Wednesday October 26, 2016
Police misbehavior at Sisters police station in Berbice Dear Editor; Police misconduct and partiality have caused me and my family much sorrow and revulsion. I am therefore compelled to write about a particular officer at the Sisters Police Station in Berbice and the way in which he performs his duties to law abiding citizens. A few days ago my father (Wazil Bacchus) was driving to his residence at Sisters Village from New Amsterdam when a man, who was in a drunken state, drove a canter truck recklessly in front of him, as he tried to overtake the truck the man braced him and caused damage to his car (minor scratches). My father remained behind him allowing him to proceed. The man who was driving the canter later stopped in front of his house in Lonsdale Village (in the middle of the road). My father stopped to complain to the mother of the driver of the truck. The man in the canter then exited his truck, picked up two bricks and threatened my father to "brick him down". My father managed to escape his attack and went to the Sisters Police Station where he lodged a report. He gave a detailed report on the matter and was advised to make a report at the Traffic Department in New Amsterdam for the reckless driving offence. This is understandable. However, he asked
the officers if they can warn the man with regards to his threats. They informed my father that they will summon both of them at the Station to facilitate a confrontation between the two. A few days later my father was summoned to the Sisters Police Station for the confrontation. The driver of the canter truck was not present, instead his mother was. She alleged that my father threatened them. Based on her false allegations my father was physically manhandled by an officer (name supplied). He grabbed my father by his shirt, held him behind his waist and took him on a bench in the station and shouted; "you are under arrest". I can't begin to fathom the manner in which that officer reciprocated to the allegations made by that woman. Why is it that the said officer didn't respond in that manner when my father made a report against the canter driver? What sort of partiality is this? Was this the most appropriate way to treat a reputable citizen of this country? I then spoke to another officer (via cell phone) at the said station. I explained to her what really happened. They released my father, apologized and told me that they didn't quite understand the story hence, they responded negatively to my father. My question is; when will
these officers conduct proper and thorough investigations? Are they competent enough to do so? I have completely lost confidence and hope in our police officers who are expected "to serve and to protect" the people of this country. I advised my father not to ever go back to the police soliciting their help. I am not interested with any probing into the matter because nothing comes out of it. This letter is to let the nation know how innocent people are being mistreated and exploited by the police every day. If I am to start enumerating incidents of mistreatment and personal experience with the police, space will certainly not permit it. It should be noted that I wrote a letter in Kaieteur News on May 12, 2016 captioned "Police misbehavior at Sisters Village in Berbice", nothing came out of that exposure. Perhaps, vindictiveness is the way of response to that letter. I conclude by making an appeal to all police officers to conduct thorough investigations and stop harassing law abiding citizens of this country unnecessarily. I implore you all to conduct yourselves in a professional manner and serve and protect the people of our country. Innocent lives can be destroyed with your misdemeanors. Ashan Bacchus
Training teachers for managerial responsibilities Dear Editor; Ms. Denise Belgrave, Chairperson of the Education Committee of Region 10 is reported to have said that training and guidance are essential for teachers performing management duties. Besides my continuing professional interest in both teaching and management development, this interesting report aroused some special nostalgia in me going way back to the early 1960's. Since that time the late Mr. Neil Cadogan of New Amsterdam who was the Education Officer overseeing the schools in East Berbice recognized the need for the kind of management training of which Ms. Belgrave spoke. He accordingly sought help from the late Mr. Harold B. Davis who was then the Book-
ers Sugar Estates' Director of Personnel Management (now Human Resource Management) and famous for his passionate dedication and sterling contribution to Management Development. (in keeping with this noble passion, Mr Davis also founded the Guyana Institute of Management which unfortunately became defunct). In response to Mr Cadogan's intuitive need analysis, Mr Davis suggested a series of Saturday seminars on Supervision and Management for the Head Teachers and graciously advised Mr Cadogan that I was capable to conduct the suggested seminars. At the time I was the 'Personnel Manager' of the Rose Hall sugar estate in Berbice. Accordingly, Mr Cadogan
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and I embarked on the Saturday seminars which were well attended and I believe much appreciated. I thought of recounting the foregoing as our current education administrators might draw some parallels from same and possibly consider taking similar cost- and timesaving initiatives. Another cost-effective and perhaps more appropriate approach could be the TOT model (Training of Trainers) whereby all Head Teachers are specially trained and required to orient, teach and induct regular teachers who have the potential for managerial roles so that a sufficient cadre of professional teachers are available for appointment to supervisory/managerial positions. Nowrang Persaud
Bail is not meant to be punitive and should not be so Dear Editor; I am to say the least surprised at the comments attributed to the current Commissioner of Police (Ag). I am a member of the bar who from time to time practices in the criminal courts in Georgetown and who have completed several trials before the High Court. I wish to remind everyone that every person charged with an offence is presumed by law to be innocent until proven guilty. The objective of bail is to ensure that a person charged with a criminal offence will attend court. Bail is never meant to be punitive or a deterrent. In considering whether to grant bail a court will take into consideration many factors including the means of the person charged, whether they have a fixed residence, whether they have family, whether they have businesses and other ties to the community. The court may well consider evidence presented that a person may flee the country; unfortunately many times you will hear a prosecutor say that a person charged is a flight risk. There is often no basis or evidence to support this proposition which has often become a mantra among prosecutors. Certainly if the police were to produce evidence that a person has a passport, has sold all their assets, closed their bank accounts and has purchased a ticket then I am sure a court would not be inclined to grant bail. I come to the Dataram matter; there are immigration officers placed at every port of entry and exit into Guyana. As it stands the Immigration Section is part of the Guyana police Force. In fact the Commissioner or Police holds the position of Chief immigration officer. If memory serves me correctly the “Backtrack” at Skeldon one could say is opposite the Skeldon Police Station. One would expect that a person of interest such as Mr.
Dataram would have been under police surveillance much less if they were in possession of information or even had suspicion that Mr. Dataram had an intention to flee Guyana. The irrefutable fact is that Mr. Dataram was able to elude the police and the force must accept responsibility for its failure to prevent Mr. Dataram from leaving Guyana. The court has no burden to prevent a citizen from leaving the country. When the court makes an order that order must be enforced by the police. Mr. Dataram may well have been a prime candidate for the immigration “blacklist”. Dataram aside we must get to the point. Many citizens are placed before the court before the police investigation is complete and often languish in custody for months before the police complete their investigation after which the trial may finally commence. For the serious crimes of narcotics and firearm possession a Magistrate by law cannot grant bail unless there are special circumstances that relate to the offence and not the offender. I do not agree with this position but that is the current situation. All citizens are guaranteed a trial within a reasonable time. I am firmly of the view that if a person charged with a serious offence and that trial has not started after several months I believe the person charged should be admitted to bail. I am involved in a case where two persons were charged for the alleged possession of a substantial amount of marijuana. After two months on remand it was revealed that the police investigation was incomplete. There was no indication when the
investigation would be completed. I believe that the two persons were rightly admitted to bail. The reason many trials are delayed is due to the unavailability of witnesses which often leads to adjournments. The witnesses are either not summoned or just do not turn up. The Police are the persons who serve summons and in many serious criminal matters are the very witnesses who do not attend court. The judiciary cannot be blamed for granting adjournments and thereby prolonging matters when police witnesses do not turn up or when police fail to serve summons on witnesses or fail to furnish prosecutors with the returns of service. Should the judiciary dismiss matters for want of prosecution when witnesses are not summoned or police fail to attend court there would be outcry at the denial of justice. The fact is the police are an integral facet in the judicial process without whom the judiciary cannot function. If the police are not working efficiently the judiciary will not function efficiently and that is exactly why we are in the position we find ourselves in. I hope that the comments attributed to the Commissioner of Police (Ag) were somehow misinterpreted but really most persons on bail for serious offences more so narcotics and possession of firearms are, I am certain, only on bail because a Magistrate or Judge had no other option than to protect a citizen's liberty from undue or excessive delay in trial or some other special circumstance particular to the case that warranted the grant of bail. Peter Hugh, Attorney-at-Law
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The Finance Minister is wrong about the economy Dear Editor; Guyana is heading in a dangerous direction if no one changes direction soon. Barama want to send home 500 workers. Wales estate is closing and sending home 1700. Miners are crying foul and many other businesses. Mr. Jordan is seeing an increase in the economy. We might have to borrow those glasses that Mr. Jordan is using before we can see things that only he can see. Mr. Jordan, I was a student at the University and even though you are much more qualified than I am, I can safely say that the economy is on the decline and is not gaining momentum daily. The reason you are seeing an increase in the economy is because of the increase in revenue and that can be tricky if only accessed by those means. I can explain, Someone imports 10 apples and pays taxes on 5 of them. Now because of the decline in spending power, those
Wednesday October 26, 2016
Kaieteur News
same people are only importing 6 apples and pay taxes on those 6 apples because of the 100 % inspection on the wharfs now. So because of this, it may seem to you that the economy is making more money due to this 10 % increase in declaration, but because of this the store owner will send home one or two staff members due to the decline in his revenue. So it may seem like an increase for the Treasury but it is a declining for the working class. If you look at it from this prospective the economy is declining. The banning of 8 year old vehicles is the biggest mistake of all time. Guyana is already equipped for parts for these vehicles. Now they are banned, we will need to go through a transition which is costly. This means people will
stop bringing these parts for older vehicles and trying to cater for newer ones. When people buy these newer cars which we can't afford anyway, the parts will not be readily available, so one will have to air freight a light or bumper which will be very expensive. Just a couple months ago you could have bought a car for $1.6 million now a newer car is $2.6 million. They were cars for 1000 US dollars that are now around 5000 US dollars. Keep in mind that the county is facing economic hardship. When will the politicians understand that Guyanese can't afford these changes? Mr. Jordan say he is trying to promote a “green economy. “ He should be trying to promote a “healthy economy first” Guyanese Observer
GWI has little regard for public opinion Dear Editor; Please publish this letter in your newspaper, subsequent actions may avert another national disaster. I cannot resist recalling the drinking of cyanide for "COOLAID", by more than 900 human beings on Guyana soil on November 18, 1978, after reading that GWI has been using an un-certified chemical in its water treatment process at selected locations. As information becomes more and more available, I am now convinced that GWI has very little or no regards for public opinion. This is not surprising, since there is an old saying that goes like this, "WHAT YOU PUT IN IS WHAT YOU GET OUT". I just cannot understand the reason for the Guyana Government's silence on such an important and urgent development. I am aware based
on media reports that the Health Minister spoke to the GWI's chief and that he is satisfied with the explanation given. This certainly is not a professional response to a public outcry. The "he say and she say" investigative approach is useless when the health and safety of human beings are at stake. Additionally, there seem to be a serious integrity problem, that is, in relation to what is the truth, Are we just comfortable sitting in our high places, awaiting another national disaster. Please note I deliberately did not use the word, 'deaths.” People have the human right to know what they are consuming. The Government of Guyana has the responsibility to urgently set up a commission of inquiry to determine the soundness of the al-
legations and the way forward. Silence is not the solution; it can be perceived as collusion and/or helplessness. In writing this article I did take into account that the Government is young. However, I cannot justify using this as an excuse for being passive. Mr President, I respect you and I love you. I understand the many constraints. I heard you at your swearing-in and was moved by what you said and knew that it was coming from inside of you. I therefore beg you to ensure that your good work is not dismissed. We voted not for a political party, we voted for righteousness. I beseech you to fearlessly stand up for what is right. Righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a reproach to its people. Grieving Guyanese
Former Prime Minister, Sam Hinds explains the ... From page 4 suffering electricity outages of about twelve hours per day and there will likely be a fifteen-month delay in providing an economic, reliable supply of electricity. This evident misinformation and misjudgements of the Coalition Government deepen concern about whatever arrangements would be made with whomsoever for the Wind Farm at Hope Beach or elsewhere (or other renewable energy). With our current income levels and where we are at in Guyana, lowest lifetime cost
should prevail and apart from Amaila, diesel engines are difficult to beat (except in the hinterland and wherever homes are so far apart that the distribution cost is prohibitive). As everyone should recognize, solar and wind do not provide continuous, alwaysavailable power. It is economic for GPL to pay only for the avoided fuel and maintenance costs discounted by the arrangements to offset/absorb the variations in the renewable energy supply. With such an understanding we of the PPP/C kept our doors open to proposals for
solar and wind generation and we would be looking to see that such principles are respected by our Coalition Government (if not, GPL consumers may well end up subsidizing the investors). No doubt the generationmix in the long term was something to start thinking about. For the record, on seeing a call from the Government of Japan for developing countries to apply for 1 to 3MW demonstration, utility-grade solar photo-voltaic (PV) plant we immediately applied, prepared and submitted a proposal, but along the way the Japanese
Government suspended the programme pleading budget cuts. Also, we kept on extending an MOU first entered into in the late 1990s or early 2000s for a Wind Farm at Hope Beach. In about 2014 Mr Lloyd Singh who had lately become a partner in the company, brought a particularly attractive proposal in which the Chinese Manufacturer was offering about 75% financing at a very low interest rate. It began to appear that a Government guarantee of the loan might be required and
shortly after we were told that that Chinese Manufacturer had withdrawn the offer. Mr Lloyd Singh brought another Chinese Manufacturer but it was much more expensive, unacceptably so. We have some protection in that whatever the outcome of the Government's solesourcing negotiations with Mr Lloyd Singh, the law requires the PUC to approve any Independent Power Producer (IPP) agreement which GPL intends to enter into. Sam Hinds Former President and Prime Minister.
Real reasons why contractors cannot complete ... From page 4 contract time. Award of such contracts are the sole fault of the Government; including its Engineers, Evaluators and Cabinet (Cabinet gives final approval). I believe this is one of the major reasons why projects are delayed. To solve this issue contractors whose bid price are out of a certain range (e.g. plus or minus 25% of the estimate should be automatically disqualified. Incidentally these low bidders also win projects due to lack of indi-
viduals in the Government that demonstrates the two qualities mentioned in part 1. E- Unqualified Contractors Many projects over time are being awarded to unqualified contractors. Due to their inexperience in the specific field they take longer to execute tasks and projects are delayed. There are very few exceptions to this. To solve this issue, contractors in Guyana should be grouped in categories. So if you don't complete a
certain amount of small and/ or similar contracts you are not eligible to bid for bigger jobs. This would sort contractors out and eliminate inexperienced ones. It will also be fewer burdens on the Ministry to evaluate unnecessary and unqualified bidders. Shortlisting is also another option. This is how it is being done in other countries. Right now in Guyana, any contractor can bid for any job. F- Unqualified staff being used on projects
To win contracts, many contractors put up experienced staff in their bids and when the contract is being executed they substitute those staff with inexperienced ones. This action results in projects being planned and executed poorly which results in significant projects delays. The Ministries' Engineers needs to ensure that the qualified personnel are being employed by the contractor as stated in his/her bid. If a replacement is done the person
should be at least of equal calibre. This is stated in most contracts but is not being enforced. I end with a question; why are contractors still being awarded projects when their hands are already full? Two main reasons for this; the contractor is a friend or associate of those in Government and/or no proper due diligence was done to ensure the contractor does not have other current contracts where all his resources are utilized. Concerned civil engineer
Wednesday October 26, 2016
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Britain’s Prince Harry to spend three days in Guyana Prince Harry will be spending three days in Guyana in December during a tour to the region. The Prince will be making the official two-week visit to the region next month on behalf of Her Majesty, The Queen. Kensington Palace has revealed that the Prince will visit Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines, according to royalcentral.co.uk. The fifth-in-line to the throne will visit the Caribbean between Sunday November 20th until Sunday, December 4th; which coincides with the 50th Anniversary of Independence for Barbados, the 50th Anniversary of Independence for Guyana, and the 35th Anniversary of Independence for Antigua and Barbuda. A Kensington Palace Spokesperson said: ”Prince Harry is honoured to be representing The Queen, in the year of her 90th birthday, particularly as Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados and Guyana mark their own important anniversaries of independence. “Prince Harry holds special memories of his last visit to the Caribbean, and of the warmth, friendliness and sense of fun that comes so naturally to this region. His Royal Highness is greatly looking forward to meeting more of the people who call it home, and for the opportunity during this tour to be visiting some countries for the first time. “This visit will allow Prince Harry to experience more of the unique and individual cultures and traditions of these special Commonwealth Realms and countries. His Royal Highness is grateful to have the chance to visit nations that play such important
Prince Harry
The schedule of Prince Harry’s visit, according to Kensington Palace. roles in the Commonwealth, and have extended such warmth to his family for many years.” The 32-year-old has previously visited Barbados officially in 2010. However, it will be his first official visit to all of the other countries on the itinerary. The royal tour will begin in Antigua and Barbuda, a country which is celebrating its 35th anniversary since independence from the British Empire. Harry will also visit the nearby countries of St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada. The second leg of the tour will take Prince Harry to Barbados, which is celebrating its 50th year of independence. Kensington Palace says
that the Prince is “looking forward to joining the many thousands of Barbadians who will be celebrating this occasion.” Before the tour comes to an end, Prince Harry will travel to Guyana, which also recently celebrated 50 years of independence. Meanwhile, the British High Commissioner to Guyana, Greg Quinn, in a statement expressed delight of the visit. ”I am happy that we are now able to confirm the dates of Prince Harry’s visit at the start of December. Further details on the programme will follow in due course, but we are excited that the Prince will also be able to travel into the hinterland, as well as undertaking activities in
Georgetown.” Prince Harry while in the hinterlands will witness how eco-tourism and a focus on conservation have changed the lives of the people living there. “On Her Majesty’s behalf,
Prince Harry will unveil a number of dedications to The Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy, a forestry project which invites Commonwealth countries to dedicate indigenous forest to be preserved in perpetuity for
future generations. The first dedication was unveiled by The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in the Great Bear Rainforest, British Columbia on their recent tour to Canada,” the British High Commission said.
