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Kaieteur News
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Friday April 26, 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
Parliamentary resignations Sometimes, all good sense and circumstances on the ground point to what is the right thing to do. There is right and unacceptable. There is nothing in between, only a gray universe of clutching for comforting straws that are simply not there. When all arguments and rationales have been finalized and tendered, this thorny, controversial matter of dual citizenship rises to that level: right or unacceptable, with nothing in between. With due regard and courtesies extended to all positions to the contrary - some not without merit or appeal - the only thing to do is to relinquish something, if and when the hard decision relative to dual citizenship confronts. It is a choice: one or the other. For too long in this society, and with studied casualness, there has been no “or;” only the imposition on a sleeping society of a presence that is best characterized by the “and”, as in having things both ways. Admittedly, it is not an easy decision for some. Ms. Gail Teixeira and Mr. Adrian Anamayah, Members of Parliament for the opposition PPP, made it look easy; it could not have been. There could be a host of reasons and issues, many justified, that influence a decision one way or another. To represent one’s country in its highest legislative forum has to number among the pinnacle of achievements that bring pride. It is a signal honour and one to be held dear. Most would have tremendous difficulty stepping down voluntarily from such a high visibility and highly sought-after place. That Mr. Anamayah and Ms. Teixeira did so, clearly demonstrates a lot of thinking went into their individual circumstances as to the pros and cons, and which compelled to the place where they ended. This is reflective of class, decisiveness, and individuality. They have set examples of what ought to be done, one way or another. Not to be forgotten and ignored are those personal situations that may be problematic for some Guyanese to continue to give to the land of their birth. Those personal situations can be severely pinching and more. As examples, there has to be thinking about taxes, about quality healthcare for self and family members, and longrange plans. Those individuals who give up parliament here may decide that they can serve party, while affording themselves the fallback option of overseas residence, should circumstances so demand. After all, governments change, leadership fancies undergo adjustments, and the political climate could get unwelcoming in a hurry. On the government side, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine took the bit in the teeth and did the right thing, too. It does not matter that his choice appears to have been long predetermined. It is done. Three other government ministers - Mr. Carl Greenidge, Mr. Dominic Gaskin and Mr Joseph Harmon - have also made their decisions and resigned from parliament. This is good and the way it should be. Like their counterparts in the opposition, this could not have been an overnight decision, and one that must be heralded by Guyanese from all walks in the political arena. For better or worse, some of the politically visible have shown that, when pushed, they could stand for something, however unpalatable that may be. On the other hand, the word circulating from knowledgeable corners is that the same cannot be said for others in the political folds. This would be those individuals, who have decided to play things cute, and are lying low in the hope that the scrutiny and storms will blow over and leave them undetected. That is a shallow hope. But it is more than that: such evasions and clearly shameless deceptions are wrong in law and wrong in spirit. None should be allowed to get away with such cheap subterfuges. This can only be interpreted as playing for time, and playing the field in some pathetic belief that they will get by. Nothing of the sort should be condoned, but exposed and harshly condemned.
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.
Chris Ram should be one of the leaders of a new government DEAR EDITOR, As a Guyanese who closely followed Guyana’s politics for over 40 years, I have to say without reservation that Guyana is ideally poised for truly great and visionary leadership. Especially now that all the oil that sat untapped under our coastal waters for decades will be pumped out and generate unknown sums of money for our national coffers. There are innumerable sayings and quotes out there of what defines or describes great leadership, but the one that always stuck with me is the one about a great leader being remembered for raising up leaders. No matter h o w g r e a t t h e accomplishments of a leader, if the right successor is not identified, then all the accomplishments that made the leader great will fade or crumble over time. As Guyanese get ready for elections, whether in 2019 or 2020, I have eroding confidence in David Granger and absolutely no confidence in Irfaan Ali when it comes to leading Guyana. For Granger, it has been more a depressing disappointment given the high expectations many had of him coming on the heels of Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar. Although he escapes personal labels of being corrupt or engaging in red flag shenanigans like his immediate predecessors, he still failed to provide the type of disciplined leadership many expected of him regarding some of his cabinet members. That apart, he appeared to be more
ceremonial and lacked energy and charisma. In some respects, he does mirror Donald Ramotar’s aloofness. Ali, on the other hand, comes fully loaded with a barrel of negatives. Even PPP supporters expressed disappointment with his nomination. I won’t waste time and space regurgitating his negatives. And that brings us to the twin questions of what kind of leaders do we have in Guyana and what type of leaders are they raising up? Additionally, does the PPP or the Coalition even have a strong cadre of unknown or untapped leaders capable of taking Guyana to the next level? We a l l s a w w h a t happened after Cheddi Jagan died and the convoluted musical chairs leadership succession plan that eventually resulted in Jagdeo becoming President ahead of other more seasoned leaders in the PPP. That aside, Guyanese deserve to hear from all party candidates on the issues before a final decision is made on the actual candidate, as opposed to parties simply holding a congress or selection process where a candidate is elected or selected and then foisted on the nation. Over in the Coalition, which is a merger of APNU and the AFC, Granger emerged as the PNC leader after a tumultuous party election allegedly fraught with rigging. God forbid, but should he be unable to continue as President because of health reasons, who takes over? Is there even
a leadership succession plan in place, and does that person really possess the type of leadership material we need going forward? I did note the announcements of new parties being launched after the NCV was passed in December 2018, but the country has not benefited from the ongoing expression of views on the issues by leaders of these new parties. Merely saying parties will fight corruption and ensure constitutional reform alone cannot be reason for picking a President. Guyana is also very politically divided along racial lines that it would take a leader capable of uniting the races behind one common vision to make Guyana function as one welloiled, massive political and economic machine. I’m not naive to think anyone will automatically solve all our societal problems, but we have to start somewhere and that’s why we need that unique someone to provide the needed leadership. I did share that I ran in to Christopher Ram, last October at Giftland Mall and asked him why he won’t consider running for President, given he appears to have a firm grasp on what ails government and, in all likelihood, may have some workable solutions. He smiled and said he preferred to fight for change using the current strategy of writing and being an activist. I am not a big believer in personality politics, but Mr. Ram has made such an indelible impression on many with his brilliant analyses of the issues and his
willingness to confront any government of the day, that Volda Lawrence and other members of the PNC, in 2010, invited him to be a PNC presidential candidate. (‘Chris Ram declines offer to be nominated for PNCR Presidential candidate’, KN, December 8th, 2010). He was not a PNC member yet he was quite familiar with the PNC’s history (see his writings on the PNC at chrisram.net), but after consulting with his family members, he turned down the offer. The KN news report said, “Questioned whether he would be open to running for the presidency, Ram answered in the affirmative by saying he would do anything for his country.” So, there we have him on record saying he would consider running for President, but even if he doesn’t run for President, I am sure he possesses the caliber capable of attracting men and women of his patriotic and professional persuasion to form a group out of which can emerge the kind of great and visionary leadership Guyana desperately needs. Instead of leading a constitutional fight that could help Jagdeo to a vicarious third term, Mr. Ram should be one of the leaders of a new government. I do enjoy reading his analyses of the issues, but I would prefer not to continue reading such analyses for five more years under another government that lacks great leadership, brilliant vision and unifying strength. Emile Mervin
To save his credibility, the Vice Chancellor must do this DEAR EDITOR, Just a few notes on the Vice Chancellor’s letter in the April 24th issue of Kaieteur News enumerating his achievements. A quick perusal of those achievements would reveal a colossal contradiction, which Professor Griffith has to confront. If he does not, then he opens his credibility to serious questioning. For the past thirty-five years, every Guyanese would know that the salary earning of UG academics was way below the average in the world.
Every committee over the past decades that investigated UG has recommended huge increases if UG is to compete on the world market. Professor Griffith publicly stated that UG could only afford 3 percent in increase to the academics. Yet in the same breath, he cites more than a dozen new programmes. Now it is either UG salary scale has gone up tremendously so we are attracting professors and those with doctorates to work in those programmes or it is a
public relation stunt. Which one? The answer is simple. The Vice Chancellor needs to do two things if he is going to keep his credibility. Publicly state the salary scales for professors and doctors. Then publish a list of the names and qualifications of the academics who will be working in those programmes. Professor Griffith’s credibility will soar to the skies if he does that and we will see that UG is attracting talented academics to teach. There can be no valid reason
for him not to state who these new lecturers are, their qualifications and the programmes for which they will work. I can think of no logical, commonsensical or rational attitude of any university head not to do so. He, the university and UGSS win when he does so. If he cannot, then there is no reason to trust what he says about UG’s future under his leadership. I hope he does the right thing in relation to what is being asked here. Sincerely, Frederick Kissoon
Why not a “newbie” for Presidential politics as NEITHER voting for who is BEST for Candidate? Guyana the PPP/C nor the PNC led Guyana (and Guyanese). DEAR EDITOR, In his letter “Chris Ram should be one of the Leaders of a new government, President David Granger has been a disappointment and Ali is loaded with negatives (SN, 25th April 2019) Mr. Emile Mervin makes some interestingly good points. VERY GOOD letter Emile Mervin. I think that Chris Ram is well suited as an unbiased Advocate. President Granger means well but his Leadership, and Decency, has not REFORMED his compadres. Irfaan Ali will do as Bharrat Jagdeo wants and not what the people deserves. I have great HOPE that Lenox Shuman’s Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) will transform
APNU+AFC will have an outright majority. In this respect, the next General Election will usher in THE BEGINNING of CHANGE for Guyana’s politics and Guyanese Society. As for President David Granger’s health...everyone wishes him well but as Emile Mervin acknowledge he will not be there forever. From his letter, Emile Mervin seems to be shunning APNU+AFC “ Yo u n g e r B l o o d ” a s successors for David Granger opting for Chris Ram. I think that many Guyanese know that BOTH the PPP/C and the APNU+AFC are failing Guyanese and are observing things c y n i c a l l y. Cynically speaking, Guyanese are not
Guyanese are voting for who is not worst for Guyana (or who can do the least damage). I have noted, with dismay, that Bharrat Jagdeo has indicated that he will not support a “newbie” as Presidential Candidate for the PPP/C. That is why One-Person, One-Vote exists, which is why the PPP needs to change the way it selects its Leaders. There is still time before the next General Election for the PPP to change its Presidential Candidate to a “Newbie”. As was noted earlier, President David Granger will not be there forever NOR WILL BHARRAT JAGDEO be in the PPP forever. Yours faithfully Sean Ori
The Caribbean Court of Justice will live up to expectations DEAR EDITOR, As May 10 draws closer, speculations on the outcomes of the cases before the CCJ abound. The populace await with eagerness, seeing ourselves as swimmers in the sea poised on top of a huge wave which hangs uncertain as to which side it will fall; while many of us are optimistic it may heave us back to land, others feel it may roll them further out at sea. May 10, therefore, is expected to provide clarity, and hopefully closure to the 34-31 majority saga that hangs around our necks like an albatross. The CCJ is expected to pronounce on, among other issues/concerns, whether 34 votes represent the absolute majority in a 65-seat Parliament. While section 106(6) does not use the word ‘absolute’, it defines it as ‘a majority of the elected members’. The argument therefore, centers on a determination of what constitutes majority of 65. The paucity of data/ information/calculations/ cases makes it difficult to find evidence, which would support the Guyana Court of Appeals’ assertion/decision that 34 votes constitute the majority. The general formula for majority odd number memberships/parliaments, unless the constitution or other instrument states differently, is (odd number + 1) divided by 2. In our context, it translates to (65+1) divided by 2 equals 33. In essence, a difference of one vote determines the majority/ minority issue. This was the case of the no confidence motion brought by Margaret
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Thatcher against Prime Minister James Callaghan in March 1979. In that oddnumber members of Parliament, Thatcher won/ Callaghan lost by one vote. The question before us, as we approach May 10, is whether the CCJ would uphold the unsupported calculation or ‘attractive formula’ advanced by the Guyana Court of Appeals. It is true that the Court aims to provide high quality justice that is responsive, innovative and inspirational. However, it should be responsive to the extent that it can rise to the challenges of the diverse communities; it should be innovative in fostering jurisprudence that is reflective of the region’s history, values and traditions, and consistent with international legal norms; and, it should be inspirational by holding steadfastly to the tenets of excellence in shaping a judicial system worthy of the trust and confidence of the people of the region. In essence, the CCJ’s responsive, innovative and inspirational roles should reflect what was envisaged by the proponents. Further, notwithstanding its role as the final court of appeal in
fostering the development of an indigenous Caribbean jurisprudence, it has an obligation to demonstrate that Caribbean jurists are capable of dispensing justice with the highest of standards comparable with the best in the world. It should be noted that one of the strongest arguments advanced for retaining the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC) has been its ability to function as an impartial arbiter of the law. Proponents argue that the judicial integrity of the JCPC was maintained by its remoteness from regional conflicts and politics; and such geographic and social distance has had a stabilizing effect on its decisions. These are indeed salient (Continued on page 6)
For me ANUG is an idea that is bigger than ANUG itself DEAR EDITOR, Mr. Freddie Kissoon’s (I would vote any day for Jagdeo as president over Ramon Gaskin KN: 25/04/ 2019) attempts to vilify me go back to about 1989, when I was the Dean of Social Sciences at the University of Guyana, and as I remember it, he thought I was not supporting him in the university’s attempt not to renew his contract. He wrote a letter, which he copied to Professor Clive Thomas, stating that he would relegate me ‘to the dustbin of history.’ Not knowing much about Mr. Kissoon, I went to Thomas with threats about what action I intended to take, whereupon he showed me the numerous letters in the right side drawer of his desk and said, ‘that is Kissoon; you have time to waste’. But when, in his usual fashion, Mr. Kissoon tries to distort important public issues with which one is closely associated, one usually feels obligated to reply although my opinion of his contributions has never been good. Indeed, those who have the time to waste would know that he is obsessed with what is going on at the University of Guyana. On 11th November 2004, when I was Minister of Education and was asked for a comment on one of his ramblings about what was taking place at the ministry, in a letter to Stabroek News I wrote, ‘Editor, Out of respect for you, I will make a final comment on this matter. Mr. Frederick Kissoon’s comments … have been factually and logically
flawed.’ I then concluded: ‘Mr. Editor, Mr. Kissoon’s distortion of the facts as illustrated above is not unusual. Any careful reading of his writings will show that they are generally littered with inaccuracies, wild speculations and attempts at character assassination. This kind of approach may well have its place and appeal but it is not to be taken seriously.’ In the KN article above, Mr. Kissoon claims, ‘If you are very young, you need to know more about Jeffrey’s political history before you make the fatal mistake and vote for him in the forthcoming election when his party ANUG is expected to field candidates.’ As it has always been, your opinion of me is immaterial but your intervention gives me an opportunity to restate the essential goal of ANUG and my place in it. Let me put your mind at rest: as I have repeatedly reminded my colleagues, no one will have to vote for Jeffrey as he is not running for any government or party position. My only intent has been the establishment of a political party dedicated to win a sufficient number of seats to force the largely ethnic parties
to establish a consensual shared governance regime without which this country will not unite and progress in a timely manner. As has been the case for some years, my task at this stage is to continue to help in driving this process against all comers. In a letter to Kaieteur News in January 2011, in response to o n e o f M r. K i s s o o n ’s usual distortions, I said, ‘If ever there was doubt, I am now more certain than ever and will demonstrate below, that Mr. Freddie Kissoon does not truly understand many of the social and political concepts he bandies about; is usually quite oblivious of the implications which arise from their use and finds it extremely difficult to put together a logically consistent argument.’ This is still my position, and since Mr. Kissoon is a kind of Trumpian narcissist whose mind becomes clouded when anyone does not take him seriously, although all the evidence is around him, I am certain he will not clearly grasp that for me ANUG is an idea that is bigger than ANUG itself and thus my contention and positioning. Henry B Jeffrey
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Open Letter to the President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana DEAR MR. PRESIDENT, I am a 37-year-old mother of two boys. Nine years ago, I was diagnosed with lupus. Less than two years after this dreadful diagnosis, both of my kidneys collapsed. Prior to the diagnosis and the subsequent kidney failure, I was employed in a supervisory position at one of the Natural Resources Agencies where I earned a decent salary where I was able to take care of my two boys and me. However, this all changed when I lost my job as a result of the illness even though I was never declared medically unfit by any doctor. As you might imagine, I was devastated, since I had a seven-year-old and a threeyear-old who depended on me for everything. Mr. President, this letter is not about the fact, that I lost a decent paying job and now earn a very meagre salary (gross salary of GY$70,704.00 as a Modern Language teacher in a public Secondary School); this letter is an appeal to you to be afforded an equal and/or similar opportunity to survive a little longer so that I can see my boys become productive citizens of this dear land of ours. You and I both know that ultimately, it is not medical science that dictates
the longevity of our lives on this earth but the Almighty God who sustains us. I believe that we can both agree that medical science and doctors certainly help. As is public knowledge, you have been undergoing treatment in Cuba for the cancer that you have been diagnosed with. Please give me this opportunity to say that I admire the courage and strength that you have displayed throughout this time, that I am sure, is difficult not just for you but for your immediate family, so I say continue the good fight on the road to a complete recovery. Unfortunately for me and many of the kidney failure patients, we are not privileged to afford the luxury of seeking oversees treatment as you are. As it is, many of us cannot afford the haemodialysis treatment that is necessary for our survival. I am currently a patient of the Doobay Medical & Research Centre Inc. located on the East Coast of Demerara. I had started my haemodialysis treatment in the neighbouring city of Boa Vista, Brazil in 2012, where ALL of my medical treatment was surprisingly FREE of cost. Even though medical services were free in Brazil, the cost of living was very
high and so I could not afford to continue living there and so decided to return to my beautiful country after eight months. On my return to Guyana, I started my search for a dialysis treatment Centre since I hadn’t known anything about dialysis prior to me leaving for Brazil to seek medical attention. At that time, I found that the cost per session was a minimum of GY$15,000.00 and a maximum of GY $38,000.00. I did the obvious thing; even though Doobay Medical Centre (as it was called then) was a far distance, it was the cheapest Centre so I started treatment there and continue to be there after six years. Doobay Medical Centre has been providing an exceptional service to its patients. This Centre has helped many kidney failure patients in many ways. In my opinion, they were able to make the dialysis treatment in the country a little more affordable because of their competitive cost per session. Other dialysis Centres saw it necessary to reduce their high costs per sessions and now the options are wider for patients in the country. Doobay Medical Centre continues to attract many patients because of the relatively low cost and the
Respect should be shown to the GFC staff DEAR EDITOR, Much has been said over the past few weeks on the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) restructuring and the dark cloud that staff have been placed under with this exercise. To date the staff has not been notified about this exercise and only bits and pieces have been filtering through informal channels. This adds more controversy to this whole exercise as it seems to be a ghost witch hunting exercise too scared to break it to staff much less the public and stakeholders. GFC is a public entity and not a cake shop so everyone must know to ensure all
decisions are transparent and above board. The staff needs to know who is leading this mission, is it a one-man Clayton Hall army? What is the genius of this, has there been a gap assessment or this thing is pull from the wind for ulterior motives? What is the TOR of this one man band? Why the GFC staff union has not been notified, Why the GFC workers representative is not involved? It’s a whole secrecy and uncertainties are agitating staff. We, the staff, demand that this project be put on hold, let the Minister or the
Board come and address us and tell us something what is going on and we want to be involved. We are 400 staffers committed to the forest sector, our government and country, and to be treated like this is embarrassing, shameful and shows the Minister, the Board, government etc. total disrespect for the staff of GFC and working class people of this country. Other sister agencies are not treated like this and we demand better…better must come. The time to act is now! With regards, On behalf of concerned staff
fact that fistulas and grafts (access points to do haemodialysis) are done free of cost by Canadian doctors who voluntary visit the Centre every six weeks to review the progress of the patients. Patients have also benefitted from occasional free sessions and or reduced cost per session ($6,000.00). Over the years, costs per session at the centre have been fluctuating between GY $9,000.00 – GY $12,000.00 and the current cost per session is currently at GY $9,000.00. Unfortunately, beginning May 1, 2019, the cost will once again increase to GY $12,000.00, and patients will no longer benefit from free and or reduced costs per sessions. Mr. President, I just want you to imagine how it is that I, as single mother on a $70,000.00 salary, can afford to pay for two sessions of dialysis per week. Due to a broken leg, I am forced to take a taxi to and from the dialysis centre. A return trip cost GY $4,000.00. Presently, transportation alone is GY $8,000.00. Some readers may say, maybe she has a wealthy family; well no I don’t or maybe I have a lot of savings, no I don’t or maybe I have medical insurance; no I don’t. NIS is my only medical insurance. You may ask, doesn’t NIS cover the cost of the dialysis sessions? The answer is NOT quite - NIS pays 80% of the cost, which they usually make available every 36 sessions. After these sessions are depleted, I am required to re-apply for another 36 sessions. The approval process takes three to four weeks. During this waiting period, patients must pay the total cost per session. In my case, in the coming weeks, I will have to find $32,000.00 per week ($24,000.00 for two sessions and $8,000.00 for transportation). As you may have realized Mr. President, I have not included any of my other monthly expenses. I am sure
you being 100% Guyanese and a man of the people of this country that you are fully aware and well informed of the average cost of living of Guyanese households today. It is not my intention to highlight this. My intention is for you to intervene in this dire situation that kidney failure patients on dialyisis are burdened with, which is the cost per session. I am sure you and the readers want to know why the centre is once again increasing the cost per session. Patients including myself have been informed that due to the high taxes and duties that the centre have to pay to import the materials/ products necessary to carry out the dialysis treatment, and the non-existence of tax exemptions, they are facing difficulties to cover these high costs and so we the patients are forced with the ripple effects of same. Let me make it clear that I am in no position to investigate whether this is indeed factual. What I do know for a fact is that many patients die because they cannot afford to pay for even one session. There are patients who cannot even afford to reach the centre. I sometimes miss my sessions because of lack of funds to get there. One the other hand, the Georgetown Public Hospital, do provide the service free of cost. However, it is ONLY for in-patients, or persons can make the bold decision to check one’s self into the hospital, and some patients are indeed forced to do this. However, this is not necessarily the best choice since the probability of infections is higher but desperate situations lead to desperate measures and dialysis patients are often in desperate situations. Therefore, Mr. President, I am appealing to you and your administration to make dialysis affordable and accessible to ALL Guyanese who need this treatment for their survival. I certainly may
not have all the solutions but I am confident that you along with your competent administration will come up with effective, socially and economically viable solutions. Nevertheless, I would like to take the liberty to suggest the following for considerations: 1. Make dialysis treatment FREE, not only for In- Patients of the Georgetown Public Hospital but all persons affected. 2. Dialysis machines should be installed at all Regional Hospitals in the country, this will make it easier for patients to access this service, who are currently travelling, from places such as Lethem, Bartica, Essequibo, Linden and Berbice to access this service. This will require nurses and technicians to be trained in this field. 3. Facilitate tax exemptions on the importation of materials and products necessary for dialysis treatment, which will allow centres such as the Doobay Medical and Research Centre Inc. to maintain cost per session at a minimum so that more lives can be saved. 4. Make available subsidized payments for patients on dialysis. Mr. President, I did not write this long correspondence because I enjoy writing, I wrote it so that you may have a clear understanding of the challenges that patients like myself are faced with in a resource filled, blessed country like OURS. Mr. President let me thank you in advance, because I am confident that you and your administration will not disappoint me and the Guyanese people on the promises of the GOOD LIFE FOR ALL. GOD BLESS YOU MR. PRESIDENT! Yours respectfully, Romayne Atkinson Kidney Failure patient on haemodialysis.
