Kaieteur News
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Wednesday November 07, 2018
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
Local democracy was absent
Dear Editor, The Ministry wishes to refute the baseless and myopic assertions made by Mr. Rudolph Singh in his letter titled, “After spending $1.5 billion, very little will change after LGE” [KN Nov 4, 2018]. While on a general note, the Ministry is heartened that As the March 29, 2019 deadline approaches, Britain and local government has found the European Union (EU) have accelerated the Brexit its way, as it rightfully negotiations. In fact, the UK has announced that a tentative should, in the national agreement has been reached with the EU, which could be discourse, the unwarranted revealed at a special summit in mid-November. It was based public bashing of the system on the British government’s White Paper/Chequers Plan. and efforts directed at its Briefly, the White Paper/Chequers Plan is the British r e s u s c i t a t i o n a n d government’s blueprint for a pragmatic agreement with the rehabilitation are frequent EU to safeguard Britain’s access to the EU market and and seem to be the fun thing protect its economy and territory. At its core is the future of to do. Britain-EU economic and security partnership, protection Despite its ‘enthusiastic’ of jobs, creation of a free trade area for goods in order to campaign in these elections, avoid problems at the border, end the free movement of the PPP and its acolytes people and restore supremacy of UK courts over the ironically continue to jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice. question the relevance of the However, within Britain, views are split over Brexit, and system of local government there are calls for a second referendum to enable the British and in so doing continue to people to have a final say whether to stay in the EU or wait expose their opposition to on the final agreement. Even though the discord is within people’s empowerment. Prime Minister Theresa May’s own Conservative Party, she In his myopic tirade, has insisted that her government will respect the wishes of Singh lamented that $1.5 the people in the referendum for Britain to leave the EU. In billion will be ‘wasted’ on other words, May is sticking firm with the plan to divorce l o c a l d e m o c r a c y. A t Britain from the EU.As Britain marches towards its date minimum, he was able to get with destiny, policy-makers in the Caribbean ought to be monitoring Brexit developments closely and strategizing on the region’s future relationship with both Britain and the EU. There is little doubt that Britain is a historic trade and development partner, and its assistance in the Caribbean Dear Editor, over the years has helped to sustain the region’s economy. The Government has lost Within the EU, Britain has been a principal trading another case. Reference is partner with the Caribbean for goods and services and an being made to the case where access point into other EU members for trade and the court, last week, ruled investment. The EU is also a development partner of the that sugar workers must be Caribbean, accounting for the bulk of grant funding to the p a i d t h e i r s e v e r a n c e region. While Britain provides funds at the bilateral level to package. Apart from the the region, its major funding has been channeled through the evident embarrassment of European Development Fund.Therefore, reshaping the G o v e r n m e n t l o s i n g , EU/UK trade landscape will have a significant impact on the cementing its place of Caribbean at a time of great uncertainty, which is crucial for infamy as the administration the Caribbean, including Britain’s dependencies in the that has lost the most cases in region. One reason is, there is a large Caribbean contingent a three-year period, the in Britain. And two, Brexit is a bread and butter issue about additional mathematical cost jobs, growth and trade for the region’s small, open could have been avoided. economies. Presiding Judge Fidela The EU is responsible for about 15 percent of Corbin-Lincoln ordered that merchandise trade to the Caribbean and Britain for six the laid off sugar workers be percent. Total Caribbean/EU goods trade was valued at paid in full and with interest about US$9 billion in 2017, with the EU being the region’s no later than January 15, second-largest trading partner. Tourist arrivals into the 2019. Caribbean from the EU (Germany, France and UK) are It matters not now that second to North American tourists to the region. the National Assembly, last The Brexit developments, which are of significant interest week, unanimously passed a to the Caribbean, should be monitored on two fronts—one, by Bill to pay the severance. the British dependent territories of Anguilla, British Virgin Politically what matters is Islands, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Montserrat, and Turks that the coalition has lost a and Caicos Islands and two, by CARICOM countries. matter in court and PPP/C In this respect, the leaders of the Caribbean should not will make political mileage only contemplate what the region’s future trade relationship about it. would be with Britain, but how to restructure their It is a matter that should relationship with Britain and the EU. The region must forge have never gone to the court a strong trading relationship with EU members, such as and somebody or many in the Germany, France, Ireland, Malta, Sweden, Spain, Coalition is or are not Netherlands, and Poland, among others. Most Caribbean t h i n k i n g s t r a t e g i c a l l y, countries, including Guyana, have diplomatic politically, legally and representation in Brussels, but not in most of the other EU otherwise. In simple political member states.Brexit has indeed been of concern to the terms, this is a victory for the people of the Caribbean; therefore, it would be useful for the PPP/C and a defeat for the region’s leaders to have serious discussions on the APNU+AFC. In workers’ implications of Brexit to ensure that once Britain leaves the terms, it is a victory for EU, its preferential trade relations with the Caribbean will respecting the rights of the continue. working class.
EDITORIAL
BREXIT: CONSEQUENCES FOR THE CARIBBEAN
at least one thing right, i.e., democracy is costly. It begs the question, can we afford not to make such an investment? On the other hand, is Mr. Singh suggesting that we revert to the old system by which the Minister of Local Government sits in his Fort Street Kingston office and handpick local leaders for our ten towns and 62 neighbourhood democratic councils and impose them on residents in the form of Interim Management Committees (IMCs)? Singh should ask the Bartica Town Council of the onerous liability it inherited from the odious IMC that was imposed on the people by Mr. Ganga Persaud. S a m e f o r t h e Ireng/Sawariwau now Lethem Town Council imposed also by Mr. Persaud. Up until the holding of local government elections in M ar ch 2 0 1 6 , l o c al democracy has been absent for over two decades. So far removed was the concept of local government that many
persons are unaware of its functions and benefits. The restoration of functionality is therefore not an overnight occurrence but is a process that this administration has demonstrated unwavering commitment towards. This administration is not labouring under the delusion that LGEs is the panacea to rehabilitating the system and that with the holding of elections, development is axiomatic as is suggested. To the contrary, after years of intentional neglect to the system of local government, the regular holding of elections is a first step to the restoration of functionality to the system. The renewal of the democratic credentials is, therefore, part of our threepronged approach; the other two being institutional strengthening and capacity building and strengthening the financial security and funding of councils. Much has been done with regard to the latter two,
which continues to be a work in progress. Citizens are now empowered and many are seizing the opportunity to improve the management of their areas. The Ministry will not engage Mr. Singh on his misplaced pessimism in relation to the issue of improvement in services offered by councils. While there is certainly room for improvement, the transformation that took place in many communities post March 2016 is there to show the difference good governance makes. The system of local government ought to be given a chance to function. We encourage eligible voters not to be distracted. Citizens are reminded that their vote matters and should be used on November 12 to select the best possible leadership for their community. This is visible proof that you are interested in the development of your communities. Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan
Losing those cases is an embarrassment How the APNU+AFC, in the first instance, is allowing cases to go before the court that the partnership knows the Coalition will lose defies logic. The AFC side of the Coalition has responsibility for agriculture, which sugar comes under. Why Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder, the Chairman and Leader of the AFC, and Prime Minister, the latter three of whom are attorneys-at-law allowed for the severance issue to go to court defies logic. Minister of Public S e c u r i t y, K h e m r a j Ramjattan, was the attorneyat-law who represented the sugar workers during the PPP/C government when that government was taken to court for non-payment of the workers’ severance pay. Initially, a cocky PPP/C did not care about the political damage that it incurred but subsequently recognised that it could not defend a case that was nonwinnable and found an excuse to pay the workers. Though the political damage was done, it saved itself the legal embarrassment. Based on this history, the coalition could have avoided both idiocies and come out winners. Why did Minister Ramjattan allow the government-of which he is a top-tiered leader and a party
of which he is the second h i g h e s t l e a d e r- t o b e embarrassed in this manner defies logic. If the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, SC, advised the government, it was worthy taking the matter to court because it can win is not known to me. However, it defies logic where it is spelt out in black and white why the Coalition thought it could have won this case on any argument other than what the law expressly stipulates. An employer is bound by the law if it terminates a worker to pay the deserving benefits. Evidently, there is no
brainstorming among the attorneys and other members, irrespective of the party, to save the Coalition these continuous embarrassments or there is none among them strong enough to say it is embarrassing, let’s stop and do it right. If there is an egotistical war going on between Attorneys-at-law, Basil Williams and Anil Nandlall, where the latter continues to score scalps, it is time the former asks whether these bruises will enhance his image and resume, including that of the Coalition government. It should be (Continued on page 6)
Taking the Berbice Bridge is draconian Dear Editor While I do not support the proposed tolls increases by the Berbice Bridge Company Ltd with regards to the Berbice River Bridge I contend that the move by the PNC-led APNU+AFC Government of President David Granger to take control of the Berbice Bridge is draconian. How does this Government justify increasing rates and prices including VAT on electricity
and water bringing hardship to thousands of Guyanese yet will not allow BBCI to increase tolls. I do not support a huge increase in tolls. But a company has income and it has expenses. The Government must demonstrate that BBCI was profiteering with the proposed increase in tolls before taking such archaic draconian measures. Yours Faithfully, Sean Ori
Wednesday November 07, 2018
SUGAR IN REGION THREE Dear Editor, In reviewing the facts, I cannot find supporting documentation or justification for the closure of Wales Estate. Wales Estate wasn’t doing as bad as the government puts it. In fact, the estate showed great signs of improvement from 2015 to 2016. Cane yield, according to the GUYSUCO 2015 and 2016 annual report, increased from 42.4 tonnes per hectare in 2015 to 44.5 tonnes in 2016. Of total cane production, farmers contributed more than 60%, the largest of all the estates. In 2015 alone, Wales cane farmers were directly responsible for the production of 10,884 tonnes of sugar. If you multiply that by the average price of sugar on the world market for that year, it means that the cane farmers of Wales were able to contribute US$2.9 m i l l i o n t o G u y a n a ’s economy. S o , i f Wa l e s e s t a t e showed signs of improvement, why did the government insist on having it closed? The answer is,
Wales has the single largest number of sugarcane farmers in Guyana. According to a survey carried out by the World Bank in 2009, the estate had a workforce of over 1,800 people and 772 farmers. Of the total number of farmers interviewed, 84% were the main income earner of the family, while the wives supplemented the household income by doing gardening and livestock rearing. So by closing the estate, the main source of income for hundreds of families in Region Three who are predominantly PPP supporters would be cut. The economic hardship that would ensue would spell disaster in the PPP support base area. That is the plan of this government. And if one is to take a look at Skeldon, which also has a large number of cane farmers, the same atrocity was committed. Thus, this is a calculated, callous and vindictive move by the government to destroy the livelihood of innocent Guyanese, and in doing so, realizing the economic and
social consequences that would likely follow. Another reason for the estate closure is that GUYSUCO would no longer have obligations in maintaining the drainage and irrigation system. Hence, a domino effect will ensue. Cash crop and rice farmers would become prone to flooding. Even livestock would be affected. Adding insult to injury, the government, from 2014 to 2017, collected an additional $55 billion in revenue. Of this amount, $47 billion was expended on recurrent expenditure, while a mere $8 billion was spent on capital. Under recurrent expenditure (expenditure that does not add to the existing capital stock), $17.5 billion was spent on employment cost, while another $6.5 billion was spent on food and beverages, rental of buildings, transportation, celebrations, and security for government officials. A huge chunk of the remaining balance was used to subsidize the slew of failed governmental enterprises (More on this later section). Mohamed Irfaan Ali MP
An airline supervisor that some avoid Dear Editor, I have written to Copa Airlines in the past to lodge complaints against the airport supervisor. To date, I have not received a satisfactory response so I am extending it to the media so that it can be publicly known that all of Copa’s talk of great service is simply rubbish. Every time that I have to deal with the airport, it is a most disturbing experience. I have an auto parts store and it is constantly being suggested by the supervisor that better benefits can be had for discounts on tyres or gifts. The young lady has re-
placed another Supervisor who was there from the beginning of service to Guyana so this poor level of service was not always the case at the airport. It was, however, always the case when the supervisor was at the city office. During the time, she was the sales representative, I tried to avoid being coerced to provide gifts by not dealing with her directly and instead go to the office itself.I am appalled that after our group decided to pen the first letter, the supervisor asked us all for signatures to say that the claims were false. I did not sign but several of my colleagues were persuaded by
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her claims that she could lose her job if they didn’t help her. I am highlighting this practice to the media because I am tired of this. The airline cannot keep boasting of great service and personnel when they choose to ignore what one of their staff members is doing daily. Every time I have asked to see her for assistance at the airport, I am told she is in a meeting. So I rely on Ms Romona or Ms Jaisingh, who are excellent service providers. The question is this, if I provide gifts like my colleagues, will I get the first class service too? A. Ally
Questioning the government’s involvement in the March For Jesus Dear Editor, The notice announcing the Georgetown Ministers Fellowship’s decision to host a ‘March for Jesus’ on Saturday, November 10, 2018 and the anticipated participation of certain officials from the Coalition Government provokes some like myself to question the motive behind the entire affair. The event is scheduled ‘two days before the 2018 Local Government Elections and seems to be a ploy to drum up support for the ‘Christian’ PNCR leaders, especially since the PNCR/ APNU campaign in the City is failing. You only have to look at the APNU public meeting that was held at Stabroek Square recently and the poor turnout there, if you are looking for evidence of this. After three years of disrespecting the people of Georgetown and doing little to improve their lives, this seems like a return to a tactic used before the May 2015 General and Regional Elections. In 2015, many of the same leaders from the Georgetown Ministers Fellowship lamented issues like lack of jobs, corruption and high crimes to their congregations. Since then, these very ‘leaders’ have been silent in the face of a far worsened situation that CANNOT be compared to that of 2015. I say that things are worse because if you judge the current state of affairs by the standard of these ‘leaders’, some of the actions taken by the David
Granger PNCR/APNU/AFC Government are some of the most un-Christian acts Guyanese have seen in years. Just look at the corruption. All of the newspapers reports in the last week or so feature the corrupt acts that were uncovered by the Auditor General in his 2017 report. On top of that, you had millions wasted to pay a PNC member for a bottomhouse, while there was a functional drug bond with space at Diamond. You had all the spending at D’urban Park, spending that auditors still can’t find documents for. Also, look at the allowances to promote things like gambling in the City. Where under the last government, there was one licensed place where gambling could take place, now there are hundreds in areas. All of these licences were given out by this Coalition Government to increase gambling in the City and in places around the country – many of them being places where there is little oversight to prevent underage youths from being engaged in such activities. Look at the assault on poor people. People have to pay more money for basic medicines, textbooks, transportation and more. In all this, why are the ‘leaders’ of the Georgetown Ministers’ Fellowship silent when they were vocal in 2015? I ask this question rhetorically, Editor. You only
have to look at the national awardees’ list and look at the appointments to some o f t h e St a t e A g e n c i e s ’ Board to realise that some of these ‘leaders’ have been bought. All of this has happened while the regular, average people in the congregations of these ‘leaders’ are the ones who face the brunt of the hardships imposed on them by David Granger PNCR/APNU/AFC Government. Some of these ‘leaders’ have taken unprincipled positions and joined the tiny cabal of persons running this country and enjoying the benefits that flow to them; all the while their congregants are facing increasing challenges and are left to fend for themselves in the face of the hardships being imposed on them by this Government. In all of this, what is clear is that they must stop playing politics. All leaders have an obligation to be fair, at least. Editor, as a Christian, I have no intention of supporting this march, because it would be marching with unprincipled leaders, not a march of Jesus Christ. If the announced march is truly one for Jesus Christ, then why not do it after the elections? Regards Dave Martindale
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IAC pleased with a single date for Deepavali Dear Editor, The Indian Action Committee (IAC) extends Diwali greetings to all Guyanese, especially persons who are adherents of Sanatana Dharma on the occasion of the now globally-recognized festival of Deepavali or Diwali, which is derived from the Sanskrit language and means “a row of lights”. Diwali falls on the new moon night of the month of Kartika and is celebrated over a period of five days in India. The IAC is pleased to observe that the major Hindu Sabhas of Guyana have agreed upon one date for the celebration of the festival of Diwali in 2018. Diwali is associated with several mythological stories, one of them dealing with the belief of Hindus that, on the day of Diwali, Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana, King of Lanka, and that the people of Ayodhya celebrated his re-
turn by lighting thousands of diiyaas. The IAC recognizes that in Guyana, the Goddess Lakshmi Maataa or Maha Lakshmi is venerated on the day of Diwali, her devotees ardently believing that their veneration of her will result in wealth and prosperity being bestowed upon them in the future. The bright lights of Diwali are believed, by Hindus, to guide and welcome Lakshmi Maataa into their homes where she can bestow her blessings on them and their families, and also to guide and welcome Lord Rama back to Ayodhya. The bright lights of Diwali are also considered to signify the illuminatory power of knowledge, which destroys the darkness of ignorance and also to represent the triumph of good over evil. The IAC recognizes that at this time in Guyana, when persons should be happily celebrating the festival of
Diwali, there are tens of thousands of Guyanese citizens living in desperate and punishing conditions since the collapse of the economy, especially the virtual destruction of the sugar industry which has seen over seven thousand former Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc. dislocated sugar workers and their families living precariously. Members of the IAC visited rural areas on the night of Diwali 2017 and noticed that many residences that were brightly lit in previous years were reduced to having only one diiyaa at their front gate signifying severe economic stress; and many residences, which were lit, had significantly reduced numbers of diiyaas, which also reflected the downturn on the economy. The IAC has noted that growing economic stress is affecting the vast majority of Guyanese, especially those who are living in rural areas. The IAC is fully cognizant of the plight of all of these distressed Guyanese and is calling for the Government and the Opposition to work together to restore economic growth in Guyana and thus mitigate the troubles affecting these citizens regardless of class, religious persuasion, ethnicity and political allegiance. The IAC calls upon all Guyanese to respect the sanctity of Diwali and engage in appropriate and fitting observances and activities. Shubh Diwali.
