Kaieteur News

Kaieteur News

PAGE 04

Thursday October 20, 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 RESPECTING WOMEN In the United States, based on several polls, most people believe that the Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump is a despicable human being who is not worthy to be a presidential candidate of the most powerful country on earth. He is an embarrassment to the Republican Party and to the entire United States. Trump is a billionaire who believes that one can achieve power with money and that both money and power can make a person, not his/her good character. His vision for America is warped and his knowledge and understanding of politics are extremely poor. In the presidential debate before last night’s final exchanges with Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump spent more time defending his sexist statements about women which he dismissed as “locker room banter.” Rather than accepting responsibility for his actions, he accused former President Bill Clinton of sexually abusing women during his tenure at the White house. Most Americans are in disbelief after hearing such outrageous and dangerous statements from someone who is seeking to become the President of the United States. It is disgraceful. It is now very clear to the American electorate that Trump’s chances of defeating Hillary Clinton on November 8, 2016 are slim. His verbal abuse of women more than fifteen years ago has come back to haunt him and perhaps destroy his political career. The sexual scandals have basically ended his political ambitions to become president. But it is mind-boggling that his frantic and die-hard supporters believe that he could win the election. Most of Donald Trump’s problems originated from his assumption that as a billionaire, he has the power to do what he wants, including flouting the laws by not paying income taxes and making offensive and degrading statements to women of his acquaintance. That false belief is the reason for his lewd and wanton behaviour which is inexcusable. But as much as we may deplore Trump’s vulgar behaviour, his attitude and his actions, we will be dishonest if we do not admit they are not out of the ordinary in Guyana. Women from all walks of life in Guyana often find themselves the objects of ridicule, insulting and lascivious comments by men on the streets, in passing cars, in the workplace and in social settings. At times, the ridiculing of women is also practiced by some very young boys who think it is funny to denigrate females. Such awful behaviour is considered outright bullying and abusive. While it may boost the egos of men and young boys, it is resented by most if not all women who have a sense of their worth. Women hate to be made the indiscriminate targets of such crass and crude harassment. The fact that women have not been able to retaliate in a meaningful way is a clear indication that they are powerless in contrast to the powerful m a l e . In order to inhibit such thinking, it is important and perhaps imperative that every institution in the country teach men to recognise and respect the rights and dignity of women, regardless of their gender, class or societal status. It should start with the family in the home, at the schools, churches, organisations, work places, and every other institution where people interact. Any society that disrespects its female population is on a sure path to self-destruction. No society can succeed without women. Their importance to the progress and development of the country and the well-being of the masses is undeniable. Women occupy every sphere in society. They fulfill all the vital roles as wives, mothers, teachers, educators, social workers, gardeners, lawyers, judges, engineers etc. therefore, they must be treated with the respect they deserve. It goes without saying that the values that are consistent with dignity and integrity must be upheld by all in society. Having power should not be an exercise in dominance or abuse of women or anyone else. Instead, power should be used to uplift people by moulding their minds and shaping their hearts to appreciate every human being. We must respect women.

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

A prejudiced person on the board is the problem Dear Editor; I read Freddie’s “Craig is gone; class and colour go on” of Oct 17, 2016 and even though I had resolved to stay my pen and hold my tongue on matters concerning the GNBA (at least until the end of the Board of Inquiry), there are a few misconceptions harboured by Freddie that I must clarify before it fuels further misconceptions. Freddie seemed to be saying (the way he puts it) that the Prime Minister is against rescinding the Broadcasting Licenses handed out by the former president.

This impression of his is not on point. There are two things to consider. One, the Prime Minister expressed an impatient desire for new licenses to be issued within the shortest possible time. This is not the same as being against revocation of existing offending ones. An expression for the issuance of new licenses should not translate to mean a desire for the previously objectionable distribution to stand. Two, the Honorable Moses Nagamootoo has shown an aversion for

interference in the work of the Authority and would not intervene to have the said licenses rescinded. Again, this is not the same as not wanting the offending licenses revoked. In fact the entire Board had agreed very early that the distribution was obscene and created an uneven “broadcast-scape.” The preference however, was to go the route of reorganising the entire structure in keeping with a fairer and more transparent distribution regime. This coupled with legal advice received and indeed

sensible realignment of the landscape, suggested that we could not just barge in and kick broadcasters off air, as such, a complete system review was embarked upon. That process was singlehandedly stymied, derailed and delayed by a known arrogant and selfconceited individual wallowing in prejudice. Out of respect for the work of the eminent Brig. Rtd. Joe Singh I will have to stop here. Nevertheless I hope this serves to straighten the kinks of misconceptions held by my friend Freddie. Leonard Craig

Selena Auto Sales responds to allegations Dear Editor; This is my response to the article entitled “Customers allege fraud at local auto sales dealership” that was recently published in your newspapers. I am an auto sales dealer trading under the name and style of Selena Auto Sales of Lusignan, East Coast Demerara. On the 13th January, 2016 in the course of my business I, being the owner of a Toyota Primo Motor Car, entered into a Hire Purchase Agreement for same with Arjune Persaud, as Hirer. On the date of the signing of the said Hire Purchase Agreement, Arjune Persaud paid the sum of $500,000.00 as option money and took

possession of the said motor vehicle. M r. P e r s a u d w a s contracted to pay me the further sum of $500,000.00 on or before the 15th January, 2016; he failed to do. Thereafter, I repossessed the said motor vehicle in accordance with the terms of the Hire Purchase Agreement. In excess of five months thereafter I rehired the said motor vehicle to a third party. Shortly after your abovementioned article was p u b l i s h e d M r. A r j u n e Persaud is alleged to have stolen the motor vehicle as a result of which the police are investigating. I never sold a Toyota Premio Motor Car to Arjune Persaud and his wife

as alleged in your article and any document evidencing such is highly questionable. I never had any agreement with Mr. Arjune to “keep” the car. Mr. Arjune is a stranger to the truth The second person mentioned in your article is a Mr. Henry. On the 8th October, 2015 a Kevin Randolph Henry entered into a Hire Purchase Agreement with me as Hirer for one Toyota Premio Car. He also failed to honour the terms of his Hire Purchase Agreement which resulted in the car being repossessed. I never had any arrangement with Mr. Henry to “swap” the car for a pit bull minibus. Mr. Henry defaulted on his insurance

premiums as well as the rental payments due on his Hire Purchase Agreement, leaving me no choice but to repossess the motor vehicle. As the editorial head of a national newspaper I believe you owe a duty to the public to do proper research before printing an article to avoid the risk of misleading the public. This clearly was not done as I never received any form of communication from your newspaper prior to the publication of the said article. The article is riddled and biased and is clearly an attempt to destroy my business and defame my good name. Rabeena Khan Selena Auto Sales

At the Trinidad airport I felt like a refugee Dear Editor; Once again, I would like to share an experience on a Caribbean Airlines flight. The flight was bound for Miami and as usual, it stopped in Trinidad and Tobago. The passengers were told that those who had connecting flights had to disembark and those who were bound for Miami were required to stay on the flight. Then there was another announcement that the passengers who were bound for Miami had to get off and re-board the flight. Quite rightly so, the passengers who were bound for Miami started to complain about being asked to get off the flight and re-board the same flight. However, when we got off the flight, we went through the security checks

similar to the ones which were done previously while the flight was on the ground in Trinidad and the passengers stayed on board while the security conducted checks onboard. One lady, who had a baby, about four months old, was complaining about the experience she was having; it was a sad experience to watch. But the experience that caused me to become very passionate was when a woman came to me and said, ‘I will stay close to you’. I guess she was listening to my perspective on the situation and she probably felt a sense of comfort being with me. After a few minutes on the Trinidad Airport, I got up to walk around a bit and the woman came walking behind me. She then asked,

‘we have to board now?’ I told her no, an announcement will be made when they were ready for us to board. She then said, ‘I don’t want to go through the interrogation anymore’. I realised at that point that she was scared. I walked back to my seat and she came and sat opposite me. So, I went over and asked her if she was afraid, she said, ‘I am travelling for the first time and I did not expect this…I did not know it was like this’. I told her that she would be ok and that she will be safe. I then started to say Psalms 23 with her; ‘the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want, he maketh me to lie down in green pastures, he leadeth me besides still waters, he restoreth my soul, yea thou I

walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for thou art with me….’ This situation is also not attractive to tourists. Editor, I can do like most people, turn the other side and continue along my merry way, but I can’t. I am tired of seeing my people being treated badly because of their citizenship and for crimes which they have not committed and perhaps will never commit. I am tired of Guyanese having to sit on a bench at the Barbados Airport; I am tired of hearing that all Guyanese are dishonest, etc. When I was about thirteen or fourteen years old, two of my friends encouraged me to join what was at that time, the ‘Young (Continued on page 5)

Thursday October 20, 2016

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Kaieteur News

His comments are disrespectful to the Auditor-General DEAR EDITOR; Let me first indicate that I shall not attempt any of those reckless generalisations about the purpose and intent of the Contingency Funds which have now been popularised by a very misinformed Minister of Finance, Mr. Winston Jordan. As he unshackles his comments from the more measured versions the nation was accustomed to, under Mr. Carl Greenidge (the last PNC Minister of Finance), Jordan continues to put the PNC chances of winning the 2020 elections at great risk. His open acts of incompetence continue to actively contribute to the maladministration of the economy. But on top of such incompetence, we are now seeing public acts of intimidation against anyone who questions his strategically bankrupt public actions. The latest victim is the Office of the Auditor General. His comments which smack of darker antipathies against the functionalities of the Office of the Auditor General, did not escape my notice. If we are to follow his logic, then the innocent taxpayers who are toiling to fill the Treasury are at the mercy of the GREAT MINISTER who claims he has sole rights to do what he wants with the people’s money because of a clause in Section 41 of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act, Act 20 of 2003 (FMA). But what the Minister is not telling the people is that those “sole rights” are not automatically bequeathed to him by some monarchical edicts, unless all of a sudden we have a King in Guyana since May 2015. Those rights have to be

earned after following due process. The Office of the Auditor General quite correctly pointed out that the Minister has not followed due process on the expenditure totalling a hefty sum of G$604 million and thus he violated the spirit and intent of the law. But only a financial inept person and an impetuous pugilist will not recognise such violations. That same FMA clearly establishes the criteria for tapping the Contingency Funds and it is as basic as this - the expenses charged to the Contingency Funds must be urgent, unavoidable and unforeseen and only if injury to the public interest is a direct consequence, can we proceed to make those expenses. But all four criteria must be met. On G$604 million in expenses, the Minister has failed to meet all four criteria. The Minister has violated the spirit of the law and the Office of the Auditor General is correct to write him up. The Minister’s action in 2015 (which continues in 2016), is nothing but reckless financial abuse. Therefore, this act of bullying the Auditor General is uncalled for and by right President Granger has to step in, unless he uninterested in arresting these open acts of public bullying. At all times the Government of Guyana must be seen to be giving all Constitutional Offices, the necessary latitude to do their job. I am calling upon the British diplomats, who have a history of good governance, in particular to pay keen attention to what is going on in Guyana. The members of staff at the Audit Office are trained people who have the collec-

tive skill-set to make informed declarations in a national report. They have a job to do, so why are they not being allowed to do their jobs? The Minister has no right to abrogate due process. Therefore, there is no need for such ignorance from the Minister because he lacks training in the science of financial accountability. Whatever was published in the 2015 Auditor General Report was put there after consulting the Accountant General and other technicians in the Ministry of Finance. Therefore this was a collaborative and collective effort; not a personal attack on the Minister. Rather the Minister will do very well to focus on his job and save the Guyanese economy from “flat-lining”. But it is clear he has time for everything else but doing his job. This is a clear case of this Minister drawing salary under questionable circumstances since every day that goes by, exposes the fact that the solution to Guyana’s economic problems is beyond the competence of this Minister. I have reviewed the period under Jordan stewardship in Main Street and I cannot find one progressive policy that will directly create new jobs, new economic growth and will aid in the economic transformation of Guyana. So after 25% of the term has evaporated, his record of performance makes him one of the worst performers in Main Street; if not the worst. Because with such a parlous performance from Jordan, I would not be shocked if even his ardent supporters in the PNC will, today, not pay even half of a penny for him and his dictatorial attitudes.

At the Trinidad airport I felt like a... From page 4 Brigade and National Cadet Corp (YB&NCC) which was managed by the Guyana National Service (GNS), I joined and became a member of the National Cadet Corp (NCC) for about five or six years. My experience in the NCC taught me that country was an important and serious thing. We attended camps at various GNS locations - Kimbia, Tumatumari, Konawaruk, among others. I was exposed to drills and other para-military training. One year, I was selected by the NCC to say the pledge at the ‘Flag Raising Ceremony’, that was one of the greatest moments of my life. I was standing there with all of those ‘Big People’ (I was just a little ‘country girl) watching the Golden Arrowhead being raised. The then President was Hugh Desmond Hoyte, and I was

standing right there with him and the others. One year we were at Tumatumari and had to walk nine miles in the jungle to Konawaruk. Major General (Rtd) Joe Singh was at that time the Director General of the GNS and he came for us with a helicopter and took us to see the Kaieteur Falls. I was about 15 years old. Up to this day, whenever I hear our National Anthem, even if I am having a meal, I would stop and stand - heels together, toes out, hands straight down my side and thumbs pointed downwards. I remember my mother taking pride in starching my GNS uniform, and me proudly polishing and shining my boots. I remember participating in the ‘People’s Parade’ as a Cadet, marching through the streets of Georgetown, I still see the crowds in the streets cheer-

ing and occasionally someone would shout, ‘Audrey”…I used to feel so proud. I remember walking from my school, Brickdam Secondary, to the Ministry of Education in the afternoons, to learn music, for example how to play the piano and being taught by Ms. Enid Peters. We use to sing the National Songs with so much pride, having said all of that, I was taught to be proud of my country and to feel a great sense of pride as a Guyanese. This Guyana we have today; was not the Guyana I envisaged. While I was on the Trinidad airport, for the first time, I felt like a refugee. Audreyanna Thomas Editor’s note; Ms. Thomas interesting letter is lengthy so we will have to compartmentalise it. Another section will appear in tomorrow’s edition

Jordan’s actions today will cost President Granger dearly in 2020. We might not have to wait on 2020, since this tragic performance of Jordan has already started to infect the output from the Minister of the Presidency and the Office of President Granger directly. President Granger has to bite the bullet and do the right thing and appoint the best finance brain in his cabinet to the post – Carl Barrington Greenidge. I humbly submit to His Excellency the President and his top advisor the Senior Minister of State Mr. Joseph

Harmon this suggestion; it is time to bury the hatchet with Greenidge and better utilise his competence, experience and skill to turn around the economy. Keeping him out of Main Street continues to do great damage to the nation. Hoyte trusted Greenidge with the biggest project of that decade – turning around the economy and he successfully did it. It was under Greenidge that Guyana moved from negative 5% growth rate in 1989 to positive 8% by the time he delivered the Office of the Minister of Finance to Dr. Asgar Ally (PPP). I am convinced

Carl Barrington Greenidge can do it again. It is time for the real talent in the PNC to be given a chance to showcase that party and it is time for the “kwaks” to be given their marching orders. The resources in the Treasury do not belong to Mama Jordan or Papa Jordan, they belong to the people of Guyana and these acts of continued financial abuse and disrespect for the spirit and intent of the laws that governs financial accountability in the land is indefensible and must be rejected today, tomorrow and in 2020. Jai (Harry) Lal

