Monday November 20, 2017
Concerns over how our courts interpret the Constitution DEAR EDITOR, Judges can promote social order when they use a clear interpretation methodology and display it in their rulings. The predictability and consistency so produced would enable lawmakers to better craft legislation, knowing in advance how courts will interpret the law. More so, public confidence in the court system increases when judges communicate how they approached interpretation, especially in complex or controversial cases. In the American judiciary and legal academic circle, while no uniform approach to constitutional and statutory interpretation commands consensus, much ado is made of which school of thought should underpin judicial deliberations. Should it be textualism (the approach that holds that interpretation starts and ends with the written words themselves, or as famously stated, “The text is the law”); or purposivism (interpretation should elevate the stated purpose or problem the particular law is enacted to address); or intentionalism (the legislative history of the law matters, if not trumps); or originalism (meanings of constitutional provisions should remain what they were at the time of enactment) or its opposite, living constitutionalism (meanings should change with the times). As numerous US cases have shown, a judge’s favoured interpretation strategy (for example: text
first, anything else after, if at all) can produce different conclusions and legal guidance. On matters where the law is ambiguous or silent, how (and not just what) judges decide becomes more critical. It is within this selfimposed framework that I read CJ George’s ruling on the GECOM “any other fit and proper person” case and also recalled former CJ Chang’s rulings on constitutional issues, especially the socalled Jagdeo term-limit case. Elements of the different interpretation schools are clearly present in these rulings, but I did not discern a preferred interpretation strategy or methodology. Fortunately, in the GECOM list case, had the controlling factor been either the plain text of article 161, or its purpose, or its legislative history, the conclusion would have been the same: that “any other fit and proper person” includes non-judicial persons, such as teachers and geologists. In contrast, however, in the term-limit case, different approaches arguably may have delivered different conclusions. Likewise, in the Scott/Felix technocratic ministers case, purposivism and textualism (at least the former CJ’s interpretation of the text) would likely clash. So it matters how judges approach interpretation. Thus, our judges should be guided by a methodology, which they ought to reveal for the benefit of lawmakers and the public especially in contentious and hard cases. The US Supreme Court, for
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example, likes to highlight its approach by using wording in its opinions such as “Starting with the text of the statute… “ or “For those who consider legislative history relevant…” or, as in its 2015 blockbuster Obamacare II (King v Burwell) statutory purpose-over-text opinion: “A fair reading of legislation demands a fair understanding of the legislative plan”. Outside of these concerns lurks another possible problem our courts should confront. It is this: recent rulings on constitutional cases have likely strayed into policy- and law-making, both the exclusive domains of the parliament and the voters who decide its composition. In the term-limit case, the court delved deep into political philosophy to tell us what is good for (“enhances”) and bad for (“diminishes”) democracy. In the GECOM list case, on the specific issue of whether the President ought to give reasons for rejecting a list, the court seems to be equating what is politically desirable (a legislative choice) with what is constitutionally mandated. It is not whether the court’s opinions on these matters are right or wrong. It is that the courts have no business pronouncing on policy choices and unlegislated extensions of the law. A final concern: to what extent should interpretation be influenced by case law that post-dates the writing (and context) of the statute or article at issue? Yours faithfully, Sherwood Lowe
Uphold the rights of the child DEAR EDITOR, As Guyana joins the rest of the world in celebrating the 28th anniversary of the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) on November 20, 2017, it is important that we recognise the connection between child protection and our nation’s well-being. Protecting children from violence and abuse is critical to ensuring economic and social development in society as well as achieving several of the United Nations’ Sustainable Developmental Goals (UN SDGs). More importantly, it is about doing the rights things to keep children safe from all forms of abuse. There has been an increase in the number of reported cases of child abuse to the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) over the past several years. According to ChildLinK’s Child Neglect in Guyana Report (Henry, 2017) there were 2,745 reported cases of child abuse in 2014. In 2016 the number of reported cases increased to 4,015- an increase of 19 percent. While it is important to know the reason for the increase of reported cases, the impact of child abuse and the importance of ensuring children are protected need to be at or near the forefront of our national deliberations. Children who are abusedphysically, sexually, verbally or neglected- are at risk of failing to develop to their full potential if they do not receive psychosocial support or trauma focused therapy. A child who experiences abuse may react in several ways depending on the type
of abuse and the child’s ability to cope: suicidal thoughts and attempts; self harm; aggressive behaviour; truancy; or reclusion just to name a few. These behaviours may affect the child’s educational achievement. The end result is the possible reduction of the quality of our human capital and future labour force which will have economic, social and even national security implications. In the cases that do come to the attention of the authorities there is an economic cost of intervention and prosecution that is a necessary strain on the nation’s coffers. Therefore, when we fail to ensure that children are protected from violence and abuse there is a possible constraint to Guyana’s ability to achieve several of the UN’s SDGs; number four- ensuring quality education and promoting lifelong learning and number eight which seeks to promote sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all. This suggests that children who experience abuse are likely to remain poor, disadvantaged and less likely to contribute to Guyana’s development. The ChildLinK 2016 study: An Analysis of the Nature and Extent of Institutionalisation of Children in Guyana (BessBacom) revealed that girls between the ages of 10 and16 are vulnerable to being placed in institutional care as a result of sexual abuse. The continued sexual abuse of girls will hinder Guyana’s ability to achieve the UN SDG number five which seeks to
achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. Gender equality cannot be realized if girls are subject to sexual abuse and separated from their families. According to the Child Neglect in Guyana report the main contributing factor to child neglect is lack of finances. The study revealed that “lack of finances for transportation, food and school supplies have been among the leading causes of habitual absence of children from school.” This affects the child’s potential educational attainment which will affect his/her future income earning capacity. Affected income earning capacity may contribute to either a cycle of poverty or resorting to criminal activitya national security concern. Child neglect and child poverty will hinder Guyana’s ability to achieve the UN SDG number one which aims to end poverty in all its forms. Ultimately, the issue of the importance of child protection is personal. Every child has the right to grow up in an environment in which they feel safe and have the freedom to learn as well as to explore their potential The UNCRC serves as a guideline for States to utilise to strengthen national legislation and adopt policies to improve the lives of children. Stronger legislation and improved policies, once implemented and enforced, will not only improve the quality of life for children but economic and social wellbeing of our nation. Yours faithfully, Hasani Tinnie Communications Officer Child Rights Alliance
The Coalition needs to man up to its promise to fight corruption DEAR EDITOR, On Friday November 10 a few items in the Kaieteur News shone some light on a trend that should concern the public. There were “Auditor General points to gross misuse of project account held by MOE;” next, “Finance Ministry‘s Public debt register not in orderAG”. Also “E-Governance flagged for fuel racket”. Again, “Region 9 deducts NIS employees’ tax”. On November 11 there were, “AG still to receive financial statement from lotto fund.” Next, “Manipulation of gold board records-staffers sent home”. Is this just all routine occurrence? I saw no pronouncement by the government over the weekend that the public purse “had a bad week.”
By Friday November 17, it got worse. The AG said that 14 entities under the purview of the Ministry of finance failed to produce up-to-date audited accounts to the National Assembly. As for the public, they have seen their purse torn to shreds by the previous administration. News like the above is in the realm of trivialities in their mindset. It’s just like another day at the office! In all the news items above, the Auditor General (AG) was instrumental in revealing all, with the exception of the gold board issue. When I read these articles with the AG’s findings and report I see a picture of the AG as a willing shepherd trying desperately to control a wayward flock. Is there gross incompetence of staff at the financial level of all these organisations? I think
not. Maybe these public servants, having been indoctrinated in corruption by the PPP and now having seen the Coalition Government giving themselves a 50% increase on their already huge salaries, while giving them (public servants) 2 to 8% and extending VAT on water, power and all the consumables that did not attract VAT previously, are finding ways to catch up. In all six articles, it is evident that state assets (monies) were misappropriated, not properly accounted for or not
accounted for in a timely manner. What is SARA doing? It will serve the Coalition well to take SARA off what seems like an archeological treasure hunt and unleash it on these seemingly small creatures with fresh scent for several reasons. (1) SARA seems clueless. These small cases will help SARA to build capacity. What SARA needs for a start is a tiny conviction to set a precedent. (2) SARA investigating these cases and laying charges will act as a deterrent to would-be perpetrators on the state’s purse- it would be
a feather in the Coalition’s cap, since it would be perceived to be fighting corruption. SARA would lose the stigma of being a witchhunting organisation. The Auditor General needs to be empowered and adopt a no-nonsense approach. Failure to submit audited reports on time should be viewed as a dereliction of duty and result in heavy monetary
deductions from salaries of those responsible. The AG’s office should work in close collaboration with SARA. SARA’s mandate should be extended to prosecute public servants for financial impropriety of state funds-these should be saddled with heavy penalties. It is time for the Coalition to MAN UP to its promise to fight corruption. Rudolph Singh
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A life without the threat of violence for everyone: leave no one behind DEAR EDITOR, The initial response to the outpouring of ‘#MeToo’ around the world has been of outrage at the scale of sexual abuse and violence revealed. The millions of people joining the hashtag tide showed us how little they heard before. They poured through the floodgate, opening up conversations, naming names and bolstering the frailty of individual statements with the robustness of a movement. This virtual class action has brought strength to those whose stories would otherwise have not been told. Sexual violence in private almost always ends up as one person’s word against another, if that word is ever spoken. Even sexual violence in public has been impossible to call out when society does not view rape as a male crime but as a woman’s failing, and views that woman as dispensable. We are seeing the ugly face of violence brought out into the light: the abuses of power that repress reporting and diminish the facts, and that exclude or crush opposition. These acts of power draw from the same roots, whether they concern the murder of a woman human rights defender standing up against big business interests in the Amazon basin, a young refugee girl forced to have sex for food or supplies, or a small business employee in London forced out of her job for being ‘difficult’, after reporting the sexual misconduct of her supervisor. In each case, and over and over, these acts of abuse have stemmed from a confidence that there will be no significant reprisal, no law invoked, no calling to account. But everyone has the right to live their life without the threat of violence. This holds for all people, no matter what their gender, age, race,
Monday November 20, 2017
Kaieteur News
religion, ethnicity or caste, and irrespective of their income level, sexual orientation, HIV status, citizenship, where they live, or any other characteristic of their identity. Violence against women and girls is not inevitable. There are many ways to prevent violence in the first place and to stop cycles of violence repeating. As a society, we can support the passing and implementation of laws to protect girls and women from child marriage, FGM, domestic violence, sexual assault and harassment, and we can agitate for their impact to be properly monitored and evaluated. The provision of essential services for survivors of violence must be comprehensive, multisectoral, non-judgmental, of good quality and accessible to everyone, with no exceptions. These services are the frontline of response to those whose lives have just been ruptured; they must have the survivor’s dignity and safety as central concerns. Prevention of violence must begin early. The education system and teachers themselves are at the forefront of children and young people learning to carry forward the principles of equality, respect and nonviolence for future generations. This takes appropriate curricula and role model behaviour. What #MeToo has shown clearly is that everyone has a part to play in changing our society for the better. We must speak out against harassment and violence in our homes, workplaces, in our institutions, social settings and through our media. #MeToo has also shown us that no one is immune. All institutions need to be aware of the potential for violence to occur among their
staff. With that knowledge, we must take steps to prevent it, and at the same time, be well prepared to respond appropriately. In this broad effort to end violence against women and girls, we see men as playing a vital role in bringing change; challenging sexism, male dominance and male privilege as society’s norm starts with modelling positive masculinities. Parents can instill principles of equality, rights and respect as they raise their sons; and men can call out their peers for the behaviours that are now being understood as the unacceptable tip of the harassment iceberg. At the heart of today’s theme of ‘leaving no one behind’, is leaving no one out. This means bringing women and girls as equals into everything that concerns them, and planning solutions to end violence with those who have been previously dismissed, sidelined or excluded. As a global community, we can act now to end violence against women and girls, to change institutions and work together to end discrimination, restore human rights and dignity, and leave no one behind. Phumzile MlamboNgcuka, UN Under-SecretaryGeneral and Executive Director of UN Women for the International Day to End Violence against Women
