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AIETEUR

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August 01, 2019 - Vol. 12 No. 31

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Out of 8,600 Haitians,

only 13 left Guyana legally - Guyana is being used as stepping stone - Minister Felix Arrivals Departures

Jan.

Feb.

952 2

673 3

CJIA procures 75 baggage carts @ $86,600 each

March 345 1

April 1321 4

May 2010 1

June

July

1749 1

1552 1

PPP stages more protests for elections

GAWU denies not filing annual returns SOCU reports No court can extend Be polite, do not hard-drive for three-month deadline attack GECOM $5M computer missing - Opposition Leader enumerators - Jagdeo

New GECOM Chair holds separate meetings with Commissioners - Discussions of house- to- house registration, elections top agenda

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Kaieteur News

Thursday August 01, 2019

Kaieteur News

Thursday August 01, 2019

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Out of 8,600 Haitians, only 13 left

Guyana legally

- Guyana is being used as stepping stone - Minister Felix

Minister Winston Felix

T

here are more details coming out now with regards to how Guyana has been dealing with the arrivals of foreign nationals.

In the case of the Haitians, from January to July, more than 8,600 of them arrived.

Shockingly, there is little evidence of where they went.

In fact, between that seven-month period, only 13 of them left Guyana, according to departure figures seen by Kaieteur News.

Those startling figures would come one day after reports of a huge ring involved to bring in nationals of that country into Guyana. The Haitians, on average of about 50 of them daily, have been arriving here via Copa Airlines, a Panamanian-registered service which flies also to Haiti.

There are little indications of what the situation is...human smuggling, trafficking or something else.

Minister with Responsibilities for Citizenship, Winston Felix,

Join Kaieteur Radio from 13:0015:00 for a special Emancipation programme: From Africa to you. Kaieteur Radio 99.1FM in Georgetown and Essequibo and 99.5FM In Berbice.

A Haitian leading the travellers to the minibuses. was clear this week about what is happening. Guyana is being used as a stepping stone by the Haitians for greener pastures.

He also said that the situation was being blown out of proportion by the Opposition which is targeting Haitians unfairly.

“Haitians arriving in Guyana is always blown out of proportion by certain elements in the political Opposition.

“In so far as the offence of trafficking in persons is concerned, the APNU/AFC Coalition Government is concerned--that offence is treated with intolerance and anyone found committing it and any suspicion of its occurrence will be investigated with a view to prosecuting those found culpable regardless of their nationality.”

Felix, a former Commissioner of Police, was critical about what he described as the readiness of the Opposition to target Haitians arriving in Guyana. “…And consequently they seek to mislead the

public with broad and generally false allegations that seek to tarnish the good name of the Department of Citizenship. However, they have never been able to unearth one iota of evidence to support their spurious allegations. I suspect that this is another of their acts.”

From all indications, the Haitians don't require visas and would arrive here on return tickets.

The Opposition has been insisting that from all indications it is likely there is human smuggling involved and also levels of collusion involved in registering voters using the Haitians.

However, Minister Felix was clear about Government's position.

“Let me reiterate Government's firm and settled position on CARICOM nationals arriving In Guyana. Apart from our laws which would restrict entry of anyone to Guyana, all CARICOM nationals arriving in Guyana are granted six months to remain in the country, with the possibility of extension.

A minibus filled with the nationals leaving the CJIA parking lot on Tuesday.

A number of Haitians waiting to be taken away on Tuesday.

“I am checking on the veracity of the statement that three busloads of Haitians have arrived in Guyana.”

According to the ministry, his enquiry has suggested that Haitians arrived in this country regularly.

“We have found that their intention is to get to relatives

in Suriname, Cayenne, (continued on page 17)

Kaieteur News

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Thursday August 01, 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

Emancipation at a glance

E

mancipation!

There is a certain soaring expansiveness to the mere thought, a reaching for the meaning and holding close of that word, a cherishing of all that it holds and promises. Man was made to be as free as the wind, as unshackled as a storm in a crashing symphony of dauntless human spirit, human will, human potential.

It came not quite two centuries ago for a people long stripped and punished with knee and face pressed into stone of the ground. It was the cruelest of times. And yet, by the work of Providence slowly making its way through the hearts and voices of insistent men, there came a rising and emancipating with the rich wholesomeness that ever so often comes to characterize the handiwork of man in his dealings with his fellow man.

Nothing can undo that terrible legacy, except for one thing, one conviction: that that fate must not be repeated in any shape or degree in any place in any manner. It can be a struggle, despite the best of intentions, the noblest of visions.

For today, this country—long numbed, enduringly frozen, perpetually torn and troubled—gropes to emancipate itself. From a history that would not let go.

From all of the crippling memories that refuse to fade into blessed blankness.

From the gritty austerity of bigotry, and all the related mindless insensibilities that flourish and whip a whole nation into a shadow of what it could be, should be.

From the fetters of foul, tormenting fields of long ago that cannot be forgotten, there is today the rare opportunity to forge fortunes out of nothing that was sown or deserving.

It is a bounty for which many nations thirst, but remain parched.

It is there off the shores of Guyana; there waiting to be touched and tasted in the black liquid gold now resting under the waters of this land of many waters, and many peoples. All can win, only some will. That is, unless there is the clarity of sight, the liberty of mind to discard the social traumas of all the self-defeating yesterdays, and encircle the coming dawn with the widest of embraces, linking a nation in sharing, in prospering.

Today, it has to be honestly and fearlessly recognized and admitted that, the coming dawn of a new day that promises so much freedom is ominously cloudy: among countrymen, among brethren all.

There is already a frenzied gathering of swarming sharks committed to attacking, blocking, battering aside, and locking out those perceived to not belong, not deserving.

The rich emancipation in store is trapping and laying low the many citizens who should be united in harnessing this grand moment of release from the drudgeries of unrewarding labors, from the hobbling limitations of what was desired to happen, but did not because of circumstances.

The call on this day of freedom is: Free self. Free from the lures and lashes of the latest master, who reigns supreme on plantation oil.

Emancipate from who built and who should inherit.

Emancipate from who has capitalized; from who wasted and who is usurper. Emancipation is not lived by turning back the clock; but only by turning a new page.

The pages of the history of this country contain enough hard, overwhelming feelings to bury alive forever, to enslave eternally. As a new page is turned, let a whole new book of ideas and visions percolate and take root.

All Guyanese are in desperate need of emancipation.

All citizens, regardless of origins and longevity, have to reflect on what the many negatives have delivered. Only then, will understanding come that starting over is the only option. Emancipate self. Start today.

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.

Government must address privacy concerns in its countrywide camera surveillance system DEAR EDITOR, No doubt, the use of technology can radically improve public security.

The launch last week by the government of the Smart City surveillance cameras system in Georgetown is, therefore, a progressive step.

The system can indeed help with crime fighting by recognizing and tracing criminal suspects and vehicles and by deterring unlawful behaviour.

Government surveillance of citizens, however, even if well-intentioned, raises serious privacy concerns.

These concerns take on added significance where the surveillance is continuous, ubiquitous, and backed up by technology to crossreference and store data.

Indeed, we are told that the project in Georgetown (even as a pilot) involves 104 mounted poles with four cameras each, that the system includes facerecognition technology, and that the project will be unveiled countrywide.

Potentially, therefore, the surveillance system over time can, through the storage, cross-referencing, and aggregation of data,

create a detailed record of a person’s life.

Modern surveillance technology can, to borrow the words of a 2012 US Supreme Court case (in relation to GPS tracking of vehicles by police), reveal not only one’s particular movements, but also one’s “familial, political, professional, religious, and sexual associations.”

From a legal standpoint, when persons venture out in the open (say, in going to work) and are therefore viewable by other citizens, they can claim no legitimate expectation of privacy.

Such persons cannot successfully make the legal case that others have invaded their privacy by watching or staring at them (or at their bags, necklaces, cellphones, or body shapes).

This low expectation of privacy in our physical locations and movements makes police surveillance of us generally defensible. We accept it.

Modern technology has, however, overturned this established agreement.

For it has transformed and boosted the capacity of the government to

potentially erode our privacy and other rights.

For one, technology can make surveillance far more sweeping (that is, continuous and ubiquitous). So, while we may not mind if random persons could observe us intermittently when in public, we become uneasy or fearful should a particular person gaze at us all the time and everywhere we go.

Second, the capability of the technology to crossreference data on any individual (via cameras across the country) introduces another means to erode privacy, that of aggregation of that data.

To explain: less is known of us if our numerous traffic tickets over the years are scattered and unconnected in logbooks in police stations across the country. We are far more exposed, however, if that traffic data could be readily aggregated in one computer printout.

Likewise, a high-tech public surveillance system, such as that envisaged under the Smart City program, is capable of stitching together pieces of our life from when we were in Linden, NA, and GT, or in banks, bars, and

brothels. Data aggregation makes us more vulnerable.

I did not see these and other issues raised by the speakers at the launch.

They were all correct, however, in touting the necessity and potential effectiveness of the system.

How then should government surveillance of the public strike a balance between respecting the privacy of law-abiding citizens and fighting crime?

The government must first conduct a Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) of the project.

Key questions to answer in a PIA are: (1) What are the implicated laws and human rights principles? (2) If the system is meant to track criminal suspects, who is a criminal suspect in Guyana?

Too much potential for police abuse exists here. (3) Apart from fighting serious crimes, what are the other clear purposes of data collection?

Do these extend to detecting traffic violations and misdemeanors, such as littering? (4) Who should have access to the data? (5) What are the security (Continued on page 6)

Ret’d Justice Singh now controls the pendulum DEAR EDITOR, After months of hiatus, uncertainty, political fencing and judicial drama, we all can breathe sighs of relief as the way is now clearer for the inevitable premature General and Regional Elections to be held in Guyana.

The recent consensual appointment of a new GECOM Chairperson has

made this possible.

Retired Justice Claudette Singh, the newly appointed GECOM Chairperson, now enjoys the nation’s full confidence in her ability to e ff i c i e n t l y f u l f i l l t h i s unenviable mandate.

Justice Singh has been fondly referred to as the “Iron Lady”, an alias derived from her tenacious jurisprudence over the years.

Is this just another elaborate election gimmick?

DEAR EDITOR, Good Hope Phase Three has finally gotten roads, after pleading for help for over four years.

Only certain sections have been paved, all the cross streets are still in a disgraceful state, and the contractor said that they are not contracted to do anything to these roads.

Editor, I am wondering why this administration would spend our tax dollars so carelessly, is it that some areas are not a priority or we are second class citizens?

I would like the Minister of Communities and his team to come and visit this scheme and see what is happening. It boggles the mind that the people that you put in authority cannot comprehend the basic understanding of fundamental rights of their citizens and pass hundreds of potholes, while only paving certain section of the roads.

Like the previous PPP Government, I am left to believe that this is just an elaborate election gimmick.

Thanks, Naddia Bacchus

With her new hat, at the helm of GECOM, a more befitting epithet would be the “Pendulum Lady”, for she must ensure that Guyana’s clock ticks symmetrically.

My privileged encounters with Justice Singh, on at least three occasions, were in the line of duty. Justice Singh left an indelible impression with me, primarily through her unassuming articulation and legal insight.

As Justice Singh adjusts in the oncoming days to her

new, critical, and demanding portfolio, best wishes are extended to her.

May God grant her the requisite wisdom in determining how the pendulum swings; determinations with consequences similar to those that LEFT the Biblical Pharaoh’s army drowning in the Red Sea and led the children of Israel RIGHT into the chartreuse promised land.

Yours faithfully, Orette Cutting

Heavy duty trucks destroying main access road in Good Hope DEAR EDITOR, I use this opportunity to highlight a deplorable situation. A new school is being built in Good Hope, East Coast Demerara.

The contractor has heavy duty trucks that are trucking in loads of sand daily, in the process damaging the already deplorable main road to the village.

Editor, the village has a one-lane wooden bridge that hundreds of people use daily, and the roads were not built to sustain this number of heavy trucks. I am pleading for someone in authority who is overseeing this project to talk to the contractor urgently to repair the damage on the road and bridge.

Regards, Malissa Singh

Thursday August 01, 2019

GUYANESE MUST BENEFIT FROM THEIR OWN NATURAL RESOURCES AND NATIONAL PATRIMONY DEAR EDITOR, The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has noted, with concern, comments recently made by members of the government regarding local content legislation and foreign direct investment (FDI).

Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, recently made comments regarding the longawaited local content legislation, noting that while it is important, the Guyanese private sector, “should not make it the be-all and end-all.” Minister Jordan went on to say that companies that are coming to Guyana to invest and conduct business in the oil and gas sector are not waiting for local content and other legislation.

Contrary to the Minister’s statements, the GCCI remains adamant in its belief that local content legislation is important and necessary as it gives local companies a footing from which to engage with regional and international companies coming to Guyana to operate in the oil and gas sector.

While competition is encouraged, the importance of having the right framework in place to leverage and encourage local initiative must remain at the forefront.

Local content legislation functions primarily to protect and promote the development of indigenous companies by facilitating a level playing field.

Delays in the process of legislative enactment do not bode well for local firms and their ability to participate in the supply chain of the oil and gas sector.

Guyanese businesses are being told to ‘fight’ and be

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competitive while still waiting on legislation that, by design, should function to enable competitiveness in a disadvantaged environment. It is the role of government to strategically address obstacles that hinder private sector development including, but not limited to, access to financial capital and attaining technical expertise.

Local content policies are not only limited to regulating the number of locals employed by foreign companies, but more importantly, they provide a pathway to ensuring capacity development through the transfer of technology, skills transfer and training.

During a recent Guyana investment outreach to Trinidad, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo made reference to Guyana’s need for technical expertise in the oil and gas industry, noting that Trinidad is well positioned to lend assistance due to its history as an oil-producing nation.

While it is true that Trinidad has the capacity to assist Guyana, it is unreasonable to expect a skills and knowledge transfer to occur out of charitable means or through an organic process.

The only way to create a system for continuous knowledge transfers and improvements on both sides is to ensure that the appropriate legislative and policy framework is in place.

In keeping with the Prime Minister’s sentiments, investors and international companies should be able to operate in an efficient and costeffective manner through investment incentives. However, local content legislation

is also necessary to guard against shell companies that are registered in Guyana.

These are locally registered companies which barely own assets, perform services, and export profits.

Ultimately, the call for local content legislation is tantamount to a request to share the benefits of the oil and gas industry with the local population - Guyanese must benefit from their own natural resources and national patrimony.

Government must be mindful of its rhetoric regarding local content legislation and note that while indigenous Guyanese businesses are being forced to navigate an entirely new industry without policies and legislation in place to guide and protect them, foreigners are readily receiving benefits such as US Dollar accounts, tax holidays and tariff holidays.

