Kaieteur News

Wednesday November 15, 2017

BRITISH AND AMERICAN INTEREST HEARTENING DEAR EDITOR, It is indeed heartening to learn that both the US Ambassador and the British High Commissioner are paying attention to the current imbroglio surrounding the unilateral appointment of Justice James Patterson as the Chairman of the Guyana Election Commission. It is reported that both these gentlemen said that the courts should ultimately rule on the validity of President Granger’s choice; and whether he followed the appropriate provisions of the Guyana Constitution. Be that as it may, it is however incumbent to draw attention to the perception of a great number of Guyanese that the Supreme Court is more inclined to support the ruling party

and, therefore, it would be injudicious to place confidence in the impartibility of that body. Further, for the court as it is constituted to pronounce on the matter would, indeed, be a breach of one of the cardinal principles of the Rule of Law that one ought to be a judge in his own cause. Finally, from my observation there is a prevailing sentiment that unless Justice Patterson’s appointment is rescinded, and that both the government and the opposition resort to the drawing-board in order to resolve this issue amicably, disruptive political and social consequences would follow and with it all that that entails. Respectfully Yours, Albert Khan

Guyanese have been subjected to culture war DEAR EDITOR, There is the saying that when America sneezes, the whole world catches a cold. That saying is tied to the reality that the world seems to gobble up whatever is spilled from the US of A. We love their food, their fashion trends and their music. We even love their style of governance. How often we hold up the US freedom of democracy as a bellwether to how the world should operate. However, there has been a slight turning away and decrying of the American-way, with the election of Donald Trump. The world looked on and wondered for a moment, What Happened? We saw an uneasy shift away from certain, basic, long-held, American ideals, to a more closed-door, imperialist, protectionist form of antiSemitic, racists rants. This new normal is now called “Trumpism”. I who have long been a supporter of the all-inclusive, big-tent, moral, ideals of the Republican Party, don’t even know this GOP party any more. It was therefore no surprise that over the last few days, when put to a test, Trumpism lost. America is too much of a multi-racial, multi-ethnic, melting pot, for the kind of cultural warfare that Donald Trump has launched. That approach cannot gain a

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foothold in the USA. And so, after a full year of holding its nose, America has sneezed, electorally. After two years, we as Guyanese have been subjected to a similar culture war, when we were promised different. We have been seeing shakedowns of the many supporters of the last administration. We are seeing the victimization of people who look like the likely supporters of the last administration. And while Guyana has never really been known for its non-racial politics, this constant tugging to the two extremes of the racial divide, is wearing thin on the peoples of Guyana. Exit polls in the US show that the reason that the Donald Trump kind of politics lost in the recent elections, was because the folks in the middle came out in their numbers, and opposed it. The truth is that the folks who are diehard “Trumpers”, voted to support that un-American ideology. But they lost! And they lost because there are more people voting in America, who understand where they want the country to remain, than those who want to change it, into a racists State. In Guyana, we have our work cut out for us. Because the challenge is that we seem

to have a lot of people who are fighting to keep Guyana as a racist State. There is this dogged solidifying of the people who are content to leave Guyana mired in our racial divide; when everything we know tells us that that is the foremost reason for our blight and stagnation, as a nation. However, if there was one other takeaway from the recent loss to Trumpism, it is the fact that not only did the swing voters (who wanted to give Trump a chance a year ago), swing back to reality but young people came out in their numbers and voted against the racism and Trump’s cultural-war. T h a t ’s w h a t G u y a n a needs to upset these 50years of polarized racism. We need the middle/swing voters of Guyana, coupled with the v i s i o n a r y, progressive, optimism of the youths, to turn this ship of racism around. It will not be easy but we can do it. The exit polls in the US also showed that the majority of voters did not n ecessarily vote for the Democrat, they just simply voted against Trump and what he stands for. America has sneezed. Let’s hope that come next elections, Guyana catches her cold. Yours truly, Dr. Vishnu Bandhu Leader, URP

DIVISIVE STRATEGY DEAR EDITOR, Listening to Bharrat Jagdeo, is to try the soul, since his tirades continue to be filled with desperations of lies, as he tries to garner sympathy from wherever such may be possible. But the lies are incessant, and are dangerous; and even though there are many who are aware of such a proclivity, yet it is not enough. I am of the view that every opportunity ought to be utilized to e x p o s e t h i s hypocrite and dangerous liar, as political opposition leader. In a recent press conference, in which he sought to justify his party’s parliamentary infamy with a comparison to the invasion of the formerly named, Office of the President’s compound over a decade ago, two lies were displayed Lie No 1: He spoke of the post- invasion disunity that resulted because of the incident. He did not say how this occurred. This has to be another attempt to provide a false cover for a racially divisive process that he and party had already set in motion. Lie No. 2: Alluding to the 2015 polls as being rigged he claimed that his party accepted the results, and has been “struggling’’ since – whatever, the latter term means. Is Jagdeo for real? All and sundry know that the polls were free and fair. Ballots were counted at the respective polling stations in the presence of the

representative of each contesting political party, and results in the form of a Statement of Poll, duly signed by a Polling officer/clerk, in the presence all contesting party observers, and posted at each polling station. Thus by what magic, or contrivance could such a malpractice have occurred, is best left to Jagdeo’s desperate imagination. Again, he and his party never accepted the results, as they commenced a strategy, not only to de-emphasise the David Granger Presidency; but also advising their stronghold regions and NDCs not to cooperate with the government. In fact, such an antinational and unpatriotic act has ever since been in train, long before the recently announced party line of non-cooperation as a result of disagreement w i t h t h e P r e s i d e n t ’s appointment of the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). Editor, there is such a galling bitterness on the part of Jagdeo as a result of the electoral defeat, that he knows no bounds in seeking the destabilization of the current government, and by extension, the country at large. Using the highly dangerous race card that he hopes will effect a deterioration of the national peace, and bring the international spotlight on the government. Further on the claims of

DISPUTED LAND DEAR EDITOR, Upon reviewing my DVR cameras earlier, I noticed the Health Inspector of the Craig-Caledonia NDC, and a strange man looking in the bushes of the South-Western boundary of a parcel of land known as Parcel 163 that I occupy, as a result of an Agreement of Sale entered into in 2014. If by chance they were looking for the pall that was planted in 1985, demarcatimg the Western boundary of Parcel 163, I will be happy to show them where the pall is in support of the fact that I have not encroached on neighbours’ properties. I would further like to remind the officers of the CraigCaledonia NDC of the fact of an injunction that is in effect against the NDC pending the resolution of the Mediation Center, and frequent visits to my residence would be seen as harassment and Contempt of Court. I would not hesitate to return to the court for further safeguards of my rights. Rgds, Fazal Gafoor

the 2015 polls being rigged; it is very, very rare that an incumbent government as the Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) had been at that material time, would have allowed such an electoral untoward to occur. Jagdeo is still to explain this to his party supporters. What he ought to explain is why did the former Chief Elections Officer, Gocool Boodoo set about the concoction of stats in respect of the 2011 national elections, that had it not been uncovered by a vigilant commissioner Vincent Alexander, would have given a one- seat majority to the then PPP/C government. That was an electoral BAREFACED action which took place under the PPP/ C’s watch. But rather than advise Boodoo to resign, as was the ethical thing to do – the PPP/C insisted on his remaining. It had to take the casting vote of the GECOM Chairman to oust the dishonest Boodoo. From that moment the chairman Dr. Steve Surujbally never had a peaceful day until he resigned, as far as the PPP/ C was concerned. Dr. Surujbally did what had been constitutionally required of him – uphold the rules. This specific incident, characterizes the evil psyche, vindictiveness and spite of a party to the point where he now accuses the government of violating the constitution. Not too long ago, there was an editorial in your media, captioned “Lies have dangerous national consequences”. It gave an insight into the Jagdeo evil scheme of seeking the Presidency. Those who are his backers, by their silence, must understand the shared moral responsibility they have for continuing to foster such a threat to the national peace. Regards, Earl Hamilton

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GAWU is committed to helping GuySuCo DEAR EDITOR, Our Union was not surprised to read the comments of GuySuCo’s Senior Communications Officer, Ms Audreyanna Thomas, contained in an article titled “Despite low attendance, GuySuCo says on target for second crop”. The article appeared in the November 13, 2017 issue of Stabroek News. The GuySuCo officer is quoted to have said that our Union is seeking to “frustrate the company”. For some weeks now, our Union has been pointing out that the Corporation had begun to set the stage to lay blame at the workers and the GAWU for their inability to achieve their target. This strategy, we opined, was a sordid attempt to give the Corporation’s hierarchy

Wednesday November 15, 2017

Kaieteur News

cover for what will be the poorest production since 1990. On this matter of workers’ protest, Ms Thomas should edify us how many of the workers actions were as a result of price disputes or resulted from unilateral changes to long-standing work practices. Most, if not all, of the work stoppages, could be grouped into the two categories. The fact remains, as clearly evidenced by Ms Thomas’s comments, that the Corporation is seeking to ride roughshod over the workers disregarding their interests, concerns and apprehensions. From GuySuCo’s recently admitted perspective, it seems, the workers must meekly stand in silence as their rights, benefits and conditions are

unconscionably taken away. We wish to advise Ms Thomas, once again, and the GuySuCo top brass, that our Union has no intention of frustrating the Corporation’s objectives but, at the same time, we have a responsibility to protect and advance the cause of the workers. We wish to advise that we will not shirk from that responsibility and no amount of ‘propaganda’ concoctions will force or cause us to change our position. We were indeed heartened to learn from Ms Thomas that the company would achieve its set target. Is it the 198,000tonne target or the 174,000tonne target or the more recent 162,000-tonne target? Yours faithfully, Seepaul Narine General Secretary GAWU

The suicide rate is not what WHO says it is DEAR EDITOR, Recently The Caribbean Voice received the following message from Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, former PPP/C Minister of Health. “When I was Minister of Health, I openly disagreed with them (WHO) on suicide…We have averaged between 140 and 170 deaths in my time as minister (2001 to 2011). The rate was between 18 and 25 per 100,000. “I have argued that while Guyana has a troubling high rate, our rate is not nearly as high as what WHO used to say – 44 per 100,000. I used to challenge them to find the extra 100 to 150 deaths they were claiming. “Their justification is that they made adjustments to cater for the underreporting, which they could not verify. “It is interesting that when our actual deaths in the 1980 were over 250 they were actually reporting less than 150.” So The Caribbean Voice did some digging and this is what emerged:

actually made by the WHO is from crude rate to age-standardized suicide rate, to eliminate the effect of differences in population age structures when comparing crude rates for different periods of time, different geographic areas and/or different population sub-groups. Thus the 2015 crude rate of 29.0 was adjusted to 30.6. Whatever led to this apparent anomaly, it presents a skewed picture that makes the work of suicide prevention NGOs and activists that much more difficult, besides seeming to imply that with such a significant rate reduction, the government does not need to ramp up resources to tackle suicide. That PAHO rep Dr. Adu Krow was quoted a number of times in certain sections of the media as stating that the 2015 rate was 20.6 is even more puzzling a n d d e s p i t e T h e C a r i b b e a n Vo i c e ’s suggestion that Dr. Adu Krow, may have been misquoted, he has not, to date,

Clearly the 2012 figure is an anomaly, especially given that the only adjustment

provided any public clarifying statement. Annan Boodram

Encouraging flooding on the Essequibo Coast DEAR EDITOR, On my visit to the National Communication Network Inc. building on Monday, November 13, last, I saw a contractor filling the drainage canal opposite the education building with white sand. This is the main drainage trench for the Cotton Field government compound which has the Anna Regina Multilateral School, Guyana School of Agriculture, Teachers’ Training School, Cotton Field Secondary School, magistrates and Judges Residences etc. I wonder what kind of feasibility study was done by the regional engineer to block

this main drainage trench. For decades this compound was prone to flooding and many times the schools in this compound had to be closed. When the rains fall the compound is flooded because of the clogged up internal drains. Common sense will tell any engineer that these drainage trenches need to be kept clean and maintained at all times to avoid flooding. Blocking the Ministry of Education trench will worsen the flooding situation in Cotton Field which is a large village divided into two sections stretching from the main canal to the seaside and its

highly populated area with about 10,000 residents. In the past these residents suffered flooding when the rains fell and the farmlands water was released into the housing areas. The blocking of this main drainage drain will compound the flooding. There will be loss of livestock, kitchen gardens and domestic animals. I am adding my voice to this situation because I am a resident of this village. The compound was so designed by Sir William Halcrow and Company , a British consulting firm. The aim was to divert the water to the old road leading in front the Presbyterian church, then into the big trench leading to the Anna Regina sluice. School children can be seen, lately, walking in rain water. When the rain falls in the ARMS compound, the dorms, playground, and the kitchen areas are also flooded during the rainy seasons. I want to commend the REO for repairing the houses and having them into a decent state. These Government houses were neglected for decades and were an unholy sight to members of the public. I would like to encourage the REO to continue his good work for the region, but he should at all times consult with the residents before he conducts a project in their villages. Yours faithfully, Mohamed Khan