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Wednesday October 26, 2016
Ed Ahmad requests postponement of jail sentence to next year Guyanese-born New Yorkbased businessman, Edul Ahmad, has asked a New York court once again to postpone sentencing, as he wants to benefit from time he served as a cooperator witness against a disgraced senator. Yesterday, in a letter to Judge Dora Irizarry of the US District Court, Eastern District of New York, Brooklyn, Ahmad’s lawyer, Steven Kartagener, reminded the court that his client was set to be sentenced on November 15. “With consent of AUSA Alexander Solomon (prosecutor), I respectfully request that (the) defendant present sentencing date be adjourned to a date after January 18, 2017,” the lawyer said in his application yesterday. Ahmad’s legal team argued that adjournment request was due to the fact that the businessman is awaiting the sentencing of John Sampson, a former New York State Senator. Ahmad’s testimony was key in sinking Sampson, a powerful political figure in the New York scene
until he was charged. Sampson has Guyanese roots also. Sampson had appealed his sentencing but failed and he has a new dateJanuary 18, 2017. Ahmad wants to be sentenced until after this date. “To reiterate, by granting this adjournment, the court would be permitting the defendant to get the benefits of his hundreds of hours served as a cooperator, which will undoubtedly be chronicled at length in the government’s 5K1 letter, which we have not received as of this date.” A 5K1 motion is filed by the Government when a defendant provides substantial assistance in the solving of other cases and the Government seeks a reduction in what otherwise would be his sentence. Ahmad had luckily received several respites this year, as Sampson faced delays in his sentencing. Kartagener, since last year, had successfully asked for postponements of the sentencing, saying in the first
instance that he was set to undergo a total hip replacement surgery. While back on the job, the lawyer said he is performing limited duties and his postsurgical healing is not progressing as quickly as hoped. Ahmad’s sentencing would come more than three years after he pleaded guilty to a mortgage fraud charge in the US. Prosecutors had managed to use Ahmad as a star witness in a witness tampering case against the businessman’s former friend, ex-Senator Sampson. Sampson was found guilty earlier this year. The sentencing had been delayed for Ahmad, a wellknown businessman in both New York and in Guyana, but prosecutors moved in immediately after Sampson was found guilty, instituting proceedings to bring the matter to closure. In February 2012, Ahmad reportedly wore a wire, recording Sampson during a meeting. In July, he gave testimony during a four-week
trial. Ahmad is well known to tens of thousands of Guyanese living in the New York area, as he was connected in the Real Estate business. A former policeman in Guyana, he appeared in a New York court before Judge Irizarry in October 2012 and pleaded guilty to count one of the ten-count criminal complaints against him, and told the court that his attorney has advised him that there is no viable defence to the charges against him. In admitting guilt, Ahmad told Judge Irizarry that between January 1995 and January 2009, within the Eastern District of New York and elsewhere, together with others, he knowingly and intentionally conspired to defraud several lending institutions, in a mortgage fraud scheme that lasted almost 15 years. The United States Attorney’s office had said that Ahmad was part of a scheme that defrauded American lending institutions of approximately US$50 million,
Ed Ahmad
To be sentenced: John Sampson obtaining approval for mortgages on various properties by falsifying documents submitted to the lending institutions, using a string of straw buyers, and other illegal practices. In detailing the allegations against the Queens businessman with strong political connections, Judge Irizarry had outlined a scheme which had as its victims not only financial
institutions, but also many ordinary New Yorkers, most of whom were Guyanese immigrants pursuing the American dream to own their own home, only to find themselves trapped in a Real Estate scheme, ultimately resulting in them losing their homes in foreclosure proceedings, while Ahmad and his co-conspirators made millions of dollars. Ahmad’s attorney had signaled intentions to challenge the financial loss attributed to him. Prosecutors have advised a term of between 121 and 151 months (10 to approximately (continued on page 30)
Wednesday October 26, 2016
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The local feed industry may have met its Waterloo The poultry industry in Guyana sits comfortably behind high protective tariffs on extra-regional feed. Yet, it has still been unable to provide consumers in Guyana with chicken which is produced cheaper than imported chicken. Why is local chicken so expensive? The reason is the high cost of chicken feed. The price of chicken can only be reduced if cheaper feed was available locally. Feed is the single most important factor which determines the price of locally produced chicken. If the price of feed falls, then the price charged to consumers is likely to decline. Poultry farmers need cheaper feed. Traders have found feed that is cheaper. They have fond that feed in
Jamaica. They have brought it in to Guyana and it has upset locally chicken feed producers. Some of these producers are upset. They are contending unfair competition. The problem they have is that they have not been able to prove their case. And so they are now attempting, in a market economy, to lobby the government to prevent the feed from Jamaica from coming here under the Caricom arrangements. Those arrangements allow the feed to come here free of import taxes. Local feed producers therefore enjoy little or no protection from the regionally produced feed. These producers can lobby all they want but it will not help their case. They must
prove that the feed from Jamaica violates regional rules of origin. They simply cannot prove that point. They have no access to the data and if the Jamaicans say that there is no unfair competition, there is little that local millers can do. The local millers know this. They play by the same rules too. This is a problem for the local feed millers. It has no bearing on the local poultry industry. The poultry industry is not under threat. The importation of the feed has not caused a drop in the price of chicken. It may have caused decline in the sales of local millers and this is what may be upsetting local poultry feed producers. They may be losing market share to the imported product.
Dem boys seh...
De crooks getting expose De more you wuk wid Government de more stupidness you does see. De Ministry of Finance does give out nuff contract and when de wuk done de people does get pay. Some does get big advance and never do no wuk but that was de way to share out money. Is things like that use to mek people talk bout how money circulating. Was not a case of people doing honest wuk; was a case of de government just sharing out money. And if anybody want talk dem would know that is nuff money share out. Imagine one contractor should get a cheque fuh $251,000. De account go to a clerk. This is a bright person
who pass Maths at CXC. Imagine this bright clerk write a cheque fuh $2,510,000. That mean that de person get more than $2 million extra. Dem boys want to know if de boss didn’t check de voucher before he sign de cheque. Then when de man go to pick up de cheque, de counter clerk had to see de discrepancy but that didn’t happen. Some people seh that in this thiefing business you got to let in a lot of people. That is why de contractor only pay back $300,000. That is he share of de money. But this story got laugh because de accountant seh that he gun tell de man to pay back de rest of de money. But he ain’t gun
do that because he done pay back wha he get. Dem boys also got to talk bout de Tender Board. This Board got some scamps and dem boys gun talk bout de whole story tomorrow. Some people tender fuh a project and de Tender Board seh that one of de companies ain’t reach de qualification mark. This is de best company in de country fuh that kind of wuk suh de management decide to write and threaten to go to de Bid Protest Committee. Dem boys still laughing. Right away de company qualify. But dem boys gun talk more about that. Talk half and watch how de crooks getting expose.
The local chicken industry is not under threat. The local feed industry may be about to fold. But that is what competition is about. The government cannot be expected to float the local feed industry by restricting imports. Guyana has gone down this road before under Burnham and it led to local industries becoming woefully uncompetitive. The local feed millers must examine their cost of production and if they cannot reduce this cost or produce a superior feed which can match that of foreignproduced feed, then it is time for them to get out of the feed production business. If they cannot produce feed to compete with the feeds produced by Jamaica, then they have no place in the free market system. They ought to know that this system is one which is based on the fittest
surviving. If on the other hand, local millers feel that there is unfair competition, then they must examine what mechanisms exist to contest this unfair competition. If they cannot prove their case in relation to the imported feed, then there is nothing they can do. The government cannot be expected to adopt measures to protect the local feed industry from competition. The industry is
not a young industry. It has benefitted and still does today from protective tariffs from imports from outside of the Region. If Guyana as a major producer of raw materials used in chicken feed cannot compete with the Jamaica feed, then it is time to consider closing down the local feed industry..
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Wednesday October 26, 2016
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN...
Khemraj Ramjattan, Sherod Duncan and perfumed breeze This must be the only country in the world where you cannot pick up the newspapers and read the comments of a university scholar on any major national issue with which the nation is preoccupied. Don’t take my word for it; just Google any newspaper in the United States after the Trump sex scandals and WikiLeaks revelations of Clinton’s e-mails made news and you will see how many university professors were analyzing the consequences. Google the newspapers in Brazil on the impeachment of the President, and in the UK over Brexit and you will see the plethora of comments from the academics of how they see things unfolding. It shatters your psyche to think that for over thirty years now, the academics at the
University of Guyana cannot offer their fellow citizens a published opinion on the mountain of issues that saturates this nation. It undermines the faith of the young generation and it drives into them the sense of despair and uselessness. They figure that it is dead society and it makes no sense to become involved in the moral process of speaking one’s mind on issues that affect the country one lives in. Two politicians have taken a different pathway and one desperately hopes their efforts will make small dents in the political culture of Guyana whose chief characteristic is the instinct of fear. Khemraj Ramjattan is the leader of one half of the ruling coalition in government. He heads the Alliance For Change.
Mr. Ramjattan has repeatedly said that the government of which he is a part is doing well and there are not thorny issues that could undermine the solidity (my word) and stability of the coalition. Mr Ramjattan does not let his role in government vitiate his party’s fundamental position in adumbrating what his party stands for. In so doing, he takes positions that are different from his coalition partner, APNU. This is what the backward political culture of this country needs; the desire for politicians and stakeholders to openly polemicize on controversial, complex problems. It will encourage people to think for themselves and galvanize them to publish their thoughts. The result could only be a better country.
This is my angry accusation against the Working People’s Alliance. I have repeatedly advised the remnants of that party in these columns to articulate their agenda for the Guyanese people now that the WPA is in government and to let the Guyanese people know when they are against policies that militate against the interest of the working class. The WPA has been morbidly silent on any departure from their core values as practiced by the very administration that they are part of. While the AFC has proposed significant changes to the anti-narcotics law in relation to amount of possession of marijuana, the WPA is yet to be heard. I could go on about the unprincipled silence of the WPA, but I have written enough about that the past two weeks. Ramjattan does not agree that the State should invoke a law that allows the State to
compulsorily acquire private property. He said for the AFC to agree to that, the situation has to be one of extreme relevance. One can take this to mean that the AFC will not vote in Cabinet for the compulsory acquisition of private property on Carmichael Street just to extend the physical accommodation of the offices of the Attorney-General and the Ministry of Legal Affairs. Who says that Ramjattan’s position will cause the Coalition to disintegrate? The only persons uttering those thoughts are those who belong to and prolong the primitive political culture of this country. From the era of Burnham and Jagan right up to the Granger/Nagamootoo team, politics in Guyana has been characterized by the fear to disagree with party and leader. What Ramjattan and Sherod Duncan have done should be a sign of encouragement for all stakeholders and the people
Frederick Kissoon of Guyana in general. Mr. Duncan is the new kid on the block. He is too young to understand how the old boys’ network operates, too young to comprehend the requirements of politics that Burnham and Jagan stamped on the anatomy and physiology of this nation, too young to fathom how GROUPTHINK works. So never mind he is in the City Council representing the APNU+AFC Coalition, he pontificates on wrong roads, mis-directions, unworkable policies and corrupt practices. In simple terms, Mr. Duncan says that he puts nation’s interests before party’s agenda. His iconoclastic journey, together with Ramjattan’s insistence on speaking on how the AFC feels, is undoubtedly a perfumed breath of fresh air. Will that breeze last?
Wednesday October 26, 2016
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Kaieteur News
EU releases •24.4M sugar funds …money was suspended during prorogued Parliament Stefani Manservisi, Director General, for International Cooperation and Development of the European Commission had handed over to Guyana •24,424,000 euros. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs last evening, this sum is related to the action programme adopted by Guyana which would see the European Union (EU) release monies periodically as part of the Accompanying Measures Programme (AMP)
for sugar. The disbursements had been suspended following the prorogation of Parliament by former President Donald Ramotar in late 2014. Manservisi made the presentation during the Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States and European Union (CELAC-EU) which is being held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. It will be recalled that 1.2
billion Euros was set aside by the EU to assist the African/ Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries to reform their sugar sector in order to improve their competitiveness or to diversify out of sugar. In releasing the resources, the European Commission has indicated that the Government of Guyana has made remarkable progress and commendable efforts in terms of budget transparency and accountability. “…Manservisi
Wakenaam Stelling to be rehabilitated The National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), Ministry of Finance, opened tenders yesterday for the Rehabilitation of Wakenaam Stelling. The residents of Wakenaam, in the past, were particularly vocal about what they deemed as substandard service at the Wakenaam stelling. The procuring entity was listed as Transport and Harbours Department (THD). The Engineer’s Estimate was announced at $21.8M.
Also under the procuring entity for the Guyana Energy Agency bids were opened for the supply and installation of seven complete 10k Wp Grid-Connected solar Photovoltaic system.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was listed as the procuring entity for the construction of concrete fence, drains and vehicle port. The engineer’s estimate is $5.9M.
emphasized that the European Union is committed to continue assisting Guyana in its transformation,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. In the absence of Foreign Minister Carl Greenidge, who is currently accompanying President David Granger on a state visit to the Republic of Chile, Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, is heading this country’s Foreign Affairs delegation. The other members of the delegation to this CELAC-EU Foreign Ministers Meeting include David Hales, Ambassador of Guyana to Belgium and the EU and Vonetta Victor from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Georgetown. During the meeting, Foreign Ministers of CARIFORUM will hold discussions with Federicia Mogenerini, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, today. Guyana’s National Coordinator to CELAC is Ambassador Audrey JardineWaddell, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The CELAC-EU has enjoyed privileged relations since the first bi-regional Summit in 1999 which established a strategic partnership. CELAC-EU relations are structured around biennial summits, Minister of Foreign Affairs meetings and regular
senior officials meeting as well as specific thematic dialogue and initiatives, the ministry explained. Guyana is heavily dependent on the EU sugar assistance since the trading bloc signaled its intentions to lift the preferential market that this country and other ACP states enjoy. The monies, as mentioned, is to be used by ACP sugar-producing member states to improve efficiency or get out of sugar altogether. Guyana has used part of the monies to build a sugar packaging plant at Enmore, East Coast Demerara. Guyana has also received more than •100M since the start of the Accompanying Measures Programme (AMP) for sugar a few years ago.
Stefani Manservisi, Director General, for International Cooperation and Development of the European Commission, with Finance Minister, Winston Jordan yesterday in the Dominican Republic.
New Town Clerk for Bartica Tenders yesterday opened for the construction of a Registration Office in Blenheim, Mahaicony, Region No.5. The procuring entity was listed as Office of the Elections Commission. And the engineer’s estimate is $25.9M
Tenders were also opened for the supply and installation of LED Lamps and occupancy sensors. The procuring entity was listed as the Guyana Energy Agency
The procuring entity for the Ministry of Education consultancy for review of design and supervision for the three General secondary schools. Consultants Deen & Partners & SRK Engineering and Associates Limited, IDP Ingeneria, Inniss Engineering, CR Marshall, Andrey Marks and Hydroplan (Germany) One tender was opened for the consultancy for design and supervision of works for the supply and installation of electrical wiring and breakers for standby generator power supply. The procuring entity was listed as the Ministry of Finance.
