Monday October 23, 2017
PAGE 3
Kaieteur News
Another Sunday tragedy…
Three killed as car slams into utility pole Two teens and a young adult were killed when the car they were travelling in slammed into a utility pole at New Road, Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara yesterday afternoon. Dead are the driver, Deodat Mohan , 22, of Lot 44 New Road Vreed-en-Hoop West Coast Demerara; Reaz Barakat, 18, of Ruimzeight, West Coast Demerara and Tellisha Singh, 17, of Diamond, East Bank Demerara. The accident occurred a short distance away from Mohan’s residence. Mohan was driving motorcar PPP 4014 and was heading in an eastern direction along the Vreed-en-Hoop Public Road, allegedly at a fast rate, when he lost control and slammed into another car, PHH 7894, which was parked alongside the road. He then crashed into a utility pole in the vicinity of RH Super Value. Eyewitnesses said that the car hit the utility pole on the passenger side. Mohan and Singh were rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH) where they were pronounced dead on arrival. Barakat was taken to the same hospital but was then transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where he succumbed. As news of the accident spread, relatives of the victims rushed to the WDRH, where loud screams emanated from the emergency room.
The speeding car slammed into this utility pole knocking it to the ground.
A relative of Mohan’s had to be lifted into a car by other distraught relatives. When Kaieteur News visited the scene last evening, the mangled car was still on the side of the roadway. The utility pole which held a transformer was ripped out of the ground leaving a section of the community without electricity. Up to late last evening, a section of northern lane of the Vreed-en-Hoop Public Road, where the accident occurred was closed to traffic. It was just last week Sunday that five persons lost their lives including a mother and her two sons, in a crash at Number 59 Village Public Road, Corentyne Berbice.. They were killed after their
vehicle landed in a pothole and careened into the path of an approaching paddy-laden truck Those who died were Sabita Manglani, 43, an immigration consultant; her two children Emanuel Manglani, 18 and Ethan Ramjeet, five, all of Bel Air, Greater Georgetown; her boyfriend, Dhanpaul Kishandayal, 39, of New York and her secretary, Reshma Seeram, 28, of Leonora, West Coast Demerara. Kishandayal, who was at the wheel of motorcar PPP 3394, lost control after driving into a pot hole; the car then spun and toppled into the path of the approaching truck GZ 2764, which was laden with sacks of paddy.
The mangled car at the side of the road
M&CC agrees to 75% increase for compliance certificates \The Georgetown Mayor and City Council, (M&CC) has agreed to a 75 % increase for the issuance of certificates of compliance in relation to sale or transfer of property in and around the city. This was subsequent to a debate between Councilors over what persons should be allowed to pay for compliance certificates. The matter came up for discussion during a special statutory meeting held at City Hall last week. Head of the Georgetown M&CC Finance Committee, Junior Garrett in his submission to the Council noted that citizens were previously charged 0.1 percent of the market value of the property, to be issued with a copy of a certificate of compliance by Council when transacting a sale of the said property. Garrett however, noted a review of the fees currently been charged resulted in a change of the cost to an increase of some 750 percent. Garrett called on the Council for a plausible explanation on the sudden raise in fees.
The Finance Committee Head described the 750 percent taxation increase as a drastic and unconscionable imposition on the citizens of Georgetown. He is of the view that if the council should increase the fee, it should be a gradual one from 0.25 percent. However it was explained that the decision to increase the fee by 0.75 percent was taken after consideration was given for the real cost for preparing and issuing the certificate of compliance. Town Clerk Royston King noted that Council is tasked with the doing the necessary investigation before the certificates are issued. The Town clerk noted that the Council reviewed the cost after taking into consideration resources expended on issuing certificates. King said that the Engineer’s Department would have to do all the work, including visiting and inspecting the sites and property valuation. He believes that the increase of fees will help to
cover the expenses’ which was usually shouldered by the Council. “We do not depend on information from other sources. “ Towards the end of the discussions, the increase of fee received majority support from Council. It was therefore agreed that property owners should started paying the increase cost effective of January 1, 2018. Earlier this year, the M&CC had announced that there is $3.1 billion outstanding in rates owed to the Georgetown Municipality by rate- payers. In a statement to the press, it was noted that the municipality had observed that some ratepayers are eluding the system when properties are bought and sold. The Council outlined when granting loans to property owners, a certificate of compliance should be obtained from the Mayor and City Council. “Before a certificate of compliance is issued by the Council outstanding rates
must be cleared off. The Council would be working with other institutions to put an end to the practice of non compliance. “These properties are transferred from one owner to
another without the rates cleared off. In light of this fact, the Council is calling on lending institutions to ensure that when granting loans to property owners that a certificate
of compliances is presented. As such, citizens were reminded that the Council had implemented a payment plan to assist rate- payer, experiencing financial challenges.
PAGE 4
Kaieteur News
Monday October 23, 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
NO MORE EXCUSES
While some things are moving in the right direction under the present government, many others are not. In fact, things seem to be at a standstill in terms of the audit reports which have exposed rampant corruption and the reckless spending of the taxpayers’ money on frivolous projects by the last administration. While some were for personal gain, their relatives and friends have also benefited. However, the government seems confused or unable to prosecute some of the big wigs in the last administration for alleged corrupt practices. The lack of prosecution could be that the government is either afraid of being accused of witch hunting or it does not have the evidence to prosecute those culpable of corruption. Either way, the people should not be kept in the dark, the government should inform them about its decision. The government might be caught between a rock and a hard place, but it just cannot continue to govern the country in such lackadaisical manner. It was elected to govern the nation without fear or favor. But if the opposition continues its reckless rhetoric bent on dividing the country, it should know that in the last 50 years, Guyana has not really made any significant progress as a divided nation. There are still power blackouts, water shortages, poor infrastructure, shabby roads, a decrepit health care system and a decaying educational structure. Rice sugar, bauxite and gold continue to be the nation’s main export products and foreign currency earnings. Guyana has an abundance of natural resources that other countries could only dream of having, so it is unfortunate that it does not have leaders with a vision or a plan to transform the economy, improve the well-being of the masses and move the country forward. Indeed, Guyana is blessed with gold, diamonds, bauxite, lumber, seafood, agricultural products and the recent discovery of oil and gas, but it remains one of the poorest countries in the Hemisphere. Not only is Guyana a poor country, but it also has one of the highest suicide rates in the world, a high level of crime and gun violence, widespread poverty, dilapidated electrical grids, poor social services, antiquated telephone and internet services, a crumbling health care system, an outdated educational structure and many are earning slavewages. Yet our leaders seem content that things are fine, which suggests they are living on a different planet. It is the civic duty of everyone to demand answers from the government as to why after two years in office, the economy is still sluggish, the interest rate on the debt remains high and decent paying jobs are scarce. The government seems to believe that the revenue from oil will be the savior, and it seems to be putting all its eggs in one basket which is foolhardy. Depending on oil is risky because if the price does not increase by 2020, when drilling is supposed to start, revenue intake could be lower than expected and this could spell trouble for the government. It would not be able to improve the well-being of the people. During the past two years, it may have been politically and strategically practical for those in authority to lay blame at the feet of the previous administration for the problems facing the country. Today people are no longer prepared to accept any more excuses or inaction from the government. They want it to solve some of the critical problems facing the country, including the economy, power blackouts and the lack of decent paying jobs, crime, homelessness, poverty and the high cost of living. Just as Guyanese, rich and poor alike throughout the country have to play the cards that they have been dealt with in life, the same is legitimately expected from the government. It is time for the government to govern the nation in the interest of all, irrespective of race, ethnicity or party affiliations. The time for excuses and inaction are over, action needed now to provide a better life for all.
The call of non-cooperation by Bharrat Jagdeo must be rejected DEAR EDITOR, It is clear to see that Mr. Jagdeo and the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) are politicising Mr. Granger’s unilateral but constitutionally provided for, appointment of the new GECOM Chairman. How is this being done? For starters, to call Mr. Granger’s decision “dictatorial”, “part of a plot to rig the 2020 National Elections”, “a threat to democracy”, “unconstitutional”, “going back to the days of the PNC dictatorship” and calling for non-cooperation of the PPP members and supporters. This has grave consequences for all Guyanese, who already have enough socio-economic challenges on our plates. So why is Mr. Jagdeo and the PPP saying, let’s make things worse for Guyanese so my party can be in the best position to secure a victory at the next elections. Does this make sense? Wouldn’t it be more sensible, beneficial in the long run and less harmful to rigorously advance a constitutional reform agenda to remove/
reduce, not transfer the powers of the Executive Presidency, make precise and definitively clear certain vague constitutional language and provisions (e.g. the now contentious Article 161) that foster recurring problems for us and so forth. Editor, there is a larger, underlying issue that affects us all at play here. As Guyanese, we tend to be grossly narrow-minded in our application of ethical and moral standards. We are quick to accept wrong doing by people that look similar to us and/or belong to the same political group and reject the very same wrong doing by people that are dissimilar to our ethnic identity and political affiliation. The non-cooperation threat made by Bharrat Jagdeo is what we should be really concerned about, not Mr. Granger’s unilateral decision. This treat and the potential resulting consequences can and will most likely evolve into more structural and physical violence, increased
insecurities and distrust amongst Guyanese. Although I am not surprised by Mr. Jagdeo’s threat, there is an undertone of violence and criminality that concerns me. What is also unfortunate and demonstrates that Mr. Jagdeo and the PPP are more concerned about winning the 2020 elections by any means is his statement that he will withdraw the PPP’s involvement in the Border Committee, a committee resolved to protecting and advancing Guyana’s territorial sovereignty. Interestingly, Venezuela’s claim to roughly 30% of Guyana’s land is a direct threat to the people of Essequibo. According to GECOM’s 2015 statement of polls, the PPP secured well over 50% of the total votes cast in Region 2. What is the point of making things worse on ourselves? You see once we start asking these and similar questions and digging a little deeper, we begin to see the political theatrics behind Mr. Jagdeo’s decision. His primary
objective concern is to position himself and the PPP to secure enough votes at the 2020 elections on the wings of politically inflicted hardships that the working class Guyanese family will feel the most, not Mr. Jagdeo himself nor those who are in his income and wealth bracket. Guyanese must take a long, hard look at themselves in the mirror today and decide to stand on the side of unity, cooperation and efforts to resolve the real issues plaguing our society. We must also ask, what is the point of non-cooperation? How will I see and experience the real benefits of increased instability which will produce more hardships and increase tensions between me and my fellow Guyanese? What about the people of Essequibo? Is making things harder, the only option to make things better? At least, let us use the current controversy to address the real, substantive issues; none the least of which should be constitutional reform. Andrew Small
President choreographs a new dance with words of the constitution DEAR EDITOR, On the matter of president Granger’s acting unilaterally to appoint the chairman of the GECOM I wish to comment as follows: The constitution does provide one condition for the president to act unilaterally. That condition reads like this: “ONLY IF THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION (LO) DOES NOTPROVIDEALIST”. The president did an interesting dance with those words. He rejected all eighteen names on three submitted lists. Then he says the Leader of the Opposition did not provide an acceptable list. Now the constitution is read this way: DOES NOT PROVIDE A LIST = (becomes) DOES NOT PROVIDE AN ACCEPTABLE LIST. Now the president has the required condition and feels empowered to act unilaterally. It takes a genius in Constitutional democracy to choreograph such a dance with words in such a pivotal document. This matter regarding the constitutional dance drama went to the High Court of Guyana. There the Chief Justice sought to bring some clarity to what those crucial
words in the constitution mean. CJ ruled that presidents in a constitutional democracy do not have the latitude to think and act subjectively - president must provide reasons for the rejection of each of the eighteen names on three lists. There again in a show of contempt for the CJ, president said: “CJ has her interpretation; I have mine”. He did not feel obligated or constrained by the fact he is president of a constitutional democracy nor by the CJ’s ruling to provide reasons for rejecting each of eighteen names. After three long months of delay (lots of time to deliberate and reflect), the president acted on his own interpretation. What was shocking - even revealing - about the president’s mind is that he chose and appointed an 84-year-old man to become chairman of GECOM. Now the nation watches with bated breath: Would this 84year-old be in command of all his faculties - would he be easily manipulated - would he survive until the 2020 elections? Mike Persaud
Giftland Mall boss calls out Sherod Duncan DEAR EDITOR, Allow me a few words on MR Sherod Duncan, who comes across as our brightest hope, a proverbial knight in shining amour and his recent disclosure that he takes responsibility for not reporting a child abuse which knowledge he had, nor did he inquire or ensure that this crime was reported. This self serving release is just that, it serves no purpose other to expose the fact that if this could have remain hidden it still would and his amour would still be bright and shinning. The fact that a child has been abused
and this not reported for months is a disgrace on all officials who were party to this knowledge. This is the same Mr Duncan the champion of the poor downtrodden youths who make much noise of the Giftland Mall implementation of a entrance fee of $1,000 for a four hour period on Christmas Eve last, a measure that was highly appreciated by our customers who have numbered in return visits to the Mall of over five million since its opening and for who Mr Duncan would like us to ruin their enjoyment for a few who could not afford the
limited entrance fee. Not only was the Mall Management complimented on this move but we witnessed riots and malls shutting down on the said Christmas Eve, in the USA, Europe, Asia and Africa due to the same youths control measures not being implemented worldwide. Mr Duncan needs to be cognizant when targeting his victims. Giftland for one will not be cowered; we see him for the political animal he is. It would take several of his lifetimes to match us in our to creation and support for the
depressed and downtrodden being, good corporate citizens and supplier of taxes, being major employers and development of Guyana , building and sustaining lives, supporters of local industry, the Arts, Sports, Youth and Culture, for these the Giftland Group stands proud and strong of its past and future commitment to the development of Guyana. In a non partisan way, we will not tolerate the disrespect of persons like Sherod Duncan. Roy Beepat Chairman Giftland Group
Monday October 23, 2017
PAGE 5
Kaieteur News
More time should Sophia residents who helped the PNC not have been given perpetuate violence are now victims APNU, here and there with not good enough for an wastes in the drainage EDITOR, to GBTI by the courts DEAR My first reaction to the services such as asphalt ungrateful, maliciously channels poses a health risk.
