Thursday May 04, 2017
A pensioner accuses the NIS of gross mistreatment DEAR EDITOR, I am kindly requesting that my letter be published in your letter column section; the reason being I was denied my pension from the NIS under the pretence that I did not make the necessary 750 contributions. My name is Seepersaud Ramsamooj and my NIS number is A1662899. I began working at Blairmont Sugar Estate in 1974 and left in 1993. I was a regular worker and was never disqualified from employment during my nineteen years of service. I filed for my pension in 2015, since then two years have passed and yet the NIS cannot produce all my contributions correctly. Based on the figures the NIS has and the yearly contributions which are as follows 1974-33,1975-22,197645,1977-30,1978-47, 197950,1980-49, 1981-14,198217,1983-36,1984-45,198529,1986-41.1987-42,198847,1989-14,1990-52,199151,1992-49,and1993-27 - these are the total contributions the NIS has for my records which totals to 740 contributions; thus the cause for denial. The NIS should look at the trend of my yearly contributions and it can be clearly seen that something is definitely wrong with the years 1981,1982, and 1989. They should find out if the Estate was closed for those years and if any employees were working at that
time. I do not have any records; it is the duty of the NIS to furbish that information and to provide it to employees. Blairmont sugar estate deducted money from my weekly pay packet for the NIS; it is not my fault if the estate did not post my contributions correctly and that should not be the reason for the NIS to show gross neglect to its contributor. This is how we the Guyanese pensioners are being treated with contempt and disrespect it seems no one cares. I thought with the new government things would have changed, but it seems to be worse. The General Manager if I have it right should take some time out of her busy schedule to look into the serious matter of pensioners and their problems. We have contributed to building GUYANA and it is very frustrating for us when no one cares. Our weekly contributions to the NIS were good. It created employment for a lot of fellow Guyanese to work in these institutions, but when it is time to receive our pensions we are treated like some foreign object from Mars that never existed. We will not forget the runaround we have received from these NIS employees. Seepersaud Ramsamoo
Brain drain will continue with the imposed VAT on education DEAR EDITOR, In light of the recent 14 percent VAT that was imposed on private education and the continued effort of several public spirited citizens to have this decision revised/revoked, as a student of a private institution, I find it necessary to join in this fight. As a young, working Guyanese, we are encouraged to create employment opportunities for ourselves by the Head of State, which personally is my main motive for pursuing higher level qualifications. The brain-drain remains a prevalent factor in our beloved country, however, I am one who believes in my country and in patriotism, so for me to be tempted to succumb to the migration mentality due to the continuous pressures being exerted, highlights my level of frustration. Additionally, in light of the VAT on education, I feel as though my right as citizen has been violated. I seek no handouts, no
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scholarships, and no support from my place of employment and I am self-sponsoring my studies on my already limited salary. With this VAT which almost increases my fees by $10,000, it is frustrating to understand why such a decision was made and continues to exist despite repeated pleas for reconsideration. While I understand there are institutions that dodge paying their taxes and should be held accountable, I am of the opinion that as an intelligent, policy-making body, actions should be taken to have this decision revised to penalize those institutions rather than impose a penalty such as this to all institutions. I appeal to our government to recognize the effect this has on the common working class citizen and revise this decision and I applaud the tireless efforts of those who continue to stand up against this decision and appeal to the wider public to do same. Private student
Description of a dream I had on holiday in Israel DEAR EDITOR, I have just been able to read the Easter column headed “Mob violence is always with us”. The column mentions: “....The churches have been adorned in white, a change from the mournful purple that adorned the altars and pulpits during the preceding days.” In 1993, during the week of Yom Kippur, I took a group holiday in Israel and the Holy Land, one afternoon visiting, among other holy places, the Mount of the Beatitudes, where we spent more than an hour, awaiting a replacement coach. I sat eating a large bunch of white grapes purchased on site, staring at a large ancient tree, with roots above ground curling back on themselves. The consumption of grapes left no room for dinner. Around 3.00 am the next day, I dreamt I was back on the Mount, approaching the large tree, having to kill a long curled-up snake lying in my path, with a sword placed nearby. A figure clad in white
slowly approached me, and I eventually realised with shock that it was an Indian-looking man. He berated me for killing the snake and threatened to use the sword on me, unless I ate the snake! I refused; the sword appeared in his hands, as if by magic. I shook myself awake immediately, shaking, heart thumping and drenched in sweat. Around the man’s waist, was a lilac-pink (purplish) cummerbund. From what he said, the circumstances, and everything else, I gathered he was “the One”. I have, over the years, discussed this experience with Christians, some highly placed, and have had mixed reactions; some regarding it as just a bad dream, others smiling mysteriously. I know what I experienced, and what my assessment is. I gather the colour purple in the Christian religion denotes high status. I also took a tour of Turkey, and we visited the tiny in-and-out one room hut where the Virgin Mary was
said to have stayed the night before “the Birth”. Almost out of sight among some bushes, there was a statue of The Virgin - a black statue. Some years before, when we visited St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, our tour group was intrigued by the black statue of him at the entry, his left foot almost smooth, because of worshippers touching or kissing it as they entered or passed by! I can well believe the theory of the race factor in the creation of the Christian religion, itself perhaps a breakaway from some other ‘unfriendly’ group. In turn, it then became a product of ‘hijacking’. The route the Christians took, had astrological symbols for street names, and we had to look on the ground for the drawing of a fish to guide us along the route the followers took. We did the ‘Stations of the Cross’ - a long journey, as I recall 14 stations in all. ‘We learnt that ‘stations’ meant,
whenever Christ stopped to rest, mainly along the side of the road, now a pavement instead. Just being there, gave one a feeling of peace. The residents were mostly of mixed appearance - Indian + (‘dougla’-looking). We visited the Coptic ‘order’, occupied by two men dressed in long black tunics, yet another in-and-out short corridor, with a few steps ascending. To recall a scene from a film I once watched, of a family of mother and father with their small children passing a church one Sunday, the children asking to join the service. The father answering they could not - he had been trying to “get in there for 20 years, and was not allowed in”. A voice from above proclaimed; “I have been trying to get in there for two thousand years, and I cannot”. The youngsters today may be trying to find a better future for us all - with or without religion. What will be, will be! Geralda Dennison
GECOM replies to unfair criticism of its work DEAR EDITOR, It is imperative that we respond to the letter carried in the Guyana Times of Saturday, April 22, 2017 under the title “Local Government and You” as authored by Mr. Neil Kumar. Mr. Kumar made reference to the published Notice pointing out that the period for the ongoing Claims and Objections (C&O) is April 24 to May 21, 2017 after the 9th Cycle of Continuous Registration would have concluded on March 18, 2017. This is patently inaccurate and misleading considering that the C&O exercise is a component of the 9th Cycle of Continuous Registration as is evident in the relevant Work Plan which was approved by the Commission. Mr. Kumar went on to posit that “the period indicated above for the second phase of the exercise is approximately five weeks after claims and objections are scheduled to commence”. He went further to state that “the situation so far bares a plethora of obvious suspi-
cious questions which are unanswered” – among which are (i) why the delay? and (ii) was the Elections Commission not prepared? The start and end dates of the C&O exercise are compliant with those documented in the Work Plan for the conduct of the 9th Cycle of Continuous Registration. Anyone who is familiar with the conduct of a cycle of Continuous Registration would be aware that there was a regime of preparatory administrative and statutory activities which had to be completed, within a relatively tight timeframe, as prerequisites to the conduct of the C&O exercise. Accordingly, we hereby state unambiguously that there was no “delay” pertaining to the commencement of the C&O exercise, and the fact that we commenced the exercise in accordance with the
Work Plan demonstrates that the Secretariat was obviously “prepared”, as mandated by the Commission. With regards to Mr. Kumar’s position that “the relevance of the continuous registration being done at this time, in the absence of an upcoming election, was questionable, and the matter was raised without any adequate response from GECOM”, we have no knowledge where, when and with whom this matter was raised. In this letter Mr. Kumar questions the relevance of the conduct of the ongoing Claims and Objections exercise, by positing that “such exercises are normally to be followed by elections”. This position of Mr. Kumar makes it very obvious that his knowledge relative to the conduct of Claims and Objections as a component of a Cycle of Continuous Regis-
tration is relatively limited. Mr. Kumar wrote that “currently, the political parties and the nation are yet to receive a report on the transactions that were completed, including registrations done, transfers done, and changes done at each GECOM office in the country”. He went on to say inter alia “We wait, but when would the report be available? GECOM appears to be doing everything within its authority to block information from reaching the public, thus implying that the body is not obligated by law to provide certain information, according to a release from Chief Elections Officer Lowenfield to the People’s Progressive Party”. The Chief Election Officer gave copies of the categories and respective numbers of registration transactions Continued on page 6
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The Attorney-General like the DPP cannot be sued for leged public comments as ex- court, to discourage, and frusofficial decisions made pressions of his legal opinion trate the Attorney General in DEAR EDITOR, I refer to my previous letter (KN, Friday, May 28) on the issue involving the AG and Judge Holder. In a nutshell, here are the credentials of an Attorney General that respectfully, Judge Holder seems very unfamiliar with. They are sui generis (ie peculiar to and special) prominent among these are (i) the sole and exclusive advocacy and litigant (locus standi) right in any civil court as representative of the State; and on behalf of the public, and, paradoxically sometimes, at the instance, and for the benefit of judges. (ii) status of nondisbarmentability (ie cannot be disbarred under the Legal Practitioners Act, cap 4:01 (“LPA”) – the necessary implication of sections 23, the exception in 35, 37). (iii) under the LPA, those judges have no power/jurisdiction to discipline under that statute the Attorney General, as they could any other Attorney – at – law, (iv) status of indispensability portfolio wise in the Cabinet (article 112), (v) (shared) custodianship of our national patrimony – civil litigation in respect thereof, now unquestionably the exclusive province of the Attorney Gen-
The issue of increased taxation is a contentious one DEAR EDITOR, The current local reality of the economy begs the question where may the government get more bang for its efforts. Recently reported high revenue leakage in the gold industry, especially in the interior with resulting southern border issues appears to be the best opportunity to boost government revenue and foster GDP growth within the local economy. Currently the issue of increased taxation is somewhat contentious and business activity levels are not where they have been in the recent past. Enforcement of the VAT increase will also require resources that are limited and needed also for reducing the leakage of gold revenue in the interior. Given the amount of government revenue in question, and the mentioned surrounding economic factors, a consideration of focusing efforts on the higher priority while allowing the local economy to recover may be a safe bet. The improvement will help ensure the VAT implementation is in sync with the improved economic activity. Jamil Changlee
Thursday May 04, 2017
Kaieteur News
eral under the State Liability and Proceedings Act, 1984 cap. 6:05 especially sections 10 and 11. Editor, so there can be no greater nonsense writen about the Attorney General than the pious notion of disbarment, or, the infamy of an apology (as head of the Bar to junior counsels,) as a condition of his access to the State’s court presided over by Justice Holder. Such a conditionality, portends a violation of the Constitution; and, arguably might, if executed, amount to “misbehavior” (article 197 (3)). The judge cannot be unmindful, or indifferent to such considerations. All are sworn to uphold the Constitution. As the constitutional legal representative of the State, in civil matters, to deny the Attorney General access to the Court, is to, in point of constitutional law, purport to deny the State itself, access to its own court! For this proposition, there is a landmark decision of the Caribbean Court of Justice reported as Martin and Another V. Attorney General of Belize, (2011) 78 WIR 51 (a, MUST read for all law officers in the AG’s chambers; and I dare say, judges too). Is it conceivable that any Judge in England would have the temerity to impede England’s Attorney General’s access to the Crown’s Court. If there is any precedent of this I shall be happy to be edified. I turn now to the libel action (as reported in both KN and SN, Sunday April 16 respective edition). The action is filed by Mr. Nandlall over the Attorney General’s al-
that Mr. Nandlall is wrongfully in possession of law books he acquired during his tenure as AG with public moneys and has appropriated to his own private use and benefit, since demitting that office. Since that that libel action, Mr. Nandlall has been charged. I argue, and will show in a subsequent letter how and why an IMPLIED privilege arises and exists in relation to the Attorney General by reason of his constitutional duties as to the recovery of State’s assets of which he is custodian in point of constitutional law. Duties carry correlative rights. Suffice it to say for now that, Martin’s case supra decided that an Attorney General was competent to institute civil proceedings against former government ministers for recovery of State’s assets. That case established a seminal precedent. From the Attorney General in whom the law has vested so much guardianship for the public good (as I have adumbrated above), much proactivity and activism is expected. The common law of libel and the Defamation Act Cap. 6:03 (if there be any inconsistency) must yield to the incidents of the discharge of the Attorney General’s constitutional duty of recovery of State’s assets. The public’s interest in the recovery of state’s assets is paramount. It is all about justification and fair comment. The libel action against an Attorney General in his official capacity is unprecedented in legal history. It is nothing but an abuse and misuse of the process of the civil
the discharge of his constitutional duty, as guardian of the State’s assets, to fearlessly recover by civil process, those assets which, in his professional judgment are wrongfully (criminally – larceny by bailee is one possible view; or, tortuously – misfeasance in public office is one possible view) in the possession of any one, and in this case – a former minister of government and AG. And if anyone doubts the validity of this proposition, I suggest they read and comprehend the Martin case, supra. For, as I apprehend, our constitutional law (which is the supreme law with which no other law in this case the common law of libel and the Defamation Act Cap 6:03, can be inconsistent) would be very defective if as it does, it imposes a duty of guardianship or custodianship of State assets on the Attorney General, implicit in which is a right of professional judgment, justly arrived at and entertained, as to whether State’s/ public assets have been, or are being, wrongfully misappropriated, and yet at the same time, preclude publication of that opinion/judgment to his client – the public. The law cannot be so defective. Publication has various modus aperandi. The Attorney General is, and must be on the same constitutional footing as the DPP against whom it is unthinkable that libel action would be taken, in respect of any professional judgment that Mr. X or Y has committed a criminal offence. Maxwell Edwards Attorney-at-Law