USA & Guyana -- similarities... From page 4 change, which is most pronounced among rural people. So, what is to be done to bring some sanity to this challenge facing our sugar workers? Perhaps, a return to what happened in America with the coming of railway transport would be instructive. It is true that here in the USA during the period that stagecoach workers underwent training to acquire skills relevant to the railway industry, they did experience some economic challenges. However, over time they came to embrace work in the railway industry. The fact that the railway would be moving materials in huge quantities and passengers by the thousands, meant that new settlements would be established along the route and these needed to be serviced. Railway meant more travelers would need to be fed and housed, giving rise to the building of hotels and restaurants, and the need for workers to help provide these services. Travel by train meant carriages had to be build and maintained, mechanics had to be trained to service and repair the trains. All these activities

demanded higher skilled workers and led to high paying jobs being created. This experience in the USA teaches us that we need, as a nation, to commit to doing several things in an effort to help workers in industries that are threatened with extinction. First workers need to understand that with the speedy development in technology we live in a time of impermanence. And this is particularly so for those doing labour intensive jobs. Sugar workers need to be told that today a young worker will have to embrace and expect to undergo retraining about three times during his/her working life. Older workers will not be spared, and should expect to be subjected to retraining at least once before retirement. Second, workers need to be told that it is true that during the period they are acquiring new and relevant skills, they are likely to experience some hardships. On the other hand, knowing this gives government and the

private sector (which benefits most from the presence of a skilled labour force) an opportunity to initiate programmes designed to limit the hardship experiences by workers during retraining. To tell sugar workers that the number of jobs presently available in the sugar industry must be kept eternally is mischievous. To tell these workers that Government’s plan to close some estates is a show of government’s dislike of sugar workers is wicked or a reflection of ignorance. Further, to suggest to workers that the closing or minimizing of an industry that is unprofitable is a call to crime for workers, but not the opening of new opportunities that hopefully, would give rise to a better life, is to be committed to keeping the poor sugar workers in a state of backwardness. Presumably some politicians find that such a situation serves their own petty self-interest. Yours faithfully, Claudius Prince

When we pause and experience silence, we discover answers that activity does not have time to reveal. During your day, take threeminute “vacations”. Relax and re-energise. Take time out to feel the peace of silence.

Wednesday November 15, 2017

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Kaieteur News

Financial institutions’ unwillingness to cooperate with SOCU tells a worrying story By Kiana Wilburg In order for the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU) to be effective, certain conditions must be in place. According to Special Prosecutor and Attorney-atLaw, Patrice Henry, SOCU must be armed with adequate financial and human resources, constant training and sophisticated equipment, to deal with massive money laundering. But Henry expressed that at the top of the list is the cooperation of financial institutions. The lawyer said that SOCU needs “willing cooperation” instead of having to move to the courts to coerce institutions into doing so. “Once you have that sort of reaction, where financial institutions have to be coerced to cooperate with SOCU, an entity that is mandated to fight money laundering, then it does not augur well for that institution. It opens the floodgates to speculation…So the fact that you are getting massive resistance, it tells a story.” Henry, asked to describe the “story” he alluded to, responded, “The story that it tells is that persons at this stage, prefer to be on the side of money launderers than SOCU. “And so the picture they are painting is if we have to choose, we’d rather face sanctions for the better interest of (our) client, as opposed to working with the legislation to ensure clean money (is in the system).”

- Special Prosecutor says such behaviour opens the floodgates to speculation before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts and were all released on their own recognizance (self bail) after they pleaded not guilty to a charge of failing to comply with a Production Order.

Attorney-at-Law, Patrice Henry The Special Prosecutor said that this is a challenge SOCU will continue to face. He opined that one has to carefully consider “the resistance”. He commented that no person would “lie down and allow money they could earn easily, to be taken away.” Henry said that there would be resistance even if it means criticizing SOCU, the system or any organization in this regard. A few months ago, SOCU approached the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) for information on the accounts of a number of former officials of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB). The Bank refused. Subsequently, there was an order of the court which stated that GBTI should provide SOCU with the documents requested. Failure to comply with the order saw seven high ranking officials of GBTI being slapped with contempt charges. They were arraigned

PROSECUTIONS SOCU has also faced much ridicule over losing its first forensic audit case. Last November, SOCU was able to get the former General Manager of the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC), Nizam Hassan and Felicia De Souza, slapped with charges. It was alleged that the duo had conspired to procure money by false pretence. In the GMC’s forensic audit report, it was stated that the two continuously approved payments to the Trinidad-based Constantine Engineering and Construction Services, in spite of the fact that the works at GMC’s headquarters were “incompetently and incorrectly” done. SOCU however failed to prove its case in court and its capabilities since then have come in for further questioning.

A mini health check is the first step to donating blood

Henry said that this was a case where SOCU was unable to get witnesses present at the material time. Henry said, “This is as if you are asked to field 11 players in a cricket team and at the end of the day, four of them got injured. But you are required to meet a particular total. And that was the threshold SOCU was required to meet in presenting all of the witnesses.” The Special Prosecutor continued, “For diverse reasons, they were unable to provide those witnesses and they were unable to satisfy the court that a prima facie case could be made out. “Had it been the other way - where SOCU was given the opportunity and the witnesses made themselves available - I think the result

might have been different.” The lawyer added, “So if we were to judge just that one case and say SOCU is underperforming, then it would be woefully unfair. We need to look at the reason in every case as we go along…” Henry also commented that the good thing about prosecutions is that it is not determined by conviction. He opined that different reasons are responsible for the lack of a conviction. He said that if SOCU were to be judged based on the outcome of cases, then it would not be fair. Henry said that one has to bear in mind that this is an entity that has moved from being a toothless poodle to a fierce predator against organized crime. Henry stressed that this is a major accomplishment.

The Special Prosecutor said that SOCU is also being proactive in getting charges instituted, and this, he believes, acts as a deterring factor against those who might be involved in certain activities. When one wants to speak of convictions, it would be wise to consider that it was only recently that SOCU even started working. From the information he is in possession of, Henry asserted that SOCU would have presented just a handful of matters to the court in the past. The Special Prosecutor concluded that SOCU’s performance must be seen from a holistic point of view. He stressed that it was never allowed the resources and freedom to work as it should in the first place. Henry asserted, too, that the entity has made a remarkable turnaround from its inception to now. He is confident that with time, it will only grow from strength to strength.

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Wednesday November 15, 2017

Unconscionable City Hall interest rates inflate consumer indebtedness

Unconscionable interest rates set by City Hall for property taxes have largely contributed to the high level of indebtedness by consumers to the City Council. For example, City Hall currently floats an interest rate of 275% of the assessment of a commercial property located in the city. The percentage has been an issue of debate for some time now with the interest and the compound interest on the taxes owed by commercial and residential properties amounting to three, five and ten times above what is actually owed. The formula set by the M&CC has resulted in many businesses who find themselves in arrears, owing exorbitant sums of money to the municipality. The demand set by the council has been a source of concern for several businesses operating in and throughout the city. Some

businesses owe taxes dating as far back as the 1990s. A city company owed $2.8 million in taxes over 12 years. The council has applied $14.1M in interest and compound interest. It has demanded a further $300,000 which takes the total indebtedness to some $17.1M. An employee of the council explained that based on its computation, the interest rate rises every day that the taxpayer fails to pay the amount of rates due. The officer said that the interest is based on a formula worked out by City Hall. However she refused to divulge further what formula is utilized by the council. The official nonetheless explained that earlier this year the Council had taken steps to update property rates for several large corporations and businesses operating in the capital. This was in an effort to collect outstanding monies owed to the council.

She explained that recently M&CC increased the rate from 250 per cent to 275 per cent. But this increase according to the officer “is just a drop in the bucket; it cannot even begin to offset the expenses of the municipality.” She also argued that the inflated interest incurred on the rates might be the reason why many taxpayers are in default. The officer instead stated that it is the duty of property owners to pay their taxes on time. “It has nothing to do with the council,” she added, noting that the council has an installment system in place which allows ratepayers to pay taxes each quarter of the year. The woman further noted that the Council is authorized by law to set the rate of residential, commercial and other categories of properties in Georgetown. The law gives the council that power, the official said, pointing to Chapter 28:01 of the Laws of Guyana. She noted that according to Chapter 28:01 “Every council shall be the rating authority for and shall have powers to make and levy rates within, each rating area in its council area.” Just recently, the Council waived $19 million in interest

A copy of the rate assessment set out by City Hall rates to collect $7 million the customer owed. The council was hungry for funds to pay municipal workers who have not been paid since last month. During a meeting on Monday, Deputy Mayor, Lionel Jaikaran announced that he collected the $7 million cheque from a lawyer representing the taxpayer. “In this transaction, we have bent backward and waived interest just to get this

transaction…We need the money,” head of the Finance Committee, Junior Garrett said. “Payments have been delayed all the time because of our financial situation, and I want to implore on councillors to please emulate what the Deputy Mayor has done, and I hope that tomorrow he brings in some more, because we still have November and December salaries.” He expressed the hope that other councillors would

take the initiative similar to the Deputy Mayor’s to assist in bringing in outstanding revenue.“ The customer who owes $2.8 million in taxes said that he is prepared to send the cheque immediately. Garrett noted in the past the M&CC had employed various methods to get defaulting rate payers to clear their outstanding accounts with the cash-strapped council.

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The Guyana Gold Board should be dissolved The Guyana Gold Board must be prohibited from purchasing any more gold. It must confine itself to regulating the gold mining sector. The laws of Guyana allow for the Guyana Gold Board to be responsible for the purchase of all gold produced in Guyana and for the sale of this gold, locally and overseas. The Gold Board also has powers to engage in other industrial or commercial activities. These laws should be repealed. They are archaic. The government is suffering huge losses as a result of the purchase of gold. According to information received by this newspaper, between 2012 and 2014, the Guyana Gold Board recorded losses of $10.1B. It owes the Ministry of Finance $8.7B and has an overdraft with the Bank of Guyana of $17.6B. The Guyana Gold Board is in a worst financial state than GuySuCo. The sugar company has been a drain on treasury in recent years, but it hopes to be able to wean itself off of government’s subvention by 2020. There is no indication as to when the Guyana Gold Board will be able to register a profit after settling its astronomical indebtedness. Guyana does not need a Guyana Gold Board to trade in gold. It needs a regulatory gold board. The trading of commodities is best left to the

market. There should be no role for the government in this gold trading. The losses will continue to mount. Gold production is increasing. The Gold Board will therefore be required to purchase more and more gold. This means it can incur more losses in the future. There is no reason why this should be happening. The government is effectively assuming all the risks associated with the movement of prices. This risk can be easily passed on to the private sector without any adverse effect on the economy. Governments are getting out of commodity trading. So why does Guyana wish to hold on to the State having a role in the buying of gold? One reason which has been given is that it is a means of ensuring that foreign exchange earnings are repatriated. But this is a feeble excuse, because in the past, when there were tighter foreign exchange restrictions, those who exported commodities were required to repatriate their foreign exchange through the Bank of Guyana. There is no reason why this cannot happen in the case of gold exports. There was once a company in Guyana called Omai Gold Mines Limited, which was allowed to export its gold production. A law was passed to allow this to happen. No

one has ever challenged that law on the grounds that it is discriminatory. But if Omai could have been allowed to export gold, why can’t local gold buyers be given the same latitude? If Guyana is serious about a free market system it has dump old systems of centralized control such as having a role for government in the purchasing of gold. There are already some market mechanisms in place. Persons have been licensed to buy gold for the Board. And therefore there is no reason why this cannot be extended to full liberalization of the trade in gold. The miners have long complained that the high royalties which have to be paid represent a form of tax on the industry. The gold mining sector in Guyana needs stronger regulations. The environmental destruction caused by gold mining is reaching dangerous levels. And there is no strong regulatory body to enforce the mining regulations. This should become the remit of the Guyana Gold Board. It should become an agency concerned exclusively with regulating the gold industry. The Guyana Gold Board was created in 1982 when there was State control of the economy and when there was a need for a tight rein on foreign exchange earnings. That

DEM BOYS SEH

De city crooks sell State House to China wid Soulja Bai inside Secrecy has become de hallmark of Guyanese leaders. Soulja Bai seh during ee campaign he gun mek everything public because he nah got nutten to hide. De Mare, two Musketeers and she Clown Clerk went to China on yet another secret trip. Is de same four been to Mexico, secretly, to bring parking meters to rob de people in de city. Dem boys hear this one was more secret because de language dem use to explain de trip was in Chinese. De four of dem come back last night and hold a special council meeting. When de councilors ask de Mare why she didn’t tell dem she was going away, she seh “Ah tell y’all a while ago Ah going to

China but I don’t have to tell y’all when I going, when I coming and who de hell I tekking.” Dem boys now wondering wha dem do in China; how much contract dem sign; and how much deal dem mek, what and what dem sell out in GT because everybody remember dem go to Mexico and come back wid a parking meter contract. Don’t be surprised if next week you hear dem sell out State House wid Soulja Bai inside and dem sell de Queenstown mansion wid Jagdeo inside. Dem already decide to rename part of Sheriff Street by de Chinee embassy Fukquu. Dem boys hear dem also plan to name part of Robb Street

near Freedom House, Quufuk. After all de Chinee done buy dem, and dem boys ain’t talking bout de road. Dem talking bout de Town Clown, de Mare and de two oddas. Ministah Bullkak seh he nah sure who pay fuh dem guh but he know he nah pay fuh carry dem a China, then who? Fuh de longest while dem telling people dem don’t have money to pay de poor workers salary. Dem nah had money to pay people to pick up garbage but dem can find money to travel to China— first class too. Talk half and wonder if Soulja Bai woulda send dem, much less send dem first class.

was in the socialist era. There is no need, when the State is being rolled back, for Guyana to retain State-involvement in the trading of gold, no need at all. The Guyana Gold Board is the trading and commercial arm for gold in Guyana. Those functions need to be privatized, just as Guyana has privatized everything except sugar and the purchasing and

sale of petroleum. The Guyana Gold Board will become a financial and administrative drag on the Ministry of Natural Resources. It should be dumped and replaced with a regulatory authority and staffed by persons with expertise in regulating the gold mining industry. There is no longer any need for a Guyana Gold Board.

