Kaieteur News

Kaieteur News

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Thursday September 27, 2018

Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

BECOMING YOUR BEST SELF

T

he statement that “education is everybody’s business”is more than a cliché; it is a fact that all responsible stakeholders in society should collaborate for the benefit of educating all children. Traditionally, in Guyana, many believe that the responsibility for educating children should be placed squarely on the shoulders of governments. It is time citizens recognise that educating children cannot be adequately addressed solely by governments. There must be widespread involvement from all stakeholders at various levels in society.Schools must be manned with teachers and other professionals to help children understand the importance of education as they grow into puberty and beyond. If not, we will continue to lose our children to crime and violence. The subject “healthy family life” should be added to the education curriculum to teach children about the purpose of being born, the challenges in life, mistakes they should avoid, their purpose in life and learning about how to pursue their dreams. Children should be taught about the hurts, disappointments, hatred, love and unhappiness they are likely to encounter throughout life’s journey. At birth, we are basically animals, with two biological instincts that motivate us—sex and aggression. We are like the other animals that are warm blooded and suckle their young. In the animal world there is no reasoning and only the strong survive, but humans have the capacity to reason and understand. We have power and wisdom to think for ourselves and to choose our life’s path, whether good or bad, successful or failure. Schools and society in general should teach young people how to manage their sexual and aggressive nature. They should know that behaviour change is not magic, it is hard work. And if they do not change, they would be like animals which fight in the street. Children should not be brought up under these circumstances. The societal culture into which children are born nurtures their consciences. Culture gives them the prescriptions by which they must live, and the prohibitions that teach them to be decent citizens and to keep their society safe. It informs them that they are their brothers’ and sisters’ keeper. If a child is born into a culture of crime and violence that will be his/her orientation to life. If a child is born into a drug culture, that will be the behaviour prescribed for him or her. This supports the saying that children learn what they live.Young people who are having sex and getting pregnant without understanding the reason for their being on earth and learning what they need to do to achieve their dreams, will not become their best selves. Giving in to their sexual nature could make life difficult for them. Children must not be left to the mercy of their biology. They must be taught to control their sexual and aggressive natures. They have the power to think for themselves and to choose their good. This is the divine in them. One psychological theory talks about the fact that the best time for marriage is between 30 and 33 years for both men and women. This is the age at which youths should question the choices they made earlier. Those who are of sound minds and are mentally healthy will have the opportunity to restructure their lives, and those who are not, will continue to live tortured and unhappy lives. But if they are full of faith and purpose, they will know that they were not created for never-ending unhappiness. Some will probably have children who will be exposed to the unhappiness and would reflect it in their behaviour. To all children still in school or who have just left school, do not let the animal in you determine your future. Know that understanding your sexuality is about understanding your humanity, your femininity, your masculinity, your power to think and to choose your good, your dreams and your attitude to life and your divinity to become your best self.

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

Minibuses are under attack DEAR EDITOR, The recent news of a successful business man with a military background entering the transportation sector via the importation of large buses to compete with the minibus operators is one which I receive with mixed emotions. My family was one of the pioneers in the minibus segment and when it first started the Tata buses were being replaced due to their low levels of upkeep and maintenance. There was a great need and our family stepped up to the challenge of helping provide the much needed transportation for children and workers. The buses would fill as soon as we brought them out of the shed. The reason I have mixed emotions of the news of such a substantial investment being made is that on the one hand customers will be able to enjoy a more spacious and

professionally run operation that supposedly will no longer have the noise from the music and the unsafe acts of speeding on the roads. The customers will appreciate this improvement especially given the history of fatal accidents and destroyed hearing of customers. However, this will reduce the current minibus operators’ ability to reap the full benefits of their investments. Currently the Granger School Buses have already begun to have a positive impact on the transportation sector by providing these aspects of safety, reduced noise and increased comfort. When the additional operator of these proposed l a rg e b u s e s e n t e r t h e Transportation Sector the further reduction in customers will increase significantly. Although this is a substantial improvement for the public transportation

sector there is also an opportunity for current operators via their union to make substantial improvements to their operations, thus helping them maintain a presence on the routes where the space for the larger buses prove to be disadvantageous. It is my belief that if the union and operators agree on implementing speed governors on the minibuses that limit how fast the buses can travel and if they also strongly enforce the order needed to prevent the unnecessary overtaking to grab customers on the road, the safety of the transportation sector will improve substantially. It is hard to forget about the young school child that was killed due to such minibus overtaking. As a community we are all aware that it is sometimes difficult to break old habits, but in the face of such strong

upcoming competition from new large buses that could eliminate the need for minibuses it is important to quickly improve. In addition, the implementation of noise control adherence rules that ensure the prevention of damage to passengers hearing would also improve the safety and long term competitiveness of the minibus operators. This could be accomplished by restricting the number of speakers allowed, controlling their power rating and requiring a specified placement. It is also worth mentioning that overloading should be curbed and eliminated to improve the comfort and safety offered to passengers. By embracing these important changes the current high risk of regulations being implemented that are to the (Continued on page 6)

Corrective measures are being taken with the Sheriff-Mandela Project Dear Editor, Reference is made to a letter published in the Tuesday, 18 September, 2018 edition of the Kaieteur News, under the headline, “Poor management on major road project is an indictment”, and written by an environmentalist. The Ministry wishes to respond to the claims made by the environmentalist, which highlighted the Sheriff- Mandela Road Project.The Ministry of Public Infrastructure and the Supervision Consultants, Egis International, in association with SRKN’gineering are cognizant of potential traffic delays often posed by road enhancement Projects and anticipated the traffic disruptions for commuters during the busy work week with especial consideration given to the re-opening of Schools. The Consultants therefore moved towards the implementation of several measures to ensure effective traffic management by the contractor SinoHydro Corporation Ltd during peak and off-peak periods including: The release of Public Notices by The Ministry of Public Infrastructure was done with the assistance of the Department of Public Information and Ministry of Public Infrastructure’s Facebook page. This was coupled with the use of

GT&T Public Service Announcement (SMS advising the public of traffic disruption on Sheriff Street), the notification of the Police commissioner in addition to several consultation meetings with residents and Mae’s School; including the Mayor and City Council as these were key elements in our attempt to better manage anticipated traffic congestion on Sheriff Street. To date the following measures are still in place to manage congestion along the roadway: § Restriction of work activities between 7:30hrs9:30hrs at Second Avenue to

Fourth Avenue, Subryanville. § Restriction to the blocking of intersecting streets during peak hours (7:30hrs-9:30hrs and 15:00hrs-17:00hrs) § Maintaining of two lanes of traffic during 7:30hrs to 9:30hrs, 12:00hrs to 13:00hrs and 15:0016:00hrs. § Restriction of trucks from offloading materials between 7:30hrs and 9:30hrs, 12:00hrs and 13:00hrs and 15:00hrs16:00hrs. § Enforcement of submitted Traffic Management Plan which

includes provision of flaggers, advance warning signs and barricades. § B a r r i c a d e protection for all open drains. § Maintenance of one meter pedestrian walkways in work areas (demarcated by barriers) § Engagement of the Guyana Police Force § A d v i c e t o commuters to utilize other streets including Church Road The above mentioned measures were implemented from Mondays to Fridays. Krest Cummings Public Relations Officer Ministry of Public Infrastructure

The GWMO is unconstitutional DEAR EDITOR, The GWMO of which I am a member has not held a General Meeting to elect a President since 2015. Neither has there been an audit of how they are spending their members’ money or the various Government contributions they have received. This is in violation of the Friendly Society Act and the GWMO Constitution. The illegitimate President according to the GWMO constitution is also serving as a Board member of a Government Agency. The GWMO is currently operating under false pretense. There are very few if any legitimate miners remaining in the organization. The current executive is a sham. They are only collecting money from donors and basically vacationing with it; basically flying all over the world, going to various fancy hotels and fancy restaurants doing absolutely nothing and representing absolutely nobody, The GWMO no longer represents Women

Miners. It has strayed from the vision and actions of its founding members. It has abandoned the job of the organization which was to represent women in mining, help or rescue the vulnerable in mining and create opportunities for small miners etc. Most of the current members do not own a dredge nor have they ever been involved in actual mining, the executives do not know how to operate a mine and have never worked at a mining camp. Since 2015 there is nothing tangible that the GWMO has done. It is now just an entity on paper, with their executives sitting on Boards and collecting money from all angles without accounting for it. The GGDMA is endorsing this organization with full knowledge that the current executive has no miming interest nor knowledge. We call on the Government to have a look into this organization and to compel it adhere to the laws of Guyana and its Constitution. Former GWMO Member

Thursday September 27, 2018

Bringing the constitution into focus DEAR EDITOR, In June, article 9 of our Constitution came into very sharp focus at to Caribbean Court of Justice in the so called Jagdeo third term limit case. The present machinations, contrivance and comedy of errors in the appointment by the Local Government Commission, of a Commissioner to “probe City Hall” has again brought into focus, Article 9. And, in spite of denials of “political agenda” by LGC member Andrew Garnett (Guyana Chronicle September 19, under caption “No political agenda …LGC says as Justice Kennard sworn in to probe City Hall”,) the question now looms whether the LGC, has become a facilitator, aider and abettor of the very mischief its establishment was intended to prevent – the politicization of local government officers (LGOs). I express no opinion. But, is it sheer coincidence that (as if on cue acting in a scene in Shakespeare’s political masterpiece- Julius Caesar) the opposition Leader (Jagdeo) has at his press conference heavily politicized this CoI by pointedly making it an impending November 12, Local Government Elections propaganda campaign issue? S u r r e p t i t i o u s l y, h e heaps praise on the LGC (which in their time in government they did all kinds of shenanigans to prevent it coming into existence) for ordering this inquiry; and at the same time criticizing the Hon. Minister of Communities, who Jagdeo says “shielded the Mayor and Town Clerk” (“Bulkan protected transgressions at City Hall- Opposition” KN, Monday September 24th).