Wednesday November 07, 2018
The Shafting of John and Jane public over troubled waters Dear Editor, The recent announcement by Minister Patterson that government is taking over the Berbice Bridge in the public interest, until an amicable solution could be reached with the BBCI is welcomed by the citizens. Whatever the outcome in the future! The saga of the Berbice Bridge would require a novel to be written for the public to comprehend the kind of graft, collusion and incessant burden unleashed by the brain child, Bharrat Jagdeo, on this nation in a single project. To begin with! Which prudent entrepreneur, entrusted by the electorate of a Nation, would in the name of Public/ Private partnership, enact an Agreement, mired in secrecy clause, would offer investing partners 23% on their investment in a service oriented business ? Any entrepreneur in this scenario ought to know that any hiccups would pass the burden on the State and ultimately the people. This is the quagmire the Nation finds itself in. Bernie Madoff and Allen Stanford find themselves in jail for offering 25% returns to investors! At 23%, it is only logical to conclude that the brain child may have secretly invested, if you have a trusted friend, it could be done because doing so openly would have raised red flags. Prudence will tell you that this rate of return is only compatible with the smuggling of
illicit drugs and underworld activities. In an article written in KN on Sept 02, 2015, entitled, “Shareholders agreement for Berbice Bridge must be made public – Clive Thomas.” In that article, Dr. Thomas, then and now, Presidential advisor on sustainable development, opined that the contractual agreement for the Berbice River Bridge Inc., which allows New GPC and Hand-in-Hand Trust to own 50 percent of the entity when their investment is less than five percent, is “outrageous, ruthless and unconscionable.” The article further stated that, “The structure of the company allows equity shareholders whose investment is less than five percent ($400 million) of the total funds of the company to exercise controlling interest over the comp a n y . ” Later in the article Thomas is quoted, “This contract agreement is clearly designed to make just a handful of people filthy rich for the rest of their lives at the expense of the poor. It is a despicable contract, which must be changed. The contract agreement and the implications for our taxpayers can only be described as criminal and I will insist that the Shareholder Agreement be made public.” Has the contract been made public to date? I think not. The people that enacted the Bridge agreement in the past regime and the people in authority in this present gov-
ernment who both fail to make this agreement public deserve to take up residency with Madoff and Sandford. As the name suggests “Public/ Private Partnership”! Why should the Partners be in the know and the Public be in the dark? This is English language, can’t we comprehend it? We all are aware that both parties should be knowledgeable of any agreement “entered by and between two parties in any situation.” As for Minister Patterson, he may have won the hearts of the Bridge commuters temporarily. He is being accused of bypassing orthodox tender procedures for the consultancy and design of the proposed new Demerara Harbour Bridge and the Coalition has been talking of Public/Private Partnership for its construction and operation. It’s the same offal like Berbice Bridge, lying in wait like a snare! Given the present impasse with the Berbice Bridge, the public would hope that they are not shafted twice. When the chips are down, Minister Patterson in his perceived obsession with bridges may well grant the Berbice Bridge investors the 19 years extra reign on the bridge that they are seeking as a compromise for a 365% increase in toll-graft seems to be the name of the game. To the public that may seem as a smaller shaft for them to take. Rudolph Singh
Losing those cases... From page 4 noted, too, that in the cases the government is losing all the justices in their present positions have been appointed by the APNU+AFC government. This nullifies any argument of opposition political biases. There is inclination to believe that these justices also wished these embarrassing cases were not brought before them and must wonder what the dickens is happening with the legal advice the Coalition is getting. Cabinet meets weekly. Prime Minister Moses Magamootoo, who is performing the duties of President, would have the privilege to chair this week’s session. It could only be hoped the continuous losses of cases would be deemed necessary as an agenda item for frank and open discussions, inclusive of corrective action. It is a shame and the shame keeps getting worse. Minette Bacchus.
Wednesday November 07, 2018
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Ruling on GECOM Chairman appointment…
CCJ grants applicant leave to challenge decision
P
PP Executive Secre tary Zulfikar Mustapha has been granted leave by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) to challenge the decision of the Guyana Court of Appeal to uphold the appointment of retired judge James Patterson as Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). As part of the process, the applicant in t h e m a t t e r Mustapha/the appellant, has been ordered by the Registrar of Guyana’s Supreme Court to lodge the sum of $759,000 as security for costs within the next 90 days and within that same period to satisfy the requirements of Rule 10.6 (2) (b) of the amended CCJ Rules. Those rules stipulate that a list of the documents which he proposes should be included in his record of appeal and provide to the proper officer within a period not exceeding ninety days. Last month, the Court of
Appeal upheld President David Granger‘s decision to unilaterally appoint retired Justice James Patterson to the office of Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission, (GECOM) as constitutional. The unanimous decision was handed down by Appeal Court Justices Chancellor Yo n e t t e Cummings – Edwards, Rishi Persaud and Dawn Gregory. A similar ruling was handed down by Chief Justice Roxane GeorgeWiltshire. She ruled that the President enjoys the right to reject the list of names provided by Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo, and unilaterally appoint someone from the judicial category as Chairman of GECOM, as outlined in Article 161 (2) of the Constitution of Guyana. The PPP has been challenging President David
Granger’s unilateral appointment of the 84-year-old retired judge made on October 19, last year. The party’s lawyer Anil Nandlall had told the Appeal Court that Article 16 of the Constitution was amended to make provisions for the two main political groups to have an input in selection of top officials on the elections commission. The amendments were made based on recommendations by former US President Jimmy Carter to create a more balanced and democratic system of governance for GECOM. He explained that what the crafters of the legislation had in mind was for Guyana to move away from unilateralism in the appointment of GECOM. “In addition to the six commissioners; three from the ruling party and three from the opposition, the amendments provide for the appointment of a Chairman of
the Guyana Elections Commission, who shall be appointed based on approval from both the President and Leader of the Opposition.” According to Nandlall, the Carter formula was intended and designed to create, as far as possible, a politically consensual and balanced Elections Commission. “The person of the Chairman must enjoy the confidence of both the President and the Opposition Leader…That‘s the magic of the Carter formula.” He noted, too, that the chairman holds a critical po-
sition in the structure of GECOM.“The Chairman holds the casting vote, in case there is a deadlock between the opposition and government commissioners on a particular matter. This Chairman comes from a list of six which emanates from the Leader of the Opposition but which must find the acceptability of the President from which he is empowered to choose one. The lawyer had argued that the President’s interpretation of the proviso rule in Article 16 of the constitution was therefore flawed.
GECOM Chairman retired Judge James Patterson
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Wednesday November 07, 2018
Mocha Arcadia resident is newest centenarian
Born on Monday November 5, 1918, Ms. Ina BarnwellBacchus, on Monday celebrated her 100th birth anniversary, thereby becoming the country’s latest centenarian. Celebrating this achievement was characterized by a memorable event which was attended by several prominent individuals. Among those in attendance were many residents of Mocha Arcadia, officials of the Regional Democratic Council [RDC] of Region Four; Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton, and Government Chief Whip and General Secretary of the People’s National Congress/ Reform [PNC/R], Ms. Amna Ally.‘Aunty Ina’ was described as a woman who bore seven children, four of whom she has already outlived. Her eldest living child is currently 71 years old. With faculties still intact, the centenarian, who is known within her community as a political stalwart, related that she has been closely affiliated with the PNC party since its formation. “I have always been a supporter of the PNC, as that has been my party since it started,” said a proud Aunty Ina. Minister Ally, who also represented the Ministry she heads [Social Protection], said that Guyana is very proud to record yet another centenarian in its history. As she considered the wellbeing of Aunty Ina, the Social Protection Minister expressed delight as she observed that
From left, sitting: Chairman of the Mocha Arcadia NDC, Rudolph Adams; Regional Chairman Genevieve Allen; Aunty Ina; Minister Amna Ally, and the centenarian’s eldest living child Lance Bacchus, while her other two surviving children stand at the back.
“despite the woman’s age, her hearing, sight, voice and other major faculties are intact.” One of the woman’s sons, who resides in the United States, also spoke glowingly of her health. According to him, his mother is not affected by diabetes or hypertension. He however added that while he is very proud to know that she has lived this long, he is growing very concerned with the fact that she cannot move around as much as she would like to. “As you know that when you meet this age you would have some challenges, so be-
ing a 100 is both a blessing and a curse,” he quipped. RDC Chairperson, Ms Genevieve Allen, expressed delight that yet another resident of Region Four is celebrating what she called the golden milestone. She thanked her for her service over the years to the residents and people of Mocha Arcadia, while noting that she has truly contributed to the development of the community. The NDC of Mocha Arcadia through its chairman, Mr. Rudolph Adams, presented a brand new recliner
chair to the centenarian in observance of her birthday. Also the RDC, Ministry of Social Protection and supporters of the PNC/R together presented a LFS Burnham draped medal to an emotional Aunty Ina. Meanwhile, in offering words of advice to persons for long life, the centenarian urged all those present to be thankful and contented with what they have. She went on to stress that she has always been very grateful for whatever God has given to her, adding that she sees it all as a blessing. “Be thankful and contended, as that is all I can say, as there is no big secret to long life. And I must wish myself a happy birthday, because I am at a loss for words,” Aunty Ina added.
Ina Barnwell-Bacchus is Guyana’s newest centenarian.
‘Impact Justice’ to host second series of dispute resolution workshops ‘Impact Justice’, a Canadian-funded project is set to host another series of workshops aimed at helping teacher and guidance counselors implement alternative dispute resolution techniques in schools. The seminars are a continuation of the training held in Guyana earlier this year, where local educators were exposed to a two-day training exercise on techniques used to address the incidence of violence in schools. This time around, facilitators of the programme will include two of the 17 persons being trained as trainers. The Restorative Practices Workshop will be conducted under the guidance of Ms. Patricia Lewis, Trainer, International Institute for Restorative Practices. Other contributors will include Dr.
Andrew Hicks, Criminologist, University of Guyana and Ms. Terry-Ann Marsh, Lecturer in Teacher Education, Antigua State College. The workshop will commence with a brief opening ceremony on November 8, at which Professor Velma Newton, Regional Project Director of the IMPACT Justice Project and Ingrid Trotman, Deputy Chief Education Officer (ag) will give remarks. Impact Justice has as its ultimate objective the improvement of access to justice benefiting men, women, boy, girls, youth and businesses across the 13 CARICOM countries in which the Project is being implemented. One of the ways the Project has sought to reach this objective is through the promotion of Alternative Dispute Resolution
(ADR) techniques to assist persons in resolving their disputes. One of the ADR mechanisms focused on by the project is Restorative Practices, which has been proven to be effective in addressing instances of violence and conflict within schools. Between 2014 and 2018, Impact Justice has sponsored training in Restorative Practices in 9 of the 13 CARICOM Member States in which the Project is being implemented and hundreds of principals, deputy principals, guidance counsellors, teachers, education officers and parents have been certified as restorative practitioners. From the group of persons trained, Impact Justice selected 17 persons from across the region to be trained as Restorative Practices Trainers.
