Kaieteur News
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Saturday September 23, 2017
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
PROTECTING THE EARTH
The importance of the earth to all living creatures, especially humans, is self-evident. We must protect and save it. The earth is the only planet whose name is derived from the old English and German tradition and not from the Greek/Roman mythology. In Roman mythology, the Goddess of the earth was Tellus—the fertile soil. In the sixteenth century, the Polishborn mathematician and astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus formulated a paradigm of the universe that placed the sun and not the earth at the centre of the universe. Formed around 4.54 billion years ago, the earth is the third planet from the Sun and the fifth largest planet in the solar system. It is the largest and densest of all the terrestrial planets. The earth is the only planet that is the habitat for human beings. Every living organism known to science obtains all of its resources—food, water and oxygen—from the earth. Without the earth, humans and all living creatures would be doomed to extinction, unless they are able to adapt to conditions on another planet. The Earth has many different habitats, including deserts, forests, grasslands, lakes, rivers, swamps and oceans, all of which have been a blessing to us. Therefore, as a nation, we must not follow others and work to destroy the earth. We must protect it. It has blessed us with an abundance of natural resources, including oil and gold, oceans, lakes, rivers, swamps, forests, wild animals, reptiles, mammals and different species of birds. It is time for us to pause and reflect how fortunate we are in Guyana. We must nurture, protect and save it for future generations. We should not destroy the earth in the name of progress. In Guyana as in other countries, there will always be conflict between the desire for profit and the protection of the earth, but we must do the right thing and protect it. The thirst for greater development and wealth should not be at the destruction of the earth. We must not sacrifice the earth for short-term luxury such as development because it would destroy the quality of the air we breathe or the waters we drink. We must not mortgage the eco-system in the name of progress. Rather, we must find the right balance between development, create wealth and protect the earth for our children and civilization. We must ensure that all developmental projects subscribe to strict environmental guidelines, and existing ones should have deadlines by which to adapt and meet those standards or face stiff fines. Although we are at the point of extracting oil, we must transition decisively away from fossil fuels to renewable energy, including wind and solar. The time has come for us to create new enterprises with renewable energy such as wind, solar and biofuel. This should be a start, and the authority must play a meaningful leadership role to make this happen. We ought to learn from the damage done to the environment by the ExxonMobil oil spills in the United States and in other countries and the catastrophic nuclear disaster in the former Soviet Union at Chernobyl in 1986. The clogging of our rivers by the wanton and indiscriminate dumping of garbage, including plastic and Styrofoam containers must stop. We should move forward with a common understanding that we owe it to ourselves to protect the only earth that we have in order not to deprive our children and generations yet unborn in the name of progress and development. Saving Mother Earth is a blessing that will make us feel proud. It will help us to move to greater and better things in life.
HOPKINSON’S PROFESSIONALISM IS BEING TARNISHED BY POLITICAL OPERATIVES Dear Editor, There is definitely a sinister motive by sections to discredit the soundness of Mr. Hopkinson’s approach to professionalism in managing the administration of Region 2. With Local Government Elections due in 2018, individuals among certain parties are seeking to gain mileage as a means of promoting their own agendas; hence the calculated attack on the REO is no coincidence. Mr. Hopkinson’s leadership has exceeded the ideals of a Region that has long been plagued by political manipulation. Previous managers were compelled in many instances to act in contravention of the public service rules and some of which were oppressive, vindictive, destructive and deliberately unsound. Some policies were implemented previously that sought to stifle upward mobility of staff; others were bypassed for promotions, while the right to freedom of expression had dire consequences in many cases. There were those who were highly favoured which severely affected the morale of a wide cross-section of staff since their efforts were unrecognisable. Much was
left to be desired in the manner in which Region 2 Administration was administered. However, after assuming office and being highly qualified, Mr. Hopkinson would have taken a uniquely profound approach in managing the resources of the Region. He has consistently withstood political pressure, intimidation and even noncooperation from certain sections of the Regional Democratic Council which comprise of PPP/C, PNC/R and AFC Councilors. Statutory meetings are often designed to attack Mr. Hopkinson and derail his efforts at stamping out corruption, abuse of state property, sanctioning those with poor work ethics or enhancing the environment as he has been admirably doing and much to the satisfaction of residents. Why would political charges denounce the creation of community parks that are designed to promote unity, leisure for kids among other social activities? Instead, there is a huge cry, that it is a waste of time. What will be of our citizens if they embrace the adage, all work and no play? The signs remain very worrying as it relates to suicides and certainly having
a space to relax can reduce such indiscretions. The decision to plant trees and beautify the Township was also criticized by the political detractors even in the wake of glowing praises from visitors who have now seen the Region as a serious tourist attraction. This growing trend therefore to protrude negative sentiments will not advance the social and economic development of Region 2. Reference is also made to mounting allegations that the REO is withholding payment to contractors for work done on the Charity road-shoulders in December, 2016. This particular payment would have been refused after it was queried by the Regional Sub-Treasury after it was found to be duplication, since monies were paid for the same work previously. Mr. Hopkinson has refused to endorse the payment too, since the contract was prepared, signed and passed in his absence. This is only one of many questionable contracts and vouchers that Mr. Hopkinson has refused to endorse given his stance of denouncing corruption. Mr. Hopkinson has been very meticulous and has spent sleepless nights combing
them before he affixes his signature. Is that unreasonable to criticise the REO and labeling him as incompetent? Instead Mr. Hopkinson has saved this Region millions, due to the detection of inflated vouchers and contracts, undocumented and unnecessary spending as well as the lethargic manner in which accountability would have been questioned. In fact in 2016, according to the Regional Accounting Unit’s statistics, the Region saved $147 million and in 2017 to date, it is $93 million which seems to cause uneasiness among his detractors. Certainly, it is not business as usual at the office and there has been stern resistance in some quarters to the changes that are being implemented. Region 2 is steadfastly being transformed and this has been due to Mr. Hopkinson’s strategic management approach and his wide and productive engagement with the public. Perhaps, the RDC could identify the initiatives that were undertaken by the Council that have positively impacted on the Region in comparison to Hopkinson’s work. Elroy Stephney
Do workers operate on their own at Skeldon? Dear Editor, I refer to a news item in KN Edition of Sept. 12th, 2017 titled “Skeldon massive losses… Workers dumped tonnes of canejuice to make payday, forged accounts- South African Engineer Complains”. Editor, the article, in summary, alleges that Skeldon factory workers dumped cane-juice into canals willfully and forged records while management did nothing despite receiving reports of such acts sometime between April 8th, 2015 and December, 2016. These allegations were levied by a South African Engineer, Vishal Somai in a report submitted to the Prime M i n i s t e r ’s B e r b i c e Representative, Gobin Harbajan. The decision by Mr. Somai to complain to a political activist and board member of SEI is quite interesting since Mr. Somai had direct access to the factory manager, the estate manager, the technical
director and the CEO of GuySuCo around the clock whenever he is at Skeldon, supervising projects. Are Mr. Somai and Mr. Harbhajan saying that every level of management (from Factory Manager to CEO) knew about such a dismissible act and chose to hide it? Did Mr. Somai, contact these GuySuCo executives when he observed dumping of juice and if so, who did he contact? GuySuCo is on record of dismissing persons for far lesser infractions than willful dumping of cane-juice. One would expect that this engineer would provide an estimated number for the tonnes of draft and mixed juice dumped in canals instead of just saying “thousands of tonnes”. Editor, I make these queries and comments because of context and situation in which this report surfaces especially when we now learn that Mr. Somai was ‘instrumental’ to
suspend Skeldon’s 1st crop 2017 and he is also supporting privatisation of Skeldon. It has to be a remarkable deviation from professional ethics and twist of allegiance after May 2015 because Mr. Somai was extremely supportive on GuySuCo’s investment to improve performance of Skeldon and offered no opinion on privatisation. At that time (2011-2014), he was an employee of Bosh Projects, South Africa, a major international engineering firm. Sometime in 2014, he broke away from Bosh Projects, South Africa and formed his own company, SomaiTech. The contract to modify one of the punt dumpers was awarded to SomaiTech. Around April 8th, 2015, Mr. Somai was on site at Skeldon for the purpose of the punt dumper modification hence the description of his observation on recording of
cane processing rate. With this history, one can only conclude that Mr. Somai’s complaint to a political activist and his support for privatisation are to ensure that his company remains in business with GuySuCo. On the issue of management, knowing that juice was dumped into canals, Mr. Harbhajan should use his good office and evidence provided by Mr. Somai to initiate an immediate investigation since the persons in G u y S u C o ’s e x e c u t i v e structure (Factory Manager, Estate Manager, Technical Director) during the period Apr. 2015 to Dec. 2016 are still there except the CEO who was replaced in June 2015. If dumping of juice occurred after May 2015, the full team and its new members are there to facilitate such investigation. Workers do not operate at their own whims and fancies at Skeldon. Sookram Persaud
Saturday September 23, 2017
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Kaieteur News
The good news is the PPP will be back in 2020 Dear Editor All the good campaign rhetoric of the APNU+AFC has been destroyed in their first two years in government. So now, as people start drifting from them, they pull out the only option left available, the race card. And they will use whatever means necessary, with the aid of “favourable media houses”, Commission of Inquiries, Eric Phillips and others to get that message out, even though they have no credibility on improving race relations. While there is no doubt that the bulk of the PPP supporters come from IndoGuyanese, I have heard the
Party General Secretary mentioned repeatedly at the P P P ’s C o n g r e s s a n d a t meetings through Guyana, that the PPP is a multi-racial Party and have welcomed Afro-Guyanese to be part of this culture. As I have said before, the Granger Administration’s greatest fear is competing against a highly motivated PPP/C in 2020 with Bharrat Jagdeo as its Presidential Candidate. So, for the editorial on a broken PPP, to suggest that the PPP “is no longer a vibrant political party and has no centralised message”, tells me that the
writer has not been reading the news, the letter columns, nor attending the weekly press conferences at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition. That writer is either deliberately propagating misinformation, or maliciously trying to plant the seed of doubt in the minds of our supporters by insinuating that there is confusion and rivalry within the Party structure. He wrote, “Although they will not speak publicly about it, many of its supporters have never really trusted their present leader or have truly respected his intellect, but
would not speak publicly about it. They wanted an infusion of transformative and visionary leadership but this will not happen with its current leader at the helm.” There is no division within the rank and file of the People’s Progressive Party. Those rice farmers who were fooled by the $9,000 a bag for paddy, and the sugar workers conned into believing they would get a 25% increase, have already returned home. The members of the People’s Progressive Party stand firmly and united behind our Leader and Gen-