The Ministry of Public Infrastructure was listed as the procuring entity for the consultancy for feasibility study and design for the Linden Kwakwani Road corridor, Region No. 10. Consultants SRK,Ngineering & Associates , Cemco & Ghenova Ingeneria
The town of Bartica has announced the appointment of Phebe Wallerson as Town Clerk of the Municipality. Wallerson, who holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Biology from the University of Guyana, brings to the post a wealth of administrative experience, having spent the last four years overseeing the Guyana Red Cross Resilience Project in Bartica, the Ministry of Community announced yesterday. Reacting to her appointment, Wallerson said she is humbled and honoured to have been given the opportunity to serve in the town of her birth. The Town Clerk noted that while she is fully aware of the volume of challenges facing the town, she is reassured by the fact, that there is much potential in Bartica’s natural and human resources. Wallerson, who is also a writer, blogger and poet, stressed that despite the town’s various teething
Town Clerk, Phebe Wallerson issues, such a status quo is quite normal for a municipality in its infancy. “I choose to invest in looking towards all of our potential instead. I see so much potential on account of the support and dedication shown to us by Central Government and the David Granger Administration,” the Town Clerk said.
She expressed confidence in what she termed the “superb leadership” of the Mayor Gifford Marshall and Deputy Mayor, Kamal Persaud adding that, she is greatly motivated by the strength and hard work of the council. “I pledge to give of my energies and ingenuity as I rely on the wisdom of the law, the goodness of the Bartician Spirit and the love I have for the people,” Wallerson stated. Her vision is to see Bartica advancing in steady strides towards becoming a township that offers its citizens the comfort of modernized living. “Having and utilising the full potential of all the resources the town possesses while simultaneously engaging in sustainable, environmental practices, I envisage in Bartica advancing towards being a unique tourist destination,” the new Town Clerk predicted.
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Wednesday October 26, 2016
Kaieteur News
Govt. explores options for former Barama concessions The Iwokrama sawmill
The government is exploring several ways to utilise the forest concessions that Barama has given up. Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman said that the administration has begun a review “to determine whether we can use the concession as is, as a carbon sink and earn from it, or whether we can give it out.” The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) are still to meet with stakeholders to determine the way forward on what to do with the concession. “There are some interests shown. (We are to decide whether to) give it out entirely to one group or whether we can make parts of it available to smaller loggers,” the Minister explained. Barama announced via a press statement last week that it would not be renewing its
1.6M hectares forest concession agreement with the government after the concession expired on October 15. However, the company indicated that it would continue its value added forestry production which includes sawmilling, plywood manufacturing and veneering. Minister Trotman told GINA that there is an opportunity for small loggers to supply the company’s factories. “We’re still to get into discussions with them where this will go. It may be an opportunity for smaller loggers to supply Barama with the logs so that their production continues and other people get a better bite of the cherry,” Trotman said. Meanwhile, companies in the forestry sector have been taking steps to ensure that value is added to forest products. There has been a concerted effort by the government to ensure added value to forest products locally. He said that large concession holders like
Minister Raphael Trotman Vaitarna and Variety Woods are “very good examples” of companies making strides in adding value to forest products. “(Companies) have been taking steps bringing in mills, maybe not the best mills but the fact is, that they are making moves and we’re supporting them because we see there’s an intention to add value to their production lines and we’re supporting that,” Trotman said. The Iwokrama sawmill came in for praise from the Minister for its work in adding value to forest products. “They are doing good work in terms of not just
producing logs or exporting logs, but lumber that is specifically sawed or planed and prepared for export markets,” Trotman said. GFC is facilitating training of stakeholders in key aspects of value added manufacturing. GFC is also exploring skills training and capacity building in sawmilling to encourage added value to forest products. Additionally, the GFC is working with the Forest Products
Development and Marketing Council of Guyana (FPDMC) to seek additional markets for these products. With regards to Barama, the Malaysian-owned company had over 800 employees up to last year. It was engaging with Government since last year for a new agreement after 25 years here. However, the company admitted that world prices and significant challenges have forced it to rethink its
operations here. It has sawmills and a veneer plant at Buck Hall, Essequibo River as well as sawmills and a plywood factory at Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara. In terms of employment losses, from both locals and overseas workers, Barama is estimating several hundreds. However, Government, through the GFC and labour officials, is embarking on talks with the company.
Wednesday October 26, 2016
AG finds accountability issues with School Feeding Programme Some systems of accountability are lacking within the public education system to monitor an ongoing multi-million-dollar programme designed to provide a meal to pupils during school hours. This situation has been highlighted by the 2015 Auditor General Report which was recently laid in the National Assembly. According to the Report, amounts totaling $419.582M were expended on the Ministry’s School Feeding Programme. The programme is one that caters to the purchase of juice and biscuits which constitute the meal given to the pupils. However, following a process of examination of payment vouchers, discrepancies were uncovered. This, according to the Report, translated to monthly distribution reports not being returned by the Divisional Officers to the Book Distribution Unit (BDU) which has responsibility for distributing the juices and biscuits to schools within the respective Regions. Similarly, in 2015 amounts totaling $309.731M were
expended, and monthly distribution reports were not always returned to the Book Distribution Unit. According to the Report, “The nonsubmission of the monthly distribution reports made it impractical to ascertain whether the schools had received the juices and biscuits for the period for which reports were unpresented.” Based on the information detailed in the Audit Report, at the time of reporting reports were outstanding for many months for Regions One, Seven and Eight. While there was an outstanding report for Region One for October 2014, Region Seven had outstanding reports for the months of January to June and September to November 2014 and February to June, 2015. Reports were also yet to be received for the months of February to April, June, September to November, 2014 and February and May to June, 2015 for Region Eight. The Ministry has acknowledged the nonsubmission of monthly distribution reports but has noted that there are individual
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Kaieteur News
listings for each school substantiating delivery. However, the Audit Office has recommended that efforts be made to ensure that functioning systems be put in place to account for the distribution of juice and biscuits. The National School Feeding Programmes was introduced by the Government in February 2010. The Ministry of Education receives support from the Ministry of Communities formerly the Ministry of Local Government and other stakeholders to ensure that this policy initiative of the government is successfully implemented. The programme, according to information availed by the Education Ministry, targets all Nursery Schools and all Grades One and Two in Primary Schools. The School Feeding Programme was implemented
in Regions One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, 10 and Georgetown. However, it was noted that Regions Seven, Eight and Nine are targeted separately. All schools are required to observe a standardized regulatory framework which outlines that head teachers are responsible for the coordination of the programme in their respective schools, that a school report register must be in place at every school and that inspection visits must be carried out by Ministry Officials. The framework also stipulates that snack break must be effected in the morning sessions and be consistent with normal ‘break’ in the respective schools’ timetables and that under no circumstance must these items be offered for sale or have parents make any monetary contribution.
NDIA pays contractor $$M years after contract ends The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) has been caught in more controversy. The Office of the Auditor General has found that the Authority continued to pay a contractor for repairs to equipment years after the contract was supposed to have ended. In his 2015 report, Auditor General Deodat Sharma highlighted a contract for the operation, servicing and monitoring of (NDIA) Hydraulic Excavators, Bulldozers and Draglines. Sharma said that the contract was signed in November 2010, and the duration for the services was two years, with a completion date of September13,2012.Sharma reported that the contractor was to be paid $24,700 per day. Even if the contractor worked every day for the two years straight, he was only supposed to have been paid $18M. But, the unidentified contractor was
handed over $384M. Sharma said that while the contract period expired on September 13, 2012, payments were still made to the contractor in the amounts of $129.107M, $106.085M and $40.831M for the years 2013, 2014 and 2015 respectively. Sharma was keen to note that this occurred even though no extensionoftimewasgiven. Sharma said that the “total payments made to the Contractor up to the time of reporting in September 2016 were $384.683M.”
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday October 26, 2016
Black Bush couple, three children plead for help after blaze The Lesbeholden, Black Bush Polder family
A family is now homeless after a fire on unknown origin destroyed their home in Lesbeholden, Black Bush Polder. Roopchand Hemraj, 30, and his wife, Devi Hemraj, 23, of Lot 75 Lesbeholden North, Black Bush Polder during an interview with this publication stated that they lost the place they once worked hard for to build along with all their belongings to a fire.
Hemraj told Kaieteur News that he was not at home at the time of the fire but someone from the village informed him that his house was on fire. According to the 30-year-old, “A bai come and tell me meh house tek fire and me seh no bai me house na tek fire”. Not believing what he was just told he stated that he jumped on to his motorcycle and sped back to his house where his worst
The debris
fears were confirmed. His home was already completely burnt. His neighbours had tried in taming the blaze. The devastated couple who has three children together ages nine, 19 months and three months revealed that although efforts were made to contact the fire service, a unit never showed up. Roopchand Hemraj, a labourer told this publication that after he arrived and saw his house burnt he broke
down into tears because everything that he worked hard for was gone. Meanwhile, Devi Hemraj, stated that she had all the necessities which she reiterated was gained through hard work and buying “piece by piece” until their home was comfortable. According to Devi. “We had everything, freezer, bed, gas stove, TV, wardrobe and all the clothes burn up”. She stated that her eldest son also
had a tablet. “Right now what li’l bit clothes people help us with we get it in salt bag.” Devi stated that they are currently living with her mother-in-law about a street from what they once called home. Her eldest son was seen back at school. She said that villagers assisted with school uniforms and school supplies in the wake of the fire so that their children can return to school. The family is pleading
with the public and anyone in the position to assist them to rebuild their small home. “Me na go refuse nothing. Whatever people give me, me go take.” She did not fail to mention that some relatives have assisted with enough to keep them afloat. Persons desirous of assisting the Hemraj’s family can do so on 687- 0498 or 6536523. Persons are asked to lend a helping hand.
Wednesday October 26, 2016
Kaieteur News
PAGE 15
Teen, alleged accomplice charged with M’cony shopkeeper’s murder Shackled at both hands and feet, 24-year-old Davananad Rampersaud and his 14-year-old accomplice appeared at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court on a charge of murder. Rampersaud, of Good Faith Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara, and his teenage accomplice were implicated in the cold blooded killing of Mahaicony businesswoman, Bibi Nesha Shairoon. Shairoon, 56, of Lot 4 Novar Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara (ECD) was engaged in a deadly confrontation with bandits at her residence on October 17, 2016. According to initial reports, the bound body of the woman was discovered in her home after neighbours reported that something was amiss. The mother of three who operated a small shop out of the bottom flat of her house, was found lying in a pool of blood in her bedroom with her feet and hands tied together. Her head had been bashed in and her body was in a state of decomposition. A frying pan which was found at the scene of the
MURDERED: Bibi Nesha Shairoon
robbery is believed to have been used to bash the woman to the head. Police investigation later led to the arrest of the woman’s 14-yearold neighbour and (Rampersand) a 24-year-old male from the same village. The accused appeared visibly distressed as they made their way from the courtroom of Magistrate Zamilla Ally- Seepaul, following the reading of the joint indictable charge. They were not required to plead. They were
unrepresented by counsel. The facts were presented by Police Prosecutor Hattie Anthony. Following a brief incamera hearing before Magistrate Ally Seepaul, the matter was transferred to the Mahaicony Magistrate’s Court for November 14. Until such time, Rampersaud was remanded to prison while his teenage accomplice will remain at a juvenile detention centre. According to the reports, the cops believe that the
woman was killed after she put up a fight with the perpetrators who proceeded to steal a quantity of cellular phones, phone cards, a music set and cash among other valuables from her shop, which is attached to the front of her home. It was reported that the teen was arrested a few hours after Shairoon’s body was discovered while his friend was apprehended the following day. The 14-year-old was aware of the woman’s home and yard. Four months before she was murdered, someone had gone into her home and stole a quantity of phone cards from her microwave— she had allegedly suspected the teenager. Her relatives believed that whoever robbed Shairoon back then may have killed her last Saturday, since the persons went into the microwave again and stole phone cards.
From Left: Davananad Rampersuad and his 14-year-old accomplice after their appearance at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday October 26, 2016
$52M GuySuCo COI report yet to be debated …Economic Services Committee in National Assembly currently unable to discuss the document By Kiana Wilburg The controversial report on the $52M Commission of Inquiry into the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) is yet to be discussed in the Economic Services Committee or even debated at a sitting of the National Assembly. There are a number of reasons for this, some of which are perhaps grounded in the negligence of some Members of Parliament (MPs). The GuySuCo report was first tabled in the National Assembly last year December and speaking to it was Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder. It was anticipated that
the report would have been discussed in the Economic Services Committee (ESC). However, this newspaper was informed that the work of the ESC on the report had been halted since it was told that the document was not properly sent to the Committee. PPP Member on the ESC, Juan Edghill said, “The report was supposed to be considered by the Committee but we were advised by the Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs, that the report was not properly sent to us. Since this was made known to us, the ESC Chairman, Jaipaul Sharma, disallowed further examination of the report.”
Edghill said that when the report was actually tabled by the Minister of Agriculture, he never specifically asked for it to be sent to the ESC. The former Junior Finance Minister said that on behalf of the Opposition, he has urged the Agriculture Minister to go before the Assembly and have it sent to the ESC for perusal. He said that Holder is yet to do this. He said, “I am extremely disappointed and concerned with what is taking place. Since February, the report has been stuck and the Committee is stuck at a stage where it cannot move forward on the report. I do not feel that the Government
is attaching the level of seriousness that it is supposed to where the sugar industry is concerned.” The ESC Member stressed that it is a matter which needs to be clarified. “After all, it was the Government which said that it would await the outcome of the ESC on the report before making significant moves in the sugar industry,” added Edghill. Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs also addressed this issue. He said that as far as he is aware, no member has made any move at the Parliamentary level to fix the situation. He said that all it would take is a simple motion to be moved by any member to have the report sent to the Committee for discussion. The Clerk said, “A standing committee cannot just pick up any report laid in the National Assembly and run with it…And that is what happened in the case of the GuySuCo report. It was not referred to the Economic Services Committee. For them to consider it, a motion is needed. Once passed, then they can deal with it…” Since January the Opposition made known its intentions to challenge the Government to a debate on the GuySuCo report. Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, had said that prior to the report being laid in the National Assembly on December 31, 2015, statements were already
Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs being made in the media that the sugar industry should be privatized. The Opposition Leader expressed, “It was also implied that in the short term, costs should be contained. When I examined the CoI report, those were exactly the two recommendations coming out of the report. Now after spending some $50 million, we seem to have a situation where evidence was just being gathered to suit preconceived notions about the way forward for GuySuCo.” He continued, “Also, I have argued that statements made by Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder, in the Parliament when he laid the report, were totally unfair because it did not give us a chance to reply in Parliament…” When Holder laid the reports on the CoI in the National Assembly, he had said that GuySuCo under the
A mini health check is the first step to donating blood
Opposition Member on the Economic Services Committee, Juan Edghill PPP was made into a “chronic loss maker.” Holder said that the increasing output costs, combined with poor management, strategically placed the state-owned company on the path of no return. Jagdeo said that the Minister’s comments were unmerited and with the debate as his platform, he (Jagdeo) and his team would prove to the nati o n t h a t costs cannot be reduced, especially at the cost of the workers. While Government has not yet moved to implement all of the recommended changes needed for GuySuCo’s sustainability, the company’s Chairman, Dr. Clive Thomas, has made it clear that moves are apace to get GuySuCo involved in the sale of electricity. This was one of the recommendations of the CoI report. He noted too, that while the recommendations for the industry appear “extreme”, those working in the sector should not be worried for one bit whether the sector would be closing shop.
Wednesday October 26, 2016
Kaieteur News
Govt. considering municipal courts
PAGE 25
Private sector urges... (From page 3) change and the fact that “Guyana is doing its part” through its low carbon development strategy. He also made reference to the issue of correspondent banking and the de-risking of indigenous Caribbean banks and expressed the view that there is still much work which needs to be done to ensure full compliance on the part of some countries in the region and that these countries needed technical and financial assistance to move them to a position of full compliance. (sflcn.com)
Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan addressing councillors in Region 2.
PM amplifies important... (From page 17) they consider to be an easy path to life, the path that would lead you to earn a livelihood from other people’s sweats and accumulation; there is also the path that lead you not to the broad highway of a new glorified future but a path that lead you to prisons, hard labour and confinement and to the death of your dreams.” The government is considering setting up municipal courts countrywide to deal with violations of municipal laws. Speaking with councillors in Region Two over the weekend, Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, said the need for the courts is being advanced by various organisations. According to Bulkan, repeated calls for municipal courts have been made by the Georgetown City Council and the Private Sector so that delinquent taxpayers and other violations can be dealt with expeditiously. Speaking with the Region
Two councillors, Bulkan explained that since engaging the Georgetown City Council and holding similar engagements with other councils across the country, the administration is considering setting up municipal courts as a mechanism to address these and other disregard for the authority of municipal councils and non-adherence to regulations. “It is coming through clear, in all our engagement with all our local government organs, that we would need a dedicated court to be able to address infractions and violations at the local
(government) level,” the Minister said, in a Government release. Bulkan noted that unless there is an effective and functioning mechanism, the councils would not be able to meaningfully address and arrest activities which do not help the functioning of the councils. According to Bulkan, councils have been complaining not only of their inability to rake in outstanding monies owed by delinquent taxpayers, but issues such as illegal roadside vending and illegal building construction have also been affecting their revenue bases and impeding their effective
functioning. The issue of roadside vending was raised during the meeting with the Region Two councillors. Bulkan told the councillors that municipal courts would help bring resolution in an expeditious and efficient manner, to the issues. A municipal court is one whose jurisdiction is limited to a specific municipality. These courts preside only over cases and offences that take place within their jurisdiction. They provide a forum for the fair and impartial resolution of alleged violations as established by the town ordinance code.
