Kaieteur News

Thursday September 15, 2016

Dangerous juveniles must be removed from this centre DEAR EDITOR, On April 8, 2011, during the regime of the previous government the Sophia Juvenile Holding Centre was formally opened by the then Minister of Home Affairs Mr. Clement Rohee. Hold it for a second! It was the first facility of its kind locally. Are you still holding? And it was built at a cost of $37.6 million. Please continue to hold, and trust me you would not be allowed to expire. In his opening speech the Minister outlined that the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security and the Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport, are called upon to provide their social workers to play a vital role in the operation of the Centre, through counselling and advice offered to both the parents and the offender(s). According to him these basic standards must ensure that the services provided within a physical environment that lends to a peaceful atmosphere, wherein the young adult can sense an attitude of caring on the part of those who would be

administering the Holding Centre. Minister Rohee, further went on to state that he was aware that while the Holding Centre may not be a great replacement for the home, nevertheless it will provide care and attention to the juvenile, facets that may be lacking in some homes in Guyana. Amen! Superintendent of Works Fiaz Khan described the Holding Centre as being heavily barred -38 feet by 60 feet built of solid concrete reinforced with steel bars, with grill work installed around the building. To be institutionally and politically correct, Mr. Khan aptly stated; “It is completed and is intended for the purposes it has been constructed for”. Let us fast forward but in a somewhat regulated manner. On September 10, 2016, not one but three juveniles were reported to have escaped from this one –of-a- kind idyllic holding facility by escaping through a hole that they had dug themselves. So much for the solid concrete, grill work and the steel bars! Continued on page 6

Criticism of Royston Kings mounts DEAR EDITOR, The executive of the Guyana Market Vendors Union (GMVU), which was recently launched, is completely wasting its time and energy and that of its wider membership (the vendors) as it seeks to obtain recognition by and to dialogue with the Town Clerk Royston King who is just too egotistical and bigheaded to give them the light of day. The President of this union (GMVU) Mr. Eon Andrews who was once a Councillor with the Georgetown Municipality and who had a close working relationship with King must be well aware of just how arrogant this man is. At a meeting held recently at City Hall, where he met with more than 40 fruit and vegetable vendors from Bourda Market area, the Town Clerk sent a clear message to the GMVU of his lack of interest in dealing with them by instructing the vendors to form a representative committee which would meet regularly with the City’s administration for bargaining and evaluation At that meeting he declared that no one including a union could force City Hall to permit vending if

it does not want. In fact he said “No union can breach Market By-Laws, no union can breach the agreement we have and I want you to understand that.” Before that Royston King clearly stated that he was only willing to meet with the newlyformed Guyana Market Vendors Union, after it provides necessary documentation to verify its legitimacy. It is unbelievable that King of all persons would make such demands for legitimacy when there are so much immoral and unlawful activities and transgressions occurring daily at City Hall under his watch. If that union does not become more proactive and militant, King will no doubt continue to brutalize the vendors as he has been doing to the ‘Parliament View Mall’ occupants, the wholesale vendors on the Merriman’s Mall and the hairdressers, cosmetologists, tattoo artists and barbers that he rounded up and also placed on the Mall in most unhygienic conditions. They can’t beg him for a meeting. They have to take the type of action that will force him to recognize them and be inclined to bargain with them. Jermain Johnson

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Waxing lyrical on the institution of marriage DEAR EDITOR, I find myself giving some thoughts on the “Institution of Marriage,” and soon realized that a large percentage of our population does not know of the importance of Marriage. Yes, they may have knowledge of their friends being married. But lack the basic knowledge of knowing how vital a marriage means to them as a whole. They have seen people getting married and divorced and remarried. And so for them it’s a foregone conclusion — no marriage for me! We should be matured in our minds and ask the question with an open mind. What does it mean to be married? For some that question would be avoided as much as possible. On the 7th September 2016, I was task with the duty and responsibility of officiating over a marriage ceremony. A home setting was prepared for the matrimony, and there were a few friends and family members present as witnesses. This occasion presented a golden opportunity for me as a Licensed Marriage Officer operating under the Laws of the Co-Operative Republic of Guyana also an Officer of the Ecclesiastical body to explain the importance of the Institution of Marriage. Editor, space in your column would be limited for me to adequately and objectively share with our daily readers on the vital and

most important aspect of being married. Kindly permit me this once to explain. Some years ago I counseled with a young man who was inspired by my diagnoses of marriage captured in a book I wrote. He told me plainly that he don’t think that he will ever marry. At that time and season of his life he was disillusioned with life, and could not understand why people do get married? His analysis of marriage was based on what he had seen in his short time on the face of the earth. Couples were marrying and divorcing all the time, he told me. The fear of entering into marriage and soon after, separating was dominant in his mental psyche. This fear had a debilitating effect on his entire perspective of life as a whole. This year this same young man made a conscious decision to find himself a wife, and today, he is happily married to one wife. Marriage is an act of faith! Marriage is a covenant; Marriage is a contract; Marriage is a divine appointment; Marriage is an honour; Marriage is a reward; Marriage is a pleasure; Marriage is a Holy Contract; Marriage is a work in progress; Marriage is beautiful: Marriage is a guarantee; Marriage is a promise; Marriage is a responsibility; Marriage is blessed; Marriage is marvelous; Marriage is an assurance; Marriage is a

mystery; Marriage is beautiful; Marriage is a vehicle for procreation; Marriage is aesthetic; Marriage is a union; Marriage is a cornerstone; Marriage is a landmark; Marriage is an eye-opener; Marriage is a date with destiny; Marriage is a journey; Marriage is a painful challenge; Marriage is a celebration; Marriage is ordained; Marriage is a dream come through; Marriage is a new beginning; Marriage is a commitment; Marriage is a happy state; Marriage is a joyous estate; Marriage is filled with Heavenly bliss; Marriage is a Spiritual renewal; Marriage is an amazing discovery; Marriage is a discipline; Marriage is complete; Marriage is anointed; Marriage is symbolic; Marriage is sanctified; Marriage is sacred, finally Marriage is an Institution. Marriage would only be meaningful when it is lawful and entered into advisedly and discreetly; it is the most important step in life. People today embrace all the negative vibes concerning marriage, but if the Church today; those Ministers that officiate in the marriage ceremonies should spend some [a lot] time with those candidates that seeks help in marrying; I am convinced that we can change the current trend of divorces taking place in society and in extension our country.

The concept of ‘Living home’ has been with our people for a long time. And this is because of a lack of knowledge; knowledge that is kept back, knowledge that has been denied them, or even knowledge that has been shun by many. Over the years I have spoken to many couples who were found ‘Living Home’ and they were happily married and is still married. The lives of married couples takes on a unique format that speaks of true love; unity and understanding that is helpful in raising a family. There is security, provision, help and many ingredients that make for a happy and fulfilled life that cannot be denied or debated. A fulfilled life is what is missing in many homes where there is no family values linked to marriage. There is contention, conflicts and confusion. Broken homes and battered lives make for troubled children, and a cycle of poverty and pain, despair and hardship is retained within the family. All of this could be avoided if wisdom and understanding is given a chance to strive. Editor, I trust that those reading these words on the Institution of Marriage would share with those that need the knowledge of being married, to make a difference in their lives and the community they live in. Apostle Vanrick Beresford

Govt. needs to urgently investigate the GGMC From page 4 operating in Guyana. However, it was only about 2,500 that were registered. What was rather disturbing here is that the other dredges that were not registered were not working on Mars or on another planet that the mines officer could not have reached them to regularize them. Mines officers are equipped with all the necessary transportation to reach all the mining areas in Guyana, even security protection if they so desire. The reason these dredges were not registered was because the authorities were remiss. They

were responsible for the country being robbed of lots of revenue. I can recall on one occasion I receive a report that a dragger “a large river dredge” was working on the banks of the Potaro River. I reported the matter to the mining station, to date no action was taken. Sometime later when the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association held a meeting in Mahdia, when I raise the issue the mines Officer’s response was, they checked the area, but did not see any dredge working and there were no evidence to suggest that any mining activities

had taken place on the bank of the river. Many persons in the area saw the dredges working there; they even had pictures of the dredge operating. I can also recall on another occasion I received a report that a similar dredge was working in the Potaro river close to the Denham Bridge at nights. I reported the matter to the mines station and even had one of the guys that observe it working give a statement to the mining station, however, nothing was done. Over the years the mines

officers remain dormant and allowed miners to work out miles of public roads. I believe that something needs to be done urgently to ensure our country receives its rightful revenue from the mining sector, to assist in nation building and also to ensure that mining is conducted in an environmentally friendly manner. I would strongly recommend to the authorities to have a commission of inquiry into the functions of the GGMC as I would be more than willing to testify. Mark Crawford

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DIASPORA IS NECESSARY FOR GUYANA’S DEVELOPMENT DEAR EDITOR, Amidst growing concerns, at home and abroad, about the involvement of qualified persons from the Diaspora being recruited for jobs in Guyana and, the apparent lack by some Guyanese workers at home, of expertise, skills, ability or just plain common sense to manage and administrate, Guyana’s President David Arthur Granger (Brigadier ret’d) has predicted that 2017 will be a better year for Guyanese. He says “things moving slowly forward, but getting better”. But this prediction is being questioned, especially in light of the fact that up to September this year, just about 50% of the more than G$220 billion - 2016 budget have been disbursed…while the 2017 budget is due in December 2016. The problem is that it seems there is no proper planning at the micro or even the macro level and even President Granger himself has admitted that work on a National Development Plan is still ongoing. Another one of the problems of the Granger-led Coalition administration comprising the APNU and the AFC is that of “broken promises”. It was indicated during the 2015 elections campaign trail and after the Coalition victory at the polls on May 11, 2015 that much more attention would be paid to “Region 11” – the Diaspora, and persons with relevant skills, talent,

expertise, experience and qualifications would be recruited or made use of. All that is evident is that the PNC “old boys’ club” has been resuscitated with many “losers” from the “28 years of PNC mismanagement” being placed in key positions that they can’t cope with – a case of “round pegs in square holes” as many of them are now growing fat in their offices and cubicles! Addressing those gathered at the launch of the recent PNC Congress at Sophia, President Granger (the leader of the PNC) indicated that his party would be re-visiting founder/leader Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham’s socialist policies and unrealized development vision. In Guyana, the reaction to that initiative was muted, varied, cautious and skeptical. Be so, as it may, President Granger is on a learning curve to being an astute and “Machiavellian” politician and is at present being seen as “too soft” on issues that need an “iron hand in a glove”. Concerns are being raised over his resorting to placing many “army buddies” in key government positions and several PNC operatives who are past their shelf life in prominent and sensitive positions. It’s also being said that Minister of State in the Ministry of the Presidency - Joe “Bumpy” Harmon is too powerful and is really “the power behind the throne”. The word on the street,

also, is that there needs to be an agency or even a ministry set up to deal with Diaspora matters, including recruitment and placement of needed qualified and experienced personnel. As Guyana is poised for an economic takeoff, spearheaded by Exxon Mobil’s recent oil finds off the shore of Guyana, it’s being realized that the brain drain has left Guyana bereft of certain quality of cerebral operatives, as many who have remained home could do with upgrades, training, exposure and nurturing by those who would have acquired a world vision, metropolitan life style and superior work experience and qualifications…and want to return home to serve. Instead, even local persons with skills, qualifications, expertise and experience are being overlooked in Guyana for key jobs…as the ubiquitous “party card” is being seen as the passport to lucrative placements in the public service, on corporate boards and in key sectors of governance. President Granger has to be careful over not being seen as practicing “partisan party politics” style (PPP) in the recruitment of suitable people for work in Guyana. Moreso, the excuse being touted is that persons are “too old or too gray”. Well, well, well what do you know? President Granger is 70 years old and many of his coalition colleagues are nearing the proverbial “three score and ten”…with some of them already soaring past set ages of retirement.