The Procurement ACT was violently violated Dear Editor, With regards to the ANSA McAl medical drugs scandal, I surmise that Cabinet found itself in a conundrum after the controversy erupted and especially when the matter was transmitted to the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) for investigation. The problem was further compounded because despite the internal wrangling which is emerging from the PPC, in terms of who should be held responsible for the violations of the Procurement Act, it is abundantly clear that there is a unanimous finding by that Commission that the Procurement Act was violently breached. I have expressed the view already, which I reiterate now, that no Minister of the Government or the Cabinet has the authority to waive or authorise the waiver of the Procurement Act in respect of any transaction to which it applies. Recognising that he is being faced with a fait accompli of an unlawful transaction already taken place, the Minister of Finance, by this instrument, is now seeking coverage from Cabinet before he authorises payment of $515,178,268 to Ansa McAl. It is obvious that this sum would have to be withdrawn by the Minister of Finance from the Contingency Funds, for which he will later seek the approval
of the National Assembly. Minister Jordan and the Cabinet are obviously protecting themselves and are obviously invoking the principle of collective responsibility of Cabinet in respect of authorising an obviously unlawful payment. Unfortunately, for this Government, a Cabinet decision cannot legitimise a n i l l e g a l i t y. L a w s a r e made by Parliament and equally bind all. Cabinet enjoys no exception. If the Executive enjoyed such exemptions from the law, then there would have been no need for laws to be passed by Parliament. Cabinet could have easily made its own laws and secure in relation thereto, the President’s assent, who is also the Chairman of the Cabinet under the Constitution. So in my respectful view, this Cabinet Decision is ineffective and void ab initio. It has no binding force in the eyes of the law and does not provide the legal cover which the Minister of Finance and Cabinet believe that Cabinet enjoys. It is simply a sham. It is common knowledge that the PPC’s Report on this matter would be submitted, shortly, to the National Assembly and will be discussed or debated when the National Assembly resumes its sittings after the current recess. It is
my considered view that the shenanigan of the said Cabinet Decision is simply an artifice not only to satisfy the Minister of Finance’s discomfiture but to also ensure that all payments are concluded in respect of this contract before the PPC’s Report is considered by the National Assembly and made public. This is necessary in the event of any actions taken by the National Assembly or in the Courts designed to prohibit that payment. Those actions will simply be futile, as payments would have already been made. However, though payments have been made, this transaction will nevertheless remain judicially reviewable. In the end, it will be recorded as one of the most egregious exhibition of corruptions and ranks as an illegally committed one in Guyana by a Government over the last 30 years. There is a final issue that I feel compelled to address before I close; it is that Section 54 of the Procurement Act, which clearly intends for
Cabinet’s role in the procurement process to cease upon the establishment of the PPC. This was the strong, consistent and compelling argument advanced by Messrs. Khemraj Ramjattan, Carl Greenidge et al, when they were in the Opposition. In fact, they contended that it was the very raison d’être of the PPC. The PPC was established since October 2016. Why is Cabinet still enjoying a no objection role, one year later? This is anyone’s guess. It clearly continues to provide another avenue for the APNU/AFC Government to entrench themselves in more nefarious and corrupt practices, like the Ansa McAl deal. Needless to say, the continued role of Cabinet in the procurement process is unlawful and contrary to Section 54 of the Procurement Act. Perhaps they are awaiting my next legal challenge. Anil Nandlall
eral S e c r e t a r y, the Honourable Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo. There is no other politician in Guyana today that is more loved, admired, respected and knowledgeable like Jagdeo, and there is no other that is more feared too, just ask the Leaders of the governing APNU and AFC. Unlike the Granger Administration that governs by trial and error, the PPP has an
abundance of visionary leaders with the proven track record to run this government from day one. Those that were once anxious to see the backs of the PPP are anxiously awaiting their return to government. The good news is that 2020 is just around the corner. HARRY GILL PPP/C Member of Parliament
Another great move by President Granger Dear Editor, Since 2015, HE President David Granger has been making some of the best decisions that will benefit and better serve the people of Guyana. Recently, the President did one of the best things by putting the Department of Youth, Sports and Culture under the watch of the Hon. Dr. George Norton and the Ministry of Social Cohesion. By making such a move and bringing youth, sports and culture into the Social Cohesion Ministry, it is most appropriate. It will foster better relationship amongst the people of this land especially youths. It will help to foster unity and make our people work harder towards a united society. Mr. President, this move is a great one because it will get youths fully involved in the process of fostering better relationships amongst our people. We will be united and learn about each other’s culture, etc. Youths are the future and by bringing the department of youth, sports and culture into the Ministry of Social Cohesion, it will be more productive in achieving the aim and objective of social cohesion. Our young people have a great opportunity now to display national unity and foster better relationship amongst all. Youths can now be fully involved in uniting our nation and stop listening to some of the racial politicians in our land. Mr. President, I do believe that Dr. Norton will serve this department with many successes because he has the skills and ‘know-how’ in carrying out the mandate of both, the Social Cohesion Ministry and Department of Youth, Sports and Culture. Our youths need to act now and start the drive to foster national unity amongst us. This is yet another positive move by HE President Granger as he works toward a better life for all Guyanese and in bringing our people together in unity. Abel Seetaram APNU+AFC Regional Councillor Region 5
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Saturday September 23, 2017
Guyana Government should train 500 students for the oil industry Dear Editor, Literally, thousands of foreign investors and persons of interests are flocking to our shores to get their piece of our oil reserves. And these people are not petroleum neophytes; the kind of folks that we have been reading about and seeing on our news are multi-millionaires and huge prospectors and business conglomerates. And most of them are Caucasians. Guyana must therefore play the oil-hand we have been dealt, properly. Those foreigners, who are flocking here by the plane and helicopter loads, are not coming because they have a new found love for Guyana. They are coming because they smell oil and money. These are people who have been in this business for very long and they
know that Guyana is new to this sector. They want to make as much as they can; as quickly as they can. They also see the reports that the average Guyanese politician can be bought, easily. The United Republican Party (URP) is therefore putting forth a recommendation to the Guyana Government. We are asking the Granger-led administration to immediately send 500 students to study 1 to 4 year-courses, in subjects that have to do with the oil and gas industry. They must enroll in subjects like engineering, safety, physics, hospitality, environmental science, architecture design, civil defense, management, community preparedness, disaster maintenance, etc. The government can pay for these tuitions by leverag-
ing the estimated oil wealth. They can contract with Universities for delayed payments. They can also borrow monies from the IDB, the World Bank, or even from local banks. They can even offer Treasury Bills as promissory notes to local companies that are flushed with cash and are willing to buy into Guyana’s development. Additionally, the Government can seek grants from donor agencies to facilitate this academic drive. Some might think that this is a pie-in-sky approach, so let me hasten to remind us that Trinidad has this model with their GATE programme. Thousands of Trinidadian residents are trained – free of costs – yearly, through a nationally funded programme, paid for from their oil rev-
enues. The recipients of the scholarships will be required to return to Guyana and work for a minimum of three years. No doubt, with the right remuneration packages, these skilled workers would be inclined to remain after their contracted periods. Additionally, the Government should send Guyanese to study in areas of advance best practices and techniques in commercial forms of cashcrop agriculture. Our agricultural sector is languishing, when compared to our Caribbean counterparts, even in a country with the most favourable of weather patterns, among our CARICOM neighbours. May I also suggest, on behalf of the URP, that all the contracts written for our extractive sectors, including
“knowledge transfer” clauses should be mandatory provisions in these contracts for the international agencies to employ and train Guyanese in whatever sector the contracts are written (We saw what happened in the construction of the Marriott; not a single Guyanese was trained in the kind of technology that was used there). The ‘earlier Guyana’ invests in educating Guyanese in these needed sectors; the earlier Guyana will reap the full benefits of our natural resources. Furthermore, until Guyanese are professionally trained to take the reins from these foreign professionals, most of our monies will go into the coffers of overseas nations. All the oil producing nations of the
world (even Barbados. Yes, Barbados has oil), have their own citizens managing their extractive sectors. We understand that because of our ignorance in the skill-sets of most of these sectors, Guyana cannot now take the helm. However, what the URP is suggesting, is that the Guyana Government, rush ahead, immediately, in preparing Guyanese to do what all the other developed nations have done, that is, trained their own people to man these multibillion dollar sectors. This does not have to be a politically partisan issue. Guyana and its resources belong to all of us. This is commonsensical! Can we do it? Yes we can! Dr. Vishnu Bandhu Leader, URP
Dear editor Members of a government in any society who blatantly practice the art of sophistry, where truth becomes collateral damage to expediency will always precipitate pre-conditions to eventual national catastrophe. I believe it is the mandate of any citizen of the land, who expects veracity in the leaders they have chosen, if they are in possession of facts, to expose any politician for duplicitous state-
ments or actions; hence I feel constrained to bring to the public domain, several issues where members of the current cabinet have re-constructed facts to suit agendas inimical to national welfare. These are just a few of a barrage of misconstructed facts issued by current Cabinet members. Recently, three Ministers of the Government; namely Minister Raphael Trotman, Minister Dominic Gaskin and Minister Khemraj Ramjattan
released incorrect information to the public via the press corps, which indicated that in 1997, according to Minister Trotman, 2008, according to Minister Gaskin, and 2011, according to Minister Ramjattan, that then President Bharrat Jagdeo had amended the Petroleum Act so as to ensure that the ExxonMobil contract cannot be released to the public. They cannot even get their dates straight when con-
cocting their stories. These contradictory pronouncements by the three Ministers are all fabrications. Neither, President Jagdeo nor any other PPP President ever amended the Act to prevent disclosure of contract. There is an obvious agenda by members of the coalition government, with collusion from their financiers to malign the reputation of Opposition Leader, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo. Shortly thereafter, at a recent press conference, Minister Patterson, supported by Ministers Ramjattan and Cathy Hughes, also informed the Guyanese public that there were no remaining unassigned oil blocks because Jagdeo had already distributed all to favoured awardees: Again, this is palpably untrue and has compelled me to release the list of concessions and expose the malicious lies being repeated by the current administration in another effort to defame Dr. Jagdeo. The following advisement reveals that, of the ten existing concessions, none had been given out by the Jagdeo administration. When faced with exposure of this lie, the decent thing to do was to apologise and withdraw the erroneous claims. Instead, in Kaieteur News of Friday, September 22, the Minister, in another act of deception, now claims that all the offshore blocks are gone and that is what he was referring to. This is another falsehood, which is debunked by the map from the GGMC, published in the Kaieteur News article of September 22, outlining the offshore blocks that are yet available.
