Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday October 24, 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

THE SAD REALITY ON OUR ROADWAYS What is happening to our country? Why are there so many accidents and deaths on our highways and byways? Who is in charge? And if those persons can show, rather than claim who they are, then they must step-up and aim to put an end to the continuing misery. It is obvious at this point that they have failed. It seems that there is absolutely no leadership to address this recklessness. Road accidents have become the number two cause of deaths in the country. Many questions have arisen over the past few years regarding the role of government, particularly in light of the rise in fatal traffic accidents. There is a misconception by many in the government surrounding politics and service. The truth is, while politics is about power, the practice of politics is primarily about service to country rather than to self. Governments should not be about serving the interests of the elites and those who govern. It should be about serving the people. And this was the unequivocal declaration by Mr. Granger when he was sworn in as President. However, he must do more than talk. He must immediately take decisive steps. Traffic accidents and deaths should not be just a collection of statistical data, they should be acted upon with urgency to end the carnage. Whether the president would admit it or not, traffic deaths and accidents are among the myriad challenges facing his administration. The Ministry of Public Security and by extension the government should recognise the need for quick decisive action to tackle the problem. It is one thing to want to govern, but it is another to remove oneself from true dialogue and responsiveness to the needs of the people. To some it may sound fickle, but a good place to start addressing this problem is to enable the safety of all road users by ensuring the roads in the city and the highways are free of dangerous potholes. Case in point… A head-on collision between a car and a paddy-laden truck on Number 59 Village public road snuffed out the lives of five persons. As reported in the media, the accident occurred two Sundays ago and the five persons who perished were said to be heading to Number 63 Beach for an outing. While there were conflicting reports as to the cause of the accident, a police report clearly cited the huge pothole on the road as the probable cause of the accident that ended the lives of the car’s occupants. Unacceptable. And as if we were not already sickened by that senseless tragedy, the accident last Sunday at Vreeden-Hoop, in which two teens and a young adult were killed when their vehicle struck a utility pole, emphasises how important it has become for the higher authorities to place themselves firmly in charge of this state of affairs. Our nation can ill-afford to lose so many of its citizens in this manner. It appears as though the Corentyne disaster could have been avoided had the Region Six authorities heeded several requests by the residents in the area to fix the huge pothole. Both the regional and central governments are known to act very slowly and bureaucratic red tape, coupled with incompetency, has caused them to act much slower. Bad roads, reckless drivers and apparently indifferent powers that be, have left us with a situation that has rapidly spiraled out of control. It is becoming quite unsettling that we are so often being exposed to the news of grisly deaths on our roadways. Unfortunately, this has become the sad reality.

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

President Granger rejection of the 3 lists was a charade DEAR EDITOR, Undoubtedly, it must be submitted that the unilateral selection of the Chairman of GEOCOM was well orchestrated and did not arise because the three (3) lists submitted by the leader of the Opposition were unacceptable. This can be discerned from the train of event which followed the first list and which made the current imbroglio unavoidable. The following interpretation of Article 161(2) was taken from the GECOM website: “The Chairman shall be a person who holds, has held or is qualified to hold the office of Judge of the High Court or the Court of Appeal or any other fit and proper person who is appointed from a list of six persons, who are not unacceptable to the President, submitted by the Leader of the Opposition after he has meaningfully consulted with the non-governmental political parties represented in the National Assembly. If the Leader of the Opposition does not submit such a list of persons then the President shall appoint a person who holds, has held or is qualified to hold the office of Judge of the High Court or the Court of Appeal. The current Chairman of the Commission was chosen by the President from a list of

six persons submitted by the Leader of the Opposition.” (http://www.gecom.org.gy/ elections_commission.html). This is a simple and literal interpretation of Article 161(2). This is literally clear and unambiguous Article and the Chief Justice ruling made it clear that the arguments of the Attorneys on behalf of President Granger’s case was ‘irrational’, that is to say ‘without logical reasoning’. She made it clear that there are four (4) categories of persons: judge, former judge, someone eligible to be a judge and any other fit and proper person and no one category is mandatory. She further said that it would not be unreasonable for the President to provide reasons for rejecting the nominees presented by the Leader of the Opposition. She knew that in the interest of preserving Article 161(2) that this explanation is an essentially vital corollary. Immediately after the CJ’s ruling, the President made it clear that he ‘will continue to act in accordance with his perception of the Constitution and will not appoint anyone whom he considers not to be fit and proper. He intentionally saw the fourth category as attributes of the other three categories. It became clear at that point that he was not going to recognise the fourth category and based his unilaterally se-

lection of the Chairman of GECOM solely on the suspended Article 161 of the 1980 Constitution which only recognised the first three categories. The Constitution (Amendment) Act 1995 (Act N. 15 of 1995) made Article 161(2) the criteria for the selection of the Chairman embodying the Carter formula. This made it pellucid that it is no longer the prerogative of the President to unilaterally select the Chairman, he must choose from the list submitted from the Leader of the Opposition and he has four categories to choose from. It must be noted that the President began by following the Carter formula but after the submission of three lists he suddenly reverted to the suspended Article which is no longer legally valid. Was this not intentional? It must be recalled that the amendment of the Constitution incorporated the Carter formula which was win after a long and arduous battle by the democratic forces for free and fair election in Guyana. While the Carter formula may not be perfect, it is still the best means available to select an impartial Chairman. We cannot revert to the pre1992 era, when the Chairman was selected by the President only. We have witnessed election after election being rigged

by the PNC. Therefore, it is now the consensus that the selection of Justice Patterson can be seen as biased as well as unconstitutional and therefore null and void since Article 161(2) made it clear it is only if the Leader of the Opposition fails to submit a list that the President can unilaterally select a Chairman. This unilateral selection is indeed against the letter, spirit and intent of the Constitution. It must be concluded that it is most difficult to accept that the President was ever s e r i o u s a b o u t J a g d e o ’s lists. There were 18 names from the three lists and one name could have been selected. There can be found at least one such person from each list and this is why the Chief Justice had ruled the reasons should have been given. There definitely is a need to understand the mind-set of the President. It was indeed a time-consuming charade into futility but one which will most definitely destroy the pillars of democracy and once again hopelessly divide this Nation. It is indeed a dark day for Guyana when the supreme law of the land and a Chief Justice’s ruling can be so flippantly ignored. Haseef Yusuf RDC Councillor-Region 6

Is there some kind of miracle rebirth for judges at 84? DEAR EDITOR, The writing was on the wall since the President’s refusal to accept the first list submitted by the opposition leader. It was clear that the president wanted to appoint someone he had in mind but to commit such an unprecedented abrogation he had to indulge in charade of conflicting interpretation of the constitution to create a matted landing on the public for such a crucial blow on democracy. Hence, his pretense of consideration of two other lists from the opposition leader, culminating in his wicked deed on the darkest night of the year-the unilateral appointment of Justice Patterson as GECOM Chairman. It is public knowledge that the CJ ruling on the interpretation of article (161) establishes that the GECOM Chairman does not necessarily have to be a judicial officer or a person qualified as such, but should possess “integrity, honesty, and impartial-

ity.” The words “fit and proper” can be applied to persons from various professions and occupations. It is the judicature that is supposed to give direction to the legislative and executive branches of government to keep within the ambit of the constitution. The president’s response to the CJ’s ruling. “The chief justice gave an interpretation based on her perception of the LAW and I will continue to act in accordance with my perception of the constitution” was unacceptable. You have to feel sympathy for the constitution when the one who swore to uphold and protect it suddenly feels that his interpretation or perception of it trumps that of the CJ’s. Notice his use of the words “law and constitution”. Was he trying to insinuate that article (161) was not in the constitution? This was Granger’s “Sandhurst” training coming into motion- “achieve your

objective at all costs”. What looks too devilish to be done in daylight must be done at night- swearing in of James Patterson as GECOM Chairman after taking the opposition leader and the nation for a proverbial ride. Clear and simple language of the constitution stipulates that the president shall elect someone unilaterally if “no list is submitted by the opposition”. The president had the audacity to call for, and bypassed two subsequent lists supplied by the opposition leader and unilaterally appointed 84 year old, James Patterson. The public is bewildered at the President’s state of mind considering that just months ago the said president had asked two former judges heading the PCA and the PUC to resign because they were too old-both being about 80years. A few days later, a former PM from the bad days who the President had recently

appointed, ostensibly as an act of patronage, to the CHPA had to go because of age. He was 82. How are we to construe the President’s IQ? If 80 to 82 was considered too old to serve, how do we explain his appointment of an 84 year to chair GECOM? Is there some kind of a miracle rebirth for judges at age 84? Who knows! We might see the reappointment of some judges if they get to 84. You can never predict the president’s insidious moves! The president’s motives come into focus again in his recent speech at the UN, where he asked that body “to resolve to reinforce respect for the rights of citizens within governance structures of our member states.” I wonder if the president wrote this speech himself. If he did, what does he construe “governance structures” to mean? I can only perceive governance structures to Continued on page 6

Tuesday October 24, 2017

Political rhetoric will not solve problems facing the sugar industry DEAR EDITOR, The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) finds it necessary to offer a response to the October 17, 2017 editorial of Guyana Chronicle titled “Cease subverting the minds of cane cutters”. While we hold no brief for the PPP/C which was also mentioned in the editorial, we cannot let the Chronicle spout inaccuracies and market them as gospel. The editorial contends that the industry is in terminal decline as a result of mismanagement during the 23year administration of the PPP/C. We find this to be absurd and it seems that the Chronicle’s editors have been living under a rock. Had the Chronicle been out and about, the paper

would have known that between 2002 and 2004 sugar production reached an average of 319,583tonnes, the highest since 1978 and a sharp recovery from an average production of 157,492 tonnes between 1988 and 1991 (both years inclusive). The Chronicle also would have known that sugar production in the last two (2) years has fallen as much as 25 per cent, assuming the 2017 target is realized. We contend, however, the realisation of the 2017’s target is far from realisable. Such decline has to be taken against the State support, which the Chronicle called to attention. Certainly, if there is any era of “criminal mis-management” it has to be under the leadership of the current IMC and the sugar company’s top-heavy,

high-cost support team. GAWU is then accused of deceiving workers. We wonder, “Where is the deception that the Chronicle speaks?” Were we being deceptive when we said thousands of workers would be pushed onto the breadline as a result of the State’s sugar plans? But GuySuCo said just days ago, that it would slash employment by about 7,000 workers. Or, is it that we were deceptive when we said that the closure and sellout of estates would bring about difficulty, hardship, and misery? But here again, we heard from the ex-workers of Wales, about a week and a half ago, about the trying times and harsh realities they now face. It’s often easy to criticize but not as easy to back-up those Continued on page 6

This doctor needs to be removed from the Mabaruma Hospital DEAR EDITOR, The Mabaruma residents are very thankful to the Stabroek News and Kaieteur News for exposing in the Public domain the problems that they are currently enduring at the hands of Public officials particularly the lawless and unprofessional police officers at the Mabaruma Police Station and now at the Mabaruma Public Hospital. At the Mabaruma sub-regional hospital, residents par-

ticularly Amerindians are bitterly complaining about the extremely long hours that they have to wait before they can see a doctor. But before they are admitted for medical attention, they are normally told by a certain doctor; “you looking well man, go back home and do some exercise”. The poor residents will have no other choice but to return home to their far-flung communities because the

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 af-

fection”. They actually caused the death of that young man. Had they done their job diligently and professionally, it would have been 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 makes them worst than the actual criminals and they should be dealt with the full arms of the law. Derick Bacchus

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doctors will not attend to them. This doctor needs to be quickly removed from the Mabaruma Hospital. According to information provided, the Mabaruma Hospital currently does not have Paracetamol tablets, the only tablets that would normally be available for pains. Further, the hospital also does not even have malaria drugs at the moment. What happens to a resident when he/she is diagnosed with having malaria? That resident may have to die or be air-dashed to the Georgetown Public Hospital. The Mabaruma Hospital has absolutely poor supervision to the extent that Amerindian residents are now not entitled to medical attention. Can the Minister of Public Health conduct an urgent investigation into the state of affairs at the Mabaruma Hospital? Peter Persaud

Moses Nagamootoo will be no more after 2020 DEAR EDITOR, Several organisations including the Bar Association of Guyana, the Guyana Human Rights Association, the Private Sector Commission as well as numerous influential individuals like David Hinds, executive member of the WPA have come out like a ton of bricks on President Granger for appointing 84 year old retired judge James Pattereson, as Chairman of GECOM. And even British High Commissioner, Greg Quinn, said personally he would prefer the Chairman should be selected from one of the three lists submitted by the Opposition leader, but despite the mounting criticism Granger will have his way, and will move on to win the 2020 general elections. It is written on the wall that APNU/AFC will win the 2020 elections. The United States will lend its support because Uncle Sam is totally against Bharrat Jagdeo to be President of Guyana. He had

his chance and he has degenerated to the extent that the PPP became a rotten clique because of greed. This included his association with drug lord, Roger Khan who is now in prison in the United States. There are signs that the USA is not in favour of the PPP to get back into power because the US has been issuing visas to Indo-Guyanese in large numbers. The PPP and Jagdeo blew it; they antagonised President Carter personally that he finally washed his hands and hurried back to the US claiming that he was unwell. It was Carter who intervened forcing Desmond Hoyte to conduct a free and fair election which kicked the PNC out of office and for Cheddi Jagan’s party to take over after being in the wilderness for 28 long years. But after the death of Cheddi, things started to change. His widow Janet was under severe pressure because she was a white Ameri-

can and she handed over to Jagdeo which was the biggest mistake for the country. The Russian trained young man became corrupt and arrogant in a short time and he was surrounded by a few dishonest comrades who became rich within a short time and he chose the wrong people to hold important offices. Priya Manickchand who acted as Minister of Foreign Affairs Minister under the Ramotar presidency made a silly move when she criticised the outgoing US Ambassador at his home. That unwarranted attack is indelible in the minds of the US government. Jagdeo announced that he will move to the courts to remove Patterson as GECOM Chairman, and he will arrange demonstrations and rallies against the appointment, but those protests will be an act in futility. Despite his wrongful action, Granger has made up his mind and no doubt he is getting support both locally and overseas. There is a lot at stake — billions of dollars in Continued on page 6

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Tuesday October 24, 2017

Still a chance left for APNU+AFC regime to come good DEAR EDITOR, The PPP was not able to convince 51% of the voting population that they should continue in Government because of the 28 years of PNC misrule. Fortunately, a new generation of voters who did not experience this and became witness to what the PPP/C government was doing became convinced that the APNU/AFC should be given an opportunity to govern. This came to pass by a one seat majority in 2015. It must be recalled that the PPP/ C since 2011 was steadily losing their support base. Influential persons from the PPP were also gradually leaving. At first, it was imperceptible. Then it became more open when Khemraj Ramjattan in 2005, followed by Ralph Ramkarran and Moses Nagamoottoo. But this masked the permanent dissention within the PPP itself and the many members and supporters who were leaving because of the corruption within. These members and supporters in Region 6 especially, saw the corrupt practices of certain PPP officials who were in government offices and the PPP leaders who were willing to turn a blind eye to this. This is still going on in Region 6 by a few of them at the Tender Board and RDC level.

