Wednesday September 06, 2017
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Kaieteur News
This country is full of politicians I hope sixty honest city police who only care about themselves will ride these thirty bicycles DEAR EDITOR, Freddie Kissoon in his September 1 column described the current government as inept and incompetent. I want to add that it is not just the government. It is the entire public service with few exceptions that are inept and incompetent over the last 40 years. There are still constant blackouts despite GPL assurance a few days ago that they fixed the problem and blackouts will not be as frequent. The problem is the persons that are placed in critical and essential roles who are inept and incompetent. The acting CEO of GPL is glaringly much worse than the two previous CEOs. The Private Sector Commission under Dookoo, Boyer et al bleats some buzzwords periodically but these people do not care. The PSC must constantly battle to ensure critical institutions deliver on their mandate. This country is blighted with politicians who are selfish, inconsiderate, inept, incompetent and the list goes on. I can think of very few exceptions. Cheddi Jagan, Eusi Kwayana, Desmond Hoyte. Granger talks about revitalized villages will create economic empowerment. He means well but where are the numbers to support this? A new Chief Planner was recently appointed to
re-engineer planning. Planning requires statistics that are timely and accurate. The Stats Bureau is one of the many institutions of democracy that failed under the PNC and the PPP. No one trusts the information from that entity anymore. It is a drain on taxpayers’ dollars. The census statistics at the village level for 2012 is unavailable in 2017. Trade stats are unavailable. Yet the same inept and incompetent person continues to head that entity under the PPP and this new government. He surrounds himself and rewards the same inept and incompetent persons that he is comfortable with. The Minister of Social Cohesion must investigate this organisation or social cohesion is another farce. The PPP refers to Freddie as insane and inane. Freddie is frustrated about the backwardness and all the other blighted attributes heaped on this nation by politicians who only care about power and satisfying their wants. Moses Nagamootoo, Raphael Trotman and Khemraj Ramjattan are the greatest disappointments. If only god can save this poor land from inept and incompetent persons; one institution at a time. H. Singh
Why is Govt. allowing these taxes to be imposed by City Hall? DEAR EDITOR, I am bewildered as to why the Government of Guyana allows the Mayor and Councilors of the City of Georgetown to continually pile on more and more taxes, fees and punitive fiscal measures against the citizens and businesses whilst their accounting records and financial transactions have not been audited in more than two decades. Every citizen knows that apart from the legal requirement of being audited each year for which the Council is in violation for decades, an audit is the only means through which an evaluation of the effectiveness of Council’s internal controls can be made. Maintaining an effective system of internal controls is vital for achieving the city’s business objectives, obtaining reliable financial reporting on its operations, preventing fraud and misappropriation of its
assets, and minimizing its cost of capital. But apart from more revenue streams allowing for increased likelihood of graft, corruption and mismanagement at the Council, it is creating untold hardship and considerable strain on the citizens and businesses at a time when there is a massive slowdown in economic activity in the city. The latest act of unrestrained greed is the implementation of a special tax on the collection and disposal of refuse from businesses. This is in addition to other penal initiatives such as the container tax, the across-theboard increase in property rates this year by a whopping 10%, hefty increase in market fees, new and increased fees
for beauty salons and barber shops and the infamous parking meter project etc. Could the Mayor and City Council say exactly in a detailed way what property rates are collected for? The demand notice I collect each year specifies the collection and disposal of solid waste as a line item under expenditure. But then again it is also supposed to be used for building roads and bridges, putting new street lights etc. which are never attended to. I predict that the Mayor and Councilors of the City of Georgetown shall be single handedly responsible for the downfall of the business sector in the capital which will be a tragedy Debra Gibson
DEAR EDITOR, Witnessing the Mayor of Georgetown receive thirty bicycles from the US Embassy in Georgetown to augment the capability of the City Constabulary in the press recently, filled me with hope that it will change that ragtag law enforcement agency into one that can be regarded as: intense, versatile, professional, and one that can cover almost every known aspect to crime prevention or law enforcement in Georgetown. One can only hope that they would now employ sixty fresh, intelligent, qualified, honest and capable recruits (not friends, family members
and church pals) to work a two shift patrol in each ward of the city to significantly reduce the current high crime rate. They should also not recycle the old tainted Constables that are accustomed to harassing persons, and shaking down vendors better known as the ‘black bag phenomena by the sardine police’ for the job as a bike patrol officer. Bike squads all over the world have allowed for faster officer response times, and in a city as congested as Georgetown, it will allow for the Constabulary members to quickly transition from their traditional law enforcement
duties to more service oriented work and because bike patrols run on human power rather than gas, their carbon footprint will be much smaller than the patrol vans they are known for chasing vendors around in. But the thought also struck me that maybe the ‘Fantastic Four’ could borrow a few of their bicycles and use it for their bodyguards, their personal assistants and themselves to commute around Georgetown, so as push their green city agenda, to save the municipality thousands of dollars each day in gas and get them into shape physically. Jermain Johnson
Minister of Finance needs to know what “loura-kam” means DEAR EDITOR, It is with great wonderment and untrammeled awe and a sense of patriotic pride that I find Minister Jordan’s comment on the Exxon “ deal “ troubling even to me a humble country bumpkin. The Minister is quoted in KN as saying -” it does not matter what kind of deal we get from Exxon, we should be happy to get any deal” E d i t o r, i s t h e g o o d Minister cognizant of the term “ deal” in the Guyanese parlance. There is another Creolese term which abridges the word deal, and that is “loura-
kam,” which means take the “deal’ and be quiet. This statement is in light of another comment further on in the article where the Minister seeks to rationalize his position on any deal, by stating that the Guyana project will take Exxon deeper than any other preceding venture. Does the Minister apprehend the fact that if and when new technologies, systems and processes are deployed Guyana will probably be required to finance the full cost of those developments. Was the Minister aware at the time that Exxon has
backed away from a major investment in Indonesia that begun in the 1980’s? One does wish that the Guyana Government publicizes the EXXON deal so that grey areas of the agreement are clarified and we the Guyanese owners can sleep soundly at night, assured that the G o v e r n m e n t ’s b u s i n e s s acumen and formidable negotiating apparatus is batting well for us, and not subjecting us to “ any deal is better than no deal at all” bearing in mind the Guyanese connotation of deal and “loura kam.” Shakila Bux
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Wednesday September 06, 2017
Congress must override Trump’s The Coalition Government not living up to its obligation to sugar workers repeal of the Dream Program DEAR EDITOR, The dreadful news that President Donald Trump has scrapped the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy is very troubling. In addition to the legal actions to preserve and/or reinstate it, Congress must swiftly act to make it law. The people protected by DACA have been referred to as “DREAMERS” and are people who were brought by their parents to America as children, before they were able to make an independent choice to immigrate. These folks are, as President Obama said when enacting DACA, American is every way—except for possessing papers. Former President Obama condemned President Trump’s decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, saying a “shadow has been cast over some of our best and brightest young people once again.” Obama decided to implement DACA through an executive order during his presidency because “it made no sense to expel talented, driven, patriotic young people from the only country they know solely because of the actions of their parents.” “To target these young people is wrong – because they have done nothing wrong. It is self-defeating – because they want to start new businesses, staff our labs, serve in our military, and otherwise contribute to the country we love. And it is cruel,” he said. Deporting them back to countries they have no memory of and where they know nobody demonstrates the basic lack of human decency. National pride and interest dictate that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA initiative, should have been made permanent years ago. This year marks the fourth anniversary, and although the track record supports that conclusion, these dreamers still languish for some permanence to their hopes and endeavors. All Dreamers are products of America, and most also have someone in their family who’s an American citizen-17 percent are married to a citizen, 26 percent have children who are citizens, and 59 percent have a sibling who’s American. Surveys and studies confirm that the economic, educational, and employment experiences and outcomes of DACA recipients make clear that DACA has had a positive impact, not just for recipients but also for the American economy more generally. Through executive action, DACA provided temporary relief from deportation and work authorization to eligible unauthorized immigrants who entered the country at a young age. 800,000 unauthorized young people have received DACA, improving the lives of its recipients and their families. The data illustrate that DACA recipients are making significant contributions to the economy by buying cars and first homes, which translate into more revenue for states and localities in the form of sales and property taxes. Some are even using their entrepreneurial talents to help create new jobs
and further spur economic growth by starting their own businesses. The positive wage effect of DACA is also significant. The data show that DACA increased recipients’ average hourly wages by 42 percent. Given that higher wages translate into higher tax revenue and economic growth, these findings reinforce the fact that DACA benefits all Americans. Moreover, a full 95 percent of survey respondents are currently employed or enrolled in school. Consistent with the 2015 survey, the data indicate that many DACA recipients are getting better and higher-paying jobs because of DACA. Many are pursuing educational opportunities that were previously unavailable to them. The majors, specializations, and training that DACA recipients are pursuing include early childhood education, biochemistry, computer science, creative writing, graphic design, neuroscience, nursing, social work, and urban planning, among many others, which benefits our nation. The latest data indicate that having work authorization remains vital when it comes to helping DACA recipients participate more fully in the labor force. Eighty-seven percent of respondents to the 2016 survey are currently employed, with an additional 8 percent not working but in school. The current survey is one of the first to systematically identify the industries in which DACA recipients are working, and the results show wide-ranging labor market contributions. The data indicate that 21 percent of respondents work in educational and health services, 11 percent work in the nonprofit sector, 9 percent work in wholesale and retail trades, and 8 percent work in professional and business services. The results illustrate that DACA recipients are contributing across all sectors of the economy. Furthermore, after receiving DACA, 63 percent of respondents reported moving to a job with better pay; 49 percent moved to a job that “better fits my education and training.” 48 percent moved to a job with better working conditions. These figures are largely consistent with previous findings from the 2015 survey and show that the temporary work authorization that comes with DACA has helped to unlock recipients’ economic potential. The 2016 survey also found that 6 percent of respondents started their own business after receiving DACA. This rate of business starts is higher than that of both the American public as a whole—at 3.1 percent—and the entire immigrant population—at 3.6 percent. These businesses include tech startups, online craft stores, and tax preparation services, among others. One business owner who employs nine people hopes to continue to grow and “hire [even] more people from the community.” Statistics don’t lie! Congress must act accordingly, and make President’s signature initiative law! Albert Baldeo President of the Baldeo Foundation and Queens Justice Center
DEAR EDITOR, The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) refers to a letter from Mr Gobin Harbhajan entitled which appeared in the September 05, 2017 edition of the Kaieteur News. While the author has stressed the need to be objective and factual, it is obvious that his letter does not live up to his lofty claim. Mr Harbhajan accused our Union of defending the previous administration. It would seem that our citing of relevant and accurate statistics and figures have irked the Regional Councillor, though he posits that he seeks an objective conversation premised on facts and figures. He obviously cannot have his cake and eat it too. The letter writer goes on to say that our Union implied that the Coalition Government “erred in fulfilling its economic and social responsibility”. Our Union strongly upholds this view. We steadfastly believe that the APNU/AFC Administration has not and is not living up to its responsibilities to the thousands who depend, in one way or another, on the sugar industry. Certainly, such a view is not unfounded when no less than a Vice President, though being advised of the need for a socio-economic study of the Government sugar plans, told the Unions in the industry and the Opposition party that the Government would not pursue such an important study. Even more disturbing was the VP telling the Unions and the Opposition party that they should pursue such a study, which really means that the government is divesting itself from a core responsibility. Undoubtedly, then our view is not without merit. The fact is that such studies are an indispensible tool for policymakers to properly assess decisions of the magnitude the Government is seeking to implement for the sugar industry. For Mr Harbhajan’s information even the European Union (EU) conducted such a study in Guyana in assessing the impact of the sugar price cut. Mr Harbhajan then laughably criticizes our Union for not providing solutions to the sugar industry. It seems that the erstwhile gentleman has, obviously, not been
following the related news. Our Union has, on several occasions, shared our views and suggestions with the public, and the government, on safeguarding and securing the sugar industry. Our suggestions, Mr Harbhajan, involve a vertically integrated industry producing several products including electricity, refined sugar, alcohol, among other things. These are not by any means new ideas and are backed up by several studies which have confirmed their feasibility. In fact, the current GuySuCo CEO, in a previous incarnation in the post in 2009, had included several of those ideas in his “Blueprint for Success” at that time. The author then criticizes our Union for agitating on behalf of the workers we represent. It seems that he is saying that sugar workers are not deserving of life similar to those enjoyed by himself and his colleagues and they and their families needed to be kept at ‘basement levels’. We also find the view echoed by Mr Harbhajan a U-turn from the view he and his colleagues held prior to the May, 2015 elections. In those times, we heard that the workers were underpaid and they and their families were told about a 20 per cent pay rise. Like many other commitments, those utterances were obviously insincere and meant to dupe and deceive. Mr Harbhajan pontificates that he accepts that no estate should be closed but privatized in keeping with the Sugar Commission of Inquiry (CoI). The author then makes a passing reference to Wales saying the calamities which beset the area would have been avoided had such an approach been taken. But it was the Government of which Mr Harbhajan is a part of that refused an offer from the private cane farmers to take over the lands and factory at Wales. Instead, the people of Wales and all Guyanese were told that diversification into non-sugar crops was to be their savior. It is saddening to record that just a small area has seed paddy cultivation in the given circumstance where deprivation and desperation is growing exponentially in the communities linked to Wales Estate. Similarly, Enmore and
A mini health check is the first step to donating blood
Rose Hall are identified for heading down the same misery-filled road of closure. It seems to us that Mr Harbhajan is blowing a lot of hot air. We share and accept Mr Harbhajan’s view that sugar can be profitable. Equally, we hold that if private owners can make it profitable, GuySuCo can achieve similar feats. While the author speaks to the Government’s support to the industry he seems to forget the billions of dollars the industry channeled directly to the Treasury; the indirect employment it fosters; the infrastructural support it has provided; its drainage and irrigation services which prevents many communities from being inundated; its training of and diffusion of skills throughout the country, among the great lot of things it does for the Guyanese people. The worn out red-herring GuySuCo debt figure is also called to attention by Mr Harbhajan. On this matter we urge him to look at the disaggregated figures. There he would find that the devil is really in the details. The proportion of labour costs to overall costs is also mentioned by Mr Harbhajan. But it seems the author fails to recognize or appreciate that the industry is still largely labour intensive. Interestingly according to GuySuCo, during its presentation to the Economic Services Committee earlier this year, 6 per cent of costs are attributed to the Senior Staffers – a small cohort of the thousands employed by the industry. Furthermore, with 70 per cent of costs in the industry being fixed, lower production will result in higher average costs as an elementary economics student would explain. Certainly, a higher production level would lend lower proportion cost. We are also asked by the author to share what areas we have in commonality with the Sugar CoI. On this matter, we ask Mr Harbhajan to seek a copy of our proposals presented to the Government on February 17 this year from his high-placed, jet setting colleagues. There he would see where we are supportive of the recommendations of the Sugar CoI and where we aren’t. Such an explanation would take much of the limited space in this response. Seepaul Narine General Secretary GAWU
Wednesday September 06, 2017
New legislation afoot to deal with persons failing to build on govt. issued house lots Guyanese who are issued house lots from the government are given a specific time by which they must begin constructing their homes on the land. However, a number of persons would have failed to honour this obligation even as there are thousands that want land on which to build their homes. As a result, Minister within the Ministry of Communities with responsibility for housing, Valerie AdamsYearwood, has announced that in the new year, legislation will be taken to the National Assembly to address the issue of persons failing to build on their land within the stipulated time, which is six months. The Minister visited the Region Two Democratic Council (RDC) on Thursday to address the housing concerns of residents. “The agreement that you are going to sign, gives you a certain time by when you have to start building, and by when you have to pay. “So you have one month to pay half of the cost for the land and you have six months to pay off the balance. You don’t have to wait for the six months; as soon as you get the money bring it. The earlier you bring it, the better, so that we can begin to process your title.” She added that persons have a period of six months to one year to start building their homes from the date they were issued the house lot. The Minister said that upon visiting the region it was observed that there were a number of house lots on which nothing is being done. “We’re gonna take a piece of legislation to parliament early next year to deal with that, because if people don’t
Junior Minister of Communities, Valerie Adams-Yearwood want it, don’t come and just collect it and put it down. Other people want it. Wait until you are ready and then come for the house lot.” The Minister explained to the residents that the CH&PA will be constructing 40 houses in the region. Twenty of those will be elevated units while the remaining 20 will be single flat concrete two bedroom units. She said that the single flat units will be approximately three feet off the ground. She advised residents that regarding the elevated units, if it is their desire to enclose the downstairs area, they can do so at a later date. “The two-bedroom concrete flat costs $6M for the house and $100,000 for the land; the elevated unit costs $7M and $100,000 for the land. That’s a deal because if we are to put in the cost of the roads, the cost of the drains, the cost of the electricity and water, it is going to go way above that but Government is subsidizing the cost of the infrastructure.” She explained to the residents that the money being used to build the houses is through a revolving fund. “So what is happening if you want one of the houses, we give
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you a letter; you take it to the bank-- Republic, GBTI and NBS are already on-board with us. “When the bank approves, it will give you a letter saying it has approved and when they (CH&PA employees) come you give the letter to them which means you have qualified for a house.” The issue of land that would have been sold years ago to private citizens and developers and left unattended without any sign of construction has been described as unacceptable since there are a number of persons that would have applied years ago and still cannot be given a house lot. The latest figures coming out of the CH&PA is that there are over 20,000 live housing applications in the system. Meanwhile, earlier this year, Chief Executive Officer of the CH&PA, Lelon Saul, said that the Authority is currently engaging some private developers that have not honoured their end of the agreements signed with the CH&PA. He said, too, that some of these developers still owe the Authority money for the lands that were handed over. One such case is the land that sold by the CH&PA to Sunset Lakes, a company owned by businessman and contractor Brian Tiwarie in 2014. That land, a total of 100 acres was sold to Tiwarie for approximately $440M. However, eight weeks after that transaction, Tiwarie who owned the company, Sunset Lakes, sold it to Bai Shan Lin for $1.6B. Making the repossession difficult is the fact that Sunset Lakes has announced that it is in receivership and is being advertised for sale.
