Kaieteur News

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DIPCON takes President NEWS to court over pardoning of Finance Minister from jail time AIETEUR

Thursday Edition August 22, 2019 - Vol. 12 No. 34 Online: www.kaieteurnews.com

Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly

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MMA/ADA says farmers owe “over $1B” in fees - Reluctance to pay affecting drainage works along Mahaicony façade Mid-year report reveals...

Public Health Sector only Influx of immigrants expends $1B of $4.4B due places pressure on labour to procurement delays market, national treasury

Jealous miner kills wife, bungles own suicide

Injured suspect: Sherlock James

Dead: Vinette Headley-James

Man who borrowed Temporary runway lights Property dispute gun to 'raise damage tyres of American at centre of 2014 school clothes Airlines aircraft during Robb St. arson/ midnight takeoff money', jailed murder - Court hears Rebranding Belt and Road Initiative…

Guyana has third most negative perception worldwide - Report

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Kaieteur News

Thursday August 22, 2019

Kaieteur News

Thursday August 22, 2019

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Jealous miner murders Deadly Eteringbang plane crash‌ Domestic Airlines CEO charged wife, bungles own suicide for breaching safety regulations

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Injured suspect: Sherlock James

F

urious that his 44y e a r- o l d w i f e , Vinette HeadleyJames, appeared to be having an affair, and was putting out his belongings, 45-year-old Sherlock James viciously stabbed the woman to death in front of her terrified daughter.

The man then fled the scene, but police later found him in a bushy area, where he had apparently tried to slash his own throat. He is hospitalised under guard.

The senseless killing of yet another woman by a jealous spouse occurred at around 12.50 hrs yesterday at the couple's Nabaclis Side Line Dam, East Coast Demerara residence.

Police said that the couple and their three children had resided at Lot 68, Side Line Dam. Sherlock James, a miner, spent long periods away from home and suspected that his wife was having an extramarital affair.

O n S u n d a y, J a m e s confronted her about the alleged affair. They argued, and the miner assaulted his

Dead: Vinette Headley-James

spouse then fled the scene.

However, James returned yesterday, to find that his spouse was putting his clothes in the yard.

A daughter, who was present, told the police that James warned his spouse that he would kill her if she continued to put out his belongings.

When the wife ignored his threats, James allegedly picked up a knife from the kitchen and stabbed her to

the neck.

The injured woman reportedly fled to the backyard. The daughter took her injured mom by taxi to the Dr. C.C Nicholson Hospital at Nabaclis, where she succumbed.

Scouring the couple's backyard, police eventually found the suspect lying in a bushy area with what appeared to a self-inflicted wound to the neck.

He was escorted to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

rlando Charles, Chief Executive Officer, (CEO) of Domestic Airlines was yesterday arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on four charges in relation to the deadly plane crash at Eteringbang, Region Seven, which claimed the life of Captain Randy Liverpool in February of this year.

Liverpool perished in the Cessna 206 aircraft which crash-landed near the Eteringbang airstrip. The charges brought against his employer were filed under the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) regulations by acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Protection, Adrian Ramrattan.

The charges read that Charles in his capacity as CEO of Domestic Airlines failed to register the accident; failed to report the accident, and obstructed an occupational health and safety inspector (Dwayne Vyphuis) by refusing to

Dead: Captain Randy Liverpool furnish him with information relating to the accident which resulted in the death of Liverpool.

The airline executive was also charged for failure to register an industrial establishment.

Charles pleaded guilty yesterday to the first three charges and not guilty to the fourth offence when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Domestic Airlines CEO Orlando Charles On the first two charges, Charles was fined a total of $75,000, failing to pay which would result in three weeks' imprisonment for each offence.

In relation to the third c h a r g e , h o w e v e r, t h e Magistrate did not impose a penalty.

She noted the need for clarity on the issue of liability, and deferred (continued on page 13)

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Thursday August 22, 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

The East Bank Demerara carriageway

T

he East Bank Demerara carriageway for sheer volume has to be unmatched; particularly from Grove to Georgetown and back. It is a daily ordeal for the assembly lines of residents, workers, and passersthrough. Nothing could stand up to the bombardment of wheels and weight, unless sensible maintenance is part of usage and practices.

Access to and from the main national (and international) airport is through this now almost nonstop stretch of traffic.

In addition to enormous regular daily flows, there are the taxis, families, and business machines that trek back and forth to that specific destination for possibly thousands, and which, in aggregate, add to the miseries at those points prone to bottlenecks, bad and deteriorating roads do nothing to lessen anxieties and buildups.

In the teeming village of Grove, where there is scant separation between well-travelled road packed with motor vehicles and well-peopled parapets. There is conspicuous evidence of the edges of the roads cracking, chipping, and crumbling. Once subjected to the unrelenting grind of daily travels, it is inevitable that wear will lead to more than tear.

That is, unless mended through the interest, expense, and energies of government focused on maintenance. Not sporadic, cosmetic maintenance, but a programme of scheduled maintenance that keeps our roads in a state of good health through good loving care.

Deterioration could be noticed in several areas that beg for attention and some fixing. In a southerly direction near to the DSL business close to that high bridge, there is that which threatens personal safety and vehicular health. The holes are there; they are deepening and multiplying, as they are left unattended; following rains, the commute is made more difficult through pools at different points; they obscure deepening holes that jolt the unfamiliar.

Flooded after downpours on the western (northbound traffic flow) in and around Little Diamond; the holes, some large, all unwelcoming, wait to greet with jarring suddenness.

Speeding and inexperience only make more distressing what for the longest while has proven to be a daily drain.

Along the internal Diamond access roads (easterly and westerly) from 17th to 21st Streets can be an endurance test of hinterland proportions. Many drivers are compelled to navigate on the other side in cat-and-mouse dodges with oncoming traffic; this is neither recommended nor safe. It can be tests of nerve, skill, and vehicular and internal fortitude.

To those congested pictures one can add the constant passage of loaded sand trucks and other machined beasts of burden; all loaded, all racing to some destination, all ignoring the danger areas and rushing pell-mell forward.

The constant stress on surface asphalt and foundation takes a toll; potholes and other under maintained spots quickly give ground before the unending assault from the heavyduty, the heavy-footed, and the uncaring heavy in the head.

At this point, fairness requires this acknowledgement.

Some of the road construction efforts and results of recent point to a better finish, a longer lasting length of road, and general value for money. It could be that, because of the prior criticisms, there is more conscientious conduct from tender board managers, participant contractors, and overseeing engineers. Before there is any celebrating, it is acknowledged that there is a long way to go, with many roads to travel, before a satisfying state of consistency and quality could be recorded and applauded.

Still, in this unsteady interval of continuous conflicts about constitution, registration, elections, and the limits of ‘caretaker’ government, the routines and responsibilities of the day must go on with regularity. This must be the standard, even at a reduced pace. Much in terms of dollars and the little delivered as acceptable roads could be saved.

Things must go on. In addition, there is reassurance that this society is not functioning in a state of suspension; and that citizens’ interests and governance obligations are in place and followed as a matter of normalcy. Simply good sense.

Our politicians should have taken some basic lessons on developmental concepts DEAR EDITOR, Reference is made to your news reports, editorials, and Peeping Tom on royalty. Our politicians need to understand the concept of royalty fee. Royalty in economics is a term used for payments (a percentage or portion of the gross amount or a fee for extracting resources on land).

The land can be government or privately owned.

All multinationals or any business company pays (a fee) or a royalty for extracting resources from the land regardless of who own the land. In short, royalty is a fee for exploiting resources.

This concept of royalty is explained in developmental economics which I studied in graduate school. One also learns about it in the sciences and even in law.

Anyone with basic knowledge in the social sciences would have learned about royalty – you don’t need to study brain surgery to learn about royalty, and you learn about it in various disciplines.

When I started college at the tender age of 17, I completed the requirements for a BS in Bio-Chemistry at age 20 but

decided to stay on and complete the major in Political Science. The concept of royalties is also explained in political science courses relating to international politics and law.

In Bio-Chemistry, we also learn about natural resources used in the sciences.

I had a couple of Chemistry professors who were into the mundane insisting students know where resources come from and how they are obtained.

So I learned the term royalty when I pursued my BS in Bio-Chem and also when I did the Political Science BA major that allowed me to complete admission requirements for the MA in International Relations in 1982. I also learned about it in my studies on constitutional law and in international law.

While pursuing doctoral studies in Political Science at NYU, I simultaneously did a MA in Economics at City College after which I also did doctoral studies in Economics at CUNY Grad Center. It was during my MA ECO at CCNY and doctoral studies in Economics at CUNY Grad School, I was able to learn

varied developmental concepts including “Royalty” fees that are so critical for development of third world countries. Our politicians should have taken some basic lessons on developmental concepts.

And if they lack such knowledge, they should have sought it from learned individuals so the country gets the highest royalty.

Businesses are using important resources of our country; they must pay a fee which is from the total amount of the revenues. Some countries charge as high as 20%. Royalty fees constitute a substantial percentage of the budget of poor countries although it accounts for only 2% of the GDP of the US. If we were to get 10% royalty, the country would earn tens of billions of dollars.

In virtually no part of the world is royalty recoverable.

Once the company pays the royalty fee, it is not recoverable and is not declared as expense for tax purposes. All further proceeds are taxed and the state may choose to grant some tax exemption of revenues (profits). The state

never pays all the taxes. And royalty is paid before any expenses are paid. It is a percentage of the gross amount before expenses and taxes. In the Guyana case, the country gets royalty after the expenses are paid or the country collects royalty minus the expenses. So the country could get zero dollars in royalty.

Those who study basic economics, and for sure those like me who pursed graduate studies in political science or economics or even sociology, would know that royalties are not recoverable.

The state or holder of the land gets the royalty payments first and foremost before expenses are deducted.

Even the US, Canadian, and UK governments collect royalties.

And in no part of the globe is royalty one or two percent; Guyana holds the record for the lowest royalty.

This should and must be revisited. The government should consult with qualified personnel to maximise royalty.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram (PhDs)

Frederick Kissoon’s anti-coalition utterances should not be ignored or go unchallenged DEAR EDITOR, Mr. Frederick Kissoon’s July 31, 2019 column captioned, “Forms of Degeneracy after 2015 that killed Guyana’s future” demonstrated his obsession with the WPA, and his aversion to giving an iota of credit to President David Granger and the APNU+AFC coalition.

In this election season, Kissoon’s anti-coalition utterances should not be ignored or go unchallenged. To do so exposes young readers to his self-serving distortions.

Kissoon is a popular analyst and opinion maker in society who skilfully mixes propagandising with analysis. He often assumes the right to demean individuals or organisations whose actions or perceived actions he disagrees with.

Kissoon also wants readers to treat what he writes as divine inspiration as well as infallible.

He hopes that readers will not see his writings for what it is – propagandising.

Above all, he wants his writings to be treated as academic brilliance, which often it is not.

Kissoon, in his column, wrote “… the nation’s curiosity about the newness David Granger would bring to Guyana was shattered when

he proved that he lacked leadership qualities”. Kissoon is partisan to the extent that he is unwilling to concede that as President, Granger kept the country together. And in his capacity as a leader, he also kept his six-party APNU+AFC coalition united.

Whatever one may think about the President‘s overall leadership, these two achievements are demonstrations of leadership. Kissoon given his political malice can’t concede this undeniable fact – yet he claimed to be objective.

Turning his attention to the WPA, he erroneously claimed that the party has become an African party.

Kissoon said, “...the atrophy of the WPA from a Rodneyite, revolutionary, multi-racial party, to a racial outfit, catering to the interest of African Guyanese only”.

The WPA has never declared that it is an African party “catering to the interest of African Guyanese only”.

This false claim is an invention by Kissoon to discredit the leadership of the WPA. It is not incidental that he is peddling this propaganda at this time.

In this response, I decided that an effective way to deal with Freddie’s machinations is to provide information to young readers to allow them to have a more objective un-

derstanding of national politics.

The WPA came into existence out of cooperation between African Society for Cultural Relations with Independent Africa (ASCRIA) and the Indian Political Revolutionary Associates (IPRA).

This took place before the arrival of Walter Rodney on the political scene. Given the commitment to working across racial and political lines, the WPA worked with the Indian community, Dr Jagan and the PPP in opposing Burnham’s authoritarian rule. This relationship with the PPP ended after the failed PCD talks (for a consensus Presidential Candidate and a single slate) in the run-up to the 1992 General and Regional Elections. In spite of the racially polarised election results, the WPA did not seek political accommodation with the PNC. We resisted pressures from the African community to do so. Instead, we struck an agreement with the PPP that benefited both parties by giving each an extra seat in the parliament to the disadvantage of the PNC. When it became clear after the PPP return of office in 1992 that that party was on an anti-working class path and was committed to racial domination rather than recon-

ciliation and national unity, the WPA was forced to reassess its politics.

The following developments informed our thinking: (a) the shooting with rubber bullets of nurses engaged in peaceful protest (b) the regime policy of criminalisation of the civic right of protest (c) the daily execution of African young men by the “Black Clothes” Police (d) the rise of state-sponsored death squads - the phantom killers (e) the alliance between the rulers and drug lords (f) the economic and social marginalisation of the African and Indigenous communities.

These serious divisive policies emerge long before the PNCR/WPA alliance in 2011 that resulted in the formation of the APNU. In both periods, pre- and post- 1992, WPA politics was guided by the conviction that those in power were not governing in the national interest, and were consciously exploiting the racial insecurity between African and Indians.

This “divide and rule” policy has destroyed the country to an extent that it is the second poorest country the hemisphere.

Any objective observer of Guyanese politics would appreciate that the WPA‘s (Continued on page 6)

Thursday August 22, 2019

We need the relevant authorities to help us out of this mess DEAR EDITOR, I am a resident of Continental Park, Plantation Peters Hall on the East Bank of Demerara, who would like to take this opportunity on behalf of all of the residents of the area to vent through the letters column of your newspaper, the complete disgust and frustration of everyone residing there as it relates to the unlawful grazing of cattle in the neighborhood.

When we purchased our properties in the Continental Park area, there were certain stipulated conditions on the agreement of sale, conditions that we are expected to maintain, like not being able to operate a mechanic shop there, and not being able to rear livestock, and not being able to sub divide or sublet the properties to multiple families, etc, conditions we understand would be necessary to maintain a successful residential investment and which we strictly adhere to.

