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NEWS plans bond sale to develop oil exploration AIETEUR

Saturday Edition August 17, 2019 - Vol. 13 No. 32

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Venezuelans being trained for sabotage…

Guyana, Britain refute Russian claims on military base in E'bo Records show Haitians reporting to Brazilian - Min. immigration Felix

“I cannot provide for my Examination Division takes blame for kids”, omitting Shanomae Milling from CAPE list says Sod turned for woman modern $1.2B Civil aviation whose headquarters - as oil brings heavier workload husband Cuban heading to Lethem stopped was electrocuted and charged Five operators to man - to work Peter's Hall elevator 6am-10pm Aronva Parmanand with her three children

Kaieteur News

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Saturday August 17, 2019

Sod turned for modern $1.2B Civil aviation headquarters - as oil brings heavier workload

T

h e 2 0 1 5 discovery of oil and gas 100 miles offshore Guyana and the subsequent activities had been pushing a number of Government agencies to the limit.

The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) are but a few.

GCAA, the regulator for the country's airspace, especially has been under

pressure to up the game.

In 2015, prior to oil, Guyana had only two helicopters registered locally.

In August, there were 13 helicopters registered with the majority of them to Bristow, a British company that has its corporate offices in Texas, and which flies oil workers to the Guyana offshore well-sites currently being developed.

The presence of the helicopters has underscored the importance of GCAA building capacity to conduct

Turning the sod: Minister David Patterson, Director General Egbert Field, and Minister Jaipaul Sharma

more inspections.

Recently, Guyana had to turn to Ghana for help to certify as safe, the helideck on the Liza Destiny, the country's first Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels in Guyana's territory.

Failure for a timely certification of the vessel would have derailed ExxonMobil's timeline to start operations as helicopters would have been unable to land.

Yesterday, at Providence, East Bank Demerara, behind

An artist rendition of the proposed GCAA headquarters

the cricket stadium, the sod was turned for the construction of a state-ofthe-art headquarters for GCAA. For years now, the authority had no permanent home. It moved from several locations, including Prashad Nagar, Farley House and Colgrain House. It is now located in a property on High Street, Kingston.

The Providence location, on 10 acres, will be the permanent home of the authority and will boast a green energy building for

inspectors and the administration; gym, cafeteria, training center and even flight simulators.

It is plan to also even include dorms and a museum eventually.

Milestone The sod-turning would said to be an important milestone as it marked the end of a search that took years for a home for the authority.

Present at the ceremony were Minister of Infrastructure, David (continued on page 13)

Saturday August 17, 2019

Kaieteur News

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Five operators to man Peter's Hall elevator - to work 6am-10pm

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he Peter's Hall elevators at the o v e r h e a d walkway built by Government were yesterday morning commissioned after months of delays.

In a low-key affair, attended by state media, Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson; Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Jaipaul Sharma and Permanent Secretary, Kenneth Jordan commissioned the lifts at that overhead pass.

It is two of 10 lifts along the East Bank Demerara, located at strategic points along the busiest road in the country.

The overhead walkways are located at Diamond, Providence, Peter's Hall,

Minister Sharma meets the five operators for the Peter's Hall lifts

Eccles and Houston.

There have been much interest in the walkways and elevators which were supposed to enhance safety on one of the most dangerous roads in the country.

A statement from the Government information service yesterday also disclosed that a total of five persons were selected from communities within the Peter's Hall area.

According to the management of Demerara Habour Bridge, which will manage the staffers, the operators will be working a shift system from 6:00 hrs. 14:00 hrs and from 14:00 hrs. to 22:00 hrs. “The decision to close the lifts at 22:00 hrs is because there is little visibility of pedestrians after the aforementioned time.

The operators will also be outfitted with safety vests and radio sets.

They are required to have their radio set on them at all times, in the event of an emergency, the operators will be able to connect with their supervisor at the Demerara Habour Bridge Corporation,� a Facebook post explained.

Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, admonished the young operators to be respectful at all time and to treat the general public inclusive of children courteously.

The two ministers in one of the lifts yesterday

Minister David Patterson and others takes a stroll on the overhead walkway at Peter's Hall.

Additionally, Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastr u c t u r e , J a i p a u l Sharma, also echoed the same sentiments as Minister Patterson but added that the operators r e s p e c t t h e e l d e r l y, differently-abled and pregnant women specifically.

The Demerara Harbour Bridge was supposed to create a special surveillance system to ensure effective monitoring on what goes on at the overpasses.

On April 24, last, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure reported several cases of vandalism

on the bypasses, Diamond, and Providence, East Bank Demerara, in which vandals had stolen electrical, and solar panel lights, no cycle and disable signs, corrugated electrical wire covers, removed earthing connection, and protective covers. Camera wires were also disconnected at the Diamond bypass as reported by the ministry.

The overhead walkways at Providence and Diamond villages were each said to be built at a cost of $77M, while the cost for supply and installation of each elevator tabled at US$61,000.

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Kaieteur News

Saturday August 17, 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

For and against meritocracy “The meritocracy is under siege -are we merely reproducing privilege or is there something to salvage in the system we have now?” So questioned Thomas Edsall in an opinion piece in the New York Times on June 12.

The considerations are intriguing given the demanding forces of capitalism and globalism, which search for, attracts, and winnows wheat from chaff. The latter are those who fail to make the grade; the left behind losers in societies that place a high premium on succeeding through winning.

In education and workplace, that means fellowship, partnership, sponsorship, and mentorship throughout the years. Yet, in education, the opt-out movement urges parents “to withdraw their children from some or all standardized testing which tracks student and teacher performance.” Additionally, the Hechinger Report stresses that parents are skeptical “of the importance and usefulness of standardized tests.” This is the high watermark everywhere of tradition, vision, and ambition. Be it through the portals of SAT, LSAT, or MSAT, among others widely recognized.

These carve out a clear part to the best institutions, the best careers, the best rewards. Separates meritocracy from mediocrity. Drives from the complacency of the middle of the pack to the singularity of the top of the heap.

At the pinnacle: an identity of first among equals. Those equals are neither academic slouches nor company baggage nor social underachievers.

According to Edsall, it is a “brutal caste system”: and the reality of the working, earning, competing world is that “the demands in the private sector…meritocratic competition are intense and testing is flourishing.”

This is the yardstick that aces all the well-meaning philosophies and passions, while compelling them to fade before the immovable determinants that cementone’s place in the world. For those aspiring to the higher tiers, they had better measure up. Or it is the limitations of the also rans; they could have been(s); the success stories that just weren’t…

Separately, Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, professor of business psychology at University College London and Columbia University wrote in the Harvard Business Review that most “organizations…rely on assessment tools such as aptitude and personality tests for external hiring.

“That figure is expected to climb to 88 percent over the next few years. The more senior the role, the more likely the employer is to use assessments to identify candidates with the right traits and abilities.” The article noted that, “The use of psychometric testing is now extensive, and competitive business pressures will effectively compel businesses into more testing.”

On the other hand, there is reasonable thinking that “meritocracy concentrates advantage and sustains toxic inequalities.” In its March 2018 issue, Freddie DeBoer who works in the Office of Academic Assessment at Brooklyn College, makes a series of significant points in “The Progressive case for the SAT.” DeBoer argued, “Students who labour under racial and economic disadvantage have very few ways to distinguish themselves from the rest of the pack.” And that, “A stellar SAT score is potentially one of the most powerful. We should take care not to rob them of that tool in a misguided push for equality.”Obviously, meritocracy has two distinct sides, among others clamoring for recognition. The controversies are far from finished; but incontestably academic merit largely sets the stage for life’s progress or pain.In Guyana, there is continuing contentiousness over meritocracy controversially missing in action, oftentimes glaringly and indefensibly so. Far too frequently for social tranquility, there is only the politically meritocratic and racially meritocratic. Contingent upon time and era, meritocracy boils down to not who is best on the record, but who meets criteria that blend political and racial priorities and visions.Sensitive jobs, crucial sectors, demanding scholarship, and high-performing deliverers all have succumbed to political caprices that wound standards and country. Average begets the average. This society stands as a poster child for the disintegration that comes when the meritocratic is departed from and the less-thanoutstanding is found embraceable.

A J oint Open Letter to the Pr esident and Joint President differences can of us but all of us. We our Opposition Leader some are part of this generation, strengthen us to appreciate DEAR PRESIDENT GRANGER AND FORMER PRESIDENT JAGDEO, Both of you have been praised for achieving many great national accomplishments during your respective tenures in government.

Guyana owes much gratitude to each of you for demonstrating your unwavering patriotism and dedication to serving the public good. However, over the years both of you have also been blamed for much of the ongoing strife plaguing our nation.

Sometimes we are guilty of forgetting our history, where we came from, and how we got to the point we’re at as a people. Although both of you have helped to shape the Guyana we know of today, neither of you singlehandedly made Guyana what it is. Our Guyana has gone through tough times, but it was a series of collective struggles and determination which allowed our nation to become a republic and to thrive independently. If it weren’t for our Guyanese ancestors who believed relentlessly in liberty and justice, an independent and free Guyana would not have been possible.

Unfortunately, both of you began to govern our

country at a time when there is a stockpile of post-colonial problems inherited from our past.

Despite making significant social and political strides, Guyana remains divided among its people by ethnicity or race and suffers because of this segregation.

And so, we ask ourselves, what is the likelihood that both of you will pass these prevailing problems onto the next generation?

We, the people, know that both of you possess the political power necessary to change Guyana’s politics for the better, eliminating the hate, fear, and scourge of ethnic and racial discrimination—though what’s lacking is the will to commit.

Political leaders must keep in mind that they too are Guyanese, and when they demit office, they are left with the conditions they’ve either overlooked or created while in office, or simply failed to remedy. But we do not wish for two proficient Guyanese leaders to be remembered as not doing much to safeguard our nation from the ills of hate and prejudice.

Together, you both hold the hope of every Guyanese, a hope that desires prosperity and equality for not just

this century, this moment in all of history, so we implore you both to work together to secure a better future for everyone. We are confident this much is mutually understood.

Of course, in each of your own way, you both want what’s best for Guyana. So why aren’t you protecting us from the ills of our past?

Why aren’t you teaching us important values to progress as a nation under unity? What we ask of you, our elected leaders, is to show us that it is possible to live beyond the script of hate that history has handed to us.

This is the very least you can do for the people of Guyana before retiring from your respected political careers.

A couple years ago we kept dreaming of the day when you two would shake hands, smile at each other, embrace your kinship and put history behind you - not that we ask to forget history, but to learn from history to create a better and more unified society. Just imagine what could happen if our most powerful African-Guyanese leader and our most powerful IndianGuyanese leader could find a way to demonstrate forgiveness, brotherhood, and unity.

The idea is to show that we are truly one family, and that

each other for who we are as individuals, and more importantly, who we are as a people.

Were such demonstrations to happen, Guyana would be one of the most outstanding examples of transcending a historically divided nation into a more unified one because of bold political leadership. Such a reality would permanently lay both of you down in history as true statesmen with tales to tell for centuries to come.

What could be more worthwhile in politics than to be remembered for accomplishing what was said to be inconceivable?

Fortunately, we have seen many pictures of you both shaking hands, smiling, walking together, talking. We waited to see if it would take us towards a path we’ve longed for. So far, none of the friendly encounters have done so. We felt betrayed.

Somehow, your willingness to speak to each other has only divided this nation further.

And worse than the division is the hopelessness it has stirred in the hearts of our people. So, we ask, is this how you want history to remember you? As the brothers who (Continued on page 6)

Frederick Kissoon’s analysis of the upcoming elections is very simplistic DEAR EDITOR, Frederick Kissoon’s prediction that President David Granger and the coalition government will lose the upcoming elections is not new.

He has said this on numerous occasions in the past. His most recent utterances were in his KN column on Monday, August 12, 2019, captioned: “I believe Johnson, Trump and Granger will lose”.

I am responding to him conscious, that unlike him, I am not a political freelancer. I, therefore, believe it is not prudent at this time for me to offer my thinking on the coalition’s road to victory.

Instead, I will be limiting my response to addressing the weaknesses that are inherent in his analysis that lead to his conclusion.

Kissoon’s analysis to my mind is very simplistic. The following are some areas of weaknesses, which I perceive are in his analysis: 1) He has based his analysis on the premise that the AFC brought 7% of the votes the coalition received in the 2015 general and regional elections, and that those votes came from the Indian communities. According to

Kissoon, the numbers for the AFC meant that only Indians supported the AFC. Such a proposition I believe, is erroneous.

In his column, Kissoon claimed that the AFC is now dead and will not bring any votes to the coalition at the upcoming elections. This is most unlikely.

There is a real possibility that AFC at the forthcoming elections will retain some of their support at the expense of the PPPC. 2) While conceding that the PNCR will maintain its support in its African constituencies, Kissoon’s analysis assumes that the PNCR will be contesting outside the coalition and is incapable of making inroads in other areas of the country.

3) As far as Kissoon is concerned, there is no APNU faction that is capable (particularly at this time), of influencing voters in the upcoming elections. He is contending that the smaller parties: WPA, JFA, GAP and the NFA neither in their individual capacities nor collectively, bring votes to the equation. He, therefore, sees them as being, irrelevant.

4) In his dismissal of the smaller parties in APNU and his declaration that the AFC is of no consequence, Kissoon is subtly trying to reduce the elections to the old two-horse struggle, that is, a fight between the PNC and the PPP when in fact it is the coalition versus the PPP. 5) He is also denying the synergy factor as it relates to the APNU+AFC coalition and voters’ preference for coalition politics as against oneparty politics.

6) Inherent in his reasoning is the contention that the coalition government’s 4 years in office will in no way contribute to it maintaining its 2015 support or, expanding that support when the elections are called.

6) Kissoon calculates that the PPPC will regain 100% of the Indian votes lost to the AFC and the coalition in 2015.

His analysis gives the PPPC all the Indian votes that will be cast in the elections. He sees no demographic changes in the voting pattern in that community which can negatively affect that party.

7) In his assessment of the situation, he is convinced that neither the Justice and

Liberty Party (JLP) of Shuman nor Ralph Ramkarran’s A New and United Guyana (ANUG), will make it to the polls, and are therefore not worthy to be considered of having any impact on the elections.

8) By inflating the AFC Indian votes in 2015, Kissoon gave the PPPC some percentage advantages that he knows it does not have. By doing that he has mistakenly assumed that he is best placed to create the impression that the task of the Coalition is more difficult than it is and justifies his prediction of the coalition losing the elections.

9) The above in my opinion is sufficient to challenge Kissoon’s prediction that President David Granger and the APNU+AFC coalition will lose the elections. My judgement is the coalition will prevail come elections.

In closing, it will be remiss of me not to acknowledge that Freddie Kissoon on this occasion demonstrated some degree of maturity when he conceded that he may be wrong that Granger will not win the elections.

Tacuma Ogunseye

Saturday August 17, 2019

The GECOM enigma DEAR EDITOR, The GECOM enigma continues to baffle, bewilder, mystify, confound and confuse everyone, as Guyanese are taken for a seemingly futile journey from the High Court and Appeal Court of Guyana to the Caribbean Court of Justice - the highest Appellate Court of the Region.

Until now, since June 18th this year, the matters which were brought before the CCJ and decisively concluded are yet to be given legal effect and enforcement.

We have seen that even though the CCJ has ruled that the NCM was validly passed since December 21st, 2018 and that legal effect and enforcement must be given to Article 106(6) and (7) which inter alia states that: Cabinet must resign, the Coalition Government is in Caretaker mode and General and Regional Elections must be held within three months or 90 days, we are not closer to any of these.

The Government has refused to dissolve Cabinet, refused to act like a Caretaker Government, and has been using spurious legal meanderings to avoid the CCJ’s rulings initiated by the new ‘Mathematical Formula’.

The recent ruling on August 14th by the High Court has skillfully avoided the petition brought by Chartered Accountant and Attorney at Law Christopher Ram who had sought to stop the House to House registration process, arguing that it is not in keeping with the recent rulings of the CCJ and the Constitution of Guyana.

He had also sought an order for GECOM to take all steps and actions necessary to hold Elections by 18th September 2019 in compliance with Articles 106(6) and (7).

The Chief Justice ruled that the House to House Registration process to compile an Official List of Electors (OLE) is legal, but no one can be removed from the National

Register of Registrants once they are not deceased or are not a citizen, which should be applauded.

However, even though the CCJ did not and cannot set a date for Elections, it did specify a timeline in accordance with the relevant Article. Furthermore, on June 18th when the CCJ confirmed the validity of the NCM, the election clock began ticking from that date, since it is legally acceptable that a judgment takes legal effect from the date it was made. Therefore it would be logical to conclude that the short pause of the NCM was lifted on June 18th.

In my opinion, the recent ruling should have been in relation to that new time period, it is not about setting a date for Elections but to recognise that the new timeline which had restarted from June 18th and will end on September 18th and that GECOM must consider that timeframe and set a date for Elections.

This means that GECOM will set the date, not the Court; the latter must stipulate that GECOM act with that 3month timeline. How else can legal effect be given to Article 106(7) which states that elections must be held within 3 months unless extended by a two-third majority of the National Assembly?

So, essentially, what the Court is saying is that although we recognised the validity of this Article we cannot enforce it, but leave GECOM to execute it. So what is the purpose of the Court?

When we look at this from a GECOM perspective, we find that the current House to House Registration will take approximately 290 days to conclude, according to GECOM’s work program. This means that it will end around April/May 2020. This was pointed out by the Leader of the Opposition, Dr Bharat Jagdeo, who had indicated that it is a program shared by

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Chief Elections Officer, Mr Keith Lowenfield.

To accept that it will conclude on October 20th 2019 is living in fool’s paradise, this is virtually impossible, and I am sure the new Chairperson for GECOM will find this out presently.

President Granger had in a letter dated 13th March this year asked for the GECOM’s work program from the then Chairman Patterson to set the date for ‘credible elections within the shortest possible time’ therefore I am sure that he is fully cognizant and acquiesced to this unconstitutional bid to extend Elections way beyond the stipulated 90 days by an additional 200 days!

It has been regurgitated and reiterated ad nauseam that GECOM is an independent body and is the creature of the Constitution. My final questions are: Is GECOM above the Constitution?

Should GECOM be allowed to violate the Constitution which has created it? Should GECOM not now act decisively to give legal effect to Article 106(7)?

Should it not be that any act or law which violates the Constitution be declared null and void, and without legal effect?

I am sure that the Chairperson of GECOM, Justice Claudette Singh, will not allow the violation and utter disregard which has been meted out thus far to our Constitution to continue!

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

The paddy bug problem is an emergency - Where are the ministers?

DEAR EDITOR, Paddy bugs have led to the loss of almost 20% of the rice crop in Region 6 so far this year. Reports are that a similar loss has been experienced in Region 2 and smaller amounts in Regions 3 and 5.

For Region 6 alone, this loss translates into the loss of 500,000 bags of paddy, equating to the loss of $1.4B in revenue for farmers.