The Caribbean Court of Justice will live up to... From page 5 reasons, given that less than a handful of CARICOM countries have relinquished ties with the JCPC. At the CCJ’s inaugural event in 2005, former St. Lucia Prime Minister, Dr. Kenny D. Anthony called on lagging CARICOM member states to take the ‘leap to enlightenment’ by embracing the CCJ. To date, however, only four countries have ratified the CCJ as their highest/final appellate court. Ironically, St. Lucia, Jamaica and Trinidad
and Tobago, the first two CARICOM c o u n t r i e s t o sever relationship with JCPC in what was commonly referred to as ‘removing the political yolk of colonialism’, are yet to ratify the CCJ as their final court. In light thereof, some commentators have argued that the CCJ should be seen, not as a final jurisprudential break from colonialism, but rather, as an overview and repeal of colonial laws. This argument, however, has proved flawed as the
Court, in its 14 years of operations, has taken a creative, yet pragmatic approach in arriving at its decisions. In a nutshell, Guyanese await the outcomes of the cases before the CCJ, especially with regards to what constitutes majority: 33 or 34? T hat leads to either of two expectations: On one hand, the government faction anticipates the CCJ upholding the Court of Appeals’ ‘attractive’ but erroneous formula which
gave rise to 34 votes as majority; on the other hand, the opposition expects an overturning of the 34 and restoring of the High Court’s 33 as majority. In light of the supporting evidence, or lack thereof, I take the view that the CCJ will demonstrate its strong and unwavering capacity for dispensing justice and overturn the Court of Appeals’ decision. Let’s wait and see! Yours sincerely, Ronald Singh
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Countries’ reports must detail use of local goods, services, expenditure on training -EITI By Kiana Wilburg
T
he Extractive Indus tries Transparency Initiative (EITI) typically focuses on the taxes and revenues paid by natural resources companies to the government. But that’s not all. EITI also reviews the extent to which citizens are able to benefit from those resources either through training from oil and gas companies, the use of local goods and services or the transfer of technology to the nation. This is normally referred to as local content. In their report, EI T I implementing countries such as Guyana are expected to report on local content. According to EITI, this reporting is expected to include descriptions of the country’s local content policy and commitments by companies to same, figures on local content (such as employment, procurement, and purchase of goods and nationality of company owners),and commentary on the implementation of local content policies. EITI said that Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Kazakhstan, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Philippines, Senegal, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Togo and Zambia, are prime examples of countries which provide comprehensive reporting on local content. The transparency watchdog said that when it comes
to data, the aforementioned countries report, for example, on employment figures, by distinguishing between foreign and local employees. EITI said, “Reports from Cote d’Ivoire, Mauritania, Senegal and Togo calculate the share of national employees in the sector and provide details on the nature of contracts for each of the employees. For the Philippines, it discloses details on indigenous people employed as well as other employment and income-generating opportunities related to forestry activities beyond direct employment, as well as training.” “As for Kazakhstan, this country has collected extensive data on local content in purchases of goods, works and services in the extractive sector. With respect to Mali, it has unilaterally disclosed payments made by goods and service providers in the mining sector. In the case of TimorLeste, this country requests that the operators of two active oil fields to report on their local commitments, which includes company expenditures on training and employment of locals, and the amount of local goods and services procured.” Further to this, EITI said that some countries have gone beyond reporting and also include some analysis of the data and comments on the level in the EITI Reports which are subsequently submitted. “These examples demon-
strate the extensive potential for EITI to highlight local content issues and gaps in implementation of local content policies in countries where this is a priority area,” the global transparency body said. It added, “Ghana’s latest EITI Report for example, includes a description of the
ogy transfer and building skills among the local workforce. EITI said that these are often directed at increasing local employment and training for local staff, providing subcontracting or service provision opportunities for extractive projects to national companies, or sourcing of lo-
local content provisions. Companies were also requested to report on local versus foreign employment and procurement. The report comments that the provisions have been complied with and highlights the challenges related to implementing the provisions.” “Even in the Philippines 2015-16 EITI Report, it comments on the level of locally sourced workers for companies as well as on the indirect contribution of the extractive sector to the economy beyond revenues.” IMPORTANCE OF LOCAL CONTENT EITI notes that countries have adopted different definitions or approaches to local content, through requirements in laws or individual contracts, or as a policy. It said that the policies and provisions are generally aimed at supporting more jobs for the local population, boosting the economy, facilitating technol-
cal products used in extractive operations. But while there are benefits from encouraging added value to the economy from oil, gas and mining activities, EITI noted that there are also significant challenges related to implementing local content policies. It said, “Experiences with local content policies appear mixed. In some cases, local content is not necessarily the most efficient way to boost local economic activities. Lo-
cal industry and workforce do not necessarily have the experience or knowledge to perform technical jobs needed, and can lack capacity to deliver non-technical services and goods.” The Transparency watchdog continued, “Depending on the size of the project compared to the local economy, local communities can become overly dependent on the opportunities provided by a single project, with implications for longer-term development. Lastly, there are corruption risks related to local content, in particular in procurement, as experiences show that it has tended to benefit political elites, if not managed transparently.” EITI added, “Despite the importance of transparency when it comes to implementing local content strategies, there is limited data available to fully allow stakeholders to understand how impact of local content in the extractive sector can be improved.” EITI stressed that increased transparency in local content could incentivize companies to hire and buy
services and goods locally. For companies, EITI said that it could also help them maintain a social license to operate and help provide a more comprehensive picture of their contribution to the economy. The international body said that some relevant data has been made available through reporting frameworks such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), although the level of detail varies across countries and rarely provides data by project. “For instance, data related to local procurement is usually provided by the supplier to the mining company and ideally submitted to the sector regulator, but is not necessarily publicly available.” EITI said that there are also ongoing efforts to improve local content transparency, such as the Mining Local Procurement Reporting Mechanism established by the Mining Shared Value Initiative of Engineers Without Borders Canada, which provides a reporting framework for companies on local procurement.
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Kaieteur News
File on NPTAB officer accused of bid tampering sent for legal advice - Crime Chief Police have wrapped up their probe that focused on an alleged bid tampering by a senior staffer of the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB). According to Crime Chief, Deputy Commissioner, Lyndon Alves, the file has been sent for legal advice. The official was tightlipped on other aspects of the investigation. However, Chairperson of the Public Procurement Commission (PPC), Carol Corbin, firmly asserted yesterday that the matter is continuing to engage the
attention of that regulator’s body.PPC is the body that hears complaints and can step in and take action if there is wrongdoing in the public tendering system. The case came to the public’s attention a few weeks ago.It is alleged that the longserving NPTAB staffer, a Senior Procurement Officer who also trains staffers, allegedly made attempts to tamper with copies of bid documents. The project involved roads, with the works estimated to have cost upwards of $100M. It is alleged that the officer
asked another staffer for permission to enter a restricted room, an unusual request. He did so. A complaint was made and a review of security footage suggested documents were removed from the room. Authorities at the Ministry of Finance investigating the matter found evidence that figures were changed. The Procurement Officer was sent on administrative leave. Police reportedly also have copies of a recording in which the Procurement Officer secretly met with another colleague and admitted giving him $20,000. The issue of tampering with state contracts has been around for awhile, with the Coalition Government insisting that it will not tolerate corruption within its ranks.The administration had made it a priority to establish the PPC and appoint new officials at the NPTAB, which serves as a clearing house for bids submitted for state contracts.
Friday April 26, 2019
National Procurement and Tender Administration Office
PPC’s Chairperson, Carol Corbin
Crime Chief, Deputy Commissioner, Lyndon Alves
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Kaieteur News
Friday April 26, 2019
Mentally-ill and destitute people are everywhere
M
entally-ill and destitute per sons can be found walking around the streets of the country, especially in the city. And this has been the case for hundreds of years. Mental illness is a disease. It afflicts the mind instead of the body but because the mind controls bodily functions and actions, an illness of the mind can have degenerative effects on the physical ability and constitution of mentally-ill patients. Treatment is available for the mentally ill patients, but these involve protracted sessions and are costly. As such, there has not been any significant attempt at addressing mental illness as a serious public health concern. Perhaps because there are more mentally-ill persons off the streets than on the streets, it is assumed that the problem is under control. Another reason may be the difficulty in identifying from among the destitute, just who are mentally ill, and just who are only simply deprived and mimicking madness as a survival mechanism. Life is tough off the streets. Imagine how much tougher it is on the streets for those who have to exist day-
to-day, hand-to-mouth, without permanent shelter and often having to relieve themselves in public. As such, there is need for a plan to address the growing numbers of destitute and the mentally-ill persons on our streets. A few years ago there was a campaign to remove persons off the streets. It was even reported that some of the persons removed were placed in the mental hospital in Berbice. Unfortunately, one of those individuals escaped from that institution and drowned in one of the rivers in the area. This raised concerns not just about the institutionalizing of persons, but also about the security at the said institution. It had long been reported in Guyana that the security at the mental hospital in the past had left much to be desired, since in the past, persons from that institution could have been seen regularly, and unsupervised, wandering all around a town in the area. A number of questions therefore emerge. What are the procedures that are used to determining admission to a mental institution? And have persons been forcibly
institutionalized in mental asylums in Guyana? There has so far been no evidence that any illegal actions have taken place as regards the institutionalizing of mentally-ill persons within Guyana. But at the minimum, no person should be admitted to a mental home or institution without a medical referral from a competent professional. Since a mentally-ill person cannot be expected to make a rational decision to be admitted, the laws of most countries usually provide for that person to be institutionalized upon the recommendation of medical professionals. The
situation is obviously compounded, since a person cannot be assumed to be mentally-ill, taken off the streets, seen by a doctor, and then referred to a mental institution. If the person is taken to a hospital or clinic and is then seen by a doctor, then the person can lawfully be institutionalized. But who takes the person to the hospital or clinic? If someone is forcibly taken away to be seen by a doctor, can that person be said to be unlawfully abducted. If Guyana is to address the high incidence of destitute persons on its streets, it cannot do so without examin-
ing the laws and regulations pertaining to the institutionalization of the mentally-ill. And for the simple reason that amongst the hundreds of destitute on our streets, there are many mentally-ill persons, and how these persons are going to be treated is another problem. Then there is the financial concern. In a country in which there is competition for health resources, it is never going to be easy for governments to convince the public that more should be spent on the mentally-ill. In fact, if the average citizen knew just how much money is required to be spent
to treat a mentally-ill person back to good health, they would gasp at the sums, and many perhaps would argue against such expenditure. This is always unfortunate, because mental illness is not incurable; most mental conditions are treatable and in fact if treated early, allow the patient to return to a normal existence.
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Kaieteur News
Friday April 26, 2019
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
All I ever asked was for my fellow Guyanese to think as modern people I have written literally hundreds of columns on this page over decades, lamenting the lack of modern thinking in Guyana that is extremely shocking to any stranger. I go back over those columns and I feel satisfied that there have been some changes, but this was long after constant banging. Three examples should suffice. Long before the commonsensical changes were made, this columnist did a Monday editorial in this newspaper, calling for three bridges that connect Vlissengen Road and Irving Street to be made one-way routes. The confusion was so immense that any human could have seen it from a cursory glance. Then I mentioned the ensuing traffic chaos in a column. Do you know it was about ten years after that initial suggestion, the one-way policy was implemented? The second example was the madness inside the GRA under Khurshid Sattaur. The GRA gave the nation’s vehicle owners three days after the passage in Parliament of the budget to purchase the road vehicle licence. Literally
thousands of owners converged on the GRA’s offices and pandemonium and sadism were the consequences. So I did a few columns suggesting a commonsensical way out of the hell-hole. Why not let people buy the licence at different times of the year. So if you buy yours in September, you are due for renewal in one year’s time from your date of purchase. It took Sattaur about ten years after my suggestion to change the system that now allows you to purchase the document at your convenience. The final example - any human on Planet Earth will enter a supermarket and purchase just one item. That is life. It is stupid to argue against it. My wife called for me to bring a bottle of coffee. I went to the supermarket and all the counters had long and winding lines. I just had one item. Why do I have to wait until a long line is served just to buy one bottle of coffee? I wrote a column about my experience. Weeks after, I was with my wife in that very supermarket and the wife of the owner
came up to castigate me. I held my ground. A supermarket on busy days should have a fast lane. This coffee incident happened more than ten years ago. To date, no supermarket is modern enough to have a fast lane. I swear on all the people I love, I had to ask a customer to let me through at one of the supermarkets yesterday, because the queues were long and I had just two packets of dog treats. Surely man, a heavily patronized supermarket must have a lane to cater for people who just have one or two items. How can a nation in the 21st century be so unmodern? We come now to my experience at the Ministry of Social Protection on Cornhill Street on Wednesday, April 17. This ministry is located in one of the busiest junctions in the entire land of Guyana. You cannot get parking even three blocks away if you are going to the ministry. There is the fire service, the Stabroek Square and the mini-buses. I couldn’t get parking even four blocks away. So I drove into the Ministry’s parking lot. The guard locked the gate and told me she was not
opening up for me when I am leaving because the park is only for employees. She was doing her job. I contacted a senior official. He gave me permission. This is an enormous parking facility that far exceeds the number of vehicles owned by the ministry’s employees. I counted 30 empty lots. Let’s suppose 15 cars were missing because the employees were out, that still leaves accommodation for 15 additional vehicles. Why then can’t the ministry facilitate visitors? I called Ms. Colleen Rob-
erts, the Administrator of the ministry. She accepted that the space could be utilized by visitors, but the ministry has had bad experiences. Drivers, she explained, were let in, then walked to the door of the ministry, then went away to do their business outside. They were using the park for their own convenience. She asked how to solve that nastiness. I told her Republic Bank has the answer. The bank has a park for its customers at the junction of Camp and Regent Streets. When you enter you are given a green card which
Frederick Kissoon must carry the bank’s stamp when you return. They lock you in and call the police if you do not have a stamp on the card. Ms. Roberts agreed to institute such a system. Visitors to the ministry can now park there. Thank God!