The Chamber is calling on the government to provide incentives for local businesses to reinvest their funds, starting with a local content legislation.

The Chamber supports the promotion of foreign direct investment, and also, local reinvestment.

To this end, we look forward to working with the various government agencies and ministries to recommend policy and legislation that will help to achieve growth in both areas and earnestly anticipate the finalisation of the local content policy as a first step on the road to local content legislation.

Yours Sincerely, Nicholas Deygoo-Boyer President Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Ensuring a good life for the elderly should also cater for those who will have to provide care for them DEAR EDITOR, The story “Families continue to abandon elderly relatives at G/town Hospital” in KN 31 July, 2019 is another in a series of media articles which highlight the abuse and neglect of the elderly, most times by family members. The Guyana Chronicle of March 3, 2019 had a story “Abuse of the elderly a worry for healthcare professionals” which detailed the observations of health care professionals as they attended to elderly patients.

The trouble with these stories, is that they are not looking at the inability of many people in Guyana to look after the elderly. Guyana has an aging population, and, for many persons, the medical industry has managed to prolong life while not always ensuring quality of life, or in which the quality of life declines, and living is associ-

ated with intense suffering.

Guyana has recognised that many families cannot look after children, and has put systems in place for state intervention. There is legislation for child protection and the agencies offer some support for parents.

What is not talked about in Guyana, is that many people are struggling with looking after the elderly.

There are no geriatricians in Guyana. Houses and bathrooms have not been designed for easy access. There is no discussion about Alzheimer’s and Dementia, and what support is available for coping. Wheelchairs, walkers, commodes, transportation, quality support home care, redesigned accessible housing, are not easily available or are expensive.

Physiotherapists are in short supply. Not everyone has the emotional intelligence

to be a nurse.

While there are many saints who happily look after their elderly relatives and who have been blessed, there are many “sinners” who are overwhelmed, who are struggling with the financial problems, with the breakdown in social ties and family ties, as people do not want to be burdened with the problems of constipation and pain and diet and shouting and lack of communication, with the economic hardships and with their own inability to look after their own children. Who cares for the caregivers who are finding it hard?

The ‘abandonment’ at the hospital is the caregiver who cannot cope, trying to find respite and help. The solution is not to force or reintegrate elderly patients with caregivers who do not have the capacity or the means to (Continued on page 6)

Please advise us, Director of Sport and/or management of the National Racquet Centre DEAR EDITOR, Please permit space for me to ask a few questions of the Director of Sport and the management of the National Racquet Centre.

It is no secret that there’s a scarcity of public tennis courts in Guyana, despite pleas for years. Within recent months, the National Racquet Centre courts one of two public courts in Georgetown - have been used to host fetes.

When this venue is rented out, players, including my child who’s training for an

overseas tournament right now, are inconvenienced a great lot.

There are several venues around Georgetown which are more suitable for frolic.

There’s D’Urban Park, the Cultural Centre tarmac, the National Park tarmac and the list goes on.

When these events are held, players are put out of use of the venue for three days.

It takes the previous day to set up and the day after to dismantle.

Could the management of

the National Racquet Centre and Director of Sport, please advise us where the two hundred-plus players who train at this facility are expected to play. Please advise us who’s reimbursing parents for loss of revenue w h e n t h e s e d a y s a re missed and we still have to pay the month’s fees regardless. Please advise the underprivileged players who can’t afford private courts’ fees, where they are expected to train. We are humbly awaiting your advice.

S. Singh

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Thursday August 01, 2019

Justice Claudette Singh’s appointment brings a breath of fresh air DEAR EDITOR, The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) welcomes the consensual appointment of retired Justice Claudette Singh, S.C to the post as Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). After years of the position being held by a man, this is a plus for inclusion, gender equity, and another achievement for women in leadership roles in our society.

Justice Singh’s appointment comes at a very crucial time when we are rapidly losing the ability to come together as a united people bound by common interest to move Guyana forward; when forces stoke political and ethnic distrust, confidence in our judicial and government systems, constitutional offices, each other, and even rank and file workers who are placed at risk for their safety in the daily execution of their duty.

We are in a period where persons are being made afraid to trust where the lines between right and wrong, good and bad are becoming blurred and dependent on who is doing to, or saying what about whom.

Justice Claudette Singh is a breath of fresh air in a highly toxic environment. Her role at

GECOM is expected to enhance the confidence reposed in this Office.

We note that despite leaders of high repute and prominence, most of whom have given exemplary service, GECOM has had its share of controversy.

Despite these incidents, Guyana must have trust in this most significant constitutional office.

We must have people who must operate above the political fray. Let us not be naïve to the perception that persons don’t have a political horse in the race. What we want is notwithstanding the political horse in the race their integrity, professionalism and commitment to good stewardship of GECOM must see them operating at a level above partisanship.

They must recognise that they are entrusted in a position of power to steer the ship of Guyana and trust is important.

In this process it is not about who wins elections, but the small man must have the confidence that his/her vote counts in equal measure.

GTUC today places that trust and confidence in Justice Claudette Singh S.C. GTUC expects that having agreed on this person, both

sides - Government and Opposition - will give her the necessary cooperation.

There should be more positive engagement that will not result in walkouts, but will see both sides hammering out differences at the level of the commissioners. Any attempt to bully or usurp Justice Singh’s role and authority, to denigrate and vilify or unjustly seek to undermine her integrity and the office of GECOM will not be tolerated.

All parties concerned should be encouraged by her statement of commitment to a free, fair and transparent election.

These are critical to ensuring an election that is not only free and fair but free from fear and respecting the right of every eligible citizen to register, to uninhibitedly cast his/her vote in the correct district, and for all votes to be duly counted and accurately declared.

The integrity of the vote is not limited to what goes into the ballot box or what is counted from the ballot box, but the initial process of registration to the final process of declaration, as had been Guyana’s experience.

Now that the Chair has been duly appointed, GTUC calls on all politicians and

Ensuring a good life for the elderly ...

From page 5 care. The solution is not for the health care professionals who suspect abuse to send the patients back home to the risky environment without some kind of intervention.

The public health system and the social services are overwhelmed with many needs. It is time now, however, that when the health professionals and social workers

are checking on their elderly patients, they should also be checking and paying attention to the health and well-being of the caregivers.

Ensuring a good life for the elderly, also means ensuring a good life for those who will have to provide care for them.

Yours sincerely, Vidyaratha Kissoon

Government must address privacy...

From page 4 controls throughout the system? (6) What is the after-use data disposal schedule? (7) How would independent oversight be exercised?

In closing, I would also recommend Privacy Impact Assessments for several of the

country’s new legislation where personal information is collected, processed, and disseminated, such as our laws on anti-money laundering, tax evasion, and credit history.

Yours Faithfully Sherwood Lowe

those with vested interest in interfering in the operations of this institution to leave this constitutional body to function independent of their interference.

MATTERS OF GOVERNANCE STILL TO BE ADDRESSED GTUC calls on President David Granger and Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo to further engage and address the burning issues of day-to-day governance. Our political leaders are still to arrive at a consensual position/ guidelines how government ought to function in caretaker role.

They can now find time to turn attention to help this nation arrive at consensual position attending to local content in the management of the oil and gas sector. Also, we are yet to give true meaning to Article 13 of the Guyana Constitution which stipulates the “political system” by

which we should be governed.

This election is the most consequential of our lifetime.

It is not lost on us that while many may see this as an ethnic census, an opportunity to ascend to office, this nation continues to see a system of governance that is more exclusionary than inclusionary.

Election is an element in governance but not the panacea to bring about good governance and social justice, which workers/citizens crave.

In a diverse society such as ours, with historical ethnic tension, strife, division and marginalisation, it cannot be over-emphasised how important it is to put systems in place now to minimise these pitfalls.

Daily, citizens bear witness to news of another foreign group either arriving or seeking avenues to exploit our oil and gas resources, as we continue to wonder what

is in store for us, and what mechanisms are being put in place to ensure the benefits of these resources are not expatriated to the benefit of others and for a few at home.

We cannot continue to think that a new government will fix our pressing problems/ concerns when the possibility exists such may never happen.

The opportunity presents itself now for both sides to come together and create a Local Content Policy that will allow all, equitable share and benefit of the nation’s patrimony.

GTUC reiterates the call for the meeting of minds among the political forces and civil society in charting a way forward through policy, programmes and legislative action. Such action is necessary for the good of country and all.

Guyana Trades Union Congress

Compromise needed on date for elections DEAR EDITOR, As I recently penned, I urged compromise in the appointment of a Chair for Gecom, since both sides (PPP and PNC) want a Chair sympathetic to one over the other.

Lo and behold there was a compromise and a Retired judge, Claudette Singh, has been sworn in as Gecom Chair.

Now, we need a compromise on the date for elections.

The PNC-led coalition has been championing house-tohouse registration for preparation of a new voters’ list.

The exercise has begun without opposition participation or approval of Gecom postCCJ rulings June 18 and July 12 consequential orders.

House-to-house registration will take months. The Gecom lawyer told the CCJ it needed until the ending of December to conduct houseto-house registration.

Then there will be a period of claims and objections taking another couple of months. Then finalization of a voters’ list will take another month. The process can drag on till May 2020, delaying elections till then if not later.

The latest word from Gecom’s CEO is that houseto-house registration can be completed in a couple months and a new voters’ list ready.

The opposition PPP wants elections before September 18 as per the constitution and the ruling of the CCJ, believing it can unseat the coalition now; that may not be the case,

as conversations with Guyanese revealed In conversations, the political and business elites are of the view that the coalition is using house-to-house registration as a ruse to delay the election.

The elites say that the coalition feels it will be better prepared for a winning strategy if the election is put off by a few months.

The coalition has a better chance now, because it is united and its base is behind it.

The PPP feels it is in an ideal position to win now, although there is division in the camp.

The PPP needs some time to gather its forces together and for political healing and reconciliation from the fallout following internal elections.

Meanwhile, the opposition minor parties need time to gather their forces and to raise resources for an election. Any fallout from the two dominant parties will go towards the minor parties.

The later the elections, the more beneficial to the minor parties.

So a delay in the elections is really helping the opposition and decreasing the chance of the coalition.

But an election before September 18 is impractical, because Gecom has to meet and decide whether the list is ready.

This meeting is not expected till next week. Then the

President has to give a month’s notice to the nation that elections will be held.

There also has to be a period for claims and objections of names on (or not on) the list.

The entire process requires at least two months.

This takes us into October. So while the CCJ pointed to elections and urged the parties to follow the constitution, and while it is ideal to follow the constitution, election is not possible by September 18. It has to be postponed.

At the same time, there is no need for house-to-house registration. The list can be updated. This can be done in a month. And elections can be held late October or shortly thereafter.

Just as the leadership compromised over a Gecom Chair, a compromise is needed from the ruling coalition and the opposition party on a date for elections.

Both sides must be prepared to give in a little to make the process work; the CCJ also implored both sides to work together on resolving the issue.

The leadership of both major parties should meet and address the date for the elections – parliament reconvening soon with opposition support for a fixed date for elections and updating the voters’ list through claims and objections.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Thursday August 01, 2019

600-foot well drilled in Moco Moco

Dr. Van West-Charles points to map which was designed

by Moco Moco Villager & printed through GWI, as he highlights that it will help in the laying of pipelines A 600-foot well has been drilled in the village of Moco Moco, Region Nine, just one week following the announcement by GWI officials.

Dr. Richard Van WestCharles told the residents of Moco Moco on Tuesday, that this intervention forms part of GWI’s commitment to ensure equity countrywide. “Following assessments in the Region, weve found a number of non-functional systems but with new technology at our disposal, we can now make better provisions for improved water access,� Dr. Van WestCharles posited.

The newly drilled well will be accompanied by a pump, photovoltaic system and four-inch transmission mains that will be laid close to residents homes so that they can connect to same.

Additionally, GWI will be sending an excavator to assist the community with digging for the laying of pipelines as well as to dig the extension of

the community pool, at the request of the Toshao.

He noted that the pool serves as a facility to encourage practice and competition in swimming.

Upon completion of the distribution system, water will be pumped from the well, directly to the transmission lines. A trestle and storage tank will be constructed in the future as a backup system.

The community will assist with the laying of the lines and the provision of timber for the construction of fencing around the well.

Executive Director of Hinterland Services, Mr. Ramchand Jailal, called on Moco Moco Toshao Mr. James George, to identify persons within the community who can be trained as servicemen, While Dr. Van West Charles committed to working with the Region Nine Democratic Council to repair the nonfunctional sanitary blocks that exist in the nursery and primary schools.

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He further explained that even as works continue, additional communities will be added and catered for under the utility s 2020 budget.

The Toshao and residents expressed their gratitude to the team for its timely interventions.

Meanwhile water improvement works are ongoing in Yupukari and Kaicumbay and follow-up visits were made by Dr. Van West-Charles and a technical team on Monday, July 29 to assess the progress to date.

In Yupukari, the photovoltaic system was installed and connected to the wells in the community.

While pipelines have been laid to install 25 service connections in the western part of the community, more (Continued on page 22)

SOCU reports hard-drive for $5M computer missing

In late 2017, a complaint was filed with the then Commissioner of Police (ag) David Ramnarine, that a specialized computer with software valued over $5M went missing.

However, there seems to be little actions taken to find out what happened.

According to the letter from Special Assistant Commissioner and head of the polices Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), dated October 3, 2017, an Acer laptop was issued to a supernumerary superintendent.

The computer was subsequently equipped by the British High Commission with IBM software valued at US$25,000 to help SOCU with a higher level of analytical work and for training of other SOCU staffers.

The computer was kept

in the possession of the superintendent.

According to James, who is on administrative leave now, on September 27, last he received instructions for the staffer to be relocated to the National Intelligence Centre.

The staffer was told to hand over all documents and properties of SOCU. Later that month, a forensic auditor attempted to use the computer but found no programmes on it.

James, in the letter to Ramnarine, said he requested assistance from the polices Information Technology Department which found that the hard drive had been removed and replaced with another.

James disclosed in the letter that he had asked for an investigation.

SOCU which was handed significant responsibilities in 2015 by the new Coalition Government to investigate corruption in the administrations of the Peoples Progressive Party/ Civic, has been facing pressure over the past year.

It has not been able to secure any convictions despite the high-profile arrests of officials, including former ministers and even Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo.

The British government which has been lending assistance has severed the c o n t r a c t o f D r. S a m Sittlington, a consultant that was hired to help SOCU build capacity.

Forensic A u d i t o r, Sheronie James, also had her contract ended when questions arose about her qualifications.