These persons are already causing quite a few PPP members and supporters to leave. So while the Opposition is busy counting the mistakes and pitfalls of this Government they should take introspection into the haemorrhaging perpetrated by these Party officials. There are a few who are like cult worshippers who cannot and will not question the destructive path the PPP is taking and has taken in the past. This includes some letter writers who are willing to ignore the fact that Jagdeo bankrupted Guysuco through the hare-brained Skeldon Modernisation Project. It has never worked and will never work. Privatisation is the only solution and Guysuco must cut its losses. Amputation became necessary to save the ailing entities such as Rose Hall, Skeldon and Wales. I am sure at a later date; this Government will also understand that they cannot run Guysuco. Currently, the most efficient Estate is Albion and this estate will fail miserably to achieve its target for the year. The Skeldon Project should never have been undertaken and since the EU price cuts were announced, the PPP government should have embarked on piecemeal privatisation of Guysuco.

The country would have saved $200 million US dollars and an additional $60 billion in subsidy. This money would have been profitably invested into other agriculture sub-sectors and today there would have been no wailing and gnashing of teeth over job losses. So while some letter writers are willing to point out that the APNU/AFC government is blaming the current state of the economy on the PPP/C when they were in government, they are rightfully justified in doing so. The current state of the sugar industry has greatly contributed to the present economic crisis in Region 6 and the PPP cannot be absolved from blame. The PPP thought that they would never be out of government. They were living in denial although the writing was on the wall. The 2011 general elections result was a clear warning of things to come. The 2015 election was not rigged and they knew that. Karma is a bitch. The PPP also knew that the Venezuela, Petro Caribe rice deal would have ended since 2014, but they did not inform anyone. They could have made alternative marketing arrangements but they did not. When it came to an end in 2015, they blamed the APNU/ AFC Government.

They knew it was a yearly contract but that was never told. Just like sugar, they knew all along and made no provision. The Venezuelan rice market was putting all your eggs in one basket, as it accounts for nearly 40% of rice exports. The PPP should have been looking for alternative markets. This is guile and deceit. This negative effect on the rice industry must be placed squarely on the PPP’s shoulder. They cannot absolve themselves from blame by parroting that the AFC offered the rice farmers $9,000 per bag for paddy. Until now the monies garnered from the Petro Caribe deal, US$500 million is yet to be accounted for. Who is to blame?

Chronicle that sugar workers and their families are Guyanese who live within the borders of Guyana. They, like any other Guyanese, are deserving of the support of the State in difficult times. The fact that the Chronicle dares to make such an incredulous assertion is reflective of the disdain that is held for sugar workers who have contributed so much to the nation. Incidentally, has the Government taken into consideration the collateral damage that would arise from the displacement of thousands of workers? There would be enormous costs considering the loss of foreign exchange from a reduction of sugar exports; the significant dwarfing of the number of NIS contributors; the fall in income tax and VAT revenues and its budgetary implications; the cost in addressing the heightened criminal activities; the substantial economic and social costs that will arise from household problems which will likely come about, including family break-ups; the impairment of workers’ children education

progress all of which are among the real and important factors that the Government has to consider. Putting the sugar industry right was the wise path and the correct choice rather than the selfish, partisan and destructive closure and sell-out thrust. The editorial goes on to tout the Corporation’s Alternative Livelihood Programme (ALP). While the effort, on the surface, seems to be admirable, we hold that the devil lies in the details. GAWU disappointingly is yet to be briefed by GuySuCo on the ALP and our knowledge is limited to what appears in the media. From what we have read, however, we cannot fail to express our concern. We recognise that many of the skills being spoken about have been and are heavily promoted through Government-sponsored training programmes. Thus the ALP will inculcate skills which are already heavily-subscribed and, therefore, will see the increased competition among such service providers and would surely lead to a reduc-

plain what investments have been done in Region 6 besides sugar. I do hope the PPP can accept that they have blundered in more than one way and that this government should do some introspection in the ways in which they have now become accustomed to blunder. This government still has an opportunity to wipe out certain corrupt practices which had become second nature due to our long history of corruption- over 50 years. They also now have an opportunity to use the savings from the Guysuco’s subsidies and revenue from sale of assets to do some investments in the agriculture subsectors. Muhammed Mustapha

Moses Nagamootoo will be no more after... From page 5 oil money in the horizon- and the APNU/AFC government will do all in its power to remain in office. There are allegations that Haitians are given Guyanese birth certificates in order to qualify them to be registered as voters and the disaster in Dominica, Barbuda, St Maarten, Tortola, and St. Thomas will allow Guyana to accommodate non Guyanese who could later vote in the Co-operative Republic. The country’s hope is for

Political rhetoric will not solve problems facing the... From page 5 criticisms. The editorial contends that the support provided to the sugar industry could have been better spent elsewhere. We find this to be a most disheartening statement and it is disturbing that such an assertion would have been made in the first place. It seems the Chronicle has forgotten about the billions the industry channeled to the Treasury as Sugar Levy between 1976 and 1996; or the massive sums paid over as taxes accruing from workers income, their consumption, and the industry’s profits; or the support, costing billions over the years, in preventing a large swathe of the coastal belt from being inundated in the rainy periods; or the sums saved by the public health sector as a result of the dispensaries managed by the industry; or the cost it bore to train thousands of Guyanese artisans whose skills have benefitted the economy and the country, among the many other contributions the sugar industry made to the country and Guyanese well-being. We wish to remind the

Since the 1960s, no new schemes were opened in the agriculture sector, that is, after Black Bush Polder. Apart from sugar the other agriculture sub-sector were starved of investments. There was only maintenance work done and the current falling infrastructures are the result of poor quality of work done and corruption at the Tender Board level. The PPP control Region 6 and their main support base is this Region yet they have failed to provide the much needed capital investments in the agriculture sector in this Region. Should we blame this Government? The PPP failed Region 6 and that’s a fact which cannot be denied. Let them ex-

ing of incomes from such activities. The Chronicle also speaks about the possibilities of leasing lands for the displaced sugar workers to engage in farming. Again, this seems to be a worthy thought. But, in the sugar communities with the high levels of unemployment, the ability of the ex-sugar workers/farmers to sell their output will be near to impossible and thus discouraging. More so, when taking account that the FAO not-toolong-ago disclo s e d t h a t some 30 per cent of all farmers output is either wasted or has to be thrown away, do we really, at the national level, want to expand the farming community without processing facilities or being aware of market demand and requirements. It seems we are putting the cart before the horse and ill-considered, maybe unworkable, suggestions are just thrown up as answers to the serious situation that will confront workers. Seepaul Narine General Secretary GAWU

the opposition to win the c o n f i d e n c e o f t h e ABC countries, America, Britain and Canada. It already suffered two decades of dictatorship under the Burnham regime with a few favourable changes under Hoyte. When Jagdeo took over, there was chaos which continued under Donald Ramotar who was warming the Presidential seat for Bharat who had planned a move by his idol Vladimir Putin Russia’s President. However, it backfired when Moses Nagamootoo, Jagdeo arch enemy, Khemraj Ramjattan leaders of AFC joined Granger and edged the PPP out of office. Many Guyanese in the diaspora who supported the AFC with large financial donations are now wringing their hands, regretting their action— some feel that soon after the next general elections, Moses and his side kick will be kicked out and the Corentyne born former PPP stalwart will

miss the sound of the siren as he is motored around the city with police escorts. Nagamootoo who was a fighter for the sugar workers is now a toothless poodle and can do absolutely nothing to assist the sugar workers who will be out of work because of the closure of the sugar estates. Guyanese are now tense crime is escalating and the cost of living is getting higher and higher and remittances from relatives and friends abroad are reducing. What is disturbing is that Burnham had highly qualified and experienced personnel in his administration such as Shridath Ramphal, Rashleigh Jackson, Mohammed Shahabudeen, John Carter, Lionel Luckhoo, Kenneth King, et al while Granger is surrounded by retired army officers, and a few PNC diehards, who are not experienced and qualified to hold important offices, and administrative positions. Oscar Ramjeet

Is there some kind of miracle... From page 4 mean constitution. It is mind boggling to comprehend how a president could ask the UN to be prepared to assist citizens if their constitutional rights are being violated in member states of the UN, then comes home and violate the constitution in his country by making a unilateral appointment to an institution that is considered as the heart of democracy. I’ve seen too many movies where criminals try to set up their defense before

committing the crimes- to think otherwise. This issue will reach the courts. The integrity of the executive will be questioned. There will be a renewed surge in the call for constitutional reform. Those who had questioned whether foreign interest was driving the haste for CR and extolling the need for compliance trumps the need for reform might be the ones screaming for foreign help. Rudolph Singh

Tuesday October 24, 2017

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Broad St. squatters set for relocation …as CH&PA reaches consensus with Mocha NDC

Minister Valerie Patterson The Central Housing and Planning Authority, (CH&PA) has reached an agreement with the Mocha /Arcadia Neighborhood Democratic Council, (NDC), on the relocation of squatters of Broad and Lombard Streets, Charlestown. The squatters are slated be relocated to an area situated aback of the East Bank Demerara community and the CH&PA is moving ahead with efforts for the plan to materialise as soon as possible. Minister within the Ministry of Communities, with the responsibility for Housing, Valerie Patterson updated that media on the steps taken to reach an agreement with the Mocha /Arcadia NDC. CONSENSUS During a press briefing held at the CH&PA Headquarters Brickdam yesterday, Minister Patterson informed the media that consensus was reached between the agency and the Mocha NDC. According to Patterson, the consensus followed a series of consultation exercises with the Mocha village council. The issue came to the fore last month after the MochaArcadia Neighbourhood Democratic Council, (NDC) and the CH&PA held meetings to discuss the transfer of the Broad and Lombard Street residents to the area. The Housing Ministry had outlined a plan to build turn-key homes for the Lombard Street residents, but the NDC had initially objected, citing the fact that the CH&PA failed to engage and consult the Village Council on the matter before taking action. Additionally, the villagers had raised concerns that the relocation of those residents in large numbers would only add to the social issues already affecting the fairly depressed community.

According to the residents, some of the social issues affecting particularly the youth in the area include unemployment, drug abuse and teen pregnancies. The villagers also noted general issues such as accessibility to adequate roads and drainage in the area. However, yesterday, Minister Patterson outlined a multi-agency approach which will see some 15 families from Mocha benefitting from the new housing accommodations. She explained the CH&PA had agreed to allot 15 houses to be erected to less fortunate families from the area as part of the agreement with the NDC. This is reportedly based on a request by the village council. DILEMMA While she admits that the initial action taken by CH&PA to have the squatters was unilateral, Minister Patterson explained that the Lombard and Broad Street squatters had found themselves in a

Squatters of Lombard Street are to occupy plots aback of Mocha. dilemma.The squatters are being forced to move as a result of court action filed by the rightful owners of the property. She said that because of the urgency of the matter, the CHPA moved to secure lands aback of Mocha. By the time they consulted the Mocha NDC, the Housing body had already committed to the squatters to have them relocated there” “And the Government could not stand by and allow those persons to be evicted...thrown out on the streets without anywhere to go.” Patterson noted that the Government has a responsibility to ensure every citizen of Guyana is secured with a

house lot. Additionally, the Minister held that it is social responsibility of the State to ensure that the lives of the people are improved. To this end, Minister Patterson said that the Ministry will be providing quality accommodation for the squatters. PROSPERITY The Minister explained that some $43 million has been allocated by the CH&PA to have 72 houses erected for the people of Broad and Lombard Streets. The project is a 50/50 ef-

fort between the Government of Guyana, Food for the Poor Guyana and private citizens. The houses will accommodate some 49 families, relocated to 23 acres of land. The area is said to have capacity for the construction of 184 house lots The Housing Project is being referred to as Prosperity. According to Patterson, Prosperity is a name fitting, since the Housing Ministry is seeking to upgrade the lives of the squatters. The CH&PA is collaborat-

ing with the Ministries of Social Cohesion, Public Security, Social Protection, Education and Public Health, to have the concerns of villagers and squatters addressed. Kaieteur News understands that agencies such as Help and Shelter and Child Link are also part of the efforts. “We are also looking to address the issue of roads, drainage and other infrastructural issues,” officials of CH&PA said yesterday. Continued on page 8

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Kaieteur News

Attorney General defends Granger’s GECOM Chair decision

Last week, amid pressure to name a new Chairman for the all-important Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), President David Granger announced that he had chosen 84-year-old retired judge, James Patterson. The choice and subsequent swearing in sparked condemnation from not only the Opposition, but the legal fraternity and the private sector. Yesterday, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) - the Opposition - filed a court action asking that the decision be reversed. There have been various statements from Government officials. Yesterday, the Attorney General’s Chambers and Ministry of Legal Affairs, which would have played a critical role, issued a statement on how President Granger arrived at his decision.