It is easy to say that the government should have a role in the trade in gold. But without any justifiable rationale, this statement becomes just empty rhetoric.

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Kaieteur News

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National Cultural Centre to be secured with concrete and stainless steel fencing At the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) yesterday, seven bids were received for the construction of a new concrete and stainless steel fence at the National Cultural Centre by the Ministry of Education, Department of Culture, Youth and Sport.

Bids were also received by the Agriculture Ministry for the provision of consultancy services for the design and supervision of a pump station within Regions Two, Three, Four, Five and Six, Lot 1 - Hampton Court and Devonshire Castle, Region Two.

Also receiving bids for five projects was the Ministry of Agriculture National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA). One such bid was for the provision of consultancy service for the design and supervision of a pump station within Regions Two, Three, Four, Five and Six, Lot 5 – Rose Hall No.6.

The Ministry of Agriculture, National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), also received bids for the execution of Lot 1 – topographic surveys, Henrietta to the Jib, Region Two and Lot 2- execution of topographic surveys, Buxton to Beterverwagting, Region Four.

Bids were received also by the Ministry of Agriculture for the excavation of drains and canals, the construction of access dams and the construction of hydraulic structures at Buxton, East Coast Demerara, Region Four. Receiving bids also was the Ministry of Agriculture, NAREI, for the execution of geotechnical surveys along the foreshore of Henrietta to Richmond and Paradise to the Jib, Essequibo Coast, Region Two.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court received two bids for the supply of record books for Judges and Magistrates.

Securing two bids was Cheddi Jagan International Airport Corporation for the procurement of 3×70mm2 15Kv EPR, Copper Cables.

The Agriculture Ministry also received bids for the provision of consultancy services for the design and supervision of a pump station within Regions Two, Three, Four, Five and Six, Lot 4 - Mora Point, Region Five.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Communities obtained four bids for the installation of translucent roof sheets at the Wismar Market, Linden.

Bids were also received by the Ministry of Agriculture for the provision of consultancy services for the design and supervision of a pump station within Regions Two, Three, Four, Five and Six, Lot 3 -Hope and Nootenzuil, East Coast Demerara, Region Four.

The Ministry of Public Health received bids for the supply and delivery of medical supplies.

Bids were also received for the provision of consultancy services for the design and supervision of a pump station within Regions Two, Three, Four, Five and Six, Lot 2- Den Amstel, Region Three, by the Ministry of Agriculture.

The Ministry of Public Health also saw bids for the supply and delivery of office furniture, equipment and appliance in five lots. Six bids were obtained for this project. Continued on page 27

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday November 15, 2017

Wednesday November 15, 2017

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Kaieteur News

Secret China Trip… Mayor says wasn’t obligated to disclose who she was taking There are calls for City Mayor Patricia Chase-Green to publicise her trips overseas following another accusation of a secret trip to China. At an Extraordinary Meeting of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) last evening, the Mayor confirmed that she visited the Fuzhou City, in the Fujian Province, which shares a twinning relationship with the city of Georgetown. Chase-Green informed the council that she had mentioned the visit, and that this was indicated in the Council’s minutes of October 16. She informed the Council that she was invited to visit China, but at the October meeting, she indicated that no decision was taken on who would accompany her on the visit. However, there was no evidence provided by the Mayor that she informed the Council that the meeting had in fact been changed from October 25-27 to November 515. It appears that this is where the breakdown in communication may have occurred. She said that as Mayor she did not need to tell the Council who she was taking on the trip. As it turned out, the Mayor was accompanied by Town Clerk, Royston King; Chairman of the Finance Committee, Mr. Oscar Clarke; City Engineer, Colvern Venture

Chairman of the Finance Committee, Oscar Clarke and member of the International Relationship Committee, Carolyn Caesar-Murray. She recalled that the former City Mayor, Hamilton Green in 2006, signed a twinning agreement between the two cities. The agreement went dormant and Mayor Chase-Green spoke of resurrecting it, following discussions with the Chinese. “I as Mayor felt there should be no objection. We are in dire need of assistance and throughout the world as we were there [in China] there were many other cities that were signing on as sister cities with Fuzhou,” Green stated. She added, “Am I to understand as Mayor of this City I am not allowed to look for ways and means for develop-

Town Clerk, Royston King ment of this city? Any mayor does that and it was not at the expense of the Council.” Councillor Sherod Duncan questioned the purpose of the twinning agreements and their ability to deliver effective benefits. He called upon the Town Clerk to ensure that the Mayor’s visits are properly publicized. She stated that the trip was largely paid for by the Chinese and that she did not abandon the city employees, some of whom have not been paid for October. “The Council did not pay, so I did not leave the workers hungry as suggested by Councillor Duncan,’ ChaseGreen said. Several Councillors, including Deputy Mayor, Lionel Jaikaran, were not officially

Mayor Patricia Chase-Green

briefed prior to the departure of the senior officials to China. When contacted about the purpose of the trip, Jaikaran told Kaieteur News that he was not informed officially about the trip to China. During last evening’s meeting, the Deputy Mayor repeated what he had told Kaieteur News. He said that the Mayor informed him on Friday, November 3, that she would be out of the jurisdiction from Sunday November 5, and that he would have to perform the duties of Mayor in her absence. According to Jaikaran, he subsequently learned via unofficial channels that the Mayor and Town Clerk had travelled to China. Chase-Green appears to be a big fan of China, and has

already promised to pursue renaming the road outside the Chinese Embassy to ‘Fuzhou Road’ in honour of the great relationship between the cities. She said this was just a continuation of a previous decision taken by Mayor Green. The China trip was similar to another trip made by the Mayor and Town Clerk to Mexico City in June last year. On the Mexico trip, ChaseGreen and King were accompanied by Councillors Oscar Clarke and Junior Garrett while the M&CC was pursuing parking meters for the city. Similar questions being raised about the trip to China were made in relation to the Mexico visit. The trip to Mexico was an attempt to justify a signed agreement with

City Engineer, Colvern Venture

Int’l Relationship Committee member, Carolyn Caesar-Murray Smart City Solutions which partnered with National Parking Systems (NPS) to introduce the meters.

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday November 15, 2017

Wednesday November 15, 2017

Kaieteur News

Broken promises…

PPP MPs have options to remit salary increases in lump sum - Jagdeo

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has defended his party’s parliamentarians who collected their full salaries with a 2015 increase, despite promising not to accept it. The monies were supposed to be deposited in an account and later donated to charitable causes. While a number of the 32 Opposition parliamentarians have agreed that the deductions will be done at the level at the Parliament Office, others have optional mechanisms, Jagdeo insisted yesterday during a press conference. These include the Members of Parliament (MPs) paying the monies annually, in a lump sum, or having it deducted from their bank accounts and transferred. The statements would come following a report in Kaieteur News yesterday which said that 17 Opposition parliamentarians are not remitting their increases via deductions from the Parliament Office. In 2015, the Coalition Government announced salary increases for officials, including ministers and MPs. The People’s Progressive Party (PPP), in Opposition, made it clear that its members will not be accepting what it termed was the “unconscionable” increase. Rather, they were to send it to a special account of the party, which is operated at Demerara Bank. Almost $3M has been deposited there so far, since 2015. Yesterday, it was an indig-

nant Jagdeo who held up Kaieteur News with the photos of a number of his MPs who according to information did collect their entire salary. Among the 17 MPs were former General Secretary of the party, Clement Rohee; former Education Minister, Priya Manickchand; former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall and former Junior F i n a n c e M i n i s t e r, J u a n Edghill. However, 15 MPs are allowing the Parliament Office to deduct the increases. Pointing to the headline, ‘Broken Promises: Rohee, Nandlall, Manickchand, Edghill among 17 PPP MPs taking full salaries’, Jagdeo appeared puzzled about the “big issue” that would warrant an entire page. He said that the party’s position is that the MPs will not be taking the salary increases. However, he promised to follow up with his party to ensure that this remains so. So far, the PPP has not spent “a cent” of the increases, Jagdeo claimed. “It is all being accumulated, so this is not about theft.” Jagdeo challenged Kaieteur News to carry what he believes are more important stories on the increases and benefits for Government officials. For example, the salary increases for current ministers

are 15 times what the normal MPs are receiving. In fact, the salaries of ministers went up from $500,000 monthly to almost $1M. The newspaper, Jagdeo encouraged, “should have pictures of Prime Moses Nagamootoo who has a $25M vehicle and is benefitting from almost $100M annually…this money could look after 1,000 sugar workers,” the former president claimed. “There is no sense of outrage at this spending which includes $500,000 monthly rent (for ministers) in some cases,” the PPP leader said. “There is also no outrage over the levels of security, personal assistants, spending monies and unlimited spending for the President and the Prime Minister and their spouses.” Making it clear that it is this Government which should be blamed for broken promises, Jagdeo pointed to the old age pensioners, rice farmers and sugar workers. He named Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, and Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, as two persons who would warrant such coverage too. Jagdeo said he hopes that Guyana gets “his drift”. Some of the “broken promises” include the $1B-plus spending on the Durban Park, the players of which are still lurking around the Government. “That is what we should be asking,” Jagdeo said.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo appeared puzzled about the “big issue” that would warrant an entire page in the Kaieteur News

PAGE 15

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday November 15, 2017

Fiery deaths at Drop In Centre...

Ministry prepared to compensate victims’ mother with house - CCPA Director Included in the recommendations that came out of the investigation into the fire at the Drop In Centre in July of last year, which claimed the lives of two children, was that the mother of the deceased children be compensated.

The fire, which occurred around 11:50 pm on July 7 last year, claimed the lives of three-year-old Antonio George and his six-year-old brother Joshua George. Based on an investigation conducted by the Guyana

- psychological intervention still ongoing Fire Service, the fire, which completely destroyed the female dormitory of the Drop In Centre, was electrical in origin, and was wholly respon-

sible for the demise of the children. The report, which detailed the findings of the investigation, was recently tabled in Parliament. But according to Ms. Ann Greene, Director of the Childcare and Protection Agency [CCPA], which falls under the purview of the Ministry of Social Protection, former Social Protection Minister, Ms. Volda Lawrence, had embraced talks for the mother to be compensated in kind. “The Minister had agreed that we would build a house on a piece of land from [the Ministry of] Housing for the family and furnish it with help from some of our partners,” Greene related. This move was tactical, since it was the family’s living condition that had caused the CCPA to remove the children from the care of their mother. The day prior to the fire, the two children, along with three more George siblings [Shaquan, Shania and Anastasia], were admitted to the Drop In Centre. This move was the direct result of an investigation conducted by Social Workers from the Childcare and Protection Agency which determined that the children were at risk. It was revealed that the placement was intended to be temporary, as investigations were ongoing with a view of finding kinship care for the children. But Greene in an invited comment told this publication that although the compensation discussions had followed after the fire and the subsequent investigation since last year, the move in this direction is not yet completed.

