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Kaieteur News
Friday March 16, 2018
As a nation, we must realise that we do have choices beyond ‘red and green’ offerings DEAR EDITOR, For decades, there has been a false dichotomy that has prevailed over Guyanese politics – that is between the two major political parties, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic and the People’s National Congress/Reform (now a major constituent of the APNU+AFC coalition). Although the two partisan groups have subtle differences, their persistence in politics has favoured them mostly due in part to their respective historical contribution towards the development of the ‘Cooperative Republic of Guyana’, so much so that it has helped with sustaining their relevance in modern Guyanese politics. But how long can the two parties endure political relevance? Can they keep up with the changing tides of public demands? What will be the fate of the PPP/C and PNC/R in the midst of social and political evolution? I ask these questions because I think they can help us address some of the pertinent issues facing the state of democracy in Guyana. Additionally, there is another pressing concern alongside the false dichotomy presented in the preceding paragraph. For there is also an apparent dilemma, one that almost seems perplexing if left unexamined. The dilemma is this: For the next national elections, should the people of Guyana vote for the previous partisan government—the PPP/C—or do we cope with the chal-
lenges of the current partisan government, that is the APNU+AFC? Which of the two partisan groups is better? Which is worse? The concern here is warranted and echoes repeatedly in our casual conversations with friends and family, even in the diaspora. The situation is no simple one, since on the one hand we have what seems to be an enduring opposition between two major political parties, while on the other hand we have an apparent dilemma to grapple with. Therefore,, the challenge before us is how do we address both problems? To dismantle the dilemma requires a bit of analysis of what someone might say to justify voting for the PPP/C, a party that had served in governance for just over two decades. The justification typically goes like this: “APNU+AFC government is really making it hard for everyone. Although the PPP/C government was terrible in many respects, I’d still vote for them because they were not this bad.” The implication is that the PPP/C-led government was ‘bad’ but not ‘worse’ than the APNU+AFC-led government. Of course, one might respond to this reasoning by asking, “If the PPP/C was such a bad government, why vote for them again?” since it would seem almost absurd to do so. If we can agree that it is indeed absurd to resort back to a government deemed ‘bad’, then there is no dilemma. But if we believe that bet-
ter was in the past compared to now (a farfetched proposition), the dilemma persists and as a result sustains the enduring political divide. Moreover, it would not be unreasonable to suppose that were the PPP/C to win the next national elections, electors would then feel that the prior government would have been ‘better’ than the re-elected PPP/C. However, have we spared a thought to consider what a better government should be like? Have we considered where we were and where we
are over the past three decades of democratic leadership under the PPP/C and the PNC/R respectively? Have there been major improvements to date in policy, legislation, and infrastructure in the public and private sectors in a manner conceived over the span of three decades? How much has changed and how much has been left unchanged? Has what changed been for better or worse? These are questions worth deliberating, especially if we want to dismantle the apparent dilemma and the contin-
ued influence of a false political dichotomy. I think we are so caught up in the aging and stale contest between the PPP/C and the PNC/R that we seem to forget about the possibility of having alternatives. Obviously, there cannot be a lasting political divide between the PPP/C and the PNC/R, as evident with the evolution of the PNC/R partnering and integrating with micro-political groups. The reality is that this structure will eventually collapse, and I believe it is fast approaching its expiration
date. Some of us do not recognize that there are other ways to move the political programme forward without relying on the preservation of the current illusion in the National Assembly. In Guyana, political mobilisation for birthing new partisan initiatives tends to cling to one or more pressing issues. Simply put, what is of national concern becomes opportunity for the opportunists. For example, the nonprofit organisation RISE makes the case that (Continued on page 6)
This gentleman should have been given a stall at the Bartica Market DEAR EDITOR, It is unfortunate enough that applicants for seven new stalls recently built by the Bartica Mayor and Town Council (BM&TC) feel betrayed and shortchanged that a transparent process was not used in the issuance of these commercial locations. It is even more heartbreaking to see that those issued these very stalls are either relatives or very close to some of those seated on the Council. Yet, the decision to toss the application of Mr. Winston James, who happens to be disabled aside, is even more heart-rending. Like other vendors, Mr. James applied for one of the new stalls constructed by the Bartica Council. He had been vending with an umbrella and a small table in front of the Bartica Market for more than three years and pays a fee for doing so. Mr. James is dis-
abled. He is in need of a hip replacement and as such, is not able to move around much and uses crotches. Vending has been his main income and with that, he cares for his family. Mr. James was extremely hopeful that he would have been considered for one of the stalls, since he had been vending in the location for a long time, that he has a good financial record with the Council and that he met their requirements, the latter being indicated by Bartica Mayor, Mr. Gifford Marshall. I had personally taken Mr. James and his wife to the Mayor to ensure all the procedures were followed to allow Mr. James an opportunity. It was at that very meeting that the Mayor declared that persons who were occupying spots and relocated to accommodate the building of the stalls would be given first
preference to acquire the stands in the same manner that they were occupying their spots. Lo and behold, Bartica residents saw persons known to them winning these stalls. Persons occupying the spots were not given first preference and to date applicants are unaware as to how those “friends and family members” of Councilors won those stalls. The Bartica United Youth Development Group (BYUDG) is appalled by the heartlessness shown in the case of Mr. James. The body has been approached by several other persons seeking
transparency in the issuance of these stalls. The BYUDG calls on the Bartica Municipality to correct their blatant disregard for procedure and transparency. The BUYDG will be seeking a meeting with the BM&TC to have this matter addressed. If the matter is not addressed at this level, the BUYDG will waste no time in seeking a High Court ruling that the issuance of the stalls was illegal and to have them reversed. Yours faithfully, Micah Williams General President Bartica United Youth Development Group
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Kaieteur News
As a nation, we must realise ... From page 5 constitutional reform is the solution to the many great problems of Guyana, including (oddly enough) racism in politics. Others, such as the Socialist Workers Alliance (SWA) point to political reform by means of establishing a socialist state as necessary to gain balance of power and wealth. The APNU+AFC stresses on oil production as Guyana’s path to the ‘promised land’, while the PPP/C continues to back the state-controlled sugar industry and the canecutting tradition, a tradition rooted in British colonialism. Of course, constitutional reform is vitally important and necessary, and so too are the prospects for institutional changes. Oil may very well lead us to national wealth, and the sugar industry may very well thrive under public sector management coupled with endured labour intensive work. But when these issues are used as political fuel, they blight any real progress towards national unity and genuine change, and to rise above challenges we can overcome as a nation. Eventually ‘progress’, ‘unity’ and ‘change’—all of which are, unfortunately, politicised terms—lose their significance and value. Nevertheless, what is undoubtedly without dispute is that in this opportunistic moment in the history of politics in Guyana we need sound alternative political directives to prevent Guyanese democracy from being subjected to arbitrary political will. How do we discover political alternatives? Well, they
will not magically show up, that is for sure. It takes much more than waiting around and much work to be done, both individually and collectively. However, there are two important components that are foundational: mobilisation and conceptualisation, both dependent on the other, albeit in most cases the latter should precede the former. We must change the way we think about government, society and how it is organised, and even the idea of citizenry. Here, the influence of positive and instructive political mobilisation becomes essential. Moreover, such political mobilisation would have to accept the difficulties and complexities of problems set before us; that there is no simplistic answer to everything. However, if the economy is in decline, social welfare programmes are poor, and the average household is faced with an enormous burden to upkeep its maintainability then good governance, regardless of who controls executive power, would continually strive to ensure that these aspects of social life become less burdensome for everyone without exclusion. As a society, we can agree that the last thing we want is to be governed by a bad government. Thus, we must elevate our governmental preference. Furthermore, let us keep in mind that what makes a government ‘bad’ is based on how well we critically evaluate the people we elect and how civically vigilant we remain. Additionally, an already reputed ‘bad’ government is unlikely to turn out to be a
good government. If there is one lesson in the history of politics in Guyana that we can learn from, it is that giving too many chances does not produce much worthwhile changes. What it all comes down to is this: our political narrative must change. It must move away from the decades-old political rhetoric reminiscing awful deeds of the past while conflating it with the happenings of the present—a practice that invokes fear mongering to stir up unpleasant emotional reactions. This prevailing narrative has been sustained for far too long, which has caused hostile strife among Guyana’s diverse ethnic groups, and therefore ruining ethnic relations. Finally, I strongly believe that education coupled with sustained critical dialogue via debate or discussion forums, which are democratic institutions we lack, can help us stimulate civic engagement and effective politics. But most importantly, we should realise that our collective political strength can change the state of current political affairs for the better, not for the worse. Terrible governments endure only because we let them. As a nation, we must realise that we do have choices beyond ‘red and green’ offerings. Good governance can only come with a change of attitude coupled with a determined mindset to want better. Guyana surely deserves better, but better can only come if we demand and work towards it together. Yours faithfully, Ferlin F. Pedro
The move on minibuses... From page 4 for some reason or the other, did not impose the law, shouldn’t we as law-abiding citizens be happy to know that the current administration is trying its best in making things right within the public transportation system? Furthermore, there was no press conference by the current administration stating that these minibuses need to be painted in green. Malicious individuals are spreading false rumours. I wonder what their
motives are. Whenever, the previous or current administration tries to re-impose any law from the public transportation act, minibus drivers always hold the public at ransom by striking. Those who cannot afford taxis or their own vehicle are left stranded on roadways. If these lawless bus owners insist on holding the public at ransom because of their idiotic demands, I suggest the Govt. put in place
the big bus system. In closing, I wish to thank to GPF on trying to maintain law and order on the roadways. I would also like to recommend that they look into loud music in both public and private vehicles, which is a nuisance to almost everyone, overloading in minibuses, super-bright headlights/ light bars on vehicles that are dangerous to other drivers in the nights, etc. Regards, Law-abiding citizen
Friday March 16, 2018
A Tribute to Sir Wilson Harris - Guyana’s literary master DEAR EDITOR, Sir Wilson Harris, who recently died at the age of 96, was an iconic figure among the writers of the Caribbean and Central America. Nominated for the Nobel Prize in literature on more than one occasion, with some of his original manuscripts stored in the Harry Ramsen Collection at the University of Texas in Austin, he ranks right up there with the best. A major, noteworthy achievement is that he gave the large indigenous Amerindian population of Guyana, consisting of nine major ethnic groups so often marginalised, including the Akawaios, Arawaks, Arekunas, Caribs, Makushis, Patamonas, Wapishanas, Warraus and the Wai-Wais, historic and literary acknowledgement. All Guyanese and Caribbean people are proud of the achievements of Sir Wilson Harris, fellow Queen’s College alumni even more so. Born in Guyana in 1921, he attended the elite Queen’s College, Georgetown, Guyana from 1932 to 1937. Whereas Q.C. nurtured his genius; it was his work experience that gave him wings. Before he became the world famous writer, his oyster for gathering the settings and landscape for his works came from his interaction with the majestic hinterland of Guyana, which he experienced as a surveyor. I had the privilege of seeing Guyana’s hinterland as a Magistrate, where I often traveled by speed boat, canoe, ferry or small aircraft when I performed my duties as the youngest Magistrate appointed in Guyana’s history at the age of 25. Indeed, Captain George Grandsoult, whose body was never found in Guyana’s interior after his plane crashed, had just flown me in the week before the same plane dropped out of the sky. Everyone else was afraid of the hinterland, so I was tasked to hold court in these remote, but scenic towns. At the prestigious Queen’s College, we also studied the magnum opus of another Guyanese giant, Jan
Carew’s “Black Midas,” which dealt with the changing fortunes of a Guyanese pork knocker - and life itself. Carew became a professor at Northwestern University and Princeton University. These experiences helped me analyse Harris’ work in context. Harris was born in the small community of New Amsterdam, in British Guiana. For him to be admitted to the elite Q.C. school during such colonial times was an achievement by itself. The diverse races were all mixed in him, making him the quintessential West Indian, a man for all seasons. His father, an insurance broker, died when he was two, and his stepfather disappeared, believed drowned, in the rainforests in 1929. From 1945 to 1959, he worked as a land surveyor, mainly in the majestic and beautiful hinterland of Guyana, where he interacted often with the indigenous people who lived there, and researched their way of life. This unique experience influenced the imagery of his writing, and equipped him with the mystique and mythology of Guyana’s indigenous peoples, and living in Guyana in the early 1960s. During this period, he shared ideas and visions with other notable Guyanese figures such as Martin Carter, A.J. Seymour, Ivan Van Sertima and Sidney King (Eusi Kwayana), icons in their own right. Harris went on to establish an international reputation as a leading figure in postcolonial literature. One thing that set Harris apart was his originality, and his knowledge of physics, anthropology, mythology, alchemy and the pioneers of the unconscious, including Carl Jung. He also cautioned against the trap of victimhood in postcolonial fiction, which could lead the oppressed to become as prejudiced as their former oppressors, a confluence of thought, vision and philosophy he shares with Nelson Mandela. These early tragedies and challenges shaped his life and produced genuine themes in his work told from an original
perspective. Other childhood memories influenced the themes of his work. He could relate genuine interactions with imagery, and did not have to think hard and long to capture his audience. He found inspiration, refuge and development from his experience with his native country’s sprawling savannahs and rain forests, majestic rivers, exotic landfalls and virgin terrain, all bound together in natural formation, which imbued him with a deep, mystical perception, and put him in a class apart from other writers. It gave him a vision as broad and as deep as the Essequibo River, as turbulent as the world famous Kaieteur Falls, and as indigenous as the interior civilizations, which was transformed into majestic works of poetry, novels and essays that have enriched the literary landscape. His expeditions charting the great rivers of the Guyanese interior and their effects on the coastlands gave instant value to geography, but the greatest benefit crystallized in his work where he inculcated the finer aspects of his writings. England became the beneficiary of Guyana’s loss when he migrated in 1959, after he found it impossible to stay in Guyana and write, because there were no publishers in the West Indies. But Sir Wilson was removed only by distance, not in philosophy and works. A proud moment came in June 2010, when he was knighted in the Queen’s Birthday Honors. He won a Lifetime Achievement Prize from the Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards in 2014. His concern for humanity, especially the marginalised he empathised with, led him to highlight the suppression people inflict on each other, greed and disdain, in his works. He vividly conveyed in prose and poetry the haunting silence of the indigenous Amerindian cultures, Kyk-Over-Al, and the mystique of the rainforests. Guyana should dedicate a library showcasing his works in his honour. Albert Baldeo
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Kaieteur News
Friday March 16, 2018
Stats Bureau launches first quarterly labour force report …unemployment rate is 12%
Deputy Chief Statistician of the Bureau of Statistics, Ian Manifold, (left) hands over a copy of the LFS Bulletin to Financial Secretary, Dr. Hector
W
ith support fi nancing from the Inter-American Bank (IDB), Guyana launched the first quarterly labour force survey report yesterday at the Marriott Hotel, which indicated that Guyana’s employment rate remains low. Deputy Chief Statistician, Bureau of Statistics, Ian Manifold, said that the survey of the labour force brings Guyana in line with other Caribbean countries, among them Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and The Bahamas. “With the current labour force survey, all the major indicators pertaining to labour are now dealt with. Further, we no longer have to wait every 10 years when a census is conducted to have information on the labour force
or at an unspecified time between censuses when a survey is done in order to piggyback a few labour force questions,” Manifold explained. KEY FINDINGS The report covers the third quarter of 2017, providing main tools used to track labour market dynamics such as employment rate, job creation, and job destruction. It was noted that the unemployment rate for persons aged 15 and above was 12%, with the situation for women being substantially worse than that of men, 15.3% versus 9.9%. The data show no substantial differences between urban and rural areas. According to the survey, the employment-to-population ratio of persons aged 15 and above is 49.2 %, with the rate being substantially
higher for men than for women 62.1 % against 36.9%. This situation is substantially similar to that outlined by the 2012 Census. The survey found that the situation of women who, despite showing a sizeable disadvantage in the labour market, appears to be more engaged in the labour force and be less likely to be unemployed. For salaried workers, the average labour income is $82,636 per month across all the economic sectors, while the figure decreases to $67,064 for self-employed workers. The survey considered the labour population as persons aged 15 and above residing in Guyana, —550,831 persons. The 72.2% of the labour force is based in urban areas.