However, for more than two years now, there is an urban cattle rancher who incidentally does not reside in

the area, but who herds a huge kind of cattle into the area early each morning, and leaves them to graze in this residential neighbourhood until late at night.

In support of the country’s green agenda, most residents of the area have taken the time and expended their financial resources to landscape their properties including the front beyond their gates and fences.

They have planted special grass, special flowering plants, and nice shady trees.

They have been painstakingly pruning them, watering them and fertilising them.

To everyone’s chagrin however, these cows are allowed to roam freely all day long and well into the night posing a traffic hazard, preventing the children of the neighbourhood from riding their bicycles, and from going to their neighbour’s house to play with their friends due to the fear of being attacked and trampled upon.

These cows defecate and urinate everywhere. They

munch and lunch on the grass, they eat all of the foliage that they can find, and they create large holes in the ground, particularly when the ground is soft due to the rain.

They rub themselves on objects such as letterboxes, parked cars, and plants damaging them in the process.

Reports of this nuisance to the Eccles/Ramsburg Neighbourhood Democratic Council are of little use as these appeals fall on deaf ears and nothing is done about it.

The cows are not impounded; the owner is not charged for these violations nor is he made to stop this daily grazing exercise.

Most egregious of all is the fact that when the herder is spoken to about the inconvenience being encountered by the residents as a result of the grazing of the cows he becomes abusive and belligerent.

I would like to plead with those in authority to do something to help us out of this mess.

Sincerely, Kishore Das

Why would Mr. Granger not bow out of the race in the interest of his own health?

DEAR EDITOR, I’m quite appalled to witness the gross level of selfishness displayed by Mr. Granger to remain the presidential candidate to contest the upcoming general and regional election.

And what is even more astonishing is, he is making no attempt to withdraw his candidature knowing he lacks the physical and mental fortitude to run a country for the next five year. Clearly, there are other members who are “fit and proper” in their own way to take up this role.

The people of Guyana need a vibrant and energetic leader. Someone would be on

the ground, meeting and interacting with the people; listening to their concerns and addressing their needs.

Since taking up office Mr. Granger has only faced the press three times.

And his only message that seems to resonate was the hysterical remark of the “plantain-chip and cook-up rice” economy. Eluding the press and failure to address matters of national interest became his specialty. And all that was done while being deemed “fit and proper” by his people.

Now that the Cubans have warned of a heavy workload due to his unfortunate illness, in the order of

priority, press conference and community outreach will certainly be eliminated.

Post-2020 would be demanding. The government would have to account for millions of US dollars. And we the people would be expecting regular briefing on national interest and development.

In the interest of the people and his loved ones, Mr. Granger should bow out.

After all, he has done the unfathomable of defeating the PPP. An accomplishment that would place him next to his mentor, LFB. Thank you, Roger Samuels

Sports activity important for our children DEAR EDITOR, As our August holidays quickly come to an end and parents are getting set preparing for the re-opening of school, I want to remind parents of the importance of sport in our children’s lives from pre-schoolers to high schoolers.

During the past month, I was very pleased to see a number of sporting disciplines conduct “Summer Programmes for Children”.

This positive activity must be commended. In particular, the more organised Junior Sports Programmes out there like swimming, table tennis, tennis (formerly lawn tennis) and archery.

Activity is important. For the most part, sports programmes, in Guyana and around the world for our very young ones, are primarily about having fun. If it is a team sport, a score is usually not kept (although chances are that you’ll find a child who does) and the focus is on safety and a very loose interpretation of the rules (run in that direction). For individual sports, again, safety and the basic parameters of the sport of choice are covered.

Whether team or individual, sports are undoubtedly a great way to encourage fitness and develop important social and motor skills. They also learn persis-

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tence and determination.

Having a child active in sports is a really great way to help boost self-esteem and confidence in addition to helping instill important life skills, like good communication habits and being a team player.

No matter what we as parents decide, it’s very important to make sure that our child is active, whether it is through one of the above organised sports programme or disciplines or just running around outside as we did when we ourselves were small. It’s well-known that an hour of exercise is the minimum.

And just as a reminder if you have your heart set on (Continued on page 6)

THERE IS A SLIM CHANCE TO CHANGE GUYANA FOR THE BETTER DEAR EDITOR, Recently, David Granger of the APNU+AFC has come in for a barrage of criticism for not upholding the Guyana Constitution (and rightly so).

It is deemed that he is taking “guidance” from Basil Williams.

While Basil Williams is guiding David Granger, Irfaan Ali is being “guided” by Bharrat Jagdeo.

Guyanese do not want their President nor Presidenthopeful being guided by anyone.

What Guyanese want is a better quality of life. A better quality of life does not necessarily mean more money (although some may see this as a requirement to fulfil their needs). They want clean water, cheaper food, reliable elec-

tricity, better healthcare and education, etc. As a minimum, Guyanese deserve Good Governance, Accountability and Transparency.

This is why it is imperative for the media (The Fourth Estate) to uphold its responsibility and hold BOTH the Government and Opposition Accountable for the state of affairs in Guyana.

In Opposition, the APNU+AFC had ALL the solutions to Guyana’s problems.

Yet, in Government they seem clueless.

In Opposition, the PPP/C seems to have the solution to Guyana’s problems. But, they will be just as clueless.

This is because both political outfits are recycling the same old politicians who have not been successful in gov-

erning Guyana.

Guyana is in desperate need of a “new breed of politicians”, those who will put people first.

Let’s face it, with the current system, we are not about to rid ourselves of the PNC and the PPP (two minions locked in battle for their own petty survival). But we can make them think again. This is why I am advocating for Guyanese to support Lenox Shuman of the Liberal and Justice Party or Guyanese will be stuck with the same-same politics of the past.

There is a slim chance to change Guyana for the better.

But this will not happen under the PPP/C nor the PNC led APNU+AFC. Yours faithfully, Sean Ori

The small man is the real man people would bow to their

DEAR EDITOR, Now the Ministers, the opposition party and others, will remember the value of the everyday man, either to put them back in power or to get them elected.

The rich, the powerful businessmen and women also party leaders combine cannot do it.

It takes the small, everyday man and the poor people to put them in government.

The votes of the poor and everyday man are the majority, and only they can guarantee a victory.

Unfortunately, when the government is formed, the small man is neglected and forgotten.In North America, things are approached differently, although we love our

party and leaders, we speak out and speak up, if one does not complain or point out the wrongdoings of their leaders, changes will never come, and that is one of the biggest faults of Guyanese.

Their beliefs are you should not talk against y o u r p a r t y, h o w i g n o rant.

I have a little experience and knowledge of politics; I was a delegate in the Liberal Party in Canada, back in the eighties.

The then Prime Minister was Mr. Pierre Trudeau.

We the delegates had authority and responsibilities.

We p i n p o i n t e d t h e needs of the people, and the people made demands In some countries,

leaders as though Jesus has arrived; bow only to God. Speak up to your leaders and ministers, tell them where they are going wrong and you would be more respected, you would have a better life and a better country.

Poor people are the majority and only you can put them in power. Promises will be made and most of them will be broken.

Remind them of these promises and hold them accountable.

The small man is the real man and the big man will always be the minority, learn that.

Respectfully J.C. Grant-Stuart Snr. Toronto, Canada

Every vote is a golden one during the 2019 general elections DEAR EDITOR, Are votes during the Guyana General Elections in 2019 as Golden as I think they are or should be?

I understand that the Chief Justice in a recent ruling states that the current house-to-house registration is legal and at the same time, no name should be taken off the current voters’ list. I guess that would be with the exception of all deceased persons since the last general elections in 2015.

I just need some clarification on the following: - Someone not registering during the current house-to-house registration cycle, but whose name is on the current voters list from 2015, will they be allowed to cast their vote?

I happen to know a bedridden patient at the Palms aka, the Geriatric Home on

Brickdam, and from a recent visit, I jokingly enquired from the individual if you will be voting? She responded with laughter that she would love to vote but not sure what provisions would be made for her and others in that condition to exercise that right.

Does she actually have any voting rights as a senior citizen?

Is it GECOM or the Government of the day responsible to put in a place a system in having those senior citizens cast their respective vote?

Why not have a special

day allotted for such an exercise similar to the discipline forces?

What about the homeless persons on the streets, do they have any voting rights?

From enquiries, I was told that prisoners have no voting rights. Is that accurate?

This elections in 2019 is huge and why not make an exception and have prisoners cast their votes?

Again, set aside a special day for GECOM personnel to visit all prison locations and let those votes come in.

Yours faithfully T. Pemberton

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The true test of development and progress resides in the policies and programmes in place to help the poor and the needy DEAR EDITOR, As the country prepares to draw down on its oil revenues early next year, there are heightened expectations that the oil revenues will catapult the economy to higher levels of performance. The economic ‘tsunami’ is expected ‘to lift all boats’ thereby providing an enhanced quality of life for all Guyanese, in particular the less advantaged in our society. I refer specifically to those who are living on pensions, single parent families and lowincome earners many of whom fall in the category of the ‘working poor’.

There are far too many who cannot afford the cost of medical care especially those types of illness that are considered catastrophic. These include the high and in some cases prohibitive cost of di-

alysis and cardio-vascular treatments which are outside the financial reach of many in particular those not covered by the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).

I note with concern that the NIS is now in a deficit mode.

According to media sources, the deficit by the end of this year is projected at $546.7M, which resulted in part from the declining number of individuals who once contributed to the Scheme.

This is indicative of higher levels of unemployment . If this trend persists, pensions and other benefits to qualified beneficiaries could be put at risk.Given the above situation, government may at some point in time have to consider providing a subsidy to the Scheme in order to sustain existing ben-

efits to subscribers as well as making the necessary adjustments to pension payments to cater for inflation. Some of the projected oil revenues could be utilised in this regard.

The poor and the marginalised will always be an integral part of our societal make-up regardless of the size of the economy or the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The true test of development and progress however, resides in the policies and programmes that are in place to help the poor and the needy.

Already serious concerns are being expressed by oil and gas experts regarding the generous terms and conditions given to oil companies, which if carefully managed, could free up billions of dollars to minimize poverty.

Hydar Ally

Frederick Kissoon’s anti-coalition ...

From page 4 political decline started with the assassination of Walter Rodney.

The racially polarised elections in 1992 demonstrated that the multi-racial constituency that existed at the time of the Civil Rebellion had virtually disappeared because of the “genius” of Hoyte and Jagan in publicly defining the elections as a fight between themselves and their parties. In the context of Guyanese politics, it became a race battle with both communities responding to the call of their respective leadership.

The rest is history.

While this information may not be part of the young reader’s consciousness, the same can’t be said for Kissoon. He is well aware of these matters, but he conveniently ignores them in his analysis.

He knows that the WPA, in every election since 1992 contested on its own or in alliance with GLP or GAP, did poorly.

In fact on those occasions, we would not have gotten into the parliament if it was not for the votes of the Indigenous Peoples.

To that community, WPA

Thursday August 22, 2019

Kaieteur News

is eternally grateful. Readers should note that in those elections we were not accused by our detractors of betraying “Rodney”, but our electoral showings were poor anyhow.

Kissoon is a social/political scientist and a longstanding political activist who knows from his study and research that no electoral party in any part of the world can do well in elections in the absence of a constituency that is responsive to its politics. The destruction of the multi-racial constituency in the run-up to 1992 and all post-1992 elections is the dilemma that confronts the WPA. Kissoon never addresses this reality in his analysis of the political situation when dealing with the WPA. Why? To do so deprives him of advancing his false thesis on WPA’s politics.

I have said all the above to establish that in Guyana, there is no credible multi-racial constituency that could make a meaningful difference electorally.

Further, the present constitutional requirement for the pre-election coalition is detrimental to third parties.

This has been bored out by our contemporary history

Sports activity important ...

From page 5 your child playing a sport but (s)he just isn’t interested right now…don’t throw in the towel just yet. As (s)he gets older and more mature and confident in his/her physical abilities, chances are that enthusiasm will be there!

Sincerely, Mommy V

as in the case of the AFC. However, it suits Kissoon, the PPP, and our detractors to ignore this constitutional slightof-hand inserted into law in 1980.

WPA and other smaller parties are unable to change a law that is not of their own making.

Editor, WPA has been on the national political landscape for four and a half decades.

To the extent that the party members and leadership do not reflect what it was when the organisation was founded in 1974, or the period of the Civil Rebellion or the early post-Rodney years, has more to do with the racial/political polarisation, the disappearance of the multi-racial constituency, and the migration of members and supporters to foreign shores rather than any policy action taken or not taken by the party’s leadership.

This contradicts what is often peddled by our detractors including Freddie Kissoon who blame the leadership for all the present difficulties facing the party.

In closing, the WPA is mature enough (45 years) to appreciate the reality of Guyanese politics, and we accommodate this reality since to do otherwise is “infantile politics”.

In writing this response to Kissoon, it is my hope that young readers have a more objective understanding of the political challenges facing the WPA. Tacuma Ogunseye

WE CAN WORK TOGETHER ON BUILDING A BETTER GUYANA DEAR EDITOR, President David Granger was effusive in praise of the GDF, GPF and People’s Militia joint exercise ‘Operation Greenheart’ noting that the Force is in an even better position to protect Guyana’s territorial integrity. This is ironic in that the greatest threat to Guyana’s territorial integrity is the result of Granger’s decision to allow the establishment of a Homestead for Venezuelan refugees in the Essequibo region.

David Granger, the Presidential candidate, was presented as a ‘law and order and security’ expert, having attained the rank of Brigadier in the GDF; he was expected to be an expert on all things concerning border security and territorial integrity. It was, therefore, a shock in July 2018, when there was an announcement by Minister Felix that an area would be established to allow the Venezuelans to be self-reliant. “It is intended that we [will] develop something like a homestead where families are accumulated and eventually we can move them into cash crop farming…” he was quoted as saying by government’s Department of Public Information.

I wrote in August 2018 that “The biggest surprise of this ‘Homestead Initiative’ is the naivety of a government led by a former Brigadier of the Guyana Defence Force to think that a Venezuelan Homestead in Essequibo (territory claimed by Venezuela) does not pose a grave threat

to our territorial integrity” (another newspaper published on 28.08.2018).

Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo also said, “They should be repatriated to Venezuela given the nature of the threat on the border and what a settlement on our side of the border with permanent residents from Venezuela, a settlement of that nature can pose a threat to our territorial integrity.” (an online news outfit published on 24.08.2018) In December 2018, the Defence Secretary of the United Kingdom, Mr. Gavin Williamson, suggested that the UK could become a “true global player” after Brexit by opening new military bases in the Caribbean and the Far East while Mr. Williamson did not name locations, Guyana was mentioned in his Sunday Telegraph interview as a possible location. The Granger administration did not see fit to refute this assertion nor demand the UK clarify the issue.

