are you, what are you trained in, how much you know of what constitute the essence of the human being?
Deportee jailed on break and enter charge
Chetram Singh, called “Roy”, 28, a deportee of Betsy Ground, East Canje, Berbice, who was recently released from jail after serving five years has been jailed again, this time for three years. The man was caught redhanded in a house of some overseas-based Guyanese. Ironically it was the said house in which he was caught when he received his previous five years jail sentence. Singh is accused of breaking and entering the dwelling house of Sahodra Ramlagan, called “Baby” on Saturday April 14, 2018 at Betsy Ground. The court was told that around 17:30 hrs on the day in question the woman secured her premises and went out with some relatives. She returned around 03:30 hrs the following day.Upon entering her yard she noticed the upstairs light on. She did not
… recently served five years for breaking into same house
Chetram Singh leave any light on in the upper flat. Upon entering the house and pushing the upstairs door she noticed a pair of pants on the verandah. She immediately called the police who responded promptly. The police entered the
house and in searching one of the bedrooms, found that the door was not opening, although the latch was not on. The ranks tried and subsequently forced open the door and found the bandit lying half naked on the floor. He was arrested and charged. A bag filled with gold and silver jewelry, cosmetics, medication and other items which the bandit had stolen was found stashed in a corner of the house. He appeared before Magistrate Renita Singh in the Reliance Magistrate Court and was found guilty. On the previous occasion he was sentenced on two successive days to two fiveyear term each. Those sentences had run concurrently.
Tuesday May 29, 2018
Kaieteur News
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Tuesday May 29, 2018
Manufacturers offered options of sourcing power directly from natural gas plant
M
ore than 200 Guyanese will be employed during the civil works and construction phase for natural gas and liquid petroleum plants. This was revealed by Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson. “It could be more because we have to do work on the site; the foundation for the plant, fencing. (Guyana Power and Light) would be running a new transmission line from the site to the new substation, so we will need persons for those works. “Of course, ExxonMobil would have its own employees on board as well,” Minister Patterson explained. When the plant becomes operational, the minister stated, 30 to 40 persons will be permanently employed as maintenance and operational crew. The use of natural gas for GPL to generate electricity was deemed feasible and an
A natural gas plant.
Minister David Patterson East Coast Demerara village (to be named later) has been identified for the laying of a pipeline that will transfer the fuel to shore. The site is 475 acres, while the natural gas and liquid petroleum plants will be approximately 20-25 acres. Patterson, who is responsible for the energy sector said the remaining 450 acres
have been dedicated for an industrial park aimed at incentivizing the manufacturing sector with inexpensive electricity. “Other benefits we’re looking at from the natural gas plant include making the same cheap electricity available to our manufacturing sector directly, rather than them going to GPL and then
coming back. If any of the industries wish to use natural gas to power their operations, they can receive as well. That way, they will be able to produce products cheaper”, Patterson underlined. A US $70,000 desk study is being conducted by con-
sultants, Energy Narrative, on the options, cost, economics, impact and key considerations of transporting and utilising offshore natural gas for electricity generation. US oil giant, ExxonMobil, has confirmed that there is sufficient natural gas in the reserves to supply a 200-
megawatt electricity plant. Natural gas, while not green, is cleaner than fossil fuel which is currently consumed for electricity generation. The usage of the natural gas to generate electricity could result in lower costs for GPL and ultimately cheaper energy for consumers.
Tighter log monitoring…
As Guyana readies to resume greenheart export to UK
Local greenheart Guyana continues to work its way back to reestablish greenheart exports to the United Kingdom. Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, has indicated that Guyana has taken the necessary steps to keep an agreement with the European Union to implement better monitoring of logs. “You can go with your barcode monitor and you can tell exactly where a log is coming from and this is all necessary for our agreement with the EU. The agreement with the EU now allows us to enter other markets around the world,” Trotman said. Through the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), Guyana continues its engagement with the UK as part of continued efforts to lift the ban on greenheart exports from Guyana. The UK Environment Agency handed down the ban in May 2015, citing the lack of sufficient
evidence that Guyana’s “forests of origin are sustainably managed”. “We believe once we complete this process and we raise the standard nationally, we will be able to have a full entrance into the UK. One company has already entered the UK so we know it’s not a total shut out,” Trotman indicated.The Minister said that Guyana must be able to demonstrate that standards have been raised, certify where the logs are coming from and that harvesting is done in a discipline manner. GFC Commissioner, James Singh, had expressed optimism that Guyana would be able to make some headway this year. Guyana has received a commitment by the UK Agency for Environment that they will be reopening the dialogue. Following the discussions, Singh said an invitation will be issued to the UK authorities to visit Guyana to
observe operations in the industry. The GFC has completed a detailed plan on Guyana’s greenheart production. “We did a very comprehensive paper on the stocking of greenheart in Guyana: the amount that was harvested, the amount remaining and we found that there is absolutely no threat to the sustainability of greenheart,” Singh has said. The government had mounted a national response with a committee consisting of the Ministries of Natural Resources, Foreign Affairs, and Business, to lobby the UK to lift the ban. Guyana has been working with the EU on finalising its European Union Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade (EU FLEGT) Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA). The conclusion of the negotiation is very critical for the holistic development of Guyana’s forestry sector.
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday May 29, 2018
238 cases of sexual abuse so far for 2018 - CPA Head of the Child Care and Protection Agency (CPA), Ann Greene, is calling for sexual regulations to be done in the home to prevent children from being sexually abused. The agency has recorded 238 cases of sexual abuse against children under the age of 18 for the year so far. This finding comes days after reports of a ten-year-old girl who was raped by a close family member and a thirteenyear-old who was found to be five months pregnant. Greene said that parents must pay attention to their children; they must talk to them about sexual abuse from an early age. “I just want parents to pay a little bit more attention; sexual regulations must be done in the home. A lot of children are still without the knowledge that they must not have sex with father and brother and cousin,” Greene said.She pointed to the many CPA advertisements regarding sexual abuse and its prevention. “We are doing a lot of education; we want parents to sit down and talk to children, empower children and let them understand that they must not be touched in certain areas,” Greene said. While she is aware that parents will not be with their children round the clock, Green explained that if children are empowered they would be able to recognise
- sexual regulations should be done at home
Ann Greene, Head of the Child Care and Protection Agency. abuse and thus prevent it. Most of the perpetrators committing these abuses, Greene said, are family members or persons who are close to the family. She said that children are often told by their abusers that if they talk about the abuse with anyone no one would believe them.She added that if parents talk to their children about this, they would be able to “open up to them (parents) and tell them if something has happened.” A few days ago, a 10-year-old was reportedly brutally raped by someone close to her. Sources told this publication that the 10-year-old had to undergo surgery to repair the damage the child sustained. It is unclear who the perpetrator is. In another shocking situation, this publication was informed that the Police are
also investigating a case where a 13-year-old was found to be five months pregnant. It was reported that the young woman told her mother that she was being abused but was dismissed. The matter was reported to the CPA who took swift actions to take the child out of the abusive situation. Sources said that the child was not given prenatal care; and because of her age, in addition to other factors, the child is deemed to be a high-risk case. She is in the care of the CPA who is currently ensuring that she receives the necessary care needed. The 10-year-old who was brutally raped is also in the care of the CPA while both matters are being investigated by the Guyana Police Force and the CPA. Greene said that there are many other cases of child pregnancy, as a result of sexual abuse, reported to the CPA for the year 2018. “A pregnant child is something we deal with; we face those a little too often,” Greene said. Greene is pleading with community members to speak up if they know of a child who is being abused or neglected. “You must be concerned with what is happening next door. It is not about minding your neighbour’s business;
when it comes to a child, there is no minding of business,” she said. She said that community members must look out for all children because “it takes a village to raise a child.”“Some people don’t want the trouble, they know something is going on but everybody is saying that somebody else should deal
with it.” Greene also touched on the recent sensitisation session that was held for station sergeants.She said that at the session officers were educated on how to deal with cases of sexual abuse that would be reported to them.She noted that the sergeants are currently develop-
ing a plan to deal with the prevention of sexual abuse in their respective communities. Greene said that there have been 601 cases of child neglect reported in Guyana so far. She said that those are just the reported cases and explained that there are many others that were not reported.