Wednesday November 07, 2018
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The PNCR will do as it pleases in Georgetown
T
he deck is stacked in favour of the PNCR when it comes to local government elections (LGE). The electoral system apportions half of the seats by virtue of proportional representation (PR) and the other half by virtue of a straight race between the parties, groups and individuals within the city’s 15 constituencies. This mixed system virtually assures the PNCR of an overwhelming majority at City Hall. Under the new system, the PPPC is at a greater disadvantage. The main opposition party presents no threat to the PNCR’s stranglehold within the Georgetown City Council, at next week’s LGE. The PPPC is weakened in Georgetown. The PPPC did worse in the 2016 LGE than it did in the 1994 polls.The PPPC won a mere 2 of the 15 PR seats up for grabs in the 2016 LGE. They won 0 of the 15 constituencies. The APNU+AFC coalition thumped the PPPC, and all the independent groups and candidates, in every constituency in Georgetown in the 2016 LGE. APNU+AFC secured five times as many votes as the PPPC, handing them a heavy thrashing in Georgetown. It was only in the ‘middle class’ constituencies of Bel Air Gardens, Bel Air Springs, Prashad Nagar and North East and North West Campbellville, that the PPPC barely lost. All the other constituencies were comfortably won by APNU+AFC. The PPPC is not going to be doing much better this time
around. Even with the AFC contesting, the PPPC is not likely to gain more than three out of the thirty seats up for grabs in Georgetown. And so the fear is that once again the PNCR, which with the AFC won 14 of the constituencies the last time around, is likely to have a clean sweep of the 15 constituency seats which, with their PR votes, is going to give them another commanding control of the Council. And we know the dangers of that. With the AFC as its sidekick in 2016, the PNCR ran roughshod over the City Council. There were simply no political checks on its authority.If as is expected, the PNCR wins, most of the Georgetown constituencies, it will give the party a free licence to do exactly as it pleases – which is exactly as it did from 2016 onwards. The most odious act was the parking meter contract. This was signed behind the backs of the very councilors who turned around and approved it by a majority vote of the PNCR-dominated Council. A public parking facility on East Street, built by the PPPC principally to accommodate staff and visitors, was converted into a paid parking lot contracted to a private firm. The public rebelled against this by refusing to pay. Barricades, however, still prevent them from using the said lot. Residents of the city foiled a plan which the Council had to use certain reserves and playgrounds to establish homes for municipal markets.
The PNCR then turned against the vendors at Stabroek Square, using the excuse of a clean-up exercise. A similar attempt to stop vendors selling on Robb Street, between Alexander and Bourda Streets failed after protests to the government. Stable-like stalls were built in a section of Bourda Mall and vendors were told that this was an attempt to regularize and enhance the place. While regular vendors are now cramped into small stalls, one large vendor is allowed to operate as usual on the other end of that section of the mall. With the support of government, the Council launched a massive clean-up campaign, the likes of which was only seen after the 2005 floods. The city’s gloss was restored, but only for a short time, since there was no maintenance of the work done. The city has begun to return to its past ignominy. It is once again becoming stink and dirty. At one stage, private garbage collectors withdrew their services because of non-payment. After spending more than one hundred million dollars, the cemetery has once again become a rainforest. Drains have once again become clogged, with flooding occurring at the slightest of heavy downpours. Without adequate political checks of its power, the Council has been doing as it pleases. A container tax was imposed without adequate consultation. Rates and taxes for businesses have always been disproportionately high.
DEM BOYS SEH
Rampant scampishness tek over bidding process All over de place is scampishness. People does look like dem doing one thing and de next thing you know is dem cutting deals and getting legal people to do illegal things. Dat is something dat was happening for more than twenty-five years. It start when people get permission to bring in cars and things like dat. Some of dem would buy a good car, tek a hammer and beat in couple doors and de fender suh de car look old, then ship it. One man buy a car, tek out de engine and put it in de trunk and ship de car as junk. Dem boys know dat de duty was small under dem conditions. Nuff people prosper, including de people who do de inspection and pass verdict
pon de car. Dem was de time when people use to share de wealth. Dem boys find out dat de thing get worse. It more rampant. From de time when de crookishness use to be at Customs and de Ministry at Works and places like dat, it now stretch to de Ministry of Amerindian Affairs. Corruption is not discrimination. De Additer General find out dat de Ministry had some vehicles fuh sale. People tek out engine from a pick-up and claim it unserviceable. Dem boys seh things didn’t get better when dem put up de vehicles to bids. Dat is suppose to be a fair system until dem boys see some people who dem know is scamps. Four of dem would bid pon one vehicle, but dem is friends and dem keeping out
everybody else. Dem gon bid and push up de price till everybody drop out. Dat is when de high bid person gon drop out; de second bid person gon refuse to buy and de person at de bottom gon get de thing cheap because de car must be some to de next highest bidder. De Amerindian Affairs Ministry tek de thing a step further. Dem sell a car to a man who didn’t even bid. Dem even sell another thing fuh less when a man at de top bid twice as much. Nobody ain’t get jail. Dat is why dem boys want SOCU to investigate dem bidding process. Dem might find nuff things to shock dem. Dem might even find workers putting people to bid fuh dem. Talk half and watch out fuh de scamps.
To add to the burden of the business community, the Council charges storeowners $5000 per week to showcase their wares on the pavement, but vendors, who are squatting on the pavement and providing unfair competition, pay only $1,000 per week. And this is what accounts, despite the hiccups with persons being left off the Voters’ List, for the poor turn-
out at the polls of members of the Disciplined Services, last Monday. Soldiers and police voted with their feet — they stayed away.Monday November 12th will see a similar occurrence when the rest of the country votes. Some people are already saying that it is not worth the trouble of staining your finger just to vote.But even a low turnout will not prevent the inevitable.
The PNCR will sweep Georgetown, winning perhaps 25 of the 30 seats. And with that majority, there will be no checks to its unbridled power. It will do as it pleases in Georgetown – as it has always done.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday November 07, 2018
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
Understanding the thinking of some Guyanese police officers
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here are some things that do not make sense and they make you to wonder about the rationality of those involved. Let’s take a hypothetical example. The Post Office Corporation has several branches. One would assume the same guidelines apply for each branch.
If you have to produce your ID card at the Plaisance outlet to collect a mail, then one assumes that is the policy of the authorities. It is not logical then for the Charlestown branch to refuse the ID card and insist on a passport only. Here’s another example. If to work at the NIS you need five CXC subjects including
Maths and English, it makes no sense for the Berbice branch to ask for five but the Essequibo section will accept you with three. Here is my encounter with some police officers yesterday. Long ago under President Burnham, wheaten flour was banned. Transport vehicles caught with the illegal prod-
ucts were impounded and many housed at the Eve Leary compound of the CID. One of the structures that caught people’s eyes as they walked on the seawall and looked across was an expensive boat. While walking on the wall, you could see all the vehicles. Those days are long gone. But the CID compound still
stores vehicles that are either left for evidence in court or were seized for various reasons. Like the days of the flour ban, they are there in full view of the public. Actually, it is a terrible sight to behold. It just destroys the ambience of the CID lawns. I see them every morning when I am with my dog. You could even take a photograph. I was doing some research on accidents at the seawall roundabout since it was opened, so I journeyed to the Kitty Police station. One of the things you cannot miss from the road on Alexander Street is the bicycles chained to the fence in the compound. There are about twenty of them. I asked the officer why the stuff is there. He said they are the results of police arrests for lack of brakes or bell or lights or riding down the one-way. He said the riders never came back after they were arrested. This was really a surprise to me. The traffic ranks actually haul bicycle riders in for such things? Aren’t these poor folks that should be given a warning? It occurred to me that I should further investigate this “bicycle confiscation” thing. I put aside Diwali Day to do the investigation, because I figured the stations would not be so crowded on a holiday. What I encountered were some strange police officials. I went to traffic head office. I met Corporal Craig, Corporal James and Sergeant Ramdass. I asked to simply take a look at the cycles that were impounded. Ramdass said no. I explained that all I need is to see them. This is because I wanted to count them. I explained to all the officers that the stuff is there in full view of the public at Eve Leary. Corporal Craig jumped in and insisted that I open up negotiation with the Traffic Chief if I want to see the things. I did just
Frederick Kissoon that. I counted 47 items. I went to Brickdam. They said seized bicycles were in the property room and the sergeant with the key had gone to Timehri jail where there was some confusion taking place My next stop was East La Penitence Police Station. This is where the journey and research got interesting. East La Penitence station sits on a large piece of real estate. Unlike stations like Brickdam and Eve Leary, it just has one building. The front lawn is sprawling. It is filled with impounded motor-cycles. I counted 111 of them. Some of them are in terrible condition because the elements are destroying them. A rank told me public visitors to the station sometimes steal parts and even police ranks would do the same. Corporal De Lima admitted that her station arrests cycle riders for lack of lighting and other defects, but her station doesn’t have any cycles impounded because after they pay the fine, they produce the receipt and take their property. I asked; “not even one?” She replied; not even one.” She knew I didn’t believe her. M y n e x t stop was Sparendaam station. Impounded motor-cycles are in the station yard for all to see. Superintendent Brutus was hostile. He said I cannot see the bicycles. I must write the Commissioner to get permission. Only poor people ride bicycles for daily chores. Why take away their cheap means of transportation? But this is Guyana.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday November 07, 2018
Over 100 State-owned quarters “Alarming” irregularities in being occupied in City without $300M G/T cleanup spending “official authorization”- Audit Auditor General finds…
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W
hen it comes to the sum of $300M that was allotted in 2015 under the Ministry of Communities for the Georgetown Restoration Programme, Auditor General Deodat Sharma has found over 15 alarming financial anomalies. In his latest report, Sharma pointed out that the Ministry of Communities expended the sum of $6.2M to purchase a Nissan double-cab pick-up. The vehicle was being used by the City Constabulary. Sharma noted, however, it was not accounted for in the permanent stores records of the Ministry and Council. In another instance, the Auditor General pointed out that the correctness, accuracy and validity of the payment of $52.163M made by the Ministry to a contractor for 103.8% variation works on three contracts could not be verified. Also, amounts totaling $241.637M of the allotted amount ($300M) were paid over to the Council. And that’s not all. Sharma said that Section 43 of the Fiscal Management and Ac-
Auditor General, Deodat Sharma countability Act was breached, whereby the sum of $102.637M was paid over to the Council in 2016 from the 2015 Appropriations. Further to this, the AG said that the Council utilized the amount paid over from the 2015 appropriations for expenses incurred over the period November 2015 to Feb-
ruary 2018. Sharma said that this is an indication that the restoration grant to the Council was not utilized as intended. He said too, “261 Payment Vouchers for expenses totaling $247.558M were submitted. This was $5.921M more than the sum ($241.637M) (Continued on page 27)
he State has 300 buildings in Georgetown that are controlled by the Region Four Administration. The Auditor General has found several anomalies in relation to the way in which these buildings are being managed by the region. In his latest report, Auditor General Deodat Sharma noted that circularized instructions state that for the occupation of Government Quarters, public servants are required to pay rent of 10 percent and 12 percent of their salary for unfurnished and furnished accommodation respectively, except where entitlement to rent-free Government Quarters had been previously approved, as a condition of service. The Auditor General noted that of the 300 buildings controlled by the Regional Administration, 138 are apartments/living quarters and are occupied by various persons, of which only 18 are occupied by authorized persons. In addition, Officers are only paying rent for eight
apartments. However, the Auditor General said that from the records presented for audit examination, it could not be determined whether those persons occupying rent-free quarters were entitled to such. This situation was previously reported on in the 2016 Auditor General’s Report. The Region subsequently indicated that the staff members occupying the quarters
rent-free are entitled, while the occupation of the other quarters are being investigated. The Audit Office recommended that the Regional Administration take steps to ensure that only officers entitled to Government Quarters are accommodated there, and all outstanding amounts for rent are collected and deposited into the Consolidated Fund.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday November 07, 2018
Police thwart illegal pesticide smuggling ring Inspection and Enforcement Officers of the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board (PTCCB) and the Guyana Police Force collaborated to thwart an illegal pesticide smuggling operation in Corentyne, Berbice At 23:00 hrs on Sunday last, police and inspectors of the PTCCB raided a home at Crabwood Creek Backland, Grant 1779, Corentyne, Berbice, and confiscated approximately 300 kilograms of illegal or unregistered pesticides, among other contraband items. Registrar of the PTCCB, Mrs. Trecia Garnath said that the Board strongly condemns
Illegal pesticides that were confiscated acts of this nature given the major health and environmen-
tal impacts these chemicals pose: “The global trade in
counterfeit and illegal pesticides is growing. With increasing quantities of fake and illegal pesticides being produced, marketed and sold by organized criminal groups around the world, there are greater risks to the safety of handlers, farmers, consumers and the environment.” The PTCCB regards the substances as highly hazardous pesticides, which pose significant risks to human health, agricultural production, economic trade and the environment. As a result, they will be taking legal action against the homeowner for possession of illegal/unregistered pesticides with intent to distribute, sell or use. The board has also indicated that its officers are investigating further intelligence gathered to curb the illegal trade of counterfeit pesticides into Guyana.A release from the Ministry of Agriculture said, “Undeclared active ingredi-
PTCCB inspectors rounding up the contraband ents in counterfeit and illegal products can leave unacceptable residues on produce, rendering goods unfit for market. As the content of
counterfeit and illegal products is unknown, their use can pose a high risk to farmers, their crops, the environment and consumers.”
