Kaieteur News

Kaieteur News

PAGE 04

Saturday October 21, 2017

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

EDITORIAL

UNILATERIAL APPOINTMENT In every general election since independence, leadership has played a pivotal role in Guyana. And we have been blessed with excellent leaders who, despite whatever human flaws they might have had, were never found to be individuals without integrity. From time to time, their administrations might have had instances where some controversy or scandal might have surfaced but never was their leadership credibility and integrity brought into disrepute. The leadership of the others was highly questionable, especially that of Bharrat Jagdeo who was not only corrupt, selfish, greedy and vindictive but lacks credibility and morality. In fact, many believe that he is probably the most immoral leader in all of the Caribbean. Our present leader may have his detractors, especially where his leadership skills and style and communication modus operandi are concerned. He appears to be indecisive, slow to act and lacks vision, but his integrity has never been publicly or politically questioned until now. President Granger’s unilateral appointment of 84-year-old retired Justice James Patterson as the new Chairman of Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has aroused suspicion. After rejecting the first list of candidates from the opposition leader, some believe his motive was suspicious, but rejecting the second and third lists suggested that he was about to end the game being played by Jagdeo on such an important Constitutional appointment. Was he wrong, may be? Did he show poor leadership by unilaterally choosing the new GECOM chairman, time will tell? Lest we forget, President Jagdeo had promised not to unilaterally distribute the radio and television airwaves, but he did in his final days before demitting office in 2011. And even though a jury failed to find Mark Benschop guilty of trump-up charges of treason by the Jagdeo regime, Jagdeo single-handedly kept him in prison for another five years before releasing him. The party Jagdeo leads found an employee of Courts who, regardless of the decision, held out for a guilty verdict, knowing that a hung jury would ensure that Benschop would remain in prison. Such is the vindictive nature of Jagdeo. So vindictive was Jagdeo that when the courts called for Benschop to be tried, Jagdeo got Anil Nandlall and Priya Manickchand to file a motion seeking to have all cases tried in chronological order. That meant that regardless of whether a magistrate writes up his decision or not, a person must wait until all those whose Preliminary Inquiries are completed before his, could be heard in the High Court. So for an angry and confused Mr. Jagdeo to accuse President Granger of being “a liar and someone who could not be trusted…and taken at face value… [because] at the heart of this presidency lies a very sinister nature” is highly irregular. It is an accusation that is not new. It has been bandied around for more than two years since the coalition government took office. We are in no way justifying the President’s choice of chairman of GECOM, even though some question his age. But we agree with him that age should not be a stumbling block for the position of GECOM Chairman or anyone else as long as they are fit and proper and could handle the rigors of the job. However, it begs the question as to why Justice Patterson who should be happily enjoying his retirement restricted himself to the rigidity, strenuous and exhausting task. And what message is the President sending to the youth and middle-age individuals in the country? It seems that either he is poorly advised or does not seek advice at all. Further, Jagdeo’s threat not to cooperate with the government on any issue until it complies is not new. It is pure hogwash and was rightfully scoffed at by the President.

Similarities in two recent cases of sexual assaults Dear Editor There are strands of similarities between the two recent abuse cases involving young boys. Both cases were perpetrated by adults. In both cases a second person knew what was happening or taking place, but did nothing to render assistance to the helpless victims. In both matters the authorities knew

but were slothful in acting or did not act at all. Both were victims of depraved minds. It must be queried what did the authorities hope to achieve by their failure to act with alacrity on reports? While authorities fiddled one child died and the other, well for sure he is scarred for life. From all accounts in the media reports it took almost

two months for City officials to realize the corporal who witnessed the indecent act was derelict in duty and he made no log of the occurrence in the station diary. Seems the hierarchy of the city administration has also been derelict in the execution of their duty and should be called upon to account for atrocious

decisions taken in this particular matter. Did I read correct?... the mother of the child at the centre of the City abuse matter, it is alleged, said to constables, ‘she did not want the child in her home as he was causing problems between her and her husband’ Sad, Sad, Sad. Shamshun Mohamed

The Blame Game of City Hall Dear editor, When the koker doors are left open and parts of the city flood, leaving millions of dollars in damage.Who is be blamed? Not the City Engineer for failing to put proper systems in place nor the Town Clerk for failing to pay the koker Attendant his salaries on time. It is the koker Attendant who is fired for neglect of duty. When City Hall spends out the citizens’ money going on fancy overseas trips, renting toilets for $90,000 per month and purchasing luxury vehicles

and cannot pay their employees their salaries, who is be blamed? Not the Mayor, nor the Town Clerk for squandermania; it’s the citizens who are blamed for being dilatory in paying up their taxes. When City Hall racks up a debt of over three hundred million dollars to their contractors who are forced to stop working and the city becomes a garbage city again, who is blamed? The citizens are blamed for littering. When the Town Clerk goes off with the other members of the Fantastic

Four and signs the illegal, repugnant and corrupt parking meter deal, who is blamed? Ifa Kamau Cush said it is the citizens to be blamed because they are not progressives, they are freeloaders; they lack the intestinal fortitude to control their own destiny. And that they all possess the mentality of slaves, indentured servants, incapable of generating wealth and building capacity. And when a Lance Corporal of the City Constabulary is allowed to commit statutory rape, not

once but at least twice who is blamed? The Town Clerk? The Chief Constable? Of course not! It was the Corporal who blew the whistle that is blamed, because he did not grab the station diary and make an entry of what he witnessed and because he did not rush in and pull them apart. Madam Mayor, it’s time to care; it’s time to take responsibility; it’s time to lead; it’s time for a change; it’s time to be true to our greatest self; it’s time to stop blaming others. Mark Roopan

Fourteen recommendations for boosting the economy Dear Editor, It is common knowledge that our economy has been contracting over the last two years. Among the evidence: the loss of the Venezuelan rice market due to an irresponsible approach by the Government; a flawed approach to the sugar industry, thereby directly jeopardising 20,000 jobs and indirectly affecting 1000s more; the scrapping of the Government housing policy, resulting in the decimation of the previously booming construction industry; The list just narrated is by no means exhaustive. Against this dismal backdrop, the Government chooses to impose over the last 2 years, almost 200 new tax measures upon the backs of the citizenry. It is the latter upon which I now wish to focus. It is Sir Winston S. Churchill who once said, “I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.” Against such a depressing economic mosaic, we have witnessed an increase of every category of taxes on income, property, production, services, consumption, international trade and the introduction of VAT on a wide variety of items, which hitherto never

attracted VAT. This has been coupled with a devastating increase in a wide variety of public licences fees, as high as 1000% in some cases and in almost every case, over 200%. This astronomical regime of tax impositions and harsh fiscal measures have had, generally, a debilitating, and in some categories of household, a crippling effect, on disposable income. Consequently, thereof, there is a progressive and correlative reduction in the demand for goods and services and a wide spread i n a b i l i t y t o d i s c h a rg e financial obligations, further contributing to the cyclical downward slide of the economy, with the ultimate result being an increase in poverty and all the aliments associated with it. While these measures have had an excruciating impact on the people, the Government has been reaping a windfall in revenue, increasing revenue by nearly $11B for mid2017, when compare with the same period in 2016. When coupled with the savings that the Government ought to be making with the reduction in the price for oil on the international market, one of the nation’s largest expenditures, the billions that are accumulating at

GPL, caused again, by the reduction in the price of fuel and the removal of subsidies previously granted to pensioners along with the imposition of VAT on electricity Also hundreds of millions saved as a result of the scrapping of the $10,000 cash grant to every child in a public school and the school uniform voucher programmes; and the abolition of many similar poverty-alleviating measures, leave the Government with billions of dollars in revenue extracted in a depressing economic environment and from a population who have not received any proportionate increase in income over the same period. This unsymmetrical fiscal and economic matrix is a recipe for social disorder and chaos in any civilized society. I believe that this disproportionate and unfair equation, for want of a better word, was recognized by the recently held Business Summit, hosted by the Private Sector. Hence, part of its quest was to seek “a compromise on an optimal taxation level and or tax incentives necessary for growth.” It is with a view of striking this delicate balance that I humbly offer the following recommendations f o r i m m e d i a t e

implementation by the Government: 1.restoration of the regime of concessions and benefits previously offered to investors; 2. the remove of the imposition of VAT on zerorated items, new fees and licences imposed in the 2016 and 2017 budgets; 3. the revocation of Order no. 18 of 2016, imposing VAT and reinstate schedules 1 and 2, which it revoked. This would include the following: ·the reversal of VAT on essential food items, ·the reversal of Vat on water and electricity, ·the revocation of zero-rate Vat for imports of household solar equipment, ·the removal of VAT on all educational goods and service, ·the removal of VAT on all pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, the reversal of taxes and fees on importation of raw materials for local manufacturing,·the r e m o v a l o f VAT o n construction materials locally produced, ·the r e m o v a l o f VAT o n agricultural, mining and heavy duty equipment, the removal of VAT on local products in the forestry sector, such as logs, shingles, wood, piles, etc, · the removal of VAT on materials and supplies used in the fishery sector, ·the reduction (Continued on page 5)

Saturday October 21, 2017

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Kaieteur News

GRANGER’S CONSTITUTIONAL MALFEASANCE IS AN EXPLICIT DECLARATION Dear Editor, The new GECOM Chair, James Patterson, is 84 years old, a former High Court Judge and a pastor. He is also a serving advisor to the Attorney General, Basil Williams and served as the Chairman of a Granger-appointed COI. President Granger’s appointment of James Patterson was an egregious breach of the constitution. The GECOM Chair by law is not an arbitrary appointment and nothing in the constitution permits the President to make an appointment of the GECOM Chairman in his own deliberate judgment. When Granger made his appointment, he could not have done so as Guyana’s President. For anyone to accept this appointment when it clearly abrogated both the legal requirements and the spirit of the constitution raises the question of whether he or she can be trusted. Mr. Patterson was a Judge and he has to know that the President is guilty of constitutional malpractice. For Roopnarine, Nagamootoo, Ramjattan and others from the WPA and the AFC, supporting Granger on this issue is confirmation that they have cooperated with and have been co-opted into the conspiracy. They dishonour the legacies of Cheddi Jagan and Walter Rodney and the blood of so many others that fought for freedom and democracy in Guyana. For the ABC countries which were not shy to

give their opinions before May 2015, their silence now proves their acquiescence with dictatorship and rigged elections in Guyana. The Leader of the Opposition in an extensive exercise of consultations with the broad political and civil society named eighteen distinguished Guyanese citizens in three lists. They were professionals, some of whom were high court judges, lawyers, business people, former Chief of Staff and Head of the Army, a former GECOM Chair, etc. David Granger deemed all of them not “fit and proper”. What is special about James Patterson that he is “fit and proper” and none of the 18 distinguished Guyanese were not “fit and proper”? Nine of the 18 persons were lawyers, all of whom had extensive legal practices. Four persons were judges in the High Court, with extensive experience. At least 4 of them served as senior officers in the army, one of whom was a former Head of the Army, served also as a Chairman of GECOM and also served in various public service roles under at least 6 Presidents. One person has extensive knowledge of GECOM, having served as an election observer and worked with the UN in an independent role for all elections since 1992. He has more knowledge of the election process and GECOM than Mr. Patterson by far. As far as I am aware, only two have previous political activities, one for the PPP and the

other for the WPA, now part of APNU. Having made “fit and proper” THE CRITERION, Granger owes it to the nation to tell these distinguished Guyanese and all of us why they were not “fit and proper”. In naming Mr. Patterson, a person not on any of the lists, he deems Mr. Patterson as more qualify and as “fit and proper” that none of the others were. He, therefore, must justify his pick; tell the people what special characteristics Mr. Patterson has that made him qualify to serve as GECOM Chair that none of the others had. Because Mr. Patterson was appointed by Granger and his APNU+AFC Cabinet to serve in various roles, including as a Chair of a Presidential COI and as an advisor to the Attorney General, it appears that Mr. Patterson has more political affiliation (with APNU+AFC) than any one of the 18 candidates on the lists submitted by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr. Patterson is 84 years old. I am not one for whom age is a consideration for public service, even at the highest level. I did not consider the Jagans in their 70s as too old to serve as President. Neither did I consider Bharat Jagdeo in his 20s and in his early 30s as too young to serve as a Minister of Finance or as the President of Guyana. Ashton Chase was in his 20s when he served as the Minister of Labour. Carolyn Rodrigues was in her

Fourteen recommendations for boosting... (From page 4) of VAT to 12% as promised by the APNU/AFC during the 2015 Election Campaign, ·the removal of VAT on purchases by Government Agencies. 4. the reversal of increase in fees for rental and drainage and irrigation in respect of state lands in Region 5 and other areas in the country; 5. the removal of the new taxes imposed on the mining sector – return tributors tax to 10% and remove the 2% final tax; 6. and the removal of tax on fuel for the agriculture industry; 7. the repeal of increase fees for motor vehicle licences; 8. the increase of the income tax threshold; 9. the restoration of the cash grant programme for every

school children in public schools and increase it to $20,000 per child; 10. the restoration of and the increase in the uniform voucher programme to $4000 per child; 11. the reversal of the increase in tuition fees for the University of Guyana; 12. the restoration of the subsidy to pensioners in respect of GPL and GWI bills; 13. the removal of unconstitutional provisions in a series of tax and fiscal legislation enacted over the last 2 years; 14. the adopt and implement of the proposals, which are the subject of a Motion to be

presented by the PPP in the National Assembly under the caption “Proposals to stimulate the economy, reduce poverty and hardships in the 2019 budget”, when it resumes sitting. I feel compelled to say that I do not take much comfort from the Minister of Finance’s recent assurance that there will be no new taxes in the 2018 budget. It has escaped many that at that very press conference, the distinguished Finance Minister proceeded to assert that there has been no imposition of new taxes in his three budgets over the last two and a half years. Anil Nandlall

