PAGE 02
Kaieteur News
Friday April 05, 2019
Kaieteur News
PAGE 04
Friday April 05, 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
Cold cases There are many of them. Murderers, defrauders, and phantoms, to name the more serious and anxietyprovoking. Those who functioned as aiders and abettors, also fall in this felonious circle that roam around free, and without any concerned look over shoulders. Cold cases they are called; in Guyana that is as good as labeling the majority (not all) of them dead and buried cases. The clean in the Guyana Police Service struggles for occasional successes. Though relevant, it is pointless to focus on who sponsored, protected, enabled. That is all history; to a great degree, nothing is going to come out of anything related to those sinister supports. Nothing is going to happen to those who capitalized on chronic lawlessness and emerged richer. That is, whether they are in the Guyana Police Service, the Public Service, or the august corridors of lawmaking. The lucrative business of facilitating criminal conduct may no longer be as viable as before; but none should make the mistake of thinking that it has disappeared. Simply gone underground and operating in a more nuanced manner currently. Those intellectual authors are left alone; too slick, too insulated. Meagre returns. The focus has to be on the crux of the problem: the unsolved murders, the open-ended drain on the Treasury. Those perpetrators are operating in the middle of society: in the streets, in offices, in high places and sensitive boardrooms, in assemblies. A nation of laws and not men…. Says who? They are out there, aren’t they? They are many with their secrets and their private records. Save for the fact that they are not so secret nor private. This is a small society, with many clustered in smaller, cramped confines. Some are known -people participated, people talk, people benefited; others are on the radar of suspicion - it is a broad one and heavily populated; still others are walking, breathing monuments of the illegitimately obtained -the accumulation, the style, the consumption, and the swagger. What to do about them? Something has to be. Listen and look. There must be learning. As society pays through the nose in double and triple jeopardy. Perils multiply. There are those records: previously accused, previously freed, still active, still dedicated to the craft of criminality and mayhem. It is a harsh heavy price to pay. The banks are a problem; they might as well be bankrupt. Just don’t make a run there; it could lead to having to run for life. Try outrunning a network of informers, a trailing car, a lurking ambush, or a speeding bullet. The question hangs around: what to do about them? The question lingers, is not going anywhere; for perpetrators have neither conscience nor compassion nor any intentions of going straight. Too cheap, too tedious, too meaningless. It is the same story with those of the white-collar variety in white-coated offices. Stacks and stacks of collections; old customers and fresh, new prey. Just get the thing done: a matter of culture, a matter of mindsets and monies made to move mountains. The monies are that mountainous. That is why there were and are so many of these practitioners around. For those sniffing at scents long stale and trails gone cold, there is that ancient standard to remember and to follow: follow the money, and when that fails look for temptress and tempter. There is always one or the other in those concealed dirty pictures. But again: they are not so hidden. The testaments of Guyanese civilization are there: towering and prosperous. They awe; they enlighten. Therein rests the soul of the story. Those cold cases: there are those executioners; facilitators in official clothing; seekers of truth in robes and with articulation and documentation to plaster any sore, fix any problem. Those waxing furiously about principle and truth and constitution. They are the prosperous hogs. Hogs have a lot of fat; some is not genetics. Rich diet of evidence accuses.
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.
The spate of domestic violence against women has become very worrisome DEAR EDITOR, I am deeply troubled and appalled at the manner our women continue to be subjects of abuse, to put it mildly, in our dearly beloved Guyana. It seems that the interminable calls for an end to violence against women continue to fall on the proverbial deaf ears. Hence, something is chronically wrong when a man would conjure in his mind that a woman is his personal possession to manipulate and treat to the coarser aspect of his masculinity. It seems like these acts of brutality have now become commonplace and acceptable by some men in our society. Thus, in order to maintain dominance and resolve domestic issues, violence is the order of the day. Perhaps, the perception of imposing aggression and using violence would make women subservient and
fearful, hence causing them to accede to every demand, so that they can maintain an inflated ego, oblivious to the irreparable damage which it inflicts upon the unions, and the long-term mental anguish which the children endure. And in some cases, this can lead to a repetition of the cycle if left unresolved. As I read the article about the young lady who was brutally murdered recently in Berbice, I kept asking myself, what would possess a man to remorselessly and premeditatedly want to slaughter the defenceless mother of his children. However, what was even more barbaric was the sequence of his heinous criminal plan, which is evident that it was meticulously contrived. Hence, in a fit of rage and a moment of impulsivity, he ended her life. I am flummoxed by the fact that this same tearful perpetrator
had the audacity to ask the magistrate’s permission to see his deceased wife’s face. The same person whom he mutilated and disdainfully hacked to death. The act of indignity has already been committed, and no amount of wailing and tear shedding will bring her back. I would imagine that these primitive and unforgivably destructive selfish acts supersede all forms of rational thinking, just to appease one’s need for revenge. But, what many fail to realise is that whatever we do as parents, we are modeling for our children, because we are their role models, and they look to us for guidance and leadership. Hence, the choices we make in life will have a huge impact on their upbringing and psychological state. And as he prepares to be incarcerated for an indeterminate period, and his dead wife to be buried, what
does the future hold for the three innocent children? Understandably, they will have to be raised by other relatives, who might do an exceptional job, but these situations also leave them in a vulnerable situation as well. The time is opportune for us to start having more awareness programs about domestic abuse and how to deal with potential volatile situations, especially men. I also strongly believe that there ought to be stricter penalties for domestic abuse, and it is critical that women empower themselves and always look for the warning signs before and during the relationship. This trend has become very worrisome, as it has been for a long time, and this does not augur well for our future generations. We cannot sit idly by and treat women in a misogynistic manner. Yours truly Raul Khan
Lessons in corporate diplomacy and creolese Dear Editor, S o m e t h i n g unprecedented happened a few days ago. For the first time ever, April 1st came and went; just like that. There was not a single April Fool’s Day joke; not one prank. And as if to emphasize how things are in this blissfully frenzied state, this very troubled land, I seem to recall, when looking back two weeks ago, only a solitary reference to the dreaded Ides of March of Caesarian fame. Clearly, matters have deteriorated to beyond serious here these days, they are alarming. But just when I was about to give up hope and declare that all was lost, there was blessed relief. This being Guyana - helpless, dependent, woeful Guyana it took a foreigner, an illustrious one, to perform the honours. For in this the best of times and worst of times (depending on outlook) in this fateful year that is 2019, Guyana’s All Fool’s day joke came from no less a dignified presence than a former ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary. And what a one! I recognize His Majesty (Anglophobes: excusez-
moi) Perry Holloway of the still mighty United States of America. These are the stalwarts that continue to keep it great; no need to do so again. How His Excellency, now plain Mr. Holloway, put on a show for Guyana! In an unparalleled example of the seamless blending of thoughtprovoking (not provocative) d i p l o m a c y, s t i r r i n g American English, veiled corporate speak, and boisterous Guyanese creolese, SVP Holloway rolled up starched white sleeves, discarded his old mittens, and donned his brass knuckles. They have to be, no matter how camouflaged. For if those are regular gloves, the Marquis of Queensbury would have had something to say; or, at the very least, they have something suspicious inside. Mr. Holloway got down for a throwdown with the locals. That is showing dem who is boss. I am tempted to bow in acknowledgement to the now (not so excellent) corporate bruiser; but Mr. Holloway knows that Americans (even paper ones) do not bow before anyone. That notwithstanding, the former diplomat certainly
did a number for the local audience. I confess to being enthralled by his linguistic versatility, media pugnacity, and literary originality. This confirms what I have always suspected: it is that American English is much closer to Guyanese English (creolese) than Oxford or BBC English. Score one for the natives. Now I know why Guyanese who have never travelled beyond the Demerara Harbour Bridge sound as if they have lived in Brooklyn all their lives. The advocates for creolese have to be thrilled; or at least tickled crimson. It should be noticed that I am struggling to stay neutral in colour selection, so that no one could say I work for GECOM. After all elections are in the air; the nose, too. I suppose that is why citizens have neither time nor patience nor interest in jokes; be they of the usual April Fool’s silliness or any other kind. I wish that Guyanese (eligible ones) could summon the drive to be just so focused, just so singleminded, just so unswerving on the things that really matter. Things such as honesty, integrity, decency. Things like quiet dignity and
pride. For good measure, I throw in standards and values, too. To corporate ambassador H o l l o w a y, a w o r d o f gratitude is due for the titillating comedy relief; except that it may not be so funny in some elevations. I thank him for the laffs. I would respectfully recommend that next time around, this be done on All Fools day itself. I think that this talented American is well equipped to launch a third career pursuit after corporate life. The comedy circuit waits. It could use another political satirist cum humorist a la Mark Russell. Spare the pen and spoil the politicians. Last, this confirms that foreigners read everything; no wonder they are so smart and found so appealing as arbitrators. Guyanese could learn. On second thoughts, I must take that back. Dem guvment ministahs prapah smaat. Deh divorce deh wife, but still live in the same house together. Some resignations those are! Back in the day, deh use to call dem kind ah wise men technocrats and parliamentary secretaries (no voting). Slickly done…. Sincerely, GHK Lal
Friday April 05, 2019
It is time for us to do the right things in our quest for a democratic and prosperous Guyana DEAR EDITOR, The decision by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to proceed with house- tohouse registration despite strong objections from the Opposition-nominated Commissioners is most unfortunate and does not augur well in terms of the capacity of GECOM to deliver credible elections in a timely matter. The constant walk-outs from GECOM meetings by opposition-nominated Commissioners bring back memories of the pre-1992 period when GECOM was a willing tool of the then PNC regime. Commissioners representing the PPP were forced to walk out from meetings on matters which were patently biased, such as the refusal to count votes at the place of poll and on the issue of overseas voters, among others. Why the need for a new
Voters’ List involving billions of dollars when the technology is available to sanitize the list and prevent multiple voting? Why is it that the Continuous Registration process is not utilized to update the List of Electors and bring in all eligible voters? Is the insistence on a new Voters’ List based on house-to-house registration another ploy to delay elections beyond the due constitutional deadline? Guyanese are eagerly awaiting the CCJ ruling on the matter of the no-confidence vote, but whatever the ruling, the imperative of timely and credible elections remains a national imperative. The credibility of GECOM is once again on trial. Its inability to reach consensus on fundamental issues that will impact on free and fair elections is at best worrying. Given the failure of GECOM to reach consensus on fundamental issues, an
oversight mechanism should established at GECOM involving representatives from the United Nations to assist in arriving at consensus on fundamental issues pertaining to electoral fairness. The presence of a politically neutral oversight body at GECOM could also help to boost confidence levels in the electoral processes. The credibility and integrity of the electoral process in Guyana is a necessary ingredient for political, economic and social stability which is so necessary at this time. We are soon to experience the dawn of a new day in our economic life, thanks to oil and gas which could have a transformative impact on the country and its citizens. It is time for us to do the right things in our quest for a democratic and prosperous Guyana. Hydar Ally
Oil money can also be invested in Guyana is not about to avoid the day has in place a resource curse but is development plan that will agriculture the benefit the poor, I just do not headed for it. DEAR EDITOR, Since oil was discovered offshore Guyana it seems that Guyanese are expecting an Oil Boom. Let’s face reality. The oil will only benefit a few (those who are well connected) and may not trickle down to the poor and severely poor who are in desperate need on a day-today basis. I sincerely doubt that the ordinary Guyanese will ever see any of this oil money, as
Some, in Guyana, became very wealthy without oil, so imagine with oil how much more wealthy the wellconnected will become? The reason for my pessimism is that I look at the world and see the rich getting richer as the poor get poorer and understand that Guyana is headed in the same direction, unless it does something fundamentally different. Unless the government of
see how the oil money will benefit the vast majority of Guyanese. Such a development plan will need to target unemployment by job creation. Investment needs to be made in agriculture (as it tends to absorb more people, as people always need food and many Guyanese are skilled in farming), then value added products. Yours Faithfully Sean Ori
An open letter to the management of GTT DEAR EDITOR, It is now twenty-eight years since the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) has attained the responsibility of providing telecommunication services in Guyana. Since that time it has availed to over three hundred thousand of our population, a variety of the services offered. That is commendable, but the other proportion of the population which craves the
PAGE 5
Kaieteur News
internet and attendant services is left frustrated. That is, notwithstanding, the many promises GTT has made. Such frustrated communities are those of Inner Bagotville, Canals number 1 and 2 Polder and Parfait Harmonie. Why should these communities be denied these services for so long? What are the reasons for so doing and why cannot solutions be found to resolve them?
Are these communities to be abandoned to a state of backwardness? The technology has made it possible to communicate with men in space and satellite on Mars, yet it is not yet possible for communities two miles across the Demerara River from GTT Head Office in Georgetown to benefit from the communications technology which they want. Hubert C. Roberts
These statements are furthest from the truth DEAR EDITOR, An April 3rd, 2019 Stabroek News letter to the editor headlined “Mining in Marudi area remains major problem, gov’t must take action” has come to the attention of the Ministry of Natural Resources. The letter written by Chief Kokoi Tony James A.A contains several imprecisions and relies on an obvious misunderstanding. It highlights an issue of mining in the Marudi area and further states that permission for this mining has been given by the Minister of Natural Resources and claims a disregard of the residents of the village of Aishalton in consultation. These statements are the furthest from the truth. The Ministry kindly wishes to correct these inaccuracies and further reassure readers of the Government of Guyana’s commitment to processes of consultation and adherence of laws. Firstly, contrary to the article, the Minister of Natural Resources Hon. Raphael Trotman did not give permission to any miner to conduct mining operations on Mazoa, which is in the concession of the Romanex Guyana Exploration Ltd. It should be noted though, that the Guyana Geology and Mines
Commission (GGMC) is the regulator of the mining industry, and so granted the Marudi Mining License (ML/2009) to Romanex in 2009. However, due to several issues with the company, a suspension order was issued in 2014, but the company was reinstated in 2016. From the onset, several small miners organized under the Rupununi Miners Association (RMA) were operating illegally in the area, with efforts to remove them proving futile. With this, conflict ensued between the miners and Romanex. As such, the Minister of Natural Resources convened a mediation process resulting in the Marudi Mediation Agreement (MMA). Throughout this mediation process the RMA, Romanex officials, and Toshaos of eight Southern Rupununi Villages were present and made inputs. Nowhere throughout, and after this process, did the Minister authorize any additional persons, groups or companies to conduct mining operations outside of those involved in the mediation process. Further, it is not within the power of the Minister, but that of the GGMC, to issue mining licenses and permits. Further, the article goes on to claim that there is no meaningful and effective participation of Indigenous Peoples when it comes to activities like mining. Contrary to this belief, as mentioned above, the
Toshaos of the eight villages were present throughout the mediation process and did raise concerns only in relation to mercury use and turbidity of waters, to which the Government instructed the company to conduct an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment which in totality would speak of mitigating measures. The Ministry and by extension the Government of Guyana has a moral and constitutional responsibility to the Indigenous Peoples of Guyana, and have always valued the relationship due to the significant role they play in their communities and in the sustainable management of Guyana’s natural patrimony. Moving forward, the Ministry is respectful of the concerns raised, though they may contain inaccuracies. Although we encourage persons to raise their concerns, it is pertinent that they ensure that they are not misinformed in order to not mislead persons when these concerns are raised. We encourage all to take advantage of the Ministry’s outreaches and other platforms to voice their concerns and have their matters discussed and resolved. Regards, Stephon Gabriel Public Affairs Officer Ministry of Natural Resources
APNU + AFC government hindered businesses and caused uncertainties in the business environment DEAR EDITOR, Permit me space to voice my disagreement with letter writers and commentators, whether on social media, discussion forums or the print media who argue that the APNU + AFC government has not hindered businesses and caused uncertainties in the business environment. In reality, gov’t’s policies, programs and practices over the last three to four years have stymied progress among existing businesses. There have been a number of obstacles and uncertainties forged by the APNU + AFC government. First they mismanaged the economy through bad policies that saw the loss of over 30,000 jobs in the private
sector. The loss of jobs meant that people have no income or less disposable income which in turn, has led to reduced spending by those affected, not to mention, the impact of increasing GWI and GPL costs on pensioners. Second, their lack of support for the rice industry through either inadequate knowledge of the role of rice production in the national economy as a foreign reserve earner and job creator or a deliberate ploy to disrupt/ destroy the rice farmers/ sector. Many small rice farmers suffered losses in revenue, especially when the foreign markets dried up, and some are still to be paid for their paddy from previous crops.
Third, the shutting down of the housing drive (until the recent frantic political gimmick which is yet to bear meaningful fruit for those who participated) disrupted a chain of economic events. This closure, along with the closing/scaling down of the logging operations, has had a huge negative impact on the economy in terms of job loss and spending power. For example, the sawmilling industry has had to lay off up to 60 percent of (Continued on page 6)
PAGE 6
Friday April 05, 2019
Kaieteur News
Palm planting is a waste of state resources - The Green State Development Strategy is a farce DEAR EDITOR, A few days after the Phagwah festival, a team from the Ministry of Communities converged on the environs of Haags and Bosch dumpsite on a palm tree planting exercise. I recollect visiting the Essequibo Coast shortly after the Coalition took office and there was a massive palm tree planting exercise along the roadside there too. Upon enquiry, I was told that this palm planting was being done because of the government’s Green State Development Strategy (GSDS). It suddenly struck me that the planting of palm trees using taxpayers’ monies is among one of the silliest things a poor country like ours should ever contemplate. I ask myself, if the government needs to plant some trees because of some development strategy, why does it have to be palms? In reminiscence, I recalled a former prime minister of Guyana, one Dr Ptolemy Reid had a favourite phrase, “ If
you plant a tree and it does not bear food, cut it down.” It is my opinion that this country has at present some 50% of its population living in poverty. So I wonder by what stretch of the imagination has our socioeconomic situation evolved from where a leader of the PNC in the 1970’s advises the citizens to cut down a tree that does not produce fruits for us to eat, to a PNC government of this era that spends hard earned taxpayers’ dollars to knowingly plant trees that do not bear a fruit fit for human consumption. If we had to plant some trees, why did it have to be palms? Why couldn’t we have planted cherries and soursop, so that the youths of tomorrow could have some fresh fruits, walking down the roadsides? The nutritionists advise that we need more fruits in our diet. Planting real fruits could have impacted positively on the nation’s health bill in the future. Why was this
information not factored in when the decision was made to plant trees along the roadside? Was the decision to plant palms made because of symbolic reasons to leave a reminder that the Party (PNC) is or was in power? The next generation will have a hectic task to clean up the fallen branches from these palms, because of their grittiness they are not conducive to mulching like the leaves of cherries and soursop. Sadly! They will not be rewarded with an edible fruit. In frustration, I decided to do some research on the GSDS. What I found was a set of documents, confusing and contrasting, written in flowery language. In my opinion it seems to be a piece of drab literature hastily concocted by the government in collaboration with the “UN country team” in the absence of any plan by the Government to move the country forward, after they had spent the first 100 days in office celebrating their election victory. After slumbering past 100
They don’t seem to be listening at all to their people Dear Editor, Seriously, the United Kingdom, the world’s fifthlargest economy — a country whose elites created modern parliamentary democracy, modern banking and finance, the Industrial Revolution and the whole concept of globalisation — seems deadset on quitting the European Union, the world’s largest market for the free movement of goods, capital, services
and labour, without a wellconceived plan, or maybe without any plan at all. Both Conservative and Labour members of Parliament keep voting down one plan after another, looking for the perfect fix, the pain-free exit from the E.U. But there is none, because you can’t fix stupid.The entire Brexit choice was presented to the public in 2016 with utterly misleading simplicity. It was sold with a
pack of lies about both the size of the benefits and the ease of implementation, and it continues to be pushed by Conservative hard-liners who used to care about business but are now obsessed with restoring Britain’s “sovereignty” over any economic considerations. They don’t seem to be listening at all to their people .Yours Rooplall Dudhnath
APNU + AFC government hindered businesses and caused uncertainties... From page 5 their workers due to the drastic fall in demand for wood and wood products. Concomitantly, many businesses saw a huge fall in sales for their building/ construction-related products. As a final point in this letter, revenuegarnering institutions have attempted to squeeze out taxes from declining businesses affected by bad gov’t policies. They refused to accept that revenue/ earnings for these private sector entities have fallen to extremities, and continued to demand taxes based on earlier periods of high gains. In fact, there was a joke on the street, the gist of which was the GRA would tax you as a
street vendor if they found you coming from the laundromat with several newly-washed shirts. In essence, this inexhaustible sample of the APNU + AFC government’s bad policies, programs and practices over the last few years showed some of obstacles and uncertainties which have stymied economic/financial progress among businesses. It is, therefore, difficult to fathom the arguments of those who hold steadfastly to the false view that the gov’t has not engendered uncertainties in the business sector. Yours faithfully, Ronald Singh
days, they found it expedient to give the people a sign something in the vicinity of striking stone to get water hence the GSDS. It was imperative that “the good life”, had to be mentioned in the GSDS! The sign would have been lacking of lustre without it. This is what I found under a heading, “Green economy vehicle to Guyana Green State Development Strategy”: “Several sectors of the economy were defined as priorities to be fast-tracked in the early stages of the initiative. These sectors include, mining, petroleum, infrastructure and transport, and agriculture and integrated rural development.” “Fast-tracked’ is a vague term here. The GSDS probably explains why our petroleum agreement with Exxon was signed swiftly (fast-tracked) and in secret, to our demise. Apart from the petroleum agreement, nothing else had moved, to be suggestive of “fast-tracked’, in the other identified “sectors”.
