Kaieteur News

Kaieteur News

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Friday August 26, 2017

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

UNBRIBABLE The discovery of oil in Guyana by the US oil giant, Exxon Mobil, in 2014, was exciting news for the citizens. There was talk of it being a potential saviour for the economy with the promise of a significant boost in foreign exchange earnings to propel the country to a new level of prosperity. The exploration of oil in Guyana began in the 1960s, but a decline in oil prices on the world market and Venezuela’s 118-year-old territorial claim to two-thirds of Guyana’s territory have delayed the exploration and the drilling for oil. However, following the discovery of oil in large quantities in the Liza 1 oil field, several questions have been raised about many unexplained actions by the government, some of which seem contrary to the principles of transparency and accountability. From our standpoint, it seems quite unnecessary when several government ministers are emphasising that they are unbribable, when no one has even remotely said otherwise. Their comments were in response to an August 17th report from The Economist magazine which claimed that “oil corrupts weak governments and Guyana is not so strong.” They are also in response to several articles from Kaieteur News which revealed that Exxon Mobil had funneled millions of dollars to several government officials, their relatives and friends connected to the government of Equatorial Guinea. Today, thanks to Exxon Mobil, these officials are living lifestyles reserved for kings and queens while the masses are struggling to survive on less than US$2 a day. It is said that in politics as in government, the notion of everyone being unbribable is almost unheard of in the modern era. That said, the President has made it very clear that openness about the oil discovery is needed to keep the nation abreast of the progress being made in the interest of all. His declaration comes at a time when the government is under extreme pressure by the people and by organizations including the Private Sector Commission and Transparency International, to release the details of the contract between Exxon Mobil and the government to the public. As reported, the contract was signed by former President Mrs. Janet Jagan in 1999, but some legal experts believe that the production clause in the contract that was added by this government could be the reason for not releasing it. However, the more excuses put forth by the government, the more the people will believe that something untoward is taking place. The government’s claim that it cannot release the contract because of security risks and that the Petroleum Exploration and Production Act does not allow for public disclosures have been discredited by those in the know. According to legal experts, there is no law that prohibits the government from informing the public on issues of national interest. The government has also been criticized for the unannounced visit by several ministers to Exxon Mobil Headquarters in Texas at the expense of the oil company. Even though it is not wrong for ministers to visit Exxon’s head office, it is the manner in which it was done that raises concerns. It is reminiscent of the secret trips to Panama and Mexico by senior city officials in relation to the installation of parking meters in the city. The production of oil from the Liza 1 field is expected to start in 2020 at an initial rate of 100,000 barrels per day. Once production commences, the government will receive a royalty of two percent on gross earnings and a 50 percent share of the benefits from sales after all expenses. This should help to lift the spirits of Guyanese and renew their confidence in the future.

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.

PPP Executive member calls for a new political beginning Dear Editor, It was the English philosopher who wrote that the only thing necessary for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing. Implicit in this statement is that ever so often nations ended up with leaders that are at best mediocre and at worst lacking in vision. And, as the saying goes, where a nation lacks vision, a nation perishes. What is critically needed at this juncture in our political life is visionary and transformational leadership. Our politics has become over the years too hardened mainly along ethno-political lines to a point where policy making and articulation are influenced not by the greater good of the society as a whole but by what is perceived to generate maximum political capital by the ruling elite. We have to be honest with ourselves and admit that we have a

broken political system that have failed to realize our full development potential. We are rich in resources, both human and material, but we remain on the margins of global and regional development. We are still regarded as one of the poorest country in the western hemisphere despite the fact that we have attained political independence over half a century ago. October 9 will be sixty four years since our constitution was suspended by the British Government and the popularly elected PPP government under the leadership of the charismatic Dr. Cheddi Jagan ejected from office after a mere six months in office. An interim government was installed by the British Government but for all practical purposes nothing significant happened from a developmental perspective. The country marked time for the entire four

years of the interim government until new elections were held which saw the PPP returned to power but in a new political dispensation marred by political divisiveness and a hostile environment. After the suspension of the constitution and the split of the PPP in 1955, the country continued to limp along until this day with deep scars remaining in the body politic. It is time for a new beginning in our politics. We owe it to this generation to find innovative ways to address this debilitating schism in our body politic. It is time for good people to become involved. Sitting on the fence is not the solution. In the words of our late and celebrated poet, “all are involved, all are consumed.” Hydar Ally Central Committee member, PPP

These are the factors from which wealth arises Dear editor, I read the insightful, instructive piece about wealth creation and money matters in general. I rather liked the observation that “wealth comes from wisdom, understanding and knowledge”. To this I would add “and a good reason to sleep soundly at nights”. Along the same lines, I would suggest that having what I term ‘survivor money’ comes from a deep-seated need to feel safe financially. When I arrived in London for the first time in the mid-1950s, an employer told me that I should bear in mind that, as a secretary, I could rely on a ‘safe’ job, because of the scarcity of skilled typists at the time, but if there was ever widespread unemployment, I would be the first to go, since employers would have to consider native Brits first. That made an impression on me, and from then on, I saved part of my wages every week.

The money built up, and I felt reasonably safe. As I matured, this practice became an instinctive habit. To hark back to my being shown the door in my mid-50s and in my last job, colleagues were stunned when I calmly walked away, without a tantrum. When I mentioned that “anyone could do it”, I was surprised when a Brit colleague said that she could not, because she had TWO mortgages to pay. I gathered that, with her recent promotion, she has bought a bigger house, before selling the one in which she then owned and lived. In other words, a deliberate gamble. My colleagues were not to know that my savings account of a ‘handsome’ 5 figure sum kept the bank manager happy. Be wise and knowledgeable - and enjoy your nightly sleep. Geralda Dennison

Socialism is a superior system to capitalism Dear Editor, Peeping Tom’s column “Capitalism Cannot Exist where there is Socialist Thinking” (KN Tuesday, August 29, 2017) is one of the most vexatious and vulgar opinion pieces I have come across in a long while. The Peeper clearly demonstrates his/her ignorance with regard to the genesis and development of both capitalism and socialism, both globally and in Guyana. Anyone can have an opinion, however, that opinion only becomes noteworthy and valid if it is rooted in historical facts and scientific evidence that offers an informed analysis. First of all, it must be understood that there is nothing socialist about Guyana. The Guyana of today is nothing more than an underdeveloped and malformed capitalist country, full stop. Let’s put an end to this nonsense once and for all, neither the PPP nor PNCR are socialist in orientation. Both major parties are committed to the neoliberal capitalist model of development and they make no bones about this. Those persons who continually hark back to the days of Forbes Burnham and Cheddi Jagan,(who were indeed both socialist in their orientation),and insist

that Guyana is still pursuing a socialist path of development, are simply demonstrating their ignorance of comparative political systems and political economy. Both the PNCR and PPP have long abandoned the vision and ideology of their founding fathers. The only reason they still pay tribute to Burnham and Jagan is because their respective constituencies still revere these two leaders and they dare not drop their memory all together. This type of abandonment of the original principles, aims and objectives by political parties founded by visionary leaders who were anti-colonial and anti-imperialist is not specific to Guyana. Many a great leader, after passing away, is still eulogized by their founding parties, even though those parties have abandoned the vision they started out with. It happened in Egypt after Nasser, in Ghana after Nkrumah, and sadly in Azania (South Africa) after Mandela. Peeping Tom teaches us nothing about capitalism and socialism because he/she has not a clue about either, but rather reveals everything about his/her extremely crude, bourgeois and elitist worldview. The Peeper claims that Guyanese are influenced by Dutch and

English thinking and that they do not want everyone to be equal but rather “want to be rich themselves”. According to the Peeper, although Guyanese “want money” they are “full of envy for those who are wealthy”. He/she then goes on to complain about the “pressures on the propertied class” and refers to those outside this class as “under-performers”. As if this is not offensive enough, the Peeper then launches into an attack on the vendors, “For every store on Regent Street and on Water Street south of Robb Street, there are three vendors. You have more persons selling outside of the stores than you have stores. Do these persons pay their fair share of taxes? Do they have to pay overheads, staff and for licenses, No, they do not. Yet, they are crippling the retail market…The vendors also generate a tremendous amount of garbage.” Before we even address the Peeper’s disgraceful attack on Guyana’s small business men and women, otherwise known as vendors, we need to question the Peeper’s very assumption about who constitutes this “propertied class”. One can own property without being (Continued on page 6)

Saturday September 02, 2017

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Kaieteur News

Special Education Needs and Disabilities within Guyana’s mainstream system DEAR EDITOR, In two previous letters on the above subject, I made mentioned the texts I drew from, so I would just cite the authors’ last names in this missive. Bourdieu (1990a), postulated that human action occurs in the natural and social world, and there is the transformative nature of the action and the priority of action over thought. This is the case for the mainstream elementary teachers of Guyana. In a recent study I have conducted, 90 percent of Guyanese mainstream elementary teachers indicated that they are aware that their actions are not very inclusive in nature and they do have knowledge of some of the reasonable adjustments needed to be made to their actions. Bourdieu (1977, 1989), indicated that individuals, in their actions, incorporate social structure and organizations. Individuals do this by exteriorizing their individual interests, perspectives, worldviews, and dispositions to act. These renew social structure and organization as they share the same conditions; they develop the same habitus. While doing this, people incorporate social structure and organization. It DEAR EDITOR, Public utility regulation is a discipline just like law, engineering economics, sociology etc. Like those other discipline it is taught by universities, specialized school and umbrella regulatory bodies, for example, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners of the USA (NARUC). Like the other disciplines too certificates from schools do not make one a competent regulator. To become a competent regulator, the knowledge gained from schooling must be combined with experience working in an effective regulatory environment. I am not sure that Guyana’s PUC provide that kind of environment since it did very little regulation over the years either because it is excluded by law from performing as an effective regulator or it does not have the wherewithal to do so. The PUC came into being in October 1990. This makes it one of the oldest public utilities regulatory bodies in the English

was revealed in the study that the elementary teachers gravitate to teachers of similar status, beliefs, and culture. They even indicated a preference for learners of similar culture, noting that they are easier to relate to. Through this, a shared habitus is established. The cultural norms of the schools include: 1. Delivering the curriculum at a rigid and inflexible rate which does not allow teachers the autonomy to differentiate enough to cater for all learners, especially learners with SEN and disabilities in Mainstream Schools. 2. Teachers showing preferences for learners of influential cultures and groups in society. This is done by making more modifications and provisions for these learners than they would for learners of minority cultures or with SEN and disabilities in mainstream schools. 3. Grouping slower learners and learners of SEN and disabilities in mainstream schools at the back of the classroom. 4. Focusing more on academic performances in core subjects such as Mathematics, English, and Science at external examinations that define the rank and prestige

of the institution and effectiveness of the teachers and the programs offered by the school rather than its inclusiveness. 5. Limiting the participation of learners with SEN and disabilities in external school competitions because they do not believe learners with SEN and disabilities can perform equally or better than learners considered more able. 6. Treating learners with SEN in mainstream schools as low achievers or learners with challenging behaviours when a physical or known disability is not reported. 7. Teachers gather with only teachers of similar status or rank in the school and similar culture. 8. Schools indirectly replicate the inequalities of society in the criteria that learners must achieve before they can access certain programs and resources. These criteria do not enable access to all but limits access for some learners. 9. Teachers moving on to the next concepts once the majority of the class grasps the current concept. This results in learners with SEN always lagging behind without support. 10. Teachers treating

learners who are more cognitively capable better and giving them more support in order to enhance the school’s image at external standardized assessments and streaming learners according to academic performance and placing them in the ‘A’ class (the class learners and parents perceive as superior). 11. Unconsciously, showing preferences for learners of the same culture as the teacher or learners whose parents are affluent or in high offices of authority. Guyanese mainstream teachers hold several misconceptions about Special Education Needs, Disabilities and Additional Education Needs. These misconceptions include: 1. Thinking those learners with SEN and disabilities are more challenging to teach. 2. Feeling those learners with SEN and disabilities will always exert more challenging behaviours than the learners they considered normal or abled. 3. Thinking that all learners with SEN have permanent learning disabilities. 4. Equating physical impairment with lower cognitive abilities.