Manifold noted that if investments are not moving at a rapid pace and new businesses are not being created then there will be some issues with jobs. “If you don’t have an expanded business sector then there can be issues, but what our findings will do as we go forward, is give you a sense of unemployment overtime. It is a snapshot every quarter so from one quarter to the other one will be able to see what is happening with employment,” Manifold stated. FUNDING CRITICAL IDB has provided approximately US$930,000 for the first two quarterly records between July and December
2017. The Government has started funding the labour survey for the first quarter of 2018.Up to July 2017, no such survey was regularly conducted in Guyana. This in reality hindered the possibility of having up to date, objective information to inform evidence-based policy decisions. Manifold stated that the surveys are expensive and call for political will to get them done. Finance Secretary, Dr. Hector Butts, was presented with the bulletin from the survey. He noted the Government’s commitment to ensure policy decisions are made on current data.
“To have such statistics, can serve two major purposes, first at the level of managing microeconomic planning and secondly, to determine the impact of labour in the generation of wealth in Guyana,” Butts stated. IDB’s Country Representative, Sophie Makonnen, reiterated continuous surveys are key in policymaking and are one of the main tools to track labour market dynamics. “ M o r e t h a n e v e r, Guyana needs to match the supply of its labour with the current and future demand for labour, in ensuring they have the skills for the jobs out there,” Makonnen stated.
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Friday March 16, 2018
Final report on education system COI submitted to Ministry The final report detailing the findings of the Commission of Inquiry [COI] into the public education system has been handed over to the Ministry of Education. This long anticipated development, which comes close to one year after a preliminary report was presented to the Ministry, was yesterday confirmed by senior officials within the Public Relations Department of the Education Ministry. Key Ministry officials will now be tasked with thoroughly examining the content of the report before it can be officially unveiled. According to reports reaching this newspaper, the report was on Wednesday submitted by the COI Chairman, former Chief Education Officer, Mr. Ed Caesar.
Caesar had in April of last year, handed over the preliminary report of the findings to former Minister of Education, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine. At that time, Caesar had informed that the final report would have been completed within a few weeks. However, from all indication unforeseen circumstances resulted in its delayed completion. Based on Caesar’s earlier disclosure, the final report is expected to entail recommendations on issues such as technical education, special needs education and information technology. Addressing the importance of Technical Vocational Education and Training [TVET], Caesar said, “We really have to do some work to get TVET the way that it is supposed to be. Let it not be regarded as an area for students who are not
COI Chairman, Mr. Ed Caesar capable, academically. We must see this as a very important area.” He also stressed the need for focus on Information Communication Technology [ICT]. This is in light of his belief that this is an important medium through which many things should be done. “If we are going to push our education sector forward, ICT has to play a major, major role and we can’t just speak about ICT in schools,” said Caesar. He continued, “We have to find a way to involve parents and community members. So one of the things that they have been
suggesting is that in communities, cluster groups must be formed and training must be done with parents to use ICTs in their regular life.”Commenting on the issue of special needs education, Caesar said, “We have not, to my mind, been allowing our brothers and sisters to develop in spite of their several deficiencies. The Commission would like to see places like David Rose School for the Handicapped, the special schools in Linden, New Amsterdam and so on, that all of them be given a new lease of life, but we have got to identify areas where they can
be appropriately trained.” As it relates to special needs education, Caesar said that based on the recently completed inquiry, the Guyana Society for the Blind needs to be especially addressed. “For example, there are students who are going there who are attending the University of Guyana. We must find a way to provide facilities for them, provide equipment for them, like computers and so on,” he asserted. He added, “They must not be left out because if we do not work with our special needs people it is going to be a cost to the government and the country because we will have to maintain them when we could have made them employable.” ”There will be a lot of things coming out in the final report that will be of interest to the public,” said Caesar, even as he asserted that there have not been all bad things happening in the education system. He disclosed that all past Ministers of Education have made significant contributions to the development of the public education system. “It must never be said that
the sector was at a point where nothing was happening… Iam presumptuous enough to say the administration of former Minister [Shaik] Baksh and Sister Priya Manickchand did contribute to the development of education in several ways. We must recognise things like that,” said Caesar. He nevertheless noted that, there have been some aspects of education that had long required some measure of intervention in order to improve the sector. He had also shared his conviction that even the immediate past Minister, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, will go down in history as being “the Minister who wanted to understand the status of education in the sector from the good things that have been happening to the bad things so as to get a sense of how to move forward so that whatever is done in education is informed by evidential data.” ”That really was the remit of the COI to ascertain what has been happening; to ascertain where we are and wherever possible make recommendations for the improvement in the sector,” Caesar said.
F
irst they came for the communists, and I did not speak out because I was not a communist; Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a socialist; Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a trade unionist; Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out - because I was not a Jew; Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me. They have come for Lincoln and David. They have axed them from the Guyana Chronicle. If they escape condemnation for this act of suppression, they will come for you one day and neither Lincoln nor David or anyone else will be there to speak out for you. The Guyana Chronicle will find it difficult to convince the public that the dropping of the columnists— has anything to do with the rebranding of the company. The only brand, which is relevant to the image of the Guyana Chronicle is its openness to criticism of the government. Removing the two principal political columnists is not going to show that the newspaper is more balanced. The manner in which the removal was effected nails the view that this move was not about rebranding. One of the columns was not published and when the columnist enquired why, he was told that it was because it was late. When it did not appear the following week, he again
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Friday March 16, 2018
asked why and it was then that he was given correspondence about being dropped. If the reason for non-publication of the column was rebranding, then why was the columnist not told this initially? The Guyana Chronicle will find it difficult to convince the public that this action is not politically motivated and directed. The Guyana Chronicle will have to explain how it is that it suddenly dropped David Hinds and Lincoln Lewis as columnists without providing advance notice to these persons that there is a rebranding process in the works. The Board of the Guyana Chronicle will find it difficult to explain why it has not reversed this decision and why the Board is divided on this issue. The Board has the authority to overrule the editorial board or even the editor. It is not general practice to do so but what was said by one Board member is true: any decision which can bring the paper into disrepute is within the jurisdiction of the Board to overturn. The Board has the power to remedy this situation. Its failure to do so is of worrying concern. Newspapers establish editorial committees in order to produce editorial policies in which to guide the editor and his staff. The editorial committees also insulate the editor from direct direction from the Board. It is the Editorial Board, which sets the policy and its editor, which has to ensure that this policy is complied with.
By setting an editorial policy for the paper, the Editorial Board ensures that there is no political direction from outside or even from the Board. But the Board is not expected to be impotent in the face of grave violations of press freedom or actions which are detrimental to the paper. In the movie, The Post, the editor was the one who had full freedom to decide what stories went into the paper and what did not. But on a major question as to whether to print the leaked Vietnam files, the owner was
involved because the company was facing litigation which would have affected the entire operations and not just the Press Room. The Guyana Chronicle is now retuning to the rag it was under the PPPC. If the views of David Hinds and Lincoln Lewis can be so easily deleted from the pages of the newspaper – one is a leading official of the Trade Union Congress and the other a leader of a coalition partner, the Working People’s Alliance – what is going to happen to the views of ordinary citizens?
It is time for all rightminded Guyanese to come out and protest against what has happened to David Hinds and Lincoln Lewis. You do not have to be supportive of the two columnists’ views, but only their right to ventilate these views. The suppression of the two columns is an ominous development. It signals that all the talk about freedom of expression is just talk. There are forces behind the scene who are trying to silence criticism. If they succeed, you will be their next victim. Unless they are re-
strained, they will throw you in jail for criticizing the government. This is where we are headed unless all right-minded citizens speak out against this travesty. Guyanese must decide whether they wish to return to the days of dictatorship or whether they want to live in freedom. Speak now or forever hold thy peace until they come for you.
Friday March 16, 2018
Kaieteur News
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Friday March 16, 2018
Guns, ganja seized in Berbice River eradication exercise
The camp that was set alight Ranks of the Guyana Police Force on Wednesday conducted yet another major drug eradication exercise in the Berbice River. During the more than 12hour operations at Ebini River, six fields with an estimated
600,000 cannabis plants measuring between four inches a n d f i v e f e e t i n height were foun d, photographed and destroyed together with four camps and about two hundred kilograms of dried
cannabis. Two unlicensed shotguns and 55 live cartridges were also found. No arrests have been made but investigators are in the process of tracing the owner(s) of the land.