BELOW IS THE FULL TEXT OFTHE STATEMENT: His Excellency the President, Brigadier David Arthur Granger MSS considered the provisions of Article 161 (2) of the Constitution which gives him the discretion to appoint a Chairman of The Guyana Elections Commission (Gecom) from the final list submitted by Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo “of six persons not unacceptable to the President,” and the proviso thereto. Also that Article 182(1) of the Constitution empowers him to act in his own deliberate judgement when exercising such discretion. His Excellency furthered considered the case of Marcel Gaskin V AG etal in which Learned Chief Justice the Hon. Roxane GeorgeWiltshire gave the following answers to the Applicant’s questions inter alia: -

“The submission of the list does not mean that the President is obliged to accept the list or the persons named in it. If the President is of the view that the list is deficient either in totality or in the names that have been included, he can exercise his discretion to deem the entire list unacceptable. See page 30 of the Marcel Gaskin’s case. “If the President considers that one or more persons on the list is not a fit and proper person and therefore unacceptable, then he may decide to reject the entire list as being incomplete or restrictive, or He may decide to choose one of the persons if they qualify even though every other name on the list is not acceptable. Therefore the whole list need not be rejected. (P.26) Having considered the

Attorney General Basil Williams foregoing His Excellency found this final list to be unacceptable. His Excellency further examined the Learned Chief Justice’s answers in relation to the President giving reasons for his rejection of a list namely: “The Leader of the Opposition and others for that matter, may not agree with the reasons given, but they must be given so that the parameters for the submission of another list, if required would be set.” (P.29) His Excellency understands this to mean that only where he agrees to more than

one list, reasons must be given. His Excellency after rejecting the first list did give the Leader of the Opposition on his request a list of criteria or characteristics that would make listed persons acceptable to him, to wit: a. That person is deemed to have wide electoral knowledge, capable of handling electoral matters because he or she is qualified to exercise unlimited jurisdiction in civil matters, b. He or she will discharge their functions without fear or favour, that is, they will not allow any person or

organisation to bulldoze or influence them to compromise their neutrality, c. This person will discharge their functions neutrally between the 2 opposing parties as they would have done in Court between 2 opposing litigants, d. The person will not be an activist in any form (gender, racial, theological, religious etc.), e. They should not have any political affiliation or belong to any political party in any form, apparent or hidden, and f. They should have a general character of honesty, integrity, faithfulness, diligence and fear of God in the discharge of their duty as Chairman. The names of the listed persons in the final list have not conformed to these criteria. Having rejected the final list, reliance was placed on the Learned Chief Justice’s ruling that the President in the exercise of his judgement to reject the final list could have: “Resort to the proviso to Article 161(2) which permits the President to act independently to appoint a person of the Judicial category to be the Chairman of Gecom, that is a person who is presumptively fit and proper.” (P.30) . It is in the light of these premises His Excellency appointed the Hon. Justice Patterson as a fit and proper person to the office of GECOM Chairman.

Broad St. squatters set for... From page 7 RESIDENTS OF MOCHA However some residents of Mocha are maintaining their stance on the matter. Added to the contention over social issues, villagers are also highlighting the fact that Mocha was a plantation purchased by freed Africans or can be referred to now as ancestral lands. Reginald Daniels, a re-migrant from the village is the most recent to add his voice to the issue. Daniels views the recent

move by the CH&PA as erroneous, given that lands that are currently identified in Mocha/Arcadia are largely ancestral. Daniels noted that, “I came in to make a presentation to (Commission of Inquiry) in African ancestral and other land matters and after researching some documents that shows that lands going east to the Lamaha conservancy and lands going south to Diamond are within the boundaries of Mocha local govern-

ment” He said that the NDC office has receipts from Demerara Sugar Company and GuySuCo paid rates and taxes to the Village council. To support his claim, the villager also noted that Dr. Walter Rodney in one of his writings stated one of the most outrageous acts of land grabbing was done in Mocha village. The land grabbing caused a petition to be written by an Anti slavery movement on behalf of the freed Africans. “We found that document by paying some researchers out of London which clearly states that some lands were sold, but when surveyed they took more land than what was sold, it further claimed that lands beyond the boundaries of Mocha, the colonial government and plantation clearly knew that those lands are a part of the village but they took it claiming it was crowned land.” The land, he claims, that stretches towards the Lamaha conservancy is ancestral land, hence the government does not have any rightful claims to be giving out that land.

Tuesday October 24, 2017

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Kaieteur News

The dangers of a maximum leader In a recent interview with this newspaper, the former Prime Minister of Guyana, Hamilton Green, was unapologetic about the rule of Forbes Burnham. He went as far as saying that he agreed with the banning of certain foodstuff and National Service at University of Guyana, but he did concede that these measures were not introduced properly. When asked whether he did not tell Burnham that, he replied, “Who could tell Burnham anything once he made up his mind?” One of the problems with supreme leaders is precisely that effect on others. Those around them either are afraid to speak up to them or feel that it is useless trying to convince them on something that they had made up their mind about. The government ends up being com-

prised of political fawners who are unable, afraid or unwilling to challenge the decisions of the supreme leader. We are seeing this now happening in Zimbabwe, whose leader Robert Mugabe is now 93 years old. No one questions his decisions. No one dares to. One of his close associates in government said recently that Mugabe will rule even from the grave. Political obeisance arises when absolute power is concentrated in the hands of one person, a phenomenon which is not alien to Guyana. Under the Constitution of Guyana, all Executive power resides with the President. It means he has the ultimate say in all decisions, since he is supreme, and not Cabinet. There has been an attempt by some critics at bastardiz-

ing placing executive authority in Cabinet, but placing full executive authority in Cabinet is far more democratic than placing it under the hand of a single person, as presently exists under the Constitution of Guyana. Placing full executive authority in Cabinet is also better suited to coalition governments. In fact, it is a mockery of coalition politics for full executive authority to be placed in the hands of one person. If such authority was to be reposed in Cabinet, it would mean that Cabinet, by either majority or a special majority, would have to approve of all major political decisions, including that of the appointment of the Chair of the Guyana Elections Commission. This would avoid the situation which presents itself

Dem boys seh...

Jagdeo think he is president fuh select de GECOM chairman Old people have a saying. “You know wha you got; you don’t know wha you gun get.” People does sit down and wish fuh all kind of thing. When nuff of dem get de thing is only then dem does realize the headache. Li’l children does end up in this situation most of de time. Dem see people eating something and dem want to eat it. Next thing you know, dem crying. That is wha happen to Jagdeo. He and de PPP get vex wid Surujbally because he fire dem chief scamp in de GECOM. When that happen dem couldn’t do nutten, suh dem sit down and grumble. Is when dem lose de election that dem realize that dem want a new GECOM Chairman. Dem picket Surujbally. Some go to pandit fuh him and couple people go to obeah man. Dem boys seh Suruj couldn’t sleep nuff nights and when he do sleep he use to see de people holding pickets. In de end he lef de wuk. When that happen, Jagdeo and ee party had big celebration. But dem had to get a replacement. Jagdeo start mekking joke wid de thing. He put up a list wid all he friends’

name and expect Soulja Bai to pick one. Soulja Bai mek him produce three list because by de time de third list mek up, Jagdeo realize that de joke was over. Now Jagdeo get rid of Suruj and got to deal wid Patto and he don’t want Patto. Dem boys seh is another round of picketing again. De only difference is that old people does sleep sound. Wha dem boys realize is that Jagdeo calling nuff shots. He still think he is de president because is de president does select de GECOM Chairman. He ain’t selecting Patto, suh Soulja Bai got to find another one. And dem boys see how some people spreading false information. One man tell de Chat-3 that Patto was earning $800,000 a month. Without checking, de Chat-3 run wid that news. He coulda ask anybody wukking in de office. But he swallow de trap. De writ wha he file mek de same statement and Soulja Bai smiling. It gun be fun in de court. Talk half and de Patto saga ain’t done yet.

today, in which the coalition parties are being forced to defend a decision in which they had no say. The Alliance for Change (AFC) had entered into an agreement, known as the Cummingsburg Accord, with A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), which had allowed for the formation of a pre-election coalition. However, the AFC has found itself being sidelined within the government because of the domination of APNU, and because, also, full executive authority is vested in one man, the President. This is incompatible with coalition politics. The President had the third list of nominees for a Chair of the Guyana Elections Commission for more than three months. When he was questioned whether he had made a decision, his answer was that he had to consult with his political parties. It was assumed that this meant he had to consult with the AFC. It is not yet clear whether

the President consulted the AFC or the WPA on the list. The AFC is saying that they had no part in the choice of Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission. In other words, they were not consulted on the decision of the President. This is an untenable position. It is a slap in the face of the AFC executives. They should have been consulted on such an important decision. The President has exercised his authority in this matter without the approval or disapproval of one of the main coalition parties. The AFC should now do the decent thing and have a public burning of the Cummingsburg Accord, because that agreement is not worth the paper that it is written on. The AFC now finds itself in the embarrassing situation of having to defend one of the most controversial decisions in the political history of Guyana. It has to stand in support of the President, even though it had no say in the

perverse decision that he made. This is the fallout from working within a governance system in which executive authority is concentrated in the hands of one person. It was such a system which led to the creation of maximum leaders such as Adolf Hitler. A system in which executive authority rests in the hands of one man leads to the situation described by Hamilton Green, in which Cabinet members feel it is futile to speak up against the maximum leader, because it will change nothing, other than making the person speaking out become disfavoured in the eyes of the supreme leader. Guyana must avoid its Cabinet becoming a group of ‘yes’ men and ‘yes’ women. Guyana can do without political sycophants working under a maximum leader.

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Tuesday October 24, 2017

Kaieteur News

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

The mystery Dr. Clive Thomas and the AFC should explain As I write, the debate is raging intensely on President Granger’s selection of the GECOM chairman without adhering to the traditional Carter formula. The intensity is on two fronts – the legal and the political. Senior Counsel Ralph Ramkarran said the President could only select a GECOM chairman if there wasn’t a list presented. Moses Nagamootoo, another lawyer, sees the president’s action as legal. I honestly cannot affirm if the President acted constitutionally or ignored the constitution. I want to come to that conclusion by reading the relevant section of the constitution myself. I plan to do that today.

There is more surety in my mind about the political propriety. Some leading names in the Guyanese society are arguing for political incorrectness. The list includes the Stabroek News, the Bar Association, the Women Lawyers’ Association, the GHRA, Lincoln Lewis, Dr. David Hinds, Tacuma Ogunseye. For me, the President acted unwisely. While I will sympathize with the President if he feels deeply in his mind that the three lists were flawed, I have no tolerance for the method he used in his unilateral decision. That approach was devoid of widespread consultation. Consultation is a word that the President under-

stands. In his admonition to the City Hall last year, he advised on consultation. Earlier this year, he supported the idea of National Service as introduced by President Burnham, but thought that before its implementation there had to be dialogue with other stakeholders. Either the President doesn’t seek advice or he relies on patently flawed advice. The arguments of those who criticized the unilateral road go something like this against a background of all that has gone before in our history, for such a decision on matters pertaining to elections, one has to be extremely cautious. This is where context comes in, and maybe Mr. Granger is weak in the area of understanding the priceless value of context. Context is everything in life. A good example is what philosophy says is the differ-

Frederick Kissoon ence between something being logical but at the same time morally wrong. The two are not related. Assuming that the President had the constitutional right to make the decision without observing the Carter formula, he could not have been oblivious to the fact that in the context of our history, politics and sociology, such a decision will be seen as morally wrong. As a historian, top army figure in the turbulent seventies, and president of a trenchantly divided political and ethnic territory, it strains the imagination to think that Granger didn’t know that a tempest with ugly implications would visit Guyana if he

went ahead and ignored the Carter formula. But I will argue that the tempest could have been calmer had he gone the way of consultation. The strategy was simple. Go to stakeholders, insist that Jagdeo is playing charade with the GECOM chairmanship (which was the truth), show them that a crisis is looming if there is no GECOM chairman, and ask for their input. Two such actors the President should have dialogued with – Dr. Clive Thomas and the AFC. Professor Clive Thomas has about fifty years of praxis. He is seen as a brilliant scholar. He is the Head of SARA and the chairman of GuySuCo, two formidable positions in Guyana. He is also the co-leader of the WPA and was part of the WPA’s delegation that met the President on the Rupert Roopnaraine controversy. Such a towering figure of experience could have been relied on for sound judgement. Don’t forget Thomas’ party is part of the government. Then there is the AFC.

There was a subliminal message for the President when the AFC put out a statement on the issue. In politics, one has to detect these kinds of subliminal signals. Here it is. The AFC supported the president’s decision, but took two interesting positions which were not helpful to President’s Granger image and credibility. First, the AFC announced that it had no role to play in the selection of Justice Patterson. All the media - electronic, internet and print – emphasized that enunciation from the AFC. Naturally, this would be greeted with skepticism by anyone reading those headlines. Speaking for myself, I would have thought that the AFC would naturally have been involved when the President had made up his mind to bypass the lists. Secondly, here are some interesting words in the AFC’s reaction; “(we will) use the constitutional reform process to ensure that there is wider participation of stakeholders in the selection of GECOM commissioners and the AFC holds GECOM to the highest standards of electoral integrity.” There was something subliminal there.

Tuesday October 24, 2017

Kaieteur News

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$100M grant aimed at improving UG’s oil and gas programmes

Government is pouring in $100M in a grant to the University of Guyana to improve and expand the oil and gas programmes.

Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ivelaw Griffith The Ministry of Natural Resources, the Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and the University of Guyana (UG) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for a $100 million philanthropic education grant for the year 2017-2018. The grant will provide the University of Guyana’s, Faculty of Technology with much-needed equipment for its geology labs, curriculum development, training, outreach, and field research, all linked to the emerging oil and gas sector. It also provides specific allocations for all other faculties for student-centered enhancements at the university, the government disclosed in a statement. Of the total amount, $55M will be used for equipment and supplies to the Faculty of Technology’s laboratories, all of which will be pursued by the GGMC. Some $15M will be used for scholarships and training, while $16M will go towards

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman

the improvements of classrooms and teaching facilities at the Faculty of Health, Earth and Natural Sciences, Humanities and Social Science and Agriculture at the Turkeyen and Tain Campuses and IDCE. The sum of $7M will go towards supporting the School for Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation programme with emphasis on the Natural Resources sector, and $7M to support research, curriculum review and development process, marketing, media and stakeholder consultations. Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, who handed over the first tranche of the funds ($45M) to Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ivelaw Griffith, at the University of Guyana, Turkeyen Campus, said that the government views the initiative as an investment in education, and youth development. The minister also noted the timeliness of the projects, adding that it is significant as

“it represents a renewed and enhanced relationship with the Ministry and GGMC with the University of Guyana,” even as the oil and gas sector develops. Further, Minister Trotman stated that research is also needed in the gold and diamond mining sectors; as they will not be neglected in the period, post-2020 when oil production begins. Professor Griffith explained that this is one of the university’s most significant grants, which has been negotiated over the last year with the GGMC. Griffith said that it is an investment by the Government in the institution, in an area critical to the nation’s economy. Meanwhile, GGMC Commissioner, Newell Dennison said that GGMC has a longstanding relationship with the University. He highlighted the fact, that many of the commission’s staff through scholarships, have received their higher education at the institution.

