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ACCUSATIONS AGAINST WHATEVER HAPPENED TO ALTERNATIVE SENTENCING? THE DIRECTOR OF PRISONS DEAR EDITOR, A young man in Anna Regina was recently sentenced to three years imprisonment for smashing the glasses—windshield, windows—of a vehicle belonging to a family member. The said member reported him to the police and he was charged for the offence. He will likely spend close to three years as a guest of the state unless family members retain a lawyer and appeal the case. Even so, there is no guarantee that the verdict will change. In prison, he will live off tax payers’ monies, languishing without working to earn his keep. Can Guyana afford this scenario in already overcrowded, volatile prisons? Though I do not want to second-guess the learned judge who sentenced the young man, I would like to know if sentencing in our judicial system does not cater for alternative punitive actions. Could not other appropriate options be applied? What about: 1.100 hours of supervised community service—half a day (from 8 -12) until the time is completed. He can clean the community of ubiquitous garbage and tall grass, PLUS 2. A fine of $200 000, half of which goes to the state and the other half to the owner of the damaged vehicle. He can work in the
afternoons to fulfill this, PLUS 3. A bond to keep the peace for several years and be law-abiding, PLUS 4. Mandatory counseling for a specific amount of hours. Editor, similar penalties can be given to others such as the young man who was also sentenced to three years in prison for stealing a cell phone. There are vast discrepancies in sentencing, as if there are no guidelines. A worker in Region 2 was given 40 hours of community service for slapping a regional councilor three times. Compare this to three years for breaking vehicle glasses. Yes, I agree that a clear and strong message have to be sent to offenders, but jail sentences instead of alternative sentences do not prevent crimes such as spontaneous crimes of passion and theft when the opportunity exists for some individuals. Editor , in light of, and against the background of, two recent prison riots that caused deaths, destruction and escaping, it is high time that we try to reduce overcrowding prisons with inadequate facilities. Alternative sanctions / penalties can be the solution, even if partially so. Karan Chand Region Two Resident
START SHOWING THAT YOU CAN LEAD, MR. GRANGER DEAR EDITOR, Please allow me some space to express my dissatisfaction in the present government and to do so directly to His Excellency. Dear Mr. Granger, you have not only dropped the ball, you have dropped the ball and tossed it away. In every corner of this country you can talk to someone and they will express the same sentiments that you have not done what you have promised Guyanese before you took office. You were so passionate about the misappropriation of our country’s financial resources by the past administration, and had strong statements about your administration addressing these issues; to be fair, I must say you did not say how you would address these issues, so your administration doing the same kind of things or even worse in some cases; this should have been expected since you did not outline any strategic plan for Guyana before your administration took office.
If you would, please answer a few questions. What happened to the retirement benefit for past President? One of your arguments was that it was too much, so I am to think that you have changed your mind, is it that you now think that the benefit is just right? What happened to prosecuting past and present government ministers/ workers for their wrong doings? Is it that because you are now in the hot seat, everything that would shield you or your ministers must remain unchanged? How is it that you are mum on every critical issue that is affecting Guyanese? How can you have persons functioning in areas that are a direct conflict of interest? Is it the mindset, let us set ourselves as best as we could so that when we get out of office, we are set for life? Mr. Granger, every action or inaction of your administration/government rest on your shoulders. A hundred years from now, when my grandchildren and
great grandchildren look back on history, it’s “gonna” be stated as the Granger administration/government did X, Y and Z. Mr. Granger, I implore you to pick up the ball, stand up for what you claim you believe in, care for us; the citizens of this great nation. We are longing for our government to care for us, to look out for us, to improve our lives. If you, the government and the ministers love this nation so much, then you all would put the nation first in everything. Everyone has an opportunity every day to choose to do the right thing. Forget about what you did yesterday, but get it right today. We know, no one is perfect but with God in front and you reaching for righteousness, you can continually strive to attain perfection. Still praying that you will wake up and see that you have not done anything of real benefit to this nation, and realize that there is still time to get it right TODAY! Fed-Up Citizen
DEAR EDITOR, I write this letter out of concern for what I believe to be a demonstration of unprofessional and self-serving behavior, on the part of Guyana’s Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels, when he answered questions from representatives of the local media on the reasons for the prisoners protest on September 19th 2017. The Director stated, “The escapees wanted steak for breakfast and it was not available”. He was referring to the recent protest by some inmates in the Camp Street Prison who were protesting against the porridge served to them for breakfast. It is my opinion that his comments on this matter were irresponsible. His propagandizing was designed to influence public opinion against the protesting prisoners. This approach is counterproductive to improving relations between inmates and officers – apparently this is not the goal of the prison administration. Mr. Samuels is fully aware that his tenure as Head of the Guyana Prisons Service has attracted several negative reports from various quarters, including incarcerated prisoners and prison officers he supervises. It was as a result of the pressure, and public scrutiny he is under that he made this most asinine and irresponsible statement when he give the impression that the prisoners wanted steak for breakfast. My concern reside in the fact that someone, who over the years of his close relationship with the prison service like Samuels has had, can, and very deliberately so, misrepresent information to the public with the intention of deflecting from himself, responsibility for the breakdown in the administration of the prison services and the resulting consequences. I am contending here that the incident on September 19th, 2017 cannot be viewed in isolation. It has to be
seen in the context of the overall general crisis existing in the prisons. The administrators of the prisons of which Samuels is a key player, is pivotal to what is taking place and are not blameless. Ridiculous statements like the one Samuels is credited with having made cannot, and will not absolve him and those other persons who are responsible for the running of the prisons from some of the blame that has led to the chaos within the prison system. I speak here as a person, who in the 1980s, served a 3years sentence both in the Georgetown and Mazaruni prisons. In the period of my incarceration inmates were never given “steak” for breakfast – not even on important celebratory days like Independence, Republic and Christmas Day. I challenge Mr. Samuels to name one occasion, in his years of experience in the prison service when steak was served as breakfast to prisoners. I have for political and personal reasons over the years been paying attention to what happened in this country’s prison system and have never heard of an improvement in the condition of life in the prison that has seen prisoners being treated with a steak meal breakfast in recognition of a special occasion. In fact, it is well known that the meals prisoners are sometimes fed with are unfit for human consumption. Mr. Samuels must be aware of allegations which are levelled at prison officers, including some, high up in the chain of command, of stealing and carrying out of the prisons – for use in their homes -the dietary supplements that have been purchased for the preparation of meals for the prisoners. I am saying here that Prisons Director, Gladwin Samuels, is playing politics with the prisoners’ lives, welfare and wellbeing, and also that of prison officers who work in the prisons. The situation in Guyana’s prisons demands an intense, systemic investigation Continued on page 6
THERE ARE HUMANITARIAN CRISES IN THE REGION DEAR EDITOR, “The stars have fallen! Eden is broken! 72,000 Dominicans lie on the frontline in a war that they did not start!” Prime Minister Skerrit’s words will hopefully ring in everyone’s ears for longer than the proverbial 15 minutes. Few who have watched his address to the UN General Assembly could fail to be moved by it. At this point, there are humanitarian crises affecting many of our neighbours, some caused by nature, some caused by man. As these crises unfurl, we believe that Guyana and the region need to have a clear
sense of the scope of their responsibilities and a preformulated plan of action. A year ago, we held an event entitled ‘Hard Times in Venezuela’ to highlight certain aspects of the situation across the border. On Thursday evening (28th September at 6.00 pm) we have invited a panel to discuss ‘The Humanitarian Crises in the Region: a response’. The speakers are Nigel Hughes, Mike Mc Cormack and Colin Granderson, (Assistant Secretary-General, Foreign and Community Relations, Caricom). We warmly invite any organizations’ and
members of the public with an interest in these matters to join us on Thursday evening. We convene sessions like these as part of our mission to stimulate the sharing of knowledge and ideas and in line with our firm conviction that a culture thrives and develops where ideas circulate and are robustly debated and interrogated. Isabelle de Caires Moray House Trust
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The then Chairman of the Police Service Commission erred on this issue DEAR EDITOR, I carefully read a curious article of September 5, 2017 under the caption, “Dismiss the charges...PSC orders Top Cop to dismiss DPP recommended charges against officers”. According to the missive, in a letter dated July 14, 2017 and address to Commissioner of Police, Seelall Persaud, Chairman of the PSC, Omesh Satyanand said, “The Police Service Commission has reviewed a list of disciplinary matters at interviews held and has recommended that the following disciplinary matters should be dismissed, i.e. no charge should be instituted against the officers.” The chairman listed the officers, their ranks, the nature of the matters, when the incidents occurred and the DDP recommendations. Officers and inspectors mentioned in the report were given a respite. This long list of alleged defaulters leaves me with the impression that there are not only reports of indiscipline at the apex of management in the Force but at its heart- the middle management. However, corrective action can be taken through fit and proper disciplinary procedure. I perused the report several times. They were more questions than answers and the more I find out the less I know. Here are some burning questions: Was the order that no charge should be instituted against the officers and inspectors a decision of
Wednesday September 27, 2017
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the chairman or the PSC as a whole? Were the interviews conducted when the PSC was fully constituted or they were done solely by the chairman or with himself and two other members of the Commission present? Some of the beneficiaries of the altruistic decision of the chairman spoke about the one and one interview they had with him. Are there any written records of the proceedings? Were the persons summoned by the PSC or they went on their own volition? Were the investigations into the alleged breaches of discipline so poorly done that the investigators did not adduce enough evidence to establish even a simple disciplinary charge into the twenty alleged acts of misconduct committed by seventeen officers and inspectors. Were the story told by the accusers inherently incredibly? Were the alleged breaches of discipline so frivolous and vexatious that they were quickly dashed under the Chairman’s No Action red carpet? Is it a fact that the chairman has a better understanding and appreciation of legal issues than the DPP and or the chairman of the PCA who is an honourable and distinguished retired Chancellor of the Judiciary? Why is it so easy for the chairman to blatantly disregard the recommendations of the DPP and the chairman of the PCA
Accusations against the... From page 5 so that the political directorate can come to grips with what is taking place thereby allowing it to make the required changes, which would cater for an improvement in the overall administration of the prisons. The recent disruptions in the prisons, including the massive fires and the consequential lost in human lives and property are clear indicators that there are serious problems within the system that can no longer be ignored. I therefore want to use this opportunity to call on the coalition government to, as a matter of urgency, put in place the mechanism for the systemic audit of the prisons before the situation worsens. Tacuma Ogunseye