·ExxonMobil was given by the Late Hon. Janet Jagan – 1999. Eight were given by former President, Hon. Donald Ramotar; to whit: ·Mid atlantic-2015 ·CGX 2012-2013 ·Repsol-2013 ·Retio-2015 ·Anadarko-2012 ·On Energy-2013 ·Nabi – 2012 The tenth one was given under the Granger Presidency by Minister Trotman to Tollow Eco. Based on recently released documents by GGMC, there still remain several unallocated blocks.Let me hasten to add that all of the blocks allocated by PPP presidents were properly issued; as a result of which Exxon Mobil invested millions of dollars, which led to the discovery of oil. I wish to deplore the constant misrepresentation of facts by the coalition administration, and the incessant repetition by sections of the print media. It seems that deflecting the public’s attention away from their own inadequacies and ungrounded accusations against PPP’s leaders, especially Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, is a norm in the coalition construct and its partners in the media. One glaring instance is the lie that has been exposed – time and again, that is yet repeated by coalition ministers of government and reprinted in the Kaieteur News, for example. Trotman’s allegation in Parliament that Dr. Jagdeo and the PPP gave out all of the productive land in the forestry sector has been repeatedly refuted. According to the Opposition Leader, “The fact
is that about fifty-five per cent of the state forest has been given out so far in our history: It’s about seven million hectares out of 12.5 million hectares; and out of that 55 per cent, just about 40 percent is under extraction. Of the (millions of) hectares that were given out, almost half was given out in the pre-1992 era. Barama alone had 1.7 million hectares.” In conclusion, I have observed the recent headlines and hype surrounding the government’s announcement that they are engaged in discussions with Exxon Mobil to bring gas onshore to generate electricity. Again, this is obviously a ploy to divert the public’s attention from the atrocious spate of blackouts that have been ravaging the lives of citizens. This cannot be the solution for the pressing problems we face on a daily basis. I was with the Leader of the Opposition, when he asked officials from Exxon Mobil whether a feasibility study to use gas for electricity, as compared to other alternatives, was done. The answer was in the negative. The PPP/C is prepared to defend its legacy as it relates to its decisions to grant oil and gas concessions, in particular, since its decision to embrace ExxonMobil has borne fruit, and has been proven to have been a transparent process. Odinga Lumumba Vice Chairman – Sectoral Committee: Natural Resources Member of Parliament – People Progressive Party/ Civic
Vice Chairman of Parliament’s Sector Committee, Natural Resources, clarifies
How do we break racism in Guyana? Dear Editor, We know that racism exists in the world and in Guyana? How do we break it down? How do we get people to trust each other when they have been conditioned into believing their race is superior and always right? Racism is a learnt behaviour. It can certainly be unlearnt. It
is a psychological belief in one’s own superiority and spreads through the environmental conditions, which allow it to do so unchallenge. Racism is not just about hurtful words that people speak to each other; it is also about our attitudes and behaviour to each other. Let me be emphatic and say
Nordic countries pledge funds to assist CARICOM states affected by hurricanes GEORGETOWN, Guyana - CMC – The five countries of the Nordic region have indicated that they will render assistance through the United Nations (UN), to Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states that were affected by recent hurricanes. The revelation came during a meeting on Thursday with CARICOM Foreign Affairs Ministers and representatives from the Nordic region. The countries in the Nordic region are Iceland, Finland, Denmark , Norway, and Sweden. “I think they are offering about US$1 million through that
body (the UN) and also immediately mentioned $100,000 Swiss francs to Antigua and Barbuda”, said Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge. Climate change was also a feature of the discussions between the regional blocs. “There was a wide-ranging and extensive discussion on the impact of hurricanes, what we need to do, questions of mitigation as well as of prevention”, Greenidge said. Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria brought severe destruction to the CARICOM states they passed through.
that no one race have the solutions to all of Guyana’s problems and no one race is 100% correct all the time. The competition for political power and scarce resources has intensified and hardened racism in Guyana. Do we need a political solution when some politicians, across the political divide, allegedly use racial incitement to scare their supporters? Or, is it better to have a grass-root NGO to tackle racism thereby negating the need for a political solution? Some politicians tend to be self-righteous as Ian McDonald noted in his Sunday Column “Beware the self-righteous”. A solution may lie in the way we treat each other. That is, if you wish to cause offense to another person then don’t be too offended; should that person then turn around and offend you? Likewise, when you respect someone for who they are, then that person will respect you for who you are. Sean Ori
Saturday September 23, 2017
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The PNC was rebuilt with a little help from the imperialists Supporters of Forbes Burnham believed in him. They saw him as a political saviour. Most believed his every word and would follow him to the ends of the world. Even when he decried imperialism and condemned capitalism, his supporters believed in him. Little did they know that behind their backs, Burnham was in bed with the imperialists! In fact, it was CIA funds that helped to rebuild the People’s National Congress after the 1968 elections. Burnham’s fingers were also extremely sticky. The Americans asked him to stop
siphoning off monies from the sale of flour. In return for a monthly subsidy from the CIA, he promised he would stop tapping off the funds from the flour sales, but the Americans knew that there was no assurance that he would. These are just some of the revelations that have emerged from declassified documents on US Foreign Policy covering the period 1969 to 1974, released by the Office of the Historian, Department of State of the United States of America. These documents have also confirmed that the CIA again financed operations
leading up to the 1968 elections so as to keep Cheddi Jagan out of power. This support was significant since, according to the documents, the funds were exhausted. Given that adequate funds were normally set aside to finance covert operations, the fact that these funds were exhausted, testifies to the large sums that must have been received by the anti-PPP forces in the run-up to the 1968 elections which were rigged to keep Burnham in power. The declassified documents revealed that in 1969, Burnham approached
$146M feasibility study for new Demerara River bridge…
Opposition demands Minutes of Tender Board, Evaluation Reports The Opposition is not buying the story by Government of how a Dutch firm was chosen to conduct a feasibility study and design for a new bridge across the Demerara River. According to the Ministry of the Public Infrastructure, 22 companies that expressed interest to conduct the study did not make it in the race. As a result, Lievense CSO was chosen after the approval of the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) was sought. The feasibility study was released to the public this week. It recommended the bridge be built between Houston, East Bank Demerara, and Versailles, West Bank Demerara, with homes removed, lands acquired and new roads to be constructed to reduce congestion. The Opposition is calling on the Public Procurement
Minister David Patterson
Opposition Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira
Commission, as regulators of state contracts, to investigate. Following questions on how Lievense CSO was chosen for the $146M contract for the study, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure in a statement
Thursday night explained that with funding from the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB), it advertised the consultancy for Feasibility Study and Design for the new (continued on page 23)
Dem boys seh...
Is not every ad does lie People got to be careful wid certain ads. Dem can be dangerous. Some of dem is abusive and some of dem set up in such a way that if you fall for it, you get rob blind. That is why de Waterfalls paper does not take certain ads from certain people. Dem have a famous ad that deh pun de internet. From de time you tun on you computer, it does pop up wid you name telling you that you e-mail address has been selected to be de winner of a big raffle worth millions of US dollars. Then dem start asking you fuh sent banking info fuh
dem to wire de money to you but before you reach that stage dem does tell you that you got to pay certain small fees fuh dem to do de wire transfer and prepare all de legal documentation. People does fall fuh that. Dem boys hear Wicked Jordan did fall for that. De Waterfalls boss man wife find a leaflet in de Waterfalls paper yesterday morning. De leaflet read, “Are you an alcoholic? Call now. We can help!” Right away de wife insist that de man call. She sick and tired of de man coming home stink of likker and smelling
like a toilet every night. De boss man call up de number and found out it was a likker store. De store seh that it had this big promotion going on and that you don’t have to pay no tax to GRA. “Buy two bottle and get three free.” De boss man was so happy that he cry. He even buy couple case fuh de Waterfalls paper because of de ad. If you call de Waterfalls paper and you ent get through, is because everybody drunk like de boss. Talk half and watch de kind of ads yuh reading.
the Americans and requested a monthly subsidy of US$10,000 for two years to help fund his party, the People’s National Congress. The US agreed that it was necessary to finance Burnham so as to build effective party machinery, and they provided this socialist with some US$5,000 per month, first for one year, and then renewed it for another year. In all, Burnham received two years of financing from the CIA for the PNC. The money was to be used to fund a small group of paid PNC organisers for essential sections of the PNC’s central office and the dissemination of party information. The assistance began in July 1969 and was extended in June 1970 for one year. It was concluded in 1971 after which it was determined that no further assistance would
be offered. The declassified documents also indicated that the Americans asked Burnham to stop siphoning off funds from the sale of flour. It was estimated that through this arrangement, Burnham was raking in more than US$28,000 per year. The means by which he did this, and the concessions that he gave to facilitate this skullduggery, are also revealed in the latest declassified reports from the Office of the Historian. Yet, this was the same Burnham who, while in bed with the CIA, was laying the foundation for the creation of a socialist society which involved the nationalisation of the commanding heights of the economy. Other declassified documents revealed what a weakling he was, in giving in
to US pressures after he had so boldly announced that he was nationalising the bauxite industries. The US Company, Reynolds, got what it wanted. The industries were nationalised, but Reynolds was paid handsomely. The agreement is now available for the public to read. And there is no fine print. Tens of thousands of Guyanese cheered Burnham when he condemned imperialism. Yet, all along he was on the CIA’s payroll. He was bankrolled into power by the CIA; he was supported again by the CIA in retaining power through rigging the general elections in 1968, and he rebuilt the PNC with funds from the CIA.