“We had hoped that the house would have been completed so that the mother could have moved into it for Christmas, but it is not yet completed,” Greene related. It was the plan of the Ministry, she disclosed, that even after the project would have been completed, the Ministry had already planned to continue to support the family for another six months. But since the housing plan is not yet completed, Greene revealed that the remaining George siblings continue to be in care of the State. This is in light of the fact, she said, that the case is still in family court. However, Greene underscored that while giving compensation in the form of housing was assured by the Ministry, keen attention has also been given to the importance of ensuring that the mother has the capacity to ensure the proper care of the children. “Housing is just one part. We had prepared a whole programme of the needs of the family and a lot of it is psychological intervention and so on...I am happy to report that she [the mother] has come a long way. Our support is not

CCPA Director, Ms. Ann Greene concluded as yet, the matter is not concluded as yet, too, because it is still in the family court,” Greene said. Some 31 children were accommodated at the Drop In Centre at the time of the fire. Since its conflagration, the Ministry was forced to put the majority of the children who were accommodated there, into foster care. “We were able to reduce the numbers to about 10 and those 10 [children] were absorbed into the Sophia Care Centre and the Halfway House,” Greene said. But there are plans to have the Centre rebuilt at another location and Greene is optimistic that this project will commence in the new year.

Cop shot by colleague while casing robber A police constable is nursing a bullet wound to the upper right arm after being accidentally shot by one of his colleagues, while chasing a robber. The mishap occurred at around 15.30 yesterday in Leopold and Breda Streets, Charlestown, The wounded cop was admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital. His condition is considered stable. Investigations are in progress.

Wednesday November 15, 2017

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Kaieteur News

Plans moving apace for hospitals to be upgraded to ‘Smart Health Care Facilities’ As the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) prepare Guyana and the rest of the Caribbean for the first of its kind, ‘Smart Health Care Facilities,’ the organizations on Sunday last reached out to the public for interested persons to complete the retrofitting works on the selected hospitals. The Smart Hospital Project actually seeks to make hospitals in Guyana capable enough to function, even

when disaster strikes the nation. They will be environmentally-friendly and have structural and operational safety. It also promises improved air quality and working conditions while powered by cheaper electricity. Although the organizations have not yet made public the list of hospitals that will be upgraded under this title, it was disclosed in an advertisement placed in this publication’s Sunday Edition, that retrofitting is aimed at making the selected health

care facilities safe from the effects of natural disasters and climate change adaptation and mitigation. The advertisement went on to inform that tenders for the project can be expected during the first quarter of 2018, while construction is projected to be completed by the end of 2019. Additionally, the design and inspection teams, as noted, should be inclusive of architects and engineers among others. It is also required that the companies and

Contract splitting no... (From page 17) first half of 2016. Finance Ministry officials said, however, that this represents only 27.9 percent of the PSIP’s budgeted allocation of $56.8 billion. It was noted that the locally-funded projects were primarily constrained by delays in the project implementation as a result of a dearth of procurement planning, apparent lack of capacity, and delays in the tender process. The Ministry noted that this resulted in only 26.8 percent of the budgetary allocation of $34.6 billion expended at half year. The implementation of the foreign-funded projects was also plagued by delays emanating from the late finalization of a number of financing agreements with both multilateral and bilateral development partners and

the subsequent setting up of the project implementation unit. As such, the Finance Ministry noted that a mere 29.6 percent of the budgeted sum of $22.1 billion of the foreign-funded portfolio was expended. In the first half of 2017, the amounts expended for major projects, including the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) Expansion Project, the Power Utility Upgrading Programme, and the West Coast Demerara Highway Project, were $2.8 billion, $1.2 billion, $0.6 billion, respectively. In spite of these constraints, Government said that it remains committed to delivering the budgeted PSIP and has taken steps towards the improvement of the pace of implementation. These include increased monitoring, the introduction of a Cabinet

level reporting mechanism in June 2017, and training Ministry officials from key sectors in procurement planning. Further, in an effort to attract more persons to the national pool of evaluators, a stipend of $3,000 per session was approved by Cabinet, for each evaluator. In addition, monthly stipends were introduced for members of the Ministerial, Regional, Departmental, and Agency Tender Boards. At the end of June 30, 2017, there were a number of ministries which were below the 30 percent margin regarding their rate of implementation. The Ministry of Social Protection, for example, had a budgetary allocation of $477M, but up to June, last, it had only used up $81M. This represents an execution rate of 17 percent.

or their key personnel have at least five years’ experience in the field and be able to manage three to five healthcare facilities simultaneously. The teams will prepare a detailed report after inspecting the existing medical facilities to determine the retrofitting requirements. They will additionally, prepare among other things, the preliminary designs, cost estimates and time schedules along with tender and construction documents, which will advise on the award of construction and supply contracts. The Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) last month hosted a two-day workshop for contractors and designers at the Pegasus Hotel which sought to sensitize on the Smart Healthcare Facility and adumbrate the procurement process for design, inspection and reconstructing works for the new Smart Hospitals across Guyana.

The project is estimated to cost at around $5.4 Billion, which will be financed by the UK Department for International Development (UK DFID). Hospitals that attract a greater population around the country will be upgraded to meet the demands of its people in both urban and hinterland areas. The initiative has been implemented for Regional health facilities in Belize, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, and Saint Lucia. Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings said, “It is important to note that building a Smart Hospital is more than bringing together connected devices on a high speed network infrastructure. It means rethinking the care processes, management systems and even physical facilities. To drive a new way of delivering care is to simply introduce the automation and

connected devices.” The Smart Hospital, she said, will introduce a new process to provide quality health care that efficiently and effectively meets the demands of patients. Meanwhile, British High Commissioner to Guyana Greg Quinn said the project is evident that the UK is not only interested in the security sector, but with projects of such (health care) nature. He stated, “So far assessments of 71 Guyanese health facilities have been undertaken by 27 Guyanese volunteers, trained to do such a task”. According to him, the assessments made resulted in a priority list of ten health facilities being submitted to the Ministry of Public Health for ‘consideration’. Quinn noted that the priority facilities were able to meet the criteria in relation to their population, vulnerability and impact to best serve the aims of the project.

PAGE 26

SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK;Guyanapassport application. G r a p h i c s design, advertisement. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. INNOVATIVE MARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. PASSPORT, PERMANENT & VISITOR VISA APPLICATION, PROFESSIONAL IMMIGRATION CONSULTANT – SABITA IMMIGRATION SERVICES. CALL: 613-3920/625-3767. Weeding, cleaning, trimming, cutting down of trees especially coconut trees. Call: Lewis 697-3852 Cheapest airfares. Contact V or Amenia at Somwaru Travels. 35 North Road. 2277841/227-7845/616-2727 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158 I N S TA L L AT I O N S , REPAIRS AND PARTS FOR AC, FRIDGE, WASHING MACHINE, STOVE ETC: CALL NICK 627-3206, 630-1600 Eagle’s: Re-gas –low prices, washing machine repairs, gas stove, plasma flat Screen, computer repairs & more. Call: 697-2969/646-0966

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Executive Director of the CFATF, Calvin Wilson Executive Director of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), Calvin Wilson has said that derisking or the loss of correspondent banking relations is looming largely across the Caribbean region because of what is being perceived by international financial institutions as “high-risk jurisdictions operating in a high-risk region.” Wilson is disagreeing with this perception on the basis that many of the countries have taken stringent steps to correct the deficiencies in their AntiMoney Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) regime, during their mutual evaluations. He disclosed that many of the formerly high-risk countries are now compliant or “largely compliant” with the standards set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). However, the CFATF Executive highlighted that this progress is not being translated to regulators around the world. ”We think that if that were to be taken into account, then some of the decisions that have been made with regard to de-listing would not have been taken,” he noted.

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Looming issue of de-risking in the region remains high on CFATF agenda

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Wednesday November 15, 2017

Kaieteur News

SALON

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More outreaches, Wilson said, may be necessary to set the record straight. At a meeting organised by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) held in Antigua and Barbuda towards the end of October, last, the region embraced the guidelines set by the FATF, as it relates to correspondent banking. CFATF, he said, has been mandated to keep the matter of de-risking high on its agenda, and has committed that work will be undertaken by both the membership and secretariat in terms of engaging with all stakeholders, such as the CARICOM Secretariat, the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, the Caribbean Development Bank and all countries within the region. Dialogue with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other organisations, which are witnessing the effects of derisking in the region and across the world, will be sought in anticipation of a resolution. He pointed to the fact that de-risking has a lot of negative effects on the ordinary citizens, for example; the ability to send money to family and friends may be impeded due to the loss in correspondent banking relations. Wilson noted too that some money transfer companies are being derisked by banks in the region, which means, not only the man in the street, but major businesses are affected as well. De-risking was addressed during the 27th Forum for Heads of Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and the CFATF Working Group on Risks, Trends and Methods (CRTMG) Meeting held on Sunday, the first day of the 46th Plenary and Working Group Meetings being held at the Marriott Hotel.

Wednesday November 15, 2017

Kaieteur News

PAGE 27

National Cultural Centre to be secured with concrete and stainless.... >>> From page 11 <<<

The Ministry of Legal Affairs opened bids for the procurement of office cubicles and for the procurement of air conditioning units, however no bids were obtained for the last tender.

The Education Ministry further secured six bids for the construction of a warm-up track at Leonora Synthetic Track, phase one.

Bids were also received for rehabilitation of the Christianburg Wismar Secondary School, Felspar Avenue, Blueberry Hill, Wismar, Linden by the Ministry of Education.

Bids were also obtained by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for electrical works and general maintenance at its head office, 41 Cowan Street, Kingston, Georgetown.

The last bid received by the Ministry of Education was for the supply and delivery of cooked meals for the resident students at Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE).

GECOM also received bids for the procurement of one new full time four-wheel drive motor vehicle.

Receiving bids also was the Ministry of Public Security for three projects. The first was for the supply, delivery and installation of 220 KVA generator set which saw three bids.

There were two bids for the supply, delivery and installation of an in-row cooling system at the Guyana Police Force, Data Center.

And the last bid received by the Public Security Ministry was for the procurement of reconditioned vehicles for the Guyana Police Force, Complaints Authority.

Receiving bids also was the Ministry of Education who saw tenders for the construction of a North stand to the existing basketball court in the Bartica Community Centre.

PAGE 28

Wednesday November 15, 2017

Kaieteur News

Venezuelan officials arrested for graft in state oil company Caracas (AFP) Venezuelan police have arrested a deputy minister and nine officials from state oil company PDVSA for allegedly doctoring crude production figures, the state prosecutor ’s office said Monday. Attorney General Tarek William Saab told reporters that the deputy minister, Luis Ramon Mendoza, was arrested with the others over the weekend in a swoop carried out in several regions by the counter-intelligence directorate. He said the cost of the corruption amounted to more than $1.15 billion. The irregularities date from when Mendoza, a deputy planning minister in

the government of President Nicolas Maduro, was a deputy operations manager at a PDVSA unit in the east of the country.

ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada - CMC – A local Child rights advocate has called for the promotion of a violence free lifestyle in order to reduce the number of sexual crimes that are currently in the legal system. In the aftermath of murder of a nine year girl, Anande Trotman-Joseph, a member of the National Committee for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse said there needs to be a zero-tolerance approach to violence. “There must be advocacy to promote respect and violence free lifestyles. There must be monitoring of sex offenders. We must have national policies, action plans, educational and cultural programmes…” “The violent end to an innocent life is symptomatic of society’s failing to identify and address the early signs of pathological behaviours. Our children are being robbed of their innocence so we have to educate them too about predatory behaviours from an earlier age and teach them survival skills in the face of such attacks,” she said.

The Trotman-Joseph, who is a former chairperson of the Grenada National Coalition on the Rights of the Child said that unity among the general public will be key to combating the scourge of sexual violence in the society. “Together we must unite to condemn this violence, we must pray against this evil in our society, we must intervene and speak up earlier when we see the warning signs of violent behaviours in our homes or communities,” she said while calling for some guidance as it relates to music. “There must be censorship of music that inspires violence including sexual violence and degradation and such cultural expressions that our youth are exposed to. There must be the identification of and psycho social support and counseling for persons whose lifestyles make them susceptible to violent behaviours and to provide support for meaningful rehabilitation,” she recommended. The police have arrested

Tarek William Saab

Saab said Mendoza and 11 other officials had “dressed up production figures to show false efficiency and false levels of business.” Arrest warrants have been issued for two other officials, he said. He described the group as “a mafia that in the worst manner of organized crime has entrenched itself in our oil industry to cause serious damage to the nation’s heritage.” Monday’s is the latest in a string of corruption cases being investigated by the prosecutor’s office involving the state oil company, the main revenue source for the cash-strapped Venezuelan economy which is widely believed to be on the verge of default.

