Kaieteur News
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Thursday October 13, 2016
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
TIME FOR HEALING Following the victory in the May 2015 general elections, the APNU+AFC coalition government embarked on a national campaign to heal the nation and unite the people. Its intent was to create a common bond among the people, especially between Indo-and-Afro-Guyanese. These two race groups have been divided along racial lines for decades. But the opposition PPP seems strongly opposed to promoting unity among the two major races or to form a national front government. Instead of healing the nation, some of its leaders have taken to social media to spew their venom and to inflict mortal wounds on the soul of the nation. They are not concerned about the potential damage their actions could cause to the country. Their conduct is indicative of the deep racial division in the country especially during elections. It is aptly reflected in the ethnically rooted sectionalism which continues to permeate society. It is time for all to heal the rift that exists. This divisiveness is fatally undermining nationbuilding, the development of the economy and the formation of a national unity government. However, it has inspired many members in the PPP to publicly commend Mr. Granger to be the President of all the people, not only his supporters. This has resonated well with all segments of society as some in the PPP have called on their leaders to help unify the nation. They believe that it is a critical first step which will help to create a favourable environment for genuine dialogue with all stakeholders on this deep-rooted issue. However, the government is matured and will not succumb to criticism from the opposition whose goal is to divide the two major races in order to gain votes during every election cycle. The inevitable disappointment of the PPP being ousted from office in the last general elections is understandable but its leaders’ refusal to accept the election results shows they are sore losers. However, their negative comments on the issue of unity are inexcusable. The government should be commended for demonstrating such magnanimity of spirit to invite the PPP to form a national government in order to avoid any tendency of triumphalism. Many believe that such generosity by the government reaffirms confidence in the people and hope to the nation that is badly in need of healing. The election victory was a redemption for the government which stood by its convictions to restore hope to a people ensnared in a web of crime, joblessness, corruption and revenge by the opposition. The PPP has lost the confidence and trust of the people and ultimately, it has lost its way. However, this should not be any reason for the government to overlook some of its shortcomings, including the neglect of its members at home and in the Diaspora. The people yearn for a respite; and are praying for the government to resume the arduous task of building a fair and equitable society. Healing the nation should be among the highest priority for the government which enjoys some degree of confidence amongst the people. It is in the national interest for some members in the government to cease being arrogant and disrespectful to the people who elected them to office. Being spiteful and pursuing a path towards self-serving interests could damage their reputation and that of the government. By far, most of the people are responding to the government’s call to unite the nation. They have also criticised the opposition for being disingenuous and dishonest to the people. They have called for the healing of the nation and for all to remember its motto of one people, one nation and one destiny, at the birth of a new nation fifty years ago.
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.
Commercial buildings need sprinkler system Dear Editor; A few months ago I indicated that Guyana has poor building codes and virtually no enforcement procedures. The recent fire at Houston at Gafoor’s Bond, preceded a month ago by another fire at Fazia’s Collection building on Avenue of the Republic is ample testimony of this. It must be remembered that a mere 5 months ago another o f G a f o o r ’s b o n d s succumbed to a massive fire. O B V I O U S LY T H E GAFOORS ARE NOT COGNISANT OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THEIR STORAGE FACILITIES. Commercial buildings need sprinkler systems: a series of road-side connections for fire hoses which will distribute water inside a building in the event of fire. Automated oxygen retardant systems need to be installed inside where an increase in temperature (say at 110 F) will trigger off the c h e m i c a l s p r a y. T h i s (halogen) chemical will suck out the oxygen the fire will
be greatly contained. Smoke alarms are cheap and should be installed along corridors which are the principal pathways for smoke. In an age of the search engine Guyanese are paddling in the steam engine era. Bonds need to be sectionalised, much like the compartments in ships such as oil tankers. Concrete separating walls with steel (fire-proof) connecting doors must be the code for storage warehouses. This, coupled with periodic safety inspections, must be the way forward. Storage of cooking gas containers must never be inside a closed building. Propane is highly flammable (after all people cook with it) and the tanks need to be stored outdoors: any leakage/explosion will dissipate harmlessly into the atmosphere. The parking of fork lift trucks after usage can cause fires as the heat from the engine, whether propane or battery operated, can ignite paper, plastics, debris etc. afterwards. Floors must be
constantly swept clean. The parking of fork lift trucks after usage can cause fires as the heat from the engine, whether propane or battery operated, can ignite paper, plastics, debris etc. Propane tanks must always be checked for leaks. Loose materials like sawdust, cardboard boxes and the waterproof wrapping plastic must be cleaned and placed in metal containers OUTSIDE storage facilities. Moreover, many materials cannot be stored together. Cement (an alkaline limestone compound) cannot be in the same place with concrete (acid based) cleaners. Any combination, say from spillage, (as any chemistry schoolboy knows) produces a massive amount of enthalpy heat. Perhaps the worst aspect of construction in Guyana is the electrical system, material and installation codes. This is in serious need of overhauling. Systems such as 100 Amperes distribution with Fly Back
Breakers are the standard for commercial buildings such as warehouses, offices, shopping centers, and night clubs and so on. This is virtually non-existent. JFI outlets (with built in overload kick-out) rarely exist while electric wiring is predominantly vinyl coated (easily combustible) copper wire. Additionally, old wiring, coupled with corroded fuses, which do not trip or ‘blow’, poses severe risk of fire. Finally, the government, through a Bureau of Standards, must monitor the very poor quality of electrical fittings and accessories (mostly from China) that flood the Guyanese market. While they are definitely cheaper than their other counterparts the consequences are often costly and fatal. Guyana cries out for an (OSHA) Occupational Safety & Health Act. Leyland Chitlall Roopnaraine Real Estate Builder (New York)
Minister Joe Harmon is a servant of the people Dear Editor; For 23 years the political culture of our dear beloved country was not one of complete maturity. The betterment of the lives of our people was not of primary importance. Instead politicians focused on means and ways where they can just eat at each other so as to ensure that they can selfishly gain more ground over sometimes their own colleagues and of course their opponents from different political parties. Today we, as a nation, are so blessed to have a President that looks beyond party politics and in my opinion genuinely for all the people of Guyana. It tells that we are heading in a positive direction towards political maturity and of course it would not be an easy task. The first hurdle that we would have to jump over and I believe we are
halfway doing so is to make this coalition government work. The President and Prime Minister would have repeatedly said time and again that this government is solid as a rock and that is excellent assurance for me. However, when one falls prey easily to the media’s questions especially their constant demand for direct answers on sensitive complex matters and the answers are provided without proper political sense it reflects lack of strength of which often times it is not so. Considering the above, I wish to categorically state that Minister Harmon is a dedicated servant to the people of Guyana and since his assumption to Office of the Minister of State he would have both by way of government and private experience lifted the lives of many. Not only has he made
numerous donations to communities and individuals in the form of street lights, sport gears, radio sets, school bags etc but would have also brought the government to the people through the Ministry of the Presidency’s outreaches in the many regions. These philanthropic and dutiful actions of Mr. Harmon should have allowed him to be seen as a power house within the government but in actuality he is nothing more than an action deliverer who gets the job done. As the famous saying goes, “The reward for good work is more work,” and that in itself is the reason why this noble man has so much responsibility within this government. The President in my humble opinion knows his capabilities and entrusted him with the duties of ensuring that people’s issues are
addressed. The sad thing however is that in his quest to ensure that actions are taken to bring relief to people, he appears to be powerful and this seems to make others feel inferior. I don’t believe Cde. Harmon sees himself above other ministers and given the many negative stones that are thrown at him I wish to say to him publicly that he must never stop meeting the public on a daily basis, he must never stop assisting the poor and vulnerable, he must never stop stepping out of his boundries to ensure a smile is on people’s faces and he must never stop being who he is; a noble servant of the people. Mininster Harmon, I know of thousands who are with you and will continue to be with you because we know you are genuine. Ganesh Mahipaul.
More investigations need to be done at GECOM Dear Editor; With the recent release of the evidence of various inflated prices with regards to the radio sets, pliers and toners etc. at the secretariat level of Gecom, I feel it is right for the auditors to probe the transactions of the individuals (supervisors, Registration
Officer, etc) who were responsible for the various regions (in particular Region Five). When it comes to the ordering of food and arrangement of transportation for the polling day staff, the Registration Officers (ROs) would write up their own quotations to ensure the preferred caterers got the contract
and then set the prices high, so they could get a draw back from the caterers. I challenge the auditors to check the quotations for last year’s general elections and this year ’s local government elections and they will find signature discrepancies. Chris Singh
Thursday October 13, 2016
President Granger needs to investigate City Hall DEAR EDITOR, Why is it that the Georgetown City Council has opted to contract out all of its services even though it claims to be cash strapped whilst at the same time maintaining a huge employee database of approximately one thousand workers? Could it be that the Big Wigs at City Hall are getting kickbacks from these contractors whilst at the same time finding employment for their friends and family within the Council? In years past, the Council had a special Roads Division that was responsible for building and maintaining all of the roads in the city except for the primary highways. Today they do no such thing so then where does that budgeted sum go? In the past, the Council replaced all defective street lamps ensuring that the city remained safe and well-
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lit. Today they don’t even check let alone replace the defective lamps so where does the amounts budgeted for street lighting go? They have a City Constabulary but they engage the services of a private guard service costing tens of millions a month. Why? They have a General Works Division to repair bridges and buildings, yet bridges are collapsing around the city and the municipal building are all in a ruinous state, and yet they have the nerve to declare publicly that they will be tearing down private dilapidated buildings. Can the President not see how incompetent, corrupt and disgraceful the administration of the Georgetown Municipality is and have a Commission of Inquiry formed to investigate why our capital is in such a mess? Debra Gibson
EDUCATION IS GOLDEN BUT GOOD CHARACTER IS BEST OF ALL DEAR EDITOR; I was very happy to see Ms Yvonne Sam’s letter in the media of Tuesday 11th October, asking the question: “Should Character Education form part of the School Curriculum?” To me as a concerned citizen, I believe that her question should be answered with a resounding “YES”. And, as an ‘old teacher’ myself, I wish to plead with our teachers not to await any ‘instructions from above’, but to start, if you are not already doing so, by initiating simple modalities or techniques for imparting the building blocks for good character development. I have no doubt that our teachers, especially
our senior teachers, are already aware - from the accumulation in their ‘bag of tricks’ - of the various ways in which this simple yet crucial, but apparently overlooked , subject can be subtly put on the front burner without sacrificing the so-called ‘3 R’s’ and other substantive subjects. I recall for example from my teaching days using opportunities readily available for teachers to utilise at their sole discretion in the choice of topics for essay writing, or passages for précis writing or approaches and activities in the teaching of Civics etc. Of course there is nothing better than role modeling! NowrangPersaud
Pontifications on the role of the WPA It was a sight to see Royston King and his body guards
DEAR EDITOR, A few nights ago, whilst sitting in a public space with my family, having a little relaxation I saw a group of men approaching. Looking closely I realised it was a man surrounded by a retinue of bodyguards. Thinking that it may have been the President or Prime Minister out for some exercise or a stroll, I got up to be polite and to give whichever one it was a gracious salutation. Unbelievably, I discovered that it was not the President, not the Prime Minister, not a celebrity, not a corporate executive, nor a political office holder but rather just the Town Clerk, Royston King jaunting along with this security detail whilst recreating. This is the man whom the
Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan wrote to Georgetown Mayor Patricia Chase-Green reminding her that he is like any other administrative officer, and is hired to carry out the directives of the Council. Now therefore my question is why does this administrative officer need bodyguards? What and who is he afraid of? The workers of the Council whom he pays late each month? The contractors who have to agree to special financial arrangements in order to get the contract? The vendors that are chased off the streets at his whims and fancies? The Council’s Creditors whom are owed hundreds of millions of dollars? Is it the former Town
Clerk whom he had reprehensively removed so that he could get the job that he is afraid of? Why does he need this special protection? Or is it just to pump up a little more his overinflated ego? Having bodyguards paid for by the municipality is unprecedented, very wasteful for a broke and cash strapped city, and unnecessary. Ministers of the Government don’t get this level of protection, former Presidents don’t get this level of protection. And one can only guess the millions of dollars per year this is costing the ratepayers. Very soon he may have the City Constabulary vehicles with lights flashing and sirens wailing escort him through the city on his journeys. Amber Valentine
GPO and GRA NEED TO RESPECT TIME DEAR EDITOR; I am a working woman. I am required to reach to my office at 7:30 a.m. each morning. For those of us who are restrained by time would understand how important this time is to us. Last Monday. I visited the Guyana Post Office (GPO), Georgetown to uplift a package. I reached promptly at 7 a.m. and the gates were not even opened as yet. After they were opened I proceeded to the section of the Post Office to uplift my package. I handed my slip to the Post Office representative who was there and she informed me that the Customs Officer has to sign the slip and he was not there as yet and I will have to ‘hold on’, which I did. After approximately half an hour had passed, I began
to get restless and irate. Don’t these people understand the importance of being on time? I got very angry as I was already late for work. Upon inquiring what was the hold up, the Post Office representative told me once more that I have to wait on the Customs Officer, and told me that she would not be able to say when the Officer will come in. At 8:40 a.m. he finally strolled into the office with his newspaper and signed my slip. Now, how can you say you are open for business at 7 a.m. and then come into the office at your leisure? Does the public sector tolerate such behavior? The GPO opens at 7 a.m. and closes at 3 p.m. with an hour lunch in between from Mondays to Fridays. For those who are working, it will be difficult for them to make
those hours and many would find it comfortable to visit there early in the morning to conduct their business. This is a flexible hour and allows persons to avoid any hassle. But I see this will be difficult considering the lackadaisical behaviour and the disrespect for time on the Post Office and Customs representatives’ part. You are being paid to work, so therefore you must work! I am making an appeal to the governing body of the Guyana Post Office to look into this. Strict measures should be taken for those who report to work late. If you do not want someone to waste your time, you should not waste another’s time either. Time is of paramount importance and must be respected. Angry Guyanese
DEAR EDITOR, Well well Peeping Tom seems to know where it’s at. What a fine job he has done in reminding and enlightening everyone that it was the WPA that suffered the heaviest causalities in the struggle for “Peoples Power no Dictator” against the Burnham regime after taking the fight to the street: “unleashed the full force of the police state on the WPA” I am surely familiar with most of what he said except that Rodney had asked the U.S.A to grant his family asylum in event of his death. Peeping Tom’s writing was a bitter reminder to those who were involved, no wonder some folks are so upset with the WPA being in the coalition. Personally I say like Kahlil Gibran: “life tarries not backwards with yesterdays sorrow…” What’s past is past and we have to forge on using the grim past as a guide so we don’t repeat it. However, it remains a hurting pity that the PNC/R, the main entity and government of that dreadful period remain so unrepentant as if they had done nothing wrong ever! And this is what old school folks are haunted by. Anyway please allow me to add my two-bits about the WPA being spent coming out from the Freddie Kissoon column of the Kaieteur News. “WPA: A kind of dismissive analysis.” The question about the relevance/irrelevance of the WPA will sooner rather than later be fi-