Half truths and halving the truths DEAR EDITOR, Against the advice of many, I am pending this response to Mr. Cox’s latest letter of me peddling half-truths. I am doing so to ensure that Cox does not halve my truths. He seems to be clinging to some letter from the Loan Agency that stated that he had up to 2006 to clear his indebtedness. He further contends that I have to ‘reconcile with that fact’. I don’t know who Cox is attempting to blindfold by selective disclosure. At the end of his first year, 2001, he had not fulfilled his obligation to repay his loan on a monthly basis. He was therefore denied loans in 2002 and 2003. The registration forms to which he refers were an initiation of the registration process and were never signed off by the University because he had not fulfilled the final requirement for registration, i.e payment of fees. He was refused loans in 2001 and 2002. Let him produce those forms to a third party, in my presence, and I will expose his fallacy. In fact he can produce all of his documents and let’s determine the truth, as opposed to the legalese, in the public court. He proposed this approach. I am prepared to facilitate such an encounter if your media house or anyone else is prepared to be the arbiter. He was not registered. His massive further halving of the truth is that in 2003 monies sent to the University by the Loan Agency were not applied to his name. Any money sent by the Loan Agency is on the basis of a loan agreement, a copy of which is provided to the student after he or she would
GECOM replies to unfair criticism of its work From page 5 which were conducted during the registration phase of the 9th Cycle of Continuous Registration exercise, and an electronic copy of the current Preliminary List of Electors (PLE). This was done at the above mentioned Meeting. Further, at that meeting, the PPP delegation requested a hard copy of the PLE and summaries of the new registrations and transfers, by Registration Division, that were done during the exercise. This was provided to the Party on Friday, April 21, 2017. Identical data was provided to the APNU+AFC, via the coalition’s Representative who was also present at the above mentioned Meeting. Mr. Kumar wrote that “there are reports of exorbitant spending by the elections body for the registration
period. Many vehicles were rented and hired beforehand, yet many special taxis still had to be utilized. It was also reported that water and air transportation costs were deliberately inflated and exceeded the planned budget, and meals and meals allowances were costly”. In this regard, we hereby state unequivocally that:(i) no vehicle was hired beforehand; and if any, the hire of “special” taxis would have been minimal and only in Registration Areas where no GECOM owned vehicle is posted, (ii) water transportation for hinterland riverain areas were hired following the advertisement for the provision of such services to be tendered for, (iii) we are satisfied that the costs associated with the provision of meals for
GECOM staff and Party Scrutineers were within acceptable limits and within the relevant budgetary provisions, (iv) we will leave it up the Companies that provided air services to comment on whether they engaged in collusion with the GECOM Secretariat relative to the claim that the relevant charges were inflated, (v) any audit of the relevant vouchers and supporting documents would substantiate our position. Mr. Kumar also wrote that “also noticeable during the registration exercise was the treatment of the public by some of the so-called trained GECOM staff. Some officers were guilty of being rude and disrespectful to persons wanting to do transactions; young registrants were bullied, and some were even asked to leave
buildings for being inappropriately dressed, whereas others were allowed in despite wearing similar attire. The young registrants that are perceived to be PPP, especially girls, faced the brunt of some GECOM officers’ actions. It was quite disgusting that in numerous cases, persons left GECOM centres, never to return, because of the officers’ attitude”. He added that “some of the PPP scrutineers faced the same treatment, and many accepted what was meted out to them as they wanted to remain in the centres to prevent the officers from committing any intended skullduggery” At Senior Management level, we never fail to remind all frontline staff, who interact with members of the public in general, of the need for them to maintain courtesy, professionalism and effi-
have been awarded a loan. In 2003, Cox was not awarded a loan. He cannot produce such a document. Had he been awarded one, there would have been no need for the facility that was offered to him. He would have simply provided that document and completed his registration. I repeat there was no hiccup in 2003. Cox’s contention is contrived. Mr Rheka and his letter entered the picture long after 2003, by which time the University had closed the case. Imagine, Cox did not complete his registration and is now hanging his argument on some contention that he was never written to and that he had never withdrawn or been expelled. How can someone withdraw or be expelled when he or she is not on the record as a student? All along the issue of being wronged was about the University not releasing ‘his grades’. Now it is about some application in 2004. I have no knowledge of that matter. No Registrar routinely deals with such matters and incidentally I was not Registrar as he claims, in 2003. I became Registrar in 2009. May it also be recorded that I never initiated public correspondence on this matter. I have been a respondent to Cox’s and his ilks’ exposés in the press. May it also be recorded that I never apologized and have no reason to apology to Cox. On that matter I am prepared to face him in court. Here after I will desist from responding to Cox and company since I have agreed to public arbitration as Cox proposed. Vincent Alexander ciency. In fact this need was reinforced at the last Meeting of Managers of the Secretariat and Registration Officers on April 7, 2017, and again at refresher training sessions across Guyana on April 19 and 21, 2017. This action was taken, not in response to complaints against our staff, but because this is in line with our strategy for the maintenance of a good public image between and among the Commission’s publics. Having said that, we invite all stakeholders to bring to our attention any official malpractice that might have been committed by any of our staff to enable us to deal with any such occurrence accordingly. However, such stakeholders must be prepared to substantiate the report(s) as we cannot and will not entertain heresay. Vishnu Persaud Deputy Chief Election Officer
Thursday May 04, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Teachers should be allowed to think ‘outside of the box’ – Education COI
Teachers are priceless. With this in mind, at every level, teachers must be treated with utmost respect. “We must treat them better; we must empower our head teachers, too, and let them understand that they can think outside of the box. We must praise their creativity.” This was the deduction of Mr. Ed Caesar, Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry [COI] into the public education system. A preliminary report of the inquiry was last week handed over to Minister of Education, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, in hopes that its recommendations will be implemented to help better the system. Based on the findings of the COI, Caesar said that “too many persons [teachers] in the regions complained that they can only do what has been demanded and directed by the Region Education Officers. They can see things that they can adjust and they can adapt to suit a particular situation, but they cannot do that...chances are that they can be sanctioned.” But this should not be the case, Caesar, a former Chief Education Officer [CEO], has asserted.
- Recommends sanctions for defaulting Regional Education Officers
Mr. Ed Caesar [left] and Education Minister Rupert Roopnaraine This is in light of the fact, Caesar noted, that in the early 1980s the sector was decentralised. This move, he recalled, saw the CEO of the Ministry delegating powers to the Regional Education Officers to help monitor the delivery of education countrywide, in addition to other duties. But during the recent COI, Caesar revealed, “We have discovered, so to speak, just like Columbus, that there seems to be a disconnect
somewhere.” “It says to us that some of the Regional Education Officers don’t seem to understand their responsibilities,” informed Caesar, as he claimed to have knowledge that Deputy Chief Education Officer [Admin], Ms. Donna Chapman,” has been struggling and striving, pressing and begging, beseeching and appealing for the [Regional Education] Officers to understand their functions.”
GPSU’s controversial polls...
Opposition to pursue legal action against Elections Officer Thousands of Public Servants across the country are confused as to the outcome of the recently contested union elections. The results released on Tuesday evening put the incumbent Patrick Yarde back at the helm of the Guyana Public Service Union. His opposition, having not received any word from the Elections Officer, Herman De Souza, is refusing to accept the outcome of the elections. Contacted yesterday, De Souza declared that, “The results are official.” The Elections Officer disconnected the phone while the Kaieteur News reporter was in the process of inquiring about the missing Statement Of Polls (SOP). In addition to this, a number of other discrepancies were highlighted throughout the voting process. “We issued official letters to Mr. De Souza, in relation to every issue that we had with the elections. And there were quite a few,” Jermaine Hermanstyne, a member of the GPSU’s opposition, told Kaieteur News last evening. He said that in addition to an
elections petition, a “personal court matter” will also be filed against De Souza. “We are not convinced that Mr. De Souza acted in accordance with his job description to ensure that the elections were free and fair,” Hermanstyne opined. He explained that during yesterday, more and more Public Servants have threatened to withdraw their support from the Union. “Nobody wants to keep paying dues if they don’t know how their monies are spent. We haven’t had an
audit report in about 12 years. It is ridiculous,” the Opposition member said. While the court system is not particularly known to be swift, Hermanstyne is confident that at least one of the three legal matters would be dealt with in a timely manner. “Something like this could not have happened during one of Guyana’s General Elections. Not even the Local Government Elections would’ve been announced in a manner like this.”
Caesar is however convinced that this situation could be easily remedied. According to him, “The problem, to my mind, is that the systems are in place, but one major system is absent and that system is called sanctions.” “Unless there is in place a system of sanctions where people who are not performing are either removed or disciplined, we will continue on
this same road until our great grandchildren become Education Officers,” Caesar theorised. He moreover emphasized the need for strategic tactics to be put in place to address the prevailing situation. Among the suggestions of the COI Caesar shared, is that of the re-orientation of officers in the Regions. He added too “that re-orientation must end up with them signing to some kind of contract or something to say these are their responsibilities. Unless that is done, it is going to be business as usual, and we can’t continue down that road,” he asserted. Ahead of becoming Regional Education Officers, individuals are expected to successfully complete a Cadet Officers’ training programme. And according to Caesar, based on the Commission’s observation of those currently in training “they are doing a decent job.” But according to him, “Even as we speak to the reorientation of the officers, let us ensure that our Cadet Programmes remain strong, even becomes stronger, so when persons are placed in departments and sections of
the Ministry we will have good functionaries.” Added to this, Caesar spoke of the need for a review of the criteria that are used to allocate officers to the regions. “Many more things are happening in the regions now than used to happen in the 1980s...in 1982 when the officers were sent to the regions. Many more things are happening, but we still have the same number of substantive officers,” said Caesar. He therefore underscored that “there needs to be a closer examination of the needs of each region and an allocation of officers to ensure that supervision is done.” As part of the effort to improve the operations of the system’s Regional Education Officers, Caesar said that the Commission is also suggesting that the desk manuals be updated and every effort be made to ensure that officers read them and understand their responsibilities and can carry out their functions. Officers, especially in the regions, Caesar reiterated, must understand the importance of teachers in the process.
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Kaieteur News
Drug, nurse shortages found by Parliamentary Committee at GPHC
From left: Vishwa Mahadeo, GPHC Chairperson Kesaundra Alves, Minister within the Ministry of Public Health Dr. Karen Cummings, Dr. Vindhya Persaud and Alister Charlie. Findings from a visit to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) by the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Social Services (PSCSS) prove that the hospital is under staffed and short on drugs. Members of the committee that were present on the visit were Dr. Vindhya Persaud, Vishwa Mahadeo, Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe, Alister Charlie and Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings. Other members that were not present on the visit were Indranie Chanderpaul, Minister within the Ministry of Communities Valerie Patterson, and Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman.
Upon speaking with doctors and staff of the GPHC one of the major issues was the shortage of medication available at the facility. Dr. Persaud said that “Medication is an integral part of delivery of care and as a doctor you go above and beyond your means to provide care, but if the doctors don’t have things at hand, there will be a difficulty.” Acting Pharmacy Manager Yvonne Bullen said that there has been a shortage for about three weeks to a month in insulin, midazolam, fortum, aspirin, and some hypertension and cardiac medications. When questioned about the process in which medication is ordered, the manager explained that there is a threemonth period in which they order, however she was only recently appointed to the position, so three months ago she was not in place to order the drugs. Ronald Charles, Finance Director of GPHC explained
that there were challenges with the previous Pharmacy Manager delivering the orders in a timely manner. He said that the department manager usually orders drugs that are used “as per norm”, or if projected to be needed. A procurement process then follows: if the usual four suppliers do not have the drugs requested, then orders are made at private facilities or overseas. The four major suppliers of the GPHC are IPA, Global, New GPC and Ansa McAL. Also, Chairperson of the board of directors of GPHC, Kesaundra Alves noted that the GPHC is the main body for distributing medication to Regional hospitals and health care facilities. She explained that there is no proper system in place to show if a person goes to one health centre and uplifts his/her medication, and then goes to another and does the same. When the team visited the GPHC’s Pharmaceutical bond,
Pediatric surgeon and consultant Dr. Marissa Seepersaud speaking to the Parliamentary team at the facility yesterday. Alves said that the bond has only been in use for three days. The bond was not fully stocked with medication. The committee has requested that hospital records, and procurement process be computerized so as to have records in place. Minister Cummings said that her Ministry is currently collaborating with the E-Government unit to have a computerized system in place. “We do have some shortages of course. We know where the challenges are…the shortage of drugs that I am seeing here does not affect the quality of care that we are offering to our patients.” Minister Cummings reiterated that there must be a renewal of primary health care. “We want to stress on the non-pharmacological efforts for our doctors. For instance if you have a headache it could be due to maybe not drinking enough water,” the Minister pointed out.
Meanwhile, Head of the Accident and Emergency Unit Dr. Zulfikar Bux explained that in his area there is need
for additional nurses and doctors, mainly because the unit has approximately 200 Continued on page 10
A section of the GPHC’s Pharmaceutical bond.