20s when she served as Minister of Amerindian Affairs. Age in no way is a consideration for “fit and proper”. But David Granger made age a qualifying factor in judging who is “fit and proper” to serve in the public service or in a constitutionally-mandated position. In Granger’s own words and from his own mouth, Prem Persaud and Cecil Kennard were dismissed from their constitutional appointments as Head of the PUC and the Police Complaints Authority because they were too old to serve. Mr. Patterson is older than both those distinguished Guyanese who were

deemed not “fit and proper” to serve because of their age. Like Patterson, both Kennard and Persaud were high court judges. Both of them served as judges in the Appeals Court and Kennard was a Chancellor of the Judiciary. So what makes Patterson “fit and proper” when Granger himself has told Guyanese that age matters? Outside of the age concern, he also showed that some of the “fit and proper” qualifications that he himself outlined appear to disqualify Patterson also. In a June 3 Kaieteur News article, it is reported that Granger outlined various characteristics that

he considers qualify a person as “fit and proper”. Among those is this gem: The person will not be an activist in any form (gender, racial, religious etc.). Mr. Patterson is a practicing pastor which makes him a religious activist. Again, for me, this is not an important factor in rendering a person “fit and proper. The person’s religion or even if he is a religious leader, a pastor, a pandit, a moulvi does not matter. But it is Granger who made it a requirement. Why is Mr. Patterson exempted from this Granger-imposed requirement for fit and proper? Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

The multi-million-dollar turmeric factory at Hosororo, Barima-Waini is great news Dear Editor, This week, I had decided to write about the breaking news that after two years in Government, the crime rate is getting worse. The police are reporting that crime is up by 33%, and we are not even into the Christmas season as yet. I will probably deal with this topic at a later date. I want to note, with much excitement, the launching of the multi-million-dollar turmeric factory at Hosororo, Barima-Waini. Guyanese are long known for our ingenuity and hard work. I have travelled the world, literally, and every aspect of development I have seen in those countries, I envision in Guyana. We have the brains, the work ethic, the stamina, the drive and the commitment. And what we don’t possess locally, we have fellow Guyanese in the Diaspora who can supplement any local lack we have. So now we have a factory that will not only bring in foreign exchange but it will save the country several thousands of expended foreign currency. This is progress. There will also be several direct and indirect jobs created. This is also a great spinoff. Dr. Oudho Homenauth and his team are due for some loud praises, for putting this together. Local ‘mom and pops’ farmers will be able to sell their turmeric to the fac-

tory and receive a substantially higher price, than when they sold on the retail market. The thirty local farmers will no doubt grow and the acreage of turmeric currently under cultivation will definitely increase. This has no doubt created excitement and actual jobs in a region hit hard by unemployment. The United Republican Party (URP), has never doubted the prospects of the average Guyanese citizen. What we have been challenging for the last three decades is the administrative backwardness and political strangulation that have crippled this nation since our independence. Imagine, please, what Guyana would look like if the Governments behaved in ways that are progressive, transparent and void of political cronyism. It must be noted that this turmeric factory is a government facility. And while the URP congratulates the Granger administration, it would be well to suggest that incentives need to be given to local investors so that they too could construct similar processing and value-added plants. Taxes need to be rolled

back on manufacturing goods and equipment. Low-interest loans should be made available to small entrepreneurs and business persons. Every day we waste millions – maybe even billions – of dollars in spoiled and damaged fruits and vegetables. We also discard tons of fish and other marine catches. If businesses were sufficiently encouraged and incentivised, Guyana can process and package just about all our fruits, vegetables and sea food. Plants and industries can be set up in all the regions based on the products unique to the regions. If this is guaranteed and facilitated by the Government, in short order, Guyana will fulfill its long touted designation of being the Caribbean’s Bread Basket. So let me, on behalf of the URP, again thank those responsible for this worthwhile investment. However, the URP believes that in a different political climate, much more can be done. So we will continue to agitate for more balanced and inclusive governance. Dr. Vishnu Bandhu Leader, URP

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Kaieteur News

Saturday October 21, 2017

The Mogadishu attacks - the media said, ‘no big deal’ Dear editor It was disheartening to read about the attack in Mogadishu apart from the tragedy of the family that died in the gruesome road accident at No. 59 Village in Corentyne. My prayers and thoughts are with the victims of these two disasters and heartfelt sympathies to the

family. It was more demoralising to witness the less or no news coverage given to the attack in Mogadishu. It is not fair that the media did not create much of a sensation. The social media did not really got hold of the intensity of the situation in Mogadishu. The whole world was pouring out its

sympathies to the victim of Las Vegas shooting which claimed about 60 lives but the attack in Mogadishu, which claimed 276 lives, was given trivial condolences as if lives of these people did not matter to the world. I am not condoning any sort of violence, whether Las Vegas or Mogadishu. I am just

Royal marriage between a Guyanese and an Ethiopian Prince Dear Editor, We recently saw that a beautiful young woman of Guyanese descent, Ms. Austin, got married to an Ethiopian Prince, the great grandson of His Imperial Majesty, Hailie Selassie I, the last Emperor of Ethiopia. This is the world’s oldest and most significant royal lineage that dates back to the biblical King David, Solomon and Queen of Sheba. And if you look further, some may propose that this lineage goes all the way back to Moses, Noah and Enoch, as in the Book of Enoch and the fallen angels. A beautiful daughter of Guyana has now done something so important for our country’s history that we may not know its impact for generations to come. Guyana is now part of a history that created the foundation of the entire world civilisations, including that of Egypt. A dynasty that ruled the world long before our history books

became white washed. From India to South and Central America, this Ethiopian dynasty built great cities and civilisations beyond our imagination and enlightened the world. This Royal lineage provided refuge and support for Islam in its infancy, where King Negus or Najashi protected the family of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) when they were being persecuted in Mecca. The crowns of Europe drew inspiration and support from this lineage as they were merely barbarians with no clue of civility in those days. Thanks to Ethiopian Royalty, the Europeans learned to be Kings and Queens. This Royal family is responsible for the rebirth of black consciousness in the form of Rastafari and reverence is given to Emperor Haile Selassie I for this great movement across the globe.His inspiration and vision led black people of the west to have

something to hold on to in a time of white down-pression from slavery to now. Selassie I predicted World War Two when Europe was still in denial and he established the African Union. He is known as the great peace maker of nations, since he had the ability to stop wars on the 11th hour through his negotiations skills. Even though the Royal Family is no longer ruling Ethiopia today, history will show that this will only be a moment of exile and this great family will return to their rightful place as rulers again. Princess Mekennon, as she would now be called, has just linked Guyana to the only Royal Family that can claim their ancestry to being chosen by God and that is something to be extremely inspired by. And if you haven’t noticed yet, this biblical Royal Lineage is not white. Malcolm Watkins

Over 400 small miners will be affected by this decision Dear Editor, The Toroparu Mining and Development Consortium is made up of a group of small individual miners in the Toroparu, Upper Mazaruni in Region Seven, who have been unable to work their dredges for the past two to three years for various reasons. In answer to the Government’s call for small individual miners to come together and form syndicates and apply for available land for gold mining purposes, the said syndicate was formed in March of this year. In June this year, the group met with Minister Raphael Trotman who stated at that meeting that the lands to be allocated to syndicates are in the closed areas, that upon completion of research and conformation that the prospective land is available, application is to be made to the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission. The aforementioned was done by the syndicate and applica-

tion and payment was made on June 21, 2017 for 29 blocks in the designated closed area. On submission of the application we were informed that based on the rules governing syndicates the first allotment will be for 10 blocks and a year after the remainder will be granted after review of the operations. From then to now three applications have been submitted and as of recent we are now informed that the lands applied for is currently occupied and that approval was granted based on special orders from higher up. Upon investigation we have found that one Mr. Serata Phillips is now in possession of these blocks. What is troubling is that at meetings with both Ministers Trotman and Broomes it was stated that no one or two persons will be granted approval and access to such lands since closed areas were reserved for syndicates only. In December 2016, Minister Trotman stated

at Mahadia while addressing the syndicate formed there that “rather than dealing with individuals, it’s best if you come as a group, you get land as a group and you look out for each other.” The recent revelation contradicts the initiative, the process and the expectations of syndicates. Over 450 persons will be affected by this decision. The members of the Toroparu Mining and Development Consortium have felt betrayed by such a move and call upon President Granger’s intervention to have such a decision recanted in the interest of the small miners who have heeded his call and whose sole interest is to participate meaningfully in our country’s development and enhancing the life and well being of our families. Ms. T. Beharry Chief Executive Officer Toroparu Mining and Development Consortium

trying to reflect, who does matter to us? Obviously, if we are concerned about the human lives, I think we must give equal importance to everyone of the lives that God created, whether that life is in the USA or in Mogadishu. I wish more world leaders empathised with the victims and probably make it as an important news all over the

world, so that world is woken up to neutralise the wicked groups such as al-Shabab, which has been hitting the soft targets in Somalia. We call ourselves humans, but it seems like some of these groups have no humanity; without humanity there are no humans. I can only imagine how the people of Somalia have been enduring the pain since al-Shabab

launched its insurgency in 2007. Let us join our voices in prayer to the victims of Mogadishu attacks and let us make sure we make this ‘a big deal’ so that everyone us is aware what is happening in Somalia. Rev. Jerri Dias SJ St. Teresa & Holy Rosary Church

I wish to promote the Foreign Minister to another portfolio Dear Editor: I looked at one of the sessions of the IDB/Private Sector Commission business development summit in Guyana via live stream. A panel which included Vice President, Carl Greenidge and former PM Hinds was quite interesting. VP Greenidge’s responses to questions were particularly well informed and demonstrated his facility with a number of issues/sectors including market access, branding, labour availability, diversification of key sectors to include value added, air transport and more. But what struck me as being very positive beyond his knowledge and facility with the issues, was his tone. This was a very encouraging, business friendly and honest analysis.

Now, I think it is time for a Ministry of Economic Planning which would include responsibility for trade and industry. This Ministry can be named the Ministry of Foreign Relations, Economic Planning and Business Development. This Ministry should go to Vice President Greenidge and dissolve the current Ministry of Business. This would be a super ministry of sorts but Jaipaul Sharma or Minister Ferguson can be reassigned as a Minister in this new Ministry to assist Greenidge. Minister Gaskin could be assigned the Tourism and Civil Aviation portfolio. This kind of reorganisation is necessary if meaningful progress is to be made on moving Guyana’s

economy forward with government leadership that would inspire the private sector to move beyond retail trade and have it re-engage in manufacturing, agriculture and agri-processing and other areas of productive activity based on market trends. I am of the view that given Vice President Greenidge’s international experience and exposure, and hopefully his knowledge of the need for high levels of professionalism and performance, that his being given the responsibilities to which I refer above will go a long way towards engendering a level of innovation and creativity which our economy needs at this time. Wesley Kirton

Guyana Revenue Authority spitting out hot air Dear Editor, In reference to a letter from the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) published on October 14, 2017, captioned ‘The Corporation Tax Rate for non-commercial companies was reduced in 2017", I wish to quote from my letter on from October 11, 2017, which stated: “With respect to corporation taxes (CTAX), according to the Ram & McRae website, there are three rates of CTAX in Guyana: a 30% rate that applies to non-commercial companies, a 40% rate that applies to commercial companies except telephone companies and finally a 45% rate for the telephone companies.” The last time I checked, as a subject of study comprehension was still being taught in the schools of Guyana and I am hoping that the GRA thinkers did benefit from that subject. I sourced my information from the tax experts in Guyana and they said 30%; and I accepted it and yes I am responsible. To their benefit, Ram & McRae, they did contact me to advise that their website was not updated and ac-

knowledged the inaccuracy. They subsequently updated their website and thus the inaccuracy is acknowledged. So a good thing was done because of my letter - the Ram & McRae website is fully updated as we speak. If one reads the Ram & McRae website today, it offers enough information for me to make the following statement which I have cross-referenced with the GRA website - “there are three rates of CTAX in Guyana: a 27.5% rate that applies to non-commercial activities, a 40% rate that applies to commercial activities except telephone companies and finally a 45% rate for the telephone companies.” But it is unfortunate that the GRA took the liberty to point out that there were “several inaccuracies” in my letter but then only mentioned one, as discussed above. The last time I checked the Oxford dictionary several means “more than two”. At a minimum, I expect from the GRA some level of honesty and integrity. I want to make it very clear if the 27.5% rate is used for

non-commercial activities, it does not negate the call that there is a need for a reduction in the Corporation Tax. The progressive countries in the neighborhood have an effective CTAX rate band that starts at 25% and thus Guyana’s band, which starts at 27.5%, is still uncompetitive regionally. So GRA appears to be emitting hot air. It is my understanding when you refute a position you offer an alternative position, but GRA offers none. Well in democracies that I have lived (Guyana after 1992, UK and the USA) when you refute a position, you explain yourself and bring closure to your statement, not operate like you are in Zimbabwe or North Korea and refute a statement and then automatically expect all to bow and accept your position. I am saying that 27.5% is greater than 25% and thus the conditions still remain for tax avoidance, transfer pricing and to discourage investment. What is your reason for refuting this argument GRA? Sase Singh

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Saturday October 21, 2017

Kaieteur News

MPI erects new signage for Allsopp Point

Workers erecting the new sign for Allsopp’s Point, Region 7 Located 19 miles outside Bartica is a spot known as Allsopp Point. To frequent travellers, the point is easily distinguishable. But to the casual traveller the location is just like any other: a dirt road surrounded by trees, perhaps memorable by its twopronged fork in the roadway. However, as of today, the identification of the spot is unmistakable following the reerection of a large road sign by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure to mark Allsopp Point. While the location itself is unremarkable, the life and contributions of the man behind the name, Mr. Phillip Allsopp, is anything but. At the age of 91, Mr. Allsopp was able to see the new sign when he was taken into the location with a team from the Ministry. According to Mr. Allsopp, the visit was one that was long overdue - his last visit to Bartica had been several years ago. On the drive into the town of Bartica, Mr. Allsopp quietly looks out at the landscape; it is much different than the one he remembers. Ever so often he would offer a comment: a quip on the state of the road-

way, a compliment on a particularly pretty home, or wonderment at the view of the Essequibo River from Mongrippa Hill. He explained that Bartica had been an instrumental part of his career, since the beginning of his time at the then Ministry of Public Works. “My first assignment with the Ministry of Public Works was to work on surveying the Bartica-Potaro Road,” Mr. Allsopp said. From there, he made other significant contributions to the region, including the construction of the airstrip and the routing of the road which would eventually lead up to and beyond the point now famously named after him. He recalls receiving the instruction from then President L.F.S. Burnham to have the roadway constructed. He shared that while the US Army had suggested another location, this proposed location was not satisfactory to President Burnham who later asked Allsopp to bring his expertise to the table. The rest is now history. Outside of his contributions to Region Seven, Mr. Allsopp has done laudable work throughout Guyana.

