Monday September 10, 2018
PUC to the rescue after GPL shines then dims DEAR EDITOR, Recently, on a Saturday afternoon, two utility poles, one on the northern side and the other on the southern side of our home broke at their bases, bursting some power and telephone lines and disrupting service to several homes in the neighbourhood. Our home was now sandwiched between the poles dangerously supported only by the main power cables. We called the GPL emergency number and within an impressive twenty minutes, the crew was there and removed the dangling live wires. When they left, the poles were still leaning precariously over the road, and we were still without power. Early the next morning, I called GPL and was told confidently that the workers would be there during the morning. With memory of the initial quick response, I waited with trust and hope.
However, midday came and there was no crew. Another call - “Yes they’ll be there”mid-afternoon, more assurances and so it went till darkness descended. On Monday, poles over the road, no power, yet with hope still alive, contact was made with the Public Utilities Commission (PUC). Assurances were given and these were not empty. True to their word, they kept in touch with me throughout the long day. I say thank you to the Complaints Department of the PUC, especially the head, Ms. Bourne, who was in touch with me way past the end of the working day, as just before the shadows of the setting sun began to fall, a large contingent of GPL workers arrived, replanted the fallen poles, reconnected the wires and restored power to our home. Sincerely, Joan Collins
TRIBAL POLITICS vs STATESMANSHIP DEAR EDITOR, It is almost ironic that naturally rich countries like our Guyana struggle, more often than not fail, to achieve their God-given potential because of endemic internal divisiveness which is exacerbated by selfish ‘politicians’ rather than being promoted by respectable ‘statesmanship’. The positive exploitation of Guyana’s rich natural resources, now headlined by the much-touted discoveries of oil, appears to be headed in the direction of the same unrealized potential of our gold, bauxite, timber, sugar and rice industries. We are in a situation that cries out for tough, honest leadership. It is time that we ask our potential ‘statesmen’ to stand-up and be counted in the interest of the collective generation of Guyanese who hanker for honest leadership to fill the obvious void in our body-politic! Nowrang Persaud
Is CPL perpetrating a fraud? DEAR EDITOR, I purchased six tickets for the CPL game for 8th September, 2018 for the Guyana Stadium; it took me and my family four hours to get there and into the stadium. When I reached the orange stand to locate my seats, some other family was sitting in my seats. I went to get the CPL staff to rectify the matter and a seat supervisor came and looked at my tickets then told me my tickets were printed twice. It’s a computer printing error. I had to stand with my
family for almost two and half hours for them to fix it but they failed to so I decide to ask for my refund. They said CPL tickets are not refundable. Editor, please explain this to me? Isn’t this fraud? CPL is printing tickets for the seats number twice and sell them to Guyanese and then tell you that they will not refund you. I hope a CPL official can explain this to me. Who will reimburse my family and me for this traumatic experience? I would like to advise the Guyanese nation to stop supporting this fraudulent organization. Thank you Steve Kissoon
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Kaieteur News
Some questions for some cardiology hospitals in Guyana DEAR EDITOR, In my opinion, something is seriously wrong with the cardiology service being offered by Caribbean Heart Institute (CHI) and the Balwant Singh Hospital (BSH). I think to address these concerns, some serious questions need to be asked. I do think this is of national interest. Left unchecked, if there is any substance in my concerns, patients’ lives may be at risk. Please permit me to humbly ask these questions and hopefully they are fully answered, putting at ease both the Guyanese public and myself. Question for Dr. Mahendra Carpen, CHI Why are you going against International cardiology societies recommendations by undertaking Percutaneous
Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA), Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ( PCI) and Coronary Angiography (CA) without cardiothoracic backup? What will you do when you have a complication that will necessitate urgent cardiothoracic surgery? Questions for Dr. Mahendra Carpen, CHI and Dr. Javier Almeida Gomez, BSH Can either of you practise independently as an interventional cardiologist in the countries where you did your fellowships? If the answer yes, can you provide the evidence to reassure the Guyanese public? If you are not qualified to practise independently as an interventional cardiologist in the countries, where did you do your fellowships, why
should you be doing so on Guyanese patients? Fact is CA is the last option in terms of investigation for coronary artery disease (CAD) because of the risks, e.g. death, involved. As a result other noninvasive and cheaper investigations are recommended, which include stress echo, cardiac myoperfusion scan, cardiac MRI and CT coronary angiogram etc. To identify which test is best suited for a given patient, different scoring systems and the patients’ medical histories are used. The majority of the patients would not require CA as a first line investigation. They may require the noninvasive test alluded to earlier. The reason is obvious. If the doctor can clinch the diagnosis with a less
dangerous and cheaper test for the paying patient then that is clearly a financial and prognostic advantage. Can you both justify, with supporting medical evidence, why your cardiology centres only provide CA and not complementing it with the cheaper noninvasive tests as recommended by the major internationally recognised cardiology societies? My estimation is that in any given year, 800 patients in Guyana may probable have CAD. That’s an overestimation. Not all these patients will require CA. Most may require the noninvasive test alluded to earlier. Yet CHI and BSH undertake nearly 1100 CA per year. Can both of you explain this numerical discrepancy? Secondly, can both of you state how many of these CA Continued on page 6
Enmore is home to a most unprofessional branch of GPHC DEAR EDITOR, As an expression to highlight the dissatisfaction of the services, and reactions of the medical team at ENMORE Poly Clinic (G.P.H.C), which is located at ENMORE Estate Road E.C.D., first of all, I would like to state that this branch of G.P.H.C is known and is supposed to be open to serve the public during all hours of operation. However, this is not the case, as of recent, when visits are made to this medical institution, by locals of this community. In addition, in my opinion, the senior nurses, tend to act and display HAUGHTY attitudes, towards many patients who are members of the communities, near and far. These patients depend on that medical institution, for the health maintenance. And because they are NAIVE to all of their fair demands, they are continuously being treated unfairly; they are being victimised by the nurses and sometimes even a few of the
young and new medical practitioners, who from time to time, would be serving there, as a part of their services, being offered to the public. I strongly condemn the ANTI-SOCIAL behaviour of these practitioners, who show NO form of COURTESY, to support the field of their career, which they are currently practising. This was the case during a recent visit to the ENMORE POLY CLINIC. A senior nurse along with few others was in charge (in the ABSENCE of their HEADDOCTOR at that institution.) She is one of the senior persons, who continues to practise an arrogant display of attitude towards patients, who are members of that community and are dependent on that institution for the medical treatment and other services offered there. In my opinion, it is considerably unfair, to have a bundle-up with patients if there are not enough medical practitioners to operate on
any particular day. Why must any human being be denied services, when they would have been a patient of that institution for over seven years? Is it correct to have two medical practitioners on site who are dishonest and lie to patients, because one of them doesn’t wish to see more and it’s only 13:00 hrs —almost three hours from wrap up time? And is it normal, that same day, when a patient with an injury who came in to get dressing of a wound, to be refused by the receptionist, and be re-directed to other neighbouring villages for treatment? (3) Is it correct for a nurse to use threatening remarks and threaten to call the police, then eventually does that, in the presence of that patient because of the patient’s refusal to agree with the terms being put forward. That day, upon the arrival of the police, when the entire situation is revealed, everyone goes speechless. The senior nurse starts to
deny her comments, then the police decide to leave the medical institution. Finally, one of the medical practitioners decides to come forward and offer her assistance. Followed by the patient’s comments “We are right back to the same point” the senior nurse in charge, is egocentric enough to say to the patient, “That is why yuh still sitting there! This letter is not intended to harm or create any kind of inconvenience to anyone mentioned but to highlight of the embarrassing conflicts that are currently taking place even at our medical institutions. Many others are scared to voice their concerns because of the fear of victimization. I am requesting that the G.P.H.C looks into this and assist with some kind of social training to help many of these practitioners realise that we are all different and GOD IS WATCHING! With best regards William .B.C
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Monday September 10, 2018
Kaieteur News
Another parent from Foulis takes child’s life
Public Health Ministry assesses conditions at Kwakwani Hospital, Ituni Health Centre - Staff support integrated health system - recommend expansion and upgrade of services
The 217 Fifth Street, Foulis, ECD home where the man killed his son.
Satesh ‘Kevin’ Sookdeo the young man who was stabbed to death by his father.
Another parent is being accused of killing one of his own children at Foulis, East Coast Demerara. The victim this time around is 21-year old Satesh ‘Kevin ‘Sookdeo, who was stabbed to death at his Lot 217 Fifth Street, Foulis, ECD home about 20:35h on Saturday tonight. Sookdeo ‘s 44-year-old father allegedly stabbed him in the stomach with a broken window pane, after the son
went to rescue his mother, who was being assaulted by the suspect. When Kaieteur News arrived on the scene around 22:00 hrs on Saturday, family members were consoling the grief-stricken mother. A neighbour who was one of the first residents on the scene heard the couple arguing earlier in the evening but she was not alarmed, since the suspect was a heavy drinker who would become verbally abusive
when under the influence. However, when the mother and one of her children began to scream, the woman ran over to the house. On reaching the scene, she saw Satesh “holding his stomach and lots of blood was coming from the area. He mother was hollering and like he daddy was drunk, how he was behaving.” The youth succumbed shortly after. Only last month, ten streets away in the same village, Brenda Ferreira, a twenty-six year old housewife, allegedly stabbed her three-year-old son, Ramdeo Mahadeo to death. She has since been charged with murder.
Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence meets with staff of the Kwakwani Hospital Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence spearheaded a team including advisors from the Ministry to have a first-hand look at the working conditions of the medical staff of the Kwakwani Hospital and the Ituni Health Centre. These visits wrapped up an overarching trip by the Minister and her team who along with the recently installed Health Committee of the Linden Hospital Complex, examined and took note of what was needed at Region Ten health facilities in order to strategically address them in the shortest possible time. After a brief tour of the Kwakwani Hospital, Minister Lawrence met with staff who highlighted existing issues and how these affected their day-to-day duties. Attention was paid to the availability of drugs and medical supplies, working and
accommodation conditions for staff, staff capacity and expansion of services provided at the hospital. Minister Lawrence noted that there were some “low hanging fruits” that could be dealt with immediately while others can be treated as priorities to be addressed in the near future. Among other things, nurses asked that an administrative structure and body be set up for the hospital - personnel, accounts and finance and senior clerks were requested. This will eliminate the need for staff to travel to Linden or in some cases to the Ministry of Public Health to address outstanding matters. Some staff also suggested that the newly installed health committee could focus on upgrading the Kwakwani Hospital to function Continued on page 22
Some questions for some cardiology... From page 5 turn out to be positive (significant CAD requiring PTCA, PCI or CABG) and how does that compare to international standards? Thirdly, it is a fact that CA, PTCA and PCI with a cost of approximately US$6,000 would provide higher profit margins compared to the cheaper noninvasive test. Is this the reason why CA is the only test being done contrary to international cardiology societies’ recommendations. If no, then what’s the reason? What are your serious complication rates for CA, PTCA and PCI and how does that compare with international standards? To Dr. Jorge Carlos Machin Rodriguez, cardiothoracic surgeon at BSH. My understanding is that you have special training in off-pump Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery (CABG). The concern is that there are lots of limitations with off- pump CABG. Studies (ROOBY trial 2009) that evaluated mortality suggest higher long-term mortality with off-pump CABG.
The rate of repeat revascularization, often due to less complete revascularization or worse graft patency, is also higher with off-pump CABG (CORONARY trial 2012). Further a 2014 metaanalysis of 22 studies (randomized trials and observational studies), enrolling a total of more than 100,000 patients, found a seven percent increase in long-term all-cause mortality with off-pump relative to onpump CABG. A 2018 meta-analysis of six randomized trials (N = 8145) that reported outcomes at four years or longer showed higher mortality in the off- versus on-pump group (13.9 versus 12.3 percent; but no difference in angina, myocardial infarction, need for revascularization, or stroke. When this is combined with the fact that off-pump CABG is not for all coronary artery disease (CAD) patients, example patients with chronic renal or pulmonary disease and heart failure, which are quite common in Guyana, it begs
the question whether this is the best treatment modality for the local population. The fact is that most centres would only use offpump CABG in patients with isolated proximal left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery disease and occasionally with LAD, proximal right coronary artery disease and as part of a hybrid revascularization (CABG + PCI) approach in cases where complete revascularization cannot be achieved. As a matter of fact, most centres would use on-pump more frequently than off-pump CABG. With only off-pump CABG available at BSH, I would argue, from the evidence provided, that they will have to be highly selective with their patients. Not sure if this is possible in a private hospital setting where the number one goal is to maximise profit. If they are not highly selective, then choosing the wrong patients can result in unfortunate deaths. Also doing a PTCA on a COPD patient who develops complications requiring emergency CABG may prove
to be quite tricky when only off- pump CABG is available and may be contraindicated. As a result, I would humbly ask if you can explain the rationale, supported with evidence, which informed your decision to do off-pump CABG only as compared to both on and off-pumps CABG when most centres are using both with on-pump CABG being done more frequently? In closing, I would have hoped that these questions were asked by the Medical Council. If they have not, then in my opinion, it is gross negligence on their part. The sad reality is, in Guyana doctors are investigating doctors. Doctors are still defending doctors. Anyone can turn up and call himself a specialist. No questions asked. Who is there to protect the vulnerable patients? Mr. Editor, I am happy to be that lone voice for patients. I am sure with your help, this one-man crusade will become a powerful army of patient advocates. Dr. Mark Devonish MBBS MSc MRCP (UK) FRCP(Edin)
Monday September 10, 2018
Kaieteur News
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PPP concerned about Businessman arrested with gun “independence” of DPP’s Office after threatening to shoot cops Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo said that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has concerns about the independence of the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP). Jagdeo, at his last press conference, said he noticed that Attorney General Basil Williams told the media that Williams influenced the DPP to nolle prosequi charges that the PPP filed against serving ministers of government. Jagdeo told the media, “I have never seen a statement from the DPP refuting what Basil Williams said.” He said that this has caused the PPP to develop “major concerns” about the integrity of the Office of the DPP. Jagdeo said that it seems as if nothing can be done to address this concern. “I am not sure what we can do. It (the DPP) is a Constitutional post, no one can remove the person, and we do not have that authority. Our hands are tied. Why not ask the DPP Office directly about how they have acted, what was the good governance reason that was put in the letter when they nolle prosequi the charges. Our charge was to expose corrupt activity, we would have to prove it in court. But the DPP withdrew the charges because it was against good governance,” said Jagdeo.
Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo The DPP had discontinued the private criminal charges filed against Ministers of Finance, Winston Jordan; Public Infrastructure, David Patterson; and Public Service, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine in relation the controversial D’Urban Park Project. The DPP in a statement noted that “in the interest of good governance in the State of Guyana such allegations ought first to have been reported to the Guyana Police Force for an investigation to be launched and the advice of the DPP sought.” The private charges were filed by PPP Parliamentarians Juan Edghill and Vickram Bharrat, through former Attorney General Anil Nandlall. According to the
charges, the Ministers were accused of “misconduct in public office contrary to the common law.” According to court filings, Norton, in June 2016, while serving as Minister of Public Health, authorized the rental of a Sussex Street, Albouystown property for the purposes of a drug bond, from Linden Holdings Incorporated, for $12.5M per month. Norton had come under immense public pressure. He was part of a Cabinet reshuffle that saw him being reassigned to the post of Minister of Social Cohesion. He subsequently received the additional appointment as Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport. Lawrence, who was appointed Public Health Minister, is accused of the unapproved single-sourcing of $605.9M in drugs and medical supplies from Ansa Mc Al Trading Ltd. for the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) between January and February 2017. The charges against the two Ministers came exactly one week after identical charges were filed by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) against Dr. Ashni Singh, former Minister of Finance, and Mr. Winston Brassington, the former head of National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL).
Detective inspector who handled two controversial cases removed from CID - officials tight-lipped about reason for transfer Police officials are tightlipped over the reason for a Detective Inspector being removed from the Criminal Investigation Department and placed in uniform. The ‘A’ Division rank was reportedly the leading investigator in two highprofile and controversial cases. One matter involved the death of a young woman, while the other concerned the shooting to death of a man, allegedly at the hands
of a prominent individual. Relatives of the victims had both filed complaints about the manner in which the cases were handled. Kaieteur News understands that a sister of the man who was slain met with a senior police official, who promised to review the matter. It is unclear whether this can be done, since the alleged shooter has already been charged. In the case regarding the young woman, there were al-
legation that attempts were made by individuals to remove forensic evidence, including bloodstains, from an area where the victim allegedly sustained injuries. Asked last week about the transfer, a senior CID official responded that the police did not have to explain why a rank was transferred. Ye s t e r d a y, a n o t h e r source said that ranks are often transferred and reverted to uniform as a disciplinary measure.
A 33-year-old businessman of Pearl Public Road, East Bank Demerara is under guard at the Bartica Hospital after suffering a fractured leg in his bid to escape from the police. The incident occurred at Puruni Landing, Region Seven, yesterday. It was reported that about 08:00 hrs when two officers attempted to arrest the man but he allegedly drew his gun and threatened to shoot them. The officers then retreated and went back to the location later in the day, this time with a party of police officers. Soon after their arrival at Puruni Landing, they spotted the businessman on a motorcycle and they signalled him to stop. The businessman however in an attempt to escape rode into an ATV and injured his left leg. He was immediately arrested and a search carried out on his person revealed an unlicensed .38 Special Ruger Revolver with three live rounds. Further search carried out on a haversack that was in his possession saw the police unearthing 137 grams of marijuana. The businessman, who sustained a fractured left leg, has since been admitted a patient at the Bartica Hospital under guard.
