K
Emergency Monday Edition NEWS budget in - Vice President 21 days Bharrat Jagdeo AIETEUR
August 17, 2020 - Vol. 13 No. 34
Online: www.kaieteurnews.com
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Review of 3rd well plan (Payara)...
Appointment of Canadian - Intl Consultant has all theLawyer hallmarks of the oil curse Gaining public Minister Croal says eager to confidence, among resolve housing Minister of Home and water issues Affairs top priorities p.10
- Ask citizens to be patient until the review of housing system is completed
Increase in demarcation fees puts - Minister Amerindian land titling project on hold p.7
Motorbike Pump attendant bandits drops cash and flees, rob Chinese driver abandons bus Supermarket Gas Station Robbery...
THE WRONG CHOICE Ms. Alison Redford, QC, an ex-premier of Alberta, Canada, is the wrong person to head the expert review of the Payara Field Development Plan (FDP). She lacks the appropriate qualifications and experience in reviewing FDPs. Guyana does not need a political and regulatory lawyer to spearhead such a vital technical review. Ms. Redford’s political record does not instill trust or assure public confidence. Her background raises concerns. Guyana needs the best to undertake the review. It needs persons of unblemished reputations so that no aspersions can be cast on the review process. Guyana must be satisfied that Ms. Redford’s appointment has been endorsed at the highest levels in Ottawa. A team of experts specializing and with experience in conducting such reviews is needed to spearhead this exercise. In the interest of transparency, the public needs to know the identities and credentials of the technical persons who are part of any review. We are therefore concerned about both Ms. Redford’s selection and the silence over the names of her support team. The country can ill-afford another fiasco it its dealings with ExxonMobil. We have been taken advantage of before. The country was deprived of US$55B as a result of the flawed negotiations undertaken by the previous administration. The present review is our last chance to maximize the benefits for our people. If we get it wrong, the present and future generations are doomed to a fate of scratching a living.
Pensioner Father killed by son challenging during argument 7-year sentence p.15
over bicycle
for sexual assault
Monday August 17, 2020
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Kaieteur News
PPP STARTED TENURE OFF ON WRONG FOOT BY FIRING PUBLIC SERVANTS Former President, David Granger is of the view that the Irfaan Ali administration commenced its tenure on a bad start after they began firing public servants just days into office. Granger, during a closed interview with PNC’s Nicole Telford, questioned the priorities of the new administration, citing that they seem to be focused more on “persecution” rather than explaining policies. The former Head of State said that the PPP/C had months to prepare for their time in office and he was under the impression that they would have been crafting a strong plan for governance. “We thought they would have appointed a Minister of Finance,” Granger added “we thought they would have explained how they planned to develop the country, we thought they would have put forward some development plan which I did myself in January of this year, the decade of development plan, but instead they are persecuting civil servants, public servants, you know hard working people.” With the change in
Government, it was expected that most of those who were politically appointed under the Granger led A Partnership For National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition administration resign from their posts. This did not happen, however leading the new administration to issue letters of termination to those persons - some of whom refuse to demit office. Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister, Gail Teixeira had recently made it clear that the party was not looking at public servants only political appointees. Those very political appointees were presented with an ultimatum to either resign or be fired from their post. But this act, according to Granger will now have implications on the development of Guyana as well as in other dimensions.” “At a personal level, you would have mothers and fathers going home to their households, going home to their children, saying I don’t have a job. This is in the middle of a pandemic. People are without work, people are wondering where their next meal is coming from, and you sending people home,” Granger said.
- Fmr. President David Granger
Former President David Granger He claimed that the persons being sent home are not “big shots” but ordinary wage earners. However the list of political appointees being sent home proves otherwise, containing the names of top officials from the APNU+AFC who raked in salaries of up to $900,000 per month along with benefits such as “refreshment allowance” among others. Granger continued that grave consequences will emerge for the new
administration as according to him, Guyana is not “rich in human resource.” He explained “We have always lost our intelligent people, what you call it, brain drain to the Caribbean, to North America and other countries and the worse thing an administration could do is drive talented, skilled, qualified professional people out of the public service.” Granger pointed to his tenure as President and said that with his creation of four new towns, namely Bartica, Mabaruma, Mahdia and Lethem, created new jobs for public servants, something he noted the new administration should be focused on. “You need more public servants, you need more administrations to develop these Regions and to deliver services to the people,” Granger said. Further, the former President alluded to the fact that the new administration is firing persons during the middle of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic with no due cause. While it is because of their
Appointment of Canadian Consultant has all... From page 2 trying to compete with the APNU+AFC faction for mismanaging Guyana’s oil industry. Based on her weighty political background, Dr. Mangal said it is clear that Redford’s expertise is not in reviewing such plans. The transparency advocate said, “This is a very sad joke, at the expense of Guyana. Did the PPP not look at Ms Redford’s bio? Do the Canadians take Guyanese for fools? How many field development plans has she reviewed for similar deepwater projects like Payara? I assume zero until told otherwise. Guyanese need to object to this inappropriate business. This is so disheartening.” Turning his attention to the missive the government released late Saturday evening, Dr. Mangal said that a lot was mentioned about her background in overseeing the energy sector in Alberta and her partnership with the World Bank. Part of the statement reads, “Ms. Redford has served as a World Bank Advisor on Gas Sector Reform in Pakistan and Afghanistan and in other jurisdictions, as they develop new approaches to upstream regulation, transparency and accountability inclusive of community engagement. As
Premier of Alberta, she introduced the Responsible Energy Development Act which created the Alberta Energy Regulator. The Act sets out rigorous regulation, compliance and enforcement provisions on all aspects of oil and gas production, including permits and licenses.” Dr. Mangal said readers ought to take note that initially, Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo had clearly stated that one person was being hired. A subsequent press release from the Ministry of Natural Resources only mentioned one person too. The latest release which went out on Saturday evening may be damage limitation after the intense reaction and rejection of the government’s chosen consultant, Dr. Mangal stated. At the end of the day, the former Presidential Advisor said that burning questions about the haste to complete the review in less than 10 days as well as having it done by a former politician who is haunted by corruption scandals, remain unanswered and should be of grave concern to all Guyanese. SCANDAL Apart from Redford’s apparent inexperience, Kaieteur News’ background check had found that Redford had demitted office in 2014
following a slew of scandals. In 2013, Redford had attended the funeral of Nelson Mandela while Premier of the Canadian province of Alberta. Her attendance, however, created a controversy when it was revealed that the Alberta government covered the approximately CDN $45,000 cost for her trip, including roughly CDN$10,000 for a privately chartered flight to return to Alberta from South Africa for a swearing-in of the new Alberta Cabinet. Redford’s travel further elicited disapproval from Albertans when it was revealed that her then 12-yearold daughter and a friend had accompanied her several times on official government planes. In mid-March 2014, Redford repaid the costs of the Mandela funeral trip and apologized. It was reported in the press that the money was repaid only after weeks of refusals to do so, and Redford “only relented after tensions within her caucus spilled into the public realm.” The fallout over the Mandela funeral trip had led to further scrutiny, with subsequent revelations of Redford’s expenses to promote the province and questionable spending, while her government was making public service cuts. This led to charges that she was
abusing her political power with a culture of entitlement. On March 19, 2014, Redford announced that she would resign as premier of Alberta, effective March 23, 2014. She was succeeded by deputy premier Dave Hancock, as the interim party leader and premier until Jim Prentice was chosen as a successor at a leadership election, which was the Progressive Conservative Party’s third contest in eight years. Further to this, Redford had announced her resignation as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Calgary-Elbow on August 6, 2014, one day before an Auditor General’s report into her travel expenses was scheduled for release. On August 7, 2014, a report by the Auditor General of Alberta noted that as Premier, she and her office had “used public resources inappropriately,” “used public assets (aircraft) for personal and partisan purposes” and that Redford “was involved in a plan to convert public space in a public building into personal living space.” The report concluded that these abuses arose due to an “aura of power around Premier Redford and her office and the perceptions that the influence of the office should not be questioned.”
political affiliation that they are being removed, Granger stated that this can be a problem from a legal standpoint. “Are they guilty of something?” Granger questioned, adding that “Almost every adult in this country has participated in some form of political activity. Have they suddenly become criminals because they voted? Are they political? Have any of them committed an offense? Have any of them been accused of an offense other
than being political? What does being political mean?” If the new administration continues with this trend, Granger added, “in a flash, many ministries, many agencies, Commissions and Boards will be deprived of qualified people.” “They started on the wrong foot,” he said “Rather than starting in a conciliatory way to combine the energies of the people of Guyana, they started by diving the country in the worse possible way.”
Pensioner challenging 7-year sentence for sexual assault A man in his 70s is now challenging a seven-year jail sentence he was handed in 2015 for sexual assault against a minor. The man, Kenrick Morrison was sentenced on September 4, 2015, for having sexual activity with a child under the age of 16. In regards to his appeal, the man claimed that Judge Jo-Ann Barlow misdirected the jurors due to errors in her final review of evidence. Morrison also claimed that the evidence delivered was biased as it fell in favor of the prosecution. Morrison’s case was tried at the Demerara Criminal Assizes and saw four witnesses testifying against him. The elderly man had denied the charges but upon the conclusion of his trial, the jury made a unanimous
decision on a guilty verdict. The man’s defense lawyer had begged the court for leniency, as he claimed that it was his client’s first encounter with the law. The judge stated that his sentencing would serve as an example to others who may potentially commit similar acts in the future. She maintained that, that sort of behaviour is unacceptable. It was stated that the man had abused his position of trust in the minor as he was someone she knew very well.