The former Chief Works Officer at the Ministry of Public Works, Mr. Allsopp was responsible for designing and overseeing the construction of the Linden-Soesdyke Highway, played a critical role in the realisation of the Takutu Bridge, and oversaw works undertaken on roadways in Essequibo. He also played an important role in negotiating funding for the Demerara Harbour Bridge during his time as the Technical Adviser at the Ministry of Economic Development. The new Allsopp Point sign clearly indicates the route to several key locations, including Bartica, Sherima Crossing, and Mahdia. Besides the presence of Mr. Allsopp, yesterday’s simple ceremony saw the attendance of Region Seven Chairman, Gordon Bradford; former President of the Guyana Association of Professional Engineers (GAPE), Joel Trotman; Edward Gonsalvez, former Chief Works Officer at the Ministry of Public Works; Bernard Matthews, former Government Surveyor; and Mr. Allsopp’s daughter, Susan Allsopp.

Mr. Phillip Allsopp (fourth right) under the newly erected Allsopp Point sign, along with his daughter, Susan Allsopp; Ministry engineers; and former Ministry of Public Works employees

Saturday October 21, 2017

PAGE 9

Kaieteur News

THE PRESIDENT’S POWER TO APPOINT IS INCONTESTABLE The legal experts will pontificate about the lawfulness of the President’s unilateral appointment of a Chairperson for the Guyana Elections Commission. The lawyers will have a field day in the courts. The politicians and politically inclined will debate whether the President made a fool of this nation by initiating a process which has been used for the past 25 years for electing a Chairperson and then deciding to scrap that process in favour of unilaterally appointing a person of his choosing. It is the first time since the Carter formula was introduced that it has been abandoned. There are persons who are going to defend the President’s unilateral action. It is not hard to find people in Guyana who will stick their heads in the proverbial sand. The legal argument that the President has the power to act as he did will overshadow the bad faith in which

he acted. The President initiated a process, strung out the Leader of the Opposition by rejecting the lists which were submitted based on the most contentious grounds then effectively made his own appointment. The President has wasted a great deal of the public’s time. If he wanted, all along, to appoint someone of his choosing, he should not have initiated the process that he did. Once he began that process, he had a moral obligation to complete it more so since he had the Leader of the Opposition prepared three lists. The President’s power to appoint a Chairperson is incontestable. It would therefore be interesting to see what grounds the opposition will adduce in court to argue that the President’s actions were unlawful or unconstitutional. It would be hard to see

how the late night swearing in of the Chairperson of the GECOM, no doubt to defeat any injunction which a court may have been inclined to grant, can now be successfully challenged. This is not the way in which democracy is intended to operate. The PNC railed against the secret swearing in of Janet Jagan. Yet, here was this desperate evening rush to swear in the Chairperson of GECOM. The lawyers will have their day in court but the more importantly, the court is a place of public opinion. There are many who preside in this particular court and who are worried about what this development portends for the future of democratic elections in Guyana. The signs are worrying. Guyana now faces its gravest threat to democracy even though there was always the sneaking suspicion that the President always had a fa-

Dem boys seh...

Guyana bracing fuh Hurricane Jagdeo It tek hurricanes to bruck up St Maarten, Barbuda, Dominica, Puerto Rico and couple place in de United States. When people talk bout mash up dem mean real blows. Some place look like if people tek wood and just throw dem all over de place. Some people can’t even tell wheh dem house been because all over look like a garbage pile. Dem boys did remember when de earthquake lick up Haiti. De city look like a rock pile. That was another situation wheh it look to some people like de world end. Nuff of dem move from middle class to pavement dwellers. All this time Guyana deh limping along. It didn’t have to get hurricane or earthquake to get de same number of blackout all dem country that dem hurricane hit. Long before hurricane Guyanese getting blackout. Dem same country begging fuh help. Dem boys seh that some part of Puerto Rico that get blackout when de hurricane come get back lights and de people enjoying more lights than Guyana that never even feel a hurricane. In another couple days Guyana gun look like St Maarten, Dominica and Barbuda. Jagdeo tell Soulja Bai that he gun bruck up de

country, and all because Soulja Bai put he own man to head de Elections Commission. And when politicians in Guyana talk bout bruck up dem mean that dem can do wuss that any hurricane and earthquake. When dem had no earthquake Guyana had some roads that when rain fall people coulda drown inside. When dem had no hurricane people deh inside dem house and de next thing you know is that de house fall down. Guyana is a country that know how to get destroyed even when nature ain’t put its hand pun it. Is a country that de Man above know that He couldn’t mek mistake. He know that if he did put Guyana in de hurricane belt nobody woulda ever hear bout this country. Is now people understand why Guyanese does lef this country and go to a country wheh hurricane does lick up. Dem feel safer. In fact, dem know dem would see more development even after a hurricane than if dem stay in Guyana now that Jagdeo talking bout destabilization. Talk half and watch how Guyana preparing fuh hurricane Jagdeo.

vored candidate in mind. It, however, does not bode well for the future of democracy in Guyana that an established process, which was based on consensus, was scrapped. But there were always shades of public opinion which thought all along that this entire process would always end up with the opposition feeling that it was the victim of political mamaguy. The implications are that there will be a complete loss of confidence in the electoral process. Given the closeness of the 2015 elections, this cannot be a happy and healthy development.

All future elections henceforth will be marred by suspicions simply because of this controversial decision. The controversy over the unilateral appointment of the Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission has set Guyana back. It will engineer fears, in some quarters, that Guyana is now firmly on the road to dictatorship and that the elections of 2020 are going to be rigged by the government. It will be welcome by the supporters of the government. These two irreconcilable positions are not in the best interest of democracy. Guyana needs to put be-

hind it controversial elections. But the suspicion which the President’s actions will generate will put paid to such hopes. The government and the new Elections Commission will have to do a lot of work to remove the suspicions from amongst sections of the population. As for the US Ambassador, he will insist that a crisis does not exist as yet.

Many broadcasters reapply for licences within 30-day period- GNBA Chairman Chairman of the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority’s (GNBA) Board of Directors, Leslie Sobers, has indicated that most broadcasters have reapplied for their licences. They have done so within the 30-day period set out by the Broadcasting Amendment Bill of 2017. Sobers said that the majority of broadcasters have cleared their outstanding fees owed to the Authority. He said, too, that those who have not paid off in full have at least made a con-

scious attempt to clear their debts. “A conscious attempt” is also what Sobers said that broadcasters are making when he spoke of those who are yet to submit their applications for licences. “We are satisfied that they are making their best efforts and we are not unmindful of the complexities of these things. It is not like we will just take them off arbitrarily like that. We have spoken with them; we understand there are setbacks and we have

agreed that they will bring them in, they are making a conscious attempt.” Sobers said that some of the broadcasters have committed to a time frame to submit their applications. Despite the fact that the law as amended earlier this year prescribes for all broadcasters to reapply within a strict 30-day period, Sobers said that there are no punitive measures at this stage for those who are yet to reapply. “We will not impose Continued on page 12

PAGE 10

Saturday October 21, 2017

Kaieteur News

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

GECOM imbroglio: The AFC is dead Two flashes came immediately over me when I heard about Granger’s unilateral appointment of a GECOM Chairman. And no, it was not the judge thing at all. I am sure everybody exclaimed at first glance that Granger really wanted a judge and he chose a judge. The two rushes were the age of Justice Patterson, and secondly, the AFC constituencies, if there were any still left, would now be completely gone. I will start with these two factors first in analysing what Granger did. I may very well live to be 84 but I wouldn’t want to. I am in my mid sixties and I would not take a hectic job like the GECOM chairmanship. That is one of the more commanding occupations in Guyana in any sphere – public and private. Could someone at 84 manage that? And why would someone at 84 want to be embroiled in such a hectic pace of life? As a spin off from this situation, the question of a younger candidate comes in. Could not Mr. Granger find his legal pick at a far younger age? There is a further dimension to this age thing and it will haunt the tenure of Justice Patterson. He and Mr. Granger will have to face a permanent crescendo of runaway perceptions that he will be partisan to Granger and by extension his party. When it comes to elections, this is trouble with a capital T. We have been this way before. Why are we re-

turning to soiled moments in our troubled past? The second wave that struck my mind is the AFC. Can the AFC as a political party survive Granger’s unilateral choice? The answer is no. Two reasons explain this; the PPP will be active twenty-four hours a day in areas where the AFC is likely to pick up votes (and you will have to be a fool not to think those are Indian constituencies) and the theme will be rigged elections before and now elections to be rigged. It will be an impassible landscape for the AFC. It will be an insurmountable pathway. No beautiful rhetoric or fiery demagoguery from AFC leaders will convince AFC voters who gave their ballots in 2015 that the Patterson situation is not without malice and conspiracy. And frankly, the AFC doesn’t have leaders to deliver such types of rhetoric or demagoguery. If the AFC was losing support for its performance and its partner ’s (APNU) behaviour in office since 2015, it is my considered opinion that the Patterson imbroglio is the straw that broke the camel’s back. We come now to the action itself. For the first time since 1992, there is an Election Commission Chairman that did not have the approval of both ruling party and parliamentary opposition. The Carter formula was flawed for one essential reason-- politicians were at the helm of the decision-making machinery of GECOM. Politicians are contesting a general

election as candidates and they are themselves in control of the decision-making machinery that administers the election. That is weird. It would shock every citizen if they know who took the fake statements of poll into the command centre of GECOM at the last election. The Carter format was for all intent and purpose, a stop gap method. Ruling politicians are so drunk with power that their idiocy prevents them from understanding that history is dialectically driven one day a king, the nest day, prisoner.

Frederick Kissoon The PPP had twenty-three years to reshape or abolish the Carter blueprint. It never ever thought about it. Why?

For the PPP, it was an inconsequential frivolity because the PPP could never lose an election. Whether it is unconstitutional or legal for the President to arrogate his authority to appoint the head of GECOM is not the issue for the historian, it is the stupidity of those blinded by power. If the PPP in its twentythree years of domination had sought to clear up the opaqueness of the constitutional requirement of the president to appoint a chairman, and in unambiguous language stipulated that he didn’t have such latitude, we

would not be in the dangerously sensitive situation now. For example, the constitution is pellucid in its grammar – the Chief Justice and Chancellor cannot be confirmed in their respective posts unless there is explicit approval by the leader of the Opposition. The Carter format was flawed alright but it was more workable that what we have now – the president decides by himself who becomes the chairperson. For those of us who are in our sixties, memories of Prime Minister Forbes Burnham’s covenant with Sir Harold Bollers, come tumbling down.

Medical staff needs retraining in face of oil discovery With the recent oil discovery in Guyana, several things have changed and more are expected to change. Medical practitioners are being trained, since according to an instructor of West Georgia,Technical Institute in the United States, Pamela Lewis, the expectation of such a resource being harnessed will require a well trained medical staff, taking into consideration that the discovery is both beneficial and dangerous. Cara Lodge yesterday facilitated a training session for nursing tutors drawn from the Georgetown School of Nursing, Linden and Berbice among others. The session was organised by the Organisation for Social and Health Advancement in Guyana (OSHAG), an institution that is bent on ensuring Guyana provides the best health care services it possibly can. It collaborated with the Georgetown School of Nursing and the Georgetown Public Hospital to have the event possible.

Sharing her knowledge on the various lecturing strategies was Pamela Lewis, Instructor at West Georgia Technical Institute, United States. She said she was delighted to be selected to share her knowledge on the issues which she recognized as a need during her last visit to Guyana in December. Lewis said that upon her arrival home in the US, she contacted her Dean, Cecia Owens, who was glad to partner with the group. She disclosed that as part of the partnership, the Institute donated a number of books to the Georgetown School of Nursing. The training session will continue today and tomorrow in Berbice where community outreaches will be held. “The session will be done so that all the nurses will have the same information,” said Lewis. During today’s session she said, one of her colleagues is expected to conduct training on CPR certification. She said, “With things changing every day, it is im-

US Instructor Pamela Lewis during a presentation portant for us to keep up and be competent, efficient and safe.” Lewis said she is here to get nursing to the next level and she treats the training session with much importance. President of OSHAG, Carol Bagot, shared that the organization has been conducting training in Guyana for some 14 years and she has been able to see a difference in the health sector since the initiation of the programme. Principal Nursing Tutor for Georgetown and New

Amsterdam School of Nursing, Cleopatra Barkoye, said the session was indeed beneficial and served as”refreshment” for fulltime tutors and a “fresh topic” for part time tutors. She said she was also able to benefit since capacity building is of grave importance to the health sector and has not received much attention. Yesterday’s four hour session had 35 participants. Each year the team visits Guyana and would do ‘work’ on cancer, health and social issues.

Saturday October 21, 2017

PAGE 11

Kaieteur News

GECOM chair appointment…

Business leaders warn of economic instability Business leaders under the umbrella group, Private Sector Commission (PSC), have warned of economic instability as fallout from the unilateral decision by President David Granger to appoint retired Justice James Patterson as Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). Late Thursday evening, Patterson, 84, was sworn in by President Granger at State House, a move Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo described as unconstitutional. He has since threatened to withdraw his party’s participation at the national level. “The decision of the President to act unilaterally and independently of the submissions of the Leader of the Opposition poses a clear threat to democracy and will inevitably divide the nation and lead to economic instability. It is a dangerous decision.” The PSC stated. Jagdeo submitted 18 names for the president’s consideration. The most re-

cent was on August 25th, when he submitted a third list of names that included Major General Joseph Singh; Attorney-at-Law, Mr. Teni Housty; Attorney-at-Law, Mr. Sanjeev Datadin; Mrs. Annette Arjoon-Martins; Pastor Onesi La Fleur; and Former Magistrate Mr. Krishnadatt Persaud.“It is extremely unfortunate that his Excellency the President and the Leader of the Opposition have failed to find agreement on the appointment of the Chairman of the Elections Commission,” the PSC said. Further, the PSC noted that throughout the entire process of exchange between the President and the Leader of the Opposition, it was hoped that the appointment of the Chairman would continue in an open and transparent manner and in accord with the requirements of the Constitution. Since 1991, a formula established by former U.S. President, Jimmy Carter of the Carter Center, was used in the selection of the chairman.

