Wednesday November 22, 2017
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Kaieteur News
A Behavioural Science Unit is The jury is still out on required for the Police Force Mugabe’s achievements DEAR EDITOR, I again make a clarion call for the establishment of a Behavioural Science Unit in the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to focus on, among other issues, promoting acceptable behaviour of its members. If behaviour is not urgently and adequately addressed in the GPF, ranks will continue to display deviant conduct, thereby tarnishing the image of the force and eroding its public confidence. I write against the background of the recent shooting of a female rank by a male member of the force who apparently committed suicide. The report about a month ago of another male member of the force stationed in Berbice who also took his own life by hanging after images of him kissing another person of the same sex surfaced in the social media and the constant reports in the print and electronic media and elsewhere of inappropriate behaviour committed by members of the force at various levels, including recruits and senior officers. Behaviour is a major phenomenon that the Guyana Police Force must deal with
as they set out to achieve the objectives of the force under section 3 (2) of the Police Act Chapter 16:01 and the unwritten expectations imposed on them by society. The police must not only deal with the behaviour of criminals, but also the behaviour of the general public, the behaviour of their families, their friends and their own behaviour. They can no longer regard the study of behaviour as the sole concern of the psychologist and psychiatrist. They must learn about behaviour and the behavioural science in order to effectively and safely carry out the job. What is required is a holistic approach towards behaviour at all levels in the GPF. Piecemeal efforts will only produce piecemeal results. Cops and Faith Network and the establishment of a Suicide Section in the force to monitor suicide hotline are good initiatives, but their scope of operations is limited. We cannot be attempting to serve problems on the outside when those same problems are affecting us on the inside. A Behavioral Science Unit staffed with fit and proper persons will go a far way towards promoting
acceptable behaviour among members of the GPF. Some of the areas that such a unit can focus on are: communication, cultural sensitivity, conflict resolution - Do you resolve conflict by resorting to the boots, baton, the bayonet or through the barrel of a gun? - self esteem, emotional intelligence, policing multi-cultural and diverse communities, effectively dealing with people, effective investigations, cultural awareness, anger management, critical thinking, skills, capacity to act and ability to apply knowledge. Several years ago I attended the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Academy. My interactions with their Behavioral Science Unit then and thereafter enabled me to deal effectively with members of the public during the execution of my duties as a law enforcement officer and in my relationship with my friends and family. I am certain that the creation of a similar unit in the GPF will go a long way towards promoting greater trust and public confidence in the GPF. Clinton Conway Assistant Commissioner of Police (Retired)
Payment of Property Taxes by escrow accounts DEAR EDITOR, A lot of noise continues to be made about the difficulty in getting property owners to pay their taxes to the Georgetown city’s tax collectors and to the other various town and village authorities. I wish to suggest that the medium of escrow or impound accounts, be actively pursued, whereby those monies could be paid to the authorities in instances by the mortgager from the term repayment of mortgage loan by the mortgagee. This amount of taxes would be in addition to that for property insurance which would normally be put in place on signing of a mortgage by the
two parties. The city, town and village authorities may consider improving their revenue base by looking into the implementation of a blight tax levy on buildings whose appearance leave so much to be desired. This would drive down real estate values in the entire neighbourhood. This move by the authorities would be aimed, in the main, at those speculators who buy
‘rundown’ buildings as an investment, but they remain eye sores in a green environment. Instances of the use of this medium widely exists, and there should be no difficulty after discussion by concerned parties in getting central government to draw up the requisite legislation for its implementation. Aubrey Alexander Deputy Director Civil Aviation (Ret’d)
When we pause and experience silence, we discover answers that activity does not have time to reveal. During your day, take threeminute “vacations”. Relax and re-energise. Take time out to feel the peace of silence.
DEAR EDITOR, After serving for over thirty-seven years as head of state for his country, Zimbabwe, Mr Robert Mugabe has stepped down as its President. Robert Mugabe became the first Prime Minister of independent Zimbabwe in 1980, eventually ruling the country with near-dictatorial powers for almost four decades. He was a teacher in North Rhodesia and Ghana before becoming involved in nationalist politics in South Rhodesia in the late 1950s. He was “detained” by the white government of Ian Smith for his actions (1964-74), and
after his release, helped lead the armed struggle for independence. He was named Prime Minister of the newly formed Zimbabwe in 1980 and re-elected in 1985. In 1987 he established one-party rule, having himself named Executive President after the post of prime minister was abolished. By 1989 he’d managed to unite the Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU) and the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) to become the unchallenged boss. A hero of the struggle to end white rule, Robert Mugabe’s early reputation as a grassroots leader eroded
after decades of autocratic rule, and in the 2010s his advanced age led to much speculation about who would succeed him. In November of 2017, Zimbabwe’s army announced that it had placed Mugabe under house arrest in what it called a “bloodless transition” rather than a coup. And finally on November 21, 2017, it was announced by state radio and Television that Mugabe resigned from office after almost four decades in office What are his achievements? Well the jury is still out on that vexing matter and that also depends on who scripts it. Rooplall Dudhnath
The devil is in the detail DEAR EDITOR, I was taken aback as I looked at the front page of the November 20, 2017 Guyana Chronicle which screamed out “Public debt service down 41.2 per cent”. For me, this was an amazing statement, and I immediately had to read the story on page three (3). Sadly, my enthusiasm was quickly deflated as I read the article. Immediately, I was reminded of the old adage “the devil is in the detail”. From what I read, the decline is due in large part to the reduction payments that accrued to the Petro-Caribe fuel/rice trade agreement with Venezuela. With the cessation of the arrangement sometime in 2015, we stopped getting fuel on concessionary terms and our rice farmers lost a huge market. In fact, if we go by the figures in the article our farmers lost more than $9B
dollars. This, undoubtedly, for the farmers was a steep decline and a very harsh shock. But as bad as that may be, it also means now that demand for foreign exchange has risen as our fuel purchases have to be paid up front. It is no surprise we have been experiencing foreign exchange shortages. Under the oil-for-rice arrangement, our farmers were paid in Guyana dollars, relaxing pressures on the foreign exchange, while at the same time providing employment and income for many Guyanese. Unfortunately, this lucrative arrangement was scrapped and there has been no replacement. The article goes on making a lot of hullabaloo about the reduction in debt servicing - seeming to indicate that it was the doing
of the APNU+AFC. This is, however, downright deceitful and misleading. The reality is that the reduction in debt has to do largely with the massive debt write-offs, a call that was initiated by Dr. Cheddi Jagan. Concomitant with that call was the expansion of the economy which improved revenues, which in turn was used to develop the country, thus further expanding the economy. Today, however, if we go by the recent borrowing spree the Government has engaged in and the widening fiscal deficit, it seems we are firmly on the road to massive indebtedness once more. I sincerely hope that I am wrong and that the fortunes of the economy will turn around, failing which, Guyanese now and tomorrow are in for a rough and harrowing ride. Patricia Persaud
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday November 22, 2017
The Witness Protection Bill needs careful revision DEAR EDITOR, The Attorney General and Minister for Legal Affairs Mr Basil Williams recently tabled a Protection Disclosures Bill and the Witness Protection Bill. These Bills are meant to encourage persons coming forward with what they know or have witnessed in criminal proceedings. While this is a good bill and worthy of its institution into the Guyanese society however, I am very doubtful whether anyone would take the Attorney General seriously. Reasons being, the People of this country do not, and I repeat, do not in any shape or form trust this government to adequately handle their private and
personal revelations, especially in the light of recent occurrences with state apparatus such as the police. The wording of this bill speaks to a government who is hunting around desperately seeking all the information they can get on poor unsuspecting citizens so that they can in turn humiliate and illegally prosecute them. The history we share in this country between governmental set-ups and ordinary citizens coming out as whistleblowers is very morbid to say the least. The most recent incident being the horrible death of Mr Godfrey Scipio. His death, or should I say, his murder was no accident, the sequence of
Haitians and other refugees deserve America’s help! DEAR EDITOR, The recent attack on immigrants and minorities by the Trump administration to end temporary protected status and send 60,000 Haitians back to suffering and pain in their country - the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere - is the latest in an alarming trend. Haiti cannot provide for them, and this decision is inhumane and unconscionable. This status was extended to Haitians, as America has done in the past with several other countries, after a destructive earthquake hit the island nation in 2010. With its poor economy, infrastructure and resources, Haiti is incapable of repatriating tens of thousands of people. Conscious of, and humbled by, its people’s suffering, the Haitian government had asked the Trump administration to extend the protected status. After all, America has a conscience. Haitians are the second-largest group of foreigners with temporary status. The protection is extended to people already in the United States who have come from countries severely affected by natural disasters or armed conflict that prevents their citizens from returning or prevents their country from adequately receiving them. Roughly 40,000 people who lost their homes in the earthquake still live in camps for the displaced, and a cholera epidemic killed thousands of people in the aftermath of the earthquake. Struggling to recover from the earthquake, they relied heavily on the money expatriates send to them back home to survive, but that lifeline will now be cut from them. Moreover, the decision to end the program will uproot the lives of Haitians who have been in the United States for years, most of whom live in Florida, home to roughly two-thirds of Haitian TPS enrollees. Haitians sent home will face dire conditions, including lack of housing, inadequate health services and unemployment. It will precipitate double hardship. Indeed, a permanent legislative solution must be found within the 18-month grace period. The move means that the Haitians given temporary protected status, or TPS, may remain until July 22, 2019, but could face deportation after that date. This is unconscionable, and a more humane solution must be found. El Salvador has the largest group of Temporary Protected Status beneficiaries in the United States, nearly 200,000 people. The Department of Homeland Security is scheduled to announce next month whether it will rescind or renew protection for that country, which is plagued with gang violence and high unemployment. protection applies to Salvadorans who were in the United States without permission on February 13, 2001, and was granted after deadly earthquakes destroyed their home country. Protections for Nicaraguans ended last month, and similar protections for Hondurans loom large. These countries’ citizens living in here need help and humanitarian consideration also. Others who now benefit include people from Nepal, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria and Yemen, and the Trump administration must not continue to err on the side of cruelty and hostility to these nationals. That’s not the America we want, nor is that the America we have been! Albert Baldeo
events are too coincidental. This is a serious indictment on the police, who are supposed to be the guardians of our confidentiality. When these things happen the ordinary citizen would not want to venture out on a limb to furnish any information to the police. They would rather stay quiet than be branded traitor or snitch. Being a whistleblower means that one’s life can very well be on the line. Citizens would rather stay quiet than be another statistic in this long list of persons who dare come forward with valuable information. And you cannot blame them for this because when you view the way peace officers, members of their own ranks, were treated during the crime spree, you get the true picture as to how rotten and downright murderous those whom we put our trust and confidence in can be. But for the revelation and certain capture of a notorious criminal in turn, how cheap another Guyanese’s life can be. Kill him! He talks too much! Or as in the case of the “Fineman” years, those officers met their demise because they dared step out
to curb the criminal rampaging gang. So, persons would be extremely cautious if not silent towards any form of whistleblowing. The question keeps coming: how were the criminals able to get classified information about the movements of the police? The answer comes back they were granted that privilege from rogues and criminals, some of whom are still in the force. So heaven help us if we are ever caught in that snare of being a whistleblower. Or are we witnessing another SOCU and SARA Witch Hunting Expedition? Yes, you are tempted to question this tight governmental control of one’s information. Can we be assured that this is not information used by the government to get into private citizens’ lives or to expose them to untold character assassination, or even worse? If you take a close look at SOCU and SARA you get my point, these are now state apparatuses meant to seek out information on the Opposition, a clear mandate given by the government, which is a violation of its
charter. What a horrible mess they have made of people’s lives with this executive lawlessness of SOCU. Guyanese are wary of this new move. We have witnessed the harassment of ordinary citizens under the pretext of state asset recovery or white collar crimes committed against the state, when in essence it was a brutal witch hunt in the making. The only difference this time is that the state would have corralled you into giving evidence against yourself. Interesting strategy. So, people would see this as another snare set up by the Government to entrap them, then cut them loose to the wiles of a certain select group of corrupt and criminal elements, which is a dangerous place to be. We are witnessing another chapter in the makings of a police state. In closing, I make reference to the last paragraph of Mr Williams’s Bill which states that “The Bill also provides that the participant has 28 days after receiving notification from the centre, in regard to either the termination of protection or assistance or both or where there is a decision to
restore the participant’s former identity, to apply to The President for a review of the decision and The President should allow him a reasonable opportunity to state his case.” Now, my question is: the participant has to apply to “The President”, which president is he referring to, The President of The Republic of Guyana? Then it behooves us to believe that all powers are vested in the hands of a political leader, which defeats the purpose of the bill. Why should so much power be in the hands of The President? Isn’t this opening up the floodgates of the state controlling our lives at every turn? Matters of such a sensitive and delicate nature should be out of government’s control. Such information should be free of state interference, there should be a distinct separation of the judiciary (which such matters should come under) and the state apparatus. If any witness protection or whistleblowers bill should be made into law, we would be grateful that an autonomous body handle our affairs. Neil Adams
No megalomaniac diatribe can change... From page 4 articles 170(1) and 232(9) of the Constitution, and section 26(2) of the IGCA Cap. 2:01). Editor, the point must be stressed that the PNC (then) was not the author of the law in article 161(2) that permits by the Proviso the subversion of the spirit of the “Carter Formula”; the PPP/C government/presidency was; and when the opportunity for its re-form (pursuant to the “Herdmanston Accord” menu) arose during the Jagdeo presidency in 2000, rather than reform it, it was knowingly adopted and maintained. And it is a matter of some curiosity whether the PNC was meaningfully consulted for, and during the drafting of the Bills at the Attorney General’s Chambers, either in 1995 or in 2000. Finally I say this: by a somewhat Orwellian illogicality Jagdeo/ the PPP/ C (and its lawyer proxies)