These investigators do not have official police ranking DEAR EDITOR; Editor’s note; this is the conclusion of Mr. Conway’s letter in our Tuesday edition which appeared under the caption; “These investigators are wrongly assigned by the police force.” The Police Complaints Act supports the Police (Discipline) Act. It is in addition to, and not in derogation of the Police (Discipline) Act. It has not changed a word in the Police (Discipline) Act, more so the important section 5 which specifically deals with investigation of offences against discipline is clear. The word investigator is not mentioned in the Police Complaints Act. The Disciplined Forces Commission recommended that the PCA be provided with an investigative

team (recommendations 58-60 refers). These recommendations are what they are - unadulterated recommendations. To implement them, legislation must be put in place to give the employed PCA’s investigators the lawful power to investigate disciplinary breaches under the Police (Disciplined) Act. I felt that by now the Authority would have quietly taken steps to correct the sad state of affairs by ensuring that the investigators were given the appropriate ranks to investigate breaches of discipline or that the Act would have been amended to empower them or that they stop investigating breaches of discipline under the Police (Discipline) Act Chapter 17:01. Instead, the il-

legal activities continue unabated. As a result i am forced to re-open my case and make some further submissions. Since my last letter to the editor in relation to the issue in question the Police Commissioner or the Police Service Commission has not bestowed the requisite ranks on the investigators so that they can properly investigate breaches of discipline under the Police (Discipline) Act or the Act was amended to accommodate them. They still continue to conduct investigation and submit reports to the GPF and perhaps the PSC for action to be taken against alleged defaulting members of the Force. Stabroek News October 03, 2016 reported on the activities of the PCA over (Continued on page 6)

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Guyana is a secular state DEAR EDITOR, I am writing regarding a recent development with the government of Guyana and the Islamic Development Bank. I must state that Guyana is a secular state. Secularism is a principle that involves two basic propositions. The first is the strict separation of the state from religious institutions. The second is that people of different religions and beliefs are equal before the law. The separation of religion and state is the foundation of secularism. It ensures that religious groups don’t interfere

in affairs of state, and makes sure the state doesn’t interfere in religious affairs. I noticed a statement from your newspaper dated 17th Oct. 2016 stated that “The mandate of the Islamic Development Bank is to promote and foster socioeconomic development in our member country” under the headline, “Islamic Development Bank to sponsor dairy, fruit and processing plants.” My question is: Is Guyana a member country? I hope our politicians can shed some light on this. Also please note that the Islamic

Development Bank is operating their business based on Shariah Laws. This is a law every Guyanese and politician must know before entering into loan contracts. I am not making any criticism at all; just saying we must know how the bank operates. I just hope these decisions our politicians are making don’t interfere with state or religious affairs now or in the near future since it does not apply to our constitution. I end by making it clear I am not in the least against the Bank’s assistance. Vishnu Bhagwandin

Berbice holds the key to national development DEAREDITOR; It has been a long time since any type of sustainable economic development has been done in Region 6 and it has been on the agenda of every visiting President and Minister of Gov e r n m e n t b u t w h a t seems to be lacking is the apparent reason that no plan was forthcoming from the Region itself. That void has now been filled after President Granger threw the gauntlet to the Region to become involved in its economic stimulation and revival. Indeed Berbice is a ‘sleeping giant’, according to President Granger, with enormous potential to be the economic stimulus and it is most remarkable that the Prime Minister’s Representative in Region 6, Mr Gobin Harbhajan, along with a few developmentconscious persons, have taken the initiative to put forward a proposal to build an all-weather road through #58/59 Villages to Canje Creek and beyond. We need to understand that regardless of our enormous oil wealth, agriculture will remain the bedrock of our economy since we need to be self-sufficient in food production and as Prime

Minister Nagamootoo has pointed out it is possible to be oil rich and yet be a starving nation and he gave us Venezuela as a prime example. We are extremely blessed as a nation for we are given both oil resources and suitable lands for agriculture among a whole lot of natural resources and it is therefore our duty to exploit all of these to the benefit out this generation and the future one. Region 6 is a prime example of economic neglect. This all-weather road is capable of exploiting more than 90,000 acres of arable lands which are suitable for rice cultivation, cattle farming, citrus, provisions, vegetables, coconuts cultivation, and aquaculture. Then beyond the Canje Creek there are more than 100,000 acres of arable lands which can be exploited to attain huge economic benefits. The establishment of industrial sites will make way for agro-processing plants to be established to widen the markets for the produce. Moreso, the residents of Baracara will benefit enormously from such a road making it possible for this vil-

lage to greatly expand its borders and get immediate access to markets for their produce. It is possible for eco-tourism sites to be established which can boost our fledgling tourism industry. At the moment the deteriorating mud dam has made it impossible even for the current cattle and rice farmers to expand their production. In fact cattle and rice production have been dwindling due to the impassable nature of the road. It must be noted that reducing the distance between people, markets and services or simply getting a good road network is a great part of economic development and is vital for our economic survival. There is a strong correlation between a country’s economic development and the quality of its road network. This project is a master plan which can unlock some of the potentials of Region 6 and can provide us with the economic jump-start which we so badly need and I sincerely hope that this project is given the blessings it deserves from the Government, the Opposition, the Regional Administration, and all the relevant organisations. Rohit Persaud

Thursday October 20, 2016

Why is GPL taking so long to accept this contract? DEAR EDITOR; I’m writing to follow up on a recent letter I sent. In my letter I had written about the pressure to resign faced by the project manager of the CH&PA. It’s now been almost three weeks since Mr. Wahab has vacated his post, because of the administrative pressure to do so. I wish him well in his future endeavours; we are truly losing some of our brightest in the name of politics. Should my letter be published I would like to also put foward a few questions again to the people in charge of the ICB No. GPL-IDB-EU-0012015- Procurement of WorksRehabilitation of the Medium and Low Voltage Distribution Network- Lot A. Only recently

as of Saturday 15 October 2016, GPL issued letters to bidders asking for another extension for the award of the contract signed by the CEO of GPL, Mr.Renford Homer. Mr. Editor, this is now the second extension of the bids for the contract. This bid was closed since 22 February 2016, and the new extension will take us unto 2 February 2017. Can the CEO, the Board Chairman, the Minister of Public Infrastructure, the IDB or the project department say why another extension. This is now an unprecedented amount of time for the evaluation of a tender. GPL continues to lose tens of millions on losses daily, but was very swift on awarding a

consultancy contract to Manitoba Hydro to shadow managers and offer recommendations on how to improve efficiency within the corporation. Isn’t it more important to tackle loss reduction rather than management style for better efficiency? In closing I would like to ask what seems to be the hold up of this project, why is the evaluation taking so long? Didn’t the new administration offer us better efficiency and transparency? Contractors have been patient up to this point, every time an extension is required by GPL monies have to be spent for the bid extension through the banks with no sight of award. The future of this project looks bleak and so is the future of this country. Michael Persaud

Clarifications on the impasse a sunken dredge caused DEAREDITOR, Please publish this letter to express a more factual account as to the many inconveniences that was experienced by boat operators using the Mazaruni River, from early June, when the dredge sank, to October. I am the CEO of Odyssey Transportation Inc. and may I point out, a good friend of Mr Mahendra Persaud. I was quite surprised to see Mr Persaud put a full page statement in Kaieteur News on Sunday 16th, as beyond a small paragraph of apology he went on to say that no one was greatly affected by the mishap,

well I beg to differ. My boats were directly prevented from operating for thirty three (33) days, and this can easily be verified by contacting the police at Bartica to whom passengers are required to check with on every trip. And strangely my company was notified on several occasions by Crown Mining Company not to operate on days they requested. Mr Persaud went on to say that the Piremap Falls is deemed impassable yet MARAD official uses the same channel and incidentally it was the same channel that Mr Persaud’s dredge was trying

to use, and imagine this falls that is deemed impassable then there is this dredge stuck in the middle and still Mr Persaud insists that river traffic was not disrupted. Mr Persaud went on to say he was at that location for 14 weeks....some of us know differently. I cannot speak for other boat-users, and sorry, but I can’t afford a full page statement but I hope this gives people a better perspective and to Mr Persaud I say just a simple apology would have been enough. On this matter I say no more. Feroze Barakat

These investigators do not have... From page 5 the past months in an article under the caption,” Sixty-eight complaints against cops for neglect of duty-PCA Chairman”. There are also plans to employ more investigators. More investigators will mean more irregular investigations under the present s y s t e m . I did not look into the crystal ball, but here is what is likely to happen in time to come. A serious allegation is made against a member of the GPF to the Authority. One of the current investigators conducts an investigation. A report is submitted to the GPF recommending disciplinary charges against the rank. The GPF agrees with the recommendation and directs that charges be laid. The rank is charged. He pleads not guilty. An inquiry is conducted. In order to prove his case the Presenting Officer calls the investigator to testify. The defaulter or friend moves to suppress the evidence obtain by the investigator in the course of his investigation. He submits that it was

obtained as a result of a breach of section 5(1) of the Police (Discipline) Act Chapter 17:01. It is the forbidden fruit of a poisonous tree. He argues that the investigator should not be allowed to testify in relation to the evidence he adduced during the investigation and that there is no case for the defaulter to answer. The fair-minded trial officer agrees with the submission and recommends to the disciplinary authority that the case against the defaulter be dismissed. The disciplinary authority agrees with the officer who conducts the inquiry and the defaulter is set free of the charge, all because the investigator breached section 5(1) of the Police (Discipline) Act. Would this be considered a travesty of justice? Several persons including the aggrieved complainant and I will think so. Generally, whenever members of the Guyana Police Force are found guilty of breaching the disciplinary code they are dealt with in a swift, certain and appropriate manner. This may include dismissal,

reduction in rank, interdiction, loss of pay, transfer, denied promotion, lost of seniority, verbal and written warning. Recently and quite correctly David Ramnarine DSM, Acting Commissioner of Police pressed the delete button to abbreviate the services of thirty members of the GPF. I understand that his finger is still on that button. In enforcing this type of negative discipline it is imperative that investigators and the disciplinary authority do not trample on the rights of the police as laid down in law however infinitesimal they may be. The rights of police ranks that are embedded in the Laws of Guyana must be protected. Hammer the police personnel whenever they transgress, but, please do not trample on their rights. On the other hand be swift to reward them for outstanding performance. Justice must not only be done but must also appear to be done. Let justice and fair play prevail. Clinton Conway Assistant Commissioner Police (Retired)

Thursday October 20, 2016

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“Minister’s reaction to AG’s views sets dangerous precedent” – Former Auditor General

The recent assertion by Finance Minister, Winston Jordan that the views of Auditor General, Deodat Sharma on the Contingency Fund, do not count, is eliciting cautionary responses from various quarters. One such opinion is that of Former Auditor General, Anand Goolsarran, who told Kaieteur News yesterday that Jordan’s remarks have essentially “weakened respect and confidence in the Audit Office”. The Chartered Accountant said too, that Jordan’s utterances have also set a dangerous precedent in the system of public financial management and accountability. “The Minister’s reaction to the findings of the Auditor General is rather unfortunate. I wish to remind readers that Article 223 of the Constitution specifically states that in the exercise of his functions under the Constitution, the Auditor General shall not be subject to the direction or control of any person or author-

Finance Minister, Winston Jordan

Former Auditor General, Anand Goolsarran

Auditor General, Deodat Sharma

ity.” The Former Auditor General added, “Sharma is not part of the Executive Branch of the Government, and it is for this reason that the constitutional amendment of 2001 provides for direct reporting to the National Assembly via the Speaker”. Goolsarran said that while the Minister might have reason to disagree with the find-

ings of the Auditor General, that disagreement must be tempered and expressed with due regard to the constitutionality of his office. Goolsarran emphasised that the Auditor General holds the rank similar to that of the Chief Justice. “In the same way, one would not expect any Minister of the Government to in-

dulge in a public abuse of the Chief Justice, if he or she is unhappy with the Chief Justice’s ruling, so should it be with the Auditor General.” “The Chief Justice’s ruling can be appealed against to the Court of Appeal. Similarly, the appropriate forum to address any disagreement in the Auditor General’s report is at the level of the Public

Granger to address Conservation Int’l dinner in Washington President David Granger will be attending the Conservation International (CI) Board of Directors Meeting in Washington, D.C. which will be held between today and tomorrow. According to the Ministry of the Presidency, the Head of State was invited to meet with the board and top officials of CI, along with President Ian Khama of Botswana, to deliver an address to an official dinner. “The President will promote Guyana’s push towards

the development of a ‘green’ state and make the case for international support for this goal. Having already committed to bringing a further two million hectares of Guyana’s forest under conservation, President Granger is expected to emphasise its central role to the construction of a ‘green’ state, demonstrating how conservation can form the basis of economic growth and human development.” Granger will also meet with former President Olafur

Ragnar Grimsson of Iceland and former President Anote Tong of Kiribati, who are attending the meeting. Conservation International has provided support in the areas of areas of biodiversity, conservation, climate change management, ecotourism, forestry, natural resource management and sustainable livelihoods for the past 14 years in Guyana.

President David Granger

Accounts Committee.” With the aforementioned in mind, Goolsarran stressed that the Minister’s public outburst has come at a time when the rate of implementation of the Auditor General’s recommendations is extremely low. He said that this can only serve to embolden Heads of Budget Agencies to ignore the Auditor General’s recommendations. He posited that in the circumstances, Guyana’s system of public financial management and accountability will continue to remain weak. In his latest report on the accounts of the nation, Auditor General Deodat Sharma said that he found the current Government guilty of continued abuse of the Fund as it accessed over $600M for “routine” expenses. The Auditor General said that it was disappointing to note that the money was granted, even though it did not meet the required criteria. Even though the Auditor General (AG) is designated the role of being the protector of the nation’s purse, Finance Minister Jordan asserted that he does not owe Sharma an explanation. In fact, he went as far as to say that Sharma’s views on the “abuse’ of the Fund do not matter. Jordan had emphasised that the Constitution deems the Minister of Finance as the sole individual who will determine the emergency for which he can dip his hand into the Contingency Fund. “In this, he does not have to consult with the Auditor General. Being a member of Cabinet, he consults with the

Members of Cabinet…Whether the AG wishes to determine what I have done, whether it was an emergency or not, that is his interpretation. It doesn’t count under the law,” the Finance Minister said. He continued, “It is the Minister of Finance who determines that…so you can’t come six months afterwards and tell me that the motor car that I bought with money from the Contingency Fund is not an emergency.” “You don’t know the circumstances that gave rise to the situation. He never came to me and asked me. I am the only person he can ask seeking an explanation on it, but I don’t have to explain anything to the Auditor General. I have to explain to the Parliament. So going around saying that the government can’t account for $600M or $500M or $400M is just playing to the gallery as far as I am concerned.” The economist stressed that for last year, there was one request by the Government to access the Contingency Fund for the May to December period. He said that the request only represented 0.36 percent of its budget last year. He said that requests and advances made for similar periods in 2011represented 4.8 percent of the budget; 2.77 percent in 2012; 1.13 percent in 2013; and 1.2 percent in 2014. “For this year, there has been one request, and so shall it remain,” the Finance Minister said.