But if shielding has happened, it would be, from the effects of the endemic bankruptcy which the 23 years of the PPP/C government by deliberate acts of frustration of Council’s initiatives and efforts to generate revenue, caused to the City Council. As regards Article 9, put briefly, my case is this: the LGC is not an elected body. The Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown is an ELECTED body, constituting the peoples “representatives” as provided for in the super entrenched Article 9. The provisions of the Local Government Commission Act, 2013 [LGCA] which purports to strip and take away from the people‘s representatives (i.e. the elected Mayor and Councillors), the governance functions over the city of Georgetown conferred on it by the Municipal and District Council Act, Cap 28:01, [M&DCA], and, entrust them to the unelected LGC, is inconsistent with, and repugnant to article 9, and under the supremacy provisions in article 8 of the Constitution, void to that extent. The electors/residents/ constituents of the city of Georgetown are entitled to say: is not our representative; we elected a Mayor and Councillors; they are our representatives. The signs of tyranny are ominous, and I have stirred this point. So I turn to the main purpose of this letter: the question of the LEGALITY of

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the CoI. I submit that the LGC had, and has, absolutely no power or jurisdiction to appoint any Commissioner. This appointment is as initio (ie in the beginning) incurably bad. So, here is how the comedy of errors in the appointment as a Commissioner retired Chancellor Cecil Kennard has happened. FIRST, section 14 of the LGCA enables and authorizes the LGC ITSELF (the operative words are “the commission”, and “before it”) to “initiate and conduct investigations into the activities of any local government organ …” But by section 19 the LGC can delegate this investigation, but only to a “LOCAL GOVERNMENT ORGAN”. The commissioner Cecil Kennard is not a local government organ within that term in section 19. SECOND, the LGC is not a creature of the M&DCA. It has no power under the M&DCA. The LGC cannot act in vindication of the power conferred by the M&DCA on the “MINISTER” (presently Hon. Ronald Bulkan, Minister of Communities) under the Eight Schedule (Continued on page 6)

Continuous frustration with the traffic police at the Harbour Bridge DEAR EDITOR, I have written several times before about a frustrating trend that occurs at the Demerara Harbour Bridge every single morning of the week day. The problem continues to this day with no change at all from the police at the ‘D’ division. Every morning as the lines build up with persons queuing to get onto the bridge, the police will let anyone that they want to drive on the wrong side of the road, essentially skipping the lines and going to the front. They call this the priority lane, and from my knowledge only emergency vehicles should be allowed to do this. However the reality of the situation is very different. The ranks will let anyone they want to skip the line. Their friends, family members, neighbours, it does not matter. A regular person spends 40 minutes or more at 6:30 AM in the morning in that line, avoiding reckless drivers, concentrating not to hit anyone by accident, and there on the outside, dozens of vehicles are speeding by, going straight to the front. All kinds of vehicles, from

SUVs to old beat up hatchbacks, vehicles fully tinted, some of them even playing loud music do this. I cannot express in mere words the frustration felt by myself and other colleagues who go through the same experience every single day. Recently an attorney gave in to his frustration with traffic police and that behaviour has resulted in him being charged. It is not right what he did, but one can understand where the rage comes from, especially when

dealing with such officers who cannot perform their most basic of police functions without being corrupt. I am calling on the relevant commanding officers to finally put a limit to this situation. It is not fair nor right, to have persons following the rules and doing the right things, and then to have literally dozens of vehicles breaking the rules, and being allowed to do so, just because the police officer is their friend. Jason Lowe

Disgusted with upsurge in criminal sexual activities DEAR EDITOR, The National Congress of Women (NCW), the Women’s arm of the People’s National Congress Reform, wishes to record its disgust at the upsurge of criminal sexual activities being perpetrated on our women and girls. The NCW is outraged at this latest act which occurred in Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice, Region Ten.Raping women, young girls and children defies and violates the fundamental aspects of our shared humanity. There have been too many atrocities and too often it is the women and girls who are deliberately targeted. The protection of our children is not only the responsibility of parents but also the members of the community.The NCW is grateful for the harsh penalties which have been meted out to those perpetrators who were caught and calls for greater swiftness from the Authorities in dealing with such matters. Janice Gonsalves National Secretary

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THOSE QUESTIONABLE NGOS MR. EDITOR, Several NGO’s are popping up across this country and no one is monitoring them. This is a festering problem in Guyana that should be addressed by this Government, primarily the Ministry of Social Protection which is the oversight Ministry for these institutions. The Government has a responsibility to ensure that these entities are operating according to the laws of the country and their Constitutions. Furthermore, the Government should not appoint persons from delinquent NGO’s to Government Agencies, Inquiries nor Boards. People of questionable character are forming NGOs and going around the world under false pretense professing to be doing all kinds of good service in Guyana when in reality no one in Guyana is benefiting from these entities. In some cases they have never been heard of here. Many of these institutions are collecting millions of dollars from members, donors, foreign and local Governments but there is no ac-

counting of how this money is being spent.Many NGO’s in Guyana neither comply with their own Constitution nor the Friendly Society Act which governs their operations. Throughout the world NGO’s have been running into trouble with the law. Several executives have found themselves behind bars being charged with offences ranging from fraud, larceny, money laundering, drug dealing and even human trafficking. These institutions handle significant amounts of money

and wield a lot of influence in society. Therefore the government must exercise its oversight authority and keep these institutions in compliance with regulations. The Government of Guyana should also establish some standards and guidelines when deciding who should sit on a Government Agency’s Board or Commission of Inquiry. We could borrow from other countries and ensure that appointees to all Boards or Commissions are ‘Fit and Proper’. Sincerely, Ms. Higgins

Minibuses are under ... From page 4 detriment of minibus operations and more favourable to large bus operators would be reduced. One further proposal that could be considered is the utilization of a uniformed workforce in the minibus sector so as to strongly establish the minibus presence as a professional and favorable contributor towards the transportation needs of the populace. A change of impression can be quite powerful and could increase the union’s bargaining power which will enable it to reduce the ability of new competitors to enter

the transportation sector while also offering an opportunity to increase the profitability of the business. After all, the competition has already reached the presidential level. Unfortunately it appears that if these considerations are not taken seriously unfortunately it may be just a matter of time before the minibuses are made obsolete and forced out of the business while reverting the transportation sector back to the large bus model of the past which is similar to when Tata buses were dominant. Best regards, Mr. Jamil Changlee

Thursday September 27, 2018

Bringing the constitution into focus From page 5 to appoint a Commissioner for a CoI. The said Eight Schedule, is not repealed; it is in full force and effect (see section 33 of LGCA). THIRD, regulation 1(4) of the Eight schedule makes it pelucidly clear that the appointment of a Commissionerthere under by the Minister must be published in the “GAZETTE”.The publication in the OG of 22 September, 2018 (Legal Supplement B) is self evidently not about any appointment by the Hon. Minister. FOURTH, the doctrine of ultra vires (i.e. outside the powers/functions) is just as applicable to the LGC, as it is to the City Council. And ex nihilo nihil fit (i.e. out of nothing, can come nothing). The ultra vires hurdles facing the LGC (and by extension it’s appointee-retired Chancellor Kennard) in this matter are insurmountable. The illegalities are incurable. Turning now briefly to press lynching. This has intensified. I notice that Freddie Kissoon in his “The Freddie Kissoon Column” has joined the media lynching of the Town Clerk (“The rulers of this land thinks the citizens are imbeciles” KN 2018-0924). How could he, as am in-

tellectual, wallowing like a slimy eel in the gutter of sensational journalism, conduct such press trialpersecution and ill speaking against a family man, a career person! Is his a fair and balanced comment? I anticipate he will reply, and when he does, I will argue my case as to why his thesis that the CoI is an APNU vote catching strategy, is utter rubbish, asinine and nonsensical, and against the weight of reason and logic. And as to the KN editorial of Tuesday, September 25 “People Are Not Fools”, it suffices to say Et tu Brute. The GC Editorial of September 25th “Municipal taxes” is poignant, timely, balanced and fair as, is Earl Hamilton’s letter “Another Jagdeo attempt at cheap politics” GC, Wednesday, September 26th. One more point: ToR “B” of the CoI as published in the OG, is specifically about the no-confidence motion against King that was disallowed by the Mayor. So, let me make full disclosure: I am the Attorney-atlaw by whose “Legal opinion” the City Council was guided, and acted. It was not some secret document. It was read out by the Mayor at the meeting. What is there to be investigated or examined? The Council doing the obviously right thing seeking legal advice? The relative meager fee I received? My relation to an APNU Councillor? Has any lawyer been bold enough to challenge its legal

soundness, erudition and impeccability. I am not even remotely related to the Town Clerk. The motion was put on the statutory meeting agenda by the Town Clerk and dealt with according to the provisions of the M&DCA including applicable standing orders, it was not evaded. And further I say not. And as to contracts investigations, the M&DCA has elaborate provisions as to disallowance and surcharge by Auditor. The learned Commissioner cannot appear to be impinging on the Auditor right/duty; and arrogating a power that is the Auditors. This is contrary to section 13 (5) of the LGCA. Why not cause an audit to be done as to whether in all the circumstances (e.g. bankruptcy of the Council), contracts were awarded “contrary to law’’. And further I say not. And as to the headline news Quick Shipping Inc. Lombard Street lease matter, the boundary of the Council Area westwards ends “by the Demerara River” as per the First Schedule of M&DCA. Highly technical issues of disputed ownership by NICIL are involved. And further I say not . There is case law of the highest persuasive authority, that the generalization of ToR (as in A (V) and “C” as published in the OG) renders an appointment ultra vires and invalid. And further I say not. Yours truly, Maxwell. E. Edwards

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Rose Hall single mom recieves interest-free loan from Humanitarian Mission A single mother of Rose Hall Town has received her interest-free loan from the Humanitarian Mission Guyana Inc to get her business, “ S e r e n i t y ’s S l i c e o f Heaven” going. Tr u d y S i n c l a i r, 3 3 , was given a loan of $200,000 by the Berbice based NGO which was heartened by the woman’s story. She was denied loans from the loc a l b a n k s but it did not stop her drive to be independent for the sake of her children and herself. The loan she said will be paid back on her own terms which she has already discussed with the founder of the NGO, Suresh Sugrim. Sinclair told the media after receiving the loan that she feels blessed and privileged as a woman from the Corentyne area, “in a sense that too many women in the Coren t y e a r e n o t g i v e n opportunities where they can make something of themselves”. The mother of two girls, aged 10 and six, further added that the

loan will jumpstart her catering and food business which she plans to take to Rose Hall Market and the Port Mourant Market. The optimistic business driven woman said that it is her desire to be a role model to women who are single parents and also to her two daughters, “I will continue to be an example to single parents [and] youths to show that there are opportunities. There are opportunities; you just have to work hard and stay motivated. The road is never easy, it is long and hard but if you can endure it, there is victory in the end”. Sinclair also recently completed a cake decorating class and a computer technology c l a s s a t t h e mission. The NGO has also been allowing persons to access free cosmetology, Mathematics, English, balloon decoration and Computer technology classes with the aim of empowering persons.