Child rights advocate calls for zero tolerance

Anande Trotman-Joseph a 17 year old in connection with the murder of the nine year old student. The teenager is scheduled to appear St. George’s Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday where it’s expected that he will be remanded. The nine year old’s murder brings to 12 the number of homicides so far this year. Her death has led to mounting calls for the state to approve the necessary legislation to establish a sex offender’s registry.

BVI to benefit from CDB loan for cleanup TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands CMC – The Barbados based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) will be lending the British Virgin Islands US$3million to clean up the territory in the aftermath of three major weather events earlier this year. Premier Dr. Orlando Smith told legislators on Monday that US$600,000 of the amount is being given as a grant. “The monies that were advanced from CDB were given because this is the amount that they have for emergency response. One is called The Emergency Relief Grant and that is US$200,000 per event. There were three

events hence we got US$600,000. The other is called Immediate Response Loan which was US$2.25 million,” said Smith who described the two million dollar sum as a soft loan. The finance minister said he did not know how much the territory will have to repay the CDB for the loan. “I would not have that figure at this time. If you wish to have it, I can get it,” Premier Smith said in response to questions from Opposition Leader Andrew Fahie about loan repayment. The BVI was rocked by a tropical wave in August and two category 5 hurricanes in September.

Wednesday November 15, 2017

Kaieteur News

North R/veldt man charged with killing peacemaker Yesterday, 26-year-old Jermaine Abel was remanded to prison for the murder of 27year-old Hafeez Douglas, who he allegedly stabbed to death during a fight with his younger brother. Abel appeared before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. The unrepresented man was not required to plead to the charge which alleged that on November 8, at North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, he murdered Douglas. Police Prosecutor Sergeant Bess told the court that Douglas was stabbed to death after he attempted to resolve a dispute between Abel and his younger brother. The prosecutor added that after receiving the injury,

Douglas collapsed to the ground and was later pronounced dead by an Emergency Medical Technician. Prosecutor Bess disclosed that the case file is still incomplete as he is yet to uplift the post mortem report. Abel will appear this morning before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan. According to information received, Abel and his brother were fighting when the deceased separated the duo. But Abel who was reportedly armed with a knife pursued his brother to stab him. Douglas allegedly grabbed the knife from Abel and pushed him away. Reports are that Abel got angry and turned his rage on Douglas, stabbing him to the

MURDER ACCUSED: Jermaine Abel chest—causing him to fall into a nearby drain. Abel then ran to the North Ruimveldt Police Outpost and reported the matter.

More Guyanese share unflattering stories... (From page 22) there was no sign of the Golden Arrowhead.” The woman said that Guyana cannot possibly be serious about tourism if its consulate is located in a depressed community where many are scared to venture. She also noted that that building will serve as an impression of Guyana. “What a terrible impression that is. We need a better image.” When Kaieteur News spoke to Honorary Consul Ramzan Roshanali, he said that he receives absolutely no money from the Government of Guyana for his services or for rent. He said that the one worker is paid. That one worker happens to be his wife. Mr. Roshanali said that he has no idea how much his wife is paid. However, sources at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that while it is true that he is not paid specifically, the office is given a yearly lump sum to cover overhead expenses and for one employee. In this case, Mr. Roshanali employed his wife. He said that he does not know how much money his wife is receiving but he endeavoured to find out and provide that information. Two days passed and contact was made again with Mr. Roshanali who told this publication that he hadn’t the chance to find out from his wife how much she receives. He said most of his day

was consumed by his engagement in construction duties. He was supposed to again provide the information yesterday but never did. Kaieteur News has also learnt that Mr. Roshanali benefitted in the past from duty free concession. In April of this year, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted a two-day Heads of Mission conference at the Pegasus. This conference’s main objective was to address the role of diplomacy. Of course being the Minister of Foreign

Affairs, Carl Greenidge was the main speaker at the event. He used that opportunity to note that it is paramount to upkeep a good image in the world of diplomacy. He implored upon the diplomats the need to always respect Guyana and paint the best image possible of the country. The letter of concern which was published yesterday, was forwarded to Mr Greenidge’s email address. The Foreign Ministry is aware of the situation in Miami.

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Jamaica to host IMF High Zimbabwe’s military chief accused of ‘treasonable conduct’ Level Caribbean forum (CNN) Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe’s party accused the head of the country’s armed forces of “treasonable conduct” on Tuesday. In a written statement, the ZANU-PF also accused the head of the Zimbabwe Defense Forces (ZDF), Constantino Chiwenga, of attempting to “incite insurrection and violent challenge to the Constitutional Order,” but warned that it would never succumb to military pressure. The statement follows an exceedingly rare press conference Chiwenga gave on Monday, in which he read a statement threatening that the military would “step in” if the “shenanigans” by politicians in ZANU-PF continued. Flanked by scores of senior commanders, Chiwenga didn’t name specific politicians. However, analysts say it was a clear rebuke of first lady Grace Mugabe, at a time when the heavyweights of the 93-yearold President’s ruling party are being pitted against each other in an increasingly bitter succession battle. “It is pertinent to restate that the ZDF remain the major stakeholder in respect to the gains of the liberation struggle. And when we are threatened we are obliged to take corrective measures,” Chiwenga said. The press conference, by the nation’s top military leader, received no coverage on state media. Chiwenga appeared to be rallying behind former Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who was sacked by the President last week. The liberation stalwart and longtime right-hand man to Mugabe has gone into

Robert Mugabe

General Constantino Chiwenga

hiding; his whereabouts still unknown. Mnangagwa, 75, had been viewed as a likely successor to Mugabe, before the President fired him. Many analysts believe that the move by the President, which gives Grace Mugabe a clearer path to the presidency, was a risky one. And while Robert Mugabe and Grace Mugabe hadn’t responded directly to Chiwenga’s remarks, the Zanu-PF Youth League, a key ally of Grace Mugabe, slammed what they said was overreach by the military into political issues. Soldiers are reported to have taken over the headquarters of Zimbabwe’s national broadcaster, ZBC, amid a growing political crisis. Explosions have also been reported in the capital, Harare, but the cause is unclear. Earlier, the country’s ambassador in South Africa denied talk of a coup. Zimbabwe’s ruling party accused the country’s army chief of “treasonable conduct” after he warned of a possible military intervention in politics. General Constantino

Chiwenga had challenged President Robert Mugabe after he sacked the vicepresident. Gen Chiwenga said the army was prepared to act to end purges within Mr Mugabe’s Zanu-PF party. Tensions were raised further on Tuesday when armoured vehicles were seen taking up positions on roads outside Harare, although their purpose was unclear. Some staff at ZBC were manhandled when soldiers took over their offices in Harare, sources told Reuters. Workers were told that they “should not worry”, a source added, and that soldiers were only there to protect the site. The Zimbabwean ambassador to South Africa, Isaac Moyo, had told Reuters that the government was “intact” and dismissed any talk of a possible coup as “just social media claims”. The US State Department has urged all parties in Zimbabwe to resolve disputes “calmly and peacefully” and said it was “closely monitoring” the situation.

Senate committee questions Trump nuclear authority

(BBC) For the first time in over 40 years, Congress has examined a US president’s authority to launch a nuclear attack. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing was titled Authority to Order the Use of Nuclear Weapons. Some senators expressed concern that the president might irresponsibly order a nuclear strike; others said he must have the authority to act without meddling from lawyers. The last time Congress debated this issue was in March 1976. In August, Mr Trump vowed to unleash “fire and fury like the world has never seen” on North Korea if it continued to expand its atomic weapons programme. Last month, the Senate committee’s Republican chairman, Senator Bob Corker, accused the president of setting the US “on a path to World War III”. Senator Ben Cardin set the tone at Tuesday

morning’s public hearing on Capitol Hill. “This is not a hypothetical discussion,” the Maryland Democrat said. Some senators present said they were troubled about the president’s latitude to launch a nuclear strike. Chris Murphy, a Democrat from Connecticut, said: “We are concerned that the president is so unstable, is so volatile, has a decision-making process that is so quixotic, that he might order a nuclearweapons strike that is wildly out of step with US national-security interests.” One of the experts, C Robert Kehler, who was commander of the US Strategic Command from 2011-13, said that in his former role he would have followed the president’s order to carry out the strike - if it were legal. He said if he were uncertain about its legality, he would have consulted with his own advisers.

KINGSTON, Jamaica CMC – Regional heads of government, finance ministers, central bank governors and private sector representatives are scheduled to arrive here for the sixth International Monetary Fund (IMF) High level Caribbean forum to be held here tomorrow. The forum, to be held under the theme ‘Unleashing Growth and Strengthening Resilience in the Caribbean’, will focus on issues impacting the region and the potential opportunities within the context of an ever-changing global landscape. Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness and IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde are the keynote

Christine Lagarde speakers for the opening ceremony. During the forum, four discussions will be held featuring presentations by a

wide cross section of local, regional and international stakeholders. The first will focus on ‘The Caribbean Growth Challenge: Crime and Youth Unemployment’. The others will cover ‘Fiscal Policy and Political Cycles’, ‘The Financial Sector: Stability and Growth Trade-offs’, and ‘Challenges and Opportunities in the Caribbean’. The last will feature presentations by Holness and the prime ministers of St Lucia, Allen Chastanet; Grenada, Dr Keith Mitchell; and Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Keith Rowley. Jamaica previously hosted the IMF Forum in 2014 in the western city of Montego Bay.

Rowley slams immigration officers: ‘A country held to ransom

Suffering passengers waited for hours before getting to the immigration officer on Sunday. Source: Facebook profile of Rainer Dobring. Trinidad Express - Public servants will not be allowed to hold the country to ransom. This was the assertion made by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley yesterday, as he expressed outrage at supposed sick-out action taken by immigration officers at the Piarco International Airport on Sunday. On Sunday, only two out of 15 immigration officers turned up for duty, resulting in chaos for hundreds of travellers waiting to be processed after arriving on flights. Some reported waiting for upwards of four hours in long lines that included elderly persons and children. Speaking during the opening of the Spaniol Road

Bridge in Covigne, Diego Martin, Rowley assured that those responsible will be dealt with accordingly. He said he had received a detailed report from Minister of National Security Edmund Dillion, which is now in the hands of the Attorney General. Dillon has said that action would be taken against anyone found in breach of the Immigration Act. Rowley did not elaborate on what action would be taken, but slammed the immigration officers who he said had created a dangerous situation and threatened the security of the country. “That was a very dangerous situation. Immigration is part of the

national security apparatus. There could have been people in that crowd that was sick. There could have been people in there who have all kinds of reasons to not be in there and look at what happened. We are not to be subjected to that and the government is not going to tolerate it.” He further criticised the immigration officers who he said are the most comfortable public servants in the country. He said the government has made it clear that the country is facing challenging circumstances and need people to work together, yet in spite of this, there are those taking things for granted.

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Prime Minister says National Identification System will help fight corruption KINGSTON, Jamaica - CMC – Prime Minister Andrew Holness, says the establishment of a reliable National Identification System (NIDS) for Jamaicans is pivotal to the Government’s thrust to combat corruption. Late Monday, following 12 hours of deliberations and 168 amendments the National Identification and Registration Bill was passed in the Senate. The Bill seeks to facilitate the establishment and regulation of a system for the registration, verification and authentication of the identity of citizens and other persons residing in Jamaica, and a National Civil and Identification Database to generate national identification cards. “Anti-corruption efforts require a process of establishing, verifying and certifying identity. Several different databases of identity, using different standards and means of identification without a means of cross-matching, do not enhance transparency,” said Holness. The Prime Minister was speaking on the weekend at a certification ceremony for 434 persons trained under a United States Agency for International Development (USAID)supported National Integrity Action (NIA)/Council of Voluntary Social Services (CVSS) ‘Integrity Champions’ programme. Holness argued that the absence of a uniform system of identification enables corrupt persons to escape accountability if they cannot be identified, and creates “an ecosystem of informality, permissiveness and dark corners in which corruption hides and thrives”. The Bill, when it becomes law, will facilitate the implementation of a National Identification System. Each citizen will be provided with a randomized nine-digit National Identification Number which they will have for life. Leader of Government Business in the Senate Kamina Johnson-Smith outlined the process for the introduction of the legislation which will return to the House of Representatives for approval and then on to the GovernorGeneral for assent.