would wish away the truth and constitutional truism that all Presidents are equal, and in its place conjure up some delusion that, some (the PPP presidents e.g. Jagdeo) are more equal than others (e.g. the APNU Presidents e.g. David Granger). So, for them, the power and contingent duty to appoint without a list that Cheddi Jagan as President in 1995 secured by the amendment to article 161, and Jagdeo as President adopted, preserved and maintained in 2000, lapsed or expired in May 2015 when the PPP/C government presidency ended; and the APNU + AFC presidency replaced it. But, not so at all. That is fiction. No megalomaniac diatribe can change fiction to constitutional reality; the reality is that the proviso is extant today, just as in 1995, 2000, and invokable today, just as how it would have
been invoked by Jagan and Jagdeo if, the then Minority Leader/Leader of the Opposition (as the case may be) had failed to submit a list that was acceptable to them (Anil Nandlall’s feeble, delusional desire to pretend the proviso is but mere surplusage is the latest diatribe even as he misquotes Thomas Fuller (“A government of laws, and not men” SN 17/11/18.) There is an analogy between Jagdeo, and Shylock in Shakespeare’s “Merchant of Venice”, and a judicial lesson to be learnt. Space does not allow an erudite, elucidation. Suffice it to say that just as how in the Merchant of Venice, the “wise young judge” Portia adjudged that Shylock was entitled under the laws of Venice to his pound of flesh, But, the said laws also worked against him to his detriment and in Bassanio’s
favour; so would Jagdeo find out that the very article 161(2) that works and was intended to work, in favour of, and for the dominance of a PPP/C President, and to the detriment and disadvantage of a PNC Minority Leader/Leader of the Opposition; is one and the same law in 2017 that works in favour of an APNU+AFC President; and to the detriment and disadvantage of a PPP/C Leader of the Opposition. Having taken the benefit of a law, the PPP/C must with equanimity suffer and endure and abide its burden. The law is, and must be e v e n h a n d e d . Evenhandedness requires Jagdeo as Leader of the Opposition now, to be in the same position as a PNC Minority Leader/Leader of the Opposition would have been if he had failed to submit an acceptable list. Maxwell E. Edwards
Wednesday November 22, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe resigns (Yahoo) Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe’s longstanding authoritarian president, agreed to step down yesterday, according to the speaker of the nation’s parliament. The announcement comes a little less than a week after the country’s military seized power, setting in motion an end to the 37-year rule of the world’s oldest serving president. Impeachment proceedings against Mugabe had already begun early Tuesday, but the speaker of parliament read a letter to lawmakers later in the day that he said came from the president and offered a formal resignation. “I, Robert Gabriel Mugabe, in terms of section 96 of the constitution of Zimbabwe, hereby formally tender my resignation,” the speaker said, reading from what he said was Mugabe’s letter. Mugabe has yet to appear or speak publicly since the letter was read, and it marks a reversal from a long-winded speech he gave on Sunday when he refused to address the push for his resignation. Zimbabwe’s ruling ZANU-PF party had fired Mugabe as its leader earlier that day and expelled his politically powerful wife, Grace, from its ranks. Crowds of Zimbabweans gathered at Unity Square in the capital of Harare following the announcement of Mugabe’s resignation, cheer-
ing his ouster and waving signs. Once a celebrated freedom fighter, Mugabe has been accused of orchestrating human rights abuses against impoverished black Zimbabweans, white farmers and thousands of LGBTQ people while amassing vast wealth as the nation spiraled into poverty. His resignation is the culmination of a military action that began last week, when Zimbabwe’s armed forces seized control of state television, surrounded government buildings and detained the president in his home on Wednesday. Military officials denied at the time that they were attempting to depose the 93year-old president, arguing that they were only targeting “criminals” around him. But as time went on and Mugabe kept silent, it became increasingly clear the leader’s days in power were numbered. Zimbabwe’s state-run newspaper released photos on Thursday purporting to show negotiations between military officials and the president. Tension and uncertainty dominated the days that followed, as Mugabe officially remained president but the military was effectively in control. Mugabe further confused observers when he made a public appearance last Friday, attending a graduation ceremony for Zimbabwe Open University.
Mugabe has governed Zimbabwe since 1980, winning the presidency after he helped the country gain independence after a long struggle against colonial rule and governance by its white minority. Throughout his tenure, the strongman held onto power through crackdowns on opposition and dissent. Even as Zimbabwe’s economy collapsed in the past decade and the regime drew harsh international condemnation, Mugabe found ways to remain in control. In recent years, however, Mugabe’s advanced age and mental lapses grew increasingly apparent. He often slept through public events, had been oblivious while delivering the wrong speech to Parliament and seemed unfit for even basic ceremonial duties. Sensing an impending end to his rule, the country’s power brokers had begun a bitter jockeying over who would replace him. The current crisis began when Mugabe fired his vice president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, on November 6, a move widely seen as a means to consolidate power within the president’s family and potentially clear the way for his wife to become his successor. The move upset Mnangagwa’s supporters in the military. Instead of waiting for a transition of power to Grace Mugabe, Gen. Constantino
Chiwenga, the head of the nation’s military, issued a statement on November 13, threatening to step in if Mugabe failed to halt purges against Mnangagwa loyalists. The army ultimately took action late the following night, bringing troops and military vehicles into the streets of the capital. The U.S. State Department’s top official for Africa told Reuters on Thurs-
day that the country was seeking “a new era,” and encouraged Mugabe to step aside. “It’s a transition to a new era for Zimbabwe, that’s really what we’re hoping for,” Donald Yamamoto, acting assistant secretary of state for African affairs, told the news outlet. Mnangagwa, who issued a statement from an undisclosed location on Monday night calling for Mugabe to
resign, now stands to become the country’s next leader. But there is concern among rights groups over both the nature of the change in leadership and Mnangagwa’s past. The military and 75-yearold Mnangagwa played key roles in asserting Mugabe’s authoritarian rule over the country, and have been implicated in orchestrating killings, disappearances and other rights abuses.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday November 22, 2017
Public resources must be used efficiently By Kiana Wilburg The emerging oil and gas sector promises the inflow of millions of dollars in revenue for Guyana. Irrespective of this “promise”, Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, said that the current public resources must not be spent in a reckless manner. He called for the public resources to be used efficiently. Jordan made this comment in his 2016 Public Debt Annual Report which he recently presented to the National Assembly. This is the second edition of this document. According to Jordan, the report is not a
mandatory one but nonetheless, stands as an important instrument of transparency and accountability before the Guyanese people. Before commenting on how the emerging oil and gas sector would impact Guyana’s debt profile, Jordan explained the state of Guyana’s debt for last year. For 2016, the Finance Minister said that total debt as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) declined to 46.4 percent, from 48.6 percent as at end-2015. As a result of prudent macroeconomic management, he said that Guyana’s debt indicators continue to depict a
…irrespective of promised oil and gas inflows - Finance Minister stable debt profile. In 2016, Jordan noted that there remained great uncertainty and adversity at the global level, including the lingering effects of the European crisis, Brexit and weak economic performance in the Latin American and Caribbean region. He noted that Guyana’s growth continued to be thwarted by a challenging international economic envi-
ronment. The Finance Minister asserted that expansion in output was primarily concentrated in the mining and quarrying sector, specifically gold production, which benefitted from higher international prices and increased production. Unfortunately, however, the economist said that most of Guyana'’ important agricultural commodities —sugar and rice — as well as the forestry sector contracted. Jordan added that there were disappointing performances in these key sectors coupled with poor weather conditions which resulted in a growth rate of 3.3 percent in 2016. This performance, though commendable in the circumstances, indicates the urgency of sectoral reforms to diversify the economy, the Finance Minister expressed. Notably, in 2016, the Finance Minister said that Guyana graduated to an upper middle-income country, which is indicative of the economic developments and progress in recent years. Jordan noted however that this graduation creates an array of new challenges for the country, foremost of which is the loss of highly concessional financing from development partners and greater risks associated with new sources of financing. As a policy measure, the Finance Minister said that this administration has
sought to widen the range of multilateral partners from which it can access concessional or nearconcessional resources. He said that these include the Islamic Development Bank and the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID). The Finance Minister said that the increasing cost of development finance for Guyana means that the Government must strive for increased efficiency in the administration of public resources, irrespective of the emergence of oil and gas and its promises of substantial inflows of resources. The Finance Minister said, “Small open economies, such as Guyana’s, in a globalised financial architecture, face great vulnerability to exogenous shocks, the impact of which cannot be underestimated. As such, while public debt is projected to remain stable and sustainable both in the medium and longterm, there remains susceptibility to adverse shocks.” He added, “The recent experience of our Caribbean neighbours with shocks, in the form of extreme natural disasters, underscores the importance of considering these risks. Our Caribbean neighbours’ experience with these hurricanes demonstrates the need for risk consideration to be made for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the assessment of debt sustainability and to have this reflected in the glo-
Finance Minister, Winston Jordan bal framework for development financing and official development assistance.” Additionally, the Finance Minister noted that while the medium-term has a favourable outlook, with oil production expected to begin in 2020; Guyana’s debt profile becomes exposed to additional risks arising from this new sector. He said that these benefits are contingent upon relative stability in oil prices which may be threatened by global developments, particularly from turbulence in oil-producing nations, as well as global policy shifts towards renewable energy, especially among emerging economies such as India and China. Jordan said that these recent advances have the consequence of deepening Guyana’s exposure to international developments in the future. He stated that these unchartered waters mean that Guyana must not become complacent, but must continue to ensure that debt levels remain sustainable and within prescribed parameters.
Wednesday November 22, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Half-facts can become half-truths Teachers are very much in the news these days. A few weeks ago, the body of a school teacher was found in a cemetery with broken bones and injuries to her head. She subsequently died. The story caused a commotion. Guyanese jumped to conclusions without having all the facts. On social media, they began to target a police officer who had allegedly picked up the woman. Without a shred of evidence implicating the officer, they began to treat him as the prime suspect simply because the police arrested him first. Then days later, they did the same when the police arrested another suspect, another policeman. The same thing happened days later when the child father of the now dead woman was arrested. Then the police impounded the car of another suspect. With twists and turns in the story, people were changing their reaction. People have to avoid the threat of being gullible. They must get all the facts in the instance and then assess these facts before rushing to judgment. The same reaction which emerged when the body of the female teacher was found is
the same reaction that is happening with the allegations against another teacher who is facing some allegations of sexual misconduct. Before the full facts were known, there was a big uproar. A picketing exercise was even commenced outside of the school because of something the Headmistress was alleged to have said to the students. No one has interviewed the head teacher to obtain clarification of what exactly she meant by the comments she was alleged to have made. No one has yet obtained a comment from her as to what she meant. But persons are already demanding that she step down. How fair can that be? Is the head teacher not entitled to a hearing before she is condemned in the public? The first rule of journalism is to get all sides of the story. It is the test of fairness. This is a rule which the public should apply before they take sides in a matter. If you have not had the benefit of all sides of a story, then do not take a position because you may end up embarrassing yourself. This past week, social media was rocking with the allegations against the
teacher. There were persons who were calling for the teacher to be brought to book. No one questioned how it was that judgments were being made after only one side of the story was heard. The other side has now been heard and it has opened a can of worms. The issues to be investigated are no longer the allegations about the teacher. There are now counter allegations about personal motives of the accuser and allegations of abuse of power. All of these allegations have to be investigated. All sides have to be heard. The public should allow due process to take its course. Other persons on social media are up in arms because a teacher is alleged to have asked students why they did not defend the teacher who is being accused of something. But what is wrong with the teacher asking this question, if that teacher believes that the teacher should have been defended. There is equally nothing wrong with another teacher saying that the teacher should be condemned if he or she believes that the allegations are true. The fact of the matter, though, is that all parties
Concerned citizens retaliate... (From page 3) yesterday were: “Groom children for success not sex”, “They told me told me not to tell my parents - Victims”, “Predators should not be protected”, “They knew about this! They swept it under the
rug”, “Ellis must go!!, “Two decades of teaching, countless victims”. And then there was a little kindergarten girl, accompanied by her father, who joined the protest line holding a placard which boldly
stated “Stop Hurting Children.” The protest action is expected to continue daily until action is taken against what is being described by some factions as an appalling state of affairs.
DEM BOYS SEH
Two big man behaving like if is dog season When is dog season even if dem is de best of friends, dogs does fight. Dem don’t have to develop a problem. Some of dem never even got to see one another before. This does happen whenever a she dog involve. Something about de female does mek men want to kill one another. Two men in GT start a war that mek dem dog fight look like stupidness. But just like a good dog fight, nuff other dogs does join in. It mek dem boys remember dem western saloon brawl. A woman involve and it look like both men was enjoying her. This is not about sharing so one of de men get vex. He start to tear de odda man to pieces. He talk bout how much schoolgirls one of de men corrupt. Of course,
when de news come out nuff people get vex. Some women come out to represent dem young girls. Dem boys find out that some of dem come out to talk more than ten years after something happen. Some still ain’t talking. Dem behaving like some married women who step out. Dem embarrass to even remember it. But is when one of de men mention that woman in de middle of de dog fight that de story tek shape. Dem boys seh that sometimes you got to learn to hold you fire till de
right time. When this odda man talk bout de woman in de middle is de same time odda young gyals was talking bout de molestation. Dem boys seh that is why Noah did only tek two of each kind pun de Ark. If he did only tek three dem woulda got a fight over de odd number. One of de men done decide that he lost he job. Is a good thing he don’t have a chick or a child to feed. But he still got heself to feed. Talk half and wait fuh see more dog fight
should equip themselves with the full facts in the matter. This is elementary journalism and it can be applied to this case. Persons should not jump to conclusions unless they have heard all the sides of the matter. There are other rules which people should apply before jumping to conclusions. They should question
who is making the allegation and whether that person has any special reason or interest in making the allegation. They should consider the credibility of both the accuser and the accused before arriving at a conclusion. A good rule is not to take any side at all but to try to examine all the facts dispassionately. Do to rush to condemn
others because not all the facts are revealed at the same time and sometimes what is said, in the first instance, is just half of the facts.
