Kaieteur News

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

DAMAGE CONTROL The Alliance for Change (AFC) seems to be in damage control over its support of President Granger’s unilateral appointment of 84-year-old retired Justice James Patterson to the position of Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). While its leaders claimed that they were not informed of the decision, out of the blue came evidence via leaked emails that they were indeed informed, ahead of time. Several leaked e-mails by two displeased and disappointed executive members of the party’s Toronto Chapter have disputed the leaders’ narrative. If it was true that they were not part of the decision, then its members in the diaspora wanted to know why they supported the President. The AFC executives were informed of their leaders’ decision to support the President via e-mails. In one of those e-mails, several AFC executives, including its former General Secretary and Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson and the Minister of Business and Treasurer of the AFC, Dominic Gaskin, had on points of principle, expressed disapproval of the decision to unilaterally appoint the Chairman of GECOM. However, their views were in essence negated by the AFC Chairman, Khemraj Ramjattan. Ramjattan has stated that he told President Granger that he was not comfortable with the second list of nominees submitted by the opposition leader, Bharrat Jagdeo. He further advised the President that if he, (Mr. Granger) was not comfortable with the list, he was empowered under the provision of Article 161 of the Constitution to make a unilateral appointment in order to end the impasse between himself and the opposition leader. Ramjattan also indicated that AFC Leader. Mr. Raphael Trotman had expressed similar sentiments to the President. The information in the emails has since been confirmed by Ramjattan. The AFC decision has led deep-seated differences with its local executives and those in the North American Chapters. Disappointed with the appointment, the executives of the Toronto Chapter have pulled their support from the party until it rescinds its decision. In response, Mr. Ramjattan accused the Chairman and the Secretary of the Toronto Chapter of releasing confidential e-mails to the public and has labelled them as rogue elements who have an axe to grind. He was adamant that they should resign from the party. Criticisms also came from the AFC Chapter in the US. In a scathing attack on the AFC leaders, the Chairman of the AFC New York Chapter described the leaders as weak and impotent, and that they are being treated as a step child by the coalition government. He denounced the excuse by the AFC for supporting the unilateral decision as hollow and nonsensical. However, the leaders of the Toronto Chapter are not the first to be labeled rogues and thrown under the bus by the Chairman because of their disagreements with party leadership In view of the unpopularity of the development, many believe that the AFC took a calculated risk that has damaged its public image and left it in a precipitous meltdown. Several executives, including two AFC ministers, have stated that it was wrong for the AFC to abandon its principles of integrity and liberal democracy in support of the President’s unilateral appointment. It is anti-AFC to the core. For its leaders to say one thing in public and say something else in private is instructive. Now in government, the AFC is driven less by the principles on which it was founded, and more by political power. Power has in some cases become an end rather than a means to achieve its objectives.

Saturday November 25, 2017

Editor’s Note; If your sent letter was not published and you felt its contents were valid and devoid of libel or personal attacks, please contact us by phone or email.

Is this a case of abusing trust? DEAR EDITOR, On November 25, which is International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and marks the start of 16 Days of Activism against GenderBased Violence, Guyana is faced with shocking reports of sexual abuse of high school students by Coen Jackson. Jackson is an economics teacher who spent the last 10 years teaching at Bishop’s High School. That the headmistress of one of the top schools in Guyana failed to immediately and appropriately act upon reports that children under her care had been sexually abused should instill deep concern in all of us. And that she rather sought to blame and shame those children is an outrage. Schools should be places where children are safe from and educated about sexual abuse and how to protect themselves from sexual exploiters, rapists, paedophiles and predators. That sexually abusive behaviour could have been unreported or ignored for so many years is alarming because it underscores the high tolerance and normalisation of sexual abuse, sexual harassment and sexual exploitation of children. It exposes the absence of a robust, modern and

functional school-based protection and response system with protocols and guidelines for addressing sexual abuse both in the public and private school systems. A review of the efficacy and delivery of the Ministry of Education Health & Family Life Education Programme, which is the tool for education on social issues including sexual abuse, must be carried out urgently, as it is clearly ineffective. We need to recognise and understand how easy it is for children (all those under 18) to fall prey to sexual abusers and predators and how difficult it can be to confront and expose those who are in positions of power and control. It is no secret that adult sexual abusers, especially those who target children, gain the trust of children by showering them with attention, gifts, money and affection, a process called grooming, before sexually abusing them. Sexual abusers of children also prey on the insecurities and vulnerabilities of children and often threaten them with accusations of complicity in their own sexual abuse and exploitation. If adult survivors of sexual abuse find it so difficult to report sexual offences, how much more so

must it be for children, who are usually are less believed? Like domestic violence, sexual abuse cuts across ethnicity, age, sex, sexual orientation,social and economic status and geography. We know that there have been and continue to be many other cases of child sexual abuse in schools and other educational institutions throughout Guyana. This must stop now. More voices need to speak out and demand better protection of Guyana’s children from sexual abuse and exploitation. We must not accept the failure from those in positions of power and authority to address these issues. Also disturbing is that the defence put forward by Coen Jackson exposed a lack of knowledge of the Sexual Offences Act, namely the offence of abuse of a position of trust, which seeks to protect children from those who would use their access and position to sexually abuse children, and the offence of meeting a child after sexual grooming. His self-confidence in defending his behaviour towards students he admitted to having sexual relations with was so evidently inappropriate that it must give any right-thinking Guyanese cause for thought about our failure to address

the pervasive culture that blames the victims, minimises the effects and nature of sexual abuse, portrays women and girls as seducers and shames them. The idea that academic successes can be used to absolve or excuse teachers from sexual abuse must be completely and vigorously. There seems to be confusion and uncertainty about who has jurisdiction and authority in cases of child sexual offences, as evidenced by the Coen Jackson matter and that involving sexual abuse of a child by the City Constabulary. Reports must be made to the Childcare & Protection Agency and the police and criminal investigation must be pursued. Sexual harassment, which has come to the forefront, internationally, also needs urgent attention in Guyana. Even though the P r e v e n t i o n o f Discrimination Act outlaws sexual harassment in the workplace, anecdotal evidence indicates that the Act rarely used, perhaps because many persons do not know of it or the forms of discrimination it protects against, or because the court system is difficult to navigate, not user-friendly and notorious for long delays. Continued on page 6

The Bishops’ issue is a spat between narcissists DEAR EDITOR, As much as I commend Mr. Ruel Johnson for bringing the alleged acts of Mr Jackson to the public fore - I hope he has initiated a nationwide call of action for change in attitudes to matters like this - I have now come to the conclusion that I must condemn his unethical behaviour on social media incessantly seeking glory for himself and boasting of his considerable power and influence as a senior government functionary. Aside from his suspect motive - I believe this is a ‘lovers spat’ between two narcissists -, he has moved into the realm of bringing disrepute to his high government office and should be so sanctioned. I can only wait for him to get on the stand as the chief

complainant to be questioned by a skilled defence lawyer - hope he lives in a concrete house. You see what happens here? Does Johnson have any legal standing in this matter, or are the victims now going to be subordinated to Johnson’s star boy role in the matter. His continued behaviour of seeking glory for himself has shifted the attention away from the victims of the alleged sexual exploitation on to himself and questions his suitability for the high office he holds. There has been a pattern of him aggressively using his office to intimidate persons he disagrees with - look at the accusations he pelted at Frank Anthony. Mr. Johnson needs to shut up and let the systems in placed take their

course. I am urging the government with its many challenges of indiscipline with public officers to sanction Mr. Johnson for he now has become a nuisance. I think he should be suspended from duty because of the very way he continues to carry on. I believe the matter between the two men is personal. How dare he use the misfortune of those young lady victims to further his own sinister and inadequate ego? And he has his cheerleaders. I think that the government needs to implement a social media policy for its officers to curb this kind of culture; people are knocked off or suspended from work for bringing disrepute to their high office and employers because of

their social media attitude and behaviour. Before Johnson damages a blood vessel, let me make it clear to him, when he reads this letter, that as much as I condemn Jackson and believe he ought to be severely sanctioned for his alleged high crimes, it is he, Johnson, and his continued exhibition of power and manipulation of the ‘herd’ that has prompted my disdain. I wonder if he has jeopardised the chances of the victims getting justice given the atmosphere he has created. Any lawyer worth his dollars will first contend that Jackson will unlikely get a fair judgement from a jury of his peers with this continued frenzy fueled by such a narcissist as Johnson. Andre Marks

Saturday November 25, 2017

THE DEADLY DANGERS OF IMPROPER GARBAGE DISPOSAL DEAR EDITOR, I humbly request that you share the following which is intended to educate and stir our nation to speedily work towards practical solutions for the above growing problem. On November 21, 2017 the late Ramnarine of Lot 143, Block 8, Mon Repos was laid to rest. A few days earlier he was attacked by a swarm of Africanized bees while riding his bicycle along the Mon Repos Public Road. His only child, Suresh Ramnarine, related that the bees were nested in a carelessly discarded old tyre on the road shoulder and they were disturbed by a grazing cow. In close proximity to this site is a tyre repair shop. Two other persons were stung by a few bees who passed by just before Mr. Ramnarine, but the swarm of hundreds of bees attacked him and he quickly succumbed. He was a fairly healthy man working at the BV/ Triumph NDC during the day and watching at a business at night. He was therefore making quite a sacrifice to provide for himself and family and society has lost a very resourceful person. A few weeks ago a team from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure clearing the road shoulders of the Mahaica new road was also attacked by Africanized bees. These bees were nested in discarded old tires on the road shoulder which were covered by dried vegetation and could not have been detected by the team. It is very likely that these old tyres were dumped by

persons nearby who sell used cars and agricultural machinery. The workers destroyed the bees by setting fire to the hive. The fire got out of control and they had to be assisted by a fire tender. I also recall that on a recent return trip from Corentyne the Berbice Bridge was closed and I queued for crossing. Thrice I saw persons throwing garbage out of their vehicles to the road shoulder which had been weeded and cleaned by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure just a week before. They all argued with me when I spoke to them and none of them picked up their garbage. Certainly this garbage will pose a hazard to the weeders when they will clean next time. Mr. Ramnarine’s death is a clear indication of the deadly dangers of improper garbage disposal, especially old tires. When a problem leads to loss of life it needs to be addressed with a sense of urgency. It is therefore imperative that we join hearts and hands and work towards practical solutions. Problems don’t just go away by themselves, or by us merely planning or talking. We need to act quickly, wisely and constructively. There is an old saying which says that “Cleanliness is next to godliness’. However the teaching of the Holy Bible goes a bit deeper – cleanliness is a part of godliness. If we will like our nation to be blessed let us keep it clean. Dr. Sewnauth Punalall ThD (Hon) Sovereign Grace Baptist Fellowship

Do as I say and not as I do DEAR EDITOR, Correct me if I’m wrong, but it is my personal opinion that people should lead by example. Now, if the council of the Crabwood Creek / Moleson Village is asking residents to remove structures or encumbrances from the Government Reserves, isn’t it fair to expect that these persons who are in authority abide by the rules before trying to enforce them? I have noticed that the

Chairwoman’s dwelling place at Section A of Grant 1780 and Councilor, Jalil Singh’s chicken pluckery, at Section A of Grant 1805 are both occupying government reserves. These people are not being asked to remove their structures, so why should other residents be asked to remove theirs? I would appreciate some intelligence into this issue. Thank you. Interested Resident