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday October 24, 2017

Strike action plan being disseminated to public schools ...as GTU voices concern about Govt.’s role in salary negotiations A document is being prepared by the Guyana Teachers’ Union [GTU] and will be disseminated to public

schools throughout the country before the end of this week; and by Monday strike action will commence.

This was the declaration made by GTU President, Mr. Mark Lyte, yesterday, as he offered an update about plans

to initiate strike action in retaliation to the non-response from Government regarding many concerns of the teachers and, by extension, the union. According to Lyte, although the union had written to multiple officials and more recently voiced its concerns publicly through the media, “not a single official has responded. We have heard nothing from no one.” It is for this reason, Lyte said, that the Union will be moving full speed ahead to engage the strike action it decided upon. At a press conference last week, Lyte in the company of other GTU executives disclosed that strike action could commence as soon as this week if no response and fitting action was forthcoming from the ruling administration. “We are in the processing of putting together a document to be sent around [to the various schools]...this means that they [Government] are getting a few more days to respond,” said Lyte, who feels the GTU has been especially slighted in recent years. Lyte said that the union is particularly concerned that government seems to be in the forefront of salary talks. “We are concerned about this particular matter, because we are hearing now in the media - and it seems to be well structured meeting - that the government is taking a position to say that they are in talks...not the Ministry of Public Service, but the Government, is in talks with the Guyana Public Service Union [GPSU] and they [Government] have actually made a proposal to the Public Service Union,” said Lyte. But according to Lyte, even before Government’s talks with the GPSU, the GTU had long submitted its proposal for a renewed multi-year remuneration package for teachers. The previous multi-year agreement inked between the

GTU President, Mark Lyte union and the Ministry of Education expired at the end of 2015 at which point, Lyte said, the union’s proposal was promptly submitted. He noted, though, that not only have negotiations for this proposal been glaringly stymied, but many other concerns raised by the union have been disregarded on too many occasions. “Yet for all we have been doing we are repeatedly sidelined...we want answers to this,” said Lyte, who assured that “if you continue to push people’s backs against the wall they will take action.” He speculated that the powers that be might have embraced the belief that “because teaching is a noble profession they don’t expect teachers to take certain action.” But in order to prove their seriousness, Lyte said that teachers will be supporting the announced strike action. Lyte said that the GTU has always had to agitate for its rights, unlike some other unions in recent years. When asked if the GTU is being sidelined because of the few numbers who usually support its industrial action,

Lyte responded by highlighting, “I have not see the Public Service Union come out and agitate for anything publicly [recently], so I don’t see us not being out in large numbers, and they not being out at all, as being a reason for them being given attention.” “At all times we are able to put together some support to treat with our concerns in the public,” Lyte emphasised. The concerns of the union range from the nonprogressive negotiation between the union and the Ministry of Education for increased teachers’ remuneration to the outstanding debunching payments. Among the most recent concerns of the union include the fact that the Education Ministry has issued a circular that could see teachers having to work during their designated lunch period and concerns surrounding the national cycling, swimming and track and field championships. Lyte anticipates that in excess of 6,000 teachers will embrace the decision to strike, a move that could considerably impact the teaching-learning process in public schools.

Cops testify in 2015 Crabwood Creek murder trial The murder trial of Rohan Persaud called ‘Mongo’ 37, a spray painter and automobile bodywork repairman, of Lot 10 Grant 1803 Crabwood Creek, Corentyne, Berbice, is continuing before Justice Jo Ann Barlow and a mixed Jury in the Berbice High Court. Persaud is accused of murdering Ganesh Permaul called ‘Bungal’, on September 17, 2015 at Crabwood Creek, Corentyne, Berbice.

Permaul, a welder/fabricator, who was 29 at the time, lived at Lot 32 Grant 1803 Crabwood Creek, Corentyne, Berbice. In her opening address, State Prosecutor, Tuanna Hardy revealed the particulars of the charge to the jury. She mentioned that the men were acquaintances and had lived close to each other. On the day in question, Permaul was seen drinking with Persaud at his home dur-

ing the morning. Permaul body was subsequently found dead with lacerations about his body on the bridge of the accused. Detective Constable, Junior George testified to the role he played during the investigation. He had visited the scene where the body was found. There were two houses in the yard. The place was littered with broken bottles, cigarette Continued on page 23

Tuesday October 24, 2017

Kaieteur News

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Tuesday October 24, 2017

Kaieteur News

Machine operator charged for setting wife’s house on fire

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November 13. Bail was opposed for Jervis by Police Prosecutor Shawn Gonsalves. Prosecutor Gonsalves highlighted the serious nature of the offence and the penalty it carries. The prosecutor also informed the court that there is a likelihood Jervis will be charged for a similar offence in relation to another house that was destroyed during the blaze. According to Prosecutor Gonsalves, on the day in question, McAlmont came home from work and met her husband who later locked himself inside a bedroom. The Prosecutor said that a few minutes after, Jervis came out of the bedroom holding a quantity of clothes, which he threw onto the floor and soaked with a corrosive substance. Jervis set the clothes on fire and choked his wife and told her that they were both going to burn to death, Prosecutor Gonsalves disclosed. The prosecutor said that the woman jumped through some louvre windows to escape from the burning building. Her husband fled the scene, but was later apprehended by police and confessed to the crime in a caution statement. Before the indictment was read to Jervis, he requested to be taken to the hospital since he was feeling unwell. The man claimed that his wife threatened to poison him and also told him that he was going to “die slowly.” Kaieteur News had previously reported that the man tried to kill his 38-yearold partner by setting the house, where he also lived, on fire. The fire not only destroyed their home, but damaged a neighbour ’s house located adjacent to the property. McAlmont, who was present in court yesterday, was seen with a wound over her right eye.

Tuesday October 24, 2017

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Kaieteur News

Vascular Specialist to visit Doobay Medical and Research Centre

Dr. Sonia Anand The Doobay Medical and Research Centre yesterday announced an Executive Clinic with Dr. Sonia Anand, Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology at McMaster University in Canada.

Cops testify in 2015... From page 12 packs, garbage and empty rum bottles. Blood was observed in the vicinity. A pair of trunks with blood was retrieved from the scene and presented as evidence. The body, when found, had injuries to the head and back. A total of 34 photographs that were taken at the scene were presented to the court. Detective Corporal, Denzil Frank testified that during his investigation, he visited the scene and observed a motionless body on the ground. The pants and underwear were pulled down to the knees. There were various marks of violence on the body. Frank said he contacted Persaud and put the allegation of murder to him. He said Persaud responded that he had left Permaul sleeping in the hammock and went to work. Persaud was arrested and placed in custody. Following intense investigations, he was subsequently charged with the capital offence. Prosecutor Hardy subsequently made an application for the testimony of now deceased Haresh Doodnauth, to be admitted into evidence. Doodnauth’s wife, Latisha LaFleur, appeared in court and testified that he is dead. State-appointed Attorney-at-Law, Sasha Roberts, who is appearing for the accused, cross examined both witnesses. The prosecution is expected to call eight witnesses. The trial continues today.

The Executive Clinic, to be held on Saturday, October 28, 2017 at the Doobay Medical and Research Centre at Annandale in the East Coast of Demerara, aims to provide high level medical consultations to senior business, government, and other national leaders by one of the world leaders in vascular medicine. Dr. Sonia Anand is the Director of the Population Genomics Program and a vascular medicine specialist at Hamilton Health Sciences and McMaster University. She holds the Canada Research Chair in Ethnic Diversity and Cardiovascular Disease. She also holds the Heart and Stroke Foundation of

Ontario/Michael G. DeGroote Chair in Population Health Research. Her present research focuses upon the environmental and genetic determinants of vascular disease in populations of varying ancestral origin, women and cardiovascular disease. Her work is widely published amongst academic and peer-evaluated journals and she teaches clinical epidemiology courses in methodology and cardiovascular disease at McMaster University. The Doobay Medical and Research Centre, known for providing affordable dialysis for patients with renal failure since September 2011, has continued to expand its operations to cater to more patients as well as to expand the range of services being provided. Founder and President of the centre, Dr. Budhendra Doobay, said that, “we have been working hard not just to expand our services, but to improve our research capability to better serve the specific needs of the Guyanese population.” He added that diabetes and other diseases are common all over the world, but there are ethnic variations, and having a specialist of the caliber of Dr. Anand, who researches these ethnic differences in the diseases, is a rare but extremely useful opportunity for people in Guyana. Dr. Doobay will be accompanying Dr. Anand, and would also be taking the op-

portunity to ensure that a number of local professionals get a chance to benefit from interaction with Dr. Anand. Dr. Anand said that she is “excited about being able to visit Guyana and make a contribution to care for patients

and give counsel to as many persons as possible about the issues of their health.” In addition to the Executive Clinic, Dr. Anand will hold a general clinic for patients of the Doobay Medical and Research Centre. The Executive

Clinic starts at 10:00h on Saturday. Executives who are interested in more personal consultations could arrive at 9:00h to have blood samples and blood pressure readings taken.

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Sophia squatters given January Tearful Rose Hall vendor tells 2018 deadline by CH&PA of losing everything in fire Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Valerie Adams PattersonYe a r w o o d y e s t e r d a y announced that Sophia squatters will have until January 2018 to make the necessary arrangements to be relocated from the area. Patterson noted that following the demolition exercise in Section A and B Pattensen (Sophia) on October 12, a number of persons have been engaging CH&PA requesting extra time to move. She said that the government has since

granted the extension, but this was after over 200 notices were given to squatters of Sophia. Minister Patterson believes that the January deadline is sufficient time for them to relocate, since many of squatters already have house lots. The CH&PA is in the process of implementing a plan that will offer house lots to those persons who can afford to build. For those unable to construct a dwelling, the government is seeking funding to build core homes.

The Industry community was identified as the area where the homes will be constructed. Minister PattersonYearwood explained, “We don’t just want to give them a house lot, because we know if they can’t afford to build, they are going to put a shack, and all we are doing is moving one shanty town from one area to another. That is not what we want, as we relocate, we are going to upgrade,” She reminded that the exercise will be a costly one and persons must be patient.

Rio police shoot dead Spanish tourist on favela tour

(BBC) Police in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro say they have shot dead a 67year-old Spanish tourist. The woman, María Esperanza Jiménez Ruiz, was on a tour of the Rocinha favela when the car she was travelling in broke through a police blockade, officials said. The officer who fired the shot has been detained, police said. Rocinha has been the site of frequent shoot-outs in recent weeks between rival drug gangs. Ms Jiménez was in a car

with her brother, his wife and an Italian tour guide when their vehicle was shot at, Spanish daily El País reported. A statement by the military police said that “around 10:30 [12:30GMT] a Fiat Freemont vehicle broke through the police blockade in Largo do Boiadeiro [square]”. The police opened fire but stopped when they realised the car was carrying tourists, the statement adds. An investigation is under way. Brazilian security forces

have been accused of using excessive force by human rights groups. Security forces say they can come under fire from drug gangs in the narrow slum streets and often have little time to assess the situation. Two military police officers were injured earlier on Monday in a shoot-out in Rocinha, Brazilian media report. In September, soldiers were sent into Rocinha to quell the most recent outbreak of violence but the shootings have continued.

Possible serial killer ‘terrorising’ Florida neighbourhood (BBC) Florida police have said they are searching for a possible serial killer believed to have fatally shot three people over the last two weeks. Officials believe the murders, which happened blocks apart, were committed by the same gunman who may have chosen the victims at random, police say. The latest victim was an autistic man who was shot while walking home from work after getting on the wrong bus.

Local residents have been advised not to walk alone after dark. “Now we have someone t e r r o r i s i n g th e neighbourhood,” said interim Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan, who added that there is “no doubt” that the crimes are linked. Anthony Naiboa, 20, was found gunned down on October 19 , in the central Tampa neighbourhood of Seminole Heights. The autistic charity

worker was shot to death around 20:00 local time (00:00 GMT), less than a mile away from where two others were shot and killed. O ff i c e r s h e a r d t h e gunshots that killed Mr Naiboa, but the suspect had fled before they arrived on scene, according to Chief Dugan. “You can imagine the frustration of these officers to hear gunshots and not be able to find this person,” Chief Dugan said.

Munroe’s son and grandchildren

A tearful Lloyd Munroe A fire of unknown origin yesterday completely gutted the home of a vendor of Rose Hall Town, leaving him, his two grandchildren and daughter homeless. Lloyd Munroe is now contemplating his next move after his home and all his belongings were reduced to ashes during a late afternoon fire. The man, who was seen in tears with his grandchildren and another relative, told reporters that he was sleeping when he felt the heat emanating from within his home. “Is smell I smelling the ting and feel the heat and I had to jump down the step with dem children because the fire bin done start ketch on,” the tearful man explained. He stated that his home does not have electricity and

he is puzzled as to what may have caused the fire. The fire began around 16:30 hrs and escalated within fifteen minutes, burning the house to the ground. “I lose everything, everything,” the devastated Munroe muttered. The building was a twostorey structure with two bedrooms. By the time firefighters

arrived at the scene the blaze had already escalated, the fire spread to nearby trees as neighbours formed a bucket brigade together with the firefighters to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby homes. Munroe operates a stand as a vendor in the heart of R o s e H a l l To w n . H e reportedly began his small business just over a month ago.