Wednesday November 07, 2018
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Kaieteur News
Guyana’s absorptive capacity too low for significant spending of oil money - IDB Expert warns By Kiana Wilburg “When you are about to have a meal, there is only so much you can eat. If you consume too much, you would feel sick and that has consequences … It is the same with the economy and the oil fund…You must first understand how much the economy can absorb within a giving time, otherwise, pumping too much into the economy in a hurried manner will result in dangerous consequences.” This comparison was made by Ramon Espinasa, General Coordinator at the Extractive Sector Initiative of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) as he spoke about the need for Guyana to avoid hasty spending of its oil money in the early years of production. According to Espinasa, his advice to Guyana’s authorities would be to save part of the oil wealth not just for future generations, but in acknowledgement of the fact that the absorptive capacity for the funds that would be flowing in is very low. The oil and gas expert who has over 20 years experience, said, “If you look at the proportion of the discoveries made and the size of the population, you realize that the impact of the oil revenues will be huge. Guyana has about 700,000 people and the reserves have already hit an estimate of $4B barrels of oil... The share of potential revenue to the population is therefore large, but the absorption capacity is still going to be low.” Given the aforementioned, Espinasa said that there are three areas which the government should focus its spending on in the medium term. He said that these are the areas of infrastructure, education and health. The IDB Expert said, “You need to use the oil to transform the population of Guyana by providing good health and giving high quality education. I would focus on that and save the rest but it is up to them to decide how to do it…” Espinasa also said that the creation of a Natural Resource Fund is an excellent idea, since there will be temptations to spend all of the oil money. He stressed too that Guyana will need strong institutions to ensure the revenues are properly saved. (Espinasa’s full comments can be heard via this podcast link: https://blogs.iadb.org/ caribbean-dev-trends/2017/ 12/13/7698/) DRASTIC STRUCTURAL CHANGES The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has not only addressed the need for
Guyana to be mindful of its absorptive capacity, but has also called on the government to ensure that there are significant structural reforms to support the success of the sector. According to the Fund, these reforms are also necessary to improve the business environment, increase resilience to external shocks, promote inclusive growth, and ensure that the oil windfall truly enhances the economy’s physical and human capital. It was early last year that several government ministries and agencies among them the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), the Ministries of Finance and Natural Resources, and Bank of Guyana, received several recommendations that would go a long way to safeguard billions of dollars in oil revenue to come. However, very few of the crucial recommendations made by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have been implemented. In fact, the regulatory body had cause to point out again, that Guyana still needs to modernize revenue administration and strengthen public financial management capacity ahead of oil production. The IMF said that it is pleased the government will keep the financial management areas as critical near-term priorities. The Fund said that it stands ready to provide technical assistance where needed. One of the IMF recommendations to the local authorities last year, specifically the Natural Resources Ministry, was to ensure the establishment of a Cost Recovery Committee. It emphasized that this is necessary so that the government can be equipped to begin auditing bills submitted by the oil and gas operator. But this is far from being in place. Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, noted that there would be a special Accounting Unit established at the Finance Ministry to track oil revenues. He said that this is necessary since the current accounting systems are simply inadequate. He also noted that the Ministry has intentions to implement the other recommendations of the IMF as it relates to his sector. Before oil revenue starts flowing into the economy by 2020, several international organizations and even local critics want to be assured that Guyana is equipped with robust accounting systems, which would ensure accurate reporting on the use of those funds. The International Monetary Fund called on the Gov-
ernment to review the nation’s accounting systems, which is usually referred to as the Integrated Financial Management and Accounting System. The Fund said that the Accountant General’s Department (AGD) attached to the Ministry of Finance should be tasked with the responsibility of undertaking such an analysis. The IMF said that while the Department will take into consideration the functionality of IFMAS, it should also determine the gaps and devel-
opments needed to be ready for recording and reporting of petroleum revenues. Critically, the Fund said it will be essential that treasury reforms are coordinated with those of the budget process. In this regard, the international body said that in the future, the Office of Budget is likely to update a budget classification system to cater to the petroleum revenue that would be flowing into the economy. The IMF noted that the Accountant General also
Ramon Espinasa, General Coordinator at IDB of the Extractive Sector Initiative needs to align its chart of accounts with the revised bud-
get classification. At critical (Continued on page 15 )
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday November 07, 2018
‘Express your energy’ activity targets Region Two primary schools
Students and representatives of GEA
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he Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) in recognition of CARICOM Energy Month (CEM) hosted an activity for students of grades five and six of region two primary schools under the theme ‘Express your Energy’ last Friday. The event took place at Cotton Field Secondary School. Six schools, selected by the Regional Education Office, participated in the activity, with students hailing from 8th of May Primary, Sparta Primary, CV Nunes Primary, Taymouth Manor Primary, Queenstown Primary and Suddie Primary. The non-competitive activity tasked students with the completion of energy-
themed word searches, listing of energy conservation measures and using art to depict renewable energy sources. Students were called upon to put their creativity into use, as the main aim of the theme –‘Express your Energy’ is to tap into the imaginations of future energy champions. GEA’s energy month 2018 is targeting children by giving them an avenue to share their ideas and voice their opinions on energy related matters in a non-competitive environment. District Education Officer for the primary level, Shondelle Hercules, in giving remarks on behalf of the Regional Education Officer, Nicola Matthews, expressed gratitude to GEA for hosting the event in region two. “Our Office appreciates this timely initiative which was educational and presented in a fun format which both students and teachers enjoyed…The activities that were done can be integrated into our school’s curriculum,” Hercules said. Primary Officer, Natram Doobay explained that while the activity focused on energy, the tasks assigned demonstrated extensive curriculum integration. He added (Continued on page 15)
Cops return to scene of midwife’s murder Re-starting their investigation, detectives will today question more Kwakwani residents as they seek the killer of midwife Paulette Wade. Detectives had hoped to make a breakthrough last week when ranks from the Major Crimes Unit had brought three suspects to Georgetown for questioning. However, all the suspects have been released. An official said investigators plan to question other individuals as well as the slain woman’s relatives. The main lead that investigators seem to have is the description of an individual who was reportedly seen attacking Wade, and the name ‘Delon’ which Wade reportedly called as she was being beaten. Wade, 37, who worked at the Kwakwani Hospital, was found dead in her Kwakwani Park, Region Ten home, around 06:30 hrs two Saturdays ago. She had been beaten and manually strangled. Wade’s seven-year-old daughter found the body and ran to the Kwakwani Hospital to inform her mother’s colleagues. The child, who slept with her mother and brother, said she woke up some time on Friday night and heard sounds of a scuffle. Although the light was off, the child was able to make
Paulette Wade out a ‘dark-skinned short man’, who was reportedly shirtless and clad in a pair of short pants. The man was reportedly kicking Wade and the child allegedly heard her mother calling out the name of ‘Delon.’ Police have ruled out robbery and confirmed that there was no sign of forced entry to Wade’s home. It is suspected that Wade knew the killer. Meanwhile, at Baramita, police will today charge the reputed husband of 23-yearold Ruthina Thomas for her murder. Thomas’ body was found on a trail on October 24. She was beaten and manually strangled. Police were told that Thomas and her reputed husband were last seen drinking at several bars.
Wednesday November 07, 2018
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Kaieteur News
$16.3M Mobile Psychosocial Unit commissioned The Ministry of Education on Monday commissioned its first Mobile Psychosocial Unit. The unit is expected to be used as an outreach for children in particular, in areas around the country that are often unserved in relation to social factors that affect individual thoughts and behaviours. The cost of the project is $16.3M. The host of the commissioning ceremony was Vikram Mohabir and speakers included Chief Schools Welfare Officer, Glenna B. Vyphius, Deputy Chief Education Officer Ingrid Trotman and the Minister of Education Dr. Nicolette Henry. In past years, Guyana has experienced several issues in relation to persons that were not socially and psychologically fit. However, the Ministry of Education and Schools’ Welfare Division are hoping to combat the issue from an early stage by providing mobile counselling to schools and children in areas that may be lacking same. The unit is expected to start functioning by the end of this month and target nursery, primary and secondary schools equipped with 10 counsellors. According to Chief Schools’ Welfare Officer Gillian Vyphuis, they will be collaborating with other ministries, as the task of provid-
The newly-commissioned Mobile Psychosocial Unit ing psychosocial support will need joint efforts. She disclosed that they will be asking welfare officers in the different regions what are some of the areas that are most at risk and they will visit those areas.The welfare officer also added that the team will be having one-on-ones with community schools to find out what are some issues and concerns being encountered and try to provide the necessary assistance. The mobile psychosocial
unit, even though started with only one vehicle, is expected to extend across the length and breadth of Guyana, but will be starting by focusing on Regions 3 and 4 along with the mining town of Linden within the normal school hours. Vyphuis posited that the commissioning of the unit stands to show that the Ministry of Education ‘is making strides in the psychosocial development of Guyana’s learners” and to “recognize
the need of counsellors in many schools and communities to provide support, guidance and encouragement to students, teachers and parents.”She expressed the firm view that the mobile unit will without any doubt make counsellors more accessible to schools and communities to bring about positive behavioural changes and ultimately better homes, schools, communities, and by extension, a better life to the citizens of Guyana.
Guyana’s absorptive capacity too low for significant... From page 13 parts of the medium-term planning process, the Fund said that key decisions will require the AGD’s inputs, therefore necessitating the Department to adapt from an annual to a medium-term mode of operations in line with budget execution.“For example, it is important to decide how to show the (medium term) inand outflows from the Natural Resource Fund in the budget documents as well as in the regular financial reports. Based on the draft Natural Resource Fund Law, the reporting requirements of Natural Resource Fund are comprehensive and the AGD needs to develop new skills and knowledge to be able to prepare the required reports. Therefore, the AGD should ensure that the current rules and procedures are updated and start building capacity to meet these demands.” The IMF has also identified a number of weaknesses, which exist within the tax systems of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA). But GRA Commissioner General, Godfrey Statia, has assured that the entity is working to correct these deficiencies. He noted however that sweeping changes will not happen overnight. Statia said that it can take up to three
years for GRA to smooth out the kinks in its systems. Statia said that it was GRA that invited the IMF to visit the authority and conduct an assessment of its systems. Statia said he told the team that GRA is not interested in sugar-coated words. He wanted the IMF team members to be as outspoken as they could about the challenges facing the Revenue Authority. In its report of May 2017, the IMF outlined GRA’s main strengths and weaknesses. The strengths included a highly qualified cadre of staff, extensive information available to taxpayers through a variety of channels, withholding and advance payment mechanism in place, independent graduated dispute resolution mechanism and strong external oversight mechanisms. The weaknesses highlighted were no-segment based management of taxpayers, functional limitations of the IT system, Limited etransaction system, lack of strategic and structured risk management approach, weak filing and payment compliance, de-centralized audit case selection process, absence of legislative tax rulings system and compliance improvement programme limited
in scope and content. Upon the receipt of the said report, the Commissioner General said that a further request was made that another study be done to advise GRA on the next steps in modernizing the Authority. Statia said that this assessment was done in September 2017, a draft submitted in October and a final report done in December. The Commissioner General said, “Suffice to say that many of the recommendations made by the team were either already work-in-progress, or envisaged to be implemented during 2018 and beyond. The major recommendations of that assessment for January 2018 include produced monthly statements of total arrears and collectible arrears to inform debt management activities. “ “In 2007, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) also did a diagnostic study for the Authority which was sitting on the shelves, and never implemented. In 2017, upon a visit to Guyana, a PWC partner and a former colleague from the Trinidad Tobago Internal Revenue, was on the team, and I was able to persuade her for PWC to do an update of the diagnostic study part with cost to GRA.”
Statia added, “This was completed in July 2017, and its findings were similar to those outlined in the IMF report. What stood out in their report however is the fact that GRA appears to be consistently under-budgeting revenue collection. GRA is aware that the tax base is larger than the tax collections but under-budgeting masks the accountability of bringing the taxpayer base closer to reality by increasing taxpayer compliance or reducing tax avoidance or evasion.” The International Monetary Fund has also called for the authorities to strengthen the powers of Bank of Guyana, as well as its programmes. While there is still more to be done, the IMF has reported that there has been progress as it relates to implementing the 2016 Financial Sector Assessment Programme (FSAP) recommendations, including enhancing the supervisory power of the Bank and establishing an emergency liquidity assistance framework, a national payment system and a deposit insurance scheme. The Fund also welcomed the establishment of a Financial Stability Unit within the Bank to assess macro-financial vulnerabilities.
An internal section of the new facility In conclusion, she thanked Minister Henry for being the architect and for taking the initiative to enhance the quality of service offered by the schools’ welfare division. Similar sentiments were shared by the Deputy Chief Education Officer, Ingrid Trotman, who told those present that the students’ social and emotional needs cannot be overlooked as “the well-being and welfare of our learners is crucial to their success.”She further stated that it is for the previously mentioned purpose that the Ministry of Education is commissioning the mobile psychosocial unit. She postulated that the mobile unit will provide the psychosocial interventions needed for the well-being of the students so that they can be afforded every opportunity of success. The closing speech was delivered by Minister Henry, who stressed on the importance of the unit and the fact that the public education system is where most of Guyana’s vulnerable and disadvantaged children are attending and thus it is important that they are provided with the necessary support. She highlighted that the key to the development of the mobilized counselling system is creating partnerships with
the Ministry of Public Health, the Ministry of Social Protection along with other stakeholders. Minister Henry also supported the fact that “school psychosocial support services are intended to provide a safe learning environment for children” enabling them to attain age-appropriate, development tasks and to understand what their specific needs are.She highlighted that there are two main reasons that the unit is needed, the first being that “our school children have a right to be heard in matters that affect their life experiences, as many times we have our children with a lot of needs that are not met and a lot of issues that are not addressed because of lacking capacity and/or resources”. The second reason, the Minister explained, was that “no child remains a problem child neither does any child remain untroubled all their lives, so at some point that child may need assistance and it must be readily available”.She closed by expressing her hope of being able to acquire more of such units, and that the welfare division along with the ministry of education “will be able to go to where our children are and provide the needed services”.
‘Express your energy’... From page 14 that the students were exposed to subject areas that were usually covered in the classroom - with the activities encompassing Social Studies, Grammar, Science, and Art, and even assisting them with creative writing. The initiative, which was initially started in 2012, is a collaborative effort between the GEA and the Hinterland Electrification Company (HECI) through the IDB Public Awareness Project - a project which has sought to promote the benefits of renewable energy technologies and the rational use of energy. In keeping with the promotion of sustainable energy development, CARICOM Energy Month 2018 is being celebrated under the theme “Clean Energy, Good Governance and Regulation: Generating Growth and Resilience”.
PAGE 26
Kaieteur News
Wednesday November 07, 2018
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Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design, advertisement, Wedding arch rentals. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. ICONIC MARKETING & PRINTING –TEL: 6006887: We create A/works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Installations, Repairs and parts for AC, Fridge, Washing machine, Stove etc call Nick 627-3206, 630-1600 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezer-Call: 610-5846 or 661-8158 Eagle’s re-gas AC, Fridge, Washing machine & computer repairs, Gas stove, Plasma flatscreen, Electrical installation & more. Call: 6972969/646-0966 Hair,nails and make up course. Diamond. #602-9373 MASSAGE & HEALTH
1 Caterpillar DL320 Tel#2654455/667-8852. Contact Lall Supply boat, Steelhull engine CAT3412 can transport 50,000 gls diesel, Built in 2012 #227-0605/ kbenterprise@telsnetgy.net Ratchet strap and chain etc. Call Dexter #676-3982 One two bedroom, wooden house at Better Hope, East Coast Demerara. Call: 676-1542 Short base super custom bus without engines & gearbox #664-0802 (1) One Onan Gen set, powered by NT 55 Cummins. Contact #269-0603, 609-8041
Unregistered Axio 2010 model, Camera, Fog lamps $2.5 neg. Nissan Tida registered PVV series $2M neg #611-7106
TRAINING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES- CARE FOR ELDERLY/CHILDREN GUYANA TRAINING COLLEGE. #227-4881
BECOME FSPCA CERTIFIED- FOOD SAFETY PREVENTIVE CONTROL ALLIANCE ACCESS THE U.S FOOD MARKET. GTCIS #227-4881 FOR SALE/RENT American Pool table. Tel#2770578 Property for sale located Canal #2, 6 large pens, fruit trees and farm house. #688-7291/6502172 LEARN TO DRIVE
TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 2257878 (24HRS)
Salon for rental & Hair/ Stations makeup for rental, New Market Street Tel#6381106/699-6505 Mini excavator $8,800 per hour, also Bobcat service available. Tel#623-0290 Business place to rent 114x18, 114x15, 114x10 located at first street Bartica. Contact #6500402/603-1402 NEW 4 STOREY BUILDING AT PARIKA (GUYANA’S GATEWAY) NEAR STELLING, WILLING TO DIVIDE. CALL: 699-4513. 2 bedrooms downstairs, Newly renovated 32 First St Prospect, EBD $40,000 per month. Tel# 614-5710 Salon space for Diamond. #602-9373
rent.