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Kaieteur News

President Granger details the agricultural path DEAR EDITOR, National Farmers Organisation waited from Sunday, February 12, 2017 to the present to make this response to an article the President of Guyana wrote in KN, dated February 12, 2017. His Excellency expressed his heart-felt sincere exhortations on matters of interest to all Guyana, especially how we, the nation’s food providers, are treated as outside children. Others in authority would have read the article, and by others we mean those persons the President entrusted with agriculture’s development, and the production of food for the nation and for export. We waited patiently for a responsible response from those same officials, ten months after the President expressed his disappointment at the way things were going in agricultural development. Mr. Granger expressed the dangers of food insecurity for the entire planet. Then he speaks about Guyana’s abundance of land and fresh water supplies for agricultural purposes, placing Guyana in an enviable position to take advantage of the increased demand for food, globally. Then he says Guyana can play a meaningful role through investment, infrastructure, in-

formation and innovation in agriculture. He said he visited a farm in the Rupununi savannahs, where a Barbadian investor is producing a wide range of crops. That he has invited Regional leaders, by that we think he means CARICOM businessmen to invest in Guyana, we hope they would spend their money in the savannahs, and leave our Coastlands and riverain areas to our local small farmers. The President then proceeded to point out the requirements for agri-development. He laments the deplorable conditions of roads and dams. The increased cost for farmers to access inputs for production, we guess he means inorganic fertilisers, machinery, vegetable seeds etc. increased cost of transportation for produce to markets, increased levels of spoilage and losses of produce. He further states that infrastructure such as roads, or dams will facilitate greater access by our farmers to inputs. Roads or dams will allow farmers to get produce quickly and easily to markets. Infrastructural development has both direct and indirect effects on output and productivity. The portions of the article we appreciate most of all are those that lay out his vision

Please help Cotton Tree Village DEAR EDITOR, We the farmers of the Cotton Tree Village are pleading with authorities to put a stop to the destruction that is occurring at the Cotton Tree back dam. The entire place is being destroyed by one man who seems to be very powerful and well connected. He is digging out all the land and destroying the entire place. He sells the land as sand on the road. Unfortunately, he has destroyed most of the access dams and they are now eroding. We cannot

access some of our farming areas and some of the main dams have now become dangerous to drive on because he has dug out the sides, leaving trenches all over the place. He beats up anyone or threatens us if we try to take action. We are asking for the relevant authorities to come to the back dam and see the destruction. Please save our livelihood and let him repair the damage that he has already done. Concerned Farmers of Cotton Tree Village

of the good life he talks about. He said food security involves encouraging farmers to produce more, which should be done by ensuring that farmers gain more from their production. This is the part where we are really feeling good. The President said, we will establish farmers’ markets which will allow farmers to retail their produce at prices higher than they would obtain from the middle man. Herein lay the encouragement we farmers need from Government. The President has spoken on the issues of agriculture as we see them being the ones who labour under the poor conditions the President pointed out. He speaks about innovation, agro-processing, about the agri sector leading the revival of rural Guyana. So well has Mr. Grainger laid out the issues that we would like to make him an Honorary Member of the National Farmers Organisation? Was the President talking to us, the people alone? Where are his Ministers of Agriculture, Infrastructure, Communities, Business and all the other Government officials whose portfolios and job description demand that what the President has seen, and written about suggest that he

has around him people to whom he has entrusted vital assignments. They are either unable, incompetent, or don’t give a damn to what is required of them. They are people who may have read the President’s writings in that February 12 article, and just went about their merry ways. After all they do not suffer from what Mr. Granger pointed out as being the hindrances to agricultural development in Guyana. Nine months has passed since the publication of the President’s expressed views. We would like to suggest that Mr. Grainger deliberately used the public media to tell the people that he has persons in those areas we mentioned who must leave their air-conditioned offices, use the expensive vehicles to visit farm areas to witness the truths he witnessed. May we use this letter to suggest to His Excellency that we the farming folks have the ideas to the solutions necessary for his vision towards agriculture and rural development, that we who are suffering know where it hurts the most! We do not need x-rays or high priced officials to ease our suffering. Hafiz Rahman National Farmers Organisation.

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Saturday November 25, 2017

The fault is not with the Cummingsburg Accord DEAR EDITOR, In Shakespeare’s ‘Julius Caesar’, Cassius, a nobleman, in the interest of his country, advised his friend Brutus that, ‘The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves.’ Paraphrasing this in the context of the AFC , the fault is not in the Cummingsburg Accord, but in the inability of the AFC leaders to act in the interests of its members and supporters by promoting the policies and fundamental principles which they have so gloriously expounded in their Action Plan 2011. I was a member then. However, the AFC members and supporters at least some of them, were willing to forgive and forget what was said by both the PPP and the PNC by co-founders of the Party, Messrs Ramjattan and Trotman. Ramjattan had said that ‘over four decades of PNC and PPP Governments have left us bruised, weary and hopeless’ while his counterpart, Trotman had said in his own inimitable style that, ’For 45 years Guyana has had the same parties making turns in the wrong directions, disappointing and betraying its citizens…’ But alas! After just over two years the AFC has made numerous ‘wrong turns’, with the GECOM unilateral appointment making it clear that

the party has become a docile ‘bride’ in the PNC’s harem. The AFC leaders have deviated so far from their manifesto that it is difficult to discern their original identity. They have been consumed and have become mere pawns to the PNC-dominated Government. Their minimal input has been relegated to agreeing or disagreeing as the need arises. When one reads the statements in the Action Plan written by Messrs Ramjattan and Trotman they leave one to wonder whether those lofty ideals were just window dressing to appeal to the people. It would now seem that the AFC leaders have had one self-centered goal in mind when they formed the party: get rid of the PPP at all and any cost and ‘enjoy the good life’! The Cummingsburg Accord is only about ‘sharing the spoils’ and nothing else matters. Even the involvement of civil society was decisively excluded. The 60/40 partnership between APNU and AFC was the crème de la creme. But this was just mere writing. The eventual acquiring of a ceremonial Prime Minister and the equally namesake Vice Presidents and some ministries where the eventual

power lies with the Minister of State, Cabinet and some retired high ranking military officers reflected the most glaring impotence of the AFC. It has become the mere acquisition of ‘empty offices’ which lack the power to make any decisive decisions. They just awaited the ‘crumbs’ which fell from their master’s table. Today, there seems to be only one goal, and that is, self-preservation. It has become pellucid that if they dare to differ they will meet the same fate as was delivered to the UF by the PNC in 1968. However, the AFC leadership chaperoned by the experienced campaigner Moses Nagamootoo, who is adept at damage control, is quoted earlier this year as saying, ‘that after two years in office, things have changed and the AFC is of the belief that the time has come for the Cummingsburg Accord to be renegotiated’. On the other hand, according to WPA’s Tacuma Ogunseye, the Cummingsburg Accord is more in favour of the AFC than APNU. He rationalized this by concluding that the 10% AFC got 40% of the ‘spoils’ therefore renegotiation is out of the question. In other words, they got a lot more than they deserved. The AFC is cognizant that

Ogunseye is correct yet there is now haste to review the Accord before ‘Lovers Day’ 2018. This time the call for review will apart from its usual endorsement of APNU’s decisions will include some issues which will be mere attempts to placate their rapidly dwindling support base. This is the guile of the AFC leadership. Now being faced with extinction since their main financial supporters in the USA and Canada have exposed the AFC’s useless appendage roles to the PNC, they have now once again moved to ‘revise’ the Accord. However, the problem

with the AFC is the fact that the leaders have lost sight of what they stood for: the fight against corruption, massive squandermania, cronyism and the fight for transparency and accountability. All of these have become so endemic in this Government while the AFC leaders are rooted in enjoying the ‘good life’ with their silence becoming unbearable with each passing day. What immediately comes to mind is that the AFC leaders are deathly afraid that should they speak out against these ‘wrongs’ they will be unceremoniously kicked out not unlike the UF when they

spoke about the corruption of the PNC. In conclusion, I have tirelessly written about corruption, cronyism, lack of transparency and accountability within the AFC and was dubbed a ‘rogue’ councilor but what I never expected is the fact that the big financiers in the USA and Canada will be called ‘rogue elements’ when all they did was to stand up for the fundamental principles of the AFC. However, they should seek consolation in the fact that they were not told to ‘haul their ass’! Haseef Yusuf Former AFC member

The plight of the Georgetown Municipality DEAR EDITOR, Over the last few weeks, a number of events have placed the Council in the spotlight in certain sections of the media. As a result, many citizens have been asking questions about the specific and general operations of the Council and the state of affairs as it relates to finance and the provision of services. It is against this background that we, at City Hall, seek to provide answers to our citizens. In this regard, we wish to confine our explanation to three areas: responsibilities, resources and restoration. On the question of responsibilities, it is public knowledge that, the Georgetown municipality has the responsibility to provide municipal services to local communities within the city of Georgetown. These include roads, drainage, street lights, maintenance of cemeteries, maintenance of five municipal markets, maintenance of sluices, pumps and allied drainage equipment, Maternal and Child Welfare Services, Day Care Centres, Environmental and Public Health Services, construction, repair and maintenance of bridges, footpaths and reserves, maintenance of green spaces and recreational grounds and facilities for children, youths and seniors, enforcement of compliance to city by-laws, maintenance of pavements, and the regulation of vehicular traffic on city roads. These services are vital to the quality of life of citizens residing within the precincts of Georgetown and the transient population that visits the city for business and/or pleasure. Altogether, about five hundred citizens use the facilities and services of the city on a daily basis. However, the efficient and effective provision and delivery of these services requires money, manpower and machinery. But it

is no secret that, the council is very short of all threemoney, manpower and machinery. In so far as resources are concerned, citizens will recall that in 1994, the then People’s Progressive Party/Civic government appointed an Interim Management Committee, under the Chairmanship of Dr. James Rose. That committee argued that the revenue base of the Council was too small to provide the wide range of services and facilities it was called to provide to local communities and the city. As a result, the IMC’s proposed new revenue sources to reposition Council financially and to allow it financial comfort to fulfil its responsibilities to citizens. Even though the Committee was supported by many friends of the Council it still fell far short of the resources to keep the city clean and healthy. Since that time and even before 1994- successive councils have made strident efforts to better the financial situation of the Mayor and City Council; they were not very successful. The negative financial situation of the council is exacerbated by certain realities.

These include: 1. Lack of valuation of properties: The fact that we have not had valuation of properties for over twenty 20 years. This means that property owners are paying rates on the rental value of their properties assessed 20 years ago; a most unfortunate situation. A quick glance at our records at the City Treasurer’s Department shows that some property-owners are paying less than sixteen dollars per day to the council, in general rates. This is noteworthy because a substantial portion78% of the council’s revenue comes from general rates. The poverty of the city cannot be decoupled from the fact that about 35% of property-owners, including big corporations and companies, even with amnesty, continue to deliberately neglect to pay their rates to the city. Others undervalue their properties- paying domestic rates instead of commercial rates. However, many property owners actually get away with this unethical corporate behaviour because of the cumbersome judicial process. Royston King Town Clerk City of Georgetown

Is this a case of abusing... From page 4 While Help & Shelter supports revision of the Prevention of Discrimination Act, we recommend and encourage that ALL private and public sector institutions, including schools, ministries, health services, parliament, the police and army and all government agencies, introduce written policies against sexual harassment in the workplace that include education about sexual harassment, and reporting procedures and penalties. If Guyana is to be successful in combating sexual violence we need more inclu-

sive and comprehensive mechanisms, policies and strategies that take into account the expertise and experience that exists in our society. Help & Shelter stands ready to offer its counselling services to any survivors of sexual violence and harassment. Danuta Radzik Josephine Whitehead Niveta Shivjatan Denise Dias Gaitrie Shivsankar Colin Marks Desiree Ramdeen Shondelle Branche For Help & Shelter

Saturday November 25, 2017

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The road to the good life does not pass by the ATM You know that it is payday when the lines at the Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) outside of the main banks begin to snake onto the roadway. It is not as if there are insufficient ATMs in the country; rather, it is the things that these lines reveal, which is disconcerting from an economic point of view. For one, it shows that the vast majority of workers in Guyana live from paycheck to paycheck. If they were not, they would have reserves which would ensure that no sooner are their salaries paid into their accounts, they are desperate for it to be withdrawn.