Brexit: Theresa May says ‘important progress’ made at EU summit (BBC) Theresa May has said “important progress” on Brexit was made at last week’s EU summit - but Jeremy Corbyn said it sounded like “Groundhog Day”. The PM said she had a “degree of confidence” of making enough progress by December to begin trade talks. She also said there would be no “physical infrastructure” on the border in Northern Ireland. Meanwhile, the EU Commission president dismissed a German newspaper’s account of his dinner with the PM. “Nothing is true in all of this,” Jean-Claude Juncker said, rejecting the article’s claims Mrs May “begged for help” when they met and seemed tired and politically weak. After five rounds of UKEU talks, there has been no

breakthrough in the first phase of negotiations between the UK and the EU. At the summit, the other 27 EU leaders decided progress on the Brexit separation issues had not been “sufficient” to open talks on future trade relations with the UK yet - but they did agree to discuss future arrangements amongst themselves, paving the way for talks with the UK to possibly begin in December. Businesses are calling for urgent agreement in setting up temporary transition arrangements after the UK’s departure date in March 2019. But some pro-EU MPs expressed concern that the UK could leave without one in place, after Mrs May suggested it was dependent on details of the final “partnership” being clear. “The point of the implementation period is to

put in place the practical changes necessary to move to the future partnership,” she said as she updated MPs on last week’s summit. “In order to have that, you need to know what the future partnership is going to be.” Mrs May also said the question of citizens’ rights after Brexit remained her “first priority”, with a deal within “touching distance”, and pledged that EU nationals living in the UK would not face “bureaucratic hurdles” after March 2019. Her “clear commitments” on another sticking point, the UK’s financial settlement, had helped moved talks forward, she said. In response, Mr Corbyn c o m p a r e d M r s M a y ’s updates to 1993 comedy Groundhog Day, where the lead character played by Bill Murray lives the same day over and over again.

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Tuesday October 24, 2017

Tourism Minister Asot Michael arrested BERMUDA-COURT-Bulgarian in UK – Cabinet appointment revoked charged with bank plot

Asot Michael ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Prime Minister Gaston Browne has advised the Governor General, Sir Rodney Williams, to revoke immediately the appointment from the Cabinet, of Tourism and Investment Minister, Asot Michael, pending the outcome of his arrest Monday morning by the

Metropolitan Police in London. In a statement on Monday, Browne, who is presently in Jordan , said he received news from Antigua a n d B a r b u d a ’s H i g h Commissioner in London, Karen-Mae Hill, that Michael was arrested on his arrival in England early Monday.

“While I have no firm details of the reasons for Mr. Michael’s arrest, the arrest itself is sufficient for me to revoke immediately his appointment as a Cabinet member and to relieve him of all Ministerial portfolios until this matter is resolved,” PM Browne said. “I have repeatedly stated that I expect every member of my government to comply with the highest possible standards required of public office, and while Mr. Michael might establish his innocence in time, the fact that he has been arrested, obliges me to relieve him of all government duties,” he added. “I undertake to release other information regarding Mr. Michael’s arrest as it is brought to my attention,” the Prime Minister said.

H A M I L T O N , Bermuda, CMC – A 36year-old Bulgarian national was remanded in custody on Monday after he appeared in Magistrates’ Court where he was charged with a credit card skimming plot. Danail Damov was charged with a raft of offences, including two counts of having equipment

to print fake credit and debit cards and damaging Bank of B u t t e r f i e l d AT M s a t Collector’s Hill and Paget Plaza. The Collector’s Hill AT M w a s a l l e g e d l y tampered with on September 4, 2016, while the Paget machine was damaged on October 13, 2016. Damov was further charged with sending credit

or debit card details abroad and having a drill for the purposes of committing an offence. He was not required to enter a plea as the matter must be heard in Supreme Court. Senior Magistrate Juan Wolffe remanded Damov until November 1, when he is set to appear before the Supreme Court.

Rural communities in Suriname now have potable water

Online publication issues apology to St. Kitts Nevis PM BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, CMC – The online p u b l i c a t i o n , Dominicanewsonline.com has apologized to Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris, for republishing a report titled “St. Kitts-Nevis PM now revealed to hold Dominica diplomatic passport.” The report was originally published by the online publication Caribbean News Now last week Thursday.

According to Dominica News online, the following day, October 20, Harris issued a statement rejecting the report, as well as “the demonstrably falsified image of a passport accompanying it,” as “utterly baseless and malicious.” The Prime Minister also denied having a Dominica diplomatic passport or a passport from any other country “except for this beloved Federation of St.

Kitts and Nevis.” Harris, in last Friday’s statement said he was “disappointed that this shameless piece of inflammatory propaganda – which was initially circulated on social media by St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party supporters – would make its way into a publication professing to cover regional news based on journalistic merit, professionalism and media standards.”

Bisram's mother detained... From page 2 an investigation. Several persons were charged. But by then, Bisram was already in the US. The Government of Guyana requested that Bisram be extradited to face a court trial. He was arrested at his beach front property on July 4, last, and following extradition proceedings, has been ordered by a New York court to be sent back. He has been handed over to US Marshals pending some legal procedures. Meanwhile, right in Berbice, over the weekend, the home of one of the relatives of Narinedatt was reportedly shot at Sunday night. According to Abdul Shaffiq, an uncle of Narinedatt, he had just retired to bed around 18:30 hours at his Number 70

Village home. He stated that after dozing off, he awoke to gunshots sometime around 20:30 hrs. "We had blackout like about half past seven, but like around half past eight, I hear three gunshot side of my house…after the gunshot I heard a vehicle and a motorbike drive off," Shaffiq said. He stated that he immediately contacted the police. He disclosed that he suspects someone, but assured that he is not scared. He has since lodged an o ff i c i a l r e p o r t a t t h e Springlands Police Station on the matter. “I want to let the people know who did it, the Major Crimes Unit will be on your backs. I am not afraid of you. I am not scared. If they kill

me, the matter will still go on.” In July, last, a farmer was arrested for allegedly shooting at the house of one of the key witnesses in the murder trial of Narinedatt. In 2016, Pooja Pitam, wife of the murdered Narinedatt, along two other relatives, alleged they received death threats from relatives/associates of Bisram. Also in 2016, a knife was reportedly left on the window of a cousin of Narinedatt. All the matters were reported to the police. There has been continuous drama with the Faiyaz Narinedatt murder case, with several persons being arrested for witness tampering and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

PA R A M A R I B O , Suriname, CMC – Six rural villages located in the hinterland of Suriname are benefitting from potable water supplies through the installation of rainwater harvesting systems. With support from the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), the population of approximately 635 residents distributed over the six villages were the beneficiaries of low cost 600 and 1000-gallon based PVC rainwater harvesting and storage systems. The communities are of indigenous Maroon and

Amerindian populations. In recent years, several villages in the hinterland of Suriname have been facing two major problems that impact their supply of potable water sources, these are – the extensive extractive industries of gold mining and timber that have caused severe mercury contamination of and the excessive turbidity of water sources as a result of both gold mining and timber extraction activities. According to the IICA, the problem was exacerbated by the emergence of climate change and the increased frequency of extended

drought conditions in the hinterland. The intervention was made possible through two small grants provided under the Australian Direct Aid Programme (AUSAID), managed by the Australian High Commission in Trinidad and Tobago, with complementary funding from IICA’s internal flagship project entitled: Inclusion in Agriculture and Rural Areas. The project was executed with collaboration from the Stichting Fonds Ontwikkeling Binnenland (SFOB) of the Ministry of Regional Development in Suriname.

CDB approves US$14-million grant to risk insurance BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has approved a grant of US$14 million to CCRIF SPC (formerly the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility). The grant will provide enhanced insurance coverage to the Bank’s Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs) that insure through CCRIF against tropical cyclone, earthquake and excess rainfall risks. The funding will also

enable CCRIF SPC to increase its reserves and capital, helping its long-term sustainability. CCRIF provides parametric insurance coverage for government risk to Caribbean and Central American countries. This form of insurance is designed to limit the financial impact of catastrophic natural events, such as hurricanes and earthquakes, by quickly providing short-term liquidity when a policy is

triggered. “The Bank, through the approval of this grant, is pleased to reaffirm its commitment and support for CCRIF SPC. We view the adoption of risk transfer mechanisms such as that offered by CCRIF as an important element of our Borrowing Member Countries’ disaster risk management work programme,” Cheryl Dixon, the CDB’s Coordinator in the E n v i r o n m e n t a l Sustainability Unit.

Tuesday October 24, 2017

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Tuesday October 24, 2017

US officials apologize after Indonesian military chief not allowed on flight (CNN) US officials have apologized to the chief of Indonesia’s military after he was denied permission to

board a US-bound flight Saturday despite having an invitation from the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

“We deeply regret the inconvenience that this incident caused and we apologize,” Erin Elizabeth McKee, Deputy

US Ambassador to Indonesia, said Monday. Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo eventually chose not to fly to

the United States despite being rebooked on a new flight after he was denied boarding on the first, according to a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson. US Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr. had invited Nurmantyo to Washington to attend a conference Monday and Tuesday on combating violent extremism. Nurmantyo and his wife were set to board an Emirates flight in Jakarta for Washington on Saturday evening, reported CNN Indonesia, a CNN affiliate. The US Embassy in Jakarta informed Nurmantyo he may “be delayed in his ability to board his flight” because of security protocols, the Homeland Security

spokesperson said. US Customs and Border Protection and the State Department were not able to resolve the issue before the original flight departed. The spokesperson said the boarding issue was quickly resolved “through coordination between the individual’s office, CBP, the US Embassy in Jakarta and other US government partners. The passenger was rebooked on another flight and cleared to board. He chose not to travel.” Joseph R. Donovan Jr., US ambassador to Indonesia, apologized to Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi “for any inconvenience” to Gatot, the embassy said in a statement.

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Highlights of Sunday’s National Football League games (The Sports Xchange) Highlights of Sunday’s National Football League games: --Bears 17, Panthers 3 Rookie safety Eddie Jackson became the first player in NFL history to score two defensive touchdowns of at least 75 yards in the same game, and Chicago defeated visiting Carolina. Jackson scored on a 75yard fumble return and a 76yard interception return during the first half. Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky played it safe on the other side of the ball as he completed four of seven passes for 107 yards. Chicago (3-4) won its sec-

ond game in a row and improved to 2-1 since naming Trubisky as the starter. Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (21 of 34, 211 yards) was intercepted twice in the loss. Turnovers crippled Carolina (4-3). --Saints 26, Packers 17 Drew Brees continued his mastery of Green Bay in leading the New Orleans to victory at Lambeau Field. Brees completed a barrage of short passes that added up to 331 yards on 27-of-38 accuracy. In seven career games against the Packers, he has topped 300 passing yards all seven times. The Saints (4-2) stayed afloat despite Brees’ two early interceptions to

earn their fourth consecutive victory. Making his first start for the injured Aaron Rodgers, Packers quarterback Brett Hundley was just 12 of 25 for 87 yards. His lone interception came with the Packers (43) down nine in the final minutes. --Cowboys 40, 49ers 10 Ezekiel Elliott ran for 147 yards and two touchdowns and caught a 72-yd touchdown pass, leading Dallas over winless San Francisco. Quarterback Dak Prescott completed 16 of 25 passes for 234 yards and three touchdowns for the Cowboys (33), who ended a two-game losing streak and moved to

Tuesday October 24, 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Get together with friends and do something entertaining but not too expensive. Be confident in your endeavors and others will believe in your efforts. You should be able to tie up loose ends today.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You can make major decisions regarding your professional direction. You may find it difficult to communicate with someone at work. It's time to reconnect with some of the people you used to know.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Invite friends in for a visit. Job changes are in order. Go for interviews or send out resumes. Spend some quality time with the one you love.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Changes in your domestic situation will prove to be favorable in the long run. Children's needs could be more costly than you anticipated. Get ready to do some fancy footwork when it comes to taking care of your financial situation.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) If everyone wants to do their own thing, let them. You can accomplish a lot if you work out of your home today. Promotions will be yours if you have acted professionally in times of crisis. CANCER (June 21–July 22) You may exaggerate your emotional situation. Delays are evident. Your emotional attitude with respect to your status and direction in society may be unrealistic. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Communication will be your best bet. You can win points with children if you take the time to show interest in their accomplishments. Consider the source before you believe what you hear. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You can look into new jobs but don't count on getting help from someone who may have promised you assistance. Do not force your opinions on others the connections will be short lived. You will be able to talk about emotional problems with your partner. with will be impossible.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) If you're looking to do something worthwhile, consider volunteer work. You can accomplish a lot if you put some effort into household duties or redecorating plans. You can help them with difficult projects. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Group endeavors will provide you with entertainment. You may find yourself in a predicament with family members. Dazzle them with your intellectual conversation. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) You could easily lose your temper at work. Don't push your opinions or ideas on others. You will learn a great deal about yourself if you go somewhere secluded. Not everything you hear will be legitimate. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You need to refrain from being the generous one in the group. Make creative changes to your living quarters. You will be overly sensitive when dealing with your personal life.

within two games of the firstplace Philadelphia Eagles (51) in the NFC East. Prescott also ran for a touchdown. --Steelers 29, Bengals 14 Le‘Veon Bell carried 35 times for 134 yards against the NFL’s second-ranked defense to Pittsburgh (5-2) to a win over the Cincinnati (2-4). It was his third 100-yard game of the season and he went over the century mark

late in the third quarter. --Seahawks 24, Giants 7 Quarterback Russell Wilson threw three second-half touchdown passes to give Seattle (4-2) the victory over New York (1-6). The Seahawks put together a sloppy, penalty-filled first half, which included eight penalties 63 yards and two second-quarter dropped passes by tight end Jimmy

Graham, one of which would have been a touchdown on a fourth-down play. --In other scores: Chargers 21, Broncos 0 Patriots 23, Falcons 7 Vikings 24, Ravens 16 Rams 33, Cardinals 0 Dolphins 31, Jets 28 Bills 30, Buccaneers 27 Titans 12, Browns 9 (overtime) Jaguars 27, Colts 0

GFA/STAG Premier League In latest play of the Stag sponsored Georgetown Football Association organised Premier League competition, Santos recorded a 2-0 win over Pele with Ryan October finding the back of the nets in the 41st minute and William Europe sealing the deal in the 55th minute. Riddim Squad triumphed over Beacon 1-0 on account of Wendell Joseph’s 19th

minute goal, while Blackpearl and Georgetown Football Club battled to a 1-1 draw in the other match played on Sunday last at the GFC ground. Devon Henry had given Blackpearl the lead in the 13th minute but that was cancelled out five minutes later when Cortez Kellman found the back of the nets for GFC. In earlier results, Santos

defeated Northern Rangers 30, GFC gained a walk over from Flamingo, Camptown defeated Pele 2-1, Police arrested Riddim Squad 4-1 and Beacon thumped Blackpearl, 4-1. Ten clubs are battling for a top prize of One Million dollars with $500,000, $300,000 and $200,000 set aside for the second, third and fourth placed teams.