nally settled by them, as I will not dismiss the WPA until, by their actions/inactions, they have virtually dismissed themselves. As is common knowledge to all politicians, no movement worth its salt and wants to maintain relevance can afford to remain running on the spot. Relevance involves changing and transforming with the times, and I don’t mean it in that simplistic, dumb and blind way of doing as they do – just going with the tide. No! For that could also lead to that organisation’s undoing. I’m thinking here about having a sound awareness, a dialectical and pragmatic approach and line of action in conformity within the scheme of things. Of keeping abreast and in harmony with events and movements of daily occurrences affecting the lives of the people, being grounded with the masses, as the once maxim of the WPA says: “you have to see with the eyes of the people, hear with the ears of the people and speak with the voice of the people”. This in effect is saying that one must vicariously possess the pulse of the people. Such a policy is labelled by some as a people’s movement. Editor, I can level with Freddie Kissoon. He has been in town long enough, knows where it’s at and has earned the right to speak critically about the WPA of which he himself was a part of. One does not have to agree with all he says but you have got to give it to him. I am also in agreement with him as he frankly pointed out, that party is indeed languid, lacking vi-
tality and much less spirited. One has to be in denial not to admit that the WPA is not even a shadow of its former self. Indeed there was a time when the WPA was riding commandingly high in support and garnering serious attention. For whatever reason the momentum was not kept, have experienced a low point which it never half as much recovered from. But no one can deny that the WPA’s role and sphere of influence within our political landscape was not only somewhat dominant but crucial and vital, which some have grudgingly accepted as the proper thing to do, for various reasons, while deep down they sneer and spew contempt. Kindly bear my indulgence in saying that whether or not the WPA ever ascend to the seat of government (a man once said to me that is a distant call from the wilderness, an extremely rare probability, and which with the present state of affairs I have to agree) any way whether this happens or not the WPA of the Walter Rodney era has already etched an indelible landmark in the history of Guyana’s struggle for unfettered freedom and democracy. Some who run their mouths, I’m not denying them their democratic freedom of expression, but they cannot be careless with (Continued on page 6)
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Troubled bridge at Grant’s Scheme two curb walls and two HDPE risk of loss of life. I hope this at Craig tubes over which gravel was can be attended to and the DEAR EDITOR; I would like to bring to the attention of the CraigCaledonia NDC and the Ministry of Public Infrastructure the current deplorable state of the bridge connecting Grant’s Scheme, Craig to the East Bank Public Road. As it stands, the bridge consists of
poured and the thinnest of layers of asphalt was laid. This has now become a series of pits that take vehicles almost 30 seconds to negotiate to get on or off the public road in the face of traffic coming around the Hope turn. Apart from the danger to vehicles there is the constant
residents can be relieved of this daily stress. At the same time the Craig drainage canal that connects Buzz-a-bee Dam to the Hope outfall can also be looked at and the potholes in what may be Guyana’s smallest housing scheme. Nigel. S. Paltoo
Minister of Communities must investigate Region 6 DEAR EDITOR; Please allow me to refute the poor attempt by Regional Councillor and member of the Regional Works Committee, Sherry Ann Beharry to come to the rescue of her dear friend, the Regional Vice Chairman of Region 6, Mr Dennis Deoroop. I am referring to an article she wrote in the Kaieteur News dated 9th October, under the caption ‘Prime Minister’s Region 6 Rep was not present’. What she wrote in that article is laughable, ludicrous and totally devoid of truth. In the very first sentence she was fictional since the PM’s Region 6 Representative did not pen many articles as stated rather many articles were written by various known letter writers including myself. What Mr Harbhajan gave was an interview to the media which was published. I am an ardent reader of all the newspapers and am aware of this fact. That is her first misrepresentation. Then in her second paragraph, she implied that there is no evidence to support corruption in the Region or the fact that there was no consultation with the NDCs. I will deal with the consultation firstly. At the last RDC Statutory meeting held in the RDC Boardroom, myself and a team
of councillors from various NDCs, a total number of 12 councillors met with the Regional Chairman and the press to provide evidence that we were not consulted. Furthermore, the PM’s Representative is neither a councillor nor any other official of any NDC so he cannot be consulted but what he said was that many NDCs were not involved in the consultation process and that is a fact. I want to add here that the Regional Vice Chairman went afterwards to the PPP controlled NDCs and forced the handpicked Chairmen and Vice Chairmen to say that they were consulted. The Regional Vice Chairman is the First Secretary of the PPP and these officials were selected based on the recommendations of the Regional Vice Chairman so they cannot act and will not act independently or else they will lose the office the next time around. So the twelve of us are the proof that no consultations were done. Now I will come to the statement that there is not ‘an iota of evidence’ to support claims of corruption. The letter writer herself is living evidence of things gone astray. She is one of the Councillors who certified the $150,000 work done
at the Rose Hall Arch and admitted that she never visited the site of the work. But she knew the site and is aware that it is only half of a house lot. So the huge sum paid should have raised a red flag but we know the reason why she did not object but certified the work. I was there at the RDC meeting when the Regional Chairman exposed this fact. She bent her head and remained silent afterwards. I have written a letter to the press on this matter. Also in her letter she boastfully wants the evidence to be provided so that the ‘law can take its course’, well she certainly shot herself in the head. What is fraudulent is the fact that the APNU councillor is now claiming that he signed for $5,000 not $150,000. Should this matter then not be investigated? What is the Minister of Communities doing about this? Will he condone this type of malpractice which is so prevalent in Region 6? In closing, I want to stress that the Minister of Communities should be more cognizant of what is going on at the RDC level if he wants regional development to take place. We as letter writers have done our part and it is now his duty to act decisively or else all will be lost. Lakram Singh Vice Chairman of Works Committee
Pontifications on the role of... From page 5 what they say: The WPA has educated and enlightened the masses, emboldened them to stand firm in the face of terror, in defense of civil rights for bread and justice, they
Thursday October 13, 2016
Kaieteur News
have made men out of sheep, have lit a candle in the dark, have even made some women stronger than their men folks. For all these and more they have suffered, members and supporters alike put out of a
livelihood, were made to run, families destroyed, killed and what more, as the Peeper so well described. How dare they who never marched in the ranks of WPA – a once people’s force – now summon the courage to speak so bold and brazen in condemnation of WPA. Frank Fyffe Editor’s note; because of length, we will have to conclude this missive in another edition
Some issues deserving the President’s attention DEAR EDITOR, The days of invoking worship of leaders and brainwashing, although tried in Guyana, are slowly becoming a thing of the past. The world is paying rapt attention to Guyana’s political and economic landscape, for reasons that range from it being a strategic port for shipments of illicit drugs to its potential for being overcome by a brand of politics not exactly in line with traditional geopolitical interests. The President is expected to speak at Parliament this Thursday. The following are a number of issues I wish to propose he addresses: 1 - Why, in Guyana’s democracy, where all men are equal in the sight of the law, and each must pay his fair share of taxes, Guyanese working for $100,000/ month have to pay $15,000 in taxes while he, the President, receives approximately $1,800,000/ month, and pays none at all. This excludes an additional $500,000 or so in annual allowances. Apparently this was written into Section 13 of the Income Tax Act, and applies also to the Chancellor and the Chief Justice. All of this lends to the President a mistaken perception that he is somehow better than other hard working Guyanese. There are a number of ways of looking at these numbers. The President receives $21,600,000 annually or $108,000,000 million during his term in office, excluding allowances. Additionally, he does have to pay $6,300,000 in annual income taxes, or $31,500,000 over the five-year term. These latter amounts can assist much in financing increases for the lowest paid public servants who continue
to get a raw deal. Examining these figures and the President’s declared intention to deliver on that ‘Good Life’ for Guyanese, it becomes clearer how concerned he is about improving the lot of public servants on the one hand, and how he is viewed from the global perspective as an ethical person concerned about eliminating the abuses of the executive powers enshrined in our laws, on the other hand. The President may wish to rethink his current strategy – apparently he is being guided by this – and move to rescind the relevant section. And just to restore face, he should pay all back taxes due since his installment last year. This has been an issue about which no one is talking about recently, but which the international community is quietly observing, since all of this provides insight into the basic character of the man who is the president. That he has not addressed it in the first instance is precarious enough. One gets the impression that he is playing a muted version of the game of Burnham which would definitely not sit well with international investors with the potential to transform Guyana. 2 - Prior to the elections last year the President and his government strongly advocated for job creation and higher wages. Subsequently, job creation was subsumed within his newly coined paradigm of a ‘Green Economy.’ More recently he seems to have been advocating that that we become entrepreneurs. Two changes in strategy in dealing with a crucial economic problem in just two years. If we all become entre-
preneurs, then there will be no workers left. But this might just be his point. There would be no need for the annual acrimony and negative public relations that result from consulting with unions. 3 - Some time back the President displayed what in some circles was considered gross disrespect to a section of the Private Sector by saying that they were smallminded, while proceeding to push through the name change for Ogle Airport to its current title. The concept of branding is an important revenue-generating factor in international trade relations, influencing the flow of millions of dollars in foreign currency. Interference by governments in such trivial yet important matters raises questions about what the government considers to be its true role in the economy. 4 - From this, we fast-forward to the recent move to acquire private property to serve the public interest. As have been highlighted in the press, such tactics are reminiscent of nationalisation under Burnham, and allowing for some wider perspective, may be used in the future to seize private property for redistribution to party loyalists and ministers through NICIL, which has found renewed strategic importance to the current government. The president is called upon to announce a revocation of this latter process and indicate an immediate end to any and all such activities now and in the future. I suggest that his success in office depends on decisions he makes on these issues. Craig Sylvester
Advice on how to proceed with social (inclusive of good nance front and centre of its cohesion nance management). Even based on governing philosophy. Such DEAR EDITOR, I note the newspaper reports of the government’s effort to get its social cohesion program up and running. One report, for example, informs us of a program to train 700 social cohesion advocates to foster unity within communities. All well and good! But the multitude of complaints and conflicts with regards the work of municipalities, RDC’s and NDC’s over the last several months alone suggests that the more pressing crisis within communities is the lack of good gover-
the letter columns alone, one gets the sense that communities are more concerned (and frustrated) with the performance of local government organs and the attitudes of local councillors. Corruption is most likely pervasive. Community consultations appear to be sporadic or absent. Basic services are poorly delivered. Prolonged personality and political clashes seem a norm. Several councils are accused of being unresponsive. The government needs to urgently replant good gover-
an approach is more likely to deliver tangible benefits that people can actually see and experience. As a start, the Department of Social Cohesion should recognise the fact that without the other aspects of good governance (such as participation of people, and responsiveness and transparency of governing bodies), social cohesion programs cannot get far. The government must also see the Local Government Commission as part of the effort to address this more pressing crisis. Sherwood Lowe
Thursday October 13, 2016
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UG needs Govt. support to help garner int’l funds – former lecturer
An enormous sum is required to manage institutions such as the University of Guyana (UG). This assertion was recently amplified by Kaieteur News columnist, Frederick Kissoon, during an interview. Kissoon, a former UG lecturer, has weighed-in on recent reports that the university has been embracing unprecedented moves to solicit much needed funds. Reports suggest that a 14member team of the tertiary institution recently travelled overseas to reach out to Guyanese in the Diaspora in a fundraising quest. It is alleged that the funds spent to facilitate this trip far outweighed what was garnered. Kissoon has regarded the recent trip as “inelegant and shapeless.” “First of all, the Guyanese Diaspora is too financially
Former UG lecturer, Frederick Kissoon weak...the total global Diaspora of Guyanese is too financially weak to contribute to any foreign money that would significantly impact Guyana,” said Kissoon. The most fitting help that the Guyanese Diaspora can
offer is in the areas of skills and money, he added. “We don’t have very, very rich Guyanese out there...one and two have made it but by comparative standards they cannot fork out a US$1 million and give it to UG. The simple fact is that Guyanese have done well with skills and high class jobs but not in the area of entrepreneurial wealth,” the former lecturer asserted. He is of the firm view that “if you are taking 14 people to the Guyanese Diaspora you cannot realise the kind of money UG needs like that.” Raising money for UG, Kissoon has determined, requires what he calls a “twopronged attack”. And this tactic, according to him, calls for the involvement of not only the Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University, Professor Ivelaw Griffith, but even Head of State, Presi-
dent David Granger. “Those are very, very high level people to whom rich and wealthy humanitarians will listen and it has to be a ‘one to one’ dialogue. The Vice Chancellor or the President can even engage a very wealthy institute that gives money for education,” asserted Kissoon. He stressed the need for the involvement of the two officials. He shared his belief that the appointment of a Deputy Vice Chancellor to deal with international engagements would not suffice. “Those (humanitarians) aren’t going to sit down with a Deputy Vice Chancellor to discuss giving their money; they want to at least see the Minister of Education for this country and they want to see the Vice Chancellor in that room negotiating with them,” said Kissoon.
Construction worker wrestles carjacker in trench An alleged carjacker was arrested yesterday after a 54year-old construction worker had wrestled him into a trench at Non Pareil, East Coast Demerara, and then tied him to a utility pole around 12:30 hrs. As the two men were fighting, a second accomplice escaped with Garfield Griffith’s car, bearing registration number, HB 4955. Griffith, a father of three, recalled that he was having lunch in his car that was parked in front of a construction site when two young men rode up to him on a bicycle and asked if there was any vacancy, to which he responded in the negative. “The car was on, because I was charging the phone. The other construction workers were at another building sheltering from the sun and then these guys come. I tell them that it doesn’t make sense I hire them and I don’t have money to pay them,” Griffith said. He recounted that the men then left and a few minutes
… as accomplice escapes with car
Garfield Griffith later, he spotted one of them heading in his direction on foot. “He come and ask me for a crescent (adjustable spanner) and I tell him that I don’t have, and he walk and go behind the car. I was looking at him (through the rear view mirror) to see what he was doing. In that (mirror), I see the next one come back on the bicycle, and both of them
come and ask back for work,” the victim related. He added that the men told him that they badly needed a job. “While talking to one of them, the next one walked on the bridge and he took a bottle with liquid out his pants and rushed up to me and throw it in my face. Like he was aiming for my eyes, but it go in my mouth.” Griffith said that he immediately jumped out of his vehicle and grabbed the suspect next to him and the two of them started fighting. They ended up in the trench. “I choked him in the trench, but while I had he, the other one jump in the car and drive away. I couldn’t loose the one I had, because I woulda risk losing both of
them,” the Crane, West Coast Demerara resident said. He explained that when he overpowered the suspect in the trench, the man tried to make a deal with him—let him go and he would tell him where his accomplice took the car. “When we in the trench, people start coming out and we tie he to a post when I bring he out,” the man said, while adding that the residents dealt the young man several lashes with nearby cement blocks. “I never see block (cement) loose up like how it loose up on that man.” Griffith says that he lost money, his driver’s licence, bank card and other documents. A report was made at the Vigilance Police Station, where the suspect remains in custody.