Overall, Guyanese rice farmers are estimated to lose about $5B this year, having already lost more than $5B in 2018. Most of these are poor farmers, and it is unconscionable that the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) and the Ministry of Agriculture are largely missing in action.

Even more unforgiveable, the President and APNU+AFC have ignored the suffering farmers, being more obsessed with violating the constitution and avoiding elections.

It has been confirmed, rice production fell by 10% in the first half of 2019.

The major reason advanced for the drop in production of rice is the devastation caused by paddy bug infestation, mainly in Regions 2 and 6.

In 2014, Guyana produced more than 637,000 tons of rice.

In the first crop of 2015, production reached almost 400,000 tons, far ahead of the pace to meet the 2015 target of 700,000 tons. But Guyana failed to reach the 2015 target because of a significant drop in production for the second

2015 crop. Guyana failed again in 2016, 2017 and 2018, and now it is highly unlikely Guyana will reach the 700,000 target in 2019. One of the major reasons for production missing the 700,000 target in 2017, 2018, and now in 2019, is the paddy bug infestation.

This week, the GRDB finally sought to assure everyone the paddy bug problem limiting rice production in the last two years, particularly in Regions 2 and 6, is being seriously addressed. According to the GRDB, two experts in paddy bug control were in Guyana last week, under the auspices of FLAR (LatinAmerican Fund for Irrigated Rice), to assist farmers in controlling paddy bugs. However, few farmers have confidence the GRDB is of any help in fighting paddy bugs.

The Central Corentyne Chambers of Commerce (CCCC) called out the GRDB for its sloth and its lack of serious interest in the paddy bug problem.

Like the farmers, the CCCC called on the GRDB to declare the paddy bug problem an emergency. While supporting this call, I believe the Ministry of Agriculture must lead the fight against the paddy bug emergency.

The paddy bugs are not new to Guyana, but it has

emerged as a bigger problem in the last couple of years, seriously affecting production. After meeting with the FLAR experts, farmers contend the recommendations made by the experts are things they are already doing. Some of the things are not possible without the direct intervention of GRDB, the Ministry of Agriculture, and other government entities.

Farmers believe the GRDB and the Ministry of Agriculture are not just clueless, but they have little to no serious interest in assisting farmers in the fight against paddy bugs.

I entirely concur with the farmers. The GRDB and the Ministry of Agriculture have been negligent, and have allowed the paddy bug problem to escalate, careen out of control, and it is now an emergency.

It is a good thing GRDB, after more than two years of neglect, sought to bring in FLAR. However, farmers, while not questioning the expertise of the two FLAR experts, noted neither of them is an entomologist. This begs the question - what happened to the resident and local entomologists, persons very familiar with paddy bugs in Guyana?

Dr. Vivian Baharally is a (Continued on page 6)

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WHO IS WATCHING OUR NEWEST ‘BIG BROTHER’?

DEAR EDITOR, Citizens have begun to experience the impact of the Smart City System component of the Chinese-funded National Broadband project; drive down any of the sidestreets in villages on the East Coast Demerara (Liliendaal to Success) and chances are you will encounter vigilant policemen and women seeking to engage you away from the eyes of cameras monitored in the National Database Centre.

It would seem members of the police force are concerned about their privacy and an encounter caused me to do some research on this project.

This Safe City System is funded by the Chinese Government and is engineered and built by Huawei Technologies.

Given the recent revelations that Huawei technicians have helped African governments to spy on political opponents, I would ask if the same is being done in Guyana?

An Israeli IT security com-

pany seeking contracts locally has been spreading information that WhatsApp can be compromised; these were dismissed, but are now made credible by the reports of Huawei activity in Africa.

There have been various warnings about Huawei and possible spying on Guyanese citizens.

Darshanand Khusial, in a letter to the editor (SN 16.12.2018) spoke about Huawei Artificial Intelligence software ‘Deep Learning’ and asked “with Huawei equipment and Deep Learning technology in that CCTV camera system, would other nations be able to track people in realtime in Guyana without even the Guyanese government being aware?”

Are there safeguards in place to protect our right to privacy? What agreement or laws govern the utilization of this ultra-invasive technology?

Who is watching our newest ‘big brother’? Who has the ultimate responsibility for oversight and control?

The core issue with Huawei has been concerns about its coziness with the Chinese government and fears that its equipment could be used to spy on other countries and companies. It’s the reason why the US banned companies from using Huawei networking equipment in 2012 and the company was added to the US Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security Entity List on May 15, 2019, following an executive order from President Donald Trump effectively banning Huawei from US communications networks.

Guyana is also now home to some of America’s largest corporations, and an all too real possibility exists that Guyana’s telecommunications infrastructure could be used to infiltrate the data networks of those and other companies.

The consequences of this eventuality are too dire to contemplate.

Respectfully Robin Singh

Inhumane treatment at Piarco in-transit DEAR EDITOR As a traveller between Guyana and Toronto for more than 45 years, nothing has changed in the treatment to in-transit passengers at Piarco.

Travellers are generally comfortable knowing that they may have to wait two hours in the plane at Piarco compared to having to endure

the treatment of security at Piarco.

Personnel at this facility seem to have this special treatment for Guyanese – basically we are treated like a herd of cattle; we do not have the capacity to understand and have to be regimented. All they miss is a whip to ensure compliance.

These slave drivers lack

the capacity to understand what in-transit means. The journey started from Toronto where we were screened and are now required to join another plane in Trinidad. We did not choose to be subjected to security at Fort Knox Piarco.

This attitude reeks and I wonder when the nonGuyanese in-transit passengers pass through – meaning the whites – if this is the treatment meted out to them ?

This is obviously a letter of frustration; I know nothing will change.

Disgusted traveller

Comm unica tion is a v er y Communica unication ver ery impor tant tool in crime ffighting ighting important DEAR EDITOR, It has been a while since the GTT Land Lines at the Aurora Police Station are not working. It has now become customary for the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph’s service in this Region to go down regularly. But the big question is why the Ministry of Public Security cannot have cell phones placed at this and other Police Stations and inform the public accordingly.

I have seen it done at other Government Ministries in this Region, and it is certainly in the best of ways serving in the interest of the public.

I see no reason why these Police Stations cannot have at least one cell phone - 774-4202 is most times not working.

Communication is a very important tool in crime fighting.

Archie W. Cordis

A J oint Open Letter to the ...

Joint the...

From page 4 continued a family feud spanning decades and ripping apart a nation on the verge of greatness?

We know that what we’re suggesting isn’t so easy to do. We understand the complexities and the fear.

But the leadership we seek entails the power to influence necessary change to guide us forward as one indivisible people who stand together across differences.

Do both of you not feel

what is happening across the nation—the strife, the angst, the intolerance?

We live through it every day.

The people are concerned about what is happening and they are even more concerned about what might happen.

Many feel hopeless, frustrated, and even confused by current events, but helpless at the same time because they don’t know what to do or what they can do as citizens.

We know that both of you

The paddy bug problem ...

From page 5 resident entomologist who is an employee of the GRDB and works out of the Burma Rice Research Centre. After her studies abroad, Dr. Baharally returned home and started working at Burma since, at least, 2014.

Another young entomologist just returned home. While retired, there are also two other very experienced entomologists living in Guyana - Dr. Leslie Munroe and Dr. Dindial Permaul are not only experienced entomologists, they both have extensive research experience and management experience with paddy bugs. Why were these persons not engaged in the paddy bug fight?

In 2014, the GRDB, with support from the Ministry of Agriculture, and my own engagement, commenced a $90M initiative for the management and control of paddy bugs in Guyana’s rice industry.

Dr. Baharally was the lead scientist in this initiative. The initiative was led by a team of experts chaired by Dr. Munroe.

But before the initiative gathered speed, the government changed, and most of the persons in charge at the GRDB were either forced to resign or were fired.

The initiative died. It is no coincidence, therefore, that the paddy bug today has a destructive presence in Guyana.

Many of the field officers were reporting the increasing paddy bug presence since 2016, but their reports fell on deaf ears. The GRDB clearly dropped the ball and their response is still too timid, lacking cohesion. The Ministry of Agriculture has been absolutely negligent.

The Ministers of Agriculture have shown a complete lack of interest. In fact, farmers query if Guyana has any Minister of Agriculture.

Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

have the power to create a national atmosphere different from what we’ve grown accustomed to throughout our Guyanese experience.

We believe that together we can accomplish so much more. Without mutual understanding and political maturity, we are afraid that tensions would escalate further among our people, thereby resulting in social instability.

So, we the people ask our leaders: what kind of Guyana do you want to leave behind?

Are you truly willing to sacrifice your political ambitions to deliver what’s in the broader interest of the Guyanese people?

How far will you go to ensure lasting peace and prosperity for all Guyanese?

Choose wisely because your decisions matter now more than ever before.

Let’s give our future a chance and not continue to float in uncertainty because of our current actions.

Let’s remind ourselves that we are all in this together, just like our ancestors who suffered together to give us the privilege of liberation. Regardless of ethnicity, race, religion or creed, we are—first and foremost – Guyanese. All else is secondary.

Sincerely and with much hope, Sara Bharrat Ferlin Pedro Fabrice Williams Avinand Rampersaud Diana Cruickshank Mellissa Bacchus Athar Khan

Saturday August 17, 2019

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Kaieteur News

Guyana, Britain refute Russian claims on military base in Ebo Venezuelans being trained for sabotage…

One day after Russias Foreign Ministry made damning claims that Guyana is facilitating the training of Venezuelans to overthrow the current government in that neighbouring country, Government has called for an immediate retraction.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the recent remarks of the Russian spokesperson are baseless and false.

On Thursday, Russia is what was viewed with disbelief by Guyana said that refugees from Venezuela are being trained at local military bases to overthrow the Nicolas Maduro administration.

However, the Government of Guyana is not taking the statements by Russia lightly.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs notes with concern a statement made by the spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry of the Russian Federation, M. V. Zakharova, during a briefing on August 15, 2019 on the sidelines of the International Youth Forum Eurasia Global in the Russian city of Orenburg.”

Foreign Affairs pointed out that the spokesperson

Self-proclaimed interim president of president Juan Guaido speaks to the media on Tuesday stated that the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was “completing the construction of a military base on one of the islands at the mouth of the Essekibo (sic) River under a plausible pretext - supposedly to stop the smuggling of weapons and drugs.”

She went on to say, “There have already arrived several dozen so-called Refugees from Venezuela to undergo training as part of

Unacceptable: Spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry of the Russian Federation, Maria Zakharova

reconnaissance and sabotage groups and then to be dispatched to Venezuelan territory in order to destabilize the situation and carry out appropriate actions - from extremist to terrorist.”

The Government of Guyana made it clear that it is calling on the Government of the Russian Federation to immediately withdraw the baseless statement, which is utterly false.

“It is especially

unfortunate given that relations between Guyana and Russia have always been based on mutual respect, trust and friendship.

The Government of Guyana reaffirms its unequivocal commitment to the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter. Guyana has always been resolute in its advocacy for several principles of international law including, in particular, the sovereign equality of states.

Dr. Karen Cummings, Foreign Affairs Minister

“Guyana therefore categorically rejects any suggestion that it would allow its sovereign territory to be used in a manner inconsistent with its neighbourly and peaceful relations with Venezuela.”

The Foreign Affairs Ministry also noted that in respect of the controversy arising from Venezuelas contention that the 1899 Arbitral Award establishing the boundary between British

Guiana and Venezuela is “null and void”, Guyana remains fully committed to the January 30, 2018 decision of the United Nations Secretary-General, pursuant to his authority under the 1966 Geneva Agreement, to choose the International Court of Justice as the means for the peaceful settlement of the controversy.

Venezuelas government, under President Nicolas Maduro, has made it clear that (Continued on page 29)

PAGE 8

Saturday August 17, 2019

Kaieteur News

Examination Division takes blame for omitting Shanomae Milling from CAPE list

T

he Ministry of Education’s Exami nations Division has unequivocally taken the blame for the massive blunder which saw the name Shanomae Milling being omitted when the Caribbean Examination Proficiency Examination [CAPE] results were released on Wednesday.

Milling is this year’s national top CAPE performer.

The St. Rose’s High student secured nine grade ones and two grade two passes in Applied Mathematics Unit 1, Caribbean Studies Unit 1, Environmental Science Unit 1, Physics Unit 1, Biology Unit 2, Chemistry Unit 2, Pure Mathematics Unit 2, Physics Unit 2, Physical Education and Sports Unit 2 [all grade ones], Communication Studies Unit 1 and Applied Mathematics Unit 2 [grade twos].

When Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry, named the top performers at a forum at the Kingston, Georgetown,

National Centre for Educational Resource Development [NCERD], Milling’s name was not mentioned.

In taking the blame for this colossal blunder, Superintendent of Examination [ag], Ms Dawn Griffith, in a letter said, “The Examination Division wishes to apologise to the Ministry of Education, the Minister of Education, St. Rose’s High School student, Shanomae Milling, and her family for the omission of her results from the list of CAPE 2019 top performers presented on Wednesday, August 14, 2019.”

Griffith went on to assert that “this was a genuine error and it was not intended in any way to dilute Ms, Milling’s success. I, therefore, unreservedly apologise to the student, her family and friends.”

Added to this, the Superintendent [ag] said, “A private apology was conveyed to Ms. Milling prior, but the Examinations Division takes this opportunity as professionals to publicly apologise and we do regret any inconvenience or discomfort this may have caused to any of the parties involved. Be assured of our highest support

and dedication for high standards,” Griffith continued.

Also performing outstandingly at CAPE this year is Michael Bhopaul of Queen’s College [QC] who is no stranger to this arena.

Bhopaul secured eight grade one passes in Communication Studies Unit 1, Integrated Mathematics Unit 1, Applied Mathematics Unit 2, Biology Unit 2, Chemistry Unit 2, French Unit 2, Pure Mathematics Unit 2 and Physics Unit 2.

A number of other QC students were also named among the top CAPE performers this year including Leonardo Gobin who also wrote eight subjects and secured all grade one passes. His passes were in Communication Studies Unit 1, Integrated Mathematics Unit 1, Applied Mathematics 2, Biology 2, Chemistry 2, Environmental Science 2, Pure Mathematics 2 and Physics 2.

The other QC top performers this year are Diego Barnett with seven Grade One passes and two threes; Zane Ramotar and Farah Chine both with seven grade one passes; Jelena Arjune with six passes; Jeevan Dalip with six Grade Ones and one grade

three passes; Fidel Da Silva with six grade ones and three grade three passes; Amisha Mohanlall with six grade one passes; Pretha Smith with six grade one passes; Jamal Thomas with six grade ones and two grade two passes and Christian Pile with six grade ones and one grade three passes.

Other outstanding performers are: Farah Chin of Marian Academy with seven grade one passes; Narindra Persaud of Saraswati Vidya Niketan [SVN] with seven grade ones and one grade three passes; Nial Beaton and Johanna Clarke both of St Stanislaus College with six grade one passes, and six grade ones and one grade two passes, respectively; Jerron Jarvis of St. Rose’s High with six grade ones, three grade threes and one grade four passes.

A total of 880 local candidates participated in the 2019 sitting of CAPE this year and, according to information released by the Education Ministry, the overall pass rate this year is 93 percent, a decrease from last year’s 93.68 overall pass rate.

However, the Ministry

Shanomae Milling is the National 2019 top CAPE performer has noted that the results this year have shown that there was an increase in the number of candidates securing grades one to three passes.

Candidates wrote CAPE at 10 secondary schools and five private centres namely Mackenzie High School, Christianburg Secondary [Region 10]; Berbice High,

New Amsterdam Secondary, Guyana Private [Region Six]; President’s College [Region Four]; SVN [Region Three]; The Bishops’ High, Queen’s College, St Joseph’s High, St. Rose’s High, St Stanislaus College, Marian Academy, Adult Education Association and Chase’s Academy [Georgetown].

Police on campaign to issue outstanding traffic warrants

On Thursday, August 15, 2019 Inspector Axel December, along with Sergeant Julian Griffith and a party of police of the Highway Patrol Base conducted a three-hour warrant drive on the Coverden Public Road, East Bank Demerara during which a number of commitment warrants were executed on motorists for various traffic offences.

According to the Guyana Police Force, it is urging persons who have outstanding warrants at stations, to have same sorted out and avoid any inconvenience since the “Warrant Drive” will be continuous countrywide.

Saturday August 17, 2019

PAGE 9

Kaieteur News

International pressure must now be applied Guyanese cannot solve their political problems alone.

International mediation is needed to resolve these problems.

The difficulties in finding a solution to Guyana’s political crises is worsened by the fact that the PNCR, which is always at the center of the country’s political crises, has great difficulty operating under a democratic framework.

In 1997, the PNCR decided that it was unwilling to wait another term to return to power. As such, it took advantage of the electoral confusion of its own making and commenced the ‘slow fyah, moh fyah’ to pressure the Janet Jagan regime to demit office.

What it could not achieve at the polls, it tried to steal on the streets. Guyana has never recovered from that period since, except for 2006. The PNCR has consistently refused to accept its defeat at

the polls and has instigated political violence and terror, the likes of which were never seen before in Guyana.

There was a politically-inspired plot to destabilize the 1997 elections and use that to remove the government by street protests. Numerous polling agents from Georgetown – and only Georgetown- ran to Congress Place with the statements of polls and when others from other areas placed their statements of polls in the ballot boxes.

This led to problems in confirming the results for many polling stations. A verification exercise had to be launched and this delayed the results thereby presenting the PNCR with the opportunity to instigate unrest to topple the government.

It was mainly due to international mediation, led by Henry Forde of Barbados and Shridath Ramphal, that an

agreement was reached for an audit of the elections, the reduction of the term of office of the PPPC and for dialogue.

The Caricom Audit Team, led by Justice Ulric Cross, undertook an audit of the results of the elections. The team went through every single ballot box, recounted the votes and then compared this with the tallies which were used to declare the final results.

The Report of the Audit Team did not find any fraudulent ballots. A secret code was evident in all the ballots scrutinized.

With respect to the Statements of Polls, the Audit Team found that the majority for Regions 4 and 6 were originals and had the signatures of the Presiding Officers – as such these were not bogus.

The report also examined the issue of voter identification card which was used for the first and only time in

Suriname government plans bond sale to develop oil exploration

Suriname (oilprice.com)Surinames national oil company plans to issue bonds next year to fund offshore exploration, Reuters reports, quoting the

companys chief executive.

Suriname is a tiny country squeezed between Guyana and French Guiana in the northeast of South America.

It is its neighbour, Guyana,

that has made the country hopeful it could be home to oil riches.

Based on these hopes, the company, Staatsolie (Continued on page 28)

Dem boys seh ...

De people talking

Is now that people talking that de real news coming out. De whole story start wid some report that Haitians coming to Guyana in droves.

When dem boys check dem find out is true.

