Wednesday October 25, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Put the monument High praise for the acting Commissioner of Police at the site of arrival DEAR EDITOR, Mr Nowrang Persaud has for some time been advocating, quite correctly the Indian Monument to be donated by the Indian Government should be located at the point of arrival of the first Indian Immigrants at Highbury. A few years ago, I led a delegation from the Indian Commemoration Trust supporting that a fitting memorial should be erected at that spot because it is physically the area where the first batch of Indians arrived. And if in doubt, I could send a copy of the book by Peter Rohoman who has taken the time and effort, without compensation, in writing the history of Indians in Guyana in their first 100 years (from 1838 to 1938). Well, it seems that the Gods are against erecting a Monument at a place that is not considered suitable as the entire thing caved in. Dr Yesu Persaud
Joe Singh not fit and proper, Moses will find that out too DEAR EDITOR, Please permit me a space in your media. It was just learnt that a most distinguished Guyanese, Retired Major General, Joe Singh has resigned as Special Assistant to the President of Guyana and as well as other State Boards for which he is part of. This was a gentleman who functioned with high esteem, integrity, impartiality, honesty, morality, principled, decency and the list goes on and on. This is a man who can walk the streets anywhere with his head high without an utter of bad words and feelings. My guess is that he has realized that he is not a “FIT AND PROPER” person to serve this current president in the highest office of the land. He was unjustifiably deemed not “FIT AND PROPER” by the President who rejected the Opposition Lists to
accommodate his “Chosen One”. Mr. Joe Singh, your legacy as a true patriot that has functioned in several posts with high esteem, integrity, impartiality, honesty, morality, principled, decency which will last forever on this forbidden land. It is with great regret that the President sees you as being not “FIT AND PROPER”. The next person who will be deemed not ‘FIT AND PROPER” will be Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo who has the least portfolio of all Prime Ministers on this planet and even less than some of his Ministerial Colleagues in the current Cabinet. Guess they are implying that you are not “FIT AND PROPER”, just count your remaining days. Laurence Williams, ACCA, CPA, CGA, MBA. Toronto, Ontario
Youth arm of the AFC... From page 4 submitted by the Leader of the Opposition, the President was well within his Constitutional ambit to unilaterally appoint the Chairman of GECOM. The PPP/C should not be frustrated with or by the President’s decision to unilaterally appoint a GECOM Chair, they should be frustrated with themselves for spreading their misconceived notion that constitutional reform was not/is not needed! I do not credit any argument posited by the members of the opposition that the appointment was unconstitutional since they are the ones who have been pushing for weeks and months that the government, focused on constitutional reform, should instead be focused on adhering to the Constitution! Did the President not adhere to the supreme law of the land when he found not one but three of the Leader of the Opposition’s lists presented to be unacceptable?
Did the President not adhere to the Constitution when he gave reasons for rejecting the first list presented to him ‘so that the parameters for the submission of another list, if required would be set’? And did the President not adhere to the Constitution when he, in the absence of a list of six persons presented by the Leader of the Opposition, not unacceptable to him [the President] unilaterally appointed a GECOM Chair? If the PPP/C is still of the view that constitutional reform is not needed in consideration of the facts, then they have yet again failed to recognize the underlining issues. They are indeed not equipped to govern Guyana again especially under the existing Constitutional doctrine! Join the AFC in lobbying the government for a hastened constitutional reform process Cynthia Rutherford President Youths for Change AFC
DEAR EDITOR, Thank you for the opportunity to publish this letter in your newspaper. I pen this letter to acknowledge the successes of the members of the Guyana Police Force in relation to the spate of unprecedented crimes in Guyana. In particular, I wish to acknowledge our acting Commissioner of Police Mr. David Ramnarine D.S.M, whose leadership is indeed noteworthy as in this case, during this period as acting Commissioner of Police, he is again, discharging the functions and responsibilities of the two highest offices in the Guyana Police Force. Similar to our Honorable President, His Excellency David Arthur Granger, I share the same views for selecting the most senior personnel from disciplinary forces to be the head of a public institution particularly because of the enormous experience and exceptional ability to motivate subordinates, to manage resources and achieve the organization goals and objectives. Today we are witnessing these two exceptional leadership quality being fully
expended in a peculiar environment by our acting commissioner of police Mr. David Ramnarine D.S.M. Notwithstanding, I must highlight that the smooth functioning of the coordinated operations of the Guyana Police Force was also similarly realized by the predecessors of the Guyana Police Force who held the position of Commissioner of Police. It calls for a dedicated leader with a strong willpower and a great deal of knowledge and expertise on how to police the air, land and sea in order to control felonies, misdemeanors and violations. Today, as we the members of the business community expand our businesses and expend enormous resources on our personal and private security; we are consoled and encouraged by the track record of Mr. David Ramnarine D.S.M as is proven in the recent months as the Guyana Police Force continues to recapture dangerous prison escapees, apprehend persons who commit impersonation, gun crimes, rape, domestic abuse,
murders, car hijacking gangs, and intercept narcotics at the international and local borders of Guyana. I know for a fact that every law abiding Guyanese who desires to live in peace and harmony have confidence in the Guyana Police Force and are in full support of Mr. David Ramnarine D.S.M. They are assiduously working and being vigil in their neighbourhoods to gather critical information and relating it to the Office of the Commissioner and members of the Guyana police force in an effort to curtail crime. Today, I seek to highlight and acknowledge the bequest of Mr. David Ramnarine D.S.M who epitomizes leadership. He is someone whose life reflects a heart of service and commitment to crime fighting and national security and certainly his invaluable service to the Guyanese people. With such an amazing track record of exceptional performance and accomplishments, I am left to wonder what Mr. David Ramnarine D.S.M secret is to such an astoundingly successful career as a true son of our nation, an outstanding
husband, a great father, an academic, and an incredibly effective leader of the Guyana Police Force. I have come to believe it comes down to selfless Love for people and crime solving and prevention. I believe it is not just any ordinary love, it is a very particular kind of love, since its unconditional, selfsacrificial, others-oriented which places the service to humanity and others as the foremost priority in one’s life. Mr. David Ramnarine D.S.M is not easily provoked, nor easily angered, he is emotionally intelligent, willfully exercising the awareness, patience and restraint that reinforce a climate of empowerment, engagement, and excitement coupled with this ability to effectively relate to individuals of all race, nationality or creed. I thought I should share my views with you after reading about the most recent apprehension of several persons who are before the courts for some of the most heinous and barbaric crime of late. Nazar Mohamed Businessman
Unilateral appointment of GECOM Chairman can harm social cohesion DEAR EDITOR, The Indian Action Committee (IAC) participated in the civil society consultations convened by the office of the Leader of the Opposition and found that like the first and second list of nominees, the third list represented Guyanese who were, according to the constitution “fit and proper” to hold that key position. The IAC was bewildered and disappointed by the President’s rejection of the third list of nominees for the position of GECOM Chairman as submitted by Leader of the Opposition Honourable Bharrat Jagdeo and mandated by the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. The IAC therefore wishes to alert His Excellency the President, his government, civil society, the diplomatic community and wider
population that for the Head of State to act unilaterally and in violation of the relevant constitutional provision, he should understand that his action will do severe harm to social stability and social cohesion as it would put our democratic and electoral systems in grave suspicions and undermine public trust and confidence. The IAC concurs with the positions expressed by the Bar Association of Guyana, the Private Sector Commission, the Guyana Human Rights Association, the FITUG, the erudite submission by the former Speaker of the National Assembly Ralph Ramkarran, SC and the US-based International Centre for Democracy. The IAC hopes that the public outcry will lead President David Granger to
reconsidering his action. The IAC’s office, since the publication of the President’s decision in the media, has been bombarded by citizens, primarily of Indo-Guyanese origin, who have expressed their deep fears and concerns about the ramifications of this action. The IAC fully supports a constitutional challenge to the President’s unilateral and arbitrary decision. The IAC also calls upon civil society and nongovernmental organizations, the trade unions, the various religious bodies, the private sector, the University of Guyana and like-minded members of civil society to
convene an urgent public forum on this development. The IAC further urges the international community to take serious note of the current political imbroglio and offer some mechanism to cool the heated atmosphere spreading. The IAC further hopes that either through the Court or dialogue among the political parties, civil society and other stakeholders that the standoff will be resolved early and an amicable atmosphere for dialogue be embarked upon in preservation of peace, harmony, and social stability. Saira Alli
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Kaieteur News
Berbice Bar Association condemns unilateral appointment of GECOM Chairman DEAR EDITOR, The Berbice Bar Association strongly condemns the unilateral appointment by President David Granger of retired Justice James Patterson to be the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission. The appointment flies in the face of article 161 Of the Constitution of Guyana, the country’s supreme law and is contemptuous of the ruling of the acting Chief Justice Madam Roxane George In The case of Marcel Gaskin against the Attorney General. Article 161 of the constitution is clear in its prescription of how a chairman is to be appointed. The President shall choose a chairman from a list of names that is submitted by the Leader of the Opposition. If the Leader of the opposition fails to submit such a list only then the President may unilaterally appoint a Chairman. It is public knowledge that the Leader of the Opposition has submitted to the President, the names of eighteen (18) persons, many of whom are eminently qualified and certainly who are more qualified than the present appointee. There were no reasons nor grounds therefore for the President to invoke the proviso of article 161(2) of the Constitution and unilaterally appoint a chairman. Indeed, in the decision of Justice George, the Honourable Judge deemed of “academic significance” only her interpretation of the proviso which allows the President to unilaterally appoint a chairman, as lists and amended lists had been submitted by the Leader of the Opposition as provided for in the Constitution. Additionally the Association is deeply concerned that despite the court being clear that reasons must be given in the event of a rejection of names, the President has failed, refused and neglected to comply with that ruling. What is the
example being set for ordinary citizens regarding complying with decisions of the court? His Excellency, the President, must lead by example by respecting the rule of law. In that way, the ordinary citizens would be expected to do the same. The indecent haste in which this appointment was made and without respect for and in total disregard of the Opposition Leader and people of Guyana, does not augur well for our fledgling Democracy. There is no reasonable or legal justification for the extreme haste in which this appointment was made. We are worried about the effect of the President’s unilateral appointment of Justice Patterson on the social, economic and political stability of our country—all matters that will affect in various ways every single citizen of Guyana. The Association is also concerned about the apparent effects of the advanced age of Justice Patterson vis a vis the upcoming local government and national and regional elections. Will the retired Justice be able to carry out and perform all the rigorous duties associated with the Chairmanship, and if he is unable to do so, what will be the impact on our fledgling democracy? The Association stridently calls on His Excellency President Granger for an immediate rescission of the appointment of Justice James Patterson. The Association demands that the President heed the spirit and intent of the constitutionally enshrined Carter- Price formula of appointing a chairperson to GECOM and immediately collaborate with the Leader of the Opposition to arrive at a fit and proper person for appointment to the said post. Adrian Anamayah BERBICE BAR ASSOCIATION
Wednesday October 25, 2017
Where have these funds gone to; the Amerindian people are annoyed DEAR EDITOR, I thank the media for publishing my recent letter in relation to the Inter- American Development Bank’s (IDB) failure to implement the much anticipated Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) Redd+ Readiness project in Guyana. Editor, I alluded to in my recent letter that the sum of US $300,000.00 was budgeted for the National Toshao Council (NTC) and the four Indigenous Organizations (APA, NADF Goip &TAAMOG); $150,000 for the NTC and $150,000 for the four NGO’s. I know this for a fact as the Amerindian Action Movement of Guyana (TAAMOG) was involved in developing the project document. The procurement plan (Annex 1- Gy- T1097) approved by the IDB in November 2013 specify the allocation of this US $300,000.00 to the NTC and the four National Indigenous Organizations. In December 2015 I had several meetings at the IDB
office with the now IDB failed project coordinator Mr. Luis Miguel Aparicio. Present were representatives of the other three NGO’s and NTC. From the IDB side Mr. Luis Miguel was accompanied by Mr. Kevin Bonnet and Ms. Janell Christian (now head of the office of Climate Change). These meetings were intended to chart a way forward for activities under the NTC and NGO’S component and access to the funds. However, these meetings ended up being futile and nothing came of it as the IDB led Mr. Miguel failed to understood how to implement the project and was very rude, arrogant and disrespectful to members of the Indigenous group. It was a complete failure from the start to bring Mr. Miguel to manage the project. The whole of 2016 passed and nothing was done. Amerindians are frustrated. Every time TAAMOG visits the communities, they keep asking when this FCPF
project will commence. The IDB and the executing agency never sought to update the Public and the Indigenous communities in any tangible way on the progress of the FCPF project. We are in the latter part of 2017and as I mentioned in my previous letter no tangible activities have been completed. So where is the money for the NTC and four Indigenous Organizations? Sometime in early August 2017 a delegation including a representative of the NTC and representatives of NGO’s met with the IDB. The IDB team was led by IDB’s country representative Ms. Sophie Makonnen, Mr. Kevin Bonnet and two others. I raised the issue of the funds for the indigenous NGO’s. To my surprise we were informed that there are no monies allocated to the NGO’s, rather all the funds are for technical assistance. I was shocked at this new twist of events as I know that funds were allocated to the NGO’s.