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Monday August 17, 2020
Kaieteur News
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL TEL:624-6456 Editor: Sharmain Grainger Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
The Canadian Consultant Of all the consultants in the world, Guyana’s new
government selects this one. We have serious concerns with this particular Canadian consultant hiring; it should be so with all Guyanese. If we say we are for what is best for Guyana, then that is the only way we can be: concerned and critical, and so we must call it. To be fair to the Government of Guyana and the newly recruited Canadian consultant, we focus first on the helpful, which does not mean much. Ms. Alison Redford, QC, has been around some heavy hitters, cropped up in many places, and worked at high elevations. Ms. Redford was an ex-premier at the provincial level, which conveys that she is astute at working crowd and contemporaries to get where she sets her sights. She was in Afghanistan, served in other jurisdictions, and currently is engaged in Pakistan as an advisor for the World Bank (“Consultant hired had resigned on corruption scandal, has little experience in field development evaluation,” KN August 16). One thing must be said for Ms. Redford: she gets around. Now, what follows is not so favourable for Guyana, in what we could possibly get versus what Guyanese expect. Immediately, something must be said in the most unambiguous terms: we have had so much corruption in Guyana and are surrounded by so many rank corrupters, that we should not deal with anyone who has any whiff of corruption about them. Ms. Redford does have that about her, in “a slew of scandals,” as KN stated in the article referenced before. This started in 2013 when she attended Nelson Mandela’s funeral, issues about expenses for the chartering of a private jet developed, and repayment had to be compelled through much pressure. There were other instances of misjudgment and failure by ex-premier Redford. The litany ranged from “questionable spending” to “abusing her power” to a “culture of entitlement.” Since this is the expert consultant that Guyana has hired with fanfare and, truth be told, considerable folly, then she has come to the right place, where she should be right at home, given that we have our own longstanding political culture of such behaviours at every level. Now if that were all, we may have surrendered to the temptation that Ms. Redford, QC, ex-premier, regulator, and current World Bank Advisor be given a pass. But we cannot, which we incorporated into the caption referred to earlier. That is, Ms. Redford is an expert on a lot of things and in many areas, but she is not an expert on the review of field development plans. Payara is about the critical examination and review of a field development plan, in all of its intricate and sophisticated “geological, geophysical, and reservoir engineering” requirements. The knowledge and experience are just not there with Ms. Redford. This is to the extreme disadvantage of Guyana. This is a mistake of severe proportions by government. We have neither time nor resources to experiment in trial and error, in the hope of getting lucky, with Canadian consultant Alison Redford. This hiring by the Ali Administration does not inspire confidence. It could have done better, and it must do so now. First, disengage from Ms. Redford. Second, we must pay all review costs – Guyana must own this. And third, the government must search widely to get an untainted person to stand as our guide and steward in the Payara review. We recommend a highly technical and a highly seasoned performer in the field, who is truly expert in well paths, well design, and well drilling; and also “reservoir depletion, production rates…equipment (also FPSO) purchase or lease.” To be brutally frank, Ms. Redford appears to have no such knowledge, no such skills. Her team may, but where does that leave her in interpreting and recommending to Guyana’s government? Where does that leave us, as we grapple with dealing authoritatively with ExxonMobil, which is the savviest of global corporate presences? What prospects does that leave us with, that we could finally get the best from our oil wealth? The answer to the last two questions is the same: nowhere and nothing. Start over, starting now.
Is the Government serious about its COVID response? DEAR EDITOR, The Government of Guyana is yet to demonstrate that it is taking the COVID-19 virus seriously. It has gazetted measures to take effect from 16 August to 31 August.The first such measure is mind-boggling. There is to be a curfew in effect from 9pm to 5am. This curfew takes effect at the very late hour of 9 pm which is much later than the previous curfew imposed. Is this to facilitate those persons intent on flouting the measures and who gather in crowds and to give them an opportunity so to do? An early curfew is essential to curb the spread of this virus. The gazetted measures further specify that
there is a curfew from 6pm to 6am in regions 7, 8 and 9 despite the fact that the highest number of recorded cases of the virus is in Region 4! The preamble to the gazetted measures dated August 14, 2020 suggests that the protocols are temporary while the Government consults.This is analogous to Nero fiddling while Rome burnt. There is a time for consultation and a time for action.As the preamble indicates, many Caribbean territories have crafted and implemented COVID-19 guidelines that are successful.I suggest a look at the measures announced by Prime Minister Rowley of Trinidad and Tobago, which come into effect tomorrow
Monday 17th August 2020 at 6.00 a.m.Trinidad and Tobago, which has far less reported cases than Guyana, has instituted stringent measures such as closing all beaches and rivers and has stated that all places of worship are to be closed.However , the COVID measures in Guyana, for some inexplicable reason, provide for reopening of places of worship with restriction to 25 percent of capacity. It further allows 90 minutes at the seawalls and creeks which will undoubtedly lead to congregating but provides once persons maintain a distance. This begs the question as to who will strictly enforce adherence to the social distancing guidelines at these places.
All of these places have to be closed for the virus to be seriously dealt with. There have to be penalties imposed on those who do not adhere to the strict measures imposed. The ban on cinemas, private parties and so forth specified in the guidelines must be strictly enforced. Beauty salons and barbershops should be closed. There has to be an early curfew and possibly a lockdown of the country once measures are put in place to facilitate same. I urge the Government to do what is needed at this critical time to protect the people of Guyana from this deadly virus. Yours truly, Stephanie Isaacs
My grace period extends, despite my observations DEAR EDITOR, The two newspapers I deal with (SN and KN) have made clear their intentions. Courtesies, yes; space and letup, not one bit. In the flattest terms: no grace period, comrades. I disagree. This would be surprising coming from me (of all people), but I believe that the government is due some space, if only to hit the ground running with eyes fixed on the tasks ahead, without having to look over shoulders for the press nipping at its heels and sounding continual alarms. I think any incoming government is owed some time to settle into office, get its act together, and appreciate what it has inherited. It is why I have signaled my own grace period, a sort of honeymoon hiatus of 100 days, during which I would only call out for the terribly disturbing only. I think that this should be the standard. And I tender this, despite the many veterans, who know the ropes; the short span of time out of power; and the presence of institutional, political, and professional knowhow on which to rely. Now, before proceeding I present two things. First, I have no intention of being one of the new government’s friends. I do not respect it enough to seek to associate with it, for ethically, spiritually, and philosophically, universes separate. I want nothing from it, have less than zero interest in being identified with it. Still, I wish it the best, and desire fervently for it to do well, despite acute misgivings; for when it does well, there is the likelihood that a greater number of Guyanese could also do well. Second, I absorbed my share of arrows in the early days of the coalition administration for supposedly being ‘easy’ and ‘soft’ with it. Though that has some truth, I believe that such was due. Just like I do
with the PPP in these formative hours. I go to the pains to point out to my fellow Guyanese that I do not operate in accord with the national stereotype that fits almost all citizens. That is, I think differently and behave differently, with little of the narrow parochial and less of the embittering partisan. It is a strange and unknown drum around here, but I march to its beat. That is why I extend a 100-day honeymoon to the new people. It is fair. Of course, I reserve the right to speak out in the sharpest terms should developments necessitate. And already I sense that there are some troubling flirtations in this regard by the new people. I watch. As an indication of my interest and scrutiny, these days I am actually reading beyond the newspaper
headlines.I detect the recycling of regular loyalists around the plums, but currently leave alone, as I recognize political appointees as a systemic evil. We like having them around; something must be found for those who rolled the right dice, hung on to the right coattails, and came up on the right side of elections. My faint hope is that they will be of country this time, and not the usual feathering of personal nests, as is coming to light again. I go no deeper presently, other than to say I trust that their contract terms are not going to be similar (or richer) than the political appointees they replace. The expectation is that they may be just as dismal in the delivery of what country and citizens need. On a troubling note, high contributing campaign do-
nors are now flying high with still higher visions of the components they wish to see dismantled and the principled people, who stand in their way that they want removed. The president himself in his inauguration address had the company of the suspect among his specially invited guests and went to the pains of promising to “dismantle” the work of predecessors. That is a loaded word, which I step around gingerly today, but which must be delightful to the ears of those who paid through the nose for access and influence. Again, I refrain from saying more, even as I discern a Faustian bargain that promises great injury to this society. My grace period extends, despite these observations. Sincerely, GHK Lall
REVIEW OF BAYPHASE WORK BY EXPERTS TIMELY AND WELCOMED DEAR EDITOR, I wish to publicly endorse the Government of Guyana and the Ministry of Natural Resources for undertaking a review of the work already undertaken by Bayphase Oil and Gas Consultants by a team of international experts in the field of oil and gas development.It is commendable that the Ministry consider this review of the Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited’s Payara contract in keeping with transparency and accountability norms as there was a recent change of government. As such there is absolutely nothing wrong with the government securing the rights and interests of the government and by extension all Guyanese. It must also be noted that the current review is basically a review of the work undertaken by the previous administration for more than seven month which will reassure the current government, in making informed decisions, in moving the approval exercise of the Payara lease permit. It must be pointed out that the previous government never did any review of the work already undertaken by Bayphase Oil and Gas Consultants over the past seven months. This review is timely and appropriate.While there are some criticisms of this review of the work already under-
taken, I would state that this is not an unreasonable review which is being conducted by a team of highly qualified international experts with experiences in similar activities. But it must be mentioned that those who object to everything in Guyana’s oil and gas sector should not and must not be allowed to derail a process which aims to secure the rights and interests of all Guyanese.This impressive high level team is headed by Ms. Alison Redford QC along with the former Deputy Minister of Energy in Newfoundland, Canada, senior international reservoir engineers and Mr. Jay Park, QC, Managing Partner of Park Energy Law based in Canada and the United Kingdom. Most importantly there is a legal framework review component in addition to the technical aspect which is a two-prong approach for compliance and transparency. Editor, while I note we as Guyanese and the new government need to go through everything that the APNU+AFC left behind with a fine teeth comb, there must be constructive criticisms and not just criticisms for criticisms. Meanwhile, what we as citizens can and should do is to be objective and support the current government to bring Guyana back on track towards success and prosperity for all Guyanese, I repeat all Guyanese Sincerely, Vivian Li
Monday August 17, 2020
The PPP Government and COVID-19 DEAR EDITOR, I was really hopeful with the installation of the new government, efforts to bring the COVID cases to a standstill would have been implemented right away. However, this is a far cry because the cases averages at least 15 per day. This is not good for a country like Guyana which lacks the facilities to deal with a surge in cases. Already, you are hearing of patients leaving the isolation centres in places like Lethem to mingle with outsiders. I would have expected that the government would have deployed the joint forces
at border areas to police the porous borders. The cases are climbing at an alarming rate instead of having a strict curfew we are having a relaxed curfew. Trinidad with less cases than Guyana have taken drastic measures and now pushed back school as far as December 31st and mask wearing is now mandatory in public. The government should have moved swiftly to equip the COVID hospital at Liliendaal, leave politics aside as it relates to the facility. I am sure it’s way better than some of the hospitals and health centres we have in Guyana. I am in disbelief to see min-
ing is open again, in my mind the government is only concerned about kick starting the economy at the cost of peoples lives. I would like to see the government stance as it relates to acquiring Remdesivir for treatment for critically ill patients, their position in acquiring a potential vaccine, robust contact tracing, making mask wearing in public mandatory among other measures. I urge the administration to pay keen attention to the pandemic, dont let it be a stain on the PPP/C government because the people will remember it at the polls. B. John
Are there no government positions for Dr. Yog Mahadeo and Mr. Sase Gunraj? DEAR EDITOR, The new government has an unenviable task to bring Guyana out of the pit of bankruptcy and corruption to one where Guyanese can breathe free once again, where there is no fear of a devaluation of the dollar and rise in cost of living, where subsidies to the elderly is once again a reality as well as school grants and employment opportunities. Editor, we have seen new faces in the cabinet. We cannot say we agree with all the choices but, like most Guyanese, we will give them a chance to perform, believing that Dr. Irfaan Ali and Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo chose wisely. Some ministers are well qualified but some have baggage (we hope they have learnt from their past indiscretions to not repeat the same mistakes). Whilst we, like most Guyanese, will wait before we judge, we still have unanswered questions in mind. Why there is no place in the government for persons like Dr. Yog Mahadeo and Mr. Sase Gunraj? These individuals contributed greatly to the final result that we got. And they are eminently qualified. Dr. Mahadeo was fearless in calling out the APNU+AFC, the GECOM Chair, the Commissioners and the International Community. The only other persons who were as vociferous were
Dr. Jagdeo and Mr. Anil Nandlall. However, what made Dr. Mahadeo’s contributions more significant and impactful, is that he was not on a list and therefore had no political interest in the PPP/C winning the seat of power. He was simply fighting for democracy and for the will of the Guyanese people to be respected. He did so fearlessly, knowing that he put his life and the life of his family in great danger. Dr. Mahadeo successfully brought to his Room 592 programme, on the independent Kaieteur Radio, local politicians, former heads of state, diplomats, senior counsel, prominent lawyers, Exstate department officials and many more. His was the only programme with this calibre and variety of persons. He, on a daily basis, was hammering home the need for democracy to prevail and he helped to internationalize the struggle. We are sure that Dr. Mahadeo through Kaieteur Radio and with his co-host Mr. Gildarie, played an important role in restoring our democracy. Dr. Mahadeo is eminently qualified in Finance and Telecommunications. He should be offered the post of Minister of Finance or Head of the GRA or the Head of the Telecommunications Section of that Ministry.