DEAR EDITOR, With due respect, the CJ erred in granting more time to GBTI to find missing documents. Had the Chief Justice (CJ) invoked the penal clause of the Anti-Money Laundering & Counter Financing of Terrorism Act that is linked with a breach of an order of the court, millions would have been delivered into the public purse by GBTI. And the CJ could have still ordered GBTI to deliver all outstanding documents to SOCU. She granted the production order yet she did not uphold her own order. What does this say for orders given by the courts moving forward? The CJ’s decision also has implications for the contempt charges the GBTI Directors should answer to this coming week. Another opportunity lost to show that breaches of the law will not be tolerated no matter who you are. Will a further 3 weeks guarantee that GBTI will hand over to SOCU authentic documents that the GBTI have been unable to turn over within the original time frame stipulated by the Courts? I think not. The ordinary man in the street and silent majority understands what is playing out here and is watching with seething anger. Lunthas Lass (jr)
The President acted in accordance with the constitution DEAR EDITOR, I hear some folks talk about Carter agreement and some tradition and norms on the selection of the GECOM chairman. Any arrangements, agreements, compromise, or accord that violates the constitution is illegal. Enough of all forms of unconstitutionalities that have pervaded our system for too long! The Opposition Leader has obeyed the constitution. The president has also done what the law requires of him to do. End of story! What we should expend our collective energies on is devising a better process that will remove the unilateral power from the president, ensure credibility and fairness of the electoral process and push for an amendment. The constitution is clear. The President reserves the unilateral power to make this appointment regardless of any list comprising of angels, popes or saints. We cannot expect new wine from an old wine skin. It is time for constitutional reform. Deji Aderemi
Expressing my disgust on the leadership of APNU in Linden DEAR EDITOR, Upon reading an article in your letter section of your 11/ 10/2017 edition “Region Ten Lacks Dedicated, Nationalists Leadership’, it brings to light the very thing that disgust me and many others in this Town. Everyone went far and beyond to elect a new government especially Mr. Sharma and the young and not so young people of this community. And not leaving out our young parliamentarian Mr. Figueiara who is working assiduously to build our community. It is with grave concern the people who were elected I must say were put there thinks as if there is a thirst for power and money which are clouding their judgment of not seeing the real problems that lie ahead. Those at the helm of this party in the region have no concern as it relates to the needs of the ordinary citizen. I would like to ask where were they when the struggle was on and persons were killed and locked up. But suddenly they raise their opportunistic heads and the president for some reason I cannot understand choose these persons to lead this community. Many times activities are being organized and conducted and only a very small percent who are their friends will say they are satisfied. But come next election period then is where they are going to try and reach the populace. I agree you cannot please 100% of a nation but with trying to reach out to your supporters in every way possible will bring you points in any democracy. This is not democracy Continued on page 6
violent expulsion of The Sophia Squatters was “it serves them right” or the usual “it good for them,” but my humanity precluded me from making such a comment even though the squatters were clearly in the wrong. But I would return to that statement later. This writer likes to begin at the beginning and that is the place I will go. My starting point is how these people that make up one of the largest, if not the largest, suburb of Georgetown made it what it is today? How did they get there? The answer; by The PPP/C Party, they were the ones who transformed this squatter settlement, ghetto, slum - whatever you want to call it - into a beautiful suburban settlement area. This was not done by The PNC who is now hypocritically trying to make it their pet project. The makings of Sophia began under The PPP/C during the 1992 Period, so let’s get it right. A few cosmetic changes were done by the PNC/
surfaced roads and drinking water, otherwise, The PNC did nothing for Sophia. In fact The PNC under Hoyte shamefully humiliated them and drove them off the land like cattle because he wanted that area for one of his wealthy business friends, who in turn would have done the most minimal of changes and resold it at an exorbitant price. That in essence would have meant that the “Poor People Squatters” could not have ventured on there, no never! It took the caring, humane government of The PPP/C to literally give away those lands to the squatters. After all of that was done for the poor hapless people, ironically, it was the same Hoyte who was the first to visit the area demanding that Mrs Jagan provide them with all the infrastructural works immediately or face the consequences of a destabilizing ‘slo fiah moh fiah.” What should be of note here is, although the PPP/C did its best in regularizing this area into a lovely suburb, their best was
hostile, PNC stronghold, Sophia. This place became one of the prime recruiting spots for PNC urban bully tactics. The hostile PNC Opposition got the desired result and ”slo fiah moh fiah” caused the same hand that fed them - President Janet Jagan - to demit office prematurely. During that timeframe and even on subsequent upheavals, Sophia retained the status of being a useful tool in the hands of the PNC to commit political violence. Sophia was and still is a breeding ground for political criminals. So back to the statement I made in my opening paragraph that those homes that were targeted for demolition were indeed illegal structures. By mere definition they are squatters, persons who are occupying government reserves and dams where drainage and irrigation is a perennial problem when the city’s desilting works get underway. Not forgetting the dumping of sewage and other
Guyana needs to nurture the culture of argument and discourse DEAR EDITOR, Guyana’s democracy is missing a vital component, that is, argument. The very foundation of democracy itself rests on argument and discourse. Argumentation is a necessary component of politics that seeks clarification of thought and refining existing or prevailing ideological frameworks. But what is an argument? Certainly, it is not the type of argument that carries with it a negative tone which is associated with everyday use—an angry dispute among persons. An argument in this context consists of premises which support a specific conclusion. Why is argument important, and why should it matter? Historically, the practice of argument was used in Athenian democracy to ignite discourse about questions of entitlement (Who is entitled to what and why are they entitled to it?), war (Should we go to war?), and other pressing matters of the state that require resolution. But what follows from argumentative discourse? With every inquiry, there is a question. Since the objective of an inquiry is to discover the answer to a question or problem, it would necessitate active reflective participation
of those who want to find the answer or solution.Of course, one may have an outlook that may seem to be the best response or answer; however, not everyone agrees what a suitable answer should be. And so, each individual or group will defend their own interest in keeping with their own respective outlook. Civic participation is undoubtedly a necessary component of politics. Citizens are the subjects of political discourse. They are also at the center of political dispute regarding matters of justice or the recognition of certain inalienable rights. But these matters are not resolved through wishful thinking. Many of these cases are deliberated and argued— sometimes with hostility— for and against in Parliamentary and court buildings. However, not too often is argumentation itself at the center of these debates. Sometimes the personal lives of politicians take center stage, shifting the issue to a matter of who they are rather than addressing the substance of an immediate problem being presented. Of course, not every issue has a ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution, but the cornerstone of democracy, and of functional
politics, is rigorous debate that requires argument. We can use arguments to discover truth in politics, understand how politicians reason, and whether they employ good or bad reasoning. So, we need to understand the true nature of arguments if we want to have better politics. But what is politics like when citizens aren’t equipped to argue well? Simply put, politics would breed dogmatism. Dogmatism compartmentalizes people by ideology that often go unchallenged and unexamined, demanding strict adherence to a particular way of looking at the world. Without argument and dialogue, people are left with prejudicial views that may not be true. This leads to the formation of divisive and Continued on page 7
These and other associated ills are the lot of the Sophia Squatters. I must hasten to a close, by stating that the present debacle where the squatters were at the receiving end of a brutal dismantling of their shacks is as a result of the Central Housing and Planning Authority’s rush to fulfill the requirements of an IDB Loan. One of the stipulations is that these squalid squatter settlements “must be” regularized or else The Government would not be able to attract the graces of the funding agency. Sophia is earmarked as one of these areas to receive an upgrade. In this regard all precautions are being adhered to. Demolish! I am not of the view that the squatters must not be made to move, far from it. If you objectively take a look at their story you would have seen that most of them were given notices even during the time of the previous government, but they refused to move. In fact, it was the very same PNC who gave them the leeway to go on the land and squat, a strategy used then to get votes. They are now in government so they have taken up the position of cleaning up their illegal act and make good on the IDB loan. This is the naked truth, but my God, be human about it. The truth of the matter is these people are receiving their just deserts from their party in government that has used them to the max, and now it is time to get rid of them. Sad indeed! In closing, I see another showdown looming, and that is the squatters that occupy the lands close to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, Expansion Project. Let’s wait and see the results. Everton Adams
PAGE 6
Kaieteur News
Waiting for the approval for cultivation of industrial hemp DEAR EDITOR, We the Executives and Members of the Region 10 Industrial Hemp and Agriculture Farmers Group are peeved that the beneficial hemp is illegal even though communities, the economy and the environment can benefit tremendously from it. Over 300 Region 10 Farmers and other residents are calling on our President David Granger to legalize hemp contending that industrial production will create jobs for the hundreds of unemployed youths around the Region and more importantly too, being a green initiative, it will complement the Government’s push for a green environment and green
economy. As we observe Hemp Awareness Week 2017, the group strongly believes that Industrial Hemp can become the chief cash crop of Linden and Region 10 ushering a period of great economic and environmental benefits to the Region. With no large scale job creation in Linden and consistent with the continuous call by President Granger for persons to go into agro-processing and other value added production, we are confident that Industrial Hemp is the way to go. This industrial Hemp industry will bring Good Life to us; you can’t talk about Good Life and not talk about
Hemp. Processed Industrial Hemp can be use for large scale production of bio fuel and if legalized the herb will not only power but empower Linden and Region 10. In addition hemp when value-added could produce vehicles, textiles, food products, building material, medicine, cosmetics, animal food, hemp flour among other thing. Please Mr. President, act now and remove the barriers for the cultivation of this amazing crop and the manufacture of over 25,000 Hemp products. Do not wait for the expected gas and oil boom Aaron Gardner Chairman
Charge the station ranks with manslaughter over this death DEAR EDITOR, Reading the newspapers, I came across an article whereby a person at a wake house was beaten by four men. When he went to the police station he was arrested and placed in the lock-ups, although he pleaded with the police that he wasn’t feeling well and needed to see a doctor. The four others were given medical forms to see a doctor, one of which is the son of a wealthy sawmill owner. It was until the day after the person in the lock-ups started getting hysterical and another inmate started banging the walls that is when the police decided to take him to the hospital in shackles where he later died. Well sir, I think that the police should be charged for manslaughter and also betrayal of their oath of office, which has a certain part
that states “without favour or affection”. They actually caused the death of that young man. Had they done their job diligently and professionally it would be a different matter. In another matter the Head of the SWAT lost his gun and 16 rounds. Is he aware 1 round is equal to a life? That is gross stupidity. In another matter a Senior Officer is responsible for the disappearance of several kilos of cocaine. What is really going on in our small and beautiful country? The hideous thing about this case is that he was just transferred. That is not good enough; remember these people were selected to uphold the law with an oath of office and when they do such things it make them worst that the actual criminals and they should be dealt with the full arms of the law. Derick Bacchus
The knock down, knock out blow of President Granger DEAR EDITOR, So we have some serious disagreements w i t h i n t h e f a m i l y. T h e parent of one side of the family decides to pull its support from the efforts of the family to prevent our neighbor from moving the fence to take in more of our land that includes where the family treasures are buried. I cannot and do not support such action. Stop sitting at the dining table with the rest of the family a n d t h a t ’s o k a y ; s t o p eating food cooked by the rest of the family (collecting pensions etc.) and that too is okay; but don’t withdraw support from resisting the neighbor from moving the fence to take control of the family jewels. The PPP is wrong to withdraw from the Border Commission as part of its
protest against the unilateral appointment of a Chairman of GECOM. In unilaterally appointing a new Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission President Granger has not violated the Constitution of Guyana or broken any law. H o w e v e r, h e h a s chosen not to utilize an agreed on formula for the selection of a new chairman which has been in place prior to 1992, which formula was respected and utilized by former Presidents and Opposition Leaders. Given years of widespread allegations of rigged elections this process helped to bring back a certain degree of credibility to the electoral process. President Granger, in my view, has chosen a lawful path in selecting the new chairman but
unfortunately landed our nascent democracy a knock down, if not knock out blow. The one positive thing emerging from the president’s action is that the 18 people put forward by the Opposition Leader could now enjoy comfort in the knowledge that they were never not fit or proper; but that His Excellency seemed to have decided sometime ago on the path he would use in this selection process. I have a hunch that Judge Patterson may be unable to hold the post up until the next election; and that within 18 months perhaps; there will be the need for a new chairman and the President will revert to choosing a fit and proper person from the list submitted by the Opposition Leader. Wesley Kirton
Monday October 23, 2017
Lincoln Lewis has a lot of explaining to do about his activism DEAR EDITOR, The ramblings of Lincoln Lewis, published by the government controlled Guyana Chronicle, on Sunday, October 8, 2017, under the headline ‘Responding to Bharrat Jagdeo’s baseless accusations’, demand a response – because Lewis, on one hand, states that comments made by the former president were baseless, yet, on the other hand, makes baseless accusations of his own. Lewis’ ranting includes that: “Jagdeo has been involved in numerous violations and transgressions while serving as president of this country and he must be held accountable for the abuse of the privilege granted to him by the people.” He would do well to substantiate his claims. Lewis goes on to object to the criticism that he, and others, is making a ‘profession’ of representing the interest of Afro-Guyanese people. But then he follows this with a reference to what he stands to gain from testimony he gave to the ongoing Commission of Inquiry into Lands – that being his inheritance of land at Kingelly Village, West Coast Berbice – land he claims was bought by his great-great-great-great grandfather Cudjoe McPherson – land currently occupied by over 150 families. Whose interest is he representing here? Lewis’ efforts at ‘representation’, according to him, are not about ‘colour and race’. But the GTUC head should answer the existing questions about where and how his ‘representation’ was advanced and what he benefited from, including on the matter of inveigling himself in a position to access duty free concessions. While he attempts to divert focus by saying that Jagdeo can “only see issues through the lens of race” and says that Jagdeo “flaunts and parades most if not all of the characteristics of an ethnic entrepreneur,” the Guyanese people will not be fooled, more so, those who have worked with Mr. Lewis. Probably, the most disturbing of Lewis’ baseless accusations is that: “During his (Jagdeo’s) tenure, he executed policies, programmes and acts to make Africans feel they have to grovel and lose their dignity and respect to gain anything in society.” This is the comment coming from a man who accused a former president of seeing issues “through the lens of race” in
Guyana. This is the comment coming from a man who ignores basic facts. The fact is that AfroGuyanese have experience greater economic mobility under successive People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/ C) administrations. One has to ask whether such a comment, after Jagdeo’s visit to Region 10 – long considered the base of the People’s National Congress – is intended to attempt to diminish the fact that Jagdeo has done what this APNU+AFC government has not done, which is to engage Guyanese, regardless of race, religion, gender or any other differentiating factor. The facts surrounding former PPP/ C government interventions in Region 10 and the bauxite industry are a matter of public record and Guyanese will not accept the distortion of facts, Mr. Lewis. Even Lewis’ attempt at ‘balance’ in his article is based on distortion of facts. He states that: “He (Jagdeo) didn’t mind failing to develop a constructive plan to save sugar, but was more driven in misleading the workers that he cared about them by pouring billions into the industry…sugar workers should be incensed that he has used them in furtherance of his agenda and not theirs.” All Lewis had to do was read the PPP/C manifesto, released during the May 2015 General and Regional elections campaign. It makes clear that: over five years, there would be a $20B investment in the sector; production will be increased, with a focus on 60 per cent mechanization in harvesting and 85 per cent in mechanized cane loading; increased production of packaged sugar to at least 50,000 tonnes; there would be expanded production of bottled molasses as a commercial product for local
and international markets; the Albion Ethanol plant will be expanded to produce more and use other substrates, including cassava; that there would be improved management and remuneration to workers; and that there would be continued focus on diversification. Additionally, Jagdeo’ himself has publicly detailed other options for the sugar industry – options that do not center on divestment or on privatisation of the industry. He has also made it clear that any decision on the future of the sugar industry must be based on studies that look at the economic viability of alternatives and at the social consequences of any decisions. Again, as he did last week, Lewis talks up the “bloodiest period in this nation’s history” and fails to acknowledge that Jagdeo has agreed to the President David Granger ’s proposed Commission of Inquiry. He also only briefly mentions that the Granger-led government has failed to activate the Coroner ’s Act, passed months ago in the National Assembly. Finally, Lewis jumps to the conclusion that there was a competition between him and Jagdeo for the attention of bauxite workers, when the former president intervened to support the workers, and goes on to talk about ego. This comment reads more like a case of Lewis being the one with the injured ego, since his ‘imagined’ sense of competition and ego the first thing he talks about in his article. Lewis’ comments can only be chalked up to be the latest in a string of ‘ridiculous’ and unsubstantiated talk from the usual culprits, from whom the Guyanese people can expect nothing else. Baldeo Mathura
Expressing my disgust... From page 5 that they are exercising; this in minority power couple with greed. These very people conjure up wrong-doing against the Regional Executive Officer of this Region all in the name of spite because they cannot get him to bend backward to please them the way they are demanding. They have a secret group that meets to have what they want but the REO is rock solid on his decisions and will not compromise his God given wisdom for bribery. We the citizens are seeing and hearing many things but for the fear of victimization many do not speak out or make comments where necessary. What Mr.Figueira did is because he knows what is going on and will like to see this government have a second term. In order to do that he needs to strengthen the constituency since this was the one that cause the change of government and all members of the cabinet and government should place more emphasis in this region and the rest will follow. You do not threat your main support base like that; the failure is in the leaders of this region. Linden resident
Monday October 23, 2017
PAGE 7
Kaieteur News
I hope this letter enlightens past President and PM, Sam Hinds DEAR EDITOR, I penned this letter and sent it off during the holiday of Diwali with the hope that the light of Diwali, as metaphorized here, will enlighten Past President and Past Prime, Mr Samuel Hinds, who in his letter to the Editor, “We African-Guyanese must free and empower ourselves” of October 8, 2017, demonstrates why he could not have contributed to that process, even as he occupied high office that could have been used to contribute to enabling African-Guyanese freedom and empowerment. In the second paragraph of his letter Mr Hinds stated that “It is firstly we AfroGuyanese who must free and empower ourselves, making ourselves as useful and contributing as others”. I can hardly disagree with him that any group, and in this instance Afro-Guyanese, have to free and empower themselves. But to suggest that Afro-Guyanese ‘have to make themselves as useful and contributing as others’ borders on racism. Wittingly or unwittingly Mr Hinds describes AfroGuyanese “individually and
all together” as being ‘less useful and not contributing as others’. He is clearly making a comparison among the race/ ethnic groups that comprise the Guyanese society and specifically attributing inferiority to the AfroGuyanese. Mr. Hinds demonstrates complete disregard and disrespect for Afro-Guyanese who have toiled and continue to toil in the various sectors of the economy, to wit the educators, health care providers, miners, civil servants and many others. Are they any less useful and making a lesser contribution to the Guyanese society? His pronouncement is no different from the more subtle contention of the Late Dr. Jagan that the service providers, to whom I referred, are a parasitic class in relation to the farmers, the real producers of wealth. In the Guyana context, this adds up to a description of race relations, with the AfroGuyanese being at the bottom of the ladder. No wonder the People’s Progressive Party pursued the politics that they did, such as not finding a single Afro-Guyanese
suitable for diplomatic posting at the ambassadorial level, for which Mr. Hinds has become a defender and apologist. While Mr. Hinds might be correct in inferentially distinguishing between Afro-Guyanese and the others, what he fails or refuses to take into consideration is that the different circumstances of their arrivals and the differential treatment meted out to the various groups, post emancipation, have forged distinctive psyches and ethnic profiles. As a consequence, a level playing field in the Guyanese context has to be an equitable environment that responds to our different realities. Hind’s attempted justification of AfroGuyanese being misled and used, whether true or false, in no way negates my earlier contention nor does it substantiate his contention that the Afro-Guyanese problem is founded in them not moving on from slavery. Slavery is not a mere moment in history, it has helped to fashion the Afro-Guyanese personality, thus its impact has to be determined and confronted as Afro-
Guyanese seek to overcome its negative impact. Imagine, Mr. Hinds also seeks to rubbish African enslavement as just another instance of an universal phenomenon. He stated that “slavery has been one of the most common institutions amongst humans; we, all, Afro-Guyanese grew up on the story of Joseph being sold into slavery into Egypt”. This is one of the most uneducated or miseducated excursions that has been mouthed in contemporary times about chattel slavery. There is no comparison between chattel slavery and the forms of slavery that predated it. Chattel slavery was justified on the grounds of racism and inferiority that saw the enslaved Africans being described as less than human, commodities. It was a dehumanising and genocidal undertaking perpetrated by one race against another. If Mr. Hinds does not understand that, he will never understand his own state of mind and that of the Afro-Guyanese about whom he wishes to pontificate. With his wrong premise, there is little credence that can be attributed to his conclusions..