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday May 29, 2018
WANT
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TIGI welcomes charges against Dr Singh,... From page 7 SARA (State Assets Recovery Agency) was established subsequent to the 2015 change in government and the legal framework for SARA was finalised more recently. “The first set of cases that SARA was expected to address were those that would be based on the findings of the forensic audits that were done postelections. Given that the forensic audits focused on the operations of the previous government it would seem illogical to expect that the first (and perhaps several subsequent) set of charges would not be against members of the former g o v e r n m e n t . ”
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In fact, the body said, prior to the charges, the PPP/C had used the very fact that no charges were filed to criticise the current government and to claim vindication. “The current PPP/C rhetoric therefore appears to amount to taunting the government about its inability to take action then crying foul when action is taken.” On the matter of race, the body said that one only needs to ask who the holders of public offices and of senior posts in the public service in the period covered by the forensic audits were. ”Of course, this does not mean that only people of a particular ethnicity held all the offices, but probability would seem to be in favour of individuals of East Indian descent. “It is therefore likely that when former public officials are charged, many would be of East Indian descent without automatically evidencing racial profiling.” TIGI, however, said that this does not mean that there is no racial profiling. “Instead, it merely means that a charge of racial profiling would require more substantive justification than that provided to date, and should not involve omission of the fact that the first case filed and which is still ongoing is against two individuals – former Minister Jennifer Westford and the Chief Personnel Officer Margaret Cummings – who are of African descent. “
Soldier freed of robbery charges... From page 8 ordered her to hand over the bag with money. The wom a n , b e i n g fearful for her life, threw the bag out of the car and Hazel picked it up and made good his escape. In relation to the armed robbery committed on Boodram Hemraj, the prosecutor told the court that Hemraj was on his way to North Road, Bourda, when Hazel approached him, pointed a gun in his face, and took away his weeding machine. He then jumped onto his cycle and rode away. As it r e l a t e s t o t h e illegal gun and ammunition charges, the prosecutor stated that Police, acting on information received, c a r r i e d o u t a s e a r ch at Hazel’s home and the unlicensed gun and ammunition were found in a biscuit tin wrapped in plastic.
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday May 29, 2018
La Grange man jailed for ganja farm Woman convicted of
trafficking young girl
The suspect, Imtiaz Shaheed at the ganja camp, Ituni Road, Region 10.
The ganja camp.
A
three-acre c a n n a b i s cultivation, two camps, a quantity of dried cannabis, along with dry ration and utensils, was found at Ituni Road, Upper Demerara last Saturday
during an eradication exercise by police ranks stationed in ‘E’ Division. Imtiaz “Sancho” Shaheed, 41, of La G r a n g e , We s t B a n k Demerara who was found tending to the illegal plants,
was arrested and charged with cultivating a prohibited plant, the police said yesterday. The exhibits, after samples were obtained, w e r e p h o t o g r a p hed and destroyed by fire.
Yesterday morning, the suspect appeared before Magistrate Clive Nurse at the Linden Magistrate’s Court and pleaded guilty. He was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment and also fined $30,000.
Loretta Hyman, a shopkeeper of Parika, East Bank Essequibo (Region Three) was last week, sentenced to three years’ in prison for the trafficking a young girl in the Mowasi Backdam area back in 2014. It is alleged that between January 13 and January 20, 2014 Hyman recruited and transported two women aged 18 and 30, to the backdam for the purpose of sexual exploitation. However, she was just convicted under one count of TIP since the other victim refused to give evidence on the matter. The Ministry of Social Protection’s Trafficking In Persons (TIP) Unit, Coordinator, Tanisha Williams-Corbin, explained that the matter was tried ‘ex parte’. She urged the Guyana Police Force (GPS) to take the necessary action to ensure Hyman is found and brought to face her sentence. “This is another conviction for 2018 and justice was served. We would have liked to see restitution ordered for the victim during the sentenc-
ing, taking into consideration the length of time it took for her to stand court…what the victim would have had to endure in terms of her employment, taking care of her children,” Williams-Corbin added. The Coordinator said that that the ministry played its role in supporting the victims during that time. In 2014, Hyman’s daughter recruited the two women to work as a cook and a shopkeeper at their shop at Mowasi Backdam. On their arrival, the accused told the women that there were no vacancies in those positions. She reportedly told them that there were vacancies for sex workers and that is the reason they were hired. The girls refused and called their relatives, who immediately contacted the Social Protection Ministry. The TIP department then contacted the Guyana Police Force. Measures were taken to rescue the females and have the accused stand trial in the court.