Fast forward to August 2019 and Guyana is now subject to a claim from the Russian Foreign Ministry that Britain 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.” “There have already arrived several dozen so-called ‘refugees’ from Venezuela to undergo training as part of reconnais-

sance and sabotage groups and then to be dispatched to Venezuelan territory in order to destabilise the situation and carry out appropriate actions – from extremist to terrorist.” Defence of our territorial integrity does not consist of deluding ourselves with games of ‘toy soldier’; it begins with vigilant monitoring all that is said that involves our nation globally and the capability to ensure we make timely responses to any assertion that threatens our stability or image.

On matters of national security and image, the two main political parties, The People’s Progressive Party and the People’s National Congress, have always stood shoulder to shoulder. The Granger administration should move quickly to accept and implement advice on the matter of the Venezuelan Homestead offered by PPP General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo who said, “I hope that it is just a place that people can receive the generosity of Guyana and be treated in a dignified manner to be repatriated at some point in time”.

Jagdeo also wrote to Granger advising him of three types of people coming into Guyana from Venezuela, and each must be dealt with differently: returning Guyanese, Amerindians who have been crossing the borders and Venezuelans. We can work together on building a better Guyana.

Respectfully Robin Singh

All eyes are on GECOM’s Chairperson and those Commissioners DEAR EDITOR, The declaration from Minister Valerie Garrido-Lowe that elections will be held this year, sometime in December, according to “information from the President” – as reported by another newspaper on Saturday, August 17, 2019 – seems to be another attempt of the APNU/AFC to defy the most Supreme Law and hide from the electorate for as long as they can.

Editor, the Acting Chief Justice, Roxane George-Wiltshire, on August 14, 2019, was clear that General and Regional Elections ought to have been held since March 21, 2019.

Something all reasonable patriots knew from a mere reading of the Constitution.

That time has passed because of the APNU/AFC’s incredible excuses, which have been exposed as such. It is now incumbent on GECOM to address its readiness for elections to be held in the shortest possible time.

Guyanese are baffled at the length of time it is taking GECOM to make crucial decisions.

Most remain hopeful that GECOM’s esteemed Chairperson, Justice Claudette Singh, will give effect to the spirit and intent of the provisions of Guyana’s most Supreme Law and the several judgments of the various Courts interpreting that law, including our Highest Court. The Caribbean Court of Justice on July 12, 2019, said clearly that, “The Guyana Elections Commission (“GECOM”) has the responsibility

to conduct that election and GECOM too must abide by the provisions of the Constitution.” Those Constitutional provisions are clear to any sensible, reasonable person who is not looking for an excuse to dodge the holding of the overdue National and Regional Elections; that is, that elections must be held within three months after a government falls to a no confidence motion or, in these circumstances, the shortest possible time thereafter.

The shortest possible time that allows for necessary amendments to the National Register of Registrants would be to host a Claims and Objections process. Engaging in such a process, fairly, does not require, in my considered view, until December. Indeed December would make it one year since the government fell. The position of the Parliamentary Opposition has been clearly stated repeatedly.

It echoes the views of the majority of Guyanese.

The ball is now in GECOM’s court. All eyes are on its Chairperson and those Commissioners. We are watching and waiting for them to act within the dictates of the Constitution. Our children as grown-ups will know what decisions they took and how it affected the nation, just as we now know what decisions were made in those horribly dark days of dictatorship and who made them.

Sincerely, Priya Manickchand

Thursday August 22, 2019

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Kaieteur News

DIPCON takes President to court over pardoning of Finance Minister from jail time

By Feona Morrison DIPCON, a Trinidad engineering company which was contracted to do massive road works in Guyana, has taken President David Granger to court over his issuance of a respite in the Official Gazette pardoning Finance Minister Winston Jordan from 21 days imprisonment over failure to pay the more than US $2.2 million judgment which was awarded to the company since 2015. In October 2015, Justice Gino Persaud had ruled that DIPCON recover the sum from government as monies due to the engineering company for infrastructural works done under the previous administration.

Obviously dissatisfied with the judgment of Justice Persaud, Attorney General Basil Williams filed an appeal with the Court of Appeal.

The appeal was a belated one and the Court of Appeal dismissed it. But Williams then sought redress from the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) where he contended that there were good reasons for the late filing.

For one, the Attorney General submitted to the regional court that the matter was handled by a private attorney and the State was not notified of the judgment until months after it was delivered.

The CCJ, too, dismissed the appeal noting that it was not filed within the prescribed time limit.

Notwithstanding these, the monies were still not paid and DIPCON by way of an action applied to the court and was granted an Order of Mandamus by Chief Justice Roxane George directing that the monies be made to DIPCON on or before January 15, 2019. This was not forthcoming and DIPCON instituted contempt of court proceedings against the Minister.

On June 24, Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry issued a contempt order to have Minister Jordan imprisoned for 21 days if he fails to pay the monies to DIPCON on or before Monday, July 8. Following the contempt order, Attorney General Williams appealed to the Full Court to set aside and/or reverse the order of Justice SewnarineBeharry.

However, the Full Court, in a ruling dated July 5 held that Williamss application had no merit and dismissed the appeal and even rejected a stay of the contempt order which was requested by Williams. But four days later, the President issued a Grant of Respite in the Official Gazette signed by Minister of State Dawn Hastings which gave

President David Granger Jordan in his personal capacity, and as the Minister of Finance, respite of the execution of punishment imposed on him by the judge.

Under Prerogative of Mercy at Article 188(1) (b) of the Constitution of Guyana, the President has the powers to issue such a grant of respite. According to Section 188 (1) The President may (a) grant to any person concerned in or convicted if any offence under the law of Guyana, a pardon, either free or subject to lawful conditions; (b) grant to any person a respite, either indefinite, or for a specified period, of the execution of any punishment imposed on that person for such an offence.

Anyway, the grant of respite remains in effect until all appeals and remedies available to the Finance Minister and the State have been exhausted. In its newest proceedings filed on July 18,

DIPCON is asking the court to issue an Order of Certiorari to President Granger quashing the decision of the said President to grant Jordan a respite for the indefinite period terminating upon the expiry of all appeals from the execution of the punishment of imprisonment for 21 days imposed by the High Court judge.

In fact, DIPCON contends that the Presidents decision is so flawed in law that it amounts to nullity and is improper, unreasonable, irrational and ultra vires and in excess of jurisdiction. The company contends that no reason or respectable argument has been or can be advanced in support of the Presidents decision.

In its Fixed Date Application, DIPCON has listed Attorney General Basil Williams and President David Granger as the first and second named defendants jointly and sever-

Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan ally. According to the court document, in its request for a court order compelling the minister to pay the judgment, DIPCON in a letter dated December 25, 2018 to the Registrar of the Supreme Court, conveyed the order made by Justice Persaud to the Minister who it contends became obligated under Section 14 of State Liability and Proceedings Act of 1984 to direct, by warrant under his hand, that the judgment amount be paid.

DIPCON submitted that on July 8, the Ministry of Finance through its officials informed DIPCON that it had prepared a cheque payment of the judgment in accordance with the contempt order issued by Justice SewnarineBeharry and even invited the company to visit the Ministry of Finance at 3pm the same day to uplift the payment which would have averted the punishment of imprisonment of the Minister.

Dipcons lawyers, Timothy Jonas, Dennis Paul and Sadia Ramnarine, have always maintained that while the court did not have jurisdiction to issue a coercive order against the government, the contempt proceedings were filed against Jordan, a mere “individual” and not the government. As it is, the lawyers are insisting that Jordan is liable for criminal contempt since he has “deliberately and contumaciously refused and failed to comply under Section 14 of the State Liability and Proceedings Act of 1984.”

The lawyers have argued that there are no reasons as to why the judgment and $3 million in court costs cannot be paid since Cabinet has already approved the sum for that purpose. Williams, on the other hand, had challenged the jurisdiction of the High Court to issue such an order against a Minister.

In an appeal of the Full Courts decision to the Court of Appeal, he contended that Justice Sewnarine-Beharry misdirected herself in law when she exercised jurisdiction to hear the application of contempt against the Minister in his private and personal capacity as Minister of Finance for alleged monies owed by the State and Government to DIPCON. Further, Williams noted that among other things Justice Sewnarine-Beharry erred and misdirected herself in law when she failed to appreciate that contempt proceedings were coercive in nature and such order could not be made against Jordan in his private capacity, since no act was committed by the Minister in his private capacity. It is also Williamss argument that Jordan in his capacity as Minister of Finance fell under government Among other things, the Attorney General contends that the Full Court erred and misdirected itself in law when it refused to grant the stay of execution of the order for contempt made by Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on June 24, 2019 for the imprisoning of the Finance Minister for 21 days for failure to pay the judgment.

The Attorney General also argues that the Full Court erred and misdirected itself in law when it ordered that Jordan being sued in his personal capacity while still being Minister of Finance could not be represented by the Attorney General, pursuant to the provisions of the State Liability and Proceedings Act Chapter 6:05 of the Laws of Guyana.

DIPCONs challenge against the President and Attorney General comes up for arguments on September 23 at 13:30 hours before Justice Nareshwar Harnanan.

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Kaieteur News

Thursday August 22, 2019

Mid-year report reveals...

Rebranding Belt and Road Initiative…

Public health sector only expends $1B of $4.4B due to procurement delays

Guyana has third most negative perception worldwide Report

Halfway through the year, the public health sector was only able to expend $1B of $4.4B allocated towards capital investments. This was owing to delays in the procurement process faced by the Ministry of Public Health, a state of affairs that has been outlined in government’s midyear report which was released last week. But measures are already being put in place to remedy this shortcoming, government has assured, stating in the report that “This situation is expected to improve considerably in the second half of 2019, since all infrastructure-related projects have been advertised.”

A sum of $16.7B of the $35.9B budgeted for the health sector was expended in the first half of 2019 as part of government’s effort to improve the delivery of health care. It is improved health care delivery quest, during the first half of the year, government said that it spent $3.8B, or 49 percent of the $7.8B budgeted for the procurement of drugs and medical supplies. This represented a 22.7 percent increase over the same period in 2018.

Drugs and medical supplies make up approximately 21.7 percent of the national health sector budget. However, per-

sistent issues of drug shortages have led to a review of the essential medicines’ list, in order to improve quantification of the demand for drugs and medical supplies at healthcare facilities across Guyana. “This exercise has almost been completed and will be used to better inform government on purchases of drugs and medical supplies,” the report outlined, adding that “In addition to increasing the storage space, the distribution network for these supplies has been strengthened with the recruitment of nine pharmacy support personnel to coordinate and facilitate the distribution to the Regions.” Also detailed in the report is the fact that a total of $713.9M was expended on the maintenance and construction of buildings for the health sector, as government continued its drive to upgrade and modernise healthcare facilities nationally.

Of that amount, the sum of $455.3M was spent on capital Infrastructure works, of which $40.6M was expended on the upgrade of the doctors’ quarters in Georgetown, Lethem, Kaikan, Leguan, Kamarang, New Amsterdam, Ituni, Wiruni and Mabaruma.

During the first half of the year too, funds were directed towards the advancement of construction works on a new laboratory for the Food and Drug Analyst Department.

The scope of this project, government revealed, has been broadened to include an administration complex.

In fact, the selection of a suitably qualified consultant to supervise the project is anticipated to be completed by the end of the year, with final designs and construction expected to commence soon thereafter.

The report also gives account of government’s move to increase and improve temperature-controlled storage facilities, which saw a new, state-of-the-art drug storage bond for the Central Supplies Unit at Kingston being commissioned to the tune of almost $540M. At the same time, the extension of the bond for the Material Management Unit at Diamond was completed at a cost of $116M. These facilities have since increased the floor space for storage by over 1,900 square feet and will be central in the distribution network for drugs and medical supplies.

A report has found that Guyana is among the countries with the most negative perceptions of the controversial Chinese Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

A European think-tank, Bruegel, drawing on a global database of media articles on the initiative, produced a quantitative assessment of the perceptions of countries both participating in the initiative, and countries not. Though Guyana is not currently a recipient of any major funds under the BRI, it has signed an instrument of cooperation, signaling its intent to partake in future.

The report, titled “Countries perceptions of Chinas Belt and Road Initiative: A big data analysis”, found that BRI is generally positively perceived in almost all regions. Central Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa have the most positive perception of the initiative. This is said to be due to Chinas longstanding positive relationship with those regions. East Asian and Pacific countries also show favourable perceptions.

But there were nations that stood out in certain regions.

South Asia has the worst perception;

Maldives, Bhutan and India are among the top ten countries with negative perceptions of the BRI. In Europe, Poland, Ukraine and Bosnia & Herzegovina have markedly negative views of the initiative.

The United States, though it has been very critical of the project, still recorded relatively favourable views.

In Latin America and the Caribbean, Guyana has the most negative perception.

Guyana was found to have the third most negative perception globally, behind the Maldives and Bosnia & Herzegovina. It was noted that Guyanas concerns were focused on its ability to handle the debts which would be incurred from participating in the initiative.

China had indicated its intention to rebrand the controversial initiative in a report that was prepared by the Advisory Council of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

This is after facing staunch criticism about its lending practices, particularly to poorer nations that were most susceptible to corruption.

For over a year now,

Kaieteur News has been at the forefront of exposing how the debt burden from Chinas BRI has been breaking the backs of nations which signed up for it.

Sri Lanka, for example, was forced to sign over its strategically important Hambantota port to a Chinese state-owned company on a 99-year lease in 2017.

The transfer of the port was to lift some of the enormous billion-dollar debts Sri Lanka owed to Beijing, debts which came from loans that helped fund Hambantota in the first place.

Other countries which have landed in the same situation are Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Djibouti, the Maldives, Fiji and Malaysia. (See link for further details: https:// www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ category/chinas-modusoperandi/).

In spite of the revelations made by this newspaper and the international reports warning countries about the BRI being nothing more than a debt trap, Guyana still signed onto it.

Other Caribbean nations, which have done the same include Jamaica, Barbados, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, Dominica, and the Dominican Republic.

Thursday August 22, 2019

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Kaieteur News

Christmas in August It is raining goodies. It is Christmas in August.

Elections are in the air.