He concluded that ‘AfroGuyanese were not “structurally and purposefully excluded from the Guyanese economy”.’ However he provides no evidence to show how they, to whom, according to him, “The damage had already been done”, were to be structurally and purposefully included. On the contrary, he argued that the act of exclusion of Indians during the PNC era led to them creating niches, but attributes African successes, during the PPP’s 23 years at helm, to PPP’s policies rather than to their own ingenuity. Therein again he implies Afro-Guyanese inferiority, since Indo-Guyanese were capable of prospering in difficult circumstances, without state assistance, in fact, in the face of hostility, while the few Afro-Guyanese who made it under the PPP did so due to the policies of the PPP without which they would have remained useless. Of note, is the absence of any articulation of those supposedly beneficial policies. History has shown the resilience of the AfroGuyanese in the face of an hostile environment. History
has shown that the occupations, of apparent choice, of Afro-Guyanese have been determined by the environment in which they were made to pursue their livelihoods. What did the PNC do to make the Bauxite workers predominantly AfroGuyanese? Yet Hinds maintains the fable that the occupational preferences of Afro-Guyanese were due to the discriminatory employment policies/ practices of the PNC. If so, why hadn’t the employment landscape changed after 23 years of PPP rule and their clear attempts to reconfigure the ethnic demographics of the Public Service by by-passing the constitutional mechanism of the Public Service Commission in preference for executive contractual appointments? Mr. Hind’s letter is another example of historical revisionism and distortions. Until all of Guyana wakes-up to its historical reality and commits to moving forward based on a common understanding and commitment, Guyana is destined to be the victim of its own folly. Vincent Alexander
DEAR EDITOR, The PNC observed this month of October its 60th anniversary as a political party. According to PNC General Secretary, Amna Ally, a number of activities were carried by the Party in observance of that milestone. I didn’t see a problem with the Party having activities to observe its anniversary. The PNC after all is the second oldest surviving political Party in Guyana. The PPP holds the record as the oldest and I may add, the largest political party in Guyana having been formed on January 1, 1950. The PNC was established seven years later following a split in the PPP in 1955 which saw between 1955 and 1957 two PPPs-PPP (Jagan) and PPP (Burnham). Both political parties contested the 1957 elections and it was only after the elections which were decisively won by PPP (Jagan), that Burnham changed the name of his party to that of the People’s National Congress. In the 1957 elections, the PPP (Jagan) won nine of the fourteen seats as opposed to PPP (Burnhan) which only managed to win three seats, all in the city of Georgetown.
The split regrettably has left permanent scars in the political landscape. I thought of providing the above background in light of attempts that are being made to erase the role of Burnham and the PNC and simultaneously to discredit the PPP and Dr. Jagan. Ms. Ally said that Dr. Jagan refused to hand over power in 1964 after losing the elections and it was only by an Order in Council by the Governor that he relinquished office. What she failed to mention was the fact that the PPP in the elections of 1964 won the largest bloc of votes, 47% as opposed to the PNC which obtained 40% and the United Force which got 12%. The Governor failed, in keeping with established Westminster conventions, to call on Dr. Jagan to form a coalition government. The reason for bypassing such convention was because of a deal that was engineered to remove the PPP from office by the British Government under pressure from the United States due mainly out of ideological considerations. The constitution was changed to allow for a new governance system based on
proportional representation as opposed to the constituency system which was the norm in Britain and other Commonwealth countries. The other misleading statement made by Ms. Ally was that the PNC-UF coalition government inherited a bankrupt economy from the PPP. It is the same line being peddled by the current APNU-AFC administration to justify its failure to deliver on its several Manifesto promises. In 1964, Guyana’s economy was among the strongest in the Anglophone Caribbean. Its education and health system was substantially upgraded by the PPP administration. Several developmental projects were initiated such as the establishment of the University of Guyana and the Bank of Guyana. New agricultural lands were opened up which boosted agricultural production in
particular rice which grew by an annual average of ten percent per annum from 19571964. Sugar and bauxite grew by 7 % and manufacturing by 8%. The PNC when it power reversed several of the democratic and socioeconomic gains made by the PPP government. The country was reduced to one of the poorest in the western hemisphere and was declared untrustworthy by the International Monetary Fund for failing to meet its debt obligations. The debt burden had reached unsustainable levels eating up 74% of government revenues in 1992. It was on October 5, 1992 that democracy was finally restored to Guyana after nearly three decades years of undemocratic rule. Ironically, it is the very date and month that the PNC has chosen to hold its anniversary celebrations. Hydar Ally
Voicing our concerns can indeed bring THE PPP HAS THE RECORD OF BEING THE OLDEST PARTY IN GUYANA about changes DEAR EDITOR, I am happy to say that just two days after a letter titled “Police lawlessness daily on the harbour bridge” was published in your newspaper on the 17th October, 2017, the situation is much different. In the recent letter it was noted that several vehicles persons are being allowed by the police to skip the traffic lines to the harbour bridge by driving in the incorrect lane. On Thursday 19th October, 2017, as I was in the line, not a single vehicle was allowed to pass illegally, instead the police officers were stopping the vehicles and sending them back to join the line. The time that persons within the line normally take to get onto the bridge was reduced significantly. I am very satisfied with the response from the respective police officers, and I hope that this will continue to be the new norm from now onwards. With just a little change in behaviour I am sure that the majority of commuters would have had a much more pleasant morning. Kapil Singh
Guyana needs to nurture... From page 5 sometimes dangerous partisan groups that may violently oppose or oppress those who scrutinize their worldview. Moreover, divisive groups tend to have an agenda of their own, seeking to destabilize the political process, usually to their advantage. But we can prevent divisive groups from becoming successful in their malicious attempts to cause political disruption by thoroughly examining what they say and promise, looking for bad logic in their reasoning. If divisive groups are left ignored, the potential for better politics becomes unrealized. As citizens learn the importance of argument in politics, they can demand their representatives to focus more on issues rather than character, thereby changing the political landscape for the better. Failure to do so postpones genuine national progress. Good practice of argumentation can immunize us from dogmatism and falsehoods, and unites us in purpose to materialize further the elusive ‘common good’. Ferlin Pedro
When we pause and experience silence, we discover answers that activity does not have time to reveal. During your day, take threeminute “vacations”. Relax and re-energise. Take time out to feel the peace of silence.
PAGE 8
Kaieteur News
Jagdeo dodges question on Patterson’s effectiveness as GECOM chairman The People Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) continues to shy away from questions about the suitability of Justice William Patterson’s ability to perform the duties of Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), although the party had previously turned him down for the post. There is much uproar about the unilateral appointment of Justice Patterson by President David Granger. Much of the dissent has been directed to the legality of the President’s decision in the context of the Constitution and Justice Patterson’s ability to ably carry out his duties at the age of 84. Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo refused to discuss Justice Patterson’s ability as chairman when he was asked by Kaieteur News and stated that the former Judge’s suitability for the post is not the focus for the PPP/C at this stage of the process. In 1995, Justice Patterson was featured on a list of GECOM Chairman nominees prepared by former president, Desmond Hoyte, who was the leader of the People’s National Congress (PNC) and Leader of the Opposition at the time. Others on the 1995
….Former Judge was previously snubbed by Jagan for post
GECOM Chairman, Justice James Patterson list included Justice Rudolph Harper, Edward Hopkinson, Randolph Kirton, Ambassador Charles Liburd and Doodnauth Singh. The list was sent to then President Cheddi Jagan who ultimately selected Doodnauth Singh as Chairman of GECOM. Singh would go on to preside over a contentious 1997 general elections that saw Janet Jagan being sworn-in as president. She subsequently resigned in 1999, but not before facing wide-spread street protests. Since 1991, a formula es-
tablished 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 chosen based on the selection of a person nominated by the opposition. Jagdeo submitted 18 names for the president’s consideration. The most recent was on August 25th, when he submitted a third list of names that included Major General Joseph Singh; Attorney-atLaw, Mr. Teni Housty; Attorney-at-Law, Mr. Sanjeev Datadin; Mrs. Annette Arjoon-Martins; Pastor Onesi La Fleur; and Former Magistrate Mr. Krishnadatt Persaud. Last Thursday evening, the president informed Jagdeo that all the names were rejected; hence, the appointment of Justice Patterson at State House shortly after 20:30hrs.
Monday October 23, 2017
Bar Association wants Granger to publicly justify his rejection of Jagdeo’s lists The Bar Association of Guyana has called on President David Granger to provide publicly the reasons for rejecting the eighteen nominees provided by Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo for the post of Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). The Association is deeply concerned by the President’s unilateral appointment of the Chairman, the first such from either of the major parties in more than twenty-five years. The Association expects that in keeping with the ruling of Chief Justice Roxanne George-Wiltshire in the matter of Marcel Gaskin against the Attorney General, the President will provide reasons for the rejection of the eighteen names submitted to him by the Leader of the Opposition as prospective candidates for appointment. “The Chief Justice ruled that reasons are required to be provided so that it is known why there is a rejection. Her Honour said that this is in order that the President may properly move to apply the proviso to Article 161(2) of the Constitution, which allows the President to
appoint persons from the judicial category only,” the association stated. It is the association’s view that the President’s power to make a unilateral appointment to the office is limited by the Constitution only to the situation where the Leader of the Opposition fails to submit a list as provided for by the Constitution. It should be obvious, according to the Association, that Guyanese cannot satisfy themselves that there is an objective and lawful basis for the President’s unilateral appointment of Justice Patterson, unless publicly stated reasons for the rejection of the 18 persons found by the President to be unfit to hold the office of Chairman are provided. “Only if clear and detailed reasons are provided which show cause why each of the 18 rejected persons is unacceptable to the President for appointment to the office of Chairman of the Elections Commission would it be possible to establish that the Leader of the Opposition failed to submit a list as provided for by the Constitution,” the Bar Association stated.
The Association expects that reasons for rejecting the 18 persons leading to the unilateral appointment of Justice Patterson will be provided forthwith to avoid the necessity of further litigation on this issue on its part. Of note for the Association is the Chief Justice’s ruling that while the President is immune from suit, his decisions and actions are not. Hence, in the exercise of his discretion, the association noted, there has been compliance with ‘the Constitution is justiciable’. According to the association, the unilateral appointment of the Chairman can lead to a loss of public confidence in the electoral process which is entirely undesirable having regard to Guyana’s experience in past elections. The association also took note that the Alliance For Change, which forms part of the coalition government. The Association stated that the AFC did not seek to provide assistance to the Chief Justice by providing legal submissions, so that the precise legal reason each of the lists fell short of what was required by the Constitution could be publicly known.
Monday October 23, 2017
PAGE 9
Kaieteur News
Retirement age can now be amended If the President of Guyana can appoint an octogenarian as the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission, he can damn well extend the retirement age of public servants to 60 years of age. The person appointed by the President is said to be 84 years old. The opposition has not made age an issue but the media has been quick to point out some issues relating to age. First, the appointee is 84 years old. By the time the next election comes around he is going to be 87. In 2025, he will be 92 years old. The only way he can be removed from the job if is a tribunal appointed by the President’s adjudges him to be senile or guilty of grave misconduct. Since the tribunal has to be appointed by the President, if that same President is the same person who appointed the Chairman, he can very well decide not to appoint the investigative tribunal. The other option is for the Chairman to demit office via retirement. The problem
therefore is that Guyana can be stuck with an aging Chairman of GECOM for a very long time. This is quite unlike the situation which exists in the public service where tenured public servants are required to retire at the age of 55 years. Many of them are still in their prime and feel that they have many more productive years ahead. So why not extend the retirement age of public servants to make it consistent with that of judges. Judges enjoy an advantage over public servants when it comes to the age of retirement. Judges are usually allowed to retire at 65 years of age. What is wrong with extending the age of retirement of public servants to that age or even to sixty at which time, the public servants would be able to enjoy NIS benefits. As things now stand, a public servant or a teacher retiring at the age of 55 has to wait another five years before enjoying NIS pension. These are the difficult years for retired teachers and public servants. They cannot risk
finding a job which pays less than what they got when they retired since the NIS pension is paid on the average salary of the last five years of employment. So if after retirement at age 55, you take a pay cut in a new job, it means that when you are 60 and due for NIS pension, your pension will be based on your post retirement wages which would have been less than your retirement. The government should therefore extend the retirement age to 6o years since this will mean that a person retiring will automatically enjoy an NIS pension and only has to wait another five years for the old age pension. The second thing pointed out by the media is that this decision of the President contradicts the government’s age policy. But one has to ask whether there was indeed an age policy or whether that was just a ruse to get rid of Justice Prem Persaud as Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission and Justice Cecil Kennard who
Tax Reform Commission Report…
Several crucial recommendations remain unimplemented – Ram As Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, continues the preparation work for Budget 2018, one tax analyst is cautioning that there are still several tax measures which Jordan may wish to consider. Specifically making this comment recently was Chartered Accountant and Attorney-at-Law, Christopher Ram. Ram noted that the Tax Reform Commission which was established by the David Granger administration, had compiled in its comprehensive report, a menu of recommendations which should be taken on board to correct Guyana’s tax system. Ram noted in his recent writings, however, that the majority of the Commission’s recommendations remain unimplemented. Ram said that the Commission never had the opportunity to discuss the Report or any of its recommendations with the Minister. But he still believes that there are recommendations in the report which must be paid attention to. The tax analyst noted that the Commission called for the removal of income tax exemptions granted to certain office holders, such
Chartered Accountant, Chris Ram as the President, Attorney General, Chancellor, Chief Justice and Auditor General. He said that for Ministers, Public Officers a n d O ff i c i a l s , t h e VAT should be restored on all passenger car imports and the differentiation of cars by age should be removed. The Tax Reform Commission also advocated for the immediate reduction of the corporate tax rate on telecommunication companies from 45 percent to 40 percent in 2016; and on commercial companies from 40 percent to 35 percent. He said that there is a
need to provide tax incentives, which themselves should be based on clear and rational criteria, through tax laws, which must include provisions for an annual review and withdrawal of the incentives where conditions are not met. Ram stressed that there is also a need to widen the tax net, and that Government should grant a tax amnesty which could address the presumptive tax. “Some of the recommendations were expected to be controversial, particularly those designed to have a redistributive effect such as the reintroduction of estate duty and taxation of dividends above a certain level. There were also some that mixed revenue with social policy such as a tobacco levy and a health levy on alcoholic beverages. “These are only some of the unimplemented measures available to the Minister of Finance. The Tax Reform Commission had estimated that its proposals excluding amnesty, government transfers, etc, would be revenue neutral, but that there would be some rebalancing in the system.” The attorney said that hopefully, some of the proposals will be considered for the 2018 Budget.
was Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority. It was only after persons began to question how it was that someone who was older than both of these gentlemen, octogenarian Hamilton Green, that the government decided to remove him from Chairmanship of the Central Housing and Planning Authority(CHPA) Board. If the glaring contradiction was not pointed out, Hammie would have still been working today at the CHPA. If the government had a consistent age policy, it would have removed all persons who were either 80 or older in one swipe rather than being pressured to apply it to Hammie. A strong case now exists for public servants and
teachers to press for the extension of the age of retirement. The government can no longer claim that its wants to give young people a chance. The President did not find 18 persons, all of whom are younger than Justice James Patterson, as fit and proper for the position of Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission. So what chance are young people being given? What is the average age of Cabinet? It has to be over 60 years old. The more compelling argument, however, is that if at 84 a person can be acting as a legal adviser to the Attorney General and then appointed as Chairman of GECOM, then what is wrong with a public servant or a
teacher working to age 60 within the public service. What is wrong with allowing policemen and policewomen to retire at 60? Why cannot an army officer retire at 60 also? The President has set an important precedent. He has shown confidence in an 84 year old handling the rigors of running Guyana’s election machinery. Similar confidence should be shown in teachers, policemen, nurses, military officers and other public servants. If Justice James Patterson can do it, so can others. Change the retirement age to 60 from tomorrow.
