Kaieteur News

PAGE 04

Kaieteur News

Tuesday September 26, 2017

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

EDITORIAL ECONOMIC IMPACT OF HARVEY AND IRMA Hurricane Harvey was a tragedy that could have considerable impact on both the economy of Texas and the broader US economy. It could also have material implications for both commodities and insurance markets. Early estimates have put the property damage at between US$80 billion and US$100 billion — between 0.4 percent and 0.6 percent of the US Gross Domestic Product (GDP). However, the rebuilding cost could actually be much larger. Harvey has caused a spike in gasoline prices and has boosted consumer prices by 0.3 percent. Whether there is a lasting impact on the US GDP would depend on the damage to infrastructure. The economic impact of hurricane Harvey which struck at the heart of the US energy facilities in Texas has been felt far and wide. Over one-third of the US refining capacity was affected by the hurricane and had to be shut down. This caused the partial closure of the Colonial pipe line which delivers gasoline and other petroleum products from Houston to the North Eastern states. As a result, gasoline prices increased by 30 cents per gallon in one week. Meanwhile, estimates for the damage caused by Harvey may take weeks before it is known. This is also true for the cost of residential insurance. But early indications are that many homeowners could bear a substantial portion of the insurance costs because they may not have had flood or storm damage insurance coverage. In short succession, Irma, a Category five hurricane and the most powerful Atlantic Ocean storm in recorded history, caused widespread destruction in several Caribbean Islands and Southern Florida, reducing buildings to rubble and leaving dozens of people dead. However, the full impact of hurricane Irma on the Caribbean is yet to be assessed. The small island of Barbuda is barely habitable with recovery efforts expecting to take years. Other Caribbean islands also severely impacted by Irma include Anguilla, St Kitts and Nevis, the British Virgin Islands, the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Bahamas, Haiti, Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Dutch and French dependencies. Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica have already pledged aid to some of the countries devastated by the hurricane. The Caribbean is one of the most vulnerable regions in the world to natural disasters. Intense hurricanes have cause damages that have wiped out several years of the islands Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Most of the islands are scrambling to put together the necessary resources to finance the recovery and reconstruction costs. Their limited budgetary capacity prevents them from establishing sufficient funds to absorb the cost of rebuilding. The impact of a hurricane on the islands is felt mostly in the destruction to buildings, agricultural crops, roads and tourism. Climate scientists believe that there is a connection between climate change and the intensity of hurricanes. They have found a strong correlation between the potential destructiveness of hurricanes and warmer sea surface temperature of above 26.5 degrees Celsius. Therefore, as the climate warms, and sea surface temperature increases, it is expected that the intensity of hurricanes will increase. There is a Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF), but it does not have sufficient funds to cover the costs to rebuild the islands devastated by Irma. The region should establish a catastrophe fund in which all the countries will contribute with assistance from international donors to finance the rebuilding of their infrastructure after a hurricane. The catastrophe could be a safety net for the Caribbean islands given their vulnerability to natural disasters. In the past, most of the islands had to borrow to rebuild their infrastructure destroyed by hurricanes. Grenada which was devastated by hurricane Ivan in 2004 costing over US$800 million in damage is a case in point.

The fact to be faced is that the sugar industry is gone Dear Editor, Letter writers should know that resorting to personal attacks on me will never suffice in any argument-the ad hominem fallacy is as old as mankind itself. We must address and attack issues not personalities or whether I have been the author of my l e t t e r s . M a n y parliamentarians, ministers and Presidents have their speech written for them but in the final analysis the speech is attributed to them. Is the GAWU General Secretary, Mr S. Narine writing his own letters, I hardly think so, but I never questioned his letters on that basis, I questioned the factuality of his statements contained therein. These writers need to be aware that ‘red herring’ and ad hominem fallacies do not win an argument though it may appeal to the more gullible readers. They should provide facts against the propositions on the issues which I have argued for in my letters. They never argue on all aspect of the subject matter, if they talk about increased production they are omitting increased costs and losses during the PPP era. They never seem able to make an all-round assessment and analysis. They are only interested in that the Government should not close or privatize and that it must continue to subsidize. However, Mr Narine himself admitted in his letter to the press wherein he stated that, ‘…our Union accepts the fact that the Government cannot support the sugar

industry ad infinitum’. They also seem bent on confusing the issues of privatization, diversification and closure. I have stressed in all my letters that I support the privatization of the industry not closure or diversification of Guysuco. I have provided ample reasons why it should be privatized and have stressed the fact that the labor turnout being at just over 50% will not warrant the laying off of the majority of workers as being currently peddled. In fact the same or more workers will be needed. At this time Rose Hall workers are not being laid off, Albion needs more workers and so does Skeldon Estate. In his letter, Mr Narine and Mr Sookram Persaud always stressed that I am ‘not au fait with the industry, its challenges and solutions to make it into a viable industry’. I must seriously r e m i n d t h e s e ‘knowledgeable sugar men’, that they had 23 years to change the fate of GUYSUCO and they have miserably failed and the Skeldon Estate which supposed to be producing 110,000 tons of sugar per annum became the millstone around the neck of Guysuco. Jagdeo’s Skeldon Modernisation Project ‘vampirized’ the entire sugar industry. What solutions are Mr Narine now proposing? Did he not give these proposals to the PPP while they were 23 years in Government? Is it to be understood that now he and his Union has all the solutions? There was too much

‘political’ flavor in the sugar and it became too bitter. This Government needs to move away from this type of behaviour and adhere to the findings of the COI. No amount of subsidy will ever bring the shattered Guysuco out of ‘black hole’ it currently is in. This reminds me of the last line of ‘Humpty Dumpty’ –”All the King’s horses and all the King’s men, couldn’t put Humpty together again”. No Government with all its resources can put Guysuco together again-it is time to privatize. I wish to quote what I said in one of my letters, ’There has been an increasing decline in production and productivity and this was reflected in the increasing losses from $2.3 billion in 2009 to over $16 billion per annum in 2016. This has forced this and previous governments to inject billions of tax dollars with no solution in sight, (more than $60 billion to date including $32 billion by this Government). But the opportunity costs forbid such subsidies.’ These subsidies can be more beneficially used to further economic development in depressed areas in the country. Knowing that the Sugar Industry depends on bailouts from the Government, GAWU keeps on agitating for increased wages pushing it from $14.5 billion in 2010 to over $20 billion currently. Can Guysuco continue to increase wages when labor is more than 65% of total costs of production? Yet this is

exactly what the Union is agitating for, creating more hardships for the Industry. Harping about election promises about 20% wage increase for sugar workers is utter rubbish. Nowhere in the APNU/AFC manifesto have I seen this. Circular reasoning will not help the industry. We cannot start with the wrong premise that workers will lose their jobs if the Industry is privatized. Privatization will make the industry efficient and profitable and once this is achieved then workers’ wages and working conditions will improve. I could recall that in the days before nationalization workers used to be paid profit sharing as well as other incentives by Bookers Limited. It was the nationalization of the industry which paved the way for the decline of the industry-corruption, theft, cronyism, squandermania, lack of capitalization in addition to the harsh sugar levy (implemented in 1974) which the PPP held on to until 2002. If the Industry was not nationalized, what would have been its fate today? Would Bookers have closed it down? I doubt it. But the sugar levy forced the nationalization process. The politicians wanted total control but failed to keep the ‘milking cow’, in good and healthy shape. I wish to stress that privatization is the only solution to Guysuco’s problems. Do we want to try all the failed solutions all over again? Gobin Harbhajan Regional Democratic Councilor, APNU+AFC

IN THE ABSENCE OF ANYTHING INNOVATIVE, THE PPP OFFERS LIES Dear Editor, Harry Gill announces that the PPP left a vibrant economy to the APNU-AFC Alliance, in his letter Sept, 11 Kaieteur News, I am not in any Office of the Government, but I live in Guyana, longer than Harry Gill has. The economy is reflected in the earnings, social environment and safety of the people. Guyana from British Guiana to 2017 has not had a vibrant economy in the idealistic definition, but we can measure achievements through Governance that has taken us from the colonial stratification of political, economic and cultural dependence to a realization of awakening to our own environment and to its opportunities. What was the

PPP’s contribution in those formative pre Independence years? The PPP came in power in 1992; by the end of 1993 they had a 10 percent Minister, another one that made a ship load of petroleum products disappear and by December 2008, the PPP’s Public Service Minister Dr. Jennifer Westford was telling public servants to “spend wisely because government is in no position to offer year end payout” and that was 16 years after coming into power. Roger Khan of the ‘Troubled-Jagdeo years’ often boasted of paying the Police salary. The PPP did not create a vibrant economy it criminalised the nation, encouraged lawlessness and we have recently witnessed

in 2017, they criminalised the police force with irregular and illegal customs of practice, creating alternative criminal authority gangs linked to PPP Big-Wigs that the Police became subjective to. From the pinnacle of its leadership, in what era of the management of this country could a comparison be made that equals what was done at NBS? The lives of managers Maurice Arjoon, Kent Vincent and Baldeo were turned upside down by a conspiracy of lies. Normalcy, their health and balance callously dashed aside to facilitate Jagdeo breaking the financial laws. Supporters of both APNUAFC are angered today as to why both Jagdeo and Gopaul are not in prison?

In 2011 the AFC ad reflected the accusation that the PPP were making Civil Contractors of party supporters fishermen, that evidence has become manifest with the consistent collapsed houses across the country, with casualties emerging out of some, and the 2005 floods caused by incompetence posing as efficiency. What vibrant economy destroys public procedures and wellbeing, that a Minister of Health could respond to the fact that more than two thirds of nurses failed their tests, with the directive to let them into the system “They will learn on the job” at the cost of human lives? We had no vibrant economy under the PPP; we (Continued on page 05)

Tuesday September 26, 2017

PAGE 5

Kaieteur News

I stress compliance with rather than reform of the Constitution violations that occurred under successive PPP/C governments when he sat in its upper echelons and served as Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs. The cycle of disrespecting the constitution as perpetuated by the PPP/C and APNU+AFC must stop for it has done this nation grave disservice and its people tremendous harm. It is way past time this instrument becomes part of our formal education curriculum. The country may have lost a generation or two for respecting the legal foundation that gives meaning to our existence due to petty political partisanship and ignorance. But it is not too late to insulate the younger and coming generation from such travesty. Note is taken that Nandlall in addressing the forum made it clear that the views he expressed were his own and not

that of the PPP/C. This relatively young man is urged to have similar conversations with his party leadership and also among its supporters and members at its bottom house and public meetings. I don’t know if being in the Opposition has allowed him the time or impressed upon him the importance of understanding this instrument, but I do know his focus adds to the importance of securing knowledge and bringing about public education and awareness. It is foolhardy to change what is not known, understood, or given a chance to work and this is the dilemma the nation faces in the calls for constitutional reform. At the same time the constitution allows the Opposition to assert itself in the National Assembly (Article 171) and Nandlall as shadow minister for Legal Affairs can lead the charge in bringing Bill(s) to

give meaning to the political system that outlines the principal objective the Guyanese society must pursue as one of “inclusionary democracy” (Article 13). We can start looking at the composition of state boards, where the stakeholders are included and a portion set aside for the political parties based on seat representation in the National Assembly, the nation’s highest decision-making and most representative forum. At the Local Democratic Organs, the regional, towns and neighbourhood democratic councils can have their devolution of power as required by the Constitution (Article75) by moving to bring bills to secure their autonomy. The nation has the

IN THE ABSENCE OF ANYTHING INNOVATIVE...