You know that for sure when governments begin to offer all manner of things which they were not offering in the previous four years.

The government has been like Santa Claus recently. It is promising free education once again at the University of Guyana. It has not said whether this will come with National Service or some form of payback.

The government has signaled salary increases this year and next year. It has not said whether it will raise the miserly $8,000 uniform allowance that it pays to the nation’s teachers.

The sod has been turned for the construction of a new $70M mortuary - quite a lot of money to be spending on the dead, when a smaller sum could have been used to fix the dysfunctional mortuary at the New Amsterdam Hospital.

The latest promise which has been made is for

limited scholarships for law graduates of the University of Guyana to pursue studies leading to the Legal Education Certificate.

The government has not said how “limited” is “limited”.

An advertisement has been placed in the newspapers inviting applications for the scholarships. But if the number of scholarships is limited, why advertise?

Why not simply ask the University of Guyana to identity the five or ten top students using the qualifying criteria which the government has outlined in terms of grade point averages?

In this way, the process will be made more transparent. And there can be no allegations of favouritism or discrimination in the award of scholarships.

All that has to happen is for the University of Guyana to shortlist the students who meet the qualifying criteria, and then to rank these in terms of their performance. In this way, the government does

not have to interview persons, and the process would be extremely objective and free from bias. The same can be done for those first year students at High Wooding and other law schools offering the Legal Education Certificate. The whole process can be made objective In this way, the government would be keeping its promise of scholarships, while ensuring a fair and transparent system in its award. It is left to be seen whether the government is prepared to go this route in its offer of limited scholarships.

A more difficult commitment to honour in the future would be the establishment of a law school, oil revenues or no oil revenues. The Council of Legal Education has pointed out that it is the only body authorised to establish law schools in the region.

There is no indication that the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community have any intention of

Dem boys seh ...

Farrinmen tek de cake Is funny how de last house to house registration tek six months. Jagdeo was president and Stevie was de Chairman. There was no fuss because Jagdeo know dat he couldn’t lose no election. Dem boys seh dat he still can’t believe he party lose. Dat is why he was trying he best to stop house to house registration because he think it woulda tek anodda six months and he was certain dat he couldn’t allow Soulja Bai to earn oil money.

Now more than half of de people done register and is only one month since de registration start. Basic maths seh de registration gon done in two months.

But is de same registration causing confusion. Some

people seh Haitians coming to register but dat don’t mean nutten.

Wha gon mean something is when a Haitian got a Guyana birth certificate or a Guyana passport, And fuh get a passport, you got to have a birth certificate. Dat is why dem boys seh, people don’t even know who is who these days.

Dem have Guyanese who does sound like Jamaicans; dem have some who does sound like Indian nationals and more recently, dem have some who is real Venezuelans.

Now when these people tun up to vote who can tell dem dat dem ain’t Guyanese.

Dat is going to be one of de challenges when de elections over. People gon argue how foreigners vote. People

does come from de States and talking like Yankee and vote. Is funny how Guyanese does accept de Yankee accent but dem can’t accept dem odda accent.

Is de accent mek a man kill he wife. Women like hear man who does talk fancy. If dem hear a man wid a Yankee accent, dem heart does flutter. In fact, dem prefer such a man before dem own.

Even de Jamaican accent does mek dem think nice things and dat is why dem DJs does sound like Jamaicans although dem never leff de shores of Guyana.

De man go home and hear he wife like a man wid a foreign accent. He cut she throat.

Talk half and watch how foreigners running Guyana.

changing this arrangement, one which can ruin the plans for a private law school in Guyana.

There are other factors to consider.

It can hardly be practicable for any private law school to be viable if it only offers a path to the LEC. Without offering a degree, the return on the investment in infrastructure, staff and materials, will not be recoupable.

Also, it is likely that a private law school offering a degree in law would hurt the University of Guyana’s

law programme. This would pose a dilemma for the government.

But who cares about all those “technicalities” during this season of giveaways and promises. The law students are going to be tumbling over each other, contesting for the limited scholarships which will be offered, even though when the oil revenues begin to pour in, the government would more than be able to afford to pay for all the law students to go to Hugh Wooding.

And why are only law

students being offered scholarships now? What about teachers, doctors, engineers and environmentalists? Does Guyana not need these far more than lawyers? But who cares about priorities in this season when governments come bearing goodies?

PAGE 10

Thursday August 22, 2019

Kaieteur News

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

David Hinds and I in Buxton I was travelling in David Hinds’ car on our return from a private function (see my column of Monday, July 22, 2019, captioned “David Hinds and I turned a white shade of pale last Saturday”) up the East Coast, when I asked him to turn into Buxton for me to buy some cheese flaps from

Benjamin’s Bakery on Church of God Road.

Adrian Benjamin, a personal friend, grew up in the baking business and in my estimation makes the most delectable cheese flaps in the entire territory of Guyana. I never pass Buxton without buying Adrian’s products. As

we turned into Buxton from the railway embankment, a group of young men, about ten of them, were liming on the line top. They came up to the car and engaged us. They were all disappointed in the shape of governance and enquired why David and I don’t form our own political party.

This was in Buxton, where opposition strength is very low. That incident is a strong indication that the election result is not easily predictable.

I believe there is a gap between the support for the PPP and the PNC that will determine which of the two gets closer to fifty-one percent. I see a minority presidency, but the question is who it will go to. The emanation of the boys in Buxton tells a big story.

Who or what is this electoral space that lies between the electoral rampart of the PPP and PNC? It has several dimensions. First there is Lenox Shuman’s party that will definitely appeal to Amerindians.

Could Shuman collect Amerindian ballots that could diminish the numbers both PPP and PNC get from that constituency? For me, what

is uncertain are the numbers, but I can see Shuman getting at least one seat.

Secondly, there is the Indian vote which led to a PPP minority parliament in 2011 and a defeat in 2015. It is the 2015 defeat that needs profound reflections. The PPP lost Region 8 parliamentary seat by one ballot and the general election by less than 5,000 votes. Those figures can only worsen, based on migration figures among Indians. But with the young population that Guyana has, it means that those who left since 2015 would not create a complete void, because others have come of voting age since 2015.

My guess is that based on the APNU+AFC performance, the percentage in 2011 and 2015 that went to the AFC will return to the PPP. This is a frightening prospect for the PNC leadership.

It knows that in 2019, the AFC cannot retain its 2011 and 2015 showing. To win the election, APNU+AFC has to make up for that loss. How can it? I don’t think it can.

Here is why.

Even if there is a percentage of Indians who cannot

bring themselves to vote for the PPP, including this columnist, they will either abstain or offer their ballots to a smaller party, but the chagrin is too deep for them to vote again for the AFC. It is no exaggeration to say that there is more bitterness among those who voted for the AFC than among those who are disappointed with the performance of the PNC. I would go so far as to say that if the AFC contests by itself, it cannot get a parliamentary seat. I ask the honest question – from which part of Guyana where Africans and Indians live, are people going to go out and vote for the AFC? Thirdly, there is that percentage of African voters who think that their leadership failed them, and they will show little enthusiasm for the coalition magic. For them the magic is gone. It didn’t work out for them.

One gets a sense that this is what David Hinds is telling the PNC the past two weeks in his columns, and in a recent letter to this newspaper.

This is reflected in what the Buxton youths told me and David. This is reflected in the

Frederick Kissoon battle at UG over the Vice Chancellor’s contract.

Thirdly, Guyana has been in election mode since the no-confidence motion was upheld by the Chief Justice.

The attitude, behaviour and postures of the PNC and the AFC since then have not endeared an undecided section of the voters to them. Each day that passes and the country waits to hear the election date, the ruling regime says and does things that make one feel that it is not willing to observe the constitution and play by the rules.

Finally, these failings of APNU+AFC will not translate into a win for the PPP. The results will be extremely close.

Thursday August 22, 2019

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Thursday August 22, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 14

Joiner sentenced to 5 years, fined $10.8M for trafficking ganja

A

n Eccles man and a shop owner who were charged jointly for possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking were yesterday brought before the courts.

Errol Brown, 46, of Lot 125 Eccles, East Bank Demerara and Shellyann Pompey, 28, a shop owner of Lot 74 First Street, Craig, East Bank Demerara, both appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts.

Brown pleaded guilty to the charge which stated that on August 19, 2019, at Lot 125 Eccles, East Bank Demerara, they had in their possession 27 kilograms and 318 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

H o w e v e r, P o m p e y pleaded not guilty to the same charge, telling the court that she was not involved and had no knowledge of the cannabis.

The court heard that on the day in question, at about 11:00hrs, ranks from the Criminal Investigation Department's Narcotics Branch, received information and acted on the tip.

The ranks went to the Eccles home of Errol Brown. They then met with

Thursday August 22, 2019

Man who borrowed gun to 'raise school clothes money' jailed

A

Jailed: Errol Brown

The packages found in Brown's home

Shellyann Pompey

Brown and asked to carry out a search, to which Brown offered no objection.

The ranks discovered a large green travelling bag and a large plastic bag, containing several compact brown, yellow parcels with leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis.

The items were then shown to Brown and Pompey; they were cautioned and escorted to

CID headquarters, Narcotics Branch.

After the facts of the charge were read, Brown told the court, “she was just a house guest, and she doesn't know anything about what I'm doing.”

Brown was sentenced to 5 years' imprisonment and fined $10,817, 928.

Pompey was granted bail to the tune of $200,000 and the matter was adjourned to September 23.

vendor was yesterday sentenced to a total of ten years' in prison for armed robbery and possession of a gun and ammunition.

Raheem Abdul of Lot 17 Broad and Lombard Streets, Charlestown, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann Mc Lennan in the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts, and pleaded guilty to all four charges that were read to him.

The first charge stated that on August 17, last, at Lombard Street, Georgetown, while in the company of another and armed with a gun, Abdul robbed Amos Rampajan of $70,000 cash and a cell phone valued at $42,000.

The second charge stated that on the same date and at the same location, while in the company of another and again armed with a gun, he robbed Kumar Singh of $14,000 cash and a cell phone valued at $25,000.

The court also heard that on August 17, 2019, at Broad Street, Charlestown, Abdul had in his possession three .38 rounds of ammunition without being a licensed firearm holder.

And the final charge stated that on the same date and location he had in his possession one .38 revolver without being a licenced firearm holder.

Porter remanded for drinking partner's murder

T

wenty-year-old Callis Rodrigues, a porter from Moruca, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann Mc Lennan in the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts yesterday to answer to a murder charge It is alleged that on August 17, 2019, at Kumaka Waterfront, North West District, Rodrigues murdered Oswald Henry. According to information, at about 21:30 hrs on the day in question, Rodrigues and Henry were imbibing at a shop.

The men then began to argue over who

should take the last shot of rum in a bottle.

Henry reportedly held onto the bottle and Rodrigues became annoyed and picked up a piece of wood and dealt Henry several lashes to his body and head.

It was reported that Henry collapsed as a result of the assault. He was picked up in an unconscious state and rushed to the Kumaka District Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The matter was then reported and an investigation was launched. Rodrigues was later arrested and charged.

Chief Magistrate Mc Lennan remanded Rodrigues to prison until September 30, and transferred the matter to the Aquero Magistrate's Court where he will make his next appearance.

Callis Rodrigues

According to information, on the day in question about 03:30 hrs Rampajan and Singh, both vendors, were on Lombard Street, when they were approached by Abdul, who was in the company of another individual, and was armed with a gun.

The court then heard that Abdul and the other man held Singh and Rampajan at gunpoint and demanded that they handed over their valuables; the two men in fear for their lives complied.

However, Abdul started to demand more money and placed a gun to Rampajan's head and started to count to five.

Rampajan then lead him to his bus, in which his wife was seated, and she handed over a purse containing a sum of cash and other documents.

The two men then escaped on a cycle on Lombard Street.

After the incident, Rampajan and Singh went and reported the matter at the Alberttown Police Station.

Abdul was later pursued as a suspect and upon seeing the police he threw the gun and ammunition under a house.

The said firearm and ammunition were retrieved in Abdul's presence where the allegations were put to him, and he admitted to the offences.

Abdul was then positively identified by the two vendors whom he robbed at gunpoint.

Further investigations were then carried out.

“I apologise and I'm asking the court to be lenient with me, I have five children to look after,” Abdul told the court after police prosecutor Gordon Mansfield read the facts of the charge.

He further mentioned “I went and borrow the gun to raise lil money to help buy school clothes.”

After listening to the defendant and the prosecutor's facts, Chief Magistrate McLennan sentenced Abdul to three years each on the robbery charges, two years for the ammunition and two years for the firearm – a total of ten years. The sentences will run concurrently, so he will spend three years behind bars.

Thursday August 22, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 15

Kaieteur News

PAGE 16

Thursday August 22, 2019

MMA/ADA says farmers owe “over $1B” in fees - Reluctance to pay affecting drainage works along Mahaicony façade Efforts are being made to control flooding to rice lands along the Mahaicony Creek.

MMA/ADA General Manager, Aubrey Charles

W

hile rice farmers at F i r s t Savannah, Mahaicony Creek are blaming the Mahaica Mahaicony Abary/ Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA) for

their rice crops being ruined by flood waters, General Manager of the entity, Aubrey Charles is claiming that their reluctance to pay

'farmers fees' has adversely affected the Authority's ability to properly execute drainage in areas along the Mahaicony façade.

In a statement yesterday, Charles informed that to date over $1B is owed to the entity in back charges by farmers, which adversely affects its ability to carry out timely drainage works in floodthreatened areas.

He further stated that farmers from First Savannah, in particular, had bluntly refused to pay their fees.

“Farmers have not been paying MMA, they have not.

Now, there was a period of time when we were doing all of these works and we were not receiving any money, but the Ministry of Finance has made it clear to us, that we have to collect the money owed from the farmers to carry out the necessary maintenance work.”

He said the MMA/ADA has been sending out notices to the farmers all along the Mahaicony River. However, some farmers in the First Savannah area have refused (continued on page 23)

Thursday August 22, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 17

PAGE 18

Kaieteur News

Thursday August 22, 2019

Kaieteur News

Thursday August 22, 2019

PAGE 19

Temporary runway lights damage tyres of American Airlines aircraft during midnight takeoff

CJIA yesterday said that it had issued warnings for pilots to be careful while in the vicinity of the threshold area of the runway.

The tyres of an American Airlines aircraft were damaged yesterday while turning for takeoff on the runway

A

n American Airlines (AA) plane was disabled yesterday and the Timehri airport closed for hours, after the tyres of the aircraft were badly damaged by temporary runway lights while turning before takeoff.