I subsequently on return home rechecked the IDB approved procurement plan in my possession and at least US $100,000 was allocated for the NGO’s which meant TAAMOG should have gotten approximately US $30,000.00 to do consultation activities in indigenous communities. Mind you, the monies were not to pay salaries or any personal benefits but to pay for Redd+ consultation activities in the indigenous communities of Guyana. The question is, where has the money gone? This seems strange to me and I would hesitate to say fraud and misappropriation. But if the IDB reallocated the funds it was done unilaterally and without consultations with the Amerindian people. This is a violation of the rights of indigenous peoples of Guyana and they are very concerned about this and will not take it lightly. We need our monies back IDB. Public Relations Officer TAAMOG
The City Constabulary is outdated and should be replaced DEAR EDITOR, Many years ago a police commander of the ‘B’ division was discharged from the job without pension and gratuity when he went against a directive from Mr. Burnham. It took 18 years for this man’s rights to be restored when Dr. Jagan came to power. Despite the fact that there are certain procedures by the book for the handling of such affairs as well as the removal of
holders of constitutional posts, these persons can be removed in the ‘national interest’. They may well seek recourse to the courts but this process as in the one related above will take an eternity before a decision one way or the other will follow. It is my view that a ‘Commander-inChief’ can proceed if he is of the conviction that the action of removing an officer is correct. The ultimate responsibility reposes with him. We cannot fault him herein for the exercise of his deliberate judgement. He will have facts at his disposal that we the people might have. He has to be given this discretion since the ‘buck’
rests with him. If the President feels that heads of the services should be removed in the public interests as fall out from the recent COI, then he should proceed without delay. Delay in matters such as these could prove fatal in the long run. The Hon. Minister of Public Security’s approach of cajoling and beseeching officers to be mindful of their oaths and responsibilities is certainly not the one to take in this case. Whoever wants to flout the established SOP’s should be either sent packing or else suffer the loss of significant pay. I cannot excuse the officer who lost both his car and service weapon. He should know that carousing with government property in his possession is not the way to go. The one fingered in the loss of the evidence should be made to pay three times the street value of the goods. This way officers and men would be taught a salutary lesson. Further I believe that it is time to disband the City Constabulary. This outfit is a waste of tax payers’ cash. The officers and men should be merged with the State Police. Ranks should be deployed in the outlying districts as is normally done with other police. The Force currently needs about 400 ranks. These
personnel should be able to significantly make up this number. City property should overlook by a suitable armed private guard service. Only the Mayor and Deputy Mayor should be given one body guard each and watch guard cover at their homes. The other officers of the City do not qualify for security coverage. I have never seen Messrs. Adams and Mayors given such services and these gentlemen were superb Town Clerks. It is time to clean up things at City Hall. When an NCO rank has serious allegations of deviant behaviour brought against him on multiple occasions, then it just shows that the City Constabulary has been reduced to the status of a sex club. Whoever is shielding this man should be removed like him from the employ of the City. We citizens certainly do not need this kind of hubris at City Hall. Recently, I witnessed two armed canine officers patrolling in my street. I think this kind of vigilance augurs well for the Force in the prevention of crime. These officers must be allowed to stop and search persons in the hours of darkness. It might be looked at as an inconvenience, but then any measure that will thwart miscreants is laudable and should be put in place. Cyril Walker
Wednesday October 25, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Health workers among professionals in training to detect cases of violence Dr. Shamdeo Persaud [at podium] addresses the gathering at the opening of the workshop. Also at head table are: [from left], Ms. Colette Adams and Dr. William Adu Krow.
A section of the participants
Although little research has been conducted on sexual violence throughout the world, available data suggest that in some countries nearly one in four women may experience sexual violence by an intimate partner. About one-third of adolescent girls report their first sexual experience as being forced. Sexual violence is known to have a profound impact on physical and mental health. It is associated with an increased risk of sexual and reproductive health problems with both immediate and long term consequences. The foregoing was among the information shared by PAHO/WHO Representative, Dr. William Adu Krow, during an ‘In-service Violence Against Women’ training
workshop. The three-day forum, which commenced yesterday, is being held at the Kingston, Georgetown Marriott Hotel. According to Dr. Adu Krow, the impact of sexual violence on mental health can be as serious as its physical impact and may be equally long lasting. He noted that “deaths following sexual violence may often be as a result of suicide, HIV infection or murder...the latter occurring either during a sexual assault or subsequently.” Even as he considered that Guyana has had to battle with a troubling suicide scourge for a number of years, Dr. Adu Krow highlighted that “we have had a very high agestandardised death rate for suicides...Thank God it fell
from 44.2 per 100,000 to 28.6 per 100,000 and that is a massive fall.” But continuing on the subject of sexual violence, Dr. Adu Krow pointed out that according to the World Health Organisation, over the last decade, intimate partner violence or sexual violence against women has been widely recognised as a public health and human rights problem. He noted that studies in both developed and developing countries indicate that between 20 and 67 percent of women globally experience violence in relationships. “Intimate partner violence, particularly the abuse of women by their male partners, is among the most common and dangerous forms of gen-
der based violence,” the PAHO/WHO Rep said. “Women become targets by virtue of their relationship with a male abuser and the violence is inflicted on them usually but not exclusively within the home. Violence is also inflicted upon children, whether they are witnesses to abusive behaviours or are themselves victims,” he said. But there are also cases of sexual violence against men. Acts of violence are not only meted out to the female gender, Dr. Adu Krow noted. There is a vast difference
between violence against men and violence against women, he added. The PAHO/WHO Rep. underscored that women are overwhelmingly the victims. “More often than not when there is violence against men, the men get to live in the same house and they get to go about their daily lives and virtually they move on...However violence against women it doesn’t get better it gets worse till they are killed,” Dr. Adu Krow said. As such he emphasised that it is imperative that more
attention is directed to violence against women and girls. As he addressed yesterday’s forum, Dr. Adu Krow noted, “I am glad that we are having this workshop.” He stressed the need for health care workers, in particular, to be able to identify cases of violence when confronted with them. Ensuring that health workers are more proficient in dealing with such matters is therefore the intended aim of the ongoing workshop. But the (Continued on page 23)
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Kaieteur News
GECOM FALLOUT?
Wednesday October 25, 2017
Presidential adviser, Joe Singh, quits all Govt. positions Major-General, Joe Singh (Ret’d) tendered his resignation on Monday from all government posts, including his job as Special Assistant to President David Granger. The surprise decision came four days after the President appointed retired Justice James Patterson as the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). Singh delivered his resignation via the Ministry of the Presidency giving one month’s notice. “From a protocol standpoint, I submitted a letter to the Ministry of the Presidency indicating that I am giving a month’s notice for the termination of my contract. At this stage I don’t really want to make any further statements,” Singh told Kaieteur News. Singh, who did not provide a reason for his resignation, has served at the behest of former Presidents Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar. He was retained by the Granger administration through annual contracts. His current contact was due to expire at the end of March. “My contract is from year to year and I have been here for the past three presidents…At this stage I have decided that I don’t wish to continue beyond the month that I have as a mandatory requirement,” Singh stated.
Singh still serves as Chairman of The National Agricultural Research & Extension Institute (NAREI), the Protected Area Trust and the National Parks Commission. Singh stated, “I will use this [one month] period to hand over my portfolio of responsibilities.” Among a number of other posts, Singh has served as Executive Director of Conservation International; Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Telephone & Telegraph Company (GT&T) and Chairman of the Board of the Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC). GECOM FALLOUT? Singh was on Jagdeo’s third list of nominees for the post of GECOM Chairman, but was snubbed along with 17 others when the President unilaterally named Patterson for the post. The move by the President has sparked a flurry of criticisms across Guyana and while Singh has not provided a reason for his resignation, the timing of it will also add to the debate of the GECOM chairmanship. People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Executive Member and Member of Parliament, Zulfikar Mustapha through the law firm, Mohabir A. Nandlall and Associates, moved to the High Court to have Patterson’s
appointment quashed. Mustapha is seeking a declaration that Justice Patterson’s appointment last Thursday is in violation of and contrary to Article 161(2) of the Constitution and is accordingly unlawful, illegal, unconstitutional, null, void and of no effect. Further, Mustapha is seeking a declaration that Justice Patterson is not qualified to be appointed as the Chairman of GECOM in accordance with and in pursuance to Article 161(2) of the Constitution; and an order directing the President to choose a person from the 18 names submitted to him by the Leader of the Opposition.
Major-General, Joe Singh (Ret’d)
Wednesday October 25, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Squatting has become a means of land grabbing A poor woman from the countryside took every penny that she had saved for over forty years and invested in purchasing a home in a residential district in Georgetown. Her savings were not enough to complete the transaction. She borrowed the remainder of money from the bank to complete the payment for the house.
The woman calculated that if she lived in the upper flat and rented the lower apartment of her new home, this, along with her present earnings, would allow her to satisfy her monthly loan repayments to the bank. Everything went fine for the first five years. She got a tenant who was willing to pay the rent that she charged because the house was near
the city where the jobs were and therefore attracted premium rentals. Then the poor woman’s problems began. There was a main drainage canal right opposite to where she lived and a government reserve ran along that canal. Squatters invaded the reserve and began to erect shacks on it. The squatters defecated in utensils and emptied the
contents into the canal which soon became overgrown and clogged with weeds because the city council no longer had access to clean the canal since the reserves were occupied by squatters. The problems got worse. The tenant began to complain about the squalor which was developing in the neighborhood. Then, items began to go missing from the yard. Squatters began to steal electricity and water. The tenant decided to move. The homeowner was not worried because she felt that she would easily find another tenant. The only problem was that nobody was willing to pay the original rent because the once decent residential area had been reduced to squalor. Crime had increased and the area became insanitary. People were not willing to pay the rent which was being asked. The once proud homeowner was now faced with the inability to service her loan to the bank. Her property was at risk of being foreclosed. She decided that rather than lose her property, she would sell it. She figured that she would get enough to pay off her indebtedness to the bank and be able to purchase a property in the village of her birth. She was wrong. When an evaluator came to value her property, he told her that the value had shrunk because of
the squatting. Her house value rather than appreciating with the passage of time, had depreciated. The woman was forced to sell her house. She is now a resident in an old people’s home. Every time the government moves against squatters, there is a big hue and cry. The squatters claim that they know they are doing something illegal but say that they have nowhere else to go. Most of those adult persons who are squatting on Government reserves were not all born on those reserves. Most of them came from other areas where they lived in homes. Squatting has become a means of land grabbing. Occupying reserves in the hope of being regularized is one way in which persons hope that they can be economically empowered. But this is silly premise because squatting in itself while allowing a few persons to become propertied also decreases the property values of legitimate property owners. There are persons right now who are protesting in front of the Central Housing and Planning Authority. They are protesting notices sent to them to remove from government reserves. The squatters are asking where the government expects them to go and what is to become of their children. That is not the
DEM BOYS SEH...
government’s problem. It is their problem. They should not have been on the government reserve in the first place. The government should investigate where the squatters lived before taking up residence on Government reserves. Unless, the squatters can establish that they were born on the reserves, they should not be entitled to alternative housing. Squatting should not be rewarded. If people are rewarded for squatting what will happen is that this practice will become a ruse for persons who want to grab lands. They will believe that in order to stop their illegal occupation of land, the government will be forced to give them new lands. The government, however, is not stupid. The government knows that many of them whom they will offer land to will accept the land, sell it and move right back to squatting. Those who are squatting should be treated humanely. Investigations should be done as to where they came from originally and they should be resettled in those communities. Squatting affects everyone, not just the squatters.
Somebody protesting how Patto does smoke weed Nuff people line up like if dem playing dog and de bone. One side hollering how Soulja Bai wrang fuh pick Patto to be GECOM Chairman. Of course dem got nuff reason. One reason is that he too old; another is that he not fit; then dem seh he not proper. De other side line up behind Soulja Bai. Dem seh that Soulja Bai got a right to pick who he want because de Constitution give him that right. Another set seh that Jagdeo tamper wid de list and didn’t give
Soulja Bai a chance. And while that happening people resigning. Major Joe resign fuh he own reason. Dem boys seh that perhaps he fed up wid going to wuk every morning. But then again since he is a man of principle and since he name been pun a list fuh de GECOM Chairman, he probably vex because Soulja Bai seh he is not a fit and proper person. Dem boys know that people woulda get vex. Dem know that once Soulja
Bai reject a list people gun get vex. De Ram start fuh attack Soulja Bai, he Ministers, he cat and he dog from de time Soulja Bai reject de first list. He like sour grapes now. De other people get vex when he reject de second list because Soulja Bai signal that dem ain’t fit and proper. But dem boys point out that if dem got five good men pun a list and one bad one then de whole list bad. Is a case of one rotten apple spoil de whole barrel. And while that happening dem got people telling more lie just to mek Patto look bad. De Chat-3 seh somebody tell him that Patto wukking fuh $800,000 a month when de poor man does only get gasoline money. Dem boys willing to bet that de next thing dem gun hear is that somebody see Patto wid a young woman smoking weed. Talk half and wait fuh more revelations.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday October 25, 2017
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN...