Guyanese businesses, groups for Havana Trade Fair The largest annual multisector trade fair in Cuba, the Havana International Fair (FIHAV) is inviting private sector businesses in Guyana to participate, according to President of the GuyanaCuba Solidarity Movement (GCSM) Haleem Khan. Khan said the international fair is the largest annual multi-sector trade fair in Cuba. Last year, it welcomed over 1000 companies from 70 countries and 58 Canadian companies exhibited in the Canadian pavilion. The GCSM President said FIHAV is a multi-sector trade fair with raw materials, foodstuffs, textiles, consumer goods, machinery and equipment, technology and services as its main areas. He explained that interested participants can use an official form which is the “Contract Request of Participation form” and it can be emailed to pabexpo1@palco.cu or luisgutierrez@palco.cu or directly at Pabexpo with deadline being September 15. He said that participation conditions can be found on the website http:// www.feriahavana.com. The fair will be held from October 30 to November 03, 2017 in
Havana, Cuba. “Guyanese companies and businesses that participate can maintain visibility and regular contact with their network of customers. Participating at FIHAV re-affirms loyalty and continued interest in the Cuban market, thereby strengthening existing contacts and establishing new ones,” Khan noted. He explained that another benefit is that Cuba is a country with immense market potential, but competition is rising quickly. “The absence of American competition from many sectors is not expected to last much longer and other countries from South America, Europe, and Asia are aggressively pursuing unique market opportunities. Participation to FIHAV allows organisations to get their foot in the door and start developing key relationships with Cuban buyers,” he said. FIHAV is a well-established fair that takes place annually since 1983. It is the most
Haleem Khan important general trade fair in Cuba and the Caribbean as well as one of the most representatives from Latin America. This year it will have a special meaning since it will be taking place during the period in which the Republic of Cuba holds the pro tempore presidency of the Community of States of Latin America and the Caribbean, a fact that will be recalled in several ways in its schedule of activities, conferences and seminars.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday September 06, 2017
Ministries wallowing in massive underperformance - PPP With the presentation of the 2018 budget just two months away, opposition members are already scrutinizing the performance of several ministries for the year. In fact, members of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) are of the view that most ministries, if not all, have been wallowing in massive underperformance for the past two years. Specifically making such assertions recently was PPP Executive Member, Juan Edghill. Edghill told Kaieteur News that when one assesses the performance of several ministries, it is clear that some
Opposition Member, Bishop Juan Edghill
Public Telecommunications Minister, Cathy Hughes
Government officials are not doing anything at all. In local
Guyanese parlance, the former Junior Finance
Business Minister, Dominic Gaskin
Public Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson
Finance Minister, Winston Jordan
Minister said, “They just deh.” Edghill asserted that the government and its Ministers have essentially failed to inspire the people of Guyana. He opined that the job of the Executive is to give citizens a sense of understanding of where they are taking the country, how they are going to get there and what would be the benefit when they get there. The PPP Executive Member opined, “When I
think about the various ministries and how they are overloaded with Ministers, as a citizen, I am yet to be inspired. We see more bureaucratic bungling; rampant display of incompetence; insensitivity to the perceived and real needs of the Guyanese people and policies that make no sense.” Apart from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headed by Vice President Carl Greenidge, which in Edghill’s eyes, has
maintained a stable position as it relates to the nation’s representation and advancing of its national ideals, there is hardly any other ministry that is making sense in the current construct. The Opposition member commented that the Ministry of Legal Affairs has become a total disaster; the Ministry of Social Protection is now a laughing stock and the Ministry of Public Health Continued on page 14
Wednesday September 06, 2017
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The opposition has been on easy street The APNU+AFC is not antianything. This is part of its problem. It has failed, abysmally, to demonstrate in its two years that it is anti-anything. It has not demonstrated that it is anti-corruption. It has had an unending string of scandals, which makes the PPPC’s excesses look saintly. The Public Procurement Commission has pointed to an egregious example of the violation of the procurement laws. The bond scandal, the Durban Park scandal and the pharmaceutical scandal are just a few examples of the missteps by the government. When the government should have been upturning the deals of the PPPC, it has ended up racking up its own record of controversies. The very deals which it condemned the PPPC for, it has kept. The government seems to want to keep the Marriott Hotel. It has retained the Cheddi Jagan Airport Extension Project which it had blasted when it was in opposition. It has only reduced the bridge tolls, across the Berbice River, by three hundred dollars. It is still expensive to cross the bridge. The APNU+AFC has outdone the PPPC when it comes to missteps in governance. The PPPC has merely done what any opposition party does. It has simply sat back and waited for the mistakes to be made. And hardly a week goes by that the coalition does not make mistakes. In fact, it hardly seems to be doing anything right. Part of the problem is the ineffectiveness of the APNU+AFC. A strong case can be made out that managing the state has presented severe challenges for the government. It is not as if challenges have affected
the governance. It is the governance which has been challenged. The government is simply not getting it right and no amount of reshuffling and rearranging of portfolios is going to really impact on improvements in governance. Quite simply the government has been ineffective and it must ask itself whether this is a problem of personnel or a problem of its political and economic philosophy. Sometimes when you have a strong performing economy, it can make all the other problems associated with poor governance fade into the background. The problem with the government is that while growth is reasonable – no one should expect that Guyana’s economy can over-perform there has been little attempt to address the problems in the major sectors of the economy. There is talk about economic diversification but no measures to do so. It is all just blah, blah. Growth is there but business is taking a bettering because the benefits of the growth are not filtering into the economy. This is one of the reasons why Burnham decided to nationalize the bauxite and sugar industries. The benefits of growth were being enjoyed by the multinationals and not by ordinary Guyanese. The problems in the present management of the economy – an issue which the government does not even wish to consider – have compounded the difficulties of the government. The government is clearly waiting on oil. But unless the structural problems of the economy are addressed, this oil money is not going to impact on the pockets of the small man. The government is not
DEM BOYS SEH...
anti-anything but neither is it pro-anything. It has lost direction. One analyst has suggested that there is extensive capital flight estimated at over US 50 M per annum. This is serious cash. There has always been capital flight in the country but when this is now occurring on the scale with which it is said to be occurring and the fact that inflows are not as healthy as they once were and investments are contracted makes capital flight a serious issue. It a sign that people are worried about what they see and they are taking steps to preserve their assets. The PPPC has not had to manufacture any labels for the government. The government has exposed itself to criticism by its bungling and its stubbornness to change course. The government mishandled the parking meter issue. It has paid a severe price for its shenanigans on this issue. It has lost support amongst the middle class. The PPPC did not have to manufacture the criticism that the government was antipeople. This tag was a creature of the government which quite inexplicably went ahead and imposed a series of unnecessary and burdensome taxes on citizens. The fact of the matter is that there was no need for such increases in taxes because the government’s budget was much too large. The economy does not have the absorptive capacity for that spending and what is going to happen is that a lot of unnecessary spending will take place to avoid the impression that the government does not have the ability to spend in line with its Budget. The PPPC has not had to manufacture claims of the
Money deh fuh politicians who talk de most Dem have a new breed of politicians these days. From de time dem raise dem head and dem see a reporter dem running more fast than Usain Bolt. Long time dem same SOBs use to run and look fuh de reporters to expose de Pee Pee Pee and dem dealings. Dem boys use to hear nuff things dem didn’t know about. Now dem sit down in de corridors of power and is like dem sit down flat pun de floor without a chair because de reporters can’t see dem. Nobody hearing from dem. Almost a month and Li’l Joe, Rum Jattan, Moses, and de River Man who like talk not even talking. When a reporter call dem de secretary seh dem hoarse from saying nutten. Jagdeo use to do de same thing. When pressure more than he de man use to jump pun a plane and fly out de country just not to face de press. He ministers use to run, duck and hide. Dem boys could never get dem fuh
talk. But dem talking nuff today. Soulja Bai, since he move in State House he get hard of hearing. People asking him question and he watching dem like if he deaf. He behaving like if he not seeing dem. Dem boys now beginning to think dem got a deaf, blind and dumb president. De ministers is no different. Dem very silent on Exxon, dem silent on de Marriott, dem silent on de Berbice Bridge. In fact dem silent pun everything. Is a case that when dem in power and de perks right, dem does get dumb. Dem boys seh dem gun give half of de profit wha de Waterfalls paper mek every month to any politician who talk de most. Is not bribery. Dem don’t have to call press conference; dem just have to talk pun de set who don’t want talk. ExxonMobil don’t want talk. Dem Ministers must talk pun dem. Talk half and prepare to open dem politicians mouth.
government practicing ethnic discrimination. This is always a thorny issue in Guyana and Government cannot simply dismiss it as political propaganda. The sort of divided society we live in means that it is an issue which must always be handled with great sensitivity and care. The government did this in its early months. It was cautious in the changes in made to Boards but it seemed to have not exercised the same degree of sensitivity as its term went on. The imbalance in the persons acting as Permanent Secretary is a glaring indictment of the coalition, one it should be ashamed of. And the ends to which the government has gone to hound persons in the public sector whom it may have considered as being
sympathetic to the PPPC has raised alarm bells. Political hacks have been on the loose in some government agencies. The attacks on private property, the assault on the Constitution and the shenanigans over the appointment of the Chairperson of GECOM have hobbled the government and led to concerns about a creeping authoritarianism. The government scrapped an initiative by the PPPC aimed at providing incomes and training for Amerindians. The government replaced it with its own programme which has turned out to be not in effective as it should have been with the result that the scrapped programme is now viewed, by the indigenous peoples, as a God-send and
its scrapping as an act of deprivation. You cannot take away something from people and not have better replacement. The new programme has not been effective and this has hurt the government in its relation with the Amerindians. The opposition has not been effective. It has had it easy. The government is the source of its own problem. But then again, as is the case with all government, there is an unwillingness to accept criticisms. The government will pretend that it is doing a good job. But it stands exposed for its ineptness.
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Wednesday September 06, 2017
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN...
Lands and Surveys, GRA and my unchanging country This is a dysfunctional, shambolic, dystopian country going nowhere fast. I know this. I cannot stop it although I am willing to try; and I do try. But there is one thing I am not going to shut my mouth about or be fearful about picking up my pen and writing about. It is my tempestuous refusal to be treated as a second class citizen in my own country. In reverberating decibels Monday morning, I let the people at the Lands and Surveys Commission (LSC) know that. And trust me; my tone was loud.