Thursday May 04, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Love is free E-mails are the in-things these days. The only mails I get in my letter box, which is nailed onto my gate, are bills – water bills, electricity bills and telephone bills. This is quite unlike my email Inbox which is filled each day with letters from friends, juicy information from sources, such as the one I got recently about someone trying to bribe a police officer, and of course those that are trying to sell me something or the other. Unlike my physical letter box, I do also get a lot of unsolicited mail. Featuring prominently are mails from confidence-tricksters trying to dupe me into revealing personal information by falsely informing me that I had won some lottery. And of course there are the frequent letters by imposters who write that they are widowed or trusted attorney of some corrupt dictator who has a few million that he wants me to keep for him in return for a percentage of the
sum. Of course a request is made for details of my bank book. I am too old and too smart to fall for those cons and whenever I see a recipient that I do not recognise my hand hits the delete key faster than the ticking of a clock. Recently, I have been receiving quite a few mails with touching stories. More often than not I take an initial read of the first two sentences and then hit the Delete button. As of late, however, I have found myself drawn to these heart-warming stories which are very touching. Glenn Lall, the publisher of this newspaper, seems also drawn to these stories since he has been sending me quite a few recently. I do not know whether he is becoming sentimental in his old age. I, however, found one of the stories that he sent me this week extremely inspirational and I would like today to share it with you my readers, just as how so many of
these stories are shared with me. I think the story makes a point of how much of a difference we can make if only we act out of love. I hope that this story will help all who read it, to really think hard as to the fact that we can make a big difference by simply changing the angle from which we approach a situation. Here goes: A farmer had some puppies he needed to sell. He painted a sign advertising the four pups and set about nailing it to a post on the edge of his yard. As he was driving the last nail into the post, he felt a tug on his overalls. He looked down into the eyes of a little boy. “Mister,” he said, “I want to buy one of your puppies.” “Well,” said the farmer, as he rubbed the sweat off the back of his neck, “These puppies come from fine parents and cost a good deal of money.” The boy dropped his head
Dem boys seh...
Jurdon got Brassy hiding in Miami People can always know when things ain’t going right. Is either you see people crying or talking to demself or quarrelling bout everything. Things ain’t going right inside de govt because dem busy cancelling contracts and that is wha dem boys concerned about. Whenever de old govt, especially under that scamp, Jagdeo, use to cancel contracts everybody know was because de kickbacks wasn’t right. And dem boys know that some of dem in this govt love kickbacks just like de Pee Pee Pee boys and gyals. So when dem boys start hearing bout contracts getting cancelled dem start to get worried again. De other day dem put up a tender fuh electric meters. This was de second time. De first time word come out that dem had a contract fuh de same electric meters, a local man bid. He had a good thing going wid Brassington and Jagdeo so he think he had to get it. When he didn’t get it he report and kick up a stink and de contract was call off. Then dem got this Sheriff Street road contract that cancel. Dem boys hope that de
housing project is not a bigger kickback than de road project. Dem boys know that some big kickback pass wid govt settlements as soon as this set go in office. Dem also cancel de East Bank Berbice main road contract. This contract was from Stanleytown to Everton. This is another big money contract and it don’t look like de right people getting de right kickback. Brassington ain’t involve because he hiding in Miami since Jurdon dilly dally and allow him to slip out de country. Jagdeo name calling. Dem boys believe he demand more than wha de new people want. He forget he is not president. He not Doctor because he never write an exam, he is now Doctor Five. Sam Blinds was a real doctor but he never use it. When he come out he demand people call him Doctor One because is only one he got in front he name. Dem boys waiting to see if or when Soulja Bai gun get he own and wha he gun demand. Talk half and know Doctor Soulja don’t sound nice.
for a moment. Then reaching deep into his pocket, he pulled out a handful of change and held it up to the farmer. “I’ve got thirty-nine cents. Is that enough to take a look?” “Sure,” said the farmer. And with that he let out a whistle. “Here, Dolly!” he called. Out from the doghouse and down the ramp ran Dolly followed by four little balls of fur. The little boy pressed his face against the chain link fence. His eyes danced with delight. As the dogs made their way to the fence, the little boy noticed something else stirring inside the doghouse. Slowly, another little ball appeared, this one noticeably smaller. Down the ramp it slid. Then in a somewhat awkward
manner, the little pup began hobbling toward the others, doing its best to catch up. “I want that one,” the little boy said, pointing to the runt. The farmer knelt down at the boy’s side and said, “Son, you don’t want that puppy. He will never be able to run and play with you like these other dogs would.” With that the little boy stepped back from the fence, reached down, and began rolling up one leg of his trousers. In doing so he revealed a steel brace running down both sides of his leg attaching itself to a specially made shoe. Looking back up at the farmer, he said, “You see sir, I don’t run too well myself, and he will need someone who understands.” With tears in his eyes, the
farmer reached down and picked up the little pup. Holding it carefully he handed it to the little boy. “How much?” asked the little boy. “No charge,” answered the farmer, “There’s no charge for love.”
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Thursday May 04, 2017
Kaieteur News
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
History will not be kind to Hamilton Green When I heard Rupert Roopnaraine was about to launch his book, “The Sky’s Wild Noise,” I thought that Guyana would have one of the finest outlays of post-Independence politics. Dr. Roopnaraine was someone whose politics I would never put in the category of four post-Independence giants like Walter Rodney, Clive Thomas and Moses Bhagwan and Eusi Kwayana. But Roopnaraine was possessed of a sharp intellectual touch that would make his analysis of the Burnham regime equal to any. As it turned out, his book was not about the period of Burnham rule and that era of the glorious confrontation between the Working People’s Alliance and the Burnham regime. To date, the definitive work on the authoritarian nature of the Burnham administration remains the book of Father Andrew Morrison; “Justice: The Struggle for
Democracy in Guyana, 1952 - 1992.” It is my opinion that this work will remain an enormous stumbling block to any positive portrait of Forbes Burnham. It is a book that Hamilton Green may wish was never ever published But this columnist is old enough to offer firsthand accounts of that ugly period in Guyana’s contemporary history to supplement Father Morrison’s elegant descriptions and assessments. Hamilton Green as the most trusted lieutenant of President Burnham was a powerful man whose penchant for undemocratic behaviour exceeded any in the PNC administration from 1964 until the death of Forbes Burnham in 1985. It was quite logical for Desmond Hoyte to have wanted to remove Green from the PNC when he, Hoyte, became president. Mr. Green was expelled. Hamilton Green’s name is associated with the most
negative and undemocratic aspects of the Burnham era. Mr. Burnham was by far more tolerant of anti-governmental activism than Green. Mr. Green was quoted in the Tuesday edition of this paper as describing how his wife suffered after the PPP came to power in 1992. He said she was dismissed from her medical post. This is true. Mr. Green is right. What Green did when he was a PNC Minister for 28 years should not have been used to victimize his wife. But the rights of other men’s wives were violated by Minister Green back in the seventies. One such victim was the wife of WPA executive Moses Bhagwan. Mr. Green fired Mrs. Bhagwan on the spot, when as subject Minister he went into the offices of the Government-owned Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation. I was in the picket line of the WPA that had denounced this act of Green. I will send an email to Moses asking him
to describe for the current generation that particularly sad incident. In my heart, I honestly believe Mr. Green should offer an apology for violations he committed during that tragic era in the evolution of the Guyanese nation-state. I was in the national archives doing research and seated next to me was Dr. James Rose, who later became Vice Chancellor, when we both saw Mr. Green descending from his car and wading into a group of strikers who were picketing outside of the state-owned Guyana Stores. I saw Mr. Green’s behaviour with my own two eyes. I was a student at UG in 1974 when the Government rescinded the appointment of Walter Rodney. Contrary to what Guyanese believe, it was Mr. Green who was more active and vocal in the denunciation of Rodney’s appointment. The period of Green’s “bad boy” days is long gone, and Guyanese should not la-
ment its sadness but look toward the future. There are too many in the Guyana diaspora whose minds are so overtaken by this epoch that all they can think of when they discuss Guyanese politics is
Frederick Kissoon what Burnham and Green did in the seventies. The seventies disappeared almost fifty years ago. But since Mr. Green in 2017 brought up what happened to his wife in 1992, the historian needs to remind
Green that he is not without blame. Mr. Green should not be hunted down in his old age about what he did when he was a powerful Minister, but history at the same time cannot be erased. History never dies. It lives on. Once history lives on, the misdeeds of men and women will not, and cannot be erased. Apartheid is dead and gone, but it has not been removed from history. We will always remember it. It is against this background, I would urge Hamilton Green that as he moves closer to his nineties, he should make peace with history and Guyana. He should not use the atrocities committed by the Jagdeo cabals as an excuse not to apologize. He owes a debt to history. Mrs. Bhagwan is still alive and she deserves to hear that apology.
Drug, nurse shortages... From page 8 patients, give or take, on a normal day. However the unit has 18 beds, 16 doctors and four nurses on any given day. He is calling for additional nurses, doctors and more equipment to provide more efficient health care service to citizens. Speaking to Kaieteur News, Director of Nurses (ag.) Keith Alonzo said that the shortage of nurses is mainly due to the fact that nurses come from the Georgetown School of Nursing. Nurses only graduate twice a year, and do not usually specialize; hence they would have to do so upon starting at the hospital. According to him, an average of 431 more nurses is needed for the facility to “be up to speed”. Meanwhile, Chairperson Alves said GPHC is currently advertising for nurses. The Committee recommended that the board collaborate with the Georgetown School of Nursing, so as to employee more nurses, and
that they be trained to specialize in the various fields, as well as have a remuneration plan for nurses. Chief Executive Officer of GPHC Allan Johnson said the University of Guyana will step in to assist with the training of nurses, in special fields. Also the Ministry of Public Health is moving to ensure that nurses are properly trained to fit into the hospitals The purpose of the visit was for the committee to examine the operational procedures of the GPHC. The team visited the Accident and Emergency unit (A&E), Pediatric, the Surgical out Patient (SOPD), Maternity, Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU), the medical laboratory and the Pharmaceutical bond. Mahadeo reiterated that the ongoing hospital visits are so that problems can be resolved “We are not here to bash anybody, we are here to see how we can come together, so that patient care could be effective and maximized.”
Thursday May 04, 2017
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Kaieteur News
US$23M GPL contract…
Company begins mobilising, but no meters presented for testing By Murtland Haley Based on information reaching this newspaper, China National Machinery Import (CMC) has started mobilising to begin works on the US$23M (GUY $4.6B) dollar project to rehabilitate the electricity distribution network project of the Guyana Power and Light Company. According to reports, the company which is partnering with the Export Corporation and China Sinogy Electric Engineering Co. Limited has begun procuring utility poles necessary for the completion of the multibillion-dollar project. The venture is being funded by the Inter-American Development Bank and the European Union via a partgrant/part loan agreement. The smart meters which
form one aspect of the project are to be mounted on these said poles. This methodology is being utilised to avoid GPL employees from having to enter the premises of residents to record data from the meters. However, this step in mobilisation comes before the meters would have passed the testing phase. As of last Thursday, the meters have not yet arrived in the country. This is according to Deputy Chief Executive Officer – Technical, Elwyn Marshall. He had informed this newspaper that the project is scheduled to start this month. Seeking to clarify articles carried by Kaieteur News on the matter, the power company said via a statement that the
2 years jail for man who stole stepfather’s belongings Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus, who is presiding at the Providence Magistrate’s Court, imposed a two-year jail sentence on a man who stole his stepfather’s belongings. Phillip Munisar confessed that between April 22 and April 23 at Cow Pen Street, Eccles, East Bank Demerara, he stole 25 pounds of flour, a quantity of window blinds, a cell phone, a hammock and gardening tools totalling over $75,000 - property of Monel Ferreira. According to facts, on the
evening of April 22, the victim retired to bed leaving the items mentioned in the charge, intact. However, when he woke up the following morning he discovered that the articles were missing and made a report with police, naming Munisar as a suspect. When investigators interrogated Munisar, he admitted to stealing the items and said that he sold them to someone but could not remember their name. Taking into consideration the early guilty plea, the Magistrate sentenced him to two years behind bars.
meters will undergo accuracy tests by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS). Yesterday, the Public Relations Officer of GNBS, Lloyd David, was questioned by this newspaper whether the entity is in receipt of smart meters for the said project. According to David, the entity is only concerned with testing the accuracy of the meters. He then added, “We have not encountered the smart meter or done any testing on the smart meter as yet. We only test what GPL submits. GPL has not submitted the smart meter, so we have not done any testing on them.” He said that the GNBS had tested the pre-paid and post-paid meters which are currently being used across Guyana. David reiterated that the GNBS only tests for the accuracy of the data recorded by the devices, and has no responsibility to verify the quality and other requirements of the smart meters. Kaieteur News has learnt that the Chinese company has to produce samples of seven types of smart meters for the
power company to test; after which the agreed models will be procured and used as the project is rolled out. GPL has formally requested the company to produce sample meters on or before the deadline of May 15, 2017. The fact that the company is still to produce samples, counters what was said by the Deputy CEO – Technical. Mr Marshall had said that the Chinese company had presented two meters to GPL and one was agreed upon. The Deputy CEO had even said that he does not believe CMC would find any difficulty sourcing the meters since they are available globally. The award of the contract to the Chinese had raised several questions since the company was involved in the construction of seven sub-stations, running new high powered transmission lines along the coastland and the laying of two submarine cables across the Demerara Harbour Bridge. The cable which was laid across the Demerara River
GNBS has not tested any smart meters for GPL was damaged in July under unknown circumstances. This left the East Demerara and Berbice areas without additional power being supplied by the new Vreed-enHoop power station for a number of months. Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson had said that the Chinese company was the lowest responsive bidder. A responsive bidder is an entity that would have satisfied all the requirements of the bid. The award to CMC was also ques-
tioned since the cost is $1B above the engineer’s estimate. This particular project is one part of a larger US$64M contract. GPL has already begun advertising in the newspapers for bidders to compete for Lot B of the project. However, in Lot A, CMC should be procuring and installing transformers, cables, connectors and smart meters. The running of new lines for the medium and low voltage distribution network will target areas in Berbice and Demerara.