The PPP teaches Guyana what opposition politics should be like In one of my columns after the PPP lost the 2015 elections I predicted that it will be a torrid and meticulous opposition. The PPP has always been good at the politics of protest. It has been
a party that has been locked in political battles since its birth. It lost power after the 1953 removal from power. It lost power in 1964. It came back to power almost three decades later during which
time it wrote the global handbook on what opposition politics should be like. Someone as erudite as Walter Rodney found the PPP style of and commitment to
the politics of protest admirable and developed a very close relationship with the PPP and its trade union arm, GAWU. So good was the PPP at rallying minds and bodies to its causes that in the midseventies, the PPP was able to wrest support from the world’s most admired freedom fighters, respected scholars and many governments in the international community. I knew the PPP players very well before and after I entered UG in 1974. When I became active with the WPA at its birth in 1976, I got to know its main actors even closer. Their politics was always helpful to the downtrodden. You have to be dishonest not to admit that. The PPP in the long years in the wilderness never forsook a plea for righting a wrong, irrespective of the class origins of the victim. This was where the PPP was at its best as an opposition party. You could be a washroom cleaner, a taxi driver, a dockworker, the PPP would listen and try to help. I found this nuance of opposition politics sadly missing in the PNC since 1992 and to a great extent, the AFC when it came on the scene in October 2005 (will do a column on the 12th birth anniversary of the AFC later this week and I can assure you; it will not be a positive assessment). Nigel Hughes stands out as an exception. Hughes did not flinch from assisting poor people who came for legal assistance. He recently
declared at a public forum that he is a retired politician. This has to be a devastating loss for the AFC. But maybe Hughes saw the writing on the wall about the AFC before many of us did. From 1992 onwards in Guyana, the Caribbean saw aspects of semi-fascism in the exercise of state power that exceeded the authoritarian tentacles of Burnham in Guyana and Gairy in Grenada. The nexus between drug traffickers and power-holders during the hegemony of President reduced the state in Guyana to a criminalized entity. It is illuminatingly clear in my mind that Burnham would not even for a second, give space to deadly traffickers. I could well have imagined what Burnham would have done to his friend who manhandled NIS inspectors when they went to visit the friend’s work site. In the long years of PPP’s domination from 1992 onwards, opposition indefatigability was almost non-existent. Let me issue a caveat before years from now this particular column here ends up distorting the historical record. It is not that the PNC and AFC did not sympathize with the poor and powerless but they only exercise unlimited energy on situations where the victims were of such status that their intervention helped their own profile and political capital. A hypothetical example should suffice. A Sophia resident would not have received High Court
Frederick Kissoon assistance. But if a well known businessman was the victim, all opposition parties would have sought front page coverage for their embrace of his cause. Quite honestly the PPP never operated in such narrow avenues from 1964 to 1992. I’ll give three brief examples. When we started our 24-hour vigil outside Parliament in 2012 on High Street, named the People’s Parliament, the police came a night and removed all the parasols that shaded us from the sun. I asked several lawyers, some of whom were attached to the PNC and they all said they were busy. The PPP between 1964 and 1992 would have acted in the opposite way. When the Region Three officials brutalized some Parika vendors and burnt their merchandise, we couldn’t get lawyers to take the court case pro bono. Christopher Ram was approached. He agreed then shortly after said he cannot continue because it was a losing case. We took Cheddi Jagan’s nephew, Neil Parsram, and he won it for us. Finally, all the opposition parties refused to join me, Mark Benschop and Lincoln Lewis in rallying support for the three treason accused. The PPP is now all over the place trying to help rights violation victims.
Cop allegedly takes $1M inducement to raid strip club It seems like the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is having another embarrassing month. Shortly after Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan, admitted that the force was having a bad month with the robbery of Lonsdale Withrite, former SWAT l e a d e r a n d t h e disappearance of cocaine from the office of the head of the Police’s narcotics, another rank is in hot water. This time a Police Corporal is being investigated for allegedly taking $1M bribe from one strip club to raid another. According to reports, on Saturday night the Corporal and a team of policemen went to one of the strip clubs and carried out a raid. They
- Transferred to Mounted Branch to facilitate probe interrogated all the entertainers about their travel documents. It is unclear if any of the female workers were detained for overstaying. Kaieteur News was informed that someone who witnessed what was taking place saw the ranks leaving in a vehicle belonging to the owner of the competing strip club. The incident was immediately reported. Reports are that investigators checked the number plate of the vehicle that was used to transport the ranks to the Strip Club and confirmed it is owned by the
strip club that allegedly recruited the ranks. The ranks who participated in the raid were then reportedly questioned and they revealed that the raid was actually organized by the Strip Club owner. They allegedly revealed details of the raid to investigators. It is unclear if all the ranks were transferred but the Corporal was sent to the Police Mounted Branch. Investigation is being carried out by the Police’s Office of Professional Responsibility.
Wednesday October 25, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Consultants sought to train Forensic Science Lab Staffers Bids were opened at the national procurement and tender administration board (NPTAB) yesterday at the Ministry of Finance. There were approximately 86 bids opened .The opening bid was the Ministry of Public Security receiving tenders for the laboratory training for the Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory. The Ministry of Public Security had one bid for the laboratory training services provider to support the Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory & the Guyana police force requirements for competence in accordance with ISO 17025 accreditation standards.
The Ministry also had four bids for procurement of the consultancy services for youth mentor and psychological support services.
The Ministry also had nine bids opened for the procurement of dental supplies for Cheddi Jagan Centre. The procurement of the parenting, domestic violence prevention, conflict resolution and interpersonal violence prevention training programme also had four bids.
The Ministry also had three bids for the consultancy service to conduct a diagnostic, identifying the needs and constraints of the police performance capacity, design and implement a human resource management plan and performance assessment framework for Guyana Police Force. The Ministry also had five bids opened for the procurement of female condoms for the National Aids Programme Secretariat. The procurement for technical assistance in the conduct of community needs and assets assessments & developments of community safety plans had two bids.
The Ministry of Public Infrastructure had one bid for the procurement of the Network Wiring on Hinterland Buildings.
The Ministry of Business had one bids opened for the procurement for the renovating the office building of NEC.
The National Communications Network Inc. had eight bids for the supply of inventory commodities for 2018. The Ministry also had two bids for the procurement of the rehabilitation of parking lots’ surface.
The Ministry also had one bid opened for the procurement for the renovations to rainwater drainage system at Main Exhibition Hall. The Ministry of Agriculture (ASDU) also had nine bids for: the excavation of drains and canals, the construction of access dams and the construction of hydraulic structures at Triumph, East Coast Demerara. The Regional Democratic Council of Region Four had eight bids open for the construction of the Eccles Health Centre, Block ‘BB’ Eccles Housing Scheme on the East Bank of Demerara.
The Ministry of Health also had 10 bids opened for the procurement of medical supplies for the Cheddi Jagan Dental Centre.
>>>> Continued on page 30 <<<<
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday October 25, 2017
CH&PA continues demolition exercise Squatters
…To clear EDWC of unoccupied illegal structures The Central Housing and Planning Authority, (CH&PA) is moving ahead with efforts to clear the Lama Conservancy of squatting and other activities that have been deemed illegal and unhealthy to the environment. During a media tour to the area yesterday, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the CH&PA, Lelon Saul, unveiled a plan to clear the conservancy. The Lama Wa t e r Conservancy / East Demerara Wa t e r Conservancy (EDWC) supplies water to households across the various wards of Georgetown. Saul explained that in addition to the squatting, the conservancy has been the receptacle for garbage, human waste and other foreign objects. The CEO explained further that in addition to the dumping, squatters had even chosen to engage in commercial and agriculture activities in the vicinity of the conservancy. A pen used for rearing pigs is located right in the heart of the EDWC. Speaking to media operatives yesterday, Saul said that the CH&PA has a zero tolerance policy for illegal activities along the conservancy. Lamenting the fact that water from the conservancy is used by residents of Georgetown for cooking, bathing and other household purposes, the CEO noted that CH&PA is moving to put a stop to the activities. He explained that the Housing Ministry is working with persons living along the conservancy to have them relocated to more suitable living accommodations. The CH&PA had committed to a January 2018 deadline to allow the squatters suitable time to relocate from the area. Saul said that efforts are underway to remove the unoccupied structures, some of which are under construction along the dam. “We can start as early as (today),” Saul stated. Squatting has a long history with residents of Sophia /Cummings Lodge. On Monday, Minister within the Ministry of Communities with the responsibility for Housing, Valerie Patterson-Yearwood told the media that over 300 illegal structures have been erected along the reserves in
a matter of months. “Last year, there were approximately 300 squatters. That number increased to 534 in May and it has been increasing.” The Minister warned that any building seen being erected on the reserves will be demolished. PattersonYearwood said CH&PA will also continue to dismantle those unoccupied structures. “Squatting is an illegal act and the government will not permit it any longer.” The Minister noted that C H & PA has been encouraging those persons who have not yet applied for land to do so at the earliest time. She explained that 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.” “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,” Minister Patterson stressed. The Minister disclosed that over 200 notices were served to persons squatting on government’s reserve in Sophia. Additionally, several billboards had also installed along Dennis Street, urging persons to desist from squatting. On October 12, the CH&PA in collaboration with the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) and the Guyana Water Inc. (GWI), Ministry of Public Infrastructure and the Guyana Police Force, commenced the regularisation process in Section A and B Pattensen. The activity resulted in demolition of the homes of several persons squatting on the government reserves. The CH&PA targeted unoccupied buildings, buildings under construction and persons who were allocated house lots. The exercise was temporarily suspended, following outcries by the residents.
Wednesday October 25, 2017
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday October 25, 2017
GCCI continues public lecture series on oil and gas The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) will continue another round of its three-day series of public lectures on Oil and Gas Sector Development and the draft Petroleum Commission Bill. It is being held today at the Roraima Duke Lodge Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown. The speakers areKevin Ramnarine, Trinidad and Tobago’s former Minister of Energy; former Speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran and GCCI President, Deodat Indar. The public discussions got underway on Monday in the mining town of Linden. The interaction, which was facilitated by the Linden Chamber of Industry, Commerce and Development, was attended by over 30 businessmen and saw fruitful discussions on matters relating to the oil and gas sector. Ramnarine and Indar briefed the Linden businessmen on a wide range of topics including improvements necessary to the draft Petroleum Commission Bill, how Lindeners can get involved in the emerging oil and gas sector by making themselves competitive, and opportunities available for training with organizations such as ExxonMobil’s Centre for Local Business Development. Several anti-corruption advocates have already started the process of scrutinizing the existing laws governing the emerging sector. In this regard, a number of loopholes have been identified. Chartered Accountant and Attorney-at-Law, Christopher Ram is one such person who has been vocal in this regard. Ram had given extensive commentary recently on the Petroleum Commission Bill. Ram finds this Bill to be the epitome of legal laziness. On his blog, www.chrisram.net, Ram noted that the Bill, which has been published by the government for public comments, has several flaws and worrying aspects. He cited a clause in the Act dealing with repeal. Ram commented that he found this particularly interesting since the clause seeks to repeal any provision in the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission Act (GGMC), the Mining Act and any other legislation that are in any manner inconsistent with “the provisions of the Act”. Ram said that it is bad enough that the Bill is described as an Act. “But how in the name of legal drafting is any person to know which other legislation to refer to in order to ascertain
GCCI President, Deodat Indar the matters so repealed. This is legal laziness at its worst.” The Chartered Accountant also took issue with the penalties under the Bill. He said that they are quite severe. As is customary, Ram said that various clauses in the Bill create obligations and offences for which penalties are specified. Clause 51 does a mopping up exercise by providing that where no penalty attaches to an offence committed under the Bill, the penalty is $10 million and imprisonment for three years. Additionally, Clause 49 of the Bill which empowers the Minister to make regulations for the proper administration of the act also empowers him to provide penalties of a fine of up to $5 million and imprisonment for three years. Touching on other worrying aspects of the Bill, Ram sought to note that there are 51 Clauses covering areas such as establishment and incorporation of the Petroleum Commission; functions and duties of the Commission; and financing, among others. The broad function of the Commission is stated in Clause 4 as “to monitor and regulate the efficient, safe, effective and environmentally responsible exploration, development and production of petroleum in Guyana”. The lawyer asserts that the clause also gives to the Commission the duty to review and recommend to the Minister for approval, amendment or rejection the plans, proposals, reports, analyses, data and any other information submitted by an applicant or operator in support of an application for the granting or renewal of a petroleum prospecting licence or a petroleum production licence. He said that it is important to note that the Committee has no power when it comes to recommending the granting, suspension or revocation of any petroleum licence. The Commission is also compelled to comply with such directions. Ram explained that it means that the Minister not only chooses who he wants as directors but determines the resources at their disposal to be truly effective.
Wednesday October 25, 2017
Kaieteur News
Skeletal remains believed to be woman who disappeared 4 years ago The compound where the remains were discovered, in New Amsterdam.
The suspected human skeletal remains discovered on Monday in the compound of an abandoned building that once served as a private school located in Savannah Park, New Amsterdam, is expected to be sent for forensic analysis today. A police source revealed that some persons have since come forward to disclose that their relative (a female) has been missing for some four years. “The people normally come whenever we find any bones or so. They claim it is their sister. According to them the woman was missing for four years,” the source said. DNA samples will be taken from the
persons to determine whether the suspected human remains can be that of the missing woman. From initial reports, a businessman in New Amsterdam had sent some labourers to clear unwanted vegetation in the compound of the abandoned building. As they were clearing the grass they discovered the suspected remains at the side of the building in a clump of bush. No clothing or articles were found with the bones. The police source told Kaieteur News that it appears as though the remains were there for years. Investigations are ongoing.
Nine held hostage, suspects escape with victim’s car Three men on Monday night stormed the business place and home of a family, where nine were held hostage and robbed of valuables. The Police have since been able to put their hands on surveillance cameras that were situated in the business, where the identities of the men are likely to be discovered since they were not masked. According to a victim, she left home in her red Toyota Runx, PPP 8667. She arrived at the shop around 21:00hrs when she saw a man lying flat on the ground. She said she was of the opinion that he was drunk and proceeded until she saw a man coming out with a gun. The woman said she tried to run back to her car but was dragged into the shop by one of the four men. She recalled that three of the men were armed with guns and one was outside “looking out”. Nine people were on the floor, including the shop owners, according to her. The men sped off in one of the victim’s car with cash, jewellry and shop items. “Nobody was injured but they just pull we hard,” she
One of the men caught on camera.
said. Ranks from the La Grange Police Station arrived at the scene 15 minutes after the incident occurred. The victim said that she wishes for her name to be withheld. She informed that the shop keeper would have
noted that there is usually a gang of boys that would “lime at the shop”. However, on the evening of the episode, they were not present. The men were all unknown to the victims who included three women and six men. Investigations are ongoing.