I got up early Monday morning to go the National Park, then to testify at the Lands Commission. Then I was to touch town at John Fernandes warehouse on Mandela Avenue to bid on one of those disused cars GRA had put on auction. Before I left my home, I called Adam Harris. I had spoken to my KN colleague, Leonard Gildarie, last week about advice on how to bid for one of those cars. My thinking was that you get one cheaply. Leonard said he wasn’t sure about how much is a good bid. So I called Adam for similar advice. He said he doesn’t know
how much you can get one for but he thinks the engine remains good but other parts may need fixing. At LSC, there is a security hut that you have to pass through. There are three supernumerary ranks and a LS C officer on duty. The LSC security detail requested my ID card. I told her I do not carry around my ID card. She asked for my driver’s license. The day before, (Sunday), my daughter cleaned the car and removed my vehicle documents. I failed to put them back. So I didn’t have that paper too. She said then
I cannot enter. That was the end of the matter for me; she was doing her duty. Even though she referred to me as Mr. Kissoon, I didn’t request to be let in. I know the CEO of LSC, Trevor Benn. My strategy was to ask him to come down and verify my identity. I requested to see a management official. She told me that there was no such official in the building. I asked for her identity and position. She refused to give it. That was when all hell broke loose. I told her she was lying and that I was not moving out of that hut; they or the police would have to physically remove me. My decibels at that time were reverberating over the LSC. A gentleman came up and asked what the problem was. I told him, he said I cannot enter. I asked for his designation. He refused. By this time I had gone insane. They kept asking me to lower my voice. Another gentleman came,
identified himself as Sherwin Benjamin and escorted me into the building. I went to see Trevor Benn but he wasn’t in. I saw his deputy, Mr. Duesbury, who accompanied me to the security hut. By this time, the woman and man from LSC had disappeared. The presiding supernumerary rank confirmed to Mr. Duesbury that the LSC security officer did tell me that no senior LSC person was in the building. Mr. Duesbury then told her he was in the building. Duesbury agreed to conduct an investigation and I hope he takes a statement from me. I will have more to say about this ID card requirement. I then went to the John Fernandes warehouse to bid for one of the cars. GRA officials told me the cars are not there. I showed them the newspaper advertisement in which GRA directed citizens to go there. I was told the cars were at the GRA bond at Eccles. I went there and stepped on something
Frederick Kissoon mysterious but it will have to wait for another column. On auction were worthless vehicles; only the spare parts importers bid on them. Then a guy whispered in my ears to go to another section of the huge bond which is in an open yard and I will see the good cars which they do not put on auction but selected people get them. I was prevented from entering that section. I saw a security guard peeing openly, so I alerted the other guards. She went to stop him. That was when I slipped past him and had a good look at the conspiracy. Two GRA employees came and asked me to leave. They do not put the saleable vehicles on open bidding. It was explained to me how the bidding for those cars go. Well, I guess better luck for when a cleaner government comes in. But I may not live till then.
Wednesday September 06, 2017
Kaieteur News
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Proposals open for design and supervision of pump stations in five regions Proposals and financial proposals were opened yesterday at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board for the provision and consultancy services for design and supervision of pump stations in regions two, three, four, five and six. The procurement entity is the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) under the Ministry of Agriculture. The procurement has been split into five lots. Lot one is covers Hampton Court and Devonshire Castle in region two; lot two covers Den Amstel, region three; lot three will address Hope and Nooten Zuil on the East Coast of Demerara while lots four and five covers Mora Point in region five and Rosehall in region six respectively. Lot one – Hampton Court and Devonshire Castle
Further, bids were opened for operation services at regional landfills. This procurement is being done in four lots. Lot concerns the Mabaruma Landfill in region one; lot two covers the Rosehall landfill in region six; lot three deals with Byderabo, Bartica landfill in region seven and lot four covers the Lethem landfill in region nine.
Lot two – Den Amstel
Lot three – Hope and Nooten Zuil
Lot four – Mora Point
Meanwhile, bids were opened for consultancy services for the design and supervision of the electrical re-wiring of the National Communications Network Inc.
Lot five – Rosehall
Bids were also opened for the procurement of radio equipment. The procuring entity is the National Data Management Authority (NDMA) which comes under the Ministry of Public Telecommunications.
Further, bids were opened for the supply and installation of enterprise uninterruptable power supply (UPS) at the Ministry of Business Head Office. In addition, bids were opened for the rehabilitation of drainage and irrigation channels and construction of structures in Maripa Area, region three.
Four bids were opened for the installation of a fire suppression system in the records and electrical rooms and electrical works to the main building of the Ministry of Education. Under this Ministry, bids were also opened for the installation of cool air ventilation fans at the Guyana National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue. Fire Suppression System
Bids were also opened yesterday for the construction of a sluice and pump station at Herstelling on the East Bank of Demerara.
Cool Air Ventilation
Lastly, bids were also opened for the construction of a fence at Arthurville Community Centre Ground in Wakenaam, region three.
In the area of housing, bids were opened for the procurement of services for the construction of electrical distribution network. The procuring entity is the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA). The project is being executed in five lots.
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Wednesday September 06, 2017
Barbados wants more attention paid to climate change UNITED NATIONS (CMC) – Barbados yesterday called on the international community to do more to deal with the impact of climate change noting
that the situation in Te x a s w here Hurricane Harvey caused widespread damage last week underscored the need to pay careful attention to climate
change. Addressing a high level meeting on “The Effective Implementation of the New Urban Agenda” at the United Nations, Barbados'
Minister of Housing, Denis Kellman said careful attention must be paid to the impacts of climate change when planning for the implementation of the
new urban agenda. “The frequency of occurrence of this and other types of natural disasters is a sobering reminder to each of us gathered here, in particularly those of us who are from Small Island Developing States, that we need to factor in, and pay careful attention to the impacts of climate change in our planning,” he said, making reference to the situation in Texas. He said Barbados, as a signatory to the New Urban Agenda, had put measures in place to ensure its effective implementation, including amendments to the Physical Development Plan to ensure that development on the island continued to be “progressive, orderly and sustainable”. “My government is committed to the promotion of inclusive settlements that are accessible, safe, healthy, affordable, resilient, sustainable and foster prosperity and improved quality of life for all Barbadians.” He said the government has also sought to encourage developers to locate housing for seniors close to amenities and services to meet daily needs, promoted the development of new housing which
was fully accessible to people with disabilities, and continued to require that new developments and significant renovations in public spaces be accessible to all. Kellman in his address also highlighted Barbados' emphasis on a green economy. “Barbados has put in place an enabling framework to facilitate our transition to a green economy which we firmly believe will reduce significantly our vulnerability to economic and natural shocks, and place our island on a more sustainable development path.” He said renewable energy generation and energy conservation were both essential to the country's commitment to the development of a green economy, and inherent in this was the potential for job creation, productivity increases and positive health benefits. He also stressed the importance of environmentally sound waste management techniques and stated government's commitment to encouraging a more sustainable approach to increased recycling, consideration of waste-to-energy conversion and increased diversion from landfills.
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DEMTOCO records drop in profits for first half of 2017 The Demerara Tobacco Company Limited (DEMTOCO) in its interim financial report for the first half of 2017 has announced that its performance declined when compared to the same period last year. The report takes into account profit made in the first half of the year ending on June 30, 2017. According to the Chairman’s report by Chairman of the Board of Directors, Felicio Ferraz, gross profit for the first half of 2017 was stable when compared to the same period of 2016, despite lower sales volume. Profit before Taxation decreased by just four per
cent (versus the first half of 2016) primarily due to increased overheads and expenditures on marketing activities, to support the company’s sales volume achievement despite the reduced consumer disposable incomes seen in the market. This move facilitated the delivery of the promised shareholder value.” For the first half of 2016, the company recorded a Profit before taxation of some $1,3 billion. However, for the same period this year, the company recorded a Profit before taxation of $1.2 billion. Ferraz reported that the company continues to invest
in its portfolio of brands that include Pall Mall, Bristol and Dunhill. “Great focus was also placed on working closely with the retail and wholesale channels to ensure they continue to invest in our brands, thereby supporting the legal tobacco portfolio in the market. “As we enter the second half of the year, and into 2018, we will continue to engage with our consumer and customer base, to ensure we can consistently deliver the positive returns for our valued stakeholders and shareholders alike.” He said that the company
seeks ways to increase shareholder value and in this vein, the Board of Directors approved a second interim dividend of $16.38 per share to all shareholders on the register as at August 11, 2017. This register will be closed from August 8 to August 11
for payment of the second interim dividend. Meanwhile, the Board Chairman said that his company has taken note of the recent passage of the Tobacco Control Bill 2017. He reiterated that DEMTOC is not opposed to the
regulations and intends to comply fully while working with its retailers and consumers. Despite this, the Chairman said that the company is still appealing to President David Granger for a review of the Bill by a subcommittee to ensure a balanced legislation that will not only regular all players in the industry but respects and protects the rights of adult smokers. He mentioned that the company has been in existence for the past 83 years as a legal entity and has always taken steps to market and distribute its products in a responsible manner.
Ministries wallowing in massive... From page 8 remains scandal ridden. Edghill said, “As for the Ministry of Finance, it is putting out nice statements and crunching numbers but the economy is still stagnant. With respect to the Ministry of Public Telecommunications, it is yet to articulate a policy direction that the Guyanese people can buy into. Making declaratory statements is not policy direction. “Here is a simple question: What has been done to improve telecommunications and related services in Guyana in the past two years? Let Minister Cathy Hughes state publically, one thing she has done in terms of improving this.” The Opposition Member added, “The internet is still bouncing, it going and coming. They said they are giving you 4G service when most times, you are getting three or three and a half.” Edghill was also very critical of the performance of the Ministry of Natural Resources. He said that the Ministry has the benefit of two ministers but it continues
to be mishandled. The politician said, “Miners are crying out every day. At one point, they did not even participate in the Mining Week, and I don’t have to mention what is going on with oil… There are more suspicions than confidence there.” In addition to criticizing the Ministries of Communities and Public Security, Edghill lumped in the same category, the Ministry of Business. In fact, he deemed it the Ministry of “NO” business which is headed by AFC Member, Dominic Gaskin. Edghill said, “Your performance is not by how many cocktails you attend or trips you make abroad. Let the Minister of Business tell the nation of one significant Foreign Direct Investment that he has made since his tenure... Let him tell us what is the sum total of the money that has flowed into the economy as a result of FDIs or his ministry’s input. Our contention is that there is none…Locally, the business sector is stagnated. In fact, there is a reduction in imports and exports.” The Opposition member continued, “Whether you call it the Ministry of Industry and Commerce or Business, you indeed, need to have a person in a position dealing with the private sector and who would put forward government’s policy as well as bring in business. “We need it. But if you have people who are incompetent but paid high
salaries …then one is left to wonder if something is wrong with Guyana.” Turning his attention to another area, Edghill said he would give Public Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson an A+ for bluff. He said that Patterson’s Ministry is one which continues to require much attention and intervention. Edghill opined that at the moment, there is a growing discontent among contractors. In this regard, h e c o m m e n t e d , “ We believe that there are special people earmarked ahead of time for certain projects and a lot of things are being stalled to accommodate that. So the underperformance of the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP) at this time is particularly due to the underperformance at the Ministry of Public infrastructure.” Edghill also criticized President David Granger for failing to meet with the media, which has been calling for him to host a press conference for some time. The Parliamentarian said that when one looks at the big picture, the problem is not with a lack of funding. He said that the struggle is with proper management, efficient project implementation and proper monitoring and evaluation. He said that this cuts across every M i n i s t r y ; it has left the Government open to criticisms of incompetence.
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‘Big Head’ remanded for murder of 18-month-old niece A foul smelling 18-yearold Sherwin Roberts was yesterday remanded to prison for the murder of his 18-monthold niece, who he allegedly tossed through a window and buried in a shallow grave, after attempting to relieve her of a pair of gold earrings. Roberts, also known as ‘Big Head’, unemployed, of 60 ‘A’ Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown, was not required to plead to the indictable charge which alleged that on September 1, at Lot 98 North Sophia, he murdered Roshana Pilgrim. Police Prosecutor Arvin Moore disclosed that the toddler’s post mortem report is still outstanding from the case file. Roberts who was placed under the supervision of a probation officer until the completion of a preliminary inquiry, was instructed to re-
Sherwin Roberts called ‘Big Head’ turn to court on September 25. Pilgrim was hurled through a window of a shack where she and her underaged siblings resided. She was buried alive, allegedly by her
uncle, who was recently released from prison. Her body which was then covered with pieces of wood, mud and slush was pulled from the three feet deep muddy grave about an hour after. The grave was located just below the window through which her body was flung. The horrific series of actions took place after Roberts broke into his brother’s Lot 98 North Sophia, Georgetown home and savagely ripped a pair of gold earrings from the toddler’s ears. The children’s father, Ron Pilgrim, who works as a maintenance worker in the day and security at night, was at the time guarding someone’s property when his children were attacked by his younger brother, whom he described as a “bandit.”
B Division Police meet with hospital management Divisional Commander of the Police B Division Assistant Commissioner Paul Williams along with Divisional Detective Officer Deputy Superintendent Gary Mc Aliter and CEO Of The New Amsterdam Hospital Colin Bynoe visits a patient who was a victim of a recent robbery
The police in ‘B’ Division Berbice are working around the clock to get on top of crime and other untoward behaviour in the division. Whilst there are successes in some areas there are many challenges in others. This was revealed to the media by newly appointed Commander Assistant Commissioner Paul Williams who took Command of the Division on July 23, last. The Commander stated that there have been five murders in the Division in the past five weeks. But the police through intense investigation and cooperation from the public have been able to solve all of them in good time. With regards to robbery using firearm-four were committed with three being solved. Williams said, “Despite the successes so far, there are still serious challenges being posed through break and enter and larceny.” However, he said that despite the challenges, there is still a 33 decrease in that area. There were 18 reports of break and enter and larceny with 10 of those matter seeing persons being charged and placed before the court. In two of the matters persons have already being convicted. Commander Williams commended his ranks and Officer in Charge of Crime, Deputy Superintendent Gary Mc Allister, for their work done. There have been five interceptions in connection with possession of narcotics; two successful raids have been conducted at the New Amsterdam Prison. During the interim a bag which contained marijuana, cell phones and fruits, which was thrown over the prison fence
into the yard, was intercepted. . During the period under review two fatal accidents occurred, one on the West Coast and the other on the East Coast Berbice. There have been arrests in both. The police have also been moving against noise nuisance in the county and a number of persons have been warned. The Main Street New Amsterdam area is one spot. On many occasions the revelers would continue into the morning and as such disrupt early morning church services. According to Williams, the free-for-all that occurred there and some other places have been brought under control. He is urging persons to obey the rules and is calling on citizens to report anything untoward so that the matter could be investigated and action taken. Ranks have been deployed in the busy shopping areas, and the cooperation of the various municipalities has been sought as they move to police busy shopping areas including the towns of New Amsterdam, Rose Hall Town and Corriverton. Commander Williams and team recently visited the New Amsterdam Hospital where they held a meeting with the management of the medical institution. The hospital team included Chief Executive Officer Colin Bynoe and Medical Superintendent Dr Yacoob. During the engagement the two sides held discussions on a number of topics including improving security and the treatment of police officers who visit to uplift medicals among other topics.