SINCLAIR ACCEPTING HER INTEREST-FREE LOAN FROM A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE MISSION

Panama rejects over 20 containers of rice Sack the entire GRDB board, Agri Minister- miller urges In 2014, the previous administration managed to clinch a major rice market in Panama, under a government to government arrangement. Overseeing the shipments for Guyana was the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB). With increasing yields, and Panama demanding packaged white rice, Guyana was assured of better-than-normal prices- in fact prices were said to be about 30 percent more. A number of local millers were involved in the deal. For this year alone, Guyana reportedly shipped over 50,000 tonnes to that market. In Panama, there were rejections of the deal in some political quarters with complaints that local suppliers were sidelined. This past two months, the shipments ran into trouble after Panamanian authorities discovered samples that they said were not in keeping with the contract arrangements. What started off as two containers being rejected has now ended up as more than 20 containers in the last six weeks or so not being accepted. Yesterday, General Manager of the GRDB, Nizam

Dr. Turhane Doerga Hassan, disclosed that they are looking into reports of some bags of rice in containers shipped to Panama not meeting the requirements. He said that information is now being gathered and it is too early to say what exactly transpired. Hassan disclosed also that one miller, who has rice mills in Essequibo and West Demerara, will not be allowed to participate in the deal until there are clarifications about what transpired. The rejection of the con-

tainers would be a hard blow for the rice industry which has been depending on the Panamanian market for pushing up prices and reduce any surpluses on the market. Panama was said to be the most lucrative of markets after the loss of the Venezuelan one in 2015. Yesterday, Dr. Turhane Doerga, Chief Executive Officer of the Alesie Group of Companies, was highly critical of GRDB. He pointed to the checks that have to be carried out before the containers are loaded and shipped. He said that the poor quality rice found in Panama may have been a shipment returned from Trinidad. “We have information that containers with parboiled rice were shipped a few months ago to Trinidad and were rejected because of poor or bad quality…and came back to Guyana.” Doerga questioned how the containers could have left Guyana for Panama without collusion from GRDB. “This is a very serious issue that has implications for our market. We want the Panamanians to know we have taken actions not to (Continued on page 21)

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Use of low-grade zinc sheets at Eccles Health Centre

Region stands ground as contractor pleads for payment The Region 4 (Demerara – Mahaica) administration is not backing down from its position to withhold payment from a contractor on the Eccles Health Centre on the East Bank of Demerara. Regional Executive Officer (REO), Pauline Lucas has refused to sign off on payments until the contractor replaces the low-grade zinc sheets used during construction. The Eccles Health Centre project was awarded to Vision General Construction for $27.1M. During a visit to the project, Lucas raised concerns as to why the contractor was utilising 28 gauge zinc sheets and not the 26 gauge which was in the bill of quantities. It was pointed out that the 26 gauge is a superior quality and

The Eccles Health Centre along the East Bank Demerara.

standard zinc sheet to the cheaper 28 gauge, which was used by the contractor. Kaieteur News understands that the contractor is pleading with the region to release the payment on the promise

that the zinc sheets would be replaced. However, this is not sitting well and should the REO sign off on the payment she would be engaging in an illegal act as an accounting officer. She would be in fact ac-

cepting the low-grade zinc sheets. There are cases where this has happened in previous years. More recently, officials in Region 6 (East Berbice-Corentyne) accepted a bulldozer which was different to the one

which should have been provided by the signed contract. Following articles in the media, the contractor in that instance, accepted responsibility and repaid the region. Region 4 has de-

manded that the contractor change the zinc sheets. So far, the contractor has not complied with the region’s request. The REO and regional councillors have also expressed concern over the slow pace at which work has progressed on the Eccles project, which was slated to be completed at the end of June. An extension was granted and the project should have been completed by now. The REO had expressed frustration over the manner in which some contractors were operating, thus resulting in her undertaking a number of impromptu visits to projects being overseen by the region. “As the Accounting Officer for this Region, it is my responsibility to be vigilant and prudent and therefore let me warn contractors that sloppy and unacceptable work would not be tolerated by me. If they have the view that they can give us anything in Region Four and we would accept it, then think again, as I will not be paying tax payers’ monies for work that lacks quality, standard, and is executed in an unt i m e l y m a n n e r, ” L u c a s had previously warned.

Thursday September 27, 2018

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Extend the amnesty The Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority should reconsider his decision not to extend the tax amnesty which was granted earlier this year and which has so far raked in more than five billion dollars in additional revenues for the government. The rationale provided by the Commissioner General is reasonable. He has said that tax amnesties are usually granted for a fixed period. While this is accepted it does not preclude him extending it, especially if the objectives were not met. In announcing the amnesty, the Minister of Finance outlined that it was applicable to all delinquent taxpayers - corporate and individual. The amnesty, he said, would run from January 1, 2018

through September 30, 2018. Taxpayers who filed and paid all principal taxes on or before June 30, 2018 would benefit from a waiver of all interest and penalties, while those who filed and paid between July 1, 2018 and September 30, 2018 would have 50 percent of interest and penalties waived. The amnesty was granted on the condition that taxpayers filed true and correct returns. The Commissioner General in comments broadcast on Newsroom, indicated that while five billion dollars was collected, there was not a large number of taxpayers who applied for the amnesty but those who did, paid large sums. In other words, it was only a small number of persons who benefitted and most

likely, judging from the Commissioner General’s comments, mainly business firms since this is the category likely to pay large sums. It is therefore respectfully submitted that the objectives of the amnesty have not yet been met; there was no widespread response from individual taxpayers. This may have been because many ordinary taxpayers who are delinquent may not have known about the amnesty or how to go about it or because of the need for additional time to get their documentation in order. Either way, the original objective was not met and the Commissioner General and the Minister of Finance should consider extending the amnesty to the end of the year. If a small number of

Dem boys seh ...

Guyana get an exchange, not change Trump go to de United Nations and seh in de two years his administration had already accomplished more than any in U.S. history. De whole assembly laugh at him and de man believe dem was laughing wid him. In Guyana Soulja Bai mek a statement just like Trump. De only difference is that he deh in power fuh three years. But in reality nutten ain’t change. As a matter of fact, dem boys believe and plenty people seeing an exchange. Rice use to go to Venezuela and was big racket. To this day de rice money can’t be found. Jagdeo did seh he invest de rice money at a high interest rate. Nobody don’t know wheh he invest de money. Today de rice market ex-

pand to Mexico, then to Panama. Just last week somebody try to con de Panama people wid coodie (broken rice) instead of rice. Panama promptly tun back de boat. Jagdeo and de PPP tek nuff money from de Chinese fuh different projects and de nation don’t know how much and when dem gun start pay back. Soulja Bai and de Coalition already snatching up loan from de Chinese and hiding de contract from de Guyanese people too. Jagdeo bypass everybody fuh give all de billions to ee best friend fuh de drug bond and de contracts. Soulja Bai cut out Jagdeo best friend and put in he best friends in de drug bond and in de contract. Jagdeo tek US$40 million from China to

bring cable from Brazil and talk bout e-governance. De cable ain’t even lef Brazil and de money disappear. Soulja Bai mek Greenidge tek anodda US$40 million, this time fuh broadband. See de exchange dem boys talking about? Jagdeo had couple people who he use to give dem big contract. Soulja Bai tek over dem same people and giving dem even bigger contracts. Jagdeo never jail nobody, no matter how dem thief. Soulja Bai ain’t jail nobody. In fact, he release dem from jail to come out and thief more. See de exchange? Talk half and if you can’t see de exchange go to Ming’s or Da Silva.

taxpayers have paid five billion dollars then there is no reason why in the remaining three months of the year and with an extension and a better public relations campaign about the amnesty, another few billion cannot be collected. Taxation should be equitable and so too should amnesties. If the amnesty has so far benefitted only a small number of taxpayers who paid large sums, then the amnesty has not yet been equitable and consideration should be given to extending it. There is another reason why this is so. The opposition has cast suspicion over the decision to grant the tax amnesty by speculating that it may have been intended to benefit certain individuals and firms. The Leader of the Opposition has questioned the amnesty. He was quoted as saying, “Why now? Why not from the very beginning of their term? Is it that there

are a few companies that they know of, who have large outstanding interest and penalties that would accrue to them and they’re trying to help those companies by giving them a 100 per cent write-off on all interest and penalties?” Jagdeo questioned. “Is it that this is a deal in the making? Because if people have taxes outstanding, and they have interest to pay, then this government likes to believe it is fair, then the people should pay their interest in taxes that were outstanding for a while? This smacks of personal deals.” The government denied the suggestions of a personal deal saying that there was no corruption involved in the decision and that the Opposition Leader was misleading the public. Since we are now being told that only a small number of taxpayers utilized the amnesty but substantial sums were paid, it

does suggest that the majority of those who benefitted were rich. The Commissioner General and the Minister of Finance may therefore wish to seriously consider tailoring a new phase of the amnesty specifically to target small individual taxpayers and firms, without closing the door on the large taxpayers. Since the Commissioner General has announced how much was collected during the amnesty, he may wish to assuage the concerns of the Opposition Leader by pointing out the total number of individual and corporate taxpayers who benefitted and the value of the penalties and interest waived.

PAGE 10

Thursday September 27, 2018

Kaieteur News

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

Greeting Granger and Rowley with rubber slippers The Ministry of the Presidency has issued a complaint to the Guyana Press Association in the form of a letter about the type of wear of some journalists at the signing of the MoU between the President of Guyana and the Prime Minister of Trinidad. It had a no-nonsense tone about it. There were accusations of rude styles and the use of rubber slippers. The press release laments the fact that such disrespect could be shown to the two leaders. I quote a section of the corre-

spondence; “Several media personnel arrived at State House for the said event in denim pants, slippers, sandals and jerseys all of which are woefully inappropriate for such events…It is imperative that those assigned dress modestly in business attire for such events…and not descend into the habit at arriving at state events in casual clothing…” This is not an easy debate to arrive at consensus. I once wore a ragged pair of sandals for my student visa interview at the Canadian High Commis-

sion moons ago. But in all honesty; it was all Ihad. I was living in poverty then. The situation cannot be the same with employed journalists in 2018. Are you telling me that the media people who wore rubber slippers at that event were so poor that they couldn’t do better? I don’t accept that. I would classify myself as having a bohemian style since I was small. I embrace extremely liberal values. But there are lines that must not be crossed. You should not wear a pair of rubber slippers or jersey to cover a meeting between two heads of government. That cannot be accepted. No matter how “cool” you are in life, there are norms and values that are so precious to

the continuation of civilized conduct that must be embraced. I was at the wake of my friend, Fazal Khan, the husband of PPP leader, Gail Teixeira. I saw a relative of the deceased were a see-through dress and her underwear was quite visible. The first thought that came through my mind was, “Didn’t she know before she left home she was going to a solemn occasion? Was she a poor girl? No. Her transparent dress certainly looked expensive. Most people in this country would be shocked to know who that young lady was. I was in the Brickdam Cathedral sitting next to Dr. David Hinds. The occasion was a memorial service for the Lindo Creek massacre victims. A young man came and sat behind us and said, ‘Excuse me, wuh going on here?” We told him it was a funeral service for the Lindo Creek victims. He said he was in the right place. This guy went to cover a church memorial in scissors style trousers that stuck so closely to his legs that a hymac would have to pull it off of him.