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday May 29, 2018
Amidst accusation of unsatisfactory performance…
GPSCCU Committee members defend honour The move to relieve the management committee of its control of the Guyana Public Service Cooperative Credit Union Limited [GPSCCU] has been deemed an illegitimate move. In fact Chairperson of the GPSCCU Committee, Ms. Patricia Wendt, at a press conference yesterday said that the Committee is especially appalled that Cabinet has not yet pronounced on the issue. At the Critchlow Labour College, she said that the Committee is perturbed, too, that the action was taken on the eve of the country’s 52nd Independence Anniversary. The press conference, based on Wendt’s disclosure, was held in retaliation to a Ministry of Social Protection statement published in the Independence Day edition of this newspaper under the headline ‘Government takes control of troubled Public Service Credit Union’. Yesterday Wendt informed that the GPSCCU considers it necessary and important to respond to the press statement. She also made reference to letters that
were sent to the union on May 25 last. The letters in question from Ms. Perlina Gifth, who according to Wendt, “under the guise of the Chief Cooperatives Development Officer” advised that in keeping with the authority vested in her as Chief Cooperatives Development Commissioner, assumed control of the Affairs of the GPSCCU. This development which became effective Friday has by extension caused the members of the Committee’s management to cease to function, Wendt underscored. “It should be noted that no reason was stated for the action of the assumed Chief Cooperatives Development Officer,” said Wendt who, however, observed that in the article published by this publication it was stated that “the decision was taken after carefully considering the unsatisfactory performance of the previous management team which failed to manage the affairs of the society in the best interest of its members.” The police on Friday were called in to aid with the commandeering of the Hadfield
From left: Ms. Vera Naughton; Ms. Patricia Wendt and Ms. Dawn Gardner. Street GPSCCU office. As at yesterday the gates to the office remained closed. “Everybody get [sic] locked out; the door, the gates are locked [and] there are notices on the building. They even put out our guard that we had; we had our security guards and they put them out Friday afternoon,” Wendt lamented yesterday. Given her assurance that the Committee has done nothing wrong, Wendt said, “We object to the actions of the purported Chief Cooperatives Development Officer.” Her remarks were also
nestled in the fact that “there was no investigation into the affairs of the Credit Union to support the published conclusion and accusation of unsatisfactory performance.” As she sought to defend the committee’s honour, Wendt asserted that although it is the claim of the Chief Cooperatives Development Officer that her move was the result of poor performance, “in fact the matter was rooted in the demand by the Department of Cooperatives for an undue payment to the Audit, and Supervision Fund for years 2002-2013 of an alleged
balance of $49,691,682.” Also speaking at the press conference was Ms. Vera Naughton, Vice Chairperson of the Management Committee, who questioned, “If we were to give $50 million to the Ministry, what would happen to our shareholders? Obviously it will be $50 million short when we are going to look at our dividend, so obviously our members will suffer and this is what we don’t want.” “We are going to the next step; we are going to sit now and discuss the way forward and [with] our decision, there
must be a resolution. Even if it means we have to engage His Excellency we will go that way,” said Member of the Management Committee, Ms. Dawn Gardner. She added, “There must be a resolution because thousands of our members are suffering; people want loans, people want to repair. It is every day we issue loans and we are not going to deny a shareholder from a loan…we all are shareholders and we want loans too,” stressed Gardener. The Credit Union, Wendt said, contends that the Department of Cooperatives’ claim to outstanding payments towards the Audit and Supervision Fund could not be justified given that the already audited Accounts of the Credit Union for the years 2002 to 2010, reflected no such balance, as was claimed. In addition, she noted that the Cooperative Officer also “failed to acknowledge waivers that were approved and granted by the previous Minister of Labour, Human Services and Social Security. (These) to date are still in effect.”
Tuesday May 29, 2018
Maryann Daby granted $750,000 High ... From page 17 that the charge is a bailable one. The lawyer then went on to tell the court that over the past few weeks he has seen cases where persons were granted bail for similar offences. However, the Chief Magistrate, after listening to the attorney, remanded Daby on the grounds of public safety. According to reports, on the day in question Daby and her friends were at the Georgetown Motor Racing and Sports Club. Constable Kissoon, who was off-duty and was at the Club at the time, reportedly heard what appeared to be gunshots. While checking for the source of the gunfire, he reportedly saw Daby firing rounds into the air, after which he confronted her. Daby allegedly became annoyed and allegedly pointed a firearm to the officer's head and pulled the trigger. Fortunately, there were no more rounds in the gun.
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Tuesday May 29, 2018
Tuesday May 29, 2018
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Kaieteur News
Shami, Rashid called up to face Windies Last laugh for Aiken LONDON, CMC – Pacer Mohammed Shami has replaced fellow Indian star Hardik Pandya, for Thursday’s Hurricane Relief Twenty20 against West Indies at Lord’s, with England leg-spinner Adil Rashid also added to the ICC World XI squad. Exciting all-rounder Pandya, one of two Indians in the World XI, has been ruled out with a viral infection.Shami, 27, has played 30 Tests, 50 onedayers and seven Twenty20 Internationals, and is coming off a stint in the just-concluded Indian Premier League for Delhi Daredevils. He has taken 68 wickets from 65 T20s. The 30-year-old Rashid, meanwhile, is a seasoned campaigner, having taken 170 wickets from 152 T20s.
He will join fellow England star Eoin Morgan who will lead the squad, which also includes Pakistan batsman Shoaib Malik, New Zealand left-armer Mitchell McClenaghan and Nepalese 17-year-old spin sensation Sandeep Lamichhane. West Indies will be led by Carlos Brathwaite who came out on the losing end for Sunrisers Hyderabad in Sunday’s IPL final against Chennai Super Kings. The Caribbean side will also include superstar opener Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis and all-rounder Andre Russell, all of whom campaigned in the recent IPL. Proceeds from Thursday’s T20 International will go towards the renovation of stadia in the Caribbean damaged by the passage of Hurricanes Irma and Maria
despite Fowler-Reid...
England leg-spinner Adil Rashid. last September. WORLD XI – Eoin Morgan (captain), Shahid Afridi, Tamim Iqbal, Dinesh Karthik, Rashid Khan, Sandeep Lamichhane, Mitchell McClenaghan, Shoaib Malik, Thisara Perera, Luke Ronchi, Adil Rashid, Mohammed Shami.
Tuesday May 29, 2018 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) During the last few months, Aries, it could be that you've met some strange people who have greatly influenced your attitude about marriage or partnership. TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) The last months have been very challenging - and there's a very good chance that you no longer feel up to meeting the challenges. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) A change has occurred in our solar system, Gemini, a shift that will probably be imperceptible but nonetheless profound. CANCER (June 21–July 22) You mustn't expect any enormous changes today. However, the process you began three or four years ago will accelerate slightly. You're changing the moorings of your identity LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) The day should be fairly positive, Leo, and you'll begin to feel the faintest hints of a major change beginning. This new phase will last seven months. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) The solar system is shifting gears today, Virgo, and it's liable to trigger a great transformation that will last seven months. The change will center on the means you use to fulfill yourself in terms of both your career and love life.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) It's an excellent forecast for you, Libra! Although no specific events will occur, there is the huge promise of freedom over the next seven months. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) To understand the major shift that's taking place, Scorpio, you must look at events from a lofty perspective. A slowacting liberation is gathering momentum. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) The gentle winds of change are blowing through your life at the moment, Sagittarius. You have a feeling of newness and an open attitude toward the world. Some outside events will be coming up in your life CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) The idea of a turning point in one's destiny often brings a smile to the faces of cynical people, but in your case, Capricorn, it definitely has some meaning. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) It may be that you've returned deeply changed from a long voyage, Aquarius. Of course, we're all changed to some extent by travel PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) If you feel suffocated by your romantic relationships, if you feel they lack some spice or are too traditional, then why not liberate yourself? There is a feeling in the air that life is turning in a positive direction.
Johnson heads... From page 33 the aims is to get the venue up to a first class level and a fund raising softball cricket competition and bar-b-que is set for July 14. Johnson stated that they will be engaging businesses to take up spots in the fence at the eastern side of the venue and to adopt sections of the stands which will generate income to maintain the facility. Johnson, who served a manager for the Guyana senior team, informed that they also intend to build a media stand there. Parika Salem is situated on the East Bank of Essequibo.