De Haitians was coming in by de planeloads but dem wasn’t leaving by de same planeloads.

From then is madness.

People start to seh how de government bringing in Haitians to pad de list. Dem boys check and dem find de Haitians going to Brazil through Lethem. That is when things get interesting.

People start to seh how Guyana slack because it don’t have a record of people crossing its borders into odda countries. Felix ask de

Brazilians fuh de figures and people seh he should get jail because he don’t know.

But is when de Brazilians release how many Chinese use to cross and how many Cubans crossing that people start to think whether some people ain’t picking pun de Haitians.

But dem boys seh de Haitians don’t even care because Guyana is just a landing point. And in any case Brazil don’t know how many Brazilians coming over to Guyana; and Suriname don’t know how many people crossing over into that country.

But wha dem know is that now is de time fuh people register to vote. Last week Granger party call on all dem young people to vote. One

man go round wid a loud speaker and call on all dem youths under 80 to register.

Some of de sprightly 80year-old people try to go and register.

De rest stay home because of dem climb down de step dem can’t climb back up.

Dem boys want to know wha gun happen on voting day.

Is not like de overpasses wheh de elevators start to wuk.

And even that people talk about. Some seh de elevators would never wuk; now dem waiting to see how long dem gun wuk for.

And people now waiting to see when Patto gun commission all de others.

Talk half and just watch how people talking.

those elections, at the insistence of the PNCR which subsequently challenged its legality. The Report found that there was no evidence of fraud in the use of these identification cards.

In terms of the more substantive issue of the results, the recount differed only marginally from the results declared by the Chief Elections Officer. The charges of voter fraud therefore, could not be substantiated.

The PNC was prepared to destroy the country over allegations which could not be substantiated. One man was kidnapped by a PNC mob and taken to Congress Place

where he was questioned by none other than Desmond Hoyte about having ballot boxes in his home.

Guyana was turned into a laughing stock because of the actions of the PNCR. The Audit found no basis for overturning the results of the elections. The elections were subsequently vitiated by our High Court but on the grounds that the use of the voter identification card was unconstitutional.

The PNCR has a track record of not respecting democratic norms International mediation is likely to be frustrated by undemocratic politics of the PNCR.

There is only one way in which international mediation is going to work in Guyana: if it is preceded by international pressure. It is therefore time for the international community to begin to apply the pressure on the government to act in accordance with the Constitution and to end the political crisis which is of its own making.

PAGE 10

Saturday August 17, 2019

Kaieteur News

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

The super-wealthy and the role of the state Untold millions in this world that include brilliant minds frown on socialist economics. They think the capitalist system is a preferred direction. But which model of capitalist economics? It certainly cannot be the type of capitalist economy the United States gave the world.

If any country has a capitalist system that has not produced national good for the totality of its citizens, it is the US. The French academic, Thomas Picketty’s 2013 text, “Capital in the Twentieth-First Century” is an extraordinary piece of scholarship. It is one of the best non-fiction books the past 25 years. It is a brilliant dissertation on the pitfalls of capitalism in the

United States and to a lesser extent, Europe.

One recalls that at the beginning of the nineties when world communism collapsed and the USSR disappeared from the face of the map, American scholar, Francis Fukuyama, produced a breath-taking study that the western world hailed as one of the best scholarly works ever written.

In “The End of History and the Last Man,” Fukuyama did an ironic job of Marx’s dialectics. Whereas Marx saw the end of history in the advent of communism, Fukuyama interpreted the disintegration of the USSR and the end of the Cold War as the dialectical conclusion of class struggle in the triumph

of capitalist liberalism.

Fukuyama’s scholarship was greeted with prestigious awards but the not so easily converted were deeply discomfited with his enthusiasm.

Did history come to an end with capitalism? Was capitalism the answer all the time? But if history ends with the success of capitalism then how do you account for the vices, venalities, inequalities, exploitations of capitalism?

Fukuyama’s book came out in 1992 and 21 years after Piketty demolished the central tenets of Fukuyama.

Fukuyama gives interviews in which he has come to reject the essential argument of his famous book.

On reading Piketty, it becomes easy to see that

Fukuyama had a dream, woke up and penned an unrealistic vision of something too bizarre to be real. The trouble with capitalism from the 20th century onwards is that it adopted the American version and embraced it as the true form of capitalist economics.

It is not.

American capitalism is seriously and deeply flawed.

Space would not provide for my layman’s adumbration or to offer quotes from Piketty’s extraordinary treatise. Important to note is the impressive layout of statistics by Piketty to prove his point that 21st century capitalism is not working.

This is where other versions of capitalism should be discussed and socialist economics should be put on the table. The Scandinavian countries including Finland have capitalist systems. But the structure of Scandinavian capitalism incorporates many features of socialist perspectives.

The working people of Scandinavia don’t care about how many yachts and jets the wealthy have. That is their right to have wealth. They don’t care about the flaunting of ostentatious lifestyles once they are comfortable

with their income and the facilities their countries offer them.

We can give literally hundreds of examples where capitalist Scandinavia incorporates many socialist features but a few should be mentioned.

They have free university education which Germany has adopted. Working parents have state-sponsored day-care facilities. The heath delivery system is excellent.

A working class man is sick, he goes to a Swedish hospital and he gets medical treatment that is on par with what the rich man pays a private hospital to receive.

Piketty argues that society’s wealth should be taxed so there can be a fair share of society’s wealth.

This is where Guyana is a miserable example. Guyana’s leadership needs to read Piketty.

Before 2014, declaration for property tax started at assets worth $7 million. Yet for the past forty years, property tax has not contributed even two percent of total taxes collected each year.

Rewind the clock before 2014. If you had to pay property tax on assets from $7 million up then when one looks at the stupendous wealth of

Frederick Kissoon hundreds of rich individuals and families in Guyana, property tax should have brought in a handsome sum to the Treasury.

The trouble with capitalist America (as Piketty so brilliantly depicted) is that the national wealth is not being shared at all. On the contrary it is being hogged (Piketty’s statistical outlay is phenomenal). Here is where America’s presidential election comes in.

Both Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren are arguing for greater access of the lower and middle classes to America’s wealth. I hope one of the two becomes the US President. It should not matter how many private jet John Jones owns. The role of the state is to see he and he alone does not hog the nation’s wealth.

Saturday August 17, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

PAGE 12

GWI has signed contracts over US$1M to build flush toilets for 335 poor families.

Kaieteur News

Saturday August 17, 2019

335 poor families to get free toilets -US$1M in contracts signed

Three hundred and thirtyfive persons will, for the first time, have flush toilets equipped with septic tanks and hand-wash sinks in their homes, free of cost.

This is made possible through the signing of 10 of 12 contracts.

Altogether, the 12 contracts total approximately US$1M for the supply and

installation of septic tanks in the Water Supply & Sanitation Infrastructure Improvement Program (WSSIIP) areas.

The contracts were signed between the contractors and the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) as the executing agency and are being funded by the Government of Guyana via an Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) loan and matching grant from the European Union (EU).

According to GWI, yesterday, among the WSSIIP communities for which contracts were awarded are Cornelia Ida to De Kinderen on the West Coast of Demerara; Diamond to Herstelling on the East Bank of Demerara, and Sheet Anchor to No.19; Goed Bananen Land, East Berbice.

The two remaining contracts are for Georgetown

and have been approved for award.

Construction and testing of the new facilities which comprise the flush toilet, septic tank and hand-wash sink, are expected to take four to nine months for completion, beginning September 2019.

The 335 beneficiaries in these areas make up phase one of this project, GWI explained.

“It satisfies one component of WSSIIP that speaks to improving access to sanitation services for low income households, by assisting in the replacement of their pit latrine with a septic tank and flush toilet system.

The beneficiaries were selected based on the criteria outlined for the application process.

“Invitations for applications were advertised via various media such as newspapers, television, radio and social media for the period May 15 - June 16, 2018 and further extended for an additional month.”

Application forms were available in all the programme areas at Regional Democratic Councils, Neighbourhood Democratic Councils and GWI offices.

The mandatory criteria for consideration of applicants included the followingresidence for which application is made must be in a programme area, existing sanitary facility is a pit latrine or less and applicant must have legal ownership/ occupancy of property.

Additionally, part of the primary criteria was for single mothers, teenage girls/ elderly/disabled persons with considerations of the financial status of households. “And lastly, the secondary criteria looked at the households willingness to demolish their pit latrines and whether there was any immediate threat to health or the environment.

“As a result, those identified as beneficiaries would have satisfied these criteria as outlined by the consultant on the project, since many of them have endured long periods of unsanitary conditions through the use of pit latrines and have had financial and other difficulties constructing septic tanks on their own.”

GWI said that the realisation of the project aligns well with its strategic plan and Sustainable Development Goal number 6, which speaks to ensuring the “availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all” by the year 2030.

Saturday August 17, 2019

Kaieteur News

Army private stabbed after barrack-room taunts A Guyana Defence Force private remains hospitalized after being stabbed last Wednesday by another rank.

The victim, identified only as Private Fordyce, was allegedly wounded during a fracas at the army’s Camp Ayanganna base.

Kaieteur News understands that Private Fordyce and another rank were taunting each other about their sexuality when things escalated. The other private allegedly then stabbed

Fordyce to the chest and neck.

He was first hospitalized in the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

He has reportedly been transferred to another ward.

Army sources acknowledged that they are aware of the incident but despite repeated calls, its Public Relations have not released an official statement.

Civil Aviation switches gears...

From page 2 Patterson; Minister within the Ministry, Jaipaul Sharma; Minister with responsibility for housing, Annette Ferguson; GCAA's DirectorGeneral, Lt. Col (Ret'd) Egbert Field; Chairman, Lt. Col (Ret'd), Larry London, board members; Chinese Ambassador, Cui Jianchu and others.

According to the Director-General, on assuming duties in 2015, he had warned staffers to be ready for a tsunami that would come with the oil and gas discovery.

Since then the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has certified Guyana, during inspection of the Timehri and Ogle airports after not finding anything to fault.

In addition to bringing down the accident rates, there were increased training and even the establishment of a drone unit at the authority.

GCAA's compliance with international requirements has moved dramatically from 44 to almost 65 percent and it is likely an audit now will find that Guyana is boasting a compliance about 80 percent, Field boasted.

He told reporters that the construction is expected to take 18 months once there are not hiccups.

Currently, while financing has not been closed for the $1.2B project, Field is not worried.

He is not ruling out the Chinese and other donors coming on board.

Currently, GCAA's lease in

the Kingston property is costing the authority $42M annually.

The three-year lease expires in 2021.

According to Chairman, he has been involved in the aviation sector since in the 70s when the offices of Civil Aviation were housed in the Guyana Post Office Corporation, on Robb Street.

GCAA in recent years attempted to build headquarters in Liliendaal, and then Turkeyen and even at the Ogle airport. Court cases and other factors thwarted the attempts.

He said that the Providence lands, on 10 acres, will be ideal.

London also made a pitch for more lands to accommodate an authority that will be growing in leaps and bounds.

Meanwhile, Minister Ferguson, whose portfolio at the Ministry of Public Infrastructure had included aviation, disclosed that it was to the credit of GCAA it was able to negotiate a price of $25M for the 10 acres.

Leasing Costs Minister Sharma, in his remarks, said that his ministry and GCAA is cognizant of the huge cost of leasing the building at High Street where GCAA is located currently.

He called on China to come on board and offer grant financing. According to the minister, there are real challenges faced by GCAA that will have to now include certification of helidecks and accommodation for more aircrafts that are not necessar-

ily fixed wings ones.

He said that it is the aim of the government to achieve a Category 1 status, which allows Guyana to have flights directly to the US. Currently, flights to the US have to originate elsewhere.

According to Minister Patterson, he, too, has taken note of the constant move by GCAA from one temporary headquarters to the next.

He disclosed that at one time, the old Customs House on Main Street was contemplated but approval from the Finance Ministry was not forthcoming.

He pointed out that aviation and maritime will be expected to take on new dimensions in coming years.

It was disclosed that while Guyana has 13 helicopters flying the airspace, it is expected to grow to about 20, this year, thanks to oil.

By next year, the number of helicopters could touch 30 with about 75 expected by 2025.

Patterson was also proud that Guyana has one of the most modern aviation laws in the region.

With the eyes of the world on Guyana, the minister said that airlines like the Virgin Atlantic have expressed interest.

There will be others.

He urged GCAA to continuously adapt to the changes that are happening.

The minister also announced intentions to place the offices of a port authority and an airport authority right in the Providence area.

PAGE 13

PAGE 14

Kaieteur News

Saturday August 17, 2019

Russia nuclear explosion

Doctors say they weren’t warned patients were nuclear accident victims

By Evan Gershkovich and Pjotr Sauer Five hospital staff workers, including senior doctors, told The Moscow Times that FSB agents had their colleagues sign non-disclosure agreements.

The three injured men arrived at the hospital around 4:30 pm, naked and wrapped in translucent plastic bags.

The state of the patients made staff suspect they were dealing with something very

serious. But the only information they had at the time was that there had been an explosion at a nearby military site around noon.

“No one — neither hospital directors, nor Health Ministry officials, nor regional officials or the governor — notified staff that the patients were radioactive,” one of the clinic’s surgeons told The Moscow Times by phone this week. “The hospital workers had their suspicions, but no-

body told them to protect themselves.”

The hospital was Arkhangelsk Regional Clinical Hospital, a public healthcare center in Russia’s far north, and the day was last Thursday, August 8.

After the explosion, radiation spiked to as much as 20 times its normal level for about 30 minutes in the region’s second largest city of Severodvinsk. Russia’s state nuclear agency

Rosatom has reported that the accident killed five of its staff members.

Russian authorities are keeping the circumstances surrounding the explosion shrouded in mystery. With government agencies releasing information piecemeal amid a mass of contradictions, the state’s response to the accident echoes its behavior after Chernobyl, the catastrophic 1986 nuclear accident in then-Soviet Ukraine.

Official reaction has included initial denials that radiation spiked at all, and an announcement four days after the accident that the village of Nyonoksa, close to the military site, would be evacuated. Authorities later denied that they had ever ordered villagers to leave.

The lack of information has led to confusion among locals, who reportedly scrambled to buy up all of the iodine, a chemical used to

limit harm to radiation exposure, in the Arkhangelsk region. They are not the only ones who have been left confused and demanding answers. Four male doctors at the Arkhangelsk hospital — two in senior positions — and a medical worker told The Moscow Times that its staff have been left shocked and angered by the events that took place.

The doctors spoke on (Continued on page 15)

Saturday August 17, 2019

PAGE 15

Kaieteur News

“Elections will be this year” - Minister Garrido-Lowe at Skeldon outreach

Party members of APNU/AFC PPP protestors at Skeldon “Elections will be this year according to our president. Elections will be held this year,” shouted the Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs last evening at a Government outreach in Republic Square, Springlands Corriverton, Berbice.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo was scheduled to speak at the outreach, however, he was a no-show.

In that same light, the Minister charged to the supporters to make their choice and select a leader that is respectable and not choose a leader that “is disrespectul to women”, referring to the Opppsition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo.

“Elections will be here and you need a

leader of integrity, a leader who cares, an honest person, a courageous person, a visionary person to be that leader when the oil revenue come. We will have a lot of money coming into our country and we need an honest leader.

“We need a leader who cares to ensure that money is being utilized properly for our peoples benefit and to save for children’s future”, she stated.

Meanwhile, approximately 150 PPP protestors lined the public road at Springlands just a short distance from Republic Square and protested to “call elections now”.

Outreaches were held throughout Region Six with the various Minister’s speaking at the different locations.

Doctors say they weren’t ...

From page 14 condition of anonymity, citing a period of heightened attention by Russian security services.

While none of the doctors worked directly with the patients in question, they all attended a briefing at the hospital on Aug. 12 by a deputy health minister for the Arkhangelsk region and are in constant communication with colleagues who did treat the victims, they said. The doctors said that all staff who worked with the patients directly were asked by Federal Security Service (FSB) agents on Aug. 9 to sign non-disclosure agreements that prevent them from talking about what happened.

“They weren’t forced to sign them, but when three FSB agents arrive with a list and ask for those on the list to sign, few will say no,” said one of the senior doctors.

The Moscow Times was unable to speak with any of the doctors who tended to the three patients or obtain a copy of the reported non-disclosure agreements.

But the versions of events that the five men recounted are identical.

They also concur with two additional anonymous accounts pub-

lished on Aug. 15 — one from a female doctor at the hospital in a local news outlet, Northern News, and one in a local chat group on the popular Telegram messenger.

All seven of the accounts express pointed frustration with the authorities for keeping medical staff in the dark about the risks they were facing.

Officials stopped flying staff to Moscow after one was found with a radioactive isotype in his body.

Google Maps, MT Rather than answers, the doctors were offered a trip to Moscow for tests.

All four doctors said that about 60 of their colleagues, including four or five paramedics who had transported the pa-

40

tients to the hospital, t o o k u p t h e o ff e r. T h e first group flew to Moscow hours after the meeting with the Health Ministry representatives, they said.

According to three of the doctors, including both senior sources, one of the doctors flown to Moscow was found to have Caesium-137 — a radioactive isotope that is a byproduct of the nuclear fission of uranium-235 — in their muscle tissue.

One of the sources said the affected doctor had told him so directly, though he was not informed about the amount or concentration of the isotope found.

The affected doctor declined a request for an interview.

PAGE 16

Saturday August 17, 2019

Kaieteur News

Granger lauds army for preparedness to defend Guyana Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Guyana, President David Granger, yesterday morning, observed the Guyana Defence Forces (GDF) Field Tactical Exercise Exercise Green Heart at the Colonel John Clarke Military School, Tacama, Upper Demerara-Berbice (Region Ten).

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo also observed the exercise.

President Granger, in congratulating the 591 troops on the completion of a successful exercise, said the GDF has been rebuilding its strength over the last four years.

“You have been able to reequip the Force and when we speak of re-equipment we mean with a soldier in mind, that everything you need, everything you eat, everything you wear, has been given careful attention by the Chief of Staff and his principal staff,” President Granger said. He expressed satisfaction that ranks of both the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Peoples Militia participated in the Exercise which started on August 6, 2019.

The President said the Force has been re-equipped to cater to its needs and the needs of soldiers. “The rebuilding is continuing; the re-equipping is continuing.

President David Granger (pictured centre) witnessing the final attack phase of ‘EXERCISE GREENHEART’.

You have a wider range of vehicles now, additional aircraft,” he said noting that with additional training and aircraft, the Force is in an even better position to protect Guyanas territorial integrity.

With the restructuring of the GDF, the Commander-inChief said several aspects of the Force has been strengthened and pointed specifically to the Intelligence Corps and Medical Corps.

“We are also reforming the course so it is not only about a rebuilding or reequipping or restructuring…in addition to the training you are receiving here, youd be training in values and standards and I was happy to see in Exercise Green Heart elements of the GDF paying attention to the surveillance in this East Berbice-Corentyne Region by meeting, engaging with civilians who live in this

Region,” he said.