Those who are therefore claiming that workers are doing better since 2015, may need to ask themselves just how much better is better, when there continues to be this mad rush to withdraw their incomes when the month end comes. There are persons out there who are so adept at monitoring when the banks will deposit funds into their accounts from their employers, that they can predict better than the bank when this will happen. One man told his friend that the bank will be paying on Wednesday. The other man disputed

this and said that his employer told him that he would not have access to the funds until two days after. The first man ended up being correct. He knew more than the man’s employer, and that is because he is a seasoned hand at going to the ATMs when salaries are ready. He knows exactly how long it would have taken the bank to do its internal processing. I reiterate that people are living paycheck to paycheck. If they have an emergency during the month, they are in deep problems. They have to borrow. This is how desperate some people are. They may not

Dem boys seh...

Rum Jattan send home See-all People must realize that power is something that does only last fuh a time. Nobody must abuse it, because when it gone from you, wha you do does come back to haunt you. You mustn’t be spiteful, vindictive or selective. See-all was a man wid power and ee believe he was untouchable until yesterday. He been pun leave fuh couple morning well. He wake up yesterday and press he uniform to go back to wuk. He had he security shine up he shoes. Then he dress upstairs, put on he socks and come downstairs fuh put on he shoes wha de security shine. Dem boys hear that a police car pull up; one of de constable come out, salute him and seh, “Sir, an urgent letter is here for you.”

According to de guard when de man done read de letter, he kick up de wall wid dem same shine shoe. De guard seh he face tun red and he suck up he teeth. De guard seh he didn’t know whether to stand up, sit down, go outside or go upstairs. He tell he driver to wait, he coming back. He go upstairs. De guard seh de driver still waiting. This was de same man who refuse orders from Rum Jattan. De boys remember Rum Jattan call him bout ten times to correct an injustice that Jagdeo do to de Waterfalls paper. He, See-all, ignore de man. He never correct de injustice. Instead, he lie. He mek excuse pun excuse till he add another hundred excuse pun de same excuse.

Rum Jattan nevah forget and dem boys ain’t forget either. Dem boys seh a day does come, and dis is he day. Dem boys still want to know how come he nah refuse Rum Jattan letter wha seh he must stay home in the public interest. Dem boys seh See-all number two and some other senior officers does behave just like See-all. Dem better tek note, because dem can get a letter too. De way how dem boys understand de letter, is that SeeAll got all de time in the world to sit down and look through he house window whole day and soon as de sun gone down he can go to de casino and gamble whole night. He got nutten else fuh worry about. Talk half and wonder how come See-all didn’t see dat coming.

Local Content legislation must... From page 8 reverse, and so it was thought that we should craft the policy before 2020…” Guyana's draft local content policy has been criticized in recent months for lacking provisions which would safeguard against exploitation by companies. The draft speaks nothing of how to avoid procurement fraud, conflict of interest and favouritism, among other crucial areas. Instead, the draft Local Content Policy framework seeks to address, the suite of opportunities that may arise and the approaches to be taken in selecting and developing opportunities related to enhancing the capabilities of Guyanese nationals and businesses. The Policy articulates that this will be done through training, development and employment initiatives (Capacity Development), ensuring availability of ownership participation for qualified Guyanese equity interest (Ownership Value), supplier development

provisions for goods and services by locals to support sector operations (Local Content); and well-tailored social contributions for greater impact and benefits (Societal Benefits). It also describes what will be done to ensure that the activities in the petroleum sector are conducted in a manner that transparently secures the maximum benefit for the people of Guyana, while recognizing the limitations of the country and holding all actors accountable to the present and future generations of Guyanese who are the owners of the nation's petroleum resources. Additionally, the draft policy recognizes that the petroleum resources of Guyana belong to all its citizens, and represent an asset of significant intrinsic value, which, once removed, diminishes the wealth of the nation, unless there is transformation in value from resources below the ground to improved quality of life above it for current and future generations of Guyanese. The draft says, “Guyana

will approach the development of its petroleum resources, people and businesses in a pragmatic, transparent and accountable manner. This will be conditioned by existing circumstances and an analytical approach to understanding the resource, the activities it engenders and our input capabilities. We shall pursue strategic opportunities for local capacity development and participation that give us the maximum possible benefit now and in the future.” The Policy also states that Guyanese will participate in a manner that gives preferred access and opportunities to improve and enhance the country's capabilities so that it can become internationally competitive and in the end, the country will progressively provide a greater amount of future services. Capacity development, to enable more value retention, will be treated as an investment, rather than a cost, the policy outlines.

show it, but if that paycheck is not payable at the end of each month, a great many people are going to suffer. Workers should not be this vulnerable. They should have reserves at least for rainy days and to cater for emergencies. They should not have to live paycheck to paycheck. Not when we are on the road to the good life. Secondly, the long lines indicate that many employees are using the ATMs mainly as a facility to access their salaries. Employers no longer have to worry about writing cheques or paying workers in cash. They simply send the monies along with the payroll list and the bank does the rest by depositing the workers’ earnings to their accounts. It is not a means of savings for them. When the small man cannot afford to save, then all the talk about the good life becomes balderdash. This is something that the Minister of Finance needs to

look at. Perhaps the Christmas bonus which was paid over the past two years to workers, but which has now been unconscionably withdrawn, may be paid in the form of savings bonds. At least the workers will get something this year end – it has been a most trying year for them, given all the taxes which were imposed on them. Thirdly, the long lines show that our economy is still cash-based. The government knew this when it came into office. It has done very little to reverse this. The GRA has limited the amount of cash which can be paid per transaction. Government should be leading the way when it comes to payments by ‘plastic’. But guess what? Government still pays by cash and cheques – yes, in this day and age cheques are still being written by government. In India, the long lines outside of ATMs are due to

the policy of demonetization by the government. It is being used in order to reduce corruption, since the illegal monies which are held in cash by the underworld will become useless, as it can no longer be converted or used. The same feelings of frustration which are being felt in India are being felt in Guyana, but for different reasons. Too many workers are living payday to payday, and too few are saving. What a way to live while on the road to the good life!

Top Cop Seelall Persaud sent back home From page 3 expressed the firm view that the recommendations contained in the report will go a long way towards repairing the damaged relationship which exists in the officer corps of the GPF, and will also assist in restoring public confidence in the ability of the GPF to deliver its mandate to serve and protect the citizens of Guyana.

Any differences will be addressed by the Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, according to Minister of State, Joseph Harmon. Late last year, Ramnarine was appointed to act as Police Commissioner for a 100day period while Persaud was on annual leave. Ramnarine, with advice and the support of the force's top management, promoted several ranks.

Upon his return, Persaud instructed that all of the promotions approved by Ramnarine be rescinded. Persaud, who hails from the Essequibo Coast, took the oath of office on March 10th, 2015. He served the force for over 30 years and has served in many top positions of the force including, the Police Anti-Narcotics Unit and Crime Chief.

PAGE 10

Saturday November 25, 2017

Kaieteur News

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

Mugabe and Burnham: Parallels It is almost impossible to topple an iconic, founding leader of a political party. One essential reason explains it – he/she is the party. A later leader can amass a following inside and outside the party, but he/she will never be as invincible as the founderleader. The new leader will never possess the aura and domination, because he/she hasn’t achieved what the founder-leader accomplished - the birth, preservation and success of the party. Even though he held the

position of Prime Minister in Trinidad and Tobago, Basdeo Panday was not seen as the magical leader of the UNC as Errol Barrow was in Barbados, Forbes Burnham and Cheddi Jagan in Guyana, or Vere Bird in Antigua. When politicians struggle hard against tremendous odds to bring success to the parties they birthed, they become impregnable fortresses in both their party and country. Names that come to mind include Castro in Cuba, Nasser in Egypt, Tito in

Yugoslavia, Nyerere in Tanzania. The area of vulnerability they have is when the party and the masses feel that they have strayed away from their ideals and have become ordinary mortals. They then lose that myth of omnipotence and their party colleagues and army generals feel brave enough to challenge them; feel that they should no longer be on a pedestal. A classic example of this is Milton Obote in Uganda. Though a gigantic figure in the anti-colonial struggle, he was seen as corrupt. In Libya, Gaddafi had lost his soul, his people knew that and they rose up and overthrew him. He may have lasted longer without the intervention of

the British and French, but his days were numbered. In Grenada, “the hero in the crowd,” Eric Gairy later became a despised figure. It is in this context that one must examine the praxis of Walter Rodney. To the PNC and African Guyanese, Burnham was a giant par excellence. He was a thinker outside the box. He had transformative ideas that even people like Nehru in India didn’t. But a creeping, inevitable authoritarian passion began to show its face. The Commission of Inquiry into Rodney’s death has now become a document on the shelf. But it is a priceless document for any scholar anywhere in the world that wants to study the failure of leadership and the pitfalls of post-colonial charisma. What that document revealed is that in less than eight years after Independence, Burnham’s constituencies, pivotal players in the state bureaucracy and officers in the army, began to find the appeal of Walter Rodney enticing. Witnesses gave account of Rodney’s penetration of the sensitive state institutions. The most important factor to note in the dwindling of the iconic brightness of a great founderleader is when the aura of invincibility and omnipotence

goes. The leader sees him/ herself as coterminous with the nation. Any policy, whether cruel, sadistic, culturally and religiously insulting, is implemented without regards to the pain and suffering it may cause. When exceptional leaders who are worshipped by their nations begin to falter so badly, people begin to see them as ordinary. It lets loose a set of consequences that make them vulnerable. This was perhaps the colossal weakness of Burnham that opened the door for Rodney. The leader believes he/she can do just anything he/she wants to do and it will be accepted. This explains Indira Gandhi’s fall from grace. This explains the defeat of the dynasty of the Congress Party in India. Robert Mugabe was the man Zimbabweans credited with making them a nation free from white bondage. He was their saviour. Even when he began to oppress a great freedom fighter like Joshua Nkomo, he didn’t lose his appeal among Zimbabweans. So Mugabe, the Jesus-like figure, governed for almost four decades. One of Mugabe’s brilliant strategies of keeping Zimbabweans close to him was his land policy. Across the border in South Africa, the land still remained in White

Frederick Kissoon hands; the economy was still not in Black hands. It was the opposite in the land of the evergreen Robert Mugabe. The people wanted Mugabe to stay. He became authoritarian. He ruthlessly put down opposition, but he was the founder-leader. But invincibility has its destructive side. Mugabe is gone. The unthinkable has occurred. The army has removed him from the presidency. His own party has relieved him of the leadership. The people took to the street to demand his banishment. They rejoiced when that occurred. Thinking that he could do no wrong, Mugabe was narcissistic enough to shape a pathway for his young wife (forty years his junior) to succeed him. For Zimbabweans this was not the impeccable freedom fighter they knew that brought independence to their country. This was someone else. They didn’t want that someone else.

