Monday November 21, 2016
PPP needs to discipline Dharamlall for his unbecoming conduct DEAR EDITOR; There has been a call to Opposition leader Bharrat Jagdeo “to deal with Dharamlall” and to send a clear signal to party supporters that his behaviour is unacceptable. The editorial was a response to the public outcry against Dharamlall’s nasty attacks against the President on Facebook. Dharamlall is a PPP Member of Parliament and a former Permanent Secretary and REO, who sits on the Central Committee of the party. When he writes on Facebook he does so under the weight of being both a party leader and an MP. As a former member of the PPP, I am horrified by what
Dharamlall has written, and I feel uneasy by what his supporters have said in defense of his hateful language and their promise to watch his back. Dharamlall has many skeletons in his cupboard, all of which are known to the PPP leadership yet no tangible action has been taken against him for breach of the party’s Code of Conduct for behaviour that would discredit and hurt the image of the PPP. The incident where it is alleged that he behaved terribly to an official from the IDB is but only one such outrageous act for which he ought to have been suspended or expelled from
the PPP, and recalled from Parliament. It is true that Mr. Jagdeo has criticized him on this occasion but this is not enough. His attacks on the Speaker of the National Assembly remain condoned by the PPP leadership. Dharamlall had insulted the Speaker when he posted that Dr. Scotland would go down in history as “the most disgusting speaker” of all times. Mr. Jagdeo is the effective PPP leader. He should have seen it fit then to clip the wings of Dharamlall. “Dharam” means righteousness but nothing is righteous about the conduct of this party activist in and out of parliament.
Mr. Jagdeo is fond of attacking Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo who had been a PPP leader for several decades. But he should take a leaf from the book of this goodly gentleman who, when faced with the unruly behaviour of one of his regional representatives, fired him summarily. Another employee who was involved in an altercation with an activist of another party during the local government elections was fired also. I wish to commend those who made the call to Jagdeo for their forthright position and look forward to action being taken against the run-away MP. Kumar Persaud
Look who is talking; Donald Ramotar DEAR EDITOR; I wish to respond to Mr. Donald Ramotar who wrote that “government should not take away legally held weapons from the population”. Mr. Ramotar did not say who made this decision and when and where was it announced. But I know that the Coalition Government did not say that it will TAKE AWAY legally held weapons. Both President Granger and Minister Ramjattan stated that issuance to private
citizens ought to be restricted. The Coalition had granted an amnesty for persons in possession of illegal weapons to surrender them. However, the opposition PPP mocked the campaign. They did the same when the Government announced that sniffer dogs and horses would be deployed in the fight against crime. They laughed about “dogs and ponies” yet today we see mounted policemen are patrolling in areas at the back of Black Bush Polder as
WE ARE PLEADING FOR ELECTRICITY AT PLANTATION FARM DEAR EDITOR; I have decided to write because we, the residents of Plantation Farm, East Bank, Demerara have been suffering from the non-supply of electricity. Houses are being built and people are moving in but there is no electricity. After a long and arduous wait water was supplied promptly on the heels of a promise made by Dr. Van West Charles earlier this year. Water at first reached the water tanks at the lowest levels. Since then, the pressure is low, now the water pressure is at a drip. Houses at the lowest levels are not able to fill the tanks from that position. How can demands be made to pay for water not supplied. The new Minister responsible for housing promised in six months’ time communities she listed will receive power supply, and Plantation Farm is one of those communities; to date nothing has begun and the six month period is about to expire. When I was employed in Habitat for Humanity Guyana and volunteered with Habitat for Humanity in California, I observed that in new housing areas roads, electricity and water were already in place so the electrical tools could be used, I am thankful that we do have roads and that water mains were in place before one house was constructed, but we need electricity and if electricity is taking so long it could be imagined the time it will take for telephone to be installed. Ivan John Pln. Farm, East Bank
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well as along our borders. A sniffer dog recently featured in the discovery of an illegal gun, which probably saved lives. Mr. Ramotar’s ramblings were most embarrassing to his own party and that of the office of the opposition leader when he referred to the disappearance of 31 AK 47s rifles from army headquarters. That incident took place under the PPP’s watch. Could Mr. Ramotar say whether a Commission of Inquiry was set up to find out how the weapons went missing? The people had elected the PPP to protect them and to make their lives safer. But under the Jagdeo/Ramotar administration not only were guns missing; there was a massive prison break which was the beginning of Guyana becoming a killing field. Some 500 persons were left dead in the wake of the crime spree that resulted. A sitting Minister and his family were assassinated but the PPP regime did not find it convenient to hold an inquiry into the assassination even though then President Jagdeo said that he knew who did the killings. It was during that period that enforcers of a king-pin of the drug world, based in Enmore, were found in
possession of high powered guns and when they were arrested, they quickly walked out of the police station, with the bag of guns, after the king pin identified himself as a security defender of the government. I am sure Mr. Ramotar, who likes to quote from Eusi Kwayana, would remember that the elder statesman had filed private criminal charges against the drug lord but the proceedings were discontinued by the government. Mr. Ramotar would remember also that it was under the PPP’s watch that for the first time in Guyana’s history a death squad became active and there were many acts of extra-judicial killings (cold-blooded executions). A minister of Government was implicated. We still remember one instance where the weapon of a known criminal was upgraded and that the gunman killed a food vendor in a dispute over $20. I do not doubt that the PNC was involved in the events of 2002-2005, but the political responsibility for what took place must fall on the government of the day – the PPP for its incompetence in managing the situation and allowing an almost total breakdown of law and order. J. Persaud
The fantastic four off to the Far East this time DEAR EDITOR; So the ‘Fantastic Four’ of the Georgetown Municipality or at least most of them are off globe-trotting again, this time to the Far East. It would seem as though this Mayor is attempting to out travel her predecessor in just one year. Georgetown municipal officials seem to have no qualms flying the friendly skies in style, regularly using first class for their travel. This reflects a culture of entitlement that pervades City Hall, even in an era of supposed revenue shortfalls, contractors and workers not being paid, and other creditors being owed hundreds of millions of dollars. Is no one at the Ministry of Communities charged with overseeing or reining in such expenditures? That is the addiction by the Fantastic Four to luxury travel to all corners of the earth whilst bringing back nothing for the city. Even if tickets are provided there is still a heavy taxpayer expense in per diems, gifts and other
associated costs. Maybe it is time for the Georgetown City Council to purchase its own private jet, a Gulfstream or Lear Jet maybe, using revenue from the parking meters. It would allow the Fantastic Four to cut back the excruciatingly long airport security lines they have to endure to do luggage checks, crying babies and sick passengers freely sharing their germs with this mighty municipal team on their fortnightly trips to Panama, Mexico, Chile, USA, China etc. But seriously, is it only the members of the Fantastic Four who are capable, qualified, and competent to travel? No other Councillors or officers have passports, visas and vaccinations? When the present Mayor was Deputy Mayor and an ordinary Councillor, she did a lot of travelling on behalf of the Mayor and City Council. Surely some of these current junkets could be awarded to the Deputy Mayor, or other Councillors and officers most of whom are more articulate and urbane. Shanta Singh
Trouble in Bath/ Woodley Park NDC DEAR EDITOR; We the residents of Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice are concerned over the establishment of a Management Committee that was formed to manage the Bath Community Centre. We strongly opposed such a Committee since it was established in secrecy by the Bath/Woodley Park NDC and moreso the Vice Chairman of the Council, Mr. Krisna Sewlall a.k.a Courtsman chose to elect himself to chair the Committee. Mr. Editor, we the residents are disgusted with this NDC and we already had our fair share regarding the incompetence of the Chairman of the said Committee. We are now calling on the Minister of Communities to intervene in this matter. Concerned Residents
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Unmitigated disdain for people who commit such acts DEAR EDITOR; As a highly qualified professional of the Nightingalean genre, and one who holds her profession in high esteem, I was nevertheless forced to read the latest scandal surrounding the breaching of the State Final Examination for Professional Nurses with a heightened sense of unmitigated disdain for the likely perpetrators—Nursing Council personnel. Taking into full consideration the pathetic state of Guyana’s current healthcare system, with its increasing maternal mortality and morbidity, the public would at minimum expect the attendance of well-trained individuals, who have obtained their professional license through legitimate means and as such have earned the right to bear the nomenclature Registered Nurse. One is left to wonder and ponder as to how many nurses in current employ have truly earned their certificate, and if in some cases the death of certain patients may not in some way be linked to this blatant ethical misconduct, that may have inadvertently provided a veneer for lack of nursing knowledge? Take it, leave it or perhaps grieve it, but playing with the papers by extension is synonymous with playing with people’s lives. Another enigmatic question that emerges directly from this moral fiasco is whether or not the nurses are being properly trained and educationally better prepared. Proper preparation prevents poor performance. Are the tutors falling short in delivering the goods hence the underhand coalition with the Nursing Council personnel to ensure success? If not, why then the need for breaching of the examination papers? Or was this vending designed to help
Monday November 21, 2016
Kaieteur News
the educational misfits attain success, while at the selfsame time - lining the pockets of the Nursing Council miscreants? The answer(s) or response(s) may be found in the statement made by the Minister of Health, George Norton, who during a recent press conference divulged that he had been made privy to the fact that this breach of examination papers has been an ongoing issue. In America, for many years a Gallup poll has identified nursing as being among the top 10 of most honest and ethical professions, an image that must be maintained at all cost wherever the profession is exposed or practiced. What image has been presented to the young nurses, especially those who have previously benefitted favorably from the surreptitious acts of The Nursing Council personnel? It should not be forgotten that nurses are the only thing between the patient and death. If you cannot be a nurse, then orisons should be sent to the Almighty that you do not be a curse. The matter is currently under police investigation, and the Minister of Health, George Norton has indicated that several responsible personnel may be placed before the court. I am calling on the Minister and also responsible Government agencies to also notify the Licensing Bodies so that the responsible personnel can be struck off the Roll. Measures should then be instituted that would prevent any further or future recurrence or likelihood. This act has certainly dealt a rent in the fabric of public confidence in both health and healthcare professionals. The issue of dishonesty and dishonest behaviour cuts to the very core of public perception of integrity with deference towards the profession having given way to a need to earn respect from a demanding public. Yvonne Sam
Skeldon was the right investment decision at the time DEAR EDITOR; GUYSUCO and APNU+AFC are preparing the grounds to break the bad news - 2016 dismal production, the worst since 1990. In APNU+AFC’s first full year in sugar, they have to quickly find a scapegoat for the catastrophic production and justify their plan to close sugar or to close some parts and privatize other parts. Wales and LBI are already due for closure this year and other closures are expected in 2017, ethanol production at Albion either is on hold or discarded and, it appears, Skeldon is to be privatized. Last week Raphael Trotman blamed former President and Opposition Leader Bharat Jagdeo and former President Ramotar for Skeldon’s and GUYSUCO’s woes. He deemed Jagdeo and Ramotar “bad workers who blame their tools”, oblivious that every day, APNU+AFC, from the President down, offers one excuse after another for their failure, blaming everyone but themselves. Jagdeo and Ramotar, far from blaming Booker Tate, tried to remedy the problems and overcome the challenges. They recognized sugar was facing major challenges like climate change, need for mechanization, expansion, modernization and diversification. They knew specifically Skeldon suffered from a design flaw, both in the construction of the new factory and in the land
conversion for mechanization and expansion. They recognized the experts had not made proper adjustments for drainage and irrigation for expanded cultivation. This was trying to find solutions, not finding scapegoats. They rightfully tried to get Booker Tate which was the contractor responsible for factory design and completing land conversion to take corrective action. When Booker Tate failed to take necessary corrective action, GUYSUCO sued Booker Tate. That was not unjustified blaming; it was holding Booker Tate accountable. They were paid, they needed to deliver. Skeldon was not the wrong decision; Booker Tate made mistakes in the designs, some of which were reckless. Trotman, Professor Thomas and others must explain why GUYSUCO has not continued the legal action against Booker Tate. Has it anything to do with the fact that Booker Tate’s representative on the Board was Errol Hanoman who is now the APNU+AFC appointed CEO? With the arbitrary ending of the 1976 Sugar Protocol by the EU, abandoning guaranteed quota and the announcement of immediate price cuts for sugar, industries in ACP had to make adjustment for a post-EU Sugar Protocol existence. For some sugar industries it meant immediate closure. For others it meant investments for a more competitive market.