There was one good indicator that Guyana is willing to clean up the corrupt mess the country had become, with the recent announcement that a Canadian company has been hired to restructure the Guyana Power & Light (GPL) corporation. Cabinet, during its meeting last Tuesday, September 6, approved a G$1.6B contract for the provision of consultancy services for the implementation of a Management Strengthening programme for Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL). The contract was awarded to Manitoba Hydro International Limited. This was made known by Minister of State Harmon at the weekly Post-Cabinet Press Briefing held at the Ministry of the Presidency. Harmon explained that the project is part of a European Union (EU) and Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Power Utility Upgrade Programme (PUUP) which will be rolled out in phases. Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson, further explained that the first component of the project involves the improvement of capacity building for the executive management of the power company. Ras Leon Saul Editor’s note; because of the length, this letter will conclude in tomorrow’s edition

Dangerous juveniles must be removed from this centre From page 5 If I may ask what were they running from, or running to? Wa s n ’t t h i s f a c i l i t y supposed to provide what they were lacking at home? Who was tuned in to these juveniles and their mode and manner of thinking? Who cared for them? Who shared with them? Who feared them? Who was overlooking them? When the media visited the facility, the residents reported that the escapees had converted material from their bed frames into devices that were used to make holes in the concrete wall. Ingenuity at its very best! Or would that better put be “Poor workmanship on display? In addition these three escapees were not missed until the following morning. Clearly routine checks were not carried out, not to mention the fact that they also scaled a fence in order to gain freedom. Not wanting to add insult to injury but together they must have

joked among themselves regarding the construction of the building and the imbecilic behaviour of those charged with keeping it secure. Still in the fast forward mode, on September 12, 2016 again in the same facility, media report stated that ranks who were supposed to be overlooking these youths were being attacked by those whom they were expected to keep watch over. In some instances, plastic bags serving as depositories for excretory products have been thrown in the faces of the guards. Of what quality are the workers employed at the facility? Where are the Social Workers that Minister Rohee spoke about? To add fire to fury, or anger to blatant insanity, the very ranks themselves have reported, that some of the teens, charged with murder, who have been detained at the Holding Centre for a lengthy have displayed violence not only towards other residents but also towards police ranks. Identified in this vicious

attack was a 16 year old, facing murder charges but seemingly using that as a badge of honor as he is classified as being one of the most dangerous juveniles. What are we waiting for? The juvenile has murdered, is placed among others in a facility geared towards some degree of reformation, selfintrospection etc. and yet he continues his destructive traits, where murder is the main genre of his conversation. Easy lessons are good for dunces and tough school for fools. If he is mad or playing bad, then bid him farewell, send him off to the University where the big boys are housed and see how well and how long he would fare. Are we going to wait until we get a repeat of the Camp Street prison situation? Why, oh! Why are the governmental authorities not alerted and called upon to act at the first sign of an unpleasant odor? There’s always a price to pay for delay. Seemingly the ranks stationed at the prison are inadequate, have lost control and are not respected

as recently a police patrol reportedly had to be summoned to the facility to assist the ranks. It is obvious to any civic and law abiding citizen that the Juvenile Holding Centre now houses the next batch of criminal performers rehearsing to perpetrate acts that would go down in the annals of Guyanese history. At all costs their efforts must be thwarted. The Minister is called upon to diffuse this potential powder keg, start an immediate and thorough investigation regarding the recent escape, with staff punishment being swiftly rendered where deemed necessary. We must ensure that according to the architect, Mr. Khan, the facility still lives up to the purpose for which it was constructed, and in addition according to Minister Rohee those mandated to play a part in the rehabilitation of the juveniles carry out their role.Let us not wait until it’s too late, for where’s there’s smoke there’s usually fire. Yvonne Sam

Thursday September 15, 2016

Things are not satisfactory at NAREI DEAR EDITOR, Please permit me to give my view of the situation at NAREI which was and is very interesting. To the person who signed as concerned employee, you are a very mature and brave person. God richly bless you It is very true what is presently happening at NAREI and everyone ALL — the entire Board puts a deft ear. The entire NAREI is run by a certain person who has power equal to the CEO. It is overbearing presently what is happening. Six employees were sent off. None of the six (6) employees’ letter of termination had a reason, so how it suddenly boils down to mal practice and lack of performance when they are not allowed to function. The case is that, a certain person always holds back the finance/resources for the researchers. The same Board that has agreed for the termination should be changed because they are just there for being THERE and not functioning. Had they been functioning they would have investigated the six (6) employees instead of terminating them. If it was a case of malpractice and lack of performance was a letter of warning issued, were they advised? I am most shocked with the Chairman of the Board who I thought was very fair and educated not to be fooled. Nothing is fair at NAREI and the sad thing is NO BIG WIGS seem to care. Rain falls on the just and the unjust. We the employees of NAREI recommended since before May 2015, that we would be more

comfortable working with a certain person; no one intervene, we only overheard that the very Deputy CEO was sent home. Now you are hearing about malpractice and lack of performance, when that same individual was the only one man team that developed the Pesticide Board and got it running. Where are the Board Members, are they really there? The Board members have been approached verbally and written to by employees to no response in solving not one of the issues. How on earth would you say NAREI is running excellently. No one wants to speak out but this is the time to talk. The Institute is running mainly by the rules and laws of a certain person. The Board is dormant indeed. If they were unable to run the institute before how can they run it now? How can the Government say they need agriculture and sent home a qualified Deputy CEO with over 20 years’ experience? All six (6) persons have years of experience. Where are we going NAREI? Agriculture is dying. The employees are calling for help; we really do need systems functioning and positive changes. When it is convenient you would hear that recommendation came from the Board. That’s all that matters because the employees can’t have a word with the Board and say it solved the problem so it is frustrating. It is a nice picture with dirt inside. The painted picture is fake. Please, help is needed at NAREI. Concerned employee of NAREI

Wrong choice of words can be very distasteful DEAR EDITOR, I feel to an article in the Guyana Chronicle (September 13th, 2016) online edition under the headline ‘Deflowering of children must stop’. I wonder if the person who made this statement stopped for a moment to think about how utterly inhumane the statement was. I wonder if they have ever had to speak to, hold or comfort a victim of sexual assault or rape, particularly a child. We live in a country, in a world, where little bodies are broken, battered and laid to waste by adults through physical and sexual abuse. We also live in a world where powerful people protect abusers, where the

media is often used as a tool of manipulation and somewhere along the way the most vulnerable in our society are rendered voiceless, their suffering minimized. Our children are not flowers to be plucked. I propose another headline “The Government adopts a no tolerance policy on the rape and sexual abuse of children’. Nadia Sagar

Thursday September 15, 2016

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Kaieteur News

Granger recommits to revise Amerindian Act

PPP Cabinet approved $100M radio contract days before 2015 elections …Logistically impossible for GECOM to train personnel, install, use equipment in time

President David Granger, first lady Sandra Granger and Amerindian Minister Sydney Allicock at Heritage Village Day in Region 2. President David Granger on Saturday committed his government to the revision of the Amerindian Act of 2006. The Head of State made the commitment during his address to hundreds who attended the Heritage Village Day hosted by Mainstay/ Whyaka in Region 2. He committed to this undertaking “so that we get a fair act after consultation with all the indigenous communities of our country, there will be a new or revised or reformed Indigenous Peoples’ Act under this administration.” President Granger challenged the indigenous leaders of the 212 villages and communities to “let us work together in all of our communities to bring to the table, the changes that need to be made to the indigenous peoples’ act that is supported by the government, supported by the regions and supported by the communities.” Several recommendations were made by Indigenous leaders during the just concluded national Toshao’s Conference since they believe the Act in its current

form needs immediate strengthening. It is the belief of the leaders that the Act does not fully recognize the rights of Amerindians as declared in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples 2007, and the International Labour Conference Convention 169. President Granger’s commitment comes at the most opportune time; since the call was made by the indigenous leaders to have their recommendations heard and assented to in a timely manner. The leaders proposed that this process conclude before the end of 2016 so that it can be re-titled the Indigenous Peoples’ Act of 2016. At a recent press briefing hosted by the National Toshao’s Council NTC Chairman Joel Fredericks, said that the time has come f o r t h e Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs and the NTC to put their hands to the plough and work together. President Granger also committed to the protection of Indigenous lands, a cause

Indigenous pioneer, Stephen Campbell, fought for so many years ago. “I have committed and we are recruiting people to serve on the indigenous lands commission. One of the great contributions of Stephen Campbell 50 years ago, when he went to London to participate in the independence talks was to ensure that indigenous lands rights were protected,” the President assured. The Amerindian Peoples’ Lands Commission was established in 1966 under Mr. Patrick Fort who served under the then President Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham. The distinguished Arawak politician and political activist and first Indigenous Parliamentarian Stephen Campbell before his death, actively pursued the protection of Indigenous Heritage Lands. Monday September 26 has been reserved specifically for the honouring of Mr. Campbell’s contributions. The ceremony is set for the Umana Yana from 10 hours.

GECOM’s CEO, Keith Lowenfield There are disclosures now that just over a week before May 11, 2015 the then administration of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/ C) approved $99.5M for the purchase of 50 high frequency (HF) radios. Those radios were supposed to be used by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for communications in the outlying areas on polling day and after. However, there are indications that the radios were never put into use. From documents seen by Kaieteur News, local suppli-

Mobile Authority owner, Michael Brasse ers were asked to submit quotes in mid-April 2015. Cabinet granted the no-objection to the award of the contract that same month, April, leaving GECOM just days to have the supplier order and import the radios. GECOM insiders and Government officials insisted, yesterday, that based on past experience and other factors, it would have been nigh impossible for the radios to have been delivered by the supplier; checked to ensure that they are operational and then delivered to the outlying areas in time for use on

Elections Day, May 11, 2015. What makes observers and others more convinced that the whole deal was a clear plot to dump old radios, that had been brought years before, was the fact the equipment needed installation in the hinterland areas. “These radios need a base station, cables, pipes, a power supply and then technicians to install them. How possible is it to order them, have them delivered in the country, clear Customs, delivered and checked by GECOM and then deployed?” Continued on page 23

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Kaieteur News

Several Corentyne Former Caricom Ambassador villages to get street lights wants review of situation Treatment of Guyanese, other travelers…

St Lucia (stluciatimes.com)- Former Caricom Ambassador to Haiti, Earl Huntley, has called for a constant review of the way regional immigration officials treat Caricom nationals. Huntley, who is also a former Saint Lucia Ambassador to Caricom, spoke in the wake of fresh complaints by at least two Jamaican women and a pregnant Guyanese about their treatment at the Grantley Adams International Airport in Barbados. He told the Times that such stories seem to be emanating mainly from Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados involving Guyanese and Jamaicans, although Barbados declared in the last case that 99.7 percent of Jamaicans are not refused entry. “I think the persistence of these stories shows that authorities should be constantly reviewing how their immigration officials treat Caricom nationals,” Huntley told the Times. He asserted, that clearly something was not right. Huntley expressed the

Earl Huntley view that one of the reasons for the stories was that Caricom governments did not public laud the Shanique Myrie ruling. He felt if that had been the case, it would have sent a clear message to immigration officials and the people of the region. “The case received a lot of publicity around the region but there was not an outpouring of government support,” Huntley recalled, adding that the Shanique Myrie ruling reaffirmed travel without harassment or impediments. Just recently the Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, asserted that the real problem was not regional governments, but rather lay with the refusal of some

immigration officers to carry out the law as specified in the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) case involving Myrie. Myrie was awarded damages in the sum of US$38,000 by the CCJ after she filed a lawsuit claiming she was subjected to a dehumanizing cavity search by a female immigration officer at Grantley Adams International Airport, locked in a filthy room overnight and deported to Jamaica in March 2011. The CCJ had also ruled that Barbados should foot the bill of Myrie’s legal costs and said the action was a serious breach of her right of entry into that country. Dr. Ralph Gonsalves asserted that some immigration officers should be sanctioned and restrained.