Monday October 23, 2017
Kaieteur News
PAGE 11
PAGE 12
Minister Ally pledges protection of La Parfait Harmonie children Minister of Social Protection Minister Amna Ally’s on Saturday assured to the residents of La Parfaite Harmonie on Saturday that she will do “eveeything and anything possible to ensure our children are safe”. Ally’s visit to the La Parfaite Harmononie community on the West Bank of Demerara comes on the heels of an outreach held last week by the Ministry of Public Security. Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan had addressed several pressing issues including security and the matter of older men preying on younger children in the community. At a public meeting held at the La Parfaite Harmonie primary school, resident William Lambert raised the need for improved street lighting since children and residents
Monday October 23, 2017
Kaieteur News
are being targeted by robbers. Minister Ally, whose Ministry deals with the welfare of children, encouraged the community to form groups to carry out patrols for the protection their young children. The Minister assured that she will follow-up the request for better street lighting to be addressed by the relative authorities. One community resident, Komal Singh, pledged to donate 10 street lights to be installed in the community. “We are going to look for more,” Minister Ally assured. Residents also asked if the lights can be erected in the school street where most of the children use to get home. At last week’s outreach Divisional Commander Leslie James gave assurances to place the protection of the children on the front burner.
Another resident, June Ann Taylor, raised concerns about overloading vehicles with school children. Minister Ally charged Deputy Assistant Superintendent Patrick Todd present at the outreach, to ensure that this issue is addressed forthwith. The officer noted that the police have launched a joint operation to capture the law breakers. This operation Superintendent Todd explained, comes after the Police issued some 15 warnings to errant drivers. SCHOOL BUS In the meantime, residents were relieved to learn that the community and by extension the region will benefit from another school bus under the President’s Five Bs Initiative. Resident, Komal Singh, who is also the CEO of Gieco (Continued on page 20)
Appointment of GECOM Chairman…
President’s decision “politically sound, but politically senseless” - Dr. Hinds President David Granger’s unilateral appointment of former Justice, James Patterson, as the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) was not unconstitutional. It does however; reflect how “poisoned” our political environment is, says Executive Member of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), Dr. David Hinds. Dr. Hinds said too that the decision by the President also represents another colossal failure on the part of the nation’s political leaders. He commented that if the President and the Opposition leader, Bharrat Jagdeo could not find consensus on this matter, then Guyana’s political future as a joint nation is bleak. He opined that one should wake up to the reality that Guyana’s leaders on both sides do not have what it takes to manage a difficult multiethnic society. That, Dr. Hinds said, is the sad reality facing all Guyanese. Further, Dr. Hinds stated that while President Granger made the final decision, Jagdeo is equally responsible for the outcome. “Let me explain. We have seen in the past that the role of the GECOM chair is pivotal in an institution where the two political sides have equal representation and they vote along party lines. The vote of the chair could indirectly affect the outcome of an election.” “During the PPP tenure, that party chose three Indian Guyanese to fill that position. All three are and were hounarable men, but in our ethnically divided society their ethnicity is highlighted. In our ethnically heightened situation, that matters whether we choose to say it aloud or not. Many observers are convinced that Dr. Jagan and Mr. Jagdeo were very deliberate when they made their choices.”
WPA Executive Member, Dr. David Hinds
GECOM Chairman, James Patterson
Dr. Hinds said it is reasonable then to expect that this new government would want to go in the other direction— that is, to choose someone of another ethnic group in whom they have confidence. “I think that was the unspoken position of the majority faction of the Coalition. But they did not have the courage to say so publicly because of the fear of being charged with ‘racializing’ the issue. So, the plan was simple; use a narrow reading of the constitution to achieve a political objective. That approach is standard political behavior.” The WPA Executive Member is of the view that the PPP and Jagdeo knew of this sentiment and set out to frustrate it. He believes that they were careful in all three of the lists Jagdeo provided so as to not give Granger an “independent” African Guyanese acceptable to him. “This, in my view, was very insensitive on the PPP’s part—they showed absolutely no respect for ethnic balance and for the symbolism of ethnic give-and-take. Having said that, it is my view that the President should have avoided making a unilateral decision.” Dr. Hinds commented that in doing so, Granger gave a weapon to the PPP and other independent interests which are skeptical about the Coalition’s commitment to democratic governance. He
said that the President has not acted unconstitutionally as the PPP is bellowing. He emphasized that the constitution is clear about that. But while the decision is constitutionally sound, Dr. Hinds said that it is politically senseless. “I don’t think we had reached the point of last resort. There was still room for compromise on the matter. The president should have continued to negotiate with Jagdeo and let the process push him to unilateral action, if he Jagdeo continued to play hardball.” The WPA Executive Member said the fact is that the People’s National Congress has more of the authoritarian tag than the PPP. As such, he said that the Coalition should always resist doing things that smell of authoritarian intent. Dr. Hinds commented that the PPP, as it has indicated, will milk this development for all its worth. He said that the Opposition now has a symbolic reason to make the country ungovernable. He believes that this decision will not cost the Coalition votes, but it would damage their image, which is already suffering. Dr. Hinds concluded that the PPP’s position would find common ground with sections of the society which are partial to the Coalition but suspicious of its democratic commitment.
Monday October 23, 2017
PAGE 13
Kaieteur News
Pres. Granger: Lethem’s township an opportunity to partner closely with Brazil President David Granger says that the elevation of a community like Lethem to township status is a transformative and defining moment in the country’s history, which will serve as a catalyst for economic development for the Region. The Head of State, speaking at the ceremony to mark the official naming of Lethem as a Town in Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo (Region Nine) on Friday also called for cooperation at all levels of Government and Administration, regardless of political affiliation for the good of the Region. President Granger urged residents of Lethem and the Region to work together and to take steps to share in the growing economic bonanza when he officially declared Lethem a town at the ceremony there on Saturday. “Calling Lethem a capital town is not cosmetic or superficial; this is an important part of our development. People may not realise it now, but this will be a transformative moment in Guyana’s history. We want to see this capital town become a source of public service,” he said. Speaking of the need for cooperation, President Granger explained that administration of Region Nine takes place at four levels; internationally, particularly in relation to bilateral relations with Brazil and other neighbouring countries; at the level of the Regional Administration, at the municipal level and at the level of Central Government. “All four levels, all four strata have to work together. Who wins if this Region is divided? Who will gain and who will feel pain? If we work together, all of us will thrive… We have plans and those plans are aimed at developing quality services to all of your people. Lethem must become an attractive destination for business; for tourism,” the Head of State said.
He reminded residents of the erosion of democracy, which they were forced to endure when the previous administration dissolved the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) and replaced it with an Interim Management Committee (IMC), which did nothing to advance the development of the Region. However, democracy was restored when the current administration held the long-awaited Local Government Elections for the first time in over two decades. Speaking to the ‘green’ development agenda, President Granger reminded residents of the Region of the unmatched natural beauty of the Rupununi and the tremendous potential it has for a thriving eco-tourism industry that could catapult the Region’s economy. “All of this is possible if we adopt a policy of cooperation, regardless of our political affiliation, instead of confrontation… There is nothing that this Administration will do to prevent you from taking any reasonable step to improve the economic conditions of this region. We are not going to obstruct you, we will assist you,” President Granger said. Since taking Office, the President has created four new towns including Mabaruma, Bartica, Mahdia and of course, Lethem as part of his push towards the creation of economic centres in each Region. However, Mahdia has not yet been officially declared a town. President Granger explained that citizens must move away from the “compound” mentality, which the country inherited from colonial era, and become thriving communities. To accomplish this he said that each Region must be administered by a capital town, which serves as the economic centre and make public services accessible to citizens. The Head of State pointed
From right: Chairman of Region Nine, Mr. Brian Allicock, Mayor of Lethem, Mr. Carlton Beckles, President David Granger, Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon, Minister of Social Cohesion, Mr. George Norton and Minister of Communities, Mr. Ronald Bulkan
Dignitaries and other invitees at the declaration of Lethem’s township, on Friday. out that before the current Administration came into Office, residents of Lethem, particularly businessmen and women, had to travel to coastland to register businesses and access other basic services, an exercise that proved to be both costly and time-consuming. “We are putting an end to that absurdity by delivering public services…We are going to relieve the pressure on individual residents and farmers
Visually impaired dad raises funds... (From page 2) which is the fluid pressure inside the eye, kept climbing despite her being on maximum medical treatment. It was here that Doctor Sugrim recommended further vitreo-retinal evaluation for vitrectomy (the surgical operation of removing the vitreous humour from the eyeball) and implantation of glau-
coma valve in the middle layer of the three layers that comprise the eye. He noted that these services are not available in Guyana and would have to be sought overseas. Paul Cottom was disheartened when he heard about his daughter’s condition. However, he did not lose his faith since according to him his
A mini health check is the first step to donating blood
daughter was not born with a problem in her eyes but it developed over time. He explained that due to a build-up of pressure in a vein behind the left eye, the vessel burst, causing retinal detachment. The irregular condition prompted her dad to immediately begin seeking help since he manages his expenses from public assistance which is $7,500 a month. The former underwent a cataract surgery and a nerve was accidentally damaged in his left eye.
and communities as quickly and as best as we could that is why we are distributing and disseminating services. We want this capital town to provide every public service that a resident needs,” he said. Meanwhile, Minister of Communities, Mr. Ronald Bulkan said that the Government is resolute in its commitment to guaranteeing citizens a good life. “You must have access to Government services just as those residing in Georgetown…Much remains to be accomplished. This requires continued commitment to realising better governance, management and administration,” he said. While still in Opposition, the A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) used their parliamentary majority to amend the Municipal and District Councils Act, which paved the way for the removal of power from the Minister and vesting it with the municipal councillors. Regional Chairman of Region Nine, Mr. Brian Allicock, in his remarks, said that he is proud of the strides the Re-
gion has made over the years. He informed that they are in the process of putting together a plan of action in which various aspects of development will be incorporated, particularly in the areas of housing and infrastructure. He also used the opportunity to call for greater support for the security forces stationed in the Region. Meanwhile, Mayor of the new town, Mr. Carlton Beckles said that Lethem will drive the development of the entire Region by attracting the much-needed investment, especially since they already have a rapidly developing industrial zone. He also informed that residents will soon see a housing boom in the Region with over 500 acres of land having been identified for housing development. “There is a direct correlation between your personal development and that of your community. Therefore, to continue your journey of personal development, you must have community development,” he said. After the official ceremony, President Granger un-
veiled a plaque, which is erected in a central area in the community called the Declaration Park to officially declare Lethem a town. He also received the symbolic key to the town from Mayor Beckles. First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger, Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon, Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton, Minister of Telecommunications, Ms. Catherine Hughes, Minister of Business, Mr. Dominic Gaskin, Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Mr. Sydney Allicock, Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ms. Simona Broomes, Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Ms. Valerie Patterson-Yearwood and Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Ms. Valerie GarridoLowe were also present at the event. Guyana’s Ambassador to Brazil, Mr. George Talbot and several other dignitaries from the State of Roraima in neighbouring Brazil as well as hundreds of residents and school children also turned out to witness the historic event.
PAGE 14
Monday October 23, 2017
Kaieteur News
“Mom and dad you both are the pillars of my life” By Feona Morrison If Anessa Chow were to write about the endless support and love her parents have given her throughout her life—but more specifically during her studies to becoming an Attorney-at-Law, she would probably take this and another lifetime. As far as Chow can remember, she always wanted to become an Attorney-atLaw. Having attained her Legal Education Certificate for the Hugh Wooding Law School, this year, the 24-year-old was admitted to the bar on Friday. Her petition was presented by Attorney-at-Law Rexford Jackson before Justice Sandil Kissoon at the High Court in Georgetown. During her admission remarks, the 24-year-old expressed gratitude to her parents, Malcolm and Nathalie, for their endless support. According to her, “They (her parents) have always been so dedicated and supportive in all the stages of my life. There had been times, when I wanted to give up, in fact, during the weakest moment of my life, I did give up. But it was my parents who walked along with me and gave me that endless support and much needed encouragement. “Mom and Dad you both are the pillars of my life and the biggest strength that God has given me. I am forever
- says Bartica-born Anessa Chow, newest Attorney-at-Law grateful and forever indebted to you both.” She said that her parents have worked “day in and day out” to prepare her for the challenges in life. “I did everything that was required of me to become a lawyer and along the way, I have experienced much. However, through my experiences, both academic and personal, I have learnt that I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me.” Throughout her study years, Chow said she always remembered the quote, ‘Be patient, sometimes you have to go through the worst to get the best’. Those words, she disclosed, were and still are her mantra. This newest Attorney-atLaw was born and raised in Bartica. She attended the Second Avenue Nursery School and then St. John the Baptist Primary School, where she wrote the Secondary School Entrance Examination (SSEE). She gained a total of 520 marks at the SSEE and was adjudged the top student of Region Seven, having been awarded a place at St. Rose’s High School. However, due to a lack of accommodation in Georgetown, Chow said she was unable to attend this
school. Instead, she attended President’s College after being awarded the Student’s Hinterland Scholarship for being that region’s top student. But having to leave her family to live in the dorms was a challenge for Chow. She almost allowed these horrifying thoughts to curb her from attending this school, but with much encouragement from her parents and family she made up her mind and took up her first big challenge. Chow describes her years at President’s College as “the best and most unique high school experience”. She was successful in writing nine subjects at the Caribbean Secondary Certificate Examination (CSEC). Chow then went on to attend Queen’s College for the purposes of writing the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE). She wrote six CAPE subjects over a two-year period. Thereafter, she attended the University of Guyana (UG) from where she obtained her Bachelors of Laws Degree (LLB), passing with credit. She was among the top 25 students, who gained admission into the Hugh Wooding Law School. During her time at the Hugh Wooding Law School,
Newest Attorney-at-Law Anessa Chow (centre) is flanked by her proud parents Malcolm and Nathalie she undertook training in the Legal Aid Clinic directed by Mrs. Rhonda Ann Parris- De Freitas and by extension she interned at Templar Chambers with the compliments of Hanoman, Jackson, Boyce and associates. From these professional experiences, she has gained experience in a wide range of civil and criminal cases. Having been a part of the Human Rights Clinic, Chow dedicated
her time to Habitat for Humanity. More so, she was a member of the Hope for Homeless project, where the initiative was to show that even homeless persons are entitled to Human Rights by providing them with their basic necessities such as food, clothing, shelter and job opportunities. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, browsing the internet and spending time with her friends and family. On
a more exhilarating note, she enjoys hiking, camping and a good outdoor adventure. She also relishes a good game of table-tennis and is a big lover of swimming. Chow, who hopes to one day be a voice within her community for homelessness, also extended thanks to her grandmother, siblings, pastor and other relatives and friends too numerous to mention, for their never ending support.
Monday October 23, 2017
Kaieteur News
PAGE 21
PAGE 22
Monday October 23, 2017
Kaieteur News
Spain urges Catalonia secessionists to obey planning to give because Madrid they will not have the legal
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.
Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK;Guyanapassport application. G r a p h i c s design, advertisement. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535.
Pharmacy for sale 4 Stalls Bourda Market .Tel #6034017
INNOVATIVEMARKETING& PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Internationally experienced examiner inhandwriting & Question documents. Specialized: Wills, Deeds, Identify theft etc. Call /whatsapp :416-827-5239. Email:k02g099@hotmail.com INSTALLATIONS,REPAIRS AND PARTS FOR AC, F R I D G E , WA S H I N G MACHINE, STOVE ETC: CALL NICK 627-3206, 6301600 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezer-Call: 610-5846 or 661-8158
Laptop &Desktop Computers from $49,000. 1300 TVL -8 Channel DVR with 8 Cameras complete$69,000.FutureTech: 231-2206, 660-2010
Allion, Primo, Fielder Wagon, Spacio, Bluebird, 212 Carina, NZE, Honda CRV, Toyota IST, RZ & Pitbull – Call: 650-7501 Unregistered Axela 2011 $2.7M, dark interior, fully loaded, Nissan pickup extra cab $2.3M. Call: 617-5536 Noah 2002 fully powered,A/ c, DVD etc. Price$2.2 M negotiable Call:641-1303,6971527 1 Twin-steer, double axle Leyland DAF & 4 Flatbed Leyland DAF all in excellent condition. Owner migrating- Call: 649-8449, 228-5655 LEARN TO DRIVE C. Persaud& N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman& Sons Driving School @ Maraj BuildingCall: 644-5166; 622-2872; 615-0964; 689-5997 (affordable packages)
Cook/ baker and Kitchen Assistant for interior location. Applicants must have experience. Call:618-2020 Experience Bartenders Call :225-8572.Between 7am To 9am E x p e r i e n c e d salesman,generaldomestic,porter. Apply with hand written application & recommendation @ Keyfood, McDoom Village.