The recovered guns and cartridges
Friday March 16, 2018
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“Lola” charged with assault Two days after popular make-up artist and social media personality Lolita Callendar also known as “Lola” of East Ruimveldt was taken into custody for allegedly harbouring her United States (US) fugitive fiancé; she was yesterday charged
and released on $30,000 bail on an assault charge. Callendar appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman late yesterday afternoon. She denied the charge which alleged that at East La
Charged: Lolita Callendar walking down the court steps
Penitence, she assaulted Malika Holder. Police Prosecutor Arvin Moore had no objection to bail being granted to the defendant and she was released on $30,000 bail. As she exited the courtroom, she covered her face with what appeared to be a handkerchief and went straight into the prisoners’ holding cell. From there, she was taken to Criminal Investigation Department (CID) where she was released on her own recognizance (self bail) for another offence. Callendar was instructed to return to CID today. However, Principal Magistrate Latchman instructed Callendar to return to court on March 28 for the commencement of the assault trial which will be conducted in Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore courtroom. Callendar was arrested at her East Ruimveldt home while her fiancé, Troy Anthony Thomas, the 31-yearold Guyanese murder suspect was arrested at his Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara home after an intelligence-led operation by ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) raided his premises. Thomas, of 32nd Street, South Ozone Park, Queens, New York, is currently in custody pending extradition to the US to answer to a murder charge. According to information, Thomas fled to Guyana after
allegedly gunning down another Guyanese, 20-year-old Keith Frank, in Queens, New York, seven years ago. Thomas reportedly fled to Guyana shortly after an arrest warrant was issued for him in the US for the murder of Keith Frank, who was slain on December 11, 2011. Frank succumbed to a bullet wound to the torso, allegedly during a confronta-
tion with Thomas and others. Attorney-at-law Stacy Goodings, who is representing the Government of the United States, told the court that several checks were made at Central Immigration Office and they found no record of the Thomas entering Guyana. He is currently on remand and his expected to make his next court appearance on March 20.
Charged: Lolita Callendar aka Lola
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Friday March 16, 2018
Kaieteur News
Govt. fully responsible for catfish ban - Opposition Leader
Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, yesterday blamed Government’s inaction for the ban on catfish exports to the United States. In a statement, Jagdeo said he has noted with con-
cern the silence from the APNU+AFC Coalition on the plight of hundreds of fishermen, following the ban on exports of all catfish species to the United States of America. “I am of the firm view that
the Coalition Government is fully responsible for the plight of local fishermen, given that they were notified of the USA’s pending changes to export regulations since November 2015,” Jagdeo stated.
...dismayed by silence on issue The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has stopped the export of all Siluriformes fish and fish products (catfish species) from Guyana, effective March 1. According to industry sources, the decision affects over 90% of all fish exports to the U.S and over 70% of the overall fish export market. The U.S decision means that hassar, cuirass and gilbacker can no longer be exported to the U.S. Jagdeo noted that he has seen the arguments from government quarters that this is somehow a ‘protectionist move’ by the United States, but these have since been exposed as shallow and disingenuous arguments. “Had it not been for the statement from the USA’s Embassy in Guyana, stakeholders would have maintained a misguided view,” Jagdeo pointed out. Amanda Cauldwell, Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Georgetown told Kaieteur News that the U.S. notified the Government of Guyana of the pending changes in November 2015, more than 18 months before they were to go into effect. According to Jagdeo, the coalition administration, despite having received notice of these changes, failed to communicate effectively with the stakeholders of the fisheries sector, many of whom have invested heavily in this
Hassar being prepared for export
area. Jagdeo stated that the Coalition Government received an extension until February 3, 2018, to bring Guyana into compliance with the new export regulations and failed again. “Failure, I believe, as we have seen with evidence of incompetence, continues to be the defining characteristic of the current Administration,” Jagdeo stated.
Jagdeo called on the Coalition Government to immediately take measures to support compliance with the new regulations and also take measures to support the local fisheries sector in the meantime. “The fisheries sector cannot be allowed to suffer irreparable losses, as we have seen in other productive sectors, since the APNU+AFC Coalition Government took office,” Jagdeo noted.
Friday March 16, 2018
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Kaieteur News
City has new Deputy Mayor The Alliance for Change, (AFC) has lost the bid to secure the seat of Deputy Mayor of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council, (M&CC) following the elections for the top positions, held at City Hall yesterday. Mayor Patricia ChaseGreen, of the APNU, was reelected to serve for the third consecutive year through a majority vote by show of hands while Councillor Akeem Peters, also of the APNU, was elected as the new Deputy Mayor of Georgetown. Peters is arguably the youngest person to be elected Deputy Mayor of Georgetown. He defeated the AFC‘s Lionel Jaikaran who had previously occupied the post. Jaikaran was the choice of former Deputy Mayor Sherod Duncan of the AFC. Duncan failed in his attempt to nominate Jaikaran. Jaikaran had served as Deputy Mayor for the one year. In congratulating the Mayor and his fellow councillor (Peters) on his election to office, Jaikaran stated, “The AFC has been kicked to the curb.” He said, nonetheless, that he leaves the position of
- AFC defeated in bid to secure seat Deputy Mayor with his conscience intact and his head held high. The former Deputy Mayor noted that while serving the city, he always held onto his principles. Those present at City Hall to witness the elections included Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson and the recently elected Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Bartica. In her address to the Council, Mayor of Georgetown Patricia Chase Green called on the councillors to work together for the better of the various constituents and the city as a whole. She noted that the past three years as Mayor of Georgetown has not been without its challenges. She told those present at the horseshoe table that the road has not been easy. But in the same vein, Chase -Green noted when she thinks about her journey, she can’t help but ponder on the words of celebrated writer, Maya Angelou, “Still I Rise.” The Mayor told the Council that the work is far from
over. “I have survived; this council has survived; but the road ahead will be very hard…This is an election year.” Chase- Green added. The Mayor therefore appealed to Council for their continued cooperation and support. In his address to the Council, Peters vowed to place emphasis on working alongside the Mayor over the next year to change the image of the Council. Peters also congratulated Jaikaran for his service over the last year but disagreed with him on the point that the AFC has been kicked to the curb. Peters said that the council’s decision to elect him to it should not be seen as the sidelining of any of individual or group of individuals. Meanwhile, outside City Hall, the Movement Against Parking Meters (MAPM) held a picketing exercise calling for Mayor Patricia Chase-Green and Town Clerk, Royston King to be held accountable for the mismanagement of Georgetown.
Bishops’ teacher granted bail on sexual offence charge One week after being charged and remanded to prison for allegedly engaging in sexual activity with a child under the age of 16 by abusing his position of trust, Coen Jackson was yesterday granted $300,000 bail by Senior Magistrate Leron Daly. Conditions of the bail are that Jackson must lodge his passport at the court, stay away from the victim and her family and report every Monday to the Sexual Offence Unit at the Brickdam Police Station until the completion of the trial. Last week, the 39-year-old man stood before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, and was not required to plead to the indictable charge which alleged that between December 2010 and May 2011, at D’Urban Street, Lodge, he engaged in sexual activity with a child under the age of 16 by abusing his position of trust. He is being represented by Attorneys-at-law, Sanjeev Datadin and Siand Dhurjon. According to information, an investigation was launched after a former student of Jackson’s filed a report alleging that she had sexual contact with the teacher while she was still a student. The matter was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions, (DPP) for advice and a
Charged: Coen Jackson charge was instituted against Jackson. The accusations against Jackson were first brought to the fore by Cultural Policy Advisor within the Ministry of Social Cohesion, Mr. Ruel Johnson. Jackson retained legal representation and denied the allegations of sexual abuse of students under his instruction. He accused Johnson of
taking such action, because he had been in communication with Johnson’s wife. Johnson, in a letter of complaint to Chief Education Officer, Mr. Marcel Hutson, suggested that Jackson had been sexually abusing female students for many years. Johnson alleged that the stories of abuse started in the late 1990s, beginning at another City secondary school, and followed Jackson’s career through attachments at several other schools. The Cultural Advisor’s letter of complaint was also sent to the Ministries of Social Protection, Legal Affairs, Public Health, Public Security and Social Cohesion. The complaint had forced the Education Ministry into investigation mode. Jackson was sent on administrative leave to facilitate the investigation. At the end of the process, the findings were sufficient to warrant a police investigation.
The group had noted its position on several issues affecting the Council including the recently tossed no- confidence motion against Town Clerk, Royston King “MAPM would like to make it clear that after an assessment of the conduct of the Mayor and Town Clerk, and taking into account the important nature of the role of the offices they hold, (the group) considers them both to not be fit and proper to hold such office,” the group said in a statement.
New Deputy Mayor Akeem Peters, and re-elected Mayor of Georgetown Patricia Chase Green.
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Friday March 16, 2018
Kaieteur News
Bartica boat accident with students…
‘David G’ vessel lost control after operating cable burst - captain Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry, and Chief Education Officer, Marcel Hutson, yesterday visited three students who are now patients at the Georgetown Hospital following a boat mishap in the Essequibo River, near Bartica. During the visit, the Minister and CEO were appraised by medical officials of the stu-
dents’ prognosis and diagnosis. The Minister also had a chance to engage in interactions with the patients and their parents. On Wednesday, a “David G” boat operating in the Bartica area, was involved in an accident which resulted in several students and the boat captain sustaining injuries.
Three of the injured students and the boat captain were flown to the GPHC for medical attention. Yesterday, a team of senior officers from the Ministry of Education also visited the hospital visit to ascertain the medical condition of the injured persons. That team was headed by Hutson, who was accompa-
Minister Nicolette Henry and CEO, Marcel Hutson with one of the injured students yesterday at GPHC.
nied by Owen Pollard, Assistant Chief Education Officer (Primary); Juneann Gonsalves, Assistant Chief Education Officer (Secondary); Glenna Vyphius, Chief Schools Welfare; Onika Pearson, Senior Schools Welfare Officer and Brushell Blackman, Senior Public Relations Officer.
During the visit, officers interacted with Dr. Khan who indicated that all the patients were in a stable condition and that the two female students could be discharged as early as today. Williams, the boat captain, explained that the operating cable for the boat “cut” and as such, he was unable to stop
the boat in a timely manner. Hence, he was forced to swerve from colliding into the stelling and as a result, the boat ran aground on the river bank. All occupants were hurled from the boat. The police are investigating, the ministry said yesterday. Among the injured were Cleveloyde Edmonds, 15, a grade 10 student; and Shaniel Moshette, 16, a Grade 11 student. She suffered a fractured her right tibia, right shoulder and has a gaping wound to her right leg. Iola Thornhill, age 14, a Grade 9 student suffered a broken wrist and trauma to the right knee. The boat captain is Akeem Williams. He is in a stable condition nursing multiple injuries.
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Kaieteur News
Friday March 16, 2018
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Kaieteur News
Friday March 16, 2018
Alleged nepotism unearthed within Essequibo D&I Department
Over 400 delegates expected as Guyana hosts air transport conference
G
uyana will be hosting an international air transport conference during the period November 19-23, 2018. According to the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the event will be organised in collaboration with International Civil Av i a t i o n O rg a n i s a t i o n (ICAO), CARICOM, African Union and United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO). “Invitation for this event will be opened to all 192
Drainage and irrigation workers during the RDC meeting last Tuesday Allegations are now surfacing that senior officials within the Drainage and Irrigation Department of Region Two [Pomeroon/ Supenaam], are engaged in acts of nepotism. As was reported at the region’s statutory meeting last Tuesday, senior officials of the D&I Department have been unethical and unjust in their awarding of contracts. It was revealed by the Vice Chairman of Region Two, Nandaranie Coonjah, that the contracts of more than 20 low income trench cleaners, were unjustly terminated. These contracts, she claims, were then awarded to close friends and associates of higher D&I officials. Coonjah noted that the details of these contracts indicate that one individual was awarded as many as three or four trenches. Coonjah and the Region Two Chairman, Devenand Ramdatt, both believe that the act was a deliberate attempt to punish the poor, since only one person is
benefitting from awarded contracts. Vice Chairman Coonjah noted that these trench cleaners previously contracted were paid less than $50 per rod. She noted, however, that the close associates of D&I officials are now being paid $200 per rod. It was also reported that these newly hired contractors are being paid more money, to do less work as compared to the previously contracted cleaners. While these trench cleaners were cleaning both sides of a major drainage trench for $50 per rod, the new contractors are cleaning just one side for $200 per rod. Questions were also raised at the RDC last Tuesday as to whether or not $200 per rod was budgeted for. Coonjah claims that the D&I Department was asked to explain why the previous contracts were terminated. The Department’s reply to the letter was that cleaners did not complete works in November 2017. Records
indicate, however, that cleaners were paid for works done in November, contradicting the Department’s claim that no work was completed. During a standing order at the region’s statutory meeting last Tuesday, these cleaners reaffirmed that they completed, and were paid for all works in 2017. These aggrieved labourers told the RDC house on Tuesday, “I’ve been cleaning trench since 2003 and poor; I am a poor man…I can’t see how one man can enjoy $120,000 when I use to get just $39,500 per month.” One cleaner even explained that he is the sole breadwinner of his household with major financial commitment. The frustrated man noted that his family is finding it very difficult to cope with the financial pressures. The entire RDC house voted that the matter be investigated and reversed as early as possible. [Romario Blair.]