This formula establishes the selection of six commissioners chosen by the president and the opposition leader. The president selects three commissioners and the opposition selects three while a seventh person, the Chairperson, is selected based on the selection of a person nominated by the opposition. The opposition leader now says that the president has gone against a formula that has been in place for the past 20 years. DISTURBING The National Association of Agricultural Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) stated that it was very disturbed and most upset when it learnt of the appointment, referring to it as ‘a seemingly high-handed move by President Granger’. NAACIE noted that the President, who, on several occasions, committed himself to act in accordance with the Constitution, has waded into murky political waters which Guyana and people need not

Four education districts honour retroactive payment to promoted teachers …Teachers’ Union vocalises disappointment Although a court ruling instructed that the Teaching Service Commission [TSC] review and complete senior promotions outstanding since 2015, reports suggest that some of the promoted teachers are yet to reap the associated financial benefits. This information was recently shared by President of the Guyana Teachers Union [GTU], Mr. Mark Lyte. The promotions, he explained, should have seen teachers receiving retroactive payment from September 1, 2015. According to Lyte, a mere four regions have honoured payment to teachers whose promotions were delayed since 2015. The promotions became effective this year. The regions that have honoured promotions are: Two, Three, Four and Georgetown. All other regions including Regions One, Five, Six, Seven, Eight and Nine have failed to make the relevant payments, Lyte informed and, according to him, “there has been no word forthcoming from Region Ten.” Although a court ruling was handed down last year by Chief Justice, Yonette Cummings-Edwards, instructing the TSC to review its preliminary list of promotions, the promotions only became effective at the start of this

school year. Like the TSC, the Schools Board Secretariat was mandated by a court ruling, to review its preliminary list of promotions. Based on the information this publication was privy to, a total of 22 changes were made to the preliminary list of promotions that was completed in 2015. It was revealed that the Schools Board list contained a total of 35 appointments. These included promotions for head teachers, deputy head teachers, senior masters/mistresses, heads of department, administrators, senior lecturers and Vice Principals. The reviewed list revealed 26 appointments reducing the number of appointees by nine. These changes were necessary, Lyte said, due to the fact that some appointees did not satisfy the criteria as set out in the advertisement. In fact, he noted that applicants were awarded points for qualifications that attach no points. “Generally, GTU is extremely satisfied with the review process, since it indicates that the School Boards were doing their own thing much to the detriment of the system,” Lyte had informed following the review. He added then, “We are ready to move forward and it is hoped that with the move

to have TSC do all senior promotions, employment and discipline in the next phase and onwards that the system will allow for fairer treatment of all applicants.” The TSC review on the other hand, according to Lyte, revealed over 70 changes. It was found that the TSC found several teachers who were identified for promotions on the previous preliminary list of senior promotions. It was deduced that these teachers following the courtmandated review were found to not be suitably qualified for positions for which they had applied. According to Lyte, “The union feels vindicated that its call for a review has yielded substantial changes. I have perused the document [new promotion list] and found that there are 73 changes and that includes people changing in terms of the names that were on the previous list.” All of the eventually promoted teachers should have seen upward adjustments to their salaries but, according to Lyte, this has not been the case. This issue has been listed among several other concerns that the GTU has been vocalising its concern about. In fact the GTU has threatened strike action if its concerns are not swiftly addressed with action.

enter into. “The President, who must have been advised by his comrades, is heading down a perilous path which we believe is not in the interest of our country and all Guyanese. It is our view that the President’s actions represent a reversal of the democratic advances we have made over the years,” FTIUG stated.

Edward Boyer, Chairman, PSC

PAGE 12

Kaieteur News

Saturday October 21, 2017

UG represented at the McNair Scholars Research Conference

The selected participants. Seven Students from the Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Guyana (UG) were selected to participate in the Florida International University (FIU) McNair Scholars Research Conference 2017. The two-day conference ended yesterday. The conference was held at the FIU’s Modesto A. Maidique Campus, attracting participants from a number of institutions to share their research and explore graduate studies possibilities. The Guyana contingent consisted of six undergraduates and one faculty member. Joenitta Arthur-Mc Kenzie of the Department of Biology was slated to speak on her research assessing the prevalence of intestinal parasitic helminths in children of Silver City, Linden, Guyana. Puja Jaichand of the same Department presented her work on the consumption patterns and the economic impact of wild-meat on the Essequibo Coast. From the Department of Chemistry, Lisa Dublin presented on the development of highly mesoporous activated carbon from coconut shells for water treatment, while Rajiv Indrajeet presented on the characterization of the physicochemical properties of various cassareep available on the local market for the purpose of preparing a grading standard for local cassareep. From the Department of Computer Sciences, Alicia Layne, presented on an integrated health information systems for improved diabetic outcomes in Guyana. Owen Grant was slated to speak on his work which focused on distributed object computing – complexity reduction and interoperability. The students were accompanied by Ms Diana Seecharran, Assistant Dean of the Fac-

ulty. According to a statement out of UG, “The Faculty sees this as an opportunity to showcase the valuable scientific work its undergraduates conduct annually. More importantly we see this as an opportunity for our students to gain exposure, build international networks and explore their graduate study options in the US.” Participation in this conference is now used to motivate students to an even higher level of performance in undergraduate research. UG in a statement said that the Faculty of Natural Sciences also saw the exposure as an opportunity to participate in this conference once again and for the support of the University of Guyana, Florida International University and other donors for their generous contributions to the venture. This is the second time that UG has participated in this annual event. In 2015 the Faculty of Natural Sciences sent a team of five to the conference. Feedback from the students and staff suggested that the conference organisers were extremely positive. The students selected are among the best of the student researchers in each of the three departments in the Fac-

ulty with a research component in their Bachelor of Science programme. The selected students were then required to submit an abstract of their research for oral presentation or poster display to be evaluated by the conference committee. All submissions from the University of Guyana were accepted. The McNair Scholars Research Conference is an annual activity under the FIU’s ‘Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Achievement Program’ funded by the US Congress. The programme was named after Ronald E. McNair, an American physicist and astronaut who was killed when the space ship ‘Challenger’ disintegrated soon after take-off in January 1986. Ronald McNair is known for challenging segregation laws in South Carolina at age nine so as to access library books. By the time of his death at age 35, he had earned a PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), had been awarded three honorary doctorates and held the distinction of being the second African American and first Bahá’í to travel in space.

Many broadcasters reapply... From page 9 punitive measures at this stage unless the broadcasters demonstrate gross and crass disregard for the law, but so far broadcasters have not come across to us as not willing to obey. “We are happy with those who have already complied and as for those who are yet to comply, we are satisfied that they are making genuine efforts to do so. And, we will allow them to do so without punitive measures.” Sobers said that the Authority will now begin to access the applications and “as soon as we are finished with the existing broadcasters we will turn our attention to those who have applications pending. We will be looking at them shortly.”

Saturday October 21, 2017

Kaieteur News

PAGE 21

PAGE 22

Saturday October 21, 2017

Kaieteur News

Investigations continue into the Land of Canaan accident victim

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Gaime. The man’s relative told this newspaper that he was an employee at National Hardware, Coverden, EBD and was on his way home at the time of the accident. According to reports, the lorry and minibus were proceeding north on the western side of the public road and motor car PTT 9066 was proceeding in the opposite direction when the minibus stopped to pick up a passenger. The man reportedly exited the bus to allow another passenger to pass in when the motor lorry lost control and hit him, he was standing on the pavement. He was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital and was pronounced dead on arrival. Breathalyzer tests were conducted on the drivers which detected no alcohol.

Relocation of utilities... From page 14 pollution is being addressed through the wetting of the roadway but these efforts will be doubled by the introduction of another water tender. The main concern going ahead, he added, is the relocation of the road’s alignment. He noted that, as part of the project, a revision of the road’s alignment is necessary to maximise the functionality and safety of the roadway. Currently, large trucks are forced to maneuver around

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One bottom flat situated at lot 304 Good Intent, West Bank Demerara. Ideal for grocery/supermarket. Call 623-3895 1 Block of Virgin Land to rent for mining in the Cuyuni Mining District. Contact #6719478

Police at the Madewini Outpost are conducting investigations into the death of 50-year old Joseph Harmon following an accident in Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara that occurred last Wednesday around 06:45hrs. Police sources said that the suspect, Duwane Gaime, 28, attended court, yesterday, and pleaded not guilty to the charge of causing death. Bail was granted in the sum of $250,000. Gaime was the alleged driver of the motor lorry, bearing registration number GRR 9592 that hit the victim. Harmon lived with his 75-year old mother in Relief Public Road and had four sons. He lost his life when he exited a route 42 minibus that was heading to Georgetown. The minibus bearing registration number BSS 8672 was driven by the 32 year-old

PROPERTY FOR SALE Double Transported House lot with one old Building .45 D’ Andrade Street. Newtown. For immediate sale .Serious Buyers.Call :652-0076 Spacious 4 bedrooms concrete home with modern amenities @ New Amsterdam Berbice opposite N/A police station. $79M negotiable- Call: 718683-0884, 682-2046 House and land available @ La ParfaiteHarmonie, Providence, Etc. Financing assistance available. Contact Pacific Development: 223-6035/ 227-8274 Boodhoos Housing Scheme ,Schoonord West Bank Demerara. Please Contact 660-2233 308 Eccles block BB East Bank Demerara- Tel: 6720733, 233-2376

sharp turns in some areas, with blind-spots placing road users at risk. However, Mr. Tucker said, the alignment will most likely require the re-acquisition of land gazetted as the Government of Guyana’s. In some areas, residents reside on these lands. In response, Minister Patterson said that the government is focused on minimising the inconveniences residents may face. “We will only take what is needed; if we can avoid homes in the realignment, we will,” Minister Patterson emphasised. He added that residents are being kept in the loop through the COC representatives and will be sensitised on the possible acquisition process. Following the meeting, Minister Patterson visited the roadway to get a first-hand look at the challenges being experienced. He also visited works being executed by the Ministry in New Amsterdam on Main, Strand, and Republic Streets and the communities of Canje and Belvedere Housing Scheme. During the community visits, Minister Patterson met with residents and received feedback from the residents, who expressed satisfaction with ongoing road works but requested the installation of speed bumps. According to the residents, the roads are being used as “race courses”, a situation they would like to be rectified to improve safety. The $1.2B East Bank Berbice Road Project will feature the upgrade of nearly 5km of roadway and will include improved roadway lighting and marking; traffic signs; and the reconstruction of two bridges and two culverts.

Saturday October 21, 2017

Kaieteur News

Former GMC Chief, co-accused freed on fraud charges

Nizam Hassan

Felecia De Souza-Madramootoo

Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan yesterday dismissed the matter against former General Manager (GM) at the Guyana Marketing, Nizam Hassan; and his co-accused Felecia De SouzaMadramootoo, who were charged with conspiring with others to approve payments for low-standard works on the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) building on Robb and Alexander Streets, Georgetown. The Chief Magistrate in coming to her decision said that she will dismiss the matter on the grounds that most of the prosecution 27 witnesses’ evidence was discredited since they were found to be lying under oath. They gave contradicting evidence in the trial, she said. The magistrate said there were several instances when the matter had to be adjourned and arrest warrants had to be issued for some of the witnesses to attend court. Magistrate McLennan added that Police Prosecutor, Inspector Neville Jeffers, failed to prove a case against the defendants. Hassan, 50, of Good Hope, East Coast Demerara

and De Souza-Madramootoo, 34, of Lusignan, East Coast Demerara were represented throughout the trial by Attorney-at-law Glenn Hanoman and Marcel Bobb. It is alleged that between October 28, 2010 and April 25, 2012, Hassan, the former General Manager at GMC, and De Souza-Madramootoo, conspired with each other to continuously approve payments which were made to contractor of Constantine Engineering and Construction Services Limited, Trinidad and Tobago, for works that were incompetently and incorrectly done with inferior materials to rehabilitate the GMC building, knowing that such works should not have been approved. Charges were recommended against Hassan and De Souza-Madramootoo after SOCU completed its report into the investigations of the multimillion-dollar construction of the GMC office building. A forensic audit report submitted in April 2016 by auditor, Saykar Boodhoo, had flagged the construction, citing several worrying things at GMC, an agency of the Min-

istry of Agriculture. The forensic audit report was sent to Cabinet where it was decided that the findings of the report were serious enough to warrant a deeper investigation into not only the construction of the building, but also into the handling of hundreds of millions of dollars of fertilizers. The forensic audit which triggered the recommendations for the charges would tell a worrying tale of how things were at GMC between January 1, 2012 and May 31, 2015, the time under r e v i e w. With regards to the construction of the building, in 2011 a contract was awarded to Constantine Engineering and Construction Services to build a new head office for GMC and the Guyana Shop, which it runs. A contract in the amount of $23.96M was awarded by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB). However, the auditor could not review the bid documents, as NPTAB could not find any information that it was involved in the tender process, even though the contract indicated otherwise.

From page 16 of Guyana over the 25 years. A fully-owned subsidiary of the ANSA McAL Group, AMTL has expanded its employee complement from an initial handful of workers at the beginning in 1992 to employing more than 200 people and scores of Promoters, Branding Reps and Entertainers who indirectly depend on the viability of the company. Furthermore, AMTL is now one of the largest distribution companies in Guyana, servicing approximately 95 percent of the population with hundreds of products from four major divisions ranging from Pharmaceuticals, Construction Solutions, Consumer Products, and Bever-

ages. Moreover, AMTL has contributed well in excess of $50 billion in PAYE, corporation, duties, excise, environmental and value added taxes to the coffers of Guyana, and over $2 billion towards a robust Corporate Social Responsibility program with investments in sport, culture, the community of Beterverwagting, and other social programmes. The Group is also committed to diversifying its portfolio in Guyana and this is manifested through investments in the media, retail, services and automotive industries, creating even more employment for Guyanese. According to the Company’s Managing Direc-

tor, these milestones will be celebrated over the next 12 months with a series of activities that speak to their understanding of the company as an integral part of the Guyanese business landscape. He said that the Ansa McAl distributorship epitomizes the idea of regional integration in offering the best of regional and international products to the Guyanese market. Cadogan said that as the company celebrates this Silver Anniversary, it is fully committed to the future of Guyana and its people. “We are highly optimistic about our growth over the next 25 years.”

ANSA McAL celebrates 25 years ...

