Monday April 01, 2019
Assess Guyana’s strengths and weaknesses to craft an effective Local Content Policy - Hughes By Kiana Wilburg An effective Local Content Policy is not possible without an assessment of the country’s ability to provide goods and services to the petroleum industry. And for Guyana to be successful in its endeavours to complete such a policy, Attorney-at-Law, Nigel Hughes is calling on the framers of the draft policy to urgently gather data on the country’s strengths and weaknesses. “We first have to harvest data on what our immediate capacity is and what our short, medium and long term capabilities for local content are. There is no point having a Local Content Policy that is not based on existent reliable data on what we have and how we could migrate over the short, medium and long term areas in which we can actually provide services at competitive prices.” He added, “The important thing about local content is that we want to remain competitive. We want to keep an eye on being competitive... I think we need to establish a world class, deep water oil industry that in terms of competitiveness, it is second to none. We have to set up the overall framework and then factor in local content in that context rather than just positioning it as an objective without baseline information.” To his knowledge, this baseline data on the existing needs and capabilities of the nation has not been harvested
Attorney-at-Law, Nigel Hughes as yet. AVOID MIMICKING Quite often, local content policies are designed without sufficient consideration of the resources available nationally and the changing nature of these resources. They are also done without co-operation with partner companies. It is in this vein that another international organization, Chatham House, called on Guyana to be cautious in its design of a Local Content Policy. It stressed that in the haste to have such a policy, Guyana must avoid simply mimicking other countries’ local content policies. It is urging Guyana and other emerging oil producers to first develop a “thorough understanding” of the local context. This would include the scale of discoveries, avail-
ability of skills and infrastructure, availability of oil/gas in country etc. The global organization said that governments should then assess what skills will be needed through the lifecycle of the project(s). It said that this can be done in collaboration with foreign oil companies. The organization stressed that this assessment should be the basis for defining local content policy and targets that would be realistic and achievable. Once this is done, Chatham House said that the Government should focus next on capacity-building by requiring investors to develop the workforce and the supply base. It said, “For many emerging producers, the starting point in terms of demands on foreign oil companies should be local sourcing of simple on-site services – construction and consumables for workers, for instance. They should avoid the delivery of turnkey projects run by foreign staff.” Further to this, Chatham House said that governments of emerging oil producing nations must facilitate foreign oil companies’ efforts to develop the local supply industry and workforce. Specifically, Chatham House said that the government should link local content policy in the oil sector to its broader education strategy and build the kind of workforce that is able to respond to the country’s future needs.
Several bills slated for Parliament As the Coalition Government prepares to return to the National Assembly, several key pieces of legislation are slated to be tabled; says Finance Minister Winston Jordan. Speaking to the Department of Public Information the minister explained that the legislative menu includes the Telecommunications Bill, an amended Procurement Act with debarment procedures, the Customs and Single Window Bill, a Customs Amendment HS 2017 to legalise tariff changes, along with others piloted by ministers. Priority, he added, will be given to the Supplementary Bill which caters to funding the Guyana Elections Commission’s elections’ preparations, “we need to speak to GECOM on the pro-
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- Supplementary for GECOM among legislation prioritised cedure to get the supplementary.” Minister Jordan stated that “the no-Confidence Motion didn’t bring an end to Parliament so at any time we could have gone back to parliament. We still have 33 seats.” Asked about the Opposition’s threat to boycott Parliament until the conclusion of the appeal against the findings of the Appeal Court currently before the Caribbean Court of Justice, the minister recalled that when the life of the current Parliament began, the Opposition stayed away. He answered, “they subsequently stopped their marching up and down and
went to Parliament. So, they not going to Parliament is nothing new.” The Opposition’s actions, Minister Jordan opined indicate a “clear lack of respect” for the National Assembly. He further recalled that the opposing side of the House would always walk out whenever he presented the National Budgets, “They would get up and go so they don’t treat parliament with the respect that it deserves” April 11, 2019, is the tentative date proposed for the 113th sitting of the National Assembly of the 11th Parliament according to Minister Jordan.
Albouyston teen gunned down on way to football An 18-year-old mason, Christopher Mansfield, of Lot 66 Bar Street, Albouystown, left his home at about 06.00 hrs yesterday, to play football, but was murdered before he reached his Non Pariel Street destination. A police report indicates that, around 06:47hrs, Mansfield was accosted by three “identifiable” males at Cooper Street, Albouyston. The men reportedly approached on bicycles, and were armed with a cutlass, a knife, and a gun. It is reported that Mansfield was shot to the right side of his abdomen. He ran to seek refuge in a yard of Lot 154 Non Pariel Albouystown, where he collapsed. He was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) by public-spirited citizens, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The body awaits a post mortem at GPHC. Police have arrested four persons who are
- four held currently assisting with the investigation into Mansfield’s murder. The killing comes in the wake of the execution-style slaying of former murder accused, Collis Collison, called ‘Juvenile’, who was gunned down during recent Phagwah festivities in Barr Street, Albouystown, allegedly by another ex-con with whom he had a vendetta. The 26-year-old of William Street, Kitty and South Better Hope, East Coast Demerara, was shot in the chest while he was preparing to celebrate his birthday with friends. Police sources had identified the gunman as a 22-yearold former murder and robbery accused. The two men had a recent altercation in prison, during which some of the suspect’s teeth were knocked out. Collison was just 18 when
Deceased: Christopher Mansfield, 18 he and others were charged for the murder of Linden businessman. Albert Joseph, called ‘Bolo, who was shot dead at his Sunflower Street, Linden, business place in January 2011. The suspects were all freed. He was also charged with robbing two other Linden residents of cash and jewellery.
MS Serenissima’s wraps up visit to Guyana A scene from Minister Gaskin’s trip aboard the MV Serenissima
Business Minister Dominic Gaskin yesterday visited the MV Serenissima cruise ship as it wrapped up a successful stop in Guyana. The 76 tourists over the three days visited the Kaieteur Falls, the Baganara Resort, the popular Essequibo River and had a tour around Georgetown. After meeting the Captain of MS Serenissima, Erik Juranovic and touring the ship, Minister Gaskin told the Department of Public Information that from all reports the visit was successful The Business Minister who has responsibility for Tourism explained that the “cruise ship (Serenissima) conducts a number of tours all over the world… they move from the Antarctic to the Indian Ocean to the Amazon and are likely to be back here in another two years.” He pointed out that in the tourism sector Guyana is seen as a “niche market.” “Captain Juranovic described the cruise ship package to Guyana as an ‘Expedition Cruise’ which means it is more focused on particular places of interests and learning from those places visited and, in that regard, Guyana is a good port of call.” According to Minister Gaskin, the Guyana Tourism Association conducted a consultancy in 20018 to determine what needed to be put in place to attract more cruise ships to visit Guyana. He also noted the cur-
rent infrastructure capacity at port Georgetown can accommodate ships similar in size to that of the MV Serenissima and this will allow Guyana to “remain a niche market as opposed to a mass market.” Responding to the incident with of one of the passengers the minister clarified said “It was an unfortunate however everything was in place to ensure the safety of passengers but one individual left on his own, quite late in the evening, even though there was an arrangement that would have allowed him to have a tour of the city’s nightlife or to be accompanied but he chose to go alone.” A Special task force was established to ensure that the tourists visit here was well organized and executed, this task force is made up of officials from several agencies including the GRA, Port Health, Tour Operators the Police and the CDC. General Manager of Wilderness Explorers which is responsible for the Destination Management Andrea de Caires noted that there have been no incidents with passengers or with any of the tours apart from that one incident and is grateful to all of the agencies who collaborated to make the visit run as “smooth as silk”. The Serenissima set sail for Suriname yesterday afternoon.
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Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Venezuela: a volatile, combustible cocktail on the peripheries of this nation’s backyard There is scant attention on developments in Venezuela; or the associated suspicions and accusations. Most assuredly, there is close scrutiny in official quarters where such responsibilities weigh heavily. But look at the wider world of regular Guyana, and it is the unbelievable story of reckless distraction, mistaken priorities, and wasted energies.Word about planes, troops, and missile systems are treated nonchalantly by citizens whose minds are furiously concentrated elsewhere. The life and death issue of a date; of elections; of who will win and take along for the ride. They think that local petroleum production grounds are playgrounds for prosperity. It is a wonderful dream; could quickly transform into a mirage. For daily those potential production grounds assume the sinister contours of proving grounds. For big power presences and standoff. Matters are becoming more finely calibrated with each passing day, each new development. There is willingness at confrontation, on the one hand; and high-octane boisterousness towards rejection, on the other. Though all of this Guyanese sleep. Not a problem. Not Guyana’s business. It is. It is in all of its many dangerous ingredients. It is a volatile, combustible cocktail being slowly shaken right on the peripheries of this nation’s backyard. At this crucial moment in Guyana’s history and future, when all citizens should have eyes and ears, they are adamant that they prefer not to, see no reason for having to do so. Guyanese have neither eyes nor ears nor fixity of minds for anything but elections; and all the scarred and diseased tissues that are part and parcel of that national exercise in compulsive madness. Venezuela’s problems are its own; Guyana has enough of its own, and does not need anymore. Conveniently ignored and shunted off to the sidelines is that swelling refugee influx. If this is the local mindset, through inexplicable unwillingness at discerning a slowly, but relentlessly, building up of superpower assets and tensions, then this country is not worthy of either owning or harvesting of its oil patrimony. It is the height of irresponsibility and negligence. Guyanese may wake up and find themselves in the pathetic position of having to kiss the oil boat goodbye. Or at least having to agonize over and wait for the promised financial honeymoon to materialize. It is because the social upheavals inside Venezuela are not purely internal and native in character. It is because the gathering alignments and strategic chess moves are mainly external in contemplation and execution. And it is because the two when juxtaposed together (or arrayed against each other) are about oil production hegemonies, oil market influence, hemispheric supremacy, and economic power. Economic power means military power. The two operating in tandem are able to assert and deliver a particular brand of ideology, a certain way of life, and a powerful presence in the near and far-flung spaces of the globe. Guyana is a pawn; a useful one, a close enough one.This is about OPEC and beyond; much more. It is about the sustainability of the counterforce of shale and its ability to compete profitably. And it is about who will rebuff and retain-or encroach and establish-the upper hand in the always unsettled, but always vital Middle East. For the interested and wise, what is happening next door is more than about a beleaguered leader and a surging opposition. There are those hands and forces behind the adversarial parties, the competing ideologies, and the savaging social discontents. In the intricate intestines, and the now not-so-delicate diplomacy, of this sharpening showdown, this is of drawing lines, taking stands, and readying to break regional strangleholds and setting precedent and tone for further engagements. There is way more involved than who takes charge in Venezuela. However circumstances unfold over there, they are going to impact Guyana positively or differently in times ahead. Guyana elections and oil are mere dots on the radar. And yet this nation remains stonily preoccupied.