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Federer downs Zverev in ‘generation game’ LONDON (Reuters) Roger Federer marched into the semi-finals at the ATP Finals once again yesterday but he made hard work of the task before finally prevailing 7-6(6) 5-7 6-1 in a high-quality battle of the generations with Germany’s Alexander Zverev. The 36-year-old six-times champion may have been giving away 16 years to the youngster fancied to be the game’s next major force but Federer proved in a dominant third set that, for the moment, he still remains a cut above his young pursuers. The triumph in two hours and 11 minutes ensured the 19-times grand slam champion booked a place in the last four for the 14th time in 15 appearances and with

Roger Federer

Wednesday November 15, 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Although you expect others to reveal their secrets and share their feelings with you, you might not be willing to respond in the same manner. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) You’re very empathic today, but you may be picking up something on your emotional radar that you can’t quite wrap your head around. You can tell that you’re missing some facts and you’re on a mission to find them. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You might find yourself in a struggle for control with a powerful person today. Or you may need to clarify financial arrangements with a business partner. Either way, you won’t be able to reach a satisfactory settlement if you rely on force to make your case. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Your coworkers might be afraid to discuss an important matter with you today because they’re worried that you’ll take their words too personally. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Telling someone what you want is nearly impossible today because isolating any one feeling is extremely complicated. Every single desire exists as part of a complex web of interrelated considerations. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Participating in planned activities with your community or your coworkers can be quite entertaining today, but solely defining your identity with your social experiences isn’t healthy.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You want your actions to be noticed by others today, yet you don’t necessarily agree with the principles behind your assignment. Logic tells you to go ahead and do your job, but your intuition is shouting no. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You might not have a lot to say today, but you’re plugged into your most powerful feelings and you want to make sure everyone knows your position. SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) An intense exchange with someone special can transcend the boundaries that normally define and confine you. But you won’t back down once you reveal your opinion on a sensitive topic. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) A friend’s intuitive advice may push your buttons today. It’s as if others know what motivates you now and they show up ready to support your actions. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Health-related issues may be on your mind today. You might modify your intake of vitamins and herbs if you’re feeling just a tad below the weather. But even if your stamina is strong, consider what improvements you could make to your daily regimen. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You’re quietly optimistic today, but might not let others know that you’re busy envisioning your ideal future. You may downplay your big dreams now because you really don’t want them to be scrutinized by anyone else just yet.

the tournament still only three days old. It also meant that Zverev and Jack Sock will now meet on Thursday to decide the other qualifier from the Boris Becker group. Sock earlier lived up to his childhood nickname of “Showtime” by producing a dramatic comeback triumph 57 6-2 7-6(4) over the erratic Marin Cilic, who is now eliminated after two straight defeats. World number two Federer looks even more of an overwhelming favorite for a seventh crown in the absence of Rafael Nadal, who has pulled out injured from the tournament. “It sounds great,” Federer told the O2 Arena crowd after being told of his record of 14 semi-final appearances. He had high praise for 20year-old Zverev, too, after being tested for two fierce sets before finally dismantling the increasingly wearylooking world number three. “I‘m very excited for his future. He’s a wonderful guy and a great, great player.” With no classic Nadal clash on the horizon, the duel between Federer and Zverev, who had shared the spoils in their previous four meetings, was the most eagerly anticipated of the week. It did not disappoint, with Federer immediately forced to save three break points to rescue the opening game and Zverev also digging deep to save one in the next. Zverev’s immaculate serving kept Federer at bay

Pace trial expected for Windies... From page 35 match is another good opportunity.” The 31-year-old Guptill is a seasoned campaigner, having played 149 ODIs and the last of his 47 Tests a year ago. Todd Astle and Colin Munro, both with Test experience, have been included in the side while wicketkeeper Tom Blundell has also been named in the XI in what could be a trial ahead of the Test series. West Indies, currently in a preparation camp in Australia, will face New Zealand A at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval starting November 25 ahead of the first Test in Wellington on December 1. SQUAD – Martin Guptill (captain), Todd Astle, Tom Blundell, Neil Broom, Tom Bruce, Lockie Ferguson, Scott Kuggeleijn, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, Jeet Raval, George Worker.

despite the master testing the apprentice with the variety and mixed pace of his shotmaking. At 6-5 down, the German saved the second of two set points in the flukiest fashion, his backhand limping off the top of the net for an outright winner. In a tight tiebreak, Federer came back from a shaky start at 4-0 down and rescued a set point of his own before cashing in on Zverev errors and testing the youngster’s patience until it cracked in a long rally. When Federer cruised to a 2-0 lead in the second set for the loss of just a point, it seemed a quick kill was on the cards but two double faults in a poor service game saw

Zverev back in the contest. Looking increasingly irritated as his first serve percentage dipped to an alarming 43 percent, the misfiring Federer was broken again at 5-6 as Zverev leveled the match. Yet the German’s own serve, hitherto a huge weapon, also began to malfunction in the final set as Federer found a new gear. The toll of being pulled around the court by the Swiss’s variety in pace and angles began to tell on Zverev. It evidently felt satisfying for Federer to beat one of the game’s new comets. Asked if he could remember his first ATP Finals, he smiled: “It’s so long ago I hardly remember it!”

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Highlights of Monday’s NBA games (The Sports Xchange) Highlights from National Basketball Association games on Monday: Cavaliers 104, Knicks 101 LeBron James had 23 points and came one rebound short of a triple-double as the Cleveland Cavaliers stormed back from a 24-point deficit to defeat the host New York Knicks 104-101 on Monday night at Madison Square Garden. James hit a step-back, 27foot 3-pointer to put the Cavs up by three with 1:23 left in the game, the final dagger in an 8-0 Cleveland run to complete a rousing comeback. James finished with 12 assists and nine rebounds, and Kyle Korver

Wednesday November 15, 2017

Kaieteur News

eight assists and seven rebounds. Draymond Green had 20 points. 76ers 109, Clippers 105 Joel Embiid scored 32 points, and Robert Covington added 31, including two key fourth-quarter 3-pointers, as Philadelphia beat Los Angeles to end a two-game losing streak. Ben Simmons added 22 points and 12 rebounds, and Embiid had a game-high 16 boards. Timberwolves 109, Jazz 98 Karl-Anthony Towns scored 24 points and collected 13 rebounds while Jimmy Butler added 21 points and 10 assists to help Minnesota overwhelm Utah. Taj Gibson also finished

his 27 points in the fourth quarter for the Grizzlies, but Memphis couldn’t hold off Milwaukee, which won its third straight. Pelicans 106, Hawks 105 Darius Miller hit four 3pointers in the final 5:45 and scored 14 of his 21 points in the fourth-quarter run to lift New Orleans to the win. Guard E‘Twaun Moore was the Pelicans’ leading scorer with 24 points and DeMarcus Cousins added 22 points, 16 rebounds and seven assists. Lakers 100, Suns 93 Jordan Clarkson scored 25 points in 25 minutes off the bench and Corey Brewer and Kyle Kuzma combined for 13 points in the fourth

Semenya to attempt double again at Commonwealth Games Caster Semenya (Hendrik Schmidt)

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Caster Semenya will again attempt the 800 meters and 1500m double at next year’s Commonwealth Games before setting her sights on a world record. The 26-year-old South African won gold in the shorter distance and a surprise bronze in the 1500m at the World Championship in London in August. “I will again be going for the double but I need to improve on my tactics (for the 1500m),” she told reporters. “The 1500m is a race that excites me. I look forward to racing it.” Her coach Jean Verster said the 800m world record would be a priority for Semenya after the April Games at the Gold Coast in

Australia. “We will be gunning for that in the next season. I think she can probably break it already but we’ve got to find the right race because you don’t want to put all your cards on the table and then get beaten,” he told South Africa’s Independent Newspapers. Semenya won the 800m in London in one minute 55.16 seconds, the fastest time in the event since 2008. “I believe a time of 1:52 is possible. It is just a matter of getting in the right race with the right pacemaker,” said Verster. The world record of 1:53.28 is now almost 35 years old and was set by Czech Jarmila Kratochvilova in Munich in July 1983.

Neymar can lead Brazil to World Cup glory, says Roberto Carlos

LeBron James stares down the crowd at Madison Square Garden after dropping the dagger that slayed the Knicks on Monday. (Getty) added 21 points for the Cavs. New York led by as much as 24 in the third quarter before heading into the fourth up 15 and still led by double figures with 6:53 remaining. Cleveland put on the defensive clamps late, though, and the Cavs hit four 3-pointers in the last 4:35, including two by Korver, to upend the previously hot Knicks. Warriors 110, Magic 100 Playing without superstar Stephen Curry, Golden State went on a trademark thirdquarter surge to defeat Orlando for its seventh straight win. Curry sat out with a right thigh contusion, and his replacement, Shaun Livingston, rose to the challenge with 16 points and six assists. Kevin Durant led the Warriors with 21 points,

with a double-double for Minnesota, adding 15 points and 10 rebounds. Jeff Teague chipped in 22 points. Wizards 110, Kings 92 John Wall scored 21 points and continued his torrid 3-point shooting against Sacramento as Washington won its third consecutive game. Marcin Gortat had 18 and Otto Porter 15 for the Wizards, who matched their longest winning streak of the season and closed their four-game homestand at 3-1. Washington opened the season 3-0, but lost five of seven, including a loss to the one-win Dallas Mavericks on Nov. 7. Bucks 110, Grizzlies 103 John Henson scored eight of his 17 points in the fourth quarter and Milwaukee rallied down the stretch for the win. Tyreke Evans scored 14 of

quarter to lift Los Angeles past Phoenix. Kentavious CaldwellPope scored 15 points and Brook Lopez added 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Lakers, who ended a threegame losing streak in a game where neither team had a double-digit lead until 2:30 remained. Trail Blazers 101, Nuggets 97 Jusuf Nurkic and CJ McCollum scored 17 points apiece and Damian Lillard chipped in 15 points, seven assists, five rebounds and four steals to lead Portland past Denver. Portland shot a seasonbest 52.1 percent from the field and held Denver to a season-low 35.7 percent. It was the poorest shooting game by a Portland opponent all season.

Neymar

BELGRADE (Reuters) - Brazil are among the favourites for next year’s World Cup in Russia and Neymar can lead the South American nation to their sixth title, former winner Roberto Carlos said yesterday. The 44-year old former left back, who helped Brazil win the 2002 World Cup as well as Copa America titles in 1997 and 1999, also believed that the country has recovered from a humiliating 7-1 semi-final defeat by Germany as the 2014 tournament’s hosts. “The team has been reorganized since the debacle against Germany and we also have a new coach in Tite, hence I am confident the situation has vastly improved,” he told a news conference in Serbia’s capital. “We have world class players and team leaders in Neymar, Willian and Thiago Silva.

They are experienced and I am confident that Brazil have it in them to win the World Cup. “As a Brazilian, naturally I want Brazil to win the World Cup. But (world champions) Germany, Spain and Argentina will also be among the top favorites and it will take a lot of hard work to capture the title.” Carlos, an ambassador for La Liga’s Real Madrid, said that Neymar was right to move from Barcelona to Paris St Germain during the close season and believed the talented forward would shine in Russia next year. “I expect Neymar to become the world’s best player very soon,” he said. “There is a lot of debate going on whether he should have moved to Paris St Germain from Barcelona and I think he did the right thing. “It was his personal decision and I think it will be easier for him to flourish at PSG, whereas that was more complicated with Lionel Messi at Barcelona or would have been at Real Madrid with Cristiano Ronaldo. At PSG, he is the benchmark. “He is a great person too, I am in touch with him regularly and I am also convinced he will have an outstanding World Cup.” Carlos, who spent a single season at Inter Milan in 1995-96 before moving to Real where he won four La Liga titles and three Champions League trophies, said Italy needed to “start from scratch” after failing to qualify for the World Cup. The Italians, beaten by Sweden 1-0 on aggregate after Monday’s 0-0 draw in Milan, will miss out on the finals for the first time since 1958. “That’s football and it only shows that many teams have improved and caught up with those at the top level,” he said. “Italy have to reorganize and go back to the drawing board. It’s easy to pile the criticism on them now but I don’t think that’s the right course of action.”