PAGE 8

Kaieteur News

Thursday August 01, 2019

Thursday August 01, 2019

PAGE 9

Kaieteur News

Cuffy was a dual citizen Cuffy was a dual citizen. He was not born in Guyana; he was born in Ghana but we can safely say that he is entitled to retroactive citizenship.

This would make him a dual citizen and therefore ineligible to become a Minister or a member of the National Assembly.

Yet for his role in the 1763 Slave Rebellion, he is considered as one of Guyana’s national heroes, if not its foremost national hero. Cuffy was a lot of other things. But this is neither the time nor the place to raise those concerns about him. Guyana once elected an alien as its President. She was an American and spent more years in Guyana than Cuffy ever did. Yet, when she was elected fewer than half of the population rejected her.

They did not want her and made the argument that a person born in a foreign country should not be

elected as President. They went so far as to make it an item for constitutional reform. Yet they saw nothing wrong with having the country’s national hero being an alien.

After it was determined by both the Chief Justice and the Court of Appeal that dual citizens cannot sit in the National Assembly four Ministers of the government agreed to step down. It was reported that a few of them were likely to revoke their foreign citizenship.

It should not take longer than two months for a person to revoke his foreign citizenship and surrender his foreign passport. Yet, we have not had, from with the media, a progress report on what has happened to those Ministers who it was said, were planning to revolve their foreign citizenship.

This is a matter of public interest and the public

needs to be informed of the status of the foreign citizenship revocation. Is it still in process? How soon is it likely to be approved and would those persons who are planning to revoke their foreign citizenship be offering themselves up again for public office come the elections.

Earlier this year, fourteen members of parliament in Australia resigned following a High Court ruling that another MP who failed to renounce her British citizenship was ineligible to be in the House.

In Guyana, we do not seem to be worried about dual citizens working at high levels in the government. For most Guyanese, dual citizenship does not pose a threat to national security or to the national interest. In other words, they are not worried that any dual citizen working within the government

Dem boys seh ...

De Haitians got people nervous Haitians been coming to Guyana fuh a long time. Of course de set wha been coming was dem who had a dollar to spend and dem was often heading to de States.

People use to tek pride in linking Guyana to Haiti.

Even de politicians use to boast how Guyana is de second poorest country in de hemisphere after Haiti.

And de people in Haiti know that Guyana was just as poor as dem.

But sometimes de Man above does smile pun a people and He smile pun Guyana. De big announcement come that Guyana got oil and all of a sudden is like Guyana was never poor.

People start to come to

Guyana and dem didn’t come wid dem empty hands.

But de people from Haiti still didn’t care to come to Guyana because dem got family in places like Brazil, Suriname, Cayenne and even Venezuela.

Some of dem who come to go to Venezuela meet people who seh things bad suh those few decide to stay in Guyana.

Dem boys seh when people do certain things different people start to see things in a different light. All of a sudden dem got people who seh Soulja Bai bringing Haitians to vote fuh him. Dem boys don’t know how that could happen.

This thing mek de Haitians understand how Guyanese

does do back track. That is wha dem copy. Wha dem don’t understand is that things like that got kickback.

It also got bruck back. De people see how people move dem Haitians. De thing plan like clockwork.

Some people come into Guyana Tuesday afternoon and by Wednesday night dem was in Venezuela. Some of dem was in Brazil. Dem boys seh some people nervous because dem can’t understand id de Haitians come to Guyana to vote or not.

Dem refuse to think straight. Dem can’t believe de Haitians don’t care if Guyana fuh sale.

Talk half and watch how de Haitians got people nervous.

would betray the nation.

If this is indeed the case, then what is the problem with working out a deal with the Opposition to change the Constitution to allow for dual citizens to be in parliament and to be Ministers?

The PPPC has its own problems with dual citizenship which forced three of its members of parliament to resign. The government no doubt wants back its resigned Ministers in the government. It is obvious that the coalition government is woefully short of

talent. The loss of four of its better Ministers has severely weakened the government. It is going into the elections bruised and hobbling.

The dual citizenship debate should be part of the issues on the campaign trail. The PNCR should take a decision as to whether it supports dual citizens sitting in its parliament. It is hard to understand why it would see a problem with having a dual citizen in parliament when, all along, it permitted dual citizens within the Cabinet. What is

the fear? What is the objection?

It is time to stop playing games. Cuffy was a dual citizen and he is Guyana’s national hero. He was not even born in Guyana. So what can be wrong about a bornGuyanese travelling on a foreign passport?

No Court can extend three-month deadline - Opposition Leader Finance Minister Winston Jordan has said that Government may appeal the legal challenge to House to House Registration all the way to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) if need be.

But Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, says that a deadline has been set for General and Regional Elections, and that no Court can change that.

During a press conference at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition on Church Street, Jagdeo said that the CCJ has already ruled on the No Confidence Motion of December 21, 2018, and that a consequence of that ruling is that elections must be held within three months of the ruling – before September 18, 2018.

But House to House Registration started on July 20, last, and the Order announcing it indicated that the process of registering persons on the ground would conclude on October 20, 2019.

Kaieteur News is in possession of the work plan of Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) which indicates that the wider process would go well into 2020 – to February or March. Yesterday, Jagdeo said that that process is only for the creation of the

National Register of Registrants, and that to create the Official List of Electors, it would take more time.

For these reasons, the Opposition has staunchly opposed the exercise.

Attorney-at-Law Christopher Ram has requested that a Conservatory Order be approved by the High Court, halting the controversial exercise. To this, Chief Justice Roxane George said that more proof is needed that the exercise would cause elections to be held beyond September 18, 2019.

She has agreed that elections should be held within that timeframe.

Asked whether Government would respect such a Conservatory Order, Jordan said last week that Government would, but that the process could face an appeal.

He said that when the CCJ rules, only then will there be no other court. The rulings of each Court would have to be respected, he said, “bearing in mind that either party… can take the case to the next step to reach the final court.”

This could mean months of litigation, likened unto the multiple appeals that followed the No Confidence Motion.

That had passed on December 21, 2018, and received its

final judgment from the Caribbean Court of Justice on June 18, 2019 – six months later.

Despite this being a likely reality in future, Jagdeo said that no Court can change the fact that elections have to be held within the three month period.

According to law, the only thing that can change that is a two-thirds vote of the National Assembly, which Jagdeo has said the Opposition will never support.

“So GECOM will have to prepare for elections within that timeframe. And therefore, if they appeal the House to House issue all the way to the CCJ, they can't override the Constitution or preparation for elections.”

Jagdeo said that there is a new GECOM chairperson, and that she has said she will abide by the Constitution.

“That's all we want.”

Jagdeo said.

“We don't want anyone who is partial. Justice Claudette Singh has had a distinguished career in the Judiciary and I don't think she has demonstrated partiality to either side. And so if she's guided by the Constitution and the laws of the Country, we believe in the law. The Constitution says elections in three months.”

Britain to spend an extra $2.6 billion on no-deal Brexit planning LONDON (Reuters) - Britain is ramping up preparations for a no-deal Brexit by preparing to spend an extra 2.1 billion pounds ($2.6 billion) to make sure the country is ready to leave the European Union with or without a divorce deal at the end of October.

The new government led

by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, which took power last week, has pledged to leave the trading bloc without an agreement in three months unless the EU

agrees to renegotiate the deal agreed by his predecessor Theresa May. Ministers have warned that one of the most hotly contested elements of the divorce agreement - the Irish border backstop - will have to be struck out if there is to be a deal, something the EU has repeatedly said it won’t agree to.

In his first major policy announcement, new finance minister Sajid Javid doubled spending on preparations for a no deal exit this year. The

extra money will fund a nationwide advertising campaign, help Britons living abroad, ensure the supply of medicine and improve infrastructure around ports.

“With 92 days until the UK leaves the European Union it’s vital that we intensify our planning to ensure we are ready,” Javid said. “We want to get a good deal that abolishes the anti-democratic backstop.

But if we can’t get a good deal, we’ll have to leave without one.”

PAGE 10

Thursday August 01, 2019

Kaieteur News

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

Trotman’s attack on Jerry Gouveia is intellectual fraud It is my opinion that the Private Sector Commission (PSC) comprise of people that are close friends of Bharrat Jagdeo, an intimacy born out of the Jagdeo presidency.

Some of these people have benefited enormously from Jagdeo’s patronage. Today their wealth is stupendous.

In the era of the PPP’s hegemony, the PSC lost its credibility as an important actor in civil society.

For my thoughts on the degeneracy of the PSC see some of my columns particularly - Saturday, July 15, 2017, “Isn’t the Private Sector Commission tired of sprouting ignorance and nonsense?”

Tuesday, Jan 18, 2011 “The Private Sector Commission has missed the point badly.”

Monday March 26, 2018, “Only idiots do not know things come back to haunt you.”

In the years of the presidency of Jagdeo and Ramotar, the PSC was shamelessly pro-government. Today it is

pro-PPP. I would classify Gerry Gouveia as far from being an independent actor. For the record, I don’t believe the PSC is an independent unit in civil society. It has a political agenda.

Gerry Gouveia of the PSC wrote the Chief Election Officer (CEO) rejecting GECOM’s embarkation of house to house registration.

Some of Mr. Gouveia’s points were plausible and valid.

One of APNU’s GECOM Commissioners (APNU’s partner, the AFC was overlooked

by Granger to fill a vacant seat in GECOM; he chose Trotman over the AFC’s Trevor Williams) Desmond Trotman replied to Gouveia using acidic language but in the process engaged in vulgar distortion of history and attempts at cheap political propaganda using historical fictions.

Here is Trotman trying to score cheap political points; “Further, what I found most disconcerting is the tone you

adopted – a tone consistent with that of a white slave owner, who, in the presence of his overseers, is penalizing a delinquent slave for failing to carry out the instructions of “massa”.

“When I read that part of your letter I was filled with anger and I imagined the treatment of my forefathers by yours, as they were beaten– the sound of the whips and the voices of the slave owners as they counted the lashes one, two, three.

“The tone of your letter was reminiscent of that sordid period and I felt that you longed for a return of that time. It appears as if you imagined yourself wielding the powers of your ancestors as you berated Lowenfield for daring to do what you believed he should not be doing. While you may not think so, massa day has finished a long time and nothing that you do will see a return to those days.”

This is intellectual fraud

on naked display. Gerry Gouveia is half-Amerindian and in my eyes appears more Amerindian than Portuguese.

Mrs. Gouveia is also halfAmerindian. In my eyes, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Gouveia looks like a pure Amerindian.

Now let us do a comparison using the vulgar epistemology of Desmond Trotman who is an executive member of the party that bears the mantle and legacy of Walter Rodney.

Is Barack Obama a white man? Is Claudette Singh Indian or African? She has both types of DNA. Is Beyonce a white singer?

She has both Caucasian and Black American blood. Is basketball icon Stephen Curry a white man?

He has Caucasian and African genes. Is Curry’s team mate, Klay Thompson a white man? Thompson’s mother is white, father Black.

I know of no non-white human in the world that would refer to Obama as a

white man. Beyonce and Curry would take exception if you call them Caucasian.

So Trotman feels that Gouveia ancestors once ruled this land and Gouveia wants to see that happen again.

Trotman ignored the other half of Gouveia. But there is more sordid morbidity from Trotman. Gouveia has never been associated with any group or set of people in Guyana that had a European or Portuguese agenda.

Gouveia spent his life in the army of a government that had a black, nationalist agenda.

The little I know of Gouveia, I don’t think I can refer to him as a racist. On the contrary, I rather suspect that Trotman has a close WPA comrade that openly preaches race politics.

Trotman has introduced race into the election controversy. This Guyana must reject.

The PSC has every right to enter the election fray in a

Frederick Kissoon partisan manner because Trotman and his parties, APNU and WPA, have entered the controversy in partisan ways.

What is worrying about Trotman’s political masturbation is if Indians stand to be referred to as racist if they insist that the GECOM’s CEO stop the registration exercise.

Walter Rodney is turning in his grave.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)

Thursday August 01, 2019

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Thursday August 01, 2019

Visiting Gastroenterologist promotes colonoscopy - says “it’s not that big a deal” of men being screened for prostate cancer

While breast cancer is feared most by women and prostate cancer by men, what may not be preached enough is the fact that both sexes should be wary of colon cancer by the time they attain the age of 50 or even earlier if they are predisposed to it.

In the case of predisposition, Dr. Trevor Seaton, a reputable Canada-based gastroenterologist, who has been offering his expertise at the Annandale, East Coast Demerara Doobay Medical and Research Centre on a visitation basis, said that a colonoscopy should be done at an earlier date.

A colonoscopy is an outpatient procedure in which the inside of the large intestine [the colon and rectum] is examined.

Medical experts recommend that both men and women undergo this procedure to evaluate gas-

trointestinal symptoms such as rectal and intestinal bleeding or changes in bowel habits.

Persons who have bowel problems which suggest blood in the stool or unexplained diarrhoea or unexplained constipation could have a blockage or even a tumour.

It is through a colonoscopy that colon cancer can be detected, too, thus this procedure is increasingly being touted.

Taking in consideration the prevalence of cancer, Dr. Seaton noted that while women can do regular screening of the breast, by way of a mammogram, or the cervix via a pap smear or visual inspection with ascetic acid [VIA] to prevent cancer of these parts of their anatomy, cancer of the colon is the only cancer that can be prevented in men.

As he emphasised the

importance of both men and women being vigilant in getting their colon screened, Dr. Seaton said, “The number one cancer that ladies can get is breast cancer and the life time risk is in the order of one in nine to one in 10. Colon cancer is not as bad as that [but] the lifetime risk is one in 20 and so colonoscopy is often involved in saying yes or no if you have bowel cancer. [And] it is the one and only cancer that we can prevent in a man.”

The gastroenterologist, however, noted that “your chance is doubled if you have a first degree relative with colon cancer, that is, a mother, father, sister, brother...So you go from one in 20 to the sort of rate men have for prostate or women have for breast, which is one in 10.

Those people should be examined earlier than 50, ei-

ther 40 or 30 or 10 years younger, than the relative who was first diagnosed.”

Explaining the development of colon cancer, Dr. Seaton said, “It always starts as a growth that is not cancerous which is called a polyp. These polyps may take up to 10 years to become cancer. This is a common cancer but it has a 10 year pre-cancerous phase and anywhere in those 10 years if we take it out we can prevent the cancer altogether.”

This therefore means, the medical expert added, that prime time for colon cancer starts at around the age of 60 thus making the age of 50 ideal for beginning the screening process.

Once no polyps are found during a routine examination an individual may not be required to do more than three colonoscopies during their lifetime.

“In practical sense three exams in a lifetime can protect you from bowel cancer,” said Dr. Seaton.