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Kaieteur News
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Live in waitress. Call: 6439007 Salesgirls & porters, apply with written application @ 1E Dennis & Middleton Street, Campbellvile (Best Buy Food Supplies) 1 Live in domestic. Call: 6741767/ 659-2708 1 Truck Driver, 1 Welder. Call: 218-1455 One domestic to work in Trinidad. Call 1868- 683-1528 Live in maid wanted ages 45 & older @ Robb Street. Call: 226-0450 or 627-3205 One maid needed. Call: 6399449 Experienced welders, must be able to weld ships and barges. Call: 226-1100, 2265380
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Sales Clerk, must be able bodied ages 18-30yrs. Call: 643-7193
Live in domestic, must know to cook, boarding & lodging free, salary $80,000 monthly. Call: 610-3974
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CAR RENTAL
WANTED Entertainment Manager to work in the Essequibo Coast: must have experienced in promotions, events & hotel managements. Call: 226-9768
Toyota Vigo pickup, Nissan Pathfinder, Jeep. Immaculate Condition. Call: 609-7766
Lot 109 3 Key Drive, Enterprise Gardens, one 3 bedrooms upper flat - $65, 000 monthly. Call: 648-7621
Austin Powers Repairs & Services: repairs done on all domestic appliances, house wiring, etc, located in Bagotstown. Call: 685-2588/ 613-1711 Repairs at low cost: Fridges, air- conditioners, washing machines, TVs, microwaves, freezers- Call:629-4946 or 225-4822
Wednesday October 26, 2016
LEARN TO DRIVE C. Persaud & N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman & Sons Driving School @ Maraj BuildingCall: 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997 (affordable packages).
Female bartender, live in/out, attractive waitresses needed at Eden’s Bar (East Bank). Call: 678-3616 Straight Stitch & over edge machine operators, porters. Call: 222-2541 8:00am-4:00pm Mon-Fri Live in or live out babysitter/ domestic-Call: 223-7500 Monday-Saturday 8:15am4:15pm Live in general cleaner, salary $70,000-$80,000, boarding & lodging free (18-35yrs old). Call: 222-4890 TO LET 1-2 Bedrooms apartment fully furnished; 1-2 Bedrooms apartment unfurnished. Call: 667-2536 Continued on page 27
Wednesday October 26, 2016
PAGE 27
Kaieteur News
Indigenous Peoples’ Ministry “inadvertently” pays supplier $2.5M instead of $251,200 By Abena RockcliffeCampbell The Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs has made a major slip that cost taxpayers over $2M. The Ministry paid a dietary supplier over $2.5M for goods worth no more than $251,200. The Ministry is now trying to recover the excess sum from the supplier who readily took the money knowing fullwell that the pay package was supposed to be significantly less. In his latest report, Auditor General, Deodat Sharma, stated that included in the sum $47.058M expended under dietary for the Amerindian Hostel, $6.759M was paid to a supplier who supplied fruits, greens and vegetables. However, it turned out that $2M of this sum was free money. Sharma said that an
examination of the payment vouchers revealed that a payment voucher was prepared in December 2015 for an amount of $251,200. However, the cheque was processed for $2.512M in January 2016. It was uplifted by the supplier “without anyone detecting the anomaly between the amount on the payment voucher and the cheque.” The supplier was overpaid by $2.261M. Sharma reported that further, checks revealed that the details for the payment were entered into the IFMAS on 29 December 2015 by a staff of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs and the amount of $2.512M was recorded instead of $251,200. The Auditor General said that the Accountant General’s Department explained that at year end, cheques are prepared for all transactions in the system in order to
From page 26
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. 1 45" Complete cabin Cruiser, trout seine, excellent condition. Call: 654-2817/ 657-0044/625-8522 facilitate the closure of the accounting cycle for that year; hence the variance would not have been detected then. The Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs told the Auditor General that
PI into KNews grenade attack…
KN Staff no-show, Prosecution witness grilled by defence attorneys
due to the workload at year end, “the incorrect amount was inadvertently entered and the cheque was paid out by the Ministry of Finance.” The supplier has since repaid $300,000. The Ministry is to officially write the supplier to have the balance
repaid, “failing which legal action would be taken.” The Audit Office recommends that the amount overpaid be recovered and that systems be put in place by the Ministry and the Accountant General to avoid a recurrence.
Organic Potting Soil -$900, Lawn Grass -$1,400, Ficus 4 @$1,000, Exora 4 @ $1,000, also Palms & Flowers. Call: 626-1044 1- CAT 320 BL Excavators, 1 CAT 930 Front End Loader. 1-55 Leyland DAF Truck, 1 CAT D4H Bulldozer. Call: 275-0538/ 683-7225 Muscovy Ducklings and eggs (white & brown). Call: 602-7203 Cheap! Cheap! CCTV Security Surveillance Kit, 8 Channels DVR with built in Hard Drive, 8 bullet cameras – Tel: 621-4740 Double Steel Wheeled Roller, 1 Mack Concrete mixer truck. Call: 275-0538/ 683-7225 Mixed Breed puppies, eight (8) weeks old. Breed: Pekingese and Dachshund. Call: 644-1972
Alfie Garraway
Janeil Howard Two Kaieteur News staff did not show up in court yesterday to testify in the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the June 4, grenade attack on the newspaper even though they were told to be there for 9am the previous day. When the case was called yesterday, the court orderly called the names of James Baptiste and Omar Bynoe several times but got no response. The orderly then informed Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan that he got “no answer, no appearance.” Inquires were made from the Magistrate as to the whereabouts of the two witnesses. In response, Police Prosecutor Neville Jeffers told the court that the witnesses were notified that they had to attend court. The Chief Magistrate ordered that the witnesses be
summoned. Janeil Howard, 20, of 322 Section ‘C’ Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara; Alfie Garraway, 36, of Norton Street, Lodge, Georgetown; and Leroy Williams, 25, of 11 Durban Backlands, are accused of conspiring together with other persons to cause an explosion by way of grenade, likely to endanger lives and cause damage to property. Garraway is currently out on $300,000 High Court bail. The other accused remain on remand. Howard is unrepresented by an attorney. Alfie Garraway is being represented by Attorneys Stanley Moore and Glenn Hanoman, while Attorney Neil Bollers is defending Williams. Kevin Walters, a security guard of Gordon Street, Kitty, Georgetown, continued his testimony yesterday. He was cross examined by the defense counsels. Walters was grilled by
Leroy Williams attorney Stanley Moore and Neil Bollers. Under Cross examination he told the court that the only reason he was testifying was to keep his job. According to the witness testimony, he was present when what appeared to be a grenade was handed over to Shemar Wilson, who is still wanted by police for questioning in relation to the offence. The explosive device was allegedly handed over by Alfie Garraway at his (Garraway’s) home. Under cross examination the witness was asked if one of his responsibility as a security guard is to inform police about any suspicious incidents or matters relating to crime. Several times during the questioning, the witness remained silent and at some (continued on page 30)
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Wednesday October 26, 2016
Kaieteur News
Philippines’ Duterte hits out Britain gives green light for new at U.S., then heads to Japan $22 billion runway at Heathrow
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is escorted by bodyguards after he met his supporters outside a hotel in Tokyo, Japan yesterday. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon (Reuters) - Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte lashed out anew at the United States yesterday and said it could forget a bilateral defence deal if he stayed in power long enough, in the latest jarring statement from Manila about the future of the alliance. Duterte delivered his new broadside as he was about to board a plane for an official visit to fellow U.S. ally Japan, a big investor in the Philippines that is becoming nervous about its apparent pivot towards rival power China. The volatile, crime-busting Duterte had on the eve of the visit softened his remarks last week about a “separation” from Washington, telling Japanese media he was not planning to change alliances and was only seeking to build trade and commerce with China. But he pulled no punches yesterday when he said he hated having foreign troops in the Philippines and told the United States not to treat his country “like a dog with a leash”. Commenting on a visit to Manila on Monday by Daniel Russel, an Assistant Secretary of State, Duterte said Washington should forget about an Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the Philippines if he were to stay in charge longer. “You have the EDCA, well forget it. If I stay here long enough,” he said. “I do not want to see any military man of any other nation except the Filipino. That’s the only thing I want.” He did not elaborate on what staying longer meant. In the Philippines, a president is
allowed only one six-year term in office. The remarks were another perplexing swing from Duterte, who last week announced in China his “separation” from the United States, before assuring that ties were not being severed and he was merely pursuing an independent foreign policy. U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby said Duterte’s remarks were “inexplicably at odds” with the relationship the two countries continued to enjoy and Washington was going to “take the long view” on ties with Manila. “We’ve seen this rhetoric and then we’ve seen it walked back,” he told a regular news briefing. “We’re not going to react and respond to every bit of rhetoric. We’re going to continue to work at this relationship.” Kirby said the United States would continue to meet its obligations in its defence treaty with the Philippines and had not seen Duterte’s comments against it translate into policy. “The long view in our mind is a sustained, healthy, vibrant, bilateral relationship with the people and the government of the Philippines. That’s what we’ve had for 70-odd years and that’s what we expect to have for 70-plus more years ... so that’s where our focus is on,” he said. Duterte’s latest swipe at Washington could rattle Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who wants to keep ties with the Philippines tight. Abe is to hold rare one-on-one talks with Duterte at his resi-
dence in Tokyo this evening. Before leaving for Tokyo, Duterte described Japan as a true friend that had played a “preeminent and peerless role” as a big investor and Philippine development partner. ‘I DIDN’T START THIS FIGHT’ But he quickly became vexed when answering questions and held up the front page of a Philippine newspaper which carried the headline “Duterte sparking international distress - U.S.”. Duterte vented at Washington on several fronts, from its bombing of Manila at the end of World War Two to embassy officials once questioning his intentions when he applied for a visa to visit a girlfriend. “You know, I did not start this fight,” he said. Director of U.S. National Intelligence James Clapper said Duterte was playing to a domestic audience. “President Duterte has a point of view, I think conditioned quite a bit by his own life and his apparent resentment of the United States and its relationship with the Philippines, so he has reached out to the Chinese,” Clapper said at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York. Clapper said he had recently had a private meeting with senior Philippine intelligence officials. “They are themselves concerned about the impact on our relationship,” he said. “So we will just have to see how it plays out.” Duterte’s overtures to China and hostility towards the United State s h a v e raised questions about what his overall goal is and the extent to which his actions could shake up the geopolitical dynamic of a region wary about Beijing’s growing influence and U.S. staying power. Abe has sought to strengthen ties with the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries, p a r t i c u l a r l y M y a n m a r, Thailand and Vietnam, as a counter-balance to Beijing. Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said yesterday that both presidents would have a meeting to “further the strategic partnership with the Philippines”. Japanese officials said Abe would not overtly try to mediate between Tokyo and Washington but would probably explain the importance of the U.S. role in the region. Kirby said Washington had no “special expectations” for Duterte’s Tokyo visit.
Britain has backed a $22 billion expansion of London’s Heathrow Airport LONDON - (Reuters) Britain backed a $22 billion expansion of London’s Heathrow Airport yesterday, ending 25 years of indecision with an ambitious plan to boost global trade links following the vote to leave the European Union. Heathrow, Europe’s busiest airport, defeated a proposal from smaller rival Gatwick to secure the first new full-length runway to be built near London in 70 years after environmental and political protests scuppered previous attempts. The long-awaited decision put Prime Minister Theresa May on a collision course with several senior politicians including her own foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, and the plan is also likely to be challenged in the courts. But with a promise of jobs and greater trade links after Britons opted in June for Brexit, May is likely to win parliament’s approval, triumphing over an issue that has paralysed successive governments in the past. “After decades of delay we are showing that we will take the big decisions when they’re the right decisions for Britain,” May said of her Conservative government’s backing for what will be one of Europe’s biggest infrastructure projects. The decision in favour of a third runway at Heathrow, due to be built by 2025, is one of May’s most significant acts since she took office in July. It follows her approval in September of a $24 billion nuclear power plant at Hinkley Point. With established links around the world, Heathrow always offered the greatest economic potential. However, its position to the west of London, near several affluent suburbs represented in parliament by Conservative lawmakers including Johnson, drew a powerful coalition of opponents worried about noise and pollution.
A new runway will also require parts of the motorway circling the capital to be rebuilt, making it more expensive and complex than alternative options to extend an existing Heathrow runway or build a new one at Gatwick, south of London. According to a three-year study by Britain’s independent Airports Commission, a new runway at Heathrow would create 70,000 new jobs by 2050 and increase gross domestic product by between 0.65 and 0.75 percent over the same period. It will also enable Britain to keep pace with Europe’s biggest airports in Paris, Amsterdam and Frankfurt, which have greater capacity. CITY OF PLANES But within hours of the decision, politicians were lining up to denounce it. Johnson, a leading Brexit campaigner, said the plan was “undeliverable” and “very likely to be stopped” while London Mayor Sadiq Khan, alarmed by the potential impact on air quality, said he was exploring legal options. Zac Goldsmith, a lawmaker in May’s Conservative Party, resigned over the issue, meaning a by-election will be held in his constituency near the airport and May’s already slim majority in parliament will be reduced. Johnson, a former London mayor who once vowed to lie down in front of the bulldozers to prevent a new Heathrow runway being built, said he worried that a third would be followed by a fourth. “You’d have New York, a city of beautiful skyscrapers, Paris the city of light, London the city of planes,” he told reporters. “Is that really what we want for our fantastic capital city?” Wary of being damaged by the issue, May has allowed her ministers to criticise the plan but not campaign against it before a vote in parliament in a year’s time. Surveys show a majority of lawmakers will
back her. Lawyers said opponents could delay the decision on the 18-billion-pound project in the courts but were unlikely to be able to block it. Adam Marshall, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, said governments had prevaricated for too long. “Put simply, it’s about time,” he said. “Businesses will now want assurances that the final approval process for Heathrow’s new runway will be smooth and swift, so that construction can begin as soon as possible. “The time for playing politics with our national connectivity is over.” Heathrow is owned by Spanish infrastructure company Ferrovial, Qatar Holding, China Investment Corp and other investors, and the bill for expansion will be paid for by the private sector, with the government expected to pay for some of the additional road and rail costs. Engineering firms Arup, U.S.-headquartered CH2M, British construction company MACE and construction and project management firm Turner & Townsend are already working on the early stages of the project. The government said the UK aviation regulator would work with Heathrow and airlines to ensure the new runway was affordable and keep landing charges paid by the carriers close to current levels. The government also proposed legally binding noise targets to provide respite for local residents while Heathrow will need to meet air quality rules as a condition of planning approval. “Heathrow stands ready to work with government, businesses, airlines and our local communities to deliver an airport that is fair, affordable and secures the benefits of expansion for the whole of the UK,” the airport said.
Wednesday October 26, 2016
Venezuela lawmakers vote for political trial of president Caracas (AFP) Venezuela’s opposition-majority legislature voted yesterday to open a political trial against President Nicolas Maduro, who is resisting efforts to remove him from power in a volatile political crisis. A majority of lawmakers in the National Assembly voted in favor of a motion to launch a “political and criminal trial” against Maduro after he blocked their drive for a referendum on removing him. They voted to summon Maduro to appear before the assembly on November 1 to answer charges of “criminal and political responsibility and of abandoning his post.” It is unclear what impact the vote will have. The Supreme Court — which the opposition claims Maduro controls — has ruled the National Assembly’s decisions invalid. The center right-dominated opposition blames Maduro for a dire economic crisis in the oil-rich nation.
President Nicolas Maduro Hit by the fall of global oil prices, Venezuela’s economy has crashed, sparking protests and looting driven by shortages of food, medicine and basic goods. Maduro calls the economic crisis a capitalist conspiracy. The opposition called for the political trial after courts and electoral authorities last week annulled their bid to hold a recall referendum
against him. Maduro met with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Monday and said afterward that he had the pope’s blessing to launch a “dialogue” with the opposition. Leaders of the opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) dismissed that as a ploy, insisting they had not agreed on terms for talks with the government. The MUD has called for nationwide street protests from Wednesday to raise pressure on Maduro. The president landed back in Venezuela on Tuesday after a tour to the Middle East, the Vatican and Portugal, television pictures showed. He was expected to join his supporters in a rally in Caracas on Tuesday. Analysts have warned there is a risk of violent unrest in the South American country of 30 million people. Clashes at anti-government protests in 2014 left 43 people dead.