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Wednesday September 06, 2017
Kaieteur News
Barefaced bandit jailed for three years in absentia
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyanapassport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 6267040; 265-4535. 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 Budhram landscaping services, free advice. Call: 656-1326 Eagle’s: Re-gas –low prices, washing machine repairs, gas stove, plasma flat Screen, computer repairs & more. Call: 697-2969/646-0966 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezer-Call: 610-5846 or 661-8158 Do you have a job that requires the skills for a mason,tiler, plumber/general construction? Tel: 618-6304/ 638-8544 R.Jacobs.
VACANCY One experienced salesman, apply with written application & recommendation, also one general domestic. Apply @ Keyfood, McDoom Village.
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.
WANTED Experienced curry cook, roti/ puri cook, cleaners, handy boy. Apply Hack’s Halaal, 5 Commerce Street.
Qualified teachers at Alfalah School Barbados for Secondary Level (CXC & CAPE). Email C.V to alfalahbds@hotmail.com
One diesel welder generator in very good condition. Call: 699- 4300/ 228-2734
La Parfaite Harmonie, Zeelugt, Uitvlugt. Call: 681-8746
Hopetown Gas station: Manager, Accountant. RA Soda Factory, Rosignol: Accountant, checkers, male & female workers. Call: 3302399/ 623-5920/603-0433
Live-in waitress, to work in bar. Walk with ID Card. Contact: 221-2785 Live in waitress to work in bar. Call: 604-6606/ 692-4649 Need Land/Property to Buy in Eccles Area 50’x100'.Call:592-2701885 or 592-668-1102. Experienced person to work in a body workshop. Call Neil: 655-0807 Office Clerk Senior /Junior, CXC English/ Mathematics, Computer Knowledge an Asset. Call 223 – 7500 Live In Live out Babysitter / Domestic 223-7500 Call: Monday to Saturday 8:15 4:15 pm
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
Waitress for bar Call: 612-2522 1 Hair dresser & 1 nail technician @ Natural Beauty Salon & Spa located @ Grove Market Street, EBD. Call Ms Rashari: 652-5800 Experienced person to sew ladies uniforms. Call: 6426079 One personal chef. Call: 6778236 from 9am-4pm
Experienced salesgirl & handy boy, Christine’s Variety Store on Lombard St. Call: 227-8529
One office administrator with accounting knowledge. Call: 611-5398 from 9am-4pm
One male cook $100,000 monthly. Experienced dredge workers. Call :693-1886 Between 08:00 to 17:00hrs We buy land in Parfaite Harmonie, Covent Garden,Eccles,Herstelling, Providence,Farm,Zeelugt. Call: 656-0701,651-1969 Female worker wanted sound secondary education, computer literate-Tel: 6225518
LAND FOR SALE Zeelugt - $2.5M, Tuschen $2.5M.Call:642-1252 Herstelling New Scheme (110ft x 60ft) $4.8M- Call: 6560701, 651-1969 Uitvlugt New Scheme,1st Street (100ftx50ft) $4M, Parfaite Harmonie $1.5M & $1.8M, Covent Garden $4M Call: 656-0701,651-1969 Parfaite Harmonie $3.5M,$1.4M,$1.3M, doublelot $3M, Farm $4M, Herstelling $2.5M, $3M. Call: 604-6724,686-9608
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 One 40ft anchor seine boat complete. Tell: 231-1817
Mechanic for maintenance & repair of vehicles & equipment. Experience & references required. Call: 6182020,231-2250
Wanted for long term rental, a car, SUV or 4x4, paying 75,000 monthly Tel # 681- 1312
SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. -CosmetologyCourses:$120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 647-1773/660-5257
VEHICLE FOR SALE
One Female Gardner contact 223-5273/74
Jobs available at the Plant Shop/Maintenance, Georgetown, 18-25yrs. Tel: 643-7193 Experienced bartender. Call: 225-8572 between 7AM and 9AM One experienced legal computer clerk. Call: 6247087/ 226-4283/258-0213/ email:husainsaphier@ yahoo.com
EDUCATIONAL Register @ IAE: full-time, afternoon, day/evening CXC/ CSEC classes for adults & repeaters:Mathematics & English A. Call: 683-5742/621-7365 Register your child for after school classes for slow learners in Mathematics, Reading, Phonics, Spelling, etc. Call: 675-4379
TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 2257878 (24HRS)
Desmond Griffith
PROPERTY FOR SALE Kastev, Meeten Meer Zorg, W.C.D: 3 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, verandah overlooking Atlantic ocean. Owner migrating -$36M, negotiable.Call:676-7974/615-0173 Property for sale-House 25 x 72, land 40x120@ Friendship Road Top E.B.D $15.7M Call:681-1312 Property at Kaneville Grove, E.B.D Access Main Road. $6.5M negotiable. Call: 2661316,616-5433 Building with 3 apartments for sale. Income property at Diamond. Contact: 680-5944, 656-4211 House & land Parfaite Harmonie incomplete house $2M, Tuschen incomplete house $2.7M, $5M, Hague Public Road $35M. Call :6046724,686-9608 Parfaite Harmonie $1.2M,$1.6M,$3.5M, Tuschen $2.3M, Tuschen house & land $5M, Herstelling $2.3M, $3M. Call: 666-2326 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 AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE. Call: 698-7807 WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP RATES,SPECIAL OFFERS! . CALL: 690-6494
A man who on Saturday March 11, last, around 09:00 hrs entered a grocery shop with intent to rob the occupants, but was caught and beaten instead, has been jailed for three years in his absence.
PEN PAL You deserve to be in a relationship filled with love and excitement. Call Harmony Singles 676-6312
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 Commercial space available for rental, prime downtown location, competitive rates. Call: 225-3945 Hair & barber station for rent @ New Market Street. Call: 638-1106 2-Bedroom house at South Ruimveldt,$41,000 monthly. Tel: 652-1234 One 4 bedroom house with 2 self-contained room for rent at Creek Dam, Herstelling,E.B.D. Price$80,000. Call:692-8814
Desmond Griffith, 23, of 1046 East Canefield, East Canje, was handed the sentence by Magistrate Alex Moore in the Reliance Magistrate’s Court. He was charged with attempt to commit a felony—robbery under arms. When he first appeared in court he was remanded to jail. Griffith who is known to the authorities was subsequently granted bail. He eventually stopped attending court and was subsequently found guilty and sentenced to three years in jail in his absence. According to the prosecution, on the day in question, the bandit, who was armed with a knife, entered Chung’s Grocery at Betsy Ground, East Canje and attempted to rob the business place. However his attempt was thwarted. He was captured, subdued and beaten by residents. Information revealed that the owner was at home with his wife in the lower flat of their two- storey building. His wife had just finished showering and had entered the upper flat. The businessman suddenly felt something pressed to his neck and somebody ordering him to freeze. He did not take it for anything as he thought it was one of his friends playing a prank. The two subsequently became engaged in a scuffle. The bandit subsequently freed himself from the owner and ran upstairs to his wife. The woman encountered the intruder on the inside steps. Her children had locked themselves in their rooms. The bandit ran back down the stairs and was again confronted by the owner in a fierce battle as he attempted to flee. Neighbours who had heard the couple’s cries for help, responded and helped to subdue the thief who was subsequently tied up and handed over to the police.
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Kaieteur News
HPV vaccination campaign relaunched More than 36,000 girls between the ages of nine and 16 years will be immunized with the HPV vaccine following the relaunch of another immunization campaign. This announcement was made yesterday by health officials from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and World Health Organization (WHO), and the Ministry of Public Health, (MoPH). During a press briefing, the officials noted that the team is aiming to distribute approximately 40,000 doses of the vaccine among young girls across the regions of Guyana. P A H O / W H O Representative, Dr. William Adu-Krow, noted that the main purpose of the HPV vaccine is to prevent cervical cancer. The vaccine also protects against genital warts
- 36,000 girls to be immunized in both females and males. Ministry of Public Health, Maternal & Child Health Officer, Dr. Ertinesa Hamilton, in her presentation on the countrywide HPV relaunch, said with the goal of reducing cervical cancer locally, they will be partnering with a number of stakeholders. Hamilton said, “We will be working in conjunction with the Ministry of Education to immunize girls in school. We have already begun the partnership with our private pediatricians for mothers who do not want to take their child to have the vaccine at school… and for all girls that we cannot reach, especially those in remote areas and are out of school, to have outreach activities in the regions, in their villages so that we can get every girl
within that age group immunized.” Dr. William Adu-Krow reminded that while not new, the HPV vaccine has been administered in several countries. He described it as the best chance of preventing cervical cancer. Dr. Adu- Krow said that according to PAHO/WHO and Public Health data reviews, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among Guyanese women. “In Guyana, during the period 2003 – 2012, Guyana recorded 6,518 new cases of cancers for an overall cumulative incidence rate of 867.7 per 100,000 populations. Of the 3,956 sixty percent were females and 2,561 thirty nine percent were males, giving a female to male ratio of 1.54:1.” The PAHO/WHO
representative revealed that Indo-Guyanese were found to have the largest proportion of cases at forty seven percent, followed by AfroGuyanese at thirty percent, and eleven percent among mixed races. It was noted that male cases outnumbered female cases, at 52 percent and 48 percent respectively. In relation to stigmas and myths about the HPV vaccine, Dr. Ertinesa Hamilton shared that the team will utilise a communication campaign to get stakeholders on board. “We recognised that a lot that came out of that (the myths) had to do with not having enough information. And that’s why the focus this time around is having a communication campaign where we have enough information out to the general public,” Dr. Hamilton said.
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Regional countries brace for passage of Irma BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Governments and disaster officials in the Leeward Islands were pleading with residents to take the necessary precautions to safeguard lives as a powerful Hurricane Irma got ready to unleash its fury on the chain of islands late last night. “In light of the fact that the pending hurricane has been categorized as being extremely dangerous, the security forces have advised that the public should be foremost concerned about their safety and wellbeing and therefore should refrain from being on the streets after 6 pm, “ St. Kitts-Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris said in a radio and television broadcast. “Only essential workers are expected to be outdoors and on the streets. Moreover, we seriously advise, for their own safety and security, that our citizens and residents remain indoors and continue to listen to all official advisories on the hurricane. The official government agencies will indicate when it is safe to venture outdoors after the passage of the hurricane. “We are well aware that what we are preparing for is an extremely dangerous hurricane. We cannot take our safety and security for granted. All of our national security agencies have been fully mobilized and are on
highest alert. Meanwhile, we implore you to follow all official instructions and recommendations with regard to your safety,” Harris said. Similar sentiments have also been given by the governments of Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla and Montserrat as the hurricane is accompanied by lifethreatening wind, storm surge, and rainfall. Several shelters have been opened to accommodate people and many people were seen bordering up their property as the storm inches closer to the islands. The Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) said that Irma, which is nearing the Northern Leeward islands is an estimated 130 miles east of Antigua and 135 miles east south east of Barbuda. The NHC said that a hurricane watch is in effect for Guadeloupe, Dominican Republic from Cabo Engano to the northern border with Haiti, Haiti from the northern border with the Dominican Republic to Le Mole St. Nicholas, Turks and Caicos Islands and Southeastern Bahamas. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Dominica “The distinct eye of Hurricane Irma was located near latitude 17.1 North, longitude 59.8 West. Irma is
moving toward the west near 15 mph (24 km/h). A turn toward the west-northwest is forecast to begin tonight ( Tu e s d a y n i g h t ) a n d continue for the next couple of days. “On the forecast track, the extremely dangerous core of Irma will move over portions of the northern Leeward Islands tonight ( Tu e s d a y ) a n d e a r l y Wednesday, move near or over portions of the northern Virgin Islands Wednesday, and pass near or just north of Puerto Rico late Wednesday and Wednesday night,” the NHC said in its latest weather bulletin at 5.00 pm (local time). It said that maximum sustained winds are near 185 mph with higher gusts. “Irma is an extremely dangerous category 5 hurricane on the SaffirSimpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some fluctuations in intensity are likely during the next day or two, but Irma is forecast to remain a powerful Category 4 or 5 hurricane during the next couple of days.” The Barbados-based Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) said it has activated the regional coordinated plan and that the regional response teams including the CARICOM Disaster and Assessment Coordination (CDAC), the CARICOM Operations Support Team (COST) and the Regional Security System as well as the CARICOM Disaster Relief Unit (CDRU) have been placed on stand-by.
Wednesday September 06, 2017
China providing millions for projects in Grenada S T. G E O R G E ' S , Grenada (CMC) – China is providing a multi-million dollar loan to Grenada for the rehabilitation of the Maurice Bishop International Airport (MBIA) and a low income housing project, according to a government statement issued here. While the statement did not provide the amount of money being provided by Beijing for the housing project, it said that the construction of phase two of the Chinese Housing project here is expected to start later this year. “The government in Beijing has approved Phase two of the project, paving the
way for the start of construction in about two months,” the statement noted. It said that Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell discussed the projects with the Chinese Ambassador to Grenada Dr. Zhao Yongchen, who arrived here recently at the start of his four-year tenure. The statement said the second phase of the low income housing project involves the construction of units in six districts across the tri-island state including Dumfries in the sister isle of Carriacou. It said technical teams from China as well as the
Ministry of Works have been visiting the six sites throughout the year to prepare the design for the project. China is now tendering for a construction company to do the work. Phase one was completed a few years ago with more than 350 units distributed. The statement said that China has approved a concessional loan for the upgrade of the airport valued at US $66 million dollars. It said China's Vice Minister of Commercial Affairs is expected here later this month to sign the two agreements with the Grenada government.