The President said the exercise has demonstrated the effectiveness of the Defence Force while disclosing that the Defence Board, the governing body of the Force is satisfied that the Force is on the right path to improving its competence to defend Guyanas sovereignty.

“We are pleased with your performance; I congratulate you,” the Head of State said.

Every year since 2015, members of the GDF have been participating in Field Tactical Exercises and a number of other training programmes.

“Soldiers, this is an important part of your military experience and military service. This year, we have included members of the Guyana Police Force because in accordance with the requirements of Operation Armadillo, soldiers and police

Ranks of the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana People’s Militia participated in ‘EXERCISE GREENHEART’ — at Tacama, Upper Demerara-Berbice.

have to operate in the border and hinterland regions together.

“But you the members of the GDF, in particular, are very important to this country. The people of Guyana look to you to defend this country. They look to you to deter aggression against this country.

“So, this annual Field Tactical Exercise is a very important part of your career (Continued on page 31)

Saturday August 17, 2019

Kaieteur News

WPA evaluates the Coalition Govt.

A

fter careful evaluation of its first term in o f f i c e , t h e W PA h a s concluded that the government's performance has been mixed. The enormous challenges it inherited in 2015 and the fact it has not been in office long enough are factors that must be taken into consideration in any serious assessment of the Coalition's tenure.

However, WPA feels that there have been mistakes, some of which could have been avoided. These have contributed, in no small way, to a weakening of the government and to the emergence of some degree of alienation among its support base.

First, at the policy level, the government has failed to satisfactorily tackle some of the structural problems that negatively affect the poor and the powerless in the society.

Second, we believe that the government's political strategies and tactics have allowed room for a resurgence of the PPP as a viable competitor for office at the coming election.

Third, the lack of ongoing contact with its support base has been an error that should have been avoided.

Fourth, the decision not to pursue some of its crucial campaign promises has raised doubts about the Coalition's ability to keep promises to voters.

F i f t h , t h e W PA i s dissatisfied with the overall management of the coalition, which we feel has contributed greatly to the outcomes cited above. The stubborn refusal to meaningfully engage Coalition partners in decision-making has been the root cause of the government's less than adequate performance.

Maximum leadership and the limiting of decision making to one organ are inconsistent with the principles of coalition politics.

Despite those mistakes, the WPA feels that the government has done enough to warrant a second term. We have identified some important areas of democratic governance and management of the political economy that are comforting and have led to a strengthening of the country as a whole.

WPA is convinced that a multi-party government is a superior option for

management of the coming oil and gas economy than a one-party government. The Coalition is in theory if not in practice one step closer to the desired Government of National Unity.

Towards this end, WPA views the Coalition as the political force that offers the better chance for the realization of our party's vision for Guyana's development and for true liberation from the clutches of underdevelopment.

Formal Announcement In light of the above, the WPA formally announces its decision to contest the election as part of the APNU+AFC Coalition. It is a decision that took into consideration the wishes of the majority of our members and supporters and the overarching needs of the country at this historical juncture.

WPA intends to be more proactive in and out of government should the Coalition win. We intend to continue to balance our independence and traditional political values with our responsibility as part of a plural government.

The party has already signed on to the Coalition's Core Principles, but given our experiences during the first term, WPA has decided to request alterations to its formal engagement within a Coalition government.

WPA's Campaign It is against this background that the WPA has launched its election campaign. While the party would play its full role in the Coalition's campaign, we feel that a supplementary campaign by the WPA is necessary.

This decision was influenced by feedback we have been receiving from the Coalition's constituents and beyond that suggests that the WPA's particular political brand is needed on the ground in the communities.

So, in the last four weeks the party has held ten community meetings on the Demerara Coast and Linden aimed at connecting to alienated constituents. The outcomes of these meetings have confirmed the correctness of our initiative-there have been some interesting revelations.

The Chief Justice's recent ruling WPA welcomes the High Court's ruling that the current

House to House registration is constitutional and lawful.

Even as we note concerns in some quarters about aspects of the ruling, WPA urges all parties and organizations to respect the court's conclusions on the major issues—the House to House Registration and the setting of an election date.

The WPA has always felt that this recent move to the court was nothing short of “legal and constitutional gymnastics� aimed at the larger PPP agenda of frustrating credible elections.

The CCJ's ruling and orders were very clear. The court does not have the constitutional right to interfere with the process by which an election date is determined--that is a matter for the president in consultation with GECOM. We salute the court for not tampering with the CCJ's ruling.

This ruling is hopefully the final blow against the PPP's effort to get the court to become unnecessarily entangled in the country's politics. We urge GECOM to deliberate on the court's recommendations and proceed with the preparation for elections in a timely manner.

WPA again wishes to congratulate GECOM for not bowing to pressure and for keeping the HtH registration timeline within the ambit of the constitution and CCJ's guideline.

Finally, the WPA calls on the PPP to acknowledge that the game is over; that its attempt at railroading the judicial process has been defeated. It must now return to parliament to facilitate the desired extension of the life of the government. Refusal to do so would further tarnish that party's image and render it unfit to lead Guyana.

We also urge the PPP's enablers in the Private Sector Commission and other Civil Society organizations to recognize that the tide has swung against them and to turn a new page for the sake of national harmony.

Guyanese should become tired of the PPP's delaying tactics.

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Saturday August 17, 2019

Sophia Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme to Cost US$7.5M - CEO

T

he Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme that is being implemented in Sophia is estimated to cost just about US $7.5 million.

At a tour to give the media an idea about the upgrades, under the project at 'B' Field Sophia, yesterday morning, Lelon Saul, Chief Executive Officer of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) said that “Under the Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme, we would be spending approximately US$7.5 million here in Sophia. “Basically what we are doing, we will be upgrading approximately 12 km of roads to asphaltic and concrete.”

He further noted that the CH&PA is in the process of upgrading the drains from earth to concrete. In addition to these improvements 2000 residents will benefit from home improvement

subsidies, as well as there are provisions for 100 core houses to be built. “In 2019 the process to construct 50 core houses will commence and 300 home improvements subsidies distributions.”

Deputy Director of Community Development Donnell BessBascom said, “So under the Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme, in the Sophia area Constituency five and six, Sophia as CEO mentioned we will be having a total of 50 core houses commence construction in 2019.” She went on to say that the disbursement of the 300 home improvement subsidies has already commenced and 456 house-tohouse verifications were done to determine those eligible for home improvements and 87 were done to determine those eligible for the core homes.

They are currently in the

process of having the beneficiaries selected, and that is at the step where the individual profiles are being prepared for each of the persons that scored above 100. Then they would move to the lower scores depending on how many qualified.

This selection should be concluded by the end of August or mid-September and the persons will be notified of the result of their

application.

So far since the initiative was put out everything is going to plan and they are on the right track.

Bascom went on to explain that “Another part of the project that I think is important to [highlight] is the extensive community participation that is being emphasized under this particular programme. “The community leaders across Sophia have been part of the entire process from the very beginning. As a matter of fact they have even influenced what was outlined in the operating manual for the programme.”

Omar Narine, Director of Projects said, “Currently we have six contractors and we are currently executing several infrastructural development work; asphaltic roads, concrete drains, concrete walkways and some other civil works.” He went on to say that they are also upgrading 10 access bridges. All of the six contractors were selected through the national process and there is $857M worth

in contracts currently being executed.

The original contract deadline is March 10, 2020, however four of the six contracts are scheduled to be completed in November.

This is only the first phase of work as there are other projects that will have to be executed. They include 12km of roads that should be going to tender in about three weeks' time.

Prequalification is currently being done for the construction of the core houses and contractors from the area are encouraged to elevate themselves and meet the requirements to pre-qualify.

Things are looking up for the Sophia community and the works are swiftly being carried out. In addition to all the road works a number of culverts were rebuilt and the small business squatting at the corner of one street, the owner will be given a mobile unit so that he continues to make his daily bread as the culvert is rebuilt and the street is upgraded.

Saturday August 17, 2019

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

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Saturday August 17, 2019

HAB-IT's “miraculous” shipping service makes customer a “believer” G

uyana has sent a 40-member strong team to the 2019 Goodwill Games Meet in Suriname slated for August 16 – 18. Among those that are aiming to make Guyana proud is 15-year-old Daniel Claxton.

But preparation for Daniel was much more than merely physical training. In fact, it warranted him securing suitable swim gear from overseas.

However, this was no walk in the park and Daniel's father, Shawn Claxton, recently shared the struggles of trying to find a way of having these shipped from the United States to Guyana in the shortest possible time.

However, such a struggle is now a thing of the past and this is all thanks to the senior Claxton's 'last resort' run-in with the HAB International Shipping Company [HABIT].

He recounted being faced with a quandary when he learnt that none of the shipping companies he'd contacted prior had the ability to ship the swim gear in time for his son to begin his journey to Suriname early Thursday morning.

Shawn Claxton said that he commenced his quest to find a shipping company last week Tuesday but given the 'Eid holiday' weekend, those he contacted, ahead of HABIT made it clear that “that is impossible.”

Shawn Claxton said that he was especially perturbed by the state of affairs because he had given his son all assurance that his swim gear was already en route.

With everything to lose, including his son's confidence in him, the man said that he called to mind an HAB-IT advertisement he heard on the radio and decided to swing by its Eccles, East Bank Demerara office.

By this time days had elapsed and Shawn Claxton's nerves were on edge.

“When I walked into HAB-IT, it was crunch time already,” the man said as he recalled sharing his dilemma with one of the staffers there.

The packaged shipped by HAB-IT

Although the staffer informed him that “it would be tight”, for Shawn Claxton there was a glimmer of hope when he didn't hear the words “that is impossible”.

The staffer went on to inform another staffer who took on the case and made it clear to the elder Claxton that if the item is shipped in a timely manner to HAB-IT's Miami office, the possibility existed that the swim gear could arrive on time.

That staffer placed a call to the company's Managing D i r e c t o r, M r. H a r o l d Beharry, who was at the time in the United States to

Daniel Claxton [right] receiving his swim gear

inform him of the customer's predicament. But to Shawn Claxton's surprise Mr. Beharry did not only assure him of being able to provide the swim gear but days in advance too.

“That was about half day Saturday and that was for the first time someone told me that it was possible,” said Shawn Claxton.

Shawn Claxton is convinced that the series of events that unfolded since he entered the HAB-IT office were nothing short of miraculous. Having reached to HAB's Miami office on Saturday, the swim gear was shipped on Sunday and was delivered to the Claxton's La Parfaite Hamonie, West Bank Demerara home on Monday which was in fact a national holiday.

Not only was the senior Claxton appreciative of the service but he was even astonished when he learnt that Mr. Beharry decided to withhold delivery cost as a gift to Daniel who he wished all the best at the Goodwill Swim Meet.

“These people never saw

me before; this was my first experience with HAB-IT and they were so caring but it wasn't just about the caring side of things, I don't know how to put it in words but they made you feel as if you were a part of their family,” Shawn Claxton shared as he recalled how “Mr. Beharry kept me updated throughout the whole process.”

“The Claxton family truly appreciates what he did for us,” he added as he assured, “I believe in them and we will definitely be shopping from now on with HAB-IT and I am telling everybody about them even though some of people I told still think it is impossible.”

According to HAB's M i a m i M a n a g e r, Ti n a Beharry, the shipping service was introduced back in 1991 to meet emergency shipping needs.

“It was established because of Swiss Machinery [another Harold Beharry's establishment] which at the time was offering parts in a time sensitive manner for customers...they found that (continued on page 26)

Kaieteur News

Saturday August 17, 2019

PAGE 21

Pinnacle communications honours Essequibo's top CSEC performers P

i n n a c l e Communication s, the parent company of RCA Television, Mega 102.1 FM and 91.7 FM, honoured the top five CSEC performers from the Essequibo Coast, yesterday.

The company, which is owned by prominent Essequibo Businessman, Alfro Alphonso, handed over monetary donations to the top students. The C o u n t r y ' s To p Student,Riana Toney, received $100,000, while the other four top performers received $50,000 each.

Mr. Alphonso said he was impressed with the performance of the students and wanted to make the donations to motivate other students across the country to reach for the top spots.

He said that his company will continue to support and promote the educational achievements of students in Guyana.

The top five students honoured were Riana Toney – Top Student; Charrandat Narine; Premchand Rampersaud; Ushanna Mohan and Begum Baksh

Top students with parents, teachers and REDO Nicolette Matthews and rep. of Company Ms. Ava Thompson The presentation was done as part of the regional ceremony to honour the top students and was held in the regional board room of Region Two.

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Saturday August 17, 2019

Saturday August 17, 2019

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PAGE 23

Records show Haitians reporting to Brazilian immigration - Min. Felix

M

inister of Citizenship, Wi n s t o n Felix, has again condemned claims of illegalities regarding Haitian travellers to Guyana. He said on Thursday that of the 8,476 Haitians who arrived here between January and July 2019, there were 6,925 of them who reported to Brazilian immigration officials after crossing the border, which separates the two countries.

This data, Minister Felix said, corroborates records from the Department which show that the Haitians arriving in Guyana are capitalising on the free movement of people within the Region to travel to Guyana and to other states.

In an interview with the Public Information and Press Service (PIPS) of the Ministry of the Presidency, the Minister expressed the hope that the data garnered from the Brazilian authorities will put an end to the scurrilous allegations being peddled by some members of civil society and the Opposition, in some sections of the media.

He condemned as xenophobic statements contained in the letter titled “The Haitians are vulnerable to political exploitation of the worse kind” purportedly w r i t t e n b y M r. K i t Nascimento and published in the Thursday, August 15, 2019 edition of the Stabroek News.

Mr. Nascimento states that “the Haitian arrivals are carefully organised with obvious official government support. Their arrival has coincided with a highly suspect house-to-house registration exercise with questionable legal authority and disputed justification” are deeply offensive and baseless, the Minister said.

Minister Felix reminded that Chief Justice (Ag) Roxane George, S.C., earlier this week, ruled on the legality of the house-tohouse registration exercise.

“I think that statement was made out of clear eye pass and disrespect… and I would like Mr. Nascimento to know that because he has nothing to prove what he has said there. He is talking about obvious official government support.

“Show me who is the member of Government who supports registering Haitians to vote in this election. I think it would be just decent

for the gentleman to apologize for such a statement,” Minister Felix said. The Minister said the numbers obtained from both the Department and from Brazil confirm that the Haitians are passing through these countries on their way to a final destination. He reminded that Guyana's immigration records show that 8,476 Haitians arrived here and 1,170 later departed.

Brazil's immigration records show that 6,925 Haitians arrived in that country and, except for 129, the majority left.

Addressing the disparity in the figures between the Haitians' departure from Guyana and the arrival figure recorded in Brazil, Minister Felix explained that some of the travellers would have departed Guyana without reporting to local immigration officers, although there are opportunities for doing so.

But on arrival in Brazil, they would have presented themselves to the immigration authorities.

“The Opposition elements had provided figures of quite a different sort. They claimed that 8,602 Haitians arrived in Guyana and only 13 departed. I leave the public to make their own judgments on these figures,” Minister Felix said.

The Minister recalled that he made a full disclosure to the Parliamentary subcommittee on Foreign Relations after being summoned before it in July 2018, where he had provided an explanation on the movement of the Haitians.

“In 2019, now that we are in an election cycle, the Opposition is at it again and they are going back to the very issues which we discussed in the Foreign Relations sub-committee with added features. They are still claiming that there are large numbers of Haitian arrivals. “They have not factchecked anything I said previously, but they have come up with their own misleading information which has no basis in fact or in truth,” Minister Felix said.

In her television programme “Matters of Public Importance”, hosted on July 9, 2019, Opposition Chief Whip, Ms. Gail Te i x e i r a , a l le g e d t h a t members of the Government and other actors, are using Haitians travelling to Guyana “to pad the Voters'

List”. Ms. Teixeira also alleged that Minister Felix and the Government are involved in smuggling and trafficking Haitians and Cubans for profit.

Minister Felix again denied these assertions and called on the Opposition to produce the evidence to support their allegations or to desist from making these spurious claims.

“So far they haven't produced anything to substantiate what they have been claiming, but they have just thrown it out there and left it like that for others to pick up and run with it. Our figures are standing in our favour in the eyes of rightthinking people in Guyana,” Minister Felix asserted.

He reminded, too, that the APNU + AFC Government has a good track record when it comes to tackling TIP, compared with the Peoples Progressive Party's (PPP) during their 23 years in office.

So far, for 2019, 13 persons have been charged with TIP related offenses and none of these cases involved a Haitian, either as a victim or a perpetrator.

Further, the Minister reiterated, the Opposition's claim that Haitians will be used to bloat the Voters' List has no merit, adding that they can provide scrutineers during the registration exercise to ensure accountability.

“GECOM has done its public communication role by advertising the requirements for registration. The political parties…provide scrutineers to function as watchdogs on the registration process. If the PPP/C has not taken up their role as scrutineers that is a matter for them but we have done so, and I am confident that with the level of scrutineering taking place, that foreigners; be they Haitians, Cubans or whoever, cannot be registered because the requirements have been stated in the media and foreigners either need to be registered as citizens of Guyana or naturalised, both [of which] require years of residency,” he said.

Additionally, Opposition Leader, Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo's claims that immigrants are obtaining work permits and birth certificates, published in the Friday, August 9, 2019 edition of the Stabroek News, did not escape Minister's Felix's attention.

This allegations are

completely baseless, the Minister said, explaining that the processes for obtaining same at the General Register Office has been toughened up to prevent fraud.

“We have hardened the

process to falsify birth certificates and so much scrutiny is put into the issuing of a birth certificate.

So, what was possibly happening during his tenure cannot happen now. We run a tight ship, observing features

of security which are essential to ensure due regularity takes place.

“I urge all Guyanese to make use of the facts presented and to ignore Opposition falsities on this issue,” he said.

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Kaieteur News

Saturday August 17, 2019

Piracy attack COI...

PM fails to clear up mystery Legislation needed to properly Safety surrounding presidential monitor all sea vessels - MARAD Director official says injuries not guard's death - traffic caused by vehicular accident T

A

postmortem performed yesterday has failed to clear up the mystery of how Presidential Guard, Winston Cooper, sustained injuries that led to his demise.

According to police sources, the postmortem report stated that Cooper suffered “complications caused by head injuries,� but provided no further details But a senior traffic official said that the injuries were not consistent with those sustained in a vehicular accident.

Police Constable 2045 Cooper, 32, was found unconscious outside the National Gymnasium by Guyana Fire Service ranks at about 5:30 am on July 1. He was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Cooper remained hospitalised for some time before being sent home.

According to an aunt, he was showing signs of improvement until Wednesday, when he began to gasp for breath. He then became motionless and was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.

Acting Crime Chief Michael Kingston has reassured Cooper's mother, Loraine Peters, that a thorough investigation will be

Presidential Guard Winston Cooper conducted into her son's demise.