by just conducting interviews? Certainly, interviewing commanders and other senior officers is not in keeping with best practice, transparency or is the best method to dispose of disciplinary matters that had legal inputs from the DPP and the PCA. But, what about those long outstanding disciplinary matters that for years have been slow marching between the Police and the PSC. They are hampering the promotions of several hard working ranks who could have been punished and by now qualify for promotion because they would have had a clean slate. To have disciplinary matters pending for over five years and using them to bar ranks from promotion is an abuse of due process. Why did the PSC abandon its well established and successful disciplinary procedure, that is to say the appointment of tribunals to inquire into disciplinary matters and for the tribunals to submit their resume of proceedings to the PSC for action to be taken as that Competent Disciplinary Authority deems fit? The chairman cannot complain, because over the past two years the Commission appointed several tribunals. Through the pro active efforts of the police administration they all delivered the goods in good time. Why that extraordinary action taken by the chairman to nolle pros the matters? Is it a one - man Commission? Was there or is there an ulterior motive? Disciplinary action must be swift, certain and appropriate if it is be effective. Justice delayed is justice denied. Justice must not only be done but must appear to be done. The action taken by the chairman falls well within the ambit of a travesty of justice. Hopefully for the GPF, there will be positive and transparent changes in dealing with alleged breaches of discipline under the Police (Discipline) Act Chapter 17:01. Clinton Conway Assistant Commissioner of Police (Retired)
Skeldon workers incensed by GuySuCo’s arrogance DEAR EDITOR, For consecutive days, cane cutters of Skeldon Estate took strike action as they protested the haughty and arrogant attitude of the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo). The workers are most upset by the sudden and unannounced withdrawal of a long-standing practice whereby they are paid their extra payments proportionate to the task they would have completed. The workers related that for as long as they can recall this has been the system employed at Skeldon Estate and it has served the workers and the estate well. It is indeed saddening that so soon after the commencement of the crop workers are forced to take strike action to defend their rights and conditions. If it were the case that the Corporation had wished to change the practice at Skeldon, certainly it could have engaged the Union and the workers in discussions to reach an amicable solution in the nine (9) months the estate was not operating. It seems rather than taking an enlightened approach to the situation, the Corporation has chosen to employ a ‘wrecking ball’ attitude in addressing the workers issues. This is a most disturbing approach in our contemporary times. The Union was also very perturbed to learn that about 55 cane cutters were seemingly forcefully taken into the cultivation against their will to work. This happened on Saturday, (September 23, 2017. Normally, the workers from the different villages are transported to the Baker Shop Dam order line where the numbers of workers are recorded by the relevant managerial personnel before they are
finally transported to the worksite. The lorry travelling from Crabwood Creek picking up workers along the way went straight into the cultivation though the workers kept demanding that the chauffeur stop at the order line as is customary. Seven of the workers, we understand, disembarked from the moving lorry at the order line, at their own risk, and a further six (6) walked out from the cultivation where they were taken. This is, in our view, a most improper act if not a criminal one. It also speaks to the low levels that GuySuCo has descended and harks back to a time of forced labour, a time we of the GAWU felt was condemned to the history books. Moreover, it is the first time as an independent state that we recall that workers have been taken against their will to work and, in our view, violates their inalienable constitutional right to strike and right to work. The GAWU has been making efforts to have the Union and the Corporation to intervene at the central level to arrest the situation and to find a solution. The Corporation, however, has not agreed with the Union’s request. Also, efforts by the Union and the workers at the local level were in vain. Quite possibly, the Corporation is seeking to engender the workers protest actions towards its own nefarious ends. Certainly, with sugar production lagging far behind the set target at this time, the Corporation is obviously looking for a scapegoat to cover up its poor management. At this time, the GAWU calls on GuySuCo to revert to the status quo and to commence engagements with the Union and the workers to reach an amicable solution. Seepaul Narine, GAWU
Lest we forget the Development... From page 4 competitiveness in international markets; greater disposable income for consumers and; the ability to attract more foreign investors to our shores were among some of the most immediate. Despite pleas by President Ramotar and other senior PPP members, the APNU-AFC remained steadfast in their anti-development position. The inciting of violence in Linden when the regularization of electricity rates was initiated in the Budget Speech, represents another sore point in recent Guyanese history. The APNU-AFC persistently blames subsidies given to GUYSUCO, to keep the sugar industry afloat, for all its woeful inadequacies. However, the economic benefits of sugar as an industry far outweigh the nearly non-existent economic
benefits to be derived from providing a single area in an entire region with electricity subsidies to the tune of 3-4B per annum. Regularising the electricity rates in Guyana would have represented the first step to ensuring that GPL, which suffers from inherent inefficiency due to line losses, moved onestep closer to second-best efficiency. This however Mr. Editor was not to be. Perhaps the greatest injustice stricken onto the Guyanese people after the great sabotage is the woeful intellectual infertility by the APNU-AFC to conjure a viable alternative to the Amaila Falls Project which would provide the same magnitude of power. In a form not atypical to this administration, lofty narratives have flooded the headlines of state media and media houses sympathetic to the APNU-AFC without any substance. The Windfarm Project which at its peak is supposed to generate 30 percent of the power of the Amaila Falls Project, is strife with corruption from the very outset. Moreover, we are almost at the end of 2017 and halfway through this administration’s term in office and no substantive progress has been made on this project. Mr. Editor, I would offer
to close by reminding the Guyanese public that even through the trying time of development sabotage, the Ramotar-led PPP administration grew the economy by 13.8 percent over a 3-year period – sublime economic growth by any measure. With Parliamentary majority and not facing the same deadlock and antidevelopment agenda of a one-seat majority opposition, this Granger-led APNU-AFC is only able to muster 8.5 percent over a 2.5-year period and an expected 9.5 percent over a 3-year period. This figure is only buoyed by stronger-than-expected gold performances by two large companies, by the Minister of Finance’s own admission. In the absence of such strong performances, the economic growth over the 3year period would have been a lackluster 6 percent approximated. It is a small wonder therefore why the Guyanese populace complain of trying economic times and a visionless government. Mr. Editor, almost a decade later and we are still no closer to any form of alternative energy and face blackouts as a part of our daily lives. Why? Lest we forget the development sabotage. Yours sincerely, Nand Puran
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Lands cleared for Opposition asks Procurement Commission to probe Sussex Street drug bond deal 60 houses in Amelia’s Ward Some residents of Region Ten will soon have a place to call home. Lands have been cleared by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) for the construction of 60 houses. This was disclosed by Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Valerie Patterson-Yearwood during an outreach in the region last Sunday. Addressing residents during the outreach, the Minister said that housing is a major issue countrywide and Region Ten is no different. She disclosed that over 1,000 applications for house lots have been received from the residents and the Ministry of Communities is working to address the issue. Of the 60 homes, 30 will be flat houses and the other 30 will be on stilts. Construction is slated to commence shortly. The Minister noted that the pre-qualification process for interested persons commenced last week Tuesday; however, she recognises that some persons will not be able to qualify for the houses and that a plan is currently being formulated to address the issue. “This is something we are going to engage the Minister of Finance with because there are some persons whose salaries are low and the bank is not qualifying them. We are currently looking at a model that we can come up with to satisfy that group of people. We are not closing our eyes and ears on you”, she explained. Minister Yearwood stated that once the construction of at least one house is completed, persons who have qualified for them will be able to take up residence. The construction of such homes is a countrywide initiative by the Ministry of Communities. Recently, the Minister announced that 40 similar houses will be constructed at Onderneeming, on the Essequibo Coast. Also, the housing authority is expected to construct an additional 40 duplexes at Perseverance by the end of the year. (DPI)
The Opposition has written to the Public Procurement Commission (PPC), the body that overlooks state contracts, asking that it investigate a multi-million-dollar contract for a drug bond on Sussex Street. In a released letter from the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, Member of Parliament, Juan Edghill, yesterday requested PPC’s Chairperson, Carol Corbin, to initiate the probe how Linden Holdings Incorporated managed to win the contract. “I write you on behalf of the Parliamentary Opposition PPP/C to request that your Commission acting under article 212 AA (1) (h),(i), and (j) of the Constitution of Guyana, investigate the above named project.” Edghill said that from information, the contract for the bond was sole sourced. “Significant sums of public monies are continually being expended on its rental and other operational costs,” Edghill said. On August 23, 2016, an unsigned copy of the contract was released to the public. The contract shows that the rental is for “office space” and not a bond for the storage of pharmaceuticals.
“In spite of the public statements made by the Minister of Public Health in the National Assembly and the specially appointed Cabinet Sub-committee that the Bond is PAHO/WHO compliant, the contract makes for no such stipulation. The contract also includes exceedingly generous conditions for the landlord for three years and includes a 12-month notice of termination,” the MP wrote in making his case for an investigation. He noted that the issue with the Sussex Street bond facility came up for the first time in the National Assembly on August 8, 2016 when the Committee of Supply examined the supplementary provisions requested by the Government for money for several state agencies and projects. “The National Assembly debated an allocation of some $87.5M with $25M already spent as a security deposit and $12.5M representing monthly rentals from August to December 2016. The sums were paid to the Linden Holding Inc.” The MP said that it was only after multiple questions were asked and concerns raised, in mid-August 2016, that Minister Raphael Trotman, according to reports from the Department of Public Information, disclosed that a sub-committee was appointed by President Granger and comprised himself as the Chairman, Prime Minister
Moses Nagamootoo and Minister of State Joseph Harmon. “The committee, after a review, recommended that the contract be renegotiated. During the debate on the 2017 Budget in December 2016, a parliamentary delegation accompanied by the media visited the Bond and found condoms, lubricants and some unused refrigerators, but no pharmaceuticals and medical supplies.” Edghill said that with no further action by the government, on January 16, 2017, following the news of Minister Volda Lawrence taking responsibility of Public Health, the People’s Progressive Party repeated its call for the ‘drug bond’ contract to be rescinded. The Opposition said that the contract for the bond was for $14M. “To date the Ministry continues to rent the Sussex Street facility. We are therefore calling for an urgent investigation into this contract...” Among other things, the Opposition wants to know who made the decision to sole source and under what circumstances; the nature of the emergency what led to the renting of the bond; and how the company’s director, Larry Singh, knew that a drug bond was needed. More specifically, Edghill asked PPC to investigate how the contract for a bond for the storage of pharmaceuticals and medi-
c a l s u p p l ies was sole sourced from an entity that did not own and/or operate such a facility. He also wanted to know: “Why did the contract stipulate rental of “office space” and not rental of a pharmaceutical bond? Was this price fair as it relates to market value for similar such facilities? Are the taxpayers getting value for money?” PPC is also being asked to identify what breaches took place in the procurement process and to make recommendations for remedial action and preventative measures. “We would be grateful for a definitive pronouncement specifically addressing if this award was done in a fair, equitable, transparent, competitive and cost effective manner according to our procurement laws. We anticipate an independent and thorough review and await your findings.” It is not the first time that the purchase of pharmaceuticals has come under question. Under the previous administration, it was the source of much contention after it became know that companies associated with Dr. Ranjisinghi ‘Bobby’ Ramroop, a close friend of former President, Bharrat Jagdeo, received the lion’s share of contracts. State auditors had pointed to significant cases of nondelivery and other even solesourcing. It involved billions of dollars.