DEM BOYS SEH
Soulja Bai shakeup and Jagdeo reading On Wednesday dem boys talk bout a one-foot man who was keeping a step ahead of de police. Well, something happen. Is either de man trip or he miss a step. De police close in on him and he decide to go underground. But dem boys must admit that de man got talent. He manage to get a message to de police that he gun surrender. That is something dem boys can’t understand. People does commit a crime and run and hide. Then dem does surrender. Dem don’t realize that when dem run and hide, when dem go to court dem don’t get bail and dem got to sit down in jail. De man seh he coming out. But before dem boys could celebrate, Soulja Bai
pull in some of he Ministers fuh fitness. He had to deal wid Li’l Joe, Shaat Man, he son-in-law and Roops. All of dem resign from Parliament. That lef a hole. Soulja Bai decide to full de gap wha dem lef and he tek de opportunity to deal wid some of dem who got people washing dem mouth pun dem. De Housing lady who seh she and she husband don’t talk name in bed get move. Soulja Bai put a woman who like talk. He put Annette fuh deal wid de Housing thing, because she don’t have husband fuh get housing contract. Simona get move from under Trotty. She ain’t do nutten really, except that she get she name call wid a security guard at New Thriving. Dem boys seh Soulja Bai put
she under he nose. She deh in Ohh Pee. He ain’t put nobody to do Foreign Affairs and dem boys know why, but dem don’t want pick story wid anybody. And all this time Jagdeo deh reading de Waterfalls paper to find something to talk at he press conference. Yesterday, dem boys ask him how come he suh vex wid de media. De man got de nerve to tell dem that he frustrated. He tell one reporter that dem reporters not mekking things rough fuh Soulja Bai. When de reporter ask him to give dem de evidence against Soulja Bai government, he tell de reporter that he expect dem to go out and find de evidence. That is a man who selling de Waterfalls Paper. Talk half and don’t call Jagdeo a newspaper vendor.
Friday April 26, 2019
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Friday April 26, 2019
President Granger announces shakeup in Govt. in dual citizenship fallout
*Broomes moved from Natural Resources; Patterson-Yearwood no longer at Housing *Hastings-Williams is new State Minister; Rajkumar takes Business portfolio *Resignations of Harmon, Roopnaraine, Greenidge, Gaskin effective yesterday
F
our months after a shock noconfidence vote against the government by one of its parliamentarians, Charrandass Persaud, rocked Guyana, the fallout is continuing. While government has challenged the validity of the vote, the court cases saw questions raised about the issue of dual citizenship. It was found that four ministers- Joseph Harmon, Carl Greenidge, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine and Dominic Gaskin- also had foreign passports. At least three Opposition parliamentarians - Odinga Lumumba, Gail Teixeira and Adrian Anamayah - also have dual citizenship. They have reportedly resigned. According to President David Granger, yesterday, the changes are in keeping with Coalition’s upholding of the Constitution of Guyana. However, there were no details, in his statement, of what would happen to the four ministers who have resigned their positions as parliamentarians and as a result could no longer be ministers. “Adherence to the Constitution is an essential element of democratic governance and the maintenance of public trust,” Granger explained. He referred to the ruling of the Chief Justice, Roxane George, SC, in the case of Compton Reid vs Speaker of the National Assembly et al which declared on 31st January 2019, that it was unconstitutional for a person holding dual citizenship to be elected as a Member of Parliament. “This ruling was affirmed by a majority decision of the Court of Appeal on 22ndMarch 2019. I have a duty to ensure that the Government acts in accordance with the Constitution at all times.” The president said that he has, in accordance with the courts’ rulings, accepted the resignations of Carl Greenidge, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Dominic Gaskin, Minister of Business; Joseph Harmon, Minister of State in the Ministry of the Presidency and Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, Minister of the Public Service in the Ministry of the Presidency. These resignations took effect yesterday, 25th April 2019. The men are all seasoned campaigners. Insiders indicated that
Resignations effective as of yesterday
New Minister of Business, Haimraj Rajkumar
Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine
Dominic Gaskin
Transferred: Minister Valerie Patterson-Yearwood
Joseph Harmon they will likely be retained as advisors, with Harmon tipped to be appointed head of the Ministry of the Presidency. Gaskin is the President’s son-in-law, but not part of A Partnership for National Unity, which forms the larger part of the Coalition Government. Rather, he is from Alliance For Change, the smaller faction of the Coalition. “I thank these Ministers for their stewardship as members of my Cabinet and of the National Assembly since May 2015. Their sterling public service has been to our nation’s benefit. The resignations of these Ministers have created vacancies in the Cabinet and the National Assembly. It is necessary, in the circumstances, for their ministerial responsibilities to be reassigned and for the transfer of some junior ministers.” According to the president, Haimraj Rajkumar is the new Minister of Business.He is on the AFC’s Regional Management Committee for Region 2. Replacing Harmon as Minister of State will be Dawn Hastings-Williams. She was at the Ministry of Communities. Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, a senior official of the Working People’s Alliance, was named
Carl Greenidge
New Minister of State: Dawn Hastings-Williams
Transferred: Minister Simona Broomes as the Minister of the Public Service in the Ministry of the Presidency. She replaced Dr. Roopnaraine. Meanwhile, Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson, is being moved across to the Ministry of Communities. She will take charge of Housing. The Housing department has been under a cloud in recent times after it was learnt that the husband of Minister Valerie Patterson-Yearwood benefitted from contracts from the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), a unit that fell under her.PattersonYearwood has been moved to the Ministry of Agriculture with responsibility for Rural Affairs.Another minister, Simona Charles-Broomes, the Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, is also
being moved. She will serve as the Minister in the Ministry of the Presidency with responsibility for Youth Affairs. “I assure you that these appointments and reassignments will ensure your Government’s continued commitment to serve our people and the nation,” Granger said yesterday. The changes would come as the Caribbean Court of Justice gets ready for a May 9 and 10th hearing of the noconfidence cases. If the CCJ rules that the vote was valid, Guyana will, according to the Constitution, have to hold elections early. The Government will have to resign.Meanwhile, the AFC in a separate statement congratulated Rajkumar on being appointed Minister of Business.“Rajkumar replaces
Now in charge of Housing: Annette Ferguson Dominic Gaskin, the AFC Treasurer, who served as Minister of Business from May 2015 to date. The party thanks Gaskin for his stellar service both as Minister of Business and Member of Parliament and looks forward to his continued engagement in the development of Guyana.” Leader of the party, Raphael Trotman, according to the statement, also commended his former ministerial colleagues who “voluntarily agreed” to
accept and uphold the requirements of the Constitution.”The party also congratulates Working People’s Alliance executive Tabitha Sarabo-Halley on her appointment as Minister of Public Service. Haimraj Bernard Rajkumar will celebrate his 53rd birthday tomorrow (today), April 26th, having been born in 1966, Guyana’s year of independence.” Rajkumar has been a practising attorney for 12 years.
Friday April 26, 2019
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Kaieteur News
Video surfaces of inmates ‘pit bull fighting’ in Lusignan Prison -Authorities launch probe
Images from the video posted online by inmates Prison officials are investigating an Easter Monday incident at the Lusignan Prison, in which inmates, with leashes around their necks, snarled, leapt, rolled on the ground and bit at one another while pretending to be dogs. The raucous incident occurred in the holding bay of the Lusignan Prison, report-
edly in full view of Prison warders. In the video, some of the inmates squatted, snarled, leapt, grabbed and bit at one another, while their ‘handlers’ and onlookers yelled encouragement to the fighting ‘animals.’ Some of the inmates were also observed clambering up the prison fence.
Director of Prisons Gladwin Samuels confirmed that he learnt of the ‘dog fights’ after seeing a video of the incident. Samuels said that the alleged ringleader has been identified and has been removed from the Holding Bay. A Board of Inquiry is scheduled to begin investigations
CCJ dismisses application to block sitting of Nat’l Assembly The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) yesterday dismissed applications by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, Chartered Accountant Christopher Ram and former Member of Parliament Charrandass Persaud to block today’s sitting of the National Assembly. The Application, filed by Attorneys Anil Nandlall and Sanjeev Datadin, sought an order of the Court to block the parliamentary sitting until the outcome of the appeals before the CCJ on the no-confidence matter. Listing the grounds for application, the attorneys contended that the convening of the National Assembly is contrary to the rule of law in the circumstances of a No Confidence Motion. “The consolidated appeals contend that the National Assembly has been dissolved and the Government is a “caretaker Government”; the passing of laws and conduct of affairs in the National Assembly is a break of the status quo and ought not to be permitted.” The lawyers noted further that the applications for special leave to appeal were filed to the Court and are for the consolidated appeals to be heard together. The hearing of consolidated appeals has been set for May 9th and 10th, 2019. “All of the submissions from all of the parties to the consolidated appeals have
Expelled Member of Parliament: Charrandass Persaud been filed with the Court already. The Court had indicated the 15th April was available as a hearing date and the Attorney General had said that was not enough time to file all the necessary documents for the hearing of the consolidated appeals. The Government of Guyana has requested and convened a sitting of the National Assembly for the 26th April at 2pm to consider a litany of items, none of which can be reasonably classified as urgent,” the application outlined. According the lawyers, the applicant (C. Persaud) contends in his submissions to the Court that the ruling
that 34 and not 33 constitutes a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly is unreasonable and contrary to the overwhelming weight of judicial authority on the meaning of the word “majority” and will demonstrate that Parliament had in fact specifically envisaged that a majority of 1 would be permitted. Mr. Persaud further contends that consistent with the ruling of the Chief Justice, the only method to challenge or mount an attack on the eligibility of an elected member of the National Assembly is by way of elections petition under The National Assembly (Validation of Elections) Act. (Continued on page 16)
today. The investigation will also focus on ascertaining which ranks were on duty and why the ranks failed to report the incident. “The fact that nothing was reported, all of this will be factored into the investigation,” the Prison Director told Kaieteur News. Samuels said that while the alleged ringleader and other inmates said that they were merely playing, “it is something that should not
have happened and they should not have been in possession of phones which they used to make a video. “There are limits to what you can do (while incarcerated), and the fact that all of this went on and was unreported is a matter of concern.” It is just the most recent of a number of disturbing videos that inmates have brazenly posted of their illegal activities. Last month, an online video surfaced of three inmates brandishing impro-
vised weapons, cursing and threatening to ‘kill’ individuals. Two of the inmates in the video are serving time for robbery under arms, while the third is on remand for robbery and attempted murder. In May 2018, there was the infamous ‘Mother’s day sport,’ in which several high profile inmates at the New Amsterdam Prisoner were seen on Facebook posing with expensive alcohol and even drugs.
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Friday April 26, 2019
Kaieteur News
No bail in NY court for extradited Guyanese New York (New York Daily News) - A murder suspect who went underground in Guyana after a 2011 Queens killing was brought back to the city Thursday to finally face charges, officials said. Troy Thomas, 33, was charged with murder by NYPD detectives in the 106th Precinct Thursday as part of the first extradition case between the U.S. and Guyana in recent years. Thomas is accused of killing Keith Frank at a house party in Richmond Hill on Dec. 11, 2011. He was identified as a suspect early in the investigation but he had already fled to Guyana. The Queens District Attorney’s office said Thomas was indicted in 2012. Thomas was ordered held without bail at arraignment Thursday in Queens Criminal Court, the DA’s office said. “The defendant has been on the run for seven years, but today he is in our custody and will answer for the senseless killing of a 20-year-old man in South Richmond Hill, Queens, just before Christmas in 2011,” said Chief Assistant District Attorney John M. Ryan. “The family of the victim deserves justice for their deceased loved one,” said
Ryan. “The defendant now faces a lengthy term of incarceration for his alleged actions.” About 4:30 a.m. the day of the killing, the victim argued with Thomas at a party on 132nd St. and 109th Ave., cops said. After a heated exchange, Thomas got a gun from his car and shot Frank in the chest, they said. Frank, 20, was just blocks from his home, and had become a father eight months before, the District Attorney’s office said. Police in Guyana busted Thomas in March 2018. At the time he was staying with a make-up artist and social media celebrity, according to Guyanese media reports. Thomas exhausted all his rights to appeal his extradition under the Guyanese constitution, U.S. Embassy officials said. Frank is missed by his friend Carlos Quinteros, 27. The pair met as teenage nextdoor neighbors. “He was actually the first friend I had in this neighborhood,” said Quinteros. “We used to do everything together.” The two boys looked out for each other. Frank liked basketball and Quinteros played handball, and they
Troy Thomas is pictured in police custody yesterday. (Photos: Go Nakamura/for New York Daily News) would walk together back and forth to the park. “At the time, there was more gangs out here so it wouldn’t benefit you to walk around by yourself,” Quinteros recalled. “The neighborhood wasn’t too good, to be honest, back then.” He recounted how they would go to parties together. Quinteros said he joined the military. About a year later,
“I learned that he was killed at a party.” He was stationed in the South and returned for the funeral. “Part of me was surprised and part of me wasn’t because of those house parties where there’s alcohol and young people, you never
know what happens,” Quinteros said. “It still feels like it just happened.” There are 20 pending extradition cases between the U.S. and Guyana, but authorities there wanted Thomas to be the first one brought back to face charges, sources said.
“Establishing a roadmap for future extraditions, bringing a fugitive to justice, making Guyana a safer place for Guyanese citizens — this is the best example of rule of law existing in Guyana,” U.S. Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch said in a statement.
All MPs have been collecting parliament salaries…they should attend - GTUC The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) yesterday said it is welcoming the statement issued by President David Granger that the Coalition Government sees “adherence to the Constitution…an essential element of democratic governance and the maintenance of public trust.” The statement, which prefaced government’s stated respect for Article 155 (1) (a) that bars dual citizens from being elected to the National Assembly and upheld by the High and Appeal Courts, is a step in the right direction, according to the union umbrella body. “GTUC is encouraged the Coalition has placed on record that it “is committed to upholding the Constitution unreservedly” and therefore expect full compliance. This is critical to good governance, social cohesion and national peace. Of immediate interest in the new appointments is that of the Minister of the Public Service in the Ministry of the Presidency.” GTUC said it wishes Ms. Tabitha Sarabo-Halley well, with the expectation that she will bring to the table youth, newness and fresh ideas. “The minister has the opportunity to create a harmonious working climate which is essential in this sector which turns the wheel of government. As the WPA’s representative, of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) in the Coalition Government, she can best uphold the party and the working-class ideol-
GTUC’s General Secretary, Lincoln Lewis ogy of co-leader Dr. Walter Rodney.” According to GTUC, with the developmental trust of oil and gas and a green economy, government needs a stable industrial environment. “The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), that represents workers in the Public Sector, has been marginalised under successive PPP governments since 1999 and this state of industrial unease is yet to be corrected under the Coalition. This young newcomer has the opportunity to create a more harmonious environment for her government labour relations and is called on to place industrial harmony high on her agenda given the significance of this to government performance.” GTCU stressed that as the National Assembly moves to sit today, it calls for the Op-
position People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) to return to the House. “Here the party can best represent and fight for its constituency in a climate conducive to good governance and lifting Guyana’s politics up to a level of civility. It is important for Guyana to function in a state of normalcy as we await the judicial ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice.” The union body said that Parliament should be given the respect it deserves. “As a reminder, all Members of Parliament have been in receipt of taxpayers’ money as salary and other associated benefits. The honourable thing to do is to demonstrate their right to this by returning to the House, the nation’s highest decision-making forum, where they can best represent the people.”
Friday April 26, 2019
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Kaieteur News
We will not go back to Parliament; $32M EPA building commissioned in Berbice CCJ will rule in our favour – Jagdeo
Minister Joseph Harmon (right) EPA officials and others at the commissioning of the building yesterday.
The new EPA building Standing two stories tall and located near the Whim Police Station, just a few kilometres from the Whim Public Road is a spanking new edifice constructed at a cost of $32M. The building is the first Environmental Protection
Agency Branch (EPA) in Berbice and will now allow persons easier access to their services rather than travelling all the way to Sophia, Georgetown. At the simple ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Minister of State, Joseph
Harmon, Executive Director of the EPA Dr Vincent Adams, EPA Board Chairman Dr Patrick Williams and President of the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce Mohammed Raffik, emphasis was placed on the (Continued on page 27)
JFK Customs Officer swiped cash from Guyanese bags: Feds US (http:// theforumnewsgroup.com)- A U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer has been charged with stealing cash out of bags belonging to arriving passengers at John F. Kennedy International Airport from April 2018 to April 2019, federal prosecutors announced. Joseph Cialone, 39, of East Meadow, L.I., was released on $50,000 bond after his arraignment Thursday. According to the six-page complaint, agents from the CBP Office of Professional Responsibility surveilled Cialone via live video as he patrolled Terminal 4 at JFK Airport. Agents observed Cialone conduct multiple border-enforcement exams of
passengers from Caribbean Airlines flight number BW 726, arriving from Georgetown, Guyana. In at least two of those exams, Cialone, who was wearing latex gloves on both hands, searched a female with a large handbag, and after he removed his gloved hand in a fist from those bags, he took off the glove and placed it in his pocket. The agents subsequently approached Cialone and cuffed him. During a search of Cialone’s person and property, the agents recovered three latex gloves, two of which contained hundreddollar bills. In a private room at a CBP facility near the airport, Senior
Special Agent Andrew Millar read Cialone his Miranda rights. Cialone indicated to Millar that he understood said rights and agreed to waive them. ”Thereafter,” Millar wrote, “Cialone stated…that he has stolen one-hundred-dollar bills from passengers’ handbags on at least 100 occasions over the past year, during which he was assigned to the Smuggling Interdiction Unit. Cialone further stated that he only searched deep handbags, because it is easier to conceal his movements. And then, after stealing the currency, he would go to the bathroom, where he would place the stolen money in his wallet.”
The National Assembly meets today at 2pm, but the aisle usually held by the parliamentarians from the Opposition, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), will be empty. Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo held a press conference yesterday, during which he informed journalists that the party will not be attending Parliament. There are a number of important subjects on the agenda, including the circulation of a paper on tax laws for oil companies. Jagdeo said that he doesn’t think that any sitting of the parliament should address any of these major issues, “especially before the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) rules definitively” on the cases that sprung from the No-Confidence motion which was voted on, on December 21, 2018 Attorney-at-Law Sanjeev Datadin, who is representing expelled Alliance For Change (AFC) parliamentarian Charandass Persaud, had filed a court action to the CCJ, intending to block the National Assembly’s sitting, but that request was declined by the Caribbean Court yesterday. Jagdeo said the PPP’s position is that it will respect the CCJ’s ruling, but that the party will signal to the court “that we will not attend the sitting until the [No Confidence Cases are] definitively heard.” The Opposition Leader said that he has taken note of the fact that the government already selected four persons to fill the positions vacated by the government-aligned dual citizens.