Guyana accepted that reality and after expert advice, GUYSUCO devised a plan to re-engineer its business to include expansion and modernization of Skeldon, including a new factory. It also included greater diversification and valueadded products and cogeneration for sugar throughout the industry. There were a number of factors that determined that Skeldon was the best choice for expansion and modernization. There was field capacity for cultivation expansion, a cadre of large scale private farmers, labour availability, appropriate weather, navigation for cane transport, ideal for mechanized field operation, among others. These factors led to the recommendation that Skeldon expansion and modernization should represent the anchor in the reengineering of Guyana’s sugar industry. The PPP accepted the recommendation and made the $US110M investment. GUYSUCO went to public tender and Booker Tate won the contract for the overall project management and design of the estate and factory and the work for land conversion and drainage and irrigation. The Chinese won the contract for factory construction. The whole project was a turnkey operation. Booker Tate chose a design based on the Komati Sugar factory, South Africa, with a capacity of 350 tons/
Former GuySuCo security rank talks about the PPP’s sabotage DEAR EDITOR; I have noticed that this recurring subject of blame for Guysuco’s state of decay is on the front burner again. The glaring fact that the previous Guyana Government administrators are constantly ducking and dodging, is that when they were in the political opposition pre 1992, they used the sugar union GAWU which was controlled by the PPP to sabotage the sugar industry and the govt. of the day. Strikes were frivolously called by one gang on a location and the other gangs joined in support. It then took domino effect where the other estates and the clerical union NAACIE would join in strike action. These actions were very frequent. These strikes were definitely followed by arson of the cane fields. As a former security officer with the corporation, I experienced having to frequently arm myself with the Security Office’s shotgun and along with a party of men head for the location of the fire to try and arrest any arsonist found in the area. It was a futile exercise because I later learnt that the fires were set long before with two long candles joined together to make a very long candle. Dry cane trash was put at the
bottom of the candle and the candle was lit and the arsonist will be long gone when the cane starts burning. They were most likely laughing at our futile efforts to apprehend them. There were widespread thefts and sabotage of machinery and parts. I apprehended many workers who were taking away the company’s property without authority. These things need to be pointed out to the members of GAWU and the PPP, WHO ARE CHOOSING TO BE OSTRICHLIKE AND HIDE THEIR HEADS IN THE SAND FROM THESE HISTORICAL TRUTHS. They were the ones who, during their 1992-2015 period lamented the economic loss Guysuco and the nation suffered when short strikes were called without arson and sabotage. Can you imagine the losses incurred pre 1992 with those extended days of strikes? The PPP used GAWU to destabilize the govt. during the days of the PNC to gain political ascendancy. They cannot dispute these facts. They owe GuySuco monetary reparation, BIG TIME! Gordon Lewis Cassada Gardens, Antigua
hour, producing sugar at 10 cents/pound. At the time Errol Hanoman and Roger Speedy were Booker Tate representatives on GUYSUCO Board. During construction, problems were identified and Booker Tate’s representatives stated that since the project was a turnkey operation, GUYSUCO should wait until the project was completed, that the contractor, Booker Tate, would ensure flaws were remedied. This never happened. After more than two years the Skeldon factory was far from the designed capacity of 350 tons/ hour and production cost of 10 cents/pound. Turned out that Booker Tate’s design was not to Komati’s specifications, field conversion was poorly implemented and drainage and irrigation did not meet the needs of expanded cultivation. Hence the resort to legal action by GUYSUCO. GUYSUCO, supported by the PPP proceeded to make rectification to bring Skeldon to specification. After several years and much resources, there are still inputs to be made. But by the end of 2014 and with a lengthy period of appropriate weather, Skeldon began to perform better. It had an outstanding year in 2015. GUYSUCO’s Chairman, its CEO and APNU+AFC took credit for Skeldon’s “turnaround”. Now less than one year later, they claim Skeldon is falling apart because of the PPP. Faced with a dismal 2016, they are in a desperate, full-throated blame mode. The PPP was and is not blaming Booker Tate; it is holding them accountable. That GUYSUCO, under instruction of APNU+AFC, is not pursuing accountability by Booker Tate is irresponsible and since Hanoman is now the CEO, it raises serious conflict of interest concerns. Skeldon was the right investment decision to ensure sugar stays as a mainstay of Guyana’s economy into another century. That sugar has encountered problems with performance at Skeldon and across the industry has more to do with a complex set of circumstances, including design problems with Skeldon, climate change, intense investments for mechanization and the unfair international trade and pricing regime. But the potential for sugar’s glory is still undiminished. Dr. Leslie Ramsammy
Monday November 21, 2016
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Bailing out GuySuCo is like raiding the Treasury - Prime Minister
By: Kiana Wilburg The ritual of annual billion dollar bailouts to the sugar industry cannot continue. According to Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, this “habit” must change as he is of the firm belief that bailing out the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) every year is tantamount to raiding the national purse. The First Vice President made this, among other comments, recently at his party’s bi-weekly press conference held on Friday last. There, he spoke about the prevailing state of affairs within the sugar industry. He assured that Government will only do what is best for the sector while stating that sugar production will remain the remit of GuySuCo. The Prime Minister told the media corps that in order to save the industry, one would have to be able to disaggregate certain functions. He said that this is necessary “because it has now become oppressive to hand out or do the annual ritual called bailouts of the industry.” The Prime Minister said, “So far, about $40B has been spent on bailouts in the last five years and …if there is any
Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo raiding of the treasury, then it is really raiding the treasury to pay sugar workers and I hope they could appreciate that.” With the aforementioned in mind, the Prime Minister said that some of the functions of the sugar industry will now have to be diversified to accommodate other activities that would earn foreign exchange and will earn revenues for the nation. Turning his attention the ailing US$200M Skeldon Estate, Nagamootoo said that the factory has not performed to its expectations. He said that this is in spite of the fact that millions of dollars had been spent on consultants from India to fix Skeldon.
“We knew we had a limping elephant, not even a white elephant. It is a failed elephant. So this elephant we inherited was not producing sugar in accordance with what was envisaged originally. So what do you do with Skeldon if it is not performing? You will have to have a method that would allow other things to come in either to refurbish the factory, to diversify crops there or to work out an arrangement with private cane farmers … so there are a combination of several activities.” As currently structured, the Guyana Sugar Corporation cannot be sustained. If the status quo remains, subsidies exceeding $18B and $20B would be required in the next two years and thereafter. In short, GuySuCo’s board members have come to terms with the reality that the price to turn sugar around is too high. A high level team has since communicated this to Cabinet. During that meeting, members of government were told that even if all the capital was to be provided for the state entity, GuySuCo would remain a significant loss
AFC satisfied with Govt’s efforts to combat crime The Alliance for Change has expressed support for government’s efforts to address the crime situation in Guyana. At the party’s bi-weekly press conference held on Friday, AFC Vice-Chairman and Prime Minister of Guyana, Moses Nagamootoo said that his party recognises the government’s initiatives activated by the coalition government through the Ministry of Public Security and the Guyana Police Force to more aggressively combat crime and road fatalities. “The party was especially pleased at the on-going joint services operation to quash the credible threat to Guyana’s national security, which was uncovered a week ago.” According to Nagamootoo, those who are responsible for orchestrating these threats should immediately desist. He urged the government to condignly deal with any entity or individual who seeks to compromise or destabilize democracy in Guyana. “The AFC commends these initiatives by the Coalition Government and looks forward to the further reduction in the crime
statistics and a slowing of the numbers of accidents on our roadways.” There has been much criticism about the public security sector and its efforts to curb criminal activity which for some, seems to be rising. As recent as Wednesday Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had said that he believes the government is not doing enough to combat crime. He said that the country has seen a spate of criminal activities. According to Jagdeo, this is met with denial from the government and comparisons between the period that the PPP/C was in office, rather than by solutions. However, at a recent press conference Acting Commissioner of Police David Ramnarine had used crime statistics from the years 2002 to 2007 to inform critics that crime is not at its worst in Guyana. He had said that persons peddling the view that crime is indeed at its worst are trying to fool the citizens of this country. Ramnarine informed the media that there has been a 17 per cent decrease in serious crime when compared to the same period last year.
He said that there were 2700 cases of serious crime reported as of October 29 last when compared to 3263 reported cases in 2015. One hundred and nineteen persons have been killed for the year so far as opposed to 149 people last year. He also gave statistics on robbery under arms, saying that there were 638 reported cases for this year whereas in 2015 there were 670. He said, “For robbery with violence, there were 79 cases this year against 115 for the same period last year, with a 19 per cent clear up.”
maker. The estimated operating losses would be more than $10B annually. In the circumstances, two Government Ministers told Kaieteur News that based on presentations made by GuySuCo officials, funds injected into the sugar industry would be wasted, if such injection is made in the absence of any plans for restructuring and diversification. The Government officials agreed that radical reorganization and diversification are urgently needed. Recently, GuySuCo Chairman, Dr. Clive Thomas, said that the assets of the industry are “rundown”. He noted that factories, agricultural fleet and field infrastructure were all inherited in a terrible state. GuySuCo Board members said that compounding the issue is the fact that the sugar management and technical support are weak and inexperienced. But one of the priority issues for the Chairman remains reducing the sector’s heavy reliance on bailouts. Dr. Thomas said that the entity hopes to do this through diversification. “What we are projecting is that we would use some funds to pursue the diversification of the industry. We see bailouts rising for about two to three years and then falling dramatically by 2020.The bailouts, or need for it, can fall by 2020. We hope to pursue diversification of some of the estates, one of which includes Wales.” Lending much credence to the Chairman’s position was Anthony Vieira. Vieira who once served as a GuySuCo Board member has been appointed head of the state entity’s Diversification Unit. Vieira agreed that diversification of the sugar industry can bring an end to the sector’s reliance on billion-dollar bailouts. He said that the Unit is currently in
the process of coordinating a diversification process with regard to aquaculture and the cultivation of rice. Vieira said that the Unit is awaiting a USA study on the feasibility of GuySuCo’s proposed aquaculture venture. “For the time being, I can say that the people conducting the study believe that this is a very feasible project, and that aquaculture can be many times more profitable than growing cane,” Vieira added. A number of options on the way forward for the sugar industry were presented to Cabinet, recently. Speaking on the discussions that occurred in this regard between Government and the team from GuySuCo was Minister of State, Joseph Harmon. Harmon said that the officials presented a number of alternatives regarding the way forward with the sector. He however declined to reveal what those “options” were. The options up for consideration include privatization – as recommended in the Commission of Inquiry into GuySuCo – and the most extreme being the closure of the sector. Another recommendation made to Cabinet was on the need to bring an end to the production of bulk sugar at the Skeldon Sugar Estate. Kaieteur News understands
that the US$200 million factory is in dire need of costly repairs. “If you only knew the cost to refurbish the factory, it would blow your mind,” the GuySuCo Chairman asserted. “Skeldon needs to be divested. We thought it would have been saved or salvaged by a mechanization project and that was not helpful. Then to get the costs down to competitive levels, moves were made to involve private cane farmers in supplying cane to Skeldon. That, too, did not work. The reality before us is that the factory has lots of faults; it is badly designed and poorly constructed.” Thomas added, “The factory is deteriorating. New steel is needed, some of the furnaces don’t work, some of the boilers don’t work…the factory is just not properly built. The cost for the repairs needed is about, if not over, US$60M ($12B). It is that big of a disaster.” Just recently the sugar sector received a whopping $2B in assistance from the national purse. This financial support is to help meet routine expenditure, and is in relation to the second crop for the sector. The cost to repair Skeldon alone would be six times that bailout. The amount needed to fix the problems facing Skeldon is also more than the $11B ploughed into the sugar industry for the entire year.