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Drivers’ licences being suspended once charged with dangerous driving - Ramjattan Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan says that the process of suspending drivers’ licences once they have been charged with dangerous driving has started. The Minister was at the time speaking at the opening ceremony of the launch of the National Road Safety Action Plan for the years 2017 to 2019. ”The policy now is once you are charged with dangerous driving, you will be disqualified,” Ramjattan emphasised. He indicated that his powers end when the matter passes through the court and as such, he is urging magistrates and judges to follow suit. “The power that I have is only prior to sentence being passed, that I can disqualify and suspend, not after. The magistrate or judge ought to have that power and they should utilize that power in very bad cases,” he said. The Minister further noted that many times death by dangerous driving is caused not only by the carelessness of drivers, but also passengers and pedestrians. “We are the ones at fault,” the Minister said, pointing out that, “If we as a result start also - notwithstanding all the pillars that we are going to implement - doing better at the individual responsible area, we are going to go a far way in reaching that 50 percent reduction.” Also speaking at the launch of the action plan was Dennis Pompey, acting Chairman of the Guyana National
Thursday May 04, 2017
Kaieteur News
Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan Road Safety Council (GNRSC). Pompey suggested that traffic ranks test persons’ alcohol level, and plans should be put in place to check whether drivers have used any form of drugs, whether medicated or any form of illegal item, to cause them to be drowsy. Kester Hinds, an engineer from the Ministry of Public Security said that on an annual basis, the cost of road accidents amounts to US$13M (in repairs) and advised that persons take precautions when using the roadways. He said that when examining the road fatality statistics, most of the victims are pedestrians and cyclists—as a result of this, overpasses will be constructed (for pedestrians) in an attempt to reduce the number of pedestrians killed. As a recommendation, Hinds said that first aid training should be included in schools’ curriculum so that in
the event of an accident, first responders will have an idea as to how they can move the person to prevent further injuries. The Action plan outlined the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders that are concerned with the safety of road users, including the Ministry of Public Security, the Guyana Police Force, GNRSC and insurance agencies. The Plan, it was stressed, will complement the National Road Safety Strategy, 20132020, and will help Guyana to meet the existing 2011-2020 action plan to reach 50 percent death reduction by 2020. Coordinator of the GNRSC, Ramona Doorgen pointed out that the Action Plan will provide training for stakeholders, including representatives of the media. She said that, “the road safety council is insisting in having the media trained, because at times reporters are among the first at the scene of an accident.
Guyana stands to benefit from Turkey - CELAC mechanism – Greenidge With the establishment of a permanent mechanism of cooperation between the Republic of Turkey and the Community of Latin America and Caribbean States (CELAC), Guyana is poised to benefit greatly. This was according to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge at a press conference hosted in Georgetown yesterday. The establishment of the mechanism stemmed from a meeting of the Quartet of Foreign Ministers of CELAC in Istanbul Turkey, last week. The delegation was led by Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge who was accompanied by the Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Audrey Jardine- Waddell. The Quartet consists of the past Chair from Ecuador; the current Chair from El Salvador; the outgoing Chair from the Dominican Republic; and the Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) from Guyana. It was in Istanbul that the quartet met with the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mevlüt Çavuþoðlu. Greenidge noted that Turkey is an important and rising geo-economic influence in the world and serves as a socio-cultural, political and economic bridge between Europe and the Middle East and more generally, between East and West. The Minister noted also, that Turkey has been increasing its footprint as a donor state and has been investing in the Latin American and
Foreign Affairs Minister,Carl Greenidge Caribbean Region. He lauded the support that Guyana would have received from Turkey in the past. “In 1998 for example, it developed a framework and has provided a great deal of support to the region as well as to Guyana on a variety of fronts, including health and education,” the Minister said. The bodies, in a quest to improve bilateral relations, will work together to bring trade volume between Turkey and CELAC member states to a level that corresponds with their economic potential. In this respect, to accelerate the completion of the economic legal framework between Turkey and CELAC countries, and the concluding bilateral and multilateral agreements such as Agreements of Avoidance of Double Taxation and Trade Agreements. Also, Turkey and CELAC – according to their Joint Declaration – will mobilise the necessary resources to increase the number of direct flights between the Turkey and CELAC countries in order to enhance contacts among peoples. Further, the two entities will explore possibilities of cooperation in the field of energy, including joint exploration of mineral and geother-
mal resources and promoting projects in the area of renewable energy. The CELAC quartet is the highest quarterly coordinated forum of CELAC. Greenidge said that being the current chairman of CARICOM, Guyana is a member of that quartet. The Minister explained that the CELAC Turkey mechanism was established in 2015 to pursue South Cooperation, to strengthen political dialogue and coordinate approaches to matters of common interest on the international agenda. CELAC is a regional bloc of 33 Latin American and Caribbean states. It was formed at the Unity Summit, which consisted of the 21st Summit of the Rio Group and the 2nd Latin American and Caribbean Summit on Integration and Development (CALC), in the Mayan Riviera, Mexico on 23 February 2010. The organization aims to unite all of the Latin American and Caribbean states in order to strengthen the political, social and cultural integration of the region, improve its quality of life, stimulate its economic growth, and advance the well-being of all of its people. CELAC is a successor of the Rio Group and CALC.
Thursday May 04, 2017
Kaieteur News
US photographer captured moment of her death in Afghanistan
A photo taken by a US Army camerawoman of the moment she and four Afghans were killed in an explosion has been released by the American military. Specialist Hilda Clayton, 22, and four Afghan National Army soldiers died when a mortar shell blew up during a training exercise on 2 July 2013. The US Army also released a photo by an Afghan whom Spc Clayton was training in photojournalism. He was among the dead. The accident happened in
the eastern province of Laghman. Military Review magazine published the images. “Clayton’s death symbolises how female soldiers are increasingly exposed to hazardous situations in training and in combat on par with their male counterparts,” the Army wrote in the edition. The photos were published with the permission of the Clayton family. The Army said that “not only did Clayton help document activities aimed
at shaping and strengthening the [US-Afghan] partnership but she also shared in the risk by participating in the effort.” The visual information specialist, who was from the US state of Georgia, has had a photography award named in her honour by the Department of Defense. Military photographers must pass a five-day test of their physical and technical skills to qualify for the Spc Hilda Clayton Best Combat Camera award.
U.K. says it won’t pay €100 billion Brexit divorce bill (CNN) The European Union has warned Britain that pulling out of the bloc will be a painful — and costly — process with real consequences. “Some have created the illusion that Brexit would have no material impact on our lives or that negotiations can be concluded quickly and painlessly,” the EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier said Wednesday. “This is not the case.” Barnier’s comments came just hours after the Financial Times reported that Britain could face an upfront payment of up to €100 billion ($109 billion) to leave the EU. That figure is significantly higher than previous divorce bill estimates, but the newspaper cautioned that the net cost would be reduced over the coming decades by reimbursements from the EU. The eye-popping number was quickly shot down by U.K. Brexit Secretary David Davis. “It’s gone from €50 billion, to €60 billion to €100 billion,” Davis said during a radio interview. “I know that’s not
where we’ll end up.” EU member states pay into a communal budget, which finances infrastructure projects, social programs, scientific research, farm subsidies and pensions for EU bureaucrats. The bloc’s budget is negotiated to cover a period of years, with the current agreement extending to 2020. Negotiators must now determine how much Britain should pay to settle its financial commitments to the EU. Bruegel, a think tank, has independently calculated that the initial payment by the U.K. could reach €109 billion ($119 billion). However, it estimates the net cost to Britain after repayments would end up between €25 billion ($27 billion) and €65 billion ($71 billion). “There is no punishment. There is no ‘Brexit bill.’ The financial settlement is only about settling the account,” Barnier told reporters. Prime Minister Theresa May officially triggered Brexit in March, but negotiators still haven’t sat down to begin
talks. Even so, fault lines that threaten to derail the discussions have already emerged. May wants simultaneous negotiations on Britain’s exit and a new trading relationship with the remaining 27 members of the EU. She also wants to settle questions over the rights of EU migrants quickly before turning to other issues. The EU, meanwhile, has made clear that it will not discuss a new trading relationship until other points are agreed. It has included the rights of migrants in its agenda for the first phase of talks, but has pushed back on the idea that a quick agreement is realistic. Negotiators must establish what will happen to the pensions of millions of people from other EU states who live in the U.K, and which government will foot the bill for their health care and other benefits. If the migrants return to the EU, would their pensions follow? “All of that is horribly complicated,” the source said.
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Thursday May 04, 2017
Kaieteur News
MMA workers reject GAWU, vote for GPSU representation WANTED One nail technician at West Shore Plaza, 15 Public Road Ruimzeight. Call: 269-1524/ 656-3561
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620
SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. - Cosmetology Courses: $120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 6471773/660-5257
Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyana p assport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 6267040; 265-4535. INNOVATIVEMARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Floor sanding & Lacquering, house plans, estimate & painting, boat for Santa Mission. Call: 650-4362 Passport, permanent & visitor visa application, Professional Immigration Consultant – Sabita Immigration Services. Call: 225-6496/ 662-6045 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158 Eagle’s: Re-gas -$8,000, Washing machine repairs, Gas Stove, Plasma flat Screen, computer repairs & more. Call: 697-2969/646-0966
Land to buy in: Uitvlugt, Tuschen, Zeelugt and La Pafaite Harmonie. Call: 642-1252 One night security, one cleaner+ male to work as operator in ice factory at Meadowbank. Call: 642-9191 One female vegetarian cook in the Interior. Call: 668-6421 Contract Cars and dispatchers. Call: 219-4087 Experienced cook to work in restaurant, preferably from the West Bank, baking would be an asset. Call: 592-678-3400
VEHICLE FOR SALE SALE! SALE! 2011 ALLION $3.350M, 2011 BLUEBIRD $2.7M, 2010 RACTICS $2.5M,ALLVEHICLESFULLY LOADED&UNREGISTERED. CALL: 642-7295 Allion, Primo, Fielder Wagon, Spacio, Bluebird, 212 Carina, NZE, Honda CRV, Toyota IST, RZ & Pit-bull – Call: 650-7501 Toyota 212 New Model, Fielder Wagon 07, Spacio, all in excellent condition. Price neg. Tel: 681-6488, 657-5839. Toyota Spacio, PRR series, fully leather, press start alarm, good condition -$1.3M negotiable. Call: 689-7701 One Toyota Spacio, in excellent condition, PPP series with Rims, AC & Music, Price -$1.350M negotiable. Call: 653-0120
For the best house plan prices & designs. Call: 610-+4085/ Visit 37 Camp & Croal Streets
Driver and porters for water truck, preferably on the E.B.D- Call/Whatsapp: 6821048/233-5255 One experienced salesgirl to work in a boutique, on Orange Walk & Bourda Market. Call: 698-7152
TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 225-7878 (24HRS)
CAR RENTAL CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MIN BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPOTR & FAMILY OUTING, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807
PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 677-7827, 6435122 ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP REATES,SPECIALOFFERS FOR THE SEASON. CALL: 690-6494
1 Complete Sawmill at Yarrowkabra Linden Soesdyke Highway and 1 F66 – Clarke, Ranger Skidder. Call: 609-8041/ 644-1190 1 Double Stall for sale @ Bourda Market Section D. Call: 665-7896 Rottweiler pups. Call: 2202277/220-8904/629-1471 Design & Make Aluminum windows, doors, stainless rails, showcases, rolling shutters, make & install automatic doors. Call: 2336818/677-5599/659-9999 1 Complete 10" Dredge located in Puruni Area. Call: 664-6191
We buy land in Eccles, Herstelling, Farm, La Parfaite Harmonie, Zeelugt & other places. Call: 684-5822/6292881 Two Dynamic Individual with communications & sales techniques, computer skill @ Sparkle, Meeten-Meer-Zorg & KeyFood location. Experienced salesgirl at Christine’s Variety Store on Lombard Street. Call: 2278529
Experienced salesgirls apply with written application to VV&I General Store, 22 Saffon Street, Charlestown. Call: 223-9677
MASSAGE The Gent’s Spa: Massage done by Tiffany, mobile services. Book appointment now! Call: 677-5465 Angels Massaging Spa. Come relax and be pampered. Call: 694-9775 ACCOMMODATION Journey Inn apartments: Fully furnished with Kitchen and AC for short term. Call: 233-2300/ 7182301695/646-3011634
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Bottom flat house @ 25 North Road & Oronoque Street, fully furnished/ air condition/ residence /business.Call: 226-7012 Space for rent @ Vreed-en Hoop Junction, lessons place, church, storage bond, office, others -$20,000 monthly. Call: 603-6400 Business property to rent near Campbellville Secondary School. Call: 6276480/ 613-6815 3 Bedrooms upper flat, fully grilled with toilet, bath, kitchen, parking @ Block ‘8’ Mon Repos, E.C.D -$70,000 monthly. Call: 687-1050 Business Space to rent downstairs 26ftX32ft, Lime Street, Georgetown. Call: 6866866/223-8492
Articulated/Dump truck driver for interior location, must be experienced. Call: 618-2020 for further details.
1 Arch Welder with Knowledge of grill work. Call: 227-4240 LEARN TO DRIVE C. Persaud & N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman & Sons Driving School @ Maraj Building- Call: 644-5166; 6222872; 615-0964; 689-5997 (affordable packages).
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.