Constitutional reform still a government priority - Min. Trotman Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, has insisted that the administration remains committed to constitutional reform. The Minister was at the time speaking on behalf of Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo at the University of Guyana’s ninth round of Tain and Turkeyen Talks. This round focused on constitutional reform and whether efforts to have the constitution changed should be continued, or whether it should remain as it is. According to Minister Trotman, “The government of Guyana has made efforts to keep this matter on the front burner, we did make a manifesto promise for constitutional reform.” The constitutional reform Bill was presented to the National Assembly for the first time in July 2017. A constitutional reform consultative commission Bill was drafted to pave the way for the establishment of a Constitu-
Minister Raphael Trotman tional Reform Consultative Commission. “We have worked on the Constitutional Reform Consultative Commission bill which is a large measure taken from the 1998 bill which was crafted during the seventh parliament and is now with the review committee of Parliament,” Minister Trotman explained. A successful constitu-
tional reform process must emphasise meaningful dialogue, negotiation, and compromise on the part of the government, opposition and citizens. In this regard, Minister Trotman added, “I believe that it is all of our responsibility government opposition, civil society, academia, youth, women all of us, we all have that equal responsibility.” Meanwhile, reports submitted by the initial steering committee indicate that the Constitutional Reform Commission (CRC) must be independent, representative and inclusive of civil society. The public at large must be provided with opportunities to participate in consultations. Public education is also to be a major area of focus. Other support agencies can also contribute their bit to the process of consultation and reform. “I dare say that the government welcomes every initiative to move the process forward,” Minister Trotman remarked.
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All in a day A young boy lives in the countryside with his family. His father is a cow herder and also a farmer. This young lad is twelve years old. He awakes at 5:00 hrs each day. Since his parents have instilled in him the importance of undertaking responsibilities in the home by doing basic chores, he does not have to be told what to do. His day follows a routine. The first thing that he does on getting out of bed is to make his bed and tidy his room. He then proceeds outside to the back of his house where the cow pens are located. For the next hour, he will milk the cows that have to be
milked. He is skilled at this and tries to get as much milk as he can from the cows. By the time this is completed it is time for him to hand over to his father who will take care of the feeding and grazing of the cows in the pastures aback of the farm which his family plants. After handing over the cows to his father, he proceeds to the standpipe in his yard where there are buckets and drums of water to be fetched. He has to fill many of these so that himself and siblings can bathe and also to ensure that there is sufficient in the home for the daily housework. After filling one
DEM BOYS SEH
Soulja Bai promise land in Pradoville fuh hurricane victims Soulja Bai got some people getting vex so till if dem put dem hand pun him he would regret de day he born. De hurricane slam some islands. Of course we in Guyana and de people in dem islands wha get hit is brothers and sisters in Caricom. De hurricane throw down dem house and from de look of things nuff of these people would never live in a decent house of dem own. Soulja Bai see de photos and he send Felix who come back wid a sad story. Right away Soulja Bai announce that he prepare to give dem hurricane people land in Guyana. One lady at de Waterfalls paper seh Soulja Bai can’t tek he eyes and pass she. She apply fuh land and she husband apply fuh land and none of dem ain’t get even a reply. She complain how she can’t get land but people who get li’l breeze blow up dem behind can get land. Dem boys seh dem don’t have a problem because Guyana got nuff land. Pradoville alone got enough space to tek everybody from Bermuda. Jagdeo property can hold half of de affected people. Some of dem wouldn’t even have to build a house. Jagdeo toilet and bathroom alone can hold about a dozen family. And is not like Jagdeo got anybody living wid him. De maid quarters can hold another 25 families. As fuh de yard, de playground and de exercise field, that can half de people de hurricane touch up. Dem boys seh that talk fuh rain and talk fuh sun, Guyana is a good country. Is only de people who running it causing trouble. People in de private sector decide that dem gun collect hurricane relief and send it to Antigua. Li’l Joe tell dem don’t worry bout de transportation; how he cut a deal wid de British and dem gun fly over everything. He tell de people how de British got two plane and he done arrange to get dem. De next thing dem boys know is that de people deh scrambling to get a boat to carry dem goods. De British seh dem not lending dem plane. Talk half and always remember, never depend on Guyana promises.
bucket he places another bucket under the standpipe while he trucks the filled container inside. This routine continues until all the buckets are filled and inside the house. The twelve-year old then proceeds into the house where he assists his smaller brothers and sisters to get dressed and ready for school. Then the family sits down to a quick but hearty breakfast. Afterwards, he helps with the dishes and whatever else he can in the kitchen before dashing off to bathe and dress for school. On those days, such as Saturdays, when he is not at school, he has to go with his family house to house to deliver milk and the remainder of the morning is spent at the
market selling the produce that is produced on his family’s farm. On Sundays his additional chores include sweeping the yard and washing the family car. But since his parents value education, he is not allowed to miss school. Every weekday therefore he has to attend school. After school he comes home and after having a snack he goes to get his watering can. Each afternoon he has to attend to the kitchen garden and flower plants. His job each day is to water the various plants which are grown in his yard. He goes around the kitchen garden to see what is ready for picking. He does this and takes the produce inside. Then he heads for the pas-
ture where the cows are grazing. The sun by this time is setting in the west. The cows have to be herded and guided back home. They are not always obedient and sometimes a few may go astray. It is quite a tiring task and by the time he gets them into the pens, night has set and he is exhausted. But the day of this young lad is not ended. He has to help out around the house when he finishes and after dinner he has to tidy the dishes. By the time he is finished, there is little time to relax or study since he has been taught the importance of a good night’s sleep. One night, just before retiring, the young lad sees his father reading the newspaper and mumbling to himself. He
asks his father what is the problem. The father says, “This is a lot of nonsense! I have never heard of a more deplorable idea. The government has to be crazy to be even thinking about doing this.” “What is it that the government is thinking about doing?” asks the twelve year old. Without lifting his head out of the newspaper, the father says, “They are thinking about allowing children to do light work from age thirteen. They cannot be serious. Children should not be allowed to work at such a young age.”
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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. SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyana passport 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 Eagle’s: Re-gas –low prices, washing machine repairs, gas stove, plasma flat Screen, computer repairs & more. Call: 697-2969/646-0966
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LEARN TO DRIVE C. Persaud & N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman & Sons Driving School @ Maraj BuildingCall: 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997 (affordable packages).
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 One cow supervisorCall: 624-2920, 227-5468 Live in waitress to work in bar. Call: 604-6606/ 692-4649
Cook/ Baker for interior. Applicants must be experienced. Call: 6182020 Vacancies exists for one dedicated Grade six teacher, 4th & 5th form Business teacher. Call: 264-3176, 6687705 Immediate vacancy exists for one male security to work nights only at Meadowbank- Call: 2311408 between 8am-1pm TO LET
Drivers, dispatchers, contract car- Tel:231-0002, 231-0316, 219-4087, 219-4086
FURNISHED TWO B E D R O O M S APARTMENT,o SHORT/ LONG TERM. CALL: 2227891/ 609-9202
Urgently needed couple to work on farm from country area- Tel: 231-1408 between 8am to 1pm
1 Flat two bedrooms concrete house fully grilled & over-head tank at samatta Point Grove, EBDCall: 621-0090
1 Able bodied male- Tel: 2312029, 219-4533, 616-5954
One single room top flat in Parfaite Harmony, W.B.D $22,000- Tel: 694-7817
Attractive live in waitress- Call: 3270252/674-4665
Parking lot to rent, size 150ft x80ft. Ideal for auto sale, taxi service etcTel:601-3395
Labourer to work men and women in cabbage farm. Experience needed- Call: 6956139, 674-5052
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
TAXI SERVICE G R TA X I S E RV I C E . CALL: 219-5000; 2271982 & 225-7878 (24HRS)
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 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 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
For the sake of the... (From page 20) scheduled 8:00 to 16:30 hours, but there is always a sense of satisfaction when you’re done for the day.” Assessing cases, counseling and talking to parents and their children, is such an important element of this work. Douglas said, “Sometimes you have teenagers who just want their own way and you have to interview them thoroughly to get a clear understanding of what the situation is. “Some young people are likely to twist situations and words to suit their own pur-
Big business or residential property @ Friendship road top E.B.D. $13.7M cash onlyCall: 681-1312
1 Driver for Eccles office- Call: 614-4358 1 Male to look after layer birds in the Interior- Call: 665-3421
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.
(From page 19) installed a portable WoodMizer sawmill and two stationary mills. It said that “as per its previous commitment, Vaitarna Inc. has installed three industrial WoodMizer LT 70 model saw mills, one WoodMizer EG 400 and one Woodmizer EG 300 model Edger at Wineperu, Region Seven. While the Guyana Forestry Commission has accepted the Woodmizers as value-added, critics have blamed GFC of not ensuring that enough is being done for the value-adding aspects, which create more jobs and revenues for Guyana. All the machines were said to be operational this year with the company capacity to produce approximately 350,000BM (825 m3) of lumber per month on an eight-hour shift. Vaitarna claimed it had 136 employees of whom 126 are Guyanese (93 % of the total employees). All 17 of the sawmill employees are Guyanese, the company stated. “The majority of the 126 Guyanese employees are from the local community of Wineperu. This employment generation has contributed visibly to the socio-economic development of the Wineperu community.” The promise of value-added has been seen as a “sugar coating” to enable the export of large quantities of logs, particularly to China and India.