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Opposition compiling list of persons to replace GECOM chairman The People’s Progressive Party Civic has already begun compiling a list of potential persons to replace Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairman Dr. Steve Surujbally, who is expected to resign soon. This was made known by the leader of the opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo at his party’s press conference on Wednesday. According to the former president, “Yes, Mr. Surujbally is leaving and according to the constitution, I have to submit a list of six names from which the president will choose the next head of GECOM.” He added, “We have started looking at the names of the people that we will submit to replace Mr. Surujbally.” Jagdeo said that he expected that since Surjubally had signalled months ago that he will be departing, that President David Granger would have initiated the process which would trigger the requisite constitutional provision to replace the chairman. He said that this should have already been done, given the necessity of having a fully staffed commission at all points in time.
Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo
GECOM Chairman, Dr. Steve Surujbally
“The work of the commission is critical in the preparation for the next elections. So I have not received any indication from the President when he intends to trigger that provision.” Jagdeo said that the slothfulness of the government is very worrying to him and his party given the sensitivity surrounding GECOM. He said that he is suspicious that there may be a lengthy delay in the entire process. He said that he has asked the PPP/C’s Chief Whip Gail Teixeira to write on his behalf to the Office of the President and the Head of the Presidential Secretariat to
point out this issue and enquire as to when the President intends to trigger the movement. In September, General Secretary of the PPP/C Clement Rohee had announced that the party was informed of Surujbally’s pending resignation. He had said that the urgency for the Chairman to demit office was addressed at a Central Executive Committee meeting citing allegations which surfaced that the elections body was unable to discharge its functions. According to Rohee, the GECOM chairman had already met with the President and the Leader of the Opposition to discuss the necessary arrangements to ensure a smooth transition. The Chairman had said in the media that his resignation should not come as a surprise since his resignation was pending since 2006 when the PPP/C won elections. According to Surujbally his resignation will happen during a seamless transition.
Monday November 21, 2016
Major Crimes Unit to be on standby during Christmas season As the Christmas season approaches, Georgetown will be divided into five hubs and each sector will be commanded by an Assistant Superintendent in an effort to tackle any increase in criminal activities during this period. This is part of the Guyana Police Force (GPF)’s Christmas policing plan which was unveiled last Monday. It will run up to January 15 and is aimed to enable citizens to conduct their business in a safe and secure environment. Commander of ‘A’ Division, Clifton Hicken indicated that the five sectors were created to maximize supervision of the police in Georgetown and will target crime, traffic congestion and road accidents. As part of the plan, citizens can expect increased foot, motorcycle and vehicular patrols around the city, along the East Bank Demerara to Timehri corridor, and in hot spots. Foot patrols will be conducted between 07:00hrs to 13:00hrs and 12:00hrs to 19:00hrs daily, while motor
- Blanhum
Commander of ‘A’ Division, Clifton Hicken cycles and vehicular patrols will be done on a 24-hour basis in 12-hour shifts. Between 22nd to 26th and 29th to 31st of December, foot patrol timings will be adjusted to accommodate late shopping. Hicken revealed that execution of search warrants, cordon and searches will be conducted regularly by the Criminal Investigation Department and other ranks in areas of interest. In Georgetown, a tow truck will be used to remove illegally parked cars while wheel clamps and vehicle
escorts will be provided when necessary. Meanwhile, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum related that the Guyana Police Force has recalled all its senior officials from their vacations to work during the Christmas period. “We will deploy our ranks in the form of mobile, marine and foot patrols in the day and night and we will continue with our intelligence led policing, targeting high criminal elements,” the Crime Chief said, adding that there will be police presence at the airports. He is also warning persons to be on the lookout for fraudsters who usually order a large number of items and pay with a manager’s cheque on Fridays, when banks are closed. Last year there were two reports of fraudsters paying with managers’ cheques that were not valid. The Crime Chief said that a team from the Major Crimes Unit will be on standby in the event of any major security threat.
Opposition Chief Whip seeks review of “dreadful” motion By Abena RockcliffeCampbell “This is dread for Members (of Parliament) on our side,” said Opposition Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira yesterday as she spoke
about a Motion recently passed in the National Assembly that temporarily changes the timings for House sittings. It was crafted and passed to facilitate Budget debates and deliberations. Budget debate and deliberations will now be held between 10:00hrs to 20:00hrs from December 5 to December, 21. Teixeira said that this motion was taken to the House in the absence of any real discussions between the Whips. She said that in October, government Chief Whip Amna Ally mentioned that the government was considering altering the timings. “Amna told me that this is something that they would like to do. She mentioned this to me in October. I said okay let’s talk about it.” Teixeira said that it must be remembered that “MPS are part time. We have people who are lawyers, teachers and who are in the private sector…I did not say nay but I did not say yay because I assumed it would be something we are going to talk about.” Teixeira said that to her surprise, during the last sitting, a motion to change the time was circulated. “We were shocked to see
it (the motion) circulated in the middle of the sitting but then I realized the Speaker, Dr. Barton Scotland allowed a suspension motion,” said Teixeira. “They noted, in very fine writing, that a suspension motion was granted by the Speaker. Because of all that was going on, it slipped by. We left the house after the Speaker told Anil that he had to leave; but, we had the radio listening to what was happening. We were shocked to learn that when they finished the debate on the Granger Motion suddenly this motion was put to the floor and approved within two minutes.” Teixeira said that such an extended period (from Dec 5 to Dec 21) for sittings from 10: 00hrs to 20;00hrs is hard to manage. “This is dread for our members…It (the motion) has to be reviewed because the way the motion was drafted is to have the debates and the estimates last all day. We may be able to manage the hours for the debates but when it comes to the estimates we would like to go back to two to ten. The National Budget is to be presented to the National Assembly on December, 5.
Monday November 21, 2016
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Kaieteur News
THE POPE AND YOU Guyanese love a scandal. They love, even more, concocting one. A Guyanese can speak ill of someone as if they had personal knowledge of that person. But on closer examination, they know very little. Scandal mongers are pushers of half –truths and no truth at all. They know who is on the other side and who is straight. How do they know? Even they do not know how they know what they know. Scandals are part of the daily regimen on the lives of Guyanese. It was not surprising, therefore, to learn that the publication of videos and photographs of a man of the cloth” and obviously,
also, a man of the flesh became a buzz around the country. The ‘scandal’ took the nation by storm. It was the perfect distraction from the crime wave. People all over the country wanted to talk about the images which were made public. A young woman who is in an adulterous affair was overheard condemning the pastor for what he allegedly did. She who was not without transgressions herself was passing moral judgment on the victim. She lacked the moral correctness to do so because her own life was not morally perfect. It did not dawn on most of those who were quick in passing judgment on the
pastor that the images made public constituted a violation of the man’s privacy. What business of the public was it that the man’s bedroom affairs? The man was not breaking any law. The airing of the images on social media violated the man’s privacy. What is it about scandals that people love? How can people find so much pleasure in the misfortune of others? But people love a scandal because it is about domination. The person who scandalizes another person is exercising a form of domination on that person. It can constitute a form of abuse. The scandal, if concocted, represents a wicked and devious act.
Guyanese love to bring people from their thrones. The mighty must be brought to their knees so that meek can be lifted up, at least if only as part of deluding themselves. It is a way to bringing people down to their level. This is why so much fun and enjoyment is made when persons in either authority or having wealth and position are disgraced because of a scandal. When you bring someone down through scandal, you feel that you are no longer on that person’s level. You feel superior. This is why so many people like to peddle scandals. It makes them feel better than the person they are scandalizing. Guyanese love political
Boy, 16, stabs lover’s husband to death - after victim allegedly tried to run him over with car A 16-year-old boy is now in custody after he allegedly stabbed the husband of his 26-year-old lover to death during a confrontation on Saturday night at Eccles, East Bank Demerara. Intiaz Ally, 23, an excavator operator, of Lot 121 BB Eccles, East Bank Demerara, was allegedly stabbed in the neck with a ‘Rambo’ knife, when he attacked the teen, who was walking with Ally’s reputed wife. He succumbed shortly after being taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). Police said that Ally’s reputed wife and the teen, who was riding a bicycle were heading home, when Ally struck down the suspect with motorcar PSS 2435. The teenager tried to escape but Ally began to kick and punch him. The lad, who was carrying his lover’s handbag at the time, allegedly whipped out a 10-inch ‘Rambo’ knife from the bag, and stabbed Ally to the neck. He collapsed and was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) by a friend, but was pronounced
DEAD: Intiaz Ally dead on arrival. The suspect is in police custody and the alleged murder weapon was retrieved. Reports reaching this newspaper indicate that Ally became angry after being told that his reputed wife and the young boy were having a relationship. It is reported that Ally upon seeing the young man walking alongside the woman accelerated the car and struck down the lad. The woman has denied having a relationship with the teen and claimed that they were just friends. She said that the suspect would normally visit the internet café
where she works. She stated that the teen would wash her reputed husband’s car. “After we close off I put money, computer and everything in the bag. So the boy (suspect) collect the bag from me. He was riding and I went walking.” She recalled someone shouting “look Intiaz coming”. “So I tell them pull in the corner cause when that boy drink he has no selfcontrol. I tell the boy (suspect) don’t worry with he, he gone calm down to he sense.” The woman recounted that Ally punched the boy about four times, after knocking him down with the car and she began screaming for them to stop. “I coulda swear that boy punch he. I didn’t know is bore he bore he (Ally).” But the mother of the teenager insisted that her son and the older woman began a relationship over four months ago. She told Kaieteur news that the woman would come at her Hassan Street, Eccles home in a car to visit her son. She said that her son told her that he loved the woman and would sometimes sleep over
at her home. The woman related that her son recently told her that Ally had gone in the interior to work and that he would physically abuse his spouse. The son also told her that Ally had beaten his wife and “taken back the car.” The teen would allegedly sometimes sleep at the lover’s home when her reputed husband was “in the bush.” The boy’s mother added that she warned her son on numerous occasions to end their relationship.
scandals. They love to embarrass those with whom they differ politically, calling them all manner of names and bringing their reputation into disrepute. There is also an element of moral contradiction in scandals. Most people who find fun in the misfortune of others actually would love to be in the position of those who are scandalized. Let us be honest. How many men would not have loved to be in the place of that person whose image was recently showed on social media cavorting in bed with more than one woman. Many men would love to have a threesome but lack the ability to do so. Scandal is therefore about fantasy. Scandals are about social
entertainment. The lives of most Guyanese are devoid of fun and excitement. The empty spaces of these lives have to be filled with something. Scandals help to fill that space and provide the public with something to be talked about. The scandal becomes an event of note. Scandals, therefore, are less about the victims than they about those who enjoy them. They are more a mirror of the lives of the public than they are about the victims. They reflect the foibles and emptiness of our lives.