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Thursday October 20, 2016

Kaieteur News

Inoperable $200M cardiac machine at COI into allegations against GPHC Matron... GPHC attracts Auditor General’s attention Commissioners discuss way A $200 million cardiac cauterisation machine, which was procured by the Ministry of Health in 2012 to help advance cardiac care at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), was up to April of this year still not operational. This development was highlighted in the Auditor General Report of the fiscal year ended 2015. In the Report, the Audit Office has recommended that the Head of Budget Agency ensure that the machine is fully operational. While acknowledging that the machine has been received and is in the care of the GPHC, the Ministry in its response made no effort to ascertain by when the machine will become operational. According to the findings of the Audit Office, the former High Dependency Unit (HDU) at the GPHC was converted to house the cardiac cauterisation machine. The Ministry in 2012, the Report said, expended the $200 million to acquire cardiac cauterization laboratory materials. But there were apparent issues with the setting-up of the laboratory from the inception as according to the Audit Report, although procured in 2012, the machine was still not received up to the time of reporting in 2013. However by 2015 the machine was in the posses-

…as Ministry urged to follow-up on abandoned works at psychiatric hospital

sion of the GPHC. But although physical verification of the equipment and components were conducted in 2015, at that time the equipment was received but not in operation, the Report revealed. Follow-up verification of the equipment in April 2016 highlighted too that it was still not fully operational. This procurement was listed in the Audit Report, which was recently laid before Parliament, among the capital expenditure of the Ministry of Public Health. Listed among its capital expenditure is a contract for the construction of an Acute Care Psychiatric Hospital in Region Six. The contract, according to the Report, was awarded in 2011 to the lowest responsive bidder, to the tune of $112.739 million. But at the end of 2012, the contractor was paid sums amounting to $91.923 million, of which $15.722 million were for unexecuted works. However, physical verification of the works on September 4, 2013 revealed that the works appeared then to have been abandoned for a prolonged period of time, the Report noted. It was further outlined that, “No personnel or equipment from the contractor was on site, which was also overgrown with

vegetation. Termite nests were also noted on various areas of the building.”It was revealed that at the time of reporting in June 2014, there was no evidence that the works were completed and the amount of $15.722 million in respect of unexecuted works were recovered from the contractor. Further, a revisit was done on January 29, 2016 to the project, and based on the examination of the works, the items identified as overpayments remained. But the Ministry in its response to the Audit Office’s findings said that it was explained by the Head of the Budget Agency that the contract was extended to February 28, 2014, for unfinished works to be completed. It was also explained that works to be completed at the Acute Care Psychiatric Hospital are as follows: installation of the light fixtures and connection to the source of power, and the cover to the roof of the shed over the main entrance, amounting to roughly $3.88 million. While it was offered that “all unfinished works were completed before the end of 2014,” the Audit Office urged that the Ministry followup the matter with the relevant authority in order to bring closure.

forward at inaugural meeting

A Commission of Inquiry (COI) set up to investigate allegations levelled against the Director of Nursing Services (Matron) of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Sister

were based on merit. Added to this, the Commission will examine the relationship between the Director of Nursing Services and the doctors of the institution with regards to how this relationship may

ciency of the institution. While each of the Commissioners will continue in their various professional capacities during the course of the investigation, the COI will require that they function based

The inaugural meeting in session yesterday. Collene Hicks, has been established. Yesterday its members met to conduct the Commission’s inaugural meeting at the GPHC’s Resource Centre. During their meeting, the members of the Commission, which is being headed by former General Secretary of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), Ms. Chandrawattie Persaud, discussed how they will proceed with the associated investigation. In an invited comment yesterday, Persaud, who is a practicing attorney-at-law, revealed that the Commission was seeking to ascertain what materials and support it will require to be most effective in its duty. The investigation, she disclosed, will be guided by a Terms of Reference (TOR). Based on the TOR, the Commission is expected to compile - through interviews with staff of the hospital, including doctors and nurses or through investigations - a list of allegations or complaints of displeasure or misconduct against the Director of Nursing Services. The Commission is tasked with assessing the truthfulness of the allegations or complaints and determine whether these have been injurious or destructive to the effective and efficient delivery of the health care delivered at the GPHC. It is expected that the investigating team will also specifically examine the promotion of nurses under the Director of Nursing Services to determine whether these

have affected the delivery of health care at the hospital. The COI will also seek to determine whether the Director of Nursing Services committed acts of insubordination during the period September 15, 2015 to July 20, 2016. “What we also have to look at specifically is that 150 persons within the organisation signed a petition against the Director of Nursing Services, and we would want to enquire what really are the issues to cause that petition,” Persaud stated. She revealed that the investigation could entail the interviewing of the 150 or even more individuals as part of the process. “We are not au fait with the specifics at the moment and so we are going to determine maybe an area with eight petitioners... then an area with none, and take a representative sample of each. We intend to have a balance process,” asserted Persaud. Aside from Persaud, the other Commissioners of the COI include Ms. Laurelle Daw, Director of Nursing Services at the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital for the past seven years; Dr. Anwar Hussain who has racked-up decades of service at the GPHC; Mr. Reginald Brotherson, Permanent Secretary of the Department of Public Service within the Ministry of the Presidency and former Auditor General, Mr. Anand Goolsarran. They have all expressed confidence that their respective areas of expertise qualify them to make valuable contributions to the COI with a view of help to enhance the effi-

on a clearly outlined timetable, according to Persaud. They will each be paid a total of $200,000 for their duties as commissioners. Speaking of the Commission yesterday, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Dr. Carl ‘Max’ Hanoman said that he is confident that it is a well balanced Commission that will, without prejudice, conduct the task at hand. “It took us sometime to get it together; of course we had to satisfy the Union with their representatives,” related Dr. Hanoman who disclosed that recommendations were also taken from the Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton, and other parties as well. According to Dr. Hanoman, he awaits the findings and the recommendations that will be presented to the Board of Directors following the completion of the COI within a month’s time. And Dr. Hanoman intimated yesterday, “I think they are going to do a good job” even as he added “we are going to take the positives from the findings, implement them, and see where we will go at the hospital.” Hicks was sent on administrative leave in July to facilitate the investigation into allegations levelled against her. Dr. Hanoman related yesterday that she will remain on leave pending the findings and recommendations of the Commission. Yesterday’s meeting was also attended by Chief Executive Officer of the GPHC, Mr. Michael Khan, who is expected to shortly demit office.

Thursday October 20, 2016

Kaieteur News

Wrong yesterday, right today

Two persons at odds with each other can both be right. This is the case in relation to the dispute between the Minister of Finance and the Auditor General over the audit of the public accounts of Guyana for 2015. The Minister says that he does not report to the Auditor General. He is correct. He is accountable to the people through the National Assembly. He is free to differ with the Auditor General on what constitutes an emergency under the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act. The Auditor General is also correct. He does not have

to report to the Minister of Finance. His office is an independent constitutional office. His reports are laid before the National Assembly, but the Office is not subject to political direction. When APNU and the AFC were in opposition, they rejected spending by the PPPC from the Contingency Fund on the basis that the need for the monies was not occasioned by unforeseen or unforeseeable circumstances. It was, according to them, neither urgent nor an emergency. They even went as far as

indicating that the persons concerned could have been charged under the law. There are some auditors who also feel this way. They have failed to realize that even if they are correct in their interpretation, the law itself does not penalize such an offence. It may be wrong, it may be unlawful, but there is no punishment under the law. This column had argued, in the PPPC’s defence and it will do now under the APNU+AFC’s defence, that budgeting is not an exact science. While certain needs may

Two brazen bandits walked into bar, rob 10 men Less than a month after Commander of ‘D’ Division (ag) Leslie James announced that plans were put in place to combat the increase in criminal activities in Vreed-enHoop, West Coast Demerara (WCD), two brazen gunmen walked into a bar and robbed 10 persons. This recent robbery has left businessmen along New Road, Vreed-en-Hoop ques-

tioning the Guyana Police Force (GPF)’s ability to combat the spike in robberies in that division. At around 19:00 hrs on Tuesday, two armed bandits stormed the Sun Beam Hangout Bar located at New Road, Vreed-en-Hoop and held up 10 men, including the proprietor of the establishment. The men escaped with more than $100,000 in cash,

phones, identification cards, licences, alcohol and at least one car key. One of the victims, who asked for his name to be withheld, said a group of men were standing around the pool table when a man walked into the bar and purchased $100 in cigarettes. “Before I coulda tell the man at the bar that this man Continued on page 12

Dem boys seh...

Barama smell de rat and running Barama come to Guyana like a train just as de Pee Pee Pee was preparing to run de country. Some Koreans was looking fuh timber because dem did start a building campaign. Dem was building nuff house and wharf. Is 25 years since Barama come. De Koreans sell out to de Malaysians but Barama mek plywood and push Kissoon out of business. Dem wasn’t to sell in Guyana but foreigners always got a way to mek de government give concessions. All dem got to mek a promise. Dem boys want to believe that Barama didn’t pay no tax fuh all dem years dem been in this country. Dem promise something and de Jagdeo Government fall in love wid de nice words. That is why de country ain’t get no money from Barama. But everybody know that happy living is not long life. De government change and a new set of people start to look at wha was happening in de timber industry. BaiShan was de chief culprit and de new

people tek back all de land that de company was dragging out de timber from and not paying any money to de country. Just like Barama, BaiShan did mek some promise. One promise was to give Value Added. That mean that it would mek things from de wood and mek more money than if dem sell de wood alone. Dem boys know that nutten ain’t happen. De new people who tek over de country get vex and tek way de land from BaiShan. Barama see wha happen and know that de same hammer coming suh it give back some of de land it tek. It hope to avoid de lash wha BaiShan get. But dem boys want de government to kick dem out anyhow. De Barama bluff can’t wuk. Dem boys know that all de money Barama promise never exist. And is time Guyana tek back all its land from dem scamps who come wid nuff promise and give Guyana so much shaft that de country can’t even rise up. Talk half and help Barama ketch de next boat out of Guyana.

not arise from an emergency, while such needs are theoretically foreseeable (you must know, for example, if you will need a vehicle), there are some things which simply slip under the radar when making up your Budget. You cannot always be expected to be perfect. This column had also argued that what should be urgent is not the uses to which the monies are going to be put, but the need for the financing. Not many people, including APNU and the AFC, shared that view, judging from their actions in the National Assembly when they vetoed the spending by the PPPC from the Contingency Fund. Now of course, the government is using the same justification as was used by the PPPC to dip into the Contingency Fund.

They are saying that it is for them to determine what is urgent and what is not. There is a need for the Courts to pronounce on these matters. There is a need to settle, once and for all, the circumstances under which monies can be used from the Contingency Fund, so as to void the inconsistent positions adopted by politicians. If it was wrong under the PPPC, it cannot be right under the APNU+AFC. The government holds a slim one-seat majority and it can use this majority to approve its spending in the National Assembly. In other words, the National Assembly can approve of the spending. But that does not necessarily make such spending legal. There is a need for consistency. There is the need for a legal determination of the

PAGE 9

issue of spending from the Contingency Fund. In fact, there is need for the ruling by the Court of Appeal with respect to the right of parliament to amend the Estimates of Expenditure to be taken to the Caribbean Court of Justice. But that is not going to happen because politicians are not consistent. What was wrong yesterday cannot suddenly become right today. Finally, the Minister is right when he says only he can authorize the spending of monies from the Contingency Fund. Since only he can do this, it also means that only he is accountable for explaining such uses.

PAGE 10

Kaieteur News

Thursday October 20, 2016

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

Bharrat Jagdeo is an inveterate liar

If there is any Guyanese out there who thinks that if the PPP returns to power their leaders will remove corruptibility, stop political incestuousness and practice the politics of fair, democratic use of power then such a person is deeply naïve. Mr. Jagdeo’s recent unapologetic stance on his depraved use of power is simply mind-boggling. First, he said he stands by his distribution of radio licences just before he demitted power. How can any human being be so arrogant and how could any modern society tolerate such a misfit? It is not what Jagdeo said about the radio licence award, it is about what he left out. Any person is a fool to award

the accolade of greatest cricketer Guyana produced and leave out, Shiv Chanderpaul. Once his name is omitted then you know the awarder is an evil person. What Jagdeo failed to tell us, and that is because he is dishonest and indecent, is that there were people who are the Chanderpauls of the communication industry that applied and did not get a licence. The name Enrico Woolford stands out. Mr. Woolford has taken the issue to court. Which one of Jagdeo’s recipients is more entitled to a licence than Woolford? The Stabroek News and the Kaieteur News were rejected and those are large media entities. Why should any human

believe what Jagdeo says? The man is an inveterate liar. He named some recipients of the radio licences and cynically asked if they were his friends, meaning they were not; he mentioned Alfro Alphonso. Why should we believe that Jagdeo and Alphonso are not friends? Jagdeo is the friend of, if not all, then most of Guyana’s multi-billionaires. This is the very man who told the nation that he did not know about the NIS investment in the Berbice Bridge. Which person could be so asinine to believe Jagdeo? He went on to say that he is unapologetic about the radio licence to the PPP. The danger in such a foolish acknowledgement is that he has now boxed himself in. If you are saying that it is right to offer favours to your party

when you are president of the country, then by what logic can you condemn another president for doing the same? But the evil in Jagdeo will not stop him. One can predict that as early as tomorrow, he will condemn the government for appointing someone who is favoured. But here is where Jagdeo’s evil takes on unimaginable dimensions. Jagdeo is going to denounce the Coalition regime for giving one of their friends a job, and when asked how he squares that with a radio licence for the PPP and two house lots for the PPP at Bath Settlement, he is going to do what Donald Trump does – completely ignore reality. How can a government embark on a housing policy to offer house lots to families to build homes, and the ruling party applies for two house lots, not to build homes, but to set up party

offices? Under the Government’s housing policy those two lots were illegally assigned and should be rescinded. But this faint-hearted administration that is in power will not do so, further emboldening Jagdeo and his PPP acolytes. The people of Guyana should read over and over the inflexibility of Jagdeo on his immoral radio licence distribution and his attitude to corruption when he was president. It reveals a disturbed mind. This man is not prepared to concede any wrongdoing. He defies the Coalition Government to come up with evidence of corruption. But Jagdeo is well aware that one of his closest Cabinet allies, Dr Jennifer Westford, is before the court charged with embezzlement of over $600 million dollars. This is the man’s game. He is going to take it right into the middle of the 2020 campaign. The game is to completely deny any wrongdoing, no matter how graphic is the proof. If asked about Leslie Ramsammy’s purchase of spy equipment on behalf of the

Frederick Kissoon government, in true Trumplike style, he will deny knowledge. If asked about Henry Greene’s connection to drug traffickers and his defiance of the US Government not to confirm Greene as Commissioner of Police, he will deny it. If asked whether he refused sound advice to build the Skeldon factory using companies from Brazil and Australia rather than China, he will deny it. If asked if he ever met Roger Khan he will deny it, even though the post-midnight parties Roger Khan had at the Pegasus were attended by all the big wigs in the Jagdeo regime, including the biggest wig himself. Varshnie Singh was never invited.