Saturday November 25, 2017

PAGE 21

Kaieteur News

PM asks big business to rebuild PoS hospital…

Give back to T&T now

Japan providing funds for energy project in Jamaica

Finance Minister Audely Shaw (left) and JICA Senior Vice President, Shigeru Maeda shake hands following signing agreement (JIS Photo)

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley shakes hands with Edan K Properties Ltd Executive Director Nyal Khan after turning the sod for the Point Lisas Business Park Phase 2. Also in picture are Edan K Properties Ltd director Jaaen Khan and Minister of Planning and Development, Camille Robinson-Regis Trinidad Guardian - With T&T facing a public debt of $93 billion, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley yesterday urged contractors, investors and business owners to give back to T&T by assisting with the reconstruction of Port-ofSpain General Hospital and the ANR Robinson Airport terminal in Tobago. Delivering the feature address at the Edan K Point Lisas Business Park project launch in Couva, Rowley said many contractors and business owners became immensely wealthy because of the opportunities given to them by the State. “I don’t know how wealthy you are. You know how much you own. During the period when things were good, a number of persons and entities - contractors, investors, businessmen - would have done extremely well and

today are in control of significant resources which country desperately needs now,” Rowley said. He said Government could no longer find money to do important projects and was looking towards the private sector for assistance. He revealed that Cabinet had taken a decision to provide Build, Own, Lease and Transfer (BOLT) opportunities to the private sector. “The largest hospital block in the country has been condemned and this Government is required to replace that hospital block, 500 beds. We do not have the cash to hire a contractor. We have to find another way so we took a decision in Cabinet that we will Build, Own, Lease Transfer,” Rowley said. “If you have the resources, here is an opportunity to come in and build the

property, own it and lease it to the Government. The lease over time will cover the cost of your investment and give you profits and at the end of a period of time, the property returns to the State.” He added that Tobago also has to build its tourism so reconstructing the airport terminal was also a necessity. “We will go a similar way with the ANR Robinson Terminal building. We are talking about expanding that,” Rowley contended. Saying government was struggling to pay its public debt as well as meet with expenditure, Rowley called on the private sector to spend some of its money towards building T&T. He also lauded Edan K’s executive director Nyal Khan for building an industrial estate to encourage private sector opportunities.

Private sector group wants a revisit of working hours in Dominica ROSEAU, Dominica CMC – The President of the Dominica Employers Federation (DEF), Achille Joseph, is expressing disappointment that two years after presenting the government with draft legislation regarding flexible working hours in the country, nothing has been done. Joseph said that the draft bill would have replaced several outdated labour laws and practices, insisting that a review of the legislation is

needed to build confidence required to attract both domestic and foreign investments. “The Dominica Employers Federation back in 2015 submitted to the state what we call a flexible working hours bill to take to parliament in which we can really take a re-look at how we do business in the country as far as the hours of work and holidays and time off…are concerned.

“It is two years right now. As a matter of fact we didn’t just submit it as a recommendation on a piece of paper. We actually engaged legal professionals to put it in the form of a parliamentary ready.” Joseph insists that the document “is a bill, it is just not recommendations and we submitted it to the state all in the effort to build the confidence in this country for domestic investments and foreign direct investments …

KINGSTON, Jamaica CMC – Japan is providing a US$15 million loan for the implementation of the Energy Management and Efficiency programme (EMEP) in Jamaica. Finance Minister Audley S h a w, w h o s i g n e d t h e agreement with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), said that the funds are the second portion of a joint loan of US$30 million for the roll-out of the EMEP. Shaw said that the government signed an agreement with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) for the first US$15 million on November 10 and that the European Union (EU) is providing US$10 million in grant funding towards the programme, which will be executed over eight years. “The aim is to bolster the government’s efforts in the areas of energy efficiency and conservation through the design and implementation of

measures targeting key government facilities, as well as fuel conservation in road transportation to reduce the demand for fuel imports,” Shaw said. JICA Senior Vice President, Shigeru Maeda, said he is pleased with the partnership, adding “this is a good project for energy conservation, which is important for Jamaica. “This programme is in accordance with Vision 2030, which is the national development plan of Jamaica and contributes to achieve the outcome in energy security and efficiency. We expect a great synergy effect with this programme,” Maeda said. EMEP, which is being executed by the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ) consists of three components. Component one involves retrofitting the Health, Education and Public Agency (HEPA) government facilities. Energy efficiency and

conservation measures will be undertaken in 73 HEPAs, including comprehensive retrofitting and installing lightemitting diode (LED) bulbs. Under component two, an Urban Traffic Management System (UTMS) will be implemented in Kingston. This involves installation of a central control platform for traffic monitoring, closedcircuit television cameras, and the training of National Works Agency (NWA) staff. Component three will focus on providing the Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology (MSET) with additional expertise. Training will be undertaken to support the implementation of an Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) to guide the development of a modern energy sector in Jamaica; technical experts will be contracted in energy efficiency and demand side management; and technical studies undertaken to support the IRP.

PANAMA CITY, Panama - CMC – A New United Nations report says Latin America and the Caribbean is the most violent region in the world for women. In the report released here, the UN Women and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) found assaults on women persisted in the region, despite severe laws aimed at curbing the phenomenon. The rate of sexual violence against women outside of relationships is the highest in the world in the region, and the second-highest for those who are in, or were in, a couple, the report notes,

adding that three of the 10 countries with the highest rates of rape of women and girls were in the Caribbean. The report states that Femicide, the killing of women, occurred on a “devastating scale” in Central America and that two out three women murdered died because of their gender. The report notes that while 24 of the 33 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean have laws against domestic violence, only nine have passed legislation that tackles a range of forms of other violence against women in public or private. According to the report,

16 of regional countries have femicide on the books, with only a few punishing newer types of crimes, such as cybercrime, political violence or acid attacks. Despite those advances, though, the “plague” of violence continues to be a threat to human rights, public health and public safety, the report says. The UN agencies recommend strengthening institutions and policies in the region, and allocating resources to empower women. The report also recommends that “patriarchal” cultural norms that maintain gender inequality be addressed.

UN report says Latin America, Caribbean the most violent region

PAGE 22

SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyana passport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 6267040; 265-4535. INNOVATIVEMARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. PASSPORT, PERMANENT & VISITOR VISA APPLICATION, PROFESSIONAL IMMIGRATION CONSULTANT – SABITA IMMIGRATION SERVICES. CALL: 613-3920/625-3767. Eagle’s: Re-gas –low prices, washing machine repairs, gas stove, plasma flat Screen, computer repairs & more. Call: 697-2969/646-0966 I N S TA L L AT I O N S , REPAIRS AND PARTS FOR AC, FRIDGE, WASHING MACHINE, STOVE ETC: CALL NICK 627-3206, 630-1600 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158 Repairs to refrigerators, gas stoves, A/C units, washing machines. Call Lindon: 6411086/ 694-2202

LAND FOR SALE

Saturday November 25, 2017

Kaieteur News

FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY- $19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-2274754. Video games and consoles at affordable price. Repairs to video game system .Call:6722566/265-3231 Spare for washing machine, microwaves,fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, motors, etc. Call:225-9032;647-2943;6045198 One Hilux Surf in excellent condition. Cost $2,200,000 negotiable Contact : 612-2592

FOR RENT

WANTED

VACANCY

PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620

Experienced bartender and waitress wanted. Tel: 6829457

Confidential Cabs. Vacancy exist for one experienced dispatcher. Tel#231-5784 6951961.

Property for rent - 2 storey house at Republic Park, E.B.D$1200US. Call 647-1773 Apartment for rent, 2 bedrooms bottom flat, Lot 6 Houston back street. Tel: 6216427. 1-Two bedroom apt, fully furnish, AC Room, situated in Eccles, EBD Tel: 667-2536 One two bedroom cottage 574 East Riumveldt. Rent: $45,000 Contact: 648-7621. 3 bedroom bottom flat apartment W.B. Demerara #641-5704/609-4810

One 12V-6000 lbs rolling winch,2000 lbs pulling capacity,brandnew, one miller welding generator 6000W Call: 699-4300, 228-2734 One 70 AMP ark welder 120V 20AMP, brandnew, one MIG 170 wire feed welder, Brandnew 240V. Call: 6994300,228-2734 One Press drill, one US made diesel generator 10-15KVA, brandnew Call: 699-4300, 2282734 One small fridge for sale Call: 216-2658, 661-6282 Samsung Galaxy On5 $32,000, Motorola Droid Turbo $45,000, Xbox360 $30,000 with games Call : 621-9604, 6941748 Numark Mixtrack3 with a free laptop $60,000, HPG62 laptop windows 10 $50,000 Call: 6219604, 694-1748 1-Single & double door cooler, 1- food glass case Call: 6904300,668-4500

One cornerlot for sale 50x100 3 Set of table with 4 chairs each, 1- Queen size bed Call: in gated community @ Land Of Canaan, Canaan Gardens. 690-4300, 668-4500 Tel: 694-7817, 612-1351 Toyota Raum PVV, Toyota Ronex PTT Call: 690Eccles (Corner Lot) Main road 4300,668-4500 with 12 massive columns & foundation $8M Tel: 656- Pit Bull pups, vaccine & 0701/651-1969 deworm $45,000 Tel: 680-3101 Farm (East Bank) $3M ask for Jason. Parafaite Harmonie (High FOR SALE/RENT income area 100ftX50ft) $2M & $1.3M Title ready. Tel: 667- American Pool Table. Call: 1960/ 651-1969. 277-0578

Accounts Clerk- Knowledge of Payroll and QuickBooks. 614-4358 Chefs, Bar attendant, waitresses. Trinidad & Tobago. Tel#868-372-9787/ 868-744-5766

CAR RENTAL

VEHICLE FOR SALE Allion, Primo, Fielder Wagon, Spacio, Bluebird, 212 Carina, NZE, Honda CRV, Toyota IST, RZ & Pit-bull – Call: 650-7501

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

1-Twinsteer Double Axle DAF and 4 Flatbed Leyland DAF, 1-620-240 DAF engine. Excellent condition. Owner migrating 6498449,228-5655

AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807

Toyota Belta. Excellent Condition, AC, PVV, Like new. Good for bank purchases. 1,850,000. 639-2490.

WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP RATES,SPECIAL OFFERS! . CALL: 690-6494

19 seater pitbull. Excellent condition. Never worked passenger. Original seats. 6640802

Cars for long term rental (suitable for working taxi) Call Ms.London 699-6715 or 6874655

1 Mitsubishi canter, long base good condition. Contact# 698-8820

Chef and assistant cookpreferably Carnegie trained. Call 225-7933, or visit 173 Sheriff Street. Vacancies exist for Cashier, Supervisor & Ice handlers to work @ Crystal Ice House, Blairmont, Berbice. Call: 6183800/642-9191

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

TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 225-7878 (24HRS)

2015 Ford F150 EXT Cab 4X4 fully loaded Auto V6 3500CC 5800km Excellent Condition. 610-5370. Unregistered Axela 2011 $2.5M, dark interior, fully loaded, Nissan pickup extra cab $2.1M. Call: 617-5536 2010 Toyota Rush (PVV) Excellent Condition $3.3M negotiable . 2005 Toyota Vitz PPP Excellent Condition $1.3M Negotiable. Contact 641-2609. PROPERTY FOR SALE Aubrey Barker $30M, Diamond, Schoonard $1.5M, North $17M, Bel Air $31, Lamaha Springs $7.5M. GME Realty 231-2200, 6187483

-for murder of Lusignan cosmetologist

Cook/ baker and Kitchen Assistant for interior location. Applicants must have experience. Call:618-2020

Salesboys & Girls. Apply: Avinash Complex Water Street. 226-3361/227-7828

DOLLY’SCARRENTAL-CALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM

Used Yamaha Outboard motor 200 just arrived from USA, also flat screen computer monitor 20" Please Call: 6725830,671-9169 One three (3) year old purebred German shepherd male for breeding. Call: 6199203

Live-in waitress wanted at Caribbean Temptation Bar W.C.D Tel: 693-0618/604-466.