ON MAJORITY DEAR EDITOR, Guyana has long been lurching from one crisis to another. The vagaries of political climate change struck us once more. You could not think that one little vote could be so consequential. And you wouldn’t think that one word -majority-could make us all so confounded. And you would think that legal sense and commonsense are good neighbours! Now this intervention of mine on a matter that has caused disquiet, if not rancour, on all sides of the political divide, is not about the no confidence motion, per se, nor about Mr. Charrandass Persaud. It is about a word-majority-and how the political system and constitution and politicians have failed the people of Guyana. I am asking readers to ultimately pay attention to the latter. A great many lawyers fighting this issue cannot agree. Don’t bother, lawyers
as you know are paid to disagree. But high ranking judicial personnel, four, also could not agree. (Without adding the Hon. Speaker). A Chief Justice , a Justice of Appeal on one side and two Justices of Appeal (including the Chancellor) on the other. As you know that irritating ‘majority of one’ crept up again in the Court of Appeal., by a ruling of two to one. By now you know too, that the word ‘majority’, a mathematical concept, is highly nuanced and comes in many forms: simple, plural, weighted, extra and even super and of course ‘absolute’. As a lawyer and citizen, having been once in Parliament and active in many organizations I know or think I know the meaning of these words and terms.( Incidentally in all my years of practice I have never had a case where this word was in contention). But now all of us have to wait on another-the highestlevel of our appellate judicial system to tell us finally what
the framers of the constitution meant when they merely employed two processes, majority for all decisions but for amendment of the Constitution- a 2/3 majority, that is, a weighted or extra majority. On this question they now have to get into the minds of the framers, some now deceased, and some not domiciled in or citizens of Guyana. The Courts may adopt precedents to resolve the issue. In the meantime let’s go to the ordinary meaning of the word. A majority is the greater number or quantity, which in a single number or entity, is simply a part greater than half. So divide the number into halves and by adding a quantity to one half, no matter how small, the result will be a greater number or part. An ingenious argument which is advanced in this case, is after arriving at half, in this case, 32.5 you have to round off that figure to 33, as we are dealing with Members of Parliament who are all human beings! And can’t be divided into halves like apples
(except perhaps those twofaced politicians who serve two masters). Now add one to get the majority (34), that is not a majority of one, but a majority of two. Here is the problem with this. Once you have begun to add to 32.5 to reach 33 then 33 is no longer a half, but greater than a half. So by 33 you have acquired a majority. Why then add an extra 1, unless you are reaching for a weighted or extra majority! What is an absolute majority? Here is an example. Three (or more than two) contest a position. No candidate polls more than 50% of the combined votes cast. The candidate with the greatest number is the winner by a “plurality’. If the winner however obtains more than 50% of the total votes cast, in that case, she/he then wins by an ‘absolute’ majority. So now we have to wait, but our freedom to interpret our constitution is not yet subject to any court injunction.However it is also worthwhile to express an (Continued on page 5)
TO CALCULATE MAJORITY OF LIVE PERSONS USE INTEGERS NOT DECIMALS DEAR EDITOR, Quote: “Chancellor of the Judiciary Yonette CummingsEdwards and Justice of Appeal Dawn Gregory both accepted Dr. Francis Alexis’s argument that the incorrect formula was used to tabulate the votes required and this resulted in the motion being passed by 33 votes to 32, rather than the needed “absolute” majority of 34". [End of quote] The formula (65/2 = 32.5, rounded-up to 33, then +1 = 34) used by Dr. Alexis is wrong. For starters, Dr. Alexis’ method would end up with a 66-member parliament (34 +32 = 66) which doesn’t exist. Why is it wrong? When trying to figure majority of voters in a 65-member parliament, you cannot use fractions and decimals for the simple reason you will end up with extra persons which don’t exist. For example, rounding up 32.5 involves adding 0.5, Where is this 0.5 coming from? Then + 1? Where is the one coming from? Of course, it is coming from the other side in a majority/minority parts of the 65-member body. But the minority side’s votes is represented by a finite number, 32 from which you cannot subtract 1 and take that 1 and add it to the other side. And, if you pull 1 from thin air, and add it to the majority side you will end up
with 32 + 34 = 66. Now you end up with an awkward result - a 66-member parliament which doesn’t exist. For this reason, Dr. Alexis’s methodology is wrong. Finding the majority in this problem requires the use of integers. Integers are whole numbers, can be negative or positive. In this method, you don’t have the messy problem of cutting up a live person into halves (0.5), and inventing one whole live person and adding it to one side of your equation. I would ask Dr. Alexis to think of a bag containing 65 marbles. Dr. Alexis and I will pull marbles from the bag, one at a time. He pulls 1 first, then I pull 1, then he pulls again and so on - until all the marbles are
removed from the bag. Then he and I add up our marbles. Because he pulled first, he will have 33 and I will have 32. His share and my share will add up to exactly 6 5 . In mathematics we recognize Dr. Alexis’ share of 33 as the majority because it is greater than my share of 32 by 1. This is the ultimate meaning of majority/minority in two unequal parts of a parliament consisting of 65-voting members. This is how the meaning of these magical words, majority/minority had been used and applied countless times in the same 65-member parliament over the last 8y e a r s . Two phrases, “simple majority” and “absolute majority” had been
introduced in this now famous court case. Based on my knowledge of mathematics and given the context of this particular problem both phrases mean the same thing. Dr. Alexis’ share of the marbles, 33, represents the “absolute majority”, simply because he has one more whole marble than mine. Note: in this method of figuring the majority, there is no need to split a marble into two halves, or pulling one marble from thin air. In mathematics, your method should be transparent and easy to follow. If your methodology produces an awkward result, then you can choose another method. Usually there is more than one method Mike Persaud
The word absolute is not necessary DEAR EDITOR, I do not understand why even distinguished lawyers are having protracted arguments about the fact that our Constitution does not use the word “absolute” in describing the type of majority required for the successful passage of a vote of no confidence. I hold neither an LLB nor an LEC. What I do hold is a rare BSc in Economics and Law from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus where I was taught
Constitutional Law by the once Honourable Dr. Kenny D. Anthony and where I develop a passion for research. When my good friend, Nigel, came up with what he has described to me as his “new math” theory of the halfman, I immediately began a marathon of sleepless nights of legal research which yielded much fruit. In the course of this research, I came across the simple explanation of why the word “absolute” is not used in the Constitution
That simple reason is that it is not necessary. The framers of our Constitution were, unusually for lawyers, very precise and verbosity was anathema to them. There was no reason to say “absolute majority” because this is defined in the rest of the Article. The majority of a vote by “all elected members” is, by definition an absolute majority. Regards F. E. Alleyne aka Faye E. Fraser
Monday April 01, 2019
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YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE AN INDEPENDENT VIEW DEAR EDITOR, Wikipedia notes that Mr Hamilton Green “was a member of the People’s National Congress and chosen as one of the five Vice Presidents in the Cabinet of Forbes Burnham in October 1980. He also served as the Prime Minister of Guyana from 6 August 1985 to 9 October 1992". In his letter captioned “I advised President Hoyte to abort the 1992 vote as the lists were clearly flawed but he refused to, I did not want to cause mayhem” (Stabroek News, March 27, 2019), Mr Green states “Mr. Sharma clearly is the victim of propa-
ganda generated in the early 90s. First, he is quite inaccurate when he accuses me of leading street protests that led Jimmy Carter to fear for his life. I don’t know whether Mr. Carter expressed such fears to him or is he making an assumption – but that’s another matter.” Mr Green’s letter was in response to a letter from P. D. Sharma. I hold no brief for Mr Sharma. I believe he is quite capable of defending his position. However, one way or another, post CCJ appeals of the No Confidence Vote, it is likely that Guyana will be holding general elections
From page 4 opinion on the political culture, the political system, political leaders and on the relevance of the constitution as a whole, this document which has haunted us since its unnatural birth.Whatever greater legal clarity may emerge after the hearing before the CCJ, I am of the view that the transgressions and misgovernment of the Coalition have not reached such an obnoxious level that warrants a curtailment of its tenure in office. The voting season is not far away. The problem is that the political culture is yielding an ungovernable situation by an almost even division in the electorate. We have had a minority government and now a government with a majority of one. The country cannot bear this tension, the resulting instability and ineffectiveness in governance. It is a political absurdity of exclusionary government in a country culturally diverse and ethnically divided. Furthermore with the great challenges before us in contending with the geopolitics derived from our oil bonanza, managing an oil economy and the insidious conduct of the Venezuelan government persistently threatening our territorial integrity have made constitutional reform and reform of the nation’s political leadership, a matter of the highest importance and immediacy. Under the circumstances forcing elections under the present constitutional arrangements and circumstances is a distraction if not an act of irresponsibility. Elections even if it raises another government will not, by that fact alone, produce conditions to make Guyana a more manageable estate. Alternating one of the behemoths for the other and inciting another form and phase of the civil war resolve nothing. There is another problem.
With a majority of one it is an invitation to political opportunism. The greater problem is that it stifles freedom of speech and suppresses dissent in the Parliament. With a razor thin majority there is no space for revolt without bringing down the government. An occasional revolt in the ranks of the governing party is good for house cleaning.That is why Guyana needs a broad based government that accommodates national reconciliation. The prevailing political culture and intransigent leaders have not permitted this. And we are yet to enjoy the dividends of transition to an independent nation and we languish in a political system that has put a curse on our rich diversity and breeds deformities and degeneracy and the great nation we promised to be is now a dream far away. It is in this absence of convention and a willingness of the political leadership, that I am again hoping for a national discourse on the relevance of the present constitution. We should consider the proposal
within the next twelve to eighteen months. Many of the voters will be individuals who were born after 1992 or too young in 1992 to know what transpired. Consequently, I believe these young people should get the independent view of what transpired. In 2007, President Carter wrote a book titled “Beyond the White House: Waging Peace, Fighting Disease, Building Hope”. An excerpt relating to Guyana’s 1992 elections can be found at https:// www.cartercenter.org/news/ .../p/.../rememberingg u y a n n a - 1 9 9 2 elections.html Following are extracts:
ON MAJORITY that any government formed after an election should be supported in Parliament by at least 60 percent of the Parliamentarians and of course all the implications and contingencies arising, or any other set of proposals which may address the problem. If the politicians cannot deliver then creative constitutional reform to contrive a broad coalition may be an answer., Such a majority would mean that the racial divide would have been crossed, help to eliminate the fear of any ethnic group of exclusion from power, reduce tension and instability, give greater freedom of members of the government bench to express dissent and in the country as a whole allow more space for political mobility and the emergence of alternatives to the politics of ethnic allegiance and practice of decisive governance. The government will also have access to a larger repository of the nation’s human resources and skills! Moses Bhagwan
“The most personal danger I have felt since leaving the White House was in Guyana in 1992. This small nation on the northern coast of South America was then and still is the most completely divided that I know... The Indo-Guyanese hold a slight majority, but the AfroGuyanese and their People’s National Congress (PNC) party were able to control the government from the time of national independence in 1966, assisted by the government of Great Britain and the CIA, both of which considered Cheddi Jagan, leader of the opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP), to be a Marxist. In 1990, Mr. Jagan came to The Carter Center, claimed that previous elections had been fraudulent, and asked us to help ensure that the next one would be honest and fair. We agreed, provided the ruling party would also accept our presence as observers. For several months, President Desmond Hoyte objected strongly, but public opinion became so greatly aroused that he finally agreed, just one month before the election was scheduled.” On the day of the elections, after returning to the airport from the riverain area along the Venezuelan border “our small plane was surrounded by members of the
security forces, who informed me that riots had broken out all over Georgetown, and that I must go to the U.S. Embassy, where I would be safe. Instead, I went to my hotel room and called President Hoyte, who assured me that the police were in charge and order would soon be restored. Bob Pastor (Carter’s staff) informed me that the PNC were obviously losing the election, and that some of their supporters had been induced to disrupt the process. I decided that the election should continue if possible and sent word to our observers to monitor events and, after the polls closed, to go to their assigned places to gather quick count results. Our senior observer, Jennifer McCoy, told me that the election center had come under attack by an angry mob, some of whom claimed to have been denied a ballot. She had visited the building and tried to work out a solution with the PNC party chief, but the riot continued. … When I arrived (at the election headquarters), accompanied by three Secret Service agents, the building was surrounded by several hundred rioters, who had already broken all the windows with clubs and stones. There was only one Guyanese police officer
present, a woman wearing a uniform but without side arms. We went upstairs and found that all the computers had been transferred to one of the more isolated hotels for safekeeping. I phoned the hotel manager, who told me that the computers could not be operated there unless ‘a battalion of troops is sent to protect us against the mobs trying to stop the vote count.’ I called the president again. I told him that I was in the unprotected building and that there was no way to complete the election unless the workers could return with their computers. Also, I told him that our Secret Service would contact the White House if I didn’t receive immediate protection from the mob outside. Calm was restored after another hour, and the computers were tabulating returns by midnight. Our quick count showed that the ruling party would lose by about 14 percent, and early the next morning I went to visit both presidential candidates. They agreed to refrain from any public statements and to accept the final results, which were announced three days later. Cheddi Jagan was sworn in as president after what was considered to be the country’s first free and fair (Continued on page 6)
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KUDOS TO KAIETEUR NEWS DEAR EDITOR, Firstly, as Kaieteur News prepares to celebrate its 25th anniversary, I would like to extend congratulations to publisher Mr Glenn Lall and the entire staff for their achievement of bringing the pulse of our nation to Guyanese at home and abroad in their unique
Monday April 01, 2019
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style, ‘strai g h t , no chaser’. This was done at times against insurmountable odds. How do you pick up and continue after several members of your staff are murdered, and others vilified, harassed and threatened in the worst possible ways! How do you entertain the submissions and views of those critical and supportive of the government of the day regardless of which government is in position at the time! E d i t o r, I r e m e m b e r
Leonard Gildarie and the former Attorney General engaged in a chilling discussion which was brought to public knowledge at a time when Guyana was subjected to the most murderous period in recent history. Thank you to the publisher and the entire staff of Kaieteur News for what you do, and what is hoped that you would continue to do well into the future, to educate us about our country that we think we know. Keith Fraser
It would be a test for GECOM to accept the assistance of the US Govt. DEAR EDITOR, The recent press statement by the United States of America through the Department of State confirms that the USA Government recognize the incompetence of the GECOM in carrying out its functions and mandate to hold General and Regional elections within the constitutional period of 90 days. It would be a test for GECOM to accept the assistance of the US government since the institution and the APNU/AFC coalition Government is trying to delay the possibility of any General and Regional elections. The present mode of House to House registration by GECOM is a vivid example to derail the elections if the CCJ overturned the Ap-
peal Court decision on the NCM. The present Voters list would be valid until 30th April 2019, definitely the CCJ decision would be given at a time when the present list would be invalid, as such GECOM must ensure that the list remains valid, in eventually of the CCJ validation of the NCM. Without any hesitation GECOM must immediately activate a cycle of Continuous Registration to validate the voters list beyond 30th April, despite moving into House to House registration, which is an excuse to delay the election beyond the constitutional time line. The platform must be laid to ensure that constitutional democracy prevails in Guyana.