Barbados economy shows signs of improvement BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – The Barbados economy grew by 1.3 per cent during the first nine of the year and the Central Bank is predicting that the island will record economic growth of 1.4 per cent for 2016. It said that the improved economic situation was due to improvements in the tourism, construction, business and other sectors where growth was an average three per cent. The Central Bank of Barbados (CBB) also noted that the average unemployment rate fell to 10.2 per cent for the nine months ending June and that inflation remained in negative territory, with the price index declining by 1.2 per cent. It said Barbados ranks at number seven in the Americas in the competitiveness of the tourism sector with the United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Panama, and Costa Rica ahead of the island. “A strength of the tourism industry is the fact that Barbados does not have an overreliance on any one market. Long stay arrivals increased by 5.7 per cent, with arrivals from the US up 11 per cent and the UK up three per cent,” the CBB added. It said the economic foundations of Barbados’ international business and financial services sector remain strong, but the sector faces a chal-
lenge because of the sentiment against globalization in advanced economies. Data up to July indicates that the number of licenses granted to International Business Companies (IBC) declined by 7.5 per cent. In addition, a total of BDS$67 billion in assets were held by international banks in June 2016, representing a 16 per cent decrease over a 12-month period. “Maintaining the value of our currency hinges on crafting fiscal policies that aid in dampening the demand for foreign currency. Government’s fiscal consolidation has assisted in the maintenance of a level of reserves that are above the 12 week benchmark.” The CBB said that the stock of foreign reserves at end-September stood at BDS$900 million or 14 weeks of import cover and in an effort to augment this stock of foreign reserves, fiscal policy was tightened in August, by means of a combination of additional revenue measures and further cuts in expenditure. There has been a significant improvement in the current account of the balance of payments, but the financial account inflows have been very weak. The current account deficit was lower by 3.6 percentage points of GDP, almost entirely because of tour-
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Kaieteur News
ism. Fuel imports were down by 1.9 percentage points of GDP, with a fall in both prices and the amount imported. The CBB noted that the fiscal deficit for the April to September period is estimated to be BDS$145 million on the current account and that accrued tax revenues are anticipated to increase by BDS$13 million, with corporate taxes, property taxes, and excises increasing by six million, BDS$14 million and BDS$10 million respectively. The Central Bank is forecasting that economic growth of 1.4 per cent for 2016, indicating that growth for the next five years is expected to be in the region of two per cent per year, “driven by our competitive, diversified, and highly regarded tourism sector”. The CBB said an 11 per cent increase in airline capacity is expected from the US and Canada for the coming tourist season and that a pickup in construction activity is also anticipated, much of it tourism-related. “The combined effect of the August fiscal measures and revenues from the sale of the Barbados National Oil Terminal Ltd. is expected to reduce the Government’s deficit to the end of the fiscal year slightly above four per cent percent of GDP.
HOSPITAL HOAX
...doctor admits to fabricating robbery story, says Ministry The Port of Spain General Hospital
(Trinidad Express) Reports are now emerging that the claim made by a female doctor that she was the victim of a midnight gun toting robber at the Port of Spain General, was a hoax. The Health Ministry issued a statement yesterday afternoon, stating that the doctor who made the report admitted to fabricating the story. She made the admission in the presence of her parents and officials of the North West Regional Health Authority. The motive for the fake report was not disclosed. Making a false report is considered a serious crime for which the maximum penalty is a $1,000 fine or six months in prison with hard labour. The claim made by the doctor that she was robbed of $300 by an Afro Trinidadian man with yellow eyes in the parking lot of the hospital, was met with alarm by her colleagues who threatened to go on a work to rule.
The hospital’s security was also accused of not being at their security stations at the time of the robbery. Former Health Minister Dr Fuad Khan, weighing in on the claim, said that surveillance cameras were needed. He said: “As the staff of the hospital plan industrial action in protest of their working conditions, I am calling upon the Minister of Health, Mr. Terrence Deyalsingh, to meet with the administration of this facility and rectify the situation before it escalates any further. To have one group of employees protesting the inefficiencies of another by working to rule benefits no one, and will only affect the patients who depend on this hospital for their treatment.” While the Minister has accepted the budget cuts set by the Ministry of Finance for this financial year, it would be interesting to find out if such measures affect the security roster at the nation’s hospi-
tals, and how he plans to address this issue in light of the current situation”. However, the Health Ministry said today that: “following receipt of this information a meeting was held between officials of the NWRHA and the intern in the presence of her parents, at which time it was revealed that the report given by the intern was fabricated. A complete report on the matter has been requested from the NWRHA. Notwithstanding the above, the Ministry advises that the CEO and General Manager of Operations, NWRHA, have held very productive talks with the North West Doctors’ Association at the Port of Spain General Hospital with a view to resolving any security issues that may be relevant”. The doctor has been pulled from the roster. The Health Ministry did not say if criminal action would be taken in the matter.
Jamaica govt. wants smooth negotiations for new public sector wage agreement KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) – The Jamaica government says it hopes negotiations for new wages for public sector workers for the period 2017-19 will be conducted as smoothly as those which resulted in the existing twoyear agreement. Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, Fayval Williams, speaking at a recent forum hosted by the Hugh Lawson Shearer Trade Union Education Institute, said the Andrew Holness administration, while in opposition, was “very heartened” by the high level of maturity demonstrated by all parties involved in the 2015/17 negotiations. The government is seeking to reduce the public wage bill to nine per cent of gross domestic product (GDP), one of the key International Monetary Fund (IMF) benchmarks
under the existing four-year multi-million dollar Extended Fund Facility (EFF), which concludes in March 2017. Williams said that the unions’ recognition of the need to make sacrifices to achieve the EFF’s objectives was laudable and emphasised that as a new round of negotiations is embarked on, “I can only ask for the same level of maturity (to be displayed).” Citing the government’s 2018/19 timeline to reduce public-sector wages to nine per cent of GDP, she said “the good news is, we are expected to end this fiscal year at about 9.6 per cent”. President of the Hugh Lawson Shearer Trade Union Education Institute, Danny Roberts, also expressed a similar sentiment as the junior minister noting that the prevailing macroeconomic
environment does not place the government in a position “to meet the kind of expectations I am hearing from public-sector workers”. He said he hoped that a “new paradigm” in the discourse can be found “that minimizes the need for the contentious, adversarial, acrimonious debate that normally accompanies our collective-bargaining process”. Roberts said there is the need to determine “a new path that begins to address the problem, not only immediately, but also in the long term”. Government and the trade unions are expected to begin negotiations soon on the new wage agreement. The forum was held under the theme “Public Sector Workers: Expectations Beyond March 2017’.
PAGE 30
Kaieteur News
Wednesday October 26, 2016
Duo charged with murdering Construction worker falls North West miners to death from scaffold Two men appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, yesterday, jointly charged for two counts of murder. It is alleged that both Roberto Miggins, 25, and Quacie Benjamin, 32, at Ten Miles Backdam North West District, murdered Mario Pozzer whose body bore a gunshot wound. The miner was travelling to the backdam on an ATV when he was gunned down. The killing occurred between October 12 and October 13, last. The second charge alleged that on October 14, at Mazawini Backdam, North West District, they both murdered Hillary Smith. Smith was shot and killed during an invasion at his camp when gunmen with high-powered rifles entered his camp and opened fire. His body was found after the gunmen escaped with a quantity of raw gold. The two men were not required to plead to the
A 23-year-old construction worker is now dead following a fall from a four-storey high scaffold at the new Texila American University Construction worksite at Providence, East Bank Demerara. This occurred yesterday. The dead man has been identified as Mark Anthony Hodge from Lot 482 Good Intent, West Bank Demerara. Hodge was reportedly in the centre of the scaffold at approximately 15:15 hrs with two other workers on either side. The scaffold allegedly became shaky from moving
Dead: Mark Anthony Hodge
Roberto Miggins and Quacie Benjamin indictable charge read to them in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Benjamin, a father of two, was represented by Attorney Leslie Sobers. According to the lawyer,
Ed Ahmad requests postponement of jail ... From page 8 13 years) of imprisonment for Ahmad. Ahmad’s case has attracted much attention from the media in Guyana and in New York. With regards to Sampson, he had exhausted one last bid for a retrial under a recent Supreme Court decision. In September, Judge Irizarry refused to grant the disgraced Democrat another trial because he wasn’t convicted of bribery, the
around the site. This resulted in him losing his balance. It was reported that his feet hooked on the scaffold before he fell, the other two workers reportedly grabbed onto the scaffold. Hodge was then taken the Diamond Diagnostic Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. He was reported to have broken his neck due to the fall. Hodge’s brother, Seon Hodge, also worked with him at the construction site. He was working there for approximately two and a half months before his untimely death.
argument he was using. “The bottom line is that the defendant neither was charged with nor convicted of any bribery offense,” the judge wrote in siding with prosecutors on the issue. Sampson was found guilty last year of obstruction of justice and lying to the FBI as part of a mortgage-fraud investigation – but cleared of six of the nine counts, including the most serious charge of conspiracy to obstruct justice.
his client resides at Fitzburg, Port Kaituma. The Attorney went on to say that his client is an excavator operator and has a strong alibi in relation to his whereabouts on the days in question. Attorney Euclin Gomes is representing Miggins. They will make their next court appearance on November 2, at the Matthew’s Ridge Magistrate’s Court.
The Texila American University construction site where the accident occurred
KN Staff no-show, Prosecution witness grilled by ... From page 27 points he stuttered in response. To some of the questions, he stated, “I was only trained to use my gun in a professional manner.’’ This PI continues today. At the last court hearing, Walters told the court that it was Garraway who gave what appeared to be a live grenade to Shemar Wilson.
According to Walters, Garraway told Wilson that the explosive device is to be thrown at “Kaieteur News man black Lexus.” Wilson had told the court that he is acquainted with the three accused. He said that Howard is the nephew of his reputed wife. He also stated that he knows Wilson. The witness told the court that
from time to time he would visit the home of Garraway and would see the three accused along with Wilson. Glenn Lall, publisher of Kaieteur News had testified that he is unaware if Garraway and Williams, or any other individual(s), have resentment towards him or Kaieteur News. He recalled smiling after he was shown an
object which appeared to be a grenade lying next to the front wheel of his vehicle, which was parked on the western side of Saffon Street, Georgetown, several metres south of the media house. He explained that he did not believe the instrument was a grenade and instructed his security staff to contact police for verification.
Wednesday October 26, 2016
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NATO seeks troops to deter Russia on eastern flank (Reuters) - NATO will press allies today to contribute to its biggest military build-up on Russia’s borders since the Cold War as the alliance prepares for a protracted quarrel with Moscow. With Russia’s aircraft carrier heading to Syria in a show of force along Europe’s shores, alliance defense ministers aim to make good on a July promise by NATO leaders to send forces to the Baltic states and eastern Poland from early next year. The United States hopes for binding commitments from Europe to fill four battle groups of some 4,000 troops, part of N ATO ’s r e s p o n s e t o Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea and concern it could try a similar tactic in Europe’s ex-Soviet states. France, Denmark, Italy and other allies are expected to join the four battle groups led by the United States, Germany, Britain and Canada to go to Poland, Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia, with forces ranging from armored infantry to drones. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the commitments would be “a clear demonstration of our transatlantic bond.” Diplomats said it would also send a message to Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, who has complained that European allies do not pay their way in the alliance.
The battle groups will be backed by NATO’s 40,000strong rapid-reaction force, and if need be, further follow-on forces, for any potential conflict, which could move into Baltic states and Poland on rotation. The strategy is part of an emerging new deterrent that could eventually be combined with missile defenses, air patrols and defenses against cyber attacks. However, the alliance is still struggling for a similar strategy in the Black Sea region, which Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has said is becoming a “Russian lake” because of Moscow’s military presence there. Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey are expected to soon come forward with a plan to increase naval and air patrols in the area, as well as a multinational NATO brigade in Romania. “TO PREVENT CONFLICT” For the Kremlin, the U.S.-led alliance’s plans are already too much given R u s s i a ’s g r i e v a n c e s a t NATO’s expansion eastwards. Stoltenberg denied going too far. “This is a credible deterrence, not to provoke a conflict but to prevent conflict,” he told reporters yesterday. Next year’s deployments have taken on greater symbolism since Russia pulled out of several nuclear disarmament agreements in the past two months while moving nuclear-capable missiles into its Baltic exclave
in Kaliningrad. The so-called IskanderM cruise missiles can hit targets across Poland and the Baltics, although NATO officials declined to say if Russia had moved nuclear warheads to Kaliningrad. “This deployment, if it becomes permanent, if the presence of nuclear weapons were confirmed, would be a change in (Russia’s) security posture,” the United States’ envoy to NATO, Douglas Lute, said. Te n s i o n s h a v e b e e n building since Crimea and the West’s decision to impose retaliatory sanctions, but the breakdown of a U.S-Russia brokered ceasefire in Syria on Oct. 3, followed by U.S. accusations that Russia has used cyber attacks to disrupt the presidential election, have signaled a sharp worsening of East-West relations. EU leaders met last week to consider fresh sanctions over Russian bombing of civilian areas in Aleppo and NATO’s Stoltenberg said he fears the Russian warships heading to the Mediterranean could launch new attacks on the Syrian city. Even before the break down of the Syrian ceasefire, Russian President Vladimir Putin suspended a treaty with Washington on cleaning up weapons-grade plutonium, signaling he was willing to use nuclear disarmament as a new bargaining chip in disputes with the United States over Ukraine and Syria.
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Wednesday October 26, 2016
Debating the media’s role in disaster risk reduction HAVANA, Cuba (CMC) – Perpetually prone to the catastrophic effects of natural disasters, the impact of which is amplified by various forms of either human action or neglect, Caribbean societies continue to face setbacks or reversals in their development goals as a result. They also face added vulnerability to the ravages of climate change and global warming, with huge proportions or some populations living within five miles of their island coast-lines. But these threats are made all the more severe because of a lack of political will be the decision makers, to spend money on prevention and mitigation strategies beforehand, the head of the region’s premier disaster management agency said here yesterday. Speaking during a discussion on Disaster Risk Reduction, on the second day of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union’s 47th annual general assembly, Ronald Jackson, the Executive Director of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Agency (CDEMA), called on the region’ media to
become more of an ally in drawing public attention to this commitment gap among the region’s political directorate. In light of those vulnerabilities as he saw them, Jackson what he saw as the absence of commitment by leaders in the English-speaking Caribbean, with what he described as the “political will and the socio-political culture of the Cuban people in treating with disaster preparedness. He was speaking after a recitation by a Cuban disaster risk management official, during one of the several deliberations on Disaster Risk Reduction in the Caribbean, and the role of the media in the process. Dr Jose Maria Rubiera, head of the meteorological division at the Cuban Institute for Radio and Television, told his audience of the programmes undertaken by the Cuban Civil Defense agency in preparing the media to operate in times of disaster and emergencies. “We train the people in normal times,” he said, so that in times of disaster they know
what to do.” And latching on to this, Jackson spoke of the mandates under which the CDEMA operates, pointing out that Disaster Risk Reduction meant a commitment of financial and other resources upfront, to forestall the dislocations and disruptions which come with floods, hurricanes and earthquakes. Such “costs of prevention” were not tangible, he said, but they were reflected in what he called “the result of averting the disaster that did not happen.” In the English-speaking Caribbean, he said, “we do not have the political will. We have political speak, but we don’t see the kind of investment to prevent and manage the risk”. He said there remained urgent need for greater budgetary support for risk reduction initiatives from the political directorate. He called on the media in the region to take more of a leadership role in “changing the mindset,” both among the people and the leaders “from being reactive to being more proactive,” in this regard. He said it was a matter he
had raised on several occasions with the region’s political leaders. He was unabashed about continuing to get the point across, and about enlisting media support in the furtherance of it. He took a swipe at private sector organisations who would get into the act of providing assistance and relief efforts after the fact, often with the publicity that this involved but who also remained to be sold on need for helping to build capacity for resilience. The CDEMA is an agency established from a decision of the Caribbean Heads of Government and which has membership among 18 countries and territories in the region. Discussions on this mat-
ter formed part of Monday’s opening day proceedings, coming at the issue of disaster risk management from a variety of angles, under the broad theme of “Advancing Media Capacity Environmentally.” Rose Willock, OBE, a Montserratian radio broadcaster, retold the story of the destruction and the ravages of the volcano on that island in 1996-97, and the lessons still being learned from that experience. Andria Grosvenor, CDEMA’s Manager, Marketing and Business Development, outlined the agency’s work with countries in the region, and with media partnerships to develop messages on awareness and preparedness. As part of a budding rela-
tionship, the CBU and the CDEMA signed a Memorandum of Understanding yesterday, seeking to build on a partnership to enhance awareness across the region on disaster preparedness, risk management and recovery. Trinidadian technology expert Pastor Cleveland Thomas delivered on the imperative for the disposal of ewaste, from the digital switchover. Now based in Barbados, he is the Caribbean Regional Representative with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). He previously held senior positions with Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago, and was a former CEO at the Information and Communication Technology Company (i-Gov).