Monday November 21, 2016
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Kaieteur News
One year after Board installed…
New Govt., same secrecy at NICIL By Abena RockcliffeCampbell Is the National Industrial and Commercial Investment Limited (NICIL) operating with more transparency? No, say some anticorruption advocates. Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman is saying otherwise. Hosting the most recent post-Cabinet press briefing in the place of Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, Trotman said that NICIL has already undergone significant changes and is continuing along that route. The Minister reminded media operatives of the fact that NICIL was established prior to 1992 when the People’s Progressive Party government took control of the country. He said however that the purpose of the company has been compromised. “The purpose and intention has changed drastically over the years.” He said that the APNU+AFC government wants the company to return to its former glory. In this regard, “recommendations are
Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman being adhered to in terms of what it is intended to be doing. It was not meant to be a profiteering enterprise.” Even though the changes are not evident, Trotman said, “Yes, we have had changes effected. I know that the leadership of the company is going well; we do not anticipate it should be disbanded. But the reality seems to be different to those keeping a close eye on the company. It is over a year and the entity
essentially remains shrouded in the secrecy that had been detested during the previous regime. NICIL’s new Board Members include Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, Board Chairman, Dr. Maurice Odle and Head of the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), Berkley Wickham. The Board is yet to hold even a single press conference since it has been installed. Communication with Chairman, Odle has been via telephone. However, over the past three months, Odle has not answered calls from Kaieteur News. When he was first appointed to the post in August last year, the Chairman of the Board had made a commitment that NICIL would be run in an entirely different manner. Last year in an interview with this newspaper, Odle bemoaned the fact that under the previous administration, the entity was run with little to no transparency and accountability for investment decisions. He also spoke against the
way in which taxpayers were kept in the dark on the happenings of the stateowned company. One year later, under Odle’s directive, NICIL is being accused of keeping the nation “in the dark” about how reforms have been made by the company under the new administration and the status regarding the millions of dollars in debt it is owed by various agencies. Furthermore, the Chairman had given his support for the release of the Marriott Hotel contract. But even though he had said that NICIL is in possession of the document, it is still to be
released under his watch. Additionally, meaningful reforms recommended for NICIL in a forensic audit report are yet to be implemented. Kaieteur News was able to confirm this with several officials working with the entity. In the forensic audit report which was prepared by Chartered Accountant, Anand Goolsarran, it was recommended that the entity be closed down and a small department opened under the Ministry of Finance, if Government deems it necessary. It was explained that the reason for such a recommendation was
premised on the fact that NICIL was initially established for the purpose of privatization of state assets. That was done in two phases in the 1990s. Since that phase ended years ago, the report recommends that there is no need for NICIL to remain a company. It says that it should be liquidated and Government should make moves to establish a department to manage the assets being held by the company. Finance Minister Winston Jordan said, however, that he is not inclined to go this route, and has since made it clear that the entity is necessary.
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Kaieteur News
W.B.D. woman wins repossession case against Central Housing Authority Chief Justice (Ag), Yonette Cummings Edwards has handed down a decision which will prevent the Central Housing and Planning Authority, (CHPA) from repossessing the home of Guytrie Singh, a La Parfait Harmonie West Bank Demerara,(WBD) resident. Singh was amon g several home owners who had moved to the court months ago, to stop CHPA from seizing properties from persons who were allocated Core Homes, under an IDB funded project of the PPP/C Administration. CHPA had started a campaign to seize scores of house lots which the agency said had remained unoccupied with many of the owners migrating. According to CHPA, the lands have been posing a problem in the numerous new housing schemes around the country with overgrown bushes and the security issues that come with it. Officers of CH&PA had therefore erected signs on the properties, stating that the properties are owned by CH&PA. In certain instances, the officials repossessed Transports and Certificates of Title.
Attorney Anil Nandlall However, Singh through her Attorney, Anil Nandlall, had among other things, sought a declaration from the court that taking of possession of the agreement of sale and Certificate of Title in respect of her property situated at Lot 902 Plantation Westminster, La Parfaite Harmonie W.B.D, by servants and/or agents of the CHPA under the Ministry of Housing or any other Officer of the State, is in violation of her fundamental right and freedom as guaranteed by Article 142 of the Constitution of Guyana. On Friday, 18th November, 2016, the Chief Justice (ag.) ruled that taking possession
of the applicant’s Agreement of Sale and Certificate of Title in respect of property known at Lot 902 Plantation Westminster, Parfaite Harmonie WBD on the 23rd day of November, 2015, by servants and/or agents of the CHPA under the Ministry of Housing or any other Officer of the State, is in violation of the applicant’s fundamental right and freedom guaranteed to her by Article 142 of the Constitution of Guyana. According to information outlined in the court document, the Judge also ordered a declaration that the summary forfeiture or expropriation or compulsorily acquisition or taking of possession of any land held by Transport or Certificate of Title on the ground that the Transportee or the Title holder is in violation of or has breached any term or condition contained in the agreement of sale is unlawful, contrary to and in breach of Article 142 of the Constitution of Guyana. The court further noted that it is in breach of natural justice, arbitrary, oppressive, unreasonable, capricious, null, void and of no effect. The court also granted a conservatory Order prohibiting servants and/or agents of the CHPA, under the Ministry of Housing or any other Officer of the State from entering upon, remaining, occupying or in any manner whatsoever interfering with the applicant’s quiet and peaceful possession, Lot 902 Plantation Westminster, Parfaite Harmony, WBD. The applicant was therefore awarded $200,000 in damages.
Monday November 21, 2016
Police assist pensioner who lost home during freak storm
Police ranks hand over some of the items to relatives
The remains of 89-year-old Gladys Fraser’s home The police in Berbice B Division continue to show that there is a human side to the way they do things. Commander Adonis along with Sub Divisional Officer of Corentyne, Deputy Superintendent Guy Nurse, Community Relations Officer in charge of B Division, Assistant Superintendent Keith Williams and other ranks recently journeyed to the residence of 89-year-old Gladys Fraser. During the visit the Commander and his team presented the woman with some household items, clothing and food with a pledge to assist further. Fraser is from Lot 131 Third Street, Alness Village, Corentyne, Berbice, and a freak storm recently destroyed her one bedroom house, which she shared with her pregnant granddaughter and two great grand-children, aged 10 and 18 months. Persons desirous of assisting the family can contact them on phone numbers 675-2038 and 674-3532. In a recent interview, Commander Adonis stated that he is willing to work with any community or group of persons in making their lives better.
Monday November 21, 2016
Kaieteur News
PAGE 21
PAHO wants Caribbean to make health systems stronger VANCOUVER, United States - CMC — The Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) has called on Caribbean countries to take action and make the necessary investments to make their health systems stronger and more resilient. “Preparedness requires more than emergency plans and simulation exercises,” said PAHO director Dominican Dr Carissa F Etienne in addressing the 4th Global Symposium on Health Systems Research here. “It means strengthening core aspects of health systems, from human resources and access to medicines, to health information systems and even legal measures to support public health action.”
Etienne’s remarks were made before an audience of more than 2,000 experts at the symposium that was co-sponsored by Health Systems Global, PAHO, the World Health Organization, the Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research, the Canadian Society for International Health, Canada’s International Development Research Centre and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Investing in health systems resilience is “considerably more cost-effective” than financing emergency response and is likely to better protect people’s health and wellbeing in both emergencies and normal times, said Etienne. “Fragile health systems increase the
Govt. mulls CLF repayment of $b debt as...
Duprey seeks big payback Trinidad Guardian - CL Financial shareholders have raised the necessary funds to repay Government the billiondollar debt owed from Government’s 2009 bailout of the former insurance giant. This after shareholders met last week with CLF majority shareholder Lawrence Duprey, who was back in T&T for a second time, Duprey spokesman Carlton Reis said Saturday. Reis is a representative of Dalco, the largest CLF shareholder. Shareholders have already established a transition team in anticipation of having the matter of repayment and regaining CLF’s stable of companies underway and settled by year end. They’ve also started contacting other islands where Clico subsidiaries are located. Saturday, Finance Minister Colm Imbert confirmed CLF shareholders had made an offer to repurchase the companies “which the Ministry and Central Bank are looking at very carefully.” Said Imbert: “This matter is in its early stages. There will be further discussions in due course on the details and the quantum and the method of repayment before a decision can be made. “Further, if and/or when the Ministry forms the view that the offer is realistic, a submission will be made to Cabinet, which is the ultimate decision maker. These discussions are sensitive and complex.” Florida-based Duprey, who was away from T&T for seven years, returned for the first time on October 3 and met officials of some CL subsidiaries and held talks with top state officials affiliated to the companies. But he didn’t meet with any ministers, Reis said. His visit
Colm Imbert
Lawrence Duprey
was after shareholders held talks with Government in August on their April proposal to regain control of CL companies. In April, Imbert had asked CL shareholders to identify what they wanted and expected. They detailed proposals, envisaging CLF would remain with varying percentages and retain control of six companies, including Angostura Holdings Ltd, Colfire Limited and Home Construction Ltd. Reis added, “At our (August) meeting with government, we said we were in a position to raise the money to repay the debt. We received a favourable response.” On October 26, the group sent Government notification of a 150-day plan to repay the debt, adding they had raised the funds to pay in full. “We’re awaiting response,” Reis said. Government’s last estimation of the debt figure was $21-$23 billion but Reis estimated it may be about $15 billion after repaying Government from funds from the sale of Methanol company shares. The group has agreed to support Government’s Sandals’ hotel de velopment on the Clico-subsidiary owned Golden Grove Estate in Tobago. Reis said handover of the land to the
Tobago House of Assembly hasn’t occurred yet. He expected the Tobago hotel plan to involve Clico transferring ownership of the land to the THA, which will offset part of CLF’s debt to Government. The estate was valued at approximately US$35 million in 2013. Reis said they worked on sourcing their financing during Duprey’s recent visit. “During Mr Duprey’s visit (last week) we all met with US, European and Canadian financial houses and legal experts to finalise fund sourcing. He was instrumental in raising the money. Funding was raised locally and internationally. We have the cash for Government and we’re ready to roll. “Ideally, we’d like the situation to start moving by Christmas so companies can revert to shareholders. Clico is solvent. Under the Memorandum of Agreement, it’s time for Government to hand companies back.” He said Duprey is advising the transition team which will undertake the projected shift of the companies back to shareholders. “We expect he’ll continue visiting T&T more regularly to participate in the process as it moves. He’s very optimistic about T&T’s economy, he senses an energy,” Reis said.
vulnerability of populations to external risks that impact health and well-being, health protection, and ultimately social and economic development,” she said. “Again and again we see this, through epidemics of H1N1 influenza, Chikungunya and Zika virus; through earthquakes in Chile and Ecuador; hurricanes in Haiti and the Bahamas; and through the effects of climate change on health.” In September, health leaders from PAHO member countries endorsed a new framework for efforts to ensure that health systems are more resilient in future health emergencies. The “Resilient Health Systems” framework notes that more than 98 million people in the Americas, including the Caribbean, were affected by disasters between 2004 and 2014, that the recent Chikungunya epidemic sickened more than 1.6 million people, and the Zika epidemic had such a serious health impact that the World Health Organization declared it a “public health emergency of international concern.” To ensure that health systems are prepared for such emergencies, the framework calls for integrated action and increased investments in disaster preparedness, risk reduction, and response; disease surveillance and outbreak management; and health system strengthening and universal health. “We know that a fragmented approach is not enough,” said Etienne during a panel discussion on resilient health systems. “We need to address both traditional disaster and disease risks as well as longer-term internal
Dr. Carissa F Etienne (Photo: CMC) and external risks that affect the ability of health systems to respond well in both normal times and during health emergencies.” To be effective, PAHO said efforts to build strong, resilient health systems must be based on evidence from research in a range of areas. “Evidence generated must ensure that healthcare delivery systems of the future are of better quality, are universally accessible, and are more transparent, democratic, and responsive,” Etienne said adding that the central goal of this research should be to identify the characteristics of resilience in health systems. She said the results could lead to the development of “stress tests” that can assess health systems’ response capacity and identify weaknesses that need to be addressed.