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Mr. Gunraj stood up and was the voice of the “opposition nominated’ commissioners during the long period of torture we went through. He was the voice that effectively gave the other side of the story and he shared the information on Room 592 with Dr. Mahadeo. He has proven to be knowledgeable and to be no ‘push-over’. He will make an excellent Speaker of the Parliament of Guyana. Dr. Ali and Dr. Jagdeo, show Guyana and the world that not only supporters and party loyalists can work with you. Show that you also utilize the skills that are available. These two gentlemen are way above the rest out there and their contributions and dedication to GUYANA are unquestionable! Clement Inshanally Kamalwattie Durga Jacob Inness Aneira Persaud Harrischand Ramballi Bhagirath
Make the welfare Of Guyanese central to government policy
DEAR EDITOR, I once again congratulate His Excellency the President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, and the PPP/C, on their success at the March 2020 elections. Indeed, this has been a victory for our fledgling democracy, as this election cycle has amplified the extensive weaknesses within the institutions which manage our democracy. It is only because of the basic integrity and commitment to justice and the rule of law by a handful of persons that we were able to escape the sure dysfunctionality of a lawless dictatorship. Some quick observations to strengthen our democracy include, if this is not already the case, the selection of persons to the lead positions in those institutions responsible for maintaining our democracy, the High Court, the Court of Appeal, the Guyana Police Force, and the Guyana Defence Force, be similarly guided by the constitutional guidelines for selecting the Commissioner for the Guyana Elections Commission, where such persons are recommended by the opposition. This should extend to the ap-
pointment of the Chief Executive Officer of GECOM also, as it has become clear that the wrong person can create opportunities for failure where there should be none. Additionally, the composition of the Guyana Elections Commission should include two or three independent commissioners similarly appointed by the selection process outlined for the GECOM chairperson. The installation of our new government brings with it great opportunity in a national and global environment challenged by the untimely Coronavirus pandemic, as an abundance of resources now need to be allocated to address the economic slippage and increased poverty which has unfortunately resulted from measures instituted to curb the spread of the COVID19 virus. One of the unsung cliches of economics is that much, if not all, of the poverty of nations is a consequence of poor government policy. I recently tasked myself with developing an economic policy framework for Guyana aimed at realizing the welfare
of developed nations like the ABCEs. The wider perspective is naturally beyond the capacity of a single letter, but its basic nature is twofold, and is enshrined in the idea that Guyanese must derive the maximum benefit from our available natural resources, the management of which in this new global environment must be guided by international best practice. The new administration will undoubtedly wish to apply this to revise existing policy. The overarching objective of my policy design is the realization of the welfare enjoyed by the ABCEs. This has necessitated making the welfare of Guyanese central to, the guiding force of government policy. Also critical was the commitment to maximizing economic growth, and represents another component. While increased welfare (Continued on page 6)
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GUYANA OIL BONANZA: WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? DEAR EDITOR, The Editorial “Let Payara be test case and precedent” (KN, 15th August 2020) highlights that Guyana is at a crossroads with regards to recently becoming an oil producing nation. Where do we go from here? Do we abandon agriculture and plough all our resources into oil ventures? Or, do we use the oil monies to create sustainable industries in the traditional sectors as the PPP/C Government of President Irfaan Ali seems to want to do? Lessons can be learnt from our neighbour Venezuela. With the largest proven oil reserves in the world Venezuela finds it hard to feed its population. Therefore, Guyana should not turn its nose up on agriculture as oil prices can and do fluc-
tuate as we have seen this year to the detriment of oil producing nations. We should keep agriculture but mechanized it.We should also be looking to diversify our economy AWAY from oil as the oil reserves will not last forever. We should be looking at manufacturing in a big way but always have food security as our first priority. Manufacturing in a big way will require cheap labour and cheap energy resources. Therefore, our second priority should be to find a way to drive down the cost of electricity and to create a stable electricity supply.Without cheap energy resources Guyana will struggle to be competitive in manufacturing. Yours Faithfully, Sean Ori
GUYANA’S ASSETS - CREDIT TO THE NEW ADMINISTRATION DEAR EDITOR, “Control by foreign interests over strategic assets could undermine a range of national interests including national security and our ability to compete in the glob a l economy”........Metanyahu Englman (Israel State Comptroller).I read with interest the articles on; “Gov’t scraps Granger’s shortlist of tainted oil traders (Aug 15th), and “Gov’t uncomfortable with unfair aspects of Exxon deal” (Aug 15th). Frankly, we do have to give this new government credit, for attempting upfront to correct the Economic plunder (in its various forms) by Exxonmobil and other foreign entities. There is proof all over the world that a lot of these companies are experts at contract exploitation tactics; and know the weaknesses of the
Monday August 17, 2020
Kaieteur News
parties on the opposite side of the negotiating table. Some members of the previous regime just walked right into the lion’s den, (MouseTrap) even though they were told not to, for many valid reasons; and subsequently sold Guyana down the river. What this government needs to correct is so long that sometimes it just gets personally disheartening at times. We should hold all the oil entities and oil companies’ feet to the fire, and get all the correct clauses in those contracts that I know exist in their contracts with the developing world- (with checks and balances/accountability/governance, etc, etc). I notice that in the oil traders list, most of them have done business in African countries, but most of those countries still have 80% of their population living in
grinding poverty and misery, but that’s also because funds given; are diverted into personal accounts. No Thank You. We cannot let that happen here. Guyana does not have a sign on its head saying; “For sale to the lowest bidder”. We all should do our part (including myself) and make sure no foreign entity gets away with plundering our small country or short changing us. It’s a good thing the current administration has started early. Afterall, the majority of the citizens from these foreign entities come from countries that would never allow outsiders to plunder their assets, or shortchange them; so why should we allow them to come here and do that to the people of Guyana? Yours Truly, Chi Kansi
Something of grave concern DEAR EDITOR, First of all I must congratulate Dr. Frank Anthony on his appointment as Health Minister for the second time. I am confident that he will give of his best. As a concerned citizen my major problem however is the constant and high increase in the number of COVID-19 cases within the past two or so weeks. There was one instant whereby we had 60 plus positive cases in one day. As you are aware Trinidad has imposed another lockdown, Brazil has now recorded more than 107,000 deaths. These are our neighbours and thus cause for concern. This is where my concern deepens. You see there is this trend that occurs every Sunday at the Soesdyke/Linden High-
way Junction. Every Sunday from about 4pm to around 9pm or later there is a massive crowd of revelers that seem so oblivious to this disease or how our country is suffering. These folks normally begin their day at the various creeks along the highway and would then converge here at the junction for their final hurrah. My gripping fear is that this will be the site of a major outbreak in this country unless a stop is put to it. Now surprisingly, in spite of all the recent high cases, I noticed the curfew has been extended when there are persons who are knowingly still gathering in large numbers consuming alcohol and not adhering to the guidelines. So it seems that there are no restrictions anymore. The po-
lice just doesn’t seem to care or are forcefully refrained from doing anything. If officials in Berbice are charged for not adhering to the guidelines, what is happening here? So I would want to ask the minister, Mr. Minister of Health, you being the most important member of the Task Force, don’t you think this is something of grave concern? Or does our human resources not matter anymore? I do believe that not long before taking office it was one of these young government ministers that commented in the negative about this very gathering at the junction. So am I to understand that we have gained the victory over this virus? Concerned Citizen
Make the welfare Of Guyanese ... From page 5 is intrinsically tied to economic performance, policy should also be guided by Guyana’s commitment to the basic human rights of the United Nations. Specifically, Article 23 (3) Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection. This translates into, among other things, the right to a decent standard of living qualified by the right to a livable income, and the right to quality education and health care, among other things. Demands placed by commitments to these basic human rights fuel the drive to stimulate activity to achieve these ends. Success in these areas necessarily involves quantifying the magnitude and demographics of the problem. The IDB estimated that around 41.2 percent or three hundred and nine thousand Guyanese men, women and children lived in poverty as at 2017. This is based on a poverty line of US$5.50/day (G$1,100/day or G$34,650/ mth). An attempt to determine a ‘living wage’ by myself had shown that G$150,000/mth was yet insufficient for a family of four, this being just slightly more than the poverty line of G$138,600 (G$34,650 x 4) for a four-member family. ‘Insufficiency’ is a term I have adopted to describe the situation of being out of poverty, but still unable to provide the rights and necessities for a family. The demographics of the poor and those in a state of
insufficiency include affected children and other dependents, unemployed persons, persons with disabilities, many of our retired persons, and the many thousands of workers whose families cannot adequately meet their needs. There should be a national commitment to raising the minimum wage of Guyanese to close to, or above G$150,000/mth. While it is easy to err into thinking that this represents a tremendous financial cost or stain on government, raising salaries to this level in fact represents an investment in our people, since one of the principal benefits of such a policy beyond improved financial stability in the home is reduced worker stress and increased commitment on the job, with the larger derivative of dramatic gains in the delivery in the areas of public education and health services. This is even as the jobs of tomorrow require a solid educational background just to compete in our rapidly advancing globalized technological environment. My best estimates for our disabled and retirees are G$60,000 per month, and 75 percent of my proposed living wage of G$150,000/mth, or around G$112,500/mth, respectively. It is unconscionable that many of our retired workers find themselves impoverished and dependent after giving years of their lives to develop Guyana. Unemployment insurance is not a new idea proposed for embrace, enshrinement within our government policy framework, along with some form of financial support for our unemployed youths, many of whom have been denied the benefit of the
right to the proper education necessary to compete for jobs. This could include adequate compensation to encourage enrollment in skills training, or funding to support the development of their business ideas. One of the great benefits of such a programme is that these youths will have less time to engage in socially destructive behaviours. Examples of sources of funds for these proposals could be garnered by evaluating str a t e g i e s i n t h e ABCEs and other developing nations, but a quick first response is a graduated unemployment insurance tax on businesses, with a smaller component for personal incomes, these not being so acutely affected as they benefit from higher salaries. Our new government is undoubtedly presented with immense challenges of responding to the COVID-19 pand e m i c a n d severely depleted financial position left by the previous administration, but I propose this as part of the basic platform for the national dialogue on moving Guyana forward. Presid e n t I r f a a n A l i has articulated a sound commitment to inclusive government and cons t r u c t ive national dialogue, and we can all take this opportunity to both support and engage with him and his administration as we together strive to chart the best way forward. May we fulfill the dreams of Dr. Cheddi Jagan for a united and prosperous Guyana, and may we work to realize our dreams for tomorrow today. Yours Faithfully, Craig Sylvester
Monday August 17, 2020
Kaieteur News
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Increase in demarcation fees puts Amerindian land titling project on hold
Amerindian Affairs Minister, Pauline Sukhai
Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, explained that a decision by the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission (GLSC) to increase its land demarcation fees was among a number of issues that have hampered the progress of the Amerindian Land Titling (ALT) project. Addressing the media at a virtual press conference on Saturday, the minister stated, that as a result of what she described as a steep increase in the land demarcation fees by GLSC, the United Nations Development Programme, (UNDP) a major funding partner in the project has refused to disburse finances. “We have a situation,” Sukhai stated, “where the GLSC raised its demarcation fees from 10% - 25%. The enormous increase was rejected by the UNDP one of our major implementing partners who has refused to disperse the funds effectively putting the project on hold.” According to the minister, under new
Motorbike bandits rob Chinese Supermarket
A screen grab of the bandit who carried out the robbery.