Getting North Korea to give up nuclear bomb probably ‘lost cause’: U.S. spy chief (Reuters) - The U.S. policy of trying to persuade North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons “is probably a lost cause” and the best that could be hoped for is a cap on the country’s nuclear capability, the Director of U.S. National Intelligence James Clapper said yesterday. However, underscoring conflicting views in the Obama administration, the State Department said U.S. policy was unchanged and continued to be to seek the “verifiable denuclearization” of the Korean peninsula. President Barack Obama has repeatedly stated that the United States will never accept North Korean as a nucleararmed state. Clapper made clear at an event at the Council on Foreign Relations think tank in New York he did not think that the policy the administration has stuck to, in spite of repeated North Korean nuclear tests, was realistic. “I think the notion of getting the North Koreans to denuclearize is probably a lost cause,” Clapper said at the Council on Foreign Relations think tank in New York. “They are not going to do that - that is their ticket to survival.” Pyongyang has persisted with its missile and nuclear weapons programs, including a Sept. 9 nuclear explosion, despite strong international sanctions. Clapper said he got a good taste of how the world looks from North
U.S. Director of National Intelligence James Clapper Korea’s viewpoint when he went to Pyongyang on a mission in 2014 to secure the release of two Americans held there. “They are under siege and they are very paranoid, so the notion of giving up their nuclear capability, whatever it is, is a nonstarter with them,” he said. “The best we could probably hope for is some sort of a cap, but they are not going to do that just because we ask them. There’s going to have to be some significant inducements.” U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby said he had not seen Clapper’s remarks but told a regular news briefing in Washington that the administration did not believe denuclearization was a lost cause. “No, nothing’s changed … that’s not our position. Our policy objective is to seek to obtain a verifiable denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. That is the policy; that is both the goal and what we want to see and there is a way to do that.” Clapper also said it bothered him that the United States was not capitalizing
on using information as a weapon against North Korea. “That’s something they worry about a lot ... That is a great vulnerability I don’t think we have exploited. Right now, we are kind of stuck on our narrative and they are kind of stuck on theirs.” ‘WORST CASE’ SCENARIO Clapper was asked if he thought North Korea could mount a nuclear warhead on a missile that can reach t h e We s t C o a s t o f t h e United States and reiterated the intelligence assessment that this had to be a “worstcase assumption.” He said North Korea had yet to test its KN08 intercontinental ballistic missile, so neither North Korea nor the United States knew whether it worked. “Nevertheless, we ascribe to them the capability to launch a missile that would have a weapon on it to reach parts of the United States, certainly including Alaska and Hawaii,” he said. “They could do it. We have to make the worst-case assumption here.”
Wednesday October 26, 2016
Sturridge brace helps Liverpool down Spurs, Arsenal through (Reuters) Daniel Sturridge sent Liverpool into the League Cup quarter-finals with two clinical goals in a 2-1 home victory against Tottenham Hotspur yesterday. Sturridge opened the scoring in the ninth minute and doubled the tally 20 minutes after halftime, before Spurs striker Vincent Janssen pulled a goal back with a penalty late on in a match where both teams fielded much-changed teams. Arsenal’s Alex OxladeChamberlain also scored twice as they reached the last eight with a 2-0 win over second-tier Reading, while Newcastle United romped to a 6-0 victory over 10man Preston North End.
Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge celebrates scoring their second goal. (Reuters / Phil NobleLivepic) Premier League Hull City won 2-1 at Bristol City with Harry Maguire and Michael Dawson scoring within four minutes either side of halftime before Lee Tomlin pulled back a stoppage-time goal for the hosts. Leeds United’s fourth round tie at home to Norwich City went into extra time with
the match tied at 1-1. Yesterday’s Results: Arsenal 2 – Reading 0 Bristol City 1 – Hull 2 Leeds 2 - Norwich 2 Leeds United win 3-2 on penalties Liverpool 2 – Tottenham 1 Newcastle 6 – Preston 0
Wednesday October 26, 2016 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You are best not to discuss your personal life with others. You could be attracting individuals who are anything but good for you. You can learn a great deal if you listen to those who are older or more experienced. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Listen to the advice given by those with experience. Drastic financial losses may be likely if you lend money. Don't let domestic problems interfere with your objectives. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You need to make your lover feel wanted, not like a piece of the furniture. Refrain from using the highway as a racetrack. Risky ventures may turn in your favor. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Be sure you get accurate information. You can be sure that any dealing with large institutions should go well. Avoid purchasing expensive items. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Your positive attitude and intellectual outlook will draw others to you. Take your time; do not make any decisions in haste. Work quietly at your own goals and forget about situations that you can do little about. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Talk to your emotional partner about your intentions. Don't bother getting even; they'll make themselves look bad. Try not to let your emo-
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tions interfere with the completion of your work. LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Plan your social events carefully. Losses are evident. Lovers may no be truthful. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You can't live your life for others. You may be tempted to spend too much on entertainment or luxury items. Your goals will be in reach if you direct your energy wisely. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You can make reasonable bids on real estate or large items for your home. You can travel for business or pleasure. Visitors may be likely to drop by. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Your dynamic, determined approach will win favors as well as a helping hand. You are likely to reveal information unintentionally. Keep busy and let them fume while you're not around. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Praise will be yours if you have been pursuing your goals. You must refrain from overspending on entertainment. Depression may put a damper on your day. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) CThe great outdoors will allow you to teach youngsters some of the things you learned when growing up. Make changes to your home that will be pleasing to everyone involved. Having your own business is a good idea.
Watford investigated by Football League over ‘forged bank letter’ claims BBC Sport - Watford are being investigated by the Football League for allegedly supplying false financial information. The Telegraph newspaper claims it has obtained a forged bank letter submitted when Gino Pozzo became the Hornets owner before the 2014-15 campaign. Watford won Premier League promotion that season, and could have points deducted or be fined if they are found to be at fault. Watford said they are carrying out an internal investigation. An EFL spokesman confirmed it had started an investigation into “serious allegations” and had contacted the club after receiving information from the newspaper.
Durant should... (From page 32) signed),” said Payton, who inked with Los Angeles just before his 35th birthday. “In my prime I never would’ve done it. Ever. Never in my prime would I go to a team with Jordan, (Malone), (John Stockton). None of them.” Like many retired greats, the notion of joining forces with a rival is offensive to Payton’s competitive sensibilities. A nine-times NBA All Star, Payton terrorized opponents with both offense and defense while spending the bulk of his 17-year career with the now defunct Seattle SuperSonics. Nicknamed ‘The Glove’ for his smothering defense, a moniker given to him by his cousin after a dominating performance against All Star guard Kevin Johnson, Payton is the only point guard ever to garner the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year Award, in 1996. His fearless approach was best defined that year in the NBA Finals when he squared off with Jordan and gave as good as he got from the league’s greatest player during a competitive series which the Sonics lost 4-2 in the best-of-seven with Chicago. “I said anything I wanted to him, and that’s why he respected me so much (because) I stayed in his face,” Payton said. “Everyone says ‘he’s a great player’ but I’m a great player too. I didn’t think anyone was better than me when I played. I’m not going to be on the court saying ‘ohhh, ahhh, that’s Michael Jordan.’ I don’t care about that. I’m Gary Payton.”
Watford have made their best start to a Premier League season with 12 points from nine games. (Rex Features) He said Watford had been asked to “provide a full and detailed response to the allegations”. The Telegraph claims the “fabricated” document shows that the holding company which owns Watford Hornets Investment Ltd - had enough money to be issued a bank guarantee of up to £7m and therefore allow Italian Pozzo to take control of the club. The newspaper says there
is no indication that Pozzo himself knew that the letter had been obtained or submitted on his behalf. In a statement, Watford said it had “no prior knowledge of any concerns about the authenticity of the document” and that more than £20m had been invested in the club since the takeover. It said the club “takes this matter extremely seriously” and would report back to the EFL next month.
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Wednesday October 26, 2016
Sports database to Letter to the Sports Editor be unveiled today Peters corrects Johnson on GCB Elections Injunction, BCB not involved
Director of Sports Christopher Jones GINA, GUYANA, The National Sports Database is set to be unveiled today by Director of Sports Christopher Jones. The Database will feature athletes from various disciplines; monitor their training and other development as well as have information on coaches. Director of Sports, Christopher Jones said it is very important that local coaches are sent abroad to be trained and certified. Jones was at the time responding to a question by the Government Information Agency (GINA), as it relates to the capability of local coaches in training athletes for future Olympic games. Jones pointed out that, bringing persons from overseas is also strategic and important, because local coaches have to be up to standard as well.
“In terms of coaches as well, those persons will be in such a database, so we will be able to know what resources we will have, in terms of personnel and who the persons that need to be upgraded are,” Jones said. The Director further explained that having coaches certified with the requisite skills by the international sporting body, they will be better able to train athletes in their various disciplines. GY Direct a networking company will be responsible for setting up the sports database at a cost of approximately $2.8 million GD. Additionally, Jones said that the database will also have a Facebook page, a website, and will chronicle and feature athletes of the past, and their accomplishments.
Dear Sports Editor, I refer to a recent article by sports journalist Sean Devers headlined, “Johnson Wants Better Club Structure in the East Bank Essequibo” and wish to highlight a glaring inaccuracy therein. Mr. Alvin Johnson is reported as saying that he is unable to convene his 2016 Annual General Meeting which is usually held on the second Friday in November of each year. Johnson attributed that situation to an injunction obtained by the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) preventing the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) and its members from holding elections. This is totally misleading since in fact it was court order no 2014-HCDEM-CIV-CM-106 issued by former Chief Justice (ag) Ian Chang which stopped all elections of the GCB and its members. Mr. Chang further ordered that the substantive matter take its normal course. That matter, I am of the opinion, is no more than a flimsy challenge to the Guyana Cricket Administrative Act in order to frustrate the election process. The following organisations are the ones who contrived and obtained the injunction:
1. The Guyana Cricket Board 2. The Guyana Cricket Board, represented herein by its Secretary Anand Sanasie. 3. The Demerara Cricket Board 4. The Demerara Cricket Board, represented herein by its Secretary, Lalta Digamber. 5. The Essequibo Cricket Board. 6. The Essequibo Cricket Board, represented herein by its President, Fizul Bacchus. 7. The East Bank Cricket Association. 8. The East Bank Cricket Association, represented herein by its Vice President Rohan Sarjoo. 9. The Eccles Cricket Club 10. The Eccles Cricket Club, represented herein by its Vice President, Johnny Azeez. 11. Cricket Guy Inc. The Defendants were: 1. The Attorney General of Guyana 2. The Minister of Culture Youth and Sport. It is interesting to note that one Lalta Digamber who signed as Secretary of
the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) as well as all other Executive Members of the DCB have been legally restrained by way of court order numbers: 2013HC-DEM-CIV-W-26 and 2014-HCDEM-CIV-492. The fact remains that he was never elected to that position and may very well be in contempt of court. It is therefore the very group masquerading as the GCB that orchestrated the challenge to the law so that they could continue to unlawfully run cricket in Guyana indefinitely. Knowing how the court system works in Guyana, they are hoping it takes forever for the matter to be heard and determined. The Berbice Cricket Board had absolutely nothing to do with that injunction. I believe that Johnson has either set out to deliberately mislead the public and besmirch the good name of the BCB or his memory has gone into an irreversible descent. I trust that he does the proper thing and issue a retraction together with an apology to the BCB. Yours in Sport, Malcolm Peters Former President/Life Member Berbice Cricket Board
Editor’s note Nowhere in the article written by Sean Devers did Alvin Johnson say that he unable to convene his 2016 Annual General Meeting which is usually held on the second Friday in November of each year due to injunction, since he said only the GCB and its members (DCB, BCB,ECB) cannot hold election. Devers was under the impression that injunction Johnson was talking about was the one by the BCB. Devers apologies to BCB for stating that Mr. Alvin Johnson mentioned the BCB when it was not so. Mr. Peters is correct in all regard.
Durant should accept spot down Warriors’ pecking order: Payton LOS ANGELES (REUTERS) Prized Golden State acquisition Kevin Durant should not try to become the team leader at his new home, says Hall of Famer Gary Payton. Instead, Payton suggests Durant take a back seat to his incumbent team mates and be a quiet if effective role player for the 2015 NBA champions when the new season began yesterday. Payton, one of the alltime alpha males of the NBA who once trash-talked Michael Jordan, believes in the perhaps old-fashioned idea of a team’s pecking order and is not convinced that just showing up at Golden State should lift Durant to leading man status. “That’s not his team. That’s (Stephen Curry), (Klay Thompson) and
Draymond Green’s team,” Payton told Reuters recently. “He’s supposed to follow suit. I don’t like when players (take a step back for a new player). “It’s your team. Let that man come in there and be a part of the team.” Durant, 28, the 2014 NBA most valuable player, sent shockwaves through the league in July when he left the Oklahoma City Thunder for the already-powerful Warriors. More than a decade ago, Payton formed his own super team when he joined Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant and Karl Malone with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2003. The star-studded group, while not short of talent, famously fell short in the NBA Finals amid locker room dysfunction and
Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) poses for a photo during media day at the Warriors Practice Facility. (Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports) Bryant’s legal proceedings after being charged with sexual assault. Payton, 48, who was in Los Angeles to promote a first-year Dew NBA 3X basketball tournament put on by Mountain Dew and the NBA, can relate to the challenge of trying to mesh
with large egos. That said, Payton notes differences between his teaming with the Lakers and Durant latching on to the Warriors at the peak of his career. “(Malone and I) weren’t in our prime (when we (Continued on page 31)
Wednesday October 26, 2016
Kaieteur News
Record number of teams lining up for Bel Air Lions Domino Tournament
Keen rivalry is anticipated among some of the country’s leading teams. With the new date for closing entries now set for this Friday, Organisers of The Lions Club of Bel Air Domino Competition scheduled to be played on October 31, at the Lions Civic Centre, Enachu Street, Section ‘N’ Campbellville is hoping to attract a record number of teams for the fund raising event which starts at 12:00hrs. Lion Orlando James, who spoke with this newspaper, confirmed that the Georgetown Dominoes Association whose responsibility it is to run the tournament had requested that the date for registration be pushed back to
accommodate the anticipated large number of teams interested in being part of the venture. James said that because many teams are seeing the event as an important civic duty, they do not want to miss the opportunity to contribute to the worthy cause and have signaled their intentions to participate. The winning team will receive $100,000 and a trophy, while second and third placed finishers take away $60,000 and $40,000 respectively. A special prize will be given to the Most Valuable Player. The sponsors on board are: Clear Waters, Colin
Ta l b e r t C o n t r a c t i n g Services, ART Sawmilling E n t e r p r i s e , H a m i d ’s Hardware, N. James C o n s u l t a n c y, C r e a t i v e Jewellery & Pawn Shop, Trophy Stall and others. The proceeds will be used to support the poor and needy. Meanwhile, registration forms could be collected at Faye Joseph’s residence at 1223 Gaulding Place, South Ruimveldt, Ramchand Auto Spares on Sheriff Street and Ray’s One Stop Auto Spares on Sheriff Street and contact could be made to Orlando James on tele#665-1235 or Rodwell Phillips on tele#686-0632.