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Wednesday October 25, 2017
Kaieteur News
Hess banks on Guyana; selling off assets to raise funds for Liza1
An aerial view of the Tubular Bells production facility, which is operated by Hess. Chevron has a working interest in the project. Norway (chron.com) With $2.7 billion in oilfield sales this week, Hess Corp. is making a calculated bet, giving up steady production today to help fund what could be one of the world’s biggest discoveries into the next decade. The oil explorer with operations on five continents said Tuesday, that it’s selling North Sea assets off Norway for $2 billion and seeking a buyer for wells off of Denmark. The news came a day after Hess sold drilling rights in offshore Equatorial Guinea for $650 million. Counting a June deal to sell properties in Texas, the New York-based company has sold off almost $3.3 billion in assets this year. With the makeover, Hess is building a war chest to help develop a discovery off the coast of Guyana in South America that may hold the equivalent of 2.5 billion barrels of oil, according to company estimates. Its partner in the project, Exxon Mobil Corp., has said the initial building phase may cost $4.4 billion and take until 2020 to deliver its first oil. The payoff: More than a decade of growth for Hess sharehold-
ers. The divestments “all make strategic sense" and “will help bridge the sizable funding gap that Hess faces over the next few years," Capital One Securities analyst Phillips Johnston said in a note to clients Tuesday. “These assets have not been competing for capital, so by monetizing them, Hess will prefund part of the development of its major Guyana discoveries." Still, there’s a trade-off, Johnston said. Hess is giving up operations that produced 16 percent of its total oil volumes and almost a quarter of its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, he said. Hess is due to announce its third-quarter earnings on Wednesday. After opening the day up, the shares fell 2.4 percent to $44.14 at 12:34 p.m. in New York trading. Before Tuesday, the shares had fallen 27 percent for the year, putting them among the ten worst performances on the S&P 500 Energy Index. Hess had telegraphed its North Sea sales, so investors may have discounted some of the gains, said Charles Robertson, a Cowen & Co. analyst in New York. The to-
tal sales proceeds are also more than the explorer’s projected share of the Guyana project, and some may question whether the company was selling too much, he wrote in a research note. Hess has estimated that its share of the project’s initial phase will be about $1 billion. Robertson sees other uses for the money as well. It could help Hess expand drilling in the Bakken shale basin in North Dakota, the analyst said, and with exploration in Guyana set to continue, “These sales give Hess financial flexibility to develop future discoveries." Hess, in a statement, said there would be other benefits: $500 million of the proceeds will be used to retire debt next year and the company also gets to cancel $3.2 billion in liabilities for closing and cleaning up the operations it’s selling. Hess also announced a goal of cutting $150 million in annual expenses, a plan that will lower its per-barrel production costs 30 percent by 2020, it said. “We are focusing our portfolio on higher return assets and reducing our breakeven oil price," Chief Executive Officer John Hess.
Wednesday October 25, 2017
Kaieteur News
Appointment of GECOM Chairman a “stab in the back” The appointment of the GECOM Chairman is no less than a “stab in the back” and must be prevented from being fatal to the Guyanese people. Representatives of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions in Guyana (FITUG), during a press conference yesterday at the headquarters of the Guyana Labour Union, on Camp Street, Georgetown, sought to voice its opinion on several issues and decisions that appear to be a burden to society. The Federation is of the view that the unilateral appointment of the GECOM Chairman, Justice James Patterson, was unconstitutional; it does not represent traces of democracy. President of FITUG, Carvil Duncan, said that the decision made by President David Granger has successfully managed to sprout trouble because of the fact that the leader of the Opposition had
- says FITUG inked three lists that were submitted to the President. He said that there was no way, that the former President could have prepared a list of persons that were not eligible. Duncan added, that much consideration must be placed into the age of the man, since he is currently 84. He will be 87 come the next elections in 2020. Duncan noted, “Far younger persons have been complaining about the stress of being a chairman of the Elections Commission. Mr. Patterson does not have the ability to complete that job, so the only people that are going to suffer are the Guyanese people.” FITUG while not promising a protest has not ruled out the option since according to the representatives, political views must be placed aside and allow the democracy of
Guyanese to be the reason for any objections. The Union has hinted at meeting with the Private Sector Commission to come up with better strategies of highlighting their objections. It was noted that the major concern regarding the appointed Chairman is much related to the fact that Guyana has had rigged elections in 1968, 1973, 1980, 1985 and a referendum in 1978, all under the administration of the PNCR. The new Chairman was sworn in on October 19, last. The decision has led to widespread criticism. On Monday, the PPC’s executive member and Member of Parliament, Zulifkar Mustapha, moved to the Court to have Justice Patterson’s appointment quashed.
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Wednesday October 25, 2017
Kaieteur News
Harbor Bridge to close for 7 hours Saturday
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The push for a new bridge across the Demerara River has been bolstered with news that critical works have to be completed in the next few days on the current one, forcing closure to river traffic starting tomorrow afternoon. The bridge will be closed to river traffic from Thursday to next Tuesday. The bridge will also be closed for a planned seven hours Saturday to vehicular traffic to replace a pontoon under the retractor area. The disclosures were made yesterday by the bridge’s management. According to General Manager, Rawlston Adams, the project to replace the pontoon is part of a twophase one. The first pontoon for the all-important retractor span was replaced in June and is part of a project that cost some $103M. This is the second pontoon for the western section of the span. At the press conference also yesterday were the bridge’s engineers- Diane Lopes, Christopher Grannum and Andre Crowder. Adams disclosed that starting today, workers will be removing the walkway, stairs and platform on the western side of the retractor span area. In all, 50 of the bridge staffers will be working to make the exercise happen. Tomorrow, the bridge will have its final marine transit opening until Tuesday. After that opening, workers will be
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scrambling to remove winches, pipes and other attachments. The work will continue on Friday to remove other hydraulic attachments. However, the big work of switching the new pontoon with the old will be happening on Saturday- for seven hours starting 08:30hrs. According to the GM, the experience from the first pontoon switching will be used to reduce the work. On Sunday, work will be done to reconnect the electrical and other fittings. However, marine transit will not resume until Tuesday. Next month, on the western side of the bridge, another pontoon will be replaced. Workers of the bridge are planning to use the spring tide when waters are high to help the situation. In July 2012, there were problems and a part of the bridge sank when a pontoon collapsed during works to replace it. It was a learning experience for the management of the bridge. The bridge has been challenged over time to conduct critical works without closing the structure altogether. The bridge is a vital link between the city and West Demerara/Essequibo Islands and Essequibo Coast, Region Two. Government is planning to build another bridge between Houston, East Bank Demerara and Versailles, on the West Bank. However, in the meantime, Guyana has to make do with the structure which has stood up but is now being severely tested by the sheer number of crossings daily…almost 10,000 vehicles are recorded daily. Two weeks ago, the bridge closed for six hours for the replacement of another pontoon. However, the retractor span where the works this week will happen is highly technical with little room for error. Adams warned that work to replace the pontoons at the retractor span is by no means child’s play. It requires intense planning and coordination. Next year, in the first Continued on page 27
Wednesday October 25, 2017
Kaieteur News
New Harbour Bridge toll system to red-flag false number plates
Management of the Demerara Harbour Bridge is continuing to examine ways to help in the crime fight. Two years after building a sophisticated security system that is now linked to the area’s Police Commander office, and the Eve Leary headquarters, there is another major initiative…And it is all home-grown. According to the bridge’s General Manager, Rawlston Adams, work is underway to come up with a system that can red-flag vehicles which may be carrying false number plates. During a press conference yesterday at his office at Peter’s Hall, East Bank Demerara, the official noted that currently the bridge’s toll system is a simple point-of-sale one. It allows little leg-room. However, management has been looking at improvements. There have been suggestions in the press and a consultant was acquired to look at the situation. According to Adams, one of the things that management wants to introduce is a
system that allows the vehicle’s information to come up when it is punched in. This means that alerts could come up if a driver attempts to purchase a ticket but the vehicle does not match. The bridge will be working with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) to write a software that will see this feature being introduced. Consultants are on the ground now, working to come up with solutions. The system may even allow Governmentowned vehicles to have hassle-free access, under a credit system, so as to reduce delays. The bridge, celebrating 40 years in existence next year, has been taking some initiatives. It was able to use an old tower and erect some cameras that have the ability to zoom in on a nail head on a building more than 100 meters away. Several cases have been solved because of the security camera system at the bridge. There have been cases of criminals crossing the bridge to commit crimes on the other side.
Harbor Bridge to close for 7 hours...
Delicate work being done earlier this year to replace the first pontoon at the retractor span at the Demerara Harbour Bridge. From page 26 quarter, the bridge will likely be forced to make some harder decisions, like the changing of a number of panels. Without planning, the bridge could close for three weeks. However, a team is busy working out how to whittle this down to a number of days- two or three at the most. According to Adams, this is a major challenge that no one has ever attempted. With regards to the bridge and the acquiring of spares, the GM admitted that it is major challenge of finding original parts. Fortunately, things like bolts from the old
structures on the East Coast railway embankment are being reused. He disclosed that the increase in tolls, last year, has seen a 50 percent rise in revenues. This is helping to reduce the dependency on Government for subsidies. Adams insisted that there is little alternative to keeping the bridge safe and operational because of the devastating impact it can have on livelihoods of Guyanese if anything happens. He also noted that it is not a job where there are a lot of thanks despite the monotony of maintenance.
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Consultants sought to train... From page 11 The RDC also had nine bids opened for the extension of the Lancaster Secondary School in Unity in Mahaica on the East Coast of Demerara.
The Ministry also had nine bids opened for the extension of the Buxton Secondary School on Friendship on East Coast Demerara.
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Overseas consultants review controversial US$302M Bermuda airport deal HAMILTON, Bermuda (CMC) – Transport Minister Wa l t e r R o b a n s a y s Bermuda’s controversial airport redevelopment deal is under review by an international firm of consultants. The review was ordered by the new Progressive Labour Party (PLP) government and is being carried out by the Bermuda Airport Authority and USbased global consultants LeighFisher. “Our goal is to finish by December,” said Roban. The public-private partnership agreement to build a new airport terminal, signed by the former One Bermuda Alliance (OBA) administration with Canadian Commercial
Bermuda’s controversial airport redevelopment deal is under review by an international firm of consultants. (royalgazette.com)
Walter Roban Corporation and its contractor, Aecon, came under fire from the PLP while in opposition. But former premier Michael Dunkley on
Monday said that the OBA plan was “the best deal for Bermuda” and accused the PLP of resorting to “Trumplike” misinformation.
Brazil’s top court suspends controversial slavery decree BRASILIA (Reuters) Brazil’s Supreme Court has suspended a decree issued by President Michel Temer’s government changing the definition of slavery that was widely condemned as a reversal in the fight against forced labour. In her decision taken on Monday and made public yesterday, Justice Rosa Weber said the decree’s reduction of the scope of what is considered slave labour violated the constitution. Weber also argued that the measure could hurt Brazil’s trade relations since other countries could complain that slave labour was a form of unfair competition. Faced with an
outpouring of criticism, the government said on Friday that it would pull the decree and issue a new one. In Brazil, forced labour has been defined as a form of modern-day slavery. This includes debt bondage, degrading work conditions, and long work hours that pose a risk to a worker’s health or life, and violate their dignity. Human rights campaigners said the decree issued by the labour ministry on Monday changed the way slavery was defined, limiting it to a victim’s freedom of movement but disregarding other abuses. The decree, supported by Brazil’s powerful farm l o b b y, w o u l d d e r a i l enforcement efforts that have freed 50,000 workers
from slavery-like conditions since 1995, federal prosecutors and labour inspectors said. Temer opponents said he bowed to pressure from the farm lobby to modify the decree at a time when he is relying on the group’s votes in Congress on Wednesday to block corruption charges against him. “In exchange for support to escape a criminal trial, Temer promised the farm lobby goods he cannot deliver,” said lawmaker Alessandro Molon of the leftist Sustainability Network, the party that asked the court to stop the decree. Molon called the slave labour decree one the most “abject bargains” in the country’s history.
CDB receives EU funding to support geothermal energy development BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has received €12 million in grant funding from the European Union Caribbean Investment Facility (EU-CIF) to support the development of geothermal exploration in the Eastern Caribbean, under CDB’s GeoSmart Initiative. The EU-CIF funds will be used to provide investment grants in the initial phases, and technical assistance grants to support capacity-building initiatives and interconnection studies. The GeoSmart Initiative was developed by CDB to provide financing to support
sustainable geothermal development in five countries—Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. For these countries, the development of geothermal energy could be an alternative to costly and nonrenewable imported fuels. “Geothermal exploration development is key to Eastern Caribbean countries achieving a diversified energy matrix and increased energy security. Although the governments have identified this as a priority, there are significant barriers, which constrain investment and achievement of their
objectives. The EU-CIF contribution addresses critical gaps in the Programme by providing grant funding which is especially important in the early stages of geothermal exploration,” said Tessa Williams Robertson, Head of the CDB’s Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency Unit. The EU-CIF funds will be distributed under two components – €9.5 mn will be used to provide investment grants to fund slim-hole drilling services or full-size exploration drilling; and €2.2 mn will finance capacity strengthening and interconnection feasibility studies.