Bandit approaching the counter.
Wan Li Supermarket located at Industry, East Coast Demerara, was on Saturday robbed by bandits riding a XR Honda motorcycle. According to video footage seen by this newspaper, the bandits pulled up at the supermarket just after 15:00Hrs. The pillion rider stepped off the motorbike and entered the supermarket. He pulled out a handgun and made his way behind the counter to the cashier. The bandit then proceeded to grab the cashier by the arm and pulled him aside before emptying the cash register.
On his way out he attacked an elderly man who was sipping on a soft drink outside the supermarket. The bandit grabbed the man’s chain and the cash he stole fell on the floor. He took about at least five minutes to recover all the money before escaping with his accomplice on the motorcycle. In October of last year four masked men on motorcycles had pulled up at this same supermarket with intentions of carrying out a robbery, but had abandoned their plans. It is unclear whether those men were ever caught by police.
GPL apologises for power interruption Guyana Power and Light is apologizing for widespread blackouts at yesterday. Below is the full transcript of the company’s release explaining the cause for the power outages. “At approximately 18:18 hrs, the submarine cable which links the Vreed-enHoop and Kingston Power plants tripped on a fault causing a total shutdown of the Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS).
Power restoration efforts commenced immediately with the first area being repowered at approximately 18:30 hrs. Incremental restoration continued, and all circuits were repowered at approximately 20:53 hrs. Our technical team is working to ascertain the root cause of the outage. Thereafter, a comprehensive Press Release will be issued. GPL Inc. offers sincere apologies for the inconvenience caused.
- Minister management, officials will be working assiduously to have the issue resolved so that the ALT project can get underway once again. “We will also be engaging other stakeholders including the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, which I understand is still giving out mining permits in Amerindian land titling areas,” she said. The ALT project was established in 2013 under a Management Unit within the Ministry to address Amerindian requests for titles and demarcation. The project was formed after Amerindian communities saw issues because the lands were being occupied by third party hosts. The Amerindian Land Titling project, which sought to secure lands and natural resources for Amerindians, began under the previous PPP/C administration and was funded by $2.2 Billion (US$11M) UNDP grant. The project ended in 2016, one year into the A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance for Change Coalition (APNU+AFC) administration; however, many communities
were not selected for their land titling. The APNU+ AFC government had sought to extend the initiative, and $165 million was then designated to ensuring the remaining villages received their land titling. However, by the end of 2019 many of the remaining villages still did not receive their titles. Additionally, many villagers had protested the long wait for their land titles and lamented that the government had had a reasonable amount of time to ensure the project’s completion. Some villagers had also claimed that there was heavy mismanagement of the funds, although this was never proven. Before demitting office former Minister of Indigenous Affairs, Sydney Allicock had announced that the project would be prolonged once more up to 2021. According to Allicock, that would have given ample time to complete the project. Just last week, Executive Director of the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) Jean La Rose called for the issue to be resolved. La Rose noted that as a result of the setback many communities saw disputes with lands that were supposed to be titled being awarded as mining blocks. She emphasized the importance of proper consultations to ensure situations like these do not occur under the new administration.
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Kaieteur News
Monday August 17, 2020
Gaining public confidence, among Minister of Home Affairs’ top priorities Gaining public confidence is one of the ten policy priorities that Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn on Saturday outlined at a briefing with members of the joint services. While highlighting his policies Minister Benn, elaborated on the need to implement a mechanism that allows feedback from members of the public as to their perception of the quality of service offered, especially by the Guyana Police Force and the need to assess and improve on the treatment of prisoners in custody. The briefing was held at the Police Officers’ Training Centre, Camp Road, Georgetown. Present at the briefing were: Commissioner of Police (ag) Nigel Hoppie, DSM; Director of Prisons Gladwin Samuels, DSM; Deputy Fire Chief Officer, Kalamdeen Edo; Deputy Commissioner of Police, Paul Williams, DSM; Deputy Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot; several deputy commissioners along with divisional/branch commanders and other senior and junior officers drawn from the three organizations mentioned. While the main purpose of the minister’s brief was to outline his policy for the joint services in general, his presentation placed more emphasis on the Guyana Police Force. Some of the other policies that Minister Benn highlighted are the police’ posture and conduct during the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for ranks to exercise consideration in dealing with the public at all times, while simultaneously protecting themselves and citizens from COVID-19. He also spoke about the need for police to exercise impartiality and sensitivity in the execution of their duties, noting that Guyana is made of people from diverse religious, social and racial backgrounds. The Minister stated that all, without exception, be treated fairly and equally, embracing Guyana’s motto of “One People, One Nation, One Destiny” and the need for police to continuously reassess their performance and set targets to consistently improve their output and effectiveness. A ten-point improvement strategy for all divisions, branches and departments within the three services will be implemented. The minister also urged that the strategy
Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn be cascaded to every station and every section within the three services as well as the need for consistent individual improvement through introspection and appropriate corrective action. Officers will also be required to retrain and reengage errant ranks for behavioral correction as a first step toward the need for the Guyana Police Force to improve and build on the public’s confidence. The last policy states, the need for ranks to be equipped with the appropriate tools and training when responding to scenes of accidents and incidents. In closing, Minister Benn reassured the officers that his Government’s commitment to equipping the organizations under his Ministry with the right tools and targeted training to guarantee improved service delivery to all Guyana. In response to the Minister’s speech and policy outline, Commissioner of Police Hoppie, on behalf of the officers and ranks of the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Prisons Service and the Guyana Fire Service, thanked the Minister for his attendance and assured him that his briefing has been noted and very much appreciated. Hoppie went on to indicate to the Minister that as early as the new week, he and his team will craft an action plan for the operation of the policies set out by him and his Ministry. According to the Commissioner of Police, the policies will certainly boost the Force’s five-point strategy of Operations Improvement, People and Infrastructural Development, Improved and Increased Partnership and Performance Evaluation as set out in the strategic plan of 2019-2021.
Monday August 17, 2020
Kaieteur News
Not again! Word out on the streets is that the PPP/C government is planning to employ the former Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon, and the former Minister of the Public Service, Jennifer Westford, as advisors. If this happens, the PPP/C’s nepotism would be indistinguishable from that of APNU+AFC’s. With each passing day, the public is being bombarded with tales of APNU+AFC’s featherbedding. Political operatives were being bankrolled on the payroll of Ministries, some being handed appointments when they already had fulltime jobs, and others without bringing any requisite experience to their new posts. The APNU+AFC used the Treasury as a cash cow. One ministry had a string of advisors and it is alleged there was no evidence of what work some of them did. Party activists were also handed jobs within ministries even though the staff cannot recall seeing them report for work. The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs reported that persons were being paid on a monthto-month basis but there is no evidence that they worked. In one case, a simple research assistant was receiving a salary in excess of $300,000 per month, plus benefits. This is a case of overcompensation for a position of that level. In another instance, one man, already in receipt of a very attractive salary was receiving a duty allowance of $250,000 per month. Duty allowances for most public servants are capped at $10,000 per month. The Attorney General Chambers is responsible for providing legal advice to the government. Yet the Office of the Prime Minister had a legal advisor? Why would the Prime Minister need a legal
advisor when there is the Attorney General Chambers? The legal advisor in question is the wife of a senior executive of the Alliance for Change. Another ministry had a four-member public relations department. Yet another ministry had a fulltime Public Relations Officer. Yet, there was a bloated Department of Public Information and an overstaffed unit which operated out of the Ministry of the Presidency which could have easily provided the same services. This is in addition to the political operatives who were gifted senior positions within the state-owned Guyana Chronicle and the National Communications Network. The PPP/C, however, has no moral authority to criticize this type of featherbedding. They did the same when they were in office. The sister of one minister was handed three simultaneous retainers in the state agencies. Former ministers secured ministerial advisory positions, effectively allowing them to enjoy close to ministerial-level salaries and benefits. Others were appointed as ambassadors. It is now being rumoured that Dr. Luncheon and Dr. Westford are likely to be reemployed as advisors to the government. Both were part of the pre-2015 PPP/C government. If their services are so indispensable, then why were they not appointed as ministers? Why bring them in as advisors, as is being rumoured? It will be difficult for the PPP/C to convince the public that handing them jobs is not a case of nepotism. Serious question marks hang over both individuals. Dr. Luncheon’s health is poor. He turned up at the PPP/C’s campaign launch rally in Kitty, in a wheel chair. The public is bound to view his
reengagement as a case of providing him with a state salary. Dr. Westford, the former Minister of the Public Service, was charged with fraud. The charges were all dismissed. The Magistrate in her ruling said that the charges were all bad in law since the two accused were not public officers and therefore could not be charged for larceny by a public officer. However, while the Court freed the two accused, no proper account has yet been given about the $600M which formed the subject matter of the charges. Until such time as the PPP/C can satisfy the public that the monies were never misappropriated but were properly spent, it should not contemplate reemploying the former minister. The most egregious development, however, is the appointment of Bharrat Jagdeo as a Vice President without any ministerial portfolio. The Constitution is explicit that a Vice President must be a minister and therefore must have a portfolio. The public is yet to learn the nature of the Ministerial portfolio of Mr. Jagdeo. It would be extraordinary to have a Vice President as a Minister Without Portfolio in a country with a presidential system. Burnham was a law unto himself; he went against convention and appointed ministers without portfolios, in order to create jobs for his loyalists. The PPP/C is looking to do the same. Did we have a change or an exchange on 2nd August? (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Dem boys seh ...