The marijuana that was unearthed The unlicensed Special Revolver
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Kaieteur News
Monday September 10, 2018
Business community shows lack of interest in Local Content Policy
Despite the “raging discussions” in the media about the absence of a Local Content Policy, Business Minister, Dominic Gaskin appears to be getting “different signals” from some quarters. The Minister revealed yesterday that his Ministry sent the second draft of the Local Content Policy to 40 organisations. Gaskin said that he received less than 10 acknowledgements of receipt. He said, too, that only two organisations responded with recommendations for changes. The Business Minister made this known during his presentation at the opening ceremony of the laydown yard that was leased by Mohamed Enterprise to Falcon Logistics. The laydown yard is located at Area MM Mcdoom. It will become a holding facility for pipes and other important equipment to be used by ExxonMobil. There, Gaskin said that the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) is one of the two entities which submitted comments on the policy. He re-
vealed that the Chamber is slated to make a presentation before his Ministry quite soon. Gaskin stressed that a constructive discussion is yet to take place on the local content policy. Gaskin said this is needed before finalizing the document. The Business Minister added, “We can never get 100 percent local content but we can all agree that we need to get capacity. We lack the skills and expertise required by the sector. Three years is a short time to develop those skills and we need to improve safety standards and management systems, especially where those are required by companies in the sector. We also need training in various areas and this cannot happen overnight…” GUYANA STILL WAITS Since the discovery of oil and gas in 2015, there has been considerable talk about how Guyanese will fit into the supply chain. A Local Content Policy was supposed to guide this process. But years later, the country remains without a finalized version of this cru-
- less than ten respond to draft sent out by Govt., says Gaskin cial document. Pointing this out recently was Chartered Accountant and Oil and Gas Academic, Christopher Ram. He said, “Three years after the famous discovery announcement, the Granger Administration has failed to ensure the local content requirements established by law or to pass a single piece of legislation pertaining to petroleum operations directly, or indirectly with respect to the environment, labour or other rights. Or to formulate a depletion policy, consider alternatives to the production sharing agreement or address its mind to a national refinery given the new and increasing volume of proven reserves.” He also questioned what possible excuse the President and his Government by extension could have for its failure to address this matter, which is a sense of urgency. As stakeholders in the oil and gas industry eagerly
await consultations on the second draft of Guyana’s Local Content Policy, Chatham House Advisors, Anthony Paul and Renee Roger Tissot have highlighted that there are some common pitfalls, which should be avoided. In a most comprehensive research paper, the local content experts cited poorly defined or inconsistent terminology as a major hindrance to the success of local content implementation. In this regard, they said it is imperative that governments have consistent definitions of the terms: local content, local company or supplier, and nationals/locals. The experts said that these terms often have different meanings
in trade agreements, treaties and in government procurement legislation. They said that definition is critical to target setting, measurement and performance management. Tissot and Paul also noted that the lack of strategic direction is one of the most obvious pitfalls. In this regard, the Local Content Experts explained that policies that fail to consider long-term objectives in regard to industrialization, economic diversification and strengthening of value creation may focus on the easy ‘low hanging fruits’ of local content activities and miss out on opportunities to create in-country value. The Experts noted that priority is sometimes given to low value added activities with limited capabilities for transfer into other sectors. They said that these opportunities often cause short-term local
Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin economic booms that tend to be more disruptive to the local population in terms of a surge of consumption and localized inflation, and create community resentment toward those employed in the temporary oil activities.
Instead of one million, Guyanese will receive less than G$5,000 per household - Ram Prominent Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram has crunched the numbers of Guyana’s earnings from oil production and concluded that the idea of paying each household US$5, 000 annually is unrealistic. Prof. Clive Thomas has floated the idea of the US$5, 000 payment from oil and his colleagues within the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) has publicly pressed forward with the idea of direct cash transfers. “The saying that if something is too good to be true, it probably is not true applies with great force to Thomas’ bold call,” Ram wrote in his column, ‘Road to First Oil’. Ram shared that taking the range of variables and using two percent to five percent of Government’s gross revenue as suggested by WPA officials, the amount available per household can be as low as US$23.78 per year where the oil price is US$40 per barrel and cost of production is US$30 per barrel at production of 120,000 barrels per day. When that figure goes up to 750,000 barrels as is likely in the latter part of the next decade, Ram explained that
Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram two percent of gross revenue will go up to US$148.61 per household per year. According to Ram, at the upper end of the scale of assumptions, five percent of the Government’s take from the production of 750,000 barrels per day with the price at US$80 and cost at US$30 will give each household US$1,701 per year. “I say with much hesitation that Dr. Thomas suggestion of US$5,000 per household as a direct cash benefit to each household was a good idea ruined by the usual fail-
ure of Dr. Thomas to test his numbers which left him woefully exposed. On the other hand, I have heard the criticism that Dr. Thomas’ call was really to divert attention from the very bad Petroleum Agreement signed by the Government of which his party is a member. Whichever is the case, Dr. Thomas has uncharacteristically taken a good idea and then discredited it himself,” Ram stated. President David Granger has previously stated that he had not seen any formal proposal for direct cash transfer. Ram stated that conditional direct cash transfers are necessary in the face of harsh poverty faced by so many of Guyanese. He stated that while it ought to be one element of the proposed Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF), advancing it and convincing President Granger requires intellectual leadership. Ram pointed out that the Government’s green paper on establishing a SWF is not only silent on anything like cash transfers – conditional or unconditional – but it seems to have been written entirely by the multilateral financial institutions with no direct Guyanese input. “If the WPA and Thomas should now abandon its responsibility to advance cash transfer at whatever level and with whatever condition – then it will find it difficult to rebut any accusations that it is neither responsible nor serious,” Ram noted.
Monday September 10, 2018
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Kaieteur News
THE GRA IS BLUFFING ITSELF The Guyana Revenue Authority is out of order in either arrogating to itself or accepting a role as the lawful delegate of the government in the auditing of the precontract costs of Exxon Mobil’s operations in Guyana. The Guyana Revenue Authority is the tax arm of the government. As the agency responsible for collecting taxes on behalf of the state and as a corporate body established under the Guyana Revenue Authority Act of 1996, the Guyana Revenue Authority is limited in what it can do. The functions of the GRA as spelt out under the 1996 Act are to: “(a) to assess, charge, levy and collect all revenue. Due to the Government under such laws as the Minister may, by order specify; (b) to ensure that Guyana’s best interests are adequately safeguarded in the negotiation of
international taxation agreements; (c) to promote compliance with the written laws relating to revenue and create in the society full awareness of the obligations and rights of revenue payers; (d) to advise the Minister on all matters relating to revenue; (e) to perform such other functions in relation to revenue as the Minister may direct.” While the Act gives the Minister the power to order the GRA to perform “other functions”, these functions must be tax-related. The GRA cannot be delegated an auditor under the Petroleum Act. The GRA is not the external auditor of the government. It would amount to a conflict of interest for the GRA to perform the role of auditor for the government under the Petroleum Act and then to have to pronounce on this audit in terms of its tax
implications. It would be outside of the GRA’s mandate to be providing auditing services for the government. The GRA, regardless of whether it is a part of the public service or as a corporate body, therefore cannot be the lawful delegate of the government under the Petroleum Act. Its functions are limited to tax collection and not to determining the accuracy of the information provided by ExxonMobil to the government. An audit for taxation purposes is likely to involve far less scrutiny than an audit of pre-contract costs. And the reason for this is that the GRA does not have much taxes to collect from ExxonMobil and its sub-contractors. ExxonMobil enjoys widespread exemptions from taxes so GRA really does not have much cause to audit the pre-contract costs of ExxonMobil.
DEM BOYS SEH
Shine eye people does get con Anything dat look nice and shine is a good thing. Dat is why some smart people bring in old cars, carry dem to a workshop and spray dem over. When people go to buy a car, dem see a nice and shiny thing and dem believe dat dem get a good thing. Is when dem start to drive it, dem see smoke coming out de exhaust and dem does hear all kind of things knocking. Dat is de kind of trick Jagdeo pull pon Guyana when he announce dat he tek money from China to build a new airport. When dem boys check wha he really do is change de zinc pon de roof, lay some concrete blocks to expand de baggage area
and paint up de place. Dem boys calling on SOCU and SARA to conduct a forensic audit on de new airport. Dem want SOCU and SARA to check de wuk wha de contractor do pon de runway. Dem might find dat more than half de money end up in somebody pocket. When Soulja Bai become president, he had a plan to scrap de project but Jagdeo was one step ahead. He pay de contractor more than eighty percent of de project cost. Dat mean dat de government had to continue wid de project unless it did want throw away millions of dollars. And while people
worrying about how Jagdeo set up Guyana, dem still got some who jumping up and singing high praise to Exxon. Last night, de Amazon Warriors blast Trinidad in fine style to get to de second spot in de race. Dis mean dat Guyana got two chances to get into de finals. Dem ain’t realize is dem own money sponsoring de Amazon Warriors. It might look like Exxon spending but one way or de other is de Guyanese who got to pay. But nuff don’t realize it. If Exxon don’t tek back de money when it bill Guyana, it gon claim it through tax deductions. Talk half and all dat glitters is not gold.
In respect to the accuracy of information provided by Exxon, the GRA has an interest only in so far as taxes are concerned. The GRA can undertake its own audit to determine what taxes are to be paid by ExxonMobil. If in the course of such an audit it finds that there are errors or omissions or even fraud, its main concern has to be the tax implications of such actions. Such information can be used by the GRA to prosecute ExxonMobil for taxes owed to the government but the findings of any such audit cannot be shared with the government since this would constitute a breach of the confidentiality arrangement between a tax agency and its clients. The Guyana Revenue
Authority Act prohibits any member of the GRA from publishing or disclosing to any person the contents of any document, communication or of information whatsoever, which relates to, and which has come to that person’s knowledge in the course of, his duties, except as authorized by the Authority or by the courts. Respectfully, it must be admitted that the Authority cannot reveal to government the specifics of any audit conducted by the GRA on pre-contract costs since this would be tantamount to revealing privileged information to an unauthorized source. The GRA’s role in auditing the pre-contract costs of ExxonMobil is
therefore a limited one. The tax agency must confine itself to assessing, charging, levying and collecting taxes. It can neither be appointed as legal delegate of the government in auditing, on behalf of the government, pre-contract costs. The other reason why the GRA cannot become the lawful delegate of the government to audit precontract costs of ExxonMobil is that it simply does not have the capacity to do so. The GRA is only bluffing itself into believing that it has the capacity to audit the precontract costs of ExxonMobil.