The Cheddi Jaga n International Airport (CJIA) later said that a notice had been issued to pilots to be cautious around the area.

This latest incident would have followed another, just over a week ago, in which an arriving AA plane was forced to divert to Trinidad after the runway lights went down. The airport had installed temporary lights while fixing the problem.

The entire airport, including the runway, is being renovated to the tune of US$150M, with the project dragging on for nine

years now. With regards to the incident yesterday, the airport explained that at approximately 00:34hrs, American Airlines flight AA1512, destined for Miami, was executing a turn on the RWY 06 threshold for takeoff.

“During the turn, the aircraft's nose gear and right main gear tyres were deflated after coming into contact with temporary threshold lights.

Old Age Pension to be deposited in banks from 2020 - Social Protection Minister

E

lderly citizens can expect that in 2 0 2 0 , Government will start depositing their pensions into their bank accounts.

According to Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally, “We want the best for our pensioners. They've worked long and hard. And in their old age, they must enjoy those benefits”.

She said that in the case of the elderly going to collect their pensions at the Post Office, they should face the least difficulty with uplifting those funds.

In some cases, she said, some persons go to the post office and are told that the post office doesn't have enough money to pay them.

This tends to happen more often to persons who live in remote communities. In those cases, she said, people have to go through a hassle to

travel from far-flung areas to reach the post office.

“The Ministry of Social Protection ensures that there is adequate money at the post office, for it to go to various locations long before pension day. It is the inefficiency, I would say, of the post office [that causes the cash shortage].”

Ally said that the Government is currently engaging the Guyana Association of Bankers to streamline the process of direct deposits.

“We couldn't do it this year…because it's a tedious exercise. And we are beginning to distribute pension books, early November.”

She explained that if a pensioner's money is distributed into his/her account, they will not be given a pension book.

“What we're going to

Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally start with is the new pensioners who have got to get pension for 2020.”

Before the year is out, Government will work on getting pensioners with existing accounts registered, so that they can have their deposits done in early 2020.

Ally said that that will ease the issue of pensioners having to travel far distances and stand in long lines to collect their money.

As a result, the aircraft became disabled, and the runway closed.”

The CJIA made it clear that these temporary threshold lights were put in place by the China Harbour Engineering Company, its contractor, to facilitate the runway extension works.

“The appropriate Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) was previously issued to advise of these works, and for pilots to exercise caution when in the vicinity of the threshold.

The 128 passengers and 5 crew members were transported from the aircraft to the terminal building via airport buses.”

According to CJIA, at 04:40hrs, the runway was reopened for flight operations following the relocation of the aircraft.

It was also disclosed that an internal investigation has been launched to determine the circumstances leading to the aircraft coming into

contact with the lights.

“The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority has also been called in to conduct an independent investigation.”

American Airlines is flying the Miami, Florida route and is set to introduce the New York leg in December.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 20

Thursday August 22, 2019

11 army officers to study engineering in China

P

resident David Granger yesterday afternoon at the Ministry of the Presidency, met 11 scholarship awardees of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) who will soon travel to the People's Republic of China to take up scholarships.

The Second Lieutenants will be pursuing studies in the fields of Industrial, Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering, Computer Science and Technology, Industrial, Electronic Information Engineering, Mechatronic Engineering, Bio-engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Chemical Engineering and Technology.

In his address to the awardees, President Granger said that the Defence Force is being restructured and reorganised to ensure that it is well-commanded, welltrained and well-equipped to perform this role.

The President said the Force's technical corps – the Air Corps, Engineer Corps, Intelligence Corps, and Signal Corps as well as the Coast Guard– are being improved and retooled, as part of this restructuring and reorganisation process.

President Granger said: "Improvements in the

President David Granger (centre); Cui Jianchun, Ambassador of the Republic of China to the Cooperative Republic of Guyana (left of President Granger), Ministers of Foreign Affairs and State, Dr. Karen Cummings (right of President Granger) and Mrs. Dawn Hastings-Williams (left of Chinese Ambassador) respectively, Chief of Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Patrick West (fourth right), and Director General Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon (third right) with the scholarship awardees. technical corps are necessary to develop a more modern and technologically-savvy Defence Force; to improve the Force's operational and organisational capacity; to support the work of the nontechnical arms of the Force; and to repel threats, including non-traditional threats along our borders."

Moreover, the Head of State said: "Just be ready to react effectively to traditional threats – incursions and to other forms of interventions. It (Guyana Defence Force) must be prepared also, to strengthen its capacity to respond to new and emerging threats, such as biological and

chemical warfare, cyber threats, electronic warfare, and environmental hazards. " President Granger said too that Guyana's doctrine of total national defence places emphasis, inter alia, on ensuring a body of scientifically-trained personnel to populate the

technical arms of the Force.

The continuous training of officers is a key element of this policy.

Similarly, Chief of Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Patrick West said that the 11 scholarships represent a historic milestone in the Defence Force. He reminded that it was President Granger

who charged the Force to explore opportunities for training and education in S c i e n c e , Te c h n o l o g y, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in order to develop the technical competence of its members and also to establish the Technical (continued on page 22)

Road construction sees farmers flocking to acquire farm lands at Millie's Hide Out

W

ith the start of construction a road leading to the Berbice River, farmers have been moving in their numbers to secure lands at Millie's Hide Out. In fact, the Regional Democratic Council [RDC] of Region 10 has been in receipt of more than 600 applications for land in recent weeks.

Speaking on this development this week was Regional Executive Officer [REO], Orrin Gordon.

According to Gordon, government had given the Region a sum of $13M towards the completion of some two miles of road leading to the Berbice River.

Already nine miles of road have been completed, a state of affairs that has started to arouse an abundance of interest in farm lands in that area.

This development comes as no surprise to Gordon. He is nevertheless pleased to see that more people are embracing the fact that agriculture is important to

Guyana's continued growth and development, particularly with the emerging oil and gas sector.

“We have received some 628 applications thus far and the number is increasing as more and more persons are becoming cognisant that agriculture is going to be a major block of revenue generation,” the REO said.

He disclosed that from the applications received, the region is already poised to distribute some 21,000 acres of land. But according to Gordon, the plans are farther reaching because, “if we get the green-light from the Lands and Survey we intend to cut a road at every mile post, at every road that we are doing at the creeks, and then we will give every serious farmer one acre each.

That is what we intend to do so they will not be getting a piece of land with bush, but rather, developed land that will aid their farming...this is what we are pushing for in 2020,” Gordon said.

Moreover, REO Gordon

asserted that the lands that the region intends to distribute are for serious farmers. For this reason, he said that there will be close monitoring and evaluation to ensure that only those who are genuine about farming can benefit. “ We a r e c l o s e l y monitoring the applications to ensure that serious persons who are interested in farming would receive land, as we are determined and very serious about advancing agricultural development here in Region 10,” said Gordon.

He added, “We are very heartened by the large number of persons who have already applied, and we foresee more persons continuing to apply as persons recognise that agriculture is important these days.”

But even with the evolving plans, there has been one glaring challenge.

Dubbing it the “greatest challenge”, the REO said that the work of the regional

REO Orrin Gordon [right] in discussion with Regional Chairman, Renis Morian [left], and Regional Vice Chairman, Elroy Adolph, during a recent tour of Millie's Hide Out. administration's efforts has been somewhat delayed because of the slow movement of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission.

“We expected Lands and

Surveys to move much faster, but they have not, and this is the greatest challenge that we are faced with in getting this project further advanced,” the REO said.

Given the foregoing

concern, Gordon said that the Region has reached out to Commissioner of Lands and Surveys, Trevor Benn, who has said that he will ensure that his staff increases the pace of the project.

Thursday August 22, 2019

PAGE 21

Kaieteur News

Property dispute at centre of 2014 Robb St. arson murders - Court hears A property dispute between a 75-year-old businessman and a family is at the centre of the trial of two men who are accused of the murders of Randolph Thomas and his two daughters Tressa Rozario, 14, and Feresa Rozario, 11, who were trapped in their home at Lot 65 Robb and King Streets, Georgetown, which was razed by a fire in the wee hours of November 17, 2014.

This was revealed during the testimony of John Pyneandy, who was called to testify against the businessman, Ganga Kishna, also known as, ‘Scientist’ and ‘Buddy’ and his employee, Avishkar Bissoon, whose trial commenced yesterday morning before Justice Brassington Reynolds and a 12-person jury at the High Court in Demerara.

The state has indicted the duo for three counts of murder. They have pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleged that on November 17, 2014, in the county of Demerara, they murdered Tressa and Feresa Rozario during the course of a fire.

They have also denied another charge which alleges that between November 17, 2014 and December 21, 2014, in the county of Demerara, they murdered Randolph Thomas, during the furtherance of a fire.

The men are being represented by lawyers Dexter Todd and Mursaline Bacchus.

State Prosecutor Seeta Bishundial in her opening remarks to the jury stated that the sisters and their father were asleep around 2am when their home was set on fire.

Based on reports, the sisters were trapped in the early morning inferno. Thomas, 63, managed to jump through a window to escape the flames.

He, however, sustained second and third degree burns and later succumbed - on December 21, 2014 - while receiving treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

During his testimony, Pyneandy, who said he has been a businessman for over 20 years, told the court that during 2014, he operated a beverage depot, ice cream parlour and restaurant at the lower flat of the premises at Lot 65 Robb and King Streets, which he described as a threestorey wooden and concrete structure which had no electricity from the Guyana Power and Light.

He said that only source of electricity for the family who lived in the top flat was a 12-volt battery which they used to power several fluorescent tubes. He also said

that he renovated the lower flat of the building after an agreement between him and Jeffrey Thomas, Randolph Thomas’s brother, who sold palm trees at the premises.

The witness told the jury that a few months prior to him establishing the business, he saw Ganga Kishna at the premises with a blow torch in his hand. He said that the equipment was hooked up to two 100-pound gas cylinders that were inside of his car.

He recalled, “Two other boys were present with him (Kishna). They were cutting the locks and grills off of the hinges from my business. The police (ranks who were at the scene) warned them to stop, but they ignored the police and continued to cut. The police got a little more aggressive with them and that was when they stopped.”

At this point, the witness recalled that Kishna went into his car and retrieved some documents which he showed to the police, telling them that he was the owner of the building.

According to Pyneandy, “I told the police that it wasn’t his building and the police told us to accompany them to the Brickdam Police Station.

We met woman Sergeant Lewis who documented the issue in the Occurrence Book.” He added that Kishna was warned by woman Sergeant Lewis to refrain from going to the premises and to let the court deal with the matter. However, Pyneandy recalled that Kishna returned

two days later and began using threatening language.

“I came out and met him there, and he was talking to a couple of people there saying that the property is his own. I approached him and asked him to leave, and he turned to me and said that the property is his own and that he was not going to leave.”

Pyneandy said he replied and told Kishna, “You’re a mad man” and he responded, “You’re going to see who is a mad man when I burn it (the building).”

The witness recalled, “I made a phone call to the Brickdam Police Station and spoke to Sergeant Lewis and she sent a patrol. He (Kishna) was taken to the Brickdam Police Station Enquiries Office. I followed behind the patrol in my vehicle. Sergeant Lewis warned him (Kishna) again. When we were leaving the station together, Ganga Kishna told me that I will regret all the monies I have invested in the building.”

According to Pyneandy, Kishna told him, “The first time I burnt it (the building) it didn’t come down, but this time I will bring it down.”

“You will go to jail,” the witness said he responded to Kishna, who replied; “I will get people to burn it.”

Asked by the prosecutor to detail what transpired on the day in question, Pyneandy recalled, “That morning I received a phone call from one of my staff. I left in a hurry and went down to (Continued on page 24)

MURDER ACCUSED: Avishkar Bissoon MURDER ACCUSED: Ganga Kishna

PAGE 22

Thursday August 22, 2019

Kaieteur News

11 army officers to study engineering in...

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From page 20 Corps. "Some of these areas, despite being new to the GDF, are currently employed in the world at large. I am therefore certain that the education and exposure granted will see us beginning to achieve the aim of building the capacity of the Technical Corps," Brigadier West said.

The Chief of Staff explained that the Force had only one prior instance where officers were granted extensive scholarships. Those awardees were members of SOC 16 who departed for Romaina and Russia immediately after commissioning in

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1985.

Brigadier West thanked China's Ambassador to Guyana, Chi Jianchun for the support provided to the Force.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Jianchun said with the scholarships, Guyana and China's cooperation is deepened. He urged the recipients to cherish the opportunities provided to them and to be good Guyanese ambassadors.

"Guyana has a bright future...Guyana and China have a great foundation...share your experiences," the Ambassador said. (Ministry of the Presidency)

Thursday August 22, 2019

PAGE 23

Kaieteur News

Remainder of bids at NPTAB from Tuesday, August 20 (Continued from Page 11 on Wednesday, August 21, 2019 edition) Rehabilitation of Allied Arts Building (Retender)

Rehabilitation of Heavy Duty GH Timber Bridge, Konawaruk Sub Region, Potaro Siparuni Region

Extension (Single Flat BLG) to Mahdia Primary School, Potaro Siparuni Region

Rehabilitation of Roadways Paramakatoi to Monkey Mountains Potaro Siparuni Region

Rehabilitation of Connecting End Posts

Extension to Chenapou Primary School, Potaro Siparuni

Construction of Asphalt Plant Administrative & Quality Control laboratory building, Garden of Eden, E.B.D

MMA/ADA says farmers...

Ministry of Communities Consultancy for the Preparation plan of Action for Regional Development for:Lot 1- East Berbice-Corentyne Region Lot 2- Barima -Waini Region Lot 3- Potaro-Siparuni Region Lot 4- Cuyuni-Mazaruni Region

From page 16 to pay what they owe.

“If we are supposed to collect $100M, to cover the cost of maintenance, and we only collect $60M, it means we can only do 60% of the works, it's simple, we can only do 60%, the 40% has to come from the farmers who are not paying,” Charles stated.

In response to this, however, farmers yesterday said they were told by MMA/ADA officials that only when projects are completed, and their areas become developed, they would be required to pay the aforementioned fees.

They said that no development works were done in their areas, until yesterday, after this publication carried an article where farmers claimed $7M in losses of their rice crop due to flood waters.

Charles yesterday refuted these claims, stating that he had employees in the area who had not reported any cases of losses at that location.

