Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Thursday October 05, 2017

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

CHILDREN MUST EAT HEALTHY In Guyana, the data on obesity is shocking and it should be of great concern to all. According to the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) obesity rates among adults in the country climbed from 35 percent in 2006 to 44 percent in 2010, and 55 per cent in 2016. PAHO also posited that being overweight is the main underlying cause of death in Guyana due to fat consumption and daily intake of large quantities of sugar. Two out of every three deaths in the country are attributed to noncommunicable diseases (NCDs),—heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and stroke —all of which are related to obesity. As if that were not bad enough, in 2015, data from PAHO showed that childhood obesity in the country remains a growing and disturbing problem. Twenty-seven percent of boys and 34 percent of girls are obese and that 75 percent of children in the six to 16 age-group drank at least one sugary drink per day. Less than 25 percent receive the recommended one hour daily exercise. This is a huge problem; especially for the fact the obesity related diseases are the main causes of death in the country. If we do not change our lifestyle, it could impact significantly our lives. But it seems that obesity is not being taken seriously. Childhood obesity is a precursor to all types of life threatening ailments which have crippled the lives of many adults. Reducing the obesity rate is crucial to the future health of youths and the Ministry of Health should embark on a plan to solve this problem. Failure to reverse this worrying trend will result in the inevitable increase in the already spiraling health care costs and more premature deaths in the country. Obesity is a result of behaviour. Eating too much unhealthy foods and not exercising regularly are the main cause of obesity. Children can be prevented from becoming obese by providing them with a better diet. The government should make it easier for poor families to have access to affordable healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, and nutritious snacks. The government also has a responsibility to ensure that the school menu has nutritious meals and for schools to have adequate physical education facilities for students, along with parks and other safe recreational areas in their neighbours. It is also equally important for parents to provide healthier diets for their children. High calorie foods should be limited, sugary drinks should be banned and replaced with fruits and vegetables. Parents should encourage outdoor activities; reduce television viewing and time spent on electronic gadgets in the home. The bottom line is that if we are serious about protecting our children and ensuring that they lead healthy, happy lives, then we should strive to reduce or eliminate childhood obesity all together. Excessive processed sugar intake makes no sense in today’s context because it predisposes us to illnesses like diabetes, stroke and heart disease. And even though life for many Guyanese today is generally a sedentary one, yet banning sugar might be difficult. For one reason, sugar is cultural tradition. To eliminate it completely from our diet could be equally harmful. For another, traditions have a tendency to become habit, and habits are in many instances mindless, therefore, people are attached to sugar not only at a biological or cultural, but an emotional and social level. Therefore, life without sugar among Guyanese is generally inconceivable. So to remove all processed sugar from their diet and replace it with fruits and vegetables in moderation would be a break from tradition and a humongous task. How can Guyanese possibly not eat that chocolate or ice cream or drink that coke? The bottom line is if our children mean everything to us, then we must make sure that they eat healthy and have a long and happy life.

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

A blueprint for successful control of Guyana oil resources

DEAR EDITOR, I refer to our letter; “Framework for the effective management of Guyana’s oil resources.” We stopped at the sixth recommendation. We begin at number 7. The independent Board of Directors should be responsible for the formulation and development of oil and gas policies and for recommending executive action for the sustainability of the industry. Included should be recommendations for the nurturing, development and sanctioning of citizen NOCs engaged in JVs with IOCs, and to facilitate collaboration and cooperation amongst national NOCs for upstream and downstream development in the sector 8. Corporate social responsibility including the development of a green economy, creation of carbon credits to offset hydrocarbon development, training and the development of knowledge, skills and expertise in the oil and gas industry for Guyanese, environmental protection, use of local con-

tent and the development of downstream capacity and capability should be within the purview of this independent Board to guarantee GoG’s policies are executed and the people of Guyana benefit through transformative development of its strategic resources. Further, the proper supervision of contracts i.e. corporate governance must be part of the portfolio of the NOCs 9. NOCs will be responsible for executing national policy within their NOC/IOC JV, good corporate governance and corporate social responsibility; 10.Other policy elements to support the operations of NOCs in the Guyana oil sector being offered for consideration are listed below The total ownership of the NOC within the JV with IOCs should be a maximum of 50%, with IOCs having the majority shares within the range of 50%-55% as required for operator status. IOCs should be granted a maximum of 1%-5% ownership advantage to support

their hard carry (significant contribution to cover the financial contributions of the NOC to the JV) for concessions granted for exploration, development and production and this arrangement will be included in the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA). The NOCs should be granted the option to buy back these shares from production sharing revenues Concession for exploration and development should be considered by the PCG which includes waiver of signon bonuses, fees and leasing agreements for real property for the NOCs on a prorated basis, based on the ownership level for the NOCs versus the IOCs. Consideration may be given to completely waive sign-on bonuses, fees and leasing agreements for real property to give the NOCs a strong financial foundation i.e. NOCs should be free on board vis-avis the IOC during the exploration phase only. Sign-on bonuses for a PSA should be prorated and the NOCs’ payments deferred based on future profits. Lease payments by JVs should be

determined by the NOCs and will be used to pay for its shares within the JV. The nature of the PSA will be a hybrid type considering concessions for exploration, development and royalty, taxes and production sharing agreement. NOCs should be given an offshore concession to strengthen their resource base and to facilitate strong partnerships for any strategic alliance. The PCG should provide the NOCs with all information and data it has on the relative block concessions. IOCs should be required to make full disclosure to the NOCs and PCG of all data and information concerning wells, data logs, seismic information prospects and reserves GoG will collect royalties, oil taxes and profit sharing from JVs. Each JV should have a joint management committee for joint IOC/NOC decision making with full transparency, including independent third party pricing for all expenditures. Subsidiary pricing can be accommodated but it must be the lowest pricing. This is to protect the Continued on page 6

TRIBUTE TO ROCKY MC PHERSON

DEAR EDITOR, I learnt with great sadness of the passing of Rocky Mc Pherson in California. To the older generation, Rocky is a household name and one of our best known athletes. In my early athletic days, Rocky’s small stature but technique and speed earned the admiration of many of us.

Rocky never gave up athletics and won many medals and acclaim as he continued into his later years, never giving up or accepting advancing age as a hindrance or impediment. Rocky’s continuous athletic progress is a sterling example to many of us who gave up our sporting activity as we approach the preverbal

middle and later age. Last year, I made contact with Rocky and we shared many experiences of the good old days at the GCC and the BGCC Ground at Thomas Lands. I hope that the Ministry responsible for Sports and the Athletic Association of Guyana will do something to remember this sporting giant.

I remember Rocky on and off the athletic track, always pleasant with a smile and his conversations were always optimistic and uplifting. He ran an excellent race; he has taken the inside track of the final bend and has now passed the finishing line into eternity. May his soul rest peacefully! Hamilton Green, O.R. J.P.

Why is this city constabulary rank still on the job? DEAR EDITOR, It is utterly appalling, that in spite of all of the evils our society is confronted with, as a consequence of the aberrant acts being committed frequently, by sexual deviants in Guyana, with the more recent one being the molestation and murder in Berbice, that the Georgetown Municipality would continue to keep a Constable who was accused of sexually molesting a minor, on the job, in uniform and seized with the power of a law enforcement officer. Granted it is an allegation that has been made against this constable by one of his colleagues and the alleged victim at this time, and one has to be presumed innocent until proven guilty, but it must be noted that this constable

was charged before with similar immoral acts and was dismissed, only to be brought back to the Constabulary by a senior political official, with whom this constable is well known to be a friend, running errands for them including paying their utility bills and purchasing their lunch. This is cronyism at its best. Why were the national police not called in to investigate this matter as they were the last time around? It is unprincipled and lacking in transparency for the Council to investigate this matter about one of their own, particularly with frequent accusations of favoritism being leveled against them by the members of the public. Has the Council’s Human Resources Manager not

heard of interdictions which refers to a temporary removal of an officer from performing his or her normal duties when disciplinary proceedings for his/her dismissal are being undertaken or are about to be undertaken? Does the HR Manager not know that interdictions can also take place on the grounds that criminal charges are pending? Or is this individual who has been on the job more than a month now since the alleged incident occurred, protected and above the law. Is the Council waiting until something fatal occurs before becoming serious about the lawless actions of some of its officials? How long will the investigation into this particular take to be

completed, until the next Local Government Elections in 2018? All of the persons at the Council responsible for having this Constable remain on the job should be sent home as well. The silence by religious leaders and their many church pals who are employed at the Council is nauseating. The municipality should know that if they turn a blind eye to sexual predators, if they accustom their staff to getting away with criminal acts against our citizens, they are making it more likely that they will go on to commit more serious crimes. That is why we have so much disorder in Georgetown. It is such a disgrace Debra Gibson

Thursday October 05, 2017

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Kaieteur News

Citizens of Anna Regina The sugar industry can survive as a state enterprise Mr Harbhajan, if GuySuCo grass and weeds would pro- sure and thousands will join EDITOR, make desperate plea to GWI DEAR The Guyana Agricultural produced 300,000 tonnes of liferate cane fields thus reduc- the misery-filled lives that DEAR EDITOR, Residents living in the heart of Anna Regina town i.e. the northern half which includes Belle Street are presently suffering from a disappearing trickle of water being supplied by G.W.I. This has been the situation for three years now. This writer made myriad visits to the officer at the Anna Regina [and one visit was a delegation of consumers] only to be treated to a string of preposterous reasons: a) The design of the layout of pipes was faulty b) A change made in distribution pattern c) Some consumers siphon off the water as soon as it is released Countless meetings with the manager, who is well aware of the situation, have brought no change, no relief. We are even now getting a disappearing trickling at ground level. At one time he said that he needed sometime to install another pipeline to ensure adequate supply. This never happened. We were given scheduled times [05:00 hrs to 10:00/10:30 hrs and 15:00 hrs onwards] but these schedules were never adhered to, rather we ended up with an erratic supply so frustrating that one forgets one

has taps, which when turned on would give water. Sometimes the trickle is so weak that it takes ten to twelve minutes to fill an ordinary size bucket. During weekends and holidays we get a puny trickle even at ground level. Now consumers get little or no water upstairs and have to fetch water and fill up several buckets for chores. We ask the question: why must we go through this nightmare, this burdensome suffering when two areas that run past where we live [Cotton Field and the New Housing Area aback Anna Regina] are getting more than an ample supply? Three years ago water supply was so adequate that the overhead tank upstairs would fill in a short period of time. How come this retrogression? G.W.I has promised the nation the lofty ideal that it wanted to ensure consumers get potable water twenty four-seven. We do not see this happening any time soon. A strong appeal is made to those in charge in Government and G.W.I to move quickly to bring relief to suffering citizens Thakechand Ramnauth Chairman, Community Development Council, Anna Regina

There is a lesson to be learnt from the Huist t’Dieren experiment DEAR EDITOR, I respond to the observations of Mr Kingsley Williams in his follow up letter, “Ravi Dev may be underestimating the value of the return passage”, (KN 11-2-17) where he cited the settlement of Huist t’Dieren, the first which the government had established in 1881 to encourage Indian indentureds to exchange their contracted return passage to India. Huist t’Dieren perfectly illustrates why so few Indian indentureds acquired land via this mechanism, even though the passage Mr Kingsley’s Timerhi Journal, Vol. 1, 1882, page 108, suggests otherwise: “Some notice should be paid to the considerable exhibit of rice by the free East Indian immigrants, recently and very wisely placed at Huis t’Dieren, where they received a grant of land in lieu of their passage back to India due to them at the expiration of their of indenture.” The fact was Huist t’Darien had several sand reefs across its front lands that demanded extensive drainage and irrigation canals in addition to a koker, to made rice cultivation feasible. While these were promised,

the former was never done satisfactorily even though 350 2-acre cultivation plots and 270 ¼ acre residential lots were laid out. The koker washed away several times because of the sandy soil. By November 1882, when the government rescinded the “land-for-return passage” scheme, even though 5-700 persons had initially shown interest, only 69 cultivation plots and 49 residential lots had been applied for and granted. The government amazingly then placed the plots and lots for sale at $50 each. Only 67 were bought but these were generally not paid up fully and occupied. By 1891, the Annua1 Report of the Lands Department concluded the settlement of Huist t’Dieren a failure. There is a lesson from the Huist t’Dieren experiment for us in the present, and which had obviously understood by the “illiterate coolies”: even land given “free” is of no value on our coast if it is not continuously drained and irrigated to make agriculture sustainable. A most expensive proposition! Ravi Dev

and General Workers Union (GAWU), once again, finds it necessary to respond to Mr Gobin Harbhajan letter titled “Knowledgeables had 23 years to change the face of GuySuCo” which appeared in the September 24, 2017 edition of the Guyana Chronicle. At the outset, we wish to advise Mr Harbhajan that letters emanating from GAWU on the sugar industry are authored by the Union and that we stand behind every word written and every assertion made. We do not employ highly paid writers or communication trained persons to express our positions and stances. We wonder whether Mr Harbhajan can say the same. While Mr Harbhajan argues that we aren’t factually supporting our assertions. It seems he hasn’t been keenly reading our letters. Certainly had the regional councillor done so, he could not have been making such laughable statements. Here is a dose of reality,

sugar in 2017 at US$450 per tonne then the industry’s revenue would be just over $29B. If the industry’s packaging plants are maximized sugar revenue would be even higher. That mentioned sum taken together with the $9.5B realizable from the Skeldon CoGeneration plant, would see total revenue reaching $38.5B. Such sums are more than sufficient to cover the industry’s costs with all estates operating. On the cost side, Mr Harbhajan, you should know that 70 per cent of costs are fixed which means whether you produce 174,000 tonnes, as the industry is targeted to produce this year, or 300,000 tonnes a great lot of the costs remain the same. In the latter case, however, average cost would be far lower than it would be should this year’s most recent target is realized. Similarly, there would also be likely reduction in strikes as more canes and less vines,

ing incidences of price disputes. Certainly, it sounds, from our point of view, that is a most desirable situation, Mr Harbhajan? While the erstwhile gentleman continues to espouse privatization arguing that no worker would be laid off and justifies this by calling attention to the worker turnout. It seems, the letter writer is not following the news as not too long ago, GuySuCo called attention to worker turnout far in excess of the 50 per cent statistic Mr Harbhajan refers to. Furthermore, even with 50 per cent worker turnout, through the use of the mechanical cane loaders workers’ productivity is doubled. In essence with optimal utilization of those costly loaders, turnout could be really 100 per cent. Furthermore, how does Mr Harbhajan relate his privatisation call when in a short while two (2) more estates are threatened with clo-

have beset the people of Wales. Mr Harbhajan then goes on to talk about the Skeldon project which he labels as a “millstone”. But it is this same “millstone”, Mr Harbhajan that has several buyers, some who are known to his party, lining up to acquire it. Certainly, it serves to undermine the letter writer’s credence and assertions regarding the estate. The writer then goes on to speak about the Government support to sugar. But, for reasons best known to him, he inexplicably fails to explain how is it that despite a $32B investment by the APNU/AFC Government, sugar production has dropped by 25 per cent in the last two (2) years? Clearly, from our point of view, those in charge of the industry are steering the ship into dangers and unforgiving waters. We nevertheless recognize that Government support to sugar cannot be infinite Continued on page 6