VEHICLE FOR SALE Allion, Primo, Fielder Wagon, Spacio, Bluebird, 212 Carina, NZE, Honda CRV, Toyota IST, RZ & Pitbull – Call: 650-7501
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
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
SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. -CosmetologyCourses:$120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 647-1773/660-5257
LAND FOR SALE Parfaite Harmonie $1.5M, Tuschen $2.5M, Zeelugt $2.5M, Uitvlugt $2.3M- Tel: 642-1252 10 & 30ACRES OF LANDAT YARROWKABRA, LINDEN SOESDYKE HIGHWAY. CREEK AVAILABLE- TEL: 663-5524, 264-2967 Farm (100ftx 50ft) with reserve $3M, Uivtlugt $3M, Parfaite Harmonie $1.4M, Eccles $4.5M, Zeelugt $1.2MTel:656-0701, 651-1969 One double plot of farm land for sale at Parika Naamryck Backdam, E.B.E (27.8 acres)- Call: 6125441, 658-5128
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 One bedroom apartment $30,000 monthly, light and water included- Call: 6981833 Place for rent, can be used as an office/ restaurant at Lot 1C Hydronie Parika, E.B.E- Call: 665-6138, 630-5962
pose so you really have to be alert.” However when it has been proven that a child is no longer safe in his/her home for whatever reason, then that child will have to be further processed and a search begins for a suitable relative to act as guardian for that child. But if time runs out and nobody shows up, the child must be placed in the state care. “When a child is placed in state care, given the circumstances, parents will have to go through a process and meet requirements previously agreed to before they can be unified with their child,” Douglas explained. This is how the Agency works along with parents for them to attain better parenting skills or ‘fix up’ their living conditions for their children’s safety and well-being. Douglas said that many days are challenging but this job is something that she will do over and over again because she knows she is making life better for Guyana’s children. It is with both passion and commitment to the job that Probation and Social Services Officers step out faithfully from the comfort of their homes to face the challenges of what can be considered a normal day in their lives.
Wednesday September 27, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Regardless of name and billion dollar status…
Five held for Freeman Conduct rigid due diligence tests, Street robbery/murder hold big companies accountable - suspect confesses after girlfriend refuses to provide alibi
The injured Tallim Shaheed
The injured Shalim Shaheed
Shot dead: Fazal Shaheed
A suspect in last Saturday’s robbery/murder at Freeman Street, East La Penitence, has reportedly admitted to his involvement in the crime, while one of his alleged accomplices claimed that he tried to persuade the gang not to go through with the plan. They are among five people, including two women, who have been held for the brutal home invasion, which ended with 58-year-old Fazal Shaheed being riddled with bullets, and two of his brothers wounded. Police said that the suspects are from Freeman Street and are between the ages of 17 and 25. Investigators said that the attackers knew their victims, who have relatives in the same area. Police sources said that one of the suspects had initially claimed that he was at his girlfriend’s when the robbery took place. But the girlfriend told investigators that the suspect had told her to say that they were together, if the police questioned her. This suspect reportedly claimed that they killed Fazal Shaheed because he put up a resistance. Another detained man reportedly told detectives that he knew of the plans, and had “peeped” (checked ) the house where the victims were staying on the day of the robbery. He claimed that he told the gang that the family did not appear to have much of value and suggested that they call off their plan. However, another gang member reportedly said that “is foreign they come from; they got to have something.” Although the suspect denied participating in the robbery, one of the detained men claims he was present. The gunmen entered the Freeman Street, East La Penitence home, around 23.45 hrs on Saturday while the brothers and other relatives
were planning a memorial service for their father. Fazal Shaheed, of Lot 61 Cropper Street, Albion, Berbice was shot at least four times, reportedly during a scuffle with the robbers. He succumbed at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). His younger brother, Tallim Shaheed, 50, of Toronto, Canada, was shot in the back. Shalim Shaheed, 53, of New York, was shot in the abdomen. They have been admitted to the GPHC. According to the eldest brother, Raymon Shaheed, some of his relatives who came from overseas, were gathered at the premises in preparation for a memorial service to mark their dad’s first death anniversary. He recalled that he and his wife, along with some other relatives, left for his residence at Subryanville,
Georgetown, before the attack. He said that about an hour later, he received a phone call from his sister, who told him that his three brothers were shot and that he needed to return to the East La Penitence residence. Shaheed said that he drove as fast as he could. But upon arrival at the home he was informed that a taxi had already transported his brothers to the hospital. He barged into the triage room where he saw his brother, Fazal lying motionless on a bed with about four gunshot wounds. One wound was in the region of his heart. He added that Shalim was admitted in a critical condition but is now stable following surgery. He said that his other brother, Tallim, sustained one gunshot wound to his back. Continued on page 24
By Kiana Wilburg It is no secret that the relevant authorities here have a history of failing to conduct rigid due diligence tests particularly on foreign companies seeking to invest in the local market. But with a billion-dollar sector like oil on the way, several anticorruption advocates as well as experienced entrepreneurs in that industry, insist that Guyana’s authorities must ensure that robust due diligence tests are carried out on companies. This is regardless of the company’s name or multi-billion-dollar status. Specifically noting this salient point recently was Mr. Ashley Taylor, President of Point Lisas Industrial Port Development Corporation Ltd. (PLIPDECO). Point Lisas is a major industrial centre in Trinidad and Tobago and has been a hub for some of the world’s largest operators in downstream activities. The industrial estate is managed by PLIPDECO. Taylor has been the President of the Corporation for eight years. During that time, the corporation has seen much improvements and diversification. The businessman said that irrespective of the size of investment being brought by a company, if it fails to pass the nation’s due diligence tests then that truth must not be brushed under the carpet. Taylor noted that it is because of PLIPDECO’s nonsense approach in this regard, it has been able to keep a high standard of accountability
- TT Energy Leader
Mr. Ashley Taylor, President of Point Lisas Industrial Port Development Corporation Ltd.
Business Minister, Dominic Gaskin
and transparency as it relates to their downstream activities. The entrepreneur said that Guyana would be wise to take all the necessary precautions so as to protect its industries from abuse. He insists that it is necessary to hold companies accountable for their actions too. Taylor also spoke about the need to be selective when it comes to choosing partners for the oil and gas sector. The businessman said, “You want to partner with someone who is into this thing for the long haul. You don’t want someone who is coming in and who may appear to have a lot of money to invest and then five years later there is a shock to the sector and the company says it is no longer in a position to operate.” “One of our major
tenants, Methanex Corporation, is Canadabased. It happens to be the largest producer of methanol in the world…We also have companies that can be considered the largest producers of ammonia in the world.” He added, “So basically, we have partnered with big players; the ‘kind’ of players, who we know once they put the investment down, they will be in it for the long haul. They have such a wide reach and expanse of operations globally that should there be for any reason, a shock to the system, like the reduction in the price of the commodity, these companies can withstand that kind of circumstance.” Taylor made the point, too, that at Point Lisas, there Continued on page 24
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday September 27, 2017
Republicans fail again to kill off Obamacare in U.S. Senate
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), accompanied by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) at left, speaks with reporters ahead of the party luncheons on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., yesterday. REUTERS/Aaron P. Bernstein WA S H I N G T O N (Reuters) - U.S. Republicans yesterday fell short yet again in their seven-year drive to repeal Obamacare, in a bitter defeat that raises more questions about their ability to enact President Donald Trump’s agenda. The party was unable to win enough support from its own senators for a bill to
repeal the 2010 Affordable Care Act and decided not to put it to a vote, several Republicans said. The bill’s sponsors vowed to try again, but face steeper odds after Sunday, when special rules expire that allow them to pass healthcare legislation without Democratic support. “We basically ran out of
time,” said Senator Ron Johnson, a co-sponsor of the measure with Senators Bill Cassidy, Lindsey Graham and Dean Heller. Republicans have now repeatedly failed to deliver on their longtime promise to roll back former Democratic President Barack Obama’s signature domestic accomplishment.
They have yet to achieve any major domestic policy successes in Congress this year, which could hurt their efforts to retain control of the Senate and House of Representatives in the November 2018 congressional elections. Republicans widely view the Obamacare law, which provides coverage to 20 million Americans, as a costly government overreach. Trump vowed frequently during the 2016 election campaign to scrap it. Democrats have fiercely defended it, saying it has extended health insurance to millions. After falling short in July, Senate Republicans tried again this month with a bill that would gives states greater control over the hundreds of billions of dollars that the federal government spends annually on health care. As before, they ran into objections from members on the right and the centre who opposed repeal for essentially opposite reasons. Senator Susan Collins, a
Dominica cops enforce strict curfew to curb looting…
27 dead, 18 still missing ROSEAU—Dominica’s police chief says the death toll following the passage of Hurricane Maria has now risen to 27. Police Chief Daniel Carbon, who made the disclosure during a press conference here early yesterday, said 18 people have also been confirmed missing. Concerning security, he noted that the police have been kept busy with the latest incident being a prison break that took place late Sunday in which four people escaped. However, he said two were captured shortly afterwards by members of the police force.Carbon added that another challenge is that of “massive looting” in the capital and other sections of the island. “I can report that immediately following the passage of Hurricane Maria we have had massive looting. Several business places in the city of Roseau and to a less extent in the town of Portsmouth had looting.” He said that to date 40 arrests have been made in relation to criminal matters and 86 people who violated the curfew have also been arrested. But Carbon stressed that the situation is under control, thanks to the help being given by security personal from
T&T Defence Force personnel now based in Dominica share a moment with a Trinidadian family they rescued last Friday. The family, Stephan Sebro, his wife Sara and children Skyla and Sadiel, were lving in a car since the passage of Hurricane Maria two Mondays ago. PICTURE COURTESY T&T COAST GUARD across the Caribbean. “As the Prime Minister has stated, the police force was very challenged, both as it relates to search and recovery and dealing with the massive looting, but we now have the situation under control, we have our regional colleagues here and they are helping us in that regard.” Also speaking was deputy police chief Davidson Valerie, who lamented that young people were involved in looting. “Many of them were searching broken premises and looting from them – primarily business places. We were able to put the situation under some level of
control and quell the problems that were emerging from the looting. Despite our repeated efforts on many occasions, the mobs would move from one location to another…” Valerie also stressed the importance of observing the curfew. “We must not catch any resident on the streets, at 4 pm (local time), residents must be home. When the police find anyone outside without a permit – you will be arrested if you do not have a permit. This must be obtained from the chief of police. They must remain inside until eight o’clock in the morning. We as the police, will continue to do our best that during this recovery process, crime is
minimised as much as possible.” Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, in a statement, assured the country that the distribution of supplies is one of the top priorities of his administration at this time. “We are getting additional help from helicopters … once we get the supplies, that will come from the planes to the helicopters—hey will be distributed to the people in masses.” He also appealed for order. “What we are seeking to get from the residents is order. Yesterday we did a fantastic job. We are attacking this from land, from air and from sea. (CMC)
moderate, complained it undermined the Medicaid programme for the poor and weakened consumer protections. Senator Rand Paul, a conservative, said it left too many of Obamacare’s regulations and spending programmes in place. Democrats said it was time for Republicans to work with them to fix Obamacare’s shortcomings. “We Democrats are ready, willing and eager to work to improve our health care system,” Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said. Shares of healthcare providers ended broadly higher. Hospital company HCA Healthcare Inc rose 1.8 percent, while insurer
Centene Corp, which focuses on Medicaid, rose 2.2 percent. The insurance industry, hospitals, medical advocacy groups such as the American Medical Association, American Heart Association and American Cancer Society, the AARP advocacy group for the elderly and consumer activists opposed the latest bill. Trump said yesterday his administration disappointed in “certain so-called Republicans” who did not support the bill. The Republican president said later he still had not given up hope that the law would eventually be repealed. “It’ll happen,” he told reporters while traveling to New York for a fundraiser.
