Kaieteur News
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Wednesday April 03, 2019
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
Pointing to ‘big shots’
T
he talking has eased to an unsettled murmur. That is, until a principal of a school sat down to share some views with Kaieteur News. His woes and wounds came from big shots. Literally three of them. But that telltale two-word term “big shots” also have another meaning in Guyana. It is an ominous one with vast implications beyond the already serious injuries of this unprecedented felony meted out to a school head. Big shots mean big fishes and big people or in his quoted words, “it could perhaps end up pointing to people of real prominence in society, [which] of course, if true, make it much more difficult to get justice.” Colloquially, big fish alternately termed big boss and ‘big maan’ in this society translates into big money, big position, big heights, big places, big power, and big influence. It could be commerce, politics, civil society, or law enforcement. When that net is cast, only the mass of impoverished of the great unwashed working class is exempted. They have neither power nor reach nor receptive ear. No staying power either: it is grin and bear for these many lowly, unfortunate ones. Take a number, say a prayer, call again. Whither justice? Whither peace of mind? Of environment? As felonious matters such as Dr. O’Toole’s stir the media, the age-old question of whether this is a country of men or laws, is no longer a question. The resignation and incontestable tilt are towards men; men who move matters to their favour through phone calls, through cash, through connectivity, through coverup of criminality. Perpetrators of a certain caliber do not even have to evade or falsify or go to any trouble because they are rarely hauled before the scathing public eye or anywhere else. They fix. They solve behind the scenes and from high elevations. And when the rational throws in and analyses the nexus of the underground economy, the political powers, the commercial princes, and their law enforcement and legal cabals, then it is nothing doing. An impenetrable wall of silence; a suspended tide of no movement; a protection racket that stretches from the elites to the illiterates to the reprobates, colluders all, descends. They wear suits, do not ride bicycles or travel in minibuses, attend houses of worship, grace the cocktail circuit, and patronize the better eating houses. In short, they are loaded. Those that are loaded attract a surrounding cast. The ripples flow endlessly out into wider, larger Guyanese society. Law and order? That is for the peasants; the emptypocketed drunk driver, the uneducated domestic abuser, the bottom of the barrel denizens of the bloated criminal class. This is a system long used to, and long experienced in the art of the coverup and off-the-books resolution: from elections to voters’ lists to murder to one felony after the other. Just retrace steps to the fingers pointed and the fingerprints erased in a lady about town named Monica Reece. Other victims of serious felonies crying to the heavens for the relief of justice can understand and empathize with the circumstances of Dr. O’Toole. It is the stalls of the stonewalling and the enterprising. When the devout number the crooked within their bosom, when law enforcement captains vie for customers to add to a stable of retainers, when political luminaries enjoy the fruits from extending welcome and sanctuary to the circle of the contaminated that devastates this society, then this country is in grave trouble. For it looks powerlessly at mountains tumbling down on its head and nowhere to run, no one to appeal to, and nothing to protect. Not law. Not judiciary. Not police. Not state. Doubters should check with those waiting for justice.
Editor’s Note; If your sent letter was not published and you felt its contents were valid and devoid of libel or personal attacks, please contact us by phone or email.
Great First Step, Mr. President! DEAR EDITOR, Great First Step, Mr. President! I want to acknowledge your courage and to encourage you to take some further steps that could set in train a great revolution in the political-socialeconomic climate of and prospects for Guyana. I speak of the Coalition Government’s acceptance of the resignation of all Coalition Members of Parliament who are holders of dual citizenship. This is a step incurring great loss for our Coalition Government, for no longer being MPs, they could no longer be Ministers. Conceivably, former Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon, could end up following in the footsteps of former Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon, and becoming your HPS, doing essentially the same powerful job (excepting the signature of a Minister). Of course, I will take the commercial break here, and say that our Leader of the Opposition of our PPP/C has led the way. I must note also, and in noting commend Former Prime Minister Hamilton Green, arguably the only remaining founding member of the PNC, for leading or clearing the way with his letter published in yesterday’s newspapers:
“There can be no sand dancing by MPs on the issue of Dual Citizenship” in Stabroek News and “On the Front-Line” in Kaieteur News. One could only imagine that Former Prime Minister Hamilton Green had been espousing this for some days, if not weeks. When our Coalition Government had advanced the challenge of the dual citizenship of Charandass as ineligibility for him to have been in Parliament, and to vote, I wondered what could have been their frame of mind, knowing that many o t h e r s o f t h e i r leaders/Ministers also have dual citizenship. I worried that it could only be a manifestation of an unquestioned intent to apply our laws selectively – a main plank of fear and control of our ‘64 – ‘92 era. Let us proclaim forever an end to the exploitatively selective application of our Laws in Guyana. Having taken one step Mr. President, breaking our current logjam, I want to encourage you to take some other similar steps which could truly turn a new page for Guyana. The first would be that, whatever the legal merits, call a halt to the challenge that 34 is the majority required for the NCM to have been carried.
In an argument for us to be sensible, in yesterday’s newspapers your former PNCR Member of Parliament, Mr. Tony Vieira, states that if 33 members could claim and form a government, then 33 members should be able to end a Government. The other issue I bring to you Mr. President, comes out of the recent Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) report on their investigations of complaints about the non-preference of Mr. Vishnu Persaud for the post of the Deputy CEO at GECOM, the behaviour of your GECOM Chairman, Former Justice Patterson, and others. Mr. President, from my reading of parts of the ERC report and the Editorials of last Tuesday (2019-03-26) in Kaieteur News and yesterday (2019-04-01) in Stabroek News, it is clear (I think) that Justice James Patterson, perhaps acting on what he might have thought might have been expected of him, from the ‘70s and ‘80s, has shown himself to be a person not fit and proper to continue in Office in these days; and for the restorative placement of Mr. Vishnu Persaud as Deputy CEO of GECOM. Mr. President, there can be little thought that either of, much less both
of, the Kaieteur News and the Stabroek News, have turned Pro-PPP/C. We would want our newspapers to be anti-nobody and pronobody. Mr. President, I can say that when Mr. Vishnu Persaud was passed over for the post of Deputy CEO, our PPP/C Commissioners were stunned – and I too, over time, had been turning to the view that, certainly without written agreement, and most likely without spoken agreement, that particularly at the top of GECOM, there was developing a practice of a distribution of offices that at least in appearance would give some comfort to each main party and its supporters. I know that at the time of the appointment of Mr. Keith Lowenfield as CEO, a number of our PPP persons offered no-objection and some were even supportive. From my limited reading of the ERC report, I could only continue to consider no case was made to show him other than even handed in our overcharged Guyana situation. Mr. President I too was filled with consternation and regret when Mr. Vishnu Persaud was passed over. Let me say with apologizes to whomsoever was not so (Continued on page 6)
If the PPP and Coalition Administrations have been responsible for our arrested development, why should we vote for them? DEAR EDITOR, Poverty is widely defined as the state of being extremely poor, not having the socially acceptable amount of money or material goods implicitly, the inability to meet the basic needs of one’s self. The internationally recognized definition of poverty includes severe inadequate access to food & water, housing, clothing, education and health services. To this list I add inadequate incomes. While many Guyanese escape the absolute definition of poverty, they nevertheless live a life of insufficiency characterized by an inability to meet the needs of themselves and families, a direct consequence of inadequate incomes. But poverty and insufficiency are not accidents. Poverty itself is a prevalent phenomenon which has to be addressed by all countries through the
effective management of their economies. The developed nations have successfully confronted poverty during their histories, reducing it to minor levels in their respective economies today. Monarchial governments were replaced mainly by democratic systems where political parties emerged over time to offer citizens policies and better economic management systems which focused primarily on delivering increased welfare by promoting increased national output through investment, the creation of jobs, and the delivery of welfare and social services to meet the needs of their societies. The commitment to increased economic activity ultimately led to strong, independent private sectors, capable of providing jobs with incomes that today could often comfortably sustain workers and their
families. Guyana’s experience has been one in which the political parties which emerged to manage our affairs after independence were more concerned with retaining power than seriously addressing the problems of insufficiency which beset our nation. A quick review of the last thirty years of our economic history would reveal that even today, these parties embrace policies and ideas which, instead of promoting welfare growth and increasing national wealth, actually destroy welfare and exacerbate poverty levels across the country. The PPP for example, consistently sought to undermine workers’ unions and stifle income growth necessary to lift workers across both our public and private sectors out of our depressed economic conditions, while they made themselves wealthy beyond
their incomes in many instances. Their penchant for c o r r u p t i o n a n d mismanagement has been such that thousands of sugar workers are now without jobs, with their communities are sliding backwards due to higher unemployment and depressed income levels. The PPP’s policies in the sugar industry have inevitably contributed to losses in export revenues accruing on account of the closure of sugar estates. The entire sugar industry seems about to fold, potentially adding to the destruction of thousands more jobs, incomes, with additional losses of millions of dollars in export revenues. The rice sector also received a throttling during their term in government, as the recent cases of corruption at the national rice management and marketing institutions have alleged that (Continued on page 6)
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday April 03, 2019
Meaningful parental involvement is An absolute manifestation of mutually reinforcing laziness and plagiarism necessary for a child’s upbringing DEAR EDITOR, Recently, video recordings have gone viral on social media of school children involved in unfortunate situations, some being violent and disrespectful. It must be noted that such events are not widespread across the education system. However, efforts must still be made to curb such behaviour. The Ministry of Education (MoE) will continue to collaborate with parents and other stakeholders to address these issues. Currently the Education Ministry is strengthening its school support unit with the aim of addressing social and other challenges which have no place in the school system. The Education Ministry is cognisant that more needs to be done by all parties in the education process if tangible outcomes are to be derived. This not the time to point fingers, but it is an opportunity for greater collaboration between the schools and parents. It is on this note that the MoE is urging parents to engage their children frequently when they are at home. The word ‘engage’ was chosen deliberately because it encompasses a number of areas. The MoE is asking parents to check frequently on how their children are doing in school. We must talk to our children, as parents they will tell you things in that informal setting that you would not have known ordinarily. Parents, foster relationships with your child’s teacher(s), so that you can be swiftly updated on anything noteworthy that is happening at school, or if you need to visit the institution. Ask for the school’s tele-
phone number and call randomly to be updated. When children are aware that you are monitoring them they are less likely to become problematic. Most importantly, the evidence has shown overwhelmingly that with the involvement of parents in the education process, the child’s academic performance improves significantly. Parents, you are at liberty to go to their schools and hear from their teachers as it relates to their academic performance and their general behaviour at school. No one can disallow you from visiting the school to check on your children’s welfare. Parents, know who your children’s friends are so that you are aware of the company they keep. You need to keep track of the places they normally will go when they are socializing. This is by no means a form of infringement, but rather, necessary steps
that are integral in raising children of good quality. Parents and guardians, the Ministry of Education cannot do it alone, your support is vital. Additionally, it is important for parents to continue to impress upon children the importance of good manners, respect for themselves, their peers and any other person they interface with. The Ministry of Education is aware of the sacrifices parents continue to make daily in ensuring that their children are in school. The Education Ministry will continue to work with parents, communities and other stakeholders to ensure that our children become productive citizens, contributing to the development of self and country. Yours Respectfully Public Relations Department Ministry of Education
A job both professionally done and with human caring DEAR EDITOR, It is not often that praise for a job both professionally done, and with human caring, is given where it is due; particularly to a Magistrate and Police Officers. Recently, I had occasion to be of assistance in a case concerning a mother and her son. Suffice to say that a threat of violence was meted out to the mother. While I was not present in the Lethem Magistrate’s Court, the mother of whom I speak has relayed to me how very thoughtful and professional Magistrate Allan Wilson acted. Kudos are in order, I think. Similarly, when I was asked to solicit the help of the Lethem Police, by the mother, I could not have asked for a more professional response and immediacy. Kudos again are in order. Yours truly, Eddie DaSilva
DEAR EDITOR, Having read the Guyana Chronicle editorial of Sunday March 31, and Mark Da Costa’s letter in the same edition, I could not help but to conclude that the editorial and the letter taken together is an absolute manifestation of mutually reinforcing laziness and plagiarism. Carrying the headline: ‘End the disruption,’ the first paragraph of the Chronicle editorial reads: ‘Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, has decided to continue his campaign of attempting to disrupt the political and social systems, his latest act being the planned boycott of the National Assembly.’ The first paragraph of Mark Da Costa’s letter reads: ‘Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, has decided to continue his campaign of disruption to the lives of Guyanese and the destabilization of political and social systems. His latest irresponsible act to have the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) boycott the National Assembly is to be condemned in the strongest terms by all, particularly by those who support the PPP.’ The last paragraph of the Chronicle editorial states: ‘Mr. Jagdeo should correct his ways, abandon his attempts to disrupt the lives of citizens, stop his routine disregard of the law, and, instead, join the administration in its quest to put an end to division in Guyana, and work towards our country’s development.’ The final paragraph of Da Costas letter reads: ‘Mr Jagdeo should correct his ways, abandon his attempts to disrupt the lives of citizens, stop his routine disregard of the law and, instead,
join the administration in its quest to put an end to division in Guyana, and work towards our country’s development.’ Leaving aside, the mutuality in plagiarism and laziness, the Chronicle editorial assumes the posture of lecturing the Opposition Leader, pretending to be totally oblivious to the political shenanigans of the APNU+AFC alliance when it was in opposition. While the Chronicle editorial brands the PPP’s actions ‘disruption’ Da Costa brands it ‘destabilization.’ Whatever the nametag, both narratives are in keeping with the adage; ‘the best form of defence is to attack.’ In this instance, the duos narratives are clear examples of efforts to deflect the conversation away from introspection. Essentially, these attacks are against a party, conducting democratic forms of struggle, something the Chronicle and Da Costa seem opposed to. At the same time, the two do not seem to recognize that while defending the indefensible, they protect a fragile coalition from being aware of its own internal contradictions. As regards ‘putting an end to divisions in our country’ the Chronicle and Da Costa conveniently shy away from making any reference to the offensive and divisive remarks by Minister Lawerence concerning employment in government institutions. Editorials of newspapers
are expected to be kept at high journalistic standards. Further, they are expected to be above the fray and the humdrum of daily politics. A newspaper editorial, as well as guest/op editorials, would usually present objective, truthful and factual opinions on current international affairs as well as on issues of national importance. Editorials are a ‘must read’ for persons who are desirous of becoming knowledgeable of another view, other than that of the politicos whose views are sometimes so dominant in the pages of some newspapers that it is not unusual for a newspaper to be branded a supporter of one political party or another. The Chronicle + Da Costa combination must know that the disruptions they plead to end, cannot be wished away nor come to an end with the click of two fingers. It’s a dialectical struggle by disruptor and disruptee with the roles changing, depending on who’s in government and who’s in opposition. In the movie ‘The Big Short,’ Steve Eisman was played by Steve Carrell. In a recent interview, Eisman was asked: ‘’What are the biggest opportunities you see today?’’ In response, Eisman said “The disruptor versus the disruptee theme. [It] will last for a long time and there’s lots of ways to play that.” Yours faithfully Clement J. Rohee
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The National Assembly must not be used as a conduit for campaign financing DEAR EDITOR, In a previous letter, I outlined that there should be no sitting of the National Assembly, until a full and final determination of all matters relating to the No-Confidence Motion, currently before the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). Based upon the Case Management Conference (CMC) held on the 29th day of March 2019, we can expect a ruling shortly after the 10th day of May 2019. The Government’s announcement of an April 11th sitting of the National Assembly must be rejected by all fair-minded, right-thinking and objective Guyanese, which in essence should be all Guyanese. Accompanying that announcement was the declared intention to seek a supplementary budget for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and, as we now understand, there have been instructions to several agencies in various Ministries, to prepare requests for supplementary budgets, which will be tabled at Cabinet for approval. Without any difficulty,
the conclusion can be made that the above actions of this Granger-led APNU+AFC Government, is to use this period for an assault on the Treasury, to draw down on additional funds to support their current disguised, but openly seen political campaign. Accounting Officers and Heads of Budget Agencies must be aware, and I also use this medium to offer some advice to them, that should there be an upholding of the validity of the No-Confidence Motion by the CCJ, all actions of this Government of this nature post-21st December 2018, and more so, post-21st March 2019, would be illegal and voidable. Just to remind that the only reason why this Government remained in Office after the successful passage of the No-Confidence Motion was for the sole purpose of conducting an election, which was mandated by the Constitution within three (3) months. This was in accordance to Article 106, specifically, Article 106 (7) of the Constitution.
One must wonder how it is that after this Government’s inability to implement significant percentages of Budgets 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018, that three (3) months into 2019, there is a need for supplementary budgets. What is being done in 2019 that was not envisaged and planned for in Budget 2019, when it was debated and passed in December 2018? Editor, the answer is a simple one. The Coalition Government is using the Consolidated Fund and taxpayers’ monies for campaigning, electioneering and vote buying. No amount of curry favouring, mamaguying and hoodwinking will work. The people do not have confidence in this insensitive, aloof and uncaring Administration. The National Assembly must not be used as a conduit for campaign financing for the Government. There should be no Parliament, await the ruling of the CCJ first. Yours truly Bishop Juan A. Edghill M.P.