The Ministry of Public Infrastructure’s traffic and safety maintenance department has plans to install street lights in critical areas of Corentyne, Region Six. For 2017, the department is exploring the idea of installing street lights along the Number 19 Road, as well as other areas in Upper Corentyne. The Ministry’s Senior Projects Engineer, Kester Hinds, noted that the Number 19 road has been a subject of protest and anger by residents for years. Residents consider the long road a dangerous one due to the absence of street lights. “We are working to correct this and to bring relief to the residents as soon as we can, because it is long awaited,” Hinds said. Additionally, the traffic and safety maintenance department also has an ongoing exercise to implement road safety measures across schools in Guyana. Currently road markings and pedestrian

crossings are being carried out. “We’ve done in excess of 200 pedestrians crossings within Georgetown, and we would have completed 75 percent of those, particularly at schools and other areas,” the engineer explained. Meanwhile, the road safety works which were expected to commence on Woolford Avenue, Georgetown, were delayed due to some setbacks. Hinds said that they are awaiting approval from the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) to award the contract. “We were expecting to commence during the school break (August holidays) but because of this we were delayed, however, it is anticipated that we should commence works within a month’s time, so our children can be saved,” Hinds explained. Minster of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, in his 2016 budget presentation

Senior Projects Engineer, Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Kester Hinds noted that the projects are in conjunction with the measures in the budget to boost road safety. The Minister added that in 2015 there were 118 road fatalities, and “if one life is saved, then we regard this as a worthwhile measure.”

PM saddened at loss of life on the roadways …appeals for extra care by road users

Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, has said that he is saddened by the deaths of five Guyanese as a result of tragic road accidents in recent days. Nagamootoo said that he feels a deep sense of sadness and hurt at the continued needless loss of lives. The recent deaths of three children were particularly heartrending. “As a father and a grandfather I share the loss, the pain and the grief of all those loved ones who have perished on our roads…President David Granger and I, along with the entire Cabinet appeal to drivers, cyclists, pedestrians and all road users to exercise extra care and attentiveness while using our roads,” he added. A release from the Office of the Prime Minister stated yesterday that the issue of increased road fatalities was raised at both this week’s National Security Committee and Cabinet meetings where an urgent decision was taken for the launch of Operation Safeway which will be con-

Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo ducted by the Guyana Police Force (GPF). Operation Safeway was ceremonially launched at Police Headquarters, Eve Leary yesterday and will commence on the roadways today. “Every Guyanese needs to arrive home alive. We all need to slow down. There is no place for drunkards behind the wheel. I support sanctions against persons charged with serious traffic offenses, especially when they cause injury or death while under the influence of

alcohol,” Prime Minister emphatically stated. He added that the carnage on the roads leaves so many persons in pain and agony. “Mothers, fathers, children, brothers, sisters, wives, husbands and other relatives, friends, neighbours, classmates and work colleagues are all emotionally distressed by the needless loss of life,” Nagamootoo observed. In recent days, five lives were lost in three fatal accidents while several persons were hospitalized as a result. Four-year-old Ambeka Trotman was killed on Sherriff Street while siblings, seven year old Tina Halley and 10month-old Marvin Halley lost their lives at Blakenburg, West Coast Demerara on Tuesday morning. Meanwhile, 23-year old Ramesh Rampat and 45-yearold Richard Ramnarine also lost their lives in a fatal Corentyne, Berbice accident last weekend. Recently release figures by the Guyana Police Force report that for the period January 1 to September 9, last, show that 89 persons lost their lives on the roadways, a 10% increase on the similar period in 2015.

Thursday September 15, 2016

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TEACHERS DESERVE BETTER Guyana cannot continue to bemoan the poor standards of education in the country while it persists in paying teachers poor salaries. The salaries of teachers must be substantially increased and then it must be maintained at levels above the inflation rate if Guyana is to be able to retain the hundreds of teachers that graduate from the teachers’ training college each year. We are told that eighteen hundred persons have applied for admission into the Cyril Potter College of Education. The school cannot accommodate all these persons. It means that the majority of the applicants will be denied. The large number of applications suggests two things. It suggests first that a great many persons are looking for employment and they see employment as coming only from the

government side. Jobs are simply not there and people are becoming desperate. The large number of applications also suggests that people may be looking for opportunities outside of Guyana. A large number of our teachers, in fact most of our better teachers, began an exodus from these shores to other Caribbean countries from the late 1970s when teachers were publicly humiliated by the rapid decline in their living standards. Many of our best teachers left to go to the Caribbean islands and later to Botswana to teach. As a result, the standard of education in Guyana has fallen tremendously. All governments tend to stress the importance of education. The PPP, when it took over, took a step towards paying teachers higher than what was paid to other

workers. It then effectively in its negotiations with the teachers’ unions offered wage increases which more or less were tied to what the general public service received. The new APNU+AFC government seems to have forgotten the country’s educators. It has not attempted in its sixteen months of office to offer a wage increase that would allow the education system to retain teachers whose services are in high demand across the Region. The government keeps saying how important education is but it has made no moves to address a level of remuneration for teachers that would stem to exodus from the system. In the meantime more private schools are being established. Those who can afford are willing to pay for the

Dem boys seh...

Dem never know countries does behave like a village ram Guyana got to be a goldmine because all of a sudden all dem big countries rushing to lend we money. Some of dem playing a li’l children game call tug of war wid Guyana. One pulling this side, one pulling that side; some pulling up and some pulling down. Dem boys seh dem politicians might not know wha dem big country want from that game dem playing but dem boys surely know de game dem playing wid us. Once upon a time dem same country never even want talk to Guyana much less lend we a dollar. All of a sudden dem ain’t only want lend, dem want give we. Dem behave like a village ram who never talk to a man but all of a sudden he eye set pun de man gyal pickney and he suddenly start inviting de daddy to every place he going and sending fancy things fuh se maamie. He only interested in one thing—salfish. That is exactly de game dem big country playing wid Guyana now. Dem want give you two cent wid li’l interest or even no interest now, suh you gun believe dem is de best thing that happen to you. Just how de village ram eyeing de man gyal pickney is just suh dem big countries eyeing all de fish in any form and or flavour.

BK and Joe Shanlin got big eyes too. Dem is two ram. Dem boys ain’t certain if dem is village or country. Dem boys hear and dem watching de project that IDB funding and suddenly dem boys hear this govt want drop IDB and tek Chinee money. In de same breath de project going to a Chinee contractor - one just like BaiShanLin who trying fuh change he name and come back wid an English name, Jagdeo Lamatar. Dem boys hear money pass to Govt people already to give that same company de GPL contract. That was de company that do kak wuk pun de submarine cable cross de Demerara River. That now costing we another $160M fuh fix. Instead of digging de river bed and place de cable, a job dem get paid handsomely to do, dem just drop de cable down and boat chop it up. It now got nuff parts of Guyana in darkness. If dem get this contract dem might fix de submarine cable fuh free. Dem already include de repair cost in this new contract along wid de kickback that dem already cater for. Talk half and dem boys keeping a close eye pun this contract.

education of their children. Those who cannot have to settle for whatever the public system has to offer and to supplement this schooling with extra lessons. Yet each year hundreds of teachers are graduating from the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE). A large number of these are graduates for exports. They will not find good paying jobs within the teaching profession in Guyana and many of them, in fact, are training to take up jobs overseas. The government cannot continue to treat teachers as second class workers. Teachers need to receive an increase far higher than that offered to public servants. This will allow for higher skilled and qualified persons to move towards the teaching

profession. Right now, there are persons within the public service who earn more than teachers. This is an insult to the educators of the nation. The government has said that it is offering between 10% and 1% increases to public servants. Many people are interpreting this as a 10% increase retroactive to January of this year. But what is the overall increase. Is it 5% or 6%? The Leader of the Opposition says that it is 6%. The cost to the treasury of the proposed increase has not been stated. This would give an idea as to whether the government can afford to pay more. But can the government, when it comes to teachers, afford not to pay more? Can the nation’s education system be improved by the present level of wages paid

to teachers? It cannot, and unless the government recognizes that the first step towards the improvement of education is for higher wages for teachers, it will only be pouting empty rhetoric. There are persons working within the government who are embarrassments to their teachers. Yet, some of these government workers are earning multiple times what their tutors are earning. Public service wages are important, but far more important, is what is being paid to those who educate this public service.

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Kaieteur News

Thursday September 15, 2016

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

Jagdeo, Harmon and the Guyanese inevitability It is hardly likely that the American President would ignore a phone call or a text message sent to him with a request to discuss something from the editor-in chief of the Washington Post or the New York Times. The reason has absolutely nothing to do with the nature of the President. It is intricately connected to the reality of politics in the world. That was the reality long ago and it is still the reality today. Leaders in government, long ago and since then, know that it is always wise not to be rude to the media and to listen to what the newspaper chief wants to discuss with you. The brutal reality of politics is that the press was, and will always be, a powerful shaper of national opinion. Newspapers may go out in the digital age. Television may be replaced by the online edition of a newspaper but still you have to deal with the editor

of the online edition. In the age of smart phones, the countless folks on the train, on the subway, in the minibuses will be reading the online edition of a newspaper or an online new site. In Guyana the situation is different. In a small society where politicians do not earn much and there is a coterie of rich business people, the business community is seen as having more value than the media. This explains why Minister Joe Harmon did not respond to the cell phone call of the publisher of Kaieteur News, Mr. Glenn Lall, early this year and his text message. In July last year, I called Harmon on his cell phone but he did not respond to the missed call. I asked his friend, Mark Archer whom he works closely with at the Office of the President to return my call. Harmon never did. Around that time, Harmon could have been seen frequently in the company of one of Guyana’s richest men, Brian Tiwarie. It is now open

knowledge that Harmon and Tiwarie are close. This is the replication of the Jagdeo/Ramroop saga. When Jagdeo was made Junior Minister of Finance, his buddy friends were ordinary people from the PPP. Jagdeo hung out with Robert Persaud who at the time was employed at the Mirror newspaper, the PPP newspaper; Rajendra Rampersaud who on the academic staff at UG; Malcolm Harripaul who worked with Customs and Excise. Jagdeo then became Finance Minister, replacing Asgar Ally, and from thereon, Jagdeo became a different human being having nothing in common with the guy he was at the Ministry of Finance. By the time Jagdeo became President his very close friends were all multibillionaires. He didn’t have

this type of company when he was junior Minister. It is doubtful that Jagdeo ever heard about Bobby Ramroop or Buddy Shivraj or Prettipaul Singh or Eddie Boyer or Jerry Gouveia when he was a mere assistant to Finance Minister, Asgar Ally. Here is a little story about Jagdeo I never wrote about. When he was the assistant to the Finance Minister, I made representation to him about a farmer who was having serious problems getting his truck off the wharf, because of the rejection of his duty free concession by Customs. At that time, there wasn’t the Fiscal Amendment Act that put the jurisdiction of granting concessions in the hand of the Guyana Revenue Authority. It was located at the Ministry of Finance. I’ll never forget that conversation. Jagdeo was

furious, telling me not to be deceived by these so-called small farmers; that in fact they are rich people. This was the communist Jagdeo. He graduated from mere assistant to President and today can be seen attending sports events, parties and liming sessions with very wealthy friends. It is doubtful that Jagdeo has any friend who is a confidante who is not a rich person. There should be mention of that oligarch, Royston King (journalistic protocol prevents me from using a more derogatory word but more on the ineligibility of King to be the Town Clerk in another column soon). He is in dispute with the Central Housing and Planning Authority over permit to a rich businessman. King moved the Robb Street vendors because as he,

Frederick Kissoon King cited, there was a complaint from the ownership of a pharmacy about the garbage left on the pavement. This same pharmacy has moved to Bel Air by the Conversation Tree Road next to the Railway Embankment to a multi-billion, five story complex. But I doubt that King will be welcomed into the kingdom of the rich as Jagdeo and Harmon did for reasons which cannot be publicly published.