Dear Editor, The term ‘caucus’ has now taken a derogatory connotation, thanks to the People’s Progressive Party, and this perversion is here to stay, sadly so. In the days of yore, this term has evolved to mean a face to face meeting of political party members in any community for the purpose of discussing and promoting the affairs of that particular party and the discussions there from are not only advisory but binding as well. What has now happened is the fact that the PPP, since May 2015 has been using this forum to frustrate the work of the Regional Democratic Councils and the Neighborhood Democratic Councils and to direct these statutory bodies what they must do or cannot do. This was unheard of before May 2015 because the PPP was in Government and saw no need to work against itself. In his letter Mr Harbhajan strongly refuted the claims of the Opposition Leader that PPP/C Council-

Dear Editor: Having read the article “Constitutional compliance needed, not reform-Nandlall” (SN 22nd September, 2017) I must say there is full agreement with the views expressed by PPP/C Member of Parliament Anil Nandlall. Nandlall on matters of the Guyana Constitution continues to impress, surprise, and disappoint me. He is correct in pointing out conversations for reforming the constitution are not driven by understanding of the instrument and also influenced by foreign forces who themselves have not taken the time to read and understand this document. The instances he citied where the current administration is flagrantly disregarding the constitution are too correct. And as he correctly points out the APNU+AFC’s violations he ignores reminding the nation of the wanton

(From page 04) had a nation that descended into all out lawlessness, that depended on remittances from Suriname, Trinidad, North America, Antigua, Venezuela, the UK, Canada etc. Except for Canada, all those countries have become ‘economically tight’ some more that others... most of our opinions from the Business sector on our economy lack a holistic view, and seem to evolve from a perspective from the depth of their own coffers. New factors have to be taken into consideration, AThat over the past 10 years possibly over 100 thousand Guyanese have applied and received US visitor visas, It’s significant, there is an idea in many Guyanese that one can with smart purchases overseas remake passages invested, with a profit, true, I did some of that in the late 1990’s but we were a few travelling then, in some cases you barely cleared, and we did not shop where the new breed is shopping. Let’s do the math. Say 10,000 people travelled to the US, at the minimal cost of ticket + travelling money, of $300,000.00 per person, that would be a sum of $300,000,000 G$ off the grass

root economy. Look around at the clothes, fragrance & tin stuff stands with Barrel stocks all across the country, and you would recognise a glut of such goods and good bye to much needed remittances, while with decrease sales to boutiques and stores etc. those tickets in less than 1% involved further education courses in the US. We don’t even benefit from the airfares, because we have no National carrier, and every Bookkeeper will agree that the absence of such finances will reflect further than I’ve indicated. B- In my article at GNNL I have repeated the loss of jobs to modernization. I repeat it again, from the 1900’s onward blue collar Georgetown was supported by waterfront jobs from La Penitence to the GRB, in the late 1970’s there were no less than a thousand souls employed per shift, in a two shift, sometimes, as with GRB with an around the clock system. The stevedore embodied a formidable earning category. Except for GRB that was destroyed by political arson, the other jobs were lost to modernisation in merchant shipping, the Stevedore is now history. These Jobs were never replaced. Lack of imagination

and any innovative thinking has become a trademark of MP Gill and his colleagues, I will conclude by reminding Gill of the PPP State’s sponsored pirating of text books [ still happening] on more than one occasion parents I knew innocently asked whether books didn’t carry the Index any more, on enquiring why the index was left out from one Pirate printer, he looked at me as if I was crazy and asked “Deh got de book, wuh deh need dem back pages fuh?” So much for your vibrant PPP economy, based on what, giving away our resources for drawbacks, how do you give away 82% of your forest lands, and promise your fishing waters, is this your vibrant economy MP Gill?. Recently a Caribbean group held a workshop here, directed at young start-up b u s i n e s s e s , I was at the work-shop though I realised that their investors were not keen on venture capital for mature pioneering businesses, the fact is, look around, the future businesses of Guyana may very well be owned by Caribbean and other overseas investors willing to work with our innovative/creative people at some reciprocal level, keep it real. Barrington Braithwaite

benefit of such a bill languishing somewhere in the Assembly that was brought by then PNC Minister of Regional Development Jeffry Thomas in the 1990s. Though it never reached full debate it could serve as a guide in moving the process forward. As a trade unionist I remain mindful of the continuous violation of the protected fundamental rights and freedoms of all Guyanese (Title 1) and the exclusion of the trade union in playing a meaningful role in the management and decision-making processes of the State as expressly outlined in Article 149C. This is one of the protected rights and freedoms that continues to be denied Nandlall is on to something right at this time and can

be seen as an ally in the crusade to bring about respect for and the upholding of the Constitution. He is being urged to put his political muscles behind his presentation at a national scale. Note is also taken of Gail Teixeira having to remind Minster Raphael Trotman of the importance of consultation in moving ahead with constitutional reform. The constitution requires the involvement of individuals and groups on matters that impact their wellbeing (Article 13); the report by representative of the United Nations who came to advise on moving forward with reform made such known to the government, though in diplomatic language, and it must be respected. Lincoln Lewis

Evidence of the PPP’s sabotage of the NDC system in Berbice ors are uncooperative and that they have valid reasons for not participating in certain events. This knowledgeable gentleman spoke about these caucuses which serve to give political direction to these RDCs and NDCs on what to do or not to do, what to say or not to say. It is political suicide for Councilors cannot go against these instructions. These councilors cannot think independently, therefore their contributions are just limited to towing the PPP line. This is quite contrary to what is claimed by the PPP that these councilors have ‘opinions’ of their own. At a recent caucus held with the # 52-74 NDC by the PPP at Freedom House branch at # 63 Village on Tuesday 18th September, the Regional Vice Chairman Mr Dennis Deroop demonstrated that this caucus is paramount to the RDC and the NDC. At this caucus, a decision was made by the NDC to use the Superintended of Works to operate the NDC Tractor since it is difficult to find operators who are willing to

accept $3,000 per day and also the tractor is not needed at all times because of the nature of the work. This person agrees to work for a stipend of $15,000 per month which is a good bargain for the NDC. However, the PPP does not seem to think so. The Regional Vice Chairman who heads this caucus called the Superintended of Works and rescinded the NDC’s decision on the spot. He was told not to operate the tractor ‘with immediate effect’. Who is this man to go against such a decision and make a legitimate NDC’s decision null and void? What will Mr Anil Nandlall have to say to this? We know that Nandlall always seek to correct ‘illegalities’ committed by this Government. This is not only illegal and vexatious. This is ‘party paramountcy.’ This is barefacedness. This is hypocritical. The Regional Vice Chairman and the PPP need to understand that they cannot and should not interfere in the (Continued on page 06)

PAGE 6

Kaieteur News

Tuesday September 26, 2017

The Local Government Service Commission

Dear Editor, The establishment of this Commission has suddenly become topical in recent months. Suddenly, when one considers that its existence was provided for in Cap 28.01 – Municipal and District Councils Act which was promulgated in 1969. See Section 97. (1) There shall be a local Government Service Commission consisting of a chairman, a deputy chairman and three other members; and the Commission shall have such functions as are

vested in it by this Act and any other law. (2) In the exercise of its functions, the Commission shall not be subject to the direction or control of any authority. More conveniently than otherwise the Commission was never brought to life, and certainly was never discussed at any public forum in some twenty-five years previously. So at this juncture, it may just be helpful for citizens to know of the critical importance of appointment of a highly professional Commission, whose membership

individually and collectively must be capable of discharging the following tasks with the credibility that will be so desperately needed in the current confused, capricious and contentious environment in which Mayor & City Council of Georgetown operates. Section 114 of the Act seen reads as follows: 114. The Commission may, with the approval of the President, make (17 of rules to provide for all matters incidental to the exercise of its functions under this Part and without prejudice

It is difficult to make police reports Dear Editor It is easy to be angry at the villagers who had heard about the men who killed Leonard Archibald. From the various accounts, it seems reports had been made to the police station. The police, as expected, have no record of any report. It is difficult to make police reports. There are conflicting issues in Guyana about crime statistics, and it seems that the reduced crime figures are probably correlated to citizens refusing to undergo the frustration of dealing with the police. Children will probably not want to approach police. The police themselves seem to be in their own turmoil. Are communities then supposed to exact some kind of vigilante justice when the

police are not serious? What are children and other citizens to expect when they want to make a report to the Childcare and Protection Agency, or the police? How are hospitals supposed to respond when they suspect children have been abused? Who follows up when ‘money’ settles matters? Who is going to ensure healing for the survivors of abuse? What happens to officials who fail in their duty of care? There are no answers in any of the calls of ‘community should do more to protect’ especially if the State has a responsibility to children. The PPP and the National Assembly did nothing to formally resolve the allegations of child sexual abuse which were made against Kwame McKoy. He was the nominee

of the then Minister Priya Manickchand to the Rights of the Child Commission. Another Minister Volda Lawrence faced calls for her resignation after she did nothing to see independent and formal resolution of the allegations of child sexual abuse against h e r c o l l e a g u e , Councillor Wi n s t o n Harding. The politicians held their course. What will the political parties who have dismissed allegations of child abuse do differently now? What will the police and the CPA do differently now? What will the Ministry of Education do differently now as their teachers can still beat children who might also be dealing with other forms of abuse ? Yours sincerely Vidyaratha Kissoon

Evidence of the PPP’s sabotage... (From page 05) running of the NDCs or RDCs. A decision made by the NDC should go back to the NDC for any change or amendment. Even the Chairman and the Overseer of the NDC cannot upturn a decision of the Council made at its statutory meeting. Then to make it worse only 5 of the 18 councilors were at the caucus. The majority knows fully well the political dictates which these caucuses produce. How can a caucus decision by the PPP warrant an on-thespot revocation of an NDC decision? The PPP has no moral grounds to lecture to

this Government about the efficacy of local government systems and how they can operate for the betterment of the communities and the Regions, they have failed during their 23 year in power and are failing again as an opposition. They run down the regions and the NDCs and are not trying to assist their cause now. I am an independent councilor of the 52-74 NDC and there are many more pressing concerns affecting the NDC yet these are never discussed or resolved at the caucuses held. For instance, the NDC has been without an excavator for the past 8 months and

if it was not for the intervention of Mr Harbhajan, then we would have been more severely affected by the recent floods. But now that machine is gone and the NDC still have works to complete but Messrs Deroop, Zulfikar Mutapha and Zamal Hussain (three stooges?) can only interfere to rescind the decision of the NDC to use the Superintendent of Works as a part-time tractor operator- a decision which is beneficial to the NDC. This is how the caucus is usedRaj Lakhram # 52-74 NDC Councilor Vice Chairman Works Committee

to the generality of the foregoing such rules may prescribe or provide for – (a) the regulation of the procedure of the Commission; (b) the recruitment, appointment and promotion of local government officers whose emoluments exceed eighteen thousand dollars per year; (c) offences against discipline and penalties therefor; (d) interdiction and suspension; (e) disciplinary procedure; (f) removal from office for offences against discipline or in the interest of local government; (g) the time and manner of making appeals under section121. It is in the light of this critically important human resource management and development undertaking that the skills and competencies of those selected to membership of the Commission must be clearly relevant. So that when Section 98 specifies as follows: The members of the Commission shall be appointed by the members. President from amongst such persons as appear to him to be suitably qualified; and the President shall appoint one of its numbers to be

chairman and another to be deputy chairman. The implication must be that the President should be advised as to who is suitably qualified. What is certain is that Section 99 disqualifies: - any member of the National Assembly - any councilor - any local government officer What is heartening is that Clause 103 of the Act provides that, after due inquiry, the President can remove a member of the Commission from office for inability to perform the functions of his office (whether arising from infirmity of body or mind or any other cause whatever) or for misbehaviour. Suspension from office is also applicable on the aforementioned grounds. What, in these days, might appear to be a novel requirement, is the submission not later than the 1st day of March every year…. ‘to the Minister a report on its work during the preceding year; and the report shall, as soon as conveniently may be thereafter, be laid before the National Assembly’. It is for debate however, whether this monitoring and decision-making construct, designed more than four decades ago, is appropriate to these times; whether the authoritarian environment in

which the Commission must operate would not constrict the range of analytical decision-making that must reconcile with the wider scope allowed not only in other more recent legal provisions, but also conform to acceptable international norms and procedures of the day. So that it is reasonable to entertain considerable reservations when as in Section 111 “The President may appoint a secretary to the Commission and such other stuff as may be necessary or desirable….” This, to the very Commission that is said to be empowered to recruit, appoint and promote local government officers. A further anachronism is observed in Section 114 which insists again that ‘The Commission may, with the approval of The President make rules for all matters incidental to exercise of its functions….” as already mentioned. Where then is the relevant human resources management expertise to be found in that ‘Office’, that would be superior to that of the respective Commissioners. By now one can understand why the appointment of this Commission has been so long delayed. Its conception is much too outdated, indeed reflective of much of what is contained in the 483 pages of Chapter 28:01. E.B. John

Glad that Govt. is relooking at the status of school cleaners Dear Editor, We have seen and heard very much concerning the plight of the nation’s sweeper/ cleaners. However the true picture of events has not been told. What we have witnessed is the unfolding of a tale that it’s only wages and salaries that have mattered. It goes much deeper than this. We have failed to look carefully at the many and varied tasks that these persons perform as a part of their daily routine. This is a job that many detractors and others know very little about. It is high time that the administration looks deeply in to what is required of these persons on a daily basis. Among

their duties is the care of the children in the schools. They are the front line staff who must interface with irate parents, attend to the biological emergencies of the younger children, and pay attention and to serve on a timely basis any structural defects of the building in order to prevent disaster. When children are taken ill or are injured on the premises it is they who invariably have to take the children for medical attention. Teachers do not quite like being involved in such tasks. The treatment meted out to sweeper/cleaners dates back to colonial times when the management of schools was much different. Teachers

then took on quite a lot of extracurricular activities. Theirs was an exhausting task. Nowadays the times have changed and our teachers do not perform many of those tasks. These are left to the sweeper/cleaners. Our caring government should explore the possibility of having this category of staff placed on the fixed establishment where their superannuation benefits would be assured. The tasks performed are no longer menial and have expanded over the years. I am thankful that the government has relooked their situation and their lot as recently announced. Cyril Walker

Tuesday September 26, 2017

Kaieteur News

How long will Guyana remain a basket case?