Thursday October 20, 2016

No lead yet in Mahaicony shop owner’s murder Investigators on the East Coast Demerara are still trying to come up with clues that would lead to the identification of the killers of 56-yearold Bibi Nesha Shairoon, whose bound body was found in her Mahaicony home on Monday. The mother of three was found lying in a pool of blood in the bedroom of her twostorey home with her feet and hands tied together. Her head had been bashed in and her body was in an advanced state of decomposition. A hammer which was found at the scene of the robbery is believed to have been used to bash the woman to the head. The cops believe that the woman was killed after she put up a fight with the perpetrators who proceeded to steal a quantity of cellular phones, phone cards, a music set and cash among other valuables from her shop, which is attached to the front of her home. Up until yesterday, detectives were focusing their attention on two persons—the victim’s 14-year-old helper and his friend. However, they will be broadening their probe since they have failed to link the murder to the two persons, who are still in custody. Kaieteur News was told that the teen was arrested a few hours after Shairoon’s body was discovered while his friend was apprehended the following day.

PAGE 11

Kaieteur News

Murdered: Bibi Nesha Shairoon During the time the police suspected that the woman had been murdered (Saturday night), the two individuals claimed that they were on the road. They denied robbing and killing the woman. However, the cops are not buying their story just yet. The 14-year-old was aware of the woman’s home and yard. Four months before she was murdered, someone had gone into her home and stole a quantity of phone cards from her microwave— she had allegedly suspected the teenager. Her relatives believed that whoever robbed Shairoon back then may have killed her last Saturday, since the persons went into the microwave again and stole phone cards. Investigations are ongoing.

Guyana, Islamic Development Bank explore means for cooperation Guyana and a high level delegation from the Islamic Development Bank recently explored and reviewed ways and means both parties can develop strong and more robust economic development cooperation. This is according to Finance Minister Winston Jordan. Jordan said that the Government was pleased to welcome the Vice President and other members of the Delegation of the Islamic Development Bank, on their inaugural visit to Guyana. The Finance Minister said that the parties recently engaged each other in constructive and fruitful deliberations, at both the political and technical levels. Jordan said that the Ministry of Finance is the principal interlocutor between Guyana and all of the nation’s multilateral development partners, especially with regards to the mobilization of resources for financing national development. “We are therefore excited to add the Islamic Development Bank to our financial window of opportunities. We believe that there is much to be gained and mutual benefits to be derived from our fledgling, but very important, relationship.” He reminded that within the last few months, Guyana

Finance Minister, Winston Jordan acceded to Membership of the Bank, having become a member of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), in 1998, a prerequisite for joining the Bank. “I was proud to be my country’s first accredited Governor to the Board of the Bank and being able to attend the Bank’s 41st Annual General Meeting, in Jakarta, Indonesia, in May this year, to witness and participate in the induction ceremony, as Guyana became the 57th member and second South American country, after Suriname, to be admitted to membership of the Bank,” the

Finance Minister expressed. Jordan said that Guyana’s full-fledged membership to the Islamic Development Bank is a clear signal of Government’s endeavours to forge new partnerships with non-traditional development financial institutions. He said that the Ministry of Finance Ministry looks forward to the Bank becoming a fundamental partner in supporting Guyana’s development agenda. Since gaining membership to the Bank, Guyana has acceded to the Articles of Agreement by participating in the capital stock of the Bank. The Finance Minister said that to date, Guyana has made two monetary installments of subscription. He said that the Government is grateful to the Bank for allowing the nation to complete the payments of its subscription over 20 years, instead of the traditional five years. The Finance Minister said that attaining membership of the Bank has come at a time when Guyana has been graduated to upper middle income status, making access to concessionary resources increasingly difficult. “We, therefore, see our

opportune membership to the Bank as affording Guyana an alternative source of concessional resources, including grants and interest free loans, which would further propel Guyana’s strategic development trajectory through to 2020 and beyond,” Jordan said. He added, “This will greatly assist in the financing of major catalytic projects in Guyana, which will help to attain the ‘good life’ and redound to the benefit of all our citizens.” Jordan said that the Finance Ministry has noted that the areas of interest of the Bank include human development, rural development and food safety, infrastructural development, trade among member countries and private sector development. He said that these are consistent with the priorities the Government has set for itself and are contained in a document specially prepared for the delegation.

PAGE 12

Bartica faces 30-hour outage as generator goes down - GPL says facing plethora of unfortunate occurrences The woes of the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) are continuing. One day after three shutdowns significantly affected both Demerara and Berbice, leaving thousands of customers without power for hours, the problems persisted yesterday. A fault along the 69kv transmission line linking the Kingston Power Station to the Sophia Substation (Dispatch centre) resulted in a Demerara Berbice Interconnected System shutdown around 14: 45hrs. Service was restored within 30 minutes of the disruptions, GPL said. “Our company offers reassurance to the general public that meticulous efforts and resources are being directed towards establishing the origin of this occurrence and we plead for patience,” the stateowned company said in a statement. The company said that today it will commence effecting repairs on the No.10 generating set at the Bartica Power Station and this is expected to be completed by

Thursday October 20, 2016

Kaieteur News

tomorrow midday. “These corrective works are necessary to prevent total failure of the generating sets and capacity. Consequently, available generation will be significantly reduced by a further 800kw as the No. 11 Generator remains offline for major maintenance, thus necessitating an unfortunate outage to the entire township with the exception of customers on First Avenue between 3rd and 9th Streets from 06:00 hrs on October 20 (today) to 13:00 hrs October 21,” GPL said in a statement. The remaining operational generator which has generating capacity of 500kw will remain in service during this period to dispense power within the power station and customers within proximity of the station for the execution of works. “We are urging the citizens of Bartica to prepare amply for this regrettable extended period of outage while we work to restore electricity.” Meanwhile, in Essequibo, GPL said that customers of Fairfield, Essequibo, experi-

enced an extended outage from 14:00 hrs Tuesday until noon yesterday while emergency repairs were ongoing on one of its generators. GPL said it was forced to implement a six-hour load shedding exercise for customers stretching from Anna Regina to La Union from 06:00 to 12:00 hrs yesterday and subsequently rotated to customers from Lima to Charity from 12:00hrs to 06:00 hrs due to the unavailability of the generator. “It is envisioned that our Essequibo operations will return to a state of normalcy on or before Friday…” the GPL statement said. “It is with deep regret that our company has experienced a plethora of unfortunate occurrences in these areas of service delivery. We take this opportunity to reassure customers that we consider our mandate to this nation to be of vast substance and our officers work tirelessly to provide quality service. We remain cognizant of the inconveniences these power disruptions cause and we express sincerest regret.”

T&T Coast Guard leads investigation into missing Guyanese fishermen The Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard is currently investigating the matter of two missing Guyanese fishermen who left these shores on September 27, 2016. This is according to Harbour Master of the Maritime Administration Department Robert Millington. When contacted, Millington informed this newspaper that based on reports the men would have drifted into Trinidadian waters and henceforth, that country’s coast guard is looking into the issue. The two men, 42-year-old Samuel Dabydeen of 86 Tuschen Old Road, East Bank Essequibo, and his stepson Arjun Persaud, 23, went missing after venturing on a fishing trip in Venezuelan waters. This was reported to Kaieteur News by Dabydeen’s relatives. The two men apparently went on their trip along with 32 year-old Omadatt Basdeo. Basdeo has since returned. Details reaching this newspaper are that the men were in a

Missing: Samuel Dabydeen small boat and it suddenly flipped. Basdeo informed Dabydeen’s relatives that he drifted to Trinidad where he was rescued and sent back to Guyana. The survivor told Dabydeen’s relatives that during the mishap he clung to a jar which kept him afloat; at that time he had no idea what happened to Dabydeen and his stepson, since he (Basdeo) was busy trying to

save himself. Dabydeen’s sister, Radica, told this publication that the uncertainty w h i c h s u r r o u n d s h e r b r o t h e r ’s wellbeing is heartbreaking, since she lost her husband under similar circumstances and nothing was done to locate him. “My husband die in river too, doing the same fishing work, we never find him back. Now is like the same, we back to square one. History repeats itself.” According to Dabydeen’s sister, she recently learnt that Basdeo has not been seen after providing information on the mishap to her relatives and police. Dabydeen’s mother last saw her son on September 27 around 09:30hrs when he visited her before going on his trip. The man’s sister said that the family is shaken up over the situation. It was expected that Dabydeen would have been home in time to celebrate his 43rd birthday last Saturday.

Brother allegedly steals from brother Andrew Carter yesterday appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan to answer to a charge of break and enter. It is alleged that between September 30 and October 15, last, the 56 year old man broke and entered his brother’s storage bond and stole a quantity of equipment. The facts presented by

Police Prosecutor Neville Jeffers stated that between the aforementioned dates, at Station Street Kitty, the accused broke and entered the storage bond of Kester Carter, his brother, and stole equipment amounting to $425,000. Carter pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him by the Chief Magistrate.

The Magistrate went on to ask the Police Prosecutor what the relationship is between the defendant and the Virtual Complainant. The defendant told the court “we come out from the same bowel but he’s not my brother.” Andrew Carter was placed on $70,000 bail and will make his next court appearance on November 7.

From page 9 look suspicious, the one with the gun walk in and tell everybody to lie on the ground,” the victim said, while adding that his experience with the bandits has left him traumatized. “These men were patting down people from the foot up

like they had experience. They took $30,000, my car key and personal items,” the victim said. Meanwhile, at around 11:00 hrs yesterday at Crane, West Coast Demerara, two bandits robbed a family while they were working on their rice field.

They escaped on a motorcycle with $90,000 in cash, medication, cosmetics and other personal items. The victims have been identified as 57-year-old Ramkissoon Ramnarine, his 56-year-old wife, Indira Ramnarine and their disabled daughter.

Two brazen bandits walked...

Thursday October 20, 2016

Kaieteur News

Qatar to host Caribbean development conference in Antigua ST JOHN’S, Antigua — The government of Qatar will hold a conference on small island developing states (SIDS) in Antigua in January designed to “initiate stronger bilateral ties between the countries of the Gulf States and the Caribbean”, as a result of an initiative by Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne. The decision of the government of Qatar to hold the conference arises from discus-

sions between Browne, and the prime minister of Qatar, Abdulah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, in Doha last week. In a letter dated October 16, 2016 to Browne, the Qatari government stated that, as a result of the meeting between the two prime ministers, there is “a new mandate for Qatar to focus on Caribbean development and expansion of Qatar social and economic ties to the region”.

The Antigua and Barbuda prime minister said that he is also “delighted that the Qatari government has decided to hold the conference in Antigua in January to buildup economic ties between the Caribbean and the states of the Gulf Council”. The prime minister added, “I have opened the door, not only for Antigua and Barbuda, but for the Caribbean as a whole.” (Caribbean News)

Gov’t-approved wind farm project ... From page 16 This was after the National Assembly remained divided on key legislation that was critical to the funding of the US$840M-plus project. GPL using the cheaper, heavy fuel oil is reportedly generating at around 18 US cents per kilowatt. Last October, the stalled wind farm project spearheaded by city businessman, Lloyd Singh and a number of other investors was given a

green light by the Government The US$50M-plus project which is expected to add over 25 megawatts of additional power to the national grid is said to be a collaborative agreement between the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) and the developer, Guyana Wind-Farm Inc. Back then, Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, disclosed that the Cabinet of Ministers has

given its no objection to examine the proposal in detail. The review was expected to ensure that the project, slated to be built at Hope Beach, East Coast Demerara, meets the required criteria. Patterson had outlined that the proposal outlined 12-cents per kilowatt hour fee, with the investor already submitting documentations and assuring that financing has been secured.

After 25 years… Barama pulls out... Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman and GFC’s Chairperson, Jocelyn Dow

From page 3 Representatives from Barama will meet with the GFC and Government next week to speak on the likely impact on staffers, among other things. With Barama also doing business with suppliers, and transportation services, it is likely that there will be ripple effects. The company has been playing a significant role in road maintenance, in the Buckhall, Essequibo River area to North West, Region One. Barama, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samling Global Limited, was established in Guyana since 1991. The company was granted a lowland, mixed tropical forest concession for approximately 1.6 million hect-

ares in the Northwest region of Guyana. While Barama initially started with the extraction of logs, it eventually ventured into manufacturing of plywood and evolved to include veneer and sawn timber operation. In 1993, it established a plywood operation. This was followed by the settingup of a sawmill operation in 1996 at its Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara site and

two others at the Buckhall site in 2006 and 2008. Both sites are complemented with kiln dryers and moulders to produce finished lumber. In recent times, pressure has been mounting on consecutive administrations for forest lands to be made available with observers pointing out that a majority of concessions are in the hands of a few.

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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, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Passport, permanent & visitor visa application, Professional Immigrant Consultant – Sabita Immigration Services. Call: 225-6496; 662-6045 RAMDASS VISA APPLICATION & immigration services, room A-4, Maraj Building, Georgetown. Call Samantha: 227-0295; 6159295 Hello the doctor is back! Have your gas stove service and repairs. Call: 601-0595 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air c o n d i t i o n e r, w a s h i n g m a c h i n e s , d r y e r s , T V, microwaves & freezer-Call: 610-5846 or 661-8158

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

EDUCATIONAL Classes for slow learners in Reading, Spelling, Mathematics, and much more for children all ages. Call: 675-4379 IAE – CXC Jan/June 2017 – full time school; lessons/ classes for students, adults, repeaters & beginners. Call Mr. Roberts: 683-5742

FOR SALE/RENT House for rent/ sale @ Lot 107 Durbana Square Lamaha Gardens with 5 bedrooms large parking. Call: 661-8908

VACANCY

Experienced taxi drivers (hire car) and dispatcher at Princess Ramada Hotel. Call: 265-7076/ 616-5419

One experienced dispatcher – Call: 231-5784/ 231-4000

Entertainment Manager to work in the Essequibo Coast: must have experienced in promotions, events & hotel managements. Call: 226-9768

Popular East Coast Gas Station (Non-Pareil) Day/ Night: pump attendants, sales clerk & office assistant. Contact: 695-9880/670-8893

Sales Clerk, must be able bodied ages 18-30yrs. Call: 643-7193

1 Female Kitchen Assistant, 1 Male person to grill meat, must be able to work weekends. Call Mr.Khan: 695-6550; 656-9313

1 Male or female shop assistant to work in the Interior, salary depends on experienced. Call: 678-0565

Experienced pharmacy assistant to work in reputable pharmacy, interested persons can call: 227-0630

International Opportunity: support worker/caregiver Training to live & work in Canada. Guyana Training College. Call: 227-4881 Spanish lessons for CXC students & beginners (Form 1, 2, 3) on Saturdays, location at Croal & Light Street. Call: 611-5562

Jean offers courses in dressmaking, curtains, floral arrangement, and cake decoration @ 153 Barr Street Kitty. Call: 670-2653/ 638-8449

WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP R E AT E S , S P E C I A L OFFERFOR THE SUMMER. CALL: 690-6494

Blowout Car Sale!!! IST$2.1M, Spacio-$2.1M, Fielder-$2.1M, Audi A4$3.7M. Contact#650-0402/ 260-4988 Oswin J’s Auto Imports: New Arrivals: Premio, Allion, Fielder, Axio, Rush, X-Trail. Free full coverage insurance. Call: 609-2815

PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Business apartment for rent: 1 snackette include glass cases, warmer & stove, grocery & beer garden @ 7 Durban Street, Lodge. Call: 690-5796 Three bedrooms bottom flat at 116 Cane View Avenue, South Ruimvedlt Gardens. Call: 2181688/ 615-0392/609-7826

1 Isuzu truck,6 cylinder engine. Contact # 650-0402

Attractive live in waitressCall: 327-0252/674-4665

1RZ Bus, PLL series in excellent condition with A/C, etc. Price$1.2M. Call: 617-6781

One bedroom bottom flat, fully furnished house $65,000. Call: 641-0959

Special Sale: 2009 Belta $2.1M, 2009 Airwave -$2.4M. Call: 617-2891

2 Bedroom fully furnished house with hot & cold shower, Wi-Fi, security cameras, A/C, all amenities $850USD. Call: 641-0959

Painters to work in Linden. Call: 602-9469 Carpenters, masons, labourer, preferably from Georgetown area. Call: 6907316 between 9:00am-4:00pm

LAND FOR SALE Diamond -$2.5M, La Parfaite Harmonie -$950,000, 50X100 -$3M; Cummings Lodge $7M, Enterprise Public Road 157X200 -$30M, Schoonard 1st Street. Call: 231-2199/ 6187483 Land at Tuschen -$2.5M, La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.4M, $1.2M, Zeelugt, Herstelling, All price reduced & terms available. Call: 604-6724

TO LET Detached two bedrooms house with overhead tank & parking space. Call Joy: 649-9059/621-1088 1-3 Bedrooms bottom flat apartment, semi-furnished, full bathroom, good neighbourhood at Better Hope, East Coast Demerara. Call: 220-1583/ 667-6066

Zeelugt -$1.8M neg, La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.5M neg, $1.2M neg, Zeeburg $4.5M neg. Call: 642-1252 Land @ La Parfaite Harmonie, reduced prices: $1.1M & $1.3M, title available. Call: 658-5897/ 6732692

C. Persaud & N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman & Sons Driving School @ Maraj BuildingCall: 644-5166; 622-2872; 615-0964; 689-5997 (affordable packages).