He summed up that if Professor Griffith hopes to raise substantial funds for the university he would have to start by reaching out to Government. “What the VC needs to do is have engagements with Cabinet about who in the Government will partner him for an assault on the international lending community and private funding agencies,” said Kissoon, as he considered that a US$1million could easily be utilised in two laboratories of the university. There are however some individuals who are of the view that the local private sector could play a major role in helping with the development of the university. But Kissoon shared his belief that “the private sector has serious reservations about UG and how it has been managed for the past 20 years. They are very skeptical about pouring money into an institution that they feel hasn’t got vision and leadership.” While Kissoon does not condemn this mindset of the private sector, he said, “I don’t know about Professor Griffith and therefore, I don’t want to condemn him, but all the VCs that went by and the type of Councils we have had they were not impressive enough to get the local private sector to put (significant) money into UG.” Kissoon has also speculated that any forthcoming support from the private sector may not be directed towards the overall benefit of the university. “They would want to see the university excel in market-
ing, in business and in scientific areas like sea defence and agriculture...” said Kissoon as he considered that financial support from the University may not be nearly enough to achieve the goals that UG is aiming to realise. “The Vice Chancellor alone has targeted about $6 billion from the treasury and that is a modest sum. You can’t run a hospital or a national university with top class equipment with $1million from the private sector...those are two areas of national life in a country that call for enormous resources,” Kissoon emphasised. The University is looking to Government for in excess of $5 billion in the new financial year to support its plans which include the spending of $3 billion for recurrent expenditure and $2.2 billion for capital works. Among the priorities of the administration are increased salaries for academic and non-academic staff, the provision of basic supplies and facilities that have been undermining efficiency and morale for years, campus security, and improving several of the facilities that negatively impact health and safety as well as security. But Kissoon has asserted that the University should first address its “topsy-turvy” administration structure and look to Government to help its fundraising efforts. He has highlighted that the current administration of the university is overstaffed when the university student and employee populations are taken into consideration.
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PPP to boycott President Granger’s address in Parliament today The Opposition is expected to boycott President David Granger’s address which is set to take place today in the Parliament. The PPP made this decision known via a statement to the media last night. The Party said that it is shocked at “the unfolding events in relation to Chairman of the Public Service Commission, Carvil Duncan.” It said that these events manifest the level to which the APNU+AFC Administration led by Granger will descend to assault Constitutional democracy. The implications and ramifications are deep and far reaching, the PPP expressed. The PPP said, “Mr. Duncan is the Chairman of the Public Service Commission and is an ex-officio member of the Police and Judicial Service Commissions. These Commissions were established by the Constitution to create checks and balances against Executive abuse of
Thursday October 13, 2016
Kaieteur News
power. They are independent and their officers are highly protected.” The Opposition said that a few days ago, it discovered the President and Minister of State, Joseph Harmon invited Duncan to the Ministry of the Presidency and requested that he resign. Duncan reportedly refused. As a result, the President, on September 15, last, established a Tribunal to remove him from office. “This Tribunal was established although certain criminal charges filed against Duncan are still pending in the court.” The Opposition said that this tribunal is proceeding with its work although Duncan’s lawyers have indicated that it was set up in breach of the rules of natural justice and its work will violate Duncan’s constitutional presumption of innocence and is without due process. The Party said that the implications and conse-
quences, which flow from all of this, is not only destructive to the democratic ethos, but is a frightening unleashing of Executive power on a high constitutional officeholder. In light of these very ominous developments, the Opposition said that it is impossible to sit through another lecture on democratic governance and constitutional propriety to be delivered by the President today in Parliament. “As a result, the PPP/C Members of Parliament will not be present when the President delivers his speech in the National Assembly. We have done so before and on every occasion accorded him the respect as Head of State. But we must in this instance register our protestation,” it said. The PPP/C noted, however, that it will be participating in today’s debate on the National Youth Policy, an important issue that will be up for consideration.
Social Protection staffers being trained in phone etiquette, customer satisfaction
Human Resources Professional, Audrey Williams Developing positive attitudes at work to ensure client satisfaction is the focus of a staff development training being hosted by the Ministry of Social Protection. The training began yesterday at the National Racquet Centre, Woolford Avenue. It is being facilitated by Human Resources Professional, Audrey Williams, for the Ministry’s front desk staff to boost their customer service skills. Among the staff benefitting are those from The
Palms Geriatric Institution, the Child Protection Agency, the Labour Department in Region Six, the Hugo Chavez Centre for Reintegration and Rehabilitation, and the Accounts and Management Information Systems Departments. According to the ministry, the training session focuses on customers’ needs, care and satisfaction; handling dissatisfied customers; techniques for customer service; telephone etiquette; and interpersonal skills. According to Principal
Personnel Officer, Shelton Daniels, the training session “is part of the Ministry’s continuous staff development programme for front desk officers who primarily deal with members of the public.” According to the ministry, it is a serviceoriented one and staffers often have to interface with clients in difficult situations. It is expected that this training will enhance their capabilities and improve the quality of service the ministry offers to the public.
The customer service training which began yesterday for Social Protection staffers.
Thursday October 13, 2016
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Kaieteur News
A MANAGEMENT CONTRACT IS NEEDED Electricity is too important for experimentation. The country should not be tinkering with the management of its electricity sector. If something is working why change it? For twenty years, the relationship between the government and Wärtsilä, a private company which rescued Guyana from its power woes
in the early 1990s, had led to stability in the electricity sector. Essentially, Wärtsilä power units supply power to the local grid and, under a contract with the Guyana government, they maintained these units. A short while ago, the APNU+AFC government did a most extraordinary thing. It
signed a billion-dollar consultancy contract with a foreign company to advise it on a management structure for Guyana Power & Light (GPL). The signing of that arrangement was criticised in this column because of the fact that GPL already has a model management arrangement. It has an arrangement
Dem boys seh...
Soulja Bai get a stand and Jagdeo vex People can’t tie bundle wid dem politician in dis country. Dem is a bundle of scamps. One thing good today and tomorrow de same thing bad. Carvil Duncan deh before de court fuh tekking money wha is not he own. A magistrate got to try him. This is de same man who sit down at de helm of de Judicial Service Commission wha got to appoint or promote de same magistrates or judges who got to try him. Dem boys want to know wha kind of justice you can get here. All over de world when you get charge you got to come off de wuk till de case done. But wid Guyana politicians, especially de Pee Pee Pee, dem believe that you should stay on de job and even threaten de very magistrate who trying you like how Wordsworth was investigated. De man find him skullduggery and recommend that he get charge. Instead de Pee Pee Pee knock off de man fuh finding Wordsworth guilty of criminality. In this case de magistrate or judge who find Carvil guilty might face de same fate from Carvil. Dem boys agree wid Soulja Bai and dem
couldn’t agree wid him more fuh de stance he tek against Carvil. He show that he using something to tek a stand or get a stand. And Jagdeo, that scamp, vex. He even mek de whole Pee Pee Pee get vex wid Soulja Bai fuh sending off Carvil and dem intend to boycott him today in Parliament fuh de action he tek. Dem didn’t get vex wid Babbie, not Jagdeo best friend but Rob de Earth best friend, who do de gods at de Gold Board and never get charge. He forge de Bank of Guyana man signature, and that is only a part of de scampishness he was involved in. Dem boys hear he do plenty other things. He even knock off Balram, de head, and blame de Board. He behave just like Lou Crass, from GRA who knock off a man and blame de Board. Now de Pee Pee Pee promoting this second Babbie to President of de Oil and Gas Association. Dem boys seh it is a case of embracing de scamps and vex wid de people who dealing properly wid dem. Talk half and wait fuh more revelation on Babbie and de Crass.
with Wärtsilä which has worked for more than twenty years in Guyana. Why change it now? And why change it even before the report of the billion-dollar consultation has been issued. Why not wait on the report of the consultants before committing to a decision on Wärtsilä? This is how the government is operating. It recently charged a man and placed him before the court, but instead of awaiting the imminent decision of the court, it has gone ahead and placed the man before a tribunal. It is the same thing with the Wärtsilä contract. The government has signed an agreement which will result in it receiving advice on the best model to manage GPL. But instead of waiting on that advice, it has gone ahead and decided that it will end its management contract with Wärtsilä. Perhaps, the GPL feels that the monies that it pays to Wärtsilä can be put to better use by the corporation. If
this is the case, GPL needs a lesson in history. State ownership is likely to worsen the situation in the energy sector. Everything that the PNC nationalised went bust. It took a solid bauxite industry and within ten years that industry was broke. The PNC ran into problems with sugar in the early 1980s. It then, under Desmond Hoyte, brought in Booker Tate to manage the industry. It paid that entity a huge management fee. The industry began to turn around, but just before the European Union slashed the price for sugar paid to Guyana, the PPPC decided, also, that it would be best to end the relationship with Booker Tate. The result is that the sugar industry is now losing billions of dollars each year. The electricity sector from all indications is facing a crisis, even though fuel prices have dropped significantly and the corporation should be making a profit. This is not
the time for the government to be tinkering with management contracts with GPL. Blackouts are increasing. The younger generation is now getting a taste of what it is like to live under blackouts. The dreaded load-shedding schedule is appearing in the newspapers. We are told that there is a problem with a submarine cable, but that this is going to be fixed by November. Well, if the GPL is taking so long to fix a cable, how will it do when it has to assume the management of the Wärtsilä units which supply critical power to the national grid? If something is working why tinker with it? Perhaps instead of targeting Wärtsilä, the government should advertise for a management contract for the Cabinet, because it certainly is not working as people expected.
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Thursday October 13, 2016
Kaieteur News
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
Why would the WPA want to save a govt. that doesn’t want to be saved? I found it funny the replies of Dr. David Hinds and Tacuma Ogunseye to my column as to the demise of the WPA. I asked where was the voice of the WPA which was in fact part of the Government. In their responses, both gentlemen explained that the WPA was restrained in its criticism of the mistakes of the Coalition because it didn’t want to weaken the government seeing that the PPP would capitaliase on such a situation. This has to be a funny response. Why would the WPA arrogate to itself the right to save the Coalition when the
very Coalition continues to make unnecessary mistakes every day that strengthens the PPP propaganda arsenal against it? In other words, if the Coalition doesn’t want to be saved why would the WPA want to be the protector when the very WPA is a tiny formation in the overall scheme of things and the very WPA may not be a living entity? We have yet another stumble by a government that is quickly losing its way. It would be interesting to hear if the remnants of the WPA still think it has to stay quiet because the PPP is at the gates. The Government bought
out DDL shares in the Berbice bridge company and never thought that it was the transparent thing to do to inform the nation. But it is not only the silence over the purchase that is disquieting but the buyer. The buyer is no other than NICIL. This brings into sharp focus the continued existence of NICIL. Let us rewind the tape and show David Hinds and Tacuma Ogunseye what a leper NICIL was in the eyes of APNU and AFC during the reign of President Jagdeo. The essential assault on NICIL by the opposition during the tenure of Jagdeo and Ramotar took two forms; one was that it was a mini-government. NICIL had money and power that were not open to scrutiny.
This money and power were used to transact business and facilitate investments that should have been directly done by mainstream governmental structures. The second dislike the APNU-AFC opposition had for NICIL was that it was the recipient of public monies that should have gone straight into the Consolidated Fund. When the APNU-AFC came to power, it embarked on a number of forensic audits one of which was NICIL. The question that logically must be answered by the Coalition is what are the reasons – pragmatic and theoretical – for retaining NICIL? Now the question is not why you haven’t abolished it. It is still alive therefore the nation will expect an explanation and it should come from the President, the Prime Minister, the Finance Minister or the Chairman of NICIL.
Now here is where the story gets intriguing and mysterious. The Chairmanship of NICIL was given to the WPA. Its head is Dr. Maurice Odle who sits in the WPA Executive with David Hinds and Tacuma Ogunseye. NICIL bought out DDL shares in the Berbice bridge company and chose not to inform the Guyanese people. We only know about this arrangement involving public funds from the Kaieteur News. One wonders if Hinds and Ogunseye would care to comment on Dr. Odle’s decision, first to retain NICIL and secondly to participate in NICIL’s operations that are as secret as when NICIL was in the hands of the PPP Government (media colleagues have told me Dr. Odle is virtually impossible to get hold of – doesn’t sound too Rodneyite.) Maybe Hinds and Ogunseye will restrain themselves from comments because they would not want the Coalition to look bad because the PPP wolves are at the door. But there is such a big
Frederick Kissoon but. But why they care about who is at the door when the big boys and big girls that control the power of the State do not care when they falter and how they falter? I remember the days when Jagdeo and Ramotar were in power and PPP Ministers were running from the press and the press keep pressing them and exposing them. The PNC, WPA, AFC and other opposition figures would come up to you and say, “Keep it up.” How funny this country is. The very people that told you to keep it up are now in power and they are running from the media. In the meantime, Granger and Nagamootoo are keeping NICIL alive and the PPP and Brassington are jumping for joy. So joyful are the PPP that its feels it will win the 2020 elections. I think even God has given up on Guyana.
Thursday October 13, 2016
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Kaieteur News
Govt., IDB recommit to Forest 21 percent decrease in serious crimes - Police Carbon Partnership Facility project
The Guyana Police Force has recorded a 21 percent decrease in serious crimes at the end of September when compared to the same period last year, the police said in a release yesterday. There was a nine percent reduction in murders, a five percent decrease in gun-related robberies, a 17 percent decrease in armed robberies where other instruments were used, a 15 percent decrease in robberies where no instruments were used, a 25 percent decrease in robbery with violence, a four percent decrease in robbery with aggravation and a 33 percent decrease in larceny from person. There was also a 19 percent decrease in rape, a 13 percent decrease in burglary and 21 percent decrease in Break and Enter and larceny. Sixty-seven illegal firearms were seized which includes 29 pistols, 21 revolvers, and 17 shotguns. According to the release, the reduction in serious crimes is an indication that the strategies implemented by the police are working well. The Force is confident that the strategies will continue to yield positive results and they are assuring all citizens that their collaborative effort in partnering with law enforcement is vital. As it relates to training of police ranks both locally and internationally, 97 officers and other ranks benefitted from overseas training in all aspects of policing from January to September. Trainings were offered in human trafficking for Judicial
…67 firearms seized Authorities, victim identification, referral and assistance and public corruption and ethics. The release said that the Cops and Faith Community Network (CFCN) continues to be of significant assistance to the Force. In terms of Juvenile Offenders, the network has dealt with 389 males and 134 females who have been spared by the Criminal Justice System, due to their intervention between the Complainants and Reporters, Victims and Police. In respect of Traffic Management, there has been an increase, in road fatalities, with 100 deaths recorded at the end of September, ten more than the same period last year. The police Traffic Department believes that had it not been for the launch of “Operation Safeway,” the figures would have most likely been higher. There was a reduction in serious and minor accidents by 12.2 and nine percent respectively. “Traffic Enforcement is continuous countrywide with “Operation Safeway” already creating an impact on the operators of all classes of vehicles. Special emphasis is placed on speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol and the other areas of concern, in order to reduce the carnage on our roads,” the release said.