Jag-deo changed he name to Speedy Gonzalez
Is sheer blow-blow tekkin’ place. Gail seh how people gat permanent contract. Dem boys know dat dem nah gat nothing like dat. All it mean is that the contract is nah wan fixed term contract. Dah nah mean it can’t be terminated either with or without reason. But Gail wan de blow-blow blow. Is same thing with Jagdeo. He blowing de blowblow. He tek wan regulatory lawyer and put she fuh be in charge to review de Payara Field Development Plan (FDP). Dem boys seh plenty people gan be worried about
dat. Dem boys seh Jag-deo want a lick-and-a- promise review. He want de review fuh done quick. Dem boys din’t know he change he name to Speedy Gonzalez. He wan done de review in 10 days. But Mangal who is wan expert seh dat de government is entitled to take all de time it needs to ensure a proper review. De man talk how technical experts are needed fuh stay all aspects of de Field Development Plan. It need people fuh study de ocean floor, de operation of the oil
company, the cost fuh bring up de oil. It need enginers fuh see de wuk do right. Dat is why dem boys seh leh we get de best people fuh de de review. Dem boys wan remind de hurry-up man, Jag-deo dat de oil nah going nowhere. It nah gan runaway like dem hurricane does eventually do. It can stay right deh until a proper review done. Old people always seh fuh tek yuh time and peel yuh pine because time longer than twine. Talk half and tell Alison thanks, but no thanks!
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Monday August 17, 2020
Kaieteur News
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
Connection between Massy supermarket, rigged elections and fear In hundreds of columns, I have sermonized of how hopeless, psychologically disheveled and psychically destroyed the Guyanese nationality is. I have incessantly argued in these articles that the bizarre, ghoulish, irregular, comical, inhumane, depraved, negative things that occur in this country will not happen in any other land on Planet Earth. In those hundreds of columns, I gave hundreds of examples of what I see that are so macabre and unbelievable that this country cannot survive as a viable, morally grounded nation 40 years from now. Ask yourself why the five-month-old election saga took place and ask yourself if it could have happened in any other country; not only in the Third World but the world in general. In which other country
could the election commission’s chief elections officer announce over a fivemonth period six different election results? In which other country, an election returning officer would use a discarded cardboard and a soiled bed sheet to read out the tabulation of votes? In which other country would a chief elections officer have said he needed 156 days to supervise the recounting of 4,500 votes? All these macabre nightmares could only have occurred in a barren land like Guyana where the soul of a nation is absent. In which other country, would the government and the police force have declared that traffic ranks cannot conduct random stops yet the day after the announcement, it took place all over the country and has not stopped even for one day? It goes on and on. As the election drama
got older with the passing months and extraordinary comical excuses were given as to why the election was not in order, the world began to laugh at us. The world has been scorning us for decades because the world thinks this land is so mentally barren that time has forgotten about Guyana. In which other territory, an accused is jailed for three years for possession of a narcotic smoking utensil? Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand have the cruelest drug penalties but they would laugh at Guyana if they hear you can get three years here for a smoking utensil? In which other territory, a magistrate jails an accused for two years for a spent shell he found on the road? In which other country, except Guyana there are more road deaths during COVID-19 restrictions than in a normal
year? Now to Massy Supermarket but just a slight digression. Three times I wrote years ago that the security ranks at National Hardware were stopping customers at the exit door, reading their bills and checking their items in their bag against the bill. That was a violation of consumers’ privacy. Fortunately, Mr. Eddie Boyer, the owner stopped it. You are requested to produce the bill to be signed by the security as I have seen in only two other places – Giftland supermarket and Survival supermarket. The security takes your bill and with a fraction of a second, signs it. He does not read it. He does not peep into your bag. Saturday morning, as I was approaching the exit with my trolley, the security says the new policy is to check the bill and the goods. I wasn’t
going to allow that. It is a vicious, ugly, assault on customers’ privacy. There and then I informed Massy’s management that I will not ever permit that, so a confrontation is coming. If they want to sign the bill, then that is fine, but no one has a right to see what is on my bill and in my basket. Here is what is going to happen. I will refuse to let Massy’s security read my bill and examine my purchases. If they refuse to let me leave, I will summon the police and I will cite the law. The Consumer Protection Act prevents security from looking at your purchases. If Massy does not allow me to go without me offering my bill and goods for examination, and the police cannot stop them, then I will leave the stuff and seek redress in court. But do you know what is going to happen? Innocent, decent people, living in fear and resignation, are going to
Frederick Kissoon allow the security to read their bills and go through their purchases. They are going to freely give up their right to privacy. When you talk to them, they are going to say: “Mr. Kissoon, what can I do?” On each occasion when I tell a motorist that the traffic rank had to tell him/her why he/she made the stop, they would say: “Mr. Kissoon, I don’t want no trouble with the police.” Mingo and Lowenfield knew Guyanese were fools. Massy knows we are fools. The truth is, we are fearful fools. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Minister Croal says eager to resolve housing and water issues Minister of Housing and Water, Hon. Collin Croal, yesterday said that he is eager to commit to the PPP/C administration’s manifesto promise of delivering adequate water and provide housing for over 50,000, persons. He also noted that persons who applied for house lots should be patient and wait until the review of the entire system is completed. The Minister yesterday travelled to Mabaruma, Region One, and during a radio program, he stated that there is a backlog of over 65,000 active housing applications. He added that there is a challenge of striking the balance in getting the lands and finding the resources to build the infrastructure to create housing areas. According to Minister Croal, the housing system is under review and while he has stopped the allocation of house lots, persons can expect the system to resume very shortly, since the review is expected to be completed in the next week. He added that when the review is completed, the next phase will be policy making. The minister stated that he would like to encourage young people to own their own house, and take advantage of applying for their own house lots since the ministry will be working with the banks to create better interest rate for young people:
- Ask citizens to be patient until the review of housing system is completed
Minister of Housing and Water, Hon. Collin Croal during the radio program yesterday. (Ministry of Housing Photo) “Our President is committed over 50,000 house lots within the five years we are committed to that but we are also not limited to that number.” The minister is also looking at enforcement at the housing ministry. In this regard, he stated that someone contacted him and informed him about an issue. He said when the matter was investigated it was discovered that the matter was reported three weeks ago but was never addressed. Minister Croal shared that his team resolved the matter within an hour. He mentioned that at the same time there is also the concern of squatting which
his ministry finds unacceptable. “Only yesterday [Saturday] I received a phone call about persons allotting portions of land with the intent of the Ministry regularizing it,” he stated, adding that his ministry will not be bullied. During the interview Minster Croal also talked about the water and housing issue in Mabaruma. He said that he has asked the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), to locate lands that can be used as new housing areas. He said he also spoke with a Guyana Water Incorporation (GWI) engineer to take note of the different water issues that the Continued on page 15
Monday August 17, 2020
Kaieteur News
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Monday August 17, 2020
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Kaieteur News
AG warns staff of Deeds Registry against corruption
DEAD: Collis Joseph
— recommits to addressing operational challenges Father killed by son during argument over bicycle
AG has warned staff of the Deeds Registry against corruption. Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall has warned staffers of the Deeds and Commercial Registry against corruption. In his address to the staff this week, the Attorney General (AG) outlined his expectation that the two registries must be continuously modernizing its operations to become more efficient and expedient. Pointing to what he referred to as rumours leveled against the registry, the Attorney General warned the staff against engaging in bribery and corruption. He admonished that any such
incident discovered will be properly investigated and persons implicated will be dealt with in accordance with the law. He reminded the staff that the agency is instrumental in the developmental agenda of the country, in particular, in the areas of commerce, trade, industry and housing. The staff was also reminded of their duty, which is to serve faithfully and professionally the people of Guyana, as well as foreign investors. During his visit, AG Nandlall also met with the Deputy Registrar of Deeds
(ag), Ms. Zanna Frank, and Registrar of Companies (ag), Ms. Nicole Prince. The two officials raised with him the challenges that the agency currently faces, including physical space for staff, as well as storage capacity. They also outlined other operational challenges. Nandlall reminded the staff that the authority is governed by a board and that the issues will be raised at the next board meeting. The Attorney General committed to working with the board to ensure that the problems are addressed,
‘Shark Oil’ death sentence overturned, will now serve 18 years for manslaughter The Court of Appeal has overturned a death sentence imposed on Herman Ally ‘Shark Oil’ for the murder of Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, Berbice resident, Roydel Sandy. Ally, ‘Shark Oil,’ was convicted in 2012 and sentenced to death for the murder which occurred between October 5 and 6, 2006. The death sentence was imposed by Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire following a trial in the 2012 Criminal Assizes in Berbice, where state prosecutors argued that Ally murdered Sandy following a misunderstanding. Among other things, the State had claimed that on October 5, 2006 at around 16:00 hrs. Sandy was found in the vicinity of Ally’s yard with a wound. He was picked up and taken to his mother’s home before being rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he died the next day. Ally was arrested that same day and was later charged with murder. However in appealing the death sentence, Ally’s lawyer
contended that the trial judge admitted into evidence a caution statement which ought to have been excluded, and further, that the trial judge failed to permit his client from mitigating his defense. Further in the grounds of appeal, the lawyer argued that the trial judge failed to put his client’s defense to the jury and that the trial judge misdirected the jury on the law of self-defense and murder. Further, Ally’s lawyer has argued that the trial judge failed to permit his client to mitigate in his defense. Additionally though he Continued on page 16
Herman Ally called ‘Shark Oil’
Minister Croal says eager... From page 10 residents are facing so that they can be swiftly resolved. The minister said that the Private Sector Commission (PSC) will also play a part in the development. Last Tuesday, Minister Croal along with Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, conducted their first community outreach at Block X Liliendaal Turkeyen. Responding to an invitation that was sent by the residents, the ministers interacted with the residents and assured them that while squatting is unacceptable by the ministry, there will be no strong-armed approach but rather, an inclusive and humanitarian stance will be adopted and implemented.
particularly the extension of the building at High and Commerce Streets. Nandlall explained that in his previous stint as Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, it was then that the new location at Avenue of the Republic was acquired from New Building Society Limited and was retrofitted to house the Commercial Registry and the Land Registry. He reiterated that the intention then was to acquire possession of the First Federation building located on Croal Street to renovate it and use it to give additional accommodation to the authority, especially much needed vault space to store documents. Nandlall promised to resume that initiative.