Work on the US$302 million terminal began in April and is due to be completed by 2020. Roban said the assessment of the agreement started just after the PLP came to power after it thrashed the OBA in July’s general election, with LeighFisher contracted four to six weeks ago. He could not provide a figure for the potential cost of scrapping the deal, saying that would be “hypothetical” until the review was finished. “As opposition we expressed our dissatisfaction with this arrangement, and as Government our dissatisfaction remains,” Roban said, and noted that Bermudians wanted a new airport, but that the Aecon deal was one that “we were forced to accept, as the
project was not opened to other bidders”. “When a significant amount of people expressed their disapproval, they were ignored.” Dunkley said due diligence had been carried out by the OBA from the start, which included engagement with the British government. He added that an independent panel set up to review the deal had declared it “not perfect, but it is a good deal” and said that it had been approved by organisations such as the Bermuda Tourism Authority, the Bermuda Hotel Association, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers. “Any government has the right and ability to review a contract or policy.
“However, in this matter the PLP opposed the project from the beginning and often spread misinformation and employed Trump-like tactics to divide people and confuse the issue. “It was not about what is best for Bermuda but about how to get elected,” the former Premier said. The deal was struck in 2014 by the OBA government, but the start of the project was hit by a number of delays, including a protest outside the House of Assembly last December. The protest, in which police in riot gear used pepper spray to help disperse the demonstrators, forced then Speaker of the House Randy Horton to adjourn parliament until February, when the project was eventually approved by parliament.
C’bean nationals among 36 arrested in enforcement surge NEWARK (CMC) – Caribbean nationals are among 36 people arrested by law enforcement authorities in the United States during a five-day operation as part of an ongoing “public safety efforts” campaign. The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said that the operation targeted criminal immigrants who were previously incarcerated at the Middlesex County Jail (MCJ) in New Jersey, and who were subsequently released to the community by MCJ, without honouring the ICE detainer or advising ICE of their release. An immigration detainer is a tool used by ICE and other US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials when the agency identifies potentially deportable individuals who
are held in jails or prisons nationwide, according to the American Immigration Council. Ty p i c a l l y, i t s a i d detainers are issued by an authorized immigration official or local police officer designated to act as an immigration official under section 287(g) of the US Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). ICE said the operation also targeted other criminal immigrants residing in Middlesex County. The Caribbean immigrants arrested as part of the operation were nationals of Anguilla, Belize, Cuba, Dominican Republic, and Trinidad and Tobago. Others were nationals of E l S a l v a d o r, G h a n a , Guatemala, Honduras, India, Kenya, Mexico, Paraguay, Philippines and Turkey.
ICE said these individuals range from 19 to 62 years old, and all were previously arrested or convicted of a variety of offenses. Some of the arrests and convictions included sexual assault of a minor, child abuse, criminal restraint of a minor, domestic violence, possession of narcotics, distribution of narcotics, robbery, receiving stolen property, theft, aggravated assault, hindering apprehension, resisting officer, driving under the influence (DUI), unsworn falsification, possession of a w e a p o n , b u rg l a r y, prostitution and illegal reentry into the US. ICE said among those arrested during the operation included a Trinidadian citizen arrested for “hindering apprehension and unsworn falsification.”
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Airlines get ready for new U.S. U.S. weighs calling Myanmar’s security rules from tomorrow Rohingya crisis ‘ethnic cleansing’ WASHINGTON (Reuters) - New security measures including stricter passenger screening take effect on Thursday on all U.S.-bound flights to comply with government requirements designed to avoid an in-cabin ban on laptops, airlines said Tuesday. Airlines contacted by Reuters said the new measures, which could include short security interviews with passengers, would be in place by Thursday. They will affect 325,000 airline passengers on about 2,000 commercial flights arriving daily in the United States, on 180 airlines from 280 airports in 105 countries. The United States announced the new rules in June to end its restrictions on carry-on electronic devices on planes coming from 10 airports in eight countries in the Middle East and North Africa in response to unspecified security threats. Those restrictions were lifted in July, but the Trump
administration said it could reimpose measures on a case by case basis if airlines and airports did not boost security. European and U.S. officials told Reuters at the time that airlines had 120 days to comply with the measures, including increased passenger screening. The 120-day deadline is Thursday. Airlines had until late July to expand explosive trace detection testing. Lufthansa Group said on Tuesday the measures would be in place by Thursday and travelers could face short interviews at check-in or at the gate. Economy passengers on Lufthansa’s Swiss airline have been asked to check in at least 90 minutes before departure. Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd said it would suspend intown check-in and self bagdrop services for passengers booked on direct flights to the United States. The airline said passengers would also have short security interviews and it has advised travelers to
arrive three hours before departure. Airlines for America, a U.S. trade group, said the changes “are complex security measures” but praised U.S. officials for giving airlines flexibility in meeting the new rules. U.S. authorities in June also increased security around aircraft and in passenger areas, and other places where travelers can be cleared by U.S. officials before they depart. A Transportation Security Administration spokeswoman Tuesday declined to discuss the specific changes but said “the United States continues to work with our partners to raise the baseline of global aviation security and keep the entire traveling public safe.” The TSA said in July it was imposing new security rules requiring U.S. domestic airline travelers to remove all electronic items larger than mobile phones such as tablets, e-readers and video game consoles from carry-on baggage for screening.
China to unveil new leadership line-up as Xi cements power
A poster with a portrait of Chinese President Xi Jinping is displayed along a street in Shanghai, China. REUTERS/Aly Song BEIJING (Reuters) China’s ruling Communist Party reveals its new leadership line-up on Wednesday when President Xi Jinping introduces his Politburo Standing Committee, culminating a week-long party congress. A key measure of Xi’s rising influence leading the world’s second-largest economy will be how many of his allies are installed on the Standing Committee, the apex of power, which is currently made up of seven people, all men, and headed by Xi, who is also party and military chief. Five members are expected to retire due to an
unwritten rule limiting new five-year terms to those under 68. One of the five, a close Xi ally, the anti-corruption chief Wang Qishan, 69, was left off the new Central Committee, which elects the Standing Committee, but he could get another job a few months down the line, sources have said. The new line-up will be announced around midday at the first plenum of the congress. The congress itself formally ended yesterday, with Xi having his political theory written into the party’s constitution, putting him in the same company as
the founder of modern China, Mao Zedong. Who gets on the new Standing Committee remains a closely guarded secret until Xi leads them out before the media in a room inside central Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, where all top party events take place. Names in contention include vice-premier Wang Ya n g , X i a d v i s e r s L i Zhanshu and Wang Huning, Shanghai party chief Han Zheng, Guangdong province party boss Hu Chunhua and Zhao Leji, who runs the p o w e r f u l o rg a n i s a t i o n department that oversees personnel decisions such as promotions and demotions.
Rohingya refugees wait to receive humanitarian aid at Kutupalong refugee camp near Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh yesterday. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The State Department is considering formally declaring the crackdown on Myanmar’s Rohingya Muslims to be ethnic cleansing, U.S. officials said yesterday, as lawmakers called for sanctions against the Southeast Asian country’s military. Pressure has mounted for a tougher U.S. response to the Rohingya crisis ahead of President Donald Trump’s maiden visit to Asia next month when he will attend a summit of Southeast Asian countries, including Myanmar, in Manila. U.S. officials are preparing a recommendation for Secretary of State Rex Tillerson that would define the military-led campaign against the Rohingya as ethnic cleansing, which could spur new sanctions, the U.S. government sources said. The proposal - part of an overall review of Myanmar policy - could be sent to Tillerson as early as this week, and he would then decide whether to adopt it, according to the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity. M ore than 600,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled Rakhine state in Buddhistmajority Myanmar, mostly to
neighboring Bangladesh, since security forces responded to Rohingya militants’ attacks on Aug. 25 by launching a crackdown. The United Nations has already denounced it as a classic example of ethnic cleansing. Three U.S. officials testifying at a Senate hearing on Tuesday declined to say whether the treatment of the Rohingya was ethnic cleansing, but listed new measures including targeted sanctions that Washington is considering. Those steps, however, stopped short of the most drastic tools at Washington’s disposal such as reimposing broader economic sanctions suspended under the Obama administration. “I‘m not in a position ... to characterize it today, but to me this very closely resembles some of the worst kind of atrocities that I’ve seen during a long career,” Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Mark Storella said when pressed to say whether he viewed the situation as ethnic cleansing. Senator Ben Cardin, the ranking Democrat on the Foreign Affairs Committee, said he considered the treatment of the Rohingya “genocide” and is working on bipartisan legislation that could spell out whether
additional sanctions are needed. Myanmar, also known as Burma, insists that action was needed to combat “terrorists.” The recommendation to Tillerson - first reported by the Associated Press - is not expected to include a determination on whether “crimes against humanity” have been committed, as this would require further legal deliberations, one U.S. official said. The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Some U.S. lawmakers criticized Aung San Suu Kyi, head of Myanmar’s civilianled government and a Nobel peace laureate once hugely popular in Washington, for failing to do more. Senator Bob Corker, Republican chairman of the committee, chided Suu Kyi for what he called “dismissiveness” toward the plight of the Rohingya and said it might be time for a “policy adjustment” toward Myanmar. At the hearing, Patrick Murphy, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian And Pacific Affairs, said additional sanctions were being considered, but cautioned that doing so could lessen Washington’s ability to influence Myanmar.
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Refugees from 11 countries face additional barriers under Trump plan WASHINGTON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Trump administration will temporarily delay the processing of most refugees from 11 countries deemed to be high-risk while resuming refugee ad-
missions for other countries, government officials said yesterday. According to a memo seen by Reuters, sent by the Trump administration to Congress yesterday ahead of the gov-
ernment announcement on new refugee vetting measures, the administration also will place on hold a program that allows for family reunification for some refugees resettled in the United States.
The resettling of so-called following-to-join refugees will resume, according to the memo, once screening “enhancements have been implemented.” The changes come at the
close of a 120-day ban on most refugees that was ordered by President Donald Trump to allow a review of vetting processes. The 120 days ended on Tuesday, and Trump issued an executive order providing for the general resumption of the U.S. refugee program. “We continue to have concerns regarding the admission of nationals of ... 11 particular countries” deemed to be high-risk, the memo said. It said the government will conduct a 90-day review “to determine what additional safeguards, if any, are necessary to ensure that the admission of refugees from these countries of concern does not pose a threat to the security and welfare of the United States.” Trump took office in January with a goal of sharply cutting refugee admissions, in line with the hard-line immigration policies that were a focal point of the Republican’s 2016 election campaign. He quickly issued the temporary bans on refugees and travelers from several Muslim-majority countries, which were challenged in court. Opponents of the bans argued that the policies were aimed at barring Muslims from the United States.
The administration has denied any intent to discriminate and argued that its travel ban and security changes were meant to protect the United States from terrorist acts. The memo said that refugees from countries that do not require higherlevel security screening, known as Security Advisory Opinions, or SAOs, will temporarily be prioritized over the 11 countries, since their “processing may not be as resource intensive.” As of the end of 2016, SAOs were required for most adult male nationals of Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Mali, North Korea, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria and Yemen, as well as Palestinians who lived in those countries. Others who are considered “stateless” by the United States who lived in one of the 11 countries also fall under the mandatory SAO requirement, according to a State Department document seen by Reuters. Three sources familiar with refugee processing said that list was still current. Refugee advocates said the administration’s decision would essentially pause admissions for applicants from those nations.