We must not forget October 6, 1980 and the sadness it brought DEAR EDITOR, Friday October 6th, 2017 marks 37 years since the imposition of the 1980 Constitution by the late P.N.C maximum leader Mr. L.S.F Burnham. The centuries of bloody struggle waged by our foreparents for Freedom, Justice and Human Dignity against the forces of European Imperialism and the plantocracy, all came to a dreadful end on October 6th, 1980 when Burnham and his People’s National Congress usurped all our rights as an independent people in the skillfully crafted New P e o p l e ’s C o n s t i t u t i o n , which centralised all power in his hands as Executive President sending Guyanese politically into a remote period pre-dating the Great Magna Carta of 1215. This constitution was to oversee the transition of Guyana from a Capitalist State to a Socialist State and was to usher in the era of the Marxist concept of “Dictatorship of the Proletariat.” In doing so Burnham unleashed into the lives of the Guyanese nation a long, dark night of the dictator, a cycle of Cruelty, Poverty and Oppression that was to witness the migration of half of our population. With the defeat of the P.N.C at the General Elections of 1992 by the PPP by the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan, a constitutional reform commission was set up. Twenty five years have

elapsed since that commission came into existence and in excess of one billion Guyana dollars have been spent and we are still in the woods so to speak as far as constitutional reform has gone. More than 95% of the population has never had access to the 1980 Constitution or seen the Reform Edition. Articles 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 161, 162 and 212 are some of the Articles in which the autocratic powers of the Executive President are vested, making him as powerful as the old Tudor King Henry VIII of England. Reforms of the 1980 constitution so far are cosmetics, which in the long run will need to be rewritten to empower the Guyanese people. The P.N.C and the P.P.P have deliberately thwarted our destiny as a nation by deny-

ing us our inalienable rights to our land. They have kept us in a state of poverty and dependence and criminalized our young people. Friday 6th of October, 2017 is a Red Letter Day for all Guyanese. As a nation we are trapped in a time warp where for 37 years we continue to repeatedly go through the same motion under worsening conditions of life.

The Guyana United Artists to commemorate this historic occasion will be displaying a small collection of paintings pertaining to this tragic period in Guyanese history on the square of the Revolution from 10 A.M to 1 P.M on Friday 6th of October. Desmond Alli General Secretary Guyana United Artists (G.U.A)

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Female security guards being insecure at work DEAR EDITOR, All the current hullabaloo about insecure women, all of whom in fact are Security Guards, reminds me of the incident, more vividly than others, of some years ago. In the first incident, the female guard sat in a chair located outside the south easterly corner of the National Cultural Centre, in a position to survey cars going into the parking lot there. We were early and took advantage of parking in the secure (?) space directly in front of the immobile guard. We therefore were not bothered about safety being an issue, that is, until two and a half hours later, with the show finished, we quickly accessed our car. Just as quickly we observed that the side mirrors were no longer there. Of course we felt justified in asking our still immobile security whether she had any intelligence about the matter. But first we had to wake her up from a deep slumber (just possibly induced?) Immediately we knew that any effort to get a satisfactory response was quite useless. Suddenly she scrambled up and flayed around – an indication of her not being quite certain where she was. This was obviously going to be a useless encounter. Nevertheless we sought to find out who was her employer. Still in a dream state she mumbled that she did not know (the uniform gave no clue), so we just had to resign ourselves to the loss. There just was no way of complaining to her incognito employer. The second incident, sometime after, registered a similar state of ignorance on the part of a rather bereft female security guard, who had stood/sat all day in front of the property next to ours.

As the dark of the evening enveloped her station she rushed over to our premises, and in a panic asked for help in contacting her employers, so that she can remind them to send the next shift guard, who was much overdue, to relieve her. We let her use the telephone so that she could make her case as pleadingly as possible. Then suddenly she stopped, to ask where she was, admitting that she had no clue of the address, street name or neighbourhood to which she had been diligently assigned. It is hard to forget such examples of exploitation of valued women in the business of virtual security. While there are visibly outstanding employers of disciplined and professional ranks, they are, however, outnumbered by others who offer only the myth of security (male and female) who clearly would not have not undergone a certified fitness test, and who are aged, of minimal perceptual capacity, inadequately lettered, and can neither engage in a chase, nor more troublingly run from any attacker to save their own lives. With these impediments they can hardly bargain, even for the applicable minimum wage, or insist on the legal number of hours to be worked per shift, or week. Incidentally, the age group is generally such that too many are ineligible for membership of the National Insurance Scheme. Even the provision for leave is haphazard; while it is uncertain whether there is any official mechanism in place to confirm the overtime hours so often worked without the relevant compensation. So that the Minister’s apparent misstep would have raised a much more substantive inquiry into an area of exploitative employment. E.B. John

Thursday October 05, 2017

The descendant of former slave fights for legacy DEAR EDITOR, I welcome the action taken by Anil Nandlall, PPP/ C Member of Parliament and Attorney-at-law, to approach the ancestral lands Commission of Inquiry (CoI) to resolve what has been an ongoing dispute pertaining to the village of Kingelly, West Coast Berbice. He reportedly is representing some 150 families who are claiming ownership of some of the lands bought by my former slave greatgreat-great-great grandfather Cudjoe McPherson. This land was bought primarily from the miserly income earned during the Amelioration (1834-July 1838) and immediate post-emancipation period. It is noted Nandlall’s claim that the CoI will cause conflict, hence the reason why the PPP/C Government rejected the motion to regularise ancestral lands brought to the National Assembly by PNC Member of Parliament Deborah Backer. I am more inclined to believe the PPP/C saw benefit in allowing the matter to remain unresolved because it

allows the conflict to fester, villagers to be divided, and the party can profit from such environment. Disputes are meant to be resolved. There is a dispute on this land, whether actively for or against, going back to around 1905 when others began to squat on it. The matter is before the court since the early 1960s due to a challenge brought by others residing on the land when the heirs of Cudjoe moved to have the land surveyed. The commissioners were advised of all this by me, along with showing transport dated 1850 and a survey ordered by my slave ancestor with his signature, which I must add was an accomplishment in a period when enslaved Africans were not permitted learning. Being quiet does not mean the dispute does not exist. As a matter of fact the quietness may have been an effort by the government to frustrate those who have legitimate claim and to deal with the issue. While Nandlall had advised that my relations are

walking around the village saying that some have to pay rent for the land, he failed to say that for years, as recent as few weeks ago when I was visiting the village, it is being said that “black man nah own land here.” Some of Nandlall’s public statements as recorded in the media should be of concern given the establishing of a dishonest premise which would have impact on the credibility of his presentation before the CoI. August 2017 marked 179 years of emancipation. Kingelly was a plantation before being purchased by the freed in the 1840s and converted to a village. The next batch of imported workers who came as indentured servants was in May 1838 and they did not go to Kingelly. He owes the society an explanation to his claim that “these persons and others and their ancestors, have been in occupation of these lands for over 200 years, unopposed.” History nor the maths adds up to this spurious claim, thereby questioning the cred-

ibility and intent of his pursuit on this matter. I am the descendant of Cudjoe McPherson; the descendant of a slave. This matter is personal to me not only as a descendant of my former slave greatgreat-great-great grandfather, ensuring rightful ownership but also to set the historical record right regarding original ownership, which will serve to establish a legacy of property ownership that many have claimed through squatting, prescriptive rights, and other means, allowing them ownership now. This record must not only be acknowledged but also corrected so when the history of Kingelly is written or spoken of the achievement of former slave Cudjoe McPherson must be indelibly marked. There is resolution in law. Ignoring the matter did not bring resolution all it sought to do was ferment the conflict. Through the legal process legitimacy will now be determined, including the authenticity of rights and entitlement. Lincoln Lewis

The sugar industry can survive as a state enterprise From page 5 and thus our plan to turn the industry around with some support from the Government into the medium term. We again urge the letter writer to get from his ‘high placed’ friends a copy of our submission to the Government. There he would see how we propose that the industry finance its modernisation. As we have seen with many other electoral promises, Mr Harbhajan is now denying that his party, in the elections campaign, promised sugar workers a 20 per cent wage rise. Such a promise has been a rallying call of the AFC for several years now. In fact the November 05, 2011 Kaieteur News quoted then AFC Presidential Candidate, Khemraj Ramjattan in refer-

ence to the 8 per cent wage rise approved by the then Government as saying “…we would make the workers happier with 20 per cent…”. Similar utterances, Mr Harbhajan, were also made during the 2011 and 2015 elections campaign. But like so many other commitments, they are now exposed to be mere political gimmicks. We are then serenaded about the positives of private ownership as the days of Bookers are recalled. It seems Mr Harbhajan maybe is not acquainted with the realities the workers faced in those times. In

those times, poverty stalked the sugar belt as the workers faced daunting challenges while the sugar barons lived ‘life in London’ on their sweat, blood, and tears. It was in view of such a stark reality, among other reasons, that influenced the nationalization of the industry. T h a t d e c i s ion, Mr Harbhajan was fully supported by the workers and their organisations. Certainly, if life were as good as you made it out to be in those days the workers would have been up in arms at nationalisation. Mr Harbhajan then goes on to call attention to the

sugar levy which he says pushed Bookers out of sugar and Guyana. Again, the letter writer lack of knowledge stands nakedly exposed as the sugar levy came to an end in 1996 and not 2002 as he asserts. Please, we urge you again Mr Harbhajan to become acquainted with the facts before you ‘write’. GAWU maintains that if the industry can be made viable in private hand, it stands an even better chance of doing so under state-ownership. Seepaul Narine General Secretary GAWU

A blueprint for successful control of Guyana... From page 4 NOCs from the development of downstream activities including the development of a service company by IOCs. This is required especially when the IOCs is granted operator status. Board membership will be proportional to ownership; stock will be controlled by the NOCs with the right of first refusal. Stock devaluation based on farming in of other IOCs must be proportional to both parties in the JV and the resources generated from farming must be owned by the JV; and All Intellectual Property and booked assets of the JV should have joint ownership, by both NOC and IOC, to permit monetiza-

tion and access to capital; We have proffered several recommendations for the structuring of NOCs to facilitate ensuring that Guyanese benefit from the exploration and production of our finite oil resources. We welcome discussion of these preliminary ideas as we as a nation, seek the more beneficial means of managing the oil and gas sector. Finally, it is our hope that the GoG will consider Guyana’s oil resource as a strategic commodity. A national strategic resource management Council should be established to ensure that coherent and transformative national development strategies and policies are designed and imple-

mented, with full opportunity for input from Guyanese locally and in the diaspora. This Council should include the Defence Board, Ministers of Mining, Natural Resources, Agriculture, Economic Planning and Development, Finance, a Representative of the Opposition and representatives of the NOCs, and other key economic, monetary, fiscal, pension and Sovereign Wealth Fund stakeholders, supported by their advisers. It is our vision that Guyana should become the place of choice for Guyanese to live, work, raise their families and do business. Guyanese deserve no less Andrea Watson-James Colin Westmoreland

Thursday October 05, 2017

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Union in crushing win to represent Rusal bauxite workers - challenges Granger admin to protect employees A bauxite union is challenging Government to stand up to its promises to protect workers. This was after a critical poll Tuesday in Region Ten where the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU) walked away with over 90 percent of the support of workers from the Russian-owned Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc. (BCGI). BCGI is owned by Russia’s aluminium giant, Rusal. But the crushing win of the recognition poll by the union may mean naught as the bauxite company has not

been recognizing it for the last eight years or so. During the polling exercise on Tuesday, the union claimed that BCGI’s management attempted to illegally enter the polling place. The union was “derecognized” after 50-odd employees who protested for better working conditions were fired.According to the union, its victory was a “sweeping” victory on Tuesday. The recognition poll exercise was led by President Leslie Gonsalves and General Secretary Lincoln Lewis. They were coming up against the “employer-

preferred” National Mines Workers Union. GB&GWU said it won the recognition poll with a resounding 93 percent. The exercise came after repeated efforts by BCGI to impose unions or workers’ committee. “The election was incident free even though at one point BCGI management sought to make an unauthorised and illegal entry into the polling station. This was seen by the union as an attempt to intimidate the workers or influence the outcome. However, management was met with strong opposition by the Trade Union Recognition

GRA gets ready to roll out anti-smuggling system - Tax Chief The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is expected to roll out an anti-smuggling system by the end of the month. This is according to its Commissioner General, Godfrey Statia. The tax chief said that discussions re-commenced with the Canadian Bank Note company. He said that those discussions were aimed at introducing the Stamp System. Statia said that this is in an effort to minimise revenue leaks through the smuggling of alcohol and tobacco. Statia stated, “I am happy to report that this programme will be introduced by the end of this month with a reduction of project costs of nearly US$1M and the programme extended to 2024 instead of 2022.” The need to address rampant smuggling in Guyana is one that was raised by the Tax Reform Commission which was established by the Granger administration.