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Saturday September 23, 2017
Kaieteur News
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
The moral and physical non-existence of the WPA One of the stalwarts of the WPA, Tacuma Ogunseye, has referred to me in a letter to this newspaper (Tuesday, September 19, 2017, “The politics, activism, journalism and dishonesty of Freddie Kissoon”) as dishonest based on the contents of a recent column I did. This is the trademark of this activist who claims to be one of the leaders of the party of Walter Rodney and whose leaders describe themselves as Rodneyite. There is nothing Rodneyite about many of those who were once with the WPA or who are still with the WPA and are laying claims to the legacy of Rodney. If there is anyone with a political culture that is as backward as you can find in the PPP and
PNC, it is Ogunseye. You can find his culture in his letters. When he defended Minister Harmon when the press questioned Harmon’s visit to China, he saw an ulterior motive in the press. What was stupid about that it was the same press whose exposures of the PPP regime caused Ogunseye’s party, APNU to be in power today. When I write about criticism of the REO in Region Two, he saw an ulterior motive against the new government. When Chris Ram analyzed the SARA Bill, he said Ram was always motivated by intellectual envy of Rupert Roopnaraine. When Sase Singh criticized the government’s economic directions, he accused Singh of being part
of a PPP plot. Every political observer who does not agree with Ogunseye’s belief has an agenda. Ogunseye will not accept that people can write because they want to express a disagreement. We come now to his letter. He accused me of dishonesty and deceit because I should know better in a specific complaint I made against the WPA. Here is it. Professor Clive Thomas was chosen by President Cheddi Jagan to be Minister of Economic Planning in 1992. The official position of the WPA at the time was that Jagan should have let the WPA decide who it wanted to be in the Cabinet. It rejected Dr. Jagan’s offer. In 2015, President Granger
chose Dr. Roopnaraine to be in the Cabinet. In May this year, the WPA at a press conference said it was not consulted. Here now is Ogunseye’s justification of his label of my dishonesty. “ …This is not unlike him (Kissoon), being outright dishonest…He is well aware that the two situations are politically and f u n d a m e n t a l l y different…Jagan was playing games with his ministerial offer. At the time Jagan made his offer to the WPA, the executive committee of the party did not consider it to be a serious one. The political situation in 2015 was different since the WPA, a founding partner in the APNU and member of the
victorious coalition, was entitled to have one of its top leaders appointed to a ministerial post. It is true that President Granger did not adhere to political convention and
Frederick Kissoon offered the ministry to the party thereby allowing the WPA to name its minister. Instead, he named Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine to the position of Minister of Education in the coalition government.” Ogunseye goes on to explain why the WPA did not protest what President Granger did. “The way it was done offended the WPA but the executive felt that the political principle, which is the basis of our objection, would have been lost in a public polemic given the celebratory mood among coalition supporters. We also felt that in the minds of the populace at the
time that our principled position, given their political consciousness, would be seen by the masses as ‘splitting hairs’”. I will leave it to readers to judge for themselves what to make of this pathetic and immoral nonsense. The WPA accepted President Granger’s unilateral appointment of Roopnaraine because, had the WPA made a fuss it would not have gone down well with the society seeing that the Guyanese people were in a celebratory mood. What is sickening is the dishonesty of Ogunseye and the WPA. Roopnaraine appeared in the newspaper via a government press release in appropriate garb and long boots visiting a collapsed mining pit where a dozen miners were killed and his designation was listed as Minister of Natural Resources. Ogunseye knows this but he is unethical, unprincipled and downright dishonest in leaving that aspect of the WPA’s relations with APNU after the election results. Of course no one from the WPA will officially correct Ogunseye or explain. We will not hear from the WPA leadership at all. But that is understandable. How can you hear from a group that does not exist?
Saturday September 23, 2017
Kaieteur News
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Saturday September 23, 2017
Missing teen sodomised, dumped in...
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From page 3 this publication that her son was at home on Sunday last since it was his father's birthday, but his sisters were also invited to a birthday party in Sisters Village, East Bank Berbice. He reportedly opted to accompany his sisters that Sunday afternoon, “he sister dem leff to go the birthday and he follow after them with he bicycle”. The 13-year-old's eldest brother relayed that his brother was standing across the road from the home where the birthday was being celebrated and waited on his sisters, who eventually left not long after. “He was like a two minutes in front his sisters riding and he can't reach home. The mother ask where the boy deh and the sisters seh how he leff fuh come home but he ain't reach so she send the next brother fuh look fuh he and he seh he ain't see he nowhere on the road”. He stated that neighbours came out in their numbers and scoured the nearby abandoned houses, trails leading to the backlands and other villages with the hope of finding the teen alive. After several hours of searching, the mother stated that they filed a missing persons report at the nearest police station. Villagers, friends and family have been searching for the lad since. He was a student of the Overwinning Primary School.
Guyanese-born fire-bomber... From page 17 praying at the time and threw one of the Molotov cocktails at the front entrance before fleeing. Lengend's blitz attacks did not end there. He went to a home near 107th Avenue and Sutphin Boulevard, which he attacked before heading to Elmont, L.I., where his brother-in-law lived. The molotov cocktail he threw at the house, however, did not explode and he moved on to the next target. A house at 170th Street and 88th Avenue, which was used as a Hindu temple, was next on the list of targets, according to the criminal complaint. The suspect was later arrested and kept at Bellevue Hospital's psych ward where he was arraigned by teleconference. In statements to the police, Lengend said the goal of the attacks was to inflict as much damage to Muslims, Hindus and “Arabs” as possible.
Saturday September 23, 2017
Opposition demands... From page 09 Demerara River Bridge. Some 22 expressed their interest with 12 of these shortlisted. However, only two submitted bids. Of the two submissions, only one firm had a valid bid. “However, the firm’s bid price exceeded the US$800,000 budget. Additionally, concerns were also raised on the technical level.” MPI said it subsequently made the decision to annul the process in May, following permission from the NPTAB and the Ministry of Finance. “Nonetheless, MPI continued to seek suitable consultants due to the significance of the project and the need for its realisation. The Ministry actively sought greatly qualified consultants worldwide. It was during engagements with various companies, including those in the Netherlands, the Dutch Risk Reduction (DRR) Team, and in England, the company, LievenseCSO, was recommended.” BEST BID MPI said that a bid was later received from Lievense CSO and it applied to NPTAB for permission to engage the company- “this permission was granted. Upon evaluation of the bid, it was determined that it was the best out of all that had been submitted, both on the technical level and in relation to price.” MPI disclosed that Cabinet was therefore invited to consider the proposal and subsequently gave its No Objection to the award of the contract and the progression of the project. “Furthermore, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure wishes to emphasise that we welcome the investigation by the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) since we are confident that the findings will reveal that our above statements are factual. We also wish to encourage the Parliamentary Opposition to desist from clutching at straws in their continued efforts to undermine the Government of Guyana.” Instead, MPI said it is calling for their support in a project that will lend to significant development for the nation. “We will not be deterred to deliver on our mandate to the people of Guyana.” Yesterday, the Oppositionthe People’s Progressive Party (PPP), which while in Government had been trying to bring the project to realization, suggested that had it not released a letter calling on the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) to investigate the award to LievenseCSO, Government would have remained silent on its suspect moves. “…a fundamental of any anti-corruption effort is transparency,” the Opposition Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira added. The Opposition MP pointed out that the Coalition government “has a penchant for retendering” for contracts. She added that while the Ministry claims that it had
concerns, the company with the ‘valid bid’ was, in fact, invited to Guyana twice and was engaged in negotiations. Teixeira questioned the involvement of the Dutch team in the process, since the team was in Guyana to address issues related to drainage. IDB? According to Teixeira, this is the first time that Guyana is learning that the IDB is funding this study. “If this is so, and at this point we can’t believe anything the government is saying, what is at stake now is the credibility of the IDB.” According to her, the 22 companies that had expressed an interest in the project are all recognised by the IDB. “The IDB has its own procurement law. The matter can’t go to Cabinet until NPTAB writes to IDB, and then it goes to Cabinet,” she said, also questioning what information was provided to the IDB. The Opposition Chief Whip also questioned whether the US$800,000 represents a loan or a grant from the IDB. The MP also noted that there is no record that the tender with 22 companies was ever scrapped. Meanwhile, the Opposition Chief Whip, when asked, said that writing to the PPC was one avenue that the political Opposition could pursue. According to her, a move could have also been made based on provisions under the Access to Information Act. Notably, she charged that any question put to the government in the National Assembly would most likely not be addressed until 2018, given the fact that several government ministers are travelling and frequent sittings are unlikely before Budget 2018 review commence later this year. Teixeira charged that the process was “undermined, the procurement laws were flouted and discarded, and the procurement process was treated with total disregard” by the Coalition Government. The Opposition now wants the Government to provide the Tender Board minutes of the opening of tenders; the evaluation of the 22 companies that had expressed interest in the contract; the letters sent to the 22 companies, as is required by law, which say that the tender had been annulled, the date of the annulment and outlines the reasons why this was done. They also want the Tender Board minutes that relate to the award of the contract to LievenseCSO; and for the PPC to monitor activities related to future works connected to the new Demerara River crossing. “The political opposition made clear that there must be full disclosure from the government on the matter. LievenseCSO was awarded the GYD$146.3 million (US$706,091) contract to conduct the six-month feasibility study in January 2017.”
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Saturday September 23, 2017
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Disappointed: PM reacts to uproar over Dominican invitation Trinidad Express - The reactions of some citizens to the invitation for desperate Dominicans to seek refuge in Tr i n i d a d a n d To b a g o temporarily, has disappointed Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley. Rowley appealed to people “not see race in everything we do in Trinidad and Tobago”. A Thursday’s postCabinet media briefing, the Prime Minister asked Trinidadians to open their homes to displaced Dominicans as part of its humanitarian effort to help the devastated island Dominica. The island was so badly damaged that the prime minister wept on Thursday as he spoke about the deaths and damage while appealing for international help. On TV6’s Morning Edition show yesterday, Rowley said he was disappointed that some were saying that Dominicans accepting temporary refuge in T&T was a means of the PNM secure votes in upcoming elections. He said he would not dignify that claim with a response. When asked if he expects that political backlash over his decision to ease immigration restrictions and allow Dominicans into the country, Rowley said: “no I don’t. It is my view and I believe genuinely that the
Dr Keith Rowley vast majority of people in T&T are decent and caring people. And from that standpoint I don’t expect that, that would cause any political calamity for me and the PNM.” Rowley said the decision is a response to a specific natural disaster for a specific period of time and for Dominicans, “to return from whence they came.” The Prime Minister said should people arrive into the country without a place to stay, under the United Nations charter, would then become wards of the State. “There is a United Nations charter where we are signatories where such person can be viewed as a refugee and you are duty-bound not to turn them back. They will become a ward of the S t a t e … i f D o m i n i c an refugees come here in any
Bogus Divorces...
Fake Judges Signing Decrees At Supreme Court The Gleaner - The Justice Minister Delroy Chuck has revealed that a major police probe is now underway involving staff members in the divorce unit of the Supreme Court. It follows the discovery that divorce decrees stamped by the Registrar of the Supreme Court are being signed by fictitious judges. “One was signed by a James Brown, there is no judge known as James Brown,” Chuck said yesterday morning on Independent Talk on Power 106FM. The decree absolute is the second of two documents required to dissolve a marriage. “This to my mind is just scandal of the highest order,” Chuck said. “The
whole divorce section has been corrupted!” He said the divorce documents signed by fake judges were being presented to his Ministry by people who, having obtained them went ahead and got married again and were now seeking new marriage licences. The minister said because of the frustration in obtaining divorces people have become willing to pay to accelerate the process. Chuck reported the matter of the bogus divorces has been turned over to the police fraud squad and if the investigation does not progress at a satisfactory pace, it will be escalated to the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency.
significant number we in Trinidad and Tobago have the ability to treat with it because it would be a situation we had not planned for before, the circumstances would require we put our best food forward. But I don’t expect an overwhelming number of people to do that,” said Rowley. He said that this country does not know when a disaster like this can occur when the people would need such kind of help in which Trinidad and Tobago is providing, “and we don’t know the day in which something like this would happen to us. And I hope on such as day that we don’t expect the rest of the world, particular our brothers and sisters nearby to take that position as those who would be able to have everything for themselves and not be able to share with the destitute.” When asked whether bringing Dominicans into the country would cost the State money to provide for Dominicans, the Prime Minister said that once there is a refugee situation the State will have to help. The Prime Minister also indicated that Fatima Old Boys Association has given the assurance that they will provide schooling for at least 30 children from those coming with children.