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Britain’s May wins Brexit reprieve, faces tough weeks ahead BRUSSELS (Reuters) British Prime Minister Theresa May won a modest reprieve in stalled Brexit t a l k s y e s t e r d a y, w i t h European Union leaders signaling their readiness to move the negotiations forward in the coming months. But despite a more positive tone, a weakened May now faces a delicate political balancing act as she tries to meet EU demands for more concrete pledges on Britain’s divorce bill without stoking a backlash from Brexit campaigners at home, some of whom would prefer she walk away from the talks. EU leaders said at a summit in Brussels that they would begin preparations to move into “phase two” of the Brexit negotiations in December, a step forward that would allow London to discuss its future trade relationship with the bloc. Yet they also made clear that May would have to move between now and the end of the year on settling a financial bill that EU officials have estimated at around 60 billion euros. “I think it is very clear what additional steps need to be taken,” German

Chancellor Angela Merkel told a news conference at the end of the summit, saying movement on the financial settlement was crucial for progress in December. French President Emmanuel Macron was tougher, saying the two sides had not yet completed even half of the work on the financial settlement and accusing Britain of “bluffing” by using the media to suggest there could be no deal. “A lot is in the hands of Theresa May,” he said. An EU official said it took just 90 seconds for the 27 other leaders to adopt their Brexit conclusions at the end of the meeting, underlining how united they are. May has said she cannot provide a specific financial pledge until she knows the shape of the future relationship. The EU is insisting that the two sides agree on an exit bill, the rights of EU citizens in a post-Brexit world and Irish border issues before delving into future ties. Asked whether she had improved an offer of about 20 billion euros, May said she had repeated commitments she made in a speech in Italy last month,

when she said the bloc would not be out of pocket when it came to its budget which runs until 2020. “What I made clear to my EU counterparts in relation to financial contributions... is that nobody need be concerned for the current budget plans ... and that we will honor the commitments that we have made during our membership,” she told a news conference before returning to Britain. “Now there has to be detailed work on those commitments... we are going through them line by line and we will continue to go through them line by line.” NO MOVEMENT YET The final text from the EU-27 read: “The European Union ... notes that, while the UK has stated that it will honor its financial obligations taken during its membership, this has not yet been translated into a firm and concrete commitment from the UK to settle all of these obligations.” Still, the leaders held open the hope of reaching a deal at the next regular summit in December. And in a move that could save weeks of delay, they ordered EU negotiators to start

Brazil government to rework controversial slavery decree BRASILIA (Reuters) Brazil’s government will issue a new decree changing the country’s definition of slavery following an earlier order that was widely criticized as a reversal in the fight against forced labor, a presidential aide said yesterday. In Brazil, forced labor has been defined as a form of modern-day slavery. This includes debt bondage, degrading work conditions, and long work hours that pose a risk to a worker’s health or life, and violate their dignity. Human rights campaigners said a decree issued by the labor ministry on Monday changed the way slavery was defined, limiting it to a victim’s freedom of movement but disregarding other abuses. The new decree, sought by Brazil’s powerful farm l o b b y, w o u l d d e r a i l enforcement efforts that have freed 50,000 workers

from slavery-like conditions since 1995, according to federal prosecutors and labor inspectors. Responding to the criticism, President Michel Temer said yesterday the decree would be modified but not revoked. In an interview with the Poder360 news website, Temer said the measure would be “perfected” with suggestions by prosecutors, among them the creation of a police department for slave labor crimes. A presidential aide later said the suggestions would be used to reissue a new decree. “The president instructed the labor minister to study them and see which can be incorporated in a new decree,” the spokesman said. Rights groups estimate hundreds of thousands of people work in slave-like conditions on farms, sugar cane plantations and cattle ranches across Brazil’s

remote and jungle areas, as well as in urban factories and construction sites. The government decree as issued would close 506 of 706 working conditions cases under investigation, which would no longer be considered slave labor, a spokesman for Brazil’s federal prosecutor’s office said. Te m e r b o w e d t o pressure from the farm lobby to modify the decree at a time when he is relying on the group’s votes in Congress to block corruption charges next week. The farm lobby praised the decree for clarifying the definition of slave labor and eliminating “excesses” by inspectors. Temer told Poder360 the decree needed changing because it contained irrelevant details for defining slavery, such as the need for a soap bar holder or a ladder to a top bunk in workers’ sleeping quarters.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, British Prime Minister Theresa May (C), and Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat take part in an EU summit in Brussels, Belgium yesterday. REUTERS/Julien Warnand/Pool preparing for what Brussels will want in a transition period. Uncertainty over the final shape of a Brexit deal has unsettled businesses on both sides of the Channel. Terry Scuoler, CEO of the British manufacturers’ association (EEF), welcomed the warmer words from EU leaders, but said industry needed “more than a hint of progress”. All the EU leaders worked hard to strike a positive tone at the summit after May used a dinner late on Thursday to appeal to the other 27 leaders to help her silence critics at home by offering a signal

that the talks would move on. Many were upbeat and May struck up an animated and friendly conversation at the beginning of the summit with Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron, who are both seen in Britain as hardliners in the talks. That might be enough for May to calm immediate concerns at home after Brexit campaigners urged the British prime minister to signal her readiness to leave the EU without a deal and to r e l y o n Wo r l d Tr a d e Organization rules. But she faces a major dilemma as she gears up for the next EU summit in

December. “The next eight weeks will be the most challenging for ... Theresa May and the most consequential for Brexit,” said Mujtaba Rahman, an analyst at Eurasia Group. The chair of the summit Donald Tusk said there would need to be a more positive narrative to reach a Brexit deal in December - a sentiment echoed by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. “We have some details but we don’t have all the details we need,” he said. “It’s not my working assumption that we’ll have no deal.”

Bank admits court orders have... From page 3 recent years. The laws mandate financial institutions to hand over information that is requested by the courts. However, Ramkarran insisted, GBTI has more than complied. He does not believe that Guyana is sailing into uncharted waters with the SOCU and GBTI case, as court orders is a normal thing. “We don’t like them.. but we have to (comply).” It would be a small victory for SOCU as there is the absence of the information by the bank that would seriously jeopardise investigations with the Rice Board. Several former officials, including board members and sitting Parliamentarians with the Opposition, have been charged with fraud

crimes involving millions of dollars. But SOCU’s battles have embroiled the Director of Public Prosecutions which was accused of causing delays in the charges. The DPP chambers this week, in response, questioned the investigative capacity of the police. The lawyer for the DPP, Shalimar Ali-Hack, happens to be Senior Counsel Robin Stoby, the current Chairman of the Board of Directors for GBTI, raising the spectre of a possible conflict of interest situation. SOCU is tracking down US$500M that G RDB handled as far back as 2010. Those monies represented transfers from the Ministry of Finance to pay rice farmers and millers who participated in a lucrative r i c e - f o r- o i l d e a l w i t h neighbouring Venezuela.

Farmers and millers, up to 2015, would supply rice, through GRDB. Under the deal, Guyana received oil, at concessional r a t e s a n d conditions…Guyana would pay part of the money upfront and the rest over a number of years. The delayed oil money was what the Ministry of Finance paid over to the GRDB to pay rice farmers and millers. SOCU is reportedly contending that GRDB used those monies to grant illegal loans to some rice millers and even organisations close to the former ruling party. GRDB is being investigated, also, about a number of transfers overseas to a number of banks. Investigators in the case are also reportedly looking at the linkage between GBTI and the rice board.

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Saturday October 21, 2017

Barbados to amend legislation Spain pledges to support hurricane to deal with tax avoidance -battered Caribbean countries

Donville Inniss BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Barbados says it is seeking to amend legislation as it moves to deal with tax avoidance and ensure a more transparent tax environment. Industry, International Business, Commerce and Small Business Development Minister, Donville Inniss, addressing a conference here said that he was also encouraging members of the international business sector to study the work of the Forum on Harmful Tax Practices. Inniss told the International Business Week Conference that this research must be conducted within the context of government’s commitment to the sustainability of this sector and its operation on a level that provides a secure jurisdiction to conduct business. He told delegates that Barbados joined the inclusive Forum in July and in so doing, was committed to the Base Erosion Profit

Sharing Action Plan (BEPs) framework and its consistent implementation. “ We t h e r e f o r e collaborate on an equal footing with other members and will work to tackle tax avoidance; improving the coherence of international tax rules; and ensuring a more transparent tax environment. We therefore have work to do. “We must refocus our efforts on making the necessary amendments to the legislation to ensure that it meets the relevant standards and provides for the substantial business activity on which our “offshore” sector was built.” Inniss said that the Freundel Stuart government was currently preparing Barbados’ draft Multilateral Instrument (MLI) position for signature before year end and that this instrument was an important element of the BEPs Action plan, and is one of the four minimum standards, required in order to implement the tax treaty-

related aspects of BEPs. “Instead of a bilateral treaty renegotiation process that would take decades, the MLI will allow the entry into force, in a shorter time span, of tax treaty-related BEPs measures. I am sure you will agree, that our country’s tax treaty network has been one of the pillars on which the international business sector has stood. “This growing network is testament to Barbados’ cooperation and demonstration of an understanding of issues that affect tax systems of partner jurisdictions. The government of Barbados is committed to honouring these Agreements, negotiated in a spirit of mutual trust, cooperation and respect.” Inniss said. He said going forward, Barbados was moving to strengthen the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) framework of the international business sector and Barbados’ Mutual Evaluation report. He said the evaluation report would be discussed at the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) Plenary session next month and updates and revisions to the national AML/CFT regime would be informed by the outcome of that exercise. He urged sector officials to embrace the challenging times and advised them to take a proactive stance and equip their businesses and staff with the necessary skills, technologies and knowledge to address the new changes.

CDB funding new initiative aimed at improving student education in the region BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) says it is funding an initiative by the Barbados government aimed at reversing a situation in the region where, despite significant investments, student achievement at the end of basic education is still lagging behind expected levels. CDB said that it is hoping the School Teacher Effectiveness Plan (STEPs), a critical component of a wider CDB-funded Education Sector Enhancement Project, will

transform learning and teaching in schools. CDB’s Division Chief in the Social Sector Division, Deidre Clarendon, who spoke at the launch of the initiative earlier this month, said she hoped the new project could have a positive impact on other countries in the region. “This represents a watershed in school reform in Barbados and we anticipate that within the context of regional cooperation and integration, other countries will benefit from this bold initiative which has the potential to

transform the culture of teaching and learning in schools,” said Clarendon. CDB said that the concept of STEPs was framed within the context of identifying models and tools to guide teachers towards being more effective. “This comes at a time when countries in the region have been investing approximately six per cent of GDP (gross domestic product) and, in some cases, as much as 20 per cent of their recurrent budget on human resource development.

Spain’s Ambassador to CARICOM, Javier Carbajosa Sanchez (left), presents his Letter of Credence to CARICOM Secretary General Irwin LaRocque, (CMC) – Spain has promised to assist Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries battered by recent hurricanes, the newlyappointed Spanish ambassador to the 15member regional grouping. Javier Carbajosa Sanchez, who presented his credentials to CARICOM Secretary General Irwin La Rocque on Thursday, said the European country “will certainly contribute through the institutional channels already established, to promote economic recovery”. Sanchez expressed his government’s sympathy for the loss of lives and

widespread damage and destruction caused by Hurricanes Irma and Maria that tore through the Lesser Antilles in September. “These are difficult times for all of us. The world is facing a huge amount of simultaneous challenges which compel us to do our best and to strengthen our ability to work together in order to provide a reasonable response to global challenges. “Transnational crimes, climate change, economic inequalities, political instability, etcetera, require our unwavering political will and determination,” the diplomat said, signalling his

c o u n t r y ’s i n t e r e s t i n strengthening the political and financial instruments through which it works with CARICOM. He said Spain was also looking forward to the 2018 CARICOM-Spain Summit. The last summit was held in Antigua and Barbuda in 2014. In addition, he said the convening of a Joint Technical Committee before the end of the year, will allow the pursuit of projects of interest to the region in the areas of security as well as energy and energy efficiency. The diplomat said that Spain had note of the emphasis by CARICOM

C’bean commits to reducing suffering, deaths from non-communicable diseases MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (CMC) – Caribbean countries have joined in the global effort to “new and bold action” to reduce suffering and death from non-communicable diseases (NCDs), primarily heart and lung diseases, cancers and diabetes. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) said governments have endorsed the Montevideo Roadmap 20182030 on NCDs as a Sustainable Development Priority during the three-day Global Conference on Noncommunicable Diseases, hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Uruguay. The conference ends later on Friday. PAHO said the pledge follows agreement by world leaders to reduce

“premature” deaths from NCDs by one-third by 2030 as part of the United Nations’ Agenda for Sustainable Development. It said NCDs kill 40 million annually, more than any other cause of death and of these deaths, 15 million occur prematurely among people aged 30-70 years, and seven million in low- and low-middle income countries. “It is shocking to see the growing toll that diseases like cancer and diabetes are taking on the people who can least afford healthcare,” said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “Governments must act on pledges to prevent these diseases in the first place, and to ensure that people can obtain services to treat them. Failure do to this imposes massive costs on individuals

and communities. It totally contradicts global commitments to sustainable development.” PA H O s a i d t h e Montevideo Roadmap highlights the need for “coordinated and coherent action from all sectors and the whole of society, as many of the main drivers of ill health lie outside the control of health ministries, systems and professionals. “Non-State actors, including civil society and industry, have important roles to play, “ it added, stating that the Roadmap also points out that the bulk of NCD deaths could have been prevented by action against tobacco, air pollution, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, and harmful use of alcohol – as well as by improved disease detection and treatment.

Saturday October 21, 2017

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Trump administration considers pausing U.S. refugee family reunification program NEW YORK (Reuters) President Trump’s administration has drafted a plan to pause a program that allows family members join refugees already settled in the United States until they can undergo

increased security checks, two sources with knowledge of the situation told Reuters. The measure is one of several being considered for refugees, the sources said. The administration also

may expand the use of intensive security checks by multiple federal agencies, called “security advisory opinions” (SAO) to apply to women from countries designated as high-risk by the U.S. government. Currently

there are usually only mandatory SAOs, as they are called, for men from those countries, the sources said. The administration is also considering expanding the categories of refugees re-

quired to be fingerprinted, the sources said. The proposals, if implemented, could significantly slow down refugee admissions and leave refugees who thought they were headed to the United States in perilous situations abroad, say refugee advocates and former officials. David Lapan, a spokesman from the Department of Homeland Security said he could not comment on specific proposals that are still in the review process. A State Department official also declined to comment while the review is underway and a White House spokeswoman said they have no announcements at this time. Republican President Donald Trump came into office in January with a goal of sharply cutting refugee admissions and quickly issued temporary bans on refugees and travelers from several Muslim-majority countries that were challenged in court. A 120-day temporary ban on refugees, put in place to study current procedures, expires on Oct. 24. The sources, who requested anonymity because they are not authorized to speak about the plans before they are announced, said the new measures could be announced at the end of the temporary ban. Trump has said “extreme

vetting” of refugees and immigrants and visitors is needed to prevent terrorist attacks. The administration could pause the visa issuing process for “following-to-join” spouses and children of refugees who have already made it to the United States, known as V93 cases, the sources said. In 2015, just 3 percent of the nearly 70,000 refugee arrivals were those types of beneficiaries, according to the Department of Homeland Security. “Reports on the type of vetting measures being considered for our refugee resettlement program are disturbing,” said Hans Van de Weerd, the Vice President of U.S. Programs at the International Rescue Committee. They amount “to a desertion of victims of war and heinous persecution, who have done everything asked of them as they prepare to arrive to the US,” he said. Refugees currently undergo differing levels of security checks when applying for admission to the United States in a process that can take 18-24 months. “When you put in additional security checks you can basically halt the system,” said Robert Carey, the former director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement under former President Barack Obama, a Democrat.