Halep, Wozniacki claim revenge wins... (From page 31) 11-match winning run in emphatic fashion. There was little to choose between the aggressive baseliners in the first set but Halep stepped up a gear on the key points in the opener before hassling and harrying Garcia all over the court in the second to triumph in 88 minutes. “I am really happy that I could win my first match as the number one in the world, it takes the pressure off,” Halep, who was beaten by Garcia in the China Open final this month, said in a courtside interview. “I enjoy being in this position and hopefully I can play better in my second match than I did today.” While Halep was making her fourth straight appearance in Singapore, Garcia belied any signs of big stage nerves with a solid hold in the first game, displaying plenty of aggression and volleying well. Halep, meanwhile, was slightly sluggish in the early exchanges before a superb passing shot on the run in the fourth game appeared to act as a trigger for the energetic play that eventually wore down her opponent. BEST TENNIS The pair traded breaks midway through the opener before Garcia’s serve completely fell apart as the set progressed and her second double fault of a calamitous ninth game gifted Halep a 5-4 lead. Garcia refused to buckle completely, however, and Halep needed three set points to finally seal the opener with

a booming backhand down the line that she greeted with a loud roar and two clenched fists. Halep was finding the corners at will and more sloppy serving from the Frenchwoman handed her opponent the first break of the next set in the third game, which the Romanian consoli-

dated brilliantly after battling back from 0-40 down. Another break of serve soon followed and although Garcia finally held in the seventh game, Halep would not be denied and sealed the contest on her first match point when the Frenchwoman sent a routine volley at the net into the tramlines.

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Tuesday October 24, 2017

Brusche’s Basketball Foundation begins clinics in New Amsterdam today Once again the Brusche’s Basketball Foundation will host a number of basketball clinics for children attending the primary schools and secondary schools in Linden, Georgetown, East

Coast, Demerara, Berbice and Kwakwani. In a release yesterday the B r u s c h e ’s B a s k e t b a l l Foundation announced that United States –based former national captains Mike and

James Brusche and Hewley Harry, who will be here on Thursday, along with former national player from Berbice Shawn Semple, who is here also, are all giving back to the sport.

Berbice Cricket Board Under-15 squads selected Competition starts November 28 The Berbice Cricket Board is pleased to announce that trial sessions for its under-15 Zone Teams have been successfully completed and squads has been shortlisted to be trained in preparation for the competition which kicks off on November 28. The Players that have been selected are: Western Berbice-Saffie Shakir, Darius Joseph, Odel Miller, Antwoine Alexander, Altav Balman, Shreedath Roopnarine, Latchman Dhanna, Vickendra Singh, Daniel Vicknand, Boodram Lakeram, Hemchand Ragbir, Inderjeet Lalsa, Travis Babolal, Mahendra Ramcharitar, Zaid Baksh, Kenny Budhu, Veer Farhad, E z e k i e l R o g e r, A l e x Jaigobin and Tyrees Phillips. Coach for the team is Okeme Seduc and Manager is Shabeer Baksh New Amsterdam/ Canje: Tomani Caesar, Zeinol Ramsammy, Isia Thorne, Christopher Sobhai, Avishkar Persaud, Savian

Arokium, Zadeen LaRose, Kevin Jaundoo, Nicquan Samuels, Devon Soba, Anthony Omrao, Joel Batson, Nigel Lokhnauth, Aftab Bahadur, Kelvin Samuels, Justin Megu, Nickolas Patoir, Jameel Durant, Akeem George, Revolvo Benn. The Coach assigned is Kwesi Maltay and Manager is Ameer Rahaman L o w e r C o re n t y n e : Jerron Hitnarine, Damian Cecil, Leon Cecil, Navindra Boodram, Arshad Yunus, Shavishkar Neville, Tejpaul Mangal, Shivraj Persaud, Kumar Deopersaud, Hemchand Maniram, Pavanand Ganesh, Tameshwar Mangal, David Bishamber, Tameshwar mahadeo, Anthony Rampaul, Hemendra Deonarine, Rudra Goberdhan, Redua Mohabir, Coach is Tremayne Smartt while Manager is Sharaz Ramcharran U p p e r C o re n t y n e : Ve t t o r i e l a t c h m a n , Rampertab Ramnauth,

Rampersaud Ramnauth, Mahindra Gopilall, Jonathon De Viera, Doresa Ramlochan, Niraj Singh, Davendra pooran, Angelino Ramdihol, Jonathon Rampersaud, Matthew Pattaya, Mark Ramsammy, Dwayne Williams, Beres Downer, Mark Ramalho, Basit Alli, Lakeraj Ramlekan, Abdur Munroe, Christopher De Roop, Joel Campbell, Alex Mangal, Akash Dowlatram, Adrian Munssan and Jeremy Sanoia. The Coach for the zone is Leslie Solomon, while the Manager is Lakeram Latchman. Training commences today, October 24. The New Amsterdam Canje squad members are asked to assemble at the Young Warriors Cricket Club at 15:00 hrs, Lower Corentyne at the Albion Community Center for 15:00 hrs, Upper Corentyne at the Port Mourant Community Center for 15:30 hrs and West Berbice at Bush Lot for 15:30 hrs.

Thousands participate in the GTT Pinktober inaugural 5k/10k Walk/Run The GTT inaugural 5k/10k run/walk held today, October 21, saw the largest participation ever for such an event. Close to 5,000 persons converged on the Parade Ground, Middle Street venue from where they commenced the 5k, 10K run and walk in support of GTT Cancer Warriors, while raising awareness and at the same time supporting the work of the Guyana Cancer Foundation. The fantastic thing about the walk is the fact that every one of the over 3,000 persons who purchased a “Pinktober Special Package”, contributed $500 of that purchase to the work of the Guyana Cancer Foundation to aid in the Organisation’s work to save lives. So great was the belief and support for the cause

that it touched the spirit of over 150 persons from across workplaces and professions who volunteered their services to ensure the smooth execution of this massive inaugural event. Medals were presented to the first 2,000 persons who crossed the finish line. Trophies were also presented to several categories of participants. One of the highlights of the inaugural walk/run was the release of 2,000 helium balloons in recognition of all those who have fought cancer. Another spectacular item was the formation of the human cancer ribbon in the Parade Ground. Participants were treated to free massages, free makeovers, food, drinks and cultural items. GTT, CEO Mr. Justin

Nedd said that the company’s vision will continue to be involved playing a special role in the hearts and minds of communities as part of GTT’s mandate to “Do More”. GTT extends heartfelt appreciation to major sponsors of the walk, including JSL International Group of Companies, Impressions, Starr Party Rental, Hits and Jams Entertainment, Banks DIH and Pulse Entertainment, JSL International Group of Companies and other agencies who contributed to the success of the programme. Their relentless support to all Pinktober-related events shows their commitment to joining in the fight against breast cancer and using their influence to help.

James indicated that children from Berbice, Georgetown, Linden and the East Coast and Kwakwnai will be involved in the sessions. The Brusche’s Basketball Foundation has been given permission from the relevant authorities to have the clinics which starts today in New Amsterdam where from 13.30hrs to 15.00 hrs a session will be held in New Amsterdam for

Others planned around the country Primary school kids. On Thursday the sessions are set for the East Coast, Demerara where sessions will be from 10.30hrs to 12.00hrs and then switch to Burnham Court for Georgetown players between 13.30hrs and 15.00hrs. Next Monday the sessions will be conducted at the Mackenzie Sports Club

hard court from 9.30hrs to 11.00hrts for primary school players and from 14.00hrs to 15.30hrs for secondary school players. The following day, next Tuesday, the team will be in Kwakwani to conduct sessions for primary school players from 10.00hrs to 12.00hrs and from 13.00hrs to 15 hrs for secondary school players.

Akshaya Persaud only new comer in Jaguars squad Face Jamaica from Thursday at Providence With the unavailability of six senior players, the National selectors headed by former Guyana pacer Rayon Griffith, have selected an experienced Jaguars line up for their opening PCL Regional four-day game against Jamaica from Thursday at Providence. The three-times defending champions will begin their campaign without Shiv Chanderpaul, who miss the first game due to personal commitments, Raymond Reifer, Shimron Hetymer and Devendra Bishoo, who are with the Test side in Zimbabwe and Vishaul Singh and Keon Joseph on West Indies ‘A’ team duties against Sri Lanka.

Akshaya Persaud Akshaya Persaud, is the only uncapped player name in the 13-man which is led by Leon Johnson. Persaud gains

selection on the back of scoring the most runs in the recently concluded three-day Franchise League leading the West Demerara Franchise. Shiv Chanderpaul, Singh and Joseph will join the team for their second round game a g a i n s t t h e Wi n d w a r d Islands from next week Thursday in St Lucia. Guyana Jaguars: Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Rajendra Chandrika, Chanderpaul Hemraj, Leon Johnson (Captain), Bashkar Ya d r a m , K e e m o P a u l , Anthony Bramble, Sherfane Rutherford, Veerasammy Permaul (V/Capt), Gudakesh Motie, Romario Shepherd, Akshaya Persaud, Anthony Adams.

NBA Round up (insidehoops.com) Allen Crabbe scored 20 points, Nets beat Hawks 116-104 The AP reports: NEW YORK — The Brooklyn Nets thought their rebuilding phase was right on track when they signed Allen Crabbe to an offer sheet in the summer of 2016, only to see Portland step in and match it. After finally being able to acquire him in a trade with the Trail Blazers in July, Nets coach Kenny Atkinson is starting to see some of the intangibles that Crabbe’s brings. The gamble, although delayed by a year, might have been worth it. Crabbe, who has been on a minutes restriction because of preseason injuries, came up big Sunday, scoring 20 points - 10 in the fourth quarter - to help the Nets beat the Atlanta Hawks 116-104... DeMarre Carroll added 17, and Caris LeVert and D’Angelo Russell each had 16 points to help the Nets improve to 2-1 with their

second straight victory. Wiggins’ heave banks in, leads Timberwolves past Thunder 115-113 The AP reports: OKLAHOMA CITY — Andrew Wiggins didn’t have time to get near the basket for a final shot. Just inside halfcourt was close enough. Wiggins’ desperation heave banked in as time expired to give the Minnesota Timberwolves a 115-113 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday night... Wiggins scored 27 points and Towns had 27 points and 12 rebounds for Minnesota (2-1). Russell Westbrook scored 15 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter for the Thunder (12), who were coming off a loss at Utah on Saturday night. Anthony scored 23 points and Steven Adams had 17 points and 13 rebounds. Pelicans hold off late Lakers rally for first win, 119-112 The AP reports: LOS

ANGELES — The New Orleans Pelicans were watching another doubledigit lead evaporate, with the Los Angeles Lakers using a furious 27-4 run to take a five-point lead. This time, the Pelicans were ready for the challenge. They answered with an 11-0 run of their own to beat the Lakers 119-112 on Sunday night for their first victory of the season... The Pelicans (1-2) were able to ward off the challenge from the Lakers (1-2) behind 27 points and 17 rebounds from Anthony Davis, and 22 points and 11 rebounds from Cousins... The Lakers’ late rally was led by reserves. Jordan Clarkson topped Los Angeles with 24 points, while Kyle Kuzma added 20 points to match guard Kentavious CaldwellPope. Lakers prized rookie Lonzo Ball struggled with his shot (3 of 13) and finished with just eight points, but did contribute 13 assists and eight rebounds.

Kaieteur News

Tuesday October 24, 2017

PAGE 31

GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power U-17 League – EDFA

Buxton Stars wallop BA Paradise; Ann’s Grove needle Plaisance; Golden Stars beat BVTU

On target for Buxton Stars from left, Daylon Blair, Shamar Singh, Kerwin Maxwell, Teshawn Gordon and Ingram Charles. Action in the East Demerara Football Association (EDFA) leg of the GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power National Under-17 Intra Association Leaguecontinued with a number of matches recently at the Golden Grove ground. Buxton Stars recorded

the biggest win of the last four matches, a whopping 5-0 walloping of Bachelors Adventure Paradise. Ann’s Grove United were 1-0 winners over Plaisance in one of three matches played on Wednesday last at the same venue. Golden Stars shone

brightly against their opponents, BV Triumph United, thumping them 3-1 with the other match petering out to a 1-1 draw between Buxton United a n d M a h a i c a Determinators. Buxton got their goals from Shamar Singh (9th), Teshawn Gordon

Shane Higgins – Ann’s grove United FC (14th), Kerwin Maxwell (15th), Ingram Charles in the 50th minute and Daylon Blair from the penalty spot in the 65th minute. Ann’s Grove United’s lone and winning goal against Plaisance was scored by Shane Higgins in the 20th minute.

Kevin Washington (left) and Shawn Adonis – Golden Stars FC Golden Stars victory over BV Triumph United was engineered by a double strike from Kevin Washington in the 9th and 40th minutes with Shawn Adonis tucking in the other in the 50th minute. BV’s consolation goal was scored by Omari Glasgow in the 70th minute

from the penalty spot. And, Buxton United, clawed their way back from being a goal down against Mahaica Determinators in the 20th minute after Julius Hamilton put his team ahead, to equalize in the 55th minute through Troni Semple.

Chase nearing hundred, Windies eyeing win B U L A W A Y O , Zimbabwe, CMC – Roston Chase was within touching distance of a fourth Test hundred as West Indies carved out a lead in excess of 400 runs to increase their stranglehold on the opening Test against Zimbabwe, on the third day at Queens Sports Club here yesterday. The right-hander was unbeaten on 91 at the close, leading a resilient batting display from the Caribbean side that saw them to 369 for eight – a lead of already 429 runs heading i n t o Tu e s d a y ’s penultimate day. Opener Kraigg Brathwaite buttressed the Windies effort by fashioning his 14th Test half-century with a battling 86, while the classy Shai Hope and tailender Devendra Bishoo both scored 44 and Kyle Hope, 43. Leg-spinner Graeme Cremer once again led the attack with three for 111 while seamer Kyle Jarvis (266) and Sean Williams (290) both ended with two wickets apiece. Resuming the day on 88 for one, West Indies lost Kyle Hope inside the first hour when he played across a full length one from Jarvis and perished lbw, after adding just 11 to his overnight score.