Monkey Mountain residents into paddy production Residents of Monkey Mountain, Potaro-Siparuni, Region Eight are taking full advantage of government’s initiative to promote agriculture in a region where mining is one of the economic activities. The residents have sown paddy which will soon be ready for harvesting. This was disclosed by the village’s Toshao, Hampton King in an interview with the

Government Information Agency. King said, “right now we have 18 acres of paddy actually bearing, supposed to be ready by early next year.’ King noted that everything related to cultivation of the crop was done manually and that he is awaiting government’s support to provide the requisite equipment. Nevertheless, the Toshao pointed out that government is working towards making life better for the people of Monkey Mountain. “At least we see that the government is trying somehow or the other and we

are benefitting, and there are a lot of things coming up,” King explained. Additionally, the toshao disclosed that the community will soon be looking to add value to cassava. King said that upon being re-elected as leader of the community, it is one of the projects he embarked on. “I have a project there which is a cassava processing facility. It is already about 95 percent complete,” he stated. In Paramakatoi also in Region Eight, residents are currently engaged in a dried tomatoes project. The tomatoes are expected to be reaped soon and dried using

a solar dryer. This project is supported by the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, through the Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST) and the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI.) These projects were introduced in keeping with government’s th r u s t o f empowering the indigenous people towards becoming economically independent. For the first time, through the 2016 national budget, Region Eight was allocated $33.4M to venture into the area of agriculture.

Thursday September 15, 2016

Ramayya resigns from AFC, cites corruption Executive member of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Dr. Veersammy Ramayya, has tendered his resignation with immediate effect from the party. This decision comes after he recently resigned from the post of Region Six Executive Officer. In his resignation letter submitted to General Secretary of the AFC, David Patterson, Ramayya said, “Today, I have no remorse to exit myself from the Party, because I am a self-assertive and strong-minded individual who always crusades with uncompromising principles because the party fails to deliver.” Ramayya told media operatives at a press conference on Tuesday that the main reason he tendered his resignation is because of the continued corruption. He said that one of the main reasons for leaving is that promises were made to eradicate corruption. He said that the administration is turning a blind eye to the reality of what is happening. Dr. Ramayya stated that

Dr. Veerasammy Ramayya despite the frequent confrontations and complaints between him and other executive members in the region, no affirmative actions were taken. He further noted that several letters were sent to President David Granger and other members of the coalition administration asking for a reimbursement of monies spent during the 2015 campaign, but he has not yet received any confirmation

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Kaieteur News

that his money would be reimbursed. “I sent the letters; three weeks passed and no one had the courtesy to reply to say yes they received the letter or anything like that. They didn’t say anything.” According to Ramayya, no support was given to him as the former REO of Region Six. “No one ever asked me how I making out in the region. I was basically on my own. Being the REO, I was doing Region Six a favour. I tried my best to stamp out corruption in the region”. Ramayya noted that he has no regrets or apologies to the AFC. He stated that he will continue his efforts to stamp out corruption in Region Six. The letter was copied to AFC Ministers Khemraj Ramjattan, Raphael Trotman, Dominic Gaskin and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo. Ramayya, an AFC parliamentarian in the last Parliament had publicly threatened to resign but did not hand in his letter to the party. (See letter below)

Teen student hospitalized after hammered in head An 18-year-old student of the Linden Technical Institute, is currently hospitalized at the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was transferred from its sister facility at Linden. He was reportedly hammered in the head by a man known only as “Devil.” The student, Samuel Joe, of Christianburg, Wismar, Linden, is reportedly stable, but is nursing a fractured skull. Joe reportedly sustained the injuries during an altercation yesterday at Wisrock bus

park. According to the police the incident occurred around 15:30 hours yesterday. At the centre were Samuel Joe, Coel Winter and a man only known as Devil. Joe was allegedly hit to his head with a hammer repeatedly during the altercation. He was rushed to the Linden Hospital complex and subsequently transferred to the city. One of the young men involved in the melee, Coel Winter, 19, is in police custody and charges are expected to

be made soon. However Devil is reportedly still at large. The Police is seeking the public’s help in his capture.. Anyone with information that could lead to the capture and arrest of Devil is asked to contact the police station on 444-3512, 4443297 or inspector Singh on 672-1390 or assistant Superintendent of police Roberts on 679-9735 or any police station. All information received will be treated with strict confidentiality.

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Kaieteur News

Thursday September 15, 2016

Thursday September 15, 2016

Kaieteur News

Block-maker plunges to death in Berbice River An East Bank Berbice family is now mourning the tragic demise of 25-year-old Elroy Lewis who allegedly plunged to his death in the Berbice River after an outing with friends on Tuesday. According to information received, Lewis, of Lot 72 Sister’s Village who is employed as a block maker left his home on Tuesday at around 8:00 am to join friends on the fishing outing which turned sour after he allegedly plunged from the boat they were traveling into the river. Lewis’s fiancée, Venita Ally, told this publication that her husband did not state where he was going when he left home on Tuesday. She later received the message of his demise from one of his friends. “He left home and nah seh where he going and he friend come in de afternoon and seh dem been swimming and he drown. Dat is all the friend seh.” According to his father, he was aware that his son left with his friends to “catch iguana in the river”. “He friend come and seh that dem jump off 100ft from shore to

Dead: Elroy Lewis and his fiancée, Venita Ally in happier times. bathe and li’l bit after dem see Elroy going down and fighting up.” The man said that he was told that efforts were made to rescue his son but all proved unsuccessful. “Me hear dem try fah go back to way he was but de engine stap wuk so dem start use paddle but when dem reach, dem ain’t see he no more.” Relatives are suspicious about the circumstances surrounding the incident since it was reported that the young man

was an avid swimmer and frequents the waters. Meanwhile, according to information received, the captain of the boat told a contradicting story to what was said to the relatives. He disclosed that on returning home, Lewis removed his clothing and plunged into the river but never resurfaced. All occupants of the boat are currently in police custody assisting with investigations. A search party has been launched to locate his body.

Man remanded for raping girl, 13 A man was yesterday remanded to prison for allegedly having sexual penetration with a 13-year-old girl. He was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The man, Harold Lord, was not required to plead to the indictable offence which occurred on March 26, last, at Aishalton Deep. An unrepresented Lord was instructed to return to court on September 28.

Non-Aligned summit set to back Maduro in Venezuela C A R A C A S / P O R L A M A R , VENEZUELA - A NonAligned Summit in Venezuela will offer solidarity to President Nicolas Madu r o ’s socialist government, a draft of the final document shows, despite opponents’ hopes the event would expose his international isolation. Heads of state from the 120-nation Cold War-era bloc are invited to Ve n e z u e l a ’s M a rg a r i t a island at the weekend, though with only the leaders of Zimbabwe, Iran, Cuba, Bolivia and Ecuador currently thought to be coming, it could be a poor turnout. Nevertheless, a version of the final document circulating among diplomats echoes M a d u r o ’s complaints that local opponents have been planning violence against him with U.S. connivance. Critics say those are trumped-up accusations to justify repression and d i s t r a c t Ve n e z u e l a n s from blaming the ruling

Nicolas Maduro Socialist Party for the OPEC member nation’s economic mess. “The Heads of State or Government expressed deep concern at the violent actions that have taken place in Venezuela in the last weeks, aimed at destabilising the democratically elected government,” said a section in the more than 200-page communiqué. V e n e z u e l a ’ s opposition has been stepping up street protests to demand a recall referendum against

Maduro, whose security forces have been cracking down on activists and displaying weapons as proof of what they say are coup plans. The draft declaration hails M a d u r o ’s predecessor, Hugo Chavez, who died of cancer in 2013, as “a relentless humanist and champion of Latin American and Caribbean unity”, and rejects Washington’s “aggressive illegal policies” towards Venezuela. Such language will irk Venezuela’s opposition. The coalition has urged summit delegates to take a look at the government’s tough treatment of critics, including a string of recent jailings, and inability to prevent shortages, roaring inflation and lengthy lines at shops. The Democratic Unity coalition has accused Maduro’s government of flooding Margarita with extra food and supplies to cover up embarrassing national shortages and militarising the island with 14,000 security personnel to squash dissent.

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LAND FOR SALE 85.6 Acres titled farm land with timber/water access, located @ Loo Creek E.B.D River. Call: 625-8589; (518) 859-5313 SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyana passport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. INNOVATIVEMARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Repairs at low cost: Fridges, air- conditioners, washing machines, TVs, microwaves, freezers- Call:6294946 or 225-4822

SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. - Cosmetology Courses: $120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 647-1773/660-5257

Passport, permanent & visitor visa application, Professional Immigrant Consultant – Sabita Immigration Services. Call: 225-6496; 662-6045 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158 TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 2257878 (24HRS) FOR SALE/RENT American Pool Table. Call: 277-0578

HEALTH Improve your health with Herbal Supplements. Contact Hazel’s Herbal Store. Call: 226-9136 Stop suffering from Diabetes, Hypertension and other sickness, follow me sexual enhancers for men. Call: 645-9528

Transported land for sale @ Craig E.B.D just off the main Road 100X60 -$4M negotiable. Call: 600-8321/ 683-2138 LAND IN 11 STREET DIAMOND. CALL: 2253234 35 Acres of land located at plot 5, Eight miles, Port Kaituma. Call: 619-5173 for more information.

TO LET Business place located on Robb Street next to Bourda Market. Call:623-7731; 6290636

Tuschen School Street $3M, Uitvlugt -$2.5M, La Parfaite Harmonie -$3M, $1.6M, $1.3M, $1.7M, V/Hoop $27M, Providence -$5M. Call: 604-6724

Furnished apartments & rooms for long term and short rental. Call: 668-0306/2181400/694-7817

RAMDASS VISA APPLICATION & immigration services, room A-4, Maraj Building, Georgetown. Call Samantha: 227-0295; 615-9295 A&TTRAVELAGENCYINC: TICKETS GOING VERY CHEAP!! OFFICE IN USA. CALL: 223-1332/ 613-7542/ +1-347-617-7582/EMAIL :OMKARLILIAH@GMAIL. COM

Thursday September 15, 2016

Kaieteur News

VEHICLE FOR SALE Nissan Bluebird 2011 Model, Nissan Tiida Latio 2010 model (reverse camera). Call: 655-3400 3 TON CANTER ENCLOSE AND OPEN BACK WITH 4D ENGINE, PRICE -$3.6M, NEVER REGISTERED – CALL: 617-2891 AT192, 212, Allion, Premio, Hilux Surf, BRR, RZ & Pitbull, Pajero Junior, Spacio: Cash / terms- Call:680-3154 We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 Tacoma- Call: 680-3154 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, like new 37,000km, all duties paid. Call: 689-2356 1 Honda Fit -$1M, 212 Car$1M, Vios 1.4M, RZ bus. Call: 604-6724

Register your child for our after school program for slow learners in Maths, Reading, Spelling Etc. Call: 675-4379 Register your child at Hidden Treasures Play School and after class in Reading and much more. Call: 675-4379 Study in US/Canada, deal for 2016 CXC, students $500 Canadian, VISA processing Centre, Parika. Call: 260-4850/ 649-3073 9 Courses Diploma in computers -$35,000, Computerized Accounting 4 courses $35,000 @ Cybertron Technology, Parika. Call: 2604850 9 Courses; Diploma in Computers -$35,000, Computerize Accounting; 4 courses -$35,000, PC repairs/ graphics courses, Micrographics Technology, Vreed-en-Hoop. Call: 2643057 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)

PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620

Exist for one experienced dispatcher at confidential cabs. Call: 231-5784/ 231-4000

Factory workers from 18yrs and older with working experienced for more information. Call: 223-0090

Gardeners apply in person at Nirva Supermarket, 49 Sheriff & Craig Street. Call: 227-5771

One live-in couple to work in Mahaicony River; must know about cows. Call:2256571/ 644-6905

Experienced cashier age 30 & older, salesgirls apply @ American Variety Store, 140 Regent Street & Light Street Georgetown.