‘Two Colours’, alleged accomplice for re-trial in current assizes

MURDER ACCUSED: Melroy Joseph Lennox Wayne called ‘Two Colours’ and his alleged accomplice Melroy Doris, who are accused of the July 10, 2014 murder of Lusignan, East Bank Demerara cosmetologist, Ashmini Singh, are set to undergo another trial in this session of the Demerara Assizes. Among the 216 cases set to be heard before the three judges presiding in the October assizes, the case against Wayne and Doris for the offence of murder is listed at number 14 on a document by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). It was Justice Jo Ann Barlow who announced in May, last, that the two murder accused will have to undergo another trial after the jury was unable to reach a common verdict in relation to the two, for the offence, when the case was called earlier this year. Ashmini Singh was shot once to the neck moments after she disembarked a minibus along the Lusignan Railway, Embankment, East Coast Demerara. On the day of the incident, her assailant reportedly exited a burgundycoloured motorcar, whipped out a gun, shot the teen, then took away her cell phone and fled. Wayne and Doris, a taxi driver, were subsequently arrested and charged.

Ministry gearing... SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. -CosmetologyCourses:$90,000 Technician Course: $35,000. Call: 647-1773/660-5257 TOLET 1&3 bedroom apartments. 641-3318 (1) 3 Bedroom house @Samantha Point Grove, master room, telephone, internet, parking space $70,000 Tel: 697-6591

EDUCATION Day Care and Pre-K classes available in Diamond Call Canadian School 2166921,216-6922 LEARN TO DRIVE C. Persaud & N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman & Sons Driving School @ Maraj Building- Call: 644-5166; 6222872; 615-0964; 689-5997 (affordable packages).

From page 12 discrete nursery schools and 128 nursery classes in primary schools across the country. Most nursery schools and classes, this publication understands, are now in purpose-built institutions, and most of these buildings are in fair physical condition. Based on the 2012 census figures, nearly 90 percent of the relevant age cohort is in nursery schools. In the 2013/2014 academic year, 68 percent of the teachers at this level were trained.

Kaieteur News

Saturday November 25, 2017

$745M works commence to bring power to several new housing schemes

Central Housing and Planning Authority’s electrical engineer, Davendra Ramnarine. The Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) has commenced its approximately $745 million electrification project to some 16 government communities across the country. The CH&PA recently commenced the first phase of the project - planting poles in the communities of Farm and Barnwell on the East Bank of Demerara and Hope/ Experiment/Baltyrock on the West Coast of Berbice. CH&PA’s Electrical Engineer, Davendra Ramnarine, yesterday said most of the materials have arrived in the country. It is hoped that work in both the Farm and Barnwell communities could be completed by the end of this year. The electrical engineer and team took members of the Department of Public

Information on a tour of the Barnwell and Farm communities as well as the bonds where the materials are being stored. “So far, our line materials are here; whereas the transformers are stored at Fix It depot and the cables are being stored at the Laparkan bond,” Ramnarine told DPI. The schemes targeted under the CH&PA’s electrification programme are Onderneeming, Region Two; Zeelugt and Lust-en-Rust in Region Three; Hope/Experiment and Baltyrock in Region Five; Kilcoy Chesney, Region Six; Bartica in Region Seven, and Peters Hall, Farm, Covent Garden, Diamond, Eccles, Barnwell Paradise and Enmore in Region Four. “Work has commenced in terms of pole planting. That is our first phase and second phase will be the stringing of the conductors. We expect to start that phase sometime next week and work will continue with a planned date of achieving some, if not all of those areas by the end of 2017 December,” he said. According to Ramnarine, the project is a four-month contract. He is optimistic that all 16 communities should be fully served by the end of March 2018. Back in September of 2016, Minister within the Ministry of Communities Valerie Adams Patterson-Yearwood allocated some $900 million for the electrification project in housing communities for 2017. Altogether, some 38,000 homes are expected to benefit from the service of the government housing unit.

Transformers to be used in the electrification project, stored at the Fix It bond, Main Street Georgetown.

Conductors (cables) property of the Central Housing and Planning Authority, stored at the Laparkan Wharf.

PAGE 23

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Kaieteur News

Saturday November 25, 2017

Egypt attack: Gunmen kill 235 in Sinai mosque

(BBC) Militants have launched a bomb and gun attack on a mosque in Egypt’s North Sinai province, killing 235 people, state media say. The al-Rawda mosque in the town of Bir al-Abed was targeted during Friday prayers. It is the deadliest attack of its kind since an Islamist insurgency in the peninsula was stepped up in 2013. Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi vowed to respond with “brute force” after talks with security officials. No group has yet claimed the attack, but militants affiliated with so-called Islamic State (IS) have been responsible for scores of deadly attacks in the province. They usually target security forces and Christian

churches, and the bloody attack on a mosque associated with Sufi Muslims has shocked Egypt. Witnesses said dozens of gunmen arrived in off-road vehicles and bombed the packed mosque before opening fire on worshippers as they tried to flee. The assailants are reported to have set parked vehicles on fire in the vicinity to block off access to the mosque. Pictures from the scene show rows of bloodied victims inside the mosque. At least 100 people were wounded, reports say, overwhelming hospitals. “They were shooting at people as they left the mosque,” a local resident who had relatives there told Reuters news agency. “They

were shooting at the ambulances too.” It is the deadliest militant attack in modern Egyptian history. Bir al-Abed is about 130 miles (211km) from Cairo. Locals are quoted as saying that followers of Sufism, a mystical branch of Sunni Islam, regularly gathered at the mosque. Although Sufis are widely accepted across much of the Muslim world, some jihadist groups, including IS, see them as heretics. The head of IS’s religious police in Sinai said last December that Sufis who did not “repent” would be killed, after the group beheaded two elderly men reported to be Sufi clerics. The victims of the mosque attack also included military conscripts.

(BBC) Argentine President Mauricio Macri has promised that an inquiry into the disappearance of a navy submarine will “know the truth” of what happened. Mr Macri urged Argentines not to look for people to blame until all the facts were known. He said the search for the ARA San Juan and its 44 crew would continue. Hopes have faded since the navy said an event “consistent with an explosion” was detected near the sub’s last-known location. Announcing the official inquiry at navy headquarters in Buenos Aires, Mr Macri said the 34-year-old submarine had recently undergone a refit and was “in perfect condition”. “We should not venture into looking for people to blame,” he told a news conference. “This will require a serious, deep investigation that

reveals certainties about why we are witnessing what happened. My commitment is with the truth.” Earlier, navy spokesman Capt Enrique Baldi said there was still no trace of the submarine, which vanished nine days ago. More than 12 countries are involved in the search. Mr Baldi said search teams had access to “the best technology available” via the US navy. He added: “We have the best naval, air and sensor resources available in the area, all focused on searching for the submarine. We are still looking and no country is saying at the moment when they will stop. Logically it’s time-limited but no-one is speaking about that at the moment.” Some of the crew’s relatives reacted with anger to the news on Thursday that an explosion had been detected.

“They manipulated us! They lied to us!” said Itatí Leguizamón, whose husband was on board. She and others have raised questions about the state of repair the submarine was in. Some said lack of investment and corruption in the armed forces had made the submarine unsafe. Argentine newspaper La Nación reports that there is speculation that navy chief Marcelo Eduardo Hipólito Srur may resign, but officials have said this is not imminent. On Wednesday the navy received a US report of a loud noise - called a “hydroacoustic anomaly” - detected hours after the submarine went missing. The navy knew only the location of the suspected explosion, not its cause, Captain Baldi said, and search efforts would be concentrated in the area.

Argentina missing submarine: President pledges inquiry to ‘know the truth’

Saturday November 25, 2017

PAGE 25

Kaieteur News

Accused Mumbai attack mastermind freed from house arrest in Pakistan (CNN)The accused mastermind of the 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai, India, has been freed from house arrest in Pakistan, authorities said Friday. Released overnight by the Lahore High Court, Hafiz Mohammed Saeed led Friday prayers at Al-Qudsia mosque in Lahore, according to Habibullah Salafi, a spokesman for the Jamaat-ud-Dawa,

or JuD, Saeed’s organization. News footage showed Saeed celebrating with his exultant supporters. The United States and India issued statements critical of the decision for him to go free, but Pakistan defended its fight against terrorism and condemned India’s response. “First of all I thank God who has given me an honorable release. Three judges of

Boy, 3, died ‘waiting to see doctor’ at Birmingham Hospital

The dead child and his father (BBC) The father of a three-year-old boy says his son died in his arms while waiting more than an hour to see a hospital doctor. Basil Mohammed died in the A&E waiting area at Birmingham Children’s Hospital last Wednesday. He had a rare syndrome that can lead to kidney or liver failure and his father, Muawai is questioning why he did not receive urgent care. The hospital is conducting a review and offered “deepest condolences”. Basil had Wolcott Rallison Syndrome and was diagnosed at the city centre hospital, where the family said they received excellent care from the diabetes team. Mr Mohammed said his son was seen by a triage nurse within about 25 minutes last Wednesday but then left in the waiting room “for more than an hour”. “I can feel him. He’s my

son... and I know he’s going to go,” he said. “I went back to them and I said ‘he’s going to go’. “They said ‘what do you mean?’ and I said ‘he’s going to die soon if you don’t find me a doctor to see him soon’.” Mr Mohammed said he wanted a full investigation into what happened and urged the hospital to review its CCTV waiting room footage. “I’m a dad. I have emotion,” he added. Dr Fiona Reynolds, chief medical officer at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, said it would work with the family through the investigation. “We would like to offer our sympathy and deepest condolences to Basil’s family,” she said. “When any child dies in our care we carry out an investigation to fully understand the circumstances and to provide answers for their loved ones.”

the High Court gave the decision. Praise be to God, it is a matter of great happiness for me that nothing has been proved against me which could be detrimental for me or for Pakistan. Thank God, we have been vindicated,” Saeed said. Both India and the United States accuse Saeed of being responsible for the deadly attacks that struck locations across Mumbai nearly a decade ago. But he has repeatedly de-

nied involvement in the Mumbai killings or support for terrorist activities. In late November, nine years ag o , g u n m e n w e n t on a three-day rampage i n t h e I n d i a n c i t y, u s ing automatic weapons a n d g r e n a d e s to strike hotels, a cafe, a railway station, a movie theater, a hospital and a Jewish center. The violence resulted in at least 164 deaths. Saeed had been under

house arrest since January after being detained in Pakistan’s Punjab province. The arrests of Saeed and four others came in conjunction with placing JuD and another group, the Falah-eInsaniat Foundation, on a watch list under Pakistan’s Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997 The men were detained for being active members of the organizations and were held under a part of the Anti-Terrorism Act that

gives Pakistan’s government the power to arrest or detain suspects for up to 12 months. Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, a spokesman for the Punjab provincial government, said, “After court orders, Hafiz Saeed was released from house arrest early morning today; he is no longer under house arrest. It is yet to be decided if the government will appeal the court’s decision.”