PAGE 22
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620
SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. - Cosmetology Courses: $120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 6471773/660-5257
Visa Application: U.S.A, C a n a da & UK; Guyana p assport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 6267040; 265-4535. INNOVATIVEMARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158 Hello the doctor is back! Have your gas stove service and repairs. Call: 601-0595; 220-4073; 220-5785 Passport, permanent & visitor visa application, Professional Immigrant Consultant – Sabita Immigration Services. Call: 225-6496; 662-6045 Eagle’s: Re-gas -$8,000, Washing machine repairs, Gas Stove, Plasma flat Screen & more. Call: 697-2969/6460966 Repairs at low cost: Fridges, air- conditioners, washing machines, TVs, microwaves, freezers- Call:629-4946 or 225-4822 Guytec Repairs Services & Spares to washing machines, pressure washer, dryer, stoves, refrigerator, treadmill, vacuum, etc –Call: 680-2377
HEALTH Learn how you can benefit from iridology Mon, Dec 5th - Contact Hazel’s Herbal Store: 226-9136
TOURS Suriname Tours Return: Shopping, sightseeing, dolphins, casino, clubbing, Nov 24-27. Call: 665-5171/ 639-2663/658-3758/ 223-7589
Monday November 21, 2016
Kaieteur News
PROPERTY FOR SALE
TO LET
Transported property @ Grove and Diamond $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461
3 Bedrooms bottom flat @ Lamaha Gardens. Call: 2258084/ 689-6001
Transported property, flat concrete building, land size 80x50, house size 20x38, full facilities Tel: 683-7507/6770321
Fully furnished vacation home with all amenities Call during working hours 2271218
FOR RENT
VACANCY For male factory workers between the ages 18 and over. Must have police clearanceCall:223-0090 Porter, rip saw, re-saw and moulder operator @ Eccles Industrial Site, EBDCall:609-7675, 674-1705,2332614 Fast Growing food distribution company seeking a bookkeeper/inventory clerk. Experience & police clearance needed. Call:231- 8344/2231027/ 223-1034 Work in Trinidad, 5yrs experienced welder/mason. E m a i l : clinttrintent@gmail.com (great salary)
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Two bedroom apartment with toilet & bath @ Lot 19 Pigeon Island Chateau Margot, E.C.D. Call Nasmoon: 220- 6799/ 6039547 2 Salon Stations to rent & 1 nail tech ($5,000 per week each), persons to do massage & facials. Call: 2234238/602-7960 Space for rent at Ashmin’s Building- Ideal for commercial and office use- Call: 683-7954
PEN PAL Overseas based male seeks working female 30-33 years. Must be intelligent- call:6643119 (No Texts) Mixed male, age 55 with own business is seeking female companion, ages 50 & older. Call: 684-6035 or 622-1201
EDUCATIONAL CXC Classes: day & evening classes, personal tutor, Grade 4 to 6, Form 1-5 Maths. Call Sir Jarvis: 690-5008/ 6934588/ 638-2359
One Field supervisor to work in Georgetown. Must have a motorcycle license- Call:2271717
ACCOUNTS CLERK, MINIMUM qualification CXC Accounts Grades I/ II, familiar with QuickBooks POS & Accounts. Email: info@guygas.com
Austin Street Campbellville Upper Flat unfurnished, three bedrooms, monthly rent $75,000 Call: 222-5087 between 4:00pm & 6:00pm LAND FOR SALE Diamond 21st Street, can transfer $3.5M. Schoonard, WBD $2.5M, Land Of Canaan $5M per acreContact Shawn 231-2199, 618-7483
One (1) Bedroom Residential Apartment, at Houston, East Bank Demerara. For more information. Contact: 6031602
Camp assistant for interior location. Job involves dishwashing, cleaning etc.Call: 618-2020
LORRY DRIVER, MINIMUM 3 YEARS EXPERIENCE, FACTORY ASSISTANT 266 5569
2 Bedroom furnished Apartment in exclusive residential area, close to Ogle Airport , with modern amenities. Call for appointment 622-5725.
LEARN TO DRIVE C. Persaud & N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman & Sons Driving School @ Maraj BuildingCall: 644-5166; 622-2872; 615-0964; 689-5997 (affordable packages).
Study and work in Canada/ US. VISA processing centre Parika 260-4850. All vistors VISA professionally done. Pre-Xmas computer package, diplomas 9 courses $40,000, 4 courses- computerized accounting $30,000Micrographics: Vreed-EnHoop 264-3057, Parika 260-4850
Hairdressers and nail technicians @ the 2nd Floor City Mall. Call: 697-4328 Receptionist male, room attendant, desk staff. Call: 2250198 or visit 233 South Road, Lacytown. Administrative Assistant/ Internet service operative, computer literate, 2 references needed. Call: 644-2234/ 649-4183, email: demcar.info@sky.com FOR SALE/RENT American Pool Table. Call: 277-0578
VEHICLE FOR SALE
WANTED
1 RD5 Honda CRV, immaculate condition, TV, reverse camera, CD, mags, alarm, etc, price -$2.850M. Call: 626-2884
1 Refrigerated truck box, approximately 14’ long, preferable Mitsubishi Canter, contact Wieting & Richter Ltd 226-6150, 6152-3, 6155-7
1 New & unregistered Toyota Allion $2.4M, 1 Allion PVV series $2.150M negotiable, low mileage, TV, camera, etc. Call: 649-0956
Driver with minibus license living in G/Town. Call: 664-0802
1-DAF 75 Hauler GNN Series -$2.5M negotiable. Call: 6555117 One black pit-bull BTT 9621, in good condition, 1TR engine. Call: 277-3657 SALE! SALE!- 2010 NOAH & VOXY $2.6M, 2009 TOYOTA ARIUS $2.6M, 2 TON CANTER $2.4MCALL:642-7295 Timber Jack 450B skidder each excellent condition & never used in Guyana- Call Richard:609-7675, 6741705,233-2614 Honda Civic (04) stick shift from Singapore. Rims, deck. In immaculate condition $1.150M negotiable- call: 618-4257 Bluebird for sale 2011 model, dark interior, reverse camera $2.7M negotiable, preorder any vehicle Call: 655-3400 1 Toyota RZ Minibus carburetor engine, good working condition $550,000 neg. & 1 Toyota Marino $375,000 neg. Contact 6130611 or 654-4445 1 Silver Nissan Dualis (PTT 3081) – PS, PW, AC, CD/DVD player, reverse camera, AW, ABS $3.2M Call: 695-9548
One Data Processing Clerk. Must possess five Subjects at CSEC with Grade 1 -2 passes. Thse must include Accounts, Maths & English. Interested Candidates must text to SMS or WHATSAPP 592-696-9386 Live in/ out maid. One trainee person to work in Fiber glass workshop- Call:6035416, 644-9802 One experienced general domestic to work in G/Town, must know to cook all Indian dishes. Pleasant & trustworthy. Call: 656-6388 Live in/Live out domestic/ babysitter. Call: 223-7500 Mon-Fri 8:15-4:15pm 1 Female shop assistant to work in the interior, salary depends on experienced. Call: 678-0565 Straight stitch, over edge machine operators, portersCall 222-2541 8:00am-4:00pm Mon-Fri One salon assistant must know to do hair & nails- Contact: 625-3899/ 264-0034 Raymond building Vreed-EnHoop Junction Person to work bar at nightsCall: 223-4778, 626-0189 Handy boy, age 17- @ Lombard street, Werk-EnRust- call: 227-8529, 233-7356
2009 NOAH & VOXY $2.6M Attractive live in waitressIN ‘G’ SERIES, 3 TON OPEN Call: 327-0252/674-4665 BACK CANTER -$3.6M. Live in domestic must know CALL: 617-2891 to cook & bake, salary $80,000-$90,000 monthly 30Almera Nissan Car- 1295 CC 50yrs, boarding & lodging Engine - $775,000 negotiable, free. Call: 222-4890 very good working condition. 116,000km Call: 616-1598 Experienced & Mature cashier & salesgirls. Apply CHRISTMAS SPECIAL: with written application @ SIENTA -$2.3M, RAUM American Variety Store, 140 $2.3M, RACTIS -$2.3M, Regent & Light Street. FIELDER -$2.6M, NEVER R E G I S T E R Live-in waitress Call: 661VEHICLE.CALL: 617-2891 5761 One (1) Nissan Escudo, good condition, owner leaving the country. Price $1.6M negotiable. Contact: 6683312/ 627-3609 FOR SALE
CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP REATES,SPECIAL OFFER FOR THE SUMMER. CALL: 690-6494
CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 6560087 , EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO. COM AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MIN BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPOTR & FAMILY OUTING, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807
One 45feet complete, cabin cruiser, trout seines, excellent condition. Call: 657-0044/ 648-6815 Trinidad: Columbia 16 Block plant, fully automated, production 12,000 blocks per day-$600,000USD. Email: clinttrintent@gmail.com One Nissan Tiida 2006 Hatch Back, in good condition. Call: 618-0292
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Cargo trawler- call:682-8724, 616-5954 Continue on page 23
Monday November 21, 2016
Kaieteur News
Trump team promises to address Burdened but unbowed, faces biggest test ethics concerns on businesses Merkel in tilt at fourth term Reuters - President-elect Donald Trump will work to ensure there is “proper separation” between his business empire and his job as president of the United States, Vice President-elect Mike Pence said yesterday, amid fresh concerns about conflict of interest following a meeting with Indian real estate executives. Trump, who has said he planned to turn over handling of the Trump Organisation to his adult children, has come under criticism for meeting on Tuesday with three Indian businessmen who are partners in a project to build a Trump-branded luxury apartment complex in Mumbai. Pence said on the CBS programme “Face the Nation” that Trump and his family would “work with the best legal minds in this country and create the proper separation from their business enterprise during his duties as
president of the United States.” A photo of the three executives meeting with Trump was posted on Twitter. Indian newspapers reported last week that the business leaders talked with the Trump Organisation about expanding the Trump branded projects in India. Incoming White House chief of staff Reince Priebus, speaking on CNN’s “State of the Union” programme, said Trump would comply with all laws and have the White House counsel’s office “review all of these things.” “And we will have every ‘I’ dotted and every ‘T’ crossed, and I can assure the American people that there wouldn’t be any wrongdoing, or any sort of undue influence over any decision-making,” Priebus said. Trump, who takes office on Jan. 20, has said his businesses will be overseen
Donald Trump by his three grown children, Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump and Eric Trump. Priebus was asked if it was appropriate for family members to sit in on official meetings after Ivanka Trump attended her father’s meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday.