Monday September 10, 2018
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Kaieteur News
Stem Guyana launches nine-month Coding ‘boot-camp’ Students of the STEM Guyana programme, who have recently graduated from high school, will be the first participants in a nine-month coding boot camp. The programme aims to equip students with the skills to perform as junior software engineers. It also seeks to provide them with the tools to compete in job arenas in and out of Guyana. The courses, designed by both Google and Stanford graduates, Janani Ravi and Vitthal Srinivasan, include SQL and Databases, C Programming Deep Drill, Python Programming, C++ Programming, Java ObjectOriented Programming and Design and Data Structures and Algorithms. Designed with the modern student in mind, the courses are online and self-paced. Ravi and Srinavason built the programme’s courses to fit varying schedules. However, to ensure the successful completion of the programme, the courses are taken in small groups of three to four at the STEM Guyana facility. Upon completion, the young graduates will be able to develop apps and create websites; they will be able to function in local and global companies or even work as freelancers where they will earn substantial wages. The launching of STEM Guyana’s first boot camp is geared towards providing members with access to software development courses that will in
turn perpetuate marketability amongst local software engineers in the global arena. Co- founder of STEM Guyana- Karen Abrams related the importance of the concept within Guyana. She emphasized on its popularity worldwide saying, “Coding boot-camps are extremely popular across the world and serve to expedite the process of training mostly out of school persons to become junior software engineers. The STEM Guyana programme will prepare young people to find IT employment in nine months”. Members of STEM Guyana, GTI graduatesMichael Sampson, Jahi Ghansam and Saint Joseph graduate Shawn Jemmott are outstanding students and will be in the very first class of the programme. Presently, they are all working collectively to complete the first sixty-hour Java ObjectOriented Programming and Design course. STEM Guyana aims to equip these young persons with skills that are transferrable and applicable to every part of the world, to set the clockwork for collective attitudes that will eventuate success. Abrams shared that, “the goal is to arm these young adults with immediate skills, which will improve their marketability both in Guyana and in the rest of the world and we encourage them to work together in small groups in a classroom setting, to
motivate them and improve their chances of successfully completing the programme.” STEM Guyana is a curriculum geared on the idea of educating students in science, technology, engineering
- targets high school graduates, members and mathematics, in an interdisciplinary approach. STEM Guyana recently signed an agreement with a
well-known U.S company to offer a collection of IT courses to its members across Guyana. The cohesive
integration of STEM is expected to create a shift in the paradigm of this country’s perspective on education.
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Monday September 10, 2018
Kaieteur News
Suicide Prevention walk garners huge response The third suicide prevention walk hosted by the Prevention of Teenage Suicide (POTS), saw a positive response from participants and partners. The event was held in observance of International Suicide Prevention Day, September 10, 2018. Participants assembled at the intersection of Charlotte and Camp Streets before moving off, taking their message to various communities along the route. The walk concluded at the 1763 Monument, Square of the Revolution where they were addressed by the Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence. In brief remarks, the Health Minister told the gathering that the energy and unity shown by those participating in the event must also be shown to those often silently facing challenges in their lives. She called on them to be their “brothers’ and sisters’ keepers.” “As we are on the eve of Suicide Prevention Day, we are still as a human race grappling with this situation of stigma and discrimination, we are still grappling with the fact that so many of us can find other things to do but not to give an ear to our broth-
Suicide Prevention walk yesterday ers and sisters and so as we march on not only today but for the rest of our lives. I trust that it will not only be the collective but it would be the singularity where each and every one of us finds it as our responsibility to talk, listen and give good advice to someone,” the
Minister said. According to Minister Lawrence, the Ministry has placed more emphasis on creating healthy communities through the establishment of the “Many Communities Outreach”, which aims at making health care services more easily accessible to citi-
zens. The Ministry has also launched another initiative called “We Are at Your Door” a medical outreach that focuses on government and private agencies to ensure that staff are receiving both physical and mental health services.
“In the workplace, there is stress and so we want to ensure that we get out there and inform persons not only what they can do but the many services are being offered by the Ministry,” the Minister said. A booklet, which includes the listing of the various agen-
cies and service offered by the Ministry of Public Health will be published before year-end. Vice President Finance, Rafieya's International Vision & Hope (RIVAH) Zalena Khan, said that her agency’s involvement in POTS’ walk is an expansion of its mission to not only assist domestic abuse victims but to also support raising awareness of suicide prevention. This agency has donated $200,000 towards the effort. Representing another partner - Massy Distribution (Guyana) Incorporated Christpen Bobb-Semple, Director, Corporate Management Systems said, “We (Massy) also partnered up with MOPH through the mental health unit and Ministry of Education so later this month, we will be having a debate competition with high school students and next month theatrical performance at the National Cultural Centre (NCC) where we hope to target 800 students from over 19 schools in Guyana, so this is really lending our support to the cause.” Established in 2014, the NGO - Prevention of Teenage Suicide (POTS), now has 60 volunteers dedicated to reducing suicide in Guyana, through informative lectures, and providing bereavement support services to survivors of suicide.
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Developing countries accuse US, allies of stalling on climate change deal BANGKOK, Thailand (AFP) — Developing countries rounded on the United States and its allies at emergency climate talks yesterday, accusing the world’s richest nations of stalling a deal aimed at preventing runaway global warming. Experts from around the world wrapped up discussions in Bangkok geared towards creating a comprehensive rulebook for countries to implement the landmark Paris Accord on climate change. But talks foundered over the key issue of how efforts to limit climate change are funded and how contributions are reported. Delegates representing some of Earth’s poorest and smallest nations said on the final day of the summit that the US and other Western economies had failed to live up to their green spending commitments. “Developed countries are responsible for the vast majority of historic emissions, and many became remarkably wealthy
burning fossil fuels,” said Amjad Abdulla, the head of a negotiating bloc of small island states. “Yet, we face devastating climate impacts and some of us could be lost forever to rising seas” without progress on the Paris deal by the end of the year, he added. The Paris deal, struck in 2015, aims to limit global temperature rises to less than two degrees Celsius and to below 1.5 degrees if possible by the end of the century. To do this, countries agreed to a set of promises, including establishing an annual $100-billion fund to help developing nations react to our heating planet. But the details of the final rulebook are subject to intense debate. The US and other developed economies want less oversight on how their funding is gathered and more flexibility over how future finance is structured. But developing nations insist they need predictable and open funding in order to effectively plan their fight against the fallout from
climate change. A senior climate negotiator, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told AFP Sunday that the US and rich nations were asking poorer ones to trust them to self-regulate climate financing. “We want to do our bit, but how can we trust them? Show us the money,” the negotiator said. Delegates ended talks Sunday with an agreement to hand over technical discussions to a panel of experts, who will continue to
Petrotrin board to meet OWTU tomorrow Trinidad Guardian Petrotrin chairman Wilfred Espinet says the board is willing to consider any alternative plan that would make the company competitive, get it on a path to sustainable profitability and enable it to refinance its debt. As such, Espinet said Saturday that the board of the state oil company will meet tomorrow with the Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union, led by its president general Ancel Roget, as it continues consultation as part of the Memorandum of Agreement signed on April 4, 2018. In late August the board announced plans to exit the oil refining business and establish a new Exploration and Production company as part of its plan to make the business viable. On Thursday, the union met with Government and presented what it said were counter-proposals to the closure. But the Government said nothing new was put on the table and held fast to its position that the Petrotrin refinery will be shut down, with Planning Minister Camille Robinson-Regis telling the media both parties “agreed to disagree” after almost three hours of talks. The OWTU has indicated that it will be tabling a counter-proposal for consideration by the Petrotrin
board. Saturday, however, Espinet told the T&T Guardian the board is “open to any solution that will result in a self-sustainable, commercially viable company. This is a business and its purpose is to provide a return for its owners, the people of Trinidad and Tobago.” Once Petrotrin moves out of the refining business it will import gasoline, diesel, aviation fuel and other products for markets within the region and all of the oil which the company produces will be exported, he pointed out. Espinet dismissed suggestions that the decision to exit the refining business would cause the price of fuel to increase on the local market. He said, “Petrotrin currently sells fuels to NP and its other customers at prevailing world market prices; that is not going to change.” According to Espinet, the Government “determines the price of fuel at the pump. One is a market-driven number and the other is a policy decision. So there is absolutely no correlation between the two.” He accused unidentified people of “trying to instil fear in the population to achieve their own ends.” In presentations made to Government, unions and the
Wilfred Espinet management in August, Espinet said if Petrotrin were to remain an integrated company it would require TT$25 billion to stay alive, to refresh its infrastructure and repay its debt. Even when that is done he said it will continue losing about TT$2 billion a year. Figures from the company and the Government indicate that Petrotrin lost more than $8 billion in the last five years; is $12 billion in debt and owes the Government more than $3 billion in taxes and royalties. Espinet said, “Our goal is to make the business internationally competitive; a sustainably profitable leader in the local energy sector; and an employer of choice, that is a source of national pride.” In a memo to employees this week, Espinet informed them that while October first marks the start of the transition “it is not the last day of work for every Petrotrin employee.”