YOUNG PEOPLE... From page 5 election since independence...” A further report worth noting is that of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) which “played a significant role in the development of the Guyanese electoral process and the preparations for the October 5, 1992 national elections in Guyana” This report can be found at https://www.ifes.org/publications/final-report-guyana-election-assistance-project-october1990-november-1992 This report concludes “Election Day did not pass without a significant challenge to the electoral process. A violent crowd gathered outside the Elections Commission building and attacked it with stones and bottles, causing a temporary evacuation of international consultants and non-essential local staff. There were also reports of violence and looting in other locations around Georgetown and the country. Despite these attacks, the process moved forward to a highly successful and internationally credible conclusion. Both the Carter Center and the Commonwealth Secretariat international observer teams were able to certify the elections as ‘free and fair’ due to the dedication and hard work of all those involved in the process.” Harry Hergash
I am very much optimistic that the CCJ would validate the NCM, so definitely the voters list must be valid. Two examples that were cited in the NCM cases in the Republic of Vanuatu and Anguilla needs to be examined. Analysis of the constitutions would enable us to better understand why the decisions were made in those cases. In the case of the Republic of Vanuatu the constitution states Chapter 28 section 2 ,”Parliament may at any time decide, by resolution supported by the votes of an ‘absolute majority’ of the members at a special sitting when at least three-fourths of the members are present, to dissolve Parliament. At least 1 week’s notice of such a motion shall be given to the Speaker before the debate and the vote on it”. In the case of Anguilla the constitution states Chapter 34 section 1,” If a motion that the House of Assembly should declare a lack of confidence in the Government of Anguilla receives in the Assembly the affirmative votes of two-thirds o f a l l t h e elected members thereof the Governor shall dissolve the Assembly and shall act in his discretion in appointing the date for the ensuing general election under section 70 of this Constitution”. When we compare these sections of their constitutions with ours we will understand why the Appeal Court was flawed in their decision. Regards Zamal Hussain
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Guyana left dangerously exposed by absence of reformed laws for oil industry - Ram By Kiana Wilburg From 2015 to now, not a single piece of petroleum legislation has been updated. In fact, a regulatory framework for the oil sector is still to be implemented. It is on this premise that Chartered Accountant, Chris Ram, made the conclusion that the government seems no less or no more equipped, informed, and prepared for dealing with the events that are to unfold when first oil comes on stream next year. During an exclusive interview with this newspaper yesterday, Ram said that when it comes to reforming the required legislation, he believes that the government does not know what to do and how to get it done. Some of the laws
Chartered Accountant, Chris Ram and regulations which need updating include: the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission Act; the Mining Act; the Petroleum Exploration and
Production Act, No 3 of 1986; the Petroleum Exploration and Production Act Regulations, 1986; the Petroleum Exploration and Production Act, 1998, Chapter 65:10; the Environmental Protection Act; and the Occupational Safety and Health Act, Chapter 99:01. Ram said, “This state of affairs leaves Guyana dangerously exposed in terms of regulating, monitoring and supervising the sector. The oil companies cannot be blamed for this but they must be wondering what really is going on and the government seems missing in action. It is over three years since I pointed out the absence of any new legislation. Our legislation is over 30 years old. And the Natural Resource Fund Legislation cannot be confused with pe-
Health Ministry takes maternal death prevention training to Linden The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) last week conducted a three day training Seminar at the Linden Hospital Complex. The seminar, with special focus on "obstetric Haemorrhage," targeted Health care providers at the institution and from other health care facilities across the Region. It was the ninth training seminar to be held across the country so far, according to chief facilitator and Health Ministry Training Coordinator, Dr. Narine Singh, who spoke with the media. Region Eight is the Ministry's next stop. The training titled "zero maternal Deaths by Haemorrhage", is a one off initiative, by PAHO, which was adapted by the MOHP, with the objective of having
same incorporated into their module of training. The training is specifically focused on obstetric haemorrhaging, because it is one of the leading causes of maternal deaths, Dr. Singh said. "The reason we're focusing on haemorrhage is because, it is the number one cause of maternal death in Guyana and it is something we've been struggling to deal with. So it is specialized training for health care providers, who deal with delivery, how to handle such cases." He said that for the first time, participants are also learning how to use the antishock garments. Dr. Singh said that while it is important to record and investigate maternal deaths, recording and investigating "near misses" is also impor-
tant, and that it is something that the Ministry of Health is presently looking into. "Near misses', he said, point to the level of care that was administered, and so can be used as a guide to avoid maternal death, and also on how improvements could be made. The three day workshop covered a wide range of topics, such as causes of obstetric haemorrhage, how to manage bleeding, how to manage shock and how to use the anti-shock garment. Participants included Health Care providers from all levels, drawn from Health facilities across Region Ten. National PAHO Consultant Padmini Singh, obstetrician/gynecologist, who works with the Maternal Mortality reduction strategy, said (Continued on page 8)
troleum legislation and regulations.” Ram also bemoaned the fact that the Government is yet to give guidance on the status quo surrounding the Petroleum Commission Bill. “The government has not indicated, so far as I know, whether it is still pursuing this Commission or whether it is satisfied that it has set up a mere Department of Energy...” Further to this, the Chartered Accountant said it is understandable that the government had to address the issue of the No-Confidence Motion. He stressed however that it appears as though everything has been put on pause while the oil companies continue their plans and preparations with very little
guidance or direction. Ram said, “We cannot ignore the fact that we are now only months away from first oil and the government seems no less or no more equipped, informed and prepared for dealing with the events that are to unfold.” Ram was also critical of the fact there is no Depletion Policy or a National Oil Spill Contingency Plan in place. He said, “The fact that we have no plan is dangerous from an environmental perspective, from a monitoring perspective, and from a regulatory perspective. In other words, we are walking into the dark when it comes to the oil sector without even a torch light in hand.” Additionally, Ram noted
that the Energy Department which was set up last year and is housed in the Ministry of the Presidency is yet to say how it will address the aforementioned issues among others facing the sector. “President David Granger handpicked Dr. Mark Bynoe to head that department and up to this date, we have had no pronouncements or indication as to whether and how that department is addressing all the weaknesses we have identified,” Ram said. Taking the said points into account, the Chartered Accountant reiterated his earlier position that Guyana is left dangerously exposed and is essentially walking in the dark when it comes to the oil sector.
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Monday April 01, 2019
Kaieteur News
Death of Chinese national…
Health Minister still to identify ‘respiratory ailment’ - seven others transferred to West Dem. Hospital Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence is refuting reports that the H1N1 virus is to blame for the death of a Chinese national working in a mining firm in Barima/Waini Region One, and the hospitalisation of seven others. In a statement late Saturday night she said, “There is no determination (as yet) of what the ailment is but all the patients displayed similar symptoms including pain, fever, headache and respiratory distress.” According to Minister Lawrence, as of Saturday night, Health specialists were still conducting “a battery of tests” to identify the virus. Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Shamdeo Persaud said a “respiratory ailment” is to blame for the death and hospitalisation of the GMI workers. The worker who died was said to be ailing for days before seeking medical attention at the Matthews Ridge Hospital last Thursday, the statement disclosed. He died Sat-
urday and his body will be airlifted to the capital on Sunday. Neither he or any of those hospitalised had travelled overseas recently. The Minister further stated that the seven patients are to be transferred to the West Demerara Regional Hospital in the Essequibo Islands, where they will be isolated. Minister Lawrence further noted a team of officials including a Pathologist, a Senior Environmental Health Officer; a mortuary attendant, an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) specialist will be visiting the manganese mining site. She said the team will be complemented by medical specialists, including Regional Health Officer (RHO) Dr. Vishal Ramjas, operating in Barima/Waini among others. Residents of Region One are asked to continue performing their usual hygienic habits, such as washing their hand after visiting the washroom or coughing. They were advised to visit the nearest health centres if feeling unwell.
The West Demerara regional Hospital which the patients will be transferred to and isolated.
Meanwhile, Lawrence hailed the collaboration among the MOPH, the GPHC, PAHO/WHO and other partners and will “work with neighbouring territories to exchange information” about the on-going health crises in the Southern Hemisphere. According information this publication received, it is believed the men may have inhaled a toxin while cleaning the tunnels. Four of the seven men remain quarantined up to yesterday. Two were reportedly listed as critical. The other
Patient being escorted to ambulance to receive treatment
three were moved to the Male Medical Ward at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. All hospital staff, patients and visitors were seen donning masks. The news of the death of the Chinese national broke on Saturday. Seven others were airlifted to Eugene F. Correia International Airport, Ogle, and transported to GPHC for
treatment. Two floors of the Male Medical Ward of GPHC were cleared and restricted yesterday, to quarantine the victims of the undetermined illness. A team of medical personnel was deployed to Matthews Ridge. The workers were reportedly stationed at a manganese mine owned by Guyana Manganese Inc. (GMI), a subsid-
iary of Chinese company, Bosai Minerals Group Guyana Company Limited, when they began showing signs of respiratory discomfort, rash and high fever-like temperatures. Just Friday, Ministers of Natural Resources and Public Affairs, Raphael Trotman, and Dawn Hastings-Williams, visited the mine to inspect it, since operations there are expected to restart soon.