Wednesday November 22, 2017
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Kaieteur News
New Demerara Harbour Bridge receives Prequalification bids In a crowded National Procurement and Tender Administration Boardroom yesterday were representatives from several countries all present to hear their prequalification documents read by the officials for the finance, design, construction, and maintenance of the New Demerara Harbour Bridge. This project had the attention of 11 bidders.
Bids were even received for technical assistance in the conduct of community needs and assets and the development of community safety plans by the Ministry of Public Security.
Meanwhile, the Audit Office of Guyana received bids for the procurement of software licenses for desktop computers.
Receiving expressions of interest was the Ministry of Legal Affairs for a Human Resources Consultant.
Securing bids also was the National Parks Commission for the removal of asbestos and demolition of the old Sports Complex Building.
The tender board also saw Billion-dollar bids by the Ministry of Public Security. These bids were for the construction of the Mazaruni Prisons, Region Seven.
Additionally, the Region Six Democratic Council, received bids for the construction of a maternity ward at New Amsterdam Hospital Compound, Berbice. This project had eight bids.
Bids were further obtained by the Ministry of Education, Department of Culture, Youth and Sport- phase 4, for the rewiring of the National Cultural Centre, Mandela and Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Sector Department Unit (ASDU) secured five bids also for the rehabilitation of a sluice at the outlet of the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC).
The Ministry of Agriculture ASDU also saw bids for the rehabilitation of a sluice at the outlet of the Cunha Canal, Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara.
Even as Guyana seeks to have a cleaner, safer environment, bids were secured for the supply and delivery of oil containment booms by the Ministry of Natural Resources. Bidding for this project was six bidders. Meanwhile the Ministry of Business received bids for three different projects. The first project was for the design and production of promotional package for operation and management of Industrial Estates. Bidders are:
Bids were obtained also for the construction of the new D’Edward Sluice, D’Edward Village, West Coast Berbice by the Mahaica Mahaicony Arbary Agricultural Development Authority.
The Business Ministry also received bids for the provision of security services at its Tushen and Enmore Call Centre.
Continued on page 29
PAGE 12
Wednesday November 22, 2017
Kaieteur News
Embattled teacher refutes claims of sexual relations with students
Accompanied by his team of lawyers yesterday, embattled Bishops’ High School teacher, Coen Jackson, denied having any sexual relations with his under age students. Jackson, 39, instead told media operatives that he is now a target of Cultural Advisor to the Ministry of Social Cohesion, Ruel Johnson, over a young woman with whom they both shared a relationship. He noted that Johnson had threatened and stated among other things, that if I
were to ever maintain contact with a particular person with whom he now enjoys a relationship, he will destroy me publicly. The teacher further said that Johnson promised to use his connections to destroy him. “Mr. Johnson recently went absolutely berserk when he learnt that this person with whom he has close and personal relationship was still in close contact with me. “He (Johnson) stated that my removal from public edu-
cation is merely a matter of procedure and he threatened and warned me to desist from further contacting her (his friend).” “He said, ‘I can guarantee you I am going to use my considerable connection in the media to pointedly identify you and have you removed as teacher in the public education system.’” Jackson admitted that he shared intimate relations with at least two former students of Bishops’ High School. Admitting that it does not
Jackson (second from right) is flanked by his team of attorneys Jerome Khan, Priyanka Sookraj and Siand Dhurjon look good from a moral stand point, the teacher said both relationships started after the young women left the school and were legally adults. He claimed that nothing existed between him and his students before that but they later fell in love. “You can’t stop people from falling in love … (Unlike) the impression that Mr. Johnson is trying to give of me, this was not some slam bam relationship, I shared with this young lady,” the teacher added. He said that he and his then partner had travelled to several destinations. Jackson told reporters that he was never involved with any other former students. He said too that during his teaching career, which spans close to two decades, he had never before faced al-
legations of wrongdoings. “I don’t know that I will ever recover from this.” Over his teaching years, he developed close relationships with both male and female students, he said. “These relationships transitioned from teacher-student to mature platonic relationships, even with former students who live overseas. Many would seek me out when visiting Guyana to have social meetings, including a drink. Many of my former students would have sought out my guidance on life-changing decisions, including pursuing graduate and professional studies, among other things. I have always provided counsel and guidance in helping them within my ability and limitations. My relationship with former students is always
Accused teacher: Coen Jackson respectful and to this day, I have hundreds of students who follow me on Facebook and are in touch with me, seeking advice when needed,” he said. Jackson was accompanied (Continued on page 13)
More allegations of sexual misconduct surface against former Bishop High School teacher Even as he responded to the claims of the accused teacher yesterday afternoon, Cultural Advisor to t h e Ministry of Social Cohesion, Ruel Johnson, has unveiled what he described as a history of incidents of sexual misconduct by Sir Coen Jackson. “I can't dignify Mr. Jackson's statement that he was threatened over contact with a young woman except to say that since this issue has started, multiple young women have, in fact, come out to say publicly that he has sexually propositioned them while they were his students at various institutions including Guyana Technical Institute, the Business School, School of the Nations, Georgetown Technical Institute, Leonora Technical Institute, and Mae's. One former student from the Business School, for example, recounted him targeting young female students and failing them when they refused to give in to his advances. Another former stu-
Ruel Johnson dent from School of the Nations wrote that he would invite students over to his house "asking for [fellatio] in order to receive the exams questions in advance or have a sexual relationship with him." According to Johnson, Dr, Melissa Ifill, first found out "around 2 years ago when a prospective 6th form student went to register at the school. “(Jackson) went into her file, copied her number and
started calling and texting her - sickening gross conversations that her mother discovered then answered the phone and heard him herself one day. Mind you, this young woman wasn't a student as yet." And if these publicly available accounts of his behaviour were not enough, Johnson pointed to Mr. Jackson's own words in a Facebook comment made under an HGPTV story on the recent Parfaite Harmonie case of a pastor sexually assaulting and stalking a member of his congregation. “After quoting the story's account of the Pastor's stalking and making sexual advances to the victim, Jackson asks "Can you explain how this woman is a "victim"?" The Social Cohesion official noted that there are a number of young girls who have claimed to be sexually harassed, propositioned or groomed while they were students under his care in a position of trust, and his behaviour has held true to this philosophy.
Wednesday November 22, 2017
PAGE 13
Kaieteur News
Petroleum Commission Bill prescribes imprisonment for sharing of info that the government’s inclusion of a “Duty not to disclose information” clause in the proposed act is ominous. He said, “It tells me that there is really no commitment to transparency as it relates to the oil industry. Why should such a bill state that people can be jailed for releas-
By Abena Rockcliffe-Campbell The administration’s veneer of transparency and accountability is beginning to crack. While several ministers continue to pledge Government’s support to transparency and the elimination of corruption, legislation is being formulated that screams a different agenda. It is not only the administration’s rhetoric that contradicts its Bills; there are also Bills that contradict other Bills. The Petroleum Commission Bill is one such Bill that contradicts another piece of legislation taken to the National Assembly by this Government. The Petroleum Amendment Bill was laid in the parliament since May in the name of Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, but it is yet to make its way onto the Order Paper. The commission is to operate sub-rosa as the Bill demands absolute confidentiality from anyone working with the commission. In fact, persons are bound to secrecy even after they leave the job for a period of 10 years. These stipulations are made under the “Duty not to disclose information” clause. The Bill says, “Subject to this Act and any other applicable law, a person who is a member of the Board or officer or member of staff of the Commission shall not disclose any information, which he may have obtained in the course
Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman
TIGI President, Dr. Troy Thomas
of his employment.” Further, the Bill states, “A person who ceases to be a member of the Board or officer or a member of staff of the Commission shall not disclose any information, which he may have obtained in the course of his employment for a period of ten years, and shall not be employed by, work for or be contracted by any operator under regulation for a period of two years.” The Bill said that a person who leaks information is guilty of committing an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $5M and to imprisonment for three years. On the other hand, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, on Friday last, laid two crucial Bills in the National Assembly: The Protected Disclosures Bill and the Witness Protection Bill. Williams explained that the Protected Disclosures Bill
2017, sometimes referred to as the ‘Whistleblowers Bill’, marks another step by the Government towards full compliance with the Inter-American Convention against Corruption (1996). He said that the Bill would assist in combating corruption and other wrongdoings. He said, too, that the Bill seeks to protect persons making those disclosures from detrimental action and to establish the Protected Disclosures Commission to receive, investigate or otherwise deal with disclosures of improper conduct and for other connected matters. Turning his attention to the Witness Protection Bill, Williams said that it seeks to introduce legislation for the establishme n t of a Programme for the protection of certain witnesses and other persons. President of Transparency Guyana Incorporated (TIGI), Dr. Troy Thomas, said
90 jobs up for grabs at the Public Infrastructure Ministry There are 90 jobs up for grabs at the Ministry of Public Infrastructure. In a notice, Sunday, published in Kaieteur News, the ministry said that the 90 vacancies exist in the Sea and River Defence Department. The ministry stressed that it prefers that the applicants reside in the specified geo-
graphic district. The 21 categories cover areas in Region Two, Essequibo Coast; Wakenaam and Leguan Islands, Region Three (West Demerara); Paradise, Region Four; Onverwagt, West Berbice and Tarlogie in East Berbice. The vacancies are for accountants, construction fore-
man, storekeeper, welder, mason, equipment operator, mechanic, carpenter, accounts clerk, ranger, labourer and cleaner. Overtime, there have been complaints of jobs not being available. The applications have to be submitted to the ministry’s Kingston office.
More allegations of sexual misconduct... (From page 12) by his lawyers who called on the public to respect the investigative and administrative process instead of using the social media and the main stream media to accuse the teacher of horrendous wrong doing. “I have been accused, prosecuted and convicted in the court of public opinion.” In wake of the allegations, the Ministry of Education
and the Ministry of Social Protection have announced that they would be investigating the claims that the teacher groomed his female students to begin sexual relations with them once they reached the consent age of sixteen. The complaint by
Johnson has also been sent to a number other government agencies. “The Ministry takes these complaints seriously and holds paramount the protection of our nation’s children,” the Ministry said in a statement.
A mini health check is the first step to donating blood
ing information?” Dr. Thomas questioned, “Why didn’t they say that persons can release information on corruption?” Dr. Thomas said that overall, legislations in Guyana are seemingly designed to give pelicans “enough room to maneuver. In this way, they do
not ultimately have to be accountable, and you are seeing this as a common thread throughout the various Acts.” Dr. Thomas said that he finds it odd that politicians do not want to be held accountable, “but they can hold me accountable for finding information and releasing it.”