5. Thinking those learners with SEN and disabilities will contribute to a decline in the academic performance of the class they teach. 6. Thinking those learners with SEN and disabilities always will need a lot of support and time which will always equate to more challenging work for the general mainstream teachers. 7. Thinking those learners with SEN and disabilities always has a pathologized problem. Teachers’ preference of a selected group of learners is reflected in the differential treatment of learners because of a disability and or Special Education Needs rather than individual learning needs. This is evident in the current mainstream education system. This is a major cultural norm maintained by the collective conscious of the mainstream teachers and the habitus of Guyana’s elementary mainstream education system. Stetsenko (2005) indicated that the discriminations evidence in any social system was generated directly or indirectly through the curriculum and structure of the public mainstream education system. If the education system perpetuates the thoughts and

ideas that learners with SEN and disabilities will contribute to a decline in the academic performance and more burden on the school’s limited resources. This will permeate through the society that learners with SEN and disabilities will place a burden on the state. It was clear that teachers’ attitude and perspective will dominate the hidden curriculum and indirectly teach mainstream learners this form of discrimination in Guyana. This directly will contribute to Guyana’s mainstream elementary schools being non-inclusive to another generation of learners with SEN and/or disabilities. Mitchell (2005) as cited in Andrews and Frankel (2010) the non-inclusiveness of mainstream elementary schools will directly affect negatively any ‘Education for All’ initiative. Guyana’s mainstream elementary teachers’ attitude and perspectives on SEN, disabilities and inclusion will directly impact negatively its pursuits for elementary education for all goals and prevents the total achievement of elementary education for all. Lidon Lashley B.Ed., M.Ed., M.A.SEN University of Guyana tioning PUC, staffed for

should have The Public Utilities Commission must regulate the GPL competence, been able to answer these speaking Caribbean. Yet its website does not indicate how it operates. By law and regulatory policy the approach to regulation by the PUC, like every other such body, is supposed to be predictable, transparent, of the highest integrity and responsive to the needs of the stakeholders. The Commission should embrace policies that will ensure that these objectives are achieved. This means that everyone should be aware of its policies and procedures and how it operates. Apart from holding “hearings” the PUC embraces no other procedure to indicate transparency in its operation. Holding a “hearing” without providing the would-be participants with the information on which the “hearing” will turn cannot represent transparency. Likewise, who decides on which documents are confidential and which are not? All documents depos-

ited with the Commission are presumed to be public p r o p e r t y. I f t h e u t i l i t y seeks confidentiality of its documents what are the confidentiality criteria? These questions would be answered by the Commission publishing its Rules of Practice and Procedure. Even though the PUC is 27 years old, no such document can be found on its website or anywhere else. No other regulatory guidelines regarding regulating electricity could be found for example, no integrated resource plan approved by the PUC, no policy on depreciation, instant reporting on blackouts or outages affecting a predetermined number of households, adding capacity to the public supply system, renewable energy interconnection, optimum amount of intermittent energy allowable unto the grid, feed in tariff, depreciation policy for GPL, etc. Through the systematic emasculation of the PUC

through the ESRA, as amended, which removed every scintilla of effective regulation of electricity from the purview of the PUC, and the constant amending and changing of the PUC Act, the Commission has become a “toothless tiger” jumping to the commands of the GPL and the Minister. In essence the PUC does not form part of the electricity sector. The administration should realize that electricity is a national security issue, that one of the indices foreign investors looks at before making a decision to invest in a country is the cost of electricity in the country, the stability of the electricity supply and the application to connection lead time. The administration

should also realise that whatever was being done for the last forty years did not bring us out of the blackout menace, and that some other solutions should be tried. Is the GPL structured correctly? Should we not be looking at unbundling generation from transmission, distribution and supply and leaving GPL to handle the latter. Should we not take advantage of Section 4 of the ESRA and privatise generation totally? Was it right to remove Wartsila from the generation scene when the whole of the Caribbean has foreign companies in charge of their generation? What is the impact of the large companies leaving the grid on the rates of those who cannot do so? A proper func-

questions and advise the administration on the way forward. Finally, I am of the view that the blackouts we are suffering is as a result of the structure of the electricity sector with GPL at its head. I am further of the view that the PUC must form an effective part of the structure of the sector. For this to be done it must be reverted to the powers it got, relating to electricity, under its 1990 Act. Until the importance of stable and reliable electricity to the country is recognized and steps taken to do t h i n g s d i ff e r e n t l y, t h e blackouts will continue. Lance McCaskey

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Saturday September 02, 2017

Once again, the President may have been misled by his AG DEAR EDITOR, Since his ascension to the highest office, President Granger has been making some erroneous decisions that many believe are in direct conflict with his own and the promises made in the 2015 APNU+AFC Manifesto. Prior to the General and Regional Elections of 2015, many believed and some still do, that Retired Brigadier David Arthur Granger is an honorable, God-fearing man who will use the essential principles that were the foundation of his long career in the military, to “eradicate crime”, “stop corruption”, “restore democracy”, and to initiate policies and programs that are “transparent” and “accountable” in the best interest of the Guyanese people. We all thought in the beginning that their collective inexperience in running a government was responsible for the mistakes, but month after month the public is being bombarded like “shock and awe” as one scandal is exposed after another, that exposes the

incompetence and ineptitude of the Granger-led APNU+AFC government. Had it not been for the vigilance and diligence of the People’s Progressive Party in monitoring the use of public funds by the APNU+AFC government, Guyanese may never have known about the 50% payhike and additional benefits given to ministers in just a few weeks on the job. They may never have known that the government rented the Sussex Street “pharmaceutical storage bond” as payback to a known PNC/APNU financier for over $12.5 million per month. Had it not been for the PPP, Guyanese may never have known that over $1 Billion of their tax dollars were spent on a white-elephant known as the D’Urban Park Development Project, and that $605 million were given to Ansa McCal to procure drugs without following the procurement laws, costing taxpayers millions more for less drugs. And let us not forget that two junior ministers were living in houses rented by this government

Socialism is a superior... From page 4 a member of the so-called “propertied class”. But that debate is for another time. It is not socialism that promotes greed and class warfare but rather the very capitalist system that the Peeper extols. Capitalism instigated class warfare, and Marxism responded with more class warfare. It is important as non-Europeans that we remember that socialism did not begin and end with Marxism and Sovietstyle Communism, which was a destructive parody of socialism. The socialism we speak of existed prior to European notions of socialism and is rooted in our ancient traditions and cultures. In fact, greed, selfishness, envy and rugged individualism are the hallmarks of a capitalist society, and are necessarily promoted for capitalism’s very survival. It should be noted that these vices are condemned in the Holy Books of all the Monotheistic faiths, and also in many non-Monotheistic teachings. It continues to baffle me that so many of my Christian and Muslim brothers and sisters fail to notice the contradiction that imprisons them. On the one hand, they proclaim themselves to be adherents to the Bible and Quran, and at the same time they support parties that promote the barbaric system of neo-liberal

capitalism, which is, as we speak, is not only tearing Guyana apart, but also destroying the very planet that is our life source. I do not know which people of Guyana the Peeper is referring to. Of course, we were all influenced in one way or other by our colonial past. Although I accept that unfortunately Western hegemony continues to shape the thinking of many, including the Peeper, and that crass Western values or should I say lack of values have crept into the very social fabric of our society, I would also submit that the Peeper’s crude and uninformed analysis fails to recognize the other extremely strong influences that shape the people of this land, namely culture and religion. Leaving aside isms and schisms for a moment, let us look at the fundamental question that must be addressed before we can arrive at any consensus about the way forward for Guyana. In speaking about a bourgeois worldview, let me identify a basic premise that underpins this worldview, that is, a belief that some people are superior to others. The Peeper states clearly and unashamedly that he does not believe that all people are equal. Gerald A Perreira Leader Organization for the Victory of the People (OVP)

for $500,000 per month each, while a senior minister is living in one rented for $1.5 million of taxpayers’ money. But all this pales in comparison to the loss of revenue and uncontested lawsuit settlements that cost taxpayers billions of dollars due to the incompetence and laziness of our Attorney General. In December 2015, The APNU+AFC Coalition government settled a claim by RUDISA, a Suriname-based beverage company for the entire amount of US$16 million, without any negotiations for a debt repayment schedule, despite the fact that the company owed and appears to still owe millions of dollars in taxes to Guyana. The government could have avoided this payout entirely if they had not stubbornly defeated two attempts by the then PPP/C Administration during the 10th Parliament to amend the Customs Act to prevent the case from being decided by the Caribbean Court of Justice. Then in April 2016, the APNU+AFC government engaged in a settlement with the Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) that will result in over $80 billion in lost revenue to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA)

and the nation. This deal remains so secretive that several attempts by the PPP/C Opposition in Parliament to get full disclosure were shot down by the government MPs.Yet the Granger Administration cannot find $10 billion a year to keep GuySuco going and save 10,000 jobs in the process. Then there were other write-offs of debts to the GRA by companies who financed the APNU+AFC election campaign worth hundreds of millions of dollars because, according to one government official, “these companies have to be compensated for their financial investment to the APNU+AFC Coalition during the election campaign.” Then the Granger Administration awarded another major campaign financier, BK International, the amount of $1.7 Billion in settlement for the Haggs Bosche project although this amount was never awarded by the Courts. BK just threatened a lawsuit, and the Attorney General Chambers decided to settle “out of Court.” I wonder how much of this amount was given back to the APNU+AFC as election campaign contribution.

And of course, the Granger Administration has recently been demonstrating nothing but disdain and contempt for our Constitution and the Rule of Law by undermining the judicial process. We’ve seen evidence of interference and the bullying of the Judiciary during the Carvil Duncan case, and the Presidential sanctioning of the disrespectful actions of the Attorney General shown to Justice Holder in his Court room. We’ve also seen evidence of the misuse of SOCU to target, harass and prosecute PPP Executives and former PPP ministers, instead of going after drug lords and those suspected of money-laundering. Recently, we’ve seen instructions given to the Police Service Commission (PSC) by President Granger to stop the police promotion process in contravention of the Guyana Constitution, in an effort to decapitate the leadership of the Guyana Police Force. And we’re seeing an incompetent Minister of Public Security, whose portfolio seems to be diminishing rapidly, and whose authority may have been encroached upon without his knowledge and approval. The same, however, cannot be said about the blundering Attorney General,

whose influence seems to be growing rapidly with the PNC Leader and President of Guyana, despite suffering such humiliating and embarrassing losses in the Courtroom to his predecessor, the former AG, Anil Nandlall. Minister of State, the Hon Joseph Harmon may have been just following orders from His Excellency, Retired Brigadier David Arthur Granger like the good soldier he was when he sent that letter to the PSC. But the President may have been ill-advised once again to do so by his Legal Advisor, the Attorney General, Basil Williams. However, I fear that the determined Williams will continue to make legal blunders because of his arrogance and the Granger Administration will continue to trample on the Constitution because of its philosophy that they know what’s best for the Guyanese people. In the meanwhile, there may be growing dissension and a power-grab between these two Cabinet Ministers as advisors to a dormant President, and it will be interesting to see how the Basil Williams gambit plays out. HARRY GILL PPP/C Member of Parliament

The Minister should try to understand what agriculture means to Berbice DEAR EDITOR, There are certain elements in this Coalition Government who lacks the qualities required of a statesman or minister. Two main characteristics such a person must possess are: he/she must be bedrock of principles and must possess high moral values. Unfortunately this is severely lacking in some cases. Sometime ago it was reported in the media that a certain Minister accused the Amerindians of being greedy. This was done during the sitting of Parliament. Another one did a disparaging dramatization in Parliament and then the Attorney General’s alleged threatening behavior in open court. But I must make a qualifying statement here. The previous Government has had its surfeit of these misfits. However, the icing on the cake is the Minister of Public Security. On one of his ‘outings’ in Berbice he totally embarrassed his ‘friends’ from his village when he said that

they would only wait for ‘lawyer bai’ to come and do things for them. He said that they never did anything constructive but only laze around waiting. Is it not an implication that he himself comes to Berbice and does not plan constructively? What an embarrassment to these people coming from a man who is not only the Minister of Public Security but is also the Second-Vice President of this country. Then he was seen on TV lambasting the Berbice community with his outright emotionally charged remarks. At a sparsely attended outreach, mostly attended by his same ‘friends’, he rebuked Berbicians for not joining the Guyana Police Force and that whenever they are faced with threats from criminals they would call the police and say ‘police come, come, come’ and expect that policemen should go and save them. He added that Berbicians only want to go into the rice industry. But when the ‘oil flow’ starts and the rev-

enue starts to flow, the police will get better salary and at that time Berbicians will run to join the force because at that time ‘paddy price will be low’. Here is a Minister predicting the fall of the agriculture sector in favor of t h e o i l a n d g a s s e c t o r. Does he feel anyone should neglect the agriculture sector and join the Police Force and wait for the ‘oil revenues to start pouring in’? Is this ‘oil revenue’ the panacea for all our social and economic ills? What this Minister fails to understand and appreciate is the fact that many Berbicians are inherently attracted to agriculture in Berbice and they feel more comfortable here. Region 6 is mainly about agriculture. On the other hand, Georgetowners are inherently attracted to the disciplinary forces and that is where they find themselves. It is a cultural problem but the Minister feels that Berbicians are just interested in get rich industries and can only be attracted

if the money is right. This is a fallacious argument. Moreover, it is the duty of the Police Force to ‘serve and protect’ so they are not doing anyone a favor when they respond to calls of ‘police, come, come’. The Minister certainly feels otherwise. He further attacked Berbicians by accusing them of ‘calling the Minister to come to Berbice for every lil problem’. It seems that in the Minister ’s book, piracy, robbery and murder’ are petty crimes. The Minister is not doing Berbicians a favor by coming to Berbice; it is his responsibility to get firsthand information about his constituencythe Berbician votes put him there and the Berbician votes can remove him. It is time that this Minister stops insulting people in Berbice. He should remember that if there was no one to ‘kick’ his father’s paddy he might not be a lawyer today since he would have had to kick the paddy himself. Muhammad Mustapha

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President assents to contentious Tobacco Control legislation Amidst much controversy, some of which relates to its fines and penalties, the Tobacco Control Bill has been signed into law. This publication has been reliably informed that President David Granger decided to assent to the Bill last week. However, according to Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Public Health, Mr. Terrence Esseboom, this does not mean that the legislation will be immediately implemented. He explained that during the next nine to 12 months, the Ministry will carry out intense public awareness campaigns which will serve to educate members of the public about the new law. “We will be meeting with officials of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, restaurant and hotel owners, those within government entities, among others, before any move is made to implement this law. So it is not like anything is happening next week,” said Esseboom of the implementation of the legislation. The Ministry’s awareness campaign, he said, will be tied into its Non Communicable Diseases and Maternal and Child Health programmes, even as there will be renewed focus on mental health, where persons who are desirous of quitting smoking can do so through a tobacco cessation initiative. The President’s decision to assent to the Bill comes on the heels of reports that deliberate moves were afoot to have the passage of the Bill delayed or possibly even thwarted alto-

- intense awareness campaign to commence ahead of implementation gether. Such information had in fact reached the Washington D. C. headquarters of the Pan American Health Organisation/ World Health Organisation [PAHO/WHO] which has long been advocating for Guyana to pass a Tobacco Control Bill, since it subscribes to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control [FCTC]. The FCTC is a treaty adopted by the 56th World HealthAssembly held in Geneva, Switzerland on May 21, 2003, and came into force on February 27, 2005. Signed by 168 countries and legally binding in 180 ratifying countries, the FCTC is designed to protect present and future generations from the devastating health, social, environmental and economic consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke by enacting a set of universal standards stating the dangers of tobacco and limiting its use in all forms. According to local PAHO/ WHO Representative, Dr. William Adu-Krow, he was in receipt of an email from the PAHO/WHO headquarters about the purported plan by the tobacco industry to impede the enactment of the Bill by dissuading President Granger from signing it. Dr. Adu-Krow, in commenting on the state of affairs last month said, “I wrote back to them and I said I don’t think so...”, of the plan to impede the enactment of the Bill.