His top was an open chest vest. He knew he was inappropriately dressed so he covered his upper body with a weird looking psychedelic coat (do they still use that word today?). No matter how cool and liberal you are, what that reporter did in the cathedral was unacceptable. I had to ask him which news house he was from. I am not going to publish the name. I honestly think a shirt tucked inside your trousers with a pair of shoes should be used when going to such events as what took place at State House between two CARICOM Heads. This doesn’t mean you should don business clothes. I don’t know what the Ministry of the Presidency means by business attire. I don’t know what is meant by casual clothes. It depends on your definition. What is perceived as casual clothes may be very appropriate for an occasion. I was at a funeral service and at the time, one of the world most famous cricketers from England was there too. He didn’t wear anything black or purple or with a mourning colour. He didn’t don a long sleeve shirt. But

he was approvingly attired. State authorities have to be careful when they issue edicts on the way people should dress. This country insists on keeping a ban on sleeveless tops or dresses for women in public institutions. I see the signs everywhere. I don’t accept that. On this issue it should be noted that President Granger has never donned a necktie since he became president in or out of Guyana. I see nothing wrong with neckties. I wear them. No one should dare question the anticolonial values of Nelson Mandela but he wore them. Louis Farrakhan wears neckties. I guess different strokes for different folks.

Thursday September 27, 2018

PAGE 11

Kaieteur News

Body on Kitty seawalls…

Sex video suspect was murdered What was first deemed a suicide has now turned to a murder probe as an autopsy conducted on the body of sex video suspect Sherwin Apple indicated that he was forcibly held underwater until he drowned. Police said that the cause of death was asphyxiation due to drowning, compounded by compression injuries to the neck. Sherwin “Yellow”Apple, 42, was found dead on Tuesday morning on the Kitty seawalls not far from the Celina Resort. He was lying face-down and some had suggested that he had ingested a poisonous substance. His death occurred a day after police had indicated that he was being sought in relation to a sex video which showed him and another man having sex with a young woman. The video started making its rounds on social media some-

time on Sunday, and there were suggestions that woman was forced to engage in the act. Yesterday, Apple’s sisters said while what he did was wrong, individuals should not have taken the law into their hands. Police are attempting to access information from the slain man’s phone, since he reportedly told family members he was going to reach someone that was calling him to meet and discuss the matter relating to the video. Police have also arrested the other man in the video and he is assisting with investigations. But in what can only be considered a story with many twists, the young lady who was seen in the video, visited the police station at Linden and, in her mother’s presence, denied that she was the individual in the video. Police had not made any ar-

Dead suspected to have been murdered, Sherwin Apple rests up to press time in relation to Apple’s murder.

City constable shoots bus driver after row over parking Police are investigating the shooting of John Paul a 42-year-old bus driver, by a City constable yesterday near the route 42 bus park. The incident stemmed from an argument Paul had with the constable about parking spots on the bus park. Paul, who was shot in the leg, was admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital

Corporation. Witnesses claim the constable had approached Paul and there were an exchange of words, after which there was a scuffle and gunshots were heard. Paul confirmed that they had scuffled but claimed that he was walking away when the constable shot him. However, the city constable

and some of his colleagues claim Paul was attempting to disarm the rank when he was shot. Many persons who traverse the area are of the opinion that these confrontations will escalate, since there is growing tension among Route 42 bus and car park operators, fighting for space in the area ti which they have been relocated.

Police recovering the body of Sherwin Apple from the Kitty seawalls on Monday morning.

PAGE 12

Kaieteur News

Thursday September 27, 2018

Minister has no legal authority to appoint chair in voluntary arbitration – GTUC - says apology should be issued to Dr. Leyland Lucas for attempting to besmirch his image The Guyana Trade Union Congress [GTUC] yesterday accused Minister Keith Scott of “bullyism” for what it claims is his unilateral appointment of the chairperson for the arbitration panel to negotiate a salary increase for public school teachers. It said that such a move from the Social Protection Minister, who holds responsibility for Labour issues, is

not unexpected. “Minister Keith Scott continues to pose embarrassment to this nation and threaten the realising of a stable industrial relations environment,” the TUC stated in a release yesterday. According to the GTUC, Minister Scott’s appointment of University of Guyana lecturer, Dr. Leyland Lucas, as Chairman of the Arbitration

Panel has no basis in the Laws of Guyana. “Unless such law - which the Minister must produce was passed in the dead of night and assented to before the nation awakes, the trade union community knows not of its existence,” the GTUC asserted.” This is in light of the fact that the arbitration proceedings between the GTU and the

Education Ministry are “voluntary,” since there exists an agreement between the two parties to move into arbitrational arrangement and where the decisions will be binding on both. According to the GTUC, what Minister Scott is seeking to do is disregard the time-honoured good faith practice, agreed, written and signed to by the GTU and the Education Ministry on September 6, 2018. The extant agreement expressly states, “A chairperson [be] agreed to by the employer and the GTU.” The 1990 GTU and Education Ministry’s Memorandum of Understanding stipulated that where there isn’t agreement between the parties on an arbitration chair, the Ministry of Labour will be asked to “nominate” one. But a nomination, the GTUC clarified, is not tantamount to an appointment and added, “The difference the Minister must recognise and respect.” That 1990 Agreement, the result of Collective arbitration is of a voluntary nature and encompasses the facility of giving and taking at the table, consequently the person nominated will have to be considered and agreed to by the parties. But the GTUC noted, “Seemingly Minister Scott has not read that Agreement, the 6th September 2018 Terms of Resumption, Avoidance and Settlement of Dispute Agreement, and/or the Labour

Minister Keith Scott

University of Guyana lecturer, Dr. Leyland Lucas

Act. Or he doesn’t care or understand the documents/ instruments and the rudiments of Collective Bargaining.” According to the GTUC, in the workplace no rank and file worker would have been allowed to keep his/her job operating “at such a level of high incompetence.” But Scott is insisting that he has been operating within the confines of the law. Moreover, the Minister has voiced his concern about what he has described as “some of the inaccuracies, misconceptions and deliberate attempts to distort the facts pertaining to the conclusion of the process to establish the Arbitration Tribunal to determine the current Teachers’ Salaries issues.” According to Scott, fol-

lowing a meeting Tuesday with the representatives of the union and the Education Ministry, to identify their individual nominee, “a number of misleading statements and submissions which seem to be founded on emotions rather than facts appeared in the printed Media.” In an attempt to bring clarity, Scott yesterday called upon interested parties to study the relevant Collective Labour Agreement [CLA] subsisting between the Parties. He advised further that it would be useful also to consult the Labour Act, Chapter 98:01 for an understanding of the role of the Minister responsible for Labour and that of the Chief Labour Officer as well as the Constitution for general knowledge. (Continued on page 23)

Thursday September 27, 2018

Kaieteur News

PAGE 21

PAGE 22

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Thursday September 27, 2018

Kaieteur News

Secret Villa & Harmony Inn, Ideal for local & overseas guest. Tel#225-6337, 2181400/ 694-7817/668-0306 TO LET Bottom floor Camp St for business/ office commercial spaces, available at Enmore mall ECD. Call Richard #6097675/674-1705/233-2614

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Thursday September 27, 2018

PAGE 23

Kaieteur News

Minister of State conducts reconnaissance in Region Nine - well drillings set to commence next week Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, yesterday led a team to the South Rupununi, Upper Takutu- Upper Essequibo (Region Nine) to conduct a reconnaissance of the roads and other facilities, as the region gets ready to welcome members of the Brazilian Army, who will begin the drilling of eight wells in eight villages from October 4, 2018. Artesian wells will be drilled in the villages of Aishalton, Chukrikednau, Shea, Maruranawa, Awaruwaunau, Karaudanawa, Achiwib and Bashraidrun and will have a depth of 100 metres or 300 feet deep. The Ministry of Public Infrastructure has commenced road works to facilitate the smooth transportation of the vehicles and equipment from Brazil through Lethem to the targeted communities.According to Brazilian Military Attaché to Guyana, Colonel Deni Da Silva, the equipment and support vehicles, which are 23 in total, are expected to arrive in Guyana on October 1, 2018. It is the intention of the Brazilian team to have the wells handed over to the Guyanese authorities on November 28, 2018.

In an invited comment, Minister Harmon said the visit was necessary as it identified areas in which works would have to be done and are ongoing. He noted that the Agreement for the drilling of the wells was signed at the highest levels with the two Heads of State (President David Granger and Brazil’s President Michel Temer) and therefore, it is incumbent on the Government to ensure that all systems are in place and working effectively to ensure a smooth flow of personnel and equipment from Brazil to the identified areas. “I am here to inspect the works that are being done on the roads in South Rupununi in preparations for a massive well drilling exercise that will take place, utilising the Brazilian engineers and the Brazilian well drilling teams. I want to ensure that all of the preparations here are in place to receive the teams when they come and to ensure that once they get here, they can commence work without any hindrance,” he stated. Further, the Minister of State said Government has undertaken efforts to fulfil its promise of a good life for all Guyanese and the drilling of the artesian wells

Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon (third from right) and members of the reconnaissance team inspect this site along the Karaudanawa trail, where works have begun for the construction of a culvert. is aimed at providing ease to the residents of the South Rupununi who often suffer from excessive flooding and droughts. “It is important to these communities to ensure that they have a regular supply of potable water year round. We are aware that during dry season, there are

Minister has no legal authority... From page 12 Scott admitted that since the parties had failed to agree on a Chairman at a previous meeting, it was the responsibility of the Ministry of Labour in the interest of industrial stability to nominate and not appoint a Chairman. At the meeting on Tuesday, Scott presented Professor Leyland Lucas to the concerned parties as his appointee to chair the arbitration panel and even asserted yesterday that since he does not reside in Guyana “his neutrality, professionalism and objectivity can be assured.” In slamming the Minister’s reasoning, th e GTUC said, “Minister Scott continues to act in bad faith, further sullying the industrial relations environment. His mis-application of Section 4 of the Labour Act, Chp. 98:01, which stipulates a ministerial role in Compulsory Arbitration has no bearing on the GTU and Education Ministry’s case for both parties have consented under the Collective Bargaining process to proceed to Arbitration.” “Incidentally, Minister Scott refuses to apply this said law, as was applied by PPP/C Minister of Labour Nanda Gopaul, in effort to resolve the nine-year old grievances affecting workers at the Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI). In this particular instance he continues to feign ignorance and claim impotency to act,” the