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Favourites Windies wary of competitive hosts (From page 26) statistics, however, West Indies captain Jason Holder said his side were anticipating a stiff challenge from the hosts and would be taking nothing for granted. “We expect a really good competition from these guys. They are obviously fresh now back onto the Test circuit …,” Holder told a media conference here Friday. “Last year when we came here they looked a really good side, a very professional unit and we expect nothing different from them in this Test series. They would have boosted their side with Brendan Taylor and Kyle Jarvis coming back, and they are two key guys for them going forward. “So it should be a good contest. We expect a really good

competition.” West Indies will be full of confidence, especially coming off an England tour where they managed – against all odds – to take a Test off the hosts in sensational circumstances at Headingley last August. And while they lost the three-Test series, 2-1, they made strides and displayed the makings of a potentially strong side with the ability to challenge the major Test-playing nations. More importantly, after a period where they failed to win any of 11 Tests in a 14-month spell between 2015 and 2016 – while losing eight – West Indies have now won a Test in each of their last three series against toprated sides. They stunned Pakistan in United Arab Emirates last No-

vember, beat them in the Caribbean in a return series earlier this year before producing their shock victory over England. Holder said it was these small steps that was reason for hope, despite the young, inexperienced nature of the squad. “I reckon in the last year we’ve had, we’ve had a pretty reasonable year in terms of improvement,” said the 25-year-old all-rounder. “The guys have really been getting attuned to Test cricket. We’ve done some really good things in the group, we’re still not the finished product but I think we’re headed in the right direction and I’m really happy with the progress the team is making.” He added: “With a young, inexperienced side you have to be consistent [in selection]. You

Saturday October 21, 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You probably aren't getting straight answers to your questions. Don't get involved in idle chatter that will hurt your position. Overindulgence could cause problems for you with your loved ones. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) You can pick up additional responsibility that will lead to higher wages and a better position. Educational pursuits can bring interesting, helpful people. Contracts will not be as lucrative as you think. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You may not be as well received in group endeavors if you try to force your will on others. You may want to take a look at the personal papers of elders in your family. Sudden changes could result in estrangements. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Make changes regarding your friendships. Be sure to organize events that will keep the children busy. Taking on too much won't help the situation. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Try to spend time with those having similar interests. You may think gifts will win their heart, but it could add stress from lack of funds. Take a short business trip if possible. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You can help them with difficult projects. Quarrels will erupt if you get into philosophical debates with friends.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Don't let others make you feel guilty or insecure. Get involved in fitness programs that will bring you in contact with new friends. Your personal life will be under the gun and you may want to avoid the questions your lover is going to want to ask you. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You will drive your emotional partner crazy today. Time spent with family, children, or good friends will be regenerating and positive. You can come up with future trends in creative fields. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You will find their philosophies worth exploring. You will accomplish the most through orderly activities. You may be admired by colleagues and employers for your diplomatic way of handling your work and those you work with. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Concentrate on getting ahead financially and let your personal life settle down for a while. Just be yourself. A lot can be accomplished if you organize your time. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) They will not be in the right frame of mind to put up with tactless comments. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) This will not be the day to start new business ventures or make drastic changes in your career. Your relationship appears to be stressed out and depleted. Uncertain changes regarding your personal life are evident.

have to give guys as much opportunities as they possibly can. We will have failures, there will be inconsistencies but we’ve got to stick with a set of players who we feel can take us forward. “Going forward we hope the guys can be a lot more consistent, solidify themselves in the team and keep moving forward as a unit.” Progress has come in the emergence of 23-year-old Shai Hope as a batsman of Test quality. Without a half-century in his first 15 Test innings, the righthander carved out a gritty 90 in the second innings in the second Test at Bridgetown last May as West Indies beat Pakistan by 106 runs. He then became the first player in 127 years of first class cricket at Leeds to make century in both innings of a Test, as he guided the Caribbean side to an astonishing five-wicket win on the final day of the second Test

there. Combined with the likes of consistent opener Kraigg Brathwaite, Roston Chase and Jermaine Blackwood, and fast bowlers Shannon Gabriel and Kemar Roach, Holder believes the Windies possess the ability to seriously challenge contenders. “I think Kraigg Brathwaite is the heart and soul of our batting,” Holder pointed out. “He’s been doing it for a little while now for us. He is our most experienced player basically and he’s done really well for us over the years so I back Kraigg to lead our batting as he does most of the times. “We’ve obviously got players like Shai Hope, Jermaine Blackwood and Kyle Hope. We’ve got young exciting talent there, it’s just about us putting to together on the particular day. “In the bowling department, Shannon Gabriel is pretty much our spearhead and you’ve got guys

like Kemar Roach who had a really good time in England coming back into Test cricket.” Play bowls off at 10 am (4 am Eastern Caribbean time). SQUADS: WEST INDIES – Jason Holder (captain), Kraigg Brathwaite, Kieran Powell, Kyle Hope, Shai Hope, Roston Chase, Jermaine Blackwood, Shane Dowrich (wicketkeeper), Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel, Alzarri Joseph, Miguel Cummins, Shimron Hetmyer, Raymon Reifer, Devendra Bishoo. ZIMBABWE – Graeme Cremer (captain), Hamilton Masakadza, Solomon Mire, Chamu Chibhabha, Craig E r v i n e , B r e n d a n Ta y l o r, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams, Malcolm Waller, Peter Moor, Regis Chakabva ( w i c k e t k e e p e r ) , M ichael Chinouya, Chris Mpofu, Kyle Jarvis, Tendai Chisoro, Nyasha Mayavo.

German FA hit with hefty back... (From page 27) Dreyfus via FIFA. The 2006 World Cup organising committee chief Franz Beckenbauer has vehemently denied all allegations the funds were used to buy votes in favour of the German bid. While cleared in the DFB report, the former World Cup winning captain is, however, facing criminal proceedings in Switzerland over payments related to that tournament. The Swiss Attorney General’s Office (OAG)

opened criminal proceedings against Beckenbauer and three other former high-ranking German football officials

in 2016 related to allegations of fraud, criminal mismanagement, money laundering and misappropriation of funds.

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Saturday October 21, 2017

De Grasse eyes Canadian 100m record TORONTO (Reuters) Andre De Grasse is eager to return stronger from a season-ending hamstring injury that deprived him of a showdown with Usain Bolt and is now focused on breaking the Canadian 100 meters record. The 22-year-old triple Olympic sprint medalist, who was expected to be Bolt’s main rival for his 100m crown in the J a m a i c a n ’s f a r e w e l l championship in London, begins training next week for a campaign that will come with lofty expectations. “Still trying to map out my goals,” De Grasse, who acknowledged it will be years before he seeks the title of world’s fastest man, said in an interview. “I want to break the Canadian record but definitely there are ways and steps to do it and I haven’t thought about the whole process of the goals yet but it’s early.”

Andre De Grasse (AFP Getty Images) To break the Canadian 100m record of 9.84 seconds which was set by Donovan Bailey when he won gold at

the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, De Grasse said he needs to focus on improving his starts.

Once he gets upright, De Grasse showcases a speedy stride that is near perfection. But De Grasse, who has

Pan Am Indoor Hockey Cups Argentina defeat Guyana to secure place in men’s final

Guyana’s England-based Marvin Dannett (5) did a good job in man marking Augustin Ceballos (7).

By Calvin Chapman Heading into their final group round robin match against Argentina on Friday night, hosts Guyana needed to pull off a victory by 11 goals or more to secure their maiden Pan Am final berth, but instead they were downed 3-1 by the men in blue, in front a packed home crowd at the Cliff Anderson

Sports Hall (CASH). Argentina played better hockey and the odds of Guyana’s advancement was very high not only with the overwhelming goal difference but against this strong Argentina squad that had defeated the defending champs Canada 5-3 during Wednesday evening’s play. Guyana created many chances during the first half

but resolute defending from the Argentineans, who knew that only a loss by 5 goals or more, would’ve usurped them from a place in final. It was in the 20th minute, almost on the stroke of the first half period, that the first goal was scored by Juan Eleicegui, a successful penalty corner, after his team mate had unluckily hit the cross bar of the goal

moments before. Nine (9) minutes after the first half, Alfredo Sosa doubled the Spanish speaking nation’s lead with a perfectly finished field goal from a great built up play. Three (3) minutes in the 32nd minute, Guyana’s Captain Robert France, flicked into the back of the net a fantastic trick shot after receiving a rocket of a pass from Rayon Branford which was launched from Guyana’s half of the court. With the score 2-1 with 8 minutes remaining, any hopes of the land of many waters reaching the final which would’ve automatically see the Golden Arrow head being flow at the International Hockey Federation (FIH) World Cup in Germany next year, were virtually dead. And, as Guyana pressed on Joaquin Gonzalez capitalized during a counter attack and scored the winners’ third goal two minutes later, to erase any doubt of their superiority. The finals for both male and female will illuminate the CASH this evening with the USA vs. Argentina female final at 17:35hrs and the Trinidad and Tobago vs. Argentina male final at 19:00hrs.

been running competitively for five years, has not perfected the complex string of movements to quickly get from the sound of a pistol into a full gallop. “My transition phase is getting good, my finish is strong so just trying to work on that first 30 meters,” said De Grasse, who finished third at the Rio Olympics with a personal best time of 9.91. “I did a good job at a couple meets last year on my starts so just trying to be more consistent.” To help improve his starts, De Grasse said he will spend even more time doing resistance drills, working on block starts and weight training. With the next world championships not taking place until 2019, De Grasse is looking forward to competing at home in August when the North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) championships are held in Toronto. It was in Toronto, after all, where the Canadian sprint sensation had his coming out party at the 2015 Pan American Games. De Grasse won the 100m gold

and the 200m crown two days later in a Canadian and Pan Am record time of 19.88. De Grasse, who will skip the world indoor championships in March and hopes to compete at the April 4-15 Commonwealth Games in Australia, does not feel running both distances is holding him back from more success. He believes running both sprints gives him more endurance and he would not even consider dropping one in favor of the other until the last couple years of his career. While De Grasse chases the Canadian 100m record this season he knows he has a few more years before he makes a run at Bolt’s title as the world’s fastest man. Bolt’s last 100m final ended in shock at the worlds as the eight-times Olympic champion was beaten to gold by American Justin Gatlin. “I don’t think I can call myself the fastest man from results at Commonwealth or NACAC,” De Grasse said. “So at the next 2019 world championships in Qatar and t h e n i n To k y o ( 2 0 2 0 Olympics) I am going to try and do that.”

Favourites Windies wary of competitive hosts

LOOKING AHEAD: Batsman Jermaine Blackwood is deep in thought during a net session ahead of today’s start of the opening Test against Zimbabwe. (Photo courtesy CWI Media) B U L A W A Y O , Zimbabwe, CMC – For the first time in some while, West Indies will enter a Test series with the title of firm favourites, when they take on minnows Zimbabwe in the opening Test of the twomatch series here today at Queens Sports Club. Though the Caribbean side’s Test record in recent years has been dodgy at best, Zimbabwe’s has been even

worse, without a Test win in nearly four years in nine outings. In addition, they have failed to beat West Indies in eight previous meetings – losing six and drawing two – and were easily brushed side the last time the two teams met in the Caribbean in a two-match series five years ago. Despite those damning (Continued on page 25)

Kaieteur News

Saturday October 21, 2017

Kevin Sinclair in brilliant all-round performance Rose Hall Town Pepsi ‘A’ defeat Hampshire National Under-19 player and Berbice Captain Kevin Sinclair turned in a brilliant all-round performance as Rose Hall Town Pepsi Under-19 team easily defeated Tamarind Root of Hampshire by 70 runs in a specially arranged Say No/Say Yes Programme at the Hampshire Ground. The Cricket Development Committee of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club under the leadership of Vice President Mark Papannah and Asst Organising Secretary Ravin Kissoonlall would be organising cricket matches on a weekly basis against clubs in Berbice in an effort to get club players active as no Inter-club To u r n a m e n t i s b e i n g organised by the Berbice Cricket Board at any level at the moment. Rose Hall Town Pepsi Under-19 ‘A’ Team batting first, rattled up 195 all out in 34.3 of their allotted 35Overs with Sinclair topscoring with 104 run out with twelve sweetly struck boundaries and three sixes. Sinclair, who recently represented Guyana at the Under-19 level with fair success, opened the batting with Guyana Under-17 player Junior Sinclair and was at his brilliant best from the start. Junior Sinclair was bowled for 7 by David Prahalad in the 6th Over at 30 for 1 but Chanderpaul Govindan joined the aggressive Kevin Sinclair and together added 63 for the 2nd wicket before Govindan was caught off the bowling

Kevin Sinclair of R. Mahadeo for 33. B e r b i c e U n d e r- 1 9 a l l rounder Keith Simpson then joined his captain but was soon sent packing by Kevin Amazehun for 6 at 100 for 3 in the 20th Over. Kevin Sinclair was eventually run out for 104, while Tyrese Sealy contributed 25 as the other batsmen were dismissed trying to increase the run rate as Overs ran out. Bowling for Tamarind Root, R. Mahadeo claimed 2 wickets for 32 runs, while V. Mangal took 2 for 40. Needing to score 196 from 35-Overs to win, Tamarind Root started positively as W. Mangal and D. Prahalad added 22 in 2.2 Overs before off spinner Kevin Sinclair bowled Mangal for 10. Prahalad then had his middle stump knocked back by a lively Nicholas Lawson for 12 as the home team slipped to 29 for 2 in the 5th Over. Sinclair then took the wickets of Reno Ramsammy, Jai Tika and Kevin Mohabir as their team

slipped to 60 for 5. Only I. Naidu 12, and Tyrone Ramsammy 15 offered any resistance to the Rose Hall Town Pepsi bowling attack. Kevin Sinclair completed a brilliant all-round performance by taking 5 for 21 and received support from off spinner Tyrese Sealy 2 for 20 and Berbice Left arm spinner Keith Simpson 2 for 19, Kevin Sinclair, who was on Thursday last honoured as one of the fourteen Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club National players for 2017, was named Man of the Match. Manager of the Pepsi Under-19 team hailed the achievement of the team and noted that in the victory seasoned players like National Players Kevlon Anderson and Sylus Tyndall, Justin Gobin, Rivaldo Williams, Brandon Corlette, Joshua Wilson and Simon Naidu who were all absent due to other commitments. The Pepsi Under-19 Team for 2017 has also successfully completed over 40 personal development projects and would be involved in several more for the year including a massive Christmas Charity Programme that includes donations of over 1,500 toys to less fortunate children, 300 food hampers for families, the 2017 Christmas Village, Christmas Party for less fortunate children and a general Feeding of the Poor project on the 18th December, 2017.