President David Granger had also visited the family on Wednesday, while ordering an investigation into Cooper's demise.

he last public hearing for the COI into the deadly high seas attack in Suriname concluded with testimonies this week from MARAD officials at the Skeldon Heritage Resort. It made recommendations to have legislations in place to properly monitor all vessels on water.

Director of Maritime Safety, John Flores, took to the stand and was questioned

by Attorney-at-law Darren Wade and the Chairman of the COI, Rishi Thakur, y e s t e r d a y. H e a l s o recommended to have more collaboration between regulatory and enforcement agencies.

Flores said that such provisions will allow for more resources in order to properly monitor vessels plying their trade in Guyana waters.

While he made it

resoundingly clear that their duty at the maritime department is to oversee the safety of vessels in Guyana waters along with registering seamen to ply the waters, he added that as it relates to the monitoring of all vessels in the waters the safety director said that they were not responsible for such.

"The Coast guard is the enforcement agency of the state that monitors safety. We are the regulatory agency that is responsible for registering and licensing. In terms of monitoring therefore we would work in collaboration with coastguard and other agencies such as marine police to monitor and to try to bring all vessels under registration but it is a work in progress", he said.

Flores further stated that there is an existing Anti Piracy Task Force, consisting of both regulatory agencies and enforcement agencies in

Georgetown. However, there is none in Berbice.

Flores called for an antipiracy plan to be implemented and to have legislations set up to monitor vessels and to have a distress device on vessels to assist fisher folk to signal for help when needed.

Flores said that the 2018 fisheries regulations require fishermen to have a device on board to monitor them while out at sea. He said he is not s u r e w h e r e t h e implementation of that requirement stands but that he is sure that it would require cooperation between fisher folk and the fisheries to be fully completed.

Flores served as a coast guard for 35 years with five years heading the coast guards. Over 16 persons have testified thus far at the COI and it is expected to be moved to Suriname where it will continue on August 25.

Saturday August 17, 2019

Kaieteur News

Cuban heading to Lethem stopped, charged A Cuban national who came to Guyana to work as a cook and to explore the country, was yesterday brought before the court to answer to a charge. The court heard that the defendant overstayed the permitted time that was granted to him to be in Guyana. Eulices Marquez Echevarria, 43, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates Courts where the charge was read to him.

With the use of an interpreter the court was able to communicate with the defendant, the charge was then read to the defendant, which stated that between July 14, 2019, and August 15, 2019, at Georgetown he failed to comply with conditions subject to a permit to stay in Guyana between June 14, 2019, and

July 13, 2019.

When asked what is his plea the defendant said, “Guilty but I didnt know I overstayed in the country.”

Chief Magistrate McLennan also asked the defendant why he came to Guyana and he respond saying, “I came here to work as a cook and I also want to see the country.”

Police prosecutor Gordon Mansfield made no objections to bail being granted to the defendant. According to information the defendant is a Cuban National who came to Guyana on June 14, 2019, at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (C.J.I.A) and he was granted one month stay in the country.

However, on August 14, 2019, the defendant was on the route to Brazil when he was stopped by the police at

the Mabura checkpoint, an Immigration Officer then asked him to present his passport, upon examining the defendants passport it was observed that the defendant overstayed in Guyana.

Marquez was then arrested, an investigation was launched and the defendant was later charge for the offence. “I did go to get my extension at the registry but I didnt do it and I was on my way to Lethem, not Brazil,” Marquez told the court.

Chief Magistrate McLennan then instructed the defendant to pay a $20,000 fine or in default eight weeks in imprisonment. After paying his fine the defendant would then be taken to the nearest port of exit or serve the time.

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Saturday August 17, 2019

Kaieteur News

I cannot provide for my children Bus driver gets six weeks in … Says woman whose husband was electrocuted ‘ prison for beating colleague

“The sudden death of my husband was a shock to me; I still can’t believe that he’s dead.” This was the words of Aronva Parmanand; the woman is now left to raise her three children after her husband, Orlando Ramnarine, was electrocuted while on a fishing trip.

The woman who is unemployed told Kaieteur News that her husband was the lone provider of their family. Because her children are so small they don’t stay with anybody else beside her, and because of this she is not able to acquire a job.

The children who are Omesha, four, Kevin, two, and Devin, 11 months, are presently receiving help from family members and close friends with food.

Ms. Parmanand is pleading with the public to assist her and her children.

She added that since the death of her husband she had to remove from the family home because she

cannot pay the rent and is now lodging by her friend until she can provide a better home for her children.

Ms .Parmanand is very concerned that her oldest child, Omesha, will not be attending school in September due to a lack of school clothes and stationery.

Reports have been made with the Guyana and Power Light (GPL) to fix the loose wire but no one from the company ever showed up to do so, but when my husband get electrocuted GPL officials were at the scene even before the police.

The mother of the dead man told this newscast that she personally went to GPL and complained about the loose wire and persons at the company asked her how she knows that the wire had current in it.

The woman who was not on the fishing trip was at home when the news hit. “I still can’t believe that Orlando

is dead and my grandchildren have nothing to eat and wear.”

Ms. Parmanand, who was sobbing uncontrollably, said that although her husband was laid to rest yesterday, she will never accept that his death could have not been avoided.

“Is long now since that wire loose from the post, and now that Orlando is dead GPL just come and move the wire not even sorry or anything, them did not tell us when clearly they are at fault.

“Every night my children would keep asking mommy where daddy, when he coming back, and being the only one in their life I don’t know what to tell them and is me they looking up to.

“While at the funeral Omesha, keep rubbing his face and that hurts me because I know that although she saw him lie down in that box she still don’t know that he is dead.”

A father of 19 is now behind bars after pleading guilty to beating a man with a metal object. Arian Brandt, a 40year-old bus driver was yesterday brought before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly in the Georgetown Magistrates Courts.

It was alleged that on July 29, 2019 at High Street, Georgetown, the defendant assaulted Eric Coates so as to cause him actual bodily harm.

According to police prosecutor, Traceyann Gittens, who related the facts of the charge, both parties are known to each other as they are bus drivers.

On the day in question, about 10:30 hrs Brandt confronted Coates on the route 47 bus park armed with a metal object in his hand. He dealt the victim several slaps and a sound trashing about his body with the metal object resulting in injuries.

The matter was reported and Brandt was later charged for the offence.

Prosecutor Gittens added that the defendant is known for his aggressive behaviour and as a result he has been before the courts on multiple occasions. She further indicated that he has a matter before the high court.

In 2018 Brandt was sent to the High Court where he will undergo a trial for allegedly raping a 14-year-old girl on October 7, 2018, at Sophia, Greater Georgetown.

This was done after the completion of a Preliminary Inquiry (PI) before a magistrate who found sufficient evidence against him for a conviction.

Moreover, in his defense for the assault charge the accused stated, “This man and

Arian Brandt

Patrick Dundas

a whole set of them (other men) does always beat me up.

I mustnt work when all I trying to do is make lil money to spend pon my children education.

“Every time I pull a trip is licks. When I go to the police to report it they does laugh and say how I tekking beat up.”

Magistrate Daly then sentenced the defendant to six weeks in prison for the offence based on the details the prosecutor presented.

While Brandt was being escorted out of the courtrooms he started crying and shouting, “Wuh I doing six weeks in prison. I cant stay away from me children so long. I made seven reports against these men and the police laugh me.

“They (alleged attackers) stick me up with gun and beat me. Is them does deh beating me up your worship I dont assault them.”

Meanwhile, one of Brandts alleged attackers was slapped with two charges which reportedly took place on the same day and at the

same location as in Brandts offence.

Patrick Dundas, 27, from Lot 1 Rasville also made an appearance before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly in the Georgetown Magistrates Courts.

The first charge alleged that on July 29, 2019 at High Street Georgetown, the defendant used threatening behaviour towards Adrian Brandt. Also on that same date and location he used threatening language towards the same victim.

Dundas pleaded guilty to the first charge and offered to give an explanation for his action, however, he denied the other charge.

According to the defendant, “This man come and we had an exchange of words but then he start beating everybody. He always runs to the station making report and wasting people time.”

Based on his explanation Dundas was fined $10,000 for the offence he admitted to and he was placed on $10,000 bail for the other. He was ordered to return to court on October 9, 2019.

HAB-IT's “miraculous” shipping...

From page 20 there was a lot of down time in getting those parts and so they needed a faster turnaround time,” Tina shared.

In the quest to implement this solution, she recalled that efforts were made to find an airline that could provide a swift and reliable shipping service.

At the time Caribbean Airlines was offering a jet pack service but only to Trinidad

and Tobago at the time. A partnership was eventually forged allowing for HAB-IT to introduce a daily express shipping service.

“We have been very efficient; we have cargo every single day on our express service through a flight that goes everyday from Miami to Guyana,” Tina revealed. Although there have been a few minor glitches over the years, she assured, “We continu-

ously have satisfied customers. Once they get their items to us [in Miami] by 10am today it would be landing in Guyana tonight to be cleared and delivered tomorrow.”

HAB can also offer its customers a two-day turnaround time if they so desire.

At an allowed 50 pounds per package, Tina said, “We ship anything from auto and tractor parts to things for the mining industry, and with the development of the oil and gas industry there is always an emergency for something.

Along with that we have noticed that we get a lot of requests to ship items for special events... We work with the hospitals to ship medications; we ship across the board for any industry and even personal items,” the Miami Manager confidently asserted.

Saturday August 17, 2019

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Kaieteur News

Magistrate strikes out charges Man who allegedly stole from against Superbet operators his boss mechanic shop charged.

One week after eight Superbet operators were arraigned before Magistrates to answer charges in relation to operating illegal business premises, the matters against four of them were yesterday struck out.

Four of them were brought before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly in the Georgetown Magistrates Courts. The others were heard at the Providence Magistrates Courts before Magistrate Sunil Scarce.

Attorney-at-law Anil Nandlall is representing all the defendants. On the first occasion that the matters were called the attorney made an application at both courts, asking that the charges against his clients be dismissed.

T h e m a t t e r s in the Georgetown Magistrates Courts which were ten charges have been dismissed while the matters at Providence Magistrates Courts was given another date to present submissions against the application by the attorney.

The basis for the application, according to Nandlall, is

because the police do not have the authority to institute such charges against his clients. In fact, the lawyer contended that the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is the appropriate agency to file the charges.

The attorney argued that these matters are in relation to not having a business licence. He said that such investigations lie with GRA. Therefore, he mentioned that in this case the police cannot institute the charge(s) against his clients or be the ones carrying out the investigation.

Both magistrates agreed with the challenge raised by the defence and asked that the police provide clarity as to who will be handling the matters.

In the Georgetown Magistrates Courts the prosecutor highlighted the police right to prosecute the matters based on the Police Act and the Summary Jurisdiction Act. However, the prosecutor indicated that the charges are based on the Tax Act. Therefore, Magistrate Daly upheld the submission of the defence council citing that if the bases of the charges are on the Tax

Act, then GRA should prosecute the matters as in accordance to the Revenue Act. The charges were then struck out.

On the other hand, in the Providence Magistrates Courts, the prosecution was given additional time after making an application to extend the response time so as to present a proper submission in relation to the matters.

As a result Magistrate Scare granted the prosecution until September 2, 2019 to make their submissions.

There are now four Superbet operations now before the courts, the remainder being from East Bank Demerara.

They are Nicetime Superbet owned by Roumayne Dunn of 50 North West, Grove Public Rod East Bank Demerara, Prospect Game Centre owned by Lachman Frederick of 22 Prospect Public Road, East Coast Demerara, RJs Business owned by Jessica William of 224 Section C Block Y Golden Grove, East Bank Demerara and Rama Superbet owned by Hamauth Satayadeo of 1061 Section C Golden Grove, East Bank Demerara.

Cop nab Berbice gang linked to spate of armed robberies

Some of the recovered items An eight-hour police operation on Thursday led to the apparent dismantling of a gang that had carried out recently several armed robberies in Berbice.

A release stated that during the intelligence-led operation by ‘B’ Division ranks, several homes in Angoy’s Avenue. New Amsterdam, were searched and six men

were arrested.

Police also recovered items, including jewellery, cash and cell phones from a recent robbery that was committed on an Angoy’s Avenue housewife.

“Two of the suspects have since admitted to have robbed the housewife and they have also confessed to five other armed robberies,”

police said.

Kaieteur News had reported that Rennie Juman, of Angoy’s Avenue, was badly chopped last week Saturday by two armed men who invaded the home he shared with his parents.

The intruders also beat Juman’s mother before escaping with an undisclosed sum of cash.

A labourer was yesterday released on bail after he appeared in court to answer to a break and enter charge.

Thirty-five-year-old Moni Lall appeared before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly in the Georgetown Magistrates Courts where the charge was read to him.

Lall pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that between August 11, 2019, and August 13, 2019, at Sussex and Saffon Streets, Charlestown, Georgetown he broke and entered the mechanic shop of Shon Clarke and stole three motorbike batteries, three motorcar batteries and a quantity of tools valued at $240,000.

Lall then told the court, “I work deh but I left to go clean a drain when the things get

Remanded: Moni Lall stolen.”

Police prosecutor Christopher Morris objected to bail to the defendant based on the fact that the defendant have

no fixed place of abode and the value of the articles.

The defendant was then remanded to prison by Senior Magistrate Daly, and the matter was adjourned to August 30, 2019, for report.

Meanwhile, Anisa Roberts, 23, of Lot 34 Dennis Street, Sophia, Georgetown, appeared before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly in the Georgetown Magistrates Courts, where she was made to answer to a simple larceny charge which stated that on August 9, 2019, at Sandy Babb Street, Kitty, she stole $60,000 cash property of Candacy Stuart, Roberts denied the allegation.

She was then placed on $20, 000 bail and the matter was adjourned to August 30, 2019.

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Saturday August 17, 2019

Kaieteur News

Lawyers to lay over submissions in challenges against Govt.s takeover of Berbice River Bridge

C

hief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire y e s t e r d a y instructed lawyers in the court action against Governments takeover of the Berbice Bridge to lay over written submissions by September 13. The matter comes up for a report hearing on October 8.

Senior Counsel Ralph Ramkarran is appearing for the Berbice Bridge Company Inc. (BBCI), while the Attorney Generals chamber is representing Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, who is listed as the Respondent.

Last November, the Berbice Bridge Company Incorporated (BBCI) moved to the High Court asking for the reversal of the decision of government to takeover maintenance and operation of the Berbice River Bridge.

In its application, the BBCI had noted that Section 15 of the Judicial Review Act provides as follow: “It is the duty of any person or body making administrative

decisions, if requested in accordance with this section by any person adversely affected by the decision, to supply that person with a statement setting out the findings on material questions of facts, referring to the evidence or other material on which those findings were based and giving the reasons for the decision.”

Amid a 360% increase in tolls, which was demanded by the BBCI, the Government on November 5, last, announced that it was taking temporary control of the bridge in the safety of the public.

According to court documents filed by the BBCI, on November 1, Minister Patterson caused to be issued and advertised in the Official Gazette the Berbice River Bridge (Public Safety) Toll Order 2018 No. 42 of 2018, made under Section 11(b) (i) of the Berbice River Bridge Act Cap 51:06 ordering that the functions of the

concessionaire, (BBCI), to maintain and operate the Bridge shall be exercised by Government.

The Official Gazette also said that having determined that the exercise of those functions by the Government is necessary and expedient in the interests of the public, the Minister specifies by notice on the cessation of the threat to public safety.

It also said that the tolls will be levied and collected and any exemptions shall be the same as those levied, collected and exempted immediately before the coming into operation of the said order.

According to the bridge company, by a Concession Agreement dated June 12, 2006, entered into between the Ministry of Public Works and Communications, on behalf of the Government of Guyana and the company, it is made clear that BBCI shall be obliged at its own expense to operate and maintain the Toll Bridge.

Guyana, Britain refute Russian...

From page 7 it will not recognize the courts decision on the boundary case which could be handed down within five years.

Venezuela is facing a severe economic meltdown despite its oil riches.

With runaway inflation, its people have been fleeing in the thousands to neighbouring countries, including to Guyana.Guyana has been accepting the migrants.Meanwhile, the British online news, Morningstaronline.co.uk reported yesterday that the countrys defence ministry has denied allegations it was involved in a plot to overthrow the Venezuelan government.

The Star said it contacted the Ministry of Defence regarding allegations made by the Russian Foreign Ministry which claimed to have uncovered secret British plans to arm Venezuelan refugees across the border.

Britain made it clear that it does not have a military base in Guyana, and dismissed Russian claims it was constructing a site on an island in the mouth of the Essequibo River on the pretext of thwarting arms and drugs smugglers.

An MoD spokesman told the Star: “The claims by the Russian Foreign Ministry are clear disinformation. The UK does not possess, is not building nor operates from

any base in Guyana.”

Maduro has long-warned of plans to oust him in a coup and assassinate him, with neighbouring Colombia viewed as a likely staging post for military intervention.

Last week seven Colombian paramilitaries were arrested near the border with

an arsenal of weapons and communication devices.

The Bolivarian leader said he had uncovered a plot to kill him led by former Colombian president Alvaro Uribe who planned to “enter Venezuela [with] 32 mercenaries to try to assassinate me and other leaders of the revolution.”

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The Berbice River Bridge

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Saturday August 17, 2019

Kaieteur News

LEGALNOTICE -and1. HEMNAJ KISSOON 2. AMID MOHAMED Defendants Jointly and Severally

SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design, advertisements, Wedding arch rentals. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535.

ICONIC MARKETING & PRINTING –TEL: 6006887: We create A/works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included.

Eagle’s re-gas AC, Fridge, Washing machine & computer repairs, Gas stove, Plasma flatscreen, Electrical installation & more. Call: 6972969/646-0966

FOR SALE 450-Honda ATV, Cat 215 Excavator, Cat 215- Excavator spares, Cat 428 Back-hoe #683-7225/275-0367 Double steel wheeled 8-tons roller, 9 wheel pneumatic roller.

Mack concrete Mixer truck- 8 cu. Yds, 650-Gals spray kettel. #683-7225/275-0367 Mix breed pups, Rotweiler with richback. Contact# 2533114/692-0126 For sale:Pure bred German Shepherd puppies(Male only).Contact:697-1141,6126672.

Wardrobe, solid wood with mirror $20,000, Plastic water barrel $6,000 #682-5230/6154414 1 (2) Storey house & land, 3 bedroom $39M, 1 (2) Storey house & land, 4 master bedroom $59M Gated community @ Schnoord WBD #650-0402/603-1402

REPAIRS AT LOW COST: FRIDGES, AIR CONDITIONERS, WASHING MACHINE, FREEZER, SALE OF AC’S. Yamaha Outboard Motor 200 HP for 550k, control box 50k, TEL#629-4946,225-4822 all are foreign use. Call: 699Installation, Repairs and parts 6467 for AC, Fridge, Washing Machine, Stove etc. Call Nick 5650 MF Combine parts, track chain seal and lubricated D4 630-1600, 627-3206 Size, 98% life. Call: 601-9000/ Repairs at affordable prices: 647-9897 fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, 1 Double Axel (6x6) TM trucks, microwaves & freezer-Call: Reasonable offer. #654-2001/ 610-5846 or 661-8158 500-6817 PROPERTY FOR SALE House and land available at Parfaite, Tuschen, Diamond etc.