Some of the stakeholders at the workshop. In an effort to enhance Guyana’s response to climate change, the Ministry of Natural Resources, working jointly with the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB), recommitted to further advancing efforts on the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) Project in Guyana. Stakeholders, during the meeting held on October 5-6 at the Pegasus Hotel, were updated on the scope of the FCPF and the efforts of the Government of Guyana to establish an enabling framework and build the
country’s capacity for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+). A large section of stakeholders including nongovernmental organisations, the private sector, the Indigenous Peoples’ associations, civil society and Government ministries, participated in the two-day meeting and benefitted from presentations on REDD+ and the FCPF Project and its objectives. “Participants also actively engaged in robust group and individual discussions on
various elements of the programme and heard from a representative of the Government of Peru on the development, process and challenges of that country in implementing its FCPF programme,” the ministry explained. The US$3.8M grant programme is dedicated to addressing governance issues and building
stakeholder capacity so that Guyana can be eligible to benefit from investments that would realise shared benefits for stakeholder communities. The Ministry of Natural Resources is putting in place more robust institutional arrangements to engage all stakeholders and support the execution phase of the project to ensure successful implementation.
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Kaieteur News
Thursday October 13, 2016
Four out of ffiive people ha ve visual impair ment hav impairment Eighty per cent of blindness is avoidable. In fact it has been established that four out of five people have visual impairment that is preventable or treatable. This is according to information disseminated by the Ministry of
Public Health and the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) to raise awareness about World Sight Day (WSD). WSD is an international day of awareness held annually on the second Thursday
of October. Today it will seek to amplify the global issue of avoidable blindness and visual impairment. WSD is coordinated by the International Agency for Prevention of Blindness and visual impairment. The day’s
activities are coordinated by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB). It became an official IAPB event in 2000 and has been marked in many different ways in countries around the world each year since
- But prevention is possible with collaboration then. WSD is the focal advocacy and PR event for IAPB and its members and partners each year, which seek to emphasise that the majority of blind cases are avoidable. WSD provides a platform for organisations to encourage governments, corporations, institutions and individuals to actively support global blindness prevention efforts. The celebration this year will embrace the notion of “stronger together” which amplifies the call to celebrate partnerships and friendships. IAPB urges focus on all the stakeholders who are important for successful delivery of eye care to consider all the various people who engage with eye care including ophthalmologists, optometrists, ophthalmic nurses, donors, patients, and others. “Clearly, successes are made possible by the fact that these groups work together. The more groups that are brought together—the diabetic community, the irreparably blind, vulnerable groups, including those with other disabilities—the stronger the fight against blindness becomes,” stated a joint message from the Public Health Minister and the GPHC. Local Activities to observe WSD will include the two entities collaborating to host a mini-exhibition. During that event, sched-
uled to be held in the East Street lobby of GPHC’s main building, key information will be displayed about the eye health issues. Exhibitions are also slated to be held in other areas such as shopping malls, schools and there are plans for the GPHC Eye Clinic to offer Free Eye Screening for patients between 08:00 hours to 12noon. Also to observe the day, local non-governmental organisation, Eye Care Guyana, and GPHC, have planned to host a World Sight Day Continuing Medical Education (CME) Session on Eye Care for Medical Professionals, Optometrists and Students on October 23. These CME sessions will be done by esteemed Caribbean Ophthalmologists who will be in Guyana to organise the hosting of the annual Ophthalmological Society of West Indies (OSWI) in July 2017. This will be the first time Guyana will be hosting this important regional event. Also the University of Guyana’s School of Optometry will be having activities on the Turkeyen campus. In addition to an Ophthalmological Conference, Optometrists including the Guyana Association of Optometrists, Courts Optical and Optique Vision Care will also be involved in various activities during this period.
With many speculating that the case against Marceline Small, the woman whose pit bulls killed a man and attacked two others at Leonora, West Coast Demerara almost a month ago has been dropped, Commander Leslie James has reassured that the investigation is still ongoing. Yesterday, the acting Commander of ‘D’ Division said that after the investigation is completed, the file will be sent for legal advice. He explained that the police ranks will most likely complete their investigation today and the file will be sent off. Earlier, there were questions as to why the ferocious dogs were not taken away from Small by the Guyana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA) after the vicious attack; however president for the organisation, Oliver Insanally said that GSPCA has no authority to do so. Insanally explained that organisation is a ‘friendly’ one and does not have the authority to investigate or remove
animals. He said that the matter is one that the police have to investigate and if they are asked for assistance in removing the four dogs, then the GSPCA will help. Small, the wife of Jarvis Small, who was sentenced to 96 years in prison for the 2010 murder of Neesa Gopaul, was released on $100,000 station bail. Reports are that the dogs ran out of the gate which was left open on September 15, last and created havoc in the community. It is believed that they first attacked Wilmark Adams, a GuySuCo worker of Cornelia Ida and Ramanand Bhikam, a security guard of Stewartville, West Coast Demerara (WCD) before killing a vagrant. The vagrant, who has been identified as “Boxer” was found a few houses away from Small’s residence with teeth marks about the body. From all indications, the man succumbed to the injury he sustained to his neck.
Commander clears the air on Leonora pit bulls case
Thursday October 13, 2016
Kaieteur News
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SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, C a n a da & UK; Guyana passport 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. Passport, permanent & visitor visa application, Professional Immigrant Consultant – Sabita Immigration Services. Call: 225-6496; 662-6045 We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer-Call: 231-0655; 683-8734. Omar RAMDASS VISA APPLICATION & immigration services, room A-4, Maraj Building, Georgetown. Call Samantha: 227-0295; 6159295
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Oswin J’s Auto Imports: New Arrivals: Premio, Allion, Fielder, Axio, Rush, X-Trail. Free full coverage insurance. Call: 609-2815
Need a fast & reliable delivery service? Delivery of meals, documents, groceries & more. SmartCart Delivery. Call: 225-9727/679-7575/6196218
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One live- in or live out maid. Call: 603-5416/ 644-9802 Experienced taxi drivers (hire car) and dispatcher at Princess Ramada Hotel. Call: 265-7076/ 616-5419
HEALTH Your health can improve. Contact Hazel’s Herbal Store. Call: 226-9136
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Jet men for land dredge + 1 male cook to work in the interior -$100,000 monthly. Call: 694-2310 1 Driver for office in Eccles. Call: 233-2745 1 Domestic worker @ Dr. Miller Street Must be hardworking and trustworthy, ages40-55. Call: 220-7747
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ACCOMMODATION
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Live in waitresses to work in bar– Call:692-4649/604-6606
LEARN TO DRIVE
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Guytec Repairs Services & Spares to washing machines, pressure washer, dryer, stoves, refrigerator, treadmill, vacuum, etc –Call: 680-2377
Thursday October 13, 2016
Kaieteur News
1-3 Bedrooms apartment at Better Hope, Back Street, East Coast Demerara. Call: 220-1583 TO LET Newly constructed building having three kitchenettes for single p e r s o n s o n We s t S i d e . Call:617-0055/689-9898
1-3 Bedrooms upper flat with master bedroom. 1-2 Bedroom bottom flat, fenced yard @ Tuschen Housing Scheme. Call: 692-5525/ 266-3973 Continued on page 29
Thursday October 13, 2016
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Kaieteur News
High Court trial for accused in Linden businesswoman murder Stafarei Hopkinson who is currently on remand for the murder of Linden business woman, Shevon Gordon, was yesterday, committed to stand trial in the High Court for attempted murder by Magistrate Leron Daly, at the conclusion of a preliminary inquiry (PI). The Magistrate found that there was sufficient evidence for Hopkinson, a/k William Alexander, 33, of Laing Avenue, West Ruimveldt, Georgetown to stand trial for allegedly discharging a loaded firearm at taxi driver, Curtis Thom, with intent to murder him on March 23, 2015 at Laing Avenue, West Ruimveldt.
According to reports, Thom, a 48-year-old taxi driver of Lot 138 Laing Avenue was shot to the chest and right shoulder by two men, one of whom is believed to be Hopkinson around 1:00hrs, on the day in question. Kaieteur News understands that Thom’s shooters are known to him, and the shooting was an execution attempt. Hopkinson was captured seven months after Gordon’s murder in the backlands. He and a group of men had allegedly robbed several persons at gunpoint at a Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara supermarket on November 3, 2015.
According to reports, on April 4, 2015 at Lot 125 One Mile Linden, a group of armed men confronted Gordon, who had just disembarked her Canter truck in front of her home. The men demanded that the woman hand over a bag she was carrying. One of them fired shots in the air and the business woman was shot while struggling to maintain possession of her bag. Hopkinson is currently before the court on four counts of robbery underarms. Based on reports, Hopkinson was among a group of men that stormed the supermarket and held up
businesswoman Lakeranie Singh and her employees at gunpoint. They reportedly beat the businesswoman about her body and escaped with cash, jewellery and other valuables. According to reports, the bandits appeared to be well informed about the supermarket, since they escaped with a DVR, which recorded footage from surveillance cameras located at strategic points on the premises. The men reportedly escaped in Singh’s Toyota IST, with the police hot in pursuit. They fled into a nearby backland, but were subsequently captured after fire was set to the bushes.
From page 28
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MURDER ACCUSED: Stafarei Hopkinson
Construction worker remanded for illegal gun, ammunition Delson Wade appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman, in the Georgetown Magistrate Court, on Wednesday, to answer to the charges of illegal gun and ammunition possession. The court heard that on October 6, the defendant had in his possession three live .380 rounds of ammunition when not being
the holder of a firearm licence. It was also alleged that on the same day in question he had in his possession one .380 pistol when he was not a licenced firearm holder. The 30-year-old man, pleaded not guilty to both charges when they were read to him. According to the facts presented by Police prosecutor,
Shawn Gonsalves, on the day in question a search was conducted by police officers and the items were found in his possession. The Police Prosecutor said that the defendant was previously charged in another court for illegal firearm possession. The father of five when given a chance to address the court,
said that he spent five days in the lock-ups and did not understand what is going on. He said when the police carried out a search on him they found a pellet gun. He also claimed that he took away the gun from a 13-year-old school boy who had shot him earlier.
He went on to ask the Magistrate for bail at a reasonable sum, because he is the sole bread winner for his family and has five children to take care of. Bail was refused by the Magistrate and he was remanded to prison and will make his next court appearance on November 2.
Cop denies assaulting Jason Abdulla in Freddie Kissoon trial Police Constable Keron Pickering, a detective attached to the Major Crimes Investigations Unit, yesterday denied that he placed a black bag over the head of Jason Abdulla, one of the three men charged with a 2010 assault on newspaper columnist, Frederick Kissoon. Constable Pickering was called to testify on behalf of the prosecution, when the trial of Abdulla, Kwame McCoy and Shawn Hinds for an alleged May 24, 2010 assault on Kissoon continued y e s t e r d a y, before Magistrate Judy Latchman. According to reports, the trio is accused of throwing fecal matter into Kissoon’s face, when he e m e rg e d f r o m N i g e l ’s Supermarket, Robb Street, Georgetown on May 24, 2010. It was reported that the men walked up to the n e w s p a p e r c o l u m n i s t ’s vehicle and threw the substance on him. Based on reports, after the attack Kissoon managed to drive behind the perpetrators who ran north along Light Street then west into North Road, before entering a waiting motorcar. Kissoon reportedly tried to intercept the motorcar but backed off to avoid a collision. Guided by Police Prosecutor, Shawn Gonsalves, the police witness told the court that he did not beat Abdulla, while he was in custody at the Criminal Investigations Department, Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown.
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Newspaper Columnist, Frederick Kissoon During his testimony, Constable Pic k e r i n g recalled Attorney Euclin Gomes visiting Abdulla at C I D H e a d q u a rters. The witness stated that after the defendant made allegations of being beaten by police ranks, he was transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for medical attention. Attorney Glenn Hanoman, who is representing Abdulla in association with Gomes, asked the witness if he observed any swelling on his client’s left foot. In response, the witness said he saw no injuries. H o w e v e r, C o n s t a b l e Pickering pointed out that he never heard Abdulla making any complaints to Gomes, since he was in close proximity to where they were conversing. Police Constable Kerry Joseph faced cross examination from Attorneys Hanoman and George Thomas, who is representing Hinds. During questioning from
Shawn Hinds
Kwame McCoy
Jason Abdulla
Hanoman, Constable Joseph denied being in the company of anyone who threw faeces on Kissoon. H e s a i d t h a t he did not transport anyone who tossed the substance at the columnist. According to this witness, some time after the
incident he was contacted by Police Inspector Elexy, whom he said, put an allegation to him. However, he disclosed that he was never charged in relation to the assault. In response to a question by Attorney Thomas, Constable Joseph said that
he and Shawn Hinds do not share a close relationship. This trial has been adjourned until October 27, when the police witnesses are expected to be cross examined by Latchmie Rahamat, Attorney for McCoy.
Body of decomposed male found at Craig river dam
Undertakers removing the body yesterday Detectives were summoned yesterday to remove the body of an unidentified man from the foreshore at Craig, East Bank Demerara (EBD), in the vicinity of Kingdom Hall. When this newspaper
arrived at the scene just after 17:00 hrs, police were waiting on undertakers from the Lyken Funeral Home to move the remains. The body, which is of East Indian descent and five feet, four inches in
height, is beyond recognition. It was clad in a threequarter pants and a red jersey. Reports are that the body was spotted when a man from the area went there to answer a call of nature.
PEN PAL Single woman seeking male for serious relationship, must be single and hardworking. Call: 691-8708
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Kaieteur News
Kerry, Lavrov to resume talks on Syria despite war crimes row Reuters - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will meet his Russian counterpart in Switzerland on Saturday to discuss Syria, officials said yesterday, as a devastating bombing campaign of the city of Aleppo intensified. The Syrian government launched an assault to capture rebel-held areas of Aleppo last month with Russian air support and Iranianbacked militias, a week into a ceasefire agreed by Washington and Moscow. Kerry broke off talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov last week over the offensive, which has included air strikes on hospitals that the United States and France said amounted to war crimes for which Syria and Russia were responsible. The Syrian and Russian
governments blamed their foes for breaking the ceasefire and said they target only militants in the city, the last major urban stronghold of the Western-backed rebels, where more than 250,000 people are trapped under siege. The resumption of talks, despite the offensive, was a sign of the lack of options facing Western nations over the Syria conflict, where they worry scaled-up arms supplies for the rebels could end up in the hands of jihadist groups. Russia’s Foreign Ministry said Kerry and Lavrov would meet in the Swiss city of Lausanne to consider steps towards settling the conflict. The meeting was expected to include foreign ministers from Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Iran. The U.S. State De-
partment said Kerry had called for the meeting and would attend, but declined to say what foreign ministers other than Lavrov had been invited or would attend. White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Washington remained committed to a “deep multilateral engagement” to reduce the violence in Syria which would “necessarily” involve Russia too. “But it is no longer in the context of trying to broker this agreement that would ... hold out the prospect of U.S. military cooperation with Russia. That’s something that Russia has lost... the credibility to be able to try to agree to,” he said. Yesterday, 25 people were killed by heavy air strikes on rebel-held areas of Aleppo, the Civil Defence, a rescue service working in rebel-held areas, said on Twitter, adding that 15 of them were killed at a market place in the Fardous district. The Syrian army has denied targeting civilians.