Tragedy struck the small, quiet West Coast Berbice village of Ithaca yesterday, when a man was murdered by his teenage son during an argument over a bicycle. The dead man has been identified as Collis Joseph, 40, a farmer, while the suspect has been identified as Rashin Joseph, 18 of Lot 82 Ithaca Village. Guyana Police Force Commander in charge of that Region, Senior Superintendant, Edmond Cooper confirmed that the suspect escaped after committing the act but was soon apprehended by police in the Ithaca backdam. He is currently in police custody assisting with investigations. A cousin of the dead man, Simone Smartt, said that when she returned home from work yesterday morning she received a call informing her that there was an incident involving her cousin and his son. “When I came home and got the call I was made to understand there was some problem with he and his son and that he (suspect) take a cutlass and pelt it at him (victim) and it stick in his stomach”, she said. She disclosed that the suspect lives with his grandmother in Ithaca while her cousin lived elsewhere in the same village. She was told that the victim ventured over to the house where the suspect lived “to upbraid him about something about a bicycle and they began to argue and he picked up the cutlass and pelt it at him.” Smartt said that the father and son shared a turbulent relationship and rarely “got along with each other.” The suspect was described as a young man who wanted his own way and would not heed the advice of anyone “because like he does smoke and ting so nobody can’t talk to he and so”. Police have since revealed that the incident took place around 7:30 am yesterday when the suspect armed himself with a cutlass and hurled it at his father, resulting in a wound to his chest. The police said that the victim did not die on the spot but rather threw back the cutlass at his son before collapsing. He was rushed to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital where he subsequently succumbed to his injury. A post mortem is expected to be done on the body soon.
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Monday August 17, 2020
Kaieteur News
Reg. 5 marks first COVID-19 case WANTED
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Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) recorded its very first COVID-19 case after managing to stay clear of the virus since its genesis here in March. Along with that, Guyana yesterday surpassed 700 COVID-19 cases after recording 35 new cases, with a 23rd person dying from the disease. The Region Five announcement was made by the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), who further advised residents of the Region to exercise full compliance of the COVID-19 regulations. They also admonished the younger population on desisting from thinking that they are immune to the virus and they should be vigilant. The RDC was unable to state in which part of Region Five the case came from. The Region had previously implemented a curfew strictly on weekends to curb the possible
spread of the virus. Most of the regular COVID-19 restrictions had not applied to the region since they had no cases. Yesterday’s newly recorded COVID-19 cases now bring the total number of cases to 709. One new death has also been recorded. The total amount of COVID related deaths now stands at 23. Also, there have been 349 total recoveries. There are currently three persons in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), there are 59 active cases in institutional quarantine, 275 persons in home isolation, and 79 persons in institutional quarantine. Out of the 35 new cases recorded Two are in Region One, five are in Region Three, six are in Region Four, one is in Region Five, 11 are in Region Seven, six are in Region Nine and four are in Region 10.
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From page 15 was found guilty of the crime, Ally had maintained his innocence. At his initial sentence, he had told the Court, “I know to myself that at no time at all I had any implement or knife or whatever. I was not responsible for the killing of Roydel Sandy.” He had always claimed he acted in self-defense, saying
that after he had an altercation with a woman, Sandy attacked him with a knife.On Friday, presiding Justices Chancellor of the Judiciary Yonette Cummings-Edwards, Justice of Appeal Dawn Gregory and High Court Judge Brassington Reynolds overturned the man’s murder conviction and substituted it with manslaughter, following arguments by Ally’s lawyer,
Nigel Hughes and state prosecutors.The Court of Appeal then imposed a sentence of 18 years for manslaughter, and ordered that the time Ally spent in jail from the time of his arrest in 2006 must be deducted from the sentence. Hughes argued that his client has been in custody for 160 months, and should be released from prison in the next six months.
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Rupununi Essence Luxury Facial Cleansers... From page 14 collaborative relationships with the Makushi People to begin to embark on the project which has created the superlative product, which has become as much a sought after iconic Guyana gift as some of the more enduring rums for which the country is so well known. The collaboration required the employment of a novel approach, which Narine describes as Cultural Diplomacy – another term borrowed from a Professor at Trent University, Professor Jonathan Bordo. Bordo studies Cultural Diplomatics in the context of “Place” and he and Narine are long-time collaborators on the application of this emerging discipline in social enterprise. “There is a kind of spontaneous combustion that occurs,” Narine enthusiastically declares, “when under a traditional benab,
deep in the heart of the Rupununi Savannahs, material scientists, chemists, economists and Indigenous Elders sit down to break Cassava Bread and share solutions. It is a deeply rewarding experience which requires mutual respect and a commitment to understanding and sharing each other’s values.” It was to take several more years after the formal process of engagement and forging of partnerships between the Institute and the Makushi Research Unit and Medicine from Trees women’s group were to settle on a dominant design of the product. This was then followed by an intense period of chemical, physical and allergenicity tests. Concurrently, supply side logistics, process development, quality control protocols and marketing, pricing and packaging strategies
needed to be developed. Doing all of this without transformative capital and operational funding was a challenge, and here, Narine credits the philanthropy of Guyanese who are always willing to join hands across the cultural tapestry; “many individuals, such as the current Vice-Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Professor Paloma Mohammed-Martin, donated their time and expertise. In Professor MohammedMartin’s case, she developed the video advertising for the product which was shot on location by her volunteer team, all free of cost.” “Anyone can make a thing,” Narine says, “it takes many helping hands and constant focus to make a good thing. I am grateful to the many people who have and are still providing their expertise and assistance as we navi-
gate through the life cycle of boot strapping a sustainable social enterprise which is vertically integrated from the rainforests to your bathrooms and beauty parlours. That is a remarkable journey.” Kaieteur News has learnt that the company is waiting to launch several other products to its line-up; a facial exfoliant and restorative mask being among them. All of these have been developed by the IAST and its Makushi collaborators from Rupununi botanicals. Rupununi Essence products are available at Pharmacies, Supermarkets and Beauty Supply stores in Guyana as well at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and from the IAST by calling 222-4215 or ordering the products through Instagram or Facebook. Deliveries during COVID-19 restrictions are available from the IAST.
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Wasim Akram says England ‘owe’ Pakistan for cricket tour AFP - Wasim Akram has insisted England “owe” Pakistan for going ahead with their tour amid the coronavirus pandemic as he urged English officials to honour a planned returned visit in 2022. England have not played in Pakistan since 2005/06. An attack by armed militants on Sri Lanka’s team bus in Lahore in 2009 ended major cricket tours for a decade. But Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, West Indies and Bangladesh have all since made the trip. Pakistan are currently playing the second Test of a three-match series at Southampton, which follows an England-West Indies series last month that marked international cricket’s return from lockdown. Both teams, among the poorer Test nations, have
been praised for travelling to Britain, which has been hit hard by the COVID-19 outbreak and helping spare the England and Wales Cricket Board an estimated £280 million ($366 million) loss if their scheduled matches were wiped out by the virus. “You (England) boys owe Pakistan cricket, and the country, a lot, with the boys coming over here,” Pakistan great Akram, arguably the best left-arm fast bowler in cricket history, told Sky Sports yesterday. Akram added the participation of English players in this year’s edition of the Pakistan Super League, a Twenty20 franchise tournament, should encourage the ECB in thinking it was safe to send the England side there as well.
“The English players were there for the Pakistan Super League in our team, Karachi Kings –- Alex Hales and Chris Jordan,” said Akram. “They loved it, they enjoyed it, they got looked after beautifully and I must give credit to the government of Pakistan, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Pakistan team and their staff.” - ‘Thank you for coming’ -England off-spinner Moeen Ali told Sky he had been taken aback by the enthusiastic reception he had received from Pakistan fans. “It’s not the cricket performances you get congratulated for,” said Moeen, who is not part of the current Test squad but did feature in world champions England’s recent one-day international series against Ireland.
Monday August 17, 2020 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) When was the last time you used a pen and paper, Aries? The keyboard has all but replaced these wonderful tools. TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Today could bring a keen sense of empathy and understanding, Taurus. Verbal communication is likely to be enhanced. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Don't be surprised if your mind goes a thousand miles a second today, Gemini. Slowing down will be difficult, and you'll have to find a way to express what's in your head. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Welcome to another great day, Cancer! The energy from the planetary aspects is positive and encouraging, especially when it comes to communicating and interacting with others. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You might be really interested in getting out and doing something with the special people in your life, Leo. You can thank the day's planetary aspects, which are conspiring to make this a perfect time to spend time together. VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22) Virgo, consider channeling your philosophical inspirations into creative writing, Virgo. It's probably something you'll enjoy.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You might need to be alone today, Libra. You're probably surrounded by people most of the time. It can be unhealthy if you can't occasionally be alone with your thoughts and feelings. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Today you may want to go your own way regardless of what anyone else wants, Scorpio. Your independence is important to you, but compromise might be needed in order to avoid conflict. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Today may find you in the mood for an adventure or a visit if possible, Sagittarius. When was the last time you took a day for something like this? CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Serious thinking and communication are enhanced today, Capricorn. They're already strong qualities in you, and with this added boost, you'll need an outlet for expression. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You might feel cornered into doing something you don't want to do today, Aquarius. Perhaps you made a promise to handle a project. Maybe someone decides it's the day to call in an I.O.U. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You might find that someone close to you needs a hand today, Pisces. They could be too proud to ask for help. Don't let that stop you.
“Everyone says ‘thank you for coming’. “They just want international players to come and be part of the cricket culture here and it’s been amazing.” Meanwhile England batting consultant Jonathan Trott, who told reporters his own experience of playing in Pakistan amounted to an Under-19 tour where he “didn’t win in a game” in six weeks, was cautiously optimistic. “It has got to get all the stuff in place to go there,” former England batsman Trott said.“It is not really a decision for the players —it is up to the administrators and the ICC (International Cricket Council) to decide. “They played the PSL, that went well, and an invitational side that played a few T20s, a lot of those guys said it was pretty good.” The ongoing England-Pakistan series, as happened in the West Indies Tests, is being played behind closed doors, with both teams staying in onsite hotels to create
a bio-secure bubble designed to guard against the spread of COVID-19. Pakistan are also due to play three Twenty20s against England after the Test series finishes and Akram said: “They’ve been here almost two and-a-half-months in the bio-secure (bubble). So if everything goes well, England should tour Pakistan. “I promise you they’ll get looked after on and off the
field there and every game will be a packed house.” Earlier this month, PCB chief executive Wasim Khan said he hoped England could tour before their planned trip in two years’ time. “We’d love to have them coming over well before then for a shorter tour,” said Khan, a Birmingham-born former batsman with several English counties.“It’s something that we’ll speak to the ECB about.”
Halep wins Prague title, to ... From page 23 successive games to take control. Halep did not have things all her own way though and was broken back early in the second set as Mertens again went on the attack. A wobbly service game allowed Halep to move a break ahead again in the fifth game, although Mertens retaliated again to level the second set at 4-4. Halep broke to lead 6-5 though and finished it off with a heavy forehand. “Second set I was 4-2 up
but dead and felt very tired,” she said. “But today, mentally I was really strong which allowed me to win in two sets.” With world number one Ash Barty and 2019 U.S. Open champion Rafael Nadal, as well as a host of other top players, already deciding against playing at Flushing Meadows, organisers will be hoping Halep says yes. Halep has appeared reluctant to make the trip to the U.S., which is still in the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic, but said this week she needed to see what “changes” the organisers would make in terms of “travelling and stuff”. The U.S. has around 5.5 million cases of COVID-19 and almost 172,000 people have died, according to a Reuters tally. Concerns remain whether players would face mandatory quarantine if they travel to Europe from the U.S. for claycourt events in September, although Halep said she now believed that players would not need to quarantine. U.S. Open organisers are creating a bio-secure bubble in New York with tough protocols to hold the tournament from Aug. 31 without fans.