Contact Pacific Development Inc. 223-6035/ 604-4909 Property for sale at Lot 271 Thomas St, North Cummingsburg. Contact Info: Dennis James #676-1337/2170208, Winifred James #6699969/225-7286 @200,000,000 Negotiable Lot 192 Atlantic Gardens, East Coast Demerara. Contact #691-0230 Business property for sale, lot 27 Grove Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara. Contact #691-0230 (1) 3 bedroom house located at Middle St, Stewartville.

Tel#625-3299/268-3129 Sale of Lot 87 Albert St, Albertown Cottage. Land and Property 80x20. Tel#669-8701

LAND FOR SALE Parfaite Harmonie $1.5M $2M Parfaite Harmonie Transferable $2.3M Tuschen Phase II $1.3M Providence, Herstelling, Farm. All price drop Tel#666-2326 LEARN TO DRIVE N. Outar Driving School, Learn to Drive the right way @ Cuffy Square. Affordable package. Call: 644-5166/6912561/681-2808 FOR SALE/RENT American Pool table. #6519039 TO LET Furnished, Airconditioned one bedroom apartment E.B.D Light & water included No security deposit.Price$80,000 Call:6680306/694-7817

FOR RENT

WANTED

VACANCY

PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620

1 Security personnel to work shift. 6 Days a week. Tel# 2275536/ 223-0504

Operator (Electrical & Mechanical Knowledge an asset), Labourer. Apply with handwritten application, Police Clearance. Wieting & Richter Ltd 10-13 Water St, G/ town

2 Bedroom apartment top/ bottom @ 575 block XDiamond, E.B.D.3 bedroom, 1 master room single home @ 95-2nd street Craig,E.B.D.Call June:623-1562.

Top Flat of house to rent. La Grange Public Road WBD. #665-7636/691-5101 1 three bedroom Top flat apartment for rent in Diamond. Tel#602-2563/6094365 Newly Renovated Apartments for rent at Peter’s Hall. #698-5800/648-1391 Apartment- Vreed-en-hoop, two bedroom (Kitchen, bath, grill, security camera, A/C, Granite countertop) family preferable. $25,000 Tel: 6825230, 615-4414 2 bedroom botom flat apt with Private bathroom, La Grange, Independence St, WBD. Call: 663-1280 House to rent located at 1298 Diamond H/Scheme EBD. Tel# 678-9112 2 bedroom bottom flat at Cummings Lodge ECD. Tel# 627-6565 Self contained rooms to rent in Prashad Nagar. Tel#2272993 WANTED Experienced Cashier, Apply with handwritten application.

Hack’s Halaal 5 Commerce St Teacher for playgroup & children for playgroup and nursery school. #223-8457 Events Assistant & Front desk Receptionist. Apply: General Manager, Herdmanston Lodge, Lamaha & Peter Rose Sts Wanted One truck, car & van driver at VV&I General Store.

Tel# 223-9677 One cashier preferably from Georgetown. Call: 623-5255 Between 8-5 (Mon-Fri) Wanted- Salesman, Cashier and Office Clerk. Apply in Person at Lot 10 Vlissengen Road, Survival.

Live-in General Domestic 3045 yrs. Salary $25,000 wkly. #610-3974

VEHICLE FOR SALE 1 Honda CRV. includes TV, music system, alarm, reverse camera, sproiler, crash bar, Low mileage. PTT Series (First Owner) Contact #6490956 New model premio, pearl white 2009 registered $2.3M , Toyota Vitz 2010 Black unregistered $1.8M . Tel#2235615/600-4212 Pick up Truck from Canada extra cab, 2005 Tacoma $1.750M, Ford F150 Sport $1.2M, Ford Ranger sport $1.1M, 682-5230/615-4414.

Tractor Massey Ferguson (foreign used) MF165$1.5M, MF135 $1M, MF265 $1.7M, MF165 Loader tractor $2.1M Vreed-en-hoop.Call:682-5230/ 615-4414.

1-Tundra $1.8M, 1-Audi Convertible $2.5M Contact#650-0402/603-1402 Model M Truck, great condition with winch, fitness etc. $3.2M Neg. #673-4527

1 experienced driver, must have license for car/van/ minibus & motorbus, residing in G/town between ages 2450 yrs old. #225-1429/641-5075 Pump attendant & cashier, shift rotated weekly (6am-3pm & 3pm-11pm) Shell Service Station Providence EBD. E m a i l : Shellramsburg@gmail.com Industrial Sales Representative, 5 Subject CXC Age 25+ Experience in Sales, must own vehicle, email r e s u m e : vacancy@josarltd.com Handyman. Contact# 2235273/223-5274 Vacancy exist for a Full time/ Part time teacher, must be able to teach (2 & 7) years old. Call: 600-6887 for more information Vacancy exist for Receptionist 25yrs & older. Send Application to Agri Parts Machinery & Services. 193 Mandela Avenue, Georgetown

CAR RENTAL

Vacancy for (2) professional and experienced nail technician @ Natural Beauty Salon & Spa. Call: 652-5800

PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS FROM $4000 & UP, SUV’S PER DAY- CALL: 656-0087 / 643-5122 ,EMAIL:PRO_ A U T O R E N TA L @YAHOO.COM

Male Bond Staff & Experienced Salesgirl with 2 yr experience CXC maths & english. Attractive Salary, Apply @ Christine’s Variety, Lombard St. Contact#2278529

DOLLYS AUTO RENTAL CALL: 225-7126 & 2263693 -DOLLYS AUTO RENTAL @ YAHOO.COM/ W W W . D O L L Y SAUTORENTAL.COM

Waitress & Cook preferably carnegie trained & cashier/ waitress #225-7933 or visit 172 Sheriff Street Room attendant 25-45 years 233 South Road Lacytown #225-0198

Speedy Auto Rental & Bus Service: Lowest rates Diesel Mechanic. Contact# guaranteed. Special pakages 223-5273/223-5274 for overseas customers. Call: 629-2915/616-7351. Email: 1 Cashier. Apply at New Times s p e e d y a u t o r e n t a l s Restaurant, Lot 31 Railway @gmail.com Embankment, Chateau Margot ECD. Tel#655-8715 AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 TRUCK DRIVER. Contact SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD #223-5273/223-5274 FOR AIRPORT & FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPEST LEGALNOTICE RATE . Call: 698-7807 IN THE HIGH COURT OF VACANCY THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE OF GUYANA Vacancy exist for a Spanish CIVIL JURISDICTION Teacher- must be able to teach 2019-HC-DEM-CIV-SOC-43 (2 & 7) years old. Call: 600-6887 BETWEEN SAYED KHAN Claimant for more information

Notice TO: HEMNAJ KISSOON & MOHAMEDHAMID 295 Area Y Cummings Lodge Georgetown, Demerara Guyana TAKE NOTICE that a Statement of Claim was filed on the 14th day of February, 2019 in the High Court of the Supreme Court of Judicature of Guyana at Georgetown, Demerara by SAYED KHAN in which the Applicant claims: a.

Special damages in the sum of $1,390,000 (one million three hundred and ninety thousand dollars) b.

Damages in excess of $100,000 (one hundred thousand dollars) for injury, loss and damage sustained, together with pain and suffering endured by the Claimant as a result of the negligent driving by the Defendant, the owner of the truck with registration number GSS2848, on the 4th day of August, 2018 on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, in Long Creek, Demerara in the State of Guyana. c.

Costs d.

Interest in accordance with Section 12 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, Chapter 6:02. e.

Such further or other relief which this Honourable Court may deem just in the circumstance of this case.

UPON APPLICATION in person or by letter to Ms. Shellon Boyce, Attorney-at-law for the Applicant, whose address for service and place of business is at lot 185 Charlotte & King Streets, Georgetown, copies of the Fixed Date Application, filed herein, will be delivered or sent to you AND TAKE NOTICE if you desire to defend this action you must forthwith within 28 days after the final publication of this notice, prepare an Affidavit in Defense in Form 10C prescribed in the Civil Procedure Rules 2016, serve it on the applicant’s attorneyat-law, to Ms. Shellon Boyce whose address for service and place of business is at Lot 185 Charlotte & King Streets, Georgetown, and file it with proof of service at the Registry at Georgetown, Demerara, not later than 4 days before the date fixed for hearing of the application, and you or your attorney-at-law must appear at the hearing.

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you fail to file such affidavit and or fail to appear at the hearing, final judgment may be given against you notwithstanding your absence. continued on the next page

Saturday August 17, 2019

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APA promotes revision of Amerindian Act - further aimed at promoting demarcation and titling of indigenous lands The Amerindian Peoples Association (APA), and three other partners, the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples Affairs (MoIPA), the National Toshaos Council (NTC) and the South Rupununi District Council (SRDC)/ South Central People’s Development Association (SCPDA), have embarked on a two-year

project aimed at promoting the demarcation and titling of Indigenous lands in Guyana as well as the revision of the Amerindian Act. This project entitled, “Securing and enhancing Indigenous land tenure in Guyana,” is the beneficiary of a US$1.6 million grant from the International Land and Forest Ten-

ure Facility and runs from July 2019 to July 2021.

The Tenure Facility, as it is better known, is an international, multi-stakeholder financial mechanism that focuses on securing land and forest rights for Indigenous Peoples and local communities following the current laws and guidelines of the coun-

Granger lauds army for preparedness....

Paratroopers jump from the GDF’s sky van during ‘Exercise Greenheart’ this morning.

From page 16 and you can look forward year after year to being here,” the President said after witnessing the live simulation activity.

President Granger reminded that it is important for members of the GDF to be familiar with the countrys land mass as they have to be able to operate in all forms of terrain.

“Without training you would never be able to perform your functions. Youd become flabby as an army; youd become incompetent so what you do here today is essential and normal and in no way should it [be] regarded as something extraordinary. Every year you should be able to look forward to your Ironweed or Green Heart,” the President said.

President Granger referenced the influx of Venezuelan migrants to Guyana during this year and noted that the Force has had to strengthen its deployment along the countrys borders.

“So, you cannot be in Camp Stephenson alone or Camp Ayanganna alone, you have to be able to operate in the field in any weather, in any terrain and every year,” he said while reminding that Monday, the 50th anniversary of the defence of the New River will be observed.

“It was from this camp, from this air field at Tacama that hundreds of troops took over to go to the battle zone.

“We were able to do so effectively and efficiently and successfully and right now have been able to retain every square kilometre of this territory

because of the Guyana Defence Force. I applaud the Guyana Defence Force and I thank you very much,” the Commander-inChief said.

The President told members of the GDF that without consistent training, vigilance or the demonstration of competence, the Force would not be able to guarantee territorial integrity and security.

He called on the troops to be proud of the achievements of those officers who served in the past but also look to the future and their capabilities so that Guyanas territorial sovereignty is protected.

Exercise Green Heart, the second of its kind since 2015, culminated just after the break of dawn and saw soldiers attacking enemy positions at the Tacama airstrip. Gunshots rang out across the battle field just off the Airstrip, while grenades were tossed from various directions, and smokescreens were released to assist the troops with their attack.

Leading up to this mornings final attack, the troops participated in patrols, as well as para-trooping while occupying defensive positions in the jungle for ten days. In the end, the troops emerged victorious, demonstrating that they were ready to defend Guyana sovereignty.

Lieutenant Colonel Raul Jerrick, Operations and Training Director, said the exercise was held to test the preparedness of the troops to conduct operations in a close-country or jungle environment.

Additionally, Lt. Colonel Jerrick said the Exercise also aimed at identifying deficiencies which could be corrected to ensure optimal competency.

A total of 951 GDF troops, including 189 Reservists, engaged in Exercise Green Heart between Mara Settlement and Tacama waterfront, in the Upper Berbice River. Thirty ranks of the Guyana Police Force are also involved in the Exercise while approximately 115 ranks from the Guyana Peoples Militia participated. Medical outreaches were also conducted in the communities in the area.

Minister of Public Security, Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan; Minister of State Mrs. Dawn HastingsWilliams; Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General, Mr. Basil Williams S.C.; Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Mr. Joseph Harmon; Commissioner of Police, Mr. Leslie James; and Mr. Bruce Lovell also observed the exercise.

(MoTP) LEGAL NOTICE CONTD AND FUTHER TAKE NOTICE that this matter stand adjourned before the Honourable Madam Justice Damone Younge on 21st day of August, 2019 at 9:00 am.

Dated this 31st day of July 2019

try in which the project is being implemented. The APA is the project holder.

This project which began in mid-July has three components that focus on demarcation and titling of Indigenous lands, the revision of the Amerindian Act 2006, and various issues related to land management plans and continued land talks with the government by the Wapichan communities of southern Guyana.

The three components are complementary and mutually-reinforcing as it involves the implementation of land titling with Indigenous communities while working to support government in the development

and implementation of policies that recognize and protect our rights as Indigenous Peoples.

To this end, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the APA and MoIPA detailing our respective commitment and roles in the implementation of this project.

The scope for closing the gaps and learning quick lessons from past titling and demarcation efforts and facilitating an Indigenous-Led Land titling approach in collaboration with government is a key aspect of the project.

A d d i t i o n a l l y, the project will be monitored

by a Project Coordination Board comprising the APA, MIPA, NTC and the SRDC. A planning and inception meeting was recently held on August 9, 2019 at the Regency Suites Hotel where all partners discussed project objectives, components, schedules and partner responsibilities. Such meetings are expected to continue throughout the life of the project.

“We believe that this project is an important step in allowing Indigenous Peoples to take the lead in the initiatives related to land titling and re l a t e d p r o cesses,” said the APA in a press statement.

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Weather causes GFF NAMLCO Linden Shastri wins ‘close race’ to Championship to now be a knockout affair continue as India’s head coach Double Header kicks off tournament at Wisburg Secondary School Ground today Persistent rain in the mining town of Linden has forced the Upper Demerara Football Association ( U D FA ) t o c a n c e l i t s league format championship for the Guyana Football federation (GFF) / NAMILCO Under-17 tournament into a knockout competition for Linden teams.

In a release the UDFA, who are staging the tournament on behalf of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), made the adjustment to ensure the tour-

nament produces the representative Linden team for the national playoffs.

T h e U D FA s q u a s h e d the matches played earlier in the tournament and now has a knock championship which starts this afternoon Satu r d a y a t t h e Wi s b u r g Secondary School ground. The first game in this new competition will see from 13:00hrs game one pitting Botafago versus Coomacka Mines, while in game two Milerock are facing Hilltop United

from 15.00hrs.

To m o r r o w another double header will be played at the same venue and Amelia’s Ward United will face Topp XX from 13:00hrs and the other game will feature Eagles United and Hi Stars from 15:00hrs.

The UDFA has indicated that if a game is deadlocked at the end of regulation time, the decision is to go directly to penalty kicks and an official said that next weekend is set for staging the semifinals.

Saturday August 17, 2019 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Today may feel like everything's coming to a head for you, Aries. Even the slightest action might face resistance. The more stubborn your attitude, the harder it will be to progress.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Follow your heart instead of your wallet, Libra. Start with yourself and choose where to spend your resources.

Take an active role and be on the lookout for opportunities to grab hold of and profit from.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) You'd do well to discipline your actions today, Taurus, and keep a level head. Unexpected events may rise to challenge established authority.

Don't jump to any sweeping conclusions.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Your adaptable nature will be put to the test today, Scorpio. Try to go with the flow. Remember that you have a rudder with which to steer.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Keeping things balanced today will prove challenging, Gemini. Take this seriously because it's probably needed more than ever.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Today is a significant day, astrologically speaking, Sagittarius. It may be an affirmation of your pioneering spirit. Be the champion of the new and bizarre.

CANCER(June21–July22) Passions may run high, Cancer, and you could be right in the thick of things. Today may be a bit more intense than usual.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) There may be some tension in the air for you, Capricorn.

Large forces are moving through your life that are suddenly coming into conflict.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Indecision may leave you standing at the station after all the trains have left, Leo. Hop on one that's going in your direction. Add your name to the roster of active participants.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Your ability to juggle many tasks is going to come in handy, Aquarius. Information may fly and you could be asked to step up and contribute your wealth of knowledge.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Something might be shaking the very ground you stand on, Virgo. Just when you thought everything was calm and stable, suddenly the ground begins to rumble.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You feel like a scared child who wants to hide under the bed today, Pisces. Keep in mind that there are just as many monsters under the bed as there are out in the world.

MUMBAI (Reuters) Ravi Shastri will continue as head coach of the Indian senior mens cricket team up to 2021 after pipping New Zealands Mike Hesson and Australias Tom Moody, the countrys cricket board (BCCI) said yesterday.

The BCCIs Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), comprising cricket great Kapil Dev, former India coach Anshuman Gaekwad and ex-womens captain Shanta Rangaswamy, conducted interviews for the post yesterday and unanimously agreed to retain faith in Shastri until the T20 World Cup in India

starting Oct. 2021.

As well as incumbent Shastri, former India players Lalchand Rajput and Robin Singh were also short-listed candidates.

“Shastris presentation was about what he did in the last two years and the way forward for the Indian team,” Dev told reporters at a hotel overlooking the Arabian Sea. “The system was simple. After a meeting of almost six hours, all three of us had our markings. We unanimously decided after accounting for all the numbers... number one is Ravi Shastri.

“We didnt discuss who is giving whom how many marks. When we calculated it was a close race, the difference was small and we were amazed.”

Shastris next assignment will be the home series against South Africa, who will play three T20 internationals and three tests starting next month.

The contracts of Shastri and his team were set to expire after the 50overs World Cup but they were handed an extension until the ongoing tour of the West Indies, where Vi r a t K o h l i s m e n s till have to play two tests.

Before departing for the tour of West Indies, Kohli openly backed Shastri to continue but the CAC said they had arrived at their decision without consulting the skipper.

“Being the current coach, knowing the boys well, the problems in the current team, he (Shastri) is well versed with the entire system,” Gaekwad said.

“For somebody who knows the sy s t e m , w h o knows the players, can communicate well, he had the advantage.”

Former test all-rounder Shastri was appointed head coach in 2017, succeeding former captain Anil Kumble who stepped down after falling out with Kohli despite a successful run in charge.

Under Shastri, who also had a previous stint as Indias team director, India won a maiden test series in Australia earlier this year and are ranked number one in the world in the format. They reached the semi-finals of the World Cup where they were beaten by runners-up New Zealand last month.

Moody previously coached Sri Lanka and also had stints in franchise cricket with Indian Premier League sides Kings XI Punjab and Sunrisers Hyderabad, while Hesson served as head coach for the Black Caps for six years.