Kraigg Brathwaite made a solid halfcentury, ©Getty Images (file photo)

Middle order batsman Roston Chase … spearheaded West Indies batting with an unbeaten 91. (file photo) Brathwaite and Shai Hope then combined in a 67run third wicket stand which pushed the Windies to 155 for two at lunch, and kept Zimbabwe at bay for a nearly an hour afterwards. On 38 at the start, Brathwaite raised his fifty on the stroke of the hour with a couple to mid-wicket off Williams and then survived a chance on 60 to Hamilton Masakadza at slip off

Cremer, to be unbeaten on 70 at lunch, partnered by Shai Hope on 24. He was eyeing three figures when he played around one f r o m o ff spinner Sikander Raza and was lbw just before the next drinks break at 174 for three, after facing 229 deliveries and striking four fours and a six. Shai Hope, who faced 106 balls and counted five

fours, put on a further 37 for the fourth wicket with Chase but the introduction of the second new ball put an end to the threatening stand, when Hope was hit in front by Jarvis. His demise triggered a slide that saw three wickets tumble for 33 runs, to leave West Indies on 244 for six at the tea interval. Jermaine Blackwood was drawn from his crease

and stumped for the second time in the match, this time off Williams for three, while wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich fell to the final delivery before the break, caught by Masakadza at slip for 12 off Williams. Unbeaten on 38 at tea, Chase took control of the innings to ensure West Indies dominated the final session, first posting 33 for the

seventh wicket with captain Jason Holder (24) and then an invaluable 92 for the eighth wicket with Bishoo. All told, he faced 127 balls and struck eight fours and a six to put himself on course for his third hundred this year. He gathered his fifty about 40 minutes following the resumption and after losing Holder, caught at point off Cremer, joined forces with the plucky Bishoo to ram home the Windies advantage. He drove Jarvis to the extra cover boundary and then flicked him square for four in one over to move into the 80s, and Bishoo was no less enterprising, lashing four fours and a six – a slog over long-on off Cremer – in his 71-ball knock. Scores: WEST INDIES 219 (Shai Hope 90 not out, Kieran Powell 56, Roston Chase 31; Graeme Cremer 4-64, Sean Williams 2-20) and 369 for eight (Roston Chase 91 not out, Kraigg Brathwaite 86, Shai Hope 44, Devendra Bishoo 44, Kyle Hope 43, Jason Holder 24; Graeme Cremer 3-111, Kyle Jarvis 2-66, Sean Williams 2-90) ZIMBABWE 159 (Hamilton Masakadza 42, Craig Ervine 39, Solomon Mire 27; Devendra Bishoo 5-79, Kemar Roach 2-23, Jason Holder 2-25).

Kaieteur News

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Tuesday October 24, 2017

New FIBA Men’s World Ranking presented by Nike

Guyana Basketball on the ranking board for the first time in local history The Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation Senior Men’s National Team receives historic FIBA ranking for the 1st time. Guyana is now ranked 110th out of 213 national teams. Guyana was never ranked before and was considered to be one of the unranked countries within FIBA for the past 56 years, a release has informed. On October 11th FIBA officially launched the new FIBA World Ranking Men, presented by Nike. This is an innovative game - based ranking that factors in all official games ranging from regional pre-qualifiers all the way to the FIBA Basketball World Cup Final and includes the Olympic Basketball Tournament as well as the Continental Cups. As a result, it can more accurately reflect the performances of 153

Patrick Haynes national teams over an eight year period, compared to 91 national teams under the previous system which was competition - based and only took into account the final standings of tournaments. The basic principle is simple: 1,000 basis points are awarded in each game, with the two teams earning a share of these according to

the margin of victory or defeat. Weightings are added on a round basis, meaning that, when a team progresses through a top official FIBA competition, its wins are worth more with every round it plays. The ranking has revised weightings of the competitions. For the first time, it sees the implementation of a time decay rewarding teams for their most recent performances. This replaces the system in place under the previous ranking, where all games over the 8-year period received the exact same value. Finally, the new ranking also recognizes the value of away wins and rewards facing and beating opponents that are higher in the ranking. The new ranking was devised with the new

Stunning Dottin century hands Windies clean sweep ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Mercurial righthander Deandra Dottin belted an as tonis hing hundred as West Indies Women trounced Sri Lanka Women by 31 runs to sweep the three-match Twenty20 International series here Sunday night. Playing at Coolidge Cricket Ground, the 26year-old carved out 112 off 67 deliveries as the hosts chalked up 159 for six off their 20 overs, after choosing to bat first. Dottin smashed nine fours and five sixes en route to becoming the first women player to score two T20I hundreds in a career, following her maiden one seven years ago during the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean. T h e B a r b a d i a n ’s hundred was also her second of the year, coming on the heels of her unbeaten 104 against Pakistan in the Women’s 50-overs World Cup in England last July. Dottin, voted Player-ofthe-Match, got support from Hayley Matthews who chipped in with 34 from 40 balls at the top of the order. In reply, Sri Lanka Women were held to 128 for five off their 20 overs despite half-centuries from

wicketkeeper Rebeca Vandort (50) and Shahikala Siriwardene (50). Matthews returned with her off-spin to claim four for 18 from her four overs. The win ensured West Indies swept the entire series after their 3-0 whitewash in t h e I C C Wo m e n ’s Championship ODIs in Trinidad a fortnight ago. Windies Women had a less than impressive start when they lost captain Stafanie Taylor cheaply for five with the score on nine in the third over, bowled by seamer Sripali Weerakkodi. Entering at number three, Dottin quickly took charge of the innings in a stunning display of hitting as she added a frenetic 121 for the second wicket with Matthews who counted two fours in her knock. When Matthews was eventually run out in the 18th over at 130 for two, Dottin was nine runs short of three figures and she reached her landmark off the last ball of the penltimate over with a couple off leftarm spinner Inoka Ranaweera. She was out to the fourth ball of the final over, lbw to pacer Ama Kanchana – one of four wickets to fall off the last six balls.

West Indies were then quickly on top when Matthews struck twice in the fourth over to remove Yasoda Mendis (9) and Chamari Atapattu (0) – both stumped by Merissa Aguilleira – with the score on 14. And when off-spinner Taylor had Nipuni Hansika also stumped for 12 in the ninth over, Sri Lanka Women were stuttering on 42 for three. B u t Va n d o r t a n d Siriwardene combined to produce a last ditch effort, adding 84 for the fourth wicket to inject some purpose and pride into the innings. Va n d o r t f a c e d 3 9 deliveries and counted four boundaries while Siriwardene struck six fours in a 44-ball knock. They were both dismissed in the final over, bowled by Matthews, with the result already a foregone conclusion. Scores: WEST INDIES WOMEN 159 for six off 20 overs (Deandra Dottin 112, Hayley Matthews 34; Ama Kanchana 2-24) SRI LANKA WOMEN 128 for five off 20 overs (Shashikala Siriwardene 50, Rebeca Va n d o r t 5 0 ; H a y l e y Matthews 4-18).

calendar clearly in mind. FIBA is pleased to offer more national teams - 149 of them, a ranking that can be updated after every window of the Qualifiers so that national teams, fans and their national federations can follow their progress on a more regular basis. For now, the new FIBA Wo r l d R a n k i n g M e n , presented by Nike, only applies to senior men’s national teams and competitions. FIBA will work towards drawing up and implementing similar systems for the women’s and youth (boys and girls) rankings at a later stage. Both GABF President Nigel Hinds and GABF International General Secretary and CBC Vice President Patrick Haynes are quite pleased that the National Senior Men’s Team was able to capture such a

high worldwide ranking, and are very optimistic that the team will be ranked even higher, after next year’s FIBA AmeriCup Caribbean Pre-Qualifier which will be hosted by Suriname in June 2018. The Guyana Men’s National team was placed 5th in the 2014 CBC Championships in Tortola, BVI which was its best performance in this decade. Caribbean countries ranked higher in the list included: (15) Puerto Rico, (17) Dominican Republic, (51) Virgin Islands, (59) Bahamas, (60) Cuba, (68) Jamaica, (76) Antigua and Barbuda, (92) British Virgin Islands, (97) Barbados, (100) St. Vincent and the Grenadines, (109) Bermuda, w h i l e ( 11 0 ) G u y a n a outranked (118) Suriname, (121) Cayman Islands and (143) Trinidad and Tobago. Now is the time that the

Nigel Hinds Government of Guyana through its Ministry of Sports to dedicate funding for the promotion and grow of basketball through-out Guyana. The Nigel Hinds lead administration was able to source the required funds to get Guyana’s overseas athletes to these important qualifying championships and being able to be ranked for the first time ever in 56 years of Guyana basketball is a significant accomplishment, the release concluded.

PNCR 60th Anniversary Day of Sports / Family Fun Day

Five days to go -Organisers gearing up for massive turnout With five days remaining, Organisers of the PNCR 60th Anniversary Day of Sports / Family Fun Day event are busy fine tuning preparations in anticipation of what is predicted to be an exciting day to celebrate the Party’s Diamond Jubilee. The day’s activities will include rivalry in basketball, dominoes, futsal and athletics among some of the best athletes locally. In keeping in line with the wishes of the Party, the Organisers have also included activities for fans and members of the Central Executive that will see them take part in novelty events such as the Lime and Spoon, Tug-oWar, 60 metres sprints, while a quiz contest for children is on the agenda as well. According to a member of the Organising Committee, the event is being held under the theme ‘United and Strong: Sixty years on’ and Guyanese from all across the country are projected to converge at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground to commemorate what is certainly a significant achievement by the Party. The official said the

celebration is open to all Guyanese and urged that they come out and support the day’s activities and have fun whilst doing so. Meanwhile, the teams for the futsal segment have already been identified and those invited to travel to the Mining Town to participate are Sparta Boss, Back Circle, Future Stars, West Front Road ‘Gold is Money’, Ol Skool Ballers, Albouystown ‘A’, Leopold Street and Broad Street. They will go up against eight teams from the host community and they are Silver Bullets, High Rollers, Swag Entertainment, Plantain & Cheese All Stars, Unknowns, Team 25, Blue Berry Hill and Amelia’s Ward Russians. The Domino Competition is a mixture of teams from across the country and this too could provide gripping action, while the basketball and athletics events are touted to regenerate the rivalry between Linden and Georgetown. Berbice is included in the basketball competition as well. Past and present members

of the Party and well wishers are among those expected to be in attendance. The PNCR Diamond Jubilee Inter-Sub Association Division I Basketball Playoffs teams have been announced. They are: Linden: Terron Welch, Tr e v o r P r o f i t , M a r v i n Hartman, Yonnick Tappin, Mark Louis, Chris Williams, Neil Mark, Harold Adams, J o e l We b s t e r, A d r i a n Webster, Stephen Duncan, Selwin Henry, Jamal Gilkes. Coaches: Christopher Pollydore and Kevin Joseph. Georgetown: Nikkoloi Smith, Trenton Woolford, Malcolm Powdar, Trevor Smith, Travis Burnett, Jermaine Slater, Nathan Saul, Ryan Gullen, Dave Causway, Stanton Rose, Shelroy Thomas, Shane Webster. Coaches: Willon Cameron and Mark Agard. Berbice: Michael King, Kevon Emanuel, Rayborn Murray, Mickel Lewis, Romone Fogenay, Kwesi Mickle, Alwin McDonald, Michael Bowen, Shomor France, Nicolas Patoir, Shamar Semple and David Hope. Coach is to be named.

Kaieteur News

Tuesday October 24, 2017

Well Teen, Nauth Motor Spares, Trophy Stall, Tropical Spring U13 cricket

Ramsammy, Deonarain, Arthur, Yearwood are top performers Z y n o l R a m s a m m y, Romeo Deonarain, Shamar Yearwood and Lucus Arthur are among the top performers in the current Well Teen, Nauth Motor S p ar es , Tr o p h y S tall, Tropical Spring U13 cricket competition. Below are the outstanding performers during the preliminary round games. The Third place game between Transport SC and DCC is set for this Saturday 18:00hrs at DCC, while the final between Blairmont and GCC is slated for 11:45hurs on November 5th at the said venue which will be followed by the Guyana Softball Cup 7 finals.