SOMETHING HAS TO BE WRONG AT CITY HALL DEAR EDITOR, Something has to be seriously wrong with the workers of the Georgetown Municipality, who allow the City Council to abuse them month after month by leaving them hungry, without money to pay rent, to pay for electricity, to pay their hire purchase companies or to send their children to school, whilst the Mayor and an entourage spends millions flying from continent to continent for no good reason. Something has to be wrong with the Councillors who except for a few, sit meekly around the horseshoe table and are disrespected by the Mayor and the other members of the Fantastic Four, who prevent them from seeing the notorious parking metre and other contracts,
who refuses to give them details about the overseas trips including who are the members of the delegation. Something has to be wrong with the Legal Affairs Committee which agrees to re-engage with the sordid ‘Sex and the City’ case after the King and Queen of the City deliberated perverted justice. Something has to be wrong with the government which is apparently contemplating bailing out again, a municipality as reckless as Georgetown that fails to have their books audited or its accounts qualified. Something has to be wrong with the private sector who allows themselves to be harassed by the Council, to pay special refuse collection fees, shipping container
charges, to increased licensed fees, whilst the dog food, bottled water and rat poison sellers are given a free reign to ply their trade without paying a cent to the city. Something has to be wrong with the citizens of Georgetown who live among garbage heaps, move along unlit pot holed roads, with an increase in vagrancy, with rat infested markets, with pickpockets and robbers everywhere, whilst quietly paying increases in property rates, fines and municipal fees most of which is used to fund the gallivanting by the Fantastic Four travelling from Europe to Asia to South, Central and North America. Something is wrong with the City Council. Sincerely, Shanta Singh
USA VISA DENIALS DEAR EDITOR, I know a few people that fill USA Visa forms, and there has been an alarming denial rate. I am not too familiar, but my opinion is that since infants, and family members with solid ties where immediate family members ‘’do not qualify’’ granting them a visa may constitute fraud. The consulate is taking money knowingly that they will refuse/deny Visas. The latest is a nine-month old whose mom has a Visa, never travelled to the USA and was refused. Another is a father and son denied, although his wife and young daughter were given Visas, and they visited NY for three weeks last winter. The father, kind of pleaded for them to give
the child although they were denied a Visa, and they refused. Then there was a case of a father dying, and a letter from the hospital yet he was denied, but was offered to a fill out an I-131 form (humanitarian parole app) and spend another $575 USD, rather than offering him a six-month Visa. I say this constitutes some kind of fraud, and should be addressed. They are ‘’blindly’’ denying applicants. If they have tightened, they should notify the public. The Consular posted an international programme for students three hours before the deadline for students to interact live. They could have posted a week prior or days even. USA scam??!! An aggrieved resident
The Tobacco Bill in Parliament is a... From page 4 dissolved for elections. By 2012, I was shifted to the Ministry of Agriculture and the new Health Minister decided to resume consultations. By the time he was ready to bring the Bill to Parliament, the Parliament was prorogued and subsequently dissolved for the 2015 elections. I re-published the Bill earlier this year and asked people to lobby the government and our MPs to move the Bill through the Parliament. I would like to note that the chief drafts person on
the Bill was Ms. Kessaundra Alves who is the present Chair of the GPHC Board and I hired her to work with me to ensure we had the bill. I am hopeful that this Bill will have little difficulty in passing through Parliament. I urge the political parties to allow MPs to vote their conscience on this Bill. My inability to have the Tobacco Control Bill passed remains one of the biggest regrets I have as the Minister of Health between May 2001 and December 2011. I also regret that I was not able to get Government to increase
taxes on tobacco. Tobacco is the world’s greatest extra-judicial killer. We agree as the world to do something about stopping tobacco when we brought into force the first global health treaty - the FCTC. But we are far from doing enough to stop BIG TOBACCO. The time is now for a high global tobacco tax. This is a step towards banning tobacco by 2040, as I had called for in 2001 when I was a Minister of Health and in 2008 when I was President of the 61st World Health Assembly. The United Nations has agreed that the MDGs resulted in a better world, even if we did not achieve everything we had hoped for. There are less poverty and hunger in the world, people live longer than ever before, there are fewer child deaths and we have reduced maternal mortality. But we still face major obstacles for improved lives and greater equity around the world. Non-Communicable
Chronic Diseases continue to ravage the world and the NCDs are increasingly creating disease burdens that affect disability-free lives. Now we have agreed on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for a better world by 2030. Unlike the MDGs, there is specific recognition of the importance of the NCDs. This is encouraging. There is also recognition that tobacco is a killer and globally we need collective action to reduce and eliminate the negative impacts of tobacco. Now that the SDG has embraced the goals of the FCTC, it is time we are more robust in our action to stop BIG TOBACCO. In this regards, we must strictly enforce our agreements in the FCTC to increase taxes on tobacco. Research has shown clearly that increased taxes do reduce tobacco use. I am hopeful that my earlier call to ban tobacco by 2040 will become a global initiative. Dr. Leslie Ramsammy
Monday November 20, 2017
Health Ministry fails to prove it spent over $1B on drugs and medical supplies The Audit Office of Guyana has been unable to verify that the Ministry of Health has spent over $1B on drugs and medical supplies. Also, the Audit Office has flagged the ministry’s misspending of hundreds of millions of dollars. The issues were highlighted in the Audit Report of 2016. The report stated that auditors, who examined payment vouchers for $1.434B that were expended by the ministry, found that eight contracts were awarded by both NPTAB and MTB valued at $1.434B, and cheques were prepared and processed. Auditors noted that a schedule of the drugs procured for the total contract sums were attached to the vouchers. However, there was no breakdown to show the value and
quantity of drugs and medical supplies procured for each Region. “As a result, the accuracy and validity of the amounts expended on behalf of the Regions could not be determined.” Further, auditors found that included in the sum of $1.838B is the sum of $320.525M which represents warrants received by the Ministry for Region Six. According to the Integrated Financial Management and Accounting System (IFMAS), the full sum was expended by the Ministry on behalf of the Region for the period under review. However, checks by auditors revealed that the sum of $114.277M was expended on the purchase of drugs and medical supplies while $206.248M was expended on the ministry’s payroll for Oc-
tober 2016. “The moneys were not utilized for the purpose intended.” Responding to the findings of the Audit Office, the Ministry of Health said that a breakdown of the value and quantity of the drugs and medical supplies procured would be done in future; and it is engaging the Ministry of Finance to have the issue with the amount expended on the payroll resolved. The Audit Office recommended that the Ministry ensures that “the amounts received via warrants are expended for the purposes intended and any unspent amounts are returned to the relevant Budget Agencies/ Regions with the necessary financial returns; and that it is in receipt of all financial returns in respect of warrants issued.
Leaked emails show AFC’s role in search for GECOM Chairman Leaked emails appear to show that senior Alliance For Change (AFC) members shared their disapproval with President David Granger over the names provided by Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo to fill the post of Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). The emails cast a different light on the AFC’s narrative after the President unilaterally appointed retired Justice James Patterson as the Chairman of GECOM on October 19th. The AFC, which is a member of the governingcoalition, initially stated that the party played no role in the decision. One of the leaked emails sent on October 22 by Public Security Minister and AFC Chairman, Khemraj Ramjattan, stated that he expressed to president Granger that he was ‘not comfortable’ with the second list of nominees presented by Jagdeo. In the email to senior AFC officials, Ramjattan stated that the President had asked what he [Ramjattan] thought of the names during a coffee break at Cabinet. Ramjattan stated that he further went on to advise that if the President also shared his position on the second list of nominees, then the President ‘is in his right’ to proceed to appoint a person who fits the constitutional requirements as he is empowered to do under the proviso of Article 161 of the Constitution. In the email, Ramjattan indicated that AFC Leader, Raphael Trotman was present at the coffee break and expressed similar sentiments. Ramjattan further stated that the proviso to the article was placed there in 1992 when
former United States President Jimmy Carter visited Guyana. He indicated that this was in place with the precise purpose to end gridlock in the Opposition Leader not finding agreement in accordance with the Constitution. Another email shows that Ramjattan was worried about the fallout from the appointment and advised his colleagues that the AFC must start to formulate what exactly it wants from constitutional reform. He noted that one underlying perception dangerous to the AFC is the narrative that the party cannot do anything to stop rigged elections. Ramjattan reiterated that it is very difficult to rig elections in the context of the institutional arrangements in place and the very local and international eyes on them. He noted that the Granger administration is differently placed against that of a Burnham ad-
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ministration, but recognised the difficulty of making the argument publicly. The emails have since been confirmed by Ramjattan. Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo has asserted that Trotman’s presence at State House on the evening Patterson was sworn in conflicted with the AFC’s position of playing no role in the selection process. According to the AFC, Trotman wrote to the party to explain that he was invited to an urgent meeting at State House by President David Granger on the evening of October 19th. At the meeting, the AFC noted that President Granger informed Mr. Trotman of his decision with regard to the appointment of Justice James Patterson as GECOM Chairman. According to the party, the meeting concluded and Mr. Trotman departed.
Guyana on right path... (From page 3) critical for Caribbean leaders and technocrats to work together. Al-Rawi noted the importance of agencies such as the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) which held its 46th plenary session in Guyana last week to examine the strengthening of Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) regimes. “Your present government, certainly from my outside perspective, is following the right path and in this particular environment you will see that there is a serious collaboration in fact it is much more dynamic than CARICOM [Caribbean Community] is,” Al-Rawi stated. He said each country in the region through CFATF is working to ensure that no stone is left unturned to meet inter-regional requests.
Witness Protection, Protected Disclosure Bills laid in Parliament Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams on Friday last, laid two crucial Bills in the National Assembly: The Protected Disclosures Bill and the Witness Protection Bill. Williams explained that the Protected Disclosures Bill 2017, sometimes referred to as the ‘Whistleblowers Bill’, marks another step by the Government towards full compliance with the Inter-American Convention against Corruption (1996). He said that the Bill would assist in combating corruption and other wrongdoings both in the public and private sectors by encouraging and facilitating the making of specified disclosures of improper conduct in good faith and in the public interest. The Legal Affairs Minister explained that the Bill seeks to protect persons making those disclosures from detrimental action and to establish the Protected Disclosures Commission to receive, investigate or otherwise deal with disclosures of improper conduct and for other connected matters. Turning his attention to the Witness Protection Bill, Williams said that it seeks to introduce legislation for the establishment of a Programme
Attorney General Basil Williams for the protection of certain witnesses and other persons. He explained that it provides for the establishment of the Witness Protection Programme and three agencies: an Administrative Centre, an Investigative Agency and a Protective Agency to administer the Programme. The Legal Affairs Minister said that it lays out the functions of the three agencies and their interdependence on each other for the effective and proper administration of the Programme. Williams said that it requires the disclosure of certain information to the Administrative Centre by the prospective participant, the prospective participant’s application to be in the prescribed form, that the participant understands the
implications of being included in the Programme and that he understands and signs the Memorandum of Understanding. In relation to criminal matters, the Director of Public Prosecution, where satisfied that the circumstances so warrant, shall prepare and submit the application in the prescribed form. Williams also stated that the Bill provides for the protection of the participant and in instances where the participant has been provided with a new identity he must obtain written approval from the Administrative Centre before he discloses his former identity. Further, protection and assistance under the Programme may be terminated by the participant or the Centre and where the Centre considers it appropriate it may restore the participant’s former identity. The Bill also provides that the participant has 28 days after receiving notification from the Centre, in regard to either the termination of protection or assistance or both or where there is a decision to restore the participant’s former identity, to apply to the President for a review of the decision and the President shall allow him a reasonable opportunity to state his case.