President David Granger has assented to the Tobacco Control legislation. But the PAHO/WHO Representative said that he had forwarded the email to Senior Minister of Public Health, Ms. Volda Lawrence, and had even added “I am actually prepared to meet with Minister...and discuss it further with her, because I know she is also very passionate about it [the Tobacco Control Bill].” “If anything, she [Minister Lawrence] can take it up with His Excellency [President Granger] on our behalf, but I am prepared to

make an appointment to speak with His Excellency as well,” Dr. Adu-Krow had related. But the Demerara Tobacco Company [DEMTOCO], a national importer and distributor of cigarettes, in a blistering statement denied that there was any such tactic being mobilised by the tobacco industry. The company in its statement said that it not only rejected the assertion that the tobacco industry was seeking to deter President Granger from assenting to the Bill, but outrightly denied that it was involved in steering any delay tactic. The company however admitted that it was concerned with specific clauses of the Bill which it said are harsh, and contain significant discriminatory measures that would negatively impact ordinary Guyanese. According to Dr.Adu-Krow, who has been very vocal about the need for Tobacco Control legislation, while it is the view of PAHO/WHO, that “you should not go to bed with your enemy, it also respects the fact that the level of consultations countries embrace is at the discretion of individual countries.” Dr. Adu-Krow had told this publication that while it was expected that as much as a

month could have elapsed before the Bill was assented to, it would have however been cause for concern if it was further delayed. “If the delay occurs after the Bill is sitting on the desk of the President, then probably we have to do more advocacy. I don’t think, and I don’t want to preempt what His Excellency thinks, but I think he will be for it, otherwise government would not have tabled it in Parliament three times and voted on it,” Dr. Adu-Krow had asserted. According to the PAHO/ WHO Representative, too, the onus is, and will remain, on the government to protect its people, especially when the impact of tobacco use is taken into consideration. Tobacco use has been closely linked to the ever-prevailing chronic non commu-

nicable diseases which accounts for 68 percent of the countries’ mortality and morbidity rate. In fact Dr. Adu-Krow has on multiple occasions amplified that tobacco is perhaps the single product that kills at least half of its users, once used how the manufacturers intended. The passage of the Bill in the National Assembly on July 27 was piloted by Minister Lawrence, a feat that three Health Ministers before her had attempted but failed to accomplish. The enactment of the Tobacco Control legislation will see efforts being made to implement measures to reduce tobacco use, the introduction of picture-based health warnings on tobacco packs, the imposition of 100 percent smokefree workplaces and public places, and bans on all tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship.

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Saturday September 02, 2017

Kaieteur News

Bandit killed in botched robbery...

Shot accomplice was convicted for robbery under-arms Twenty-three year-old Mark Griffith, who was shot after attempting to rob a businesswoman at Liliendaal Railway Embankment, Greater Georgetown on Tuesday last, had been previously convicted for robbery under-arms in his absence by Magistrate Alex Moore and jailed for two years. This is according to police spokesperson Jairam Ramlakhan, who further disclosed that the custodial sentence was handed down in June last. Initially, Griffith of Sheet Anchor, East Canje Berbice, was remanded to prison when he appeared at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court and denied the allegation in October 2016. He secured bail earlier this year, but after posting the sum he never returned to court for the trial. As a result, the Magistrate proceeded with the trial in his absence and found that there was sufficient evidence to

convict him for the offence at the close of the prosecution’s case. Based on reports, Griffith while armed with a gun, along with others entered the home of Navindra Singh at Cumberland Village, Canje, Berbice, and robbed him of a laptop valued $100,000, a Samsung Galaxy phone valued $60,000, a gold ring and a tablet and two gold chains valued $230,000. After being apprehended by the police, Griffith had in his possession some of the articles which were later identified by Singh as his belongings. Griffith is nursing gunshot wounds to his foot and chest and is currently under police guard at the Georgetown Public Hospital where he turned up about an hour after the botched robbery on the businesswoman. The robbery attempt left 24-year-old ex-prison officer Trydon Munroe, of Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, Berbice dead. He was shot

dead by a security escort for the 42-year-old businesswoman. Police are still seeking the driver of the getaway car. The security escort was accompanying the woman, a supervisor for Interior Flight Services, after she had uplifted several packages, containing cash and gold from the Eugene F. Correia International Airport and was driving to the city with the bodyguard in the passenger’s seat of her motorcar, when they were confronted by two gunmen. As they were returning to Georgetown on the Railway Embankment, a dark-coloured motorcar drove past their vehicle and began driving slowly in front of them before it came to a stop, preventing the businesswoman from proceeding forward. Munroe and Griffith then exited from the backseat of the vehicle and approached the woman’s car, demanding that she hand over the bags con-

taining cash and gold— this was as Munroe “cranked” his weapon as if he was going to shoot. Kaieteur News understands that the bags containing the valuables were handed over to the two men and as they were making their way back to their waiting motorcar, the security man came out of the car and opened fire on the men. Reports are that the two bandits dropped the stolen bags and attempted to run towards their vehicle but the driver sped away, leaving them behind. Munroe attempted to open fire but collapsed onto the roadway where he was

confirmed dead. Detectives found a .32 pistol with three live matching rounds next to Munroe’s lifeless body. A senior prison official confirmed that Munroe was dismissed from the Guyana Prison Service in March for breaching the agency’s regulation after being regularly absent from duty. He was also being investigated by the prison authority for allegedly smuggling contraband into the prison. This newspaper learnt that in May 2015, the businesswoman suffered a similar fate when bandits invaded her home and shot her and her son, who had tried to defend them with a cricket bat.

KILLED: Ex-Prison Officer, Trydon Munroe

Couple killed after motorbike slams into car A Thursday night ‘hang’ at Plaisance line top, East Coast Demerara turned out to be deadly for a former policeman and his girlfriend, after the motorcycle on which they were travelling, collided with a motorcar early yesterday morning at Cummings Lodge Railway Embankment, Greater Georgetown. Dead are 38-year-old Malcolm Ross also known as “Shabba”, and Jewel Pestano, 20, of 99 Bel Air Street, Albouystown, Georgetown. Kaieteur News understands that Ross died on the spot. His girlfriend succumbed while undergoing treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital. Reports indicate that Ross

and his girlfriend, who was the pillion rider, were proceeding west along the Railway Embankment on motorcycle CE 9653 at around 02:30hrs yesterday. Ross was reportedly travelling at a fast rate when he lost control of the motorcycle and collided with a Toyota Spacio HC 4097 which was heading in the opposite direction. The driver of the motorcar was reportedly tested and found to be above the legal alcohol limit. He is in police custody assisting with investigations. Kaieteur News understands that Ross and Pestano sustained severe injuries to their faces. Ross’s wrists and feet were broken. Pestano suffered a

broken hip and had two holes in her feet. A relative of Pestano said that she only moved to Albouystown about four months ago after developing a relationship with Ross, who was a security officer at GEB. She said that Pestano celebrated her 20th birthday last week and was waiting to be enlisted in the Guyana Police Force (GPF). According to the relative, a family member contacted her early yesterday morning via phone and informed her about the accident. She said that when she rushed to the hospital, Pestano’s body had already been taken to the mortuary.

Saturday September 02, 2017

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Kaieteur News

GTU makes placement case for educators In addition to being grossly underpaid and neglected in a number of other ways, educators are also often sidelined for positions that they deserve. This observation was recently made by President of the Guyana Teachers’ Union [GTU], Mr. Mark Lyte, as he commented on the fact that many young teachers in the system are overlooked for managerial positions. These positions, according to him, are instead given to retired persons who have been rehired. This state of affairs, Lyte says, remains a challenge in the education system. “We are still seeing in our system retired people and we have a lot of retired, rehired indi-

viduals sitting pretty in managerial positions. We feel that should be rectified because this should not be the case.” According to Lyte, if close attention is paid to the schools Inspectorate and the Monitoring, Evaluating, Reporting and Development [MERD] units for ins t a n c e , they comprise a whole gamut of retired people who are 60 years and older. “I think we have to look carefully at that. How do we allow our young people to move through the system and move forward and make their input? I don’t see how good these people are that we have to retain them,” questioned Lyte. But rehiring retired

teachers could very well become a policy of the education system, since there are some who are opposed to the stance embraced by the union head. Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry [COI], which was conducted into the education system, Mr. Ed Caesar, had revealed that the commission had made a recommendation that the retirement age of teachers move from 55 to 60 and extended further where possible. “We are recommending quietly that consideration be given to improving the age of retirement from 55 to 60, with the provision that persons can still retire if they acquire the 33 and one third years...they can still

Dem boys seh ...

Not all plans does wuk People always seh that when yuh refuse money yuh pocket full. Long time people use to walk wid money in a wheelbarrow. Then when paper come, people use to carry money in some big bag. However, criminals ketch on, and dem use to sit down and watch to see who walking wid big bag. When that happen dem boys cry and beg people to use anything other than paper money in large quantities. Well Statia now telling dem that he not tekking any money that come in big bag. He telling dem that dem must either come wid a cheque or some other thing. That is de plan. That mean that people who do funny things to get money cannot can’t wash that money by paying debt. Statia seh he trying to protect dem from de bandits. De truth is that he want dem to put dem money in a bank suh dem can pay dem taxes. That wasn’t de case when de Chinee people carry nuff money in a brown paper

bag to Rob de Earth to get a favour. That loophole plug. If somebody from Exxon want to give people nuff money dem can’t put that money in a paper bag. Dem got to deposit it in a bank account. And when that happen everybody gun see. Dem boys seh that if Jagdeo get he own way, he gun change that rule just like how Papa Cheddi did change de rule fuh vehicle imports. De result was that people bring in anything and rob nuff people. Statia put back de law about wha kind of vehicle can get import. And dem boys notice that de escape prisoner who get kill yesterday was planning to open a drug store. He had more medicine than some drug store. He had medicine fuh diarrhea, he had medicine in case he get shoot and need antibiotics and he had medicine fuh headache. He get shoot, but he couldn’t use de medicine. Talk half and watch how de best plan does go wrang.

retire at 55.” “But we are going further, if they can produce annually a clean bill of health, they can go to 65, that is for consideration by the Ministry of Education and its departments,” said Caesar. In response to this recommendation former Minister of Education, Rupert Roopnaraine, said, “My view is frankly we are retiring people at the height of their powers and their experience...The fact of the matter is we have teachers who reach a stage where they are at the height of

their career, they are full of experience, full of skills and you know, I hate to lose them.” Meanwhile, another issue that has been a bother to the teachers’ union is that of placement. According to Lyte, “we continue to have several issues with placement of teachers.” He noted that many teachers have been graduating from the Cyril Potter College of Education [CPCE], especially female teachers, and are sent to far-flung regions including Regions Eight and Nine and other riverain areas without any

consideration being given for their accommodation. “They are sending 19and 20-year-olds into unknown territory. I know that President [David Granger] had made some statements about the need to improve housing in those riverain and hinterland areas for teachers, but yet these teachers who left CPCE are being sent to those areas, and the fact is ignored about their safety and all of these other concerns, and for us a union we believe these issues have to be addressed,” said Lyte.

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Saturday September 02, 2017

Kaieteur News

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

You lie! You lie! The mental fitness of President Trump If someone describes the following for you, tell me which country’s parliament you think that would have occurred in. The President is addressing a joint session of both Houses, and in the middle of his speech, a legislator shouts twice; “you lie!” This happened not in Albania, Iraq, Bulgaria, Belarus or Uganda, but of all places, the country that in fact helps to shape the affairs of the world, the USA. The congressman who did that is Republican, Joe Wilson of South Carolina. But that is not all. After that unbecoming behaviour, Wilson won reelection by a huge

margin including 96 percent of the vote in 2012 and donations to his campaign surged after he shouted out the lie remark in 2009 to President Obama. Wilson is no ordinary rookie congressman; he sits on a number of congressional committees and sub-committees that make policies that affect the world because of the global role of the US. I mentioned Wilson’s conduct, because Republicans like Wilson brought Trump into power. Dozens and dozens of Republicans in the House of Representatives and the Senate were advocating atrocious and hateful policies long before Donald Trump decided to enter politics. Trump is a product of people like Wilson and other bigots and right-wing zealots

in the Republican Party; people who are unfit to lead a democratic superpower like the USA. Donald Trump assembled years of over-zealous, Republican right-wing rhetoric, bigoted emanations, hate speeches, distasteful demagoguery, ideological belief systems, and merged them into a package and presented that book to the electorate as his manifesto of change. Trump is the president, not the Republican congressmen and senators who birthed him. So we are picking on him as journalistic icon, Carl Bernstein, did two weeks ago. But we are overlooking that there are dangerous Republicans in power in the US lawmaking chambers that are endangering the greatness of

American democracy and democracy of the world at large. Bernstein warned Americans that they should be asking questions about the mental fitness of Trump. Many Democratic legislators and influential Americans have touched on the fear of Trump not being mentally stable. He is the President of the leading nation in the world, so that is cause for concern, but there are congressmen and senators who put him there that may be mentally unfit to be in a position to influence world affairs. It is not Trump the man that should be the preoccupation of the rational mind around the world; it is the dangerous, threatening transformation of the Republican Party the past thirty-five years, beginning with the ascending of Ronald Reagan and climaxing with Donald Trump, that we should be alarmed about. If you examine many of the rhetorical outlays of Trump, they were fertilizing in the soil of the Republican Party the past thirty years and bore fruits when Obama came

to power. Denouncing of free trade areas, fear of decline of the white population, fear of expanding presence of non– white immigrants, resentment of rising powers around the world, continuing disdain for African Americans, anti-abortion sentiments, sentiments against gender equality, willingness to send the US to war etc. These were standard vocabularies of the Republican Party long before Trump came on the presidential campaign. It wasn’t Trump who started the question over Obama’s country of birth. It came from some congressmen and senators. Trump made it his obsession. I don’t normally get time to look at television, but it just happened that one Sunday morning during the presidential campaign in the US last year, I saw Bill Clinton being interviewed by Fareed Zakaria. What Clinton had to say about the intentions of the Republican Party was frightening. There are powerful legislators in the Republican Party that are behaving like people from the days of the rise of Hitler at the beginning of the 1930s. Make no mistake about it, Germans clung tenaciously to

Frederick Kissoon Hitler’s message that Germany was once one of the great nations of the world, it got weak, and it was time the German people made it great again. And the German people embraced those sentiments. Hitler preached that the enemies of Germany were the Jews and other powerful countries. The resemblance to the US in 2017 is uncanny. Trump has identified foreign powers that are making the US weak. Immigrants and non-white are being viewed the way Jews were treated at the beginning of the thirties in Germany. Are sections of the US population, the Republican Party legislators, the super-wealthy bigoted backers of Trump and Trump himself, the coming of the anti-Christ?