German FA hit with hefty back tax payment over 2006 World Cup BERLIN (Reuters) The German Football Association must pay 19.2 million euros (£17.1 million) in back taxes related to a controversial payment for the 2006 World Cup but it will challenge the Frankfurt tax office’s decision, it said yesterday. The tax office said the payment of 6.7 million euros from the DFB to world football’s governing body FIFA in 2005 had not been declared properly and the association now owed 19.2 million.

That payment has triggered several investigations in the past two years over allegations it had been used as a slush fund to buy votes in favour of Germany’s bid to host the 2006 tournament. “The tax authority is questioning the tax deductibility of the payment and the non-profit character of the DFB for the year 2006,” the DFB said in a statement. “The DFB, following advice from tax and legal advisors, will challenge

these altered tax assessments,” it said. Officially, at the time the payment was made, it had been for an opening ceremony. But such a ceremony never took place and a DFB-commissioned investigation last year said the sum was the return of a loan via FIFA from former Adidas chief Robert LouisDreyfus. It has never been clarified what the initial loan had been for and why it had to be paid back to the late (Continued on page 25)

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Berbice Cricket Board commends GCB/CGI for dynamic 3-day tournament BCB to select elite squad for training The President and other Executives of the Berbice Cricket Board of Control has applauded the herculean efforts of the Guyana Cricket Board/ Cricket Guyana Inc, for the tremendous success of the recently concluded 3 day inter Zone cricket tournament. President of the Berbice C r i c k e t B o a r d , M r. Dhieranidranauth Somwaru, is optimistic that this initiative can only see to the upward movement of cricket in Berbice and the country as a whole. He stated that the sixty Berbicians cricketers that were engaged in this competition are now better equipped to forge ahead in their careers. The competition which lasted for seven weeks, has indeed succeeded in sharpening the skills of the players, and has stirred the interest of the cricketing public in Berbice. Mr. Somwaru is pleased that the Guyana Cricket Board continues to follow its mandate in promoting cricket countrywide, despite the negatives of certain Clubs in the country, but he

Dhieranidranauth Somwaru encourages the GCB to stand firm and continue in fulfilling its mandate. He assures the GCB that the Berbice Cricket Board will forever stand firm behind them, ‘since we are all parts of the same body.’ The President wishes to make special mention of those Berbicians that have excelled at the recently concluded games and advise them to continue with their training, since there is more to come. Players such as Kandasammy Surujnarine,

Balchand Baldeo, David Latchaya, Rajiv Ivan, Jonathon Foo, Artley Bailey, Gudakesh Motie Kanhai, Clinton Pestano, Demetri Cameron, Joshua R a m s a m m y, S h i m r o n Hetmyer, Anthony Bramble, Kevlon Anderson, Nial Smith and Eon Hooper have all contributed meaningfully to the success of their respective teams and the Berbice Cricket Board wishes to applaud them for their efforts. The Berbice Cricket Board will shortly identify an elite squad of 30 players who will be part of an ongoing elite training programme. Details of the programme will be communicated to clubs whose players have been selected to attend. The Berbice Cricket Board will continue to nurture and promote the game of cricket in the county, and urge the business community and members of the public to pledge their support to the Board as they strive to fulfill our mandate for the cricketers in Berbice.

Windies make light work of SL for series lead ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Player-of-the-Match Hayley Matthews and fast bowler Shakera Selman turned in handy performances, as West Indies Women trounced Sri Lanka Women by 71 runs in the o p e n i n g Tw e n t y 2 0 International here Thursday night. Matthews stroked a run-aball 37 to propel the hosts to 140 for four off their 20 overs before Selman snatched two for six from three overs, to limit the Sri Lankans to 69 for seven off their quota of overs. The contest proved a stroll for the reigning World champions, extending their dominance from their clean sweep of the one-day series in Trinidad last week. Sent in at Coolidge Cricket Ground, Matthews spearheaded a 67-run, opening stand off 63 deliveries with captain Stafanie Taylor whose 31 came from 29 balls with three boundaries. The right-handed

Matthews had counted five fours when she was stumped in the 11th over off left-arm spinner Inoka Ranaweera who claimed two for 35. Her dismissal sparked a slide which saw four wickets tumble for 39 runs in the space of 38 balls, as West Indies Women slipped to 106 for four in the 17th over. Former captain Merissa Aguilleira then arrived to stroke a 19-ball unbeaten 22 while Britney Cooper struck a four and a six in 20 not out off 11 deliveries, as they provided a late flourish with an unbroken 34-run, fifth wicket stand. Selman then shocked the Sri Lanka top order, removing openers Yasoda Mendis (0) and Chamari Atapattu (1) in successive overs, to reduce the tourists to nine for two in the third over. Ama Kanchana tried to

revive the innings with a top score of 17 off 21 balls but found little support, as no other batsman reached double figures. Off-spinner Anisa Mohammed kept the pressure on with a pair of wickets from her four overs which cost 14 runs, while seamer Deandra Dottin stifled the middle order with a spell of one for six from three overs. The second match is scheduled for the same venue at 6:30 pm on Saturday. Scores: WEST INDIES 140 for four off 20 overs (Hayley Matthews 37, Stafanie Taylor 31, Merissa Aguilleira 22 not out, Britney Cooper 20 not out; Inoka Ranaweera 2-35) SRI LANKA 69 for seven off 20 overs (Shakera Selman 2-6, Anisa Mohammed 2-14)

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Saturday October 21, 2017

Pam Am indoor Hockey C/Ships

USA Women remain unbeaten with 4-1 win over Canada Argentina beat Uruguay 3-2, T&T whip B’dos 11-4

Canada’s Alison Lee showed a high level of skill and ball control and scored her team’s only Goal yesterday. (Sean Devers photo) By Sean Devers The small but vocal crowd at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall yesterday was entertained by a display of high class hockey from the clinical USA team on the penultimate day of the 2017 Pan Am Hockey Championship as they beat defending Champions Canada 4-1 in an epic battle between the top two women’s teams in this year’s tournament. In the first match of the day Argentina beat Uruguay

3-2, while T&T got the better of a spirited Barbados 11-4 although this was the best game played by the Bajans despite the result. The crafty Ayana Williams, their best player, scored the first goal of the game for Barbados, who missed some crucial chances in the first half. But the fitter Trinis out ran their slower Bajan counterparts as their defensive end ran out of gas and put plenty of pressure on their custodian Sheena Nicholls. In the Women’s match of t h e d a y, U S A’s s i x t h

consecutive win was highlighted by a dazzling performance by Ali Campbell, who registered a hat-trick from penalty corners, while Allison Fuller netted once for the Americans, who are favored to capture their first Pan Am Championship title since the Championships was first played in 2002. The highly talented Alison Lee scored the only goal for Canada, whose two titles were achieved in 2005 and 2014 when Men’s team also won titles.

Ali Campbell (5) was in ripping form yesterday and scored a hat-trick in USA’s 4-1 win over defending Champs Canada. (Sean Devers photo) T h i s w a s C a n a d a ’s second defeat but it still leaves them with a chance of qualifying for the 2018 indoor Hockey world in Germany next year February, along with USA, Uruguay and Argentina. The most evenly contested women’s game of the day was played at a frenetic pace and Canada’s Alison Lee made the first shot on goal in the opening minutes but it was brilliantly saved Samantha Carlino. The US enjoyed more possession of the ball and it

was a battle of attrition with the USA employing a more tactical game which seemed to put the defending champs off their game plan. At half time the electronic scoreboard read 21 as Campbell beat Kathrin Williams twice, while in between those efforts Lee scored the equalizer which in the end proved to Canada only goal in the contest. The second stanza began with Lee, who displayed plenty of skill with her stick, going around the defence and firing at Goal for Carlino

to make another good save as the overall standards of the Goalies in the Women’s game continued to be high in this year’s Championships. The USA got their third goal when Campbell, who presented an imposing presence, once again beat the diving Canadian goalie before Fuller went around Williams to find the back of the net. Several good saves by Carlino kept Canada at bay before the buzzer sounded to end the well fought game as an emotional Lee sank to the floor in tears.

Hamilton fastest in U.S. Grand Prix practice A U S T I N , Te x a s (Reuters) - Formula One title favorite Lewis Hamilton led the way in first free practice at the U.S. Grand Prix yesterday with a lap half a second faster than his closest rival Sebastian Vettel’s best effort. The Mercedes driver, who can secure a fourth championship tomorrow if results go his way, lapped a soggy Circuit of the Americas in a time of one minute 36.335 seconds on the supersoft tires. Ferrari’s Vettel, who is 59 points adrift of the Briton with four races remaining, was the second fastest man on track in 1:36.928. Hamilton’s team mate Valtteri Bottas was third with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, a new contract through to 2020 freshly signed, in fourth. M c L a r e n ’s S t o f f e l Vandoorne was an eye-

Lewis Hamilton set a searing pace as he dominated first practice. (Getty Images)

catching fifth for the struggling former champions, but team mate Fernando Alonso failed to set a timed lap due to a hydraulic leak that kept mechanics busy.

Hamilton, who has won all but one of the five races since the August break, is clear favorite to win again on Sunday at a circuit where he has been triumphant four times in the last five years.

He will have to finish first or second on Sunday, and hope Vettel has a nightmare for the fourth race in a row, to prevent the championship fight remaining open to the next

round in Mexico. While much of the attention was on the title rivals, Spaniard Carlos Sainz and New Zealand debutant Brendon Hartley also caught the eye with strong

performances. Sainz, moving to Renault from Toro Rosso in place of the dropped Briton Jolyon Palmer, was 10th and immediately quicker than established German team mate Nico Hulkenberg in 13th. Hartley, who will have a 25-place grid penalty for his debut, stepped into a single seater for the first time since 2012 and looked at home straight away with the 14th best time of the morning. That was 2.932 seconds off Hamilton’s pace. The Le Mans 24 Hours winner did more laps (28) than anybody and was also 1.2 seconds quicker than Indonesian Sean Gelael, replacing Russian Daniil Kvyat for first practice only. Rain before the session started left drivers lapping on a drying track.

Kaieteur News

Saturday October 21, 2017

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GCB, Keem’s Foundation ‘Cricket Cares’ T20 for Hurricane victims

Jaguars face C’bean All stars tomorrow at Providence All roads lead to the Providence Stadium tomorrow as the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) and K e e m ’s F o u n d a t i o n collaborate to stage an international flavored T20 match with a difference from 17:00hrs. The Guyana Jaguars, led by Leon Johnson, face-off with a Reyad Emrit led Caribbean All Stars team in what is anticipated to be an exciting encounter tagged ‘Cricket Cares’ to raise funds for those affected in the Hurricane hit Islands of Dominica and Barbuda. Tickets, cost $1,500 for the party stand, $2,000 for the other three stands, while car passes cost $1,000 and are on sale at the GCB office

(Regent Street Bourda), P o o n a i ’s P h a r m a c y (Rosehall Town), Little Rock Hotel (New Amsterdam), M&Ms (Peter’s Hall East Bank), Saro Boy Groceries (Buxton), Big Yard Auto Sales (Tuschen), Dan’s Snackette (Parika), Nimbus Water (Vreed-in-Hoop West Coast Demerara) and all day tomorrow at Providence. Corporate Booths cost $100,000 and Companies and those desirous of selling at the venue can still call the GCB office on 223-5479. The overseas players Emrit, Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Smith, Nicolas Pooran, Kesrick Williams, Fidel Edwards, Andre Fletcher, Jevon Searles and

From left Feliz Robertson of Keem’s, Ansa McAL Carib Beer’s Nigel Worrell, Event PRO Sean Devers, GCB Secretary Anand Sanasie and GCB TDO Colin Stuart. K e v o n C o o p e r, w e r e expected to arrive in Guyana on a 07:30hrs flight today and many of them will attend a specially arranged party tonight at Palm Court where fans will get a chance to

mingle with members of both teams. Part proceeds from this event will also go to the Hurricane Victims. Ansa McAl’s Carib Beer is the premier sponsor and gates open from 16:00hrs

GFF successfully concludes CONCACAF D licence course The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) successfully concluded the Confederation of North Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) D License course on the 14th October in the GFF boardroom. Present at the completion w e r e G F F Te c h n i c a l

Director, Ian Greenwood, Youth Development Officer, Bryan Joseph and CONCACAF Instructors, Anton Corneal and Vincent Earl Ganzberg. In an invited comment, Greenwood said: “The Federation is pleased with the participation of the candidates; they were always engaged and always

asking questions of Instructors. We improved on last year’s D License course by revising the paper work with coaches in the evenings rather than closing in the afternoon with practical session. The GFF Technical staff conducted the evening sessions and it proved very

beneficial. We’ll get the results of the D License from CONCACAF over the next few weeks.” The five-day programme catered to 30 participants that comprised coaches from the Elite Clubs and GFFScotiabank Academy Training Centres (ATCs) and was conducted by CONCACAF Instructors.

GFF Technical Director Ian Greenwood (left) and GFF Executive Member Keith Ojeer addressing coaches that completed D license course.