PAGE 14
Kaieteur News
Wednesday November 22, 2017
Wednesday November 22, 2017
PAGE 15
Kaieteur News
Head of China energy firm and former foreign minister charged with bribery NEW YORK —Pursuant to a joint investigation led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York, the FBI and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Chi Ping Patrick Ho, a/k/a “Patrick C.P. Ho,” and Cheikh Gadio were arrested for their participation in a multi-year, multimillion-dollar scheme to bribe high-level officials in Chad and Uganda. The bribe was in exchange for business advantages for a Chinese oil and gas company (Energy Company). Ho and Gadio were charged with violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), international money laundering, and conspiracy to commit both. Gadio was arrested in New York on Friday and Ho was arrested on Saturday. “These individuals allegedly offered millions of dollars in bribes disguised as charitable donations to foreign officials, in order to seek business advantages. One used his position with a United Nations Council to further this scheme.” “ We will continue to aggressively investigate financial crimes committed by corrupt foreign officials while working collaboratively with our counterparts at the FBI and IRS,”stated Special Agent in Charge of HSI New York, Angel M. Melendez. According to the allegations in the complaint and other statements in the public record, this case involves two bribery schemes to pay high-level officials of Chad and Uganda in exchange for business advantages for the Energy Company, a Shanghaiheadquartered multibilliondollar conglomerate that operates internationally in the energy and financial sectors. At the center of both schemes is Ho, the head of a non-governmental organization based in Hong Kong and Virginia (Energy NGO) that holds “Special Consultative Status” with the United Nations (UN) Economic and Social Council. The Energy NGO is funded by the Energy Company. In the first scheme (the “Chad Scheme”), Ho, with Gadio’s assistance, caused the Energy Company to offer a $2 million bribe to the President of Chad in exchange for securing business advantages for the Energy Company in its efforts to obtain valuable oil rights from the Chadian government. In particular, in exchange for the bribe, the President of Chad provided the Energy Company with, among other things, an exclusive opportunity to obtain particular oil
rights in Chad without facing international competition. Gadio, who is the former Foreign Minister of Senegal and who operated an international consulting firm, played an instrumental role in the Chad Scheme by, among other things, connecting Ho with the President of Chad and conveying the $2 million bribe offer to the President of Chad. Ho compensated Gadio by paying him $400,000 via wires transmitted through New York, New York. In the second scheme (the “Uganda Scheme”), Ho caused a $500,000 bribe to be paid, via wires transmitted through New York, New York, to an account designated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uganda, who had recently completed his term as the President of the UN General Assembly (the “Ugandan Foreign Minister”). Ho also provided the Ugandan Foreign Minister, as well as the President of Uganda, with gifts and promises of future benefits, including offering to share the profits of a potential joint venture in Uganda involving the Energy Company and businesses owned by the families of the Ugandan Foreign Minister and the President of Uganda. These payments and promises were made in exchange for assistance from the Ugandan Foreign Minister in obtaining business advantages for the Energy Company, including the potential acquisition of a Ugandan bank. As alleged in the complaint, the Chad Scheme began in or about October 2014, when Ho and Gadio met at the UN in New York, New York. At that time, the Energy Company wanted to expand its oil operations to Chad, and to do so, it wanted to enter into a joint venture with a Chinese government-owned oil and gas company (the “Chinese State Oil Company”) that was already operating in Chad. Earlier that year, the Chinese State Oil Company had been fined $1.2 billion by the government of Chad for environmental violations. Ho enlisted Gadio – who had a personal relationship with the President of Chad – to assist
the Energy Company in gaining access to the President of Chad, with the initial goal of resolving the dispute between the government of Chad and the Chinese State Oil Company, and the ultimate goal of obtaining oil opportunities for the Energy Company in Chad. Gadio successfully connected Ho and the Energy Company to the President of Chad and to other Chadian officials. Ho, acting on Gadio’s advice, then caused the Energy Company to pledge a $2 million bribe to the President of Chad, in what was characterized as a “donation” for charitable causes. Gadio later solicited from Ho a $500,000 payment for Gadio’s firm, arguing that he should receive a percentage of the $2 million “gift” from the Energy Company to the President of Chad. As alleged in the complaint, the Uganda Scheme began in or about October 2014, when Ho met at the UN in New York, New York with the Ugandan Foreign Minister, who had recently begun his term as the 69th President of the UN General Assembly (“PGA”). Ho, purporting to act on behalf of the Energy NGO, met with the Ugandan Foreign Minister and began to cultivate a relationship with him. During the year that the Ugandan Foreign Minister served as PGA, Ho and the Ugandan Foreign Minister discussed a “strategic partnership” between Uganda and the Energy Company for various business ventures, to be formed once the Ugandan Foreign Minister completed his term as PGA and returned to Uganda. In or about February 2016 – after the Ugandan Foreign Minister had resumed his role as Foreign Minister of Uganda, and his in-law had been reelected as the President of Uganda – the Ugandan Foreign Minister solicited a payment from Ho, purportedly for a charitable foundation that he wished to launch. Ho caused a $500,000 payment to be wired to an account in Uganda designated by the Ugandan Foreign Minister, through a bank in New
York, New York. In his communications, Ho variously referred to this payment as a “donation” to the reelection campaign of the President of Uganda (who had already been reelected) and as a “donation” to “support” the Ugandan Foreign Minister. In fact, this payment was a bribe to obtain business advantages for the Energy Company in its efforts to secure contracts and ventures in Uganda’s financial and energy sectors. Ho, 68, of Hong Kong,
China, and Gadio, 61, of Senegal, are each charged with conspiring to violate the FCPA, violating the FCPA, conspiring to commit international money laundering, and committing international money laundering. The maximum penalties for these charges are as follows: five years in prison for conspiring to violate the FCPA; five years in prison for each violation of the FCPA; 20 years in prison for conspiring to commit international money laundering; and 20
years in prison for each charge of committing international money laundering. The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge. This investigation is still ongoing. This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York’s Public Corruption Unit and the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section.
PAGE 16
Kaieteur News
Wednesday November 22, 2017
‘Spin and Kill’ charged with killing Sophia labourer A 31-year-old unemployed man of 337 South Sophia was yesterday charged with the murder of Jamal Munroe, a labourer, who he allegedly shot thrice before escaping. Travis Cleveland, called ‘Spin and Kill’, appeared before Magistrate Alisha Georgetown in the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Courts where he was not required to plead to the indictable offence. Particulars of the charge alleged that on November 3, at Sophia, he murdered Munroe. The murder accused was remanded to prison. Munroe, who had a lengthy rap sheet, was shot to the legs, upper hand and lower back allegedly by Cleveland during a gang related feud. Kaieteur News understands that Cleveland and another man were detained by police last week and had been assisting police with investigation. Jamal’s killing comes three months after his brother, sacked prison officer Troybon Munroe of Canje, Berbice, was shot dead when he and an accomplice attempted to rob a businesswoman on the Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown Railway Embankment Road. In April 14, 2015, Munroe, called ‘Ocku’, was charged with robbing Lloyd Butchey of a gold chain, a Samsung Galaxy Smartphone and $12,000 in cash. On March 31, 2016 at Lot 56 Stanleytown, New Amsterdam, Berbice, Munroe and another broke and entered the home of Erica Hope and stole two laptops, two cell phones and a DVD player. Munroe was placed on $100,000 bail on each charge. He was charged with possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking. He was also charged with robbing a Guyana Defence Force Lieutenant of one Apple cell phone. He was also facing another charge of burglary in which he stole one Acer Laptop Computer, one HP laptop computer and one tablet. He has a number of ongoing matters pending, including break and enter and larceny, simple larceny, robbery under arms and throwing missiles among others.
MURDERED: Jamal Munroe Munroe, who was on bail, had fled the area. He was subsequently nabbed in Georgetown while being in possession of narcotics and was placed on $20,000 bail. He was unable to post the bail and was remanded to Prison there. He had given his name as ‘Junior Munroe’ and a wrong address. He was on bail again when he committed the last two atrocities. In April 2016, Munroe was charged with robbery under arms and burglary. His address was given as Lot 31 Savannah Park, New Amsterdam. It was alleged that he and others had robbed Lloyd Butchey of a gold chain, a Samsung Galaxy Smartphone and $12,000 in cash. Munroe was also part of a gang that caused a prison fracas that occurred in the New Amsterdam Prison in 2014 in which four prisoners were brutally beaten and slashed. That attack is widely believed to have caused the ensuing prison fracas in which Azumulla, and other high profile prisoners Quame Bhagwandin, Clarence Williams called, ‘Wild Hog’, and Davendra Harrichand, called ‘Bara’ were injured. In September 2016, Munroe was shot in the abdomen during an altercation with ranks of an anti-crime patrol in Berbice who went to arrest him. He somehow managed to flee into some nearby bushes, but turned up at the New Amsterdam Hospital from where he was transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital in a critical condition. Later, he was out on bail after being charged with several offences.
Wednesday November 22, 2017
PAGE 25
Kaieteur News
Trini granted $1M bail for fake kidnapping After spending three weeks on remand at the Georgetown Prison, Sawak Maraj, the Trinidadian national who faked his own kidnapping was granted $1M bail yesterday when he made another appearance before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan. The 33-year-old Chemical Engineer is being represented by Attorney-at-Law Bernard DeSantos, who renewed a bail application before the Chief Magistrate. DeSantos contended that his client is not a flight risk and has no means of leaving the country since police are in possession of his passport. Particulars of the first charge against Maraj alleged that on October 27, last, at Georgetown, he knowingly gave false information to the police, stating that he was kidnapped and that his abductors demanded US$700,000 for his released. It was further alleged that on the same day at Madewini Resort, Soesdyke/Linden
ON BAIL: Sawak Maraj Highway, Maraj conspired with other persons to negotiate to obtain a ransom of US$700,000. The Trinidadian national pleaded not guilty to both charges. Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan granted him $500,000 bail on each of the two charges. At his initial court appearance, Police Prosecutor Arvin Moore strongly opposed to bail for Maraj citing that he is
a flight risk. Moore disclosed that police are still on the hunt for two men who assisted Maraj with the botched kidnapping. According to Moore, the men have been blacklisted at airports in Guyana and Trinidad. Meanwhile, police have issued a wanted bulletin for Anil Antonio Mahabir and Vejhy Ramdass, both of whom have their last known address as Trinidad and Tobago, in connection with the crime. They are age 40 and 42 respectively. Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Mahabir and Vejhy is asked to contact the nearest police station or the police on 225-6411, 226-1389, 2272128, 226-7065, 225-2227, 2250575 or 911. Maraj arrived in Guyana on October 28, via the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri. He reportedly left the airport in a taxi and was heading to a hotel on East Bank Demerara when he disap-
Spurned suitor hacks off salesgirl’s fingers in brutal cutlass attack Allegedly furious that she had rejected his advances, a 58-year-old man hacked off a salesgirl’s right thumb and forefinger, while inflicting other wounds on her body. Narainie Gopaul, of 74 Railway View, Meter-MeerZorg, was attacked around 23:00hrs on Sunday in her yard. Police said that her cutlass-wielding assailant chopped off the index finger and thumb of Gopaul’s right hand. She was also chopped on the neck, arms and legs. She was admitted to the West Demerara Regional Hos-
pital, where her condition is said to be stable. According to a police official, the injured salesgirl has alleged that the suspect had made several advances to her, which she repeatedly rejected. Police said that Narainie Gopaul, a sales clerk was returning home from work when the suspect, who was armed with a cutlass, chopped her on her arms, right foot and neck then fled the scene. Photos on social media showed a bloody Gopaul lying on the ground. The suspect was arrested the same night and is ex-
Narainie Gopaul pected to appear in court today.
Woman jailed for blinding brother-in-law, two sisters fined A woman who was among three sisters who teamed up against a man who has two children with one of the sisters, has been found guilty. While one has been jailed, the other two have been fined. Bevon Bobb, 31, and her two siblings, Onica, 22, and Rochel, 36, of Foulis Village, West Coast Berbice, appeared before Magistrate Rondell Weever at the Weldaad Magistrate’s Court. Bevon was charged with wounding while Onica and Rochel were charged with assault. Bevon was sentenced to 12 months in jail while Onica and Rochell were found guilty on assault charges and fined $50,000 each. They are accused of wounding Terry Wallerson,
called “Buju”, 23, of Lovely Lass Village, West Coast Berbice. The incident occurred on June 24, 2017at a Bar B Que at Belladrum, West Coast Berbice. Prosecutor Corporal Rochelle Mars told the court that Onica has two children for Wallerson. On the day in question they all were at the Bar B Que. Wallerson was riding a bicycle when Bevon called him. As he approached Onica and Rochel pelted him with Guinness bottles. Bevon then collected a wooden bar he had on his bicycle and lashed him in his left eye. The man was hospitalized and subsequently lost sight in the eye. The matter was reported
and the trio was arrested and charged. In court, Bevon begged for mercy stating that she is a single parent and is the mother of four children aged between two and 10. However, the magistrate looked at the severity of the crime and imposed the custodial sentence on the accused. Her sisters Onica, a mother of two, and Rochel, a mother of six, also revealed to the court that they are single parents.
A mini health check is the first step to donating blood
peared. He reportedly came to Guyana to attend a job interview with Exxon Mobil. It was a Guyanese who went to the hotel and made reservations for Maraj. Shortly after the engineer left the airport, a photograph of him with someone holding a cutlass to his neck, was sent to his parents and other relatives in Trinidad and Tobago. It is alleged that the ‘kidnappers’ threatened to kill
their victim if the demanded ransom was not paid. The engineer’s family immediately made contact with the Guyana Police Force and forwarded the photograph. This newspaper has been informed that local ranks were able to track the number that the ‘kidnappers’ used to make contact with Maraj’s relatives. They were also able to trace the location where the call was made.
Ranks were immediately mobilized from around Georgetown and sent to the location in a bid to rescue the ‘victim.’ On arrival at the hotel, they took up strategic positions. They were puzzled when they entered the room where the ‘victim’ was being held and found him relaxing on a sofa, drinking a can of fruitjuice. He was not bound or gagged.
PAGE 26
Wednesday November 22, 2017
Kaieteur News
Cadet Officer gets 2 years’ jail - for shooting pillion rider in face
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Cadet Officer Glenroy Campbell was yesterday jailed for two years for shooting a pillion rider in the face, while he and other ranks were performing patrol duties in Sophia more than four years ago. Campbell, who was represented by Attorney-atLaw Gwendolyn Bristol, was convicted on the charge which alleged that on March 9, 2013, at Greater Georgetown, he discharged a loaded firearm at Abdul Cort, with intent to maim, disable, disfigure or cause him grievous bodily harm. The sentencing was handed down by Magistrate Zamilla Ally-Seepaul at the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Courts. The State which was represented by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Stephen Telford contended that on the day in
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Cook/ baker and Kitchen Assistant for interior location. Applicants must have experience. Call:618-2020
First Aid/CPR courses on Saturdays St John’s. Call 225-9082 or visit 110 Cowan Street, Kingston.
Chef and assistant cookpreferably Carnegie trained. Call 225-7933, or visit 173 Sheriff Street.
CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE CAR R E N TA L : S U V F O R RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL:6560 0 8 7 , 6 4 3 - 5 1 2 2 ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM DOLLY’SCARRENTAL-CALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM
TOLET Business space for grocery or snackette. 619-5357/6671896SS One two bedroom apartment located in Herstelling New scheme. $50,000 Call: 641-2311 1&3 bedroom apartments. 641-3318
AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807 WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP RATES,SPECIAL OFFERS! CALL: 690-6494
TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 225-7878 (24HRS)
Looking for professional hairdresser, waitress, cleaner, call: 684-9409. Vacancies exist for Cashier, Supervisor & Ice handlers to work @ Crystal Ice House, Blairmont, Berbice. Call: 6183800/642-9191 Salesboys & Girls. Apply: Avinash Complex Water Street. 226-3361/227-7828 Vacancies exist for Security and operators to work @ Del Ice Company, Meadowbank. Call: 231-1408/642-9191. We need you males 18-30 years to work in Garden Maintenance, Georgetown. Tel: 648-1821 Physically fit persons 18-25 years, know to read & write, apply @ #1 Plant Shop, Sheriff Street, Campbellville. Tel: 648-1821 Experienced Pharmacy Technicians to work flexible hours @ reputable pharmacy in Diamond & Kitty. Call: 6453422/ 227-0630
question, Cort was the pillion rider on a motorcycle that was heading in Sophia where Cadet Officer Campbell was performing patrol duties. After observing that none of the riders was wearing helmets, Cadet Officer Campbell attempted to intercept the motorcycle, but the rider rode away. It was then that Cadet Officer Campbell discharged a round in the direction of the motorcycle. Coincidently, Cort who was looking back at the said time, was struck in the nose.
Man gets three years for ganja in car A man who was caught with a bag containing a quantity of marijuana in a car whilst on his way to Georgetown, has been jailed for three years on a charge of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking. He was also fined $31,000. Steven Gomes, 27, a labourer of 13 Strand, New Amsterdam, Berbice, was handed the penalty by Magistrate Rhondell Weever at the Blairmont Magistrate’s Court. Police Prosecutor Corporal Rochelle Mars told the court that on May 5, last, the police were conducting stop and search exercise at a road block on the Foulis Public Road West Coast Berbice. They stopped motor car HC 7077 which was heading in the direction of Georgetown with the driver and four passengers, including a policeman inside. Gomes was one of the passengers in the vehicle. The passengers were ordered to exit the vehicle for a routine search. After all the passengers exited the vehicle a blue haversack was left in the car. No one claimed ownership of the bag. The haversack was checked and contained what seemed to be leaves, seeds and stems of marijuana. The man had denied ownership of the bag .The other passengers including the policeman and driver however stated that Gomes is the owner of the bag and had it in his possession all the time. The items were tested and weighed and found to be 354grams of compressed marijuana. He was placed in custody and subsequently charged.
Wednesday November 22, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday November 22, 2017
Social issues training City residents can now pay in Hinterland Villages rates and taxes via MMG
The training team and members of the community. Forty five indigenous village leaders and councilors from North Rupununi recently benefitted from sensitization training. They were enlightened about their rights and responsibilities under the Sexual Offences Act, the Domestic Violence Act, the Labour Act and the Combating Trafficking in Persons act. Twenty-two leaders from eight communities in the Karasabai area and 23 from 12 communities from the Annai Area attended the workshop. According to Senior Welfare Officer in the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Pauline Welch, “This session was done because when social issues arise, persons living in the communities are most times unaware of the
procedures that should be followed, therefore the Welfare Department sees the importance of sensitizing community leaders of these important issues, thus empowering them to better handle the situations when they arise”. The aim of the sensitization training was to have at least two persons who are community leaders from each village in the region, be trained and they would in turn return to their respective communities and share the information received with the residents. The Ministry recently appointed four Welfare Officers and three Community Development Officers for these Sub Regions. The appointees all attended the programme.
These sessions were conducted by Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs Welfare Personnel, Ms. Pauline Welch; and Ms. Onika Bishop, and Mr. Basdeo- Labour Officer from the Ministry of Social Protection. The Ministries over the years have been working with respective communities and villages across Guyana to spread awareness of the social issues that are prevalent, and bring leaders up to speed as it relates to their roles and responsibilities as well as the ideal approaches in addressing same. The Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs has recognized that with four trained Welfare Officers in the field much more work will be done.
ROYAL TRIP
It was a day filled with service to His Royal Highness, Prince Charles of England, says Capt. Gerry Gouveia of Roraima Airways. The captain, who owns several small planes and operates hotels and resorts in Guyana, is flying the heir to the throne in the Northern Caribbean. The prince reportedly visited Antigua and Barbuda over the weekend to assess the damage from the recent hurricanes. It is not the first time Gouveia has flown the prince.
Residents of Georgetown can now pay rates and taxes via the Mobile Money Guyana (MMG) application. This was made possible through a collaboration between the Mayor and City Council (M&CC), and Guyana Telephone Telegraph (GTT) and was officially launched yesterday. IT Manager attached to M&CC, Adunni Christian, said that the action was taken to enable persons to pay monies owed to the M&CC through MMG. Christian noted that while the M&CC has begun with the payments of rates and taxes, in the near future the council will move towards other types of payments that can be made via MMG. “All customers need to know or understand, is their account number which can be found on a receipt or the demand notice. That account number, when you make payments to mobile money from outside, it will allow us at M&CC to see where you are attaching these payments to,” he explained. According to Christian, one of the main reasons the MMG platform was chosen is because it is known to be a safe application for transacting business. He
Kester Abrams, GTT MMG Specialist
Adunni Christian, M&CC, IT Manager
further explained that “there is no issue in terms of your security or other people accessing your account because as you know, the mobile money platform has been proven to be quite secure in the past.” Christian also pointed out that persons desirous of uplifting their payment receipt after completing their transaction can do so by visiting the M&CC and it will be provided to them. Specialist-in-Charge of MMG at GTT, Kester Abrams, said the company was pleased to be able to further expand its services to the residents of Georgetown. He
also disclosed that GTT is looking to develop its services to other municipalities across Guyana. “We have also reached out to the Ministry of Communities and we will be meeting with them in the near future to actually talk about some of the NDC’s, RDC’s and municipalities outside of Georgetown so that we can actually have all rates and taxes payment coming through mobile money,” he stated. The services are currently available and persons who wish to have more clarity on the new services are being encouraged to visit the M&CC office.
Shotgun discovered in Number 63 pond A shotgun was found in a pond in the compound of an abandoned rice mill at Number 63 Village, Corentyne, yesterday. The discovery was made some time around midday. Kaieteur News understands that a livestock farmer was grazing his animals in the compound and while passing a shallow pond he glanced inside and saw the gun. The water in the pond had receded overtime. The man who is said to be living nearby immediately informed other residents and subsequently contacted the police. Police after receiving the information ventured to the scene and retrieved the firearm. A source told this newspaper that it appears that the gun would have been in the pond for a very “long time” now. According to the source, the gun will be sent for ballistic testing but is not likely that much will come out of it since the gun was in immediate contact with the water for a long period of time. The compound houses a rice mill and a pond. The
The gun that was retrieved by investigators. owner of the property had reportedly migrated overseas a few years ago and would visit when he returns to the country. A resident told this
publication that before the rice mill was closed the water in the pond was used for the boilers to steam paddy. Police are investigating.
Wednesday November 22, 2017
PAGE 29 Meanwhile, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) saw bids for five projects. The first project was for maintenance services of air conditioners.
Kaieteur News
New Demerara Harbour Bridge receives... From page 11 The last bid received by this Ministry was a retender for the supply and installation of Enterprise United Parcel Service (UPS) Head Office.
Bids were also obtained for the collection, removal and disposal of domestic and international garbage by the CJIA.
Obtaining six bids for the provision of security services also was the Ministry of Communities. Receiving four bids was the CJIA for the control of vegetation within the airfield including perimeter fence.
The Ministry of Communities also secured bids for the rehabilitation of the Kitty Market, Georgetown.
The Cheddi Jagan International Airport also secured six bids for the cutting and removal of grass on the landside of the airport.
The Mahaica-Mahaicony-Abary Agricultural Development Authority received bids for the provision of consultancy services for the supervision of construction of the New D’Edward Sluice, D’Edward Village, West Coast Berbice. Bidders were as follows: The last bid received by the CJIA was for the procurement of janitorial and cleaning supplies.
Obtaining 15 bids was the Ministry of Public Infrastructure for the construction of an old sea defense building, Region Four.
The Public Health Ministry saw bids for four different projects. The first project that received bids was for the supply and delivery IT equipment.
Receiving bids also was the Public Health Ministry for the supply and delivery of medical supplies, Regional Health Services.
The Ministry of Public Security also received bids for design and supervision services for the construction of New Amsterdam Prisons. Bidders are as follows:
Bids were received also by this Ministry for the rehabilitation of the Transport and Harbour Department Sports Club, Region Four.
To be continued in tomorrow’s edition
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Wednesday November 22, 2017
Wednesday November 22, 2017
Kaieteur News
Five Caribbean countries to benefit from EU funding
CDB president Dr. Warren Smith (left) and EU official Neven Mimica signing agreement. NEW YORK - CMC – Five Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries are to benefit from a European Union grant to the Geothermal Risk Mitigation Programme for the Eastern Caribbean. President of the Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Dr. Warren Smith and the Commissioner in charge of International Cooperation and Development, Neven Mimica, Monday signed the Euro 12 million (One Euro=US$1.29 cents) agreement. The Geothermal Risk Mitigation Programme for the Eastern Caribbean will facilitate the development of up to 60MW of geothermal energy capacity in Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts-Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. “The programme will help to increase renewable energies in the Caribbean by supporting the development of geothermal energy,” said Mimica, adding that the grant will serve to jump start geothermal development through co-financing for higherrisk investments required at the early stage services of exploratory drilling which could leverage additional financing of approximately Euro 400 million. “It will decrease dependency on energy imports – reducing fuel import bills, electricity costs and help to decrease greenhouse gases emissions and other pollutants,” Mimica added. Smith said that the CDB welcomes the EUCIF’s contribution to geothermal energy development in the Eastern Caribbean.
“This funding will add momentum to our ongoing efforts to transform the energy sector in the Region, and support our borrowing member countries in harnessing their renewable energy resources. The signing of this agreement represents a strengthening partnership between CDB and the European Union. “We look forward to collaborating further to support economic growth and competitiveness, and creating a more sustainable future for the people of our region,” he added. The CDB said that the project will help geothermal energy development in the five islands with isolated electricity markets and high dependency on energy imports. “They lack the necessary scale to import cheaper fuels, and rely on expensive diesel and heavy fuel oil. As such, electricity tariffs in these states are among the highest in the world,” the CDB added. It said that geothermal energy would relieve these five states from oil imports, by up to 722,000 barrels per year, as well as lower current electricity prices. Additionally, it is a clean and renewable energy technology that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to climate change mitigation. The funding will be used to provide investment grants at the exploration phase, as well as technical assistance to support capacity-building initiatives and studies that explore opportunities for, and the feasibility of, interconnection between islands to facilitate the export of electricity by geothermal energy producers, the CDB added.
HIV-positive man convicted of raping infant Trinidad Express - Sixty-one-year-old retiree Conrad Matthiascried after the jury found him guilty of raping a five-year-old child. The girl, who is now a teenager, testified against him. It was the State’s case led by attorney Sarah De Silva that Matthias told the girl she could not go to the parlour with her mother and his two children. She was left behind and was sexually assaulted in his bedroom. The prosecution called the child and her
mother as a prosecution witnesses. The mother was hesitant to answer question posted by De Silva. The attorney deemed her a hostile witness during her testimony. Matthias, who the jury heard has the human immunodeficiency virus HIV, exercised his right not to take the stand or call witnesses. They jury took approximately an hour to return the guilty verdict. Matthias will be sentenced on December 6.
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Wednesday November 22, 2017
UK govt. averts Brexit rebellion, giving ground on EU rights plan LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Theresa May’s government averted a rebellion in parliament yesterday over plans to ditch the European Union’s Charter of Fundamental Rights, promising to review its approach and make changes if needed. Parliament is debating legislation which will enact Britain’s exit from the EU in March 2019 and copy EU law into British law - described by officials as “one of the largest legislative projects ever undertaken in the UK”. The bill is testing May’s ability to govern effectively after she lost her parliamentary majority in June, leaving her leading a fragile minority government and in charge of a Conservative Party divided on how best to manage the split from the EU. On Tuesday, the focus of an eight-day debate which has already forced May’s ministers into some concessions, fell on the government’s plan not to include the Charter of Fundamental Rights in its mass “cut and paste” of EU law. The government, which says there is no need to copy across the EU charter because all it does is codify rights that exist through other legal instruments, headed off a potential rebellion by promising a review and possible technical changes later in the lawmaking process. “We do recognise the strength of views... and we are prepared to look again at this issue to make sure that we are taking an approach which can command the support of this house,” said the government’s Solicitor General Robert Buckland. That was enough to dissuade dissatisfied members of May’s party from joining forces with opposition lawmakers to force an outright U-turn on scrapping the charter. The government still intends to scrap the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, but says citizens will not lose any of the existing rights the document sets out. During the debate, critics - including members of May’s own party - argued that abandoning the charter was an unnecessary risk and in its current form diluted some citizens’ rights and created uncertainty over the protection of others.