Dr. Seaton, in n o t i n g that women are usually more proactive in being screened for various cancers, said that the onus is also on men to do the same to help safeguard themselves as far as possible.

Dr Trevor Seaton But many men are protective of their bodies and often refuse to expose themselves to certain invasive tests such as colonoscopy and even that required to be screened for prostate cancer.

This usually requires a medical expert inserting a lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum to feel the prostate for lumps or anything unusual.

The prostate is a walnut-sized gland between the bladder and the penis.

“It is the case that we [men] are protective of our body and anything to invade is a threat and that part of the body is somewhat sensitive and we are all a little concern and this

is perfectly understandable,” said Dr. Seaton.

He, however, added, “The problem for men is that, that [prostate cancer] is the number one cancer for men and we actually don’t know how to prevent it but if we find out about it early we can save your life. So men need to get their prostate checked with a rectal exam and to do a blood test... that is the best we can do to find it early.”

“Yes it is an unpleasant procedure but if you find the cancer it will save your life,” said Dr. Seaton as he assured that the procedure “it’s not that big of a deal, it’s more in your head...”

Thursday August 01, 2019

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Thursday August 01, 2019

Diplomats commend President on GECOM's chair selection

P

resident David Granger yesterday morning met United States Ambassador to Guyana, S a r a h - A n n Ly n c h ; B r i t i s h H i g h Commissioner to Guyana, Greg Quinn; Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Lilian Chatterjee; and European Union's Ambassador to Guyana Mr. Jernej Videtič.

During their meeting, the diplomats commended President Granger on the selection of a Chair of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice (Ret'd) Claudette Singh.

“President Granger explained that at all times he has complied with the rulings of the Courts and most particularly, the ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).”

The Head of State was accompanied by Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, SC; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Karen Cummings; and Director General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Audrey Waddell.

Thursday August 01, 2019

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

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Thursday August 01, 2019

GPHC pharmacy staff lapsing - source

T

he staff at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) Pharmacy seems to be lapsing on the job. This statement is coming from a source close to the administration of the institution. There was a case where a patient needed a certain type of medication to treat malaria. There was at no time a shortage of malaria drugs but the specific drug needed was not available at the pharmacy at that time.

However it was available at the Vector Control Unit located in the same compound

as the GPHC. The source said, “They are idle there at the pharmacy. All they had to do was notify the pharmacy head at the bond and the drug would have been sent over. When the pharmacy head was contacted she was unaware that the pharmacy was out of the said medication.”

The source further stated that they didn't even check to see if it was available elsewhere.

They just went ahead saying they don't have.

“That is total idleness; GPHC isn't short of malaria drugs. However the issue has

been resolved as the drugs were delivered to the pharmacy (yesterday morning) and the relevant personnel dealt with.

When the Public Relations Officer for the Ministry of Public Health,Terrence Esseboom, was approached for a comment on the alleged shortage, he said, “There is no shortage of malaria drugs.

The patient needed a specific type of medication that the pharmacy didn't have at that time. “However, the drug was collected (yesterday) from the Vector Control Unit in the compound.”

The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation

Thursday August 01, 2019

Kaieteur News

PPP stages more protests for elections

W

ith chants for resignation of the Cabinet and the holding of general elections, supporters of the People's Progressive Party c o n v e rg e d o n c e a g a i n outside the Ministry of the Presidency demanding that elections be held by September 18.

Former Prime Minister and PPP executive member, Samuel Hinds, was among those in the picket lines.

Hinds noted that among other things, the party is calling on the President to start the preparations for elections which are due by September 18.

“All Guyanese should know that it is in their interest – and no matter which party they support – to ensure and to work for us to comply with the CCJ and with our Constitution.”

Hinds noted too that by

his own admission, Chief Elections Officer of Guyana Election Commission (GECOM) said that the current list can be refreshed.

“So there is no need for house to house registration.

It is just a way to delay the process.”

Hinds said that his party is adamant that elections can be held by September 18.

Last week, score of PPP supporters, took to the streets across the country, to protest against the ongoing houseto-house registration exercise, which has been deemed “illegal” by the Opposition.

Out of 8,600 Haitians...

From page 3 Brazil, Colombia, Peru and Venezuela. We have traced legal departures but there is a number we cannot account for, and those we suspect left illegally (backtrack).

“We have not found evidence of trafficking in Haitians. Venezuelans are the subjects of that offence as the prosecution of current cases suggests.”

With the country moving to its first production of oil after a major find in 2015 offshore Guyana, there has been a growing awareness of what is happening at the country's borders.

In the last two to three years, more than 6,000 Venezuelans have fled hardships in that neighbouring country to Guyana. With regards to the Haitians, the arrivals have been rising sharply since January. Haiti, a FrenchCreolese speaking country of 10 million, has been facing tough times in recent years after being ravaged by natural disasters.

CARICOM member states have expressed concerns about the humanitarian conditions in that country.

On Tuesday, following repeated complaints by citizens, of the suspiciously large number of Haitians entering Guyana, Kaieteur News visited the airport.

More than 40 Haitians arrived on that Copa flight.

Copa conducts up to six

flights to Guyana weekly.

Persons who spoke French-Creolese, and who appeared to be Haitians, were approaching the passengers who came off the flights.

They were armed with photos of the passengers in their phones. The passengers were then whisked away to minibuses in the parking area. There were children and women included.

CJIA's drivers and others admitted that something was suspicious and said from indications someone “highup” was facilitating the arrivals. A number of persons speaking French-creolesewere seen darting about, collecting passengers and taking them to buses waiting at the CJIA parking lot.

There were police ranks nearby. The Haitians left the airport after 4pm, in a darkcoloured RZ minibus, BSS 2130 and a 'Pitbull', BTT7252.

The Haitians were seen on videos entering a Charlotte Street property and a private residence in 'B' Field, Sophia. In recent days, photos surfaced of Haitians arriving by the busloads at a South Road hotel.

Authorities had denied anything of that nature and deemed it fake news.

The Opposition had questioned the Coalition Government via the Parliamentary committee stage about the presence of foreign CARICOM nationals.

PPP supporters hold yet another protest in front the Ministry of Presidency yesterday calling for early elections.

PAGE 17

Kaieteur News

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Thursday August 01, 2019

$2.5M solar system project slated for Akawini

T

he Indigenous village of Akawini will soon boast of being yet another community to benefit from solar power under the Ministry of Public Infrastructure. The community houses approximately 1000 residents.

The project allows Guyana to fulfil its mandate to make the UN Sustainable Development Goal#7 a reality. That goal seeks to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

Akawini solar farm

peoples.

Speaking to residents at a recently concluded community engagement in Akawini, Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson mentioned the 'green' project.

“My ministry will be installing some solar systems with the National Procurement Tender Board.

It is about $2.5 million.

It should be awarded shortly, and they will immediately start to do that [project],” said Minister Patterson.

This project will feature a 16kW photovoltaic system i n t h e R e g i o n Tw o community located in the Lower Pomeroon River.

The Minister said his office will examine the most suitable method to install the solar system project, as he acknowledged that some homes are scattered in Akawini which may propose a challenge.

“If there's a cluster of homes on an island or in an area, we normally put a solar system to power them but it's hard for us to put a solar system here and power somebody in the back dam so we have to look at other methods,“ he noted.

On the other hand, concerning the solar panels already installed on the homes of residents in Akawini, Minister Patterson advised they ensure their panels are secured, so that when the time comes, the government will only have to replace the batteries.

According to the Public Infrastructure Minister, “As long as you keep the panels

safe, all we have to do is provide you with a battery and you'll be able to work again.

“We've started to procure some [batteries] so hopefully they'll be back in [time].”Meanwhile, Toshao of Akawini, David Wilson, commended the Coalition Government for the many initiatives that have positively impacted the Akawini's residents.

Some of these projects included a new walkway in Barocaro.

That project was completed in February. A new structure to house their Nursery School pupils was another project.

Toshao Wilson further mentioned that both a nursery and primary school are scheduled to be built in the second week of August.

“We were lucky to have established, at both missions, [a] hot meal kitchen which was not in place for many, many years.

So, our children are now enjoying lunch from the kitchen that's provided by the government.”

Referencing the pavilions built under the current administration, Wilson stressed, “Across the community, at the top half and at Waikipina, we are also lucky to have pavilions established so that our children could be taken care of [and have] seating accommodations.”

Akawini is a community comprising residents of three indigenous groups - the C a r i b s , Wa r r a u s a n d Arawaks.

Its main economic activity is lumbering.

Thursday August 01, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 19

Linden has its own passport office

G

overnment has opened a passport office at Retrieve, Linden. It is in keeping with Government's policy of decentralising services across all the regions of the country.

In previous times, persons would have had to come to the city to apply for a passport. (Deron Adams photos)

GPPA attributes chicken shortage to smuggling

T

here has been a shortage of chicken in Guyana and it has reached the point where one of the country's largest fast food producers, KFC, had to issue an advisory to alert its customers that it was out of wings and stripped chicken.

The Guyana Poultry Producers Association (GPPA) has put out a statement saying that the current shortage of chicken in Guyana has its genesis in smuggling from the country's neighbour Suriname.

Smuggling was done in extremely large quantities in 2018. This was because of the fact that the country at that time only imposed a five per cent duty on chicken entering its borders, the statement said.

Furthermore, this low duty percentage encouraged t h e l a rg e p o r t i o n s o f Brazilian and American chicken to be legally imported into Suriname and then snuggled over to Guyana.

This, in turn, led to excess in the local market as the Guyanese producers couldn't estimate the amount being smuggled in. The result is that they continued to rear and butcher the usual number.

This overload of chicken on the market lasted from the end of May 2018 to March 2019 and was the largest Guyana has ever seen, the statement added.

Suriname increased its duty on chicken from five per cent to 40% in June and the smuggling business took

a hard blow.

In addition the Guyana Revenue Authority's Enforcement Department stepped up its campaigns to eradicate the illegal chicken business and the efforts seem to be paying off.

Large quantities of chicken were being seized as they were brought over the border.

The poultry producers association said that farmers were found to have excess chickens in their rearing areas, some that were 12-15 weeks old, when the normal period for growth and sale is six weeks.

The delay in selling those off caused a delay in starting a new batch as this would require pens to be empty.

At present the importation of hatching eggs has increased and the local farmers now have a sufficient supply of chicken on their farms.

The association said that these will be of processing age within another week or two. This is expected to bring an end to the shortage of local chicken.

Since the smuggling has been disrupted it is unlikely that the country will see the same issue reoccurring.

The GPPA expressed its thanks to the Enforcement Department of the GRA for the excellent job that they have been doing to stop chicken smuggling in Guyana. “The public is also guaranteed that the chicken supply will return to its normal state by the middle of August,� the association stated.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 20

President pardons four male inmates

Andy Roberts

P

resident David Granger, pursuant to Articles 188, 189 and 190 of the Constitution of Guyana, granted full and free Presidential pardon to four men who are currently serving sentences in the Guyana prisons for charges related to the possession of marijuana.

Michael Gouveia The Presidential pardon takes effect from today, August 1, 2019.

Pardoned are Robert Bhagnauth, who is serving a three-year sentence in the Mazaruni Prison for the possession of cannabis; Michael Gouveia, who is serving a three-year sentence

Robert Bhagnauth at the Timehri Prison for the possession of cannabis; Andy Roberts, who is serving a sentence of two years at the Lusignan Prison for smoking cannabis, and Joseph Yaw, who is serving a sentence of two years and ten months in the Georgetown Prison 'B' for the possession

Thursday August 01, 2019

CJIA procures 75 baggage carts @ $86,000 each

Joseph Yaw of cannabis. The Ministry of the Presidency said the conditions outlined in the Constitution of Guyana were met.

In recent years, the administration has softened its approached in drug matters as part of the programme to reduce overcrowding in the prisons.

T

he Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) yesterday announced that it has procured and put into service 75 galvanized steel baggage carts for free use by passengers in the new Arrivals Terminal.

The carts, Travel 300, were procured at the cost of $6.5M from one of Europe's largest manufacturers of airport luggage carts, Wanzl.

Chief Executive Officer of CJIA, Ramesh Ghir,

stated: “We are pleased to introduce this new convenient service to our passengers.

These trolleys will make the arrivals process a lot smoother, which will add to an overall improved and comfortable experience at the airport.�

This new acquisition is a part of a $1B 2019 capital programme aimed at improving customer service and enhancing airport operation efficiencies.

Thursday August 01, 2019

GAWU denies not filing annual returns

GAWU’s General Secretary, Seepaul Narine, has written the Registrar of Trade Unions, denying the union has not been submitting annual returns.

The countrys largest sugar union, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), has denied it has not been filing its annual returns with the Registrar of Trade Unions.

In a letter Monday from GAWUs General Secretary, Seepaul Narine, to Nicole Prince, Registrar of Trade Unions of the Deeds Registry, the union insisted that it is upto-date with its filings.

GAWU and several other unions were among 260 organisations named by the Registrar over the weekend as not filing returns in accordance with regulations.

In fact, scores of the unions and associations had failed to do so for decades.

GAWU was said to owe for 1962-1965, 1967-1969, 1973, 1974, 1976-2010 and 2012-2018, according to the Official Gazette notice over the weekend.

In its letter to the Registrar denying it failed to file, GAWU noted that trade unions are exempted from the

payment of tax but required to file annual returns in accordance with Section 35 of the Trade Unions Act; Chapter 98:03, Laws of Guyana.

GAWU said that its returns up to 2017 were filed.

“Our union’s Statement of Accounts for 2018 are currently being audited by the Auditor General Office.

On completion of this audit, a copy would be filed with the Deeds Registry for the Office of Registrar of Trade Unions.”

GAWU pointed out that two years ago, in the High Court, in the matter of G AW U - v s - K h e m r a j Ramjattan before Justice Nareshwar Harnanan, the Registrar of Trade Unions was summoned and did provide to the Court GAWU’s records for the past seven years for the court’s perusal.

“We do hope, Registrar, that by this letter, you will have a better understanding of GAWU’s fulfillment of its

PAGE 21

Kaieteur News

responsibilities. We will certainly appreciate, too, a correction of the published…”

Among the unions and organisations were the Guyana Labour Union; the Guyana Postal & Telecommunication Workers Union; the Forest Products Association of Guyana; the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE); the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU); the Clerical and Commercial Workers Union (CCWU); the Guyana Nurses Association and the Guyana Minibus Association.

The others named in the list are the National Mine Workers Union of Guyana, the Federal Management Staff Association, the United Minibus Union, the Guyana Private Trawlers Association, the Guyana Customs House Brokers Association, the National Workers Union, the General Workers Union and the Guyana Teachers Association Union.