GTUC added. Further, the GTUC stated that there is a stark difference between Compulsory Arbitration and Voluntary Arbitration, even as it viewed the Minister’s action as an attempt to deceive and at the same time besmirch Dr. Lucas’ image, via association in an illegal act. Calling the actions of the Minister “disconcerting”, the GTUC stated that in Voluntary Arbitration a Chair can only be appointed after agreement between the parties. As such it noted that the Minister must respect and stop interjecting himself where he has no authority. “Given the tendency to recklessly act/speak and act contrite thereafter, GTUC thinks Minister Scott should publicly apologise to Dr. Lucas for the international embarrassment he has inflicted on him,” the GTUC cautioned. “The Minister’s recent act continues a pattern of speaking and acting without regard for or with guidance of the rules, laws and precedence and being mindful of his role in the industrial relations environment. Tuesday’s indecent further reinforces the GTU’s concern, and by extension Labour, about the Minister’s competencies in dealing with the issue of negotiating salary and working conditions for teachers.” “When he is not taking side with the employer, abrogating his duty to be an honest and credible broker, he is

insulting teachers by calling them names, and now claiming authority to inflict an act under some phantom law.” The GTUC highlighted that “Collective Bargaining, where trade unions exist, is a right under Article 147 of the Guyana Constitution.” “This right was fought for and secured with the workers’ lives, blood, sweat and tears. That it is so enshrined no employer has the right to disregard it. More so, Government as custodian of the nation’s Laws should be setting the tone by ensuring its protection. Developing and fostering adversarial relations with citizens/workers will undermine any government legitimacy to govern,” the GTUC further emphasized. The trade union body appealed to the APNU+AFC Government to cease the practice of treating with matters relating to workers and their unions in bad faith. It went on to note that the absence of understanding industrial relations practices and the seeming comfort to operate in a sea of ignorance can bring dire consequences for the upholding of the Rule of Law, fostering harmonious employer/workers relations, ensuring productivity and social cohesion. “These are commitments the coalition government campaigned on. Every workerpast, present and potentialmust therefore hold government accountable to deliver on,” the GTUC reminded.

droughts and during the wet season, there is flooding and we have to ensure that we do not have these communities subjected to the vagaries of the weather. [We must] put systems in place to ensure that this is addressed. I am satisfied with what I have seen and I satisfied that all of the work necessary to receive the team has been done,” said Minister Harmon. Community sensitisations have also been done and the Village Councils will be given a final briefing next week before the drilling begins. During the drilling phase, there will be technology transfer and capacity building, which will benefit several agencies including the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), the Hydro-meteorological Office (HydroMet), Ministry of Public Infrastructure as well as representatives from the eight villages. Minister Harmon was ac-

companied by Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig, Director of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Colonel Gary Beaton, Commander of the Engineering Corps of the GDF and engineers from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure. This project follows President David Granger’s State visit to Brazil in December 2017, where the Complementary Agreement to the Basic Agreement on Technical Cooperation between the Government of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and the Federative Republic of Brazil for the Implementation of the Project Technologies to Reduce the Effects of the Drought in Region Nine was inked. The Complementary Agreement states that the Government of Brazil shall undertake to “promote the transfer of Brazilian knowledge and experience related to mitigation of the effects of drought; provide the means for implementation of activities foreseen in the Project, send con-

sultants and experts to implement activities to be carried out in Guyana, support the development of the Guyanese technical team’s capacity to drill artesian wells and monitor and evaluate Project implementation.” Meanwhile, the Government of Guyana, as prescribed in the Agreement, shall undertake to “take responsibility for the maintenance of the artesian wells that will be drilled during the practical operations on the ground; appoint a technical team to monitor and participate in activities to be implemented, provide the technical team sent by the Government of Federative Republic of Brazil with the logistical support required to implement activities of their responsibility and to take measures to ensure that activities implemented by professionals sent by the Brazilian Government will be continued by professionals from the Guyanese implementing institution.”

Sacked truckers told to return to work From page 15 commuters complaining bitterly of the poor traffic management. Residents complained of dust pollution. An environmentalist, in a stinging letter to the editor, criticized the seeming lax supervision to ensure that China Rail adhere to stringent environment obligations, including traffic management, that their contract would have mandated them. Yesterday, the officials

said that they have taken note of the social media complaints and reports in Kaieteur News. “We have hired more persons to help with the traffic situation and another truck has been added to wet the roadway to reduce the dust. We understand that there will be inconvenience and we assure that we are listening,” a Chinese official explained. China Rail is placing more signs on the roadway also. The Chinese-funded project is expected to be com-

pleted next year. The officials admitted yesterday that they encountered problems with sections of the old roadway which had to be dug out completely so that the foundation of the new sections would not be compromised. This and the conditions of side streets to divert traffic have all contributed to some issues. “We are working to correct these now,” the Chinese official assured.

Two remanded on gun charges From page 20 firearm licence. Lowe's second charge alleged that on September 24, 2018, at Independence Boulevard he had in his possession 12 live rounds of matching ammunition for the same weapon w i t h o u t b e i n g a l i c e n c e d firearm holder. Police Prosecutor Warren Thornhill objected to bail and said that Lowe had admit-

ted to owning the firearm. The Prosecutor told the court that on the day in question police ranks acting on information received, went to Independence Boulevard, where they saw Lowe who was acting in a suspicious manner. The police then searched Lowe and found the firearm and rounds in his “crotch.” Magistrate Azore remanded Lowe to prison.

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Kaieteur News

Thursday September 27, 2018

Whistleblowers exposing more fraud than internal auditors …Statia calls on officials to be more proactive By Kiana Wilburg Internal auditors are duty bound to identify and help management to weed corrupt moles and schemes. But statistics show that instead of internal auditors, it is whistleblowers who seem to be the ones exposing more acts of dishonesty. It is on this premise that Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Godfrey Statia, said that certainly, the statistics can be equalized if internal auditors can be more proactive. Statia who is also a Chartered Accountant, made this known at a workshop for internal auditors, which was held at the Regency Hotel. The Institute of Internal Auditors (Guyana) organized the event. There, the tax chief said that every day, one hears about fraud, corruption and collusion, many of which are carried out under the very eyes of internal auditors and they maintain their silence either through fear of retribu-

tion or by colluding with the very persons who carry out these crimes. Statia said, “But as internal auditors, you are duty bound to identify and help management to weed out these persons. Remember you signed up for this profession and your omission to act makes you as guilty as the criminal. Be proud of your profession and do your work without fear or favour.” He then reminded his attentive audience of internal auditors about the importance of being ethical. Statia said that the primary responsibility of ethics not only lies with the leaders of the organization. He said that it is an imperative for everyone in the organization to display similar behaviour. Statia said that each employee from top to bottom must be committed to ethical behaviour for a company to be successful. The tax chief said that internal auditors can assist in ensuring everyone in the organization understands their

responsibility for ethical behaviour. The Chartered Accountant said that this comes with discussing and educating employees on elements of the organization’s control environment. Further to this, Statia said that ethics and corporate responsibility do not necessarily equate to honesty in the workplace. As such, Statia said that organisations must ensure that all professionals feel that potential issues can be discussed with management. He said, “As internal auditors, when you are faced with an ethical dilemma, you must ask yourself whether you are looking at the situation as honestly and transparently as you can. Thereafter, it is your obligation to raise those questions to individuals in positions of responsibility.” On the issue of integrity, Statia said that this speaks to the adherence to a moral code, reflected in honesty and harmony in what one thinks, says, and does. “As such,

those who we regard with high integrity normally possess a strong set of moral ethics. From a corporate viewpoint, if the members of your leadership team are individuals whom the employee population views as having strong integrity, then employees will emulate these persons. Integrity is therefore closely correlated with having a strong ethical environment,” expressed the GRA Commissioner General. Turning his attention to corporate responsibility, Statia said that each employee owns this. He said that organizations must learn to embrace the concept that individuals who work in the organization have valuable day-to-day observations that can improve operations and business processes. Statia said that the inability to encourage feedback from employees and to provide an outlet to express these thoughts itself is a failure of corporate responsibility. But Statia’s most impor-

GRA Commissioner General, Godfrey Statia tant piece of advice to the internal auditors yesterday was in relation to silence. The tax chief said, “Silence can often occur due to the fear of retribution. However, employees must be able to question day-to-day activities. The Internal audit function may sometimes be the appropriate outlet for expressing these concerns or questions if not through an independent hotline, then by means that can maintain anonymity.” “As an internal auditor, the concept of silence is golden should not be one that you abide by. You should

understand and acknowledge that silence is a form of acceptance. Your job is to help the organization understand issues as they happen so that appropriate actions can be taken. The concept of ethics stretches beyond the walls of the organization in which you work.” The Commissioner General added that by understanding the concepts and psychology behind ethical behaviour, internal auditors will be able to evaluate the culture and control environment and make a greater impact in the society within which they work and live.

Thursday September 27, 2018

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Wilder camp wants ‘new offer’ for Joshua heavyweight bout GFF update on Public Reuters - WBC champion Deontay Wilder’s representatives have said they will not resume negotiations for a fight with Briton Anthony Joshua until better terms are offered and that no such offer has been forthcoming, Sky News reported. American Wilder and the 28-year-old Joshua, who holds the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO crowns, were in talks for a fight that would unify the heavyweight title but the negotiations broke down. Wilder has since announced he will fight Tyson Fury in the United States on Dec. 1, while Joshua’s representatives have been pushing for Wilder to reach a conditional agreement to fight Joshua next year. Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn and his father Barry

Investigations

Deontay Wilder want the agreement in place before Wilder faces Fury. “I’ve sent three separate emails to Barry saying I have no desire to meet with Barry unless I have a real offer for Wilder to meet Joshua,” Wilder’s promoter Shelly Finkel told Sky Sports.

Anthony Joshua “He and I have been in the business long enough to know what that offer would look like. Where is the new offer? Nowhere to be found.” Joshua, who is locked in to stage his next fight at Wembley in London on April 13 next year, beat Russian

Thursday September 27, 2018 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) If you're single, Aries, today you could fall in love at first sight. A friend could introduce you to someone new and exciting who shares your interests and with whom you'll talk for hours.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Boredom might stimulate your rebellious streak today, Libra. You could decide to forego your usual tasks and do something unusual or unexpected, such as skydiving or horseback riding.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Have you been considering working at home, Taurus? If so, today you might decide to do just that. An opportunity could pave the way for new jobs you could do at home, in your own space, among your own belongings.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) A class or lecture of some kind could bring you exciting new information today, Scorpio. This could keep your mind buzzing for hours, particularly since you may also meet some interesting people .

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Finances should be going well, Gemini, but your financial affairs aren't something you want to talk about to anyone now. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Changes taking place at home could lead to more income, Cancer. Perhaps a new housemate moves in, reducing your housing costs.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) A journey may be in the works right now, Sagittarius. Many changes have been occurring in your life for a long time, and they continue today. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) A change in career could be in the works for you, Capricorn. It might be within the scope of your current job or an entirely new one.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) A walk through your neighborhood, perhaps with friends, could put you in the middle of an unexpected, interesting event, Leo.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) An unexpected opportunity to go on a long journey, perhaps business-related, could come to you soon, Aquarius. A partner might be involved. Your enthusiasm may bealmost boundless, but remember that your physical energy isn't.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Some books you've been reading lately might excite your desire to study astrology, numerology, alchemy, or some other occult science, Virgo.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Too much hard work and stress could be taking a physical toll on you today, Pisces.But it isn't likely to stop you from working intently and energetically

Alexander Povetkin at the same stadium on Saturday. The Briton, who like Wilder has an unbeaten record, said after the victory that he would prefer to take on the American next, but was happy to fight whoever came his way.