CAR RENTAL

2009 Raum- $2.4M, 2009 Sienta -$2.4M, 2009 Axio $2.8M, 2009 Fielder -$2.6M. Call: 617-2891 Toyota Premio 2008 PSS series, high frequency, remote start, alarm system $2M. Call: 658-5897/-6732692

FOR SALE Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 $30,000 & Tab 4-$35,000, Iphone 6s -$95,000, I-phone 5c -$50,000, I-phone: 4s$35,000 & 4- $30,000, Samsung Galaxy Note 2. Call: 621-9604/ 694-1748

PROPERTY FOR SALE Lot 704 House & Land at Zeelugt, Brother Dam W.C.D -$7M negotiable. Call: 616-5606/ 277-0281 1 Church building in front and 2 story building at the back (W30X6120) @ 180 Charolotte Street Bourda. Call:624-7341/ 227-6817/2265183

CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 6560087 , EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO. COM

Unregistered Bluebird 2011 Model, Tiida Latio 2010 model, Rush 2006 model( TV, Reverse Camera). Call: 655-3400

FOR RENT

Live in waitress. Call: 6439007

LEARN TO DRIVE DRESSMAKING

VEHICLE FOR SALE RZ, Pit Bull, 212 Carina, IST, Verossa, Suzuki Vitaera, Premio, Allion, Fielder Wagon, Spacio- Call: 6507501/ 616-2577

One exclusive three bedrooms apartment @ First Bridge Diamond, E.B.D $70,000. Call: 225-5258/6152622

Career Training: care for the elderly/care for children/first aid & CPR. Guyana Training College. Call: 227-4881

TAXI SERVICE

TOURS October 30th 2016: Santa Mission. Call Joy: 649-9059/ 621-1088

WANTED

1 Male to work on vehicle in the interior. Call: 678-0565

Laptop Repairs & unlocking of cell phones, etc. Call: 683-9251 GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 2257878 (24HRS)

Thursday October 20, 2016

Kaieteur News

House & Land available for sale. Contact Pacific Development Inc: 223-6035/ 227-8274

Space for rent at Ashmin’s Building. 50% off first month’s rent. Call today: 6837954 Spacious 2 bedrooms lower flat at Herstelling E.B.D. Call: 265-0204/6010223/676-5824

FOR SALE Household appliances going cheap: washer, TV, suite, bed, treadmill, wardrobe, microwave, A/C unit, dryer. Call: 658-5897/ 673-2692 Cheap! Cheap! CCTV Security Surveillance Kit, 8 Channels DVR with built in Hard Drive, 8 bullet cameras – Tel: 621-4740 MacBook Pro 17inch, dual core, 2GB Ram, Mac OSX 10.8.5, late 2006 -$70,000. Call: 621-9604/ 694-1748

PROPERTY FOR SALE East Ruimveldt 40X80 flat $12M, Diamond 8th Avenue incomplete top -$12M & 21st Avenue $17M, South 18M. Call: 231-2199/618-7483

DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM

Transported property @ Grove and Diamond $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461

Property @ Lot 172 Zohora Street, Market Street Better Hope, East Coast Demerara. Call: 220-1583/667-6066

AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL: 4WD PICKUP,. CHEAPEST RATE & SPECIAL RATE FOR LONG TERM . CALL: 698-7807

Property @ New Rd Vreeden-Hoop, 3 Houses on lot 50ftX300ft, asking $55M. Call Sunil: (310) 982-8199; Cecil: 630-9455

Property with extra large land well built with 2 storey house @ Back Street BetterHope, E.C.D Won’t last. Call: 2201583/667-6066

Samsung RV520 15inch, 13 Intel Processor, GB ram, windows 8 -$76,000, Apple I pad 2, 16GB, Wi-Fi IOS 9.3.5. Call: 621-9604/ 694-1748 PURE BRED SHOW DOG QUALITY, 7 MONTHS MALE, ALASKAN MALAMUTE, SERIOUS ENQUIRIES ONLY. CALL: 611-8698/685-4449 Double Steel Wheeled Roller, 1 Mack Concrete mixer truck. Call: 275-0538/ 683-7225 Continued on page 23

Thursday October 20, 2016

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Kaieteur News

CSME awareness being enhanced via workshop From page 22

Stakeholders at the workshop yesterday

FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Cargo Trawler. Call: 682-8724; 616-5954 1 45" Complete cabin Cruiser, trout seine, excellent condition. Call: 654-2817/ 6570044/625-8522

Local stakeholders are being provided with necessary knowledge and understanding of Caribbean Community Single Market and Economy (CSME) labour market by way of a three-day workshop offered by the Ministry of Social Protection and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). The workshop opened yesterday at the Ministry of Social Protection’s Water and Cornhill Streets location in Georgetown. Organisers of the event are hoping to provide participants with the requisite information and its use in policy and planning of the CSME labour market. The workshop targets persons from specific professional groups, including officials from the departments of statistics, finance, planning, health, education, social security, as well as trade unions and employers’ organisations. Facilitators of the workshop include Ministry of Social Protection’s Assistant Chief Labour Occupation Health and Safety Officer,

Lydia Green, Deputy Programme Manager of Free Movement and Labour, CARICOM Secretariat, CSME Unit, Dr. Olivia Smith and CARICOM consultant on the Economy for Labour and Population, Dr. William House. In her remarks yesterday, Ms. Green explained that the training will equip stakeholders with the essential information to operate a system that will provide them with statistics to enhance the mobility of skills in the common space offered through CSME. “Our world resolves around statistics and specifically, in the context of the free movement of people, a Labour Market Information System is critical, as it aids informed decisions critical to solving many problems we face”, Green said. According to Green, the statisticians and technical personnel in Guyana can offer essential insight into determining which data and conclusions are reliable. “You can map our trends and guide our progress. I

therefore urge you to maximize on this training opportunity so that we could have a reliable Labour Market Information System”. Further she said that, this is not just critical to the needs of Guyana, but to the functionality of Guyana as a CARICOM partner that embraces the free movement of skills, and to enhance our relations with sister countries that have signed onto this important treaty to promote free movement. She stressed that “each member state must commit to and ensure that workers are respected; there must be fair treatment of workers without regard to nationality, sociobackground or race. These principles are crucial to any effort at enhancing the competitiveness and productivity of our regional workforce”. “Creating an effective Labour Market Information System would allow us to support such an ideal. A Labour Market Information System would provide us critical data to measure the progress we are making with

Insurance companies cancel coverage of Gafoor’s Complex Three companies offering insurance coverage to the Gafoor’s Houston Complex, have indicated that they will be cancelling the coverage offered to the company. This comes on the heels of two major fires that ravaged the facility located at Houston, East Bank Demerara. The company’s Chief Executive Officer, Abdool Sattaur Gafoor said that he received calls from three companies - Abdool & Abdool (an insurance broker), North American Fire Insurance Company (NAFICO) and Hand in

Hand. In fact NAFICO has informed Gafoor’s by way of letter that it would be cancelling its coverage. Hand in Hand did so by phone, giving 14 days’ notice. Sattaur said the companies informed him that they would not be able to carry the risk involved in insuring the company (Gafoor’s). One of the other companies that is still offering coverage said that Gafoor’s is now a high risk entity. Sattaur added that he is now carrying 32% of the risk

which was once covered by the insurance companies. The businessman disclosed that the 32% risk roughly translates to about $70 billion. “I now have to carry this risk just because somebody burned my place,” the CEO said. To his credit there are still four companies that are providing insurance coverage to the company. One fact is that the companies withdrawing their coverage will first pay the claims from the previous fires before they cancel any further coverage.

regard to implementing the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME), identify our strengths and weaknesses; aid job seekers and employers; and facilitate information sharing to concerned parties.” In her presentation, Dr. Olivia Smith further explained that the workshop is one of several activities for the establishment of a Regional Labour Market Information System for the Proper Management of the Regime for the Free Movement of Skills within the CSME. She noted that, “the CSME Market is open to several categories of the free movement of skills which include university graduates, sportspersons, media workers, musicians, artistes, nongraduate nurses, non-gradu-

ate teachers, associate degrees/equivalent – two CAPE and two A’ Level, also artisans with a Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) and household domestics with a CVQ. The gathering was reminded that Caricom Heads mandated, “the development and adoption of a regional project to build a regional electronic network for labour market information and statistics and strengthen the management capability”. Dr. Smith said that it was further noted that “this is necessary to improve data and information retrieval in order to effectively monitor the functioning, performance and economic impact of free movement on the labour market and to calibrate labour market policy”.

Organic Potting Soil -$900, Lawn Grass -$1,400, Ficus 4 @$1,000, Exora 4 @ $1,000, also Palms & Flowers. Call: 626-1044 1- CAT 320 BL Excavators, 1 CAT 930 Front End Loader. 1-55 Leyland DAF Truck, 1 CAT D4H Bulldozer. Call: 2750538/ 683-7225 1- 5L Hilux pickup for sale & 1 transported property @ Covent Garden Island, E.B.DCall: 265-3586 Pine cupboard doors, bed set spindles, stair case spindles, moldings, handrails. Call: 6676223/621-1278 600 Amps automatic transfer switch and more items. Call: 627-7835 Household Items: Music systems -$45,000, 2 Door fridge -$45,000, blender $5,000, etc. Call: 665-4944 Muscovy Ducklings and eggs (white & brown). Call: 602-7203

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Kaieteur News

Thursday October 20, 2016

Vigilantes chop off the hands of six alleged criminals

Guadalajara, MEXICO – Six alleged criminals were found alive with their hands chopped off after an apparent vigilante attack in the outskirts of Guadalajara, Mexico’s second biggest city, on Monday afternoon. Authorities in the western state of Jalisco confirmed that five men men in their 30’s and a 44-year-old woman were being treated for amputations in local hospitals after they were discovered about 6pm in Guadalajara’s Tlaquepaque district. The woman’s partner, a 39-year-old male, was found dead at the scene. Graphic images circulating on social media showed several bloodied men with their hands hacked off at the wrists. Some had the words

“I’m a rat” tattooed on their foreheads. Their severed hands were dumped in two plastic bags that lay beside them. A handwritten banner left at the crime scene accused the victims of disrespecting women and children, breaking into people’s homes and stealing vehicles, jewelry and cell phones, among other alleged crimes. It was signed by the “Elite anti-rat group”. Thieves and petty criminals are commonly known as rats in Mexico. A Guadalajara police officer, who asked that his name be withheld because he was not authorized to publicly discuss the case, confirmed the authenticity of the images. The officer told FNL that

vigilantism was “a very grave, sensitive issue because it shows that we don’t have an effective justice system, nor municipal or state police forces that are capable of combatting crimes such as theft.” The Jalisco attorney general, Eduardo Almaguer, revealed in a press conference on Tuesday morning that police had located a safe house in Tlaquepaque and arrested two suspects, including the presumed head of the criminal cell responsible for the amputations. “They’re criminals and we’re going to arrest them and they will be punished. The state has to punish them,” Almaguer said of those responsible. (Yahoo News)

Obamacare attracts one million more The U.S. Health and Human Services Department estimates that one million more people will sign up for health insurance on the Obamacare exchanges for 2017 compared with 2016, a department official told reporters on Wednesday. President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act, often called Obamacare, created online exchanges where consumers can shop for individual health insurance and receive income-based subsidies. The exchanges opened in 2014 with insurance for sale by major companies including

Aetna Inc and Anthem Inc. But enrollment has been about half of what was initially expected and some large insurers this year have said they were losing too much money on the exchanges because of that and the fact that enrollees are older and sicker than expected. Aetna and UnitedHealth Group have largely pulled out of the exchanges for 2017. “This is essentially a status quo projection, with expected growth in enrollment matching what happened this year. That strikes me as rea-

sonable, not too pessimistic, not too optimistic,” Kaiser Family Foundation healthcare researcher Larry Levitt said. There is upheaval now as exchanges head into enrollment, he said, referring to bigger premium increases than in previous years and insurers exiting the market. Any enrollment growth would be a good signal to insurers, Levitt added. The health department said it expects 2017 sign-ups of 13.8 million people versus 12.7 million for 2016. Average monthly enrollment in 2017 is estimated at 11.4 million people, up from 10.5 million people in 2016, the official said. Separately, Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell told reporters that there are 10.7 million uninsured people who are eligible for the exchanges but unenrolled, and about 40 percent of those are young, she said. More enrollees in that group, aged 18 to 34, could help balance out insurer costs because they typically have lower health costs.

Thursday October 20, 2016

Kaieteur News

Brazil impeachment leader arrested in corruption probe RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — The powerful former speaker of Brazil’s lower house who spearheaded the ouster of President Dilma Rousseff was arrested yesterday as part of a sprawling graft probe involving state oil giant Petrobras. Eduardo Cunha, who until recently was a key ally of new President Michel Temer, is accused of corruption, money laundering and tax evasion related to an oilfield purchase that Petrobras made in 2011 in the west African nation of Benin. Prosecutors said in a statement that they requested Cunha’s detention on the grounds that he represented a threat to the integrity of the investigation and was a flight risk. They also asked for bank accounts he holds totaling some US$60 million to be frozen.