Saturday September 02, 2017

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Kaieteur News

Escapee Uree Varswyck shot dead …in hideout near Amelia’s Ward Police outpost - Bartica Massacre killer slips cordon The long manhunt for prison escapee Uree Varswyck ended just before midnight on Thursday, when he was shot and killed during a gun battle with armed forces at an Amelia’s Ward, Linden premises - a shack located just 15 houses from the Linden Police Outpost. But Bartica massacre killer, Royden Williams, called “Smallie,” who was at the same shack, managed to escape, and was still at large at press time. Dressed in camouflage vest and a pair of military boots, Varswyck, a former Tactical Services Unit Trainer, engaged the joint forces in a shootout which ended in his death. Varswyck had reportedly vowed never to be taken alive. The other escapee, Royden Williams, escaped on foot, but Acting Divisional Commander, Anthony Vanderhyden expressed confidence last night that he would be captured soon. Vanderhyden said that the joint forces received information that the two Camp Street Prison escapees were hiding out at Lot 5118 Amelia’s Ward and as such, they responded. Vanderhyden said that when the ranks arrived at the scene, the fugitives immediately started shooting at them, causing the joint services ranks to return fire killing the 28-year-old Varswyck, a father of five. A 9mm pistol, 40 live rounds, a haversack, a cloth bag containing medication, a gas mask, military camouflage clothing, toiletries and a cel-

Food items

The shack the two escapees were hiding out in

lular phone along with food items were found in the shack in which the suspects were being harboured. An ex-policeman and the owner of the property were arrested for harbouring the two high profile criminals. At press time, they were being questioned. Varswyck and Williams were among eight inmates who broke out of the Camp Street prison on July 09, last, after recruiting other prisoners to start a fire at several sections of the compound to serve as a distraction. During their escape bid, Varswyck shot and killed

prison officer, Odinga Wickham. The ex-cop was considered to be the most dangerous of the escapees, for whom a $10M reward was posted. A senior police official said that the escapees had been at the Amelia’s Ward location for less than a week. Residents, though, said they had no clue that they had two dangerous fugitives in their presence. As news of Varswyck’s death spread across Linden, many expressed disbelief that two high profile criminals were staying right under their noses.

When this newspaper visited the scene, one resident commented, “Hats off to the Linden police. They did a great job. These guys are too presumptuous. Imagine, they hiding out so close to a police outpost, right under the police nose!”

The community seemed devoid of life, as most persons were locked in their homes—scared of convicted killer, Royden Williams, being close-by. The shack where the two suspects were hiding out was locked, with a bicycle seen

braced on one side of the building. It was the sound of heavy gunfire at around 23. 45 hrs on Thursday, that alerted residents to the drama in their community. “I was working last night (Continued on page 23)

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Kaieteur News

Saturday September 02, 2017

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Saturday September 02, 2017

Kaieteur News

LEGAL NOTICE

SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620

Experienced curry cook, roti/ puri cook, cleaners, handy boy. Apply Hack’s Halaal, 5 Commerce Street.

Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyanapassport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 6267040; 265-4535.

General Maids to work shifts at Hotel. Apply in person. Call:225-9211

INNOVATIVEMARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Passport, permanent & visitor visa application, Professional Immigration Consultant – Sabita Immigration Services. Call: 225-6496/ 662-6045

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One diesel welder generator in very good condition. Call: 699- 4300/ 228-2734 ATV Honda Bike for sale, model: 475,450, year: 2006, 2007, 2011, 2002 and 2003. Contact Popie: 699-7420 1 - Mitsubishi Fuso 7 1/2 ton Canter. Year: 2007 - $ 3.8 M. Contact: 650-0402/ 603-1402 2-20" Grizzle surface planers, 114’ aluminum boat, 1- 15HP Yamaha outboard engine (short foot), 1 table saw, 1 LT 15 woodmizer mill. Call: 664-5807 FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Property for rent - 2 storey house at Republic Park, E.B.D$1200US. Call 647-1773 Fully furnished luxury apartment 2 &3 bedrooms, long & short term stay. Call:664-2143 Building with three apartments in Diamond ideal for Pastors, Companies or Organization. Call: 680-5944/ 656-4211 Office space for rent @ North & King Streets, Georgetown. Call: 225-4708/ 225-4106 Commercial space available for rental, prime downtown location, competitive rates. Call: 225-3945 Hair & barber station for rent @ New Market Street. Call: 638-1106 VEHICLE FOR SALE Unregistered bluebird 1500cc, 31,000KM, front wheel drive, RZ bus good working condition, owner leaving. Call: 265-0204/2652171/682-7589 One Mitsubishi freighter mignon enclosed canter, 19ft. tray, in excellent condition. Call: 618-6207/ 673-1617 One pit bull minibus, BTT series, in excellent working condition, with alarm, price – $1.8M negotiable. Call: 6259204/691-8272 1 Hilux pickup 5L Diesel, GVV series. Call:233- 6218/ 6043275

TO LET One bedroom, self-contained apartment with parking facilities, located at Providence East Bank Demerara. Call: 6186207/ 673-1617 One bedroom apartment, well secured for working couple or single person $30,000 monthly, light & water included. Call: 623- 0076 FURNISHED TWO BEDROOMSAPARTMENT, SHORT/LONG TERM. CALL: 222-7891/ 609-9202 Furnished newly renovated self-contained room, water & electricity, 12 Sussex Street Charlestown -$30,000 monthly! $30,000 Security. Call:219-1951/ 689-8757 Lodge apartments (Vlissengen/ Durban): unfurnished, 1 bedroom - $50,000, studio $40,000, furnished (for visitors) $US600-1,000 monthly. Call: 6687687/ 677-9638/ 697-6421 Lodge (Vlissengen/Durban): professional/office/business space (no food retailing). Call: 668-7687/ 677-9638/ 697-6421 LAND FOR SALE Herstelling (front), Diamond $3.5M, Eccles, La Parfaite, South, Cummings Lodge, Sophia, Canaan, Nismes, Highway.GME:231-7805/618-7483 Zeelugt - $2.5M, Tuschen $2.5M.Call:642-1252 Parfaite Harmonie way upfront, over 7 years finished. One concrete fence $1.5M. Already cleaned- Call: 656-0701, 651-1969 Herstelling New Scheme (110ft x 60ft) $4.8M- Call: 656-0701, 6511969 Uitvlugt New Scheme First Street (100ft x 50ft) 20ft reserve.All legal fees paid $3.2M.Already cleanedCall:656-0701,651-1969 Prime- Covent Garden area (East Bank), beautiful residential area - $4M, 100ftX50ft & 110ftX60ft. Call: 656-0701/ 667-1960 CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL:656-0087,6435122 ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM DOLLY’SCARRENTAL-CALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP RATES,SPECIALOFFERS! . CALL: 690-6494 AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL: PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILYOUTINGS,CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807

2017-HC-DEM-CIV-FD-733 IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF J U D I C A T U R E FAMILY, DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL JURISDICTION FAMILYDIVISIONPETITION NO. FD-733 Between PERRY(NOELSTAFFORD) Petitioner-v-PERRY(KAREN)nee Noel Respondent TO: KAREN PERRY nee Noel Formerly of Half mile,Wismar, Linden,Demerara,Guyana. TAKE NOTICE that on the 7th day of June, 2017 a Petition for Divorce was filed against you by NOEL STAFFORD PERRY the Petitioner in the Family Division of High Court in Georgetown, Demerara. . AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that as part of an Order made on the 6th day of July, 2017 the Petitioner was directed to effect service of his Petition on you by publication of this Notice in two (2) consecutive Saturday editions of the Kaieteur News Newspaper, a newspaper of general circulation in and around Guyana and Now York. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorized agent or Attorney-atLaw at the Registry of Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara where you Will be issued with a certified copy of the Petition together with related documents. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire to Defend this Divorce, then upon receipt of the certified copy of the Petition, you must file an Acknowledgement of Service, Notice of Intention to Defend (Forms are available at the Registry), Answer and/or Cross Petition in the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara within 42 (forty two) days from the date of the second and final publication of this notice. TAKE NOTICE that the divorce is fixed for Directions Hearing on Friday 29th day of September, 2017 at 9:30am in the Directions Hearing Room of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown. IN DEFAULT of your filing an Acknowledgement of Service/Notice of Intention to Defend Answer and/or Cross Petition the Court may proceed in your absence and may make any Order it considers appropriate, including granting the Divorce. The Registry of the Family Division of the High. Court is located at the Law Courts [Georgetown, Demerara]. The office is open to the public between 8:00am and 3:30pm Mondays to Thursdays and 8:00am to 2:30pm on Fridays except on public holidays and on such other days as the Registry isclosed. Dated the 6th day of July, 2017.

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Kaieteur News

GTT asks Utilities Commission to review conditions in decision on increased landline rates The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) has asked the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to review its recent order handed down on July 24, 2017, relating to an increase in landline rates. This became known yesterday through a notice published by the PUC in this newspaper inviting persons to attend a public hearing on the matter. According to the notice, the hearing will be held on Thursday, September 7, 2017, beginning at 10:30hrs in the PUC’s Conference Room. This review is based on two conditions that the company was asked to satisfy if it is to apply the new landline rates that were to take effect on August 1, 2017. The first condition being contended is the PUC’s request that GTT submit a quarterly detailed appraisal of progress, showing the number of new services rolled out, inclusive of rural areas. The Order said that this should not be less than 1000 lines per quarter and may include up

to 25 per cent of re-issued lines. The PUC had noted in its Order that statistics from GTT informs that there are over 19,000 outstanding applications for land lines, which was described as an unacceptable position. Secondly, the PUC highlighted that GTT has been tardy in its response time and remedial action with respect to fault reporting. As a result, the second condition required GTT to submit a quarterly report from the date the rates take effect, showing details of the average time taken to resolve consumers’ complaints - residential and business. Further, the letter written by GTT and signed by its Chief Executive Officer, Justin Nedd requesting the review, was provided on the PUC’s website. The letter is dated August 22, 2017, and addressed to Chairwoman of the PUC, Dela Britton. In the letter, GTT said that it would like the opportunity to clarify the two aforementioned points in order to man-

age the PUC’s expectations regarding the company’s ability to comply with the terms of the order. The correspondence said that GTT intends to use the forum to articulate its position with evidence to support its position. LANDLINE APPLICATIONS As it relates to the installation of 1000 lines per quarter, the letter stated that the PUC had relied on a letter dated June 16, 2016 from its former Director of Customer Services, Pamela Briggs. “In that letter, she made reference to numbers that were generated from a defunct system that was used to capture records of landline applications. The records include aged service applications. The figure overstates the actual demand because the database she relied on has not been cleared or reviewed.” According to the company, the figure of over 19,000 outstanding applications is an

GTT’s CEO, Justin Nedd overstatement. The telecommunications giant said that many of the applicants among the 19,000 have relocated and have been served at entirely different addresses, while others would have died, mi-

grated and lost interest in the landline service, given their reliance on mobile for both voice and data services. GTT said that it no longer utilises the system relied on by Ms Briggs, and that GTT now operates the new Comverse system to support its record for landline applications. “That being said, the letter that the PUC is relying on to support its position is not an accurate representation of the records of our outstanding landline applications. To that end, we implore the Commission to give us the opportunity to present a current record of pending applications in order for a more reliable and accurate estimate.” FAULT REPORTS In addition, the company said that it would like the PUC to consider specific time periods in which the company is able to address faults. The CEO said that in determining the fault times and repairs, consideration must be given to industry standards, as what can be achieved in light

of the physical terrain of Guyana. “That being said, to correct reported wire line faults within 48 hours for all of the regions throughout the country is an overly difficult standard to meet. GTT+ does not have readily available resources in remote areas of Guyana that would allow us to rectify faults within 48 hours.” Based on this justification, GTT believes that a standard should be instituted for three distinct geographical areas. These are the urban, suburban and rural/hinterland locations. In the urban areas, GTT said that four to five working days would be a more reasonable timeframe to respond to fault reports. Regarding suburban areas, five to seven working days was suggested. Meanwhile in the rural and hinterland areas, 15 to 30 days was recommended as being achievable, since GTT has no installation and repair personnel stationed at these locations.