Former West Indies opener Simmons, who was the head coach of Afghanistan till the World Cup and also coached the Caribbean side and Ireland, dropped out of yesterdays interview process.

The BCCI has also invited applications for the positions of batting coach, bowling coach, fielding coach, physiotherapist, strength and conditioning coach as well as an administrative manager with the appointments to be made soon.

Saturday August 17, 2019

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Usain Bolt’s 9.58 a decade on: The science behind the world’s fastest man Omnisport - On August 16, 2009, Usain Bolt clocked 9.58 seconds in the final of the 100 metres at the IAAF World Championships in Berlin.

A decade on, with the eighttime Olympic champion now retired, that world-record time still stands.

At just 22, the Jamaican obliterated a mark he had set exactly one year earlier at the Olympics in Beijing, shaving more than a tenth of a second of the time.

Doctor Peter Weyand, a biomechanics expert at Southern Methodist University, told Omnisport what made Bolt so unique.

A slow starter?

One of the biggest misconceptions of Bolt was that, due to his 6ft 5in frame, he was a slow starter. Not true, says Weyand.

Particularly on that night in Germany when only Dwain Chambers was ahead of him after the first few strides.

“The most unusual thing was how well he was able to start for somebody as big as he is,” Weyand explained.

“Normally the people that accelerate and get out of the blocks very quickly tend to be

Omnisport spoke to Peter Weyand to discuss the science behind Usain Bolt, who still holds the world record for the 100 metres a decade on. the shorter sprinters. The physics and biology of acceleration favours smaller people. In 2009, I think he started as well as anybody in that race. The start was a differentiator.”

Long legs = more force Though his height may have given him a slight disadvantage out of the blocks, Bolt’s frame came in handy once the race

opened up, allowing him to generate more power in the short steps sprinters take.

“What limits how fast a sprinter can go is how much force they can get down in the really short periods of time they have to do it,” Weyand said.

“If you’re going faster, the only way to do what you need to do to pop your body back up

with a shorter contact time is to put down more force. What all elite sprinters do is put down more force in relation to their body mass than people who aren’t as fast.

“If you’re Bolt and you’re 6ft 5in, you have a longer leg and you have more forgiveness. He probably has six, seven, eight milliseconds more on the ground.

“You have to put down a peak force of about five times body weight and that needs to happen in three hundredths of a second after your foot comes down. “He was so athletic and so tall. His long legs gave him more time on the ground.”

Fewer strides, greater success Believe it or not, sprinters cannot maintain their top speed for the entire 100m. Bolt, who also holds the 200m world record, had another advantage in that he needed fewer strides to cover the distances.

“He had 41 steps usually [over 100m] and the other guys are 44, 45, some of the shorter ones are up in the high 40s,” Weyand added.

“Particularly over 200 metres, the step numbers are directly related to fatiguing. If you go through fewer steps and fewer intense muscular contractions to put force into the ground, you have a fatigue-sparing effect.”

Unique, but not perfect Given he was able to accelerate out of the blocks quickly relatively for his height and was able to use his frame to generate more force across fewer strides,

Bolt might have looked like the perfect sprinter.

But Weyand argued: “You can make a case that Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is the best female sprinter ever and she’s 5ft tall.

“There are trade-offs in terms of being forceful when you accelerate versus having more contact time at your top-end speed.”

Will Bolt’s WR ever be broken?

No current athlete looks close to eclipsing Bolt’s time in the near future, but that does not mean his record time will stand forever. In 2008, marathon runner and biology professor Mark Denny conducted research and predicted the fastest possible time a male sprinter could run is 9.48secs. “Nothing’s ever perfect, Bolt’s obviously a unique athlete but no race is perfect and no set of circumstances are perfect,” Weyand said.

“Certainly faster than 9.58 [is possible] but that’s a question that’s hard to answer without being pretty speculative.”

The only thing that is certain is for now as has been the case for the previous 10 years too the title of ‘the fastest man on earth’ belongs to Bolt.

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Botafagos Osmond Cummings Memorial Football set for tomorrow at Silvertown ground The annual Osmond Cummings Memorial football promotion, which has been played for the past eight years to honour its former president, Osmond Cummings, of the Silvertownbased Botafago FC, kicks off tomorrow morning from 10:00hrs.

Back home for the celebration is arguable Botafagos finest player Nigel Mice Cummings who is the brother of Osmond along with another brother Wilbert who

all played for Botafago before migrating.

Mice, a former Senior National player, said several trophies and medals are at stake for the various competitions which starts with the Under 15 championship involving Botafago FC, Eagles United, Rickland Hutson Leadership Academy and a team from Buxton.

At 13:00htrs to follow is a female clash between Botafago and a Rest team

era, so details of the evidence provided were not made public.

Mutuku declined a request from the defence lawyers that their clients be allowed to avoid jail time due to their youth and the fact that they had shown remorse.

Wanyama and Olaba, who were both university students when the rape t o o k place, play for the Nairobi Harlequins club and have played for the national sevens team in global tournaments.

Wanyama captained Kenya’s second sevens team to win the Victoria Sevens tournament in Zimbabwe in March last year, while Olaba

has played as a winger for both the sevens and 15-aside national teams.

Both were suspended from playing when their trial began.

Last year after a series of allegations against rugby players, gender violence activist Nafula Wafula created a petition urging the Kenya Rugby Union to take measures to address accusations of sexual assault, including giving mandatory training to players.

“The rape culture that is ingrained in the sports industry must be dealt with accordingly,” she wrote in the petition which gathered just over 10,000 signatures.

Team Trinidad & Tobago confirmed for 1320 heat Four Trinidadians, including Sheldon Bissessar and his rail car, will ship to Guyana for the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Clubs (GMR&SC) International Drag Race.

Dubbed 1320 heat, the event is expected to be the largest quarter-mile shootout this year and the addition of the rail car means that there are added incentives.

Apart from Bissessars rail car, the Nissan Skyline of Jagdeo Seecharran, as well as two drag bikes (One Kawasaki and Hyabusa), are also expected.

According to GMR&SC President, Rameez Mohamed, the confirmation represents a huge step for motorsport locally.

“We have been working on getting another rail car back since the last time it came. Even before the last drag race meet, we felt that it was something we could pull off again and here we are

making those final steps,” Mohamed shared with the media. He further posited that, “We felt that we owed it to the Guyanese people to put on the best show possible for our international drag race event and we thought that the rail car would be the most fitting event. Now that we have completed the launch pad and the full quarter, the battle will be a lot more interesting between that car and the Godzilla GTR of Team Mohameds Enterprise.”

Meanwhile, Team T&T has confirmed that they are, “Looking to make amends for the last time when they were beaten by the Team Mohameds Goliath GTR. Andy Bissessar, who drives the car said, “With the new Launchpad, the rail-car should have better traction to make it down the track and run a good time. We will be up against the

FIFA ban former Nigerian coach Siasia over match fixing

from Linden.

The final football competition is from 16:00hrs and will see Botafago take on Capital FC where some of the best young players from Linden will be on show in what should be a crowdpleasing affair.

Admission is free and there will be other attractions throughout the day for the huge crown that is expected for this annual football extravaganza in Wismar, Linden.

Kenyan rugby players jailed 15 years for gang rape AFP - A Kenyan court yesterday sentenced two rugby players to 15 years in prison for the gang rape of a female singer at a birthday party last year.

The international rugby sevens players Frank Wanyama, 24, and Alex Olaba, 23, were earlier this month found guilty of the rape in a case which highlighted what some activists refer to as a tradition of “rape culture” in rugby.

Milimani High Court Martha Mutuku handed down the sentences of 15 years imprisonment saying “a deterrent sentence is necessary.”

The trial was held in-cam-

Saturday August 17, 2019

Kaieteur News

NEW GTR which is a much faster car.”

“The railcar has about 850 HP and has a best time of 7.2 at 118mph,” he added.

He contended, “The preparation for the entire track will determine how fast both of these cars can go down the straight in Guyana. It is really good to see drag racing growing in Guyana with much faster cars and improvements to the track.”

Admission for the event is $2000 for adults and $1000.

Sponsors include ISG, DEL CO ICE, R.kissoon Contracting, Deryckv Jaisingh Trucking Service and Machinery Rentals, Mohameds Enterprise, BM Soat, Prem Electrical, E-Networks, Trans-Pacific Auto Sales, Cyrils Taxi, Blue Spring Water, Choke Gas Station, Miracle Optical, Tropical shipping and Hand in Hand.

Nigeria’s head coach Samson Siasia (R) reacts next to Germany’s head coach Horst Hrubesch during the second half. (REUTERS/Paulo Whitaker /File Photo) (Reuters) - Former Nigeria national team coach Samson Siasia has been banned from the game for life following a match-fixing probe by world governing body FIFA. FIFA said in a statement yesterday that the adjudicatory chamber of their independent Ethics Committee found that Siasia was “guilty of having accepted that he would receive bribes in relation to

the manipulation of matches in violation of the FIFA Code of Ethics.”

The 51-year-old Siasia played 51 times as a striker for the Nigerian national team and later coached various national youth sides before a spell as senior coach in 2016.

The case is the latest to emerge from FIFAs long-running investigation into the activities of Singaporean Wil-

son Raj Perumal, who FIFA has called a “known match fixer” and who has admitted such activity in several interviews. FIFA said that he was banned for life “from all football-related activities (administrative, sports or any other) at both national and international level.”

Siasia has also been fined CHF 50,000 (41,997.1 pounds).

Lampard calls for more action after racial abuse of Chelsea’s Abraham (Reuters) - Chelsea coach Frank Lampard says he felt “disgusted” when he heard about the racist abuse striker Ta m m y A b r a h a m r e ceived following their UEFA Super Cup loss to Liverpool and urged social media companies to take stricter action.

Abraham took the decisive penalty at 5-4 on Wednesday and saw his effort saved by goalkeeper Adrian which handed European champions Liverpool the trop h y i n I s t a n b u l, after which the 21-year-old was subjected to racist abuse on social media.

“Obviously Tammy is more than disappointed, who wouldnt be? Im disgusted by this so-called Chelsea fan,” Lampard told reporters ahead of the visit of Leicester City in the Premier League. “Im so angry for Tammy... for us as a club, because thats not what were about.

“I dont know how i t s allowed on (social media)

platforms, its too easy.

Something needs to be done, as well as obviously changing mindsets completely.

“Tammy asked me to take the fifth penalty because he wanted to stand up on a big night when the world was watching.

Moments afterwards, somebody sitting behind a keyboard or a phone has said the most disgusting things possible.”

British anti-discriminatory body Kick It Out and Premier League players such as Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard offered their support to the striker in the wake of the abuse.

Abraham scored 26 goals on loan at Aston Villa in the Championship last season and Lampard said he expects him to find the net just as frequently for Chelsea once he opens his account. “ Ta m m y i s a l w a y s desperate to score and thats one of the things I love about him,” the

former England international added. “Hes hungry, he wants to score in training... But he needs to be relaxed at the same time.”

Lampard also hailed Mason Mount, saying the 20-year-old midfielder could play a crucial role in what could be his breakthrough season in the senior team.

“His attitude is so good, hes so hungry but hes very understanding of what he needs to be a player,” Lampard said.

“He trains every day with absolute application and focus. The impact when he came on Wednesday and the way he played against Manchester United gives me confidence that this will be the season for him.

“Will he start every game? Probably not. But if he carries on the way hes going, hes going to be a huge influence for us this season.”

Saturday August 17, 2019

Lakers’ Cousins could miss NBA season with knee injury AFP - Injury-nagged Los Angeles Lakers center DeMarcus Cousins could miss the entire 2019-20 NBA season with a torn left knee ligament, the team confirmed Thursday.

In a major setback for a club that added star big man Anthony Davis to four-time NBA Most Valuable Player LeBron James in July, Cousins suffered the injury working out in Las Vegas on Monday when he “bumped knees” with another player, according to ESPN. Team doctors in Los Angeles on Thursday confirmed the third serious leg injury for Cousins in 18 months, with no timetable set for surgery to repair the torn anterior cruci-

ate ligament.

Cousins was signed as a free agent in July, on a oneyear deal for $3.5 million, after playing with the Golden State Warriors last season.

He spent most of the past campaign recovering from a left Achilles tendon tear in January 2018 but played 30 games for Golden State before suffering a torn quadriceps in the second game of the playoffs that sidelined him until the opening game of the NBA Finals, which the Warriors lost to the Toronto Raptors. Cousins, 29, has played nine NBA seasons, averaging 21.2 points and 10.9 rebounds a game. Losing Cousins would force some key changes into the Lakers’

frontline, potentially including moving Davis from power forward to center to replace Cousins.

It also figures to give backup center JaVale McGee more time in the middle, potentially a major role if the Lakers elect to keep Davis at forward, with playmaker James another versatile threat.

“It’s super unfortunate for a guy like DeMarcus because you can just tell how much he loves basketball through all of these injuries,” Lakers standout Kyle Kuzma said at a United States national team workout in Los Angeles on Thursday. “He was going to be a big part of what we’re going to do.”

We need to invest in our athletes - Swim Coach Mahaica From page 36 schools 100m champion Compton Caesar of Upper Demerara who also won 100m at the 42nd South American U20 championship which was held at Leonora in 2017. Brazils Paulo Andre De Oliveira, who took the silver medal at the 100m at Lima 2019, took the runner up spot in 2017 at Leonora. After dominating the track at the junior level here, little is also being herd of athletes such as Tevin Garraway, Carifta games gold medalists Cassey George, Kevin Abbensetts and Jason Yaw. Mahaica explained that when these athletes attain a certain age they often left the sport to study or work. “We loose our

athletes at an early age and nothing is being done to keep them in the sport, not even a scholarship at the University of Guyana, so what usually happens is that we always have smaller athletes representing us which makes it even harder to medal,” he posited. He noted that the business community can play an important role in assisting the athletes.

In an invited comment, Fiedtkou said competing at the Pan Am games was a wonderful experience. “The condition there was different and challenging, the competition was of a very high standard, however, I managed to do new personal best times in each of my event. I am looking forward to continue training and hope to

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Kaieteur News

do better at my next competition.”

In many other countries athletes are being paid handsomely so they can focus more on the sport they are involved in and can train for longer periods, here they have to work and then train which is difficult when competing at higher levels.

Cricket is the only sport here where players are being paid to train. And once they are being given contracts at the academy the scope is there for them to move up the ladder. Guyana is the only country to win the CWI Regional four-day championship so far with five titles. As a result, the likes of Shimron Hetmyer, Keemo Paul, Anthony Bramble and Sherfane Rutherford have emerged.

GCA set to begin new season on August 24 - Massiah Chairman of the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) Competitions Committee Shaun Massiah said they are hoping to begin the new season on August 24 and is looking forward to an improved weather condition to facilitate same.

He is urging all clubs to ensure that their grounds are in playable condition so matches can be played in the various competitions. Clubs are reminded to ensure that all new members are registered with the GCA as well as players who were transferred during the window period that ended on July 31st, 2019, and to make certain that a copy of the transfer letter is being given to him; failure to comply will result in a breach in the GCA Rules and Regulations.

Speaking with Kaieteur Sport yesterday, Massiah said that after they had resumed cricket in January of

this year, challenges were minimal when compared to last year. “I must say most of the clubs co-operated with the GCA in terms of making their grounds available and I would like to single out the Guyana Defence Force for allowing us to use their venue on a regular basis.”

“Currently we have the Toucan Distributors Under15 competition to complete, the GISE, Star Party Rental and Trophy Stall 1st Division 2 days as well as the Noble House Seafoods 2nd Division two days. We are also working on sponsorship for a 1st Division 50 overs competition, Under 13, Under 17, 1st and 2nd division T/20 and 2nd division 40 overs completions. Potential sponsors are urged to come on board.”

Massiah pointed out that they also have the NBS Champion of Champions to run off.

“This competition will see the winner of the NBS 2nd divi-

sion 40 overs tournament in Georgetown playing the runner up of the Berbice competition, and the Berbice winner facing Georgetown runner up; the winners will battle in the final under lights at DCC.” The chairman stated that he is also hoping to use the Transport and General Sports Club, Queens College and YMCA grounds during the new season, stating the use of these grounds will ease their challenges going forward.

“This season will run until December 16, weather permitting and we will very much appreciate the continued corporation from all Executives, Coaches and players from each club as well as the umpires and members of media,” he posited.

A Competitions Committee meeting will be held prior to the resumption of the new season to discuss current and upcoming competitions.

Guyana Cup 2019 gallops off tomorrow The 13th edition of the Guyana Cup horserace meet that will see over $20million in cash and prizes being doled out to the top performers will speed off tomorrow at the Rising Sun Turf Club in Rising Sun Village, West Coast Berbice.

Thousands are expected to flock to the venue which is located just 45 minutes from the capital city, Georgetown, and with nine anticipated races on the card, turfites are sure to be busy come race day. Anticipated to register for the meet, which is one of the marquee events for horseracing in the region, are some 80 animals from Guyana, the Caribbean Region and North

America.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 Shes a Princess.

Apart from the foreign contingent of horses to be on show, several leading jockeys from overseas are also expected to participate, which will add that international flavour to the days event. The top five finishers in all 10 races would receive cash incentives with the total prize purse being increased from 15 to

$20million with US$50,000 in cash being handed out tomorrow.

The details of the races and prize money are listed below: C Class and Lower feature race over a distance of one mile, $2M Three-year-old Guyanabred, $1M G3 and Lower, $400,000 L3 and Lower (open to nonwinners 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 Filly and Mare, $250,000

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COURTS Annual 10K Road Race set for Sunday September 15 Unicomer Guyana Inc. under the COURTS brand will collaborate with the Athletics Association of Guyana for its annual 10K Road Race scheduled for Sunday, September 15, 2019 starting at 6:00am. This is the eighth (8th) year for this well anticipated event where athletes from gyms and clubs across the country compete

for cash prizes, trophies and medals.

COURTS has committed two million dollars and the event will feature athletes in three (3) categories; namely; Masters, Seniors, Juniors for both males and females.

The 10K race will commence at the COURTS Main Street Store at 06:00am. Staff will participate in a 3K race as

the company continues to encourage staff towards living a healthy lifestyle. Registration is being conducted at the moment.

The starting point will be COURTS Main Street and will follow a prescribe route. The company is proud to be hosting this event annually and display its commitment to sports in Guyana.

Alibaba’s Tsai buys rest of NBA’s Brooklyn Nets (Reuters) - Alibaba Group Holding Ltd cofounder Joseph Tsai is buying a 51% stake that he doesnt already own in NBAs Brooklyn Nets and its Barclays arena from Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov, the U.S basketball team said yesterday.

Reuters had reported on Wednesday that the deal would value the NBA team at $2.35 billion.

Tsai had acquired a 49% stake in the team

from Prokhorov in April last year.

Brooklyn Nets has been trying to come out of the shadows of storied franchise and local rival New York Knicks, whose home turf is the hugely popular Madison Square Garden.