Students movement formed to better UG campus life A group of 15 students at the University of Guyana, Turkeyen Campus, has formed the Students Action Movement (SAM) aimed at facilitating positive and tangible changes through activism.

Formed last March, SAM is headed by Jafar Gibbons, a second year International Relations student, who is passionate about improving the standards of the countrys premiere tertiary educational institution.

During an interview with this publication, Gibbons said that the first project undertaken by the movement was the cleaning of washrooms on July 21, last.

He said, “One of the

washrooms, the male one under the Education building, has since been requested to be placed “out of order” since the drainage doesnt work and urine fills the urinal. The toilet in there does not flush also.”

Washrooms at the Multi Purpose Building (MPB), George Walcott Lecture Theatre and the Library were also cleaned.

While Gibbons admitted that annual facilities fees of $50,000 per student should cover these basic undertakings, he estimated that several washrooms across the campus are without toilet tissue and are not cleaned regularly.

He said, “We (SAM) also have been looking at

One of the facilities that were cleaned by the Student Action Movement

President of SAM: Jafar Gibbons providing tissues and hand sanitizers for the washrooms.

The facilities fees should cover such issues and (Continued on page 22)

PAGE 22

Thursday August 01, 2019

Kaieteur News

Students movement...

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Gibbons explained that SAM is representing and articulating students concerns which lend support to the mandate of the University of Guyana Student Society (UGSS). In this regard, he is urging current and prospective students to join the movement.

Thus far, the universitys administration has been favourably receptive of the new movement and has been providing its members with time and space to operate.

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From page 21 concerns but the reality is it does not.”

About 45 percent of the washrooms are left without tissues.

According to Gibbons, female washrooms across campus are plagued with the issue of overflowing sanitary bins due to them not being emptied regularly.

Moreover, SAM is looking at placing concrete ramps at critical points on campus to

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From page 7 lengths of pipe are being laid to serve the rest of the community.

Contact was also made with the Regional office to ensure the sanitary blocks at the school and the health centre are functional.

M e a n w h i l e assessments at the health center have revealed that there is need for two trestles to be further elevated in order to ensure water is available in the shower at the facility.

GWI has also committed to providing four additional tanks to the school’s sanitary block and two at the health center, in addition to a water heating system.

In Kaicumbay, GWI is to build a well head, install a discharge, photovoltaic system and connect the water distribution network.

Thursday August 01, 2019

PAGE 23

Kaieteur News

HAPPY EMANCIPATION DAY 2019 Today we at Kaieteur News join our Afro-Guyanese brothers and sisters to celebrate 185 years of freedom from the oppression of slavery which is recognised as the single most inhumane act to have been perpetrated against a faction of mankind. As we embrace our national motto: One People, One Nation, One Destiny, we look to a future free of all attempts to undermine continued freedom.

Below are a few messages also in celebration of this Emancipation Day:

FROM THE MINISTER OF SOCIAL COHESION It has been said that “Freedom is never granted, it is won.” On August 1, 1838, Guyana won when our African ancestors were finally emancipated from the barbaric practice that is slavery.

After 181 years, despite the atrocities inflicted on our foreparents, we stand firm in celebrating Emancipation Day as a reminder of their resilience and bravery.

Emancipation is also an appropriate time to reflect on the shaping of the Guyanese identity. Brothers and sisters, the year 1838 is perhaps the most significant in our country’s history. It not only marked the end of slavery, but it also triggered the immigration of Portuguese, Indian and Chinese indentured labourers, who, together with the indigenous Amerindians, shaped the culturally distinct nation that we cherish today.

Furthermore, the end of slavery signalled the beginning of a newfound independence for our emancipated ancestors; an inde-

pendence that also showcased a high degree of social cohesion, as they came together and pooled their resources to embark on the formation of many communities throughout Guyana.

Even after all these years, their success in establishing united and self-sufficient communities deserve to be emulated.

I believe that the most meaningful way for us to observe this Emancipation is to embrace the diversity that it produced and work towards building this great nation that we have inherited. Let us embrace the traditions of cohesion practiced by our ancestors, and exercise the spirit of resilience and courage in fighting against all forms of injustices and bigotry.

On behalf of the Ministry of the Presidency, Department of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport, I wish all Guyanese at home and abroad a blessed Emancipation!

WORKING PEOPLE’S ALLIANCE WPA joins the rest of Guyana in saluting the African Guyanese community as it observes the 181st anniversary of the end of chattel slavery in Guyana and the wider Anglophone Caribbean.

Emancipation Day is one of the most important days on the national calendar. On that day our African Guyanese sisters and brothers triumphed over forced bondage and set Guyana on a freedom trajectory which should be cherished by all Guyanese regardless of ethnicity. In many regards, Emancipation meant freedom for all Guyana— August 1, 1838 was indeed the birth of the Guyanese nation.

As the country celebrates this pivotal historical moment, WPA urges African Guyanese to reflect on the very meaning of Emancipation. Such reflection must zero in on the story of bondage, of triumph over bondage and of survival of the most heinous form of socio-economic and political system mankind has known. It must also focus on the scars of bondage that still haunt the collective soul. Finally, Emancipation means the convergence of the Middle Passage, chattel sla-

PEOPLE’S NATIONAL CONGRESS REFORM The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) joins the Guyanese people in celebrating the 181st Anniversary of the Emancipation of enslaved Africans. The Party regards this event as the most significant in the foundation of our nation and the formation of our society. It was the first step in our country’s long march towards social equality, economic independence and political freedom.

Africans in the united Guiana colonies of Berbice, Demerara and Essequibo regained their freedom on the 1st August 1838 after two hundred years of enslavement. Emancipation on that day commemorates not only the bloody sacrifices of the

Africans who struggled, suffered and were slaughtered for the sake of the freedom we all enjoy today but also the birth of the nation itself. The entire Guyanese nation should participate in this public celebration.

Emancipation is Guyana’s most important national celebration. It marks the start of the most significant demographic change through the coming of the Portuguese, East Indians, West Africans and Chinese and the transformation of the coastal landscape through the creation of free villages and the diversification of the economy into the production of food crops, gold-mining and logging. It led, also, to the liberation of society through the popular movements for edu-

cational development, labour organisation and political mobilisation.

Emancipation celebrations in 2019 also commemorate the 256th anniversary of the Berbice Revolt of 1763 led by Kofi and the 196th anniversary of the Demerara Revolt of 1823 inspired by Kwamina.

Guyanese of all races are the beneficiaries and heirs of the sacrifices of our nation’s first freedom fighters.

Emancipation, after all, was not a finite event that occurred 181 years ago. It was the commencement of a continuing process which must aim at providing a “good life to all Guyanese.” Happy Emancipation!

very, colonial servitude and post-colonial socio-economic inequality WPA notes that it has become commonplace in some circles to downplay or ignore the importance of history and historical memory.

WPA frowns on that tendency and urges African Guyanese and the country at large to look to their history as a source of inspiration and for insights into the root causes of their current condition. In that regard WPA calls on the Ministry of Education to make history, particularly Guyanese and Caribbean history, a compulsory subject on our schools’ curriculum from nursery to university. We also call on African Guyanese organizations to make the teaching of Black and African Guyanese history a central aspect of their mission.

WPA is aware of the sense of despair, alienation and drift among sections of the African Guyanese community and urges a sustained, multifaceted campaign of Renewal and Restoration. There must be an internal effort that includes roles for the indi-

vidual, the family, the community and organizations. But WPA is of the firm conviction that ultimately African Guyanese would not overcome the current challenges without targeted government policies that attack the particular challenges of the community. The elongated arm of enslavement must be severed from the throat of the community before African Guyanese can truly see their way to true emancipation. WPA pledges to use its voice and influence to help this effort.

It is against this backdrop that WPA calls on African Guyanese organizations to become more pro-active in advocating for big, overarching policies, especially in the socio-economic sphere. Such advocacy must me motivated by the need for renewal and for ethnic equality. As Guyana prepares for the era of Oil and Gas, African Guyanese must position themselves to benefit from the expected collective wealth.

Towards this end, we call on the organizations to organize African Guyanese com-

munity conversations culminating with a National Summit to mobilize a wide crosssection of opinions and expertise. In this regard, WPA notes the excellent work being undertaken by IDPAD-G in setting the stage for a sustained intervention. The WPA also supports the continued advocacy for reparations, both external and internal, as a necessary and proper form of compensation for the ravages of enslavement. It is a just campaign that should be supported by all ethnic groups.

Finally, as a political party, WPA would be remiss if it did not urge the African Guyanese community to participate fully in the electoral process that is upon us. While elections and political parties have not been mediums of transformative change, they should not be ignored. We, therefore, call on African Guyanese to register in preparation for voting and to use that vote in the most constructive manner. Emancipation was/is also about the right to vote.

PEOPLE’S PROGRESSIVE PARTY The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) wishes to extend warmest greetings to every Guyanese, especially our Afro-Guyanese brothers and sisters on the occasion of the 185th Anniversary of Emancipation.

Slavery remains t h e most cruel and inhumane system of subjugation and discrimination known to human history. The celebration of its abolition is the right and duty of every single human being.

This occasion, once again provides another opportunity for all to reflect on the tremendous sacrifices made by our AfroGuyanese ancestors who were brought inhumanely to this land in chains to provide f r e e l a b o u r f o r the sugar plantations.

They were stripped of their humanity and dignity and forced to toil long hours. Many were tortured and brutally killed for simply standing up for their rights. In t heir long and unyielding march for freedom, many battles were fought, including the Berbice Slave rebellion led by our nation’s National Hero, Cuffy.

When freedom finally came, the freed slaves and their descendants, though unedu c a t e d , demonstrated an exceptional degree of industry, thrift and financial acumen and hence, were able to acquire large portions of land, which today remains the foundation of our village movement and subsistence cash

crop industry. Indeed, the contributions of slaves and their descendants to every facet of life in this nation is simply immeasurable and it would be impossible to accurately capture in a mere statement of this nature. As we celebrate this important historic and national occasion, we urge every Guyanese not only to reflect upon the herculean sacrifices of the slaves and their descendants, their incomparable struggles and their remarkable achievements, but also to use them as a source of inspiration and guide as we continue to work together to build a united and democratic nation, free from poverty and discrimination.

Happy Emancipation Day to all.

Emancipation Greetings 2019 from the ERC The Chairman, Commissioners and Staff of the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) join with all Guyanese to celebrate the 185th Commemoration on the declaration of the abolition of slavery and the undue sacrifice of apprenticeship that lasted to 1838.

The ERC sees this commemoration as a historical landmark that has changed the landscape of our nation forever, - initiating the genesis of modern Guyana with the subsequent era of indentureship.

Emancipation then heralded the coming of

indentureship, enriching the landscape and compelling the need for answers from a new depth of clarification and fortitude towards an inevitable collective destiny beyond contentions, fears and fragmenting dogmas.

Emancipation is the stage that challenges all Guyana to evolve continuously.

The years of slavery were the eternal twilight that slipped into the darkest night of struggle, sacrifice and consuming hopelessness, to awake from that long blood-stained night to the promise of a new dawn with Eman-

cipation. The struggles and efforts of our African ancestors redound to the benefit of all Guyanese. As a diverse nation of five peoples we must collectively build on these triumphs, persevere and resolutely aspire to greater heights and a deepening of the spirit of social cohesion.

We must continue to unite, mobilize and together lift our nation to higher heights socially, economically and culturally. We must elevate our mindset, eschew mediocrity and believe in a culture of excellence.

Through the eyes of the ERC, Emancipation is our human movement. A process of cultural and mental awakening that must envelope us all, as we contemplate ground covered; acknowledge causes and errors made, and finally, truly emancipate ourselves collectively and commit a most significant positive posterity to the present and future Guyana.

The ERC takes this opportunity to extend best wishes to all Guyanese on the occasion of Emancipation.

PAGE 24

Alleged cover-up of gang rapes…

Handwriting samples reportedly confirm policewoman forged victims’ signatures The office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is in possession of a damning report that implicates at least four police ranks in the covering up of a series of gang rapes by a policeman’s son and others.

Kaieteur News understands that the report was handed over to the DPP’s office yesterday.

The report is said to include statements from a handwriting expert, who concluded that a female lance corporal (since retired), forged the signatures of three of the victims.

The same rank is also accused of altering the young women’s statements to suggest that they had not identified their attackers. The victims had positively identified their attackers.

Two of the policewomen were attached to the Forces’ Sexual Offences Units.

Kaieteur News understands that some of the police ranks who were involved in aspects of the investigation claimed that their statements were switched.

The police expert reportedly verified that the handwriting in the altered statements matched samples of the female lance corporal’s handwriting.

A policeman who is related to one of the suspects is also accused of paying one of the victims $200,000 to settle the matter. The female lance corporal from the sex crime unit is said to have acted

Thursday August 01, 2019

Kaieteur News

as the go-between in handing over the ‘hush money.’

It is also alleged that one of the implicated policemen made a false statement in which he gave one of the suspects an alibi.

However, that statement contradicted another that the same rank entered into the station diary.

Commissioner of Police, Leslie James, has said that the media will be informed of the findings of this and other investigations.

All of the implicated ranks have been transferred.

The victims, all in their teens, claim that the policeman’s son and two others, gang-raped and robbed them earlier this year, after they were duped into going on dates with one gang member who drives a car.

The teens said that although the matter was investigated and the suspects apprehended, only one of the alleged rapists was charged.

They have suggested that policewomen who help in sex crime investigations, and who took their statements, were involved in the cover-up.

Kaieteur News was told that persons close to the alleged rapists gave one victim’s family some $200,000 to avoid prosecution.

It is reported that the alleged serial rapists, including the policeman’s relatives, moved around on a motorcycle and a car.

They allegedly contacted their victims via social media.

The gang would reportedly then arrange to meet the unsuspecting young women.

If a young woman responded, one of the gang members would take her for a ‘date’ in a car.

Unknown to the teen, two accomplices of their ‘date’ would be hiding in the car trunk.

The ‘date’ would take the teen to a secluded area, where his accomplices would emerge from the car trunk.

The men would then take turns raping the teen, before relieving her of her cell phone and other valuables.

All the attacks are said to have occurred at secluded areas on East Bank Demerara.

From reports reaching Kaieteur News, the gang slipped up when they contacted another teen, who is a friend of one of the victims.

The young woman allegedly notified the police, who allegedly instructed the intended victim to meet her ‘date’ at a particular location while the ranks lay in wait.

The ‘date’ and his accomplices were arrested when they all turned up at the location.

It is alleged that the investigation took a disturbing turn when the police ranks realised that one of the suspects was the son of a police rank.

While the victims allegedly identified all of the suspects, and also provided statements, only one of the men was charged. He remains on remand.