EDUCATION
Relaxing Massage Service. FIRST AID AND CPRCONTACT GUYANA #674-8147 TRAINING COLLEGE #227ACCOMODATION 4881 ShortTerm: Furnished 2 bedroom in Section K GOOD FOOD HANDLING Campbellville AC,TV, Wifi PRACTICES COURSE, REGISTER NOW $15,000 #688-9020 GUYANA TRAINING COLLEGE #227-4881
VEHICLE FOR SALE
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
N. Outar Driving School, Learn to Drive the right way. Affordable package. Call: 6445166/691-2561
CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS FROM $4000 & UP, SUV’S PER DAY- CALL:643-5122/6560087, ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL:225-7126/ 2263 6 9 3 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL @YAHOO.COM/ WWW.D OLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP RATES,SPECIAL OFFERS! . CALL: 690-6494 AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807 LAND FOR SALE Transported land 11.6 acres. Lot 15 public road. #2 Village W.C.B. Price $18M. Contact 686-4818, 648-7109 Tuschen (Phase 2) $1.2M Neg Parfaite Harmonie $2.6M. Tel#681-8746
The Court of Appeal is scheduled to hear arguments next Tuesday, November 13, in the case of the State vs Quaison Jones who was WANTED convicted in 2014 for the 1 Air compressor 5HP 3 Phase murder of Marlon Greene, a 230/220 volts. Call: 628-1486/ fish cleaner attached to the 698-1134 Meadow Bank Wharf. Jones, 53, called ‘Blondie’ Live in or live out babysitter/ was convicted by a 12domestic- Call: 223-7500 member mixed jury for the Monday to Saturday 8:15am- January 17, 2011 killing of 4:15pm Greene. He was sentenced to serve 57 years’ imprisonment 1 Driver to work interior by High Court Judge location. Must have Navindra Singh. His lawyer Motorbus licence. #225-1429/ subsequently filed an appeal. 641-5075 According to reports, on the day in question some Office clerk, Senior/Junior other fish cleaners were CXC English/Mathematics, attracted by loud hollering Computer knowledge an and when they ran to the asset. Call: 223-7500 location they observed Jones cuffing away at Greene. A Bike Mechanic. #628-9268 closer look revealed that Jones was armed with a knife, Wanted urgently (1) electrician, knowledge of both industrial & domestic wiring. And (1) Motor rewinding. (From page 3) concession agreement, the Tel#664-9635/644-9084 company issued a response Welder & Fabricator, must which confirmed that alhave 5yrs & over experience though the bulk of the money to work in Georgetown. Call: invested in the Berbice Bridge came from the National Insur690-6053 ance Scheme (NIS), Dr. Wanted experienced hire car Ranjisinghi ’Bobby’ Ramroop taxi drivers at Princess Ramada is the largest shareholder with Hotel. Contact #265-7075/616- 40 percent. 5419 A chart that was included in the response, provided dePROPERTY FOR SALE tails about the ownership of the bridge. 1 House and Land for sale, NICIL has 10 percent Land size 58 ftx850 ft, Land of shares in the bridge, NIS has Canaan. Tel#265-4455/667- 20.2 percent, Hand-In-Hand 8852. Contact Lall Fire Insurance has 10 percent, New GPC has 20 percent, VACANCY Queens Atlantic Investment One Welder, Apply at Inc. has 20 percent and Secure Alabama Trading 65 Robb St International Finance Co. Limited owns 20 percent. Bourda. Brassington’s brother, Driver for route 42 minibus, Michael, is the largest shareTaxi drivers, Experienced holder in Hand-In-Hand. The washbay staff, Experienced cook for snackette. #646-8748
Quaison Jones and there were bloodstains on the blade. Greene’s windpipe and jugular vein were severed. The cause of death was given as shock and haemorrhage.
Berbice Bridge Co. asks ...
One Cleaner. Contact #2235273/74 One Nanny. Contact #2235273/74 Waitress, Waiter, Bartenders. Contact #2235273 /74 Receptionist, Security guard, Gardener. Apply in person to the Manager Herdmanston Lodge, Peter Rose & Lamaha St, Queenstown. 2 Grillmen (Driver’s license a plus) to grill burgers. 1 live in help from Berbice/ Essequibo. Contact X’s Grill & Cuisine. 675-2550/6569313 Cashiers/Supermarket helpers. Apply in person with application @ Nirva Superstore 49 Sheriff & Craig St #227-5771
Ramroop/Brassington combination therefore puts the ownership of the bridge in the hands of Jagdeo’s close friends. The BBCI was keen to note that no single company has a majority share. However, Ramroop owns two of the companies (New GPC and Queens Atlantic Investment Inc.) that each has 20 percent shares. The disclosures of the leaked Concession Agreement would be shocking, as it included also other sweetheart arrangements with the company, which has the possibility of continuing to run the bridge and collect tolls. The agreement says, “At the expiration of the Concession Period and at the “Handback” date, the Concessionaire shall be eligible to tender for the ability to operate and maintain the Toll Bridge and toll plaza on a competitive basis.” With nine years remaining before the bridge is supposed to be handed over to the people of Guyana, a government-ordered review last year reportedly found that the 39 pontoons were not maintained VACANCY in the three-to-five year period DemBake at Land of Canaan that is required. is seeking experienced Drivers and Sales agents. Tel#2665848 Night supervisor, Handyman and Chef. Preferably carnegie trained. Call: 225-7933 or visit 173 Sheriff Street. Female cleaner office & home age 25 to 50. Call: 233-2745 Maid for East Bank area to cook & clean age 25-50. Call: 614-4358 Tool room clerk, Welder/ Fabricator, Male cleaner, Mechanic- Apply at Technical Services Lot 18-23 Industrial Site, Eccles
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Second annual Diaspora conference set for June 2019
T
he second annual Diaspora and Entre preneurial Conference is set for June 16-20, 2019 at the Ramada Hotel, Providence, East Bank Demerara, and is back with a focus on enhancing understanding of the ways in which skills within the Diaspora can contribute towards the development of Guyana and the wider Caribbean. Under the theme, ‘Building a New Business Paradigm: Engaging the Diaspora for an Enhanced Caribbean Competitive Landscape Consider Papers/Panels/Participation, the conference seeks to address the issue of ‘brain drain’ and how it has over the past decades continue to constrain economic and social development. The event, which is an undertaking by the University of Guyana (UG), will feature academic scholars, practitioners, and policy-makers who will join in examining how entrepreneurship has supported and can continue to support economic transformation in a developing economy. It is expected to be cochaired by Director of Strategic Initiatives, Vice Chancellery, UG, Dr. Fitzgerald Yaw and Dean, School of Entrepreneurship and Business (SEBI), UG Professor Leyland Lucas. Topics to be covered at the conference include, but are not limited to: Entrepreneurship: Opportunity recognition, exploration and exploitation; Diaspora entrepreneurship and local business development: Motivation, Governance and Trust; Youth Entrepreneurship: Keys/Challenges to success; Indig-
enous entrepreneurship and community development; Women Entrepreneurship: Social challenges, barriers and keys to success. It will also cover Refugee Entrepreneur: Chances and challenges to success; Gender and ethnicity in entrepreneurship; Credit Unions: Investment resource, mechanisms to enhance competitiveness; Competitiveness of Caribbean entrepreneurs compared to foreign direct investors: Business model/ structure/mechanism of Diaspora entrepreneurs; Open ICT ecosystems as catalysts for collaboration, growth and innovation and The Diaspora as “Local Content”. According to reports out of UG, “As we observe the economic challenges in the regions and prepare, for example, for the emergence of the Oil and Gas Sector in Guyana, it is becoming increasingly obvious that the traditional way of doing business cannot yield success. The gaps in skills and competencies are necessary to spur local involvement are clear.” It was pointed out that this is not only reflected in the opportunities from which local companies and individuals can benefit, but also the need for rapid efforts at training within multiple technical and management sectors of the economy. This occurs at a time when the strategic implementations of the shift away from the sugar industry are becoming more evident, and the movement towards greater entrepreneurial activity is being advocated. UG noted that the focus on entrepreneurial activity is
“Alarming” irregularities... From page 11 paid over to the Council; expenditure totaling $182.610M were not certified by the relevant officer; the City Treasurer’s approval was not evident on seven Payment Vouchers totaling $8.304M; the Finance Committee’s full approval was not evident on 21 Payment Vouchers totaling $30M; and there was no evidence of acknowledgement from payees for payments totaling $12.816M.” Further to this, Sharma said that during his probe, the correctness, accuracy and validity of five payments totaling $4.890M could not be verified; six payments totaling $15.7M were made on six contracts that were above the $1.5M contract ceiling for the clean-up programme; payments totaling $42M could not be validated in respect of 27 contracts; and his office could not ascertain whether a transparent system was used for the awarding of contracts. Additionally, the Auditor
General said that 12 contracts totaling $21M were awarded to one contractor, contrary to the apparent stipulated maximum of four contracts to one contractor. Sharma said that there were also instances that indicated contractors may have provided false addresses to satisfy the criterion of having to reside within the area where the work was to be done. In fact, Sharma said that applications were not seen for 25 contracts amounting to $37.500M; and the contract register was not properly written up. Moreover, the Auditor General said that not all contracts were recorded therein. He bemoaned the fact that key information, including payments on contracts, was also not recorded by the Ministry. All the Head of the Budget Agency said to the aforementioned was that detailed responses will be provided at a later date to the Audit Office.
of particular significance to the youth, women, indigenous and Diaspora population, whose ideas and initiatives will serve as the foundation for new ventures and innovations. “Yet, as we have seen, current initiatives to support these groups are often stymied by the absence of funding, lack of adequate training and non access to critical social, human and other net-
works. These facts suggest that there is not only a need for the Diaspora to ‘return home’, but also bring their global business principles, connections, access to critical resources and ideas to support business and social development,” said the tertiary educational institution. It continued, “As has been seen through the Singaporean, Chinese, Kenyan, and other countries
lens, migration paths become increasingly important for traditional economies to be transformed to rapidly improve the quality of life of their citizens and residents and become dominant in regional global powers. As members of the Diaspora bring their human and financial capital to the Caribbean region, they assume levels of risks as entrepreneurs, and they bring their
knowledge and networks to the entrepreneurial environment resulting in innovations, expansion of existing businesses, and the creation of new ones.” Last year’s inaugural conference was held under the theme “Dreaming Diaspora Engagement, Doing Diaspora Engagement.” It was held at the aforementioned venue and attracted scores of participants.
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Golden Jaguars fall to Cayman Islands Kimi Raikkonen: Tougher inclose battle; still in search of elusive... penalties would stop F1 ‘stupidity’ From page 38 ing Holness in the 60th line, but the officials in replaced Ryan Dowding. The insertion of fresh legs added some vigour to the Guyanese team but the Cayman Islands continued to press forward; they made their first sub in the 57th minute when Kameron Mendez replaced fellow forward Leighton Thomas Jnr. Mere moments after the change, the Caymanians, through a pile driver off the boot of the dangerous Kareem Foster sent his side into the lead as he capitalized on a bad pass made by Ryan Hackett. The intensity of the match was now at a higher level and three minutes later, Guyana drew level when substitute Chris Macey on the end of a good build up started by another sub, Ritch, tucked his shot past the advanc-
minute. In an effort to build on that momentum, the Guyanese now had three forwards in Benjamin, Macey and Nicholas Mc Arthur. However, many moments of indecision, ineffective passes and lack of awareness worked against the Guyanese. Too much space was given up at the back and one such occasion, a ripping shot from outside the area by Jabari Campbell resulted in the ball flying past the outstretched hands of Vaughn and rocketed into the nets off the cross bar whilst making its way back into play all at once. Momentarily, there was some uncertainty if the ball had indeed gone over the
charge communicated on their headsets quickly and Referee Dujic Filip of Canada promptly blew his whistle and pointed to the center which meant that Cayman Islands had retaken the lead at 3-2. The remaining moments saw Guyana creating more chances but just could not get it right in the attacking third, much to the disappointment of all. Now the focus would have to be on an opponent that is expected to be much tougher than Cayman Islands. Next on the radar is Curacao tomorrow from 12:45hrs on Field 11. The team would be involved in a recovery session today and aim to get mentally ready for the task at hand tomorrow.
Wednesday November 07, 2018 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You may have your mind set on some big plans that you've been working on for some time now. The problem is that today there is some conflict with something
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Consider subscribing to an alternative newsletter of some sort, Libra. You will find some amazing information that the general public doesn't necessarily know.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) You may have been feeling more emotional lately, Taurus. Today a fanciful energy could sweep you off your feet and into another realm entirely.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Don't expect others to take much notice of your emotions today. You're more respectful of theirs than they are of yours. Find peace among all you encounter.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) People and situations that you were counting on may suddenly run into opposition today, Gemini. Don't be surprised if the seat you're sitting on is suddenly pulled out from under you.
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Your aggressive attitude is likely to start a fight that might be difficult to settle now, Sagittarius. There are extremely stubborn forces at work, and you may find that no one is willing to budge from their position.
CANCER (June 21–July 22) Your ego has probably been feeling strong lately, and you may feel an extra boost of self-confidence, Cancer. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) If you knew the truth of all the things that are going on outside your world, you'd be appalled You shouldn't take things at face value today. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) It isn't a good idea to try to fit people into a mold today, Virgo. This will only annoy others and frustrate you. It's important that you relax and simply let people blossom into the people they want to be.
CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) People may be difficult to deal with today. You may soon discover that they're just as stubborn as you are. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Your ego may be under some stress today, Aquarius. The tricky part is that the threat you feel is probably a result of something that isn't even completely real. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You could develop a stomachache if you try to sort out all the confused issues of the day, Pisces. There are apt to be too many matters for you to handle alone, so don't even try.
Autosport Kimi Raikkonen believes tougher stewarding on bigger incidents would eliminate “stupidity” from Formula 1 drivers. The FIA is constantly adapting its stewarding process to try to improve how it polices bad driving, ranging from appointing former racing drivers to its panel of race officials back in 2010 to tweaking how those stewards should consider applying penalties. New penalty options and a driver penalty points system are among the ways the FIA has recently tried to clamp down on even minor indiscretions and deter repeat offenders. Stewards have been criticised heavily by several drivers for being too harsh with penalties but Raikkonen believes the perception they have been “very strong” is incorrect. “It is so random, that you cannot really say it’s very strong,” he told Autosport.