The conflict in the GSDS surfaces in the identified core values No vi (6) which states. “Good governance, decentralization and participatory processes: ensuring transparency and sharing and decision-making to the population; engaging civil society and creating a space for citizen participation.” Have any of these core values listed at number 6 been adhered to in the handling of the affairs of our newfound, most precious resource - Oil? I do not recall any participation of citizens in any discussion with government before or after the signing of the EIA or the PSA with Exxon. Both documents are considered flawed in favour of Exxon. This is what the President said about the GSDS at a multi stakeholder forum at Princess on November 23rd 2017. “The green state will pursue the sustainable management of our natural resources. It will ensure that these resources will be develop in such a
manner that it will not result in resource exhaustion or extinction. “ This is gross misinformation by the president to the public. Mineral and Petroleum resources once extracted can never be replenished. Once extracted they will be exhausted or extinct from our domain. Surely the president would know that. The GSDS is a farce. It is laden with too many red flags to be considered a development strategy. It cannot be considered as an objective, because of its vagueness. It is more like a logo that the president holds up at the international forums around the world, with the hope of getting donations from nations (Norway being the prime target) that are interested in saving the planet. The GSDS is utter trash. The Government knows that! No wonder they have not made a concerted attempt to educate the masses, who seem to care less about such folly. Rudolph Singh
Guyana under siege by the big, bad bully DEAR EDITOR, APNU+AFC demands all must respect the courts. Their demand follows the rulings of the appellate court that the No-Confidence motion (NCM) is not valid. Yet, it is this same APNU+AFC which refused to honour the rulings of the Chief Justice on December 31st when she ruled that the NCM was valid. Since December 21st 2018, APNU+AFC has been breaching the laws of Guyana, pronouncing everyone, excepting APNU+AFC, must honour the courts and parliament. This is utter hypocrisy and lawlessness. Only bullies and dictators behave this way. These are times which demand our political leaders ascend to the greater good, acting in the interest of Guyana and the Guyanese people. There is a grave political crisis hammering the economic and social welfare of every Guyanese citizen. Yet, APNU+AFC behaves as if they have a divine right to power, disavowing every tenet of our constitution and disregarding the judiciary.
Their arrogance, hypocrisy and bully tactics daily, bring greater stress and stagnation in our country. Freedom and democracy are under siege once again in our country. They continue to bully and subvert the most important institutions which guarantee Guyana’s freedom and democracy and ensure justice. The Constitution is under constant attack and subversion. Parliament, APNU+AFC’s personal playground, functions at their whims and fancies, and even mathematics is not safe. GECOM is now a creature of APNU+AFC. The Judiciary is under assault. On January 31, 2019, the Chief Justice in the High Court made three decisions. First, that the NCM of December 21st, 2018 in Guyana’s Parliament was valid, that based on this decision, the Government must set a date for elections and GECOM must conduct those elections. Second, that MP Charandass cast a valid vote and that all 65 votes were valid. Third, that dual citizens in Guyana’s Parliament henceforth must resign their seats and that no one is eligible to sit in Parliament
while a dual citizen. APNU+AFC was bound by these decisions to comply with immediate effect. APNU+AFC refused to respect these decisions, disregarding the rulings of the Chief Justice, based on the spurious argument they had lodged an appeal. Like bullies and dictators, they created their own laws. After the Court of Appeal handed down its decision, APNU+AFC wasted no time that same evening to demand everyone respects one of the court’s decisions. It immediately announced it will resume Parliament and Cabinet meetings. Cabinet is already meeting, as if the NCM did not happen. Parliament is set to meet on April 11. Shamefully, APNU+AFC argues that its failure to comply with the Chief Justice ruling was because it had appealed the rulings. It is a reprehensible manifestation of Animal Farm “we are all equal but some are more equal than others”. This is sheer hypocrisy, but more importantly, it is APNU+AFC at its most extreme manifestation of being a big, bad bully. Dr. Leslie Ramsammy
PAGE 7
Kaieteur News
Friday April 05, 2019
FREDDIE ERRED ON DISQUALIFYING DUAL CITIZENS FOR EMPLOYMENT DEAR EDITOR, In his column captioned “The Ivelaw Griffith interview sickened me to the core”, (KN Apr 4) Freddie Kissoon erred in issuing a blanket remark disqualifying all dual citizens or overseas-based from employment in Guyana. Freddie also errs in placing all overseas Guyanese in the same category as somehow being unpatriotic in not returning home to serve country. There are several overseas-based Guyanese who are more patriotic and who have done more for the nation than those at home. From afar, several played far more active and significant roles on Guyanese affairs than those at home. I can identify several foreign-based Guyanese (not the least being Arjune Karshan, Chuck Mohan, Dr Baytoram Ramharack, myself, among others) who gave almost their entire lives (neglecting family and their own welfare) in service to Guyana. In Ramharack’s and my case, we started the struggle in New York even before we attained age 17. Some gave their entire earnings to the struggle. I can attest that Dr. Ramharack and I gave thousands of US dollars to fund the struggle, paying for publications and organizing rallies, meetings, etc. For some, their families broke up (won’t mention their names for privacy) because they neglected wife and kids while immersed in the struggle for the restoration of democracy in Guyana. How many in Guyana made that kind of sacrifice? Is that not enough sacrifice to qualify one as being very patriotic to the homeland and entitle one to a job at home? Freddie excoriated three Guyanese (Dr. Baytoram
Ramharack, Dr. Tarron Khemraj, and Sase Singh) who Freddie claims wanted positions in Guyana but were not willing to make a sacrifice servicing the nation in low salaried positions. That statement is not factual. All three Guyanese are very patriotic and all three lived in Guyana for some period of time after qualifying abroad in their fields of endeavour. I did not know Sase Singh until recently. As best as I know, he was not involved in the anti-dictatorial struggle abroad. But he worked at Guyana Flour Mills for some time. Tarron Khemraj, who I knew during his college years, was briefly involved in the anti-dictatorial struggle in New York and returned to work in Guyana. Dr. Ramharack, who was my peer at university during undergraduate and graduate studies at CCNY and NYU from 1977 onwards, gave decades of service to Guyana at home and in New York City. We both were closely involved in the struggle for the restoration of democracy in Guyana. When Freddie was at university in Canada studying at home or in libraries, Ramharack and I and a few others were planning and organizing strategies on how to restore democracy in the homeland. Late at nights, in the wee hours of the mornings, we were writing and editing newsletters on issues in Guyana or penning letters to Members of Congress, The Carter Center, Presidents Reagan and Bush, the US State Department (Sally Cowal, Elliott Abrams, etc.) and leaders around the world. During our breaks from college or employment as edu-
cators, we were in Guyana joining members of the Patriotic Coalition for Democracy at rallies and picketing exercises. We did so with our own funds and also made financial contributions to the opposition parties in Guyana. Ramharack, myself and several of my colleagues who went to Guyana were beaten or intimidated or threatened by thugs. In addition, Dr. Ramharack, myself and others spent a considerable amount of time in Guyana conducting opinion polls. Ramharack and myself took several leaves from our teaching jobs and spent the time on Guyana, in service to the nation. There are countless other examples of sacrifices and what can be considered as “work” in Guyana - sacrifices that Dr. Ramharack, myself, and a few others made in service to the nation. How many Guyanese at home or abroad did as much as Ramharack and a few others? Even Freddie, himself, while living abroad, did not make that kind of sacrifice for the homeland as Ramharack. Do these sacrifices not qualify us as patriotic and entitle us for jobs? By the way, neither Dr. Ramharack nor myself or any one of us who was involved in the patriotic struggle for restoration of democracy are looking for jobs in Guyana. In general, I agree with Freddie that those who gave most of their lives in service to other countries should not
Prime Minister congratulates KN on 25th Anniversary and radio launching
be given preference for employment to Guyanese at home. If a local Guyanese and someone from the diaspora are equally qualified for a position, it should go to the local. And yes, as best as I know, Dr. Ivelaw Griffith, who I know since the late 1980s when we both did doctoral studies (and had classes together) in Political Science at CUNY Grad Center, did not participate in the struggle for restoration of democracy in the homeland. There are others who are hired from the diaspora who played absolutely no role in Guyanese affairs. Both Dr. Ramharack and myself continue to be involved in the affairs of the nation. I have spent months in Guyana over the last few decades and occasionally met Freddie at various places. Yours truly, Dr. Vishnu Bisram
DEAR GLENN, I send you sincere congratulations on the occasion of the 25th Anniversary of Kaieteur News, and the launching of Kaieteur Radio. Kaieteur News has contributed immensely to media freedom in Guyana and has promoted our democratic image by its own bold and fearless journalism. There can be no doubt that your newspaper has exposed the pervasive corruption and authoritarianism that led to a change of government in 2015, and your watch-dog role has kept my own government literally on its toes over these past few years. Your newspaper has survived acts of terror, one of which cowardly acts claimed the lives of five pressmen, economic sabotage in denial of state advertisement, and victimization — all because you stood up against the ‘powerful and the mighty’.
These 25 years have also seen some major advances in strengthening an open, free and plural media landscape in Guyana, and your efforts towards this remarkable goal can never be underestimated or ignored. I applaud your grit as a publisher, and the stick-to-it persistence of your editorial staff in defining the Kaieteur News as a credible and popular newspaper in Guyana. I express the hope that your new radio station will follow the fine tradition of the newspaper, in promoting programmes that would satisfy the needs of our multiethnic, multi-cultural society in all areas of broadcasting. Happy Birthday, Kaieteur! Yours sincerely, Moses V. Nagamootoo Prime Minister and First Vice-President (Performing the functions of the President)
WELCOME NEWS DEAR EDITOR, Please allow me to congratulate both you and Mr. Glenn Lall for staying the course thus far. You have both come a very long way in the establishment of your newspaper which I verily believe ranks in the pantheon of great newspapers like our former Argosy, Times of London, Guardian, the New York Times and the Bild from Germany.Over the years I have been a contributor to the other publications and I find your content arresting and informative. Please keep up this standard in a country where
standards have fallen dramatically over the years. I welcome the government’s efforts in persuading some of its M.P.’s to give up their seats in the National Assembly. These goodly folk can’t ride multiple horses at the same time. I remember giving up both my Nigerian citizenship and British citizenship in 1967 as I readied myself for return to this country to contribute to Mr. Burnham’s efforts of national development. Dual citizenship can compromise one, especially in times of conflict with other nations. The individual
bearing a foreign nationality can be called upon to give support to one side or the other, and this can be a cause for great personal difficulty. We have many others in the various political parties who can serve just as well. Any leader who feels that we so need to change the constitution to allow dual citizens to serve is just making a fool of himself. The reality is much different. The new move will give great opportunity for the younger ones in the parties to now step up to the podium. Regards, Cyril Walker
PAGE 8
Kaieteur News
Two Bosai manganese workers discharged
T
wo of the 13 Bosai manganese work ers who were flown to the city suffering from a mystery ailment have been discharged. The two men were discharged Wednesday afternoon. Last week seven ailing workers and a dead colleague
were flown to the city from Matthew’s Ridge. There were initial reports that the men were afflicted with Bird flu but the Ministry of Health refuted such claims. The Ministry did find that two of the victims were suffering from leptospirosis.
The men were working in a cave that was inhabited by bats, animals known to carry rabies and other diseases. Eleven of the manganese workers are still isolated in hospital, some of them at the West Demerara Regional Hospital.
Friday April 05, 2019
US deports Jamaican nationals wanted to face charges in home country NEW YORK, CMC – The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency says agents from its Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) unit have deported two Jamaican nationals, who are both wanted in their home country to face criminal charges. On Wednesday, ICE said that Dwayne Thomas, 35, is wanted to face murder charges, and Mwando Lloyd Pryce, 31, is wanted to face charges of robbery, attempted murder and wounding with intent. They were removed from the United States via an ICE Air Operations Charter flight and transferred into the custody of Jamaican law enforcement authorities. “These two sought refuge in New York City communities, shielding themselves from Jamaican authorities seeking their apprehension for violent criminal offenses,” said Thomas R. Decker, field office director for ERO New York. ICE said it had previously deported Thomas to Jamaica in June 2011 following a conviction for attempted assault. According to ICE, Jamaican law enforcement authorities, later in 2011, arrested
Thomas for murder and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. Thomas illegally returned to the US on an unknown date and place, ICE said. On March 27, 2017, it said Thomas failed to appear in the Home Circuit Court in Kingston, the Jamaican capital, and was believed to have escaped to the US. On the same date, ICE said Interpol Kingston issued an Interpol Red Notice for Thomas, seeking his arrest for murder and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. On March 15, 2018, ICE said Thomas was arrested by the US Departm e n t o f State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) and charged in US District Court for the Eastern District of New York (EDNY) with making “False Statement in Application for a US Passport and Illegal Re-entry after Removal” in violation of Titles 18 USC 1542 and 8 USC 1326(a). On February 6, 2019, Thomas was convicted of both charges in EDNY and sentenced to 14 months in US federal custody, ICE said. Thomas was transferred to ICE custody March 19, 2019, when his previous removal order was re-instated.
According to ICE, Jamaican law enforcement authorities, in July 2009, charged Pryce in a court in the Corporate Area with robbery, attempted murder and wounding with intent. In August 2009, ICE said Pryce was admitted to the US legally with a non-immigrant visa, with authorization to remain in the United States until February 7, 2010. Pryce failed to depart the United States as required, ICE said. In August 2015, Interpol issued a Red Notice for Pryce for “the aforementioned crimes committed while he was Police Constable in Jamaica. ”In August 2017, it said ERO headquarters in Washington, D.C. advised ERO New York that Pryce may be living in the New York City metropolitan area. On Nov. 22, 2017, Pryce was arrested in the Bronx, New York, by ERO deportation officers, assisted by ERO New York Special Response Team (SRT) operators, on immigration charges and on March 12, 2019, an appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) was dismissed, paving the way for his removal to Jamaica.
Kaieteur News
Friday April 05, 2019
World Bank says social safety nets are key to protecting poor during economic slowdowns WASHINGTON (CMC) – The World Bank says that with economies of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) facing several internal and external challenges, there is the need for policy makers to focus on social safety net tools to support the poor and most vulnerable during cyclical downturns. According to the latest semiannual report from the World Bank’s Chief Economist Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, redistributive policies, like conditional cash transfers, are now widespread across LAC and accounted for around 35 percent of the fall in poverty during the commodity boom at the beginning of the century. The report – titled “Effects of the Business Cycle on Social Indicators in Latin America and the Caribbean: When Dreams Meet Reality”, notes that many countries in the region lack social programmes like unemployment insurance
which can act as buffers during cyclical increases in poverty. “Social programmes that act as shock absorbers during economic downturns are common in developed countries but are not widespread enough in our part of the world,” said Carlos Vegh, World Bank Chief Economist for Latin America and the Caribbean. “This is a pending social agenda for the region to make sure that those who recently escaped poverty do not slip back down.” This is particularly relevant now that LAC’s economic growth in 2018 fell short of initial expectations and the prospects for 2019 have deteriorated. The LAC region grew 0.7 percent in 2018. The main reasons for the weak 2018 growth were Argentina’s 2.5 percent GDP contraction, a slow recovery in Brazil after the major recession of 2015 and 2016, anemic growth in
Mexico due to political uncertainty, and the collapse of Venezuela’s economy. “In challenging economic times, it is more important than ever for countries to make the reforms needed to fuel sustainable and inclusive growth,” said Axel van Trotsenburg, World Bank Vice President for Latin America and the Caribbean. “We cannot take the recent gains in poverty reduction for granted and need to redouble efforts to solidify and build on them.” In 2019 the region is expected to grow 0.9 percent ( e x c l u d i n g Ve n e z u e l a , growth in 2018 was 1.4 percent and expected to be 1.9 percent in 2019). The three largest economies in the region – Brazil, Mexico and Argentina – are expected to have weak or negative growth in 2019, while Venezuela’s GDP is expected to fall a further 25 percent.
PAGE 9
Rain stops play: UK parliament forced to close after water leak LONDON (Reuters) Britain’s parliament was forced to close early yesterday after a leak in the 19th century Gothic palace caused water to rain down into the debating chamber. Lawmakers were debating tax policy when water began cascading into the press area overlooking lawmakers’ seats, forcing Deputy Speaker Lindsay Hoyle to suspend the session. Speaking over the noise of pouring water, Member of
Parliament Justin Madders, said: “I hope I can complete my speech before rain stops play. I think there is probably some kind of symbol, about how many people view how broken parliament is, going on there.”Thursday’s sitting in the lower chamber, the House of Commons, was then ended more than two hours early. The upper chamber, the House of Lords, continued to debate Brexit in a separate part of the building. The Palace of
Westminster - parts of which date back to 1097 - has been slipping into disrepair for decades, requiring frequent repairs and upgrades. Much of the crumbling limestone exterior is clad in scaffolding. Plans are being made for a multi-billion pound restoration program which could require parliament to be temporarily relocated to a separate building, but the process has been delayed, with many lawmakers opposed to giving up their traditional setting.
Cuba cuts newspaper size due to paper scarcity as shortages bite HAVANA (Reuters) Cuba says a paper shortage is forcing it to cut back on pages and circulation at several state-run newspapers including the Communist Party daily Granma, highlighting the severity of the country’s cash crunch as scarcity of basic goods increases. The Communist government said yesterday that it was halving the edition size
of some weeklies as well as Granma on certain days due to the lack of newsprint, which it imports. It will also no longer publish the Union of Young Communists’ newspaper, Juventud Rebelde, on Saturdays. It was the first time Cuba had taken such a measure since the 1990s depression spawned by the fall of former ally the Soviet Union. It comes
as Cubans are having to queue sometimes for hours for basics such as eggs and flour whenever they appear on store shelves.Last year’s introduction of mobile internet and a state app called “Donde Hay” (“Where there is”) have to some extent multiplied the mayhem as they have made it easier for Cubans to find out in real time when new stock has arrived.
PAGE 10
Kaieteur News
Friday April 05, 2019
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
The ship of fools sailing since August 2010, has a new captain
T
he title for my col umn of Saturday, August 14, 2010 was “Ship of Fools.” In it, I wrote the following; “In Guyana, no other group symbolizes the meaning of ship of fools than the 15 member body that leads the PPP and makes policy for that party….” The ship is still sailing and almost nine years after it took to the water, it picked up a new captain with the name “Dual Citizen.” The AFC held a press conference last Wednesday and introduced the media to the new captain of their ship of fools. The AFC declared that the constitution should be amended to allow persons who are Guyanese and have dual citizenship to become Members of Parliament. The ship of fools has now given itself an alternative appellation, “ship of asininity.” The AFC person who made that pronouncement was Raphael Trotman. He is a lawyer and an important senior Cabinet Minister. Important Cabinet ministers who are also lawyers are Joe Harmon, Khemraj Ramjattan and Moses Nagamootoo. Only a jackass would believe that when the writs were being composed to challenge
the no-confidence vote (NCV) in the courts that these top legal brains that sit in the war room were not consulted. In fact, not only were they consulted, they probably helped to write the script. One of the challenges they put before the courts was that a dual citizen could not have voted because constitutionally a dual citizen cannot hold House membership. The passengers on the ship of asininity sat down and consciously asked the court to declare that a foreign national cannot be in the House as an MP. Now the very passengers on the ship of fools want the constitution to be amended to allow Guyanese who also have foreign passports to become parliamentarians. Now why is the entire country talking about dual citizenship? Because the leaders of the APNU+AFC brought it up in the first place. Let’s offer a hypothetical case of political asininity. The NDC built a housing scheme. People began to move in. The chairman of the NDC brings a motion before the council to stop the residents from constructing bridges that lead unto the main highway.
He wants to avoid traffic accidents so your bridge has to connect to an internal road that you have to take to get to the main highway. The chairman himself built the first house in the scheme and constructed his bridge to lead unto the highway. So the council passes the restriction. One day, security personnel stopped the chairman from using his bridge. The chairman gets furious. He goes to all the villagers and tell them that it is convenient to drive straight onto the highway instead of making a Uturn on some other street in the village. The chairman is a congenital jackass. It was the chairman himself that asked for the restriction knowing full well his bridge leads unto the highway. This example fits the fools on the ship that runs this country. A simple alternative was to file a number of writs against Charran to stop the NCV and they could have taken the following forms – the NCV is illegal because Charran doesn’t use underwear; the NCV is illegal because Charran doesn’t use toothpaste; the NCV is illegal because Charran doesn’t use deodorant .
But it was the passengers on the ship of fools that brought up dual citizenship in the first place. It was these passengers that asked the court to banish Guyanese with foreign passports from the National Assembly. The court did just that and now Trotman and company want the constitution to be changed so that dual citizens can be allowed to be members of the House. The obvious questions are; did Harmon see the writs that were being filed? Did Trotman object when the Attorney-General asked the court for a declaration against
those who are in Parliament and have nationality status of other countries? Did Dominic Gaskin seek to alter the writs to delete the section citing Charran’s foreign status knowing that he, Gaskin has similar status? What are people in Guyana, the Caribbean and the rest of the world saying after they heard what AFC leaders are asking for? But more importantly does Guyana deserve such mediocre leadership. The brutal reality is that if the APNU+AFC did not bring into sharp focus the illegality of foreign nationals sitting in Parliament, the courts would
Frederick Kissoon not have made a ruling on those foreign nationals and Guyanese would not have discussed it. The more we see the APNU+AFC in action, the more you wonder about the quality of its leaders.
UN human rights chief says Haiti stands ‘at the crossroads’ UNITED NATIONS CMC – The UN’s human rights chief Michelle Bachelet says Haiti now stands at the crossroads between peacekeeping and development as the UN’s peacekeeping presence winds down. Bachelet in an address to the Security Council on Wednesday urged all concerned parties to continue building on progress made, or “risk losing it” altogether. While encouraged by civil society’s engagement in promoting and protecting human rights, along with the victims of human rights violations, Bachelet acknowledged that “it has not been able to fully assume monitoring and advocacy role.” According to the UN, Bachelet noted that some civil society organizations continue to be targeted by acts of intimidation, saying that it “must stop.” She urged everyone with a stake in the French-speaking Caribbean nation’s future to “work together to strengthen the human rights protection system”. Calling Haiti’s return to constitutional order, following presidential, legislative and local elections in 2017, “a significant achievement”, Bachelet said that while standing “at the crossroads” between peacekeeping and development, “we must recognize the progress accomplished” and “also continue building on it, or risk losing it”. The UN High Commissioner urged the UN Security Council to provide Haitians with “the necessary support to strengthen institutions, fight against impunity and promote and protect human rights as a foundation to stability and development”. She said that February’s protests – “the longest and most violent” in years, had “almost entirely paralyzed the country”, despite significant improvements in the profes-
Michelle Bachelet sionalism of the UN-supported National Police, incidents of serious human rights violations, including cases of summary executions, continue to be reported, with limited accountability. “Perpetrators are consequently emboldened and silenced victims may develop grievances,” Bachelet said. She said the weakness of the judicial system also has a negative impact on the prisons system, stating that, with over 75 per cent of inmates estimated to be in a pre-trial detention — on average for 1,100 days — “well over the limit set by national law.”The UN human rights chief also informed the Security Council that, after the current Mission for Justice Support (MINUJUSTH)concludes, her office intends to pursue its work in the country, and eventually, with the support of the council and member states, “a standalone presence”. “We want to remain engaged and to support Haiti’s commitment to achieving democratic and economic development so that the rights of all people in Haiti are upheld”, stressed the High Commissioner. As the second leg of the March-April “joint presidencies” of France and Germany continues, Security Council
President and Germany’s Ambassador Christoph Heusgen, invited the UN peacekeeping chief to take the floor, the UN said. Jean Pierre Lacroix, pointed out that no violent demonstrations have occurred since “the 10 days of unrest” from February 7-15, when 41 people were killed, another 100 injured, and human rights largely abused. Noting that repeated calls by opposition groups demanding that President Jovenel Moïse resign has “gained little traction”, he observed, nevertheless, that “rival gang clashes, potentially mirroring conflicting interests linked to criminality”, continued to disrupt life in southern neighborhoods of the capital Port-au-Prince and produce isolated incidents in the North and Artibonite regions. The peacekeeping chief “strongly” condemned an armed attack just last week against the Chilean Ambassador’s convoy, while he visited the Croix de Bouquets non-governmental organization (NGO) project just outside the capital, Port-auPrince, that left one dead and three injured. But he assured the council that the National Police “continued to demonstrate its capacity to handle security threats in the country”. “The strategic five-year development plan for the Haitian National Police for 20172021 is on track” Lacroix said, adding that his department supported “the desire of Haitian leaders to put an end to peacekeeping in Haiti and have the MINUJUSTH mandate end in October of this year”. “Partnership between the UN and Haiti must evolve” and “remain strong and rooted in our ongoing commitment towards achieving democratic progress”, he added.