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Kaieteur News

Saturday November 25, 2017

Saturday November 25, 2017

Oscar Pistorius jail term for killing Reeva Steenkamp more than doubled BBC News - A South African court has increased Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius’s jail sentence for killing his girlfriend to 13 years and five months. Prosecutors had argued that the six-year term for murdering Reeva Steenkamp was “shockingly light”. Ms Steenkamp’s parents were “emotional” as they watched the ruling at home on TV, a spokeswoman said. “They feel there has been justice for Reeva. She can now rest in peace,” Tania Koen told Associated Press. “But at the same time, people think this is the end of the road for them... the fact is they still live with Reeva’s loss every day,” Ms Koen said. Oscar Pistorius claimed he shot dead Ms Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day in 2013

after mistaking her for a burglar. The Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein has now given Pistorius the minimum 15 years prescribed for murder in South Africa, less time already served. The lower court had justified the six-year sentence by citing mitigating circumstances such as rehabilitation and remorse. It said they outweighed aggravating factors such as his failure to fire a warning shot. Pistorius’s brother Carl said on social media that he was “shattered. Heartbroken. Gutted” at the decision. “We have all suffered incomprehensible loss. The death of Reeva was and still is a great loss for our family too,” he wrote. Tackling inconsistency -

Analysis: BBC’s Milton Nkosi in Johannesburg There is huge relief here from the National Prosecuting Authority and from Ms Steenkamp’s family and friends. Prosecutors are relieved because the earlier sentence of six years for murder could have set a precedent in future trials. The Pistorius family are devastated, as is the athlete himself. The six-year sentence gave an impression of inconsistency. There have been fraud and corruption trials that led to 15-year sentences. It seemed lenient considering that the Paralympian fired four bullets into a bathroom door behind which there was an unarmed and frightened Ms Steenkamp. Oscar Pistorius, 31, was not in court to hear the decision.

Saturday November 25, 2017 Aries: Mar 21 - Apr 19 You have a pleasant day ahead. People may be a little less playful, but they'll be all the more caring in their relationships. That's just how you like them! Taurus: Apr 20 - May 20 You should expect to feel warmth in your contact with other people today. Your relations will have something particularly tender and caring about them. It's like people are suddenly much more attentive and sensitive. Gemini: May 21 - Jun 20 You won't be disappointed today. Over the next few days you're going to put your analytical way of thinking aside and let your feelings guide you. Cancer: Jun 21 - Jul 22 Today is great for creativity, especially the kind that shows your special style. You're productive, although what you've been creating is just a reflection of the latest fashions.

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Kaieteur News

Libra: Sep 23 - Oct 22 Do you often act as if the world is static and nothing ever changes? Sometimes you may think that humankind is a certain way, the world is a certain way, and so this is what you're going to do. Scorpio: Oct 23 - Nov 21 Today let your emotions mingle with your thoughts. What good is telling yourself that you must like something if you really can't stand it? Sagit: Nov 22 - Dec 21 Today you may feel like going into your past. One half of you feels nostalgia for the "good old days." The other half lives for the future and is unafraid to project into the unknown. Capri: Dec 22 - Jan 19 It's possible you'll be more impressionable and less objective when your emotions get the better of you in your relationships.

Leo: Jul 23 - Aug 22 Today it will be like you've gone inside yourself on your quest for answers to spiritual questions or the secrets of life.

Aquar.: Jan 20 - Feb 18 If you had to take a test today and had a choice between poetry and physics, you wouldn't hesitate. Poetry. Today is about interpretation, not analysis.

Virgo: Aug 23 - Sep 22 You love to have very serious discussions about important issues well into the night. This is true today, too. Are you tired or do you need to be alone to think about things?

Pisces: Feb 19 - Mar 20 Do you have a talent for writing? You seem to have a precise and clear way of expressing yourself. And it's possible you use this gift of yours in your career.

“Untenable” conditions force Mansingh off CWI panel KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Dr Akshai Mansingh has quit as Cricket West Indies’ chief medical officer, citing an “untenable” relationship between the medical panel and the board. The Jamaica Observer newspaper reported yesterday that while a frayed relationship had existed for some while, the recent last-minute scrapping of a conference for West Indies cricket medical personnel, scheduled for Trinidad and Tobago, had become the tipping point for Mansingh. “More and more obstructions were being put in the way of its [medical panel’s] functioning, so I felt the prudent thing to do was to resign,” the respected orthopaedic surgeon told the Observer. “It was becoming untenable to work, and calling off this conference was probably the last straw. “With flight arrangements and hotel accommodation being made, it was called off without explanation. That was reflective of difficulties some panel members were

Hamilton Green Knockout Cup Semi-Final games on tomorrow The Hamilton Green knockout football tournament continues tomorrow with the semi-final clashes at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) ground from 19:00hrs. The tournament which began with 24 teams from various Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF), member associations battling for the $500,000 first prize, will see the finalists clashing next Thursday (Youmanabi) for the grand cash prize. The first semi-final game of the evening will be an East Bank vs. Georgetown affair when Soesdyke Falcons try to come out flying high against the inform Police FC that are progressing in competitions elsewhere. The feature semi-final clash tomorrow night which begins at 21:00hrs will be an all-Linden matchup between Winners’ Connection and GFF Elite team, Milerock. The runner up team will receive $250,000, 3rd place $150,000 while the loser of the third place playoff will receive $100,000 to round off the $1 Million total prize purse.

having.” Quoting sources knowledgeable of the ongoing issues, the Observer said there was often tension between the CWI board and the medical panel, and that decisions in the past had been arrived at without enough input from the medical experts. While the situation had improved, issues of “nonmedical people making statements” had continued to occur, the source said. Mansingh, whose involvement with the CWI medical panel spanned nearly 15 years, said the situation reflected a need for more direct engagement with medical personnel. “I don’t think they got sufficient information from the experts to make decisions and come to conclusions and, instead of directly engaging people, it seems that they were relying more on thirdparty information,” he pointed out. “In a scenario like that I

don’t think things can continue. West Indies cricket has a medical structure that could be considered world-class, that was in keeping with the top boards in the world.” The medical panel is chaired by Dr Donovan Bennett and also comprises Dr Anyyl Goopesingh, Dr Renee Best, West Indies team physio CJ Clark, strength and fitness coordinator, Ronald Rogers, along with CWI chief executive, Johnny Grave, COO Verlyn Faustin, and Director of Cricket, Jimmy Adams. Bennett did not rule out further resignations. “We have lost a very important person from the panel, and I suspect more resignations are on the way,” he said. CWI president, Dave Cameron, shied away from comment. “I will not speak on the matter,” he was quoted as saying.

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Saturday November 25, 2017

State-of-the-art multi-purpose courts taking shape – will facilitate lawn tennis, futsal, basketball, volleyball, etc.

The Multipurpose courts under construction in the compound of the National Gymnasium. DPI, GUYANA, - The multi-million-dollar multipurpose courts which are currently being constructed in the compound of the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue are taking shape. Construction of the two courts commenced on October 11 and is said to be more than 50 percent completed. The facility will allow for several disciplines including lawn tennis, futsal, basketball, and volleyball. The lawn tennis court is expected to be 120ft long and 60ft wide, at a cost of $12.9 million. The second court, which will facilitate futsal, basketball, and volleyball at a cost of $11.6 million, is expected to be

115ft long and 72ft wide. It will be accompanied by two bleachers 30ft in length and 6ft in width. Contractors were given three months to complete their task from the date construction commenced. The multipurpose courts will be outfitted with lights to facilitate athletes who are desirous of training at night. Additionally, there will be a designated area created for senior citizens to participate in recreational activities and a WIFI friendly environment. The multipurpose facility was one of the major projects accounted for in the 2017 National Budget aimed at developing sports in Guyana. (Isaiah Braithwaite)

Shooters Club to stage Pools competition tomorrow at Grand Central Sports Bar Shooters Club will stage a 30 players Invitational Pools competition tomorrow at Grand Central Sports Bar (Jerry’s Shop) at Public Road Grove, East Bank Demerara. Action starts at 4:00pm and the 30 players to the invitational competition will be battling for attractive cash prizes. The winner will cart off $100,000, second prize gets $30,000, while the other positions up to fourth prize will receive trophies. Players are asked to be on time for a prompt start to the action. Those invited are: Steven Persaud, Anthony Xavier, Vijai Sankar, Fazal Mohamed, Dinesh Dhanraj, Jevaul Jagnandan, Erick Persaud, Shem Haripersaud, Shawn Chin Chan, Ryan Baksh, Kamil Husain, Romesh Ramcharran, Abdol Salim, Dave Singh, Dave Singh 2, Randy Tiwari, B r i a n P r a s a d , Te r r e n c e B a n n i s t e r, S h e m r o y Ramsingh(Lenny), Christopher Lochan, Anthony Haricharan, Ricky Lall, Steive Rafeek, Sean DeSouza, Timal Nandkishore, Clarence Baker, Shawn Cameron, Anup Latchman, Sanjay Suklall and Mushay.

Rafman Ally 15-over cricket tourney to commence tomorrow Rafman Ally 15-over softball cricket tournament is set to commence tomorrow at several venues in Georgetown. The event will be played in open and Masters’ category with trophies and cash prizes at stake. Interested team are asked to make contact with Ally on 645-2233 or 697 2700 for information on registration.

NSC introduces boxing to Region Three schools DPI, GUYANA - The National Sports Commission (NSC) has taken the initiative to introduce boxing into schools in Region Three. This is being instituted via a workshop with Physical Education teachers from schools in the district. Deputy Director of Sport Brian Smith explained that the workshop will assist teachers to deliver the sport once it’s introduced into the curriculum. “What we would like to do is to see from this, the students that you have under your purview, that they are thought the basics of boxing which would be a requirement for the physical education syllabus at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate as well as to enable you to be qualified at the basic level to be able to conduct your own training sessions at your school,” Smith explained to the participants. During the three-day workshop, Physical Education teachers were taught the basics of boxing. Some of the schools that the workshop has targeted include Leonora Secondary, Leonora Technical Institute, Vergenoegen Secondary, Winsor Forest Secondary, Zeeburg Secondary and Crane Primary among others. A total of 20 teachers participated. Smith noted that boxing is one

Deputy Director of Sport, Brian Smith (centre) with the Physical Education Teachers that participated in the workshop. of the disciplines that the Sports Commission has decided to place significant emphasis on and have included it in their plan throughout the coming year. The initiative to introduce boxing in schools in Region Three

is one that has been welcomed by the Physical Education teachers. Debra Cultrust of the Leonora Secondary School said this is the first time such an initiative has been introduced in schools. “I think it is a good idea to have such a

programme in the school system so that the children can channel their energies …into a meaningful area. They can also utilise the sport in terms of competition.” The training seminar concluded yesterday and will continue in

Region Nine where the focus will be on cricket. This is a part of the Ministry of Social Cohesion’s wider plan to re-introduce sports in schools to create well-rounded students who are not only academically based.

Kaieteur News

Saturday November 25, 2017

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Green Machine ready for battle in Mexico City as RAN Sevens scrums off today

Green Machine’s Avery Corbin ready for the battles. Ten men’s and sevens women’s teams from the Rugby Americas North region including Guyana will square off in Mexico City today and tomorrow with places at Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 up for grabs. The Rugby Americas North Sevens Championship returns to Mexico City for the first time since 2014 with a lot more than regional pride at stake. Confidence is high in the Guyana camp ahead of what is anticipated to be two days of grueling competition in cold conditions but both teams have adjusted to the conditions and are ready for the business end of the tournament. Many of the nations have strengthened by calling up their overseas based players for this competition but the Green Machine, a well oiled

unit is ready for the task at hand. It is predicted that the men will go all the way, while the women will place in the top three. One men’s and one women’s team will qualify for next year’s Rugby World Cup Sevens and the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series qualifier in Hong Kong, while places at the Commonwealth Games and Central American and Caribbean Sports Organisation (CACSO) Games are also on the line. Based at the picturesque, Campo Marte, a military and equestrian venue in the heart of Mexico City, the RAN Sevens features 10 men’s teams, split into three pools, and a seven-team, roundrobin women’s tournament. A s s i x - t i m e m e n ’s champions, Guyana will start as one of the favourites

to claim the coveted title and a ticket to San Francisco for RWC Sevens 2018; the Guyanese Green Machine return to the scene of their last triumph with the likes of talisman Avery Corbin on board, although regular captain Ryan Gonsalves is a notable absentee. Dwayne Schroeder will wear the captain’s armband instead. Guyana find themselves in Pool A alongside Barbados and the Cayman Islands. The Caymans were beaten by Barbados in the play-off for seventh place at last year’s RAN Sevens in Trinidad and Tobago. Jamaica, Bermuda and the Dominican Republic are in Pool B, while Pool C consists of Trinidad and Tobago, hosts Mexico, Curacao and the British Virgin Islands. The top four teams in the

Female Head Coach Theodore Henry overlooks his charges yesterday.