Thursday October 13, 2016
Putin rejects accusations of meddling in U.S. election Reuters - Russian President Vladimir Putin insisted yesterday his country was not involved in an effort to influence the U.S. presidential election even as WikiLeaks released another trove of internal documents from Hillary Clinton’s campaign. Last week, the U.S. government formally accused Russia of launching a hacking campaign to “interfere with the U.S. election process.” Clinton’s campaign, which has charged the Kremlin is trying to help Republican Donald Trump win the White House on Nov. 8, took its allegations a step further
on Tuesday when John Podesta, chairman of the Democratic nominee’s campaign, accused the Trump campaign of colluding with Russia. At events in Florida, Trump said he had nothing to do with Putin or Russia. “I promise you, I don’t have any business deals with Russia,” Trump said at a rally in Lakeland. In Moscow, Putin said nothing in the hacking scandal is in Russia’s interests and accused all sides in the U.S. presidential campaign of misusing rhetoric about Russia for their own purposes. “They started this hyste-
ria, saying this (hacking) is in Russia’s interests, but this has nothing to do with Russia’s interests,” Putin told a business forum. Putin said his government would work with whoever won the U.S. election, “if, of course, the new U.S. leader wishes to work with our country.” WikiLeaks, the organization started by Julian Assange that publishes leaked information on the internet, this week released thousands of emails from Podesta’s email account and has not said how it obtained them. Last week, it posted excerpts from Clinton’s private speeches to banking and financial firms.
Trump presidency ‘dangerous’, says UN rights chief
Donald Trump
Zeid Raad al-Hussein
Donald Trump’s “deeply unsettling and disturbing” views make him a danger internationally, the UN’s human rights chief has said. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Raad al-Hussein cited Mr Trump’s comments on the use of torture and his attitude to “vulnerable communities”. The Republican presidential candidate’s campaign has been marked by a number of controversial comments. Recent crude remarks about women have caused the biggest political fallout. Overnight President Barack Obama, at a rally for Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton, condemned those comments, saying: “The guy
says stuff that nobody would find tolerable if they were applying for a job at 7-Eleven.” Mr Hussein said at a news briefing in Geneva: “If Donald Trump is elected on the basis of what he has said already and unless that changes - I think it is without any doubt that he would be dangerous from an international point of view.” Mr Hussein said he was “not keen or intent on interfering in any political campaign within any particular country”. But he said that when an election could result in an increase in the use of torture “or the focus on vulnerable communities in a way that suggests that they may well be deprived of their human
rights, then I think it is incumbent to say so”. Mr Hussein has spoken out before on Mr Trump’s policies, saying in June that “bigotry is not proof of strong leadership”, while in September he launched a scathing attack on Western populist politicians, branding them “demagogues and political fantasists”. During the campaign, Mr Trump has said that “torture works” and has promised to bring back “a lot worse than waterboarding”. Waterboarding and other harsh interrogation techniques previously used by US forces on terror suspects have been banned by the Obama administration. Mr Trump said of waterboarding in June: “I like it a lot. I don’t think it’s tough enough.” His comments on migrants, Mexicans in particular, have drawn fire from rights activists. He has vowed to build a wall along the Mexican border and in June 2015 branded some Mexican migrants “rapists” and “murderers”. Mr Hussein’s latest comments are unlikely to change the New York billionaire’s harsh criticism of the United Nations. “The United Nations is not a friend of democracy,” Mr Trump said in March. “It’s not a friend even to the United States of America, where as we all know, it has its home.” He has criticised the US spending on the organisation. In April, he said: “Where do you ever see the United Nations? Do they ever settle anything? It’s just like a political game. The United Nations - I mean the money we spend on the United Nations.” (BBC)
Thursday October 13, 2016
Kaieteur News
T&T PM denounces security breach …after Opposition displays pictures of children PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - (CMC) — Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley yesterday expressed his disappointment at the breach in state security that allowed an opposition legislator to use the ongoing budget debate to show pictures of children holding firearms “with a striking resemblance to senior government officials”. Rowley, speaking in Parliament, said that the children were under the “supervision and control of the state security services” and that they were “photographed by elements of the state security services”. He said he was surprised that the pictures ended up being shown in Parliament, thereby putting the lives of the children at risk. “Two things happen here. The officer who would have taken that picture and to have publicised it as part of the work going on at Camp Cumuto that officer would have breached a level of security and has created a threat for the children of the attorney general.” Rowley told legislators that he was appealing to “those fortunate persons who are in our security system, especially those who are charged with the responsibility of protecting officers of state and their families that they have a duty and they must have some respect for
Dr Keith Rowley the job that they carry out. “Because if it is you lose confidence in the people around you who are to safeguard you from those who would want to harm you, I rather be without them,” he said. “This is a very serious matter. Recently I had to remove special branch from the prime minister’s detail because they went on a platform and say they can’t guarantee the prime minister’s security and the parliamentarians who are supposed to hold people accountable for their jobs…that’s a mark to frighten all of us,” he said with respect to the statement by opposition legislator Dr Roodal
Moonilal. “It is a mark that should frighten all of us because it means it is irresponsible on the part of the officer who took that picture,” he said, reminding legislators that the children “were under the supervision of the highest level of security in the country”. On Tuesday, opposition legislator Dr Roodal Moonilal told Parliament that “it was shocking” for him to have received “photos of young children in this country with highpowered weapons training somewhere. “I’m told the weapon is the UMP nine millimetre calibre,” he said, adding that they were commonly used by the Defence Force. “What is more frightening and I say this with trepidation, is that I am told these children bear a striking resemblance to the children of a senior Cabinet minister,” he said. “I’d say they are children with a striking resemblance to senior government officials. I will now ask the attorney general – I’ll pass it to him – if he recognises the children in this photo.” Moonilal said that he understood the pictures were taken out in October 2015 and posted on a Facebook page named, ‘Kick out the PNM (People’s National Movement)’.
Hurricane Nicole bears down on Bermuda Miami (AFP) - Hurricane Nicole barreled toward Bermuda yesterday as a Category 2 storm, just days after Matthew killed hundreds in the Caribbean, mostly in Haiti. Packing 100 mile (155 kilometer) per hour winds, Nicole was 320 miles (520 kilometers) southwest of Bermuda at 1200 GMT. The storm was heading northwest at about seven miles (11 kilometers) per hour in the Atlantic, and is expected on or near the British island territory within the next 24 hours. “Hurricane conditions are expected to begin on Bermuda this morning, with tropical
storm conditions expected to begin by late today or tonight,” the NHC said in one of its updates yesterday. “A dangerous storm surge is expected to produce coastal flooding in Bermuda. Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive winds,” said the NHC, adding that rainfall of up to eight inches (20 centimeters) is anticipated. Nicole already has disrupted the next US cargo supply trip to the International Space Station. Initially set for today, the launch now has been delayed until Sunday, NASA officials said.
‘Legal age for marriage should be 18 for all’ Trinidad Express - The legal age for marriage should be set at 18 for young people in Trinidad and Tobago. And sexual help services should be made available to young people, especially those who are between the ages of 16 and 18. Chair of the Institute for -Gender and Development -Studies Dr Gabrielle Hosein shared these two recommendations Tuesday after a public forum hosted by the institute, in collaboration with the Coalition to End Child Marriage in T&T, at the Institute of International Relations, The University of the West Indies, St Augustine. Among the panellists were director of the Women’s Institute for Alternative Development Folade Mutota,
executive director of the -Family Planning Association (FPA) Dona Da Costa-Martinez, president of the Hindu Women’s -Organisation Brenda -Gopeesingh and co--director of Womantra Khadija Sinanan. Consensus among the speakers was that there was the need to change the four existing marriage acts (Hindu, Muslim, Orisa and civil) to have a legal age of 18. Hosein said: “We wanted to set the basis for marriage from global data regarding what’s best for girls’ lives. Our recommendation is that the age of consent for marriage be set to 18. It is not just for the Hindus, Muslims or Christians. But age 18 should be for all of Trinidad and Tobago. “However, we are also
concerned about the implications of setting both the age of consent and the age for marriage at 18. A minor cannot consent to sexual relations with an adult. We want the age of childhood, consent and marriage being set at 18. “We recommend the age of consent be set to 18 since the global data suggests girls’ -vulnerability is exacerbated by lower levels of education and even maternal mortality. All the data suggests 18 because it correlates with a number of issues.” Moving to sexual help -services provision, Hosein -added: “In terms of legislation, sexual help services provision makes it difficult for those who wish to provide services for -minors under the age of 18.
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Thursday October 13, 2016
Kaieteur News
Venezuela’s intelligence chief…
Accuses opposition of terrorist acts, assassination CARACAS, Venezuela (UPI) — The head of Venezuela’s Bolivarian Intelligence Service, or SEBIN, has accused some opposition members of terrorist acts and assassination in efforts to remove President Nicolas Maduro from power. SEBIN Director Gustavo González López, formerly the minister of interior and justice, said on Tuesday Carlos Ocariz, a mayor of the Sucre municipality in the Miranda state, is one of those being investigated over al-
leged terrorist acts. González López spoke about two incidents: a video released by the Justice First opposition party which González López said incites military rebellion, and the launch of a grenade at a Venezuelan National Guard post in the Sucre municipality. “These facts c o n s t i tute a terrorist escalation,” González López said, adding that those involved have already been arrested by the intelligence agency. Ocariz and his administration, including local police, are being investigated to
see if they were involved in the grenade attack, González López said. “All accomplices of these facts are linked directly or indirectly with the mayor of Sucre,” González López wrote in a statement. The intelligence chief also said this year ’s killings of Ricardo Duran, a p r o m i n e n t Ve n e z u e l a n pro-government journalist and national award winner, and Gen. Felix Velasquez, a key military commander under late former President Hugo Chavez, were “targeted” assassinations by elements of the opposition.
‘Body Cameras Not The Answer’
Lewin Says Equipment Not A Crime-Fighting Tool The Gleaner - Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin, former chief-of-staff of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) and commissioner of police, has come out against the use of body cameras by local police as an effective tool in the fight against crime and improving public trust. Members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) are now in training to use the audio-recording devices, which are slated for roll-out on a pilot basis in six police divisions by month end. “We are wrapping up training and in another week or so they will be out there on the road,” superintendent of police at the Information and Communications Technology Division, Norris Rhooms, told The Gleaner via telephone Tuesday. Personnel from the Kingston Central, Kingston Eastern, St Andrew South, St Andrew Central, Traffic, and Motorised Patrol divisions will be the first batch to use the technology. However, Lewin, who served as commissioner of police from November 2007 to December 2009, has slammed the idea of body cameras as an effective standalone strat-
Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin
egy to improve the relationship between the police and the public. “We have certain finite resources and I don’t think body cameras are the critical thing right now. CCTV (closed circuit television) that helps crime fighting (but) body camera does nothing. All it’s going to do is tell us how bad the thing is, but we are not dealing with the complex, human, cultural issues that make the use of body cameras necessary. We are going up the wrong road. We not prioritising,” he told a Gleaner Editors’ Forum Tuesday.
However, even as he admitted that there was some value in the use of CCTV as an effective crime-monitoring tool, the former chief-of-staff warned against promoting the use of technology over human interaction. “We are trying to use technology to solve some complex human issues and we’re not tackling the demanding work of some very basic functions of accountability, management, and so - and going with technology isn’t going to fix it. We’re following and being seduced by every FirstWorld thing we see on TV. It is stupid!” he declared.
Venezuela top court: President can bypass Congress on budget CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Critics of Venezuela’s socialist administration are denouncing as undemocratic a move to bypass Congress’ role in approving the country’s budget. The South American country’s top court ruled yesterday that it could approve President Nicolas Maduro’s budget instead
of the opposition-controlled Congress. The court has systematically dismantled Congress’ power after the opposition took control of the body in January. Congress President Henry Ramos says the ruling reflects the court’s “criminal attitude.” Judges said the change in which body approves the
budget was needed to guarantee constitutional order. Maduro would surely have faced a fight with opposition leaders in Congress to get his agenda through. Also yesterday, opposition leaders held small rallies around the country to demand that the government allow a recall referendum against Maduro to proceed this year.
Thursday October 13, 2016
Kaieteur News
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Thursday October 13, 2016
Kaieteur News
A medal for Uncle Ranny If you traverse the Agricola Public Road in the mornings between 7:30 and about 9:00 hours, you are likely to have passed Uncle Ranny. He may have stopped the vehicle you were in, so persons can cross the road or, he may have helped you across the road. This is what he does. Randolph Smith better known as Uncle Ranny is well-known not only in Agricola but also to the thousands who pass him every weekday. For over 20 years Uncle Ranny has been assisting school children and adults to cross the very busy Agricola public road. Uncle Ranny said he was born on the July 23, 1934. He explained that he moved to Georgetown in 1953 and from 1965 to 1974 he worked with Bookers. In 1994 he joined the staff of the Agricola Primary School and that is where his passion for helping people blossomed. Though he no longer lives in Agricola, he still makes every effort to ensure the children are safe when crossing the road, even when they attempt to use the road in an unsafe manner. “Some of the children misbehave also, so I have to be telling them stand up cause some still want to run across the road and they have vehicles on that (other) side that don’t stop so there is a lot of headache with some of the children them but I never had an accident with me on the road for the time,” Uncle Ranny said. Residents of Agricola, young and old, motorists and all who traverse the Agricola public road, all compliment Uncle Ranny for his service to society. Alicia Roach, who lives in
Randolph Smith better known as Uncle Ranny doing his thing. the area, was very happy when she saw GINA speaking with Uncle Ranny to get his story. She wanted to add her bit. “This is something I really want to do for Uncle Ranny. He is one of the best in Agricola and I don’t think he (is being) paid. So God bless him!” Shontel Matthews said that Uncle Ranny is doing something great. “Ranny is a fixture in this community for over a number of years assisting the school children in the crossing of the road even the elderly and even us workers when the traffic is heavy he would ensure everyone crosses safely,” Matthews said. Dennis Matthews, who
has benefitted from the humanitarian service, said Uncle Ranny has been a great help to him. “Uncle Ranny is a good guy. I know him since nursery (school) crossing everyone. I think he needs a medal or something for his service for helping us every day,” he said. Other residents from Agricola also praised Uncle Ranny for his service to the people of the community. If you travel the East Bank of Demerara road in the mornings, you surely would have passed one of Guyana’s real life heroes. Mark Twain once said “Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see”.