Friday April 05, 2019
Kaieteur News
PAGE 11
PAGE 12
Kaieteur News
Friday April 05, 2019
Tanks donation to help address water woes of Bamia residents
W
ater woes expe rienced over the years by residents of Bamia, Region 10 are expected to become a thing of the past after nine large water tanks were donated to the community by a number of businesses including the Regional Democratic Council. The simple but very significant donation was made to Chairwoman of the Community Development Council (CDC) for the community, Ms Orleta John, who expressed profound thanks and gratitude with what she dubbed “a new day in the community of Bamia.” The initiative, which was conceptualised by the Region 10 Campaign Team led by its Manager, Larry London, and Member of Parliament (MP), Jermaine Figueira, was geared towards providing much needed assistance to members of various communities within Region 10 that the residents have requested. Regional Chairman, Renis Morian, in brief remarks told residents that he is happy because they are no longer given
Officials pose with the nine donated water tanks. things based on what politicians think they need but rather, given an opportunity to identify the needs of their community. “In the past, a few politicians would visit your community and decode for you what you wanted, fortunately that is something of the past as you the residents are now dictating and decoding what you want and not leaving it up to any politicians to decide. This is a proud moment for me as the RDC continues to find ways
and means in supporting initiatives and projects being undertaken within your community, and for that I would like to congratulate your CDC and its Chairman, Ms. Orletta John, for having the community’s interest at heart,” the Regional Chairman said.MP Figueira was identified as the man who ensured that the community’s cries for water tanks were heard. He particularly took into account that whenever there is shortage of water or a dry spell
there is usually inadequate water to meet the needs of the community. Moreover, he is very happy that they were able to secure nine tanks which he stressed was a joint effort between a number of stakeholders and partners. “When I first learnt about this request I went ahead immediately, as I recognised that this isn’t a project that cannot be done and I sought the intervention and assistance of a number of partners which
included the RDC, GWI, the Private Sector and individuals who I approached with the view of coming together,” he said. The MP stressed that he, like the community, is very happy that the community, despite it being small, can now breathe a sigh of relief over the acquisition of the water tanks. The Region 10 Campaign Manager admitted that he recognised immediately that the request was not a difficult
one, and noted that he was surprised that the CDC Chairman didn’t ask for fencing and lights for the community centre ground. He said that he recognised that the tanks, while being a small project, was one that is more pivotally needed for the community, adding that he was happy to have worked on the project. He promised that the water tanks is just a beginning of what the community can expect, declaring that as he (Continued on page 14)
Manari Bypass to open tomorrow The Ministry of Public Infrastructure has indicated that the Manari Bypass in Rupununi, region nine, will open tomorrow The road project was prompted because of a slew of accidents and fatalities that occurred at the Manari Bridge. The government had committed to correcting a curve in the area that led many to worry, by re-aligning the road. The project reportedly cost upward of $83M, with the contract awarded to JR Ranch Incorporated. Over 20,000 cubic metres of fill material was utilized to elevate the road to avoid it being affected by flooding, as well as to mitigate the effects of landslides, common for the terrain of the Rupununi Savannahs. Then, a 200mm layer of lateritic material was used to cover the finished product of the roadway. The government has further commenced the procurement process for the reconstruction of the Manari Bridge, and the new bridge is expected to be in place by year end. This is part of the government’s commitment to the Linden-Lethem corridor promise, for the facilitation of easy transport by residents, visitors, loggers and minibuses.
The Newly Constructed Manari Bypass Road
Govt. awaits notice expiration for full control of Petrojam Jamaica Observer - Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology Carol Palmer says legislation for the Government to acquire full control of Petrojam is now fully in effect. Updating Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) earlier in the week, she said the Government is now awaiting the expiration of the public notice for anyone who wishes to declare an interest in the matter to do so. As set out in the legislation, parties who wish to make claims to compensation have up to three months after the gazetting of the notice, which is dated March 13, 2019, to do so.
In February, Parliament approved legislation for forced acquisition of the 49 per cent shares in Petrojam held by the Venezuelan Stateowned oil company subsidiary, PDV Caribe. The Government said the decision was taken in order to protect Jamaica’s energy security, as years of inaction by PDV Caribe on the upgrading of the refinery had left Petrojam and the country at risk. Piloting the Compulsory Acquisition (Shares in Petrojam Limited) Act, 2019 in the House of Representatives, Prime Minister Andrew Holness said the decision had not been taken lightly. “Technical assessments have found that refining op-
erations will be negatively impacted by 2020 if Petrojam is not in a position to execute phase one of the refinery upgrade (Vacuum Distillation Unit Project),” the prime minister said. The upgrade is part of the PetroCaribe deal which the Jamaican Government signed with Venezuela in 2006. Holness said, too, that imminent international obligations regarding sulphur, which will become effective next January, and the transition by the Jamaica Public Service Company Limited to liquefied natural gas for its 190-MW power plant by this June, will significantly reduce the need for heavy fuel oil produced by Petrojam.
Meanwhile, the permanent secretary also noted that recommendations are expected from the attorney general’s chambers for the composition of a new Petrojam board under a new wholly owned Government of Jamaica regime.Addressing a concern that Petrojam would be overseeing the procurement process for a forensic audit into the loss of 600 barrels of oil at the refinery, as reported by the auditor general in a December 2018 report on the refinery’s operations, Palmer said: “To the best of my knowledge, it is not intended that Petrojam will be supervising the forensic audit… We are making enquiries of persons/entities
Carol Palmer
to take on the exercise to do the supervision.”She said the ministry is inviting comments on all aspects of the Terms of Reference for the audit. “We are serious about it and we are awaiting that input so we can design how we go
forward… If there is a significant response to say that the audit ought to go beyond the examination of oil losses, then I think the Government would be hard-pressed not to take it on board,” the permanent secretary said.
PAGE 13
Kaieteur News
Friday April 05, 2019
Trump says China trade talks going well, will only accept ‘great’ deal WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that trade talks with China were going well and he would only accept a “great” deal as negotiators hammered out differences ahead of a meeting between Trump and China’s vice premier later in the day. China and the United States are in the middle of intense negotiations to end a months-long trade war that has rattled global markets. Washington wants sweeping changes to China’s economic and trade policies, while Beijing wants Trump to lift expensive sanctions on Chinese goods. The White House has no plans to announce a date on Thursday for a trade summit between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, senior administration officials said, though they would not rule out the possibility. Talks are scheduled to go through Friday and possibly longer. “If it’s not a great deal, we’re not doing it. But it’s going very well. Top officials are here. And we’re very well along on the deal. It’s a very
complex deal. It’s a very big deal,” Trump told reporters. “It’ll be a great deal for our farmers. Technology, intellectual property theft — everything is covered. There’s not a thing that’s not covered,” he said. Trump is slated to meet with China’s top trade negotiator, Vice Premier Liu He, at 4:30 p.m. (2030 GMT) in the Oval Office. The Wall Street Journal and the New York Times reported that Trump was expected to announce a date for a summit at that time, but a senior administration official told Reuters that was incorrect. “The White House is not expected to announce a date for a meeting,” the official said. A second administration official was a bit more cautious about prospects for an announcement, saying: “It’s possible, but I think it’s unlikely.” Hopes that the talks were moving in a positive direction have cheered financial markets in recent weeks. But U.S. stocks were mixed on Thursday as investors waited for
Amnesty doubt Daily Nation - Government’s amendment to the Bail Act has received some approval from the court of public opinion. But the jury is still out on the gun amnesty. In hopes of reducing the number of illegal firearms on the streets, Attorney General Dale Marshall announced in the House of Assembly earlier this week that Government would be offering a one-week gun amnesty from April 7 to 13. People can turn in illegal guns, ammunition and firearm parts to any police station without fear of prosecution. Barbados had a six-month gun amnesty in 1983, while the last one in 1998 was for three weeks. The latter yielded 93 illegal guns ranging from .22 calibre revolvers to rifles and shotguns. However, Barbadians were sceptical about whether this amnesty would be successful.
Laws must be revised to... From page 3 meetings with government officials from 12 different ministries and/or public agencies; the private sector (13 associations and organizations); civil society (13 organizations) and bilateral agencies, among other key stakeholders. The consultations were held as a transparent and fully participatory start to informing the GSDS. A summary of the findings from the consultations can be found in the “Report on First Consultations on the Green State Development Strategy, Guyana”, completed December 2016. After the initial consultation, a draft
document of the Framework for the GSDS was prepared by UN Environment, (dated 16th January 2017). The draft was sent for comments to government and non-government representatives and all stakeholders that participated in the initial consultation, including the UN Country Team. The present document integrates the comments received. (See link for full document: http: //www.gree ngrowth nowledge.org /sites/ default/file s/F ramework%20 f o r % 2 0 G uyana%20Green%20State% 2 0 D e v e l o p ment%20Strategy%2028-0317.pdf)
more developments in the trade negotiations, with the Dow Jones industrial Average slightly higher, and the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite slightly lower. [.N] Trump has proven unpredictable in past White House meetings with Liu, openly challenging U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer in late February over the use of the term “memorandum of understanding” in the talks. After meetings in Beijing last week, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin are holding talks in Washington with Liu and a Chinese delegation this week. Liu, Lighthizer and Mnuchin declined to speak to
reporters as the three entered USTR offices near the White House on Thursday morning. The second Trump administration official said that progress was being made on some issues in the talks, but others remained sticking points, such as the removal of U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods and issues related to enforcement of any agreements. The United States is seeking reforms to Chinese practices that it says results in the theft of U.S. intellectual property and the forced transfer of technology from U.S. companies to Chinese firms. Administration officials initially envisioned a summit between Trump and Xi potentially taking place in March,
but some U.S. lawmakers and lobbying groups have said recently they were told that the administration was now aiming for a deal in late April. DEADLINES SLIP White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow has declined to give a deadline for a deal, saying last week that the talks are “not time dependent” and could be extended for weeks or even months longer. While some reform pledges by Beijing are largely agreed, including an agreement to avoid currency manipulation, the two sides have not yet settled on an enforcement mechanism to ensure that China keeps its pledges. Another key unresolved issue is whether and when pu-
nitive U.S. tariffs on $250 billion worth of Chinese goods would be removed. As the talks reach their final stages, resolving these two issues will be critical in determining whether a deal can be reached, U.S. Chamber of Commerce international affairs chief Myron Brilliant told reporters on Tuesday. “China has been very clear, publicly and privately, that they would like to see all the tariffs removed,” Brilliant said. “The (Trump) administration has been equally clear that they want to keep some of the tariffs in place as a way to have leverage over China fulfilling its obligations under whatever final package is reached.”
PAGE 14
Lethem man allegedly tries to bribe cops to return drugs - after coke and ganja seized
The illicit drugs in the taped parcels
Police at ‘F’ Division have detained two suspects after seizing a quantity of cocaine and marijuana in a building at Tabatinga, Lethem. Investigators said that the owner of the structure attempted to bribe the lawmen to have the drugs returned. A release stated that the ranks, who were led by a Su-
Friday April 05, 2019
Kaieteur News
perintendent, went to a location at Tabatinga, Lethem, at around 19.30 hrs on Wednesday. Upon arrival, they saw a man running from an incomplete structure. Police then searched the structure and retrieved 101 pounds of compressed cannabis and 21 pounds of cocaine in 61 taped
parcels. “Two persons have been arrested and are assisting with the investigation; one being the owner of the property and the other who was arrested during a sting operation after he attempted to bribe the lawmen with a sum of cash, in order to have the drugs returned to him.”
Exxon’s Ogle Complex contract awarded to Guyanese joint venture, NABI/KCL Exxon’s subsidiary Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) has awarded the contract for the construction of its new office facilities to NABI/KCL Oilfield Construction Services Guyana. NABI/KCL is a joint venture of two leading, Caribbean construction firms, namely NaBi Construction Firm (Guyana) and Kee-Chanona Limited (Trinidad). NABI/KCL is headquartered in Georgetown. EEPGL had advertised online and in the daily newspapers the plan last year, making Requests for Information (RFI) to contractors who can provide all of the following services: construction of two buildings for 250 seats; an outdoor pavilion; paving; landscaping; fill and storm drainage; site utilities; plumbing utilities; and electrical works. In January 2018, Kaieteur News had exposed how the oil giant had plans of developing 10 acres of land under the control of Ogle Airport Inc (OAI), the company that operates the Eugene F. Correia International Airport. The land lease to OAI is bound by specific conditions agreed to between the government and OAI. The lease secured by OAI International Airport Company specifies that it must first cater to the needs of those in the aviation sector. Yet, locals in the aviation industry are being bypassed; “Our small applications have been ignored but the great ExxonMobil has been able to secure over 10 acres,” a young pilot and entrepreneur had told this publication, last year. The Lease Agreement provides for the Airport to be “developed and operated as a public aviation facility in accordance with the Civil
Aviation Laws of Guyana and compliant with all other applicable laws, statute, regulations and international agreements that pertain to the operations of an international airport, including those promulgated by the International Civil Aviation Organization, the International Air Transport Association and other international bodies having jurisdiction.” Though last year, it was reported that the company secured 10 acres, a release from NABI-KCL indicates that the size of the land allocated to EEPGL now stands at 15 acres. The building is expected to have a net zero energy footprint. NABI-KCL stated that it is “honoured to undertake this prestigious project for ExxonMobil Guyana and commend the emphasis on local content.”
Tanks donation to help address... From left: A member of the Bamia CDC Group, CDC Chairman Orletta John, and Member of Parliament Jermaine Figueira.
(From page 12) continues to visit and interact with the communitys he would like to assure them of Government’s continued support and assistance Deputy Regional Executive Officer (DREO), Ms. Maylene Stephen, said that the RDC administration recognised its responsibility to the people of Bamia. Therefore, it was happy to lend assistance in acquiring the two tanks that it donated. She thanked the other stakeholders who gave the other two, declaring that her administration will continue to provide in various ways to the community. She declared that it forms part of Region 10, therefore assuring residents that the community would benefit from a number of projects and
programmes. Meanwhile, CDC Chairman, Ms. John, said that she is overwhelmed with emotion, as she is very impressed with the support and commitment being offered to continue providing additional support and assistance to her community. The CDC Head pointed out that water had been a major concern for residents, noting that whenever there is a dry spell or shortage of water they are challenged in finding sources so as to garner water. She however noted that with nine large tanks it will certainly ease the water challenges, adding that it would afford residents an opportunity to continue their daily lives and chores uninterrupted. “I must confess that I am lost for words, as I am so
elated and happy to be standing among such great individuals who sought to provide needed help to the community of Baima. I am saying a big thank you on behalf of all the residents and myself,” John said. The CDC Head said that she would like to assure those who donated to the community that the water tanks would be well maintained, adding that the community recognises the significant costs for them and as such, will ensure that they serve the community well. “We are very thankful and I would like to assure all that we would forever be thankful and grateful, and to remind you that the residents will take great care of these tanks,” she said.
Friday April 05, 2019
Resistance by companies is no excuse to continue contract secrecy By Kiana Wilburg Even though the government has expressed the intention to release all contracts in the extractive industries, Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman recently revealed that this would not be possible as some companies are opposed to this. He said, too, that all the contracts contain confidentially clauses, as such, the companies’ permission must be provided before the said deals are released. Trotman noted that only the oil companies have given approval in this regard. But Oil and Gas Consultant and former Advisor to the Government, Dr. Jan Mangal is not buying Trotman’s explanation. On his social media platform yesterday, Dr. Mangal said that it is “disingenuous” for the government to say it cannot publish all the contracts because the companies do not agree. The Oil Consultant said, “ExxonMobil and the other oil companies did not want their contracts released, but President (David) Granger took the decision himself to release these contracts. If President Granger listened to his Ministers, these contracts would never be released.” Dr. Mangal continued, “The government is not releasing these contracts (gold, diamonds, timber, sand, rock, etc) to the people because some in government (on both sides of the aisle) are more interested in generating fraudulent income for themselves and their sponsors in the private sector, and thereby defrauding the people of Guyana.” The former Government advisor added that contract secrecy never benefits the people of the country. He emphasized that secrecy only
- Oil Consultant accuses Govt. of being “disingenuous” benefits corrupt officials and business people. He said, “Guyana is on a journey to a better place, and open/ transparent government is an essential building block. We cannot move Guyana forward without open government.” On Wednesday as well, Minister Trotman had said that when the APNU+AFC took over, it found that some contracts were negotiated by the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest) and some by the Ministry of Finance. “So there is no one repository of all of them. Some of them have gone missing...So it is not as easy as with oil and gas (contracts) because all of those were with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) ...” In response to this, Dr. Mangal said it is quite astounding that the Ministry of Natural Resources claims it does not have access to some of the timber/ mineral contracts. He said that if the people’s resources are being taken without any contractual agreement, then the extraction should be halted until contracts are in place and published. REVENUEWATCH Revenue Watch, a nonprofit policy institute that promotes the responsible management of oil, gas and mineral resources for the public good, has also called for there to be the practice of contract disclosure in Guyana and other emerging oil producers. The grant-making organization has noted that Governments must be held accountable for all contracts they enter, be they for the provision of roads or the purchase of
Oil and Gas Consultant, Dr. Jan Mangal goods. And when the contracts concern non-renewable resources, Revenue Watch said that the need for scrutiny is even more pressing. In this light, it said that the growing interest in mining, oil and gas contracts on the part of concerned citizens around the world makes a great deal of sense. Given the history of government corruption and mismanagement of extractives, along with the environmental degradation, community displacement, violent conflict, and human rights abuses, Revenue Watch said it is no wonder that the calls for better government management of and more corporate responsibility in the extractive industries have never been louder. Revenue Watch argues that contract transparency is critical to addressing better resource management and bringing contract stability to an industry that is notorious for corruption.
Woman allegedly stabs brother’s girlfriend during argument A 24-year-old unemployed woman will be spending the next two weeks in prison as she was remanded after making an appearance before a city magistrate yesterday for allegedly stabbing her brother’s girlfriend. Stacy Ann Chandra of Lot 12 Queen Street, South Cummingsburg, pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleged that on November 20, 2018 at Tiger Bay, Georgetown, she unlawfully and maliciously wounded Tomika Adams. At the time the charge
PAGE 15
Kaieteur News
was read the accused appeared before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Police prosecutor Annalisa Brummell related the facts of the charge which stated that both parties are known to each other as the defendant’s brother shared a relationship with the victim. On the day in question, Adams and the accused brother had a misunderstanding. As a result the defendant then went to the location mentioned in the charge, armed
with a knife. Chandra reportedly dealt Adams several stabs about the body. The matter was reported and the accused was taken into custody and charged with the offence. Prosecutor Brummell objected to bail based on the seriousness of the allegation and the penalties it attracts. As a result, Magistrate McGusty upheld the submission made by the prosecutor and remanded Chandra to prison. She was instructed to return to court on April 24.