Botofago win for... From page 36 able to get past a determined Hi Stars side which had leveled the scores after the Eagles had struck in the first goal in the 40th minute through Colwyn Drakes and were ahead at half time 1-0. The Stars through the veteran Tony ‘Spirit’ Adams from the penalty spot evened things in the 56th minute, but that would be the last time the Stars were in the game. Kellon Primo placed the Eagles ahead once again through a penalty from Kellon Primo in the 60thminute and then Drakes returned to put the game beyond the stars netting in the 70th minute as the game’s final 3-1 score line. In the first game, Botofago outscored Silver Shattas as the Haynes brothers Shane and Jamal opened up a 2-2 score-line, after the scores were leveled when Antoine Gill (6thminute) and an own goal in the 15th were recorded for Botofago and Marley Major (26th ) and Romel Matthews (31st) netted for Shattas. Shane first sent his team into the lead for good in the 43rd minute as the first half ended 3-2. Jamal would finish of the things for Botofago with another goal in the 71st minute as Botofago came away winners 4-2.
“If they would be very strong on the right things, then they wouldn’t need to do a lot of other stuff. “If you are strong enough to stop certain stupidity that is happening, I think we wouldn’t have to have these small penalties here and there, for no big reason. “Sometimes you have a good reason, sometimes not - but it is so random. “If you would be really strict in the main points, then the whole thing would change. Then nobody would start doing stupidity.” Presently, one licence penalty point is automatically applied when a driver is punished for a driving offence. Max Verstappen has been a vocal opponent of that system, and is particularly aggrieved by the concept of
punishing drivers for small demeanours. Raikkonen believes if a precedent was set with bigger incidents then “you don’t need to give, every time, five seconds or 10 seconds for crazy things”. “That is the issue, that it looks like it’s very harsh or very hard, but it is actually not hard enough in the right place,” said Raikkonen. “Then the rest would sort itself out. “I think it just looks a bit silly, because you get [penalties] for this or that and then last race somebody does [same] and it’s completely the opposite thing. “If it’s been done a proper way and hard enough on the right thing, where everything starts, then I am sure it would look a lot better [and] it would work out better.”
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NBA roundup: Murray’s 48 lift Nuggets over Celtics Jamal Murray scored a careerhigh 48 points to outshine Kyrie Irving, and the host Denver Nuggets rallied to beat the Boston Celtics 115107 on Monday night. Murray missed a chance to become the first Denver player since Carmelo Anthony to score 50 or more points in a game. Anthony did it twice, the last time on Feb. 7, 2011, two weeks before he was traded to the New York Knicks. Murray, whose previous career high was 38 points, led the Nuggets to their fifth consecutive win and their ninth in 10 games to open the season. Irving finished with 31 and Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown had 15 each for the Celtics, who have lost two straight. Warriors 117, Grizzlies 101 Stephen Curry and Alfonzo McKinnie connected on 3-pointers in a 14-point Golden State run late in the third quarter that propelled the two-time defending champions to a victory over Memphis in Oakland, Calif. Klay Thompson scored a gamehigh 27 points for the Warriors, who won their eighth consecutive contest overall and sixth in a row at home despite losing Draymond Green in the second quarter to a foot injury. Kevin Durant had 22 points, and Curry finished with 19. Marc Gasol flirted with a tripledouble for Memphis with eight points and game highs in rebounds (10) and assists (nine). Dillon Brooks had a team-high 18 points, while Jaren Jackson Jr. and Shelvin Mack scored 15 apiece for the Grizzlies. Heat 120, Pistons 115 (OT) Josh Richardson had 27 points, eight rebounds and four assists, and visiting Miami snapped a three-game losing streak with an overtime win against slumping Detroit. Goran Dragic contributed 21
Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors shoots the ball against the Memphis Grizzlies on November 5, 2018 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) points, seven rebounds and six assists for the Heat, while Dwyane Wade added 18 points. Andre Drummond powered for 25 points and 24 rebounds for Detroit, which lost its fifth straight. Wade moved into 30th place on the league’s all-time scoring list during the first half, surpassing Clyde Drexler (22,195 points). Wade ended the night at 22,211. Thunder 122, Pelicans 116 With star point guard Russell Westbrook out in the second half due to an ankle injury, Dennis Schroder scored nine consecutive
Oklahoma City points in the fourth quarter in a win over visiting New Orleans. Schroder finished with a seasonhigh 22 points off the bench — 16 in the second half — as the Thunder extended their winning streak to five after losing the season’s first four games. It was New Orleans’ sixth consecutive loss after a 4-0 start. Schroder got his chance for a big finish after Westbrook twisted his left ankle with 4:25 remaining in the third quarter. Westbrook rolled over and grabbed his left leg before slapping the floor in pain and frus-
tration. Soon afterward, he went to the locker room, not putting any weight on the leg. Bulls 116, Knicks 115 (2OT) Zach LaVine’s career-high 41st point, a free throw with 0.2 seconds left in the second overtime, snapped a tie and lifted visiting Chicago over New York. The Bulls snapped a four-game losing streak. The Knicks lost for the third time in four games. Antonio Blakeney had 17 points and Jabari Parker added 15 points for the Bulls, who received a doubledouble from Wendell Carter Jr. (11 points, 13 rebounds). Knicks reserve Enes Kanter had 23 points, 24 rebounds and seven assists — the first sub to produce a game of at least 20-20-5 since Charles Barkley on Nov. 28, 1986. Raptors 124, Jazz 111 Kyle Lowry scored 17 points, dished out 11 assists and collected seven rebounds to lead Toronto past Utah in Salt Lake City. Three other Raptors players also scored 17 points — led by Serge Ibaka, who came off the bench to make all eight of his shot attempts before fouling out early in the fourth quarter. Alec Burks led Utah with 22 points off the bench in his first game back after missing four games with a left hand chip fracture. Utah played without Donovan Mitchell (sprained ankle) for the second time in three games. Toronto played without Kawhi Leonard (jammed foot) for the second consecutive game. Rockets 98, Pacers 94 James Harden scored 28 points, but his lone block helped Houston secure its third consecutive win, beating Indiana at Indianapolis. Pacers guard Victor Oladipo scored eight points down the stretch, but Harden blocked an Oladipo shot with 28.8 seconds left and the Rockets leading 93-90.
Harden later sealed the victory with two free throws with 5.4 seconds remaining. Harden and P.J. Tucker (nine points, five rebounds, two steals) each hit a late 3-pointer to offset the surge by Oladipo, who led Indiana with 28 points. Domantas Sabonis added 17 off the bench for the Pacers. Magic 102, Cavaliers 100 Evan Fournier nailed a tiebreaking jump shot at the buzzer to give host Orlando an improbable home win after Cleveland turned the ball over twice in the final 20 seconds. The Cavaliers had a three-point lead with 18.7 seconds left, possession of the ball and the shot clock turned off, but Cedi Osman’s bad pass was intercepted by D.J. Augustin, who was fouled and made both free throws. Two seconds later, Kyle Korver turned the ball over, and Fournier made one of two free throws to tie the score after he was fouled at the basket with 13 seconds to go. Nikola Vucevic blocked a shot by Cleveland’s George Hill with 2.2 seconds left, setting up Fournier’s winner. Clippers 120, Timberwolves 109 Tobias Harris and Danilo Gallinari scored 22 points each and Lou Williams added 20 off the bench as Los Angeles held off a late run from visiting Minnesota. Derrick Rose scored 21 points for Minnesota in his second start of the season. In his first start last week against the Utah Jazz, the former MVP had a career-high 50 points. Karl-Anthony Towns scored 20 points for the Timberwolves, but just seven after the first quarter. However, he grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds.Minnesota’s Jimmy Butler also had 20 points, 16 of which came in the fourth quarter. (Field Level Media)
Fernando Ovelar, 14, Mariota, Titans take down Cowboys, 28-14 scores for Cerro Porteno in Paraguayan Superclasico BBC Sport - Imagine scoring your first professional goal in the biggest club fixture in your homeland. Now imagine doing it aged 14. For Fernando Ovelar, that unlikely dream became a reality on a Sunday.Ovelar, who is two months short of his 15th birthday, scored the opening goal for Paraguayan topflight team Cerro Porteno in their Superclasico against arch-rivals Olimpia.It came a week after he made his senior debut. Nestor Camacho, who scored Olimpia’s equaliser in the 2-2 draw, is 31 - more than double Ovelar’s age. The game ended in dramatic fashion - Marcos Acosta putting
Cerro in the lead with a 95th-minute penalty and Jorge Ortega equalising with a penalty of his own in the 103rd minute after both teams had a player sent off.Ovelar is the youngest player to have featured in Paraguay’s top division - but not the first 14-year-old to score in professional football. American Freddy Adu - once described as “the next Pele” - was also just 14 when he scored his first goal for Major League Soccer side DC United.Mauricio Baldivieso, who played in Bolivia’s top division aged 12, is the youngest player to ever play professional football. Sure beats school.
Marcus Mariota passed for two touchdowns and rushed for another to lead the Tennessee Titans to a 28-14 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night at Arlington, Texas. Mariota completed 21 of 29 passes for 240 yards and tossed scoring passes to running back Dion Lewis and tight end Jonnu Smith. Lewis had 122 total yards (62 rushing, 60 receiving) and safety Kevin Byard recorded an interception as the Titans (4-4) snapped a three-game losing streak. Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott was 21 of 31 for 243 yards, two touchdowns and the interception. Amari Cooper caught five passes for 58 yards and a touchdown in his team debut, and fellow receiver Allen Hurns also caught a scoring pass for the Cowboys (3-5). The Dallas defense repeatedly had issues stopping Ten-
nessee, which converted 11 of 14 third-down opportunities. The Titans outgained the Cowboys 340 yards to 297, sending Dallas to its third defeat in four games. The Titans took a 21-14 lead when Mariota hit Smith for a 7yard scoring pass with 5:44 left in the third quarter. Mariota put the ball deep into the grasp of Lewis and pulled it out as Dallas defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence approached, and instead shoveled it ahead to Smith, who darted through the middle of the field for the touchdown. Tennessee extended the lead to 14 when Mariota rushed for a 9-yard score with 4:38 remaining in the fourth quarter. Dallas turned the ball over on downs with 1:31 left, and the Titans ran out the clock, sealing the game with Mariota’s 3-yard keeper on third-and-1 from the Tennessee 22-yard line. Prescott threw two touchdown passes in the first half, and
the score was tied at 14 at the break. The Cowboys struck first four plays after Lawrence stripsacked Mariota, with linebacker Sean Lee recovering at the Tennessee 15. The touchdown came when Prescott tossed a 4-yard scoring pass to Cooper — recently acquired from the Oakland Raiders — with 6:12 left in the first quarter. Tennessee tied the score with a 15-play, 80-yard drive that was culminated by Derrick Henry’s second-effort 1-yard run with 9:35 left in the half. The Titans moved ahead when Lewis fielded a screen pass from Mariota and navigated for an 18-yard score to make it 14-7 with 4:11 remaining. The Cowboys countered with a 10-play, 78-yard drive. Prescott connected with Hurns for a 23yard touchdown to knot the score with 39 seconds left. (Field Level Media)
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USOC seeks to revoke USA Gymnastics’ status as governing body (Reuters) - The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) has taken the first steps to revoke USA Gymnastics of its status as the national governing body for the sport in the latest fallout from the sex abuse scandal involving a former team doctor. The USOC said the challenges facing the governing body, which is trying to recover from a scandal over the sexual abuse of hundreds of female athletes by ex-team doctor Larry Nassar, are more than it is capable of overcoming in its current form. “This is a situation in which there are no perfect solutions,” USOC chief executive Sarah Hirshland said in an open letter to the gymnastics community. “Seeking to revoke recognition is not a decision that we have come to easily, but I believe it is the right action. “In the short-term, we will work to ensure that America’s gymnasts have the support necessary to excel on and off the field of play.” USA Gymnastics has been in turmoil ever since dozens of female gymnasts, including Olympic champions such as Aly Raisman, McKayla Maroney, Gabby Douglas and Simone Biles, came forward to accuse Nassar of sexual abuse.
A gymnast competes on vault at the U.S. Gymnastics Championships in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., August 19, 2018. (REUTERS/Brian Snyder/File Photo) Over the past two years, three CEOs — Steve Penny, Kerry Perry and interim chief Mary Bono — have been forced out of the organization after being criticized for the way they handled the situation. Bono resigned just four days into the job last month following criticism by some top gymnasts about whether the former Republican con-
gresswoman was fit to lead the organization. Then Penny was arrested on charges he tampered with evidence in the Nassar case. USA Gymnastics said in a statement its board of directors was seated in June and inherited an organization it described as being in crisis and with significant challenges that were years in the making.
“In the four months since, the Board has done everything it could to move this organization toward a better future,” the board of directors said. “We immediately took steps to change the leadership and are currently conducting a search to find a CEO who can rebuild the organization and, most importantly, regain the trust of the gym-
nastics community.” Nassar was sentenced in February to up to 125 years in prison after some 200 women testified about decades of abuse at his hands. In her letter, Hirshland said “you deserve better” and that the USOC even offered USA Gymnastics the option of surrendering its recognition voluntarily. Hirshland also said in the letter a review panel will be identified, a hearing will be held, a report will be issued and a recommendation will be made. Then the USOC board will vote to continue to recognize USAG, or to revoke that status. Seeking a revocation does not guarantee a particular outcome. Hirshland did not say how long the process would take and that the USOC would make every effort to proceed quickly. She also called this moment the beginning of an important process for gymnastics in the United States. “The path is not crystal clear, but our motives are,” Hirshland wrote. “So, we move forward, committed to ensuring the type of organization each gymnast and the coaches, trainers and club owners who support them, deserves.”
The announcement comes a day after the conclusion of the world gymnastics championships in Doha where Biles became the first female gymnast in 30 years to claim a medal in all six events at a major competition, including a record fourth all-around title for a woman. Her haul included four golds, one silver and a bronze. Lawyers for a number of Nassar victims who filed lawsuits against both the governing body and the USOC said the Committee’s move was not enough. “Today’s announcement by USOC seeks only to deflect from their total failure over decades to protect the gymnasts in their care,” lawyers Michelle Simpson Tuegel and Mo Aziz said in a statement. “In protecting and enabling Larry Nassar for so long, USAG and USOC failed in its core mission which it claims is to empower athletes - and gave a known child abuser unfettered access to hundreds of victims. “It is high time that the institution and its enablers that failed to protect and care for these young women as minors be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
Lewis Hamilton wants to help young French club Bordeaux drivers get a proper education sold to U.S. hedge fund Autosport - Five-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton fears young drivers risk compromising their education too much and intends to talk with FIA president Jean Todt on the matter. Hamilton wants to help aspiring racing drivers who are taken out of school in pursuit of a career as a driver and then have little to fall back on if they do not succeed.The Mercedes driver said he is aware of the impression F1 stars can make on young children because he sees the same “sparkle” in the eyes of those he encounters as he had as a youngster meeting David Coulthard and Mika Hakkinen at McLaren. “I just want to keep on driving hard and keep encouraging kids,” said Hamilton. “Hopefully I’m going to meet with Jean at some stage, because I feel there is some positive impact that we can have on young kids that are at school. “A lot of kids that are racing don’t have an education or don’t get an education. “Parents take the kids out of school to focus on trying to get that ultimate and then
Lewis Hamilton intends to talk with FIA president Jean Todt on the matter.
when it doesn’t happen you fall flat on your back. “Obviously winning a championship is a great thing, but hopefully I can work on that with Jean, so that with these kids, even if they don’t make it to Formula 1, or as another racing driver, they can be an engineer. “There are thousands of people within these teams, there are so many opportunities within all these organisations, so that’s something I want to get involved in.”Hamilton’s fear that young drivers are compromising their education echoes that of Red
Bull design guru Adrian Newey, voiced in late-2014. Then, Newey told Autosport that he wanted more to be done by governing bodies to stop young children, like his son Harrison at the time, from potentially threatening their efforts at school by testing and racing. Hamilton said he knows that he is “always going to be remembered as a racing driver” but has other off-track ideas he hopes to use his platform to implement. “This great sport and this great opportunity that I have had has created a great foun-
dation and an opportunity for me to do other things,” said Hamilton.“I’ve always been one to want to have some positive impact; I don’t want to be just taking, taking, taking. “I want to be doing some positive things for the future. “So, if I want to be remembered for anything it’s by building a school, whether it’s encouraging education, whether it’s just helping people get through difficult times.“It’s kind of difficult to put it into words but naturally I don’t want my time on Earth to mean nothing.”