Those persons are expected to be sworn in today. On the other hand, he said that all of the dual citizens aligned with the PPP have resigned from the National Assembly, namely Gail Teixeira, Adrian Anamayah and Odinga Lumumba. Those positions will remain vacant. According to Jagdeo, the PPP will not be recommending any persons to fill those positions. This is because he doesn’t expect there to be a need for the MPs to head back to Parliament before elections. “If we win the case at the CCJ – and the prospects look good – there will be no need for [PPP to head back to Parliament], because parliament will not reconvene. So, we are waiting on the ruling from the CCJ.” He said that he believes the court will rule in the favour of the PPP, and that that ruling will ensure elections are held early. Further, he said that, if the ruling stands, it would have major implications for other countries in the region. Jagdeo said that the PPP has already written to almost every country in the region to pay attention to this case. This, he said, is due to the fact that the precedent used to reason that 34 votes are needed, instead of 33, to pass the motion, is one that is meant for legislatures with an even number of p e r s o n s s i t t i n g i n t h e a s s e m b l y. H e said that, if the ruling stands, it would mean that that precedent could also be applied to an odd number legislature. D e s p i t e t h a t p o s s i b i l i t y, J a g d e o said that the PPP is hopeful that the Appeal Court’s ruling will not stand.
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Guyana’s expanding vaccination programme poised for continued success The recent explosion of cross-border movement by nationals of countries in the Americas was spurred by the effects of the economic collapse and social dislocation happening in Spanish-speaking Venezuela. The unregulated movement of hundreds of these thousands of people has thrown into sharp focus the need to “intensify vaccination among countries bordering Guyana,” PAHO/ WHO official, Dr. Paul Edwards has said. But Guyana has been taking pre-emptive measures, Public Health Minister, Mrs. Volda Lawrence, has assured. “On matters such as health, I am happy that our services are available for our cross-border brothers and sisters, since we know in turn that our countrymen access services across the borders as well, especially if we have no facility in the community,” said Minister Lawrence. In fact, she added, “It is indeed very fitting for us to celebrate our efforts together aimed at intensifying our immunization impact, and discuss strategies and novel ways to further strengthen our relationship so that all our peoples can benefit,” the Minister added. She noted that despite numerous hurdles along the way, especially with the influx of Venezuelans entering the country, and the spread of measles there and outbreaks of yellow fever in Brazil, “Guyana, with collaborative support from our International Partners, remains free of
Minister Volda Lawrence [fourth from left back row] with health officials and children at the launch of Vaccination Week in Region Five. Measles, Polio, Yellow Fever, Diphtheria and other diseases due to the effective strengthening of active surveillance (and) early response and capacity building, not only of health workers but other stakeholders.” Nevertheless, she shared that “we are cognisant that the risk increases daily with continued cross-border traffic, but efforts in the area of vaccination of migrants continue to be our priority, and hence our gratitude for the cross-border intervention...the Ministry of Public Health, Guyana, cannot address this in isol a t i o n . I t ’s t h e r e f o r e through our collective efforts and synergy that we can address our common immunisation challenges.” The Minister therefore suggested that Guyanese use this week [Vaccination
Week] of observances for heightened advocacy for vaccination countrywide. She said too that the model of health care embraced by Guyana is one that “focuses holistically on the individual, families and communities, mirroring the theme for World Health Day, 2019, which speaks to Universal Health Coverage, Everyone, Everywhere.” But according to Minister Lawrence, Guyana’s position is buttressed by global statistics showing that “vaccination increases the immunity of that child which benefits not only the child and his family, but also the community, where higher coverage influences herd immunity.” According to the Minister, Guyanese are buyingin to the global health phenomenon of “trusting the system” and bringing their children to be vaccinated. “We are happy that this parent-provider partnership continues to bloom and unlike some countries, we do not have to fight the war of complications from outbreaks because of lack of immunisation,” Lawrence said as she lauded the continued contribution of community health workers [CHWs], midwives, Medex, health visitors and doctors who
labour tirelessly. Yet there are still gaps in access to quality health service between coastal and hinterland residents. Adequate cold chain is still missing in the hinterland and health care is prohibitively costly for noncoastal residents, especially those in the hard-toreach areas. Notwithstanding these shortcomings, the Minister underscored that “we cannot lessen our efforts to reach out to the most remote of our locations, hence our call for a multisectoral approach to engender more significant outcomes.” The continued success of the country’s Expanded Programme on Immunisation [EPI] must remain linked to active surveillance system and concerted efforts in the private healthcare sector. “We are therefore renewing the call for families and communities to join us as we continue to work towards protecting the nation from vaccine-preventable diseases,” Minister Lawrence said. Currently the success of the EPI initiative rests on the fact that public health officials know what works. At least this is according to Dr. Ertenisa Hamilton, Director of Primary Health
Care, the entity which oversees the flourishing vaccination and immunisation drive. “What we kick out of the door, stays out of the door,” Dr. Hamilton said, referring to the diseases the EPI initiative has helped keep out of the country’s borders enabling all children in late pre-independence Guyana “to look forward to adulthood”. Vaccination Week in the Americas Vaccination 2019 is currently being observed under the theme ‘Protect Your Community. Do Your Part. Get Vax’. Guyana’s EPI has matured from the initial tight focus on children when it began some 40 years ago to targeting whole communities now. When it began in the 1970s, Guyana’s EPI focused laser-like on measles, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, diphtheria and tuberculosis [TB]. But so successful it has been, that the last Guyanese patient afflicted with yellow fever [YF] was since 1968. A local measles patient was last treated here in 1 9 9 1 , s a i d D r. P a u l Edwards, of the Guyana office of PAHO/WHO. Dr. Edwards, who spoke at We d n e s d a y ’s l a u n c h o f
Vaccination Week in the Americas, held at Highdam in Mahaica/Berbice [Region Five], said Guyana’s last polio patient, was treated way back in 1962. Meanwhile, Mahaica/ Berbice achieved 95 percent vaccination coverage last year as a “very healthconscious Region,” Deputy Regional Executive Officer [DREO] Mr Sherwin Wellington told the audience. Wellington assured that the Region is “fully behind” the Maternal and Child Health [MCH] EPI strategy even as he encouraged residents to “take full opportunity of free vaccination.” According to Ms. Meryl Maes, the EPI Manager [ag] of the Surinamese Ministry of Health, which has joined Guyana to observe Vaccination Week, individual responsibility is needed to help prevent the onset and spread of diseases. Vaccination should be timely to help immunise children against vaccinepreventable diseases; health workers and the population should have a common understanding of the issues and “speak the same language” and at the national level, there should be systems in place to track migrants, Maes said.
CCJ dismisses application to block... From page 13 It is also being contended that the convening of the National Assembly is contrary to the rule of law in the circumstances; the consolidated appeals challenge that the National Assembly has been dissolved and the Government is a “caretaker Government”; the passing of laws and conduct of affairs in the National Assembly is a break of the status quo and ought not to be permitted. The convening of the Na-
tional Assembly is only possible by the Government. The Government makes a request and the Speaker sends out notices to fix the date and time for the sitting of the National Assembly. This was done; the date and time fixed for the sitting of the Assembly is 26th April 2019,” the applicant argued further. That the matter herein is of great national importance to the people of Guyana and an urgent determination is required herein. The Appellant,
Charrandass Persaud, seeks a hearing in the shortest possible time; the time for the holding of elections under the NCM already having passed. However the CCJ Judges in their ruling, dismissed all three applications The judges pointed out that the Court of Appeal in Guyana has invalidated the no-confidence motion against the Government and until and unless the CCJ should reverse that decision of the Court of Appeal, the status of the Government and
the National Assembly of Guyana is unaffected by the result of the vote on the motion of No Confidence of the 21st day of December 2018. The Judges ruled further that it would be imprudent in those circumstances for the Court to take the most unusual step of restraining the National Assembly from sitting. In those circumstances, the CCJ dismissed the applications in full and ordered that costs be paid to the Attorney General of Guyana.
Friday April 26, 2019
Kaieteur News
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Four held after CANU finds cocaine in fire extinguisher
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our men are in custody after ranks unearthed some 1.890 kilograms of suspected cocaine during a raid last Tuesday at Lot 26 Timehri, East Bank Demerara. The suspected narcotic was concealed in a fire extinguisher believed to be destined for placement on an aircraft for an international destination at CJIA. A release identified the suspects as Dinesh Dias,28, Anthony Collins,31, Seenarine Mathura,43, and Mohamed Inshan 48. They are due to appear in the Providence Magistrates' Court today.
Friday April 26, 2019
Kaieteur News
Friday April 26, 2019
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Fire of unknown origin destroys house at D'Urban Backlands she was bewildered as to what could have caused the fire. Ritchie has estimated her losses in the millions. As the firemen expressed their regrets at her losses, the woman broke down and wept uncontrollably, and had to be comforted by a fellow female staffer of the NCN. She expressed being quite discouraged with having to “start life all over again�.
The Richie family's premises that was completely destroyed yesterday Mia Ritchie, an employee of the National Communications Network (NCN), and her three children are now homeless after a fire of unknown origin completely destroyed the three bedroom home they occupied at Lot 6 Thorne's Drive, D'Urban Backlands, Georgetown. When this publication arrived at the scene, the blaze had already been extinguished, but not before all items and articles within the home were completely destroyed. Firefighters on the scene yesterday informed that the crew battled to their best to save the building, but explained that many articles in the home were highly flammable, thus causing the house to burn rather quickly. A tearful and very emotional Ritchie told this newspaper that she had left the home at around 07:00 hrs yesterday and received a call at around 12:45 hrs from a neighbour who informed her that the house was ablaze. She said when she arrived shortly
after she could not believe her eyes as she witnessed flames and smoke emanating from her home. The woman explained that the intense blaze was just too much for anyone to
attempt saving anything from the building. Her three children were at their workplaces when the incident occurred. She said that all seemed well when she left the home yesterday morning and
A distraught Mia Ritchie being consoled by a colleague
Charred remains within the property
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Friday April 26, 2019
Friday April 26, 2019
Kaieteur News
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Shenseea to headline UG FETE on May 21
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uyana Carnival organizers are proud to present “UG Fete” featuring the #1Trending Gyal‟ Shensea” alongside the nation's very own, Timeka Marshall on May 21st. For UG Fete, Guyana Carnival collaborates with PACE ( Philanthrophy, Alumni and Civic Engagement) and The Student's Society in order to raise funds which strive to foster the rounded development of the University of Guyana's students. This will happen through the provision of services; programmes and the facilities to complement the academic environment that is holistically conducive to learning. General tickets cost $3000 and the stage
front tickets cost $10000. UG Students will be able to receive a special rate of $2500 for a general ticket and a stage front ticket at $8000. Tickets will be on sale at the University of Guyana's Campus and the Guyana Carnival box office located at 206 Lance Gibbs Street Queenstown. The princess of dancehall will be at the Turkeyen Campus on May 20th performing where students will also be given the opportunity to ask questions. Guyana Carnival 2019 is slated for May 17th– 27th with combinations of cooler fetes, mega concerts, day tours, jouverts and a grand Independence Day road parade. Make sure you get there!
Game of Thrones Season 8 Ep. 3 for viewing at 704 on Sunday
The Third Episode of Game of Thrones Season 8 is all set for viewing at the exquisite 704 Sports Bar this Sunday at 9 PM. There will be a lineup of unique Game of Thrones cocktails such as, “Winter is Coming,” “Ours is the Fury”, “Fire and blood”, and “The Red Woman” for you to indulge in. Show up in your Game of Thrones Costume and you can get a free drink too. See you there.
Garden Annual Hat Show and l 27 Party billed for Aprises at 3.30p.m. Though eel or over 32 years, the Inner Wh n bee Club of Georgetown has t hosting the most elegant Ha of ds dre hun s Show which attract rdens, visitors at the Promenade Ga billed for is it r, yea is Th . eet Middle Str April 27. ldren and The hat competition for chi action. It is attr in ma the adults is often gant, held in three categories: Ele al. Topical/Comical and Origin n is done itio pet Registration for the com are nts sta nte Co on the day itself. 0p.m as required to register from 2.3
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registration clo ce is still participation by the male popula to hes wis b small, the Inner Wheel Clu to les ma the for ion extend a warm invitat r. yea participate this reshing At the event, there will be ref ptious um Scr teas served at 3: 30 PM. sale. on be o als l cakes and pastries wil ice Pol the by ed vid pro Music will be d. Force Ban g and games There will also be face paintin for children. entrance fee Tea tickets cost $2500 and the re. the you See 0. is set at $50
'King of Di Crowd' Auditions set for April 27' at Sports Hall
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ntry forms are now available for pick up and drop off for the highly anticipated “King of Di Crowd” auditions which are slated for April 27 at the National Sports Hall Tarmac. Entry forms can be found at Ansa McAL, Ingrid's Bar, Sweet Point, White Castle
Fishshop, Rumours Bar, Frenzy Bar, West Vybz Sports Bar, Park Square and Jaigobin and Sons. A total of $1M in cash and prizes are up for grabs and one year bragging rights by the winner. Be sure to secure your spots guys!
Kaieteur News
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Friday April 26, 2019
GUYANA CARNIVAL TO HOST W.E.T WEDNESDAY FEATURING
REGGAE SUPER STAR
MACHEL MONTANO
BUJU BANTON to perform in Guyana on May
25
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eggae Super star Buju Banton is confirmed to perform in Guyana on May 25, 2019 as part of the Guyana Independence Carnival Celebrations. Over the past couple days, much excitement has been generated after a few popular social media sites leaked information that Buju Banton is expected to perform in Guyana in May. Well, now it is coming directly from the horse's mouth, he is coming. After seeing how excited Guyanese were to see Buju, High Frequency Entertainment in collaboration with King Leo Promotion and the Guyana Carnival Committee decided that it is a great opportunity to make Guyana a part of the 'Long Walk to Freedom' tour. Buju Banton, who's 'Long Road to Freedom' tour was announced late last year, listed many countries in the Caribbean, such as,
Wine of the
Week
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Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, St. Kitts, Suriname, Grenada and his home country of Jamaica; finally, Guyana is on that list. Banton, who has always referred to Guyana as one of his favourite countries to perform in the Caribbean, has not performedhere for over 12 years, however, he will return with his full band to give his Guyanese fans a long overdue and highly anticipated concert. The reggae superstar is known for hits such as, 'untold stories', wanna be loved', 'champion', 'deportees', 'not an easy road' and much more. Tickets for this event will go on sale online and at ticket locations locally in the coming days. Stay tuned to social media sites @guyanacarnival and our website www.guyanacarnival592.com for more details.
The Aqui Malbec 2015 is one of the sultriest selections from Argentina
he Aqui Malbec 2015 is one of the sultriest selections you can possess from Argentina. With its intense red color, AQUI Malbec showcases mature tannins that support fresh plum, strawberry and cherry flavors. It is the perfect balance of acidity, sustained through the lingering finish, invites repeated sips and thereby makes it a modern yet superb representation from the Mendoza valley of Argentina. It has without a doubt, earned its place among the best Malbecs. Food pairing: This selection will pair extremely well with leaner red meats, and even lighter cuts like dark meat turkey or roasted pork. It also works well with pepper, sage, creamy mushroom sauces, melted cheese, and in particular, blue cheese. This divine wine can be found at the Wine Vault located at the Marriott Hotel for $4000 VAT inclusive. You can also find it at the Hibiscus Restaurant, Nice Restaurant and Bar, Palm Court and other leading hotels and bars.
uyana Carnival is proud to present, The Monk of Soca, Machel Montano on May 22. This event will be labeled “Wet Wednesday� where Machel will share the stage with reigning soca monarch winner, Mr. Killa and Guyana's very own Jumo Primo. The venue is set for the National Park and starts at 8PM sharp. Come enjoy sounds by DJ Energy, DJ Shizzle, Patrick The Hypeman, DJ Jayand and DJ Jus Jay. Tickets cost $5000 for general and $25,000 for VIP. Visit guyanacarnival.eventbrite.com or its box office at 206 Lance Gibbs Street, Queenstown.
Kosmos
The latest Entertainment hotspot that caters for all
K
osmos is the new exciting destination for patrons of all walks of life looking for the ultimate experience. Whether you're craving a chef inspired meal, an afternoon hang spot or a great night out, Kosmos has you covered! There are daily happy hour specials, live band, nightly shows and theme parties combined with ultra modern environment and international line of beverages makes us the only place you will ever want to be. You will always want more at Kosmos. (See schedule for upcoming events at right)
Kaieteur News
Mother and Daughter Pageant organizers begin search for contestants T
he search has started for contestants for this year's Mother and Daughter Pageant. The event will be held on the eve of Mother's Day in May. Pageant Producer Dr. Sulan Fung told the Entertainment Police that this year's event will focus on the “Supa Power of Love.” She explained that once again, contestants are being sought for the three categories of the show, which are Junior, Middle and Senior. Over the years, the pageant has stood out as a way of bringing mothers and daughters closer together. Several past contestants have credited the pageant with the closer bonds that they now enjoy with each other. As part of the pageant preparations, the contestants will be involved in training and various activities. Committee Member, Mrs. Ingrid Fung, who started the pageant, said the event is dear to her and her daughter and she knows and understands the role it has been playing to strengthen family ties in an enjoyable and relaxing way. If you are interested in being part of this
M
HOTTT
this weekend!!! 704 Sports Bar to host the ultimate De-stresser weekend for the ladies
The legendary Destiny's Child famously said, “Ladies it ain't easy being independent.” And at 704, the management and staff understand just how hard the ladies work to take care of themselves hence the reason
this unique establishment is inviting all ladies to head on over to the 704 bar to indulge in their simply tantalizing Destresser cocktail. The first 30 will get this signature cocktail for free. See you there!!!
704 Sports Bar presents Build Your Bucket every Wednesday and Friday
It's Heineken Fridays at 704 Sports Bar
At the 704 Sports Bar, there will always be an opportunity to evolve your choices. And every Wednesday and Friday, party-goers will get a chance to build their bucket. This interesting concept allows you to pick any combination of six beers to Build Your Bucket (BYB) and get it at a special price. This offer is available from 5pm to 7pm! See you there. year's pageant, contact Mrs. Fung on telephone numbers 226-2825 or 626-0460.