GCB, Cricket Ombudsman declared illegal by High Court The May 2018 election of Attorney-at-Law Stephen Lewis as Ombudsman of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) was yesterday declared illegal by High Court Judge Fidel Corbin who found that it was contrary to sections 10 and 17 of the Guyana Cricket Administration Act (GCAA) No. 14 of 2014. Similarly, Justice Corbin also declared that the election of the nine-member executive of the GCB at a purported annual general meeting on January 28, 2018 was unlawful, null, void and of no effect, since it was done in contravention of the provisions of Section seven, 17 and Schedule One of the GCAA. In May 2018, Attorney-atLaw Arudranauth Gossai on behalf of Rabindranauth Saywack, Secretary of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB), filed action against the election of Lewis who was later appointed to the post by the Minister of Sport George Norton. Saywack also challenged the appointment of the executive of the GCB, namely Fizaul Bacchus, Vice President; Anand Sanasie, Secretary; Anand Kalladeen, Treasurer; Virendra Chintamani, Assistant Secretary; Rajendra Singh, Marketing Manager; Andy Ramnarine, Public Relations Officer; Colin Europe, Chairman Competition Committee; Rayon Griffith, Chairman of Senior Selection Panel and Nazimul Drepaul, Chairman of Junior Selection Panel. In giving her ruling, Justice Corbin noted that the above named persons cannot hold themselves to be office bearers or do anything else as it relates to the operation of the GCB since their last elections, too, were unlawful. In his grounds for the application, Gossai stated that on 4th August, 2014, the GCAA Act of No. 14 of 2014 came into effect and at that time there was no lawfully elected executive committee of the GCB. According to him, Lewis resigned office without first performing the functions under Section 17, that is, the holding of first elections of the GCB. And that since the commencement of the GCAA, there has been no elections of the GCB and no validly elected executive members. He said, “Further, the GCB is made up of three County Boards, only two of which currently have validly elected office bearers, namely Essequibo and Berbice. Each of the three (3) County Boards is permitted nine representatives at the GCB.” Gossai continued, “On 3rd May, 2018, a purported extraordinary meeting was held by persons holding them-
selves out as the Executive Committee of the GCB and at the said meeting the respondent was elected as Cricket Ombudsman and/or Ombudsman. The said election was purportedly held pursuant to Section 10 of the GCAA.” Section 10 of the GCAA states that the Ombudsman shall be elected by a twothirds majority of the members present and voting at an extraordinary meeting of GCB; a quorum for such a meeting is 14 members. According to Gossai, “at the said meeting of 3rd May, 2018 it was impossible to have a valid and legal quorum as there were no representatives of the Berbice Cricket Board and the Essequibo Cricket Board is limited to nine representatives. Therefore there was no quorum for the said extraordinary meeting.” Contending that there was bias on the part of Lewis, Gossai submitted that Lewis is closely associated with the Everest Cricket Club having served as its President for a number of years. Everest Cricket Club is part of the Georgetown Cricket Association which is a member of the Demerara Cricket Board. “(Lewis) in his role as Ombudsman would be required to verify the Register of Clubs for the Georgetown Cricket Association. Further (Lewis) is a Partner in the Law Firm which currently acts on behalf of the Presidents of the West Demerara Cricket Association and the East Bank Cricket Association, both of whom are currently before the Court in an action relating to the holding of elections for the Demerara Cricket Board,” Gossai added. In relation to the purported executive members, Gossai argued, “Section 7 (a) of the GCA Act provides that the election to the executive committee of the GCB, shall in respect of the first elections, be held in accordance with section 17 on the date appointed in writing by the Minister acting in consultation with the West Indies Cricket Board”. According to him, despite the provisions of sections 7 and 17 and in breach, Lewis along with other persons convened an Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) of the GCB on 29th October, 2017 and at the said meeting purported to
Attorney-at-law Arudranauth Gossai table a motion for the aforementioned nine named persons to be elected as members of the executive committee of the GCB. He argued, “The purported election of the Executive Committee at the OGM is void and of no effect as said election was contrary to the provisions of Article 10 of the Constitution of the GCB. Article 10 provides that the election of the executive committee shall be held at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the GCB. The nominations made at the said OGM were in breach of Article 10 (d) of the GCB Constitution as the nominations were not submitted to a Select Committee for ratification. Additionally, no Returning Officer was nominated and approved at the OGM as required by Article 10 (e) of the GCB Constitution.” The lawyer noted that the OGM was a farce orchestrated by them who continue to unlawfully hold themselves out as the Executive Committee of the GCB when in fact no lawful elections have been held since the commencement of the GCA Act. At the AGM of the GCB, it was discovered that what in fact transpired at the OGM was not nominations of members of the Executive Committee, but rather, a motion was presented requesting that the "current" Executive Committee continue in office for another term. At the AGM a second vote was taken on the said "motion". The motion was submitted by the ECB and seconded by DCB and BCB.
Kaieteur News
Friday April 05, 2019
PAGE 17
US$200M Skeldon sugar factory overpriced, fails to deliver
In 2009, the PPP/C government under Bharrat Jagdeo commissioned the Skeldon sugar factory insisting that it was supposed to save the industry. The US$200M price tag to also improve the canefields did not justify the failures of the Chinese-built factory which instead of saving the industry, was sucking money by the tens of millions to fix the many flaws. Today, the rapid decline of the industry has been blamed on what has been described as a white elephant. The Coalition Government has invited expressions of interest from local and overseas investors to take control of it.
Amaila Falls road to nowhere cost US$40M-plus -contractor has no history of construction -US$1B hydro project halted
O
ne of the major stories that Kaieteur News was on top of was the awarding of a US$15M road contract to US-based Guyanese, Fip Motielall whose company Synergy Holdings had little or no history of construction. The access roads in the hinterland would have linked the coast to the Amaila Falls hydro site in Region Eight but inexperience and rough terrain caused delays and eventually the costs ballooned to US$40M. Under pressure from the reporting of Synergy Holdings, the previous administration of the PPP/C
Questions over shadowy investors in Marriott Hotel
terminated the contract. The entire hydro project was also under question because of costs. In 2013, the then Opposition, in Coalition, voted down two pieces of legislations - the Hydro E l e c t r i c P o w e r (Amendment) Bill 2013, and Limit on amount outstanding under Guarantees given under the Guarantee of Loans (Public Corporations and Companies) Act, effectively placing a halt on the project. The estimated cost of the 165-megawatts project would have seen Guyana racking up to US$1B in debts and still in the near future need additional power.
I
n early 2015, the 197-room Marriott Hotel was commissioned. It cost the taxpayers more than US$50M. It was supposed to create jobs. Amid questions, there were disclosures that very little local labour was hired for the project which was awarded under questionable circumstances to a Chinese contractor.
Then there were questions over the investors who put their money in under a syndicated loan arrangement. Today, it is unclear who those investors are and where the money came from. Government also had to take over the loan payments as Marriott in its present form is unable to make enough money to repay its debts.
Kaieteur News
PAGE 18
Friday April 05, 2019
Sanata Textile complex sold quietly to Jagdeo friend - Ramroop granted billion$ in contracts, tax concessions In the late 2000s, one of the major stories that angered Guyanese was news that the PPP/C government under Bharrat Jagdeo had sold the Sanata Textile complex in the Industrial Site area, Ruimveldt to his close friend, Dr. Ranjisinghi ‘Bobby’ Ramroop for peanuts. Initially advertising a small part of the complex, after no takers, the Government allowed Ramroop and his company, New GPC, to take control. The government then questionably awarded hundreds of millions of dollars in drug supply contracts and even granted duty free concessions and other tax breaks which Ramroop used to develop the complex. State auditors have found instances where they could find no evidence of drugs ordered being delivered and even cases of hundreds of millions in expired drugs.
Rusal declares no profit for BaiShanLin granted billion$ in tax concessions; fails to deliver decade and half - was taking boatloads of logs from Guyana quietly -received hundreds of millions in tax, fuel concessions
In the mid-2000s, the Government struck a deal with Russian-owned Rusal to manage the Aroaima and Berbice river bauxite mines. This was after the US-investor had pulled out. A new company was formed with Rusal owning 90 percent and the Government of Guyana owning 10 percent.
Since mid-2000s, the Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc. has been running the Berbice operations with over 500 workers but never declaring a profit,The company was granted hundreds of millions of dollars in tax concessions. It has come under fire for its treatment of staffers.
C
hinese-owned BaiShanLin was one company operating in Guyana quietly for years. It was granted billions in tax concessions, forest lands, housing lands and a host of other benefits. Instead of building a value-added factory on the highway, it was discovered that billions of dollars in lumber was being shipped out with collusion and other infractions. It was difficult to assess what exactly BaiShanLin was contributing to Guyana.
Shortly after the Coalition Government entered office, the forest
concessions for the company were revoked. The company is said to have evolved now.
East Bank lands parceled out to close friends
O
ver the last decade, one of the big exposes of Kaieteur News was over the manner in which housing lands were parceled and sold at some highly questionable prices. This was especially so on lands on the East Bank Demerara. Several plots, amounting to over 400 acres were sold by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) to Chinese and other local businesses with little or no basis on what dictated the price. Many of the plot, eight or nine years later are still undeveloped, breaching the agreements. There has been little success by this government, almost four years later, to fix the situation. There were also questions about how homes were built and how money from the state was used in the housing schemes.
Kaieteur News
Friday April 05, 2019
PAGE 19
First Phase of Mazaruni Prison works to conclude in October The first phase of expansion of the Mazaruni Prison
T
he second phase of expansion w o r k s o n th e Mazaruni prison in Region Seven started just last month, but its first phase is set to be completed by October, this year. Minister of Public Security and acting Prime Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan received a tour of the site on Wednesday last, where he was briefed by the Project Manager, Iain Peebles, on the current stage
of construction. The contract for the construction of this prison was awarded by Cabinet to Kee-Chanona Limited of Trinidad and Tobago in joint venture with Guyanese firm, Nabi Construction Incorporated, at a cost of $4B. Peebles informed this publication that phase one is at 40% completion, and the super structure is currently being put in place. Phase one is a U-shaped two-storey
building which will house cells, offices and a courtyard for the prisoners. Peebles said that the second phase will be a square building which will house offices, training centres and accommodation for the prisoners. The workers are currently laying the foundation for that phase. That phase is being built on a lower part of the island, but is strategically positioned to avoid risk of flooding.
Foundation being laid on Phase 2
Additionally, about three feet of concrete is laid off the ground, in addition to the basic foundation. “Phase 2 will be [completed] by the end of next year,” Peebles said. At full capacity, the completed facility should have capacity to house about 400 prisoners, according to Ramjattan. When construction concludes, prisoners will be moved from the Camp Street and Lusignan prisons since,
Ramjattan said, the Georgetown prison is facing issues of crowding and the Lusignan prison area is not in line with international standards for the housing of prisoners. He said, “I am very happy that at least the work is proceeding apace, because we need more prison space for our prisoners that have been under remand, and also those who have been convicted. As you know, the two fires – one in 2016 and
the other in 2017 – did major damage to Camp Street to the extent that we were very much displaced.” He said that prisoners had to be sent to Lusignan, and “scattered around the place”. The project manager has assured that no major difficulties have been encountered during construction, and that there is no foreseen variation being made to the original design.
Kaieteur News
PAGE 22
Friday April 05, 2019
Kaieteur Radio is officially on air O
n the occasion of its 25th year as a media house, Kaieteur News, Guyana's largest selling daily newspaper, has another reason to celebrate - the launch of its very own radio station. Kaieteur Radio is officially being broadcast on frequencies 99.1, 99.5 and 99.7 to listeners all across the nation'. During a simple ribboncutting ceremony at the company's Lot 24 Saffon Charlestown, headquarters, Publisher and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Kaieteur Radio, Mr. Glenn Lall spoke candidly, on air, about his journey to radio broadcast. “We are celebrating 25 years of Kaieteur News. For 25 years this newspaper has been providing news, views and information to the nation. These spanned the gamut, from basic reports to reports on corruption, irregularities and skullduggery in high places. In 25 years the newspaper influenced changes in the society and helped to shape the country.” “Guyanese should not have waited this long for the birth of this Radio Station. The denial of a radio licence (by former President Bharrat Jagdeo) violated our constitutional right to provide and ensure that the public had access to information.” Mr. Lall said that the discriminatory denial for the licence was therefore an
- Launching marks new era for media house
The Lall family, Adam Harris and GNBA officials pose for a photo following the ribbon cutting ceremony affront to our right to expression, “…a right which was essential to our profession. I wish to make this very clear. In fact, we were more qualified than most of those who were granted.” The CEO stated further that “We are therefore not establishing this radio station out of financial (continued on page 29)
CEO Mr. Glenn Lall, delivers his remarks at the launching of the radio station. To his left, is Kaieteur News’ editor in chief Mr Adam Harris
Kaieteur News
Friday April 05, 2019
PAGE 23
Guyana paying an inflated US$150M for CJIA to be renovated
O
ne of biggest scandals in recent years is the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion project. The US$150M project has been saddled with one problem after another. The first was when Guyana learnt that the Bharrat Jagdeo government had secretly signed a contract with China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) in Jamaican to modernize the airport without going to tender. It was discovered that CHEC came to the government with a proposal to expand the CJIA and Government without verifying costs signed it. The money for the project, from China, did not
come until a year later- late 2012- with construction starting in early 2013. A project that should have been completed in 32 months is still incomplete. The contractor has been accused of poor work and working on another project – MovieTowne –while still lagging behind on the airport one. The biggest pain is that Guyana is getting not a new terminal but a much, much smaller building minus many of the modern features that were promised. Guyana will be paying back the Chinese loan, upwards of US$130M, not getting value for its money. In the meantime, there has been little information whether CHEC has been sanctioned.
Jagdeo, ministers pay pittance for Pradoville 2 seaside lands Shortly before ending his second term in office, former PPP/C president, Bharrat Jagdeo benefitted from almost two acres of lands at Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara. A few ministers and other officials close to the then administration paid below market value. In fact, according to calculations, they paid three times less what the normal Guyanese would pay for a square foot of land. Investigations by the police’s Special Organised Crime Unit found that there were no clear explanations to justify the methodology used to determine who received plots of the
lands. A few ministers built properties and sold them for tens of millions of dollars. It was also found that the lands were taken over by the state from the National Communication Network, without an official transfer and later sold to the ministers and others. Jagdeo has built a mansion on the seaside lands. Former Housing Minister, Irfaan Ali, has been slapped with several charges relating to the Pradoville Two transactions.
Perhaps one of the biggest scandals in the last two administrations were contracts involved the supply of pharmaceuticals and other supplies to the Government. Since the mid-2000s, it has been coming out that contracts to supply the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation and the Ministry of Health were not so above board. From sole sourcing, to non-delivery, there was evidence
that the contracts, at least up to 2015, were fixed to largely benefit New GPC and its sister companies. At stake were between $3B and $5B annually. State auditors on occasions could find little evidence that drugs were delivered and there were other occasions where large quantities of drugs expired, raising questions about inventory management.
Exorbitant rental Rackets in awarding of drug contracts paid for Sussex Street drug bond without procurement procedures followed The issue of the Sussex Street bond surfaced in 2016 when it was learnt that the building had been rented under very lucrative terms to businessman, Larry Singh, during the tenure of former Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton, who had
use of the facility, but Minister Volda Lawrence had disclosed that the Ministry had planned to end the rental of the bond by December 2017. Lawrence had explained that the Government was hoping to take the money
defended the Ministry’s use of the facility. The controversy surrounding the use of the bond intensified when it was discovered late 2016 that the facility was merely storing items such as lubricants and condoms. There are reports that suggest that a three-year contract has been signed for
used for the rental of the bond and reinvest it in the public health sector. The Minister had disclosed plans to build more bonds and expand the ones the Ministry has. The subsequent questions over the bond ultimately led to President David Granger ordering a (Continued on page 24)
Telecommunication sector, radio airwaves hijacked I n 2 0 11 , t e l e c o m s licences for cable television and several radio licences were approved by the outgoing administration under the PPP/C. It was found that the beneficiaries were mainly friends of the then administration.
Several media houses, including Kaieteur News were ignored. It was found many of the company/entities that benefitted were linked with top officials and their friends. The disclosures led to weeks of protests on the streets and even letters of
objections to embassies and other bodies. The Coalition Government reconstituted the Guyana National Broadcast Authority and several of the media houses which were ignored have now been licensed. This not only resulted in
the government placing more scrutiny on the sector, but it also moved towards legislative review and the fair and equitable distribution of telecommunications licenses to those who would have been deprived of same for years.
Kaieteur News
PAGE 24
Friday April 05, 2019
US$18M oil signing bonus; Guyana’s readiness for first oil In the last three years, news that Guyana has discovered huge quantities of oil in offshore areas has taken the country by storm. ExxonMobil and its partners have since moved to started production within months. However, there is major worry over Guyana’s readiness to deal with first oil and the details of the deal in which Guyana is getting a mere two percent royalty and what was said to be a 50/50 split in the profits. However, the split will be after ExxonMobil and its partners take out their expenses. Kaieteur News has also been at the forefront of warning of the pitfalls in case of an oil spill with little protection for the country in terms of damages. Kaieteur News is also responsible for exposing that Mexico has the expertise to help Guyana’s EPA in being a robust regulator for the oil sector. As a
result, a Mexican Consultant has since been hired by the World Bank to help Guyana in this regard. Kaieteur News would have exposed the lack of ring-fencing provisions and measures to address tax avoidance issues in contracts among other weaknesses of the PSAs. Today, the Government is pursuing the strengthening of the model framework in this regard. Government is now also in pursuit of a consultant for the review of the pre-contract costs after Kaieteur News would have continuously highlighted that such costs are usually inflated and that extra care should be taken to review same given Exxon’s past. The Government is now reviewing auditing deadlines and what can be deemed recoverable costs in Production Sharing Agreement (PSAs) because of concerns which would have been raised by Kaieteur News.
Kaieteur News also exposed that no oil spill contingency plan was being contemplated, and since then, the government has moved in
this direction. It hopes to complete this document for 2019. Kaieteur News would have exposed the damage that countries
suffered for allowing oil companies to self insure. Now, all oil companies are mandated to provide same.
Duty Free Grenade thrown Concessions galore at KN publisher’s
K
aieteur News has over the past decade been focusing on the tax concessions granted by Government to foreign investors. In fact, it was found some investors used the concessions to bring in goods duty free, reselling them on the local market, making millions while the ordinary Guyanese were
made to pay the taxes. The exposure of the exorbitant concessions granted over the years has sparked moves by government to cut back on this front. Kaieteur News exposed too how Go-Invest for years was not doing due diligence on companies. It is now working to tighten the weaknesses in the system.
Exorbitant rental paid for Sussex... From page 23 probe and Dr. Norton being hauled before the Parliamentary Privileges Committee. Norton had admitted that the Government had entered into a multi-year rental agreement with a new company, Linden Holdings C o m p a n y, t o s t o r e pharmaceuticals and medical supplies. The Opposition had believed that Norton misinformed and misled the National Assembly when he stated that the
reason that no procurement process was followed with regard to the selection of the company for a threeyear contract was that the facility was required on an emergency basis. The Opposition also claimed that Norton misinformed the House when he said that the facility for storing pharmaceuticals and medical supplies was certified in keeping with international standards set out by Pan American Health O r g a n i s a t i o n (PAHO/WHO).
vehicle On the same day that senior Kaieteur News journalist, Dale Andrews, died on June 4th, 2016, staffers were left traumatized after a grenade were thrown at the vehicle driven by Publisher, Glenn Lall. The incident occurred shortly after 22.00 hrs, while Lall’s vehicle, a Lexus, was parked on the western side of Saffon Street. Staffers were not far away keep wake under a tent. A security staffer heard an unusual sound near Mr. Lall’s vehicle.
Thinking at first that someone had shattered one of the windows, the staffer checked the vehicle, but
observed no damage. However, on checking the front of the Lexus, the staffer spotted the grenade lying
near one of the front tyres. A number of persons were arrested and placed before the courts.
Fuel racket costing Guyana billions annually
Over recent years, there has been increasing reports that Guyana is losing billions of dollars annually from fuel smuggling and other rackets. Not only is it big business involving collusion with officials, but even government officials are involved. From theft of fuel marker to be used to make smuggled fuel legal, there has been indications too that even duty free fuel are being sold on the local market. While government has been clamping down, there are little indications that there is a dent in smuggling.
PAGE 25
Kaieteur News
Friday April 05, 2019
Major stories over the last 25 years continued... AIDS Alert! Guyana has second highest AIDS rating in the world The South American Republic of Guyana has the highest progressions of the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome [AIDS] – in the Caribbean, when its population and geographical size are considered. In fact, Guyana, by virtue of its growth rate in AIDS, is now placed just behind Kinshasha in Africa which holds the number one growth spot in the world. The Caribbean Epidemiological Centre (CAREC) – has confirmed Guyana’s highest rating in the region according to statistics it has supplied. At the end of 1995, figures from the National AIDS Programme Secretariat in Guyana showed that 796 of Guyana’s sons of daughters had developed full blown AIDS. The report warned that there could have been serious under-reporting of cases. It is believed that the figure of known cases has
topped the 1,500 mark. What experts have been doing internationally is to multiply the reported cases by 10 to determine the number of affected persons. If that is done in Guyana’s case, we could end up with a population of more than 12,000 AIDS cases, taking into consideration that some victims are already dead and buried. The latest report from CAREC put Guyana’s official rating at 1,800 affected cases with provision for nonreporting of cases at 400. Guyana’s last country report on AIDS in 1995 showed519 males and 274 females affected. There had been an increase in the number of cases during successive years – 10 cases in 1987, 62 in 1990, 105 in 1993 and 192 in 1995.More than three quarters of the affected persons were less than 39 years old and 17.7 percent were 40 years old or older. 1996 fig-
ures show that a growing number of young people are being affected with dominance in the 20 to 25 age group.While it is being said that AIDS would be more prevalent among homosexual groups, statistics show this is definitely not the case in Guyana. Heterosexual transmission is far higher and the rate of increase of AIDS is greater among females than males.Females accounted for 25 percent of the reported cases in 1989 and 42.2 cases in 1995. Commercial sex workers are also among the high risk groups. In 1989 samples were collected from 51 prostitutes in Georgetown, and 22 of them tested HIV positive. A second study was done during 1993. It involved 108 persons and, 27 of them tested positive.Demographic high risk areas for AIDS in Guyana have been identified as Linden, in which hundreds are predicted to die by the
‘Success story at the Georgetown Hospital...Rare bone surgery helps Amerindian girl to walk again’ was the bold headline of a story carried in the year 2000.
Success story at the Georgetown Hospital... Rare bone surgery helps Amerindian girl to walk again After being crippled for almost a year, 10-year-old Nelam Bunbury is now walking again, thanks to doctors at the Georgetown Hospital. During a rare operation in March, 1999, bone specialists at the hospital fixed Nelam’s right leg, which was shattered in a road accident some three years ago. The injury left the damaged right leg some six centimetres shorter than the left leg. It was totally useless, and the girl, who is of Amerindian descent, had to be lifted by her mother. But during an operation that even some private physicians said could not be done here, the local bone specialists brought Nelam’s leg back to its original length. Except for a scar on the upper thigh, the limb is as strong as it previously was, and Nelam is walking without assistance. The surgery was done free of cost, thus saving Nelam’s mother at least US$3,000, which is estimated cost of the operation in Bardados.“I am very thankful to the doctors and Mr Humphrey,” Nelam’s mother told Kaieteur News as she struggled to hold back tears. “There were so many times that I was disappointed.”The woman Uma Bunbury, revealed that her daughter broke her right leg when a car struck jer down near Friendship, East Bank Demerara. Nelam was admitted to the Georgetown Hospital, where her leg was placed in a device called a ‘traction’, which pulls the damaged bones back into place.Doctors had planned to
put a cast on the injured leg after the traction was removed. However, because of a mix-up between a nurse and Ms. Bunbury, Nelam was discharged without having her leg placed in a cast. At home, Nelam attempted to walk and this pushed the bones of the still fragile right leg up into her hip. The leg became shortened, refused to bend, and suddenly, the once-active eight-year-old girl was a cripple, who had to be fetched around by her mother. She also dropped out of school.Mrs Bunbury, a single parent with four other children, sought assistance through the media to raise funds for medical help. Her appeals were heard by the proprietor of Humphrey’s Bakery, where Nelam’s mother was employed.Mr Humphrey assisted the mother in having Nelam examined by a private
doctor. The physician, she said, told her that Nelam must be sent overseas for surgery, or she would be crippled for life.Nelam’s mother said that with financial assistance from Mr Humphrey, she acquired passports for herself and daughter. Arrangements were being made for them to travel to Barbados for the surgery, when, by a stroke of good fortune, Mrs Bunbury sought a second opinion from specialists at the Georgetown Hospital.In March 1999, Nelam was examined by a Guyanese bone specialist at the PHG, and the child was immediately admitted to hospital. Shortly after, Nelam underwent surgery, and when her cast was finally removed a month later, she was able to walk unaided.However, the single parent, who lives at Friendship, East Bank Demerara, still needs financial assistance to have Nelam readmitted to school.
year 2000, Bartica, the Essequibo mining town which chalked up several cases last year, Lodge Village, Greater Georgetown, Plaisance on the East Coast Demerara and Buxton village on the East Coast Demerara. Graphs from CAREC for the year 1996 show AIDS incidence vs deaths on chart 1. Chart 2 shows persons within CARICOM states living with AIDS per 100,000 population. Chart 2 shows Guyana having the most living persons with AIDS, followed by Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Jamaica and Suriname. While there has been a decline in the number of known AIDS victims in Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago there has been a marked increase in Guyana, an uptrend in Jamaica, and a decrease in neighbouring Suriname.