Some of the Guyanese players going through the paces yesterday in Mexico. men’s competition and the top three in the women’s will qualify for the CASCO

Farm Supplies digs deep for today Golf Long standing sponsor Farm Supplies Inc. will be hosting its annual golf tournament at Lusignan Golf Club today from 12:30 pm. With good conditions in place a full field is expected to take part. Farm Supplies Inc is a long standing sponsor and a good corporate citizen associated with the Lusignan Golf Club. PRO William Walker collected the sponsorship cheque from Sales Manager Mohamed Ally of Farm Supplies during the week.

PRO William Walker accepts the cheque from Sales Manager Mohamed Ally.

Games. Twelve months ago, Jamaica’s women finished as runners-up to Canada who are not taking part this year. Mexico ended with the bronze medal. Trinidad and Tobago are the next highest seeds at this year’s event, followed by Guyana, Bermuda, Dominican Republic and French Guyana. The winner of the RAN Wo m e n ’s S e v e n s w i l l complete the 16-team lineup at RWC Sevens 2018, as all the other regional qualifiers have already taken place. Guyana’s women will face off with Jamaica in their first match today from 08:00hrs with the defending men’s champions taking on the Cayman Islands at 08:44hrs. The women will then

face Trinidad and Tobago at 10:12hrs, Dominican Republic at 12:02hrs with the men back in action at 13:08hrs against Barbados to close out day one play. Tomorrow’s final day will see the women battling Mexico at 09:20hrs, Bermuda at 11:30hrs and French Guiana at 14:00hrs. Guyana’s participation would have been made possible with the intervention of His Excellency President David Granger after the Guyana Rugby Football Union encountered challenges raising the requisite funds. Also stepping up to assist were the Guyana Olympic Association, Noble House Sea Foods, Ministry of Natural Resources, Minister Joseph Harmon and Minister George Norton, among others.

Kaieteur News

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BCB Second Division 40 overs

Rose Hall Tigers upset RHTY&SC, Skeldon Titans, Tain Block 4 secure wins

Saturday November 25, 2017

Boxing Day Boxing is back with “Sons of Champions” amateur card

From left GBA President Steve Ninvalle, boxing promoter Seon Bristol and Alex Murray during Thursday’s media brief.

Daniel Balkarran Action in the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) Second Division 40 Overs competition continued last weekend and fans were treated to some impressive cricketing action over at the Port Mourant Community Centre and the Vikings Ground on the Corentyne. At the Port Mourant Community Centre, the newly formed Rose Hall Tigers destroyed their rival Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club by 7 wickets in their 40 overs game. Batting first, Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club scored 162 with Junior Sinclair top scoring with 41, while Kevlon Anderson supported with 21 and Keith Simpson 19. Bowling for Rose Hall Tigers, Lloydel Lewis took 3 for 18 in his 8 overs, while T. Jagdeo and Steven Latcha took one wicket each. In their reply, Rose Hall Tigers reached their target in 34 overs with 7 wickets in hand. The Fluent and composed Lloydel Lewis scored 44, while Brentnol Woolford top scored with 53. P Wilburg contributed 19 to the score. Batsmen Khemraj Mahadeo and Delbert Hicks, both formerly of Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club were left not out on 18 and 4 respectively. Over at the Vikings Ground on the Corentyne Coast, hosts # 77 were defeated by

Madan Kumar Boodram the Skeldon Titans in their match which was reduced to 35 overs. Batting first, Skeldon Titans scored 154 all out in 33 overs with Errol Byas top scoring with 47 not out and Christopher Jaundoo 24. Bowling for # 77, A. Singh took 2-21, V. Narine 2-25, G. Ramnarine 2-23 and T. Ramdass 2-32. In their batting innings, # 77 were bowled out for 120 due to disciplined bowling from Jermaine Reid 3-33, Victor Pedro 2-28 and Errol Byas 3-35. Skeldon Titans won by 34 runs. At the Tain Block 4 Ground, hosts Tain Block 4 defeated Kildonan by 215 runs. Batting first, Tain scored a massive 362 runs in their innings with batsmen Madan Kumar Boodram top scoring with 129, Ian Nunes 41, Daniel Balkarran 32, Mahendra Mangal 22, and Doodnauth Pataram 23. Bowling for Kildonan, Clifford McKenzie took 4-51 in his 8 overs, Colin Williams 2-82 in 7 overs, while S. Cameron & Colin Bynoe took 1 wicket each. Kildonan was bowled out for 147. Bowling for Tain, Daniel Balkarran took 748 in 7 overs, while Ruel Pergass had figures of 2-20 in 4 overs. The competition continues at venues across the county.

Golden Jaguars vs. Indonesia begins at 07:30hrs today The Golden Jaguars, Guyana’s National Senior Men’s football team will play their first match ever in Asia this morning when they come against Indonesia in International friendly action from 07:30hrs local time. Indonesia, which has the world’s largest archipelago (extensive group of islands) with over 18,000 in number, are ranked 154th, 10 places above the Guyana that are ranked 164th. When the game kicks off is Bekasi, spirits should be high within the Jaguars team th since they managed to draw 1-1 with 89 ranked Trinidad & Tobago earlier in the month, that same T&T team had defeated world ranked 24th USA to stab their world cup dreams.

Head of the Guyana Football Federation, Wayne Forde, had shared his optimism of a 31 win-prediction for the visitors. Forde had further noted that this friendly match is part of the strategic preparation of Guyana’s 2018 campaign and he noted that this a great opportunity to market Guyana since many person have never heard of Guyana in Indonesia. He quoted the experience as, “International Diplomacy being facilitated by the beautiful game of Football”, adding that, “through sports tourism, football can put Guyana on the map.” Live streaming of the game can be f o l l o w e d o n t h i s l i n k https://www.rcti.tv/streaming

For almost a decade, ‘Boxing Day’ in Guyana has been void of a Boxing Day card. This year, that will change with the staging of an amateur event on December 26 with potential international flavour dubbed ‘Sons of Champions’. The event which will box off at 19:00hrs at the National Gymnasium will be a collaborative effort involving CEO of Brisso Promotions, Seon Bristol, and the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA). These and other details were disclosed on Thursday during the formal launch at Chelsea’s Suites in Charlotte Street. President of the GBA, Steve Ninvalle, explained the reason for the name of the card as simply because, “There will be many sons of former national champions participating.” Alex Murray, the son of Andrew Murray is one of the pugilists that will be fighting on the card. Bristol told the media that he wanted to promote a card last year but that was curtailed

after the professional board announced that they were staging an event, “I am here to keep my word,” he said. Ninvalle reminded that the fistic sport has a rich tradition and is the only discipline that has garnered world titles for Guyana as well as its solitary Olympic medal. He added that boxing locally is going through a renaissance and it shows that the sport is “going down the right path.” He then expounded on the reason for a Boxing Day card, “I think we owe it to the people and we owe it to the boxers, of course it’s a part and parcel of us showcasing them and giving them much needed competition and it is our intention for it to have some international flavour. We are speaking with St Lucia, Suriname and Jamaica.” Ninvalle then thanked the Ministry of Social Cohesion especially Minister George Norton for his continued support of boxing and sport as a whole in Guyana.

Balram Shane Annual Cricket and Volleyball competitions set for tomorrow in Berbice The 16th annual Balram Shane challenge Fund raising 50 overs cricket match and the fifth annual Volleyball competition is fixed for tomorrow at the Albion Sports Complex. The day’s activity is being sponsored by Businessman Deonarine Balram of The Balram Shane General store, Rose Hall Town Corentyne. This year for the first time the cricket match will be played between Albion Community Center and a rest of Berbice combination. According to the organiser regular participant Port Mourant CC has pulled out of the match for unknown reasons. A day full of action is anticipated since most of the top cricketers in Berbice are slated to participate, while the volleyball competition will see the best volleyball teams in the County spiking it out for top honours. The winning team will receive the Balram Shane Memorial trophy and cash incentives the runner up will be also adequately rewarded. A number of individual awards will be up for grabs including the man of the match, best bowler and best batsman. Meanwhile, the fifth annual senior inter club volleyball competition organised by The Berbice Volleyball Association (BVA) will be played simultaneously on the hard court. Most of the top volleyball teams in

Berbice including Port Mourant Training Center (PMTC), GuySuCo Training Centre/ Port Mourant (GTC/PM) which is expected to field more than one outfit, Port Mourant Jaguars, Albion Community Centre, Rollers of New Amsterdam, Jets Of Corriverton, Teams from Orealla/ Siparuta up the Corentyne River, Three Door Strikers of West Berbice, No19 Sports Club, No53 Survivors, Albion Community center, Black Bush Polder and Tain Humanitarian among others are expected to participate. According to organiser Deonarine Balram the competitions are being played in memory of his father who was a former cricketer and sports enthusiast. He stated that it is also their way of giving back to the community from which they garner their support in a tangible way. Proceeds from the competitions will be dived equally and distributed to the two cricket teams. Other organisations will also benefit from the proceeds of the game. The top teams and outstanding individual players will be presented with trophies and cash incentives by the sponsor and his family who will be on hand to bowl the first ball and do the first serve in the volleyball competition. Starting time is 09:30 hrs. (Samuel Whyte)

Kaieteur News

Saturday November 25, 2017

Banks DIH Limited among major sponsors for Port Mourant TC Horserace meet Trophy Stall also on board

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Five Guyanese in Windies 15 for 2018 U-19 World Cup

Eshwar Bharat Rep of the Port Mourant Turf Club pose with the trophies. The Grand horserace meet organised by the Port Mourant Turf Club in collaboration with the KP Jagdeo Construction Company and racing stables is set for tomorrow. The event, which is slated for the Port Mourant (Big Yard) Turf Club, Port Mourant Corentyne Berbice, has seen over 40 horses entered for the big meet. Beverage Giants, Banks DIH Limited, is one of the major sponsors on board for the main event. Seven races are listed for the day with over $6M in cash, trophies and other incentives up for the takings. Trophy Stall also on board presenting trophies for the outstanding individual performers to the club. Eshwar Bharat, representative of the Port Mourant Turf Club, collected the trophies for the event. The feature event will be for horses classified C and Lower over 1500M for a hefty winners money of $800,000 and trophy. Among some of the top runners entered for the main event include Vera Finally, Just call Me Boss and Princess She Not among

others. There is a race for E3 Maiden and lower horses over one mile for a top prize of $500,000 and trophy. Animals classified H1 and Lower has at stake a top prize of $300,000 and trophy to aim for in the race over 1200M. The race for Three-Year-Old Guyana Bred Maidens and I and lower horses will be galloping for a winning pocket of $300,000 over 1200M.The race for two years old Guyana Bred animals will also be over 1200M as they go against each other for the $200,000 bounty and trophy.The event for animals classified J, K and L will see the winner taking home a prize of $160,000 and trophy also over 1200M.The final event is for animals classified L non winners over 1200M for a top prize of $200,000 and trophy.The race will be run under the rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority (GHRA).They are also stating that five horses must start a race before third prizes will be paid and that seven horses must start before any fourth prize will be paid. Race time is 12:30hrs. (Samuel Whyte)