VACANCY Experienced cook (for canteen), porters, bond clerks, snackette attendants, drivers. Apply: Survival, Lot 10 Vlissengen Rd, Kitty. Cook/Baker and Kitchen Assistant for interior location. Applicants must be experienced, for details call: 618-2020 Female kitchen assistant & male assistant with driver’s license to work @ outdoor grill, weekend included. Call: 656-9313/675-2550 Accounts Clerk for office in Eccles Industrial Site, knowledge of NIS, PAYE, VAT, Quickbooks call 614-4358
PROPERTY FOR SALE
The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), the incumbent trade union representing junior staffers of the Mahaica Mahaicony Abary/ Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA) at Onverwagt, has been rejected in a recent poll. According to the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) yesterday, for too long the workers complained about not being properly represented by their union –GAWU- and that they wanted a change. “They approached the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) for help. Even though the GPSU was not the recognized union, the GPSU successfully represented them in getting the 10 percent differentiated increase announced in 2016 and the $25,000 bonus paid in December, 2016 among other benefits.” GPSU said it then applied to the Trade Union Recognition and Certification Board for recognition to represent the workforce of MMA/ADA and after many setbacks a poll was set for 3rd April, 2017. Of 105 qualified workers, 68 voted with 56 of them giving their nod to GPSU. Eleven of them went back with GAWU with one vote spoilt.
Transported property @ Grove and Diamond $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461 New property for sale @ ‘BB’ Eccles, 5 bedrooms, 3 Full baths -$38Million negotiable. Call: 623-7963/ 602-9574 2 Storey Building of Third and Cross Streets Alexander Village. Call: 231-3039/6615188
PEN PAL Wanted female companion for serious relationship, age 45-55yrs, interested person can call: 661-1426
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Transported land for sale size 37X270 @ Coglan Dam, Vreed-en-Hoop, W.B.D. Call: 650-5644/677-9938 Tuschen Phase 2 - $1.4M, Uitvlugt -$2.5M with fence, La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.5M. Call: 642-1252 La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.4M & $1.6M, Farm -$3M, Uitvlugt -$2.6M, Parika $3M, Herstelling -$5M. Call: 651-1969/658-5897 FOR SALE/FOR RENT American Pool Table. Call: 277-0578
Thursday May 04, 2017
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Kaieteur News
GWI engineers, contractors to benefit from well drilling training Employees of Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) inclusive of engineers along with two private contractors will benefit from a one-week training seminar in Oklahoma City, United States of America. The event, which is the 20th Annual Resource Drilling Fundamentals Training Seminar will begin on May 8, 2017 and end on May 12. Representing the GWI are Executive Director, Design, Infrastructure, Supply and Demand and Water Resources, Aubrey Roberts, Executive Director of Operations, Dwayne Shako, Water Resources Manager, Orin Browne and Engineers, Ajay Bissessar and Cleon French. The two contractors who will be benefitting are Courtney Benn Jr. and Lionel Wordsworth of Jagmohan Contracting Services. The seminar will be led by GEFCO Inc. in collaboration with the Sir Sandford Fleming College. This is the second time that GWI will be participating in the event which is focused on water well development, maintenance and well drilling techniques. The participants were presented to the media yesterday at the company’s Vlissengen Road branch. According to GWI’s Managing Director, Dr. Richard Van West-Charles, the company would have sent five employees in 2016 and decided this
Heading to the training seminar (from left): Courtney Benn Jr., Aubrey Roberts, Orin Browne, Suresh Jagmohan, Lionel Wordsworth, Dwayne Shako and Ajay Bissessar year to repeat its quota and include contractors. He said that this move signals the intent of the company to work in a collaborative way with the contractors. Dr Van West-Charles said that during the 1980’s the organisation which preceded GWI – GUYWA - had an install capacity, however, these days the company uses a lot of contractors. He said that this is not a practice which he is against, but he believes that GWI as a company should have capability to drill its own wells and use the contracting community to assist in drilling a large number of wells. “Why this is necessary? Guyana doesn’t have enough redundancy with respect to wells throughout its length and breadth of the country. So you will see in most com-
munities, a single well. (If) that well goes the community suffers.” Dr Van West-Charles said that having visited places such as Holland, the company has been able to observe the use of ‘Well Fields’ and as a result, is moving in that direction to look at a series of wells and move from the dependency on a single well. Further, he said that the company has to think about the ‘Aquifer’. The aquifer is a block of porous rock from which groundwater can be obtained or passed through. He said that efforts must be made to ensure that the aquifer can be recharged so that the water supply does not deplete. He said that despite the fact that the company can use contractors, the company it-
Pensioner’s lifeless body found on roadway - Cops await PM to determine cause of death Police are awaiting a Post Mortem (PM) Examination to pronounce on the death of 70-year-old Suresh Mangru whose lifeless body was found on the roadway at Garden of Eden, East Bank Demerara, early yesterday. The dead man has been identified as Suresh Mangru of 35 Garden of Eden. He was found at around 04:30 hrs with a wound to his head and right side ribs. While the pensioner’s injuries are consistent with those of a vehicular accident, traffic ranks who responded to the call said that a possibility exists that the elderly man might have been murdered and his corpse was placed on the roadway. Kaieteur News was informed that no debris was found on the roadway to suggest it was an accident. “There was just a little blood around his head. His body seemed as though it was neatly placed there,” a police source said, while adding that it could also be a case where the pensioner fell and hit himself “real hard.” The body was found
Dead: Suresh Mangru some 400 meters from his home. When this newspaper visited the man’s home yesterday, a niece, who identified herself as Bhagmattie Peters, said that she only knew that her uncle had died when police ranks went to her home yesterday morning. She indicated that her uncle was occupying a small room in the house located next to her home.
Peters said that Mangru consumed a lot of alcohol, but in recent times, he had stopped. “He got old and sickly so he de ease up de drinking. He does be in his room and his nephew family does give him food.” The woman said that the elderly man was involved in an accident some years ago which caused him to “walk slow and shaky.” “He takes long to walk a short distance.” The woman and other relatives have no idea what the pensioner was doing out on the road so early. Kaieteur News was informed that the man has children, but his relatives do not know where they are living and claimed that they have not visited Mangru for quite some time. “We don’t know where they are and we don’t know if they know he died,” one relative said, while adding that no one has any contact details for his children. A post mortem will be done on Monday at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.
self needs to do its work. According to him, based on previous visits to Holland, GWI employees would have seen different approaches to drilling wells and bringing water to communities, particularly along the banks of rivers. The CEO added there are considerable challenges being faced in the hinterland areas of Guyana where there is a lot of rock formation. “Right now, we are hoping to complete drilling a well in Bartica...but that has presented a challenge. We will overcome the challenge, but because of the rock formation, we have to ensure that we have the capability and that the contractors have the capabilities to assist in this process, and if the contractors are involved they need to have the requisite equipment to be able to drill through rock to get to the fissures where we can have access to water.” Giving an overview of the
training was Dwayne Shako, who said that the training focuses on the principles of well drilling. He said that during the week, participants will be exposed to both theory and practical. “It looks at all the different components of drilling; the mud pit, for those persons who are familiar with drilling, you look at your mud pit, calculate the viscosity of your mud; you learn how to know how fast you are drilling, what depth you are at, considering that you are going through clay foundation.” Shako said that participants will be exposed to different types of rigs, including those which are used for drilling through clay as well as rocks. The Executive Director was a part of the 2016 team. He said that the event allows persons to interact with veteran professionals who would have been involved in drilling for 45 years. “These guys
are drilling wells at 8000 feet. We are drilling wells at 600 feet.” Meanwhile, Water Resources Manager, Orin Browne, said that as it relates to well drilling in Guyana, there have been several challenges such as the performance of the well at the end of construction. He said that based on the recent wells which were built using knowledge learnt through exchange programmes, the company has seen improvement. The GWI employees participating in the event will be funded by the company while the two contractors will be financed by their respective entities. When asked by this newspaper how the two contractors were chosen, Browne said that a number of contractors who usually bid for GWI projects were invited, however, many would have signalled their inability and only two accepted the invitation.
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Government needs seven billion dollars for reform justice system KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – The Jamaica government says it will cost an estimated seven billion dollars (One Jamaica dollar =US$0.008 cents) to reform the justice system by 2020. Justice Minister Delroy Chuck, speaking during the 2017/18 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives, on Tuesday, said this amount does not include the cost for infrastructural works and institutional capacity. He noted that the Andrew Holness government will continue with the reform of the justice system with support from the country’s partners. “The Justice Undertakings for Social Transformation (JUST) programme will continue to strengthen the judiciary through training, development of manuals and improvements to the system,” Chuck said, adding that the Justice, Security, Account-
Delroy Chuck ability and Transparency (JSAT) Project will advance the work that has been started to install the new technologies in the courts and to contribute to the timely disposal of cases and improve witness protection. Chuck also told legislators that the Ministry will put the Alternative Dispute Resolution infrastructure in 1,000 schools. “Many persons do not understand how impor-
tant Alternative Dispute Resolution is, but we want to put it in all the schools,” he said, adding that the government will establish 14 Parish Justice Centres, which will be opened by the second quarter of the fiscal year. “We are not unmindful of the fiscal constraints, so we are utilising existing vacant public properties to get the most out of the resources,” Chuck said, adding that more Justices of the Peace (JPs) will be trained and available to provide a better quality of service to their communities and to the court system. “This year’s budget will allow us to provide some support to the offices of the Custodes, once again demonstrating our commitment to strengthening the capability of the justice system to respond to the needs of the citizenry.
TSTT buys out rival company
TSTT chairman Emile Elias (right) shakes hand with Fenwick Reid, chairman, Technology & Communication Business Unit, Massy Holding PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – The stateowned Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) has signed a share purchase agreement to acquire 100 per cent of Massy Communications Limited. TSTT said that, once all regulatory approvals are met, the agreement will cost TT$255 million (One TT dollar =US$0.16 cents). TSTT said in a statement that the purchase agreement it capitalises on the synergies of both companies, in a way that is mutually beneficial. It said that a significant part of TSTT’s current strategic plan involves deployment of both wired and wireless high-speed broadband internet capabilities throughout the country, including investment in fibre optic solutions together with the associated technological
infrastructure and systems. The statement noted that since 2006, Massy Communications had been building its telecom network and expanding its services. TSTT chairman Emile Elias said its competitors, which include Cable and Wireless’s Flow, TSTT’s blink and Digicel Play, should now view the move “with terror”. “I hope they are terrified, as they should be. We are aggressively pursuing our agenda,” he said. Massy Communications chairman, Fenwick Reid, said the company invested TT$213 million in its cable layout, but it was off-loading it because there were too many players in the market and TSTT will “take it where the business needs to go. “Given the competitive landscape for high-speed broadband and TV services
in Trinidad and the intense capital costs of deploying fibre optic networks, some industry participants have been seeking collaborative ways to avoid duplicative capital expenditure”. Massy said that since making the “bold” decision to invest significantly in the expansion of the fibre network in 2015, it has deployed “next generation fibre to the home (FTTH) infrastructure which now serves about 34,000 homes throughout the country and covers more than 900 route kilometres. TSTT chief executive officer, Dr Ronald Walcott, said the agreement “marks a historical moment for the telecommunications industry in Trinidad and Tobago in general and for the management, staff and all stakeholders of TSTT in particular.
Thursday May 04, 2017
Kaieteur News
Four charged in UK over Bermuda government scam CARDIFF, Wales, CMC – Four people, including a couple who used to live in Bermuda, have appeared in court here accused of running a multimillion-dollar money-laundering operation. Jeffrey and Samantha Bevan, Joel Ismail and Paul Charity are accused of laundering the proceeds of US$2.5 million allegedly stolen from the Bermuda government between May 2011 and June 2013. The charges follow a four-year joint international police investigation that has involved the Bermuda Police Service and
the UK Regional Organised Crime Unit in Wales. The charges stem from a number of financial transactions allegedly conducted by Bevan while he was employed in the office of the Accountant-General in Bermuda. The alleged theft was discovered following the departure of B e v a n a n d his wife from Bermuda after the funds were transferred by electronic means through a local financial institution. Bevan, 49, and his wife, 51, from Cwmbran in Wales, and Joel Ismail, 41, and Paul Charity, 51, both
of Leicester, England, appeared at Cardiff Crown Court charged in connection with various moneylaundering offences. All four defendants entered not guilty pleas to the money-laundering charges. Bevan denied a further charge of stealing an additional £50,000 ($ 64,500), while Charity pleaded not guilty to perverting the course of justice. A trial date has been set for January 8 next year. All four defendants were granted unconditional court bail.
Government denies harbouring Chinese fugitive BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, CMC – The St. KittsNevis government denied a regional media report, yesterday, that the authorities in the twin-island Federation were harbouring a Chinese national who is wanted by the International Police (INTERPOL). In a statement, the Timothy Harris administration said that contrary to the media report, the Chinese citizen “referred to in the report …was granted St. Kitts and Nevis citizenship some four years ago in September 2013. “Accordingly, as a citizen, he is entitled by virtue of the Constitution of St. Kitts and Nevis to due pro-
cess as is any other citizen. The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis is deeply concerned that the news story reported that undercover Chinese police officials interviewed the child of the alleged fugitive in St. Kitts in the absence of the parents.” The government said that it is important to note that the relevant authorities in “the People’s Republic of China have made no formal request to the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis in respect to this matter. “The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis is cognizant that there is an established legal framework for dealing with the return of
fugitives, and the extradition of any citizen of St. Kitts and Nevis therefore must be done in accordance with the law.” It said St. Kitts and Nevis has no extradition arrangement with China and that “information has come to the Government’s attention in relation to this matter, and the relevant agencies are carrying out investigations with a view to ascertaining whether there has been any breach of the laws of St. Kitts and Nevis. “The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis will comply with its obligations as a responsible member of the international community,” the statement added.