The Commissioners said that Guyana is subjected to major revenue loss from smuggling, not only because of its porous borders but, also, at its wharves and ports of entry. They said that this is especially so for fuel, gold, cigarettes and alcohol, where there are ongoing allegations that collusion and corruption facilitate such tax evasion and revenue leakage. The officials said, “Fuel markers are available on demand to fuel smugglers, gold mined in Guyana are exported and sold in Suriname because of lower royalty taxes, and smuggled cigarettes and alcohol are being sold in plain sight and on which no duty had been paid.” They continued, “We understand that the GRA is in the process of acquiring a digital stamping programme for the latter two products at a substantial cost. It is crucial that the GRA avoids the experience of

TRIPS which has failed to deliver on its promises and that it ensures that a proper assessment of all the features of programmes is examined and options and avenues considered and evaluated before entering into any contract.” The tax experts added, “In areas of smuggling, it is known that producers and distributors have a vested interest in reducing such activity, since it reduces their bottom line and, ideally, such parties should have been requested to cooperate with any such a design, rather than having it trusted upon them, as they would be responsible for its implementation.” The officials said it is recommended that GRA hold consultations with all the players in the field. They said, too, that it is known that digital stamps “in plain sight” are more easily forgeable, than digital markings when so placed in the packaging by producers.

Dem boys seh...

Nuff spoil chicken come from we neighbour Old people always seh, “Remember fuh taste you words before you spit dem out because it does always come back to haunt you.” But that is not de only thing you must taste. Dem boys seh you must also taste you food before you swallow it. City Council close down five restaurant in de city because dem refuse to taste dem own food. Taste de chicken, too. A lot of spoil chicken coming from Suriname. Two days ago de marine police ketch up wid a boat half full wid spoil chicken.

De chicken was good when de boat lef but according to dem boys de boat captain hear how dem patrolling de area dem got to pass suh he dodge. On he way to Guyana, dodging and dilly dallying in de Ocean, de boat end up on ExxonMobil block. Dem boys hear ExxonMobil call de coastguard who tun up and order dem to come in to de marine place at Ruimveldt. When de boat near meet in de chicken boat captain and ee crew run de boat onto de mudflat, jump out and beat

it in land. Dem boys hear all de marine police coulda do is collect de boat wid de spoil chicken and report it. According to de marine police was nuff chicken. Dem find de book in de boat and de book telling how much and to who dem distribute. It also tell wha lef. De marine police realise that dem only get quarter boat because de captain did done distribute from Berbice right down. Talk half and be careful where you buying you chicken from.

Junior Natural Resources Minister, Simona Broomes, during a sudden inspection at Rusal operations several months ago and Certification Board officials who were responsible for conducting the polls.” The union explained that the poll came against the backdrop of eight years of refusal by BCGI to engage. “This union has been crusading the case of the transgressing of workers’ constitutional right to Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining (Article 147), and the violating of Section 23(1) of the Trade Union Recognition Act (1997) to the domestic and international communities. GB&GWU now calls on BCGI to honour the Laws of Guyana and treat with the union according to said laws, failing to do otherwise will constitute breach of the law and continued high-handedness and disrespect shown by this management for the sovereignty of Guyana and the workers of Guyana.”

According to the bauxite union, it wants President David Granger, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo Government, with authority vested by way of recognition, to cause BCGI to respect the will and rights of these workers. “Failing to do so, Government cannot absolve itself from taking responsibility in siding with foreign forces to undermine this nation’s integrity and its citizens’ sovereignty. Government in this regard must stand tall in comparison to the Bharrat Jagdeo Government.” The union stressed that it is opportune to remind the administration that the workers not only expressed their will for the GB&GWU, but also for them in May 2015 on the commitment that their labour at this company shall be protected as enshrined in the laws and Collective

Labour Agreement. “Where the APNU and AFC as Opposition and Government rightly demanded of the PPP/C in Government and Opposition to respect the electorate’s will in 2011 and 2015 so too must it be for the workers’ will as expressed on Tuesday. “GB&GWU calls on Government to now move to give effect to its commitment and the Rule of Law.” The union said that the bauxite company, which has a number of mines in Aroaima and Kwakwani, must now see the BCGI being brought to the table to start union engagements. “Of immediate priority is management adding its signature to the tripartite document to give effect to the promised taxes on all premium hours worked, i.e. overtime, (continued on page 16)

GTU President calls for teachers'... From page 3 recognise and honour teachers. The observance simultaneously marks the anniversary of the signing of the 1966 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation/International Labour Organisation [UNESCO/ILO] Recommendation concerning the status of teachers. The 1966 Recommendation constitutes the main reference framework for addressing teachers' rights and responsibilities on a global scale. The theme for the observance this year echoes the 2015 theme that followed the adoption of the new Sustainable Development Goals [SGDs] of September 2015, when teacher empowerment was reaffirmed as a top priority in all education and development strategies. The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals [SDGs] number Four and Eight respectively indicate that by 2030 moves should be made to substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including tech-

GTU President: Mr. Mark Lyte nical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship; and that by 2030, building and upgrading of education facilities should be in place that are child, disability and gender sensitive and safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments, for all, should be a rea l i t y. But according to Lyte, “Having looked at these goals

one recognizes that in Guyana we are far from achieving the standard expected of us by 2030.” He therefore concluded that Government through its Ministry of Education has much to do in order to achieve these goals. But in spite of the evident hardships encountered by teachers within the public education system, Lyte said that the GTU is convinced that the cadre of teachers it represent will continue to rise. “We are true moulders of this nation,” Lyte emphasized even as he urged that “our employers have to respect and honour teachers who are serving this nation.” Even as teachers prepare to put their concerns aside to fully commemorate a day that gives credence to their important role, Lyte said that “we wish all our teachers a blessed teachers' day and trust that the theme for this year's World Teachers' Day help in some way to touch the conscience of our employers...Long Live the teachers' of Guyana; we mould the nation!”

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Thursday October 05, 2017

Kaieteur News

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

The Vreed-en-Hoop assault on 30 women On Wednesday evening around 9.50 pm, I was with my wife in the kitchen of my home when my cell phone rang. AFC Parliamentarian, Michael Carrington was at the other end. His voice was loud and angry. He said, “Freddie, they are breaking down the stalls of Vreed-en-Hoop vendors right now.” I responded; “you mean tonight, right now?” Carrington shouted back, ‘Right now. I am with the vendors.” My question was; “Is it Region Three officials?” Carrington described the scene for me. Ministry of Public Infrastructure (what a stupid name. If Patterson has any sense he would gazette the change immediately back to “Public Works”) trucks were there and the “bruk up men” are from that Ministry. Every stall of 30 women vendors was completely wrecked. My mind went back to 2012 and the big fight we had

with Region Three authorities who forcefully demolished many stalls at Parika, burning their goods and throwing the stuff on the Ruby foreshore. It was a graphic display of the kind of sadism we saw under apartheid. There are some idiots writing frequent letters in the newspapers eulogizing the performance of the PPP in government. This apartheid-like bestiality against poor vendors took place during the reign of the PPP. Both the chairman for Region Three and the REO should be placed before the courts for abuse of power but we don’t have such a law on the books. I will always remember that sight at the Ruby foreshore. Tins of corned beef, sardines, tuna, tomato paste, milk and bottles of oil were burnt. That chairman of Region Three in 2012 in the same chairman today. He belongs to the PPP.

That party leader holds weekly press conferences to inform the Guyanese people of democratic erosion. Some of us took the Region Three authorities to court. Each time, I appeared with the vendors, Region Three attorney, Sase G u n r a j , would inform the judge I have no right to be present because I did not have locus standi. Justice William Ramlal took no notice of Gunraj’s objection but when the case was transferred to another judge, Gunraj requested my removal again and she agreed. Last month, after a long battle, the vendors were allowed t o s t a y. N o w a f t e r t h e defeat of the PPP in 2015, vendors’ eviction is still taking place. The title of this article should have been, “From Bruk-up Benn to Bruk-up Patto.” Patto is the call name for Patterson, the Minister of

Public Infrastructure. Once I love my dog, I will always remember Minister Patterson’s decision that almost killed my dog. I was taking her home after a walk on the Turkeyen seawall when hell overtook the Atlantic highway. Minister Patterson had given orders to close the highway to traffic between Ogle and Turkeyen so Massy company could put up an arch across the road at Cummings Lodge. Psychotic traffic confusion ensued because there was literally nowhere for traffic to go because the Railway Embankment was closed at Liliendaal for bridge repair. I had my dog in that car for three hours and she almost died (for a description of that terrible incident, see my column of May 13, “This government has gone out of control,” and May 14, “An arch, an ombudsman and clowns in a banana republic.” The Ministry of Public Infrastructure has wrecked the stalls of 30 women vendors at Vreed-en-Hoop and the ministry’s trucks

carted off the wooden remnants. So here Guyana goes again – the assault on poor people. Poor vendors are being devastated and it is not PPP doing it; not the PPP

Frederick Kissoon oppressing single parents who vend for a living. The government says that the people are in the path of the West Demerara road expansion programme. Carrington told me Minister Patterson gave them one week to move and Phoenix Park was offered to them. The vendors rejected it

because it doesn’t have the kind of traffic that obtains at Vreed-en-Hoop by the police station. Indeed that is an extremely busy junction. Vendors will not even get 20 percent of the patronage they pick up at Vreed-en-Hoop. When Robeson Benn was Ministry of Works, his roadside crews chased single mothers off the junction of Irving Street and Lamaha Street selling bottled waters. This action is coming again. The PPP had Carol Sooba and Benn. The APNU/AFC has Royston King and Patterson. Carrington asked me to join the picket exercise that he would participate in the next morning (that would be yesterday, Wednesday) but I had to testify that very morning before the Lands Commission. But I will join if the protest continues. We have to struggle for democratic and economic changes. But I’m afraid the horizon doesn’t look good. Sadly in 2015 we got an exchange not a change.

Businessman executed at Port Kaituma A 48-year-old businessman was executed on Tuesday at Log Pond, Oronoque, Port Kaituma, just after leaving his home to meet with the suspected gunman, who had requested a meeting during a telephone call. The incident occurred around 18:45 hrs. The deceased has only been identified as Khemraj, called “Coolie” of Water Front, Port Kaituma. His body bore three suspected gunshot wounds, two to the lower abdomen and once to the right side head. The suspect, who has been identified as Gavin Bidder has not been arrested as yet. According to information

received, the deceased was at home with his wife, Renika Poon, when he received a phone call from the suspected shooter. Poon, a 23-year-old housewife, told investigators that she overheard her husband telling the caller that he would meet with him at Log Pond. Poon said that her spouse then left home in his boat and went to Log Pond where he reportedly met with Bidder, a 42-year-old miner, who based on the police's report, was clad in a cream jacket, grey three-quarter pants, black boots and wearing spectacles. The suspect allegedly had a handgun tucked in his

pants waist. Kaieteur News was informed that on arriving at the location, the victim greeted the suspect and they proceeded to walk east along the road. Shortly after, residents informed the police that they heard about seven gunshots and saw Khemraj lying in a pool of blood. The suspect fled the scene. The body was taken to the Port Kaituma Hospital where the victim was pronounced dead. His wallet with $5000, Identification and TIN cards were found about seven feet from the body but his phone has not been recovered.

Kaieteur News

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Thursday October 05, 2017

Ministry of the Presidency reacts to Christopher Ram

T

he Ministry of the Presidency (MotP) firmly rejects and condemns as iniquitous and misleading, the contents of a letter written by Mr. Christopher Ram, headlined “What are the real curses” and published in the Stabroek News on Sunday, October 1, 2017. The contents of that letter were then carried in an article by the Stabroek News in its Monday, October 2, 2017 edition with the headline, “Ram pillories President over 'six sisters' remark, diaspora 'brains.' An article from the

Ministry of the Presidency said that President David Granger's remarks at the Diaspora Meet and Greet on September 23, which was organised by Guyana's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Rudolph Ten-Pow, and Consul General to New York, Ms. Barbara Atherly, have been skewed in Mr. Ram's letter. Ram's comments do not, in any way, represent the points the President highlighted at the event in New York. President Granger had said that Guyana has relied on the

Sugar sliding to worst performance... From page 11 Government is taking away people's bread and work.” Harbhajan, said that as the PM's representative, a former Board member of the Skeldon Electricity Inc. and a regional councilor, he is fully aware of the situation. “These are things that the PPP and the unions are fully aware of. Yet they lie to the people of Berbice about turnouts and so on. On one hand you talk about workers' wellbeing. On the other hand, you are not helping to increase production.

The businesses are being fooled by the unions and the people too. Let them explain why workers are not coming to work.” Aging factories, poor agriculture, theft, inefficiency, poor political decisions and corruption have all been blamed on the state of the sugar industry. The administration has signaled a strong stance in halting the bleeding. The industry is said to have 17,000 workers, but many of them have drifted to other more lucrative, stable jobs.

production of primary products in six sectors, which he referred to as the 'six sisters'. The Head of State pointed out that since Guyana's Independence sugar, rice, bauxite, gold diamond and timber have sustained the country's economy. While he acknowledged the value of those sectors, the President noted that the reliance on the production of primary products has limited the expansion and growth of the economy. “The Head of State believes that Guyana must move further towards diversification, value added production and manufacturing,” the Ministry said. “We live under the curse of the six sisters. As long as you can remember, Guyana has depended on sugar, rice, bauxite, gold, diamonds, timber and they have been faithful to us over the years but some of them tired now. “We need to diversify, we need to get away from the spell of these six sisters and ensure that our children have a future other than being cane cutters, our children have a future other than felling timber... “We have to go into new industries. We have to go into

manufacturing and these new industries. We are going to ensure that new industries fit into our landscape and fit into the economic plans of our country and that is where I turn to you, the members of the diaspora,” the President said. Mr. Ram deliberately used aspects of the President's comments, without context to create the impression that the President is critical of the contribution of those sectors to Guyana's development and economy, the Ministry said. The Head of State is of the view that Guyana must use those abundant resources to revolutionise those sectors, thereby increasing employment and income generation activities, rather than simply relying on the production of raw materials. The Head of State said that the Guyanese diaspora has the technical knowledge, financial resources and skills to help change the reliance on raw resources, which has defined economic activity, the Ministry stated. Additionally, in the same letter, M r. R a m , r e f e r e n c i n g t h e President's statement that “we don't need barrels, we need brains,” writes that “…we will find that

Attorney-at-law Christopher Ram many persons with brains, who have stayed in Guyana will have to rely on barrels from abroad for their very survival.” However, what the President actually said at the function is that Government, the private sector and members of the diaspora must work together to build capacity in the areas of education and technical expertise and technology. He indicated that what Guyana needs, more than just 'barrels' is knowledge transfer and investment. The Ministry of the Presidency reminds Mr. Ram that an absence of context and the selective use of quotes can only be seen as a deliberate attempt to paint a picture that is not based on fact. Instead, what is presented are at best halftruths and, at worst, abject dishonesty to feed a specific agenda.