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Monday November 20, 2017
World’s biggest wealth fund wants out of Oil and Gas
(Bloomberg) The $1 trillion fund that Norway has amassed pumping oil and gas over the past two decades wants out of petroleum stocks. Norway, which relies on oil and gas for about a fifth of economic output, would be less vulnerable to declining crude prices without its fund investing in the industry, the central bank said Thursday. The divestment would mark the second major step in scrubbing the world’s biggest wealth fund of climate risk, after it sold most of its coal stocks. “Our perspective here is to spread the risks for the state’s wealth,” Egil Matsen, the deputy central bank governor overseeing the fund, said in an interview in Oslo. “We can do that better by not adding oil-price risk.” The plan would entail the fund, which controls about 1.5 percent of global stocks, dumping as much as $40 billion of shares in international giants such as Exxon Mobil Corp. and Royal Dutch Shell Plc. The Finance Ministry said it will study the proposal and decide what to do in “fall of 2018” at the earliest. While the fund says the plan isn’t based on any particular view about the future of oil prices or the industry as a whole, it will likely add to pressure on producers already struggling with the growth of renewable energy supplies. The Stoxx Europe 600 Oil and Gas index reversed gains after the announcement, sliding 0.3 percent as of 3:47 p.m. in London. Built on the income that western Europe’s largest energy supplier has generated for more than 20 years, the fund’s investment decisions are guided by ethical rules
encompassing human rights, some weapons production, the environment and tobacco. Norway’s fossil-fuel investments are coming under increasing scrutiny from a public that aims to be a climate leader without jeopardizing one of the world’s highest standards of living. The fund has doubled in value over the past five years and was just given the goahead to boost its stock holdings to 70 percent of its portfolio from 60 percent to help drive returns. The government, which also controls Statoil ASA and offshore oil and gas fields, was forced to withdrew cash from the fund for the first time last year to meet spending commitments after oil prices dropped. GOOD TIME Matsen said “now is a good time” for the proposal because otherwise the new 70 percent threshold will result in the fund buying even more oil and gas shares because it tracks indexes that include such stocks. The fund has a small amount of leeway to make individual investments and wants to keep oil and gas in its “investment universe,” he said. The fund said it doesn’t expect returns or market risk to be affected “appreciably” by its proposal, emphasizing that cutting exposure to the energy industry would allow it to crank up investments in
other sectors. Finance Minister Siv Jensen said the government will give the plan careful thought. “This must be thoroughly assessed, I am not prepared to conclude in advance,” said Nikolai Astrup, leader of the finance committee representing the ruling Conservatives. “It’s important that the fund is managed in a way that’s predictable and long-term.” But environmental groups praised the plan. “The world is changing fast, and it’s very risky to put too many eggs in the same basket,” said Marius Holm, the leader of the Zero Emission Resource Organisation. Sony Kapoor, a former adviser to Norway’s government, said the plan is “a belated victory for common sense over the powerful oil and gas lobby in Norway,” calling on the fund to now boosts its “green” investments at least tenfold. The recommendation also received backing from the Conservative-led government’s support parties, the Christian Democrats and Liberals. The Labor Party, the biggest opposition group, said it would like to study the proposal before making a decision. “The government is responsible for the Norwegian economy as a whole and must take a broad and comprehensive approach to this issue,” Jensen said in a statement.
Finance Minister, Opposition... (From page 3) this ground that she sought the guidance of Speaker of the House, Dr. Barton Scotland. The Speaker noted however that the answers of the Finance Minister will have to suffice until further guidance is provided. A displeased Teixeira noted that the proceedings do not represent transparency and accountability.
Monday November 20, 2017
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AMERICA’S NASTY WAR The Cold War ended but only for the Soviet Union. The USSR splintered following the implosion within the bloc. The Americans however have never ended their quest for ideological supremacy. The Americans, despite its avowed rejection of extraconstitutional changes since the break-up of the USSR, has found a new way to depose governments in Latin America and the Caribbean. It is called, oxymoronically, “constitutional coups.”
The first such coup took place in 2008 with the ouster of the President of Honduras, Manuel Zelaya. The coup plotters, the Honduran military, flew Zelaya to Costa Rica and produced a contested resignation letter to the Congress which gave constitutional cover to the military’s actions. President Obama and the Organization of American States originally condemned the coup but then backpedalled and eventually
pushed for fresh elections, rather than a restoration of the constitutional order. The removal of Zelaya was a constitutional putsch which had the support of US commercial interests. The second constitutional coup was not all related to any business interest. It was a direct attempt to remove a left wing President in Paraguay. In June of 2017, Fernando Lugo, the President of Paraguay was removed by a
Legal Affairs rolls out US$8M programme to reduce prison overcrowd By Abena RockcliffeCampbell While magistrates continue to sentence and remand persons for what can be labeled, “minor offences,” the Government of Guyana is working towards reducing the prison population. Almost daily, persons are remanded for minor matters. One man was remanded for procession of 1.5 grams of cocaine. But the Ministry of Legal Affairs has secured a US$8M grant from the Inter-American Bank (IDB) to finance a project aimed at significantly reducing the overcrowded prisons. The project will last for five years. During an interview,
Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams indicated that the grant was secured a few months ago. He said that the
money was granted based on a proposal he submitted to the bank. Williams indicated that his ministry is now putting arrangements in place to execute the grant. He said that the project is one designed to reduce overcrowding through the employment of several courses used in other parts of the world. These include pretrial liberty, alternative sentencing and restorative justice. Pretrial liberty will allow resolutions to be met at the police station. Alternative sentences can include a suspended sentence, probation, fines, restitution, Continued on page 11
constitutional putsch. He was the victim of impeachment by his own Congress. He was not given enough time to prepare a defence. He was hurriedly removed from office before he could have said quicksilver. His removal gave the Americans a new formula for removing democratically elected Presidents – have them removed by their legislatures rather than through elections. In Guyana, the People’s Progressive Party failed to gain a majority in the December 2011 elections. Four years later, the Americans were egging on a vote of no confidence which would have forced the Donald Ramotar government to step aside. The Ramotar administration however diffused this attempt by proroguing parliament. The Americans were furious. They and their allies condemned the lawful prorogation of parliament. The Americans then began to prepare for regime change under the guise of empowering youth groups and civil society movements. The Americans had been exposed for their funding of similar civil society groupings in Venezuela where they managed to also give opponents of President Maduro a majority in the legislature in the elections of 2015. The opposition APNU+AFC won a razor-slim
one seat majority in the general elections in Guyana of May 2015. The Americans were not finished. They next placed their sights on Brazil. In August of 2016, the Americans ended the 13 years rule of the Workers’ Party of Brazil after the Senate of that country impeached President Dilma Rousseff of Brazil. The Americans had found a new way to remove democratically elected governments. They no longer wish to be associated with regime change resulting from military coups. But as with Honduras, once the outcome of the coup is favorable to the Americans, they will set aside principle. The Americans are still seeking to influence the results of elections. They have done so in Venezuela and Guyana. The recent state elections in that country resulted in a grave blow to the opposition forces which are heavily supported by the Americans. But instead of licking their wounds, the Americans are spreading the cheap propaganda that the results of those elections were fixed. However the country with the best electoral commissions in the world with a reputation for delivering free and fair elections, is Venezuela. The Americans were also behind the mobilizing of civil
society and youth groups in the run up to the 2015 elections in Guyana. It is not surprising that no sooner had the elections delivered the results that the Americans wanted, that initiative has fallen off the American radar. They are no longer interested in this approach. Constitutional coups are now the new resort of the Americans when they want to bring about regime change. This suits their pretense of supporting democracy since they can claim that the change in government not extraconstitutional and therefore democratic. Who will be the next victims of the continuing Cold War by the Americans? Venezuela is continuing to pose a thorn in their side. They want to make an example of the Bolivarian Revolution which was led by Hugo Chavez. They will not stop until they see the Maduro government toppled. This is part of their continuing Cold War destabilization. They have failed to bring about regime change via elections in Venezuela. They have and they have no chance of doing so constitutionally. And so they are paving the way for possible military intervention. Guyana must not allow itself to be part of that plot.
Monday November 20, 2017
Kaieteur News
Former ‘Best Cop’ to make court appearance for ‘Sagga’ execution It may be within hours, or even a few days, but what seems certain is that former ‘Best Cop’ Corporal Derwin Eastman will be charged with murder this week. Kaieteur News understands that efforts are being made for the former Intelligence rank, who is still a Force member, to appear in court either today or Tuesday. Investigators appear to have amassed enough evidence to lay charges against two police ranks for the October 12 slaying of 58year-old businessman Godfrey Scipio, called ‘Sagga.’ Aubrey Bobb, a 26-yearold civilian of Kitty, is at present on remand for Scipio’s murder. Scipio was gunned down shortly after leaving a Kitty hotel in the company of a woman. The gunman reportedly escaped with the dying man’s gold chain. Eastman, a former ‘Best Cop,’ turned himself in at CID
CHARGED: Corporal Derwin Eastman
EXECUTED: Godfrey Scipio, called ‘Sagga’
Headquarters, Eve Leary on Thursday. He is now the fourth police rank to be detained for the killing, which now appears to be more that the robbery/murder it first appeared to be. In an interview with Kaieteur News, Eastman said that he was in no way involved in the murder.
He stated that he knew the accused killer from having arrested him on two prior occasions. He said from footage at the scene of the killing, he helped his colleagues to identify and arrest the suspect. Eastman insisted that he is being “set up,” but gave no clear motive as to why this was being done.
would not address backlog in any substantial way.” “With all the measures that we are adopting, one can see that the backlog can be subsumed in those activates.” Williams explained that with some new matters not even reaching the court, magistrates and judges will have more time to address the backlog. In his Saturday column, Freddie Kissoon said that it is paramount that the government address the over population of the prison. “We had two horrible prison mayhems that gave this county a hideous image on the international scene. One will remain one of the most violent incidents in the history of the CARICOM countries – the central prison was burnt down.In the other one, 17 inmates were burnt to death. Surely, we cannot have such uncivilized leadership in the 21st century in a country that cannot see that circumstances could evolve to give us another horror show,” said Kissoon. The columnist opined that magistrates can be more sensitive in handling certain cases given the situation that faces the nation. He pointed to one specific case saying that “any logical mind would question the remand of an accused for the possession of a single bullet.
Any rational mind would know that the committal of a crime has certain circumstances by which you judge the accused. How can you commit a felony when there is just one bullet found on you? There is no large quantity of ammunition, there is no gun, there is no machete, there is no steel rod found on you when the police came up – just one, I repeat, one bullet. The police will charge because they say under the law possession of even one cartridge is illegal. But the magistrate has latitude to decide on bail or remand. Magistrate McLennan remanded the man.” Kissoon continued, “In reporting the case, this newspaper stated; …the prosecutor did not disclose any facts about what transpired…however the objection to bail was upheld… Figuerio told the court he had gone to Lethem to visit his mother.” We are heading for another prison tsunami if we keep packing people in jail for offences like these? Why is this man on remand when no circumstances were explained to the court? Is there something seriously wrong about the mindset of the magistracy that we need to question as a nation before another catastrophe strikes again?”
Legal Affairs rolls out US$8M.... From page 9 community service and deferred adjudication/pretrial diversion. Restorative justice is an approach that allows the victims and the offenders to mediate a restitution agreement to the satisfaction of each, as well as involving the community. Further, Williams said that the Ministry will also be establishing a legal aid clinic so that no person will have to go before the court without a lawyer. Probation services will be needed as well. Williams explained that in the eventuality of successful alternative sentencing there will be a need for many more probation officers to supervise and administer the process. The Legal Affairs Minister said that provisions have also been made for the establishment of a Law Reform Commission. This Commission will be tasked with drafting legislation to facilitate alternative sentencing and other methods. Williams said that these projects will be undertaken simultaneously. “We are running on parallel tracks.” Williams expressed faith in the success of this project and that is why he proposed it in the first place. “Since I came into office, I made several proposals to the IDB. My proposals speak to issues such as cyber crime and the judicial backlog. “ Williams said that while the backlog in the courts will benefit from the domino effect of this project, “it
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.