Romeo Deonarain

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Day of horseracing to be held for charity An additional horserace meeting has been added to the horseracing calendar in Guyana. It is the brainchild of a man who is involved in the Guyanese horseracing community. Pastor Quaicy Henry along with his brother Keyno and Eon Blackman are part of a government appointed not for profit programme named #28 Bush Lot In Action. The one day meet will be held on Sunday, the 5th of November at the Ryan Crawford Memorial Turf Club located in Alness, East Berbice - Corentyne. All proceeds from the event will go to that charity. Six races will be offered up headed by horses classified H & Lower. Prize money for the race will be $450,000 to be contested at 7 Furlongs. Also on the card will be races styled for the J & Lower class with a total

purse of $318,750 going 6 Furlongs, K & Lower total purse $225,000 at 5 Furlongs, L1 & Lower total purse $187,500 at 5 Furlongs, L2 & Lower for a total purse $150,000 at 5 Furlongs and an Unclassified event with a total purse of $75,000 going 5 Furlongs. The entry box will close on Sunday, the 29th of October. No late entries will be accepted. All races will be run under the rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority. Horsemen who wish to enter can do so by contacting any of the following officials: Eon 664-5922, Keyno 6904276, Quaicy 603-1027, Fazal 657-1070, Nikita 6624668, Dennis 640-6396 or T. Jagdeo 618-7278. Proceeds from the race meeting will go to fund a

playground restoration project on the grounds of the Ryan Crawford Memorial Turf Club and Sports C o m p l e x . T h e refurbishment was already a work in progress but was halted due to heavy rains that flooded the property. Henry said “in the past the facilities were made available for a group of churches for fellowship and sporting events. The goal is to make it accessible once again.” Pastor Henry also said, “It must be noted that we ran a similar race meeting last year and it was successful.” The nonprofit #28 Bush Lot In Action has been feeding kids at a nearby primary school. In December, they will feed and provide gifts to about 200 kids during the 3rd annual Christmas Tree Light Up. (Scott Ramnarine)

GCC and TSC register wins

Leon Andrews

Rafael Singh

Oslyn Batson

Georgetown Cricket Club and Transport Sports Club registered victories when the Georgetown Cricket Association/New Building Society second division 40-over tournament continued last weekend. On Sunday at DCC, GCC beat the home team by four wickets. DCC batted first and scored 121 al out in 27.2 overs. N. Beaton made 40, Alphius Bookie 32 and Dennis Squires 16. Devon Lord claimed 4-9, Chetram Persaud 3-33 and Deonarine Seegobin 2-26. GCC responded with 122-6 with Marlon Persaud scoring 38 not out and Chetram Persaud 18; Steven Sankar had 2-38. At Eve Leary, Transport SC overcame Police by four wickets. Police took first strike and scored 205 all out in 39 overs. Andrew Lyght Jr made 61, Alex Algoo 37 and Reginald Rodrigues 26; Rafael Singh claimed 3-39, Shaun Massiah 3-45 and

Devon Lord

Andrew Lyght Jr

Kevin Ross 2-34. TSC replied with 208-6 in 36.2 overs. Charwayne Mc Pherson got 49 not out, Ryan Hemraj made 48 and Akeem Redman 24; Kelvin Leitch had 2-35. At Malteenoes SC, Transport SC beat Guyana Defence Force by 27 runs. TSC batted first and posted 281-9. Chemroy Kendall got 49, Jamaul Wilson 38, Charwayne Mc Pherson 37,

Rafael Singh 32 not out, Devaughn Nandan 31 and Anthony Antonio 21; Nicdteo Nester grabbed 459, Kwame Crosse 2-54 and Jermain Moe 2-47. Guyana Defence Force responded with 264 all out in 38.5 overs. Leon Andrews stroked 101 and Nestor slammed 84; Oslyn Batson bagged 4-36 and Antonio 238. (Zaheer Mohamed)

Kaieteur News

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Tuesday October 24, 2017

GCB/ Keem’s Foundation ‘Cricket Cares’ for Hurricane Victims

Jaguars beat C’bean’s All Stars despite Fletcher’s 77

Andrew Fletcher hits Kemo Paul on Sunday night. (Sean Devers photo)

Kjorn Otley pulls Veerasammy Permaul during his 91 runs opening stand with Andrew Fletcher on Sunday night. (Sean Devers photo) By Sean Devers The T20 fund raiser for Hurricane victims between Guyana Jaguars and Caribbean All Stars on Sunday night was expected to be an explosive affair but the smallest crowd for a T20 match at Providence ensured the Event fizzled as a damp squib despite attractive half centuries from Andrew Fletcher and Sherfane Rutherford as Jaguars won by five-wickets. The GCB collaborated with Keem’s Foundation to stage the match, in which part of the proceeds going the people of Dominica and Barbuda, devastated by the worst Hurricane season in the Caribbean. The lack of a large crowd stemmed from several factors beyond the control of the organizers. Setting such an event in the third week of the month

was always going be hard on the ‘pocket’ while the late arrival of tickets from Trinidad, the short time period for promotion and the economic downturn were factors which contributed to the poor turnout. Rawle Ferguson, CEO of K e e m ’s F o u n d a t i o n , conceded the Event was ‘a loss’ but said as a promoter such things happen. “Keem’s Foundation will stand the cost of all the bills incurred, including flights for the overseas players and Hotel accommodation. We will also honor our obligation to donate to our brothers and sisters affected by the Hurricanes,” Ferguson disclosed. Ferguson apologized to the spectators for not having the live performance and Cheer Leaders as promised, explaining that the Cheer Leaders who were hired

never showed up, while singers Tamika Marshall and Jomo were unavoidably absent. “Everything seemed to be against us. Tamika had to leave Guyana urgently on Sunday morning while Jomo was stranded in Lethem. Dwayne (Smith) called to say he had to accompany Chris Gayle to Court in Australia where he is suing one of the teams in the Big Bash,” Ferguson explained. On the field, Guyana Jaguars reached 175-5 in 18.5 overs in response to the Caribbean All Stars’ 174-5 after Jaguars invited the Caribbean side to bat on a track with nice bounce under a clear evening sky. Grenadian Fletcher and Trini Kjorn Otley executed an array of entertaining shots as the visitors galloped to 44 from the six power-play overs.

Rawle Ferguson of Keem’s Foundation, Director of Sports Chris Jones, PM Mosses Nagamootoo and GCB’s Secretary Anand Sanasie at Providence on Sunday night. (Sean Devers photo) Fletcher was the more dominant and clobbered Romario Shepherd and Steven Jacobs into the sparsely populated stands, in which less than 2,000 fans, including Prime Minister Mosses Nagamootoo and Director of Sports Christopher Jones, watched the action. The pair continued to bat positively and at the halfway stage the Caribbean team were 81-1 before legspinner Ramaal Lewis struck at 97-1 when he bowled the left handed Otley for a 32ball 38 with four fours and two sixes. Former Guyana FirstClass batsman Shemroy Barrington (1) wasted his chance to impress when he hit Ricardo Adams to mid wicket a run later before Nicolas Pooran, who slammed 33 from 15 balls with two fours and three

sixes was stupendously taken at long-on by Jonathon Foo at 153-3 off Shepherd. Shepherd, bowling with good pace, rocked back the stumps of Lendl Simmons for a first-ball duck to be on a hat-trick before Fletcher was run out at 162-5 after reaching the boundary once and clearing it six times in his 57-ball 77. Shepherd (2-39), Lewis (1-22) and Adams (1-13) took the wickets to fall to bowlers for Guyana who lost Robin Bacchus (4) off Skipper Rayad Emrit at 15-1. Rutherford was already looking dangerous and played a number of savage cuts including one off West Indies pacer Kesrick Williams which reached the rope like a scud missile. Skipper Leon Johnson, who made 15, was content to play the supporting role before he fell to Kellon Carmichael at

84-2. Carmichael, who bowled impressively, struck again when he removed Anthony Bramble (9) before Rutherford departed at 106-4 after making 51 from 41 balls with five boundaries to the dismay of the fans which included two of Guyana’s most die-hard fans Elizabeth Sunich and Norman the ‘Juice’ man. Foo hit 23 from 15 balls with two fours and a six before he fell to Fidel Edwards at 139-5 before an unfinished 36-run stand between Gajanand Singh, 16 from 15 balls with two fours and Chris Barnwell, who in familiar surroundings in Guyana, smashed three scorching fours and a big six to finish on 25 from just 11 balls to see the Jaguars home with 1.1 overs to spare. Carmichael had 2-24.

Chalitar, Ramlakhan star as Good Success, Maria’s Pleasure triumph Essequibo U17 player David Chalitar grabbed five wickets, while Leorayan Ramlakhan struck and unbeaten 94 as Good S u c c e s s a n d M a r i a ’s Pleasure recorded victories when the Wakenaam Cricket Committee/ Badri Prasad Memorial T20 competition commenced on Sunday. Good Success defeated Sans Souci by four wickets in the opening fixture at the Wakenaam Community Centre ground. Chalitar bowled impressively to finish with 5-17 as Sans Souci were bowled out for 97 in 17.2 overs, batting first. Omal Bacon made 25 as skipper Imran Khan and Vi c k r a m R a m n a r i n e supported Chalitar with 2-10 and 2-17 respectively. Good

David Chalitar Success responded with 996 in 13.3 overs with Khan scoring 31; Bacon returned to capture 2-24. In the afternoon fixture at

Leorayan Ramlakhan the said venue, Maria’s Pleasure led by an attacking innings beat Sans Souci Jaguars by six wickets. Sans Souci Jaguars took first

Safraz Mohamed

strike and scored 156 all out in 17.4 overs. Safraz Mohamed struck 49, Siddiq Mohamed 26 and Gladwin Henry 21. Alec Clemenson

bagged 4-28 and Kennard L e w i s 3 - 2 9 . M a r i a ’s Pleasure responded with 158-4 in 11.5 overs with Ramlakhan leading the

Imran Khan chase. Timothy Singh contributed 23 not out; Derwin Daniels took 1-23. The competition continues on Sunday.

Tuesday October 24, 2017

Kaieteur News

PAGE 35

Turbo Knockout Football tournament

6th Brusche’s Classic Basketball Two fierce clashes on Ravens knockout Guardians 74-65, tonight at the MOE Ground Jets KO Bulls 80-54 to reach semifinals Match day number two licking their wounds after closer to 1st prize of (2) of the Petra/Turbo knockout football tournament being sponsored by Guyana Beverage Company kicks off tonight at the Ministry of Education (MOE) Ground on Carifesta avenue from 18:30hrs with two games. The first match will afford the city fans the opportunity to see Linden side, Silver Shattas match skills with powerhouses GFC. Shattas are the inform team and have extended their run in the ongoing Mayor’s Cup tournament to the quarterfinal stage. Meanwhile, GFC will be

being booted from the said tournament and will come out guns blazing with a point to prove. The feature match of the double-header tonight begins at 20:00hrs and will pit the young and quick legs of Santos FC spearheaded by National winger William Europe against the well run feeder club Grove High-tech which is East Bank based, that continuously produces top young talent. This match is expected to be fast paced as the exuberance of these two developing teams is expected to entertain fans as they go all out for one step

$500,000. Tonight will not be the only evening for the week fans will get to see high quality football, as the tournament will continue on Thursday with two more matches under the recently installed lights at the MOE ground beginning at 18:30hrs. Thursday’s first match will see West Demerara’s Uitvlugt battling East Bank’s Soesdyke Falcons. The feature clash on that night will be contested between city side Riddim Squad and West Demerara’s Pouderoyen at 20:00hrs.

Martial Arts Master, Sensei Winston Dunbar elevated to 8th Dan

Sensei Winston Dunbar (left) receives his credentials from Sensei James Holder, London-based Head Coach of the CKF. Sensei Compton Winston Dunbar, Chief Instructor of the Guyana Wa d o Ry u K a r a t e Association has been awarded the 8th Dan Black Belt by the Caribbean Karate Federation (CKF) for his distinguished service to karate in the region. He was also appointed President/Chief Instructor of the 29-nation regional Federation. Sensei James Holder, London-based Head Coach of the CKF, who is on a short visit to Guyana, made the presentation to Sensei Dunbar on behalf of the Federation.

It is the highest award in the Caribbean for the WadoRyu style. Sensei Dunbar, who celebrated 50 years as a martial arts practitioner last year, was also honoured in 2000 when he was a p p o i n t e d Te c h n i c a l Advisor by Grand Master of the World Union of Karatedo Federations. “I am honoured to be presented with this award and I will continue to serve diligently to promote the development of the sport in Guyana and the Caribbean,” The Chief Instructor said. He also thanked Banks DIH Limited for assisting

the development of the sport locally by providing the Sports Club at Thirst Park as the main dojo of the local Association for past 28 years. Meanwhile, Holder said his visit to Guyana coincides with preparation for the hosting of the inaugural Caribbean Karate-Do championships slated for October 27-28, 2018 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. Affiliates of the CKF will participate in the championships to be hosted for the first time in the Caribbean and sanctioned by the World Union of KarateDo Federations.

Ravens staked their claim to be in contention for this year’s Brusche’s Classic Basketball Championship with a solid performance when they halted Guardians 74-65 to reach this year’s semifinal, while Amelia’s Ward Jets also came through safely with a 80-54 triumph to also book their slot in the final four on Sunday night at the Mackenzie Sports Club hard court. In the opening game of the night it was Ravens who looked hungry as they were led by Ryan Stephney who shouldered them through with a game high 26 points. They first held a one point advantage 18-17, when the first quarter ended but both sides shared the second quarter 14-14 performance and the scores were 32-31 for Ravens. However, in the pivotal third quarter the Ravens made a 28-9 run when that period ended 60-40 and even though the Guardians had recovered to take a 25-14 exchange in the final quarter they lost by a 74-65 margin. Ryan Stephney held them together with a 26 points game, while Jermain Slater added 13 and Ryan Gullen and Tyrone Hamid contributed 11 each. Nikkoli Smith had a good game playing for the Guardians with 25 points, while teammates N. Yisrael had 11 with T. Woolford getting 10 points. In the other game a good all round game from the Amelia’s Ward Jets saw

Ryan Stephney

Akeem Kanhai

Adrian Webster

Travis Burnett

them romp past Half Mile Bulls to reach the semifinals. Adrian Webster played strong inside and Akeem Kanhai directed things from on top the key as they ensured the Jets maintain their good showing throughout this contest. The Jets first outplayed Bulls 24-8 and while the second quarter was almost even as the Jets had 15 points compared to the Bulls 16, the pivotal third quarter erased

that hopes of the Bulls making a final run successfully as they were out gunned 26-16 when the third quarter ended 64-40 and the final scores read 80-54. For the Jets, Adrian Webster had 14 points, while Kanhai added 13 with Donnel Benjamin and Joel Webster each with 10. The Bulls best players were Michael turner with 15 points, Terron Welch 13 and Vibert Benjamin 12.

Halep, Wozniacki claim revenge wins at WTA Finals SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Simona Halep made a winning start to her WTA Finals campaign with an impressive 6-4 6-2 victory over Frenchwoman Caroline G a r c i a y e s t e r d a y, t h e Romanian surging clear in the second set to subdue her in-form opponent at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. The second Red Group match of the day was a completely one-sided affair when Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki blew away Elina Svitolina 6-2 6-0 in less than an hour to gain revenge for two finals defeats against the Ukrainian this season. Garcia was the last

Simona Halep has yet to win a Grand Slam title. (Getty images) woman to qualify for the elite eight-woman event when the 24-year-old won back-to-back titles in China

but her tournament debut ended in defeat when world number one Halep halted her (Continued on page 25)

Chase nearing hundred, Windies eyeing win

Regis Chakabva checks out Roston Chase’s punch. (Getty Images)

t r o Sp Stunning Dottin century hands Windies clean sweep

Mercurial batsman Deandra Dottin ‌ smashed 112.

Thousands participate in the GTT Pinktober inaugural 5k/10k Walk/Run Thousands came out to support the GTT Pinktober 5k/10k run/walk held last weekend as they showed support for the fight against Breast Cancer.

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