Woman fakes kidnapping, charged with wasting police time PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – A 30-yearold woman, who claimed that she had been abducted for three days and kept in a car trunk, has be e n c h a r g e d with wasting police time. Reshma Maharaj has been charged with making a false report and was subsequently granted TT$15,000 (One TT dollar =US$0.16 cents) bail. The woman, from south Trinidad, was found by police officers around on Monday along the M2 Ring Road, telling them she had been kidnapped last Friday. She claimed she was driving along the M2 Ring Road when a vehicle
pulled in front of her and three men came out, grabbed her and forced h e r i n t o t h e i r vehicle. She further told police the men kept her captive in a house and on Monday left her in the truck of a car. She said she was gagged with cloth and her hands were bound with tape during the ordeal, but she escaped after kicking out the back seat of the car. Maharaj, a secretary at a doctor’s office, was arrested when she returned
to the San Fernando Police Station, south of here on Tuesday and charged with the wasteful employment of the police by knowingly making a false report that she was kidnapped by three men. She later appeared before a Justice of the Peace but was not asked to plead to the charge. The offence carries a maximum sentence on summary conviction of a fine of TT$1,000 and to imprisonment for six months.
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Berbice Chamber of Commerce to hold Arrival Day Cycle Race tomorrow
Bradley Fredricks returns as President of the Upper Demerara Cricket Association
The Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Development Association (BCCDA) in collaboration with the Trojan PSL Cycling Club of New Amsterdam will be holding a cycle road race tomorrow. The race is open to cyclists across the country and all the top riders in Guyana are expected to be in attendance. This race is being held to mark the national holiday of Arrival Day in Guyana and it is the aim of the Chamber and the Club to make it an annual event. The race will commence at 9:00am from 12 Chapel Street, New Amsterdam to the Nand Persaud Business Complex at No 36 Village, Corentyne, Berbice and return to 12 Chapel Street for the finish. It will comprise of five categories, namely; the Senior Open, Junior Open, Veteran’s, Women’s and Juvenile. Cash prizes and trophies will be awarded. The first six finishers in
the open category and the first three in the other categories will be rewarded. The organizers of this event are expecting the Indian High Commissioner or a representative from the Indian High Commission, the Regional Chairman of Region 6, the Mayor of New Amsterdam and the Director of the University of Guyana – Berbice Campus to be in attendance at the presentation ceremony. The BCCDA and Trojan PSL Cycling Club are encouraging the general public to come out and witness this race which promises to feature riders from across the county. According to newly elected President of the BCCDA, Ryan Alexander, the activity is being held to commemorate the day and the BCCDA’s effort of giving back to the community. He said that it is the desire of the newly elected executives to be a part of a number of such events.
Thursday May 04, 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) Look for professional guidance if it will help unite the family. You should not be concerned with coworkers who insist on spreading rumors. TAURUS (Apr. 21- may 21) Travel will be to your advantage; however, it might be expensive. You can help sort out problems that friends are facing. You will find that joint ventures could easily turn out to be dead end projects. GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Back off if you want to keep the relationship intact. Concentrate on work. You should be trying to clear up legal contracts that have been pending. CANCER (June 22-July 22) Try to take care of the needs of those you love. Advancement can be yours if you are assertive in your approach. LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Concentrate on work. Renovations or purchases made for your home will payoff. Make sure that you make reservations early. VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Wait and get all the information before consulting your boss. If you can mix business with pleasure much can be accomplished. Don't be too quick to judge partners or those you work with.
LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) You should focus on moneymaking matters and stay away from emotional disputes. A change of attitude has probably disrupted your home environment. SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Changes regarding family members will set you off. You may overspend if you travel today; however, the trip will be one to remember. You may have difficulties at an emotional level with mates. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Think twice before you volunteer information. It will do you some good. Selfimprovement projects will payoff in more ways than one. CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) Property investments, insurance, tax rebates, or inheritance should bring you financial gains. Your mate will enjoy helping out. AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 -Feb. 19) It's time to reevaluate your motives. Your personal life will be under the gun and you may want to avoid the questions your lover is going to want to ask you. PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Sign up for seminars that will expand your business awareness. Don't make a move; your confusion has caused this dilemma and you are best to back away and reassess the situation.
The executive body of the Upper Demerara Cricket Association was reelected en bloc at the Annual General Meeting last Saturday at Hymara Park. The Teams represented were Royal Champions, Coomacka, West Watooka, Muritaro, Young Achievers, Ituni Warriors, Dora and Malali. According to Fredericks no U17 schools cricket com-
STSC small goal football on tomorrow South Turkeyen Sports Committee and Bannas Foundation will be hosting a 4-a-side small goal football and penalty shootout competition tomorrow at Meadow Brook basketball court starting at 09:30hrs. Among the teams set to take part are Lodge, C Field Sophia, Vryheid’s Lust, North Sophia, Back Circle and Meadow Brook. Entrance fee is $6,000 and at stake are trophies and medals donated Tent City, Johnny Barnwell, Trophy Stall, Trevor Walcott and Henry Chase.
Hope leads Windies... From page 28 Pakistan haul their way back into the game. Without a run added, Vishaul played on to Abbas off the first ball of the next over and captain Jason Holder (1) perished in the following over from Yasir with one run added to the total, neatly caught by Younis at slip. Scenting further success, Pakistan made quick inroads into the tail. Wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich spent 10 balls and three-quarters of an hour over two before gloving a catch to Asad Shafiq running around from slip and Alzarri Joseph lasted 11 deliveries for his seven before clipping a full toss from Yasir low to Amir at short midwicket.
petition is being held in Upper Demerara. “We are peeved that the UDCA is being sidelined and no schools cricket is being run in Upper Demerara. We are not getting any support or finances from the Guyana Cricket Board and we are a legal body. We want the Guyana Cricket Board to understand that we are by law legal and we are the constituted fifth cricket Association.” The President also noted that there is continued lack of sponsorship and there is urgent need for urgent repairs and upgrading of the
grounds and there are no cricket gears and balls for the clubs. The executive body is President – Bradley Fredericks, Vice President – Andrew Forsythe, Secretary – Eutol Wilson, Asst. Secretary – Noreen Whyte, Treasurer – Victor Persaud, Asst. Treasurer – Marlon Fredricks, Public Relations Officer – Jacquey Bourne, Chairman Competition Committee – Clayton Van Hersel and the Trustees are Jeffrey Gill and Rickford Gomes.The Returning Officer was Ronald Williams. (Jacquey Bourne)
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Thomas Masters win Easter Classic football tourney Thomas United Masters won the Easter Classic Masters 3-day Masters football tournament organised by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and Brasimex Football Club and played over last weekend at the Tucville ground. In the final played Monday last, Thomas behind a double from Floyd Cadogan, clinched a 2-0 victory and the title. In semifinal play Wales overcame Beacons 4-2. Jermaine De Harte, Gerald Washington with one apiece and Royston McLean with a double accounted for Wales goals. Andre Trotz and Wayne Forde replied for Beacons. Thomas United cruised past Plaisance as Floyd Cadogan hit home another double. Eight teams took part in the event which was sponsored by main sponsor Hamson’s General Store of 116 Regent Street, Bourda, Guyana Beverage Company and Star Party Rentals.
The victorious Thomas United Masters after their victory.
Wimbledon keeps Sharapova guessing on wildcard entry LONDON (Reuters) Former champion Maria Sharapova’s hopes of playing at this year’s Wimbledon championships could hinge on a June 20 meeting of tournament organisers unless the Russian hits form in forthcoming events in Madrid and Rome. Sharapova, who returned last week after a 15month ban for an anti-doping violation, could still climb high enough in the WTA rankings to earn a spot in the main draw or Wimbledon qualifying tournament at Roehampton. Failing that the 2004 champion would need a wildcard, either into the main draw or the qualifying event which takes place a week before the championship begins. “We have a long-standing tried and tested process (for awarding wildcards) in the week before qualifying and this year is no different,” All England Club chairman Philip Brook said at a news conference on Wednesday. “First we will see if Maria applies for a wildcard and if so we will consider her case alongside everyone else’s. “It will be a decision for the group on the day.” Sharapova reached the semi-finals in Stuttgart last
week as a wildcard entrant, playing her first tournament since her ban for taking the prohibited substance Meldonium at the 2016 Australian Open. Her world ranking rose to 262. The cut-off date to enter Wimbledon’s main draw is May 22, the day after the conclusion of the Rome tournament in which Sharapova has been handed another wildcard. The cut-off for entry to the qualifying event is June 5. A strong performance from the former world number in Rome, and in Madrid the week before where she has also been handed a wildcard, would likely elevate Sharapova high enough in the WTA rankings to enter Wimbledon on merit. That would potentially spare the All England Club a tough decision as they are already without defending champion Serena Williams who is regnant. Several players, including former world number one Caroline Wozniacki and former Wimbledon runner-up Eugenie Bouchard, have been highly critical of tournament organizers handing five-times grand slam champion
Sharapova wildcards. But Sharapova remains one of the biggest names in the sport and has the pedigree to challenge for the title. While at pains to say any application by Sharapova for wildcard would be treated like any other, Brook hinted that reputation could influence the committee which includes himself, Wimbledon tournament referee Andrew Jarrett and former British number one Tim Henman. “We look at who has done well in the lead-up tournaments,” he said. “We will also consider what might add interest to the tournament. If someone has a strong record at Wimbledon that would be taken into consideration.” Brook also suggested Sharapova’s case could be strengthened if she played at events in Nottingham, Birmingham or Eastbourne. “We do appreciate players who play in grasscourt tournaments in the build-up to Wimbledon and success in those, for a number of years now, had been rewarded (with wildcards).” The 30-year-old Sharapova, who failed an antidoping test for the heart drug Meldonium after failing to realise it had been added to the banned list at the end of 2015, is also sweating on being handed a wildcard for the French Open. A decision on that is expected on May 16.
Kick It Out slams ‘gutless’ Italian authorities for Muntari ban ( R e u t e r s ) B r i t a i n ’s Kick It Out anti-discrimination group called Italy’s football authorities “gutless” following Pescara midfielder Sulley Muntari’s ban for walking off the pitch at Cagliari after being subjected to racist abuse from the crowd. F o r m e r To t t e n h a m H o t s p ur striker Garth Crooks, an independent trustee at the organisation, urged black players in Italy to go on strike this weekend unless the ban is withdrawn, the campaign group said in a statement. Muntari was booked for dissent after complaining to the referee about the abuse on Sunday and left the pitch in protest during stoppage time, leaving his team to play the last few minutes with 10 men. The Ghanaian was shown a second yellow card for leaving the pitch without permission, which the Serie A’s disciplinary committee confirmed had triggered an automatic one-match ban. The committee also said no action would be taken against Cagliari because only around 10 supporters were involved in abusing
Pescara’s Sulley Muntari and AS Roma’s Radja Nainggolan in action. (REUTERS/Alberto Lingria) Muntari. “The gutless failure to not take action by the Italian authorities should not be allowed to pass,” Kick It Out said in a statement on We d n e s d a y. “ I t ’s u n b e l i e v a b l e that Cagliari escaped punishment as ‘only 10’ fans were involved. This situation should never be allowed to happen again. Italy and other coun-
tries have struggled to stamp out racist chants at games. In 2013, the AC Milan team left the pitch during a friendly in the town of Busto Arsizio after home fans insulted midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng, another Ghanaian. Under guidelines introduced following that incident, the referee is supposed to alert the fourth official who should in turn contact authorities policing games.
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Guyana Committee of Service honours Medalists After Guyana’s best CARIFTA Games performance The recently registered Guyana Committee of Service, headed by the CEO of the Payless Variety Store, last Saturday presented monetary Awards to three of the five Medalists and two of the three Coaches who attended this year’s CARIFTA Games during the Easter weekend in Curacao where this Country won eight medals including four Gold Medals, a Silver and three Bronze. The presentation of Awards was made by Guyana’s double CARIFTA Games Gold Medalist and former Guyana Middle Distance Champion Lorrie Ann Adams during the ‘Payless Happy Hour’ TV programme last Saturday at NCN. Compton Caesar, Claudrice McKoy and Anfernee Headecker along with Coaches Junior Edmonds and Moses Pantliz all received Cash rewards for making Guyana proud. Adams made the presentation to the athletes on behalf of Payless Variety Store’s and CEO of Star Party Rentals Lennox Cush. One other athlete; Chantoba Bright and Coach Johnny Gravesande, both
from Linden along with American based Natricia Hooper, who won a Gold Medal in the triple jump, were unavoidably absent last Saturday. The pair from Region 10 will receive their Awards for their outstanding performances in Curacao on this Saturday’s programme of ‘Payless Happy Hour’ on NCN, while Hooper’s will be collected on her behalf. Caesar (100m gold & 200m bronze), Bright (long jump gold & triple jump bronze), McKoy (300m gold& 1500m bronze), Headecker (1500m silver) and USA based Hooper provided Guyana with best ever results since the inaugural three-day event was held from April 1-4, 1972 in Barbados. Caesar’s, who hails from Linden, won Guyana’s first gold Medal in the 100-metre Boys’ Under-20 race and also took bronze in the U-20 Boys’ 200-metres. Caesar’s 10.46 seconds, was better than Barbados’ Jaquone Hoyte’s 10.47 and Jamaica’s Jelani Walker who finished in 10.61 seconds, while Hooper’s gold in the Girls’ U-18 triple jump came with a leap of 13.08
The athletes along with officials of Payless Variety Store during the recently held programme. meters after she was disqualified in the 400m for a false start. McKoy, who lives in the City, won gold in the U-18 3000m with a time of ten min-
utes 39.03 seconds (10:39.03) and Bright jumped a distance of 5.91 meters to win the gold medal, were the gold medals winners for Guyana. Meanwhile, Lady Ira
Lewis, President of the New Jersey Foundation was a part of the Motorcade from the Airport with Guyana’s 1 2 - m e m b e r C A R I F S TA team and presented a Tro-
phy on behalf of ‘Moulded Designs’ a company owned by Leslie Black, a former Amateur Boxer and Athletics Coach for the last 25 years. (Sean Devers)
Linden Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Competition Mike Powell: Long jump world record holder criticises rewrite plans Teams battle tonight for final spots BBC Sport - Plans to rewrite world records set before 2005 are “disrespectful, an injustice and a slap in the face”, says former long jumper Mike Powell, who stands to lose his own world record. The proposals by European Athletics are part of attempts to make a clean break with the sport’s doping scandals. If the move is approved, world records would only be recognised if they can stand up to strict new criteria. But Powell, 53, told BBC World Service he would legally challenge any ruling. “I’ve already contacted my attorney,” said the American, whose mark of 8.95 metres set in August 1991 has never been bettered. “There are some records out there that are kind of questionable, I can see that, but mine is the real deal. It’s a story of human heart and guts, one of the greatest moments in the sport’s history. “They would be destroying so many things with this decision, without thinking about it. It’s wrong. Regardless of what happens, I am going to fight.” Lord Coe, president of athletics’ governing body the
IAAF, called for a “global debate” around the issue. He told BBC London: “These proposals will come back to the council and I look forward to maybe counter proposals and maybe changes, maybe thoughts around it. “We have to start somewhere. This is a debate the athletes have prompted the administrators to have for far too long.” European Athletics set up a taskforce to look into the credibility of world records in January. Its ruling council has ratified the proposals put forward by the taskforce, and it wants world governing body the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) to back them when its council meets in August. Taskforce chair Pierce O’Callaghan told BBC Sport on Tuesday the plans were about “restoring credibility”. “Obviously this has to stand up to a court of law,” he added. “This is about the sport regaining control of its rules and records. Because in the past there have been threats of legal action when this has been mooted.” Asked whether more legal challenges were expected, he said: “No, we’ve just changed
the rules of the sport. These are sports rules. It would be like somebody challenging the referee in a football game.” IAAF President Lord Coe has called for a “global debate” around the issue, telling BBC London: “It’s important that we have these discussions. “These proposals will come back to the council and I look forward to maybe counter proposals and maybe changes, maybe thoughts around it. “We have to start somewhere. This is a debate the athletes have prompted the administrators to have for far too long.” Paula Radcliffe, who faces losing her 2003 marathon world record, has called the proposals “cowardly”. However, fellow British runner Darren Campbell says the move would be “for the greater good”. Powell set the long jump world record at the 1991 World Championships in Tokyo, beating Bob Beamon’s mark of 8.90m, which had led the field for 23 years. Twenty-six years on, only the discus throw (1986), the hammer throw (1986) and shot put (1990) world records have stood for longer in men’s outdoor athletics.