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Monday November 20, 2017
Kaieteur News
Diamond Diagnostic Centre, C.C. Nicholson Hospital, to be upgraded - will ease burden on GPHC The Diamond Diagnostic Centre and C.C. Nicholson Hospital will be upgraded to Regional Hospitals under a two-year plan to lighten the current burden on the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), the country’s sole referral hospital. The improvement plan will be backed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) and funding from the local treasury, Public Health Minister, Volda Lawrence said when she met recently with Councillors of the Region Four Regional Democratic Council (RDC) at its Triumph, East Coast Demerara head office. A Ministry of Public health release stated that the multi-million dollar transformation plan is to commence early 2018, following a soonto-be-signed tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) among the Ministries of Public Health and Communities and the Region Four (Demerara/Mahaica) RDC. Minister, Volda Lawrence who unveiled the proposed pact, said to be in its “embryonic stage,” explained that upgrading the two health institutions is necessary to help remove some over-work from the GPHC institution, minimise the likelihood of errors made by fatigued hospital staff and enable better daily manage of the tertiary health institution. It is also necessary, Lawrence emphasised, because “every-
one wants to live in Region 4 and the problem (of overcrowding at the GPHC and exhausted staff) is not going away. It is growing”. “It is a well-known fact that the GPHC is over-run by patients from all 10 Administrative Regions,” Lawrence said. She said the GPHC attends to some 30,000 patients annually, while the number of beds at the tertiary health institution declined from a high of some 1,800 to only 440 currently. The GPHC’s inability to attend to the swell in patients is also reflected in the Accident and Emergency (A&E) Unit which has only 18 beds to cater for men, women and children, the Minister said. She said “because of these shortcomings the MOPH thinks it is prudent to upgrade the two primary health institutions on the East Coast and East Bank to cater for victims of road accidents, violent crimes, domestic and intimate partner violence and other types of crimes in Region 4 which boasts the highest figure in every category of violence. “This is so because Demerara/Mahaica is the most populated Region in the country,” Lawrence reasoned. The upgrading plan is also to fulfil its “good life” promise and vision to the nation which the APNU/AFC coalition campaigned on during the 2015 elections campaign which saw it deposing the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) coalition after 23 continuous years in office, Lawrence said.
Minister Lawrence addressing Region Four RDC members
The improvement plan for the two primary health institutions needs the multipartite accord since responsibility for the health sector is spread among the 10 Regions and the Ministries of Community and Health. The three sides held talks earlier to find common ground to help transform the two institutions and “after
lengthy discussions I thought it was prudent that you the representatives should be brought up-to-date about the plans by the MOPH,” Region 4 RDC Chairman, Ms.Genevieve Allen told Councillors at the specially held recent meeting addressed by Minister Lawrence. All Region Four Council-
lors are backing the government’s health vision with PPP/C Councillor and its RDC Chief Whip, Desmond Morian, dubbed the plan as “timely (and) the way to go.” In return for their support, Morian wants Lawrence to provide documentation so that she becomes “answerable and accountable for what she
has promised”. Another PPP/C Councillor, Mr. Everton Pole “loves the intervention by the MOPH” but asked for clarity on the division of power between the Region and the two government ministries. New housing programmes on the two corridors have contributed to increasing pressures also faced by the Diamond Diagnostic Centre and C. C. Nicholson Hospital, and under the improvement plan the IDB, PAHO/WHO and government backing will help bolster physical infrastructure, hiring of new staff and other key planks under the health accord to have the two institutions “running on a 24hour basis” Lawrence said. “We want to ensure that we can provide the level of service at the two primary institutions so that patients don’t have to be pronounced dead-on-arrival (DOA) at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).” Lawrence said.
Spirometry Laboratory at Linden Hospital Complex celebrates its first year By Enid Joaquin Last Wednesday marked one year since the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) established its spirometry laboratory . Dr Michael Marks, who has been working there almost from its establishment, said that because of the Town's dusty atmosphere,
there is a high number of patients seeking diagnosis. Presently, the Spirometry unit is staffed by Dr Marks and a nurse, and clinics are held twice per week. He noted that training for staff will be ongoing, with personnel travelling to Georgetown once per month to facilitate this. Dr Marks said one of the challenges being faced is a shortage of drugs to treat patients. Medical Superintendent of the LHC Dr. Steve Mark, on reminiscing on the opening of the Laboratory one year ago, said that it was a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Public Health, the Canadian Medical team, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation and Linden Hospital Complex. Dr Marks said that the objective of establishing the unit at the LHC was to decentralise the service which formerly could only be accessed at the GPHC. “Spirometry is a special test using computerised equipment to examine lung function and is also used to diagnose accurately certain respiratory diseases including asthma, emphezema, COPD, and can help differentiate between a respiratory condition versus a cardiac condition, because you can diagnose accurately. “Many times persons come to the hospital saying they have asthma, when in reality they might not have
asthma, but COPD or bronchitis…and it is only by conducting the test that we can determine what these patients are actually suffering from. “This Department was set up to help in the holistic treatment of patients who were spending far too much time in the emergency room, for a simple condition that might have sometimes been misdiagnosed, before we established the unit. “This department is multifunctional; it diagnoses, it treats, it educates and does follow-ups. Since its establishment, there have been a few challenges Dr Marks said, but the Hospital is working to offset those and believes that once those are corrected, patient response would be better. “That is why the team is back here now to assess where we are and what we need to do to improve the response from the community. According to Dr. Marks, there is a high incidence of respiratory disease in Linden, because of high air pollution. Marks is appealing to residents to continue to make use of the service offered at the Laboratory. In recognition of the unit’s first anniversary, a few medical professionals visited the facility. Among them were Canadian Lung Specialist, Robert Levy and Denroy Tudor, Coordinator of the International Desk of the Ministry of Public Health. Dr. Levy who was present
at the facility's opening last year said that he has been working closely with a team of respiratory therapists, establishing an approach to managing lung disease, using chronic lung disease principles in Guyana. He said that the first spirometry lab and programme was established at the GPHC just over four years ago. The LHC is the only other medical institution in Guyana with a spirometry Laboratory and the project is a pilot after which other facilities are expected to be modeled. Spirometry is a test that can help diagnose various lung conditions, using a device known as a spirometer. Breathing can be affected by lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, pulmonary fibrosis and cystic fibrosis.) Spirometry is also used to monitor the severity of some other lung conditions, and their response to treatment. It is the most common of the lung function tests and examines how well your lungs work. Though spirometer devices may look different depending on the company that produces them, they all measure the same thing. They all have a mouthpiece that you use to blow into the device. A doctor or nurse may ask a patient to blow into a spirometer. During this process, a clip may be put on the patient’s nostrils.
Monday November 20, 2017
Kaieteur News
Three years after closure…
Works to commence on sinking Christianburg Primary The Christianburg Primary School which is located in Linden has been unoccupied for the past three years due to sections of the building crumbling, with massive erosion taking place close to the school foundation. According to Mayor Carwyn Holland, the school building is number three on the list of priorities for the Regional Democratic Council Budget 2018 with the hope that it is given a nod. This is because three years ago the school was leaning to the back and some parts started to sink. Pupils were transferred to the St. Aidan’s Primary School which is located in Blue Berry Hill. The Mayor noted that the transferred Christianburg students had to travel a longer distance to get to the St. Aidan’s Primary. He added that he met with concerned parents and guardians who complained about the difficulties that the children are facing. As a result of the discussions, several town hall meetings were held in
The Christianburg Primary School Christianburg with the members of the community. The Mayor said that the main call is for the school to be rebuilt at the same location. However, the people of Christianburg and the Mayor are jointly calling for this school to be rebuilt by 2018 and are ready to rebuild as a community project if it’s not done by the RDC. He noted that a US engineer recently visited the site. He added that several overseas based Guyanese
who were former students are ready to help provide free labour. They expressed thanks to the Linden Youth Leaders and residents who have signalled their readiness to join the effort. A few years ago members of the Parent Teachers Association (PTA) of the Christianburg Primary School had shut the school over concerns that the building poses a threat to the safety of both students and teachers.
OECS member states deepen relations with Morocco
Prime Minister Allen Chastanet and Morocco’s Prime Minister, Saad-Eddine El Othman CASTRIES, St Lucia - CMC – Member states of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) have moved to deepen cooperation with the government of Morocco in Agriculture, Tourism and Exchange of Expertise. This follows a meeting between OECS Chairman and St Lucia’s Prime Minister Allen Chastanet and Morocco’s Prime Minister, Saad-Eddine El Othmani, where they also discussed deepening diplomatic and economic relations with the sub-regional grouping. The two leaders spoke of the establishment of an OECS Embassy and the signing of financial treaties. Investment in the Caribbean was also high on the agenda, with special attention paid to Agriculture, Agro-processing, Tourism and
the exchange of expertise. Speaking about the meeting, Prime Minister Chastanet expressed thanks for the warm welcome he received during this week’s visit. “We are grateful for the support from Morocco especially when it comes to fertilizer and academic scholarships given to the Caribbean and we look forward to further solidifying our relationship,” he noted. The OECS Secretariat, along with foreign affairs ministers, is expected to meet early in the new year with Moroccan officials to formalize arrangements. The Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco was established in St Lucia in March 2014 and covers all OECS Member States, as well as Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Bahamas.
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Monday November 20, 2017
Kaieteur News
Ex-Chile leader Pinera favoured to win presidential election FOR RENT
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SANTIAGO (Reuters) Chileans voted for a successor to President Michelle Bachelet yesterday, with billionaire conservative Sebastian Pinera the favourite to win, though a crowded field of leftist challengers are likely to force a December runoff. Opinion polls show Pinera, who was president between 2010 and 2014 and leads the Chile Vamos bloc, with a commanding lead over his seven mostly left-ofcentre rivals, but still shy of the 50 percent needed for an outright win. “Pinera’s the best candidate. Plus, he already governed. We know who he is,” said Fresia Jara, a 73-yearold retiree as she left a polling station in the capital Santiago. Former TV anchorman, Senator Alejandro Guillier, is the flag bearer for Bachelet’s fractured centre-left Nueva Mayoria coalition. He leads the race for second place, with
Sebastian Pinera around 21 percent of likely voter support compared to about 42 percent for Pinera, according to a CEP poll last month. The election is the latest in South America to pit leftleaning politicians against the conservatives increasingly taking their places. Pinera has pitched himself as a vote for a brighter future.
Ex-Health Minister chosen as opposition party’s new leader HAMILTON, Bermuda CMC – Former Health Minister Jeanne Atherden has been narrowly chosen by party members as the new leader of the main opposition One Bermuda Alliance (OBA). A mother of two daughters, Atherden defeated former Premier Craig Cannonier and Patricia Gordon-Pamplin, who had served as interim leader following the OBA’s crushing defeat at the hands of the resurgent Progressive Labour Party (PLP) in July’s general election after one term in office. Atherden, the Shadow Finance Minister, garnered 90 votes, Gordon-Pamplin came second with 82 while Cannonier was last with 69 in the three-way election held at the Vasco da Gama Club in
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Jeanne Atherden Hamilton on Saturday. Atherden is expected to be sworn in as Opposition Leader at Government House in the coming week. “Now we can get on with rebuilding the team and being the opposition that Bermuda needs and to make sure that government does its job. “During my speech, I tried to tell them about the vision and what we need to do to go forward. We are working for all Bermudians. It means we have to go from Somerset to St George’s speaking to small groups — that’s the only way to reconnect,” said Atherden after her victory was announced. Regarding his future with the OBA, Cannonier said: “We’ll talk. The party has spoken about how it wants to move forward. I have to look at how I can help the party to move forward. We are a party of different people. We are not all going to agree but there are many unifying factors we do have.”