Thursday October 05, 2017

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Thursday October 05, 2017

Thursday October 05, 2017

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Kaieteur News

Gaming bodies seek meeting with Imbert, PM

UN chief to visit devastated Caribbean islands

6 small casinos closing doors

Colm Imbert and Sherry Persad Trinidad Guardian - Six small casino owners have decided to immediately close down their businesses and send home their workers due to the announcement of an increase in gaming taxes by Finance Minister Colm Imbert. This was just one of the major fallouts Tuesday in the wake of Imbert’s announcement during Monday’s budget. Some international casino operators are also threatening to pull out of T&T if there is no change in the tax, while some large local casino operators are also weighing downsizing operations. Speaking to the T&T Guardian Tuesday, T&T Members Club Association (TTMCA) president Sherry Persad said some of the decisions were made during a twohour emergency meeting casino owners held yesterday. “Based on our meeting at least six small clubs expressed closure. Termination of workers can reach in the thousands by year’s end in light of the implementation of the increase of taxes from January 2018,” Persad said. Noting the gaming industry hired over 9,000 people directly and 30,000 indirectly, Persad said members felt the punitive taxes unilaterally imposed on the industry were unfair. “Discussions will begin with the Union of Members’

Clubs and Lottery Workers (UMCLW) about the staffing implications of the taxes and provide counselling support where possible,” Persad said. She disclosed they will also seek legal advice on how to challenge the taxes. UMCLW vice president Sean Clarke said the majority of the 9,000 employees in the industry were single mothers who also have limited education and live in poor communities. He also noted the industry had created indirect jobs for over 30,000 people, including taxi drivers, caterers, decorators, florists, air condition and refrigeration personnel, security guards and local entertainers and musicians year round. Clarke said the union strongly disagrees with and rejects the imposing of a tax of over 100 per cent. “It is because of our expertise in this industry we strongly disagree. The last time the industry was taxed without fit and proper consultations, it resulted in the contraction of the industry and the loss of jobs,” Clarke said. “The Government must understand that the problems of the present economic crisis cannot be solved by unreasonably taxing the gaming industry, which will led to its death. Its workers cannot be singled out and targeted by the Government to solve the national finances.” Maxine Gonzales, the sole

breadwinner of her household, has been working in the industry for the past 11 years and has been taking home a minimum of $3800 a month. She now fears her job may be on the line. “I stand on my own two feet and make an honest dollar. Now what might happen is that I may have to lie on my back to make that dollar… is that what the Minister is telling us to do by this tax?” she asked. “The owners of these clubs will not be the ones to suffer, but they will now look at cutting costs by getting rid of workers. Minimum wage not going up but taxes going up and we are the ones being affected in all aspects of our lives.” She added: “I am already stressed. How am I going to survive on a salary like this and with a falling economy? What I used to make in a day I am not even making it in a week. Now jobs are at stake.” The TTMCA yesterday also sent letters to Imbert and Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley seeking a meeting to discuss the taxes and their implications on the industry. They will also send letters to the Joint Select Committee of Parliament requesting to be reheard on the issues of the proposed legislation and taxation measures for the industry, given the new taxes in the Budget.

Bermuda appoints co-ordinator to tackle gang violence HAMILTON, Bermuda - CMC – The Bermuda government yesterday announced the appointment of Pastor Leroy Bean has been appointed as the island’s first gang violence reduction co-ordinator. National Security Minister Wayne Caines said the one-year contract is worth around US$92,000 and that he hoped to see a more “comprehensive and holistic approach” to tackle the problem that “has plagued our country. “With the help of Bermuda, we can conquer this problem,” Caines said, adding that

Bean brings 20 years of experience in working with gangs to the post, and has also served as the residential care officer at the former Department of Social Services. “Through his efforts, many young men have chosen better paths for their lives, and he will make an important addition to the ministry’s team.” Caines also announced that an interagency gang task force and a crisis response team had been relaunched. “This is just the beginning,” he said.

A family outside their house in Roseau on the Caribbean island of Dominica after Hurricane Maria (AFP Photo/Lionel CHAMOISEAU) United Nations (United States) (AFP) - The world’s response to the devastation from back-to-back hurricanes in the Caribbean has been poor, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said yesterday ahead of a visit to three affected islands. Guterres will travel to Antigua, Barbuda and Dominica on Saturday to get a close-up view of the damage wrought by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria that hit within two weeks. The United Nations has launched an appeal for $113.9 million to cover urgent humanitarian needs, but “on the whole, I regret to report, the response has been poor,” Guterres told reporters. He said small islands like

Dominica — population 73,000 — must be given access to special financing mechanisms because they are unable to tap into normal capital markets. The United Nations is working with the World Bank to carry out disaster assessments and help the islands rebuild with a view to becoming more resilient to extreme weather fueled by climate change. “A warmer climate turbocharges the intensity of hurricanes,” said Guterres. “Instead of dissipating, they pick up fuel as they move across the ocean.” Barbuda was devastated by Irma, a monster Category 5 hurricane that unleashed winds of 300 kilometers (186

miles) per hour for 37 hours — the longest on record at that intensity. Harvey and Irma marked the first time that two Category 4 storms made landfall in the United States in the same year, said the UN chief. Maria decimated Dominica and had a severe impact across Puerto Rico, the US island visited by President Donald Trump on Tuesday. Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit made an emotional appeal when he addressed the UN General Assembly 10 days ago, saying his country was “on the front line of the war on climate change.” “The desolation is beyond imagination,” he told the assembly.

World Bank says remittances to the Caribbean recover modestly after two-year decline WASHINGTON - CMC – The World Bank says remittances to Latin America and the Caribbean are expected to increase by 6.9 per cent to US$79 billion this year. In the latest edition of the Bank’s Migration and Development Brief, the Washington-based financial institution noted that “economic growth and improvement in the labour market in the United States is having a positive impact on the outlook for remittance flows”. Dilip Ratha, the lead author of the Brief said “remittances are a lifeline for developing countries; this is particularly true following natural disasters, such as the recent earthquakes in Mexico and the storms devastating the Caribbean. “It is imperative for the global community to reduce the cost of remitting money, by eliminating exclusivity contracts, especially in the high-income OECD (Or-

ganization for Economic Cooperation and Development) countries. There is also an urgent need to address derisking behaviour of global banks,” he added. However, the report notes growth in remittances to the region will moderate in 2018 to US$82 billion. The World Bank estimates that officially recorded remittances to developing countries on a whole are expected to grow by 4.8 per cent to US$450 billion for 2017. It said global remittances, which include flows to high-income countries, are projected to grow by 3.9 per cent to US$596 billion and that the recovery in remittance flows is driven by relatively stronger growth in the European Union, Russian Federation, and the United States. The Bank says those regions likely to see the strongest growth in remittance inflows this year are Sub-Saharan Africa, Eu-

rope and Central Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean. It said in keeping with an improving global economy, remittances to low- and middle-income countries are expected to grow modestly by 3.5 per cent in 2018, to US$466 billion, adding that global remittances will grow by 3.4 per cent to US$616 billion in 2018. The Bank noted that the global average cost of sending US$200 remained stagnant at 7.2 per cent in the third quarter of 2017, adding that this was significantly higher than the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of three per cent. The Brief presents the results of a survey, conducted by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Global Knowledge Partnership on Migration and Development (KNOMAD), on recruitment costs paid by lowskilled migrant workers.

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VACANCY Experienced s a l e s m a n , generaldomestic , p o r t e r . Apply with hand written application & recommendation @ Keyfood, McDoom Village. SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620

FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.

Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyanapassport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 6267040; 265-4535. INNOVATIVEMARKETING& PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included.

Foxtail, Supari, Royal Palm @ $1,000. Ficus & Exora 4 for $1,000. Organic potting soil. Crotoons- Tel: 626-1044

Passport, permanent & visitor visa application, Professional Immigration Consultant – Sabita Immigration Services. Call: 225-6496/ 662-6045

Aluminum windows & doors at the best prices. Chenfeng Aluminum @ Lot 11 Public road Eccles, EBD- Call: 696-8688, 6828378

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Repairs to refrigerators, gas stoves, A/C units, washing machines. Call Lindon: 6411086/ 694-2202

LEARN TO DRIVE C. Persaud & N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman & Sons Driving School @ Maraj BuildingCall: 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997 (affordable packages).

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

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Unregistered Axela 2011 $2.7M, dark interior, fully loaded, Nissan pickup extra cab $2.3M. Call: 617-5536

Cook/ Baker for interior. Applicants must be experienced. Call: 618-2020

1 Caldina wagon in perfect condition, PLL seriesContact Ganesh 664-0508

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SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. -CosmetologyCourses:$120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 647-1773/660-5257

Thursday October 05, 2017

Kaieteur News

EDUCATION Day Care and Pre-K classes available in Diamond Call Canadian School 2166921,216-6922 Register your child for after school classes for slow learners in Mathematics, Reading, Phonics, Spelling, etc. Call: 675-4379

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WANTED 1 Male to look after layer birds in the Interior- Call: 665-3421 1 Experience driver to work in Interior. Must have license for Car/van/canter- Tel: 665-3421 Experienced salesgirl a t C h r i s t i n e ’s Va r i e t y, Lombard street- Call: 227-8529

LAND FOR SALE 10 & 30ACRES OFLANDAT YARROWKABRA,LINDEN SOESDYKE HIGHWAY. CREEKAVAILABLE- TEL: 663-5524, 264-2967

Industrial Electrician to work in Georgetown, applicant kindly make contact #6232274

Farm (100ftx 50ft) with reserve (East Bank) $3M, Farm (100ft x 60ft) $3.6MTel: 651-1969, 667-1960

Salesgirls & porters, apply with written application @ 1E Dennis & Middleton streets, Campbellville.

Parfaite Harmonie (way upfront) 7yrs finished, one concrete wall, already cleaned $1.4M- Call: 6671960, 611-7223

One private tutor for grade 5 student- Please Call: 600-7388 Male & female to work Interior age 25-35. Salary $80,000 monthly. Meal & accommodation provided- Call: 674-1767 Wa i t r e s s f o r Call: 612-2522

bar-

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CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL:656-0087,6435122 ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM DOLLY’SCARRENTAL-CALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FORAIRPORT & FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807 WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP RATES,SPECIALOFFERS! . CALL: 690-6494 PROPERTY FOR SALE 3- Bedrooms flat house @ Blankenburg $10.9M , $2.9M Down payment, $64,000 monthly installment Also house lots available $2.9MContact# 650-0402/ 6031402 1 Transported property @ Covent Garden, EBD- Call: 265-3586

PEN PAL “There is someone out there for everyone.” Males seeking slim working females 25-50yrs- Call: 6766312

1 maid with cooking experience for East Bank area- Call: 614-4358 Accounts clerk for Eccles office, knowledge of Quickbooks and payrollCall: 614-4358 We buy land in Eccles, Providence, Herstelling, Farm, Covent Garden, Parfaite Harmonie. Legal fees paid- Tel: 651-1969, 6671960 Processing plant workers & labourers please contact BM Enterprise at Guyana Fishers Ltd Wharf, Houston, EBD. Tel: 227-8176/77 Wa n t e d in l a rg e quantities dried corolla bush- call: 665-1397

TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 225-7878 (24HRS) HEALTH Prostate Cancer, Heart Disease, Gall & Kidney Stones, Menstrual Disorders Etc. Are Cured By Herbal Remedies. Tel:676-5924, 611-5586

Thursday October 05, 2017

Another sad day in the life of the City Council DEAR EDITOR, Last Monday was another sad day in the wretched lives of the poor workers of the Mayor and Councilors of the City of Georgetown, and these poor workers to which I refer to as the lower tier of the workforce, not the ‘big wig high fliers’. Having not been paid on time for yet another month, and owed retroactive sums for years now, they were forced to trek down to City Hall for answers, and trek they did because most of them could not even afford a bus fare, only to witness the ‘King’ roll up chauffeur driven in his air conditioned multimillion dollar sports utility vehicle surrounded by bodyguards like royalty. How insensitive. Giving them a lecture he told them that he was trying to keep bread on their tables. What a major concession, whilst he could afford to put champagne and caviar on the dining tables of his multiple homes. He even had the audacity to suggest that he may have to let some of them go if the financial situation does not improve. Can you imagine that? Rather that threatening the lower level of workers who do real work, should the necessary retrenchment not be ‘Last in, first out’? Should they not

get rid of the nearly 200 workers that they hired or promoted in the last two years in the clerical and administrative area? Americans use the phrase ‘Another day another dollar’ to say that everything is ordinary, same routine. At City Hall the phrase is ‘Another day another new staff member’. And these new employees who are mostly friends, relatives and church pals of senior functionaries of the Council are not being hired as sanitation workers, grave diggers or drainage workers, but are instead given high paying, senior and cushy positions within the municipality, with hardly anything to do, but to deplete the Council’s treasury at an alarming rate. City Hall is at rock bottom. They are bankrupt, nepotism and cronyism is the order there, gross mismanagement and financial malfeasance abounds, the city is dirty and depressed, is it not time to say enough is enough? How much longer the citizens of Georgetown will be forced to endure these types of derelictions at City Hall, how much longer must the workers be subjected to this type of maladministration? Can’t urgent changes be made to the administration at City Hall? Nadine Jerrick