If the PPP and Coalition Administrations... From page 4 as much as G$372 million have been stolen/misappropriated from rice farmers and their communities through fraud. Other instances of corruption and mismanagement of notoriety are a matter of public record, and all have contributed to the prevalent and depressed income levels nationally. The coalition for itself, which promised so much to address workers’ depressed incomes and persistent unemployment, especially among youths, has taken a Uturn here, and actively sought to deemphasize the role of government in addressing unemployment and job creation (SN; May 08/16). Further, while giving their ministers a fifty percent salary increase within their first year, the coalition systematically delayed and undermined unions’ efforts to improve the lives of their members, in addition to significantly destroying real incomes
through increased kaleidoscopic taxation policies. After scuttling the eventual procedure to arbitration in the stand-off between the GTU and the Ministry of Education late last year, a measure which would have brought much-needed relief for teachers and would have set a precedent of sorts for other public service workers, the GTU has to again revisit negotiations for another multi-year agreement. Notably however, both the PPP and coalition administrations’ forfeit of billions of United States dollars in income taxes even after a ‘revised’ Exxon contract, stands as their most unforgivable act in administering the economic affairs of Guyanese. One finds it difficult to explain this oversight on both their parts, but this is money which could have easily been used to address our pressing
welfare problems in the first instance, from facilitation of a flow of funds upon which to create unemployment insurance, to increasing the benefits of pensioners, to revamping the University of Guyana’s operations, inclusive of an overhaul of wages and salaries, to providing stipends to unemployed adults and school drop-outs to assist them in improving their employment opportunities through education and training. Tax revenues from Exxon could have been further invested in strengthening our productive capacity across all economic sectors to take advantage of the massive opportunities available in the world market. This latter activity could have led to a potentially astronomical increase in export growth and created more than enough jobs to drive income growth n a t u r a l l y, v e r s u s o v e r t government intervention in the form of imposed wage floors. The question we pose to Guyana’s workers is: if both the PPP and coalition administrations have been complicit in maintaining them and Guyana in a state of arrested development and insufficiency, where is the sense in voting for them? Yours Faithfully, Craig Sylvester, Democratic National Congress
Wednesday April 03, 2019
I hope for improved roadways and courteous traffic officers when I return DEAR EDITOR, The efficiency of any workforce starts with the discipline of arriving at your work station at a timely manner. It is no secret that the East Coast public road is under construction in Guyana. It is also no secret that the roads cannot accommodate the amount of traffic during rush hours in the morning. However the frustration of commuters is now at a point where there are regular standoffs with drivers and traffic ranks - many of whom are either trying to get their children to school or get themselves to work. There are no demarcations or visible signs on most of the roadway to direct drivers. And bottlenecks are created by these smart officers only during the period of commute to work or when it’s time to get home at the end of a hard day - a stark contrast to the traffic ranks on the East Bank of Demerara, who prioritize the Guyana workforce and arrange the traffic to suit the needs of the commuters in that zone. They do not create bottlenecks. This problem is particularly along the stretch from Better Hope to Le
Ressouvenir. Instead of designating the roadway as it should be – left-handed driving - I see drivers are restricted in a certain zone and forced into long lines, even though the road can now accommodate traffic safety in both lanes on both sides....But...here’s where it gets funny ...during the normal hours of the day, the traffic is allowed to roam freely on either side of the roadway. This is ludicrous. The roads are opened in all other construction zones for the road except this one. The Police were observed creating laws in this zone and charging persons for traffic offences that are not warranted or justifiable. How can you charge someone for driving in a line in an area that’s not yet demarcated or under construction? One day you may be allowed to traverse a certain area then the next day or later that day commuters may be charged for driving in the same area a police rank has directed them to drive earlier... It’s nonsense. Access to our hotel was also blocked. Unnecessary bottlenecks are created in an area where a taxi service is al-
lowed to park cars that project onto the commuters’ path - the commuters then have to adjust to the road conditions and vehicles pulling out and reversing in that area. The left side of the carriageway is drivable - allow drivers to use it just as the other areas on the East Coast are being used and allow persons heading up the East Coast to traverse freely without obstruction and frustration. The Officers should be looking for persons speeding and stopping in the paths of other drivers and pedestrians...but that doesn’t create a “charge” as often, so actually helping people in that community in Guyana is not priority – a vast contrast to the East Bank Officers who are prepped in groups by their senior officer at 6:45 am and are kind to citizens. I hope the road is completed before my return in July, when my friend will once again drive me around on the improved roadways and courteous Officers to comfortably conduct business in beautiful Guyana. N. Richmond 70 Dante Court Toronto, Canada.
Great First Step, Mr. President! From page 4 bent, I saw the changed position of the Coalition Commissioners as the demand and intent of old guard PNC persons to fully capture GECOM and open the door to any number of past and new subterfuges. As I said earlier, my apologies to all whom I might have silently, internally, accused and, in that context, let me extend apologies in this regard to Former Prime Minister Hamilton Green. Mr. President, it will seal matters and really open the door to all sorts of good new beginnings of greater, growing harmony on new pages for the history of our country and people, if you were to now choose, one of the eighteen names submitted by our Leader of the Opposition (LOP) Bharrat Jagdeo, to be a new GECOM Chairman. Mr. President, allow me to say that I am all for shared governance, but am still uneasy about shared – cabinet Government. A Guyana for all has been long in the PPP and PPP/C bones, and I believe that the history of our country would justify that we, PPP and PPP/C, have paid our dues. As our LOP had been moved to declare in Parliament, there is not one less dollop of patriotism in us, PPP and PPP/C. We have significant differences in views and approaches to growing and developing our people and country, which should be tempered with the knowledge that we are all equally entitled. Without rejecting the idea of sharedcabinet Government (if a majority of us Guyanese were to so vote) I think that what we want to get to, is the position where, recalling recent columns of “Future Notes” of my former colleague Minister, Dr. Henry Jeffrey, there is sufficient mutual toleration and institutionalized forbearance, so that it matters little who rules (whatever his/her race). I have heard my PPP colleagues speak of Dr. Cheddi Jagan saying that there is always need for a good Opposition which could take
the reins of Government and life should continue to be livable for everyone. As our LOP said, we should expect robust presentation and competition of our different views – without any loss of honour between and amongst our political leaders, parties and supporters. As I have voiced, if only President Hoyte (and/or Mr. Hamilton Green) could have – after accepting that the poll would have had to be fair in 1992 – taken a next step and said (as Mr. Raphael Trotman seems at one time to have been urging) that yes, we PNC have had rigged elections but we have now turned the page – we are now a new reformed PNC that has put managed elections behind us. Perhaps the loss at 1992 for the PNC would have been greater, perhaps not – but the PNCR would have gone to the 1997 and subsequent Elections without the baggage of the ‘64 to ‘92 period. Our history from 1992 could have been very different and much more prosperous.There have been points for turning in our history: first steps made, but hearts have failed and additional steps to complete the turn have eluded us. May this not be another such occasion. It is true that leaders must lead, but cannot be too far ahead of their supporters. I believe our leaders could be bold at this time: the cycle might be turning. The relative calm of our people (social media excepted) since the NCM, may be read as an indication that our grassroots Guyanese are open to a call for a change, a turn to a new leaf. We may be haltingly overcoming our insecurity dilemmas. We Guyanese and Guyana are very much a people and a country in the making. The step by our President in our recent happenings is a great first step, and others which he is being encouraged herein to take, could well bring about a significant turn in our history to better. Samuel A.A. Hinds Former President and Former Prime Minister
Wednesday April 03, 2019
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Reported illnesses in Matthew’s Ridge contained - Min. Lawrence
A few of the Chinese workers being flown out.
- persons still being monitored - illnesses not related to outbreaks in Venezuela seven patients admitted on Saturday, results have shown that two patients tested positive for Leptospirosis which is known to be spread by direct contact with rat urine or faeces. Further tests are being conducted locally and samples will be sent overseas with support from PAHO and CARPHA to get further tests done to rule out other possible infections,” the release noted. Meanwhile, the minister said the ultimate goal is to return the community of Matthew’s Ridge to a state of
The tunnels that health workers believe caused the Chinese workers to be affected. Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, has given an update on the investigations in the recent spate of illnesses and one death reported in Matthew’s Ridge over the last weekend. The minister said that while two of the reported cases are still critical, there are improvements in the others. Despite the “positive
signs”, all cases are being monitored closely in the public health system headed by the Georgetown Public Hospital. “We are working with them; the doctors are very happy with the positive signs they are seeing, and we will continue to inform the people of Guyana with updates of these persons,” Minister
Lawrence explained. According to a release coming out of the Ministry of Public Health on Monday, all the patients with the acute respiratory illness, rash and fever were transferred to GPHC where critical care was provided, and monitoring continues. “While the specialists continue to work on the
normalcy by ensuring the health centre, and hospital in the area continues to have scheduled clinics. “The (Matthew’s Ridge) hospital is going to be sanitised and will be up and running; we are working also out of the community centre at present, as we assess the other employees because we are talking about over 200 persons in the mining camp. “So, we don’t want to have overcrowding. We want to assess those persons separately even as we provide the normal MCH outpatient
and so on clinics to the members of the community.” Minister Lawerence also noted that these illnesses are in no way connected to the current series of outbreaks in the neighbouring country of Venezuela.“We are just dealing with persons who went into a particular tunnel and that is what we have been able to zero in on and those are the persons that have been affected, no one else in any of the villages there have reported to any of our medical facilities at this point with any of those illnesses.” (DPI)
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Wednesday April 03, 2019
Dual citizenship court rulings…
Four ministers resign as MPs; no longer part of Cabinet -President Granger to determine their future positions Four senior ministers in the Coalition Government have resigned their Parliamentary seats. The four- Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vice President Carl Greenidge; Minister of State, Joseph Harmon; Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin and Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, who has responsibilities for public service—by virtue of the resignations can no longer sit as ministers in the Cabinet. The government statements would come hours after an exclusive story carried in Kaieteur News yesterday confirming that Gaskin had resigned his MP position, after declining to relinquish his
citizenship of the United Kingdom. He was born there. Gaskin is from the Alliance For Change, the smaller faction of the Governing Coalition. Greenidge and Roopnaraine also have dual citizenship with the UK while Harmon with the US. They are all among some of the more powerful ministers in the Coalition Government. The resignations would stem from court rulings that reinforced the Constitution of Guyana which bars persons with dual citizenship from sitting in Parliament. An initial High Court ruling earlier this year on the le-
Resigned: Ministers Joe Harmon; Carl Greenidge; Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine and Dominic Gaskin gality of a no-confidence vote against the Government that was carried in December had also ruled that persons without dual citizenship cannot sit in the National Assembly by virtue of the fact they would swear allegiance to another country also. Recently, the Court of Appeal upheld the illegality
of persons sitting there and holding dual citizenship. The Government is appealing the dual citizenship ruling in the CCJ. Leader of the AFC, Minister Raphael Trotman, in a taped message yesterday, explained yesterday that it was the intent of President David Granger and Cabinet after extensive discussions that they would respect the ruling of the courts- both the High Court and Court of Appeal. He said that the decisions were expected of Government. “…And so today’s announcement was really an announcement of a decision that had been taken some time before. I believe that the Guyanese people must rest assured that the Government will do what is right under the law and respect the powers of all the courts- from the Magistrates’ Court all the way to the CCJ.” According to Trotman, the current Minister of Natural Resources, the President (Continued on page 29)
What the Constitution of Guyana says on the issue of what it means for ministers who are no longer part of the National Assembly.
Guyana’s Oil & Gas sector secures US$20M loan from World Bank
G
uyana has secured a US$20 million loan to support capacity building for Petroleum Resources Governance and Management from the World Bank. The loan was approved on Friday March 29, 2019. This Project will enhance the transparency, governance, legal, regulatory and institutional frameworks for the oil and gas sector in Guyana. The government, in recognition of the risks associated with being a new oil and gas (O&G ) p r o d u c e r, worked to negotiate this loan with the World Bank to address governance and management risks from inadequate policy, legal and regulatory frameworks and institutional capacity needed to maximize the benefits from expected oil
revenues.It was also to minimize downside risks associated with oil revenues and growth of the sector. The components of this loan reflect the reality that the O&G sector will affect multiple layers of the economy; impact the livelihoods of present and future generations; the environment and local communities; and that if poorly managed, the development of O&G resources can be economically and socially costly for the country. Additionally, there are environmental and social risks – usually infrequent but with high impact - associated with O&G production that require effective and constant monitoring, as well as significant investment in environmental damage prevention and response capacity, among others. The GCRG is keen to in-
vest in strengthening its institutions and building capacity to manage O&G resources. Therefore, the Project envisages that Guyana’s legal and regulatory frameworks for the O&G sector will be reviewed and updated with a view to maximizing benefits to the country and affected communities; managing the technical, environmental, social, and financial risks linked to the sector; and building capacity to engage effectively with investors. Institutional capacity to oversee and manage the O&G sector in the various relevant government ministries, commissions and other departments will be created using consultants, initially, but with a view to ensuring local personnel are trained to replace these technical advisers over time.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday April 03, 2019
No horseplay with the Constitution
T
his lady by the mar ket was speaking loudly; she obviously had something to say and wanted others to hear. “This man Charrandass cause real confusion; first is the resignation of the Cabinet, then is elections in three months and now four Ministers gone. ”The confusion was not the making of Charrandass. It was the making of an obstinate and obdurate government, hell bent on not conceding that it had fallen and needed to call elections within three months as is the convention after the successful passage of the no confidence motion. All the fancy arithmetic
and legal arguments could have been avoided had the government continued to accept what it had accepted on the night when the no confidence motion was passed. Reality sunk home overnight. The government woke up the next morning and realized the gravity of what had happened to it. It began to see the writing on the wall. It believed, and probably still does, that it faces defeat in any election, this year or next year. It believes that the trouncing it suffered in local government elections in 2018 signals that it was unable to reverse the widespread disaffection of the public.
It has attempted to go out and reach the people but this plan is not working. The public knows it is being wooed because of elections. People have had enough of the failed promises and the inept performance of the government. The government has been below par; it has lacked the ideas which would have allowed it to come across looking and smelling different from the PPP. Desperate, however, to hold on to power the government decided that it had no choice but to argue for the invalidation of the no confidence motion on the ground that Charrandass Persaud was a dual citizen who had
DEM BOYS SEH
Harmon, Gaskin, Roopnaraine and Greenidge believe in a bird in de hand It had to happen. People does always seh one thing but when de big man talk let no dog bark. Last week Li’l Joe seh he not in Parliament illegal. On Sunday Soulja Bai tell him that as a lawyer he should read de constitution. That is when he decide to resign. De move ketch de opposition. None of dem couldn’t talk. Then de Chat-3 start fuh talk how dem should resign as Ministers. All people telling him that once de men resign as parliamentarians, dem also resign as Ministers, de Chat-3 couldn’t understand. He was listening to he own voice pun TV. Dem boys seh de four coulda be real Guyanese and give up de odda citizenship. But one man seh how people always live like labba—dem got two hole suh when dem run in one and de hunter think he got de labba de animal does bolt out de odda hole. Charranrass had a blowhole. When he vote fuh topple de government he use de Canadian citizenship to get out de country.
Dem boys seh de four know that if dem lose de elections dem can always jump pun a plane and leave. And if de new government want to jail any of dem all of dem can do Charranrass. De odda thing is that once dem lose de elections rest assured de new government wouldn’t give dem wuk. And dem can’t collect a salary from parliament; dem might get a small pension but nutten like de pension Jagdeo does get because dem can’t go back as parliamentarians like some of de people. Dem boys seh one thing is certain. Soulja Bai don’t intend to lose de elections. He seh he obeying de court. He don’t intend to be like Jagdeo who refuse to obey two court order. He hope de people gun seh how he decent. Hoyte was decent too. De reality is that dem four politicians— Harmon, Greenidge, Gaskin and Roopnaraine been to school and dem learn that a bird in de hand worth a dozen in de bush. Talk half and wait fuh more resignations.
sworn allegiance to a foreign state. It should have foreseen the consequences of that maneuver. It should have predicted that this would have come back to haunt it. It should have anticipated that it would have failed to convince the court with this argument, even more so since it had benefitted over the past three plus years from the same vote which is wanted to render illegal. As it stands now both the High Court and the Court of Appeal have pronounced on the issue of dual citizenship. They have both ruled that it is unconstitutional for the persons who hold dual citizenship to sit in the National Assembly. There is still another link in the appeal chain – the Caribbean Court of Justice. But it now seems clear that the government will no longer be seeking to invalidate the no confidence motion by arguing that Charrandass’s vote was unlawful. The government will no doubt try to have the ‘ majority’ verdict of the Court of Appeal upheld on the basis that 34 votes were needed instead of 33. The government, however, needs to have parliament resume because it has
financial Bills to lay before the House. The Guyana Elections Commission needs the money to conduct house to house registration which will give the government a lease on life until next April. But the courts have ruled that those of its members who have dual citizenship cannot return. And the AFC, surprisingly, seems to have taken a principled rather than an opportunistic position that one of its members who is a dual citizen would not be returning. So days after one APNU member claimed that he was not illegal in so far as the National Assembly is concerned, we have had a statement in which it was stated that the resignation of four members of parliament had been accepted. By implication those persons cannot sit as Ministers. Of course, the President can only accept the resignation of his Ministers. He cannot accept the resignation of these persons as members of parliament. That is a matter for the National Assembly. So for all intents and purposes, the four dual citizens are no longer Ministers – by operation of law they resigned.