Monday November 20, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Model guidelines on sexual offence cases recommend…
Adequate case management starts at level of Magistrates’ Court Case management is vital to ensuring sexual offences cases are completed effectively and in time. According to the new Model Guidelines for Sexual Offences Cases in the Caribbean Region, case management must begin at the level of the Magistrates’ Court. The model guidelines which were launched last Tuesday outline a number of practical ways in which the Courts can better manage sexual offences cases. Given that the issue with the handling of such cases in
a time efficient manner, the guidelines recommend that case management be done on the first hearing of a sexual offence matter in the Magistrates’ Court. According to the document, at the Magistrates’ Court directions should be given for disclosure and other matters, before preparations are made for trial. While it is typical that the case may be called up at least three times before the actual date for trial is set , it is recommended that the court minimizes the number of hearings by ensuring
appropriate directions are given and that timetables are adhered to. “The case management hearing is the first part of the trial process and allows the court to give directions for the trial proceedings. …Consideration shall be given by the Magistrate to the extent of the proceeding that the complaint is involved in and the need to reduce the number of court appearances and hearings that the survivor will be involved so that revictimisation is minimised.” The model guidelines also noted that special
considerations should be given to child complainants. “In cases of child complainants, special considerations are required and directions must be considered by the Magistrates’ Court as part of case management hearing.” Additionally, it was noted that a number other variables related to such cases must be dealt with efficiently at the level of Magistrates’ Court. “At the Magistrates’ Court level, sexual offences have (a number of) dynamics including domestic violence or child sexual abuse.”
Guyanese products a hit at Latin American, Caribbean flavours Expo
Team Guyana in Argentina at LAC Flavors 2017. (From left) Kibbyann Chester-Harding- GO-Invest; Ruth Autar of Edward Beharry Company Limited; and Vasudeo Singh and Sharon Sue Hang Baksh of Demerara Distillers Limited. A contingent from the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest) along with several local businesses recently held a successful exhibition of some of the country’s most sterling products in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The attendees representing Guyana included Sharon Sue-Hang Baksh and Vasudeo Singh of Demerara Distillers Limited, Ruth Autar of Edward Beharry Company Limited and Kibbyann Chester-Harding of Go-Invest. Go-Invest noted that the ninth edition of the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) Flavors Exhibition was organised by the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB), the Argentine Investment and Trade Promotion Agency (AAICI), the Ministry of Agribusiness of Argentina and the ExponenciAR Group (Clarín and La Nación), in addition to 24 other export promotion agencies. The event saw more than 120 buyers from around the
world having business discussions with over 500 businesses. More than 3,000 one-on-one, 30-minute appointments were conducted during the twoday event which was held earlier this month. During the opening ceremony, the Chief of the IDB’s Trade and Investment Division, Fabrizo Opertti indicated that once again, LAC Flavors positioned the supply of value-added foods from Latin America and the Caribbean to the rest of the world, proving that it is crucial to innovate with certifications, quality brands and technology to export foods. Go-Invest stated that the event also afforded participants the opportunity to technical sessions which included presentations on “Understanding the buyers: What characteristics do they seek in a supplier” and “Creating secure logistics chain through the Authorised Economic Operator certification.”
LAC Flavors 2018 will be held in Chile according to an announcement made during the closing of the event. On November 9 and 10, Go-Invest noted that Expo AlimentAR was held. This inaugural expo in Argentina was coordinated by ExponenciAR Group. GoInvest said that Guyana was represented by Edward Beharry Company Limited and Demerara Distillers Limited. Products were on display by these companies as well as Banks DIH Limited, Tandy’s Manufacturing, Umami Limited and Hakh Group of Companies. Go-Invest noted that its goals were to network with other trade promotion agencies in Latin America and to promote products made in Guyana (Rum, Beer, Spices, confectioneries and rice) to the Latin American market. As it relates to achievements from that trade show, Go-Invest said that three importers out of Peru, India and Argentina expressed interest in buying
rice from Guyana. The company from India, Axom Global-Trade PVT Ltd, has distribution companies in Canada, Dubai, Nigeria and India and has expressed the need for 4% broken rice from Guyana. The entity said, too, that over 12 importers and distributors showed interest in the rum manufactured by Banks DIH Limited and Demerara Distillers Limited. Demerara Distillers Limited was able to secure nine Business to Business meetings during the first two days of the four days event. Furthermore, importers out of Norway and Argentina expressed interest in purchasing beer from Banks DIH Limited. A company from Argentina, Carhugo S.R.L, was marketing a beer dispenser with the hope that Banks DIH will see the need for it to be used in their restaurants. Go-Invest noted that Edward Beharry Company Limited’s representative was able to make contact with a number of distributors and importers from across Latin America. The products were well received especially the curry powder and sweets. They were also able to source raw material for their products.
“In the case of sexual offences arising from domestic violence ,the court must consider whether protection orders have been given and whether those orders are sufficient to address safety concerns or whether other orders are now needed.” “Further, the court shall consider whether family court applications have been granted or whether (those) applications are needed for safety and support of the survivor in the trial.” In this regard, the magistrate shall consider at the first hearing or subsequent hearing giving directions for the statements to be taken jointly by the police and the child care services to be shared with them, and for their active participation in providing support and protection to the complainant. Meanwhile, the guidelines noted at the level of the High Court case management process there should be a specific case management hearing or several after to give specific directions for how the trial will proceed especially directions in regard to the vulnerable. With the commissioning of a new courtroom last week and the launch of guidelines
to deal with such matters, sexual offences cases are set to receive special attention via the Courts. The courtroom was commissioned moments before the launch of the new guidelines. At the launch, Chancellor of the Judiciary, Yonette Cummings-Edwards, told a gathering of jurists and special invitees that the guidelines are intended to provide internationally accepted best practices for the management of sexual offence cases, and offer that the initiative is part of the Judicial Reform and Institutional Strengthening (JURIST) Project. Justice CummingsEdwards expressed hope that the initiative will help to change the way the judiciary deals with sexual offences cases, the approach to the treatment of complainants and vulnerable witnesses, including children, involved in sexual assault cases. She noted that because of the guidelines, many more persons will come forward. “Not only will they want to come forward, but they will be treated in a way that will respect their dignity and privacy,” she stated, adding that no longer will victims be “retraumatised” by giving their evidence in court.
Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings–Edwards (left) receives a copy of the model guidelines from Judge of the CCJ, Maureen Rajnauth-Lee.
Monday November 20, 2017
Kaieteur News
Gulf Coast and the Caribbean:
Congressional Black Caucus urges US to modernize disaster policies, procedures WASHINGTON - CMC – In the wake of destruction caused by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria to the United States Gulf Coast and the Caribbean, the chairman of the US Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), Congressman Cedric L. Richmond, a Democrat from the state of Louisiana, has dispatched a letter to President Donald J. Trump and congressional leaders urging them to modernize federal policies and procedures. Richmond said this is necessary “so that the people most affected by natural disasters get the help they need to get back on their feet and communities are stronger and better protected than before.” The letter included longterm disaster principles that the CBC would like the US federal government to adopt. “Bad recovery policies can also destroy a community by turning a natural disaster into a manmade one,” Richmond wrote. “The key to a successful recovery is making sure that it includes everyone, allows people to participate in their own recovery, and invests in mitigation to ensure that communities are rebuilt stronger than before. “When these conditions are not met, recovery is uneven and communities remain vulnerable to future disasters,” he added. “This is particularly true for poor and
Congressman Cedric L. Richmond minority communities.” In addition to the letter, Richmond sent a list of “eight disaster principles” to congressional leaders. Some of the principles would require new legislation, and others would require amendments to the Stafford Act. The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act) is a United States federal law designed to bring an orderly and systemic means of federal natural disaster assistance for state and local governments in carrying out their responsibilities to aid citizens. According to reports, Congress’s intention was to encourage states and localities to develop comprehensive disaster preparedness plans, prepare
for better intergovernmental coordination in the face of a disaster, encourage the use of insurance coverage, and provide federal assistance programs for losses due to a disaster. The Stafford Act is a 1988 amended version of the Disaster Relief Act of 1974. It created the system in place today by which a presidential disaster declaration or an emergency declaration triggers financial and physical assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The Act gives FEMA the responsibility for coordinating governmentwide relief efforts. The Federal Response Plan includes contributions from 28 federal agencies and nongovernmental organizations, such as the American Red Cross. “After a disaster, Americans look out for each other,” Richmond said. “We should make sure the federal government is looking out for them, too. “These commonsense principles would improve our disaster recovery efforts by making programs more efficient, getting help to the people and places that need it most, and planting the seed for stronger and faster recoveries,” he added. On Friday, the White House sent the US Congress a US$44 billion disaster aid request that legislators have already described as too small.
MORE HEAT ON JUDGES - Hand down judgements within six months, Justice Minister Chuck demands Jamaica Observer Minister of Justice Delroy Chuck is increasing the pressure on judges to deliver judgements in a t i m e l y m a n n e r, d e s p i t e criticisms that he could come across as appearing to interfere with the work of the judiciary. Chuck insists that six months is a “reasonable time” within which judgements should be delivered. Addressing the Jamaican Bar Association (JBA) in Montego Bay, St James Saturday night, Chuck pointed out that other jurisdictions had gone so far as to withhold salary and pensions. “I honestly do not wish to see Jamaica go there” he told an awards dinner
comprising mainly attorneys-at-law at the end o f t h e J B A’s t h r e e - d a y annual conference held at the Half Moon Hotel in Rose Hall. “Other jurisdictions have enacted legislation to determine time standards and other judicial functions... I shall continue to use moral suasion to urge the timely delivery of judgements and hope that I will see less complaint letters coming across my desk on a daily basis,” he stated. Chuck said that he would also continue to ask the JBA to provide a full list of judgements outstanding for more than six months, “so the Chief Justice and others can be reminded of the extent and impact of the
Minister of Justice Delroy Chuck prolonged delays”. Chuck further pointed to countries in the region such as Guyana which has legislated that judgements must be delivered within six months, otherwise the judge is cited for misconduct.
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Monday November 20, 2017
Saudi Arabia and Arab allies push for unity against Iran, Hezbollah meddling CAIRO (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia and other Arab foreign ministers criticised Iran and its Lebanese Shi‘ite ally Hezbollah at an emergency meeting in Cairo yesterday, calling for a united front to counter Iranian interference. Regional tensions have risen in recent weeks between Sunni monarchy Saudi Arabia and Shi‘ite Islamist Iran over Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri’s surprise resignation, and an escalation in Yemen’s conflict. Hariri, a Saudi ally, resigned on Nov. 4 from Riyadh, accusing Iran and Hezbollah of spreading strife. But Lebanese President Michel Aoun and other politicians accused Saudi Arabia of holding Hariri hostage and said he had been coerced into resigning. Saudi Arabia and Hariri both deny that. Hezbollah, both a military force involved in Syria’s war and a political movement, is part of a Lebanese government made up of rival factions, and an ally of Aoun. Saudi Arabia also accuses Hezbollah of a role in the launch of a missile towards Riyadh from Yemen this month. Iran denies accusations that it supplies Houthi forces there. “The kingdom will not stand by and will not hesitate to defend its security,” Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Adel Jubeir told the assembly. “We must stand together.” The emergency Arab foreign ministers’ meeting was convened at the request of Saudi Arabia with support from the UAE, Bahrain, and Kuwait to discuss means of confronting Iranian intervention. In a declaration after the meeting, the Arab League accused Hezbollah of “supporting terrorism and extremist groups in Arab countries with advanced weapons and ballistic missiles.” It said Arab nations would provide details to the U.N. Security Council of Tehran’s violations for arming militias in Yemen. Lebanon’s Arab League representative objected to the declaration accusing Hezbollah of terrorism and said it is part of Lebanon’s government, the Hezbollah-affiliated al-Manar television channel reported.