Noise nuisance from hallow box on vehicles DEAR EDITOR, Please permit me to highlight a growing and disturbing trend of public discomfort to your accredited media centre. There seems an upsurge in the number of vehicles equipped with what we refer to as hallow box on to their exhaust pipe to amplify the noise emanating from the vehicle. There are various level of noise decibels that one can adjust their hallow box to, ranging from a humming sound to the extremes of bombing sound. Whether this is unlawful or not is the reason for this letter. It will be most welcoming if anyone can pronounce on the legality of driving around with these hallow boxes with a letter in the newspaper for the public interest. Hopefully this newspaper will be kind again to publish it. As it seems, persons are not aware of the rules governing this scourge and there is a stark increase in noise levels on our roads as it almost becomes a toy to many vehicle owners. I am forced to complain here in the public domain be-

cause I am daily faced with one such problem from someone in my street. I have to daily endure the constant revving of a vehicle equipped with a massive hallow box that when you speak in your home you cannot hear yourself. This individual seems deliberate and happy to make it a ritual any time of the day to disturb the peace and even affecting one health due to heart attacks and hearing loss. Regularly in the night, this individual will start revving his vehicle and abruptly ending one sleep and can happen multiple times the same night. Sometimes they will come directly in front of my house as a means of intimidation because once I once ask them to desist from this unruly behavior. The sound is so loud that you can hear it from a mile away. This is what I am daily faced with together with my other neighbours. If indeed this behavior is unlawful, then, the problem lies with the administrative authorities. I wish for some help in this regard. Angela Bisnauth

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FOSTER- LIKE QUALITIES NEEDED TO EFFECT TRANSFORMATION BY THE ECB DEAR EDITOR, Significant interest has been focused on the imminent elections of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB). In this regard, I wish to fully support the candidature of Mr. Hilbert Foster as President. His work ethic has been unmatchable and once elevated; he will provide the impetus to restructure the broken fabric of cricket generally in Guyana. In Essequibo, the game is facing a natural death and therefore the Organisation needs someone of Foster’s calibre to reverse the ailing Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB). No serious approach has been made by the administrators for the past four years to enhance the physical, technical, mental and competitive nature of the sport in the Region. I am indeed saddened that the current regime continues to place a stranglehold on the direction in which the Board is heading, which unfortunately is to the continued detriment of aspiring players. The President of the Essequibo Cricket Board

(ECB) was swift to acclaim credit for the outstanding performance of the Essequibo team currently involved in the franchise league. But what has the ECB done to generate and stimulate growth and development of the sport? In fact most of the players that are involved in the league are based and playing their cricket in Georgetown. I am therefore amazed that the President could have stated that Essequibo’s cricket is on the rise when the Hostel has now become a business to host visitors instead of cricketers, his own constituent, the Pomeroon Cricket Committee being starved for competitions and strong leadership, inactivity of the ECB with regards to competitions, coaching programmes, defunct subcommittees including Cricket Development and Finance. It is indeed laughable that the selectors of the ECB are being paid to select teams and heavens knows using what criteria to do so since there is no structure and little or no formal and working relation-

ship between the ECB and the area Committees. In many cases players are being notified personally by the ECB and at very short notice since there are no competitions or trials to determine selection. Such ad hoc manner of administering the game in Essequibo has now become a norm and will continue so unless the Board is restructured immediately and with administrators that have the vision, passion and knowledge to build the capacity of the Board and with the aim of producing quality players through a well coordinated system. Presently the Board is directionless, uninspiring and clearly incapable of managing a sport that was once highly acclaimed in Essequibo having produced players of the caliber of the late Courtney Gonsalves, Alfred Maycock, John Floy, Trenton Peters, Jaimini Singh and Ramcharran Singh among a host of other quality players. It was due to a strong and committed Board then that these players strived and became competitive. Can the

same be said of the current Board? Indeed Essequibians continue to bask in glory of the achievements of Ransford Beaton. However, had he remained in Essequibo to bowl on rugged grounds and unprepared pitches and being in a hostile environment; then we would not have been privileged to witness his rapid rise to international status. Some of our existing promising players may suffer otherwise should they continue to endure a broken, ineffective and decayed system and a Board whose only existence is to remain loyal to the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) in its present form. The ECB therefore must be restructured and become independent of manipulation from opportunists and those that seek to enhance their own credibility and opportunities instead of doing so for the players and the state of cricket in Essequibo. Perhaps Hilbert Foster will be the one to initiate the wind of change and inspire those with his qualities to administer cricket in Essequibo for the best. Elroy Stephney

Too late brought about Leonard Archibald’s fate DEAR EDITOR, Recently Guyana and her citizens, not to mention many other inhabitants of the disapora had their emotions being jolted on reading of the inhuman fate that befell Leonard Archibald- the 13 year old schoolboy whose young life was cut tragically short after he was brutally sodomised by two adults until unconscious, then had his lifeless body thrown into the Berbice River. From the outset the perpetrators were identified. There was no need for ace detectives or crime sleuths to be brought in. Numerous individuals, some now in adulthood, related harrowing accounts (during their teenaged years) of abduction, abuse and sodomy and near-death escapes with one of the now -accused. Residents of several villages along the East Bank of Berbice also told about the sex assaults, some of which dated as far back as eleven years ago, and others as recently as two months. There were also others who told about not complaining for fear of stigmatisation. Voiced in the same air was the fact that the ranks often times dismissed the reports or failed to conduct proper follow up. There was even a case where one of the victims was taken to hospital following an

encounter with the perpetrator. It is blatantly obvious to any sane thinking human that here was a situation waiting to happen— A budding paedophile allowed to play unchecked while he sought and caught his prey, never far always within the police radar. At the funeral some residents including the father of the deceased expressed anger towards the police for their mishandling of the complaints, feeling that if better conducted may have prevented his son’s demise. David Armogan, Regional Chairman who attended the funeral, said that those in authority should take some blame for what took place. At the risk of appearing vainglorious, I daresay I do concur with the latter expressed sentiment. According to news reports Assistant Superintendent, Oswald Pitt is heading the probe into the claims made by the residents. Talk about – Too Little! Too Late! And if the truth must be told—Had Leonard not died, nothing would have been tried. On a word of advice, hopefully heeded, perhaps in the primary instance the Superintendent should elicit the facts from his ranks (those of similar ilk), before seeking any information from the victims. On a note of

query, what is the expected outcome of this seeming one -man investigation? Of notable omission is any mention of the 2010 Sexual Offences Bill that clearly states thus: “where an offence under the Act is reported to the police, the police shall, in every case, record the report and conduct an investigation”. It also stipulates that within three months of a complaint being made under subsection, a charge shall be laid in respect of the report or the file relating to the report and investigation shall be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for advice. The Bill further states that failure to comply with subsection will constitute neglect of duty by the Investigating Rank, and the Inves-

tigating Rank shall be liable to answer disciplinary charges in accordance with the Police (Discipline) Act.Would this be another reporting charade or would a change be within range? The Regional Chairman called upon the residents to take back their community from the rogue elements. Such a statement evokes another aspect of inquiry. Where are the community leaders? What part have they been playing or have played thus far? Notwithstanding, in honour of the deceased, it is paramount that the community unites in pursuing a shared agenda with the potential to curb any further or future scourges. Amidst all the ensuing pain, Leonard’s death should not be in vain. Yvonne Sam

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Las Vegas shooter’s girlfriend European envoys take fight for Iran nuclear deal to U.S. Congress questioned as Trump visits scene

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks next to first lady Melania Trump after meeting with police at the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department in the wake of the mass shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., yesterday. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque LAS VEGAS (Reuters) The FBI yesterday questioned the girlfriend of the gunman behind the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history, seeking to learn what motivated Stephen Paddock to open fire on a Las Vegas music festival, killing 58 people and then himself. Marilou Danley, who returned from the Philippines to the United States late Tuesday, is a “person of interest” in the investigation, Las Vegas police have said. Her relatives in the Philippines told reporters she had a “clean conscience” and no prior knowledge of the shooting rampage. More than 500 people were injured, some trampled in the pandemonium, when Paddock, 64, strafed an outdoor concert with gunfire on Sunday night from his 32ndfloor suite of the Mandalay Bay hotel on the Las Vegas Strip. He took his own life before police stormed his room, where they found as many as 23 guns, bringing the total death toll to 59.

Twelve of his rifles were fitted with so-called bump stocks, officials said, allowing the guns to be fired almost as though they were automatic weapons. U.S. President Donald Trump visited Las Vegas yesterday to pay his respects and support first responders, marking the first time since taking office that he has had to confront a major mass shooting of the type that has killed hundreds of people in recent years in the United States. Investigators have focussed on Paddock’s girlfriend, Danley, 62, an Australian citizen who had shared his retirement community condo in Mesquite, Nevada, northeast of Las Vegas, before leaving the United States for the Philippines in September.Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation met her plane from Manila at Los Angeles International Airport and took her away for questioning, two U.S. officials briefed on the case told Reuters. As of midday yesterday,

Marilou Danley there was no indication she was aware of Paddock’s plans, the officials said. Investigators questioned her about Paddock’s weapons purchases, a $100,000 wire transfer to a Philippine bank that they think may have been intended for her, and about whether she saw any changes in his behaviour before she left the United States. “Assuming she had no role in his actions, the most important thing is any light she can shed on Paddock’s motive,” said one official, who spoke about the continuing investigation only on condition of anonymity.

City of Oxford strips Aung San Suu Kyi of human rights award

LONDON (Reuters) Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been stripped of a human rights award by the City of Oxford, where she was an undergraduate, as British institutions increasingly distance themselves from the beleaguered former rights icon. Oxford City Council voted unanimously this week to recommend Suu Kyi’s Freedom of the City award be withdrawn, citing deep concerns over the treatment of Rohingya Muslims under her watch. The city’s reputation

is “tarnished by honouring those who turn a blind eye to violence,” local councillor and Labour party member Mary Clarkson said in a speech proposing the motion. Over 500,000 members of Myanmar’s Rohingya minority have fled across the border to Bangladesh since late August, when militant Rohingya attacks led to a violent crackdown by the army. Myanmar ’s de facto leader Suu Kyi, previously renowned for her human rights activism, has been widely criticised for her silence on

the subject. “While the UN calls the situation a ‘textbook example of ethnic cleansing’, Aung San Suu Kyi denies any ethnic cleansing and dismisses numerous claims of sexual violence against Rohingya women as ‘fake rape,’” Clarkson said. In a speech in late September, her first public statement on the subject since the exodus of refugees began, Suu Kyi said her government condemned all human rights violations and promised to punish perpetrators.

Jim Mattis and Barack Obama WA S H I N G T O N (Reuters) - As Congress faces a possible fight over the future of the Iran nuclear agreement, European ambassadors and officials from President Barack Obama’s administration are making their case for preserving the pact directly to U.S. lawmakers. The British, French, German and European Union ambassadors to the United States participated yesterday in a meeting on Capitol Hill with Democratic senators organised by the Senate’s number two Democrat, Richard Durbin, congressional aides and embassy officials told Reuters. Former Undersecretary of State and lead Iran negotiator Wendy Sherman will also attend and former Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz and Treasury Secretary Jack Lew will participate via videolink, an aide to Durbin and another congressional aide said. The meeting is part of an ongoing effort by Democrats in Congress and other officials who support the nuclear

pact to bolster support for the deal by spelling out the consequences of its collapse as Republican President Donald Trump faces an Oct. 15 deadline for certifying the agreement or placing its fate in the hands of Congress. A British embassy official said Ambassador Kim Darroch was in Congress yesterday with his French, German and EU counterparts meeting with both Democrats and Republicans “to provide information on the European position on the JCPOA,” using an acronym for the nuclear agreement. An EU embassy spokesman confirmed that EU Ambassador David O‘Sullivan and others would attend, to explain that the deal is a multilateral agreement that is working and that the European Union will do everything it can to ensure it stays in place. Trump has long criticized the nuclear pact, a signature foreign policy achievement of his predecessor Obama, and signed in 2015 by the United States, Britain, France, Ger-

many, Russia, China, the European Union and Iran. Senior White House officials have said that Trump is leaning toward a course of action that could lead to the United States abandoning the pact, despite apparent disagreement within his administration over whether that is the best way forward. A senior administration official said the administration was considering Oct. 12 for Trump to give a speech on Iran but no final decisions have been made. Supporters of the deal say its collapse could trigger a regional arms race and worsen Middle East tensions. Opponents say it went too far in easing sanctions without requiring that Iran end its nuclear programme permanently. The ambassadors have said the deal’s demise would be a major loss that could lead to increased enrichment by Iran and weaken international proliferation efforts as the world grapples with a growing nuclear threat from North Korea.

MOSCOW (Reuters) President Vladimir Putin said yesterday that a military strike against North Korea designed to destroy its nuclear and missile programme might not succeed because Pyongyang could have hidden military facilities that nobody knows about. Russia is strongly opposed to the idea of such a strike, an idea U.S. President Donald Trump has floated, favouring a mixture of diplomacy and economic incentives instead. But Putin, speaking at an energy forum in Moscow, mused on the subject yester-

day, making it clear he had serious doubts about the military efficacy of such a move, as well as other political and moral concerns. “Can a global strike against North Korea be launched to disarm it? Yes. Will it achieve its aim? We don’t know. Who knows what they have there and where. Nobody knows with 100 percent certainty as it’s a closed country.” Putin said Russia had more reason than most to be concerned by Pyongyang’s missile programme, saying that North Korea’s nuclear testing range was located just

200 kilometres (124.27 miles) from the Russian border. The Russian leader also reiterated his call for diplomacy to be allowed to run its course and for all sides to dial down the bellicose rhetoric. He also said he thought Trump was listening to Russia’s views on the crisis. More sanctions were the road to nowhere, Putin told the same forum, saying around 40,000 North Korean citizens were currently working in Russia. Such workers are known to regularly send back part of their wages to the North Korean authorities.