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has commenced investigations into three critical areas, which were previously announced, and would like to provide the following update: 1. Investigation into Inappropriate Conduct – Keith Ojeer Status: * An independent investigator has conducted and completed a preliminary inquiry into the allegation. * A report was submitted to the GFF, which will be submitted to the Disciplinary Committee. * The Disciplinary Committee will review and pronounce on the matter. 2. Investigation into allegations of Sexual Harrassment by Referees Sstatus: * The GFF ap-

pointed Board of Inquiry has concluded the interviews. * The Board Of Inquiry is scheduled to present their report, including recommendations, to the GFF’s Executive Committee by end of September 2018. * The Executive Committee will then review and pronounce on same. 3. Investigation into the 2012 – Mexico vs Guyana Hosting Rights Status: * An ongoing investigation is being conducted by a consultant who is scheduled to provide a factfinding dossier including any future action which will be required. * To date, several persons have been interviewed and financial documents submitted including GFF’s audit reports, reflecting transactions processed during the period under investigation This is a very thorough process and the Executive Committee is facilitating the process in a very methodical manner to ensure accuracy and finality.

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Sammy says Windies players still best at shorter formats

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, CMC – Two-time World Cup-winning captain, Darren Sammy, says the plethora of West Indies picked up in the T10 League draft is an indication of the Caribbean’s strength in the game’s shorter forms. The former West Indies Test captain, who now plies his trade exclusively on the global Twenty20 circuit, will lead the Northern Warriors comprising players like Khary Pierre, Lendl Simmons, Obed McCoy, Rovman Powell and Kennar Lewis. West Indies players, including Twenty20 captain Carlos Brathwaite and superstar Chris Gayle, are otherwise scattered across the eight teams for the November 23 to December tournament set for the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. “It’s just so good to know so many West Indians are being picked up in the draft, especially from the recently concluded Caribbean Premier League – Khary Pierre, Sherfane Rutherford Bengal Tigers), Fabian Allen (Kerala Kings) and young Obed McCoy getting a look in in this format,” Sammy said following Monday’s draft. “I think the shorter format over the last two decades we’ve always done better. In the last three T20 World Cups we’ve been in at least the semi-finals, and won it twice (2012 and 2016). [In] one day cricket we were last in the final in 2006 in the Champions Trophy in Asia.” West Indies once dominated world cricket, especially during the late 1970s

Darren Sammy and 1980s, but have languished in the doldrums over the past two decades. In fact, West Indies have not won a Test series against top tier side since they beat New Zealand six years ago in the Caribbean and were also forced to play a qualifying tournament last March in order to reach next year’s World Cup in England, after finishing outside the top eight in the rankings at the September 30, 2017 cut-off date. Sammy believes, however, that the shorter formats can produce the type of development required for West Indies to flourish again in the longer formats. “If we can produce young cricketers coming through [from the CPL] like we’ve seen since the inclusion of the IPL – the youngsters India have produced, also Pakistan and Bangladesh – and now you see Afghani-

stan and the way they are rising,” the all-rounder pointed out. “It shows there is development that could happen through the shorter format of the game and hopefully for West Indies we could continue that and transfer that form to one-day first and then Test cricket.” The T10 League, similar to the popular Twenty20 formats, is a fast-paced version of the game which came on stream last year with much success. Sammy said he expected the second season to be just as entertaining, “T10 last year it was an amazing tournament and I’m looking forward to this. It’s just excitement,” he noted. “I call it like highlights cricket. It’s like you’re watching the highlights package from a game. It’s just sixes and fours and the wickets coming.”

FIFA moves closer to restricting loans, limiting agents fees Zurich (Reuters) - FIFA has moved closer to a reform of the transfer system after a key committee backed proposals to restrict loans and limit agents’ fees, the global soccer body said on Tuesday. The stakeholders committee, featuring representatives from clubs, leagues, players and national associations, also approved a plan to create a clearing house to process transfers, following a meeting in London. However, it did not mention a proposal in a white paper produced by its transfer system task force — which was seen by Reuters earlier this month — to create an algorithm to calculate transfer fees.FIFA said it was agreed that loans should be used for the “purpose of youth devel-

Thursday September 27, 2018

Kaieteur News

opment as opposed to commercial exploitation” and there should be a limit on the number of loans each club could make in a given season. The committee also supported “new and stronger regulations for agents” including limits on how much they could earn and on how many different parties they could represent in a given transaction. FIFA said the clearing house would be to “process transfers with the aim of protecting the integrity of foot-

ball and avoiding fraudulent conduct.”“We have brought everyone to the table and all key actors of the industry have understood that we need to take action, leading today to this reform proposal,” said FIFA president Gianni Infantino in the statement. “This is a significant first step toward achieving greater transparency... and developing a consensus on how to tackle the issue of agents, loans and other key aspects of the transfer system.”

2019 Road World Championships

Yorkshire to host first team time trial mixed relay Men and women will race together for their nations for the first time in the 2019 Road World Championships in Yorkshire. The team time-trial mixed relay is being introduced as part of a drive to “encourage gender equality”. UCI president David Lappartient said the new event was designed to “increase the attractiveness” of cycling. The Worlds, including Para-cycling for the first time, are on 21-29 September with races finishing in Harrogate.The new mixed relay race will feature three men and three women competing for national teams. “We have pledged to deliver an inclusive, innovative and inspiring World Championships,” Yorkshire 2019 chairman Chris Pilling said. “We are therefore enormously excited to be the first host to integrate Para-cycling into the programme.” The team time trial mixed relay will see the men compete a 14km lap around Harrogate with the women’s trio setting off on the same circuit once the second rider in the men’s team has crossed the line. The final time is taken when the second women’s rider crosses the finish line with the overall quickest time winning.Lappartient added: “The race, a UCI [cycling’s

Britain is hosting the Road World Championships for the fourth time the previous was in Goodwood in 1982. governing body] initiative, will replace the trade team time trial and will see men and women competing together for their nation.“I cannot wait to witness this first-ever race, which is part of the UCI’s drive to further increase the attractiveness of our Road World Championships, encourage gender equality, and showcase National Federations and their riders. “After the Tour de France Grand Depart in 2014 and the consequent creation of the legacy Tour de Yorkshire, this magnificent region has left us in no doubt that the World Championships will be a memorable occasion.” That 14km lap around Harrogate, which features an undulating, rather than hilly route, will also provide the finale to the men’s and women’s

elite road races. The men set off from Leeds and will tackle seven laps of the Harrogate circuit after almost 200km of racing through the Yorkshire Dales, taking in climbs such as Buttertubs and Grinton Moor, which attracted thousands of spectators when the Tour de France passed through the region. The women’s race, which sets off in Bradford, heads north through Nidderdale to Masham before heading back to Harrogate for three laps of the spa town.“The Championships will be taking place less than a year out from the Olympic Games, with riders seeking to earn precious qualification points for Tokyo 2020. This will add to the excitement of the racing on the roads of Yorkshire,” concluded Lappartient.

Championships bring cash windfall for Bermuda Hamilton, Bermuda, CMC – The Masters World Ball Hockey Championships have brought 600 visitors to the island which will reap nearly US$1 million in economic benefit, according to the Bermuda Tourism Authority (BTA). The championships, which got under way on Tuesday night, involve 12 men’s and five women’s teams from the United States, Canada, Greece, Italy, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Portugal and Bermuda. All the players are over 40 with a few exceptions. “There are 600 people here for this event this week,” said Kevin Dallas, chief executive officer of the BTA, who said the Hamilton Princess Hotel had booked more than 1,200 room nights spanning the five-day championships. Dallas added: “This is a very different kind of event than the triathlon, but it’s similar in that these events bring players’ families.” The island hosted a World Triathlon Series (WTS) event in April – the women’s race was won by Bermudian Flora Duffy – and is set to stage the WTS grand final here in 2021. Dallas said additional value came from the social media exposure for the island. “It sounds like we have 600 new promoters for Bermuda,” he said. Dallas said he believed that hosting this week’s ball hockey tournament – which began with Bermuda upsetting the Czech Republic 3-2 – would begin “a lasting partnership” with the international teams.

Kevin Dallas

Pat Phillip-Fairn, the BTA’s chief product and experiences development officer, said the championships marked “another way for Bermuda to demonstrate that we’re able to host wonderful events in the fall through the winter”. Ball hockey is a team sport and a variation of ice hockey and a specific variation of the game of street hockey. It is patterned after and closely related to ice hockey, except the game is played on foot on a non-ice surface, player equipment is different, and a ball is used instead of a puck.

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Mushfiqur Rahim and Mustafizur Rahman lift Bangladesh into Asia Cup final ESPNcricinfo - In the end, this loss might come as a minor relief for Pakistan. It can only be an indictment of the format and schedule of the tournament that a side could play so poorly and still be one game from a shot at the title. Pakistan, barely able to cling a performance together, finally had their flickering hopes of an unlikely Asia Cup triumph extinguished by a Bangladesh team that, on the day, simply did what needed doing with ruthless efficiency, dispatching Pakistan by 37 runs, and securing a final date with India. They had two men at opposite ends of their careers to thank for it, an epic rescue act from Mushfiqur Rahim followed by Mustafizur Rahman’s best ODI figures

sending Pakistan crashing out of a tournament they never really took off in. For all of the strides Bangladesh have made in limited-overs cricket over the years, this was still an exceptionally gallant effort from Mashrafe Mortaza’s men. They came into the match having just learned their talisman Shakib al Hasan would play no further part in the tournament. Tamim Iqbal hadn’t been available since the first game. Mashrafe himself would be limited halfway into the Pakistan innings, having injured himself taking a screamer at midwicket to effect arguably the most important dismissal of the match - that of Shoaib Malik. This was no full-strength Bangladesh, but they made up for it with calculated, intelligent cricket, and an un-

derstanding that, in these conditions, they could play to their strengths. Chasing 240, Pakistan were slight favourites at the halfway mark, but Bangladesh gave them a taste of their own medicine, reducing them to 18 for 3 in the first four overs. Mustafizur was brilliant in the early overs, arguably the only one all tournament to get the new ball to move around occasionally. His variations were judged to perfection; he seemed to understand the Pakistan batsman’s psyche better than they did themselves. Both Babar Azam and Sarfraz Ahmed failed to read the cutters, paying the price with their wickets and exposing Pakistan’s famously fragile middle order within the first five overs. Imam-ul-Haq struck up a couple of attritional partner-

Mustafizur Rahman celebrates a wicket © Associated Press. ships with Malik and Asif Ali that kept Pakistan dreaming until the last ten overs, but in truth, they were never really ahead in the game after