Balram Narine... From page 33 proceed through Stanleytown, left into Tacama and turned back into Republic Road. That sequence continued ten times before finishing at the point of origin at Rainbow Bar. Hicks was also the first junior to finish. The first 12-14 rider to finish was Mario Washington, while the first female was Maria Carrington. Among the BMX riders Nehaun Rigby was first among the 9-12, while Neshaun Rigby was first among the 6-9. Among the 3-5 riders Arfaan Blair male and Elesa Austin female won. The oldest finisher was 67 years old Daniel Rigby. The club would like to thank among others The Regional Democratic Council, Trevor Hooper Contracting, Fix It Electronics, North West Trading Chicken Farm, Amerally Sawmill, Vickram’s Jewelry, Selector Uwe car Wash, A and R Tyre Mart and John Lewis among others. Special mention was made of The Guyana Police Force. Randolph Roberts was the coordinator.
From page 28 not at her best shooting 10 from 15, Tippett stepped up to net 10 from 11 and lead the Firebirds’ assault. For the third straight quarter, Fowler-Reid did not miss a single attempt, converting all 11 but the effort was not sufficient to save Fever from their first defeat of the season. In Sydney, meanwhile, Trinidadian goalshooter Samantha Wallace took centre stage as New South Wa l e s S w i f t s d e f e a t e d Collingwood Magpies 6454 at Quaycentre on Sunday. The 24-year-old Wallace, in her second season with the Swifts, netted 43 goals from 48 attempts to lead her side to their
third win of the campaign. Swifts were down 13-17 at the end of the first quarter but Wallace buried 13 of 15 in a big second quarter for the hosts, to hand them a 32-27 half-time lead. Wa l l a c e o n c e a g a i n spearheaded the Swifts third quarter charge, shooting 14 from 15 as they out-scored the Magpies 1913, and such was their momentum that they still came away with a 10-point win in the end despite being edged 14-13 in the final stanza. Fever top the standings with 29 points, two clear of Giants Netball, with Firebirds third on 22. Swifts are three from bottom of the eight-team league on 20 points.
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Tuesday May 29, 2018
Kaieteur News
Gibson “disappointed” with de Villiers decision LONDON, CMC – South Africa’s Barbadian head coach, Ottis Gibson, has admitted to being disappointed by AB de Villiers’s decision to quit international cricket. The former West Indies player and head coach said he had discussed the matter with the marquee batsman on the morning before he made the announcement, and his mind seemed already made up. “The announcement came as a shock to me. We had a conversation when he called me in the morning before he made the announcement,” said Gibson, who took charge of the Proteas last August. “We had a long conversation and I asked, ‘are you sure you are doing the right thing?’ He reckoned that he is. He had spoken with people he is close to, people that advise him and he reckons that he is tired.” He added: “Of course, it is disappointing. He is one of the best players in the world. It would have made a huge difference in the World Cup. He knows that. But he has chosen to walk away at this time, and it is what it is.”Speculation had surrounded de Villiers’s future in international cricket for some time,
especially after he took a two-year break from Tests back in 2016. His return coincided with series wins against India in January and Australia in March, where he struck a hundred and six halfcenturies in a decent show of form across both tours. However, Gibson said the former captain’s departure a year out from the World Cup in England and Wales, had left a huge void to fill. “He gave me a year to find an appropriate replacement for him. I don’t believe he can be replaced, but it gives an opportunity for somebody to put their hand up,” said Gibson. “If I was a young cricketer playing franchise cricket in the country and I see the number four spot open, I would do whatever I can to make this position mine.” Gibson has had a strong start to his tenure after replacing Russell Domingo as South Africa head coach. He oversaw Test successes against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, before following up with victories over India and Australia. Gibson was controversially sacked as West Indies head coach four years ago, just days prior to the start of Bangladesh’s tour of the Caribbean.
South Africa’s head coach Ottis Gibson.
Rafael Nadal poised to overtake Roger Federer in Money Rankings FORBES (Danielle Rossingh) - Rafael Nadal is poised to overtake Roger Federer in the money rankings of the men’s ATP World Tour next month. After taking clay-court titles in Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Rome, the 31-year-old Spaniard is the odds-on favorite to clinch his eleventh title on the clay courts of RolandGarros in Paris, where he has only lost twice. His 17th major would earn Nadal a cheque of €2.2 million ($2.6 million), which would take his year-to-date prize money to just over $6 million, or about $1.7 million clear of his long-time rival Federer. The Swiss superstar has been the top earner on the men’s ATP World Tour since January, when he retained his Australian Open crown.Federer, 36, is skipping the entire clay-court season for the second year running to rest and prepare for Wimbledon next month. Here’s how the 2018 money list looked just before Roland-Garros (as of May 21): 1. Roger Federer, Switzerland $4,336,500 2. Rafael Nadal, Spain
Ten-time winner Rafael Nadal at the French Open on Saturday during kids’ day at Roland-Garros. (Photo: Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images) $3,412,970 3. Alexander Zverev, Germany $3,331,923 4. Juan Martin Del Potro, Argentina $2,383,940 5. Marin Cilic, Croatia $2,196,156 Source: ATP World Tour Nadal started his campaign for ‘La Undecima’ at Roland-Garros against Italy’s Simone Bolleli yesterday. The Spaniard has had a good
draw in Paris, with his main rivals, including former winner Djokovic and the secondranked German Zverev, on the other side of the draw. Nadal has to win the title to retain his No. 1 ranking on the men’s Tour. Any other scenario means 20-time major winner Federer will reclaim the top spot the day after the men’s finals at Roland-Garros.
Last laugh for Aiken despite Fowler-Reid brilliance
Hairdo goes Paire-shaped as Frenchman advances in Paris PARIS (Reuters) - For someone who is often labeled a hothead, it is perhaps no surprise that Benoit Paire’s head is burning. The Frenchman dyed his hair platinum blond last week and even if it did not prevent him from beating Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena in the first round of the French Open yesterday, it is causing him some issues. “It’s a bit difficult to manage when I play... I went from white to yellow to grey,” Paire, who is well known for losing his temper on court, told reporters.“So the hairdresser is trying to arrange things these days. But I’m trying to get out of it. My hair is very damaged. It’s burnt. My head is burning.” To make matters worse, Paire is also suffering from stomach problems. “I think I caught a virus two days ago, three days ago,” he said. “I believe I’m not the only
Benoit Paire one with it. So I had to go to the men’s room at the end of the second set. I took two or three medications for my stomach ache.” At least Paire’s face is not
burning as he has kept his beard intact, and black. The world number 51 next faces Japanese Kei Nishikori — in between hairdresser’s appointments.