Coach Frank Jacobs (3rd right) from Rupununi ATC being assessed by CONCACAF Instructor Vincent Ganzberg (left).

tomorrow, while proceeds from the game will be forwarded to the Civil Defence Commission for distribution to those islands ravaged by the hurricanes. The Guyana Jaguars line-up will feature all the players who recently competed in the Antigua Independence Tri-Nation T20 Series, finishing as runners-up to Jamaica. At a press briefing on Thursday, stakeholders called on cricket fans to fill the Stadium and demonstrate the benevolence of the nation. Secretary of the GCB, Anand Sanasie, said while the Prohibited and Restricted Items list will be enforced for the game, he is envisaging a party-like atmosphere in the stands, as the on-field action is expected to be riveting. He encouraged Guyanese to contribute to a worthy cause, just like natives of Trinidad and Tobago did in a similar initiative a week ago. Radio personality Feliz Robertson represented Keem’s foundation and said the Foundation was founded by Entertainer Rawle Ferguson and was formed after his son, Akeem, died a few years ago of Cancer. Robertson said the Event was geared towards

assisting the Victims of Dominica, Barbuda and St Martin to rebuild their Islands and lives. The game will be competitive but fans are asked not to forget the reason for this game and volunteers will be coming around the stands to collect donations from anyone who wants to contribute. Guyana’s top umpires (Nigel Dugid and Shannon Crawford) will do on-field duties with Rayn Banwarie being the stand-by, while Barath Mangru and Trevor Hossain are the official scorers. Teams: Jaguars: Leon Johnson (Captain), Robin Bacchus, Sherfane Rutherford, Jonathon Foo, Gajanand Singh, Chanderpaul Hemraj, Anthony Bramble, Kemo Paul, Romario Shepherd, Ricardo Adams, Chris Barnwell, Veerasammy Permaul, Steven Jacobs, Ronsford Beaton, Ramal Lewis Caribbean All Stars: Rayad Emrit (Captain), Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Smith, Andre Fletcher, Nicolas Pooran, Kjorn Ottley, Kevin Cooper, Keswick Williams, Jevon Searles, Fidel Edwards, Lennox Cush, Joshua Wade, Andre Stoll, Romaine Maniram.

ECCC expresses condolences to Rampersaud’s relatives The East Coast Cricket Committee (ECCC) has expressed condolences to the relatives of the late Yeudistir Rampersaud, former secretary of the East Coast Cricket Board. Rampersaud passed away on Thursday following an illness.

A release from the ECCC stated that “It is with much sadness that we learnt of the demise of Rampersaud, we know that his services will surely be missed and we pray that God gives his relatives the strength to cope with his passing.”

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Saturday October 21, 2017

Pushpakumara, Silva leave Windies A against ropes FLORENCE HALL, Jamaica, CMC – A batting meltdown on day two of the second four-day “Test” left West Indies A facing the possibility of a heavy defeat to Sri Lanka A here yesterday. Replying to the visitors’ 2 9 4 , We s t I n d i e s A capitulated for a meagre 137 in their first innings, to concede a deficit of 157 runs. All-rounder Rahkeem Cornwall top-scored with an attacking 46 while the inform Sunil Ambris got 29 but the hosts were undermined by left-arm spinner Malinda Pushpakumara who claimed six for 52.

He received support from off-spinner Shehan Jayasuriya with two for eight. In their second turn at the crease, Sri Lanka A were slumping at 38 for four before Roshen Silva struck a fine unbeaten 85 to bolster the innings, with help from Dasun Shanaka with 60 and Jayasuriya, 32. Cornwall was the leading bowler, picking up three for 70 with his offbreaks. Heading into Saturday’s day three at the Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium, Sri Lanka hold an imposing lead of 370 runs with four wickets standing.

They owed their position to the experienced Pushpakumara who scythed through the hosts’ innings without hardly any resistance. Resuming the day on 14 for two, Windies A slumped to 27 for five after losing nightwatchman Damion Jacobs (4) and left-hander Vishaul Singh for a one-ball ‘duck’ in the day’s sixth over from Pushpakumara, and then captain Shamarh Brooks for 11 – caught by Charith Asalanka at third slip off seamer Kasun Rajitha three overs later. Ambris counterattacked, striking five fours and a six in a 38-ball knock

Ink Plus backs Prime Minister T20 Cup

as he put on 29 for the sixth wicket with Jahmar Hamilton (8). When both fell in the space of 19 balls with 14 runs added, it left Windies A struggling on 69 for seven but Cornwall again showed his worth, anchoring an eighth wicket partnership of 65 – the best of the innings – with Sheldon Cottrell who was unbeaten on 18 at the end. The right-hander Cornwall struck five fours and a six off 45 balls before he was eighth out, bowled by Pushpakumara, in the fourth over after lunch. His demise saw the last three wickets fall for three runs off nine deliveries. However, Windies A struck back quickly as Cornwall, introduced early, grabbed two top order wickets and seamers Cottrell and Oshane Thomas both made key strikes to leave Sri Lanka A on the back foot on 57 for four at tea. But Silva arrived to dash any hopes of a complete collapse, putting on 48 for the fifth wicket with Jayasuriya and a damaging 106 for the sixth wicket with first innings centurymaker Shanaka, as Sri Lanka dominated the final session. All told, Silva struck four

All-rounder Rahkeem Cornwall drives sweetly during his counter-attacking top-score of 46 against Sri Lanka A on Friday. (Photo courtesy CWI Media) fours and two sixes in an innings spanning 145 balls and a shade over three hours while Shanaka counted three fours and a six off 85 balls in an hourand-a-half. Scores: SRI LANKA A 294 (Dasun Shanaka 102 not out, Dhananjaya De Silva 72, Charith Asalanka 41, Roshen Silva 30; Keon

Joseph 3-32, Damion Jacobs 2-74, Rahkeem Cornwall 285) and 213 for six (Roshen Silva 85 not out, Dasun Shanaka 60, Shehan Jayasuriya 32, Rahkeem Cornwall 3-70) WEST INDIES A 137 (Rahkeem Cornwall 46, Sunil Ambris 29; Malinda Pushpakumara 6-52, Shehan Jayasuriya 2-8)

Guyana senior men’s football team invited to international friendly matches CEO of Ink Plus Danny Persaud (right) presents the cheque to GSCL Inc treasurer Russel Jadbeer. The inaugural Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc. (GSCL INC) Organised inaugural Prime Minister T20 Cup has gained the backing of Ink Plus. Chief Executive Officer of Ink Plus Danny Persaud yesterday presented a cheque to GSCL Inc treasurer Russel Jadbeer at the entity’s location E1/2 84 Laluni Street, Georgetown. Persaud said that they are happy to be on board for such a tournament and wished the teams well, adding that he is looking forward to a successful tournament.

Jadbeer expressed gratitude to the sponsor and said he is looking forward to their continued support. The tournament which is being played in collaboration with National Sports Commission will be played in the Open and Masters categories featuring teams from New York, Florida and Canada as well as the three counties of Guyana. While no entrance fee is required, the winning team in the Open category (All stars) will take home a trophy, medals and $600,000

and the runner up a trophy and $100,000. The champion side in the Master ’s segment will pocket a trophy, medals and $500,000 and the runner a trophy and $100,000. The tournament will commence on October 27 and conclude two days later. Lighted bails will be used in the competition and added entertainment will be provided by Crossover band and cheerleaders during the finals which will be played at Everest Cricket Club. There will also be lots of giveaways for the fans.

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has accepted invitations from the Football Federation of Indonesia and the Trinidad a n d To b a g o F o o t b a l l Association (TTFA) for International Friendly Matches. T h e T T FA w i l l accommodate the GFF Senior Men’s National Team for a match on the 14th November at the Ato Bolton Stadium in Trinidad. Later, the Football Federation of I n d o n e s i a w i l l accommodate the Senior Men’s National Team for another match on the 25th November in Indonesia. Guyana is also set to play a premier

league team from Indonesia as a warm up to their game versus the Indonesian Senior Men’s National Team. In brief remarks, GFF Technical Director, Ian Greenwood said: “This will be the first time we’ve played outside of the Confederation or played in Asia. It will be a fantastic opportunity for our players to experience a different type of play and a different type of opposition. The GFF Technical Department has been pushing our players to have adaptable skills and function effectively in any environment as we are

looking to build in 2018 which will be a competitive year.” Interim Senior Men’s National Coach, Wayne Dover expressed: “These games are very important as they will allow for assessment of our team’s caliber and serve as platforms to expose our local talent. Should we get a positive result it will argue well for sponsorship, attract more local players to the fraternity and improve our Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) ranking. All this will serve to create a firm national team that can truly reflect a strong Guyana National Team.”

Saturday October 21, 2017

Kaieteur News

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Venus secures Muguruza rematch at WTA Finals SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Venus Williams will get an opportunity to avenge her Wimbledon final defeat by Garbine Muguruza at the eight-player WTA Finals after the veteran American was placed in the same round-robin group as the Spaniard at yesterday’s draw. Wo r l d n u m b e r t w o Muguruza swatted aside the 37-year-old 7-5 6-0 in July to claim her second grand slam title and next week’s showdown will be the highlight of the White Group, which also includes Czech Karolina Pliskova and French Open holder Jelena Ostapenko. The power-packed pool, full of aggressive players armed with big serves, will

open proceedings on Sunday when Pliskova faces 2008 WTA Finals champion Williams, before Muguruza takes on Latvia’s Ostapenko at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. “Maybe I need to channel some of those memories (from 2008) to play well here... we have an amazing field, the tournament is the best it has ever been run and the excitement level is high,” Williams said at the glitzy pre-tournament gala ceremony. Wo r l d n u m b e r o n e Simona Halep was drawn in the Red Group alongside Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina, D e n m a r k ’s C a r o l i n e Wozniacki and in-form Frenchwoman Caroline

Garcia, with play in that pool starting on Monday. Halep will also have revenge in mind when she faces Garcia for the second time in three weeks after the Frenchwoman beat her in the China Open final in Beijing, a day after the Romanian became the 25th woman to climb to the top of the WTA rankings. The elite event offers a healthy haul of points throughout the eight days of action and remarkably, seven players in the field, all excluding Garcia, have a chance to claim the prestigious season-ending number one ranking. The round-robin format will see the top two players from each pool advance to the semi-finals.

Badri Prasad Memorial T20 bowls off tomorrow in Wakenaam The Badri Prasad Memorial T20 competition is set to commence tomorrow on the island of Wa k e n a a m w i t h t w o matches. A t t h e Wa k e n a a m Community Centre ground, at 09:00hrs defending

champions Good Success will tackle arch rivals Sans Souci (Loaknauth Persaud and Hydar Alli the umpires) and at 13:00hrs V Net T20 champions Sans Souci Jaguars will face Maria’s Pleasure (Oyono Sampson

a n d Tu l c h a n P o o r a n ; Loaknauth Persaud as standby). The com p e t i t i o n i s being sponsored by overseas based Guyanese Oudit Persaud in memory of his late father and businessman Badri Prasad.

Venus Williams (Reuters)

Tournament preview Draw: Red Group (prefix denotes seeding) 1-Simona Halep (Romania) 4-Elina Svitolina

(Ukraine) 6-Caroline Wozniacki (Denmark) 8-Caroline Garcia (France) White Group 2-Garbine Muguruza

(Spain) 3-Karolina Pliskova (Czech Republic) 5 - Ve n u s W i l l i a m s (United States) 7-Jelena Ostapenko (Latvia)

Hamilton Green Cup Quarterfinal match on tonight at Victoria Ground The Hamilton Green Cup knockout football tournament continues tonight at the Victoria Community Centre ground with four (4) matches. The first three (3) matches will have 30 minutes per half and will be played in recognition of Hamilton Green’s 83rd

COURTS under-11 Peewee Football tournament round of 16

birthday. Those initial fixtures will see Golden Grove vs. Buxton Youth developers at 18:00hrs, Plaisance vs. Victoria Scorpions at 19:00hrs and Lima Dam vs. Bagotsville at 20:00hrs. The feature match of this evening will be a quarterfinal match up that will see East Coast side Ann’s Grove matching skills with East Banks’ Soesdyke Falcons at 21:00hrs. To m o r r o w, t h r e e quarterfinal matches will keep football fans on the

East Coast buzzing as action at Victoria ground will continue with Uitvlugt vs. Mile Rock at 17:00hrs, Police vs. Silver Shattas at 19:00hrs and Den Amstel vs. Winners’ Connection at 21:00hrs. The winners’ of the tournament will receive a top prize of $500,000.The runner up team will receive $250,000, 3rd place $150,000 while loser of the third place playoff will receive $100,000 to round off the $1 Million total prize purse.

The Guyana Foundation UK Sports to wrap up tour in Guyana on Sunday Flashback of group stage action between Marian Academy (blue) and 2016 Champions St. Angela’s who didn’t make it out of their group.

The 2017 COURTS Peewee tournament will kickoff round of 16 matches this morning from 10:45 hours at the Banks DIH, Thirst Park ground as a new Champion is set to emerge after 2016 & 2015 winners were booted during the group stage. Some of the marquee games will include Den

Amstel vs. West Ruimveldt Primary in today’s opener, Enterprise Primary vs. St. Ambroes and Sophia vs. Tucville. Den Amstel will be the favourite in their encounter and will be hoping that their star striker Keilshon Humphrey, who has 5 goals three (3) games, continue his goal scoring form.

Jacob Rodney of St. Ambrose is second on the tournament’s goal scoring table with an impressive average of 2 goals per game having scored 6 in his three (3) matches played. St. Ambrose will look to him as they seek to overcome former finalists Enterprise Primary during tomorrow’s action.

Sophia Primary will be the favourites not only against Tucville primary in their match tomorrow but for the entire tournament after notching impressive wins including a 1-0 edging of two-time defending champions St. Angela’s who were unbeaten for two years in the tournament.

The Guyana Foundation UK Sports are currently on a tour here and since arriving the tourists have enjoyed mixed fortunes with their cricket fixtures. To date they have played six games having won two and lost four. They have played matches in Bath, Blairmont, Leguan, Wakenaam, Pomeroon River and Tuschen. The touring party is being led by senior Consultant Krish Natha a leading London expert specialising in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at the world Famous Priory Hospital. Krish is supported by many of his associates from London. The tour is being organized in association with

the Guyana Foundation and whilst here they will be conducting a series of seminars and workshops throughout Guyana on Mental Health. The tour is focused on blending good mental health through sports to help cope with stress and depression. Many of the players on the visiting team are Guyanese by birth or by heritage and felt compelled to help Guyana to overcome the alarmingly high rate of suicide in the country. The tourists will played against the Everest Cricket Club yesterday and will take on Ogle Masters today in their final game. On Sunday the tourists will host a farewell reception at Everest Cricket Club.

t r o Sp Pan Am Argentina defeat Guyana to Indoor Hockey Cups secure place in men’s final

Guyana during one of their many raids of Argentina’s D. Jarmaj Assanah (10) rolls a pass to keen Andrew Stewart (13).

Windies make USA Women remain unbeaten light work of SL for series lead with 4-1 win over Canada Pam Am indoor Hockey C/Ships

Argentina beat Uruguay 3-2, T&T whip B’dos 11-4

USA celebrate another goal from Ali Campbell at CASH yesterday. (Sean Devers photo)

Off-spinner Anisa Mohammed … grabbed a brace of wickets to help stifle the Sri Lanka innings.

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