Escapee Uree Varswyck shot dead …in hideout... From page 11 just after eleven I think, when I heard these gun shots, and I counted like eleven in the first burst then I heard other shots, but they sounded different, like they weren’t coming from the same weapon, so it seemed like there was a gun battle, and I thought to myself I hope no innocent person gets caught in the line of fire.” He added that at the same time, he was considering his fastest escape route in the event of the gunshots getting closer. Another resident revealed that, “All I hear was rat-ta tattat…. rat-ta tat-tat. You would think was a war zone. I dive under the bed for cover!” “I was awake when I hear these sudden gunshots and right away I said to myself that is a confrontation between the police and bandits, because was a lot of gunshots, a woman who lives in the opposite direction from where the shooting took place recounted. The woman said that she didn’t sleep for the rest of the night, but made contact with

a relative early yesterday morning. It was then that she learnt that police had killed one of the prison escapees. Varswyck, an ex-policeman was charged for the December 2014 murder of Sterling Products Limited security guard, Wilfred Stewart and the execution-style killing of GGMC engineer, Trevor Abrams in 2015. Stewart was ambushed and gunned down in broad daylight while driving along the East Bank of Demerara. Varswyck, Williams, Stafrei Alexander Hopkinson and Desmond James broke out of the camp Street Prison together on July 9, after inmates set fire to the prison to distract the authorities. The four fugitives then abducted a taxi driver, who they later freed after forcing him to accompany them to the Annandale, East Coast Demerara backlands. Hopkinson was later nabbed in Topoo, a village nestled between Hampshire and Albion in East Berbice, Corentyne on July 29, last, while James was caught hiding in an abandoned shack at

Canal Number One, West Bank Demerara (WBD) on July 14, last. Another Camp Street escapee Cobena Stephens also known as OJ is still at large. Additionally, on July, 24, last, 13 prisoners crawled to freedom through a tunnel they had dug in a latrine in the Lusignan holding facility. Eleven of the inmates have since been caught and placed back into the prison system while one has been shot dead. Paul Goriah, who is still on the run, is among those escaped from the Lusignan Prison facility. The Guyana Police Force has offered a $10M reward for information leading to the arrest of the escapees. Anyone with information that may lead to the recapture of Royden Williams, Cobena Stephens and Paul Goriah is asked to contact the Police on telephone numbers 225-6411, 225-8196, 225-2227, 226-1389, 227-2128, 227-1149, 226-7065, 699-0869, 600-3019, 699-0867, 669-4606, 603-3261 or the nearest Police Station.

From page 22

WANTED Experienced person to work in a body workshop. Call Neil: 655-0807

Military clothing found inside the shack

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

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Saturday September 02, 2017

Barbados to stage national More funds for small and consultation on crime medium-sized tourism enterprises

Tourism Minister, Edmund Bartlett (left), addressing the press while the EXIM managing director, Lisa Bell, looks on. KINGSTON, Jamaica C M C – T h e To u r i s m Enhancement Fund (TEF) is providing an additional J$350 million (one Jamaica dollar =US$0.008 cents) to the National Export-Import (EXIM) Bank of Jamaica to continue the provision of loans to the operators of small and medium-sized tourism enterprises (SMTEs). It said the allocation represents the second tranche of the one million dollar TEF/EXIM Bank Jamaica loan facility, which was launched in September 2016 with an initial J$300 million capital injection by the tourism entity. The facility enables the industry stakeholders to access between five and J$25 million at five per cent interest for five years. Among those eligible are

operators involved in spa and wellness; gastronomy – restaurants and food-related businesses; small accommodations; shopping and galleries; attractions; knowledge networks; and sports and entertainment as well as manufacturers and suppliers. To u r i s m M i n i s t e r Edmund Bartlett said the loan facility was a critical financial lifeline that had allowed and would enable more sector stakeholders to create jobs, generate growth and facilitate economic wellbeing. He said it represented the g o v e r n m e n t ’ s acknowledgment of the entities’ integral role in the tourism value chain. “The idea was born out of the need to build capacity within the sector and provide financial support to enterprises that would better

enable them to capitalise on business opportunities to better participate in the supply chain of the sector.” Bartlett told the ceremony that the first tranche of the loan facility has been fully disbursed, and encouraged other entrepreneurs not yet accessing the provision to take advantage of it to grow their businesses. EXIM Bank Managing Director, Lisa Bell, said the entity has, to date, processed more than 28 loan applications totalling J$509 million under the programme. She said applications totalling J$408 million have been approved, with disbursements totalling J$311 million. “We are very pleased about that, because we knew this programme could be revolutionary, not only because of its attractive terms and conditions but it really would put funding into the hands of those who needed it,” Bell said, noting that the Bank has received an additional 25 qualified expressions of interest totalling approximately J$470 million. In 2015, the World Bank noted that formal SMTEs contribute up to 60 per cent of total employment and up to 40 per of national income in emerging economies. In the Caribbean, these enterprises contribute more than 90 per cent of employment and 70 per cent of the gross domestic product.

Govt. optimistic about Chinese investment NASSAU, Bahamas CMC – The Bahamas government says it does not believe that the new Overseas Investment Policy (OIP) by China will have any impact on investments approved for the country. It said that it had become “aware of the recently promulgated Chinese Overseas Investment Policy and the discussion surrounding it in local media” and that these new rules announced last month, are aimed at governing overseas investments; specifically what China has called the “irrational” acquisitions of assets in industries ranging from real estate to hotels and entertainment.

Fred Mitchel The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchel said that the Chinese authorities have set out three categories – banned,

restricted and encouraged and that “outlawed are investments in gambling and the sex industry. “Property, hotel, film, entertainment and sports investments will now be subject to restrictions,” the statement said, noting that “the elements highlighted this year were already part of the official China policy, but were only brought together in a single space. “With specific reference to investments in The Bahamas, such as the Pointe project, the Government is of the view that the new policy will have no impact as such investments were approved developments,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - CMC – Barbados is to stage soon a national consultation on gun violence as the island seeks to deal with the recent upsurge in murders. Criminologist Kim Ramsey, who had been directed by Attorney general Adriel Brathwaite to make the announcement, told a panel discussion focusing on how to prevent illegal guns from entering the island, said Barbados is among a number of Caribbean countries now having to deal with such a situation. “Every island in the Caribbean would have record gun related homicides for the year,” she said, noting “while we are grappling with the problem, so is St. Lucia, so is St. Vincent, so is Bahamas, so is Antigua”. She said there were “several issues” for the increase in gun related crimes, including “our porous borders (and), the easy availability of firearms” as well as young men who “see no harm in picking up a gun and shooting persons, they are unable to reason and

Kim Ramsey as the Prime Minister (Freundel Stuart) said a couple weeks ago, we have another form of justice. “They believe in using their own justice to resolve conflict. So the region itself, the Americas is reeling with the problem of homicides,” Ramsey said, adding that there has been a shift since the 1980’s for the use of guns to solve problems. She said an examination of the statistics for murders here dating back to the 1980s

showed that from 1992 ‘we started to see a spike in gun related crimes. “In fact around 1992 we had 30 murders, and in 2006 we had 36 murders,” she told the panel discussions organised by Cave HILL Wesleyan Holiness Church. Earlier this week, police said two young men were shot and killed bringing the murder toll so far this year to 26. Last year 22 people were murdered in Barbados.

Tracking Hurricane Irma BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - CMC – Residents in several Caribbean countries, particularly those in the Leeward Islands, have been told to keep an eye on the progress of Hurricane Irma that is moving towards the Lesser Antilles as a Category Four Hurricane. Disaster preparedness officials were urging the public to monitor the progress of this storm through official updates and update family preparedness plans and undertake required activities in accordance with that plan.

The Miami-based National Hurricane Centre (NHC) said that Irma, packing winds of 115 miles per hour (mph) “is expected to remain a powerful hurricane through the weekend. According to the 5.am (local t i m e ) b u l l e t i n issued by the NHC, the storm was located about 1,665 miles east of the Leeward Islands and moving at 12 mph. The NHC said that while there are no coastal watches or warnings in effect at present, Irma is moving toward the westnorthwest and a turn

toward the west is expected by last night, followed by a turn toward the west-southwest today. “Irma is a category 3 hurricane on the SaffirSimpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Fluctuations in strength, up or down, are possible during the next few days, but Irma is expected to remain a powerful hurricane through the weekend,” the NHC said, adding that hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 15 miles from the centre, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 90 miles (150 km).

Police search ‘a harrowing experience’ says Ramlogan Fo r m e r - a t t o r n e y general Anand Ramlogan said it the police raid on his home on Tuesday was a “harrowing and distressing experience” and that his primary concern now was to protect his two children and family. Speaking with members of the media after appearing in the

...intends to protect his family Port of Spain magistrates’ Court yesterday on two criminal charges, R a m l o g a n s a i d : “ We await our day in court when the people who made these allegations will enter the witness box and subject themselves to the cross examination

that will prevail”. Among those expected to testify are Director of the Police Complaints Authority David West, former National Security Minister Gary Griffith, and former Express investigative reporter Anika Gumbs.

Saturday September 02, 2017

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Top CEOs warn Trump Trump to host Sept. 18 meeting about ending migrant amnesty of world leaders on U.N. reform

This file photo taken on June 19, 2017 shows US President Donald Trump (L) and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella (C) as they listen to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos (R) during an American Technology Council roundtable at the White House in Washington, DC. (Photo: AFP) WA S H I N G T O N , United States (AFP) — The CEOs of dozens of bigname US firms from Amazon to Apple and Facebook pressed President Donald Trump yesterday to keep an amnesty for people brought to the United States illegally as children. In a letter to Trump and top Republicans and Democrats in Congress, the business leaders — who also included executives at C i s c o , e B a y, G e n e r a l Motors, Marriott and Microsoft — warned of the economic impact of forcing almost 800,000 people back into the legal shadows. The White House reiterated that Trump has not yet decided whether to end the Obama-era programme that allowed children brought to the country illegally before they were 16 to get a two-year renewable work permit. The programme known as DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, was instituted by then president Barack Obama in 2012 via executive

order and could be repealed by Trump with the stroke of a pen. Recipients of the programme “grew up in America, registered with our government, submitted to extensive background checks and are diligently giving back to our communities and paying income taxes,” the CEOs argued in the letter. These “hardworking young people will lose their ability to work legally in this country, and every one of them will be at immediate risk of deportation. Our economy would lose US$460.3 billion from the national GDP and US$24.6 billion in Social Security and Medicare tax contributions. Trump had vowed to end the programme and is under fierce pressure by antiimmigrant supporters to make good on that promise. On Thursday, Fox News reported that Trump would stop issuing DACA permits and allow the existing ones to expire. W h i t e H o u s e

spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the policy was still under review. “A final decision on that front has not been made,” she said. DACA recipients fear their legal status could lapse and authorities would be able to locate them easily for deportation. The policy has become tied up in a debate about congressional funding for Trump’s proposed wall on the border with Mexico. Some in Congress have suggested a deal could be reached for the permit system to remain in place if Congress agrees to release funding for the wall. White House officials offered differing views on when Trump may make a decision. Some said it could come this week and others said it would have to wait until after mega-storm Harvey subsides. Texas alone has issued over 200,000 permits or renewals, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

Russia, digesting U.S. diplomatic retaliation, pledges ‘harsh’ response MOSCOW (Reuters) Russia said yesterday it would respond harshly to any U.S. measures designed to hurt it, a day after the United States told Moscow to close its San Francisco consulate and buildings in Washington and New York. The warning, from Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, came as Russia said it was weighing a response to the U.S. move that will force it to shutter two trade missions in the United States

as well as the San Francisco consulate by today. “We’ll react as soon as we finish our analysis,” Lavrov told students in Moscow. “We will respond harshly to things that damage us.” S e p a r a t e l y, a t o p Kremlin aide complained the U.S. demarche pushed bilateral ties further into a blind alley and fuelled a spiral of tit-for-tat retaliatory measures. U.S. President Donald Trump took office in

January, saying he wanted to improve U.S.-Russia ties which were at a post-Cold War low. But since then, ties have frayed further after U.S. intelligence officials said Russia had meddled in the presidential election, something Moscow denies. Trump, himself battling allegations his associates colluded with Russia, grudgingly signed new sanctions on Moscow into law this month which had been drawn up by Congress.

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump, a frequent critic of the United Nations, will seek to gather global support for reforming the world body when he hosts an event at U.N. headquarters in New York on Sept. 18, a day before he formally addresses the 193-member organisation. Countries will be invited to attend Trump’s function if they sign on to a U.S.drafted 10-point political declaration backing efforts by U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres “to initiate effective, meaningful reform,” according to a draft of the political declaration seen by Reuters yesterday. Trump has complained that the U.S. share of the world body’s budget is unfair, pushed to slash funding and described it as a “club for people to get together, talk and have a good time.” Trump, who took office in January, has since described U.S. funding as “peanuts” compared to the important work of the

organisation. The United States is the biggest U.N. contributor, providing 22 percent of its $5.4 billion (£4.1 billion) biennial core budget and 28.5 percent of its $7.3 billion peacekeeping budget. The contributions are agreed on by the 193member General Assembly. Trump, Guterres, who also took office in January, and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley are scheduled to speak at the Sept. 18 event, diplomats said. The draft political declaration states: “We support the secretarygeneral in making concrete changes in the United Nations system to better align its work on humanitarian response, development and sustaining peace initiatives.” “We commit to reducing mandate duplication, redundancy and overlap, including among the main o rg a n s o f t h e U n i t e d Nations,” the draft declaration reads. The United States also is

reviewing each of the U.N. peacekeeping missions as annual mandates come up for Security Council renewal in a bid to cut costs. The United States is a vetowielding council member, along with Britain, France, Russia and China. Haley has said there is “a lot of fat around the edges and some abuses that happen at the U.N. but I do think it is very important that we make the most of it.” Ethiopia, which is president of the 15-member Security Council for September, said yesterday it would hold a high-level council meeting on peacekeeping reform on Sept. 20 that will be chaired by Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn. Ethiopian U.N. Ambassador Tekeda Alemu told repor t e r s i t w a s unclear if Trump would attend the meeting, which would be his first appearance in the Security Council, but that he expected about 10 heads of state or government to be present.