Wednesday November 22, 2017
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Putin hosts Assad in fresh Ex-Bosnian Serb commander Mladic faces verdict in genocide trial drive for Syria peace deal
Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) meets with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Russia. Sputnik/Mikhail Klimentyev/Kremlin via REUTERS MOSCOW/BEIRUT (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for three hours of talks to lay the groundwork for a new push by Moscow to end Syria’s conflict now that Islamic State’s territory is overrun. Russia is trying to broker an international consensus around a peace deal for Syria, over two years after Moscow began a military intervention that turned the tide of the conflict in Assad’s favor. Putin said he would follow up his meeting late on Monday with Assad by talking soon to international leaders with influence over the conflict, among them U.S. President Donald Trump, the Saudi king, and the leaders of Iran and Turkey. In a more than hour long phone call yesterday, Trump and Putin stressed the importance of the U.N.-led peace process in resolving the Syrian civil war, the White House said. According to the Kremlin, Putin told Trump that the “Syrian leader confirmed adherence to the political process, to run a constitutional reform” and presidential and parliamentary elections. Previous attempts to end Syria’s six years of war have foundered because of bitter disagreements, especially on whether Assad himself should stay in power. After the talks in Russia — Assad’s first publiclydeclared travel outside Syria since a trip to Moscow in October, 2015 — a Kremlin spokesman declined to say if Assad’s own future had come up in the discussions, saying only that was up to the Syrian people. The White House statement made no mention of Assad’s future. U.S. officials have said Assad has no future governing Syria. Putin meanwhile also spoke with Saudi King Salman, Israeli
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. The half-hour conversation with Netanyahu dealt with Iran’s attempts to gain a foothold in Syria and Israel’s opposition to such moves, according to a source in Netanyahu’s office. The Israeli leader stressed his country’s security concerns, the source said. In a sign that international attempts may be underway to bridge the differences between rival sides in the Syrian conflict, leading opposition figures, including former prime minister Riyad Hijab, resigned. Hijab headed the opposition High Negotiations Committee, formed with Saudi backing, and had insisted on Assad’s removal from power at the start of a political transition. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, speaking in Moscow, said the resignations would make the opposition more reasonable and realistic. Today, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani — whose countries back opposing sides in the Syria conflict — will travel to Russia for a three-way meeting with Putin aimed at advancing the Syrian peace process. SECRET VISIT Assad’s visit to Russia was brief and closelyguarded. He flew in on Monday evening, held talks, and flew out four hours after landing, according to the Kremlin. Officials did not release word of the meeting until yesterday morning. Sitting either side of a small coffee table in a conference room at Putin’s residence in Sochi, southern Russia, Putin told Assad it was time to pivot from a focus on military operations to a search for a peaceful solution. Syrian government forces and their allies at the
weekend took control of Albu Kamal, the last major Syrian town held by Islamic State. “We still have a long way to go before we achieve a complete victory over terrorists. But as far as our joint work in fighting terrorism on the territory of Syria is concerned, this military operation is indeed wrapping up,” Putin told Assad, in comments broadcast by Russian television. “Now the most important thing, of course, is to move on to the political questions, and I note with satisfaction your readiness to work with all those who want peace and a solution (to the conflict),” Putin said. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, dressed in an olive-colored uniform, looked on as Putin and Assad spoke.
THE HAGUE (Reuters) The U.N. tribunal on war crimes in former Yugoslavia hands down its final verdict today in the genocide trial of Ratko Mladic, the ex-Bosnian Serb general accused of ordering the massacre of 8,000 Muslim men and boys at Srebrenica. Prosecutors demanded a life sentence for Mladic, 74, who was the Serb army commander in Bosnia’s 199295 war and is also charged with crimes against humanity over the siege of Sarajevo in which 11,000 civilians died from shelling and sniper fire. The Srebrenica slaughter was Europe’s worst atrocity since World War Two. Mladic faced 11 charges in total and pleaded not guilty to all of them. He is expected to appeal if convicted. Srebrenica, near Bosnia’s eastern border with Serbia, had been designated a “safe area” by the United Nations and was defended by lightly armed U.N. peacekeepers. But they quickly surrendered when Mladic’s forces stormed it on July 11, 1995. The Dutch peacekeepers looked on helplessly as Serb forces separated men and boys from women, then sent them out of sight on buses or marched them away to be shot. A bronzed and burly Mladic was filmed visiting a refugee camp in Srebrenica on July 12. “He was giving away chocolate and sweets to the children while the cameras were rolling, telling us nothing will happen and that we have no reason to be afraid,”
Ex-Bosnian Serb general, Ratko Mladic recalled Munira Subasic of the Mothers of Srebrenica group.\ “After the cameras left he gave an order to kill whoever could be killed, rape whoever could be raped and finally he ordered us all to be banished and chased out of Srebrenica, so he could make an ‘ethnically clean’ city,” she told Reuters. The remains of Subasic’s son Nermin and husband Hilmo were both found in mass graves by International Commission of Missing Persons (ICMP) workers. The ICMP have identified some 6,900 remains of Srebrenica victims through DNA analysis. Mladic’s lawyers argued that his responsibility for murder and ethnic cleansing of civilians by Serb forces and allied paramilitaries was never established beyond reasonable doubt and he should get no more than 15 years if convicted.
The “Butcher of Bosnia” to his enemies, Mladic is still seen as a national hero by compatriots for presiding over the swift capture of 70 percent of Bosnia after its Serbs rose up against a Muslim-Croat declaration of independence from Yugoslavia. “GREATER SERBIA” Prosecutors said the ultimate plan pursued by Mladic, Bosnian Serb political leader Radovan Karadzic and Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic was to purge Bosnia of non-Serbs - a strategy that became known as “ethnic cleansing” - and carve out a “Greater Serbia” in the ashes of old federal Yugoslavia. In arguing for Mladic to be imprisoned for life, prosecutor Alan Tieger said anything else “would be an insult to victims and an affront to justice”. Mladic was indicted along with Karadzic in 1995, shortly after the Srebrenica killings, but evaded capture until 2011. His trial in The Hague took more than four years in part because of delays due to his poor health and will be the last case - barring appeals to be heard by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). “From the legal point of view we expect the court to release the general,” Mladic’s son Darko told Reuters. “During the trial we have not seen any evidence against him. What we are worried about now is his health.”
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday November 22, 2017
State agency files lawsuit against former minister, companies PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - CMC – A stateowned agency has filed a lawsuit against former housing minister Dr. Roodal Moonilal claiming he was part of an elaborate scheme of bidrigging, bribery and collusion which led to millions of dollars (One TT dollar=US$0.16 cents) being disbursed to five contractors a few weeks before the 2015 general elections. A statement from the Office of the attorney general issued late Monday night indicated that the Estate Management and Business Development Company (EMBD) had filed the lawsuit earlier against Moonilal; former EMBD chief executive Gary Parmassar; former divisional manager at EMBD Madhoo Balroop; Andrew Walker; and companies Fides Limited; Namalco Construction; and LCB Contractors. “EMBD has claimed, based on evidence gathered over the past 20 months, that these individuals and entities engaged in bid-rigging and cartel behaviour, support and/or encourage and/or permitted by persons in public office, including
Dr. Roodal Moonilal Moonilal, who at all material times was the line minister for EMBD….,” said the statement in announcing the lawsuit. In an immediate reaction, Moonilal, who served as a minister in the coalition People’s Partnership government of Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bisessar during 2010-15, said the EMBD has become the second state entity to sue me in two years. “The EMBD cannot sue a minister of government. It is the Attorney General who may take action against a former minister, but the EMBD cannot file action
against the minister,” he said, adding that the matter will be “”a showdown” between former attorney general Anand Ramlogan and the incumbent Faris Al-Rawi. “It will be a legal showdown and my bet will be with Ramlogan,” said Moonilal, who also indicated that he intends to “claim damages from the attorney general himself because the EMBD operates in the red and cannot pay”. In the statement, the Office of the Attorney General said that the lawsuit concerns 10 contracts awarded in August 2015 to five contractors for the upgrade and rehabilitation of certain access roads and two contracts for rehabilitation works. The statement said the EMBD lawsuit alleged breach of fiduciary duty, cartel behaviour, bribery, collusion, knowing receipt, dishonest assistance and unlawful means conspiracy. The EMBD is also seeking compensation and repayment of sums paid. The ministry said those named as defendants in the lawsuit are expected to be served with the court action in the coming days.
Court rules against leader of Muslim group
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - CMC – A High Court judge has dismissed a claim for compensation by the leader of a Muslim group who had been charged with the 1998 murder of member of the group. Yasin Abu Bakr, the leader of the Jamaat al Muslimeen group had sought compensation in his malicious prosecution lawsuit against a magistrate who, as coroner, ordered that he be charged for the 1998 of 22-year-old mechanic Israel Sammy. Bakr had argued that coroner Nalini Singh acted maliciously when she charged him and Brent “Big Brent” Miller with murder after the conclusion of a coroner’s inquest into the death of Sammy in September 2010. Sammy, also a former member of Bakr’s organisation, was shot dead behind his home in Maraval,
Yasin Abu Bakr on the outskirts of the capital on May 20, 1998. Singh’s decision was eventually overturned one month later after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Roger Gaspard said there was insufficient evidence to sustain the charge. In his ruling on Monday, Justice Frank Seepersad said
the evidence in Bakr’s claim established the rules of natural ju s t i c e w e r e adhered to and, observed during the inquest, there was nothing to suggest S i n g h ’s p r o c e d u r e w a s flawed or that Bakr’s rights were compromised. He also said there was no evidence Singh acted with malice or improper motive, adding that in arriving at her decision she properly discharged her statutory obligations under the Coroner’s Act. In dismissing the lawsuit, Justice Seepersad found the malicious prosecution claim could not be sustained against the coroner since she did not prosecute Bakr, who rose to prominence here in 1990 when he led a group of more than 100 men in an attempt at overthrowing the then government of prime minister ANR Robinson. The judge said that Bakr’s lawsuit was “not properly structured,” and that the lawsuit against the Attorney General could not be sustained since there was no allegation that the DPP went on to prosecute Bakr. Bakr was ordered to pay costs.
Wednesday November 22, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Highlights of Monday’s NBA... Windies arrive to face Black Caps Mario Chalmers scored 21 points as Washington beat From page 37 Charlotte dominated the fourth quarter and beat Minnesota. Frank Kaminsky added 24 points off the bench as Charlotte outscored Minnesota 34-22 in the fourth quarter. Nicolas Batum added 17 points and Jeremy Lamb contributed 16. Jamal Crawford led Minnesota with 19 points. Karl-Anthony Towns and Jeff Teague added 18 apiece. Trail Blazers 100, Grizzlies 92 CJ McCollum scored 24 points as Portland beat Memphis. McCollum hit a key jumper with 35.3 seconds left and Damian Lillard added 21 as Portland won despite shooting 39.8 percent.
points and Tyreke Evans added 20 as Memphis lost its fifth straight. Pelicans 114, Thunder 107 Anthony Davis scored 36 points in 44 1/2 minutes as New Orleans rallied from a 19point deficit to beat Oklahoma City. Davis played the entire second half and helped New Orleans withstand the ejection of DeMarcus Cousins. He scored 18 points before getting tossed for elbowing Russell Westbrook in the third quarter. Paul George led the Thunder with 26 points. Westbrook posted his fifth triple-double with 22 points, 16 rebounds and 12 assists. Wizards 99, Bucks 88 Bradley Beal scored 23
Milwaukee. John Wall added 15 points and six assists after a one-game absence due to left knee soreness as Washington shot 52.7 percent. Giannis Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee with 23 points and eight rebounds. Khris Middleton added 15 and Eric Bledsoe finished with 14. Nuggets 114, Kings 98 Will Barton scored 25 points and made five threepointers as Denver beat Sacramento. Gary Harris added 20 points and Nikola Jokic posted a double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds. Kosta Koufos and George Hill led Sacramento with 16 points apiece.
CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand, CMC – An upbeat West Indies touched down here yesterday to continue preparation for their two-Test series against the hosts, bowling off next month. The Caribbean team have spent the last two-and-a-half weeks in Australia undergoing training for the series which will see matches at the Basin Reserve in Wellington from December 15 and at Seddon Park in Hamilton from December 913. Before those Tests, however, the tourists will take on a strong New Zealand A side in a three-day tour match at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln starting Saturday. The match is the only warm-up fixture prior to the Test series. West Indies are coming off a 1-0 win in a two-Test series against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo earlier this month, and will be hoping to take that winning form into the current tour. The weight of history will be against the Windies, however, as they have not won a series on New Zealand soil in 22 years. On their last tour here four years ago, the Windies went down 2-0 in a threematch rubber. West Indies made just one change to the squad which toured Zimbabwe, bringing in prolific batsman Sunil Ambris for out-of-form right-hander, Kyle Hope.
Sprint legend streamlining fitness for... From page 37 pointed out. “I’m going to train hard, put myself through some drills. Coach of the team in Jamaica – I’ll do some work with him also to figure out the finer details.” Bolt took the Aussie cricketers through their paces as he helped sharpen up the speed element of their running, ahead of the opening Test on Thursday in Brisbane. “It’s all about explosiveness, and that’s one thing I’ve noticed with cricket – they don’t really have a lot of explosiveness when they’re running,” Bolt noted. Batsman Peter Handscomb said they would be taking Bolt’s tips on board to help with their game. “We’ll give it a crack. He was trying to get us nice and low in the turn and in and out. The first couple of steps are key and if we can get them right, we’ll be fast.”