WANTED Live in or live out babysitter/ domestic- Call: 223-7500 Monday to Saturday 8:15am4:15pm 1-Able Bodied Male Clerk .Tel:231-2029,219-4533,6165954 Attractive live in waitressCall: 327-0252/674-4665 One cosmetologist, must be all rounded. Call 647-1773 Live in couple from Berbice or Essequibo, domestic & general duties. Babysitter with references. Mr. Khan 695-6550/656-9313,684-7526 One Financial Investor for Mining Land in the Upper Mazaruni area .Phone:6728844 1 Male to work on chicken farm in the Interior. Must have knowledge & experience in Poultry rearing Contact:680-2702
CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL:656-0087,6435122 ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM DOLLY’SCARRENTAL-CALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP RATES,SPECIALOFFERS! . CALL: 690-6494
VEHICLE FOR SALE
VACANCY 1 rooms maid- call 2271131, or text 664-7412 Sales girl/ Counter Attendant. Apply to Dian’s Deli, Barr St. Opposite Kitty Market. Contact 225-3700. MonFri 7am - 3pm
AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FORAIRPORT & FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807
FOR RENT Office space in Charlotte Street, central Georgetown .Ground floor. Call #608-5303
LAND FOR SALE
Taxi Service 225-5075/ 2261200.Hire Care Drivers Wanted
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Meadow Bank, long term rental. Fully furnished 3 bedrooms apartment, parking, cameras etc- Call: 671-4221 Property for rent - 2 storey house at Republic Park, E.B.D$1200US. Call 647-1773 Apartment for rent , 7-8 Plantain Walk,West Bank Demerara. Call:264-2639 One bottom flat situated at lot 304 Good Intent, West Bank Demerara. Ideal for grocery/supermarket. Call 623-3895
House lots available @ B/ burg W.C.D & Schoonord on western side of Harbour bridge. Financing available- contact#6500402/603-1402
One male to work as Handyman in the interior.Meal and accommodation provide. Contact :680-2702
1 Block of Virgin Land to rent for mining in the Cuyuni Mining District. Contact #6719478
SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. -CosmetologyCourses:$90,000 Technician Course: $35,000. Call: 647-1773/660-5257
The Gents spa .Let us release your stress with our lovely masseuse. Call for appointments (592)6448018
EDUCATION Day Care and Pre-K classes available in Diamond Call Canadian School 2166921,216-6922
PROPERTY FOR SALE House and land available @ La ParfaiteHarmonie, Providence, Etc. Financing assistance available. Contact Pacific Development: 223-6035/ 227-8274
St. John Ambulance Brigade Home Nursing Course Starts on Monday Oct 23, 2017.Tel #225-9082
Boodhoos Housing Scheme ,Schoonord West Bank Demerara. Please Contact 660-2233
2 Bedroom upper flat newly renovated atPhoenix Park W.B.D for $45,000 per month. Contact:614-1723 Furnished one and two bedroom apartment in NandyPark.Parking available. Call 619-4824(for further information) 1 Business space, located @ 177 Charlotte & Alexander Street Lacytown. Call : 6443555 or 689-3462. Serious enquiries only.
FOR SALE Aluminum windows & doors at the best prices. Chenfeng Aluminum @ Lot 11 Public road Eccles, EBD- Call: 6968688, 682-8378
authority to do that.” However, Dastis sought to calm nerves in the region, saying Madrid would not conduct arrests among the pro-independence leadership, though two prominent secessionists were detained on court order this month on allegations of sedition. “We are not going to arrest anyone,” he said. Catalonia’s leaders say they will not accept direct rule imposed by Madrid, raising the prospect that they and their supporters will seek to defy the Spanish government when the time comes to remove them from office. Rajoy’s plan still needs Senate approval in a session set for Friday. Once it gains the expected approval Madrid can take full control of Catalonia’s finances, police and public media and curb the powers of the regional parliament for up to six months, until fresh regional elections. Street protests for and against independence in Catalonia have involved hundreds of thousands of people. Though a violent crackdown by national police during Catalonia’s Oct. 1 independence vote left hundreds injured, according to regional authorities, the protests have remained peaceful so far. But Rajoy’s unprecedented plan to use special constitutional powers has angered both sides and raised concern over the potential for unrest if Catalan leaders resist and call for civil disobedience.
TOLET
Prime land to build that dream home. Not far from Princess, New Thriving, Massy, HJ water world $13M neg- Call: 669-8397 MASSAGE
BARCELONA (Reuters) - The Spanish government yesterday urged Catalans to accept direct control from Madrid and ignore instructions from the restive region’s secessionist leadership once it has been removed from power. Yesterday’s message came a day after Madrid resolved to take the unprecedented constitutional step of firing the Catalonia government, a last resort to thwart its independence campaign and calm fears of unrest and economic turmoil in the heart of the euro zone. Catalan President Carles Puigdemont rejected the decision, to be implemented this week, and thousands of pro-independence protesters marched in Barcelona on Saturday. The regional parliament’s speaker, Carme Forcadell, said she would not accept Madrid’s move and accused Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy of staging a “coup”. Spanish Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis responded yesterday with the call to obey Madrid. “All the government is trying to do, and reluctantly, is to reinstate the legal order, to restore the constitution but also the Catalan rules and proceed from there,” Dastis told BBC TV. “We are going to establish the authorities who are going to rule the day-today affairs of Catalonia according to the Catalan laws and norms ... I hope everyone will disregard whatever instructions they will be
TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 225-7878 (24HRS)
Monday October 23, 2017
Kaieteur News
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter says would travel to North Korea – NYT NEW YORK (Reuters) Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter said he would be willing to travel to North Korea on behalf of the Trump administration to help diffuse rising tensions, The New York Times reported on its website yesterday. “I would go, yes,” Carter, 93, told the Times when he was asked in an interview at his ranch house in Plains, Georgia whether it was time for another diplomatic mission and whether he would do so for President Trump. Carter, a Democrat who was president from 1977 to 1981, said he had spoken to Trump’s National Security Adviser Lt.-Gen. H. R. McMaster, who is a friend, but so far has gotten a negative response. “I told him that I was available if they ever need me,” the Times quoted Carter as saying.
Jimmy Carter To l d t h a t s o m e i n Wa s h i n g t o n w e r e m a d e nervous by Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s war of words, Carter said “I‘m afraid, too, of a situation.” “They want to save their regime. And we greatly overestimate China’s influence on North Korea.
Particularly to Kim,” who, Carter added, has “never, so far as I know, been to China. And they have no relationship. Kim Jong-il did go to China and was very close to them.” Describing the North Korean leader as “unpredictable,” Carter worried that if Kim thinks Trump will act against him, he could do something preemptive, the Times reported. “I think he’s now got advanced nuclear weaponry that can destroy the Korean Peninsula and Japan, and some of our outlying territories in the Pacific, maybe even our mainland,” Carter said. In the mid 1990s, Carter travelled to Pyongyang over the objections of President Bill Clinton, the Times report said, and struck a deal with Kim Il Sung, grandfather of the current leader.
Mugabe removed as WHO goodwill envoy after outrage G E N E VA / L O N D O N (Reuters) - Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has been removed as a goodwill ambassador, the World Health Organization said yesterday, following outrage among Western donors and rights groups at his appointment. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus named Mugabe to the largely ceremonial post at a meeting on Wednesday in Uruguay on chronic diseases attended by both men. At the time, Tedros praised Zimbabwe as “a country that places universal health coverage and health promotion at the centre of its policies to provide healthcare to all”. But Tedros said in a statement that he had listened to those expressing concerns and heard the “different issues” raised. “Over the last few days, I have reflected on my appointment of H.E. President Robert Mugabe as WHO Goodwill Ambassador for NCDs (non-communicable diseases) in Africa. As a result I have decided to rescind the appointment,” Tedros said. The decision had been taken after consultation with the Harare government and was “in the best interests of the World Health Organization”, he said. Jeremy Farrar, a global health specialist and director of the Wellcome Trust charity and the NCD alliance,
Robert Mugabe representing health groups combating chronic diseases, welcomed the reversal. “Dr Tedros deserves all our support to ensure he and WHO build a global health movement that is inclusive and works to improve health for everyone,” Farrar said in a statement. Zimbabwean Foreign Minister Walter Muzembi accepted the move while insisting that WHO had “benefited tremendously” from having nominated Mugabe and the media buzz it brought to health issues. “So on the balance, it is wiser to let go, and help WHO focus on its mandate while we focus Zimbabwe on its membership obligations,” Muzembi said in a government statement. Several former and current WHO staff had said privately they were appalled at the “poor judgement” and
“miscalculation” by Tedros, elected the first African head of WHO in May. Mugabe was head of the African Union when the bloc endorsed Tedros - a former health and foreign minister of Ethiopia - over other African candidates for the top post, without any real regional contest, they said. Mugabe, 93, is blamed in the West for destroying Zimbabwe’s economy and for numerous human rights abuses during his 37 years leading the country as either president or prime minister. Britain had said Mugabe’s appointment as a goodwill ambassador was “surprising and disappointing” and that it risked overshadowing the WHO’s global work. The United States, which has imposed sanctions on Mugabe for alleged human rights violations, also voiced disappointment. “He (Tedros) has to remember where his funding comes from,” said one health official who declined to be identified. The Trump administration, which is already questioning financial support for some United Nations agencies, is WHO’s largest single donor. WHO is struggling to recover a reputation tarnished by its slowness in tackling the Ebola epidemic that killed more than 11,000 people in West Africa from 2014-2015 under Tedros’ predecessor, Margaret Chan.
PAGE 23
PAGE 24
Monday October 23, 2017
Kaieteur News
Abe to push reform of Japan’s pacifist constitution after election win TOKYO (Reuters) Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s ruling bloc was headed for a big win in yesterday’s election, bolstering his chance of becoming the nation’s longest-serving premier and re-energising his push to revise the pacifist constitution. Abe’s Liberal Democratic Party-led (LDP) coalition has won a combined 310 seats, reaching a two-thirds “super majority” in the 465-member lower house, with 11 seats still up for grabs, broadcaster TV Asahi said. A hefty win raises the likelihood that Abe, who took office in December 2012, will have a third three-year term as LDP leader next September and go on to become Japan’s longest-serving premier. It also means his “Abenomics” growth strategy centred on the hyper-easy monetary policy will likely continue. Final official results from the election, which coincided with an approaching typhoon, are expected early today. The U.S.-drafted constitution’s Article 9, if taken literally, bans the maintenance of armed forces. But Japanese governments have interpreted it to allow a military exclusively for selfdefence. Backers of Abe’s proposal to clarify the military’s ambiguous status say it would codify the status quo. Critics fear it would allow an expanded role overseas for the military. Abe said he would not stick to a target he had floated of making the changes by 2020. “First, I want to deepen debate and have as many people as possible agree,” he told a TV broadcaster. “We
Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), smiles during a news conference after Japan’s lower house election, at the LDP headquarters in Tokyo, Japan yesterday. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon should put priority on that.” The LDP’s junior partner, the Komeito, is cautious about changing the constitution, drawn up after Japan’s defeat in World War Two. Several opposition parties favour changes, but don’t necessarily agree on details. Amendments must be approved by two-thirds of each chamber of parliament and then by a majority in a public referendum. “Now that proconstitutional change parties occupy more than two-thirds of the parliament, the constitution will be the most important political issue next year,” said Hidenori Suezawa, a financial market and fiscal analyst at SMBC Nikko Securities. “And as we saw in the U.K. ... a referendum could be
tricky. So while Abe is likely to be prime minister for the time being, it is too early to say whether he can stay in power until 2021.” Abe declined to say if he’d run for a third term. Abe had said he needed a new mandate to tackle a “national crisis” from North Korea’s missile and nuclear threats and a fast-aging population, and to approve his idea of diverting revenue from a planned sales tax hike to education and child care from public debt repayment [reut.rs/2yC0pma]. He called the poll amid confusion in the opposition camp and an uptick in his ratings, dented earlier in the year by scandals over suspected cronyism and a perception he had grown arrogant after nearly five years in office.
Russia accuses U.S.-led coalition of ‘barbaric’ bombing of Syria’s Raqqa MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia accused the U.S.-led coalition in Syria yesterday of wiping the city of Raqqa “off the face of the earth” with carpet bombing in the same way the United States and Britain had bombed Germany’s Dresden in 1945. The Russian Defence Ministry, which has itself repeatedly been forced to deny accusations from activists and Western politicians of bombing Syrian civilians, said it looked like the West was now rushing to provide financial aid to Raqqa to cover up evidence of its own crimes. Major-General Igor Konashenkov, a spokesman for the Defence Ministry, said in a statement that around 200,000 people had lived in Raqqa before the conflict in Syria, but that not more than 45,000 people remained. U.S.-backed militias in Syria declared victory over Islamic State in Raqqa, the
group’s capital, last week, raising flags over the last jihadist footholds after a four-month battle. “Raqqa has inherited the fate of Dresden in 1945, wiped off the face of the earth by Anglo-American bombardments,” said Konashenkov. Most of the German city was destroyed in Allied bombing raids just before the end of World War Two. Though he said Russia welcomed Western promises of financial aid to rebuild Raqqa, Konashenkov complained that numerous Russian requests for the West to give humanitarian aid to Syrian civilians in other parts of the country had been rejected in previous years. “What is behind the rush by Western capitals to provide targeted financial help only to Raqqa?” said Konashenkov.