Putin says military strike against North Korea not sure to succeed

Thursday October 05, 2017

Kaieteur News

Jamaica in multi-million project to increase coffee production KINGSTON, Jamaica CMC – The Jamaica government says it has embarked upon a multi-million dollar initiative aimed at getting coffee farmers to improve and increase their yields. Agriculture Minister Karl Samuda said that the J$80 million (One Jamaica dollar =US$0.008 cents) initiative will focus on training; the purchase of inputs, such as fertilisers and fungicides, and tools and “will commence almost immediately”. He said that the Coffee Industry Board will be responsible for disbursing the supplies. “They have all the farmers registered, so it will commence almost immediately, because they need it (the assistance) immediately,” he said, adding that the move is expected to increase the productivity level of coffee from the current 20 boxes per acre to 80 boxes per acre. Samuda said the government is committed to supporting a vibrant coffee industry, both for export and to supply the domestic market and reminded farmers that the government does not set coffee

Karl Samuda prices, which are usually market-driven and determined by supply and demand. Farmers are now being paid J$6,000 per box as compared to the J$10,000 per box they received last year. Coffee production moved from 201,000 boxes last year to some 230,000 this year. But Samuda said the decline in the price resulted from a decrease in prices from the main buyer of the Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee, Japan, noting also that the Japanese have also invested in improved storage systems, al-

lowing them to better preserve and store the Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee for longer periods. He said the government will be taking a multipronged approach to improving the industry, including market diversification, increased productivity and production of the Blue Mountain, High Mountain and lowland coffee varieties. He said collaboration among the farmers, processors and exporters will redound to the benefit of the industry and the country.

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Thursday October 05, 2017

Caribbean countries assessing Paris Agreement ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada - CMC – Representatives from several Caribbean countries have started a meeting here that will provide both states and the private sector representatives an opportunity of working towards achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement. Assistance Executive Director of the Belize-based Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) Dr Mark Bynoe, said that two day meeting will first determine needs of the each country and will provide guidelines to achieving the goals. The meeting is organised by the CCCCC with funding from the Swedish government. Bynoe said that the national determined contribution is the goal each country had set itself when they countries adopted the historic Climate agreement at the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (COP21) in Paris in December

2015. It has become known as the Paris Agreement. Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries and all other participating nations have already outlined what post-2020 climate actions they intended to take under the new international agreement, known as their Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs). Bynoe said that the climate actions communicated in these INDCs largely determine whether t h e w o r l d achieves the long-term goals of the Paris Agreement which is to hold the increase in global average temperature to well below 2°C, to pursue efforts to limit the increase to 1.5°C, and to achieve net zero emissions in the second half of this century. Chairman of the Sustainable Development Council, Dr Spencer Thomas, said that Grenada has four priority areas, namely energy, transportation, agriculture and waste reduction.

Thursday October 05, 2017

Kaieteur News

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Thursday October 05, 2017

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Opposition Leader dismisses allegations that he holds dual citizenship

Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris (left) and Opposition Leader Dr. Denzil Douglas BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - CMC –Opposition leader Dr. Denzil Douglas yesterday described as “hogwash” allegations made by Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris that he hold dual citizenship including holding “the diplomatic passport of another country”. In a statement, the Opposition Leader said that as a legislator since 1989, he “does not hold dual citizenship, has never held dual citizenship, does not hold and never held citizenship of Dominica or any other country, except that of St Kitts & Nevis(SKN). “Instead of wasting people’s time with fake news about Dr Douglas holding citizenship for Dominica, Harris should have come clean in his press conference and escape the widespread and hostile criticism from citizens of SKN and the region, his own CARICOM colleagues, Ambassadors and the international community for undermining Dominica and Antigua & Barbuda in their attempts at recovery after severe devastation from recent hurricanes.”

Harris told reporters Tuesday that he was exposing the hypocrisy of the former prime minister, who has in the past been a staunch advocate against holders of dual citizenship. He said also that Douglas was also promoting the Citizenship of Investment Programme (CIP) of another un-named country and undermining the programme in the twin island Federation. “When a man holds the diplomatic passport of another country…whose interest is being put forward? Is it the one who gives him the diplomatic passport or is it his native land? It is a serious practical and constitutional difficulty that we have to deal with,” Prime Minister Harris said. The National Assembly Elections (Amendment) Act of 2009 states, in part, that a person shall not be qualified to be elected or appointed as a member [of the National Assembly] if he or she (a) is, by virtue of his or her own act, under any acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience or

adherence to a foreign power or state. “The same Dr. Douglas has in the past showed disdain for holders of dual citizenship. His vendetta against Lindsay Grant, against Shawn Richards and Eugene Hamilton, are all well-known. So serious was this matter of dual citizenship for persons participating in the Parliamentary life of the country that Dr. Douglas passed the National Assembly Elections (Amendment) Act No. 16 of 2009. “It wasn’t just simply a matter of policy; it was something that he felt so deeply moved about that he was moved to bring a piece of legislation – and I supported the legislation for what it was worth – as a matter of principle that those who are coming before the people of the country for service, must come unencumbered to the extent that that principle was eliminated in the Parliament,” Harris told reporters, while challenging the Opposition Leader to confirm or deny the accusation.

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Claude Raphael continues with his... Essequibo maintain lead as 6th round... From page 32 these properties described above into the G$2.5B he so often bandies about even after taking into consideration the inflationary aspect of the buildings’ values. It should be noted that all of these buildings were constructed on leased land owned by other entities. None of these properties stand in the name of any Executive member of the Board or were ever converted for our personal use. We are merely temporary custodians and representatives of the various entities during our tenure in Office. Malicious report to Police One final issue that I would like to deal with concerns a report that was made against me by the Clerk of the National Assembly to the CID alleging that I tendered a fraudulent document. This document was attached as part of the Demerara Cricket Board’s submission to the Select Committee of Parliament.

That document is a single page hand written cricket fixtures for East Coast cricket purportedly signed by a Mr. D. Anandjit. That document was not created by myself but was simply a record in my files when I served as the Secretary of the DCB and formed part of our submission to the Select Committee. I am happy to say that this report was thoroughly investigated by Detective Reid from the CID including handwriting specimens and I was fully exonerated from any wrongdoing whatsoever. In fact, the tables were turned when Detective Reid attempted to properly conclude his investigations into this matter by reaching out to some leading members of Raphael’s disgruntled group for handwriting specimens but they continue to remain elusive. Since Raphael is so concerned about this particular investigation, I would urge him to exercise his leadership within his group to have his

colleagues report to the Detective so that he can conclude his investigations into this matter. These malicious actions were just meant to harass innocent individuals and to be used as future propaganda and defamation of character and reputation of these persons. This matter was designed to give the perception that Raj Singh was under investigation for some serious criminal conduct. From the above it is patently obvious now that his ouster from the WICB directorship has caused him tremendous grief and pain and was the genesis for the entire disruption to our cricket administration in Guyana. I have addressed a lot of Mr. Raphael’s reckless and malicious remarks and trust that the media would in future investigate the contents of his wild imagination before they resort to its publication. This is my last correspondence on these issues. Raj Singh

Thursday October 05, 2017 Aries: Mar 21 - Apr 19 Your heartstrings may not feel particularly strong, and this situation isn't likely to get any better today when you find that people are insensitive to your situation.

Libra: Sep 23 - Oct 22 You may be asking, "Why me?" in almost every realm of your life today. For some reason it seems that everyone but you has exactly what they want.

Taurus: Apr 20 - May 20 The fog has finally lifted and you're able to see clearly again. Make sure you're awake and alert, because the gun is about to go off and the starting gates are about to open.

Scorpio: Oct 23 - Nov 21 There isn't another person like you, so capitalize on this and move forward in the way that only you can.

Gemini: May 21 - Jun 20 Light a candle and make a wish. See the flame as a symbol of the transformation and passion within you. Your heart may feel restless. The flame flutters as a result of the passing wind.

Sagit: Nov 22 - Dec 21 At first you may be taken aback by someone's aggressive approach to people and situations, but then you may see that really, this person has something important you can learn from.

Cancer: Jun 21 - Jul 22 This is a climactic time for you, and you may feel like your world is caving in. You may desperately try to hold the keystone in place so that the whole structure doesn't fall.

Capri: Dec 22 - Jan 19 Gifts of pleasure could be bestowed upon you with little or no effort on your part. Regardless, it may be hard for you to sit still, since just about everything seems to be going your way.

Leo: Jul 23 - Aug 22 Your mood should turn toward getting things underway. This may mean that you need to get certain things out of your way, including people.

Aquar.: Jan 20 - Feb 18 You might be put off by other people's comments. You may break from your normal good manners and start to lash out at people around you.

Virgo: Aug 23 - Sep 22 You're on an emotional high. You feel like a soaring eagle. Your behavior may seem rather primal and animalistic, but this is fine.

Pisces: Feb 19 - Mar 20 Really, the hardest thing for you now is to choose which one to pursue first.Activities that engage your creativity and sensitivity are most appealing now.

From page 37 6-22 against Essequibo, Steven Sankar and Devon Lord could do the spinning. At Canje, Lower Corentyne will depend on gifted school batsman Kevlon Anderson, who registered his maiden ton at this level in the last round, Waheid Edwards, Alex Algoo, Seon Hetymer, Devon Clements and Jason Sinclair. Raun Johnson, with two five-wicket hauls and Nail Smith with one, give their team the most potent pace attack in the tournament. They should get support from leftarm spinner Kassim Khan who also has a five-wicket haul this season. West Demerara will hope that Tagenarine Chanderpaul, who made 176 in the second round fires at the top of the order, while Raymon Reifer, with a century in the last round, Akshaya Persaud, Mahindra Dhanpaul, Tevin Imlach and Travis Persaud can all bat. West Demerara’s bowling hinges on Reifer, Richie Looknauth, who has bowled impressively this season and Kesram Seyhodan. At Port Mourant, Upper Corentyne have a strong batting line with Kandasammy Surujnarine, Balchand Baldeo, Rajiv Ivan, David Latchaya, Kevin Sinclair, Shawn Pereira and Clinton Pestano in their team. Pestano, Dmitri Cameron, Pereira, Baldeo, Latchaya and last season’s top wicket-taker, Eon Hooper has again been among the wicket this year.

Still $14M off target of... From page 37 the base would remain, we would enhance the top to make a bit more attractive and it’s now going to b called the Milex/Crown Mining Long Range Trophy to be shot for by teams of 8 from the Caribbean, over 900 and 100 yards.” With teams from Ireland, United Kingdom and Canada also competing, Persaud said that they have made two extra trophies that would be presented to them in event that they win the Long or Short Range match. Queensway has agreed to sponsor the Long Range trophy, while Industrial Safety Supply Inc. is the sponsor of the Short Range trophy. The prestigious Short Range Team match would be contested on Sunday October 15 when the WIFBSC trophy would be at stake. The championship will conclude on the said Sunday night with a presentation dinner at the Ramada Princess Hotel, Providence, East Bank Demerara.

East Bank will depend heavily on Sachin Singh, Mark Robe, Darshan Persaud, Renaldo Ali-Mohammed and Ershad Ali. Keon Morris, Ali, Totaram Bishun and AliMohammed will take care of the bowling. At Lusignan from Saturday, Essequibo will miss Paul, who has the highest score in the tournament (177) and Ricardo Adams (2 tons and a 5-wkt haul) but Anthony Adams has four five-wicket hauls and a century (137), while Kemol Savory is one of four Essequibians to register hundreds this year and along with Kevin Boodie has produced one of the better batting line-ups this season even without their most experienced batsman Shiv Chanderpaul, who could be back from England for this round. Pacer Joshua Jones and Anthony Adams could

have a lot of work to do with the ball. Test batsman Rajendra Chandrika should be back after missing the last round and along with Brian Sattaur, Bhaskar Yadram, one of 15 centurions after five rounds, will be a part of a strong East Coast batting line-up, while Yadram, Amir Khan, Kumar Bishundyal and pacers Cordel Mars and Royston Simon could do the bulk of the bowling on a track with good carry. Sixteen centuries have been scored in five rounds with Ricardo Adams making two, while 16 bowlers have taken five-wicket hauls with Motie taking five for last placed West Berbice and Anthony Adams taking four for leaders Essequibo. However, the overall standard has been low with many matches ending inside two days.