Health Ministry takes maternal... (From page 7) that "Zero maternal deaths from haemorrhage" was implemented in the country with the help of PAHO/WHO and the Ministry of Health, not only in Guyana but in the Caribbean and Latin American Countries. Women's Health Coordinator of the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Umadai Rattan, posited that the training is an inexpensive way to save lives. "We're training health workers from all levels, and we're trying to use resources that we already have to tackle post partum haemorrhage!" Dr. Rattan said that the project was started last year, and that the idea is to get the training done in all ten Regions. "This is the main training, and after the Ministry would have done this, the Regions will then be responsible to see this is done
continuously....It is a continuous process." Rattan added that the training does not incorporate new knowledge, but that it is intended to reinforce what would have already been learnt, as a Health Care provider. An important aspect of the training, she pointed out, is teaching participants, how to use available facilities, to stabilize a patient, and especially how to use the anti-shock garment. The garments which were donated by PAHO/WHO, stabilizes the patient through compression, Rattan explained. This is especially important in cases, where a patient has to be transferred from a lower level, to a higher level health facility, she added. Participants were afforded the opportunity to observe simulations on how to use the garment. Each health facility has been given at least two of the suits, Rattan said..
Monday April 01, 2019
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Kaieteur News
Beware of the WPA! The PNCR has to be very careful with the WPA. The President of Guyana who is tipped to be the Presidential candidate of the APNU+AFC slate should be wary of the WPA. The WPA has degenerated in recent months. Instead of standing firm in defense of the Constitution – something that is in the fine traditions of the WPA – the party of Walter Rodney has wavered between upholding the Constitution and seeking to protect its membership who are employed within the government. But this degeneration has not tamed its cunning ways.
The WPA is capable of fomenting divisions within the APNU+AFC and this is what the leaders of that party have to be careful about. Whenever political parties and government face a formidable external foe, such as what the PNCR is facing in the PPPC today, it is not uncommon for them to drop their guards internally. And it is times like these that the forces of internal division are at work. Desmond Hoyte found this out. During his efforts to negotiate a political solution after the 1997 elections, there were forces within his own party who felt that he has betrayed their struggle by
signing the Cummingsbug Accord. The WPA knows this strategy well. It learnt from the experience of the New Jewel Movement in Grenada how obsession with an external enemy can lead to internal implosion. Maurice Bishop believed that the United States was about to invade his tiny hermit. All the signs were pointing in this direction. He felt that only Cuba could save him. He dropped his guard internally and his best friend of 26 years, took advantage of the situation and created a split within the government and the party. It was during the hysteria
Kamla challenges Non-Profit Organisations Bill ‘Draconian law’ Trinidad Guardian - Oppo-si-tion Leader Kam-la Persad-Bisses-sar Satur-day called on the Gov-ern-ment to with-draw the Non-Prof-it Organ-i-sa-tions (NPO) Bill, saying cer-tain claus-es in the bill are dra-con-ian, dan-ger-ous and dic-ta-to-r-i-al and could in-fringe on the rights of many groups in the coun-try. If the Gov-ern-ment fails to go back to the draw-ing board with the bill, Per-sadBisses-sar threat-ened to take them to court if it is passed by a sim-ple ma-jor-i-ty. Per-sad-Bisses-sar said the bill, which seeks to provide the reg-is-tra-tion, es-tablish-ment and main-te-nance and oblig-a-tions of NPOs, came like a “thief in the night” and had ill-in-ten-tions. Speak-ing dur-ing Saturday’s Par-lia-ment sit-ting, she said en-vi-ron-men-tal group
Fish-er-men and Friends of the Sea stat-ed that the proposed law, if abused, can be used to per-se-cute in-de-pendent civ-il so-ci-ety groups who stand in de-fence of public rights.While the expressed in-ten-tion of the bill may cross the con-sti-tu-tional hur-dle, Per-sad-Bisses-sar said it does not strike a “proper bal-ance,” as cer-tain clauses seek to in-ter-fere with the rights to prop-er-ty of NPO bod-ies, which was a vi-o-lation. “There are claus-es in the bill that are clear-ly dis-propor-tion-ate and the pow-ers pro-pose to give sanc-tions which are ar-bi-trary and not prop-er-ly jus-ti-fied in law or log-ic,” Per-sad-Bisses-sar said.She said At-tor-ney Gener-al Faris Al-Rawi had in-dicat-ed that there were 104,000 com-pa-nies, of which 9,000
fell un-der NPOs which had been reg-is-tered. She ques-tioned why the re-main-ing 100,000 pri-vate com-pa-nies were left untouched.“There are peo-ple with many com-pa-nies right here get-ting $23 mil-lion contracts and more mil-lion-dollar con-tracts. That is where the mon-ey is. Fol-low the mon-ey. But you are com-ing af-ter the small man, the lit-tle man, as your first hit,” she said.“The sport-ing groups, the vil-lage coun-cil, the pepper roti and bake and shark pro-duc-er. I am not say-ing you must not come. That is your first hit, man, and you have not con-sult-ed with them.”This move, she said, was a vi-o-la-tion of their rights and many of the clauses out-lined were “dic-ta-to-ri-al, dan-ger-ous and dra-conian.”
DEM BOYS SEH
Chinee businessman see Guyanese as sheep
Who know bout de law shaking dem head because everybody doing dem own thing. Some people tek things so far that dem don’t care what de law seh. De Central Housing and Planning Authority still controlling who can build what in a certain area. De country had zone. Certain businesses could not exist in an area that was residential. Residential mean that only living quarters could go up in dem places. But dem always got people who don’t care bout de law. People tek dem bottom house and open a li’l shop. Nobody didn’t check and when dem check de shop owner slip a small piece to dem fuh shut dem mouth and dem
eyes. Next thing dem boys see was monkey see; monkey do. Some odda people start to open shop under dem house. And things get out hand. If was only Guyanese who was breaking de law was one thing but people come from China and decide to tek dem eyes and pass Guyana. A Chinee man open a restaurant in Diamond in a residential area. People complain and de Housing people stop him. De odda day dem boys see de place open back and dem conclude that de man get permission. When dem check was nutten of de sort. De man decide that Guyanese is fools and dem can’t do him nutten. When dem boys complain
again de Housing people tell dem how dem gun give him a cease order. Dem boys seh dem know that no foreigner can own property in China. Dem can’t go pun a piece of land and put up a shack or a store. De Chinese police would bulldoze de shack and lock up de people. But Guyana like sheep. All dem can do is complain. Now de Housing people talking bout carrying de man to court and people like dem boys who paying dem taxes got to watch de Housing people use that money to move de Chinee man. That is a bad man. Talk half and watch how odda foreign people gun follow de Chinee man.
created by the Grenada government’s fear of an imminent invasion by the United States that a demand was made for joint leadership of the party. Just when there was a need for greater national unity and the closing of ranks, the seeds of internal disunity were spread within the New Jewel Movement and the Revolutionary Government of Grenada. The Coard faction of the New Jewel motion engineered a split within the party with a call for joint leadership of the party. Maurice Bishop, the Prime Minister and the de facto leader of the New Jewel Movement first accepted this demand and then reneged on it. The call for joint leadership split the revolution. And with the tacit support of reactionary Caribbean leaders, the United States used the opportunity of Bishop’s murder to crush the revolution. Joint leadership is dangerous notion in the patriarchal societies of the Caribbean. It is a recipe for implosion as it was 36 years ago in Grenada. The WPA knows this all too well. The old WPA died in 1983
with the collapse of the Grenada Revolution. The party took a backward step, dumped its Marxist outlook and decided that the Caribbean is the United States backyard and that the superpower would not allow a leftist regime in the region. As such, the WPA went through a political metamorphosis, emerging as a Rodneyite party. It has never clearly defined what that means. The WPA is hanger-on within the coalition. But one of its leaders was one of the architects of the APNU after the earlier failed attempt, by the PNCR, to establish a Big Tent coalition. Despite this, the WPA has ever been treated with the respect it felt it deserves within the coalition – and it has justifiable grounds for so doing. It has complained consistently about being sidelined in decision-making of the APNU. However, despite nothing being done about this, the WPA has not withdrawn from the coalition. It is believed that the WPA stayed in the government to protect the jobs of their members. The no confidence motion
came. The WPA has refused to take a stand on the issue. It is “dancing between the raindrops.” With the jobs of its members at stake, it is playing it safe. However, it recognized the opportunities which the no confidence motion presented to solidify its position within the coalition. In January, of this year, the WPA set conditions for its continuance in the coalition. One of those conditions was that the government apologizes to its support base and the country at large for not living up to the promises enshrined in its manifesto of 2015. The second condition was that there needs to be broadened leadership within the coalition. The WPA also called for a certain Minister to play a more prominent role in the leadership of the party. There is no evidence that that Minister is interested in what the WPA is proposing. The WPA is playing Kingmaker. The PNCR should be wary of its dealings with this party.
Monday April 01, 2019
Kaieteur News
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Monday April 01, 2019
Kaieteur News
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Monday April 01, 2019
Kaieteur News
Mary Crawford is 100!