However, it is now being hinted that there may be a role for these persons within the government. The government should cease this horseplay. If the Ministers have resigned, they should not have any immediate role within the government since this would convey the impression that they are still holding their portfolios through proxies. After the Chief Justice’s ruling, the government substituted a plenary of Ministers for Cabinet, an act which did not conceal its attitude towards the letter and spirit of the Constitution. If the government attempts to have those resigned Ministers perform roles in the very Ministries which they headed, it would amount to a violation of the spirit of the Constitution. And that attempt to play fast and loose with the Constitution is what, in the first place, got the government into the noose which it now finds itself in. Not Charrandass’s vote.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday April 03, 2019
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
A huge part of my life was shaped by Portuguese Guyanese Today marks the anniversary of the arrival of the Portuguese to British Guiana. If they didn’t come to Guyana, I wonder if my life would have taken the shape it is today. Just a passing note before I enter the main description. I don’t know if I would ever write my memoir. It just keeps eluding me and maybe I am refusing to see the Freudian reason. Maybe Kaieteur News will one day put in book form the thousands of columns I have written for it. Maybe my daughter, whose education is in the field of literature, may publish a manuscript on her
father’s activism. But for now, let the record state that there are persons that have contributed substantially to my preservation. One such person was former President, Hugh Desmond Hoyte. On a request by Professors Clive Thomas, Rudy James and Harold Lutchman to lift President Burnham’s ban on me working at UG, he did so and I became a practising academic at UG for 26 consecutive years. Yesu Persaud has always been there for me. Yesu Persaud is one of my heroes. I thank Anil Nandlall for
helping me to settle in the placid environment I know live in. Nigel Hughes has been over-generous in providing a cushion from the relentless oppression I faced from the reign of Jagdeo and Ramotar. Khemraj Ramjattan has contributed greatly in providing legal help in my battles against dictatorship. I write with angst and emotions that I have parted company with Clive Thomas and Khemraj Ramjattan. I think both men have contributed to a lessening of the freedoms my country should enjoy and as a nationalist who love my land,
I have to speak out. I hope I haven’t left out anyone. Readers would know I dearly cherish my wife whose contributions to my mental and physical preservation are immeasurable. That was a long passing note before I get to the Portuguese people in my life. My story in Guyana is a colossal irony. I am not religious at all. I find much in the philosophy of Nietzsche, Marx, Heidegger and Sartre that guides me in understanding human existence. But three deeply religious Portuguese Guyanese have shaped my feelings towards my fellow humans. They are Fred Philips, a devout Jehovah’s Witness; Jesuit priest Andrew Morrison; and Catholic nun, Mary Noel Menezes. On this day of the arrival of Portuguese immigrants, this columnist would like to acknowledge the immense role three Portuguese Guyanese have made to his life. Fred Philips (deceased) lived on Church Street where Bonny’s Supermarket currently stands. He was one of the leading Jehovah’s Witnesses in Guyana. He ran the elite Portuguese/ European private outfit, named the Georgetown Club.
He was friendly with one of my sisters. When he came around on D’Urban Street, in Wortmanville, I would stop him and constantly tell him I need an education. I didn’t go on from primary level to high school. I told him all I need are the books and I would selfeducate to get my GCEs. He bought all the books I needed to study with. I passed with flying colours and went on to UG where I met another superb member of the Portuguese community Sister Mary Noel Menezes. My first class as a freshman was with Sister – the philosophy of history. She took an interest in me and literally schooled me through my degree programme in history. When I graduated as the best student for that year I was denied the President’s Medal because of my political activism. Sister was enraged. She stood up and told the committee that they are denying an accolade to a poor student who deserved it and she would not accept such a decision. They thought she would have resigned and relented. When I was leaving to do my Masters, I went to say
Frederick Kissoon goodbye. I will never forget what she said and I will always cherish what she gave me. She said, “Go safely; you are going to make us proud of you.” And she gave me a tiny book titled, “Great Thoughts of Freedom.” After doctoral studies at the University of Toronto and a brief stint with Prime Minister Maurice Bishop of Grenada, I returned home in 1984 and resumed my relation with Sister Menezes when I joined UG’s teaching staff. At that time, I met another fantastic genius of the Portuguese ethnic community in Guyana, Jesuit priest Andrew Morrison. Father edited the Catholic Standard printed on legal size typing sheets. It was the tiny newspaper that Guyanese devoured. Father invited me to become his columnist and treated me like a son. A fantastic, unique soul, he will always remain one of my heroes.
Wednesday April 03, 2019
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday April 03, 2019
Opposition signals legal challenge to house-to-house registration The Opposition has written to Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield, informing him that a legal challenge will be mounted if the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) goes ahead with plans to hold house-to-house registration. In a letter dated April 2, 2019, former Attorney General and lawyer for the Opposition, Anil Nandlall, said that he is acting on behalf of Robeson Benn, a People’s Progressive Party (PPP)‘nominated Commissioner of GECOM. “I am instructed that
...cleaning up list can take two weeks - Nandlall despite my client’s vehement objections, GECOM has made a decision to embark upon a h o u s e - t o - h o u s e registration.” The move to house-tohouse registration is said to be predicated upon the ground that the Voters’ List is “bloated” with dead persons and persons who have migrated. The Opposition has insisted that the house-tohouse registration is a mere attempt by the administration to buy time and delay
elections. The reason proffered for this proposed exercise is to sanitise the list of these two categories of occupants. The issue of early elections arose after a shock December 21 no confidence vote against the Coalition Government was carried but is being challenged in the courts. While the Court of Appeal has struck down the vote, the matter is still to be heard by the Caribbean Court of Justice.
In the meantime, GECOM is making arrangements for early polls. According to Nandlall, yesterday, it cannot be disputed that the list can be cleansed of dead persons by a simple engagement between the Chief Elections Officer and the Office of the Registrar General. “Such an engagement of comparing the relevant data and making the adjustments can be accomplished with relative ease within a fortnight. Naturally, this does
GECOM’s CEO, Keith Lowenfield
Attorney-at-law, Anil Nandlall
GECOM’s Chairman, Justice (Ret’d) James Patterson
GECOM’s Commissioner, Robeson Benn
not require the tedious, expansive and anachronistic methodology of a house-tohouse inspection – a process to which there is rarely resort in this technological age, elsewhere.” However, it is the decision to resort to house-to-house registration with the express intention of removing persons from the List, who maybe out of Guyana, that is agitating, Nandlall said. “In my considered view, such an exercise is fraught with hazards, including, the violation of the Constitution and the constitutional rights of qualified electors to vote and creating the potential for a subsequent vitiation of the entire elections.” He insisted that a convenient point to begin is Article 59 of the Constitution. It read: “Subject to the provisions of article 159, every person may vote at an election if he or she is of age eighteen years or upwards and is either a citizen of Guyana or a Commonwealth citizen domiciled and resident in Guyana.” Nandlall argued that Article 159 provides that no one shall vote at an election unless he is registered as an elector and a person shall be qualified to be so registered, if on the qualifying day, that person is eighteen years and over and a citizen of Guyana or, a Commonwealth citizen, who is domiciled and resident
in Guyana for a period of one year immediately preceding the qualifying date. “It is excruciatingly clear that neither residency nor domicile within the State of Guyana is a qualification, which a citizen of Guyana must possess before he is eligible to vote or to be registered as an elector. The natural corollary is the lack of residency and domicile within the State of Guyana cannot be the basis for disqualifying a person from being registered or from voting.” In short, Nandlall said, a Guyanese, residing either permanently or temporarily in Timbuktu, once he or she is eighteen years and over is qualified to be registered and, if registered, is qualified to vote. “At this juncture, it is apposite that I emphasize that by acquiring citizenship of another country, a Guyanese citizen, does not necessarily lose his/her Guyanese citizenship. He/she remains a citizen of Guyana and, therefore, qualifies to be registered and, if registered, qualifies to vote. So, while dual citizens are disqualified from being elected, they are not disqualified from being electors.” The lawyer in his letter pointed out that GECOM is now proceeding on a houseto-house registration to create Continued on page 15
Wednesday April 03, 2019
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Kaieteur News
Confusion with AFC List of Candidates submitted to GECOM in 2015 agreed with. “I may not agree with it and some other things this party has done but I support their decision. I felt that especially a region like this, you need to look at a parliamentarian who engages the public at the bottom level, who can communicate and connect with people, not so much academically. That would be great for this government. “There are other people
The List of Candidates for the AFC that was submitted in 2015 to GECOM.
There appears to be some amount of confusion in Region Six as it relates to the official list of names submitted by the Alliance for Change in 2015 to GECOM. The conflict seems to be with what was presented by AFC members in Berbice to the party’s head office after an AFC Regional Management Committee meeting held that year. It was highlighted that the official list that was submitted to GECOM does not reflect what was actually produced by members of the AFC after a meeting was held that year. Kaieteur News understands that there was a list signed to by members of the AFC in 2015 that showed six names presented for the National Geographical list and 18 for the National Top-up list. In the geographical list category, Gobin Harbhajan led the list and was followed by Donna Mathoo, Ryan Crawford, Charrandass Persaud, Professor Daizal Samad and Nalini Lall. However, members of the AFC in Berbice were shocked when they reportedly found out some of their names were omitted and replaced with names such as Veersammy Ramaya, who was never on the list in the first place while Gobin Harbhajan, Ryan Crawford and Nalini Lall’s name were removed. Against this backdrop, Prime Minister Rep for Region Six and AFC regional
executive member, Harbhajan, explained during an interview with this publication that in 2015 when the meeting was held with party executives and members, a few persons were chosen to be on the list from Region Six, including himself. He said he only learnt recently that the official list that was submitted to GECOM by party executives, omitted his name. “I only learnt that my name was not on the list only when Barbara Pilgrim was appointed as Member of Parliament and when I do glance at the real list that they have with GECOM, it was a shock to me then that myself and Crawford and Nalini Lall was not on that list. The members of the region would have democratically picked at a big forum in region (RMC election),” Harbhajan disclosed. He questioned whether “things are done democratically” if the senior members of the party choose who they desire and ultimately disregards a selection process inclusive of all members of the AFC. He explained that every region was asked to come up with a list of names to be presented to AFC executive body. “Every region has a Regional Management Committee (AFC-RMC), where members meet and decide on who to choose.”
Harbhajan stated that he and others were given statutory declaration bio-data forms to fill out when their names were selected and were at that time, under the impression that his name among others would be on the official list presented to GECOM. He surmised that the AFC has been making the news for all the wrong reasons in the Region and as such “we as AFC need to regroup, put systems in place and focus on the people and respect people choices. “Which goes back to the list that I saw. It comes as a shock when you see these new names popping up and they were not the ones initially chosen to be on the list.” He opined that if the major players in the party will make their own choices then “what is the need to have members in every region submit a list of names for options. How is that being democratic?” His statements came at a time when Donna Mathoo, NCN Berbice branch manager, is tipped to fill a Member of Parliament position in the national assembly although he, Harbhajan, led the National Geographic List when it was submitted to the AFC head office in 2015. Mathoo was second on that list. He said if Mathoo is indeed selected to fill the spot it will be a decision that he respects but not
within the AFC from other region’s they could have picked and I believe she could have been more moulded dealing with the public and I don’t think she has not had enough exposure to fill that spot”, Harbhajan stressed. He added that it came as a surprise to him when he saw the report that Mathoo was considered. When asked if he believes that he was overlooked for such an important position,
Harbhajan said “Honestly, I have been overlooked for plenty of things but I don’t allow that to get to me because my objective as a politician when I joined the AFC, was to make a change and that is why I joined in 2005.” Harbhajan is known for interacting with the public on the ground and assisting Berbicians who turn up at his office on a daily basis, from crime to agricultural issues.
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Wednesday April 03, 2019
Kaieteur News
Bourda market cheese vendor murder PI…
Main witness testifies
Royce Sandiford
Akeem Morris
George Paton
Yesterday when the matter for the murder of Troy Ramalho, a Bourda Market cheese vendor, was called, persons were asked to evacuate the court room as police prosecutor Neville Jeffers called the main witness who took the stand to testify in the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) of the case.
Royce Sandiford, a 33year-old labourer; Akeem Morris, 26, a miner, of 40 Sandy Babb Street, Kitty; and George Paton, 34, a taxi driver of 177 BB Eccles, East Bank Demerara, are currently on trial for the matter. They were not required to plead to the charge which stated that on August 15, last, at Robb Street, Bourda, Lacytown, they murdered Troy Ramalho during the course of a robbery. The men are currently on trial before Chief Magistrate
Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. As the main witness was called to testify the defendants also did their cross examinations. According to information, Ramalho was sitting on a bench at his business place. He had just finished selling a customer when three men walked up to him and shot him. Ramalho fell to the ground and was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Remorseful ‘Cobra’ gets 15 years for almost decade-long killing
KILLED: Troy Collymore
JALED: Tyrone Rowe aka ‘Cobra’
A remorseful Tyrone Rowe, also known as ‘Cobra’, was yesterday sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment for the almost decade-old killing of Troy Collymore who was shot dead on August 5, 2010 at Plaisance, East Bank Demerara. Rowe appeared yesterday before Justice Navindra Singh who had in 2013 sentenced him to 78 years’ imprisonment after he was found guilty by a jury for the murder of Collymore, 35. However, the conviction and sentence were overturned and a new trial was ordered by the Court of Appeal last July. That trial was aborted and a new trial was once again ordered by the High Court. Instead of going to trial, Rowe formerly of Independence Boulevard, La Penitence, who was represented by Attorney-atLaw Mark Conway, opted to plead guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter yesterday. He thereby admitted that he unlawfully killed Collymore, also known as ‘Nelly.’ Prosecutors Abigail Gibbs, Tuanna Hardy and Teriq Mohamed, also presented an indictment of robbery underarms committed on Chandrika Datt which occurred on August 5, 2010 against him. Rowe also opted to plead guilty and was handed a nine years’ jail term. The Judge ordered that the two sentences are to run concurrently and that the prison service is to deduct
from therein the time Rowe spent in pre-trial custody. According to reports, on the day in question, Collymore and two other men were outside a business place owned by Datt at Plaisance, East Coast Demerara, when they were attacked by gunmen. During that time, one of them was shot and relieved of cash and a quantity of jewellery. Collymore was shot to the head and was declared ‘brain dead’ by doctors. He succumbed two days later. During a plea in mitigation, Conway told the court that his client has been in prison for a very long time during which he has had time to attend anger management and domestic violence classes. According to the lawyer, Rowe has also had time to reflect on what he did and is very remorseful. In his address to the court, Rowe pleaded for mercy. He said, “I would like to say sorry. I thank everybody in court for the decision that will be made.” Prosecutor Gibbs asked that the sentence of the court reflects the nature and gravity of the offence. Before Rowe was escorted to begin serving his prison term, Justice Singh told him, “I wish you good luck when you come out (of prison).” Rowe was one of the four prisoners who appeared before Judges when the April session of the Demerara criminal assizes opened yesterday.
Wednesday April 03, 2019
Kaieteur News
Education Dept. hosts workshop for special needs children
Participants at the workshop. In promoting and supporting children with ‘Special Educational Needs and Disabilities’ the Department of EducationRegion Six successfully hosted a two-day training programme, which culminated on Friday at the St. Aloysius Primary School, New Amsterdam, Berbice. This workshop was geared to provide professional training and development to teachers under the theme “Effective teaching methodology for improved student performance”. The organizers hope it will help teachers to better plan and cater for the various needs of learners and at the same time improve performance of students at the national levels. The event was one that catered for teachers of the primary and secondary levels in the region along with teachers from the special needs schools. On the first day of the forum, Regional Education Officer (ag) Ms. Bhagmatie LaCruz, delivered the keynote address. She welcomed a gathering of over 60 participants that were
registered for the two-day seminar. She highlighted the need for teachers to be more committed to the profession and to make adequate use of the training sessions by implementing the teaching methodologies learnt in their classrooms, and so meet the needs of learners to improve performance. The training sessions were facilitated by two Education Officers from the SEN Unit, Mr. Wainwright McIntosh and Ms. Hulda Fraser, with support from Dr. Andrea Deeren from the New Amsterdam Psychiatric Hospital who specifically dealt with ‘ Stress and Teachers’ Wellbeing.’ Teachers were exposed to an in-depth training on Differentiated Instruction, Learning Disabilities, Literacy Instruction for Diverse Learners among other subjects. They were also exposed to interactive sessions by making presentations based on teaching strategies, special education, positive behaviour support intervention and teachers’ welfare matters. Education officer, Mr.
Wainwright McIntosh, stated that he was pleased with how teachers were open to new ideas. “Teachers were generally receptive to all of the concepts presented and it was really an honour working with our enthusiastic Educators from both the Primary and Secondary schools”, said McIntosh. Mr. McIntosh said that the topics addressed by Ms.Hulda Fraser and himself were geared to equip educators with specific skills and strategies of the diverse learners within classrooms and by extension the school. He also expressed satisfaction with the presentations done by the teachers and is certain they will make a difference in the academic performance of learners. “The presentations done by the participants were an indication of their willingness to bridge the gap between theory and practice. I am very much confident that teachers are prepared to work assiduously to enhance the academic performance of our learners in the Region,” stated McIntosh.