PA R I S ( R e u t e r s ) French club Girondins de Bordeaux have been sold by the media company M6 Metropole Television to Los Angeles-based hedge fund General American Capital Partners (GACP), the French firm said yesterday. “M6 Group has today finalised the sale of the Football Club Girondins de Bordeaux to the U.S. investment fund General American Capital Partners (GACP) for 100 million euros (87.18 million pounds),” M6 said in a statement announcing their results for the first nine months of 2018. M6 bought the French
club in 1999 and hoped to bring back the glory days of the 1980s when Girondins won three league titles and two French Cups with players such as Alain Giresse, Jean Tigana and Marius Tresor. Under M6, however, they won one league title, in 2009, and one French cup, in 2013. “A page turns for M6, a new one opens for the FCGB,” M6 president Nicolas de Tavernost said on twitter. “I wish great success to the new management team and thank all the Girondins for these 19 years. I will remain a fervent supporter of @girondins.” ($1 = 0.8763 euros)
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Debutant Foakes engineers England recovery in Galle
Wednesday November 07, 2018
Zimbabwe storm to first away Test win in 17 years
Brandon Mavuta celebrates a wicket with his teammates. (Getty Images)
Ben Foakes drives down the ground during a stand worth 61 ©Getty Images GALLE, Sri Lanka (Reuters) - England’s Ben Foakes made a memorable debut to help the tourists recover from a terrible start and reach 321 for eight wickets on the opening day of the first test against Sri Lanka yesterday. With England reeling at 10 for two and then 103 for five, even the 200-mark looked difficult but Foakes forged 50-plus stands with Jos Buttler and Sam Curran to drag them back into the contest. Foakes, replacing the injured Jonny Bairstow in the side, was batting on 87 at stumps, having been impressive with his batting while his glovework remains to be seen. Jack Leach was on 14 at the other end after quite a turnaround by the tourists in the last two sessions. England had earlier made an unconvincing start to life following the retirement of stalwart Alastair Cook after captain Joe
Root opted to bat first to avoid the prospect of having the final innings at a famously spinfriendly venue. It was the early pace of Suranga Lakmal, however, that undid the top order of a side playing their first test without England great Cook who left the international arena in September.Opener Rory Burns (nine) disappointed on his test debut and Moeen Ali failed to justify his promotion to number three as Lakmal claimed two wickets in two balls. Root denied Lakmal a hattrick and started the rebuilding job, initially at a run-a-ball rate, with Keaton Jennings. GOLDENHERATH Sri Lanka wasted both their reviews inside 12 overs but it was the golden arm of retiring 40-year-old Rangana Herath that ended Root’s 62-run stand with Jennings. Herath, given a guard-ofhonour by his team mates
ahead of his 93rd and final test, yorked an advancing Root to claim his 100th wicket at the venue where he made his test debut in 1999. Root hit five boundaries in a fluent 35 before paying for his recklessness. Dilruwan Perera (4-70) dismissed Jennings for 46 and Ben Stokes for seven in his second spell, clean bowling both the left-handers. Buttler and Foakes sensibly abandoned the ultra-aggressive batting which had cost England dear in the morning session and combined in a 61-run stand for the sixth wicket. Even after Perera dismissed Buttler for 38, Foakes raised 88 runs with Curran, who hit three sixes before falling for 48, while Adil Rashid contributed a quickfire 35 down the order. Scores: England 321 for 8 (Foakes 87*, Leach 14*, Dilruwan 4-70) v Sri Lanka.
Herstelling and Ruimveldt victorious Herstelling and Ruimveldt registered victories when the latest round of matches in the East Bank Demerara Cricket Association (EBDCA)/ Neville Sarjoo Memorial 50-over tournament concluded on Sunday last. At YMCA, Herstelling beat Uprising by three wickets. Uprising batted first and managed 151 all out in 24.3 overs. Jermaine Mc Neil made 44 not out including four fours and three sixes, while Irfaan Ali got 41 with three fours and a similar number of sixes. Buddan Baksh snared 2-19 and Delroy Williams 2-30. In reply, Herstelling got to 152-7. Navendra Pooran scored 42 not out with seven fours and one six, while Unnis Yusuf made 33 which contained one four and three sixes. Mohamed Baksh claimed 2-39. At Laluni, Ruimveldt overcame the home team by five runs. Ruimveldt were bowled out for 88, taking first strike. R. Ramlall made 17
ESPNcricinfo - The moment arrived at 1.46pm on the fourth afternoon in Sylhet. Ariful Haque swung hard at Wellington Masakadza, but suffered a fate that most Bangladesh batsmen have off late, his top-edge being caught by a jubilant Regis Chakabva. Zimbabwe fought odds that were stacked against them, but won most sessions in the game with patient batting and bowling. They held their catches too, and dismantled Bangladesh for a 151-run win. It is only their third overseas Test win and first since November 2001, when the world of cricket was considerably different. That win in 2001 also came against Bangladesh, when Zimbabwe won by eight wickets in Chittagong under Stuart Carlisle. Brandon Mavuta, Sikandar Raza, Kyle Jarvis and Wellington combined brilliantly to bowl Bangladesh out for 169 in the second innings. Mavuta was introduced late in the first session, but ended with four wickets, three of which came after lunch. His 4 for 21 were the third-best innings figures by a Zimbabwe bowler on debut. But it was Raza who broke Bangladesh’s back by removing Imrul Kayes, Liton Das and Mahmudullah at a crucial
time. Wellington finished with two wickets while Jarvis took one. Bangladesh had gone into lunch reeling on 111 for 5, having just lost captain Mahmudullah caught at square leg attempting a sweep, and Nazmul Hossain Shanto, who timed a rank long hop to Raza at cover. Mushfiqur Rahim was the first wicket to fall after the lunch break, when he swept Mavuta down deep-backward square leg’s throat. Wellington took a great catch diving forward, but the choice of the shot remained baffling. Soon, Mehidy Hasan and Taijul Islam fell within six balls of each other, getting caught behind and holing out to longon respectively. Mavuta, who had removed Mehidy, then took the wicket of Nazmul Islam to complete his fourth wicket before Ariful fell for a 37-ball 38 to end Bangladesh’s innings in 63.1 overs. At the start of the day, there was some hope for Bangladesh when Imrul and Liton put on 56 for the opening wicket, the first half-century opening stand for Bangladeshi since January this year. But Imrul, who came into the Test having made 349 runs in the ODI series and had worked hard to reach 43 off 102 balls in this innings,
missed a sweep off Raza to be bowled around his legs. Raza had also taken the first wicket of the Bangladesh innings, trapping Liton lbw even though umpire Richard Kettleborough had initially given him not out. But upon review, the spinning delivery was seen hitting middle stump. While the openers did share a crucial stand, the pair survived three chances in total. Brendan Taylor dropped Imrul at first slip while Brian Chari couldn’t reach two chances at short leg, once off each batsman in the 15th over. Mominu Haquel’s woeful Test run continued after he was dismissed for 9, which included two well-struck fours. Jarvis tested Mominul outside the off stump and it was th i s i n t e r p l a y t h a t brought about his downfall. After beating his tentative push with a delivery that held its line, Jarvis followed it with another that was leaving the batsman, but a weak push took the inside edge and thudded into the stumps. Scores: Zimbabwe 282 (Williams 88, Moor 63*, Taijul 6-108) and 181 (H Masakadza 48, Taijul 5-62) beat Bangladesh 143 (Ariful 41*, Chatara 3-19, Raza 335) and 169 (Mavuta 4-21, Raza 3-41) by 151 runs.
Samaroo guides Bel Air Rubis to 10-wkt win Eric Sukrah and Omesh Danram16. In reply, Laluni were sent packing for 83; R. Mohamed had 3-18 and Eric Sukrah 3-21. The competition continues on Sunday.
An unbeaten 99 from Andrew Samaroo handed Bel Air Rubis a 10-wicket win over Muslim Youth Organisation when the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) Friends of Cricket U17 tournament continued on Sunday last at Ogle ground, East Coast,
Demerara. Muslim Youth Organisation batted first after winning the toss and made 132 all out. Zeynul Ramsammy scored 44, Elnathan Sooknandan got 18 and Marlon Boele 14; Andrew Samaroo claimed 3-14 from nine overs, Ravindra Samaroo
3-18 from seven overs and Deveanand Khemraj 2-11 off six were the pick of the Bel Air Rubis bowlers. Bel Air Rubis responded with 135 without loss in 22 overs. Samaroo struck 12 fours and seven sixes in his innings which came off 63 balls.
Wednesday November 07, 2018
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Kaieteur News
Concacaf U-20 Championship USA 2018
Better performance but not good end product – Assistant Coach Heywood By Franklin Wilson in Florida, USA Compliments of Industrial Safety Supplies, Secure Innovation & Concepts and Fitness Express Assistant Coach of the Guyana team here at the Concacaf Under-20 Championship USA 2018, which has attracted all 34 Member Associations of the Confederation, O’Neil Heywood is of the view that the team played a much better game than their opener but the desired result still remains elusive. Heywood was speaking with Kaieteur Sport following the team’s close 2-3 loss to Cayman Islands yesterday, the first time that Guyana has ever lost to their opponents at any level. He noted that his charges had the freedom to be much more aggressive in the attacking third. In reflecting on the lack of fight being shown at times by some players, O’Neil proffered the view that the lack of competition for the positions on the team could be one of the reasons for this. ”I think that the players themselves have got it too easy so the competitiveness that we expect to be there is
not there; so there is where I think the lapse is coming from. A player knowing his position is secured so there is a tendency not to push hard but this should not be the case.” In looking forward to the two remaining matches against Curacao tomorrow and El Salvador on Saturday, Coach Heywood stated that they have to ensure the players recover well from yesterday’s clash which would entail an ice bath as well as a field session to work on the tactical preparation. Meanwhile, Team Manager Daniel Thomas in an invited comment said that they players give a more spirited performance with more effort being shown which were reflected in the goals that were scored. However, he was disappointed that they were not able to secure the victory. He said that he would like to see a number of measures being put in place going forward to ensure that players are held accountable for the game. ”We need to, at the club level especially ensure that there is more accountability in terms of player development; what is good locally
O’Neil Heywood may not necessarily be anything at this level and I think this is one of the challenges that has been plaguing Guyana’s football for too long. We tend to see players as being good locally but then we don’t match them against what’s out there and most times when we come out to tournament of this nature, we expect them to operate like the Messi’s and Ronaldo’s and you find that they just cannot cope.”
Thomas posited that the game is demanding mentally and physically and if you do not have players that can think on their feet and in the game you will struggle. ”You need players who will play for team and not for I and this is another area that we have to focus on. I was chatting with a physiologist who came with the team from St. Vincent & the Grenadines and it is maxing, the direction some of the Caribbean
Daniel Thomas MAs are heading with regards to help the players and their development. So it’s food for thought going forward for the GFF.” Thomas noted that the federation needs to be a bit more proactive in assessing players and work with those who are committed. ”You don’t want to pick a player based strictly on talent because talent alone would not make it at this level. You have to come with the right attitude, you must be
prepared to come as a team person and be disciplined.” The Manager said he is looking forward to the team rising above the two losses and aim to do better in the two remaining matches. ”Maybe come up with two victories to show what Guyana’s football is all about, but it’s going to take a lot of self-examination and more team work and I hope that from a managerial perspective, the players can do Guyana proud.”
Guyanese duo of Harold ‘Top Gun’ Hopkinson and Dr. Pravesh Harry excels IPSC/Suriname Open 2018
Director and the Steel Challenge chairperson of the Guyana Sport Shooting Foundation, Dr. Pravesh Harry and IPSC Regional Director of the Guyana NRA, Harold Hopkinson last weekend attended and excelled at the IPSC/Suriname Open 2018 shoot held at the at the MTC Shooting Ranges, VerlengdeRijsdijkweg. The event attracted experienced shooters from many countries including Aruba, Barbados, Jamaica, French Guiana, Guyana and the host. When the smoke had evaporated, Harry shot his way to the bronze medal in the highly competitive Production Division, while Guyana’s veteran hand gunner, Harold “Topgun” Hopkinson was golden in the Production Division using his CZ Shadow 2, Semi-Automatic Pistol. Dr, Harry who was awesome on debut at this level, started shooting practical pistol competitively about four years ago. He was invited to Suriname by IPSC Regional Director of the Guyana NRA, Harold Hopkinson at what was a Level 3 competition sanctioned by the International Practical Shooting
Confederation (IPSC). The Guyanese duo, which flew into Suriname on Wednesday last via Gum Air, participated in a training programme on Thursday and Friday at the competition venue under the watchful eyes of Practical Shooting Grand Master, Jamaican, Ronald ‘The Dragon’ Brown as the Instructor and Trainer. Shooting the 9mm, CZ Shadow 2, with which he got familiar with on the 27th October at the GDF Ranges where he cleaned up the competition by winning the Standard Division of the BM Soat Halloween Practical Pistol match, Dr Harry, from the commencement of the training programme did not disappoint his trainer and the Regional Director’s instinct by adapting and surprising the rest of highly intense Production Division with his accuracy and double tap prowess in this 250-round competition. Harry took the 3rd position away from the more experienced shooters in this highly competitive division. First was Surinamese, Bruce Djosetiko, who shot like a man possessed, second was Suriname Open 2018, Match
The Guyanese duo of Harold ‘Top Gun’ Hopkinson (left) and Dr Pravesh Harry (2nd left) with two other colleagues in Suriname. Director, veteran production shooter Romano Adel with Dr. Parvesh Harry taking the much coveted third spot. Guyana’s veteran hand gunner, 63-year-old grandfather Hopkinson, decided to rest his Open Division, Akai custom pistol and test the very competitive Production Division with another CZ Shadow 2, semi-automatic pistol. He informed that he was very surprised when his name was called as the Production, Senior Category’s High over-
all winner. Meanwhile, Yuhong Lee of Aruba took the Open Division from Surinamese favorite top shot Desmond Chang and third was Andrew “Shaggy” Wilson in the Standard Division, Ronald Brown, the High Overall Senior Production, Harold Hopkinson and Dr. Pravesh Harry, took the third place in the Production Division. Dr. Harry related that it was a life altering experience, and was impressed by the level of organization of the
match by the Surinamese. He mused that being awarded the 3rd place was a great feeling, because the night before he literally sat and reviewed everyone’s hit factors and scores in excel and realized he was in 5th place after day one. Harry then decided that would push himself as much as he could, to get onto the podium. He did and felt very satisfied with his performance. He also remarked that he was very grateful for the invitation and look forward to
more international events. The Guyanese Handgun duo, wishes to thank the following head of agencies and their staff for their support: Commissioner of Police, Leslie James, DSS, DSM; Commissioner General, GRA, Godfrey Statia MS, Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force and President of the Guyana NRA Brigadier Patrick West, MSS; Guyana NRA Smallbore Captain Dale Hing and Secure Innovations & Concepts which made this tour possible.