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Highlights of Monday’s NBA games (The Sports Xchange) Highlights from National Basketball Association games on Monday: Warriors 133, Mavericks 103 Stephen Curry escaped a suspension from the league on Monday night, then led the Golden State Warriors to a 133-103 victory over the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Curry had to wait until Monday afternoon to get a verdict from the NBA office whether he would be allowed to play. During Golden State’s 10-point loss at Memphis on Saturday, he lost his cool and chucked his mouthpiece in the direction of the referee. Once he learned he would get only a fine, the two-time league MVP finished with a game-high 29 points. He made up for cold 3-point shooting (2 of 10) by going 13 of 13 from the free-throw line to help the Warriors improve to 2-2 on the season. Kevin Durant finished with 25 points, eight rebounds and six assists, and
Klay Thompson added 21 points for Golden State. Draymond Green had 10 points, eight assists and seven rebounds. Grizzlies 98, Rockets 90 Mike Conley keyed a 13-0 run in the fourth quarter to help Memphis rally for a victory over Houston. With the Rockets leading 88-78 just past the midpoint of the fourth quarter, Conley sandwiched two 3-pointers around a three-point play from James Ennis III on which Conley provided the assists. The second Conley trey matched the Grizzlies’ biggest lead at 94-90. Memphis closed the game on a 20-2 run. Marc Gasol paced the Grizzles (3-0) with 26 points. Conley added 17 points and four assists. Ennis chipped in a double-double with 14 points and 11 boards. Eric Gordon led Houston with 27 points and added seven assists. Backcourt partner James Harden posted 22 points and eight assists but also registered a game-high seven turnovers. Heat 104, Hawks 93
Josh Richardson scored eight of his 21 points in the fourth quarter, and Wayne Ellington scored 19 of his 20 in the second quarter to lead Miami past Atlanta. Richardson, in his third year in the NBA, put up just his fourth career game of 20 or more points. He was pivotal to the Heat’s effort in the fourth quarter, scoring on a layup, a mid-range jumper and four free throws. Ellington made 6 of 7 3point tries in the second quarter, tying Brian Shaw for a franchise record. In 1992-93, Shaw made six 3-pointers in a quarter and 10 for the game. Atlanta was led by Kent Bazemore (20 points), Taurean Prince (20 points) and John Collins (14 points, 11 rebounds). 76ers 97, Pistons 86 Ben Simmons posted a triple-double in his fourth career game, and Philadelphia collected its first win of the season by downing Detroit. Simmons, the top pick in the 2016 draft, piled up 21 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. He missed all of last
season after undergoing foot surgery but has doubledoubles in each of his first four games. Joel Embiid powered for 30 points and nine rebounds, and Robert Covington added 13 points for Philadelphia. Reggie Jackson led Detroit with 16 points and seven assists, and he added six rebounds. Avery Bradley supplied 15 points for the Pistons, and Andre Drummond contributed 14 points with 14 rebounds. Bucks 103, Hornets 94 Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 32 points and Chris Middleton added 20 to lead Milwaukee to a victory over Charlotte. Antetokounmpo surpassed 30 points for the fourth time in four games this season. With 147 combined points in those games, he passed Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar — who scored 146 to open the 1972-73 season — for the most points through four games in franchise history. Mirza Teletovic hit five 3-
pointers to finish with 15 points as Milwaukee went 9 of 26 from long distance and shot 47.1 percent overall. Frank Kaminsky hit three of his four 3-point shots and led Charlotte with 18 points off the bench. Jeremy Lamb added 17 points, and Kemba Walker and former Bucks player Johnny O‘Bryant finished with 15 and 14, respectively. Wizards 109, Nuggets 104 Bradley Beal scored 20 points, John Wall had 19 points and 12 assists, and Washington beat Denver. Otto Porter Jr. added 17 points and 10 rebounds for the unbeaten Wizards, who began their four-game Western Conference road trip with a solid performance. All five Washington starters scored in double figures. Nikola Jokic broke out with 29 points and nine rebounds, and Paul Millsap had 17 points and eight rebounds for the Nuggets, who struggled with ball control. Denver committed 24 turn-
overs — eight by Jokic — and lost despite outshooting Washington 48.8 percent to 44 percent. Suns 117, Kings 115 Marquese Chriss scored 19 points, and Mike James put Phoenix ahead to stay on a basket with 14.1 seconds left as the Suns overcame two tumultuous days to hang on for their first win. The Suns led by as many as 22 points and were up by 11 with 3:08 to play in the game. However, five 3-pointers in the fourth quarter by S a c r a m e n t o ’s Garrett Temple keyed a 14-3 run, and Kings rookie De‘Aaron Fox tied the game at 112 on an 8-foot floater with 58 seconds left. James, who had 18 points and seven assists in his first start in place of the departing Eric Bledsoe, hit a 5-foot bank shot to give the Suns the lead for good. The win came a day after Earl Watson was fired as head coach and hours after Bledsoe was sent home after tweeting that he no longer wanted to play for the Suns.
Williams survives three-hour Ostapenko... Wednesday October 25, 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Be sure to catch up on overdue correspondence and help those you love find solutions to their dilemmas. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) You should be trying to clear up legal contracts that have been pending. Recognition can be yours if you present your ideas and stand behind your beliefs. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Your accomplishments could exceed your expectations if you mix a little business with pleasure. CANCER (June 21–July 22) It's time to reconnect with some of the people you used to know. Your ability to put things together will be appreciated by your comrades. Refrain from using the highway as a racetrack. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Don't press your luck with your loved ones. Relationships will be emotional today. Get on with your life. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Get out and about. You can easily wrap up overdue personal legal matters that have caused problems for you. You need to do more things that you enjoy.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Your pilgrimage may end up being fruitless. Don't hesitate to voice your opinions at a group meeting; however, keep your thoughts to yourself at home. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Don't consume more than necessary. Let your lover know what your personal intentions are. Empty promises could be likely where work is concerned. SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) You can make money if you're willing to push your ideas on those in a position to support your efforts. Avoid any erratic behavior or it could cause isolation at home. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Try to be honest when dealing with your mate. Gambling will be a waste of time and money. You could come into extra cash. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) You might find that coworkers will support your endeavors. You will communicate with ease today. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Your desire for excitement and adventure may be expensive. Don't let your emotions interfere with moneymaking deals. You will be emotional when dealing with coworkers or employers.
(From page 35) Williams capturing 11 of them –- enough to edge her to a victory that ensures she stays in the season finale. It was relief for the American, who let slip a match point in the second set but summoned up all her experience to stay cool when she got another opportunity in the third. During the 69-minute third set, which included six consecutive breaks, Williams clinched the decisive break in the 11th game and then clinically held serve to outlast the Latvian. It maintained Williams’ perfect record over Ostapenko, having won their only encounter earlier this year at Wimbledon. The result will sting for Ostapenko who started brightly, working Williams around the court and hitting
Berbice Cricket... (From page 36) discipline displayed throughout the day’s activities. He urged other clubs and the general public, to support the teams that are playing cricket in any way they can. He reiterated that the BCB is doing its utmost to ensure that cricket is played at all levels in the county, and that the level of cricket will once again rise in the ancient county. The Second Division competition continues Sunday, at venues across the county.
the lines with precision, notably several piercing crosscourt winners. The 20-year-old delivered 12 of the first 13 winners in the match before her confidence nosedived as she
struggled with her serve. Even though she had a major 48-26 advantage in winners, Ostapenko had only a 46 percent success rate with her first serve, and dished up 13 double faults.
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Wednesday October 25, 2017
Steps afoot to integrate Region One as – Female Festival held, Clubs registered, Technical personnel identified official member association of the GFF Participating team members with GFF Officials in the Region One Outreach.
The Guyana Football Federation (GFF), as part of its strategic mandate of football development in G u y an a in clu d in g th e hinterland, has hosted an outreach in Region One aimed at ultimately leading the region to full membership. This two-day outreach, which began on the 21st October, was conducted last weekend at Port Kaituma by Executive M e m b e r o f t h e G F F, Magzene Stewart, GFF
Women’s Development Officer, Tricia Munroe and Secretary of the National Association of Women’s Football ( N AW F ) , A n d r e a Johnson. As part of the outreach, the team held discussions with community leaders, issued football equipment including uniforms and balls, registered 10 clubs and hosted a female knockout tournament. The tournament was among four combined teams from clubs that
represented Port Kaituma, Sebai, Moruca and Matthew’s Ridge. Additionally, 18 persons expressed interest in being match officials including six who are desirous of becoming referees. In an invited comment, President of the GFF, Wayne Forde said the women’s outreach programme is an initiative to excite, intervene and to interact with the members of clubs in Region 1: “The goal is to play festival knockout
competitions and undertake the registration of clubs. This is all part of the GFF Executive Committee agenda to extend the reach of football and to empower our brothers and sisters within the Hinterland communities. We recognize that our indigenous brothers and sisters are very passionate about football and we are taking every step possible to give them the opportunity to participate and to be eligible for selection in our national teams and participate in our
national programmes.” Meanwhile, Stewart said the communities were happy for the investment made by the GFF: “Some teams said they didn’t even have balls to play or practice with, and it was sad. We were grateful to be able offer assistance and in the future look to provide more support including equipment. The communities and clubs responded very positively to the initiative too. While there, we saw some very talented women football being played. I would love to
see some of those young ladies be our future Lady Jags.” Th e r es u lts o f th e knockout tournament reflected wins achieved by kicks from the penalty mark as follows: Sebai defeated Moruca in the finals by a 3–2 margin and Port Kaituma defeated Matthew’s Ridge in the third-place match by a 2–1 margin. A presentation ceremony was held at the end of the tournament where the top three teams received trophies and medals.
Man-of-the-Match Bishoo gives Windies series... (From page 40) to avoid the match limping into the final day. There had been disappointment at the start for Chase after the Windies resumed on 369 for eight, as he agonizingly missed out on his fourth Test hundred when he added just four to his overnight 91. He lost Kemar Roach to the first ball of the day, bowled by leg-spinner Graeme Cremer and then missed a desperate swing at leg-spinner Sean Williams and lost his leg-stump, leaving West Indies all out for 373. Chase faced 139 deliveries in 3-1/2 hours and counted eight fours and a six. Graeme Cremer finished with four for 114, while Williams claimed three for 91 and seamer Kyle Jarvis, two for 66. Masakadza and Mire then made the most of the remainder of the session as they put on a handsome 99 for the first wicket to keep Zimbabwe in the contest.
The right-handed Masakadza struck 10 fours in a 93-ball knock while debutant Mire, also a righthander, faced seven balls and counted seven fours. West Indies got the breakthrough in the sixth over after lunch, however, when Masakadza fell to a catch close-in off part-time off-spinner Kraigg Brathwaite, and Mire followed eight balls later in the next over, bowled by seamer Roach off his pads. Craig Ervine (18) and Taylor put on 32 for the third wicket to push Zimbabwe up to 141 for two but Bishoo stuck twice in quick succession to tilt the balance the visitors’ way. He trapped Ervine plumb lbw and then had William stumped in the third over before tea, as Zimbabwe stumbled to 159 for four at the interval. A fifth wicket stand of 64 b e t w e e n Ta y l o r a n d Sikandar Raza (30) then frustrated West Indies for an hour following the resumption, as Zimbabwe
Devendra Bishoo captured nine wickets to hand the Windies victory. ©WICB Media/Brooks LaTouche Photography Ltd threatened to take the game into the final day. Taylor faced 151 balls in just under 3-1/4 hours and struck eight fours while Raza
belted two fours and a six off 65 deliveries. But Bishoo broke the stand on the stroke of the hour, getting Raza to slap an
innocuous delivery to Chase at cover, and five wickets then tumbled quickly for 44 runs to leave West Indies on the cusp of victory.
That bid was frustrated by number 11 Chris Mpofu who pummeled four fours and a six in a cameo 25-ball 33 as he posted 53 for the last wicket with Jarvis who made an unbeaten 23. It was Chase who delivered victory for the tourists late in the session, claiming Mpofu to a catch in the deep. Scores: WEST INDIES 219 (Shai Hope 90 not out, Kieran Powell 56, Roston Chase 31; Graeme Cremer 4-64, Sean Williams 2-20) and 373 (Roston Chase 95, Kraigg Brathwaite 86, Shai Hope 44, Devendra Bishoo 44, Kyle Hope 43; Graeme C r e m e r 4 - 11 4 , S e a n Williams 3-91, Kyle Jarvis 266) ZIMBABWE 159 (Hamilton Masakadza 42, Craig Ervine 39, Solomon Mire 27; Devendra Bishoo 5-79, Kemar Roach 2-23, Jason Holder 2-25) and 316 ( B r e n d a n Ta y l o r 7 3 , Hamilton Masakadza 57, Solomon Mire 47, Sikandar Raza 30; Devendra Bishoo 4-105, Roston Chase 2-61).
Kaieteur News
Wednesday October 25, 2017
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Aldridge, Murray power Spurs past Raptors, 101-97 SAN ANTONIO (AP) — The Spurs are without their two main leaders from last season, but they are not lacking in direction. Resurgent forward LaMarcus Aldridge and second-year player Dejounte Murray continue to lead the way as San Antonio remained unbeaten by fighting past Toronto. Aldridge had 20 points and Murray had 16 points and 14 rebounds and the
Spurs held on to beat the Raptors 101-97 on Monday night. ‘’Just an overall good win against a really wellcoached, disciplined team that has a lot of expectations,’’ San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said. ‘ ’ I t ’s g o o d f o r o u r confidence since we’re trying to put some things together.’’ The Spurs are missing leading scorer Kawhi
Leonard and Tony Parker, who are both rehabilitating from quadriceps injury. San Antonio has struggled to find an offensive flow without their veterans, but Murray is attempting to step into the void in just his second season. ‘’I just want to win,’’ Murray said. ‘’I got that winning in my (inside) and in my DNA. I just do anything to win. If I don’t score a point, I’m going to go
LaMarcus Aldridge #12 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts after scoring and an altercation with Serge Ibaka of the Toronto Raptors at AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
Citizen’s Bank partners with Banks DIH for Pre-Guyana Cup Open Golf tourney Citizen’s Bank has joined forces with Banks DIH for the hosting of the Pre- Guyana Cup Open Golf tournament which is set for Saturday at the Lusignan Golf Club. The tournament which is expected tee off at 12:30hrs will feature some of the top male and female players locally, and will also have overseas participants. The first to third place finishers will receive trophies and other prizes. Speaking at the launching ceremony
yesterday at Banks DIH, Thirst Park, Vice President of the Lusignan Golf Club, Brian Hackett congratulated the sponsors, while adding that they have enjoyed a cordial relationship with both entities over the years. He stated that he is looking forward to a successful event and expressed gratitude to MACORP for their assistance in preparing the venue. Neville Skeete Credit Manager of Citizen’s Bank said this is a wonderful
opportunity to show corporate responsibility and thanked Banks DIH for giving them the chance to do so. Troy Peters of Communications Manager at Banks DIH added that they are happy to be part of the competition and said they are looking forward to a competitive tournament ahead of the Guyana Cup which is set for next weekend. Some 50 golfers are expected to take part. (Zaheer Mohamed)
rebound. If I don’t rebound, I’m going to try facilitate or I’m going to try to play defense. That’s the thing that you’ve got to have.’’ San Antonio needed that grit from the 21-year-old point guard in slugging through a physical game. Both teams were assessed 20-plus fouls and Aldridge and Serge Ibaka received technical fouls after an altercation with 3:36 remaining in the game. The two got tangled battling for position under the rim when Ibaka threw an elbow into Aldridge’s midsection. Aldridge would push Ibaka before the two were separated.