Batsman Jermaine Blackwood pushes his luggage following his arrival yesterday. (Photo courtesy CWI Media)
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Wednesday November 22, 2017
Kaieteur News
Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Competition
Defending champs start defence against Ol Skool Balers Defending Georgetown Zone champions of the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Competition Sparta Boss will open up the defence of their title with a tough engagement against Albouystown-based Ol Skool Ballers in the final fixture on tonight’s round of matches, at California Square in East Ruimveldt. The champs, who have been far from their best in recent competitions, will no doubt be aiming to start on a positive note and send an early signal of their intentions to all the other pretenders. Ten games are scheduled for this evening and another massive crowd is anticipated to kick off the Zone with a total of over $1million in prize monies and trophies up for grabs, while an automatic spot in the national playoffs is also part of the rewards for the winner. The winner will walkaway with $500,000 and the championship trophy, while the runner-up, third and fourth placed finishers get $250,000, $200,000 and $100,000 respectively. The winning team also have the assurance that the Organisers will undertake an enhancement project within the community that they are based. The event which is set to
continue tomorrow evening, at the same venue, is also being sponsored by Colours Boutique. The tournament is being co-ordinated by Three Peat Promotions and the Organisers are imploring on all teams and supporters to continue to exhibit the usual high standard of discipline throughout the event. Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Georgetown 2017 Group Assignments Group-A-Sparta Boss, Channel-9 Warriors, Ol Skool Ballers and Gaza Squad. Group-B-Leopold Street, Albouystown-A, Bad-a-Yard and GTI Ballers. Group-C-North East La Penitence, Festival City, New Market Street and Kingston. Group-D-Back Circle, Albouystown-B, Trap Squad and Rising Stars. Group-E-Gold is Money, North Ruimveldt, Smyth Street and Judgement Yard. Group-F-Broad Street, Queen Street Tigerbay, California Square and Stabroek Ballers. Group-G-Tucville, Bent Street, Sophia Bullies and Norton Street. Group-H-Future Stars, Alexander Village, Upsetters and East Front Road. Meanwhile, the fixtures for the opening two days are
FLASHBACK: Guinness Brand Manager Lee Baptiste (right) hands over the winning trophy and first prize to Sparta Boss Captain Devon Millington following one of their title wins. seen below: Day-1-East Ruimveldt(California Square) Bad-A-Yard vs GTIBallers-19:00hrs Broad Street vs Stabroek Ballers-19:30hrs Albouystown-B vs Rising Stars-20:00hrs North East La Penitence vs Kingston-20:30hrs
West Front Road vs Smyth Street-21:00hrs North Ruimveldt vs Judgement Yard-21:30hrs Festival City vs New Market Street-22:00hrs Channel-9 vs Gaza Squad22:30hrs California Square vs Queen Street Tigerbay23:00hrs
Sparta Boss vs Ol Skool Ballers-23:30hrs Day-2-East Ruimveldt(California Square) Kingston vs New Market Street-19:00hrs Albouystown-A vs GTI Ballers-19:30hrs Bent Street vs Norton Street-20:00hrs Leopold Street vs Bad-A-
Yard-20:30hrs Tucville vs Sophia Bullies-21:00hrs Ol Skool vs Gaza Squad21:30hrs Alexander Village vs Upsetters-22:00hrs East Front Road vs Future Stars-22:30hrs Back Circle vs Trap Squad-23:00hrs
Wednesday November 22, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Highlights of Monday’s NBA games (The Sports Xchange) Highlights of Monday’s National Basketball Association games: Celtics 110, Mavericks 102 (OT) Kyrie Irving scored a season-high 47 points as the Boston Celtics ran their winning streak to 16 games with a 110-102 overtime win over the Dallas Mavericks on Monday. Irving produced the fourth-highest scoring game of his career as the Celtics (162) rallied from 13 points down in the final 7:47 of regulation. He shot 16-of-22, made five three-pointers and 10 free throws. Jaylen Brown added 22 for Boston, which tied the fourthlongest win streak in team history. The Celtics can tie for the third longest when they go for 17 in a row Wednesday at Miami. Harrison Barnes led Dallas with 31 points. Wesley Matthews added 18, J.J. Barea 16 and Dirk Nowitzki posted his first doubledouble with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Cavaliers 116, Pistons 88 Kevin Love collected 19 points and 11 rebounds as
Blake Griffin scored 21 points before fouling out as Los Angeles also dropped to 1-11 in its last 12 games. 76ers 107, Jazz 86 Rookie Ben Simmons posted his 11th doubledouble with 27 points and 10 rebounds as Philadelphia beat Utah. Simmons made 13-of-24 shots as Philadelphia shot 51.8 percent. JJ Reddick added 20 and Joel Embiid contributed 15 for the 76ers. Rookie Donvan Mitchell
Kyrie Irving scored 10 of his season high 47 points in overtime for the Celtics. (Photo: Jerome Miron, USA TODAY Sports) Cleveland routed Detroit for its fifth straight win. LeBron James added 18 points in 27 minutes as Cleveland led by as many as 39 and shot 52.5 percent. Jae Crowder also scored 18 points for Cleveland. Stanley Johnson scored 11 points for Detroit but Andre Drummond finished with eight points and eight rebounds. Drummond failed
to get at least 12 rebounds for the first time this season. Knicks 107, Clippers 85 Kristaps Porzingis led six players in double figures as New York handed Los Angeles its ninth straight loss. Reserve Doug McDermott added 16 points, Tim Hardaway Jr contributed 13 while Enes Kanter totaled 12 points and 16 rebounds.
Sprint legend streamlining fitness for Dortmund trial
Usain Bolt shares tips with Aussie cricketers during a speed session. MELBOURNE, Australia, CMC – Legendary retired Jamaican sprinter, Usain Bolt, says he is seriously weighing up a career in football, and is currently getting in shape to undertake a possible trial at German Bundesliga giants, Borussia Dortmund. The multiple-time World and Olympic champion, the most successful sprinter ever in the history of the sport, has always flirted with the idea of a football career but has firmed up plans following his retirement last August at the World Championships in London. “It’s something that I want to do. I’m trying to get fit now,” the 31-year-old told the Herald Sun as he took charge of a training session with members of the Australia cricket side preparing for the Ashes series against England. “My doctor finally passed me after my hamstring problems at the World Championships, so now I can start training. I’ve started training while I’m here and trying
to get into shape before I get home and next year I’ll get a trial and we’ll take it from there.” Bolt dominated sprinting ever since dramatically bursting onto the international scene at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, going on to become the first sprinter to win the 100 and 200 metres titles at three consecutive Olympiads. He is an 11-time World champion and remains the world’s fastest-ever man with his astonishing 100m record of 9.58 seconds and 200m mark of 19.19 seconds, still intact. His last appearance at the London World Championships was riddled with injury, however, as he could only manage third in the 100m before pulling up in the sprint relay. The outing raised some doubt over his ability to continue as a top tier athlete but Bolt said he would give his new interests plenty thought before making a final decision. “We’ll decide if it makes sense. When I put my mind to something, I’m going to do it,” he Continued on page 35
led the Jazz with 17 points. Pacers 105, Magic 97 Victor Oladipo scored 29 points as Indiana beat Orlando. Bojan Bogdanovic added 26 points and Thaddeus Young contributed 17 as Indiana won its fourth straight. Nikola Vucevic totaled 25 points and 13 rebounds as Orlando dropped its fifth straight. Spurs 96, Hawks 85 LaMarcus Aldridge scored 22 points and grabbed
11 rebounds as San Antonio beat Atlanta. Manu Ginobili added 16 points as San Antonio overcame 18 turnovers. Danny Green added 14 and Kyle Anderson posted a double-double with 13 and 10 rebounds. Rookie John Collins led the Hawks with 21 points. Hornets 118, Timberwolves 102 Dwight Howard collected 25 points and 20 rebounds as Continued on page 35
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Wednesday November 22, 2017
Kaieteur News
Gayle’s half-century hands Riders Jones calls time on career after Atlanta snub win but Smith knock goes in vain
West Indies left-hander Chris Gayle DHAKA, Bangladesh, CMC – West Indies superstar Chris Gayle notched his second half-century in as many days to fire Rangpur Riders to a narrow three-run victory over Kieron Pollard’s Dhaka Dynamites but Dwayne Smith’s fifty proved in vain as Rajshahi Kings lost again in the Bangladesh Premier League here yesterday. The left-handed Gayle, who only arrived last weekend, pummeled 51 from 28 balls in a Man-of-theMatch performance as Riders, sent in by the league leaders, were dismissed for 142 with a ball to spare at the Shere Bangla National Stadium. Gayle dominated a 36-run opening stand with New Zealander Brendon
McCullum (6) and a further 35 for the second wicket with Mohammad Mithun (22), to keep the innings going. The Jamaican had belted five fours and four sixes when he perished trying to find another boundary, holing out to deep mid-wicket off offspinner Mosaddek Hossain in the eighth over. West Indies off-spinner Sunil Narine finished wicketless from four overs which cost 29 runs and then suffered a one-ball ‘duck’ when he fell to the second ball of the Dynamites reply, edging pacer Mashrafe Mortaza behind with two runs on the board. His opening partner and fellow West Indies and Trinidad and Tobago
teammate, Evin Lewis, struck three sixes in 28 off 25 balls, adding 44 for the third wicket with Jahurul Islam (29). Dynamites then lost wickets at key stages but entered the final over requiring 10 runs for victory, with Pollard at the crease. The Windies all-rounder was kept scoreless from the first two deliveries before depositing the third ball from pacer Thisasa Perera over the ropes at long on, leaving Dynamites with just four runs to get from three balls. However, Pollard was kept scoreless off the fourth ball and yorked by the fifth, and last man Abu Hider was bowled by a full toss off the last ball, to give Riders a nervy win. In the preceding game, the former Barbados and West Indies opener Smith topscored with a superb 62 off 36 balls as Kings rallied to a competitive 166 for eight off 20 overs, after being sent in by Khulna Titans. The right-hander struck seven fours four sixes and helped rescue the innings in a 76-run, fourth wicket stand with Mushfiqur Rahim after Kings found themselves in disarray at 21 for three in the third over. Mushfiqur lashed 55 off 33 deliveries down the order but captain Darren Sammy managed just three. In reply, West Indies players Chadwick Walton (4) and Carlos Brathwaite (12) both failed but captain Mahmudullah hit 56 and Ariful Haque, an unbeaten 43, to see their side home with four balls to spare.
FIFA bans three disgraced officials for life GENEVA, Switzerland (AFP) — FIFA’s ethics committee yesterday slapped lifetime bans on three former world football executives who have all pleaded guilty to corruption charges in US courts. Rafael Esquivel, a former head of the Venezuelan Football Association, Nicaragua’s Julio Rocha, a former FIFA development officer, and Richard Lai of Guam, who served on FIFA’s auditing body, have all been barred from any further involvement in the sport. “The adjudicatory chamber found Mr Lai, Mr Rocha and Mr Esquivel guilty of having violated article 21 (bribery and corruption) of the FIFA Code of Ethics,” said a
statement from the ethics watchdog of world football’s governing body. “The officials are banned for life from all football-related activities... at national and international level,” it added. The three are among the 42 officials and marketing executives who have been indicted by the United States justice department as part of its sprawling probe into football corruption. Esquivel, who also served as the vice president of South American governing body CONMEBOL, pleaded guilty to racketeering and wire fraud in November of last year. He admitted to taking bribes in exchange for the awarding of football media
and marketing rights. Rocha, who once headed Nicaragua’s football association, pleaded guilty to similar offences in December 2016. Lai, in addition to his FIFA role, also led the football association in his native Guam. He pleaded guilty in April to a variety of corruption-related offences including selling his vote ahead of FIFA elections. The US investigation, which came to light in May 2015, uncorked the largest scandal in the history of world football. The first trial in the case began last week in New York, where three South American former officials are accused of graft worth millions of dollars.
ATLANTA, United States, CMC – Trinidadian forward Kenwyne Jones abruptly ended his 15-year professional career on Monday after Major League Soccer franchise Atlanta United opted not to renew his contract for the upcoming season. The 33-year-old, a former Trinidad and Tobago captain, was one of seven players not retained by Atlanta following a season where he scored two goals in just 17 league appearances, and he subsequently announced his decision via the online social networking service, Twitter. “Football has been great to me, I thank everyone who has helped me on the way, I appreciate you, but this is my last year in the sport…#onelove.” He was later quoted as saying: “My decision to retire from playing has not been an easy one for me but having thought about it at length, and having discussed it with those closest to me, I believe that now is the right time to move on to the next chapter in my life and career.” “I feel incredibly honored
Trinidad and Tobago striker Kenwyne Jones and proud to have enjoyed the career I’ve had and I’ve loved every moment of it, being part of history and playing before fans of my country and the different teams I represented. “It has been a huge distinction to captain my national team both at the senior and youth level and these were some of the best years of my life.” Following successful spells with Trinidadian Pro League clubs Joe Public and W Connection, the six-foot, two-inch striker came to
prominence as a 19-year-old when he excited the taste buds during a three-year spell at Southampton when he smashed in 19 goals from 71 appearances. Jones then joined Sunderland in 2007 in a deal valued at six million pounds sterling, yet again impressing in his three years on Tyneside. His strong aerial ability saw him attract attention from Premiership giant Liverpool and Chelsea but he remained with Sunderland until moving to Stoke City in 2010 for a club record eight million pounds sterling. This move was followed by a two-year spell at Cardiff City and short loan stints a Bournemouth and Al Jazira in United Emirates, before linking up with Atlanta last year. Jones won 89 caps for T&T, scoring 23 goals and was a member of the historic squad which qualified for the 2006 World Cup in Germany. He played in three CONCACAF Gold Cup campaigns in 2005, 2013 and 2015, and was part of T&T’s recent failed 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign.