Monday October 23, 2017
PAGE 25
Kaieteur News
Drama heats up in Berbice carpenter murder case…
Attorney Chandra Sohan grilled in witness tampering probe The drama escalated yesterday in the Faiyaz Narinedatt murder case, with police hauling in attorney-atlaw Berbice attorney Chandra Sohan for questioning into allegations of witness tampering. The controversial attorney and former magistrate was held at around 16:00 hrs yesterday near his home. He was questioned extensively before being released yesterday evening. His arrest came just a day after ranks from the Guyana Police Force (GPF)’s Major Crimes Unit detained a 21year-old eyewitness in the case, for allegedly attempting to persuade another key witness to change his story. Kaieteur News understands that the investigators arrested attorney at law Sohan based
on statements they received from the detained man. The eyewitness reportedly identified an individual in the legal fraternity whom he claimed influenced him to persuade another witness to also change his story. It is alleged that a woman who is close to an individual who has been charged with murdering the carpenter, went to the home of the 21-yearold eyewitness and said that the eyewitness “could send a lot of people to prison.” The woman allegedly advised the eyewitness to visit someone in the legal fraternity at that person’s office. “He get frighten and went to (the legal official) and (the legal official) ask he what exactly he told the police, and he (eyewitness) said what he
Murder accused, Marcus Bisram
Attorney-at-Law Chandra Sohan
saw the night Narinedatt was murdered,” a source in ‘B’ Division said. The witness was reportedly then told to change his story and to tell
the court that the police had forced him to sign the statement. “I heard he (witness) told the police that (the individual in the legal profession) tell he
Kwakwani lands to be regularised, over 500 residents to benefit The Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC) Commissioner Trevor Benn and a team yesterday visited Kwakwani, Upper DemeraraBerbice to initiate a process, which is expected to be completed in six months, to provide transports for lands that are already occupied. An approximate 1200 persons stand to benefit from the process, a Ministry of the Presidency release stated. During that outreach, Commissioner Benn announced that based on the findings of the visit to Kwakwani, a team from the Land Management Division of the Commission will be deployed during the first week of November to set the wheels in motion. “We will be assigning someone to the community. They will be here to work with the [Neighbourhood Democratic Council] NDC in identifying these issues. We have many issues and we won’t be able to solve all of them at once, but we will have the NDC identify one area and we are going to fix the issues there and then we will move on from there,” the Head of the GLSC said. The Commissioner also said that the granting of titles to establish rightful ownership to deserving persons will help to improve their quality of lives and the status of their communities. “The objective is to make sure that in a short space of time we can resolve the issues
of land titling for all of you. I am surprised to learn that almost everyone in Kwakwani is without a lease. That is depressing and we have to fix that for each of you. You cannot improve your lives if you do not have ownership to basic things like land. You cannot get a mortgage if you do not have the documents for the land,” he said. Mr. Benn told residents that while the Commission will be doing all that is within its power to ensure that the community becomes regularised, residents also have a key responsibility to cooperate and to pay all outstanding dues, so that the Commission can continue with the execution of its mandate. “You must follow the rules and for those who are entitled, regardless of who you support, once you are entitled, you will get your land. We will do a thorough investigation of the issues raised. These are very serious issues and we want to ensure that in the shortest possible time that we can deal with those issues and get you your titles. Unless you are prepared to work with us then we cannot get anywhere. We need to cooperate,” he said. Member of the Board of Directors for the GLSC, Mr. Randy Storm, in brief remarks, echoed these sentiments, noting that while the Commission will continue in its work to improve communities, residents must
too take ownership and be cooperative. “This place has potential. I shall make every effort to see that you get some help but help is already on its way. They will be here the first week in November and you must stop the bickering and quarrelling among yourselves. We will not be able to get anywhere if you do not stop. You have to help us to help you,” he said. Chairperson of the Kwakwani NDC, Ms. Merna Adrian, in an invited comment, said that she is immensely pleased that the GLSC has hosted the outreach in the community and met with residents to listen to some of the concerns. More importantly, she said, the community is thankful that a decision was made on the spot to send a team so soon into the area to start the process. “From the part of the NDC, we will work cooperatively and I am going
to try to get the community to cooperate so that we can do the best thing for everyone involved but we are very happy to have the GLSC here today with us,” she said. The team from the Commission visited and met with residents in Chinese Lane, Staff Hill, Jonestown, Jonestown Two/ Airstrip and Kwakwani Park. Overseer of the NDC, Ms. Clairasa Hohenkirk, also in an invited comment, said that the approach from the GLSC is welcomed and the local government organ is pleased that the land issues will be addressed. The GLSC has already initiated similar programmes in areas in Bartica, CuyuniMazaruni (Region Seven), Aranaputa, Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo (Region Nine), Port Kaituma, BarimaWaini (Region One), Mahdia, Potaro- Siparuni (Region Eight) and Mocha Arcadia, Demerara- Mahaica (Region Four).
that he gon take care of him if he changed his statement.” The eyewitness was reportedly reassured that the police could not “do him anything,” if he changed his statement. Kaieteur News was informed that this eyewitness was then instructed to visit other witnesses and convince them to change their statements, since it will be in their best interest. Police are said to be looking for the woman who was involved in the alleged attempts to pervert the course of justice. Kaieteur News understands that Sohan was accompanied by two other attorneys when he was taken into custody. In a brief telephone interview after his release, Sohan confirmed that he was questioned about allegations of witness tampering. He denied the allegation. It is not the first time the former magistrate found himself in hot water. In July last, Sohan was arrested at the Springlands Magistrate Court for attempting to pervert the course of justice in the murder of Narinedatt. Kaieteur News has been informed that all the witnesses were videotaped explaining what they saw the night Narinedatt was murdered and if anyone decides to change their story, then they will be committing perjury which is
non-bailable. Early this month, a New York judge ordered that the alleged mastermind behind the murder, businessman Marcus Brian Bisram, be extradited. The Secretary of State will hand over Bisram to the US marshals pending his extradition. H o w e v e r, t h e r e a r e some formalities to be handled by the Secretary of State before he can be placed on a plane. The processing of Bisram would come in seeming record time as it was only eight months ago that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs requested that he be sent back to Guyana to face a murder charge in the killing of Faiyaz Narinedatt. Narinedatt was beaten after he allegedly rebuffed Bisram’s sexual advances early November 1, last year. Radesh Motie; Diadath Datt, 18; Harripaul Parsram, 49, and Niran Yacoob, 37, were remanded to prison for the murder. Also charged was Bisram’s mom, Shermella Inderjali, 45, a mother of two, of Number 71 Village, Corentyne, Berbice. She and Maryanne Lionel, 25, a bank teller of Republic Bank, also of Number 71 Village, Corentyne, Berbice were arrested during a sting operation. They were charged for willfully attempting to pervert the course of justice.
PAGE 26
Kaieteur News
Monday October 23, 2017
Now talk nice - EU script to help May settle Brexit bill BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Diplomatic theatrics at last week’s Brussels summit revealed how European Union leaders will coax Theresa May over the next two months into parting with tens of billions of euros in return for a post-Brexit trade deal. The British prime minister gave away nothing hardliners in her Conservative cabinet can beat her with. She stuck to earlier vague concessions about honouring commitments and insisting a “Brexit bill”, which the EU reckons at around 60 billion euros (£53.09 billion), must be part of a package deal on what Britain’s relationship with the EU will be once it leaves in March 2019. Sticking to their own script, the other 27 states gave May until the next regular summit in eight weeks to improve an offer, officials estimate at about 20 billion euros if she wants them to start discussing future trade ties. Miss that deadline and, the EU says, time will be running out for any deal. Yet between the lines of well-rehearsed arguments that have hit “deadlock” in the view of the EU negotiator, the outlines of a political fix are emerging. It may create leeway to get round an impasse that is in neither side’s interest and which has left businesses fearing the legal limbo of a messy divorce. In essence, the 27 need to trust May that Britain will pay much more than is on the table but understand her difficulties in naming a figure by December, which could spark revolt at home and derail the process. In return, they seem likely to let slip more hints of what kind of future relationship she might secure. The EU position is “solid”, Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni told reporters after the talks, but also “flexible”. It was unrealistic, he said, to expect May to sell a precise demand for money in December. Equally, she could not expect the EU to negotiate a future trade deal without knowing roughly what outstanding items Britain would pay for. But defining those items could, Gentiloni said, be done “in the most politically manageable way possible for our British friends”.
Monday October 23, 2017
Senate approves amendments to Processed Food Act KINGSTON, Jamaica CMC – In keeping with the Government’s policy to enhance efficiency in trade and commerce, members of the Senate have approved amendments to the Processed Food Act and Processed Food (General) Regulations, 1959. This was done during Friday’s sitting of the Upper House. The amendments aim to remove export certificate requirement of entities to facilitate implementation of the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA), a web-based system platform designed to transform the Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) into a paperless operation through the use of electronic documents. Acting Leader of Government Business and State Minister in the Ministry of National Security, Senator Pearnel Charles Jr., who piloted the Bill said removal of the export certificate stipulation will shorten the procedure for processed food exportation. Charles said this represents a positive step towards engendering a more trade-facilitatory regime and bringing Jamaica further in line with international best practices which recommend a risk-based approach to production. “The Jamaica Customs
PAGE 27
Kaieteur News
Agency has taken specific measures to ensure that the end users are equipped with the capacity to use this (ASYCUDA) system. The Jamaica Customs Agency also states that the ASYCUDA World has resulted in a greater positive outlook for trading across borders,” he informed. Charles emphasized that the paperless approach is “necessary for us in Jamaica to maximise efficiency… (as) it promotes greater insights and improvements in our country’s trade and economy.” He said the JCA has indicated it could not incorporate the export certificate component of the Processed Food Act into the ASYCUDA system and has, along with the Bureau of Standards Jamaica, recommended its removal. The ASYCUDA, which was implemented in Jamaica in 2016, is being used in 90 other countries, of which 72 utilize the version that has been rolled out locally. Government Senator, Don Wehby, said the amendments fit squarely into the new National Export Strategy. The strategy reinforces the priority being given to exports in respect of the Government’s economic growth targets, and further defines a goal of achieving US$2.5 billion in earnings by
Pearnel Charles Jr 2020. Wehby said the Government’s strategic goals for export include: increasing export-led investment; expanding export reach globally; and advocating for reductions in barriers to trade. “The removal of barriers to trade, which include the changes that are being discussed here today, is essential to successfully achieving our strategic goals for export,” he added. Wehby emphasised that ASYCUDA is a game changing technology tool that is pivotal in facilitating trade. “We need to continue this focus on bringing processes and systems in line with new technologies. We must also be constantly looking at new world technologies and how we can improve the ASYCUDA on an ongoing basis,” he said.
Venezuelan President to visit Trinidad and Tobago PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - CMC – Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro is scheduled to sign new agreements with the twin island republic when he visits in the coming weeks. Maduro, who was speaking with the International media last week, said he will sign a fresh round of broad ranging agreements, including pacts on joint exploration of cross-border Loran-Manatee gas fields and the possible establishment of a water taxi between ports in Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago. “I expect to visit Trinidad and Tobago soon to sign new agreements worked on beforehand by the foreign affairs minister and the governor of Sucre state, “ said
Madura who is the head of the ruling socialist party Partido Socialista Unido de Venezuela (PSUV). Earlier this month Maduro during a visit to Russia said he hopes to strengthen cooperation and development between Russia and Trinidad and Tobago. Russia and Venezuela are members of the Oil Producing and Exporting Countries (OPEC) sub-committee that determines its oil production and pricing. While in Russia, Venezuelan Minister of Oil Eulogio Del Pino met with Trinidad and Tobago’s representative Franklin Khan in Moscow to discuss the exploration of natural gas in the offshore Loran-Manatee territory that the two
countries border. The discussions began in 2013 and representatives are confident they will reach agreements on how to explore the area in the coming weeks.
CASTRIES, St Lucia CMC – St. Lucia’s tourism sector continues to enjoy robust performance, recording the second fastest growth in the region among Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) member countries. Figures released by the CTO says Bermuda leads the member countries as at August with 11.9 percent increase in stayover arrivals over 2016, followed by St Lucia at 9.2 percent. The island also recorded the third highest percentage increase for August at 11.4 percent, followed by Belize at 19.1 percent and Grenada at 16.9 percent. August marked the third consecutive month of double digit growth for St Lucia and fourth for the year; a feat surpassed only by Bermuda with five double digit increases so far for the year. The United States
continues to be the market leader with total stay-over visitor arrivals of 12,922 in August 2017. The United Kingdom (UK) showed a marked increase of 36 percent, a significant jump, after a difficult year for the UK market in 2016. In August, cruise sector visitor arrivals were 20,341 a 6.3 percent increase over the previous year, contributing to the sectors strong performance. Year to date, the cruise sector has recorded an increase of 21.1 percent. This sector is poised for greater increases in 2018 as the port expansion at Pointe Seraphine Berth No.1 is scheduled for completion in December. The berth 1 expansion, will allow port Castries to accommodate two quantum class vessels, with guest capacities exceeding 4700
each. In addition, the tourism sector has expanded with the opening of the Royalton Saint Lucia Resort and Spa, which has 455 rooms in two hotels one catering to families and the other, adults only. Serenity Villas at Coconut Bay Resort in Vieux Fort has also unveiled its 36 luxury villas also catering to adults only. Other planned developments for later this year such as the opening of Harbour Club in winter. The Bel Jou Hotel has also undergone significant renovations with a new façade, the addition of 12 new rooms a new rooftop lounge and several other improvements, and is expected to reopen this November. Tourism officials say these new offerings will contribute significantly to boosting the sector’s growth even further.
Nicolas Maduro
St. Lucia records significant increase in tourist arrivals
GOVT. DEVELOPING APPS TO IMPROVE POLICING KINGSTON, Jamaica CMC – National Security Minister, Robert Montague, says the Government is developing three mobile applications (apps) that will revolutionise policing in Jamaica. The Minister who made the disclosure during the recent Jamaica Police Federation/Ministry of National Security scholarship awards ceremony, noted that the apps will allow police personnel to carry out their duties with greater ease and efficiency. The first of the three expected to be launched is the Jamaica Eye, which will network the almost 300 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras owned by the National Security Ministry as well as accommodate feed from privately-owned CCTV cameras. Another app being worked on is Jampulse Stats, which will overlay the
Robert Montague statistics of the police on a geographic information system (GIS) map of Jamaica. GIS is a system designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyse, manage, and present spatial or geographic data. This app, the Minister informed, will assist the police in undertaking more accurate data gathering, noting that information is normally collected based on a police district, and not where the
incident actually occurs. The final app, E-policing, will enable members of the force to log in for their shift from a smartphone, and provide the Commissioner with a more accurate picture of how many personnel are deployed on any given day; make reports; as well as provide access to all the necessary forms available at the police stations. Montague said there is a project to convert handwritten station diaries from over the last three years into a digital format, which will be available as a database in that app. During the ceremony, a total of 62 scholarships were presented to students pursuing tertiary studies. They are children of rank and file police officers, who are currently serving, injured while on duty, or deceased. A total of 723 scholarships have been awarded since the inception of the programme in 2003.
PAGE 28
Monday October 23, 2017
Kaieteur News
Bolt says he’s serious Neymar sent off but Cavani salvages PSG draw at Marseille about a soccer career PARIS (Reuters) - Neymar was sent off before his team mate Edinson Cavani proved his worth once again with a last-gasp equaliser that salvaged a 2-2 draw for leaders Paris St Germain at bitter rivals Olympique de Marseille yesterday. The Uruguay striker levelled one minute into stoppage time with a superb 20-metre free kick after Neymar had been dismissed in the 87th minute for two yellow card offences in quick succession. Neymar had earlier cancelled out Luiz Gustavo’s opener before halftime but lost his cool in the closing stages after Florian Thauvin had put the home side ahead in the second half, threatening to inflict PSG’s first defeat of the season. Then Cavani, who has often been criticised for supposed lack of efficiency, netted his ninth league goal of the season to earn the draw that puts PSG on 26 points from 10 matches. “It’s an important goal because the game was almost finished but at least we
Neymar had earlier scored his 10th goal for PSG since his £200m move from Barcelona. (AFP) salvaged a point,” said Cavani. Monaco are second, four points behind on 22 points after beating Caen 2-0 on Saturday. Marseille are fifth on 18 points as they were leapfrogged into fourth on 19 by Olympique Lyonnais, who hammered Troyes 5-0 away with a Memphis Depay hat-
trick. In a boiling hot Velodrome, Marseille went ahead on 16 minutes when Gustavo beat Alphonse Areola with a 25-metre strike to give Marseille a deserved advantage after a solid start. Cavani squandered an opportunity to equalise one minute later when he missed the target from close range
from a Layvin Kurzawa cross. Neymar levelled with his first opportunity in the 33rd as he collected a clever cross from Adrien Rabiot to beat Steve Mandanda with a leftfooted shot. PSG had the upper hand but the hosts defended well to preserve the score until halftime. Kylian Mbappe was handed a yellow card for protesting after a Jordan Amavi handball in the box as PSG’s frustration grew. In the 78th minute, Clinton Njie, who came on for Konstantinos Mitroglu in the 65th, grabbed the ball from Rabiot on the right flank and Thauvin latched onto his cross to put the home side ahead. Neymar was booked in the 85th minute for dissent and two minutes later reacted angrily after being fouled, only to be shown the red card. He will miss next weekend’s home game against Nice. In his absence, there was no debate about who would take the final free kick in injury time as Cavani preserved the leaders’ unbeaten record.
WIFBSC launch Hall of Fame in... From page 30 went to Bisley in 1985. Throughout his illustrious career, Mr. Denny won all the challenge trophies that were on offer. At one meeting he managed to capture all the first prizes. He was also an excellent shot with the .38 and .357 revolvers, which were the handguns of choice during that time. Apart from his considerable shooting skills, he was also an outstanding administrator. He was for a number of years a Vice President of the GuyanaNRA, and was one of the earliest Presidents of the West Indies Fullbore Shooting Council. He was also a long serving member of the Guyana Amateur Athletics Association. Neville is also responsible for unearthing, many local shooters the likes of Paul Slowe, Ransford Goodluck, Lennox Braithwaite and Ryan Sampson, among many others. Neville is regarded as the godfather and grandfather of many of the current crop of rifle shooters. Despite his advancing age, Mr. Denny has maintained an interest in the sport, and would frequently make contact with members to be updated on what is happening on and off the range.