Five held for Freeman... From page 23 The bullet exited through his armpit. “Tallim is doing much better. He recently had a coronary artery bypass (heart surgery) and he requested his medication and some other personal stuff. The entire family is hoping for the best.” A teary eyed Raymon Shaheed said: “Just imagine we came for our father’s one year death memorial and now we have to end up burying our brother. When I leave last evening, the gate had a padlock; so my assumption is that the bandits had to jump over the fence and when they finish they exited through the back.” He said that the bandits escaped with his brother’s wedding band and sister’s handbag which they removed from one of the bedrooms.
Conduct rigid due... From page 23 are extremely strict rules and regulations which companies must abide by. He said, too, that PLIPDECO prides itself as a company that upholds a high standard that must be respected regardless of what the company brings financially. He said that as Guyana moves to partner with companies that are showing an interest in the many offshoots to come from oil, it would be wise to ensure that they are subjected to due diligence tests in their respective countries. One can have some assurance that the said companies have systems in place which are expected to ensure that their operations are safe, efficient and environmentally responsible wherever they go. Taylor also stressed the importance of ensuring that there is an adequate Local Content Policy in place by the host country. Taylor noted that corporations the size of ExxonMobil, as part of their social responsibility, would tend to train and develop a lot of local personnel too. He said that while this is very important for Guyana, at the same time, the local authorities must ensure that there is a “significant amount of local content” transfer from these companies going forward. GUYANA’S DUE DILIGENCE For years, local analysts have argued that Guyana’s inability to properly screen for high risks companies spells nothing but dangerous implications for the economy. In fact, a report by the United States Bureau on Economics and Business Affairs stated that the Government of Guyana actively encourages foreign direct investment (FDI), but needs to do more to facilitate investment and implement more transparent and accountable procedures. It said, too, that Guyanese law permits foreign ownership of companies, and there is no mandatory screening of foreign investment. However, the government conducts de facto screenings of most investments to determine which businesses are eligible for special tax treatment, access to licenses, land, and approval for investment incentives. Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin has since made it clear that he intends on making some drastic changes where this is concerned. And the first place he is started with was the Guyana Office For Investment (GO-Invest).
Wednesday September 27, 2017
Kaieteur News
Liza1 neighbour strikes deal with Orinduik block A company that has oil blocks near the Liza1 concession in which a world class deposit has been found, has said it has entered a key agreement with Total E&P Activités Pétrolières, a wholly owned subsidiary of Total SA. Eco (Atlantic) Oil & Gas Ltd. said that the deal with its subsidiary, Eco Atlantic (Guyana) Inc. into an option agreement on its Orinduik Block, offshore Guyana, provides Total a 25% working interest. Eco Guyana currently holds a 40% working interest in Orinduik, and Tullow, the operator, holds the remaining 60%. “The Orinduik Block directly offsets a line of discovery wells recently drilled by Exxon in its Stabroek Block in the Guyana-Suriname Basin, with Exxon estimating between 2.25 and 2.75 billion barrels of recoverable oil,” Eco disclosed. Pursuant to the option agreement, Total will make an immediate payment of US$1M for the option fee at its sole discretion, and to farm-in to the Orinduik Block for an additional payment in cash of US$12.5M to earn the 25% working interest. “The exercise of the option must be made within 120 days of completion of pro-
cessing of the 3D seismic. The survey acquisition was completed on September 5, 2017… and processing is expected to take about three months. The option fee is repayable in the unlikely event that the Seismic Data Report is not provided to Total by June 1, 2019.” Once the transaction is completed and has received all regulatory approvals, including Government of Guyana approval, the interests will be Tullow – 60% (Operator); Total – 25% and Eco Guyana – 15%. Gil Holzman, President and CEO of Eco Atlantic, stated: “We are extremely happy to complete this agreement with Total SA, one of the world's largest oil companies. The deal not only validates the quality of the Orinduik block as a highly prospective license, it also validates Eco's long term strategy- to identify highly prospective assets in frontier basins, with favourable Petroleum Agreement terms, and with world class partners.” Eco Atlantic is said to be an oil and gas exploration company focused on the acquisition and development of unique upstream petroleum opportunities around the world. In Namibia through wholly
PAGE 25
An oil concession neighbouring ExxonMobil’s Stabroek block, is also attracting high interest.
owned subsidiaries, the company currently holds interests, some carried by Tullow Oil and Azinam, in four offshore petroleum licenses covering more than 32,000 square kilometers in the Walvis and Lüderitz Basins, in close proximity to major blocks controlled by Repsol and Tullow Oil. In Guyana, Eco Atlantic holds an interest in the 1,800 square kilometer Orinduik offshore block in close proximity to the Exxon Mobil Corporation's recently announced "Liza" discovery holding multi million barrels of oil. The deal between Eco and Total would come amidst heightened interest in Guyana’s waters, following Exxon’s major find which has placed Guyana on the global oil map.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday September 27, 2017
Wednesday September 27, 2017
Kaieteur News
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Contractors bid for the construction of the Kaibarupai Primary School in Region Eight The National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), Bids were open yesterday where: The Regional Democratic Council of Region Eight had 3 bids for the construction of the Kaibarupai Primary School in Region 8.
The Supreme Court also had seven bids for the heightening of the driveway and reconstruction of the fence at the New Amsterdam High Court in Region Six.
The Regional Democratic Council also had three bids for the Rehabilitation Works to be done to the Mahdia Hospital in Regions Eight.
Further, the Guyana Energy Agency had seven bids for the supply and installation and commissioning of integrated stand alone solar powered lights.
The Ministry of Business had seven bids for the construction of a business incubator center at Belvedere.
The Supreme Court had seven bids for the construction of the Diamond /Golden Grove Magistrate’s court East Bank Demerara Region Four. The Ministry of Business also had two bids for the construction of another business incubator.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday September 27, 2017
Philippines’ Duterte wants U.S. help in fighting drugs, blames triads MANILA (Reuters) Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte urged the United States yesterday to help control drugs smuggling, blaming Taiwan and Hong Kong-based criminal gangs for using his country as a shipping hub. In a speech, he also said illegal drugs had funded the seizure by Islamist militants of large parts of the southern city of Marawi in May. More than 800 people have died in the conflict, which Duterte said was triggered by an attempt to arrest a drug personality, who he did not identify. “The Philippines is a transshipment of shabu to America,” Duterte told members of the Philippine Constitution Association, referring to the local term for methamphetamine. “It behoves upon America to work closely with the Republic of the Philippines, especially on this serious matter.” Duterte, who was elected 16 months ago on promises to fight corruption, crime and drugs, said the so-called 14K triads in Hong Kong and the Taiwan-based Bamboo
Rodrigo Duterte triads were using the country as a transshipment point. “We are flooded with drugs. This is the first time I would reveal it ... the Philippines today is a client state of the Bamboo triad. They have taken over the operations,” he added. Duterte gave no details of the source of his information. Washington has said it supports the country’s antidrug efforts but has also urged Manila to respect human rights and the rule of law in its operations.
Wednesday September 27, 2017
Kaieteur News
After German election, France’s Macron paints sweeping vision for Europe PARIS (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron offered an ambitious vision for European renewal yesterday, calling for the EU to work more closely on defence and immigration and for the euro zone to have its own budget, ideas he may struggle to implement. In a nearly two-hour speech delivered two days after the German election in which Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservative CDU/ CSU bloc scored its worst result since 1949, limiting her freedom to manoeuvre on Europe, the 39-year-old French president held little back in terms of sweep, selfassurance and aspiration. But at a time when Europe is beset by tensions between east and west and battling to overcome nearly a decade of draining economic crisis, Macron’s earnest and at times high-brow discourse ran the risk of falling on deaf ears. Speaking at the Sorbonne, he portrayed Europe as needing to relaunch itself, saying that on issues as diverse as asylum, border protection, corporate tax, intelligence sharing, defence and financial stability it needed much deeper cooperation. “The only path that assures our future is the rebuilding of a Europe that is sovereign, united and democratic,” the former investment banker and philosophy student said, flanked by a French and a European Union flag. “At the beginning of the
Angela Merkel
Emmanuel Macron
next decade, Europe must have a joint intervention force, a common defence budget and a joint doctrine for action.” In his run for the presidency, Macron made European reform a central plank of his centrist campaign, and he and Merkel have spoken frequently about their desire for France and Germany, the European Union’s two largest economies and often its engines of change, to take the lead on integration. But five months into his five-year term, Macron faces the threat that Merkel, 63 and looking to start her fourth term, has less capacity to move than either would have hoped. Her alliance is still the largest bloc in the Bundestag, but to build a working majority she will likely have to form a coalition with the Greens and the liberal Free Democrats (FDP), who are
opposed to many of Macron’s ideas. German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel, a senior member of the Social Democrats (SPD), hailed Macron’s speech “a passionate plea against nationalism and for Europe”. “He can count on us,” said Gabriel, whose party has ruled out being part of a new grand coalition. Rather than tailoring his speech to fit the contours of what the FDP, the Greens or Merkel may have wanted to hear, Macron kept his vision broad and far-reaching, while also detailing some specific ideas for an improved euro zone. “A budget can only go hand-in-hand with strong political leadership led by a common (finance) minister and a strong parliamentary supervision at the European level,” he said, emphasising the need for democratic accountability.
Brexit negotiations not ready for next stage yet - EU’s Tusk
LONDON (Reuters) Sufficient progress has not yet been made in Brexit talks to allow negotiations to move to the next phase of discussing the future relationship including trade, European Council President Donald Tusk said yesterday. After a meeting in Downing Street with British Prime Minister Theresa May, Tusk said he welcomed a new constructive and realistic tone from the government, adding that “this shows that the philosophy of having a cake and eating it is finally coming at an end - at least I hope so.” He added: “We will discuss our future relations with the UK once there is socalled sufficient progress. The sides are working and we work hard at it. But if you ask me... I would say there’s no sufficient progress yet, but we will work on it.”