meet before the COP 24 kicks off in Katowice, Poland, at the start of December. Patricia Espinosa, the UN’s climate change secretary, told reporters progress had been made in Bangkok “on most issues” but that “no issues have been fully resolved yet”. The issue of climate finance was “very difficult and politically sensitive,” she added. “For Katowice to be successful, work needs to speed up and political will needs to be intensified.” The Bangkok talks were organised as an emergency negotiating session after little
progress was made at previous rounds towards a final rulebook. Under the timeframe set in Paris, the guidelines for nations must be finalised by the end of 2018. While delegates made some headway on areas such as new technology and carbon markets, activists said the US — with Western acquiescence — had stonewalled any momentum on the key funding issue. Harjeet Singh, global lead on climate change for NGO ActionAid, said Sunday the Paris deal was “on the brink”. “Developed countries are
going back on their word and refusing to agree clear rules governing climate finance,” he told reporters. “If they remain stuck in their positions and fail to loosen their purses, this treaty may collapse.” The US under President Donald Trump will leave the Paris process in 2020, but multiple delegates in Bangkok told AFP that it was still actively hindering progress in talks. One senior negotiator said the US was “poisoning” the atmosphere of trust that led to the Paris accord. Activists also called out the European Union, Britain and Australia for falling into line with Washington’s position. Alden Meyer, director of strategy and policy at the Union of Concerned Scientists, said the rate of climate change was rapidly outstripping the political effort to curb it. “As this summer’s devastating wave of heat waves, wildfires, floods, and other extreme weather events across the world makes abundantly clear, the Earth’s climate system is unimpressed by politicians’ rhetoric.”
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Monday September 10, 2018
Kaieteur News
Court awards $71M to...
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
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Chef and cook- Preferably carnegie trained. Call: 2257933 or visit 173 Sheriff Street.
One Hair & Nail Salon Station. Call:647-1773 Two bedroom apartment still available at 140 BB Eccles Housing Scheme. Contact Malinda Williams @ 6656160/653-6743
Wanted land to buy in Parfaite Harmonie or anywhere on the West Coast. Tel#642-1252 1 Diesel Mechanic to work with mining company in interior. Knowledge of Perkins & Doosan equipment required. 226-9768/500-5923
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Installations, Repairs and parts for AC, Fridge, Washing machine, Stove etc call Nick 627-3206, 630-1600 Eagle’s: Re-gas –low prices, washing machine repairs, gas stove, plasma flat screen, computer repairs & more. Call: 697-2969/646-0966 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158
German Shepherd pups for sale, first vaccine and deworm with clinic card. Contact Sunil #683-3560/2222381 New 15 HP Yamaha engine and wooden boat. Call Tel#660-4104 Large purebred pitbull dog, fully vaccine/ears clip & well kept. #233-0570 Three bedroom property and household furniture 3rd Bridge, Diamond New Scheme. Contact#616-6557
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Brokerage/Logistics Officer. Requirements: Secondary Education, Must have a drivers’ license. Contact#665-3676/226-0395 sales@tradelinc.com
Business place at 14 Lombard St Georgetown. Tel#227-1385 Cell: 653-0506 Self contain rooms for working couple/single person $30,000 monthly light & water, S/Riumveldt Call: 623-0076 Furnished apartments $6000 daily, Air conditioned room $3000 daily, we also do laundry $700 per load #2230994
Security personnel to work with private security firm in interior. Must have military/ police background. 500-5923/ 226-9768 Live in or live out babysitter/ domestic- Call: 223-7500 Monday to Saturday 8:15am4:15pm Land to buy in Parafaite Harmonie, Eccles, Uitvlugt, Tuschen,Covent Garden, Herstelling, Diamond, Providence & Zeelugt. Tel#686-9608
LAND FOR SALE
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Prime business spot for sale, located behind Mon Repos Market. For more information, Tel#609-0827/ 615-7084
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One Tutor/Nanny to teach a 3 year old boy from 7:3012:30pm Pay $70,000 monthly. Call: 623-1615 Vacancy for assistant manager & shop manager at Wencai Trading. Phone 6179513 Female cleaner office & home age 25 to 50. Call: 233-2745 Maid for East Bank area to cook & clean age 25 to 50. Call: 614-4358 One experienced driver, apply at Alabama Trading 65 Robb Street, Bourda One maid/cook. Apply at Alabama Trading 65 Robb St Bourda. 1 Live-in Babysitter needed, must know to cook Indian dishes. Please call: 642-7898 Office clerk between 18-25yrs, must know Microsoft Excel and Word. Call: 624-0239 8am5pm Office Assistant: 5 subjects CXC (Mathematics & English), Computer Literate. Submit application to P.O box 16005 Georgetown, Guyana / jobapp9051@gmail.com Vacancy exist for 2 nail technician at Natural Beauty Salon & Spa- Please contact Ms. Rasharie #652-5800 Purchasing clerk, Valid drivers’ licence 30-55 years old. Call: 231-8737 1 Female kitchen assistant to work at Itaballi #665-6444
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Lot 15 Public road #2 Vill. WCB 3 House Lots. Rice Cultivation 49ftx10,314ft length. Price $18M. Contact# 648-7109/686-4818 VEHICLE FOR SALE White Toyota Axio 2010 Unregistered Vehicle with low mileage and reverse camera $2.6 Neg #220-9514/645-6469
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(From page 15) Singh could also face imprisonment for failing to carry out the court order. Burch-Smith noted that in the course of the hearing of the judgment summons, Justice Holder made certain observations concerning Mr. Singh's insurer’s intentions. “I undertook to raise with you the matter of whether Hand-in-Hand intends to make any offer for part payment, pending the appeal. Among other things, the lawyer highlighted the silence and inaction some three months after the decision exposes Mr. Singh to the risk of a petition for insolvency and the appointment of the Official Receiver to take over his financial affairs including his mining business and property. “The Official Receiver may well regard her authority to include not only the claim for compensation, costs and interests, but in the realization of Mr. Singh's assets under the Insolvency Act, consider a claim for breach of the duty of utmost good faith by his insurers,” the Attorney said in the letter.
Public Health Ministry assesses conditions... From page 6 as a district hospital, providing specialized services to the community. Doctor in Charge of the Hospital, Dr. Delesia Inniss highlighted that the staff at the hospital from time to time experiences challenge during the process of medivacs and transfers to Linden. She suggested that once the Kwakwani Hospital is upgraded to provide primary health care, medical technology (laboratory) and specialised services, the need for continuous medivacs and the high number of transfers to the Linden Hospital will be significantly reduced. Giving a preview of the Health Ministry’s plans for the sector, Minister Lawrence emphasised that the integrated health service delivery network is expected to bridge gaps that exist within the system especially in Region Ten. Minister Lawrence informed the staff that the Linden Hospital Complex Health Management Committee will be looking into matters affecting health care delivery at LHC, Wismar Hospital and Kwakwani Hospital. She added that the committee will be reporting directly to her and will, therefore, be responsible for the oversight of and public health-related initiatives and ongoing work at these facilities. The Health Minister is expected to return to the region to conduct a follow-up visit at the three hospitals.
Monday September 10, 2018
Kaieteur News
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Monday September 10, 2018
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Vuelta a Espana U.S. sprinter Lyles helps Americas win Continental Cup Simon Yates increases his lead as Thibaut Pinot wins stage 15
Noah Lyles after winning the Continental Cup 100m title. (Getty Images).
Prague (Reuters) - U.S. sprinter Noah Lyles edged out China’s Bingtian Su in the men’s 100 meters on Sunday to help the Americas depose the defending champions Europe in the Continental Cup. The 21-year-old Lyles overtook Su near the finish to pip the Chinese by 0.02 seconds, winning in 10.01 to help wrap up the title. South Africa’s Akani Simbine was third. The Americas — who led after the first day — finished with 262 points ahead of Europe with 233 and AsiaPacific with 188 at the twoday global track and field competition. Africa finished last with 142 points. Bahamian sprinter Shaunae Miller-Uibo kicked late in the women’s 200 meters to surge past Dutch runner Dafne Schippers with a time of 22.16. Ivory Coast’s MarieJosee Ta Lou — who won the 100 meters a day earlier —
finished third. “This last race of the season was a tough one,” said Miller-Uibo, the 2016 Olympic 400 meters champion who extended her unbeaten streak to 10 races this season. “We were exhausted at the finish line and long after.” Sergey Shubenkov helped narrow the gap for the Europeans by winning the men’s 110 meters hurdles in 13.03 seconds, beating Jamaica’s Ronald Levy who finished second after leading through the first four hurdles. France’s Pascal MartinotLagarde was third. “It was also very important for me to overcome Pascal after I lost to him in the Europeans,” Shubenkov said. “Here I managed to improve a lot technically and certainly, 13.03 is a great result for the end of the season.” Olympic gold medalist Caster Semenya gave the Africans a win in the women’s
800 meters, finishing in 1:54.77 and beating Ajee Wilson of the United States and Jamaica’s Natoya Goule who finished second and third. Olympic and world champion Christian Taylor of the United States won the men’s triple jump with a distance of 17.59 meters. Africa’s Hugues Fabrice Zango finished second and Asia-Pacific’s Arpinder Singh was third. Asian champion Abdalelah Haroun pipped Africa’s Baboloki Thebe in the men’s 400 meters, winning in 44.72 seconds while U.S. sprinter Nathan Strother finished third. “It wasn’t my fastest time, but that didn’t matter here,” Haroun said. “I just wanted to win my last race of the season.” World record holder Beatrice Chepkoech of Kenya cruised to victory in the women’s 3000 meters steeplechase in 9:07.92, easily beating Courtney Frerichs of the United States who finished in 9:15.22 and Bahrain’s Winfred Mutile Yavi at 9:17.86. In the women’s 400 meters hurdles, Jamaica’s Janieve Russell won in 53.62 seconds, beating team mate Shamier Little of the United States who finished in 53.86 seconds. Ukraine’s Anna Ya r o s h c h u k - Ry z h y k o v a finished third in 54.47 seconds. World champion Elijah Manangoi gave the Africans something to celebrate by winning the men’s 1500 meters in 3:40.00 to beat European rivals Marcin Lewandowski and Jakob Ingebrigtsen who finished second and third with times of 3:40.42 and 3:40.80 respectively.