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; Graphics design, advertisement, Wedding arch rentals. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. ICONIC MARKETING & PRINTING –TEL: 6006887: We create A/works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. REPAIRS AT LOW COST: FRIDGES,AIR CONDITIONERS, WASHING MACHINE, FREEZER, SALE OF AC'S. TEL#629-4946,225-4822 I N S TA L L AT I O N S , REPAIRS AND PARTS FOR AC, FRIDGE, WASHING MACHINE, STOVE ETC. CALL NICK 627-3206, 6301600 Eagle’s re-gas AC, Fridge, Washing machine & computer repairs, Gas stove, Plasma flatscreen, Electrical installation & more. Call: 697-2969/646-0966 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezer-Call: 610-5846 or 661-8158
FOR SALE German shepherd for sale. Tel# 655-2342, 629-3372, 2182383 1 250 KVA Onan generator powered by Cummins #2690603/644-1190 1 CAT 215 Excavator, 1 Honda 450 Atv, 2 8-cu yds Mack Mixer Truck, 1 Pneumatic 9 wheeled tryre roller #2750367/683-7225 1 Double Steel Wheel Roller, 1 CAT 428 Back-hoe, CAT 215 Excavator spare parts, 2 Bitumen spray kettle. #2750367/683-7225 One 14" dragger. Scania 6 cylinder engine. 663-0742 One 4 wheel drive canter truck. Series GPP. Contact 663-0742
FOR RENT
VACANCY
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
Vacancy for truck/hauler driver to drive both trucks & hauler. Apply Alabama Trading. 65 Robb Street
One business place in Durban St W/Ville available from June 1st. Tel 616-2445 Newly renovated apartment for rent at Peters Hall. #2239677/ 698-5800/ 648-1391 Spacious comfortable flat @ Houston McDoom. Open floor plan. Ideal for office, single/double occupancy. Call 664-8150/233-0547 1 Fully furnished 3bedroom. 2 fully furnished 2 bedroom Diamond & Providence. Tel: 216-2299, 672-1906, 682-6238 Two bedrooms fully furnished and secure apartment at Farm E.B.D. Call 616-7635
Mixed blue pit for sale. 9 Weeks old. 698-6796 LEARN TO DRIVE N. Outar Driving School, Learn to Drive the right way @ Cuffy Square. Affordable package. Call: 644-5166/6912561
VEHICLE FOR SALE Foreign used 6x4 sinotruck Howo dump truck & excavators for sale. Tel: 5023408/677-8104 Honda SUV PTT series. Contact 225-1005, 225-9230, 623-0368
TO LET Business space to rent. No restaurant. Serious enquiries only. 233 South Road 2250198/615-0317
Toyota axio, bed frames, vanity, generator, portable AC, fridge. Owners migrating. Call 611-7106
Camp St ground floor for commercial purpose. Enmore mall. Commercial space available. Richard 608-7675, 674-1705, 233-2614
LAND FOR SALE
EDUCATION Private custom brokerage. Training course/ AW lecturer with 30 year experience. April 29. Call 694-8322,690-4225. Reg now & save
CAR RENTAL
Transported land 11.6 acres. Lot 15 public road. #2 Village W.C.B. Price $18M. Contact 686-4818, 648-7109
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Vegetarian Gardens: Accountant Clerk. info@vgiworld.com 227-7714/ 223-3448 Hick’s Ville Hotel Receptionist, hotel attendant, washer/ pressure. info@vgiworld.com 231-0951/ 3 Hardworking, physically fit, team player. Perform with minimum supervision, willing to learn. Plant Shop# 648-1821 (8am-5pm) Vacancy for general manager at Yugs Variety Store. Lot 4 Robb Street. Tel# 654-0141 Wanted for Soesdyke area. One head master as team leader. Good remuneration package. Call 612-1848 WANTED Land to buy. Parfaite Harmonie, Herstelling, Farm, Eccles, Province, Tuschen, Diamond. Best price and cash. Call 666-2326 Attractive live in waitressCall: 327-0252/674-4665/6493750 Mechanic and trainee mechanic needed in Kitty. Call 623-0318 One experienced cook needed. Call 223-7165 Live in waitress to work in a bar. Must have ID. Age 1823yrs old. 221-2785
Mrs. Crawford poses for a picture with Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge Bubbly, yet classy are two words rightfully chosen to describe Mary Crawford of No.1 Village, Corentyne, Berbice.Born in the year 1919, Ms Crawford celebrated her 100th birth anniversary with family and friends at her home on Friday and appeared in excellent spirits when this publication spoke with her. Hugging her petite figure was a crisp white gown, adorned with silver sequence. Her elegant look for her special day was complimented with a gorgeous tiara, a look fit for a queen! Many of her relatives flew in from across the world to be with her on that day, thus making it one to remember. As she made her way to the couch while her relatives were busy tying up last minute preparations to begin the celebrations, she sat and talked a bit about her life leading up to Friday. The centenarian who had 10 other siblings with only two surviving, said she felt exWANTED Attractive waitress wanted. Speaking spanish would be an asset. Call# 615-0915 Handyman. Tel# 628-9268 Experienced - shop worker/ handyman & couple for interior & G/Town. Age 18-40 yrs. Tel: 231-0363 Call between 8:00am - 4:30pm Monday Friday Cashier/waitress, night supervisor, assistant cook. Apply within 172 Sheriff Street or call 225-7933 (1)Diesel Mechanic to work in the interior. Interested persons can call cell#6255136 Monday-Friday 8am4pm Waitress to work in Bar #6614863 One ice machine operator needed. Call 223-7165 Porters. Apply with written application @ Best Buy Food Supplies, Lot 1E Dennis & Middleton Street, Campbellville
tremely happy to know that all her family came together for her and gleefully said while breaking out into uncontrollable laughter, “I married and never get so big celebration”. She added that she could not have envisioned living so long but credits the almighty and simple living for her long life. “The lord kept me going so long until today, I don’t forget it. I live a decent life, anyone of my nieces I teach them how to live, live decent”. As she smiled her way through the interview she mentioned that she can still do most things like cooking, a few chores and walking about the home and yard but she gets “a little pain here and there” coupled with a not so keen vision. She also noted that she cannot hear well but this does not hold her back from doing what she has to do on a daily basis. “I never go through a lot of sickness like to go to the doctor and hospital and so, I live good”, Crawford said. She told Kaieteur News that she travelled a lot during her earlier years and did a lot of sewing and craft making. This was among her most cherished talents that was eventually passed on to her nieces. “I travelled all over the country and teach girls to do sewing, handicraft and so forth. I can’t remember the exact years I started, but it was a long time ago”, she said. According to her, she got married at the age of 17 and that marriage lasted for just seven years,She never remarried and did not have any children but she has a puppy that keeps her happy. Her advice to the youths while chuckling is to “Live good and stay away from police, don’t do wrong things so police can hold you”. Celebrating the day with her also on Friday was Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge and Prime Minister’s wife Seeta Nagamootoo.
Monday April 01, 2019
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Kaieteur News
Local miners urged to partner with international businesses Local miners were urged to take participation in the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada Convention (PDAC) 2019; an international conference held from March 3-6, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. PDAC is the leading international financier and fund manager forum where representatives of countries, companies and organisations interact closely with key decision makers in the global mining industry. The nation’s successful participation at this prestigious event was facilitated by the Government of Guyana, and coordinated by the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest) with assistance from the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC). According to information released from GO-Invest, Guyana’s representatives took full advantage of the unique opportunities presented at PDAC to provide relevant, targeted information to potential new investors, and also hosted special events to promote awareness of the country’s resource-rich natural environment and its boundless business opportunities. “Many local miners took the opportunity to promote awareness of their companies and projects while targeting potential financiers, business partners and customers. Among exhibitors were: Avalon Gold Exploration (Omai); Goldsource Mines Inc.; AVA Management and Consulting; Guyana Goldstrike; Guyana Goldfields; the Guyana Women Miners’ Organisation; the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association, and GGMC. As such, GO-Invest extolled Guyana’s fruitful participation in PDAC 2019 as an essential component of a wellconsidered national trade and investment promotion strategy that enables Guyana to put its marketing funds to work in the most targeted and effective way. One of the biggest crowdpullers was ‘Guyana Mining
Day—Guyana On Focus’, which was conceptualised by Guyana Goldfields Inc. and held on March 3, 2019 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Guyana Mining Day provided over 15 participants from the local mining industry with an opportunity to meet faceto-face with a variety of mining industry specialists from around the world. This strategic promotional event was addressed by the Government of Guyana and local industry officials led by Minister of Finance Winston Jordan. Among the participants were Canadian government officials and members of the diplomatic corps including Guyana’s High Commissioner to Canada Clarissa Riehl. Over 250 persons were in attendance at this event. Minister Jordan highlighted Guyana’s commitment to environmental protection and stressed Government’s value-driven approach to promoting investments. He noted that the nation is on the verge of becoming a major oil producer with first oil on target for the first quarter of 2020— or possibly the last quarter of this year—and, as such, the promotion of a diversified economy is particularly important. The Finance Minister pointed out that Government’s focus going forward will be much broader than the oil and gas sector, and work is being done to make all of Guyana’s productive sectors competitive in their respective world markets. He asserted that the retooling, reformation and prudent management of Guyana’s mining sector are critical to this effort. Minister Jordan also underscored government’s commitment to constructive reform and calculated enhancement of the nation’s mining sector through the development of a National Mineral Sector Policy Framework that addresses enforcement, compliance, incentives and competitiveness, among other priority areas. He drew special attention to the benefits and incentives provided to accredited inves-
tors in Guyana’s mining sector, which includes: the protection of investments by the Constitution and laws; a progressive royalty regime for small and medium producers; access to credit; a ready workforce and no restrictions on the repatriation of profits, dividends and other earned income.
From left: Guyana delegation: GO-Invest Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Owen Verwey, Minister of Finance Winston Jordan and Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman
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Monday April 01, 2019
Kaieteur News
Blaze Regional women’s T20 cricket Matthews leads B’dos to 3rd win, T&T beat Leewards by nine wickets
In the day’s second game, two-times 50 overs Champions Barbados continued their march to the ‘Double’ when the defeated the Windward Islands by seven wickets in Blaze Regional Women’s T20 cricket championships yesterday at Providence to remain the only unbeaten team from three rounds. Barbados Skipper Hayley Matthews led from the front with both bat and ball and got support with bat from Deandra Dottin. Windwards made 134-4 when their 20 overs expired with Skipper Afy Fletcher top scoring with 26 from 27 balls with four boundaries and put together 68 for the third wicket with Nerissa Crafton who made 23.
Stacy Ann King top scored to help T&T beat the Leewards by nine wickets last night at Providence. Juliana Nero also got 26 from 26 balls with two fours and a six, while Stacy Ann
Adams contributed with 16 as Matthews, the leading wicket-taker in the 50-over
Captain to Captain! Hayley Matthews (3-16) bowls to Afy Fletcher who top scored for the Windwards in a losing effort. format, captured 3-18 with his off-spin. Barbados responded with
133-3 in 18.5 overs as the stylish Matthews led with an attractive 27-ball 47 with nine
fours and a six. Dottin was unbeaten on 42 from 29 balls with four fours and two sixes. Matthews and Danielle Small (16) provided their team with a solid foundation with a 56-run opening stand before Dottin and Knight featured in an unfinished 66-run fourth wicket partnership to see their team to another win. In the evening game under lights, Leewards won the toss and elected to bat and they were never in the fight as only Amada Edwards (19) and Rozel Liburd (15) who shared in a 28 run seventh wicket stand, got into double figures before they were both dismissed with the score on 62 as Leewards could only manage 66 all out in 17.5 overs. Leandra Ramdeen (2-7) and Felicia Walters (2-10) bowled well for the lasses from Carnival Country who replied with 70-1 in 7.3 overs. Stacy Ann King, who ended the match with her eighth boundary, was unbeaten 43 from 25 balls and added 54 for the first wicket with Lee Ann Kirby before she was LBW to Liburd after making 19 from 14 balls with four fours. The penultimate round is set for tomorrow when Barbados face T&T from 09:00hrs, Leeward oppose Jamaica from 14:00hrs and Guyana battle the Windwards under lights from 19:00hrs. (Sean Devers)
Monday April 01, 2019
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Kaieteur News
Ashes rivals Warner and Bairstow combine in IPL record stand
Milo Schools’ Football Tournament Lodge Secondary and CWSS take last semifinal spots
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Lodge Secondary’s goal scorer, Dorwin George.
Jonny Bairstow and David Warner celebrate after Bairstow’s hundred. (BCCI) (Reuters) - David Warner and Jonny Bairstow set a record for the highest opening stand in the Indian Premier League (IPL), with both players notching centuries for Sunrisers Hyderabad yesterday. Warner and Bairstow put on 185 in just 16.2 overs in a 118-run victory over Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore, surpassing Gautam Gambhir and Chris Lynn’s opening stand of 184 against Gujarat Lions in the 2017 season. Former Australia vicecaptain Warner is fighting for a spot in their World Cup squad after completing a 12month suspension for his involvement in the balltampering scandal in Cape Town last year. The 32-year-old showed he has lost none of his powerhitting ability as he finished
unbeaten on 100 from 55 balls, which included five fours and five sixes. Warner was playing the anchor role, while Bairstow stepped up the scoring rate to belt 114 from 56 deliveries, before falling to Indian leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal. England opener Bairstow smashed 12 fours and seven sixes for his second-ever Twenty20 hundred, while Warner recorded his third consecutive 50-plus score to top the IPL scoring charts this season. “He’s great fun, just going ahead with hitting the ball,” B a i r s t o w s a i d o f Wa r n e r after Hyderabad finished with 231-2. “It’s fantastic to bat in the middle w i t h h im.”With the col o s s a l p artnership in H y d e r a b a d , Wa r ner and Bairstow also became the first
pair to make three consecutive 100-run partnerships in the IPL. “Must say everything about their partnership has been extraordinary. Some serious shots and hard running between the wickets in this heat. Truly remarkable,” Indian batting great Sachin Tendulkar said on Twitter. Chasing 232 to win, Bangalore lost five wickets for just 30 runs, including captain Kohli and South African talisman AB de Villiers. Afghanistan off-spinner Mohammad Nabi finished with four wickets for Hyderabad as the hosts clinched a convincing victory. Scores: Sunrisers Hyderabad 231 for 2 (Bairstow 114, Warner 100*) beat Royal Challengers Bangalore 113 (de Grandhomme 37, Nabi 4-11, Sandeep 3-11) by 118 runs.