FIBA believes less is more as 3x3 basketball continues to grow Mumbai (Reuters) Three-a-side basketball is helping the sport reach out to a new audience and will be a major attraction on its Olympic debut in Tokyo, an International Basketball Federation (FIBA) executive has told Reuters. The urban sport that uses just one hoop enjoyed a hugely successful debut at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore and was approved by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for inclusion at the 2020 Summer Games. Compact and able to be contested in shopping malls, parks and schools, 3x3 is also easily accessible for youngsters — something IOC President Thomas Bach has long championed. FIBA 3x3 Managing Director Alex Sanchez believes the format can act as a catalyst to promote basketball worldwide, with its young, urban and positive image, and carnival-like atmosphere aided by continuous thumping music. “The huge success of 3x3 in Singapore led FIBA to develop it as a second discipline,” Sanchez said in an interview. “The fact that 3x3 was attracting a younger audience was viewed by the IOC as adding value to the Olympics. “There were lots of challenges. It took a lot of time to convince the IOC.” In conventional basketball, games tend to last 40 minutes and are divided into either halves or quarters with five players on each side. The action takes

Athletes of Belgium and Turkey play during their women’s group. Reuters File Photo

Mushfiqur Rahim © Getty Images

that opening burst. Imam’s innings didn’t have the fluency of Mushfiqur’s, nor its conviction and confidence. Bangladesh’s spinners, ideally suited to strangulating teams mid-chase, followed the template to perfection. A wicket every few overs gave Pakistan a bloody nose, allowing the young Mustafizur, already looking like a leader at 23, t o r e t u r n t o d eliver the knockout blow. He stomped on any outlandish hopes Pakistan might have continued to h a r b o u r, removing Mohammad Nawaz and Hasan Ali - key bit-part players in the chase against Afghanistan - in quick succession, and from there on, all Pakistan could do was delay the inevitable. It had looked like a different script at the start of the match, a brilliant start by Junaid Khan and Shaheen Afridi reducing Bangladesh to 12-3. It left Mushfiqur needing to pull off another

rescue act, and true to reputation the diminutive wicketkeeper set about that task with the grim determination that has defined his career, a 144-run partnership with Mohammad Mithun helping Bangladesh climb out of that mess and put up 239, a total they would have happily signed up to after a nightmarish first seven overs. Mushfiqur himself was desperately unlucky to fall a run shy of another hundred, becoming the first Bangladesh cricketer to ever be dismissed on 99 in international cricket. It wasn’t just the statistical landmark he missed out on; with his dismissal, Bangladesh’s hopes of putting up a total in excess of 250 all but evaporated.While they look ahead to the ultimate glory against India, the recriminations in Pakistan could be severe indeed. Bangladesh 239 (Mushfiqur 99, Mithun 60, Junaid 4-19) beat Pakistan 202 for 9 (Imam 83, Mustafizur 443) by 37 runs.

Karibee Rice Basketball – Berbice

place on a long rectangular court with a hoop at each end. NBA games are 48 minutes long.The shorter format is played on a half-court between teams of three, with one substitute, and games last either 10 minutes or until one team amasses 21 points, with each tally needing to be scored within an allocated 12second shot clock. Sanchez defines the role of 3x3 to basketball as similar to that of Twenty20 for cricket, Sevens for rugby and beach volleyball for the more traditional indoor version. “I will give you the example of pizza and pasta. Both are Italian foods but taste completely different. We believe 3x3 has a different positioning and it is more accessible,”

he said. “You can see the people attending our events are younger. From a study we conducted, we found a majority of attendees have never watched (5x5) basketball. “So we are attracting a younger audience and we are attracting a different audience. That’s also important because we are increasing the popularity of basketball in general.”FIBA aims to increase the number of events on the professional 3x3 circuit to 50 from the current 32, hoping it will lead to a rise in the worldwide number of fulltime participants in the format. With the IOC aiming to reduce the financial burden on host cities by proposing fewer athletes and disciplines at future Games, getting approval

for an expanded three-a-side circuit proved challenging. “We had to come out with very strong arguments why FIBA wanted more athletes and not less,” said Sanchez, who was in India for the Hyderabad leg of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Masters. “Also, when you come out with a new product you need to convince your own community. The basketball community was a bit skeptical initially. But now everyone is convinced about the benefits and merits of having 3x3 as an Olympic discipline. “I’m not sure if you have played the lottery but seeing 3x3 included in Tokyo was like winning the jackpot of $100 million. That is exactly how I feel.”

RHT Jammers to clash with East Canje Knights in Final Rose Hall Town Jammers of the Corentyne will bounce against East Canje Knights Of East Canje in the final of the Karibee Rice Basketball Competition this Sunday at the Rose Hall Town Basketball Court, Corentyne, Berbice. The competition is organised by the Berbice Amateur Basketball Association (BABA) and sponsored by Nand Persaud and Company Limited, producers of Karibee Rice. When the two teams met earlier in the tournament at the same venue, Rose Hall Town Jammers were 62-58 winners over Canje Knights in a closely fought affair. However, the Knights have promised to turn the tables on their opponents since they have sharpened their skills and will be going all out for the win but the Jammers are boasting that they have defeated them once and can do it again. They will also be banking on home court advantage and heavy crowd support to take them through. In a supporting encounter, University of Guyana Trojans of Georgetown will take on a Berbice All Star combination. The other teams that participated in the competition were Fyrish Black Shark, Ithaca Hardliners and New Amsterdam Thunder. Bounce ball time on Sunday is 19:00hrs.

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Kaieteur News

CGI/GCB Jaguars 50-over Franchise

Ricardo & Anthony Adams shine as new champs E’bo skittle former Champs GT for 55 By Sean Devers In sweltering heat on a fast outfield, Essequibo crushed defending 50-over champs Georgetown by 97 runs in a top of the table clash yesterday to take the title in this year’s CGI/GCB Jaguars 50-over Franchise League with one round still to play. The Franchise from the Cinderella County needed no help from a fairy god mother to bowl out Georgetown for an embarrassing 55 in 24.1 overs to successfully defend their paltry 152 all out in 43.3 over and avenge their loss to City side in last year’ final at Providence. Jamaican off-spinner Ramaal Lewis continued his consistent form to grab 3-24 and take his wicket-tally to 11 while leg-spinner Steven Sankar (3-12) and Chris Barnwell (2-21) bowled well as man-of-the-match Ricardo Adams reached the boundary four times in top score of 37 from 60 balls. But only Mark Williams (23) of the other batsmen reached 20 in the low scoring game in good batting conditions. Ricardo Adams picked up

Anthony Adams (right) exhalts after trapping Ovid- Richardson LBW at Bourda to end with 4-26. (Sean Devers photo) 4-16 including the tournament’s only hat-trick while Anthony Adams who ripped out the top order, finished with 4-26 to leave the Essequibans as the only unbeaten side going into today’s final round. When Georgetown began their run chase, Anthony Adams removed Raymond Perez (0), Robin Bacchus (1)

and Quincy Ovid-Richardson (4) to leave the score on 8-3 as the top order again failed to fire. When Leon Johnson, the tournament’s leading runscorer with four consecutive half-centuries and who, along with Barnwell have been doing the bulk of the scoring for the City side, was bowled for four at 22-4 by Akinie Adams,

Georgetown were in a deep hole from which they were never able to crawl out. Barnwell has three fifties in his last four innings and with him rested all hopes of a recovery but just when he was looking threatening on 21 he edged the multi-talented Joshua Jones to Keeper Kemol Savory at 44-5 and it was all over bar the shouting.

Ricardo then sent back Steven Sankar (2), Ashmead Nedd (0) and Qumar Torrington (0) in three balls while Anthony Adams polished off the innings to hand Georgetown their first loss. Earlier, GT elected to field and Kevin Boodie and Parmeshwar Parsotan began positively before Barnwell had Boodie (10) caught behind

and Torrington removed Parsotan (10) as two wickets fell in the space of three runs to leave the score on 29-2. Savory (19) and Ronsford Beaton; batting at four, posted the 50 in the 11th over before Beaton played an elegant cover drive for four in his 10, was caught and bowled by Lewis at 54-3. Savory was caught behind off Lewis who had Chetram Persaud caught and bowled for a duck before Ricardo Adams and Anthony Adams (18) put together 47 for the sixth wicket; Sankar got rid of Anthony Adams to leave the score on 106-6. Marlon Williams offered some resistance with 23 before Sankar picked up two quick wickets and last man Jones (4) fell to pacer Franchot Duncan-Clarke to leave GT with a seemingly easy task of scoring just three runs per over to win but the lads from Guyana’s largest but least populated county had other ideas. Today, Georgetown will face Lower Corentyne at Bourda while Essequibo oppose West Berbice at Bush Lot.

Police and Riddim Squad book semi-final date; Last quarter- final matches tonight

Limacol Football Tourney

T

he first two quarterfinal matches in this year’s Limacol Football tourney reached extra time on Tuesday night last at the Ministry of Education ground where wins were recorded by Police Football Club (PFC) over Georgetown Football Club (GFC) 4-2; Riddim Squad edging Beacons 4-3 via kicks from the penalty mark. In the feature match, GFC’s Rondel Peters opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a well taken free-kick from about 23 yards that was lobbed over the wall and into the top right corner of goal. One minute later, Police equalised through a good attacking play which was initially ruled off-side by the Assistant Referee but the onfield official allowed the goal, citing a deflection from a GFC defender. In the 18th minute, Marcus Wilson scored a hanging header from close range to hand GFC the lead for the second and final time. In a span of four minutes, four goals were scored and the

Quarter final action between Riddim Squad and Beacons on Tuesday night.

Wendel Joseph Riddim Squad

Ron Liverpool – Riddim Squad

fans at the Carifesta Avenue ground sprung to their feet in excitement. However, they had to wait until the 79th minute when Lerone Charles netted the first of his brace for Police to ensure the match reached extratime. Charles completed his brace three minutes into the second period of extra-time to

give the Policemen their first lead of the match after which Antonio Wallace doubled the lead, four minutes later. Meanwhile, in the opening match, Riddim Squad eventually overcame a 10-man Beacons FC through kicks from the penalty mark (4-3) after 120 minutes of play had seen the two teams dead-

locked at 1-1. Scoring for Riddim was Wendel Joseph in the 57th minute, a goal which was scored two minutes after Christopher Garraway had placed Beacons into the lead. Skipper of the victorious Mocha Arcadia based team, Ron Liverpool, who pulled off two stunning saves during

the shootout, noted to Kaieteur Sport that, “It was a fair performance for our team. We definitely have to work on our finishing, passing and control heading into (Sunday’s) semifinal but I think we can do it.” Tonight, the high flying Mahaica Determinators will match skills with Pouderoyen

- which won two of their group matches 2-1 while losing the other via a 1-2 score as well in the opening game at 18:00hrs while city side Santos FC will oppose another East Coast Demerara side, Buxton Stars in the feature clash from 20:00hrs. (Calvin Chapman story and photos)

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Kaieteur News

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GIKMAA’s 6th Open International Championship deemed a success

S

oke/Dr. Abdool N a z i m Ya s s i m and The Guyana International Kyokushinkai Martial Arts Academy (GIKMAA) on Sunday last concluded a successful Open International Martial Arts tournament at the Guyana National Gymnasium. A total of 60 karatekas from 8 schools competed at the tournament, the schools were Korean International Martial Arts Guyana, the ISA Islamic School, SVN School, National Martial Arts Association, Best of the Best Martial Arts School, the Guyana Mixed Martial Arts Karate Association, Shuriken of Suriname and The Guyana International Kyokushinkai Martial Arts Academy. GIKMAA, represented by 23 Students won a total of 36 medals (18 gold, 12 silver, 6 bronze). The results are as follows: 6 years & Under Zaheer Assan 1st in Kumite,

Members of the successful GIKMAA team displaying their silverware from the 6th Open International Championship.