Venezuelan opposition pins hopes on elections as protests falter CARACAS (Reuters) Venezuela's opposition is shifting its focus to forthcoming state elections as protests aimed at ousting President Nicolas Maduro have subsided following the installation of an allpowerful, pro-government legislative body. Four months of violent demonstrations in which at least 125 people were killed have all but stopped due to fatigue among protesters and disillusionment at seeing the ruling Socialist Party cement vast powers despite the concerted opposition push. Most opposition leaders say October's elections for governors in all the country's 23 states now represent the
best means to keep pressuring Maduro, providing a chance to win some of the governorships at stake and an opportunity for a protest vote to demonstrate the president's unpopularity. The opposition, which boycotted the elections for the Constituent Assembly, accused electoral authorities of inflating turn-out figures for the July 30 vote. There are few options available for adversaries of Maduro, who maintains control over the OPEC nation despite widespread public anger about tripledigit inflation and chronic shortages of basic goods. “ Ve n e z u e l a n s a r e fighting against a continued rupture of the constitutional order,” said opposition leader Henrique Capriles, who is governor of Miranda state but who is not running in next month's election and who is barred from holding public office once his term expires. Nevertheless he urged Venezuelans to vote in the elections. “If you abstain, then it's more difficult to bring about the political change t h a t a l l Ve n e z u e l a n s want,” Capriles told reporters. Capriles has called his own barring from office - because of alleged irregularities in managing public funds - a Socialist Party move to sideline him. Governorships provide little in the way of a platform to directly challenge
Maduro. But they are coveted by politicians because they offer launching pads for political careers and the possibility to channel state resources toward political allies. The opposition's participation in next month's poll ensures it will have witnesses at voting stations and at the election council headquarters. Opposition coalition leaders say that should allow them to quickly identify any attempt to alter results. However, some who spent months on the streets with the encouragement of opposition leaders, especially young members of a self-styled “Resistance” movement, feel betrayed. They say turning attention so quickly to the election legitimizes what they view as Maduro's authoritarianism and insults the memory of slain protesters. They also see a contradiction with the opposition's decision to boycott July's vote for the Constituent Assembly. Maduro pushed for the creation of the assembly, which is meant to rewrite the constitution but which has no formal check on its powers, saying it would restore stability to a country in turmoil over the widespread antigovernment protests. It has broadly supplanted the Congress, which the opposition won control of in a 2015 landslide vote.
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Mom confirms body at Ruimzeight is Jayleena Titus The body that washed up at the Ruimzeight, West Coast Demerara (WCD) foreshore last week has been positively identified as seven-year-old Jayleena Titus. The dead child’s mother, Onika Henry, yesterday visited the Ezekiel Funeral Home and identified the remains of her daughter who drowned on August 26, last. The woman indicated that the body was badly decomposed but could have been recognized. It was clad in a pair of long camouflage pants. The seven-year-old girl had gone to the seawall with her father, Richard Titus, her 10year-old brother, Jason, and a cousin when the tragedy occurred. According to reports, the children were playing in the water around 17.30 hrs when Jayleena disappeared. Recalling what transpired, Jayleena’s brother said that while his father was fishing, he and his cousin were playing in the water. He said that his sister was also in the water, but she was closer to land. “Me and my cousin were playing in the water; my father called my sister and she went and when she come back, she come and put her hands around me and I take her back (to the shallow part) and I tell her not to come out back,” Jason Titus related. He further noted that there was a boat close-by and he warned his sister about going close to it. “I went back with my cousin and
DEAD: Jayleena Titus we were playing and when I look back, I didn’t see my sister. After I start look around, I see her hands in the air so I send my cousin to call my father and I went to save her.” Jason reportedly reached his sister and tried to grab her but she bit his hands and when he let go for a second, she disappeared beneath the water. “When I pull away my hand, I didn’t see her anymore. I search the water for her but she wasn’t there,” the sibling revealed. He added that he too almost drowned but managed to swim to safety.
Wednesday September 06, 2017
No lead in Chinese businessman’s murder It will soon be a month and investigators have not made any lead way in the murder of 44-year-old Liyan Jiang whose bound body was found on August 10, last. A source yesterday indicated that they had checked surveillance footage in the area but were unable to determine who murdered the father of two. A post mortem examination performed on the remains of Liyan Jiang showed that he died from strangulation, cerebral haemorrhage and asphyxiation. Jiang’s body was discovered in the bathroom area of his Paradise Chinese Restaurant at Tuschen around 22:00 hrs on a Thursday night. It is believed that the businessman was murdered some time after 03:00 hrs on Thursday, since he had been gambling online and left around that time to check on a noise he heard. The father of two never returned to his computer to continue his game. He had been running the
restaurant by himself while his wife, Lan, was running another restaurant at Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara (EBD). The businessman was found gagged, and his hands tied behind his back with a phone charger. His feet were also tied. No blood was found at the scene, but there were marks of violence on the victim’s body. His right cheek was swollen and the entire house was ransacked. The killers gained entry into the restaurant by removing louvre panes from a bathroom window and then breaking the grill. There was a chair next to the window, indicating that the men left the same way they entered. The restaurant does not have cameras. The victim’s wife told the police that she last spoke with her husband around 22:00 hrs on Wednesday. When she did not hear from him on Thursday, she called his phone but it went to voicemail. The woman then asked a male friend in the area to
DEAD: Liyan Jiang check on him. When the individual went to check, he called several times but did not get a response. Upon entering the building, the friend noticed the restaurant door was partly open and immediately went to the Tuschen Outpost, and returned to the scene with ranks. When they entered the building, the police observed that the place was ransacked and shortly after, they found the body.
Wednesday September 06, 2017
Kaieteur News
Brazil ex-presidents Lula and Rousseff charged in corruption case
Former Brazilian Presidents Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (R), and Dilma Rousseff (REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino) BRASILIA (Reuters) Brazil's top prosecutor yesterday charged former Presidents Luis Inacio Lula da Silva and Dilma Rousseff along with fellow Workers Party members with forming a criminal organization, the latest accusations in Brazil's sprawling corruption scandal. The prosecutor, Rodrigo Janot, alleged that eight members of the Workers Party, including Lula and Rousseff, committed a series of crimes involving state-
owned oil firm Petrobras such as cartel formation, corruption and money laundering. They were the first criminal charges to be leveled against Rousseff, who was impeached in 2016 for breaking budgetary laws. The 230-page document filed with the Supreme Court accused Lula of heading the organization. Lula's lawyer said the law was being misused to persecute the former president.
The Workers Party said in a statement that the charges were baseless and being used to divert attention from other investigations, including one into a former federal prosecutor, referring to a case Janot announced on Monday. A representative for Rousseff said the prosecutor's office had offered no evidence of the crimes and called on the Supreme Court to guarantee the right to defend against them. Lula, who is still Brazil's most popular politician, is appealing a corruption conviction that would bar him from running for president in 2018. He faces four other corruption trials. The charges stem from the Operation Car Wash investigation that uncovered a cartel of companies paying bribes to officials to secure Petrobras contracts, revelations that have spawned a host of investigations that has shaken Brazil's political system and economy.
Trump ends 'Dreamer' immigration programme WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump yesterday scrapped an Obama-era programme that protects from deportation immigrants brought illegally into the United States as children, delaying implementation until March, and giving a gridlocked Congress six months to decide the fate of almost 800,000 young people. As the so-called Dreamers who have benefited from the five-yearold programme were plunged into uncertainty, business and religious leaders, mayors, governors, Democratic lawmakers, unions, civil liberties advocates and former Democratic President Barack Obama all condemned Trump's move. The action was announced not by Trump but by Jeff Sessions, his attorney general, who called the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) p r o g r a m m e a n unconstitutional overreach by Obama. There will be an “orderly, lawful wind-
A female DACA recipient, is comforted after watching Attorney General Jeff Sessions' announcement. (REUTERS/Monica Almeida) down,” Sessions said. Trump later issued a written statement saying that “I do not favor punishing children, most of whom are now adults, for the actions of their parents. But we must also recognize that we are (a) n a t i o n o f o p p o r tunity because we are a nation of laws.” He denounced Obama's programme as an “amnesty-first approach” toward illegal immigrants
and pressed his nationalist “America First” message, saying that despite concerns voiced by his critics about the fate of the Dreamers, “Above all else, we must remember that young Americans have dreams too.” Obama issued his own statement calling Trump's action a political decision, defending DACA's legality and urging Congress to protect Dreamers.
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North Korea warns of 'more gift packages' for U.S.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un provides guidance on a nuclear weapons program in Pyongyang September 3, 2017. KCNA via REUTERS G E N E VA / S E O U L (Reuters) - A top North Korean diplomat yesterday warned that his country is ready to send “more gift packages” to the United States as world powers struggled for a response to Pyongyang's latest nuclear weapons test. Han Tae Song, ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, confirmed that North Korea had successfully conducted its sixth and largest nuclear bomb test on Sunday. ”The recent self-defense measures by my country, DPRK, are a gift package addressed to none other than the U.S.,” Han told a disarmament conference, using the acronym for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the country's formal name. “The U.S. will receive more 'gift packages' ... as long as it relies on reckless provocations and futile attempts to put pressure on the DPRK,” he added without elaborating. U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley on Monday accused North Korean leader Kim Jong Un of “begging for war” with a series of nuclear bomb and missile tests, and urged the 15-member Security Council to impose the “strongest possible” sanctions to deter him and shut down his trading partners. But Russia's U.N. A m b a s s a d o r Va s s i l y Nebenzia said on Tuesday a U.S. bid for the Security Council to vote on Sept. 11 on new sanctions is “a little premature.” Russia is a permanent member of the Security Council and wields veto power.
“I don't think we'll be able to rush it so fast,” Nebenzia told reporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier yesterday said imposing more sanctions was a “road to nowhere.” U.S. stocks sank, with the S&P 500 stumbling to its biggest single-day loss in about three weeks, as investors weighed the increasing tensions with North Korea. Sanctions have done little to stop North Korea boosting its nuclear and missile capacity as it faces off with U.S. President Donald Trump who has vowed to stop Pyongyang from being able to hit the mainland United States with a nuclear weapon. Haley acknowledged yesterday that further sanctions on North Korea are unlikely to change its behavior but would cut off funding for its ballistic missile and nuclear programs. “Do we think more sanctions are going to work on North Korea? Not necessarily,” she told the American Enterprise Institute think tank in Washington. “But what does it do? It cuts off the revenue that allows them to build ballistic missiles.” MORE SANCTIONS? North Korea said it tested an advanced hydrogen bomb for a long-range missile on Sunday, marking a major step in its goal of developing a nuclear-tipped missile that puts the U.S. mainland within range. Satellite imagery appears to show the blast caused numerous landslides at North Korea's Punggye-ri test site, according to 38
North, a Washington-based North Korean monitoring project. W h i t e H o u s e spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said yesterday Trump continues to see denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula as the priority in how it responds to the latest nuclear weapons test. Sanders said “all options are on the table,” including diplomatic and economic measures, but said talks with Pyongyang were not the current focus for the White House. Diplomats have said the Security Council could consider banning North Korean textile exports, barring its airline and stopping supplies of oil to the government and military. Other measures could include preventing North Koreans from working abroad and adding top officials to a blacklist aiming at imposing asset freezes and travel bans. China accounted for 92 percent of North Korea's trade in 2016, according to South Korea. China's foreign ministry said on Tuesday it would take part in Security Council discussions in “a responsible and constructive manner”. Trump and British Prime Minister Theresa May agreed in a telephone call on Tuesday that China must do more to persuade North Korea to cease its missile tests, a spokesman for May said. South Korea said an agreement with the United States to scrap a weight limit on Seoul's warheads would help it respond to North Korea's nuclear and missile threat.
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Berbice contractor refutes allegations of “shoddy” work The Berbice contractor accused of substandard work done on the Manchester Secondary School has come forward to refute such allegations. Mark Gupta, owner of 4A Contracting, told Kaieteur News that the ceiling removed from the classrooms were not to be replaced but rather taken out because of the bat infestation that could not be controlled. He said the bridge that was described by the chairman as “incomplete” was done up to standards “The bridge is fine, I am the contractor and nothing is wrong with how that bridge was built so I don’t see what is the problem there,” he argued. According to Gupta, the contracting firm mentioned by the Regional Chairman is not his but rather his brother’s. “My brother was
not awarded with that regional project so that’s incorrect. I was given the contract and my company goes by 4A Contracting”. He explained that after work was done on the school, materials were removed, but the work could not be completed due to what had to be completed in such short time. He said that midway in the work some changes were made after the Regional Engineer visited the school, “for the bridge and trestle they went back to the tender board and got an approval some changes but as you go along these things tend to pop up hence certain changes”. It was also highlighted that a floor to one of the buildings in the school compound that was also in the contract was completed with concrete steps instead of wooden steps as stated in the
contract. Gupta also took the opportunity to clarify that the company, Gupta Engineering, that was mentioned by the Regional Chairman was not the company awarded the project but rather his 4A Contracting. “Gupta Engineering is in no way connected to this project; that’s my brother and he was not awarded the contract.” He admitted that the only works to be completed are some tiling in the Home Economics Department and two doors in the said department, with all other work inclusive of a water tank trestle, flooring, a bridge and removal of the ceilings completed. He assured that the work will likely be completed within two weekends since construction cannot be done during school hours.
The situation at the Manchester Secondary on Monday. The contractor also stated that he feels as though he and his brother are being targeted. But he assured they will continue to work honestly despite efforts to taint their reputation and business. Parents over a week ago had expressed their
disapproval on the quality of work done at the school. And Regional Chairman, David Armogan during a visit to the school on Monday to assess the situation was not pleased with the work done. The Chairman who seemed appalled at the situation stated, “This proves
to be a big disappointment because I was assured by Regional Engineers that the school will be done for today (Monday) but clearly still a lot of work to be done here, I am however glad that the teachers are making good with the resources that are available in this condition. He promised to have the regional engineer revisit the school and have another assessment done. Construction works at the Number 36 Primary School awarded to another contractor is still to be completed as well.
No respite: Transformer trip now blamed for latest GPL shutdown The spate of blackouts of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) currently being experienced by citizens continued on the coastlands yesterday. At approximately 08:30hrs yesterday, a transformer trip at the Kingston power station caused the Demerara Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS) to experience a shutdown. According to GPL, restoration efforts commenced immediately. Most areas were repowered at approximately 09:45hrs with the exception of Sophia, La Penitence, East Ruimveldt, West Ruimveldt and a section of the East Bank, between Herstelling and Craig. These areas were re-powered at 13:00hrs. “GPL Inc. offers our sincerest apologies for the inconvenience caused.”
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Late goal gives U.S. draw with Honduras San Pedro Sula, Honduras — Substitute Bobby Wood scored in the 85th minute to give the United States a 1-1 draw with host Honduras in CONCACAF qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup at the Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano last night. The result kept the Americans (2W-3D-3L, 9 points) in third place over Honduras (2W-3D-3L, 9) on goal difference (+1 to 7), pending the result of a match later between Panama (1-4-2, 7) and Trinidad & Tobago (1-0-6, 3). For most of the game, the Central American
champion did well to disrupt the U.S. attack – until the equaliser. The Gold Cup champion took advantage of a Kellyn Acosta free kick that was brilliantly saved by leaping goalkeeper Luis Lopez. With the Honduran defense unable to clear, U.S. defender Matt Besler got control in the left side of the penalty area and sent the ball to Jordan Morris, who flicked it to Wood. The Hamburg forward, a 73rd-minute substitute for Darlington Nagbe, chested down and poked home with his right foot from four yards.