Opposition signals legal challenge... From page 12 a new List of National Registrants from which the Preliminary Voters’ List will be extracted and this is being done with the stated intention of excluding persons, who will be absent from Guyana during the exercise. “Consequently, those persons who are currently duly registered and are on the List and, therefore, now qualified to vote but absent from Guyana, are now going to be intentionally excluded from the list in this proposed process, as this is one of the stated purpose of this exercise. In other words, these persons are going to be de-registered and thereby disqualified from voting and denied their constitutional right to vote, through no fault of theirs.” According to Nandlall, the ultimate consequence of this decision of GECOM is that GECOM is, indirectly, adding a new
qualifying requirement to vote, which is not provided for by the Constitution, and which is ultra vires the Constitution: that requirement is “residency within Guyana.” “This is clearly unlawful and unconstitutional. In the circumstances, I respectfully demand that you refrain from embarking on or, proceeding with, this unlawful and unconstitutional exercise, which will disenfranchise thousands of persons now qualified to vote. “If I do not hear from you within seven days of the date hereof, I will assume that you have rejected my demand and I will have no alternative but to advise my client to institute legal proceedings against you, to restrain you from embarking on, or proceeding with, the aforesaid house-to-house registration.” The letter was copied to GECOM’s chairman, Justice (Ret’d) James Patterson.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday April 03, 2019
Work commences on $200M all-weather road through North and Central Rupununi …Government committed to improving road network
C
lose to 4,000 resi dents of the Rupununi, (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) Region Nine will soon benefit from improved road connectivity with the commencement of phase one of the alignment of new roads through Nappi and its satellites and Yupukari and its satellites. The alignment which commenced almost a week
ago sees road improvements stretching from Toka Village in the North Rupununi, to Kwaimatta, Yupukari, Quatata, Kaicumbay, Fly Hill, through Parishara, Nappi, Hiawa and into central Lethem. This covers approximately 70 miles of what will be an allweather road, the first of its kind, since what existed in the past were trails through the
respective villages. Guyana Geology and Mines Commission is funding the road network project with a budget of approximately $200M. J.R Ranch Construction and B&R Construction are the contractors’ executing the project. Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock, led a team to the
Region in late January and residents were vocal in expressing gratitude to the Government for its commitment to indigenous development. During the consultation, villagers pointed out that this is a dream come through after only hearing about such improvement for years. They said it will ensure improved access to education, health and other services, boost economic activities and other planned initiatives. Village leaders form Nappi, Kwaimatta and Yupukari and other concerned residents say they are eagerly anticipating the commencement of works there. During the meeting, Minister Allicock said that Government has recognized the importance of having proper roads in communities which will improve access to markets, health care, education and other opportunities, as well as ensure services and supplies to the now-accessible villages. “Roads are needed everywhere; we need better roads so that your vehicles could last longer and you will be able to access markets. The road will run from Lethem through Hiawa and
Nappi and your airstrip can also be developed…and it will be more easily accessible and then you will see more activities in your villages, more jobs and more demand for more products”, the minister said. Toshao of Yupukuri, Russian Dorrick, said, “For instance, there are a lot of children in this area attending Secondary School at St. Ignatius and parents find it difficult to visit the school because it takes a long time to get there. “At the moment, some parents who can afford to purchase a motorcycle will go often, but there are those parents who find it hard to get there regularly.” Guy Fredericks, Toshao of Nappi Village, echoing similar sentiments during the consultation, said, “Right now, we have to travel for miles to get to Lethem, which is very arduous and costly, so with the construction of the road linking North to Central and Lethem, it is going to be a great benefit and we are in full support, let progress continue and let the work begin.” “This is what we have been waiting for, for a very long time and we are really happy that it is going to happen,” Kevin Edwards, Toshao
of Kwaimatta said. Janet Francis, who is the Community Health Worker in Yupukari Village, said that she is anticipating the construction of the road since it will allow patients to travel faster and in comfort while en route for medical attention to Lethem. Lorna Andrew, who is a farmer (Yupukari Village), said when the road is completed she will be able to market her produce and the proceeds of which will see her getting into large scale farming in the near future. Government continues to address the needs of residents in the 57 villages stretched across the plains of the Rupununi and the road improvement project is among several planned initiatives for the region. Improved road network fits perfectly into planned initiatives for the Ministry’s (through the Government) Hinterland Green Enterprise Development Center at Bina Hill, which seeks to build the capacity of youth from across the Rupununi (and further afield) and to stimulate green economic growth through management, sustainability and leadership.
Wednesday April 03, 2019
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Kaieteur News
CJIA’s ‘Red Caps’ claim livelihood under threat
The ‘Red Caps’ porters are fighting directives from the CJIA authority to operate from the lobby area of the Arrivals instead of inside. The ‘Red Cap’ porters at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) are up in arms over proposed new arrangements to conduct their business at the Arrivals area. According to representatives of the porters, they are now being asked to wait outside, in the lobby area, instead of where the passengers would emerge from Customs. The new arrangements would come at a time when the management of the airport at Timehri,
East Bank Demerara, takes control of the US$150M renovated facilities. The project was supposed to see a bigger terminal to house the departure and arrival areas but instead a much smaller building was constructed to house only the arrival area. That arrival area appears to be now too small to accommodate the ‘Red Caps’. “We have 48 ‘Red Caps’ working at the airport. We pay the Airport Authority to operate from inside of
File photo: The ‘Red Caps’ and GRA officials operating at the CJIA arrivals area, outside of Customs.
the Custom area to the car park. Now the Airport Authority has ordered that we operate from outside of the Custom area.” According to the porters, if they are forced to operate outside, it will be the end of the ‘Red Caps’. “For donkey years, we have been operating outside the Customs area in the old terminal. This is a service where passengers who are tired after hours of travel and clearance, come outside hoping for quick
service with their luggage. You are asking them to walk a distance. This is not service. This is stupidity,” the spokesman said yesterday. The ‘Red Caps’ met GRA Commissioner General, Godfrey Statia, on Sunday evening at the airport. “He informed us that he does not have no issue for the ‘Red Caps’ to operate from inside of the Custom area but what he said to the Airport Authority is that the Custom Area
is too small.” According to another porter, there will be hardships if they are forced outside. “With such order, the Red Caps facing serious economic constraints and yet the Airport Authority wants their money full. We are calling on all the media fraternity for your kind intervention into looking at this issue before we all lose our jobs.” The Airport Authority plans to host a general meeting today at 10hrs with the ‘Red Caps’.
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Wednesday April 03, 2019
Kaieteur News
19-year-old electrocuted by an illegal connection
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 Eagle’s re-gas AC, Fridge, Washing machine & computer repairs, Gas stove, Plasma flatscreen, Electrical installation & more. Call: 697-2969/646-0966 TO LET Business space to rent. No restaurant. Serious enquiries only. 233 South Road 2250198/615-0317 Camp St ground floor for commercial purpose. Enmore mall. Commercial space available. Richard 608-7675, 674-1705, 233-2614
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 German shepherd pups. 10 weeks old. Fully vaccinated and dewormed. Contact number 619-9203 Mixed blue pit for sale. 9 Weeks old. 698-6796 Four pure breed German Shepherd pups (Black & Tan) Seven weeks old. Tele# 626-0953/ 650-9998.
House for sale, Eccles Housing Scheme. 7 bedrooms, 3 toilets and bathrooms enclosed. $28.5M. Call 6420391/ 001447587233657. yashardabhola4@gmail.com
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
Servers & counter attendants. Send applications to German’s Restaurant. 8 New Market Street G/Town. $14,000 starting salary
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 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 Attractive waitress wanted. Speaking spanish would be an asset. Call# 615-0915 Experienced jet + marack for land dredge. Tel: 629-8280 Wanted experienced hire car driver at Ramada Princess Hotel. Contact 616-5419, 2657075 Live in or live out domestic worker. Call from Monday Saturday between 8:15 4:15PM 223-7500 Wanted sales driver.Tel# 6275726/ 227-6659 Wanted workers at Magic Touch car wash & detailing. Tel# 669-4676
CAR RENTAL
Private custom brokerage. Training course/ AW lecturer with 30 year experience. April 29. Call 694-8322,690-4225. Reg now & save
VACANCY
PROPERTY FOR SALE
1 Room apartment suitable for singles. 5 Minutes drive from Harbour Bridge. Parking, light and water. 676-6312
EDUCATION
FOR RENT
DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL:225-7126/ 2263 6 9 3 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL @YAHOO.COM/ WWW.D OLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM
Learn photoshop, illustrator, coreldraw, indesign, after effects, premierepro. One-onone training. Call 233-2389
PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS FROM $4000 & UP, SUV’S PER DAY- CALL:643-5122/6560087, ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM
Learn graphic design and video editing. One-on-one training. Call 233-2389
Fabs Rental, Beterverwagting ECD Cars from $4000 #604-0883
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 One ice machine operator needed. Call 223-7165 Porters. Apply with written application @ Best Buy Food Supplies, Lot 1E Dennis & Middleton Street, Campbellville
Receptionist. 25-50 yrs. 233 South Road Lacytown or call 225-0198 Industrial Sales Representative, 5 Subject CXC Age 25+ Experience in Sales, must own vehicle, email r e s u m e : vacancy@josarltd.com Wanted: Security guard. Apply asap to manager: Herdmanston Lodge Peter Rose & Anira Sts DemBake @ Land of Canaan is seeking distributors & experienced drivers & sales agents. Email CV: admin@demerarabakery.com / 266-5848 Driver for office in Eccles. Age 25 to 45. Call 642-9823
Ezekiel Halley, called Andel, a 19-year-old labourer, of Airy Hall, Mahaicony, was pronounced dead on arrival, at the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital around 19:00 hrs on Monday evening. According to reports, the young man went to make an illegal connection to a utility pole, approximately 30 feet from his mother’s residence. When his sister observed that he didn’t return she went in search of him and discovered him with the wire wrapped around his hand, with visible burn marks and motionless. She then alerted their mother who alerted the neighbours. The wire was removed by public spirited citizens, who then took him to the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. A source also stated that an entirely different report was given to the police. That report stated that the young man ventured into a trench to fix a pipe that was broken. When he didn’t return after a number of minutes had passed, a relative went in search of him and found him lying motionless in the trench. The said relative then alerted the others and upon investigation the illegal connection was found in the trench. The young man was rushed to the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The police however learned the truth when they returned the following day, to do a follow up investigation and the sister of the deceased was questioned. The young woman then related the correct sequence of events.
Police gets tough on...
(From page 23) Vacancy for general manager the sun, for others, it has been at Dollar Stretch Store. Lot 16 used to conduct illegal activiRobb Street. Tel# 654-0141 Vegetarian Gardens: Accountant Clerk. info@vgiworld.com 227-7714/ 223-3448 Hick’s Ville Hotel Receptionist, hotel attendant, washer/ pressure. info@vgiworld.com 2310951/3 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 1 Skidder operator. 1 Mechanic/ service man. 1 Tree feller. Tel: 615-3455 Driver needed. Must have a sound secondary education. For more information please call: 223-0090 Vacancy exists for certified accountant. Bring in application to Agri Parts Machinery and Services. Bond clerk/ factory worker. Must have a sound secondary education. For more information please call: 2230090 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 One Nissan sunny car for sale. Contact: 686-6456. $175,000 Allion, primo, spacio, allex, noah, RZ pitbull bus, mazda axela, bluebird, 192 fielder wagon. 650-7501 Toyota axio, bed frames, vanity, generator, portable AC, fridge. Owners migrating. Call 611-7106 LAND FOR SALE 475 acres of transported water front land @ Hogg Island, Essequibo River. Suitable for farming, cattle rearing etc. Contact: 617-4004 Transported land 11.6 acres. Lot 15 public road. #2 Village W.C.B. Price $18M. Contact 686-4818, 648-7109 Parfaite Harmonie transferrable 2.5M, Parfaite Harmonie 1.6M, Farm 3.5M, Herstelling 5.5M, Diamond 11M. 666-2326 Parfaite Harmonie $1.4M Schoonard $3M Dairy with foundation & Fence $2M Farm $3M Tel# 656-0701/651-1969
ties, including robberies. For the darker tints, the Ministry of Public Security has to grant permission. However Commander Edmond Cooper yesterday noted that several businessmen are abusing this Government grant to the extremes. In the application for a Tint Waiver, vehicle owners must submit a copy of the Certificate of Vehicle Registration and the Certificate of Fitness and a copy of the last tint permit received (if applicable). The process from application to final approval or rejection for a tint waiver is that upon receipt of the application, along with documents required, the applicant will be served with a letter that must be taken to the Licence Revenue Office (LRO) in order to verify the Vehicle’s Tint Density. Subsequent to the completion of this verification process, the LRO will submit its tint reading to the Minister of Public Security for approval/ refusal. The Ministry will notify the applicant of the final decision, and if the application is approved, the applicant will be granted a Tint Waiver Permit. The permits are valid for one year and should be renewed at least one week before the expiry date. Only vehicles with a manufacturer’s tint will be eligible to be considered for a tint waiver. In the past, there have been widespread complaints about the manner in which tint waivers were being approved. There were also questions about the private vehicles of police ranks, who are accused of sporting the darkest of tints.
Wednesday April 03, 2019
PAGE 27
Kaieteur News
Driver in road fatality escapes from police custody shackled ...ranks under close arrest
One of the damaged minibuses and the remains of the motorcycle. Two police ranks have landed themselves in hot water, after a driver involved in the fatal accident on Sunday evening that claimed the life of Collin Bourne, a Red Cap porter attached to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), escaped from custody while under their watch at the Madewini Police Outpost. According to reports the suspect was shackled and left
on a bench, while the two ranks who were on duty attended to other issues. The ranks were apparently too involved in their other duties because the man made his good escape
while still shackled. The ranks have since been put under close arrest and are assisting with investigations. When the outpost was contacted the officer in charge was on transfer duty
and could not offer any comments on the incident. Dead is Collin Bourne, 22, of Lot 91 Timehri Prison Road. According to friends of Bourne, he was at work on Sunday. He lived nearby the
Timehri prisons and would normally ride to work. According to police in a statement, they are investigating a fatal accident which occurred about 22:15hrs Sunday on the Soesdyke Public Road, East Bank Demerara. Police said that involved in the accident were minibuses PHH 3467, BVV 5802 and motorcycle CH 6758. Bourne was said to be riding the motorcycle. “Enquiries disclosed that minibus PHH 3467 was proceeding south along the eastern carriageway reportedly at a fast rate of speed whilst minibus BVV 5802 and motorcycle CH 6758 were proceeding in the opposite direction with the cycle in the rear, when the
latter (cycle) overtook BVV 5802 and while on the eastern carriageway collided with minibus PHH 3467,� the police statement said. As a result of the impact, the cyclist fell onto the western carriageway in the path BVV 5802 and was struck. He was picked up in an unconscious condition and taken to the East Bank Demerara Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Police said that the drivers are in custody assisting with the investigation. They were breathalysed and the driver of PHH 3467 was found above the legal limit. Bourne was said to live with his parents.
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Kaieteur News
Business woman tied to her bed and strangled four years ago…
Two charged, co-accused threatens accomplice It was four years since business woman Sumintra Dinool, 65, was found dead in her home. Yesterday two men were charged for her murder following a break in the case by police investigators. Malcolm Cully and Shaheed Alli who were jointly charged for the offence appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty. The men were not required to plead to the charge which was made indictable. It was alleged that the men between June 14, 2014 and June 15, 2014 at Barr Street, Albouystown, murdered Sumintra Dinool in the course or furtherance of a robbery. The men were brought to court and sent straight into the courtroom separately as there appeared to be a grievance between the two. They ducked and tried to hide their faces from the cameras as they were handcuffed and shackled on their feet while being led by police ranks through the regular court procedures. Cully entered the courtroom first and politely greeted everyone as he walked to the prisoners’ dock ,well dressed in a blue shirt and black jeans. Alli came in dressed in a red shirt and red short pants. He silently walked into the courtroom when it was time for his hearing. As he was walking up into the prisoners’ chute into the courtroom,
Accused Malcolm Cully Cully was let down and as they passed each other the latter shouted “You and your children will suffer.” The matter was adjourned until April 23, for report on the statements into the matter as the magistrate remanded the men to prison. Cully’s attorney, Stanley Moore, as a result of the known grievance, asked the magistrate to instruct that the men be placed in separate holdings while in prison. However she said that that would be a decision for the prison officials. According to reports, the deceased lived alone with her son who was out all night when the incident took place. Upon his return he allegedly opened the front door with his keys, but did not notice anything amiss until he went into his room and found it ransacked. He decided to check on his mother and
The victim Sumintra Dinool found her dead with her hands bound and her mouth gagged. Robbery appeared to be the motive since electronic equipment, including a flatscreen television set and other items appeared to be missing. However, some money was reportedly found in the slain woman’s bedroom. The perpetrators were never caught. But a few weeks ago, detectives returned to the case, and last week, acting on information, they took Cully, 27, of Cooper Street, Albouystown into custody. The accused was freed just last year on an attempted murder charge. Alli was also taken into custody. He was recently released from prison on a narcotics charge, according to sources. Kaieteur News (Contiued on page 30)
Wednesday April 03, 2019
Disbursement of Govt. funds The Georgetown City Council will be reviewing community projects funded through Government subventions. Speaking to the press on the matter, Town Clerk (Ag) of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council, (M&CC) Sharon Harry-Munroe explained that the Council is in the process of reviewing the work done, even as preparations are being made for the doling out of this year’s constituency projects. According to HarryMunroe, projects in at least 14 constituencies are set to be examined by the Council. She noted that constituency representatives will be given an opportunity to account the monies disbursed through the council for community projects. According to HarryMunroe most of the community work for last year focused on ensuring there are street lights in the various areas. She noted that this year approximately $75 million will be disbursed for constituency projects. “Emphasis will be placed this year on solid waste,
Council to review work done on community projects drainage and healthcare.” In the run up to Local Government Elections, last year, representatives of the constituencies were granted about $5 million each to complete development projects identified in communities across Georgetown. The monies were drawn from the $200 million subvention allocated to City Hall in the Government’s 2018 Budget. Constituency representatives submitted proposals for projects and were all given the green light by the Ministry of Communities. The areas which benefited included Constituency 1 – Kingston East and West, Thomas Lands, Non- Pareil Park, Cummingsburg, Alberttown and Queenstown –and Constituency 15 –Meadow Bank/ Agricola were among the communities left to finalize their project. Council officials had confirmed that all of the projects are to be executed under the ‘Restoration Grant’.