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Agriculture Ministry paves way to enter Chinese fisheries market KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the People’s Republic of China in an effort to secure the export of Jamaican aquatic products such as lobster into the Chinese market. A release from the ministry said under the MoU the two countries have “agreed to cooperate
regarding the promotion of the export of lobsters in the first instance, thereafter, other aquatic products from Jamaica to China with a view to expeditiously establishing an effective and mutually beneficial trade relationship”. The terms and conditions of the agreement were outlined by Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Karl Samuda at the signing ceremony in which Zhi Shuping, Minister of the
General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People’s Republic of China, participated. According to Samuda, the plan of action going forward, will include the establishment of prerequisite conditions under which Jamaica can export the fisheries products into China in accordance with international regulations for the trade of food. (Jamaica Observer)
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Saturday September 23, 2017
U.S. challenged by rising North Defying Trump, Iran says Korea tensions, Russia urges calm will boost missile capabilities
Rex Tillerson UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Russia urged “hot heads” to calm down yesterday as the United States admitted it felt “challenged” by North Korea’s warning that it could test a hydrogen bomb over the Pacific and President Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un traded more insults. Trump called the North Korean leader a “madman” yesterday, a day after Kim dubbed him a “mentally deranged U.S. dotard” who would face the “highest level of hard-line countermeasure in history” in retaliation for Trump saying the U.S. would “totally destroy” North Korea if it threatened the U.S. or its allies. “We have to calm down the hot heads,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters at the United Nations, where world leaders gathered this week for the annual U.N. General Assembly. “We continue to strive for the reasonable and not the emotional approach...of the
Sergei Lavrov kindergarten fight between children.” U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson expressed hope in an interview with ABC that sanctions and “voices from every corner of the world” could lead North Korea back to talks, but admitted intensifying rhetoric had left Washington “quite challenged.” North Korea’s Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho, warned on Thursday that Kim could consider a hydrogen bomb test of an unprecedented scale over the Pacific. Ri, who is due to speak to the United Nations today, added that he did not know Kim’s exact thoughts. In response, Tillerson said U.S. diplomatic efforts would continue but all military options were still on the table. North Korea’s six nuclear tests to date have all been underground, and experts say an atmospheric test, which would be the first since one by China in 1980, would be proof of the success of its weapons programme.
A senior U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Washington was taking Kim’s threat seriously and added that any atmospheric test would be a “game-changer.” But he said there were questions about North Korea’s technical capabilities and Washington did not give “too much credence” to Pyongyang taking such action. “There’s a certain amount of bluster that’s taken for granted when you’re dealing with North Korea,” the official told Reuters. Pyongyang conducted its sixth and largest nuclear test on Sept. 3 and has launched dozens of missiles this year as it accelerates a programme aimed at enabling it to target the United States with a nucleartipped missile. Lavrov on Friday again pushed a proposal by Moscow and Beijing for a dual suspension of North Korean weapons tests and the U.S.South Korean military drills to kick-start talks. Lavrov suggested that a neutral European country could mediate. He described the exchange of insults between the U.S. and North Korean leaders were “quite bad, unacceptable.” U.S. Treasury and gold prices rose while the Japanese yen strengthened yesterday as the exchange of barbs fuelled geopolitical jitters and drove investors into assets considered safer during times of turmoil.
Political maturity, constitutional... From page 8 arrangement for executive power sharing between and among the major political parties of the country. He called this a “noble ideal” but questioned, “Do the level of maturity, trust and magnanimity, which are the prerequisites for such an arrangement to work, exist in our political environment?” To highlight Guyana's “reality” in this regard, Nandlall again turned to more examples. He said that there is no greater constitutional expression of political power sharing in the current constitutional matrix, than the appointment of the Chief Justice and Chancellor of the Judiciary and, the appointment of a Chairman of GECOM. He said that in respect of all
these appointments, the Constitution mandates processes which require the input of both, the Leader of the Opposition and the President. The appointments require the agreement of the Leader of the Opposition, before the President can make a final decision. Nandlall noted that since this provision was introduced into the Constitution in 2001, no appointment has ever been made. Successive Leaders of the Opposition withheld their agreement from the appointment of the incumbent holders of those Offices. Not a reason was ever given. Nandlall said that in relation of the appointment of a Chairman of GECOM, a
list of six names must originate from the Opposition Leader to the President, for him to select one for appointment. “18 names have been submitted by the Leader of the Opposition over the last nine months. An appointment is still to be made. A hitherto seamless and straight-forward constitutional process has suddenly become complex, complicated and controversial. Simple and clear language of the Constitution has suddenly become obscure, ambiguous and unequivocal.” Nandlall said that with those considerations, it is clear to him that “the need for constitutional compliance trumps the need for fundamental constitutional reforms.”
LONDON (Reuters) Iran will strengthen its missile capabilities and not s e e k a n y c o u n t r y ’s permission, President Hassan Rouhani said yesterday rejecting demands from U.S. President Donald Trump. Rouhani spoke at a military parade where an Iranian news agency said one of the weapons on display was a new ballistic missile with range of 2,000 km (1,200 miles), capable of carrying several warheads. T h e Ta s n i m n e w s agency, which quoted the head of the Revolutionary Guards’ aerospace division, Amirali Hajizadeh, gave few other details of the missile. Iranian state television showed footage of the firing of “Khoramshahr missile” but did not specify if the testfire happened yesterday or in the past. At the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday, Tr u m p s a i d I r a n w a s building its missile capability and accused it exporting violence to Yemen, Syria and other parts of the Middle East. He also criticised the 2015 pact that the United
Hassan Rouhani States and six other powers struck with Iran under which Tehran agreed to restrict its nuclear programme in return for relief from economic sanctions. In a speech broadcast on state television, Rouhani said: “We will increase our military power as a deterrent. We will strengthen our missile capabilities ... We will not seek permission from anyone to defend our country. “All countries in the world supported the nuclear deal in the United Nations General Assembly this year ... except the United States and the Zionist regime (Israel),” Rouhani said.
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has said that the agreement must be changed or the United States could not stick with it. Iran has said its nuclear accord cannot be renegotiated. The prospect of Washington reneging on the deal has worried some of the U.S. allies that helped negotiate it, especially as the world grapples with North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile development. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said tensions on the Korean peninsula underlined the importance of the Iranian deal, and that China would continue to support it. Trump put Iran “on notice” in February for testfiring a ballistic missile and imposed new economic sanctions in July over its missile programme and “malign activities” in the Middle East. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday that the U.S. imposition of unilateral sanctions on Iran was “illegitimate and undermines the collective nature of international efforts.”
Driven by hope and patriotism, Mexico rescuers seek quake survivors three days in MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Human chains of rescuers yesterday sped up efforts to remove rubble from collapsed buildings in Mexico City, assisted by dogs and heat sensors and refusing to give up hope of finding survivors of the earthquake three days ago. Tuesday’s 7.1 magnitude quake levelled 52 buildings in the sprawling Mexican capital, leaving thousands homeless and bringing down apartment blocks, a school and a textile factory. Close to 300 people died. Mexican soldiers and volunteers, supported by teams from as far afield as Israel and Japan have so far rescued at least 60 people from the ruins in Mexico City and surrounding towns. Despite dimming hopes of finding many more survivors, President Enrique Pena Nieto insisted rescue operations would continue. For many the search is
Rescuers seek quake survivors
highly personal. F i r e f i g h t e r Te r e s a Ramirez Flores, 40, was helping the search in an office building in Mexico City’s Roma neighbourhood where her cousin Carolina M u n i z , a 4 3 - y e a r- o l d accountant, was trapped. “I would happily lose my life doing this , e v e n m o r e so because my cousin is inside,” Ramirez said, describing a feeling of impotence as she tried to reach her cousin who was on
t h e s e c o n d f l o o r w hen the building fell. “ We w a n t t o b e superheroes so that our country doesn’t suffer,” she said at a s i t e w h e r e volunteers brought a wheelbarrow filled with candy to the rescue teams. After three days, rescuers were finding more dead bodies than living survivors, but authorities said there were signs of life picked up by dogs and sensors at several sites.
Saturday September 23, 2017
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Windies wait on injured birthday boy Gayle NOTTINGHAM, United Kingdom (AFP) — West Indies were left waiting to discover the full extent of Chris Gayle’s hamstring injury after the star batsman spent part of his 38th birthday having scans in a Nottingham hospital Thursday. The big-hitting opener was ruled out shortly before the toss in Thursday’s second One-Day International against England at Trent Bridge after damaging his right hamstring. To compound West Indies’ frustration at Gayle’s injury, it turned out he had been warming up for a meaningless no result. Only 2.2 overs were possible, with England 21 without loss before rain stopped play after a mere 11 minutes’
action. The rain never relented and, several hours later, the umpires abandoned the match. West Indies have yet to find out if Gayle will be fit for the third of a five-match series at Bristol on Sunday. “Chris has been for scans,” West Indies Coach Stuart Law told reporters. “We don’t know the results of them just yet. “But he tweaked a hamstring in the warm-up. “We’ll monitor him and see how he’s going for Bristol. “He said he didn’t want to risk it — which is fair enough.” The former Australia batsman added: “If you do a hamstring at 38 it’s going to take longer than when you’re 18,
so we’ll err on the side of caution.” Gayle only recently arrived in Britain for the limitedovers leg of the tour, having missed West Indies’ 1-2 Test series loss to England. He effectively made himself ineligible for selection by not playing first-class cricket in the Caribbean, having become a well-paid globe-trotting star of the Twenty20 game. Gayle struck a typically dynamic 40 off 21 balls, including three fours and four sixes, as West Indies beat England by 21 runs in the lone Twenty20 of their tour in Durham last Saturday — a repeat of their World Twenty20 final win in Kolkata last year. Gayle followed up with a
brisk 37 before he holed out in the first ODI at Old Trafford on Tuesday, a match West Indies lost by seven wickets. He appeared to pull up sharply after going for a quick single, but fielded for the duration of England’s run chase at the Manchester ground. “He said he felt something the other night,” explained Law. “But he didn’t make a big deal of it — he fielded for all of England’s innings.” England Captain Eoin Morgan insisted he felt no great relief at seeing powerful Jamaica left-hander Gayle’s name missing from a Windies team sheet that still included such talented toporder batsmen as Evin Lewis, Shai Hope and Marlon Samuels. “As I mentioned at the start of the series, the West
Chris Gayle Indies are probably a threat more as a group than any individual they have within their team,” said Morgan. “Just because they’re missing one player, it doesn’t mean we’ll take them any more
lightly in any game.” Tuesday’s defeat meant West Indies, the two-time former champions, could no longer gain direct entry to the 2019 World Cup in Britain and will have to enter a qualifying competition instead.