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Thursday October 05, 2017

Kaieteur News

Letter to the Sports Editor

Claude Raphael continues with his mission of misinformation and confusion Dear Sports Editor, (Continued from yesterday) This is the remainder of Raj Singh’s response to Claude Raphael’s letter. Raphael’s tenure Raphael has been a major part of the cricket administration structure at various levels of cricket within Demerara, Guyana and the West Indies for the past few decades and had become accustomed to wielding tremendous power through his various positions on these Boards. So much so that he cannot pen a letter without making reference to his former status on these various boards. Raphael has also served as the Chairman of selectors at the GCB for more than a decade prior to July 2011 and (I think) served a single term as a WICB Director (2007 to 2009). Perhaps Raphael can elaborate for the public at large on his contribution to the development of cricket during his decades of reign on these various Boards and compare them to the present Board’s achievements in only the last 3 to 4 years. Incidentally, he was also the Chairman of the Cricket Development Committee of the GCB for quite a number of years during his tenure. Cricket Administration Act Many times Mr. Raphael could be seen sleeping at cricket matches and at various Committee meetings. Perhaps this was the case at the

WICB/GCB/GOG meeting in June 2014 during the discussions surrounding the Guyana Cricket Administration Act when the corrections/ amendments were agreed upon between the esteemed attorneys present. These corrections/amendments were fully ventilated and dealt with in a meticulous manner by the legal luminaries present there. Those attorneys included Queens Counsel Walter Scott, Roysdale Forde, Stephen Fraser and the then AG, Anil Nandalall. I challenge Raphael to produce the recording of that meeting to disprove my contention herein. It was further agreed that the President would have assented to the Act on July 15th 2014 and the amendments would have been tabled and passed the next day in Parliament. The amendment was intended to correct all the anomalies, deficiencies and numerous flaws contained within the said Act. The biggest flaw in the Act is the section that deals with elections of the GCB. Perhaps he will also deny that a MOU was even drafted which was intended to be signed by the Parliamentary parties with whom the WICB/ GCB delegation met with after the meeting but the MOU was stonewalled by the Government. This was the second such occasion of the Government refusing to arrive at a compromise solution to the manufactured cricket crises. The first scuttled MOU in-

volved WICB/GOG with Caricom as the facilitator. Alleged $2.5B GCB assets transfer Raphael has continued to peddle his blatant lies and innuendoes which are aimed at tarnishing the reputation of the executive of the GCB. Just for the record, I will now list the properties that are owned by the GCB. A four storied building situated at the GCC ground used by the GCB as its offices and storage (formerly sponsors’ hospitality boxes) built at a cost of G$30m a few years ago. Another four storied building situated on the northern side of the ground that was used as the former media building when international cricket was being played at that venue built just after the first building above for just about the same cost. A two storied building used as a hostel, indoor practice facility, meeting room, kitchen, etc situated at LBI, ECD built at a cost of just over G$100m in 2010. A two storied building used as a hostel situated at Anna Regina, Essequibo built at a cost of about $30m just after the LBI hostel. The Stanford facility located at GNIC which was built for G$10m I am told. I am aware that Mr. Raphael is a realtor by profession and I am sure that the GCB would be extremely appreciative if he can convert Continued on page 31

Japanese Grand Prix: Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel to avoid grid penalty

First class season a chance to impress selectors, says Adams

Director of cricket, Jimmy Adams … wants players to take advantage of first class season. ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Director of cricket, Jimmy Adams, has urged players to use the upcoming first class season to stake their claim for a place at the higher level. The four-day season is set to bowl off on October 26 and Adams said the threemonth season provided the ideal chance for youth cricketers and fringe players to grab the attention of senior selectors. “It’s an opportunity for the talented players in our game to stake a claim for a place in international matches,” said Adams, who took over from Englishman Richard Pybus in the post earlier this year. “It’s also an opportunity for us to see young players that have just come out of youth cricket and it’s another opportunity for us to showcase the depth of West Indies talent, so I am quite looking forward to the start of this four-day season.” The first class tournament will kick off the West Indies domestic season, which also includes the Regional Super50 one-day tournament next January and the Caribbean Premier League at the back end of next summer. For the fourth straight

year, the season will be played under a home-andaway format which will again see 10 rounds of matches, a feature Adams said was key to player development. “This tournament is critical to our game in view of its length, since there are return matches. It provides so many opportunities for young players and for some that have been around for a long time to get a lot of matches under their belt,” said the former West Indies captain. “I think it is also good for the selectors to have an opportunity to see more of the players in different conditions, so it will throw up a lot of very, very useful information and give us a better indication about the quality of our players. “It’s a very important cog in the wheel of the development cycle, so I am looking forward to seeing how players have progressed from the end of last season.” He added: “Just the fact that they are playing consistently more games, it has been critical for a lot of our players along that development curve to be able to play as much as they can within the season.” Cricket West Indies has transformed the first class tournament into a profes-

sional franchise set-up from the old territorial format, with players on full contracts and the season extended to include home-and-away fixtures. Under the new stipulations, players can also move between franchises, and are selected out of a draft ahead of each season. This year, the season has been squeezed into three months – wrapping up January 21 – and Adams underscored the importance of player fitness to cope with the demands. “It will be a demanding season for the players and to be able to cope with the level of sustained physical and mental pressure, we will need them to be in top condition, so that they can repeat good performances and so it has to be a massive part of their preparation going into the season.” Three-time reigning champions Guyana Jaguars will open the defence of their title against Jamaica Scorpions at the Guyana National Stadium, while Barbados Pride host Trinidad and Tobago Red Force at Kensington Oval and Windward Islands Volcanoes and Leeward Islands Hurricanes clash at the National Cricket Stadium in Grenada.

Hamilton Green Cup K.O. football tournament continues Saturday Sebastian Vettel hitched a lift with Sauber driver Pascal Wehrlein after the collision with Lance Stroll. (Getty Images) BBC Sport - Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel does not need a new gearbox so will avoid a grid penalty at the Japanese Grand Prix. Vettel feared it had been damaged in the bizarre crash with Williams driver Lance

Stroll in Malaysia on Sunday. The device was inspected at Ferrari’s factory in Italy and the team tweeted yesterday to say it was “available”. Had it required changing, Vettel would have faced a five-place grid penalty - a

blow in his title fight with Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton. Vettel heads into the race at Suzuka this weekend 34 points behind Hamilton, with a maximum of 125 available over the remaining five grands prix.

The $1million Hamilton Green straight knockout football tournament which is in its round-of-16 stage will continue on Saturday with a triple header at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) ground in Linden. The first match kicks off at 17:00hrs with a Georgetown (G/T) vs. Linden encounter when Silver Shattas match skills with city side GFC. The second match will be another G/T vs. Lin-

den affair when Western Tigers look to claw a win against Milerock who will enjoy home crowd support in the game that will sound its first whistle at 19:00hrs. The feature match will be an all-Linden affair between Winners’ Connection and Eagles United at 21:00hrs. On Sunday, the tournament will return to the Victoria Community Centre ground with three (3) more matches from 17:00hrs.

The first match will be an all-East Coast affair with an anticipated clash between Victoria Kings and Plaisance FC. The second match that begins at 19:00hrs will be contested between Buxton and GDF. The feature match will be the 1st quarterfinal game of the tournament at 21:00hrs between Uitvlugt and the winner of the GFC vs. Silver Shattas matchup on Saturday.

Thursday October 05, 2017

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Kaieteur News

Improved Sri Lanka confident of positive results against Windies

Synthetic Track for Burnham Park in New Amsterdam – Dr. George Norton Project to begin immediately Mayor Winifred Haywood

Dr. Norton and Team at Burnham Park.

Sri Lanka Women … looking to give West Indies Women a stern test. COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, CMC – An upbeat Sri Lanka Women left here Tuesday for the Caribbean confident of springing a surprise on West Indies Women, in the limited overs series starting next Wednesday in Trinidad. Team manager Indrani Abeyratne said the squad had improved significantly thanks to their World Cup campaign last July in England, with the experience helping them to become a better unit. She said they had also benefitted from good preparation and were now focussed on performing well on the tour. “The players have worked hard on their preparations and there is a changed outlook as a whole,” Abeyratne said. Sri Lanka finished seventh at the Women’s World Cup, winning a single match against Pakistan who finished

bottom of the eight-team standings without a point. West Indies had a miserable campaign as well, winning just twice, with one of those victories coming against the Sri Lankans – a 47-run at Derby. Despite their disappointing run, however, head coach Hemantha Devappriya said the side’s batting had improved significantly to the stage where they were now averaging closer to 200 in their innings. “A concern was that we were not getting close to 200. The team used to average 130 which were not good enough but in the seven matches in the world cup we averaged 190,” he said. “We developed a range of shots to increase the number of singles. We were therefore able to increase from an average of 40 runs to 80 at the

world cup through singles.” Sri Lanka face the Windies in the opening OneDay International at the Brian Lara Stadium next Wednesday before following up with the second match two days later and the final match at the same venue on October 15. The two teams then travel to Antigua for a three-match Twenty20 series from October 19-22 at the Coolidge Cricket Ground. SQUAD – Inoka Ranaweera (captain), Sripali Weerakkody (vice captain), Rebeca Vandort, Prasadani Weerakkody, Chamari Athapaththu, Dilani Manohara, Nipuni Hansika, Hasini Perera, Yashoda Mendis, Chandima Gunarathne, Hansima Karunarathne, Shashikala Siriwardena, Ama Kanchana, Achini Kulasuriya, Udeshika Prabodhani.

(The Sports Xchange) The NBA and its Players Association announced Tuesday a new format for the 2018 NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles that will abandon the traditional Eastern Conference versus Western Conference matchup. Under the new format, two captains will pick the teams from a pool of 24 players who were voted in by fans, media and fellow players. The captains will be the

top vote-getters from each conference as chosen by the fans. “I‘m thrilled with what the players and the league have done to improve the All-Star Game, which has been a priority for all of us,” NBPA president Chris Paul of the Houston Rockets said in a statement. “We’re looking forward to putting on an entertaining show in L.A.” The voting process and process to pick the head

coaches will remain unchanged. Additionally, each team will select a Los Angeles-based or national charity to raise donations for. “We’re excited about the new All-Star format and appreciate the players’ willingness to try something new,” said Byron Spruell, the league’s president of league operations. The 67th annual All-Star Game takes place February 18 at Staples Center.

Minister of Social Cohesion with responsibility with Culture, Youth and Sports Dr. George Norton has been making rounds since appointment to his new position. The Minister has been leading from the front as he envisaged fulfilling all promises made by his government. Minister Norton is also determined to show that the Social Cohesion initiative can and will work, especially when it is combined with the Culture, Youth and Sports. A proven hard worker and go getter, Minister Norton was recently in New Amsterdam to inspect the site for the laying of a Synthetic Track in Berbice. The popular Burnham Park Ground situated in New Amsterdam was selected for the project. The Burnham Park Ground with its vast land space and 400M track was once popular for football, athletics, motor and cycle racing among other activities before it was neglected and left to

fall to pieces. Dr. Norton was accompanied by a team of Government and local official, including those from the Region and Mayor and Town Council. Loud applause by local government officials and citizens present filled the atmosphere as the information was relayed to those gathered by the honourable Minister. The Minister made mention that the sum of $500 million is set aside for the commissioning and completion of two synthetic tracks in the country. “The next big project is the 500 million dollars for 2 synthetic tracks, ladies and gentlemen one of the synthetic track is supposed to be on the ground we are standing on,” he stated. Norton expressed the belief that Burnham Park is the best location to plant a synthetic track for Region 6. The Synthetic track is an initiative for the development of sports in the community and region. Making the point

NBA: League unveils new All-Star Game format

The Burnham Park ground.

that he is a man of action - the Minister urged all stakeholders to get on board as quickly as possible so that the project will be a resounding success. Acting Mayor of New Amsterdam, Ms. Winifred Haywood, spoke of how elated she was to receive information about developmental works in New Amsterdam. She assured the minister that work would commence immediately. Also present was Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region 6, Kim Stephen. She gave assurance that the necessary funds will be made available as in a timely manner. She assured that there will be no delay. The REO stated that, “Honourable Minister, the residents of Region No.6, East Berbice Corentyne are indeed proud and happy that we are not forgotten. That you have taken the opportunity to enlighten us of the things that are in store for Burnham Park.” (Samuel Whyte)

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Kaieteur News

Teams decided for final stages of BVA Inter school volleyball Competition

BVA president Levi Nedd (left) receives some of the trophies to be used during the tournament from Brian Andre Smith of the Department of Sports and NSC. After the completion of the playoff stages in the four different zones, schools have been selected to advance to the final stages of the competition. The schools were divided into four zones with the top two teams in each zone advancing to the quarter finals stage of the tournament. The quarter, semi and final will be played on a date to be announced at Port Mourant. The playoffs began with schools in the Upper Corentyne zone taking to the field at the Skeldon Community Center Ground. The schools in the Central Corentyne area then match skills at the Bush Lot Secondary School Court. Schools in the Lower Corentyne catchment area then vied for supremacy at Port Mourant Training School

Court.The schools in the New Amsterdam/ Canje zone then competed at the Berbice High School venue to round out the playoffs. The schools making it to the final stages are in the male category - from New Amsterdam/ Canje zone are Berbice High School (BHS) and New Amsterdam Multilateral Secondary (NAMS), Lower Corentyne Corentyne Comprehensive Secondary (CCSS) and Port Mourant Secondary (PMSS), from Central Corentyne Central - Central Corentyne High (CCH) and Black Bush Secondary (BBS), while the Upper Corentyne will be represented by Tagore Memorial and Skeldon High. In the female department the schools making it through are –NAMS and BHS for NA/ Canje, CCSS from Lower

Corentyne, Manchester Secondary and Central Corentyne Secondary from Central and Skeldon High and Line Path Secondary representing Upper Corentyne. According to coordinator and President of the Berbice Volleyball Association, Levi Nedd, the tournament is also being used to begin selection of a Guyana U18 team to represent the country at the Inter Guiana Games 2018. The top teams in the competition along with outstanding individual performances will be presented with trophies and other incentives compliments of the BVA and Director of Sports Christopher Jones and the National Sports Commission. (Samuel Whyte)

From page 36 matches between 2000 and 2007, said it was too early to say what the strength of the team was. “We have selected several power-hitters in the team and our batting is strong but at the same time we have a very capable bowling with five of our bowlers having CPL experience this season in this format,” said Griffith, who also played 22 Regional 50overs games. The side will be led by first time Skipper Leon Johnson who played nine T20 matches for Guyana under the leadership of Ramnaresh Sarwan. Griffith who made an unbeaten 82 in 2003 in St Croix

in a Regional First-Class 198 runs record ninth wicket stand with Vishaul Nagamootoo who scored 115 not out, was satisfied with form and level of fitness of his charges after their final practice season at Everest yesterday morning. After their opening game, Guyana play Antigua & Barbuda on October 8 from 18:00hrs, they play their return game against Antigua & Barbuda on October 10 from 19:00hrs, then on October 11 they oppose Jamaica from 19:00hrs. Each team will play four matches with the top two teams advancing to the final on October 14. Big hitters Jonathon Foo, Christopher Barnwell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario

Shepherd, Ricardo Adams and Kemo Paul should complement the left-handed quartet of Johnson, Robin Bacchus, Gajanand Singh and Chanderpaul Hemraj, who are known for their flamboyant stroke play. Pacer Ronsford Beaton has been excellent for the Trinbago Knight Riders while Rutherford, Shepherd, Paul and Barnwell could offer pace support. Off-spinner Steven Jacobs, Left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul and 21 year-old Jamaican leg-spinner Ramaal Lewis, who was a member of the Jamaica Tallawahs, should do the spinning. Anthony Bramble is the Keeper.