Ducati’s Dovizioso ... From page 22 could do,” Miller said. “I’m happy to get the podium but I missed second, I made a slight error when Mir came up on the inside... But hats off to him.” KTM’s Brad Binder finished fourth while Rossi, who had started 12th on the grid, moved up the field and put the near-death experience of the crash behind him to finish fifth. Pole sitter Vinales had a poor start and had issues with his bike as he finished 10th while world championship leader Fabio Quartararo, who made a mistake early in the race to rejoin at the back of the field, recovered to finish eighth. Dovizioso’s victory saw him leapfrog Vinales into second in the overall standings and reduced Quartararo’s lead at the top to 11 points after four races.
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Ducati’s Dovizioso wins Austrian GP after horror crash halts race
SPIELBERG, AUSTRIA (Reuters) - Ducati’s Andrea Dovizioso won an actionpacked Austrian Grand Prix which was halted for 20 minutes after Franco Morbidelli’s Yamaha collided with the Avintia Ducati of Johann Zarco in Spielberg yesterday. The red flag came out immediately when Morbidelli and Zarco came together at turn three, with their cartwheeling bikes missing Valentino Rossi and Maverick Vinales by inches as the two Yamahas navigated the turn. Both riders walked away from the crash relatively unscathed and MotoGP said they were taken to the medical centre for a check-up where they were declared fit as the race restarted with 20 laps.Dovizioso, who said on Saturday that he would not be renewing his contract with Ducati, took the chequered flag after race leader Alex Rins of Suzuki crashed with 10 laps to go to keep the team’s perfect record at the Red Bull Ring intact.
Ducati have won every race since the circuit was introduced on the calendar in 2016 and it was the Italian rider’s third victory on the track having won in 2017 and 2019 while it was Ducati’s 50th premier class win. “Very, very strange (race) for many reasons. To start twice was strange,” Dovizioso said.“It was not that easy to start the ‘second race’ with perfect energy but I was able to manage the race because I had a few corners where I was able to be a bit faster. I was so strong in braking and could decide the pace. “If Rins didn’t crash, I think it would have been very difficult to beat him.” However, the manufacturer lost out on a one-two finish when Joan Mir capitalised on Jack Miller’s mistake on the penultimate corner of the final lap as his Pramac Ducati went wide to give the Suzuki rider second place and his first podium in MotoGP. Miller started well off the line on both occasions but struggled for grip on his soft
Mission Winnow Ducati Corse’s Andrea Dovizioso celebrates winning the Austrian Grand Prix race on the podium at Red Bull Ring, Spielberg, Austria. (REUTERS/Lisi Niesner)
Andrea Dovizioso wins after huge smash for Zarco/Morbidelli.
front tyre towards the end of the race and the Australian said that he had no other options with no medium tyres left.“I just had to... push away at the start and see what I (Continued on page 21)
Rain deals cruel blow after tantalising first hour
Shaheen Shah Afridi struck early Gareth Copley / © AFP ESPNcricinfo - More rain sent the second Test squelching towards a damp-squib draw, made even more disappointing by the fact that the small amount of play possible on day four teased at an enthralling contest. Despite squeezing in 10.2 overs of compelling cricket more than on the washed-out third day - the players left the field after an hour as the rain arrived, remaining so heavy that stumps was called shortly before 4pm with the outfield too wet to even attempt a mopping-up operation. While play was allowed, England claimed the one wicket they needed to wrap up Pakistan’s first innings and lost one of their own when Rory Burns fell to Shaheen Shah Afridi on the fourth ball
of the reply. Pakistan resumed on 223 for 9 with Mohammad Rizwan unbeaten on 60 and Naseem Shah not out 1. Rizwan came out swinging but failed to connect with James Anderson’s first ball. He scored a four in each of Anderson’s next two overs, the first charging down the pitch and getting a thick outside edge to an intended straight hit that sailed over gully’s head, the second a more controlled jab through backward point. But he fell a short time later, having added 12 to his overnight score, when he shovelled the ball to Zak Crawley at cover to give Stuart Broad his fourth wicket. Afridi made the early
breakthrough for Pakistan, dismissing Burns for a fourball duck. He almost had a wicket first ball but Burns’ nick to Asad Shafiq at second slip didn’t quite carry. Shafiq gobbled up the catch a short time later though, to send Burns on his way and put England at 0 for 1 in reply to Pakistan’s first-innings 236. Dom Sibley and Crawley both wore body blows from Mohammad Abbas who, like Afridi, was finding sublime movement to keep the batsmen under intense scrutiny before the weather had the final say for the fourth day in a row. Scores: England 7 for 1 (Crawley 5*, Sibley 2*) trail Pakistan 236 (Rizwan 72, Abid 60, Broad 4-56) by 229 runs.
Mike Parris 40th medal anniversary clothing line launched In a surprise move to honour their dad, Michael Anthony Parris, Melissa, his eldest daughter, being the mastermind behind it all and her five other sisters chipped in with the idea to launch a clothing line on his 40th anniversary of winning his Olympic Bronze medal in Moscow in 1980. The line features motivational t-shirts, hats, boxing gear, gym wear etc, which would come out soon honouring Guyana and the English Speaking Caribbean lone Olympic boxing medalist. A release from his daughters noted, “The line is to help boost the self esteem of others to uplift, encourage and motivate others to keep pushing and aiming for the sky to achieve greatness in life. Some of the quotes are of life’s experiences. It’s just to show us sometimes we are never alone and whatever we’re going through there is always someone out there who is battling something worst. So instead of doubting ourselves, look deeper within yourselves to find your purpose.” “Discipline, Devotion, Determination and Dedication are the words used by my Dad Michael Anthony Parris that helped to motivate me to keep
Michael Anthony Parris, medal and all, displays one of the t-shirts honourig him launched by his daughters. pushing through life. These four ‘D’s molded me and my other siblings into the persons we are today, so maybe they can also be words of inspiration to you. In closing I would like to leave you with a quote: ‘Don’t allow the past to paralyze you from entering
the bring future that awaits you’,” the release informed. For further information on how to go about obtaining any of the Mike Parris clothing line, kindly contact Melissa Parris on telephone 685-5116 or Melinda Parris on 613-9766.
Skerrit wants more former players at... From page 23 the past or whatever.” It is the opinion of many who have an interest in seeing West Indies cricket develop that those who have contributed to the sport as players are being sidelined and their various experiences are going to waste. Skerritt says his administration has actively been trying to change that.
“I can tell you that more of our former players have been engaged since I have been president and maybe some of them feel like they haven’t been engaged enough and I have no doubt they could be engaged more,” he said. “[ … ] but the people who really operate across the region and for whatever reasons that gap is just too huge,” said the CWI president.
Monday August 17, 2020
Brady claims first WTA title at Top Seed Open as WTA marks U.S. return (Reuters) - American Jennifer Brady clinched her first career WTA title yesterday, defeating Switzerland’s Jil Teichmann 6-3 6-4 in the Top Seed Open final. The hard court, outdoor competition in Lexington, Kentucky, marked the WTA’s first tournament in the United States since the coronavirus outbreak forced almost all sport into a long break earlier this year. In the first set, a defensive effort saw Brady save all four break points faced before going on the attack in the second set, winning more than 80% of her first serve points in front of the empty stands. Brady, who defeated Coco Gauff in straight sets in the semifinal, thrust her hands into the sky after firing off a forehand winner to clinch the match and walked to the net to tap her opponent’s racket in a socially distanced gesture of sportsmanship.
Jennifer Brady of the U.S. in action during her semi final match against Romania’s Simona Halep in the Dubai Championships. (REUTERS/Christopher Pike/file photo) The Cincinnati Masters is scheduled to be played at Flushing Meadows, New York from later this week, followed
by the U.S. Open, also at its usual Flushing Meadows home, from Aug. 31 to Sept. 13.
Skerrit wants more former players at regional level
West Indies Championship winners Barbados Pride. SportsMax - Cricket West Indies president Ricky Skerritt wants to involve more former West Indies players in the process of recreating world-beating teams but believes there is a part of that process they are neglecting. According to Skerritt, the gap between first-class
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cricket in the region and international cricket is too great and that may be where past players would best be served. Speaking on the ‘Good Morning Jojo Sports Show recently, Skerritt said “the legends in their own home islands, it would be great if they
could do more. Some of them would tell you that well, I have been living here for so many years and the cricket association president or whoever has never asked me to do anything, so people tend to sit back and wait to be asked because of bad experiences in (Continued on page 20)
Basil Butcher fund and Mike’s Pharmacy... from page 23 detergents from the fund. Asst Secretary /CEO Simon Naidu disclosed that over $3M worth of items have been distributed so far under the fund including 960 food hampers, cricket gear to 67 young cricketers, cleaning detergents, score books, footwear, clothing, household utilities, educational materials and bicycles. The fund would shortly visit Linden to share cricket gear and cycles to young cricketers and students. Meanwhile, the Fund would also sponsor
the Annual Gregory Gaskin Region Six Sports Award Programme. Foster disclosed that five awards would be given out - Sports Man of the year -2019, Sportswoman of the year -2019, Sports Association of the Year 2019, Lifetime Achievement Award and Sports Personality of the Year Award. No ceremony would be held due to the Covid 19 social distancing guidelines but the awardees would receive their awards at home. Each awardee would receive a trophy, medal, certificate of excellence and a collection of gifts.