Dillon ‘The Beast’ Mahadeo unstoppable ... From page 30 The events contested were as follows Event 1 - Morning Run No Time Cap (1 Mile Run, 35 Toes to Bar, 35 Wallball, 141b/20lb, 1 Mile Run. Event 2 Double Trouble X3 Complete 3 Rounds - time cap 12 minutes (25 Double Unders, 25 Single Arm Kettle Bell Ground to overhead 35lb/55lb, 25 Double Unders, 25m sled push 165lb/205lb. Event 3 A and B Weightlifting Sprint part A time cap 3 minutes (9 Snatches 65lb/95lb, 6 Snatches 85lb/135lb, 3 Snatches 105lb/155lbs. Part B Amrap in 2 Minutes Max Reps Squat cleans 125lb/175lb. Event 4 –The Twist Complete – Time Cap: 12 Mins (24 Thrusters 65lb/95lb, 12 Chest to Bar Pull Ups for Women/ Muscle Ups for Men, 24 Deadlifts 140lb/200lb, 12 Handstand Push Ups, 50 M Farmer’s carry 140lb/200lb). Event 5 Final Climb Time Cap 15 Mins - For The Top 5 Men and Top 5 Women – (3 Rope Climbs, 2 Bag Carry, 6 DB Burpee Box Step Over, 6 Burpee Wall Overs, 25 Cal Assault Bike 35 For Men, 6 Burpee Wall Overs, 6 DB Burpee Box Step Overs, 2 Bag Carry, 2 Rope Climbs, 3 for Men, 1 Bag Carry).
Christianburg/Wismar Secondary School (CWSS) of Linden and Lodge Secondary of Georgetown have secured the final two spots in the ongoing seventh Milo schools’ football tournament, which is also supported by the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) through their ‘Stop gender based violence’ campaign. Following the final two quarter-final games at the Ministry of Education (MOE) ground yesterday, the two teams had contrasting pathways to the final four. In the opening game, the CWSS team were eager to show its worth against East
CWSS scorers, Tyrese Lewis (left) and Andre Mayers. Bank Demerara side, Vergenoegen. Vergenoegen wasted no time in showing their plans, getting a number of shots off within the first 15 minutes. However, it was CWSS in the 18th minute which scored the first goal, a curling free kick just over 30 yards out which went over the wall and beat the Vergenoegen keeper, nestling into the corner of the net.Vergenoegen were not about to take the game sitting down and attacked the Linden side which would finally yield the result they wanted when a counter attack would catch the Linden keeper off his line in the 35th minute.
Tyrese Lewis, three minutes later, restored CWSS’ lead and the half ended 2-1. Two more goals by Lewis in the second half (70th and 72nd) ensured CWSS cruised through to the next round with a comfortable 4-1 victory. In the second game of the day, St. John’s College could not overcome the one goal advantage that Lodge Secondary had instituted in the 17th minute through Dorwin George. Meanwhile, in the semi-final fixtures, CWSS will meet Annandale Secondary while President’s College play Lodge Secondary next weekend at the same venue.
KMPA Foundation games set for October The King Medas Pansy Adonis (KMPA) Foundation has informed that their games this year will be held at the Lusignan Community Centre ground on the East Coast of Demerara from the 3rd to the 6th of October. The games will be held over four days with Thursday the 3rd seeing field Events and a few athletic events being run, while on the Friday will be the 100m, 200m and 400m heats along with some relays. Also on Friday is the 800m and 1500m finals for all ages, while on the Saturday will be the finals for the 100m, 200m, 400m, Relays 4x1, 4x4 and 4x8, 4x2. The curtains come down on the programme on the Sunday morning with the 2K, for 8 and under and teachers, the 3k for 13-16, 9-12 and the 5K for 17-20 Seniors and Masters. The Foundation is encouraging all athletes and fans to
make every effort to attend this year’s event. It noted that a team from Soesdyke Secondary School was given the chance to compete in the USA at the just concluded New Balance Nationals. It was a great experience as the KMPA Foundation in exposing our athletes to motivate them at International events like these. The KMPA expressed awareness of the planning of the various districts Inter House and Inter Schools and Inter Branch Schools Sports, but is hopeful that many of the young athletes can make it to their event. All student athletes 17 and up who have written CXC exams, are asked walk with their CXC results in order to be able to win a prize of Laptops computers, flash drives, SD cards and Desktop computers.
From page 30 individually the associations are being taken lightly. The bottom line is that evidently the individual sport discipline suffers.” “In 2016 I was forced to walk 100 miles from Corentyne to Georgetown to raise funds for team Guyana to get to participate in the Caribbean Championship. Fast forward to 2019 and we find an exact scenario. Basketball had a similar situation as did Rugby. If you do things the same way all the time but expect a different result each time then we all know
what that definition is,” the AMBC VP noted. According to Ninvalle a meeting of the “concerned presidents” will be held within a week’s time. Meanwhile, the GBA boss said that he hopes that a last minute intervention would pull his team through. “Our team has been training for the last six weeks under a Cuban coach and is just out of a two-week encampment. To disappoint those young boxers now would be tantamount to an injustice,” he concluded.
Unified associations plugged...
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Monday April 01, 2019
Kaieteur News
Blaze Regional women’s T20 cricket
Giddings fires Guyana to 20-run win against Jamaica By Sean Devers For the second game in a row Guyana registered a win and 33-year-old left arm pacer Erva Giddings received the Player-of-the-Match award as Guyana beat defending Champions Jamaica by 20 runs in a low scoring third round encounter in the Blaze Regional women’s T20 cricket Championships yesterday at Providence. Giddings, who played her only two ODIs in 2016, could get her name mentioned for a Windies recall after another outstanding performance in the opening game of the day’s triple header when she captured 3-13 to maintain her consistency with the ball. Giddings got support from pacer Akaze Thompson (3-16) and off-spinner Sheneta Grimmond (2-18). Plaffiana Millington took the other wicket to fall to bowlers with her off spin after sharing the new ball with the miserly and penetrative Giddings as Jamaica were bowled out for 94 in 18.4 overs replying to Guyana’s 114-8 in 20 overs.Jamaica and West Indies ODI and T20 Captain Stefani Taylor was the only batsman to get past the teens; making 48 from 57 balls with six fours and a six. She shared in a 55-run fifth wicket stand Chenille Henry who, along with opener Natasha Mclean, made 12.Chedean Nation (316) and Vanessa Watts (3-17) were Jamaica’s best bowlers as Tremayne Smartt, who made 44 from 36 balls with three fours and two sixes and Grimmond who hit a four and two sixes in a 27-ball 25, put together 61 in 9.4 overs for the first wicket. But once they were separated, wickets fell at regular intervals with only Skipper
Chedean Nation is bowled by Plaffiana Millington as Jamaica sank to 19-4 yesterday.
Stafanie Taylor works Millington to leg during her 44 in a losing effort for Jamaica.
Shemaine Campbelle (11) and Shabika Gajnabi (10) of the remaining batsmen, reaching double figures.Jamaica won the toss and invited Guyana to bat on a low and slow track in steaming hot conditions and Smartt came out with a positive mind set.
She hit Henry for four past mid-wicket before lofting the pacer just short of the Red stand for six in the same over. Grimmond, who had some problems with judging runs, initially played the supporting role to Smartt who lifted Neisha Ann Waisome to the
Tremayne Smartt pulls a short ball from Karla Cohen during her aggressive 44 yesterday.
Sheneta Grimmond drives Karla Cohen through the covers in her opening partnership with Tremayne Smartt yesterday.
mid-wicket boundary before executing a magnificent extra cover drive which raced across the fast outfield to the delight of a fair size gathering in the stands. Grimmond changed gears and greeted Taylor with consecutive sixes to bring up the
Natasha Mclean is bowled by Erva Giddings who took 3-13 to see Jamaica slide to defeat yesterday. (Sean Devers photo)
50 in the 9th over before stroking Karla Cohen for four. Watts made the breakthrough when she removed Grimmond at 61-1 before Campbelle joined Smartt, who was bowled by Watts two overs later at 78-2. Campbelle got going with a boundary off Taylor but was soon sent back by Jodian Morgan at 833 in the 14th and when Shabika Gajnabi was bowled by Nation for 10, Guyana were 95-4. Nation got rid of Thompson (3) and Cherry Ann Fraser (5) and after Watts removed Giddings for a duck and Millington was run out without scoring, the home team had slumped from 78-1 to 1148 when their 20 overs expired. When Jamaica began their reply they were quickly on the back foot at 19-4 as Giddings bowled Morgan (1), Mclean (12) and Rashada Williams (0), while Nation (1) was bowled with one that turned from Millington.Henry joined her Captain who played a leg glance off Mandy Mangru for four before repeating the shot
from the other end against Grimmond for the same result. Taylor counter-attack and danced into Mangru and drove her sweetly past midoff for four before depositing Thompson for six and hammering Mangru for successive boundaries past extra cover. Henry, who hit three fours, offered good support to Taylor but with the partnership beginning to cause some concern for the Guyanese, who were sharp and energetic on the field, Henry was bowled at 65-5 by Thompson who also accounted for Tameka Sanford (7) at 87-7. And when the 27-year-old Taylor, who has been playing at this level since she was 12, was bowled by Grimmond at 89-7, it was all over bar the shouting as the last three wickets fell for two runs as Jamaica failed to reach 100. Guyana next play the Windward Islands on Tuesday from 19:00hrs under lights in their penultimate match of the tournament which concludes on Wednesday.
Monday April 01, 2019
61st Caribbean Table Tennis Championships
Dominican Republic overall champions; Guyana second
Senior women’s singles champion, Daniela Fonseca of Cuba. One week of exhilarating match ups concluded last night when the curtains fell on the 61st Caribbean Senior Table Tennis Championships, here in Guyana at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) on Homestretch Avenue. The Dominican Republic (DR) fielded a full team and they were leaps and bounds above their opponents as the Spanish speaking nation finished with a grand tally of 1530 points, while Guyana finished second overall with 750 points. During yesterday’s final matches of the one week tour-
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Kaieteur News
Senior men’s singles champion, Emil Santos of Dominican Republic.
nament, Guyana finished with two bronze medals after Trenace Lowe and Shemar Britton lost in the semifinal of their respective female and male senior divisions. Daniela Fonseca of Cuba went on to win the senior female title after getting past Esmerlyn Castro of DR who she also defeated on Saturday to clinch the under-21 title. Emil Santos won the all DR final against his teammate Hector Berrios in straight sets last night to emphatically capture the male senior singles title. In the points standing,
Barbados finished third overall with 640 points, just ahead of Cuba (600 points) that only entered into the mixed doubles and the men’s and women’s singles championships. During the closing ceremony last evening, head of the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA); Godfrey Munroe, expressed gratitude to everyone that contributed to the success of the event that ran hiccup free, including the Government of Guyana that granted permission of the use of CASH. (Calvin Chapman story and photo)
DCC and GCC to clash in the NBSF Generation Next U19 final Demerara Cricket Club and Georgetown Cricket Club will clash in the final of the Georgetown Cricket Association Noble House Sea Foods Generation Next U19 tournament following victories in their respective semi final games played last weekend. At Malteenoes SC, DCC defeated the home team by 216 runs yesterday. Batting first, DCC managed 331-9. Alphius Bookie and Sachin Singh added 141 for the third wicket after they lost both openers cheaply. Bookie stuck 72, while Singh made 71 as they frustrated their opponents with sensible batting. Ashmead Nedd made 51, while G. Green got 34; extras contributed 41 as Dwayne Bollers claimed 446 and Jeremiah Scott 2-49. In reply, Malteenoes SC were bowled out for 115 in 23 overs. Shaun Persaud made 27, Bollers 26 and Scott 20. Daniel Mootoo had 321, Qumar Torrington 2-24 and Dequain Bamfield 2-35. At Malteenoes SC on Saturday, the host overcame Transport Sports Club by six wickets. TSC took first strike and managed 168 all out in 37.2 overs. Alvin Mohabir stroked 46 while Jamal Michael got 28, Riyad Latif 23 and
Sachin Singh
Devon Allen 22. Darius Andrews claimed 3-23 and Aryan Persaud 2-27. GCC responded with 169-4 in 33 overs. Mavindra Dindyal struck an even half century, while Taddius Lovell made 25, Persaud 22, R. Singh 20 and Rivaldo Phillips 17. Mohabir had 3-39.