Eduardo Cunha Cunha was arrested in the capital, Brasilia, and was then put on a plane to the southern city of Curitiba, where Judge Sergio Moro is presiding over many of the Petrobras cases. The ex-speaker faces mul-

tiple ongoing investigations and has been accused of accepting millions of dollars in bribes for himself and other politicians. Cunha was forced to resign as speaker in July. Last month he was stripped of his congressional seat — and also the legal protections against prosecution that come with elected office in Brazil. Cunha then began publicly criticizing Temer, his erstwhile ally, and Cabinet officials. He announced he would write a tell-all book about the impeachment with the first excerpts to be published in November. Analysts have said that if Cunha cooperates with prosecutors, he could potentially bring down others in the Petrobras case and create more headaches for the government.

CDB approves US$24 million education project in Saint Lucia BRIDGETOWN, Barbados — The board of directors of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has approved US$23.4 million in financing for a project, which aims to strengthen Saint Lucia’s education system to better address the needs of diverse learners. The Saint Lucia Education Quality Improvement Project (EQuIP) will support the enhancement of mechanisms and capacity for improved planning, leadership and delivery of education services; the rehabilitation, renovation and/or expansion of physical infrastructure at various education levels; and insti-

tutional strengthening and capacity building. Daniel Best, director of projects, CDB noted: “ We a r e c o m m i t t e d t o working with the Government of Saint Lucia to invest in improving access to quality education for all. This Project responds t o t h e i s l a n d ’s m o s t pressing needs in the e d u c a t i o n s e c t o r, a n d builds on our four decades of successful partnership with the government and people of Saint Lucia.” The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) is also providing Jamaica with a technical assistance grant to strengthen the ca-

p a c i t y o f t h e c o u n t r y ’s Ministry of Finance. The funding will help to support Jamaica in the ongoing implementation of their Economic Reform Programme, under which critical macroeconomic and structural reforms are being undertaken with the objective of stabilizing the economy and setting the stage for inclusive economic growth. The Government of Jamaica has identified a need to bolster the Ministry of Finance’s technical expertise in fiscal and macroeconomic policy that supports the country’s reforms under its homegrown structural adjustment programme.

Haiti sees 800 new cholera cases after hurricane Geneva (AFP) - Haiti recorded nearly 800 cases of cholera the week after it was ravaged by Hurricane Matthew, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said yesterday, as health officials grapple to contain the disease. There had been previous indications that Matthew triggered a surge in new cases but conclusively testing samples had been difficult in the aftermath of the storm, WHO’s representative in Haiti, Jean-Luc Poncelet told reporters in Geneva. With the testing system operational again, health officials have confirmed “the majority of suspected cases,” Poncelet said.

Citing ministry of health figures, he said 773 cases had been registered between October 9 and October 15. The UN had previously announced it was sending a million cholera vaccines to the impoverished Caribbean nation to try to control the epidemic. Since Haiti was devastated by an earthquake in 2010, around 10,000 people have died of cholera. The number of active cases surged to 300,000 in 2011, but had been brought below 30,000 in recent years. Before Hurricane Matthew struck in the first week of October, more than 28,000 cases of cholera had been recorded this year.

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Thursday October 20, 2016

Kaieteur News

Saudi Arabia executes prince Saudi authorities executed a prince in Riyadh on Tuesday after a court found him guilty of murder, according to the Saudi state news agency. Prince Turki Bin Saud Al-Kabir was the first member of royalty executed in the Gulf Kingdom since 1975. Kabir pleaded guilty to the shooting and killing of fellow Saudi citizen Adel bin Suleiman bin Abdulkareem Al-Muhaimeed during a mass brawl, according to Saudi state media. A court found him guilty three years ago for the incident in the al-Thumama region, on the outskirts of Riyadh. Because the victim’s family rejected offers

of money in return for clemency, he was sentenced to the death penalty. The country’s General Court sentenced him to death, a ruling supported by the Supreme Court, before a royal decree ordered the sentence be carried out. Saudi state news did not say how authorities carried out the execution but capital punishment is regularly carried out in public in the kingdom. In a statement, the Interior Ministry said that the death penalty showed that it cared about “security, justice and safety for all,” online site Arab News reported. (Yahoo News).

Booby traps line road to Mosul A deep tunnel, boobytrapped with an improvised explosive device, burrows under houses at the entrance to the village. Nearby, an antipersonnel mine lies half buried in a dirt road. Residents began returning on Wednesday to the village of Sheikh Amir on the road to Mosul, recaptured overnight by advancing Kurdish fighters in the early days of the biggest advance that has been launched against Islamic State. They found a village rigged with explosives and dug in with elaborate underground defenses, abandoned by the Islamists who have retreated closer to Mosul, 30 km

(19 miles) to the west. Three days into the assault on Mosul, U.S.-backed government and Kurdish forces are steadily recovering outlying territory before the big push into the city itself, expected to be the biggest battle in Iraq since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion. Much of Sheikh Amir had been torn down, including the house of Abbas Ahmad Hussein, a 36-year-old resident who fled the village when Sunni militants of Islamic State, also known as ISIL, ISIS or Daesh, captured it in 2014. A Shi’ite, he returned on Wednesday to survey the damage with a small truck to

take out any salvageable items, but found nothing left to save amid the wreckage. Nearby, red graffiti had been sprayed on a house: “Shi’ites are non-believers.” The village had a mixed population before Islamic State arrived, but Shi’ite houses were destroyed by the militants who consider all Shi’ites infidels who must convert or die. Mosul, the last major stronghold of Islamic State fighters in Iraq, is five times the size of any other city the militant group has held. Recapturing it would be a decisive blow to its self-declared caliphate.

Venezuela congressional probe says $11 billion missing at oil company CARACAS: A report by a Venezuelan congressional commission accused Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) [PDVSA.UL] of corruption on Wednesday, saying about $11 billion in funds went missing from the state-run oil company while Rafael Ramirez was at the helm from 2004-14. “It is more than the (annual) budget of five Central American countries,” said Freddy Guevara,

comptroller commission president and a member of one of Venezuela’s hardline opposition parties, alleging widespread malfeasance at the state oil producer. “We’re talking about $11 billion they cannot justify,” he added, as he presented a report by the legislative body that audits the state. PDVSA, which manages the world’s largest oil reserves, brings in about 95

percent of Venezuela’s export revenues and has been the country’s financial engine during 17 years of leftist rule in the OPEC member nation. Critics have long accused PDVSA of corruption, but the company has maintained it is the target of a right-wing smear campaign, led by the United States and compliant international media, to sabotage socialism.

Thursday October 20, 2016

Kaieteur News

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Wolf’s Challenge Cup Male, Female Tokyo 2020: Japan earthquake and nuclear disaster site could host Olympic events Finals set for Sunday at DCC The Wolf’s Challenge Cup softball tournament sponsored by Imran Hussain of Wolf’s Furniture Store in Leonora, and is being played in memory of his father Emam Hussain, who died on the 10th of May 1995. This year’s edition of the tournament will culminate on Sunday at the DCC Ground, Lance Gibbs Street, Queenstown, starting from 9:00am with the Ladies Semifinals. Trophy Stall Angels oppose Blue Divas on Pitch 1, while 4R Lioness will play Mike’s Wellwoman on pitch 2 simultaneously. At 11:30 am the Masters

finals between Mike’s Wellman and Regal Masters will be contested. This is a 20/ 20 affair. Winner walks away with Wolf’s Challenge Cup (Masters) and $100,000. Losing team receives the Runner -Up Trophy and $25,000. Man of the match in the finals receives $5,000 and a trophy. Player of the tournament in the Master category will also receive similar prizes. At 2:45 pm, the female finals between the winning semi-finalists will be contested. Winning female team receive a Trophy + $50,000, while Runners-Up

receive a trophy + $25,000. MVP of the finals and player of the series will also receive a Trophy and $5,000. At 4:30 pm will be the Open Male Finals between Speed Boat and Regal. Winning Team receive the Wolf ’s Challenge Cup Trophy + $100,000. Losing finalist receives the RunnersUp Trophy + $25,000. MVP in the finals and Player of the Series also receives a Trophy + $5,000. The presentation ceremony is set for 8:00pm. This competition started last March, but was hindered by the long wet season.

Thursday October 20, 2016 ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) You will have splendid suggestions for fund raising events. Hard work will not go unnoticed. A new image can be the result if you change your look.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) Your words will be taken out of context if you're evasive with coworkers or employers. You will get out of shape easily if you don't keep on top of things.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- may 21) Family trips or projects should be on your mind. Be careful not to hurt someone's feelings. You should be able to get a lot done.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Eliminate situations that are no longer to your advantage. Your ability to do detailed work will dazzle those who are less creative.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Travel and family gatherings should be in order. You may have more to do with children today; keep an open mind. Trips should be your choice.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) You could be your own worst enemy if you overreact to something you're told. Most partner problems are a result of both people not living up to their promises.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) If you can't trust someone, question the connection. Try a barbecue or a day at the beach. Try not to say the wrong thing at the wrong time.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) You will have extra energy; put it to good use. If you can include them in your plans, do so. Try to enlist the support of your coworkers first.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Help elders with their concerns. You can make new connections if you play your cards right. You will drive your emotional partner crazy today.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 -Feb. 19) Your mate will appreciate your honesty. Chances to express your ideas and beliefs can bring popularity as long as you're not arrogant.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Join a choir or a drama club. You may be considering moving to larger quarters. To avoid any minor health problems, don't get too stressed.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Your accomplishments could exceed your expectations if you mix a little business with pleasure. Jealousy may get in the way of a good relationship.

BBC Sport - Tokyo 2020 Olympic events could be held in part of Japan hit by the 2011 Fukushima earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster in a bid to cut costs. Rowing canoe/kayak sprint events and baseball/ softball are among sports that could be moved 400km north of Tokyo. The International Olympic Committee is holding talks with organisers after a review showed costs could exceed £23bn ($28bn) - four times the estimate. But IOC president Thomas Bach said “we have to respect” athletes. “The athletes are the heart and soul of the Olympic Games,” Bach emphasised. The IOC began four-party discussions with the city government, Tokyo organisers and Japan’s central government on Tuesday in a bid to reduce spending on the Games. The proposal to move some sports to the north-eastern area of Japan devastated by the earthquake was made in a review of expenses commissioned by Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike. The review recommends moving some sports from planned new venues to existing ones. Several events have already been moved outside of Tokyo, with cycling now due to take place 200km from the village in the Shizuoka district. Bach said he was confident cost reductions could be made, but suggested Tokyo should try to stay close to its original bid proposal of keeping the majority of venues within 8km of the athlete’s village in the city’s downtown. He said moving events to the earthquake-hit area was one of several cost-cutting options being discussed, and that it could “contribute to the regeneration” of the region. The most expensive Games to date are the London

IOC president Thomas Bach is holding talks with Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike in the city. (Getty Images) Games at £12bn and the Sochi 2014 Winter Games in Russia which cost £17.7bn. The Rio Olympic Games cost £9.7bn, coming in 51%

over budget despite cuts to ceremonies, venues and staff. According to a recent study, no Games since 1960 has come in under budget.

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Thursday October 20, 2016

Kaieteur News

UG INTER-FACULTY TRACK & General Services are Bosai Inter FIELD ATHLETIC MEET POSTPONED Department football champs

The University of Guyana (UG) Inter-faculty Track & Field Championship billed for yesterday and today has been rescheduled to Semester II of the current academic year, to coincide with the semester break. The public is asked to note that the decision to postpone the athletic meet was taken as a result of the unavailability of a suitable venue a release from the institution informed. The event was originally scheduled to be hosted at The Uni-

versity of Guyana Turkeyen campus, however, on examination by the Guyana Amateur Athletic Association (AAG), the ground was deemed technically unsuitable, therefore, the required sanction from that Association for the meet was withheld. An alternate and suitable off-campus venue could not be secured for the scheduled week of the semester break in the current semester. According to Ms Lavern Fraser, Sports Organiser, “The

UG sports ground is plagued with the perennial problem of flooding which impedes a regular schedule of maintenance and preparation.” However, the Sports Department in collaboration with the Administration will work to ensure that the ground is technically approved for the hosting at the rescheduled time.” The Administration humbly apologises for any inconvenience caused, the release concluded.

Duty calls for combative Hamilton Winning General Services team display their silverware after the presentation. Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton of Britain in action during the race. (REUTERS/Toru Hanai)

AUSTIN, TEXAS (Reuters) Lewis Hamilton will be starring in the next “Call of Duty” video game due out in November but the Formula One world champion has a real and more immediate fight on his hands in Texas this weekend. The Mercedes driver, returning to the U.S. Grand Prix circuit where last year he won his third title, told 3.8 million followers on Twitter that he would be a character in the “Infinite Warfare” edition. Hamilton, 33 points behind German team mate Nico Rosberg with four rounds remaining, is determined to give it his best shot on the track as well - even if it is looking an increasingly long one. The Briton knows the odds are now stacked against him winning a fourth title this season, given that even winning all the remaining races will not be enough if Rosberg finishes second every time. But the same bad luck that saw him retire with an engine failure while leading in Malaysia this month can also strike elsewhere. “We’ve got four races left to make the most of it and that’s exactly what I plan to do. It’s just about hitting ev-

ery race weekend as hard as I can, going all out for every win and seeing what happens from there,” said Hamilton. “I’ll be holding nothing back out there. “I’ve got some great memories from Austin, with three wins from four races and, of course, the title win last year. That was one of the highlights of my career, no doubt. “It’s almost like the American fans have adopted me as their own, so I’ll try to channel all of that positive energy into this weekend.” STRONG SUPPORT Hamilton could do with some of that after a negative Japanese Grand Prix in which he seemed determined to take on all-comers. At Suzuka two weeks ago, he was criticized for playing with Snapchat on his phone during the main Thursday news conference and then walked out of a team media briefing after hitting out at “disrespectful” criticism of his behavior by journalists. If Hamilton hopes for a return to form in Texas, Rosberg has unfinished business to deal with as he charts his way - one race at a time towards a first title.

His mistake in Austin last October, while leading the race, gifted the title to Hamilton in bitter circumstances. Rosberg went off to console himself after the race by belting out Bon Jovi’s “Living on a Prayer” at a team karaoke night. It seemed to do the trick, the German reeling off seven wins in a row on the back of the Texas defeat and returning a year later much more than “half way there” and searching for his 10th victory of the season. “Last year this race obviously didn’t work out so great for me, so I’m looking forward to getting back out there and doing my best to get it right this time,” said Rosberg. Red Bull, the only team other than Mercedes to have won races this season with Australian Daniel Ricciardo and Dutch teenager Max Verstappen, will also be hoping to get in the mix as will Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen. With no U.S. driver on the grid, the U.S.-owned Haas team will be making a first home appearance while Force India’s Mexican Sergio Perez can count on strong support from across the border.

A lone goal off the boot of General Services’ Damion Williams in the 76th minute of play was enough to end the reign of three-time champions, Plant Op e r a t i o n s in last S a t u r d a y ’s f i n a l o f t h e Bosai Inter Department Football Championship at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground. The new champions were led by the inspirational play of forward and the competition’s MVP Delon Charter who orchestrated all their offensive moves. Charter’s harassing of the Plant Maintenance

backline eventually made room for the combination of Andrew Breedy and Williams to nail home the lone goal of the game. Breedy served up a well calculated cross that was met by the darting Williams who never gave Plant Operations’ custodian a chance as he struck a crisp shot from the top of the 18-yard box to send the many fans into celebration mode in the 76th minute. This broke the deadlock in the match which was going back and forth. A number of top company officials from

the Linden Bauxite Operations were on hand to witness the final and the supporters from the two finalists also made their presence felt. After the go ahead goal, General Services locked down on defence as the experienced Waynewright Bethune in association with Kerron Fiedtkou and the sterling efforts of goalkeeper Kellon Neblett never allowed Plant Operations back into the contest. Plant Operations did show some fight through Mark Louis, Orin Scott and Ryan Noel among others.