The international community must be wary of Guyana. Ever since 1989, the international community has been engaged in promoting economic liberalism, democracy, good governance and stability. The international community must be credited with success in terms of the first two goals which are in keeping with the political and economic model which they wish to perpetuate in countries moving from statecentric political and economic systems. However in terms of good governance and stability, the West must be disappointed that their efforts have not worked as they would have wished. The West had assumed that what worked in developed societies would have worked here. It had diagnosed, quite correctly, that national institutions were weak in two regards. They needed to be improved and made modern, and second,

the necessary skills to make them function were lacking. This diagnosis informed two sets of policy responses: firstly, was the need to recapitalize and improve systems within national institutions. This process is what they termed institutional strengthening. The second process was the need to attract and retain the skills necessary for the effective functioning of the machinery of administration. This process was known as capacity-building. The diagnosis was right but the West misread the situation and assumed that it would have been easy to simply transplant these processes into developing countries which did not have a culture of strong and stable national institutions. It was like building on shifting sands. It has not worked because in small societies there are other things that intervene and loosen the very foundations

of sturdiness upon which solid institutions are needed. This is why despite the legislative and institutional reforms, despite the millions that were poured into project aimed at creating workable ministries and departments, good governance remains elusive. But it is in the political realm that the West has had its greatest failures in Guyana. Elections are crucial to the model of democracy that the West wishes to support its neo-liberal policies in Guyana. And elections in Guyana have come with a huge price tag for the West. Billions has to be spent each year by the West to keep the election machinery intact. In no other part of the world is the donor community required to plug so much resources into the holding of free and fair elections. Considering the size of the population, it must be frustrating to the West that each time there is an election,

Dem boys seh ...

Exxon come wid Jagdeo line Exxon playing wid people head. De Waterfalls paper expose some of de nasty thing dem do around de world wid dem country that invite dem to look fuh oil. To date dem reading de criticism and de exposure but dem ain’t saying nutten. Dem ain’t even got de courage to hold a press conference. Soulja Bai and that scamp Jagdeo silent too. De silence wid dem is wha bothering de whole country. Is every day dem boys getting hundreds of telephone calls asking, “Why de silence?” Why Exxon ain’t coming out and saying nutten? Well, dem boys notice dem talking sly, sly like slippery ochro through ads in de newspapers.

Dem boys want to believe is Jagdeo, that scamp, teach dem or dem copy from him when he was president. He never use to talk about any scampish and conniving thing he did. When he get ketch, he and Brassington use to find two excuses—confidentiality clause and job creation fuh plenty Guyanese. Dem boys saw no Guyanese wuk pun de Marriott. Even de fence, Chinese build. De inflated airport wha under construction now hardly got any Guyanese wukking there. If you think dem boys telling lie, go see fuh youself. Now Exxon come wid de same job creation line. Dem seh dem hire 70 per cent of

Guyanese in dem Georgetown office. Dem got de low end jobs and getting de low end pay. Dem boys find out that de Guyanese is de security guards, de cleaners, de office assistants, de bell boy, and gyal, couple low end clerks and two telephone operator. Dem also employ couple coffee makers. Dem barely getting more that de minimum wage. De 30 per cent got all de high end jobs and getting all de high end pay. De Guyanese getting pay in Guyana dollar and de foreign, high end people getting pay in Uncle Sam dollars. Talk half and wait to see wha de next ad gun seh.

there is always a range of contentious issues and settling these issues requires the West to dole out billions of local dollars to support the electoral process. And still by the time the next election comes around, there are a number of issues which have to be addressed in order to have elections which would not lead to political protests and instability. The West has made a huge investment in Guyana. And its patience must be stretched then by its constant engagement in issues which ought to have been settled by now. The West has also plugged billions of dollars in constitutional and parliamentary reforms; it has supported the stakeholders’ process and the various political engagements aimed at creating stability and cohesion in Guyana. And yet every few years a new round of reforms has to be funded. Like the problems of Guyana, the solutions have no ending. What must have most disappointed the West, however, must have been its failure to animate local civil society, something that is seen as critical to offset the dominant role of political parties and an effective

vehicle to conceal the interests of the bourgeoisie class. Civil society has remained leashed to the existing interests within society. It has found neither a voice nor a vessel through which it can emerge, and so long as it remains in this state of embryonic growth, the neoliberal model will remain underdeveloped in Guyana. Yet there is a solution to both the problem of civil society development and good governance. The views of civil society are not being heard and recognised because there is no vehicle for them to air their concerns. At the same time, the government remains unresponsive to the wider concerns of society and does very much as it pleases, knowing that it does not need to hold itself accountable for its actions. What we lack in Guyana are credible and regular opinion polls. If we had these polls then the government would have been hard pressed to ignore the concerns of the wider society. A great many things that are happening would not be happening had there been credible opinion polls gauging and measuring the reaction of the public.

PAGE 9

What Guyana needs to animate the voice of civil society and help improve good governance is for funding for a credible local polling organisation, one that is independent of the political parties and the government. This organisation would help the policymakers have a better understanding as to how exactly the people feel and give popularity ratings not only of the various political actors but also of policies. It would allow civil society a voice and encourage persons and organisations to take a more active stand on issues in Guyana, knowing that the acceptance of those positions can be measured by the pollsters. Before the ABC countries wash their hands of Guyana and deem their investments in the political and economic realms a failure, they should give serious thought to funding a credible polling organisation in Guyana so that the public voice can be heard, not through the filters of the political parties but through the opinions of the people themselves as captured by the polling organisation.

PAGE 10

Tuesday September 26, 2017

Kaieteur News

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

I’ve made up my mind about David Granger There is no question in my mind; David Granger is going to end his first term without any serious confrontation with at least one of the many Sisyphean stumbling blocks that impede our progress to development and which have eluded most previous presidents. There is no question in my mind that David Granger is not the politician that is going to transform this country’s troubled sociology, weak economy and dispirited political culture. I believe he is going to

end his first term without even the remotest of suspicions of financial wrong-doing. His approach to money is beyond reproach. He is not a corrupt politician; he is financially honest. But I don’t think he is politically straightforward. It may be too harsh to say he is politically dishonest but if that is said about him I don’t think it would be completely untrue. There are three incidents by which I have judged David Granger. There are others but for me these three stand out

of which one is personal. If it is personal, then I am writing about the way I feel because I was involved. Before I elaborate on the three negatives, I should clear the air by asserting my position on the June 2015 back-pay. I will not blame him for that. It is possible the APNU+AFC teamed up on that conspiracy and he felt that it was a decision of 99 percent of his Coalition partners so strategically he could not have abrogated the increase. Of the three I will begin

with his approach to the words, “and any other fit and proper person.” What he did there was a serious retrograde step that has tremendous negative consequences for the consolidation of constitutional accountability by the presidency. If Mr. Granger can reject one of the simplest meanings of some words in the constitution, then there is no guarantee that Mr. Granger will uphold constitutional delineations. Even when the Chief Justice promulgated the meaning of those words, he responded by saying that it’s her interpretation. That reaction in itself is a rejection of the acceptance that judges’ pronouncements have to be obeyed whether from the first stage of High Court up to the CCJ. If a judge ruled that all road signs must be light in colour and pink is not a light colour, if the decision is upheld by the final court of appeal, then the country must accept that pink cannot be used on signs. The second error was his approach to the WPA. It did not look good for one of your

partners in government telling the nation the president did not consult them on two issues and the president saying he did. I am referring to the selection and removal of Dr. Roopnaraine as Education Minister. Strategy should have compelled Mr. Granger to act

Frederick Kissoon differently because the thinking naturally to come out of the AFC is if he can treat the WPA like that, why he wouldn’t do the same to us; after all the WPA was a priceless role in the formation of APNU. I think on both of these misdirected pathways, Mr. Granger did not care about the political fallout. Finally, the personal one which has left the bitter taste of chagrin in my mouth because I feel Mr. Granger was personally insulting to me. His refusal to even deal

with the issue in a subtle and diplomatic way tells me a lot about the politics of this man. I have referred to this impasse several times in my columns. I am not promising this entry here will be the last. I expect Mr. Granger to address the situation of his accusatory press release against me. At an official AFC press conference, Raphael Trotman was taped telling the media that Mr. Granger, personally, in his capacity as President, appointed three ministers on his own outside of the stipulations of the Cummingsburg Accord. Mr. Trotman was unambiguous in his semantic descriptions. Trotman said all three choices came from within the hierarchy of the AFC without the AFC’s input. He named the President’s son-in-law as one. Mr. Trotman is on tape telling the media; “We are the three extras.” Any commentator would have picked up on that revelation. I did. The Office of the President reacted by issuing a press release accusing me of creating mischief in the relevant column and completely leaving out any mention of Trotman. I think that was deliberate and dishonest. All I did was to transmit to my column the words of Trotman. It was reckless to accuse me of mischief because some lunatic supporter of Mr. Granger could have harmed me.

Tuesday September 26, 2017

Kaieteur News

PAGE 21

PAGE 22

Tuesday September 26, 2017

Kaieteur News

No commissioners threatened to be...

SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyanapassport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 6267040; 265-4535. INNOVATIVEMARKETING& PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Passport, permanent & visitor visa application, Professional Immigration Consultant – Sabita Immigration Services. Call: 225-6496/ 662-6045 Producers of uniforms for office & factory, male & female clothing, formal gowns also. Lezon’s 97 Hadfield St. Call: 225-5948, 644-4398 Eagle’s: Re-gas –low prices, washing machine repairs, gas stove, plasma flat Screen, computer repairs & more. Call: 697-2969/646-0966

WANTED We’re buying land/property in Eccles Area 50’x100'.Call:592-2701885 or 592-668-1102. Going and coming, and live in waitress- Call: 666-4647, 643-9007 1 live in babysitter- Call: 680-1282 Bartender & waitress @ 50/ 50 Sports Bar. V/Hoop- Ally 622-5587 Live in waitress to work in bar. Call: 604-6606/ 692-4649

PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL:656-0087,6435122 ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM

LEARN TO DRIVE C. Persaud & N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman & Sons Driving School @ Maraj Building- Call: 644-5166; 6222872; 615-0964; 689-5997 (affordable packages).