Member States of ICAO.” GCAA said it anticipates that approximately 120 states will be in attendance, which translates to more than 400 international delegates. “His Excellency, Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu,
President of the ICAO Council will also be in attendance. As proud host of this event, the GCAA will launch the ICAO Air Transport Conference on March 19, 2018 at 17:00hrs at the Umana Yana, Kingston, Georgetown.”
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Kaieteur News
Friday March 16, 2018
Witness Policeman found spent shells after we tells COI… ‘combed’ same area and found nothing
Courtney Wong, the elder brother of slain miner, Clifton Wong, testified yesterday that a policeman reported finding three spent shells in the Arokium Camp, in an area that had been searched “back and forth,” and had yielded no such evidence. Mr. Wong testified that a search was carried out by himself, police ranks, two soldiers and others, whom he had taken to the site in late June 2008, after news of the Lindo Creek tragedy broke. Wong said the team found a heap of burnt bones and a skull with a hole in it, and two hammers. The witness identified himself as the “designated mechanic” for the Arokium mining concession. However, he said that his younger brother Clifton, also a mechanic, had made the ill-fated trip in his place. Mr. Wong was the last of three family members to take the stand at yesterday’s public hearings. But the day’s proceedings came to an abrupt halt after a female relative of the Wongs collapsed and had to taken to hospital. Courtney Wong said he last spoke to his brother, Clifton, in late June, 2008, some two days before the brother travelled to Lindo
Creek. That was when Clifton indicated that he was “heading to the interior.” “He was going to Lindo Creek in my space (because) I had a lot of work on my hands. I was the designated mechanic for the Arokium Camp,” Mr. Wong said. He told the Commission that the journey entails going by pickup to Linden, then travelling to Ituni, and to the UNAMCO Road. “THEYKILLALL DEM BOYS!” Mr. Wong said that in June 2008, he received a call from the mining camp owner, Mr. Arokium. “He say ‘they shoot, kill and burn up all the bodies.’ I say, ‘What you saying?’ and he said ‘They kill all dem boys.” Mr. Wong recalled receiving another call some time later from Mr. Arokium. He related that Mr. Arokium had said that the Commissioner of Police, the Prime Minister, and Home Affairs Minister, had visited him “and tried to convince him that the ‘Fine Man’ gang had killed the men, and he said he didn’t believe that.” He related that he was then informed that the police wanted someone to accompany a team to Lindo Creek. On June 21, he accompa-
- family’s emotional testimony adjourned after relative collapses
Colette Wong nied a team that included police ranks and Government pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh, to Kwakwani. Mr. Wong told the Commission that a gate at UNAMCO is manned by security personnel who would make a record of all vehicles entering the area that would lead to Lindo Creek. However, this time “I observed, which was sort of strange, when I landed at the UNAMCO gate, a soldier was in command; not the UNAMCO security,” Mr.
Clifton Wong Wong said. The witness said that he first took the team to a camp that the Arokium crew had now abandoned. This was at the bottom of a hill, while the new camp was at the top of the hill. Wong said that he suggested to Dr. Singh that the pathologist remain at the bottom of the hill, since the journey to the other camp “is more hectic,” and “physically challenging.” He said that the pathologist agreed to remain with
some other ranks at the bottom of the hill. Wong testified that it took him and the others about 45 minutes to reach the top of the hill where the other camp was located. On reaching the camp, Wong related that they found the kitchen “in disarray,” with the rice and other goods strewn around. He stated that hammocks, tarpaulins and clothes were all missing. They then saw a pile of bones near the sleeping area.
Sheniza Romain “We found a skull with a hole, and not far (from there) we found two hammers.” He said that one of the hammerheads “fit right in the hole of the skull.” They also found a burnt passport and an identification card. “After finding the bones, a rank asked us to form a line, (and) we formed a long line that was for the purpose of combing the area. We were supposed to be looking for any spent shells. We comb the area, backwards and for (Continued on page 29)
Berbice guards walk off posts at state facilities
T
he Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Keith Scott, after a recent engagement with Integrated Security Services, has ordered the company to make immediate payments for all outstanding wages owed to security guards of Regions 5 and 6. “The company, however, failed to comply and will now be taken before the courts to do so,” the ministry said yesterday. The disclosures were made after disgruntled security guards protested the non-payment of their wages. In a meeting with the Minister, the company had complained of administrative difficulties and had committed to paying the workers immediately and rectifying internal complications in the fastest possible manner. The security service provider is contracted to provide guard services for 96 regional locations in Region Five only, and several others in Region Six, the Ministry explained. “These include public schools, hospitals, health centres, regional offices and the residence of senior officials of the region.”
Last December, the company retained the contract with the Regional Democratic Council after the former contractor had its services terminated. “The workers are complaining that the security firm is trying to force them to set up accounts with Citizens Bank when they all bank with Republic Bank and prefer this route. They said it would be difficult to access branches of Citizens Bank since that bank does not have branches that are convenient to them.” According to the ministry, since the company has secured the contract, it has been paid over $40M for the service, but has been failing to pay the staff “while committing several other infractions, breaching the contractual duties”. “They are currently being paid a rate of $350- $420 per hour per guard and are expected to provide over 250 guards. However, the company has been paying a rate of $225 per hour to its guards, while the minimum wage stipulates it must pay $255 at minimum.” The region is alleging that the company has also been producing invoices for services they have not been
- region taking security firm to court
Protesting security guards on Wednesday providing and have left several posts without guards. Regional Executive Officer, Ovid Morrison, explained that the region is now contemplating the enforcement of its termination clause of the contract with the company. “He indicated that the region is now being forced to implement emergency measures to secure its properties, since all guards working for the company
have abandoned their posts. He said it is because of such cases, the region has implemented a performance bond as a part of its contract.” Recently, over 100 employees protested the regional office. However, Morrison explained that all monies were paid to the company and it is now their responsibility to provide the requisite remuneration to their employees.
The Department of Labour has since reassured the workers that legal action against Integrated Security Services will be sought to recover their monies. It is only recently that the Labour Department had conducted a special training session with the security firm with regard to their operation in Berbice. “The department continues to conduct various training sessions with
employers. As recent as March 14, training with employers of Region Six was conducted in regard to best practices for Occupational Safety and Health which also addressed several industrial relations concerns. Over the last few weeks, several such training sessions have been held throughout the country.” The Ministry said it wishes to assure that all employees must follow the laws of Guyana.
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Kaieteur News
Friday March 16, 2018
Mother found guilty of poisoning kids - collapses at guilty verdicts At the announcement of a guilty, Hofosawa Rutherford, the woman who poisoned her two children collapsed in the prisoner’s dock before the judge, jury and courtroom of curious spectators. Following less than two hours of deliberation, the jury returned to the courtroom; the mixed panel had arrived at unanimous guilty verdicts on two counts of manslaughter for which Rutherford was indicted. Rutherford, 25, formerly of Supply, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara, had been charged for the unlawful death of her two children, 16month-old Jabarie Cadogan Jr. and four-year-old Odaceia Cadogan. According to the details of the case, Rutherford had administered a pesticide, commonly referred to as “carbon tablet” to her children on March 27, 2014. The woman had maintained that she is innocent of the crime and led an emotional defence telling the jury that she never poisoned her children, that she loved them and only gave them cold tablets which she brought from a man at Plaisance Bus Park. However, relying on the testimony of Government Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh the State Attorneys, Tiffini Lyken, Abigail Gibbs and
Shawnette Austin, contended that 16-month-old Jabarie Cadogan Jr, and four-year-old Odaceia Cadogan died as a result of pesticide poisoning. Through the Pathologist, the court heard that the pesticide given to the children is called aluminium phosphide, a highly toxic substance. Dr. Singh revealed that during the autopsy on the children a strong stench emanated from their stomachs. He said that the poisonous substance led to the children’s major organs being congested with blood. Based on their verdict, yesterday, the jury obviously did not believe Rutherford’s story. They announced that she was guilty for unlawful killing of both children. In clear disbelief at the verdict, the woman, who was standing a few feet away from the panel collapsed in the prisoner’s dock. The commotion caused several police ranks to rush to her assistance as she appeared to have lost consciousness. The officers administered Limacol in an attempt to revive her. However, the woman stayed in the apparent state of unconscious for close to ten minutes. Then she emitted loud screams from the docks; Rutherford stomped and screamed as she lay on the floor. She stayed until she was removed with the assistance of officers. The
Hofosawa Rutherford is assisted by officers as she leaves the court yesterday. noise caused more spectators to converge to the courtroom. In light of the circumstances, defence attorney Adrian Thompson requested an adjournment in the matter, pending sentencing. Justice Singh obliged the lawyer’s request. The matter was therefore adjourned until today at 1:00 pm. The matter, which commenced at the High Court on Monday saw a number of witnesses including detective Lawrence Thomas who told the Rutherford, in a caution statement, had told him she travelled to Georgetown on the day in question and bought three grayish tablets for cold from a man who was selling at the Plaisance bus
PM opens multi-million dollar flour mill
Prime Minister Andrew Holness (fourth left), cuts the ribbon to officially open the Seprod Group’s new $3-billion state-of-the-art grains mill, Jamaica Grain and Cereals Limited, during a ceremony at the facility’s location on Felix Fox Boulevard in Kingston yesterday. KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — Prime Minister Andrew Holness has welcomed the launch of the Seprod Group’s new $3-billion state-of-the-art grains mill, Jamaica Grain and Cereals Limited, which has created employment for 300 more Jamaicans. “It is an important signal when one of the largest food manufacturers in the Caribbean undertakes such an expansive investment,” Holness said, at a ceremony to officially open the facility at Seprod, located on Felix Fox
Boulevard in Kingston yesterday. The prime minister said Seprod’s new venture is significant, as it puts the country “on a good footing for (continued) growth,” adding that he is pleased to see that level of investment in downtown Kingston. “What Seprod is doing is taking a calculated risk to ensure its success and is confirming its significant role within the virtuous cycle of business success and national economic growth,” he said.
park. Rutherford told the detective that she stopped at her aunt’s residence and picked up her children before going home, where she gave half of a tablet to each of her children before ingesting the remaining two. The children’s father, Jabarie Cadogan, also testified via Skype from Brooklyn, New York, where
he had migrated to from Guyana in March 2012. The man, who appeared very emotional, said that he and Rutherford had shared a relationship, which produced the two children. He said that before and after he migrated, he continued to support his children on monthly basis by sending money via Western Union to their mother and
sending home barrels with clothing and foodstuff. The witness said that even after his relationship with Rutherford ended in November 2013, he continued to support the minor children. According to Mr. Cadogan, sometime in December 2013, Rutherford called him and told him that she and her new partner were having problems and that she had reported the matter to the police. Recalling March 27, 2014, Mr. Cadogan said that around 06:15hrs he received a text message from Rutherford who had wanted him to call her, but according to the witness, at the time, he informed her that he had no credit in his phone. He said that later that evening he received a call from Monica Sealey, Rutherford’s sister, who told him something. He said, that as a result of what he was told, he travelled to Guyana on March 29, 2014. He recounted that on March 31, 2014 he was at the Georgetown Public Hospital Mortuary where he identified the remains of his two children.
Policeman found spent ... (From page 28) ward, we did not find anything. No spent shells were found,” Wong stated. He stated that he assisted some of the team members to put “the big bones” in a tarpaulin. Wong related that around this time, one of the policemen said, “Look ah find a spent shell.” “Two minutes after, he said, “Look, I find another one,” the witness told the Commission. He said that the same police rank then indicated that he had found a third spent shell. COI Attorney Patrice Henry: “The same policeman?” Courtney Wong: “The same policeman.” COI Attorney Patrice Henry: “It was the same area that was already combed?” Courtney Wong: “Already combed.” It was shortly after this that Wong’s testimony had to be halted after a female relative collapsed in her chair. “I love you…take care of the children…you will be hearing from me…” Earlier on, Colette Wong, the wife of Clifton Wong, recalled her last words with her husband of 21 years, with whom she has five children. She said that in May 2008, Clifton came from the interior to celebrate Mother’s Day, and her birthday, which is on May 19. He then re-
turned to Lindo Creek. “Before that, he said as soon as he reach...he will call me. He called from Kwakwani and said, ‘I love you, take care of the children, you will be hearing from me.” Mrs. Wong related that her husband also told her to tell their daughter, Sheniza, whose birthday was in June, that “he will send something.” But she said on June 20, she heard on the news that some miners had been killed. Later than night, someone rapped at her front door. It was a male relative, who brought the news of her husband’s death and the killing of the seven others.