Graphs from CAREC.
In 2010 Kaieteur News reported that ‘Govt wants to stop Kaieteur News Haiti fund — claims no permission was sought’ was as disturbing to the nation as it was staffers and even those further afield
Govt wants to stop Kaieteur News Haiti fund — claims no permission was sought’ was as disturbing to the nation as it was staffers and even those further afield. Kaieteur News (KN) should be charged under the relevant law for failing to request permission 30 days prior to commencing a fundraiser intended to help victims of the massive Haiti earthquake, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs. But yesterday, Publisher Glenn Lall said that someone is asleep. He said that it has not yet been 30 days since the earthquake in Haiti and questioned whether the authorities wanted the people of Haiti to suffer while bureaucracy takes its time. He also questioned whether the other agencies collection on behalf of Haiti, including the Guyana Red Cross, the Guyana National Committee for Haiti Relief, the state-owned National Communications Network (NCN) and the Guyana Chronicle observed the 30-day stipulated being invoked by the Home Affairs Ministry.This notion was emphasised in a correspondence purportedly inked by Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee, instructing Commissioner of Police, Mr Henry Greene, to engage an investigation into the matter. It must be noted that KN has on several previous occasions raised funds via this newspaper for various other charitable causes without any intervention on the part of the police force or the Home Affairs Minister. Several millions of dollars were collected through a fundraising initiative in 2004 after an earthquake in the sea created a tsunami which killed thousands in several countries in South East Asia.This newspaper did not fail to respond again in 2005, soliciting millions of dollars again, after a massive famine overtook Niger, resulting in the suffering and death of several people as food shortage took its toll.In that same year too, this newspaper had hosted a fundraiser for the victims of an earthquake in Pakistan. Accordingly, efforts were not spared in 2006 to solicit funds to help the families of the murdered KN pressmen. Support was very much forthcoming amounting to several millions again. The following year the gruesome Lusignan massacre also attracted a similar action by Kaieteur News. This saw persons again supporting a fund-raising venture un-
r e s e r v e d l y . It was just last year that another fundraiser was engaged for the four sons of Mary Sandy who succumbed after being hit by a car at Providence, East Bank Demerara. On each occasion this newspaper ensured that the processes were done in a most transparent and public manner. Mr Lall said that it seems as if the administration has a gripe against Kaieteur News. Meanwhile, the fund continues. This newspaper commenced the fund raising activity for Haiti a few days after the earthquake and has since been able to collect in excess of G$4 million from public-spirited citizens. Publisher of this newspaper, Mr Glen Lall, first gained knowledge of this development some time after 17:00 hours yesterday when one Inspector Gerald Nieuenkirk, armed with the correspondence and his identification card, revealed that he was investigating the matter and would have to produce a report in this regard to his superiors. According to the correspondence, dated January 28, 2010, Section 4 (1) of the House to House and Public Collections (Control) Act Chapter 23:02 of the laws of Guyana state: Any person who desires to make any collection for a charitable purpose shall make application in writing to the Commissioner not later than 30 days before the date upon which he desires to make such collection for a permit to do so.The Minister in the correspondence highlighted that he had become aware that KN had not sought the relevant permission to start the collection of funds. “I am advised by the Permanent Secretary that you are not in receipt of any application from Kaieteur News to raise funds. In absence of such, Kaieteur News should be charged under the relevant law for this contravention,” the Minister asserted.Mr Lall drew the attention of the Home Affairs Minister to the fact that Kaieteur News is not a person. Following his deliberations with Mr Lall and two other members of staff, Inspector Nieuenkirk took his leave and indicated that he would return later this week to complete his investigation.
ALKALINE, Alkaline
Father Nappy
Friday April 05, 2019 Farmer Nappy
Kaieteur News
PAGE 26
booked for Easter Saturday Stadium concert
D
BEENIEMAN
RAVI B
istributors of the Xtra Beer Brand will be hosting the ultimate “Yardy Fete” experience on Easter Saturday. And the artistes booked for this event are Jamaican Prince of Dancehall, Alkaline and Soca Sensation, Farmer Nappy whose single, “Hookin Meh” has been taking Guyana by storm. The event is slated to be held at the National Stadium with early birds ticket set at $2500. The tickets will cost $3000 from April 14. Stay tuned for more details.
for Unity Fest at Giftland parking lot on Easter Monday
O
n Easter Monday, April 22nd, NURSE to BURST fast food restaurant and Giftland will be hosting an Easter Unity Fest at the Giftland parking lot. Easter Unity Fest stars Jamaica King of the dancehall, the hit-maker, the movie star king, Beenieman, with all his big music and vibes. Also billed to perform are Trinidad Chutney hit-maker Ravi B, Shakti Strings, Slingerz Family, DJ Magnum, King Scorpion, and more. Tickets $2.500 VIP $10.000 on sale at the Giftland Mall, the Strip, NURSE to BURST, Light Street, Rossignol Butchery, White Castle Fish Shop and Vicky's fish shop. Brought to you also by Guinness, CR tell us CALL centre, Church's Chicken and Toucan Industries.
DJ SHIZZLE'S ULTIMATE BDAY CELEBRATION SET FOR APRIL 13 AT PC
B
ottles' popping, vibes flowing, ladies whining and fellaz balling! That's the kind of action you can expect at DJ Shizzle's ultimate birthday party which is set to take place at Palm Court on April 13. Music will be provided by the Boom Fm Djs : Dj Energy, Dj Akelo, Gully Ras, Diamond, Seen Up, Selector Carl, Selector Big Papa, Dj King Keev and Selector Biggs. Early Birds Tickets are available at HJ 94.1 Boom Fm, That Look Boutique & Palm Court for $2000. There will also be appreciation tokens available all night compliments of Wave Pale Ale, That Look Boutique, Chennel's Hair Salon, Elite Fragrances, Stag A Man's Beer, Chand's Printing Services, Pulse Lighting, Monster Energy Drink, HJTV & 94.1 Boom Fm & Guyana Carnival. See you there.
National Drama Company to showcase “Ti-Jean and His Brothers” on April 6, 8
T
he National Drama Company will be showcasing the performance of the play "Ti-Jean and His Brothers" at the National Cultural Centre. The play is based on a book on the CXC/CSEC syllabus. This is being done to help the students who are writing English B have a deeper understanding of the play by seeing it unfold on stage as reading it alone may not be enough. The Company did "Ti-Jean" in 2016, “Lion and The Jewel" in 2017, "The Tempest" in 2018 and is re-doing Ti-Jean this year. "Ti-Jean and His Brothers" will be available for viewing on April 8 at 1:00PM and on April 6 at 8:00PM. The daytime viewing would only cost $5000 while the admission for the night time show is $1000. The main theme of the play is the triumph of good over evil.
Some of the performers for the play are Mark-Luke Edwards, Nicholas Singh, Nicola Moonsammy, Kemo Cort, Ackeem Joseph, Keon Heywood, Esther Hamer, Nirmala Narine, Sonia Yarde, Oneilka Bacchus, Tikoma Austin, Ayanna Waddell, Kimberly Fernandes, Akbar Singh. We also have musicians Kimberly Samuels, Lisa Adams and Ricardo Primo Stanton.
PAGE 27
Kaieteur News
Friday April 05, 2019
Major stories over the last 25 years ... ‘Former Assistant Police Commissioner awarded $1.8M for wrongful dismissal –name cleared after 16 years’ was among the many headlines carried by this publication back in 2002 that grabbed the attention of many readers. After 16 long years, a former assistant Police Commissioner has finally been awarded for wrongful dismissal from the Guyana Police Force. Former Commander of ‘B’ Division (Berbice), Hilton Cummings, was on December last awarded $1.8M for salaries and other benefits owed to him from 1985 to 1998. The Appeal Court also awarded Cummings some $60,000 in costs, finally bringing to an end a long and frustrating fight for justice for the 68-year-old ex-policeman. “I feel good about this,” Cummings told Kaieteur News last Thursday. “Justice has finally been done.” Cummings troubles began on August 29, 1995 while he was stationed at Berbice. During that time 12 wooden boats that had been carrying contraband goods were seized at Springlands. According to Cummings, he sent an order from New Amsterdam that two policemen should guard the boats. Nevertheless, the boats disappeared. Four days later, the Police Service Commission informed Cummings via letter that his services had been terminated “in the public interest.” “The PSC never summoned me for a hearing, neither was I charged with any specific offence,” he said. Cummings
decided to fight to have his name cleared. Between 1985 and 1992, the ex-policeman made several attempts to be reinstated in the Force, or to be given his benefits. His efforts were all in vain. In 1993, Cummings sued the State for illegal and unconstitutional termination of services. “I could have gone overseas, but I decided to stay and fight,” he said. But Chief Justice Desiree Bernard threw out the case accepting the State’s argument that Cummings had waited too long to bring the matter to court. He appealed the decision, and on March 8, 1999, the Court of Appeal ruled in his favour. The Court of Appeal said Cummings was entitled to salaries and benefits due him up to the date of his retirement. On September 28, the
Chief Justice ruled that Cummings was entitled to $1.8M being salary, benefits and gratuity up to January 31, 1988. But the State appealed the decision, and Cummings was forced to file a counter appeal “for general damages for emotional stress, inconvenience and embarrassment.” Again the State lost its appeal. Nevertheless, no attempt was made to pay Cummings the awarded sum, and on August 28, 2000, he filed a constitutional motion in the High Court, and the Appeal Court ordered that the sum be paid forthwith. The State made one final appeal, but this was dismissed. In addition, the State was ordered to pay Cummings $50,000 in costs, and six percent interest from the date of the Chief Justice’s ruling in Cummings favour. While Cummings is relieved that the long battle for justice is finally over, he still harbours some anger over his dismissal. “I still feel a bit embittered about the whole thing,” he said. His ordeal also affected his family Cummings said. “My wife died two and a half years ago, partly as a result of emotional stress. After her death I found documents that indicated that she had been secretly fighting on her own to have my case heard.”
It was found and reported on in 2009 that ‘Guyanese young men not interested in education to elevate self …development programmes provide opportunity for skills training – survey’
Guyanese young men not interested in education to elevate self …development programmes provide opportunity for skills training – survey
A
survey funded by the United Nations Development Fund (UNDP) and conducted by a team from the University of the West Indies has found that young men in Guyana no longer consider education as a means through which they can elevate themselves. As such, the team has suggested that the Guyanese society needs to find ways to encourage boys to participate more meaningfully. It was pointed out that as it stands, women in the Guyanese society are more responsive and responsible for dealing with the issues of the family and community. ”It is apparent that boys lag behind girls in the education system, and by extension, the working environment also… For the adolescent boys, sports are a big ‘pull’, and in some cases it is the only activity that can bring young boys and fathers together,” the report found. The team cited that an important concern arising from investigation has been the high drop-out rate among secondary school students. The report pointed out that, between the period 2006 and 2007, the dropout rate for boys in Region Four was
16.30 percent and for girls, 16.33 with the total number of dropouts being 1336 students. Several factors were identified as contributing to the phenomenon including: the inability or failure of schools to offer programmes that capture students’ interest, especially that of males; the influence of deviant peer group pressures luring some to fall easy prey to drugs and criminality. It was pointed out also that unemployment and poverty among households have made it difficult for students to be financially able to travel to school and purchase required materials. The UWI team also in their report, stated that the potential exists for higher levels of participation among young females, indigenous and poor via homework centres, upgrade of training facilities, mentoring programmes, career guidance workshops, resident camps and entrepreneurial support programmes. It was also noted that ongoing development and expansion of new and existing industries in Guyana present opportunities for skill development and employment. ”As a result, skills training
The reportage in 2018 was intense and saw the reports such as ‘Govt. will not have full access to US$300M earnings from first oil for development – Finance Minister’ was published.
Govt. will not have full access to US$300M earnings from first oil for development – Finance Minister
Minister of Finance Winston Jordan said yesterday that due to fiscal rules, which will be established when Guyana enacts the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) legislation; the full projected earnings from oil revenue will not be available to the Government. When Guyana starts producing commercial oil for the first time in 2020, it is projected that the country will receive approximately US$300M derived from the 50/ 50 split of profits and the 2% royalty. ”When this money comes, it goes into the Natural Resource Fund or Sovereign Wealth Fund, so it is not available to the Government yet. Some of it will become available based on the legislation when it’s passed, and when that legislation is operationalised, then there are rules for withdrawal from
the fund,” Jordan stated. He added, ‘At no time will US$300m be available to the Government to spend.” According to the Finance Minister, the funds will essentially be offline, so that it doesn’t create disturbances to the economy. The NRF has three objectives: intergenerational saving, stabilization and economic development. ”The part to do with economic development will be withdrawn and put into the Consolidated Fund,” Jordan s t a t e d . The Finance Minister explained that foreign currency earnings will go to the Bank of Guyana, which will provide the equivalent in Guyana dollars to be deposited into the Consolidated Fund. It is not known at this stage how much of the US$300M Government intends to set aside for economic develop-
Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan ment. Nonetheless, the Minister foresees improvements in the social and economic status of Guyana. ”I foresee progressive improvements in the human, cultural and other developmental aspects of the coun-
try. I know we have been through lean periods and for many of us….those who lived through the ’80s understood what it means by structural adjustments and to have incomes overnight turn into pennies because of the significant devaluations that we have had,” Jordan noted. The Finance Minister warned that everything must be placed in context, pointing out that production has to be increased through diversification of the economy. Ahead of the legislation, Government published a Green Paper on the NRF, which states that the Ministry of Finance will manage requested withdrawal from the fund in the annual budget proposal. The Ministry will also be responsible for calculating the fiscally sustainable amount, drafting the investment mandate, and entering into the operational agreement with
the Bank of Guyana. Additionally, the Green Paper highlights that the Ministry of Finance will appoint a fivemember Macroeconomic Committee, which will determine the economically sustainable amount for the fund. Further, the intention is to have the Minister also appoint a seven-member Sovereign Investment Committee, which would be responsible for advising the Minister about the fund’s investment mandate. Apart from funds being transferred to the national budget, the Green Paper notes that NRF investments are to be made in overseas markets. The vision for this, according to the Green Paper, is that this will serve to ensure that the country has a long-term stable source of income, which will allow for the fund to meet its stabilisation and intergenerational savings objectives.
initiatives are recommended in response to national development projects in the following regions: Tourism, Chainsaw Milling Project, Amaila Falls Hydropower Project, CGX Oil Exploration, Crabwood Creek Drainage and Irrigation, City Directional Map, Food Security, Mining and Quarrying, and Agriculture.” The UWI did highlight that over recent years, the Government of Guyana has demonstrated a clear recognition of the importance of developing the labour market, as evidenced by increase financial allocations for training and d e v e l o p m e n t . In 2009, the Education Sector was budgeted $19B and of the total allocation, $3.4B was expended on capital projects while $15.5B was dedicated to operations of the sector, including $9B for wages and s a l a r i e s . One recommendation by the UWI team for maximising Government’s funding of that sector, is the establishment of a National Training Fund with Government contributions matched by the Private Sect o r . ”A variety of methods may be used for collecting contributions from the Private Sector, including direct taxes, payroll levies and a levy grant system… As a key intervention strategy to meet Guyana’s projected demand over the next three to five years, for some 10,000 skilled workers for major projects requiring both construction and operational skills. The Multi-sector Skill Training (MuST) Programme and the National On-the-Job Training (OJT) Programme, as implemented in Trinidad and Tobago under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Tertiary Education (STTE) were seen as best practices to inform skills training intervention strategies in G u y a n a . ” The group highlighted the fact that both the MuST Programme and the OJT Programme are work-based training programmes geared to providing employability and skills for sustainable development.
PAGE 28
Kaieteur News
Friday April 05, 2019
POLITICS OF ACCOMMODATION VIEWPOINT BY VIBERT PARVATAN Many years ago, the word constitution meant to me merely a state of health or strength. My Father spoke of taking his constitutional walk and he stressed the importance of being physically and mentally fit. However, over the decades, with political awakening as Guyana moved from a colonial territory unto an independent state, the word constitution has had a different meaning to me. In recent months Guyana’s constitution has been placed under the microscope. The arguments - legal, emotional and political have emerged. The immediate effect has been political and other divisions re-surfacing in our multicultural, multi-religious society. That is cause for concern. The entrenched positions of political parties fighting to be in power, maybe to secure their own well-being OR genuinely feeling that their party has the comparatively better chance of helping the poor and alleviating suffering continue. Maybe voters should,
with objectivity, ask the question whether that the Political Leaders could find anything (programme, policy, etc) wherein there was unanimity and agreement between and among party leaders to move forward. Can we think of a public compliment or tribute flowing from one political leader to a leader of another party? The message of peace on earth goodwill to men seems restricted to Christmas time in salutations. Why can’t our political leaders learn from the many examples of motivational, inspirational, messengers of peace like – Nelson Mandela and Gandhi? JUSTICE ALBERT LOUIS SACHS Around 1998, I attended a lecture at then Park Hotel in Main Street by South African Justice Albert Louis Sachs. The lectures organised by the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs gave Guyanese a unique opportunity of listening to, and interacting with Justice Sachs a distinguished Jurist. Justice Sachs was involved in the framing of the New South African Constitution and served on South Africa’s Constitutional Court the highest in that country. In his days as an anti-
apartheid activist, Justice Sachs was detained twice by the south African regime. He lost an arm in a car bomb. Academic, freedom fighter, detainee humanist and Jurist, Albert Sachs, displayed an understanding of human behaviour. He lectured on THE POLITICS OF ACCOMMODATION – Constitution making in South Africa. He emphasized the need to heal divisions and with togetherness and to establish a democratic and open society. While citing issues of conflict and methods adopted in South Africa to resolve problems and as a Nation move forward, many of the positive approaches identified may have application in Guyana. With the aim of bringing the salient points made by Justice Sachs to wider cross section of the people of Guyana, I quote extracts from his Lectures. “Constitutional process is, once again another opportunity to win the battle of civilization versus barbarism, of compassion over violence; it is a fight to ensure that the rule of law prevails against brute force. Yes, war is an enemy of
the constitutionality, the ultimate negation of human rights. “Democracy and human rights do not in themselves solve our problems, but they give us the framework in which we can solve our problems. The alternative is an endless struggle for domination and mutual ruin. How was it possible to create a new nation out of a country seething with historic hatred? This was referred to as a miracle. Yet our transformation came about not because of a marvelous person such as Nelson Mandela. It was because of the participation of millions of people acting with great calm and intelligence in the midst of severe conflict and mistrust, it was willed, it didn’t just happen, we worked and worked and attended thousands of meetings. It was through creating a citizenship of moral equals, an institutionally protected citizenship, that we secured space for each one of us to feel free and safe. This is the first general idea that I would like to share with you; we develop democracy and human rights to solve our o w n p r o b l e m s , n o t to please others. The second fundamental aspect that I would like to share with you
is the importance of the negotiation process itself. In our case, we learnt that the process can be as important as the outcome. It involves the manner in which we relate to each other, the way in which we talk to find solutions to solve the problems of the country. (I prefer the word ‘accommodation’ to the word ‘co m p r o m i s e . ’ To compromise can mean simply to do a deal without a principled basis. To accommodate means to acknowledge the perspectives and deeply held views of others, but to do so within a framework of inclusivity and respect for basic principle.) this was very important to create confidence. The country belonged not to one group or the other, but to all of us. A democratic country i s a l ways in conflict. Conflict is a part of life – but there are different forms of conflict. There is conflict with guns and there is conflict to gain the support of the people, c o nflict of words, ideas, concepts and expression, which is totally different. The ideas are not to create unanimity as concerns all political, social and cultural issues. This is not the point. The idea is to create unanimity about the context
in which the debate takes place over the future of the country, over the use of its resources, over the manner in which the country must be governed. There is no guarantee that somebody who is a freedom fighter, who is willing to sacrifice his life for freedom, will not violate the rights of others when he takes over power. Courage does not always mean to confront the enemy, the torturers, bravely. Sometimes we need courage to confront our own comrades, our colleagues. It was necessary to create a nation where everybody would have rights – the good, the bad, the rich, the poor the whites, the blacks. It was also necessary to bring about changes by democratic means. We had all to see the need to change from conceptions of ‘people’s power’ to ones of ‘people’s rights.’ People’s power comes from the top, people’s rights come from the bottom. The whole point of a national constitution is that it is based upon the opinions of the whole nation. The concept of inclusivity was fundamental. There needed to be a fundamental process of constitution-making with a great degree of “public participation.” Justice Sachs’ presentation was instructive. GUYANA THE APPROACHES ADOPTED AND THE “POLITICS OF ACCOMMODATION” CITED IN SOUTH AFRICA, HAVE RELEVANCE TO GUYANA. SUCHPOSITIVEAPPROACHES MAY REMOVE THE NEGATIVISMEXHIBITEDBY SOME OF THE LEADERS OF THIS LAND. In closing I commend to everyone especially Leaders in the political arena this Prayer for Peace: “Lord make me an instrument of our peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. O divine master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood, as to understand; to be loved as to love; for it is giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Kaieteur News
Friday April 05, 2019
Kaieteur Radio is officially on air From page 22 motives. We are driven by our obligation to expand the right of free expression. Had we been granted a radio licence in 2011, Kaieteur Radio would have been by now the 'sound of choice' from the Caribbean all the way to Japan. But, like I always believe, nothing comes before its time.” According to Lall, the launch of this Radio Station represents a personal triumph. “I thank the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority, (GNBA) for undoing the historic wrong which was committed against me and the Kaieteur News Family.” He said that Kaieteur Radio has been in the making for at least one year. “One year has passed Guyana, since we were granted the licence and people were asking 'what is holding us up'. I would smile at them and say, “Let us get it right, first. I believe that if you can't start off right, don't start off at all. Hence, today we are cutting the ribbon to officially launch the next craze in Guyana: Kaieteur Radio.” The newspaper founder noted further that he intends, like it was during the past 25 years with Kaieteur News, to make the venture another success story. He noted that radio is new
to us and we will improve daily - bear with us. Lall asserted that “Kaieteur Radio will maintain the uncompromising standards of Kaieteur News. We will offer programmes of exceptional and unrivalled quality and will not avoid controversial issues. The radio station will not commit itself to any political party or any individual personal interest. In a nutshell, this Radio Station will not be anyone's puppet or mouthpiece. We will be fearless and independent like the Kaieteur News. This station will be the 'radio with a difference'. Its programming will be tailored to suit the different audiences across the country from Coast to Coast. Our desire is to take radio to a higher level by demonstrating that we can satisfy all Guyanese via our programmes. Our aim is to bring about an influence that will result in a positive change in our society.” The Publisher said that Kaieteur Radio will become the nation's most trustworthy friend –providing the nation with up-to-date news. “Our focus will be on the News – national, regional and international. We also plan to ventilate views and opinions which will allow for meaningful and constructive discussions on matters of national
importance.” He added, “We will also keep you abreast with developments in sport activities etc. and ensure that you are entertained with music and comedy suitable for all ages.” “We will encourage diverse opinions and enlightened debates. We will air regular features to which the public has grown accustomed – such as religious programmes, community announcements, death announcements and more.” He continued “Our main objective is to help build a better Guyana through education, entertainment and information. Kaieteur Radio will be your constant companion at home, on the road and at work. Our service will be 24 hours daily.” “With the continued backing of our dedicated and hardworking staff of Kaieteur News, my family, the advertisers and more importantly, you our listeners, we can - and will become - the most popular radio station in Guyana and the Caribbean. I am confident that we will succeed in making an unforgettable imprint in Guyana and around the world. So sit back all day relax all night and enjoy our 24-hour service from the Kaieteur Radio. Once you have tuned in to our channel, as Larry King would say: Don't touch that dial.”