Cook/ Baker for interior. Applicants must be experienced. Call: 6182020

236B caterpillar skid steer loader $3.9M,1-Cement Mixer Truck $3.5M, 1Honda S2000 Convertible Sport car $3M Contact #650-0402\603-1402

Vacancies exists for one dedicated Grade six teacher, 4th & 5th form Business teacher. Call: 264-3176, 6687705 One experienced legal computer clerk. Call: 624-7087/ 226-4283/258-0213/ email: husainsaphier@yahoo.com Immediate vacancy exists for one male security to work nights only at Meadowbank- Call: 2311408 between 8am-1pm

Urgently needed couple to work on farm from country area- Tel: 231-1408 between 8am to 1pm 1 Able bodied male- Tel: 2312029, 219-4533, 616-5954 Night Security Guards to work at Ogle, E.C.D location. Call 629/3141 Labourer to work men and women in cabbage farm. Experience needed- Call: 6956139, 674-5052

1 Male to look after layer birds in the Interior- Call: 665-3421 1 Experience driver to work in Interior. Must have license for Car/van/canter- Tel: 665-3421 Jet and marack men to work in Interior- Call between 8:305:00pm. Tel: 672-3359 Only experience garbage truck drivers for Mack trucks &Labourers, only serious persons need to apply- Call: 670-7920 We are buyimg land in Farm, Covent Garden, Herstelling, Providence, Eccles, Zeelugt, ParfaiteHarmonie- Tel:6560701, 651-1969

3 bedroom 1 flat house @ Blankenburg $11 M ( $3M downpayment) also house lots available contact #6500402\603-1402 Foxtail, Supari, Royal Palm @ $1,000. Ficus & Exora 4 for $1,000. Organic potting soil. Crotoons- Tel: 626-1044 Computers, office chairs, display racks, mannequins, supermarket carts, supermarket counters, freezers and chillers- Call: 6013395 2 Used 6BT Cummins Engine - $900,000 each, 1 Used CT Cummins Engine - $1,250,000. Prices are negotiable.Call 626/ 8698, 222-1730

VEHICLE FOR SALE Allion, Primo, Fielder Wagon, Spacio, Bluebird, 212 Carina, NZE, Honda CRV, Toyota IST, RZ & Pitbull – Call: 650-7501 Toyota Allion: AC,TV, alarm, magrims, reverse camera. In excellent condition $1.7MCall: 639-2490 1- E200 Kompressor Mercedes Benz, 1- 1990 Nissan Pathfinder- Call: 6651154 Mercedes Benz 2009 C200. Immaculate Condition- Call 616-5933 One black 4 door Raptor for sale 2013 year- Call: 670-7920 PROPERTY FOR SALE Kastev, Meeten Meer Zorg, W.C.D: 3 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, verandah overlooking Atlantic ocean. Owner migrating -$36M, negotiable.Call:676-7974/615-0173 Transported property @ Grove/Diamond , 3 bedrooms, 1 selfcontained, concrete fenceCall: 660-1353, 216-4338

Aluminum windows & doors at the best prices. Chenfeng Aluminum @ Lot 11 Public road Eccles, EBDCall: 696-8688, 682-8378 1 Queen size spring filled mattress & bed, 1 double door upright sankey cooler, 1 upright parker cooler, tables & chairs (snackette)Call: 690-4300 TO LET FURNISHED TWO B E D R O O M S APARTMENT,o SHORT/ LONG TERM. CALL: 2227891/ 609-9202 1 Flat two bedrooms concrete house fully grilled & over-head tank at samatta Point Grove, EBDCall: 621-0090 One single room top flat in Parfaite Harmony, W.B.D $22,000- Tel: 694-7817

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

3- Bedrooms flat house @ Blankenburg $10.9M , $2.9M Down payment, $64,000 monthly installment Also house lots available $2.9MContact# 650-0402/ 603-1402

FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Property for rent - 2 storey house at Republic Park, E.B.D$1200US. Call 647-1773 1- Two bedrooms apartment located @ Little Diamond, public road, E.B.D- Call: 679-3213, 265-3979 3 Bedrooms semi- furnished apartment at 59 William St. Campbellville- Call: 6464425,681-6708 Bakery for rent at 26 New street Sparendaam, ECDCall: 623-9615, 694-3318 Apartment for rent at Parfaite Harmonie- Call: 617-6319 One bedroom apartment $30,000 monthly, light and water included- Call: 698-1833

Parking lot to rent, size 150ft x80ft. Ideal for auto sale, taxi service etcTel:601-3395

Big business or residential property @ Friendship road top E.B.D. $13.7M cash onlyCall: 681-1312

HEALTH Prostate Cancer, Heart Disease, Gall & Kidney Stones,Menstrual Disorders Etc. Are Cured By H e r b a l R e m e d i e s . Tel:676-5924, 611-5586

FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.

Drivers, dispatchers, contract car- Tel:231-0002, 231-0316, 219-4087, 219-4086

1 Driver for Eccles office- Call: 614-4358 CAR RENTAL DOLLY’SCARRENTAL-CALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM

VACANCY Experienced s a l e s m a n , generaldomestic , p o r t e r . Apply with hand written application & recommendation @ Keyfood, McDoom Village.

From page 17 rules barring commissioners from speaking to the press. “The Commission has crafted no rule that states that commissioners cannot speak to the press. It should be noted that, at a very early stage of the life of this very new commission, it was recognised that, unlike what obtains for commissions such as the Judicial Service Commission and the Public Service Commission, the Constitution does not have a list of rules that pertain to the functioning of the Public Procurement Commission.” PPC pointed out that Article 226 (2) of the Constitution states, however, that “subject to affirmative resolution of the National Assembly, a commission shall make rules relating to the procedure of

TAXI SERVICE G R TA X I S E RV I C E . CALL: 219-5000; 2271982 & 225-7878 (24HRS)

LAND FOR SALE Parfaite Harmonie $1.5M, Tuschen $2.5M, Zeelugt $2.5M, Uitvlugt $2.3M- Tel: 642-1252 10 & 30 ACRES OF LAND AT YARROWKABRA, LINDEN SOESDYKE HIGHWAY. CREEKAVAILABLE-TEL:6635524, 264-2967 Farm (100ftx 50ft) with reserve $3M, Uivtlugt $3M, ParfaiteHarmonie $1.4M, Eccles $4.5M, Zeelugt $1.2MTel:656-0701, 651-1969

the commission; and until such rules are made, the commission shall regulate its own procedure”. It was in this context, the commission said, that it agreed to craft a set of interim, general rules, along the lines of those enshrined in the Constitution for the Judicial Service Commission and the Public Service Commission, pending allocation of resources to acquire expertise to draft legislation to govern the functioning of the Public Procurement Commission. “As it relates to the most recent investigation into the procurement of emergency drugs by the GPHC, the Commission reiterates that its formal report has already been submitted to the National Assembly and no further comment will be made on this matter until the National Assembly has an opportunity to consider it. “At that time, if necessary, the Commission will make a full statement about the conduct of this investigation and the persistent misinformation being peddled in the public domain.” PPC said that the commission, as an independent body, will stoutly resist any external efforts to direct and control its work. “The Commission will continue to execute its mandate without fear or favour and remain above partisan politics. Any attempt to use the Commission's work to satisfy any specific political agenda will be rejected.”

Granger to remind UN Chief that... From page 13 the state in which Guyana has found itself over the last 51 years starting from the time of Independence…this has really been unbearable in many ways. It contributed in a large part, to the difficulties in which Guyana finds itself and the Agreement of 1966 was never intended to lead to a perpetuation or lead to Guyana being [in] suspended animation as regards to claims on territory that has always been part of Guyana,” the Minister said. In essence, Venezuela is claiming a large swath of the county of Essequibo, including parts of the Atlantic Ocean where oil has been discovered by US-owned, ExxonMobil. To punish Guyana, Venezuela in 2015, shortly after the Coalition Government took office, halted an oil-forrice deal, forcing Guyana to search for new markets of the grain. Venezuela is facing major economic problems, including shortages of basic items, like toilet paper.

Tuesday September 26, 2017

Kaieteur News

Birdie gets 20 years for killing wife Ravendra Bandoo, called 'Birdie', 30, of Number 77 Housing Scheme, Corentyne, Berbice, who brutally murdered his wife on International Woman's Day 2016 has been sentenced to 20 years in jail. This sentence followed a probation report which was ordered by the court. Bandoo, of Prince town, Corriverton Berbice, appeared before Justice James BovellDrakes in the Berbice High Court on a charge of murder. He was accused of murdering his wife, Indrawattie Somwar, called “Sharda”, 40, on Thursday March 10, 2016 around 17:00hrs at the couple's home. The man who who was

represented by attorney at law, Charrandass Persaud, had pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder, but guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter. His plea was accepted by the state which was being represented by attorney at law Orinthia Schmidt. A probation report was then ordered. The man who was described as a regular abuser was consuming alcohol at a neighbour's house. He then went home and an argument ensued between himself and his wife. He was drinking in the yard when he requested her to fry some sausage to use as cutters. The woman re-

fused and attempted to leave the yard. The man armed himself with a cutlass and inflicted several chops about her face, head and other parts of her body. After chopping her, he allegedly remained at the scene and boasted about chopping her like fish. The woman was taken to the Skeldon Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival. The two were living together for 13 years. When they` met she was 27 while the accused was 16. A post mortem examination conducted on the body by Dr. Vivikanand Brijmohan gave the cause of death as

haemorrhage due to multiple incised wounds. Bandoo gave a caution statement in which he confessed to the crime. He lamented that he would give the deceased all his money. However she would not give him money to buy his rum. She just kept nagging at him to stop drinking. He got vex and picked up a cutlass and dealt her several chops about her body. The woman's 14-year-old daughter had returned from school around the same time and reportedly witnessed the incident. She managed to escape and informed relatives of what was happening, however by the time relatives re-

Vendor charged for smoking marijuana A vendor who was previously granted bail on a charge of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking, yesterday once again found himself before a City Magistrate to answer to a charge of smoking cannabis. Noel Mansfield, 40, of Lot VV Durban Street, Wortmanville, appeared before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, where he denied the charge which alleged that on September 22, last, at Stabroek Market he smoked cannabis. Police Prosecutor Shawn Gonsalves objected to bail being granted to the defendant on the grounds that he has a similar matter in court and it was while he was out, that he committed this offence. The Prosecutor stated that if bail is granted to the defendant it’s likely that he will commit further offences. The man, when given a chance to address the court,

Charged: Mark Gravesande said that he has a pending matter in court. The man added, “Your worship, I’m the sole breadwinner for my family with all respect you should send me on bail. I promise to come to court every time the matter is call. If you asked Magistrate Bess, he would tell you that I have never missed a court hearing.” Meanwhile before the

Charged: Noel Mansfield

same magistrate a handyman was charged for having in his possession a utensil used to smoke cocaine. Thirty-eight-year-old Mark Gravesande, of Timehri, East Bank Demerara, denied the charge which alleged that on September 20 at Cross Street, Work-en-rust, Georgetown, he had in his possession a utensil used in the connection with smoking

cocaine, that is to say he had an improvise pen. Police Prosecutor Shawn Gonsalves had no objection to bail being granted to this second defendant. Magistrate Latchman ordered both defendants to post bail in the sum of $20,000 each. They both will make their next court appearance on October 16.

sponded the woman was already dead. The woman's 17year- old daughter was also reportedly at home. When the police arrived the man told them that they could collect the body. Earlier Bandoo had premeditated to kill the woman since he reported that she was ”giving him blow with a church brother.” The man had called the owner of a funeral parlour to join him in having a drink. However the man had refused. He subsequently got a call to collect a dead body. Upon ar-

PAGE 23

rival at the scene he recognized that the accused was the same person who had called him earlier to have a drink. Bandoo was remanded in 2014 for stab b i n g t h e woman. He was remanded for three months when the woman subsequently told the court that she was not interested in giving evidence in the matter. His attorney Charrandass Persaud had begged for leniency since his client had thrown himself at the mercy of the court and did not waste the court's time.

NDC takes control of La Parfaite Harmonie The Neighbouring Democratic Council of La Grange/Nimes/La Parfaite Harmonie will be given the full authority to maintain the needs for waste disposal and other maintenance projects in the areas located there. This was confirmed by the Ministry Of Communities’ Public Relation Officer, Iva Wharton. She said that the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) is working with the NDC to maintain La Parfaite Harmonie which will soon be under its jurisdiction. This will aid all the communities on the West Bank since there is much work to be done. Such a move will especially benefit the community of La Parfaite Harmonie since there is no proper garbage collecting service though a known private contractor, Puran Bros, has been working privately there hired by residents.. When asked about the garbage situation in La Parfaite Harmonie, Miss

Wharton urged the residents of the area to desist from dumping garbage in bushy areas and to stop the burning of garbage on the side of the roads since it is illegal and dangerous. Such actions are not in accordance with the wishes of the Fire Service Corporation. She said that it would help to maintain a healthy community. She asked that residents report any such actions. She said that interviews were conducted by the minister, where they discovered that there is a need to provide a permanent source of service in the area. The communities will benefit from the initiative since many diseases are breed through uncontrolled and illegal disposal of garbage. Other than garbage collection, the NDC will be in charge of maintenance of roads, trenches and parapets. The public handing over will be announced at a later date.