Donald Tusk Britain wants to move divorce talks on from settling budget commitments with the bloc and issues such as the future status of EU citizens living in the UK to discussions about future trade relations. May, who hoped to give
the negotiations a shot in the arm with a speech in Florence last week, signalled that from her perspective, it was now up to the EU side to bring something new to the table. “At the end of the meeting (with Tusk), the PM said her Florence speech had been intended to create momentum in the ongoing talks,” her Downing Street office said in a statement. “She said it was important for EU negotiators to now respond in the same spirit,” it added. May earlier told Tusk that Britain and EU could make Brexit a success if the two sides were creative. “By being creative in the ways we approach these issues, we can find solutions that work both for the remaining (EU) 27 but also for the UK and maintain that cooperation and partnership between the UK and the EU,” May said.
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Wednesday September 27, 2017
Saudi king decrees women be allowed to drive R I Y A D H / WASHINGTON (Reuters) Saudi King Salman yesterday ordered that women be allowed to drive cars, ending a conservative tradition seen by rights activists as an emblem of the Islamic kingdom’s repression of women. The kingdom, the birthplace of Islam, has been widely criticised for being the only country in the world that bans women from driving, despite gradual improvement on some women’s issues in recent years and ambitious government targets to increase their public role, especially in the workforce. Despite trying to cultivate a more modern image in recent years, the driving ban had been a longstanding stain on Saudi Arabia’s international image. The royal decree ordered the formation of a ministerial body to give advice within 30 days and then implement the order by June 24, 2018, according to state news agency SPA.
Saudi King Salman It stipulated that the move must “apply and adhere to the necessary Sharia standards”, referring to Islamic law. It gave no details but said a majority of the Council of Senior Religious Scholars, Saudi Arabia’s top clerical body, had approved its permissibility. An hour after the official announcement in Saudi Arabia, a jubilant Saudi
ambassador to Washington, Prince Khaled bin Salman, said it was “an historic and big day in our kingdom”. “I think our leadership understands that our society is ready. I think it’s the right decision at the right time,” the ambassador said. Positive reactions quickly poured in from inside the kingdom and around the world, with the U.S. State Department welcoming the move as “a great step in the right direction”. For more than 25 years, women activists have campaigned to be allowed to drive, defiantly taking to the road, petitioning the king and posting videos of themselves behind the wheel on social media. The protests brought them arrest and harassment. Activist Manal al-Sherif, who was arrested in 2011 after a driving protest, took to Twitter following the king’s announcement to express her relief. “Today, the last country on earth to allow women to drive... we did it”, she wrote.
Tillerson to discuss North Korea crisis, trade in China
WA S H I N G T O N (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will visit China this week for talks that will include the crisis over North Korea’s nuclear and missile programmes and trade, the State Department said yesterday. Tillerson’s Sept. 28-30 trip would also lay the groundwork for U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to China in November, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said. Tillerson’s visit comes at a time of high tension between the United States and North Korea, China’s neighbour and ally, which is working to develop nucleartipped missiles capable of reaching the U.S. mainland. President Donald Trump warned North Korea yesterday that any U.S. military option against North Korea would be “devastating” for Pyongyang, but said the use of force was not Washington’s first option. China has urged a return to dialogue. Nauert called China’s
Rex Tillerson steps to implement tougher U.N. sanctions on North Korea after its recent missile and nuclear tests “significant.” “We have a good relationship with China,” she told a regular news briefing, adding that this was evidenced by what would be Tillerson’s second visit to China in nine months in office. “China has taken enormous steps in the right direction. There is always more that countries can do, but at this point we want to thank China for the steps it has taken in the right direction.” While backing U.N. sanctions, China, North Korea’s main trading partner, opposes unilateral U.S. steps
and has been worried Washington might move to freeze its banks out of the global financial system unless they cut all ties to Pyongyang. Yesterday, the U.S. Treasury announced sanctions against 26 more individuals as part of its nonproliferation designations for North Korea, as well as nine North Korean banks, including some with ties to China. Tillerson’s visit to Beijing will follow one by U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, who said on Monday China needed to guarantee fair and reciprocal treatment for U.S. firms, as he tried to strike an upbeat tone amid bilateral trade tensions. China-U.S. ties have been strained by Trump’s criticism of China’s trade practices and by demands that Beijing do more on North Korea. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Trump met for the first time at Trump’s Mar-aLago estate in Florida in April. Trump has since played up his personal relationship with Xi, even while criticizing China over North Korea and trade. In August, Trump authorized an inquiry into China’s alleged theft of intellectual property - his first direct trade measure against Beijing, a move China called “irresponsible.”
Wednesday September 27, 2017
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Petition for 10-year term limit Govt. notes importance of tourism on Parliamentarians launched sector to economic development
Parliamentarians in parliament KINGSTON, Jamaica — A petition has been launched on the Office of the Prime Minister’s website calling for a 10- year term limit for all parliamentarians, as well as the modernisation of elections. The petition, ‘Term Limits for all Parliamentarians and Modernising Elections’, launched on August 28 made a call for term limits to not exceed 10 years in total for any and all concurrent or non-current capacities. The petition will close on October 7. The petition outlines that “our country needs to enable a law for the term limits of all parliamentarians and the modernisation of elections to ensure that the peaceful transition of power and citizen appointment are the hallmarks of our democracy.”
It explained that “in recognising this urgent need, we the people of Jamaica are requesting that a bill be brought to Parliament for the regulation of term limits for every elected and appointed parliamentarian in all legislative assemblies in Jamaica...”The Andrew Holnessled Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) while on the election campaign trail promised that a fixed election date and term limit for prime ministers are two of the areas on the legislative agenda. Speaking at the ceremonial opening of Parliament, Governor General Sir Patrick Allen in April last year confirmed in his Throne Speech that Parliament will this year (2016) see legislation to create fixed election dates and term limit for the prime minister. (Jamaica Observer)
Groups want public debate on treatment of differently able people PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - CMC – The Down Syndrome Family Network (DFSN) says the National Awards Committee missed a wonderful opportunity to lead by example in changing the way in which persons with disabilities are viewed culturally in Trinidad and Tobago when it showed a level of “ableism” in the granting of awards to mark the country’s 41st anniversary of being a Republic. In a statement, DFSN president, Glen Niles, said he welcomed the national awards being given to sportsmen Akeem Stewart, Lalonde Gordon, Jarrin Solomon, Jereem Richards, Machel Cedenio and Renny Quow for their exploits on the field. But he noted that in terms of hardware, Akeem’s accomplishments exceeded those of his fellow awardees and he was awarded the Humming Bird Medal in Gold, while the others were awarded the higher rank of Chaconia Medal Gold. “How does the National Awards Committee account for this difference when the
Akeem Stewart only distinguishing feature between Akeem and the other athletes is that he competed as a para-athlete? Is this not ableism? Discrimination in favour of able-bodied people,” he asked. Niles said that Akeem had the added distinctions this year of winning gold twice and setting a new world record in the shot put, noting that the record which Akeem broke had been on the books for 20 years. “Akeem also won gold
and silver medals and twice set a world record for Trinidad and Tobago in 2016. Lalonde, Jarrin, Jereem, Machel and Renny won gold for Trinidad and Tobago in the 4x400m relay. “The National Awards Committee had a wonderful opportunity to lead by example in changing the way in which persons with disabilities are viewed culturally in Trinidad and Tobago. It missed the mark terribly by ascribing an inferior value to Akeem’s accomplishments for Trinidad and Tobago. “We can and must do better as a nation to transform the ways in which we assign lower worth to people who have developmental, emotional, physical or psychiatric disabilities,” Niles said in the statement. DSFN said that while it takes the opportunity to commend all the awardees in their various fields of contribution to Trinidad and Tobago, it nonetheless believes the matter is one “that a public conversation needs to be opened”.
KINGSTON, Jamaica CMC – The Jamaica government says tourism continues to be the main engine of economic growth, providing indirect employment for one in every four people in the linked sectors. It said these include agriculture, the creative and cultural industries, e n t e r t a i n m e n t , m a n u f a c t u r i n g , transportation, finance and insurance, electricity and water, and construction. “In 2016, the hotels and restaurants sector employed 94,850 people, compared with 88,250 people in 2015. This represented approximately 8.1 per cent of the employed labour force,” Prime Minister Andrew Holness said as he addressed the Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX) at the Montego Bay Convention Centre that ended late yesterday. Holness said that tourism, by the nature of its operations, “has the potential to stimulate wide-scale economic activity, drive new growth in our communities and earn billions of dollars in
foreign exchange”. “Tourism is, therefore, ideally positioned as a powerful catalyst for improving the socioeconomic conditions of our people.” Holness said he is pleased that for the first eight months of 2017, there was a 6.9 per cent increase in stopover arrivals, in comparison to the corresponding period for 2016. Cruise passenger arrivals were up 5.1 per cent for January to August. “From a total of 2,828,261 visitors in that eight-month period, Jamaica earned US$1.98 billion or 8.3 per cent more in gross foreign exchange earnings than the US$1.83 billion earned last year over the same period,” he told the conference. He said that through business to business exchanges like JAPEX, “we are positioning the tourism industry to continuously generate higher growth rates in both visitor arrivals and earnings. We must ensure that we deliver on all aspects of our offerings”. The 27th edition of
Andrew Holness JAPEX, has attracted hundreds of overseas buyers and local suppliers meeting to conduct business on the conference floor. The annual event, staged by the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association and the Jamaica Tourist Board, offers the ideal forum for leading suppliers of the country’s tourism product to meet with travel wholesalers and tour operators in a professionally organised business exchange.