In the 27th minute, Romell Quito’s team-best fifth goal of the current qualifying cycle put Honduras ahead, 1-0. Alexander Lopez played a pass into the left side of the box for that evaded a slide tackle by U.S. defender Omar Gonzalez. Quioto gained control and curled right-footed shot from nine-yards out off the right post and into the net. Honduras finished with 10 men after Henry Figueroa was assessed his second yellow card of the match three minutes into second-half stoppage time. (CONCACAF)
Wednesday September 06, 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) It might be time to pick up the slack and do your share. Do not allow colleagues to hinder your ambitions. You may feel a need to make changes to your legal documents. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Travel if it's needed to start the ball rolling. Think of joining a health club that will benefit your physical appearance. Visit those less fortunate than your self; be sure to help them with their personal problems. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Your fight for those less fortunate is not likely to end in sweet victory. Involve yourself in group endeavors. This could be a difficult day to deal with coworkers. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Pleasure trips will ease the tension between you and your mate. Don't be too eager to spend what's left over; more unexpected expenses are evident. Do not borrow or lend money or belongings to friends or relatives if you wish to avoid any hassles. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Do not let the reactions of others get you going. Stay mellow. Look into some form of physical recreation. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Today will be hectic. Take your time before making personal decisions. Focus on forming business partnerships.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You will be emotional about family matters. Do you really want to start something with someone you can't reason with? Problems with fire, gas, or oil may cause disruptions and annoyances. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Make sure any presentation you have is ready. Do not borrow or lend money or belongings to friends or relatives if you wish to avoid any hassles. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) It might be time to make a fresh start. Put all your energy into moneymaking ventures. Residential moves should be considered carefully. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Toning, fitness, pampering should all be scheduled. Don't tell others of your plans. Don't let your work and your personal life interfere with each other. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Look after financial transactions today. Romantic opportunities will flourish through travel or communication. Don't forget that you've only heard one side of the story. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You could lose a good friend because of it. You need to spend time with friends and family. Your boss may be on the rampage and you certainly don't want to be the one to take the brunt of a bad situation.
Action from the World Cup qualifier between host Honduras (white jersey) and the USA on September 5, 2017, in San Pedro Sula, Honduras.
STP kicks off Lusignan Golf Season STP Investments will tee off prime golfing action for the season on Saturday at Lusignan Golf Club. After a prolonged rainy season and other issues beyond its control, the club is now gearing up to take advantage of the
drier weather with the hosting of several big name tournaments ahead of its gala event, the Guyana Open which is set for November 4th and 5th. Saturday’s tournament starts at 12:30hrs using the
medal play format. STP’s Managing Director Sanjay Persaud will be on hand to assist with the distribution of trophies and to meet members who are encouraged to come out and show support for the club after several lean months.
Joshua confirms he will defend his... (From page 33) undefeated in 19 fights, had been due to face Klitschko in a rematch of their April bout, which Joshua won with an 11th-round knockout, but Klitschko has since announced his retirement. Pulev, one of Bulgaria’s most popular sportsmen, turned professional at the age
Law urges Windies... (From page 35) Headingley showcased his talent.” The run chase was the highest by Windies in England since the memorable nine-wicket win at Lord’s in 1984. Only Australia with 404 back in 1948 had made more to win in the fourth innings of a Headingley Test. The other moment that impressed Law came after the win when instead of major celebrations, Hope remained calm. “I think the fact he wasn’t over the top in his celebrations just means he’s hungry and he’s driven. He doesn’t want to stop where he’s at now; he wants to keep going. I think that’s a great sign,” Law pointed out. ”The challenge for Shai is to stay fit and healthy. If he does that, with the drive he’s got and the mental toughness and will to work, that will just make him better and better. He’s pretty good now, but he’s got the potential to be great.”
of 28 in September 2009, less than a year after winning the European amateur boxing title in Liverpool. He has held the European heavyweight title twice be-
tween 2012 and 2016 and has challenged once for the unified world heavyweight title in 2014, losing to Klitschko in Hamburg on a fifth-round knockout.
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Wednesday September 06, 2017
Venus Williams beats Petra Kvitova in final-set tie-break to make semis Stephens beats Sevastova to make final four Venus Williams proved too strong for Petra Kvitova in a final-set tie-break in a thrilling US Open quarterfinal in New York last night. The 37-year-old American reached the 23rd major semi-final of her career with a 6-3 3-6 7-6 (72) victory. Williams, seeded ninth, came back from 3-1 down in the final set to win in two hours and 34 minutes. She will next face Sloane Stephens, with an allAmerican semi-final line-up possible. Madison Keys and Coco Vandeweghe will try to join their compatriots in the last four when they play their quarter-finals today. E a r l i e r y e s t e r d a y, American Sloane Stephens won a final-set tie-break to beat Latvia’s Anastasija Sevastova and reach her first US Open semi-final. The 24-
year-old, ranked 83rd as she makes her way back from injury, won 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (74) in New York. With Madison Keys and Coco Vandeweghe also through to the last eight, there is the prospect of an allAmerican semi-final lineup. It is four years since Stephens made the Australian Open semi-finals, but her ranking had plummeted to 957th following an 11-month break with a foot injury. Only two months later she is through to a Grand Slam semi-final and projected to break back into the world’s top 40, at least. “Oh man, I’m getting tearyeyed,” said Stephens. “I think my coach is probably crying. ”This is just incredible. When I started my comeback at Wimbledon I could never have dreamed of this
Sloane Stephens happening. “Making the semi-final of my home Slam, it’s indescribable.” Stephens got the 24,000 spectators on Arthur Ashe Stadium for the day session animated as though it was a night match with a dramatic win. She looked to have learned from Maria Sharapova’s defeat by Sevastaova in the previous round as she reined in her power and, after a timid opening service game, began to move forward whenever possible.
CPL reviewing Pollard’s no ball
Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) is reviewing the no-ball bowled by Kieron Pollard at the end of Sunday’s match between Barbados Tridents and the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots at Kensington Oval in Barbados. Hero CPL, in a release this afternoon, said it is very concerned by suggestions that the action of a player could be considered to have brought the game or the
league into disrepute. Pollard, the Tridents captain, bowled a big no-ball when opposition batsman Evin Lewis was on 97 off 32 balls, with St Kitts and Nevis Patriots needing one run to beat Barbados Tridents in the Twenty20 competition. The no-ball gave 25year-old Lewis’ side the win but saw him miss out on the chance of a ton after he and captain Chris Gayle reached 129-0. The move has been
criticised by cricket fans who suggest that it was deliberate. CPL said: “Cricket owes so much of its unique appeal to the spirit in which the game is played and as a cricket tournament, the Hero CPL understands the importance of fair play and good sportsmanship”. The Patriots beat Barbados Tridents by 10 wickets in the final preliminary match of the Caribbean Premier League.
Sixteen trips to the net and two breaks of serve helped Stephens to the first set, and Sevastova’s hopes appeared further damaged when she had a medical timeout for attention to her leg. However, the Latvian resumed in more measured fashion, cutting her errors from 18 in the opening set to six as she clinched the second. Stephens was now struggling on serve, making less than 50% of first serves,
Venus Williams and a woeful smash seemed to signal the end as she fell 31 behind. Quite the contrary a gripping conclusion saw the American level at 3-3, the pair swap service breaks and then hold impressively on their way to a decisive tiebreak.
It was Stephens who made the running, and the pressure told as three errors from Sevastaova left the American with match point, converted as she drilled a backhand down the line. (BBCsport)
Pablo Carreno Busta beats Diego Schwartzman to reach semi-finals
Pablo Carreno Busta
Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta reached the US Open semi-finals for the first time with a straight-set win over A rg e n t i n a ’s D i e g o Schwartzman. The 12th seed o v e r c a m e 2 5 - y e a r- o l d Schwartzman 6-4 6-4 6-2 in one hour and 58 minutes in New York.
Carreno Busta, 26, is yet to drop a set at the tournament and is the highest-ranked man left in the bottom half of the draw. He will face the winner of Sam Querrey and Kevin Anderson in the last four. Querrey and Anderson meet later in the second night
session match on Arthur Ashe Stadium. “Incredible. It’s something I always dreamed of,” said Carreno Busta. “I tried to be focused all the time, play aggressive. I am very excited to be in the semi-finals.” (BBCsport)
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Brazil police raid amid 2016 Joshua confirms he will defend his Olympics corruption probe heavyweight titles against Pulev
The President of the Brazilian Olympic Committee (second from left) was pictured being led into Rio federal police headquarters yesterday. Brazilian police have searched the country’s Olympic Committee and the home of its chief, who headed Rio’s successful bid to host the 2016 Games. The raids are part of investigations into what police say is “strong evidence” of vote-buying to secure Rio’s bid. The inquiry is being conducted in conjunction with French and US police. The head of the Brazilian Olympic Committee, Carlos Nuzman, has been questioned and had his passport seized. Mr Nuzman, 72, has led the committee since 1995, and headed the Rio De Janeiro Organising Committee for the 2016 Games. Mr Nuzman stands accused of acting as an intermediary in a cash-forvotes scheme to ensure the support of influential IOC member Lamine Diack, was also serving as International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF) chief at the time. Mr Diack was arrested in Paris in 2015 for corruption allegations involving the covering up of the Russian doping scandal. There was no immediate comment from Mr Nuzman yesterday, but his lawyer told journalists his client had “done nothing wrong”. The Financial Times reports that luxury apartments, vehicles and aircraft were seized in the raids. An arrest warrant was issued for Miami-based businessman Arthur Soares Filho, who has been linked to an alleged $2m (£1.5m) payment to Papa Massata Diack, the son of the Senegalese IOC member.
Papa Massata Diack said he was ready to provide proof of his innocence if the investigators came to Senegal, and told Reuters news agency that French prosecutors “had no proof” for their new allegations. ”They want to justify why they are holding my father in France,” said Papa Massata Diack, who has an outstanding Interpol warrant over corruption allegations. Brazilian prosecutor Fabiana Schneider said Mr Nuzman had been a “lynchpin” between Mr Soares and Papa Massata Diack. She added that the Rio Games had been used as a “trampoline” for corruption in Brazil. Former Rio State Governor Sergio Cabral was jailed in June for 14 years for corruption and money laundering. He was convicted of participating in the embezzlement of $64m from construction contracts, including the renovation of Rio’s Maracana stadium,where the 2016 opening and closing ceremonies were held. French prosecutors announced last year that they were widening their
investigation into corruption in athletics to include the bidding and voting processes for the hosting of the 2016 and 2020 Olympics. They issued a statement on Tuesday confirming that Papa Massata Diack and influential members of the IOC were at the centre of the investigation. “There are several consistent indications that payments have been made in return for the votes of IAAF and International Olympic Committee members over the designation of host cities for the biggest global sporting events,” the statement said. Rio won the Games by 66 votes to 32 in a third round ballot in an IOC vote in 2009, after initially losing the first round of voting to Madrid. In a statement, the IOC said it had learned about the latest developments from the media and was “making every effort to get the full information”. It had previously confirmed in March that an IOC ethics commission was “working in co-operation with the prosecutor” after initial reports in French media. (BBCsport)
Anthony Joshua has confirmed he will defend his IBF, WBA and IBO belts in a heavyweight title fight against Kubrat Pulev in Cardiff on October 28. The Brit unified the division when he beat Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley Stadium on April 29 and says he ‘can’t wait to get back in the ring’ to defend his belts against the Bulgarian. Joshua confirmed the bout following Pulev’s announcement on Monday that the fight will take place at the Principality Stadium this autumn. ‘Greetings fight fans, I hope you’re well,’ Joshua said on Instagram. ‘October 28, I will be defending my IBF, WBA and IBO heavyweight championship title of the world against Kubrat Pulev. ’He’s game, ready and it’s been a long time coming. I can’t wait to get back in the ring. ‘I just want to say thanks for your support over the years. You know me, I can’t wait to get back in the ring and perform. I’ll do it for you - thank you.’ Joshua was been told he must face IBF mandatory challenger Pulev before December 2 or risk being stripped of that belt. But the Cardiff bout, which may well take place under the closed roof at the Principality Stadium, is one
Sportsmail columnist and Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn also posted the confirmation. Joshua is relishing. ’October 28 can’t come soon enough,’ Joshua said. ‘I have been eager to get back in the ring since Wembley and now we are confirmed and ready. ‘I’ll be locked away focusing on fight number 20 for the next eight weeks. I am excited to experience the atmosphere in a sold out Principality Stadium and aim to give the fans a spectacular night.’ Sportsmail columnist
and Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn, who had applied for his licence to promote in Nevada in anticipation of a Klitschko rematch in Vegas, said: ‘I’m delighted that we will be in Cardiff at the magnificent Principality Stadium for the next step of the AJ journey. ’Nearly 80,000 will gather on October 28 to create another unforgettable night of boxing.’ The 27-year-old Briton, (Continued on page 31)
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Windies hearts with Caribbean as Hurricane Irma threatens
Fast bowler Alzarri Joseph … hails from Antigua. London, England, CMC – West Indies were busy here Tuesday preparing for the decisive third Test at Lord’s starting tomorrow, but also anxiously keeping an eye on Hurricane Irma back home in the Caribbean. The team paused during their preparations on Tuesday to reach out to everyone in the path of the powerful tropical cyclone, which was packing winds of over 175 mph and was due to
make pass through the northern Leeward Islands late Tuesday into early Wednesday. Islands like St Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda and Anguilla, are bracing for the impact of the tropical system. “Our fans are in our thoughts and prayers as they prepare for Hurricane Irma,” captain Jason Holder said in a special message. ”Please take all
necessary precautions as you prepare for this hurricane. Our love and our wishes go to everybody in the Caribbean as you go through this tough time.” The touring Wi n d i e s i n c l u d e o n e Antiguan in Alzarri Joseph, the 20-year-old fast bowler, and he also sent a message to his fellow countrymen and those on the projected path. ”I’m urging my fellow citizens of Antigua and Barbuda and all those in the Leeward Islands as well as all those on the path of the hurricane to prepare and be ready for whatever comes our way,” he said. ”I’m advising everyone to take every precaution and I hope and prayer we get through safely.” West Indies are chasing a historic series win in England after losing the first Test by an innings and 209 runs inside three days at Edgbaston but rebounding to win the second match by five wickets at Headingley.