Obama, Putin about Syria and Ukraine in quick summit meet
U.S. President Barack Obama talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Lima, Peru yesterday.. REUTERS/ Kevin Lamarque Reuters - U.S. President Barack Obama and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin spoke for around four minutes yesterday at the APEC summit about Syria and Ukraine, in what is likely to be their last in-person meeting before Obama leaves office. The two men met at the start of the summit meeting in Lima, Peru’s capital. They exchanged pleasantries and remained standing as they spoke. “The president urged President Putin to uphold Russia’s commitments under the Minsk agreements, underscoring the U.S. and our partners’ commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty,” a White House official said. Obama also emphasized the need for their two countries’ foreign ministers “to continue pursuing initiatives, together with the broader international community,
to diminish the violence and alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people,” the official said. After their brief talk, Obama greeted others at the meeting before sitting down. Obama and Putin have had a challenging relationship. The U.S. president said last week he had warned Putin about consequences for cyber attacks attributed to Moscow that were seen as trying to influence the U.S. election. During his race for the White House, Republican President-elect Donald Trump praised Putin.
Someone once said that division is caused more by impatience than by a conflict in creed.
Reuters - Announcing yesterday she will seek a fourth term in office, Germany’s Angela Merkel faces perhaps the biggest test of her career: defending the European and transatlantic status quo amid huge uncertainty for both. Already chancellor for 11 years, she must now anchor a western alliance shaken by Donald Trump’s U.S. election victory, and bind together a European Union in which Germany has forged its post-war identity but which now risks breaking apart. What is more, with the imminent departure of U.S. President Barack Obama, Merkel alone stands as the West’s last great hope for liberal democracy - a mantle she must assume from a position of diminished standing at home, and which may prove too much. “If she chooses to continue, she will have big burdens,” Obama told reporters during a farewell visit to Berlin last week. “I wish I could be there to lighten her load somewhat, but she is tough.” She will need to be. To succeed on the international stage in a fourth term, Merkel must first heal divisions over her open-door refugee policy that has alienated the Bavarian wing of her nation-wide conservative alliance. Polls put her Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) on around 33 percent, down some 10 percentage points from summer last year. Merkel will campaign for next September’s election in an increasingly fractured political landscape, in which the farright Alternative for Germany (AfD) is likely to enter the national parliament for the first time next year. Her likely coalition partners are the Social Democrats (SPD), who are some 10 points behind her conservatives and with whom she now rules. But the AfD’s rise makes coalition building more complicated and voters also risk becoming tired of her.
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Monday November 21, 2016
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Monday November 21, 2016
Kaieteur News
Japan’s PM seeks improved ties with China - government spokesman Reuters - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told Chinese President Xi Jinping yesterday that he aims to improve ties with China by capitalizing on key anniversaries for bilateral relations in the next few years, a Japanese government spokesman said. The two leaders held impromptu talks while attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Lima. Abe told Xi he would like to seek comprehensive improvement of ties with eyes on the 45th anniversary of the normalisation of diplomatic relations next year and 40th anniversary of the Japan-China peace and friendship treaty in 2018, the spokesman said. Ties between China and Japan, the world’s second- and thirdlargest economies, have been long strained by a territorial dispute.
Shinzo Abe
India train derails, at least 119 killed, more than 150 injured Reuters - At least 119 people were killed and more than 150 injured when an Indian express train derailed in northern state of Uttar Pradesh yesterday, with the toll set to rise amid a scramble to locate survivors. Police officials said people were still missing as authorities tried to ascertain what caused 14 carriages of the train travelling between the northeastern city of Patna and the central city of Indore to suddenly roll off the tracks in Pukhrayan, 65 km south of Kanpur city. Authorities said they were checking the condition of the tracks but would need to look further before concluding the cause of the derailment, India’s deadliest rail tragedy since more than 140 died in a 2010 collision in West Bengal. Desperate survivors searched for family members and some tried to enter the damaged carriages to rescue relatives and collect belongings, said senior railway official Pratap Rai. “We are using every tactic to save lives but it’s very difficult to cut the metal carriages,” he said from the accident site.
Kanpur district magistrate Kaushal Raj Sharma told Reuters that 119 people were confirmed dead, while 78 of the injured remained in hospital, four of them in a critical condition. With rescue teams still looking for victims amid the wreckage, the toll from the derailment could rise to become India’s worst rail tragedy in this century. In what was probably India’s worst rail disaster, a train plunged off a bridge and into a river in 1981 in Bihar state, killing an estimated 500 to 800 people. India’s creaking railway system is the world’s fourth largest. It runs 11,000 trains a day, including 7,000 passenger trains carrying more than 20 million people. But it has a poor safety record, with thousands of people dying in accidents every year, including in train derailments and collisions. Suresh Prabhu, India’s railways minister, said in a tweet that the government would investigate the causes of the derailment and promised accountability with the “strictest possible action”, as well as compensation for the affected passengers.
South Africa’s opposition parties urge Zuma to report corruption to police Reuters - South African opposition parties yesterday urged President Jacob Zuma to report acts of corruption after the scandal-plagued leader said he knows who is stealing public funds. Since coming to power in 2009, Zuma has survived a string of corruption scandals almost unscathed, but this month the country’s antigraft watchdog called for a judicial inquiry into allegations of influencepeddling in the ANC government. Zuma, in a bid to cement support in his home province of Kwazulu-Natal, on Friday told supporters in Zulu: “I know they are stealing. I’m just watching them. I know
Jacob Zuma them,” local media reported. Both the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), the nation’s two largest
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opposition parties, on Sunday called on Zuma to share the information he has with authorities. “President Jacob Zuma has a legal duty to report, to the law enforcement authorities, those who he knows to be engaged in criminal behaviour,” DAleader Mmusi Maimane said in a statement. The DA, which tabled a failed no-confidence motion against the president in Parliament last week, filed a criminal complaint against Zuma on Tuesday and will ask the police to also “investigate those people known by the President to be stealing”, Maimane said. Zuma must immediately report those stealing public funds, otherwise the EFF too will lodge a criminal complaint against the president, the EFF said in a statement.
Monday November 21, 2016
Hammond says budget options constrained by high debt Reuters - Britain’s first budget plan since the Brexit vote will not include a big new spending push because of “eye-wateringly” high public debt levels, but will have some help for the economy and struggling families, the country’s Chancellor said. Philip Hammond, who will spell out the economic priorities of the new government on Wednesday, said yesterday he wanted to keep some fiscal “head-room” as two years of difficult negotiations about leaving the European Union approach. “Over the next couple of years we are going to face some uncertainty over the economy,” he said in an interview with BBC television yesterday. “But then we will have a whole raft of opportunities and we need to get the country ready to be able to seize those.” Britain’s economy has so far defied forecasts of an immediate Brexit recession made by Hammond’s predecessor George Osborne, reducing the urgency for a major fiscal stimulus. But most economists expect a sharp slowdown in 2017, pushing up unemployment at a time when inflation is likely to rise sharply, further squeezing many households.
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Philip Hammond Prime Minister Theresa May has promised to work for “just managing” Britons, many of whom delivered the biggest British political upset in generations in June’s vote for Brexit. This month’s surprise victory of Donald Trump in the U.S. presidential election underscored the degree of frustration with living standards felt by voters around the world. Hammond is expected to announce measures to help struggling families, such as targeted tax cuts, when he delivers the halfyearly Autumn Statement budget update in parliament. “We’ve got to make sure that the
prosperity that comes from seizing opportunities ahead is shared across the country and across the income distribution,” he told the BBC. Two British newspapers said Hammond was considering a temporary cut to value-added tax, which would help poorer families most but would be costly to the public finances, as an option that he might use next year. But with public debt of 1.6 trillion pounds, equivalent to 84 percent of economic output last year, its highest level in nearly 50 years, Hammond said the government was “highly constrained”. Yesterday, the Treasury announced 1.3 billion pounds ($1.60 billion) in new spending on roads as part of the plans to increase Britain’s weak productivity growth. May is expected to speak on Monday about plans her ministers are drawing up for a new industrial strategy. Britain’s opposition Labour Party said the government was being too timid with its modest plans for spending increases. “It’s a minor change in direction when this Autumn Statement should be a significant reversal of economic strategy,” John McDonnell, Labour’s top finance official, told the BBC.
St. Vincent Diaspora Mapping Project launched in NY NEW YORK - CMC – The Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, through its Regional Integration and Diaspora Unit (RIDU), has launched the country’s Diaspora Mapping Project in the United States. The project – launched at the Friends of Crown Heights Educational Centre in Brooklyn, is being implemented in partnership with the United Nations’ International Organisation for Migration (IOM). “Let me count it a privilege to address you, members of the Vincentian Diaspora in New York,” said Maxwell Charles, a former government minister in the administration of Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, now serving as RIDU Deputy Director. The former director, Ellsworth John, has been assigned as the country’s ambassador to Cuba. Charles, who was accompanied by RIDU administrative assistant Renitta Peters, said RIDU was “delighted at this great idea,” which was launched simultaneously with 40th anniversary of Vincy Mas 2017 here. “The Diaspora, perhaps, on whose shoulders the success of this Mapping Project lies, will play an integral part in its success,” he said,
Maxwell Charles adding that, over the years, the country has “witnessed a migration pattern among our citizens – one that is directed towards the US, Canada, the UK [United Kingdom] and the Caribbean. “The result is a Diaspora that is becoming more and more diversified in a changing world,” he told the audience that comprised nationals of all walks of life. “We have among us today valuable resources in the form of human capital that is yet to be fully utilized. The Diaspora is playing, and can even play, a greater role in the development of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.”
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Monday November 21, 2016
PAJ: Jamaica Must Support Call For Appointment Of UN Rep For Safety Of Journalists The Gleaner - The Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) has thrown its support behind a campaign for the appointment of a Special Representative to the United Nation (UN) Secretary General for the Safety of Journalists. The PAJ is urging the Government of Jamaica to support the initiative within the halls of power at the UN. The campaign was started by the international group Reporters Without Borders in response to data which shows that 787 journalist have been killed in the last 10 years while carrying out their duties. Last year alone Reporters Without Borders say 65 journalist were killed across the Globe. PAJ President Dionne Jackson Miller says the appointment of a Special Representative to the UN Secretary General would be very important in helping to ensure the implementation of the Plan for the Safety of Journalists.
Dionne Jackson Miller
Too much ‘indecision’
Sir David Simmons
Daily Nation - Indecision among some judges in the High Court is a contributing factor to the delays in the judicial system, former chief justice of Barbados Sir David Simmons has said. He acknowledged, however, that there were systematic inefficiencies in the system that had caused excessive delays and backlogs in both pre- and post-Independent Barbados. Sir David was speaking on Friday night at a public lecture held at the Supreme Court, Whitepark Road, St Michael, where he spoke frankly to tardy decision making as also a major element. During his more than two-hour-long presentation titled Sustaining the Judicial Branch of Government for 50th after Independence, Sir David, a former attorney general under a Barbados Labour Party administration argued that a judge who could not make up his or her mind was doing a disservice to the system.