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GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power U-17 League – East Bank

4th Smalta/Ministry of Public Health Girls Pee wee tournament launched Grove Hi Tech and Herstelling Raiders flay opponents; Warriors also win “Women football as important as men” Co-director of Petra, Troy Mendonca

The fourth annual 11years and under Pee wee football tournament for Primary school girls, being sponsored by the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) and Ansa Mcal through their Smalta brand was launched yesterday at the National Library. The simple but significant ceremony had in attendance students, teachers, representatives of the sponsors, the Ministry of Education and Petra, the organisers of the grassroots tournament. This year will see 12 schools battling in four groups of three with the top two teams of each group moving onto the quarterfinals. All games will be played at the National Insurance Scheme ground on CARIFESTA Avenue, after the usual venue, the Ministry of Education ground is seeing its pavilion being

reconstructed. Co-director of Petra, Troy Mendonca, called for all stakeholders to treat the girls’ pee wee with the same importance and hype as the just concluded boys’ tournament which was very successful. “We all know that physical education go hand in hand in making well rounded students and we’re happy to introduce this tournament to help foster that,” Mendonca stated during his address. Rawlston Adams, 2nd vice-president of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) posited during the launch that, “The GFF is happy to endorse this venture because its inline with their mandate of development of the game at the grassroots level and equally important, women’s football.” Dr. Oneka Scott representing the MOPH confidently announced that,

“This (tournament) it’s not a platform for sports alone but it’s a platform for living a healthy life as well,” as she listed the many benefits of exercise. “I’m happy to say that we will continue to support football and in this instance youth football and I would like to wish the young ladies good luck as they go out not just to compete but have fun,” non-alcoholic brand manager of title sponsors Ansa Mcal, Sean Abel stated in his remarks. Head of the Physical Education department in the Ministry of Education, Nicholas Fraser, shared his view on having tournaments as good in that, “It helps to evaluate how the various schools’ Physical Education programmes are progressing.” The tournament gets underway Saturday at the NIS ground with six games.

US government witness in FIFA trial says media companies paid bribes NEW YORK (Reuters) - A prosecution witness in the U.S. corruption trial of three former soccer officials testified yesterday that Fox Sports, Mexico’s Grupo Televisa and Brazil’s Globo paid bribes to secure television rights for soccer matches. The testimony came during the first trial to emerge from the U.S. investigation of bribery surrounding FIFA, soccer’s world governing body. Alejandro Burzaco, former head of sports marketing company Torneos y Competencias, named the companies while being questioned by a prosecutor in Brooklyn federal court. Torneos and Fox Sports, a unit of Twenty-First Century Fox Inc, jointly owned a sports marketing venture, T&T Sports Marketing Ltd, according to Burzaco. Fox, Televisa and Globo were not charged by U.S.

prosecutors in the case. Televisa spokesman Olmos Cruz Alejandro said the company could not comment without knowing more about the trial testimony. Fox Sports spokeswoman Terri Hynes said the company had no immediate comment. Globo denied the allegations and said its internal checks did not find any illegal payments. Burzaco said in court that Fox was told about bribes paid to soccer officials by T&T. Prosecutors also showed jurors a contract dated 2008 between T&T and a Turks and Caicos-based entity called Somerton Corp, providing for a $3.7 million (£2.81 million) payment to Somerton. Burzaco said the contract was signed by James Ganley, former chief operating officer of Fox unit Fox Pan American Sports, and was a sham meant to cover bribes to people

including former Argentine Football Association president and FIFA executive Julio Humberto Grondona, who died in 2014. Ganley is named as a defendant in a 2016 civil lawsuit in a Florida federal court by Florida-based soccer network GolTV, which claims that Ganley and other Fox executives paid bribes for broadcast rights. Lawyers representing Ganley in that lawsuit could not immediately be reached for comment. Shares of Twenty First Century Fox were down 2.3 percent at $27.88 in afternoon NYSE trading. The three soccer officials on trial in Brooklyn are Juan Ángel Napout, former president of the South American soccer governing body CONMEBOL and Paraguay’s soccer federation; Manuel Burga, former president of Peru’s soccer federation; and José Maria Marin, former president of Brazil’s soccer federation. Prosecutors have said that the three men and other soccer officials took bribes from sports marketing companies in exchange for lucrative marketing and media rights to soccer tournaments. Forty-two people and entities have been charged in the case, of which 23 have pleaded guilty and two have been sentenced.

Grove Hi Tech and Highway United in their match on Sunday last at the Grove Playfield. Grove Hi Tech successfully ended the inaugural season of the GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power National Under-17 Intra Association League/East Bank Football Association leg on a winning note on Sunday last at the Grove Playfield. The Grove boys, ended as the only unbeaten team in the two rounds of competition, which has a few more games to play, trounced Highway United 5-2. Also triumphing by a similar margin was Herstelling Raiders which hammered Friendship All Stars. Kuru Kururu Warriors pocketed full points without breaking a sweat as Agricola Red Triangle failed to put in an appearance. Scoring for Grove, which ended with a positive goal difference of +20, Gregory Stephens with a brace in the 29th and 41st Team P Grove Hi Tech 8 Highway United 8 KK Warriors 7 Diamond United 7 Friendship 7 Herstelling Raiders 7 Mocha Champs 7 Agricola 7

W 8 6 4 4 3 3 2 2

L 0 2 2 3 3 3 4 5

minute, Kashif Tinnee opened proceedings in the first minute of play, Orwin Hunte (46), while Jamassi Benjamin netted in the 60th minute. Highway United got their goals from Shawn Steele in the 33rd minute and Ishmael Pulsarran in the 69th. Shoran James was the main architect of Herstelling’s win by blasting the nets on three occasions. He scored in the 9th, 24th and 61st minute, while there was one each from Joel Taylor in the 22nd and Damion Persaud in the 65th. Accounting for Friendship’s goals were Zaheer Rahat in the 6th minute and Xavi Allison in the 38th minute. Grove Hi Tech and Highway United have completed their quota of matches with six teams having one more match to play. D 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 0

GF 23 14 7 10 10 12 5 4

GA 3 16 8 9 12 10 8 11

GD +20 -2 -1 +1 -2 -2 -3 -7

Points 24 18 13 12 10 10 7 6

Pace trial expected for Windies in lone tour match Pacer Adam Milne

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, CMC – West Indies are expected to face a fiery test in their only tour game here later this month after selectors yesterday named the exciting pace trio of Lockie Ferguson, Adam Milne and Scott Kuggeleijn in a strong New Zealand A side for the three-day match in Lincoln. The 26-year-old Ferguson has impressed in seven One-Day Internationals and a Twenty20, the experienced 25-year-old Milne has played 40 ODIs while Kuggeleijn, also 25, has played a single ODI. “This NZ A team certainly shows that we have depth and quality players who are pushing for higher honours,” selector Gavin Larsen said. “Watching the three quickest bowlers in NZ operating together will certainly be exciting, and all three have plenty to play for. “We are looking to develop Martin’s (Guptill) leadership capabilities and the NZ A Continued on page 33

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Wednesday November 15, 2017

Kaieteur News

Pollard fifty outshines Brathwaite’s in Dynamites win

Kieron Pollard … smashed a half-century for Dynamites. DHAKA, Bangladesh, CMC – Kieron Pollard’s match-winning half-century trumped Carlos Brathwaite’s career-best maiden Twenty20 fifty, as Dhaka Dynamites rallied to beat Khulna Titans by four wickets with a ball to spare, in the Bangladesh Premier League here yesterday. Sent in at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, Titans reached 156 for five off their 20 overs, with the West Indies T20 World Cup star Brathwaite top-scoring with an entertaining, unbeaten 64 off 29 deliveries. South African Rilee Roussouw chimed in with 34 while Nazmul Hossain scored 24, as West Indies offspinner Sunil Narine finished with one for 22 from four miserly overs. In reply, Dynamites were tottering on 41 for five in the ninth over but Pollard produced a superb rearguard action, belting 55 off 24 balls

to get his side over the line. Jahurul Islam supported with 45 not out while Shakibal-Hasan chipped in with 20. Barbadian Jofra Archer claimed one for 26 from his four overs but Brathwaite failed to have the same impact with the ball as his 2.5 overs leaked 34 runs and yielded a single wicket. The victory lifted Dynamites top of the standings but only on net run rate as they were tied on six points with Comilla Victorians and Sylhet Sixes. With Titans bogged down by tight bowling, the innings was going nowhere at 71 for four in the 13th over, until Brathwaite arrived at the crease. He then put on a show, slamming four fours and six sixes while adding 54 for the fifth wicket with Roussouw and a further 31 in a unbroken sixth wicket with stand with Ariful Haque (4 not out). Brathwaite took a pair of

sixes off leg-spinner Shahid Afridi in the 15th over which cost 14 runs, a pair of fours and a six off left-arm spinner Shakib in the following over which leaked 17 runs before finishing the innings strongly by striking who sixes in the final over which went for 16. Dynamites then suffered a top order slump when West Indies left-hander Evin Lewis fell to the fifth ball of the innings for four and Narine, promoted to the opening slot, spent 16 balls over seven before being fourth out at 24 for four in the sixth over. When Shakib holed out to Brathwaite at deep mid-wicket off Mahmudullah, the innings was in serious decline. However, Pollard combined with Jahurul in a 73run sixth wicket stand which turned the run chase around and put Dynamites on course for the win. The right-handed Pollard blasted three fours and halfdozen sixes as he chose an ideal time to raise his 38th T20 half-century. In one over from Mahmudullah – the 11th of the innings which cost 25 runs – Pollard smashed four sixes and followed up by ripping into seamer Brathwaite in the 13th over which went for 20 runs, as he belted a pair of fours and sixes. He eventually perished in the 15th over but Jahurul and Mosaddek Hossain (14 not out) put on 43 in an unbroken seventh wicket stand to seal the win.

Berbice Cricket Board Under-15 Inter Zone competition

Upper/Central Corentyne continue dominance, West Berbice beat NA/Canje The Third and final round of the Berbice Cricket Board’s Inter Zone 50 overs cricket competition was contested under the watchful eye of Chairman of Selectors, Mr. Leslie Solomon and his panel, as the selectors sought to identify the 30 man squad to be encamped for training in preparation for the Guyana Cricket Board’s Under-15 Inter County Competition scheduled for February 2018. Over at the Jai Hind Ground in Albion, table topper Upper Corentyne continued to prove their dominance by defeating the hapless Lower Corentyne lads by 135 runs in their 50over encounter. Batting first Upper Corentyne scored 215 for 5 with a magnificent knock of 83 from Vettorie Latchman. Mahendra Gopilall supported with 37, while Jonathon Rampersaud made 33. Bowling for Lower Corentyne, Leon Cecil took 1-34 in 10 overs, Rudra Goberdhan 1-36 in 9, Parvanand Ganesh 1-42 in 10, Damian Cecil 1 for 32 in 5 and Hemchand Maniram 1-17 in 4 overs. In their reply to the target set by Upper Corentyne,

Vettorie Latchman Lower Corentyne were bowled out for 80 in 36.1 overs. Hemchand Maniram top scored with 6. All the other batsmen failed to get going, as the Upper Corentyne lads dominated with ball and the bat as well. Bowling for Upper Corentyne, Matthew Pottaya took 5-16 in 9, Jeremy Sandia 2-26, Jonathon Rampersaud 1-21, Rampersaud Ramnauth 1-7 and M Gopilall 1-10. At the Young Warriors ground in Cumberland, Western Berbice defeated hosts New Amsterdam/Canje by 51 runs in their match and has advanced to second spot

in the competition. Batting first, Western Berbice scored 133 in 30.5 overs. Darius Josef top scored with 52, A. Antwoon 31 and V. Singh 16. Bowling for New Amsterdam, C. Arokium took 3 for 34 in his 6 overs, while Isaiah Thorne and J. Persaud took 2 wickets each. Batting second, New Amsterdam/Canje scored 82 all out in 27 overs. T. Caesar continued to show aggression as he top scored with 35. All the other batsmen failed to contribute significant figures to the total score. Bowling for Western Berbice, L. Budhram took 5 wickets, S. Rupnarine 3, and A. Alexander 1. The President and Executives of the Berbice Cricket Board wish to express their heartfelt gratitude to the Port Mourant Cricket Club, the Jai Hind Cricket Club, the Young Warriors Cricket Club and the Bush Lot Cricket Club for permitting the use of their venues for the conduct of this tournament. Final Results are as follows: Upper Corentyne: 6 points, Lower Corentyne: 0 points, New Amsterdam / Canje: 2 points, Western Berbice: 4 points.

Letter to the Sports Editor

Non-playing clubs should not vote in elections, BCB in good hands DEAR SPORTS EDITOR, Imagine if we were to have national elections and anyone from the Diaspora in North America can vote, even if they have not been to Guyana in 30 years and have given up their citizenship. This is practically what some would like to happen in Berbice cricket. Three non-playing clubs’ factions representatives have taken the elected officials to court making some claims that I hope would ensure they receive penalties when the tapes of the recorded meeting is played. Mr. Albert Smith, purportedly representing Guymine Sports Club, Mr. Desmond Conway purportedly representing Fort Canje Hospital and Mr. Jaipersaud Hardeo purportedly representing Sinai Youth Group have filed court actions claiming that they were denied their right to vote in the recent BCB Elections. I have seen copies of their affidavits and those in response, even given a preview of the tape. Many of you in the public domain would not believe that grown men can lie so much or at the least allow themselves to be used in such a fashion. I recently read two letters in the press apparently published to coincide with the matters that came up before Justice Navindra Singh on the 9th and 10th of November. It was obvious that the authors wanted to influence the outcome of the hearings by strategically putting their own alternative facts out to the public and probably for the judge to read. I am sure our Justices are far smarter.