Shahid Shah 2nd, Shafeer Ali 3rd, David Mongru 4th and 2nd in Kata. 7 – 9 years – Shakar Pooran 1st in Kumite & 3rd

in Kata. 10 - 12yrs - Daniel Lashely 1st in Kata & Kumite; Nirel Ramrattan 3rd in Kata.

13 - 15 years - Christian Freeman 1st in Kata & 2nd in Kumite, Junior Shilchand 2nd in Kata &Alesha Paul 1st in Kata.

16 - 19 years – Bhudesh Shilchand 1st Kata & Kumite, Nkosi Jupiter 2nd in Kata & Kumite, Joshua Bascombe 1st in Kumite &

3rd Kata, Govind Ramkuar 1st in Weapons Kata & 2nd Traditional Kata, Marcus Chowtie 1st in Kumite, Govindanath Persaud 2nd in Kumite. 20 - 24 years UmishaParsaram; 1st in Kumite & 2nd in Kata, Shakeel Rahat 2nd in Kumite while Maranda Bennett got 3 gold medals i n We a p o n s K a t a , Traditional Kata & Kumite. 25 years & Over Sensei Kelvin Walcott 1st in Kata.In the Team Kata C h a m p i o n s h i p Kyokushinkai Guyana won three silver medals. Soke/Dr. Abdool Nazim Yassim informed that he is very happy with the students of the Enterprise Branch (new comers) under the leadership of Instructor Vikash Somwaru that won 1 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze and a 4th place. The GIKMAA is expressing gratitude to the National Sports Commission, Pastor Ravi of Enmore and Grandmaster Soke Dr. Abdool Nazim Yassim for sponsoring the tournament.Special thanks was also extended to the Judges and Referees, Maranda Bennett, Radha Singh, Sensei Garfield Newton, parents and supporters that assisted to make the tournament a success. Dr. Nazim Yassim and his team will now turn their attention to their Exams in October and November then to the Inter Club tournament in December.

Kaieteur News

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Thursday September 27, 2018

Longer matches key to improvement: Springer B r i d g e t o w n , Barbados, CMC – West I n d i e s Wo m e n ’s h e a d coach, Hendy Springer, b e l i e v e s t h e s q u a d ’s development would be further enhanced by playing two and three-day matches. Speaking after the hosts came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw in the three-match I C C W o m e n ’ s Championship series against South Africa at

Kensington Oval last week, Springer said the longer matches would also help improve the consistency of the players. “[They need to be] more consistent. Me and the captain (Stafanie Taylor) had a long discussion [during the series]… not only about consistency but about the things that would generate consistency,” the former Barbados off-spinner

said here. “I am one who believes that at some point in time we should play longer games – two-day, three-day games – to ask these girls to bat, ‘let me see what you’re really made of’, as opposed to just the Twenty20 and 50over. “I believe their range of skill would be sharpened because of the length of the g a m e . ” T h e Wi n d i e s

West Indies Women

entered the One-Day International series as favourites but suffered a shock 40-run defeat in their opening game to fall 1-0 behind in the series. They faced a decider in Saturday’s final match after the second ODI was washed out, and they executed brilliantly to come away with a 115-run victory. “It could’ve been a lot different. It only goes to show the girls have got the frame of mind, the girls have got the will to win and they’ve got the ability to execute,” said Springer. The Windies then drew first blood in the five-match Twenty20 series when they beat the Proteas by 17 runs o n M o n d a y, d e s p i t e managing only 124 batting first. And Springer said the winning effort showed the determination within the group. “I learnt they’ve got the

capacity to learn and to win and it is good … that we can see their execution as well. I think that has been tremendous over the last couple days,” Springer pointed out. “It was hard work. [Scoring] 120-odd – we didn’t reach the 150, 60 or 70 score we would’ve liked but we knew once it was hard going for us, it would’ve been hard going for them too, providing that we planned our attack really good which we did and the girls executed – one, with good bowling [and] two, with good fielding as well.” The last four T20Is will be played at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad starting F r i d a y, a n d S p r i n g e r believes it will take more hard work to clinch the series. “I guess the pitches will be a lot different, the grounds, the support maybe more, the support maybe less but it doesn’t matter. What we are in control of is how we execute – how we plan and how we execute,” he stressed. “ I t w o n ’t b e e a s y because you have five [matches]… and a lot of hard work will be going into winning the next two, winning the next three and trying to seal the series in that respect.”

Kaieteur News

Thursday September 27, 2018

PAGE 31

Alimohamed’s ton; France & Singhs’ 4-wicket hauls guide EBD to comfortable win CGI/GCB Jaguars 50-over Franchise

Trevon France successfully appeals for an lbw verdict against Kelvin Umroa.

Gavin Singh had a good day with the ball. By Zaheer Mohamed Ronaldo Alimohamed struck a belligerent century while spinners Trevon France and Gavin Singh shared eight wickets between them as East Bank Demerara (EBD) romped to a 132-run victory over Lower Corentyne when the Cricket Guyana Inc./Guyana Cricket Board Jaguars 50over franchise league continued yesterday. Alimohamed anchored his team innings by putting on 56 for the fourth wicket with Vishaul Singh and added a further 70 with Darshan Persaud to guide EBD to 209 all out in 38.2 overs after they decided to bat at Everest Cricket Club Ground. Opener Trevon Griffith took boundaries off pacers Raun Johnson and Nial Smith before he was caught off Johnson for 19 with the score on 36. Fellow opener Yeudistir Persaud (10) and

Deonarine Seegobin (00) were both run out leaving their team on 45-3. Alimohamed and Singh then steadied the innings fairly with cautious batting on a slow pitch. Singh looked solid and struck three f o u r ’s b e f o r e h e w a s removed by Veerasammy Permaul for 30. Permaul then bowled Gavin Singh (02) and had Chemroy Kendall (00) caught in quick succession before Kelvin Umroa accounted for Corwin Austin (01) as EBD slipped to 1207.However, Alimohamed timed the ball well to keep the scoreboard ticking as he dominated the stand with Persaud. Alimohamed struck Smith for two sixes before hoisting Kassim Khan out of the ground twice while Persaud was content to rotate the strike. Alimohamed continued to accumulate his runs without much hiccups

Ronaldo Alimohamed accepts his man-of-the-match award from Match Referee Arleigh Rutherford. and hammered two consecutive sixes to bring up a well deserved century with a four before he was caught off Smith for 102 (7x4 9x6). Persaud was dismissed for 10 while France made 12 not out; Permaul was the pick of the bowlers with 4-

29. Lower Corentyne openers Junior Sinclair and Kevlon Anderson looked in fine touch, picking up boundaries off pacers Alimohamed and Keon Morris before Anderson was removed by Alimohamed for 20 with the score on 33.

Jonathan Foo pulled Alimohamed for consecutive boundaries but was soon taken off Morris for 11 while Sinclair was lbw to Gavin Singh for 16. Lower Corentyne’s inept batting display made it look as if the combination of Singh and France was lethal; however the duo deserved credit for maintaining a decent line. Singh trapped Jason Sinclair (03) lbw and removed Permaul (01) while France accounted for Sasenarine Sukhu (01) and Devon Clements (10) as Lower Corentyne slipped to 77-7. Singh and France wrapped up the rest of the batting as Lower Corentyne were sent packing for 77 in 19.3 overs. France finished with 4-4 and Singh 4-16. At Port Mourant, Upper Corentyne managed 180 all out in 45 overs, batting first. Eon Hooper made 41, Trishan Ramsarran 22, Alex Algoo and Shawn Perriera

21 each and Clinton Pestano 19. Akshaya Persaud claimed 4-38, Richie Looknauth 2-36 and Mahendra Dhanpaul 2-44. West Demerara were bowled out for 173 in 44.4 overs in r e p l y. Ta g e n a r i n e Chanderpaul struck 84 not out while Malcolm Hubbard made 40. Pestano captured 3-34, Dimetri Cameron 3-58 and Jonathan Rampersaud 218. At Bushlot, West Berbice batted first after winning the toss and managed 200 in 50 overs. Javid Karim top scored with 66 while Seon Glasgow made 45. Bowling for East Coast, Rajendra Chandrika picked up 3 for 22 and BhaskarYadram 2 for 41. In response, East Coast Demerara crumbled for 66. Brian Sattuar (15) and Ameer Khan (14) were the only batsmen to reach double figures. Keon Joseph picked up 3-2 while Kevin Jawahir had 2-7.

Signboard of Guyana’s Caribbean B’ball C/ship winning team vandalised In June, against the odds, Guyana’s Men’s team won the 2018 Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Championship which also served as the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Americup qualifiers.A month later, the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) had constructed a signboard on Main Street that carried the photo of the history making team that won its first gold medal for the Golden Arrowhead in the competition that started in 1981.This week, the entire basketball fraternity has been left shell-shocked when the signboard was found vandalised with the vinyl carrying the photo of the team ripped off completely. In an invited comment, President of

This composite photo shows the signboard before and after being vandalised. the GABF, Nigel Hinds said he was saddened by the act and pledged to do all in his power

to have the sign up again as soon as possible. “Not only is it an injustice to the basketball

community but it is also a slap in the face of Guyana because the young men were

representing the state. It is also disrespect to all the supporters of the basketball including the

government and corporate community,” Hinds further stated.

rt o p S CGI/GCB Jaguars 50-over Franchise

Ricardo & Anthony Adams shine as new champs E’bo P.28 skittle former Champs GT for 55

New Champs Essequibo take a group pic following their triumph after bowling out defending Champs Georgetown for 55 at Bourda.

Alimohamed’s ton; France & Singhs’ 4-wicket hauls guide EBD to comfortable win P.31 Limacol Football Tourney

Police and Riddim Squad book semi-final date; Last quarter- final matches tonight P.28

Three Police players converge on the lone GFC player to dispossess him during last Tuesday night’s second quarterfinal.

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