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Wednesday September 27, 2017
Mattis seeks Indian role in Afghanistan, vows to fight militant shelters NEW DELHI (Reuters) U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis held talks with Indian leaders on Tuesday, vowing to jointly stamp out militant sanctuaries and seeking India’s greater involvement in helping to stabilise Afghanistan. The comments come as President Donald Trump’s administration has stepped up pressure on Pakistan for more action against militant groups operating from its soil that are blamed for attacks in India and neighbouring Afghanistan. Islamabad denies giving material support to the militants and instead accuses its arch-rival of trying to use Afghanistan as a base for anti-Pakistan activities. But Mattis, the Trump administration’s first cabinet official to visit India, said the two countries would work together to fight terrorism. “There can be no tolerance of terrorist safe havens,” he said in a statement. “As global leaders, India and the United States
resolve to work together to eradicate this scourge.” Washington welcomed Indian efforts to promote stability in Afghanistan, he added. New Delhi has committed $3 billion in development projects in Afghanistan and trains Afghan officers in India. But it has not sent soldiers in the international effort to restore peace. “Our engagement in Afghanistan will continue, we shall expand our engagement,” Indian Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, following talks with Mattis. Defence ties between India and the United States have expanded rapidly, with New Delhi buying U.S. weapons worth $15 billion over the last decade, moving away from traditional supplier Russia. Military experts say U.S. weapons transfers aim at bolstering Indian capabilities to develop a counterweight against China’s growing assertiveness in recent years. Indian and U.S. negotiators are now trying to
India’s Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman receives U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis before their meeting in New Delhi, India, yesterday. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi move forward with a deal to supply the Indian navy with 22 Sea Guardian drone aircraft, whose June approval by the U.S. government was
the first such clearance to a non-NATO ally. India wants the unarmed
drones to help its navy lengthen the duration of its surveillance in the Indian
Ocean, where Chinese naval ships and submarines make regular forays.
Dominica seeking to negotiation Venezuela opposition won’t attend US$100M agreement with World Bank
scheduled talks with government
CARACAS (Reuters) Venezuela’s opposition said yesterday it will not join scheduled talks with President Nicolas Maduro’s government, undercutting a dialogue effort that has been viewed with suspicion by
many adversaries of the ruling Socialist Party. The government has eagerly promoted the talks amid global criticism that Maduro is turning the country into a dictatorship, while the opposition has always insisted the talks should not distract from the country’s economic crisis. The two sides held separate exploratory conversations with the president of the Dominican Republic earlier this month. But the opposition said the government has not made enough progress on issues such as human rights to warrant full bilateral talks. “Negotiation is not to go and waste time, to look at someone’s face, but rather so that Venezuelans can have immediate solutions,” opposition leader Henrique Capriles told reporters. “We cannot have a repeat
Henrique Capriles of last year’s failure,” he said, referring to Vatican-brokered talks in 2016 that fell apart after the opposition said the government was simply using them as a stalling tactic. The Information Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Trump urges EU to sanction Maduro government in Venezuela WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump urged the European Union yesterday to join in sanctioning the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, after a meeting with Spain’s prime minister at the White House. “We hope our friends in the EU will soon follow the United States, Canada and many Latin American nations in sanctioning the Maduro regime. We need everybody involved,” Trump said at a White House news conference with Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy.”The citizens of Venezuela have endured immense suffering, poverty, starvation, and dangerous political unrest under Maduro’s oppressive socialist regime.”
ROSEAU, Dominica CMC – Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said yesterday he is negotiating with the World Bank for US$100 million in loans and grants to help the island undertake recovery work following the passage of Hurricane Maria last week. Speaking at the daily news briefing, Skerrit said that the Washington based financial institution has already agreed to $64 million in loans and grants “and I am negotiating for them to take it to $100 million. “They have asked me to come to Washington to further negotiate this package. I told them I would come if they will take it to $100 million, so we are trying to push them to take it to $100 million US dollars in a combination of grants and loans,” Skerrit told reporters. He said that the island had received US$19 million from the Catastrophic Risk Insurance Policy and deposited at the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) and that a number of governments and agencies have been making commitments since the hurricane struck the island last Monday. He sought to re-assure citizens that food supplies were being received and would be distributed throughout the island as he urged people with transportation to assist in getting the supplies to needy
Roosevelt Skerrit communities. Skerrit said he was sending a letter to the University of the West Indies (UWI) urging that it does not take any action that would hamper the Dominican students there from continuing to pursue their education. “We will make arrangements to keep our commitments to the University of the West Indies. We are also informing the universities, especially in the United States, where we have large number of students to indicate to them that once the financial system is up we will keep our commitments to our students so they can be at school. “So I want all the students who are universities, who have commitment letters from the government, do not let your heart be troubled, we will keep our commitments to you
so you can continue your education and our hope and prayer is that you come back to your country to help the country once you have completed your studies,” Skerrit said. He also urged people not to flock to the ports here seeking minor packages, indicating that the emphasis now is to get the major relief supplies moved quickly on arrival in Dominica. “I believe from next week we can start receiving personal packages where they can be sorted out and your family and friends can get it. The last thing I want in this country is for anybody to accuse the Customs, the Port and anybody else in the government system of stealing their packages. “We want to ensure that there are good government practices with respect to the receipt and delivery of supplies to the people, My assurance to the people is that the supplies will be distributed in a transparent, accountable, equitable fashion,” he said, urging the public to disapprove of rumours that would be “flying left right and center”. “Let us remain positive we have work to do, it is not easy, it is challenging,” he added. During the news briefing, representatives from the various services, including water and telecommunications provided updates on the progress to restore the services as quickly as possible.
Wednesday September 27, 2017
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Female referees Joy Neville and Alhambra Djokovic to keep Agassi as head coach Neivas to officiate men’s internationals BELGRADE (Reuters) -
BBC Sport - Female referees Alhambra Nievas and Joy Neville will both take charge of Rugby Union men’s international matches this year, becoming the first women to do so. Spain’s Neivas will officiate Finland v Norway in the second tier of the European Championship on 14 October. Neville will take charge of Norway’s match against Denmark two weeks later. The former Ireland captain and Six Nations Grand Slam winner refereed the Women’s Rugby World Cup final between New Zealand and England in the summer. She also became the first female assistant referee to officiate in a men’s European rugby match during last season’s Bath and Bristol Challenge Cup game, and has also taken the same role in the Pro14. Former Spain international Nievas became the first female match official in a men’s Test when she was appointed assistant for USA against Tonga last year, and was later named Referee of the Year 2016 at the World Rugby
Awards. She also officiated at the rugby sevens at the 2016 Olympics in Rio. Speaking to BBC Sport, professional referee Nigel Owens, who took charge of the World Cup final in 2015, said it was a positive step forward for women in the men’s game. “It’s great to see a cross-section as men have been refereeing the women’s game for a long time,” said the Welshman. “What’s important here is that the two girls concerned have got here on ability - not for the sake of ticking boxes. The two of them are very deserving and they’re there on merit and it’s a huge thing to remember. “It doesn’t matter about the colour of our skin, whether you’re a man or a woman, your sexuality or religious beliefs. None of that should matter one bit. If you’re good at what you do, then you should have the opportunity to excel at that and referee at the level you deserve. “These two are getting what they deserve from the hard work they’ve done.”
Wednesday September 27, 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Striving for self-sufficiency is very important to you Rams as you push your way through life. Ironically, the greatest breakthroughs now occur when working with others. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Opportunities at work seem to pop up out of nowhere now, offering previously unexplored avenues to success. Although you can immediately see the potential, you’re hesitant to pursue it until you have all the information you need. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Your self-confidence may be growing by leaps and bounds, motivating you to express your ideas artistically by exploring a variety of creative methods. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Although unexpected changes at work may accelerate your rise to success, you might not be eager to sacrifice quality time at home with your family. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) The routine of your everyday life may be keeping you busier than ever, but you’re likely enjoying the pace. The quality of your interactions with others is changing as conversations about new ideas lure your mind from practical considerations to thoughts about spirituality, technology and the future. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) A sudden change in your cash flow could be a catalyst that prompts you to reassess your financial condition.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You might already be experiencing significant growth on multiple fronts in your life. Although too much change too fast often produces stress, it can also resolve lingering tension in the flash of the moment. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) It may feel as if you are riding a seesaw, balancing the unpredictable daily demands of work with meaningful spiritual development. SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) Brilliant ideas spark through the neurons of your brain, like millions of tiny lightbulbs inside your head. You realize the innovative quality of your current thoughts and strive to turn them into tangible inventions. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) The ladder of success appears to be your friend now, as the way up seems to be an easy climb without obstruction. You are making steady progress and can quickly ascend to the top if you’re willing to take a calculated leap of faith. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) You are experiencing a growth spurt, prompted by a sudden shift in your beliefs. You may be immersed in a new course of study or just intrigued by an unconventional school of thought. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Your most valuable resource is not something that you own. Your most priceless treasures are the people who support your dreams.
Novak Djokovic will keep Andre Agassi as his head coach when he returns to action after recovering from an elbow injury which forced him to cut short his season in July, Serbia’s former world number one said on Tuesday. “We can confirm that Agassi remains the head coach while Italian Marco Panichi will take over as the fitness coach and Argentine Ulises Badio is the new physio,” Djokovic’s press office said in a statement. “The only remaining issue is appointing a second coach and that will complete the staff accompanying Djokovic in 2018.” Djokovic, who has won 12 grand slam titles but suffered a year-long dip in form before the injury forced him to retire against Czech Tomas Berdych in the Wimbledon quarter-finals, is expected to return at the Australian Open in January. After winning his maiden French Open title last year to complete a career slam, Djokovic’s on-court struggles meant he surrendered the top spot to Briton Andy Murray before the end of the 2017 season. That slump led him to cut his coaching ties with Boris Becker and following a shock second-round exit at the Australian Open, he parted ways with his entire training staff headed by Marian Vajda. Djokovic failed to make it past the quarter-finals at either the French Open or Wimbledon in 2017 before taking the rest of the season off to heal a recurring elbow injury which he said had plagued him for 18 months. “Djokovic is still nursing his elbow injury and has spent several days in Belgrade for some fitness training,” the statement added.
Neymar fit to face Bayern... From page 39 Neymar, the world’s most expensive footballer, missed PSG’s 0-0 draw at Montpellier on Saturday as the team dropped their first points of the season in Ligue 1. Argentine winger Angel Di Maria also returns to the PSG squad after nearly three weeks out injured. Neymar and Cavani are likely to start alongside Kylian Mbappe in a 4-3-3 formation and Emery said he had discussed the penalty situation with the players. “I spoke with each of them and they know how things will happen,” the Spanish coach said.
Novak Djokovic “He is working hard to get started with tennis practice as soon as possible in order to
meet his own expectations of making a comeback in Australia in 2018.”