As part of the funding arrangement, there are provisions that the Councillors must use persons from within their respective constituencies. Former Town Clerk, Royston King, had said that the policy is expected to cover a number of issues including what makes a councillor’s eligible to obtain a contract, in accordance with the laws that govern the operations of City Hall. In his remarks to the council, King specifically highlighted sections of the Municipal District and Council’s Act, which deals with the terms and conditions that a member of the Council, who might be interested in a specific contract, can benefit. King has explained that the law does not prohibit members of the Council from benefiting from projects. “All that this means is that Councillors must disclose whether they may have a financial interest in a specific project or matter.”
One arrested for burnt remains of West Berbice granny -she was beaten, robbed two years ago
Fire strikes in Queenstown The area where the body was set afire
A fire of unknown origin broke out about 20:35 hrs last night in a dilapidated building at 57 Anira Street, Queenstown, Georgetown . The building, which was said to be occupied by drug addicts, was destroyed.
Mayor of Georgetown, Ubraj Narine who was on the scene said he will engage the services of his Engineering Department and field inspectors to locate and pull down all dilapidated buildings around Georgetown.
As police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the horrific death of a 69-year-old granny from West Coast Berbice, one person has since been arrested and is now in police custody assisting with the investigations. The suspect has since been identified as Frankie Hookumchand, a farmer who regularly grazes his animals on the old woman’s property. However, Hookumchand reportedly told investigators that he did not graze his animals on the property for the past weeks but a resident told reporters that the man was on the land sometime around 14:00 hrs on Sunday, the very day Bhagwandai ‘Deeda’ Deonarine ‘s body was burning in the backyard. Smoke was reportedly seen coming from the yard around 11:00 am by the said resident that day but he assumed it was garbage burning. According to a source who is associated with Deonarine, Hookumchand would often visit the woman’s home. Recently he had asked her to stay in the lower flat of the two-
Bhagwandai ‘Deeda’ Deonarine was badly beaten back in 2017. storeyed building after experiencing issues in his marriage with his wife. Bhagwandai ‘Deeda’ Deonarine’s charred remains was discovered still burning in her backyard at Plantation Hope, West Coast Berbice sometime around 20:00 hrs on Sunday by a niece. It appeared that Deonarine had been killed then set alight. According to the niece, her aunt lived (Continued on page 29)
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday April 03, 2019
CARICOM body warns…
Sale of Scotiabank could have anti-competitive effect in three member states PA R A M A R I B O , Suriname - CMC – The Suriname-based Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Competition Commission (CCC) says the intended sale of Scotiabank’s assets in nine Caribbean countries could have anti-competitive effects in at least three CARICOM member states. “The Commission remains cognizant of the provisions of Article 175 of the RTC (Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas), and at this time reminds national competition authorities and member states of this critical provision. “The Commission also in-
forms that it shall approach those national competition authorities and sector regulators in affected member states in accordance with Article 176(1), for the conduct of preliminary examinations of proposed transaction between the enterprises,” it said in a statement.Last November, the Trinidad-based Republic Financial Holdings Limited (RFHL) announced that it was seeking to acquire Scotiabank operations in several Caribbean countries. A RFHL statement said that the banks being acquired are located in Guyana, St Maarten, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica,
Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines. It said that the purchase price is US$123 million, which represents US$25 million consideration for total shareholding of Scotiabank Anguilla Limited; and a premium of US$98 million over net asset value for operations in the remaining eight countries. In its statement, the CCC recalled that in December last year, it had advised the public that it had taken “note” of the announcement regarding the proposed sale as well as the life insurance operations in another two territories,
Bail restrictions for murder, firearm offences coming Daily Nation - No individual before the courts for murder, or a firearms offence punishable by at least ten years in prison, will be considered for bail within two years after they were charged – except in special circumstances.As proposed by the The Bail (Amendment) Bill, 2019 were debated by Parliament yesterday, such considerations was heard by the Chief Justice or a Judge of the High Court assigned by the Chief Justice. Such bail applications will not be heard by the High Court unless a period of 72 hours has expired after the application for bail is made to the court. Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Dale Marshall announced these planned changes yesterday morning as he
piloted the debate on the proposed changes, which will require the support of a two thirds majority of both Houses of Parliament. In the addition to murder and serious firearm changes, the bail application change will be for people charged with treason and high treason.The proposed changes also specified “bail may be granted by the High Court where any person is charged with murder in circumstances connected with the discharge of that person’s official duties; the court is of the view that the strength of the evidence suggests that the accused did not commit the offence with which he is charged; or the court is satisfied on the evidence presented that the accused would be able to rely on the defence of self-defence”.
Four ministers resign as MPs; no... From page 8 is the gatekeeper and he distributes and delegates the portfolios of ministers as per the Constitution and as per the agreement under the Cummingsburg Accord. That accord is the one between the coalition partners that dictates how power would be shared. Trotman explained that in the past, Cabinet ministers who were absent from meetings because of ill-health or being out of the country,
would have other ministers who perform their functions. Trotman said that the people must recognize the “yeoman efforts” of the four ministers who have resigned “not from Government but from Parliament”. They will continue to function in other areas with President Granger to address the situation and their future later on. He stressed that the ministers are not gone altogether; they are only resigning from
the National Assembly. Trotman explained that as a consequence of not being ministers, the four cannot be members of the Cabinet. Trotman assured that Government remains in “capable” hands and that President David Granger who is in Cuba taking cancer treatments, is still the president. In the meantime, the Government proceeds and Cabinet continues to meet and do the business of the people, he said.
One arrested for burnt remains of ... From page 28 alone but she would normally spend the nights with her and leave during the day. However on Sunday her suspicions grew when she called several times to check up on Deonarine and there was no answer. This led to her contacting the police. “We search the house for her and we couldn’t find her and when we come down we see smoke at the back. We go and check and saw the body burnt; the head and so was visible but nothing else really was showing”, the niece said. Traces of wood, tree branches and coconut shells
were found near what was left of the body, indicating that such material was used to start the fire. Kaieteur News was also told by a relative that approximately two years ago the home of Deonarine was broken into and she was beaten and robbed, leaving her with broken teeth. She had to undergo emergency surgery due to the injuries she sustained. “He hit her with a belna and break out four of she teeth and she had an emergency operation where she had clot blood in the brains with Dr. Dukhi at
Woodlands Hospital and it cost $1.8 M. The matter went to court and the boy had to go serve some time,” the relative said. It is understood that the perpetrator was positively identified by the old woman then when she had testified in court. That individual after serving time for the matter was reportedly released a few months ago from prison. Police sources have since confirmed that he was not the person they currently have in custody. Deonarine’s body is currently at the Bailey’s Funeral Parlour.
namely Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, to Sagicor Financial Corporation. “In accordance with Article 173(2)(a) of the RTC, the Commission further advised that it would continue to monitor these developments in the banking and insurance sectors and that any impact to the CARICOM Community by the proposed transaction would be assessed in accordance with the provisions of the RTC.” The CCC said that it has “now completed a preliminary assessment pursuant to Ar-
ticle 173(2)(a) of the RTC” and that “such assessment indicates that the proposed transaction or parts thereof could possibly have anticompetitive effects in at least three member states in the Community.” The statement did not name the states likely to be affected as a result but said that “in furtherance of its commitment to fair and transparent processes for both the business community and consumers” it will “continue to monitor this activity in the Community and will inform as
appropriate on further progress of this matter in affected member states.” Last week, Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne, who has openly expressed reservations about the sale, reiterated his government’s position that it would not issue a vesting order to facilitate the sale of Scotiabank operations in his country.Browne told legislators that workers at Scotia Bank had brought several issues to the attention of his administration including the issue of severance payments.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday April 03, 2019
Former soldier jailed for 14 years over killing of baby A 14-year jail sentence was handed to Mark Angoy, a former soldier, after he admitted to killing 13-month old Arianne Gill, the granddaughter of his ex-lover, Shelly Norton. Yesterday, Angoy, 48, appeared before Justice Navindra Singh for a trial which marked the opening of the Demerara criminal assizes at the High Court in Georgetown. Initially indicted for murder, Angoy opted to plead guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter, thereby admitting that on October 18, 2015, he unlawfully killed the toddler. According to reports, Angoy shot and killed his exlover’s grandbaby and wounded the woman’s daughter, Ashley Wellington. The incident occurred around 13:45 hrs at Lot 38 East Ville, Annandale, East Coast Demerara. According to reports, Norton, who was the toddler’s grandmother and Wellington’s mother, had ended an abusive three-yearold relationship with Angoy. Since then, he reportedly started to harass her. At times he even threatened to kill her. This forced her to seek a restraining order to keep him away from her family. However, on the day in question he showed up at her home and pushed his hand through a window and opened fire on Norton’s daughter and grand baby while they were watching television in the living room. Angoy was also charged with feloniously wounding Wellington. To that charge, he pleaded guilty and was handed an eight-year prison term. Justice Singh, however, ordered that the two sentences are to run concurrently, meaning that Angoy will only serve 14 years behind bars. In addition, the Judge also ordered that the prison authorities deduct the time Angoy spent in pre-trial custody from the sentence. During a plea in mitigation, Angoy’s lawyer, Mark Conway, said that his client is very remorseful for his actions. According to the lawyer, his client sought to plead guilty at the soonest
KILLED: Arianne Gill
JAILED: Mark Angoy opportunity because he did not wish to waste judicial time. Added to that, Conway told the court that his client is a father of three who is throwing himself at the mercy of the court. “I am really sorry for what happened. I am pleading to you (the Judge) for mercy,” Angoy said in his address to the court. State Prosecutor Tuanna Hardy asked that the sentence reflect the serious nature and gravity of the offence. Lending a word of advice, Justice Singh advised the confessed killer to make use of anger management classes being offered by the prisons since the killing of Gill was a crime of “pure temper.” “You cannot do that to other women,” Justice Singh said in rebuking Angoy.
Two charged, co-accused... From page 28 understands that the two men have provided information which implicates them in the robbery/murder. Investigators were reportedly baffled at finding no visible sign of forced entry to the home. Mrs. Dinool had owned stalls in the Vendors’ Arcade and was said to have been security conscious. The victim had reportedly been living at the Albouystown property for about 46 years and had never been robbed. The cracking of this case comes a week after the solving of the murder of fuel dealer, Ramzan Alli, slain almost ten years ago.
Wednesday April 03, 2019
Kaieteur News
PAGE 31
New Sea Defences for Prospect E.C.D. The National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) opened tenders, yesterday, for a range of projects, most notably the Construction of Rip Rap Sea Defences for Prospect, Region Five, due to threats of possible flooding during spring tides, when higher than normal wave heights occur. Other notable projects are the Supply and Delivery of a New D6 Angle Blade bulldozer for the Regional Democratic Council for Region Six, and the replacement of an existing Asphalt Pavement with Rigid Pavement for the Public Infrastructure Ministry. Ministry of Public Infrastructure Construction of Rip Rap Sea Defenses at Prospect, Mahaicony, ECD, Region 5
Guyana Elections Commission Supply and Delivery of Office Stationery
Supply and Delivery of Capital Items and Accessories
Replacement of Existing Asphalt Pavement with Rigid Pavement in Driving Areas of Passenger Boarding Bridges
Ministry of Business - GTA Selection of Consultants for Digital Marketing Services
Ministry of Public Telecommunications - NDMA Supply, Delivery and Installation of Two (2) 500 KVA Electrical Transformers
Ministry of Public Telecommunications - Procurement of One 15-seater Minibus
Regional Democratic Council, Region 6 Supply and Delivery of One (1) New D6 Angle Blade Bulldozer
Wednesday April 03, 2019
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Kaieteur News
NBA roundup: Turner’s triple-double leads Curry scored 19 points for home-court advantage Toronto defeat visiting Blazers Portland, which shot 54.9 throughout the playoffs is Orlando, which had won Rodney Hood scored 21 points, and Evan Turner came off the bench for a tripledouble as the Portland Trail Blazers pulled away for a 132122 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night in Minneapolis. Turner went 5-for-5 from the field while collecting 13 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in only 24 minutes for the Trail Blazers, who have won 10 of their past 12 contests. Enes Kanter contributed 20 points, 11 rebounds and five blocked shots, and Seth
percent from the field and made 15 of 30 3-point attempts. Andrew Wiggins had 21 points, and Karl-Anthony Towns scored 17 points with 12 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who have lost eight of their past 10. Tyus Jones had 14 points and 10 assists. Bucks 131, Nets 121 Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 28 points, 14 of them in the fourth quarter, to lead Milwaukee to a win over Brooklyn in New York. With the win, the Bucks’ magic number for clinching
one. The Toronto Raptors kept pace with the Bucks in the race for the best record in the league by beating the Orlando Magic. The Nets remained a halfgame ahead of the Pistons in seventh place in the Eastern Conference as Detroit lost to Indiana. All five Bucks starters scored in double figures, led by Eric Bledsoe with 29 points. D’Angelo Russell paced the Nets with 28 points. Raptors 121, Magic 109 Danny Green scored a season-best 29 points and added five rebounds to help
Wednesday April 03, 2019 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) If certain projects or tasks have seemed difficult for you to finish, today's energy will give you the zip you need, Aries. The energy indicates that things will go well for you once you get started. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) You might feel more energetic than you have in a long time, Taurus. A powerful energy that increases your mental acuity and physical strength can really help you finish anything that's pending. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) If there's something you've wanted to take on, today's the day. There's an increase in your physical and mental strength. CANCER (June 21–July 22) If you've been feeling sluggish lately, this will be a welcome day for you, Cancer. You'll feel a surge in energy that greatly increases your creativity and physical strength. Seize the opportunity to be outside for sports or a walk.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Today's energy can have you feeling ready for anything, Libra. Given your more radical approach, you may need to keep in check. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Today might be a good day to take a second shot at something that didn't work out the first time, Scorpio. Falling flat on your face can damage your self-esteem and confidence. SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) Your ability to find innovative approaches to things may serve you well today. Strong energy and mental acuity continue today, and you'll find that most things come easily. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) If long-overdue work has piled up, Capricorn, today is the day to dig in. This is especially so for things you weren't able to handle yesterday. Fortunately, you have added strength and mental acuity.
LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Leo, if there's something interesting that you've wanted to try, this is a great day for it. Adventure brings excitement, creative flow, and energy, which are essential to you. You're highly artistic.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Don't worry about being productive today, Aquarius. You might still accomplish more than you have in a long time. The cosmic energy indicates that if you didn't get everything done that you wanted to yesterday, you're sure to do it today.
VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) With today's energy, you can take steps toward getting things in order, Virgo. Tackle desk drawers, closets, storage rooms, or filing cabinets. When you create order, you gain a sense of peace and personal control.
PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Expect an added boost of physical energy today, Pisces. It's an excellent day to clean out closets. Exercise like yoga or walking will be most enjoyable. It could also prove to be well worth your while to look at your goals.
seven of its eight previous games. The Raptors gained a split in the four-game season series with the Magic, who are still trying to get into the playoffs. Orlando remains a half-game back of the Miami Heat, who also lost Monday, for the final spot in the East. Kawhi Leonard added 15 points and seven rebounds for the Raptors. Serge Ibaka scored 15 points. Evan Fournier scored 21 points for the Magic, and Nikola Vucevic had 13 points and 13 rebounds. Celtics 110, Heat 105 Al Horford’s second career triple-double led host Boston over Miami in the opener of a home-and-home as the Heat narrowly held onto the eighth and final playoff spot in the East. Horford had 19 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists for his first triple-double since 2015. Kyrie Irving added 25 points and eight rebounds, Jayson Tatum scored 19, and Marcus Smart had 16 points as the Celtics maintained a share of fourth place in the Eastern Conference, along with Indiana. Goran Dragic scored 30 to lead the Heat, while Bam Adebayo had 19 points and 14 rebounds and Dwyane Wade chipped in 17 points in his last regular-season game in Boston. In other scores: Jazz 111, Hornets 102 Mavericks 122, 76ers 102 Pacers 111, Pistons 102 Knicks 113, Bulls 105 Suns 122, Cavaliers 113 (Field Level Media)
PM Rowley hails... From page 33 Cricket West Indies. Dr. Rowley warned however, that there was plenty work ahead for the Skerritt-led administration for the Windies to avoid being relegated to the second tier of the game. “The ICC is go-ing to cre-ate two di-vi-sions of crick-et, and West In-dies may not find it-self in the up-per ech-e-lons of Test crick-et,” said Dr. Rowley. “We’re go-ing to find our-selves with Afghanistan, Hol-land, and Kenya. “What we are look-ing for now is a best prac-tice mod-el to re-build a Test team that has de-clined. What was hap-pen-ing to West In-dies crick-et is that we were not able to put that lad-der down in that pit to climb out of it, and I’m hop-ing now that Sker-ritt pro-vides that lad-der so that we climb out of it. We can-not con-tin-ue to have a C-Class horse run-ning an A-Class race.” West Indies are currently ranked eighth in the Test rank-ings, ninth in the Oneday In-ter-na-tion-als, and
sev-enth in the Twenty20 Internationals although they are currently the reigning World champions in that format. About the CWI election result which saw Skerritt and Dr. Shallow unseat incumbents Dave Cameron and Emmanuel Nanthan, Dr. Rowley said he was ex-treme-ly hap-py about the outcome. “I think it opens the door for us to bring about the im-prove-ments that we an-tic-i-pate,” he said. “It made my day. “Where Dave Cameron is con-cerned, what hap-pened in In-dia, in any man-age-ment struc-ture, that is when things should have come to a head,” he said, referring to the players dramatic walk-out on the 2014 Tour of India. “To have es-caped that and be-come in charge of a hege-mo-ny af-ter that told me that West In-dies crick-et was on the wrong track. “You could not have cre-at-ed an en-vi-ron-ment like that, cre-at-ed those li-a-bil-i-ties for fu-ture earn-ings, and be im-preg-nable.”