Windies CEO still upbeat about World... Saturday September 23, 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You can meet new friends who will let you know just how valuable you are. You could lose a good friend because of it. Enlist the aid of family members and consider the feelings of your mate.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) If you are in the midst of a financial deal, this is your lucky day. Love and romance are evident. Put financial speculation with family members or friends on the back burner for now.
TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) You may find yourself changing plans for some form of entertainment. You need to refrain from being the generous one in the group. Try to make amends by planning a nice dinner for two.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Take time to listen to the problems of family members. Be careful while traveling. Involvement in fitness clubs will be conducive to engaging romantic connections.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You could find yourself left with someone's dirty laundry. Don't hesitate to present your unique ideas. Try to avoid being extravagant today. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Your social skills with people may be more than just helpful. Don't rely on others to handle the workload. Stop telling others about your problems. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Don't allow your lover to take advantage of your good nature. Make money using your ingenuity and creative talent. You may find out that someone is trying to undermine you. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You can make money if you concentrate on producing services or goods that will make domestic chores easier. You may be up for some changes in your home. A new you could help your attitude.
SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) Don't let your emotions get out of hand. Catch up on your reading and correspondence. Don't get into heated discussions. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Stop telling others about your problems. You may find travel to be most rewarding. You don't like confrontations at the best of times; however, you may find them difficult to avoid. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Do not overspend on entertainment. Make sure all of your travel and driver's documents are in proper order. Avoid extravagance or risky financial schemes. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Family responsibilities are escalating. Concern yourself with legal matters and formulating contracts rather than finalizing your objectives. You can become obsessed with detail and must be sure to divide your time appropriately.
(From page 28) West Indies, admitted his disappointment, he felt the changes made to the team’s schedule would give them the best chance of success. It is also anticipated that CWI will shortly announce the award of white-ball contracts for the first time, which should increase the availability of some of their best-known players. “We have known for some time that we would more than likely need to qualify for the 2019 World Cup,” Grave told ESPNcricinfo, “so we have already planned our 2018 season on that basis. “Sri Lanka will now tour in June for three Tests, with Bangladesh touring in July playing all three formats. We now have the remainder of
GAPF RAW Nationals... (From page 31) gladiators. Last year’s RAW Nationals, which took place at Critchlow Labour College, was dominated by Teneisha Toney of life gym who emerged as the Best Female Lifter in the Junior and Open classes with a total of 292.5kg and Wilks Total of 343.19. The top male competitor was Vijai Rahim of Hardcore Barbell Club with a total of 602.5kg and Wilks total of 482.722. Corporate support has already been garnered from two faithful corporate partners, Fitness Express and Byddy’s Gym so far. Weigh-in time next Sunday is 07:00hrs with the first flight of lifters set to hit the platform two hours later.
the England series, three ODIs against New Zealand and our domestic Super50 competition in February to prepare for the qualifiers. “It is clearly disappointing that we are faced with the reality of having to qualify, but we are confident that we have a squad that can still make it to the 2019 World Cup. “The prospect of having to play under the pressure of
having to qualify will be great experience for our ODI team.” “We knew it was going to be a tough ask [to qualify],” Toby Radford, the team’s batting coach, said after the loss at Old Trafford. “But we are very positive as a group and are trying to develop in all formats. If it means the qualifiers next year, it means the qualifiers next year and we’ll build our way back up.”
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Saturday September 23, 2017
Trophy Stall supports as Toastmasters celebrates Education Month with Speech Contest To a s t m a s t e r s International, a non-profit organization, has helped its members to be at the pinnacle of effective communication
and leadership. Members have made the programme a stepping stone to career advancement. Toastmasters International provides a supportive
and positive learning experience through Club Experiences and Speech Contests in which members are empowered to develop communication and
leadership skills, resulting in greater self-confidence and personal growth. This year, Area 39 of Guyana would be hosting its annual Humourous and Evaluation Speech Contest on Tuesday, September 26, 2017. This event will be held at the Everest Cricket Club at 7:00pm. Trophy Stall has lent their support by providing trophies for the event. The Humourous Speech Contest is a fun forum where contestants present funny speeches on topics of their choice in five to seven minutes. In the Evaluation Speech Contest, all
contestants listen to a test speaker. They each have five minutes to prepare an evaluation of the presentation and then given two to three minutes to present their evaluation. Member Clubs of Area 39 include two Corporate Clubs, Bank of Guyana Royale Toastmasters Club and Unicomer Pacesetters Toastmasters Club (Courts Main Street) and one Community Club, Cacique Toastmasters Club. Each Club has held its In-Club Contest and would be represented by two of its members in each of the two categories, Humourous and
Evaluation at the Area 39 Contest. All trophies for the first, second and third place winners were donated by The Trophy Stall located in Board Market. Mr. Eshwar Bharrat, representative of Trophy Stall, presented the trophies to TM Mizana Gonsalves, Area Director for Area 39. All are invited to join Toastmasters as it provides a safe environment for you to learn and grow. For more information visit www.toastmasters.org or https://www.caribbeantoast masters.com/. You can email guyanatoastmasters@gmail. com
GTT National Indoor Hockey Championships begins Monday
Mr. Eshwar Bharrat (right), representative of Trophy Stall, handing over the trophies to TM Mizana Gonsalves, Area Director for Area 39.
The annual GTT National I n d o o r H o c k e y Championships returns to the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall for the first time in seven years as the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) stages its first tournament on the newly installed plastic-tile floor. The tournament has been sponsored by the communications giant for seventeen years and is the top local indoor competition that determines the annual national champions. The competition commences early this year as the GHB gears up for the Indoor Pan American Cup to be contested mid-October this year. In order to prepare for the International event, the GHB will use the National Championships as a test event to ensure all systems are in working order. To maximize the benefit to the local national teams, both male and female national teams will compete in the competition although they will not be eligible for the trophies. The competition features four divisions being Men’s F i r s t D i v i s i o n , M e n ’s Second Division, Ladies and Veterans (over-35).
Despite being three timechampions, the favourites PEPSI Hikers will be without their fantastic four of Robert France, Andrew Stewart, Jamarj Assanah and Aroydy Branford who will all be making an appearance for the national BLACKS. The club still boasts a solid line-up with veteran Shane Samuels expected to fill the void along with goalkeeper Jason ‘Puzzle’ Hoyte. Old Fort, without the likes of the dynamic Aderemi Simon and skilful Jason De Santos will capitalize on its depth of quality to offer good opposition for the top spot. Bounty GCC and Saints are also poised to topple the defending champs with their strong junior teams who competed well in the most recent competition. Pizza Hut GCC loses six players who have all been called up for national duty but remain the solid favourite to win gold in the women’s division. The defending champions, who have not lost the competition in ten years, will need to bring their top game to hold off the challenges of the new teams
in contention. Old Fort women have been creeping up the ranks over the past 8 years, led by Boshani Kaladeen and Tamala Glenn, they will pose a potent attack that will be hard for opponents to handle. The Bingo Spartans are eager to contest their second indoor tournament and is a fast improving side while a new entrant, SIDM, will take the floor in an effort to make the record books as the first debutante to hoist the trophy. Defending veteran’s champions, GCC Vintage, are strong favourites for the over-35 division, while the Old Fort Warriors are expected to have the edge in the men’s 2nd division. Both divisions promise to be competitive as no team has retained the trophy for more than two consecutive years. Matches start on Monday September 25th from 17:00hrs and the finals will be contested on Saturday 30th September. M e n ’s n a t i o n a l selections, the BLACKs and the GREENs will play an exhibition match against each other right before the final presentation.
Saturday September 23, 2017
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Bramble and Ivan lead Upper Corentyne to 267-6 at stumps
Balchand Baldeo ducks under a shot ball from Romario Shepherd during his 74 run opening stand. At Port Mourant all their batsmen got start but Kandasammy Surujnarine and Anthony Bramble carried on the score fifties, while Bramble and Rajiv Ivan shared in a 108-run stand as Upper Corentyne reached 267-6 on the opening day of their GCB/CGI three-day Franchise League fourth round game against West Demerara yesterday at the Port Mourant ground in Corentyne.
An attractive 63 from 153 balls with five fours from Surujnarine, 62 from 11 0 b a l l s w i t h f i v e boundaries from Bramble, 47 from Rajiv Ivan, 32 from Balchand Baldeo and 22 from David Latchaya ensued the home team batted all day in sweltering heat on a good batting track and rough outfield. Left-arm spinner Kesram Seyhodan has so far picked up two wickets. Upper Corentyne elected
Kandasammy Surujnarine on-drive Raymond Reifer for four yesterday during his 63. to bat and Baldeo, who was tested by a barrage of short balls from National pacer 20-year-old Romario Shepherd and Surujnarine gave their team a firm foundation with a 74-run first wicket stand. Baldeo bobbed and weaved like a boxer when Shepherd bowled short and when he bowled full and wide he was steered to wide third man for back-to-back boundaries. The partnership
flourished as Surujnarine cover drove medium pacer Mahendra Dhanpaul for four before sweetly on-driving Shepherd for four and pulled left-arm pacer Bajan Raymond Reifer to the midwicket boundary. Baldeo was now in full flow and square drove Seyhodan for a delightful boundary behind point and followed it up with spanking drive past mid-off for consecutive fours. Surujnarine square drove
Reifer for four before stroking him magnificently to the cover boundary to bring up his 50 from 137 minutes off 108 balls with five fours. Baldeo, when well set for a big score, hit a catch to mid-on as Seyhodan struck just before Lunch. Kevin Sinclair then pulled an above the waist full toss when Skipper Akshaya Persaud looked to buy a wicket and at Lunch the score was 104-1.
After the interval, Surujnarine was caught behind off Richie Looknauth at 114-2 before Sinclair was bowled by Shepherd six runs later but Latchaya and Bramble carried the score to 155 before Latchaya was run out. Bramble and Ivan added 103 before he was removed at 259-5 before Ivan and Joshua Ramsammy (2) were sent back in the space of six runs just before the close.