Oumar Niasse: Everton to contest striker’s ‘dive’ charge BBC Sport - Everton striker Oumar Niasse has become the first Premier League player to be charged by the Football Association for “successful deception of a match official”. The Senegal international won a controversial penalty, after minimal contact from Scott Dann, during Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace. Leighton Baines scored the spot-kick, and Niasse later scored his side’s second equaliser at Selhurst Park. Everton will contest the charge. New laws were introduced in May allowing players to be charged after a game for simulation. Carlisle forward Shaun Miller was the first to be banned for two games, in October. Bristol City defender Bailey Wright was suspended for two games earlier this month after being found guilty of simulation. He went down in an off-the-ball incident with Fulham’s Aboubakar Kamara, whose red card for the clash was later rescinded. Manchester City forward Bernardo Silva and Watford’s Richarlison have both avoided charges this season. When asked about Niasse, former Premier League head of referees Keith Hackett told BBC Radio 5 live: “I think on this one, he deceived [referee] Anthony Taylor 100%. Anthony, in a good position, gave the penalty kick from his viewing angle. “But the cameras behind the goal were clear that it was a dive. I applaud the FA for bringing out the fact that they can review these incidents, and then subsequently if the player is found guilty, punish. “Why not take this valuable step of introducing the VAR [video assistant referee], so that the team that were playing Everton are not punished by a goal that has been scored by what, in effect, is cheating by the player -
Oumar Niasse went on to score the equaliser in the 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace. (Reuters) allegedly.” An FA statement read: “Incidents which suggest a match official has been deceived by an act of simulation are referred to a panel consisting of one ex-match official, one exmanager and one ex-player. “Each panel member will be asked to review all available video footage independently of one another to determine whether they consider it was an offence of ‘successful deception of a match official’. “Only in circumstances where the panel are unanimous would the FA issue a charge.” Former Everton defender Phil Neville said: “It was a dive. It was 100% a dive. There’s a bit of contact but he goes down trying to win the penalty. It’s a soft penalty.” Former England captain Alan Shearer agreed: “I think it is a clear dive and he should be punished.”
Wednesday November 22, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Chanderpaul half century helps West PMTC 1 and Port Mourant Females win Volleyball Association competitions Demerara to 31-run win over East Bank Berbice The Berbice Volleyball Association (BVA) After three fiercely contested sets where no Essequibo, Upper Corentyne, Lower Corentyne triumph as Crandon slams ton
Tagenarine Chanderpaul
Ricardo Adams
Royston Crandon
interclub tournament Volleyball tournament was successfully held last Sunday at the GuySuCo Apprentice Training School Hostel Compound, Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice. Port Mourant Training Centre (PMTC 1) and Port Mourant Females emerged the respective winners. Four teams participated in the male, while three took part among the females. Among the males were Port Mourant Training Centre (PMTC 1) and PMTC 2, Corriverton Jets and the GuySuCo Training Centre/ Port Mourant (GTCPM. The female division had Falcons of Orealla, Corriverton Jets and Port Mourant females. After a round robin play off in both categories, PMTC 1 and PMTC 2 emerged the top teams in the male grouping. The two then emerged in a play off to decide on the winner in a best in three finals.
quarters were given and none asked. It was the PMTC 1 team that came out winners 2-1 after losing the first set at 14 -25. They then clawed their way back to take the following two sets 25-18 & 15-11 after a keen tussle. The female category saw Port Mourant females romping home by defeating the Corriverton Jets 30 - 18. At the prize giving ceremony that followed immediately after. The first place trophy in the male category went to PMTC 1, while PMTC 2 was presented with the second and Corriverton Jets third. The most valuable Player award went to Joshua Jagmohan. Port Mourant females and Corriverton Jets copped the first and second place trophies. Candacy Mentore received the MVP among the females. (Samuel Whyte)
WC Berbice aiming to leave their mark on National Schools’ C/ships
Veerasammy Permaul
Ramnarine Chatura
Kamesh Yadram
By Zaheer Mohamed Opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul struck a fine half century to help West Demerara to a 31-run victory over East Bank Demerara when the Guyana Cricket Board/Cricket Guyana Inc Jaguars 50-over Franchise league commenced yesterday. Chanderpaul was the mainstay of West Demerara batting after they decided to take first strike at Everest Cricket Club following a late start due to rain which caused the overs to be reduced to 42. Pacer Sherfane Rutherford removed Ashkaya Persaud (00), while Ronaldo Alimohamed trapped Tevin Imlach (03) lbw to reduce West Demerara to 5-2. However, Chanderpaul and Safraz Esau repaired the early damage with a third wicket stand of 68 with level-headed batting. Esau struck fours before he was lbw to Steven Jacobs for 35 before Romario Shepherd was dismissed in similar fashion to Trevon France without scoring. Chanderpaul kept his composure to hit four fours in a top score of 70, but when he was dismissed after facing 119 balls, only Vikash Dhaniram and Naveed Ali with 14 each reached double figures as West Demerara
were bowled out for 167 in 41.2 overs. France claimed 329, Alimohamed 3-26 and Jacobs 2-35. East Bank Demerara reply got off to a bad start as Shepherd removed Rutherford (00) and David Francis (03), restricting them to 7-2. Sachin Singh and Jacobs steadied the chase somewhat with a stand of 53 before Singh was run out for 23. Off-spinner Richie Looknauth had Jacobs caught for 28, while Alimohamed was dismissed for 13 as West Demerara fought themselves back into the contest. Quazim Yusuf chipped in with 22, while Sagar Hathiramani got 14 and Quincy Grimmond 11 as East Bank Demerara were sent packing for 136 in 37.3 overs. Shepherd captured 3-23 and Ashkaya Persaud 3-32. At Imam Bacchus SC, three-day champions Essequibo defeated West Berbice by 78 runs. Essequibo batted first and scored 189-9 off their reduced quota of 30 overs. Kevon Boodie struck 35, while Ricardo Adams and Kemol Savory made 34 each; Joshua Jones got 18 and Eknauth Persaud 16. Kevin Sinclair claimed 4-30 and Waqar Hassan 2-12. West Berbice were bowled out for 111 in 28.3 overs in
reply. Steffon Adams made 21 not out, Krishandat Ramoo 19 and Arthley Bailey 16. Ricardo Adams grabbed 4-28, Akieni Adams 2-9 and Vejai Surujpaul 2-20. At Port Mourant, Upper Corentyne beat East Coast Demerara by one wicket. East Coast Demerara batted first and managed 252 all out in 48.4 overs. Ramnarine Chatura scored 57 not out, Ameer Khan 52, Brian Sattaur 29 and Steve Ramdass 28. Upper Corentyne reached their target with one wicket to spare. Kandasammy Surujnarine stroked an unbeaten 64, Lloydel Lewis made 64 and Balchan Baldeo 42. Kamesh Yadram bagged 547 and Bhaskar Yadram had 3-50. At Albion, Lower Corentyne overcame Georgetown by 113 runs. Lower Corentyne took first strike and posted 249-6. Royston Crandon slammed 101 off 121 balls, while Jason Sinclair made 38, Devon Clement 35 and Jonathan Foo 34. Paul Wintz and Ashmead Nedd claimed two wickets each. Georgetown crumbled for 136 all out after 38 overs in reply. Shemroy Barrington made 29, Ramaal Lewis and Paul Wintz made 22 each. Veerasammy Permaul grabbed 4-26 and Crandon 3-11.
District Five, West Coast Berbice, are rearing to go again in the 2017 National Schools’ Cycling, Swimming and Track & Field championships despite their disadvantage of limited representatives, with their eyes set on creating some upsets when the event runs off next week. The cycling and swimming championships will be hosted at the National Park and National Aquatic Centre respectively, while the Track and Field will be at the Leonora Track and Field facility for the first time. The District, known for producing some top distance athletes, believes it is the ‘dark horse’ of the Championships but the 1974 Champions are confident
that their athletes will do well this year, according to West Berbice Sports Representative, Michelle Archibald. The biggest problem for the district is the lack of equipment and facilities, particularly for the cycling and swimming with just six cyclists and eight swimmers competing. Archibald stated that since the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) is responsible for the district she has appealed to them to help alleviate some of the challenges. While over the years she has gotten her fair share of empty promises, recent administrative changes at the RDC is giving her hope, Archibald explained. Despite their usual challenges in competing at
the championships, Archibald shared with Kaieteur Sport that over the years West Coast Berbice has always still managed to leave a mark at the Championships, and this year will be no different. “We’re not looking at the overall Championships, we are more focused on medaling to show the top districts that we can compete too, mainly in the 400m, 800m, 1500m”, Archibald posited. The Ministry of Education (MOE) and Guyana Teachers’ Union organised event begins next Monday and concludes on December 1st. Upper Demerara/Kwakwani (District 10) are the reigning champions who also have a record 15 overall titles.
Brathwaite into top 20 ahead of Black Caps test
LONDON, CMC – West Indies opener Kraigg Brathwaite has broken into the top 20 of the ICC batting rankings, after rising one place in the latest release yesterday. The right-hander is coming off an average twomatch series against Zimbabwe earlier this month where he scored 121 runs from three innings at an average of 40. He endured a difficult home series against Pakistan with just 101 runs from six innings but has made steady progression up the rankings since then, especially following the three-Test tour of England where he averaged 47. Brathwaite, 24, has emerged as the Windies batting leader in recent years
West Indies opener Kraigg Brathwaite and averages 36 from 42 Tests. He is currently in New Zealand with the Caribbean side preparing for the twoTest rubber there starting next month. Brathwaite is the only West Indies batsman in the
top 20 with the next best being in-form right-hander Shai Hope who lies 25th. Fast bowler Shannon Gabriel, meanwhile, has remained 20th in the bowling rankings, following on from a decent tour of Zimbabwe where he picked up five wickets in the two Tests on flat tracks in Bulawayo. The Trinidadian is the highest ranked West Indies bowler, with leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo lying 23rd and seamer Kemar Roach, 24th. All three will line up in the imminent series against the Black Caps. Australian Steve Smith leads an unchanged top four in the batting rankings while Englishman Jimmy Anderson remains top of the bowling charts.
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Wednesday November 22, 2017
Kaieteur News
Suriname for Terrence Alli National Open - Thomas, Amsterdam to renew battle The Terrence Alli National Open boxing competition is expected to have an international flavor as Suriname is scheduled to send three fighters to participate. The tournament is set for November 28, 29 and 30th at the National Gymnasium and is the Guyana Boxing Association’s last statutory
event for the year. GBA president Steve Ninvalle explained that he has been in discussion with his Suriname counterpart Remie Burke who has promised to make three of his boxers available. The three overseas athletes will join over 40 from Guyana who will be vying for a
Desmond Amsterdam
Dennis Thomas
place on the national team scheduled to take part in the Caribbean Championship. The regional tournament would be held in St Lucia from December 13-16. According to Ninvalle, a potentially scorching affair is the matchup between Diwani Lampkin, a policeman and Caribbean junior welterweight gold medalist Colin ‘Superman’ Lewis of the Guyana Police Force. “Lewis has been ruling the Caribbean and has earned the respect of Jamaica after defeating the island’s best in Kingston last month. It has been reported that Lampkin is not too impressed with the achievement,” Ninvalle stated. The GBA boss also pointed out that there is more unfinished business between Police and GDF in another division. Middleweights Dennis ‘Menace’ Thomas of Police and Desmond Amsterdam will renew their dislike for each other inside the ring, Ninvalle
Colin Lewis
disclosed. The Guyana Defence Force is the reigning National Open Champion Gym but is expected to receive fierce competition from the Guyana Prison Service (Republican Gym). In addition, Forgotten Youth Foundation, Rose Hall Jammers, Vergenoegen Gym, Pocket Rocket, Carryl Boxing Gym, Young Achievers, Harpy Eagles, Police and Savannah Gym of Region Nine are expected to participate. Two years ago the GBA commenced renaming tournaments after fighters who have made Guyana proud. There is the Pepsi Michael Parris Under16 tournament, named after Guyana’s first and only Olympic medalist; The Andrew Lewis National Novice (after Guyana’s first World Title holder), the Lennox Blackmoore National Intermediate (Guyana’s first Commonwealth title holder) and the Terrence Alli National Open.
Australian Open to feature 25-second shot-clocks
LONDON (Reuters) Players will have an additional five seconds between points at next year’s Australian Open but time-wasters will have nowhere to hide thanks to the introduction of shot-clocks. The Grand Slam Board, responsible for the rules at the four majors, confirmed yesterday that the Australian Open’s request to raise the time from 20 to 25 seconds and strictly enforce it with an electronic shot-clock had been accepted. The three other slams will also allow 25 seconds, bringing them into line with regular Tour events, but are not currently scheduled to have shot-clocks. A two-day rules meeting of the Grand Slam Board in London also agreed to limit pre-match warm-ups to five minutes.
Another rule change, which could drastically alter the complexion of majors’ draws, could also be in place in 2019, with the number of seeds limited to 16 instead of the current 32. This year’s four slams will still have 32 seeds. The length of time between points has been a cause of consternation in the sport and while increasing the period allowed appears counterintuitive, shot-clocks will take the decision over whether to penalize a slow player out of the umpire’s hands. Currently it is down to the discretion of the official but the inconsistency in enforcing it has caused problems. The 25-second shot-clock was used in the U.S. Open qualifying event this year and
also at the Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan earlier this month. The Grand Slam Board said in a statement that the serving-time changes had been agreed unanimously. Speeding up the game and cutting out “dead time” has been a priority for the men’s ATP Tour. ATP chief executive Chris Kermode, who praised the shot-clock innovation in Milan, believes the fiveminute pre-match warm-up is still too long. American player Jared Donaldson said before the Milan tournament: “The fiveminute warm-up maybe is redundant and doesn’t necessarily need to take place. Maybe as soon as you walk on court you have five minutes to get ready.” The Australian Open will be more specific than the current grey area, allocating players one minute to walk on and be ready for the umpire’s briefing at the net, followed by a five-minute knock-up, plus one minute to prepare for the first point. Those not ready to play within the permitted time could face fines of $20,000 (£15,117).