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BCB/Spready’s Snackette 100 Balls Cricket Tournament
Fyrish Cricket Club pip Rose Hall Town Tigers by one run to win title In what was described as one of the best cricket finals in Berbice, home team Fyrish Cricket Club held their nerves to edge pass Rose Hall Town Tigers by just one run to lift the historic Berbice Cricket Board/Spready’s Snackette 100 Balls Trophy. Playing at the Fyrish Ground in front of a large and colourful crowd, Rose Hall Town Tigers needed two runs from the final two balls to seal victory but lost Delbert Hicks and Turbo Jagdeo to left arm spinner Kevin Subramanie to sparkle wild celebration by the Fyrish team and large home crowd. Fyrish Cricket Club batted first after losing the toss and immediately lost opener Yovindra Chinapen when he was bowled by offspinner Khemraj Mahadeo for 01 with the score on three in the first over. Fellow opener Yogendra Gurdyal and former national Under-19 player Javed Mohamed then added 82 for the 2nd wicket with positive batting. Mohamed scored 25 with three fours and a six before he was dismissed by left arm spinner Naresh Mahadeo in the ninth over. Gurdyal went on to top score with a brilliant 72, seven boundaries and four sixes. He received good support from Captain Chandradat Roopnarine with
a brisk 46 (4x4, 2x6) as Fyrish Cricket Club ended on 187 for 7 off their allotted 100 Balls. Left arm spinner Naresh Mahadeo ended with 4 for 36, while Khemraj Mahadeo, Delbert Hicks and Turbo Jagdeo took a wicket apiece. Needing to score 188 from 100 Balls to lift their first ever BCB Title, Rose Hall Town Tigers were given an opening stand of 65 by openers Mark Papannah and Brandon Prashad before Prashad missed a pull shot to be bowled by Yovindra Chinapen for a brisk 26. Former National Player Delbert Hicks was then dropped second ball by Chinapen, but then started to attack the bowlers to all parts of the ground. Papannah was stumped for 31 off spinner I. Srikissoon. Former National Under-19 batsman Khemraj Mahadeo (38) then joined Hicks and together they added 74 to take the score to 147 before Mahadeo was brilliantly caught at long off as offspinner C. Roopnarine struck a crucial blow. Needing to score 57 runs from 30 balls, Hicks and Rondall Lewis took the required runs to 37 from 16 balls. They took 20 runs from the 15th Over and entered the final eight balls over needing 17 runs, Lewis struck two
The Winning Fyrish Cricket Team. boundaries from the first two balls of the over and when Hicks struck another boundary to reduce the target to two runs from two balls, fans of the Rose Hall Town Tigers were celebrating. Left arm spinner Kevin Subramanie then bowled Hicks for a well played 60 (5x4, 5x6) and then had Turbo Jagdeo stumped off the last
ball of the innings to win by a mere one run. Bowling for the Champions, Chandradat Roopnarine took 2 wickets for 15 and Kevin Subramanie 2 for 40 as Rose Hall Town Tigers only lost six wickets. BCB President Hilbert Foster hailed the tournament as a remarkable success and praised both teams for their
high standard of play. Foster stated that Berbice Cricket is enjoying a period of unmatched development and urged clubs and players to take advantage of his administration’s hard work and dedication. He expressed gratitude to Manoj and Narine Singh of Spready’s Snackette for sponsoring the Tournament,
which was contested by seventeen teams. Powerhouses Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club and Albion Community Centre Cricket Club were debarred from taking part in the Tournament. The Winning team, Runner-up and Man of the Final received financial prizes and trophies.
RHTYSC 29th Awards Ceremony
VNET, OPM, Bakewell, Farfan & Mendes and Delmur Shipping donate The Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, MS on Sunday 28th April, would be hosting its 29th Annual Awards Ceremony at its Head Office. A total of forty Club Members would be honoured at the function, which would be just reward for assisting Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation to achieve its best ever year since its formation in 1990. The RHTYSC, between January 2018 and March 2019, has won a total of fifteen major Cricket Championships, successfully completed 900 activities under a wide range of Sub-headings and producing seventeen players for Guyana at different levels. Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster stated that this year’s Award would be done in a reduced way compared to the other years as the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club is investing heavily into Berbice Cricket. This year a total of $2M worth of trophies, framed certificate, medals, prizes and gifts would be shared out, instead of the usual $3M. The Club on
Thursday last received donations from the Office of the Prime Minister, Bakewell, Farfan & Mendes Ltd, VNet Communication as preparation heats up for the event. The Office of the Prime Minister donated a cartoon of trophies valued at $70,000, while long time RHTYSC official sponsors Farfan & Mendes Ltd and Bakewell donated $60,000 worth of trophies each. VNET Communication Chief Executive Officer Safraz Sherrifudeen donated over $150,000 worth of specially design 29th Anniversary bags, Delmur Shipping CEO Colin Elcock donated a bicycle. Asst Secretary/CEO Simon Naidu, who is spearheading the planning for the event, expressed gratitude to the donors for their cooperation. Special thanks were extended to Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Onai Vasconcellos of Farfan & Mendes, Colin Elcock of Delmur Shipping and Rajin
Asst Secretary/CEO Simon Naidu receives donation from a representative of VNet. Ganga of Bakewell. The main objectives of the Award Ceremony over the last year has been to excel on and off the cricket field, to reward outstanding performance and to make sure that the Club’s
junior members are aware of role models to emulate. Among the 40 awards to be shared out are Under-15 Player of the Year, Female Cricketer of the Year, Worker of the Year, Discipline
RHTYSC Secretary/CEO receives the donation Onai Vasconcellos for Farfan Mendes Ltd. Member of the Year, Most Promising Player, Most Committed member and Cricketer of the Year. National Cricketers Jonathan Rampersaud, Mahendra Gopilall, Jeremy
Sandia, Kevin Sinclair, Jason Sinclair, Kevlon Anderson, Clinton Pestano, Shemaine Campbelle, Erva Giddings, Sheneta Grimmond, Shabiki Gajnabi are expected to be among the awardees.
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BCB launches 100 Balls GNNL/RHTYSC Cricket Tournament for Upper Corentyne Teams The development of Berbice Cricket continues at a rapid rate with the hosting of numerous Cricket Tournaments at the Junior and Senior levels. The Berbice Cricket Board on Thursday last launched another Tournament at the Second Division level for teams in the Upper Corentyne area. The Tournament is being sponsored by the Guyana National Newspapers Limited with support from the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS. BCB President Hilbert Foster stated at the simple launching ceremony at the GNNL Head Office, that a total of 24 Teams would participate in the historic Tournament. It is the first time that the popular 100 Balls version would be played in the Upper Corentyne area. Foster stated that the Berbice Cricket Board since 2018 has been hosting cricket in the Sub-areas as part of its effort to promote the game at the grassroot level.
Apart from the Upper Corentyne area, similar tournaments are being played in West Berbice, New Amsterdam/Canje and Lower Corentyne. The Berbice Cricket Board President hailed the outstanding work of the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association and stated that cricket in the SubAssociation was on the move. The Berbice Cricket Board he stated was delighted with the work of the Dennis De Andrade led Upper Corentyne Cricket Association which is organising cricket at the Schools, Junior and Senior levels. The twenty four Teams that would play in the Tournament are: Radha Krishna Academy, Crabwood Creek Sports Club, All Family CWC, Skeldon Titans Cricket Club, Bomb Squad, CWC, Dukestown Warriors Cricket Club, Scottsburg United Cricket Club, No. 73 Warriors Cricket
Club, No. 72 All Stars Cricket Club, No. 70 M.Y.O Cricket Club, No. 72 Cut and Load Cricket Club, No. 69 Vikings Cricket Club, No. 71 Sports Club Cricket Club, No. 70 Spartans Cricket Club, No. 70 Young Blood Cricket Club, No. 69 Red Rose Cricket Club, No. 68 Turn Team Cricket Club, No. 66 Giants, No. 48 Challengers Cricket Club, Yakusari Carib Cricket Club, No. 43 Scorpios Cricket Club, Yakusari Horizon Cricket Club, No. 68 Darkenders Cricket Club and No. 64 Fighting Marines. Foster noted that when his administration took over the Berbice Cricket Board, Cricket was on the decline but over the last twelve months, the Berbice Cricket Board has raised over $13M in cash and kind. The end result, Foster proudly stated is that over 40 Tournaments have been launched since March 2018 to present. Foster, who is a Director at the Guyana National
Ag General Manager Donna Todd in the presence of senior staff hands over sponsorship to BCB President Hilbert Foster. Newspapers Ltd and Secretary/CEO of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club expressed gratitude to both organisations for sponsoring the Tournament. Special thanks were extended to GNNL Chairperson Geeta Chandan Edmond and acting
General Manager Donna Todd. The GNNL/RHTYSC 100 Balls Tournament is one of several that the Berbice Cricket Board and the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association would be hosting in 2019 for teams in the Sub-Association as they
strive to fulfill their mandates. Acting General Manager of GNNL Donna Todd noted that her Company was pleased to be associated with Berbice Cricket and expressed confidence that the Tournament would be a successful one.
Queensway Security Service/GSSF Steel Challenge a closely contested, exciting, safe success The Match on March 30 was well attended by members of the Guyana Sport Shooting Foundation (GSSF) competing in two SCSA Divisions: Production and Limited. As an affiliate of the Steel Challenge Shooting Association (SCSA), a sister body of the United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA), the GSSF over the years has been organising matches following their strict safety policies. This simple, yet actionpacked shooting sport attracts Guyanese pistol shooters from all around the country on a regular basis who all engage in melodic pinging fun. Steel Challenge Shooting is in fact considered to be the fastest practical shooting competition in the world. The Competition proved to be an exciting one consisting of four (4) different stages where competitors shot at 5 individual steel targets per stage. Shooters were scored using an electronic timing device, penalties of added time were applied for any misses after the designated stop plate was shot and the total time taken was the score: all while being closely monitored by the Foundation’s Range Safety
Officers. The shooters with the lowest time to hit all the plates overall in the match in the respective divisions were declared the winners. At the Opening Ceremony, thanks were extended by the Match Director, Mrs. Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon to the Match Sponsor: Queensway Security Service Inc., The leading security company located of 153 Regent Road and Oronoque Streets, Bourda Georgetown, has over the years continued to recognise shooting as a sport. Range Master, Mr. Dallas Thomas then delivered his Safety Charge and Reminders to Participants and Spectators and introduced his Team of Range Officials for the afternoon to ensure that the strict safety rules were adhered to. A special addition to the Match was announced which was the Unclassified Category to facilitate the beginner shooters who all had the additional privilege of having first-hand competition coaching during the Match by the National 2018 Top Practical Shooters, Ryan McKinnon and Pravesh Harry. The Match was then declared open and the 2 squads began what would later show to be a very closely
contested match in both divisions as shooters commenced firing on the 4 stages: 5 To Go, Some & Hope, The Pendulum and Roundabout. Beautiful trophies were presented to the winners as follows: Production Division 1st – Ryan McKinnon (87.77 seconds) 2nd – John Phang (88.44 seconds) 3rd – Dale Hing (105.89 seconds) Limited Division 1st – Pravesh Harry (74.96 seconds) 2nd – Vidushi PersaudMcKinnon (118.55 seconds) 3rd – David Dharry (120.09 seconds) Unclassified Beginner Category 1st – Kyle Jagan(206.51 seconds) 2nd – Brian Backer (207.98 seconds) 3rd – Aadil Baksh (211.03 seconds) At the Presentation Ceremony, gratitude was extended by the Match Director to Range Master, Mr. Thomas and the Match Committee and Officials for ensuring the efficiency and high safety standards with which the match was run. The GSSF would like to extend its sincerest gratitude to Managing Director and member, Mr. Mohamed
The Smiling Division Winners of the GSSF Steel Challenge Match sponsored by Queensway Security Services Inc.: Ryan McKinnon (left) and Pravesh Harry (right). (Photo: Mr. Stanford Howard) Qualander and the Management of Queensway Security Services Inc for the kind Match sponsorship. The Foundation also wishes to thank the Guyana Defence Force, Chief of Staff Brigadier Patrick West, Commissioner of Police Mr. Leslie James, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Ms. Maxine Graham, OC Superintendent Mr. Guy Nurse, the ranks of TSU and the GPF Armoury and the Guyana Police Force and the Media. More information on the G.S.S.F. is available on its websitewww.GuyanaSportShooting.com.
PM Rowley hails Skerritt’s victory, warns hard road to recovery PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Trinidad & Tobago Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Rowley said he had a more optimistic outlook on West Indies cricket following the election of Ricky Skerritt and Dr. Kishore Shallow as president and vice president respectively, of the sport’s regional governing body, (Continued on page 31)
Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Keith Rowley
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Wednesday April 03, 2019
Monte Lynch, former England stars give London Schools a new start after scandal UK Evening Standard - No tale of the London Schools Cricket Association can be complete without reference to the luminaries who have represented them over the decades. Among them are Denis Compton, Graham Gooch, Alastair Cook, and Eoin Morgan — who this summer bids to join Bobby Moore and Geoff Hurst as World Cupwinning LSCA alumni, albeit in a different sport. LSCA has a proud 93-year history. In 2019, alas, no tale of LSCA can be complete without reference to its recent troubles. In 2016, they were found to have allowed a shocking safeguarding failure when Wasim Aslam, a child sex offender who had been imprisoned for four years in 2004 for indecent assault on two boys (he was then known as Wasim Majid), was operating as the charity’s fixtures secretary. The England and Wales Cricket Board, made aware of the situation in 2014, allowed this on condition that his role did not bring him into contact with children. Aslam broke the condition, attending agegroup cricket festivals featuring junior county teams. The fury that this revelation wreaked was inevitable. The association was sent into tailspin — the ECB withdrew its support and counties turned away. “In October 2017,” says LSCA secretary Peter Yeates, “there
On the front foot: Former England star Monte Lynch coaches youngsters at London Schools. (Carl Fox) was a distinct possibility that if we didn’t change, the ECB would have just closed London Schools down”. How, then, only 18 months on, is LSCA coming off a winter in which 400 boys and girls were trialled and 250 have taken part in winter nets? And how do they have a summer coming up where they will play more than 200 fixtures across seven agegroups, from U10s to academy (U16-17s), for boys and girls? The U14s are off on tour to South Africa. Two former England internationals, Monte Lynch and Phillip DeFreitas (who played for London Schools), are coaching the kids. LSCA looks in rude health. Yeates became involved when his 10-year-old son George was released by Middlesex. His school, Brooklands in East Finchley, nudged him towards LSCA as
his most likely route to regular cricket. He loved it, and through friendships forged at LSCA is now in Surrey’s system. Peter — by day a fund manager but also an experienced cricketer and coach — was inspired by George’s joy and was soon involved in running teams. When trouble struck, he was invited to a meeting at Lord’s. “There were a lot of people in over their heads,” he says. “There were things that didn’t sit right. The ECB were about to close London Schools and I thought ‘I’m not going to let this happen’. I took on the mantle of reshaping it and with a lot of help and goodwill, that’s what we’ve managed to do over the last year or two.” The first job was convincing the ECB and its CEO Tom Harrison to allow them to continue. They obliged, so next came
“complete overhaul — from the president to the people making tea, and a completely new executive”. Yeates became secretary and other parents took on roles, most notably lawyer Sean Keaton looking after safeguarding. Mike Selvey, the veteran journalist and former England bowler who toured India with London Schools in 1965-66, came on board as president. All are professionals volunteering their time; the appointment of another former player as chairman is imminent. LSCA’s first summer back, 2018, was positive, but got Yeates thinking: “how can we move this forward?” Enter Lynch, whose appearance and energy belie his 60 years so starkly that his biggest issue with London life is ticket inspectors refusing to accept his free bus pass. Since retiring more than two decades ago, he had an itinerant coaching career that took him from RGS Guildford to Guyana, where he was born, via Zimbabwe. He has a great story to tell, and will do so in a book soon. After nine years in Guyana he returned to the Oval in 2017 when former Surrey players were invited to the Test against South Africa. “I shuffled in with a crutch and stick,” he says. “I got chatting to [former Surrey President] Derek Newton and he arranged for me to see someone in Harley Street. The diagnosis came back that I needed both hips replaced”.