Yates now leads Alejandro Valverde by 26 seconds.
Britain’s Simon Yates increased his Vuelta a Espana lead as Thibaut Pinot claimed a summit victory on stage 15. The French rider tore away from an elite group of red jersey rivals at Lagos de Covadonga, an uncategorised climb with sections up to 20%. Miguel Angel Lopez finished second, with Yates third, gaining time on Nairo Quintana and Alejandro Valverde. English MitcheltonScott rider Yates, 26, now leads Valverde by 26 seconds, while Quintana is 33 seconds behind. He began the day 20 seconds clear of Valverde and 25 clear of the Spaniard’s Colombian Movistar team leader Quintana. Groupama-FDJ rider Pinot’s decisive attack from 6km out saw him finish 28 seconds ahead of Astana’s Colombian Lopez and 30 ahead of Yates, also claiming 10 bonus seconds for finishing first as he moved up to seventh overall. Having begun the day two minutes and 46 seconds behind Yates, he was perhaps afforded space to push clear on the cloud-covered slopes in Asturias. Down the road behind him, there were a series of
exciting attacks and counter attacks as Yates tried repeatedly to open a gap on Valverde and Quintana, but each time he was closely marked and chased down. However, he did at least manage to claim the four bonus seconds on offer for third place, also opening a small gap on both his main rivals in doing so. “It was difficult, if you did get a gap it was hard to maintain, there was a lot of head wind, so nothing really happened in the end,” Yates said. “It was a very strong attack [from Pinot], he came form behind with a lot of power and speed so I can only congratulate him, it was a great move. “But I feel good, and if I can hold the same form and same legs I will be very happy.” Today is a rest day before tomorrow’s 32km individual time trial from Santillana del Mar to Torrelavega in Cantabria. Stage 15 results: 1. Thibaut Pinot (Fra/FDJ) 5hrs 01mins 49 secs 2. Miguel Angel Lopez (Col/Astana) +28secs 3. Simon Yates (GB/ Mitchelton-Scott) +30secs 4. Alejandro Valverde (Spa/Movistar) +32 secs 5. Steven Kruijswijk (Ned/
Team LottoNL-Jumbo) Same time 6. Enric Mas (Spa/QuickStep Floors) +34secs 7. Nairo Quintana (Col/ Movistar) Same time 8. Rigoberto Uran (Col/ Team EF Education FirstDrapac) +1min 25secs 9. Emanuel Buchmann (Ger/BORA-Hansgrohe) +1min 33secs 10. Ion Izagirre (Spa/ Bahrain-Merida) +1min 49secs Overall standings: 1. Simon Yates (GB/ Mitchelton-Scott) 64hrs 13mins 33secs 2. Alejandro Valverde (Spa/Movistar) +26secs 3. Nairo Quintana (Col/ Movistar) +33secs 4. Miguel Angel Lopez (Col/Astana) +43secs 5. Steven Kruijswijk (Ned/ Team LottoNL-Jumbo) +1min 29secs 6. Enric Mas (Spa/QuickStep Floors) +1min 55secs 7. Thibaut Pinot (Fra/FDJ) +2mins 10secs 8. Rigoberto Uran (Col/ Team EF Education FirstDrapac) +2mins 27secs 9. Ion Izagirre (Spa/ Bahrain-Merida) +3mins 03secs 10. Emanuel Buchmann (Ger/Bora-Hansgrohe) +3mins 15secs
Michael Johnson: Four-time Olympic champion recovering after ‘mini-stroke’
Americas team representatives Christian Taylor and Caterine Ibarguen with team captain Mike Powell and IAAF President Sebastian Coe at the IAAF Continental Cup Ostrava 2018 (Getty Images)
BBCsport - Four-time Olympic champion Michael Johnson says he is recovering at home after suffering a “mini-stroke”. The American, 50, once the fastest man in the world at 200m and 400m, tweeted that he had a “transient ischemic attack” last week. “The good news is I’m back at home with my family, cleared of any heart issues and have already made great progress on my road to a full recovery,” he added. Johnson, a BBC Sport pundit, also won eight World Championship golds. He was the first man to win both the 200m and 400m at the same Olympics in Atlanta in 1996 and retired in 2000 after defending the 400m title at the Sydney Games.
Michael Johnson
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Naomi Osaka reveals sister’s Paris pastries helped her get over the nerves in US Open final Mailonline - Naomi Osaka attributed her composure during a wild first grand slam final partly to her sister’s taste in bakery products. The 20year-old became Japan’s first grand slam singles champion after a meltdown from Serena Williams saw her penalised a game in a 6-2, 6-4 US Open victory for Osaka. While Williams yelled at umpire Carlos Ramos for a series of code violations, and protested to tournament referee Brian Earley and grand slam supervisor Donna Kelso, Osaka kept her head down and focused completely on the next point. She did not waver serving either for the first set or the match and time and again drew the error from Williams, who was appearing in her 31st slam final, rather than the other way around. Osaka revealed she was not quite coolness personified, though, saying: ‘I woke up and I was sweating. I was so nervous. My heart was racing the entire day. I think that wasn’t good for my health. ‘I couldn’t eat anything, I felt like I was going to throw
up. I was just so stressed and I kept calling my sister, my poor sister. She was telling me to think of it as just another match and then I would yell at her, “Are you crazy? This is a grand slam final”.’ ‘Since she’s in Paris, she was showing me these random croissants and baguettes to try to take my mind off of it, and it kind of worked.’ Osaka’s sister Mari is also a tennis player and they were coached by their father after he decided to try to copy Richard Williams’ remarkable success with his daughters. Mari has not yet had the same rise as her younger sister and is currently playing lower-tier events after a series of injuries. Osaka’s father, Leonard Francois, gets so nervous he cannot watch his daughter in action, but she credits him for her big-match mentality. She said: ‘Ever since I was little he’s always been telling me these wise words but I’ve never really wanted to listen. I think that as I grew up I sort of appreciated what he was saying more. It’s the
Nicaragua, Cuba surge to victory, while El Salvador rallies on CNL day three
The 20-year-old became Japan’s first grand slam singles champion by beating Serena Williams. most cliched things you could think of, always things that make you go “Ugh”.’ Osaka grew up idolising Williams - and insisted what happened on Saturday would not change that, even though the shine was certainly taken off her
Williams fined $17,000 for U.S. Open code violations NewYork (Reuters) Serena Williams has been fined $17,000 for the code violations she received during the U.S. Open final, the United States Tennis Association (USTA) said yesterday. During Saturday’s match, which she lost 6-2 6-4 to Japan’s Naomi Osaka, Williams, was handed a coaching violation and a point penalty for breaking her racquet before a heated argument with umpire Carlos Ramos ended with her losing a game. The tournament referee’s office fined the former world number one $10,000 for the “verbal abuse” of Ramos, $4,000 for being warned for coaching and $3,000 for smashing her racket. Williams, who was seeking a recordequaling 24th Grand Slam singles tile on Saturday, vigorously disputed each of the violations during the match. She demanded Ramos apologise for handing her a coaching violation and later called the umpire a “thief” for giving her a point penalty.
Williams also received a violation for breaking her racket on the court at Flushing Meadows.
b i g m o m e n t . Wi t h t h i s victory and the manner of it, she has positioned herself as the next big hope to succeed Williams as the dominant force in women’s tennis. She will break into the top 10 for the first time and could one day find herself in the position of facing an up-andcomer who wrote a school project about how they wanted to be like her, as she did for Williams. ‘I would tell them, “Don’t do it”,’ she said with a laugh at the idea of being someone’s idol. ‘It’s a little bit crazy. Growing up and watching people you idolise, you always dream that one day you’ll be in that position. ‘So to be in that position right now, I feel like I’m a big kid that doesn’t really understand how the world works. Because mainly I’ve just played tennis my whole life and I haven’t really thought much of anything else. ‘I feel like it’s a responsibility but I’m also really glad to have that responsibility.’ One thing that is certain is that Osaka’s stock around the world, but particularly in Japan, will skyrocket. She will head to Tokyo from New York ahead of the Pan Pacific Open, beginning on September 17, and it is likely to be some homecoming for the player born in Japan but raised in the United States. Osaka’s current clothing contract with adidas runs out at the end of the year and she is now perfectly positioned to secure a multi-million-dollar deal, along with many other endorsements. Her agent Stuart Duguid said: ‘I don’t think Naomi knows what’s coming but I have a fair idea.’