Broadening cricket voting pool a necessity, says new president Jamaica Observer - Giving more members of the Caribbean cricket fraternity the opportunity to vote at annual general meetings of Cricket West Indies is among the plans outlined by new Cricket West Indies president Ricardo “Ricky” Skerritt in a recent interview with the Jamaica Observer. Kittitian Skerritt, who defeated Jamaican Whycliffe Cameron at the annual general meeting in St Andrew last Sunday, polled eight votes to Cameron’s four. There were 12 votes available, two each to the six member territories of the Caribbean region — Trinidad & Tobago, Guyana, the Leeward Islands, the Windward Islands, Barbados, and Jamaica. Skerritt, and his running mate, new vice-president Dr Kishore Shallow, were supported in identical voting fashion by the Leeward Islands, Trinidad & Tobago, the Windward Islands, and Jamaica, while Barbados and Guyana felt that Cameron and his vice-presidential candidate Emmanuel Nantan were doing a good job after three terms in charge and should continue. While he does not yet have a formula going forward to have a broader representation of balloting, Skerritt is adamant that the current system is not the best and is skewed toward the incumbent. “These are highly technical but urgent matters. From what we have just been through, the campaign process, the lobbying process for votes and the actual implementation of the electoral process, it can’t stand, it needs to be revitalised, renewed and improve. “We have to bring global best practices to bear and we have to focus on what works
New Cricket West Indies President Ricky Skerritt. (Photo: Norman Thomas) in the interest of cricket. This is not a if or but about it. What Ricky Skerritt and Kishore Shallow just went through, and the hurdles we had to climb, the challenges we had to face in a cricket organisation is unacceptable. “We won against all odds, we won because of my own experience, politically, the message that we had, and the relationships that we had. We were uniquely placed. Otherwise, there was no hope. The process must not be so heavily stacked in favour of the incumbent and that situation has to be completely reviewed as quickly as possible,” Skerritt told the Sunday Observer. He wants a deeper look too, to be taken at the general electoral process.The number of voters is only one of the issues. Parallel to the cricket focus, there has to be some urgent review of the electoral process. There are recommendations that have been made, we are going to have to go through and see what makes sense under the circum-
stances,” the new Cricket West Indies president stated. Skerritt was also warm to the idea of having a summit on the future of West Indies cricket, which would involve a wide cross section of the cricket fraternity.The last broad-based summit on West Indies cricket was held in the 1990s under the leadership of Pat Rousseau. “One is overdue,” said Skerritt “because remember we have also campaigned on the grounds of transparency and accountability and I have said that the leadership of the organisation has to make themselves more easily accessible to folks like the media; the selection process for teams and so on needs to be explained … the selectors need to explain their decisions, even if people will have to agree to disagree, but this is such an important entity. “The prime ministers have referred to West Indies cricket as a public good. The political process that we have been just through has opened my eyes even more to that phenomenon. I now understand even better and I thought I was a fairly well exposed guy, but I now understand better what is a public good.“Between 3 o’clock Sunday afternoon and 8 o’clock Monday morning I received over 600 messages, e-mails and phone calls. I responded to over 500 by Monday morning. The people out in the Caribbean love cricket more than most other things in their lives. Cricket West Indies cannot for a second believe that cricket is just a business and that cricket is only owned by Cricket West Indies. “If it’s one change in attitude that I will champion over the next two years it’s that,” Skerritt said. (HG Helps)
Guyana’s Gold Cup dream to... From page 29 channel.“As well as being able to chronicle that incredible night of emotion and celebration, we were also able to spend some time travelling the country looking at some of the excellent grassroots and development work which is happening throughout the country,” Tomczak said. The film crew, featuring cameraman Ricardo Sanchez, spoke to GFF President Wayne Forde, Technical Director Ian Greenwood and Youth Development Officer Bryan Joseph about the Federation’s pioneering national football development programmes, and filmed
grassroots sessions in Georgetown and a regional youth academy clinic at the FIFA-funded National Training Centre in Providence. “Guyana’s remarkable progress as a footballing nation is attracting international attention and raising the profile of our talent and our nation,” said GFF President Forde. “We are excited to show the world the passion that all Guyanese have for the beautiful game. It was a pleasure to host the FIFA Football crew and to have the chance to showcase our nation, our talent, and our football development programmes alongside the incredible achievements of the
Golden Jaguars.” The crew also enjoyed a flying visit to the southern Rupununi region on the border with Brazil to experience and explore hinterland football culture, with trips to Kumu, St. Ignatius and Lethem.“We were made to feel extremely welcome throughout the duration of our stay and left the country with nothing but good memories,” said Tomczak. “Thank you Guyana! We look forward to showing you the final programme and hopefully providing a lasting chronicle of your achievements!” The Concacaf Gold Cup takes place between 15th June and 7th July.
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Monday April 01, 2019
Kaieteur News
GCA’s NBS 40-over 2nd division semi-final
Amir Khan’s all-round brilliance takes Everest to final Lyght’s destructive 72 fails to save Police from 56-run loss
Manjrekar Bhola cuts during his 56 for Everest on Saturday at DCC. By Sean Devers A destructive 23-ball 72 from Andrew Lyght Jnr failed to save Police from a 56-run defeat by Everest in the first ever Day/Night GCA’s New Building Society (NBS) second division 40-over cricket semi-final at DCC on Saturday as Guyana player Amir Khan shone brightly under a clear night sky. The 26-year-old USA based Khan hit four fours and five sixes in his 41-ball 65 as Everest were bowled out for 238 in 39.3 overs before Khan, who played the first of his three First-Class games against T&T in 2011 as a teenager, returned to mesmerise the batsmen in six overs of high class leg spin to take 2-7 as Police were dismissed for 182 in 34.1 overs. The Left-handed Mandrekar Bhola hit 10 fours and a six in 56, while former Guyana under-19 off-spinner Richie Looknauth reached the boundary four times and cleared it twice before he was
run out for 45 but only opener Ronaldo Renee (11) of the others reached double figures. Off-spinner Kelvin Leitch had 3-40 and 28-year-old Raun Johnson, who played two First-Class matches for Guyana and took 3-38 against Barbados on debut in 2014, had 2-39. Lyght, the son of the late Guyana and West Indies ‘B’ team opener Andrew Lyght, reached his fifty from just 13 balls with seven sixes and four fours but once he departed Police slipped to 152-9. Kemol Savory (27) and Johnson, who hit two fours and a six in 20 and featured in a 46 last wicket stand with skipper Keston Harcourt, passed 10. Left-arm spinner Dwayne Adams had 3-13 from six overs, while Pacer Raylex Payne took 2-49 from 4.1 overs. In a great atmosphere created by a large crowd, the Camp road side elected to bat first in glorious sunshine and lost their first wicket at 19-1
Hilton ‘Champ’ Lewis is 100... From page 29 Lewis is a well known, respected and beloved educator despite being a stern disciplinarian at times and he presided at quite a number of schools including Christ Church, Sacred Heart, Vergenoegen, Mocha Arcadia, Beterverwagting and the then Campbellville Government School. Former students and his family shared fond memories of him during the ceremony and when called upon to make remarks, ‘Champ’ recounted memories from since Primary school with much clarity. He noted that despite financial challenges growing up and limited opportunities, he found a way to survive and attain a decent education, learning five different languages in the process. During his address, he ad-libbed some Italian and Latin. (Calvin Chapman)
Travis Mohamed is bowled by Kelvin Leitch who took 3-40 in a losing cause for Police on Saturday at DCC. when Adams, after cutting and pulling Harcourt for boundaries, drove too early at Johnson and skied to midoff after making nine. Bhola and Renee carried the score to 45 before Renee was LBW playing around a ball from Harcourt. Khan, a former West Indies youth player, joined Bhola and together played several enterprising shots with Bhola upper cutting the lively Johnson for four with both feet off the ground and Khan clobbering Jason Heliger for three sixes and a four in his sixth over which cost 22. But when both batsmen seemed set for hundreds Leitch removed them both to leave Everest on 165-4 before Looknauth, who pulled Leith for four, and Travis Mohamed (7) took the score to 194 when Mohamed was bowled by Leith. With the score on 206, Looknauth was run out in a terrible mix-up with Dinesh Mangal as they both ended side by side at mid-pitch. Mangal (8) was soon run out by a direct hit by Heliger from long-off, while Gavin Sookdeo (5) also failed to beat a bullet like return from Johnson on the square-leg boundary as Everest lost their way after the demise of Looknauth. Police began their chase in twilight and were off to a rollicking start with in-form Lyght, fresh of the T20 century two days ago, beginning with all guns blazing; smashing Payne for 15 in the first
Andrew Lyght slammed a 23-ball 72 in a losing effort for Police against Everest.
National leg-spinner Amir Khan cuts during his 65 before taking 2-7 from six overs for Everest on Saturday in NBS Day night semis. over. But with the score on 29, Kevin Boodie, who scored a hundred in a 265-run opening stand with Lyght at Eve Leary last Thursday, suffered a side strain and retired hurt on four. Savory Joined Lyght and favoured the sweep, using the shot to score boundaries off left-arm spinner Javid Rasheed and Looknauth who bowled much too fast and flat at a time when Everest needed to remove the pugnacious Lyght.As the partnership flourished, Savory, with elegant extra-cover drives, was the surgeon, while Lyght, who hit Payne for three murderous sixes in an over which cost 19, was the butcher. But after Adams, who
bowled slower than the other two spinners used, tempted the dangerous Lyght to hit a catch to long-off where Renee took the first of his four catches, and in the 10thover Lyght was gone at 111-1. Adams struck again seven runs later when he trapped Savory LBW and when Reginald Rodrigues (3) missed a sweep and was bowled and Adams had Paul Tyndell (6) taken by Renee, two wickets had tumbled at 121 and from a position of dominance, Police were on the back foot.Boodie returned at Tyndell’s demise, but he struggled to run and in obvious pain, he was soon dismissed for 10 at 131-5 and run rate dipped as Khan was in-
troduced in the 18thand got bounce and turn from the surface.When Kevin Christian dumped Rasheed for six to reduce the target to 100 it was the first boundary in 10 overs.But Christian (11) was stupendously taken by Renee, sprinting in about 20 yards and diving full length forward to hold a stunner and leave Police on 141-6. Three wickets tumbled for five runs before Johnson entertained the crowd with some bold hitting in his 46-run last wicket stand before the expensive Payne ended the contest in 34.1 overs. Everest will play the winner of last night’s second semi-final between GCC and MYO in the final.
Monday April 01, 2019
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Kaieteur News
Guyana’s Gold Cup dream to feature in global “FIFA football” TV show
FIFA football interviews a GFF Kool Kidz grassroots coach in the Rupununi.
T
he Golden Jaguars’ historic qualifi cation for this year’s Concacaf Gold Cup will take centre stage in a special Guyana edition of the weekly “FIFA Football” TV show to be broadcast to millions globally in April. Guyana’s senior men’s national team qualified for its first ever appearance at the Gold Cup with a thrilling 2-1 home win over Belize on Saturday, 23rd March. The achievement has captured the imagination of audiences and football fans around the world, with Head Coach Michael Johnson attracting the attention of the BBC and Sky Sports. A FIFA Football production crew was granted full, behind-the-scenes access to the squad’s preparations in Guyana, including exclusive interviews with Head Coach Johnson and players including match winner Emery
Welshman, goal scorer Neil Danns, fan favourite Stephen Duke McKenna, Reading FC star Callum Harriott and Guyanese football legend Gregory “Jackie Chan” Richardson. “When we realised that Guyana stood on the brink of qualification for the Gold Cup, we thought it would be a fascinating story to cover for our show,” said FIFA Football Producer AndrewTomczak. “We were delighted to be able to shadow the squad as they prepared for the biggest game in the country’s history and gained a fascinating insight into the people who were involved in making this dream real.” The Guyana special edition, produced by Pitch International for global governing body FIFA, is scheduled for transmission on April 15th via broadcasters around the world and will then be available on FIFA’s YouTube (Continued on page 27)
FIFA football producer Andrew Tomczak interviews GFF president Wayne Forde at a GFF Kool Kidz grassroots session in Georgetown.