Richard Berkeley Fields aka ‘Dickie’ Richard Berkeley Fields better known as ‘Dickie’ Fields was born in the then British Guiana in May, 1938. He attended Queen’s College where he later became a member of the QC Cadet Corps. It was here that he was introduced to fullbore Target Rifle shooting. The ranges then, were located at Thomas Lands, the same location on which stands the present Guyana Defence Force Headquarters. I remember him talking about cleaning the ammunition as a member of that cadet corps and the guys having fun just being around the shooters. The shooting bug had bitten him and subsequently on his return from the United Kingdom where he went to study law he became a member of the Guyana National Rifle Association. As a shooter he gained prominence through dedication, sacrifice and hard work. As captain and vice president of the Guyana NRA, he gained the respect of all with his determination, analytical mind and softly spoken words of advice. While being a long standing vice president of the GuyanaNRA, Richard Fields was also a Life member of the
Surrey Rifle Club at Bisley and a vice president of the British Commonwealth Rifle Club. Two of the oldest and most highly respected Shooting Clubs in the United Kingdom. Shooting was not just a hobby for my dad; it became an integral part of his life. He introduced and encouraged shooters, including myself (Dylan Fields), to try shooting at Bisley which tests your skills to the maximum, and he is one of only a few Guyanese to have made the Queens Final. He was a very good shooter, one that you can certainly rely on in a team match. If he dropped a point early on in the shoot, he was very capable of ensuring that he lost no other. If he thought that he was not on form or not shooting as he should, and would be a hindrance to the team, he would ask not to be selected, that was the type of team player he was. Richard Fields is one of only TWO Caribbean shooters and the only Guyanese to have shot a 150 out of 150 in the West Indies Short Range team match. This feat he achieved at the tricky Timehri range. It was the hope of members of the Guyana NRA that Richard Fields would have been here that night to be inducted into the WIFBSC
Hall of Fame; sadly he fired his final VEE BULL on earth and was called to higher service just over a month ago. MILTON G. Tucker Milton Tucker of Barbados was one of the truly outstanding shooters that came out of the West Indies. Not only was he a great shooter, he was also an outstanding individual and administrator. Milton was the person responsible for the formation of the West Indies Fullbore Shooting Council. In his prime, Tucker made annual trips to Bisley and regularly featured in the prize list. Indeed Milton was responsible for organizing the first fully represented West Indies Team to Bisley in 1985. Many of the shooters present here tonight, such as John Nelson, Norris Gomes, Paul Slowe and Ransford Goodluck were part of that ground breaking team.For many years the winner of the 600 yards shoot during the WIFBSC meeting was awarded the Milton Tucker Trophy. It was the unanimous decision of the WIFBSC Hall of Fame Committee that Milton Tucker must be one of the first inductees to the West Indies Fullbore Shooting Council Hall of Fame.
Usain Bolt (Wenn)
AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) - Usain Bolt says he is serious about starting up a soccer career now he has retired from sprinting — and believes he could even be good enough to play for Jamaica. The 31-year-old eighttime Olympic gold medalist, currently recovering from a hamstring injury, accepted there might be some scepticism but said it had always been his boyhood dream. “For me it’s a personal goal. I don’t care what people really think about it. I‘m not going to lie to myself. I‘m not going to be stupid,” the Jamaican told reporters at the U.S. Formula One Grand Prix. He was speaking before world champion Lewis Hamilton drove him around the Circuit of the Americas in a Mercedes AMG sportscar, sending the car sliding into corners and ending with tyresmoking spins. “If I feel I can’t do it, I‘m going to say ‘you know what, forget this’. I‘m not trying to embarrass myself. But if I go out there and feel I can do this then I will give it a try. It’s a dream and another chapter of my life,” said Bolt. “If you have a dream that you always wanted to do, why not try and see where it will go.” The world’s fastest man has been sponsored by Puma since he was 15 and the German sportswear company has a stake in Borussia Dortmund. Bolt, who retired from athletics after August’s world championships in London, has been invited to spend a week training with the Bundesliga club and he plans to take it up. “It’s just my hamstring is keeping me back right now. In two weeks I can start training again and get back into some shape. Then I can really explore the situation,” he said. “They say the invitation is always open so it’s all about me getting over my injury and then getting into shape. Then
I can do the trials and see what level I‘m at.” A keen Manchester United fan, Bolt doubted manager Jose Mourinho would be on the phone any time soon but said he had spoken to the club’s former manager Alex Ferguson about his dream. “He said ‘Alright, get into shape and I’ll see where that goes’,” said the sprinter. Jamaica, who failed to qualify for next year’s World Cup finals, are currently 59th in the world rankings, leaving Bolt to also muse: “I think I can make the Jamaica team easily. I wouldn’t say they are that good at this point.” Bolt, who suffered the injury in his final race, the world championships 4 x 100 meters relay final, again ruled out any athletics comeback, saying he missed the laughs and banter but not the training and he was intending to start a family. “I‘m waiting to see if my football career will go anywhere but I definitely want to work with the IAAF in ways to promote the sport and help keep it on the level on which I left it,” he added. “Being a coach? No. Definitely not.” Asked about the current state of athletics and doping scandals that have seen Russian athletes barred from competition, the Jamaican felt the sport was climbing back out of the gutter. “You have to get to the worst to start rebuilding and I think the Russia situation was the worst we could get,” he said. “Now it’s all about rebuilding and making people trust the sport again. This year was the first that we made a step in the right direction so, hopefully, we continue. “If you’re in the gutter and working your way up, it’s going to take time. That’s what we need. Just time for people to really start trusting the sport again.”
Monday October 23, 2017
PAGE 29
Kaieteur News
Fletcher delivers series win for Windies ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Afy Fletcher’s careerbest five-wicket haul was enough to help West Indies Women to a comfortable 47run win in the second Twenty20 International here Saturday night, and an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. The 30-year-old legspinner grabbed five for 13 as Sri Lanka Women, set a difficult 155 for victory at Coolidge Cricket Ground, were bundled out for 107 in the final over, to remain winless on tour. Off-spinner Hayley
Matthews claimed two for 25 with only Chamari Atapattu, who top-scored with 30 and opener Yasoda Mendis, 22, showing any resistance. Opting to bat first, the World champions rallied to 154 for six off their 20 overs, behind captain Stafanie Taylor’s 49 and Deandra Dottin’s 27. Kycia Knight chipped in with an unbeaten 23 while Britney Cooper also got 23. Left-arm spinner Inoka Ranaweera extended her decent form, claiming her third straight brace with two for 27. Windies Women started
poorly when they lost Matthews without scoring to the third ball of the game without a run on the board but Taylor anchored two successive productive stands to repair the innings. Firstly, she put on 45 for the second wicket with Dottin who stroked four fours in a 19-ball cameo before adding a further 49 for the third wicket with Kycia Knight who proved more patient in a 29ball innings. Taylor had struck four fours and a six off 41 balls when she was third out and former skipper Merissa
Brusche’s Classic Basketball
Colts cruise past Sonics 71-56, Royals brush aside Raiders 96-56 to reach semifinals
Aguilleira followed seven balls later for five, leaving the hosts 105 for four in the 15th over. However, Cooper arrived to lash four fours off 17 balls in adding 30 with Kycia Knight for the fifth wicket, to reinvgorate the innings. Sri Lanka Women made a bright start to their run chase with Mendis and Nipuni Hansika (6) putting on 33 from 26 deliveries to threaten briefly. They fell in successive overs to leave the score on 42 for two in the sixth over and when Dilani Manodara (11) became the second of three run out casualties of the innings at 60 for three in the eighth over, Sri Lanka were tottering. Atapattu combined with wicketkeeper Rebeca Vandort (14) to post 25 for the fourth wicket but once the partnership was broken, the last six wickets crashed for 16 runs as Fletcher scythed through the lower order.
West Indies Women leg-spinner Afy Fletcher … grabbed a career-best five-wicket haul. The final game was set for yesterday at the same venue. Scores: WEST INDIES WOMEN 154 for six off 20 overs (Stafanie Taylor 49, Deandra Dottin 27, Kycia Knight 23 not out, Britney
Cooper 23; Inoka Ranaweera 2-47); SRI LANKA WOMEN 107 off 19.4 overs (Chamari Atapattu 30, Yasoda Mendis 22; Afy Fletcher 5-12, Hayley Matthews 2-25).
Regal SCC, Regal Sports on board with GSCL Inc Prime Minister’s T20 cup
From left President of LABA Lawrence Simon, Auric Tappin, Mike Brusche and James Brusche at the event. The pre-tournament favourites from Georgetown and Linden eased through to the semifinals when the 6th Brusche’s Classic Invitational basketball tournament got started Saturday night at the Mackenzie Sports Club hard court. In the opening game Colts brushed aside Pepsi Sonics 71-52 and Victory Valley Royals cruised past Retrieve Raiders by a whopping 40 points, 96-56. Specifically back for this biennial championship are the Brusche brothers James and Mike and Auric Tappin, all past outstanding national players, while also in attendance were major sponsor Monty ‘Tanner” Profitt, President of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation Nigel Hinds and Linden Amateur Basketball Association President Lawrence Simon. Hinds Financial Services is also a part sponsor of the tournament.
Playing in the first game, Colts turned back the challenge from Pepsi Sonics overpowering their opponents 71-52 after trailing 14-17 when the first period ended. However, Colts quickly asserted their game and from a 22-15 run would be ahead 36-32 when the half time shot came. Another 19-10 run by Colts would propel them into a 55-42 advantage as they galloped home finally with win 71-52 being led by Dennis Niles top score of 16 points to go with seven rebounds and two steals, as their captain Shelroy Thomas with 13 and Shane Webster with 12 spread the floor for the winners. M. Richards and D. Lewis each with 13 had the top scores for the losing Sonics. In the match between the Linden sides, Victory Valley Royals showed their form of the season remains intact with a 96-56 crushing of Retrieve Raiders. This was set in
motion as the Royals opened a 17-13 first quarter lead to a 45-27 game at half time. They then turned up their game and were flowing at 68-37 before they recorded an easy victory by a 40 point margin. Leading their charge was their captain and shooting guard Chris Williams with a top score of 20 points with five rebounds and two assists, while Alwyn Rodney returned with a good 19 point performance as Harold Adams contributed 17 points, five steals and a similar amount of assists and two block shots as Trevor Profitt chipped in with 13 points. Omally Sampson fought inside to get 16 points for the Raiders, while Alexander Rose added 14 points and Duel Montrose contributed 13 points, four rebounds and three assists in a losing cause. Last night Half Mile Bulls and Amelia’s Ward Jets faced off, while Plaisance Guardians and Ravens played in the next game.
Regal Stationery and Computer Centre and Regal Sports are the latest in a string of entities to throw their support behind the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc (GSCL Inc) for the staging of its inaugural Prime Minister’s T20 Cup which is set to commence on November 27 in Georgetown. Bibi Samaroo of Regal Stationery and Computer Centre was on hand to present a cheque to GSCL Inc secretary Telesha Ousman at their 69 Seaforth Street, Campbellville location on Saturday. Samaroo told Kaieteur Sport that they are looking forward to an excitement weekend of softball cricket and wished the teams well, adding that they are pleased to be associated with the competition. The business entity has also pledged a 19"television set for the ‘reporter of the tournament.’ In expressing gratitude to Regal Stationery and Computer Centre and Regal Sports, Ousman stated that fans can expect much excitement especially
during the finals with cheerleaders and crossover band providing added entertainment, and there will also be giveaways for the fans during the finals. The tournament which will conclude on October 29 at Everest CC will be played in the open and masters category involving teams from New York, Florida, Canada and Guyana. The winning team in the open tournament will take home a trophy and $600,000 and the runner up a trophy and $100,000, while the victors in the masters (0-45) division will pocket a trophy and $500,000 and the runner up a trophy and $100,000. Medals will also be given members of the winning teams. The venues earmarked to host the matches are Demerara Cricket Club (DCC), Everest Cricket Club, Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO), Police and GNIC SC. The tournament is being held in collaboration the National Sports Commission (NSC) and lighted bails will be used.
Bibi Samaroo (left) presents the cheque to Secretary of GSCL Inc Telesha Ousman.
PAGE 30
Monday October 23, 2017
Kaieteur News
WIFBSC launch Hall of Fame in Guyana McLean, Denny, Fields, Milton Tucker (Barbados) and Hugh Tomlinson (Jamaica) are first inductees
Major General (ret’d) Norman McLean (right) collects his Hall of Fame plaque from John Nelson. Like the words of the famous Tradewinds song, Where are your Hero’s! The West Indies Fullbore Shooting Council (WIFBSC) at their final presentation of the recently held championships made one of its boldest steps yet when the entity launched its Hall of Fame (HoF), inducting five (5) of its stalwarts from Guyana, Barbados and Jamaica as it seeks to preserve its history and contributions of outstanding individuals. The occasion formed part of the Guyana National Rifle Association (GuyanaNRA) 150th Anniversary celebrations and took place at the gala presentation ceremony at the Princess Ramada Hotel, Providence and was attended by marksmen and women from Bermuda, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda, Canada, Falkland Islands, Ireland and England. In introductory remarks, WIFBSC and GuyanaNRA Vice President Paul Slowe, who was chairman of the HoF Committee, informed the gathering, which included two of the three Guyanese inductees, Neville Denny (former GuyanaNRA VP & WIFBSC President) and Major General (rtd) Norman McLean as well as the Wife of the late Richard ‘Dickie’ Fields (former Vice President & Team Captain), that the accomplishment of the HoF was a dream come true. Slowe noted that there would have been talk of the initiative for many years but it has finally taken flight in Guyana. President of the WIFBSC Major General Retired John Nelson was also high in praise for the efforts of the council in finally making the initiative, reality. Nelson also received the plaque on behalf of Jamaican inductee Hugh Tomlinson, while Barbadian Rifle Association Executive Richard Arthur collected on behalf of Bajan Milton Tucker. Following are the citations on four of the five inductees: Ret Major General Norman
Gordon Mc Lean, MSS Retired Major General Norman Gordon Mc Lean was the third Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force. He was appointed President of the Guyana National Rifle Association in 1979 and served in this capacity for eleven years. Mc Lean started his shooting career at the venerable Thomas Lands range in Georgetown. The same range that was responsible for providing the foundation for some of Guyana’s finest marksmen in the 1950s, 60s and beyond. As a member of the British Guiana Volunteer Force, Norman Mc Lean benefitted from expert and enthusiastic mentorship from his uncle and another accomplished target shooter Mohamed Alli. He was however not destined to make his mark as a sharpshooter with a target rifle but rather as an astute administrator who recognised
the limiting factors ascending to the next level of achievement for the GNRA and leading the V bull charge to remedy those deficiencies. Coincidently another Caribbean sport benefitted tremendously from the administrative qualities of General Mc Lean. That sport is cricket and they may yet need his skills to regain the glory that we were all once accustomed to. In the early 1980s Mc Lean managed the GNRA’s team to the West Indies Fullbore championships hosted by Jamaica. The result even after some sterling individual performances by team members was that Guyana was soundly trounced in the long range team match. This circumstance so galled General Mc Lean that he convened a soulsearching meeting of the team to uncover the root cause of the result. The undisputed culprit was identified as the absence of a 1000 yards shooting range for the team to hone their skills at practice. The existing situation in the Caribbean was that only Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago had 1000 yards ranges. They therefore were always better prepared to compete at the longer ranges hence their dominance. General Mc Lean then took the decision to have the range at Timehri extended to accommodate the 1000 yards shooting bank. This was no easy feat. General Mc Lean in his no-nonsense leadership style brought his considerable administrative skills to bear and assigned the task of constructing the 1000 yards bank to the Commanding Officer of the Engineer Battalion of the Guyana Defence Force. With close supervision the task was completed. The General not only provided guidance and
Mrs. Fields receives Hall of Fame plaque on behalf of her late husband, Richard ‘Dickie’ Fields.