Farmers were irate over that statement, saying that such claims were untrue.

They explained that they were presently trying to save rice crops by attempting to pump excess water from their fields. The farmers also maintained their story that a protective dam which would have prevented flooding was left unfinished for years, thus opening their rice-producing location to flooding during heavy rainfall.

Meanwhile Drainage and Irrigation, Manager of the MMA/ADA, Mahendranauth Ramjit explained that the authority has been trying its best to meet with the farmers. He said that the entity had even proposed a payment plan option, which the farmers have also refused. He said that for the past two weeks, unusual and high rainfall has been pounding the area, and they have dispatched an excavator from NDIA that has been assisting individual farmers in improving the low spots on the land and clear-

ing the drains so they can have faster drainage.

The First Savannah farmers noted that yesterday was the first time an excavator was sent to their location. They said they also received a surprise visit by the Drainage and Irrigation Manager and General Manager of MMA/ADA. Farmers said they were hoping for the best, since it will take three to four days to clear all excess water from flooded rice fields for any hope of saving their rice crop.

Meanwhile MMA/ ADA sources have informed that in addition, the Pine Ground Pump Station has been working around the clock for the past two weeks to assist with faster drainage along the façade.

They said that the engineering team had identified some threats to overtopping along some points of the canal, and the aim is to reinforce these weak points as fast as they can.

PAGE 24

Kaieteur News

Thursday August 22, 2019

GECOM House-to-House registration talks do not bear fruit - Commissioners to meet again tomorrow Despite three hours of discussions at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Headquarters in Kingston yesterday, the Commissioners failed to reach a decision on the way forward as regards the holding of General and Regional Elections.

The discussions were scheduled for GECOM officials, led by Chairman of the Commission, retired Justice Claudette Singh, to deliberate on the written ruling of Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George.

The Commission was expected to examine possible election scenarios put for-

ward by Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield, to advise the President on the way forward. However, Government-appointed Commissioner, Vincent Alexander, told the media that the lengthy talks bore no fruit. Commissioners Alexander, Desmond Trotman and Charles Corbin

were the first to leave GECOM’s office.

The three commissioners appeared glum as they exited the building and held a discourse in the compound before speaking with members of the press.

Commenting on the process, Alexander noted that the discussions on the way forward have commenced.

“I think we were frank [each party] arguing our own positions, but at this point it is an incomplete discourse…”

Alexander said, as he disclosed that the deliberations will continue tomorrow.

He noted that the question of the continuance of Houseto-House registration dominated the talks.

“There is only one aspect of the Chief Justice’s ruling that we were able to discuss: that is the whole question of the role of House- to- House registration in the process of general elections.”

Asked whether the Commission will make a determination by tomorrow, Alexander said, “We prefer in the interest of taking the process forward, preferably not to make public disclosures”.

Pressed further on the presentations made, Alexander disclosed that the Chief Elections Officer presented various elections scenarios, but there is need for clarifications.

Alexander concluded, “I will say to you that we have in fact referred the CEO for further clarifications on scenarios.”

Meanwhile, Opposition appointed elections Commissioners Bibi Shadick and Sase Gunraj declined to divulge information on the meeting.

“All we can say is that we will meet again on Friday,” Shadick stated as she exited the compound.

Last week, in her ruling, Chief Justice George declared that the current house-tohouse registration exercise embarked upon by the Commission is legal.

Justice George held that not only is GECOM a constitutional creature, it is also an independent body, and the court cannot interfere with the manner in which it executes its function, unless it is found to be unconstitutional.

She had delivered judgment in a challenge mounted

by Attorney-at-law Christopher Ram, who had petitioned the High Court for a Conservatory Order prohibiting GECOM from conducting or continuing to conduct the current house-to-house registration process, which he deemed unconstitutional in light of previous court decisions which deemed the December 21 No-Confidence Motion valid. Ram also sought another Conservatory

Order compelling GECOM immediately to take all steps and actions necessary and requisite to hold General and Regional Elections on or before the September 18.

Ram sought the order on the basis that the current registration exercise and failure to hold elections by September 18 would be in violation of Article 106 (6) and (7) of the Constitution and also the ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in the NoConfidence Motion appeals.

However, in her ruling, Chief Justice George “I don’t see how the house-to-house registration exercise violates Article 106 (6) and (7). The CEO (Chief Elections Officer) of GECOM has no role to play in relation to Article 106 (6) and in regards to Article 106 (7). GECOM could conduct the house-to-house registration or any other verification in the circumstance following the No-Confidence Motion.

There is nothing in the Elections Law (Amendment) Act (ELA) or the National Registration Act (NRA), which suggests that the registration exercise was unconstitutional.”

According to Justice George, since GECOM is an independent body it can conduct house-to-house registration, as a means provided to it for verification of the list of voters to compile the Official List of Electors.

Property dispute at centre of 2014...

From page 21 Robb and King Streets. When I approached the building I saw the whole top flat (where the family resided) and the middle floor were on fire. It was already burnt out. The businessman said that he did not see Thomas or his two daughters.”

The witness told the court that later that same day he went back to the station to tender CCTV footage he obtained from one Mr. Khan who resided a short dis-

tance from the property. He revealed that the building was not insured. Asked by Prosecutor Bishundial if he would be able to identify the man who was holding the blow torch, Pyneandy replied in the affirmative, and looked around the courtroom from where he pointed to Ganga Kishna who was seated in the prisoner’s dock clad in a blue chequered shirt and black pants. Pyneandy explained that he had known Kishna for

15 to 16 years prior to 2014.

As it related to Avishkar Bissoon, Pyneandy said that he knew him, since he was an employee of Kishna, and he would see him every day cutting steel and welding iron a short distance from his business place. He recalled that Bissoon was one of the men cutting the grill of the hinges to his business place.

This trial is continuing and is projected to last for several weeks.

Thursday August 22, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 25

PAGE 26

Thursday August 22, 2019

Kaieteur News

In Venezuela, Guaidó questions Maduro claims about US talks

Opposition leader Juan Guaidó (L) and President Nicolás Maduro CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó yesterday cast doubt on President Nicolás Maduro’s claim that he is overseeing secret talks with the United States, saying it only reflects disarray within the Venezuelan government.

Guaidó spoke a day after Maduro and President Donald Trump said highlevel officials in their respective administrations have been meeting about

ending the South American nation’s deepening crisis.

Neither Maduro nor Trump mentioned anything about Guaidó, whom the United States and more than 50 other nations reco g n i z e a s Ve n e z u e l a ’s rightful president. In his first public remarks about the matter, Guaidó said the Venezuelan government was dysfunctional and that its hardliners would be disappointed to hear about alleged talks with the U.S. “What’s clear are the

contradictions of the regime,” he said at an event in Caracas.

“How many times have we see n h o w d i s o r g a nized the regime is? If they’ve been effective in anything, its communications, propaganda, lies for years.”

Guaidó referred to a tweet yesterday by U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton, who said Maduro must be removed and that the talks don’t involve him.

Thursday August 22, 2019

PAGE 27

Kaieteur News

England to play Windies, Pakistan as part of Test Championship next year

England’s Jofra Archer celebrates with team mates after taking the wicket of Australia’s David Warner. (Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra)

Thursday August 22, 2019 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Your flamboyant approach may not get as much attention today as you'd like, Aries. Don't push yourself to achieve something that isn't working.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) You have exactly the right amount of discipline and sense of duty to accomplish quite a bit today, Taurus. Your thinking should be clear.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Trying to talk your way out of tasks and obligations probably isn't the best way to win friends today, Gemini.

In fact, this is a time to get yourself in gear and take responsibility for your actions.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Just when you thought you had everything figured out and planned correctly, another obstacle appears, Cancer. Your first reaction may be to get upset.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) The fire within you may be burning brightly, Leo, but unfortunately, there isn't a great deal of fuel available to keep it going. It may seem as if people are trying to rain on your parade, but they're just trying to do their duty.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You may find that other people are the missing variable in the equation that you seek answers to today, Virgo. Don't feel like you have to come up with all the details and resolutions yourself.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) By jumping around from place to place, Libra, you may end up feeling like you're getting nowhere. Instead of tackling many different tasks, today is better spent focusing your energy on one.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Make a plan at the beginning of the day for what you want to accomplish by sundown, Scorpio. This is a good time to tackle many of the nitpicky tasks that require your attention.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You might have to adjust your way of thinking in order to match the energy of the situations around you.

While you may feel a desire to strike out into some new, adventurous activity, there's a strong resistance asking you to be more cautious and stable.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Your steady nature will be greatly appreciated today, Capricorn. A well thought out plan of attack is the one that wins approval from the higher-ups.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) It's possible that you're feeling obliged to do something out of a sense of duty toward family or loved ones, Aquarius.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Your thinking is clear today, Pisces, but it might be hard to take action on your thoughts.

(Reuters) - England will host the West Indies and Pakistan in a total of six test matches from June-August 2020 as part of the inaugural ICC World Test Championship, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said yesterday.

The competition involves the nine top-ranked test nations competing in a league between July 2019 and April 2021, with the top two sides progressing to the final which will be held in England in June 2021.

“The ICC World Test Championship will add significance and context to the test series against West Indies and Pakistan,” ECB chief executive officer Tom Harrison said in a

statement.

“Where every test matters, there will be lots of points to play for as England continue their efforts to reach the World Test Championship final.”

England begin their 2020 programme with three t e s t s a g a i n s t t h e We s t Indies, with the first match starting at The Oval on June 4, followed by matches at Edgbaston and Lords.

They then face Australia in three Twenty20 internationals starting July 3 with both teams looking ahead to the T20 World Cup Down Under. The 50-overs world champions then play Australia in three One-Day

internationals.

A three-test series with Pakistan starting July 30 at Lords will be followed by three T20s against the same opponents and three ODIs against Ireland.

England schedule 2020: West Indies: First test: June 4-8, The Oval Second test: June 12-16, Edgbaston Third test: June 25-29, Lord s Australia: First T20: July 3, Chesterle-Street Second T20: July 5, Old Trafford Third T20: July 7, Headingley.

First ODI: July 11, Lords Second ODI: July 14, Rose Bowl Third ODI: July 16, Bristol Pakistan: First test: July 30-August 3, Lords Second test: August 7-11, Old Trafford Third test: August 20-24, Trent Bridge First T20: August 29, Headingley Second T20: August 31, Sophia Gardens Third T20: September 2, Rose Bowl Ireland: First ODI: September 10, Trent Bridge Second ODI: September 12, Edgbaston Third ODI: September 15, The Oval

Guyanese Women...

From page 28 stage, lost 11-5, 11-6, 11-6 to Joe Chapman after Caribbean Under-15 Champion Shomari Wiltshire had destroyed Tony Campbell 11-1, 11, 112.

Jason Ray Khalil beat Dion Anselm 11-7, 11-3, 118, while Nyron Joseph beat Jonathon Ado 11-2, 11-1, 11-1 and Deje Dias won by default. Earlier at the Opening Ceremony, the competing teams (host Guyana, T&T, Bdos, Cayman Islands, Bermuda & Jamaica) participated in the March past before Deputy Director of Sports Mellissa Dow-Richardson, Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) President K Juman Yassin and Head of the Guyana Squash Association (GSA) David Fernandes all addressed the gathering.

Today from 09:00hrs Guyanas Mens team oppose T&T, while the Women play Cayman Islands at noon.

(Sean Devers)

PAGE 28

Thursday August 22, 2019

Kaieteur News

Team 2019 Senior CASA Squash tourney

Guyanese Women sweep BVI, Men win 4-1 Mary Fung-a-Fat

T

eam Guyana got off to auspicious start in the team event of the 2019 Senior CASA Squash tournament yesterday when their Womens team made a clean of the British Virgin Islands and the men beat the same opponents 4-1 in the evening session at the Georgetown Club on Camp Street.

Led the sensational and still super fit 36 year-old Nicolette Fernandes, who on Tuesday Night showed Caribbean number one seed 17year-old Bajan Megan Best who was really the best by winning her sixth Caribbean Singles title, Guyana beat BVI 5-nil.

Up first, Nicolette beat Zoe Sorrentino in three straight games, 11-6, 11-4, 113 as the Canadian born Guyanese show signs of her work on the previous night.

In the second match, Mary Fung-a-Fat whipped Natalie Fay 11-3, 11-3, 11-4 before Taylor Fernandes, beaten in the Singles Semis

by Best, destroyed Nicole Toppin 11-2,11-2, 11-1.

Larissa Wilshire and Ashley DeGroot won by default in the morning session which commenced at 09:00hrs In other match yesterday morning, Trinidad & Tobago, led by wins from Charlotte Knaggs, MarieClaire Barcant, Jaime-Leigh Edghill and Melody Gillezeau, beat Bermuda 40.

Meanwhile, in the evening session, a large and raucous crowd, which were entertained by pulsating music from the sound s y s t e m a n d t h e Ta s s a Drummers, saw Guyana Mens team beat the British Virgin Islands (BVI) 4-1 with the only player to lose being the experienced Richard Chin.

The 49-year-old Chin, who was knocked out at the Men s Singles Semi-final (Continued on page 27)

Nicolette Fernandes

Taylor Fernandes Guyana’s Jason Ray Khalil beat Dion Anselm of the BVI.

North Rupununi Heritage Football Qualification Tourney

Paiwomak FC and FC Strikers register comprehensive wins as action gets underway

15-year-old Shomari Wiltshire destroyed Tony Campbell 3-0.

Goal scorers for Paiwomak FC, Odeen Alfred, Von Hardin, Sheral Daniels and Brimley Moses.

Richard Chin lost to Joe Chapman.

Paiwomak Warriors Football Club (PWFC) and FC Strikers recorded resounding wins over Challengers Football Club and FC Basin respectively when the 2019 North Rupununi Heritage Football Qualification Tournament got underway, rec e n t l y .

In Group A action played on Saturday last at Kwatamang Sports Ground, 2019 RFA Female League champions PWFC comfortably defeated Challengers FC 4-0 with forward Samanta Roberts netting a hat-trick in the 10th, 21st and 58th minutes.

Janet Wenceslaus rounded off the score for PWFC in the 85th minute in a match in which the score line did not accurately reflect how close the match was.

Meanwhile, in the male encounter, Paiwomak FC brushed off the preseason rust by thrashing Challengers FC 5-1 with Odeen Alfred scor-

ing a brace (33rd and 42nd), Von Hardin contributed his goal in the 50th minute with Sheral Daniels inking his name on the score sheet in the 65th minute and Brimley Moses, 78th minute.