Murray showed his growing comfort with a leadership role by taking Aldridge aside. ‘’I just told him, ‘You’re on another level, don’t worry about that, keep playing your game,’ “ Murray said. ‘’He’s having a hell of a year and he’s having fun. I told him, ‘Don’t worry about that. Let’s move on, let’s win this game.’ “ Aldridge responded minutes later by drawing a sixth foul on Ibaka. Aldridge shouted in celebration and glared at a fallen Ibaka after driving to the basket and scoring on a layup to give San Antonio a 97-87 lead. ‘’It just kind of woke me
up a little bit,’’ Aldridge said. ‘’It got the team awakened. Guys just kind of picked it up.’’ The Spurs were able to overcome a season-high 20 turnovers. They were averaging 11 turnovers in their first two games, but had four in the opening four minutes. Toronto took advantage, keeping the game close despite being outrebounded 55-33 as it played without injured center Jonas Valanciunas. DeRozan had 28 points and Ibaka had 13 before fouling out as the Raptors lost their first game of the season.
Kaieteur News
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Wednesday October 25, 2017
Rising Sun Rodeo set for Sunday
The very entertaining clowns from neighbouring countries and at home will also entertain. The Rising Sun Rodeo Committee will once again stage the West Berbice Rodeo at the Rising Sun Turf Club. The annual event is set for this Sunday, at the Rising Sun Turf Club, Arima Park, West Coast, Berbice. The event, which by now
has become a house hold name on the sporting calendar, is expected to be bigger this year with a number of feature e v e n t s o n t h e d a y ’s card. The day’s activity is expected to kick off at 12:00 hrs. Some 12 events are
The test between rider and mount will surely keep fans at the edge of their seats. listed on the programme. Among the events expected to be contested are steer roping, bare back bronco, male and female barrel race, wild cow milking, calf roping, wild bull riding, saddle bronco, the Rodeo King competition and the popular Tug O War
events. The clowns will be back again to treat the crowd with their stunts. Once again Vaqueros (cowboys) are expected from overseas including Brazil, Suriname and Venezuela to match skills with their Guyanese counterparts. Locals are
expected from the interior locations of Guyana including Lethem and the Rupununi Savannahs. While closer to home, Cowboys f r o m t h e We s t C o a s t Berbice, the Corentyne and Berbice River will again be in action. A number of new stunts
are expected to be performed with the weather being in excellent condition so far. Renovation and upgrades have been completed at the venue and fans are expected to be in for a grand time. (Samuel Whyte)
Overseas-based Guyanese assists young Guyanese cyclists Overseas-based Guyanese Franco Crawford is back home and as he usually does whenever he is back home continues to assist his countrymen, especially those young cyclists in whatever way possible. Crawford, a former member of the Flying Ace Cycle Club (FACC), on this occasion took the opportunity to assist two of the top young riders of the FACC. The two cyclists benefiting are Balram Narine and Mario Washington who hails from the Upper Corentyne area. They were both outstanding at the recently held Inter School Cycling Championship, held on the Upper Corentyne, where they copped champion cyclist awards in their respective categories. Narine a student of the Skeldon Technical Institute competed in the Open category. He broke the 800M record at the National School Championship last year. Washington, 13, is a student of the Skeldon Line Path Secondary School and dominated in his category. They were presented with riding apparel including T-shirts, pants, gloves and water bottles. Crawford had churned out a name for himself in Guyana as a top cyclist riding as a member of the FACC before migrating to England where he continues to ply his trade in the European and North American Circuits. Crawford, who returns to Guyana on a regular basis, is once again becoming a house hold name in Guyana not mainly for his sporting exploits, but for his selfless and benevolent appetite to assist others. Crawford stated that he is motivated to assist his fellow Guyanese because he feels happy to be able to return to Guyana and g i v e b a c k t o h i s h o m e c o u n t r y a n d c o m m u n i t y. Crawford, who is now a community activist and is also spreading the word of GOD, does not only assist cycling, but gives to other sports and community activities as well. Founder and coach of the FACC, Randolph Roberts, expressed thanks to Crawford for his kind gesture and for always remembering the club. He used the opportunity to call on others including the government to take a page out of Crawford’s book and come forward and assist the youths to keep away from the ills of society and illicit activities. (Samuel Whyte)
Balram Narine (left) and Mario Washington (right) pose with their newly acquired apparel along with the trophies and medals won at the cycling championship in the presence of Coach Randolph Roberts.
Kaieteur News
Wednesday October 25, 2017
PAGE 39
Minister Ramjattan continues to assist in community development Distributes sport gear
Minister Ramjattan presents the cricket balls and bat to James Hart of the Corriverton United Cricket club. Minister of National Security and Prominent attorney at law, Khemraj Ramjattan, has been making the rounds across the country as he strives to employ a number of different strategies in his field of work. One such strategy is to keep members of the community, especially youths, gainfully occupied
so there would be less idle time. Over the past few weeks the Minister, who hails from the Upper Corentyne, East Berbice area, has been busy in that domain keeping meetings as well as spearheading the formation of a number of Community Groups and Community Policing Groups in the area. He has also been fulfilling a number
Young softball cricketer receives balls and bat from Minister Ramjattan. of promises he made during earlier visits. Recently he distributed sports gear and to residents and members of clubs. Members of the Corriverton United Softball cricket team were the beneficiary of a large quantity of softballs and cricket bats. Members of a junior cricket team were also the recipient of softball and
cricket bats. Minister Ramjattan also presented a number of chess sets to some youngsters who are interested in playing the game and had approached him on an earlier visit for assistance. Promising Skeldon Community Centre Cricket Club and Upper Corentyne all-rounder Sherwin Murray was also a beneficiary of the
Priyanna Ramdhani selected for Pan Am Badminton young talents camp Guyana & Caribbean Ladies Badminton Champion Priyanna Ramdhani has been selected by the Pan American
Priyanna Ramdhani has been selected by the Pan American Badminton Federation Development Director to participate in the Young Talents Camp.
Badminton Federation Development Director to participate in the Young Talents Camp 2017 from November 9-15, which will
take place in Paramaribo Suriname. The selection was made by her incredible performance at just 15 years
of age to reach the Quarter Finals at the recently concluded South American Youth Games in Chile where she was also placed in the No.4 Position in the Rankings for South America. Priyanna Also in August 2017 won two-gold and one silver medal at the Caribbean Badminton Championships (CAREBACO) held in Trinidad playing against 14 countries. This Young Talents Camp will see sessions twice a day under the direction of the Pan American Programme coach. After the conclusion of the Camp, Priyanna Ramdhani will then take part in the Suriname International Open Badminton Championships November 15-18 which will take place at the Ismay Van Wilgen Sports Hall. Her present goal is to start building her World Ranking Points to help her qualify and attend future tournaments and games.
Young chess player receives chess sets from Minister Ramjattan. Minister’s Benevolence and largesse as he was presented with a full set of cricket gear including bat, pad and guards. The Minister reasoned that if more persons, especially the youths, are assisted in getting involved in sports and community activities, there would be less idle time and opportunity for persons to be
involved in all kinds of Social ills and illicit activities. He told the recipients of the gear to care them and put them to full use so that they could be of benefit to all. He urged them to practice hard so that he could challenge them on his return to the area. (Samuel Whyte)
Williams survives threehour Ostapenko epic
Venus Williams of the US hits a return against Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia during the WTA Finals tennis tournament in Singapore. (AFP Photo/ROSLAN RAHMAN) Singapore (AFP) Ageless Venus Williams revived her WTA Finals campaign with an epic threehour, three-set victory over error-prone Jelena O s t a p e n k o y e s t e r d a y, dealing a big blow to the French Open champion’s hopes. The 37-year-old world number five rebounded from
her opening defeat to Karolina Pliskova with a marathon 7-5, 6-7 (7/3), 7-5 win over three hours and 13 minutes –- just one minute shy of the record played at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. The round robin match was strewn with no fewer than 20 breaks of serve, with (Continued on page 31)
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday October 25, 2017
PNCR 60th Anniversary Day of Sports /Family Fun Day Berbice Cricket Board Second Division Linden hyped and ready for Sunday The Linden community tournament launched is hyped and ready to host Chesney defeat Whim in final
Mr Somwaru, President of BCB handing over the winners’ Trophy to Safraz Khan, Captain of Chesney cricket Club The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) officially launched its Second Division season on Sunday, last at the Chesney Cricket Club Ground in Chesney. Four of its founder members; Chesney Cricket Club, Whim Cricket Club, Rose Hall Community Centre Cricket Club and Mount Sinai Cricket Club, were invited to participate in exciting T20 cricket to mark this event. In the first semi-final, Whim Cricket Club won by three runs over Mount Sinai Cricket Club in a keenly contested match which was played under brilliant sunshine. A massive crowd comprising spectators from the village of Chesney, as well as supporters for the other teams and persons from the neighbouring villages came out to witness the event. Notable performances by Mount Sinai’s Raymond Mohamad, Kwesi Mickle and Martin Singh delivered much entertainment to the massive crowd that had gathered. In the second semi-final, Chesney defeated Rose Hall Community Center by one run. Winning the toss and choosing to bowl first, the Rose Hall Community Centre Cricket Club restricted Chesney Cricket Club to 134 for four off their 15 overs. Bowling for Rose Hall Community Centre, Suresh Dhanai bowled three overs for 12, C. Hopes 3-20, Sanjay Khan 3-22, M. Sampson 2-22, A. Rahaman 2-28 and Balram Samaroo 2-26. In Chesney’s batting, former National T20 Player, Imran Khan scored 64 off 35 balls, while S. Deonarine scored 31. Bowling for Chesney, S. Deonarine took 5 for 26 off his two overs, while N. Deonarine took three wickets for 27 runs in his three overs. In Rose Hall Community Centre’s reply, Suresh Dhanai top scored with 31, Balram Samaroo 30, Safraz Khan 26 and Compton Hope offered valuable support with 20. Rose Hall Community Center managed 133 in their 15 overs, falling short of the target set by Chesney by one run. In the Final Match, Whim Cricket Club lost to Chesney Cricket Club by 9 runs as the Chesney bowlers proved detrimental in their attack. Bowling for Chesney, Saif Amoi took 2 for 19 in his 2 overs, while Imran Khan and Safraz Khan took one wicket each for six and 15 runs respectively. D Harilall took two wickets for 20 in his two-over spell. In their Batting, Chesney Cricket Club scored 99 runs off their allotted 10 overs. Krishna Amoi scored a brilliant 68 off 32 deliveries, and was adjudged the man of the match at the awards ceremony. In Whim’s reply, their batsmen fell short of the target by nine runs, and only M. Charran and Venkaya managed to show any resistance to the Chesney bowlers with 31 and 32 runs respectively. Trophies were awarded to the winner, runner up and the man of the match in the finals. The Berbice Cricket Board, thru its President, Mr. Dhieranidranauth Somwaru expressed satisfaction at the conduct of the tournament, and complimented the teams for the high level of cricket and (Continued on page 31)
S u n d a y ’s P N C R 6 0 t h Anniversary Day of Sports/Family Fun Day according to feedback received following a visit by Chairperson of the Organising Committee Annette Ferguson on Monday. Ferguson, who also holds the portfolio of Junior Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, was in the Mining Town along with other members of the Committee to meet and greet residents and to spearhead the promotion of the event set for Sunday, at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground. The Minister made stops at Radio 104.3 Power FM and NCN Studio where she participated in interviews to highlight the significance of the occasion and to implore on Guyanese to support the event which is expected to showcase the skills of local athletes in four disciplines namely basketball, futsal, Tr a c k a n d F i e l d a n d dominoes. According to Ferguson, Sunday’s activities which will be held under the theme ‘United and Strong: Sixty years on’ is anticipated to attract Guyanese from across
Minister Annette Ferguson (2nd right) shares a moment with these young ladies during her visit to Linden Monday. every divide from all ten regions making it a grand celebration. Speaking with residents, Ferguson reminded them of the community’s importance to the Party, adding that it was for that reason that they decided to host the Fun Day/Sports in the community in recognition of the significant role it plays within the Party’s structure. She urged the residents to come out and support the day’s activities which will be graced by the presence of His Excellency David
Granger and high ranking members of the Central Executive. Meanwhile, two more teams have been added to the futsal competition making it a total of 18 teams that will participate in the one-day event. The Dominoes segment is expected to attract a lot of attention and provide excitement for the fans, while the basketball and Track and Field disciplines are also slated to supply fans with some riveting battles.
To compliment those activities will be the quiz contest for the children, while the novelty events are sure to be loaded with much fun as teams and individuals battle for supremacy and bragging rights in the lime and spoon, buns eating, sack race and the tug-o-war events. Come out and enjoy a day of fun and friendly rivalry for just $500, while children under 12 years will be allowed free entry. The place to be is the MSC.
National Training Center construction begins with foundation works Initial works have began on the GFF’s National Training Center at Providence, East Bank Demerara.
Initial works by subcontractor M. Nabi and Sons on the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) National Training Center’s venue at Providence on the East Bank of Demerara have commenced with the site being cleared and landfill for foundation works, as scheduled. M. Nabi and Son’s were awarded a subcontract by the company
responsible for the construction of the facility, Holland based, Greenfields, a manufacturer of artificial turf. Phase one of the venture is projected to be completed around January 18th to 31st, 2018 and will include the pitch being laid with an artificial turf, lights, goal posts and everything needed for a playable facility. Upon
completion of all the phases, the training center will be Guyana’s first and major state-of-the-art football facility, which will seek to produce consistent levels of competitive football r e g i o n a l l y a n d internationally. The facility will cater for football development among both males and females and will be the focal point for the
sport at all levels of the game. During a media interaction yesterday at the Providence venue, head of the GFF, Wayne Forde, stated that he was positive that the project would be completed by January 2018 and only bad weather can throw the schedule off since all systems are in place.