PAGE 29
PAGE 30
Kaieteur News
Friday April 05, 2019
Major stories ... The risk associated with fire crackers came glaringly to the fore back in 2003 when we were forced to carry an article ‘Firecrackers: Eighty-five-year grandmother dies’ which emphasised the need to embrace a zero tolerance stance against the callous use of firecrackers.
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 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezer-Call: 610-5846 or 661-8158 Repairs to gas stoves, washing machines, deep fryers, electric stoves, building of industrial ovens. Call 673-9028 I go where you are. Guaranteed repairs: cars, household equipment. Call: 671-2960 PROPERTY FOR SALE House for sale, Eccles Housing Scheme. 7 bedrooms, 3 toilets and bathrooms enclosed. $28.5M. Call 6420391/ 001447587233657. yashardabhola4@gmail.com
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
FOR RENT
WANTED
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
1 Security personnel to work shift. 6 Days a week. Tel# 2275536/ 223-0504
One business place in Durban St W/Ville available from June 1st. Tel 616-2445
Mechanic and trainee mechanic needed in Kitty. Call 623-0318
Newly renovated apartment for rent at Peters Hall. #2239677/ 698-5800/ 648-1391
One truck driver needed. Call 223-7165
Fully furnished apartment in South (AC, Cable & Internet) #691-1918/223-4390 1 Bedroom for working couple/single person $35,000 & $32,000 monthly. Light & water included. Lodge. Call: 623-0076
30x50 Rubberized tarpaulin $120,000. Stihl fogging machine $150,000. Call 6135062 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. 2 6" Double diamond lavrador. $400,000. 16ft Steel wash plan for gold mining. $1.5M Call 613-5062 MWM 6 cylinder turbo 215 HP engine with 8/6 Berkley pump. Excellent condition. $2.5M. Call 613-5062
Seamstress. Contact: 6911918. Monday to Saturday 9am to 4pm
Foreign used 6x4 sinotruck Howo dump truck & excavators for sale. Tel: 5023408/677-8104 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
Attractive waitress wanted. Speaking spanish would be an asset. Call# 615-0915 Wanted experienced hire car driver at Ramada Princess Hotel. Contact 616-5419, 2657075
Wanted sales driver.Tel# 6275726/ 227-6659 Wanted workers at Magic Touch car wash & detailing. Tel# 669-4676 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
10 Acre farm land with a variety of fruit trees at Kuru-Kururu Soesdyke Linden H/way. 30 million negotiable. Tel: 6435203
Porters. Apply with written application @ Best Buy Food Supplies, Lot 1E Dennis & Middleton Street, Campbellville
LAND FOR SALE
Wanted experienced washbay worker. # 233-5227, 682-1616. Nandy Park E.B.D
475 acres of transported water front land @ Hogg Island, Essequibo River. Suitable for farming, cattle rearing etc. Contact: 617-4004
EDUCATION
Transported land 11.6 acres. Lot 15 public road. #2 Village W.C.B. Price $18M. Contact 686-4818, 648-7109
Free classes in April for children show in Phonics, Reading, Maths etc. Ages 313. For info call 675-4379
Parfaite Harmonie $1.4M Schoonard $3M Dairy with foundation & Fence $2M Farm $3M Tel# 656-0701/651-1969
Private custom brokerage. Training course/ AW lecturer with 30 year experience. April 29. Call 694-8322,690-4225. Reg now & save
TO LET Business space to rent. No restaurant. Serious enquiries only. 233 South Road 2250198/615-0317 1 Room apartment suitable for singles. 5 Minutes drive from Harbour Bridge. Parking, light and water. 676-6312
CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL:225-7126/ 2263 6 9 3 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL @YAHOO.COM/ WWW.D OLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS FROM $4000 & UP, SUV’S PER DAY- CALL:643-5122/6560087, ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM Fabs Rental, Beterverwagting ECD Cars from $4000 #6040883 LEARN TO DRIVE N. Outar Driving School, Learn to Drive the right way @ Cuffy Square. Affordable package. Call: 644-5166/6912561
An 85-year-old woman was one of the latest victims of the firecracker dilemma to which a zero tolerance campaign was reportedly launched. Agatha Clarke of 43 Second Street, Mocha
Live in waitress to work in a bar. Must have ID. Age 1823yrs old. 221-2785
Live in or live out domestic worker. Call from Monday Saturday between 8:15 4:15PM 223-7500
VEHICLE FOR SALE
Firecrackers: Eighty-five -year grandmother dies
Urgently needed soursop leaves and stem from 50lbs to 1000lbs. Tel#609-8281 One experienced cook needed. Call 223-7165 VACANCY Vacancy for general manager at Yugs Variety Store. Lot 4 Robb Street. Tel# 654-0141 Driver needed. Must have a sound secondary education. For more information please call: 223-0090 Bond clerk/ factory worker. Must have a sound secondary education. For more information please call: 2230090 Vacancy for abled porter boys. Call 223-5897
VACANCY Servers & counter attendants. Send applications to German’s Restaurant. 8 New Market Street G/Town. $14,000 starting salary 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 Vacancy for general manager at Dollar Stretch Store. Lot 16 Robb Street. Tel# 654-0141 Female cleaner office & home. Age 25 to 50. Call 6429823 One male sales clerk. Previous experience an asset. Apply Mike’s Pharmacy, Bel Air, Georgetown. Hardworking, physically fit, team player. Perform with minimum supervision, willing to learn. Plant Shop# 648-1821 (8am-5pm) Maid/cleaner, porter/laborer. Apply with handwritten application, police clearance. Wieting & Richter Ltd. 10-13 Water Street, Georgetown Vacancy for maid living within Kitty. Can cook indian dishes. Working hrs 9-2:30 Monday to Saturday. Call 223-5897 Vacancy exists for certified accountant. Bring in application to Agri Parts Machinery and Services.
Arcadia, commonly known as ‘Pepper Hill’ died on Thursday 30th October, 2003 at the Georgetown Public Hospital after she suffered a concussion to the head on Diwali night. Reports reaching Kaieteur News stated that on Diwali night, Clarke was walking along ‘Pepper Hill’ when two youngsters who were lighting fire crackers and steel wool ran into her. As a result she allegedly fell to the ground while the boys ran away. However, as they ran, a neighbour alerted them of what had happened.One of the boys along with another friend returned, and lifted the unconscious woman to the home of her granddaughter, Jennifer Simon, who also lives in Mocha. When Kaieteur News visited the dead woman’s home, she stated, “What I understand from the incident is that the night one of the boys was running his friend with a lighted steel wool in his hands spinning in the air. As they ran they bumped into my grandmother and she fell to the ground. I further understand that they continued running, but a man saw what had happened, and shouted ‘look ya’ll knock down somebody’.” She further added, “The one that had the steel wool run away, and the other one turn back with another friend and pick she up in an unconscious state, and bring she to de house. I rushed her to the hospital right away. When the doctor examined her, she has a burst in her head. She was treat and given tablets and we bring she home.”“While at home the night, she was very dizzy and the next day she was getting worse, so I sent for an ambulance and took her back to the hospital where another doctor examined her. He then told me that she has suffered a concussion to the head, and a stroke to the left side. However, on the fifth day at the hospital, which was Thursday, my grandmother died at about 7:00 am,” Clarke’s granddaughter stated.Meanwhile, Kaieteur News understands that one of the boys was arrested yesterday; however the child’s grandfather state that he is still at home, and that the information was incorrect. Nevertheless, this newspaper was not able to reach the child’s mother. Clarke who has two grandchildren alive will be buried on Tuesday 4th November, 2003.
PAGE 31
Kaieteur News
Friday April 05, 2019
Major stories over the last 25 years ... It was in 2017 that this publication published that a report captioned ...
Surujbally’s goodbye warning: “Partisan” commissioners not good for Guyana’ …believes a fit and proper person, not necessarily a judge can be Chairperson After more than a decade and half in the hot seat of the Guyana Elections Election (GECOM), former Chairman, Dr. Steve Surujbally, is saying goodbye. And on the eve of his departure he called for urgent changes in the way commissioners are selected. Engaging the media yesterday on his last day, Surujbally believed that the days of division and party persons being placed as commissioners is a recipe for “polarization” and “partisanship” and would only continue to serve to halt any “coming together” of the people. Under the laws, it is allowed for the appointment of six commissioners-—three members appointed by the President, acting in his own deliberate judgment and three appointed by the President acting on the advice of the Leader of the Opposition after the latter would have “meaningfully” consulted the nongovernmental opposition
parties represented in the National Assembly. In media packages distributed yesterday at GECOM during the media farewell, it was noted that the current composition is not the ideal situation. Bibi Shadick is a senior member of the People’s Progressive Party who has openly boasted of her loyalty. Robeson Benn, a former PPP/ C minister in the previous Government, was on the PPP platform in Essequibo 16 days after he was sworn in as a C o m m i s s i o n e r. Sase Gunraj, a lawyer, was clad in “PPP colours, accompanied former President (Donald) Ramotar as the latter visited polling stations on elections day (May 11, 2015).” Charles Corbin, according to the GECOM documents yesterday, is the brother of former leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Robert Corbin. Another commissioner,
Sandra Jones, was the returning officer when now President David Granger was voted in the leader of the PNCR. Vincent Alexander, another commissioner, was the director of elections for the PNCR during the 2006 general and regional elections. According to Dr. Surujbally, things have changed over the last decade and half. There is little tolerance for “us and them” sitting around the table at GECOM. FAKE POLLS The arguments for change to the composition of GECOM would be bolstered by the fact that following the May 2015 elections, a number of fake statements of polls (SOPs) somehow found their way into GECOM’s system. This immediately saw finger pointing. There were deep suspicions where those statements came from with Surujbally yesterday refusing to name any political party or commissioner but noted that “empiri-
Former GECOM Chairman, Dr. Steve Surajbally cal” data existed which could point in a certain direction. He insisted that the GECOM systems are robust enough to have weeded out the fake statements of polls. The media, he bemoaned, should have been more vigilant and should have raised questions about those polls. The matter was handed over to the police but nothing ever came out of the investiga-
Kaieteur News was among the media entities which in 2011 reported that ‘Medical Council warns public against four doctors -Child sex-offender may still be practising in Guyana’
Medical Council warns public against four doctors -Child sex-offender may still be practising in Guyana’ Child sex-offender Dr Vishwamintra Persaud, who was fired from the Georgetown Public Hospital when his conviction on a child sex offence in New York was revealed, may still be practising, the Guyana Medical Council fears. The Council has since issued a public warning against him and three other doctors, including Dr John Austin, a Parliamentarian with the main opposition People’s National Congress/Reform. The others are Dr Abdul Mohamed Hafiz and Dr Abdul Wahab. The Medical Council says that the four doctors are not licensed to practice medicine and anyone seen or attended to by these doctors should contact the Council. Chairman of the Council, Dr Sheik Amir, told Kaieteur News that Council has “verbal” reports that the doctors are practising in the country even though they are not registered to do so. ”This is illegal; we are doing this to protect the public,” Dr Amir declared. ”The Guyana Medical Council is not here to be nice to doctors,” he added. Dr Amir said that since the Council has verbal reports that the doctors are seeing
patients, it is the Council’s right to inform the public. According to Dr Amir, every February, the doctors are licensed and registered to practise in Guyana. The four doctors are not on that list. Dr Persaud was convicted in New York for sexual misconduct on a girl and pleaded guilty after which his license was revoked. He returned to Guyana and found work at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), but it was only after Kaieteur News revealed Dr Persaud’s conviction that he was eventually fired.Health Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, had apologised “to all persons we have offended by the decision of the GPHC to offer employ-
ment to Dr. Persaud.” ”While at the time we only considered the benefits of adding another experienced doctor to our roster at the GPHC, we could have been more careful in considering the circumstances,” Dr Ramsammy had stated. At least one of the other three doctors fingered by the Medical Council has come out to defend himself. Parliamentarian Dr John Austin sought to link the decision of the Medical Council to list him among those not licensed to practice to matters he has before the Council. He told Kaieteur News that he has a court matter that has not yet been determined and he had refused to deal with
the matter before the Council without his lawyer, as was being demanded by the Counc i l . ”The Medical Council rules cannot be higher than the constitution of Guyana,” Austin said. Dr Austin was educated at Lagos University, Nigeria where he did his undergraduate training in medicine. He subsequently became a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. Qualified in Medicine, he served as a Regional Health Officer and Superintendent of the New Amsterdam Hospital. Dr Amir said that the “bottomline” behind the decision of the Council to warn the public against Dr Austin and the three others is not about matters they might have before the Council but over the fact that they have not met the requirements to gain a license to practise.Dr Amir was adamant that there was no vindictiveness involved in the decision of the Council.”This is not a ‘by the way thing;’ this is a professional thing,” Dr Amir said of the medical profession.He emphasised that the only reason why the public was warned against the doctors is because they are not licensed to practice.
tions, the former Chairman said.Some of the questions the media should have asked were who would have benefitted from the fake SOPs slipping through? Fit and Proper Meanwhile, with regards to the current stalemate over the selection of a new Chairperson, the former Chairman believed that while a judge is an ideal person according the criteria, it is his belief that a “fit and proper” person could serve the position as well. The Government and the Opposition are disagreeing over the interpretation of the laws in who should be the new chairperson to replace Surujbally. A list submitted by Opposition leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, was rejected by President Granger who said that the
persons did not meet the requirements. The difference of opinion on the interpretation of the Constitution has seen the Opposition describing a meeting Monday with AttorneyGeneral, Basil Williams, as futile. In essence, there is a stalemate with the administration making it clear that the President has the final say. According to Surujbally yesterday, nobody would have expected that the current stalemate would happen with the selection believed to be a mere “shoo in” with some back room negotiations. He said that while it would be ideal for a judge or someone along those qualifications to be selected, the reality is that GECOM has never been without legal minds. As a matter of fact- two lawyers- Bibi Shadick and Sase Gunraj- are practicing lawyers; Vincent Alexander, another commissioner, has legal knowledge.A former Chairman, Doodnauth Singh, was from the legal profession. GECOM itself, he pointed out, has access to legal aid. Surujbally does not believe that the selection of a new chairperson should be taking so long. There are some messages that could be drawnthat the 2020 is a serious affair for all the parties involved and everyone wants to have a say in the selection.
As we continued to bring the news to our readers in 2019, word of an increase in the estimated quantity of oil our country is expected to find was highlighted in an article headlined ‘ExxonMobil estimate jumps to 5.5B barrels’
ExxonMobil estimate jumps to 5.5B barrels
The gross recoverable resource from the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana has now increased to approximately 5.5 billion oil-equivalent barrels. This is according to Deedra Moe, the Senior Director of Public and Government Affairs at Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL). EEPGL is a subsidiary of ExxonMobil. Moe said that this estimated resource update includes the recent Tilapia-1 and Haimara-1 discoveries. She said, “Exploration activity in the Stabroek Block is continuing. The Noble Tom Madden drillship will next drill the Yellowtail-1 well, approximately six miles (10 kilometers) west of Tilapia-1 in the Turbot area. ”The Stena Caren will next return to the Longtail discovery to complete a well test. Baseline 4-D seismic data acquisition is also underway.”The Senior Director of Government Affairs said that there is potential for at least five floating, production storage and offloading vessels (FPSO) on the Stabroek Block producing more than 750,000 barrels of oil per day by 2025.Further to this, Moe said that the Liza Phase One development is progressing on schedule and is expected to begin producing up to 120,000 barrels of oil per day in early 2020, utilizing the Liza Destiny FPSO.Pending government and regulatory approvals, the Senior Director said that Liza Phase Two will use a second FPSO designed to produce up to 220,000 barrels per day. She notedthat start-up is expected by mid2022.Moe said that a third development, Payara, is being planned, with startup expected as early as 2023.
PAGE 32
Friday April 05, 2019
Kaieteur News
U.S. women’s soccer team says lawsuit about more than money
USA Women’s Soccer team forwards (L-R) Megan Rapinoe, Christen Press, and Alex Morgan pose for a portrait in Beverly Hills, California. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson
Friday April 05, 2019 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) This is a terrific time to start some physical activity that takes you outside and gets your blood pumping, Aries. Don't think this means you have to become the star player at a tennis club. TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) You may feel like you're being tested in some way and must prove that what you're doing is valid and correct GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You're able to assert yourself with more confidence than usual. You should have a grounded perspective regarding your emotions. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Just when you feel like you've come to a point of emotional stability and calm, something happens to throw you off balance. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You have lots of energy and self-con f i d e n c e , L e o . That's wonderful, but it may also put you at greater risk for dangerous experiences and accidents. You could find that you're much more aggressive, especially if someone crosses you. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Be happy with yourself and others, Virgo. Stop trying to find fault with everyone you interact with. By criticizing what they do and how they do it, you could wake up one morning and find that you have no friends.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You may be bursting with energy and yearning to travel, Libra. At the same time, your emotions could find a way to block these thoughts. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You may feel a bit blue due to a nagging weightiness that pins you down to reality instead of being free to fly. You may act out in an effort to prove to yourself and others that you're somehow above Earthly things. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You're able to work much more efficiently and effectively, Sagittarius. Your energy is strong and you don't need to fight in order to get your voice heard. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Different people measure success by different scales. You shouldn't get discouraged if your accomplishment today seems small compared to what others have done in the same period. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You could feel as if the battle has begun and you're the target. If you don't have a solid force behind you, this period could be difficult. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) It could be scary for you to do anything risky for fear of conflict or failure, Pisces. Perhaps you've tried to become invisible in different situations so you can avoid being noticed.
Los Angeles (Reuters) Members of the United States women’s soccer squad (USWNT) have told Reuters their lawsuit against the national federation alleging gender discrimination is not just about wages but also improving the sport for women participating in it at all levels. All 28 members of the squad were named as plaintiffs in the lawsuit, which was filed in federal court last month and says the women are not paid the same as their male counterparts. While the U.S. men’s team have voiced their support, the U.S. Soccer Federation has said it was surprised by the lawsuit, with its president, Carlos Cordeiro, saying it strives for equal pay and has boosted its investment in female player development programs. Midfielder Megan Rapinoe told Reuters in an interview timed with Equal Pay Day on April 2 that they were also pushing for systematic change. “For us it is really important to really look at the bigger picture of the compensation piece,” she said. “I don’t think you can talk about compensation articulately or intelligently until you have a conversation about funding across the board,” she said. “So whether that is youth teams or staffing for each team or promotion and sponsorship, you know, advertising for both teams, I don’t think that that is equal yet,” she said. “So yes we are fighting
Merritt donates World... From page 37 incredible story to future generations.” TIMELINE: BlankersKoen to Jackson to Johnson to Merritt. Hurdling history will play an important part in the exhibition displays. Fanny Blankers-Koen’s Olympic accreditation cards from London 1948, Nawal El Moutawakel’s 1984 Olympic spikes, Colin Jackson’s Stuttgart 1993 world record vest, Allen Johnson’s Athens 1997 spikes, Nezha Bidouane’s Edmonton 2001 bodysuit and number, Jana Pittman’s Paris 2003 winning vest and number are just a few of artefacts from famous global champions which will be on display alongside Merritt’s spikes. The IAAF Heritage World Athletics Championships Exhibition will be open from Thursday 18 April to Monday 7 October 2019. (IAAF)
for equal compensation but we are also fighting for this larger picture of investment in both programs equally.” Since the lawsuit was filed, some companies have stepped in to help close the pay gap. Nutrition snack company Luna Bar on Tuesday announced that it would give each member of the squad competing at the Women’s World Cup a onetime payment of $31,250 — the difference in the bonus paid to the men’s World Cup squad. Sportswear company Adidas has also said that if the USWNT win the Women’s World Cup this year its sponsored players would receive the same performance bonus payments as their male counterparts. ‘FLAWED SYSTEM’ The players said change was also needed outside the United States. “We are hopeful that FIFA is doing things to put more women in executive positions and more women within FIFA in general,” striker Alex Morgan told Reuters. “We still feel like they are very behind on the trend and we are hopeful that what we are doing today and the continual fight that we have will help
FIFA proactively change the inner workings of the system that is very flawed within them as well.” Morgan said the team hoped to improve the lives of the next generation of female athletes. “I think we realize the opportunity we have and the resources we have are due to the generation before us and we hope to increase those opportunities and resources available for the generation after us,” she said. “We might not see equal pay among athletes within our generation but the hope is that the future generations will.” The women said the lawsuit would not distract them from their efforts to win back-to-back World Cups, and a fourth title overall, when they compete in France in June. “Success for us is very simple and it is very clear from the first second that you get on the team, whether it is like a passing pattern or a smallsided game or a friendly or a World Cup final — it’s winning,” Rapinoe said. “It’s competing to the best of your ability, it’s trying to be the absolute best that you can so for us the expectation is always the same, success for us looks like winning,” she said. “It looks like winning the World Cup.”