Mr. Albert Smith is claiming to represent Guymine and I understand has accepted that the club has not played cricket in 30 years, yes 30 years, has no team, no club house, and paid no dues. Mr. Jaipersaud Hardeo claims to be representing Mount Sinai Club, but newspaper articles recently published indicate that a group called “Angoy’s Avenue Youth in Action/Mount Sinai Group” was recently formed and Hardeo is its representative. This is also indicated in a letter sent to the BCB. It is mind boggling that this person is claiming to be a founder member of the BCB. A Mr. Desmond Conway is listed as a representative of Mental Cricket Club but he filed court action as Fort Canje Hospital Club. It is appearing that the Mental Hospital lost some patients and they are reappearing at the New Amsterdam Courthouse. Those of us around the cricket in Berbice are well aware that the three mentioned clubs and Kildonan do not play any cricket and has not done so for a long time. We should not accept that non playing clubs can dominate our elections and do nothing for cricket development, not even play. The constitution of the BCB is outdated but must be followed. Clubs who do not follow the rules must be purged and allow functioning members to run the cricket. Berbice cricket is on the move. The majority has spoken and we are on the move. Yours Sincerely, Berbice Cricket Enthusiast (Name and phone contact provided)

Wednesday November 15, 2017

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Kaieteur News

GJA completes successful year The Guyana Judo Association (GJA) has completed a successful year following the recent hosting its year end Championship under the theme: “Courage”. The event was held in observance of the World Judo Day Celebrations which was observed on October 28. The national event took place at the North Georgetown Multilateral School’s Tarmac which saw more than 35 competitors and officials from four clubs in Georgetown and on the West Bank of Demerara River with the highest level Judo competition thus far for 2017. The Championship was also a qualifier for the 2017 Barbados International Judo Competition which will be held in on November 29th to December 3rd. Joshua Buchanan from the North Ruimveldt Multilateral Judo club was judged the best overall Fighter during the competition in the under 73kg category. He represented Guyana at the 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games in Baku, Azerbaijan on May 12 – 22, 2017, as well as the Commonwealth Youth Games 2017 in the Bahamas. Earskyne Trotman, who also represented Guyana at the Islamic Solidarity Games, placed second in the under 90kg category. The under 24kg category saw Yusuf Britton cemented the first place win. Usayd Barlow finished second, while both Ibrahim and Yusuf Edwards copped the third position. The winner of the under 42kg category went to Tariq Mohamed of Durban Street, Dojo, the under 55kg juniors category was taken by NaeemYaseen, the under 66kg category was won by Corwin D’Anjou of the Rising Sun club; the under73 kg category went to Abdullah Eastman. Abdul Azeez claimed the U-90kg category, while the over 100kg was won by Stephon Barry of the Rising Sun Judo club. The other second place winners were

Members of the Guyana Judo Association following the championships. Junaid Barlow in the under 42kg category; Huzaifah Barlow in the under 55kg category and Terrence Williams in the over 100kg division. In addition, the Guyana Judo conducted its annual Grading Exercise where promotions were handed down to athletes. Earskyne Trotman has been ascended to Black Belt and Terrence Williams to Brown Belt. Currently there are six blue belts, ten Green Belts, eight Orange Belts, five Yellow Belts, and eight white Belts. A Fund Raiser Bar-b-que was done in aid of the GJA on October 29, 2017 to raise fund for athletes to compete in the upcoming Barbados International Judo Tournament. Support came from the Guyana Olympic Association and the others sporting federations as well as the Director of Sports Christopher Jones who was in attendance. The GJA was able to successfully implement the first phase of its strategic plan which saw institutional strengthening of the sport. 2018 shall realise Judo being played in two additional

regions namely, Region 6 in East Berbice and Region 10, Linden. Plans for expansion of Judo among females are

afoot. The GJA would like to express gratitude its sponsors; Bettencourt’s

Food Inc, The GOA, the Sports Federations of Guyana, Fazal Nazeem Grocery of Independence

Blvd, Sherida’s Grocery Stall at La Penitence Market and Trophy Stall of Bourda Market among others.

Watling doubt for opening Test against West Indies ESPNcricinfo Wicketkeeper BJ Watling is a doubt for New Zealand’s opening Test against West Indies due to a hip injury with the uncapped Tom Blundell in line for a debut if Watling is not available. The problem has forced Watling to sit out the last two rounds of Plunket Shield matches for Northern Districts. He will play as a batsman only against Auckland this week before what will effectively be a fitness test against Otago at the end of the month where he will have to keep wicket to be available for the first Test in Wellington on December 1. If Watling can’t take his place at the Basin Reserve - it would be the first Test he has missed since Headingley against England in 2013 - it

would likely mean a first cap for 27-year-old Blundell ahead of handing the gloves to one-day keeper Tom Latham. Blundell has previously played one T20I and has been included in the New Zealand A side to face West Indies in their warm-up match from November 25. The cloud over Watling was the only uncertainty in a settled 12-man New Zealand squad, resuming Test cricket for the first time since March, although one further player will be added to the party following the A side’s fixture. Colin de Grandhomme has retained his place as the seam-bowling all-rounder, while Matt Henry is the extra pace bowler behind the established trio of Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Neil Wagner.

West Indies could face a lively welcome to their tour with the New Zealand A side including three rapid pacemen in Adam Milne, Lockie Ferguson and Scott Kuggeleijn. Ferguson recently took a career-best match haul of 12 for 78 against Otago. Martin Guptill will captain the A side which also includes incumbent Test opener Jeet Raval alongside Colin Munro after his successful limitedovers tour of India and legspinner Todd Astle who was forced home from that trip with a groin strain. “While the Blackcaps squad doesn’t have too many surprises, this NZ A team certainly shows that we have depth and quality players who are pushing for higher honours,” selector Gavin Larsen said.

“Watching the three quickest bowlers in NZ operating together will certainly be exciting, and all three have plenty to play for. We are looking to develop Martin’s leadership capabilities and the NZ A match is another good opportunity.” New Zealand squads: Test squad - Kane Williamson (capt), Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Jeet Raval, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling. New Zealand A - Martin Guptill (capt), Todd Astle, Tom Blundell, Neil Broom, Tom Bruce, Lockie Ferguson, Scott Kuggeleijn, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, Jeet Raval, George Worker.

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday November 15, 2017

The King dethrones Jeffrey as CMRC Group Everest CC Masters beat Guyana UK AWD champion; T&T retain overall title CC in T20 fixture

Everest Cricket Club Masters defeated the visiting Guyana UK Cricket Club by six wickets in a T20 fixture played on Friday last at Everest. Steady bowling by the home team restricted the visitors, who batted first, for 109-8. Navin Persaud struck three fours and two sixes in a top score of 65, while Raj Nanan made 16. Off-spinner Rohan Sarjoo claimed 3-18 and Johnny Azeez 221. Everest Masters responded with 111-4. Opener Sahadeo Hardaiow made 36 which included three fours and one six, while Troy Gonsalves got 37 (3x4, 1x6). Persaud returned to take 2-23 to claim the man-of-the-match trophy; Everest Masters presented the visitors with a plaque in recognition of their tour, both prizes were sponsored by Trophy Stall, Bourda Market. The Guyana UK CC handed over a quantity of gears, balls and a clock to the Everest CC.

GFF Elite League Season III opens Sunday – Greater focus on players this season as six clubs added to pool Team Trinidad pose for a photo after receiving their overall CMRC title. Local racing legend Andrew King was announced as the champion in the highest class of the Caribbean Motor Racing Championships, the Group Four all-wheel-drive division after accumulating the most points over the four legs that were raced off in Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados and lastly Guyana. This was revealed during the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club’s (GMRSC) presentation dinner at the Ramada Princess Hotel on Monday night. King, who has been an

ardent motor racer for some 43 years, was proud to receive the accolade but explained to Kaieteur Sport that, “The win is kind of bitter sweet. I’ve been doing the CMRC for many years with my best finish being second overall twice but this year the championship wasn’t much subscribed with the previous champion Kristian Jeffrey missing most of the season due to commitments in Europe.” He further went on to note that, “To say I dominated is a stretch but the points I’ve accumulated puts me on top and I’m happy to

be on top.” Guyana’s Team Mohamed unstoppable force of Bryce Prince received his CMRC overall champion rider accolade after setting records in T&T, Barbados and Jamaica during the 2017 CMRC, while overseas based Guyanese, Paul Vieira won the overall CMRC champion driver award. Group three champion for the last weekend’s International Race of Champions at the South Dakota Circuit was Vishok Persaud in his customized Lotus, while Shairaz

Roshadin won the group 2. Motilall Deodass won the won the Starlet Cup, Roopnarine Dasarat was best in the Street tuner and Azad Hassan won the Sports tuner classes. Kevin Persaud came out on top in the local superbikes category. Following the GMRSC’s international race of Champions last weekend which also served as the CMRC final leg, T&T managed to accumulate enough points to see them retain the CMRC overall title which Guyana last held in 2015. (Calvin Chapman)

Steyn set to return after year-long absence

Dale Steyn at a training session. (Gallo Images/ Getty Images)

ESPNcricinfo - Dale Steyn is expected to make a comeback to competitive cricket, after a year on the sidelines, in the Ram Slam today. Steyn has been named in the Titans’ 13-man squad

set to play the Knights in Kimberley, for their second match of the competition. The Titans beat the Lions in their opening game on Sunday, where Steyn carried drinks and reunited with his

team-mates after seven years at the Cape Town-based Cobras. Steyn, whose career began up-country with the Titans, opted to return to the franchise while still recovering from the broken bone in his shoulder that has seen him spend the last 12 months out of action. In that time, Steyn has had a pin inserted into his right shoulder and overcome torn bicep and pectoral muscles. When speaking to ESPNcricinfo last month, Steyn explained how he was slowly building up his bowling loads so that he could be at 100% by the time he returns. That time, it seems, is now. To make space for Steyn in their XI, the Titans will likely have to leave out David Wiese from the side that beat the Lions. That means the Titans could boast at least six current internationals with Quinton de Kock, AB de Villiers, Farhaan Behardien,

Aiden Markram, Tabraiz Shamsi and Lungi Ngidi all in the mix and Dean Elgar waiting in the wings. Morne Morkel and Chris Morris, who are recovering from a side strain and a back injury respectively, are not part of the Titans’ squad for now but are both expected to make comebacks at some stage of the Ram Slam. If all goes well with Steyn’s participation in the Ram Slam, he is expected to make a return to the national side in whites, where he needs just five wickets to overtake Shaun Pollock as South Africa’s highest Test wickettaker. South Africa play Zimbabwe in the inaugural day-night Test over Boxing Day and then host India for three Tests. New coach Ottis Gibson has already indicated Steyn will walk back into the XI provided the man himself is confident he can get through a full Test.

The Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) Elite League Season III is scheduled to kick off on Sunday, at the National Track and Field Centre Leonora with an expanded league and a greater emphasis on playeroriented initiatives. The new season will see six of the top clubs added to the pool of elite teams following their receipt of their respective CONCACAF Club licences in September 2017 including Western Tigers FC, Cougars FC, New Amsterdam United FC, Ann’s Grove FC, Den Amstel FC and Milerock FC. According to Ian Alves, Competitions Director of the GFF, the players will be the primary focus of the league: “This time around the league is more player-centred than ever before. As a result, the players’ match fees have been increased. Players will be provided with an accreditation (pass) that allows them and one other entry into any elite league match venue whether playing or not on the day. It also allows them entry to all GFFhosted international matches. Additionally, meals will be provided on match day for each player and coaching staff for the clubs participating on that day. Clubs have also been asked to insure their players, a process with which the GFF has facilitated with the

insurance provider.” Alves, who said the GFF is looking forward to a competitive season with the additional clubs and incentives, said the players also have a responsibility to ensure this is realized: “In return, players have been asked to bring their best game on each match day in order to make the league attractive to the fans. We therefore urge club supporters and football fans in general to come out and experience Guyana’s highest level of football as we continue to grow and develop the league towards self-sustenance in the near future.” Additionally, there will be prizes for the Golden Boot, Golden Glove and Most Valuable Player (MVP). The opening doubleheader will feature Fruta Conquerors FC vs New Amsterdam FC and GDF FC vs Western Tigers FC at 17:30hrs and 20:00hrs respectively following a grand opening ceremony scheduled for 15:00hrs. Among the prizes up for grabs for the season’s winners are five million dollars for the winner; two million dollars for the second-placed team; one million dollars for the third-placed team and five hundred thousand dollars for the fourth-placed team. All games will attract a five hundred dollars ($500.00) entry fee.