MAJESTY INT'L ANNOUNCES RESTRUCTURING TO MISS WORLD GUYANA NATIONAL COMPETITION ajesty International, the official license holders of the Miss World franchise recently announced the postponement of the 2019 Miss World Guyana competition which was scheduled for May 26th, 2019 at National Cultural Centre, Georgetown, Guyana. The organization is now accelerating a global restructuring program to build on the progress the Miss World brand has made in executing social programs to best serve the Guyanese community on a long-term basis. The restructuring will also give the organization opportunities to foster personal and professional growth among young people and create marketing opportunities to bring differentiated value and innovation to related industries. At the organization's brainstorming session held recently, License Holder, Natasha Martindale said, “We will make Guyana's Miss World license a franchise for the people and one that focuses more on boosting overall moral than the glitzy outcome of the journey which in turn would unveil greater paths to success for those choosing to get involved”. The 2019 Miss Guyana's application and recruitment campaign returned an overwhelming response to the recruitment cycle with 73 entrants and 65 active and potential candidates of which a total of 30 received invitations to the casting call worldwide. The casting call was postponed facilitating an improved program that would better prepare all entrants for success at every level of the journey regardless of their circumstances or outcome. We are committed to building the confidence of our youth by taking this task even more seriously and as a result, National Director, Natasha Martindale took the initiative to shift the timeline for 2019 competition to 2020 whilst addressing some key recurring issues directly impacting the quality of journeys every year. To ensure candidates are given a better chance at competing at the national and
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international level we will be giving them more time to prepare by introducing a preparatory period whereby candidates would gain the confidence that is required to become the face of Guyana. A longer preparation period would build more visibility, add value, boost confidence, build character and the resilience for each journey to be more meaningful. Adding to the preparation period, the organization is currently finalizing a multimillion-dollar prize package including a cash prize of One Million Guyana Dollars for the Miss World Guyana 2020 including USA & UK/EUROPE media tour, promoting Guyana and Guyanese brands internationally. Although the decision to delayed the competition was not an easy one, the organisation believes it is one that would better promote cultural heritage and social cohesion throughout our regions; create well rounded role models that other young people would emulate –especially since approximately 57% of the people in Guyana are under the age of 26; and, drawing on best practices to determine how we can all work together to a present a more youthful presence as the face of our country to boost tourism across the regions and added value to all partners. As a result of this restructuring, the recruitment cycle for Miss World Guyana 2020 is extended to May 15th, 2019 with the 2020 quarterfinalist journey being announced at a later date in May. Those who planned to apply for 2020 journey are invited to do so now at www.missworldguyana.gy and or via our facebook/Instagram pages. Candidates who already apply and were invited to the casting call need not reapply and are currently being reevaluated as quarterfinalists on submission of their paperwork. In the coming weeks, the organisation promises to release continuous updates in relating to the 2020 Miss World Guyana national competition with the announcement of Mr. World Guyana to follow soon.
Aura Bar and Lounge at Pegasus Hotel pres. club night Saturdays Every Saturday, the Management at Aura will be providing an ambiance filled with quality service, delicious food and great music. Every Saturday should be a party to remember and the Aura is determined to give you that experience. The Lounge will be open from 8pm. Music will be provided by Guyana's most popular DJs. For reservations, you can make contact with management on: 225-2853 or 600-6912.
If you are a die-hard fan of the Heineken brand then 704 Sports Bar is where you need to be this and every Friday. According to management, fans can get six Heinekens for just $2800 between 7pm and 9pm. Be sure to take advantage of this offer guys!
Escape the after work traffic today at Palm Court As the Great Caribbean Singer, Father Fox says, "Who does go to work on a Thursday or even a Friday?" Well, unfortunately, most of us do! But that shouldn't stop you from "ducking" every once in a while when the pressure seems too much and you desire to have a little fun. Every Friday, one of Guyana's number one entertainment spots, Palm Court will be offering a light celebration called "Escape the after work traffic. The event gets started from 4:00pm to 7:00pm so see you there.
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Friday April 26, 2019
Kaieteur News
IDB -funded equipment arrives…
Forensic Lab geared to solve several gun-related crimes The Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory (GFSL) will finally be able to resume gunpowder residue tests in several gunshot cases that have been stalled for several months. Director of the GFSL Delon France revealed yesterday that equipment to conduct tests for gunpowder-residue evidence arrived recently. The equipment is a scanning electron microscope (SEM), which was acquired through funding by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). France said that the IDB will also assist the lab in recruiting specialists to install the scanning electron microscope and to train the local staff. He estimates that gunpowder testing will resume by June. France explained that the overseas expertise will be needed because the scanning electron microscope is far more sophisticated than the equipment that the Guyana Police Force and the lab had used in gunpowder analysis. France had revealed last year that the equipment it acquired from the Guyana Police Force has been inoperable. This has resulted in a hold being placed on a number of murder investigations and court cases in
The Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory
which firearms were used. These include the January 2018 shooting death of K o r n e r K i c k M a n a g e r, Tevin Parris, and the January 14, 2018 deaths of Pomeroon farmers, Ambrose Baharally and Martin Godette. The 27-year-old Parris was found dead in his bed, in the upper flat of his Lot
66 Garnett Street, Newtown home. He had been shot to the head. A 9mm pistol, with 14 live rounds was found in his right hand. But a post mortem indicated that the injury was not self-inflicted. Investigators detained an individual who was close to some members of
the slain man’s family. They also swabbed the suspect and victim for traces of gunpowder residue. Coconut farmers Ambrose Baharally, 28, of Grant Stelling, Hope Lower Pomeroon, and Martin Godette, 23, of Friendship Canal, Lower Pomeroon were found dead with gunshot wounds to their h e a d s a t B a h a r a l l y ’s home on January 14. A post mortem revealed that Godette was shot from a distance, while Baharally was shot at close range. One report alleged that the two coconut farmers and a third man were drinking, and smoking marijuana, when Baharally shot Godette. There are suggestions that Baharally then took his
own life. Baharally’s wife later led detectives to an area where she had allegedly disposed of the murder weapon after discovering the two bodies. Police recovered a 9mm Beretta pistol with a magazine, one .38 revolver, 16 live cartridges, 21 live .38 rounds, 19 live 9mm rounds, six .32 rounds, two 9mm spent shells and 51.5 grams of cannabis. The GFSL began conducting tests for the Guyana Police Force on March 1, 2017. The Director had said that the lab had “boxes upon boxes of evidence” to process, including toxicology tests, and tests on currency, and for blood. The GFSL has also faced challenges in providing speedy results in poi-
son and other toxicology cases. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and some Magistrates had written to the GFL enquiring about the cause for the delays. France had stated that the lab has the equipment (a gas chromatograph mass spectrometer) to conduct toxicology tests, and to conduct tests on samples of suspected illicit substances, including cocaine, marijuana, heroin and Ecstasy. But he explained that the machine can only test 60 samples (toxicology or illicit drugs) at a time, and the laboratory is swamped with samples. The lab is expected to acquire another Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer to conduct these tests.
Man found guilty of indecent assault, carnal knowledge of girl, 9 Fifty-one year-old Gingish Khan has been convicted on four counts of rape-related charges. Khan, who faced a trial before Justice Brassington Reynolds at Sexual Offences Court of the Georgetown Supreme Court, was originally indicted for three counts of indecent assault and one count of Carnal Knowledge of a nine-year -old. According to charges read by State Prosecutors Seeta Bishundial and Lisa Cave, in August 2008, Khan committed indecent
assault on a female under the age of 15 years old. The man, who was said to have fingered the girl on three occasions before he finally engaged in the act of sexually penetrating his victim, pleaded not guilty to the charges, and was r e p r e s e n t e d b y A ttorney -atL a w, Ravindra Mohabir. However, after less than an hour of deliberating on the evidence presented in the c a s e , y e s t e r d a y a mixed 12-member jury returned with unanimous guilty verdicts on all of the
charges. Despite the conviction, Justice Reynolds called for a probation report on Khan and the victim’s impact statement to be presented to the Court before sentencing. The Judge noted that the information in both reports would give the court insight into what transpired during the eleven-year period before the matter came up for trial before the High Court. As such, Justice Reynolds adjourned the matter until May 14 for sentencing.
Friday April 26, 2019
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Kaieteur News
Electronic service providers top list of consumer breaches - CAU
A recent survey by the C o n s u m e r Aff a i r s U n i t (CAU) has shown that electronic service providers top the list of business guilty of consumer breaches. As stated by CAU, the Electronics Industry was prominent in the list of complaints, accounting for 41% of the total received. The majority (84%) of these complaints were due to Part IV Section 22 (Return of defective goods) being contravened. This, it was noted, can be linked to the growing ease of accessibility to these products, which consequently leads to them being more susceptible to fraudulent and misleading practices. M o r e o v e r, reports about cellular phones were the most dominant within this category, accounting for 42% of electronic complaints. In an effort to minimize these complaints, the Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC) says it will continue to collaborate with the Bureau of Standards. While a marginal reduction of 7% was seen, the Auto Industry had the second highest number of complaints and accounted for 77% of the cumulative value of complaints. This, the survey revealed, continues to be an issue of grave concern, as 61% of
CAU and CCAC representatives at a consumer awareness initiative in Bartica reported complaints was due to the contravention of Part IV-Section 22 (Return of defective goods), while 28% were due to the contravention of Part V–Section 31, (Misleading or deceptive conduct). To mitigate this issue, the Commission collaborated with the Bureau of Standards and accepted a request from International Consultant and Director of
Excellence in Automobile Assessment (EAA) in Japan, Mr. Lee Sayer. A visit was made to Guyana to conduct a conclave with various stakeholders involved in the importation of vehicles. The purpose of the meeting was to facilitate the discussion of a Pre-shipment Inspection programme for used vehicles being imported from Japan.
$32M EPA building commissioned in Berbice From page 15 convenience the new structure has provided for the people of Berbice. Minister Harmon, as he gave his brief address to those gathered, posited that government services are being made available in such a way that “it gets closer and closer to where people live and work”. He added that over the years it was a hassle for persons to travel all the way from Berbice to Georgetown, but with the new office now open “that will be a thing of the past”. According to Harmon, the construction of the building is a foundation set by the Government for the expansion of the EPA and its services, since it is the first regional office in the country. He added that only recently they were looking at ways and means of having
the agency as a self-financing entity, “to be able to provide the quality of life, not only for the Guyanese people but for the staff of the EPA in particular, because if you want to attract people of a certain quality, if you are going to be assessing, if you are going to be ensuring that the laws and regulations of the country are actually observed then you have to have people who can, in fact, understand what these laws are and how do they implement it”. Meanwhile, Executive Director of the agency, Dr Adams stated that since the establishment of the EPA in 1996, over 1200 permits countrywide were authorised. He explained that one of the major challenges was “getting out there, applications come in but then we’ve got to go
out there and verify the applications to make sure the operations can meet the standard of the permit condition to operate, but even after that, we have to go back out there and routinely inspect the operations so that we can maintain a safe and environmentally sound operation”. The Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce president, Mohamed Raffik noted that the EPA in his opinion “is extremely important” since there is now a booming oil and gas sector. With such major development, comes along expected oil spills and as such, the country is dependent on the agency to ensure that Guyana is protected, he said. Services at the agency in Berbice will commence on May 6.
The Consumer Affairs Unit continues to engage in research as it relates to the execution of such a programme in Guyana. Additionally, the CAU will work along with the GNBS to regularize the sector with the development of a “Used Vehicle Standard.” Finally, the Appliance Industry accounted for 10% of complaints while the remaining 30% of complaints were spread across other industries. For the financial year
2018, the Consumer Affairs Unit received two hundred eighty nine (289) complaints with an aggregate monetary value of $91,868,324. The complaints increased by 22% when compared to 2017 while the value decreased by 25%. Of these complaints, 90% were productbased while the remaining 10% were service-based. Out of a total of 289 consumer breaches for 2018, Region Four has recorded an alarming 212,
according to CAU. The lowest cases of consumer breaches were recorded in Region Nine, where only one case was reported. Highlights on the status of complaints received for 2018 showed that despite reflecting a percentage change of 5% when compared to 2017, a notable 79% of complaints received were resolved, equivalent to a value of $59,857,075. 17% of the complaints are ongoing, which is primarily due to the unwillingness of some suppliers to comply, consumers’ lag in providing relevant information or the extent of diagnosis that has to be conducted to determine who is liable. Additionally, 62% of the ongoing complaints were received during the last quarter of 2018. The remaining 4% were sent to the board for a resolution to be determined for 229 complaints resolved; suppliers were liable for a significant 64%, with an accumulated value of $25,525,724. This value represents the cost of the item and does not take into account pre-redress financial detriment. The remaining 36% were as a result of either consumer liability, no liability (undetermined or consumer chose to no longer pursue the case) or the item not being defective.
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Friday April 26, 2019
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Friday April 26, 2019
An updated photo of the CJIA terminal area. (Mike Charles photo)
US$150M airport renovation…
State auditors to target duty-free concessions in probe
Auditor General, Deodat Sharma
I
t appears that the authorities are paying attention to rising concerns over the ongoing expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), at Timehri. A major probe is to be carried out to determine whether Guyana received value for its money. It would come after almost a decade of criticisms for a project that was born in secret and has been saddled with one problem after another. According to Auditor General, Deodat Sharma, an audit is being planned at the moment. Declining to go into details, he admitted, however, that all aspects of the US$150M project will be looked at. “The Auditor General has a mandate. We don’t have to be told to carry out audits on
state entities or ministries. We can move in and conduct one.” The project has been raising alarm bells, with constant finger-pointing taking place between political parties, and no one taking the blame for what was to be the country’s showpiece. The project was secretly signed in late 2011, days before general elections and the ending of the Constitutional two-terms of Bharrat Jagdeo. Since then, it remains incomplete, with Guyana getting a smallerthan-promised terminal building, almost a decade later. The project was supposed to last for 32 months. The quality of work and the amount of concessions that the contractor, China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), received,
has been under question. There were reports yesterday that a section of the runway collapsed due to the early morning rains. In recent days, an underpressure Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, under whose remit the project falls, in response to a number of stories by Kaieteur News, disclosed that on entering office in 2015, the Coalition Government during an assessment found several things wrong. One of them was that for almost 15 months, CHEC was doing its work without any independent supervision from a consulting engineer. In fact, there were claims filed by CHEC for up to US$90M, with only seven percent of the work done. Independent analysis done for Kaieteur News by engineers and contractors found that costs as submitted by CHEC were astronomical…for example a 40-plus inch television monitor was over $1M. The airport was supposed to have one brand-new terminal building with eight passenger boarding bridges. However, a smaller building to house the arrivals area was built while the old terminal was gutted
and renovated to house the departure area. From indications, CHEC, which has regional offices in Jamaica, came to the then Government with a proposal for a new airport. There appeared to be no studies or other reports that CHEC did before, to start its works. Without requisite checks on whether the costs were realistic, the then PPP/C government signed the contract. The project was not tendered and CHEC did not get the money until a year later. The Chinese contractor reportedly started to dump thousands of trucks of sand on the northern end of the runway before they realized that soil conditions would have created problems. The PPP government then approved the contractor to work on the southern end. There have been no disclosures by this government or previous ones whether CHEC has been sanctioned for the delays. What is known is that for the millions budgeted and for what Guyana is getting, it remains in the hole for more than the US$138M in loans it took from China.
Minister David Patterson
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Friday April 26, 2019
Kaieteur News
Vendor charged with the murder of teen during cabbage fight VACANCY Industrial Sales Representative, 5 Subject CXC Age 25+ Experience in Sales, must own vehicle, email r e s u m e : vacancy@josarltd.com SERVICES
FOR SALE
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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.
LEARN TO DRIVE N. Outar Driving School, Learn to Drive the right way @ Cuffy Square. Affordable package. Call: 644-5166/6912561 LAND FOR SALE Parfaite Harmonie $1.4M, Schoonard $3.6M, Dairy $1.8M, Farm $3.5M.Tel#6560701/651-1959
TO LET Business space to rent. No restaurant. Serious enquiries only. 233 South Road 225-0198/615-0317.
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Top flat two bedroom Apartment with toilet and bath, overhead tank and p a r k i n g available.Price:$45,000.Phone#6128380. 4 bedroom newly built house 5th Avenue Diamond EBD. Fully grilled, hot & cold water system $180,000 per month. #696-3915
PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS FROM $4000 & UP, SUV’S PER DAY- CALL:643-5122/ 6 5 6 - 0 0 8 7 , ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL @YAHOO.COM PROPERTY FOR SALE House for sale, Eccles Housing Scheme. 7 bedrooms, 3 toilets and bathrooms enclosed. $28.5M. Call 6420391/ 001447587233657. yashardabhola4@gmail.com 1 Flat concrete property at Diamond 19th Street.12M neg. Contact#680-2952/6632063. Lot 89 Robb Street, Lacytown, Georgetown. Next door to Mike’s Pharmacy.Land size3431.25 Sq.ft. Phone: 617-5323, 666-8052.
New one bedroom Apartment for rent.Meadowbrook Gardens.Rent $45K.Contact Lennox at 233-2306. 2 Bedroom Apt fully furnished, 1 bedroom Apt fully furnished, 3 bedroom Apt fully furnished in Providence.Tel:682-6238 or whatsapp 1246-833-9739/ 660-7716.
Dispatcher to work at a reputable taxi service in greater Georgetown. Contact# 6130700. Vacancy for Security Guards.Contact#227-1717. Receptionist, Deskstaff.Ages 25-40, 233 South Road Lacytown/225-0198.
Bovell, who was not represented by an attorney, informed the court that he is a vendor who resides at Swan Village, Linden/Soesdyke highway. Facts of the charge were presented by police prosecutor Neville Jeffers. He related that on the day in question, at around 03:30 hrs, Bovell was engaged in an argument with Toney and his parents over a payment for cabbage. During the argument, Bovell allegedly pulled out a knife from his pants waist and
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stabbed Toney to his abdomen. The victim was picked up and rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The prosecutor also indicated that the post mortem report is presently outstanding, and thus he asked for two weeks to have it, so that the file can be completed. His submission was upheld by the magistrate who adjourned the matter until May 15. She instructed that Bovell is to remain on remand until then.
Ganja farmers shoot at cops during Kara Kara raid
Police ranks and a group of marijuana farmers exchanged gunfire on Wednesday during a raid by E Division ranks at Kara Kara Creek, Linden. Police said that the ranks, acting on information, visited the area and located a two-acre plot with about 4,000 plants under cultivation. They also found five live cartridges, a tent, a wooden boat and clothing. While the ranks were leaving, they were reportedly shot at by three unidentified men. Driver must be able to assist in The ranks returned fire, and the men, who were apparently unhurt, escaped. workshop at Eccles, age 25-45, Police are attempting to identify the owners of the land. Car/Van licence.Call 642-9823. 1 Male cook for Interior$100,000 monthly.Experienced workers for Land Dredge.Tel:629-8280.
Vacancy for Experienced lorry/ tractor driver.Apply at Alabama Trading.65 Robb street Bourda.
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Vacancy exists for certified accountant. Bring in application to Agri Parts Machinery and Services.
Twenty-two year-old Rickland Bovell was yesterday arraigned before a city magistrate for the murder of 17-year-old David Toney, of Alliance Road, Timehri, East Bank Demerara. It was alleged that on April 19, last, at the Timehri Docks, East Bank Demerara, he murdered David Toney. Bovell was not required to plead to the indictable charge when he appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan where the charge was read to him.