It is commonly referred to as the pecuniary segment or the business end where the four remaining teams battle for the prize monies on offer and tonight’s semi-finals of the Linden Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Competition promises to provide sizzling action, at the Silver City Tarmac. Headlining the night’s activities is the clash between defending champion Team 25 and one of the pre tournament favourites Dave & Celina All Stars who battle each other in the feature game of the night. In the preceding game, Swag Entertainment and Jermaine & Family Silver Bullets collide and this encounter could set the tone for a night of exciting action. Silver Bullets, winners in 2014, cannot afford to take Swag Entertainment lightly and will have to be at their offensive best to breach the stonewall defence that the opposition possesses. So far, Silver Bullets have netted a total of eleven goals in three matches they’ve played with teams such as High Stars and two-time champions Eagles suffering heavy defeats, 6-1 and 4-0 respec-
tively. Jermaine Lewis, Triston Ally and Damion Williams are the main threat for Silver Bullets. Swag Entertainment’s defensive competence has been the staple of their quest for top honours. Proof of this is the fact that they’ve only been breached once in a game that they eventually won on penalty kicks. However, this is not to say that they are lacking in offence since players such as Colwyn Drakes and Shane Luckie are a lethal combination in tandem. In the feature, both teams have shown an ability to score goals, while their proficiency to defend their goal is equally respected. Both teams are coming off of impressive quarter-final performances with Team 25 easily dispatching Amelia’s Ward Russians 4-1, while
Dave & Celina All Stars made light work of Young Kings, beating them 3-0. Tevin Crawford, Teon Stewart, Ryan Noel, Rudy Halley and Ruel Williams are the key players for Team 25. For Dave and Celina AllStars, old hands like Keon Sears and Rawle Gittens have been in tremendous form, while Kennard Simon, Cordell Johnson and Seon Brewley have added admirable support. The winning team will take away $400,000 and the championship trophy along with the opportunity to play in the National Playoffs. Second, third and fourth placed finishers receive $150,000, $75,000 and $50,000 respectively. Starting time is 21:00hrs. Meanwhile, all four teams will participate in the National Playoffs. The other sponsor on board is Colors Boutique.
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Thursday May 04, 2017
Kaieteur News
Rose beat Buttercup in NSC Bocce tournament
Jamaicans Stewart, Green to compete at AP Invitational Guyana’s 100m record holder, United States-based, Brenessa Thompson is expected to battle Jamaica’s Kerron Stewart at the Aliann Pompey (AP) Invitational, scheduled for the National Track and Field Centre at Leonora in July. This is according to a press release reaching Kaieteur Sport yesterday. Stewart, who is a 2008 Olympic Silver medalist in both the 100m and 4x100m, has start the season in fine form. “She ran on the Penn Relays winning team in the USA vs. the World section of the programme. Stewart brings best times of 10.75 and
The winners of the National Sports Commission Bocce tournament display their medals. The curtains came down on Annual Senior Citizens Bocce Tournament on April 29, 2017 at the national Gymnasium. Four teams competed in the tournament namely Sun Flower, Butter Cup, Hibiscus and Rose. Team captains were Mary Ali Mohamed, Martie Hinds, Olga Hunte and Fay Simpson respectively. Team names were drawn and in the preliminary rounds
saw Rose vs Sun Flower and Hibiscus vs Buttercup. In the first game after playing 16 frames in 2h 9mins, Rose won from Sun Flower 16 points to 13. In the second game after playing 12 frames in 2h 3mins, Butter Cup won from Hibiscus 18 games to 13. The two winning teams in the preliminary round Rose and Buttercup played in the final. The victo-
rious team was determined after 2h 11mins and with 8 frames of play Rose beat Buttercup 17 points to 5. Sports Organiser presented medals, gold and silver to the winning team and runner up. This tournament was sponsored by the National Sports Commission and organized by Mr. Wilton Spencer, Sports Organiser.
FIFA boosts China’s hopes of hosting 2030 World Cup LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — China’s hopes of hosting the 2030 World Cup got a boost from FIFA. The governing body of soccer proposes giving its ruling council the power to decide that a continent could skip just one World Cup before hosting again. In a legal text published yesterday ahead of next week’s FIFA Congress in Bahrain, the governing body said the flexibility in hosting would be allowed “if circumstances so require.” That could let China bid to host the 2030 World Cup only eight years after Qatar. Other proposed changes to FIFA’s legal rules include concentrating more decision-making powers in the FIFA Bureau — President Gianni Infantino and the six presidents of the continental confederations — without needing to be ratified by the 37member FIFA Council. Infantino could also get more authority to create and appoint working groups to “prepare the topics” for council meetings. One such future debate could be opening up a 2030 World Cup hosting contest in which South America
Gianni Infantino (Photo: The Associated Press) should start as favorite. The centenary World Cup is expected to bring a cohosting bid that includes Uruguay, the original tournament host in 1930. Still, Chinese firms have targeted FIFA, including property and cinema giant D a l i a n Wa n d a G r o u p , which last year signed a top-tier sponsorship through 2030. “As a partner of FIFA, Wanda will be better placed to play a role in the bidding process to host major football events such as the
World Cup,” Wanda said in March 2016. FIFA imposed the twotournament block last October, barring European members from 2026 World Cup bidding because Russia is hosting in 2018. That favored the North American co-hosting bid by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Now, FIFA wants to formalize an amendment to its statutes when members meet on May 11 in Manama. “In principle ... the event shall not be awarded to members of the confederations that hosted the two previous editions,” the proposed text says, though adding: “If circumstances so require, the Council may decide otherwise in accordance with the applicable regulations.” A further tweak of FIFA rules next week could see a change in lineup for the three-person panel which decides the salary of Infantino and other top FIFA officials, plus payments to council members. FIFA proposes replacing an independent financial expert on the panel with the chair of its governance committee, currently Portuguese lawyer Miguel Maduro.
21.99 in the 100m and 200m respectively,” the release noted. Thompson won the 100m at the AP Invitational last year. Thompson has the fastest (wind-aided) 100m and 200m times of 11.15 and 22.59 respectively this season. Her legal times are 11.29 and 23.08 in that order. “Brenessa seems poised to defend her title. Last year’s participant, Jade Bailey of Jamaica and Reyare Thomas of Trinidad and Tobago add to the world class field,” the release highlighted. Meanwhile, Leford Green,
the 2012 Olympic finalist in the 400m hurdles, with a best time of 48.47 leads the field in the men’s race at the AP Invitational. “The Jamaican was part of the quartet that demoralised the USA 4x400m team at the recently concluded Penn Relays,” the circular noted. Additionally, it was revealed that Green will compete against a pair of Guyanese, Kelton Cumberbatch and Alistair Mclean as well as against last year’s winner from Haiti, Jojo Petite-Homme, and his compatriots Romel Lewis and Andre Clarke.
Hope leads Windies defiance but Pakistan hit back BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Stylish strokemaker Shai Hope agonizingly missed out on a maiden Test hundred in an admirable West Indies batting effort, but a clatter of wickets late on the penultimate day here yesterday opened the door for Pakistan, setting up an intriguing finale to the second Test. The Barbadian righthander struck an accomplished career-best 90, an innings that lifted West Indies to 264 for nine in their second innings – a lead of 183 runs heading into the Thursday’s last day of the Kensington Oval contest. Hope’s knock underlined West Indies’ resilience over the first two sessions which saw them reach 197 for four at tea before a collapse in the final session saw the hosts squander the momentum they had carefully gathered. Opener Kraigg Brathwaite struck 43, left-hander Vishaul Singh chipped in with 32 while Roston Chase scored 23, as West Indies battled hard on a wearing track. Leg-spinner Yasir Shah once again proved the danger man, picking up six for 90 to post his 10th five-wicket haul in Tests, while enterprising seamer Mohammad Abbas claimed two for 57. Resuming the day on 40 for one, West Indies lost Shimron Hetmyer in the day’s third over before the lefthander had added to his overnight 22, bowled by one from left-arm seamer Mohammad Amir which came back to shatter the stumps, with a single run added to the overnight score. Brathwaite and Hope then energized the innings with a 56-run, third wicket stand which saw the hosts safely through the next hour. Without a score of note in
the series, Brathwaite appeared focused on notching a big one in an innings which lasted 111 deliveries in nearly 2-1/2 hours at the crease and included four boundaries. But he perished 34 minutes before lunch when he got one from Yasir which bounced, took the shoulder of the bat, for Younis Khan to pull off a brilliant onehanded catch, leaping high to his right at slip. Hope then anchored a 58run fourth wicket partnership with Chase to deny Pakistan any further success for the session and steer the Windies to 112 for three at lunch. Both players looked in good touch afterwards, with Hope especially growing in confidence, driving left-arm seamer Mohammad Amir straight for four and then hammering Yasir to the cover boundary in the following over. The right-handed Chase looked untroubled in 83 balls
in nearly 1-3/4 hours at the crease before he was dismissed, driving an innocuous delivery back to Yasir at 155 for four, 40 minutes before tea. Hope, however, continued to steady the innings, this time finding an ally in Vishaul to help post 80 for the fifth wicket and ensure West Indies were consolidating at tea on 197 for four. He reached his maiden Test half-century half-hour before tea and was unbeaten at the break on 68, with Vishaul on 18. Hope hardly played a false stroke in an innings spanning 209 deliveries, just over 5-1/4 hours and including eight fours and a six and looked a sure bet to reach triple figures. But he suddenly lost concentration and drove Yasir uppishly to cover where Azhar Ali snared a simple catch head-high, an hour-and-a-half after tea at 235 for five. His dismissal triggered a decline as five wickets tumbled for 26 runs to see (Continued on page 25)
Thursday May 04, 2017
Kaieteur News
Page 31
STAG Elite League
GDF, Monedderlust, Topp XX and Victoria Kings for MSC shindig tomorrow night
Flashback! Fruta Conquerors and Topp XX battling at the GDF ground in March 2017. (Franklin Wilson photo) The STAG Elite League (SEL) train is set to make a stop in the Bauxite Mining Town of Linden tomorrow evening with what is anticipated to be a scorching double header. Table toppers, Guyana Defence Force, boasting an unbeaten record to date, will be aiming to further consolidate their hold on the 2016/2017 League having already won the first half as well as the League Leaders Tournament when they match skills with bottom of the table Monedderlust in the opening match. Set to face
off in the feature match of the night is home town side Topp XX and Victoria Kings representing the East Demerara Football Association, both sides, new to the SEL with the Kings ahead of the home team in the points standings. The GDF have been the team to beat in this league and will be keen on adding another three points to their tally with win number eight (8), while Monedderlust will be seeking to upset the boys from the Army in recording their second win so far.
It will be a herculean task for the West Berbice side as the red hot soldiers will not be in a mood to go
lightly against the Berbicians. Topp XX will want to make their home fans happy
on the night by recording win number two but the Kings will want to spoil the home team party with their
third win in their debut season. Kick off time tomorrow night is 18:30hrs.