Conflict dominates Region Five RDC Oil money alone will not transform... From page 11 meeting was called, Ovid Morrison, apologised to councillors and departmental heads, and informed everyone that he would not be sitting as clerk of the council, unless he receives an apology from the RDC Chairman. When the statutory meeting was called last Thursday, it would have been the first after the Regional Chairman would have returned from his Annual Leave. While the Regional Chairman was away on leave, the RDC met under the chairmanship of Vice Chairman, Ryon Peters (PPP) and discussed estimates for the next budget. At that meeting, Counsellor Dolton Hutson, speaking on behalf of the APNU+AFC side of the chamber stated that they are willing to work for the

good of the Region. But, they are not going to sit at any meeting presided over by the Chairman unless he offers an apology for his actions that led to the impasse. In an invited comment, Mr. Ramphal claimed that he has been deliberately overlooked from time to time.

He cited a rally recently organised by the Regional Education Department at which a counsellor was asked to deliver the feature address, thereby sighting the Regional Chairman. According to Mr.Ramphal, it is time that his office, be accorded the respect it deserves.

From page 16 productive capacity of Guyana. The GOGA director said too that the creation of a transformative economy must also include an examination of several options available to Guyana, including the option of Guyana's trading in crude on the international market. He noted that the trading of crude has its own prerequisites. These include high quality telecoms and IT support; trading tools such as ship tracking software; news services, deal capture software, risk management software and skilled workforce specific to oil trading. Hughes then turned his attention to critical elements of a stable long term sustainable development which should be considered.

He highlighted 'growth which is inclusion'. No region or section of society must be left behind, he said. This, Hughes noted is the number one goal of sustainable development which is zero poverty. Hughes said that the “the 3 T's are also n e e d e d — Tr a n s p a r e n c y, Transparency, Transparency. He repeated the need for energy; there must be power to the people. “Economic studies have shown the transformative impact that cheap power has on the lives of all but particularly the poor.” Affordable clean energy is another goal for sustainable development. Hughes said also, that there must be gender equality which is another goal of sustainable development. “Our path to sustainable develop-

ment and growth needs to acknowledge that women are a key driver of the Guyanese economy and form a large portion of SMEs. Pressure must be exerted to ensure that a significant portion of contracts go to these small and medium size enterprises. Hughes said, “Infrastructure planning and growth needs to be proactive. It's not about fixing potholes but rather, predicting and even more importantly, driving development.” Industry innovation and infrastructure are also sustainable development goals. Hughes said that these goals require not only a high degree of guidance and diligence from the private sector, but also strong partnership between the private sector and government.

PAGE 24

Kaieteur News

Tuesday September 26, 2017

Tuesday September 26, 2017

Kaieteur News

North Korea says U.S. ‘declared war,’ warns it could shoot down U.S. bombers NEW YORK/SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea’s foreign minister said on Monday President Donald Trump had declared war on North Korea and that Pyongyang reserved the r i g h t t o t a k e countermeasures, including shooting down U.S. bombers even if they are not in its air space. Ri Yong Ho said a Twitter message by Trump on Saturday, in which the president warned that the minister and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un “won’t be around much longer” if they acted on their threats, amounted to a declaration of war. W h i t e H o u s e spokeswoman Sarah Sanders on Monday denied the United States had declared war, calling the suggestion “absurd”. Speaking earlier in New York, where he had been attending the annual U.N. General Assembly, Ri told reporters: “The whole world should clearly remember it was the U.S. who first declared war on our country.”

North Korea’ Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho “Since the United States declared war on our country, we will have every right to make countermeasures, including the right to shoot down United States strategic bombers even when they are not inside the airspace border of our country. “The question of who won’t be around much longer will be answered then,” Ri added. On Saturday, U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer bombers escorted by fighters flew east of North Korea in a show of force after a heated exchange

Puerto Rico evacuates area near crumbling dam, asks for aid SAN JUAN (Reuters) Many people living near a crumbling dam in stormbattered Puerto Rico have evacuated, Governor Ricardo Rossello said on Monday, as he asked for more government aid to avert a humanitarian crisis after Hurricane Maria. Much of the Caribbean island, a U.S. territory with a population of 3.4 million, is still without electricity five days after Maria struck with ferocious winds and torrential rains, the most powerful hurricane to hit Puerto Rico in nearly a century. There have been growing concerns for some 70,000 people who live in the river valley below the Guajataca Dam in the island’s northwest, where cracks were seen on Friday in the 88-year-old earthen structure. Rossello said he was working on the assumption that the 120-foot (35-meter) dam would collapse. “I’d rather be wrong on that front than doing nothing

and having that fail and costing people lives,” he said in an interview with CNN. “Most of the people in the near vicinity have evacuated.” It was unclear if the governor was saying that most of the 70,000 valley inhabitants had left the area, or only the several hundred people living in the small towns closest to the dam. About 320 people from those towns have moved to safety, according to local media. The fear of a potentially catastrophic dam break added to the immense task facing disaster relief authorities after Maria, which was the second major hurricane to strike the Caribbean this month. The storm killed at least 29 people in the region, at least 10 of those in Puerto Rico, which was already battling an economic crisis. Rossello said that before the storms struck, he had been embarking on an aggressive fiscal agenda that included more than $1.5 billion in cuts.

of rhetoric between Trump and Kim over North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs. “That operation was conducted in international airspace, over international waters, so we have the right to fly, sail and operate where legally permissible around the globe,” Pentagon spokesman Colonel Robert Manning said on Monday. North Korea, which has remained technically at war with the United States since the 1950-53 Korean War ended in a truce and not a peace treaty, has been working to develop nucleartipped missiles capable of hitting the U.S. mainland and conducted its sixth and largest nuclear test this month. Pyongyang, which has pursued its missile and nuclear programs in defiance of international sanctions, accuses the United States of planning to invade and regularly threatens to destroy it and its Asian allies. The latest round of heavy verbal salvoes began when Trump threatened in his maiden U.N. address last Tuesday to “totally destroy” North Korea, a country of 26 million people, if it threatened the United States or its allies.

PAGE 25

Turnout high as Iraqi Kurds defy threats to hold independence vote Iraq (Reuters) - Kurds voted in large numbers in an independence referendum in northern Iraq on Monday, ignoring pressure from Baghdad, threats from Turkey and Iran, and international warnings that the vote may ignite yet more regional conflict. The vote organized by Kurdish authorities is expected to deliver a comfortable “yes” for independence, but is not binding. However, it is designed to give Masoud Barzani, who heads the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), a mandate to negotiate the secession of the oilproducing region. Turnout among 5.2 million eligible voters was 78 percent, the Kurdish Rudaw TV station said, and vote counting had started. Final results are expected within 72 hours. Voters were asked to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to the question: “Do you want the Kurdistan Region and Kurdistani areas outside the (Kurdistan) Region to become an independent country?” For Iraqi Kurds - part of the largest ethnic group left stateless when the Ottoman empire collapsed a century ago - the referendum offered a historic opportunity

Turnout high as Iraqi Kurds defy threats to hold independence vote despite intense international pressure to call it off. “We have seen worse, we have seen injustice, killings and blockades,” said Talat, waiting to vote in the regional capital of Erbil, as a group of smiling women in colorful Kurdish dress emerged from the school showing their fingers stained with ink, a sign they had cast their ballot. At Sheikh Amir village, near the Peshmerga front lines west of Erbil, long lines of Kurdish fighters waited to vote at a former school. Most emerged smiling, holding up ink-marked fingers. In the ethnically mixed city of Kirkuk, Kurds sang and danced as they flocked to polling stations. Opposition to the vote

simmered among the Arabs and Turkmen who live alongside the Kurds in the northern Iraqi city and there were rumors the vote would not take place in mixed areas. Officials later ordered an overnight curfew. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi ordered security services “to protect citizens being threatened and coerced” in the Kurdish region, after unconfirmed reports that Arabs in a small town in eastern Iraq were compelled to vote yes. Kurdish officials say no such coercion happened. The Kurds also say the vote acknowledges their contribution in confronting Islamic State after it overwhelmed the Iraqi army in 2014 and seized control of

Kaieteur News

PAGE 26

Brazil scraps bid to mine Amazon natural reserve Brasília (AFP) - The Brazilian government backed off a controversial proposal to authorize private companies to mine a sprawling Amazon reserve Monday after blistering domestic and international criticism. President Michel Temer’s office will issue a new decree Tuesday that “restores the conditions of the area, according to the document that instituted the reserve in 1984,” the Ministry of Mines and Energy said in a statement. L a s t w e e k , environmental activist group Greenpeace said at least 14 illegal mines and eight clandestine landing strips were already being used by miners in the Denmark-sized reserve known as Renca in the eastern Amazon. Greenpeace said this showed the risks faced by Renca even without Temer’s earlier proposal for ending a ban on large-scale foreign mining in the mineral-rich region. Temer’s decree signed

on August 25 on opening up Renca was suspended days later after an international outcry. The president had argued that lifting restrictions will allow Brazil to boost its struggling economy and also push the hugely destructive wildcat mining operations out of business. In announcing the government was formally withdrawing the decree, the mining ministry insisted that the conditions that led to the measure in the first place were “still present.” “The country needs to grow and generate jobs, attract investments for the mining sector, including to exploit the economic potential of the region,” it added. The rainforest there is rich in gold and other valuable commodities but has been protected for decades from private industry and is home to several indigenous tribes. Critics of Temer’s decree included international environmental groups, the

Catholic Church and even supermodel Gisele Bundchen, who is Brazilian. The Renca reserve is home to the indigenous Aparai, Wayana and Wajapi tribes and vast swaths of untouched forest, covering more than 17,800 square miles (46,000 square kilometers). Environmental groups say opening up Renca to mining would accelerate the advance of private mining and deforestation of preserved areas. “The cancellation of the degree shows that, no matter how bad it is, no governing politician is absolutely immune to public pressure,” said Marcio Astrini, public policy coordinator for Greenpeace Brazil. “It is a victory of society over those who want to destroy and sell our forest.” He then added: “Renca is just a battle. The war against the Amazon and its different peoples, promoted by Temer and big agro business, is still on.”

EU disburses EC$806,000 in humanitarian aid to Dominica The Dominican town of Canefield is seen in this picture taken Friday, four days after Hurricane Maria.

Tuesday September 26, 2017

Venezuela doctors in protest urge stronger WHO stance on health crisis

People hold letters which read “Hunger” during a protest outside the World Health Organization (WHO) office in Caracas, Venezuela September 25, 2017. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes CARACAS (Reuters) Venezuela’s doctors, fed up with what they called the World Health Organization’s passive attitude toward the country’s deep medical crisis, protested at the agency’s Caracas office on Monday to demand more pressure on the government and additional assistance. Venezuela is suffering from a roughly 85 percent shortage of medicines, decrepit hospital infrastructure, and an exodus of doctors during a brutal recession. Once-controlled diseases like diphtheria and measles have returned due in part to insufficient vaccines and antibiotics, while Ve n e z u e l a n s s u ff e r i n g chronic illnesses like cancer or diabetes often have to forgo treatment. Malnutrition is also rising, doctors say.

Rare government data published in May showed maternal mortality shot up 65 percent while malaria cases jumped 76 percent. The former health minister was fired shortly after the bulletin’s publication, and it has not been issued since. In the latest protest by an umbrella group of health associations, dozens of doctors and activists gathered at the Pan American Health Organization ( PA H O ) , t h e W H O ’s regional office, urging the agency step up pressure on Nicolas Maduro’s leftist government and provide more aid during its 29th Pan American Sanitary Conference this week. “ T h e r e ’s b e e n a complicit attitude because they haven’t denounced things,” Dr. Rafael Muci said during the rally. “This is an unlivable

country, and no one is paying attention,” he said, adding he earns about $8 a month at a state hospital. In a statement on Monday, PAHO stressed its main role was to provide “technical cooperation” and highlighted recent help in providing vaccines. T h e Ve n e z u e l a n government, which accuses activists of whipping up panic and the business elite of hiding medicines, did not respond to a request for comment. Venezuelans seeking certain drugs often have to scour pharmacies, seek foreign donations or turn to social media. Sociologist Maria Angelica Casanova, 51, has struggled to find psychiatric medicines for a year. “Sometimes they come, sometimes they don‘t. It’s serious,” she said, as passersby shouted “Down with Maduro!” Measles, which were controlled after a mass immunization in the 1990s, has returned to Venezuela’s jungle state of Bolivar, PAHO data show. As the crisis stokes emigration, Venezuela’s health problems could be exported, doctors warned. “We don’t know how many people who are emigrating could have some of these pathogens in incubation period,” said Andres Barreto, an epidemiologist who had participated in the measles vaccination drive.