Vacancy for porters. Apply at Alabama Trading. 65 Robb Street Bourda. WANTED Nirva Superstore 49 Sherrif & Craig str for Cashiers & Supervisor to work at Xenon Supermarket helpers.Apply in Hotel Charity.Contact 233-5273/ person with written 74. application.Tel#227-5771. We buy Land in Parfaite 1 Live in Harmonie, Uitvlugt, Eccles, Domestic.Salary:$70,000 per Providence, Herstelling, month.Call:678-0691. Farm.We Pay in $US.Tel#6481635. Part time Receptionist.Cxc Maths, English & Computer Wanted Security l i t e r a t e . A p p l y : M a n a g e r Supervisor.Must have own Herdmanston Lodge Peter Vehicle.Ages 30-55.Call 616Rose & Anira Str. 6988. Security Guard.Apply to Manager Herdmanston Lodge Peter Rose & Anira Str. WANTED Live in waitress to work in a bar.Must be 18-23yrs old. Must have ID.Contact# 2212785. 1 Live in domestic. Must know to cook.Age 25-50yrs. Salary $25,000 per week.6103974.
Accounts clerk.Ages 2555.Please call 616-6988. 1 Welder, gas welding & arc.Age 18-25.Apply@ 21 Broad street, Fat Man Welding shop.223-5595/6439125. Waitress to work in Bar #6614863 Boys & girls to work @ Bonny’s.Apply in person with written application@302 Church street G/ town,Charlestown.
Ladies to wash 5 gal 1 Masseuse.3 times per bottles.Must be living week.Contact 672-5625. between CI & Parika.Tel#6930388. One Cashier to work shift.Apply in person at 1 Experienced Canter driver/ Buddy’s Gym 137 Sherrif street salesman to work on water 231-0136. truck.Must be living between CI & Parika.Tel#693-0388. 1 female or male receptionist.Must have Maths English.1 Handy Wanted Skilled Carpenters to and work in Linden.602-9469/660- man.Apply in person at 12 Henry street Werk-en-Rust. 6385.
40
Friday April 26, 2019
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“I will ensure you are catered to” - Minister-designate Sarabo-Halley Public Service Minister-designate, Ta b i t h a S a r a b o - H a l l e y, yesterday engaged residents of Numbers 3 , 4 a n d 5 Vi l l a g e s , We s t C o a s t o f B e r b i c e during her maiden walk at a community meeting at the Number 5 Prim a r y S c h o o l. During the meeting, the minister-designate committed to engaging her ministerial colleagues and state agencies to bring relief to the problems identified by residents. “ We r e c o g n i s e a s a government that we need to meet with the people and that sometimes it’s difficult for most persons in the various regions to come to Georgetown where most of the services are based to get their issues and concerns dealt with… I am willing to hear your concerns and ensure that you are catered to and that we find solutions to those concerns,” SaraboHalley said. Among the matters identified by residents is the regularisation of land ownership, upkeep of the community playground, assistance for farmers and inadequate water supply.
Sarabo-Halley, who is the Chairperson of the Wo r k i n g P e o p l e ’s A l l i ance (WPA) and has replaced D r. Rupert Roopnaraine as the party’s representative in government, also encouraged residents to become more proactive in the maintenance and upkeep of their community infrastructure, especially drainage. “There are things we expect of our government whether it is at the regional or national level and when it is that you are paying rates and taxes you have certain expectations and I understand that, but I think sometimes we can do more when it is we come together as a community.” Sarabo-Halley n o t e d that “as a young person growing u p , I h e a r d o f p e r s o ns who would do a lot of self-help... we don’t seem to be doing that as a community, and I think it is something that we should get back to. There are things that the government can and will do, and there are things we can also do to make our community better... I want us to take into consideration how it is as a community with government’s assistance
Public Service Minister-designate, Tabitha Sarabo-Halley (at left) listening to a resident’s concerns we can make our community better,” she encouraged. The Minister-designate also committed to stay in touch and work with community leaders as they work to increase training opportunities for y o u n g people and aid in the agricultural development of the community in w h i c h economic activity is predominantly farming. (DPI)
No security threats at outreaches - Top Cop All things have been going as planned at the various government outreaches across the country with no threats to security. Commissioner of Police, Leslie James made this disclosure during an interview with the Department of Public Information yesterday. Commissioner James said that everyone involved has been following procedures in getting their issues addressed. The outreach has also provided the perfect opportunity for relationship building between the Guyana Police Force and members of the public. The fifth outreach held at Fort Wellington, Regional Democratic Council (RDC) in Region 5 yesterday was no different. Building relationships with members of the community is something that has been on the front burner for the police force. The commissioner said that persons have been coming to the booth, manned by the members of the force, to air their concerns. Some of those issues, he noted, have been addressed on the spot while the others were followed up by the respective divisions.
Commissioner of Police, Leslie James speaking to the Department of Public Information Commissioner James has commended the initiative by the government as a step in the right direction. Citizens attending these
exercises have access to government services which range from health and public infrastructure to housing, among others.
Two jail sentences for miner found with illegal gun, ammo A miner was on Tuesday sentenced to two years in prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan after he admitted to being in possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition. Hazario DeSantos, 27, of Princeville, Potaro, Mahdia, was arraigned in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, where the two charges were read to him. DeSantos pleaded guilty to the two charges which alleged that on April 20, 2019 at Garraway Stream, Potaro, Mahdia, he had in his possession a .32 pistol along with six matching rounds of ammunition when he was not the holder of a firearm licence. Police prosecutor Gordon Mansfield presented the facts of the charges. On the day in question, ranks from the Mahdia Police Outpost went to the home of DeSantos in relation to a report made against him. A search done on his person revealed the loaded firearm in his pants waist. He was arrested and taken into custody by the ranks where the charges were instituted against him.
Prosecutor Mansfield also highlighted that in 2017, DeSantos was charged and appeared at the Linden Magistrate’s Court for a similar matter. He further indicated that the accused was released on bail during trial and failed to show up in court. The prosecutor stressed that an arrest warrant was issued for DeSantos, however he was not apprehended. As a result of his absence in court, DeSantos was tried in absentia and later sentenced to three years imprisonment. When given a chance to address the court, DeSantos stated that, “Your worship, I does use it for my own protection.” After listening to both sides, Magistrate McLennan sentenced DeSantos to serve two years in prison and to pay a $50,000 fine on each charge. However the sentencing will run concurrently. DeSantos will now also have to serve the three years sentence on the previous charge.
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Annual Corona Fustal Tournament.... From page 39 honored to be a part of this tournament and is always supportive of Sports. He added that give-aways for fans will be done at all of the matches while all of the beverages distributed by Top Brandz, will on sale at very affordable prices. The competition, which will be played on a roundrobin/knock-out basis will see 12 teams advancing from the elimination round of 24 teams. The 12 teams will be divided into three groups of four that will compete in the round-robin segment with the final scheduled for June 8. A maximum of 10 players can register for a team and registration must be done on the form provided by the Petra Organisation,
located at 67 Joseph Pollydore Street, Lodge (Guinness Bar) on or before Wednesday April 30. The semi-finals are set for June 1 with the grand final on June 8. Five players (including a Goalkeeper) will constitute a team and four players must take the field for the game to be legitimate. Matches will be played over 20 minutes with two 10-minute halves. However, in the elimination round and knock-out stage if teams are tied at the end of regulation time, an extra time of six minutes with three-minute halves being played. If at the end of extra time the game is still tied, each team will have three penalty kicks and if the game is still tied, the sudden death rule will apply.
The tournament kicks with the Elimination round on the opening night with s i x m a t c h e s ; Wo l v e s United face Tucville (19:30hrs), Kingston battle North East La Penitence (20:15hrs), Leopold Street oppose Flamingo (21:00hrs), Back Circle come up against Camptown (21:45hrs), Sparta Boss plays Black Pearl (22:30hrs) and GT Panthers match skills with Bent Street (23:15hrs). On May 7, six more eliminations will be played while the round-robin stage will be contested on May 11, 14 & 18 before the Quarter Finals are held on May 25. Admission up to the quarter-final stage is $500 while fans will be charged $1,000 to watch the semifinals and final.
Friday April 26, 2019 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) A social event or group rally could put you in touch with some new, exciting people in interesting fields, Aries. You might run into an old friend you haven't seen in ages.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Unusual circumstances could arise that change your creative orientation. It's likely that they involve the gathering, sharing, and using of information.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Today you could be hit with some exciting news, Taurus. This could involve new people or equipment coming onto the scene or an entirely new project or course of action that you'd never have dreamed of.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Today you could decide to attend a workshop or social event involving people in a spiritual, metaphysical, or intellectual field, Scorpio.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Information that you receive from others and from within your own heart could compel you to participate in some ambitious projects. CANCER (June 21–July 22) You could meet some fascinating people,and perhaps learn Earthshaking information that impacts your life. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Group activities or social events in your neighborhood could put you in touch with new and exciting people who eventually become friends, Leo. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Have you wanted to move in a new direction, Virgo? If so, this could be when you get the lead of a lifetime. You might receive unexpected information indicating possible new sources of income
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) New information could come at you from all sides today. Books, magazines, TV, the Internet, and conversations are likely to bring exciting knowledge your way that reinforces some of your convictions. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Surprising news about your finances and the economy in general could cause you to feel confident and secure about your financial future AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Some fascinating new information, possibly spiritual or metaphysical, could come today from periodicals, TV, or the Internet. This could set you on a new course of study, Aquarius. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Dreams and meditations could lead to insights about how best to handle your finances, Pisces. Your intuition is very strong.
Xavier Marshall century... From page 33 captain and tailenders Jason Kila, Nosaina Pokana and Damien Ravu added 84 for the final three wickets with Vala doing most of the heavy lifting. It took the return of Dillon Heyliger, who had earlier hit the top order with three wickets, to finally dislodge Vala to end the innings with 34 balls unused. Yet, Canada’s top order failed again in the chase. It took Jacobs to steady things upon entering at 56 for 4. Heyliger played a key role with Jacobs at the end as well as the pair knocked off the
Raheem Sterling: Manchester City... From page 33 months and had a massive impact on British society I think.”Sterling suffered allegedly racist abuse from Chelsea fans during City’s 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge in December, prompting an Instagram post in which he questioned newspapers’ portrayal of black players.In January, it was revealed he wrote a letter to a young City fan who was racially abused, urging the supporter “stand tall, don’t let them take away your courage”.
Osaka breezes past Hsieh... From page 36 Andrea Petkovic, beating the former top-10 player 62 6-4. She will play sixth seed Kiki Bertens who fired 20 aces as she battled back from a set down to beat Belinda Bencic 4-6 6-3 6-4. Former world number one Victoria Azarenka of Belarus stunned fourth seed and defending champion Karolina Pliskova, needing two hours and 13 minutes to battle from a set down to win 4-6 6-3 6-4. She next takes on Estonian Anett Kontaveit.
Overseas based Guyanese Brian... From page 38 received the BCB highest award, ‘Tribute to Hero’s’ and was able to see firsthand, the impact his contribution has made. He pledged his commitment to the BCB once it maintained the high standards it has set over the last year. Meanwhile, the 2019 Awards Ceremony would be held in late May while the Brian Ramphall 100 Balls Tournament would be launched shortly for teams in New Amsterdam/Canje Power houses. Tucber Park and Young Warriors would be debarred in an effort to encourage the other teams in the Sub-Association to excel.
final 21 runs together in an unbroken eighth-wicket stand. Canada can clinch ODI status for the first time since 2014 if they beat USA on Friday paired with a Hong Kong loss to Namibia and a PNG loss to Oman. If Canada, Hong Kong and PNG all lose,
they will all remain on 1-4 with the fourth ODI status slot decided by net run-rate. Oman 214 for 6 (Goud 57*, Suraj 51, Ilyas 44, Frylinck 3-34) beat Namibia 213 for 9 (Smit 60, Green 46, Erasmus 30, Fayyaz 3-52, Khawar 2-23, Zeeshan 2-27) by four wickets.
Late Archer salvo... From page 34 tournament before he links up with England for his maiden international assignments against Ireland and Pakistan, Archer produced a cameo unbeaten 27 off 12 balls as the visitors chased down 176 to win their fourth match of the campaign. More known for his express pace, Archer shone with the bat after arriving at the crease with Royals on 123 for six in the 16th, requiring a further 53 runs from 28 deliveries. He smacked a couple of fours and sixes, playing his role in a crucial 44-run, seventh wicket stand with 17-year-old Riyan Parag who top-scored with 47 from 31 balls. Once Parag went hit-wicket to pacer Russell (1-32) in the penultimate over, the 24-year-old Archer took matters into his own hands. He nicked the first ball of the final over from fast bowler Prasidh Krishna to the third man fence and then heaved a full length delivery over extra cover for six, to seal victory for Royals. Ajinkya Rahane had earlier stroked 34 in a 53-run opening stand with Sanju Samson who chipped in with 22, while Windies off-spinner Sunil Narine claimed two for 25. Sent in, KKR benefitted from captain Dinesh Karthik’s unbeaten 97 off 50 balls as they reached 175 for six off their 20 overs. However, he got little support and Nitish Rana with 21 was the only other batsman to pass 20. The Windies trio of Russell (14), Sunil Narine (11) and Carlos Brathwaite (5) all failed while international teammate, fast bowler Oshane Thomas, picked up one for 32 from his four overs, in his first game of the campaign.
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ICC hails Aguilleira Blake and De Grasse take on Britain’s best in London as “role model” following retirement IAAF Diamond League
IAAF - Triple Olympic medallist Andre De Grasse and 2011 world champion Yohan Blake will line up for the 100m at the Muller Anniversary Games to take on Britain’s two leading lights in the event at the IAAF Diamond League meeting on 20-21 July. For De Grasse, 2019 will serve as the year in which the Canadian looks to return from a spell of hamstring issues and reassert his authority on the global sprinting stage. A triple Olympic medallist in 2016 with silver in the 200m and bronze medals in the 100m and 4x100m, De Grasse will be making his first appearance in London. Blake is no stranger to the London Stadium, having won three Olympic medals there back in 2012. The second-fastest man in history over 100m with a best of 9.69, Blake has raced against De Grasse just once before, finishing just 0.02 behind him in the 100m at the 2016 Olympic Games. Having set a lifetime best of 9.91 last year and won the European title in the event, Zharnel Hughes returns to the London Stadium this summer looking
Former Windies women’s skipper, Merissa Aguilleira.
Yohan Blake and Zharnel Hughes in the 100m at the IAAF Diamond League meeting in London (AFP / Getty Images) to go one better on his second-place finish at last year’s edition of the event. Fellow Briton Reece Prescod will also relish lining up in his home city this July. The European silver medallist
and world finalist set a PB of 9.94 last year and has the long-standing British record of 9.87 in his sights. Fresh on the back of multiple world and Olympic medallists being confirmed in
the women’s equivalent in Dina Asher-Smith, Elaine Thompson, Dafne Schippers and Marie-Josee Ta Lou, the announcement of the quartet comes as the countdown to July’s event continues.
Xavier Marshall century helps USA clinch ODI status for the first time Xavier Marshall’s first official international century for USA set the platform for his team to secure ODI status for the first time in their history as they cruised past Hong Kong at United Cricket Club. USA were sent in - they lost their fourth consecutive toss in Namibia - and former West Indies Test player Marshall anchored the innings after losing opening partner Monank Patel at the end of the second over. Monank, who was Man of the Match for his unbeaten 70 a day earlier against Papua New Guinea, chipped a leading edge back to offspinning allrounder Kinchit Shah. Marshall got off to a sluggish start, scoring 18 off his first 55 balls, before he was dropped twice in the space of three overs off Ehsan Khan. The first chance was a scorching drive that Ehsan did well to protect his face from, but the second, when he was on 23, was a straightforward chance to midwicket that captain Anshuman Rath couldn’t hold on to. Rath’s drop cost Hong Kong dearly as not only did Marshall go on to make a century off 153 balls, but also
compiled an 184-run partnership with Steven Taylor, who hit 88 in 95 balls. It’s the highest second-wicket stand in USA’s one-day cricket history and their fourth highest partnership for any wicket. One ball after Marshall brought up his century with a boundary over midwicket, though, he fell to spark a flurry of wickets. But Timil Patel’s cameo of 34 not out off 12 balls concluded the innings with two sixes over long-on to take USA to 280. The chase proved to be anticlimactic after Ali Khan struck the decisive blow in the sixth over. Khan trapped the tournament’s leading scorer Rath with an inswinging yorker for his tournamenthigh 13th wicket. From there, victory was assured as Hong Kong played to limit the damage to their net run-rate for the majority of their innings as they still hold a chance of securing fourth place. USA 280 for 8 (Marshall 100, Taylor 88, Timil 34*, Kinchit 4-37, Aizaz 2-57) beat Hong Kong 196 for 7 (Kinchit 45, Aizaz 35*, Ehsan 31*, Gore 2-49) by 84 runs. Oman became the second team on the day to clinch ODI status, about 45 minutes after USA, as Sandeep Goud struck
an unbeaten 57, including the winning six, with five balls to spare to keep Oman unbeaten with a win over Namibia. Four years earlier at Malahide, Oman had secured T20I status with a dramatic win over the same opponents at the World T20I Qualifier and Goud’s knock provided a bit of déjà vu at Affies Park for Oman. Jan Frylinck dismissed Khurram Nawaz at the start of the 44th over for the sixth wicket and his third of the day, leaving Oman needing 57 off the last 35 balls. But Namibia could not break into the tail as allrounder Goud marshalled Oman across the line with a career-best knock. With 39 required off 24, Goud struck Frylinck for four and six to start the 47th and by the end of the over Oman needed 24 off 18 before strolling across the line. Namibia had fought back brilliantly after being pinned down in the first innings at 98 for 7. JJ Smit and Zane Green compiled a 103-run eighthwicket stand as Smit counterattacked with a run-a-ball 60 from No. 9. Namibia had momentum going their way into the break before Fayyaz Butt wrested it back for Oman, dismissing the set pair on back-to-back balls in the
penultimate over. The silver lining for Namibia is that they still control their own destiny heading into the final day of round-robin play. A win over Hong Kong will seal ODI status but they can even obtain it in spite of a loss as they currently hold a massive +1.452 net run-rate advantage over Hong Kong (fourth place) and a +1.663 advantage over Canada (fifth). Canada 155 for 7 (Jacobs 52*, Pokana 2-20, Vala 2-24) beat Papua New Guinea 154 (Vala 82, Heyliger 4-41, Eranga 2-23, Dutta 2-32) by three wickets. Captain Davy Jacobs kept Canada’s hopes of claiming the fourth and final ODI status slot alive after his unbeaten half-century clinched a nervy chase at Wanderers over Papua New Guinea. Canada had PNG on the ropes for the majority of the match but struggled to land a knockout blow. PNG were 70 for 7 after electing to bat first, almost a carbon copy of their struggles from a day earlier against USA, but Assad Vala fought valiantly with the tail to extend the innings until the 45th over. Promoted to open from his usual No. 3, the PNG (Continued on page 32)
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, CMC – Cricket’s world governing body, the ICC, has praised the career of Merissa Aguilleira, following the Wednesday’s announcement of the former West Indies women’s captain retirement. In a statement Thursday, chief executive Manu Sawhney hailed Aguilleira as a global “role model”, while pointing out here successful tenure as skipper. Aguilleira led West Indies in 74 of her 112 ODIs and in 73 of her 95 Twenty20 Internationals, and also oversaw their trip to the final of the ICC 50-over World Cup in 2013 in India where they lost to Australia. “Merissa has been one of the most renowned women
cricketers,” said Sawhney. “Her success as captain and player is there for everyone to see and I am sure she would have been a role model for many aspiring cricketers the world over. I congratulate Merissa for a wonderful career and wish her all the best in whatever she pursues in the coming years.” The 33-year-old Aguilleira also led West Indies to the semi-finals of three T20 World Cups in 2010, 2012 and 2014, and was a member of the 2016 side which captured the title in India. A wicketkeeper, the Trinidadian tallied 1752 runs in ODIs at an average of 20, while claiming 78 catches and 26 stumpings. In T20s, she gathered 768 runs at an average of 14, completing 38 catches and 34 stumpings.