BRISBANE, Australia, CMC – Jhaniele Fowler-Reid produced a near perfect performance but Sunshine Girls teammate Romelda Aiken had the last laugh, as Queensland Firebirds ended West Coast Fever’s four-game unbeaten start to the season with a resounding 71-61 defeat here last weekend. Playing at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Saturday in the Suncorp Super Netball League, Firebirds stormed to a 35-30 half-time lead before blowing away the visitors in the final quarter, to secure a dominant win. Goalshooter Aiken scored 45 goals from 51 attempts to lead Firebirds while goal attack Gretel Tippett supported with 26 from 28 attempts. Fowler-Reid, the league’s leading scorer this season in her maiden campaign, knocked down 48 from 49 to spearhead Fever ’s attack while Nat Medhurst at goal attack tallied 11 from 14. The first quarter was closely contested with Aiken netting 13 goals from 14 attempts to push Firebirds to a 17-16 lead at the end of the
Queenland Firebirds’ Jamaican star, Romelda Aiken. period. Fowler-Reid went 14 from 15 attempts to keep the game close but Firebirds stretched their advantage in the second quarter, out-scoring their opponents 18-14. Neither Aiken nor FowlerReid could be separated, each proving perfect from the circle with 10 and 11 goals respectively. In the third quarter, the
two titans were virtually unstoppable with both shooting 12 from 12, as Firebirds narrowly out-scored Fever 1716, to take a crucial 51-47 lead at the start of the final quarter. With the result still up in the air, Firebirds put any lingering hopes of a Fever comeback to bed by clobbering them 20-14.While Aiken was (Continued on page 27)
Tuesday May 29, 2018
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Kaieteur News
LeBron carries Cavs back to Finals Heartbreak for Nigeria as Moses Simon ruled out of World Cup
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates after drawing foul against the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter in game seven of the Eastern conference finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. (David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports) (Reuters) - LeBron James squeezed every last ounce of effort from his misfiring Cleveland team mates on Sunday to lead the Cavaliers back to the NBA Finals with an 87-79 victory over the Boston Celtics in their Game Seven Eastern Conference decider. The 33-year-old has reached the Finals for the eighth consecutive season but this campaign may be his crowning glory. With point guard Kyrie Irving traded to Boston in the offseason, and a roster that required a revamp during the year, the Cavaliers were not expected to get this far, even with James operating at a different level. The three-time NBA champion said he had focused on getting the best out of his team mates all season long. “I tried to squeeze the orange until there was no more
juice,” James told reporters after logging 35 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists while playing all 48 minutes of the series finale. “We’ve been counted out a long time this season. It’s a heck of an accomplishment for our ball club to (to win) without our All Star forward for basically two games.” The absence of Kevin Love, who was sidelined with a concussion suffered early in Game Six, left Cleveland without a true second scoring option alongside James. Despite playing with one of his least reliable supporting casts, James still threw the ball around, firing passes for open three pointers despite the Cavs making just 9-of-35 from long range. “As much as I was passing in the first half and guys weren’t knocking them down, I believed in the second half
LeBron James dropped 35 points in Cleveland’s 87-79 win over the Boston Celtics in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Sunday night in Boston. (Getty Images)
they would,” James said. “I kept faith in them and they did that.” James has already passed Chicago Bulls great Michael Jordan as the all-time leading playoff scorer and the “greatest of all time” debate is raging once again. Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue said that amid all the upheaval with trades in and out, James had been a true leader. “This whole year he led by example,” added Lue. “We had a lot of guys in and out. (LeBron) played all 82 games in his 15th season. He’s unbelievable. He’s the best player in the world and I’m glad he’s on my side.” Celtics coach Brad Stevens said getting to the Finals eight straight times was “ridiculous” “And he does it at this level with the pressure and scrutiny,” added Stevens. James led the way with 35 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists, shooting 12-of-24 from the field. Jeff Green also shot 50 percent from the field, adding 19 points for the Cavaliers. J.R. Smith and Tristan Thompson also finished with double-figures, scoring 11 points and 10 points, respectively. Tatum led Boston with 24 points and seven rebounds, shooting 9-of-17 from the field. Horford finished with 17 points, and Marcus Morris added 14. The Celtics went just 7-of-39 from behind the arc, shooting less than 18 percent. Cleveland will head to the NBA Finals, and take on the winner of the Western Conference Finals Game 7 last night between the Houston Rockets and the Golden State Warriors. Game 1 of that series will take place either in Houston or Oakland, California, on Thursday at 9 p.m. ET.
Moses Simon Centre with coaching staff at a training session. Goal.com - Nigeria have been dealt a major injury blow ahead of the World Cup as Moses Simon will miss the tournament in Russia. The 22-year-old forward has been struggling with a muscle injury in recent weeks, and Gernot Rohr, handler of the Super Eagles, confirmed to media on Sunday that the Gent man’s situation is unmanageable. “It is unfortunate that [Moses] Simon won’t be able to make it to the World Cup because of his injury,” Rohr told media. “The test we conducted
on him showed that he would need at least three or four weeks more to recover from the injury he is having. “It is a sad day for us but there is nothing we can do about it because we must move forward. “He is an important member of our squad because he took an active part in the qualifiers but this injury has come at the wrong time. “We are however confident that those remaining will be able to carry on without him.” Simon has been a key figure for Nigeria since his inter-
national debut against Uganda in 2015, also, he played a key role in the country’s smooth qualification for the global football showpiece. Before injury struck, he looked destined to participate in his first World Cup as Rohr’s men must negotiate their way past Argentina, Iceland and Croatia in Group D. He becomes the first Nigeria star to be ruled out in the build-up to the tournament, while Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi continues his recovery process from his hamstring setback.
Neymar ‘not yet 100 per cent’ but ready to play for Brazil Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (AFP) — Neymar acknowledged that he was “not yet at 100 per cent” after surgery on his fractured right foot, but the Brazil forward said he was ready to play for his country at the World Cup. “I’m not yet at 100 per cent. That will come with time. I’m still a bit scared of going all out, but there are still several days before our start,” the Paris Saint-Germain star told reporters at Brazilian football headquarters in Rio de Janeiro.“It’s going to take a bit more time for this fear to go away, but I’m ready to play. Nothing can stop me from doing so,” Neymar added, hours before a
planned flight to London where the team will continue their World Cup preparations. The world’s most expensive player hasn’t played since hurting himself in a French league game against Marseille on February 25, but Neymar has been training for the past 10 days and took part in a national team preparation camp this week in Teresopolis. “I feel good physically. My foot is fine. Of course I have to adjust to certain things. I’m feeling a bit of discomfort, but it’s not going to stop me from playing,” he said. The 26-year-old also reflected on what was a frustrating 2014 World Cup experi-
ence on home soil, as a back injury ruled him out of Brazil’s humiliating 7-1 loss to Germany in the semi-finals. “It’s a dream to play in another World Cup, a dream which I hope won’t be interrupted again,” he said. Brazil will play two warmup matches before travelling to Russia, with a friendly against Croatia at Anfield on June 3 before a trip to Vienna to face Austria on June 10. The five-time world champions play their opening match in Group E against Switzerland on June 17 in Rostovon-Don. Brazil then face Costa Rica on June 22 in Saint Petersburg and Serbia in Moscow on June 27.
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Kaieteur News
GFSCA Softball cricket
Walk-overs mar Sunday’s action; Bell View beat GT at Malteenoes The female version of the Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association’s (GFSCA) Back to Eden, Permaul’s Trading, Trophy Stall and Khan’s Trading 20over softball Cricket tournament was scheduled to commence last Sunday at the Malteenoes ground in Thomas Lands. However, when 4-R Lioness, with several National Hardball Females in their team, including Demerara Captain Akaze Thompson turned up at the venue the Mike’s Wellwoman side was nowhere to be seen resulting in them getting a walk-over. The same result occurred when Red Man’s X1 received a Walk-over from Enterprise in the afternoon game at the same venue.In the only game played, Bell View from Upper East Coast Demerara, led by Ganesh Sookdeo, batted in sunny conditions on a well prepared track and sluggish outfield and reached 99-2 from their allotted 10 overs and then restricted Georgetown to 88-4 when their 10 overs expired to win by 11 runs. The technically correct Latchman Kallicharran, who also plays Hardball cricket on the East Coast, played an array of delightful shots and favoured the extra cover drive.