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Cowboys rebound for 28-17 win over Cardinals (The Sports Xchange) When the Dallas Cowboys and the Arizona Cardinals get together, it is unwise to leave the stadium early or change the channel. Three of the past four times they teams met, the game wasn’t decided until the last play, twice going to overtime. The Cardinals won all four of those games, but the Cowboys stopped the streak with a 28-17 victory on Monday night at University of Phoenix Stadium. Dak Prescott threw two touchdown passes, Ezekiel Elliot ran for a score, and the Cowboys, who gained just 57 total yards in the first half, rebounded from a humbling 42-17 loss in Denver the previous week. The Cowboys were leading 21-14 after Prescott found Brice Butler in the end zone for a 37-yard touchdown with just under 12 minutes left. Prescott was under pressure, rolled out to his right and hung t h e p a s s u p i n t h e a i r. Butler outleaped cornerback Justin Bethel for the ball and hauled it in for the score. The Cardinals looked as if they were on their way to tying the game, but a 16play drive resulted in a 37yard field goal from Phil Dawson. Prescott and the Cowboys made the Cardinals pay for that as the Dallas quarterback
rolled out to his right once again and found Butler again for a 53-yard completion. Elliott capped things with an 8-yard touchdown run with 4:57 remaining. A week after finishing with just 8 yards on nine carries against the Broncos, he ran for 80 yards on 22 carries against the Cardinals. Six minutes into the t h i r d q u a r t e r, P r e s c o t t hooked up with wide receiver Dez Bryant to give the Cowboys their first lead of the game at 14-7. Elliott broke a 20-yard run on the previous play to give the Cowboys the ball at the Arizona 15-yard line before Prescott found Bryant over the middle. Initially, it appeared the Cardinals had him stopped well short of the end zone, but Bryant kept moving the pile, and after a second, third and fourth effort, got the ball to cross the plane for the touchdown. The Cardinals needed their star wide receiver to match the effort, and Larry Fitzgerald, 34, obliged. He hauled in a 37-yard bomb from Carson Palmer down the left sideline and two plays later caught a 15yard touchdown to tie the score at 14. The catch, Fitzgerald’s 10th of the game at that point, gave him 98 receiving yards, moving him ahead of Marvin Harrison (14,580) for eighth
Cowboys Dak Prescott scores a touchdown. (Joe Camporeale, USA Today Sports) place on the league’s alltime receiving yards list. He finished the night with 13
catches for 149 yards and one touchdown. Palmer was 29 of 47 for
325 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. Prescott,
meanwhile, completed 13 of 18 passes for 183 yards with no interceptions.
Royal Tapeball Academy
Tucville Sec beat Cummings Lodge Sec to take PKK Barcellos Narine & Company Trophy
Street Vibes Entertainment ‘National Futsal Cup’ kicks off tomorrow The inaugural Street Vibes Entertainment, ‘National Futsal Cup’ will kick-off tomorrow at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue with eight elimination matches carded. In the opening game set for 19:00hrs, Kitty Hustlers oppose Pike Street Sophia, while Agricola Champion Boys will engage Meadowbrook Kings (MBK) All-Stars at 19:30hrs. The third fixture of the night pits Gold is Money against Albouystown-B at 20:00hrs, while Showstoppers will oppose New Market Street at 20:30hrs and Mocha tackle Broad Street from 21:00hrs. Leopold Street then battle Melanie from 21:30hrs, while Back Circle lock horns with Alexander Village at 22:00hrs and Sparta Boss match skills with Channel-9 Warriors at 22:30hrs. The event resumes on Saturday at the same venue with another eight matches. At 19:00hrs, Swag Entertainment will battle Beterverwagting (BV), while Dave and Celina’s will tackle West Back Road at 19:30hrs and Silver Bullets take aim at North East La Penitence from 20:00hrs. In the fourth contest, Albouystown-A battle Bent Street at 20:30hrs, whilst North Ruimveldt oppose the Brazilian Team from 21:00hrs and Ol Skool Ballers engage the Dutch Team at 21:30hrs. The final two fixtures will pit Sophia against Tucville from 22:00hrs and Campbellville against Future Stars at 22:30hrs. Winner of the tournament will pocket $700,000 and the championship trophy, while the second, third and fourth place finishers will receive $250,000, $150,000 and $100,000 respectively along with the corresponding accolade.
Tucville Secondary skipper collects the winner’s trophy from James Lewis after their victory. Tucville Secondary school beat Cummings Lodge Secondary by 17 runs last Saturday at the Jubilee Park after making 80-5 in six overs and restricted their opponents to 634 in six overs. Tucville’s Shemieux Gaspar top scored with 32, while Skipper Leon Chesney supported with 23 but only Kesshore Seepers with 14 got into double figures for Cummings Lodge. East Ruimveldt Sec beat Christ Church, Cummings Lodge
defeated Charlestown Sec, Tucville got the better of South Ruimveldt and Sophia Special Needs School beat Trust College. In the semi-finals, Cummings Lodge beat East Ruimveldt and Tucville defeated Sophia Special Needs School. Kesshore Seepersaud of Cummings Lodge won the MVP award. The next competition is fixed for this Saturday from 09:00hrs on the National Culture Centre Tarmac for the P&P Insurance Brokers Trophy.
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Wednesday September 27, 2017
R&T Taxi Service Heritage Tapeball tourney
Carl Hooper Buxton CC fund raiser
Old Bloods beat Craig NDC defeat Demerara Harbor Bridge Young Bloods An excellent all-round performance from former Guyana U-19 all-rounder Clive Andries (53&5-10) spearheaded the Old Bloods to 58-run win against the Young Bloods in a fund raising T20 match at the Buxton Community Centre ground last Sunday. The Old Bloods made 133 all out in 19.1 overs, while the Young Bloods fell for 75 in 12 overs. In overcast conditions and a pitch with moisture, Buxton Old Bloods found themselves in deep trouble as they slumped to 21- 4 in seven overs. However, the recovery effort started with Marlon Thomas (17) and Dennis Andries (28), propelling the Old Bloods to 41-5 in 10 overs. When the right handed Clive Andries walked to the crease to join his older brother the left-handed Dennis Andries, it was reminiscent of the old days when their late father was running into them from the Southern End of the Buxton Community Centre ground. However, Clive, known as Shaka Zulu in the community, showed his older brother why he is categorized as the most feared middle order T /20 batsmen on the East Coast of Demerara. An explosion of sixes and fours rocketed Clive Andries to 56 runs from just 24 balls. However, his dismissal in the 17th over with the score on 120 for 7, halted the scoring rate tremendously and eventually the Old Bloods folded for 133 from 19.1 overs.
Demuka Nando (2-3), Owen Andrews (3-13) and Andrea McFarlane (2-11) were the main wicket takers for the Young Bloods. With a fair size crowd glued to the action, it was felt that the dominance of Buxton Old stars would be no more, with new generation of stars which have cropped up to carry on the mantle. That thought was short lived, the dye wasn’t cast on the old stars after all, barring an aggressive start of 22 off 2 overs from Akean Hiles (18) and a painfully slow 12 from Ganesh Surujpaul, the young Bloods of Buxton fell like dominoes on a table. The top order received a fair examination from Devon Benjamin and Rawley Fredericks, only for Clive Andries to come into the fray and rip the heart out of the middle and lower order to finish with 5-10 from his four overs. The off-spinner got help from David Glenn (2-6) and Devon Benjamin (223). At the presentation the Buxton Carl Hooper Cricket Club thanked the following: the Ministry Of Education, NSC, D. Singh Trading, Saroboy’s Beverage company Opposite Iron Man shop in Buxton, Benjamin’s Bakery, Mr Sean Devers (Kaieteur News), Mr Claude Thomas, Mr Marvin Cole, Mr Essie Peters and all the players for making this event possible. Clive Andries carted off three prizes; best batsman, best bowler and the Man-of-the- Match.
Tapeball Cricket and Domino Teams after the competition.
Craig NDC defeated Demerara Harbor Bridge Company in the final to lift the R&T Taxi Service Heritage six-over Tapeball cricket tournament Trophy which was organised by James ‘Uprising’ Lewis of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Craig defeated GuyOil in the first game of the seven team tournament, while Harbor Bridge beat Ministry of Social Protection and the Ministry of the Presidency got the better of the Ministry of Education, Craig beat Ministry of the Presidency before Harbor Bridge took care of the Guyana Fire Service to book a place in the final with Craig NSC.
Meanwhile, the NCC Staffers won the R&T Taxi Service Heritage Domino competition which was played last Saturday at the GPSU Hall. Nine teams took part in the competition in which NCC chalked up 74 games to defeat the Supreme Court who marked 65 games and High Court Marshalls, who scored 60 games. Clearance Whitehead and Leon McGarrell top scored with 16 games each and the next competition is at the same venue on Wednesday October 18 which is a National holiday.
Port Mourant Training Centre1 win Mark Henriques Memorial Volleyball Competition
Former National youth player Clive Andries (left) collects his prize for scoring the most runs.
Port Mourant Training Centre1 (PMTC1) continued their winning ways when the Berbice Volleyball Association in collaboration with the Kendall’s Union Sports Club (KUSC) held the Mark Henriques Memorial Volleyball Tournament for teams in Ancient County. The competition which was played at The KUCS ground at NO19 East Coast Berbice saw action in the senior male and junior male categories. Five teams PMTC1, PMTC2, Rollers of New Amsterdam, Port Mourant Jaguars and host KUSC participated in the senior male category. After the round robin play off, PMTC1 played
GTCPM1 take junior category unbeaten with PMTC 2 and Rollers tied with wins and losses. However, on the count back Rollers had defeated PMTC2 thus earning a place in the finals against PMTC1. In the finals, PMTC1 made light work of the Rollers with an easy 2-0 win. They scores were 25-13, 25-18. The junior category saw four teams taking to the court with GTCPM1, GTCPM2, Corriverton Jets and KUSC being the participants. Preliminary play saw GTCPM1 defeating KUSC, while GTCPM2 got the better of Jets to set up the final
between the two teams from the Port Mourant Training Center. In the final, which was a 30 points affair, the GTCPM 1 lads got the better of the GTCPM 2 counterparts 30-26 in a keenly contested affair. At the end of the competition the winning PMTC team received the Mark Henriques Memorial Trophy and Cash Incentives, while Rollers also received trophy and cash. Davendra Latchman of the PMTC 1was adjudged the MVP and was also rewarded. The top teams in the junior category were also
rewarded. Prayers and one minute silence were observed before the start of the day’s competition in memory of Henriques. The presentation of prizes was done by relatives of the deceased and President of the KUSC Albert Budhoo BVA President Levi Nedd and other officials. Budhoo took the opportunity to thank the BVA in partnering with them and congratulated the players for their good performances. He promised to seek assistance to have the competition held again. Nedd expressed gratitude to the sponsor, players, officials and the management of the KUSC.