Rescuers search Harvey-soaked Texas, new evacuations in Houston

Victims return to clean up their water-damaged homes O R A N G E , Te x a s / H O U S T O N (Reuters) - Rescuers searched flooded sections of southeastern Texas for people stranded by Hurricane Harvey’s deluge yesterday and Houston’s mayor warned residents of the city’s west that their homes may remain waterlogged for two weeks. The storm, one of the costliest to hit the United States, has displaced more than 1 million people, with up to 44 feared dead from flooding that paralysed Houston, swelled river levels to record highs and knocked

out the drinking water supply in Beaumont, Texas, a city of about 120,000 people. After the Houston area received up to 50 inches (127 cm) of rain, the city’s mayor, Sylvester Turner, called for voluntary evacuations of flooded homes yesterday. He said the houses may remain flooded as the Army Corps of Engineers continues to release water into the Buffalo Bayou to prevent dam and levee failures. About 80 miles (130 km) east of the city, the Neches River, which flows into

Beaumont and nearby Port Arthur, was forecast to crest yesterday. “There still remain areas that are deadly dangerous,” Governor Greg Abbott told reporters. “The Neches River continues to rise. It is about 7 feet (2.1 m) above the record and it will continue to remain at or be near that high for about the next week. This flooding poses an ongoing threat.” Rescue officials still were working to determine the scope of flooding, said Rodney Smith, deputy chief of the Cedar Hill, Texas, Fire Department.

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Saturday September 02, 2017

Kenyan court scraps presidential vote, Kenyatta calls for calm NAIROBI (Reuters) Kenya’s Supreme Court yesterday nullified President Uhuru Kenyatta’s election win, citing irregularities, and ordered a new poll

within 60 days, an unprecedented move in Africa where governments often hold sway over judges. The ruling, broadcast to a stunned nation on tele-

vision, sets up a new race between Kenyatta, 55, and veteran opponent Raila Odinga, 72. Kenyatta called for calm and respect for the ruling

and said he would run again in a televised speech. But he later struck a more combative note, criticizing the court for ignoring the will of the people and dis-

missing the chief justice’s colleagues as “wakora” (crooks). I n O d i n g a ’s w e s t e r n heartland, cheering supporters paraded through the streets chanting and waving tree branches. Kenya, a U.S. ally in the fight against Islamists and a trade gateway to East Africa, has a history of disputed votes. Chief Justice David Maraga announced the Supreme Court’s verdict that was backed by four of the six judges, saying the declaration of Kenyatta’s victory was “invalid, null and void”. Details of the ruling

will be released within 21 days. In the court room, a grinning Odinga pumped his fist in the air. Outside, shares plummeted on the Nairobi bourse amid the uncertainty, while Kenyatta’s supporters grumbled. But the mood on the streets of the capital was jubilant rather than angry. Judges said they found no misconduct by Kenyatta but said the election board “failed, neglected or refused to conduct the presidential election in a manner consistent with the dictates of the constitution.”

Saturday September 02, 2017

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Saturday September 02, 2017

Saturday September 02, 2017

Shapovalov’s U.S. Open star rises with... (From page 26) to put the breaks on one of hottest players on the ATP Tour. It was Edmund, however, who grabbed the early break to charge in front 3-0 on his way to taking the opening set. But, Shapovalov showed initiative in a scrappy second set, breaking to go 3-1 and then leveling the contest. In the third, Edmund began to show signs of distress, calling on the trainer several times during changeovers to work on his upper back as a ruthless Shapovalov moved in for the kill, breaking him to lead 4-3 and again take the set. Edmund bravely attempted to continue but after dropping the opening game of the fourth set, waved the white flag by walking to the net and shaking hands. Cilic misses U.S. Open chance as Schwartzman

progresses Former champion Marin Cilic had a golden chance to reach the U.S. Open final three years after lifting the trophy at Flushing Meadows, but the Croatian fifth seed blew it when he lost 4-6 7-5 7-5 6-4 against Argentine counterpuncher Diego Schwartzman in the third round yesterday. Cilic, the highest seed in a clear bottom half of the draw, eventually paid the price for his lack of match practice after skipping the U.S. Open warm-up tournaments in Montreal and Cincinnati due to injury. He hit 80 unforced errors in an untidy display on Grandstand, where he also served nine double faults. “In the second round I played really well but today I was not coming up with the great shots,” Cilic told reporters. ”It was a tough match... I

didn’t have many free points on my serve, there were a lot of rallies.” Schwartzman was overwhelmed in the opening set before the 29th seed found his range to frustrate Cilic, who bowed out after wasting three chances to level for 5-5 in the fourth set. In a bottom half of a draw without a grand slam finalist and where American John Isner is now the highest seed at number 10, Schwartzman will take on either France’s Lucas Pouille or Kazakh Mikhail Kukushkin for a quarter-final spot. The tournament is without the injured Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka as well as Novak Djokovic, who has ended his season. Top seed Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, the pre-tournament favorites, are in the top half of the draw.

Saturday September 02, 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Jealousy may be a contributing factor to your emotional ups and downs. You'll find it easy to meet new people. Partnerships will be favorable and contracts can be signed. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Your unique contribution to the organization will enhance your reputation. Escapist tendencies will result in a poor reputation and a lack of confidence. You will have some wonderful ideas that should bring you extra money.

thing you did. Try not to be too lavish with your lover. Need some adventure in your life? Exotic destinations beckon you. LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Do what's best for the people you love most. You will have no problem getting along with clients. Arguing won't help. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You can make changes to your living quarters, but not everyone will be pleased with your efforts.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Secret information will be eye opening. You can make the most headway if you put in some overtime. Obstacles may stand in your way where career and success are concerned.

SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) You may meet that special person if you attend fundraising functions. Deception and doubts may surround your involvement with friends and relatives. Investments will not be as they appear today.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) You need to keep everyone on your domestic scene too busy to complain. Passion is inevitable and commitments can be made during the heat of the night. Keep your ears open, especially to those who care about you.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Your desire for excitement and adventure may be expensive. You can help other people with their financial problems by setting up a budget for them. Believe in yourself and so will those who count.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Your creative ideas will be put to good use if you dig in and do things around the house that will make your family happy. Someone you least expect could be trying to make you look bad. Invite friends in for a visit. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You may be angry if someone tries to take credit for some-

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AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) You can make professional changes and direct your energy into making all the right moves. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Your dramatic nature may be too much to handle. Traffic will be busier than you anticipated, so try to get a head start if you have made plans to travel. Get busy making those changes to your home.

Strong Windies squad for one-off T20I named St John’s, Antigua, CMC — West Indies will fly a power-packed, 13-member squad to England for their one-off Twenty20 International with the home team next month. Cricket West Indies announced on Thursday that Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard and Sunil Narine, three of the most recognisable names on the Twenty20 franchise circuit, will be part of Carlos Brathwaite’s squad for the contest on September 16 at the Riverside Stadium in Durham. The sport’s regional governing body said that key leg-spinner Samuel Badree will however, miss the trip, due to a prior commitment. “We have a good mix of experience and youth that should adapt to English conditions quickly,”• said selection panel chairman Courtney Browne. ”Coming off the win against India in July in the Caribbean, our expectations are to see the team play a highly competitive game and bring that T20 Caribbean atmosphere to England.”• All of the players, except offspinner Ashley Nurse, who takes Badree’s place, played in the one-off T20I against India on July 4 at Sabina Park in Jamaica which West Indies won handsomely by nine wickets, following a explosive second T20I hundred from left-hander opener Evin Lewis. Gayle, Walton, Fletcher

Colts continue win streak... (From page 29) quarter, 49-43. However, the losers were unable to transfer that momentum into the final period of play as Guardians eased to victory. Nigel Bowen was the stand out player in the match with a game high 29 points which saw him burying five shots from downtown. Marvin Durant’s effort of 19 points was not enough to craft a Pacesetters win. Meanwhile, games are scheduled to continue tonight at the Burnham Hard Court with three encounters. The first beginning at 17:30hrs will be an Under23 matchup between Pacesetters and UG Trojans. Game two from 19:30hrs will be another Under-23 encounter, this time between Kobras and Colts while UG will bounce against Pacesetters in the final match of the night, a first division clash.

Ronsford Beaton

and Lewis are among eight batsman that have compiled more than 250 runs in the ongoing Caribbean Premier League in which Williams is the tournament leading bowler with 15 wickets and the only member of the squad to crack 10 wickets.

Squad: Carlos Brathwaite (captain), Ronsford Beaton, Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Jason Mohammed, Sunil Narine, Ashley Nurse, Kieron Pollard, Rovman Powell, Marlon Samuels, Jerome Taylor, Chadwick Walton, Kesrick Williams.

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Saturday September 02, 2017

Brathwaite, Hope make big rise Venus sails into U.S. Dubai, CMC - Kraigg Brathwaite and Shai Hope have made career-best moves up the ICC Test Rankings following their memorable batting in the second Test against England which West Indies won by five wickets on Tuesday at Headingley. Brathwaite and Hope defied the odds and the form book to lead the West Indies batting in the Headingley Te s t a n d h e l p t h e m successfully chase 322 in an unforgettable victory. They both gained massively in the latest rankings that also took into account the opening Test in Dhaka which saw Bangladesh pull off a 20-run win over Australia on Wednesday.

Open fourth round

Kraigg Brathwaite

Shai Hope

Opener Brathwaite has risen 14 slots to 16th position after his innings of 134 and 95 in the second Test of the three-match series. Hope’s knocks of 147 and 118 not out, the first pair of hundreds in any first-class game at Headingley, have

helped him secure a massive gain of 60 places to reach 42nd position. Windies captain Jason Holder has gained in both batting (up four places to 57th) and bowling (up two places to 37th) rankings, while pace bowler Shannon .

New York (Reuters) Venus Williams continued her U.S. Open campaign when the American beat Greek Maria Sakkari 6-3 6-4 yesterday to advance to the fourth round. Roared on by the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd, Williams, who won two titles at Flushing Meadows in 2000 and 2001, overcame serve problems to set up a meeting with gritty Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro. She has now reached the last 16 in every grand slam this year, a feat she last achieved in 2010. The 37year-old managed the only break in the opening set to take control of the match. After a couple of exchanges of breaks in the second, Williams stole her opponent’s serve again to close it out on the first match p o i n t w h e n S a k k a r i ’s forehand sailed long. ”I‘m playing at home, I’ve got a lot to accomplish here, and I‘m happy to get the win,” she said, before adding she was expecting a similar game style from Suarez Navarro as Sakkari.

Venus Williams “She’s feisty. I know I have to come out, play well, have you all (the crowd) behind me and get a win.” The question on everyone lips, however, was whether her younger sister Serena, the 23-times grand slam champion, had given birth to her first child. Venus refused to answer the question and a reporter was cut off by a moderator after she asked several questions related to the expected birth. Muguruza destroys Rybarikova to set up K v i t o v a c l a s h

Garbine Muguruza cantered into the U.S. Open fourth round with a 6-1 6-1 demolition of Slovakian Magdalena Rybarikova yesterday to set up an exciting clash with Petra Kvitova. The Spanish third seed, who claimed her second grand slam at Wimbledon this year, barely broke sweat on Louis Armstrong Stadium against the 31st seed. Muguruza, one of the pre-tournament favorites, dropped serve once, the only glitch in a neat display.

Shapovalov’s U.S. Open star rises with win over Edmund

Denis Shapovalov New York (Reuters) Denis Shapovalov’s U.S. Open star continued to rise on Friday as the Canadian teenager moved into the fourth round of the year’s final grand slam when Briton Kyle Edmund retired with injury, trailing 3-6 6-3 6-3 1-0. The charismatic 18year-old has had Flushing Meadows buzzing and while his win over the wounded Edmund did not light up Arthur Ashe Stadium, it did

provide another glimpse of the talent former world number one Mats Wilander has described as a combination of Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal. The Canadian becomes the youngest man to make it into the fourth round of the U.S. Open since American Michael Chang in 1989. “It’s never great to win this way. Hopefully it (Edmund’s injury) is nothing too serious,” Shapovalov said. “It’s very unfortunate but

I’m happy to be in the fourth round.” Shapovalov may not be old enough to drink in New Yo r k b u t i s q u i c k l y becoming the toast of the Big Apple having grabbed the attention of the tennis world with a dazzling array of skills and on court panache that have produced a number of upsets. In the run up to the U.S. Open, he collected back-toback victories in Montreal over former champions Nadal and Juan Martin Del Potro. Proving Montreal was no fluke, Shapovalov claimed another major scalp on Wednesday taking down eighth-seeded Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and will need to produce yet another upset with 12th-seeded Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta now standing between him and a spot in the quarterfinals. While the 69th ranked Shapovalov’s victory over the 42nd ranked Edmund would technically be classified as an upset, few would have bet on the Briton (Continued on page 25)