Latchman Kallicharran cover drives during his unbeaten 48 to spur Bell View to an 11-run win on Sunday. With him was the more aggressive Ramnarine Rajnauth and together they shared in an 80-run opening stand as a handful of female supporters screamed loudly from the pavilion.
Rajnauth was in a no nonsense mode and clobbed three sixes and a four in a belligerent 35 before he was bowled by Greg DeFranco who had the left handed Nandan Naudram stumped
down the leg-side without addition to the score when he missed a sweep at 80-2. Kallicharran continued to play fluently and reached the boundary four times and cleared it once, while Hardat
Wayne Jones flicks for six in his top score of 29 in losing cause for GT at Malteenoes on Sunday. Shamall hammered a four and a six in his unbeaten 12. DeFranco grabbed both wickets to fall. When Georgetown began their chase Eon Lovell (10) was bowled by Sookdeo,
while DeFranco (10) had his stumps disturbed by Hardat, but Skipper Wayne Jones (29) and Basil Persaud (28) lifted hopes for the City before they were both removed by Rajnauth. (Sean Devers)
GFF Congress got good business done-says President Forde Insurance Policy for players & Officials approved The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) yesterday held its Congress at the Sleep INN Hotel and GFF President Wayne Forde described it as very successful and informative event. “We shared a lot of information with the members who participated and we got good business done,” said the Presidentwho assumed the position in November 2015 after beating Nigel Hughes in a tight race. Forde informed that most importantly yesterday was the presentation and approval of the National Insurance Policy. “This is ground breaking for Football! We now have a mechanism with a partnership with Assuria Insurance Company where we will be providing Insurance for players and officials throughout Guyana’s Football fraternity,” informed Forde who is the second person from Bartica to head the GFF after former President of the 1970s, P.Q. DeFreitas The GFF Boss disclosed that during the next few weeks the Federation will be meeting with each of their Re-
Some Members of The Executive Committee take time out for a photo following the Congress. gional members to work out the mechanisms to implement this programme which he feels, is not only significant for Football but for Sports in Guyana. The GFF hopes that this can be done in the shortest time possible. Another important issue dealt with was the appointment of an Audit and Compliance Committee. “This is an important arm of World Football and FIFA has insisted that as a part of our compliance requirements, we have an Audit and Com-
pliance Committee installed and we have done that successfully,” Forde informed. The GFF also shared with its Members information on the launch of its 2019 Federation Cup which will be held during August 2019. “During that period there will no other Football played in Guyana…this will be our World Cup. This is going to be a big project which will be played in August of each year. We will soon be announcing the format, timelines and so on,” the Businessman explained.
The members were also updated on the on-going investigation into Mexico versus Guyana matter that occurred in 2012. “We (GFF) are committed to resolving this matter and we have shared with the members the work that has been done by one of our Consultants to gather all the facts to appoint a Board of Inquiry,” Forde revealed. Yesterday the ruling body for the ‘beautiful game’ in Guyana presented an Audit and Forde said it was a clean Audit, free of Qualification.
“We made a commitment to produce a clean Audit and have put in the hard work over the past months after our last Audit,” said Forde. He said he hoped that the Media give this Financial report which was unanimously supported by the members, the same prominence as was done with the previous Audit which had a few Qualifications.There was also information on the Projects planned for Youth Development and Female Competitions and the members were shown the applications for
funding for these projects. CONCACAF’s Senior Projects Manager Howard McIntosh also spoke at yesterday’s Congress and informed that during his short stay here he had the opportunity to see the CONCACAF Qualifiers which saw Bermuda advancing to the next round. He also had a look at the Providence Project and opined that Guyana’s Football is on the right track and pledged CONCACAF’s continued support to the Forde led GFF. (Sean Devers)
Tuesday May 29, 2018
PAGE 31
Kaieteur News
Guyana dominate..... WIFBSC 2018 Prizes From page 31 Event 1 Day 1 - 300Yards Name Country Ransford Goodluck GUY Roberto Tiwari GUY Geoff Woodman CAN Claude Russel JAM Jeffrey Holder TNT Wade McClean BAR Brandon Burrell JAM Nicola GUY JAM Phillip Scott JAM Event 2 Day 1 - 500Yards Name Country Lennox Braithwaite GUY Sherwin Filicien GUY Ransford Goodluck GUY Jennifer Jordan-Cousin BAR Dexter McKay TNT Claude Russel JAM Brandon Burrell JAM Nicola GUY JAM Robyn Cossey BAR
Score 35.005 35.004 35.004 34.003 34.003 33.004 33.002 32.001 28
Pos 1st 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd 3rd
Score 50.005 50.005 49.005 50.005 49.005 49.004 48.005 46.002 42.002
Pos 1st 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd 3rd
Class X X X O O O T T T Class X X X O O O T T T
Event 8 Day 3 - 600 Yards Name Country Jason Wood BAR Anderson Perry ANT Ransford Goodluck GUY Lancelot Trotman BAR Claude Russel JAM Dane Blair GUY Tonia Edwards BAR Mitchinson Beckles BAR Phillip Scott JAM
Score 35.003 34.004 34.002 35.001 33.002 33.002 30.001 28.001 27.001
Event 9 Day 3 - 900 Name Country Anderson Perry Ransford Goodluck Jason Wood Ryan Sampson Terrence Stuart Claude Russel Dave Reece Brandon Burrell Tonia Edwards
Yards Score ANT GUY BAR GUY GUY JAM BAR JAM BAR
49.002 48.003 48.001 48.003 47.004 47.002 48.002 46.002 46.001
Pos st 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd 3rd
Class X X X O O O T T T
Day 1 Aggregate Name Country Ransford Goodluck Lennox Braithwaite Sherwin Filicien Peter Persaud Sigmond Douglas John Fraser Brandon Burrell Nicola GUY Phillip Scott
Score GUY GUY GUY GUY GUY GUY JAM JAM JAM
131.011 130.01 130.008 127.006 126.006 125.01 124.009 117.004 96.001
Pos 1st 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd 3rd
Class X X X O O O T T T
Name Country Score Ransford Goodluck GUY Marlon King BAR David Rickman JAM Karen Anderson JAM Jennifer Jordan-CousinBAR Alfred Stuart. BAR Phillip Scott JAM Nicola GUY JAM Brandon Burrell JAM
128.008 128.008 128.006 127.008 121.007 120.004 111.003 108.002 105.003
Pos 1st 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd 3rd
Class X X X O O O T T T
132.008 131.008 128.01 125.008 124.007 124.003 111.002 107.003 105.005
Pos 1st 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd 3rd
Class X X X O O O T T T
GUY GUY CAN JAM GUY BAR JAM JAM JAM
390.027 379.026 373.026 370.019 364.017 362.016 330.011 329.014 296.006
1st 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd 3rd
Event 3 Day 1 - 900Yards Name Country Leo Romalho GUY Maj. John Nelson JAM Ransford Goodluck GUY Peter Persaud GUY Canute Coley JAM Ashford Jones BAR Brandon Burrell JAM Nicola GUY JAM Phillip Scott JAM
Score 47.002 47.002 47.001 48.001 48.001 47.004 43.002 39.001 34