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President Mugabe stuns Zimbabwe by defying pressure to resign
Delegates celebrate after Zimbabwean President Mugabe was dismissed as ZANU-PF’s party leader in Harare [REUTERS] HARARE (Reuters) President Robert Mugabe stunned Zimbabwe yesterday by making no mention of resignation in a television address, defying his own ZANU-PF party, which had sacked him hours earlier, and hundreds of thousands of protesters who
had already hailed his downfall. Two sources - one a senior member of the government, the other familiar with talks with leaders of the military - had told Reuters Mugabe would announce his resignation to the nation after ZANU-PF dismissed him as
Britain to submit ‘Brexit bill’ proposal before December EU meeting LONDON (Reuters) - Britain will submit proposals on how to settle its divorce bill with the European Union before an EU summit next month and is expected to negotiate hard, finance minister Philip Hammond said yesterday. The EU told Prime Minister Theresa May on Friday that there was more work to be done to unlock the Brexit talks, repeating its early December deadline for her to flesh out Britain’s opening offer on the financial settlement. “We will make our proposals to the European Union in time for the Council,” Hammond told the BBC, referring to the Dec. 14-15 meeting of EU heads of government. He was speaking three days before he sets out Britain’s budget plan, where he will have to find room within tight fiscal constraints to help May convince voters that the Conservative government is tackling Britain’s domestic problems at the same time as negotiating its exit from the EU. Last week, May met fellow EU leaders to try to break a deadlock over how much Britain will pay on leaving the bloc, an issue threatening to derail British hopes for a negotiated exit and an agreement on a new trading relationship by March 2019. May has signalled she would increase an initial offer that is estimated at some 20 billion euros ($24 billion) - about a third of what Brussels wants. But Hammond, who has been criticised by supporters of Brexit for being too conciliatory towards Brussels and lobbying for a “softer” exit, said Britain would take a tough stance about how much it owes. “There are some things that we’re very clear we do owe under the treaties, other things where we dispute the amounts or even whether something should be included,” Hammond said in a separate interview with ITV television. “Of course we’ll negotiate hard to get the very best deal for the British taxpayer.” Asked about the prospect of Brexit without a trade deal, Hammond said he was “increasingly confident” that an agreement could be reached because it was in the interests of both parties.
its leader in a move precipitated by an army takeover four days earlier. But in the speech from his State House office, sitting alongside a row of generals, Mugabe acknowledged criticisms from ZANU-PF, the military and the public but made no mention of his own position. Instead, he said the events of the week were not “a challenge to my authority as head of state and government”, and pledged to preside over the congress scheduled for next month. Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai was dumbstruck. “I am baffled. It’s not just
me, it’s the whole nation. He’s playing a game,” he told Reuters. “He is trying to manipulate everyone. He has let the whole nation down.” ZANU-PF had given the 93-year-old, who has led his country since independence in 1980, less than 24 hours to quit as head of state or face impeachment, an attempt to secure a peaceful end to his tenure after a de facto military coup. Chris Mutsvangwa, the leader of the liberation war veterans who have been spearheading an 18-month campaign to oust Mugabe, said plans to impeach him in parliament, which next sits tomorrow, would now go ahead, and that there would be mass protests on Wednesday. He also implied that Mugabe, who spoke with a firm voice but occasionally lost his way in his script during the 20-minute address, was not aware of what had happened just hours earlier. Either somebody within ZANU-PF didn’t tell him what had happened within his own party, so he went and addressed that meeting oblivious, or (he was) blind or deaf to what his party has told him,” Mutsvangwa said. ZANU-PF’s central committee had earlier named Emmerson Mnangagwa as its new leader. It was Mugabe’s sacking of Mnangagwa as his vice-president - to pave the way for his wife Grace to succeed him - that triggered the army’s intervention. On Saturday, hundreds of thousands had taken to the streets of the capital Harare
Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe attends a university graduation ceremony in Harare, Zimbabwe, Friday. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo to celebrate Mugabe’s expected downfall and hail a new era for their country. In jubilant scenes, men, women and children ran alongside armoured cars and the troops who stepped in to target what the army called “criminals” in Mugabe’s inner circle. Many heralded a “second liberation” and spoke of their dreams for political and economic change after two decades of deepening repression and hardship. They, like the more than 3 million Zimbabweans who have emigrated to neighbouring South Africa in search of a better life, are likely to be bitterly disappointed by Mugabe’s defiance. Speaking from a secret location in South Africa, his nephew, Patrick Zhuwao, had told Reuters that Mugabe and his wife were “ready to die for what is correct” rather than step down in order to legitimise what he described
as a coup. Zhuwao, who was also sanctioned by ZANU-PF, did not answer his phone yesterday. However, Mugabe’s son Chatunga railed against those who had pushed out his father. “You can’t fire a Revolutionary leader!” he wrote on this Facebook page. “ZANU-PF is nothing without President Mugabe.” The huge crowds in Harare have given a quasidemocratic veneer to the army’s intervention, backing its assertion that it is merely effecting a constitutional transfer of power, rather than a plain coup, which would risk a diplomatic backlash. But some of Mugabe’s opponents are uneasy about the prominent role played by the military, and fear Zimbabwe might be swapping one army-backed autocrat for another, rather than allowing the people to choose their next leader.
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Dominican Republic and Haiti U.S. nuclear general says would sign air services agreement resist ‘illegal’ Trump strike order SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic - CMC – The Dominican Republic and Haiti have signed an agreement that will lead to commercial flights between both nations – after 19 years without ties in aviation. Last week, a memorandun of understanding (MOU) on Air Services, was signed between Dominican Civil Aviation Board (JAC) president Luis Ernesto Camilo and Haiti Civil Aeronauticsdirector, Olivier Jean. The MOU establishes the legal framework for bilateral trade relations. In a statement, the JAC noted that its Dominican Republic’s 58th agreement reached with as many countries, “successfully developing the open air commercial air policy, which will serve as benefits for the region.” The civil aviation authorities of both nations and their respective technical teams signed the agreement after two work meetings leading to the international air services negotiation (ICAN),
Dominican Civil Aviation Board (JAC) president Luis Ernesto Camilo and Haiti Civil Aeronautics director, Olivier Jean. hosted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) , to be held later this year in Sri Lanka. Camilo, who called the moment “historic,” said he’s satisfied with the MOU which “strengthens the bilateral relations of both States.” Jean stressed the
cordiality and openness that prevailed throughout the negotiation process, adding that he looks forward to signing definitive agreement “as soon as possible.”. The talks to reach a similar agreement date as far back as 1992, but didn’t materialize until now.
ECLAC reaffirms need for new development model for Caribbean MEXICO CITY - CMC – The Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Alicia Bárcena, has reaffirmed the need for a new development model for Latin American and the Caribbean. “Latin America and the Caribbean needs to move toward a new development paradigm based on equality and environmental sustainability as the drivers of growth,” said Bárcena in addressing the opening session of the international forum – “The Siege Upon Civilization “ From Wall to Wall”, organised by the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and the University of Guadalajara (UDG). “The current model, capitalism, doesn’t work,” added Bárcena at the forum, where delegates debated the “Origins Project”: Climate change, the environmental and social consequences for Mexico and the world, carried out by Arizona State University (ASU). During the event, Bárcena said that multilateralism is the only system that permits all to work for the people. “We are in a change of era, with tectonic shifts occurring: migration, climate change, major geopolitical movements in the world, a fourth industrial revolution based on
Alicia Bárcena technology, and we don’t know what is going to happen with the future of work,” she said. She added that, today, there is an urgent need to make a big environmental push that favours carbon-free production and consumption. “We are not afraid to move toward a model with a progressive vision, with universal access to basic goods, to social rights, to equality, because inequality conspires against democracy,” the senior United Nations official said. Bárcena, who is also a biologist, recalled the tragic consequences that climate change has had for the region since, in addition to losses in biodiversity and
environmental pollution, natural disasters have accumulated a cost of US$300 billion dollars from 1970 through 2017. Along with underlining that climate change “is the biggest market failure ever,” she said that, while globalization has helped pull millions of people out of extreme poverty, inequality has increased in an alarming way. “Currently, one percent has half of the income of the rest of the world’s population,” Bárcena said. “Wealth is concentrated in very few hands.” Citing the most recent study of OXFAM, Bárcena said that a mere eight individuals have the wealth equivalent to 3.6 billion people. In addition, she said tax evasion in Latin America and the Caribbean totals US$340 billion dollars, or 6.7 percent of gross domestic product. “This is an example of the culture of privilege that we must eradicate,” Bárcena said. “Who is going to lead the world in the coming years?” ECLAC’s Executive Secretary asked the audience gathered at the UNAM’s main campus. “The elite, or the people? Let’s change the world with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with citizen participation. You, above all the young people, can change the world.”
WA S H I N G T O N (Reuters) - The top U.S. nuclear commander said weekend that he would resist President Donald Trump if he ordered an “illegal” launch of nuclear weapons. Air Force General John Hyten, commander of the U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM), told an audience at the Halifax International Security Forum in Nova Scotia, Canada that he had given a lot of thought to what he would say if he received such an order. “I think some people think we’re stupid,” Hyten said in response to a question about such a scenario. “We’re not stupid people. We think about these things a lot. When you have this responsibility, how do you not think about it?” Hyten, who is responsible for overseeing the U.S. nuclear arsenal, explained the process that would follow such a command. As head of STRATCOM “I provide advice to the president, he will tell me what
General John Hyten to do,” he said in his remarks, retransmitted in a video posted on the forum’s Facebook page. “And if it’s illegal, guess what’s going to happen? I‘m going to say, ‘Mr. President, that’s illegal.’ And guess what he’s going to do? He’s going to say, ‘What would be legal?’ And we’ll come up with options, of a mix of capabilities to respond to whatever the situation is, and
that’s the way it works. It’s not that complicated.” Hyten said running through scenarios of how to react in the event of an illegal order was standard practise, and added: “If you execute an unlawful order, you will go to jail. You could go to jail for the rest of your life.” The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Hyten’s remarks. They came after questions by U.S. senators, including Democrats and Trump’s fellow Republicans, about Trump’s authority to wage war, use nuclear weapons and enter into or end international agreements, amid concern that tensions over North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs could lead to hostilities. Trump has traded insults and threats with North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un and threatened in his maiden United Nations address to “totally destroy” the country of 26 million people if it threatened the United States.
German parties at impasse as deadline passes with no deal
German Chancellor and head of the German Christian Democrats (CDU) Angela Merkel and Horst Seehofer, Governor of Bavaria and head of the Bavarian Social Union (CSU), attend preliminary coalition talks yesterday. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) Photographer: Sean Gallup/Getty Images Europe BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany’s would-be coalition partners appeared to have reached an impasse over immigration policy as a selfimposed yesterday evening deadline for agreeing the outlines of a government programme passed with no deal. A deadline of 1700 GMT passed with no announcement being made, suggesting Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives, the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP) and the Greens had been unable to agree the painful compromises needed to wrap up talks, which appear set to continue. The reluctant partners were forced to pursue the three-way tie-up, untested at national level, by voters who deserted the main parties of left and right in a September election, returning a highly fragmented parliament. Failure could precipitate Germany’s worst
political crisis in decades, since the Social Democrats (SPD) have already said they intend to go into opposition after coming second. Options include new elections or a minority government, unprecedented in the country’s post-war history. “Everyone has to take a success back home,” said Julia Kloeckner, deputy chair of Merkel’s Christian Democrats (CDU), highlighting the difficulty of compromise. “People must ask themselves if they are prepared for this to fail over details.” The tie-up represents Merkel’s only realistic chance of securing a fourth term. But the FDP, freshly returned to parliament after four years in the wilderness, and the Greens, out of power for 12 years, are reluctant to put their hard-won return at risk by alienating their rank-and-file.