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Wednesday November 07, 2018
Kaieteur News
Dismal Windies concede series with crushing defeat LUCKNOW, India, CMC – Another dismal performance led to another depressing result as West Indies suffered yet another series defeat with a heavy 71-run crushing at the hands of India, in the second Twenty20 International here yesterday. Chasing an imposing 196 for victory at Atal Bihari Vajpayee International Cricket Stadium after captain Rohit Sharma clobbered a record fourth T20I hundred, West Indies fell apart in their run chase, stumbling to 124 for nine off their 20 overs. Left-hander Darren Bravo top-scored with 23 and tailender Keemo Paul got 20 but they were the only two to pass 15, as the innings never got going for the second straight outing in the threematch series. For the Caribbean side, the series defeat was their fourth consecutive and they have now also lost nine of their last 11 T20 Internationals inside the last 12 months. Opting to field first, the Windies were battered up front by a record 123-run first wicket stand as the incomparable Rohit Sharma slammed an unbeaten 111 off just 61 deliveries and partner Shikhar Dhawan, 43, to get India up to 195 for two off their 20 overs. The right-handed Rohit counted eight fours and seven sixes, racing to his half-century in the 13th over off 38 balls before upping the tempo to reach triple figures off 58 deliveries, when he scooped a low full toss from captain and seamer Carlos Brathwaite to the fine leg boundary in the final over. Left-hander Dhawan,
A disappointed Darren Bravo walks off as Indian fielders celebrate his dismissal in the second T20 International on Tuesday. meanwhile, struck three fours in a 41-ball knock, surviving a chance on 28 to Keemo Paul in the deep off Brathwaite in the ninth over, before perishing in the 14th – caught by Nicholas Pooran running to his left at deep square. Rishabh Pant departed cheaply for five when he found Shimron Hetmyer at deep mid-wicket off leftarm spinner Khary Pierre in the 16th over but KH Rahul joined Rohit to add a further 62 off 28 balls, in a cavalier unbroken third wicket stand. Rahul slammed two fours and a six in a 14-ball unbeaten 26 as India gathered 66 runs from the last five overs, with the last over from Brathwaite leaking 20. West Indies never looked the part in the run chase and Shai Hope (6) lasted just eight balls before missing an ungainly swing at left-arm seamer Khaleel Ahmed (2-30)
and having his stumps rattled in the second over. Hetmyer, promoted to opener, was quickly into stride and had struck three fours in 15 off 14 balls when he failed to clear the ropes at long on with Khaleel, and was taken by Dhawan just inside the boundary. Bravo looked the Windies’ best hope of making anything of their innings, the left-hander notching four boundaries in his 18-ball stay at the crease. But magical left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav (2-32) intervened, accounting for Bravo and Pooran (4) in the space of four deliveries to stymie any comeback. First, Bravo edged a cut for Rohit to snare a sharp chance to his right at slip and Pooran failed to pick the googly and was bowled playing back. Reeling at 52 for four in the eighth over, West Indies
were in desperate need of a partnership but none was forthcoming. Veteran Kieron Pollard, who has not passed 20 in 10 innings inside the last two years, added to those miserable stats when he scooped a pull at an innocuous delivery from Jasprit Bumrah back to the bowler in the 11th over. And when Denesh Ramdin clipped seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2-12) off his legs to Rohit at square led to end his 17-ball labour over 10, West Indies were declining quickly at 81 for six in the 14th over. New batsman Fabian Allen’s dismissal off the very next delivery summed up the Windies misery. He pushed the first ball he faced to cover and took off for a suicide single and Krunal Pandya promptly threw down the stumps at the striker’s end, leaving the right-hander short of his ground.
UDFA GTT 2017/18 Senior Football
Botofago win for first time, Eagles on top of standing after 3-1 win over Hi Stars Eagles United climbed back to the points standing with a 3-1 stopping of Hi Stars, but Botofago rebounded after losing three of their four games and having a draw to gain their first win by a 4-2 score-line against Silver Shattas, who lost for a fourth
Pos 2 1 4 3 5 6 7 8 9
time in six outings as the Upper Demerara Football Association’s GTT 2017/18 Senior League football championship continued last Sunday night at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground. Tonight another two
Teams Eagles United Net Rockers Winners Connection Amelia’s Ward Panthers Blueberry Hill United Silver Shattas Topp XX Botafago Hi Stars
games in the league will be played with the first game at 19.00hrs featuring Topp XX and Winners Connection and the second at 21.00hrs bringing together Silver Shattas and Blueberry Hill United.Eagles United were (Continued on page 31)
Points Standing Mt Pl W 5 5 6 6 5 3 6 4 6 2 6 1 6 1 5 1 6 0
Colwyn Drakes D 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 0
L 0 0 2 1 4 4 3 3 6
GF 16 20 7 7 4 10 8 8 2
GA 4 7 5 3 8 17 12 10 12
GD 18 13 2 4 -4 -7 -4 -2 -10
Points 18 18 9 13 6 4 4 4 0
Rohit Sharma regularly hit the ball over the top ©Associated Press
Wednesday November 07, 2018
Kaieteur News
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Windies feted on arrival for ICC event
GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – West Indies were given a warm reception when they arrived here Monday evening to complete their final preparation for the Women’s Twenty20 World Cup which bowls off at the Guyana National Stadium on Friday. The reigning World champions were hosted in a cocktail reception at the cultural Umana Yana venue which was attended by Guyana Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo; Director of Sport, Christopher Jones along with several other government officials. West Indies face New Zealand in their final official ICC warm-up tonight before clashing with Bangladesh in their opening preliminary match two days later. The fixture will be one of 11 preliminary matches being staged at the National Stadium here and Nagamootoo said Guyana’s hosting of the tournament – the first ICC stand-alone
women’s event – was a major turning point in sports for the country. “When we talk about the glass ceiling, Guyana has not only touched it, we have in fact smashed it and I think that the T20 competition in Guyana featuring women’s teams would be amazing to all of us who would like to see the full empowerment of our women, not only in the arena of politics and administration but in the arena of sports and the arena of culture,” said Nagamootoo. “Who better than women can send a message to the world that it is possible to live together, to work together, to play together and to become friends and partners rather than antagonists and confrontationists.” West Indies will do battle in Group A alongside England, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh while Group B comprises 2016 losing finalists Australia, India, New Zealand,
Dancers perform one of their cultural routines during the cocktail reception for West Indies Women. Pakistan and Ireland. Holly Colvin, head of ICC Women’s Cricket, said the tournament would be a boost for the development of women’s cricket in Guyana ”We have a chance in
Guyana to inspire young girls across the world to take up cricket and that could be playing on the pitch, it could be officiating, it could be coming to watch a game for the first time,” Colvin said.
“And I think it is a really exciting opportunity and I am looking forward to what the next two weeks have in store.” The November 9-24 tournament will also see
preliminary round matches played at the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground in St Lucia while the semi-finals and final are scheduled for the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium in Antigua.
Kaieteur News
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Wednesday November 07, 2018
Concacaf U-20 Championship USA 2018 – Group F
Golden Jaguars fall to Cayman Islands in close battle; still in search of elusive win Story and photos by Franklin Wilson in Florida, USA Compliments of Industrial Safety Supplies, Secure Innovation & Concepts and Fitness Express It was a golden performance from a group of players with loads of potential, an aggressive opening five minutes yielded their first goal of these championships, but lack of grit and cohesion in the end saw the young Guyanese losing for the first time in its history at any level to the Cayman Islands. It was the first match of day six of the Concacaf Under-20 Championship USA 2018 which was played on Field #2 at the IMG Academy here in Bradenton, Florida, yesterday morning. The loss for Guyanese means they remain at the bottom of the 5-nation group
with Guatemala and El Salvador in the first and second position separated on goal difference. Cayman Islands is third on three points followed by Curacao which has lost both its opening matches like the Guyanese but they have a -3 goal average to Guyana’s -5. Coming off a 0-4 loss to Guatemala in their first match on Friday last at the same field, the young Guyanese looked purposeful taking the attack to the Caymanians as they had said they would; the ploy bore early fruit when Kelsey Benjamin scored the opening goal in the 5th minute of play, 4’ 51" to be exact. The go ahead goal was welcome by Benjamin’s colleagues and the Technical Staff, the team finally showing what it is capable of achieving in the attacking third. Guyana continued to
Guyana’s Kelsey Benjamin scores the nation’s first goal at the championship against the Cayman Islands yesterday in the 5th minute.
be aggressive as the match unfolded; Job Caesar, who stood in for first choice Captain Jeremy Garrett, going wide of the mark in the 26th minute. With the Guyanese pressing forward, chances were created as they kept Cayman Islands on the back foot, the latter did
orchestrate a few raids of their own but could not breach the Guyanese backline marshalled by Captain Garrett. But with halftime moments away and like what happened in the Guatemala match, a lapse in concentration allowed the opposition in. This time, a
foul was committed by Kwai Marsh-Brown in the box on the stroke of half time. O p p o s i n g g o a l k e e p e r, Albertini Holness sent Guyanese custodian Johnathan Vaughn the wrong way in netting the equaliser, 1-1. Guyana added fresh legs at the start of the second half
with Chris Macey replacing Thair Britton. It was a somewhat shaky start to the final 45 minutes by the young Golden Jaguars with the Cayman Islands now, on the offensive. On 50 minutes, Guyana made its second substitution when Raushan Ritch (Continued on page 31)
Guyana’s U-20 starting X1 vs Cayman Islands.
Kaieteur News
Wednesday November 07, 2018
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CARICOM Insurance chips Rangers in for GMR&SC Ignite
2nd Turbo Football tourney
Close play between Pele (left) and Riddim Squad on Monday night. The opening night of the s e c o n d a n n u a l Tu r b o football tournament kicked off on Monday with two identical 3-1 wins for Northern Rangers and Riddim Squad as these two teams became the first to book their spots in the quarterfinals of the 16-team knockout tournament. In the feature match of the night, Northern Rangers had a comfortable win over Western Tigers with Steven Sankar firing the victors ahead in the 11th minute of the clash with a composed finish before Adolph George completed a brace in the 30th and 69th minutes. We s t e r n Ti g e r s would’ve felt that they had a good chance after Joshua Britton had netted to pull their deficit to one goal with almost half of the game to play in the 47th minute but Ruimveldt based team was completely outplayed.
and Riddim Squad into quarterfinals
Riddim Squad’s hat-trick hero, Travis Agard. Meanwhile, in the opening game, Riddim S q u a d ’s K e v i n A g a r d banged in a hat-trick to ensure the Mocha Arcadia based team pulled off a come from behind win against Pele Football Club that went ahead first through Abosi Jarvis in the 20th minute. All of Agard’s goals came from set pieces with him curling the last past Pele’s custodian to take the score to 3-1. Round-of-16 matches continues tonight with two games from 18:30hrs. In the first match, Santos will
match skills with Buxton United, while the feature match, which will kick off at 20:30hrs will be an engagement between Police football club and Beacons. The winners of the competition will pocket $800,000, second place $400,000, third $200,000 and fourth $100,000. Monday night’s scores: Match #1 Riddim Squad 3 vs Pele FC 1 Goal scorers Riddim Squad Kevin Agard 33,60, 90+2 Goal scorer Pele Abosi Jarvis 20 Match #2 Northern Rangers 3 vs Western Tigers 1 Goal scorers Northern Rangers Steven Sankar 11 Adolph George 30, 69 Goal scorer Western Tigers Joshua Britton 47
- Foreign competitors to begin arriving tomorrow
Saurica Singh (Right) collects sponsorship from CARICOM Insurance Company’s representative.
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heaping helping of sponsorship came the way of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports club (GMR&SC) for its Ignite event set for this weekend. The club last week collected sponsorship from Caricom Insurance Company ahead of the November 10 and 11 events at the South Dakota Circuit, Timehri. In collecting the sponsorship, GMRSC through Representative Saurica Singh thanked the company for its support for the event. Meanwhile, the club has confirmed that with the exception of the Jamaican competitors and the two CAMS Cars out of Jamaica,
all other containers are in port Georgetown. The clearance and transportation of the containers to the Timehri facility is expected between today and tomorrow with competitors expected access on Friday. Ignite, which will double as the final leg of the Seaboard Marine Caribbean M o t o r R a c i n g Championships (CMRC) will feature competitors out of Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Jamaica, United States and Europe. The two days of racing action will feature competition in the Street and Sport Tuner class as well as the CHOKE Starlet Cup, street Cross Motor-Cycles and the 125cc Lightweight
Bikes. On the regional scene, the Groups 2-4 action as well as the superstock, and the Radical Caribbean Cup are expected to feature over the two days of action. Tickets for the 27-race programme are on sale at the cost of $2500; children $1000 at B.M. Soat Auto Sales, Croal Street office. On Saturday time trials for all classes begin at 10:00hrs followed by official races in the Street Cross Motorcyle, 125cc Motorcycle, Street Tuner, Choke Starlet Cup and Sports Tuner from 13:20hrs. The feature race on Saturday will be the SR3 Radicals Caribbean Cup. Action on Sunday will begin at 08:00hrs.
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Concacaf U-20 Championship USA 2018 – Group F Substitute Chris Macey (partly hidden) scores Guyana’s second goal in the 60th minute.
Golden Jaguars fall to Cayman Islands in close battle; still in search of elusive win
Action between winners’ Northern Rangers (on the ball) and Western Tigers during the 3-1 result on Monday.
2nd Turbo Football tourney
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Rangers and Riddim Squad into quarterfinals Guyanese duo Dismal Windies of Harold ‘Top Gun’ Hopkinson concede series with crushing defeat and Dr. Pravesh Harry excels IPSC/Suriname Open 2018
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