FIFA football cameraman Ricardo Sanchez films girls playing football in the Rupununi.
Federer downs injured Isner Hilton ‘Champ’ Lewis is 100 not out for 101st career title
An animated Hilton Lewis as he recounts some of his childhood memories. Beloved educator, former national and world masters champion, Hilton ‘Champ’ Lewis, celebrated his 100th birth anniversary yesterday during a gathering of family, friends and former students of his, at the Church of the Transfiguration on Mandela Av-
Hilton ‘Champ’ Lewis (right) seated next to a former pupil of his, Kamrul Bacchus.
enue. ‘Champ’, who is fit as a fiddle and very lucid, donned an all white cricket uniform along with an iconic maroon West Indies Cap and a bat to symbolise that his innings is not quite complete. The Ministry of Education
(MOE) presented Lewis, who won a Gold medal at the world masters’ championship at the age of 80-years in the high jump event, with a plaque of appreciation for his service as a devout educator. Born in British Guiana, (Continued on page 28)
(Reuters) - Roger Federer defeated a hobbling John Isner 6-1 6-4 for his 101th career title at the Miami Open yesterday. Holder Isner struggled to continue late in the second set, hampered by pain in his left foot. Federer, who won his fourth Miami title, broke Isner three times in a blazing opening set. “It was a dream start, relaxing my nerves,” the Swiss said in a courtside interview. But the American fought back in the second, leveling the set 3-3 and 4-4 before the pain made it difficult to continue. Federer took the final two games for the victory. “What a week it’s been for me,” said the Swiss. “I’m just so happy right now. It’s unbelievable. I played here in 1999 for the first time and here I am in 2019. It means a lot to me.” Only American Jimmy Connors, with 109, has more career singles titles.
Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates with the trophy after defeating John Isner of the United States (not pictured) during the men’s finals at the Miami Open at Miami Open Tennis Complex. (Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports) Even before the injury slowed Isner, Federer was the master, tempering Isner’s big serves and winning 32 of 35 points on his own serve. Federer elected to receive to open the match and the strategy paid off as he broke
Isner.The American held on the third game but Federer took the next four. Isner played much better in the second set, but in the end the pain became to much for him to mount an effective defence.
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Monday April 01, 2019
Kaieteur News
5th Annual Kares Engineering Fitness Challenge
Dillon ‘The Beast’ Mahadeo unstoppable for 4th year; 17 year-old Surinamese Ava Zalman is new queen
Male winner Dillon ‘The Beast’ Mahadeo is flanked by Kelvin Baul (right) and Omisi Williams. By Franklin Wilson Dillon ‘The Beast Mahadeo of Crossfit 592 was in beat like mode from start to finish yesterday as he once again proved that he is in a class of his own when he successfully defended the ‘Fittest Man’ title at the National Park, Thomas Lands, Georgetown. The occasion was the 5th Annual Kares Engineering Fitness Challenge organised by Guyana Fitness Games which was witnessed by a fair sized crowd in blazing sunshine. Defending Female champion, Delice Adonis, also of Crossfit 592 was not fortunate as her teammate and had to settle for the 3rd place; a budding fitness queen, Suriname’s Ava Zalman took the top prize in a fierce competition that concluded under the night skies, last evening. For the first time in a fitness competition here and compliments of title sponsor Kares Engineering all the athletes that competed on the day were rewarded, financially apart for the top three males and females who were rewarded handsomely and evenly so; $300,000, $200,000 and $150,000, respectively. Mahadeo’s dominance in this format of the sport was never under threat as he skillfully paced himself during the various events that were served up. While many of his
competitors struggled, Mahadeo maneuvered his way into the top five before unleashing his class in a manner which cemented his dominance as the best in the business. Coming in second was Kelvin Baul of Fusion Fitness, the first time he has made the top five and a satisfying display from him. Baul fought back after in the final event to take the second place from another first time in the finals, Omisi Williams who represented Perry Fitness Gym from Linden. Mark Tawjoeram of Crossfit Paramaribo (Suriname) ended fourth with another Linden athlete, Kellon Reid of Sharpe Fitness Gym, placing fifth. Apart from hampers that were also presented to the top three athletes compliments of BPI Guyana Inc., Massy and Ansa McAl; Cellular Plus presented special prizes to the top male and female Guyanese athletes, Mahadeo and Semonica Duke who represented Genesis Fitness. All the athletes were also presented with umbrellas and water bottles compliments of Kares engineering. The battle of the ladies served up more exciting duels with the five Guyanese ladies being pushed to the hilt by their three rivals from Suriname. The blistering heat did not help the cause of any of the athletes, as their mental sturdiness and resilience were
on the line and they each responded like warriors despite the fact that only one winner was assured. The top five females, Zalman, Duke, Adonis, Tonnica Archer (Genesis Fitness) and Kimberly Pinas (Rock Crossfit Paramaribo) all worked hard to reach that juncture of the competition but it was the never say die attitude of Zalman that took her over the line in a close contest. The fans played their role in providing the extra spike to get the athletes going especially when their gas tanks were low on fuel. The other female athletes that participated were Jamila Gasper (Genesis Fitness), Latoya Roberts (Genesis Fitness) and Zurina Williams (Crossfit Paramaribo). A total of 19 RX males competed and part from the top five, mentioned earlier in this piece, the others were: Kishan Baul (Fusion Fitness), Silas Brummell, Randolph Leitch (Crossfit 592), Cidell Patrick (Fitness Elites), Rupert Rugner (Fusion Fitness), King Solomon (Crossfit 592), Anis Ade-Thomas (Rock Crossfit Paramaribo), Raveendath Bajnath (Rock Crossfit Paramaribo), Jaden Mannes (Rock Crossfit Paramaribo), Timothy Mc Andrew (Crossfit 592), Carlos Mendonca (TopEnd/Crossfit 592), Paul Meusa (Fitness Elites), Thurston Pearce (Fitness Elites). (Continued on page 25)
Fitness Queen, Suriname’s Ava Zalman shares the podium with 2nd placed Semonica Duke (right) and 3rd placed, Delice Adonis.
Unified associations plugged -as boxing team in limbo
Keevin Allicock lands a crunching left to face of T&T’s Anthony Joseph. (File photo) As Guyana’s boxing team’s participation at the Pan Am Qualifiers in Nicaragua remain uncertain President of the Guyana Boxing Association, Steve Ninvalle, is calling for the formation of united associations of Guyana in the absence of a sports policy. The Guyana team is scheduled to depart this evening for Nicaragua but up to yesterday remained without sufficient funds to
support the trip. An emotional Ninvalle claimed that the issues faced by boxing are not unique to the GBA. “We have the same problems, we face them year in and year out and it has been proven that individually we were unable to create an atmosphere that favours us. It is my belief that with a collective voice the situation will improve,” Ninvalle said. Ninvalle, who was recently elected Vice
President of the 43-nation Americas Boxing Confederation (AMBC), informed that he has already discussed the idea with five other associations’ presidents who all applauded and embraced the idea of the formation.“This was free and frank discussions about what is given to us, when it is given and by whom. None of the five are happy with the status quo and are of the view that (Continued on page 25)
Kaieteur News
Monday April 01, 2019
PAGE 31
Heartbreak for Leclerc as Hamilton wins in Bahrain MANAMA (Reuters) Five times world champion Lewis Hamilton took a lucky Bahrain Grand Prix win for Mercedes yesterday after engine trouble in the dying stages denied Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc a first Formula One victory. The luckless Leclerc had looked like becoming Ferrari’s youngest ever race winner, at 21, after starting on pole position and leading comfortably. Instead, the Monegasque ended up third. Hamilton and team mate Valtteri Bottas, lapping far faster than the stricken Ferrari, reeled him in and breezed past to secure the team’s second one-two finish in as many races and against the odds. “That was extremely unfortunate for Charles,” said Hamilton after starting in third place and behind the Ferraris. “He drove such a great race. We’ve got work to do to keep these guys off our tails,” added the Briton, who embraced Leclerc after they stepped out of their cars and offered commiserations. The race finished with the field following the safety car, deployed as marshals removed Daniel Ricciardo’s stranded Renault. “I was not expecting that result,” added Hamilton, who had complained earlier of feeling like a sitting duck with his fading tyres. Hamilton’s win was the 74th of his career but first this season. He is now 17 wins short of Michael Schumacher’s all-time record of 91. The Briton stayed
second in the championship but is now just one point shy of overall leader Bottas, who won and scored the extra point for fastest lap in the season-opener in Australia two weeks ago. Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said it was always a balance between performance and reliability. “Charles was very unfortunate today,” he agreed. “He was the quickest guy and should have won the race but then things swing in the other direction.” Third place was still a first Formula One podium for Leclerc, and he also took an extra point for setting the fastest lap of the race, but that was scant consolation considering how much more he could have had. “It’s a very hard one to take,” said the youngster, in only his second race for Ferrari. “It’s a shame to only finish third, but it’s part of racing and we’ll come back stronger.” VETTEL SPINS L e c l e r c ’s p r o b l e m s capped an already difficult day for Ferrari, with team mate Sebastian Vettel having a nightmare of his own. The German, who led initially but finished fifth, spun while defending second place from Hamilton and then lost his front wing in a spectacular shower of sparks. “I really struggled at the beginning of the race,” said a downcast Vettel. “Overall, there was not the pace I wanted to have today. Then obviously on top I had the mistake with the spin, so not a good evening”.
Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton celebrates on the podium after winning the Bahrain Grand Prix race. (REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani)
David Beckham waves the chequered flag as Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton wins the Bahrain Grand Prix race. (Andrej Isakovic/Pool via REUTERS)
“I lost the car very suddenly and once I spun it was too late. (It was) unfortunate that we had so much damage with the tyres that it caused the front wing to fail.” Dutch 21-year-old Max Verstappen finished fourth for Red Bull ahead of Vettel. British rookie Lando
Norris put in a fine drive for McLaren to finish sixth, and score his first points in Formula One, ahead of Alfa Romeo’s Kimi Raikkonen. “Just the whole race today was a lot more fun than Australia,” said Norris. “I could do a bit of overtaking... I could enjoy
the experience of Formula One much more here. We just had better pace than we thought we were going to have.” Frenchman Pierre Gasly brought his Red Bull home in eighth ahead of Toro R o s s o ’s T h a i d r i v e r Alexander Albon and Mexican Sergio Perez, who
rounded out the top 10 for Racing Point. Canadian Lance Stroll made contact with the Haas of Romain Grosjean at the start, pitting for a new front wing, while McLaren’s Carlos Sainz and Verstappen c a m e t o g e t h e r e a r l y. Grosjean and Sainz both retired.
rt o p S
Dominican Republic overall champions; Guyana second 61st Caribbean Table P. Tennis Championships 27
Team Guyana finished second overall in the points standing.
5th Annual Kares Engineering P.30 Fitness Challenge
Dillon ‘The Beast’ Mahadeo unstoppable for 4th year; 17 year-old Surinamese Ava Zalman is new queen
Well Done! All the athletes and Kares Engineering kids who presented cash prizes along with some officials, take time out for a group photo following last evening’s presentation.
Blaze Regional women’s T20 cricket
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Giddings fires Guyana to 20-run win against Jamaica Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.