Receptionist, desk staffs (male) between 25-45yrs apply within 233 South Road, Lacytown. Call: 225-0198 Straight Stitch/over edge sewing machine operators – Call: 222-2541 8:00am4:00pm, Mon-Fri Republic Park Family looking for domestic/caregiver, 1 week on, 1 week off, 45yrs plus, starting-$13,000. Call: 667-2535

Welder to work in workshop on the West Coast on a percentage basis. Call: 684-1247

Vreed-en-Hoop Junction: office, church, storage bond lessons, internet, stationery & photocopy shop, other place -$20,000 per month. Call: 603-6400 Newly renovated three bedrooms top flat @ Pike Street, Blygezight. Telephone and Parking- Call: 601-3268/ 227-2543 Michelle’s Touch of class beauty salon station to rent. Call:226-4388/ 661-0946

FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Cargo Trawler. Call: 682-8724; 616-5954 Aluminum heat resistant paint, 2 USA made, 37 KVA transformer, 120-240V, S.Q.D – $350,000 each. Call: 2653541/ 6163411

Bachelor’s Apartment to rent. Call: 233-0327 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm 2 Bedroom Apartment in exclusive residential Airport, close to Ogle Airport , with all modern amenities. Call for appointment 622-5725.

Brand new fridge, Ashley Furniture, Norditruck Treadmill, washer, dryer, swing and more for one big deal. Call:673-2692/658-5897

Apartments for rent @ Nandy Park; 2 bedrooms $70,000. Call: 227-5194

One “45” feet complete cabin cruiser, trout seines, excellent condition. Call: 654-2817/6486815

Prime business spot ideal for night club/bar/ restaurant @ Georgetown. Call: 694-7266

One new 1000W generator $30,000- Call: 676-1697 Junior Din

PROPERTY FOR SALE Double lot of land with building @ Festival City Entrance-$30M negotiable. Call: 665-3622/ 610-5437/2256485

We buy A&B grade hardwood, we accept the best offers. Call: 658-5897/ 673-2692 1 Female cleaner for offices in Eccles. Call: 233-2745

1 55ft Fishing boat, 2 Engines, GPS, Compass & 2000 lb seine, price -$4.5M. Call: 676-1363/ 652-5184 Muscovy Ducklings –Call: 602-7203

Cashiers for supermarketCall: 624-0033, salesgirls – Call: 624-0033, Pump attendants –Call: 680-3863 Welder/Fabricator for interior location. Applicants must be experienced with verifiable references. Call: 618-2020 Welder – apply in person at Alabama Trading Georgetown Ferry Stelling, Stabroek. Heavy Duty Diesel Mechanic to work @ mining site, age 25-45, 3 yrs experienced. Apply @ Technical Services, 18-23 Eccles Industrial Site Welder/fabricators to work @ mining site, age 25-45, 3 yrs experienced. Apply @ Technical Services, 18-23 Eccles Industrial Site Site, safety & electrical engineer- experienced need, age 25-45, very good salary & conditions. Call: 261-2280; 261-2280; 697-4344

Cashiers, Cooks & Cleaners; call 226-9000 or 225-6255 for more info.

Gas/stove range GE- American made, stand up freezer, hot dog machine, supermarket mirror. Call: 680-3863 Toyota Premio 2008 PSS series with chrome mag rims and remote start, alarm $1.9M. Call: 658-5897/6732692

VACANCY

Experienced Drivers, cashiers, Roti/Puri cook, cleaners. Apply @ Hack’s Halaal with written application, 5 Commerce Street.

We buy land @ La Parfaite Harmonie, Tuschen, Uitvlugt, Eccles, Providence & other places we pay best price & cash. Call: 604-6724

FOR RENT

EDUCATIONAL IAE – CXC Jan/June 2017 – full time school; lessons/ classes for students, adults, repeaters & beginners. Call Mr. Roberts: 683-5742

WANTED

PROPERTY FOR SALE Transported property @ Grove and Diamond $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461 CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL: 4WD PICKUP, CHEAPEST RATE & SPECIAL RATE FOR LONG TERM. CALL: 698-7807 PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 6560087 , EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO. COM WINGS CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP REATES,SPECIAL OFFER FOR THE SUMMER. CALL: 690-6494

High value transported land and 2 bedrooms newly built house, Greater Diamond E.B.D -$14M negotiable. Call: 265-4338 Brand new property @ Craig E.B.D 3 rooms, 1 self contained, House: 28X45ft land: 90X50ft -Call: 679-8091 or 718-213-6496 6 Bedrooms house at Lot 2 Coghlan Dam, Pouderoyen. Call: 622-3992/ 618-7483 La Parfaite Harmonie, 124 Recht Door Zee, WBD: 2 storey house, 3 bedrooms upstairs, toilet & bath upstairs & downstairs & a guess room. Call: 623-5566 New Road, WCD: Land 177’X40’, building 15’X36’. Call: 226-9788

Thursday September 15, 2016

Cybercrime, Whistleblower legislation for next Parliamentary session - AG Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, has said that the Cybercrime Bill will be among the legislative pieces set to be addressed at the next parliamentary session. The Minister was at the time responding to questions from the media operatives at a press briefing at the Ministry of Legal Affairs Carmichael Street office, yesterday. According to Minister Williams, the Whistleblower, Witness Protection, and Tobacco Bills are also on the agenda to be addressed. “We will also be holding consultations on the Whistleblower and Witness Protection Bills in this quarter coming up,” the Minister said. He expressed optimism that the State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) Bill should be finished in time for the last quarter of the Parliamentary session. The Cybercrime Bill of 2016 was presented and read for the first time in the National Assembly last month. Attorney General Williams had referred the complex legislation to a Special Select Committee, so that it can be

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams properly perused and amendments can be made where necessary. The Bill seeks to combat cybercrime by creating offences related to it and provide for penalties, investigation and prosecution of the offences and related matters, was gazetted in September last year. It is Government’s intent to make it an offence for persons to illegally access a computer, illegally intercepting and causing data interference, illegally acquiring data and causing system interference, and using illegal de-

Pensioner found near CJIA garbage died from heart attack - PM Hedley Williams, the 74year-old pensioner, whose body was found near a garbage heap in the vicinity of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport’s maintenance building, two days after he went missing, died of a heart attack. This is according to a Post Mortem examination that was performed on the remains at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC)’s mortuary by Government Pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh. The pensioner had gone to the airport with his children to pick up his wife, Chan (only name), when he disappeared. He did not get a chance to see his spouse. The airport’s CCTV (Closed-circuit television camera) footage showed Williams exiting a parked vehicle, which took his family to the airport. It captured him proceeding north where a number of shops are located. He continued walking in that direction until he was out of the cameras’ range. The pensioner was not seen again until his body was discovered Tuesday morning. His wife said that her husband’s death is a shock to the entire family. Chan, who left the country three weeks ago, said that she was looking forward

Dead: Hedley Williams to seeing her husband on Sunday when she arrived but could not locate him. She said that when they went to the vehicle, the pensioner was nowhere to be seen. A missing person report was subsequently made at the Timehri Police Station. On Tuesday, relatives were subsequently informed that the man’s body had been found. Yesterday, his daughter, Deorani Dilipraj, said that they were shocked to learn that the man died from a heart attack since he never complained about his heart before. However, he was a diabetic but when they left home to go to the airport, he was healthy.

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vices. The Bill sets out that a person commits an offence if he intentionally, without authorization or in excess of authorization, or by infringing any security measure, accesses a computer system or any part of a computer system of another person. The draft legislation also deals with child pornography and child luring. It says that a person who produces child pornography for the purpose of distribution through a computer system, or offers or makes available, distributes or transmits child pornography through a computer system, commits an offence. It is being proposed that any person with illegal access to a computer system for the purposes of securing access to computer data commits an offence and faces a $3M fine and three years’ jail. Meanwhile, the Witness Protection Bill 2015 is expected to pave the way for the establishment of a programme for the protection of witnesses who would give evidence in the courts of Guyana. The legislation will ensure protection of witnesses and their families against intimidation and/or physical harm during and after their involvement in the proceedings of a case. The measures to be enacted will include the establishment of state houses, the granting of assistance to participants and the provision of new identities where necessary. Similarly, the Whistleblower legislation is set to protect a person who informs the public or those in authority about dishonest or illegal activities /misconduct occurring in a government department, private company or organization. That misconduct may be in violation of laws, regulations, direct threat to public interest; fraud and corruption.

PPP Cabinet approved $100M radio...

The radios that were supplied last year for the elections and from all indications never put into use by GECOM. From page 7 a Government official familiar with the situation asked yesterday. What would make the orders of those radios more scandalous is the fact that GECOM would have needed to train its personnel to use them. “Logistically, it would have been impossible to make in time for Elections Day.” That $100M order is now the subject of an investigation by the Audit Office which decided to make checks a few weeks ago. What was found has raised suspicions and has brought the spotlight down on GECOM, the body tasked with overseeing elections in Guyana. That $100M contract was awarded under questionable circumstances to Mobile Authority, an entity owned by Water Street businessman, Michael Brasse. Brasse’s Mobile and two other businesses, M-Tech Business Solutions and Mibra Trading, were awarded almost $290M in contracts last year. He supplied toners, stationery, office equipment, electrical items, Duracell batteries and even furniture, raising suspicions of sole sourcing.

From payment records, it appeared that several of the payments could be linked to what is known as contract splitting, an arrangements where contracts are deliberately kept below a certain amount to avoid attracting attention from oversight bodies like the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB). Another strange thing that is being investigated by auditors is the fact that GECOM apparently collected two different brands of radios- 30 of the ICOM 718 models and 20 of the older Barrett radios. GECOM appeared to have asked suppliers in mid April for quotes of newer Barrett ManPack radios which have the capabilities of sending faxes, going online and making voice calls. Instead, GECOM collected something else. The reports of the radio purchases have drawn the attention of Barrett Communications, the manufacturer of some of the radios that had been delivered. Through its European office, Barrett in a statement to the newspaper, said that it is disappointed by the negative news and that it never delivered radios for the 2015 elec-

tions in Guyana. Rather, several of its radios that were seen in photos published by Kaieteur News were from a purchase made since 2006. According to Barrett, it stopped manufacturing those radios since 2009. That raises questions of the warranties GECOM was offered by Mobile Authority. Barrett also claimed that through its local partner, Advanced Office Systems Inc., it tendered for the contract last year but the order was inexplicably cancelled. The company complained it learned that a “non-compliant” company (Mobile Authority) was instead chosen. GECOM had declined to comment on the radio purchases, saying that an investigation is currently ongoing by state auditors. Chairman, Dr. Steve Surujbally, had made it clear that while the Commission would in principle agree to purchases and other transactions, the actual transactions are left to GECOM’s Secretariat. GECOM’s Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield, who is responsible for the day to day running of the secretariat, has also remained silent.

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Democratic presidential candidate Clinton’s overall health good - doctor Reuters - Hillary Clinton is healthy and fit to serve as president, her doctor said in a letter on the U.S. Democratic candidate’s medical condition provided by the campaign yesterday. The pneumonia Clinton was diagnosed with on Friday is bacterial and non-contagious, said the l e t t e r f r o m C l i n t o n ’s physician, D r. Lisa Bardack. “The remainder of her complete physical exam was normal and she is in excellent mental condition,” the letter said. The letter details the treatment Clinton received in the days before and after Clinton diagnosis of pneumonia on Friday before she fell ill as she left a Sept. 11 memorial.

Hillary Clinton Bardack has evaluated the former U.S. secretary of state several times, i n c l u d i n g We d n e s d a y, after a chest scan on Friday detected her pneumonia. Clinton received a 10day course of antibiotics,

and since Sunday has rested at her home in C h a p p a q u a , N e w Yo r k , where she “continues to improve,” Bardack’s letter said. Only bacterial pneumonia, not viral, can be treated with antibiotics. Since it is not contagious, Clinton was at no risk of transmitting the infection at campaign and fundraising events before or after she was diagnosed. Additional health records released with the letter show that Clinton’s cholesterol and blood pressure are within normal ranges. She takes medication for an under active thyroid and a blood thinner following a 2012 blood clot in her head while secretary of state.