Saturday September 02, 2017

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Smith hundred inches Tridents towards playoffs Bridgetown, Barbados, CMC – Opener Dwayne Smith struck his fifth Twenty20 century and his second in three innings as Barbados Tridents put winless St Lucia Stars out of their misery with a 29-run victory, to edge closer to the playoffs of the Caribbean Premier League here late Thursday night. Opting to bat first at Kensington Oval in a mustwin contest, Tridents piled up an imposing 195 for four off their 20 overs, with Smith stroking an exciting unbeaten 103 off 65 balls. The right-hander, who struck exactly 100 against Guyana Amazon Warriors in Georgetown 11 days ago, belted five fours and eight sixes to keep t h e Tr i d e n t s i n n i n g s together. He put on 44 for the first wicket with left-hander Nicholas Pooran who made 32, dominated a 48-run,

fourth wicket stand with Eoin Morgan (5) before adding 64 in an unbroken fifth wicket parnership with Chris Barnwell who made 26 not out. In reply, Stats to their credit made a good fist of it, thanks mainly to the burly Rahkeem Cornwall who blasted an imperious 78 from 44 balls before retiring hurt. Captain Shane Watson got 22 but not other batsman passed 20 as the Tridents pulled the brakes on the Stars scoring once Cornwall was out of the picture. Pakistani left-arm pacer Wa h a b R i a z b o w l e d superbly to finish with one for 15 from his four overs – including an excellent 17th over which cost just two runs. The victory was crucial for the Tridents as it broke a four-game losing slump and pushed them up to six points. However, they remained two points adrift of Guyana

Amazon Warriors in fifth spot, in the race for the final playoff spot. Pooran did the bulk of the early scoring for Tridents, striking four fours and two sixes before topedging one from pacer Obed McCoy to the wicketkeeper in the sixth over. Kane Williamson (2) and captain Kieron Pollard (11) perished cheaply leaving Tridents on 83 for three in the 12th over but Smith took charge of the innings in successive stands with Morgan and Barnwell. He was unbeaten on 90 at 173 four after 19 overs when a floodlight failure caused a half-hour delay. Once the game resumed, however, Smith clobbered the fourth and fifth deliveries – the first ones he faced – over extra cover for sixes, to reach his landmark in style. Cornwall, promoted to opener, then put the pressure

Dwayne Smith punches the air after scoring his fifth Twenty20 hundred.

back on the Tridents with a whirlwind innings. He lost Andre Fletcher for 10 with as many on the board off the fifth ball of the innings but then set about the Tridents bowling in a series of

key partnerships. Cornwall belted seven fours and half-dozen sixes, putting on 38 for the second wicket with Watson, 52 for the third with Johnson Charles (13) and 47 for the fourth with Marlon Samuels

before limping out of the game in the 18th over with 49 required from 17 deliveries. Stars lacked momentum once he was gone and the innings crept to a meek finish.

Thompson bounces back to scoop Diamond League prize

Elaine Thompson Brussels (Reuters) - It was a night of consolation for three world championship failures yesterday as Elaine Thompson, Nijel Amos and Shaunae Miller-Uibo secured titles and $50,000 prize money in the Diamond League final in Brussels. Jamaican Thompson arrived in London last month as hot favorite to add the world 100 meters title to her Olympic gold from Rio last year but after cruising through the rounds, she struggled in the final and managed only fifth. She trailed again on a chilly night in Brussels as Marie–Josee Ta Lou of the Ivory Coast led with 70 meters remaining. In London, Ta Lou lost on the line to American Tori Bowie and this time it was

Nijel Amos Thompson who blasted past in the final stages to win in 10.92 seconds. Ta Lou clocked 10.93 with Blessing Okagbare-Ighoteguonor of Nigeria third in 11.07. Amos has had a similarly consistent season before a major blip in London and he was also back to his best when producing a strong run to win the 800m title in one minute, 44.53 seconds. The 2012 Olympic silver medalist from Botswana was off the pace when finishing fifth in the world final but looked powerful after hitting the front 300 meters out yesterday, holding off London silver medalist Adam Kszczot, who was caught on the line for second by fellow Pole Marcin Lewandowski. France’s surprise world

champion Pierre-Ambroise Bosse, was a notable absentee as he recovers from what he described as a brutal assault by three men last week that left him with facial fractures. Olympic champion Miller-Uibo of the Bahamas, who memorably stumbled with victory in sight at the world 400m final after looking up at the big screen, roared back to take the Diamond League title with the fastest time of the year 49.46 seconds. Second placed Salwa Eid Naser of Bahrain, who set three national records in London, did it again in Brussels with 49.88 – her first time under 5 0 s e c o n d s . ”I’ve had so many ups and downs this year that to come home with the win tonight feels amazing,” said Miller-

Uibo. American Noah Lyles took an impressive win from the outside lane in the men’s 200m, finishing strongly to cross in 20.00, out-dipping compatriot Ameer Webb by a hundredth. Turkey’s surprise world champion Ramil Guliyev was third in 20.02 - faster than his London winning time. Kenya’s World and Olympic champion Conseslus Kipruto produced a remarkable last 30-metre sprint to snatch the 3,000m steeplechase from London silver medalist Soufiane El Bakkali, who punched the air in frustration having thought he’d done enough to w i n i t . Yesterday’s event, the second of two finals after Zurich last week, was the culmination of the first

Shaunae Miller-Uibo system under the Diamond League’s new format, where athletes gained points for performances through the season to qualify for the final where the winner on the night scooped the $50,000 prize. Field event winners i n c l u d e d A m e r i c a ’s Christian Taylor in the triple jump, Ivana Spanovic of

Serbia in the long jump, Lithuania’s Andrius Gudzius in the discus and Katerina Stefanidi of Greece in the pole vault. In the men’s shot put event held in Brussels city c e n t e r o n T h u r s d a y, America’s Darell Hill pulled out a massive 22.44 meter personal best to take a surprise victory.

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Saturday September 02, 2017

Nand Persaud Group Of companies V Net Communications T20 blast off tomorrow in Wakenaam and Sky Plus express appreciation bowls The seventh edition of Committee (WCC) from are looking forward to Nand Persaud Group of Companies along with its Sky Plus Incorporated Promotion group of No. 36 Macedonia, Corentyne Berbice is expressing thanks you to all those who contributed in one way or the other in making their recently held one-day Horserace Meet, “Nand Persaud Karibee Sprint Classic”, a success. The organisers have expressed gratitude to Office of the Prime Minister, Republic Bank, Trophy Stall, Dalip Trading, 4R Bearings and Belts, Marcel Crawford J n r. , Vi m a l G a n e s h Trucking Service, I Dalloo, Annirude Ramcharitar

Mohindra Persaud Construction, Fazal Yunas Construction, Denroy Budhoo Trucking Service, Dennis De Roop, Mahesh

Ramdeen, Hot and Spicy, O n e i l , s B a r, C a m p t o n Sancho, Teeka Dai Ganesh Rice Farming and V Bharaspat Trucking Service, among others. The committee will also like to say special thanks to Commander B Division Assistant Commissioner Paul Williams and ranks of the Guyana Police Force for their support which they would like to see maintained. Event co ordinator, M o h indra ‘Mohin’ Persaud informed that the activity was well attended. He also alluded to the fact that technology was use to decide the winner of a number of events.

New Sports Minister wants Community grounds upgraded To negotiate for maximum funding Newly appointed Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, 62 year-old Dr George Norton is of the belief that resurrecting sports facilities will aid the Ministry of Social Cohesion which he still heads as Minister of Social Cohesion. ”I am very excited about this. There is no doubt about my interest in sports, and I have been exposed to the various cultures across the country. In my role as Minister of Social Cohesion, I have been privileged to work with all the groups across the country, and so I have an understanding of what is needed already. I have always been vocal about youth opportunities and I certainly see the youth population as being the agents of change, who can make social cohesion a reality in Guyana. And so I look forward to doing my best in both worlds,” Dr

N o r t o n s a i d . Minister Norton informed that he visited some rural communities including Corriverton in Berbice and other parts of the country and most of the residents raised the issue of grounds and playing fields to help foster cohesion through sports and family recreation. ”Most of them said there are these facilities in their communities but that they were not maintained and were unusable. I remember passing some of the grounds when in the opposition and now as a Government minister who is responsible for sports I will do whatever I can to have these problems fixed” said Dr Norton, the father of former Guyana Under-19 leg-spinner, George Norton Jnr. It’s sad to see so many grounds including the Queen’s College, which has

The PSU ground where U-19 Inter-County cricket was played in the late 1980s, now has tress growing taller than the fence (Sean Devers photo)

three grounds, in such a deplorable state” lamented the former QC student. ”I will approach the Finance Minister to get the maximum funds to start work on the grounds. I will have to negotiate with the Ministry since there are many such grounds throughout Guyana and bringing them back to what they were will cost a lot” explained Minister Norton. Dr Norton informed that he indents to talk to the Minister of Communities and Ministry of Agriculture to see if his Ministry can utilize their equipment and Machinery for the ground rehabilitation projects which is very important, since he feels that sports venues builds unity and community spirit, reduces crime and improves health and concentration among students. (Sean Devers)

the V Net T20 competition is set to commence tomorrow in Wakenaam with two matches. Dubbed ‘V Net Communications T20 blast’, the tournament has attracted six teams namely, Sans Souci, Sans Souci Jaguars, G Square Cavaliers and Noitgedacht in group A; Zeelandia, Maria’s Pleasure and Good Success in group B. The tournament was launched on Thursday last at V Net Communications office at 25 Delph Street, Campbellville, where Captain of Sans Souci Jaguars Siddiq Mohamed accepted the cheque and trophies on behalf of the Wa k e n a a m C r i c k e t

Manisha Mohamed of V Net Communications. Speaking at the launching, CEO of the V Net Communications, Safraz Sheriffudeen said he is happy to be associated with cricket in Wakenaam once again and pledged his continued support. He informed that the winning team will receive cash and a trophy while the runner-up will take home a trophy, the man-of-thematch in the final, best bowler and best batsman in the tournament will also be given trophies. Mohamed stated that the tournament is expected to be keenly contested and they

partner with the entity for the development of the game on the island especially the youths. WCC Secretary CC, Nazeer Mohamed expressed gratitude to Sheriffudeen for the sponsorship, adding that national players such Keemo Paul and Ricardo Adams are products of this tournament. Mohamed indicated that they are looking forward to an exciting competition and called on the public for their support. In the opening fixtures at the Wakenaam Community Centre ground, Sans Souci will play G Square Cavaliers at 09:30hrs and Good Success will take on Zeelandia at 13:30hrs.

Ashraf ‘River Conqueror’ Ali aims to conquer Atlantic Ocean Samuel Whyte He has successfully swam the Corentyne River to Suriname as well as the Berbice, Demerara and Essequibo, Lake Mainstay and Canje River among others but feels that is not enough. Now, 71 year-old Ashraf ‘River Conqueror’ Ali is set conqueror the Atlantic Ocean today. Hailing from Canefield, East Canje, Ali who said he would like a shark to be his company on the journey plans to swim for over five hours in the rough, choppy, murky and dangerous waters of the mighty Atlantic Ocean. Now residing in the USA, a Pastor of The Christadelphian Church said that age doesn’t matter, he likes challenges. For today’s swim he will have the services of a Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard Patrol Boat. He said despite the weather and the height of the waves, he hopes to travel for about 10 miles out and then begin swimming. What will be more interesting is if he can finds a Shark to swim along with. That, he said would be interesting, because it will show unity and he hopes that after this, Guyanese can live in Unity. He recently met with His Excellency President David Granger at the Office of The President and discussed his plans of swimming the Atlantic Ocean. He made a request for a Coast Guard vessel to accompany him on the journey. Ali plans to depart the New Amsterdam

Ashraf Ali

Stelling at 12:00hrs. Last year Ali, a former student of the Berbice High School (BHS), swam across the Berbice, the Demerara River (back and forth without any boat) and the Essequibo Rivers within a space of two weeks. The feats were done to coincide with the celebration of Guyana’s 50 Independence Anniversary and The BHS 100th Anniversary celebrations. Ali also met with former

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Nicolette Henry. Ali started swimming over the Canje River as a youth and was the first person to swim the Berbice River in 1979. In 1998 he swam the Suriname River, swimming from Skeldon to Stratt in Nickerie, Suriname. In 1999 he swam the Demerara River. He has also swum Lake Mainstay twice. He stated that by the will of God, he plans to swim the Berbice River every year.

Saturday September 02, 2017

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Ralph Green/EBFA U-11 League kicks off

Grove Hi Tech and Diamond United register wins

Players, coaches and officials showing off their tournament jerseys yesterday at the Grove ground before the kick-off of the league. Competitive football made a welcome return to the East Bank of Demerara yesterday with the kick off of the 2nd annual Ralph Green/East Bank Football Association (EBFA) Under1 1 L e a g u e . Persistent rain over the past few months put paid to any ambitions of the association to play any form of football given the fact that the ground, Grove Playfield was inundated with water which left the facility soggy for a prolonged period. Thankfully, the rain eased and the sun took over which allowed the association and the Grove/Diamond to collaborate to bring the ground to a state of playability, not 100% but some football which allowed the start of the Under-11 league, much to the excitement of the players.

Yesterday, five of the 10 teams turned up and two matches were played where Grove Hi Tech romped to a 5-0 win over debutants Samatta Point/Kaneville United in a Group B encounter while Diamond United got the better of Mocha Champs 2-0 in a Group A match up. Grove, third place finishers in the inaugural competition wasted little time in stamping their authority and signaling their intention to challenge for the top prize this year. Double strikes each from Jamal Cordis and Zuwdi Francois carried Grove to a solid win. Cordis hit the back of the nets in the 1st and 4th minute with Francois adding his name to the score sheet in the 21st and 29th minute. The other goal was scored by Rayfield Hilliman in the

20th minute of a dominating display by the home team. Diamond United netted in both halves of the 30-minute match to take full points against Mocha Champs. Ronaldo Adams opened proceedings in the 6th minute with the sealer coming from Jarrell George in the 24th minute. The other team yesterday was Herstelling Raiders FC, the other teams informed that they were unable to attend due to children preparing to return to school on Monday. However, the players and coaches present were all presented with branded tee-shirts bearing the EBFA logo and the competition name. The winning team would receive the Lien Trophy while there would be individual prizes for the M o s t Va l u a b l e P l a y e r

Action in the Grove Hi Tech/Samatta Point/Kaneville match yesterday.