Kaieteur News
Wednesday October 25, 2017
PAGE 41
Regal Sports on board for U-19 tourney in Wakenaam The Wakenaam Cricket Committee (WCC) has gained the backing of Regal Sports for the staging of an U-19 40-over tournament on the island. The competition is to commence on November 4 a t t h e Wa k e n a a m Community Centre ground in Good Success. Four teams are listed to participate in the competition which will see the winning and runner up teams as well as the best batman and bowler collecting trophies. In an invited comment Purnanand Boodhoo of Regal Sports said they are pleased to be part of the WCC development programme since it is at this level where stars are born. In
an invited comment Secretary of the WCC thanked Regal Sports for their support and said the tournament will involve players from across the island. Mohamed explained that in order to have well balanced sides, the players from the seven clubs on the island and aspiring cricketers, who may not be members of clubs, will be placed in the participating teams, adding that this will bring the best out of the players. Players from Good Success, Sans Souci and Sans Souci Jaguars will be placed into one team, while G Square Cavaliers will field another with players from Belle Plaine, Sarah and
surrounding areas. The third team will consists of players from Z e e l a n d i a t o M a r i a ’s Pleasure, while the fourth team will include players from Noitgedacht and other villages in Eastern Wakenaam. Among the players that will participate are Beesham Moses, Reon Venture, Romario Steven, Matthew Cheong, B u m e s h w a r Ramkissoon, Marlon Dindyal, Mahase Ramnarine, Sachin Dindyal, Nkosie Dazzel and David Chalitar. Regal Sports is a member of Regal Stationery and Computer Centre of 69 Seaforth Street, Campbellville.
EyeWear Optical on board for Stage of Champions 2
Britney Mack of EyeWear Optical presents the cheque to organiser Videsh Sookram. EyeWear Optical is the latest entity to throw their support behind the ‘Stage of Champions 2’ bodybuilding competition which is set for November 18 at Theatre Guild,
Kingston. T h e e n t i t y ’ s representative Britney Mack yesterday presented a cheque to organiser of the c o m p e t i t i o n Vi d e s h Sookram at their location,
WBCA receives sponsorship The West Berbice Cricket Association (WBCA) has received sponsorship for an under-19, 50 overs Inter Club Competition, a release from the association has indicated. The competition has been sponsored by Singh Travel Service of 4 “A” Cotton Tree Village, West Coast, Berbice. This Sponsorship is timely which will be used to select the outstanding players at the end who will represent West Berbice in the Inter-Zone Tournament, the release stated. Clubs with under-19 players born on or after 1st September 1999, can contact Mr. David Black on telephone numbers 624-7606, 670-8384 or 327-5210 to be registered.
349 East Street. In an invited comment Mack said they are pleased to be associated with such an event adding that she is looking forward to a successful competition, while Sookram thanked her for the support. Athletes from Guyana, St. Maarten (French and D u t c h ) , Tr i n i d a d a n d To b a g o , A n g u i l l a , Suriname, Barbados and Curacao will vie for supremacy in the U143 lbs, U154lbs, U164lbs, U176lbs and over 177 lbs categories. The competition also entails Men’s Physique and Bikini segments.
Coach Zaheer Mohamed (right) accepts the cheque on behalf of the WCC from Purnanand Boodhoo of Regal Sports.
GTT honours Athletics Coach Leslie Black As part of its programme to honour those identified as Cancer Warriors, which is all part of their Pinktober campaign the GTT has chosen to recognise the effort of Athletics Coach Leslie Black. GTT Pink Warrior Leslie Black is a man of strength; strength that transcends beyond the physical and is embedded in his very spirit. It is this strength that Leslie uses to commit his time and his more than two decades of expertise as an athletics coach, to push both himself and others to success. Leslie has dedicated much of his time to working alongside the Guyana Cancer Foundation and he declares that this is because it was something very close to his heart. In the year 2012, tragedy struck Leslie’s family when his daughter died from Stage Four cancer. His family had first become aware of his now late daughter’s illness when she had begun spitting up blood in 2008. She was taken to various doctors and specialists and began treatment soon after being diagnosed with the illness. Unfortunately, the cancer continued to spread, leaving the entire family devastated after her untimely death. Having had the experience of how cancer
changes the lives of not only its victims but their loved ones as well, Leslie wants to encourage both men and women to ensure that they are getting their regular check-ups. Most persons, he stated, would wait until something happens to them before they get a check-up and this can be dangerous as often, there are no immediate symptoms of the disease. When his daughter had become ill, Leslie searched for ways he could become involved in the fight against cancer and it was then that he began work with the Guyana Cancer Foundation. Every year since then, Leslie continues to offer his help and support to the GCF.
Doing more this year, Leslie decided that his contribution in helping to spread awareness would be made through offering his experience of being a coach. The aim of this ‘GTT Pink Warrior’ is to help prepare the persons interested in participating in the GTT 5k/10k walk/run. Leslie met with participants for a half hour every day where he offered training free of cost. Leslie’s aim is not only to help these persons, but to create a lasting impact on the exercise habits of those participating. GTT recognises these efforts made by Leslie and will continue to support him in his philanthropic visions.
Leslie Black
Kaieteur News
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Wednesday October 25, 2017
Steve’s Jewellery’s gold pendants for Guyana Softball Cup MVPs Seven years, seven pairs of gold pieces for the MVPs. That’s the commitment from Steve’s Jewellery to the Guyana Softball Cup, the seventh edition of which will be held from November 3-5. At a simple ceremony yesterday, proprietor Steve Naraine presented the prizes to executives of the Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA), the founding and organising body of the tournament. As is customary, Steve’s Jewellery has provided the MVP prizes for the top player in both the Open and Masters Categories. This year, the prizes are two gold pendants in the shape of a cricket bat. Proprietor Naraine was delighted to once again be onboard with the international softball event, which will attract teams from Guyana, Canada, Florida and New York. “Last year we did similar gifts and this year we do the bats with the diamond pendants and they’re worth at least $100,000 each. We’re proud to be onboard
A Steve’s Jewellery staff presents the pendants to Surendra Nauth in the presence of other GFSCA officials and Steve Naraine (right). once again with this organisation because we know over the years what it has been doing in terms of giving back to the community,” Naraine said. Naraine pointed out that
there are many reasons why Guyanese should come out and view the three days of games, especially the final day, which will conclude under floodlights at the Demerara Cricket Club
ground, Queenstown. Among them are the high quality of cricket that is usually played and the fantastic organising by the GFSCA. The GFSCA was understandably elated to
once again partner with the Church Street jewellery store. GFSCA member Surendra Nauth commended Naraine and his company for devotedly supporting the
premier international softball tournament, noting that the prizes will go a far way in encouraging the players to play to their optimum. The champion team in the Open category will receive $800,000, while winner of the Masters division is assured of $600,000. Matches will be played at the Police, Guyana Defence Force, Demerara Cricket Club, Malteenoes and Georgetown Cricket Club grounds. In 2016, Speedboat XI pulled off a massive upset by dethroning defending champions Regal All-Stars to win the Open segment, while Floodlights XI outplayed Fishermen XI to win the Masters category. The tournament has received corporate support from Stag Beer, Rubis Guyana, Trophy Stall, Steve’s Jewellery, Clear Waters, Busta, Rohan Auto Spares, A&R Jewanram Printery, WJ Enterprise, M i k e ’s P h a r m a c y, Ramchand Auto Spares and Survival Group of Business.
Region Nine gym for Nat. Intermediate Boxing Championships
Suebia Roberts (left) pictured with Minister Dr. George Norton and a gym mate recently. The newly formed Savannah Boxing Gym (SBG) will be represented this weekend when the Guyana Boxing Association stages it Lennox Blackmoore National Intermediate competition. SBG will join reigning champions the Guyana Defence Force, Young Achievers’, Forgotten Youth
Foundation, Guyana Police Force, Harpy Eagles, Vergenoegen Boxing Gym (Formerly Essequibo) Pocket Rocket Boxing Gym, Rose Hall Jammers and the Republican Boxing Gym. T h e N a t i o n a l Intermediate will run from Friday to Sunday at the National Gymnasium. SBG was formed after
Boxers out of the Savannah gym will battle for honours in this weekend’s action. Minister of Social Cohesion Dr. George Norton sent Coach Orland Rogers to Region Nine as part of a sport decentralizing programme. Rogers has since worked with approximately 22 young athletes per day and has trained three coaches. The SBG would be represented by a five-man
team which comprises female Suebia Roberts and males Richard Citan, Rovine Fraser, Jarvis James and James Anderson. GBA Technical Director Terrence Poole welcomed the involvement of SBG in the upcoming tournament. “It will broaden the scope of boxing in Guyana. The creation of this gym
has shown that it (the sport) is not centered on Region Four alone. It also gives us a chance to welcome back our indigenous brothers back to boxing,” Poole said. GBA President Steve Ninvalle explained that the association would be looking to have a competition in Region Nine.
“We would have taken boxing to Mahdia, Region Eight in May 2014 as part of our Nuff Cuff series. The intention now is to have a competition in Lethem, R e g i o n N i n e . We a r e working on the logistics,” Ninvalle said. T h e N a t i o n a l Intermediate will commence at 7:00pm each evening.
Kaieteur News
Wednesday October 25, 2017
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Banks DIH/GABA Leagues
Top teams receive trophies and medals
Teams and GABA representatives along with brand ambassadors of PowerAde, Rainforest Water and Malta Supreme (tournament sponsors) at the presentation yesterday. Following the completion of the Banks DIH sponsored Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association’s (GABA) first, s e c o n d a n d U n d e r- 2 3 Division Leagues which were all swept by Bounty Colts Basketball Club, teams received their trophies and
medals yesterday during a simple ceremony at the sponsor’s sports club at Thirst Park. Besides Colts receiving accolades for defending their three titles won in 2016, Pacesetters collected two trophies for their second place finish in the Under-23
and Se c o n d D i v i s i o n , while Plaisance Guardians, that provided the recipe for an exciting three-game Open Division finals, collected their second place trophy. The leagues, which were sponsored through the PowerAde, Rainforest Water
and Malta Supreme brands, saw Eagles finish third in both the Under-23 and Second Division, while Kobras were bronze finishers in the Open Division. Adrian Hooper, President of GABA, congratulated Colts on their
continued success and announced plans of a yearend tourney which is expected to be very competitive. “The s e p a s t t h r e e months have seen gruesome competition in the leagues but nevertheless Bounty Colts
managed to defend all three of their titles. I know that the teams have been watching Colts closely and when GABA hosts it year-end knockout tournament in December, it will be a very tough competition,” the GABA head stated.
Ramchands signs on to GMR&SC International Race of Champions
Ramchands Auto Spares is on board with this year’s Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club ( G M R & S C ) International Race of Champions which will speed off on next month, Saturday and Sunday, November 12-13. The spare parts company yesterday handed over sponsorship t h r o u g h t h e i r representative, Yogeshwar Ragbeer, to G M R & S C r e p r e s e n t a t i v e , Ti n a Morris. Acco r d i n g t o R a g b e e r , t h e company is elated to be a part of the event, adding that they are hoping to see more competitors than last year ’s edition.
Morris thanked Ramchands for coming on board for the event, adding that their sponsorship will go a long way in ensuring that the event is a success. Meanwhile, a 27-race programme was unveiled last week, which will encompass racing on both Saturday and Sunday, according to the GMR&SC. The club has confirmed three professional drift cars from Trinidad & Tobago as well as four SR-3 Radicals from Barbados, in addition to the Caribbean Motor Racing C h a m p i o n s h i p competitors that are expected to grace the shores of the “land of
many waters”. Saturday, will be treated as just as a race day, with adults being c h a rg e d $ 1 , 0 0 0 p e r entry and children $500. On Sunday, Adults will be charged $2,000 and children $1,000 Qualification will also be held on Saturday morning from 10:00hrs with races beginning from 14:00hrs. Scrutineering will take place on Thursday and Friday and before qualification on Saturday. The club is currently o rg a n i s i n g w e e k e n d passes for patrons who would be desirous of viewing both days of action as well as VIP passes.
Yogeshwar Ragbeer hands over his company’s sponsorship along with some flyers for the GMR&SC International Race of Champions to Tina Morris.
t r o Sp Citizen’s Bank partners with Banks DIH Man-of-thefor Pre-Guyana Cup Open Golf tourney Match Bishoo gives Windies series lead
Vice President of Lusignan Golf Club Brian Hackett (3rd from left) accepts the cheques from Troy Peters of Banks DIH and Shusila Persaud of Citizen’s Bank in the presence of (from left) Guy Griffith Secretary of LGC, Citizen’s Bank Credit Manager Neville Skeete, and Puran Mathura of Citizen’s Bank. (Zaheer Mohamed photo)
Rising Sun Rodeo set for Sunday
Leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo sends down a delivery on the fourth day of the opening Test on Tuesday. (Photo courtesy CWI Media)
Rodeo action promises to be intense.
BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe, CMC – Leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo sliced through Zimbabwe to end with a nine-wicket match haul as West Indies easily brushed aside the hosts by 117 runs inside four days, to take a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series here yesterday. Having set the African side an improbable target of 434 on the turner at Queens Sports Club, the Windies bowled them out for 316 in their second innings, with Bishoo picking up four for 105. The 31-year-old finished with figures of nine for 184 – the second-best bowling effort of his career – to earn Man-of-theMatch honours. Part-time off-spinner Roston Chase finished with two for 61. Brendan Taylor had earlier top-scored with 73, while Hamilton Masakadza stroked 57 and opening partner Solomon Mire, 47, as Zimbabwe initially put up resistance. But after being well placed at lunch on 76 without loss, the hosts surrendered four wickets in the second session to lose their way, and the final six wickets clattered in the final session (Continued on page 32)
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