Mr. Arokium called about an hour later. “I went upstairs. The children were already in bed. I woke them up and said, “He’s no more.” In her brief and tearful testimony, the couple’s daughter, Sheniza Romain, also recalled the last time she had seen her dad. She recalled that he had told her, “To bear up, he will return.” “We had a very close relationship. I was the one he cherished the most. He would come out for birthday, or he would call and send some sort of finance to celebrate my birthday,” she said.
Three bandits killed in... From page 3 investigators, the police anti-crime patrol, which by now was in close proximity called out to the suspicious looking characters, but the one who was armed discharged several rounds at the police who returned fire. Following the initial exchange, Cordis and Assanah were shot dead. Police stated that seconds after the initial exchange of gunfire, two males were observed on a CG motorcycle in close proximity to the motorcar driven by Assanah. Investigators stated that one of the two persons on the motorcycle discharged several rounds at the police who again returned fire which resulted in the death of Adams. His accomplice sped away on the motorcycle reportedly with the firearm. The roof and windshield of the police anti-crime vehicle were damaged by the gunfire from the suspects. Following several incidents of robbery under arms, committed on customers who would have gone to various commercial banks to conduct financial transactions within recent times, surveillance and collaboration with key stakeholders were improved.
PAGE 30
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK;Guyanapassport application. G r a p h i c s design, advertisement. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. ICONIC MARKETING & PRINTING –TEL: 6004212: We create A/works, logos, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Repairs to refrigerators, gas stoves, A/C units, washing machines. Call Lindon: 6411086/ 694-2202 Bucket truck with driver/ operator for rent. Banners/ CCTV, street lighting, work at height. Call: 642-9447 Unlocking of all AT&T/ Verizon Iphone starting $3,000, Unlocking all andriod smart phones starting $3,000 Call: 621-9604
EDUCATION CXC adults classes (Business & Science subjects) Form 1-5 lessons, Grade 2-6 lessons (slow learners, personal tutor) #690-5008,618-0649 Jean offers courses in Dressmaking, Curtains, Floral, Cake decorations. Barr St, Kitty. Tel#670-2653, 638-8449.
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. 1- 320 BL cat Excavator 1- 215 B cat Excavator 1- 428 cat Back-hoe 1- 450 Honda Atv. Contact: 275-0367, 683-7225 1 Double steel wheel roller 1Pneumatic roller 1- Leyland Daf truck 1- Hand spray bitumen kettle. Contact: 2750367, 683-7225 Unregistered DAF trucks: Dump trucks, Flat Bed, Flat bed with Crane & Hauler. Call: 659-3100 New Triangle truck tyres, front & all wheel drive, size: 295/ 80R22.5 Call: 647-2022 Large and small household items for sale! Double door wardrobe, 32" Panasonic flat screen, ornaments etc. Contact: 691-3726, 629-4637
PROPERTY FOR SALE Lot 15 Public road #2 Village. West Coast Berbice. 49ft by 10,314ft. $20M. Contact:6487109/686-4818 Located at 8 Field Cummings Lodge 30M. Serious enquiries only Tel: 619-0673 3 story commercial building,land size-120ftX60ft Building size-62ftX30ft Location-Lot 1486,Plot B Herstelling,EBD.Contact:6093777/697-4557
FOR RENT
WANTED
VACANCY
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620
Kitchen Assistant for interior location. Job entails assisting cooks in the kitchen and cleaning. Call: 618-2020.
(1) 3 bedroom apartment, back of UG Call: 680-5944, 656-4211
Servicemen and heavy duty diesel mechanics to work in the interior. Contact: 2237165 Experienced curry cooks, pastry maker,cake decorator, counter servers. Apply @ Hack’s Halaal with H/written application. 5 Commerce St.
Space for rent at Ashmin’s Building- suitable for salon or office- Call today! 683-7954
One full time auto body technician for repair centre. Call: 222-0675
2 apartment for rent : 1 bedroom and 2 bedrooms ECD. Contact Mr Khan #6752550/656-9313
One person to work in office must have Math and English #672-8705 Now hiring new reporters & advertising representatives. Tel#622-1957
2 Bedroom lower flat in ‘AA’ Eccles. Call: 695-7427/6896696 Room for working couple/ single person. Light, water, bed included. $28,000 monthly, $28,000 security @ South Riumveldt. Tel:6230076 Business place to rent at Anna Catherina WCD, Contact #690-0205 Call between 10:30 am to 8:00 pm Two bedroom apartment for rent, working couple. #6113064
(1) new Mistubishi canter with excellent conditions with type of engine 4msl, long base, 2004 model, contact: 696-7664 Salon supplies, equipment & products new and used for sale. #684-9409
VEHICLE FOR SALE
In tank foreign used gas pumps for all Japanese cars. 2 Mitsubishi truck trays 15ft length. Call: 669-0445
Bluebird 2012- 2.6M Axio2.5M Tida-2.2M All vehicles unregistered and have reverse camera. #655-3400
Dirt Motorbike, like new model EL150 Elite, tires 90% new, excellent price call: 6305918
1 Laurel Nissan AC Excellent condition. Contact: 652-0709/ 626-1315 1 Blue Toyota Noah 2004. Price $2.8M Contact: 628-9844/2660711 One 2002 Toyota Tacoma for sale, stick shift, four wheel drive. Tel#662-6151/669-5400
Whole chicken $300 per lb (50 lb up) chicken foot $140 per lb, liver & gizzert. Contact: 699-7415, 696-5424/610-6196 Yamaha outboard 200 and control box, all prices are negotiable, all foreign use. Call: 672-5830
TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 2257878 (24HRS)
Friday March 16, 2018
Kaieteur News
Pure breed German shepherd blood line pups for sale. Contact:697-1141/612-6672 American Commericial gas deep fryer $180,000 and commericial dough mixer $170,000. Excellent condition. Tel#220-1716 Fusion 3000 Watt inverter $45,000 Durabuilt rotary tool kit for craftsmen and jewlery makers $14,000. Call: 621-9604 PROPERTY FOR SALE By Owner, House for sale on Norton street, between Haley & cemetary road, 12M neg Tel#682-3784
LAND FOR SALE Parafaite Harmonie ten year up $3M, $1.5M Main road $2M Uivlugt $2.5M Eccles $6M Tuschen. Call #666-2326
Experienced Shop workers & handy man to work in the interior. Age 18-40. Call: 2310363 ( 8:30 am- 4:30 pm) Senior Diesel mechanic to work in Georgetown. Tel# 2271717 1 cook to cook vegetarian and non-vegetarian foods in the interior #699-4718 Male/Female, knowledge of computers, drivers’ licence an asset. Apply @ Lot 4 First St, Albertown. (1) Able bodied male to work @ bar-be-que stand & (1) general domestic with cooking experience. Contact: 687-3640 Live in waitress to work in bar. Call: 604-6606/ 692-4649 Professional seamstress and Tailor. Contact: 689-5877/2234390 Monday to Saturday 9am to 4pm Seeking driver for pickup to do hire work, also customers who’re interested in Hiring. Tel#604-9608
SALON
Parfaite Harmonie (High income) 100ftx50ft 2nd Avenue $2.6M Schnoord 100ftx50ft (with reserve) $3M Tel# 656-0701/651-1969
Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. -CosmetologyCourses: $90,000 Nail Technician Course: $35,000. Call: 647-1773/688-0009 TOLET One fully furnished apartment to rent in South Riumveldt $25,000 weekly. #694-7817, 668-0306 (1) bedroom apartment, living room and bathroom 294 Fourth field, Cummings Lodge. Call:222-0401, preferably UG student.
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Parfaite Harmonie (way upfront) $1.6M Eccles (concrete fence) $6M & $3.5M Herstelling 110ftx60ft $5M $1.8M Tel#656-0701/6511969
Work from home earn $5K2 0 K d a i l y www.jobfairworldwide.com #622-1957 Employment consultation & guidance 9am-5pm Female cleaner for office in Eccles. Call: 233-2745. Vacancy for carpenter/ porters. Apply in person at Alabama Trading, Georgetown ferry stelling, Stabroek. One experienced Pastry Maker, apply @ 38 Ketley street, Charlestown. Contact: 225-7864/227-8607 Please walk with certificates. (1) Bartender between the ages of 18-25. Contact #6040204/264-0041 One girl for snackette. Tel#226-5793 Cell#698-4288 Experienced hair dresser and cosmetologist. Contact: 2250115/623-6550/623-6555
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A mini health check is the first step to donating blood
Guyana can access regional hotline for defective products Guyanese will now be introduced to the CARICOM Rapid Alert system for the Exchange of Information on Dangerous (non-food) Consumer Goods (CARREX) where members of the public can report any damage or defective goods that may enter Guyana that is dangerous or injurious the health and wellbeing of the population. With the introduction of CARREX, Guyanese will no longer have to go into the Consumer Affairs Commission to officially launch a complaint. CARREX is an online portal where consumers can make an official complaint through the portal if a certain products enter the country. The system provides consumer with the possibility to report to the authorities about problems they may experience as a consumer when purchasing and using products that prove to be dangerous to their health or safety. The portal is linked throughout the Caribbean and is being manned by the Caricom Secretariat. “The information when being entered into the portal can now be used to conduct investigations,” said Kushana Archer, member of the Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC). When the information is entered into the portal, the Guyanese investigative body at the CCAC will then thoroughly investigate the matter and take the necessary action. Based on the pronouncement of the investigation, a notification would be sent to CARICOM with course of action to be taken by Guyana. Other CARICOM countries would also be notified by means of the CARREX portal giving full details of the item(s) that poses a risk to consumers.
Friday March 16, 2018
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Kaieteur News
Lima Sands residents concerned about poor road construction Residents of the Lima Sands community on the Essequibo Coast, continue to express their dissatisfaction at the manner in which an integral road in their community is being constructed. Lima Sands is a small Amerindian community located about just five miles inland from Anna Regina, on the Essequibo Coast. It presently has a population of about 300. The road under construction is one which runs through the community from north to south. This road will also grant access to the Lima Sands backlands. Since the community eventually leads to the backlands, heavy machinery such as tractors and trucks frequently make use the road for logging and farming. Residents are concerned, however, that the road under construction is too narrow
and the building material used to reinforce the shoulders is inferior. The matter recently engaged the attention of the RegionTwo Democratic Council, during its statutory meeting last Tuesday. At this meeting, an RDC councilor said that the material used on the road shoulder, is a mixture of sand and loam. Residents believe that they have been cheated as Guyanese citizens, and that they deserve a durable road that could withstand pressure and conditions for years to come. In the meantime, the Regional Chairman of Region Two, Devenand Ramdatt, is contending that residents and beneficiaries must be consulted before the implementation of projects. Ramdatt added, “There was no consultation with the project beneficiaries and this may be the
main reason why the project is poorly designed… Consultation on the other hand would achieve proper project designs.” The REO of Region Two, Rupert Hopkinson, told this publication earlier last month, that he is committed towards promoting accountability through consultations. Ramdatt claims, however, that despite recommendations offered by the RDC, the need for enhanced transparency and accountability still exists. The Chairman indicated that relevant details, bill of quantities and designs of Projects must be accessible to residents of the area where projects are to be done. He added, “Strong monitoring of projects must be conducted by Engineers, technical staff and Works Committee members.” In addressing the matter, Ramdatt said that he recently mandated the Works Committee, to urgently inspect this project and provide a report. He also noted the REO Hopkinson has failed to intervene despite being written to the matter. [Romario Blair.]