Neville Denny receives his Hall of Fame plaque from WIFBSC President Major (ret’d) John Nelson. administrative support, but he was physically present during each phrase of the work from the surveying, to the clearing, the building of the banks and the final landscaping. The result of his efforts is the beautiful and sometimes mercurial Timehri Rifle Ranges which has won the admiration of many a visitor for its challenging weather. This facility owes its existence to the singular vision and considerable effort of Retired Major General Norman Mc Lean. The team and individual achievements of the Guyana National Rifle Association both in the Caribbean and further afield can be undisputedly credited to the excellent but challenging conditions of the Timehri Ranges, that once mastered guarantees success elsewhere. The Timehri Rifle Ranges therefore stands as testimony that not only good shooters make rifle shooting great but excellent administrators with considerable foresight and administrative skills are a requirement to create lasting infrastructure that would stand the test of time for the continued acknowledgement of future champions. Neville Stanislaus Denny Uncle Neville was born on August 5, 1933 in Bishop Street, Georgetown, Guyana. He was the second of six children. Because his father was a police officer who was transferred to many parts of Guyana, Mr. Denny attended several Primary Schools in districts where his father worked. He later attended the St. Stanislaus College, and the Government Technical Institute. After school, Mr. Denny first worked at the Mackenzie Bauxite Company as a Store keeper. In
March of 1956 he joined the British Guiana Police Force, where he spent 10 years, mainly at the Police Communications Branch. He resigned from the force in 1964 with the rank of Inspector. After deciding to make a career change, Mr. Denny trained at American Motor Company and was employed as a Manager at Sanbach Parker. As one who constantly seeks new challenges Mr. Denny moved to the Bank of Guyana in 1966, there he held the position of Security and Maintenance Officer. He retired from the Bank of Guyana in 1993 as the Director of Maintenance and Security. Mr. Denny was always fascinated with shooting. He started shooting Smallbore in 1957, and was introduced to Fullbore shooting in 1957 by Superintendent of Police Freddie Cannon. His first instructor was the legendary Mohammed Ali. At that time technical training for young shooters was done at British Guyana Volunteer Forces Headquarters, which was located in Eve Leary where we now have the Police Sports Club. Fullbore shooting was done on Saturdays at Thomas land, which is now the Army Headquarters (Camp Ayangana). Mr. Denny fondly tells of his first rifle, which he got in the 1960s from C.C. Allen, himself an outstanding shooter, and which was bought from Fulton at Bisley. Uncle Neville recalls winning his first major trophy in 1960; that trophy was presented to him by Governor Ralph Grey. Mr. Denny was a regular fixture in the Guyana shooting team. He was also a member of the first West Indies Fullbore shooting team, which Continued on page 28
Monday October 23, 2017
Persaud and Braithwaite leaves for CSF C/ships in Australia Dress rehearsal for 2018 Commonwealth Games Reigning Caribbean’s Individual champion, Mahendra Persaud and another of the Caribbean’s top shots, Lennox Braithwaite will leave Guyana today destined for the Gold Coast, Queensland Australia where they will be competing at the Commonwealth Shooting Federation (CSF) Championships. Competition would be held at the same venue for next April’s XX1 Commonwealth Games,the Belmont Shooting Centre, Brisbane; this event being a dress rehearsal (test event) from October 27 – November 7, next. Both Persaud and Braithwaite enjoyed a fabulous time at the just concluded Guyana National Rifle Association 150th Anniversary Shoot which was held concurrently with the West Indies Fullbore Shooting Council Caribbean Championships at the newly constructed Timehri Ranges. The duo’s participation at
PAGE 31
Kaieteur News
EBFA / Ralph Green U-11 League
Mocha draw Grove; Herstelling beat Diamond United
Mahendra Persaud (right) and Lennox Braithwaite discusses after the 1000 yards shoot at the NRA US Individual shoot. this event has been made possible through the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) which has been supporting their strategic progress leading up to next year’s big event. Persaud informed that a training programme would have been submitted to the
GOA some time ago and the association has been funding their participating at selected events. Also contributing towards Persaud’s and Braithwaite’s participation is Secure Innovations & Concepts Inc. which is owned and managed by Harold Hopkinson (CEO).
COURTS PEEWEE 2017
Sophia Primary continues dominant run during round of 16 Sophia Primary resumed their impressive form in this year’s COURTS Peewee Under-11 football tournament with the promise of being one of the top teams in the competition being fulfilled after registering the most emphatic victory during round of 16 action on Saturday last at the Thirst Park ground, to reach the quarterfinals. Sophia made light work of the hapless youngsters representing Tucville Primary as they smashed in 4 unanswered goals, to maintain their unbeaten run in the COURTS/ Banks DIH competition. Leonard King led the charge with a hattrick, while David Weekes continued his goalscoring form to add Sophia’s tally to four goals. King netted his goals in the 8th, 15th and 35th minutes, while Weekes powerfully breached Tucville’s defence in the 29th. Last year’s losing finalist, St Agnes Primary whose coach, Troy Wright, had signalled his intention to definitely go one better for the title in 2017, continued on their path to glory with a gritty 2-0 triumph over Goed Fortuin. First-half goals from Darius Chester (12th) and Justin Alcindor (17th) sealed the comfortable victory. Marian Academy, the tournament’s inaugural winners, required the extra time period to needle (1-0) the stubborn F.E. Pollard Primary team. Chad Henry scored the winner in the 42nd minute following superb build up play from his team that displayed good technical knowledge of the game at the under11 level. Likewise, former champions Stella Maris pulled off a fantastic come from behind victory against South Ruimveldt, led by a double from star man Fedel Norville. Nashawn Bristol had placed South Ruimveldt in the lead when he slotted home
in the 19th minute. Stella Maris then broke free when Fedel Norville had his first of two important goals in the 27th minute and with the match heading for the second extra time encounter for the day, Norville fired in his second goal in the 32nd minute. The second match of the day that reached extra time was ultimately decided from the penalty spot. It was a battle between private institutions School of the Nations and Mae’s. Nations prevailed 3-2 after the penalty shootout. Most of the match’s excitement was in the second half and after Mikhil Mason fired home for Mae’s in the 9th and once more in the 26th, it was all School of the Nations. The duo of Ewart John (27th) and Timothy Braithwaite (40th) then orchestrated a spirited resistance stunning to draw the game 2-2 at full time. West Ruimveldt was the most prolific team on Saturday after hammering Den Amstel 7-1 with Ian Daniels before the foreman of the demolition job with a helmet-trick. Daniels scored in the 3rd 5th, 16th , and 19th minutes while Scyon Sampson (21st, 39th) and Jonathan Andries (31st) added the final touches. Keishan Humphrey was the lone scorer for the West Coast unit in the 24th. St Ambrose Primary received a disciplining 3-0 defeat from Enterprise Primary. Shamar Richardson (18th, 37th) and Mark Eastman (25th) were the scorers. The final loser was Parfaite Harmonie Primary who West down 2-1 to Redeemer primary. Kevin George (27th) and Migwell Alexander (37th) were the scorers for Redeemer, while Joshua Daniels scored for the losers n the 33rd minute. Matches continue this Saturday at the same venue from 10:45 hrs.
Mocha Champs’ Kerry Boyce (#2) watches as her teammate takes the attack to Grove Hi Tech yesterday. When play in the second annual Ralph Green sponsored East Bank Football Association (EBFA) Under-11 League continued Saturday at the Grove Playfield, Mocha Champs stormed back from a goal down to draw with G r o v e H i Te c h i n t h e feature match. Herstelling Raiders continued their winning ways with a comfortable 20 win over Diamond United, while Samatta Point/Kanville were awarded a walk over against Diamond Upsetters which showed up late for their encounter. Grove had taken the lead in the 8th minute of the match thanks to a welldirected shot off the boot of Jamal Cordis that sailed into the back of nets. Mocha, featuring one female player who has been a tower of strength in the side, 10-year-old Kerry Boyce took the fight to the Grove team as they searched for the equaliser. They were finally rewarded in the 24th minute when Boyce netted her third goal of the competition, a first time volley on a throw in close to the corner line. Grove’s goalkeeper, Ramesh Persaud was outfoxed by Boyce who pounced on the ball in a flash to hit it into the back of the nets. Herstelling Raiders, which had trounced Samatta Point/Kaneville one week before, duplicated the same scoreline in beating Diamond United. On target for the winners were Captain Solomon Austin in the 11th minute and Luckos Fohtehelles.
Solomon Austin (left) and Luckos Fohtehelles – Herstelling Raiders FC
UG overcome Everest CC by four wickets University of Guyana defeated Everest Cricket Club by four wickets when action in the Georgetown Cricket Association New Building Society Ltd second division 40over tournament continued on Saturday. Batting first, Everest CC scored 162 all out in 36 overs at Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary. Saheed Mohamed scored 40, while Ronaldo Renee made 33 and Kevin Paul 31. Linden Austin snared 3-24 and Dwayne Dodson 3-45. UG responded with 164-6 in 29.5 overs. Keron Sewnarine struck 43 not out, while Dodson got 29 and Melroy Stephenson 26; Rasheed captured 3-34.
PAGE 32
Kaieteur News
Monday October 23, 2017
Guyanese Seebarran, Jeffrey GLTA to stage Cup of the Guyanas shine at Georgetown Grand Prix
Jamaican Senna Summerbell
Kristian Jeffrey following one of his victories. (Zaheer Mohamed photos) Guyanese Raymond Seebarran and Kristian Jeffrey turned in outstanding performances to thrill the many fans that turned up at the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club to witness the Georgetown Grand Prix on Saturday night.
Seebarran won the champion driver in the Easy Cup Light and Heavy categories, winning race two and three, while Jeffrey captured the champion driver in the 125CC senior segment with victories in the race one and three. Another Guyanese Raymond Baksh won the champion driver in the Easy Cup Rookie with wins in race one and two, while Jeremy Tenpow was the best driver in the 60cc Sun Burst Kids Cup; he won race one and three. Jamaican Senna Summerbell was the most outstanding driver in the 125cc junior division. Following is the full results. (Zaheer Mohamed)
The Guyana Tennis Association (GLTA) will be hosting this year’s goodwill competition among Suriname, French Guiana and Guyana. The competition originally started in Suriname during October 2012 as a collaboration between the three countries as a developmental platform for tennis which would not stretch the available resources of the national associations and is cost-effective. The team also agreed to the more tangible purpose to strengthen relationships through tennis but with the greater vision of the event ultimately evolving to include other countries in the region. In the spirit of defining the yearly competition and promoting the growth, the annual competition will now be called ‘Cup of The Guyanas’. The format is a team event of boys and girls competing in the U18, U14, and U12 divisions. Last year the executives of the founding members recognized the growth and quality of play exhibited at the goodwill competition. The vision of expanding the invitation was birthed and Martinique was invited to join
the competition last year and managed to outplay the other countries and gained first place. Guyana was also afforded the opportunity to invite another country but due to the lack of courts the decision was made to remain with the founding members competing this year but hopeful can move forward on the expansion of its National Facilities. In French Guiana, the tournament is played at the National Tennis Center in Cayenne which has four courts, while in Suriname, the OASE Tennis Club in Paramaribo with six courts are used. Competition in Guyana will be held at two private facilities, the GBTI Recreational Centre which has two tennis courts and a single court at the residence of veteran player, Harry Panday. The Guyana team will be represented by: Boys U18 Heimraj Resaul and Jordan Beaton; Girls U18 Afruica Gentle and Kalyca Fraser; Boys U14 Joshua Kalekyezi and Viraj Sharma; Girls U14 Sarah Klautky and Alana Chung; Boys U12 Jeremiah Kalekyzei and Vadeanand Resaul; Girls U12 Akilah Jones and Amba Persaud.
Persaud guides Everest Masters to 9-wkt win over Guyana Foundation UK
Basil Persaud accepts his prize from Krish Nath coordinator of the UK based team.
Cummings Lodge, Turbo Knight Riders triumph Cummings Lodge and Turbo Knight Riders emerged victorious when the Foreign Ministry Office Assistant Sports Promotion organised Tapeball competitions were held recently at the National Cultural Centre tarmac. Cummings Lodge defeated East Ruimveldt by 27 runs in school boys the final. Batting first, Cummings Lodge scored 68 off their allotted six overs, while East Ruimveldt responded with 41 all out in 5.3 overs.
Cummings Lodge beat Plaisance by six runs, while East Ruimveldt overcame Trust College by 23 runs in the semi finals. Turbo Knight Riders got the better of Ministry of the Presidency by three wickets in the James Lewis final. MOP took first strike and managed 58-5 and Turbo Knight Riders replied with 60-7. Turbo Knight Riders beat Craig NDC by four wickets while MOP overcame GECOM by six runs in the semi finals.
Essequibo’s Basil Persaud struck a fine century as host Everest Masters defeated Guyana Foundation UK by nine wickets when the teams collided in a 30-over fixture played on Friday last. Batting first, Guyana UK Foundation managed 189-8. Navindra Singh struck 88, while Navin Persaud made 38 and Patrick Khan 22; Rohan Sarjoo claimed 3-22, Rakesh Gangaram 2-17 and Johnny Azeez 2-31. Everest Masters responded with 192-1. Persaud clobbered 13 fours and two sixes in his unbeaten innings, while Hemraj Garbarran scored 57 not out with seven fours. Persaud was given the man-of-the-match award while the tourist presented a plaque to Everest CC in honour of former life member of the club David Selochan, while the host handed over a similar prize to the visitors, compliments of Trophy Stall.
Monday October 23, 2017
PAGE 33
Kaieteur News
Digicel, Evolution Cycling Club awareness race
Williams win senior category, Dey takes junior title The Digicel officials and the winners with their trophies. (Sean Devers photo)
By Sean Devers At yesterday presentation of the Digicel, Evolution Cycling Club awareness race Dr Syed Ghazi, Director of Medical Outreach programme thanked the Cyclists and the organizers of this event which Digicel was involved in for the last three years supporting the Cancer Institute. “When I go to speak on cancers one thing which I tell people how to decrease the risk factor is exercise. Good nutrition and exercise, and cycling exercise so it’s a good combo,” Dr. Ghazi said.
“About 1.2 million People die in the Americas every year with cancer. 96,000 women lose their lives in the Americas to Breast Cancer. 36,000 women lose their lives to Cervical Cancer. It’s time for us to join our talents, join our skills to beat this monster, to go out and join the war against cancer. Early detection saved lives,” added Dr Ghazi who is a sinologist. The management of Digicel and the Cancer Institute of Guyana and executives of Evolution Cycle Club urged Guyanese to come out and witness the day of races as a way of
showing support for the fight against Breast Cancer with Digicel promising to once again match the registration fee with their donation to the Guyana Cancer Institute. Yesterday the Cyclists headed that call, participating in an event which commenced at 07:30hrs and concluded with the presentation ceremony which concluded just before 14:00hrs and Guyana’s biggest mobile service provider Digicel kept their promise. Last year’s senior’s race was won by team Coco’s 20-year-old Jamal John and when the dust had
GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power U-17 League – WDFA
settled in scorching heat this year Geron Williams emerged ahead of a group of five in a time of 2:54:19, while Curtis Dey rode in second, with Johnel Yearwood, Andre Hicks, Mark Harris and Paul DeNobrega in that order. Dey also copped the trophy for winning the junior division in which Brian John finished second and Adellia Hodge placing third. Junior Niles won the U-45s in a time of 1:52:23 with Paul Cheo Waldron second and Stephen Fernandes third, while Ian Jackson, Kennard Lovell and Amrit Sankar
Den Amstel blank Uitvlugt Uitvlugt Warriors’ miserable run in the GFF/ NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power National Under-17 Intra Association League, West Demerara Football Association leg continued yesterday when they were thumped by home team Den Amstel, 3-1. Malcolm Miggins tucked in a brace of goals to lead his side to full points, while Eagles FC of Stewartville remained the only unbeaten team when they pocketed full points due to the no show of Jetty Gunners. Miggins was on target in the 8th and 26th minute as Den Amstel led by a 2-0 margin at the half way point. On resumption, the lead was further increased when Ruben Dainty found the back of the nets in the 50th minute. Uitvlugt got a consolation goal on 58th minutes off the boot of Trayon King. Matches will continue on Sunday at the same venue from 09:00hrs when Den Amstel take on Wales United followed by a clash between Golden Warriors and Crane Rovers at 11:00hrs. From 13:00hrs, Uitvlugt Warriors will hope for a turnaround in form when they oppose the undefeated Eagles, while the final clash of the day brings together Pouderoyen and Jetty Gunners.
DEN AMSTEL SCORERS: Ruben Dainty and Malcolm Miggins
finished the Over -45 in that order as they rode for 20 laps. Raphael Albert won the Novice race, while Shane Byrn ended first among the Mountain Bickers. Apart from Dr Ghazi, Digicel’s CEO Gregory Greene, President of the Evolution Cycling Club, Keith Fernandes, also spoke at the presentation in which $900,000 were presented in prizes. As promised Digicel doubled the registration fees of the riders and that along with donations were handed over to the Cancer Foundation.
GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power U-17 Intra Association League – Georgetown
Eastveldt and Santos in winners row Eastveldt and Santos Football Clubs worked their way to respective victories when the Georgetown Football Association leg of the GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power National Under-17 Intra Association League continued on Saturday last at the Tucville Community ground. Eastveldt put away the challenge of Camptown 2-0 on account of goals that were scored by Shamar Carrington in the 36th minute and Kamacy Davis in the 46th minute. Santos edged Alpha United in an exciting clash, 2-1. The match which was decided in the first half saw the official time for the first goals by both teams being scored in the 26th minute by Santos’ Ryan Dowding and Alpha’s Julian Bamfield. The winning goal was netted in the 37th minute by Santos’ Teon Forde. Pele and Georgetown Football Club battled to a 2-2 stalemate. Pele took the lead on 13 minutes through a Christopher Camacho goal but that was cancelled out by GFC’s Ruben Miller thirteen minutes later. Pele once again regained the lead in the 30th minute this time it was a Shoran James goal but GFC again drew level thanks to Rondel Peter’s 56th minute goal. Fruta Conquerors gained a walk over from Order and Discipline.