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Forgotten Youth Foundation crowned Champions of National Under-16 Boxing C/ships Wayne Castello (right) of Forgotten Youth Foundation prepares to evade a jab from his gym mate Sean Graham who won that 75-79lbs fight.
Kamil Yahya (left) of Pocket Rocket Boxing Gym trades blows with Richard Howard of Forgotten Youth Foundation who won this 90-94lbs match up. After the last bell was rung in the 2017 edition of the Guyana Boxing Association’s (GBA) national under-16 championships held at the Andrew “Six Head” Lewis gym in Albouystown, the Forgotten
Gittens key to... From page 31 perform to guarantee a place in the final. Over $1million in total prize monies are up for grabs with the winning team set to receive $500,000 and the Ministry of Citizenship trophy, while the runner-up takes home $250,000 and the Busta trophy. The third and fourth placed finishers will walk away with $150,000 and $100,000 along with trophies donated by John Fernandes Ltd and Cummings Electrical respectively. It promises to be a sizzling double header.
Youth Boxing gym came out victorious, while the Savannah Boxing Gym’s (SBG) performances was quoted as worthy by technical director of the GBA, Terrence Poole. Poole noted that this 16-bout, one-day tournament that punched off on Saturday afternoon was a fitting way to close off junior amateur boxing for the year, since all the fights exhibited by the 38 athletes were very exciting. Forgotten Youth Foundation (FYF) won 11 of the 16 fights to come out ahead of the other five gyms that participated for the championship trophy. Julicia Rodney of Savannah Boxing Gym based in Lethem won the lone female fight. Poole posited during an interview with Kaieteur Sport that, “Rodney’s victory will allow her to be a role model for not
only her boxing peers but active and aspiring female boxers. We need to get more females involved in amateur boxing and this can be a opening.” The technical director further noted that the tournament was a big success and, “I’m sure that two Olympics from now, Guyana will be represented by one of these boxers from this tournament.” The list of all of Saturday’s winners follows: 1. 56-60lbs Vickacy Graham (FYF) defeated Michael Mangal (FYF) 2. 135-140lbs Shemar Morrison (FYF) defeated Emmanuel Pompey of Young Achievers (YA) 3. 60-64lbs Joshua Tamambaran of Rose Hall Jammers (RHJ) defeated Moses Crawford (FYF) 4. 75-79lbs Sean Graham (FYF) won by unanimous decision against Wayne Castello (FYF) 5. 85-89lbs Dwayne Baptitse (FYF) won by walkover against Elijah Waldron of Pocket Rocket Boxing Gym (PRBG) 6. 90-94lbs Richard Howard (FYF) defeated Kamil Yahya (PRBG) 7. 100-104lbs Travis Inverray (FYF) defeated Jadan Graham (YA) 8. 105-110lbs Patrick Harvey (FYF) won by split decision against Francis Sukhu (RHJ) 9. 125-129lbs Jaqwan Mild (FYF) defeated Jamal Mercier (YA) 10. 115-119lbs Raphael Sebastian (RHJ) defeated mark Crawford (FYF) 11. 15-157lbs Female Julicia Rodney (SBG) defeated Abiola Jackman (FYF) 12. 155-162lbs Javon Thomas defeated Kevin Tacoordeen (SBG) 13. 170-178lbs Joshua Corbin (Carryl) defeated Brian Harris (FYF) 14. 180-187lbs Daniel Dey (FYF) defeated Shauquan Michael (RHJ) 15. 56-60lbs Vickacy Graham (FYF) defeated Shanquan Deen (FYF) 16. 135-140lbs Shemar Morrison (FYF) defeated Troy Nero (SBG) (Calvin Chapman)
Winner of the 100-104lbs class, Travis Inverray, lands a land jab on a closed-eyed Jadan Graham of Young Achievers.
Grigor Dimitrov beats David Goffin to win title in London BBC Sport - Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov became the first man for 19 years to win the ATP Finals on his debut appearance with victory over Belgian David Goffin. Sixth seed Dimitrov, 26, claimed the biggest title of his career as he won 7-5 4-6 6-3 at London’s O2 Arena. The Bulgarian collected £1.9m in prize money for coming through the tournament unbeaten in five matches across the group stage, semi-finals and final. He will end the year ranked third in the world, with Goffin up to seventh. “It has been a tremendous two weeks for me,” said Dimitrov, who follows in the footsteps of Spain’s Alex Corretja, who won the seasonending title on his debut in 1998. “It is such an honour to play here. This week has been one of the best I have had.” While Dimitrov’s season is now over, Goffin will try to help Belgium to a first ever Davis Cup victory against France next week. “It was a special week for me,” said the Belgian. “A week with a lot of emotion and a lot of fatigue. Now I am feeling tired but it was an amazing week.” Finland’s Henri Kontinen and Australian John Peers, the second seeds, retained the doubles title they won last year with a 6-4 6-2 win over top seeds Lukasz Kubot of Poland and Brazilian Marcelo Melo. I am lost for words - Dimitrov Dimitrov had thrashed Goffin for the loss of just two games only four days earlier in the group stage, but the Belgian proved a far tougher opponent in the final. Goffin beat top seeds Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer on the
way through, and he made the early running as the underdog once again. Dimitrov had to recover breaks of serve twice in the opening eight games but moved ahead when he converted a fifth set point in game 12. After five breaks of serve in the first set, the second was a much tighter affair, with Dimitrov missing out on a potentially decisive break in game six after a Hawkeye challenge. Goffin grabbed his chance in the next game with a forehand winner and confidently served out the set to force a decider. The final set was a thrilling contest in itself, with Dimitrov fending off four break points in the first game before moving 4-2 up when Goffin sent a backhand long. With two hours on the clock, and the large Bulgarian contingent chanting “Grigor, Grigor”, their man edged to the brink of victory, only for Goffin to serve his way back from 0-40 and three match points down. The Belgian was given a huge ovation by the 18,000 spectators inside the O2 Arena, and he fended off a fourth match point, before Dimitrov finally sealed it when Goffin dumped a seemingly unmissable drop volley into the net. “David is such a tremendous guy, forget the tennis,” added Dimitrov. “He can hit the ball well also, so congrats to him. He is one of the most improved players this past week and months. It was an unbelievable effort. I am very proud to play him in the final. “I am lost for words. My team have been unbelievable, my family.”
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Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS Cricket Development Programme
Trial matches for King Solomon Logistics U-12 and Poonai Pharmacy U-13 Teams The Cricket Development Committee of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS under the Chairmanship of Vice President Mark Papannah and Cricket Manager Ravin Kissoonlall over the next couple of days would be organising a series of trial matches for the Club’s junior cricketers. The teams involved would be the Rose Hall Town King Solomon Logistics Under-12 and Poonai Pharmacy Under-13 Cricket Teams. The matches would be held at the Area ‘H’ Ground and Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster stated that the main aim is to not only identify players for the two teams, but also to provide a streamlined structure that would feed well prepared cricketers for the Rose Hall Town Farfan & Mendes Under-15 Team for the 2018 and 2019 Cricket Seasons. The Club Secretary/CEO and Vice President on Monday last visited the Rose Hall Town Primary School and spoke to the 60 students who have joined the Club’s Under12 Team. The students “36 males and 24 females” would be part of the trials that would be played using the softball format. The Under-13 trials would be played among 24 students drawn from the Lower Corentyne Secondary School, while students from the J.C. Chandisingh Secondary School, Corentyne Comprehensive Secondary and Port Mourant Secondary would be targeted soon. Speaking to the new club members at the Rose Hall Town Primary School, the
long serving Secretary/CEO stated that the club would be investing heavily into their future not only as a cricketer but in education as well. He appealed to the Under-12 Cricketers to be prepared to work hard, to listen to instructions, to develop a culture of personal discipline and most importantly to understand that the pursuit of education is the most important goal in life. As Club Members, they would be assisted with cricket gears, education materials and would be part of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club massive Annual Award Ceremony Scheme where over $3M worth of prizes are shared out to outstanding members. The future of the five times Guyana Cricket Club of the Year Awardee, Foster stated, depends heavily on its junior cricketers and as such special emphasis would be placed on them. The Under-12 and Under13 players would be involved in at least two matches per month and Foster expressed confidence that the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club would be able to identify promising players for its Under-15 Team and the Metro Female Cricket Team. Parents living in the Lower Corentyne area who are interested in their Children joining the two teams can visit the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club Office at the Area ‘H’ Ground from 09:00 hours to 18:00 hours daily or call 337-4562 for more information. The Under-12 Team is sponsored by King Solomon Logistics and the Under-13 Team by Poonai Bhirooj of Poonai’s Pharmacy.
Monday November 20, 2017
GCUC work shop concludes
Facilitators Nigel Duguid (left) and Shannon Crawford, both seated, and members of the umpiring fraternity following the clinic. The Guyana Cricket Umpires’ Council two-day work shop concluded yesterday at Union Hall, Woolford Avenue. The clinic which was facilitated by umpires Nigel Duigid and Shannon Crawford was designed to update umpires with the changes as well as other laws of cricket (2017 Code).
Umpires were also briefed on overrate sheet and playing conditions. Among those attended the clinic was Match Referee Moses Ramnarine and Grantley Culbard, Colin Alfred, Eddie Nicholls, Devlin Austin, Shemila Austin, Stephon Josiah, Joseph Jeffrey and Heuvel Chuna.
Orein Angoy elected President of Diamond United
YBG and MOE collaborates.... From page 31 scored for his team with 12 points, with support from Jether Harris and Akili Haynes that sunk 5 points each. St Rose’s High School’s Quacy Roberts and Anthony Yansen scored 17 and 11points respectively. The main game saw a low-scoring encounter between the pilot schools Leonora Secondary and West Demerara Secondary. Leonora used the energy of their boisterous supporters to ensure that they dominated the game. The game ended in the home team’s favour at 15 points to 8 points. Claudwin Allisworth, who scored the first 2 points in that Leonora Secondary School’s historic game was the lead man, finishing with 5pts, Stephon Corlette (4pts), Julius Bortres (4pts), and Michael Adams (2pts) contributed to the final total. West Demerara’s Kemar Ferreira top scored with 4 points, Michael Bacchus 2 points and Elisha Henry 2 points to get on the board. Both schools will continue practicing in hope of participating in next year’s National School Basketball Festival (NSBF).
Part of the new DUFC Executive from right, Orein Angoy, Sonia Angoy-Johnson, Danielle Angoy, Atoya Shepherd, Vianne Stanislaus and Troy Forde. Absent are Shawn Angoy and Andre Gibbs. Founder member and Coach of Diamond United Football Club (DUFC) Orein Angoy was elected President of the club for the next two years following their Annual General Meeting held at the Diamond Food Court on Friday evening last. The dedicated and GFF accredited Coach has been with the club ever since its formation over seven (7) years ago. Ms. Vianne Stanislaus will serve as Vice President, while Ms. Danielle Ango will serve as Secretary.
Ms. Atoya Shepherd has taken on the responsibility as Treasurer, while Shawn Angoy is the Assistant Secretary/ Treasurer. The Committee Members are Ms. Sonia AngoyJohnson, Troy Forde and Andre Gibbs. Angoy expressed gratitude to the club members for allowing him the opportunity to serve the club in a higher capacity noting that he is looking forward to all his executive members working as a team for the good of the players.