The road in question
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Friday March 16, 2018
Florida foot bridge collapse leaves four people dead MIAMI (Reuters) - A newly erected pedestrian bridge spanning several lanes of traffic collapsed at Florida International University yesterday, killing 4 people, Miami-Dade County Fire Chief Dave Downey said. Emergency personnel with sniffer dogs searched for signs of life amid the wreckage of concrete slabs and twisted metal after the bridge crushed vehicles on one of the busiest roads in South Florida. At least eight vehicles were trapped in the wreckage of the 950-ton bridge and at least 10 people have been transported to hospitals, officials and doctors told news conferences.Witnesses told local media the vehicles were stopped at a traffic light when the bridge collapsed on top of them at around 1:30 p.m. ET (1730 GMT). “We’re working our way into the pile trying to create holes that we can actually physically see,” Miami-Dade Fire Department Division Chief Paul Estopian told reporters.The Florida Highway Patrol has said several people were killed but did not release a figure on fatalities. At one point, police requested television helicopters leave the area so rescuers could hear for any
Aerial view shows a pedestrian bridge collapsed at Florida International University in Miami, Florida, U.S., March 15, 2018. REUTERS/Joe Skipper sounds of people crying for help from beneath the collapsed structure, CBS Miami television said. Complicating the rescue effort was the uncertainty about the integrity of the bridge, parts of which remained off the ground, much of it inclined, local media reported. The 174-feet (53-meter)
long bridge connects the university with the city of Sweetwater and was installed on Saturday in six hours over the eight-lane highway, according to a report posted on the university’s website. The bridge was intended to provide a walkway over the busy street where an 18-yearold female FIU student from San Diego was killed while
trying to cross last August, according to local media reports. Students at FIU are currently on their spring break vacation, which runs from March 12 to March 17. To keep the inevitable disruption of traffic associated with bridge construction to a minimum, the 174foot portion of the bridge was
built adjacent to Southwest 8th Street using a method called Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC). It was driven into its perpendicular position across the road by a rig in only six hours on Saturday, according to a statement released by the university.The $14.2 million bridge was designed to withstand a Category 5 hurricane,
the most dangerous measure by the National Hurricane Center, and built to last 100 years, the university said. The National Transportation Safety Board was sending a team to investigate why it collapsed. Munilla Construction Management, which installed the bridge was founded in 1983 and owned by five brothers, according to its website. In addition to its Florida operations, the company also has divisions in Texas and Panama and employs 500 people. “Munilla Construction Management is a family business and we are all devastated and doing everything we can to assist,” the company said in a statement. FIGG Engineering said it took part in the bridge project and the collapse was a first in its 40-year history. Both companies said they would cooperate fully with investigators. Colorado-based engineering company BDI said in a tweet on March 12 that it was “thrilled” to have conducted structural monitoring during the “spectacular” process of moving the bridge into place. The company removed the tweet yesterday and said in a statement it did so out of respect for individuals affected by the collapse.
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Friday March 16, 2018
No clear exclusion of US$18M signing bonus in cost recovery by ExxonMobil - Ram Even though Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, had said that the US$18M signing bonus is nondeductible by ExxonMobil, the contract the oil company has with Guyana does not explicitly state so. This was recently pointed out by Chartered Accountant, Chris Ram. In his recent writings, Ram noted that Section 3 of the Guyana-ExxonMobil contract deals with costs, expenses, expenditures and credits of the contractor. Ram stated that Section 3.1 itemises the costs which are recoverable without further approval of the Minister including all costs attributable to the acquisition, renewal or relinquishment of surface rights acquired and maintained. The Chartered Accountant said, “Minister Trotman has asserted that the controversial signature bonus of US$18 million is non-deductible, without offering any basis in the Agreement. There is no clear exclusion in Section 3.3, which speaks to Costs not Recoverable under the Agreement. Ram said that it does therefore seem that a signature bonus constitutes a legitimate cost of acquiring a surface right. CRIMINALMATTER The government’s approach towards the signing bonus has earned it nothing but scathing criticisms. In fact, Ram deemed it to be a criminal matter. He had said that the police must be called in and the Head of State, David Granger,
Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman Chartered Accountant, Chris Ram must issue an apology to the nation for the diabolical act committed by his Ministers. Ram said that the forced admission by the Government, some months ago is a shocking revelation of a conspiracy to deceive the people of Guyana about billions of dollars. The Chartered Accountant said that there are immediate and longer-term implications of this saga from which Guyana may forever suffer. For the immediate, Ram said it means that Article 216 of the Constitution of Guyana has been knowingly violated. The Chartered Accountant said, “May I add here that when in Opposition, this Government, and very specifically the AFC of which Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman is now
leader, had repeatedly claimed that former Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, should be taken before the courts on a criminal charge under the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act.” He continued, “It is as clear as day to me that those offences have been committed under Section 85 of that Act by more than one person. This is now a criminal matter and the Guyana Police Force should be called in. “It should be clear that as much as one half of the potential public revenues of this country should not be left in the control of Ministers engaged in criminal and other improper conduct.” Ram added, “This Ad-
ministration has disappointingly shown that such standards of common decency, let
alone integrity, do not apply to it and its Ministers. So what about the longer term?
“Well, in a significant transaction with ExxonMobil – with which they need to operate on an arm’s length basis - these same Ministers have shown a willingness to engage in a conspiracy of deception on the people of this country.” The anticorruption advocate said that ExxonMobil has a monopoly of known and established oil production of Guyana for the foreseeable future. He said that those Ministers cannot be trusted to engage any person, let alone an oil giant who knows that the persons who engage and are required to oversee its conduct are compromised and that their conduct borders on corruption.
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Friday March 16, 2018
PAHO’S Dominican-born Director receives Brazil’s Oswaldo Cruz Medal of Merit BRASILIA - CMC – Brazil’s president Michel Temer has presented the Dominican-born director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Dr. Carissa Etienne, with the Oswaldo Cruz Gold Medal of Merit. PAHO said Dr. Etienne received the medal of merit on March 12, at the Palacio do Planalto, during a meeting with Temer, and the country’s Minister of Health, Ricardo Barros. The medal, honouring Oswaldo Cruz, one of Brazil’s most important scientists and public health professionals, was awarded in recognition of Etienne’s service to public health in Brazil, PAHO said. “I accept this medal with humility,” Etienne said. “I recognize that my contributions to improving public health are built on the work of those who came before me.” PAHO said the meeting between Etienne, Temer, and Brazil’s health officials included discussions about several of the country’s health issues and collaboration with PAHO. On Tuesday, PAHO signed agreements with Brazil’s Ministry of Health, the Pará Ministry of Public Health, designed to improve basic health care and health management. Barros met with Etienne at PAHO’s Brazil office to review the agreements. Also in attendance was Vitor Manuel Mateus, Secretary of Public Health for the state of Pará. According to PAHO, Brazil’s Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Public Health of Pará, signed the agreements to improve basic health care
Michel Temer (R) and Ricardo Barros (L) present the Oswaldo Cruz Medal of Merit to Dr. Carissa F. Etienne. and health management. Among the documents signed was one that extended the technical cooperation agreement for the temporary deployment of physicians from Cuba to Brazil, under the Mais Médicos [“More Physicians”] programme until April 2023, PAHO said. It said the agreement also addresses the professional qualifications of physicians; national and international exchanges of knowledge and innovative experiences in basic health care; and monitoring and evaluation of the program’s outcomes and impact, along with other initiatives designed to expand the Brazilian population’s access to primary health care. “The Mais Médicos programme has revolutionized access to health care in Brazil, and PAHO was fortunate to be part of that experience, making it possible to provide better health care and achieve a high level of satis-
faction and acceptance by the population,” Etienne said. “Mais Médicos is also an example of a best practice that other countries can learn from.” PAHO said the other agreement signed focuses on strengthening the management capacity of the Unified Health System in Pará. Its objectives include improving the care network for sexually transmitted infections; providing training that emphasizes health monitoring, analysis, and evaluation; increasing laboratory capacity in the state of Pará; and promoting the sharing of experiences among municipalities, states, and countries in the Region of the Americas, including the Caribbean, PAHO said. It said Etienne “underscored the importance of working with subnational institutions to ensure that health services reach all population groups.”
Kaieteur News
Friday March 16, 2018
Peru’s congress approves impeachment trial against president LIMA, Peru – Peru’s congress has voted by a wide margin to allow impeachment proceedings to begin against President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski over his ties to the Brazilian construction giant implicated in Latin America’s biggest corruption scandal. It’s the second time lawmakers are threatening the former Wall Street investor with removal. Opposition leaders attempted to impeach Kuczynski last year after an investigation revealed Odebrecht had made $782,000 in payments to his private consulting firm more than a decade earlier. Kuczynski narrowly avoided being voted out after a small opposition faction including the son of then-
President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski jailed former President Alberto Fujimori abstained. Days later, Kuczynski pardoned Fujimori from a 25-year jail sentence for human rights
abuses committed during his decade-long rule. Kuczynski has denied any wrongdoing and says he will not step down. (Fox News)
Parties point fingers at each other in election bribery claims Daily Observer - Chairman of the Antigua Barbuda Labour Party, Chet Greene has dismissed claims of vote-buying and voter bribery by party as totally bogus. Greene was responding to the claims levelled by the main opposition United Progressive Party. He is demanding that the UPP produce evidence to support the claim, which the party made via a press release this week and also via their legal affairs spokesman Leon “Chaku” Symister. Symister spoke to OBSERVER media on
Wednesday and said the UPP only had reports from members of the public. In a release Wednesday, the ABLP Chairman rubbishes the claim as fake. He then accuses the UPP of doing that which it is claiming the ABLP is doing. Greene alleged in response that in the last three general elections “the UPP engaged in the skullduggery that they are now trying to attribute to the ABLP in this election.” But Greene too, provided no evidence to support the claim against the UPP.
U.S. special counsel subpoenas Trump business for Russia, other documents – NYT WA S H I N G T O N (Reuters) - U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller has subpoenaed the Trump Organization for documents, including some related to Russia, the New York Times reported yesterday, citing two people briefed on the matter. Details of the subpoena were not available, the newspaper said. The Trump Organization, which U.S. President Donald Trump ran with his family before he entered the White House, played dow n t h e significance of any subpoena, a lawyer saying y e s t e r day that the company has told the public since July that it is being cooperative with the special counsel’s investigation. Mueller is investigating Russian attempts to influence the 2016 U.S. election, and potential collusion by Trump aides. Russia has denied U.S. intelligence agencies’ conclusion that it meddled in the election and Trump has said there was no collusion between his cam-
U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller paign and Moscow officials. Mueller has charged several Trump associates and more than a dozen Russians. Peter Carr, a spokesman for Mueller, declined to comment on the Times report about a subpoena, which was the first known time Mueller had demanded materials directly related to Trump’s businesses. The S&P 500 ended slightly lower yesterday in
choppy trade as strong jobs and manufacturing data was balanced by the Times report on Mueller’s subpoena. “This is old news and our assistance and cooperation with the various investigations remains the same today,” New York lawyer Alan Futerfas, who represents the Trump Organization in the Russia probe, said in a statement. Futerfas also represents Donald Trump Jr. and other Trump Organization officers and employees. Congressional committees also have been investigating Russia and the 2016 election and possible collusion with the Trump campaign. The White House declined to comment specifically on the report and referred questions to the Trump Organization. “We’re going to continue to fully cooperate. Out of respect for the special counsel, we’re not going to comment,” White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said.
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Halep prevails at windy Indian Wells, meets Osaka in semis Reuters - World number one Simona Halep overcame strong winds and a determined Petra Martic to advance to the BNP Paribas Open semi-finals with a threeset victory on Wednesday. The Romanian’s 6-4 6-7(5) 6-3 triumph ensured she advanced to the semi-finals at Indian Wells for the third time. Halep will next face 20year-old Naomi Osaka, who stunned fifth seed Karolina Pliskova 6-2 6-3. Osaka, ranked No. 44, will be playing in her first semi-final this year. Halep was exhausted by the conditions. ”It was too much,” said Halep of the 25mph gusts. “It was tough to play because the ball was really moving and we didn’t really know what’s going on on court. Here because of the
Federer fends off Frenchman Chardy at Indian Wells
Simona Halep Roger Federer
altitude as well. “In the last few years, I don’t remember such difficult wind and to feel that tough to play a game.” After Halep claimed the first set, Martic built a 5-2 lead in the second, and while the world number one fought back to level at 5-5, the Croat emerged with the set in a
tiebreaker. Halep, however, raced away with the match in the third set. ”It was good that after 3-1 I just woke up, and I realized that I’m not doing the right thing on court,” Halep said. “And it was really good that I can see that and change that, so that makes a big (difference).”
Friday March 16, 2018 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) This is a great day to spend with family. You can get the attention of important individuals but it might not be the time to get them to help or to back your ideas. TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Unexpected visitors are likely. Be prepared to do your chores early. You need time to think things through. You mustn't take on other people's responsibilities or you may find yourself irritable and exhausted. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Friends or groups that you're affiliated with may want you to contribute more cash than you can really afford. Your ability to communicate with ease will win the hearts of those you are in touch with today. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Be innovative. Romance and social activity will be a promising combination. You like to stay busy and now is your chance to do just that. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Disappointments regarding partners will be subject to the way you react to their personal comments. You may be frazzled today. Listen to the complaints of others. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) New projects may lead you into a dead end. Work hard on improving your living quarters. Someone you care about may not be too pleased with you.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Be aware of deception when it comes to your position, and be sure not to jump to conclusions. Be discreet and don't reveal any personal information. You can make new friends by taking part in social events involving colleagues. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You will not impress others by being foolishly generous. You will upset your partner if you have spent money on things that aren't necessary. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You may find that your family responsibilities are piling up. Your diplomacy will be of utmost importance today. You may find that your plans will cost a little more than you had expected. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Have some fun, but draw the line if someone tries to fast talk their way into your heart. Try not to take others for granted. Tempers could get out of hand today. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Don't jump as quickly as you usually do. You may find it difficult to communicate. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Take matters in hand when it comes to dealing with clients or colleagues. Changes at home might come fast and furious. Intellectual stimulation is what you are looking for.