Vibert Salty registered Challengers FC consolation goal in the 68th minute which now leaves the club in a must win situation when they take on Surama FC this Sunday at Surama Sports Ground in their next match.

In Group B play, contested at the Aranaputa Sports Ground on Sunday last, a fast paced and physical encounter between Basin F.C. and F.C Strikers female teams ended in a 11 stalemate.

Murissa Vanlong broke the deadlock for FC Basin in the 65th minute but FC Strikers neutralized proceedings a mere two minutes from full time through a close range effort off the boot of Christine Bartholomew just when

it seemed that FC Basin were on their way to pulling off an upset win.

In the male showdown, defending North Rupununi champions, FC Basin were overrun by a youthful and fit FC Strikers unit, Naidson Daniels leading the victory charge with a brace in the 26th and 36th minutes and a beautiful solo strike from Steven Glasgow in the 78th minute to close out a comfortable 3-0 win for FC Strikers.

FC Basin will now look to bounce back in their second match which will be played this Saturday at the Yakarinta Sports Ground where newcomers Spartans FC could face a potential baptism of fire against an FC Basin, aiming to bounce back with a big win.

The male and female winners of the tournament will represent the North Rupununi at this years Rupununi Football Association Regional Heritage Football tournament.

Thursday August 22, 2019

PAGE 29

Kaieteur News

Ugly ending to Capital FC versus Botafago U-23 game, Buxton United cop U-15 title, Botafago females beat rest side

Osmond Cummings Memorial Football

Part of crowd at the football at Silvertown All Stars ground Sunday.

Osmond Cummings Memorial Organization hands backpacks with school supplies to children in Silvertown.

A

n unfortunate ending resulted in the main frame of an Under-23 encounter when Capital FC were leading Botafago FC 2-0, a Capital FC player Kevin Dornique suffered a broken left foot caused by a dangerous tackle from Qualon Andrews representing Botafago. The incident brought a premature

end to the Osmond Cummings Memorial football proceedings Sunday at the Silvertown ground in Linden.

This incident has now been referred to the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) for attention by Nigel Mice Cummings who heads the Osmond Cummings Memorial Organisation.

The day began with the visiting Buxton United Under-15 team disposing of their opponents to garb the Under-15 title.

In their first game the Buxton United side brushed aside the challenge of the Rickland Hutson Leadership Academy 4-0 with goals coming from Colin Hendricks, Makaya Jarvis and Rodwell

Weekes and Osafao Moore.

They then crushed the team out of the mines, Coomacka 8-0, with Colin Fredericks gaining a hat-trick, Makaya Jarvis and Anyika Headley the others.

In the lone female encounter Botafago won 2-0 over a rest combination with Sherilyn Kingston, Cliffana Hunter and Tenacia Williams

being the scorers.

Following this was the game between Botafago and Capital FC at the Under 23 level.

Andrews, who reportedly plays for Eagles United, was asked to suit up for Botafago who apparently could not field their regular players at the time.

Reports are that Andrews

was even given a yellow card moments before the unwise challenge which broke the foot of Dornique.

The next day the organisation distributed 150 backpacks with school supplies to kids in Silvertown and five food hampers were handed to the elderly in the area where the Botafago FC Club has a its home.

Jason Holder, Deandra Dottin dominate CWI awards ESPNcricinfo - Jason Holder was the biggest winner at the West Indies Players’ Association/Cricket West Indies annual awards night held on August 19 in Antigua, scooping up the Player of the Year as well as the Test Player of the Year awards. Shai Hope was named the ODI Player of the Year for a second successive time, while seam-bowling allrounder Keemo Paul was recognised as the T20 Player of the Year.

Allrounder Deandra Dottin also won big, securing the women’s T20 and ODI Player of the Year awards. Meanwhile, 22year-old tearaway Oshane Thomas was named the Emerging Player of the Year.

Performances between April 2018 and March 2019 were taken into consideration.

In February this year, Holder became the first West Indies player to become the top-ranked Test allrounder since Sir Garry Sobers in 1974 and claimed 778 rating points, the highest by any West Indies bowler since Courtney Walsh in 2001.

And in January, Holder had made an unbeaten 202 the third-highest score batting at No. 8 or lower in Test cricket - against England in

front of his home crowd in Barbados. All told, Holder hit 565 runs in eight Test matches and claimed 40 wickets, including four five-wicket hauls, during the period.

Hope amassed 757 runs in 15 innings in ODI cricket at an average of 63.08, including three hundreds and three fifties, during the period.

After being plucked out of the CPL, Thomas made his international debut for West Indies in Guwahati in 2018 and added a cutting edge to the seam attack, the highlight being the maiden five-for against England in Gros Islet.

Six months after becoming the No. 1 allrounder in w o m e n ’s T 2 0 I s , D o t t i n dominated the awards for women, taking back the Women’s Player of the Year award.

In ODIs during the period, Dottin made 207 runs in six innings in addition to taking 15 wickets with the ball.

In T20Is, she bagged figures of 5 for 5 - her best in this format.

Offspin-bowling allrounder Rahkeem Cornwall, who recently broke into West Indies’ Test squad, was named the Championship Player of the Year, while star

allrounder Andre Russell was adjudged Caribbean T20 Player of the Year.

Nineteen-year-old left-arm spinner Joshua Bishop, who was snapped up by Barbados Tridents in the CPL draft in May, won the Under-19 Player of the Year award.

List of award winners · Test player of the year: Jason Holder · ODI player of the year: Shai Hope · T20 player of the year: Keemo Paul · Emerging player of the year: Oshane Thomas · Women’s T20I player of the year: Deandra Dotin · Women’s ODI player of the year: Deandra Dottin · First-class team of the year: Guyana · Championship player of the year: Rakheem Cornwall · Super 50 Player of the year: Yanick Ottley · Caribbean T20 player of the year: Andre Russell · Under-19 player of the year: Joshua Bishop · Under-19 team of the year: Trinidad & Tobago · Umpire of the year: Joel Wilson · Player of the Year: Jason Holder · Women’s player of the Year: Deandra Dottin

PAGE 30

Thursday August 22, 2019

Kaieteur News

Getting batting order right key for England in Smith absence LEEDS, England (Reuters) - The absence through injury of leading Australia batsman Steve Smith gives England a golden chance to level the Ashes series in the third test at Headingley, but the hosts must resolve their own batting problems first.

Smith, who averages 126 in the series which Australia lead 1-0, was struck by a bouncer from fast bowler Jofra Archer in the first innings of the second test at Lords and was replaced by “concussion sub” Marnus Labuschagne for the second innings.

Initially, Smith passed a concussion test and was allowed to return to the field and complete his innings, but his condition worsened and Cricket Australia (CA) confirmed he is not fit to play in the third test, which starts today.The absence of a man who has proven almost immovable so far this series will give England a boost, given Matthew Wade is the only other Australian batsman with a century and only two others have passed 50.

However, England have their own issues to address.

Questions remain over their top order, with Jason Roy, a specialist opening batsman in one-day cricket, continuing to struggle.

“Opening the batting in a test in England should be a specialist position yet someone like Jason Roy will probably only come off once in about 20 innings playing the way he does at the top of the order,” former England captain Nasser Hussain wrote in

England’s JoeRoot and Sam Curran during nets at Headingley. (Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith)

England’s Jofra Archer during nets at Headingley.

(Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith) the Daily Mail newspaper.

“He is obviously a special talent in white-ball cricket but at this level against the moving ball I maintain Roys best position in test cricket is in the middle order.”

England have named the same 12-man squad for the third test in West Yorkshire, but it does appear they are considering moving Roy down the order.

“We think weve got the best seven batters available to us,” England coach Trevor Bayliss said. “Whether we can change it round and make that (order) any better, Im not sure, but well certainly have a discussion about it.

“Personally, I think he (Roy) probably is suited to the middle order.”

Roy produced his most convincing innings of his fledgling international test career when scoring 72 batting at number three against Ireland, as opposed to 45 runs

from five innings when opening.

CHANGING ORDER Moving Roy will likely see Joe Denly open, with the pressure mounting on the 33-yearold given his highest score of the series is 30 so far.

Captain Joe Root is another who has not reached his usual high level, averaging less than 25. Moving him further down the order to number four, his usual position, is also a possibility.

“We are going to lose arguably our bes t b a t t e r, ” Australia coach Justin Langer said. “It is not unlike England losing James Anderson, hes arguably their best bowler. You take your best players out it always has an impact.”

With England able to replace Anderson with the ferocious Archer in the last test, both teams remained evenly matched, with England almost able to sneak victory

Defending champs Osaka, Djokovic are No. 1 seeds for US Open NEW YORK (AP) Defending champions Naomi Osaka and Novak Djokovic are the No. 1 seeds f o r singles play in the U.S. Open.

Osaka, who beat Serena Williams in last year’s final for her first Grand Slam title, recently regained the t o p s p o t i n t h e WTA rankings from Ash Barty.

Barty is the No. 2 seed, followed by Karolina Pliskova, Wimbledon champion Simona Halep and Elina Svitolina.Williams was given the No. 8 seed Wednesday by the U.S. Tennis Association.

Madison Keys, the 2017 runner-up who just won the Western & Southern Open, rounds out the top 10 seeds.

Djokovic, bidding for his second straight major title, is followed by fellow past U.S. Open champions Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. Dominic Thiem is No. 4 and surging

on the final day.

Taking Smiths runs out of the equation should, in

theory, give England the edge, but there is hope for Australia in Smiths likely replace-

ment Labuschagne, who scored a gritty 59 as Australia saw out the draw at Lords.

Trophy Stall assists Caribbean Karate tourney

T

he Trophy Stall continued its sup port for sports locally by recently committing to supporting the Guyana Karate Federations (GKF) IKD Caribbean Cup competition, which will be held this weekend at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH).

This Caribbean Cup competition will see Karatekas competing for championship honours in both junior and senior categories.

Speaking at the Trophy Stalls South Road, Georgetown location on Tuesday, proprietor Ramesh Sunich highlighted that the

company is always elated to be an ally of sport.

Chief Instructor and Chairman of the Guyana Karate College, Frank Woon-ATai expressed heartfelt gratitude to Sunich and his company for the kind gesture.

The IKD Caribbean Cup is expected to commence tomorrow with training sessions and seminars. The competition days are Saturday, August 24 and Sunday, August 25. Woon-A-Tai anticipates that this tournament will not only be large, but will contribute to Guyanas Sport Tourism sector.

With students coming

from the Transport Karate Club and the YMCA, Guyanas contingent is expected to be in excess of 100 students.

Thus Woon-A-Tai believes that Guyana has the capacity to do well in this tournament, especially since the event is being hosted on home turf.

Other countries participating in this tournament are: Trinidad and Tobago, from whom 79 students are expected to come; Barbados with a total of 74, St. Vincent and the Grenadines (25); and other smaller islands which would also be in attendance.

Hero CPL and BTMI announce prize of a lifetime

Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, tosses the ball on a serve to Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, during the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019, in Mason, Ohio. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) Daniil Medvedev, who won the title outside Cincinnati last week in what was his third straight tournament reaching

the final, is fifth.

The draw will be held today and main-draw play begins Monday.

The Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) have teamed up to give lucky cricket fans the prize of a lifetime. Not only will they win a dream trip to the beautiful island of Barbados for seven nights of sun, sea and adventure, the winners will also get to take in a CPL match at the iconic and world famous Kensington Oval. And they wont be at the match alone! They will be watching a game at the Biggest Party in Sport, with some of the best players in the world, with a legend of Barbados cricket. For any cricket fan, this is as good as it gets.

The prize will include two return flights to Barbados, a

seven night bed and breakfast stay at one of the islands fantastic hotels, tickets to a CPL match and the chance to meet one of the greatest cricketers who has ever played the game.

Winning the prize could not be any simpler, all you need to do is to like the Hero CPL Facebook page and look out for the post you need to comment on with an answer to a cricket trivia question.

Damien Donohoe, CEO of Hero CPL said: “Barbados is one of the most wonderful places to visit in the world, and the Kensington Oval is simply dripping with cricketing history. We cannot wait to welcome the winner of this once in a lifetime prize to

the Biggest Party in Sport and we are certain that this is an experience they will never forget.”

William Billy Griffith, CEO of the BTMI, added: “We are always proud to partner with CPL to showcase our culture of cricket, and of course our wonderful destination. What visitors love about Barbados is that they can come for a lovely game of cricket, and stay to explore the fun and adventure the island has to offer.”

This competition is open to residents of United Kingdom, Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, Guyana, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, USA, Canada, Bermuda, Grenada and Antigua.

Thursday August 22, 2019

PAGE 31

Kaieteur News

Mix Up win GDA fund Limacol football tournament raising tourney set for launch today

Mix Up chalked up 54 games to win the final of the Georgetown Dominoes Association (GDA) four-game fund raising tournament which culminated recently at Turning Point.

Led by Rawl Peters and Mark Wiltshire with 11 and 10 games respectively, Mix Up won the final ahead of Players with 45 and Phantom 41.

Earl Mars and Colin Stevens made 11 and nine games in that order for Players, while David Solomon and Rawl Cameron scored 11 and 10 games respectively for Phantom.

Mix Up marked 49 games to win the semi final encounter against second placed Phantom on 46 and Gold for Money 42. Rawl Peters scored 11 games for Mix Up, while Gilbert Mendonca contributed nine. Phantoms leading players were Colin Cave with 12 and Rawl Cameron nine. Shawn Morgan scored 11 and Kanhai Samaroo made eight for Gold for Money. Proceeds from the tournament will go towards purchasing school supplies for students preparing for the new school year.

Meanwhile, Senior Organising Secretary of the GDA Mark Wiltshire will be hosting his mid-year tournament starting on Sunday at Turning Point at 14:30hrs.

Entrance fee is $12,000 and the winning team will take home $175,000 and a trophy

-Wiltshire mid year tourney starts on Sunday

Flashback - Police FC, Limacol 2018 Champions.

Senior Organising Secretary of the GDA Mark Jumbie Wiltshire (left) accepts the second place trophy from Raymond Alli of All Seasons Racing Service. compliments of Edison Jefford, the runner up team will pocket $75,000 and a trophy courtesy of All Seasons Racing Service and third place

$35,000 and a trophy sponsored by Trophy Stall. The tournament will conclude on Monday night at Dynasty Sports bar.