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Saturday September 23, 2017
Mike’s Pharmacy, Trophy Stall, Nauth Motor Spares softball
School boys’ Tapeball Ruplall, De Franca anchor Wellman, competition on today at Regal, HS Masters triumph Cultural Centre tarmac
Lloyd Ruplall
Greg De Franca
Rawl Reid
Mike’s Wellman, Regal Masters and All Stars and HS Masters registered victories when the Mike’s Pharmacy, Trophy Stall and Nauth Motor Spares 20-over softball competition continued on Sunday last. A t D C C , We l l m a n overcame Amazon Warriors by 84 runs. Wellman took first strike and posted 219-4. Lloyd Ruplall stroked 99 while Greg De Franca slammed 70. Amazon Warriors were bowled out for 135 in 17 overs in reply. Raghunandan Narine made
35; Wayne Jones had 3-14. HS Masters defeated Ariel Masters by 34 runs. HS Masters batted first and scored 187-8. Rawl Reid scored 54, while Danny Mohanram made 31 as Khemraj Dindyal claimed 3-29. Ariel Masters responded with 153-6. Mohamed Rafeek got 32 and Rudy Mayers 24. Michael Ifill captured 2-24. Regal All Stars beat Success by nine wickets. Success took first turn at the crease and were sent packing for 78 with Sachin Singh
picking up 5-18. Regal All Stars made 90-1 in eight overs in reply. Singh made 38 and Marvin Bobb 31 not out. At Hydronie, East Bank Essequibo, Regal Masters beat Parika Defenders by 35 runs. Regal Masters batted first and posted 136-5 with Mahase Chunilall scoring 63, David Harper 26 and Eric Thomas 16. Parika Defenders were bowled out for 101 in response. Kabesh Persaud made 24; Mohendra Arjune claimed 3-12,
Mahase Chunilall Parsram Persaud claimed 216 and Motilall Chumandath 2-30. The competition continues tomorrow. At DCC on pitch one at 10:00hrs, Ariel Masters will play Floodlights, at 13:00hrs We l l w o m a n w i l l f a c e Trophy Stall Angels and at 15:00hrs Blue Divas will challenge Trophy Stall Angels. On pitch two at 10:00hrs Regal Allstars will play Farm and at 13:00hrs Enterprise Legends will face Regal Masters.
GCB/CGI 3-Day Franchise League
18 wickets tumble on opening day to leave contest evenly poised By Sean Devers in Berbice In association with Vnet Communications Yesterday was hard work for the batsmen as 18 wickets tumbled on a track with preparation moisture at the Young Warriors ground in Cumberland as the first day of the fourth round of the GCB/CGI three-day Franchise League contest between host Lower Corentyne and East Bank ended evenly poised. Only talented 16-yearold National U-19 player Kelvon Anderson with 44 from 96 minutes and 122 balls with three fours offered token resistance. He got support from Seon Hetymer who hit three boundaries in 28, while Veerasammy Permaul smashed a quickfire 17 from 12 balls with three fours. Pacer Sherfane Rutherford (4-39) and offspinner Darshan Persaud (430) bowled well for East Bank who finished on 132-8, with Steven Jacobs who
made 31 with two fours and two sixes and Renaldo AliMohammed who made 32 with a four and two sixes, the only batsmen reaching 20 as Permaul (3-38) and Kassim Khan (3-48) brought their team back into the game. East Bank won the toss and elected to bat in glorious sunshine on a slow pitch with some assistance for the spinners and quickly lost Waheid Edwards (1) caught off Keon Morris at 6-1 before national U-19 opener Alex Algoo and Anderson took the score to 47 before the small crowd saw Jacobs trap Algoo LBW for 19. Anderson stroked left arm back of the arm spinner Totaram Bishun for four and flicked Mohammed-Ali disdainfully for four and along with Hetymer, the younger brother of Test batsman Shimron Hetymer, carried the score to 99 with a 52-run stand on the small ground before Anderson got a good delivery from Rutherford and edged it to Jacobs at slip and at Lunch the score was 104-3.
Hetymer’s demise off Persaud just after the Interval, at 112-4, triggered a slump as three wickets tumbled for six runs. Devon Clements (12), Jason Sinclair (4) and Hakeem Hinds (1) were removed by Rutherford and Persaud respectively. Permaul and Khan staged a minor recovery with Permaul hitting Rutherford for back-to-back boundaries before smashing Persaud for another boundary in the next over as he dominated the eighth wicket stand before he fell to Persaud at 141-8. Khan (2) then ducked into a short ball from Rutherford which ballooned to slip off his glove and Raun Johnson was caught behind by Corwin Austin as Persaud ended the innings a run-later in a disappointing performance by the Lower Corentyne Franchise. When East Bank began their reply, West Indies U-15 Captain Sachin Singh (6) was removed by pacer Neil Smith at 9-1 before Mark
Robe was caught behind off Johnson for a duck to leave the score on 12-2 but Romaine Maniram and Jacobs both started shakily and both benefitted from early chances. The pair consolidated the position by taking the score to 61 before Maniram (14) was taken at slip off Khan at 53-3. Jacobs, who inside edged one past the Keeper for four and lofted Khan onto the Road behind the sightscreen, lost his head and his wicket when he needlessly chipped into Permaul and skied a catch to long-on at 61-4 before Khan was removed by Rutherford at 78-5. Renaldo Ali-Mohammed dumped Khan for a couple of sixes and along with Ershad Ali, who struck three fours in 17, saw the score to 101 when Ali-Mohammed fell to Khan. Permaul soon removed Austin (8) at 132-8 before Persaud and Morris survived to the close. Today is the second day and play starts at 09:30hrs
The Royal Tapeball Cricket Academy organized inter-ward school boys Tapeball cricket competition, which has been sponsored by PKF Barcellos Narine and Co., begins today from 09:00hrs at the National Cultural Centre tarmac and teams are asked to take note. School boys’ teams that are set to be on show are from the East Coast, East
Bank, West Demerara and Georgetown. Each team must walk with their six (6) taped flannel balls, as part of the rules of the competition. Next week Saturday, 30th S e p t e m b e r, t h e P & P Insurance Brokers and the Good Wood Racing Service knock out competition for school boys will begin at 09:00hrs at the National Cultural Centre tarmac.
Windies CEO still upbeat about World Cup qualification ESPNcricinfo - West Indies remain confident they will appear in the 2019 World Cup, despite missing out on automatic qualification. With defeat in the first ODI at Old Trafford ending their distant hopes of direct qualification, they will now progress to the 10-team qualifier next year. There they will be joined by the bottom three sides in the ICC’s ODI rankings Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and Ireland - as well as the top four sides from the ICC World Cricket League
Championship and the top two sides from the ICC World Cricket League Division 2. The top two sides from that qualifying tournament will complete the 10-team line-up for the World Cup, which will be staged in England and Wales from May 20 to July 15, 2019. It has not yet been confirmed where the qualifying tournament will take place, although Zimbabwe is the anticipated venue. While Johnny Grave, the chief executive of Cricket (Continued on page 25)
Suknanan grabs 6 but Essequibo lead by 40 runs; Bramble, Surujnarine hit 50s
Gajanan Suknanan Off-spinner Gajanan Suknanan grabbed 6-27, but leaders Essequibo are ahead by 40 runs against Georgetown when the fourth round of the Cricket Guyana Inc Jaguars three-Day Franchise League commenced yesterday.
Batting first at Tuschen, Georgetown were sent packing for 117 in 39 overs with Robin Bacchus scoring 34 and Steven Sankar 22. Left arm spinner Anthony Adams took 4 for 33; Keemo Paul claimed 3-29 and Ricardo Adams 3-38. In reply, Essequibo managed 170 all out in 51.4 overs. Ricardo Adams led with 44, while Keemo Paul made 43, Kemol Savory 33 and Kevin Boodie 22. Ramaal Lewis, Kellon Carmichael, Steven Sankar and Christopher Barnwell supported Suknanan with one wicket each. Batting a second time Georgetown were 13 without loss at stumps. Play resumes today at 09:00 hours.
Saturday September 23, 2017
Kaieteur News
GABA/Banks DIH Playoffs on this weekend
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Foreign Ministry Office Assistants’ Heritage Sports Extravaganza on today Today marks the opening day of Sports Coordinator of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, James “Uprising” Lewis, two-day Heritage Sports Extravaganza, as part of Heritage Month celebrations with the InterMinistry/Government Agency K.O. Domino competition. This event begins this morning at the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) Hall on Regent and Shiv Chanderpaul Drive
Action between UG Trojans (Red) and Plaisance Guardians earlier in the season. Following a two-week break, the Burnham hardcourt is set to come alive again tonight as the first three of the anticipated semi-finals of the Georgetown Amateur B a s k e t b a l l Association/Banks DIH 1st, 2nd and Under-23 league bounces off from 17:30hrs. The first match of the evening will see the number 1 seeded, defending champions Bounty Colts against Plaisance Guardians in the under-23 division. At 19:30hrs, the Eagles vs.
Pacesetters semifinal game is sure to excite fans in a much anticipated encounter. The third and final “semi” of the evening will be in the 1st division between Guardians and Nets. Tomorrow, the other semi-final matches in the 1st, 2nd, and under-23 contests are scheduled to be played. Action gets underway at 17:30hrs again with Colts vs. Sonics in the 2nd division. The second game that begins at 19:30hrs will see
Eagles meeting Pacesetters for a second consecutive night but this time, the clubs will “sweat” in the under-23 division. The feature match on Sunday will witness defending champions Bounty Colts trying to overcome Kobras in the 1st division. Following the semi-final matches, the finalists in each division will then go head to head in a three-game series for the individual crowns beginning on Wednesday, September 27.
from 11:00hrs. Te a m s f r o m t h e Ministries of the P r e s i d e n c y, S o c i a l Protection, Public Telecommunication along with Guyoil and GNBS have already entered, and coordinator Lewis expects more teams for this morning’s slam off. Trophies and Medals have been donated by R&T Taxi Service, Regal Stationery and Office Supplies, Bakewell and Japarts.
Tomorrow, the 11-a-side super 6-over knock out tapeball cricket competition bowls off at the National Cultural Center tarmac from 09:00hrs. Sixteen teams have indicated their interest to participate in the competition so far. Interested teams are asked to contact Coordinator James Lewis on phone numbers 672-6179 or 6665857 for registration protocols.
Industrial Supplies and Services backs GSCL Inc Prime Minister’s softball Cup
GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power U-17 League – East Bank
Grove Hi Tech aim to remain unbeaten against Friendship Treasurer of the GSCL Inc Russel Jadbeer accepts the cheque from manager of Industrial Supplies and Services Thelisha Case.