Raheem Sterling: Manchester City forward wins award for stance against racism BBCsport - Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling said he hopes to set an example for younger players as he received an award for his stance against racism in football. The England forward has criticised newspapers’ portrayal of black players and wants stronger punishments for fans who racially abuse players. He was honoured at the BT Sport Industry Awards yesterday. “When the next generation come through, you have to set the example,” the 24-year-old said. “Coming through at Liverpool I had people around me like Steven Gerrard I looked up to. Looking at him I thought what can I do within myself to be half the person and player he was. “You take little things and each year, try and develop not just on the field but off it. “I
was just speaking about my personal experiences, I didn’t expect it to get so much attention. “I just wanted to bring it to the attention of my audience on Instagram. It’s been really pleasing to see people listening and trying and do better.” England manager Gareth Southgate presented the award and said Sterling’s actions had made “a massive impact on British society”. “I’ve worked with Raheem now for around five years and to have seen his maturity as a person has been lovely to watch,” said Southgate. “This is about his own personal improvement, his improvement on the field and his recognition he can make a difference off the field. That has been increasingly powerful over the last six (Continued on page 32)
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Williams, Clippers top Warriors to stay alive
LA Clippers guard Patrick Beverley (21) speaks with guard Lou Williams (23) between plays against the Golden State Warriors in Game 5 of the first round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Kelley L Cox, USA TODAY Sports/Reuters Reuters - Lou Williams responded to the Golden State Warriors taking their first lead of the second half with a four-point play with 2:32 remaining Wednesday night, igniting a late run that gave the Los Angeles Clippers a 129-121 victory over the two-time defending champions in Game 5 of their Western Conference firstround series at Oakland, Calif. The Clippers’ second win of the series on the Warriors’ court sets up a sixth game in the best-of-seven on Friday night in Los Angeles, with Golden State retaining a 3-2 lead. After trailing by nine points in the first half, 71-63 at halftime and by as many as 15 points in the third quarter, the Warriors used a 14-3 run to go up 118-117 on a drive and dunk by Kevin Durant with 2:40 remaining. The lead was Golden State’s first since early in the second quarter. But the Clippers, facing elimination,
dominated the remainder of the game, triggered by Williams’ 3-pointer on which he was fouled by Durant. The free throw made it a four-point play and a threepoint lead, and Los Angeles never trailed again. Williams added a pair of short jumpers to increase the advantage to 125-118 with just 1:29 to go, and the Warriors, relegated to shooting 3-pointers, never mustered much of a rally. Williams finished with 33 points for the Clippers, who have lost both home games in the series. Danilo Gallinari chipped in with 26 points, Montrezl Harrell 24, Patrick Beverley 17 and JaMychal Green 15 for the Clippers, who overpowered the Warriors offensively with 54.1 percent field-goal shooting. Williams and Beverley completed double-doubles, Williams with a game-high 10 assists and Beverley with a game-high 14 rebounds.
Durant led all scorers with 45 points for the top-seeded Warriors, who had a chance to move into a second-round matchup with the fourthseeded Houston Rockets had they won. Stephen Curry added 24 points and Klay Thompson 22 for Golden State, which shot 44.8 percent from the floor. The Clippers built their lead in the first half, during which they shot 56 percent and enjoyed a 21-16 rebounding advantage. The Warriors countered with 51.2 percent shooting and 10-for-16 success on 3point tries, yet still couldn’t keep pace with a team that already had four scorers in double figures in the first 24 minutes. Williams produced 18 of his 33 points in the first half. Gallinari had 16 points, Beverley 14 and Harrell 10 in the half. Durant led the Warriors in the half with 21, but Curry was held to 10 points on 2-for-6 shooting.
Late Archer salvo fires Royals to handsome win over KKR Kolkata, India, CMC – Barbadian fast bowler Jofra Archer provided a menorable farewell when smashed a six off the second ball of the final over as Rajasthan Royals stunned Andre Russell’s Kolkata Knight Riders by three wickets, to pull off a tantalizing win in the Indian Premier League here yesterday. Playing at Eden Gardens in his final match of the (Continued on page 32)
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Kaieteur News
Jofra Archer
Rockets move on after shutting down Jazz Reuters - James Harden scored a game-high 26 points despite struggling with his shot, and the Houston Rockets relied on their defense down the stretch of their 100-93 victory over the Utah Jazz in Game 5 of this Western Conference firstround series Wednesday at Toyota Center. Houston claimed the series 4-1 by holding the Jazz scoreless following a Ricky Rubio 12-footer with 1:32 left. Rubio pulled Utah to within 94-93 with his pull-up jumper in the lane, but the Rockets responded with an Eric Gordon steal and a Harden block with the game in the balance. Harden shot just 10 of 26 but added six rebounds, six assists, four blocks and three steals. Rockets forward P.J. Tucker paced the defensive effort with nine defensive boards and four blocks, and his two free throws with 54.8 seconds left proved redemptive after he missed two from the line on the previous possession. Tucker finished with eight points. Clint Capela added 16 points and 10 boards for Houston while Chris Paul and Gordon scored 15 apiece, with Paul adding eight rebounds and five assists. The Jazz claimed a plus-1 advantage on the boards and Houston produced a 13-8 edge in second-chance points.
James Harden (left) in control. Rubio paired 17 points with 11 assists to co-author the attack for Utah, which received 18 points off the bench from Royce O’Neale. Jae Crowder chipped in a double-double (15 points, 10 rebounds) as well, however, guard Donovan Mitchell labored again for the Jazz, shooting just 4 of 22 while missing all nine of his 3pointers en route to 12 points. Utah shot 37.2 percent overall. Utah withstood the Rockets’ initial punch, pulling even at 12-12 on a Mitchell layup after Houston scored the opening eight points. By the close of the first quarter, the Rockets had cooled off completely, shooting just 36.8 percent in the period while
committing seven turnovers. For a brief spell, the Jazz found some perimeter shooting, with Joe Ingles drilling 3 of 7 3-pointers while Utah wrestled away the lead. Harden, meanwhile, continued his struggles, even missing an open baseline dunk en route to a 1-for-11 start from the floor. But with the Rockets trailing 39-35, Harden found a spark, making his final three shots of the half to carry Houston to a 46-42 lead at the break. The Rockets extended that run to 21-3 and led 56-44 when Tucker sank a 3 at the 9:56 mark of the third. But the Jazz were undaunted and took a 77-75 lead early in the fourth.
Hope, Dowrich get time in middle ahead of Tri-Nations Bridgetown, Barbados, CMC – Shai Hope and Shane Dowrich missed out on halfcenturies while left-arm seamer Raymon Reifer extended his wicket-taking form, as West Indies completed their final warm-up match here yesterday in preparation for the TriNations Series in Ireland starting next week. After bundling the Barbados Cricket Association XI out for a paltry 109 in the 40th over with Reifer claiming three for 17, the Windies opted for batting practice and gathered 246 for nine off their 50 overs. Hope struck a run-a-ball 47 with eight fours, adding 71 for the third wicket with Roston Chase (35) after the Windies found themselves slumping on nine for two in the second over, following the cheap departures of John Campbell (8) and Darren Bravo (0). When five wickets tumbled for 54 runs, Dowrich held the lower order together with 46 off 50 balls with five fours. He posted 38 for the eighth wicket with Riefer (35) and a further 60 for the ninth with Ashley Nurse who belted 37 from 36 balls. West Indies Under-19s left-arm spinner Joshua Bishop was the best BCA bowler with three for 30. The match was the second in three days following Tuesday’s opener also against the BCA XI, as part of the ongoing
Stroke-maker Shai Hope. preparation camp at 3W’s Oval. West Indies leave next Tuesday for the Tri-Nations Series in Ireland involving the hosts and Bangladesh, and which runs from May 3-17. The series is their final one before the ICC World Cup from May 30 to July 14 in England.
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Kaieteur News
AAG Carifta Team returns home By Calvin Chapman At this year ’s 49th Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA) athletics games that were contested in Grand Cayman Islands, the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) fielded their largest contingent in recent times; a total of 21 athletes, and despite infrastructural and financial challenges, the team picked up a record, 10-medals. Four of the ten medals were Gold, the most Guyana has ever accumulated at a single Carifta Games and it was good enough to see the team finish fourth overall behind winners’ Jamaica, Bahamas (2nd) and Trinidad and Tobago, 3rd. The team arrived at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) Timehri on We d n e s d a y n i g h t t o a welcoming party that included the media, p r e s i d e n t o f t h e A A G, Aubrey Hutson, and Director of Sports, Christopher Jones. Anisha Gibbons of Bygeval Secondary School, who won Gold in her debut at the regional competition in the girls’ Under-17 Javelin, spoke briefly with Kaieteur Sport: “I am proud to raise the Golden Arrowhead high and I want to thank my parents and my Coach Raymond Daw for all the hard work he has put in with me.” Matthew Gordon (3000m U-17 boys’ Gold) entered the 1500m as the favourite but he recounted that he was tripped during the race but he could’ve only come back to finish 5th in that event. However, the Bushlot Secondary
Banks DIH line up with ‘Green Machine’ for RAN South Zone Final - Weather dampens crucial home match
Matthew Gordon under-17 3000m Gold Medalist (Berbice) student made sure that he came out of the pack in the 3000m to the get the win. Gordon, who is motivated by the support of his parents and his village, posited that, “I am proud to make my country proud and I am excited to see everyone’s reaction at home.” The other Gold medalists in Claudrice McKoy and Chantoba Bright returned to the United States where they are in College. Head Coach of the team Julian Edmonds commented: “Yeah it is a record medal haul but it doesn’t tell the full story. I am so proud of these kids. We finished fourth among the Caribbean countries. Trinidad finished just
Anisha Gibbons (right) and her mom Linda Johnny. above just with 5 Gold and this is a team that is funded heavily by their government and by Puma Sportswear. If we can get a fraction of that support, our athletes can unlock world class levels.” Ronessa Hinds, mother of Princess Browne leaped to Bronze in the girls’ Under-17 triple jump, revealed that, “I have been behind my daughter ever since I recognised her talent in
nursery school. I am extremely proud of her and I was confident that she would have medaled because she trains hard. Every single training session and every meet I am there to support her. She further explained that, “To all parents out there, Parental support is very important; you will get the best (performance) out of your child.”
Guyana Carifta Games Medal Breakdown Name Medal Race Claudrice McKoy Gold Women’s U-20 1500 meters Bronze 3000 meters Open Chantoba Bright Gold Women’s U-0 Long Jump Silver U-20 Triple Jump Anisha Gibbons Gold Girls’ U-17 Javelin Matthew Gordon Gold Boys’ U-17 3000 meters Joanna Archer Silver Women’s U-20 800 meters Audriel Austin Bronze Girls’ U-17 800 meters Shaquka Tyrell Bronze Girls’ U-17 1500 meters Princess Browne Bronze Girls’ U-17 Triple Jump
Once again, Banks DIH, through their Banks Beer brand have thrown support behind the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) for the ‘Green Machine’s crucial match against Guadeloupe for the Rugby Americas North (RAN) South Zone final which is schedule to scrum off at the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) ground, Carifesta Avenue and JB Singh, Highway. However, the recent rainfall may force the venue to be changed and as of yesterday evening, GRFU President Peter Green, related that the GDF venue was waterlogged. However, Green explained that there are alternate venues that can be used and in the event that there is a change, same will be communicated to fans with the help of the media. Panthers Rugby Club’s Jamal Angus has retained his position in the team as Captain but Coach Kenneth Grant Stuart, who was present at the handing over ceremony at Banks DIH’s Thirst Park, yesterday, noted that he is leaving the final squad announcement until tomorrow with three overseas players scheduled to arrive last evening. Angus noted that, “We have really settled down for a more structured and patterned play. In the past we played a more free flow, individual rugby that has proven to not work for us. I believe once we stick to our
pattern on Saturday (tomorrow) we will be victorious.” The game will be officiated by Referee Fernando Garcia Valdes of Mexico while Jason Brewer of Barbados is the Match Commissioner. Guyana will provide the Substitution Controllers and Assistant Referees. Should Guyana get a likely victory over Guadeloupe, making its debut appearance in the RAN Championship, the Green Machine will then host North Zone winners Bermuda next month for the RAN overall title. There will be no promotion or relegation after these matches since 2020 is expected to be the first qualifying round for Rugby World Cup 2023 and as such, only full members of World Rugby will be able to compete in 2020. The 27-member training squad includes the following players: Jason Tyrell, Rickford Cummings, Rondel ‘Bull’ McArthur, Jose Felicien, Kevon David, Richard Staglon, Jamal Angus, Vallon Adams, Ryan Gonsalves, Godfrey Brooms, Avery Corbin, Peabo Hamilton, Lancelot Adonis, Jamal Darrel, Joseph Rahaman, Cyon Kitt, Phabian Joseph, Kiefer Lopz, Selwyn Henry, Osie Mckenzie, Ronaldo Mayers, David Garrett, Ryan Dey, Glenroy Pool, Cloyd Prowell, Jamal Junior and Sean Philips. (Calvin Chapman)
Nadal shines in comfortable victory over Ferrer in Barcelona Barcelona (Reuters) Rafael Nadal gave a much improved performance to advance into the quarterfinals of the Barcelona Open yesterday, dispatching Spanish compatriot and crowd favorite David Ferrer 63 6-3. Nadal will meet JanLennard Struff in the last eight after the German claimed his second big scalp of the week by overcoming last year’s finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas 64 3-6 6-2 after knocking out 10th seed David Goffin the day before. Japan’s Kei Nishikori eased into the last eight with a 6-1 6-3 victory over Felix Auger Aliassime and will play the only other remaining Spaniard in the tournament Roberto Carballes Baena who
saw off Chilean Christian Garin in straight sets. World number two and 11times Barcelona champion Nadal had produced a scrappy display against Leonardo Mayer on Wednesday, losing a set for the first time in four years at the tournament, but he showed more spark and composure against Ferrer. Nadal broke the 37-yearold Ferrer, who will retire from the game next month after the Madrid Open, in the sixth game to take a 4-2 lead in the opener but play was halted due to rain with the score at 5-3. Nadal promptly saw out the set when play resumed and broke Ferrer in the first game of the second but then lost a service game, which made it 2-2. The Mallorcan
broke again and then took a 5-3 lead, spurning three match points due to two marginal calls which left him visibly annoyed with the line judge. Nadal finally closed the match out at the fourth opportunity as Ferrer could only find the net. TRIBUTES FOR FERRER - Nadal led fans in applauding Ferrer as the defeat signaled his last appearance at the Barcelona Open. “Losing to Rafa makes me proud, I’m happy with the game as I did what I could, I gave everything I had but I tip my hat to Rafa,” Ferrer said. “It was difficult, I started well but the court was slower when the rain started coming down, that damaged me but I still played a competitive
game.” Nadal paid tribute to Ferrer, who he beat in the 2013 French Open final, and was pleased with his own display. “It’s his decision but on a tennis level he doesn’t have to retire, he’s struggled with injuries but he is playing very well this year. After all his years fighting and giving us all joy he deserves the reception he got,” Nadal said. “I had to improve on yesterday, not just the result but overall. This was important for David but for me it was important to do better and play with more energy than yesterday I did that so I can go back to my hotel feeling much happier.” Chilean Nicolas Jarry, who beat highly-fancied world number three Alexander
Rafael Nadal Zverev already this week, claimed another high-profile victory by beating Grigor Dimitrov 2-6 6-4 7-6(2). Jarry will face Daniil Medvedev of Russia while
third seed Dominic Thiem will play against Argentine Guido Pella after the Austrian enjoyed a comfortable straight-sets win over Spaniard Jaume Munar.
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Jamaica to Host the 2019 Flow Concacaf Caribbean Club Championship Miami – The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf) announced that Jamaica will host the 2019 Flow Concacaf Caribbean Club Championship. The competition for professional Caribbean clubs is scheduled to take place May 12-19, 2019, at the Stadium East, in Kingston, Jamaica. Together with the recently completed 2019 Caribbean Club Shield, the 2019 Flow Concacaf Caribbean Club Championship serves as the qualifying tournament for the 2019 Scotiabank Concacaf League and 2020 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League, opening the door for wider participation of Caribbean clubs in Confederation championships. “The 2019 edition of our Flow Concacaf Caribbean Club Championship will continue raising the
Friday April 26, 2019
Kaieteur News
competitive level of our Expanded Club Competitions Platform,” said Concacaf General Secretary Philippe Moggio. “Along with the Caribbean Shield and ongoing club licensing efforts in the Caribbean, this competition provides fully professionalized leagues with clear pathways to the top levels of Concacaf international tournaments.” “This is our second year as headline sponsor of the Flow Concacaf Caribbean Club Championship and we are pleased to continue to support the development of Caribbean club football,” said Michael Look Tong, CWC Director, Entertainment Networks & Media Ops. “We are also happy to broadcast this tournament live across the region on our FLOW Sports network, enabling viewers to share in the exciting moments as we showcase our top Caribbean football talent.” The participating clubs
for the 2019 Flow Concacaf Caribbean Club Championship are (in alphabetical order by Association) AS Capoise (HAI), Real Hope FA (HAI), Portmore United FC (JAM) and Waterhouse FC (JAM). The winner of the 2019 Flow Concacaf Caribbean Club Championship will qualify directly to the 2020 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League, while the runner-up and third place finishers will qualify for the 2019 Scotiabank Concacaf League. The fourth-place finisher will face S.V. Robinhood (SUR), winner of the 2019 Caribbean Club Shield, in a playoff match to determine the third club that will represent the Caribbean in the 2019 Scotiabank Concacaf League. Clubs competing at the 2019 Flow Concacaf Caribbean Club Championship: AS Capoise (HAI), Real Hope FA (HAI), Portmore United FC (JAM) and Waterhouse FC (JAM).