Commonwealth SG says hurricanes underscores need to deal with impact of climate change Barbados (CMC) – The European Commission’s Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Department (ECHO) is providing EC$806,000 (One EC dollar =US$0.37 cents) in emergency humanitarian aid to Dominica, following the severe destruction caused by Hurricane Maria earlier this week. The relief will address urgent needs and will include basic kits for survival, clean water and food, construction material and fuel, as well as additional logistical support to reach isolated communities.

In a statement on Friday, the EU said a humanitarian expert in rapid response is already in Dominica while additional EU humanitarian technical assistance is scheduled to arrive shortly to support the national authorities to deliver relief to the population. “This is the time when friends show solidarity to the c o u n t r i e s a ff e c t e d b y hurricanes Irma and Maria. I commend the resilience and dignity of Dominicans at these harsh times. We will spare no effort in contributing to the reconstruction of the

beautiful island of Dominica,” said the EU’s ambassador to Barbados. the Eastern Caribbean States, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) a n d CARICOM/CARIFORUM, Daniela Tramacere . In the aftermath of the devastation, to date the European Union Member States of the United Kingdom, Belgium and France h a v e a l r e a d y offered in-kind assistance that will be be channelled through the same European Civil Protection Mechanism.

CMC – Commonwealth Secretary General Baroness Patricia Scotland Monday urged the international community to re-double its efforts to fully understand the impact of climate change given the effects of Hurricanes Irma and Maria on the Caribbean in recent weeks. Scotland described Hurricane Maria that slammed into Dominica last Monday killing an estimated 28 people and leaving millions of dollars in damages as a “monster” leaving no part of the island untouched. Dominican-born Secretary General told the

Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that in the case of Barbuda, the tiny Caribbean island was “wrecked” when Hurricane Irma, another Category 5 storm made landfall late last month. “So what does that mean for all of us? It means we must redouble our efforts. We must advocate even more trenchantly to help the world understand the Paris Agreement is nonnegotiable. For those of us on the front line across our Commonwealth, the pain and suffering of climate is immense. “We have seen mudslides in Sierra Leone, we have seen flooding in Pakistan,

Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and India. We have seen the whole of the Caribbean region devastated and we now hear, just a few days ago about earthquakes in Vanuatu… “So this reality is our new reality, multipl i c i t y o f events happening one after the other and we must respond and we must respond now. So c o o r d i n a t i o n , collaboration is vitally important,” she said, noting that “we have been talking here at the UN with all the UN agencies, how do we collaborate with CARICOM and to the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP).

Tuesday September 26, 2017

Kaieteur News

PAGE 27

PAGE 28

Kaieteur News

Tuesday September 26, 2017

Tuesday September 26, 2017

PAGE 29

Kaieteur News

Johanna Konta & Sloane Stephens lose in China BBC Sport - British number one Johanna Konta’s poor run continued as she was beaten by unseeded Ashleigh Barty in the second round of the Wuhan Open in China. World number seven Konta had the chance to serve for the match but lost 6-0 4-6 7-6 (7-3) to the Australian. The 26-year-old has lost five of her past seven matches since reaching the Wimbledon semi-finals. Defending champion Petra Kvitova also fell as she lost her first-round match against Peng Shuai. The Chinese world number 24 beat 11th seed Kvitova of the Czech Republic 7-6 (9-7) 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (7-3)

in an entertaining encounter. Konta, who is eighth in the race to qualify for the WTA Finals, received a first-round bye but lost the first seven games against Barty as she struggled for rhythm. She saw out the second set and served for the match at 5-4 in the third, but a wide forehand smash on break point allowed Barty to force a tie-break. Barty, ranked 37th in the world, then dominated the tiebreak to move into the third round. Earlier, US Open champion Sloane Stephens lost her first-round match in straight sets to world number 55 Wang Qiang. American Stephens was beaten 6-2 6-2 by Wang of

Johanna Konta was knocked out in the first round of the US Open in August. (Getty Images) China, just hours after fellow US Open finalist Madison Keys lost to qualifier Varvara Lepchenko. “It’s difficult. It’s the end of the year. Even though I played five tournaments, I feel

Tuesday September 26, 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) A lot can be accomplished if you organize your time. Set the ball in motion and be relentless until you complete the project. Don't make large purchases unless you have discussed your choices with your mate. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Travel will turn out to be far more exciting than you imagined. Don't get intimately involved with a coworker. Spend time with friends or family. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Don't let relatives get the better of you. You will back yourself into a corner if you are baited and your stubbornness will only make matters worse. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Arguing won't help. Plan a nice evening for two. Don't let your emotions interfere with completing your chores. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Do not allow colleagues to hinder your ambitions. Moneymaking ventures may just turn your life around. You will have a problem with your boss if you haven't done your job. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Much can be accomplished if you compromise. You may make someone else look bad. Matters pertaining to work must be completed before you leave. LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Go out with friends. Keep your mind on your work and

stay away from situations that could ruin your reputation. You must not lead someone on or show interest in them for the wrong reasons. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Avoid friends or acquaintances who drink too much. Express your interest if you want the relationship to progress. Children will be of major concern if you haven't kept the lines of communication open. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You may have a problem keeping secrets. Take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves. This may not be the day to get involved in risky joint financial ventures. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Consider selling your homemade crafts at the flea market. You will not be able to contain your emotions today. Don't let your emotions interfere with your efficiency. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) You can get phenomenal returns if you present your ideas to those who can back your interests. New projects may lead you into a dead end. You will have to watch out for minor health problems related to stress. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You will have some wonderful ideas that should bring you extra money. You will profit from home improvement projects and real estate deals. You need to get out and challenge yourself.

like I have played 25,” said Stephens.

Sloane Stephens (right) (Getty Images)

Raj Singh must apologise for insulting... (From page 26) Parliament. 6. Raj Singh must provide evidence of his permanent residence since he lives in Florida and is supposed to be operating as the Marketing Manager of the GCB and a Guyana Representative to the West Indies Cricket Board. So let’s investigate totally for there are many other inaccuracies in his letter which need to be addressed. But in the meanwhile we ask the Honourable Minister of Sport, the AG and indeed the Government to proceed with the elections of the GCB, for Raj Singh’s claims are all designed to further delay the process whilst the illegal GCB continues to ravage our cricket. The very Cricket Administration Act caters for amending any irregularities or flaws that are observed, and these can be addressed when the new legitimate Cricket Board is formed. Only someone who has no interest in order, legality and due process would want to continue the lawlessness that presently pervades our cricket administration. Raj Singh must inform the public why he and his illegal GCB cohorts are so afraid of free and transparent elections. Raj Singh is deliberately

England selectors... (From page 26) Crane numbers great Australian Shane Warne among his admirers and, having gained experience of Australian conditions with New South Wales this year, looks likely to claim the second spinner spot behind Moeen. Surrey’s Ben Foakes is the favourite to travel as back-up keeper to Bairstow, setting up the possibility of England picking Stokes, Woakes and Foakes in the same team.

attempting to mislead the public when he said that two (2) ministers of the then government (PPP/C) met with the West Indies Cricket Board and agreed to amend the Cricket Act. I was present at both meetings and there was no such agreement and Raj Singh must provide the evidence that there was an agreement because both meetings were audio recorded. What Raj Singh conspicuously omitted was that APNU deputy leader Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine was also present at the meetings.

Raj Singh’s ramblings are evidently intended to distract and divert the attention of the Government, the Judiciary and the people of Guyana while portraying an image that the so-called executives of the GCB are “victims” of a flawed law. This scheme is being used all the time and for some reason or the other it is being allowed to prevail. All Guyanese reject it and demand democracy in our national game. IT IS TIME. Claude Raphael Former GCB Executive Former WICB Director

Kaieteur News

PAGE 30

Tuesday September 26, 2017

Letter to the Sports Editor Mike’s Pharmacy/Trophy Stall Raj Singh must apologise for dominoes set for Sunday in Wakenaam insulting the parliamentarians Dear Sports Editor, I read Raj Singh’s letter to the Editor carried in the July 31st 2017 edition of the Kaiteur News and found the contents to be terribly skewed in favour of his illegal group calling itself the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB). Since no one has responded to his diatribe and I was out of the country for six weeks I now wish to respond. The genesis of the problem began around 2000 when Gopaul Singh, Raj Singh and Anand Sanasie spearheaded a move to take over Guyana Cricket. Haroon Tiwari was replaced by Anand Sanasie as the President of West Demerara Cricket Association and the late Neville Sarjoo replaced by Gopaul Singh then Raj Singh as President of the East Bank Cricket Association. Chetram Singh was also replaced as President of the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) by Paul Chan-a-Sue as the movement gained momentum. The germination of the movement was realized in 2009 when for some reason that only he could explain, Chetram Singh orchestrated the replacement of Bish Panday Secretary of the GCB with Anand Sanasie. Thereafter, the GCB became embroiled in turbulence and abject divisiveness. Charges of visa frauds, financial misappropriation, corruption, lack of accountability, multiple constitutions, illegal elections, physical attack (burning with acid), fraudulent conversion of GCB assets (the hostels in Essequibo and L.B.I) evolved and the list continues. The illegal 2011 elections of the DCB and the GCB heralded in new dimensions of injunctions, violation of court orders, letters in various newspapers and a general public outcry that culminated in the legalisation of our cricket by way of the Guyana Cricket Administration Act 2014 as recommended by the Chief Justice (ag) Ian Chang. Raj Singh’s whining therefore is nonsensical, misleading and totally selfserving with the obvious motive being to stay in power for as long as possible. Since he admitted that all stakeholders were

involved in the process with the Parliamentary Select Committee (which met over 20 times) his complaints that their recommendations were not included in the Act reflect the inadequacy of his g r o u p ’s c o n t r i b u t i o n s , particularly since his group comprised friends and relatives who had absolutely no cricketing administrative competence. Also, their illegality and multiple constitutions rendered it necessary for the Select Committee to revamp the system in the interest of all especially Upper Demerara Cricket Association (Linden). The Raj Singh / Anand Sanasie group was adamant that Upper Demerara should be left out of our legal cricket structure. The facts are that Clive Lloyd’s Interim Management Committee held consultations throughout the country with all willing stakeholders, collated the information and passed it on to the Government. The information (the Cricket Bill) was prepared and presented by Attorney at Law Stephen Fraser to Parliament before it was forwarded to the Select Committee for action. The Select Committee comprised of: 1. Minister of State Joseph Harmon (Attorneyat-Law) 2. Attorney General Basil Williams (Attorney-atLaw) 3. Minister of Public Security - Khemraj Ramjattan (Attorney-atLaw) 4. M i n i s t e r o f Education - Dr. Rupert Roopnarine 5. Former MP and Current Director of Sport Christopher Jones 6. Former Minister of Sport - Dr. Frank Anthony 7. Former Attorney General - Anil Nandlall (Attorney-at-Law) 8. M e m b e r o f Parliament - Odinga Lumumba 9. Former Director of Sport – Neil Kumar Four Lawyers, two Doctors, two Directors of Sport and a professional sports official all of whom have considerable parliamentary / political experience participated in the process of revising the Cricket Bill

which was passed unopposed into Law as The Cricket Administration Act 2014. Given these facts, Raj Singh must apologize to these eminent gentlemen for saying “they produced a flawed Cricket Act which some of them did not even read”, an insult to the entire parliamentary process particularly since all of the gentlemen are still intimately involved in the governance of our country. As a matter of fact, Raj Singh should explain by what yardstick he qualifies himself to judge these gentlemen. With regard to his suggestion for an investigative journalist to become involved, I totally agree, but wish to add that the Police should also get involved so that we can investigate: 1. What is happening in terms of cricket administration/development in all cricket areas including West Demerara, East Bank, Demerara, Essequibo and the illegal GCB/DCB. How funds from the WICB (US$640,000 per annum) are utilized? 2. Raj Singh and Lalta Digamber presenting documents to Parliament signing as President and Secretary of the Demerara Cricket Board respectively when they along with others were injuncted from so doing. 3. R a j S i n g h ’ s participation in the illegal transfer of approximately $2.5 billion dollars of GCB assets to a privately-owned company with Raj Singh holding 50,000 shares for Demerara as the President of the DCB, Fizul Bacchus 50,000 shares for Essequibo and alarmingly the Berbice shares not being accounted for. 4. Raj Singh must explain to the public how and by what methodology he became the president of the Demerara Cricket Board when there are several court orders barring him from holding himself out to be an officer of the DCB. 5. Raj Singh must explain to the public what happened to the investigation regarding a report to the police from the national assembly for allegedly presenting a fraudulent document to (Continued on page 25)

Vishal Narine (right) and Zaheer Mohamed display the trophies. Domino teams in Wakenaam will renew their rivalry when the Mike’s Pharmacy/Trophy Stall competition gets underway at 10:00hrs on Sunday at Good Success. Among the teams set to vie for supremacy are

Underdog, All Stars, Seawall Boys, Melville, Eastern Wakenaam and Quick Pick. The winning and runner up teams as well as the Most Valuable Player in the final will be given prizes. Vi s h a l N a r i n e , a

representative of the sponsors who recently presented the trophies to Zaheer Mohamed of Wakenaam, said they are pleased to be part of the competition, while Mohamed thanked the entities for their input.