Friday April 05, 2019
PAGE 33
Kaieteur News
NBA roundup: Heat’s loss scrambles East standings Reuters - Boston’s Gordon Hayward scored a game-high 25 points and Kyrie Irving added 23 to lift the Celtics to a crucial 112-102 road victory over the Miami Heat on Wednesday night. Jayson Tatum scored nine consecutive points in the fourth quarter to help Boston remain in a tie for fourth place in the Eastern Conference. Al Horford tallied 21 points, Tatum 16 and Aron Baynes 10, with a team-high 10 rebounds for the Celtics, who won their second straight game and fourth in their last five. Dion Waiters had 21 points, Hassan Whiteside 18 points and 15 rebounds, Dwyane Wade 17 points, Bam Adebayo 12, Goran Dragic 11 and Kelly Olynyk 10 for the Heat, who lost their second straight and fell to ninth place in the East — out of a playoff position. Last in the league in free-throw shooting, the Heat went just 12 of 20 (60 percent) at the stripe. They entered at 69.5 percent. Magic 114, Knicks 100 Nikola Vucevic had 29 points and 13 rebounds for Orlando, which moved into a playoff spot after beating New York in Orlando. Orlando began the night a half-game behind Miami for the eighth and final playoff position in the East, but with the victory and the Heat’s loss, the Magic moved into a tie with Brooklyn for seventh in the conference. Mario Hezonja led the Knicks with 29 points while collecting nine rebounds and five assists against his former team. Hezonja was selected No. 5 overall by the Magic in the 2015 NBA Draft. Rockets 135, Clippers 103 - James Harden scored 31 points, grabbed seven rebounds and dished out seven assists, and Chris Paul added 29 points and seven assists to lead Houston to a blowout win at Los Angeles. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 20 points to pace the Clippers, who lost for just the third time in 16 games and fell 1 1/2 games behind Utah in the race for the fifth seed in the West. Danilo Gallinari added 16, and Lou Williams scored 14 off the bench. Coming into Wednesday’s game, the Clippers had been the only team in the West not to have lost to the Rockets this season, having defeated Houston twice in October. The Rockets made sure that streak ended by grabbing the lead early and never giving it up. The Clippers led once, 20. Trail Blazers 116, Grizzlies 89 - Enes Kanter, Damian Lillard and Evan Turner led the way as Portland rolled over visiting Memphis
Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward (20) dunks the ball against Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) during the second half at American Airlines Arena. Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports to remain in fourth place in the Western Conference, a halfgame behind Houston. Kanter collected 21 points and 15 rebounds, and Lillard scored 20 points and dished out 10 assists for the Trail Blazers, who have won 11 of their past 13 games. Turner registered his second straight triple-double with 13 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists in 28 minutes off the bench. Chandler Parsons scored 16 points for the Grizzlies, who have lost seven of their last 10 outings. Memphis suited up only 10 players due to numerous injuries. Jazz 118, Suns 97 Donovan Mitchell scored 29 points, Joe Ingles added 27 and Rudy Gobert surpassed Karl Malone in the Utah record book to lead the visiting jazz past Phoenix. Gobert scored 17 points, collected 13 rebounds and blocked five shots for the Jazz — his franchise-record 63rd point-rebound doubledouble of the season. Malone had 62 in the 1987-88 season. Richaun Holmes tallied 16 points and nine rebounds to lead the Suns, and Elie Okobo scored 15 points. Phoenix’s Devin Booker played only eight minutes in the first quarter before sustaining a left ankle sprain. He finished with eight points on 3-of-4 shooting. Pacers 108, Pistons 89 Thaddeus Young had 21 points, eight rebounds and four assists, and visiting Indiana defeated Detroit for the second time in three nights. Bojan Bogdanovic and Myles Turner had 17 points apiece as the Pacers snapped the Pistons’ 11-game home winning streak. Indiana defeat Detroit 111-102 on Monday in Indianapolis. Andre Drummond carried the Pistons with 28 points, 19
rebounds, three assists, three steals and three blocks. Wayne Ellington had 24 points for Detroit. Hawks 130, 76ers 122 Trae Young and John Collins combined to score 58 points and Atlanta knocked off visiting Philadelphia for its third straight victory over the 76ers. Young scored 33 points, including a 3-pointer with 1:32 remaining that allowed Atlanta to stretch its dwindling lead back to eight points. Philadelphia missed a great opportunity with 32.5 seconds left when Jimmy Butler drew a flagrant-one foul. Butler missed both free throws and a 3-point try when play resumed as Philadelphia could not cut into Atlanta’s five-point lead. Philadelphia, which has lost two straight and four of six, was led by JJ Redick with 30 points. He made six 3-
pointers but uncharacteristically missed three free throws. The Sixers also got 21 points from Tobias Harris. Raptors 115, Nets 105 Pascal Siakam scored 28 points and Kawhi Leonard added 26 as Toronto continued its preparation for the postseason with a victory over Brooklyn in New York. The Raptors, who likely will be the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, won their fifth straight. Serge Ibaka tied a career high with five 3pointers and contributed 23 points and 12 rebounds off the bench as the Raptors beat the Nets for the 15th time in the past 16 meetings. The Nets lost for the seventh time in 10 games and missed a chance to move into sixth place past Detroit. Instead, the Nets are tied with Orlando for the final two playoff spots in the East.
D’Angelo Russell led the Nets with 27 points, and Spencer Dinwiddie added 14. Hornets 115, Pelicans 109 - Kemba Walker scored 32 points as visiting Charlotte kept its playoff hopes mathematically alive with a victory over New Orleans. Walker helped the Hornets salvage the final game of a four-game road trip that began with losses against the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors and Utah Jazz. Frank Kaminsky added 21 points, including 18 in the second half, Devonte’ Graham had 13 and Jeremy Lamb 12 for Charlotte, which is in 10th place in the Eastern Conference. Julius Randle had 34 points and 11 rebounds, his 22nd game this season with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds, to lead the Pelicans. New Orleans lost for the 11th time in 13 games as it concluded a 1-4 home stand. Timberwolves 110, Mavericks 108 - KarlAnthony Towns had a monster night with 28 points and 13 rebounds, and Andrew Wiggins scored the winning basket with 19 seconds to go to lift Minnesota past host Dallas. Towns was brilliant throughout, hitting 12 of his 15 shots, including his last two, a jumper to tie with 1:15 to go and then a sweet dribble-drive for a finger roll and a 108-106 lead with 48 seconds to play. Dallas rookie guard Jalen Brunson tied it with 36 seconds to go, but after Wiggins reclaimed the lead for Minnesota, Brunson missed Dallas’ 32nd 3-point attempt of the game. Fellow Mavs rookie Luka Doncic finished with 27 points, 12 rebounds and six assists in his first back after
sitting out two. Nuggets 113, Spurs 85 Nikola Jokic had 20 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists, Jamal Murray finished with 14 points, 11 assists and six rebounds, and host Denver beat San Antonio, which lost head coach Gregg Popovich to ejection just 63 seconds into the game. Monte Morris and Malik Beasley scored 19 points apiece, and Gary Harris and Will Barton scored 11 each for Denver. The Nuggets moved closer to clinching homecourt advantage for at least the first round of the playoffs. Popovich called a timeout after Murray’s dunk gave Denver a 5-0 lead. He immediately started talking to official Mark Ayotte, who hit him with a technical. Popovich kept talking as he followed Ayotte and then was hit with a second technical. It was the second time in three games Popovich has been ejected. He also got tossed against Sacramento on Sunday. Bulls 115, Wizards 114 Walt Lemon Jr. scored a gamehigh 24 points, the last two coming on free throws with 1.8 seconds left, giving Chicago a narrow victory at Washington. The win snapped a fivegame Chicago losing streak. The Bulls have had a tough time in the last several games as they were again missing some of their top scorers due to injuries. Zach LaVine, Lauri Markkanen, Otto Porter Jr. and Kris Dunn all were out again, and each has missed at least four consecutive games. Thomas Bryant and Bobby Portis both led Washington with 20 points in a battle between two teams out of the playoff race.
Wins for Enmore, Buxton, Betterhope A, Golden Strathavon ‘A’ overs in reply. Walter Byrne Achievers and Lusignan response, were bowled out for 176 in 27 captured 3-15, T. Charles 3-9 The SPR Enterprise/East Coast Cricket Committee 40 overs and the inaugural Neville Ramotar T20 cricket competitions continued last Sunday with several matches. In the SPR Enterprise tournament, Enmore defeated host Enterprise Busta SC by 85 runs. Enmore took first strike and were restricted to 208-8. After being limited to 142-9, Satash Jainarine (42*) and Ranjeet Hiralall (36*) added 72 for the last wicket to prop up the total. Amir Khan and Yuvraj Dayal supported with 30 and 24 respectively. Chatterpaul Singh took 4-26 for Enterprise Busta SC who were bundled out for
123 in 30 overs in reply. Vishal Persaud made 29 as Yuvraj Dayal grabbed 4-23 and Amir Khan 3-24. At Buxton ground, the home team beat LBI SC by 15 runs. Buxton SC posted 214 all out in 32 overs. M. Kato scored 55 and P. McPharley 27. Y. Bishun took 4-37. LBI SC then fell short of their target by 15 runs after being dismissed in the 33 over for 199; Rawle Merell took three wickets. Betterhope A defeated Strathavon SC (A) by 73 runs at Strathavon ground. Betterhope A scored 249-7, batting first. Sewchand Budhu struck 80 not out and A. Khan 30. N. Samaroo took 2-17. In
overs. G. Hemraj and Ramnarine scored 45 and 30 respectively. Budhu, F. Clarke and R. Mohamed took 2 wickets each. Meanwhile, three matches were played in the ECCC/ Neville Ramotar Memorial T/ 20 knockout competition at two venues. In game one at Fairfield, Golden achievers SC defeated Cane Grove ‘A’ while Fairfield SC defeated Beehive SC by 104 runs. Fairfield SC rattled up 201 for 9, taking first strike. Richard Chaturia made 53 and S. Ramotar 40. L. Rooplall grabbed 4-17 while H. Samlall and D. Rooplall took two wickets apiece. Beehive SC were dismissed for 97 from 15
and D. Lovell 2-17. Lusignan East defeated Mahaica SC by 70 runs at Ogle. Lusignan East managed 191-8. K. Amsterdam and P. Appana made 43 and 37 respectively. Darshan Persaud took 3-35 for Mahaica SC, who were then bowled out for 121 in 18 overs. S. Sahadeo, P. Appana, K. Jailall and N. Balram took two wickets apiece. Ogle CC advanced to the next round by virtue of a walk over from Cane Grove B. Both competitions continue this weekend with matches at Fairfield, Enmore, Ogle, Lusignan, Buxton, Canegrove, Betterhope and Enterprise grounds.
PAGE 34
Friday April 05, 2019
Kaieteur News
Reema Juffali: Female Saudi driver Real Madrid: Bernabeu to be to make F4 debut at Brands Hatch ‘best stadium in world’ after four-year refurbishment
Reema Juffali (centre) celebrates winning the final round of the TRD 86 Cup (Silver Category) at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. BBCsport - Saudi Arabia’s first female racing driver Reema Juffali will make her F4 British Championship debut at Brands Hatch this weekend. Juffali, 27, will drive for defending champions Double R Racing alongside Louis Foster and Sebastian Alvarez. She made her competitive racing debut in October 2018 - just months after her country lifted a ban on female drivers. “It’s such a great thing for me to do and represent my country,” she said.
“Brands Hatch is the heart of motorsport,” Jeddah-born Juffali added. Saudi Arabia issued driving licences to women for the first time in decades in June 2018, as it lifted its ban. Within five months, Juffali was competing in two-seater racing and has now progressed to single-seater racing. “It’s going to be a tough year in such a competitive championship, but I’m ready for the challenge,” she said.
ISG backing Regal for Florida Cup dominance The annual Florida Cup Softball tournament is quickly approaching and defending champions Regal All Stars and Regal Masters have been busy fine tuning preparations both on and off the field. Last Sunday at the GNIC Sports Club ground, Woolford Avenue, Industrial Supplies of Guyana Inc assisted the teams with their preparations heading for the April 12 to 14 mega softball tournament in Fort Lauderdale. On behalf of the engineering company,
Technical Support Engineer, Bobby Lakhan handed over the sponsorship cheque of USD$1,800 to tour Manager, Parmanand Persaud in the presence of players from both sides. Lakhan stated that it is their first sponsorship to a sporting team and is confident that Regal Masters and All Stars will represent the brand well in the tournament. “It is our (ISG) first sponsorship of this kind but once Regal do us proud it will not be our last,” Lakhan added. According to information
coming out of the South Florida Softball Cricket League the 15th edition of the Florida Cup will be the biggest yet with 10 All Star teams, 10 Masters teams (Over-45) and eight Legends teams (Over-50) battling over three days. The preliminary matches and semi-finals will be played at the Brian Piccolo Park while the championship matches will be played at the only international cricket venue in North America, the Central Broward Regional Park.
Formula One announces long-term partnership with Puma London (Reuters) - Formula One has agreed a long-term deal with Puma for the German sportswear company to become the sport’s exclusive merchandise retail partner, it said yesterday.Formula One said Puma had gained the rights to design, produce and sell Formula One branded products trackside at grand prix. Puma stands and superstores will be present at 17 of the 21 races on the calendar this season.
Athletics Integrity Unit And World Marathon Majors Announce New Intelligence And Testing Programme In Ground-Breaking... From page 36 identifying the risk to their races, understanding the root causes of doping and doing something about it. “By supporting the enhanced programme, the Abbott WMM has underlined their commitment for clean sport and set an example for the industry,” added Howman.
“This programme is world-leading and will ensure the Abbott WMM races are among the very best regulated sporting events in the world when it comes to anti-doping.” In accordance with the AIU’s recommendation, the programme continues to involve a testing pool of 150 elite runners, with a shift to an emphasis on intelligence-led testing.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez outlines his plans for the club’s stadium revamp. BBCsport - Real Madrid President Florentino Perez says a four-year refurbishment of the Bernabeu starting this summer will create the “best stadium in the world”. Perez revealed computerised images of the plans, featuring a retractable roof, on Tuesday. The 81,000 capacity will be unchanged but Real will be able to play at the stadium while the work is carried out. Perez said the club could “remain competitive in an increasingly difficult football
scenario”. The enhanced venue will cover 66,000 square metres and feature leisure and entertainment facilities. In addition to the retractable roof, there will be a 360degree video scoreboard as well as a surround ‘skin’ of steel bands to allow images to be projected on to the exterior surface of the stadium. “We want, in short, to be the great digital stadium of the future,” the president said. “Located in the heart of Madrid, it will be the best
stadium in the world. We are facing one of the great projects of the future for Real Madrid, and, of course, it will be also for the city of Madrid.” Real, who have played at the Bernabeu since 1947, saw their three-year hold on the Champions League come to an end this term when they were knocked out in the last 16 by Ajax. Zinedine Zidane returned to the club as manager last month but his team are currently third in La Liga, 12 points behind leaders Barcelona.
Johnny ‘Overseas’ Barnwell pre-birthday programme begins this weekend The South Turkeyen Sports Committee (STSC) and the United Football Club (UFC) of Mahaicony have organised a day of sports scheduled for tomorrow and Sunday, respectively, as part of Johnny ‘Overseas’ Barnwell pre-birthday programme. Barnwell, who will celebrate his 73rd birthday this year, has been a devout sports coordinator for many years and he still promotes various sports mainly community football, while being employed by the Queen’s College Sports Coordinator. The STSC day of sports gets underway from 09:30hrs at the GNS ground, Carifesta Avenue tomorrow and it will feature a full programme that includes 7-a-side football for schools and area teams along with four-over tape ball cricket for schools and area teams. In addition there will be a softball competition for
Johnny ‘Overseas’ Barnwell school girls and area teams while musical chairs will keep the parents occupied. At stake will be trophies donated by the National Sports Commission (NSC) and admission to the venue will cost $200. On Sunday, the UFC event will be held at the Mahaicony Community Center (MCC)
ground and in addition to the events that will be contested on Saturday; the MCC will see competitive volleyball and a surprise feature football game late in the evening. Admission to the MCC on Sunday will cost a mere $100 and that day of sports is organised by Johnny Barnwell and Sheldon Toney.
Friday April 05, 2019
PAGE 35
Kaieteur News
Nabi, Bairstow combine to sink Delhi Capitals ESPNcricinfo - As opposed to using their batting might to win their last two matches, Sunrisers Hyderabad took the top position in the points table with a collective and clever bowling display on a low and slow Feroz Shah Kotla pitch. Right from the beginning Delhi Capitals didn’t look like setting a big total and were restricted to 129 for 8 that Sunrisers crossed with more than an over to spare. Capitals had botched their last two chases with forgettable collapses and would have been eager to change the trend when they were asked to bat, but they struggled to stitch partnerships against Mohammad Nabi’s spin and a pace attack that used speed variations smartly. Capitals’ best stand scored 22 runs off as many balls, whereas Sunrisers began the chase with a 64-run opening stand in under seven overs. The hosts did manage to strike late in their chase but the total they had put up wasn’t enough to give Sunrisers a scare. Sunrisers’ Powerplay strangle - Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Nabi did what they’ve been doing well for
Jonny Bairstow lofts one over midwicket BCCI some time in the IPL - strangle batsmen early on. After being driven for a four on the first ball by Prithvi Shaw, Bhuvneshwar swung one in to knock off Shaw’s off stump. Nabi went around the wicket to left-handers Dhawan, Rishabh Pant and Rahul Tewatia and kept cramping them for room, using his classical offspin and dip. Nabi accounted for Dhawan, who top-edged an offbreak to short fine leg for 12 on the last ball of the Powerplay that saw only two
fours and a six. Capitals were then 36 for 2 and their run rate dipped further. Bhuvneshwar bowled nine dots in his first two overs and Nabi finished with 3-0-18-1 in the Powerplay to set the tone for their domination. Sharp catching and the slower deliveries - Seeing the nature of the pitch, Shreyas Iyer and Pant started to rely on singles and twos but the stand was broken by Nabi’s return. Sunrisers’ bowling was well complemented by their fielding efforts too: first a composed Deepak Hooda
pouched Pant at the long-off boundary, and a few overs later Manish Pandey swooped low to his left from point to get his hands under a Colin Ingram cut, leaving Capitals on 75 for 5 in the 14th over. Sandeep Sharma sent down a barrage of knuckle balls every now and then, and one of them stopped so much on Tewatia, who was promoted to No. 5, that he checked his follow through to
balloon a catch to extra cover. Pant, Ingram and Tewatia had all fallen for five runs each. All this time, Iyer used his soft hands to nudge and dab the ball around with a largely run-a-ball innings. He was beaten a few times when he tried reading Rashid off the pitch and was eventually bowled by a wrong’un in the 17th over for 41. At 115 for 7 with six balls to go, Capitals were lifted by two sixes from Axar Patel that gave them some hope. Sunrisers hold their nerve after the Bairstow show - David Warner was on 6 off 11 at the end of the Powerplay. That was because Jonny Bairstow first played audacious shots against the spinners and then used the pace offered by Chris Morris and Kagiso Rabada to collect 16 and 14 runs in their first overs respectively. By the time they varied their pace, it was too late. On his first ball, Bairstow swept Sandeep Lamichhane for four and two overs later struck him for a consecutive six and four to make his intentions clear. In between, Axar put down a tough
Bairstow catch off his own bowling when the batsman was on 5. Bairstow continued his attack against the quicks to help Sunrisers end the Powerplay on 62 for 0 to bring the asking rate down under five. Tewatia finally dismissed Bairstow for a 28-ball 48 with one that straightened and even though the batsman reviewed it instantly, balltracking showed the ball would have hit leg stump. Seven balls after Bairstow departed, Warner found midoff for 10 before Vijay Shankar steered them past 100. Capitals would have had their tail up when Vijay, Pandey and Hooda gave their wickets away in the space of three overs to slip to 111 for 5. But the effect of Bairstow’s walloping had been such that Sunrisers needed only 19 off 24. Rabada ran in with steam in his last two overs, Morris changed his pace and a Yusuf Pathan edge fell short of longon, but Nabi collected boundaries off both of them in consecutive overs and sealed the chase with a six over third man.
Netball U-16 - Barbados ICC’s ACU to collaborate with Interpol within reach of regional title to combat corruption in cricket
ESPNcricinfo - To extend and strengthen its vigil against corruptors in cricket, the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) has joined hands with Interpol, the organisation that facilitates worldwide police cooperation. The two agencies will feed off each other and exchange information on organised crime networks globally in an attempt to weed out corruption, which has infiltrated sports around the world, including cricket, in a big way. The decision came on the back of ACU’s general manager Alex Marshall meeting top Interpol officers at its headquarters in Lyon, France, last week. “The ICC has an excellent relationship with law enforcement agencies in a number of countries but working with Interpol means we are connecting with their 194 members,” Marshall said in a statement issued by the ICC. “Our focus is on education of players and prevention and disruption of corruptors. Where our enquiries reveal criminal offences have been committed, we will refer this
ICC ACU General Manager Alex Marshall Getty Images to the relevant law enforcement organisations and this makes Interpol an important partner for us.” As things stand, the national police force in each country has a direct line to Interpol. The ICC’s ACU will reach out to the local police in member countries as and when it has any information, which will then be relayed to Interpol in a bid to get to the active criminal corruptors. Interpol has a dedicated wing that looks after
corruption in sport already, but is keen to collaborate with global sporting watchdogs like the ACU to share intelligence. “Sport brings people together, but criminals looking to make large profits can undermine its integrity,” José de Gracia, assistant director of Interpol’s criminal networks unit said. “Our meetings and cooperation with partners such as the ICC help us shape a collaborative, holistic response.”