Obama, meeting with Suu Kyi, says U.S. ready to lift Myanmar sanctions Reuters - Myanmar ’s Aung San Suu Kyi called yesterday for the lifting of economic sanctions against her country, and President Barack Obama, in their first White House meeting s i n c e s h e b e c a m e l e a d e r, s a i d t h e United States was ready to do so. “It is the right thing to do in order to ensure that t h e p e o p l e o f B u r m a see rewards from a new way of doing business and a new government,” Obama sa i d w i t h S u u K y i s i t t i n g n e x t to him in the Oval Office. The trip by Suu Kyi, 71, who like Obama is a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, capped a decades-long journey from political prisoner to national leader after her party won a sweeping elect o r a l v i c t o r y l a s t y e a r. Wi t h S u u K y i n o l o n g e r a n opposition figure, the United States has been weighing a further easing of sanctions against Myanmar, f o r m e r l y k n o w n a s B u r ma, as Obama

looks to normalize relations with a country Washington shunned when it was ruled by a military junta. “We think that the time has now come to remove all t h e s a n c t i o n s t h a t h u r t u s e c o n o m i c a l l y, ” S u u K y i s a i d , noting that the U.S. Congress had supported her country by backing sanctions in the past to apply pressure for democratic reforms. As Suu Kyi arrived for the meeting, the White House issued a statement saying it would reinstate Myanmar to the Generalized System of Preferences, or GSP, which provides duty-free treatment for goods from poor and developing countries. Myanmar was removed from GSP benefits in 1989 following prodemocracy uprisings a year earlier that were brutally suppressed by the ruling military junta. Myanmar will be back in the program on Nov. 13, U.S. officials said.

Britain’s failure to tackle female genital mutilation a ‘national disgrace’- lawmakers LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - The failure of British authorities to bring one successful prosecution for female genital mutilation in more than 30 years is a “national scandal”, lawmakers said today calling for greater action against professionals not reporting the practice. Female genital mutilation (FGM) has been a criminal offence in Britain since 1985 and new legislation in 2003

introduced a jail term of up to 14 years for British citizens carrying out FGM abroad, even in countries where it is legal. Last year the government made it compulsory for teachers, social workers, doctors, nurses and midwives to report FGM with campaigners fearing many cases are going unnoticed because they happen at a young age and abroad. British parliamentarians said in a report that they

were “alarmed” by the lack of prosecutions and to learn that some clinicians were ignoring the legal duty to report cases to the police with some seeming t o r e g a r d the duty as “optional”. FGM involves the total or partial removal of the clitoris and external genitalia. In extreme cases the vaginal opening is sewn closed. It can cause serious physical and psychological problems and complications in childbirth.

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Kamla wants action on $$ for killed cops Trinidad Guardian Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar has sent a Cabinet Note to be considered and passed by Cabinet with respect to the payment of $1 million to the estate of each of the members of the protective services — Police Service, T&T Defence Force, Fire Service and the Prison Service —killed in the line of duty. She made this disclosure during her address at the UNC’s Monday Night Forum at the North Eastern College, Sangre Grande. Persad-Bissessar, who led the budget presentation of 2014, made that commitment in recognition of the risks members of the protective services faced each day to protect the citizens. She said as Prime Minister, Rowley had stated his Government’s commitment to honour that promise.

Kamla Persad-Bissessar On April 14, Minister of National Security, Edmund Dillon, re-stated the commitment of the Government to honour the million-dollar compensation package proposed by the previous administration to

families of all members of the protective services slain in the line of duty. Cabinet has been asked to agree to (i) an ex-gratia payment of $1 million to the estate of each of the members of the protective services killed in the line of duty from September 2014 to September 2016 inclusive and (ii) payment after September 2016. The Cabinet was also asked to agree that “the Attorney General cause to be prepared legislation to give effect to (ii) above for the consideration of Cabinet and thereafter for the laying in Parliament at the earliest; that funds to meet the payments in (i) above be identified by the Ministry of Finance in consultation with the Ministry of National Security and that the funds to meet the payments in (ii) above be provided for in the 2017 Draft Estimates of Expenditure.

Non-Aligned summit set to back Maduro in Venezuela C A R A C A S / P O R L A M A R , VENEZUELA - A NonAligned Summit in Venezuela will offer solidarity to President Nicolas Madu r o ’s socialist government, a draft of the final document shows, despite opponents’ hopes the event would expose his international isolation. Heads of state from the 120-nation Cold War-era bloc are invited to Ve n e z u e l a ’s M a rg a r i t a island at the weekend, though with only the leaders of Zimbabwe, Iran, Cuba, Bolivia and Ecuador currently thought to be coming, it could be a poor turnout. Nevertheless, a version of the final document circulating among diplomats echoes Maduro’s complaints that local opponents have been planning violence against him with U.S. connivance. Critics say those are trumped-up accusations to justify repression and distract Venezuelans from blaming the ruling Socialist Party for the OPEC member nation’s economic mess. “The Heads of State or Government expressed deep concern at the violent actions that have taken place in Venezuela in the last weeks, aimed at destabilising the democratically elected

Nicolas Maduro government,” said a section in the more than 200-page communiqué. Venezuela’s opposition has been stepping up street protests to demand a recall referendum against Maduro, whose security forces have been cracking down on activists and displaying weapons as proof of what they say are coup plans. The draft declaration hails M a d u r o ’s predecessor, Hugo Chavez, who died of cancer in 2013, as “a relentless humanist and champion of Latin American and Caribbean unity”, and rejects Washington’s “aggressive illegal policies” towards Venezuela. Such language will irk Venezuela’s opposition. The coalition has urged

summit delegates to take a look at the government’s tough treatment of critics, including a string of recent jailings, and inability to prevent shortages, roaring inflation and lengthy lines at shops. The Democratic Unity coalition has accused Maduro’s government of flooding Margarita with extra food and supplies to cover up embarrassing national shortages and militarising the island with 14,000 security personnel to squash dissent. “The government wants to stop the people expressing themselves about the squandering of resources on the summit. They’re terrified,” said opposition leader Henrique Capriles. Set up in 1961, the NonAligned Movement provided an alternative for nations which did not back either the United States or Soviet Union during the C o l d Wa r. B u t i t s relevance has declined since the 1989 fall of the Berlin Wall. Other sections of the vast draft declaration urged U.N. reform and an end to the U.S. embargo on Cuba, and condemned I s r a e l ’s t r e a t m e n t o f P a l e s t i n i a n s , Washington’s policy on Syria and western sanctions on Zimbabwe.

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Powell reveals disgust with Trump, Top diplomats from U.S., Japan, South Korea to meet on North Korea distaste for Clinton in hacked emails SEOUL/BEIJING (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will meet with his Japanese and South Korean counterparts in New York on Sunday to discuss responses to North Korea’s latest nuclear test, South Korea’s foreign ministry said yesterday. The three countries are pushing for tough new U.N. Security Council sanctions on North Korea after the isolated country on Friday conducted its fifth and largest nuclear test. The blast was in defiance of U.N. sanctions that were tightened in March.

China, the North’s chief ally, backed the March resolution but is more resistant to harsh new sanctions this time after the United States and South Korea decided to deploy a sophisticated anti-missile system in the South, which China adamantly opposes. South Korea said Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se and his counterparts Kerry and Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida will meet during the annual U.N. General Assembly to discuss putting further pressure on North Korea.

AU plans to send observers to Gabon election appealAU plans to send observers to Gabon election appeal LIBREVILLE (Reuters) The African Union says it plans to send observers to help G a b o n ’s Constitutional Court with a legal complaint lodged by opposition leader Jean Ping, who accuses President Ali Bongo of cheating to secure victory in an election last month. The dispute led to riots that killed at least six people and brought unwelcome international scrutiny for Bongo, whose family has ruled the central African

OPEC member for nearly 50 years. Ping, who officially lost by fewer than 6,000 votes, last week applied to the court to authorize a recount in the Haut-Ogooue province, Bongo’s stronghold, where the president won 95 percent of the votes on a 99.9 percent turnout. The Peace and Security Council of the African Union requested that its executive branch deploy observers from other French-speaking African countries “to assist

the Constitutional Court of Gabon”, it said in a statement late on Tuesday. The European Union, which sent an official observation team to the election and has cited anomalies in the poll results from Haut-Ogooue province, will maintain observers in the country. It was not clear what level of access observers would have to the internal deliberations of the court, which is due to decide on the recount by Sept. 23.

US, Israel sign massive military itself from t h r e a t s , (Benjamin) Netanyahu and aid deal commenting in a statement I are confident that the new WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama said yesterday that a new $38 billion aid package will help ensure Israel can defend

on the memorandum understanding between the two “Both Prime

10-year of (MOU) nations. Minister

MOU will make a significant contribution to Israel’s security in what remains a dangerous neighbourhood,” Obama said.

Reuters Former Secretary of State Colin Powell revealed distaste for both U.S. presidential candidates, but levelled his most pointed criticism at Republican Donald Trump in hacked emails leaked by a group American intelligence officials suspect is linked to Russia. In an email to Reuters yesterday, Powell confirmed the authenticity of the thousands of hacked messages but declined further comment. In one of the leaked emails, Powell, a Republican, called Trump “a national disgrace” and an “international pariah” who allied himself with racists questioning whether President Barack Obama was born in the United States. “When Trump couldn’t keep that up,” Powell wrote in the hacked message, “he said he also wanted to see if the (birth) certificate noted that he was a Muslim. As I have said before, ‘What if he was?” Muslims are born as Americans everyday.” As for Clinton, Powell said in another email that the Democratic former secretary

Colin Powell of state was “greedy” and had “unbridled ambition.” The new batch of leaked messages, some from as recent as late August, has renewed concern in Washington about hackers meddling on behalf of Russia in the Nov. 8 election and U.S. politics. The White House so far has refrained from publicly blaming the attacks on Russia. “The United States has not made a formal determination in public about who may or may not be responsible,” White House

spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters during a daily briefing. The head of the Democratic National Committee said on Tuesday the organization had been hacked by Russian statesponsored agents who were trying to influence the U.S. presidential election. Some committee documents were leaked in July. In one of the newly leaked messages, from Aug. 21, Powell, the first black U.S. secretary of state, derided Trump’s attempt to attract African-American voters. Powell wrote to a friend: “There is nothing he can say that will sway black voters so he might as well say it to white folks. He is at 1% black voters and will drop. He takes us for idiots. He can never overcome what he tried to do to Obama with his search for the birth certificate hoping to force Obama out of the Presidency. Or, demanding his school transcripts to see how he got into Harvard— (eg, affirmative action).”In the same message, Powell called Trump’s claim that “within four years he would have 95 percent of blacks voting for him a schizo fantasy.”

Europe divided, Juncker urges post-Brexit EU to unite STRASBOURG (Reuters) - EU chief executive JeanClaude Juncker warned divided Europeans yesterday that their Union was in an “existential crisis” after Britain’s vote to quit and said leaders must pull together to stop it unraveling. In his annual State of the Union address to the European Parliament, the Commission president said the bloc was not about to disappear - “the EU as such is not at risk” - but its ability to steer common policies was jeopardize by splits, so that it was “at least in part, in an existential crisis”. Though addressed to mainly sympathetic EU lawmakers in Strasbourg, his message was aimed squarely at the 27 national leaders who will meet

Jean-Claude Juncker tomorrow in Bratislava to try and find a way forward following the decision of the absent 28th member state,

Britain, to leave the bloc in June’s Brexit referendum. “Never before have I seen national governments so weakened by the forces of populism and paralyzed by the risk of defeat in the next elections,” said the former Luxembourg premier, a 30year veteran of EU politics, referring to eurosceptics across Europe drawing inspiration from the British rejection of the EU. “There are splits out there and often fragmentation,” he added. “That is leaving scope for galloping populism.” The coming year sees Dutch, French and German elections, and anti-EU groups are riding high in polls. That limits appetite for big ideas from the Commission, however much Juncker sees his role as delivering proposals that governments can unite around. While leaders were chasing votes by echoing eurosceptic opponents, Juncker said, only by cooperating to revive growth, strengthen trade, fight terrorism and secure EU borders could they “regain the trust” of citizens in their shared enterprise.