Letter to the Sports Editor
Thanks to Mr. Devers for justifying his misquoting of me Dear Editor, Nothing is special about Forbes Daniels! I Forbes Daniels in responding to Mr. Devers’ letter in the Kaieteur News 24th October 2016 edition, wants to let it be known that at no time did Mr. Devers advise me as he so states in his letter paragraphs 5 and 6. Paragraph 5 and 6 reminds me of the yesteryear calypso, Lying Competition,
paragraph 13 and 15 gives me justice for my effort in protecting my name. Paragraph 17 in his letter, I want him to know his 715 words he can multiply by hundreds of millions, Mr. Devers I don’t care a damn, because what I said, I said it in the public. I guess paragraphs 5 and 6 are about 90 words so with 715 multiply by hundreds you are sure to wear the crown. I Forbes Daniels am not prepared to be your fall guy even if I do go down. Mr. Devers, how did you not hear me when I said over and over that I am getting out of the
cricket arena very soon? I would continue to read your article even if it is character slaying. In paragraph 19 you wrote bad things continue to happen when good men do nothing, I say when they allow themselves to take the fall. I have wasted enough time on Mr. Devers article E’bo Franchise team not supported by ECB- Forbes Daniels. I take my leave to continue to do what I love. Forbes Daniels Former flat foot porkknocker Cricket coach and manager of 2016 Franchise Team
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Career best batting and bowling from Hope and Jaggesar demolish Sri Lanka A DAMBULLA, Sri Lanka, CMC – A combined batting and bowling effort by West Indies A propelled them to a commanding 165 run victory over Sri Lanka A in the first unofficial One Day International (ODI) at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium here yesterday. Offspinner Jon-Russ Jaggesar , with a career best four wicket haul, led the demolition of Sri Lanka A for 102 in 32.3 overs after Kyle Pope posted a career best 81 and shared in three important partnerships that spurred West Indies A to 267 for six. New ball pair of Ronsford Beaton who picked up three wickets and Delorn Johnson two, set up the victory with early wickets that ripped the fight out of the home side. Captain Jason Mohammed and Rovman Powell triggered late momentum by slamming half centuries as West Indies A cruised to a one nil lead in the three match series. M o h a m m e d ’s m e n resumed the reserve day on 69 for two after rain intervened with the game just 12.5 overs into the innings. Pope, who put on an opening stand of 40 with Chadwick Walton, held his end to hit a top score of 81 from 112 balls with eight boundaries, his list A career best score. He featured in three important partnerships around which the innings was constructed-42 for the third wicket with Andre Fletcher who contributed 26 and 63 with Mohammed for the fourth wicket. Mohammed found the boundary five times to post 58 from 71 balls while Powell raced to 55 from just 35 balls, hitting three fours and as many sixes. Mohamed and Powell put together 89 runs for the fifth wicket and lost their wickets in the final over after helping West Indies A to compile 93 runs in the last ten overs. Beaton and Johnson ran through the Sri Lanka A top order, grabbing the first four wickets seven overs into the chase as the homeside tottered to a batting meltdown at 26 for four. Beaton grabbed two wickets in four balls during the seventh over to finish
with three for 26 from 6.3 overs, his best in list A cricket while Johnson ended with two for 19 from four overs. Only five Sri Lankan batsmen got into double figures with a top score of 24 coming from number eight Shehan Jayasuriya and 20 from opener Danushka Gunathilaka. Jaggesar picked up two wickets in two balls to hasten Sri Lanka A’s demise.
Jaggesar finished with career-best figures of 4 for 29 after removing Minod Bhanuka for 15 to break Sri Lanka’s highest stand of 23, which Bhanuka scraped together with Charith Asalanka who scored 17. West Indies A and Sri Lanka A meet in the second match in Kurunegala tomorrow before wrapping up the series with the third and final game on Sunday in Colombo.
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Wednesday October 26, 2016
Windies nightmare continues with series loss
Jermaine Blackwood drives during his top score of 95 on the final day of the second Test against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi. (Photo courtesy WICB Media)
Captain Jason Holder cuts a forlorn figure as leg-spinner Yasir Shah gains a successful lbw decision against him on yesterday’s final day of the second Test. ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, CMC – West Indies’ nightmare run against Pakistan showed no imminent sign of abating as they slumped to a 133-run defeat in the second Test yesterday, to concede the three-match series without so much as a whimper. Resuming the final day on 171 for four in pursuit of an improbable 456 for victory at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, the Caribbean side were dismissed for 322 in their second innings, 45 minutes before tea to suffer their eighth straight loss on the ill-fated tour. Jermaine Blackwood narrowly missed out on his second Test hundred with 95 and Shai Hope got a Test-
best 41 but West Indies found the burden of a record run chase too onerous, and lost their last six wickets for 151 runs. Man-of-the-Match legspinner Yasir Shah was again the villain for Pakistan, claiming six for 124 to finish with match figures of 10 for 210 – his second 10-wicket haul in a fledgling 18-Test career. Left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar chipped in with two for 51. The defeat for West Indies followed their 56-run loss in the historic day/night opening Test in Dubai eight days ago, and comes on the heels of embarrassing 3-0 whitewashes in the preceding Twenty20 and
One-Day International series. The beleaguered side have now lost 10 of their last 13 Tests without a single win, and are without a series victory in three years. Beginning the day with the odds heavily stacked them especially with 285 runs required for victory, West Indies’ only sign of fight came when Blackwood and Hope added 57 for the sixth wicket, and Hope and tail-ender Devendra Bishoo (22) put on a further 45 for the eighth wicket. But once Blackwood fell about half-hour before lunch, any hopes of saving the game perished with him, as the last five wickets tumbled for a mere 78 runs. Involved in a 47-run, fifth wicket stand overnight, Blackwood and Roston Chase could only extend their partnership by a further 16 runs before being separated. Chase, starting the day on 17, added just three before edging a forward defensive push at Yasir, into the gloves of Sarfraz Ahmed about 40 minutes into the morning. Hopes were briefly raised when Blackwood and Hope combined in a positive stand, which allowed the visitors to have the better of the exchanges over the next hour. Blackwood faced 127 balls in three hours at the crease and struck 11 fours while Hope counted four boundaries in an innings spanning 93 balls and just over 2-¼ hours. Resuming the morning
on 41, Blackwood whipped left-arm seamer Rahat Ali to the mid-on boundary in the first over and reached his ninth Test half-century five overs later, when he drilled Yasir to long off for a single. He continued to play his usually aggressive game, hitting seamer Sohail Khan to the straight boundary and then pulling Yasir through mid-wicket for another four, to move into the 80s. Tw o s w e e t l y - t i m e d cover driven boundaries off Sohail in his first over with the new ball saw Blackwood into the 90s but with three figures beckoning, he played down the wrong line to Yasir and was bowled with lunch approaching. West Indies then suffered another vital blow in the penultimate over before the break when captain Jason Holder played back to Yasir and was plumb lbw for 16. On 272 for seven at the interval, Hope and Bishoo kept Pakistan wicket-less for an hour afterward before the final collapse set in. On the stroke of the first drinks break, Hope was caught at slip by Younis Khan, trying to pull out of a defensive shot to one from Zulfiqar that spun. Five balls after the resumption, Miguel Cummins gave Yasir his 10th wicket in the game when he missed a push and was bowled middle stump without scoring and Bishoo’s demise came soon after, caught at mid-wicket off Zulfiqar. The final Test bowls off in Sharjah on Sunday.
Wednesday October 26, 2016
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BCCI postpones IPL rights bidding process ESPNCRICINFO Citing “unforeseen” circumstances over which it has “no control”, the BCCI has postponed the IPL media rights bidding process that was scheduled for yesterday. The board made the announcement late on Monday and did not specify when the bids would be opened. The BCCI said that because the Supreme Court order on October 21 had made the Lodha Committee the “custodian” of the IPL tender process, the board, despite being well prepared, had to wait for directives from the committee before proceeding. The board’s release stated: “As the Committee has been entrusted by the Hon’ble Supreme Court with the mandate of overseeing the tender process and in effect is now the custodian of the IPL tender process and has to take all actions to safeguard the IPL tender and the interest of BCCI and cricket in India, the BCCI wrote to the Committee on 21st October 2016 itself immediately on receipt of the Judgment, inter alia seeking guidance on (a) whether to defer the IPL tender or (b) to cancel the same and (c) requesting that the name of the auditor appointed be intimated to the BCCI to ensure that he could be associated with the IPL tender. Further, BCCI has
The BCCI will have to take measures to satisfy the Lodha Committee before it gets its IPL rights payday © BCCI
sent all the IPL Media Rights Tender documents to the Committee along with the Revised MRAs and relevant documents, which are yet to be issued to the Potential Bidders.” Offering a “sincere apology” to the bidders, the BCCI requested for patience. “The BCCI requests all bidders to appreciate that the events as have occurred were unforeseen and something
over which the BCCI has no control.” After the court order came four days prior to the IPL bids being opened, the BCCI secretary Ajay Shirke wrote again to the Lodha Committee on Saturday, pointing out the “urgency in the matter”. Shirke also mentioned the 18 companies that had bought tender document, saying a “large number of potential bidders” would be represented by
overseas staff and the BCCI would need to lay out timelines to facilitate the process. Failing to do so would hurt the board’s “commercial interests”, the board told the committee. The release issued on Monday stated: “The BCCI has accordingly sent requests on 23rd October 2016 and 24th October 2016 to the Committee on the aforesaid lines and requested for confirmation of receipt of
Siemian and Broncos ruin Osweiler’s homecoming (The Sports Xchange) Quarterback Trevor Siemian threw for a touchdown and guided four other scoring drives, and the Broncos’ defense shut down Brock Osweiler in his return to Denver in a 27-9 win over the Houston Texans on Monday night. Siemian, the unlikely successor to the retired Peyton Manning after Osweiler, Manning’s fouryear understudy in Denver, left to sign a free agent deal with Houston, overcame a sluggish start by the Broncos’ offense to complete 14 of 25 for 157 yards. He threw 4 yards to Demaryius Thomas for a touchdown. Running backs C.J. Anderson (16 carries,
107 yards) and rookie Devontae Booker (17-83) finished two other drives with a 7 and 1 yard scoring carries, r e s p e c t i v e l y, a s t h e Broncos bounced back from consecutive losses. It was a sweet win as well for Broncos coach Gary Kubiak, who returned from an illness that forced him to miss last week’s loss to the San Diego Chargers. He guided Denver (5-2) past the Texans, a team he used to coach. Osweiler, who had a 5-2 record in place of the injured Manning before being benched in favour of the veteran late in Denver’s run to the Super Bowl last year, made virtually no headway against the Broncos’
defense. He completed 22 of 41 for just 131 yards, failed to lead his team to the end zone and committed a costly turnover. Late in the third quarter, with Denver ahead just 14-9, Siemian connected downfield with wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, who made the catching falling backwards for a 31-yard gain to set up a first-and-goal at the 2. Two plays later, Booker bulled his way into the end zone from 1 yard out, extending the lead to 12 points. On the ensuing Houston possession, Osweiler lost control of the ball as he cocked his arm to pass. The ball fluttered forward, and
the fumble was recovered at the Houston 25-yard line by cornerback Chris Harris Jr., leading to a 22-yard field goal by Brandon McManus with 11:37 left. Trailing by eight points at halftime, the Texans (4-3) drove down the field before stalling and settling for a third field goal by Nick Novak, this one a 29yarder. Houston climbed within 14-9 with 9:09 remaining in the third quarter. Denver saw three productive offensive plays wiped out by holding calls, inclu d i n g a b r i l l i a n t downfield catch by Demaryius Thomas before finally getting untracked to take a 14-6 halftime lead.
emails and an urgent response to avoid any uncertainty in the IPL tender process to avoid any inconvenience to potential bidders. The BCCI also informed the Committee that any delay in responding and resultant uncertainty was hurting the commercial interest of the BCCI as it would lead to devaluation of the commercial rights that were to be awarded.” The prevailing uncertainty, the BCCI said, had put potential bidders on edge and they had put forth “numerous queries” and asked for a “clear roadmap on the way forward”. One of the bidders confirmed to ESPNcricinfo that it had sent an email to the BCCI on Sunday. The company had asked for the final Media Rights Agreement (MRA), which the BCCI had prepared after clarifying doubts through a two-round process with potential bidders. “We asked the board for the MRA, saying how, do you expect us to enter the bidding without the documents (MRA) in hand,” a senior company official said. However, the official said they were prepared for the postponement keeping in mind the court was hearing the matter. “There was no urgency from our side. The new cycle of rights starts only from 2018.”
The BCCI said the MRA could not be issued because it was awaiting a reply from the Lodha Committee, which the board said it finally got at 3.07 pm on Monday afternoon. The committee’s response asked for “certain further undertakings” and “further clarifications”. The BCCI said it had responded to the committee, which then replied by saying it would issue directions after “meeting amongst themselves”. “The BCCI, apart from the above communication, has so far at the time of going to Press, not received any further directions from the Committee, which is now the custodian of the entire process and has been tasked with the duty to ensure that the tender process is undertaken in a professional and transparent manner with least inconvenience to all stakeholders,” the board said. “Once the BCCI receives a response from the Committee it shall bring the same to the notice of all stakeholders as the BCCI is currently not in a position to take any decision in the matter other than what the Committee recommends. In the absence of permission from the Committee to go ahead with the process scheduled for tomorrow, the BCCI is unable to do so.”
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Wednesday October 26, 2016
Chanderpaul, Goniah guide United All Stars to victory
Everest Masters skipper Rajesh Singh (left) presents the trophy to United All Stars Captain Nandkishore Narine in the presence of members from both teams. O p e n e r Ta g e n a r i n e Chanderpaul and Viendra Goniah struck half centuries to guide United All Stars to a seven-wicket victory over hosts Everest CC Masters when the teams collided in a
35-over fixture recently. Chanderpaul struck an unbeaten 65, while Goniah made an even half century as United All Stars successfully chased 197 for the lost of three wickets in 18.4 overs.
Chanderpaul struck two fours while Goniah hit four fours and two sixes. Former National youth player Akshay Homraj slammed two fours and a similar number of sixes in a cameo
21 to give United All Stars a breezy start before Chanderpaul and Goniah steadied the innings. Terry got 23 while former first class selectee Bhim George made 10 not out. Rajesh
Singh, Dwayne Adams and Rakesh Gangaram had one wicket each. Earlier, Everest were led by a fine 70 from former West Indies U19 player Hemraj Garbarran and 57
from Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Garbarran cracked nine fours and two sixes, while Chanderpaul accounted for seven fours. Sunil Narine had two wickets. (Zaheer Mohamed)
Carlos Alberto: Brazil legend dies aged 72 after heart attack BBC Sport - Brazil legend Carlos Alberto, the captain of the 1970 World Cup-winning side, has died aged 72. He scored one of the greatest goals in World Cup history in the 1970 final against Italy, rounding off a sublime team move with a powerful low finish. Right-back Alberto was capped 53 times by Brazil and won domestic titles with
Fluminense and Santos, for whom he made more than 400 appearances. He died in Rio de Janeiro following a heart attack. The 1970 Brazil team that won the World Cup, which also contained greats Pele, Jairzinho, Tostao and Rivelino, is regarded by many as the finest in history. Alberto was named in the world team of the 20th Century in 1998 and the Fifa
100 for the greatest living players in 2004. After finishing his playing career in North America with New York Cosmos, he managed 13 clubs and Oman and Azerbaijan. He won the 1983 Brazilian Championship with Flamengo and finished his coaching career with Azerbaijan in 2005. Analysis - ‘As a coach or
Alberto played alongside Germany legend Franz Beckenbauer (left) and compatriot Pele at New York Cosmos. (Rex Features)
pundit, Alberto held no prisoners’ Carlos Alberto had a huge influence in Brazilian football not only for being one of the best right-backs to ever don the Brazil shirt, but also for being one of the most uncompromising voices of the game in his native country. As a leader, his qualities were un q u e s t i o n a b l e , wearing the captain’s armband in the legendary Brazil squad that won the Jules Rimet trophy in Mexico 46 years ago, exerting command over the likes of strong-minded p l a y e r s s u c h as Pele, Gerson and Rivelino. Alberto was a product of Brazil’s famous marauding full-back lineage, but the difference was that he united fitness with the art. Brazilians learned the hard way in the 1966 World Cup that style was not enough when they were easily outmuscled by European opponents and went out at the group stage.
Former Brazilian soccer captain Carlos Alberto Torres (REUTERS/Bruno Domingos/File Photo) ‘The Captain’, as he was nicknamed by Brazilians, did not have the same success as a manager, but fans of Flamengo, the mostsupported team in the c o u n t r y, h a v e f o n d memories of his role in winning the 1983 national title. As a coach or TV pundit, Alberto held no prisoners thanks to a fiery temper and a sharp sense of humour. In his trademark raspy voice, he would lambast directors, p l a y e r s a n d e x p r ess certain despair with what he considered a fall in standards in Brazilian football. I met Alberto several
times and never left without some tasty quotes. The last time I saw him was month ago in Rio, the day after a round of the South American World Cup qualifiers, in the green room of a Brazilian TV station. The national team had won a crucial away game against Ecuador and a huge sense of relief was in the air after a stumbling start in the tournament. But ‘The Captain’ was having none of it. “I remember when beating those guys was not a reason to celebrate but an obligation,” he said, just before letting his thunderous laugh rip.