Cops seek Joey in gunning down of South Sophia man Police have issued a wanted bulletin for Joseph Sargeant, called Joey, in connection with the gunning down last Sunday of Terry Ault in South Sophia, Greater Georgetown.

A release stated that the suspect is 38, and gave his last known addresses as Lot 3458 Postal Housing Scheme, North Ruimveldt & LH Stevedore Scheme, Tucville Squatting Area Georgetown.

Ault was shot dead during an altercation with others at a pool party.

Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest Joseph Sargeant called “Joey” is asked to contact the police on telephone numbers 2266978, 225-8196, 226-2870, 226-7065, 227-1149, 2267065, 911 or the nearest police station. All information will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Wanted: Joseph Sargeant called “Joey”

HAPPY EMANCIPATION DAY 2019

Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union The final “full freedom” of Emancipation was won after decades of death, suffering, slavery and exploitation from 1763 through 1823 to 1834 and finally 1838.

The spirit of yearning for freedom – that liberty of mind, body and soul from ownership by others never deserted the African slaves and the indentured contracted workers who followed them after full Emancipation in 1838.

Numerous were the uprisings, rebellions, protests, riots and strikes. Emancipation never came willingly or cheaply from the colonialists.

Against those sentiments, GAWU salutes the memory of those who struggled and sacrificed for freedom and the descendants of our African forefathers who today have hopefully inherited their spirit of justice and true freedom from those who dared to stand up against the brutal, enslaving colonial system.

It is now popular to repeat that “had there been no Emancipation there would

have been no Arrival”. But it is still a valid observation of our shared history. Both slaves “apprentices” and indentured labourers were integrally linked to the plantation.

S u g a r, historically cannot be s e p a r a t e d f r o m t o d a y ’s demography we know as Guyanese society.

It is perhaps a curious but understandable fact of Guyana’s socio-economic history that sugar brought us together, often forged of collective struggle against the plantocracy and for independence.

GAWU feels that this Emancipation 2019 period should reinforce in us all the lessons of the post1 8 3 8 h i s t o r y. I n u n i t y, strength is most sustained.

Today, sugar workers are at low ebb facing painful trials and tribulations of unemployment as government flounders to fashion a valid structured lasting plan to rescue a historic industry. Closure has affected thousands - both sugar workers and other

members of the workingclass. As with the forced apprentices in 1838 today’s sugar workers face a bleak, hopeless future unless, economic sense prevails and the workers’ representatives are listened to with serious intent.

The descendants of Emancipation must all share in equal opportunity as our natural and human resources become available to development for all. No group should be favoured or discriminated against because of political expediency. It is such approaches that will help preserve and give enduring meaning to achievements like emancipation and independence.

GAWU urges reflection at this time. Emancipation, Arrival and today’s challenges are issues that hold lessons for us and guide us in our pursuit and future endeavours. Let us heed them on Emancipation Day and onwards. A pleasant Emancipation Observance 2019 from GAWU.

China warns outsiders not to ‘sow distrust’ in South China Sea BANGKOK (Reuters) C h i n a ’s t o p d i p l o m a t y e s t e r d a y w a r n e d o utside countries not to amplify disputes in the South China Sea, where recent Chinese maneuvering in the energy-rich waters has rattled regional states and drawn condemnation from the United States.

Chinese Councillor Wang Yi touted progress on an eventual Code of Conduct with the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) after meeting

counterparts in the Thai capital.

Tensions have risen in the South China Sea over recent incidents between Chinese and Vietnamese and Philippine ships, the latest confrontations in a potential global flashpoint where the United States challenges China’s sweeping maritime claims. “ We t h i n k n o n - r e gional countries should not deliberately amplify such differences or disputes left from the past,”

s a i d Wa n g , r e s p o n d i n g to a question on the involvement of U.S. and other non-Asian countries in the discussions.

“Non-regional countries should also not make use of these differences to sow distrust between China and ASEAN countries.”

China said last week U.S. criticism of its role in the South China Sea, including comments from U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, was “slanderous”.

Thursday August 01, 2019

Kaieteur News

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Thursday August 01, 2019

Thursday August 01, 2019

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Kaieteur News

New Chairman meets Govt, Be polite; do not attack GECOM enumerators - Jagdeo Opposition commissioners separately Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, is appealing to Guyanese for them to be polite, and not target the enumerators of Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

“I want to urge Guyanese not to target the enumerators.

A lot of them are professional… these people are doing this for a pay. You can treat them politely by saying, I am not registering,” said the Opposition Leader yesterday at the offices Church Street office.

These requests from Jadgeo arise after it was reported that a number of home owners let their dogs loose when the GECOM field staff came calling to their houses.

GECOM staffers themselves complained that in some areas, more than 25 per-

cent of homes were not cooperating. Over 50,000 persons have registered over the past week.

Jagdeo, who believes that the house-to-house registration process is illegal, went on to say that the government should suspend the registration process and compensate the enumerators for their services.

“Give them a month or two salaries, but suspend the activity,” Jagdeo noted.

Recently, there were claims circulating, which stated that GECOM staff members were not going to be compensated for their services because the registration exercise was “illegal”.

GECOMS Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield, made it clear that staff mem-

bers and enumerators will be paid as monies have been budgeted for house-to-house registrations.

This statement was made at the swearing in of Justice Claudette Singh, who is the new GECOM chair.

He further insisted that prospective registrants are legal. On the issue of houseto-house registration, the CEO said he will await directions from the newly constitution commission.

Government said that the current voters list is expired and needs updating with thousands of persons who have died still being on it.

Thousands of first time voters are also not on it. However, the Opposition said that a simple claims and objections period can fix the issues.

Region Two NGSA top students awarded …as Ansa McAL and Dept. of Education host ceremony

Region Two top students pose for a photo with the Minister of Business, Hon. Haimraj Rajkumar and the region’s REO The top students of Region Two, PomeroonSupenaam, at this year’s National Grade Six Assessment were urged, yesterday, to become model citizens working towards developing Guyana while living in harmony with their fellow Guyanese.

This was the message by Minister of Business, Haimraj Rajkumar, during a special awards ceremony held at the Regional Democratic Council’s boardroom in Anna Regina.

The awards ceremony was made possible through the collaboration of the Department of Education, the Education Ministry and Ansa McAL Trading Ltd through its Smalta line of beverages.

He said that the students would have worked hard during their time at primary school and were therefore able to be successful today.

He said that the attitude towards performing well should not stop at the secondary level but continue as they enter secondary school.

Minister Rajkumar encouraged the students to continue to dedicate themselves to learn-

ing so that at the end of their secondary school life they can be applauded once again.

The students were advised that in their efforts to contribute to the development of Guyana, they should live cohesively with their peers and not to be divided.

He said, “Love your friends; do not hate; live together in unity.”

He told the students and their parents that the government is very serious about education. He said that since 2015 the government has invested a lot of funds into the education sector.

However, despite the heavy investment, Minister Rajkumar noted that the government is cognizant that more has to be done. He said that he is committed to ensuring that the children of Guyana can access the best quality of education.

Regional Executive Officer, Mr. Denis Jaikaran, said that the children were honoured because of the evident dedication and commitment they invested into their work.

He congratulated the parents and teachers for their

contributions that allowed the children achieve at the very level. He told the parents that their support to the children should not stop today but continue throughout their life.

The REO urged the students to stay faithful to developing their country and to be prudent when they are placed in positions to make fruitful decisions to benefit Guyana.

Regional Education Officer, Ms. Nicola Matthews, congratulated the students for portraying the discipline, compassion and zeal for learning. She said that this year is special for the region since its very own Venisha Lall shared the number one spot for the country.

The Department of Education honoured the top 28 students of the region with backpacks, while the top 10 students received a bursary, compliments of Smalta – Ansa McAL Trading Ltd and a token from the Ministry of Education.

The gifts of appreciation were handed over by Minister Rajkumar and Mr. Jaikaran.

Discussions of house-to-house registration, elections top agenda The People’s Progressive Party nominated Commissioners officially registered their concerns with newly appointed Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission, Justice Claudette Singh, yesterday. This was the first official meeting between the new chair and both opposition and government nominated commissioners.

Speaking to the media outside the GECOM head office in Kingston, Commissioners from both sides described the interaction with the new chair as cordial. The party representatives held separate discussions with Justice Singh.

While the government appointed Commissioners Vincent Alexander and Charles Corbin declined to offer insight about their discussions, their view that a clean and sanitized list must be used for the elections will not change.

The Commissioners believe it is the best option for elections.

“That will not change. It was decided unanimously some time ago that this was the best option for the elections. We believe that the list needs to be sanitized before elections and house to house registration is the best way of doing so.” Opposition commissioner and attorney –at- law, Sase Gunraj, said that the discussions centered on holding of general and regional elections and matters related to house registration and the claims and objections period.

Gunraj noted further that his side was able to make a presentation to which the chairman was very receptive.

“The issues that were dis-

New GECOM Chair, Justice Claudette Singh cussed are related to all the matters that are in the public domain … The holding of general elections which are constitutionally due; the issue of house to house registration was definitely raised Gunraj noted that the purpose of the meeting was for the new chair to familiarize herself with the operations of the commission.

“It was a very cordial meeting the chairman was very receptive and respectful of the views presented to her.

“We raised the issue of claims and objections period which should be happening and I am satisfied that we presented our case on factors against the conduct of house to house registration. We look forward to having meaningful deliberations with all sides present when that time comes,” he added.

The court action which was filed to block house-to house registration also came up for discussion.

“The issue of the pending court action came up for discus-

sion and concerns were noted.”

The opposition is party to matters before the Court seeking to the house -to -house registration process. The application filed in the High Court on behalf of Attorney-at-Law Christopher Ram is insisting that general and regional elections be held on or before September 18.

Ram is now asking the High Court to order the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to stop the house-to-house registration process, since it is not in keeping with the recent rulings of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), and more so, the Constitution of Guyana.

In the application Ram is also seeking an order compelling them to immediately take all steps and actions necessary and requisite to hold General and Regional Elections on or before the 18th day of September 2019, in compliance with Articles 106(6) and 106(7) of the Constitution of Guyana and the decisions of the CCJ. In his Fixed DateApplication (FDA), Ram said that he has a deep and abiding interest in the rule of law being upheld and the Constitution of Guyana, the supreme law of the land, being obeyed and complied with, by those upon whom it casts duties and responsibilities.

Through his lawyer, Ram is also seeking a declaration that the house-to-house registration process is in violation with the aforesaid Articles of the Constitution and the letter and spirit of the judgment and Consequential Orders by the CCJ. Against this backdrop, Ram is asking the court to declare that the house-to-house registration process is illegal, unlawful, ultra vires, unconstitutional, null, void and of no effect.

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CCJ to hear matter involving CARICOM countries in October P O RT O F S PA I N , Trinidad - CMC – The Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) will sit in October to hear a request for an advisory opinion by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

The CCJ, which was established in 2003, replacing the London-based Privy Council as the region’s final court, also acts as an international tribunal interpreting the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas that governs the 15-member regional integration grouping.

President of the Court, Justice Adrian Saunders in the case management of the matter in which attorneys representing Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada, St. Kitts-Nevis and Jamaica as well as the Guyana-based CARICOM Secretariat, made appearances, said that the matter will be heard on October 22-23.

The CCJ is hearing a request for an advisory opinion by CARICOM pursuant to Article 212 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas which states “the Court shall have exclusive jurisdiction to deliver advisory opinions concerning the interpretation and application of the Treaty” and that “advisory opinions shall be delivered only at the request of the Member States parties to a dispute or the Community”.

In its submissions, Grenada said it would like to know when a state has in the past opted out of a decision, nationals of that state nevertheless enjoyed the benefits of the decision adopted by CARICOM. During the case management hearing on Tuesday, Antigua and Barbuda indicated it was not in a position “at this stage” to provide the Court with information on whether nationals from that island had

also benefited from a similar situation.

“What we will do is to ask all of the parties having such information to share that information by filing the same within the next three weeks,” Justice Saunders said.

He said all states which have not filed written submissions but are desirous of doing so much submit them by August 20, with reply submissions being received by September 10.

“The date for the hearing of oral submissions would be Tuesday 22nd October and Wednesday 23rd October…and each member state representative will speak for no more than 45 minutes,” Justice Saunders said adding that the orders of the court will be served on all CARICOM member states.

The CARICOM Secretariat will also be allowed 45 minutes.

Thursday August 01, 2019

Judge rules against ex-premier and other cabinet ministers in corruption case PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos - CMC – A High Court judge has ruled there’s a case for ex-premier Michael Misick and four of his cabinet ministers to answer following a corruption trial that lasted nearly four years. Judge Paul Harrison disagreed with the attorneys for Misick and for the eight accused that included the ex-Cabinet ministers, who had spent several weeks earlier this year arguing that the prosecution had failed to show sufficient evidence of their clients’ alleged misdeeds.

In January, the lawyers had demanded the trials be dismissed because the Crown had failed to make them “manageable,” but Justice Harrison disagreed, noting that the long delays had been unavoidable. The trial had officially opened in December 2015 and was expected to last just six months. The lead prosecutor Andrew Mitchell QC and his team had argued that various bribes were received

Ex-premier Michael Misick between 2003 and 2009 in relation to eight separate developments when Misick and others were in office.

The conspiracy is said to have taken place between four members of the then Cabinet, namely Misick and his ministers Floyd Hall, McAllister

Hanchell and Jeffrey Hall.

Other allegations centre on the way political donations were spent, including a charge of conspiracy to defraud the then ruling Progressive National Party (PNP) and its members of donations.

Thursday August 01, 2019

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Kaieteur News

Winfer Garden win opening Triangular Windball series opener Winfer Garden won the opening game of the A. Munroe organised AL Sport & Tour Promotions Champions of Champions Triangular Windball Cricket series involving the three winners from the 22nd Annual End of school year primary schools tournament. Saint Anne’s, Leonora & Winfer Garden are the teams contesting the series.

Leonora after been invited to bat made 121-1 off 8 overs with Rayon Dowlin 46 (6s-7), Shohid Bahadur 34 and T. Ali 24.

Winfer Garden replied with 125-0 with Shane Prince 34 (6s4).

Meanwhile, the three girls’ champions Tuschen, Saint Mary’s & Ketley will be involved in a similar series scheduled to commence during this month and will be played in the evening at the National Gymnasium.

Hutton Mars (right) presents a trophy to skipper Shane Prince, while Head teacher (2nd right) and other players share the moment.

Winfer Garden Team.

T&T Academy...

Thursday August 01, 2019 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Connect with the fellow sitting next to you or perhaps the woman behind you in line at the store. He or she could share a piece of wisdom that changes your life forever.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Today is one of those days in which prosperity is much closer than you think, Libra.