Thursday October 13, 2016
Kaieteur News
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Two months after Rio, Russian Olympic chief to step down MOSCOW (Reuters) The head of Russia’s Olympic Committee, Alexander Zhukov, is stepping down, in the biggest change at the top of Russian sport since a doping scandal led to the country’s track-and-field athletes being excluded from the Rio Games. President Vladimir Putin said Zhukov had told him he wanted to leave the role so he could concentrate on his other job as first deputy speaker in the lower house of parliament. “This is without doubt the right thing, we support it completely,” Putin told a meeting of sports officials attended by Zhukov on Tuesday, adding that he “has done a lot for sport and, I hope, will do more still”. Zhukov was given the tough task of trying to persuade the International
Olympic Committee not to ban Russia entirely from the Rio Games despite damning reports from the Wo r l d Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) that uncovered widespread statesponsored cheating. His l o w - k e y, behind-thescenes style was in contrast to the forceful approach of Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko, who is well known for emotional outbursts. Russia was eventually allowed to send athletes in most sports other than track and field, but was banned from the subsequent Paralympics. Whoever replaces Zhukov will play a key role in trying to clean up Russia’s reputation and heal relations with the wider Olympic movement an important priority for a country that sees sporting
success as a symbol of its power and world standing. SOCHI COVER-UP Russian officials made no connection between Zhukov’s departure and the doping allegations. “In most of the cases, these were made up and were unfounded, in order to totally discredit Russian sport,” Mikhail Mamiashvili, president of Russia’s Wrestling Federation, told Reuters. Zhukov, a Putin ally and former deputy prime minister, has been president of the Russian Olympic Committee since 2010, and was chairman of the Organising Committee for the 2014 Winter Olympics in the southern resort of Sochi. Russia lavished some $50 billion on the Games, a prestige project for Putin, and finished top of the medals table. But a WADAcommissioned report this
year described how, in a clandestine night-time operation, positive samples from athletes who had cheated were smuggled out of a lab through a hole drilled in the wall, and then replaced with clean samples. Russia acknowledged that there were shortcomings in its anti-doping operations, but Zhukov was among those who argued it was being unfairly singled out for punishment for political reasons while doping by other countries was ignored. Zhukov quickly rose through the ranks at the International Olympic Committee, which this year appointed him to an influential role as head of the commission overseeing Beijing’s preparation to host the 2022 Winter Olympics.
Nadal stunned... Thursday October 13, 2016 ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) Leave your checkbook and credit cards at home. You may not be too pleased with the actions of those you live with.
LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) Delve into your work if you can't make amends at home. You'll be able to discuss your ambitions with your mate.
TAURUS (Apr. 21- may 21) Social activities or travel should be in your plans. Your tendency to overreact could get you into trouble.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Don't push your luck with your boss. Leave things as they are for the moment and focus on reaching your highest potential at work.
GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Need some adventure in your life? Exotic destinations beckon you. Your concern with older family members and those less fortunate than yourself will only add to your attractiveness.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) You always seem to spend more than you make. Make changes around your house and plan to do some entertaining.
CANCER (June 22-July 22) You can mesmerize anyone you meet with your cultured attitude and outlook. Discuss your objectives with peers or lovers. LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Anger might lead to carelessness and minor Injuries. You should not be concerned with coworkers who insist on spreading rumors. VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Romance can develop; however, it will most probably be short-lived. Don't let situations get out of hand.
CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) You could do extremely well in competitive sports events. Rest and relaxation will be more favorable than you think. Get on with business. AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 -Feb. 19) You may be tempted to spend too much on entertainment or luxury items. Try not to donate to organizations if you can hardly afford to take care of yourself. PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) You can expect to have some problems with skin, bones, or teeth if you haven't taken proper care of them.
From page 26 onditions,” Murray told reporters. “I was timing the ball well. I felt like I was controlling a lot of the rallies. Yeah, for a first match after playing pretty different conditions a few days ago, it was good.” Australia’s Nick Kyrgios lost to Germany’s Mischa Zverev 6-3 6-1 with another controversial display in which he appeared uninterested throughout, landing a series of halfhearted serves and barely moving to meet his opponent’s returns. The 21-year-old also clashed with spectators before being booed off the court after a match that lasted just 48 minutes. Kyrgios, later apologized on his Twitter account, saying his performance was “not good enough”. Seventh seed Tomas Berdych lost to Marcel Granollers of Spain 7-6(4) 76(1), while third seed Stan Wawrinka, the U.S. Open Champion, beat Britain’s Kyle Edmund 6-3 6-4 and Canada’s Vasek Pospisil battled past Grigor Dimitrov 7-5 7-6(2).
Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) chief Alexander Zhukov attends a news conference ahead of Russian Olympic team departure to Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Moscow, Russia. (REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov)
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England win ODI series to end Bangladesh’s home run (Reuters) England’s Chris Woakes hit a six off Shafiul Islam to seal a series-clinching four-wicket victory in the third and final one-day international against Bangladesh on Wednesday. Sam Billings justified his selection with his maiden fifty and Ben Duckett registered his second half-century of the series but it was Ben Stokes’ unbeaten 47 off 48 balls that helped England pull off a tricky 278-run chase with 13 balls to spare. Put into bat in Chittagong, Bangladesh had posted a strong 277-6 on the back of a string of top order cameos and Mushfiqur Rahim’s unbeaten 67 down the order. The 2-1 ODI series defeat was Bangladesh’s first at home in two years. England’s chase got off to a good start before Nasir Hossain dismissed James Vince for 32. Having added 63 runs with Vince, Billings added another 64 with Duckett, the duo helping themselves to fluent half-centuries in the process. At 227-4 in the 41st over, England looked heavy favourites but Mashrafe
The England team pose for a picture after winning the third One Da y International and the series. (REUTERS/Cathal McNaughton) Mortaza struck twice, dismissing England captain Jos Buttler (25) and Moeen Ali (one) in quick succession to inject fresh excitement into
the contest. Stokes, however, maintained his composure and hit two sixes and a boundary while running hard between
Nadal stunned, Murray cruises, Kyrgios slumps in Shanghai (Reuters) Fourth seed Rafa Nadal was stunned by Serb Viktor Troicki in an upset-filled Shanghai Masters second round on Wednesday while Andy Murray breezed past American Steve Johnson and Nick Kyrgios slumped to a listless defeat. Troicki, ranked 31st in the world, overcame Nadal 6-3 76(3) in an hour and 34 minutes to secure his first ever victory in five previous attempts against the 14-time grand slam winner. The unseeded Serb broke twice to seal the opening set before Nadal came back strongly in the second. The Spaniard saved a match point at 5-4 down but was defeated in the tiebreak. “I played really well,” Troicki said. “I was aggressive, I served well, I hit the ball nice. It was a great feeling on the court playing like this... against Rafa Nadal, who is a great champion.” Twice Shanghai Masters champion Murray, who claimed the China Open title last week, had no such trouble as he won 6-3 6-2 as he won 70 percent of second-serve return points. The second-seeded Briton, who scraped through a testing encounter with
the wickets to keep England on course. Woakes proved a worthy partner as the duo added 42 runs in 32 balls to seal the victory. Earlier, Buttler won the toss and decided to field but had to wait until the 19th over for a breakthrough. Tamim Iqbal (45) and Imrul Kayes (46) added 80 runs for the opening stand before the guile of Adil Rashid (4-43), combined with some poor shot selection by the
home batsmen, pegged back Bangladesh. After Stokes sent back Kayes, Rashid dismissed Tamim, who became the first Bangladesh batsman to reach 5000 ODI runs, with a short and wide delivery. Mahmudullah opened his account with a six off the legspinner but Rashid had the last laugh as the batsman drove a long-hop to short cover. Sabbir Rahman (49) could not bring up his fifty either, becoming Rashid’s third vic-
tim as Bangladesh lost momentum. Mushfiqur and Mosaddek Hossain (38 not out) enjoyed a busy seventh wicket partnership that yielded 85 runs to take the hosts past the 275-mark. The teams now face off in a two-test series starting in Chittagong on Oct 20. Scores: England 278 for 6 (Duckett 63, Billings 62, Stokes 47*) beat Bangladesh 277 for 6 (Mushfiqur 67*, Sabbir 49, Imrul 46, Tamim 45, Rashid 4-43).
Brazil leads World Cup qualifiers... Andy Murray of Britain plays against Steve Johnson of U.S. (REUTERS/Aly Song)
Viktor Troicki of Serbia plays against Rafael Nadal of Spain. (REUTERS/Aly Song) Johnson at the Rio Olympics in August, also saved the one break point he faced in the first set. He will play Frenchman Lucas Pouille in the third
round. “I felt like I was creating a lot of chances on his serve. I thought I moved well for the first match in new c (Continued on page 25)
From page 32 played against Jose Pekerman’s Colombia for the fifth time. Each had won two. The first draw between them was one of the most exciting games of the South American qualifiers so far. In rainy conditions, Colombia went ahead with a header by Abel Aguilar (16). Uruguay responded with another header by Cristian Rodriguez (27). In a typical bulldozing goal of his, Barcelona star Luis Suarez put the visitors ahead in the 73rd, before Colombia d e f e n d e r Ye r r y M i n a scored the final goal in the 84th. “We are firm, we are strong and I believe that this match shows that the World Cup is much closer to us,” central defender Diego Godin said. Suarez equaled Argentinian Hernan Crespo as the top goal scorer in South American World Cup qualifiers with
19 goals. “This was a great point, we have to enjoy this,” Suarez said. CHILE Bayern Munich’s Arturo Vidal gave renewed World Cup hope to Chile by scoring both goals in a 2-1 home win against Peru. Before 35,000 tense fans in Santiago, he opened the score for the Copa America champions with a header at 10 minutes. But when Peruvian Edison Flores dribbled through Chile’s defense and leveled the score from the edge of the box at 76 minutes, those fans would have feared the worst. Vidal came to the rescue with a 15-meter shot in the 86th minute. Chile remains in seventh place with 14 points, now two behind fifth place Argentina, who so far has the playoff spot. Peru still lags at eighth, with eight points. The Chilean football
federation still claims the three points from the 0-0 home draw with Bolivia in September. Chile’s executives claim that Bolivia fielded an ineligible player, defender Nelson Cabrera. ECUADOR In the 3-0 victory over Chile on T h u r s d a y, Ecuador’s Enner Valencia was removed in an ambulance in what some claimed was an attempt to elude police who were chasing him for alleged avoidance of alimony payments. With his legal situation sorted back home, he was news for a different reason on Tuesday with a brace that delivered a draw in the altitude of La Paz. Bolivian Pablo Escobar opened the score for the hosts at 3 and 42 minutes. Valencia leveled at 47 and 89. Ecuador stays in third place, with 17 points, and Bolivia lags in ninth, with eight.
Thursday October 13, 2016
Babar, Nawaz likely to debut in landmark Test for Pakistan vs West Indies ESPNcricinfo - Pakistan are no longer the No. 1 Test team, having lost the top ranking to India, but they still retain the sense of being champions. They are set to play their 400th Test match, a landmark game in more than one way since it will be played with a pink ball, under lights, at the Dubai International Stadium. It will be only the second ever day-night Test, following the Australia-New Zealand match in Adelaide last year. First-class matches have been played under lights in both Pakistan and West Indies, but the experience is still a new one for most of the players from both sides. The visibility of the ball post-dusk has been a talking point, particularly with the pink ball sporting a black seam, but there ismore excitement than anxiety among the players in the lead-up to the Test. The UAE has previous experience of staging pinkball cricket, having hosted the English first-class seasonopener between MCC and the champion county under lights multiple times since 2010. Those matches, however, were all played at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Dubai is hosting its first pinkball match, and it will be interesting to see if the stadium, which has a capacity of 25,000, can draw sizeable crowds for the Test match. Pakistan sit comfortably ahead of West Indies in the rankings table and are playing in familiar conditions, but they will guard against complacency. They will be without their best batsman, Younis Khan, who is resting after recovering from dengue fever, and are likely to feature
two debutants as well as a new-look combination with five specialist batsmen and an allrounder slotting into a fiveman bowling attack. West Indies lost their most recent Test series 2-0, at home against India, and the margin could have been worse if not for rain. They haven’t begun this tour well either, having been whitewashed in both the ODI and T20 series, and it will not be a surprise if they suffer another 3-0 reverse in the Tests. But they have gained a bit of confidence from their two warmup games, in which as many as six of their batsmen - Leon Johnson, Shai Hope (twice), Jermaine Blackwood, Shane Dowrich, Kraigg Brathwaite and Darren Bravo - made halfcenturies, while their bowlers also got among the wickets. It remains to be seen, though, if the No. 8-ranked Test team can make any sort of dent in Pakistan’s proud record in the UAE. In the spotlight Babar Azam announced himself with three back-toback hundreds in the ODI series, and Younis Khan’s absence will allow him to showcase his talents at Test level. Pakistan have a strong batting group, and Babar will need to extend his ODI form into his Test debut to make it hard for the team management to leave him out when Younis returns. Darren Bravo struggled in the home Tests against India, but he will be encouraged by the fact that his overseas average (51.18) far exceeds his average at home (29.35). He comes into the series with a bit of form behind him, with an innings of 61 in the second ODI and a 97 for the West Indians in their tour game
against the PCB Patron’s XI in Sharjah. Legspinner Devendra Bishoo also impressed in that match, picking up a five-wicket haul in the first innings, and will be relied on to do a lot of bowling if he plays. Pakistan’s Test line-up has been fairly stable over the last few years, but they have often craved an allrounder to give them flexibility in different conditions. Mohammad Nawaz, who is likely to make his Test debut in Dubai, could be that sought-after player with his batting and left-arm spin. Babar Azam will come in for Younis Khan as he recuperates from his recent bout of dengue fever. With half-centuries in both warm-up matches, Shai Hope has made a case for inclusion in West Indies’ middle order. Marlon Samuels, who has been in poor form in Test matches of late, didn’t play either game, and it will be interesting to see if he retains his place at No. 4. With Roston Chase established as their first-choice spin-bowling allrounder, West Indies will choose between Devendra Bishoo and Jomel Warrican as the specialist spinner to partner him. Pitch and conditions Temperatures in the UAE have come down and the weather is likely to be cooler than it was during the limitedovers matches. Dew could be a factor, though neither side has complained about it so far. It is understood that the ground staff have used anti-dew spray on the outfield to minimise its impact and reduce the likelihood of spinners experiencing difficulty gripping the ball in the evening.