Miami, Florida – Matchday three in the first round of 2019/20 Concacaf Nations League Qualifying had its fair share of twists and turns, with Nicaragua and Cuba pacing themselves to clean sheet victories, while El Salvador had to rally to top Montserrat. The day started with Nicaragua posting a 2-0 victory at Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Henry Nino gave the Pinoleros a 1-0 lead in the 26’ by poking in a loose ball in the box, and then 13 minutes later Juan Barrera doubled the margin to 2-0 with a slick re-direct into net off a cross from the right. From there the Nicaragua defense took over and shut down the hosts to pocket the three points. Next on the docket was Cuba hosting a Turks and Caicos Islands side without star player Billy Forbes, and the Cubans took full advantage by registering an 11-0 win over the islanders. Luis Javier Paradela Diaz (7’, 36’, 49’) had a hat trick, while Luismel Morris Calero (32’, 82’), Andy Baquero Ruiz (35’, 44’), Yordan Eduardo Santa Cruz Vera (51’, 54’) and Roberney Caballero Ariosa (64’, 76’) all bagged braces in the win. The day then wrapped up with plenty of drama, as El Salvador fought back to pocket a 2-1 away win against a very spirited Montserrat side. The Montserrat supporters erupted in cheers in the 38’ thanks to Joseph Terence Taylor’s opener. Spencer James Weir Daley had a header ring off the crossbar and the ball eventually found Taylor, who fired in to make it 1-0 to the Caribbean side. The urgency inside El Salvador grew and Oscar Ceren did very well to create space for himself after collecting a pass and then rocketed in a shot to pull the Cuscatlecos level 1-1 in the 64’. Just when it looked like the two teams would have to settle for a 1-1 draw, the visitors broke the hearts of the home fans when Ceren powered home a header in the fourth minute of second half stoppage time to earn El Salvador the heart-stopping victory. MATCH IN MARTINIQUE POSTPONED
Luis Paradela celebrates one of his three goals. Concacaf announced yesterday that due to the potential impact of Tropical Storm Isaac on Martinique, the Concacaf Nations League Qualifying match between Martinique and British Virgin Islands will be rescheduled for a later date. Concacaf determined, in consultation with local officials and both participating Member Associations, that in order to guarantee the safety of the delegations, as well as all participants and fans, the qualifying match cannot take place as originally scheduled. The match was scheduled to be played tomorrow, September 11, 2018 at the Pierre Aliker Stadium, in Fortde-France, Martinique. The new match date and kick off time will be announced by Concacaf at a later date.
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Monday September 10, 2018
Kaieteur News
Djokovic beats del Potro CPL-DRS set for semi-final, final to win his 3rd US Open Claim his 14th Grand Slam title to equal Pete Sampras’ record Mailonline - Novak Djokovic’s summer journey from existential drifter to double Grand Slam champion was completed on Sunday night on another febrile evening inside Arthur Ashe Stadium. The 31 year-old Serb, who back in April was still suffering from a lack of motivation, followed up his Wimbledon title by fending off the rangy power of Juan Martin Del Potro to win the US Open final 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 in three hours and 16 minutes. We are back at peak Djokovic, who will rise to world number four now, and possibly back to world No 1 by the end of the year. After the fracas involving Serena Williams on Saturday night, British umpire Alison Hughes sometimes had her work cut out to control the New York crowd, who wanted to see the Argentinian capture his first Major title in nine injury-ravaged years. At least she was not quietly ushered off the court afterwards, as had happened to Carlos Ramos the night before. An emotional Del Potro said: ‘It’s not easy to speak right now. I’m so happy to play in the final against this magnficent idol. I’m sad to lose but happy for Novak and he deserved to win. ‘I never gave up during my wrist problems, I was trying to fix my injuries to be here again and I got here after nine years. I’m proud of that.’ For Djokovic this was No 14, and who knows how many he can win, especially with the ageing process biting at his closest rivals. Djokovic, who now equals Pete Sampras on 14 majors and wins $3.8 million, was asked to what he attributed his revival: ‘To the support of my loved ones, my small team of people who have been with me through difficult times as well. When I had surgery earlier this year I could understand what Juan Martin went through, but you learn from adversity. ‘I try to take the best out of myself. It felt like a football match a bit here with the Argentinian and Serbian fans. The crowd never went over the line.’ It seems all to be back: the searing returns, the movement, the backhand down the line, the cussed determination. He can play like a human brick wall. With cold and showers ending this historically hot US Open on an inappropriately wintry note the roof was again
Novak Djokovic holds the US Open men’s singles trophy. closed, as it had been for the controversial women’s final the night before. Del Potro was going to need to hit plenty of winners through this sluggishlypaced court that has been very much to Djokovic’s liking. It is one of the things that has played into his hands during this summer comeback, another being when the roof was closed for his whole match against Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon. The Argentinian was always going to be ahead in the popularity stakes on this one but it was Djokovic who struck first, going ahead for 5-3 when Del Potro’s huge wingspan fired a forehand into the net. When he went a break behind in the second we were at peak Djokovic, but somehow the Argentinian chiselled out a break back and
the crowd surged behind him, testing the Serb’s temperament as he remonstrated over the distraction. A giant tug of war ensued in the eighth game, which was to last just over twenty minutes and included three break points for the Argentinian and about six minutes of Djokovic bouncing the ball before serve. On they went to a tiebreak which turned on a couple of errors on the forehand side, the one which Djokovic spent most of the match trying to avoid. When he went two sets up he did so nurturing a 204-1 winning record in best of five set matches. A wearying Del Potro always fights and, as in the second set, he recovered an early break, before losing out in too many long rallies saw him broken decisively for 5-3.
Novak Djokovic celebrates after winning the US Open men’s singles final against Juan Martin del Potro in New York.
DRS will be used in the semi-final and final of this year’s Caribbean Premier League.
Gros Islet, St Lucia, CMC – The Decision Referral System will be used in the Caribbean Premier League for the first time when it is introduced for the semi-final and final of this year’s tournament, organisers announced yesterday. Chief Operating Officer, Pete Russell, said the decision had been taken so to ensure that “all decisions are as accurate as possible.” “The final matches of the Hero CPL are so important and it is vital that all decisions are as accurate as possible,” Russell said in a statement. “We are reviewing the possibility of making DRS
available for all matches in 2019.” Each team will have one unsuccessful review per innings and will be able to review all types of dismissals. There have been several controversial decisions during this year’s CPL which have brought the umpiring under scrutiny. Twenty-nine matches have been played in this year’s CPL with the semi-final set for September 14 and the final two days later. Reigning champions Trinbago Knight Riders, Jamaica Tallawahs, St Kitts and Nevis Patriots and Guyana Amazon Warriors have already qualified for the playoffs.
Alastair Cook extends hosts’ advantage at The Oval
Alastair Cook and Joe Root leaving the field after the days play. BBCsport - Alastair Cook moved to 46 not out in his final innings as an international cricketer on day three of England’s fifth Test against India. The opener, who is set to retire after his 161st Test, took the home side to 114-2 in their second innings, a lead of 154. Cook received a standing ovation when he arrived at the crease and again when he left at the end of the day as he followed up his first-innings 71 with another knock typical of his 12-year Test career. India had earlier been revived by 56 from debutant Hanuma Vihari and a swashbuckling 86 not out by Ravindra Jadeja. Jadeja added 32 for the 10th wicket with last man Jasprit Bumrah as India, who found themselves 1606 on Saturday, got up to 292 all out. That left England 40 runs ahead and precariously placed, but Cook’s 125-ball stay ensured there would be no top-order panic to allow the tourists to continue their revival. He was joined by his successor as captain, Joe Root, who moved fluently to 29 not out by the close. England already have an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series. Cook will end his career with more caps,
runs, hundreds and catches than any other England player. In this last hurrah, just as he did on Friday, the left-hander exhibited all of his trademarks in front of a crowd that held its breath for fear that each ball could be his last. Cook left carefully and defended solidly. In one Mohammed Shami over, he prodded nervously as the ball went past the edge three times. By then, he had already been the subject of a wasted review for lbw from the spin of Jadeja. When he scored, it was in time-honoured fashion; almost exclusively with nudges and clips off the pads, with one handsome straight drive thrown in. Before this match, Cook averaged 18 in 2018. He described retiring as a weight off his shoulders and his first-innings effort was only his second half-century of the year. Now, the Essex man is just four runs away from passing 50 for the 90th time in his Test career. And when he left on Sunday evening, waving his bat to a crowd on their feet for him for the fifth time in the match, the prospect of a send-off 33rd century was still in the offing. England 332 & 114-2 (43 overs): Cook 46*, Root 29*. India 292 (95 overs): Jadeja 86*, Vihari 56, Moeen 2-50.