Syria score last-minute equaliser to Iran …set up World Cup play-off against Australia
Wednesday September 06, 2017
Ashraf ‘Ocean Conqueror’ Ali completes 2 1/2hrs Atlantic Ocean Swim
Ashraf Ali with members of the GDF Coast Guard after completing the swim. Ashraf ‘Ocean Conqueror’ Ali’ has done it again, this time achieving his goal of swimming the great Atlantic Ocean for over seven miles. He completed the feat on Saturday last in a commendable time of 2 ½ hours. Having already swam all the main rivers of Guyana, the courageous 71-year-old Ali has now set his sight on the conquest of the oceans of the world. He has swam the Corentyne River to Suriname, the Berbice, Demerara (back and forth without stopping unaccompanied) and Essequibo Rivers, Lake Mainstay, The Canje River and other locations on numerous occasions. Also a pastor attached to the Christadelpian Church, Ali who resides in the USA hails from Canefield, East Canje and has vowed to complete his intended
mission by the grace of the Almighty. The swim last Saturday commenced around 13:00hrs aboard a Guyana Defense Force Coast Guard boat from the New Amsterdam Stelling. After travelling for about ten miles, Ali began his swim in the murky, choppy and dangerous waters of the Atlantic Ocean. He had reckoned that the swim would have taken about five hours but was able to accomplish the feat in half that time. Ali spoke with the media after his accomplishment: “It was a herculean task to swim nonstop for seven miles riding the high and choppy waves of the Atlantic Ocean.” Ali also expressed gratitude to His Excellency President David Granger for his support in making the swim a success. Thanks were
also expressed to Chief Of Staff of the Guyana Defense Force (GDF) Brigadier Patrick West along with Officer Ramphal and his Coast Guard crew for accompanying him on the journey. “My next long distance swim God willing will be in the Pacific Ocean in California. I hope I will get the opportunity to swim alongside a shark, wearing no protective paraphernalia, the lesson being that if a human can swim peacefully and nicely alongside a shark then it is incumbent upon us to live peacefully and nicely with each other.” The man of God ended his missive with a quote from the bible “I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: Marvelous are thy works Lord God Almighty. Psalm 139:14. (Samuel Whyte)
Chris Froome sprints to victory at the stage 16 time trial in Madrid The Syrian goalkeeper leads the celebrations after the final whistle in the Iranian capital. Omar Al Somah scored the biggest goal in Syrian football history to secure a draw against Iran and send the war-torn country into the World Cup play-offs. Carlos Queiroz’s side had already sealed their place in Russia next summer by topping Group A of Asian qualifying and looked to be heading to victory again thanks to Sardar Azmoun’s double. But deep into injury time Al Somah cooly slotted home to send the minnows wild, and continue their dream of a place at next year’s tournament. Syria still have a job on their hands if they are to be one of the 32
countries competing at the 2018 World Cup. They first must beat Australia and then one of USA, Honduras or Panama to reach the first World Cup finals in their history. The Australians were consigned to a third place finish in Group B after beating Thailand only 2-1, while Saudi Arabia sealed automatic qualification after beating Japan 1-0. Tamer Mohamed’s 13thminute header put the Syrians ahead, but Iran fought back to show why it was unbeaten in competitive games for over three years. Sardar Azmoun pulled Iran level in first-half stoppage
time, using his chest to knock in a rebound, and he struck again from close range in the 64th when Syria failed to clear a long throw-in. Syria made it 2-2 in stoppage time when Omar Al Soma put the ball between Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Salimi’s legs. Elsewhere in Asia South Korea’s goalless drawn with Uzbekistan saw them claim second place and automatic qualification for Russia. It will be the ninth successive time the South Koreans have competed at the World Cup, a sequence that began in Mexico in 1986. (MailOnline)
Chris Froome stormed to victory in stage 16’s individual time trial yesterday, adding to a nearly insurmountable overall lead of almost two minutes in the Vuelta a Espana. The Team Sky rider completed the 40.2km run from Circuito de Navarra to Logrono in 47 minutes, making 57 seconds on his main tour rival, Italy’s Vincenzo Nibali, whom he now leads by 1:58, and finishing 29 seconds ahead of second-placed Dutchman Wilco Kelderman, of Team Sunweb. Briton Froome is bidding to become the first rider for 39 years to win the Tour de France and the Vuelta in the same season. This display recalled Froome’s sensational performance in the 2011 time trial at the Vuelta, where he stunned team leader Bradley Wiggins by taking the red jersey in Salamanca. Italian Daniel Oss had set the early running but young German rider Lennard Kaemna beat his time before being usurped by Sweden’s Tobias Ludvigsson, who lost his water bottle in the first 10km but still crossed the line in 48:07.23. Veteran rider Alberto Contador, in the final time trial of his career, set a new lead time of 47:59.82, delighting his fans at
Chris Froome Logrono and moving to fifth in the overall rankings, before Froome’s resounding victory. (MailOnline)
Wednesday September 06, 2017
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Warriors could go all the way this year, face Tallawahs tonight in Eliminator 1 By Sean Devers in Trinidad in association with Noble House Sea Foods, Elegance Jewelry & Pawn Shop and Vnet communications Runners-up three times in the five-year history of the CPL Guyana Amazon Warriors could go all the way this year but they must first defeat defending Champions Jamaica Tallawahs in the first Eliminator at the Brian Lara Stadium in South Trinidad from 20:00hrs tonight. With a record of 30 wins and 21 losses from 52 matches including an emphatic win in their last game against the same opposition in Jamaica, the Wa r r i o r s h a v e g a i n e d momentum from a poor start and have started to peak at the right time. They head into battle tonight on the back of four
consecutive victories including a 99-run mauling of Tridents in Barbados and a brutal nine-wicket win with 9.3 overs to spare against Tallawahs. When the teams last met on a hard bouncy Sabina Park track which favoured the home team’s pace quartet, a murderous unfinished 135-run partnership in 9.3 overs between Jamaican Chadwick Walton and Luke Ronchi, who played for both Australia and New Zealand, fired them into the playoffs. The Warriors hold the physiological advantage tonight knowing that Tallawahs and CPL 2017’s leading wicket-taker (15) Kesrick Williams was battered for three sixes and four fours in two overs which cost 46 runs and their fastest bowler, 20-year-old Oshane Thomas conceded 32
Chadwick Walton including four sixes from two overs after he removed Sohail Tanvir for a duck in the first over. Although the Warriors finished on 10 points with 5 losses and last among the four qualifiers, tonight’s
pitch should favour their spinners as preliminaryround results become inconsequential. The Tallawahs’ Coach will remind his charges that while the Warriors have been the most consistent team in
Law urges Windies to make history as Lord’s Test looms London, CMC – Head coach Stuart Law wants to see the resurgent West Indies build on their good work from Headingley and pull off something special in the third Test starting tomorrow at Lord’s. Speaking yesterday, Law was his usual forthright self, indicating the Windies were looking to match England’s skill, in the decisive match at the home of cricket. The Caribbean lost the first Test in three days by an innings at Edgbaston but hit back to win by five wickets in the second contest. ”I’m immensely proud of the boys … to come out and produce what they did was an amazing turnaround,” the Australian said. “Now we’ve reached Lord’s – the home of cricket – and everyone is excited and talking about what could be a great end to the series. There’s the whole sense of occasion – walking into the pavilion, seeing the greats on the walls, the added media attention and all that comes with a Test
Shai Hope shares a moment with teammates while going through his paces at training on Tuesday. (Photo courtesy CWI Media) match at Lord’s.” He continued: “We did the hard work at Headingley and we know only hard work will do it for us again here. Before the series I told the players to make their own history, to chart their paths and to make a statement to the world that we can compete with the best.” A win at Lord’s would hand the regional side their first series victory in England in nearly three
decades and their first over England in eight years. The victory at Headingley was the first Test win over England in 17 years and it came courtesy of 23-year-old stroke-maker Shai Hope who scored a century in both innings as the visitors chased down 322 on the final day. The right-hander made 118 not out – with 14 boundaries off 211 balls – to lead the Windies run chase
and it came on the back of his first innings 147. He became the first batsman to score two centuries in a firstclass match at Headingley – the 534th first-class fixture at the venue and 76th Test match. Law said that in Hope, the Windies had a “rock” on which they could build for the future. “I remember sitting down next to him in the dressing room before the last day and saying ‘look, the plan is we’ll bat to tea, see where we are and if we’ve got wickets we’ll work out if we’re going to have a go or not’,” the former Australia batsman said. ”He looked at me and I said ‘what’s wrong with that?’ He looked at me again, shook his head and shrugged his shoulders and I said ‘okay, what’s your plan?’ “‘We’re going to win’, he said. That’s the God’s honest truth. And he went out and won the game. He’s a rock. He’s a guy with a lot of talent who looks very good at the crease. We hadn’t seen that in international cricket, but (Continued on page 31)
Sohail Tanvir CPL reaching three finals and two semi-finals, it was Ta l l a w a h s , t h e m o s t successful team with two titles, who beat Guyana in the 2013 and 2016 finals. Tonight’s atmosphere should be fantastic with a capacity crowd including thousands of Guyanese, witnessing what is anticipated to be a pulsating contest in the biggest party in Sports in the party capitol of the Caribbean. Walton’s 382 runs is the most by any batsman and if he cuts lose tonight the fans could be in for a rollicking time but while Walton has three fifties only Jason Mohammed and Ronchi of the others have managed a half century for the Warriors. Mohammed’s strike rate of 110.44 will not set the world on fire but with 275 runs he has been Warriors’ most consistent batsman while Ronchi, who replaced Martin Guptill, has played just twice but already looks threatening for opposition bowlers. The trio along with the Guyanese pair of Assad Fudadin and Gajanand Singh, who both looked good before wasting starts, will need to do the bulk of the scoring with support from K e m o P a u l , Ta n v i r , Roshan Primus and Emrit. Tanvir, although not the fastest mover in the field, has bowled brilliantly and sit jointly with Williams on top of the wicket takers list. Emrit is joint second with Left-arm Tallawahs pacer Krismar Santokie with 13
Lindl Simmons each and along with Tanvir gives the Warriors a potent pace attack. Afghanistan teenaged leg-spinner Rashid Khan has 10 scalps and an economy rate of 5.61 and on a track expected to favor him should be Tallawahs’ biggest threat in the middle overs. Spinners Veerasammy Permaul and Steven Jacobs should also enjoy the Brian Lara Stadium Track. Tallawahs batting will depend heavily on Skipper Sangakkara (322 runs) who plays in his 250th T20 game tonight and whose last four innings produced scores of 74 not out, 63, 69 and 38. McCarty (278) and Lindl Simmons (222) are the other Tallawahs batsmen with over 200 runs while 20-year-old New Zealander Glenn Phillips already has a century and fours fifties from 18 T20 games and looks very accomplished. Rovman Powell and Guyanese Jonathon Foo are the only other Tallawahs batsmen with 100 runs and both can hit the ball long and hard and have contributed crucial cameos for their team. While Walton ‘beat and teach’ Williams in Jamaica, the pacer has a knack for breaking partnerships and leads a four-prong pace attack which includes slower-ball specialist Santoki e , 3 6 - y e a r - o l d Pakistani Mohammad Sami and Thomas with left-arm spinner Imad Wa s i m , o f f - s p i n n e r Mahmudullah and Gary Mathurin providing spin options.
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Wednesday September 06, 2017
St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots into Hero CPL final Hammer Trinbago Knight Riders by 38-runs P l a y e r- o f - t h e - m a t c h Chris Gayle played a responsible innings of 54* from 51 balls with three fours and as many sixes to anchor the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots to 149-7 off their 20-overs after losing the toss against the Trinbago Knight Riders last night at the Brian Lara Stadium, Trinidad. The Trini Franchise went into the match full of confidence following their previous form having won eight matches but were brought down to earth by Gayle and his troops as they were hammered into submission by 38-runs being bowled out for 111 off 19.3 overs. Despite the loss, the Trinbago Knight Riders can still ride into the final as they will be facing the winner of tonight’s clash between the Jamaica Tallawahs and the Amazon Warriors at the same venue on Thursday night. Gayle, leading the St. Kitts Franchise to the playoffs for the first time, having led Jamaica to the final twice, got admirable support from fellow Jamaican Brandon King who made 30 from 26 deliveries with a solitary boundary and three maximums. Mohamed Hafeez backed up with 21 from 13 balls (3x4 1x6) and Carlos
Brathwaite 14 from 11 in St. Kitts’ total of 149-7. It was a total team effort from the Patriots Sheldon Cottrell leading the bowling with 3-17 from his 4-overs. There was one apiece for Ben Hilfenhaus, Brathwaite, Mohammad Hafeez, Tabraiz Shams and Chris Gayle who got the wicket of Beaton in the final over to seal their finals place. The Bravo brothers, Darren and Captain Dwayne were the top scores for the Trini side with 29 (2x4 2x6) and 24 (3x6) respectively. The only other batsmen into double figures were Denesh Ramdin 19 (2x4 1x6) and Beaton 13 (1x4 1x6). Captain Bravo was the leading wicket taker for his
Sheldon Cottrell ©CPL/Sportsfile Mohammad Hafeez ©Ashley Allen - CPL T20 / Getty team when St. Kitts batted with 4-38 from his 4-overs, Beaton took 2-22 and Kevin
Cooper, 1-12. Scores: St Kitts and Nevis
Patriots 149 for 7 (Gayle 54*, King 30, Dwayne Bravo 4-38, Beaton 2-22)
beat Trinbago Knight Riders 111 (Darren Bravo 29, Cottrell 3-17) by 38 runs.
MOE/NSC ‘Teach Them young’ programme concludes
Some of the participants along with officials and parents at the closing ceremony. The Ministry of Education National Sports Commission and AL Sport and Tour Promotions ‘Teach Them Young’ Windball Cricket and Circle Tennis programmes concluded last weekend with a simple ceremony held at the National Gymnasium.
The programme which commenced from July 17 and concluded on August 25 attracted 75 male and female students between the ages of 10-15 years-old from West Bank Demerara, East Coast and Bank Demerara as well as Georgetown. Organiser Alistair
Munroe told Kaieteur Sport that the participants were tutored on the basics of Windball Cricket and Circle Tennis. He said that they also assisted the students to prepare for the new school term. Munroe informed that a
similar programme will continue on every Saturday with the aim of preparing Windball and Circle Tennis teams for a regional competition in 2018, while the annual Schools Windball tournament will continue shortly. He stated that a number
of events are in the pipeline for September which is deemed Education month. Volunteers from Al Sport a n d To u r P r o m o t i o n s including Munroe, Nigel Hope, Hutton Mars, Julius David, Mark Whyte and Kattieann Punch facilitated the programmes.