Pos 1st 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd 3rd
Class X X X O O O T T T
Event 4 Day 2 - 500Yards Name Country Geoff Woodman CAN Tom Maynard CAN Ransford Goodluck GUY Sigmond Douglas GUY Peter Persaud GUY Karen Anderson JAM Phillip Scott JAM Dave Reece BAR Brandon Burrell JAM
Score 35.003 35.003 35.002 33.003 33.003 33.003 32.002 32.001 32.001
Pos 1st 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd 3rd
Class X X X O O O T T T
Event 5 Day 2 - 600Yards Name Country Lennox Braithwaite GUY Marlon King BAR Leo Romalho GUY Lancelot Trotman BAR Ubal Awai TNT Karen Anderson JAM Dave Reece BAR Brandon Burrell JAM Shawn Louis BAR
Score 49.005 49.003 48.005 48.002 48.001 46.003 45.002 44.001 40.002
Pos 1st 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd 3rd
Class X X X O O O T T T
Day 3 Aggregate Name Country Jason Wood Ransford Goodluck Lennox Braithwaite Peter Persaud Karen Anderson Wade McClean Dave Reece Tonia Edwards Nicola GUY
Pos 1st 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd 3rd
Class X X X O O O T T T
Overall Aggregate Ransford Goodluck Lennox Braithwaite Geoff Woodman Karen Anderson Peter Persaud Wade McClean Nicola GUY Brandon Burrell Phillip Scott
Pos 1st 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd 3rd
Class X X X O O O T T T
Event 6 Day 2 - 1,000 Yards Name Country Ransford Goodluck GUY David Rickman JAM Marlon King BAR Karen Anderson JAM Alfred Stuart. BAR Jennifer Jordan-CousinBAR Phillip Scott JAM Robyn Cossey BAR Nicola GUY JAM Event 7 Day 3 - 300 Yards Name Country Score Tom Maynard CAN Roberto Tiwari GUY Lennox Braithwaite GUY Peter Persaud GUY Alfred Stuart. BAR Dennis Lee JAM Nicola GUY JAM Robyn Cossey BAR Dave Reece BAR
Pos 1st 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd 3rd
Class X X X O O O T T T
Day 2 Aggregate
Score 46.003 46.002 45.003 48.002 47.004 44.003 40 36 36
49.007 49.006 49.005 48.003 48.003 47.004 41.002 39.001 38
Score BAR GUY GUY GUY JAM BAR BAR BAR JAM
X X X O O O T T T
PAGE 32
Tuesday May 29, 2018
Kaieteur News
Letter to the Sports Editor Chelsea owner Abramovich takes Israeli citizenship: report Kudos to Minister Norton for JERUSALEM (Reuters) Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, the owner of Chelsea soccer club who has found himself without a visa to Britain, took Israeli citizenship yesterday and will move to Tel Aviv where he has bought a property, an Israeli media report said. Abramovich has been counted as one of the richest men in Britain since he bought the English Premier League soccer club in 2003. His British visa expired last month and sources have told Reuters it was taking longer than usual to get it renewed. The British government has declined to comment on his case. The Ynet website that belongs to Israel’s biggest selling daily, Yedioth Aharonoth, said Abramovich, who is Jewish, jetted into Tel Aviv yesterday and had received documents confirming his status as an Israeli citizen. An Israeli immigration absorption ministry spokeswoman declined to comment on the report citing individual privacy but a spokeswoman for the Population Administration which oversees border control confirmed that Abramovich was in Israel. A spokesman for
Calling out the Illegal GCB
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich applauds after the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Hull City at Stamford Bridge in London August 18, 2013. (REUTERS/Toby Melville/File photo) Abramovich also declined to comment on the report. Israel grants citizenship to any Jew wishing to move there, and a passport can be issued immediately. Israeli passport holders can enter Britain without a visa for short stays, although they require visas to work there. Relations between Moscow and London have been strained since the poisoning
of former Russian doubleagent Sergei Skripal in Britain in March, an act Britain has blamed on Russia but in which the Kremlin denies any involvement. Abramovich has been a regular visitor to Israel and Ynet said he had bought a property that was formerly a hotel, in an old Tel Aviv neighborhood close to the Mediterranean shore.
Djokovic’s bid for second French Open off to glum-faced start PARIS (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic launched his campaign for a second French Open title with a moody victory over Brazilian qualifier Rogerio Dutra Silva yesterday, winning 6-3 6-4 6-4. In his quest to become the first men’s player in the Open era to win each of the Grand Slams twice, Djokovic, who underwent surgery on his elbow after January’s Australian Open, looked unhappy even when he was stroking winners past his opponent. “You don’t always get to feel your best but all you can do is try and get the best out of it,” the Serbian told a packed Philippe Chatrier court. Djokovic, who didn’t play a competitive match between Wimbledon last July and Melbourne, endured a tough run into Roland Garros. He fell in the second rounds at Barcelona and Madrid before reaching the semi-finals in Rome, where he was defeated by world number one Rafael Nadal. Djokovic has never lost to a player ranked as low as Dutra Silva at number 134, but
Serbia’s Novak Djokovic celebrates during his first round match against Brazil’s Rogerio Dutra Silva. (REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes) the claycourt specialist pushed his opponent around the court drawing frequent outbursts of frustration from the Serb. “He’s a fighter. It was a good test for the first match,” Djokovic told a news conference. The 2016 Roland Garros champion said he felt he was beginning to play better and free of pain after “a long 12 months”. This year is the first that Djokovic has not won a tour-level title prior to the
French Open. Asked if the tour was too demanding on players he replied: “The fact is we have the longest season of all sports and that is unfortunately hurting a lot of players. “We all try to be fit, get our bodies and mind in the best possible state so we can always compete at the highest level but it’s not always possible.” Djokovic faces Spain’s unseeded Jaume Munar in the second round.
Dear Sports Editor, Minister George Norton’s recent pronouncement that the current Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has been illegal for years is a bold and profound statement of fact. Arguably, it’s the first time that a Minister of Government has dared to publicly oppose this all-powerful body. One can recall that the law was enacted to resolve the chaos that consumed our cricket administration from approximately ten years ago due largely to charges of unlawful elections, visa frauds and financial improprieties. Throughout those years the GCB made every effort to prevent the resolution of the chaos by-: 1. The initiation of numerous court injunctions and the violations of court orders. 2. Challenge to the reading of the 2012 Cricket Administration Bill in Parliament. 3. Challenge to the Cricket Ombudsman. 4. Challenge to the
Cricket Administration Act 2014. 5. Acquiring an injunction to prevent the holding of elections of the membership of the GCB, effectively giving themselves unlawful and unending ownership of Guyana’s Cricket. 6. Intervention in the court-ordered elections of the Berbice Cricket Board.