It was while rehabbing these operations at the Oval that Lynch ran into Yeates, who he had captained years ago in Surrey Seconds and was now at George’s training — sessions Lynch had been watching for months. Before long, Yeates had offered him the role of head coach of LSCA. “I accepted after telling him how I wanted it to be done,” Lynch smiles. “I’d watched sessions while doing my rehab and we had to revamp it”. There are now fewer unfocused net sessions, focus on “cricket smarts”, and relentless positivity and encouragement. Bowlers practise without a fine-leg so there is no get-out clause, while batsmen are told to value their wicket. “Cricket is a boring game!” he laughs. “You have to do the same thing over and over again. It’s about practice and repetition.” Lynch is a hands-on coach, and drafted in DeFreitas, who heads up the Leicestershire Academy. Both do it for “beer money”, says Yeates. “It’s peanuts compared to what they are worth. I can’t thank Monte enough. The kids bound in, especially the young ones. They are so eager, and parents love it. He’s brought vigour and excitement to training.” And yet, London Schools seems at a crossroads once more. Debate rages about what it is or is for. Nursery or academy? Lynch and Yeates,
caught up in the fun of it all, are unashamedly ambitious, wanting not just to compete against counties — some are welcoming, some merely tolerate and some are threatened and hostile — but alongside them. Selvey puts it nicely: “In the not too distant future I’d like us to be an integral part of what ought to be the biggest cricket academy in the world – London.’” The trouble is, the 48 major and minor counties share £5m from the ECB, while LSCA receives no central funding. Their only sponsor is parents and they do not have a regular ground for their 63 home fixtures this summer. They think they might be getting close to one for 2020, and have expanded from the Oval to Alleyn’s and Highgate School, while the girls train at Lord’s. LSCA’s aim is for kids to not travel miles or pay to play, an objective which would help raise their numbers from state schools — currently at 40 per cent. Six of the boys going on tour to South Africa are being subsidised by the association. “It’s an expensive sport,” says Yeates. “Unless you are near a club, state schools barely play. We don’t care about background, or whether they’re boys or girls — every kid should have the chance.” LSCA’s history is remarkable. But, you sense, there are a fair few chapters to be written yet.
Blaze Regional women’s T20 cricket
Giddings bowls Guyana to 3rd successive win By Sean Devers Another Player of the match award for left-arm pacer Erva Giddings resulted in another win for Guyana as they beat the Windwards by 18 runs in the penultimate round of the Blaze Regional w o m e n ’s T 2 0 c r i c k e t tournament at Providence last night. Giddings had 3-17, while Akaze Thompson took 2-7 as the Windwards were restricted to 88-8 in 20 overs, chasing Guyana’s 105-7 from 20 overs, as only Nerissa Crafton made 22. Guyana’s total was built around Tremayne Smartt’s 40 from 43 ball with five fours and 28 from Skipper Shemaine Campbelle from 33 balls with two boundaries. Swayline William had 2-21 in a losing cause. Wi n d w a r d s w o n t h e
toss and opted to field and Sheneta Grimmond stroked the first ball four and she was bowled off the third ball by Akeira Peters at 41. Campbelle joined Smartt and Campbelle who hit Narrisa Crafton over her head for four after being beaten a couple times by Crafton who got the white ball to swing under a clear night sky. Smartt drove Stacy Ann Adams gloriously past extra cover for four and Campbelle soon began to find her stride and favoured the on-drive Smartt continued to be the aggressor and smacked Qiana Joseph for a boundary to post the 50 in the ninth over. With the score on 70 Campbell hit William to long-on to break the 68-run second wicket stand before Smartt charged Joseph
seven runs later and missed a big swing and was stumped in the11th over. National U-19 Girls Captain Shabika Gajnabi (4) was LBW to William 784 before Giddings was run out for a duck next ball. Thompson (1) was run out at 87-6 before Melanie Henry (4) hit Crafton to deep mid-wicket at 96-7. Cherry Ann Fraser ondrove William to the ropes at mid-wicket before she was run out at 104-8 after counter-attacking in her cameo 17as the erratic running between the wickets became contagious despite the presence of the U-19 Girls, who will leave for the Regional tournament next week, chatting their noisy support from the balcony of Guyana’s dressing room. Plaffiana Millington (1) was bowled off the last ball of the innings after a free
hit to remain not out at the end. When the Windwards began their chase they were given a 35-run start by Adams and Crafton before Crafton was caught and bowled by off-spinner Mandy Mangru, while Skipper Afy Fletcher (6) was trapped LBW by the evergreen 33-year-old Giddings to leave the on 472 in the 9th over. F l e t c h e r ’s demise triggered a dramatic collapse with the Windwards slumping for 47-1 to 54-6 to the delight of fair size gathering in the Green Stand of mostly screaming females. Giddings, charging in from the Northern end with a cold breeze on her back, bowling fast and gun barrel straight to trap Juliana Nero (0) and Glendeen Turtin (4) LBW in the space of three runs, while
Thompson sent Joseph’s stumps flying before she had scored to leave the Windwards hanging on for dear life at 54-6. When William (10) was run out at 79-7 and Peters was caught at square-leg off Grimmond at 83-8 the Guyanese celebrated as if they had won the World Cup and the uproar from those in the Green Stand could be heard in Georgetown. Despite Carena Noel’s unbeaten 15 the Windwards were 18 short of their target when the overs expired. Meanwhile, an unbeaten 30 from Jodian Morgan from 24 balls with five fours and two sixes and 28 not out from Natasha Mclean from 16 balls with five fours and two sixes, the l a s t o n e o ff o f Ty n e t t e McCoy to end the contest, powered the defending
Champions Jamaica to 67 without loss from 6.4 overs for an emphatic win. Player of the match Neisha Ann Waisome had 3-15 and was supported Vanessa Watts who took 215 as the Leewards were bowled out for 61 in 18.4 overs. The Leewards lost wickets at regular intervals before Terez Parker who made 18 not out with three fours and last batsman Melicia Clarke (10) joined forces at 38-9 and took their team to 61 with their 23-run last wicket stand. Opener Melissa Howard was the other batsman to reached double figures with 10. To m o r r o w, t h e f i n a l round action, Jamaica plays T&T from 09:00hrs, Windwards face Leewards from 14:00hrs and Guyana battle Barbados under lights from 19:00hrs.
Wednesday April 03, 2019
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Kaieteur News
Pools team selected for Trinidad tourney
Hassan, Baksh centuries propel Payless Stars to massive win
Buddan Baksh receives a trophy from Cynthia Yamin for his century. From left: Sean De SusauZa, Steven Persaud, Kamil Hussain, Jonathon Parbhu, Dave Hussain, Ryan Rambalak, Abdool Salim, Anthony Xavier and (far right) Ryan Baksh the main Organizer. Guyana’s 8-man pools team for an upcoming tournament in Trinidad and Tobago has been selected from the 20 finalist who played in the Grand Finals of a recent tournament held at Grand Central Sports Bar on 30th & 31st March. Coming out victorious and making the team were: Sean De SusauZa, Steven Persaud, Jonathon Parbhu, Kamil Hussain,
Ryan Rambalak, Anthony Xavier, Abdool Salim & Dave Hussain with Sean De SusauZa and Steven Persaud securing the top 2 spots to ensure sponsorship to travel to Trinidad. The organizers would like to thank the sponsors of this event: Banks Beer, Suraj Sports Bar and Grand Central Sports Bar (Jerries Grove).
All systems green lighted for start of Hamilton Green 9-a-side Inter Ward Cup on Sunday All systems are a go for the Hamilton Green Cup Inter Ward/Village 9-a-side Knockout football tournament which starts Sunday and will conclude on April 28 with the semi final and final at the Den Amstel ground, venue for all the matches. Action opens from 3:00pm and Coordinator Lennox Arthur, the former National Football player and Coach, is asking all teams to be at the venue by 3:00pm to ensure all games start on time and the proceedings are completed in a timely fashion. The teams will be battling for a chance to claim the John Fernandes $300,000 first prize and Prime Minister trophy along with hampers from Ricks and Sari. The second placed team will take away the Courtney Benn sponsored $100,000, third $60,000 put up by Techno mills and fourth $40,000 donated by Ready Mix along with the respective trophies. All the trophies have been sponsored by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo. Also at stake are the individual rewards for the Most Goals/MVP who will take home a Dinette Chair from China Trading and a Lazy Boy chair from AH&L Kissoon, along with the Best Goalkeeper who will claim the Minister of Natural Resources trophy.
Among the sponsors so far are Techno mills, Ready mix, Sataur Gafoor, EC Veira, BEV Enterprises, BK International, IPA, Top Brandz, New Thriving, Ricks and Sari, E-Networks, Star Computers, NAMILCO, Cummings Electrical, National Sports Commission, Star Entertainment, Alfro Alphonso, the Guyana Police Force, Ministry of State, Prime Minister and Ministry of Legal Affairs. The opening salvo of games, (16), will see Vergenoegen vs Timehri, Soesdyke vs Jetty, De Kinderen vs Lilliendaal, Kuru Kururu vs Stewartville, Charlestown vs Zeelugt, North East La Penitence vs Agricola, Sara Lodge vs Mocha, Goed Fortuin vs Back Street Kings, Bagotville vs Sophia, Wales vs Mahaica, Plaisance vs Belle West Stars, Kitty vs Sparta Family, Mahaicony vs Crane, Pouderoyen vs Vreed-enHoop, Uitvlugt vs Lima Dam and Den Amstel vs West Side Masters. Arthur expressed gratitude to the sponsors for their support. He has been staging tournaments in recognition of former Mayor of Georgetown and Prime Minister of Guyana, Hamilton Green for a number of years now. The defending champion of this tournament is Charlestown who beat
Uitvlugt to claim the $400,000 prize and Ministry of Citizenship Trophy last time around. Uitvlugt took the John Fernandes Trophy and $200,000 for their efforts back then. With the involvement of the lead players emerging from the various areas and villages/wards, the event is playing its part in aiding Social Cohesion among the citizenry. Among some of the players on show Sunday include Sheldon Toney, Ruel Charter, Leroy Halley and Kenroy D’Aguiar. Teams are reminded to ensure they are at the venue for 3:00pm Sunday for a
prompt start of the games and to ensure all are completed in a timely fashion. In the rules four substitutions are permitted in this format which will see the games being run for 30 minutes broken into two halves of 15 minutes. The tournament will be played in the knockout format, with winners advancing to the next round. Sudden death penalties will be used to separate the sides in the event of a draw at the end of full time. The no offside rule is also in effect. All other rules will come under the dictates of FIFA.
Team Guyana yet to make... From page 39 noted that the National Sports Commission (NSC) has contributed $3million and the Ministry of the Presidency has pledged $500,000 with the additional $1million from the 4.5 accrued being contributed out of pocket from Hutson. When quizzed about the support from the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), Hutson explained that the head of that body; K.A. Juman-Yassin, is out the country and is due to return this week. “Last year he (the GOA) gave us $900,000 and we are hoping that they (GOA) can exceed that since we are running short on
funds.” The Athletics boss posited that he has reached out to the corporate community but he is yet to receive any significant contribution. However, the good news is that the AAG has been able to purchase tickets to the Grand Cayman Islands for the 17 local athletes that qualified for the games but other cost remains unaccounted for inclusive of the athletes’ registration fees and village/accommodation fees. In 2017, Guyana achieved their biggest medal haul, a total of eight, from a team that had consisted of just 12 athletes, so the potential this year is greater. (Calvin Chapman)
Centuries from Zameer Hassan and Buddan Baksh handed Payless Stars a 144run victory over Leslie XI when the teams collided on Saturday last for the Veera Sammy birth anniversary softball title at the National Park. Hassan struck an unbeaten 128, while Baksh slammed 126 as Payless Stars rattled up 289-4 off their allocation of 15 overs, batting first. Unnis Yu s u f contributed 33 as Veeraj Doodnauth picked up 2-35 and David Persaud 1-45. Leslie XI were bowled out for 145 in reply. Neville Persaud scored 47 and Javid
Zameer Hassan display his prize. Yamin 38; Robert Mohan captured 3-28, Troy Ramsewack 2-8 and Mahendra Persaud 2-36.
Mike’s Pharmacy/ Trophy Stall U19 tourney
Noitgedacht SC, Zeelandia/MP triumph
Bhumeshwar Ramkissoon
Ryan Atkinson
Noitgedacht Sports Club and Zeelandia/Maria’s Pleasure registered victories when play in the Wakenaam Cricket Committee/ Mike’s Pharmacy/Trophy Stall U19 40-over tournament continued on Saturday last. At the Wakenaam Community Centre ground, Noitgedacht defeated Good Success/ Sans Souci/Jaguars by three wickets. Batting first, Good Success/Sans Souci/ Jaguars were bowled out for 75 in 14 overs. Bhumeshwar Ramkissoon made 14 as Chetram Rai picked up 3-12 and Stephan Madromootoo 2-7. Noitgedacht SC
responded with 79-7 in 12 overs. Lorrex Stewart made 22 as Ramkissoon bagged 4-16 and Mahase Ramnarine 3-44. At Zeelandia, Zeelandia/ Maria’s Pleasure beat G Square Cavaliers by 24 runs. Zeelandia/Maria’s Pleasure took first strike and managed 138 all out in 17 overs. Ramveer Ramnarine made 29 and Direndra Sitaram 22; Romario Stephen claimed 323 and Sachin Dindyal 2-21. G Square Cavaliers were bowled out for 114 in 14.2 overs in response. Diquain Clarke scored 26 and Tekeshwar Nankoo 21; Ryan Atkinson grabbed 4-12.
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Concacaf announces Jamaica as a Host Venue for the 2019 Gold Cup - Gold Cup will be played in the Caribbean for the first time in its history Miami – The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf) yesterday announced that the National Stadium, in Kingston, Jamaica will host a 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup doubleheader on Monday, June 17, 2019. This will mark the first time in the tournament’s history that matches are played in the Caribbean, in what is set to be a celebration of sport and culture in this dynamic region. The expansion of the tournament to include first time hosts in the Central American and Caribbean territories comes as Concacaf works to increase access to the game and develop football, while ensuring our fans experience the highest quality of football in the region. “Bringing the Concacaf Gold Cup to Jamaica is a watershed moment for our Confederation and Caribbean football,” said Concacaf President Victor Montagliani. “Hosting our premier competition in Jamaica for the first time is an extraordinary opportunity to promote the
Wednesday April 03, 2019
Kaieteur News
very best of the game in the Caribbean, while raising standards and improving access to the sport across our Confederation.” The matches in Jamaica, which will kick off Group C play, will feature the group top seeded team Honduras, as well as the host nation Jamaica. This summer’s Gold Cup will be the first to feature an expanded version, with 16 countries vying for continental glory in what is set to be the largest Gold Cup in history. The stage is set with the 16 national teams qualified, via the 2018 FIFA World Cup Hexagonal qualifier round and the Concacaf Nations League Qualifiers. “Today is a historic day for football in Jamaica, bringing the Concacaf Gold Cup to our country will change the entire landscape of the game in this country,” said Jamaica Football Federation President Michael Ricketts. “The competition will inspire the growth of the sport and youngsters to play football. We are delighted at the prospects of hosting this
Concacaf Gold Cup.” The 2019 Gold Cup will be the biggest-ever edition of the event, with more participating nations (16 up from 12 in 2017), more host countries (three, including first-time matches in Costa Rica and a yet-to-be-named Caribbean nation), and more stadiums (17 up from 14 in 2017, eight of which are in contention to become a 2026 FIFA World Cup venue). Tickets for the Gold Cup match in Jamaica will go on sale at a later date. Tickets to all other Gold Cup matches are available at www.goldcup.org. Fans can also contact their specific venue or visit venue websites for box office hours and information. The 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup is sponsored by Allstate Insurance Company, Cerveza Modelo, Nike, Scotiabank, Sprint, and Toyota. The tournament will be broadcast nationally on the Univision and FOX family of networks and transmitted on radio in Spanish by Fútbol de Primera Radio Network, and broadcast by television partners in over 180 countries around the world.
Roberts grabs seven as UG thump Diplomats by 146 runs Pacer Keon Roberts produced a match winning spell as University of the Guyana (UG) defeated Diplomats by 146 runs when the Georgetown Cricket Association Noble House Sea Foods Second division two-day tournament continued last weekend. Batting first at MYO, UG posted a commanding 301-4 off 43.3 overs declared. Godfrey Thakurdin struck 85, while Ricardo David made 76, Ershad Alli 57 not out, Melroy Stephenson 47 and Roberts 18. R. Gill took 234. Diplomats responded with 234 all out in 57.2 overs. M. Simpson made 89, while R. Gill got 41, D. Bobb 40 and A. Foster 28. Alli claimed 3-39 while Miguel Parks, Roberts and Thakurdin had two each. Enjoying a lead of 67, UG scored 176 all out in 37.1 overs, batting a second time. Kerrie Henry made 40, Roberts 34, Thakurdin 30 and Andrew Gibson 22. R. Gill bagged 5-65. Set 244 to win, Diplomats were bowled out for 97 in 23 overs. D. Bobb made 27 and E. Mortimer 14 as Roberts bagged 7-39 from 11 overs, while Alli had 2-21.