Halep wins Prague title, to decide on U.S. Open today
(Reuters) - World number two Simona Halep said she will announce today whether she will play at the U.S. Open. Speaking after her victory over Elise Mertens in the Prague Open final, the 28-yearold Romanian said “she just needed her time” to make a decision. Halep was playing her first event since coronavirus pandemic shut down tennis in March, picking up where she left off six months ago when she won the title in Dubai. After some rusty performances during the week, Halep found her groove to win 6-2 7-5 and said she was encouraged by her form and the health protocols put in place in Prague. “We felt really safe here and all the rules were respected,” she told reporters. “It’s a bit stressful but the fact that everyone was good these 10 days means everything was done well.” Halep had struggled past Polona Hercog in her first match of the week and was also far from her best against Barbora Krejcikova and compatriot Irina-Camelia Begu. But apart from some understandable fatigue, she looked far more like herself against Romania’s Simona Halep reacts Belgian Mertens, winning in one hour 33 minduring her semi final match against utes to earn her 21st career WTA trophy. Mertens blazed into a 2-0 lead with a flurry Jennifer Brady of the U.S. at the Dubai of winners, but Halep found her range from Tennis Championships. (REUTERS/ the baseline responded by reeling off seven Ahmed Jadallah file photo) (Continued on page 19)
India’s Raina follows Dhoni into retirement
NEW DELHI (Reuters) Former India all-rounder Suresh Raina has joined exskipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni in quitting international cricket, the 33-year-old said in a statement yesterday. Minutes after Dhoni announced his retirement on Instagram on Saturday, Raina posted a message on the same platform, saying “With my heart full of pride, I choose to join you in this journey.” The Indian cricket board issued a statement on Saturday confirming Dhoni’s retirement but there was no official
word on Raina. “With a lot of mixed feelings, I’m able to make this announcement of my retirement,” Raina, who made his India debut in a one-day match in Sri Lanka in 2005, said on Sunday. “I had multiple surgeries, setbacks and moments when I felt that this is it... It’s been an incredible ride...” A fluent left-handed batsman and a handy off-spinner, Raina played 18 tests but impressed more in limited-overs cricket, where his agile fielding made him an asset. Raina played 226 ODIs for
India, his last being in 2018 in England. He scored nearly 8000 international runs, having scored a century in all three formats. “Congratulations Suresh on a wonderful career...” batting great Sachin Tendulkar tweeted.“Still remember our partnership & on-field conversations during your debut test! Wish you all the very best for your future endeavours.”Both Dhoni and Raina will play for Chennai Super Kings at this year’s Indian Premier League which will take place in the United Arab Emirates from Sept. 19.
India’s Suresh Raina in action as England’s Jos Buttler looks on. (Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra)
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Totally dominant Lewis Hamilton reigns in Spain
PA Sport - Lewis Hamilton dominated the Spanish Grand Prix to extend his lead in the Formula One world championship. The Mercedes driver led every lap at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya, taking the chequered flag a mammoth 24.1 seconds ahead of Max Verstappen, with Valtteri Bottas in third. It marked Hamilton’s 88th career win, moving him to within only three of Michael Schumacher’s all-time record. Hamilton could match the German at Ferrari’s 1,000th Grand Prix in Mugello next month. The Briton has now also secured more podium finishes than any other driver in the sport’s history, spraying champagne here for the 156th time, one more than Schumacher managed. Bottas pitted for new tyres late on to claim the fastest lap, but Hamilton, who lapped the entire field up to the third place, will head to the next round in Belgium with a commanding 37-point lead over Verstappen in the standings. Sergio Perez finished
Valtteri Bottas (left) who endured a frustrating race chats with teammate and winner Lewis Hamilton. (Albert Gea, Pool via AP) fourth but was demoted to fifth after serving a five-second penalty for ignoring blue flags. Racing Point’s Lance Stroll took the position with McLaren’s Carlos Sainz in sixth. Hamilton’s winning streak came to an end at last weekend’s 70th Anniversary
FIBA 3x3 rankings to remain frozen until 2021
The International Basketball Federation – Fédération Internationale de Basketball (FIBA), had announced the freezing of individual rankings, teams and selections of 3×3 basketball. However, as of recent, the Federation stated that the rankings will return to normal on April 1, 2021. In a letter distributed by FIBA, it has been said, “We would like to kindly update you on the FIBA 3×3 Rankings and measures taken in regard to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the rankings. Since 1 April 2020, all FIBA 3×3 rankings have been frozen, and no ranking points have expired or been added for any players. Consequently, National Federation and Team rankings have also remained unchanged. “Although FIBA lifted its general suspension of all competitions on 9 July 2020, some players, teams and national federations are still unable to participate in FIBA 3×3 official competitions, and resume any 3×3 activity in their country. As a result, the freeze of all FIBA 3×3 Rankings is extended until 1 April 2021 (except if FIBA communicates a further extension) and therefore, FIBA 3×3 rankings will remain unchanged until then. “This measure is implemented to avoid disrupting
Olympic eligibility and qualification to next year’s competitions. By freezing the rankings until 1 April 2021, FIBA guarantees that even in countries still affected by the COVID19 pandemic for the foreseeable future.” Some of the points that came out from the meeting were: • The (currently) highestranked national federations can still qualify to the 2021 National Team Competitions. • The top 3×3 players and teams can still get a spot in the professional circuit in 2021. • The top 3×3 players remain eligible to compete at the Tokyo Olympic Games. Guyana shot off its inaugural 3×3 competition in 2019, as it featured a classic thriller in the Rawle Toney/ Mackeson 3×3 tournament. The match-up saw Pitbull emerging victorious. Whenever the COVID-19 lockdown ends, many 3×3 teams will be anticipating the second edition of the tournament. National federations, teams and players, who have been or are now able to successfully return to the court, will be rewarded with the corresponding ranking points as soon as the freezing of the ranking is lifted on 1 April 2021.
Grand Prix at Silverstone after Verstappen won for Red Bull. Hamilton’s afternoon was plagued by tyre woes on that occasion, but in the 30-degree heat on the outskirts of Barcelona, he had no such worries as he led from the front in impressive fashion. The greatest threat to his victory would come at the long run down to the open-
ing corner, but Hamilton blasted out of his blocks to leave Bottas trailing. Indeed, Bottas fell two places to fourth after he was found guilty of being too timid on the brakes at the first corner, allowing Verstappen to sail around the outside, and Stroll to sneak through on his right. Bottas would make it back past Stroll on lap five, but he
was unable to do anything about Verstappen, who is the only other driver able to keep pace with the all-black machines this season. Alexander Albon finished eighth in the other Red Bull, one lap behind his team-mate. While Verstappen took advantage of Mercedes’ rubber troubles at Silverstone to claim his ninth career win, it was the Dutchman struggling with his tyres yesterday. After taking on fresh rubber at his first of two stops, Verstappen was informed of Bottas’ pace. “How about we just focus on our race first instead of looking to Lewis?,” Verstappen yelled. “Clearly on the soft tyre we were not as fast as them. Just make sure we do our job and let them do their job.” Hamilton’s first of two stops was slow as Mercedes struggled to fit his rear-left tyre, providing Verstappen with the opportunity to slash the deficit from nine to four seconds – but despite the threat of rain in the closing stages, the Briton’s fourth victory from six rounds this year never looked in doubt. Over at Ferrari, their troubled campaign continued
with Charles Leclerc forced to park his red machine after an electrical failure sent him into a spin. He attempted to solider on before conceding defeat on lap 38. Sebastian Vettel spent much of the afternoon in the midfield before attempting a one-stop strategy. Despite being gobbled up by Stroll and McLaren’s Carlos Sainz in the closing stages, the fourtime world champion finished seventh, his second best result of the current campaign. Lando Norris, who did well to hold off Leclerc during a rare moment of action, finished 10th. Hamilton enjoyed himself so much he did not even realise the race was coming to an end. “I was just in a daze out there, it felt really good. It was a fantastic effort from the team,” he said. “Oh God it felt good. I didn’t know it was the last lap. That is how zoned-in I was. I was ready to keep going.” Verstappen added: “To be able to split the Mercedes was very good for us. “We didn’t have Lewis’ pace but I am very happy with second. The start was crucial to get past Valtteri.”
Rossi urges riders to control aggression after ‘terrifying’ crash (Reuters) - Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi has urged riders who make their way up to the premier class to exercise caution when fighting for track positions to avoid a repeat of the horror collision that halted the Austrian Grand Prix yesterday. The red flag came out early in the race when Franco Morbidelli’s Yamaha collided with the Avintia Ducati of Johann Zarco, with their cartwheeling bikes nearly taking out Rossi at turn three of the Red Bull Ring. The two bikes missed the 41-year-old and team mate Maverick Vinales by inches as they slowed down to negotiate the turn and Rossi looked visibly shaken when he returned to the garage before the race’s restart. “It was so scary, it was terrifying,” Rossi, a seventimes premier class champion, said. “For me, now everybody is very aggressive but also from the small classes. “I think it is good to be aggressive because everybody tries to do the maximum, but for me we don’t have to exaggerate, because we need to remember that this sport is very dangerous.
Monster Energy Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Pol Espargaro in action during the race. (REUTERS/Lisi Niesner) “You need to respect the other riders that are on track with you. We can’t forget this sport is very dangerous, especially in a track where you have long straights and you’re always going 300km/ hr.”Rossi, who finished fifth, said he had spoken with Zarco who explained that he did not brake on purpose to
catch Morbidelli off guard. “He went very wide in braking and he slammed the door in the face of Franco,” Rossi added. “With this bike when you ride 300km/hr, you have the slipstream, so Franco didn’t have any chance to brake. “I was with Maverick when we entered turn three and I felt something coming
towards me. I thought it was the shadow of the helicopter because sometimes it crosses the race track. “But then Franco’s bike passed me at an incredible speed and also the bike of Zarco jumped over Maverick. We were very lucky, but we hope this type of incident is a lesson for riders to improve their behaviour in the future.”
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Kaieteur News
Monday August 17, 2020
Basil Butcher fund and Mike’s Pharmacy donates to public institutions -Fund to sponsor annual Berbice Sports Awards Programme
T
he very popular Basil Butcher Memorial Trust Fund continues to make a positive difference in the county of Berbice as the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club MS and Berbice Cricket Board continues to pay tribute to the legendary West Indies test player , whose 87th birthday would be celebrated on the 3rd of September. BCB President and RHTYSC Secretary /CEO Hilbert Foster along with a delegation visited several public institutions over the last weekend to donate dozens of clocks under the fund. The clocks were
donated to the RHTYSC by popular businessman Lakeram Singh of Mike’s Pharmacy of Bel Air Street, Georgetown. Among the institutions receiving the clocks were the Port Mourant Public Hospital, Rose Hall Town Police Outpost, Rose Hall Post Office, Rose Hall Town Fire Station and the Rose Hall Town Council. Plans are also be finalized to provide clocks for every Police Station and Fire Station in Region Six. Foster stated that the donations were made as visits to most Government Offices revealed the absences of clocks and
BCB President Hilbert Foster (right) hands over the donation to the Port Mourant Public Hospital.
workers and visitors depending on their cell phones for the correct time. The fund also donated a
large amount of children’s medicine to the Port Mourant Hospital,which would be used in its out-patient clinics.
Foster urged the management of the different recipients to take care of the clocks and promised more
assistance in the near future. Most of these institutions had last received cleaning (Continued on page 23)
Mike Parris 40th medal anniversary rt clothing line launched o p S FIBA 3x3 rankings to remain frozen until 2021 Models are his daughters Melissa, Melinda Michelle, Maria, Makeda, and his eldest granddaughter Christol Fitzpatrick and the champ himself Michael Anthony Parris (centre).
Lewis Hamilton leads Red Bull’s Max Verstappen during a very dominant drive at the Spanish Grand Prix to take his fourth victory in six races so far this year. (Reuters)
FIBA 3x3 rankings to remain frozen until April 2021.
Totally dominant Lewis Hamilton reigns in Spain Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8452, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.