Nets signed former Most Valuable Player Kevin Durant, who led the Golden State Warriors to three consecutive NBA Finals, and fellow All Star Kyrie Irving this off-season.

England pick up crucial wickets before rain wrecks day LONDON (Reuters) - England fought back on the third day in the second test of the Ashes yesterday, picking up three top order wickets to reduce Australia to 80-4 before rain wiped out the final two sessions at Lords.

The tourists, who added 50 runs to their overnight total, trail by 178 runs and they will need a significant lower order contribution on Saturday to put pressure back on England.

Englands seamers struggled at first to take advantage of favourable bowl-

ing conditions but made the breakthrough when Jofra Archer trapped Cameron Bancroft (13) lbw with the score at 60-2.

Usman Khawaja (36) followed quickly after, edging Chris Woakes into the gloves of Jonny Bairstow and then Stuart Broad removed Travis Head (7), leg before.

But Steve Smith, who struck two centuries in the opening test at Edgbaston was unbeaten on 13 when the umpires took the players off for rain in the final over before lunch.

Persistent rain throughout the afternoon led to the days play finally being called off shortly before 5.30 pm local time with just 24.1 overs possible in the day.

England will hope they can remove Smith early on the fourth day and get into the Australian lower order but on a surface that suggests low scores, every outcome remains possible for the final two days.

Scores: Australia 80 for 4 (Smith 13*, Wade 0*, Broad 2-26) trail England258 by 178 runs.

We need to invest in our athletes - Swim Coach Mahaica

By Zaheer Mohamed Swim Coach Paul Mahaica feels that Guyana must invest in their athletes if they are to excel at higher levels. Guyana failed to medal at the 2019 Pan American games which were held in Lima, Peru.

Daniel Scott and Nikita Fiedtkou represented Guyana in swimming at the games.

Speaking with Kaieteur Sport yesterday, Mahaica who accompanied the duo, said that despite the cold conditions which they are not accustomed to, the athletes improved as they games progressed. “The conditions were very cold and this served as a disadvantage for our athletes,” he added.

Scott competed in the 400m, 200m and 100m freestyle events, while Fiedtkou took part in the 100m and 50m free style.

Mahaica stated that the competition was of a very high standard and Guyana must invest in their athletes for them to excel at such championships. “To medal we have to work hard, but gone are the days when talent alone was enough to win a title. These days, with the advent of technology, athletes have to be encamped; they need the right supplements as well, but if there is no sponsorship how can their skills be honed properly.”

Mahaica said technology

plays a big role and if they do not get the finance to support the athletes, they will not be going anywhere in a hurry.

“Take a look at the USA for instance, how much they would invest in one athlete in order for them to succeed, we need to send our athletes to camps. Other countries at the games ensured that their athletes were well prepared, and they have the necessary support to do so.”

The coach explained that one of the problems affecting athletes here is that there is little scope for them after competing at the school level. One name that comes to mind is former national (Continued on page 35)

Saturday August 17, 2019

Bounty Paper Towel & Solo Drinks Hockey Leagues

Bad weather keeps leagues restart delayed The Bounty Paper Towel -Quicker Picker Upper- Men’s And Women’s Outdoor, Second Division, Development Hockey League and the Solo Drinks Under-20 Mens and Womens Outdoor Leagues will have to wait yet another week to recommence following their two month break to accommodate the wet season.

Play was set to recommence this weekend but the rains has not rescinded so the organisers; the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB), has

decided to push the restart back to next weekend.

When the last match day of the second division league was played in May, Saints women defeated Bingo Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) Spartans 2-0 to maintain their 100% record after winning each of their three games played.

On the men’s side, a hattrick from Captain Hilton Chester spurred Saints Savages to a 4-3 win over Old Fort Rusty; a result that ultimately

saw them going top in the men’s second division.

Meanwhile, GCC The Sequel lost their grip at the top of the men’s second division after losing 2-1 to Hikers Cadets. In the boys under-20, YMCA Old Fort Hockey Club (OFHC) Ballers top the points table with 10 points with a better goal difference than second place GCC Pitbulls.

On the distaff side, Bingo GCC Spartans are top after winning each of their three games played.

Bermuda captain forced out of ICC qualifier by concussion HAMILTON, Bermuda, CMC Bermuda captain Dion Stovell has been ruled out of the quadrangular ICC Americas Twenty20 World Cup Qualifier starting in Bermuda this weekend because of a head injury.

Officials said on Wednesday that 35-year-old Stovell had been declared unfit to participate in the week-long tournament because of a concussion he suffered when struck on the head in a Cup Match Bermudas premier domestic fixture at Wellington Oval, St Georges earlier this month.

The Somerset all-rounder, wearing a cap rather than a helmet, was hit near his temple by a ball from St Georges seam bowler Justin Pitcher, facing the first ball of his teams second innings after being promoted up the order. The umpires abandoned the match which ended in a draw.

After being attended to by medics at the crease, Stovell was taken to hospital for further observation and later discharged.

“Dion went back to physio today and they said hes got a concussion so he is out of the tournament,” Janeiro Tucker, the assistant Bermuda coach, said on Wednesday.

“Of course, its a setback when your captain and main bats-

Bermuda captain Dion Stovell. man is out of the tournament. But we have to push on from it and I think the guys will pick up the slack.”

The withdrawal marks a major disappointment for Stovell, who had been looking forward to leading his country against the United States, Canada and the Cayman Islands. “Its disappointing because Ive been training all this time and put in the work and feeling good,” Stovell said. “But the reality is that a head injury is very serious and I have a family I need to worry about. I have to do what I have

to do.”

Terryn Fray is the team s vice-captain.

Bermuda expect to be boosted by the return home from England of Sussex all-rounder Delray Rawlins for the tournament, which starts tomorrow.

Double-headers will take place at White Hill Field and the National Sports Centre, with the top two countries advancing to the final qualifier in Dubai in October and November ahead of the T20 World Cup in Australia next year.

West Indies are the defending champions.

Climbing: Mori, 15, becomes youngest Japanese medalist in World Championships (Reuters) - Teenager Ai Mori made history after becoming the youngest Japanese medalist at the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) World Cha m p i o n s h i p s , winning the bronze medal in the womens lead competition in Hachioji on Thursday.

Mori, aged 15 years and

10 months, broke the previous record held by Akiyo Noguchi who also won the bronze medal in the event aged 16 in 2005.

Making her senior debut at the event, Mori finished third behind the Slovenian pair of Janja Garnbret, who swept the Bouldering World Cup this year, and Mia Krampl.

“Im happy I finished on the podium. I was able to climb higher because of all of the support,” Mori was quoted as saying by Kyodo news agency.

In the mens competition, Czech Republics Adam Ondra won the gold, narrowly beating Germanys Alex Megos and Austrias Jakob Schubert.

Saturday August 17, 2019

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Kaieteur News

CAREBACO Junior Under-19 International Badminton Championship 2019

Guyanese players reach quarterfinals in three categories

BCB hosts successful OGM, unveil plans for 80th Anniversary 2018 audited Financial Report approved by membership The Berbice Cricket Board last Sunday hosted a highly successful Ordinary General Meeting for 2019 at its Dr. Cheddi Jagan Street, New Amsterdam Head Office. A total of ten Clubs and one Sub-Association attended the meeting. Present were representative of Rose Hall Canje, Albion Community Centre, Port Mourant, Chesney, Guymine, Mental Hospital, Mt. Sinai, Whim, RHTYSC, Young Warriors and Upper Corentyne Cricket Association.

Members discussed a comprehensive Presidential Report for the period January to July, 2019 from President Hilbert Foster. The President stated that a total of thirty tournaments would be hosted in 2019 as the Berbice Cricket Board was forced to cut back due to the current lengthy rainy season. Foster also informed members that the Board was on the verge of obtaining sponsorship for a much needed Two-Days First Division Tournament. Great effort is also being made to obtain a similar tournament at the Inter-zone level for Under19 players. Foster proudly stated that his administration

has raised close to $18M in cash and kind over the last nineteen months after taking over a bank account of $42,935 from the D. Somwaru led administration. He expressed disappointment that the former treasurer of the Berbice Cricket Board has to date failed to submit a Financial Report on how over $2M was used for the period 2017 to early 2018.

The hardworking and dedicated President informed representatives of the Clubs that his administration was working beyond the call of duty to make a positive difference and that Clubs across Berbice in 2019 would benefit from over $5M worth of cricket balls, stumps, scorebooks, cricket gears, bicycles, school bags, trophies, medals, special prizes, water pitchers, white cricket shirts and raincoats among others.

The Berbice Cricket Board is also currently assisting several clubs to host cricket academies while a much needed upgrading of the Board Office would also be done as part of an effort to improve service to the general public. The Berbice Cricket Board would also be seeking

to obtain all of the necessary items needed to fulfill its mandate and to reduce overhead operating cost. Plans for the hosting of a month long celebration of the BCB 80th Anniversary was also unveiled.

Foster also pledged to spearhead the construction of an outdoor cricket practice facility and to fight for Berbice to have its own cricket hostel.

Delegates at the Ordinary General Meeting also passed a motion from the floor, asking Cricket West Indies to return First Class Cricket to Berbice.

Members also approved the Audited Financial Report for the period February to November, 2018. The Audited Report was unanimously approved with the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association and Chesney Cricket Club representatives moving and seconded the motion respectively. The audited report for 2019 would be tabled at the BCB Annual General Meeting set for December.

Representatives of Clubs congratulated the President and his Executives on the outstanding work they are doing to develop the game in Berbice.

Mohameds Enterprise Futsal tourney

Hard Knocks and NK Ballers to clash in final tonight

The Guyanese players started out on a good note at the CAREBACO Junior Under-19 International Championship which is being played at the Garfield Sobers Gymnasium in St. Michael Barbados August 15-18.

Thursday 15th of August in the opening rounds the Guyanese players reached the Quarterfinals with

Ty r e s e J e ff r e y and Priyanna Ramdhani in Singles, Doubles & Mixed Doubles and Akili Haynes in Doubles.

The Results on the opening day are: Men Singles: Round 2-Tyrese Jeffrey of Guyana defeated Pedro Aguilar Gonzalez of Panama in a three setter: 21-17, 18-21, 21-15

Round 1-Akili Haynes of Guyana lost to Kennie King of Barbados: 18-21, 12-21 Mixed Doubles: Round 1-Priyanna Ramdhani & Tyrese Jeffrey defeated Dejaun Williams & Zharia Hinds of Trinidad: 2110, 21-8 The tournament continues yesterday with the Quarterfinal Matches and concludes tomorrow.

The curtains will fall on the sixth Annual New Era Entertainment/Mohameds Enterprise futsal tournament tonight in the mining town of Linden when Hard Knocks matches skills with NK Ballers in the final for the grand $600,000 cash prize following Thursdays exciting semifinal round. The opening semifinal on Thursday evening at the events venue, the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) hard court, produced 37 goals with Hard Knocks outgunning home side Dave & Celina All-stars 23-14.

The match lasted 20-minutes per half and Pernell Schultz

banged in nine goals for the winners while Daniel Wilson fired home an almost impressive eight goals. Trenton Lashley was part of the action with a hat-trick, Colin Nelson a brace and goalkeeper Sese Norville joined in on the fun as well with a penalty.

Darrel George scored four goals for the losers with supporting hat-tricks each from Benjamin Opara and Kevin Phillips.

The feature match saw NK Ballers get past High Rollers 7-5.

The win was spearheaded by a hat-trick from Donovan Francis, while Keon Soares assisted well with a brace to his name on the

score sheet. Joshawn Moore and Omar Brewly each bagged braces in the losing effort for High Rollers.

The winning team will pocket $600,000, second place $250,000 and teams finishing third and fourth will take home $100,000 and $50,000 respectively.

The third place playoff that will see High Rollers and Dave & Celinas All Stars being pitted against each other will kickoff at 20:00hrs, while the final kicks off at 21:00hrs.

An after party is slated to take place at Time Square Lounge.

PAGE 40

Kaieteur News

Saturday August 17, 2019

BCB President urges Dr. Singh 2019 Academy cricketers to always strive for Excellence - Makes donation to first ever Tucber Park Cricket Academy

Coaches and Members of the BCB Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh 2019 Cricket Academy.

Cricket Development and investment in youths continued at a very high rate in the Ancient County of Berbice with the hosting of three Cricket Academies at the Albion, Tucber Park and Blairmont Cricket Grounds.

Seventy of Berbice top junior and female cricketers are attending the 2nd Annual Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh Cricket Academy, organised by the Berbice Cricket Board at the historic Albion Community Centre Ground, while the Tucber Park Cricket Club and Blairmont Community Centre Cricket Club are also hosting Cricket Camps for their members at their respective grounds.

The Berbice Cricket Board Camp started on Tuesday 13th August, and would last until Saturday 17th August, 2019. A panel of Coaches and Administrators including Level Three Coach Winston Smith, Delbert Hicks, Balram Samaroo, Leslie Solomon and Ameer Rahaman are working with the youths, while BCB Public Relations Officer Simon Naidu is the Director of the Camp.

Naidu noted that the BCB with the support from Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh is investing into the development of the young cricketers, who are all available to represent Berbice next year. The main objectives are: a) To correct Technical problems, b) To educate the youths on the history, tradition and Rules of the Game.

BCB President Hilbert Foster hands over donation to Anthony DAndrade, Head Coach of the Tucber Park Cricket Club Academy. c) To inform them on their Roles as Role Models/ Sport Ambassadors Berbice Cricket Board President Hilbert Foster visited the Academy twice during the opening day and urged the youths to take advantage of the numerous opportunities being given to them by the most vibrant Cricket Board in Guyana. The Berbice Cricket Board he stated would continue to invest heavily into the development of every youth as it strives to make sure that the

rich legacy of Kanhai, Butcher, Trim and Solomon is upheld. As he has done throughout the last nineteen months since his election, Foster spoke broadly on the importance of education, personal discipline, team unity, faith in God and the need to choose friends carefully. The President who has spearheaded an overhaul of Berbice Cricket was also involved in a ninety minutes classroom session with the youths.

Topics covered included

History of Berbice Cricket, Peer Pressure and Basic Public Manners.

Head Coach Winston Smith stated that special emphasis would be placed on improving the standard of batting, wicketkeeping and fielding, while the coaches would also work closely with young fast bowlers and spinners. All of the players at the end of the Academy should also be better prepared to take control of their personal fitness.

Earlier in the day, the BCB

President also declared open the first ever Cricket Academy of the New Amsterdam based Tucber Park Cricket club. The Academy at the launching attracted about 35 young cricketers and among the coaches attached to the Camp are Ant h o n y DAndrade and Tremayne Smartt.

Foster congratulated the Club for investing in membership and pledged his assistance. He urged the youths to put into practice what they have learnt and to do a lot of

research on the history of the game. The BCB President handed over a quantity of items to assist the Club to host the Academy.

The donation included cricket balls, school bags, cases of drinks, trophies, educational materials, exercise books, educational posters, youth information booklet and special prizes for the top three players. The President spoke to the youths and made a donation to the Blairmont Community Centre Cricket Club.

Saturday August 17, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 41

Kyrgios fined $113,000 for Cincinnati meltdown, faces suspension handling of the Centre Court blockbuster as “pathetic” for failing to warn the Spaniard over what he claimed was his pedestrian pace of play.

In 2015, in one of his more notorious outbursts, Kyrgios was fined for making a sexually

Nick Kyrgios wipes his face between points while playing Karen Khachanov.

(Getty Images North America /AFP / Matthew Stockman) AFP - Controversial Australian star Nick Kyrgios was Thursday fined $113,000 after his explosive Cincinnati Masters meltdown which saw him smash two racquets, launch an abusive tirade at the chair umpire before appearing to spit at the official.

T h e AT P s a i d t h e massive sanction included individual fines for ball abuse, leaving the court without permission, an audible obscenity and unsportsmanlike conduct during his second round loss t o R u s s i a ’s K a r e n Khachanov.

Kyrgios, 24, was warned that he could also face another suspension from the sport once a full investigation has taken place.

After the world number 27 lost 6-7 (3/7), 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 to Khachanov on Wednesday night, he called umpire Fergus Murphy a “fuckin’ tool”, refused to shake his hand while spitting in the direction of the chair.

He had earlier been handed a time violation, docked a point and was warned again after leaving the court without permission at the end of the second set after which he was seen to destroy two racquets in the corridor.

Kyrgios screamed at Murphy that he was the “worst umpire, hands down”.

The various Kyrgios infractions included four fines of $20,000 each for unsportsmanlike conduct plus another $20,000 for verbal abuse.

“In addition to the onsite fines, the ATP is looking further into what happened during and immediately

after the match to see if additional action is warranted,” said an ATP statement.

“That could result in an additional fine and/or suspension.”

Kyrgios also had a runin with Murphy at Queen’s Club in June after he accused a line judge of “match-rigging” and was given a code violation by the umpire.

At the Italian Open in Rome on the eve of Roland Garros, he was disqualified and fined for throwing a chair on to court.

He has also been at loggerheads with the world’s top two players, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal this year.

He accused Djokovic of trying too hard to be liked and blasted the Serb’s postmatch “cup of love” celebrations as “cringeworthy”.

- Djokovic, Nadal clashes After beating Nadal in Acapulco earlier this year, the Spaniard said the Australian “lacked respect”.

The pair met in a badt e m p e r e d Wi m b l e d o n second round match in which Kyrgios admitted deliberately spearing a forehand directly at Nadal.

“Why would I apologise? I mean, the dude has got how many slams, how much money in the bank account?” said Kyrgios after his four-set defeat.

“I think he can take a ball to the chest, bro. I’m not going to apologise to him at all.”

For good measure, Kyrgios picked up a code v i o l a t i o n f o r unsportsmanlike behaviour and described the umpire as a “disgrace”, claiming his

disparaging remark in Canada about the girlfriend of three-time major winner Stan Wawrinka.

The following year, he was banned for eight weeks after being accused of not trying at the Shanghai Masters.

German legend Boris Becker said he was saddened by Kyrgios’s behaviour.

“Absolutely agree that s p i t t i n g / f o u l language/tanking should be punished hard but we have dilemma since we want

strong personalities lead the sport(Roger/Rafa/Nole),” the six-time Grand Slam title winner tweeted. “ N K h a s t h e game/charisma/guts but not yet the clarity of thought/maybe never ....it’s a shame.”

Team Trinidad & Tobago confirmed for 1320 heat

t r o Sp P.34

Sheldon Bissessar’s Rail car

We need to invest Bounty Paper Towel P.36 in our athletes & Solo Drinks Hockey - Swim Coach Mahaica LeaguesBad weather keeps P.35

leagues restart delayed

Coach Paul Mahaica with Daniel Scott and Nikita Fiedtkou at Lima 2019.

YMCA OF Aces midfielder Theodore Thierens tries to find his way through an army of Saints Hockey Club defenders during play in the Bounty Paper Towel second division

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