You may know what you seek, but it's up to you to take the first step toward going after it.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Your self-esteem may be challenged today by a fast talker or unpleasant situation, Taurus.

Don't accept things at first glance. There's a much deeper meaning brewing below the surface, and you'd be foolish not to recognize that.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Indecision may leave you helpless at a crossroads today, Scorpio. Others may be just as undecided regarding which way to go.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Jump on board the fast train and see how far it takes you, Gemini. You'll be surprised at how far you can go with minimal effort.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Flexibility is an important part of today, Cancer. Take a relaxed, laid-back approach. Trying to ram your ideas through isn't the best tactic. Having tunnel vision will restrict you in many ways.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) - Things coming at you from all sides are forcing you to make a move, Leo. Don't be pressured into something you don't want to do.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Lock into the practical, grounding force of the day that is not only realistic but also flexible. Attend to details and organize yourself, Virgo.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Latch on to the expansiveness that comes when you connect with others in a social arena, Sagittarius. Communication is a key aspect of the day.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Connect with the stable, grounding energy of the day, Capricorn, but beware that tension may come in the form of fast talk and misinformation. People could be fickle and frantic.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Any expansive feeling you experience may be rained on today. You could get the feeling that you've lost touch with reality.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Walk to the beat of your own drum, Pisces. If you try to latch on to the smoothtalking, fast-paced information of the day, your voice could get lost in the crowd. But if you plant your feet firmly and try to plan, you might deprive yourself.

From page 30 Anil Berharry, got good support from Vishaul Persaud and Reaz Mohamed who captured two wickets each.

Everest galloped to 47-1 from just six overs after Anthony Khan fell for a duck with no runs on the board thanks to an unfinished 47run stand between Ushardava Balgobin who hit three sixes and two fours in an undefeated 39 from 21 balls, while Varun Mangla was the silent partner with five not out.

In the T20 encounter, the Academy for the Twin-Island Republic against batted first and were dismissed for 53 with Keron Ramoutar and Daris Deonarine making nine each as Khan had 3-17 and Nityuend Mathurin took 2-6 for Everest who reached 54 -2 with Mangla making 21 and Vishal Persaud getting 13.

The Trinis face-off today with Enmore at Lusignan, while they return to Everest on tomorrow before concluding on their tour on Saturday with a game on the East Bank of Essequibo when they battle Parika.

The objectives of this tour are two-fold; Firstly, the aim is to give the young players an opportunity to expand and develop their cricketing and social skills and secondly to gain a sense of geography of a neighbouring country.

(Sean Devers)

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Thursday August 01, 2019

Kaieteur News

Pan Am games 2019 “Guyana can compete despite challenges”-McKoy

By Calvin Chapman in Peru It has been one week into the 18th Pan American championship that is being hosted in the Peru’s capital, Lima, and although Guyana has not medalled, the Golden Arrowhead was well represented so far. That sentiment is also shared by the Chef-De-Mission of Guyana’s 40-member contingent, Nalini McKoy, who would have arrived in the Spanish speaking country capital since the 20th of July.

The most disappointing event of the ‘land of many waters’ campaign so far would have been the injustice dealt to 20-year-old pugilist Keevin Allicock who was clearly denied a definite medal by the reportedly corrupt boxing officials on Monday night.

The investments made by the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) to send Allicock for a three week training camp while facilitating the arrival of a Cuban boxing coach, along with the monthly stipend given to the young man, has shown that despite limitations Guyana can compete.

McKoy shared with this publication that, “Funding, infrastructure and a sports policy may be lacking in

Guyana yet we are able to go head to head with these other countries that benefit from all those things. We have great potential and once our athletes continue to persevere and get the relevant support from all stakeholders, the sky is the limit for us (Team Guyana).”

In squash, Guyana’s trio of Taylor Fernandes, Ashley Khalil and Mary Fung-A-Fat were the first to represent the Golden Arrowhead in the women’s team event in the sport. All three of the ladies playing in their first Pan American games competed valiantly and they tasted success when they swept home

side Peru 3-0 to register the squash team’s solitary win in the competition.

Khalil and Fung-A-Fat each lost tough matches in the women’s singles against Chilean opponents, while the spark of Guyana was shown in their defeat against Chile as well in the women’s doubles.

Justin Choy lost his Taekwondo match 21-4, while the Ramdhani siblings of Narayan and Priyanna lost both of their singles’ match and their doubles fixture.

The Green Machine, Guyana’s national men’s rugby sevens team finished last in a largely disappointing campaign. Patrick King re-

Guyana’s squash team from left, Ashley Khalil, Taylor Fernandes and Mary Fung-A-Fat.

mains to be one of the standout players in the camp but the general consensus is that a reform of the national rugby programme is needed for the side that once dominated the region to move into the right direction while fund-

ing and infrastructure remains to be the bugbear of local sports associations.

On Sunday, Chelsea Edghill will commence her campaign for glory in the women’s singles Table Tennis, while the swimmers Daniel

Scott and Nikita Fiedtkou will enter the pool on Tuesday.

McKoy disclosed some sad news, Guyana’s 400m record holder, Winston George, has sustained a groin injury and will not travel to Peru.

Keevin Allicock was on the wrong end of an unfair decision on Monday night but the boxer has pledged to come back even stronger.

The Green Machine has much work to do moving forward after finishing last in the rugby 7.

K. Rampat Cricket Academy Guyana tour T&T Academy lose twice to Everest Yesterday

Former Guyana U-19 player Sean Devers (right) hands over a plaque to Everest Skipper Varun Mangla after the hosts beat KRCA twice at Everest Yesterday.

Yesterday at the Everest ground, one of few grounds in Demerara in a playable condition at this time of changing weather pattern, the K. Rampat Cricket Academy (KRCA) on a one-week tour to Guyana lost twice yesterday against host Everest U-15s after their opening game against Enmore was washed on Tuesday.

Anthony Khan (best batsman) & Varon Mangla (best bowler) got prizes at Everest yesterday.

The youngsters from Carnival Country lost their 40overs encounter by nine wickets before going down by eight wickets in a T20 affair.

In the first game, the visitors elected to bat in scorching heat on a good track and heavy outfield caused by rain this week and struggled to get the ball off the square as they

Ushardaua Balgobin top scored with 39 for Everest yesterday.

laboured to 46 all out in 40 over as nobody reached double figures.

Off-spinner Aaron Beharry, who has done tremendous work on his fitness, had 3-5 as he opened the bowling.

Beharry the son of former Berbice Inter-County left-hander (Continued on page 29)

Thursday August 01, 2019

Youth Hoops Basketball Clinic and Tour

Registration process moving apace – Coordinator Amanda Wilson

Founder of Green Mango Media and Orgainiser of the Youth Hoops Basketball Clinic and Tour Ms. Amanda Wilson has reported that plans for the August 6-9 energy packed event is moving full steam ahead with the registration process being very hectic.

The main facilitators of the Clinic are former NBA player Anthony Bonner (New York Knicks, Sacramento Kings & Orlando Magics) and Founder of The Xperience Outreach Rich Mahler (USA).

Wilson informed that the focus of the clinic would be on footwork, aggressiveness, mentality, and all around offensive skills, including ball handling and shooting. ”Registration is going amazing so far, we have gotten kids from all over Georgetown, Linden, Kwakwani, Bartica, Berbice, East Coast, West Coast, so far so good and we are absolutely looking forward to see all of them on the 6th and 7th in Georgetown and the 8th in Linden. The last time was good, this time it will be maximum awesome.”

The organisers are targeting over 100 kids between the City

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Kaieteur News

Amanda Wilson – Founder, Green Mango Media and the Bauxite Mining Town for the programme, while the facilitators have expressed

delight in coming to Guyana again and are looking forward to interacting with the participants on and off the court. Sessions according to Ms. Wilson would be one on one as well as group where among other things the kids would be lectured to on how challenging it is to stay in sport and the opportunities that can be had and accessed by becoming a professional athlete.Persons wishing to get more information on the Youth Hoops Basketball Clinic and Tour can contact Ms. Amanda Wilson on 678 9621.

Dominoes competition for Emancipation Celebrations in Berbice on today

The Berbice Association of African People (BAOAP), which is an umbrella organisation that is made up of a number of African organisations, groups and churches from across Berbice, has organised a grand one day Dominoes competition for today at the No53 Sports Complex, Corentyne Berbice.

The competition, which is open to all teams across Guyana, has lucrative prizes on offer. The winning team will receive $100,000, the second place will receive $50,000, third takes home $25,000 and fourth $15,000. Incentives will also be given to outstanding individual players. Entrance fee is $9,000.

Teams can also walk with a new pack of dominoes. Starting time is 09:00 hrs.

All set for PMTC Centenary horserace meet today

Two changes made to programme All systems are at go for the Port Mourant Turf Club (PMTC) Centenary horserace meet organised by the 4-Horse Man Promotion Group in collaboration with the Ryan Crawford Memorial Turf Club (RCMTC) at the PMTC, Big yard, Corentyne, Berbice racetrack Emancipation Day, today.

According to Veteran horse race stalwart, Colin Elcock, who is the Coordinator, two changes to the programme today. Elcock informed that the H Class event will now be and Open race with allotted weight, while the K Class race has been substituted by another 2 years old race. He informed that all 2 years old horses involved must present themselves to the vet by 10:00am and owners must walk with all relative documents of their horse.

A total of seven races are slated to be contested with over $5M in cash and trophies and other incentives up for grabs. The racetrack is said to be in excellent shape.

Apart for being staged in observance of the historic milestone, the meet is also being held in memory of the achievements of the late Attorney at Law and Senior Counsel, Marcel Crawford for the enormous amount of work he did at the PMTC during his lifetime.

Over 50 horses have been entered for the once in a life time event. Among them are: Caribbean Boy, Cherish Me, Perfection, TP 360, Cat Ruler, Mahaica Star, Song Bird, Pikachu, Delilah, Royal Progressive, Princess Celine, Stolen Diamond, Broke Gun, Release the Heat, Perfection, Touch Down, He’s in control, Desert Storm, Dutty Dance, Osana, Not dis Time, Campador, Kentucky Woman, Silver and Things, Red Rocket, Catch a Glimpse, Village Prince, Princess Emma, Prin-

IFBB Diamond Cup Saint Martin 2019

Bruce Sevlon Whatley cops bronze medal at first IFBB Pro competition

A

fter flexing his way to a Pro Card at the 45th edition of the CAC Body Building & Fitness Championships last year in Mexico, USA based Guyanese Bruce Sevlon Whatley competing for the first time at this level was able to snare the bronze medal at the inaugural IFBB Diamond Cup, Saint Martin/St. Maarten Championships Sonesta Maho Beach Resort and Casino on Sunday last.

The championship which was managed by the IFBB of Spain consisted of six categories: Bodybuilding, Men’s Physique, Women’s Physique, Women’s Fitness, Bikini, and Wellness.

Whatley, who did not have the usual time to prepare (14 to 17 weeks) for this show (5 weeks) owing to his father falling ill in Guyana last month and having to be here, still managed to finish in the top three behind gold medalist Daniel Gorvey of Grenada and

Bruce Whatley (right) with the top two. (Rashid Walker/Antigua Mod photo) Omar Pellejero of Spain.

His normal weight class would have been 90kg (198lbs & under) and not being able to keep that weight, the Guyanese gladiator had to

compete in the big league.

Whatley commented on his performance: “I am very, very happy with my performance, to compete at the professional level

at the biggest bodybuilding organisation and to be in the top three is remarkable. So I am extremely proud of my performance, especially since I prepared in just 5 weeks.

cess, Jean, Up rising star, Justify the Heat, Joyful Love, City of Love, Sunday Silence, Up top Boss, Land Star, Awesome Bandit, Catholic Boy, Easter Far, Wonder Girl, Red Woman and Body Guard.

Sponsors such as Banks DIH Limited, Dequan Trading, Attorney at Law Senior Counsel Rajendra Poonai, Sankar Auto Works, Cumming Electrical Company, Valvoline, Just Water, Colin Elcock Delmur Company Limited, Poonai Pharmacy, Jumbo Jet Racing Stables, Murals Logistics, Toolsie Persaud and Habibulla Meat Center are on board. Banks DIH will have a well stocked bar at the event and are the sponsor of the 3 year old main event.

There are three feature events on the programme with the 1300M race for animals classified 3 years old Guyana-bred racing for a winning purse of $300,000 and trophy the main race.

The Open (formerly H3 and lower) race over 1300M for a winning take of $220,000 and trophy and the two-year-old Guyana-bred animals 1000M for a winning take of $220,000 and a trophy are the others.

The other events are for horses classified J and lower, K2 and Lower, L class open and L1 and lower.

The races will be run under the Guyana Horse Racing Rules and no late entries will be accepted.

Any last minute information can be had by calling Bobby Vaughn on 624-6788, 2235097 or 227-7061, Marcel Crawford Jr on 6785342 or 600-7690, Fazal Habibullah on 657-7010, Compton Sancho on 691-1174 or Loresa Mohabir on 624-0453.

Johnson happy with CWI Level two programme Guyana Jaguars skipper Leon Johnson said he is pleased with the Cricket West Indies Level two coaching course which concluded on Monday last the Guyana National Stadium.

Speaking with Kaieteur Sport following the course, Johnson, the only Captain to win the Professional Cricket League Regional four-day tournament so far with five titles under his belt, said the course was very formative and augurs well for the development of the game in Guyana and the Caribbean.

“I have played a lot of cricket and been exposed to different coaches and different coaching styles so having done this new approach ‘athlete centre’ kind of open my eyes to new techniques in coaching. I think some of the things I have learnt here, I can take forward in my development as a player as well, especially the psychological part of the sessions.”

27 coaches took the course and Johnson was positive that the entire country will benefit. “There were people here from all across Guyana, so I think everybody who have left here have

Leon Johnson learned something new and it shows that the entire country will benefit.”

Apart from Johnson, other national players took the course including Veerasammy Permaul, Steven Jacobs, Akshaya Persaud, Anthony Adams and Vishaul Singh. “It’s great to see some of the national players done the course and the level one, more of us are now qualified in a certain field and I am sure, like me, they will take some of the stuff they would have learnt here to develop their game, so this makes us stronger as well,” said Johnson.

(Zaheer Mohamed)

PAGE 32

Merriman Funeral Homes backs Champion of Champions dominoes Organisers, Senior Organising Secretary of the Georgetown Dominoes Association Mark Wiltshire and Dion Carter have gained the backing of Merriman Funeral Homes for the staging of the Champion of Champions dominoes competition which is set for August 4 at Turning Point.