RHTYSC Cricket Teams Say No/Say Yes Campaign
Regal Stationery, Farfan & Mendes, John Fernandes, Modern Optical, Guyoil, GGMC assists
Sales Clerk of Regal Stationery hands over donation to Mark Papannah (left) and Simon Naidu of RHTYSC. The efforts of the ten teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, MS to advice youths via their popular Say No/Say Yes Campaign received a major boost last Thursday. The Teams received close to $500,000 in cash and stationery from several business entities in Georgetown. The main objectives of the Campaign are to encourage youths to Say No to Drugs, Suicide, Alcohol, Crime, Tobacco and Yes to Life, Education, Sports, Religion and Community Service. Regal Stationery CEO Mahendra Hardyal donated close to $200,000 worth of ice pitchers and stationery to the Club while the Guyana Oil Company contributed
$100,000. The ten Cricket Teams also benefitted from contributions from Farfan & Mendes Ltd, John Fernandes Ltd, The Guyana Geology & Mines Commission and Modern Optical Services. Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster hailed the contributions of the donors, stating that in 2019, special emphasis would be placed on the Say No to Suicide and Yes to Education Message. The 2019 Campaign would include the hosting of several educational programmes including Essay, Debating, Poster and Spelling Bee. The Teams would also be publishing the Club’s Annual Review Magazine, Youth Information Booklet and Educational Posters.
Keon Roberts
Guyoil’s Marketing Manager hands over donation to RHTYSC Hilbert Foster.
Additionally the Teams would support the hosting of sporting events such as Cricket, Cycling, Football, Volleyball, Basketball and Softball among others while numerous Awards would be organised to honour outstanding Teachers, Retired Educators, Law Enforcement Officers, Medical Personnel, Students and Role Models. The Club and its ten cricket teams would also be sharing out millions of dollars worth of sport gears, stationery, cycles, school bags and footwear to youths and organisations across Berbice. Asst Secretary/CEO of the RHTYSC, eighteen years old Simon Naidu, expressed gratitude to Regal Stationery CEO Mahendra Hardyal and the Management of Guyoil, Farfan & Mendes Ltd, Modern Optical, John Fernandes Ltd and the Guyana Geology & Mines Commission for their assistance. Naidu disclosed that the ten cricket Teams: Under-12, Under-13, Under15, Under-17, Under-19, Under-21, Female, Intermediate, Second Division and First Division would together undertake over 400 activities in 2019 under the Say No/Say Yes Campaign. Naidu stated that the RHTYSC would also be shortly unveiling a Say No to Domestic Violence Campaign as the County of Berbice was losing too many lives through the killing of females by their partners.
Kaieteur News
Wednesday April 03, 2019
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Blaze Regional women’s T20 cricket
Dottin powers B’dos to fourth win by 7-wkts against previously unbeaten T&T By Sean Devers In a fourth round game between the two unbeaten teams, two times defending 50-over Champions Barbados beat Trinidad & Tobago by seven wickets in the opening match of Blaze Regional Women’s T20 Tournament at Providence yesterday as Player of Match Deandra Dottin had 2-9 before making an attractive unbeaten 52. F o r T & T, B r i t n e y Cooper made 31 from 24 balls with just two fours, Stacy Ann King who hit five boundaries in her 30 and Skipper Merissa Aguilera, unbeaten on a 26-ball 29 reached the boundary five times as the ladies from Carnival Country could only manage 136-6 when their 20 overs expired. Dottin (2-9) and Sherika Selman (2-18) were frugal, while Skipper Hayley Matthews leaked 39 run from her four overs for Barbados who replied with 137-3 in 15.3 overs. Dottin led the way with a
Deandra Dottin made an unbeaten 52 in the opening match at Providence yesterday. pugnacious unbeaten 52 from 32 balls with five fours and two sixes, while Kyshona Knights, with an unbeaten 33 from 23 balls with five fours and Kycia Knights, run out for a 20-ball 28 with two sixes and two fours, ensured that Barbados remained the only unbeaten team after four rounds. Barbados are now virtually assured of the
‘double’ as the last set of game were played yesterday. Matthew, who had her worst match in the tournament, was removed for a duck at 0-1 by offspinner Anisa Mohammed, who opened the bowling as Barbados, in the most import game in the tournament involving the only two unbeaten teams, had a nightmare start. Danielle Small (15) was removed by Lee-Ann Kirby in the sixth over at 41-2 before Kycia Knights and Dottin steadied the ship. Kycia Knights lofted Mohammed for a four and a six off consecutive balls before Dottin waded into Felicia Walters and crashed her for two boundaries before Kycia Knights was run out at 65-2. Kyshona Knights replaced her twin sister and hammered Leandra Ramdeen for four, while Dottin clobbered Walters for a couple of fours. Dottin, who scored the fastest T20 century (Male or
Female) from 38 balls, deposited King for six off the first ball of the 13th and stroked her for four off the last, to post the100. Dottin celebrated the landmark with two fours and six off Karishma Ramharack before Kyshona Knights blasted Kirby for four to end the match with 27 balls to spare. Earlier, on a day blessed with brilliant sunshine, Barbados invited T&T to bat on a low and slow track and a lightning fast outfield a handful of fans in the stands saw King and Kirby begin positively. King got off the mark with a boundary off the genuinely quick Shamila Connell and followed it up with consecutive fours off Shanika Bruce in the second over, while Kirby got going with a boundary off Connell. But with the score on 28 in the fourth over, Matthews made the break, through a good piece of fielding to run out Kirby for seven. King continued to play
her shots and drove the towering Connell for four as she and Cooper both counterattacked. When Matthews was introduced, boundaries by both King and Cooper in her first over in which 11 runs were conceded, before the 50 was posted in 6.5 overs. Danielle Small bowled a good first over before Shakira Selman trapped King LBW at 62-2 in the ninth over to bring Rachel Vincent to the crease but she did not last long and was removed by Dottin for three at 75-3. Dottin struck again at 84-
Stacy Ann King sweeps against Barbados at Providence yesterday.
3 w h e n C o o p e r, w h o smashed a couple of fours in the same over and hammered Small to the boundary, was LBW at 86-4 in the 13th over before Reniece Boyce (6) and Aguilera saw the 100 posted in the 14th over. Boyce was caught and bowled by Selman at 106-5 before Aguilera struck Selman for four and added two boundaries off the unusually expensive Matthews. Felicia Walters (8) was run out and Mohammed and her Captain took their team to what turned to be an inadequate total.
Agricola Fun-day and Sports day a resounding success In perfect weather and a fantastic atmosphere, the Agricola Family Fun-day and Sports day was a resounding success. There was plenty of excitement, joy and laughter as the young and old participated, while other just watched the various activities. There were three football teams; Diamond United (DU), Agricola Red Triangle (ART) and Puma. The first football game in the round robin format saw DU play ART and won 1-0. The DU and Puma clash
ended in a draw and ART beat Puma 1-0. The final was set between Diamond United and Agricola Red Triangle who snatched a 1-0 victory. T h e A g r i c o l a Community welcomed youths from the Forgotten Youth Foundation (FYF), Donald Alison Ricola Gym (DARG) and Boxing enthusiasts to the ring. There were 10 bouts and one exhibition by the Jackman siblings. Nathaniel Halley battled Thierry Moore in a threeround bout and Moore was
Clive Atwell presents the Best Boxer trophy Dwayne Baptiste.
- Hosts Agricola Red Triangle take Football title
Diamond United enjoy possession in their 1-nil loss to the host in the Football final.
persistent with his attacks making Halley work for the split decision win. It was Moore’s persistence and determination that earned him the ‘Most Determined Boxer’ award. Richard Moore came out victorious after his fight with Leon Moore Jr. was stopped in the second round after his opponent suffered an injury to his left arm. Corwin Evans, Shaqville Baptiste, Nathaniel Halley, Dwayne Baptiste, Ryan Benjamin, Joshua Joseph and Andel Manoha won their bout by unanimous
decisions. Shemar Beaton and DeFreitas Edwards made their amateur debuts and were both victorious in their bouts, giving a show stopping performance. The ‘Skilful Boxer’ and Best Boxer award were given to Wayne Castello and Dwayne Baptiste respectively. Organizers closed off the evening with music and dance, bringing an awesome day to a close. The ‘Optimistic Crew’ thanked everyone that came out to support this endeavour, the Teams and
Gyms, coaches, referees and corner men and women. The National Sports Commissions, Guyana Committee of services (sports charitable organization), Head John’s Barber Shop, Mr. Shawn Dublin, Ms. Hall and the Counsellor of Constituency 15 were praised for their contribution this Event. Meanwhile, World title contender Clive Atwell, who is a part of the Organising Committee for this Event, informed that he is preparing to take two Boxers to the Dominica next month. “I was asked to take two
Boxers to Dominica for a Developmental tournament on April 27,” informed Atwell who lived in Dominica for a few years. The NSC, through Director of Sports Christopher Jones, has provided sponsorship for part of the trip but Atwell says sponsorship is still needed. (Sean Devers)
Kaieteur News
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Wednesday April 03, 2019
25 graduate Maxido Adult Self Defence System
S
aturday March 30 is etched into the Maxido Adult Self-Defense System’s annals as truly memorable. It was the day the largest batch of students (25), in the most number of levels (5), were tested in their proficiency of Maxido Selfdefence techniques learnt over the past 6 weeks, acquiring a 100% student pass-rate, under the eyes of Founder & Chief instructor, G u y a n e s e - b o r n Master/Sensei /Shihan Max Massiah, & the Executives of the United Caricom Martial Arts Federation (UCMAF) namely Grandmaster Cromwell, Masters Williams & Murray, from Trinidad, and Christopher Norville of Guyana, who were invited as observers. Of the students, 11 were tested for Yellow, 2 for Orange, 2 for Green, 6 for Blue, and 4 for Purple. The MAXIDO system, founded by the veteran Martial Artist, was
specifically structured for the targeted & vulnerable, which includes Seniors, (abused or threatened) females, business owners, professionals, law enforcement, & security, to enable themselves to effectively defend from a p h y s i c a l attack/confrontation, by applying techniques designed for modern-day attacks, to subdue, dislocate, or break the limbs of the aggressor, in under 3 seconds. The system has already garnered tremendous respect Worldwide, and is rapidly growing, for its nononsense, devastating effect if and when applied. The students, aged between 20 and 72, displayed focus, calmness, precision of technique, and delivery with intent - the expected application of response sought for by the Chief Instructor. The event was witnessed by relatives, friends, and other Martial
Master Max Massiah (standing centre) with the successful students following their grading exercises. Artists. One student of the Black Hawks Martial Arts Academy took the opportunity during invited comments, to applaud the fact that what his eyes accommodated, blew him away, and stressed the fact of the quality, realism, & uniqueness of Maxido is normally expected of some Japanese Legend, but is overwhelmed by the fact of it being founded by a Guyanese. “Wows”, “ooohs”, and
Roberts grabs seven as UG thump Diplomats by 146 runs
P
acer Keon Roberts produced a match winning spell as University of the Guyana (UG) defeated Diplomats by 146 runs when the Georgetown Cricket Association Noble House Sea Foods Second division two-day tournament continued last weekend. Batting first at MYO, UG posted a commanding 301-4 off 43.3 overs declared. Godfrey Thakurdin struck 85, while Ricardo David made 76, Ershad Alli 57 not out, Melroy Stephenson 47 and Roberts 18. R. Gill took 2-34. Diplomats responded with
“oh jeez” were some of the exclamations heard from the audience, who were thoroughly entertained by the students, and by Master Max who demonstrated the Green belt techniques to the audience and the UCMAF executives, of what is to be expected by the students. The students (a mixture of Attorneys, professionals, Police, Security, workers, business owners, including 7 over the age of 55 - the eldest male 72, eldest female 61),
were loud in praises for their Instructor, a humble 5th degree Black belt, who is also a 5-time Martial Arts Hall-of-Famer, 2-times Hallof-Honor, 2 times Masters of Martial Arts awardee, & member of the World Council of Black belts, International Board of Black belts, with most acknowledging a tremendous & significant change in their lives, mostly of an upsurge in overall mental, spiritual, & physical
confidence. The system experiences a growth rate of 25% each class, with 90% of students continuing for advanced levels of training. The next class, which begins Monday April 15, will run for 7 weeks, with training schedules being 2 hours per day, three times per week. Master Max can be contacted on (592) 6098 1 3 2 , o r e m a i l maxmassiah@yahoo.com.
Romelton Siland emerges as the best in 3rd Annual Kares Engineering Charity Challenge - Brabhu Sharan and St. John’s Bosco Orphanages benefit form $100,000 each
234 all out in 57.2 overs. M. Simpson made 89, while R. Gill got 41, D. Bobb 40 and A. Foster 28. Alli claimed 3-39 while Miguel Parks, Roberts and Thakurdin had two each. Enjoying a lead of 67, UG scored 176 all out in 37.1 overs, batting a second time. Kerrie Henry made 40, Roberts 34, Thakurdin 30 and Andrew Gibson 22. R. Gill bagged 5-65. Set 244 to win, Diplomats were bowled out for 97 in 23 overs. D. Bobb made 27 and E. Mortimer 14 as Roberts bagged 7-39 from 11 overs, while Alli had 2-21.
Third Annual Kares Engineering Charity Challenge winner Romelton Siland (center) flanked by from right, Pinky Rambarran, Christian McRae, Jeremy Jones and Darren Allen. They knew they were not only competing for bragging rights and individual prizes for the next year but that their efforts were also for a worthy cause as two selected orphanages were going to receive, $100,000 each. Taking a special segment during the 5th Annual Kares Engineering Fitness Challenge organised by Guyana Fitness Games and in the cool of the afternoon, five trainers inclusive of one female faced off for the top spot. Their task was to complete burning 15 calories on the Assault Bike, 12 Pull-Ups and
9 Kettlebell Deadlifts over three rounds; the fastest to complete same emerging as the winner and it turned out to be, Romelton Siland followed by Darren Allen and Christian McRae to close out the top three. Jeremy Jones was the other male competitor while the lone female was Pinky Rambarran. All the competitors were rewarded by sponsor, Kares Engineering, while the charities chosen by the title sponsor to benefit from the $100,000 donation are Brabhu Sharan Orphanage and St. John’s Bosco Orphanage.
Kaieteur News
Wednesday April 03, 2019
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Jumbo Jet Triple Crown final leg
18-year-old Appadu looking for another big day on Easter Sunday Te e n a g e s e n s a t i o n , Ronaldeo Appadu, who jockeyed Lucky Star to an improbable win over favourite Vera’s Finally in the feature race of the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee’s (JJTRC) Triple Crown’s second leg, says that his success is a result of years of hard work behind the scenes. The second leg of the Triple Crown which raced off on March 23rd also witnessed Appadu capturing two other wins in the I and J Class, both with Miss Olympic. Appadu started exercising thoroughbred horses when he was just 10years-old under his father’s supervision. His father, Winston Appadu, was the one who brought his son up into the sport after years of experience being a top jockey in Guyana. Ronaldeo began his racing career three years ago and in such a short period of time, he is already one of the top riders in the country. During that time, he had the opportunity to ride along with professionals from Trinidad & Tobago (T&T) and Jamaica and he explained to Kaieteur Sport that he has learnt a lot from some of the best including Nobel Abrego, Nicholas Patrick and Nela Mohammed who came from
T&T to compete here throughout his career. “They gave me riding tips and showed me a few tricks,” he mentioned. The young man from Corentyne, Berbice is on the right path of fulfilling his dreams of becoming a famous rider through a career in the USA among world class jockeys. To stay fit, Appadu noted with this publication that he runs three miles every day after routine morning exercises with the horses; something he has been doing since the beginning of his career. Just for this year, he has won seven races with five second place finishes as he hopes to usurp 2018 jockey of the year, Colin Ross. Appadu will be looking to continue his move in the third and final leg of the Triple Crown which gallops off on Easter Sunday at the Port Mourant Turf Club in Corentyne, Berbice. A release from the organisers of the event revealed some exciting news of additional work being done on the Port Mourant track inclusive of the construction of a shoot to start the one mile race. The feature race on Easter Sunday will attract a total prize purse amounting to almost $2million with the winner of that C Class and
2019 Carifta Games
Team Guyana yet to make funding target - NSC contributes $3million Often times when a team is selected or has qualified to represent the Golden Arrowhead at a sporting event overseas, there is always an issue of insufficient funding, and the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) is faced with that dilemma once again. A team of 20 athletes have qualified to represent Guyana at the 2019 C a r i b b e a n F r e e Tr a d e Association (Carifta) games and head of the AAG; Aubrey Hutson had revealed that the total budget for the team’s participation was pegged at $8million. S o f a r, a t o t a l o f
Aubrey Hutson President of AAG. $4.5million has been raised and Hutson noted that some cuts may have to be made if the budget is not reached for the games that will be contested this Easter Weekend in the Grand Cayman Island. In a release to Kaieteur Sport, the AAG (Continued on page 37)
lower race pocketing $1million. The winner of the threeyear-old Guyana bred race will pocket $400,000, the F Class winner; $350,000, H Class; $300,000, I Class; $250,000, J class; $230,000, K Class; $220,000, L Class; $200,000, L Class and lower; $140,000.
Champion Jockey Appadu (mounted on Lucky Star) poses for a photo-op after clinching the top feature race in the Triple Crown’s second leg. (Emmerson Campbell photo)
t r o Sp
Some of the Participants in the Steel Challenge Match sponsored by Queensway Security Services Inc. (Photo: Mr. Stanford Howard)
Queensway Security Service/GSSF Steel Challenge a closely contested, exciting, safe success Concacaf announces Jamaica as a Host Venue for the 2019 Gold Cup - Gold Cup will be played in the Caribbean for the first time in its history
Erva Giddings took 3-17 to Guyana to their third consecutive win.
Blaze Regional women’s T20 cricket
The CONCACAF Gold Cup will be played in the Caribbean for the first time in its history. Here Concacaf President Victor Montagliani (left) and Jamaica Football Federation President Michael Ricketts (centre) display the trophy. (Photo: Concacaf)
Giddings bowls Guyana to 3rd successive win
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