England selectors ponder Ashes top-order conundrum LONDON (Reuters) England’s selectors name their squad tomorrow for the Ashes series with the team in a surprising state of flux despite recent home series wins over South Africa and West Indies. England experienced a mixture of crushing victories and heavy losses this summer, eventually winning out because they bat so deep and, in Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali, have two of their best-ever all-rounders. But the top order seldom convinced with only opener Alastair Cook and captain Joe Root certain to play in the first test against Australia in Brisbane starting on Nov. 23. Surrey’s Mark Stoneman is Cook’s most likely opening partner after playing in three tests against West Indies but much of the discussion will revolve around which batsmen deserve another chance to prove themselves in Australia. The days when England could ink in proven performers like Jonathan Trott, Ian Bell and Kevin Pietersen in the middle order have long gone.

England coach Trevor Bayliss has said the squad is likely to include only players who have featured in the past 18 months, opening the way for a recall for Hampshire’s James Vince as England seek to fill their problem number three slot. Vince is a natural shotmaker but did not feature this season after notching 212 runs at an average of 19 in his seven tests last year. Like Essex’s Tom Westley and Yorkshire’s Gary Ballance, who both batted at three this summer, Vince’s technique was questioned with concerns over his tendency to fence loosely at balls outside off-stump. With Dawid Malan just doing enough to keep his place after averaging 23.62 in his five matches batting at number five, Ballance and Vince could both travel, with Keaton Jennings, L a n c a s h i r e ’s H a s e e b Hameed, who broke his finger this month, and oneday specialist Alex Hales likely to miss out. READY REPLACEMENTS All three could feature for England’s second-string

Lions squad, who will be in Australia this winter and supply ready-made replacements in the event of injury. England’s middle order is settled, with Stokes, keeper Jonny Bairstow and Moeen regularly taking turns to bat England out of trouble against South Africa and West Indies. Stuart Broad and James Anderson, who recently took his 500th test wicket, will again spearhead the attack although neither is naturally suited to the extra pace and bounce of Australian pitches. That could open the way for Mark Wood if he can stay fit, with Liam Plunkett, Craig Overton and Jake Ball all meriting discussion for a place alongside Chris Woakes. Toby Roland-Jones, a surprising success this s u m m e r, w i l l a l m o s t certainly miss out after injuring his back while his Middlesex team mate Steve F i n n i s a n o u t s i d e r, particularly after his struggles in Australia on England’s last tour in 2013. Leg-spinner Mason (Continued on page 25)

Tuesday September 26, 2017

Kaieteur News

PAGE 31

Windies launch relief drive for hurricane victims BRISTOL, England, CMC – West Indies players wore black armbands during Sunday’s third ODI in tribute to those who lost their lives in the recent hurricanes which swept through the Caribbean. The Windies will also participate in a fund-raising drive in the ongoing series to raise money to aid with the relief efforts in the region. As part of this arrangement, there will be collection points manned by the Red Cross at the two

venues for remaining matches in the series. The initiative began with Sunday’s match played at the County Ground here and will continue during the fourth match at the Oval in London tomorrow. The final match is carded for the Ageas Bowl in Southampton on Friday. “We have all heard of the devastation and we’ve seen image and videos of what happened back home during the passage of the recent

hurricanes,”said captain Jason Holder. “We want to do all we can to help with the relief efforts. Whatever we can do to help we are ready to during this very difficult time.” Earlier this month, the tiny island of Barbuda was left uninhabitable during the passage of Hurricane Irma. And Last week, Dominica was battered by Hurricane Maria resulting in catastrophic damage and over 15 deaths so far.

West Indies captain Jason Holder.

Hamilton Green KO Football Cup…

Den Amstel, Falcons and Ann’s GABA/Banks DIH leagues… Colts make all divisions Grove Win @ Victoria ground

final, Pacesetters complete double over Eagles

Pacesetters’ Marvin Durant who scored 18 points during his team’s under-23 2nd division semifinal triumph over Eagles. Bounty Colts basketball club, who are the defending champions in all three divisions of the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association/Powerade/Malt a Supreme/Rainforest Water leagues, will have the opportunity to defend their titles when the three games playoff begin Tomorrow. The 1st Division and 2nd division teams of Bounty Colts won their respective semifinal matches on Sunday night and join their under-23 side that won on Saturday at the Burnham hard-court on Middle and Carmichael streets. In the 2nd division semifinal, Colts narrowly got past Sonics 61-59. Alex Murray balled for Sonics with a superb solo performance in which he tallied 31 points. Murray’s

incredible effort was not backed up well enough and Colts, who had a much more organized team effort, edged Sonics to reach the finals. Kobra’s Travis Burnett sunk an incredible 43 points in his team’s 1st division, 9079 semi-final loss to Bounty Colts on Sunday night. Besides Burnett’s brilliant performance, only Mark Richards (12) and Carlos Edwards (11) reached double figures for Kobras that didn’t pack enough venom for the defending Open division Champions. Dave Causway (21) and Sheldon Thomas (19) led the Bounty Colts charge in the 11-point victory. With notable contributions from Stanton Rose (14), Shane Webster (13) and Shelroy Thomas (12) that all added to Kobras’ demise.

Meanwhile, Pacesetters continued their dominance over Eagles by adding a 9185 victory in their semifinal on Sunday to the 2nd division triumph on Saturday. Quincy Dos Santos (23) and Marvin Durant (18) were the standout players for Pacesetters on Sunday, while Shamar Huntley’s game high 24 points was not enough for an Eagles’ win. Both the under-23 and 2nd division finals will be contested between Bounty Colts and Pacesetters, while Plaisance Guardians and Colts will contest the 1st division finals. The GABA/Banks DIH leagues finals will be a three-game contest which begins tomorrow evening at the Burnham hard-court. (Calvin Chapman)

Round of 16 action got underway at the Victoria Community Centre ground on Sunday night in the Hamilton Green Cup, knockout football tournament with a triple header from 17:00hrs. Den Amstel defeated Golden Grove 2-0, while Soesdyke Falcons upset Mahaica Determinators 4-2 and A n n ’s G r o v e n e e d l e d Buxton 1-0 in an all East Coast match up to cap off the night’s play. Morgan Denny (7 t h minute) and Vivian Payne (52nd minute) were the goal scorers for Den Amstel in their easy 2-0 victory over Golden Grove football club that is based less than 5 minutes from the Victoria ground.

Soesdyke Falcons overturned a 2- goal deficit in the first half for a 4-2 come from behind victory against favourites Mahaica Determinators. Eon Abel fired Determinators ahead in the 2nd minute of the game and when Kirk Roberts doubled their lead in the 14th minute the East Demerara team would’ve believed they were in the clear for a victory. However, Falcons rallied back and scored 4 unanswered goals through Colin McLean in the 39th minute, Orin Josha with a double in the 60th and 78th minutes and John Gordon in the 70th. In the final match on Sunday, Ann’s Grove edged Buxton thanks to Phillip Williams’s solitary strike.

The tournament resumes next Sunday with a triple header at the Georgetown Football Club ground from 17:00hrs. The fixtures are set with Santos tackling Uitvlugt in the first match. The second matchup begins at 19:00hrs when city side Western Tigers will look to knockout Milerock of Linden. The feature match at 21:00hrs will see home side GFC against Eagles United. Competition then returns to Linden the following day, Monday, with two matches. Police FC will match skills with Silver Shattas, while Riddim Squad will play Winners Connection at 21:00hrs, both games at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground.

Good Success beat Maria’s Pleasure by 29 runs as V Net T20 Blast continues Defending Champions Good Success defeated Maria’s Pleasure by 29 runs when play in the V Net T20 Blast continued on Sunday last in Wakenaam. Batting first at the Wakenaam Community Centre ground, Good Success were bowled out for 123 in 19.3 overs in difficult conditions due to early morning showers. Shoaib Namaz and Samsudeen Mohamed made 20 each, while Tulsieram Ramadeen got 17. Offspinner Kennard Lewis claimed 2-12, fast bowler Leorayan Ramlakhan 2- 23 and Kim Persaud 2-31. I n r e p l y, M a r i a ’ s Pleasure were undermined by some excellent bowling from off-spinner Nazeer Mohamed and medium

Nazeer Mohamed

Leorayan Ramlakhan

pacer Wazir Khan as they folded for 96 in 15.4 overs. Mohamed finished with 210, while Wazir Khan had 212 and David Chalitar 2-29. Ramlakhan and Leonard Lewis made 20 apiece.

The competition continues on Sunday with Sans Souci playing Sans Souci Jaguars at 09:30hrs and G- Square Cavaliers facing Maria’s Pleasure 13:30hrs.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 32

Tuesday September 26, 2017

Indigenous Heritage Games

Port Kaituma, Parima triumph at Football; Mahdia, Pakuri Warriors take cricket titles Port Kaituma of Region One and Parima of Region Seven captured the male and female football titles respectively when the Indigenous Heritage Games concluded on Sunday night at Everest Cricket Club. Watched by a large and colourful crowd, Port Kaituma beat Waramadong 2-1, while Parima defeated Lethem 3-0 on penalties. Port Kaituma dominated the early proceedings and Cornell St. Romain put them ahead in the first half when he slotted home from inside the area. The region one side continued to attack following the interval and Floyd Thomas stretched the lead before Lynden Joseph pulled one back for Waramadong. Wa r a m a d o n g t r i e d desperately in search of an equaliser, but Port Kaituma defence stood firm to give their fans much to cheer about. The female final did produce some exciting

The victorious Port Kaituma team with their hardware. moments, but both teams failed to find the back of the net in the 70 minutes

regulation time. Even the 15 minutes of extra time failed to separate the teams which

sent the game into penalties. Olivia O’ Selmo, Betsy Gonsalves and Jean Edmund

converted for defending champions Parima. Mahdia beat Mainstay of

Region two by nine wickets in the male cricket final. Batting first, Mainstay scored 76-8 in 10 overs with Fenton Jacobs scoring 23. Mark Jeffers claimed 3-5 and Andrew Gibson 2-15. Mahdia responded with 81-1 in 4.2 overs. Gibson slammed 52 off just 16 balls to take the man-of-the-match award while Balbinder Shivpersaud made 21. In the female final, Pakuri Warriors beat Capoey of Essequibo Coast by five wickets. Capoey took first strike and managed 77-5 off their allotted 10 overs. Gailann Edwards struck 32 not out; Avonel Simon took 2-10. Pakuri Warriors responded with 81-5 in 9.4 overs. Kristia Ferreira slammed an unbeaten 33. Moruca of region one claimed the male and female volleyball titles; they defeated Orella of region six in the male segment and Moruca of region one in the female division. (Zaheer Mohamed)

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

Pouderoyen blank Uitvlugt; Wales edge Jetty Gunners Pouderoyen FC is back in pole position on the points table following their 3-0 win over Uitvlugt Warriors on Sunday last when round two play in the West Demerara Football Association leg of the GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power National Under-17 Intra Association League continued at the Den Amstel ground. T h e t o u r n a m e n t ’s leading goal scorer, Keanu Lawrence continued his aptitude for scoring against all opposition by hitting in a double which has now taken his tally to 19 in the league, Pouderoyen recording their fifth win whilst also keeping their unbeaten record intact. They have taken over the top spot from the other unbeaten team, Eagles Football Club of Stewartville. Lawrence breached the Uitvlugt

Warriors backline in the 11th and 60th minutes, the other goal was scored by Shamar Thomas in the 17th minute of the Uitvlugt shutout. Opening play on Sunday saw Wales United notching their second win in six outings with a 2-1 win over Jetty Gunners which lost their fifth match. Wales scored all the goals, Shaquille Dos Santos’ 24th minute strike being an own goal which gifted Jetty Gunners their lone strike of the match. That goal would have c a n c e l l e d o u t Wa l e s ’ opening goal from Dan Boston on 15 minutes. But the lead was retaken for good with Shumar Brian’s 36th minute strike as neither team were able to trouble the score thereafter. Four matches are scheduled

Shamar Thomas (L) and Keanu Lawrence - Pouderoyen FC. for Sunday at the same venue from 09:00hrs. Eagles will match skills with Crane Rovers followed by a clash between Uitvlugt Warriors and Wales United from 11:00hrs. Golden Warriors and Jetty Gunners will take center stage from 13:00hrs before the big clash between Pouderoyen and Den Amstel at 15:00hrs.