Monday September 10, 2018
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Kaieteur News
Regal Masters claim another softball DCC cruise into final with emphatic win over UG title; MOM Arjune shines with bat & ball GISE/Star Party Rental Division 1 cricket
Ashmead Nedd
Chris Barnwell
Home team DCC began the second and final of what had been a closely fought contest going into yesterday, on their overnight score of 233-8 replying to UG’s 225 in their GISE, Star Party Renal Division one cricket semi-final. Skipper Chris Barnwell was unbeaten on 140 and Totaram Bishun on 8; Barnwell carried his score to 165 before he was bowled by left-arm spinner Dennis Haywood as DCC were bowled out for 268. Haywood finished with 3 wickets while Ray Newton, Omesh Danram and Ershad Ali had 2 wickets each for UG which catapulted for 68 in their second innings to lose by an innings and two runs, just after lunch yesterday. The win resulted in the Queenstown side being the first team to book a place in the final while the second semi-final, between Police and GNIC is set for this weekend.
Bolt takes break from Mariners for overseas commitment
Sydney (Reuters) - Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt will put his efforts to carve out a football career on hold for a week to fulfill a “previously planned” overseas commitment, the A-League’s Central Coast Mariners said on Saturday. The 32-year-old Jamaican has been trialing with the Mariners for the last three weeks in the hope of securing a professional contract for the 2018-19 A-League campaign. The break, from Sept. 9-16, had been agreed before he joined Mike Mulvey’s team for training, the club said in a statement. Bolt made his debut for the Mariners on Aug. 31, coming off the bench for 18 minutes against a local amateur side. The Mariners won the game 6-1 but Bolt looked well short of match fitness and lacked the touch on the ball of many of his team mates. Bolt himself said he would need at least four months to get up to speed. Bolt’s attempt to transform himself from the face of global athletics to professional football player has generated huge publicity for the Mariners, who finished bottom of the 10team A-League last season. It has also drawn scepticism, with Adelaide United coach Marco Kurz questioning Bolt’s open-ended trial, saying the A-League should focus on recruiting proven talents and improving Australian youngsters.
File photo: Central Coast Mariners’ Usain Bolt
Played at the Everest ground in steaming hot conditions, yesterday’s final of the Ink Plus, Crown Mining Supplies and Elegance Jewellery & Pawn Shop T20 Masters softball cricket final was dominated by Regal Masters as they whipped RR Masters by 27 runs. Former Guyana FirstClass player David Harper fashioned a well calculated 48 (5x4 1x6) and shared in a 76run partnership with man-ofthe-match Mahendra Arjune who hit a responsible 41 (3x4) to see Regal to 134-7 but only Erick Thomas, who hit a cameo 12 (1x4 1x6) reached double figures. Raymond Harper took 326 and Dharam Persaud supported with 2-23 for RR which was bowled out for 108 with Arjune who retuned with the ball to take 3-5 in his only over in which four wickets tumbled for one run. Khemchan Dindyal counter attacked with a pugnacious 54 (5x4 1x6) before he was forced to retire hurt and added 58 with the left-handed Suri Kumar, who struggled to get the ball off the square in his sedate 17 which included 22 dot balls. RR asked Regal to bat on hard pitch and sluggish outfield and Troy Kippins (8) and Eon Abel (1) were quickly removed by Dharam Persaud
Man-of-the-match Mahendra Arjune. while Raymond Harper disturbed the wicket of Mahase Chunilall (8) to leave the powerful Regal Masters on the ropes at 18-3. Harper and Arjune joined forces and played cautiously and with very good running between the wickets eased their team out of trouble before Arjune fell to Rudolph Mayers at 94-4. The first six of the match was struck by Harper and it brought up the 100 in the 17th over, Thomas hit the second six
in the next over before both batsmen were removed by Raymond Harper as they put their foot on the gas. When RR began their run chase needing to score at 6.75 per over for an upset win they lost Richard Persaud (7) and Ron Ramnauth (2) to leave the score on 25-2 and recovered briefly when Dindyal and Kumar were together although Kumar batted too slowly with the required rate mounting. Dindyal kept hopes alive
by launching into Parasaram ‘Bimbly’ Persaud and ripped him apart by taking 20 from the over before he retired. When Arjune dismissed Kumar at 83-3 it triggered a dramatic collapse which saw five wickets tumbling for six runs. The winners of the 12team tournament collected $100,000 and a Trophy while the runners-up got $25,000 and Trophy while Arjune received a Trophy. (Sean Devers)
Regal Masters another Softball title at Everest yesterday.
Limacol football tourney continue tonight The third annual Limacol football tournament continues tonight at the Ministry of Education (MOE) ground on CARIFESTA Avenue with a double header from 18:00hrs. Grove Hi Tech will clash with Beacons FC in the first match this evening. Both teams of this opening encounter will be looking for
better results following their first matches; Grove drawing 1-1 with Santos and Beacons losing 2-1 to Pouderoyen. In the feature match tonight that kicks off at 20:00hrs, Camptown Football Club that drew their opening match 1-1 with GFC, will match skills with Riddim Squad, their first match of the tournament.
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Kaieteur News
Monday September 10, 2018
Hero CPL T20
GHB Development Leagues
avenge Florida loss; Taylor/ Woodpecker Hikers earn first win Tallawahs Powell share unfinished 114-run stand Story by Sean Devers; Zaheer Mohamed photos
Woodpecker Hikers’ Nicolette Fernandes (2nd right) looking to get possession during her team’s 5-1 win over GCC Bingo Spartans. The weekend’s play in the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) Under-19 and Second Division Leagues concluded yesterday afternoon at Saint Stanislaus College (SHC) ground on Carifesta Avenue with six matches. Woodpecker Hikers defeated the youthful Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) Bingo Spartans 5-1 to earn their first win in the women’s 2nd Division. Nicolette Fernandes, who scored one goal in a losing cause against Pizza Hut GCC on Saturday last, swiped home a hat-trick of field goals in Hikers’ 5-1 win over Spartans. Avonda Edghill and Kenisha Wills scored one
each to take Hikers’ tally to five while the multi-talented Abosaide Cadogan notched the lone goal for the GCC side. Wills described the victory as very important since Hikers are looking to end the season on a high and she noted that the availably of fresh players including the high flying Fernandes will certainly help the team to achieve their goals. During play in the Men’s 2nd Division, Old Fort edged leaders Bounty GCC 2-1. Omar Williams pulled off an amazing solo run in the 16th minute before scoring to give Old Fort an unlikely lead while his teammate Dominic Alleyne banged in a second half goal to give the team the safety of a two-goal cushion.
Meshach Sargeant pulled a goal back five minutes before stoppage time but it was too late the Bounty as Old Fort held on for the valuable three points. Other results on the day saw Joseph Warriors defeating Saints Sonics 4-1 and Old Fort getting the better of North Ruimveldt Multilateral 6-3 during Boys’ Under-19 action. Meanwhile, Saints U19s got the better of ‘Senior Saints’ 4-2 during play in the Men’s 2nd Division while Old Fort and Saints settled for a point each during a 1-1 draw in the Women’s 2nd Division. Matches will continue this weekend at the same ground. (Calvin Chapman)
This Old Fort player (left) and his Bounty GCC rival battling for the ball yesterday.
A capacity crowd of 15,000 raucous flag waving Warriors fans was silenced by a superb unfinished 114-run third wicket partnership between Ross Taylor and Rovman Powell on Saturday night when the Jamaica Tallawahs trounced the home team, Amazon Warriors by eight wickets at Providence. The loss was the second in a row for the Warriors and took the Tallawahs to second place with 12 points from the 10 matches. Chasing 173-6 made by the Warriors from 20 overs, Tallawahs made light work of the target on a slow track and reached 177-2 with 11 balls to spare as the disappointed fans began leaving the venue even before the winning run was scored. Jason Mohammed (58), Shimron Hetymer (48), Cameron Delport (34) and Chadwick Walton (25) all got starts for the Warriors as Powell finished with 2-21 from two overs at the death. On another night which saw a couple of poor Umpiring decisions, Taylor reached the boundary five times and cleared it thrice in a 40-ball 60 while Powell’s 55 lasted 34 balls and was decorated with six fours and two sixes. The pair joined forces at 62-2 in 7th over and took charge of the game against a Warriors unit which saw their struggling Captain Reyad Emrit being drooped and replaced by the inexperienced Aussie, Chris Green as Captain. Leggie Imran Tahir removed both openers; Glen Phillips who seemed unlucky to be given out LBW as ball hit the inside edge of his bat after he had made 27 from 17 balls (4x4 2x6) and Johnson Charles who was bowled for 25 from 19 balls (2x4 2x6). Earlier, the Warriors, asked to bat first lost Luke Ronchi (6) in the third over when the genuinely quick Oshane Thomas struck. Delport (34 from 23 balls, 5x4 1x6) was removed by Samuel Badree at 60-2 beforeHetymer and Mohammed added 61 runs for the third wicket. Hetymer, who moved to 327 runs from nine matches again threw his wicket away when two short of a second fifty. The 21-year-old Guyanese struggled to get the ball away and took 41 balls for his 48 (4x4 1x6). After being caught in the deep Hetymer threw his bat into the outfield to the
Rovman Powell hits a maximum. amazement of the crowd and possibly the displeasure of the Match Referee. Roshan Primus (0) and Mohammed were removed by Powell while
Walton was run out; three wickets falling in the final over, 51 runs came in the last 4.4 overs which in the end proved inadequate.
Imran Tahir delivers.
Ross Taylor picks up runs through the on-side.