India in festive mood, NZ in recovery mode ESPNcricinfo - In a normal Indian season, this ODI would have been played yesterday and not today, but it has been postponed to accommodate the festival of Karva Chauth. This is festival season in India; the Kolkata Test was advanced to avoid a clash with Durga Puja and Diwali, one of the biggest pan-Indian festivals, takes place during the ODI series. For India, the festivities seem to have extended to the field - they have beaten New Zealand in all four matches of the tour, the Dharamsala ODI being the latest. But it is easier to recover from a loss in ODIs than it is in Tests, even a comprehensive one. One defeat doesn’t make New Zealand, the World Cup runners-up, an ordinary team, nor will one win make India’s ODI issues go away but there are enough trends to bother one and please the other. Martin Guptill and Ross

Taylor haven’t joined the festivities, whereas Virat K o h l i ’s u n b e a t e n f i f t y showed he had no trouble putting aside a nine-month gap between ODIs. Excluding Zimbabwe, New Zealand last beat an international side in March in the World T20. These are the kind of things that begin to stack up; never mind the difficult conditions they have played in or the injuries. India will want to stretch that streak to leave New Zealand needing to win every game to win this series. In the spotlight Ross Taylor’s miserable tour continued in Dharamsala where he got out first ball, poking at an outswinger. With 89 runs in seven innings, it will take a lot of mental strength from him to turn this tour around. This series is a great opportunity for Ajinkya Rahane to establish him-

self in the ODI XI beyond all doubt. KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan are injured, but when they are back, wasted starts such as the 33 in the first game could hurt Rahane’s prospects. Team news Suresh Raina has been ruled out of the second ODI too with viral fever, which should mean another chance for Kedar Jadhav. Hardik Pandya, after three wickets and the Man-ofthe-Match award on debut, should get another go with the new ball. After resting for the first ODI, Matt Henry is ready to return to the XI. If it is a normal ODI pitch, Ish Sodhi should be the one making way for him. Pitch and conditions The Dharamsala pitch, which offered assistance to quicks early on, should be an aberration. With winter setting in, dew can be an issue so expect the side winning the toss to chase.

Thursday October 20, 2016

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Kaieteur News

Simmons sacking led to Windies meltdown, claims Pollard PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Kieron Pollard has described shambolic behind-the-scenes operations of the West Indies team in the recent Twenty20 and OneDay series against Pakistan, and has argued that the chaos resulted from the sudden sacking of head coach Phil Simmons on the eve of the tour. The all-rounder said Simmons’ premature departure had been a “spirit-dampening moment” for the West Indies and had led to disarray in the camp and low team morale, with players confused over exactly who had taken over responsibility for the unit. Pollard’s assertions come two weeks after fellow Trinidadian and West Indies teammate Dwayne Bravo claimed that Simmons’ axing had been a major factor in the side’s poor performances. “I had to ask the question because I wasn’t sure who was in charge,” Pollard told I95.5 FM

Radio here. “From media reports before I got there – because the team got there before I did – they said that Joel Garner (manager) would be the head of the [delegation] and we’ll have the assistant coaches in Henderson Springer and Roddy Estwick … so you weren’t sure who was the head coach.” Pollard, who played in both the T20 and the One-Day series, said with the management structure unclear, information was also difficult to come by during the tour. “One person asked ‘coach, what’s the plan for tomorrow?’ We got no response but then we saw the cricketing schedule coming from the physio (CJ Clark) so we were in shock,” Pollard continued. “And then at other times you asked questions to the management staff, the media guy [Philip Spooner] was responding to some of those messages. “You were getting [information] in bits and pieces but then ok, if you

had a problem and you say ‘Manage, what’s the scenario here? Then maybe you may hear from him and then you may [also] get it from someone else.” West Indies produced limp performances as they suffered 3-0 drubbings in the both the T20 and One-Day series to Pakistan earlier this month in the United Arab Emirates. On the day of the squad’s departure for the tour, the West Indies Cricket Board announced it has sacked Simmons after just 18 months in charge, over what it termed ‘differences in culture and strategic approach.” Bravo subsequently argued the move had demoralised the side, leading to their poor on-field performances and Pollard echoed similar sentiments. “You know it was going to be difficult from the onset. Going to the UAE, Pakistan play really good cricket there, they are accustomed to those conditions and just before the team took off to Dubai, you

Hetmyer shines as Windies A makes inroads DAMBULLA, Sri Lanka, CMC – Shimron Hetmyer fell agonisingly short of a hundred as he led a solid West Indies A reply on the second day of the final four-day “Test” against Sri Lanka A here yesterday. The Caribbean side closed the day on 183 for four at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, with Hetmyer top-scoring with an aggressive 94 and captain Shamarh Brooks unbeaten on 43. Sri Lanka A had earlier converted their overnight 272 for seven into 318 all out, as left-arm seamer Delorn Johnson helped polish off the tail to finish with four for 65. Off-spinner Rahkeen Cornwall claimed three for 93 while leg-spinner Damion Jacobs picked up two for 64. Roshen Silva added just nine to his overnight 40 while number 10 Kasun Madushanka slammed five fours in an eight-ball 20. West Indies A were quickly in trouble, however, when openers Rajendra Chandrika (11) and lefthander Kieran Powell (8) departed cheaply to leave the visitors stumbling on 35 for two. Hetmyer and Brooks then came together to rescue the innings in an enterprising 104-run, third wicket stand. The left-handed Hetmyer was dominant throughout in a better than run-a-ball innings, carving out 17 boundaries off just 93 deliveries. Brooks, a right-hander,

has faced 79 deliveries and struck five fours. When Hetmyer fell, the inform Vishaul Singh joined Brooks to add a further 34 for the fourth wicket before perishing 15 minutes before the close for 15, lbw to seamer

Lahiru Gamage. The three-game series is tied 1-1 after the hosts won the opener in Colombo by seven wickets and West Indies A pulled of a massive 333-run victory in the second contest in Pallekele.

heard that the coach was fired,” he pointed out. “So that in itself was a spirit-dampening moment there because I think the guys started to build a really good bond with the coach. “And when I say a good bond, at that level is not really about coaching but it’s about man-management, it’s about basically when you’re having trouble – it could be in our personal life – he is someone you can go to, you can talk cricket, you can joke. “He will give you a different perspective, comfort your mind in that sense and take care of your mental state.” He continued: “So going on a difficult tour and knowing now that’s he’s gone, put great doubt in the players’ minds and when you look back at it, this was the first thing that happened after the symposium that we had in Miami where we were supposed to be looking forward and going forward. “Two immediate decisions [happened] after that – (Darren) Sammy got sacked and the coach going – so from the onset, the team was demoralised.” The first sign all was not well in the Windies camp came when they looked anything but reigning T20 World champions as they slid to heavy

defeats in the format in which they are strongest. They went down by margins of nine wickets and 16 runs in back-to-back games in Dubai and then crashed to crashed to an eightwicket defeat in Abu Dhabi three days later when they could only muster 103 for five from their 20 overs batting first. There was no respite in the ODI series as West Indies were distinctly second best in every department as Pakistan pulled off a second whitewash. Pollard, who failed miserably in both series, said the team meetings were lowkeyed affairs because of an element of fear in the squad. “It was appalling in the sense that players are basically just there just sitting down and nothing much is being said,” he explained. “The captain would speak, the coaches would

speak and then that’s the end of it because I think the situation that presented itself, guys were afraid to talk, guys were afraid to say anything even in team meetings, or be frank. “It’s either you say something and get it off your chest or you say nothing at all because you can see the pattern that is going on – as soon as you say something, the next thing if you haven’t performed well or even if you perform creditably well, you get sacked.” He added: Guys were tentative and you could see if from on the field of play as well. A lot of things transpired there, you wondered if this was an international team.” West Indies are currently involved in a three-Test series against Pakistan where they trail 0-1 following a 56run defeat in the opening Test in Dubai on Monday.

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Bangladesh must bridge the gap for chance of an upset ESPNcricinfo - The first Test is the meeting of a major force in Test cricket and an irregular participant. Bangladesh are resuming the format after a gap of more than 14 months, while by the end of year England will have played 17 Tests in 2016 including seven in eight weeks on the subcontinent starting today. England have won all their eight Tests against Bangladesh - by comfortable margins as well, although sometimes after plenty of toil - but arguably are not the overwhelming favourites that history would suggest given the potential of a youthful top order and continued questions over their spin bowling. While they should still be the front-runners - the success in the ODI series will have boosted confidence in the conditions, although there is a significant turnover in personnel - given the oppressive heat and humidity, the lack of preparation time for some players and inexperience in others, they will be guarding against being too comfortable. Alastair Cook will bec o m e E n g l a n d ’s m o s t capped Test player, and will have to lead from the front in conditions he is familiar with, having toured Bangladesh as the U-19 captain in 2004 and later in his first assignment as Test captain in 2010. He is set to open with a newc o m e r, eitherHaseeb Hameed or Ben Duckett. The latter has impressed having scored four fifties

Haseeb Hameed had to wait his turn for a net, Chittagong, ©Getty Images during this tour - he could yet slot in at No. 4 - and Hameed showed his willingness to battle the new conditions during the warm-up matches. Joe Root, Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow will have to take care of the rest of the batting line-up while Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes will have to lead the bowling attack in the absence of James Anderson. Much focus will be on Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali and they are set to be joined by a third spinner with 39-year-old Gareth Batty, who played his previous Test in 2005, the favourite. The home side has a solid top six but due to in-

juries, loss of form and their 14-month break from Test cricket, have to make five changes since their last game. Much of their fortunes will depend on Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim, though England will know not to count out Imrul Kayes and Mahmudullah. But Bangladesh’s bowling will depend heavily on Shakib Al Hasan, who will have Taijul Islam for help though the rest of the attack may contain two Test debutants. Chittagong will pose the usual Bangladeshi challenges for the visiting team but, so far, England have been willing to roll up their sleeves. They have trained extra hard to get used to the

South Ruimveldt Primary edge West for sixth South Georgetown athletics title South Ruimveldt Primary School edged West Ruimveldt Primary in a nail-biting finish yesterday afternoon at the Police Sports Club Ground, Eve Leary, to take home a sixth straight South Georgetown Inter-Primary Schools athletics title. South amassed 238 points to scrape pass West Ruimveldt’s 237 points in a close battle for the top Primary School title. St. Pius finished third on 223 points while Tucville Primary School was fourth on 221 points and Smith’s Memorial fifth on 202 points.

Enterprise Primary School finished sixth on 168 points while Ketley Primary was seventh on 152 points and St. Stephen Primary eighth on 138 points. St. Sidwell’s Primary was ninth on 120, while St. Thomas Moore Primary rounded out the top ten on 33 points. The South Georgetown Zone I Championship continue today with the Secondary Schools contest featuring Lodge, North Ruimveldt Multilateral, Tucville, Dolphin, Ascension, New Guyana and Freeburg Secondary Schools.

Savage tackle Floodlights tomorrow night at DCC in Hardball T/20 fixture Trophies sponsored by Vicky Ramsaywack AkA Savage are at stake when Savage face Floodlights tomorrow Night at the DCC ground, Queenstown in Hardball T/ 20 fixture starting at 7:00pm. This match will follow another match to be played between DCC and Transport under-13 teams which start at 4:00pm. Savage squad for the game come from: Nadir Baksh capt., Vivakanand Ramsaywack, Ramo Moalone, Talesh Ramotar, Dyalall

Latchman, Dairam Nemraj, Bhim Singh, Ramond Brisraj, Yadram, Teroy Nairane, Chatpaul Singh, Latchman Yadram, Troy Ramsaywack. Floodlights will depend on: Ricky Deonarain capt., Khalid Baksh, Patrick Khan, Wayne Jones, Richard Persaud, Dharam Persaud, Clyde Canterbury, Rabindra Singh, Surendra Nauth, Steve Naraine, Uniss Yusuf, Imtiaz Mohamed. A keenly contested encounter is in the making.

heat and the pitches, as was seen during their sessions since the ODI series. So in their first meeting in more than six years, England and Bangladesh both have significant challenges to face. Once they come face to face, it could turn into a better contest than on paper. In the spotlight When it is England, much of the focus is on Tamim Iqbal who made the four Tests in 2010 memorable with his rapid scoring which including two centuries. His average against England, 63.12, is his highest against teams off which he has taken more than 500 runs. Ben Duckett has made four fifties on tour so far, and has looked more comfortable applying his own game into the local conditions than many of his more accomplished team-mates. Duckett is likely to make his debut, and could be a handful for the Bangladesh at-

Alastair Cook gets to work in the nets after returning to Bangladesh, Chittagong, ©AFP tack. Team news Bangladesh’s top six will be exactly the one that played the last Test, but the rest of the line-up will be changed. Sabbir Rahman and 18-year-old offspinner Mehedi Hasan are most likely to make their Test debuts and if the home side go with two pace bowlers, Kamrul Islam Rabbi would also be making his debut. If Mushfiqur keeps wicket, Nurul Hasan will be sitting out. England will have to make at least three changes from their last Test XI, with Alex Hales (opted out), James Vince (dropped) and James Anderson (injured) unavailable. There was a

late move which favoured Duckett opening with Cook and Hameed missing out, which would mean Gary Ballance retaining his place. The third spinner spot is between the Surrey pair of Batty and the uncapped Zafar Ansari. Pitch and conditions There is likely to be a slow pitch, which wouldn’t give any batsman a comfortable start. The spinners are likely to get more purchase after the first day but again it will be on the slower side. Dust bowls could appear but not until later in the contest. After the rain which threatened the ODI, the forecast is for it to be hot and sunny.

Bel Air Lions Club Domino Tournament

Closing date for entries now Oct. 28 Organisers of The Lions Club of Bel Air upcoming Domino Competition revealed to Kaieteur Sport via telephone yesterday that due to the increasing interest expressed by teams they’ve decided to push back the closing date for entries from Sunday to Friday, October 28. Lion Orlando James told this newspaper that the Georgetown Dominoes Association whose responsibility is to run the tournament have requested that the date for registration to play in the event be pushed back to accommodate the large number of teams interested in being part of the fund raising venture. The competition will be held on Sunday, October 30, at the Lions Civic Centre, Enachu Street, Section ‘N’ Campbellville, starting at 12:00hrs. The winning team will receive $100,000

and a trophy, while second and third placed finishers take away $60,000 and $40,000 respectively, while a special prize will be given to the Most Valuable Player. The sponsors on board are: Clear Waters, Colin Talbert Contracting Services, ART Sawmilling Enterprise, Hamid’s Hardware, N. James Consultancy, Creative Jewellery & Pawn Shop, Trophy Stall and others. The proceeds of the Tournament will be used to support the poor and needy. Meanwhile, registration forms could be collected at Faye Joseph’s residence at 1223 Gaulding Place, South Ruimveldt, Ramchand Auto Spares on Sheriff Street and Ray’s One Stop Auto Spares on Sheriff Street and contact could be made with Orlando James on tele#665-1235 or Rodwell Phillips on tele#6860632.