Reuters - World number one Roger Federer advanced to the quarter-finals of the BNP Paribas Open with a 7-5 6-4 victory over Jeremy Chardy on Wednesday. The 36-year-old surrendered just three points on serve in the opening set and took control of the second with a crosscourt backhand winner that broke Chardy when tied at 4-4. ”I like his play. He hits it big, has a big serve, big forehand,” said Federer, a fivetime champion at Indian Wells. “The wind picked up, so you never know what’s going to happen. But I think we played really good tennis for most of the match.” Federer needed just one hour and 22 minutes to move to 15-0 for the year. The last time he began a season 15-0 was 2006 when he would finish the year with 12 titles and three grand slams. Federer will next face South Korea’s Chung Hyeon, who defeated Uruguay’s Pablo Cuevas 6-1 6-3. It will be a rematch of their Australian Open semi-final in January when Chung had to retire due to blistered feet. Juan Martin del Potro, a runner-up in Indian Wells in 2013, battled a bad back to outlast Leonardo Mayer 3-6 7-6(2) 6-3. “I was surprised by Mayer’s level today,” del Potro said. “I think I was very smart during the tiebreak. Af-
Gittens ton... From page 41 Gittens got support from Naved Ali with 27 and Richard Latif 22. M. Mc Almont and R. Mohamed took two wickets each. Ayube then picked up 6-21 from eight overs as Diplomats were sent packing for 82 in 16 overs in reply. F. Azeez made 14, J. Sampson 13 and R. Williams 12. Ali claimed 3-26.
ter that I turned the match around and took control of the points.” Next up for the Argentine is Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber, who advanced with a 6-4 7-6(1) win over France’s Pierre-Hugues Herbert. Kevin Anderson beat Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta 4-6 6-3 7-6(6), the South
African recording 16 aces in a victory that took him to a last eight tie against Croatian Borna Coric, who defeated American Taylor Fritz 6-2 67(6) 6-4. Sam Querrey, the lone American remaining in the men’s draw, reached the quarters with a 6-3 6-4 win over Feliciano Lopez of Spain.
Friday March 16, 2018
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Kaieteur News
Nepal claim ODI status for the first time
Mayweather confirms UFC work will soon begin with Tyron Woodley
Nepal secured an historic One Day International (ODI) status for four years (2018 to 2022). Nepal have claimed ODI status for the first time with their six-wicket win over Papua New Guinea. Dipendra Singh Airee was front and centre on this historic occasion, claiming 4 for 14 to knock the opposition over for 114 and then leading the chase with a 58-ball half-century. Paras Khadka’s men had to thank Netherlands though, whose defeat of Hong Kong, meant that they will now be playing with the big boys. There were several notable events that studded this triumph for Nepal, not least of which is the fact that their cricket board is currently suspended by the ICC.
Their arrival to the World Cup qualifier was also a spectacular story, with the team claiming several nail-biting last-over finishes. A team that was in Division Five in 2008, alongside Afghanistan, have now risen to the top-tier of international cricket. Papua New Guinea, who lost all four of their group games in the tournament prior to the consolation bracket loss to Nepal, have lost their ODI status along with Hong Kong. Both teams have now been demoted to WCL Division Two, but they do have one final chance to play an ODI (at least until 2020) - the ninth-place play-off tomorrow.
There was very little that Nepal could do wrong in this match. They won the toss and put the opposition in. Their 17year old legspinner Sandeep Lamichhane took 4 for 28 in eight overs to break the PNG middle order and Airee knocked over the tail. With only 115 needed to win, all Nepal needed was one batsman to bat around and Airee took on that responsibility, coming in at No. 4 and sealing the game with a six with 27 overs to spare. Scores: Nepal 115 for 4 (Airee 50) beat Papua New Guinea 114 (Airee 4-15, Lamichhane 4-29). (ESPNcricinfo)
Woods back in contention at happy hunting ground Reuters - Tiger Woods was back at one of his favorite events and near the top of the leaderboard after carding a rock solid four-under 68 to sit one off the early firstround lead at the Arnold Palmer Invitational yesterday. A record eight-times winner on the Bay Hill layout, the former world number one was in vintage form, mixing six birdies with a double bogey to put a marker down for a ninth Palmer Invitational title. Only an eagle from Jimmy Walker on his final hole for a 67 prevented Woods from grabbing a share of the early lead on a sunny day in Orlando. Patrick Reed also shot 68 to share second with Woods while Briton Justin Rose was in the clubhouse with a 69 to sit in fourth. ”I thought I played well today.” Woods told reporters. “It’s just playing tournament golf, I’ve been away from it for so long. “When I first game back it was just getting my feel for tournament golf again and I think I have I feel like I am not really thinking as much around the golf course,
Tiger Woods it’s more see it, feel it and go. “That’s just because I have my feels back again.” After years of battling back woes, Woods, who underwent spinal fusion surgery last April, appears to be back close to the form that helped him win 14 major titles. Picking up where he left he left off on Sunday with a second place finish at the Valspar Championship, Woods got a cool morning off to a hot start by collecting three birdies on an error-free first nine.
Playing the back nine first, the 42-year-old American’s round stuttered at the par-four third where he took a double bogey after hitting his tee shot out of bounds. But Woods, playing with supreme confidence, was quickly back on track, picking up his fourth birdie of the day at the par- five fourth to inch his way back up the leaderboard. That was followed by a birdie at six and another at seven when he rolled in a monster 71-foot putt that brought a roar from the gallery. ” At seven I was just trying to get down in two and not make a bogey I didn’t want to drop another shot,” Woods said. “That putt as it came over the ridge it had too much steam on it...luckily it hit the hole or it would have rolled eight feet by.” Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy, Swede Henrik Stenson and American Rickie Fowler were among the late starters as the players continue their preparations for next month’s U.S. Masters.
Following their clash in Vegas, fans now want to see Mayweather and McGregor in the octagon. Floyd Mayweather has once again talked up his chances of stepping out in the UFC octagon, insisting he is serious about switching codes and a rematch with Conor McGregor will happen for the ‘right numbers.’ The undefeated boxing legend came out of retirement last year to defeat McGregor in Las Vegas, with rumours of him trying his hand at MMA gathering pace ever since. Mayweather has dropped several hints that his fighting career will continue into the UFC, and has this week confirmed training is about to begin with mixed martial artist and former college wrestler Tyron Woodley.
’We’ve been texting back and forth, we talked a couple times so we’re gonna start working out real soon,’ Mayweather told TMZ reporters. ‘Whatever it takes we want to make sure everything is done correctly and everything is done the right way.’ When asked whether he would be expected to go out of his comfort zone and do any wrestling, Mayweather was confident in his abilities. ‘I can wrestle, my wrestling game is not that bad. On a scale of one to 10 I would say it’s probably a seven. ’I would say we could take it up to like a nine, if possible. Of course my hand game on a scale of one to 10 is 100. ‘My
kicking game, on a scale of 1 to 10 is probably a four, so we’ll have to tweak a few things and take them to the next level.’ The fight fans want to see is Mayweather going fist to fist with McGregor at the Irishman’s own sport, in a showdown which would be poised to break all time fighting records. Mayweather insists such an event is possible, but the financial gains have to be high. ’It’s all about presenting the right numbers and of course, they’re going to present the right numbers,’ Mayweather said with a grin. ‘We gonna make it happen.’ (MailOnline)
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NALICO, GPL, Factory Price, GGMC, Ming’s... From page 39 the St. Francis Training Centre. President David Granger, the Club’s Patron has been invited to be the Guest Speaker at the event where over 40 Members would be honoured. Also set to be hosted during eth programme is the Tribute to Retired Teachers, Tribute to Outstanding Teachers, Tribute to Outstanding Law Enforcement Officers and Outstanding Students Awards Scheme. A total of $2.5M worth of trophies, medals, certificates, plaques, gifts and special prizes would be shared out. Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster, Vice President Mark Papannah and Assistant Secretary Simon Naidu are spearheading preparations for the Ceremony and have disclosed that all plans are falling into place despite the large workload of the club which successfully hosts 700 activities every year. NALICO/NAFICO donated a cartoon of trophies worth $60,000 while the Guyana Power & Light Co. Ltd also contributed finance to purchase another cartoon of trophies. The Guyana Geology & Mines Commission and the Ministry of Finance contributed significantly to the event and the club’s Say No/Say Yes Campaign which
Friday March 16, 2018
Kaieteur News
targets some 60,000 youths in Region Six. Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster expressed gratitude to GPL’s Deputy CEO Mr. Homer, the Commissioner of GGMC Mr. Dennison, Minister Winston Jordan of the Ministry of Finance, Stanley Ming of Ming’s Products, Mr. Tulsi of Factory Price and NALICO/NAFICO Chief Executive Officer Mr. Basil Mahadeo for their continued confidence in Guyana’s most dynamic youth and sports organisation. Foster reassured the donors that their contributions would be used for its intended purposes. The success of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club over the years has been the result of hard work and the dedication of its members and as such the club, each year rewards members for their unselfish contributions. Last year, the club successfully completed a record of 712 activities under the sub-headings of Sports, Culture, Religious, Coaching, Charity, Educational, Youth Development, Community Development, Economic and Publication among others. It has set itself a target of 700 activities for 2018 and to date has completed183.
Ramnaresh Sarwan second-division 40-over Tourney
Skeldon Superkings, Scottsburg United, Skeldon Titans, No. 72 notch wins Skeldon Superkings, Scottsburg United, Skeldon Titans and No. 72 recorded victories when the Ramnaresh Sarwan seconddivision 40-over tournament continued recently in Upper Corentyne, Berbice. Skeldon Super Kings whipped No 71 Sports Club by 108 runs. Skeldon Super Kings batted first and compiled 248 in 30 overs with Z. Gordon scoring 67(4x4 4x6), G. Davis 36, Sherwin Murray 29 and G. Burnett 28. No. 71 in reply were bowled out for 108 in 20.4 overs; N. Alli and K. Ramraj scored 33 each. Bowling for Super Kings J. Alli bagged 4 -23 while Murray supported with two wickets. Scottsburg United beat No.72 Cut and Load by 78
Alex Burnett
A. Hemchand
runs. Scottsburg United batted first and made 176 in their 40 overs. Michael Kendall 40, A. Burnett 30 and N. Cereas 29 were their principal scorers. Ramneresh Joseph picked up three wickets for
Cut and Load who were dismissed for 98 in 23 overs. Kadil Ajib made 41 and Imran Khan 23. Alex Burnett proved virtually unplayable with figures of 5-11 while Michael Kendall had 3-19. Skeldon Titans defeated
Jukestown Warriors by five wickets. Jukestown Warriors batted first and made 149 in 32 overs with Budram Sukhdeo scoring 33. Errol Byass took three wickets while there were two apiece for J. Reid, Victor Pedro and G. Ramnarine. Titans cruised to 152-5in reply. Christopher Jaundoo struck seven fours and two sixes in an even half century while Byass contributed 29. No. 72 beat No. 68 Turn Team by five wickets. No 68 Turn Team took first strike and was bowled out for 138 in 32.2 overs. A. jodhan got 27, T Persaud 26 and A. Yeoman 22. No. 72 in reply reached 154 -5 in 28 overs. A. Hemchand slammed 80 not out as W. Anthony and B. Mulchand took two wickets each.