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Thursday September 15, 2016

Former England batsman Hick named Australia’s batting coach (Reuters) Former England batsman Graeme Hick has been appointed as Australia’s new fulltime batting coach after initially working with the team on a temporary basis. Hick has signed a contract until March 2020, Cricket Australia said on Thursday, having spent time with the side in the Caribbean earlier this year after Michael Di Venuto took up the head coaching role with English county side Surrey. “Graeme worked with us during the recent ODI tour in the West Indies and we were really impressed with what he brought to the group,” Australia head coach Darren Lehmann said in a statement. “ Wi t h an ICC C h a m p i o n s Tr o p h y, a n Ashes Series and an ICC

World Cup all to be played in England in the near future, his knowledge of those conditions will also be invaluable.” Zimbabwe-born Hick will take up his post before Australia host South Africa for three tests later this year. A u s t r a l i a ’s b a t t i n g group struggled on their recent tour of Sri Lanka, where the hosts’ spin bowlers flummoxed them on turning pitches to sweep the three-test series. Hick, who was prolific at first class level in England, played 65 tests and 120 one-day internationals for his adopted country. The right-handed batsman, h o w e v e r, struggled to convert his first-class form into the international arena.

He scored 136 firstclass centuries at an average of 52.2 but only six centuries at test level, averaging just 31.32 runs. The 50-year-old, batting coach at Cricket A u s t r a l i a ’s high performance centre in Brisbane since 2013, joined the Australia team on their one-day triangular series in the Caribbean in June. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my current role with Cricket Australia and have worked with some great young up and coming players during my time heading-up the under-19 programme,” Hick said. “To take the next step up with the men’s team and getting the opportunity to work with some of the best players in the world is something I am really looking forward to.”

Thursday September 15, 2016 ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) You may be sensitive to a point of absurdity. Be extra careful with your valuables; loss and theft are evident today. TAURUS (Apr. 21- may 21) Don't let others know about your private affairs. You can get ahead if you work diligently behind the scenes. GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Try not to be too lavish with your lover. You may enjoy doing something musical for entertainment. CANCER (June 22-July 22) Your depressed mood has been hard to shake. Financial limitations will not be as adverse as they appear.

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LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) Children may be less than honest with you. You should regain some of your self esteem if you get involved in organizational functions. SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) You need to get involved in groups that offer physical activities. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Spend time with your lover today. You just hate waste, and when someone else costs you dearly you see red. CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) You can make financial deals that will bring you extra cash.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Romance may be likely if you travel. Use discretion, especially if involved with someone from work.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 -Feb. 19) You must be careful not to reveal secrets or get involved in gossip. Someone you live with could be frustrated and upset.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Use your charm, but don't sign or agree to anything. Listening can be more valuable than being a chatterbox.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Pleasure trips will be emotionally favorable. Children or friends may try to talk you into lending them money.

Zimbabwe players protest... From page 30 there are sufficient balls for training or nets for practice. “We are just fed up at the moment. It is crisis after crisis over here,” a player said while detailing the cloud of uncertainty hanging over them. Also, players said, since the end o f J u l y, w h e n p l a y e r contracts expired, there has been no indication on when new ones will be issued at either national or domestic level. Nationally-contracted players were given a month’s extension on their deals which covered theNew Zealand series in July-August, but the situation at domestic level remains unclear after ZC announced it would move from a franchise to a provincial system this

Windies seamer... From page 30 of the day, he bowled Philip Salt without scoring and he was on target again four overs later when he also breached the defence of David Wiese to remove the South African for four, and send Sussex tumbling to 71 for seven. However, Barbadians Chris Jordan and Jofra Archer then combined to prop up the innings in a brilliant 97-run, eighth wicket stand. Jordan, who has played first class cricket for Barbados but in recent years has represented England in eight Tests and 31 One-Day Internationals, stroked an unbeaten 57 from 82 balls with ten boundaries while the 21year-old Archer struck a breezy 46 from 56 balls with eight fours. Cummins got his sixth wicket when he knocked over Archer and had his seventh when Danny Briggs was taken at the wicket for 22. Seamer Steve Magoffin then snatched his second five-wicket haul of the contest to hurt Worcestershire in their second turn at the crease, despite halfcenturies from Tom Fell (85) and Ben Cox (56).

summer. No fixtures have been released yet. When contacted for a comment, ZC spokesperson Darlington Majonga said: “The players have asked ZC for an update on new contracts and their delayed match fees, but to equate their honest request for an engagement on the important issues to an ultimatum of some sort would be kind of making a mountain out of a molehill. What is important is that their contracts are ready following an all-inclusive negotiation process that involved representatives of the players. On the other issue, ZC has been paying the match fees in tranches and will settle the outstanding amounts soon.”* Other insiders confirmed Mukondiwa would address the players on Thursday, the day after

the board’s Annual General Meeting (AGM). Meanwhile, there has been no announcement on Zimbabwe’s schedule for the rest of the international season. They are scheduled to play two Tests against Sri Lanka, but there was initially speculation of that series being altered into a triangular fifty-over competition also involving West Indies. More recently, there has been word that both the Tests and the triseries will take place. The players are preparing with the latter in mind under the watch of interim coach Makhaya Ntini and fitness trainer Sean Bell, while ZC deliberates over the vacant head coach post. Heath Streak, currently the bowling coach for IPL franchise Gujarat Lions, is believed to be the favourite to take over.

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Paralympics - Zanardi wins gold, 15 years on from horror crash (Reuters) Former Formula One driver Alex Zanardi won his third Paralympic gold medal on Wednesday, a day before the 15th anniversary of the Champ Car crash that cost the Italian both legs and nearly his life. The 49-year-old won the 20km H5 hand-cycling road time trial in Rio de Janeiro to add to the two golds he won on his Paralympics debut in London four years ago. “Normally I don’t thank God for these type of things as I believe God has more important stuff to worry about,” he told NBC television. “But today is too much. I had to raise my eyes and thank him. “I feel very lucky, I feel my life is a never-ending privilege.” Zanardi, a two times champion in the U.S.-based Champ Car series that is now IndyCar, competed in 41 grands prix between 1991 and 1999 with his final season at Williams. He had both legs amputated above the knee, with his heart stopping seven times as he lost all but a litre of the blood in his body, after the horrific crash at the Lausitzring in Germany on Sept. 15, 2001. The Italian was leading the race when he lost control of his Reynard-Honda in the

Leicester stun Brugge to win first Champions League game

Riyad Mahrez’s free-kick came after Jamie Vardy was brought down in a typical Leicester counter-attack. (Getty Images)

Italian Race car driver Alex Zanardi crosses the finish line in the Handcycle Division during the 2007 ING New York City Marathon in New York November 4, 2007. (REUTERS/Chip East) final laps and Canadian Alex Tagliani ran into him at more than 350kph. “The car broke into two pieces, one bit of me stayed with the car and the other bit, which was my legs, went ‘arrivederci’ in the other direction,” he said before competing at the London 2012 Games. Zanardi, who had been

read the last rites, returned to racing a year and a half after the accident and competed in the world touring car championship until 2009, by which time he had taken up hand-cycling. Two years after the accident, he returned to the Lausitzring and finished the 13 laps that he had failed to complete during the race.

Windies seamer Cummins stars as Jordan, Archer also shine LONDON, CMC — West Indies fast bowler, Miguel Cummins, picked up a brilliant seven-wicket haul but a Worcestershire batting collapse opened the door for a Sussex victory on day two of the County Championship Division Two here Tuesday. Playing at Hove, Barbadian Cummins claimed seven for 84 to send Sussex tumbling to 229 all out, in response to Worcestershire’s first innings of 306 at Hove. However, Worcestershire were quickly dismissed in their second innings for 194, leaving Sussex with 272 to get for victory. They ended the day on 13 for one. Having taken three wickets on Monday’s first day to reduce Sussex to 50 for four at the close, Cummins resumed where he left off in helping to further dismantle the inning and hand Worcestershire a small first innings lead. With just the second ball (Continued on page 29)

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BBC Sport - Leicester City celebrated their first ever Champions League match by romping to a 3-0 victory away to Belgium’s Club Brugge. Marc Albrighton scored with the Foxes’ first shot after a defensive error from rightback Luis Hernandez’s long throw. Riyad Mahrez curled in a masterful free-kick for 2-0 before half-time. Mahrez smashed in a penalty after Jamie Vardy was brought down by the keeper before Brugge’s Jose Izquierdo hit the post, adding to his bad miss at 0-0. There will be more difficult games than this, but the Premier League champions displayed a maturity and

composure that suggests potential to achieve plenty more success at the elite level of European club football. This was only the ninth European match in Leicester ’s history, and their first win since a victory over Glenavon of N o r t h e r n I r e l and in the preliminary round of the 196162 Cup Winners’ Cup - when 1966 World Cup winner Gordon Banks was in goal. Danny Drinkwater went close with a dipping volley struck on the turn with the ball almost at ground level from outside the box, while Robert Huth might have added a fourth from another of Hernandez’s several long

throws. Debutant and club record signing Islam Slimani should have made more of a terrible Benoit Poulain back pass, and was booked for shoving Bjorn Engels in the back, with the Belgian defender forced off with what looked like a dislocated shoulder. In other results: Man City 4 - B M’gladbach 0 Tottenham 1 – Monaco 2 Bayer Levkn 2 – CSKA 2 Legia War 0 - Bor Dortmd 6 Real Madrid 2 – Sporting 1 FC Porto 1 - FC Copenhagen 1 Juventus 0 – Sevilla 0 Lyon 3 - Dinamo Zagreb 0

Zimbabwe players protest unpaid fees, uncertainty around contracts

Sources told ESPNcricinfo that ZC has neglected to bring players from outside Harare to the training camp because of a lack of funds © Getty Images

West Indies fast bowler Miguel Cummins.

ESPNcricinfo Zimbabwe’s Harare-based players have refused to train in protest over unpaid match fees, which date back to July last year. The players were due to begin preparations for a series against Pakistan A,

which starts at the end of the month, followed by fixtures against Sri Lanka, but have instead insisted on a meeting with Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) managing director Wilfred Mukondiwa to discuss “their worsening situation”.

Several sources told ESPNcricinfo that apart from the outstanding player bill, ZC has also neglected to bring players from outside Harare to the training camp because of a lack of funds, or to ensure (Continued on page 29)

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Cameron: Audited finances available Hamilton hopes to be streets ahead in Singapore for all to see SINGAPORE (Reuters) Lewis Hamilton is relishing a return to the tough conditions the drivers will experience around the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore this week as he looks to wrestle back control of the Formula One title race from Mercedes team mate Nico Rosberg. The Briton leads his German rival by two points with seven rounds remaining but his seemingly unstoppable charge towards a fourth world title has stalled in the last two races, allowing Rosberg to close the gap at the top of the standings. Rosberg had surged to a 43-point lead over Hamilton at the start of the season before the Briton won six of seven races to seize the momentum g o i n g i n t o Formula One’s traditional summer break with a healthy 19-point cushion. In the two races since the season reconvened, Hamilton did well to surge through the field from the back of the grid to finish third in Belgium but endured a miserable start from pole at Monza as Rosberg romped to a second straight triumph. A second-place finish in Italy was not a total disaster but Hamilton had dominated practice and qualifying and would have been expected to convert his superiority into a 50th Formula One victory. “I don’t kn o w r e a l l y what happened at the start... I did everything normal,” Hamilton told reporters. “The procedure w a s done exactly how I was supposed to do it but unfortunately the wheels were spinning from the get-

Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton of Britain sits in a driving simulator at a publicity event ahead of the Singapore F1 Grand Prix Night Race in Singapore September 14, 2016. ( REUTERS/Edgar Su) go.” ZIKA CONCERNS Hamilton, however, is one of only three men to win in Singapore since the inaugural grand prix in 2008, while Rosberg has struggled to come to grips with the tight, floodlit, 23-turn street circuit, managing just a single podium in eight visits. “Next up is Singapore, which is always a great event. The race is a challenge with the heat and humidity... but it’s a street circuit, which I love,” said Hamilton, who won the race in 2009 and 2014. As Singapore citizens have been advised to exercise extra vigilance due to the recent outbreak of the Zika virus in the citystate, Mercedes will need to be equally as wary of their Red Bull and Ferrari rivals on a track that nullifies the German team’s power advantage. L a s t y e a r, F e r r a r i ’s Sebastian Vettel won his fourth Singapore Grand

Prix ahead of Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo as Hamilton retired and Rosberg limped to a fourthplace finish, and Mercedes will be keen to avoid a repeat performance. “This is a Red Bull track and we weren’t so strong there last year,” Rosberg added. “But I have faith in the team and my belief in myself is as high as ever.” Vettel’s triumph a year ago was Ferrari’s third of a resurgent campaign but the popular Italian outfit have fallen further behind Mercedes this season and remain without a win in 2016, a sequence the German driver would love to end this week. “I have excellent memories from previous years in Singapore,” Vettel said. “The track is very rough, bumpy, long, with long-lasting laps. So it’s a hard work inside the car, but I think it’s something we all enjoy.”