(Trophy and Backpack), Best Goalkeeper (Trophy and Backpack), Highest Goal Scorer (Trophy and Backpack), Most Promising Player (Trophy and Backpack) and Most Disciplined Player (Trophy and Backpack).

Players noted their pleasure at being the first to play with customized balls which bears the EBFA logo. Only Players born on or after January 1st, 2006 are eligible to participate in the tournament. Matches would continue on Saturday.

Group A: Agricola Red Tr i a n g l e , H e r s t e l l i n g Raiders, Mocha Champs, Diamond United, Diamond U p s e t t e r s . Group B: Grove Hi Tech, Samatta Point/Kaneville FC, Friendship, Kuru Kururu Warriors, Highway United.

GABA/Banks DIH B’ball League

Colts continue win streak; Pacesetters lose twice on Thursday night By Calvin Chapman Rivalry in the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA), Banks DIH/Malta Supreme, Powerade and Rainforest Water sponsored competitions continued with the second match-day of the week in the Under-23 and First Division leagues, on Thursday last. Bounty Colts defeated Pacesetters 72-68 in the feature match of the night, a first division encounter which saw the reigning champions Colts continue their unbeaten streak, led by an outstanding solo performance from Shelroy Thomas who tallied a gamehigh 31 points. This encounter had a total of 140-points, a much improved showing after a poor display in the UG vs. Sonics game on Wednesday

This Plaisance Guardian player (with ball) takes the charge to Pacesetters in their match on Thursday night. night. Pacesetters were unlucky to lose the game having led from the first to the third quarters but Colts showed

why they’re champions in the final quarter pulling off a come from behind victory as Pacesetters squandered a 10point (49-39) lead at the start

of the fourth quarter, eventually losing by fourpoints, 72-68. For Colts, Dave C a u s w a y ’s 1 9 p o i n t s

combined well with Shelroy Thomas’ game high score to outplay Pacesetters in the dying moments of the game for the win. Sherland Legal

(22) and Nathan Saul (19) were the leading markers for Pacesetters which squandered a huge lead to end on the wrong side of victory. In the Under-23 match up, Plaisance Guardians comfortably defeated Pacesetters 66-52. It was double-trouble for the Pacesetters club on the night as they lost both their matches. Unlike the first division encounter against Bounty Colts in which they led from the first quarter until the third, it was a game of catch up against the Guardians which led throughout the match. Guardians were ahead in the first quarter 17-9; second 41-17 while pacesetters reduced the deficit significantly to a meager 6 points in the third (Continued on page 25)

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Saturday September 02, 2017

GCB’s Jaguars 3-Day Franchise League bowls off today

Lower Corentyne put title on the line in eight-team league By Sean Devers Defending ‘Double’ Champions Lower Corentyne begin their title defence in the Jaguars ThreeDay Franchise League when they come up against Essequibo at Albion, Berbice in one of four first round games today. R u n n e r s - u p We s t Demerara oppose East Coast at Wales, Georgetown face East Bank at Lusignan and West Berbice battles Upper Corentyne at Bush Lot in what is anticipated to be a weekend of entertaining cricket action. The GBC must be commended for continuing the Franchise tournament although it has not attracted the type of sponsorship that was hoped for and has inserted the top players into the eight teams thus strengthening the weaker teams. The League will again be used to select the Jaguars team which begins its FirstClass title defense on October 26 at Providence. The rules mandate each of the eight Franchise teams to select at least one Under-19 player eligible for next year’s Regional Under-19 Tournament. L a s t y e a r, 5 0 - o v e r Champions Lower Corentyne, the strongest team on paper, dominated the League with six wins and a draw to take the Championship trophy and $500,000. Lower Corentyne’s Jonathon Foo scored 150 and 127 in the first two rounds, while former National U-19 batsman Seon Hetymer, (215) and Surujnarine Kandasammy (212) both scored double centuries in the same innings when the Berbicians rattled up the League’s highest total of 649-9 declared against West Berbice at Port Mourant. West Demerara’s team i n c l u d e d Ta g e n a r i n e Chanderpaul, the batsman

Rajendra Chandrika with the most runs (635) and Bajan Raymond Reifer the most successful All-rounder (434 runs & 28 wickets) to finish as runners-up to collect $300,000. Chanderpaul Hemraj (250), Seon Hetmyer (215) Surujnarine Kandasammy (212) all made double centuries while Jonathon Foo, Bhaskar Yadram, and Assad Fudadin scored two centuries each while Tagenarine Chanderpaul (635), Kandasammy (607), Foo (580) Chanderpaul Hemraj (562) and West Indies U-19 Skipper Bhaskar Yadram (514) scored the most runs. Eon Hooper (44) Gajanand Suknanan (42), Romario Shepherd (34), Kasim Khan (30) and Reifer (28) were the top wickettakers. Reifer, Shemron Hetymer and Devendra Bishoo will miss the first few games due to West Indies Test duties in England as will the CPL players while Foo and Fudadin are unavailable for this year’s tournament in which Fifteen (15) players received CGI contracts and thirteen (13) players got Academy contracts. Except for Essequibo, where matches will not be played this year, fans in West Demerara, East Bank, East

Tagenarine Chanderpaul

Coast and Berbice will have the opportunity to see Guyana’s best players perform. Anthony Bramble will appear for Upper Corentyne, Veerasammy Permaul will play for Lower Corentyne,

Surujnarine Kandasammy

Keon Joseph and Gudakesh Motie strengthens West Berbice while East Coast will include Rajendra Chandrika. Hemraj will appear for East Coast with National Skipper Leon Johnson, Chris

Barnwell and the Jamaican batsman Ramaal Lewis appearing for Georgetown. Steven Jacobs and National U-19 Captain Renaldo Ali Mohammed will join Upper Demerara/East Bank with

Shepherd, Reifer and Tagenarine Chanderpaul strengthening the West D e m e r a r a s i d e . Essequibo’s challenge will be spearheaded by rising star Kemo Paul and Kemol Savory while they are also likely to benefit from the expertise of Shivnarine Chanderpaul once he is available. Essequibo will get Academy players Anthony Adams and Kevon Boodie, West Demerara will include Akshaya Persaud and Ritche Looknauth while Upper Demerara/East Bank will have Sherfane Rutherford and Georgetown, Raymond Perez and Robin Bacchus. West Indies U-19 players Joshua Persaud and Yadram will play for East Coast while Raun Johnson will represent Lower Corentyne with Clinton Pestano playing for Upper Corentyne.

Guyana NRA mourns the loss of stalwart, Richard Fields The Guyana National Rifle Association (GuyanaNRA) has been plunged into mourning with the passing of one of its stalwarts, long serving Vice President, Senior Counsel, Richard Berkeley Fields who was fondly known as ‘Dickie’. Fields represented Guyana with pride over the years as a certain member of the Fullbore Long and Short Range teams which has dominated in the Caribbean and still does so for many years. The disciplined, yet affable Fields was the Runner-up Sportsman of the Year in 1999. Such was the fierce and competitive nature of the man that he attended one of the most prestigious shooting competitions in the world, Bisley in England almost every year from 1979 to 2014 and would have won many medals at those championships which are still attended by many Guyanese, only last month, National Fullbore Captain Mahendra was there. At the Caribbean level, ‘Dickie’ would have won the Individual Championship in the Land of the Flying Fish,

Barbados in the197, he also won the Wogarth Trophy (Highest Score by an individual in the Benson & Hedges Team Match at the Caribbean Championships) with a score of 150.17 in the 2000’s. Fields had a solid foundation in the sport of shooting which shot off in the early 1950’s when he would go to the rifle range which was located at Thomas Lands with his uncle. His being there as a boy scout was primarily to assist with cleaning of the ammunition since the ammo in use back then was not in the best condition. After being in Queens College scouts he joined the Queens College Cadet Corps where his rifle shooting career shot off and he never looked back as he kept focus on the target hitting many Vs in Guyana, the Caribbean and further afield. He then went on to be a member of the British Guyana Volunteer Force (BGVF) where he attained the rank of 2nd Lieutenant before he left to study Law in England in 1961. On his return in 1967, Richard Fields was admitted to the

Richard ‘Dickie’ Fields at the Rifle Range in Barbados.

Bar. In 1974, he joined the Guyana National Rifle Association where he soon became one of the top riflemen in Guyana and the Caribbean. The rest is now solid history.

He has left to mnourn his wife, Joan Wylde Fields nee Carter, daughter Susan Michaela Barnwell and son Dylan Fields, among others. The late Richard Berkeley Fields would be laid to rest next Wednesday.

Kaieteur News

Saturday September 02, 2017

PAGE 35

Guinness Cage/Three Peat Promotions Indoor Championship

Ol Skool Ballers humiliate Sparta Boss; Gold is Money, Tiger Bay, Leopold Street suffer similar fate Despite their love, hate relationship with the fans, those that turned out on Thursday night watched in disbelief as the once mighty Sparta Boss crashed to an embarrassing 3-0 defeat to Ol Skool Ballers as play in the inaugural Guinness Cage/Three Peat Promotions Indoor Championship continued, at the National Gymnasium. Marking the start of the Group stage, Ol Skool Ballers led by a hat-trick of goals from Joel McGarrell, who netted in the 6th, 19th and 20th minute not only taught the former Bosses a crushing lesson, but left them perilously close to exiting the championship. With the loss, Sparta Boss will now have to win both of their remaining games to guarantee advancing. Recent winners of the ‘Keep Your Five Alive’ competition West Front Road ‘Gold is Money’ also made life difficult for themselves after succumbing 1-0 to Mocha in a bruising encounter. Another ‘big’ team to suffer a loss was Leopold Street which went down 4-3 to giant killers MBK All Stars in one of the most exciting clashes of the night. North Ruimveldt, Albouystown ‘A’, Future

Stars, Back Circle and Hustlers continued their merry run with impressive wins over their respective opponents. With no play scheduled for tonight due to the Machel Montano concert, all attention will now be placed on Tuesday night when the second round of action in the Group stage is set to be played, at the same venue. Those games will be crucial for several teams as they attempt to position themselves for the impending knockout phase. Over $800,000 in prize monies and trophies will be up for grabs with the winner set to receive $400,000 and the championship trophy, while second, third and fourth placed finishers will take home $200,000, $100,000 and $50,000 along with trophies respectively. Among the other sponsors on board are: Star Party Rentals, Faye Joseph, Claude Geddes Recreational Sports Club, National Sports Commission, Windjammer International Hotel & Cuisine, Woodpecker Trophies & Sport, Y.K Investments & Pawn Shop, Henry Chase, Jai Signs, Trophy Stall of Bourda Market and John Fernandes Ltd. Following are the full results: Game-1: North Ruimveldt-1 vs

Day two action of the Guinness Cage competition. Albouystown-B-0; Colin Daniels-13th. Game-2: MBK All-Stars-4 vs Leopold Street-3; MBK Scorers Own Goal-2nd, Christopher Hyderkhan-5th, Nevon Haynes-6th, Oswald Cornette-20th. Leopold Scorers - Okanie Fraser-3rd, Samuel Hunte-8th, Orandel Wi l l i a m s - 1 7 t h . Game-3: Tiger Bay-1 vs Hustlers-3; Hustlers Scorers - Sunil Logan-12th and 15th, Josiah Charles-18th. Tiger Bay Scorer - James M e r e d i t h - 4 t h . Game-4: Albouystown-A-3 vs Showstoppers-0; Devon Dooker-5th, Marlon Nedd14th, Tevin Curry-18th. Game-5: Mocha-1 vs West Front Road ‘Gold is Money’0; Sceyon Hope-2nd. Game-6: Future Stars-1 vs Pike Street Sophia-0; Keron S o l o m o n - 1 0 t h . Game-7: Back Circle-2 vs Champion Boys-1; Back Circle Scorers - Runel Gordon-5th, Nick Williams13th. Champion Boys Scorer - Lloyd Matthews-11. Game8: Sparta Boss-0 vs Ol Skool Ballers-3; Joel McGarrell6th, 19th and 20th.

GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power U-17 League – West Demerara

Golden Warriors & Jetty Gunners take full points; Uitvlugt, Den Amstel, Pouderoyen & Eagles draw Following the latest round of matches in the West Demerara Football association leg of the G F F / N A M I L C O Thunderbolt Flour Power National Under-17 Intra Association League yesterday at the Den Amstel ground, West Coast Demerra, Golden Warriors and Jetty Gunners won their matches over Wales United and Crane Rovers, respectively. The other two matches saw Den Amstel and Uitvlugt Warriors battling to a 0-0 stalemate while Eagles FC came from behind to earn an equal share of the points in the 1-1 draw with

Pouderoyen which had taken the lead on 26 minutes through a Keanu Lawrence goal. Ten minutes later, Eagles soared to the equalising goal on account of a clinical effort from Ronaldo Macey. Golden Warriors came up with a golden performance following a golden goal off the boot of Brian Frederick to needle Wales United in their encounter. Frederick rocked the nets in the 42nd minute from the penalty spot in a keen battle between the sides. The other club gaining full points on the day was Jetty Gunners which

blanked Crane Rovers 2-0, Dwayne Thomas netting both goals for the winners was Dwayne Thomas in the 37th and 65th minute, respectively.

Dwayne Moses - Jettey Gunners FC

Brian Frederick - Golden Warriors FC

t r o Sp Ralph Green/EBFA U-11 League kicks off

Grove Hi Tech and Diamond United register wins

Diamond United’s Ronald Adams (4th left) scores the league’s opening goal in the 6th minute against Mocha Champs.

GCB’s Jaguars 3-Day Franchise League bowls off today

Lower Corentyne put title on the line in V Net Communications T20 blast eight-team league bowls off tomorrow in Wakenaam

Baskar Yadram

Raymond Perez

Captain of Sans Souci Jaguars Siddiq Mohamed accepts the cheque from Manisha Mohamed in the presence of V Net Communication CEO Safraz Sheriffudeen.

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