Griffith confident Guyana will do well in Antigua

Thursday October 05, 2017

GFSCA launches Guyana Softball Cup 7 By Zaheer Mohamed The Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) has launched the seventh edition of the Guyana Softball Cup yesterday at Demerara Cricket Club pavilion. The tournament, which will be played in the Masters (Over 45) and Open categories will commence on November 3 at various venues in Georgetown and conclude two days later under lights at DCC. Some twenty four teams are expected to take part including 10 from North America. Following 36 preliminary round games the top four teams in each category will progress to the semi finals. A female exhibition game is also billed for the day of the finals. The winning team in the Open category will take home a trophy and $800,000 and the runner up a trophy and $200,000, while the champions in the Masters division will pocket a trophy and $600,000 and the runner up a trophy and $150,000. The man-of-the-match in the finals will receive trophies, while the tournament’s MVP in both segments will be given a 14 carat gold diamond encrusted pendant cricket bat valued at $150,000, compliments of Steve’s Jewellery. Outstanding players in the

preliminary round games will also be rewarded. Among the venues indentified are Eve Leary, DCC, Malteenoes, GCC, MYO, GDF and Ogle. On the day of the finals, three ticket holders will stand a chance to win a return trip for two to Baganara Resort, Arrowpoint Resort and Aruwai Resort; this is being funded by Survival Supermarket. Fans will also stand a chance to win hampers and other giveaways; tickets for the finals cost $1,000 and are available at Trophy Stall of Bourda Market, Mike’s Pharmacy, Ramchand’s Auto Spares, 4R, Motor Trend in Enmore, Rohan Auto Spares in Mahaica, Ariel Enterprise, Nauth Motor Spares and Nand Persaud and Co. Ltd in Berbice. Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Social Cohesion and Culture, Youth and Sports, Dr. George Norton said he is proud to support the tournament and lauded the GFSCA. He added that such tournament helps to raise the sports profile and boost tourism in Guyana, adding that sports in schools deserve a better place. “The headmasters and mistresses should ensure that they maintain the playing facilities at schools and pay

much interest in sports so students can follow through, but that is lacking in Guyana,” he stated. Dr. Norton said that the entire country stands to benefit from such tournament and is looking forward to a successful one. President of the GFSCA, Ramchand Ragbeer said the tournament has been a tremendous success with over 3000 fans witnessing the finals for the past two years, and is confident the seventhedition will be successful. GFSCA Assistant Secretary Treasurer Anil Beharry, former West Indies allrounder and head of GCA Roger Harper, Ronda Johnson of Rubis Guyana and Ajay Jha of India also made presentations with Jha challenging the GFSCA to take the sport to India; television personality Reyaz Husein chaired the proceedings. Speedboat and Floodlights are the defending Open and Masters champions respectively. Among the sponsors are Stag, Rubis Guyana, Trophy Stall, Survival Group of Business, Steve’s Jewellery, Clear Waters, Guyana Beverage Company Inc under their Busta brand, Rohan Auto Spares, A and R Jewanram Printery, W J Enterprise, Mike’s Pharmacy and Ramchand’s Auto Spares.

Test discard De Silva set to lead Sri Lanka A on Caribbean tour

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, CMC – Test batsman Dhananjaya De Silva will lead a 16-man Sri Lanka A squad on the tour of West Indies starting next week. The 26-year-old played the last of his 10 Tests against India last August, and averages 38 with two centuries already under his belt. Twenty-year-old Charith Asalanka, an off-spinning allrounder who led Sri Lanka Under-19s last year, will serve as De Silva’s deputy. Sadeera Samarawickrama and Roshen Silva, both of whom are part of the Test squad in the ongoing series against Pakistan in United Arab Emirates, will join the Aside once that series wraps up. Neither player have played an international match for Sri Lanka. The squad has been bolstered by the inclusion of three other players with Test experience, with fast bowlers Dasun Shanaka and Lahiru Kumara, along with left-arm spinner Malinda Pushpakumara, having

Dhananjaya De Silva … to captain Sri Lanka A on Caribbean tour. played 11 Tests among them. Sri Lanka A are expected to leave tomorrow for Jamaica where they play three fourday “Tests” and as many one-dayers against West Indies A, from October 11 to November 5. SQUAD – Dhananjaya De Silva (captain), Charith Asalanka (vice-captain),

Sadeera Samarawickrama, Roshen Silva, Sandun Weerakkody, Ron Chandragupta, Shehan Jayasuriya, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Amila Aponso, Malinda Pushpakumara, Chamika Karunaratne, Lahiru Kumara, Vimukthi Perera, Asitha Fernando, Kasun Rajitha.

Thursday October 05, 2017

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Kaieteur News

South American Youth Games 2017 - Santiago, Chile

Street Vybz Entertainment Futsal Competition

Badminton players face tough run

Sparta to be tested this evening against Africans -Linden teams aim to remain undefeated A packed house is anticipated to converge at the National Gymnasium to witness the commencement of the round robin phase of the inaugural Street Vybz Entertainment Futsal Competition which resumes tonight with eight exciting matches.

tion and this encounter should give the former supporters a clear view as to whether they have returned to the form of old. Sparta looked impressive in their win against Channel 9 Warriors, but the same could be said for

They enter the fray with Swag Entertainment taking on Broad Street in the first game of the night to usher in what will definitely be a scorching night of action. Silver Bullets then take on North Ruimveldt and the form that the latter has

Priyanna Ramdhani plays during the event in Chile. The Guyanese Badminton Players, National & Caribbean Champions 15 Year Old Priyanna Ramdhani and 16 Year Old Tyrese Jeffrey faced tough opening action at the South American Youth Games in Santiago Chile which runs from September 26 to October 10, 2017. The 17-years and under Badminton Championships playing at the Centro de Entrenamiento Olimpico started on Tuesday 03 of October and will run until Saturday October 7. Fourteen countries are taking part in this

Championship. The tournament is being played off in the Group Playoffs, Quarterfinals, Semi-finals & Finals. There are 4-Groups where the first two winners in the group will go into the Quarter-Finals where the knock out system leading to the finals will come into effect. In the Results: In the Girls Round Robin Play off, Priyanna Ramdhani is in Group B with Chile, Suriname and Peru. She lost her first match to the No.1 Seeded player in the Group from CHILE- Micaela Flores: 21-9, 21-16. She then came

back and defeated Suriname’s Erisa Bleau: 21-4, 21-8 in her second match. Yesterday she was down to play a Chilean opponent and if she won, she will be in the Quarter-Finals. In the Boys Round Robin Play Off, Tyrese Jeffrey is in Group A with Chile & Argentina. He lost both matches to Alonso Medal of Chile: 21-4, 21-2 and to Mateo Delmastro of Argentina: 21-12, 21-4. The other round-robin group matches for the Guyanese players will be the Mixed Doubles.

Part of the action in the inaugural Street Vybz Entertainment Futsal Competition. Among the big matchups scheduled are Sparta Boss versus the African Connec-

Turbo knockout tournament kicks off tomorrow night at Education Ground

Less than a month after the final whistle blew in the Petra/Corona Beer Invitational football tournament for teams in Georgetown, Petra is back with another tournament to help keep fans buzzing and players running. This tournament, the Turbo Knockout competition, will see sixteen (16) teams battling for the top prize of $500,000 in straight eliminators beginning tomorrow evening at the Ministry of Education’s ground on CARIFESTA Avenue. Friday’s opening matchday will be a historic double header between Police FC vs. East Veldt at 18:30hrs in the first game then Pele FC vs. Northern Rangers in game 2 from 21:00hrs, playing under the recently installed $3.8 million lights which was funded by Petra with support from their corporate sponsors. Police FC on the heels of an emphatic triumph in the Corona Beer Cup, will be rearing to continue their success. They will be led by their Skip-

Skipper Dwain Jacobs per, Dwain Jacobs who was the MVP in the previous tournament. The talismanic striker was the hero in Police’s Corona beer final last month against GFC at home, smashing in a hat-trick in the 4-0 championship victory. Meanwhile, the youthful East Veldt side will be looking to have better structure

within their play as they strive to keep improving their football. Sparks are set to fly when Pele FC and Northern Rangers match skills in the feature match tomorrow night as both clubs have relatively young squads with quick legs. Rangers made it to the

Sunil Logan semi-finals of the last tournament, thanks to striker Sunil Logan and company who were in form and helped the club in their unbeaten run to that stage before losing 3-0 to GFC. Rangers will definitely fancy their chances of bettering Pele in their knockout match tomorrow night.

the African Connection unit that beat pre-tournament favourites Ol Skool Ballers in their opening encounter. So it seems an equal matchup to bring the curtains down tonight. However, that game is not the only one expected to provide fireworks and riveting entertainment for the fans. The West Front Road ‘Gold is Money’ skirmish with Albouystown ‘A’ is a sure bet to keep their respective supporters on the edge of their seats. These two teams have massive following and it could come down to which of the two fan bases is more vocal in their support. MBK All Stars and Leopold Street game is another one anticipated to provide end to end action with the former already proving that they are an offensive juggernaut, while Leopold Street is of similar breed so fans should see a glut of goals. Linden teams have made a strong statement, winning all three of their opening encounters, but obviously the competition has progressed and teams are now positioning themselves to enter the knockout segment so every game is vitally important.

shown in recent tournaments means that the Bullets will have to be of a high caliber to breach the fortified bunker of their opponent. Regarded as the best team in the Mining Community, Dave & Celena All Stars tackle a strong New Market Street side and this is no easy opposition for the visitors so another humdinger is in the making. Hustlers versus Future Stars and Back Circle and Tucville clash complete a night of sheer entertainment. Over $1.2 million in prize monies up for grabs with the winner to receive $700,000, 2 nd, 3 rd and 4 th placed finishers $250,000, $150,000 and $100,000 respectively. Play starts at 19:30hrs. The night’s fixtures are seen below: Broad Street vs Swag Entertainment MBK All Stars vs. Leopold Street North Ruimveldt vs. Silver Bullets Dave & Celena All Stars vs. New Market Street West Front Road ‘Gold is Money’ vs. Albouystown ‘A’ Hustlers vs. Future Stars Back Circle vs. Tucville Sparta Boss vs. African Connection

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Thursday October 05, 2017

Kaieteur News

Griffith confident Guyana will do well in Antigua ABCA Independence T20 tri-Nation series bowls off tomorrow

The players do warm-up drills before yesterday’s net session at Everest. By Sean Devers Chairman of the National selection panel and Manager of the Guyana team Rayon

Griffith is confident that the Guyana team, which was scheduled to depart for Antigua this morning, will

give a good account of themselves on the 108 square Mile Island. Guyana will participate in

Guyana Olympic Association makes contribution to the Hockey board

From left, GOA executive Garfield Wiltshire, GBH Secretary Tricia Fiedtkou receiving the cheque from head of the GOA K.A. Juman Yassin, who is flanked by Deion Nurse. The GOA made a presentation to the Guyana Hockey Board in the form of a sponsorship cheque towards the preparation of the upcoming International Pan American Hockey Cups that will be held at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. The tournament, scheduled for 14 – 22 October, will feature teams representing all of the Americas, with simultaneous competitions for both men and women. In a press release, the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) stated that the entity, “Expects this event to contribute significantly to Guyana’s efforts of becoming a priority destination for sports tourism.” The correspondence further explained that the GOA

is no stranger to hockey and has worked together with the Guyana Hockey Board on several projects over the years, “The Guyana Olympic Association has always been a great supporter of hockey locally and our sport has benefitted a lot from their efforts over the years,” the release stated. President of the GHB, Philip Fernandes, was very excited about this development being quoted in the release saying that, “When we first embarked on the Diamond Mineral Water Festival in 2004, the GOA was one of the main organisations to give us their support. We are so pleased to have them participate in this monumental event as well. That festival has paved the

way for Guyana’s consideration for this major international event, which is a first for us (GHB).” The 2017 Indoor Pan American Cups (IPAC) features competitions for both men and women and serves as the Pan American Continental Qualifier for FIH Indoor Hockey World Cups scheduled for February 2018 in Berlin, Germany. This year will be one of the largest in the tournaments’ history and the Americas are well represented. Seven women’s teams and six men’s teams from Guyana, Argentina, Barbados, Canada, Mexico, Trinidad & Tobago, USA and Uruguay will participate with the top team earning a coveted spot in the World Cup.

the second annual Antigua & Barbuda Cricket Association (ABCA) Independence T20 tri-Nation series, scheduled from October 6-14. Guyana did not take part last year in the inaugural tour-

nament which also involves host Antigua and Barbuda and Jamaica, a team which includes Guyanese Trevon Griffith. The 38-year-old former Guyana First-Class pacer said

all of the players selected have been playing cricket recently, adding that seven of them have just finished playing in the fifth Edition of the CPL for three different teams. “We have a balanced team with the CPL players and we also selected those we feel are the best young players in this format. I believe the team will do well in Antigua,” Griffith said. Griffith disclosed that former West Indies batsman and Director of Cricket of the WICB James Adams was recently in Guyana to look at the fitness aspect of cricket, adding that the boards will be focusing on fitness when teams are picked. Guyana battle Jamaica in their first game from 18:00hrs on Saturday at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound after the host face-off with Jamaica in the opening game on Friday night. Griffith, who has taken 56 wickets from 22 First-Class Continued on page 36

Skipper Leon Johnson reverse sweeps yesterday as goes into T20 mode.

Jonathon Foo is one of the big hitter selected.