The entity presented a cheque to Wiltshire at a simple ceremony held at their location, 55 Lime and Bent Streets, Werk-en-Rust. Pertab (only name provided) of Merriman Funeral Homes said he is looking forward to a successful and excitement competition since it entails the top teams for the year so far.

Wiltshire thanked the entity for their support.

The competition will be played in three rounds of aggregate clash followed by sudden death. Entrance fee is $15,000 and the winning team will take home a trophy and $200,000, runner up a trophy and $100,000, third place a trophy and $50,000 and fourth place $20,000. The most valuable player will receive $10,000

Thursday August 01, 2019

Kaieteur News

Reebok Cross Fit Games 2019 Mahadeo and Adonis open quest for podium spots today The Guyanese duo of Dillon Mahadeo and Delise Adonis will make their debuts today when the 2019 edition of the Reebok Cross Fit Games begins today in Madison, Wisconsin, USA. The best fitness athletes from about 160 nations will showcase the heart and determination required to be named Fittest on Earth.

The 23 year-old Mahadeo is

Mark Wiltshire (left) accepts the cheque from Pertab and a cellular phone while the best female player will take home $20,000 and a voucher.

The qualifying teams are Gold is Money, Spartans, Mix Up, Phantom, All Season’s Angels, Providence, All Season’s Racing Service, All Season’s Punters, TNT, Players, Lions, Masters, Gangsters, Big Boss Girls, Fresh Cash, C7, Cody Girls, Royal Kings, OPKO and Turning

Point. Other sponsors are G. Bacchus and Sons, Stag, RRT Enterprise, Bet Supreme, Industrial Safety Supplies Inc, Hilary Davidson Designs and Technologies, Dave’s Barber Shop and Salon, New Nigel’s Supermarket, Mc Beth, Magnum and G. Bacchus. Action gets underway at 13:30hrs.

Teams can contact Wiltshire on 6598672 for registration.

ranked 7144th in the world while the 21 year-old Adonis is ranked 8422nd; the two athletes are being managed and coached

by Jamie McDonald.

Every event will be worth up to 100 points, and athletes earn points based on their finish. After Event 1, the top 75 athletes will advance to Event 2. The proceeding events will cut the field to 50 athletes,

then 40, 30, 20, and finally, 10. At the end of the weekend, the athlete with the most points is the winner.

Athletes who tie receive the same number of points.

If athletes fail to complete an event within the time cap (for timed events), their score will be capped, and they will receive a 1second penalty for each rep not completed.

Guyana Cup 2019

A. Forrester Lumber Yard & Park Square rides with event

Dharamdai Pargass of Park Square Fun City hands over sponsorship to Rovin DeSouza (left) of JJTRC.

Jamal Holland, Supervisor of A. Forrester Lumber Yard (left) present DeSouza with his company’s sponsorship.

The 13th annual Guyana Cup 2019 gallops off just in just over two weeks on August 18th at the Rising Sun Turf Club, Rising Sun Village in West Coast, Berbice (45mins from Georgetown) and it is expected to be one of the biggest if not the biggest in the history of the competition with over US$50,000 cash in prize money being handed out on the day and a grand mega concert featuring seven international artistes planned after the event.

According to the organisers, Jumbo Jet thoroughbred Racing Committee (JJTRC), fans will be able to enjoy and party at the mega concert for the same $2000 entrance fee that would be spent to view the horse race extravaganza.

With an eight-race programme and an international concert planned, sponsors have not been shying away from the opportunity to align themselves with this event that has been a major player in sports tourism in Guyana during the August period in the past.

Confirming their partnership with the Guyana Cup horse race event are A. Forrester Lumber Yard and Park Square Fun City and Mahaicony Gas Station.

In a press release, JJTRC chairman Nasrudeen Mohamed Jr., thanked these sponsors and all that have supported the Guyana Cup 2019 this year and in the past.

The prize money for the races is as follows: – C Class and lower feature race over a distance of one mile for – $2million, – Three-year-old Guyana Bred – $1million – G3 and lower – $400,000 – L3 and lower (open to non-winners from Trinidad & Tobago) – $350,000 – Two-year-old Guyana bred over – $300,000.

– J3 and lower over seven furlongs – $300,000.

– L Class for Colts – $250,000 – L Class Philly and Mare – $250,000 Some of the top animals expected to be on show come race day will include Just Call Me Bass, Crown the King (Jamaica), Doublin Fashion (USA), Chameli (Jamaica), Safara (Jamaica), Southern Express (T&T), Silver & Things (T&T), Sitarr (T&T), Kentucky Woman (T&T), Super Easy (T&T) and She’s a Princess.

Kaieteur News

Thursday August 01, 2019

RHTYSC Patron’s Fund assisted twenty two Clubs with cricket balls Whim National Cricket Club receives trophies for tournament

T

he remarkable success story of Berbice Cricket continues even during the rainy season as the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS continues to assist the Berbice Cricket Board to fulfill its mandate.

The Club under its 2019 Patron Fund shared out twenty two boxes of cricket balls to twenty two cricket clubs. The donation brought the number of clubs receiving balls to fifty, out of the ninety based in Berbice.

RHTYSC Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster, MS stated that on his election as President of the Berbice Cricket Board, he promised to assist all clubs in Berbice. In 2018, over $1M worth of balls were shared out to the Clubs in a joint project spearheaded by Foster and former BCB President Anil Beharry.

Sixteen boxes of balls were handed to the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association for distribution to Clubs in that Subassociation.

Among the Clubs that would benefit with balls are Ya k u s a r i , N o . 4 8 Challengers, No. 69 Red R o s e , N o . 7 0 M . Y. O , Scottsburg United, Crabwood Creek Sports Club, Skeldon Titans and No. 59 Youth Cricket Club.

Additionally six Clubs in the Lower Corentyne area would also benefit including Chesney, Whim, Courtland, No. 1 Road, Kilcoy and Nigg Intruders Foster, who spearheads the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS and Berbice Cricket Board Marketing drive, stated that the remaining 40 clubs would collect balls by the end of

13th Junior Caribbean Cycling Championships

September, 2019.

A d d i t i o n a l l y, c l u b s i n Berbice are also benefitting from donations of water pitchers, stumps, school bags, educational materials, trophies, medals, bicycles, cricket gears for youth cricketers, rain coats among others. He urged the Clubs to take proper care of the items and to cherish the outstanding work of his administration.

Foster also fulfilled his commitment to the Whim National Cricket Club by handing over three trophies for an upcoming cricket tournament at the Whim Cricket Ground. The four teams’ tournament would be organised by the Berbice Cricket Board as part of an effort to promote cricket in the Village.

The trophies were donated by Mr. Ramesh Sunich of the Trophy Stall under the RHTYSC, MS Patron’s Fund. Foster also handed over a box of balls to the Whim Club for the Winner of the Tournament.

The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club would like to extend gratitude to Mr. Christopher Jones of the National Sports Commission, the Ministry of the Presidency and Mr. Sunich for making the donations possible.

Guyana adds Jonathan Ramsuchit; Barbados, Bermuda and St. Martin confirm their teams President of the Guyana Cycling Federation Horace Burrows has confirmed that Jonathan Ramsuchit of Berbice and a member of Trojan Cycle Club has been added to the Guyana team for the 13th edition of the Junior Caribbean Cycling Championships to be held in Bartica next weekend, A u g u s t 1 0 - 1 1 .

Ramsuchit, who represented Guyana as a juvenile back in 2017 at the same championships in Barbados, will be hoping like his fellow countrymen and women to do themselves and country proud.

Meanwhile, countries have begun to submit the name of their riders for the championships Barbados’ lone competitor would be Adam Marshall. Bermuda has confirmed Nicholas Narraway, Alexander Miller, Liam Flannery and Nazarai F o x .

St. Martin would be represented by Noel Kianny, Aracin Kayl, Carty Kenny, Sanon Wilson and Thomas Roderick.

Jonathan Ramsuchit

PAGE 33

RHTYSC, MS Organising Secretary Ravindranauth Kissoonlall hands over boxes of balls to UCCA President Dennis D’Andrade.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 34

Thursday August 01, 2019

Ganesh Parts and General Store, KSM Investments backs Post-Emancipation horse race meet

Director Khaimwattie Panchu hands over the cheque and trophy to Cecil Kennard.

G

anesh Parts and General under their BKT Tyres of Robb Street and KSM Investments Inc. of Good Hope, East Coast Demerara have thrown their support behind the Kennard Memorial Turf Club for the staging of the Post Emancipation Day horse race meet which is set for Sunday at the club’s Bush Lot Corentyne venue.

Ron Mohammed sales representative of Ganesh’s Parts and General Store handed over the complete package for the E and Lower

race to Cecil Kennard, the Honorary President of the Kennard Memorial Turf Club, yesterday.

The entity’s proprietor Roop Persaud said they are happy to be associated with the Kennard Memorial Turf Club again.

He added that time the company is sponsoring under the BKT Tyres, which according to him, is a quality agricultural and off-road product.

M e a n w h i l e , Khaimwattie Panchu KSM Investments Inc.,Director said moments before

President of the Kennard Memorial Turf Club, Cecil Kennard (2nd from right) collects the winning trophy from sales representative of Ganesh Parts and General Store, Ron Mohammed. Proprietor Roop Persaud (second left) and other staff members also share the moment. presenting the first prizes and winning trophy for the L-Non Winner, that the company is pleased to be on board yet again and pledged their continued support.

Kennard said he is pleased with the support he has received from the business entities over the years, stating that sponsorship is absolutely essential for the successful staging of any sporting event.

“Those of us who are involved in the administration of sport, be it cricket or horse racing, we

need sponsorship to ensure our events are successful,” Kennard noted. He thanked both businesses for their support.

The races will be run under the Rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority and over 60 horses have been entered for the meet, and the track is in fine condition, despite some rain over the past few days.

The activity has attracted some of the country’s top thoroughbreds to compete for cash prizes and trophies from 12:00hrs.

This meet has been one of the country’s traditions over the years and this year’s event is deemed one of the biggest with over $4M in prizes up for grabs; seven races are carded for the day with the feature being E and

Lower one-mile event for $700,000 prize for the winner.

Among other races carded on the provisional programme are L class nonwinners for $120,000, J and K Lower for $180,000, the L non-winners for $140,000, the Two-year-old Guyanabred for a top prize of $200,000, and L Open for a purse $160,000.

Thursday August 01, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 35

Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh renews BCB Cricket Academy sponsorship for US$2,000 Board also receives donation of balls, scorebooks. $600,000 water pitcher project launched

T

he Hilbert Foster led Berbice Cricket Board continues to attract the support of Companies and individuals in its ongoing effort to develop Berbice Cricket even further. On Saturday last, overseas based Berbician Medical Doctor, Tulsi Dyal Singh renewed his sponsorship of the Board’s Annual Cricket Academy. Dr. Singh handed over the sponsorship cheque for US$2,000 to BCB Treasurer Dr. Cecil Beharry during a special programme at the St. Francis Community Developers Centre.

BCB President Hilbert Foster hailed the renewal of the Academy sponsorship as another red letter day for the Board as it strives to fulfill its objective of developing new talent. The Berbice Cricket Board has the most c o m p r e h e n s i v e developmental programme for any Cricket Board in Guyana and Foster stated that this would continue as long as he remains the President. Leadership, he stated is about visionary planning and the BCB vision is to make sure that every youth fulfills their potential as a cricketer. Over the last eighty years, Berbice Cricket has produced nineteen Test Cricketers and Foster expressed confidence that, that figure could reach twenty five by 2025. With players like Romario Shepherd, Anthony Bramble, Kevin Umroa, Kevlon Anderson, Junior Sinclair, Isiah Thorne, Rampersaud Ramnauth on the horizon, the hard working President predicted that the best days of Berbice Cricket are ahead.

The Cricket Academy would be held for one week at the Albion Cricket Ground in mid August. A total of 50 players between the Under13 to Under-19 levels would be involved in the Academy under the supervision of a panel of coaches. Special emphasis would be placed on physical fitness, batting, fast

bowling, spin bowling, fielding, wicketkeeping and Rules/History of the Game.

Members of the Academy would also receive a copy of the RHTYSC/BCB Youth Information Booklet, which would enabled them to participate in a series of classroom lectures on Drug Abuse, HIV/AIDS, Suicide, Importance of Education, Personal Hygiene and Public Speaking.

Dr. Singh also handed a large quantity of specially designed pencils to the Berbice Cricket Board for members of the Academy and also several copies of 2019 Guyana Review Magazine.

Dr. Puran Singh, younger brother of Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh also handed over six boxes of cricket balls to the Berbice Board along with several score books. The balls and the score books would be shared out to Clubs

Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh poses with representatives of Rose Hall Canje and Whim National Cricket Clubs after handing over the water pitchers. across Berbice as part of the Board’s outreach programme. Dr. Tulsi also honoured BCB President Hilbert Foster for his outstanding leadership by presenting him with a specially designed pen, which is one of only fifteen of its kind in the world.

Meanwhile, the Berbice Cricket Board also officially launched its $600,000 water pitcher programme. Under

the programme, the Board would assist over ninety cricket clubs in Berbice with water pitchers. Sponsor of the project Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh officially launched it by handing over two five gallons water pitchers to representatives of the Whim National and Rose Hall Canje Cricket Clubs.

Clubs in the Upper Corentyne, Lower Corentyne, New

BCB Treasurer Dr. Cecil Beharry hands over a Certificate of Appreciation to Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh.

Amsterdam/Canje and West Berbice would receive their water pitchers shortly as the Board is awaiting a shipment from overseas. The Berbice Cricket Board in 2019 has committed itself to assisting Clubs in Berbice with over $5M worth of cricket balls, stumps, cricket gears, scorebooks, white T/shirts, water pitchers, educational materials, school bags, bicycles, trophies, medals

among others items.

The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS Guyana’s leading youth and sports club is assisting the Board to fulfill its promise by providing most of the items under its Patron’s Fund. Foster warned the Clubs that the pitchers are to be used solely to provide refreshment during matches and not for alcoholic drinking sessions.

IFBB Diamond Cup Saint Martin 2019

t r o Sp

K. Rampat Cricket Academy Guyana tour T&T Academy lose twice to Everest Yesterday

Bruce Whatley on stage.

(Rashid Walker/ Antigua Mod photo)

Alon Roy is about to caught of Everest’s Reynaldo Mohamed yesterday as home won by nine wickets. (Sean Devers photo)

Bruce Sevlon Whatley cops bronze medal at first IFBB Pro competition

Reebok Cross Fit Games 2019

Delise Adonis, ready to take on the rest of the world.

Dillon Mahadeo set and ready for competition.

Mahadeo and Adonis open quest for podium spots today

Dillon Mahadeo keeping fit ahead of what is expected to be his fiercest competition yet.

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