NUPW threat ‘absolute madness’ Daily Nation - The impasse between Government and the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) stands to threaten Barbados at a most critical time. That’s the bleak assessment of Barbados Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCI) president Eddie Abed, regarding the NUPW-led industrial action and its effects on the country. Over the last week, the NUPW directed its members among immigration and custom officers at ports of entry to slow down on the job, and on Friday asked general staff at the Grantley Adams International Airport to join in the industrial action, after rejecting a proposal by Government for the workers to form part of wage negotiations with the public sector. The action is reported to have resulted in lengthy lines at the airport.
Eddie Abed
Mexico president’s rating hits new low after Trump victory MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto’s approval rating has slumped to a new low since Donald Trump won the U.S. presidency last week, in part due to his invitation of the real estate tycoon to Mexico during the campaign, a poll showed yesterday. The survey by polling firm Buendia & Laredo for newspaper El Universal said approval of Pena Nieto’s performance had fallen to 25 percent from 29 percent in July, hurt by discontent about the economy, rising violence and failure to battle corruption.
Pena Nieto’s six-year term concludes at the end of November 2018, and opinion polls show his centrist Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) faces an uphill battle to retain power after the next presidential election, scheduled for July 2018. Mexican law bars the president from seeking reelection. The government is scrambling to head off the risk of an economic shock from the election of Trump, who has pledged to isolate Mexico behind a border wall, and threatened to impose steep tariffs on Mexican goods and
tear up a joint trade deal. To try and create some leverage, Pena Nieto’s government hosted Trump for talks on Aug. 31. However, the hastily-arranged visit was staged with scant input from the cabinet and created the impression it was realized on Trump’s terms. Some 66 percent of respondents said Pena Nieto had made a mistake in inviting Trump because he had offended Mexicans in the election campaign. Only 30 percent believed it was a wise move that furthered Mexico’s interests, the survey showed.
Monday November 21, 2016
Amin, Chaves, Black & Kissoon earn... From page 31 Sensei Chaves in his closing remarks recognized all who participated and made clear that they all were winners despite placements. He stated, that win or lose, they all can take away something from each other ’s performance. He then commended his officials/judges - Sensei Neville Holder -4th Dan, Sensei Marvin Singh-3rd Dan, Sensei Marlon George2nd Dan, Sempai Randolph Singh-1st Dan and Sempai Samuel
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Arjoon-1st Dan for officiating at the level they did. Sensei Chaves held the position as the chief judge for the tournament. He also expressed thanks to their corporate sponsors, the organizing committee of the National Sport Commission for use of the Gymnasium, parents and supporters. He highlighted that the organization’s focus now is on preparing students for their upcoming grading exercise on Saturday December 10th.
Narayan Ramdhani finishes 5th in Vancouver Island University U-23 Badminton tourney G u y a n a ’ s Sunburst Badminton Champion Narayan Ramdhani, who is currently on Scholarship in Vancouver, Canada, training in Badminton at Shuttlesport Badminton Academy and pursuing a degree in Sports Science, placed 5th overall in Men Singles draw of sixteen players in the University Under-23 Tournament which was played in Nanaimo on Saturday last. The 18-year-old Narayan old and still a Junior Player, represented Shuttlesport to reach the Quarterfinals in the Main Draw by defeating Robert Foster of Vancouver Island University 21-13, 21-18, but lost to James Ho of University of British Colombia 21-14, 19-21, 21-5 in a thrilling three setter that stopped him from reaching the Semi-Finals. James Ho eventually won the Tournament. In the Placement Draw, Narayan defeated Thomas Tran of Simon Fraser University: 21-9, 21-7 and Jack Chen of University of British Colombia: 21-23, 21-10, 2112 to gain the 5th place overall in the Tournament.
Narayan Ramdhani Narayan was down to team up with Zack Fan of Shuttlesport to play in the Men Under-23 Doubles yesterday.
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Kaieteur News
Monday November 21, 2016
Courts Pee Wee Schools Football Championship Jaguars eyeing victory after leaving Hurricanes tall order St. Angela’s two-peat to Ruimveldt create history - West finish third
BASSETERRE, St Kitts, CMC – Two-time reigning champions Guyana Jaguars will fancy their chances of a victory on Monday’s final day after batting themselves into a strong position against Leeward Islands Hurricanes in their Regional Four-Day contest yesterday. Chris Barnwell top-scored with 61 and fellow all-rounder Raymon Reifer got 46 as Jaguars, with a lead of 135 on first innings, eased to 233 for eight in their second innings at Warner Park on the penultimate day of the game. Captain Leon Johnson made 28, opener Rajindra Chandrika scored 24 and wicketkeeper Anthony Bramble, 22. Leg-spinner Hayden Walsh Jr was the leading bowler with four for 56 while offspinner Rahkeem Cornwall claimed two for 72. Set 369 for victory, Hurricanes defied the odds and ended the day without losing a wicket, perched on 44 without loss with Montcin Hodge on 26 and captain Kieran Powell on 20. They require a further 325 runs to pull off an improbable win. The hosts added just one to their overnight first innings score of 157
before they were dismissed in the day’s first over but Jaguars then stuttered, slipping to 70 for four just after lunch. Shimron Hetmyer was caught at the wicket off seamer Quinton Boatswain, trying to cut one too close to him at 25 for one, Chandrika fell to another catch the wicket after topedging Cornwall at 45 for two and Vishaul Singh was lbw to Walsh Jr for two. Shakily placed on 64 for three at lunch, Jaguars were further set back when Johnson perished via the run out route, in the third over following the resumption. However, Barnwell mustered his eighth first class half-century, in an innings spanning 121 balls and 2-1/2 hours and which included six boundaries. He put on 39 for the fifth wicket with veteran left-hander Shiv Chanderpaul who made 20 and added a further 79 for the sixth wicket with Reifer, who struck five fours and a six in a breezy 75-ball knock. The two partnerships deflated Hurricanes and though they claimed three wickets for 47 runs late on, any initiative had already slipped by.
Highest Goalscorer of the Tournament St. Angela’s Seon Cato receives his trophy from Non-Alcoholic Brand Manager Clayton McKenzie during the presentation of prizes yesterday.
All-rounder Chris Barnwell … top-scored with 61. (file photo)
St. Angela’s created history when they successfully defended their Courts Pee Wee Schools Football Championship after squeezing past neighbours St. Agnes 1-0 in the final yesterday, at the Banks DIH ground, Thirst Park. Played before a large crowd, tournament topscorer Seon Cato once again made the difference, netting his eleventh goal of the event in the 12th minute which proved to be the decisive goal that secured the championship trophy for the defending champs. Cato pierced the defence from close range, stabbing home to send the team’s supporters into frenzy. It came after a fierce shot was deflected into his path and he made no mistake in hitting the target. It was a game that provided fans with a lot of excitement as both teams came close to scoring on many occasions, but was nullified by brilliant goalkeeping from both keepers. With the win, St. Angela’s became the only team to complete the tournament
without conceding a single goal. They waltzed off with the winning trophy and medals, new team uniforms and a flat screen television. Meanwhile, the runnersup received the second place trophy, medals and a flat screen television. In the third place playoff, West Ruimveldt edged St. Pius 1-0 through a solitary strike from Kenneth Gordon in the 24th minute. They received their prizes and a flat screen television, while St. Pius collected the fourth placed trophy and a flat screen television. In the individual awards, St. Angela’s swept the player accolades with Antwoine Vincent capturing the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, while Shuwabe Hutson and Cato collected the Best Goalkeeper and Highest Goalscorer honours respectively. Also, Troy Wright and Carrin Carter of St. Agnes were adjudged the Best Coach and Most Supportive Parent correspondingly. In the 5-8 section, Marian Academy edged North Georgetown 6-5 on sudden death kicks after normal and extra time ended 1-1 to clinch the fifth spot. Shaquan Walters scored for North Georgetown in the seventh minute, while Nicholas Verwey equalised in the 28th minute. St. Stephen’s defeated F.E. Pollard 2-1 on penalty
kicks following a scoreless regulation and extra times to seal the seventh position. In the 9-12 category, Winfer Gardens crushed St. Margaret’s 4-0 to secure the ninth position. Orlando Dickie scored a hat-trick in the fourth, 10th and 30th minutes, while Calvin Bowling netted in the 23rd minute. Meanwhile, Stella Maris edged Tucville 1-0 to cement the 11th position with Fedel Norville, the player on target in the 49th minute. In the 13-16 section, South Ruimveldt secured the 13th position after defeating Redeemer 2-0. Gordanny George and Antonio Leitch netted in the 12th and 40th minute respectively. Claiming 15th place was Mae’s who edged St. Gabriel’s 1-0. Ganesh Persaud scored in the fourth minute. Trophies were presented to each of the 16 finishers. Meeting the teams prior to the kickoff were GFF President Wayne Forde, Petra Organization Co-Director Troy Mendonca, Malta Brand Manager Clayton McKenzie, Courts Marketing Director Pernel Cummings and Courts Financial Director Neil Boucher. The ceremonial kickoff was done by Boucher. Closing remarks in the event were made by Forde, McKenzie, Boucher and Mendonca. Also, on board was Banks DIH under its Smalta Supreme brand.
Monday November 21, 2016
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Amin, Chaves, Black & Kissoon earn top spots at Shokoguy 2016 National Karate Tournament Euphoria filled the National Gymnasium last Saturday November 12th, when Shotokan Karate-do of Guyana – National Park (ShokoGuy) hosted their annual National Karate Tournament. The tournament commenced at 13:30 hours and was officially opened by 4th Dan - Chief Instructor Sensei Christopher Chaves. In his opening remarks, he encouraged that all participants must endeavor to do their best, allowing good sportsmanship like conduct and camaraderie to prevail. He also emphasized that the tournament is the culmination of all the training sessions they would have undergone, and will allow the
competitors to test their skills in a controlled environment such as this annual national tournament. He also added, that this tournament sets the stage for the competitors who perform outstanding to be selected to represent Guyana at the International Shotokan Karate Federation Goodwill Camp and Tournament to be held in June 2017 in Philadelphia, USA. As the tournament got underway, the competitiveness was clear throughout the divisions, as noticeably, all the competitors were eager to ink their names in the top place to be secure their spot on next years’ US team. From the 5 to 6 year old Kata & Kumite division to the
teenagers division to the adults division, the competitiveness was consistent. There were several highlights of this tournament. Among those were the adult black belt Kata and Kumite contest. In the 1st round of the Kata contest, back to back champion Shaqueel Amin performed advance kata –Kanku-Shoearning 19.1 points. His keen contestant Prince Roberts performed Sochin and eased passed him with his performance, earning 19.5 points. However, in the 2nd round, Amin came back to win when he performed Unsu (kata) earning 19.4 points over Prince Roberts who performed Kata Gojushiho earning 18.9 points.