The GCB’s unlawful appointment of a Cricket Ombudsman is in defiance of the CA 2014 Act which clearly outlines the role of the Minister under the section”Holding of the First Elections of the GCB”. This clearly reflects the nature of a presumptuous body that wants to stay in power regardless of what it takes. Their actions have been unlawful, self-serving, divisive and destructive to Guyana and West Indies Cricket and must be dealt with now. Their claims of a “flaw” in the Act cannot justify the perpetual illegality of their ten-
ure. The intent of the law was to resolve not perpetuate the lawlessness and illegality in our cricket. Why is it that very senior officials of both the present and the previous Governments of Guyana and also the judiciary show favour to this group although they are violating all tenets of democracy, proper accountability and are setting a bad example for the development and mentoring of our youngsters from the national school level upwards. Minister Norton is in order to call them out and must be congratulated. He should now follow up his proclamation with swift and positive actions towards the holding of free and fair elections of the GCB in keeping with the Cricket Administration Act 2014 and which must include the participation of all rightful cricket stakeholders. It is time! Michael Vanderstoop
Dominant T&T, cautious Antigua, Bermuda reach final round PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Trinidad and Tobago crushed Grenada 130 on the final match-day here Sunday, to win Group C of the CONCACAF Caribbean Women’s Qualifiers and reach the final round of the championship. They led 6-0 at half-time at the Ato Boldon Stadium and continued their rampage afterwards, to ensure they finished ahead of St Kitts and Nevis on goal difference, after both teams ending on 10 points. Forward Alliyah Prince netted a hat-trick while captain Tasha St Louis, Jonelle Cato, Janine Francois and Maria Shade all scored braces. Entering the contest unbeaten but needing to win by at least six clear goals after St Kitts had earlier trounced US Virgin Islands 7-0, T&T started on a high when Kedie Johnson netted in the 10th and Jenelle Cunningham, three minutes later. Shade scored her first in the 33rd minute before T&T banged in three goals in the last four minutes before halftime, to end the first half impressively. The second half was another blowout as as Francois and Cato both scored to ex-
Tasha St Louis … scored a brace for Trinidad and Tobago.
tend T&T’s lead and even though Grenada kept them scoreless until the 80th minute, the powerhouses netted five times in the last 12 minutes to enhance the rout. For Grenada, the defeat was their third in four outings, and it saw them finish bottom of the five-team standings with a single point following a 1-1 draw with Dominica last Friday. In Group D in St John’s, Antigua and Barbuda also booked their place in the final round of Caribbean qualifiers when they edged St Lucia 1-0 to finish top of the standings. Britney Edwards’s second-minute goal was enough to decide the contest at the Antigua Recreation Ground and leave the hosts unbeaten and on nine points. St Vincent and the Grenadines had earlier lost their
third straight match when they went down 1-0 to Curacao. And in Guyana, Bermuda also booked their passage through to the next round with a similar 1-0 victory over Suriname at the Synthetic Track and Field Facility. The Bermudians entered the final match-day alongside the hosts on four points but Akeyla Furbert’s goal, four minutes before half-time, earned them a precious three points. Guyana and Barbados drew nil-all in the other match at the venue. T&T, Antigua and Bermuda will be joined in the final round of qualifiers by Cuba and Jamaica who won Group A and B respectively, earlier this month. The final round runs from August 25 to September 2.
Kaieteur News
Tuesday May 29, 2018
PAGE 33
Members of the recently formed Hands In Gloves gym in Mahdia take time out for a photo.
Boxing Coach Orland Rogers continues his quest with Mahdia outing Boxing coach Orland ‘Pocket Rocket’ Rogers has been moving across Guyana training young persons in the art of boxing. Rogers is being fueled by the National Sport Commission and the Guyana Boxing
Association. He has so far, visited Region One, Region Nine, Region Seven and most recent Region Eight and opened gyms in Mabaruma, Lethem and Mahdia. Rogers has been
Balram Narine rides away with FACC Independence 40 miles cycle road race
employed by the Ministry of Social Cohesion as a direct intervention of Minister George Norton and has been working closely with the Guyana Boxing Association. GBA president Steve Ninvalle has
applauded Minister Norton’s input towards the decentralising of the sport, while noting that Rogers programme has resulted in over one hundred youths being channeled into the “national grid”.
WIFBSC 2018 Championships – Barbados
Guyana dominate X-Class prize list at presentation; T&T to host in 2019
A
part from being presented with t h e Milex/Crown Mining Cup for successfully retaining the Long Range Championship, Guyana took away most of the individual prizes in the X-Class when the West Indies Fullbore Shooting Council held its presentation ceremony and dinner on Saturday night at the Paragon Ranges, Christ Church, Barbados.
Placing first and second in the Overall Aggregate in this class were Ransford Goodluck and Lennox Braithwaite with Canadian, Geoff Woodman, third. The O-Class category also saw some of the Guyanese shooters enjoying a fair share of the medals; Peter Persaud ended second to Jamaica’s Karen Anderson w i t h B a r b a d i a n Wa d e McLean, third. The T-Class was totally
dominated by the Jamaicans who took the top three positions in the Overall Aggregate; Ms. Nicola Guy took the top spot with Phillip Scott and Brandon Burrell following in that order. Meanwhile, Trinidad and Tobago has been selected as the host of the 2019 edition o f t h e W I F B S C Championships. Following is the full Prize List: (Continued on page 31)
Johnson heads new management Committee at Parika Salem SC Handing over the winning trophy to Balram Narine is CEO Trevor Hooper of Trevor Hooper Contracting Services. The Flying Ace Cycling Club (FACC) of Berbice held a 10-lap, 40 miles cycle road race around the town of New Amsterdam to celebrate Guyana’s 52 Independence Anniversary celebrations. The winner was Balram Narine who dominated the event to win in a time of one
hour and forty minutes. Narine in the process took four of the six sprint point prizes available. In second place was Clement Doris who also copped the other two prime point prizes available. The other top finishers were Syborne Fernandes, Jason Cameron, and David
Hicks fifth. The event, which was for cyclists of the FACC only, saw 16 riders participating and began around 14:00hrs. The riders pedaled from Rainbow Bar on Republic Road continued north, turned left into Vryheid Road, left into Main Road, (Continued on page 27)
Suitable facilities are of utmost importance for the development of an athlete’s career and with this in mind the Parika Salem Sports Club has elected a new management committee to overlook the functions of the club and ground. Alvin Johnson was elected President, while Mitchell Caesar was named the Vice President; Kenrick Singh is the Treasurer, Basmattie Foster Secretary, Tomika Johnson Assistant Secretary Treasurer and
Alvin Johnson
Imtiaz Sadiek Public Relations Officer. Sadiek told Kaieteur Sport that upgrading of the outfield, pitch, pavilion, stands, the installation of lights, fencing and appropriate drainage are in the pipelines. He added that they will also look to increase the general membership and focus of their cricket development programme. In an invited comment Alvin Johnson said one of (Continued on page 27)
rt o p S WIFBSC 2018 Championships – Barbados
WIFBSC 2018 Milex, Crown Mining, Long Range Champions, Guyana pictured with WIFBSC President Major John Nelson, standing 2nd in back row.
P. 33
Guyana dominate X-Class prize list at presentation; T&T to host in 2019
WIFBSC 2018 Short Range Champions, Barbados.
P. 29
LeBron carries Cavs back to Finals
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