Grove Hi Tech (yellow) in their match against Mocha Champs last Sunday. Three matches into the second round, Grove Hi Tech are still the team to beat and they will be aiming to further cement their advantage when play in the G F F / N A M I L C O Thunderbolt Flour Power National Under-17 Intra Association League continues at the Grove Playfield tomorrow with four matches. The East Bank teams are aiming to create history as the inaugural winner of this maiden national intraassociation league and Grove are well on their way
to inking their name in the history books in the association and nationally. Tomorrow, Friendship All Stars will be next on the home team’s radar as they hunt their 12th win. The offensive ambitions of this very talented side is expected to be the same as they hunt more goals to add to the 24 they have already scored. Defensively, they are also the best team having only allowed a pair of goals in their 11 matches so far. Friendship, sitting in the eight position of the nine
team league will be hard pressed to contain the home team but are expected to put their best boots forward as they hunt win number four. This match will be the third of four. Opening play pits Mocha Champs against Kuru Kururu Warriors at 10:00hrs to be followed by a clash between Diamond United and Highway United at 12:00hrs. The feature match of the day will see Agricola Red Triangle taking on Herstelling Raiders from 15:30hrs.
Industrial Supplies and Services has thrown their support behind the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc for the hosting of the inaugural Prime Minister’s Softball Cup which is set to commence on October 27 in Georgetown. The tournament which is being held in collaboration with the National Sports Commission and the Ministry of Education Department of Culture, Youth and Sport will conclude on October 29 and will be played in masters and open categories. Manager of Industrial Supplies and Services, Thelisha Case, yesterday presented a cheque to treasurer of GSCL Inc Russel Jadbeer at the entity’s
location 51 Robb and Albert Streets, Bourda. Case said she is happy to be part of such a prestigious event and wished the teams well, while Jadbeer expressed gratitude to the entity for their support. Jadbeer stated that cricket fans will witness a new dispensation of softball cricket with a number of teams both locally and overseas expected to battle for supremacy adding that the tournament will bear resemblance to that of professional T20 leagues with cheer leaders providing added entertainment for the final. Toronto Cup Masters Softball cricket tournament 2017 winners SVC Mafia and New York Hustlers, along with New York
President’s X1 and Try State Masters are among the overseas teams that have confirmed their participation. Teams registering for the Over-45 category must submit photo identification, preferably valid passports for every member of their 15-man squad. The winning open team will take home a trophy and $600,000 and the runner up a trophy and $500,000. No entrance fee is required and the GSCL Inc is urging the teams to be well uniformed since the tournament will be played with white balls. Registration forms can be uplifted from Regal Stationery and Computer Centre, 69, Seaforth Street, C a m p b e l l v i l l e , Georgetown.
Kaieteur News
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Saturday September 23, 2017
Patron’s 72nd Birthday Scoreboard and 175th Rose Hall Monument commissioned ”I am proud to be present here today to commission the 175th Monument and the Patron’s Scoreboard. These projects are signs that your Township is on the move and if the fifty seven founders of Rose Hall were here today, they would be very proud of how progressive their vision have become.” Those were the words of President David Granger during his delivery of the feature address at the 175th Anniversary of Rose Hall Village at the Area ‘H’ Ground. The President who is also the Honorary Patron of Guyana’s leading youth and sports club, the Rose H a l l To w n Yo u t h & Sports Club, MS, unveiled a Monument constructed in memory of the fifty-seven free slaves who purchased Rose Hall Village in 1842 from European Planter John Henry Baird.
The Monument was a gift to Rose Hall Town from the nine (9) cricket teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club. President David Granger also unveiled the Patron’s Scoreboard, another project of the club’s teams. The scoreboard was a special gift to His Excellency to mark his 72nd birth anniversary. During the period, July to September this year, the club’s teams organised a series of activities for P r e s i d e n t G r a n g e r ’s birthday including the Patron’s Greene Economy cricket tournament, the unveiling of the Scoreboard, distribution of s c h o o l b ag s , e x er c is e books, bicycles and cricket gear. Club Secretary Hilbert Foster informed that the monument would serve as a permanent reminder to residents of Rose Hall Town
RHTY&SC Patron, President David Granger applauds after unveiling the Patron’s Scoreboard.
Regional Chairman David Armogan assists President David Granger in commissioning the 175th Anniversary Monument. of the vision of the 57 founding fathers who laid the groundwork for the present generation to build on. The monument was designed by the Rose Hall Town Pepsi Under-19 team and constructed with assistance of the Guyana Prison Service.
Just Call Me Boss plots revenge on Vera’s Finally at President’s Cup Meet
The scoreboard was constructed by the cricket teams and was designed by the Farfan & Mendes Under15 and the Bakewell Under17 Teams. Foster stated that the Club and its cricket teams were proud to call Rose Hall Town home and as such have always worked beyond the call of duty to make a positive difference. Over the years, apart
f r o m i t s Marketing section, social work and Charity programmes, the Township has benefitted from a Children’s Playfield, small bridges, Community Centre, All Weather Court, charity kitchen, three (3) pavilions, Benab and restoration of the Lower Corentyne Secondary School. The Scoreboard was constructed at a cost of $150,000.
Meanwhile, the RHTY&SC as of the September 19, completed a t o t a l o f 5 2 5 programmes/activities (surpa s s i n g i t s i n i t i a l target of 500) under a wide range of sub-headings including sports, charity, culture, education, social, economic development, community development, Patron’s Fund, Coaching and jobs for youths among others.
GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power U-17 League – Berbice
NA United is top team at end of Rd. 2
Vera’s Finally runs ahead of Just Call me Boss in the Guyana Cup, will the Boss return the favour on October 1. Just Call Me Boss of the Kris Jagdeo racing stable will be looking to take down Vera’s Finally on the 1st October at the President’s Cup horserace meet at Rising Sun Turf Club. Trainer T. Jagdeo states that Rising Sun is his turf and Vera’s Finally was the only horse to beat him in a big race meet at Rising Sun in the Guyana Cup. Mr. Jagdeo and his charge are coming back for revenge and fans are certainly in for a treat. Both horses among others have been preparing looking impressive in
gallops at the various tracks and another heaped serving of entertainment will be served at Rising Sun Turf Club on October 1st when t h e P r e s i d e n t ’s C u p Horserace Meet is staged starting at 1:00pm. The main event is for horses classified C3 & Lower galloping over a distance of 1600M for a $1M first prize and a scorcher of a race is anticipated. Other attractions on the programme include; the E Class Maiden/F1 & Lower Open co-feature over 1400M with $600,000 being the winner’s purse.
The H1 & Lower horses will run for a $350,000 first prize covering a 1400M distance. The I 1 & Lower, H3 non-earners for 2017 will compete for a $300,000 reward also covering 1400M. The 2-years-Guyana bred Maiden animals will collide for $200,000 winners take in a 1100M sprint. The J3 & K & Lower class horses will compete over 1400M for a $175,000 purse and in the L Class Nonwinners event also covering 1400M, turfites will see the winner staking claim to the $150,000 first prize.
A walk over from Mahaicony Thunder Hawks paved the way for New Amsterdam United to end as the top team when the second and final round of the G F F / N A M I L C O Thunderbolt Flour Power National Under-17 Intra Association League ended in Berbice this past weekend. A number of walk over’s were responsible for the final outcome of the second round of the nationwide league which had commenced in 2016 when the first concluded in Berbice. First round winners, Paradise Invaders were unable to maintain that winning momentum and ended the second round in the fourth position, three points from the standard of 16 which was garnered by NA United. The walk over bug bit Paradise Invaders and put paid to their ambitions of landing the double. Young Strikers also won via the walk over route from Monedderlust as did Corriverton Links and
Dwayne Alleyne - Cougars FC Yo u n g S t r i k e r s f r o m Monedderlust and Paradise Invaders on September 10. Cougars FC Dwayne Alleyne ended as the highest goal scorer of the round with a total of 11 goals in seven
(7); Hopetown United’s Dave Torrington has been recommended for the tournament’s Most Valuable Player award for his 5 goals, numerous assists and general work ethic which enabled his team to end in the third place. The Best Goalkeeper award will go to Daniel Bowen of Cougars with honourable mention to Melroy Joseph of NA United and Alex Inness of Hopetown United Rangers; the latter club is being recommended for the Fair Play Award. The Berbice Football A s s o c i a t i o n ( B FA ) i s currently exploring the possibility of running off a playoff among the top four teams; a decision would be taken shortly.
Saturday September 23, 2017
Kaieteur News
PAGE 35
GAPF RAW Nationals on next Sunday at Saints Stanislaus College
Tinesha Toney displaying her trophies form the 2016 RAW Nationals
Gymkhana, Horserace meet & Fun day set for East Bank tomorrow The Georgetown Turf Club will be holding a grand one-day Gymkhana, Horserace meet and Fun day at their Mocha Arcadia venue tomorrow, Sunday 24th September. Most of the country’s top J, K and H class horses will be in action with cash prizes and trophies up for grabs. The event begins at 13:00hrs sharp and according to one of the Georgetown Club
Turf club officials, Compton Sancho, there will be added attractions and games for the children. Fans and turfites will see the likes of Red Jet, Red Regent, Little Star, Born To Be True, Red Star, Lil’ Kevin, Gray Boy, Call She Royal, and Black Prince among others that have confirmed their participation in tomorrow’s event.
Strong men and women in the powerlifting arena will be out in their numbers to compete for national glory come next Sunday when the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation brings off its RAW National Championships. According to the federation, thirty (30) athletes inclusive of seven (7) females have already registered for what is anticipated to be a fiercely contested championship among the males and on the distaff side at the Saints Stanislaus College Auditorium, Brickdam.The core of the athletes expected to be on show are those who competed at the 16th Annual NAPF/FESUPO PanAmerican Powerlifting Championships; 15th Annual NAPF North American Regional P o w e r l i f t i n g Championships and 32nd Annual FESUPO South American Powerlifting
Championships in Orlando, Florida back in July. The likes of Carlos Peterson, Arif Immamdeen, Erwyn Smith, Romario Gonsalves, Demetri Chan,
Winston ‘Little Master’ Stoby and ‘Big’ John Edwards will headline the male battles while among the females, the young and exciting Teneisha Toney and
Britny Mack along with seasoned campaigners Andrea Smith and Nadina Taharally will be setting the pace among the female (Continued on page 25)
t r o Sp
GTT National Indoor Hockey Championships begins Monday P.26
Sonia Jardine in control for GCC ladies against Hikers
GCB/CGI 3-Day Franchise League
Aroydy Branford tries takes on Saints HC defence during last year’s competition
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18 wickets tumble on opening day to leave contest evenly poised
Darshan Persaud (4-30) has Raun Johnson caught behind by Corwin Austin at Cumberland yesterday. Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Limited, 24 Saffon St.Charlestown, Georgetown.Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/ 226-8210