Angostura Lemon Lime and Bitters joins CPL as official refreshment partner The Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) T20 welcomes Angostura® Lemon Lime & Bitters as the Refreshment Partner for the 2019 tournament. Drinks breaks will be named LLB breaks, and the brand will have Refreshment Zones at CPL T20 matches.

Angostura® Lemon Lime and Bitters will be looking to refresh fans across the region during the Twenty20 cricket tournament which takes place from 4 September to 12 October 2019.

The House of Angostura is well known worldwide for its Angostura® aromatic bitters and has incorporated that flavour into its now popular beverage Angostura® Lemon Lime and Bitters. Associated with sport and the cricket fraternity for several years, the brand boasts of having legendary cricketer Brian Charles Lara as one of its first ambassadors.

CPL Commercial Director,

Jamie Stewart commented, “It is wonderful news for fans and for the CPL that Angostura® Lemon, Lime & Bitters, one of the regions great & truly global brands, is joining the CPL Partner family. As a young Australian growing up in Perth in the 1970s, LLB as it was known was an extremely popular drink mixed by bartenders around the country. It is a true pleasure all these years later to welcome this tremendous company and its signature offering Angostura® Lemon Lime and Bitters as the “Refreshment Partner” of CPL. Fans have lots of fun opportunities to look forward to as both parties look to bring this longterm partnership to life.

On the introduction of Angostura® Lemon Lime and Bitters to the tournament, Chairman of Angostura Holdings Limited, Mr. Terrence Bharath, stated, “As we celebrate our 195th year as a

company, the House of Angostura is proud to collaborate with the Caribbean Premier League as the Refreshment Partner of the Tournament through our Angostura® Lemon Lime and Bitters (LLB) brand. With both entities having significant global reach, we are extremely excited to bring the exhilaration of the CPL T20 tournament to the Caribbean and the rest of the world, in line with the growth aspirations for our Angostura® Lemon Lime and Bittersbrand and maximizing our marketing efforts. We look forward to this thrilling partnership”. The company is also focused on sport and youth development and will partner with the CPL to host a cricket youth camp in its home market of Trinidad and Tobago.

The 2019 CPL gets underway on Wednesday 4 September at the Queens Park Oval in Trinidad and Tobago.

The 2019 Limacol football tournament is set to be launched today at the Ministry of Education (MOE) ground on Carifesta Avenue.

The event will follow the same round-robin knockout format with 12 teams being divided in three groups of four.

The top two teams and the best two third placed teams

will qualify for the quarterfinals.

Last year, Police Football Club took the championship honours from Camptown FC after beating Pouderoyen FC 4-2 in the final. Police entered the competition as the favourites to clinch the grand $600,000 first place cash prize.

Pouderoyen pocketed $300,000 for their second

place finish. Riddim Squad edged Santos FC in the third place final to finish the tournament with $150,000 while Santos walked away with $75,000.

Police FCs Anthio Wallace who netted a hat-trick in the final was adjudged the Most Valuable Player of the tournament that is backed by the New GPC.

GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power U-17 League

West Demerara FA leg to restart tomorrow at Leonora Track & Field Facility

T

he West Demerara Football Asso ciation leg of the GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power U-17 League will resume tomorrow after a prolonged delay due to the unusual rainy season which has gone on for months beyond the usual May/June period.

The WDFA has informed that one match is fixed for Friday August 23rd, while on Sunday, a triple header is planned, all the action

set to unfold at the Leonora Track and Field Facility.On Friday from 16:00hrs, Den Amstel will take on Wales United while on Sunday from 09:00hrs, Wales United will be in action again, this time against Hurry ATE. Den Amstel will then take on arch rivals Uitvlugt Warriors from 11:00hrs with the main attraction from 13:00hrs featuring Eagles FC of Stewartville matching skills with Pouderoyen.

Glasgow and Samaroo cop top awards...

From page 33 Cricket Board into youth development.

Head Coach, Winston Smith hailed the hard work, discipline and dedication of the players. Smith praised the Berbice Cricket Board for its very aggressive coaching programme and urged the youths to take full advantage of the Hilbert Foster led administration investment in their future.

The level three coach also announced that regular Coaching Clinics would be held for the rest of the year as the Berbice Cricket Board strives to prepare for the 2020 Inter-county Tournaments.

Director of the Academy

and BCB Public Relations Officer Simon Naidu expressed satisfaction at the outstanding work of Smith, Leslie Solomon, Delbert Hicks, Balram Samaroo and Ameer Rahaman.

He noted that the Academy had a 98% daily attendance rate but the Berbice Cricket Board has noted the absence of about five players for the entire Academy without an excuse. This form of indiscipline, Naidu stated would form part of the BCB consideration in the selection of all 2010 Intercounty Teams.

Apart from Seon Glasgow and Marian Samaroo, the following players also received Awards:

a) Most Discipline Doorsammy Mahadeo b) Most Discipline (Junior) - Shiv Harripersaud c) Most Improved Ramsammy Ramnauth d) Most Committed Shamar Angel e) Most Promising Trisa Hardat f) Most Improved (Female) - Ashmini Muniswar The Berbice Cricket Board would like to express gratitude to Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh for his US$2,000 investment, Guysuco, Vemen Walter, Orvin Mangru, Imran Khan, RHTYSC and Roger Mc Donald. Special thanks also to the Town Clerk of Rose Hall Town Council for the release of Winston Smith.

PAGE 32

Thursday August 22, 2019

Kaieteur News

BCB President visits Blairmont Community Centre and Young Warriors Cricket Club - makes donations to both clubs

BCB President Hilbert Foster pose with Executives of Blairmont Community Centre. “On every one of my visits to the seven clubs and one sub-association, I have met, held discussion with the dedicated bunch of administrators and a passionate group of members, who are committed to the overall development of cricket in their clubs. From what we took over in February, 2018, I can safely say that there has been a 360 percentage changes in Berbice and are now on the right track to a height never achieved before.� Those were the words of Berbice Cricket Board Presi-

dent after completing visits to the Blairmont Community Centre Cricket Club and the Young Warriors Cricket Club as part of his countywide visits to clubs and sub-associations who are members of the Berbice Cricket Board.

Foster on Thursday last visited the Blairmont Community Centre Cricket Club and firstly spoke to the forty members of the Clubs Annual Cricket Academy.

He advised the youths to take advantage of the Clubs investment into their careers,

to develop a culture of discipline, hard work and dedication. He committed the Berbice Cricket Board to assisting the Club in every way possible and to provide coaches on a monthly basis as part of an aggressive coaching drive across Berbice.

Meeting with the newly elected Executives led by President Hussain, Foster urged them to uphold the high standard of the Club which in the past had produced players like Roy Fredericks and

BCB launches 2nd Annual Crick et Balls P roject Cricket Project - seeks assistance from Friends of Berbice Cricket Guyana most vibrant and progressive Cricket Board, the Berbice Cricket Board last week launched its second Annual Cricket Balls Project.

Last year, the Berbice Cricket Board with the support of some former Executives raised over $800,000, which was used to purchase cricket balls for Clubs across Berbice and cricket gears for some of the countys most promising youth players.

BCB President Hilbert Foster stated that unlike most Cricket Boards in the West Indies, the Berbice Cricket Board is fully committed to assisting all Clubs that fall under their management to fulfill their mandates to develop cricketing talents. Last year, the Balls Project and the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS together assisted over eighty clubs with over $1.1M worth of cricket balls.

This year, the objective is to assist close to ninety clubs with over 1.3M worth of cricket balls. The Rose Hall

Town Youth & Sports Club, MS has started the process by donating over $600,000 worth of balls to forty six clubs across Berbice, with some clubs benefitting more than once if they have a youth development programme.

Foster stated that the raised funds would ensure that the remaining Clubs receive balls, while some more promising cricketers at the Under-15 level will receive cricket gears. Additionally, the Berbice Cricket Board would also be seeking to purchase its own pitch covers which would be stored at the historic Albion Community Centre Cricket Ground.

The covers would be used at all Berbice Cricket Board major matches in an effort to cut the loss of time from rain.

The Management of the Berbice Cricket Board in 2019 would be assisting clubs with close to $5M worth of balls, raincoats, scorebooks, bicycles, water pitchers, school bags, Youth Information Booklets, educational materi-

als, stumps, trophies, medals and special prizes for events.

The present BCB Executives inherited $42,935 in February, 2018 and has since raised close to $18M in Cash and kind for Berbice Cricket.

The Berbice Cricket Board is urging all Berbicians and even non Berbicians to contribute to the Fund. A special appeal is also being made to ex Berbice and Guyana players currently residing overseas along with former Executives of the Berbice Cricket Board. Persons interested in assisting the Board can contact the BCB Office on 3332375 or email foster_hilbert@yahoo.com. A former President and long time Treasurer of the Berbice Cricket Board has also been authorised to raise funds for the project via his vast array of friends and contacts. The Management of the Berbice Cricket Board wishes to reassure all potential donors that all funds would be used for the intended purpose and would be accounted for.

Members of the Young Warriors Cricket Club and BCB President Hilbert Foster.

Brandon Bess for the West Indies. Other players included Adrian and Leslie Amsterdam, Naresh Roopnarine, Khaldeen Bux, Seon Glasgow, Nigel Deodat and Javed Karim.

Foster announced that his administration has been able to raise sponsorship for a Two-Days First Division Tournament, which would start shortly. The Berbice Cricket Board in 2019 would be hosting about thirty tournaments at all levels. Foster handed over a large donation to the Club including two water pitchers, scorebook, cricket balls, school bags, educational materials, Youth Information Booklets, Educational Posters and trophies.

The President, who was accompanied by BCB Treasurer Dr. Cecil Beharry, answered every question post to him by the Blairmont Executives including youth selection policy, umpiring, youth

coaching and assistance to Clubs.

On Saturday, Foster visited the Young Warriors Cricket Club at the Cumberland Ground, after visiting the No. 63 Beach for the Graduation Ceremony of the BCB Cricket Academy.

The President was informed that the Club had held its election and popular Banking Executive Imran Sacoor was elected as President.

Foster urged the new Executives to put the Clubs business in order as quickly as possible as the rest of 2019 would have a very packed schedule. He urged the Club to invest heavily into a junior section as this would ensure in their future. Public Relations Officer Simon Naidu, who accompanied the President, handed over a five gallons water pitcher and a scorebook to the Club.

Meanwhile, the Berbice Cricket Board wants to make

it quite clear that its President has never sought to force any Club to hold elections as been falsely stated by the Government Sports Officer in Region 6.

The decision of the Whim National Cricket Club and Young Warriors Cricket Club to hold their Annual Elections were made by their membership and the Berbice Cricket Board would like to condemn in the strongest possible way, the attitude and behavior of the Sports Officer.

The Berbice Cricket Board would like to urge the Region 6 Official to fulfill his official duties to develop sports and not to use his position to settle personal battles. The Board would also like to urge the Director of Sports and the Minister of Sports to look into the attitude of this Official, who should be working along with all organisations to develop sports in Berbice.

Imran Saccoor elected President of YWCC The Young Warriors Cricket Club of Cumberland, East Canje, Berbice is in the process of rebuilding after a few years. In an effort to ensure the club is properly managed, members recently elected their executive body to run the club for the next two years.

Career Banker Imran Sakoor was elected President, Accountant Aubrey David Vice President, Satyanand Sripal Treasurer, Suresh Dhanai Secretary and former national U19 allrounder Linden Austin Assistant Secretary/ Treasurer. Former national youth pacer Kwasi Maltay will take charge of the coaching.

The club was recently re-admitted by the Berbice Cricket Board after it was inadvertently left out of the Cricket Administration bill.

President of the Berbice Cricket Board Hilbert Foster witnessed the process. He congratulated the club and for the move and wished them well, adding that its time the club move further after producing their first international player. The elected members in response congratulated the President and the BCB on their

Imran Saccoor

hard work, while pledging their support.

The club, home of West Indies latest batting sensation Shimron Hetmyer, immediate plan is to purchase covers for the pitch, buy a new tractor and build an all weather practice facility. The club welcomes any assistance from former players, friends of the club, private individuals and corporate Guyana.

Thursday August 22, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 33

Glasgow and Samaroo cop top awards as Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh Cricket Academy concludes

T

he curtains came down on the 2nd Annual Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh Cricket Academy during a Presentation Ceremony at the No. 63 Beach, Upper Corentyne. The seventy students of the Academy and the Coaching panel on Saturday last visited the historic No. 63 Beach for the final coaching session, fun cricket matches and closing ceremony. National Under19 Player Seon Glasgow copped the Male Cricketer of the Academy, while former National Youth Female Player Marian Samaroo won the Female Award after being selected by the panel of five coaches headed by Level Three Coach Winston Smith.

BCB President Hilbert Foster hailed the Academy as an overwhelming success and another fruitful investment into youths by the very vibrant Cricket Board. Foster stated that all of the objectives of the Academy were achieved and all of the young cricketers have emerged as better players, have a better knowledge of the game and understood their roles as sports ambassadors. Foster urged the attentive cricketers in the blazing heat at the No. 63 Beach, to remain focused and to put into practice what they have learnt on the daily practice.

He committed the Berbice Cricket Board to

Top Players: Seon Glasgow and Marian Samaroo.

Class of the 2019 Cricket Academy posed with their Coaches. continue investing heavily into their future in an effort to get everyone to fulfill his/her full potential on the cricket field. Foster as he has done since his election in February 2018, spoke on the importance of education, personal discipline and to say no to the evil ways of Satan. He also informed the youths that under his leadership, the Berbice Cricket Board would on an a n n u a l b a s i s o rg a n i s e tournaments from the Under13 to Under-21 levels and would continue to organise dozens of developmental programmes every year. The hosting of a Two-Days First Division Tournament, Social Skills Programme, construction of an all weather outdoor practice venue, gears for promising youth players and the publication of a Youth Information Booklet are some of the upcoming investments of the Berbice (Continued on page 29 )

Team 2019 Senior CASA Squash tourney

t r o Sp

Guyanese Women sweep BVI, Men win 4-1 Some of the competing teams.

Trophy Stall assists Caribbean Karate tourney Ramesh Sunich (right) and Frank Woon-A-Tai displaying the championship trophies.

Angostura Lemon Lime and Bitters joins CPL as official refreshment partner

Hero CPL and BTMI announce prize of a lifetime England to play Windies, Pakistan as part of Test Championship next year North Rupununi Heritage Football Qualification Tourney

Paiwomak FC and FC Strikers register comprehensive wins as action gets underway

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