Holder not pressing panic button after Afghanistan defeat
Harare, Zimbabwe, CMC – Captain Jason Holder yesterday warned against panic after another surprise defeat to Afghanistan left West Indies facing a precarious path to qualification for next year’s World Cup in England. West Indies carried four points from their unbeaten campaign in the preliminaries into the all-important Super Sixes second stage, but crashed to a three-wicket loss in their opening match, to slip to second in the table. Scotland topped the standings with five points after crushing United Arab Emirates by 73 runs, one point clear of West Indies who will now face a must-win encounter on Monday against hosts Zimbabwe, a point behind in third. ”We’re going to [focus] first on the first game against Zimbabwe. That’s obviously a must-win game for us,” Holder told reporters following the three-wicket defeat at Harare Sports Club. ”We’ve got to put our foot down now and try and qualify for the finals and once we do that, we have obviously qualified for the 2019 World Cup. “But it’s important that we take it step by step, game by game and I think our encounter is against Zimbabwe so we’ve got to deal with them first.” West Indies produced easily their worst performance of the World Cup qualifiers, struggling to 197 for eight off their 50 overs, after opting to
West Indies batsman Marlon Samuels trudges off after being dismissed in yesterday’s defeat to Afghanistan. (Photo courtesy ICC Media) bat first. In reply, Afghanistan recovered from 17 for two courtesy of a composed 68 from Rahmat Shah, to reach their target with 14 balls remaining. ”I felt we were 20, 30 runs short after the foundation we had laid. Credit must go to the Afghan bowlers, I thought they bowled really well and at the back end of the innings we were just struggling to build some momentum,” Holder said of his side’s batting effort. ”It’s cricket. We had a few scores over 300, we had a
pretty good chase as well and I guess it’s one of our weaker batting performances for the entire tournament so far. “I wouldn’t start to panic, I think it’s a situation for us just to regroup. We’ve got a few days off and I expect really good things against Zimbabwe.” West Indies started the tournament as favourites and have lived up to expectations, hardly troubled throughout their preliminary round campaign. And Holder said he expected the same team approach that had gotten them
success so far, to continue in their remaining matches against Zimbabwe and Scotland, who they play next Wednesday. ”One thing about this team I’ve seen is that we’re full of confidence,” the allrounder said. “A lot of guys are stepping up at different stages of the tournament and it’s good to see that not just one or two individuals have carried the team on their backs but it’s been a wholehearted team effort. It’s really good to see in a tournament like this.”
Friday March 16, 2018
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Kaieteur News
Missed chances condemn Windies to first defeat Harare, CMC – Sloppy West Indies were stunned by Afghanistan for the second time in the ICC World Cup qualifiers, as the Caribbean side slumped to a shock three-wicket defeat in their opening match of the all-important Super Sixes here yesterday. The form team of the tournament following their unbeaten campaign in the preliminaries, West Indies could only muster an inadequate 197 for eight off their 50 overs, after electing to bat first at Harare Sports Club. Shai Hope top-scored with a painstaking 43 off 94 balls without a single boundary while veteran Marlon Samuels chipped in with 36, captain Jason Holder, 28, and opener Evin Lewis, 27. Sixteen-year-old off-spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman, handed the new ball, admirably led the attack with three for 33 to claim Man-of-theMatch honours while Mohammad Nabi, also an offspinner, ended with two for 43. Having stumbled into the second round with just one victory in the preliminaries but with a win over the Windies in the official warmups, Afghanistan put aside their struggles to chase down their target with 14 balls remaining in the contest. Rahmat Shah struck a composed 68 to spearhead the run chase while Mohammad Nabi completed a solid all-round performance with 31, but West Indies hurt themselves in the field with as many as four dropped catches. Pacer Holder finished with three for 39 while debutant 20-year-old seamer Keemo Paul picked up two for 29. The defeat left West Indies second in the standings, one point behind leaders Scotland on five and one ahead of hosts Zimbabwe in third place, with the two top following the full complement of matches advancing to the final and securing the remaining two berths at next year’s World Cup in England. West Indies had a less than convincing start when superstar opener Chris Gayle (1) was comprehensively bowled, playing back to one from Mujeeb which spun past
Rahmat Shah ©AFP his defensive prod to remove off-stump, with 12 on the board in the fourth over. However, Lewis and Shimron Hetmyer (15) combined to steady the innings in a measured second wicket stand which yielded 34. Hetmyer never quite settled and eventually perished lbw in the 12th over missing a forward defensive push, to give Mohammad Nabi his 100th One-Day International wicket. And in the next over with just seven runs added, tragedy struck again when Samuels pushed to point for a sharp single and an ambling Lewis failed to beat Najibullah Zadran direct hit at the striker’s end. In desperate need of a partnership, the Windies were propped up by Hope and Samuels who put on a crucial 55 for the fourth wicket. The stand, however, was a slow one, requiring 91 deliveries and the Caribbean side were labouring at 83 for three at the half-way stage of the innings, with a run rate hovering at just over three. After facing 64 balls and counting just two fours, Samuels attempted to jumpstart the innings but succeeded only in picking out Gulbadin Naib running around to wide long-on off Mohammad Nabi in the 31st over.Holder belted a couple of fours and a six in a 26-ball cameo as he added 50 for the fifth wicket with Hope. Even then, the Windies were still scoring at under four an over at the end of the 40th, on 156
KMTC Phagwah meet set Sunday Over 60 horses have entered to compete in the Kennard Memorial Turf Club Phagwah Race Meet which will be held on Sunday at Bush Lot Farm Corentyne. Among those entered for the feature race are Media Day, Goodwill Boy, Unsettled, Keep on Swinging, It’s My Choice, Settling Star and Stormy Bird. This race is being sponsored by Kharaj family of Metro and Ansa McAl.
for four. Left with little choice, Holder chanced his hand and holed out to long-on off Mujeeb three balls later and Hope’s struggles finally ended in the 43rd when he was taken in the same position off the same bowler. They were two of four wickets to fall for 11 runs before Paul (16 not out) and Ashley Nurse (10 not out) added 28 at the end to get West Indies closer to 200. West Indies struck early to hurt the Afghan run chase, removing Javed Ahmadi (1) and Mohammad Shahzad (8) with just 17 runs on the board in the fifth over. But Rahmat put Aghanistan in command, pioneering a 66-run, third wicket stand with Samiullah Shenwari (27) and adding a further 49 for the fourth with Mohammad Nabi. Dropped on 44 in the 32nd over by Rovman Powell on the follow-through, Rahmat went on to strike five fours and a six in a 109-ball stay at the crease. Shenwari, meanwhile, put down on 19 in the 15th over by Gayle at slip off left-arm spinner Nikita Miller, faced 51 balls and counted two fours, before falling to the same combination in the 21st over. Mohammad Nabi, who survived a straightforward chance to wicketkeeper Hope off Paul, perished in the 36th over to a catch by Hetmyer at square leg off Holder, leading to a slide which saw three
wickets tumble for 36 runs. With the game in the balance and 16 needed for victory off 27 balls, Powell put down captain Rashid Khan (13 not out) on five at third man off seamer Carlos Brathwaite in the 46th over, and the 19-yearold made the most of the reprieve to see his side home.
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Inaugural Elizabeth Styles U-21 Cricket Comp. rolled out by BCB The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) for the first time in its 79-year history would be hosting an Under-21 tournament which is being sponsored by the American based Cosmetics Firm, Elizabeth Styles and is expected to draw participation from over twenty teams. The launching of this historic tournament took place on Tuesday last at Bissan’s General Store, King Street, Georgetown. Bissan’s is one of the main distributors of the Company’s products in Guyana. BCB President Hilbert Foster was elated at the official launching of another major tournament for players of Berbice and stated that the ancient county is well on its way to having more tournaments than the rest of the country combined. Foster noted that on his election to the top office, less than a month ago, he committed to playing at all levels and is proud to have acquired sponsorship for 95% of those tournaments. The Board he stated has sealed or has received commitments for tournaments at the Under-15, 17, 19, 21, Female, Second Division, Secondary School and First Division levels while the
Friday March 16, 2018
Kaieteur News
To bowl off next Saturday they are still seeking sponsorship for the Intermediate level. The hard working Foster however noted that by early April discussion would be finalised for an Intermediate competition. This Under-21 tourney, Foster informed would serve as a bridge between the U-19 and First Division levels while providing a lifeline to prolong the careers of players who might want to quit the game after the U-19 level. Outstanding performers would be rewarded with a place on the Berbice Under-21 team which would be selected to play a series of matches across Guyana. The BCB he stated is working overtime to make sure that Berbice regains its status as Guyana’s best and to make sure that every Berbician fulfills his/her true potential on the field. Gratitude was expressed to the Board of Directors of Elizabeth Styles for their sponsorship and for joining the growing list of sponsors which have come on board since the election of Foster and his team on February 18 last in an election that was ordered by the High Court of
Guyana. Teams expected to participate include Albion, Blairmont, Young Warriors, Rose Hall Canje, Kendall’s Union, Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets, Port Mourant, Whim and Upper Corentyne. The Tournament would be played on Saturdays and would bowl off next Saturday. Mr. Bissoondyal Singh, CEO of Bissan’s Trading stated that Elizabeth Styles was committed to Berbice cricket and had sponsored an Under-10 tournament years ago when Foster served as Chairman of the BCB Special Events Committee. With the recent election returning the game to normalcy, the company, Singh noted was happy to be involved once again. He expressed confidence that the tournament would be properly organised and would promote the Elizabeth Style brand across Berbice. Interested teams are urged to contact Rabindranauth Saywack on 660 0049 or Hilbert Foster on 337 4562 for more information with regards to registration. Players born on or after the 1st September, 1997 are eligible to play.
NALICO, GPL, Factory Price, GGMC, Ming’s and Ministry of Finance support for RHTY&SC Awards Ceremony
GABA 2018 KO
Bounty Colts remain unbeaten, Guardians suffer first loss against Nets
UG Trojan’s Kwesi Thompson (9) tries one of his many failed attempts in his disappointing performance - against Colts on Wednesday night. The Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association’s (GABA) annual 1st, 2nd and Under-23 divisions knockout tournament continued Wednesday night at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) with two games. In the feature clash, Plaisance Guardians Basketball Club (PGBC), that had won each of their first round matches in all three divisions, suffered their first loss via a narrow 70-69 margin at the hands of Nets in first division action.
The game was physical and keenly contested as the tussle for the lead went back and forth throughout the contest. Trenton Westford (16 points) and Nikolai Smith (11) had game leading performance but Nets’ Ifill Joel (14 points) and Hodiyah Stewart (10) coupled with their team’s fighting spirit, proved too much for Guardians to handle. Bounty Colts maintained their perfect record in all three divisions after making light work of University of Guyana Trojans 51-41 in a 2nd divi-
sion game. Errol Olsen topped scored for the winners with 11 points while Trojan’s Jabari Joseph scored the game high 13. This tournament has come at an opportune time as the association teams will look to fine tune their preparations for the next month’s National Club Championships being dubbed ‘Road to Mecca V’ which would be followed by the Caribbean Basketball Championships (CBC) in Suriname this June. (Calvin Chapman)
LABA Malta Supreme ‘March Madness’ Open B’ball
Raiders and Jets recover to score wins after first game blunders Ms. Sonia Charran of NALICO/NAFICO hands over trophies to RHTY&SC Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster in the presence of Company and Club Officials. The plans of the Management of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club (RHTY&SC) to host the club’s biggest ever Annual Award Ceremony on Tuesday last received a major boost when several companies and a Government Ministry came on board as sponsors. The club received dona-
tions of trophies from the North American Life & Fire Insurance Company (NALICO) and Factory Price while financial donations were also received from Minister Winston Jordon and the Ministry of Finance, the Guyana Power & Light Company and the Guyana Geology & Mines Commission
(GGMC). Long serving sponsor, Ming’s Products and Services also donated a microwave which would be given to the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club Cricketer of the Year for 2017. The 28th Annual Award Ceremony would be held on April 29, next at (Continued on page 38)
After faltering in their previous games both Retrieve Raiders and Amelia’s Ward Jets rebounded to post important wins in their respective second matches of the Malta Supreme Open Basketball Championship on Wednesday night last at the Mackenzie Sports Club Hard Court. Raiders knew that a win would decide their fate in either advancing or exiting and they won against Bankers Trust Falcons 72-60 after taking the initiative at half time 32-20. In the other game, Jets
knew that they were in a must win situation and they came out winners beating Block 22 Flames 65-57. Meanwhile, tonight, the final set of preliminary games will be played. The opening match pits Victory Valley Royals against Bankers Trust Falcons from 18:30hrs with the main attraction between Block 22 Flames and Half Mile Bulls. Raiders was guided to their win behind the fine contributions of Dauwin Lovell who led the way with 19 points, the returning
Sheldron Noel who like Sean Muss each got 13 points while Kareem Robertson added 12. For the losing Falcons, Lawrence DaCosta hit a game the high 30 points in a losing cause as Akeel Primo contributed 14 and Joel Fraser 8. Amelia’s Ward Jets win was crafted around Donnel Benjamin’s 20 points, Akin Wilson 14 and Joel Webster 10 while for the losing Flames, Rondel Fraser and Shemar Henry both recorded 13 points apiece.