Prince also sustained a 0.1 point deduction for a technical flaw, and this denied him 1st place. Abdul Kellman placed 3rd with 36. 6 points. For the same division, the Kumite contest was also closely contested. Amin and Roberts held a draw after the first 3 minutes of free sparring. Subsequent to their draw, a 1 minute extension was allowed, and Amin was able to score first with a reverse punch to move to the next round. In that bout, he competed against challenger Abdur Kellman and was able to dispense of him to claim Kumite top spot as well. Another major highlight of this tournament was the featured demonstrations done by the
reigning Guyana Kata & Kumite Champion team: Randolph Singh, Shaqueel Amin, and Prince Roberts. Combined the performed a picturesque display of the Kata Tekki Shodan followed by a related Bunkai (the application for this Kata) which the spectators got to witness first hand. Amin, then got to demonstrate the power of basic karate techniques by breaking solid 1X12 boards using his bare hands and feet. In solicited feedback, many of the parents and spectators present expressed satisfaction with the organization of the tournament and how the students conducted themselves. Continued on page 29
The participants and officials take time out for a photo following the tournament and presentation.
Brilliant Alleyne century puts Red Force on ropes P O RT O F S PA I N , Trinidad, CMC – Opener Anthony Alleyne blasted a boundary-studded maiden first class hundred here yesterday to install Barbados Pride as heavy favourites to win their Regional Four-Day second round contest against Trinidad and Tobago Red Force. The 23-year-old lefthanded carved out a brilliant 186 to fall just short of a double hundred as the visitors dominated the third day of the game at Queen’s Park Oval, piling up 317 for two declared in their second innings. Shamarh Brooks chipped in with an unbeaten 76 while opener Omar Phillips got 40. Set an improbable target of 392 for victory, Red Force stumbled to the close on 57 for three – still 335 runs adrift. Barbadian opener Kyle Hope made 26 while Yannic Cariah got 25. Resuming the day on 20 without loss, Pride once again bossed proceedings
courtesy of Alleyne, who extended his rich vein of form while anchoring two century partnerships. In only his 11th first class outing, he put on 101 for the first wicket with Phillips and then took the game away from Red Force by spearheading a 216-run, second wicket stand with Brooks. All told, Alleyne faced 215 deliveries in just over 4-1/2 hours at the crease and struck 24 fours and two fours. Unbeaten on 10 at the start of the day, Alleyne did the bulk of the scoring in the morning session to raise his third half-century in as many innings off 70 deliveries with ten fours, half-hour before lunch. Phillips fell six overs before the interval, lbw to leg-spinner Imran Khan, but Alleyne pushed on to be 67 not out at the break, with Pride on 136 for one. Alleyne, who topscored with 88 in the first innings, then completed a deserving century about 50 minutes following the
resumption, off 140 balls with 16 fours. Brooks, unbeaten on 21 at lunch, reached his 11th first class halfcentury about 35 minutes before tea, facing 86 balls and counted six fours. At the interval, Pride were cruising on 279 for one, with Alleyne on 163 and Brooks on 64, and the
pair gathered another 38 runs off 40 balls afterwards, before the declaration came when Alleyne was finally out. The right-handed Brooks hit seven fours off 136 balls in 170 minutes. Te s t s e a m e r K e m a r Roach immediately put the Red Force innings in strife when he removed Imran
Khan for a first ball ‘duck’ off the second ball of the innings, caught at the wicket with the score on two. Hope and Cariah then resisted in a 48-run second wicket stand that seemed to be taking Red Force safely to the close. The right-handed Hope faced 44 deliveries and
Opener Anthony Alleyne celebrates reaching his maiden first class century against T&T Red Force at Queen’s Park Oval on Sunday. (Photo courtesy WICB Media)
counted five fours while Cariah, a left-hander, also struck five boundaries in a 47ball innings. H o w e v e r, H o p e w a s bowled by captain and medium pacer Kevin Stoute on 50 for two and with six runs added, off-spinner K e n r o y Wi l l i a m s a l s o breached Cariah’s defence in the fourth over before the close, leaving Red Force with a mountain top climb on Monday’s final day. Scores: At Queen’s Park Oval: Red Force require a further 335 runs for victory with seven wickets intact. B A R B A D O S PRIDE 242 (Anthony Alleyne 88, Kenroy Wi l l i a m s 4 6 ; S h e l d o n Cottrell 3-27, Imran Khan 361) and 317 for two decl. (Anthony Alleyne 186, Shamarh Brooks 76 not out, Omar Phillips 40) TRINIDAD & TOBAGO RED FORCE 168 (Roshon Primus 65, Imran Khan 35; Kenroy Williams 3-21) and 57 for three (Kyle Hope 26, Yannic Cariah 25)
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Monday November 21, 2016
Max Persaud is champ in keenly GBA President, Ninvalle contested Grand Coastal Golf Tourney to walk to raise funds Despite the rain earlier in the day the golfers turned up to compete excitedly at the Grand Coastal Hotel & Restaurant of Le Ressouvenir, East Coast Demerara’s Annual Golf tournament on Saturday last. In fact, if anything, the rain helped the ground to be in very good condition for the day’s competition. And quite a competition it was, with the top five places (only four received prizes) experiencing ties for 1st and 4th place! This was at least the 11th annual tournament of Grand Coastal, rated as “your number one choice for business or pleasure
accommodations in Guyana, South America,” which also co-sponsored the recent Guyana Digicel Open 2016. The golfers fought hard to win, but at the end of the day winners in the Best Net category were:1st Parmanand Max Persaud 65/ 13 ; 2nd Aleem Hussain 65/ 17; 3rd Richard Haniff 66/15; and 4th Joaan Deo 67/21; 5th would have been Kalyan Tewari 67/14. As usual the 1st and 4th place winners were decided on their back nine performances over their ties. Honourable mention must be made of Fazil Haniff 68/14; Laksmana Ramroop 69/23;
and Patanjalee Pur Persaud 70/16, also in the top bracket. Best Gross was won by Jaipaul Suknanan (78/7) and Nearest to The Pin by Aleem Hussain. Champion of the day, Max Persaud, said, “My game is now on. It’s a pity it’s too late for the 2016 Guyana Open, but I will be a serious contender for the 2017 Guyana Open. I had some excellent long drives, and good end games, having to do a 9-ft putt on my last hole in order to win, and I did it!” Grand Coastal Manager, Mr Ramesh Taykoo, in congratulating the winners,
expressed his Company’s delight to be participating in developing golf via the annual golf tournament. He also expressed appreciation for the Grand Coastal staff who came out in support of the Company. Golf Club President, Oncar Ramroop was high in praise of Grand Coastal who has over ten years given support not only in sponsoring tournaments but in any other way when called upon. He again highlighted the readiness with which Grand Coastal, at very short notice, co-sponsored the 2016 Digicel Guyana Open.
Steve Ninvalle (left) and Seon Bristol, who has pledged support for the walk. (File photo)
Winners pose with Grand Coast Manager and Golf Club President. From left;- Aleem Hussain, Richard Haniff, Joaan Deo, Max Persaud, Ramesh Taykoo, Oncar Ramroop, Jaipaul Suknanan.
Windies clinch series with game to spare VIJAYAWADA, India, CMC – West Indies Women remained true to form when they clinched their threematch Twenty20 International series against India with an uncomplicated 31-run victory in the second game here yesterday. Defending 137 for five at the Mulapadu Cricket Stadium, the Caribbean side knocked over the hosts for 106 off 18.1 overs, to win their second game in three days and make up for the pain of their 3-0 whitewash in the preceding one-day series. Sent in, West Indies Women were again propelled by captain Stafanie Taylor who top-scored with 47 while veteran Deandra Dottin
stroked 35 and teenaged opener Hayley Matthews, 27. Seamer Shikha Pandey was the best bowler with two for 29. Matthews gave the innings impetus in a brisk 28ball knock which included five fours but she and Britney Cooper (5) fell in the space of nine deliveries to leave the visitors on 41 for two in the eighth over. Taylor then expertly anchored two key partnership to ensure West Indies built a competitive total. First, she put on 48 for the third wicket with Dottin, who dominated with a 21-ball cameo which included five boundaries. Secondly, she added a
further 48 for the fourth wicket with former captain Merissa Aguilleira whose 21 came from 17 balls and included two fours. All told, Taylor faced 46 deliveries and counted four fours. India Women then found themselves in early trouble when they lost Smriti Mandhana cheaply for four off the fourth ball of the innings with the score on five and several attempts to revive the innings failed. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur top-scored with a brisk 43 off 37 balls with a four and three sixes while Deepti Sharma chipped in with 24 from 21 balls, but the hosts struggled to put partnerships
together. Deepti Sharma added 24 for the second wicket with Meghna Singh (17) and another 22 for the fourth with Kaur for the best stands of the innings. When Deepti Sharma was caught and bowled by offspinner Anisa Mohammed in the 11th over, India Women were struggling on 59 for four, and Mohammed and Dottin combined to trigger a collapse which saw the last six wickets go down for 47 runs. Mohammed finished with three for 23 and seamer Dottin picked up three for 24 – including Kaur who was last out. The final game of the series is carded for tomorrow.
President of the Guyana Boxing Association Steve Ninvalle may have a date with destiny shortly when he attempts a one hundred mile walk in bid to raise funds to send a team of boxers and officials to the Caribbean Development championship in Barbados. Ninvalle said yesterday that a decision was made to do the walk as sponsorship was slow in coming and Guyana, being a central figure in Caribbean boxing needed to be represented at the championships. The walk will start in Berbice on Friday December 2 and conclude in Georgetown on Sunday December 4. Donations would be sought from the general public and corporate Guyana. The walk has already generated interest as Seon Bristol of Briso Promotions yesterday pledged one thousand dollars for every mile Ninvalle completes. Contacted for a comment, the New York based Bristol commended Ninvalle for his dedication to the sport. “I don’t think that I have ever seen any sport administrator risk his personal health for such a cause. I am overwhelmed by this and have pledged my support. It is my hope that others would see the need to follow suit,” Bristol said. The Guyana Olympic Association last week handed over a cheque for five hundred thousand dollars to the GBA, but the association needs another two million dollars to get the team of 13 boxers, five referee/judges and three coaches to Barbados. Guyana hosted the first Caribbean Development tournament last year when 13 countries participated. An additional four countries are expected in Barbados. Boxers have been going trough paces at the Andrew Lewis gym in Albouystown under coach Sebert Blake, Clifton Moore, Adrian Thomas, Wincell Thomas and Technical Director Terrence Poole. Ninvalle is no stranger to such activities. In November 1994 himself and amputee William France took 48 hours to conqueror 100 miles. The general public is being encouraged to lend support to Mr. Ninvalle in his quest.
Shomari Wiltshire storms... From page 33 Rebecca Low – Third Category C Michael Alphonso – Winner Ethan Jonas – Second Demetrius De Abreu – Third Category D Madison Fernandes – Winner Kirsten Gomes – Second Abosaide Cadogan – Third Category E James Mekdeci – Winner Mohyryan Baksh – Second Zachary Persaud – Third Paige Fernandes – Fourth Category F Louis Da Silva – Winner Mikhail Persaud – Second Nicholas Verwey – Third Liam Carpenter – Fourth
Category G Jahcinta Adams – Winner Teija Edwards – Second Beau Fernandes – Third Category H Elan Rahaman – Winner Rayad Boyce – Second Rayden Persaud – Third Category I Noah Rahaman – Winner Dhiren Persaud – Second Aishani Persaud – Third Malia Maikoo – Fourth Kirsten Gomes – Most improved girl Alex Cheeks – Most improved boy Madison Fernandes – Most outstanding girl Michael Alphonso – Most outstanding boy