St John’s, Antigua, CMC – Barbados are just one win away from capturing the Caribbean Netball Association’s Jean Pierre Memorial Junior Tournament, after they brushed aside Grenada 37-9 on Wednesday. The Barbadians led all quarters in the contest – 8-1 after the first period, 14-4 at half-time and 22-5 after three quarters – on their way to their fifth straight victory in the Championship. Goal shooter Damia Walrond led all scorers in the match with 17 goals from 20 attempts, Chiara Chase netted 7-from-10, Sumara Benn ended with 11from-19 and Derica Haynes 2from-4. The Barbadians face St. Lucia in the final game of the Championship late on Thursday which will ultimately decide the outcome of the title. The St. Lucians rebounded from a setback on Tuesday, when Trinidad & Tobago beat them 28-24, to prevail over Dominica 28-23. Though the shooting percentages for the St. Lucia
pair of goal shooter Dasha Eugene, 19-from-29, and goal attack Trenice St. Croix, 9from-17, were unflattering, they benefitted more from the work of the centre court which created more scoring opportunities for them. In comparison, Dominica’s goal shooter Trenese Hamilton and goal attack Etheline Telemaque had just 29 attempts to score and finished with 20 and three goals respectively. In the night capper,
Trinidad & Tobago condemned hosts Antigua & Barbuda to a fruitless toil in the Championship, when they won 45-14. Though it was the best scoring night for the home team in the Championship, goal shooter Jillisa Briggs scored 31-from-39 and Kelelicia George netted 14from-19 to lead T&T to a comfortable victory. Grenada face T&T and Bermuda meet Dominica in the other games on the final evening of the Championship.
PAGE 36
Men and women compete in first professional mixed event Reuters - Men and women are competing against each other in a professional golf tournament for the first time at the Jordan Mixed Open which started yesterday. Forty professionals and one amateur player each from the Challenge Tour, the over-50s Tour and the Ladies European Tour are in the field at the Ayla Golf Club in Aqaba, competing for a prize fund of about $400,000. “To construct a format in which women and men compete together over the same course is an impressive feat,” former world number one Greg Norman, Ayla’s golf course designer, said in a statement. “There is no doubt that events that showcase golfing talent regardless of gender,
Friday April 05, 2019
Kaieteur News
such as the Jordan Mixed Open... are the future of the game.” England’s Meghan MacLaren, a Ladies European Tour winner, and former Ryder Cup player Barry Lane are among players in the field which also includes a Scottish husband and wife, Kylie and Scott Henry. “It’s great to have such big prize money for the girls and for the Challenge Tour guys as well. It definitely adds to the excitement,” Scott Henry told Sky Sports. Although the average men’s Challenge Tour player can drive the ball 50 yards further than their Ladies European Tour counterparts, they will compete on a level playing field. Challenge Tour players
will play from tees making up a 7,152-yard course, the seniors will cover 6,601 yards and the women 6,139 yards. “Our first and primary priority was to engineer a format that could showcase golfing talent regardless of gender,” director of operations Chris White said. “This not only means taking into consideration carry yardages, both off the tee and throughout the player’s whole bag, but also the positioning of bunkers and hazards.” MacLaren took the early lead with a seven-under par 65 in the first round. Lane, Spaniards Miguel Angel Martin and Pep Angles and Argentina’s Rafael Gomez were tied for second, two strokes behind.
Genequip powers Bartica Easter Regatta 2019 As the momentum continues to build ahead of what is anticipated to be the biggest and best Bartica Easter Regatta ever, the new Organizing Committee, Town Council of Bartica has been gradually attracting sponsorship to take care of its multi-million dollar budget. Following last week’s first press briefing which also saw the nine contestants for the Miss Bartica Regatta Pageant being introduced at the Pegasus Hotel, Genequip took the opportunity to present their sponsorship to His Worship, Mayor Gifford Marshall. Making the presentation was Mr. Harold Babulall, Accounts Manager of Genequip who said that his company was very pleased to be associated with the Easter
spectacle which attracts thousands of Guyanese including hundreds from the Diaspora. “Our contribution towards regatta is to help develop the product and make it more successful as well as seeing it expand even more.” Mayor Marshall expressed gratitude on behalf of his Council and the people of Bartica to Babulall and Geneuip. “I wish to congratulate Genequip and the private sector for their continued support as we make Regatta 2019 a success. This Regatta of course will cost millions of dollars in investment and we’re very, very grateful for this support.” Meanwhile, activities on the sports front is expected to get cracking at the Bartica
Community Center Ground with cricket, dominos and volleyball. Dominos would be contested at the Inter Department level with a first place prize of $50,000 and second being $30,000. Cricket would be played at the inter club level with first and second place prizes pegged at $100,000 and $50,000, respectively. Some six teams will be facing off in the volleyball tournament, namely, Impact, Under-19 Warriors, Almanac Kings, Rough Neck, Bartica Secondary and Three Miles Secondary. At stake are prizes for the first and second placed teams of $75,000 & trophy and $50,000 & trophy. The Most Valuable Player of the final; would receive a trophy.
Police Commissioner B/Day Inter-Division T20 Athletics Integrity Unit And World Marathon Majors Announce New Officers, HQ, F and G Divisions In the second game, took 3-21 off 4 overs, Jason Intelligence And Testing Programme In victorious Headquarters took on ‘D’ Heyliger took 2-21 off 4 overs Division with the latter batting and Patrick Morris, 2-2 off 1 Officers & HQ won on first and made 174 for 6 off 20 over. Ground-Breaking Anti-Doping Initiative Tuesday ‘A’ Division responding while F Division & overs. Adrian Welcome made
IAAF - The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) and the Abbott World Marathon Majors (Abbott WMM) have revealed a ground-breaking extensive new anti-doping investigation and intelligence-driven testing programme in a landmark moment in the drive for a clean sport. Since it was founded in 2017 by the IAAF, the AIU has worked closely with the Abbott WMM organisation, which comprises six of the most prestigious marathons in the world: Tokyo Marathon, Boston Marathon, Virgin Money London Marathon, BMW Berlin Marathon, Bank of America Chicago Marathon and TCS New York City Marathon. With the integrity of marathon running at the
forefront of their work, the Abbott WMM, which was formed in 2006, began working with the former IAAF Medical and AntiDoping Department in 2013, and the AIU has continued the operations since their inception in 2017. Additional funding is now being invested by the Abbott WMM to support this cutting-edge programme based on intelligence and testing. During 2018, the AIU conducted extensive analysis of the risks to the integrity of athletics and road running and consequently devised the programme which puts a higher focus on the best elite athletes, utilising intelligence to ensure that the right athletes are tested at the right time. Tim Hadzima, Executive
Director of Abbott WMM, said: “The Abbott World Marathon Majors is proud of its zero-tolerance policy on doping and its proactive work investing in and supporting anti-doping programmes. We are constantly reviewing the programme with the AIU and the future clearly requires a strong focus on intelligence and investigative capability. We are working with the experts in the AIU to set the pace for road racing.” David Howman, Chairman of the AIU, said: “The Abbott WMM races have shown they are not interested in a ‘tick-the-box’ approach to anti-doping or playing the numbers game of more and more tests. They are deeply invested in catching cheaters, (Continued on page 34)
G Division were victories on Wednesday in the Commissioner of Police Birth Anniversary Inter-Division and Branches T20 cricket Tournament being played at Police Sports Club Ground, Eve Leary. In the first match on Tuesday, Officers beat TSU by 8 wickets with Stephen Harris making 67 (7x4 3x6) and Clifton Anderson hitting an unbeaten 44 (3x4 2x6) to lead Officers to 178-2 off 15.5 overs. TSU batted first and made 173-5 off 20 overs with Eon Rodrigues making 89 (6x4 7x6) and Ken Elexye scoring 28 (2x4); Richard English had 214 and Colin Sullivan 2-30.
58* (5x4 5x6) and Jason Anderson 32 (5x4). Bowling for Headquarters Kevin Allicock took 2-19 off 4 overs. Headquarters replied with 178-5 off 15.4 overs, Kangaiya Ramkarran made 75 (4x4 8x6), Kevin Allicock 27 (3x4 1x6) and Troy Benn 20. Ronald Allyen took 2-14 off 1.4 overs and Boshnarine Lalbachand 2-43 off 4 overs. Headquarters won by 5 wickets. Wednesday Matches Game 1 – ‘A’ Division vs ‘F’ Division: ‘F’ Division batted first and made 94 all out off 19 overs. Lennox Andrews made 53 (3x4 2x6), bowling for ‘A’ Division, Kevin Leitch
Khan’s century spurs Sawpit to... From page 38 Khan 2-20. At Zeeburg, the host demolished Christ Ambassador by eight wickets. Batting first, Christ Ambassador were sent packing for 73 in 18.3 overs. Andre Seepersaud picked up 4 for 16 and Yutesh Dhanpaul 3 for 10. Zeeburg responded with 74-2 in 8.5 overs. Ushar Deva Balgobin made 37 and Ashaik Mustapha 20. At Wales, the host went down to All Youths A by one wicket.
Wales took first knock and scored 126 all out in 24 overs. Kevin Lindon struck 48 while Brian Puran contributed 29; Darson La Rose grabbed 420, Navindra Persaud 2-13 and Ganesh Persaud 2-16. All Youths A scored 127-9 in 26 overs in response. Ganesh Persaud and Travis Whitrite made 26 and 23 respectively; Brain Puran picked up 4-20 while Kevin Lindon had 3-17. At Joe Vieira Park, Independence A beat
Independence B by one wicket. Independence B took first strike and posted 230 all out in 36 overs. Aaron Seepersaud scored 34 and Anand Bharat assisted with 29; Rickey Sergeant took 2-13. Independence A replied with 231-9 in 43.5 overs. Jevon Hector stroked 49 while Sergeant made 43 as Parsram Parmanand grabbed 4-39 and Bharat 2-61. The competition continues on Sunday.
Anthony Adams of ‘G’ Division during his innings against ‘B’ Division.
were sent packing for 81 with Jason Heyliger managing 22 (3x4) and Kelvin Leitch 12. ‘F’ Division won by 13 runs. Game 2 – ‘B’ Division vs ‘G’ Division: ‘B’ Division batted first and made 167-8 off 20 overs. Troy Drakes hit 25 (4x4), Kenar Amsterdam 23 (3x4 1x5) and Kord Griffith 19. Bowling for ‘G’ Division, Jason McCalmont had 2-12 off 2 overs and Kwasi Abrams 2-37 off 4. ‘G’ Division reached 1695 off 18.4 overs to win by 5 wickets. Kwasi Abrams led with 43 (5x4 2x6), Thameshwar Dhanpaul 29* (1x4 3x6) and Oyona Sampson 24* (1x4 2x6). Griffith returned to take 2-20 off 4 overs.
Friday April 05, 2019
PAGE 37
Kaieteur News
Phoenix Karate Association captures team kata title KIMAG Inter School Championships Korean International Martial Arts Guyana (KIMAG) hosted the inaugural Inter School Martial Arts championship at the National Gymnasium on Sunday last where teams from across Guyana namely Jaguars Karate Association, Phoenix Karate Association, Best of the Best Martial Arts Association, Traditional Karate Dojo, The Academy of Contemporary Martial Arts, National Martial Arts Guyana and the host team participated. The tournament was also used to select the Guyana team which will represent the Golden Arrowhead at the fourth annual Guyana South America Undiscovered Martial Arts championship slated for July 26-28 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. Phoenix Karate Association won the Team Kata title while Korean Martial Arts Guyana finished second and Academy of Contemporary Martial Arts, third. In the respective male 7-9 Years Male NOVICE 1stBalianUrling 2nd Jabari Jacobs 3rd Omari 7-9 FEMALE NOVICE 1stMaryannaRamroop 2ndZarirah Mohammed 3rd Bibi Mohammed 10-12 MALE NOVICE 1stMee-Kah Jones 2ndGladwyn Brandis 3rdTzion Jones 10-12 FEMALE NOVICE 1stRehanna Urling 2nd Rene Urling 3rdAlyanna Alli 13-15 MALE NOVICE 1st Kofi Cadogan 13-15 FEMALE 1stKelishaFailey 2ndZyaiah Bacchus 16-18 MALE ADVANCE 1stJarrel Barker 35 & ABOVE BLACK BELT 1st Rodwell Allen 2ndDellon Hyman POINT SPARRING 6 Years & Under MALE 1st Xavier Eudoxie 2nd Mikkel Langhorne 7-9 MALE NOVICE 1stBalianUrling 2ndMoquaydyah Jones 3rd Yusuf Hopkinson 10-12 MALE NOVICE 1stGladwyn Brandis 2nd Omari Hart
Successful students display their accolades following the tournament. and female categories, Mikkel Langhorne emerged winner of the Traditional Empty Hand Kata 6 years and Under, ahead of Xavier Eudoxie and INTERMEDIATE 1st Wayne Toney 2ndInshan Alli 3rdHudhaifa Hussein
Zaidan Peters, respectively. Sans Sreebalakumar won the female division. Following are the full results: ADVANCE 1st Aiden Lovell 2nd Chad Lovell
INTERMEDIATE 1st Gabi 2nd Samara Stanford ADVANCE 1st Jaden Bacchus 2nd Miguel Hunt
ADVANCE 1st Rohit Sharma
BLACK BELT 1st Joshua Bradford
BLACK BELT 1st Michael Hing 2nd Kevin Bradford
INTERMEDIATE 1stRuhell 2ndUthan Henry
3rd Darrel ADVANCEFEMALE 1st Rohit Sharma
1stZiya
Merritt donates World Record spikes
INTERMEDIATE 1stJarrel Smith 2nd Joshua Sharma 3rd Joshua Gunraj
INTERMEDIATE 1stWayne Toney 2ndDaniel Singh
3rd Yusuf Hopkinson 13-15 MALE NOVICE 1st Kofi Cadogan 16-17 MALE BLACK BELT 1st Kevin Bradford 2nd Michael Hing 35 & ABOVE MALE BLACK BELT 1st Rodwell Allen 2ndDellon Hyman
FEMALE 1stSadyah Bradford 1st Rene Urling
- ‘2 weeks to go’ to IAAF Heritage exhibition in Doha USA’s 2012 London Olympic Games 110m hurdles champion Aries Merritt has become the latest star athlete to give his support to the IAAF Heritage World Athletics Championships Exhibition which opens in Doha, Qatar on Thursday 18 April. Merritt, the fastest man ever over the sprint hurdles, has generously donated to the IAAF Heritage Collection the pair of spikes which he wore when flying to the current 110m hurdles world record of 12.80 seconds in the IAAF Diamond League meeting in Brussels on 7 September 2012. The spikes will be on public display in the IAAF Heritage Exhibition in the City Center Doha shopping mall for six months leading into and through the IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019 (27 Sep to 6 Oct). In a special ceremony on the evening of Thursday 18 April, IAAF President Sebastian Coe together with Dahlan Al Hamad, IAAF Vice President and Director
Aries Merritt - 12.80 in Brussels (Jiro Mochizuki) © Copyright General of the IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019 Local Organising Committee, will officially open the world’s largest ever display of athletics artefacts and memorabilia. “When I heard about the IAAF Heritage project, I immediately knew I had to
become involved and help promote track and field,” Merritt said. “I hope that the display of my world record spikes in Doha will attract the attention of sports fans and the preservation of the shoes will assist the telling of tracks’ (Continued on page 32)
PAGE 38
Friday April 05, 2019
Kaieteur News
General Auto Repairs Spartans capture Adam Sanford Cricket4Life T20 title Cul De Sac - Watched by a large crowd, local team General Auto Repairs (GAR) Spartans outclassed the Anguilla Tigers to capture the championship trophy and top prize money when the final of the inaugural Adam Sanford Cricekt4Life T20 tournament was contested at the Caribe Lumber Ballpark, St. Maarten on Sunday last. Anguilla took first strike and posted 171 to which the Spartans responded confidently, winning by 8 wickets. Daron Cruickshank from Trinidad and Tobago led the chase with some calculated stroke play, top scoring with an unbeaten 56 (2x4 5x6) off 33 balls. Guyanese Christopher Barnwell also played well for 45 (1x4 5x6) off 24 balls. The duo adding 90 for the third wicket after Sherwin Peters retired hurt on 23 (4x4) off 22 balls and Keacy Carty went for 18 off 25 balls. Cruickshank and Barnwell union paced the innings well to keep their team in the hunt. None of the Anguilla bowlers were spared in the onslaught and to add insult to injury, the local crowd, in its celebration, drowned out the Anguilla supporters. Akeem Charles, who has had his struggles in the tournament, peaked at the right time with two sixes and a four to hasten the win with a rapid 19 off just seven balls. Anguilla’s total was built around Jahmar Hamilton who scored 54 (2x4 4x6) off 38 balls and a 32-ball 39 from
Inaugural Adam Sanford Cricekt4Life T20 champions, General Auto Repairs Spartans celebrates their win. Holding trophy is Franklin Davis, Managing Director of St. Marteen Concrete. Montcin Hodge whose knock contained three fours and two sixes. Opener Chesney Hughes started swiftly, scoring 34 off 22 balls while Captain Terry Adams contributed 25 off 15 balls. Barnwell picked up 4-12 off four overs while Captain Kenroy David claimed 3-25. Prior to the final, Spartans defeated the Adam Sanford All Stars by 60 runs. Barnwell blasted 109 (5x4
10x6) off 50 balls to lead Spartans to a mammoth 215-5, taking first strike. The highlight of the response was a sharp one-handed catch by Carty at backward point to dismiss former West Indies player Dwayne Smith for 18 off 11 balls and an acrobatic diving catch by Charles at short fine leg to get rid of former West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul for 8.
The dismissal of two star players sent the run chase into disarray. Spartans made sure that the lion’s share of the monetary awards stayed in St. Maarten. The team received the top cash prize of USD$8000 while Anguilla Tigers collected USD$2000 for finishing as runner-up. Barnwell was named Player-of-theTournament. Among the other players that
participated in the tournament which lasted for four days are Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Rahkeem Cornwall, John Eugene, Suleiman Benn, Adam Sanford and Mervyn Dillon. Sponsors included NAGICO Insurance, St. Marteen Concrete, Marshall Motors, Delina Scott, Carib Beer, Lucozade and Mac TV (USA) which did live streaming of the matches.
Kallicharran, Samlall guide Wellman Masters to five-wicket triumph Unbeaten half centuries from Latchman Kallicharran and Nandram Samlall handed Wellman Masters a fivewicket victory over Regal Masters when the teams collided in a 25-over softball contest sponsored by Trophy Stall on Sunday last at GNIC SC. Batting first, Regal Masters posted 195-7 in 25 overs. Eric Thomas struck one four and eight sixes in a top score of 63 not out while Mahase Chunilall made 35, Rudolph Baker 21 and Khalid Haslim 19; Sheldon Perch
claimed 3-23. In reply, Wellman Masters were reduced to 49-5; however Latchman Kallicharran and Nandram Samlall steadied the chase nicely with resolute batting. The duo added an unbroken fifth wicket stand of 147 to see their team home as they ended on 1965 in 23 overs. Kallicharran struck eight fours and three sixes in a top score of 74 while Samlall made 72 which contained five fours and six sixes. Laurie Singh claimed 3-32.
WDCA/Beacon Cafe 50 Overs Tourney
Khan’s century spurs Sawpit to 77-run win over Belle Vue A fine century from Zafar Khan guided Sawpit to a 77-run victory over Belle Vue when the West Demerara Cricket Association (WDCA)/Beacon Café 50-over tournament continued on Sunday last. Host Sawpit batted first and posted 239 all out in 34.2 overs with Khan scoring 127 and Ravinandan Ramnarine 35. Safraz Baksh bagged 5-32 and Rajin Persaud 2-16. Belle Vue were bowled out for 162 in 40 overs in reply. Baksh got 38 and Randy Ramroop 24; Avinash Rameshwar took 2-6 and Imran (Continued on page 36)
The victorious Wellman Masters
Friday April 05, 2019
Kaieteur News
PAGE 39
Bartica Football Association U-15, 17 and Senior Leagues moving apace Football action in the Bartica Football Association (BFA) is moving full steam ahead and continues to gain encouraging momentum after kicking off in March. The BFA with support from the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and its partners have combined to have the game playing at
least five days per week at the Bartica Secondary School Ground. In the latest matches, the GFF/BFA Senior League played Monday last saw Mil Ballers Football Club edging Rising Stars Football Club 1-0 in a thriller. The see-saw affair saw chances going both ways, but it
was a strike off the booth of Shem Stoby that found the back of the nets for Mil Ballers. Lazio Football Club and Beacons Football Club also contested a nail biter with B e a c o n s e m e rg i n g v i c t o r i o u s 2 - 1 compliments of goals from Dwayne Blake and Oswin Joseph. Lazio got their lone goal
off the boot of Rozornie La Cruz. The BFA has disclosed that with the rehabilitated Bartica Community Centre Ground coming on stream soon, the BFA programme will surge ahead with more activities, including female and grassroots initiatives.
Senior League Points Standings to date: Club Played W L D GF Beacons 4 3 1 0 6 Lazio 4 2 2 0 6 Rising Stars 4 1 3 0 4 Rivers View 4 3 0 1 11 Mil Ballers 3 1 1 1 2 Potaro Strikers 2 2 0 0 4 Agatash United 2 0 2 0 2 Wolves United 3 1 2 0 3 GFF/BFA/NAMILCO U-17 League Points Standings to date: Club Played W L D GF Beacons 1 0 1 0 1 Lazio 1 0 0 1 1 Rising Stars 1 1 0 0 3 Rivers View 1 0 1 0 1 Mil Ballers 1 0 0 1 1 Potaro Strikers 1 1 0 0 3 Agatash United 0 0 0 0 0
Agatash United Under-15 Team in their debut season.
GA 4 6 6 5 3 0 6 4
Points 9 6 3 10 4 6 0 3
GA 3 1 1 3 1 1 0
Points 0 1 3 0 1 3 0
GFF/BFA/Pele Alumni/Frank Watson U-15 League Points Table so far: Club Played W L D GF GA Beacons 1 1 0 0 2 0 Lazio 2 1 1 0 0 7 Rising Stars 3 3 0 0 18 0 Rivers View 1 0 1 0 1 6 Mil Ballers 1 0 0 0 0 0 Potaro Strikers 1 1 0 0 3 2 Agatash United 1 0 1 0 2 5
Points 3 3 9 0 0 3 0
t r o Sp
Genequip Accounts Manager, Mr. Harold Babulall hands over sponsorship cheque to Mayor Gifford Marshall in the presence Regatta Committee Organising Secretary Ciana Persaud (2nd right) and some of the Pageant contestants.
Genequip powers Bartica Easter Regatta 2019
Bobby Lakhan, third from left with the Regal Masters and All Star players at the presentation on Sunday at GNIC Sports Club Ground.
ISG backing Regal for Florida Cup dominance Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.