Monday November 20, 2017
Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ G/town C/ship set for launch today Following much publicity and fan-fare, the 2017 edition of the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Georgetown Championship will officially be launched today, at the Banks DIH Limited Boardroom from 11:00am. The tourney will commence on November 22nd and continue on the 23rd at the East Ruimveldt Community Center, commonly known as California Square. According to an official release from the tournament coordinators, Three Peat Promotions, “Anticipation for the tournament is at an alltime high. The response from the communities and teams during the qualification period is evidence that the tournament is growing in popularity and prestige.” The document further said, “Overall more than 90 teams illustrated their willingness to participate through the submission of registration forms and following an exceptionally competitive playoff round, we expect an even more competitive championship.” “They are many teams that have quality to ascend to the throne. Teams such as Future Stars, Gold is Money, Leopold Street, North Ruimveldt and Queen Street Tiger Bay possess tremendous quality, and as such, defending champion Sparta Boss will have a fight on their hands to retain their championship,” it concluded. Winner of the overall event will walk-away with $500,000 and the championship trophy along with automatic qualification for the National Playoffs. The runner-up, third and fourth placed finishers will receive $250,000, $200,000 and $100,000 respectively. The event is also sponsored by Colours Boutique.
Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Georgetown 2017 Group Assignments Group-A Group-E Sparta Boss West Front Road Channel-9-Warriors North Ruimveldt Ol Skool Ballers Smyth Street Gaza Squad Judgement Yard Group-B Group-F Leopold Street Broad Street Albouystown-A Queen Street Tigerbay Bad-A-Yard California Square GTI Ballers Stabroek Ballers Group-C Group-G North East La Penitence Tucville Festival City Bent Street New Market Street Sophia Bullies Kingston Norton Street Group-D Group-H Back Circle Future Stars Albouystown-B Alexander Village Trap House Upsetters Rising Stars East Front Road Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Georgetown 2017 Group Fixtures Day-1-East Ruimveldt-(California Square)-Wednesday 22nd Bad-A-Yard vs GTI-Ballers-19:00hrs Broad Street vs Stabroek Ballers-19:30hrs Albouystown-B vs Rising Stars-20:00hrs North East La Penitence vs Kingston-20:30hrs West Front Road vs Smyth Street-21:00hrs North Ruimveldt vs Judgement Yard-21:30hrs Festival City vs New Market Street-22:00hrs Channel-9 vs Gaza Squad-22:30hrs California Square vs Queen Street Tigerbay-23:00hrs Sparta Boss vs Ol Skool Ballers-23:30hrs Day-2-East Ruimveldt-(California Square)-Thursday 23rd Kingston vs New Market Street-19:00hrs Albouystown-A vs GTI Ballers-19:30hrs Bent Street vs Norton Street-20:00hrs Leopold Street vs Bad-A-Yard-20:30hrs Tucville vs Sophia Bullies-21:00hrs Ol Skool vs Gaza Squad-21:30hrs Alexander Village vs Upsetters-22:00hrs East Front Road vs Future Stars-22:30hrs Back Circle vs Trap House-23:00hrs
YBG and MOE collaborates for Region three basketball pilot programme Last Friday, officials from the Ministry of Education (MOE) – Unit of Allied Arts, Regional Education Department, National Sports Commission, Regional Democratic Council and Youth Basketball Guyana (YGB), all came together at the Leonora Secondary school for the launch of Region three School Basketball Pilot Programme. It was a day of many firsts for basketball. It was the first time that a school team from Leonora Secondary played in a formal basketball game. It was the first that two secondary schools in that Region would face each other in friendly competition. It was also the first time that two Georgetown school teams played a basketball match in that Region. And there are sure to be many more firsts. Speaking at the launch in front of a very enthused and excited Leonora Secondary
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Kaieteur News
school population was the Head of the Physical Education Unit of the Ministry of Education, Nicholas Fraser, who chaired the proceedings as Master of Ceremonies. He outlined the objective of the Pilot Programme and the long term intended goalwhich is to see the game of basketball integrated into the school’s Physical Education programme which will culminate with a CSEC Physical Education and Sport programme. Following the officials’ remarks, two exciting friendly games were played. The first was between Georgetown arch rivals St Rose’s High and Marian Academy, who showcased their athleticism and high skill levels to very excited host. The game ended in Marian’s favor 40 to 33 points. Marian Academy’s Jahleel Young, top Continued on page 30
Hamilton Green Knockout Cup Football Tournament
Gittens key to Winners bid for final spot He is known to be a tireless warrior with enough experience to school many defences that he goes up against and his presence on the field for his team Winners Connection in their clash with Milerock could be of real significance. Rawle ‘Boney’ Gittens is his name and every football enthusiast and opponent know how difficult it is for defenders to keep him in check and this worry may certainly be the focus of Milerock’s coaching staff as they prepare for their semifinal engagement in the Hamilton Green Knockout Cup Football Tournament on November 26, at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground. The pint-sized striker whose silky skills has mesmerized many defenders will no doubt be backing himself to lead his team to the final set for November 30, at the same venue. What is equally certain is that a team from the Mining Town will be in the final and they play the winner of the encounter between Police and Soesdyke. Gittens, who is one of the most durable players to come out of the Linden community, will have support from the likes of Marmalique Davidson and Keon Sears, all prolific goalscorers, while Trakel Thomas and Derrol Dainty will marshal their backline.
Rawle Gittens The combination of Joel McKinnon, Denzil Fordyce, Nellon Walcott and Lorenzo Miller are expected to be the driving force for Milerock quest to advance, while Oswald Benjamin and Akeem Green have the herculean undertaking to keeping the potent strike force of Winners Connection at bay. The other semi-final should favour Police, a team that has been amongst the most consistent performers in local football. Police will be led by the experienced Dwain Jacobs and his support will come from players such as Kester Dundas, Lescharles Critchlow, Steffon Ramsay, Dwayne Wilson and the inform Darrius Frank between the uprights. Soesdyke is of unknown quality, but having reached
Dwain Jacobs
Keon Sears this far in a competition it says a lot about the team’s ability. Trayon Khan, Colin McLean, Tyrell Khan, Alvin Batson, Colin Holder and Kelson Benson are the key players who will be needed to Continued on page 29
George guides Redeemer Primary to victory as GCB Scotiabank Kiddy Cricket continues Kevin George struck a fine 72 to guide Redeemer Primary to nine-wicket victory over Rama Krishna Primary when play in the Georgetown leg of the Guyana Cricket Board Scotiabank Kiddy cricket competition continued on Friday last at Everest Cricket Club. Batting first, Rama Krishna Primary managed 126-5 off their allotted 14 overs. Feyaad Lakeraj scored 42, while Anthwon Williams made 12 and Jenellen Nevenkirk 10. George led his team’s chase hitting six fours and six sixes while Chad De Nieunkirk made 15. Mea’s Primary beat Bel Air Primary by 42 runs. Mae’s Primary took first strike and posted 103-6. Sachin James made 25; Jonathan Mentore got 23, while Danesh Persaud and Jhoe Budram assisted with
Kevin George
Feyaad Lakeraj
15 each. Asif Esau claimed two wickets. Bel Air Primary were limited to 61-5 in reply. Recardo Persaud made 22 and Rickel De Jesus 14; S. Boodram had two wickets. South Ruimveldt Primary overcame Tucville
Primary by one run. South Ruimveldt took first strike and got to 74-7 with Jeremiah Moore scoring 20. Tucville Primary responded with 73-6. St. Pius gained a walk over from Smith’s Memorial. (Zaheer Mohamed)
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Monday November 20, 2017
Kaieteur News
Stage of Champions 2
Grenada’s Daniel cops Overall and Over-177 titles Guyanese Campbell wins Men’s Physique
Stefini Jjon-A-San (centre) and other contestants display their prizes following the Miss Bikini Segment. (Zaheer Mohamed photo)
By Zaheer Mohamed The second edition of ‘Stage of Champions’ bodybuilding competition proved to be a resounding success with athletes from Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, Suriname and the host nation thrilling their fans as they flexed their muscles to selected music Saturday night at Theatre Guild in Kingston, Georgetown. The event, which entails compulsory poses and individual routines in the respective categories, also includes Men’s Physique and Miss Bikini segments. The night’s activities saw Damion Daniel of Grenada stealing the spotlight- he first won the Over 177 lbs category and went on to take the Overall title. Despite being pushed somewhat by Suriname’s duo of Anthony Nekni, who finished second, and Tohid Melvin (3rd), Daniel managed to prevail. Anthony Rodrigues, sporting decent mass, of Trinidad and Tobago was fourth, while Guyanese Christopher Miller placed fifth. Daniel was in the limelight again when he took to the stage to compete in the Overall segment. Sporting a well chiseled body that carried mass, Daniel outshone his rivals much to the delight of the fans to add to his prizes. Emmerson Campbell gave Guyanese fans something to cheer about by winning the Men’s Physique title ahead of Rafael Kromokanjo of Suriname, Brendon Francis of Trinidad and Tobago, Ridolph Getrovio Costa of Suriname and Guyanese Cdel Crum-E-Wing in that order. Sudarshinck Persaud beat fellow Guyanese Zallim Bacchus and Greyson Forde respectively to win the Bantamweight (U143lbs) segment, while Marlon Bennett copped the Lightweight (U154lbs) division. Eybo Orford finished second and Donald Lindie placed third. The Miss Bikini segment was an all Suriname affair - this event was perhaps one of the most difficult for the judges as all the women possessed the attitude to go with their toned bodies. But Stefini Jjon-A-San triumphed ahead of her rivals. Militia Gulimo took the runner up spot followed by Suelle Sheppherd, Singodjojo Jannelle and Priscella Atmopaniro. The U176 lbs category was taken by Guyanese Nolun Smith winning ahead of his countryman Odel Crum-E-Wing.
Athletes in the over 177 lbs category display their lats; winner Damion Daniel is at far left. (Zaheer Mohamed photo)
Pride beat Volcanoes by 135 runs – 4th day, 4th round KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent, CMC – Barbados Pride defeated Windward Islands Volcanoes by 135 runs on the final day of the fourth-round match in the Regional Four-Day Championship at the Arnos Vale Sports Complex here yesterday. Scores: BARBADOS PRIDE 360 (Kevin Stoute 84, Anthony Alleyne 82, Kenroy Williams 55, Justin Greaves 54, Shayne
Moseley 54; Tyrone Theophile 5-56, Shane Shillingford 3-102) and 171 (Mario Rampersaud 36 not out, Jonathan Carter 25; Shane Shillingford 5-70, Kavem Hodge 2-32, Kyle Mayers 2-21). WINDWARD ISLANDS 222 (Roland Cato 64,Kyle Mayers 56 not out, Kavem Hodge 38; Kenroy Williams 3-21, Jomel Warrican 2-49) and 174 (Kyle Mayers 76, Taryck Gabriel 33; Kenroy Williams 4-36,
Justin Greaves 2-16). Scorpions beat Hurricanes by 157 runs – 4th day, 4th round BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, CMC – Jamaica Scorpions beat Leeward Islands Hurricanes by 157 runs on the final day of their fourth-round match in the Regional 4-Day Championship on yesterday at Warner Park. Scores:
JAMAICA SCORPIONS 342 (Paul Palmer 86, Assad Fudadin 58, John Campbell 57, Garth Garvey 23, Steven Taylor 20; Rahkeem Cornwall 4-86, Jeremiah Louis 2-51, Sheeno Berridge 2-56) and 191 (Derval Green 51, Nikita Miller 26, Garth Garvey 23, John Campbell 22, Damion Jacobs 20 not out; Rahkeem Cornwall 4-32, Sheeno Berridge 3-47, Jeremiah Louis 2-47).
LEEWARD ISLANDS HURRICANES 232 (Montcin Hodge 50, Terence Warde 38, Devon Thomas 33, Nkrumah Bonner 33, Rahkeem Cornwall 29, Chesney Hughes 20; Nikita Miller 28.4-9-56-5, Damion Jacobs 335) and 144 (Montcin Hodge 30, Terence Warde 30, Devon Thomas 25, Rahkeem Cornwall 23; Nikita Miller 20-4-31-5, Damion Jacobs 3-65).