Wednesday September 06, 2017
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Hamilton Green football resumes GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power U-17 League – Berbice tonight at MSC ground in Linden NA United claw back to earn exciting draw against Paradise Invaders
GFC and Riddim Squad are pictured in the Corona Invitational competition, they will renew rivalry tonight in Linden. After a few delays, the Hamilton Green knockout football tournament will resume to n i g h t a t t h e Mackenzie Sports Club ground in Linden with a double-header. The first match begins at 19:00hrs and will see home team Silver Shattas matching skills with inform City side Georgetown Football Club (GFC). The GFC team which defeated Riddim Squad 5-2 to reach the semi-finals of the Corona Invitational
football tournament on Sunday last will be confident of victory against a less active Silver Shattas tonight. The second match of the evening which begins at 21:00hrs serves up another Linden/Georgetown match-up, this time, Eagles United will tackle Riddim Squad. Out of the 24 teams that started this knockout tournament, 18 remain. Teams are competing for the top prize of $500,000 with a $250,000 package set aside for the second place
team. Third attracts $150,000 while loser of the third place playoff will receive $100,000 to round off a total of $1 Million in prize monies. Apart from the teams playing tonight, the remaining contestants are Winners Connection, Kuru Kururu Warriors, Milerock, Plaisance, Mahaica Determinators, Golden G r o v e , A n n ’s G r o v e , Buxton, Police, Western Tig er s , U itv lu g t, D en Amstel, Seosdyke Falcons and Santos.
In latest action of the G F F / N A M I L C O Thunderbolt Flour Power National Under-17 Intra Association League in the Ancient County of Berbice, New Amsterdam United fought back gallantly to earn an equal share of the points against Paradise Invaders as both maintained their respective third and second place positions in the standings. With both sides completing six matches, racking up four wins along with a loss and one draw respectively, they were out to outdo each other in their search for full points. With this in mind, Paradise Invaders took the early lead when Shaqueel DeHarte found the back of the nets in the 4th minute of play. It was a keen tussle between he sides as neither backed off, the first half concluded with Paradise holding on to their one goal advantage but were very
Shakeel De Harte - Paradise Invaders FC
conscious that eth New Amsterdam Boys were not going to relent in their search for the neutralising goal. And the elusive goal for NA United came 14 minutes into the second half thanks to good finishing from Shaquan Durant in the 59th minute. It was a well deserved goal for the hard
working NA United lads and the final result, Paradise Invaders 1 New Amsterdam United 1. Meanwhile, one match, a rescheduled fixture will be contested today from 16:00hrs at Burnham Park. Hopetown United Rangers will take on front runners, Cougars.
Jai Signs & Auto Designs on board Jai Signs & Auto Designs of Independence Boulevard became the latest entity to add its support towards the exciting inaugural Guinness Cage/Three Peat Promotions Indoor Championship which is currently being staged, at the National Gymnasium. Represented by staffers Andrunie Harris and Zaheer Mendonca, they handed over a cheque worth $50,000 to Three Peat official Rawle Welch on Saturday at its location. Responding on behalf of the Group, Welch thanked the representatives for answering the call for support, adding that the gesture is a clear indication of the entity’s vision for the development of sports, especially at the grassroots level. Over thirty-two teams started the Championship which is in the group stage presently. Over $800,000 are up for grabs with the final set for September 16, at the National Gymnasium.
Jai Signs & Auto Designs representative Zaheer Mendonca hands over the cheque to Three Peat Promotions official Rawle Welch in the presence of staffer Andrunie Harris.
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Wednesday September 06, 2017
Ms. World Guyana donates sports DCC trounce GYO; rain gear to three Berbice entities ruins play at Everest Ms. World Guyana, Vena Mookram pose with the respective recipients.
Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) hammered Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO) by 10 wickets, while rain stopped play at Everest when the Well Teen, Trophy Stall, Tropical Springs and Nauth Motor Spares U-13 25-over competition continued recently. Batting first at DCC on Thursday night, GYO were bowled out for 72 in 21.4 overs. Mavindra Dindyal made 23; Romeo Deonarain claimed 3-2 and Ezekiel Wilson 3-6. DCC eased to victory reaching 73 without
Raynaldo Mohamed loss in 11.3 overs. Inderjeet Nanan led with 28 not out
and man-of-the-match, Ezekiel Wilson 24, unbeaten. Over at Everest, GYO were sent packing for 87 in 19.3 oves after they were inserted. Krishna Singh got 22; Anthony Khan captured 4-12 and Raynaldo Mohamed 3-17. Everest was 19-1 in five overs when rain prevented further play. The competition continues today with DCC hosting Transport SC at 18:00hrs, while on Sunday Everest play Blairmont from 18:00hrs at the said venue.
GABA/BANKS DIH B’ball Ms. Guyana World 2017 Vena Mookram as part of her personal platform for the u p c o m i n g M s . Wo r l d contest in China on Thursday last donated sports gear to three sports organisations in the ancient county. The presentation was made during a massive Health Fair organised by Mookram, the cricket teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club (RHTY&SC) with the support of NAMILCO and the Region 6 branch of the Ministry of Health. Ms. Mookram donated a quantity of footballs to the Rose Hall Town Football Club, basketballs to the GuySuCo Training Centre and cricket balls to Guyana’s leading youth and sports 0organisation, the RHTY&SC and its cricket teams. The elegant Ms. World Guyana in handing over the gear stated that involvement in sports is a form of healthy l i v i n g a n d u rg e d t h e gathering to get involved in
sporting activities. Mookram whose perso n a l p l a t f o r m i s healthy lifestyles stated that she hopes that the items would assist youths to not only play the game but to also fulfill their potential. In a well received presentation, the 2017 Queen spoke broadly on the importance of being physically fit and the danger of diseases such as diabetes. She urged the three organisations to use the donations for its intended purpose. Secretary/CEO of the club, Hilbert Foster expressed gratitude to Ms. Mookram for her donation of the cricket balls which would be used in the club’s huge cricket development programme. The club, Foster stated was pleased to work along with Ms. Mookram as they share her view that a healthy lifestyle is crucial to living longer. Levi Nedd of the GuySuCo Training Centre
expressed thanks for the donation of basketballs as the game is very popular among its students. Coach of the Rose Hall Town Football Club, Troy Paul noted that the footballs were most welcomed as most of the players were from less fortunate backgrounds. Special emphasis was being placed on developing f o o t b a l l i n G u y a n a ’s smallest township and the donation would serve as an inspiration. Paul expressed confidence that football would join cricket shortly as the pride of Rose Hall Town and wished Ms. Mookram well in her participation at the Ms. World Contest in China during the month of November. Marketing Consultant of NAMILCO, Mr. Affeeze Khan stated that his Company was proud to support Ms. Mookram in her quest to promote a healthy lifestyle and educate Guyanese about the effects of diabetes.
Ryan Crawford Memorial Turf Club Race Meet on Sunday
All is set for the Ryan Crawford Memorial Turf Club one-day Race Meet set for this Sunday at the Alness Corentyne Berbice Turf Club. Eight races are listed for the day with over $4M in
prizes and trophies up for the taking. The feature event is the ‘Alness Classic’ which will be contested over a distance of one mile for a winning purse of $600,000 and trophy. The other events listed are for H and lower horses over a distance of six furlongs; for 3 year-old and I class horses also over a distance of six furlongs; K Class and lower will also be competing over the same
distance. The other three events which will all be contested over five furlongs are for J class and lower, L and lower and the unclassified event. There will be trophies and other incentives for outstanding individual performers including top jockey, trainer and stable compliments of Trophy Stall of Bourda Market and the RCMTC&SF. Gallop time is 12:00hrs.
Kobras decimate Sonics 78-36; Eagles soars on
Kobras’ black were unlucky to be edged by Colts 69-67 on Saturday but they made no mistake on Monday night. I n M o n d a y n i g h t ’s feature match, Kobras made very light work of Sonics in first division action of the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA), Banks DIH/Malta Supreme, Powerade and Rainforest Water sponsored basketball leagues which continued at the Burnham Hard Court, Middle Street. In the other match, Eagles maintained their encouraging form to fly past Plaisance Guardians in the Under-23 division. Kobras’ Captain, Travis Burnett, led his club which had lost narrowly in their previous two Under-23 games, to a
convincing 38-point blowout of Sonics in the first division shindig on Monday. He charged from the front with a game high 29 points as Kobras overwhelmed Sonics who scored less than 10 points each of the first three quarters, managing 14 in the final. On the other side of the court, Kobras managed at least 18 points in each of the four periods of play. Garfield Grenville assisted his skipper Burnett with 18 points that included 3 three-pointers. Sonics’ leading contributor was Trevor Smith with 18 points; no other player managed double figures.
The U-23 matchup Eagles and Guardians saw Almond Bovell scoring a game high 21 points that couldn’t prevent his team, Guardians, from a 52-72 trouncing. The Eagles’ 20point victory was the club’s third consecutive win after stacking victories in both the U-23 and first division leagues, last week. Shemar Huntley led the Eagles, decked out in their traditional red and white uniforms with 17 points while Patrice Agrippa netted 14 inclusive of 2 threepointers while skipper, Travis Belgrave, contributed a dozen.
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GCF head Burrowes calls for support
By Zaheer Mohamed Guyana is often seen as a country where sports does not get the type of recognition it deserves. Many talented athletes are not being given the right treatment-often we see the best are not being selected to represent the country and most of the local sporting bodies are being plagued by internal wrangling. Maybe the officials here do not recognise the importance of sports or what it can do for a country, so athletes have to contend with the little support they get when preparing for regional and international meets. But when they excel then entire country gets the credit. Guyanese turning up at a stadium overseas and see their athletes medaling or the
Golden Arrowhead flying aloft brings joy to their hearts. It must be noted that Guyana has a rich history in some sports especially in cricket, and only recently our Under-19 male and female teams won regional titles. Look at some Caribbean territories, like Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, they have a number of top class facilities, and their athletes are being well taken care of. In Trinidad and Tobago, even the smallest of grounds around Couva have floodlights so sports can also be played in the nights. So there is no surprise when athletes in those countries stand out in international competitions. Recently, Guyana was represented at the Pan Am S e n i o r Tr a c k C y c l i n g Championship in Trinidad and Tobago by Scott Savory, Romello Crawford and Daryl Rogers held at the world class National Cycling Centre in Balmain, Couva. Some 20 nations participated including Brazil, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Colombia, USA, Canada, Mexico and the host nation from August 29September 3. Lack of preparation and adequate
Horace Burrowes
funding along with some of the aforementioned challenges are among the reasons that our athletes failed to land any podium spots. Certainly it’s not a question of talent for Guyana has an abundance of talent. Crawford of Trojan Cycle Club took part in the Kerean (sprint race), Points race and the Scratch race (60 laps), Rogers competed in the Scratch while Savory participated in the Scratch, Omnium (four track races) and Kerean races. President of the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF),
Horace Burrowes who accompanied the team to the championships as the Coach, said the lack of a cycling track in Guyana contributed to the lack of preparation for a competition of such magnitude. Speaking with Kaieteur Sport, Burrowes who funded the athletes’ accommodation and clothing informed that their efforts to obtain funding from the National Sports Commission and the Guyana Olympic Association proved futile, adding that if they had sufficient funding the
cyclists could have trained overseas for the games. Burrowes is calling on the business community for support and informed that prior to the Pam Am games, they were asked to send a budget to the GOA and NSC for assistance. He indicated that even though they forwarded the budget to both organisations they didn’t receive any response. ”We have lots of talented cyclists here who can medal at these games, but they must be properly trained, however due to the lack of adequate facilities our cyclists were unprepared for the competition,” he added. Burrowes pointed out that he is currently working with the USA Federation to obtain bikes for local cyclists. “The USA Olympic Committee is willing to assist due to the direction in which I am heading with the sport here,” he informed. The GCF head indicated that some of his executive members are not functioning in their capacity and this is not good for the sport. “Some executives do not show commitment, they were elected to serve but some people only took up the
position and are not working for the growth of cycling.” ”I am willing to work with the clubs for the development of the sport, so if there is any member of any club who is willing to serve on the executive then we will happily accept them. There are some positions yet to be filled on committees including the disciplinary, race, fund raising and the treasury department, so we are willing to accept people who are willing to work.” Looking ahead, Burrowes wants to have qualified coaches working with local cyclists. “We don’t have any coaches in Guyana, so we have to start looking at the possibility of having coaches going overseas to get qualified, and solidarity funding should be provided by the GOA to assist in this venture,” he noted. Burrowes who credited Joseph Britton (Racing Secretary ag.) for his commitment to the sport, explained that much emphasis should be placed in women’s cycling here. He said they have to maintain a high standard of local competitions and focus more on international racing in order to lift the standard of cycling in Guyana.
West Demerara and Georgetown advance to final four Sunday Night Super Cup
Georgetown’s marksmen from left, Dwayne McBean, Quasi Benjamin and Shane Morris. When the final round of group matches in the GT Beer Sunday Night Super Cup being played at the Inter Association level concluded on Sunda y night last at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground, the unbeaten West Demerara ended as the top side in Group B
following a 3-1 whipping of Bartica, while Georgetown ensured their semi-final berth with a 3-0 blanking of Berbice. Organised by the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA), the first game of the night between the City and the lads from the Ancient County
West Demerara goal scorers from left, Kevaughn Warde, David Blake and Jamaal Perreira.
saw the former led to victory on account of unanswered goals from Dwayne McBean, Quason Benjamin and Shane Morris in the 9th, 23rd and 38th minute which was enough to seal the fate of the Berbicians. The top prize is Two Million Dollars with each of the final four teams eyeing
the prize. Following their 1-0 loss to group winners, West Demerara, the City side rebounded well and looked an impressive bunch in this latest win and have earned a dream date with old rivals, Upper Demerara which topped Group A; West Demerara will match skills with the
upstarts, Essequibo Pomeroon, the surprise team in et competition. Sunday’s feature match saw the West Demerara team keeping their unblemished record intact when they put away, Bartica 3-1 on account of goals off the boot of Kevaughn Warde in the 21st, David Blake
23rd and Jamal Perreira in the 64th minute, respectively. Bartica’s consolation strike came from Aloysius Edwards in the 53rd minute. The semi-finals are set for Sunday September 17 while the final is on Thursday 21st September at the MSC ground.
t r o Sp Warriors could go all the way this year, face Tallawahs tonight in Eliminator 1
St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots into Hero CPL final Hammer Trinbago Knight Riders by 38-runs
Chris Gayle
GCF head Burrowes calls for support Ashraf ‘Ocean Conqueror’ Ali Steven Taylor bats in the nets as Steven Katwarroo awaits his turn.
completes 2 1/2hrs Atlantic Ocean Swim
Sunday Night Super Cup
West Demerara and Georgetown advance to final four
Ashraf ‘Ocean Conqueror’ Ali’ after completing the swim, inset - gliding through the Atlantic Ocean.
Law urges Windies to make history as Lord’s Test looms CPL reviewing Pollard’s no ball
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