German FA boss condemns ... From page 33 frustrating issue is more proof the organizing committee of the World Cup wanted to block out things, that there was no transparency there and that the public was partly misled,” Grindel said. “I condemn that.” BECKENBAUER DEAL Lotto Bavaria said in a statement neither Oddset nor the German lottery administration had any contract with Beckenbauer. “As a result there was no fee agreement or fee payment. The contractual partner of Mr Beckenbauer was the DFB,” it said. “The lottery administration signed a contract (with

the DFB) in August 2004 as a national backer for the 2006 World Cup. Mr Beckenbauer received the advertising fee from the DFB.” Beckenbauer is already under invest i g a t i o n b y Swiss authorities, who have opened criminal proceedings against him and two former presidents of the DFB in connection with its successful bid for the 2006 World Cup. The Swiss Attorney General’s office said the proceedings relate to allegations of fraud, criminal mismanagement, money laundering and misappropriation. Earlier this year, the DFB commissioned a report into

alleged irregularities over the awarding of the World Cup. The report said that, while there was no evidence of Germany paying world soccer’s governing body FIFA members in return for votes, payments were made to at least one former FIFA official. These were made through a web of accounts involving several other firms or individuals, including Beckenbauer. Beckenbauer, who captained West Germany to the 1974 World Cup title and was coach when they won again in 1990, has previously admitted to making mistakes but has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

Antigua Observer President of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), Dave Cameron said that all of the organisation’s audited accounts are available on its website at www.windiescricket.com and can be viewed by anyone or group of individuals seeking answers on the board’s finances. “Since Dave Cameron has become president of the West Indies Cricket Board, we have strengthened our internal audit process and governance so we have now, a committee called an audit risk and compliance. We have the services of PricewaterhouseCoopers and we have quarterly meetings and our auditors KMPG so all of our accounts are on the website for full viewing for everybody and that’s my response to that,” he said. His statement follows a renewed call from former president of the WICB, Ken Gordon, reiterating an appeal for Caricom to conduct a forensic audit of the WICB, which he believes could avert its demise. Gordon, who first made the call for an audit in July, appears to be renewing his request in light of WICB’s refusal to accept the latest

President of the West Indies Cricket Board Dave Cameron said that all of the organisation’s audited accounts are available on its website at www.windiescricket.com for all to see. Caricom proposal for reform. Gordon says a forensic audit of the WICB is timely and a major part of bringing transparency to the WICB. But according to Cameron, the importance of Caricom to West Indies cricket has been held in high esteem by the board, which he said, has always welcomed their involvement. “When we took over three years ago we went to Caricom and we asked Caricom to play a bigger role and have us come and report to Caricom on a quarterly basis and they

have not seixed the opportunity but we are always here. We think Caricom is a very important partner, government in particular and we continue to believe that and we operate in that manner,” he said. Gordon’s campaign for a financial audit of WICB has found support from a former president Pat Rousseau. Rousseau, who led the organisation from 1996 to 2001, said laws need to be introduced to monitor sporting bodies across the region.

Heavy fines on three players who broke camp-Hart PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC-Three foreign based Trinidad and Tobago footballers, who broke camp three days before their recent World Cup Qualifier against Guatemala, were slapped with heavy fines, head coach Stephen Hart has revealed. Hart however has not disclosed the extent of the fines imposed on midfielders Kevin Molino and Joevin Jones and defender Mekeil Williams who all campaign in Major League Soccer in the United States. Molino plays for Orlando City, Jones for the Seattle Sounders while Williams is a member of the Colorado Rapids in the MLS. They were accused of breaking the team’s curfew on T&T’s independence night, August 31st , to attend a b o a t c r u i se without the knowledge of Hart and his technical staff. “I can assure you the fines were hefty, after that we just got on with game,” said Hart. “It was actually the first time it has happened under my reign and not like it happens all the time. However, I can assure you

Joevin Jones is one of three players fined. that if it happens again, more drastic actions will be taken against the players”. Jones scored twice as T&T rebounded from a goal

down to draw two all with Guatemala, securing a vital point to advance to the Final Round of the FIFA World Cup Qualifier, CONCACAF Zone.

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Kaieteur News

Thursday September 15, 2016

Kennard’s Memorial Bolt reports for first day at Post Emancipation race work as Digicel’s new CSO meeting set for Sunday Winner of Feature race gets $1 million as DDL on board By Sean Devers All Roads lead to the Kennard Memorial Turf Club in Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne on Sunday, September 18 when some of the country’s top horses compete in eight races for attractive prizes and bragging rights from 13:00hrs in what is expected to be a day of fun and frolic for the entire family. The large, beautiful Trophy for the Feature Event (A & Lower over 7 furlongs with a first prize of $1 Million) was handed over to Honorary President of Kennard Memorial Turf Club, Justice Cecil Kennard by Maria Munroe, DDL’s Brand Manager; Wines & Spirits, at a simple presentation at Kennard’s Office on Brickdam. Munroe said DDL was delighted to continue their long-standing sponsorship of Sunday’s Event adding that this was the third race meet held by the East Berbice turf club for the year and the local beverage giant has been the main sponsor for all of them. “The last event by the Horseracing club is scheduled for Boxing Day and once again DDL will be on board in a major way since we are committed to supporting the development of sports in Guyana which unites communities,” said

Munroe, a former national hockey player. She remembered attending a horse racing event earlier this year, and was overwhelmed by what she experienced at Bush Lot Farm. “The atmosphere was absolutely fantastic! People of all ages enjoyed a day of exciting races an d I encourage those in Demerara to grasp the opportunity to take the entire family for an out-oftown trip this Sunday and see for themselves what goes on in Berbice during horse racing at Bush Lot Farm,” Munroe added. Kennard said that this was the 43rd consecutive year that DDL is the premier sponsor, adding that he was confident that the relationship will continue for many more years to come since sponsorship is very important to keeping the event alive. “We are thankful for DDL’s support over such a long period of time since horses are very expensive to maintain. We are fully ready for Sunday and 65 horses have already registered …the track is in good condition and we expect a large turn-out as usual,” Justice Kennard disclosed. The races are being run

under the rules of the Kennard’s Memorial Turf Club and in the event that there are less than five horses entered for any event the club reserves the right to cancel or reframe the said event. Owners of horses must pay at least $5,000 for each horse at the time of entry and if this is not done the horses’ names will not appear on the official programme and would not be allowed to run. It was also disclosed that if at least five horses fail to start a race there will be no third prize while seven must be in the race for there to be a fourth prize. The day starts with the non winners (L class) over five furlongs with a winners’ prize of $120,000 with half of that amount going to the horse that finishes second. Complete fixtures: 1: L class (5 furs) 1st prize $ 120,000 2: D3 & E & Lower Class (7 furs) 1st prize $600,000 3: H & Lower (6 furs) 1st prize $240,000 4: L class W/A (5 furs) 1st prize $120,000 5: 2 years Guy breed (5 furs) 1st prize $200, 000 6: A & Lower (feature) (7 furs) 1st Prize $ 1 Million 7: G & Lower (7 furs) 1st prize $280,000 8: J1 & Lower (5 furs) 1st prize $180, 000

Lloyd Prince double sinks Stewartville; Golden Warriors hold Den Amstel

Usain Bolt exiting his Nissan sports car upon arrival at the Digicel headquarters in down town Kingston for his new job as Chief Speed Officer Tuesday. (Jamaica Observer) Jamaica Observer - His flashy gold Nissan appeared at the gate a few minutes to midday. And shortly afterwards there was a huge uproar from the huge crowd as Digicel’s new Chief Speed Officer (CSO), Usain Bolt, had arrived for his new job at Digicel. Dapperly dressed in his black suit and red tie, the now retired Olympic Games threetime triple gold medallist was greeted by Digicel’s CEO David Butler, accompanied by the music of Alkaline’s Champion Boy in the background. With the sweltering heat soaring at approximately 90 degrees Fahrenheit, Bolt looked as cool as ever, as he buttoned up his jacket and sported his dark glasses. You could hear flashes from the hundreds of cellular phone cameras amidst the much louder shutter sound of the

high and powerful cameras from journalists. Bolt returned to his car and skilfully reversed into his allocated parking spot before making his way through the thick crowd to his work area — the Usain Bolt Speed Lab — where he was met by John Suranyi, the chief executive officer for Digicel Play with responsibility for growth in the areas of cable TV and broadband across all of Digicel’s Caribbean markets. Bolt was shown his work area where he is expected to make things faster for Digicel customers using their various products. “We love to start working at 7:30 in the morning,” said Butler to Bolt jokingly. “Will that be an issue?” he asked. “Probably,” Bolt replied. “We will work out something.” “This man has a unique understanding of speed around the world and we are

hoping that some of that can rub off on us in terms of our customers, our network, our products, our marketing,” added Butler. “We are absolutely thrilled and you can see how excited we are today. We are really proud to be associated with you (Bolt) for so long,” he added. “Brand new job, I am ready, ready,” said Bolt before he was handed his worker’s identity badge. “It’s all about speed. I am here to make sure everything runs smoothly, but fast,” said Bolt. He then made his way to the huge customer care department which hosts over 200 agents. He was given a first hand experience of interacting with the agents and of course a customer, who was lucky enough to be given free credit by Bolt for his troubles.

Angry PM Mitchell blasts Simmons... From back page efforts to restructure the WICB, as Chairman of Caricom’s sub-committee on cricket governance. “If reform and restructuring are not incorporated in the Board’s improvement plan and strategy, West Indies cricket will remain trapped in its ever-increasing failure spiral”. WICB has rejected new proposals for reform con-

tained in a CARICOM governance report in which the main recommendation is for the body to be dissolved. Prime Minister Mitchell described the current WICB as “inflexible and autocratic” while noting an increase in conflict between board and players in recent years. “The Board has now become an extremely inflexible and autocratic unit in which power and control dominate.

Jhagroo family to stage Darts tourney on Sunday The Jhagroo family of the U.S.A. has sponsored a Darts Tournament which will be held this Sunday, at the Malteenoes Sports Club. The tournament is open to all financial members of the Guyana Darts Association and a number of cash prizes

will be up for grabs. This will be a league tournament featuring Open Doubles and a Team tournament along with Luck of the Draw Competition. Registration commences at 13.30 hrs and games start at 14.00 hrs.

Cricket development and cricket performance appear to be low on the Board’s list of most important priorities,” said Dr. Mitchell. “During that time, the Board got rid of some of its best people—coach Ottis Gibson; Phil Simmons, a successful T20 World Cup coach; Darren Sammy, a two-time successful T20 World Cup captain; Clive Lloyd the most successful West Indies captain; and Curtly Ambrose, one of the greatest fast bowlers the world has seen”. In its statement Tuesday, the WICB said its decision to fire Simmons was based on public pronouncements of the coach as well as differences in culture and strategic approach. “The Board is satisfied with its losing culture and will get rid of anyone who questions or challenges that culture,” Dr. Mitchell added.