Kaieteur News

Thursday October 20, 2016

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National Secondary Schools Cricket

Dindyal shines for Diamond as E/Bank zone commences Saints, RISS advance in GT Zone

Brickdam’s top scorer Muivivasteh Ferreira is beaten by Jafar Pinder yesterday at DCC. (Sean Devers photo)

Mavendra Dindyal had a fine all-round performance for Diamond Secondary making 82 & taking 5-4 at Everest on Tuesday. By Sean Devers The overs in two matches yesterday in the GCB/MOE National Secondary School’s 30-over competition had to be reduced in ideal conditions as Mavendra Dindyal starred in the East Bank zone. St Stanislaus College and Richard Ishmael Secondary School (RISS) advanced to the next round of the City zone. The East Bank zone game at Everest was reduced to 20 overs since the school game could not start until Guyana’s preparations for next month’s First-Class tournament had

concluded. The DCC’s encounter was reduced to 25 overs due to the late arrival of the match balls. At Everest on Tuesday, 12-year-old Dindyal played liked a matured lad and executed several exquisite strokes on a sun-kissed day, hitting 11 fours. He got support from Akeem Hendricks, who stroked four fours and a six in 44 to lead Diamond Secondary to 1973 in 20 overs and a 125-run win. Shoaib Roop had 2-22 for Covent Garden Secondary, who fell for 72 all out in 16.3 overs with Roop

reaching the boundary thrice and clearing it once in his 24. Dindyal captured 5-4 while Brandon Teixeira (2-7) and Phillip Mcturk (2-17) supported the extremely talented Dindyal as the East Bank Zone got underway. Yesterday at Everest also in the East Bank zone, Friendship Secondary destroyed Xenon Academy by 81 runs after reaching 1389 from 20 overs in reply to Xenon’s 57. Jamal Scott scored 38 with six fours, while Orlando Ghisiawan contributed 24 with three fours for Friendship as Leonard Thomas (3-1) did the bulk of the damage. Leonard Thomas (14) offered token resistance as Orlando Ghisiawan (4-8) Jamal Scott (2-9) supported with the ball. In the GT zone yesterday, Saints hammered Brickdam Secondary by 96 runs at DCC where the match was delayed due the absence of balls. Saints, led by 53 with three fours and a six by Joshua Bankey, got to 185-9

when their 25 overs expired but Brickdam were never in the run chase as they batted out all of their allotted overs to crawl to 89-8, with only Muivivasteh Ferreira (11) and Daren Elias (10) reaching double figures. Daniel Persaud took 3-2 for Saints who had been given a firm 44-run foundation from openers Shemar Ryan (23) and Skipper Kennard Moonsammy (10) before Bankey and Rohan Sukhandan (20) consolidated the position with a 79-run fourth wicket stand. Veraj Persaud made 21 as Elias (2-25) and Shane Sukraj (2-10) bowled well in a losing cause. In the other game at Bourda, RISS crushed Kingston by 54 runs although Kingston included two players from St George’s Secondary in their team. RISS were bowled out for 127 in 24.1 overs with Juspice Jones (18), Brandon Ramnarine (17) and Rivaldo Phillips and Tariq Hendricks, with 11 each, got into double

figures as 40 wides top scored for RISS. Kingston could only manage 73 from 17.2 overs. Pacer Jonathon St Hill had 3-43, while Meshack Sofflieigh, one of the St George’s students, followed up his 4-4 on Tuesday when Kingston beat School of the Nations, by taking 3-14 yesterday. St Hill (18), Michael Adams (16) and Keon Williams (11) showed fight for Kingston but Jones with 516, was too good for them. The knock-out competition continues today w i t h M a e ’s p l a y i n g Queenstown High at Bourda, St Mary’s High facing-off with Christ Church Secondary at DCC, Saints Stanislaus battling St. John College at MYO and Charlestown High opposing Dolphin Secondary at GNIC. Meanwhile, some complaints were made that bowlers were allowed to ‘pelt’ but umpires informed since there are no match

referees they have to send their reports on the bowlers action to the GCB. “This (bowlers operating with suspect actions) was happening since last year and the (Cricket) Board is not doing anything about it,” said the umpires. Some of the teachers assigned to the various teams said that some of the students are not members of any club and playing cricket for them was a first with some of them being footballers. The teachers added that no coaches were sent to schools to prepare the teams before the tournament commenced which is reason why most of the bowlers are ‘pelting’. Only Chase Academy has a certified coach. They are coached by for Guyana off-spinner Gavin Nedd. “If we took off all the bowlers whose actions are not clean we would not have matches played. There are so many such bowlers playing here,” said the umpires at GCC yesterday.

Knicks’ Derrick Rose cleared of all counts in rape trial USA Today Sport - New York Knicks star point guard Derrick Rose was cleared on all counts Wednesday in a Los Angeles civil court case involving allegations of sexual assault. Rose and two friends, Randall Hampton and Ryan Allen, were accused of sexually assaulting a woman — referred to Jane Doe in court records to protect her identity — on Aug. 27, 2013 while she was incapacitated. Rose, however, said at Knicks Media Day last month

he wasn’t “worried” because he knew he would be proven innocent. Criminal charges were never filed by the Los Angeles Police Department but there is a pending investigation into the matter. An LAPD detective investigating the case was fatally shot last week. Investigators said “there is no indication that her case work had any connection to her death.” Doe was seeking more than $21 million in damages ($6 million in compensatory;

$15.5 million in punitive), and Rose chose not to settle, electing to go through with a trial that started Oct. 4. The former NBA Rookie of the Year missed several practices and all but one preseason game during the proceedings. In the complaint filed on Nov. 15, 2015, Doe alleged the “defendants drugged Plaintiff at Defendant’s residence, and, after Plaintiff’s friend helped her get home safely in a cab, Defendants trespassed in to

Plaintiff’s apartment while Plaintiff was asleep and each sexually assaulted and raped her.” Rose and Doe were in an an open relationship for two years, but it ended months before the alleged rape. Both sides agreed that on the night of the alleged incident, Rose invited Doe and a friend to his Beverly Hills home, where they consumed alcohol with Allen and Hampton and the NBA player himself. Both sides also agreed that sex occurred on the night in question.

Doe, however, contended that she was intoxicated and drifted in and out of consciousness. She claimed suspicion she had been drugged. The plaintiff testified she returned home, vomited and woke up with the three men in her bedroom. The defence painted a far different picture. The three men say Doe sought out sexual relations with them aggressively and had planned for them to visit her. The defense leaned on

suggestive text messages to support this argument. They claimed Doe opened the door to her building and gave no indication of being intoxicated when she led each man into the bedroom. Rose, 28, was acquired from the Chicago Bulls in a summer blockbuster trade meant to solidify the Knicks’ long-problematic point guard spot. The Knicks’ season begins Tuesday in Cleveland against the defending-champion Cavaliers.

Kaieteur News

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Thursday October 20, 2016

England win to seal 3-2 series victory over Windies women BBC Sport - England put in a dominant display to win the fifth and final oneday international against West Indies by five wickets and take the series 3-2. Alex Hartley took 4-24 and Katherine Brunt 3-23 as the hosts were bowled out for 155, despite captain Stafanie Taylor’s 57. England looked tense at 56-2 in the chase, but Nat Sciver’s unbeaten 58 saw them home with 67 balls to spare. The victory means England are one win away f r o m Wo r l d C u p qualification. That could - and should be achieved on the tour of Sri Lanka in November, when England will play three matches in the ICC Women’s Championship. Not only have Heather Knight’s side moved a step closer to booking a place in the home tournament in 2017, they have secured an impressive series victory in her first overseas tour in charge. Without wicketkeeper Sarah Taylor, who remains on a break from the game to deal with an anxiety problem, and injured pace bowler Anya Shrubsole, they have beaten the World T20 champions in hot, humid conditions and on slow, spinfriendly surfaces. Bowlers lead the way againIt is those conditions

Left-arm spinner Alex Hartley set a new England record for wickets in a bilateral ODI series (13) that have made run-scoring so difficult and the toss so important - in all four previous matches the side batting first had gone on to win. England again had to field first, albeit if the later sunshine made batting easier in the afternoon, and their bowlers ensured the runchase would be manageable. After Brunt and Georgia Elwiss removed Shaquana Quintyne and Hayley Matthews respectively, Hartley and fellow spinner Laura Marsh got to work on the middle order.

West Indies Women captain Stafanie Taylor cuts a forlorn figure as she trudges off after being dismissed for 57 yesterday. (Photo courtesy WICB Media)

With Marsh providing the squeeze from one end, Hartley’s accuracy induced poor strokes from Deandra Dottin, Merissa Aguilleira and Shemaine Campbelle. Taylor once again held the innings together with her third half-century in the five matches but when she was stumped it gave Hartley a 13th wicket of the series, an England record in ODIs. With Brunt and offspinner Knight running through the lower order, West Indies lost their last five wickets for 24 runs.

No wobbles in the runchase England were in a strong position chasing 224 in the fourth ODI, only to give away five run outs in a 42run defeat. Here, they were squeezed by West Indies’ spinners early on - Lauren Winfield chipping Hayley Matthews to mid-wicket for 12 and Tammy Beaumont caught and bowled by Afy Fletcher for 34. With tension rising, the hosts threatened to find a way back into the match,

especially with Knight dropped by Anisa Mohammed at short fine leg on only three. But the skipper combined with Sciver to reverse the pressure, scoring freely down the ground and at one point adding 26 runs in three overs. Though Knight was caught behind off impressive leg-spinner Fletcher, Sciver found an ally in the busy Danielle Wyatt on the way to her sixth ODI half-century. Wyatt was brilliantly caught at long-on by Britney

Cooper and Elwiss bowled by Dottin, but there was to be no England wobble, with Amy Jones hitting the runs that sealed the series. Scores: WEST INDIES WOMEN 155 off 47.1 overs (Stafanie Taylor 57, Britney Cooper 23, Hayley Matthews 22; Alex Hartley 4-24, Katherine Brunt 3-35, Heather Knight 2-23). ENGLAND WOMEN 158 for five off 38.5 overs (Natalie Sciver 58 not out, Tammy Beaumont 34, Heather Knight 29; Afy Fletcher 2-28).

England opener Tammy Beaumont scored 34 from 50 balls before chipping a return catch to West Indies’ leg-spinner Afy Fletcher

Kaieteur News

Thursday October 20, 2016

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Messi treble as Guardiola suffers on Barca return

Messi has scored more Champions League goals against English clubs than against sides from any other country. (Rex Features) BARCELONA (Reuters) Lionel Messi scored his second hat-trick in as many Champions League games to give Barcelona a 4-0 win over Manchester City as Pep Guardiola and Claudio Bravo endured harrowing returns to the Nou Camp yesterday. A slip by Fernandinho al l owed Messi to round former team mate Bravo and open the scoring in the 17th minute and the keeper completed a miserable night

by getting sent off in the second half for handling outside the area after losing the ball. The magical Messi hammeredinhissecond from the edge of the area after turning two City defenders and pounced on a Luis Suarez lay-off to complete his treble in the 69th minute. Barca substitute J e r e m y M athieu was then dismissed for two bookable offences. Neymar had a late penalty saved by substitute Willy Caballero but the

Brazilian made amends by scoring the fourth goal in the 89th minute. Luis Enrique’s team lead the group with nine points from three matches followed by Guardiola’s City on four. B o r u s s i a Moenchengladbach have three points while Celtic are bottom with one. City, who surprisingly omitted attacking linchpin Sergio Aguero, played an aggressive pressing game and had Barca pinned in their

First Division 50 overs cricket

Upper Corentyne play Skeldon CC on Saturday

Totaram Persaud

Christopher Jaundoo

Davanand Chatterpaul

Cricket fans in the Upper Corentyne area have an opportunity to see the best cricketers from that part of the country in action on Saturday. The Upper Corentyne Cricket Association (UCCA) has arranged a special First Division 50 overs cricket match between the UCCA and Skeldon Community Centre First Division teams at the Skeldon Community Centre ground, starting at 9:30hrs. This match will also be practice for both teams ahead of the Berbice Cricket Board Tenelec 50 overs

competition which will commence very soon. The UCCA is calling on all cricket fans to come out and support their top cricketers from the Upper Corentyne area and be witness to what is expected to be a very competitive match. Upper Corentyne Team will come from: Davanand Chatterpaul , Lakeram L a t c h m e n , Vi e n d r a Gooniah, Totaram Persaud, Permashwar Chaterpal, Jameel Assad, Naeem Ya c o o b , T a m e s h w a r Ramoutar, Thameshwar

Kumar, Omesh Khemraj, Khameshwar Chaterpal, Abdulla Ajib, Abdur Ajib, Niran Yacoob (Manager) & Hubern Evans (coach). Skeldon will be represented by: Trishan Ramdass, Christopher Jaundoo, Andrew Persaud, Ravi Bassoo, Gajendra Nauth, Victor Pedro, Junior Blair, Jermaine Reid, Mahendra Chaitnarine, Afseer Hussain, Shahab Rasheed, Totaram Rajaram, Javid Ali, Andrew Saul, and Ziekeel Gorden. (Samuel Whyte)

Messi ended with a hat-trick, an assist and made more passes In the opposition half than any other Barca player. (Reuters) own half for the opening quarter of an hour but Fernandinho’s error and M e s s i ’s d e t e r m i n a t i o n changed the course of events. Messi began the move and fought to win the ball back before threading a pass to Andres Iniesta. Fernandinho tripped over just as he looked set to clear, leaving the Argentine an easy task to score. City did not wilt and Spaniard Nolito and Ilkay Guendogan saw shots saved by MarcAndre ter Stegen while Suarez was denied by Bravo and also shot wide. The visitors then collapsed afte r t h e b r e a k , t h e i r

downfall starting when Bravo came out of his area and lost the ball to Suarez before using his hands to s t o p t h e U r u g u a y a n ’s attempted chip. The Chile international hadhis name sarcastically chanted by his former supporters and Barca, with a man advantage, turned on the style. Messi’s second strike was reminiscent of a goal he scored against Guardiola’s Bayern Munich in the 2015 semi-finals and Suarez’s generosity allowed the Argentine to knock in the third with simplicity. City defender Aleksandar Kolarov found the only way to

stop Messi was to trip him in the area. Caballero thwarted Neymar from the penalty spot but the Brazilian heaped more pain on Barca’s most decorated coach Guardiola by scoring the fourth. Wednesday’s Champions LeagueResults: Arsenal 6 - Ludo Razgd 0 Barcelona 4 - Man City 0 C e l t i c 0 - B o r Monchengladbach 2 Paris St G 3 – Basel 0 Dynamo Kiev 0 – Benfica 2 Napoli 2 – Besiktas 3 Bayern Mun 4 - PSV Eindhoven1 FC Rostov 0 - Atl Madrid 1

t r o Sp Hetmyer shines as Simmons sacking led to Windies meltdown, claims Pollard Windies A makes inroads P.27 Kieron Pollard

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Left-hander Shimron Hetmyer stroked an aggressive 94.

Head coach Phil Simmons

South Ruimveldt Primary edge West for sixth South Georgetown athletics title P.28

SIX IN A ROW! South Ruimveldt Primary School celebrate winning a sixth South Georgetown Primary Schools’ athletics title yesterday at the Police Sports Club Ground, Eve Leary. 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