Kaieteur News
Wednesday October 26, 2016
PAGE 41
Pollard slams WICB for questioning his commitment
Kieron Pollard said the team environment was poor in the UAE because of coach Phil Simmons’ sacking © Getty Images Kieron Pollard made 43 runs in three T20Is and 42 runs in three ODIs against Pakistan in the UAE © Getty Images ESPNcricinfo Allrounder Kieron Pollard has challenged the West Indies selectors’ rationale for dropping him for the triseries in Zimbabwe in November. Pollard said he was told that he had not been “committed to batting” during the recent limitedovers games against Pakistan in UAE. Calling the decision “funny”, Pollard said he would not “campaign or do anything to convince them” to select him and instead focus on looking after himself in the future. What confused Pollard about his axing for the Zimbabwe tri-series was that, according to him, the West Indies chairman of
selectors Courtney Browne had agreed during a conversation in the UAE that his experience would be good in a young squad. “When chairman of selectors Courtney Browne notified me via email of my axing, I reminded him of why my exclusion was funny because during the Twenty20 and one-day series, the two of us had a long conversation, speaking about wanting to have guys such as myself around going forward in West Indies c r ick e t, ” P o l l ar d t o l d ESPNcricinfo. Pollard said he sought clarification from Browne on why he had been dropped. “He said I wasn’t ‘committed to batting’
during the tour, which I pressed him to clarify further because it was a broad statement. I asked specifically if this commitment he interpreted I wasn’t giving also related to my bowling, fielding and advice to captain Jason Holder. And he said no, and stressed it was just batting and, in his view, I was not trying.” Pollard was angry his commitment had been questioned. “A lot people tend to say Pollard and many of us are mercenaries and have given nothing to West Indies cricket. While it’s clear I don’t have the stats or the figures of a Brian Lara, nobody, as some were trying to suggest, can ever question
my commitment or integrity while playing. Why would I wake up one morning and just decide I wouldn’t want to try? Scoring runs is how I survive.” Browne said he stood by the decision to drop Pollard. “Kieron’s performance in the ODI series was far below what one expects from a player of his experience and his effort level was not what is expected from West Indies cricketers,” Browne told ESPNcricinfo. “Kieron is therefore urged to compete in our domestic competitions, where he will have an additional opportunity to demonstrate his ability and can be considered again for selection.”
Albion CC take first innings from Blairmont to book final spot Host Albion CC, led by fast bowling all rounder Josiah Dhani with a mature innings of 88 not out gained first innings points from Blairmont Cricket Club in their semi final clash last weekend when the BCB/NY BUSINESS GROUP U19 tournament continued. Batting first, Blairmont were bowled out for 120 with Javid Karim scoring 36, Samuel Jailall 23 and D. Persaud 22. Karim and Jailall added 62 for the second wicket, but when they were dismissed, Blairmont lost their way as Kelvin Umrao took 4 for 27, Joshua Harrichand 3 for 27 and off spinner Karan Arjpaul 2 for 22. In reply, Albion found
Javid Karim the going tough and lost three wickets without any run on the board. They slipped further to 17 for 6 before Dhani joined forces with Anthony February to stage a recovery. They put
on75 for the seventh-wicket before losing the latter for 38. Dhani stood firm at the other end and rallied with the tail to end on a mature unbeaten 88. Steven Kalimudeen made 18 as
Albion made 187 all out. Bowling for the visitors, Karim took 2 for 26 and pacer Keyon Gangoo 2 for 38. In their second turn at the crease, Blairmont ended on 69 for 6 when the match was called off. Karim top scored with 30. Omrao took 3 for 16 to end with match figures of 7 for 43. Albion will now clash with the winner of the other semi final between Rose Hall Town Pepsi and Young Warriors which will be replayed as a limited over game today at Albion Sports Complex. That match was scheduled for last weekend at the Cumberland ground but due to a freak storm, both days were washed out.
Before the tour of the UAE, Pollard had made 22 and 13 in the Florida T20Is against India in August, and prior to that he made 205 runs with two half-centuries in the home tri-series against Australia and South Africa in June. Pollard had been on the sidelines in ODIs for a year and a half from October 2014, before he returned for the tri-series in which West Indies finished runners-up. In the UAE, Pollard scored 43 runs and bowled only two overs in the three T20Is against Pakistan in September. In the three ODIs that followed, Pollard made 42 runs and took one wicket in 12 overs. West Indies lost both series 0-3 to Pakistan. During the tour, former Pakistan fast bowler Waqar Younis, who was working as a commentator, had also said Pollard should be dropped for lack of effort. Defending his performances, Pollard said that had he batted aggressively and failed, he may have been labelled as irresponsible. “I referred to him [Browne] in detail the match scenarios of each of my innings on tour and stated that if I had played a typical Pollard aggressive innings, in situations where the team was always in trouble - they would have claimed ‘irresponsible batting from a senior player.’” Pollard said the West Indies team was not in the right mind-set during the UAE tour because the coach Phil Simmons had been sacked by the WICB the day the squad left the Caribbean. Poor communication between players and coaching staff, lack of clear inputs in team meetings
from the coaches, and “very ridiculous” training schedules, were problems Pollard highlighted. “One minute the team’s media manager, or even oddly the physio, was answering various questions,” he said. “And when pressed they said their instructions came from the ‘top’, which is a line I’ve never heard when Simmons or any other West Indies coach I played [under] used.” Pollard said he had been “prepared mentally” to be “targeted” by the WICB after West Indies pulled out of the India tour in October 2014 because of an issue with player contracts. “It’s an attack on senior players. Look at the team right now. Only Marlon Samuels is a senior guy around in most formats, other are ineligible outside of T20s because of their selection policy which inadvertently targets us. You could say our axing is the final puzzle of removing the seniors and they have come up with any reason that suits them to get certain individuals out of the setup.” Samuels had not been in favour of West Indies not completing the tour of India. What now then for Pollard? Will he play domestic cricket in West Indies, like Browne had recommended? “I’m 29 years old, but the way people talk of me being a senior player or veteran you would swear m y a g e i s 3 9 . Realistically now I just have to look after Kieron Pollard. So I’m not going to campaign or do anything to try and convince them to pick me again.” (Colin Benjamin)
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Wednesday October 26, 2016
GCB/MOE National Secondary School’s cricket
Dindyal, Singh lead Diamond Sec to E/Bank zone final Phillips, Smith, Barker register fifties in GT Zone
Shevon Campo is lofted for two to reach his 50 at Everest yesterday. (Sean Devers photo) By Sean Devers Movindra Dindyal battled fatigue to fashion a magnificent 97, while leftarm spinner Anil Singh snatched 5-14 from 3.4 overs to give Diamond Secondary a 69-run win against Soesdyke Secondary at Everest in yesterday’s East Bank Zone Semi-final in the GCB/MOE National Secondary School’s 30-over cricket tournament. The innings of Dindyal spanned 93 balls and included eight fours and a six. It began from the first ball of the game and ended off the last ball of his team’s
innings when he was run out looking for two. But by then Dindyal, who turned 12 on the 10th of this month, had rallied Diamond to 184-8 in 30 overs on a flat track and fast outfield. Mark Fredericks (29) added 85 in 18 overs with Dindyal for the fourth wicket before the pint size opener shared in a 57-run ninth wicket partnership with Brandon Teixeira (13*). Leron Crawford (3-46) and Deoraj Khan (2-16) did the damage with the ball for Soesdyke who fell for 115 in 21.4 overs despite 38 with five fours from Ridge Rajaram and 22 from
Movindra Dindyal square drives John Blair to fall three short of a ton yesterday at Bourda. (Sean Devers photo) Crawford who reached the boundary four times. Dindyal (2-20) and Phillip Mcturk (2-19) offered support for Singh to take Diamond to Friday’s Zone Final against Friendship Secondary at Everest from 10:00hrs. Diamond lost their first wicket in steaming heat when Akeem Hendricks (1) was LBW to Crawford at 91. Romario Persaud (4) was a spectator as Dindyal, whose timing and power belied his age, tore into Crawford and his new ball partner Charles Benjamin with a flurry of audacious boundaries before Persaud was run out at 32-3
in the fourth over. over mid-off for four before (36), Julian Bamfield (18) C r a w f o r d b o w l e d smashing Benjamin for a six and Mario Perriera (17) took Mcturk for a duck a run later and a four off the first two Tucville to 182-6 in 20 overs but Dindyal and Fredricks balls of the penultimate over with Aaron Glasgow getting batted with great assurance in which Teixeira lofted 2-17 for David Rose, who for the next 18 overs. Benjamin for six. were bowled out in 12.3 Dindyal reached his 50 from When three short of overs for 49. Marlon 53 balls with a square drive joining Sachin Singh and Bouling took 3-11. off John Blair but tiredness Rajendra Singh with a threeAt GNIC, Shemar Smith stepped in after reaching his figure score, Dindyal, who (74) hit eight sixes and two second fifty in two matches plays for GYO in GCA fours and added 164 for the to follow-up the 82 he made cricket, was run out of the fourth wicket with Omar in his last match. last ball. Barker, whose unbeaten 71 Fredericks missed a big When Soesdyke began was decorated with three swing and was bowled by their run chase Rajaram and fours and six sixes after Khan at 118 to trigger a Crawford offered some hope joining forces at 10-3 to see c o l l a p s e w h i c h s a w b u t o n c e t h e y w e r e Lodge Secondary to 207-3 D i a m o n d l o s i n g f o u r dismissed, it was all overs as from 20 overs. wickets for nine runs as Singh went to work. South Ruimveldt were Dindyal was fast running out In the Georgetown Zone, shot out for 51 in 10.4 overs of partners. T u c v i l l e S e c o n d a r y as Troyton Louisy (3-15), Dindyal got a second destroyed David Rose Smith (3-6) and Darnel wind and tucked Crawford Secondary by 133 runs at McAlister (2-12) took eight dismissively to the mid- Everest. wickets among them in the wicket boundary and with Godfrey Phillips who 156-run win. three overs to go, stepped on reached his 50 from 23 balls The competition the gas. with 10 fours and a six, top continues today with the Dindyal, eyeing his first scored with 66 and got North Zone semis at Bourda We expect her to continue to ever century stroked Blair support from Leon Chesney and DCC. do well,” the West Demerara Secondary School Headmaster noted. Archer is a fifth form student of the school, who will be writing eight subjects at the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) and according to Harrinarine, the exemplary student-athlete is expect to excel. He informed that his school is a model of what Minister of Education, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine is insisting, which is a serious inclusion of extra curriculum activities on the schools’ curriculum. Harrinarine said that apart from the exploits of Shemar Smith (right) & Omar Barker shared Archer in sports, his school in a 164-run stand for Lodge Secondary. also has a nationally acclaimed choir.
West Demerara Secondary School congratulates Joanna Archer We s t D e m e r a r a Secondary School yesterday officially showed their appreciation for the outstanding athletic performances of rising middle distance star, Joanna Archer when the school donated a pair of running shoes. Headmaster of the school, Harrinarine (full name) told Kaieteur Sport that Archer has been doing well in sports for a long time and the school wanted to recognise her efforts publicly with the donation. “ I t ’s t h e s c h o o l ’s donation to Archer; the school has seen it fit to recognise her for her contribution to sports,” Harrinarine said, adding that West Demerara Secondary
School are serious about extra curriculum activity. Archer is a double InterGuiana Games gold medalist in the 800m and 1500m and was also part of the winning 4x400m team. She also won her junior female category at the Courts 10k race and is a gold medalist at the Boyce and Jefford Classic. Archer has shown consistency on the track this year and is one of the athletes to watch out for in the future. As Headmaster Harrinarine said, West Demerara will be giving her full support at the upcoming National Schools’ Championships next month. “As far as I know, Archer is the first athlete from our school to record such performances and we want to say congratulations to her.
Kaieteur News
Wednesday October 26, 2016
PAGE 43
GTT National Indoor Hockey Tournament
Country’s best stickmen and women to showcase skills
Aderemi Simon By Rawle Welch In five days time, hockey fans will be provided with a sample of what is in store for them in this year’s Diamond Mineral Water Festival when the GTT National I n d o o r To u r n a m e n t commences, at the National Gymnasium. The Diamond Mineral Water Festival is the biggest and most eagerly anticipated event on the Guyana Hockey Board calendar, but the GTT National Indoor is where teams try to assert their dominance over each other and at the same time build confidence for the Festival
Sonia Jardine which follows shortly after. The sport of hockey has once again enjoyed a busy year, one in which a number of young stars have emerged and it will be interesting to see how they perform leading up to the year ending Festival which is usually graced by the presence of teams from the Caribbean and North America. These teams are stacked with players of great talent and quality and local teams love to pit their skills against the visitors, a yardstick they use to measure the standard of play here in Guyana and their own ability as well. PEPSI Hikers were the
Kerensa Fernandes m e n ’s 1 s t D i v i s i o n champion back in the inaugural GTT tournament and enters this year’s edition as the two-time defending champions, while also being the most dominant team this year which makes them the hunted. The club boasts one of the best win records in regional competition and will once again be led by stalwarts Devin Munroe and Captain Robert France, but there are a group of young players who believe they are on the crest of taking that mantle from the senior players. Players such as Aroydy
Aroydy Bransford
Bransford, Jamaarj Assanah, Randy Hope and Andrew Stewart have been in prolific form this season and must be determined to continue their fine run. Their toughest competition is likely to come from the record championship holders, Bounty GCC with seven trophies to their name, and three-time winners, Old Fort. GCC’s dynamic duo of Kevin Spencer and Orland Semple makes their club always a threat in this competitionand their chances of winning has been bolstered by the
Guyanese place fifth, sixth at UWISpec International Half Marathon
Kelvin Johnson
Lionel D’Andrade The Guyanese duo of Kelvin Johnson and Lionel D’Andrade placed fifth and sixth respectively in the University of the West Indies (UWI) Spec International Half Marathon that was held in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad
and Tobago on Sunday. Johnson was fifth in 1:14.42 with D’Andrade sixth in 1:15:06, which was a vast improvement from last y e a r ’s 1 0 t h p l a c e . International runners continued their dominance
of the event with Kenya’s Hillary Kiptanui winning among the men in 1:05:48 and Venezuela’s Yeisy Alvarez securing the women’s title in 1:17:59 ahead of Trinidad’s Tonya Nero.
The UWI-Spec International Half Marathon had 1,300 participants and is AIMS certified and IAAF accredited. It is recognised worldwide as the biggest Half Marathon in the Caribbean.
encouraging improvement of young player such as Eric Hing, Kareem McKenzie and Daniel Hooper. Another team that possess the talent to run riot over opposing teams is Old Fort, but that is once they play as a unit and not as individuals. The crafty Aderemi Simon and Jason De Santos are the lynchpins for their success, but youngsters such as Omar Hopkinson and Jael Gaskin are evoking much chatter with their skilful play. Saints HC national players Hilton Chester, Paramanand Dindial and Ato Green along with junior national squad goalkeepers, Michael Hing and Rahim Oliver, for Team 2020 are the more notable names being on show for the men’s competition. On the distaff side, Pizza Hut GCC have won ten championship victories to date and while the other teams have improved immensely over the past two years, they still start as favourites to win a record eleven titles. Ulrica Sutherland a product from the first ever c h a m p i o n s , We s t e r n Dragons, is now part of the
Kevin Spencer Pizza Hut GCC team and a formidable player as well and combined with the likes of productive strikers Sonia Jardine and Kerensa Fernandes it is difficult to pinpoint an opponent to beat them. Hikers ladies will be led by recent Lucozade MVP, Marisha Fernandes with fellow national Maria Munroe and the exciting young talent of Nicole Eastman in support. The Old Fort Shooting Stars have been improving with each outing and have grown into genuine contenders for the tournament mostly through the pace and skill of Minsodia Culpepper and athleticism of goalkeeper Sarafina Phillips. The Spartans are a young side eager to improve on their recent outings and feature the new emerging talent of strikers Sarah Klautky and Abosaide Cadogan. The mere fact that the country’s best stickmen and women will be showcasing their skills makes it a must see for sporting fans. Matches begin from 17:00hrs and competition runs until the evening of Saturday, November 5.
t r o Sp West Demerara Secondary School congratulates Joanna Archer
West Demerara Secondary School Headmaster, Harrinarine, presents the running shoes to Joanna Archer in recognition of her outstanding performances.
Career best batting and bowling from Hope and Jaggesar demolish Sri Lanka A
Jaggesar finished with career-best figures of 4 for 29.
Windies nightmare continues with series loss
Pakistan players embrace each other after their win, 2nd Test, Abu Dhabi, 5th day, ŠAFP
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