IOC says confident on free internet for Beijing 2022 Olympics
A message of congratulation is projected onto the Bird’s Nest Olympic stadium as people celebrate after Beijing was chosen to host the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing July 31, 2015. (REUTERS/Damir Sagolj) BEIJING (Reuters) The International Olympics Committee is confident China will guarantee uncensored internet when it hosts the 2022 Winter Games, a senior IOC official said on Wednesday, though China has given no details about how its pledge will work. China keeps a tight rein on the internet. The government has warned that social media, particularly foreign services, could be a destabilizing force for Chinese society and even jeopardize security. Popular foreign social media sites like Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook as well as Google Inc’s main search engine and Gmail service are all inaccessible in China without specialized software to vault what is known as the “Great Firewall”. “It’s guaranteed in the bid,” IOC Vice President Juan
Pollard, Ramdin dropped from ODI squad ESPNcricinfo - West Indies have dropped Kieron Pollard and Denesh Ramdin from their ODI squad for next month’s tri-series in Zimbabwe, which also features Sri Lanka. Courtney Browne, the head of West Indies’ selection committee, informed Pollard and Ramdin about their axing via email. The emails, accessed by ESPNcricinfo, were sent by Browne earlier this week. Browne’s message to both players was straightforward, saying they had been dropped and telling them they were free to seek clarification from him or the selection panel if they wanted. Considering the squad has not been officially announced yet, ESPNcricinfo
sought a comment from the WICB on Wednesday, but the board did not respond. Both Pollard and Ramdin had poor returns in the recently concluded limitedovers series against Pakistan in the UAE. Pollard managed 43 runs in the three T20s, and bowled two overs, going wicketless. In the three-match ODI series, which West Indies lost 3-0, Pollard scored 42 runs at an average of 14.00. He took one wicket in the 12 overs he bowled across the three matches. Ramdin, who was recalled to the ODI squad, compiled 79 runs at 26.33 in the three ODIs and did not feature in the T20s. Browne’s selection panel had dropped Ramdin
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from the squad for the fourTest series at home against India earlier this year. Ramdin made the news public on Twitterbefore the squad was announced, and was subsequently sanctioned by the WICB. Ramdin has endured difficult times in the past 18 months. Despite helping West Indies level the Test series 1-all at home against England, Ramdin was stripped of Test captaincy immediately after the 2-0 home Test series loss to Australia. Pollard, meanwhile, has had mixed returns since returning from knee surgery last November. Pollard was picked for the tri-series at home in June, involving Australia and South Af-
rica, andwas instrumental in West Indies finishing as runners-up, scoring 205 runs at 41.00 including two half-centuries. Browne, who replaced former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd as chairman of selectors in June, has taken some bold decisions during his short tenure, including dropping Darren Sammy after he had led West Indies to their second World T20 title. Sammy did not hide his frustration when he called the symposium organised by the WICB and the West Indies Players’ Association in July, to clear the differences between the board and the players, a “publicity stunt” on his Twitter account. (Colin Benjamin)
Antonio Samaranch Jr., the son of the late Juan Antonio Samaranch, who led the IOC from 1980 to 2001, told reporters in Beijing when asked about free internet in 2022. “All the experience that we’ve had with Beijing is that they’ve always delivered on their word. We are confident that will be the case.” China had committed to providing media with the same freedom to report on the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics as they enjoyed at previous Games. But when the main press center opened, journalists complained of finding access to sites deemed sensitive to China’s communist leadership blocked. A IOC official later admitted that some IOC officials cut a deal to let China block sensitive websites. Zhang Jiandong, a Beijing vice mayor and vice president of the Winter Olympics organizing committee, said China had already made commitments to have an open internet during the bidding process. “During the 2022 Winter Games we will compre-
hensively open access to the internet for all (internet) customers, including at the competition venues, where athletes stay, and other areas.” China’s pledge raises the prospect that Chinese spectators will be able to access otherwise blocked sites while attending the Winter Games. However, a Beijing Olympic official said last year that Chinese “don’t like” sites like Facebook and Twitter as China has its own social media, such as Weibo and WeChat. Beijing, along with the nearby city of Zhangjiakou, won the right to host the Games last year. The only other city bidding to host the event was Kazakhstan’s Almaty, after other prospective cities dropped out citing costs and other worries. While Beijing hosted the 2008 Summer Games to wide acclaim, its bid for the Winter Games was dogged by concerns over a number of issues, such as the city’s notorious smog, a lack of snow and China’s poor human rights record.
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Vishaul career best puts Windies A Saints win North Georgetown to stave of the col- Vandersay. Zone 3 Inter-School Athletics title in command innings lapse, facing 124 deliveries Vishaul, who reached and counting 12 fours while triple figures 40 minutes beSt. Stanislaus College won the North Georgetown Zone 3 Inter-School Athletics competition at the Police Sports Club Ground, Eve Leary yesterday as one of the most dominant Districts in the National Schools Championships completed its Inter-School contests. Saints amassed 485 points to win ahead of St. Mary’s High School that put together 429 points for second and Brickdam Secondary that finished on 378 points for third. St. Rose’s High School was fourth on 313 points and St. George’s High fifth on 118 points.
The top finishers from each zone will now comprise the teams for the respective zones when the North Georgetown District hosts its Inter-Zone Championships tomorrow at the same venue that is aimed at selecting its National Schools’ Championships team. The zone will give rivals, Upper Demerara/ Kwakwani a glimpse of their talent ahead of District 10’s Championships next Tuesday at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) Ground; there will be an influx of similar competitions from Districts around Guyana.
Brazil leads World Cup qualifiers, Argentina shocked at home Brazil players celebrate
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Brazil recorded it fourth straight win under its new coach on Tuesday to become the new leader of South America’s World Cup qualifying group after 10 matches. Arch rival Argentina, however, was shocked 1-0 at home by Paraguay and is in a precarious fifth place. The two heavyweights will face each other in Brazil in their next games. Despite the absence of Barcelona star Neymar, Brazil had little trouble in winning 2-0 at Venezuela. Previous group leader Uruguay slipped to second after a creditable 22 draw away to Colombia. Brazil is now one point ahead of Uruguay in the table. Elsewhere, third place Ecuador managed to come from behind and stop ninth place Bolivia in the altitude of La Paz with a 2-2 draw. Copa America champions Chile took a much-needed 2-1 home victory over Peru. BRAZIL It took only seven minutes for Brazil to forget the suspended Neymar’s absence, keep up its new-found momentum and prove Venezuela deserves the bottom po-
sition in the South American qualifiers. Teenage striker Gabriel Jesus, recently signed by Manchester City, scored his fourth goal in his fourth international appearance with a classy lob over goalkeeper Dani Hernandez, who had given the ball to away easily. Winger Willian, who replaced Neymar, scored the second at 55 minutes after a cross by midfielder Renato Augusto. It was Brazil’s least impressive performance under new coach ‘Tite’ but he is enjoying a honeymoon period as the new coach, having lifted the Selecao from sixth in the standings to top spot. The match was interrupted at 67 minutes when the light went out in the economically troubled country. It took 22 minute to restart the game. ARGENTINA Argentina finds itself in fifth place, which yields only a further playoff position rather than automatic qualification for Russia 2018. After two disappointing draws and still without the injured Lionel Messi, new coach Edgardo Bauza’s team was even worse in the defeat to a hardworking Paraguay
side 1-0 in Cordoba. The winning goal was scored by the visitors at 17 minutes by Dynamo Kyiv striker Derlis Gonzalez. Argentina had a chance to equalize with a penalty early in the second half but Sergio Aguero’s attempt was blocked. Argentina struggled in the absence of experienced defenders Pablo Zabaleta, Nicolas Otamendi and Ramiro Funes Mori. One of their replacements, Martin Demichelis spelt out the predicament clearly. “We have to be honest with ourselves, we have to improve quickly,” Demichelis said. We have to make a big self-criticism. We have things to correct.” In November Argentina will have tough matches away against Brazil and home against Colombia. Messi is expected to return for those two. The victory in Cordoba offers some relief to Paraguay, which remains in sixth place, but now only one point behind Argentina. URUGUAY In Barranquilla, coach Oscar Tabarez’ Uruguay (Continued on page 27)
PALLEKELE, Sri Lanka, CMC – Vice-captain Vishaul Singh struck a career-best fifth first class century to spearhead a massive West Indies A batting effort on the second day of the second four-day “Test” against Sri Lanka A here Tuesday. Unbeaten on 81 overnight at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, the lefthander carved out a superb 161 to lift West Indies to 509 for nine declared in their first innings. Opener Rajendra Chandrika, who had retired hurt on 51 on Tuesday’s opening day, returned to make 84 while tail-ender Kemar Roach chipped in with 39. At the close, captain Dimuth Karunaratne was holding the hosts’ innings together with an unbeaten 66 as they reached 128 for four – still 381 runs behind heading into Thursday’s penultimate day. Wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella was not out on 38 and has so far put on 91 for the fifth wicket with Karunartne, a partnership which pulled Sri Lanka A around from danger at 37 for four. Seamer Roach trapped Avishka Fernando lbw for seven at 19 for one and Test batsman Lahiru Thirimanne followed for three at 32 for two when he was caught at the wicket off fast bowler Keon Joseph, who has taken two for four from four overs. Joseph removed Roshen Silva for a first-ball ‘duck’ at 36 for three and with a run added, Charith Asalanka was lbw to off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall for one. However, first “Test” century-maker Karunaratne produced yet another excellent
Dickwella has struck two fours in his 65-ball knock. Earlier, resuming from their overnight 331 for five, West Indies A flourished thanks to the Guyanese pair of Vishaul and Chandrika who put on 54 for the sixth wicket. While Vishaul faced 306 deliveries and struck 16 fours, Chandrika hit nine boundaries off 84 balls, falling with his second first class century in sight when he was lbw to leg-spinner Jeffrey
fore lunch, then added a further 90 for the seventh wicket with Roach who hit four fours and two sixes in his 80 balls at the crease. The partnership took West Indies to lunch at 410 for six and helped the visitors increase their dominance in the second session, before Roach finally departed, an hour after the resumption. Off-spinner Charith Asalanka was the best bowler with four for 104.
Young and the Restless take 2016... From page 35 semi-finals. Kendall Union ‘A’ batting first were restricted to 29 for 3 and the visiting West Demerara reached 32 for 2 off 3.2 overs to win easily. Earlier in the first round of matches, Fyrish defeated Kendall ‘B’, Kendall ‘A’ got passed Bush Lot New Generation, Rose Hall ‘B’ lost to Rising Star, RHT ‘A’ squeezed past Goed Bananen, Courtland was defeated by Young and Restless while Toopoo surrendered to Rose Hall Canje. In the second round, Kendall ‘A’ defeated Rose Hall ‘A’ by eleven runs, Rising Star created a major upset by defeating Rose Hall Canje by 8 wickets, while Young and Restless booked their place in the finals with a 13 runs victory over a dejected Fyrish Cricket team. The winning team received a prize package of $70,000 and the Nasir Memorial Trophy, while the loosing finalists, the third place team and the Man of the Finals received cash prizes. At the presentation ceremony, Secretary/ CEO of the RHTY&SC, M.S proudly announced that the Nasir Tournament was the 150th cricket tournament organised by the
Club and noted that it was part of an effort to promote the Say Yes to Sports Message. The RHTY&SC he noted felt privileged to honour the late CEO of Bakewell, Naeem Nasir as he was a remarkable friend of the Club and someone who played a Major role in its development. Bakewell he noted has invested millions of dollars into numerous programmes of the RHTY&SC and the sponsorship of its Under17 and Second Division cricket teams. He issued a challenge to the top three teams to use a part of their prize package to make a positive difference in the lives of less fortunate students in the area that plays cricket. The long standing Secretary/CEO expressed gratitude to Mr. Rajin Ganga and Mrs. Annetta Nasir of Bakewell for sponsoring the tournament and pledged that the RHTY&SC would continue to uphold the high tradition it has set itself in the past. The Nasir Memorial Cricket Tournament is the 311 programme/activity for the RHTY&SC, M.S for 2016 as it strives to fulfil its revised target of 400 by mid-December, 2016. The Club in late September has surpassed its initial target of 300.
Thursday October 13, 2016
Kaieteur News
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GCB’s 3-Day League review (part 2)
A great concept marred by sub-standard cricket & disrespect for the game By Sean Devers Despite three double centuries including two in one innings at Port Mourant by Seon Hetymer and Kandasammy Surujnarine and two centuries in the same match by Bhaskar Yadram in Essequibo where Hemraj made 250, in addition 13 other batsmen making tons, the general standard of the inaugural GCB Jaguars three-day Franchise League was not too high with the catching especially poor for nearly all of the teams. All of the leading wicket takers were spinners (except Romario Shepherd and his West Demerara new ball partner Raymon Reifer) which exposed the inadequacies of the local batsmen to use their feet and play quality spin. But it must not be forgotten that Shepherd (34) and Reifer (28) took 62 wickets between them and were at their best when they bowled short on tracks with some assistance to fast bowling. This proved that even though they are vulnerable to spin, but that they lack not only technique but intestinal fortitude and common sense when facing rising deliveries even on slow pitches. Even those with the ability to hook and pull exhibited poor shot selection and reached 40 or 50 in pugnacious fashion
before throwing their wickets away with injudicious shots as most of the batsmen played in t20 mode. The high scores were made due to a combination of decent batting, inconsistent bowling, faulty catching and questionable field placing. Spinners enjoyed themselves on tracks which helped them but bowled too flat and defensive minded. Few of the spinners in the league showed ability to turn the ball ‘square’ on good pitches and rarely flighted the ball. This is a major concern and a reason why our players don’t dominate on good tracks and against top class opposition when selected to the higher level. We need to prepare better pitches since poor pitches gave bowlers a f a l s e s e n s e o f accomplishment and causes batsmen to lose confidence. Few batsmen show the temperament to bat ‘long’ on slow pitches which prohibits ‘playing through the line’ and forces batsmen to play the ball under their eyes and play as late as possible like Shiv Chanderpaul does on such pitches. Bowlers who are allowed to operate with suspect actions and the standard of coaching is questioned when some players at this level lack of both technical and tactical
savvy, especially in pressure situations. The GCB should add Clyde Butts and Roger Harper to the coaching staff. This is the highest level of cricket in Guyana and I believe that there are too many teams which dilute the quality. Six would have been good enough and increase as the structure improves and better players (from overseas) added to various Franchises. The GCB, the players and officials need to do much better if this is to be a true ‘Professional League’ and encourage sponsors to come on board. The teams going for matches in Berbice were not accommodated there but had to travel to from Demerara to Berbice everyday to cut cost. The regulations state that the ‘Square’ and bowlers’ run up must be covered in the event of rain yet the GCB sends only two pieces of cover which are inadequate. A recent feature in local cricket is to only have one book scorer at matches when Law 4 clearly states ‘TWO scorers shall be appointed to record all runs scored, wickets taken and where appropriate, number of overs bowled’. Umpires can choose not to start a game if there are not a least two book scorers present. Even though the regulations on Clothing Rules and Regulations state the
Clyde Butts majority of the upper tongue and laces of shoes and boots shall be white. Stripes, and other design features shall be a maximum of two colors. Yet players were allowed to bat and field with shoes which at times had less than 5% white. Substitutes must wear coloured bibs but this, in most cases, is also not done and Eddie Nicholls, the former Test Umpire who is now a Match Referees, said that unless the Umpires write a report against a delinquent player there is nothing he can do which means the Umpires are not doing their job. “I have report forms but they are clean since Umpires don’t write anything on them,” said the 68-year-old Nicholls, who has stood in 17 Tests and 46 ODIs. In the first Women’s ODI in Jamaica on
Roger Harper Saturday, Guyanese pacer Erva Giddings was fined for dissent. That’s how good Umpires operate. One of the Umpires said when they report bowlers for their actions or anything else nothing is done at Board level so it’s a waste of time to write reports. A GCB executive said that next year, once the Umpires report a player for wearing colored shoes or any form of dissent, that player will be fined. Players arguing on the field with each other and Umpires were common occurrences in the League which was supposed to have professional players participating. Bajan pacer Reifer bowled spin in the final round to make a mockery of the match. Had a Guyanese shown such
disrespect for the game in Barbados he would have been penalized. A former National Youth player, who was the ‘ring leader’ in putting a towel over the head of his teammate for the others to beat him, received a ban for his actions. When players like the Harper brothers, Andy Jackman, Rabindranauth Seeram, Clyde Butts, Clayton Lambert, Faoud B a c c h u s a n d Ti m o u r Mohamed played first division cricket they were in their late 20s and 30s and were mature and responsible individuals, assets which were reflected in their cricket. You had to be an outstanding U-19 player to gain selection at InterCounty level but now the entire Guyana U-19 team is involved at this level because the standard is so low and most of the ‘older’ players no longer play here. It is imperative that due to the age of the players, the GCB mandates that Clinics dealing with etiquette, leadership skills, the ills of alcohol, dress code, media interviews and some level of academics be held by the Franchises during next year’s League. Talent alone is not enough for an International cricketer to be successful and as Clive Lloyd likes to say “Your attitude decides your altitude”.