Osaka breezes past Hsieh to reach Stuttgart last eight Berlin (Reuters) - World number one Naomi Osaka made a winning start to her claycourt season by beating Taiwan’s Hsieh Suwei 6-4 6-3 yesterday to move into the quarterfinals of the Porsche Te n n i s G r a n d P r i x i n Stuttgart. The twice grand slam champion, who has yet to win a title on clay, found little resistance as she avenged her defeat to Hsieh in Miami last month. “If there is one positive thing I can say about myself, it’s that I learn quickly,” Osaka said. “So, for me it has been fun because I like to apply what I did wrong in the past, and I think that is what I was able to do today.” A break was enough for Osaka to win the first set as she looked somewhat uncomfortable on Stuttgart’s quick indoor clay, designed to be similar to next month’s French Open courts.
Naomi Osaka There was nothing wrong with her serve, however, as she fired seven aces during the contest. After going 2-0 up in the second set, Osaka grew in confidence and broke again to seal her first win on clay this season on her first match point. Victory also meant she
will hold on to her world number one ranking after this week. Osaka will next face Croatia’s Donna Vekic who beat Daria Kasatkina 6-1 7-5. Wo r l d n u m b e r f i v e Angelique Kerber had little trouble in the all-German battle against wild card (Continued on page 32)
Kaieteur News
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CPL bowls off on September 4, final for Brian Lara Stadium on Oct. 12 - Female exhibition game on the cards By Zaheer Mohamed Chief Operations Officer (COO) of Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL), Pete Russell indicated that the schedule for this year’s tournament has been pushed back because of the Indian tour here and will commence on September 4 in Trinidad and Tobago while the final will be played at the Brian Lara Stadium on October 12. Speaking at a press conference held yesterday at the Guyana Marriott, where he briefed the media about a few developments within the CPL, Russell stated that the reason for the re-schedule is because they want the best talent in the Caribbean to be playing in the league. “We have got all the stars back which is great and a clean window and we are very excited about that, he noted. Russell said the other
big development is they work very close with Cricket West Indies (CWI), whereby each franchise team will have to automatically select two players from their development squad to be part of the team. “What this means is that, it allows us to keep progression of young talent coming through as you would have seen in Guyana more than anywhere else with the likes of Shimron Hetmyer and Sherfane Rutherford. Our intention is to get more West Indian cricketers into CPL and one of those players would have to be in the starting eleven. So the onus is on the teams to make sure they select the best talent.” He feels that the change in the time schedule will not hamper the attendance at the games. “CPL is very much in
the hearts and minds of the people around the region and the product is strong enough now so people can come and watch any day of the week.” “The great thing about CPL is that you don’t have to go sell it; people want to come to the Caribbean and watch cricket and it’s a very easy place for these superstars to come because they don’t get hassle all the time as compared to some other parts of the world like India.” Russell stated that International leagues around the world are too long whereas CPL lasted for just over five weeks and a double header on weekends which is what players want and also what fans prefer. He informed that no games will be played in Florida this season. “Florida definitely will be on the
Assuria General Insurance Inaugural Golf tournament tee off tomorrow
agenda going forward, it wasn’t so successful there last year and the obvious chance is if you don’t have Tr i n i d a d a n d G u y a n a playing there it’s very difficult to get a crowd.” Russell pointed out that International players have been reduced from five (5) to four (4) in a side, stating that CPL is a Caribbean product and should be encouraged throughout the region, however franchises can purchase up to five (5) international players as compared to six (6) that was allowed last year. When quizzed about s t a g i n g a w o m e n ’s tournament, he said, “that will be a massive undertaking and we need to make women part of CPL and as such a women’s exhibition game is carded prior to the final. We will be meeting with CEO of CWI on Monday in Barbados and
T
he long anticipated Assuria General I n s u r a n c e Companies Golf tournament will be contested tomorrow at the Lusignan Golf Course which is finally getting some desperately needed rain, it is expected to be in fine condition with soft greens. Scoring is expected to be extremely low as the course will favor accuracy. At the insurance giant’s headquarters, General Manager Yogindra Arjune along with several staff members were on hand to present the sponsorship
cheque. Staff members will also be at the LGC tomorrow to interact with spectators and players to provide information and answer any questions about insurance needs. The tournament will feature three categories - 09; 10-19 and 21-28 along with prizes for the Best Gross, Best Net, Longest Drive and Nearest to the Pin (to be held at conclusion of the tournament). Lots of prizes will be given in addition to trophies, the starting time for the tournament is 12:30hrs
while the fun activities commence at 15:00hrs. Assuria General Insurance commenced operations in Guyana in 2012 and has quickly grown to be a dominant player in the industry, with offices in B e r b i c e , G e o rg e t o w n , Diamond and Linden. For more information on how you can become a member of the Lusignan Golf Club, get free lessons, or simply play a round of golf, persons can call 220 5660 or 645 0944 or visit the Facebook page lusignangolfclub.
that’s the time for us to understand the agenda of the new administration as we want to work closer with them to develop the game in the region,” he added. There are more West Indies players in IPL this year than any other country and Russell stated that the reason IPL wants to pick them up is because they are the most exciting T20 players around the world, adding that they have a great
product and the younger players are inspired. The CPL draft will be held on May 22 at the Gfinity eSports Arena in Fulham Broadway, London. The event will be live streamed and will be hosted by Alex Jordan along with former international cricketers, Mark Butcher and Daren Ganga. Guyana is expected to host seven matches with its first on September 5.
Archery Guyana will be represented at the 2019 Caribbean Beginners and Developmental Championships in Santo Domingo
A
Assuria General Insurance Companies General Manager Yogindra Arjune in the company of staff members as the cheque is being handed over to LGC President, Alim Hissain.
CPL Chief Operations Officer Pete Russell speaking at the press conference held yesterday.
rchery Guyana has announced that it would be represented at the III Caribbean Beginners and Developmental Championships to be held in Santo Domingo from June 28-30, 2019 by 2018 Outdoor Archery Champion, Mr. Robert Singh. World Archery Americas and the Archery Federation of the Dominican Republic invited beginners and developmental archers of the Americas to compete at the III Caribbean Beginners and D e v e l o p m e n t a l Championships. Participation is not restricted to archers from the Caribbean; competitors from the entire North, Central and South Americas will be competing for the Honour of the best Beginner and Most Developed Archer in the Americas for 2019. In the first and second years of this event, it was restricted to real beginners. For 2019, the organisers have added a second category, ‘Developmental’, which is a more advanced completion with a higher gradient of difficulty where participants will shoot at 50 meters (recurve at 122 cm faces, compound at 80 cm faces 5-10 scoring zones).
This new category does not include special limitations regarding equipment. In addition,
Archers in this category may not have represented their countries at any World Ranking Events before.
2018 Outdoor Archery Competition Winner, Mr. Robert Singh. Mr. Sean Duncan.
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Friday April 26, 2019
NA Mayor Winifred Haywood 2nd MYO Inter Jamaat 15-over softball Annual cycle Road Race set for Sunday concludes tomorrow at DCC T h e M u s l i m Yo u t h Organisation (MYO), InterJamaat 15-overs Softball Cricket competition is set to conclude tomorrow night at the Demerara Cricket Club ground. An exciting afternoon of cricket is anticipated as some of the leading softball players will be in action. MYO, Diamond New Scheme, New Amsterdam and Tuschen Train Station Masjid have secured their places in the final four. MYO is touted as strong favourites. They possess a balanced team which includes Saheed Gittens, Javid Kayum, Richard Latiff, Safraz Esau,Timor Mohamed, Shafeek Ishmael and Majeed Khan. Diamond New Scheme Jamaat is a strong team with some seasoned players. A no-nonsense top order that can be destructive on any given day, with the likes of Rawl Reid, Ameer Khan, Patrick Khan and Rickey Sargeant.
Richard Latif
Patrick Khan
From the Ancient County of Berbice, New Amsterdam has created quite a stir in the preliminary stages of the competition and will be looking to go all the way. The side includes Keion De Jesus who has the tournament’s highest score of 122 against LBI and Wahab Riaz who took the best bowling figures of 7-16 in the same game. New comers Tuschen Train Station Masjid are considered the underdogs, but they are good enough to create an upset with the likes
of Anthony Kandar, Harry Singh, Daniel Chunoo and Timothy Persaud in their team. The semi-finals which are schedule to start at 14:30hrs and will be played simultaneously with MYO facing New Amsterdam Masjid and Diamond New Scheme battling Tuschen Train Station Masjid. The third place game, a 10-over affair will be played following the semifinals while the final will commence at 18:30hrs.
GBA moving apace with preparation Cuban Coach Roldan for International Cards -submits detailed plan The Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) is moving apace with its preparations for International Cards and 51year-old Cuban Boxing Coach Francisco Hernandez Roldan, is playing an integral role in how Guyanese Boxers perform on the International stage. Roland, in his second stint here, is responsible for overseeing Boxers that represented Guyana at the Commonwealth Games, World Championships, South American Youth Games, Pan Am Qualifiers and the Goodwill tournament that was hosted here. Last Sunday evening’s U16 and Juniors Boxing Championships at the National Gymnasium was used to prepare the young pugilists for Caribbean Schoolboys & Junior Championships set for Guyana from August 16-18. President of GBA Steven
Francisco Roldan Ninvalle explained that the Championships are very important for Guyana’s preparation for the Caribbean Championships. The competition in this year’s Caribbean School Boys & Juniors’ tournament is expected to be fierce since the Dominican Republic and Porto Rico who, along with Cuba, are considered the power houses in Latin America Amateur Boxing, have been invited to match gloves with their other Caribbean counterparts. “Yes, I think it served its
purpose since it’s just a start, it’s a series of events that we have encompassing the preparations for the International tournament. I have only just received a detailed plan from the Cuban Coach which I have shared with all the Coaches we h a v e . We w i l l m a k e additions or deletions and then put it into practice” informed Ninvalle. Inviting Porto Rico and the Dominican Republic should aid in the development since they should provide tougher opposition for the Guyanese pugilists who usually dominate the English speaking Caribbean. The next National Schoolboys/Juniors is set for May 8 while he Andrew ‘Six heads’ Lewis National Novices Championship which is scheduled for the last Friday, Saturday and Sunday in May. (Sean Devers)
D’ Andrade wins Mountain View race in T&T Guyanese Athlete Lionel D’ Andrade has continued to shine in Trinidad and Tobago, his latest win came in the Mountain View race on Monday last. He clocked 30 minutes 52 seconds to win the 5.2 mile race ahead of Brent Leben of T&T (30:58) and Omesh
Persaud also of the twin Island Republic who clocked 31:14. D’ Andrade also won the Divine Movement 5k on Saturday and a 10k walk race on Sunday. His next assignment is on Saturday.
Her Worship, Mayor Winifred Haywood presents the winning Mayor’s trophy to Randolph Roberts, Organiser.
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he Flying Ace Cycle Club (FACC) of Berbice will this Sunday stage the 2nd annual 10 lap Cycle event around the Town of New Amsterdam in honour of Mayor Winifred Haywood. This is the third year that the race would be held but the 2nd in honour of Mayor Haywood. A retired headmistress, former President of The Guyana Teachers Union and a Pastor, Mayor Haywood’s race would be for FACC cyclists only and is expected to pedal off from the Rainbow Bar and Beer Garden, Republic Road proceed north and turn west into Vryheid Street then South into Main Road, left into Philadelphia Street another left onto Republic Road. That sequence will be completed 10 times
before concluding at its point of origin, Rainbow Bar. The presentation ceremony will be held immediately after the completion of the event. The winner will collect the Mayor’s lien Trophy. The riders are expected to be sent on their way by Mayor Haywood at 13:00hrs. The Mayor, Councilors and staff of the Council are expected to be in attendance to assist with the presentation of trophies and prizes which would be awarded to the first five finishers, the top veteran and the first three juveniles. There will also be eight prime point prizes up for grabs. A number of sponsors from Berbice have come together to make the event possible.
Overseas based Guyanese Brian Ramphal boosts Berbice cricket by $500,000 Last year when the Hilbert Foster led administration took over the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB), it did so with just $42 000.00 in the Bank. Desperate to raise funds, Foster contacted former BCB Secretary Oscar Ramjeet to lobby overseas based Guyanese for assistance. One of the first to respond was Brian Ramphal, a Te x a s b a s e d Te c h Businessman. Ramphal supported the BCB with a whopping $1M (US$5 000). The funds enabled the Berbice Cricket Board to host its Annual Award C e r e m o n y, C o a c h i n g Clinics, First Division Double Wicket Competition, Educational Posters, among others. Over the last fourteen months, the proactive BCB has raised over $15M in cash and kind to not only host over 40 cricket tournaments but to transform the fortune of Berbice cricket. Ramphal, based on a comprehensive Marketing Proposal from the Marketing Committee of the
Brian Ramphal Board, on Tuesday last handed over USD$2,500 as his sponsorship for 2019. The half million Guyanese dollars contribution would be used to host the 2019 Awards C e r e m o n y, a S o c i a l Development Seminar for young players and a 100 Balls tournament in the New Amsterdam/Canje SubAssociation. Foster hailed the continued contribution of Ramphal, whom he described as a true friend of Berbice cricket. He stated that the BCB was grateful to
Ramphal and other overseas donors like Dr. Puran Singh and Dr. Tulsie Dyal Singh. Their assistance, Foster informed has assisted the sport to move from a period of stagnation into a very progressive path of development. The BCB in 2019 has already launched 15 tournaments in just four months with another six to be unveiled in a few weeks. The BCB is aiming to host over 30 tournaments at the different levels. Additionally the Board would be hosting several developmental programmes while clubs across Berbice would receive assistance with cricket gear, balls, scorebooks, water pitchers and shirts. Ramphal stated that he was delighted to be associated with Berbice cricket and was confident that his investment was used for the intended purpose. He disclosed that he was very impressed by the hard work and vision of the BCB leadership during his visit to Berbice late last year. He (Continued on page 32)
Kaieteur News
Friday April 26, 2019
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Pele FC Alumni Corp. 3rd Annual Youth Development Programme
A total of 117 youths more empowered following three days of positive exposure
Showing off their backpacks, participatory certificates and $3000 gift vouchers in the presence of Pele Alumni Directors following the conclusion of the 3rd annual youth development programme yesterday on the lawns of St. Joseph’s High School. Under their theme, ‘All For One, One For All’ and their four pillars of Education, Discipline, Respect and Teamwork, the Pele FC Alumni Third Annual Youth Development Programme concluded yesterday at the St. Joseph’s High School, successfully. One hundred and seven students, drawn from school and football clubs as well as non football clubs were exposed to three days of interactive sessions apart from a tour to Banks DIH Thirst Park operations on Wednesday afternoon. Directors of Pele Alumni, Patrick ‘Labba’ Barton and Dennis Ivor Carrington both expressed satisfaction at the level of engagement exhibited by the youths and their eagerness to learn and to relentlessly engage the various presenters through questions. They stated that the three-days went by so quickly but they were more than delighted to once again be able to provide this level of exposure for the young people; many of whom are
Part of the group on tour at Banks DIH, Thirst Park on Wednesday afternoon. future leaders. Both Barton and Carrington also noted that they were pleased with the standard of excellence achieved by the participants as well as the growing level of parental engagement and involvement. During eth programme, a total of six laptop computers were awarded to deserving children; a total of 32 prizes w e r e p r e s e n t e d spontaneously whilst the six recipients of laptop computers all received vouchers that would allow them to attend computer classes at computer world. Each participant also
received one branded polo shirt with the Pele emblem and a Pele pin; health band; one back pack each containing 42 items inclusive of school supplies and calculator. They also each received a certificate of participation and a voucher valued at $3000 each to shop at Giftland. Transportation was also provided daily to assist the kids to get home safely. A special presentation on Health and Wellness was facilitated by the Guyana Amateur Power Lifting Federation (GAPLF) on Wednesday morning which saw national champions
engaging in demonstrating the three lifts associated with the sport. GAPLF Executive and Coach Martin Webster lectured on the importance of engaging in healthy lifestyles after which a very interactive session ensured, culminating in the participants being able to try the three lifts; also assisting was Mr. David Gomes, GAPLF Executive Member. Among the national champions that participated were the World Championship bound Carlos Petterson, Junica Pluck and Nadina Taharally. The three-day session
concluded yesterday with Principal/Head Mistress of Carnegie School of Home Economics Ms. Myrna Lee doing a session on Social Etiquette which was preceded by Mr. Ed Caesar’s presentation on Conflict Resolution. Caesar is also President of the GAPLF. Yesterday’s lunch was catered for by Carnegie School of Home Economics where the participants were able to practice what they were taught by Ms. Lee in terms of good table manners and the associated qualities of eating with the relevant cutlery. On Wednesday, the
Camex Group catered a healthy lunch for the participants in keeping with the topic, Health and We l l n e s s . M s . D a w n Brathwaite, Director of Training at Camex Restaurants was on hand to explain the need to eat healthy. She was also one of the presenters on day one when she dealt with Leadership Development. The tour to Banks DIH saw the children take on guided tour of the soft drinks plant by Communications Manager Troy Peters who also shared the history of the company with the attentive students.
Annual Corona Fustal Tournament set to start May 4 By Sean Devers taged by the Petra Organisation, the fourth annual Corona Fustal Tournament, set to commence on May 4, should attract 24 Community based and Club teams and will be held at the National Gymnasium. At a Press briefing yesterday at the Office of Top Brandz Distributors, Broad S t r e e t , t h e o rg a n i s e r s updated the Media on this y e a r ’s c o m p e t i t i o n disclosing that several club teams, including Camptown, Pele and Beacons, will compete with Ward teams for the $500,000 first prize while the runners-up receives $ 250,000.
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The third place finisher takes home $125,000 with the fourth placed team getting $75,000. Troy Mendonca, Director of Petra Organisation, provided information about the fiveweek tournament which will see prizes of $30,000, $20,000, $15,000 and $10,000 respectively, in the Group stages for teams finishing first, second, third and fourth. Also present yesterday were PRO Sean Embrack, Mark Alleyne from Petra Organisation and Colin Stuart, Brand Manager of Top Brandz Distributors. Stuart said Top Brandz was (Continued on page 32)
- Club teams added to this year’s tournament
From left, Sean Embrack (PRO), Troy Mendonca (Co-Director Petra), Colin Stuart (Brand Manager Top Brandz) and Mark Alleyne (Petra) at the Launch.
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Banks DIH line up with ‘Green Machine’ for RAN South Zone Final
- Weather dampens crucial home match
From left, Jamal Angus, Brian Nedd (Banks Beer Manager) Peter Green (GRFU President), Troy Peters (Banks Communications Manager) Gavin Deodan of Banks DIH and Richard Staglon of the Green Machine, pose for a photo at the handing over yesterday.
AAG Carifta Team returns home
The 18-member local contingent and officials pose for photo at the CJIA Timehri on Wednesday evening. 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.