Celtics win, Warriors rip Jazz in NBA playoffs (CAPITALFM Sports) WASHINGTON, United States – Isaiah Thomas scored a career-high 53 points and dedicated the effort to his late sister as the Boston Celtics defeated the Washington Wizards 129-119 in a secondround NBA playoff game Tuesday. Thomas scored 20 points in the fourth quarter and nine more in a game-closing 152 over-time run that gave the host Celtics a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference series, which shifts to Washington for game three today. Thomas attended his sister Chyna’s funeral Saturday after she died in a car accident and has also had to overcome
having had a tooth knocked out in a game-one victory Sunday. “My sister, everything I do is for her, and she’s watching over me,” Thomas said. On what would have been his sister’s 23rd birthday, Thomas connected on 18-of-33 shots from the floor and 12-of-13 from the free throw line. “The least I can do is go out there and play for her,” Thomas said. “There was no way I couldn’t play on her birthday. I wanted to win for her.” He did more than that, eclipsing his former career-best 52 points in a regular-season victory over Miami this season and his former playoff best of 42 last
year against Atlanta. In the Western Conference, NBA season wins leader Golden State beat visiting Utah 10694 in the opener of their second-round series. Celtics center Al Horford contributed 15 points and 12 rebounds while Jae Crowder and Avery Bradley each added 14 points for Boston. But the only Celtics player to ever score more points in a playoff game was John Havlicek, who struck for 54 in 1973. “It’s nice (for) your name to be in Celtics’ history with all the great players, but until you win one of them championships you can’t call yourself a great
player,” Thomas said. Thomas spent six hours with a dentist on Monday to repair his teeth and played with a custom-made dental guard. “What else is there to say?” Celtics coach Brad Stevens said . “There was a point today where he was not feeling good at all. He’s had a tough day and I thought he was going to really have to gut this one out. “Not only guts it out, he ends up with 50. Pretty impressive.” John Wall led seven doublefigure scorers for the Washington Wizards with 40 points and 13 assists, but 19 of those points and six assists came in the first quarter. The Wizards, who led 42-29 after
the first period, became the first team since the NBA introduced a shot clock in 1954 to lose the first two games of a playoff series after leading each by 10 or more points at the end of the first quarter. “It was a hell of a basketball game,” Wizards coach Scott Brooks said. “Two teams played their hearts out. Two great players played well. I thought both teams competed, nothing to be ashamed of.” Otto Porter’s 3-pointer put Washington ahead 114-112 with 32 seconds to play in regulation but Thomas was fouled by Marcin Gortat and sank two
free throws with 14.4 seconds remaining to pull Boston level again. Wall and Beal missed in the dying seconds to send the game into overtime. – No layoff woes for Warriors – In Oakland, California, Stephen Curry scored 22 points while Draymond Green and Kevin Durant each added 17 points and Klay Thompson had 15 as the Warriors showed no rust from a week off after a first-round sweep. “Seven days can get a little bit tough,” Green said. “We were a little beat up. It was good we got our guys healed up. We came out and showed good rhythm.”
Page 32
Kaieteur News
GCF team off to Pan-American Road Cycling Championship 25-nations; over 200 riders to battle in Dominican Republic
Thursday May 04, 2017
Cavaliers, Rockets romp in second- round openers
DeMar DeRozan (centre) of Toronto Raptors drives around Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James (left) and Kevin Love during the second half of Game One.
Four of the five cyclists representing Guyana this weekend before they departed yesterday from right, Jamal John, Paul DeNobrega, Andrew Hicks and Junior Niles. Absent is Hamza Eastman.
T
he Guyana C y c l i n g Federation (GCF) will be represented at this w e e k e n d ’s 3 2 n d P a n American Road Cycling Championships set for Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, May 4-7 at the Mirador Sur Park. L e a d i n g G u y a n a ’s charge for medals in the Under-23 segment of this prestigious championship, which has attracted participation from 25 nations and more than 200 riders, will be Andrew Hicks of United We Stand Cycle Club. Initially, the GCF had also named Hicks’ club mate Raphael Leung and Kaieteur Cycle Club’s Dwayne Gibbs Jnr. as part of the team but the
latter two will not be competing. The hottest rider on the local circuit so far this season, Team Coco’s Jamal John will lead the charge for medals in the Elite category of the race along with club mates Hamza Eastman and Junior Niles as well as Paul D e N o b r e g a (Digicel/Ginseng Team Evolution). GCF President Horace Burrowes and Assistant Racing Secretary Joseph Britton are the officials that will be accompanying the team. Eastman left Guyana one week ago for Anguilla where he competed and won a road race there, he will join the team in the Dominican Republic.
The Under-23 category road race, a 140Km battle, will be held on Saturday while the Elite race, a 170Km clash, is set for Sunday. There will also be individual Time Trials for males and females but the Guyanese would not be participating. The countries confirmed to compete are Argentina, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Curacao, Ecuador, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, United States, Uruguay and Venezuela.
WA S H I N G T O N , United States (AFP) — LeBron James sparked defending NBA champions Cleveland over Toronto, while James Harden powered Houston Rockets to an epic rout of San Antonio in second-round play-off openers on Monday. James scored 35 points and grabbed 10 rebounds while Kyrie Irving added 24 points and 10 assists, and Kevin Love had 18 points and nine rebounds as the Cavaliers ripped the visiting Raptors 116-105 in their best-of-seven Eastern Conference matchup. “The energy was phenomenal,” James said. “We pushed the ball, passed the ball like we wanted.” Four-time NBA Most Valuable Player James hit 13 of 23 shots from the floor and 7 of 8 from the free throw line, while Tristan Thompson contributed 11 points and 14 rebounds for the Cavaliers. James warned they will be better in game two. “I feel like I’ll be a lot better today,” James said. “Little bit of rhythm here and conditioning there. I think a lot of our mistakes we were able to cover up for because our energy level was high.” Harden had 20 points and 14 assists while Trevor Ariza scored 23 points, and Clint Capela contributed 20 points and 13 rebounds as the Rockets dumped the
host Spurs 126-99 to start their best-of-seven Western Conference series. “It’s just one win,” Harden said. “It’s a good win, but we’ve got to be ready for game two. They’ve got a lot of fight in them. We missed a few shots. We’ve got to play better in game two.” The Rockets sank a team play-off record 22 3pointers on 50 attempts, inflicting the most 3pointers allowed by the Spurs in play-off history. San Antonio trailed by as many as 39 points in the team’s largest game-one defeat in play-off history. The Spurs’ 69-39 half-time deficit was their worst in playoff history. “We lost and they won, and they played better,” Spurs coach Gregg P o p o v i c h s a i d . “ We competed, but I don’t think we executed in a very wise manner.” The Spurs and Rockets, in their first play-off meeting since 1995, were two of the three winningest teams in the NBA this season, both trailing Golden State Warriors who were set to open the second round last night against Utah Jazz. A 15-2 run to open the second quarter put Houston ahead 49-25. The Rockets had 30 assists on 40 baskets, their passing and fast pace humbling the veteran Spurs. “There are no individual efforts here,” Harden said. “I’ve been proud of that all
year.” The Rockets went 12 of 27 from 3-point range in the first half, already hitting more shots from beyond the arc than in any first-round contest. Kawhi Leonard led San Antonio with 21 points and 11 rebounds, but the Spurs made only 31 of 84 shots from the floor. In Cleveland, the Cavaliers scored 10 consecutive points to grab a 22-11 edge and stretched it to 38-20 early in the second quarter. Up 62-48 at halftime, they led by as many as 25 points on the way to victory. “I thought they were the quicker team and we have to match that,” Raptors coach, Dwane Casey said. Irving scored 16 firsthalf points while James had 13 and Love, 11. “We want to continue to move the ball, share the ball, and make everybody feel comfortable with what we’re trying to do,” James said. The Raptors, who fell to 1-12 in play-off series openers, were led by 20 points from Kyle Lowry and 19 from DeMar DeRozan. “They get big spurts and we fight back. We have to find ways to eliminate the spurts,” Lowry said. “We know they are going to be a high-flying team that likes to get up and down. But we have to find a way to not let them get going.”
Thursday May 04, 2017
Kaieteur News
Boyce & Jefford Relay Classic & Family Fun Day
Football segment could take centre stage Sunday - action starts at 10:00hrs
This is the kind of action that fans will witness in the 5-a-side football competition which is anticipated to take centre stage throughout the day. Following last Sunday’s postponement due to a waterlogged outfield, Organisers of the second staging of the Boyce & Jefford Relay Classic & Family Fun Day set for the Police Sports Club, Eve Leary this Sunday are hoping that the next three days are blessed with sunshine. The highly anticipated event is expected to provide lots of excitement, especially in the 5-a-side Football Competition. The football segment will feature a number of the top teams in the shorter version of the sport and among the teams to have signaled their intention to participate are current national Guinness and Petra Organisation / GT Beer champions Sparta Boss, Bent Street, Sophia, Camp Street All Stars, Back Circle, West Front Road ‘Gold is Money’, Agricola Champion Boys, Broad Street Bullies, GDF and Police. The teams from the Army and Police are newcomers to this format, but definitely cannot be underestimated since they possess players who have represented their respective communities in similar competitions and are very familiar with the version. However, the recent form of teams such as Sparta Boss, Back Circle, Bent Street and Sophia makes it difficult to place a wager against any one of them not winning the title. Sparta Boss, as is now customary, will no doubt start as favourites to go all the way, but we’ve all seen the tremendous progression of teams such as Sophia,
Back Circle and Bent Street so despite the overwhelming favourite tag that will surely be pinned on Sparta Boss, the top prize is certainly not a given to them. Te a m s h a v e b e e n steadily gaining ground, but the Bosses have managed to stay ahead of their rivals and treat every competition with the seriousness it deserves. Some of the notable players expected to appear for them are Devon Millington, Gregory Richardson, Solomon Austin, Sheldon Shepherd and Cleon Forrester. The young Back Circle team, which seems to be in the rebuilding mode following the obvious absence of the inspirational Andy Duke, has been the surprise to date and have now built up a reputation of being one of the most dangerous teams to go up against. Akeemo Anthony has been the bright spark for the team, while Jermine Beckles, Stephon McLean and Curtez Kellman are not too far off as well. Bent Street with Konata Manning, Dwight Peters, Colin Nelson, Joshua Browne, Okanie Fraser and Anthony Abrams in their lineup is another team with the potential to win the title. Sophia will rely on the expertise of players such as Akeem Jaikissoon, Sheik and Joshua Kamal, Shemroy Arthur, Desmond Cottam and Dwayne Lowe to lead them to victory. A g r ico la C h amp io n Boys is another team that is on the rise and players such as the livewire Kacy John, Domini Garnett, Delroy Dodson and Gordon Grant to
lead their attack and a crack at the top prize. The Gravesande brothers Jimmy and Rocky will no doubt lead Broad Street Bullies quest for the first prize and they are expected to receive support from the likes of Jamal Cozier, Keiron Solomon and Darren Benjamin. West Front Road is another team capable of going all the way and among the players expected to be part of the line-up are Captain Hubert Pedro, Randolph Wagner, Michael Oie, Carl Tudor, Jamal Pedro and Roy Cassou and they too are a formidable unit that could destroy any team on their day. Up for grabs is $50,000 for the winners and $25,000 for the losing finalist. Meanwhile, Milo champions Chase Academy have confirmed their participation in the event and they are expected to take on Morgan’s Learning Centre, but this time it will be in the shorter version for a winnertake-all prize of $50,000.
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V Net Communications recognises Paul’s achievement
Chief Executive Officer of V Net Communications Safraz Sheriffudeen presents the plaque to Keemo Paul in the presence of members of his staff and Wakenaam Cricket Committee. V Net Communications of Delph Street, Campbellville has rewarded all-rounder Keemo Paul on his recent accomplishment as a first class cricketer. Paul, who was the vice captain of the victorious West Indies U19 World Cup team, made his first class debut for the Guyana Jaguars against Trinidad and Tobago Red Force in the recently concluded WICB Professional Cricket League. He then went on to represent the Jaguars in the final two matches, taking a match haul of 9-63 against the Windward Islands Volcanoes which earned him the man-of-the-match. Jaguars under Leon Johnson won their third consecutive title. Chief Executive Officer of the V Net Communications Safraz Sheriffudeen presented a commemorative plaque to Paul at a simple ceremony held at his office on Monday. S h e r i f f u d e e n congratulated Paul on his
success so far and urged him to remain committed to the game. “We always knew you have the ability to play the game at the highest level and now that your fist class career has commenced we want to assure you that we at V Net Communications will always be supportive,” he added. “We all know that Keemo has already achieved a lot in his young career, winning titles with our national teams and has been a member of the successful West Indies U19 World Cup team.” Sheriffudeen, who represented Wakenaam at the U19 level, informed that he has been following Paul’s career from the inception and wished him continued success. “Every one of these achievements is another milestone reached and this presentation is in recognition of one such goal, the debut of his first class career,” he said. Also present at the function was Secretary of the Wa k e n a a m C r i c k e t Committee Nazeer Mohamed who congratulated Paul on his
recent achievement adding that this will help to motivate the young cricketers on the island. He expressed gratitude to Sheriffudeen. Paul plays for Noitgedacht Sports Club in Wakenaam and Demerara Cricket Club and thanked the entity and said it had been a pleasure to play for Guyana at the first class level. “The support I have got from V Net Communications over the years has been tremendous and its means a lot to me. I will continue to put my best foot forward and try to make my supporters including those from Wakenaam and Saxacalli where I was born, happy. Paul, 19, said that he has learnt a lot playing in the senior team. “I gained a lot of knowledge from the senior players especially Leon Johnson. Playing at the first class level can be challenging so it’s important for me to be consistent and keep my place in the team,” he posited. (Zaheer Mohamed)
rt o p S
Hope leads Windies defiance but Pakistan hit back
P.28
Shai Hope and Roston Chases’ half-century stand frustrated Pakistan, West Indies v Pakistan, 2nd Test, Bridgetown, 4th day, ©AFP
Shai Hope’s defiance kept the hosts alive, West Indies v Pakistan, 2nd Test, Bridgetown, 4th day, ©AFP
Jamaicans Stewart, Green to compete at AP Invitational P.28
Leford Green
Kerron Stewart
Brenessa Thompson
Linden Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Competition
Teams battle tonight for final spots Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.