Dan Boston (R) and Shumar Brian - Wales United FC.

Kaieteur News

Tuesday September 26, 2017

PAGE 33

Corona invitational football tournament Top teams receive trophies and Cash prizes Police Football Club collected their prize money and trophies last evening for winning the inaugural Corona Invitational Football tournament following a 4-0 thrashing of GFC earlier in the month. Speaking at the presentation ceremony at the Brandsville Hotel, Troy Mendonca, Co-director of the tournament organisers Petra, was happy with the overall success of the tournament that was held for teams in Georgetown. “We (Petra) want to congratulate all 12 teams. Pleased of the team turnout and discipline as they were ready to start at 17:00hrs time each evening. We’re very pleased to see the formed associations with the GFC, GFF, Guyana referees Council and the media continue to blossom”, Mendonca stated. Promotion coordinator of Top Brandz, Gabriella Chapman, whose company sponsored through their Corona Brand, related that her company is, “Very much proud to have been awarded the opportunity to be part of

From left, GFC Capt. Shaquille Bowen, Western Tigers Capt. Phillip Rowley, Police FC coach Dwayne Babb, Police FC skipper and MVP Dwain Jacobs, best goalkeeper Darius Frank, Rangers skipper and Andrew Murray after the presentation. the tournament and congratulations to the 12 teams that participated, and a n e v e n b i g g e r congratulation to police who won. Corona is committed to

the development of football in Guyana and will be looking forward for opportunities to support football in the future.” Apart from winners

Police pocketing the $1million f i r s t p r i z e , losing finalists GFC pursed four hundred thousand dollars, while t h i r d p l a c e f i n i s hers

Western Tigers received $200,000 and Northern Rangers carried home $100,000. Darius Frank of Police FC was adjudged the best

keeper, while the highest Goal Scorer was Andrew Murray with 12 goals and MVP Dwain Jacobs received trophies for their top performances.

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

Buxton trounce Plaisance; BV thump Mahaica

Isaiah Anderson (R), Temar Robertson and Trevor Fiffie - Buxton United FC GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power National Under-17 Intra Association League action in the East Demerara Football Association (EBFA) got cracking again on Sunday afternoon at the Golden Grove ground after months of inactivity due to rain. Points leaders Buxton wasted little time in getting back into the winning mode as they dispatched the challenge of Plaisance Panthers 5-0 on account of a brace of goals from Isaiah Anderson. BV Triumph United

jumped into the third place thanks to their big 3-0 win over the second placed Mahaica Determinators led by a double off the boot of the league’s second highest goal scorer, Omari Glasgow. It was Mahaica’s first loss of the league which is now in the second round. Playing the feature match, BV were able to notch their sixth win of the competition and in the process downed one of the two front runners, Mahaica. The win was dismissive as the Mahaica lads still showing signs of ring rust

due to their long layoff and never got on to the score sheets. Glasgow was on song in the 14th and 41st minute carrying his tally to 13 goals still five off from the leader, Kobe Durant of Buxton United. Tyrice Dennis took the game way beyond the reach of Mahaica when he blasted the nets three minutes after the break to seal the contest. It was all Buxton United in the opening match of the second round; Plaisance Panthers were left wounded after absorbing five goals

Omari Glasgow (R) and Tyrice Dennis - BV Triumph United FC

without being able to respond. Isaiah Anderson tucked

in one in each half, 10th and 70th, while there was one apiece for Temar Robertson

Joshua Liverpool - Buxton United FC

(35), Joshua Liverpool (39) and Trevor Fiffee in the 75th minute.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 34

Tuesday September 26, 2017

GKF host another successful Senior Championships

Medalists and Judges among other officials following the conclusion of the 2017 GKF Senior National Championships. The Guyana Karate Federation (GKF) on Sunday last hosted another successful Senior National Karate Championships which was held at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall and sponsored by Woodpecker

Products. E l i m i n a t i o n s commenced at 10:00hrs, while the finals, which lasted until late evening, started at 13:00hrs. The GKF is expressing thanks to the National Sports

Commission, Woodpecker Products, Mr. Colin Shaw, Guyana Red Cross, Mr. Courtlee Gonsalves, Table Officials and Judges for their collective support which ensured the success of the championships.

ICC launches corruption probe in Sri Lanka

Upul Tharanga and Dinesh Chandimal at a practice session. (AFP) ESPNcricinfo - The ICC has confirmed its AntiCorruption Unit (ACU) has opened an investigation in Sri Lanka, less than 48 hours after 40 top cricketers petitioned Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to launch an inquiry into corruption allegations. O n F r i d a y, S L C confirmed it had received a letter signed by national players, including captains Dinesh Chandimal and Upul Tharanga, urging the board to probe the “baseless allegations” the players claim were made by former cricketer and selector Pramodya Wickramasinghe. The board, however, stopped short of stating it would launch the probe, and merely recounted the current players’ dismay at having their integrity questioned. But the ICC itself has now publicly established ACU

officers have recently visited Sri Lanka in relation to an investigation. “The ICC AntiCorruption Unit works to uphold integrity in cricket and this includes conducting investigations where there are reasonable grounds to do so,” Alex Marshall, the ICC’s General Manager ACU, said. “There is currently an ACU investigation underway in Sri Lanka. Naturally, as part of this, we are talking to a number of people.” There have been rumours in Sri Lanka about the nature of play in a particular international match for several weeks, but no evidence of any sort has been produced, or even pointed to. And while some present cricketers claim Wickramasinghe made wild allegations against them,

Wickramasinghe himself has more recently suggested that he was only making note of allegations that were already in circulation. Nevertheless, Wickramasinghe has been cast as the source of these allegations. SLC said the players had expressed “profound shock and displeasure at a former national cricketer and selector making such serious allegations,” and that SLC should “initiate an immediate inquiry by s u m m o n i n g Wickramasinghe in fairness to their good names that have been slandered by such diabolic [sic.] allegations.” Whatever the case, it is uncommon for the ICC to comment on ongoing ACU investigations as they have on this occasion.

Tuesday September 26, 2017

Kaieteur News

PAGE 35

Gavin Todd engraves his name on Scotiabank’s Annual Golf Classic trophy “Diligence in practice, skill and a great mental attitude all came together wonderfully to push me clearly to the front” a delighted Gavin Todd expressed as he emerged champion in this year’s Scotiabank Classic tourney at the Lusignan Golf Club on Saturday Sept 23rd. A winner of previous tournaments, this was Gavin’s first win in which he would have a lien on a trophy - it was a significant achievement for him. The game was fascinating, as Scotiabank Robb Street Branch M a n a g e r, n o w a c t i n g President of the Club, Brian Hackett observed that the keen rivalry, yet great camaraderie, it helped some 32 golfers to produce was really there and heightened the excitement of the tournament. A special feature of the

Scotiabank Annual Golf Classic is that so far Scotiabank is the only sponsor who gives the 1st to 3rd place winners the great opportunity to donate a financial sum to a charity of their choice! This year that donation is $125,000, $75,000 and $50,000 respectively for 1st to 3rd place winners. This benevolent tradition of the bank to combine its support for golf with its commitment to local charities is only part of a generous $1.2M package of sponsorship including prizes and gifts of golf bags, balls, gloves, hats, umbrellas, flasks and other equipment that Scotiabank continued to provide this year. In the winning line up, Gavin - 64/19, was closely followed by 2nd place Richard Haniff – 66/15, 3rd place Rabindranath Persaud (Pandit Ravi) 68/21 and 4th

In the picture, from left; Mario Acuna, ‘Pandit Ravi’ Persaud, Richard Haniff, Ag President Brian Hackett, Anasha Ally, Gavin Todd, Lakeram Ramsundar, and a Staff of Scotiabank after the presentation. place Lakeram Ramsundar (Panko) 70/13. Rookie Anasha Ally was pleasantly the Nearest to The Pin winner, while Mario Acuna was awarded the Most

Honest Golfer prize. Most Honest Golfer prize is awarded to the player who returned the weakest score, but is offered to encourage that player to continue

playing despite their performance in that particular tournament. Acting President Brian Hackett expressed Scotiabank’s appreciation

for those who participated and offered the bank’s commitment to continued sponsorship of competitions and support of golfing in Guyana.

2017 BCB Election

Somwaru wants to be judged by his works By Sean Devers The race for the Presidency of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) is getting closer to the finish line and the new BCB head will be known on October 8. In what could be the most important Berbice Board Elections and the first since January 2014, campaigning has already started. Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club’s Hilbert Foster and President of the Guyana Cricket Umpires Council Dhiranidranuath Somwaru are the names vying for the Presidency. The 64-year-Somwari told Kaieteur Sports on Saturday at the Port Mourant ground in Berbice that despite the cautious support by his family for what could be a very stressful position, he will run in the Elections. The former First-Class Umpire, has been a Headmaster at different schools for the past 30 years and recently recovered from illness. A member of Berbice Board since in the 1980’s, Somwaru said he wanted to be judged by his works. “I don’t want endorsements since despite how genuine they are they will not be the ones voting. I

want to be judged by my works. I first became involved in cricket administration around the same time that Carl Moore (former Guyana youth Manager and PRO of the BCB) b e c a m e a member,” stated Somwaru, who was the Stand-by Umpire for the ODIs when West Indies played Zimbabwe and England at Bourda. Somwaru said his relationship with Foster began years ago, adding that he has nothing against him. “We go back a long way and I am not a person to engage in fighting and mud-slinging just to get a position and I hope we can both keep the dirty cricket politics out of this elections,” said Somwaru who began Umpiring at First-Class level in the 1990’s and stood in a few West Indies ‘A’ team games in Guyana. When asked if he was confident of winning? Somwaru said he would not use the word confident but would say he was hopeful. “I am hopeful that the voters vote on my work, but as you k n o w i n a n y Elections some people would promise you their vote and then at last moment change their

Dhiranidranuath Somwaru mind,” explained the former Albion and Chesney Club Cricketer. “If elected my priority would be grassroots

development, since although Berbice has always produced outstanding youth players, the U-13s, U-15s and U-17s tournaments will the focus to be feeders to the U-19s and Senior teams. Sponsorship for competitions is a major problem and should I be elected I want everyone to be involved for the good of Berbice Cricket,” informed Somwaru. When asked why there have only been two rounds of 40-over first division cricket for the year and no two-day t o u r n a m e n t s during the time he was in control of Berbice Cricket, Somwaru explained, “I admit that

there has not been enough cricket for the players but you must remember that due to rain, the grounds were not in a good condition and when the weather changed the (GCB/CGI) Franchise League began so we did not have enough time to play more matches,” Somwaru revealed. “The schedule could be a problem but I believe that when the Franchise League is completed the best players from each county are picked for an inter-county competition with the two overseas Franchise players and one guest player selected in the Essequibo team,” Somwaru opined.

Somwaru said many of the youngsters might know him only as an Umpire and not as a Cricketer. “I first joined Albion as a batting all-round before leaving to work in Georgetown before returning to Berbice in the 70s when I became a member of Chesney. I played a few matches in Georgetown for the Teachers Training College, who he think’s played in the second or third division. I was recommended for Trials in 1972, 73 &74 but I did not attend because of batsmen like Joe Solomon and Basil Butcher who were there,” Somwaru concluded.

t r o Sp Indigenous Heritage Games

Port Kaituma, Parima triumph at Football; Mahdia, Pakuri Warriors take cricket titles

Members of the winning Parima side with their prizes.

GABA/Banks DIH leagues‌

Kobras’ Mark Richards attempts a two-pointer during their loss against Colts (white)

Colts make all divisions final, Pacesetters complete double over Eagles 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