Bhaskar Yadram is the only First-Class player among the Guyanese in the West Indies U-19 World Cup squad. By Sean Devers Five Guyanese have been included in the West Indies squad for next year’s U-19 World Cup in New Zealand and Cricket West Indies (CWI) yesterday announced that the 15member team and three reserves will participate in an 11-day camp in St. Kitts & Nevis in preparation the World Cup which runs from January 13 to February 3. West Indies are the defending Champions after winning the last U-19 World Cup in Bangladesh and the camp, which will run from December 10-20, is the last phase of preparation before the team departs the Caribbean on December 28. The squad includes Guyanese U-19 Skipper, All-Rounder Ronaldo AliMohammed, left-arm-spinner Ashmead Nedd and batsmen Raymond Perez, Joshua Persaud

Lutchman, Mohamed, Persaud shine as Floodlights and Regal Masters triumph

Mohamed Rafeek Vishwanauth Lutchman, Imtiaz Mohamed and Parsram Persaud turned in outstanding performances as Floodlights and Regal Masters registered victories when the latest round of matches in Mike’s Pharmacy, Trophy Stall and Nauth Motor

Mohendra Arjune Spares 20-over softball tournament concluded on Sunday last at DCC. Playing in the Masters category, Floodlights defeated Fisherman Masters by 57 runs. Floodlights batted first and posted 160-5. Vishwanauth Lutchman struck 58

not out while John Sumair made 35 and Ramesh Narine 23. Robert Mohan claimed 2-25. Fisherman Masters responded with 103 all out in 14 overs. Unnis Yusuf made 23 as Imtiaz Mohamed captured 4-29, Clive Canterbury 2-14 and Rabindra Singh 228. Regal Masters beat Ariel Masters by four wickets. Ariel Masters were bowled out for 106 in 18.5 overs. Mohamed Rafeek made 40; Parsram Persaud grabbed 5-8. Regal Masters replied with 110-6 in 19.4 overs. Mohendra Arjune scored 32 not out; Doodnauth Ramdeen snared 4-23. The competition continues on Sunday at the said venue. On pitch one at 10:00hrs Floodlights will play Regal Masters and Speed Boat will take on Regal Allstars at 13:00hrs. On pitch two at 10:00hrs Wellman will face Sunrisers and at 13:00hrs Success will challenge Farm.

and Bhaskar Yadram, who played two FirstClass matches this year and is the only FirstClass player in the squad. “It’s an exciting time for these guys now that they’ve discovered they’re going to be going to a World Cup. It’s a bit of a younger side than the last one we took to Bangladesh. However, we have a very established, experienced batting group, with the likes of Kirstan Kallicharan and Emmanuel Stewart who went to the last World Cup,” Head Coach Graeme West stated. “There will be lot more attention on the West Indies in this tournament after the last tournament in Bangladesh. In the group stage, we’re in a very tough group as the number one seed, so we’re going to have to hit the ground running, just to succeed in the group stage,” added the 44-year-old West. The team is scheduled to depart the Caribbean on December 28 before a one-week camp will be held in New Zealand prior to the start of the World Cup. Squad: Emmanuel Stewart – Captain (Windward Islands- Grenada), Kirstan Kallicharan – Vice Captain (Trinidad & Tobago), Ronaldo Ali Mohammed- (Guyana), Alick Athanaze- (Windward IslandsDominica), Cephas Cooper- (Trinidad & Tobago), Jarion Hoyte- (Barbados), Kimani Melius- (Windward Islands- St. Lucia), Ashmead Nedd- (Guyana), Kian Pemberton(Leeward Islands- St. Kitts & Nevis), Raymond Perez- (Guyana), Joshua Persaud (Guyana), Jeavor Royal- (Jamaica), Keagan Simmons- (Trinidad & Tobago), Bhaskar Yadram - (Guyana), Nyeem Young(Barbados) Reserves: Brad Barnes- (Jamaica), Joshua Bishop- (Barbados), Javier Spencer(Leeward Islands- Antigua & Barbuda) Management Team: Graeme West(Head Coach), Dwain Gill- (Team Operations Manager), Corey Collymore- (Assistant Coach), Khevyn Williams- (Physiotherapist), Zephyrinus Nicholas- (Strength & Conditioning Coach), Dinesh Mahabir(Analyst)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 32

Saturday November 25, 2017

Diamond Mineral Water Indoor Hockey Festival

T&T’s Queens Park among winners on night 2

Pizza Hut GCC striker Shebiki Baptiste being challenged by Old Fort’s Bushani Kaladeen. The mighty Pepsi Hikers put on another impressive show of hockey skills Thursday evening as they chalked up their second victory in as many nights as the Diamond Mineral Water Indoor Hockey Festival hosted by the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) resumed at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH). Queens Park CC were the other big winner of the evening in the men’s category setting up a possible exciting climax of the two finalists from last year’s event. The marquee matchup of the evening between the Pepsi Hikers and Bounty GCC did not disappoint the crowd as the game saw action throughout the match with a fine display of skill from both teams and an exciting finish. In the very first minute of play, the GCC men seemed to be caught asleep as a Shane Samuels pass from deep defence found a free Robert France in the scoring circle. France made a swift drag to his right before sending his shot into the net

past the advancing GCC goalkeeper Medroy Scotland. Although GCC would equalize five minutes later through a Peter DeGroot penalty stroke, the Hikers kept themselves ahead ever so slightly throughout the match with GCC keeping themselves within striking distance. The Hikers scored three more field goals in the half through Randy Hope, Quin Clarke and a brilliant solo run by Shane Samuels, while GCC’s Dwayne Scott scored once more for GCC. With the halftime score at 4-2 in favour of the Hikers, each team would manage to add 4 more to their tally in the high-scoring affair that saw the Hikers emerge with the 8-6 victory. Hikers Captain France and Shane Samuels added one each to their first half totals, while Aroydy Branford and Devin Munroe completed the team’s list of goal scorers. GCC’s Peter DeGroot scored twice more to complete a hat-trick for the match, while Mark Sargeant and Orland Semple were the other goal scorers.

2016 silver medallists Queens Park CC turned the Mixed Nuts into parched nuts as they scorched the young side by 13 -1 in their m e n ’s d i v i s i o n c l a s h . Trinidadian international Akim Toussaint was the high-scorer for the match with 5 goals to his name, teammates Matthew TangNian and Mahinder Malli scored doubles, while Cade Lue Sue, Jordan Vieira, Kadeem Fortune and Michael Durity each scored singles for QPCC. Onassis Fraser brought loud cheers from the crowd in scoring the lone goal for Mixed Nuts. The Old Fort men, coming off a narrow defeat the previous evening against Pepsi Hikers, exacted their frustration on Saints HC in their 7-2 victory. Although Saints drew even in the tenth minute after an early Old Fort Goal, the game would soon slip from their grasp as Old Fort were up by two goals at the half and then by five at full time. Jason DeSantos and Ascofu Simon scored twice each for Old Fort, while Jael Gaskin, Omar Hopkinson and Akeem Hope completed the tally. Captain Hilton Chester and the young exciting Edmond Chinian scored for Saints. The lone ladies fixture of the evening saw the Pizza Hut GCC ladies brush off the Old Fort Shooting Stars with a 6-2 victory.

Trinidad and Tobago’s national striker Akim Toussant on the attack for Queen’s Park against Mixed Nuts. With the Stars looking for their first win of the competition, the highscoring Pizza Hut ladies leapt out in from by the fifth minute through national striker Kerensa Fernandes. W h i l e O l d F o r t ’s Candacy Glen managed to level the scores in the eight minute, GCC would rattle off four more unanswered goals before Old Fort could score again. GCC would finish with a sixth goal in the final minute as Fernandes completed her hat-trick to close the match as leading scorer. Gabriella Xavier, Carina Moller and Tiffany Solomon were the other goal scorers for GCC, while Captain Mino Culpepper scored the second Old Fort goal. T h e G C C Vi n t a g e crushed Antonio’s Hickers in the vets fixture of the evening. The Hickers were first on the score sheet when Devin Munroe produced some skilful individual play to stun the Vintage in the third minute. The Vintage however, led by a hat-trick from Patrick Edghill stormed back to a 6-2 victory at full time. Alan Fernandes, Dwayne Scott and Philip Fernandes completed the GCC tally, while Alex Gouveia scored the second for the Hickers. Matches continue throughout the weekend with the finals being played from 5:00PM tomorrow.

Kaieteur News

Saturday November 25, 2017

PAGE 33

Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” Georgetown Zone

Defending Champs among winners on opening night Tw o t i m e d e f e n d i n g champions Sparta Boss, Bent Street, North Ruimveldt and Future Stars, were amongst the winners when the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Georgetown Zone, kicked off on Thursday night at the National Cultural Centre (NCC) tarmac on Mandela Avenue. Sparta Boss edged Ol Skool Ballers 2-1 compliments of a ‘Guinness Goal’ (GG)-(a goal scored in the final three minutes of the match which is counted as two) from Eusi Phillips in the 38th minute. On target in his team’s loss was Omari James in the 14th minute. Meanwhile, Future Stars demolished East Front Road 6-1. Akeemo Anthony bagged a brace in the first and eight minutes, while Jamal Cozier and Rafael Edwards netted in the 13th and 17th minutes respectively. Kevin Griffith smashed in a GG in the 20th minute. For the losers, Kenroy Demonick netted in the 11th minute. North Ruimveldt punished

Judgment Yard 3-0. Travis Grant scored twice in the fourth and 15th minutes, while Eon Alleyne netted in the 11th minute. Bent Street crushed Norton Street 2-0. Andrew Murray Jr. and Travis Lyken scored in the 13th and 16th minute respectively. In other results, California Square crushed Queen Street Tiger Bay 4-0, while GTI Ballers humbled Bad-a-Yard 4-0 and Broad Street edged Stabroek Ballers 1-0. Also, Sophia Bullies downed Tucville 2-0, while Gold is Money edged Smyth Street 1-0 and Kingston defeated North East La Penitence 2-0. In the final three results, Channel-9 Warriors downed Gaza Squad 2-0, while New Market Street defeated Festival City by an identical score line and Upsetters edged Alexander Village 2-1 on sudden death penalty kicks, after normal time ended 0-0. The Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” Georgetown zone resumes today at the Albouystown Tarmac.

At 19:00hrs, Tucville will oppose Norton Street, while Leopold Street challenge GTI Ballers at 19:15hrs and Festival City battle Kingston from 19:30hrs. The fourth fixture will pit Rising Stars against Trap Squad at 19:45hrs, while Queen Street Tiger Bay match skills with Stabroek Ballers from 20:00hrs and North Ruimveldt engage Smyth Street at 20:15hrs. In the final four matches, Judgment Yard tackle Gold is Money at 20:30hrs, Broad Street battle California Square from 20:45hrs, Albouystown-A engage Bad-aYa r d a t 2 1 : 0 0 h r s a n d Albouystown-B tackle Back Circle from 21:15hrs. Winner of the overall event will walk-away with $500,000 and the championship trophy along with automatic qualification for the National Playoffs. The runner-up, third and fourth placed finishers will receive $250,000, $200,000 and $100,000 respectively. The event is also sponsored by Colours Boutique.

North Ruimveldt’s Travis (Zorro) Grant that scored a double in his team’s 3-0 win against Judgment Yard, controls the during the match on Thursday.

rt o p S Diamond Mineral Water Indoor Hockey Festival

Bounty GCC Midfielder Kevin Spencer unleashes a penalty corner flick against the Pepsi Hikers

T&T’s Queens Park among winners on night 2 Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” Georgetown Zone

Defending Champs among winners on opening night

Gold is Money’s Skipper Phillip Rowley (left) evades a Smyth Street player during his team’s 1-0 victory.

Action between Channel 9 warriors (left) and Gaza Squad on Thursday night.

FIVE GUYANESE IN WINDIES 15 FOR 2018 U-19 WORLD CUP

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