Rising Sun and Jumbo Jet latest race meet set for October 23 The Rising Sun Turf Club is expected to come alive on Sunday 23rd October when that entity in collaboration with the Jumbo Jet Auto Sales hold a grand one day horserace meet at the Club’s Racetrack at Arima Park, Rising Sun, West Coast, Berbice. Eight races are listed for the day with over $4M in prize monies, trophies and other memorabilia at stake. The top event on the day’s programme is for horses classified E and lower for a total prize package of $1.2M and trophy. Most of the big stables are
preparing for the event and from reports all of the animals were looking in excellent condition. The horses from the Mahaicony, Mahaica along with the Habibulla stables and animals on the upper West Coast Berbice were having their workout right at the host venue. The Jumbo Jet Stable and the Bacchus Hard Runnings stable among others were busy whipping their animals into shape at Bush Lot. The animals from the Sheriff Racing Stable along with the Singh stables were reportedly doing their thing at the No6 race track.
Over on the East Berbice it was the same story with horses from the Jagdeo, Elcock, Nand Persaud Karibee Rice, Crawford, Bactowar, De Roop Simple Royal, Mohabir and Saul stables among others making use of all the race tracks on the East Berbice. Other horses were also fitting in their schedule at the various race tracks as they will be looking to upset the bigger guns. The top event on the day’s programme is for horses classified E and lower over 1600M for a total prize package of 1.2M and trophy.
The G1 and lower race has prize monies totaling over $800,000 and trophy over 1400M. There is a race for animals classified H maiden and I and lower over 1100M for a winning package of $500,000 and trophy. The two years old Guyana bred animals will continue to show their mettle over 1100M as they compete for the $500,000 and trophy at stake. The J class race has a winning package of $350,000 and trophy in another 1100M match up. The K class event is for a winners pocket of $350, 000
and trophy over 1100M, while the horses classified L and lower will be galloping over 1100M for the prize package of $300,000 and trophy. Other incentives on offer will be for champion jockey, champion stable and champion trainer compliments of the Trophy Stall, Bourda Market and the
organizers. Interested persons can contact Fazal Habibulla at Chester Fry Bush Lot West Coast Berbice on Telephone No 232-0232 or 657-7010 or Chandu 624-9063 or 6089063, Sancho on 602-1567 or Jin Jo on 618-7278 for details and registration. Race time is 13:00 hrs. (Samuel Whyte)
Kaieteur News
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Thursday October 13, 2016
2016 GCB/National Secondary Schools Cricket League launched By Zaheer Mohamed Following the conclusion of its Jaguars’ three-day league, the Guyana Cricket Board has gone further with its development programme yesterday by launching the second edition of the National Secondary Schools League at is office in Regent Road, Bourda. While the Jaguars league took a semiprofessional nature, where players were paid for their duties, the NSSCL is geared to identify and nurture young talent and implement strategies to aid in their development. These strategies may include directing players to clubs closer to their homes or schools, and to involve them in progressive e m p o w e r m e n t programmes. The league is viewed as invaluable, unique as it involves a mixture of experience and novice players. An assessment of the inaugural NSSCL found that a number of players from this school league went on to participate in the Inter County and Regional tournaments. The league will relatively employ the GTU Zone and District format, towards realizing an overall winner. This format will witness an inter school
President of the GCB Drubahadur makes a point at the launching of the tournament yesterday in the presence of officials of the GCB, CPA and National Sports Commission. competition within 20 zones across the country. Victorious teams will then progress to an inter district format, and then to the national final. This same structure shall be employed for the selection of better players within the zones and districts. Zones are: Upper Corentyne, Lower Corentyne, New Amsterdam/Canje, West Berbice, Lower East Coast Demerara, Upper East Coast Demerara, North Georgetown, South Georgetown, East Georgetown, East Bank D e m e r a r a , H i g h Wa y,
Upper Demerara, West bank Demerara, West Coast Demerara, East Bank Essequibo, Wakenaam, Leguan and Essequibo Coast and Pomeroon. Speaking at the ceremony President of the GCB, Drubahadur said cricket is now a business and players can have a fruitful career since they are being paid to play. He stressed the need for the sponsors for such tournaments, and thanked the schools for their overwhelming support to the NSSCL, Ministry of Education, its Allied Unit, the National Sports
Commission, Child Care and Protection Agency and Digicel for their sterling contribution to sports, in particular cricket. The administrator of the National Sports Commission, Mr. Gervy C. Harry congratulated the GCB for continuing to place emphasis on school cricket since sports can be easily seen as complementary to academics. Harry also shared his experience as a school cricketer, giving guidance by encouraging students to make full use of the opportunity provided to them. He also highlighted the fact that many sports
personalities are able to enjoy lucrative careers. Mr. Francois from the Child Care and Protection Agency spoke about the significant role the agency is playing in supporting the GCB in its coaching programmes and competitions to players in a safe and fair environment. He said that the Child Care and Protection Agency looks forward to assisting the GCB to set policy driven standards, while Minister of Sport Nicolette Henry indicated that the school league is a worthwhile avenue for the nurturing and promotion of youthful
talents. GCB secretary, Anand Sanasie said staging such competitions is no easy task, and acknowledge the supportive role of the National Sports Commission, along with corporate Guyana in ensuring the growth of the sport. Sanasie opined that the GCB will continue to assess and examine ways in which they can broaden its delivery of service in a meaningful manner. He encouraged the schools and players to make full use for the opportunity and thanked them for their continued participation.
Technical Staff overhaul needed now By Rawle Welch As the pathology of what caused Guyana’s ‘Golden Jaguars’ defeat to Jamaica’s ‘Reggae Boyz’ in the Scotia Bank CFU Men’s Caribbean Cup 2016 is conducted, disappointed fans are calling for a complete overhaul of t h e Te c h n i c a l S t a f f f o l l o w i n g Tu e s d a y ’s frustrating loss that resulted in Guyana’s exit of the competition.Guyana was beaten by Jamaica who came from a two-goal deficit at the end of the first period to score four goals in regulation and extra times to set up a mouth watering clash with Suriname that will determine the winner of the Group. The impact of Guyana’s departure was felt so much that infuriated fans immediately called for Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz’s tenure to be halted after witnessing another situation where he could not instigate
a positive outcome from a winning position, resurrecting memories of another famous encounter against St. Vincent & the Grenadines which ended in a 4-4 draw after Guyana needed just to draw 0-0 to advance in the CONCACAF 2018 World Cup qualifier. Guyana, a few days e a r l i e r, h a d f a l l e n t o Suriname by a 3-2 margin and in that clash as well they had surrendered a lead, before losing in extra time. Those examples are not the only blemishes of Shabazz coaching stint with the ‘Golden Jaguars’ very often appearing competitive, before tactical adjustments are made that confound supporters. The latest result means that they have finished at the bottom of the points table without a point, a disappointing conclusion for what has been a gritty effort
by the team. Shabazz to his credit has been a loyal contributor to Guyana’s football development, returning for quite a few stints and taking us where no other coach has ventured, but it is clear that while he may be sincere in his decision making, this country’s football future in terms of being a regional contender should not rest in the hands of the Trinidadian. He has served us well, but it is time to say goodbye and from his post match interview when he announced that the game might very well be his last, it seems that he too has come to the realisation that his expertise is not enough to take us to the higher echelon of world football. Our stubborn display against the Caribbean top team once again confirmed that we are blessed with athletes with natural ability
Jamaal Shabazz who could stand toe to toe with any of our Caribbean counterparts and at times even those beyond, but usually the disparity in tactical acumen is so glaring that it makes all the difference. In today’s world, football is about speed and
stamina and evidently the latter was what defeated us in both games against Suriname and Jamaica. With Guyana leading 2-0 after sixty-three minutes, the signs of fatigue was evident, especially on Walter Moore, who was eventually redcarded for a reckless challenge, resulting in Guyana being reduced to 10men. It was noticeable that he was tired after a workmanlike performance at left back and everyone knows that when the legs get tired, the mind also wanders and that was what happened. It was easy to predict the outcome, but had Shabazz observed it, perhaps if he had done so he would have made the substitution or was it a case of not having a capable replacement. Another observation was that of the goalkeeper stationed high off his line everyone saw that, but did
the Coach? In an era where coaches are seen shouting instructions throughout the game on the sidelines why was he allowed to remain so high off his line and orders not relayed to him via teammates? Additionally, the talk of foreign-based players having more leg work seemed to be a misleading notion rather than fact since they too appeared winded even before the halfway point in the final period. Shabazz was right when he said that those players bring a quality of professionalism in the dressing room and on the pitch, but they are not far ahead of our local players in terms of technical skill so the suggestion of more football be played locally to improve our football both technically and tactically, maybe the solution to our problem.
Kaieteur News
Thursday October 13, 2016
PAGE 35
CAC body building team pays courtesy call to DOS Jones Following a very c o m m e n d a b l e performance at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Bodybuilding championship, members of the Guyana team yesterday paid a courtesy call to Director of Sport Christopher Jones. Guyana landed two gold medals, two silver medals and a bronze at the competition which was held in Dominican Republic from September 29 to October 1. President of the GABBFF Keavon Bess said they are delighted with the performance of the athletes and expressed gratitude to the NSC for their input. He stated that with the success of the athletes they hope to encourage more support from the Government so they can continue to develop the sport. Jones related that he is happy with the Athletes achievement adding that the Government is committed to the development in sports. “We have recognised that all the
Director of Sport Christopher Jones (center) with members of Guyana’s CAC bodybuilding team from left, Franklyn Brisport (Judge), Emmerson Campbell, GABBFF President Keavon Bess, Kerwin Clarke, Deron Davis and Alisha Fortune with their accolades. disciplines we would have sent overseas came back very successful and the NSC is proud to contribute because we are confident that they will represent the Golden Arrowhead to their best,” he posited. Kerwin Clarke, who won gold in the light
middleweight category, said he happy with the performance of the team and applauded Franklyn Brisport for being elevated to a CAC judge. Deron Davis, who won b r o n z e i n t h e Bantamweight division, informed that he had a very
short time to prepare for the competition but tried his best, and he hope to do better in future competitions, while the Men’s Physique silver medalist Emmerson Campbell thanked the sponsors, supporters and training partners. He said the competition was fiercely
contested calls and for more support. Alisha Fortune, who recently had a surgery done on to her left knee, indicated that she only had two months to prepare and felt she was in the best form of her career, but mistakenly the talented athlete was
placed in a higher category to compete where she finished seventh. She thanked Hugh Ross for his assistance. Bruce Whatley grabbed Gold in the masters and silver in the middleweight segment. (Zaheer Mohamed)
RHT Bakewell/Nasir Memorial 5/5 Cricket Tournament
Young and the Restless take 2016 Title as RHTY&SC hosts 150th Cricket Tournament
Berbice Bakewell supervisor Andre Sukwa hands over Trophy/Cash Package to the Young and Restless Captain, V. Singh. Despite heavy overnight rain which delayed the start by play one and half hour, the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, MS hosted a highly successful Nasir Memorial 5/5 Cricket tournament at the Area ‘H’ Ground on Sunday. Hard work of the Club’s Under-19 team under the supervision
of Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster resulted in the play being possible as the team mopped up the outfield and pitch from as early as 5:00AM. The tournament was reduced to four overs per side after the delay and an inspired Young and the Restless Cricket Club of East
The winning Young and Restless team pose for a photo after the presentation. Canje claimed the title after easily defeating Rising Star of West Demerara by 17 runs in the final before a massive and colourful crowd. Twelve teams took part in the tournament which was the 150th cricket tournament
organised by Guyana’s most dynamic youth and sports o rg a n i s a t i o n s i n c e i t s formation in 1990 by the ST. Francis Community Developers. Led by a quickfire 25 from Captain Vikesh Singh, rattled up an
imposing 58 with support from his opening partner Sase Sukhdeo who scored 20. In response, Rising Star could only muster 41 from their 4 overs as Singh returned with the ball to take
three wickets for 10 runs in his one over. Young and the Restless had earlier drawn the bye to the finals, while Rising Star got past Kendall Union ‘A’ by eight wickets in the (Continued on page 32)
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Vishaul career best puts Windies A in command
Babar, Nawaz likely to debut in landmark Test for Pakistan vs West Indies P.31
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Jason Holder and Misbah-ul-Haq pose with the series trophy, Dubai, ŠAFP
Pollard, Ramdin dropped from ODI squad P.31
2016 GCB/National Secondary Schools Cricket League launched P.34
Vice-captain Vishaul Singh made a career-best 161.
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The victorious North Georgetown Zone 3 winners, Saint Stanislaus College celebrate winning an emphatic schools’ athletics title yesterday at the Police Sports Club Ground.
Saints win North Georgetown Zone 3 Inter-School Athletics title Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Limited, 24 Saffon St.Charlestown, Georgetown.Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/ 226-8210